Staten Island Advance
Dr. Atlas Comedy Night
The annual Dr. Atlas Comedy Night on June 21 at The Staaten will be hosted by the great Jeff “Fat Rat Bastard” Pirrami of Vegas, Atlantic City and HBO fame who will introduce a star-studded lineup of comedians that could double as a lineup in a police station.
Joking.
What Pirrami won’t be joking about is the vital importance of the event which is a fundraiser for the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation, a unique local charity that remembers the forgotten and forgets about red tape in getting aid directly to people in true need, often those too down on their luck to remember what a good laugh feels like. The Dr. Atlas Foundation helps these people who have been knocked down in life get up off the canvas and helps them help themselves back into the battle for a dignified life.
The money from these events helps the Dr. Atlas Foundation give out thousands of Thanksgiving turkeys each year, and thousands of toys to wide-eyed kids on Santa’s lap for whom that might be their only holiday toy. It sends 300 kids from the Dr. Atlas Incentive Program for middle-school students on a bus trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. And to help individuals based upon an assessment of true need.
These are no small victories, but the triumphs this charity scores over the adversity of the sudden loss of a breadwinner, an unexpected child illness, a calamity of nature like Superstorm Sandy or a fire that leaves a good family suddenly homeless might not make headline news. But they are the enormous battles for common folk in our war for better lives for our friends, neighbors and total strangers who are part of the human family.
That hand is fueled by the good people who come to the fundraisers like Comedy Night. Doors open at 7 p.m. where a $100 donation gets you an open bar to fortify yourself against the wet-your-drawers comedy of Pirrami who will introduce the celebrated Rob Magnotti whose side-splitting comedy and roll in the aisle impression won him appearances on David Letterman and a role in Mall Cop 2 and a regular headlining spot at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, and Vince Valentine, from Philadelphia, currently touring the country with “Defending the Caveman,” Broadway’s longest running one-man show in history.
"This charity is nothing without the people who support it," said Atlas, who last weekend was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. "They are the people who might never lace on a pair of boxing gloves or climb those terrifying three steps into a ring, but every single one of them has the heart of a champion. People who think of others in this life, sometimes perfect strangers, have the heart I look for first in a fighter. I always want to see the character of a fighter before I evaluate his skills. Skills can be taught. Character and heart are qualities you are born and blessed with. The people who support the Dr. Atlas Foundation are all in what we in boxing call our 'stable' of champions."
Courtesy of Mike Colt
S.I. Giants U-14 flag football team wins tourney
The Staten Island Giants' 14U flag football girls went 5-0 to capture the Battle of Bethlehem (Pa.) Tournament last weekend.
It was the squad's first tournament. The team is sponsored by the 911 Flag Football/USYL and plays in the NFL Flag Football League.
Coach Mike Colt's team faced opponents from Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including a strong PFFL team from Pittsburgh in the championship tilt, which the Giants won 17-6.
Leading the charge for the Island squad in the tourney was QB Jessica Finley, who gave teams fits all day with her passing and running.
Juliana LaQuinta rushed for three TDs and Allison Gandlin recorded three interceptions and three TDs.
Olivia Rijo and Destiny Barber made key plays to help keep the offense on the field in big spots.
Led by Victoria Rosas and Mary Wigren and the blitzing of Annabella Baez and LaQuinta, the defense allowed only six points in five games.
The team improved to to 9-1 and is currently ranked No. 1 in the 14-U division in the U.S., according to Colt.
Coaches Will Baez and James Mazziotta assist Colt.
Courtesy of Anna Maria College
Islander Paul Schwarz ends collegiate career in East-West game
Staten Islander Paul Schwarz, who became the all-time saves leader in college lacrosse at Division 3 Anna Maria College in April, closed out his collegiate career by playing in the New England Intercollegiate East-West All-Star game last week.
The game featured players from NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3, including a few All-Americans.
Schwarz, who played the entire second half of the contest, had seven saves in the game leading the West to a 12-9 victory.
The goalie wound up stopping 1,132 career shots at the Paxton, Mass., school which puts him at the top of all the college lists, regardless of division.
Schwarz is a product of Xaverian High School in Brooklyn.
Top row (left to right): Selena Rivera, Ximena Rodriguez , Renae Russo, Josephine Borgognone, Ashley O’Connor, Angelina Hodgens, Ava O’Donnell, Gizelle D’Avanzo, Hailie Murphy, Coach Mark Reinhold Bottom row (left to right): Megan Vincent, Norah Tama, Gabriela Mejia, Jaime Como, Kate Reinhold, Lucia Schirripa. (Courtesy of Cedar Stars Academy)
Cedar Stars 12U girls cop NYCUP
The 2007 Under-12 Cedar Stars Academy/Staten Island girls captured the NYCUP title Sunday in Huntington Station, L.I. by besting the East Islip Scorpions, 4-2.
Kate Reinhold, Jaime Como, Norah Tama and Gizelle D’Avanzo netted the goals.
The team advanced to the finale with a 7-1 semifinal win over the East Meadow Soccer Club.
Top row (left to right): Fjutorima Dzemovski, Madelyn Albano, Katelyn Kliesch, Chloe Ciccone, Madison Cermeli, Olivia Sini, Coach Robbie Nguidjol Bottom row (left to right): Daniela Rivera, Sophie Ibrahim, Brianna Almodovar, Kayla Rugg and Amber Martin. (Courtesy of the Cedar Stars Academy)
Cedar Stars Academy U11 girls are champs, too
The 2008 Under-11 Cedar Stars Academy/Staten Island girls captured the ENY Arch Cup be topping the Merrick PAL Hurricanes, 3-0, in Lagrangeville, N.Y., earlier this month.
Goals were scored by Sophie Ibrahim, Katelyn Kliesch and Madison Cermeli.
The squad went unbeaten in its group stage games to secure a spot in the finale.
Staten Island Advance
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