Record-breaking season begins

Thirty-eight teams begin a record breaking flag football season for the Anna Maria Island Community Center. This is the most teams ever formed for one league. With the NFL football playoffs starting this weekend, the long road to the Center's Super Bowl begins Wednesday with the kick-off season dinner and uniform handout. The dinner begins at 6:30.

The Beach Bistro and Eat Here donate the food for the league's annual event. A complete meal and drink is $6 for a child sixteen and under and $7 for over sixteen. This is an important league fund-raiser and everyone is welcome to attend and takeout is available.

Two of the five age brackets had to be split into divisions because of the league's popularity. The 10-12-year-old league was split into four teams in the East Division and four teams in the West Division.

The largest league this year is the adult age group. This league was split into seven teams in the AFC Division and seven teams in the NFC Division. All division placements were decided by coaches drawing out of a hat to help scheduling and seeds for playoffs. Nearly three hundred players are ready for some football! Here is how this year's league stacked up and the schedule for the week.

Instructional League (5-7-year-olds)

Coach Larry Pearson: LPAC Cardinals
Coach Rob Alderson: Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings
Coach Ron Moore: Island Real Estate Colts
Coach Nate Talucci: Island Dental Spa Broncos

Schedule

Jan. 7, Saturday, 11 a.m., LPAC Cardinals vs. Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings
Jan. 7, Saturday, 12 p.m., Island Real Estate Colts Vvs Island Dental Spa Broncos

Division III (8-9-year-olds)

Coach Chuck McCracken: Beach Bums Steelers
Coach Darrin Horesh: Beach Bistro Vikings
Coach Monica Simpson: Gettel Toyota Texans
Coach Ron Balais: Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys
Coach Doug Marvin: Southern Greens Jets
Coach George Imes: Waterfront Restaurant Raiders

Schedule:

Jan. 7, Saturday, 1 p.m., Beach Bums Steelers vs. Beach Bistro Vikings
Jan. 7, Saturday, 2 p.m., Gettel Toyota Texans vs. Waterfront Restaurant Raiders
Jan. 7, Saturday, 3 p.m., Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys vs. Southern Greens Jets
Jan. 9, Monday, 6 p.m., Beach Bums Steelers vs. Waterfront Restaurant Raiders

Division II (10-12-year-olds)
East Division

Coach J.T. Goode: Mr. Bones Colts
Coach Ben Stewart: Sand Dollar Steelers
Coach Troy Shonk: Eat Here Bears
Coach Randy Langley: Cedars Tennis Resort Seahawks

West Division

Coach Greg Ross: Ross Built Construction Broncos
Coach Larry Pearson: LPAC Cardinals
Coach Ian Fetters: Sandbar Falcons
Coach John Smith: Air & Energy Chargers

Schedule

Jan. 7, Saturday, 9 a.m. ,Ross Built Broncos vs. LPAC Cardinals
Jan. 7, Saturday, 10 a.m., Eat Here Bears vs. Air & Energy Chargers
Jan. 7, Saturday, 11 a.m., Cedars Tennis Resort Seahawks vs. Sandbar Falcons
Jan. 7, Saturday, 12 p.m., Sand Dollar Steelers vs. Mr. Bones Colts
Jan. 10, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Sand Dollar Steelers vs. Ross Built Broncos
Jan. 10, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Sandbar Falcons vs. Mr. Bones Colts
Jan. 10, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Air & Energy Chargers vs. LPAC Cardinals

Division I (13-16-year-olds)

Coach Joe Carder: Integrity Sound Redskins
Coach Anthony Cucci: Mar Vista Raiders
Coach Chris Galati: Galati Yacht Sales Texans
Coach Paul Kurtz: Walter & Associates Bears
Coach Jan Goode: Jessie's Island Store Steelers
Coach Ryan Hogan: First American Bank Ravens

Schedule

Jan. 6, Friday, 6 p.m., Integrity Sound Redskins vs. Mar Vista Raiders
Jan. 6, Friday, 7 p.m., Galati Yacht Sales Texans vs. First American Bank Ravens
Jan. 6, Friday, 8 p.m. ,Walter & Associate Bears vs. Jessie's Island Store Steelers
Jan. 9, Monday, 7 p.m. ,Galati Yacht Sales Texans vs. Walter & Associate Bears
Jan. 9, Monday, 8 p.m., First American Bank Ravens vs. Integrity Sound Redskins

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football League
AFC Division

Captain Brent Laudicina: Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings
Captain Dave Johnston: Agnelli Pool & Spas Packers
Captain Nate Coleman: Galati Yacht Sales Chargers
Captain Tyler Bekkerus: The Feast Falcons
Captain Kevin Austin: Coastal Orthopedic Raiders
Captain Ryan Hogan: Duffy's Tavern Ravens
Captain Paul Kurtz: Fins Bar Bears

NFC Division

Captain Sean Sanders: Florida Discount Signs 49ers
Captain Jason Sato: Sato Real Estate Browns
Captain PJ Smargisso: Banana Cabana Bengals
Captain Tim Shaugnessy: Slim's Place Dolphins
Captain Scott Eason: Beach to Bay Construction Texans
Captain Scott Dell: Waterfront Restaurant Bills
Captain Ed Moss: Edgewater Realty Broncos

Schedule

Jan. 5, Thursday, 6 p.m., Sato Real Estate Browns vs. Beach to Bay Construction Texans
Jan. 5, Thursday, 7 p.m., The Feast Falcons vs. Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings
Jan. 5, Thursday, 8 p.m., Edgewater Realty Broncos vs. Duffy's Tavern Ravens
Jan. 5, Thursday, 9 p.m. ,Waterfront Restaurant Bills vs. Florida Discount Signs 49ers

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League

Captain Laura Alderson: Tyler's Ice Cream
Captain Mark Pennel: Best Buy
Captain Troy Shonk: Slim's Place

Schedule

Jan. 3, Tuesday, 7 p.m. ,Tyler's Ice Cream vs. Best Buy
Jan. 3, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Tyler's Ice Cream vs. Slim's Place

 

Resolving to resolve in the New Year

Over the past seven months I have been interviewed hundreds of times while out promoting my new book. What's changed the most since my 18 years in broadcasting ended, or so I thought in 1998, is radio. You could argue it's all changed – print and television as well. The TV station I spent many years at as an investigative reporter and then as a morning anchor in St. Louis, like many stations, no longer does news.

What's changed the most in radio is that everyone and anyone can be a radio station. The Internet makes all of this completely possible and easy.

I cannot say enough great things about my publisher, Book Publishing Company. My husband, my perpetual clipping service, sends me links to stories he reads about the desperate state of publishing and how authors rarely, if ever, go on book tours. It's just too expensive for the publisher, the author and it doesn't often pay off unless your book is a #1 seller.

Fortunately, my book has been my publisher's #1 since it left the presses. My publisher called this week to tell me the schedule of large vegetarian festivals for 2012 if I was agreeable (are you kidding?!), Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago twice – once for Vegan Mania and another for Veggie Fest – Portland, San Francisco and the biggie in New York City.

I've heard from other authors that their publishers often don't promote them. As a result of my broadcasting background and my "pipes" (broadcast lingo for a decent voice), I often get asked back for repeat interviews. One of them was by a doctor who does a daily show called "Dr. Don" on several stations in resort communities in Arizona. Our last show was titled, "New Year's Resolutions."

As we started talking, Dr. Don said he didn't believe in New Year's resolutions. I said that, yes, it is true, you have to have a lifestyle change to accomplish true change to lose weight or whatever the item in your life it is that you want to resolve.

Yet, it is human nature to sin, with tempting foods that rear their beautiful heads during holidays. Holidays permeate most religions this time of year, as a part of our ancestors' needing help coping with the darkening days of winter. The lights, food and festivities are all part of altering our crabby mood that increases with decreasing sunlight.

Research has shown that most weight gains happen during this time, although the weight is typically not more than 5 pounds. However, these 5 pounds represent the toughest kinds of weight to remove.

It is this constant lifelong yo-yo struggle with human nature that prompts fitness clubs like the one I work at as a personal trainer to offer special deals on memberships and training now. Many online websites and social media sites offer jump- start programs.

So in the spirit of the season, Vitamin Sea Health Foods asked me to do a book signing all day, Monday, Jan. 2, to offer you some free information or advice jump-starting your program or your life. As an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified trainer, I can go over with you some of your goals for the New Year and work with you designing a fitness program that would be appropriate for your needs.

Although my book is not designed as a weight loss book, many readers have said they have used it that way. I can point out the section in the book that can help with your weight loss goals. By best success was a 120-pound weight loss.

So if you want some free advice on how to identify and stick to that New Year's resolution, find me at Vitamin Sea next to Walgreens on Jan. 2. You may remember I did lots of free personal training sessions on the beach last year. No time for that this year, sorry, but I can help you design a program if you stop by. Resolutions can include anything.

While at the Christmas buffet at Manatee Beach (awesome job guys! Though next year, hope for more vegan options other than corn), I resolved to get to the beach at least weekly. How quickly we forget we live in paradise. It can be that simple.

You can follow Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones on her Facebook page and keep up with her just released book:,"Eat Vegan on $4 a Day," or her website: www.vegcoach.com. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer and running coach. For training in a gym or private hire, contact Ellen at ejones@vegcoach.com or 941-704-1025.