SLCS and Blue Angel Airport Funday, Sunday August 30

 

While the Relay For Life's official season is over, and spinnoff events such as I Pink I can won't be happening for a few weeks, that isn't stopping a few Relayers from doing off-season fundraisers. On Sunday August 30, the Second Life Cheerleading Squad had their "SLCS and Blue Angel Funday."

 

The Second Life Blue Angels soar across the virtual skies with precision, discipline, and showmanship that echo the spirit of their real‑world counterparts. Their pilots execute tight formations, daring maneuvers, and high‑energy demonstrations that bring authentic aviation excitement into the digital world. Each performance blends technical mastery with immersive visual flair, creating an experience that feels both familiar and uniquely Second Life.  

 

The event was an all day one, going from 8 AM SL time to about 9PM (Midnight EST).  It took place at the Quigley sim at (104,195,1001). For those who made a donation of 100L or more, they got to go up in one of the Blue Angels jets. There were a number of live performers such as Eric Steffensen (EricSteffensen Mistwalker), Mimi Carpenter, and Harmonia Trefoil.

 

It should be noted many Relayers (probably most) need long breaks due to real life, how much energy they throw of themselves into their events, or both. So these kinds of events aren't for everyone. But cancer never stops. And there's always someone planning a Relay event, even for the offseason.  

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

And The Winner Is ...

 

 At 9AM SL time today, the twenty-three winners of Linden Lab's Golden Ticket Giveaway were on stage at the Orpheum Theater. In the middle were twenty three boxes, with twenty-two containing 10,000 Linden dollar prizes, and one that had a million Linden dollar prize. About 180 residents crowded themselves in with many more watching via the Youtube feed. 

 

One by one, starting with the winners of the earliest tickets, the contestants, most of whom who got up and walked to the show host, Ninja, on stage, a few having to remain seated due to lag, chose one of the boxes. They all gave a small shower of sparks, and the host would say they were 10k prizes. Finally with nine boxes left, Carmelle James (Missnicety1 Resident), chose box 19. And this would be the one that would win one million Linden dollars. 

 

Carmelle had remained in her seat and messaged her choice to Brett Linden who messaged the show host, so it's likely she had to deal with lag worse than most others. I didn't notice any further response from her, and only got up from her chair some time after the event ended. 

 

One of the 22 secondary winners did respond. Se7en Zen had chosen to donate her 10,000 Linden dollar prize to the Relay for Life's Second Life Cheerleading Squad. "RFL is an important cause, and it's a privilege to be able to support it," she would tell me."

 

At the end, Ninja had a special announcement.  Linden Lab was matching the grand prize with giving another one million Linden dollars to four charities: Virtual Ability, Team Fox (diabetes research), Spoonful of Sugar (Doctors Without Borders), and the Relay for Life in Second Life. 

 

"That 250k donation pledge from the Lindens was an exciting announcement," Se7en added, "I want to add that the cheer community in SL supports RFL with our whole hearts. This is  cause that touches us all, and RFL is a way to share hope."

While this would be the last official event of the SL23B, the Birthday goes on Sunday July 19, to Midnight SL time. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

A Few Relay Track Exhibits

 

 While the Relay sims are still up, there's some that stand out. One yearly favorite is the SLCS camp at RFL Prevention. At over 360 meters, it's taller than many normal draw distances. Here it is from the top with it extended to maximum. You can get to it at : https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Prevention/150/120/24 

 

 Also there was the Second Chance Saloon Dark Ride.

 

ALL A BOARD! The ride will be departing in twenty seconds! *Ghostly Moaning* *Ghostly Coughing*  Sorry, Hang on ...Ah, That cleared out the cobwebs in my throat. I haven't spoken a word in the last two decades. WELCOME TO THE SECOND CHANCE SALOON, Where the dead don't truly die! So what are you a ten-cent man?? Get spooked out like a yellow belly sapsucker! As the Barkeeper of this fine establishment, I will personally guide you through our ghostly haunts. I must warn you though, Not all ghostly folks are here for a good time, some have a bone to pick with you livin folk. So go on, git. Make sure you got on some clean britches.

 

The Second Chance Saloon is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Prevention/206/46/24 

 

Another ride on the track camps is the Serenity Mine at RFL Hope.

 

 While there's no ghosts haunting it, that you can see anyway, the ride has plenty of thrills.

 

This ride is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Hope/123/48/23 . 

 

 I ran into Journey Texan, and he took me to another exhibit at the back of RFL Hope, "The Wall of Shane." Journey's been posting a number of pictures on RFL's Discord channel with a figure named "Cardboard Shane." It turned out there was a real life Shane: Shane Jackson, the CEO of the American Cancer Society.

 

But behind the whimsy was a question, one that Journey spoke about with me. With all that the Relay for Life in Second Life has done, especially during the Covid Pandemic when real life fundraising events were shut down, why hasn't Shane Jackson given the group a word of thanks or even acknowledgement it's there?

 

 Shane, thank you for all you do, Seriously. Would it be too much to ask, however that you personally bring attention to and thank the RFL in SL for all WE do too? After 20+ years of volunteer service and raising over US $7 million in donations, no ACS CEO has ever acknowledged they are even aware of us. Not one. But you could. And while you are at it, do thank Stingray for his years of service, volunteer dedication, team leadership, and organizational skills. He deserves it - and a photo-op spot on your LinkedIn social media posts as well like all the others. And to press you further, how about SHOWING UP in Second Life to see how WE RELAY? That's what leadership does. They SHOW UP. 

 

The Wall of Shane is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Celebrate/228/31/24 .

 

These exhibits should be up until Takedown Day, which is probably Thursday June 18.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Relay Weekend Starts Tomorrow

 

 After another great season, the Relay for Life in Second Life is almost about to experience its high point of the year: The Relay Weekend. Described as the most intense 24 hours of Second Life, there are dozens of camps across 36 sims, here's several of them.

 

The camp of Roos With A Dream, the fun-loving Aussies & friends who have done much with the Sunnies.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Win/123/65/23

 

The Meli's Maniacs camp (watch out for singing chickens)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Remember/125/189/23

 

The Giant Snail Racers, the team behind the wacky weekly races in this virtual world. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Advocacy/44/131/23

The Second Life Cheerleading Squad's huge camp, note the double-helix tower.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Remember/137/125/23

The ever wacky Steelhead Salmons, led by Fuzzball "The Hair" Ortega.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Unity/123/195/23 

And finally the camp of the Sunbeamers, built by Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach with the help of team captain Rita Mariner and others, "Rita had to drag me away ... to get me to stop."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Win/122/192/24

The opening ceremonies start at 10 AM, with the Survivor & Caregiver lap at 11, and the team laps start at Noon SL time.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Winding Up To The Relay Weekend

 

 As the Relay Weekend approaches. and more and more camps have been finished or almost done, some people are having some fun on the track, either looking around or doing things. Yesterday at Team ES's campsite, there was a small party with DJ Cryptto spinning the tunes.

 

At one point someone swiped his wallet. It was a case of missing Crypttocurrency. 

 

 There was also some dancing around at the Second Life Cheerleaders Squad camp.

 

 At one point I saw this float going down the track, from the Playdolls team. The team captain messaged me and saw me, saying they were taking full advantage of there being less lag before the weekend. 

 

 There's some great builds out there. See them when you can, before during after the big weekend.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Second Life Cheerleaders Squad (SLCS) Winter Girls Night Out

 

Longtime readers will recognize the Second Life Cheerleading Squad, or SLCS as one of the Relay for Life's major teams, year after year. But they aren't just up and about on Relay season. Dancerina Starlight was with them as they had a Christmas event, a Winter Girls Night Out. So what happened?

 

Read Dancerina's story in People.

Relay Campsites Still Up, For Now

 

 

The Relay Weekend might have officially ended on Sunday. But the campsites are still up. And there are some great ones. The tallest one is the "Helix of Hope," a reoccurring build at the Second Life Cheerleading Squad, whose camp is in RFL Cure. It gets taller every time someone new touches the square to rezz a new piece. It stands over a whopping 300 meters (984 feet) high. 

But they won't be up for too much longer. They will start coming down Thursday, June 13.

 

RFL Track Sneak Peek: SLCS

 

 

Taken at RFL Cure. The Second Life Cheerleading Squad put up a rather large marker for their Relay track campsite.

 

The Relay Weekend is next weekend, June 8 to 9.

 

Announcement: Bellisseria Swagginator Hunt

 

 

 Those crazy Moles did it again! A Swaginator hunt! YAY!

Prizes: 5 prizes for this hunt
Dates: April 2nd - April 30th
Prize Locations: All over Bellisseria


Starting point: Get your Swaginator HUD here!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SSPBA2/91/38/31

How to play: Put on your Swaginator HUD and pay attention to local chat! In local it will give your hints on where to go to search for each prize! You must be wearing your HUD to collect the prizes!

Please do not give out exact locations to each prize. If you are having trouble please note that on Thursday April 11th at 5 pm slt the Drivers of SL will be holding a Rally which will drive you to each location of the Swagniator hunt. After the Rally they will host a party with the SLCS Cheerleaders at the Bellisseria 5th Anniversary Regions. You will be able to find more information about this tour and party on the forums.

 

Scenes From the Relay Track

 

 

 "Takedown Day" for the Relay Weekend track is tomorrow, and time is starting to run short for those who haven't seen the builds. Among those recommended is the Second Life Cheerleading Squad's camp in RFL Hope. This year, it's space themed, with planets and asteroids floating around, plus a mention of a study that suggests zero gravity may kill or otherwise disable cancer cells.

 

 

 The camp had a great ride in space too.

Ar RFL Inspire was a racetrack curling well up into the air, good for racing cars or horses.

At RFL Journey was an amusement park by Havok Entertainment.

The Burners Without Borders Exhibit in RFL Community.

At RFL Care, a heart-shaped island, with a couple cuddle spots for couples, by Bluezaar.

The Takedown is tomorrow. While some builds will be kept up until late in the day, some good ones will vanish early. So see them today while you can.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Relay Weekend Today

 *

After several months, the high point of the Relay season is finally here: the Relay Weekend. With 36 sims, including the permanent American Cancer Society, there's miles of track to walk around, and many exhibits and campsites to see.

A number of camps caught my attention. At the RFL Hope sim was the Second Life Cheerleading Squad camp, and their tower, or "The Helix of Hope" as it's called. By clicking on a white sign at the base, people can add a small part to it. And all those parts added up. It stands almost 200 meters in height, close to as tall as the sim is wide.

In RFL Comfort, there was the camp of "Ata's Army." This Gold level team got my attention as they were gathered at their campsite, a team of kids, cubs, tinies, and ferals, "A group dedicated to protecting Wolf Mountain Academy and its students!  Chosen by Ata and her commanders to gather information, and attempt to help fight the creatures that go bump in the night." Sadly their leader Ata Howler (AtaZahra Resident) is no longer among them. One of the group told me her battle with cancer came to a sad end a few weeks ago. 

And in RFL Prevention is the campsite of the Sunbeamers. Some things are new this year, such as the "Hall of Heroes." But some things are a part of every campsite, such as the Memorial Garden. Most of the work was done by Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach, but others contributed as well. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20PREVENTION/139/68/23 

The Opening Ceremonies start at 10 AM SLtime. 

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan
 

RFL Announcement: Mermaid Funday For RFL April 24th

 
Come enjoy a 12 hour Event at SWF Event area.
We will be raising Lindend's for RFL
Hosted by SLCS  & Seawaters Mermaids
Live singers  from 9am -9pmSLT
Ask for a notecard who is performing, look for your Favorites!

* *

April 24th

9-10 Nivor
10-11 Marqs DeSade
11-12 Star Twinlighton
12-1 Augusto Napoli
1-2 Harm
2-3 Larree Quixote
3-4 Krisie Snowdrop
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Ronnie
7-8 Holly Giles
8-9 Midnight McCarty

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/225/219/2
 

RFL Announcement: SLCS / Pirates Destiny Funday for Relay for Life, Today

 

ARRR Matey's you better come on down to the SLCS Pirate funday or else it is Davey Jones locker for you.  The Girls at SLCS this month have teamed up with Pirates dynasty to hold a swashbuckling party to help Relay for life defeat cancer.  So come on down and help us sink the Jolly Roger Cancer once and for all.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nassau%201700/152/58/23

9-10 Nivor
10-11 Harmonia Trefoil
11-12 Redhawk
12-1 Rock Doghouse
1-2 Holly Giles
2-3 Star Twilighton (star.thiemem)
3-4 Jenna Oiseau
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Saramarie Philly
6-7 Phemie Garfeild
7-8  Ronnie Artano
8-9 Kris Electricteeth and the Bloody Pirates
 

Two Memorial Day Events

On Memorial Day weekend, no doubt there were a number of salutes to the US military. Among them was a USO tribute show held by the Relay for Life's Second Life Cheerleading Squad. It was held at the Agrippa sim, starting at 9AM SL time, and went on for hours with performers such as Lyric Serendipity and Ronnie Artano. The event raised thousands of Linden dollars for the Relay team.

On Memorial Day itself, Club Cutlass would have it's own Memorial Day event, intended as a tribute to fallen veterans. Cynthia Farshore, a veteran herself, played a number of military songs, as well as some pop music associated with war movies and TV shows. People were encouraged to either dress in uniform, or in red, white, and blue, with a prizes of 1000L for the best male and female. The place was also decked out with a few national flags.

Liska Fuchs won the prize for the ladies with her red, white, and blue dress. The male prize was won by Zorro Wuramunga.

Veteran's Isle's monthly fundraising concert was not held this Sunday, but will happen on Sunday May  31.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Busy Weekend

Quite a bit happened this weekend. Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, saw the second and third days of the VWBPE conference. The RFL Second Life Cheerleading Squad got together with the Safe Water foundation and had a fundraising event at Union Passage (above). Veterans Isle held it's monthly benefit for Homes For Our Troops. Musician Mankind Tracer returned to Second Life to take part in a concert that raised funds for the World Health Organization to help fight Coronavirus, and more.

More on these events later.

Announcement: SLCS Spooktacular October 27th for Making Stride for RFL

SLCS is welcoming all ghouls, goblins, and generally all Halloween lovers to 12 hour concert for RFL's Making Strides Campaign on October 27th. Listed below are  a list of the performers also showing up at the SLCS funday on the 30th.


9-10 Lisa Brune
10-11 Harmonia Trefoil
11-12 Jeff (kjjeff.kohn)
12-1 Lyric Serendipity
1-2 Madmax Huet
2-3 Jimmy Soundz
3-4 Kris electricteeth
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Phemie Alcott
7-8 Lark Bowen
8-9 Ronnie
9-10 Lisa Brune

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Twice%20Right/114/83/602

A Busy Weekend

There were a number of events this weekend. Among them, the "Celebrating SL Women" event in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators on Saturday from 12 to 2PM SL time, and the joint SL Cheerleading Squad and Safe Water Foundation fundraiser event for the Relay for Life.

The Relay event raised 12,400 Lindens, and put the SLCS over 50,000 Linden dollars raised in total, and into Silver Level. Other events on the weekend included a festival in the ROMA community, and a Relay fundraiser by Cobras MC.

RFL Announcement: SLCS and Safe Water Foundation Underwater themed Funday Concert

Tomorrow from 9 am sl to 9 pm sl SLCS will be teaming up with the Merfolk of Safe Waters Foundation for a 12 hours Relay for Life concert. Singers Slated to attend are the following. I have included the LM for the event and bios of all the singers in the NC

9-10 Lisa Brune
10-11 Harmonia and SS
11-12 Lyric Serendipity
12-1 Phemie Garfield
1-2 ChicagoSax
2-3 Luke Auster
3-4 Luvofmusic
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Jimmy Soundz
7-8 Ronnie
8-9 Mark (singingit2ya)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/214/220/2

Meli's Maniacs, SL Cheerleading Squad Have First Relay Events

Sunday April 8 featured the initial events of two Relay for Life teams. The Second Life Cheerleader Squad had theirs at their Cheertopia sim.

Come see Krisie Snowdrop with the Radical SLCS Cheerleaders throw a 1980s party to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life!  Pull out your parachute pants and get the big hair out because the 1980s have returned in full force. There are singers performing music all day.  If you miss this event it will be worse than Bill and Ted's Bogus adventure!Krisie  is truly honored to have the opportunity to sing for each of you  who listen to a song or show and hang out with her and her friends and fans.

Dropping in, I was greeted by a scruffy-looking Pac-Man going about the floor, with a few ghosts about. Looking around, there were a number of pop-culture items from the 1980s from a Delorian from "Back to the Future," to a "Tron" Recognizer, to posters of movies such as "Dirty Dancing" and Red Dawn," and more. There was one "Mario" avatar in the audience. '

The total raised was 9850 Lindens when I left, so presumably at the end they had more than 10,000.

Also that day, Meli's Maniacs had their first event. It took place in Club Amartnth high above the Amarantha sim.

Yep, those crazy maniacs are back. Drop everything Come as You Are (as long as you are dressed that is) to Club Amaranth for music and fun with DJ Female Winslet and host (and co-captain) Violet Solano. We've got a 400L contest board, no club group needed to join. We've got a goal of 1500L for this event, so help us get there!

Female Winslet was the DJ for the event, that had raised about 500L by the time I left. There were a variety of avatars there from petite to small dragon to a woolly rhino. There was a 400 Linden prize in a "Come As You Are" event, of which ComCat Fenstalker took the biggest share. It was announced Female would be DJing for Relay events here every other Sunday.

There were also a number of events at RFL Kickoff 1 and 2, which were having their second day of events with the season's opening ceremony taking place on the first. Some other teams would also have their first event.

It was an exciting second day for the Relay.

Bixyl Shuftan

Correction: It was originally reported that Female would be DJing every other Thursday. That turned out to be an error.

"Mermaid Funday" Off-Season Relay For Life Benefit Held by SL Cheerleaders, Safe Water Foundation

Mermaids and cheerleaders may seem like an odd mix, but that's what was going on for twelve hours at the bottom of the Union Passage sim. The occasion: the Relay for Life in Second Life's Second Life Cheerleading Squad held a joint event with the mermaids of the Safe Water Foundation for an off-season Relay fundraiser.

It is better down where it is wetter under the sea so the SLCS Cheerleaders decided to check this out. So we are giving the mermaid life a try with out friends from Safe Waters Foundation. We are play to play done here on the ocean floor where all the fish are happy and the seaweed is always greener. Attached below in the notecard are singers performing at this event along with the LM to the event. All funds raised at this event are going to RFL

The event took place at Fanci's Deep Community Center at Union Passage (228/214/1). There were numerous performers such as live singer Harmonia Trefoil, Brix Canning, Hojo Warf, Madmax Huet, Laidback Celt, Lyric Serendipity, Bat Masters, and others.

I was told that the total amount raised "at the time of the last show was around 100 USD collected," which would be close to 25,000 Linden dollars, or "25,000 lindens under the sea" as one mermaid put it. As the event took place after the official Relay for Life fundraising season, it would not be counted as part of the SL Cheerleading Squad's total this year.

Bixyl Shuftan