The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 14 No. 14 - January 29, 2014

sports

AMIS awards a hit

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

scott dell | submitted

Ryan Moss Racks up the awards at the Second
annual AMIS including Overall MVP Male Athlete
of the year.

On Saturday night, the Anna Maria Island Community Center hosted the second annual Anna Maria Island Sports Awards (AMIS), a night to celebrate the accomplishments of co-ed adult athletes during the 2013 sports seasons.

The popularity of adult co-ed sports on the Island has exploded recently, and it only seemed fitting to have a night to honor the athletes. The Center now runs sports leagues for adults with the youngest age of 18 and the oldest of 72 in a variety of sports including basketball, flag football, kickball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

At a time of the year when it seems like every weekend there is an awards show on TV, the AMIS is the Center’s version of ESPN’s ESPY Awards. The AMIS was a night filled with good friends, good food provided by Lee Roy Selmon’s, good drinks sponsored by Wash Family Construction and provided by Bridge Tender Inn, good fun and lots of awards.

A volunteer committee of sports participants nominated athletes within many categories. Voting then took place during a period of time both online or in person by ballot to determine the winners.

And the 2013 AMIS awards go to:

Overall MVP Female Athlete: Erin Vogel

Overall MVP Male Athlete: Ryan Moss

Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Hayward

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Diego Felipe

Female Basketball MVP: Erin Vogel

Female Football MVP: Dina DeJesus

Female Kickball MVP: Monica Simpson

Female Soccer MVP: Molly Bellairs

Female Volleyball MVP: Mackenzie Kosfeld

Male Basketball MVP: Aaron Dudukes

Male Football MVP: Ryan Moss

Male Kickball MVP: Ryan Moss

Male Soccer MVP: Aaron Parkin

Male Volleyball MVP: Ryan Hogan

Basketball Sportsmanship: Jonathan Moss

Football Sportsmanship: Rob Alderson

Kickball Sportsmanship: Amy Talucci

Soccer Sportsmanship: Ed Moss

Volleyball Sportsmanship: Vanessa Barahona

Most Championships by a 2013 Athlete: Ryan Moss

Lucky Charm: Erin Heckler

Rookie of the Year: Chad Woods-Football

Captain of the Year: Ed Moss

Best Team: Island Pest Control, spring soccer

Bonnie and Clyde (husband and wife combo): Troy and Meagan Shonk

Mr. Hustle: Jessie Brisson

Shutdown Defender: Chuck McCracken

Mr. Touchdown: Chad Woods

Batman & Robin (Dynamic Duo): Jonathan and Ryan Moss

Golden Boot: Adam Bujarski

Not In My House (soccer defender): Lyn Clarke

Biggest Upset: #5 Waterfront Raiders upset #1 Fla. Discount Signs Seahawks

Lunch Bucket: Chuck McCracken

Basketball Sharpshooter: Brandon Kern

Best Cheerleader: Erin Heckler

Dirty Digs for Volleyball: Laura Alderson

Volleyball Serve ACE: Mackenzie Kosfeld

Most Team Sponsorships: Beach to Bay Construction

Youth 5-7 Year Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 31, Friday, 6 p.m. – Air & Energy Bucs vs. Miller Electric Broncos

Feb. 3, Monday, 6 p.m. – Miller Electric Broncos vs. Beaches Real Estate Packers

Youth 8-10 Year Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 29, Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Beach Bistro Buccaneers vs. Manatee Diagnostic Ravens

Jan. 31, Friday, 6 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys

Jan. 31, Friday, 7 p.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins

Feb. 1, Saturday, 9 a.m. – Manatee Diagnostic Ravens vs. West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins

Feb. 1, Saturday, 10 a.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. Beach Bums Patriots

Feb. 1, Saturday, 11 a.m. – Beach Bistro Buccaneers vs. DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys

Feb. 3, Monday, 6 p.m. – DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys vs. Beach Bums Patriots

Youth 11-13 Year Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 31, Friday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Bucs vs. LPAC Cardinals

Feb. 1, Saturday, 12 p.m. – Bark & Company Realty Ravens vs. Beach to Bay Bucs

Feb. 1, Saturday, 1 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. Sandbar Colts

Feb. 1, Saturday, 2 p.m. – Eat Here Redskins vs. Will C. Photos Falcons

Feb. 3, Monday, 7 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. Eat Here Redskins

Feb. 3, Monday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Bucs vs. Sandbar Colts

Youth 14-17-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 30, Thursday, 6 p.m. – West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars vs. Integrity Sound Lions

Feb. 1, Saturday, 3 p.m. – Swordfish Grill Browns vs. Waterfront restaurant Cowboys

Feb. 1, Saturday, 4 p.m. – Galati Yacht Sales Bucs vs. Mr. Bones Bengals

Feb. 1, Saturday, 5 p.m. – The Island Sun Bears vs. The Feast Broncos

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 6 p.m. – Galati Yacht Sales Bucs vs. The Island Sun Bears

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 7 p.m. – Mr. Bones Bengals vs. West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 8 p.m. – Swordfish Grill Browns vs. The Feast Broncos

Adult co-ed 18 & Over Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 29, Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks vs. Waterfront Restaurant Panthers

Jan. 29, Wednesday, 8 p.m. – Beach Bistro Raiders vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants

Jan. 29, Wednesday, 9 p.m. – Slim’s Place Bears vs. Beach to Bay Dolphins

Adult co-ed 30 & Over Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 30, Thursday, 7 p.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. Island Gourmet Bills

Jan. 30, Thursday, 8 p.m. – Island Real Estate Raiders vs. Ross Built Panthers

Jan. 30, Thursday, 9 p.m. – Jessie’s Island Store Bucs vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giant

Adult co-ed Volleyball Schedule

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. – Duncan Real Estate vs. Southern Greens

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Duncan Real Estate

Feb. 4, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Southern Greens

Healthy food can taste great

As a TV reporter ages ago, I used to get paid the big bucks (ha) getting all sides to a story and doing the research it takes. So this volunteer column is the result of my week’s experiences and what I can write in two to three hours time. I always hope to inspire and prevent needless suffering of humans and animals that occurs way too often.

It is my belief that in our area, it would be a huge financial benefit if we had more vegan restaurants. Really vegan restaurants.

Like the exclusively vegan restaurant Ionie’s in Sarasota. My friend, Carl Lovejoy, is the amazing chef there. Check out restaurants’ Facebook pages or websites to see what they’re serving.

What I love are restaurants that aren’t afraid to say they are vegan in their name. Leafy Greens in St. Petersburg is an example. The first yelp review says, “Very fresh ingredients and the largest dehydrator I've ever seen combine for a menu that is very palatable even to non-vegans. 

Highly recommend the chilled curry soup, spinach salad with berry dressing, Mediterranean pizza and The Real Deal.

Also, the vegan chocolate lava cake is the perfect balance of dates and cacao. This is the way things should be. Healthy food can taste great!”

My problem is that I’ve traveled the country on book tour, and my publisher and others have taken me to the best and outrageously, financially successful vegan restaurants. Karyn’s on Greens in Chicago, The Chicago Diner, Café Gratitude all over California, New York’s Candle 79, San Francisco’s Millenium, Philly’s Vedge are just a sampling of restaurants that are exclusively vegan and even boast it in their titles.

Guess what? All those cities have lots of people, I bet, who travel here and would love an exclusively vegan restaurant option. I for one, would be a regular. Even an exclusively vegetarian restaurant on the Island would be awesome.

Speaking of food, the deadline is approaching to register for my noon Taste of Vegan cooking classes at the Anna Maria Island Community Center on all Thursdays in February. Fresh Market has donated the food. To whet your appetite, here’s what I’ll be demonstrating, and what you get to eat:

Feb. 6: Eating/Staying Fit on $4/Day – Thai no-fry spring rolls, braised collards, stone-broke soup;

Feb. 13: Getting Enough Protein on Just Plants – garbanzo bean salad, tempeh broccoli saute, breakfast scramble;

Feb. 20: Sumptious Salads – easy bean salad, community garden salad, tropical salad;

Feb. 27: Delectable Desserts – chocolate mousse, coconut ice cream, heavenly Island smoothies.

We had a small, but mighty, turnout to brave the cool temps at my free Manatee Public Beach hour-long, mini-workout last week. I start with warm-ups that have kept me injury free, then a walk and or run, depending on group interests, and cool down stretches. Feel free to join us every Monday at 9 a.m. at the Manatee Public Beach playground.

All abilities are welcome. I separate the group if needed. We’re always there as long as the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer. If it’s windy, bring a windbreaker and a towel and water. And I promise never to mention the “v” (vegan) word unless you ask.

I placed first in my age group at the Bradenton YMCA 5K this weekend – the 63rd time placing in a race since 2006. I thought it would be a gentle cross-country course on the county fairgrounds. Instead, it wound through the actual fair itself – heavy lighter fluid, BBQ smoke, people smoking and a fuel truck that blocked the narrow path at one point. But I got to hold my trophy by the Beef-It’s What’s For Dinner sign.

I’ll be attempting the marathon in Celebration next weekend. I’ve been spending way too much time in the chair writing. Sitting is the new smoking you know.

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.


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