Announcement: Waya Snowpaw Memorial Bowling Tournament

 

In Honor of our friend Waya SnowPaw we are having a memorial bowling tournament  her at Legacy Veterans  Saturday January 28th 2023 at 6 slt. There will be cash prize for highest score after two games. Also and equal donation to Wayas favorite charity HOFTS

Please come and join in the fun with bowling, food and laughter and memories to share.

Endora "Doc" Mcandrews

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Heavens%20Sunset/118/178/586

 

Waya Snowpaw's Second Memorial Service

 

Last month, a military memorial service was held for Waya Snowpaw, a disabled veteran and DJ who was part of the monthly benefit concerts at Veterans Isle for over ten years. But not all of his friends and SL family could make it over. So a second one was planned, and last weekend it took place. Some would speak a few words in honor of the veteran.

 Read the story in People.

 

Memorial For Waya Snowpaw

 

 

On Saturday October 22, a memorial service was held for DJ Waya Snowpaw. He had passed away on Sept 27 and his death announced on the weekend of October 15-16. He was in his 60s. The service was conducted in voice by Suta Northman, EndoraMcandrewsII, and Stacy Maracas. 

Waya in real life was an American Indian, and the ceremony had a number of tribal elements such as a bow, drum, and axe at the coffin, along with a helmet on top of a rifle planted barrel down in a pair of boots, his SL avatar picture in front. American Indian music was played for much of the service. The event happened high above the Veterans Isle sim in front of a group of fellow veterans, friends, and people coming by to show respect.

 

Waya had been DJing for about forty years, most of his adult life. A passionate music lover, he had a noteworthy collection of songs and records, even a few Edison wax cylinders from the 19th Century. A few LPs he supposedly rescued when kids were tossing them around like a frisbee. 

 

Numerous stories were told, in voice, many that sadly were not written down, "I'll miss those wolves that Waya had with him when he DJed." Following the event, there was a 21 gun salute, followed by an informal dance by those who stuck around. 

I was told by one resident, "There will be another service too on 11/5/22 at 2 for all of Waya's furry friends that maybe could not make it here."

Bixyl Shuftan

Weekend in Brief

 

 

Quite a bit happened this weekend. The Sci-Fi Expo officially concluded, though the sims should be up for a few more days. Waya Snowpaw, the DJ who performed tirelessly at Veterans Isle for about a decade, had a memorial service. The Renegade Burn art and music festival continued (above). Burn2 had one last big event, it's Volunteers Party. And there were various events for Making Strides such as Spooky Strides and I Pink I can.

Waya Snowpaw, Veterans Isle DJ, Has Died

 

There was a sad announcement from Legacy Vets a couple days ago. US Army veteran Waya Snowpaw had passed away.

 

It is my unfortunate duty to inform our members the loss of a fellow vet and brother. Waya Snowpaw United States  Army Veteran has passed away and went on to a Higher Command. He left us on 27 September 2022 Services will be held and a notice will be sent out to where and when.

Waya was a longtime presence at Veterans Isle events, and at it's predecessor Patriot Island. He was the DJ opening up for Frets Nirvana's fundraisers, at first for Wounded Warriors, then Homes For Our Troops. Month after month, year after year, he took part in hundreds of fundraising concerts. Besides as the DJ among live performers, he stuck out in his furry avatar when most of the others were human. 

The services will be held at Veterans Isle on Saturday October 23.The event will be at the USMV Chapel at 3PM SL time. This will be followed by a reception behind the church. Dress code is formal, and it is requested people keep down on scripted items, "we want everyone to attend and not get lagged out."

Rest in peace,

Bixyl Shuftan

 

*Updated 3:30PM* 

Benefit Concert at Veterans Isle

On Sunday June 20, Veterans Isle was the scene of their monthly concert. Organized in part by Frets Nirvana, the event raises funds for Homes For Our Troops.

This week is the one where we celebrate the founding of our country.  And we are kicking the week off with our Homes For Our Troops benefit.  Waya Snowpaw  is going to kick off the benefit for those who have sacrificed so much for the freedom that this country gives all of us.  Come on out and kick your July 4 week off the right way ...helping extremely wounded veterans who volunteered to protect our freedom.

After Waya was Essence Bilasimo from 5-6 PM. Next was Waye Rhodell from 6- 7 PM. Then came Wolfie Starfire from 7- 8 PM. Finally, Bella finished things off feom 8-9 PM. As the performers made music, money was collected in two kiosks on either side of the stage. Also, there was a snowglobe people couls cluck and get a copy of.

I had a talk with Waya after the event. He stated that during the event, one of the kiosks had been accidentally reset. The real total raised was probably about 225,000 Linden dollars raised. Waya would also tell me he made the snowglobe, "Wanted to make a little pressie for the 4th of July. ... That little house is based off a Frank Lloyd Wright Craftsman style. You can even see a bit of his style of stained glass windows if you look around the door frame."

Veterans Isle holds the concerts about once a month, usually on the last Sunday of the month.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: HFOT Fundraising in December 2017

Happy New Year folks! With our on-going efforts in Second Life to help wounded veterans through Homes For Our Troops, we were able to collect $570 in donations in the month of December 2017. This brings our total for 2017 to to right about $10485. As always we can only do this with the help of some dedicated people. Thanks especially to everyone who makes an effort every month to help with this cause. And then in December we had some great performers for our monthly benefit at Veterans Isle. Thank you Waya Snowpaw, Porter Paquot, Keeba Tammas, Qqquartzz and Maxx Sabretooth.

Due to some changes in the Linden Labs web site this last month it will not be possible to highlight all the dedicated supporters who always give up their time and effort. But I know there are many! Thank you for your kind hearts ....it makes a difference!

Let's keep this effort going folks. Our wounded veterans needs are lifetime and never end. We owe it to them to keep giving to help with those needs.

Frets Nirvana

Press Release: Fundraiser at Veterans Isle on Saturday

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce the 2017 December benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2017 December benefit on December 16, 2017 in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization  Home For Our Troops .

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  As of January 2017 they have built 229 homes for severly wounded Veterans and have another 85 projects underway.  Since its inception in 2004, over 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. ”

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on December 16, 2017 is scheduled from 11AM- 4 PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Frets Nirvana, Keeba Tammas, Qqquartzz, and Max Kleene.

ABOUT HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS  - HFOT builds homes as a departure point for Veterans to rebuild their lives, and once again become highly productive members of society. Despite their life-altering injuries, many Veterans have embarked on new careers, completed their college degrees, or started families. Empowered by the freedom a mortgage-free and specially adapted home brings, these Veterans can now focus on their recovery and return to their life’s work of serving others. Many have embraced their roles as motivational speakers, sharing their messages of persevering through tragedy with groups and classrooms around the country; others take to a national platform to promote awareness of veteran suicide, homelessness and PTSD. Their incredible stories are the driving force for the work for HFOT. To learn more about the Homes For Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

Sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veterans Group of Second Life.

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops Fundraiser at Vetrans Isle

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce the 2017 October benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2017 October benefit on October 29, 2017 in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization  Home For Our Troops . 

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  As of January 2017 they have built 229 homes for severly wounded Veterans and have another 85 projects underway.  Since its inception in 2004, over 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. ”

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on October 29, 2017 is scheduled from 4-9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Zak Claxton, Chapman Zane, The Vinnie Show (Acoustic Rhapsody) and Blues Heron .

ABOUT HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS  - HFOT builds homes as a departure point for Veterans to rebuild their lives, and once again become highly productive members of society. Despite their life-altering injuries, many Veterans have embarked on new careers, completed their college degrees, or started families. Empowered by the freedom a mortgage-free and specially adapted home brings, these Veterans can now focus on their recovery and return to their life’s work of serving others. Many have embraced their roles as motivational speakers, sharing their messages of persevering through tragedy with groups and classrooms around the country; others take to a national platform to promote awareness of veteran suicide, homelessness and PTSD. Their incredible stories are the driving force for the work for HFOT. To learn more about the Homes For Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

For more information, contact Frets Nirvana

Veterans Isle Fundraiser Raises 110,000 Lindens

On Sunday, March 26, the Veterans Isle sim held it's monthly benefit concert. Organized by Frets Nirvana, the event was to raise funds for the Homes For Our Troops charity, and ran from about 4PM to 9PM SL time. Besides DJ Waya Snowpaw, several live musicians were scheduled to appear: Savannah Rain, Dimivan Ludwig, Hogan Bailey, and  Frets Nirvana himself.

Following Hogan Bailey concluding the event with his live singing and dancing girls performance, Linden dollars continued to be contributed past the slightly more than 100,000 L that had been brought in by then. Checking the following morning, the total had gone up to 110,000.

Frets Nirvana holds a few other benefit concerts for Homes For Our Troops every month, but his event at Veterans Isle is his largest and most successful. It is held monthly on the last Sunday. The next fundraiser in the sim should be on Sunday April 30.