An Extravaganza

The Roller Rebels have had a fabulous summer so far and it's not over yet!  We have a handful of away bouts set up and ECE coming up this weekend. 

I can't say enough about ECE.  For skaters new to the game of derby, it's one of the best places to observe and learn.  For veteran skaters, it's such a great way to team up with other vets and really challenge yourselves.  Some of the most talented skaters get together to really show off their skills and they do it all in good fun! Meeting other skaters from the East Coast, is a great way to network and learn more about the people involved in derby.  And hey, if you aren't there to skate, you can watch one of the MANY bouts, buy gear from some of the vendors or enjoy the BBQ pool party.

All in all, it's a great workout and a great party!

Good luck to my Rebels this weekend and have a blast!!

- Etta

25 Random Facts

This wonderful woman has been with the Rebels for three years.  Some call her a skater, others a friend, I call her a hero.  With not much help at all, she took on the position of Treasurer for the league and completely overhauled our bookkeeping system and net worth!  She suffered one of the worst leg brakes I've ever heard about during a practice and took it like a champ!  Best of all, she can marry all of you. Read on to learn more about this Ordained Minister and amazing mother of three.  Ladies and Gentleman, I introduce to you our favorite Mexican treat, Eve L. Taco!

1. My birth certificate is in German.


2. I was born with a congenital deformity of the bones in my legs. I was forced to wear metal braces on them until I was almost 2 years old.


3. Once, when I was younger, a girl chased me down the block holding only a slice of meatloaf.

4. I believe my huge Pez collection will finance my children’s college education.

5. I have lived in Alaska and have never skied in my life.


6. I married the same man twice.


7. I have squeezed over 25,000 breasts.

8. I would rather go bottomless than topless.


9. I am an Empath. Which, in certain situations translates into social retard.

10. Musicals get me extremely agitated.


11. I have a fantasy of becoming a professional ice dancer. Complete with ball-hugging-spandex-wearin’ partner. (Last season I had choreographed routines to all 3 Roller Rebels team's intro songs.)

12. I can’t remember the last day I haven’t laughed.


13. I’m a straight shooter. I will never blow smoke up your ass.


14. I believe that one can have may soul mates, but only one partner at a time.


15. My decision to use the name Eve L. Taco had nothing to do with vaginas (just an added bonus).

16. I am a travel-size, hotel shower cap, table condiment whore.


17. I didn’t really make a fuss when I broke my leg, but I cried like a bitch when somebody skated over my hand in Steel City….twice.

18. It took over 8 months for my derby blisters to go away, but 1 ½ hours to get them back. And I loved every second of it.

19. I never let my children watch me compete - too violent.

20. If I was a guy, I would have the most amazing facial hair-always shaving it into different patterns and shapes.

21. I value distinct, unique features, over all-around physical beauty.


22. No matter where I live, I always grow a garden.


23. I prefer to be independent, but I was made to be a mother.


24. I’m pretty certain that most girls don’t join roller derby leagues and become bookkeepers.


25. Bret Michaels saved my life.

This Saturday!

Under 18 Just Became Cool

It's often said that if you're under 18, you can't do any "cool" stuff.  Well that's all about to change!

United Skates is holding Long Island's first EVER Junior Roller Derby Boot Camp.  This event is an amazing opportunity for young girls in the area who have always wanted to learn how to skate like a derby girl. 

At a total cost of $85, girls will participate in the once a week program.  Camp starts on May 3rd and runs for six weeks on Tuesdays.  Here are some more details:

Tuesdays 4:00-5:00PM - Ages 8-11
Tuesday 5:00-6:00PM - Ages 12-17

The camp will be run by yours truly and there is no experience necessary to join.  Safety gear is required in order to participate.  This includes helmet, mouth guard, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards.  Quad skates only (rental is free if needed). 

Ready to sign up?  Simply call United Skates at 516-795-5474 and register with them.

Can't wait to meet my new ladies!

- Etta

And The Winner is......

Last month we ran a contest for a new Rock-A- Betty Bruisers logo.  We got some great submissions and the ladies finally voted in their favorite.

Congratulations to Ryan Williams of New Paltz, New York on your winning design!

The Bruisers love their new logo! 

Ryan will be receiving a Rebels T Shirt and tickets to the Rock-a-Betty Bruisers' next bout on June 11th! Visit Ryan's website to check out his other design work.

Thanks to all who submitted a logo idea.  We hope to run more contests in the future, so stay tuned.

Resident Mom

Just in time for Mother's Day, our resident Mom was featured in the North Shore Sun!  Check out the full article here.

Roller Tube

Check out our latest video on presented by For Your Island on You Tube:

Get Your Gloves On

Fellow Rebel ShadowboxHer is one of the newest members of the league, though you would never know it.  Her enthusiasm, skill and commitment to the sport is apparent through everything she does both on and off the track. 

Yesterday, she was featured in the Nassau Herald in an article written by another Rebel, Young Stunna.  Both women will be skating this Saturday for the Rock-A-Betty Bruisers.

Read about Shadow, The Bruisers' Assistant Captain here.

More Than Just Fishnets and Attitude

Featured in The Times Beacon Record, is our very own Carnage Electra!  A full color cover page photo and interview reveal this five year Veteran's reason for joining roller derby and a little bit about her personal life off the track.

Don't miss this fantastic article !

My Derby Journey, Part 1

Hello again! Menoclaws here.

To me, finding out the how’s and why’s of people’s interest in Derby makes for great conversation, and good reading, too. I mentioned in my last post that I found Derby through a televised game – and thus began the love affair!

I think a big influence for me regarding Derby’s “draw” was the image of the women of Derby versus society’s image of women in the 1970’s. Women’s Lib was still a fairly new phenomenon – ironically, much like today’s Derby! Quite frankly, a large majority of women were still assuming the more traditional roles, and certainly not choosing to live on their own – if they did, many people viewed that with either pity at best, or suspicion at worst. But in Roller Derby, women played a competitive sport alongside men, followed the same rules and got penalized for the same infractions (despite popular belief, the “Old Derby” I watched actually had rules!). Yes, there were the Pretty Blonde Heroines – but there were also brash, outspoken skaters, itty-bitty jammers, big ol’ blockers, the steady-as-she-goes pivots . . . I mean, what better mould-buster role models for a shy, quiet kid who daydreamed a lot, read tons of books, and always had an extra #2 pencil to lend out for a math test??


After subscribing to Roller Derby Illustrated, the game’s official newspaper, I learned that while many skaters actually were accomplished athletes, a number of them had never played organized sports, and many found out about Derby by seeing the game on T.V. Hmmmm . . . So, with that, I visited Levittown Roller Rink every Saturday (a memory for all of you Old Timers out there!), attended games at the Commack Arena and Nassau Coliseum when the Chiefs were in town, and wrote to the Bank Track Skating Center in Philly for an application to train as a skater. Since I knew my parents would never sign for me, I waited for that magic day when I’d turn 18, sign the papers myself, and head west to make my Derby dream come true.

Ah, but Fate played a cruel trick on me. The International Roller Derby League was eventually sold to another Derby syndicate called Roller Games, and within a few years, Roller Derby on the East Coast basically disappeared . . . one lousy year before my 18th birthday, too! I was totally devastated by this one-two punch. Now, I’d have to make my Plan B my Plan A . . . ugh. I just couldn’t believe that my shot at Derby was gone forever . . . or was it?