Tell the World "Why You Relay"

Relay Week is fast approaching. And this year, The Relay For Life organization here in Second Life, and Editorial Clarity, Want to do something different.

We Want to know Why you Relay? What is your inspiration? What do you hope to achieve by Relaying? And what kind of Relaying are you doing, to support the American Cancer Society?

Over the Next Few weeks, Ed is going to be looking for some Relay Teams, to volunteer to be on Camera in Second Life, and Tell us Why you Relay. These will only be short videos, however a different video will be done for each Relay Team. The final Products will be shown on a Big Screen at the 'Why I Relay' Area at the Relay Sims on The Weekend of July 17th-18th.

If you as an individual, or a Team, would Like to be part of this, Please Contact Editorial Clarity In-world (Notecard Would be best) or by Email (editorialclarity@yahoo.com) - And a schedule will be made for a time that suits you and Ed to get it filmed.

Thanks and Appreciation

'Why I Relay'

Artistic Fimicoloud Memorial Dance

It has been two years since Second Life resident Artistic Fimicoloud, Fimi as she became affectionately known, passed away from cancer. In real life, she was Stephanie Koslow, an artist whom did a number of pictures whose work can be seen in the Metaverse to this day, in both an art gallery and private homes. Battling the illness for years, the woman behind the pink fox avatar kept up to the end. She was 49. A member of the Sunweavers and Passionate Redheads, she remains fondly remembered by both.

A year ago, the anniversary of her passing was marked with a candlelight service. Recently, a number of people in both the Sunweavers and Passionate Redheads have had family members pass away. So instead of a solemn service, it was decided to hold a memorial dance in her honor. The event was held in the Southern Colorado sim near what is now known as Fimi Falls, land owner and Passionate Redhead organizer Daaneth Kivioq explained, “I only met Fimi a few times, but I was abel to show her this place, and she fell in love with it - so I dedicated the falls to her memory.”

Come join us on Wednesday, May 26th at 6PM for a wonderful live music event
Celebrating the Life & Art of Artistic Fimicoloud. The event will be held by Fimi Falls
in the beautiful Southern Colorado Sim. There will be Music, Dancing and Fireworks!

At the beginning of the event, there was a snag when the musician for the first hour was unable to show op. So Shockwave Yarearch took over, offering a mix of songs, including “Smurfer Girl” and a few other parodies, “Fimi loved my little silly songs.” No formal wear was required. “Come as you are,” Daaneth told people, normal human and furred, dropping in, “I’m wearing T-shirt and jeans.” One lady dropping in had been absent from Second Life for months, her computer busted and then busy with college.

“Relay for Life in Second Life
Celebrate
Remember
Fight Back!
GO RELAY”

Throughout the event, people talked about Fimi, her art, and her life. A Relay for Life kiosk collected donations as they came in. At 7 PM, Shockwave stepped down and Vaughan Michalak stepped in with live music. At one point, Daaneth handed the crowd a challenge, “Fimi spent many years fighting cancer before she lost her battle - as a result, she often hid pink cancer awareness ribbons in her paintings - now a few of you know where it is already - but there is one hidden near here too - can you find it?” Several people spotted the hidden ribbon.

At 8 PM SL time, DJ Nydia Tungsten began spinning her mix of tunes. During this time, there was a fireworks show, the sparkle of lights exploding all around. One sparkle of lights didn’t fade, but kept going, changing color, occasionally appearing as pink as Fimi. Eventually, the end of the event approached, and Nydia put on her last son, “I Run For Life.”

As the event closed, Daaneth thanked Nydia and everyone who came, “You are all my heroes! thank you for being here tonight! ... FOR FIMI!! Thank you Nydia! And thank all of you for your support and generosity!”

Over 34,000 Lindens had been raised during the event for Relay for Life.


I run for hope, I run to feel,
I run for the truth for all that is real.
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife.
I run for you and me my friend, I run for life.

Bixyl Shuftan

Relay for Life's 30 Concerts in 30 Days at Bosphorus

Virtual Bosphorus/F.C. Inter SL has been chosen as the site for Relay for Life’s 30 Concerts in 30 Days.

Bosphorus/203/127/22, April 30, 2010 – Virtual Bosphorus & F.C. Inter SL announce a series of live concerts starting in May, benefiting SL’s Relay for Life.
30 Days of Music, sponsored by Relay Raiders, a Relay for Life Team, benefiting the American Cancer Society, will kick off the first concert on Bosphorus on Saturday,
May 1, 2010 at 4:00pm slt with Juel Resistance. The schedule for the first half of the month is as follows:

Saturday, May 1 4:00 PM SL time - Juel Resistance
Sunday, May 2 6:00 PM SL time - Etherian Kamaboko
Monday, May 3 5:00 PM SL time - DimiVan Ludwig
Tuesday, May 4 6:00 PM SL time - Ictus Belford
Wednesday, May 5 6:00 PM SL time - Sojourn Rossini
Thursday, May 6 6:00 PM SL time - Nonge Shipman
Friday, May 7 6:00 PM SL time - Rapture Damone
Saturday, May 8 6:00 PM SL time - Mack Humbridge
Sunday, May 9 6:00 PM SL time - RoseDrop Rust
Monday, May 10 6:00 PM SL time - SweetLilly Pinelli
Tuesday, May 11 5:00 PM SL time - Kitzie Lane
Wednesday, May 12 6:00 PM SL time - Louis Volare
Thursday, May 13 4:00 PM SL time - Kiaranne Flanagan
Friday, May 14 6:00 PM SL time - srv4u Conacher

The Virtual Bosphorus Sim offers virtual soccer to SL residents, boasting a state of the art soccer arena. Partnering with F.C. Inter SL, Bosphorus offers residents a soccer academy to teach virtual soccer, as well as soccer leagues and championship matches that are sanctioned by real life clubs. Additionally, the Bosphorus sim offers world class shopping, with many stores, including such well known designers as UK Couture, Myth and Bliss just to name a few.

John Zelnik and Princess Dikes are the owners of Virtual Bosphorus. Brujita Saiman is the owner of F.C. Inter SL. You can visit the Bosphorus Sim at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bosphorus/203/127/22
Contact:
Eve1209 Quintessa
Marketing Manager
Virtual Bosphorus
email: evequintessa@yahoo.com

Relay for Life’s “Fantasy Faire”

* * Fantasy Faire 2010, April 19 - 25th * *

Proudly brought to you by
Friends Fighting Cancer.
Strong together!
Making wishes come true!

From Monday April 19th to Sunday 25th 2010, thousands of Second Life residents and creators are coming together to support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world without cancer. Friends Fighting Cancer (FFC) have transformed nine sims of Second Life into a fantasy wonderland: the Fantasy Faire 2010 to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life (RFL of SL).

The Fantasy Faire 2010 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers, and performers in the virtual world. A week of commerce, special events, live musical concerts, exclusive items auctions, RFL ribbon hunts, and fundraising to benefit Relay for Life and the fight against cancer. Avatars, clothing, furnishings, gadgets, goodies and exclusive items are available from top SL fantasy creators, including Fantavatar and Moonstruck, Evie’s Closet, Fallen Gods, Mer Betta, Sassy Kitty, and many many more!

This nine sim event is bringing together such fantasy genres as fairy, elven, magic, mermaid, goth, demon, vamp, neko, tiny, sci-fi, and more! FCC’s goal in 2010 is to raise $15,000 US dollars for RFL of SL. The Fantasy Faire 2010 will also offer visitors an opportunity to celebrate the survivors of cancer, remember and honor loved ones lost, and to fight back with the American Cancer Society.

Check out our amazing Sponsor and Creator list!

You can view some of last year’s beautiful sims on Youtube, featuring our great environments and creators from Fantasy Faire 2009, shot by the talented kypta Spitteler and also a fantastic interview of Zander Greene our creative director, showing scenes from across all the sims as he is interviewed to Life On Line and discusses the background to the Faire.

To join us this year, just search for “Fantasy Faire Central” on the map - open to the public 19th-25th April, 2010.

As with all events this size, there will be lag. We have done our best to keep it as low as we can, but we’ll also need your help. Be considerate of your fellow shopkeepers and keep prims and bling in your pocket and turn off your AOs and other scripted HUDs and you will find the going easier for yourself. Low prim clothes are available at each teleport point so that you can show your support for The Relay for Life and help everything run smoother. *Plus* our secret Fairy Godmother will be dropping *fabulous* prizes on people with really low avatar render cost and scripts for doing such a great job at keeping the lag down.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Fantasy Faire 2010 is produced by Friends Fighting Cancer, one of the Featured Designer Teams at last year’s Relay for Life of Second Life. FFC is an international team of people who have been involved with the RFL of SL for the past three years and is committed to helping the American Cancer Society reach this year’s goal of $300,000 US dollars.

Since its inception in 2005, the RFL of SL has grown in both attendance and fundraising. With almost $275,000 US dollars raised last year RFL of SL has become the largest fundraising event in the virtual world.

The Fantasy Faire 2010 is made possible by the generous support of Sim and Event Sponsors Fondazione Connell Project, Evie's Closet, Fairy Unique Designs (FUD), Fallen Gods Inc., Mer Betta, Moonstruck, Sassi Kitty Designs, The Arcanum and Media Sponsor, Treet TV.

For more information please contact:

Captain Ember Farina or Co-Captain Zander Greene in SL
or email us at FantasyFaireSL@gmail.com

The official FFC Fantasy Faire 2010 website - http://www.fantasyfaire2010.wordpress.com
is updated regularly with news of the Fantasy Faire Sponsors, Featured Creators, limited availability auction items, competition & event details.

The Fantasy Faire in SL Flickr group - http://www.flickr.com/groups/1159331@N22/
will soon be showing limited release items available in the Fantasy Faire vendors or auction and also giving details of great competitions.

Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345.

www.relayforlife.org/secondlife

LIfe On Line’s show on the 2009 Fantasy Faire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf30Bpm_-_M

Particle-Parachute Jump at “The Pocket” for RFL

Particle artist Tyrehl Byk has recently gotten together with Musician Maximillion Kleene and the staff at “The Pocket” club. The people have planned a unique event in Second Life, one that makes the use of their noted talents. They’ve given it a somewhat long name: the “Maximillion/Tyrehl Phantasmagora Particle Parachute Jump/Show/Stunt for Relay for Life.”

Delinda Dyressen, whom is among the staff at The Pocket, promises it will be “the biggest ever mass particle jump in Second Life history!”

At the location at 8 PM SL time, Tyrehl will perform the particle show that he’s gotten raves for. After the show, free “particle parachutes” will be passed around. Then the participants will jump and drop down “in a glorious mass of particle-ized parachutes,” and after pulling the ripcords float down to the dance club (which has had a bulls-eye whimsically painted onto the deck), where Maximillion Kleene will be playing. Relay for Life Kiosks will be set up around the place.

Delinda suggests that those interested try to show up a little early, “The Pocket and Freestar Bay Island are not responsible for anyone who forgets to pull the cord. On the other hand, Max and Tyrehl ... well you can talk to their lawyers.”

The SURL given for the event is Here at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Freestar%20Bay%20Isle/194/89/316 .

Source: Delinda Dyressen’s Blog

Bixyl Shuftan

The Little Dove RFL Steamclub Opens

The Southern Colorado sim is noted for being a location for Relay for Life events, notably Hope Gardens. It now has a new place to hold events. On Monday March 5th at 4PM SL time, Club Little Dove held it’s Grand Opening.

Club Little Dove’s creation is due to one lady: Nydia Tungsten. She constructed the club in four levels, with the top level originally a pilothouse, but later changed to a landing field. The place was designed with a Steampunk look (for those unfamiliar with the term, think H.G. Wells and Jules Verne). There were features such as the main dance floor showing turning gears underneath, 19th century dials and huge lightbulbs making up much of the equipment, carved wood and stained glass making up much of the walls and furnishings, the occasional steam-age gadget or vehicle, a few hookahs around the place (the Victorian-Era had a libertarian view on drugs, and in some ways encouraged their use), and others.


The official name of the club is Her Majesty’s Airship Little Dove, or HMAS Little Dove. Club Little Dove is named after a former resident in Second Life, who sadly passed away last year. She was the real-life partner of a close friend of Nydia's, “she was devastated.” Nydia saw the naming of the club in her honor as, “just the right thing to do.” Nydia is part of the "Passionate Redheads" Relay group, but says the club is open to all RFL groups.

On Monday, the club was up and ready for it’s opening event,Relay for Life’s Daaneth Kivioq sending out an invite, “Commodore Tungsten invites you aboard the HMAS Little Dove, now flying high above Hope Gardens in the beautiful Colorado Sim! We will be celebrating the Grand Opening of this new venue with a Steampunk Ball. Music will be provided by two of SL's finest DJ's - Dusk Griswold from 4PM to 6PM, and the Commodore herself, Nydia Tungsten from 6PM to 8PM. All Proceeds from this event will go to benefit the American Cancer Society. Please join the Passionate Redheads as we launch the HMAS on her maiden flight!”

And so after 4PM SL time, the dance floor was soon full of men and women, both normal human and furred avatars, dancing away. There were no tip jars out. There was only the Relay for Life kiosk, which people chipped into. Although the theme of the party was Steampunk, which called for Victorian fashion, the music as thoroughly modern with a variety of music from the 70’s to today. “Rocky Mountain High” got a few chuckles, “Appropriate that we play this song, as we’re in the Southern Colorado sim.”

And of course, “I Run For Life” played as well. It played twice, the second time near the end, with Nydia calling out, “I run for life ! I run for Little Dove! I run for Fimi! I run for my Stepfather! Run for them all, and remember them all!”

Club LIttle Dove is in the Southern Colorado sim at (187, 37, 1002). During it’s construction, it’s location changed from where it began.

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 7 ....................

Raven Pennyfeather has this year sponsored the Paris sim tell us why she is involved as a long term supporter of RFL and the RFL Clothing fair

I have been involved with the RFL Clothing Fair since its inception and have had the good fortune of working alongside the amazing people responsible for its development over the years.

SL has one of the highest concentration of creatives/artisans that I have ever encountered.    My art is a reflection of all that I am, and I continue to strive for improvement with each texture I make and design I craft.  It is my hope that we all continue in a spirit of tolerance and support to protect the rare environment this truly is

Cancer has touched far too many lives including those in my family as my father was diagnosed with a rare form of male breast cancer in December, 2008.  He has recently finished his rounds of treatments and is gaining strength each day.  My father has always been a formidable force.  He is a man of great courage, intellect  and strength.  To watch him battle this illness has shown me how he is a true warrior for he has had to call on all those aspects of himself and more.  I adore him, admire him and seek to honor him with this event.

Kindest Regards,

Raven Pennyfeather,
CEO House of RFyre

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 6 ....................

Nyre Gray with her partner  Aurelius Draken of Caliber Sponsor the London Sim, her Nyre tells Breezes of her involvement and hopes for the fair and SecondLife:

Please tell our readers how you became involved in the sponsorship.

My inspiration comes from Nevar, and Ame. Although I have been involved before, their passion and insight into RFL is so inspiring I had no choice but to follow their lead. You can give... and then.. you can really give...
They have taught myself, and others how truly selfless charity is.

What are your goals for the future.

To slide into Modern Fashion, laugh, and enjoy Second Life. Life is too short.

Please tell us how you got started with your designs and such creative textures, and delightful stories on releases. 

I came to Second Life because of a friend.. he thought I might enjoy it here. At first it seemed very daunting, and then class after class... sim after sim.. that I visited I found I couldnt see enough, experience enough. I started to work in Adventure, fantasy, victorian eras..
I remember learning how to first work with prims.. and literally deleting them every five minutes.. and wanting to throw them across the room.. but.. in the end.. they finally started to listen to me those prims!

The build of your shop and the exquistite textures that make us want to enter the realm of  your world
Is there a special wish you have for the the world of Second Life

Absolutely... Find your passion, share it with others, and never allow yourself to stand alone. People are here for you, and you them.. our greatest value is not how we remember, but how we are remembered.

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 5 ....................

Breezes talks to Seri Writer, sponsor and one of the  builders of the Tokyo sim, through a translator:


HELLO SERI  WE WISH TO THANK YOU FOR BEING A PROUD SPONSOR FOR THE CANCER SOCIETY
Please tell us why you are so involved with this wonderful project to help eradicate Cancer from the world.
How did you become interest in second Life and tell us how cancer has personally entered your life .
What are your goals for the future?
We want to present your story and wish you the greatest success in the event for this year. It is sure to be outstanding and  we cant wait to see you dsigns  thanks again


せりさん、こんにちわ。ガン協会のスポンサーになってくださった事を感謝いたします。


Q.世界からガンを撲滅させるためのこの素晴らしいプロジェクトにあなたが何故関わったのか教えてください。


A.去年のFantasyFairの際に、EmberやNevarと知り合いました。そしてFantasyFairのお手伝いをしました。お手伝いは、コンサートの開催や、日本の優れたお店の紹介、そして、スポンサードでした。
そして、FantasyFairが終わった後、RFL2010を手伝うようにと誘われました。
私にとってそれはとても光栄な申し出だったので、お受けしました。
日本のアンバサダーとしての労働のお手伝いと、スポンサーとしてのお手伝い、両方出来ることは私にとってとても喜ばしいことです。


私は服飾デザイナーではありません。また、何らかの製作や販売を行いません。私のSLでの仕事は、SIMの管理と運営です。


􀀀


私の仕事の上での喜びは、日本人で海外と交流したいと思っている、でもそのチャンスをもてない、優れているけど引っ込み思案な多くのクリエイターを海外に紹介することです。


彼らクリエイターが、日本以外の人々との交流を持てるようになり、また、日本以外の国の方々が、日本の文化やクリエイティングセンスに興味を持って下されば、それは私の至上の喜びです。そして、このフェアがそれにとても適した場所であることを知っています。


このフェアでは、私のおすすめするいくつかの店舗をCF TOKYO SIMに出店させました。スポンサーショップにはKWZをおきます。


彼らのエキサイティングな作品を是非楽しんでください。


I became deeply involved in this wonderful project by meeting Ember and Nevar at the FantasyFair last year. 
As a sponsor, I helped them by introducing Japanese talented designers to the world and also organized a concert during the fair.
After the FantasyFair, I was asked to help them again for RFL2010 and it was indeed an honor for me to receive such a offer so I accepted it.
I'm grateful to be in a position to contribute not only as a Japan ambassador but also a sponsor.
I'm not a fashion designer so I can't make or sell anything. My work in SL is to manage and operate my SIM.

One of my pleasure is to introduce wonderful talented Japanese creators to the world. Maybe this is the characteristics of Japanese people but they are very shy when it comes to interacting with foreigners. I make chances for them to have the opportunity to work with foreigners.
I would be very delighted if they can interact with people besides Japan and at the same time people outside of Japan become interested in our culture and understands our creative sense.
And I know this is the perfect place for it!
At this fair, I've selected few recommended shops and exhibited them in the CF TOKYO SIM.  
I've selected KWZ for the sponsor shop. Come and enjoy their exciting designs!!


Q.どのようにしてSLに興味を持ち、そしてどのようにしてガンがあなたの人生に直接関わってきたのか？


A.多くの日本人がそうであるように、わたしとSLの出会いはビジネス的なものでした。当時、働いていた会社でセカンドライフを調査するように命じられたのです。
2007年の日本では、「セカンドライフで新しいビジネスが出来る」と報道され、私以外にも沢山のビジネスマンが、セカンドライフを調査していました。
しかし多くのビジネスマンが「自分たちの望む収益を上げられない」と感じSLを去る中、私はこの世界に魅了されました。
私にとってSLは、異なるタイムゾーン、異なる世界の人間がひとつのクリエイトを共同で作り上げることができる、エキサイティングなツールだったのです。


ガンと私の戦いは、現在も続いています。
私の子宮はかって何度か腫瘍に冒されました。
幸い、それらはすべて良性でしたので、簡単な手術で治療することが出来ました。
しかし、その手術の痛みや薬の副作用、今も続く後遺症の貧血は、その後の私の人生に大きく影響しました。
私の貧血は今では腫瘍そのものよりも深刻な問題です。
わたしは普通の人のようにオフィスに通って働くことが出来なくなりました。現在の私は在宅でWeb製作や、Webマーケティング、コンサルティングを仕事にしています。会議などで短時間の外出は出来ますが、私の心臓は度重なる貧血により痛められ、長時間の外出は出来ません。
良性腫瘍を克服した私でさえ、このように人生の軌道修正を必要とするのです。癌と今現在、闘っているファイターとケアギバーに私は尊敬を禁じ得ません。


Like many Japanese residents, I became to know SL through business. At that time, I was told to do a research on SL from my company.
In 2007, Second life was widely reported in the media as "New business" in Japan so many company started to look into Second life.
While many left SL not making any profits, I still was drawn to this world.
For me Second life was a exciting tool where different time zone, different people from all over the world can collectively work together to make one creation.


Cancer entered my life as being cancer myself.
My battle still continues today.
My uterus got affected by a tumor several times. Fortunately, it was benign tumor so I was able to remove it by a surgery.
However, pain from the surgery, side-effect of medication and anemia which is postoperative sequela changed my life completely.
Now my anemia have become a serious problem rather than the tumor itself.
I can no longer go to the office and work like others. Now I'm working from home making websites, web marketing and consulting.
For limited time, I'm can leave to have meetings outside but repeated anemia have put a strain on my heart so I can't be out for long hours.
Even after I overcome my benign tumor, I needed to change my life plan. So for those who are currently fighting with cancer, I can't help respecting the fighters and caregivers. 

Q.あなたの将来の目標はなんですか？

 A.セカンドライフの目標は二つ。セカンドライフを通じ、日本のクリエイティブを海外の方に知っていただくこと。もうひとつは、セカンドライフを通じ、あらゆる世界中の無理解、誤解をなくすことです。
RLの目標は、あと3年以内に仕事を安定してこなせるようになり、虐待や貧困に苦しむ子供を2人以上養子にもらうことです。
この春、セカンドライフで出会ったすばらしい友人たちと一緒に、RLで起業します。LSL,ビルド、テクスチャ、服,WebSiteヤプログラミング、サーバー管理など、あらゆる分野のスペシャリストが集まりました。
翻訳家もいます。
是非、私達にRLやSLで仕事をください（笑）
Lemme briefly explain my future goal. Actually I have two goals. One is to let the world know about Japanese creative works through Second life.
Another is to dispel all the uncomprehensions and misconceptions around the world through Second Life.
Also my real life goal is to get my business on tract within 3years and then adopt two or more children whose been abused or suffer from poverty. 
This spring, I've made a big decision to start my own company in RL with the wonderful friends that I met through Second Life. We have people from every profession and every walk of life. For example, LSL, builder, texture, clothes, website, programmer,server administrator and translator.
Please give us jobs in RL and SL! LOL
  
あなたのお話を紹介させていただき、今年のイベントでの貴方の大成功を祈っております。
間違いなくすばらしいもになり、貴方のデザインを見るのがたのしみです＾＾。

どうもありがとう。

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 4 ....................

Breezes Babii talks to Aradhana Voight sponsor of the New Delhi sim at the clothing fair:

Bree: Please tell our readers how you became involved in the sponsorship.

Aradhana: Being an participant at earlier versions of relay for life i stayed in contact with Nevar. I sympathize with his cause and offer my help when needed.
When Nevar was mentioning this years theme for the Relay for Life i was more than excited to be part of his idea this year to represent the Indian themed sim New Delhi. i was happy to hear that he wanted to include Indian fashion into Relay for Life

Bree: What are your goals for the future.

Aradhana: One of my goals off course is to participate in the next Relay for Life.
My main goal is to be the starting point for shoppers that are looking for Indian or Indian-inspired designs. I like to broaden my scope and dress avatars from head to toe. That is one of the reasons why I started my skin line, another reason is that i like the challenge to use new skills for designing items for SL.

Bree: We all strive to make this the very best Clothing Fair and want to show your designs to the fullest possible extent. Please tell us how you got started with your designs and such creative textures, and delightful stories on releases.

Aradhana: Mashooka means female lover or muse in Hindi. I choose this word to describe the feeling i wanted for my clothing. Something sensual beautiful and elegant. I started because i was looking for fashionable Indian clothing which were not available in 2006. I had a very clear idea about the look i wanted to have in SL. I made my avi’s shape and was reaching a specific style. So i decided to give myself an unique look and started to learn about designing. After my SL friends convinced me to sell these Indian clothes. Thats’s how Mashooka Designs started.
I get my inspiration for textures from what i see in RL, when i shop or watch an Indian movie. When I think of a name for a design, i imagine how and where someone would wear my design. That get the story started which i sometimes publish on my blog (www.mashookadesigns.com) or in the store.

Bree: The build of your shop and the exquistite textures that make us want to enter the realm of  your world
Is there a special wish you have for the the world of Second Life

Aradhana: I wish that SL will stay the platform for virtual worlds. I makes a great meeting point for people all over the world, and i like the idea that you can use this medium to make new friends for life.And what i find special about SL is that people also bring the SL into RL by support each other in RL too, like Nevar.

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 3 ....................

Luna Not only sponsored a sim but also Built the Milan sim with her representation of the Galleria, one of the most striking builds at the RFL clothing fair this year, here Luna tells us how she got involved:


My involvment with the Clothing Fair comes after the one with Relay For Life. 
In my first days in Second Life I discovered by chance about this organization  through clothes I bought, and I just loved the idea to have the opportunity to give my little contribute to the Cancer research, and in general to use a gaming tool, like SL, for something so important for all the human beings.
Then when I started designing clothes it came natural to keep this connection hosting RFL vendors in my shop.
On october 2009 I eventually have realized the project to build my sim, Fantavatar, and during the inauguration of it I have met two wonderful people: Nevar Lobo and Amethyst Starostin. A while after we first met they contacted me and asked if I would have been willing to collaborate to the Clothing Fair, building the Milan sim, I did accept enthusiastically this opportunity to actively participate in a great event as it is.
The Clothing Fair is a great event under many aspects, it gives chance to clothes designers to promote their works and their skills, to meet other designers and exchange creative ideas, gives chance to people loving the fashion field to be updated in what is going on at the moment, gives chance to socialize through the many related events that will happen during the Fair - but most of all, again, gives the chance to all of us to contribute to something so vital for everyone like the Cancer Research.
I have been so lucky to never been directly involved in this diseases in real life, but  it doesnt need to be under an hurricane to know hurricanes are better to be avoided, and if it there is a chance that it can be done - avoiding it - then it is a good idea to support those that are trying to find a cure, and help those that are trying to fight it back every day. 
The Clothing Fair will be a great fun event aimed to a good cause, my hopes is that these kind of events aswell as the number of people supporting them in anyway - from organizing, building or just attending - will grow exponentially in Second Life, and I am just glad to be one of them. 


Luna Barak

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 2 ....................

The RFL Clothing fair is a big event in any SL calender and, getting involved more and more each year, I see how much hard work and dedication go into this event.
Much is accomplished by builders, organisers, designers, models and many many more BUT none of it would be possible without the help of the people who sponsor this event and each day I would like to give each of them the opportunity to tell us why they feel the way they do about this event in particular, what motivates them and what they hope to achieve.
Breezes asked each to answer a few of those questions and the replies are varied and interesting I hope they inspire you as much as they do me. Dana


Constanza Amsterdam From Slapt.me sponsors of the Rio Sim:


My wishes for the Fair are to raise even more awerness then we did last year and that everyone involved has a great week.


In February 2008 i lost a very close friend to me to cancer in SL after having to fight hard against it and also in RL in my family we are fighting against this horrible disease. Then via a friend in SL (Nyte Vargas) i found out about the clothing fair and as i am also a designer i decided to join in last years event (2009).


This experience was awesome and it kinda makes you addicted to the Clothing Fair as a designer to get and stay involved as you fight together to help raise awarness for this cause all over the world.


I joined SL in nov 2006 after reading about it in a PC Magazine here in The Netherlands. Together with a close friend ( who started SL a week after me) i started a club and soon we both started designin clothing and we split ways. In 2007 i met my SL/RL Husband and we decided together to quit SL for a year and in 2008 we came back and i picked up my designin again under the name i had in 2006: Eye-Catcher. In 2009 right after the Clothing Fair my husband, me and 2 close friends started with http://slapt.me/market/index.php which is an alternative to XstreetSL and after the message from Nevar we decided to become a sim sponsor with slapt.me for the RFL Clothing Fair as this is a really good way to show how important this is to me, but also to the other owners (Lord Sullivan, Kosta Cela, Bykoff Sontze and me) of slapt.me


slapt.me is now the fastest growing independent marketplace where SL merchants and shoppers have the freedom to shop, chat on the forum, have fun and keep up to date with SL trends and info, and has an ever growing community who've discovered the delights of being slapt!


And so are both JariCat Fashions ( the new store name since 2010) and http://slapt.me involved in the RFL Clothing Fair 2010.


Constanza Amsterdam

RFL Clothing fair how and why, part 1 ....................

The RFL Clothing fair is a big event in any SL calender and, getting involved more and more each year, I see how much hard work and dedication go into this event.
Much is accomplished by builders, organisers, designers, models and many many more BUT none of it would be possible without the help of the people who sponsor this event and each day I would like to give each of them the opportunity to tell us why they feel the way they do about this event in particular, what motivates them and what they hope to achieve.
Breezes asked each to answer a few of those questions and the replies are varied and interesting I hope they inspire you as much as they do me. Dana

I will start with the Centre sim sponsors Lightning Video:


Arabella Cinquetti & Chiman Fassbinder

Chiman and myself got involved with Relay for Life because we have had cancer touch each of our lives, Chiman lost a child a few years back and it has been a real struggle even now to face. I had skin cancer in 2003 and in 2008 diagonised with ovarian cancer.

Chiman and I came to second life for kind of the same reasons, he was healing from the death of his child and I was still healing and dealing with the after results of my  first chemo and couldnt leave the house, and there was second life. Chiman and I met the first day I landed in world and have been inseperable since. While in Secondlife and real life there are always instances and situations that pull us in different directions we have always been each others rock we lean on.  In that time we started several business, Lightening Video, Sinful Pleasures, Fantasy and Cf Furnishings, we continue to grow and learn and hope that while we do we have fun, because ultimately everyone needs to have an outlet and second life is ours. Our passion is Relay for Life.

Nevar came into our life when he was promoting a event for RFL, and needed donations and lets say the rest is history. We were so excited and Chiman and I were right on board, we know what cancer can do and hoped what we would contribute could make a difference in someones life.  Whenever we are needed we will be there for Relay and Nevar, he has become near and dear to our heart. We never met someone so selfless in a cause and couldnt help but want to help ease his burden if just a little bit with whatever we could.

Nevar on a personal note, When i was going through Chemo for my ovarian cancer late last year he was there for me personally. He would message me and know just when i needed someone to lean on, and gave me the support and guidance that was a god send. He will never know just how much that meant to me. That kind of caring only comes from someone very special.

I hope that for the future that Relay will  continue to prosper and grow, I hope for Nevar that he will continue to do the things he does because without people like him, this would not be a reality.  I wish for the people who participate in these events for such a great cause that this will become their passion. I know Chiman and myself will not stop participating or doing whatever we can til there is a cure. Because this is what its all about, this is not about anything else except to help raise money for the one thing that eludes us all, A cure for a deadly disease that I know in my heart will have a cure and will no longer plague anyones life or family and the great losses of such amazing people will come to an end.

Clothing Designer Needed for RFL

Once again it is time to start thinking about the Relay For Life. For those who don't know, this is an annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The Sunweavers have been big supporters of the Passionate Redheads team the last couple of years, and we are gearing up for another great season of helping to fight cancer.

The kickoff event this year will be a clothing fair, and I am looking for a clothing designer to make an outfit to be donated to the fair. Contact me if interested and all the details.

Dusk Griswold

Wanted: Relay for Life 2010 Video

This Years Relay for Life Video here in Second Life, is going to reflect on the community spirit and passion, of SL Residents, towards such causes as this!

Relay for Life has become such a big deal, and worthy event in Second Life over the last couple years, that this year is going to be bigger, and better than ever before.

Editorial Clarity and a team of people, are working on the Video, that is set to be shown at the RFL Kick off Party, on March 13th 2010. And as it is aiming to show community get together, we need you!

All we need from you, is a picture, of you and your friends, SL family or business, standing with the Relay For Life Logo or something that clearly represents Relay for Life Second Life, and include each persons name in the picture, when it is sent to Editorial Clarity (editorialclarity@yahoo.com). We will try and put as many of the pictures sent to us, if not all of them, in the video, along with other features included. Every person in each picture and clip, will be credited in the video.

This picture must in some way reflect your support towards Relay For Life in Second Life this year. Be creative, be imaginative, and let’s show the world, what kind of spirit the SL community has got!!

The Logos can either be the Relay For Life official Logo, or the 'Wishing On a Cure' image, which can be found here: http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/.

For more info, IM Editorial Clarity in-world, and dont forget to email the pictures!

Thanks and Appreciation

ACS gets ready for RFL in SL

American Cancer Society (ACS)
Meeting 30 January 2010

The ACS held a 'meet and greet' of their Relay For Life of Second Life PR/Marketing Committee, which is headed up by Poppy Zabelin (area Chair) and Breezy Carver (area Co-Chair), in preparation for their  annual fund raising efforts through Relay for Life (RFL).  Fundraising will begin in March and conclude with the annual RFL event in July.   Teams are currently being formed to participate in the July event. 

Over the previous fundraising season, over $275,000 USD was raised to fund cancer research, education and prevention.   Distribution of funds can been seen at the ACS website blog http://cancer.blogs.com/international/ and the RFL official blog http://rflofsl.blogspot.com.  Additional information can be found at  http://twitter.com/RelayForLife_SL/.  The RL RFL community has recognized the SL RFL efforts, acknowledging that a lot of money was raised through SL.  Twelve to fifteen percent of the funds raised in SL go to support the International Relay for Life.  This year, notecards will be available for anyone wanting to see how the funds are distributed.  Out of 5,230 relays around the world, RFL in SL ranked 112th in 2009 for fundraising. 

The overall aim of the PR/Marketing area committees is to REACH OUT!!!

Poppy gave an overview of the committee structure. Committee members include Beverly Hastings and Salem Draconia (Mission),  HollyJean Allen (Outreach), Nevar Lobo and Amethyst Starostin (International Relations),  Poppy Zabelin and Breezy Carver (Publicity/Media) with Saffia Widdershins as publicity advisor, IshtarAngel Micheline (Photography), Ren Stonecutter (Education) and May Rosebud (Greeters for RFL main event).

MamaP Beerbaum is the Event Co-Chair with overall  responsibility for teams, PR/Marketing, Technology and Security.

Teams will be responsible for advertising their own fundraising events.  An event board has been created for the teams to post their fundraising events.  The boards can be placed at different locations to get the word out about their events. 

Nevar and Amethyst will be available to mentor and teach people from different countries in SL how to start teams, fund raise in their communities and spreading the word about  official events. They are building a team of ambassadors and translators and would like people with different language skils to volunteer to help. The Japanese and Ukraine communities have also become involved and ambassadors are in both of those countries. 

KEY DATES
February 1 – teams registration opens
March 13 – Kickoff Party and start of fundraising!
July 17-18 THE MAIN EVENT – GO RELAY!

By Shellie Sands

Wishing On A Cure – teams’ registration for Relay For Life of Second Life opening soon!

RELAY FOR LIFE OF SECOND LIFE is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! This year’s theme is ‘Wishing On A Cure’. Teams’ registration opens soon in preparation for fundraising from March to July, culminating in a 24-hour walk on July 17-18 around a virtual track.

To register your team, please go to: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/slregistration. Registration opens on February 1.

Don’t worry if you haven’t taken part in a relay event before. There will be an opportunity to learn more at a series of informational meetings on February 12 and 13 where the incoming Event Chair Tayzia Abattoir    , together with the American Cancer Society’s official representative in Second Life, Stingray9798 Raymaker, will present an overview and hold a Q&A, supported by the Event Co-Chairs MamaP Beerbaum and Nuala Maracas.  Each team will also be assigned a mentor who will coach the team, brief them on new developments and answer questions.

‘This year we’ve paid special attention to training’ says Tayzia. ‘During the informational meetings we’ll explain what goes on at Relay, how to form teams, and how people can get involved in the event.’ She added: ‘Each team will be assigned a mentor as well. We have a great group of enthusiastic mentors this year who have already been busy training for over a month so that we’re ready to go as soon as registration opens.’

For more information please contact one of the following:

Tayzia Abbatoir (RFL of SL Event Chair tayziaabbattoir@gmail.com),

Stingray9798 Raymaker (ACS Staff Partner Jeffrey.Montegut@cancer.org),

MamaP Beerbaum & Nuala Maracas (Event Co-Chairs, mamapbeerbaum@gmail.com or nuala.maracas@gmail.com).

About Relay For Life

Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. The mission of the American Cancer Society is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Cancer knows no boundaries. The American Cancer Society partners with 20 cancer organizations globally to license and support Relay For Life programs in other countries.

About Relay For Life of Second Life

Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is a division of Relay For Life in an online virtual world. Relay For Life teams fundraise from mid-March through mid-July. On July 17 and 18 we will walk a track for 24 hours, just like in a real world Relay For Life. Team members build and gather at their team campsites, enjoy live music, participate in fun events, and explore the many Relay sims and the incredible builds by some of Second Life’s top designers, as the event runs overnight and into the next morning.

Last year’s Relay For Life of Second Life attracted more than 120 teams with participants from over 26 countries, held over 300 team fundraising events between March and July, and raised over US$275,000 (that’s REAL US dollars) for cancer research and education.

Key dates

Please note these key dates:

February 1 – Teams’ registration opens

February 12 – information sessions at 6am and 4pm

February 13 – information sessions at 8am and 6pm

March 13 – Kickoff Party and start of fundraising!

July 17-18 – GO RELAY!

Spreading the Hope – RFL Hope Hunt + Race begins Sunday, September 27

Starting Sunday, September 27, the Relay for Life of Second Life Hope Hunt + Race will be taking place throughout Second Life. The Hunt will last for three weeks from 10am SLT on Sunday, September 27 through Saturday, October 10. All proceeds go to Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity.

This is a treasure hunt in Second Life. It was conceived by the ‘All-Stars’ Relay for Life team who originally organized a hunt in June, but had to close down the hunt due to technical issues. They have now resolved the issues and are looking forward to a successful event!

So how does it work? Over 200 participating merchants will hide pink Hope roses at their locations. Like most hunts, many of the merchants will be putting give-away items - ‘swag’ - in the roses. There will also be 100 roses on the American Cancer Society sim. Unlike many hunts, merchants can place as many roses as they choose at their location - there is no limit. The rose represents hope for a cure, and the organizers chose pink for this event because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This is also a ‘race’. Cash prizes have been donated and will be awarded to the winners at the conclusion of the event, as follows: first prize: L$45,000; second prize: L$25,000; and third prize: L$10,000. The prize money has been donated anonymously, in honor of a loved one who lost the battle to cancer.

To take part, hunters click on a sign to receive a free Hud, which they can wear, which will track the number of roses they find. The signs are set out at participating merchants and there is no entry fee. The leaderboard will be displayed on the Hope Hunt website: http://thehopehunt.blogspot.com/ and will be automatically updated every three hours.

The merchants will purchase the roses they place at their location(s). All proceeds from the sale of roses go directly to Relay for Life. There will also be a website that provides merchants with ‘traffic reports’, showing the number of avatars who have found roses at each of their locations.

Says Sidda Jubilee of the All-Stars team: ‘Each and every one of us at one time or another has been touched by cancer. It has destroyed so many lives and Relay for Life enables our avatars to participate in defeating this enemy. We want to stamp cancer out of our lives now and forever. With hunts being so popular in Second Life, there is no better way to spread cancer awareness across the grid; it will also spread this awareness to each and every avatar's real life as well.’ She continued: ‘Special thanks are due to Arete Diplomat whose wonderful scripting made it work.’

Tayzia Abattoir, Relay for Life of Second Life Event Chair for 2009-2010 says: ‘I am excited to have it utilizing the American Cancer Society sim so more people can see the services we have here :) It is a wonderful idea, and the way it was thought out and put together took a lot of work and dedication. Kudos to everyone involved with such a creative fun event to raise funds for the ACS!’ She added, ‘I plan to look for some roses when I find time to quit working LOL!’

Happy hunting! And if you would like to volunteer for Relay for Life 2010 please join the ‘SL’s RFL Volunteers’ group and look out for the announcements.

For cancer information 24/7, please visit http://www.cancer.org or call 1.800.227.2345 in the USA.

Brother and Sister Team Up in Second Life to Support Relay for Life

By Nazz Lane

While working on a story, I’d been introduced to Renfew Sperber who along with her brother msw Tomorrow own the Callidora SIM in Second Life. As we chatted about the upcoming event, she told me of her brother’s struggle with cancer and of their efforts on behalf of the “Relay for Life” activities in Second Life and of their ongoing fundraising activities for the American Cancer Society. I found their story compelling and had hoped to meet with both for a conversation. We exchanged e-mails and in-world IM’s to set up a date and time for the three of us to meet. It was unfortunate that msw was unable to join us as his real life job interceded, but he agreed that Ren could speak for him since she was integral to the efforts at Callidora.

Nazz: What was it that brought you into Second Life?

Renfew: Initially I came in to research the viability of the second life platform for my real life work. I was challenged by our engineers to come up with a way to provide more worldwide communication and peer-to-peer collaboration opportunities to them. We are dispersed ... seven countries. So this was a big challenge. I bought a copy of Wired to read on the plane trip back from France and stumbled on an article about IBM and what they were doing in second life at that time (2007). Light bulbs started going off in my head and after a couple of months I built up the courage to come in to research a bit more.

Nazz: Does your company still use second life?

Renfew: My company never bought into the idea … a little too new and untested, although they did seriously consider my proposal. It is really following this initial testing of the waters that the story of our lives, mine and my brother’s … and our evolution in second life begins.

Nazz: When you started, had msw already been diagnosed with cancer?

Renfew: Yes, he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2007. In fact, he spent his birthday that year in the hospital room after having had this diagnosis and three feet of his colon removed. He was in chemo at the time that I found out about second life and came in. I needed a partner in crime, and could not think of a person more likely to support this and see the potential of the technology and least likely to laugh me out of the room. I told him about it and the next day he had an avatar and was here. He has been amazing and inspiring.

Nazz: Is that when you both became involved with Relay for Life?

Renfew: Yes, we had purchased the islands and developed them to create a test site for the work project. During that same time msw joined the survivors group in second life. It was amazing for him. He had not responded well to his chemo and was very sick. In real life there was not a local survivors group within easy commute distance, so the second life survivors group became a lifeline for him. In the group he met many people and through them he became involved in Relay for Life. Also I need to mention Dolcebella Zabaleta. Dolce is msw's real life wife. She also came in and comes to most of the concerts. So this is real family thing. She has been incredibly supportive of him, me, and this entire journey. Ishtar Roux has been our team captain for the past two relays. After the work project fell through we seriously had to reconsider what we wanted to do with the island(s) and our second life journey. We decided to use the islands for hosting benefit concerts to raise money for RFL. This started in early 2008. After the relay ended, we decided that we wanted to continue to raise money year-round for the American Cancer Society. msw contacted them and made arrangements for special kiosks to be made to allow us to make direct donations year-round. We launched these benefits October 2008 to supplement the RFL season.

Nazz: How many islands do you own?

Renfew: We have just the two, Callidora and Kleio.

Nazz: Callidora is for events?

Renfew: Callidora Beach is the home to our benefit concerts. We have had the great gift to be able to work with some amazing talent and this just would not have happened without them. From October 2008 to July 2009 we raised just a little under $6,200 USD for the ACS.

Nazz: With the end of RLF, will you be doing same this year?

Renfew: We plan to kick off in October again. Finalizing the schedule now, but typically we've run the events the third Saturday of every month. We will continue through July 2010 and the take August and September off as we did this year. Our goal is to break $8,000 USD this year.

Nazz: How is msw doing, he’s still in remission I hope?

Renfew: msw is doing great. He is still in remission and we are incredibly thankful and humbled by this. I wish he was here to tell you about his experiences as a survivor in second life. A number of months ago the survivor group pulled together a number of survivors and had them share their stories with the rest of the survivor groups. msw participated and told his story, along with a number of others. I was totally blown away … sitting on this side of the screen, just listening and watching the chat, truly left me without breath. The power of the ways that second life can provide community and support to individuals that are in such situations was very clear and incredibly moving.

Nazz: It sounds like an incredible journey for you both.

Renfew: He is my only brother and we are very close. I was there with him and his family after the surgery ... to be able to have him here is an amazing gift. We live in different parts of the US and second life was a way to keep very close during this time in his life. We joked that we talked more in a single week after second life than we had in a month before that. Put on the headsets and there you go! It has been so very wonderful, being able to share all of this with him. And look at what he created … this beautiful … beautiful place. An architect in real life, this was a way for him to really exercise his imagination and became a healing place for him. I wish I could find the words, you know, to really articulate all of this … there is a great deal of emotion involved.

Nazz: Any closing thoughts or comments you'd like to share with my readers?

Renfew: I think that the one thing that comes to mind is that the journey in second life is not always the one you think it will be. Serendipity steps in and the process you, the vision you have, the work you do evolves. msw and I talk about this a great deal. We found things here, and in ourselves through being here, that we could not have possibility imagined. Being open to possibility and embracing it is a big part of the second life experience.

Relay for Life Of Second Life Goes to National Summit

Leaders of the Relay For Life of Second Life travelled to Dallas,Texas
this past weekend to participate in the 2009 Relay For Life Nationwide Leadership Summit.
The Summit is an annual activity bringing together Relay staff and
volunteer leadership for 2 days of training to help each Relay
improve and grow. Attendees from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom
and South Africa were joined by Second Life as honored guests. The
summit goers attended various workshops designed to arm them with the
newest innovations and ideas, reinforce basic Relay activities and
share individual ideas and successes.

Relay For Life of Second Life was represented by incoming Event Chair
Tayzia Abattoir, co-chair Nuala Maracas and Trader Whiplash. They
were joined there by Staff Partner Stingray9798 Raymaker.

Reuel Johnson, the American Cancer Society's Vice President for Relay
For Life specifically cited Relay For Life of Second Life during his
opening remarks, noting that the virtual Relay had exceeded its
target, raising more than $274,000, had attracted more than 120 teams,
and had over 750 years of survivorship represented on the track during
its opening lap on July 18th.

The avatar of Trader Whiplash, co-winner of the 2009 Spirit of Relay award in Second Life, presented a 3

minute video to the nearly 500 attendees, as part of the Quality portion of the summit.

A highlight of this year’s conference was the induction of longtime
Society volunteer Jeff Ross of North Carolina into the Relay For Life
Hall of Fame. Jeff is an 8 year Relayer who's passion and dedication
to Relay is overshadowed only by his unending passion for people and
life. He has been called upon to speak at Relays all around the globe
and is affectionately known as the Relay Preacher. He joins Dr. Gordy
Klatt, who in 1985 founded Relay For Life by running around a track in
Tacoma Washington for 24 hours raising $24,000 for the Society. Pat
Flynn known as the Mother of Relay, a friend and patient of Dr Klatt
who helped establish Relay as the Society's signature fundraising
event, the late Terry Zahn, a reporter and anchorman from Hampton
Roads, VA who produced a television series called “My Life With Cancer”
as well as 2 nationally-distributed videos encouraging communities to
hold Relay For Life events, and Dr. Bob Brodell who founded the first
Celebration on the Hill to bring Relay For Life to the Capitol, and
helped integrate the Advocacy role into Relay For Life.

For more information about the National Summit please contact Trader1 Whiplash or Stingray9798 Raymaker in world. To take part in the 2010 Relay for Life of Second Life or to stay informed please join SL's RFL Volunteer group.