On April 17th, SFVRD hosted dinner for approximately 30 homeless guests of the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, which serves families throughout the region. The facility is an emergency shelter and the guests must have one child, either biological or be acting as their guardian, in order to stay in the shelter for 90 days. 50% of the shelter guests are 12 years and younger.
Battle for the Coast: The Like OMGs Take Third
The first weekend of April, SFVRD's A-Team, The Like OMGs, headed west to sunny Ventura for the first time to participate in the 2014 Battle for the Coast Tournament hosted by the Ventura County Derby Darlins. With a recent second place ranking at The Dustbowl Invitational Tournament in Bakersfield, their awesome WFTDA ranking debut, and continuous WFTDA rankings climb, these ladies were even more inspired and eager going into battle.
SFVRD Welcomes The Balboa Bandits! Check Out the Newest Home Team
By Captain Tokyo Takeout, The Balboa Bandits
I am very proud to say that SFV Roller Derby is growing rapidly; and with that growth, a new home team has been born. Many of you have been wondering what this new team looks like. Tokyo Takeout and Cleo Pass-ya from the Reseda Wreckers and Kat Von Reap, Eleanor Throwsevelt and Stockholm Syndi from the Topanga Maul Rats have been recruited to this new team to ensure its success. We also have amazing transfer skaters including LEGacy and Ruby Revenge from the LA Derby Dolls and Saturday Night Special and Tour De Franzia from Sugartown to help infuse almost two decades of combined derby experience to our blossoming team. We also injected our team with new blood by adding Sassy Stone, Billypitufa, and Kris Krippler to strengthen our foundation.
The first order of business was to vote in our leaders and I’m proud to have the honor of being selected as Captain with Ruby Revenge being voted in as my Co-Captain. Our goal for the first year is to build a strong, well-rounded, and competitive team that will leave the Wreckers and Maul Rats shaking in their skates. Look out Wreckers and Maul Rats because we will be coming for you soon!!! We will be STEALING all of your points.
So without further ado, I would like to officially welcome SFV’s newest home team, The Balboa Bandits!
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Love Is the Best Protection: SFVRD Helps the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
In recognition of International Condom Day, an informal annual celebration of safer sex held on February 13 in conjunction with Valentine’s Day, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, hosted a number of condom distribution and awareness-raising activities on every continent, spreading safer sex messages in 28 countries around the world.
The events were hosted under the theme “Love is the Best Protection,” meaning that one’s love for themselves and their partners is motivation for safer sex. Nearly all of the events included distribution of AHF’s LOVE-branded condoms in high-traffic areas of each city. SFVRD was the only roller derby league in Los Angeles asked to participate and players volunteered to skate around in North Hollywood and distribute condoms to evening commuters as they came off of the Metro line at Lankershim and Magnolia. SFVRD was happy to work in partnership with the AHF to deliver their message. A special thank you to the skaters that volunteered their time!
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Power Jam: Derby Art and Literature
Successful Junior Fundraiser
In early February, the POWER JAM: Derby Art and Literature event raised funds for SFV Junior Roller Derby by showing off SFV’s artsy-fartsy side! The fundraiser was hosted by bookshop Book Show and print studio/gallery NOMAD, who donated the space, a portion of book sales, and all live printing funds to benefit the cause. The day featured outstanding artwork of all types that filled the gallery space. SFV adult skaters, juniors, and parents created, collaborated, and donated their derby-themed pieces to the silent auction, which was a smashing success.
The art included everything from watercolor to handsewn pieces to sculpture to photography. The afternoon also featured the literary arts with many of the juniors, adults, and parents reading heartfelt prose and poetry inspired by their experiences in and around the sport.
Another main attraction of the event was Mama Glide’s PEZATORIUM, a room showcasing some of the historical Pez Candy dispensers and items that are a part of her collection of over 10,000 pieces. At the end of the day, what was most evident was that woven throughout all of the inspired artwork and writings featured at POWER JAM, was the strength, confidence, teamwork, and athleticism the girls have gained through playing the sport.
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Freshie Bout: DC-apitators vs. The MARVELous
For the final bout of the 2013 season, two Fresh Meat teams took to the track in an epic comic book character battle to settle the question, "Who has the ultimate avengers, DC or Marvel?" The DC-apitators took on The MARVELous, making this the first ever Freshie versus Freshie bout in SFVRD history. The MARVELous prevailed winning 173-124.