Tomorrow Night!

It's That Time Again!

Interested in becoming a Long Island Roller Rebel?  Come and try out!

 

It's Been A Long Time

 

Last night after being away for quite a while, I went to a league practice.  Truth be told, I've had a lot of stress lately and on Monday night I had a bit of a mini breakdown.  We all go through these times - I am no different than anyone else in that respect.  It's hard sometimes to pick yourself up and get it together, but if you want to feel better, it's just what you have to do.  Thankfully, the solution for me on how to do this was staring at me from the corner of my bedroom where my bag with skates and the rest of my gear stood.  After getting the OK from Captain Morgan, I picked up that bag and made my way over to the rink. 

The greeting I got from the girls, some of whom don't know me well, was overwhelming!  First step I thought to myself to feeling better is this room full of family welcoming me in. 

Once my skates were on my feet and I glided across the rink, it was as if I never left.  I was smiling like a child as my speed picked up and I made my way around the big circle.  As I rolled along I forgot everything that was on my mind which pushed me to keep going.  In between my laps, I watched the girls practice.  It was fun to see how they've improved and how well they worked together.  This place, this sport, this league always make me feel like I've come home no matter how long I've been away.

I left the rink feeling fantastic!  I was happy, stress-free and so inspired (and I still am now).  I also left feeling comforted in knowing that I am still a part of this wonderful league to which I attribute so many positive things in my life to. 

For last night and for all of the time I've ever spent with the Roller Rebels, I want to send out thanks to the league and also to my Riedells, who always manage to turn things around for me.

Etta Jams
Forever a Roller Rebel

25 Random Facts

I can remember when this skater first came to practice, it was as if she had been a part of the league for years!  She was simply a natural and it didn't take her very long to become a star jammer!  Read on to learn about her great love of animals, over-sized food and love for more animals.  Ladies and gentlemen, Veloce Villain!

1: I have hand raised over 100 raccoons over the last 6 years.

 

2: I am one of the Jammers for the Long Island Roller Rebels A team, but as much as I love jamming I also love blocking!

3: I love doing very physical activities, especially if it involves me getting really dirty!

4: I have loved and feared sharks ever since I was 3 or 4 years old.

5: I use to take tap and jazz lessons from the ages 4-8 and then I played little league softball and it was all down hill from there.

6: I am one of 4 children and the only girl…..GI Joe and a cowgirl…. Yup!

7: The best part about being on a team, for me at least, is not winning or losing but, coming together as a unit and achieving a goal together as one.

8: I’m not afraid to make an ass of myself to get a few laughs out.

9: I’m pretty sure I’ve got the best mom ever!

10: I’ve been playing instruments with my dad ever since I can remember and I was in a band about 4 years ago and I truly miss playing with them.

11: I love gory, bloody, masochistic, terrifying movies.

12: I was into vampires, werewolves, and zombies back when The Lost Boys, Thriller and Monster Squad were in the theaters.

13: I really want to learn how to Jam skate.

14: I was a nobody in High School and I couldn’t care less to see anyone from there.

15: I’ve moved … a lot! 8 times in 6 years.

16: Roller derby has saved my soul.

17: I like to bite people….TMI?

18: Once upon a time I wanted to ref.

19. I’m fascinated with tattoos.

20. Yes, I am “hungry like the wolf”

21: I can say that I’ve dance with a giant hotdog.

22: I can also say that my derby wife is a giant Banana.

23: One thing that annoys me… when people complain about the same thing over and over again but do nothing about it.

24: I love to cook!

25: I have the BEST cat. Her name is Domino and she knows how to sit and lay down on command and she just wants to be loved.

10 Teams, 2 Tracks, 12 Bouts!!

At The Car Wash

Upcoming Events

The Long Island Roller Rebels have had a great season so far and for those of you who have been cheering us on we thank you!  Though the next few bouts are being played away from our home turf, we still have a some fun things coming up before our huge event; The Empire Skate Showdown - Return Of The Jammer

Please come and visit us:

Saturday, July 21st - Van's Warped Tour

Friday, July 27- Sunday, July 29 - United Ink Tattoo Convention

Sunday, August 26th - Annual Car Wash Fundraiser at Mr. Beery's  11:00AM - 4PM


Thanks to all of our fans for your continued support!  We wouldn't be here without you guys!!

25 Random Facts

Spectators come to roller derby bouts to see teams battle against each other to determine who is faster, stronger and can score the most points.  It is a fact though, that without the help of our referees, there would be no bouts!  Refs play an important role by enforcing the rules that make the game official.  Reffing is not an easy job, but this guy is definitely 'kut' out for the it!  Former ref turned LIRR co-announcer, furniture maker, fisherman and all around great guy, ladies and gentlemen, I give to you Nixon Kutz!

1 - Born in NJ and raised on a farm.
2 - Drove a motorized vehicle for the first time at age 10. It was a Cub Cadet lawn mower and he has been operating any vehicle he can get his hands on since.

3 - Has lived in Pennsylvania, California, Idaho, Oregon, Florida, New York (upstate and Long Island)

4 - When in Oregon he volunteered with a dive rescue group for Lincoln County and became a dive rescue specialist.

5 - In Idaho he worked for three and a half years in a large Country & Western bar called Shorty’s.

6 - Also in Idaho he was training to ride a bull in a rodeo. That is, until he watched a friend/co-worker get badly trampled and changed his mind.

7 - Was accepted to the Peace Corps, but declined the appointment due to a better job offer.

8 - Was in 4H in his teen years, president of the Seeing Eye dog club and raised 4 Seeing Eye dogs.

9 - Has worked as a professional Sailor (non-military) on the West Coast.

10 - Is an excellent cook

11 - Got married on October 31^st, yes Samhain (aka Halowwen) to Luna Obscura and was married by Eve L. Taco

12 - Despises lamb, liver and brussel sprouts

13 - Is a third generation skater. His grandparents were members of a Newark, NJ club called the Swing Skaters.

14 - Was the first head referee for the Morristown Madams and trained by referees from LIRR

15 - Lost his eye at age 16 to a bad badminton accident and complications with surgery.

16 - Has ridden in a balloon with Malcolm Forbes

17 - Likes to make rustic furniture when he has the time and facility to do so

18 - Has skated with midgets

19 - Loves to fish, surf, sail and scuba

20 - Is not a fan of red squirrels, they are rude, gray squirrels are fine

21 - Met John “John-John” Kennedy Jr. when he fell off his horse and was injured

22 - Has worked as a truck, heavy equipment and marine mechanic and is very handy with tools

23 - Helped deliver two boats down the coast of California; one to Ensenada Mexico and the other to San Diego. He also navigated solo from San Diego to San Pedro (Los Angles) with nothing but a small old school GPS

24 - Has refereed not only for roller derby, but has two jello wrestling matches to his credit

25 - Has seven cats, three of which he hand raised

This Saturday!

Derby Baby

Many of us who play or who have played roller derby, are changed from it. Changed in the best way possible. The sport somehow enters your soul and stays there for good. It opens up this new world and you become a person you didn't know you could ever be! You feel a connection unlike anything else. Some try the sport, and they don't stay around, but others, find themselves completely consumed by it. And if you're one of the many skaters who are consumed, you're going to be deeply moved when you watch this trailer!



Though the film is complete, the producers still need funding to help bring it to venues.  If you're interested in helping to fund Derby Baby, please visit this link and find out how you can donate.  They have a few different donation packages and you can even donate just one dollar if that's all your budget allows. 

I hope to see the film make it's way to big screens around our way!