V for Vendetta, Julietta Vendetta that is...

Vendetta playing for the Manhattan Mayhem. Photo by Darren Mayhem.

*I'd like to preface this by saying that before I ever went to my first practice I went roller skating to try out my new gear. I ran into V there who noticed I had derby skates on and she took it upon herself to help me with stops. She wasn't even part of the league yet. Not only is she an incredible player but she really does love helping her leaguemates improve themselves. I'm honored to have her on my team.~Snuggles

A Providence Roller Derby bout at the Bank of America Rink. Photo by Richard McCaffrey.

A radio ad changed my life. In May of 2005, I heard a radio promo for a roller derby bout on my drive home from work. At the time, I was a quiet 21 year old working as a research assistant in a Sleep Lab at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. I was just married to my high school sweetheart, a medical student at Brown. I drove a Volvo. I had few friends other than my work and my husband’s medical school pals.

On that ride home, I heard an ad for something that sounded pretty awesome: all-female roller derby at the Bank of America Skating Rink in downtown Providence. I had seen roller derby on television when I was a kid, and I remember thinking it looked really fun, although I had no idea what I was watching. I don’t remember comprehending that it was a game, just people skating around trying to knock each other down.

The Bank of America Rink was within walking distance of my apartment, so I dragged my husband down to check it out. It was amazing – roller skating, brawls, crazy uniforms, hilarious announcers, and the penalty box was a toilet. After witnessing Providence Roller Derby’s first bout, I remember thinking, “I could do that.” I had not put on skates for over 10 years. I immediately went home to look up PRD’s website to join. I went to the next practice, and I’ve been playing derby ever since.

Providence Roller Derby circa 2007. Photo by Dr. Vendetta.

What a fun ride this has been. I skated with Providence for four seasons and travelled the country skating for their all-star travel team, the Rhode Island Riveters. Highlights included co-captaining a home team, the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, captaining the Killah Bees B-level travel team, and playing at WFTDA Eastern Regionals. We worked our asses off, not only on the track but also on the business end of the league. I worked on almost every league committee, and that experience has helped me land some great jobs in the real world. Most of all, I made some of the best friends that a girl could ask for.

Guest playing for the Brooklyn Bombshells. Photo by Darren Mayhem.

In July of 2008, we packed up and moved to the middle of Manhattan when my husband landed a job at a hospital there. I immediately transferred to the number one league in the country at that time, Gotham Girls Roller Derby. I probably should have been more intimidated about joining them – I worked my ass off to just keep up! I got to play with some of my derby idols like Beyonslay, Ginger Snap, Suzy Hotrod, and Bonnie Thunders. I was practicing five days a week at one point, playing on three teams: their fresh meat team, The Meatpacking District; their B-level travel team, The Wall Street Traitors; and my home team, The Manhattan Mayhem. I also took on the massive job of Head of Bout Production, which included organizing a support staff of over 100 people for each monthly bout and transporting Gotham’s massive sport-court floor to and from the venue. I must say I learned more there about the sport than in my past four years with Providence combined. However, as my husband’s job was only a one-year contract, we were again off to new adventures…

Winning MVP for the Hellions of Troy. Photo by Ida Feltersnatch.

So here we are in Albany! I first joined the Hellions of Troy, and I continued to grow as a skater by working more on my pivoting and jamming than I ever had, and was able to draw on my experience with my past two leagues to help them with coaching and strategy. My time with them was highlighted by my MVP award that I received when we played against CNY Roller Derby (Utica, NY). However, in June of 2010 after much thought, I made the tough decision that the Albany All-Stars were likely a better fit for me.

As I begin my seventh season with the All-Stars, I am thrilled to be a part of this league. I am constantly learning new things from my teammates and coaches, while also getting to help coach the fresh meat. I’m also back to practicing four days a week, which I really missed from my Gotham days. I can’t wait to play my first bout with my home team, The Department of Public Hurts, at the Armory! Here’s hoping for many more years on the track – I’m just getting started.

A Derby Girl's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,
I've been a pretty good derby girl this year. I've made the majority of practices, trained at the gym on some of my off days, and do my squats at home. I know I may have thrown some elbows, cut the track, and back blocked here and there, but none of it was intentional, I swear. So, since I have been more nice than naughty (I'm saving the naughty for when I am ready to scrimmage and bout, at which time I'm sure I will have NO business asking you for anything), I am submitting to you my wish list of presents.

Thanks in advance,
Crash N Carrie


1. A hot tub.
What derby girl would not like to luxuriate in a hot tub after a long, arduous practice?

2. Unlimited spending at Wicked Skatewear.

3. A case of ibuprofen.
Cuz there are days there would not be functioning without it.

4. Inflatable leg wraps.
OK, this is the most ridiculous looking invention ever... but the more I looked at it, the more my 39-year-old derby girl self thought these might feel really good after practice!

5. Ice packs.
Cuz you can never have too many.

6. A heating pad.
I don't have one, but I imagine it's a good thing.

7. Weekly massages at Back In Balance with Bethany.
(OK, it's a shameless plug, but she is really that good!)

8. New sneakers.
I need something decent for when we do "dry land" exercises.

9. Lots and lots of knee socks.
I especially like these. I find raccoons very pleasing.

10. A year's supply of Biofreeze.
I don't advocate using it too much, but when you need it, man is it good stuff. (Can be purchased at Back In Balance!)

11. Renew my subscription to fiveonfive magazine

12. Speedy recoveries for all the injured players, and cupcakes and beer for all derby girls I love.

Happy Holidays!
Love,
Crash N Carrie

Big Hits, Big Hearts

Jerry Seltzer (the father of Roller Derby) asked on Facebook, "For those who want to respond, can you comment on what your league is doing for the good of humans and animals this Holiday season? I think the world should know."

Our own Julietta Vendetta put together a list of what various leagues are doing this holiday season:

The Molly Roger RollerGirls is participating in Toys for Tots as an official drop off site.

SACRED is hosting PLACER COUNTY Canned Food Drive in Roseville on Dec 12th! To help fill the food kitchens in Placer!

Tahoe Derby Dames "Adopted a Family" from South Lake Tahoe Woman's Center...granting them things on their Christmas wish list :)

Undead Bettys are skating and reffing/NSO-ing at Red Red! Which benifits the Sacramento, CA Food Banks!

Albany All Stars Roller Derby is running in the Santa Speedo Sprint, which is raising money for a local organization that helps those with/affected by HIV/AIDS.

Omaha Rollergirls is throwing a Black & Blue Ball, proceeds go to the Hefflinger Dog Park.

El Paso roller derby is helping collect toys for tots.

Renegade Rollergirls of San Diego are collecting canned goods for the local food bank.

Central NY Roller Derby is helping to collect toys for a local fundraiser called Jams for Tots.

Burlington, Vermont Bombers (men's and women's teams) donated to the local Food Shelf for Thanksgiving and are collecting food, cash, clothing, and toy donations for local agencies in the area to benefit families in need this holiday season.

Queen City Roller Girls (www.qcrg.net) in Buffalo, NY have helped collect canned goods for the Food Bank, are diving into Lake Erie to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics, and are collecting Toys for Tots at our holiday party.

Pikes Peak Derby Dames recently had our annual skate-a-thon and will be donating a large amount of cash to Big Brothers Big Sisters. and we're also collecting Toys for Tots at our last bout of the season on December 11!

This is the 5th year Sac City Rollers have dedicated December to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. We love what we do.

Jet City Rollergirls' annual Santa Skate 12/12 at the Everett Skate Deck, we will be collecting gift card donations again for the Battered Women's Shelter and canned food for the food bank! Last year we raised over $700 for the women's shelter.

The Camel City Thrashers (Triad Area of NC) are currently collecting new toys to be used as gifts for the children at the Childrens Home Society.

Questionable Meat

A post by GW Shart. Photos by KD Bang.

I am questionable meat. New girls are often referred to as fresh meat, and we on AASRD have referred to our more seasoned players as rancid meat. I fall somewhere right in the middle; I’m not seasoned but I’m definitely not fresh. Questionable meat: you should probably overcook me.

I joined derby about 11 months ago, I’ve yet to play in a bout but I’m hoping for sometime in our 2011 season to show off everything I’ve learned in the last year.

I’m not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. I am in fact the opposite of an athlete, a couch-lete, if you will. I know some of us in AASRD were never soccer players or softball pitchers in high school. The difference is that I get more competitive with age. I grew up wanting to just be good at something. Now, I want to be the best at everything I do. No lie--there are even board games that exist that my friends WILL not play with me because I just get “too intense”. I want to win, I want to knock you over, I want to send you out of bounds. It’s no longer good enough for me to be just “good enough”. I want to be the best derby player I could possibly be.

But derby for me is more than just the sport; it’s become my other life. I always felt like, in my group of friends, that I was the different one. I was the one that stuck out; I have tattoos and I dye my hair. I’m loud, aggressive and I love gross jokes.

When I joined derby this year, it didn’t take me too long to realize that I had found something really special. My teammates love gross jokes and have tattoos. We stand together as women who enjoy being sent sprawling across the floor, only to get up as fast as possible and do it all again.

My whole “adult” life, I’ve been looking for my person: my partner in crime, someone I could spend the rest of my life with, someone to love and be loved by. But what I’ve found is even more amazing-- I’ve found my people; 65+ women who are my partners in crime, my “let’s go grab a drink, it’s been a rough day” girl friends, my “look at my bruise!” best friends. We’re the people who always stuck out and now we fit in: with each other. Some people spend their whole lives waiting to fit in, waiting to find something, waiting to be entirely accepted. I find myself uncharacteristically lucky that I have found these people who fill in to every corner of my heart, who love me for exactly who I am, who “get” me.

So you could call this my love letter to my derby sisters and wives (I have 3 derby wives, in case you were wondering). That’s really what this is. I have fallen in love with these women: they are strong and amazing. I laugh harder, skate faster and my life is filled to the brim with love.

Derby Can Really Change a Person

Photo by Ann Yoo

By Brass Snuggles

My whole life I have been the opposite of an athlete. I was always one of the last to be picked in gym and I was fine with that. Usually it meant I got to play outfield where nothing much happened or use the tennis court that was the furthest out where my slacker friends and I would just goof off. I hung out with the art and theater crowd, which meant I spent a lot of my free time drinking coffee and chain smoking with other frail people.

Even if I had an inkling of wanting to learn a sport or become more athletic I didn't have the opportunity. I went to a high school that has produced several Olympians and professional athletes. If you hadn't already been playing your chosen sport since you were in Elementary school, you didn't even bother trying out. There was no "learning a sport," instead there was "making you so good at this sport that we can win State and colleges will be falling all over themselves for you."

So I would be competitive in other ways and just sort of let my body go to hell. In fact I never exercised on purpose, and of my own choosing, until I was a Senior in college. I figured somehow a few days a week on the elliptical for a few months would somehow undo the horrors I'd done to my body during the previous 3 years of college.

In my adult life I've had a sporadic relationship with exercise. When I do it, I love it, but it's really easy for me to "fall off the wagon." I also have a hard time pushing myself for my own sake in the way that I do if someone is expecting me to work harder or perform better.

When I joined derby in May I was a hot mess. I could barely skate and I was overweight. All I could think was "Don't fall too much," and "Damn these skates are killing my feet!" Gradually I progressed (and I still am) but once I got comfortable on skates I knew I needed to work on myself more.

One thing I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about derby is that we are so diverse in how we look and how we are. We don't all have athletic bodies. We don't have to fit a "mold" in order to perform well. Oftentimes it's actually the things about us that may seem like the weakest points that are actually our strengths. That butt that you have a hard time finding jeans for can turn you into an incredible booty blocker. Your super tiny, small body can help you become an amazing jammer.

But at the end of the day if you want to help your team, you have to work on yourself. I've started exercising on my own time and eating better to lose weight. The more weight that comes off, the better I perform at practice and the less I have to struggle.

I know I'm not alone either. Derby has caused some of my fellow leaguemates to quit smoking, to start running, to enter 5Ks, to try other sports, and to focus on what they put into their bodies (alcohol doesn't count though, it is ESSENTIAL to our way of life). Yes we do it to have fun and knock other people down, but for a lot of us it really does become something that changes us for the better.

On a side note: I'd been planning to write this all day, and then, on my way home from practice tonight a car in front of me had a license plate that said "NVRGVUP" on it. Perfect, right?

What I did During my Summer

By: K.D. Bang



I have been riding a motorcycle for the past 13 years. Currently, I have the nicest motorcycle I have ever owned. It is a 2008 1200 Roadster. I have always wanted to go to Sturgis, but being a wedding photographer my summers are pretty booked. This year I finally got to go. I had a two week break in August, and it happened to be when the rally was going on.

I started a list in my head of what I would need, then "Googled" what I should bring on long motorcycle trips. I got some great ideas, like a first aid kit and "fix a flat". I started getting small camping gear that would fit into the saddlebags I still needed to buy at that point.
I started a little pile of what I planned to bring, ordered saddlebags and then made another list.

It looked like this:
tarp, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, map, passport and other important paperwork (I was going through Canada), first aid kit, Leatherman, fix a flat, camping burner with gas, toothbrush and toothpaste, knife, pepper spray, clothes, rain gear, duct tape, lighters, cell phone and charger, food (i.e. soup/granola bars), water container, camping towel, and of course, my wallet.

I let my friends talk me into buying AAA, of course I had to get the primo service because the others didn’t include motorcycle coverage. (This came back to bite me in the a** later.)

Of course I wanted either or both Merry Pain or Liv Dangerously to go, but they both have regular jobs (I am sorry) so it was just me… if was going it was going to be just me.

I had a rough time line, including a date to leave. As I got closer to the date I was leaving, I tried to make sure that everything fit in my saddlebags and back pack, as I would be living on a bike (or "the road") for two weeks. I planned to camp the entire time and had made a reservation in Sturgis, South Dakota for a camp site. I didn’t want to take highways the whole time so planned a 2,100 or so mile trip up and around through Canada; I had high hopes for this leg of my trip.

When the day came to leave I brought my dog over to Katastrophe’s house. She made the trip possible by watching him. I walked away with tears in my eyes and was resolved to leave. I hadn’t practiced packing my bike, (that’s not how I roll), so when it came time to pack, I was in some trouble… nothing seemed to fit right or wanted to stay on. Luckily, I have an anal-retentive roommate who came out to help. It took us about 45 minutes and the sky was getting darker because a storm was rolling in, but I was still planning on leaving. I got my comfy jeans, layered shirts, motorcycle jacket and boots on and off I went.

The plan was: I-87 north to Canada and then at Montreal, cut over to the left to go around Lake Superior. Aside from stopping to get my bags adjusted correctly, the first few hours were uneventful. Customs was fine; the standard stop, "What is your trip for?" Etc., etc..

Things got exciting when I got to Montreal. First of all, the signs are all in French, and as in most cities, are super confusing. I had my trip tick, which is impossible to read while driving a motorcycle. Plus, I couldn’t even read what was east or west, north or south. Coupling this with the nastiest looking clouds rolling in, I started to get a little nervous. After pulling over multiple times to look at my map and put on my rain gear, I appeared to be on a road that would get me where I needed to go.

That’s when it started pouring… outside Montreal… somewhere. If you have ever ridden a motorcycle on the highway in the rain you know it is sketchy at best. I couldn’t see, my feet were getting soaked, and I wasn’t any bit sure as to where I was.

I decided to pull off the highway at what looked like a truck stop. It was raining buckets and I wanted to try and wait it out. (Keep in mind it was my first day around 5pm and I was in a French speaking territory). When I got off the highway, I noticed that there was no cover, but then I spotted what looked like a diner and drove up to it. When I got close I saw it was A STRIP CLUB! I was like "F me! I am dripping, sopping wet, my stuff is soaked, I don’t speak French and it is pouring." Plus, I had just shaved my head and thought I could scare the locals.

Of course I wanted to go in the strip club, but I envisioned how I would look dripping all over their floor and being spoken to and not understanding. It is easy enough to spend all your money in a strip club...top it off with not being able to speak the language! So I hunkered under the side awning and waited for someone to come out and yell at me. I waited about 30 minutes until the rain calmed down and then hopped on my bike, still soaked, but ready to find a campground. No sooner than I got on the bike and hit the throttle, it died on the way out of the parking lot.

"WTF, really? This is a 2008, it should have no problems," I was thinking.

So, on the side of the service road in front of the strip club in a French speaking territory, my bike broke down on my first day. All I was thinking was my roommate saying, “if you break down in Canada I can’t come get you.” Oh shit, I pulled my bike off to the side and thought about Ted Bundy and other serial killers that must have loved strip clubs while I tried to find a loose wire. I know a little about bikes so I fiddled around with it, but then I called triple AAA. I was so happy I bought that the day before.

When I finally got someone, she asked me "Where are you?"
"Uhm," I said, "I don’t really know."
I figured out some markers and she said "be right back," she needed to call my AAA home office to approve a tow.
"Ok, cool. Thanks," I replied.

Hahahaha! She came back and said, "I am sorry. Your home office has a 72 hour minimum as to when they will pay for a tow after you pay triple AAA."
"WHAT WHAT?!? No one told me that!" I was so mad, and stuck. I got super mad said, "nevermind" and resolved to deal with this problem. I had an idea: it was a short and I was going to go after it with my Leatherman.

I ripped the side cover and seat off, took the pig tails off and started touching wires.
I tightened the bolts, and holy s***! After 2 hours of being stuck on the side of the road and thinking my trip was over, she started! I quickly put it back together and needed to find a camp site! I jumped on the highway to find a place to figure out what I was going to do.

...To be continued...

2010 Season Recap, Part 9: The Finale

Photo by Rob Gierthy

Bout number 9 of a sixth month season arrives before the skaters can blink. On June 19th, EST takes on the Lake Effect Furies of the Queen City Roller Girls. The heat and humidity in the Armory are suffocating, but there is still a huge fan turnout. It seems the demand for sweaty bad ass ladies in booty shorts is always high!

The first period begins well and the Troopers manage to hold their own against the Furies. But the heat is close to dangerous and everyone on the track is sloppy, leading to lots of penalty time. A huge hit from Jenny Rotten and another from Isabella Bruisalini keep the opposing team's points relatively low.

Down by only 20 points at the beginning of the second period, low energy and more penalties plague the Troopers. Fancy footwork from Dottie Damage and the feisty attitude of Scarlet O’Hackya keep the crowd cheering the whole way through. But the second period ends with EST down by 45 points, now a substantial difference to be made up.

The third period is full of determination and hard work. Some huge point scoring jams from Dottie Damage, Katastrophe and Black & Blue Jean, each achieving two grand slams, help EST earn back those points but the Furies continue to score points as well throughout the third period, and EST is once again defeated, 142 to 93.

Six months worth of learning and fighting hard leave the Albany All Stars women fiercely anticipating the 2011 season, and we’re sure our fans are excited too!!

Favorite Moment: HUGE, legal hits from Merry Pain, Isabella Bruisalini and KD Bang, all of which get sent to the box anyway in a typical display of penalty profiling.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

Check out this video of us against the Lake Effect Furies

The Queen City Roller Girls put up this video of our recent bout on their YouTube page. Thanks ladies!

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

(Outlaw Annie, KD Bang, B-Side Blaze, Brie, Sin & Tonic, Bones, Bruisalini, Patty Larceny, & Shart)

We all know The Albany All-Stars Roller Derby teams favorite nation is DONATION! And we love it when other people feel the same way! So on Sunday October 3rd The Empty Bowls Project was under way.

This is a fundraising effort put forth by a whole community to help the less fortunate in that community. The local potters in the area made bowls; the local restaurants made soup, and for $10 participants received a great lunch of soup and walked away with their hand-picked, hand-made bowl.

Your Albany Allstars were there too on their skates hustling 50/50 raffle tickets in order to increase the total amount of the fundraiser. This year the derby team raised $1100 for the raffle which is $500 more than last year's 50/50.

This past year the total given to the food banks of Troy was $28,700 up an incredible $2,500 from last year and surprisingly enough just 6 years ago, the first empty bowls event raised only $6,000. (a personal "thank you" to everyone that helped, The Collar City Clay Guild loves you!)

(Annie, Patty, Brie, Bruisalini, & Bones)

(Bones, Shart, Patty)

2010 Season Recap, Part 8: The Infamous Fight & Forfeit

Photo by Rob Gierthy

Psyched for the opportunity to get a second win under their belts, EST trained with vigor in the month before the June 5th bout against the Jersey Derby Brigade. With only a 12 person roster, but feeling like a bona fide team, the troopers began this bout with confidence and pride.

Scarlet achieves lead jammer status in the first jam, whips through the pack with ease and calls it off right away scoring 4 points. Next up, Big Headed Honky zips by on the outside aided by the awesome defense of Kat, Betty and BJ. Honky scores a grand slam and calls off the jam. Dottie Damage and BSide Blaze score additional points while Liv, Jenny, Isabella Bruisallini and Merry Pain throw some big hits and form some tight walls, recycling incessantly in order to thwart the opposing jammer.

Our spirits are high and our confidence is growing. Every skater is in perfect sync when Honky steps up to the jammer line for the third time. The opposing jammer is quickly sent to the penalty box due to a huge back block on a Jenny Rotten & BJ wall in the front of the pack. BJ soon follows to the box for engaging a blocker outside of the pack.

Honky has since obtained lead jammer status and scored one grand slam. As she approaches for a third pass her way is impeded by the tackle of a Jersey blocker. Honky hurriedly tries to call off the jam but the blocker pins her to the ground where she is unable to move her arms. As the Jersey blocker finally sets Honky free, she lands a big sucker punch to the side of Honky’s face. Unaware of AASRD’s huge fury and loyalty to their teammates, the Jersey blocker is unaware that there is a Merry Pain steam roller approaching to defend her jammer.

Merry Pain leaps on top of the blocker who scrambles away just as Honky is recovering enough to lay a nice loud smack onto the side of the blockers helmet. All three women are ejected from the bout and after quite a few minutes of conference between refs and captains, the period resumes.

With more vehemence than ever, EST finishes up the next 5 jams getting lead jammer the majority of the time and scoring more than one grand slam. The skaters confer in the locker room, ready to take their huge 56 point lead to a satisfying and well deserved win. Instead when the ladies return to the track they are informed that their opponents have forfeited. And so EST accepts their win over the Jersey Derby Brigade, 69 to 13, in what will feel like a lack luster win and a waste of the potential and energy EST had been so excited to share with their fans.

Favorite Moments: When the opposing jammer spies Merry Pain coming in her direction and skates out of bounds in order to avoid the inevitable pain. When it was clear the bout had come to an end, the cheers and hoots from our fans made up for the disappointment for the disappointing evening.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

LarkFest 2010!

AASRD LOVES LARKFEST!

Liz S., Smash 2 Pieces, Michelle D., Christine M.

Photo by: Brian Tromans

It's week later and we are still recovering from all the love from our fans. AASRD had a wonderful and successful time at Larkfest. We got some great new team name suggestions, some new fans (yay!) and maybe even some new roller girls!! (Don’t forget, recruitment night is October 5th, 7pm at 28 Thacher St.) We are also happy to announce the winner of our raffle for a ticket to EVERY AASRD GAME for the 2011 season is Darlene Dollar of Albany! Congratulations Darlene!!

Liz S. - Hyping people for the new season.

Thanks to all our girls, guys, and fans for making this event a fun success! We are already looking forward to next year!!!

(Special thanks to Jess Burns for leading AASRD's involvment in this event!)

2010 Season Recap, Part 7: DPH Debut Number 2

Photo by Rob Gierthy

More than halfway through the 2010 season, some newbie skaters are bout ready when DPH plays the Elm City Derby Damez on May 25th. The entire league is excited to see the debut of Sweet Dee Bacle, Hurts & Kisses, Mil Fee and Kelly Von Black. Joan Jett doesn’t give a damn about her bad reputation and neither do these 14 smoking hot, red blooded women who are itching to do some damage.

The first period is dominated by the jamming skills of BSide Blaze, Black & Blue Jean and KD Bang, all three of which scoring grand slams, backed up by jammers Candy Flip’Her and Bada Bing King, both jamming for the first time. All jammers are able to take the inside line, assisted by a team full of great offensive players, while simultaneously maintaining a strong defense. DPH is awarded lead jammer in every jam and ends the first period with an impressive 74 points, shutting out the fledgling Elm City team.

The second period begins with a phenomenal booty block from Smash to Pieces and some great defense from our 4 rookie skaters. With such a strong lead the DPH bench coaches decide that this is a great opportunity to try out some new jammers. The crowd is enthralled by some big scoring jams from jammers Joan of Arkham, Sweet Dee Bacle, Milfee and Hurts and Kisses. Veteran blockers Smash, Cyndy and Sin also take their turn on the jammer line and with the help of some great assisting blockers like Candy, Kelly and Bing manage to make it through reasonably unscathed. Elm City is able to eke out 14 points in the period, ending our shut out but not threatening our formidable lead.

Again the bench coaches decide that this is the opportunity for fun and in the first jam of the third period we see KD Bang passing the jammer star to Hurts & Kisses. On the first attempt KD Bang is thwarted by a well timed block and she hits the floor with the jammer panty in her hands. Able to keep her hold on the panty and zooming back into the pack, both KD and Hurts break out of the pack and the hand off goes off this time without a hitch. The period ends with DPH scoring another 38 points with Kelly Von Black taking her first opportunity at the jammer line. DPH with a formidable 164 points and Elm City with only 31, the team heads out to celebrate at the after party where they learn that this is only Elm City’s second bout ever and that they were playing with only a roster of 9. The Elm City girls are gracious and express their happiness at the opportunity to learn and grow.

Favorite Moments: Of course the passing of the panty but also hearing Sin’s voice from the bench yelling, “IN! IN! IN!”. Another gem is Scarlet O’Hackya as announcer telling the crowd that to be a roller derby girl, “All you need is an open mind and a good attitude”.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Black & Blue Jean

Come See Us Saturday In Buffalo!

This Saturday (October 2) the Empire Skate Troopers will be playing against the Lake Effect Furies over in Buffalo, NY.

Head over to the Facebook Event Page for more details. Then get a caravan together and head on out to enjoy some amazing derby action and legit hot wings!

See you there...

Open Recruitment Night!

AASRD is beginning pre-season training, and would like to share the experience with you.

We will be hosting Open Recruitment Tuesday, October 5th, at our new training facility, The AASRD Warehouse!

Watch a practice! Ask questions! Meet the Roller Girls!

If you'd like to skate, make sure you attend this event. We likely won't be recruiting again until after the start of 2011 Home Season (January).

For more information, email: recruit at albanyallstars dot com.

LOCATION: The AASRD Warehouse is located at 28 Thacher Street in Albany. Coming from downtown, take Broadway past Wolff's Biergarten and make your first right onto Thacher. The facility is in a pink-ish building just a couple hundred feet down the road on the right hand side, before Thacher Street Pub. http://foursquare.com/venue/9410439

2010 LARKFEST

Who's excited for Larkfest? AASRD IS!!!!!

This Saturday, September 25th, is the Larkfest event in downtown Albany. Your all-time favorite roller derby league will be there with bells on. Some of our lovely ladies will be at the fest ready, willing, and wanting to give you our season dates for next year. Also, you can submit your idea for our new team's name and possibly win a pair of tickets for one of our action packed bouts!! So stop on over, say "Hi" and perhaps buy yourself a new AASRD t-shirt so you can show that you love us in 2011!!!

Larkfest 2009! Glamthrax, Party Fowler, and Trixie Firecracker.

Reflections of Summer By Scarlett O'Hackya

Well folks, summer is officially gone. We hope it was good to you. Scarlett was kind enough to tell us about her summer vacation. Leave a comment telling us about your vacation. Did you do anything crazy? Did you come to one of our events? If not, we have a bunch lined up for the fall and winter so don't miss a thing!


Photo by Rob Gierthy

So here's what Scarlett did this summer:

July took my soul to West Virginia for the "All Good Musical Festival" I expanded my mind, enjoyed the sweet sounds of the jam band scene and met many free thinking individuals who shared common ideas and ways of life. Obviously I couldn't satisfy my palate and needed more music! August was tormented with the east coast Umphrey's McGee tour . I raged my face off and danced hard all night long!! The Catskill Chill music Festival kicked off the begining of September, reminding me how I long for the fall and love to sleep outside with cool winds blowing me to sleep. Summer fun is oh sooo sweet!

Warrior Dash!

*Before*

*After*

Isabella Bruisalini, Great White Shart, Anacringe Skywalker, Big Headed Honky & Julietta Vendetta

By: Great White Shart

Jumping over fire, sliding into murky 48-degree water, running through the woods and crawling under barbed wire.

It sounds like we might have been running for our lives but we were just willing participants in the North East version of the Warrior Dash. The Warrior Dash is a crazy 5k that was held at Windham Mountain this past weekend. Isabella Bruisalini, Anacringe Skywalker, Julietta Vendetta, K.D. Bang and I were just a few of the Albany All Stars that participated in this weekends Warrior Dash.

What a challenge! What a rush! The first 1.5 miles of this insane 5k are spent climbing hills that most people have skied down. The 2^nd half of the race was spent running back downhill, sliding in the mud and running through very narrow trails over rocks and streams.

I’ve never done anything this challenging; a year ago, I was a chain smoker whose only physical exertion was walking to the fridge. Now, I’ve finished my first 5k. The most insane 3-mile run one could choose. I’m proud of myself. I was proud of myself at the top of the mountain, only 1.5 miles through the race. I’m proud of my teammates too; Vendetta completed the race with a sprained knee and none of us gave up ever.

I fell many times and bruised my knees, going down the waterslide, I got kicked in the chest (by accident), and there are puncture wounds in my hands from when I fell trying to get out of the way of other runners.

What an amazing race though. Who’s signing up next year???

When B-Train Rolled Into Our Town

*That's B-Train down in front in pink.

Last night we had the immense pleasure of having B-Train as our coach at the Albany Men's Roller Derby practice. B-Train co-owns Wicked Skatewear and she skates for the Orange County Roller Girls.

She gave us an intense 30 minutes of endurance followed by some great drills. We all learned so much and were very sweaty, sore, and exhausted by the end of it. It was an amazing experience to say the least.

It was very generous of her to give up her own time to come and show us some great derby moves. Thanks again B-Train!

*B-Train was checking our derby stance. She got Merry Pain to get low. This may be the lowest you will ever see her. HA!

*Merry Pain & B-Train

*All of us listening closely as B-Train teaches us.

Albany All Stars Roller Derby Announces 2011 Season Dates

Fresh off of a second place finish at the inaugural Empire Skate Showdown, a New York roller derby tournament, the Albany All Stars are pleased to announce the 2011 home season at the Washington Avenue Armory. Season plans include nine bouts of inter-league and intra-league play. Bouts are scheduled for: 1/8, 1/29, 2/19, 3/19, 4/2, 4/30, 5/21, 6/11, and 6/25.

Specifics are still in the works, but fans can be assured the All Stars will continue to wow the masses with aggressive play, foxy flair, and jaw dropping talent on eight wheels. As was the case with the All Stars past three seasons, each event will appeal to both young and old, hosting a live local band and a featured charity that will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.

The 2011 Home Season will host the return of fan favorites such as Dottie Damage, Big Headed Honky, and Merry Pain, as well as introducing new skaters like Katherine Zeta Bones, Explosive Daria, and Anacringe Skywalker. Some changes are in store for the All Stars, however. Due to significant growth over the past year, the league will be expanding to three home teams for the 2011 season. As such, they’re hosting a contest to name the team that will accompany the already established Empire Skate Troopers and Department of Public Hurts. The All Stars request fans submit ideas to new_team@albanyallstars.com; each email should include suggested name, uniform theme, and colors. If selected, a fan could win a pair of tickets for a bout during the 2011 season. Entries will be accepted until 11:59PM on Tuesday, September 28th, and a winner will be selected prior to October 4th.

Join the Albany All Stars at the Washington Avenue Armory for another great season of all women’s flat track roller derby. Fans are encouraged to stay informed via the league’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and blog. And for those that crave even more derby – stay posted – recruitment begins next month. For further information, contact the league at info@albanyallstars.com.

Season dates are also posted on the Washington Avenue Armory website: www.thewashingtonavenuearmory.com

We Need a Name for Our 3rd Team!

The Albany All Stars

would like to present:

????????

Hey folks-

Maybe you’ve heard, maybe you haven’t, we’re going to have a new team!

I grew up in Binghamton, a small city in Broome County, just above Pennsylvania. Back then, Binghamton had a local AHL-affiliated hockey team that played at the Arena (it still does, although it has morphed a few times since this story of my childhood). When I was an impressionable kid, the team was the Whalers. I have no idea how there happened to be “Whalers” in Binghamton; there certainly weren’t whales in the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers.

Even before the Whalers, (and my time) there were the “Dusters.” I remember sitting in Mrs. K’s 4^th grade class and she asked us who knew the name of the local hockey team. Then she asked us if anyone knew the name of the team before the Whalers. I had no clue. She told us it was the Dusters and that she had named them! She said there was a contest and she thought the “Broome Dusters” would be a great name for the team, and to the chagrin of her family, she submitted the name. The powers that were liked it, and for a number of years in the 1970’s, the AHL-affiliated team, which played in the Broome County Arena, was the Broome Dusters.

First of all, here I am 22 years later remembering a silly story from Mrs. K’s class and recounting it to you. So -- Hooray for the silly teachers you remember! Secondly, Mrs. K was very proud her silly-creative streak was appreciated; maybe that’s what stuck with me. I think, however, that this moment in time has stayed with me, because I was taught long division by someone who was so very cool, she named a hockey team.

Here is the point of my rambling: you too could be as cool as Mrs. K. Our new team is going to need a name. So, we are looking to you (our fans) for suggestions. The suggestions could be suggestive, scary, or funny; you name it. Perhaps you can’t come up with a name idea, but you could come up with an awesome theme or a color combination that rocks. Send us your suggestions to new_team@albanyallstars.com by 11:59 pm on September 29. If we pick your name, you could score some free tickets. Not to mention, if you are a 4^th grade teacher, your students will remember you forever. Really, naming a roller derby team is way more rockin’ than naming a hockey team.

Get your thinking helmets on. We’ve got a new team to name!

Polly Morphic, #79