TOES IN THE WATER
(teams who've used their mulligans)

team logo & nickname	weekly picks (losses in BOLD)	who/from	six yards of separation (relationship to Kommissar Ken, Five-Finger Aud or other Island inhabitants)
Liz the Wiz	4.STL ... 5.SF ... 6.PIT ... 7.NYJ ... 8.GB ... 9.JAX ... 10.DAL ... 11.KC ... 12.MIN ... 13.NE ... 14.TEN ... 15.BAL ... 16.ATL BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER, BECAUSE SHE'S OUR CHAMP!	Liz from Portland, Ore.	For many years Liz Evans and Tusker were partners (and winners) in the league operated by Nittany Syd. Liz is one of the foursome of Dukies on the Island as well one of three Ph.D.s who have spread a blanket on the gridiron beach. Liz balances her workdays toiling in a boring bureaucracy with a hectic homelife: she has three high school boys ... including twins! They keep her on the run, which keeps her in shape for running the Portland Marathon which she did on Oct. 1. She's also run the Boston Marathon.

EVICTION NOTICE (you've pissed away your chance to win!)

team logo & nickname	weekly picks (losses in BOLD)	who/from	six yards of separation (relationship to Kommissar Ken, Five-Finger Aud or other Island inhabitants)
The Baroness of Baldwin	4.JAX ... 5.KC ... 6.DAL ... 7.PHL	Kerry from Baldwin, N.Y.	The Queen lives on Lon Gisland with her hubby, The Ivory Tinkler, jazz pianist Tedd Firth. Her Highness has many ties to the Island. She's the niece of Kommissar Ken and Five-Finger Aud. She's also the sister of Cabana Bob, cousin of Matt the Rat, Joe the Giant Peach and Li'l Buddha and niece of The Chimney Proctologist, magurk and Joisey Jim.
The Bedouin	4.PHL ... 5.CAR ... 6.BUF ... 7.JAX	Scott from Lost Wages, Nev.	The Kommissar has renicknamed Scott Fox this season. Originally The Foxy One, then The Florida Fox, now he's The Bedouin. Why? Since May 2005, he's lived in Portland, Tampa, Pensicola and, beginning in October, Vegas. Four cities in less than 18 months? But wait, there's more: He spent three weeks hanging with Easy Val and Scuba-do in New Zealand in January and two more with them in Europe in September. For The Bedouin, life can be summed up thusly: Have tent, will travel.
The Beer Goddess	4.CIN ... 5.JAX ... 6.DAL ... 7.PHL	Lisa from Portland, Ore.	Win or lose, Lisa Morrison has THE job most of the rest of us pukes lust for: she gets paid to drink beer and then give her two cents on what she's tasted. Lisa is a beer journalist — you can read her in Zymurgy, Celebrator Beer News, Northwest Beer News and other print and online publications. The Beer Goddess also teaches beer appreciation classes for women in the Portland area. So, just how the hell was it that she and hubby Mmmm-mmmm Mark didn't make the Island Oktoberfest tour?
Big Buddha	4.CHI ... 5.DEN ... 6.ARI(dd) ... 7.NYG ... 8.NE ... 9.SEA ... 10.CAR(d) ... 11.KC ... 12.SD ... 13.STL	Joe from Vancouver, Wash.	Joe Big Buddha Bebee's been on The Island since its inception. He is the only advocate of the Default Strategy: he just goes with the Monday night flow until he gets bounced out of the pool, which usually takes about three weeks. We greatly appreciate his annual contribution to someone else's winnings.
Bobalew	4.KC ... 5.SF ... 6.WAS ... 7.MIA	Bob from Denver, Colo.	Bob Lewis used to work at the Bonneville Power Administration, where many Islanders have earned their ante at some point. Now he lives in Colorado but is a Portland area land baron. Bobalew, Nittany Syd and The Harem Globetrotter head to Lost Wages each fall for a long weekend of golf and longer nights in the casinos. This year it'll be even longer since a stopover at The Bedouin's is in the cards.
Bucky Badger	4.STL ... 5.MIN ... 6.WAS ... 7.NYJ ... 8.GB ... 9.ATL	Preston from Portland, Ore.	Preston is a proud graduate of the state and University of Wisconsin (hence his nickname). He was a co-winner of the 2002 regular season Island prize and is retired from Bonneville Power, though he still consults for the utility. He's homesteading a new domicile this season, having left the big city of Portland for the outback of Oregon City, near The Elk Stalker's outpost.
The By-Pass Bettor	4.STL ... 5.CAR ... 6.WAS ... 7.NYJ ... 8.NYG ... 9.JAX ... 10.DET	Trish from Redland, Ore. ("near" the 205 by-pass)	Trish has more connections to The Island than almost anyone. She's a former Bonnevillian. She also used to work for K3 and 5FA at woodbloom. She's married to The Greek and the mother of The Fitter. She's known as "Zia Trish" to Jimmy Mak who is her nephew. Like Bucky Badger and The Elk Stalker, she and The Greek are suburban homesteaders, staking their claim to part of "Island East" near Oregon City. They're also new grandparents so they figure win or lose on The Island, they've already scored big this year!
Cabana Bob	4.STL ... 5.IND ... 6.CHI ... 7.DEN ... 8.PHL ... 9.NYG ... 10.DAL ... 11.KC ... 12.NYJ ... 13.NO ... 14.TEN ... 15.GB ... 16.CIN	Bob from Flanders, N.Y.	Kommissar Ken's studly nephew, Cabana Bob used to spend most of his free time boogie boarding. Now he spends most of it housebreaking his boxer Beasley, a.k.a. Crotch Jumper. He and Islander Pantigo Kitten live in the pine barrens of eastern Lon Gisland. In addition to trying to best his sig/oth on our Island, he'll face head-to-head competition with his sister, a.k.a. The Baroness of Baldwin, not to mention four uncles and several cousins.
Chips Off the Old Block	4.ATL ... 5.CAR ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.NYG ... 9.SD ... 10.DEN ... 11.KC ... 12.MIN ... 13.PIT ... 14.CIN ... 15.SEA	Phil & Jack from Portland, Ore.	The team of Phil and Jack were winners in The Island's inaugural year of 2000 and repeated in 2005. They're both woodworkers when not following football, hence the nickname Chips Off the Old Block. From beertap handles to timber-framed homes, if it's made of wood, these guys have crafted it. Both are BPA pukes like many on the Island.
Chopper Hophead	4.DAL ... 5.NO ... 6.WAS ... 7.JAX	Dave from Tucson, Ariz.	Dave Moritz was one of the Munich Happy Wanderers this September. In fact, he and The Kommissar were joined at the hip thanks to a Eurail buddy pass. He's a certified beer judge, homebrewer extraordiaire and a fly-boy. In fact, he built the helicopter he flies for fun. In 2005 he retired from his job as a engineer for a defense contractor. He'd tell you what he worked on ... but then he'd have to kill you! He was one of our winners in the second rounds of 2004 and 2005.
Crotch Jumper	4.SD ... 5.NYJ	Beasley from Flanders, N.Y.	This Island newbie is the youngest member of the Island and also its first-ever four-legged member. Beasley the Boxer is the spirited puppy owned by Cabana Bob and Pantigo Kitten. When Uncle Kommissar visited back in May, the hyperactive canine repeatedly caught K3 unawares and amidships with full-frontal leaps. Happy dog. Sore Kommissar. Read Beasley's blog here.
Crystal Ball	4.DAL ... 5.JAX ... 6.WAS ... 7.DEN ... 8.GB ... 9.NYG ... 10.ATL	Crystal from Portland, Ore.	Undoubtedly the most aptly named member of Fantasy Football Island, Crystal Ball's name can't be improved upon, so she has no nickname. She's living proof that the family that bets together sweats together. She competes on the Island against her son Sammy the Stealth, who at age 3 fronts for his Daddy-O. At the end of September she left Bonneville Power to be the full-time energy source for her family which also includes toddler Ella.
The Diminutive Driver	4.ATL ... 5.CAR ... 6.WAS ... 7.IND ... 8.MIN	Dan from Clackamas, Ore.	Dan Lundberg isn't a big fella. But on the golf course, he's crafty, accurate and consistent. As his Irish golfing partners Sheep Shagger, The In-laws and K3 can attest, he's not flashy, just down the straight and narrow — just like his Scandinavian/Minnesotan upbringing. This St. Cloud alum is nuts for the Vikings, Twins, good reds (the wine, not the baseball team), good cigars and good whisk(e)y.
Doc Martin	4.DAL ... 5.NE ... 6.DEN ... 7.JAX ... 8.CHI ... 9.SD ... 10.IND ... 11.PHL	Shawn from Portland, Ore.	His Bonneville headquarters colleagues are glad to welcome "Doc" Martin back to Portland after nearly five years of exile in Olympia, Wash. Now that he's back in town, he's become a bowling buddy of Big Buddha, Wilkie Wonka, K3, Wrigley Ratkovic, The Elk Stalker, and Bucky Badger. Doc's wife, Riki Martin, blazes her own trail on The Island.
Dr. J-Z	4.MIA ... 5.CAR ... 6.DEN ... 7.JAX	Jerry from Rye, N.Y.	Dr. Jerry Zaidman is an ophthalmologist in suburban New York. He's a buddy of If I Were A Richman and a big Yankee fan. Last year he was simply Dr. J in the pool, but with the emergence of Daimler-Chrysler's commercial and Website spokesman Dr. Z, we've decided to make him a bit more hip-hop this season.
Easy Val The Glitter Gal	4.ATL ... 5.JAX ... 6.DAL ... 7.PIT ... 8.CAR	Valerie from Portland, Ore.	If ever a woman could be "one of the boys," it's Easy Val. She and her hubby Scuba-do were the impetous for the European Islanders excursion in September. She became "Mother Val" to those of us in need of nurturing ... or another shot of Patron. In fact, she and Scuba-do just concluded their round-the-world odyssey. Read all about it at divesoftheworld.com.
The Elk Stalker	4.STL ... 5.NE ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.NYG ... 9.ATL	Tah from Oregon City, Ore.	Tah (OK, his real name's Todd) is an attorney for Bonneville Power, not unlike the In-laws' Hacker R-r-r-r-roast. Though he's a lawyer by day, Todd's a dipping, downhome, bow-and-rifle hunting, laid-back bubba outside the office. That easy-going demeanor got him the monicker Tah from Big Buddha and the rest of his teammates on the Island's de facto bowling team. He defaulted during the Island's opening week because he was away living up to his nickname ... stalking elk! The question is, which will he bag first: his next elk or his first Island booty?
The Fitter	4.DAL ... 5.NO ... 6.NYJ ... 7.MIA ... 8.NYG ... 9.MIN	Don from Redland, Ore.	It's good to have The Fitter back on The Island after a hiatus of several years. Don (a pipefitter by trade) is the son of The By-pass Bettor, who's married to The Greek. This means we've got three members of the same clan playing against each other. Talk about your family feud!
Fran the Man	4.PHL(d) ... 5.NO ... 6.DEN ... 7.ARZ ... 8.NYJ	Fran from Wilsonville, Ore.	Like seemingly half of the Island, Fran Halpin is a Bonnevillian. He's also a member of several Island foursomes on the links. Fran's a transplanted New Englander but he's picked up a decidely West Coast hobby: dragon boat racing. He travels around the country and beyond to race. Now if only he could weild his putter as skillfully as his paddle!
The Greek	4.STL ... 5.MIN ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.PHL	Mak from Redland, Ore.	Mak's a Hall of Famer. OK, it ain't Canton, but he is a member of the National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame, so he knows a thing or two about betting games, just like his wife, Trish (a.k.a. The By-Pass Bettor). He's also the stepdad of The Fitter and the uncle of Jimmy Mak. Mak (short for Makarounis) was born in Greece but has lived most of his life in the U.S. Each of the past couple of years he and Trish have made the pilgrimage back to the old country.
Hav-Another-Tampan	4.PHL ... 5.CAR ... 6.CHI(d) ... 7.SEA ... 8.SD ... 9.NYG ... 10.DEN ... 11.KC ... 12.IND ... 13.NO ... 14.CIN ... 15.BAL ... 16.DAL	Ray from Tampa, Fla.	Ray Levasseur is Islander J-Oh's father-in-law. It's good to have this pair from America's cigar capitol of Tampa, Florida back on The Island in 2006. Their connection to The Island comes through Scott Fox (at one time The Florida Fox) who used to work with J-Oh. Even though Scott's traded one playland, Ybor City outside Tampa, for another (Vegas), it's nice to see his Florida legacy lives on.
If I Were A Richman	4.PHL(d) ... 5.KC ... 6.WAS ... 7.DAL(d)	Howie from Old Greenwich, Conn. (by way of Anatevka)	Howie RICHMAN is a Syracuse University college pal of K3's. These schlubs studied journalism back when Watergate was a breaking story. Howie had an assertive, East Coast quality about him that is somehow strangely endearing. Like 5FA, he lives his life by the mantra, "Subtlety Creates Confusion." In fact, putting If I Were in the same room with 5FA and The In-laws' BJD would generate quite the conversation. Though not an East Coaster by heritage, adding The Chameleon to the mix would make this quite a foursome.
The In-laws	4.DAL ... 5.NO ... 6.WAS ... 7.MIA	Robb and Dave from Portland, Ore.	Hacker R-r-r-r-roast Robb Roberts and Dave Fine (a.k.a. BJD ... don't ask) were 2003 Island champs. They met in law school and are long-time golfing partners who happen to be married to twin sisters. Dave craves football action. Robb is a hackin' fool who craves fairway action. Robb keeps Buzz from "compound"ing his losses. Buzz keeps Robb giggling by swearing off golf on a weekly basis or, when he's relented and dragged his clubs out of the garage, by demonstrating his unique Golfer's Anonymous approach on the tee — his 12-Step golf swing!
The Ivory Tinkler	4.CHI ... 5.SD ... 6.ARI(dd) ... 7.ATL ... 8.NYJ	Tedd from Baldwin, N.Y.	Unlike J-Oh and Riki Martin, The Ivory Tinkler really IS The Island's only professional musician. Tedd Firth is a jazz pianist, arranger and music director who works with crooner Tom Wopat and some of NYC's finest cabaret artists. The Ivory Tinkler is married to The Baronness of Baldwin and is a nephew-in-law of K3, 5FA, magurk, and Joisey Jim. It's K3's hope to hook Ivory Tinkler up with Jimmy Mak someday for a gig at Portland's premier jazz club.
Jimmy Mak	4.PHL ... 5.SF ... 6.WAS ... 7.JAX	Demetrius from Portland, Ore.	If you're from Portland and Demetrius Makarounis' name doesn't ring a bell, then the Americanized version probably will: Jimmy Mak. That's also the name of his recently relocated jazz club in the Pearl District which is known far beyond our fair city. In fact, Down Beat Magazine calls Jimmy Mak's "one of the world's top 100 places to hear jazz." (Are you reading this Ivory Tinkler — book a gig there, will ya?) Jimmy Mak is the nephew of The Greek and The By-Pass Bettor. He also lives within walking distance of K3 and 5FA, albeit in a much nicer house!
J-Oh	4.KC ... 5.SF ... 6.CHI(d) ... 7.ARZ ... 8.BAL ... 9.TB	Jerry from Tampa, Fla.	We hate to admit it, but Jerry Owens is not Jennifer Lopez — he's the wrong sex and way in the wrong tax bracket. (Though there is a rumor that J-Oh's ass won't quit either!) This isn't the first time we've had a would-be Latin hottie singer on The Island (see Riki Martin below). J-Oh's a friend of The Bedouin. The two met little more than a year ago when V2 lived in Tampa. But that was TWO moves ago for the perennially packed Vinnie.
Joisey Jim	4.ATL ... 5.BAL ... 6.DEN ... 7.GB ... 8.STL	Jim from Newton, N.J.	Joisey Jim's Island connections are strong given that he's a Kane, works for a utility (albeit not Bonneville Power), and has sired two other Islanders, Matt the Rat and Li'l Buddha. Plus his father-in-law is The Marinator. And his brother is Magurk. Perhaps that's why he copped the Island prize in 2001. Like his older brother, Kommissar Ken, Joisey Jim has a downstairs fridge with a built in beer tap. See, sometimes Big Brother does know best!
A Jolly Good Fellow	4.ATL ... 5.CAR ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.NYG ... 9.SD ... 10.NE	John from Fairfax, Va.	John McClain is a Senior Fellow in the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University in Virginia. (You remember George Mason from this year's March Madness, right?) He's one of at least three PhDs who bring an element of erudition to The Island. John's well-versed in sports analysis, too, having been a regular in Nittany Syd's football pool for many years. He's also known to tee it up with Syd on occasion. He's a graduate of Duke and a Blue Devil through and through, like Liz the Wiz and Chip Off the Old Block Phil. John's son, Jay, is also an Islander.
A Junior Good Fellow	4.PHL ... 5.MIN ... 6.WAS ... 7.NYJ ... 8.PIT	Jay from Fairfax, Va. (we think)	If John McClain is A Jolly Good Fellow, that makes his son, Jay, A Junior Good Fellow. Like his dad, Jay is a veteran of Nittany Syd's sporting pools. If the Kommisar remembers correctly, Jolly and Junior are like-father-like-son in another regard: they're both Duke-ies. But as far as This Island is concerned, this is inter-generational rivalry!
Koalacat	4.KC ... 5.CAR ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.NE ... 9.NYG ... 10.PHL ... 11.PIT ... 12.STL ... 13.SD ... 14.NYJ	Steve from Seattle, Wash.	Many moons ago, Five-Finger Aud and Steve were partners in Nittany Syd's fantasy football pool. That's when both worked for BPA. Now Steve works for Seattle City Light (dang, ain't he retired yet?!) and Aud works for woodbloom ... when she's not hiking, fiddling or wandering Italy or Manhattan. Like 5FA and K3, he's a huge Seattle Mariner fan ... well, as big a fan of a last-place team one can be!
Kommissar Ken	4.STL ... 5.NO ... 6.SD ... 7.ARZ ... 8.GB ... 9.MIN	Ken from Portland, Ore.	Kommissar Ken Kane (a.k.a. K3) is the Social Director and Commissioner of Fantasy Football Island. He (mis)manages woodbloom.com and PortlandSouvenirs.com, gift Websites which he and his wife, Five-Fingered Aud, own. This year there are at least 10 Islanders who have blood, marriage or significant other relations with K3 and five others who cavorted with him, drinking their way across Europe in September.
Li'l Buddha	4.HOU ... 5.BAL ... 6.DEN ... 7.ARZ	Derek from Newton, N.J.	Derek is the son of Joisey Jim, the brother of Matt the Rat, nephew of K3 and 5FA and has a number of cousins on the Island. But he's also got things in common with other Islanders: like The Bedouin, he's a former state champion wrestler; like Doc Martin, he's a catcher on the diamond and, like Big Buddha, he's attracted to 16-year-old girls. He's also the only Islander who not only follows football but actually plays it ... he's a two-way lineman on his high school team.
Li'l e	4.PHL ... 5.MIN ... 6.DET ... 7.JAX ... 8.GB & TOVA! ... 9.NYG ... 10.NE	Erich from Vancouver, Wash.	Island newbie Erich Orth is a BPAer and an Associates softballer. The ballplayers had so many Erics on the team at one time that you couldn't tell them apart without a scorecard ... or a nickname. And the slight-of-build Mr. Orth's was, appropriately enough, Li'l e. It stuck. And there's now a Li'l t in his houseshold. Li'l e's wife Kristy gave birth to baby girl Tova on Oct. 26.
Lopaka State Farm	4.PHL ... 5.NO ... 6.DAL ... 7.NYJ ... 8.NYG ... 9.JAX ... 10.CAR ... 11.KC ... 12.SEA ... 13.STL ... 14.CIN ... 15.GB ... 16.ATL	Bob from Portland, Ore.	Island newbie Bob Stull wrests the title of "closest to The Kommisar" from Jimmy Mak. The latter lives two blocks from K3, but Bob lives just six houses up Canby Street. His Island nickname is a compromise. He wants to be called Lopaka, which is Hawaiian for "Bob". But K3 appended State Farm to the nickname because Lopaka's, well ... like, a good neighbor.
Mad Max	4.KC ... 5.SF ... 6.DET ... 7.MIA ... 8.GB ... 9.SEA ... 10.ATL	Greg from Germantown, Tenn.	Greg "Mad Max" MAXTED was our very first Island winner, back in 2000 when men were men and there were no mulligans! He's an engineer who designs conveyor systems for companies like FedEx, so if you absolutely, positively have to pick a winner, he's a good guy to emulate. When 5FA and K3 moved to Memphis in the late 1979, the Maxted clan took them under their wing and made two yankees feel quite welcome down in Dixie. A quarter-century later, Greg's dad's Thanksgiving Weber Grill turkey is still legendary in The Kommissar's mind.
The Man of Steele	4.MIA ... 5.IND ... 6.DEN ... 7.ARZ	Tim from Gresham, Ore.	Tim STEELE is a BPA engineer, a former Associates softballer and a frequent golfing (and cigar) partner of K3. Like Clark Kent, Tim's a man of modesty and few words. An excellent and efficient ball-striker, The Man of Steele tolerates The Kommissar's wayward drives which end up 50 yards behind and 90 degrres distant from his.
The Marinator	4.KC ... 5.MIN ... 6.WAS ... 7.JAX	Gene from Ridgefield Park, N.J.	Gene MARIN is the patriarch of three generations of Islanders: he's the father-in-law of Joisey Jim and the grandpa of Matt the Rat and Li'l Buddha. He's our most senior Islander, not to mention our most Irish (sorry, Fran!). He also lives around the corner from The Kommissar's boyhood home.
Matt the Rat	4.KC ... 5.SD ... 6.CIN ... 7.JAX	Matt from Glassboro, N.J.	Matt the Rat is a sophomore at Rowan University. He's studying communications, does a little sports broadcasting on the campus cable outlet and is involved in stage productions. He's the son of Joisey Jim, brother of Li'l Buddha and nephew of Magurk, K3 and 5FA. But among Islanders, his most kindred spirit is Steinbrenner's Son since they're both big Yankee fans ... The Rat insufferably so!
Mmmm-mmmm Good	4.KC ... 5.NO ... 6.ATL ... 7.OAK ... 8.TEN ... 9.WAS ... 10.PIT ... 11.PHL	Mark from Portland, Ore.	Mark CAMPBELL is an newbie to the pool in 2006, but he's been subjected to its competitive riggors in the past since he's married to Island vet The Beer Goddess. Like 5FA and Steinbrenner's Son, Mmmm-mmmm's an economist. He plies his trade for Multnomah County, Oregon (where Portland is located). He and the Goddess remodeled their home last year -- you may remember the granite counter controversy. The kitchen has another a fantastic feature: a wet bar in the kitchen with a built in beer tap!
Mohawk Man	4.DAL ... 5.NE ... 6.DEN ... 7.JAX ... 8.NYG ... 9.CHI	Ben from Columbus, Ohio	Ben Leffler's mom was a high school classmate of 5FA and K3 in New Jersey. Though he's currently a law student at THE Ohio State University, Ben spent the summer of 2004 leading crews of teenagers building trails in the Cascades. Working long hours and gone for days at a time in the forest, personal grooming became ... uh, shall we say "optional." When his 10-week stint ended in late August, Ben emerged from the woods with facial hair and cranial detailing, hence the moniker, Mohawk Man. He and Paisan Dan were undergrad classmates at Vassar.
Mysterious Magurk	4.STL ... 5.DEN ... 6.NYJ ... 7.IND ... 8.CIN ... 9.MIN	Rick from Newton, N.J.	This is the mysterious Magurk's second year on The Island. Since they were all young pups, the other Kane boys called Rick "Muscles magurk" because he could (an occasionally did) throw his taunting sibs (including K3 and Joisey Jim) through doors and walls. They're all nearly 40 years older now, but the name's stuck.
Nittany Syd	4.DAL ... 5.NE ... 6.NYJ ... 7.MIA ... 8.PIT	Syd from Portland, Ore.	Syd's a proud graduate of Penn State, as is Doc Martin. Syd ran a fantasy football pool for many years in which 5FA, Koalacat, Bucky Badger, The Winer, Hacker R-r-r-r-roast of The In-Laws, Liz the Wiz, The Stokkers and other Islanders took part. He and Bobalew are heading to Vegas in October for some golf and gambling. While there, they'll probably try to get The Bedouin to stay in one place long enough to join them for dinner.
Our Man in Baghdad	4.MIA ... 5.KC ... 6.DEN ... 7.IND ... 8.CHI ... 9.NYG ... 10.NYJ ... 11.PHL	Craig in Baghdad, Iraq	In previous seasons, he was known as Sailor Craig Rademacher. But since his call-up in March, Craig's been Our Man in Baghdad. He's a naval reservist who lives in Vancouver, Wash. ... when he's not dodging car bombs and snipers. (I wish I was making that up, but I'm not.) Whether you think we ought to be in Iraq or not, it's guys and gals like OMIB for whom our involvement is not a political debate. It's their job. The whole Island is thinking good thoughts for you, fella!
Paisan Dan	4.DAL ... 5.NO ... 6.WAS ... 7.NYJ ... 8.PIT	Dan from New York City	Dan Bertaccini's a buddy of Mohawk Man, having both graduated from Vassar. Like Steinbrenner's Son, K3, F5A, Joisey Jim, Magurk, Matt the Rat, Li'l Buddha, Scuba-do and (I think) The Marinator, he's a native of north Jersey. When his attention moves from the gridiron to the diamond, he's a diehard Metsie, so this October could be a lot of fun for him regardless of his Island position.
Pantigo Kitten	4.DAL ... 5.CAR ... 6.SD ... 7.JAX ... 8.CHI ... 9.ATL	Tess from Flanders, N.Y.	Tess Goergen and Cabana Bob share living quarters on eastern Lon Gisland where they serve as domestic staff to Crotch Jumper. Tess and Bob used to work together in an office on Pantigo Street, but now PK is an independent contractor in the field of water treatment and environmental sciences. She was instrumental in persuading Cabana's mom to go visit her bro', The Kommissar, in August. It was the first time K3's sis had ever visited her kid brother.
Riki Martin	4.ATL ... 5.JAX ... 6.WAS ... 7.SD	Erika from Portland, Ore.	No, Latin popster Ricky Martin isn't doing a show on The Island. But Riki (a.k.a. Erika) Martin is hoping to show everyone else up on The Island, even her hubby "Doc" Martin. We welcome them back to Portland after living for nearly five years a hundred miles north in Olympia, Wash. Besides the Island rivalry, there's some Pac Ten-Big Ten animosity in this household. Riki's a Washington Husky; Doc's a Penn Stater.
Rocket Vet	4.ATL ... 5.CHI ... 6.DAL ... 7.SEA ... 8.NYG ... 9.SD ... 10.IND ... 11.KC ... 12.MIN ... 13.NE ... 14.SF	Paul from Kent, Wash.	Veterinarian Paul Chauvin is a lifelong chum of The Bedouin and a former member of The Associates softball team along with K3, Wrigley Ratkovic, Big Buddha and Doc Martin. He has a soft spot for two-wheeled motor vehicles -- ridden as one-wheelers -- as well as four-legged friends. He currently has four motorcycles in his stable!
Sammy the Stealth	4.STL ... 5.SF ... 6.DAL ... 7.NYJ ... 8.PIT ... 9.SD ... 10.JAX	Sammy from Portland, Ore.	With the addition of Crotch Jumper this season, Sammy at age 3 is no longer the youngest Islander. (Then again, if we convert Crotch Jumper's age to dog years, Sammy retains the crown.) Sammy the Stealth is the son of Crystal Ball and Brett Kadz who swooped in under the radar on Super Bowl Sunday 2003 and made off with the Island pool. Sammy the Stealth is one of three poolsters holding dual citizenship, Canadian and U.S. The others are Greek/Americans Jimmy Mak and The Greek (duh!).
Scuba-do	4.STL ... 5.SF ... 6.WAS ... 7.JAX	Eric from Portland, Ore.	It's great to see Eric and his wife, Easy Val The Glitter Gal, back on The Island after a year of following the sun around the world. In fact, they made their Week 4 picks from the spas at Baden Baden as their travel odyssey was not quite yet done. Read about their odyssey at divesoftheworld.com. An architect during the day, Scuba-do is a certified diving instructor and dive tour leader. He's also a diehard Niners' fan. Despite Frisco's futility, this is one case where Scuba-do refuses to jump ship.
Sheep Shagger	4.DAL ... 5.IND ... 6.CHI(d) ... 7.JAX ... 8.NE(d) ... 9.SD ... 10.CAR ... 11.NYG(dd)	Jim from Portland, Ore.	Jim's hacked his way around Irish golf courses with Hacker R-r-r-r-roast, The Diminutive Driver and K3 on two golf trips to Ireland. Whenever they've driven by a flock of sheep on their way to another Emerald Isle links course, Jim sighs, gets a longing look in his smiling Irish eyes and asks R-r-r-r-roast to stop the car. When not in Ireland, this baaaaaaaaaaaaaad boy hosts the Irish foursome at Tualatin Country Club for occasional bouts of hackin' and hoistin'.
Steinbrenner's Son	4.PHL ... 5.SF ... 6.WAS ... 7.NYJ ... 8.GB ... 9.SEA ... 10.CAR ... 11.KC ... 12.MIN ... 13.NO ... 14.CIN ... 15.NYG	Pete from Portland, Ore.	Diehard Bronx Bomber fan Pete West owns an authentic Yankee Stadium seat, grabbed from a dumpster during the mid-1970s stadium makeover. This 2004 first-round Island champ shares two "used tos" with K3 and 5FA: they're all ex-Bonnevillians and expatriate north Jerseyans. In fact, they grew up less than five miles from each other. And like State Farm, he works at a grass-roots energy conservation organization.
The Stokkers	4.MIA ... 5.NO ... 6.WAS	Ed & Jim from Portland, Ore.	2001 Island winners, Ed and brother Wes Stokke were staples of Nittany Syd's pool. These brothers have been playing in Bonneville-related football pools for upwards of 20 years -- and they've gone to the pay window and lot more than most.
Thoroughly Modern Modde	4.PHL ... 5.MIN ... 6.PIT ... 7.MIA ... 8.GB ... 9.SEA ... 10.JAX	David from Portland, Ore.	David Modde's a pal of former Islanders Blake Howells and Rick Horton. David's more of a college fan than an NFL guy, but we're glad he tries his luck on The Island. His favorite team is the Oregon Ducks. And his favorite hobby also involves green(s) -- golf.
Tree and The Traitor	4.PHL ... 5.NO ... 6.DEN ... 7.ARZ ... 8.CHI ... 9.NYG ... 10.NE	Teresa and Randy from Vancouver, Wash.	Randy Ridenhour works for Bonneville and used to play softball with many Islanders including The Bedouin, Nittany Syd and K3 just to drop a few names. He's also a very avid golfer and member at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club, though he's got a lot more Bill Murray than Ted Knight in him. He got his nickname when he changed sides at a softball tournament years ago. Randy's wife Teresa (a.k.a. Tree) is definitely the brains behind the team!
Tusker	4.DAL ... 5.NO ... 6.WAS ... 7.MIA	Frank from Seattle, Wash.	Every year Frank Brown petitions K3 for a nickname change. Originally he was known as Tarzan on The Island, then he was 'Traz (as in Birdman of Alcatraz) to reflect his hobby of bird watching. Last year he asked to be called "Wewe Lipa Mimi" which he says in Swahili means "Thank You All For Paying Me." To the Kommissar that translated to Limp Wee Wee. This year he wants to be called Tusker after the beer he plans to drink while on a birding trip to Kenya in November. K3 was about to ignore the request, until Frank mentioned he'd bring The Kommissar a Tusker souvenir back from the Dark Continent. Beer swag turns K3's head, so "Tusker," don't forget!!
Wax Bean Backer	4.PHL ... 5.NO ... 6.DAL ... 7.JAX ... 8.PIT	John from Portland, Ore.	John's the Wax Bean Backer because he's a Packer fan and because he shares football tickets with TMM for the Oregon Ducks. He definitely has a thing for yellow and green. And he's a biker, having riden over to the coast and back the first weekend in October. (Non-Portlander may not realize just what a trek that is.) K3 and 5FA have a soft spot for WBB. Not only is he a great guy and a stalwart Islander but, in addition to Island antes, he's been known to leave a little cash at the woodbloom pay window!
Wilkie Wonka	4.DAL ... 5.IND ... 6.SD ... 7.JAX ... 8.NE ... 9.CHI	Steve from Portland, Ore.	Steve Wilkie is another of those Associates softball playin' fools. And he bowls with Big Buddha, Wrigley Ratkovic, Doc Martin, The Elk Stalker, Bucky Badger and K3. He's also a dedicated youth coach. Whether in the fray or on the sidelines, if it's sports, Wilkie Wonka is there!
The Winer	4.PHL ... 5.MIN ... 6.WAS ... 7.SEA	Don from Aloha, Ore.	Don used to work with 5FA at BPA but he's been happily retired for several years now. An amateur vintner, he puts much energy into making his own wine. Whether crushing grapes or crushing his drives off the tee, The Winer takes his hobbies seriously.
Wrigley Ratkovic	4.MIA ... 5.MIN ... 6.DAL ... 7.ARZ	Paul from Portland, Ore.	Paul Ratkovic is yet another Bonneville employee. He's also a devoted native of Chicago -- the north side of Chicago, that is. He's a Cub fan and used to be a Bud man, but after two weeks of drinking his way across Europe with Scuba-do, Easy Val, The Bedouin and K3, he's much more of a Belgian man!

AND FINALLY, THEY'RE JUST INTERESTED BY-STANDERS

Five-Finger Aud	THINK OF HER AS A HUMAN ATM.	Aud from Portland, Ore.	Five-Finger Aud (a.k.a. 5FA) is K3's wife and the Treasurer of the Island. She's a RETIRED economist for the Bonneville Power Administration. Besides handling the accounts payable and receivable for The Island, she does the same for woodbloom.com and PortlandSouvenirs.com, the retail Websites which she and K3 operate.
Our Pal, Raven Al	GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.	Al from York, Penn.	Raven Al Epstein was a charter member of The Island, a devoted Baltimore Ravens fan and one of the biggest sports fans you'd ever meet. He died far too young several years ago from a rare medical condition. Think of him as The Island's guardian angel.