Roller Derby Wedding

From: www.wjhg.com
A couple got married on wheels Saturday. Spencer and Kristina Brannon said their "I Do's" on skates at Rock It lanes in Panama City Beach.
Something old, something new. Add some wheels and you'll have a roller derby wedding too.
"We met in roller derby. He's a referee and I became a skater," Kristina Brannon, the newlywed skater said.
"We met on skates and when we go out skating is always a part of that," Spencer Brannon, the newlywed skater said.
Usually a bride's wedding day is the happiest day of her life. Add skates and it's even sweeter.
Saturday, Spencer and Kristina Brannon said their " I do's" on skates at Rockit Lanes in Panama City Beach. Kristina's coach officiated the wedding.
And it wouldn't be a roller derby wedding without a few falls.
Friends and family members shared the experience.
"Is this what you imagined for your daughter to get married? Not until the last year or so," Cathy Rynearson, the mother of the bride said.
"It's different but its fun. You know they told us to dress up so I did," Queen Ester Pryor, a roller derby skater said.
"The two rolled into each others lives over a year ago and they knew there was no end in sight. After the wedding, Spencer and Kristina shared their first skate together as husband and wife.
"She roller skated into my life and I didn't want to let her roll on by," Spencer said.
And they hope their rolle


From: www.wjhg.com
A couple got married on wheels Saturday. Spencer and Kristina Brannon said their "I Do's" on skates at Rock It lanes in Panama City Beach.
Something old, something new. Add some wheels and you'll have a roller derby wedding too.
"We met in roller derby. He's a referee and I became a skater," Kristina Brannon, the newlywed skater said.
"We met on skates and when we go out skating is always a part of that," Spencer Brannon, the newlywed skater said.
Usually a bride's wedding day is the happiest day of her life. Add skates and it's even sweeter.
Saturday, Spencer and Kristina Brannon said their " I do's" on skates at Rockit Lanes in Panama City Beach. Kristina's coach officiated the wedding.
And it wouldn't be a roller derby wedding without a few falls.
Friends and family members shared the experience.
"Is this what you imagined for your daughter to get married? Not until the last year or so," Cathy Rynearson, the mother of the bride said.
"It's different but its fun. You know they told us to dress up so I did," Queen Ester Pryor, a roller derby skater said.
"The two rolled into each others lives over a year ago and they knew there was no end in sight. After the wedding, Spencer and Kristina shared their first skate together as husband and wife.
"She roller skated into my life and I didn't want to let her roll on by," Spencer said.
And they hope their roller derby wedding will inspire others to take the plunge on eight wheels. They tell us skates will be involved during their honeymoon.

r derby wedding will inspire others to take the plunge on eight wheels. They tell us skates will be involved during their honeymoon.

Quad Skate Maintenance

From: www.rollerderbydepot.com

The lifespan of a skate is based on its frequency of use, and the materials from which it is made. However, preventive skate maintenance can ensure that each part of a skate functions for a long period of time, and also functions correctly. During this brief, we will identify each part of a roller skate in detail, and discuss certain problems and occurrences to look for. We will also cover proper ways to clean and/or oil parts of roller skates.

One thing to keep in mind is that roller skates are mechanical, with moving parts that cause friction and heat. These elements are a large part in basic breakdown of the skate parts. Most maintenance and repair in the skate involves the plate/truck system, and the wheels/bearings.

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Wheels
Most wheels are made of urethane compounds, which demonstrate properties similar to rubber compounds. Basic wheel maintenance starts with keeping wheels clean. Simple soap, water, and an abrasive cloth is all that ’s needed to keep wheels looking like new. It is important NOT to use any alcohol based solovents to clean your wheels. For indoor wheels with a grooved texture, it is possible to have the wheels re-grooved with a special machine that “shaves” off worn down layers to leave new traction grooves. Check with a local roller skate rink or shop for wheel grooving. Finally, the easiest way to keep wheels natural is by rotating them after extended usage. Wheels on the inner side of the skate tend to wear faster than wheels on the outer side of the skate.

Bearings
All bearings sold today are considered precision bearings, which means they are shielded and sealed to protect the bearings from dirt build-up. Some precision bearings are filled with grease in the openings to dissipate heat with wheel movement. Precision bearings should be removed from the wheel in order to be cleaned. Then the bearings can be immersed in a solvent (alcohol) and agitated to loosen dirt build up. It is possible to remove the shields and clean the inside of the bearings, however bearing damage can easily happen when removing shields.

Truck Assembly
The truck assembly is the part of the skate that is subject to the most torque action. This also requires the truck assembly to be the most stable part of the skate. The action cushions (bushings) are the primary working parts of a truck. Because of their functions, cushions are made of rubber or urethane. As skates are used, cushions will crack and split. It is important to be aware of the conditions of all cushions, as they may need replaced frequently. Another common maintenance issue with truck systems are bent axles. As weight and torque is distributed throughout the skate, the axles can bend as well, causing wheels to roll irregularly. Bent axles must be hammered out of the truck system carefully, so as to not damage the truck.

Plates
The plates basically serve to functions, to connect the skate parts to the boot, and to evenly distribute support for the front and rear truck systems. Most plates are made of aluminum (heavy and durable), or nylon/plastic (lightweight and compact). Regardless of the makeup of the plate, the hardest working part of the plate is the toe stop. Depending on how it is used, toe stops tend to wear faster than any part of the skate. Most toe stops can be rotated to even the usage, however it is recommended that toe stops be replaced to ensure they are used correctly.

Boots
A boot consists of outsoles, midsoles, and insoles, uppers (main boot body), boot linings, tongues, and tongue linings and paddings. The main function of the boot is to provide support and comfort to the foot, as well as protect the foot. Boots are made of leather or vinyl (synthetic) materials. Leather is the best material for boots because of its durability, and it also stretches to form to the foot for comfort. The process of forming this leather to the foot is “breaking in”, which is achieved through natural use of the boot.

Submissions from Derby Helper's 2009 Tattoo Contest

From: http://derbyhelper.blogspot.com/

The Derby Helper 2009 Roller Derby Tattoo Contest

Folks, it has been a fun month watching all the contest submissions come in. While the Derby Helper staff was more than a little disappointed at the lack of tattooed naughty bits (Jessticles cried a little), overall we were impressed at the wide range of artistic interpretations that the people of the derby and tattoo worlds combined to create. Because of the number of beautiful and deserving tattoos that were sent in, we have decided to totally punk out on making a decision ourselves and instead are putting this in the hands of you, the Derby Helper audience. Look through the gallery then vote for your favorite at the end. In alphabetical order, here are your nominees:

1. 4 Leaf Cleaver
   Naptown Rollergirls
   Indianapolis, IN
   
   
   
   
   
   As you can see on the full back pic, I am very much into fairies. I also like to show that I am well rounded. So, the fairy on the left is me as my roller persona and the fairy on my right is playing the cello, as I did for 7 years. The tattoos were done by Matt of Metamorphasis in Indianapolis, IN in August 2008.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Beat'n-Chix Kiddo
   Arch Rival Girls
   St. Louis, MO
   
   
   
   
   
   
   My name is Beat'n-Chix Kiddo, number is Vol. 1&2. I skate with the Arch Rival Roller Girls in St. Louis, MO and my local team is the Smashinistas. I got my tattoo because I wear yellow skates to go with the Kill BIll theme that goes with my name, so I got my own skates as my tattoo...The grenade is for my team, as we have a gun/grenade/Army theme and that is why my name, "kiddo" is in green and pink as those are our team colors. :) This tattoo is about one week old, this picture was taken right after I was finished, I'm still sitting in the tattoo chair in the picture.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Cannon Doll X
   LA Derby Doll Sirens
   Los Angeles, CA
   
   
   
   
   
   My tattoo is a represention of LADD, my famous skate (that's my signature, been in ads and people mag) and if you look close has my "CDX" (Cannon Doll X) in the laces.. I'm a SIREN.. we're the COPS of roller derby therefore the Sheriffs badge in the background.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Celia Graves
   Derby City Rollergirls & Quad Skate Terrors Roller Derby
   Louisville, KY
   
   
   
   
   
   Done by Adam Potts. This was actually the image from one of our bout posters that Adam designed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Domesticated Violence
   Rose City Rollers
   Portland, OR
   
   
   
   
   
   Tattoo done on LA Ink by Hanna Atchison in August 2007. Real photos from RCR bouts were given to Hanna to help her with my idea. She created (IMHO) a good mixof modern & retro styling for this derby piece.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Dora The Destroyer
   Naptown Rollergirls
   Indianapolis, IN
   
   
   
   
   
   Hi! I'm Dora the Destroyer from the Naptown Rollergirls and this is my derby girl thigh tattoo. She's not supposed to be me, she just has my number and skates and a jazzed up version of our uniform. i wanted her to be like a comic book superhero, which is why she has the pow! and the flying tooth and our skull logo above her.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Flo Shizzle
   Charm City Roller Girls
   Baltimore, MD
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Harlot Fevah
   Boston Derby Dames
   Boston, MA
   
   
   
   
   
   I'm Harlot Fevah with the Boston Derby Dames. And no, there are no wheels involved in my roller derby tattoo....but there is a lobster and my team name, because when I think of Massacre....I think of Lobster.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Hissett Fit
   Calgary Roller Derby Association
   Calgary, AB Canada
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Karmann Ghia
    Terminal City Rollergirls
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Lemme Adam
    Cedar Rapids Rollergirls
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    
    
    
    
    
    I am from the Cedar Rapids Roller Girls in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our team is called the Helldorados. This tat is my "skull and crossbones." The first home bout I played in front of a crowd at our venue was Talladerby nights; notice the checkered flags in the background. That's the ironic part...got the tat before I ever bouted, and THAT happened to be my first bout! fitting! Our team colors are pink and black; thus the hot pink choice of color. Missing tooth, cracked helmet, along with a tube of lipstick and brass knuckles to make this a Bad a** tattoo with a bit of feminine flair! Let's not forget the piggy tales coming from the helmet!
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. Mama Kaze
    Texas Rollergirls Rec 'n' Rollerderby Recreational League
    Austin, TX
    
    
    
    
    
    My tattoo is meaningful on many levels: Firstly, the bruised beauty is offering up praise to rollerderby, and I do give thanks for this sport every minute of the day. I started skating 6 weeks after my second child was born, and if it wasn't for derby I never would have found this amazing community of women that supports me and my family in all that we do. I have an incredibly diverse circle of friends, all united by our common love of the sport. Secondly, on the helmet of the skater in my tattoo is a sticker for Derby or Die which is owned by my skate-sister Zen Lightening. Zen does so much for our league that it is an honor to carry a symbol of her on my body forever. Thirdly, I am so proud that it was another one of my league mates who designed and delivered this tattoo. It is one thing to take a hit from Stacey Martin/1000 Hurts, but quite another to surrender up your tender flesh to her artistry for several hours!
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. minx a'matosis
    Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls
    Lincolnshire, UK
    
    
    
    
    
    Here's mine, from Ben at Lifetime Tattoo, Derby, UK
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. Rex Havoc
    Emerald City Roller Girls (ECRG)
    Eugene, OR
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. Roxy Horror
    COMO Derby Dames
    Columbia, MO
    
    
    
    
    
    It’s my best buds Maim-y Fisher (jammer from COMO) and Smack ‘N Cheese (blocker from ARRG), back when both used to skate for COMO. Home teams were the “Die Die Darlings” (Maim-y) and the “Daisy Duke-ems” (Smack). This was created from a photograph and cartoon-ized by the tattoo artist, Jon Bush of Columbia, MO.
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. Roxy Rockett
    Carolina Rollergirls
    Raleigh, NC
    
    
    
    
    
    It is a tattoo of a roller derby skater (me) done back in 2005.
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Rubella Plague
    Fox Cityz Foxz
    Appleton, WI
    
    
    
    
    
    Pin up derby girl.
    
    
    
    
    
    
18. Scarlet GoDancin
    NEO Rock 'n' Roller Girls
    Akron, OH
    
    
    
    
    
    This is a split-image of me, for the two lives I lead. One half; a Jammer for our league and the other half; my love of cupcakes and 50's lifestyle - being a stay-at-home mom, that is my other side. It was my idea and a former skater with our league and tattoo artist drew it up. It was supposed to be on my arm but it kept getting bigger and bigger and ended up on my thigh!
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. Sister Mary Superego
    Denver Roller Dolls
    Bad Apples
    
    
    
    
    
    Rosie the Riveter was an iconic image during WWII that encouraged women's empowerment and telling them to roll up their sleeves and do the tough, male-dominated jobs while the men were off fighting. She's a tough chic who's not afraid to muscle up and get it done.
    
    Roller derby saw its first heyday during WWII, so it seemed appropriate that these two things should be combined. And roller derby helped fuel my own sense of empowerment - all the way to getting Rosie, my very first tattoo, at 33 years old!
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Sk8 Crime
    Cincinnati Rollergirls
    Cincinnati, OH
    
    
    
    
    
    Flying Skates on Chest.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
21. Slugs Bunny
    Nashville Rollergirls - Inactive
    Nashville, TN
    
    
    
    
    
    Explanation: hello? none needed!
    
    
    
    
    
    
22. Stormy Trooper
    Dead Girl Derby, Founder and RollerCon Assistant Head Planner
    Kansas City, MO/KS
    
    
    
    
    
    my skate name
    
    
    
    
    my roller con one
    
    
    
    my copy of a misty benson painting
    
    
    
    my league name
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. Sally Strych9
    Oklahoma Victory Dolls
    Oklahoma, OK
    
    
    
    
    
    Rollerskating robot eating ice cream...need I say more?
    
    
    
    
    
    
24. Susan B. Agony
    Atlanta Roller Girls - retired
    Atlanta, GA
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    This is my tat that I designed originally for one of our flyers during 2005, I included the original drawing
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. Sweet C
    Naptown Roller Girls
    Indianapolis, IN
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
26. Synyster Motives
    Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls
    Lincoln, England
    
    
    
    
    
    My tattoo was designed by one of my team mates, Total Melfunction, and on seeing it for the first time Brut-Ali-T (another team mate) commented on how it looked just like me! So I got it tattoo'd.
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Whomping Willow
    High Desert Darlins of Hermiston, Oregon
    Lilac City Rollergirls (the SheWolves) of Spokane, Washington
    Tri Cities, Washington State
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    My tattoo is just my derby #, not expecting to win, but wanna show it off! I was pretty stoked to not have to draw on myself with permanent marker anymore, lol. Who needs to pay for an armband when a badass artist gives you a free tattoo!!
    
    
    
    

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Alright derby and tattoo fans, now it's your chance to shine! Votes will be accepted until midnight of October 18th. The winner will be the envy of all their derbymates when they receive their prize: a brand spankin' new Derby Helper t-shirt from Wicked Skatewear!

(You also have the option to totally dilute the winner's moment of triumph by clicking the picture and ordering your own Derby Helper t-shirt, just, you know, to be a dick.  Just sayin'.)

So go to the survey on the right side panel of the screen and vote right now for whoever you feel has the most awesome roller derby tattoo ---->

And after you vote, make sure to go into the comments to gush about how kickass all the submissions are!

Morristown roller derby team open season in middle of controversy over stalking allegations

From: www.nj.com

By Kevin Coughlin

October 20, 2009, 7:25PM

MORRISTOWN -- The Morristown Madams opened their roller derby season last weekend at a local rink managed by a man charged with stalking a former team member.

After Marc Giaquinto, manager of InLine Morristown, was allowed to enter a probationary program for nonviolent, first-time offenders, the woman, at the urging of rink management, was kicked off the team so the Madams could continue using the facility.

Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger 

Morristown Madams' Veronika Gettsburger trails behind C-Roll of the Long Island Roller Rebels during a roller derby match Saturday night at In-Line Morristown

Several of the skaters have quit in protest over their teammate’s ouster.

"Morally, I couldn’t see myself standing for that," said McKenzie May, one of those who quit.

The Madams are fixtures at Morris County parades and festivals. They raise money for charity, including the Jersey Battered Women’s Service, and their monthly bouts have become happenings in Morristown.

The alleged stalking victim, a woman in her early 30s who asked not to be identified because she feared for her safety, joined the Madams last year. She said she declined Giaquinto’s request for a date last November and made clear her disinterest in him after he asked her out again.

According to reports the woman filed with authorities, Giaquinto persisted with unannounced visits to her home and workplace bearing flowers and letters.

He dedicated Shakespearean sonnets and personal poetry to her on a website. He blogged about her on Twitter. He also violated a "no contact" consent order by showing up at a Madams practice, she said, and unnerved her by showing up at a mall where she was shopping, an event Giaquinto describes as coincidence.

After a police search in July found two pistols, hollow-point bullets, an assortment of non-working grenades, mines and mortar rounds — along with pictures of the roller derby skater, poems to her, and similar materials pertaining to another woman, Giaquinto was charged with stalking and harassment.

No weapons charges were filed because the guns and ammunition were legally owned, and the inert explosives were collectors items, Morris Township Detective Lt. Kevin O’Shea said.

Last month, Giaquinto entered a pre-trial intervention program. The stalking charge will be erased after three years if he avoids contact with the woman, undergoes psychiatric evaluation and anger management counseling, performs 25 hours of community service and forfeits his weapons, said Capt. Jeffrey Paul, a spokesman for Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi.

Giaquinto said he agreed to pretrial intervention to avoid a costly court battle and to spare both sides the embarrassment of testifying in court. He said he feels victimized.

"There was mutual interest there, and it went bad, and I was accused of things I didn’t do," said Giaquinto, 47, who co-manages the rink with his brother, Carl. "I’m not a pushy guy. I asked her out twice, and that was it ... this whole thing is outrageous to me."

There were no mixed signals, said Krista Haley, the woman’s lawyer.

"He developed an unhealthy obsession, and began inappropriately showing up at places he wasn’t supposed to be," said Haley, who until recently also skated for the Madams.

In August, the management at InLine Morristown told the Madams the woman would be arrested for trespassing if she returned to the rink with the team.

"We made it clear she’s not welcome here anymore after she and her attorney were haranguing me," Giaquinto said. "We had no choice."

The Madams faced the choice of returning to the rink without the woman or disbanding because they could not afford to play elsewhere, said team owner Chris Manzella.

On Sept. 27, the team took a vote, and decided to stay at the rink. Manzella and team lawyer Craig O’Connor called the stalking case a private matter not involving the Madams.

"We’d just like to move forward past this very difficult, heartbreaking time," Manzella said.

Outraged by the vote, May, a special education teacher from Parsippany, and several other skaters, quit.

"Going back to that rink tells me (the woman’s) friendship wasn’t valued," May said.

"The entire team should have been made aware of the situation, and we should have backed (the victim)," said Karen Langhauser, who left the team before the vote.

The woman at the center of the case said she felt betrayed by her teammates.

"Roller derby is supposed to be about sisterhood and women supporting women. And they (the Madams) are turning their backs on me. I did nothing wrong," the woman said. "It’s the team that made me feel victimized, not the case."

Riding On – and Rolling With – Feminism’s Fourth Wave, by Kathryn Martini

From: www.justout.com

Many feminists wouldn’t describe the beginnings of the movement’s fourth wave in terms of sweaty girls with tattoos and fishnets hip-checking each other on roller skates.

But I do.

A year ago, my wife told me that she wanted to try out for roller derby; I looked at her like she was crazy. My context for the sport included memories from the ’70s, and that one episode of Charlie’s Angels where Jill gets a whip by Bad Betty. “You’ve got to be kidding,” I told my wife. “You’re almost 40-years-old and you could get hurt!”

I agreed to attend one bout and check it out, so we got the schedule and went to see the Rose City Rollers play at the Expo Center. Not knowing what to expect, I sat on the bleachers with anticipation, drinking my first Pabst Blue Ribbon. I started to feel flutters in my stomach as I watched these girls skate around the track to warm up. Their presence was huge. Each and every one of them exuded an amazing confidence as they glided around effortlessly. The bout began and Portland’s home team was introduced, each player with an edgy nickname—her derby persona. Many of them wore hole-torn stockings or bright rainbow socks, sporting ink and a lot of attitude.

Within five minutes, I was done—I had found my people. I didn’t want to be a skater; that would be a disaster. I’ve never played a team sport and only played tennis in high school for my college applications (and because I looked good in the uniform). No, I didn’t want to play, but I did want to somehow be a part of this thing that was so much bigger than just a sport.

Sitting in that building and witnessing those women, I could almost share what they were feeling; I drew on their confidence and felt their power. I suddenly realized what men must experience watching their favorite football team on Sundays—just as they tap into the pure masculine power of the players, I was tapping into the pure feminine power of these skaters. “Hell, yeah, you can try out for derby!” I told my wife as we left the Expo Center. “That fucking rocks!”

My wife bought a pair of skates from a girl on Craigslist who had tried out herself but didn’t make the cut. “I found out that you actually need to know how to skate,” she told us. We headed for Oaks Park, and my wife slipped on the quads and set off around the rink to prepare for her tryout debut. She was one of two girls picked for the “Fresh Meat” team, a few weeks before her 40th birthday, and was drafted to a league team just three months later. Today, she’s co-captain of her team, and we are fully inundated in derby culture, ferociously spreading its gospel.

Derby has changed our lives in so many ways—some more definitive than others. I still can’t explain that exhilaration that comes from watching a bout, the fervor I feel in myself and from everyone in the room, and the excitement that makes my legs tingle and my heart race. I feel connected to the women on the track in an almost primal way—they are my sisters. They come from all walks of life that may not have otherwise crossed paths, bonded together through this passion. Together they’re out there, representing the strength, athleticism, sexuality and the power that lies within us all. They display loyalty, love, acceptance and admiration for each other on and off the track—and they do it in leopard print spandex and fishnet stockings.

I cried when I watched Whip It, the new coming-of-age story about a young girl who discovers roller derby, and I cried again when I read the book on which it was based. “Be your own hero” is the tagline. Hell, yeah, we should be our own heroes—it’s about time.

Feminism is on a continuum, and although there is speculation about what the fourth wave looks like, it will be shaped by the waves that came before her.

The third wave empowered us and that power will set the trajectory toward the future, yet to be fully defined, fourth. I imagine it to be a time not so much about equality and diversity but one in which feminism goes without saying, and without the need for a label. Roller derby encompasses feminine strength without apology or a need to emulate masculinity. We can take a lesson from these women—derby is more than skating fast and knocking girls down—it’s a movement.

The Rose City Rollers’ regular season begins in January, but there is still derby to watch. Check www.rosecityrollers.com for upcoming events.

Kathryn Martini is a freelance writer, a proud derby wife and a proud derby mother. She can be found at www.kathrynmartini.com.

Packed Northern Cal Roller Derby Weekend

From: Veronica La Rosa @ www.examiner.com

Fans of Roller Derby in Northern California will have their pick of which team they'd like to watch next weekend as eight local leagues all have games scheduled on Saturday October 24th. Hopefully there are enough referees in the state to fully staff these events!

In San Francisco, the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls will be holding their 2009 season championship. In a repeat of last year, the undefeated Richmond Wrecking Belles (though they've only actually played three games) will be taking on the 2008 champions, the Oakland Outlaws (who have five games and four wins under their belts). In April of this year, Richmond narrowly defeated the Outlaws 120 - 106. Oakland will be without jammer Killer Vee and blockers Jennacologist and Brick Shields as all three have retired mid-season which Richmond's roster remains virtually unchanged. However, Oakland will have B.A.D. All-Star team jammers Burly Bot, Jane Hammer, and Ivy Profane to put up the points.

All the way up in Eureka, Humboldt Roller Derby will be holding a home game for their "Good Witch/Bad Witch" themed bout. Members of their travel team, the Redwood Rollers will rejoin their home teams, the North Jetty Betties and the Widow Makers. No word on which team is the bad witches and which team the good witches.

In Stockton, the Silicon Valley Roller Girls will be taking on the home team, the Port City Roller Girls. SVRG's primary team, the Dot.Kamikazes will be playing the Port City primary team The Rough and Ready Betties for the first time. Although Port City has a notorious home field advantage with their slippery polished concrete floor, this bout is sure to be a close one as Port City was victorious last month over the Santa Cruz Derby Girls who Silicon Valley had defeated twice this season.

In Antioch, the Undead Bettys will be hosting the Central Coast Roller Derby league all the way from Paso Robles, CA. The Bettys are in their first season and looking to secure their first win against the WFTDA league, CCRD.

And in Santa Cruz, both of the Sac City Rollers travel teams will be battling the two travel teams for the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. The Boardwalk Bombshells will be facing the Capitol Punishers while the Harbor Hellcats will be trying to defeat the Folsom City Bruisers. It is unknown at this time whether skaters on either league who play for both their A and B teams will be pulling double duty for this bout. This close-to-Halloween double header is aptly themed as Zombie Night, so come in your best "Thriller" costumes.

It appears that the only Northern California leagues not playing this weekend are the Nor Cal Roller Girls, Sacred City Derby Girls, and Sonoma County Roller Derby. Wherever your location in the northern part of the state, there is a bout nearby for you. So who will you be heading out to see?

October 24th

View Slideshow »

More About: B.A.D. Girls · SVRG · SCDG · SCR · Port City

Making Friends Is Hard To Do, By hortense

From: http://jezebel.com


Sun Oct 4 2009 (Edit, to draft, Slurp)

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Whip It! is currently struggling at the box office, which is disappointing for several reasons, most notably because we need more films that depict women bonding over something that doesn't involve a wedding ring or a pair of shoes.

Whenever female friendships are portrayed on the big screen, they usually fall into to the straight woman/wacky best friend pattern, or the sassy girlfriends crew, or the underminer best friend plot line which basically presents female friendships as time bombs that stand in the one of one's career or eventually happy ending with a man. It's a shame, really, as a more honest depiction of female friendships—particularly the difficulty many of us have in making friends as we get older—could be quite interesting to watch.

Rachel Dickinson of Smithsonian.com notes that roller derby, currently in the spotlight once again due to Barrymore's film, is popular with women not only for the athletic and theatrical elements, but because it provides a "a kind of athletic sisterhood that's tough to find once you leave high school or college."

And she's right: the insta-friend factor (or, at the very least, insta-acquaintance factor) that comes along with organized sports, or dorm floors, or various extracurricular activities is hard to replicate after school comes to an end, and roller derby, open to active women of all ages, provides that type of bonding experience. Roller derby, I suspect, is not only popular because of the thrill it brings, or the exercise and empowerment it provides, but also, if even just a little bit, because it offers a chance to make friends, which, for some of us anyway, is harder to do as you get older.

I have moved three times in the past five years, and most of my college friends are scattered around the country. I am a terribly shy person, and organized activities at school always provided a kind of structure that made it much easier for me to make friends, as there were set goals that everyone shared and people involved were generally like-minded. But now that I'm older, I find it harder to push myself to show up to anything if I don't have a friend to tag along with. It's a pretty frustrating cycle for the socially anxious among us: when you're new in town, you look to such activities to try to meet people, but at the same time, it's so hard to show up alone. However, pushing myself to do so has paid off, in that I've met many lovely people as a result. I'm not going to lie though; it's tough.

Often enough I feel like a complete weirdo for getting as nervous as I do over such things, but at the same time, I don't think there's anything incredibly unusual about this, as many of my friends, also displaced to new towns filled with strangers thanks to various job offers and the whims of life, have gone through similar experiences. Perhaps if there were more films like Whip It! which celebrated the love, empowerment, and support of female friendships instead of sassy zingers and man-trappin' trips, those of us who find ourselves hesitating would all be a little less afraid to just get out there and jump in.

So what do you think, commenters? Do you find it harder to make friends as you get older? And what steps do you take to meet new people?

Roller Derby's Sisterhood [Smithsonian]