For the past seven years, Tim and Tammy Calvin have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of East County residents through their teachings in martial arts. With emphasis on self-defense, discipline and respect, the Calvins have helped foster a sense of self-esteem in the children they teach at their Antioch studio, Delta One Martial Arts. But the local couple also reaches out to those not studying martial arts, offering free tutoring programs to the entire community, including a class geared to young entrepreneurs.

Next weekend, the Calvins open Delta One Martial Arts in Discovery Bay with an event chock full of self-defense seminars for the whole family, performances by several open forms world champions, free food and drinks and safety demonstrations, including fingerprinting for children.

"Our main focus is self-defense that day," said Tim Calvin, a third-degree black belt in Kajukembo karate. "People can expect a fun, exciting event, something that really benefits children and families."

Calvin, also a third-degree black belt in Senkotiros (Philippine stick fighting), is currently studying Brazilian Jujitsu in his quest to become an all-around student of martial arts. During the six years he spent as a police officer in Oakland and Novato, he came to understand the importance of self-defense and child safety as it relates to kidnapping.

At the March 17 grand opening, parents can create a personal information card for their children that includes a photo, date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color, race/ethnicity, birthmarks, and other important distinctions required by police at the time of a kidnapping.

"Usually under those circumstances, parents are so upset and confused that they have trouble getting all that information together," Calvin said. "We try to teach families the safety techniques to prevent this from happening, but in case the police ever have to come to their house, it's really simple to have this card already made up."

With emphasis on kajukenbo karate, Calvin and his trained staff at Delta One Martial Arts also teach grappling, Philippine stick fighting and kickboxing for adults and children alike. But Calvin notes the importance of non-violence when at all possible.

"If you have the confidence to walk away from confrontation, it makes it a lot easier," he said. "The kids in my program know that if they fight and I find out it could have been avoided, they lose their belt. We take that very seriously."

Every Saturday Calvin offers free tutoring to all children of the community, not just those studying martial arts. The program's credentialed teachers have helped countless students reach their educational potential. Calvin said 80 percent of his students are currently on the honor roll at school.

Recently the Calvins created a program that teaches young people about the world of entrepreneurialism.

"I was tired of seeing kids hanging out outside the movie theater and different businesses doing nothing," Calvin said. "I figured I could either complain about it or I could do something about it myself. So I started this program to give kids an idea of what it means to be an entrepreneur."

The free program, called Young Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, teaches kids how to formulate a business plan, a financial statement and how to invest in real estate. Calvin brings in experts to provide inspiration and real-world tactics.

Calvin is excited about bringing his established programs to the Discovery Bay community and hopes the grand opening will encourage more people to learn about martial arts.

The March 17 event runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to the entire community. The school is located at 14870 Highway 4, Suite B in the Safeway shopping center. For more information, visit www.deltaonemartialarts.com.