Welcome to our first official newsletter. We plan to publish it periodically to keep you informed on what’s going on, gone down, and coming up in the world of “Yo” in general and the Golden Apple in particular.
You can get a free printed copy of this newsletter at either
one of our stores or by just
by sending us your address! This will also get you on our mailing list
for future issues.
Sign up now and
we'll also let you know by email when the next issue is available online.
We need a really cool name for the newsletter and are willing to pay for it! So here goes. Submit your name for the newsletter to either Golden Apple store or online to by January 30, 1999, and if we pick your name, you’ll win a $25 gift certificate. Prizes will also be awarded to the next 25 runners-up. Enter now - no limit on the number of entries. Be sure to include your name and address and e-mail address on all entries.
Golden Apple Weekly Yo-Yo Classes
For the last three months, we have held weekly Yo-Yo classes at our
stores.
If you haven’t attended, here’s the deal:
Where:
Valley Store – Saturday
Melrose Store – Sunday
When:
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. each location
Cost:
Attendance and participation is free
All Ages Welcome:
We get all ages, all sizes, boys and girls, kids and parents!
Borrow a Yo-Yo:
If you don’t have your own Yo-Yo, we’ll lend you one of ours.
We have Yo-Yos from Yomega (X-Brains), Spintastics (Tornado Technics),
and Team Losi (Da Bomb) to loan. However, this offer is good for
the first time you attend only.
Weather:
Since the event is, generally, outside, check with us first if the
weather is bad. We may have to cancel, postpone, or change locations.
A Few Rules:
1. You must register (check in) each time you attend. You’ll
get a name tag when you check in. Wear your name tag during the session.
2. No wild or disruptive behavior allowed. If you cause trouble
– you’re out.
2:00 - 2:30
Registration - Please arrive during this period to help us get
to the
other segments on time.
2:00 - 3:00
a) For new people:
1. Orientation, safety, maintenance, string
length.
2. Basic trick demo.
3. Basic tricks - teaching (individual and
small group) and practice.
b) For returning people:
1. Trick demo, teaching, and practice. Members
of Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps available for individual and small group work.
3:00 - 3:30
- Special guest performance (if scheduled).
- Advanced trick demos by Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps members.
- Group Contest: long sleeper, loops, hot rod races, and others.
- Separate divisions by skill levels.
Prizes: strings, stickers, etc.
3:30 - 4:00
Testing, individual trick cards will be issued for Spinner, Super
Spinner, Pro Spinner, THP level tricks. As you complete each trick for
our judges, your card will be stamped. Completed cards will earn the yo-er
strings and special stickers. Advanced levels earn shirts, yo-yos, etc.
IMPORTANT:
Since this portion of our program is sponsored by Yomega and Bandai,
only their Yo-Yos may be used (X-Brains, Raiders, RB II’s, etc.).
NOTE:
This is a general outline and may vary from session to session.
Special Guests Cherie Currie and Steve Brown at the Cherry Bomb
premiere
From time to time, we bring in special guest performers, demonstrators, or company representatives. Because of scheduling concerns, we may have to change the timing of our regular program. For example, Paul Han will be appearing on Saturday, January 30, 1999, at both our Valley and Melrose stores. Be sure to check all the info so as not to miss out.
Also, special guests will usually be presented inside the Melrose store. So even if the weather is bad in the Valley, you can still see the guest at Melrose.
Parties, Private Lessons and School Programs
Due to requests, members of the Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps are available (for a fee) for parties, performance, and private lessons. We can supply kids, adults, contests, and prizes, and lots of fun. We also have a school program where schools can make money selling Yo-Yos. If interested, contact Bill at (323) 658-6047.
Video Clip: Check Out the Golden Apple Corps
Cutting Loose
Special Guest Appearances!
Sunday, February 21 - Bill DeBoisblanc - 3-Time National Champ,
3-Time
World Champ, one of four National Grand Masters, a true champion’s
champion. Details to come.
One of the fastest players going - a real dazzler! Saturday, January
30 - 12-2 at the Valley store & 3-5 at the Melrose store. Note:
Paul will be at both stores on Saturday - No Sunday class at Melrose (it’s
Superbowl Sunday). Photos coming soon!
Here's his event page.
Hope you were able to watch the Fox Kids T.V. Shows on Saturday, January 23 (from 7am to 11 am)! It was their special Yo-Yo day. We're proud that they shot most of the interviews and stuff at our Melrose store. As an added attraction, THP came down to watch and perform for our class. It was an incredible treat to see Alex, Sky, Devin, Yves and the others do their unbelievable routines. Thanks Guys!
Fox Kids crew sets up
THP enters in action formation
When Alex does the Texas Cowboy - Watch Out!!!
Here's a panorama of THP, the crowd and the Fox Kids crew (it's a big
file)
THP does its stuff!
THP raises the Golden Apple to new heights
Alex G. with his Hyper-Raider and the Golden Apple
Alex G. with most of the Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps
Alex G. with Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps members Keisuke, Cash and Robbie
THP at the official Golden Apple "meating" place, Fatburger!
Video Clips (complete with sound!)
Clip 1: THP Doing 2 Yo-Yo Tricks 1
Clip 2: THP Doing 2 Yo0Yo Tricks 2
Clip 3: THP Doing 2 Yo-Yo Tricks 3
Clip 4: THP Big String Trick
Clip 5: THP Yo-Yo Hip Hop
Clip 6: THP Wrap Up and Bow
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Team Losi’s Cherry Bomb, we held our first Cherry Bomb only contest on the weekend of December 26 (Valley) and December 27 (Melrose). There were approximately 100 entrants, and we awarded a lot of prizes (t-shirts, stickers, string packs, comics, and more) and had a terrific time.
Winners of the Grand Prize (Rare Black Cherry Bombs) were:
Valley
Melrose
Super-advanced Joey Skinta
Keisuke Muraok
Advanced
Robbie Uslan Neal Sherron
Of Special Note:
Robbie did an amazing 283 loops with his Cherry Bomb. (Hint: he used
the optional wood axle.) But still an amazing feat! Way to go, Robbie!!
We had divisions for beginners, intermediate, advanced, super-advanced, and even “Dads and Old Guys.” All in all, we awarded over 25 well-earned prize positions. In addition, everybody who entered got a free comic book!
We've got some photos of the crowd, winners, and people having fun. Do you see your picture? Maybe next time.
You can order your own Cherry Bomb here
Moonsault Madness Yo-Yo Reviews
By Curtis Harrison
Welcome to the first ever "Mooonsault Madness Yo-Yo Reviews!" The purpose
of this whole crazy madness is to help YOU decide which Yo-Yo is cool,
which one is good for you! I use a special rating system for the
Yo-Yos I review, it is called the "Apple System," a system made simply
for Yo-Yos. The highest rank a Yo-Yo can acheive is ten apples, but sometimes
I decide the Yo-Yo deserves more than that. In that case, a Yo-Yo might
receive the rare Golden Apple Award. Every issue, one Yo-Yo will be rated,
sometimes even two. It will be rated in its ability to sleep, loop, play
on the string, price to quality, and an overall coolness. New Yo-Yos will
usually be the ones getting rated, so you don't have to wait to decide
what to buy. Now that
you know what the Moonsault Madness is, I will rank the first Yo-Yo.
And the first ever Yo-Yo to be rated by Moonsault Madness is (drumroll)...
The Mondial!!!
The Mondial is an aluminum Yo-Yo, a cross between a butterfly and a regular shape. It has rubber rings around the edges of it, appropriate for this Yo-Yo since it costs about $120. This has got to be one of the best looking Yo-Yos I have ever seen. It comes in four color combos, red with black rings, blue with black rings, silver with black rings, and black with yellow rings. This Yo-Yo is made in the Black Forest, Germany by a company called Came-Yo.
The Mondial has a "lube injection" system. This means it has a hollow axle and you can put the lube in the side of the Yo-Yo without having to unscrew it (it does unscrew, though). The Yo-Yo is smart enough to use the lube when it needs it (COOL!!). The string goes around the bearing one time, it is only single looped. It has an adjustable gap that adjusts in very fine clicks. The Yo-Yo has a metal starburst that wears out strings quickly (a starburst is the star shaped thing on the inside around the bearing, it helps the Yo-Yo return better).
And now, for the ratings:
Looping:
Six Apples
String
Tricks: Eight Apples
Sleeping:
THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARD
Price
to Quality: Five Apples
Overall
Coolness: Nine Apples
You can order your own Mondial here.
For further information, other reviews, or to have questions answered:
E-mail me at: Moonsault2@AOL.com
Or visit me on the web at:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Crater/4082/
Metal transaxles are terrific! They spin fast, sleep long, and make it easier to do string tricks. However, what we’re seeing are more and more yo-ers who can do “split the atom” and other advanced string tricks – but can’t do loops! The problem is that transaxles have axle systems with low friction, which tend to slip when you’re learning loops and other aerial tricks. It’s hard to learn to do these tricks right when your equipment gives you problems. A solution: practice with a fixed wood axle model. Wood has less friction, and is easier to control when learning loops, shoot the moon, etc. Once you’ve mastered these tricks with wood, your skills are easily transferred to your transaxle play. Wood axles are generally less expensive (a Technics sells for $7.50) and are available in cool colors and designs.
Try ‘em, you’ll like ‘em!
Following are simple diagrams (courtesy of Bandai America Incorporated and HPK) of how to do loops. Take a look at it for demonstration of proper form.
Here are details of wrist action
Like any other sport, know your equipment and keep it properly maintained.
1. Each type of yo-yo has its own characteristics and each individual
yo-yo is different. Get to know how your yo-yo feels, when the string
needs changing, or when the axle needs lubrication.
2. Change your string often – you’ll notice the difference.
Some people change their strings after every 10 - 20 minutes of hard play.
Don’t wait for the string to get ugly and break.
3. Practice, practice, practice. When you think you’ve practiced
enough, or are good enough, then practice some more. Get the message? Hard
work and practice always pays off.
Yo-yo contests, if run correctly, are as strict as any other sport.
If you plan on testing for our HPK/THP Pro-Spinners Program, or plan on
entering regional or national contests, here are some things to remember:
1. There will be a “judging area” which you must perform in.
In general, this will be a 3-foot by 3-foot square area. If you step outside
the area while doing a trick – you’re out! Make yourself an area at home
to practice in. It takes
some getting used to, but it’ll be worth it!
2. No “practice tries” allowed. Once you step into the box,
the most you can hope for is a “gravity pull,” “forward pass,” or “UFO”
to test the string. If you try a trick in the performance, it counts.
3. Form counts - big time. Sloppy tricks won’t get you many
points. Sometimes championships are determined based on the difference
of just a few points, based on form. Do your tricks clean, correct, and
without extras - show off later on, win first!
4. Freestyle - develop your own routine and pick interesting, different
music to use. It might be great to watch Alex Garcia or one of the
other THP champs work out to a great song with spectacular moves, but if
you do the same thing to the same music, the best you can be a is a good
copy. Let your own moves, music, and personality come through - you’re
always best at being yourself. Confidence in your own abilities will
give you a performance edge.
5. Have fun. If you’re not having fun, neither will the people
watching you - including the judges.
6. Remember, a good sport always wins.
Meet the Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps Members
The Golden Apple Yo-Yo Corps (GAYYC) are employees and yo-ers who are identifiable by their Golden Apple t-shirts and name badges. Membership is by invitation only after consideration by other members of the GAYYC (mainly Bill).
Corps members (general)
* demonstrate a high level of performance ability.
* teach others – beginning to advanced tricks.
* consistently attend classes.
* are available for performances, parties, and private lessons.
* maintain high levels of performance in school, work, and social situations.
Jennifer Niles
* A full-time Golden Apple employee (Melrose).
* Yo-ing since August 1998.
* Favorite yo-yos: RB II, Hyper Russell (looping).
* Favorite trick: Buddha’s Revenge.
* Expertise: In charge of orientation, basic trick demos, loves
working with new yo-ers and girls.
* Current goals: dethrone Jennifer Baybrook as “Yo-Yo Princess”
and World Champ.
Cash Helwig
* Age: 10.
* Yo-ing since June 1998.
* Favorite yo-yos: Cold Fusion.
* Favorite tricks: mixed string tricks.
* Expertise: loves performing routine to “Mortal Kombat” or
“Fire” themes.
* Current goals: to qualify for Team High Performance.
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(4 blocks east of Fairfax) Los Angeles CA 90046 |
(south of Nordhoff) Northridge CA 91324 |
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