[Greg Mele]

I am pleased to announce that the 2009 Western Martial Arts Workshop is now open for registration! You can review classes and schedules, look at instructor biographies, and register for the event *right now* by going to www.wmaw.us.

I said before that I was excited by the diversity of classes, lectures, demos and new faces at this year's event, and I hope that when you review the class schedule, you will agree! But to find out if the reality meets the hype, you may want to act fast....

As in previous years, registration was announced yesterday to instructors, as well as to those who signed onto the event's mailing list, and response has been *unprecedented.* Already, the event is nearly 2/3 full and all on-site housing is booked full! Although all classes are still open, several are nearing closure already.

(Remember, WMAW has an attendance maximum, after which no new students will be allowed to register.)

In the weeks to come the website will include additional details about the coached free-fencing and wrestling, a few special presentations we are still working on, and a final surprise or two. Watch this space for those details. But if you have already made the commitment to attend this year's Workshop, I strongly recommend that you register *now* before classes begin closing....

On behalf of all of us on the WMAW 2009 Staff, we look forward to seeing you this September!

Greg Mele
WMAW 09 Programming Chair