Renee Riva of RFL Relay Rockers Passes Away

 

Last night, Thursday August 20, Trader1 Whiplash announced the passing of Renee Riva.

 

With broken hearts and profound sadness the Relay Rockers learned today of the passing of our dear friend, original teammate and pillar of strength Renee Riva.

Renee who was partnered with DJRipster Riva for 11 years was a 3-time cancer survivor and  living proof that resilience and hope can carry a person, and everyone around them, through the hardest of battles.

Renee was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2011 and then a few years later suffered a metastatic brain tumor. As a result of the multiple treatments she developed leukemia and in the past year suffered Kidney failure and had been in assisted living as she underwent dialysis.

Renee passed away peacefully in her sleep this morning. 

A Memorial Service is being planned for for early September.
 

The announcement was followed by a number of messages of surprise and condolences in Relay chat. "Prayers for all who knew her." "So sad to hear of her passing. she was a lovely lady and we've missed her these past few months. condolences to her family and friends." "Hugs, Trader, Rip, the Rockers and her friends & family. Renee will be greatly missed, she was a true inspiration." "So sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers to DJRipster , friends and SL family and also to real life family and friends."

 

The Relay Rockers team for the Relay for Life was folded at the end of this year's Relay season in June after about twenty years, with the advancing age and declining health of it's remaining founding members being a factor. 

 

Rest in peace Renee 

 

Image Credit: DJ ripster435riva (ripster435 Resident) 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

More On The Last Relaystock

 

From Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12, the Relaystock took place. It was three days of rock music and mud. While hosted by the Relay Rockers, it's asked for other teams to participate from the start. And this year like others, many other teams' musicians, as well as a few independents playing for one, took part. And many would give their teams huge boosts in their fundraising totals. But, there was one problem. 

 

Read the story in Events. 

 

The Last Relaystock

 

This weekend, the Relaystock took place with days two and three. While hosted by the Relay Rockers, it's always been open to performers from all teams, as well as some playing in behalf of one. And for many it was a moment to shine. Among those performing Saturday, DJ Cynthia, with a number of others from Team Sunbeamers acting as dancers. The team would get almost 77,000 in the kiosk, which was enough to bring them over the one million Linden mark, and Emerald level. 

 

 Read more about the Relaystock later. 

 

RFL Press Release: Bid The Lindens Bald

 

 BID THE LINDENS BALD 2026

Bid the Lindens & Moles Bald returns for its 10th annual showdown in support of Relay For Life in Second Life — and this year will be the grand finale.

In this fan-favorite fundraising event, teams of Lindens and Moles literally put their hair on the line. Residents vote with their donations: the teams that raise the most keep their locks, while the team that raises the least will go bald until the next birthday celebrations.

Voting opens during RelayStock on April 10 and runs through April 15, culminating in the always-entertaining Haircut Party from 12:00–2:30 PM SLT, with the clippers coming out at 2:15 PM SLT. Team lists will be announced in April, so start planning your strategy and your donations.

As the Relay Rockers prepare to retire this beloved tradition, this will be the last time Linden hair hits the floor — so don’t miss your chance to be part of the laughter, the spectacle, and the fundraising magic for American Cancer Society.

Mark your calendars and come help
Bid the Lindens & Moles Bald!

SURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2026/126/3/23

 

Relaystock Continues Today

 

 The Relaystock got started yesterday, Friday April 10. The three day tribute to Woodstock lived up to the promise of music and mud, with performers playing music at the stage. 

 

 Among those playing the tunes were Trader Whiplash and Nuala Maracas of the Relay  Rockers, standing in for a performer that couldn't make it. 

 

A number of teams have themed campsites. This includes the Sunbeamers, the team of the community where the Newser office makes it's home.

 

 

The Sunbeamers have a few items for sale for charity, including a virtual replica of the Victorian Era toilet by Thomas Crapper (yes, women could use it in those dresses). 

 

On this second day of performanices, the schedule is as follows: 

 

8:30am – DJ Melina Firehawk
Heroes Helping Heroes

10:00am – DJ  Temptation
VRaze Dreamers

11:03am – DJ Starlight 
Team Darkpaws

1:00pm – LIVE Eva Fae
Seekers Of Hope

2:00pm – Erika Ordinary
Relay Rockers

3:00pm – DJ  Kayla & The Roos
Roos With A Dream

4:30pm – DJ Hell
Camping For A Cure

6:00pm – DJ Cynthia Farshore
Sunbeamers

7:30pm – DJ Castion Eyre
Scorpions Take On Thyroid Cancer

For those in the Sunweaver community, Club Cutlass will be closed tonight with those usually showing up Friday evenings asked to head to DJ Cynthia's set at the Relaystock.

 

Rock on and Relay,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Relaystock Starts Today

 

 Today marks the first day of the Relaystock, the yearly three day tribute to the 1969 Woodstock music festival for the Relay for Life. From Friday April 10, to Sunday April 12, there won't be sex and drugs, but there will certainly be rock and roll and plenty of it. 

 

While hosted by the Relay Rockers, the event involves many teams. Many have small campsites across the Relaystock grounds (picture taken yesterday, so some spots had just placeholder items then). 

 

Sad to say this will be the final Relaystock. Real life has been catching up to many of the Relay Rockers, who have been hosting the event year after year. While some will continue to be on SL next year, it won't be as often.  

 

The schedule for today is as follows.  

 

12:30pm – DJ Candi 
Harmony Of Hope

2:00pm – DJ  TBA
Meowgick Littlefolks

3:30pm – DJ Teiko Moxie 
Rainbows Of Hope

5:00pm – DJ Gem Sunkiller
Love, Life & Legacy

6:30pm – DJ Wyldchild Raven & DJ Chevelley Rune
Sugar Skols

8:00pm – DJ  Boone Alpha
Alpha Hope Force

 

SURL :   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2026/128/3/23

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

RFL Announcement: Relaystock 2026 - The Last Dance

 

 Get Ready For RelayStock© – One More Time

On April 10-12 the Relay Rockers will host the 13th annual gathering of the teams at
RelayStock ©  (Annual Multi Team Fundraising event)  

The team, which was founded in 2005 and has participated in every Relay For Life in Second Life has decided that 2026 will be the final RelayStock©.  The team itself will retire from active relaying after this season.

The Rockers are dedicating their final season to long-time member Madelyn Majestic, who is currently undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer.  Mady was diagnosed late last year after being reminded to get her exam by the Making Strides campaign.  “Never doubt what you do here is important.”  Mady stated, “Making Strides prompted me to schedule my exam that found the  cancer. With all the knowledge I gained from all of you and the ACS website, I knew what questions to ask and what to expect. As I go through this journey, I’m so immensely grateful to all of you and everything you’ve done to help fight back against cancer.”

In addition to RelayStock the team is currently planning to hold Bid The Lindens Bald©, its annual collaboration with Linden Lab, on Wednesday, April 15th.  This event, the 10th annual iteration of the popular fund raiser, will also be the last one.

Registration for  RelayStock ©– The Last Dance opens March 2d.  Space is limited and allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Info at: www.relayrockers.org

Team: Relay Rockers

SLURL: TBD 

"The Last Dance" - Relay for Life Team "Relay Rockers" To Disband At End of Season

 

The list of teams for the Relay for Life has seen much turnover as time has gone on. Some of the top teams from when the Newser started covering have long gone. One that's been around since the start has been the Relay Rockers. This is the team that introduced "Bid Me Bald" to the Relay in Second Life and brought them the Relaystock and "Bid the Lindens Bald." But sadly, the year of the team's twentieth anniversary will also be their last. In an announcement, it was revealed the Relay Rockers plan to end after this year's fundraising season. 

 

The team, which was founded in 2005 and has participated in every Relay For Life in Second Life has decided that 2026 will be the final RelayStock©.  The team itself will retire from active relaying after this season.

The Rockers are dedicating their final season to long-time member Madelyn Majestic, who is currently undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer.  Mady was diagnosed late last year after being reminded to get her exam by the Making Strides campaign.  “Never doubt what you do here is important.”  Mady stated, “Making Strides prompted me to schedule my exam that found the  cancer. With all the knowledge I gained from all of you and the ACS website, I knew what questions to ask and what to expect. As I go through this journey, I’m so immensely grateful to all of you and everything you’ve done to help fight back against cancer.”
 

 The Relaystock will take place from April 10 to April 12. Bid the Lindens Bald will take place Wednesday March 15.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The Sunbeamer Air Show, And Other Weekend News

 

 Pictures from Nydia Tungsten and Kamida Delec. This weekend saw the Sunweaver Air Show, which took place on both Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15. While the details on how much was raised on Day Two are not yet available, for Day One a combination of 51,100 for the Sunbeamers and Roos With A Dream combined. 

 

 

There were other Relay events, such as a live music performance by the Second Life Cheerleading Squad. Sadly not all the Relay news was happy as it was announced the upcoming Relaystock and Bid the Lindens Bald will be the last one as the Relay Rockers, the team behind them, will be folding at the end of the Relay season. 

 

In other news, on Friday Linden Lab would announce a new Vice President of Engineering: Jerome Despret. 

 

More on these, and other stories, later.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Bid The Lindens Bald Results

 

On Wednesday April 9, the "Bid the Lindens Bald" event took place. Organized by the Relay Rockers, it would take place just a few days after the multi-team Relaystock. Arizona Ballinger-Whiplash would have this to say about both events.

 

RelayStock 2025 was an unforgettable celebration of community, hope, and togetherness. With 45 Relay teams—our second-highest turnout ever—and 22 teams filling the stage with music, the energy was incredible. This beloved halfway point in the Relay For Life of Second Life season is more than just an event; it’s where friendships deepen, memories are made, and we’re reminded why we Relay. From dancing 'in the mud' to welcoming the traditional final-day rain, the spirit was alive in every moment. In just 2.5 days, our amazing teams raised L$2,103,576 ($8,414 USD) for the American Cancer Society—a record-breaking total that shows the heart of this community.

"Just days after RelayStock, 'Bid The Lindens & Moles Bald' returned for its 9th year of brave, heartfelt fun in support of the American Cancer Society. Four teams of 22 Lindens and Moles rallied donations during a spirited two-hour party, all putting their hair on the line in the fight against cancer. In a nail-biting finish, Team 3 saved their locks by just L$75—proving that every linden truly counts when we come together to fight cancer."

 

 Yours truly wasn't able to get to the event on time. But the totals on the kiosks were still there:

 

Team 1 43,225
Team 2 39,675
Team 3 - 39,500
Team 4 - 49,604 (Patch) 

From Selene Jashan

So Team Four, consisting of Spiffy, Dion, and Abnor Mole and Jade, Hobbes, and Patch LInden, got the most donations. Team Three, Brigantia, Mini, and Chronos Mole and Keria and Derrick Linden were the ones whose hair ended up cut and shaved on the barber chairs. Derrick had been sporting a huge wig. Fuzzball Ortega was there and talked later that he thought of donning "The Hair," but decided against it as he didn't want to take away from Derrick's moment to shine.

 

Between the Relaystock and "Bid The Lindens Bald," the Relay Rockers' total raised for this season has gone up to 528,428 Linden dollars, or $2,113.71, making them 11th place of 179 teams.

Be sure to keep an eye out for other Relay events this month, such as Bellisseria for Life, and the popular Fantasy Faire.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

The 2025 Relaystock, Friday to Sunday

 

 

 Oops, with the Relay happening so fast, we forgot to notice how early the Relaystock takes place this year. Organized by the Relay Rockers, it's a multiteam event. It started yesterday, Friday April 4, and goes on to tomorrow Sunday April 6.

 

For the 12th year in a row, we have transformed the region into a 1969 NY State of Mind Farm for this year's Biggest Rock Festival in support of Relay For Life of Second Life!  Max Yasgur's 600 acre farm became the most famous concert location in RL history (Woodstock) and we can't wait for you to come enjoy the experience all over again, or maybe for the first time.  Complete with the mud bogs and mud slides, we are ready to rock and roll.

 

The sim is full up of various campsites by various teams.

 

 

And various singers, DJs, and bands, will be up on stage. Here's today's schedule

• 8:30AM- DJ Kyla – Phoenix Productions
• 10:00AM -DJ Sal – Belle Ame
• 11:30AM – DJ Chevy – Hands, Hearts, and Hope 
• 1:00PM – Max Kleene LIVE – Relay Rockers
• 2:00PM – xDavidDarexx LIVE – Seekers of Hope
• 3:00PM  – DJ Cynthia – Sunbeamers
• 4:30PM  – DJ Kayla and the Kangaroos – Roos With A Dream
• 6:00PM – DJ Fuzzball Ortega – Steelhead Salmons
• 7:30PM – DJ Melina – Heroes Helping Heroes 

And then there's the kiosks for "Bid The Lindens Bald." But that's for next week

 

Remember, the fun goes on to Sunday.

 

Go Relay!

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock/129/244/24

Pictures From "Bid The Lindens Bald"

 

On Wednesday, the Relay for Life's "Relay Rockers" team had their "Bid the Lindens Bald" event. This event is unique as a number of Linden Lab's finest volunteered to put their virtual looks on the line. Gemma Cleanslate was there, and took some pictures. Editor Bixyl Shuftan added some commentary.

 

 See the pictures in Events.

Relaystock, "Bid The Lindens Bald", Start Today

 

 

 Today, the Relay's salute to classic rock begins: the Relaystock. While organized by the Relay Rockers, many teams are taking part. By last night, most of the campsites had been taken by a team, and the people were getting ready. The music starts at 1PM SL time. Today's lineup was mentioned yesterday. 

For those showing up tomorrow, Saturday May 11, here's the schedule:

• 10:00AM- DJ Kyla – Phoenix Productions
• 11:30AM - DJ Cynthia – Sunbeamers
• 1:00PM – Kris Composer LIVE – Team Bobbi Sue
• 2:00PM – Grace Loudon LIVE – Relay Rockers
• 3:00PM – DJ Caesey – Purple Tears
• 4:30PM  -DJ Melina Firehawk – Heroes Helping Heroes
• 6:00PM  – DJ Kayla Flow and the Kangaroos – Roos With A Dream
• 7:30PM – DJ Fuzzball Ortega – Steelhead Salmons

But there's more going on than just music. In one corner are the kiosks for "Bid the Lindens Bald." 

Governor Linden has announced the rosters for the five teams to compete in the 8th Annual Bid The Lindens & Moles Bald fundraising competition, in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Second Life.

 The teams, made up of a total of 40 Lindens and Moles, have accepted the challenge to out raise their colleagues and “Save Their Hair”.  The top fundraising team will be awarded the scissors with which they will shave the hair of the team with the lowest total. 

The team getting their hair shaved will be bald until the Second Life Birthday next month. People will have from today May 10 to Wednesday May 15 to donate. On the last day will be a party starting at Noon SL time during which time last minute bids are accepted then the results made final.

Among the Lindens taking part is Patch Linden, who has been somewhat scare in the past few months.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/256/127/23

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Relaystock Starts Tomorrow

 

 

It's almost time for the Relay for Life in Second Life's annual tribute to "the Summer of Love," the 2024 Relaystock. While there there's no sex and no drugs other than caffeine and catnip, there will certainly be plenty of rock an' roll.

It’s a weekend of Peace, Love and Hope, Great Music and yes, lots of MUD!  

Once again The Relay Rockers invite everyone to join them May 10, 11, 12 for RelayStock 2024, a multi team Relay For Life of Second Life event.

The event will feature ‘Team Sites’ around a 60s style festival stage. Relay teams are invited to bring Kiosks and Vendors, host DJ segments on the stage or invite live musicians to perform.

There are, on average, 40 – 50 Relay For Life teams that participate each year!

 

 Friday timeslots:

• 1:00PM – TBA
• 2:30PM – TBA Team Timevillle
• 4:00PM – SLCS Team 
• 5:00PM  – David Dare LIVE – Seekers Of Hope 
• 6:00PM  – Quartz LIVE – Spirit Of The Dragon RFL 
• 7:30PM – DJ Nicole Anatine – Camping For A Cure
  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/256/127/23

The Relay Rocker's Annual Bid Me Bald Team Challenge

 

The Relay Rockers team in the Relay for Life in Second Life is known for a number of things. Among them is their "Bid Me Bald" events.  On Sunday April 14, their Annual Bid Me Bald Challenge, an event they did with eleven other teams, with someone from the winning team giving a haircut to someone from the team that raised the least. So in an event in which even the "loosing" team raised thousands, how much was raised and who gave a haircut to who?

 

 Read the story in Events.

Scenes From The Relaystock

 

At the Relay for Life's Relaystock, the Woodstock tribute that ran on the weekend of May 12 to 14, there was a lot of fun to be had. While there might not have been sex and drugs, there was plenty of rock n' roll and general funnery as only the Relayers can deliver. On Saturday May 13, the Newser's Bixyl Shuftan was there to report on the goings-on of the team of the Sunweaver community, the Sunbeamers, and they, along with Roos With A Dream, raised quite a bit of cash for the American Cancer Society, and had a lot of fun doing it.

Read the story in Events.

"Bid The Lindens Bald" Results

 

 On Wednesday May 17, the closing party of the "Bid the Lindens Bald" Relay for Life fundraiser took place. Hosted by the Relay Rockers team, the event took place in the Relaystock 2023 sim south of American Cancer Society. A number of Lindens and Moles volunteered to put their looks on the line, and were divided into several teams, with the one who raised the least to get the barber's chair.

While the party wasn't to officially start until 2PM SL time, people were arriving much earlier.  The place was packed with over 100 avatars present at times.

 

 

Team Three, the one with Mini Mole, Kit Linden, Chioni Linden, Lilith Linden, and K B Linden, was the one that raised the least money. So Mini and Chioni got the barber chairs, Along with Derick and Sequoia Linden and Justa Mole out of sympathy, and then came the haircuts courtesy of Patch and Milli Mole. 

The event raised 736,000 Linden dollars, including 100,000L thrown in by Patch Linden at the end. This catapulted the Relay Rockers past the two million Linden dollar mark, and into Diamond level fundraising. 

Special thanks to Kamida Delec for the pictures (and record of the chatter)

Bixyl Shuftan

Relay for Life's "Bid The Lindens Bald"

 

 

 Tomorrow, Wednesday May 17, will be the conclusion of one of the more interesting "Bid Me" Relay for Life events, the "Bid The Lindens Bald," or as it's officially known, the "Bid The Lindens Bald Team Challenge."

Various Lindens and Moles have volunteered to put their looks on the line, including the noted Patch Linden. They're split into several teams, with a kiosk next to the board of each one for people to donate into. On Wednesday May 17, tomorrow, at 2:30 PM, the totals will be made final. The team with the lowest total loses their hair until the start of the Second Life Birthday celebrations.

The event is hosted by the Relay Rockers RFL team.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock%202023/97/229/23

 

Sunbeamers and Roos Make Over 100K Each At The Relaystock, Relay Rockers Pass One Million

 

 

The Relayers had a lot of fun at the Relaystock Woodstock tribute. There were numerous teams taking part, as well as many live musicians and DJs. On Satutday night, it was the turn of two certain teams. At 6PM, DJ Cynthia of Team Subneamers would get on stage, dancing with a number of teammates to some classic rock tunes. At 7:30 PM, DJ Kayla and some from Roos With A Dream went on stage.

The results for both teams was a resounding success. The Sunbeamers raised over 111,000 Lindens that night, getting them almost to 900,000 L in total. Roos With A Dream did even better, netting 126,000 L for their set at the Relaystock stage. They were pushed to just shy of two-thirds of a million Lindens. 

Then there was the host team, the Relay Rockers, of who had their team captain, Trader Whiplash, DJing on stage for the last set at 5PM on Sunday. By the very end, their team total had passed the one million Linden mark, getting the team into Emerald ranked fundraising, seventh place among the list of Relay teams.

We'll have more on the Relaystock soon.

Go Sunbeamers! Go Roos! Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Relaystock Begins Today

 

Today one of the more fun annual Relay events begins: the Relaystock. Organized by the Relay Rockers, a top-ranked Relay team, it's open to all teams, many of who have set up campsites on the event grounds. For three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there will be live musicians and DJs performing on stage, a chance to donate to "Bid the Lindens Bald," and explore the various camps and rest of the grounds. While there may not be any sex and no drugs, there will be plenty of rock n roll, and of course peace, love, and hope. And of course there's the mud, lots and lots of mud.

The performances start this afternoon at 2:30 PM with DJ Kiera of the Timesville team. Other musicians include Max Kleene, Keeba and the Tiny Maniacs, and the Sunbeamers' DJ Cynthia.

 

To check the schedule, check the website at https://relayrockers.org/relaystock2023/

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/129/0/23