The Snowman Contest and the Holidays For Hope Ball

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Relay for Life Christmas Expo wasn't over until Monday. But Sunday December 13 was the high point of the festival. This was a day of events such as the conclusion of the snowman contest, and the Holidays for Hope Ball.

Those taking part in the contest paid a 500 Linden dollar fee, with cash prizes going to the winners. Voting was done by donating Lindens to the kiosk next to the entry you wanted. Some of the entries were fairly conventional, such as this one sitting down next to a Santa sack.

Would this guy be an "Ice Pirate?" Yo ho ho and a keg of rum.

This one was a tribute to the new "Star Wars" movie out.

And this one, either the builder was from the big city, or a "Calvin and Hobbes" fan.

"Welcome to Atlanta." Looks like this snowman didn't survive his trip.

That dalek isn't part of the display, but someone in an avatar. But he certainly gave a new angle to this entry.

Now this snowman looks downright creepy, something out of a Lovecraftian story. You don't want to end up "Alone in the Dark" with that.

And then there was this one. Cuddly Waffle called it, "very cute. This was a snowman who was taking a break from the cold and somehow managed not to melt!" Maybe he was on a beach in Alaska.

 I would later hear that this snowman, built by Thathy Slade, was the winner. Second place went to the green tentacled horror by Eclair Martinek. ArianaAstro Resident's snowman came in third. A total of 80,000 Linden dollars would be raised by the snowman contest.

Soon it was time for "the Grand Finale Event of the 2015 Christmas Expo," the Holidays for Hope Ball. This would be the sixth time this annual event had taken place. It would be held in a double ballroom.

The ballroom was created by Darkstone Aeon and the event was sponsored by T-1 Radio.

Dozens would show up at the event.

Formal attire was requested, though not a hard requirement.

There were two people in Santa outfits on the dance floor, one of whom was the one doing Santa duty at the Expo. Maybe one can call this scene "dueling Santas."

A fun time was had by all. Trader Whiplash would later announce the festival had raised over two million Linden dollars.

Congratulations To Nuala Maracas and the Expo Staff for a Job More than Well Done.. .. For an Expo that was not just a fund raising success but was a wonderful place to visit -AND- L$ 2,108,062 or $ 8,432.

And so, the 2015 Relay for Life Christmas Expo is now over. But the Relayers are not despairing. In a few months will be the the start of the official Relay for Life season. And once again, their fun-filled antics will resume.

Bixyl Shuftan

Memorial Show at Kindness Park

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday December 6, I was invited by Whisper Fairy Gravois (Jihan Wonder) to a show at Kindness Park, about a thousand meters over the Napa Valley sim. Much of the chat I saw was in French, as well as the name on the stage, "Le Spectacle de Martina."

The stage scenes were sometimes well detailed, the first act being an interpretation of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," taking place in a graveyard with dancing skeletons. This was followed by several other acts, including a dancer in a Japanese garden, and a circus act with elephant avatars. I would hear donations to the event went to the Mark V. Lee Memorial Fund.

I would later talk to Whisper a few days after the event. I asked about the Mark V. Lee Memorial Fund, and she told me, "He  was a 9/11 responder who died last year from complications from that. He was a big volunteer in real life, especially during  the holidays. He gave all, his body, and more, to the childrens burn unit. It's a legitimate real-life fund. His family took it over. They've even been on TV and talk shows. Hasbro donated to the fund last year."

"He gave the biggest donation, his life, eyes, cornea, etc. Amazing gifts. He was my cousin, and he made me promise to help. So I did this charity event. I will do something else as well. ... He was a big giver in real life, and knew I was doing things here. He encouraged me, said that was whatlife is, paying it forward to help each other get through things."

Whisper took me to Mark Lee's memorial, which wasn't far from Salem De White's (Selene Spellhunter), "His daughter,Christina Lee, said this about him on the day of 9/11, 'My dad actually left his shift, on way home saw the plane hit the tower in his rear-view and turned right around back to his fire house, suited up and went."

Whisper also told me of two links of interest. One was of the Facebook page of the Mark Lee Memorial Fund. The other was a video of a TV news story about it.

Whisper went on to say she was working on a place in Kindness Park, something to help out newcomers, especially newcomer kid avatars, whom were looking for new places to go to in Second Life, commenting many were looking for something beyond the club scene. The land was being paid for by friends of hers and general donations. The location of the building is at Napa Valley (127, 145, 1000).

It's very likely we'll be hearing more about Whisper and Kindness Park before too long.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Windlight Winter Art Show

By Gemma Cleanslate

 I was able to make it over to the Windlight Winter Art Show region on press day before the sim was crowded.  Some of my favorite artists have lovely pieces there and I was lucky to get good looks at everything. Bryn Oh’s art always make one thoughtful and Secret Rage’s piece also makes one meditate. The committee provides cute cabins for the showing or photographs and SL art for your wall. I saw some wonderful wall hangings that I would love to have. I ran into Jamie Wolf one of the artists and owner of Wolf Photography in SL.  He is happy to be involved in the event. I stopped in the cabin of Johannes 1977 who is also showing his photographs. He is a member of the Advisory Committee of the SL team and has worked very hard to make the event a success.

Everything there is for the benefit  “This event will take place from December 7 to December 14 and will include seven days of live djs, performers, tribute concerts, art exhibitions, contests, shopping, a hunt, a gingerbread building contest and more!”

Besides the wonderful artists there is a lovely little square where Santa sits on his throne and is surrounded with shops full of your favorite designers of clothing and household items and more. I visited many including Park Place which I love for wonderful furniture and Moonstar where I find wonderful outfits.

It looks like the whole week is filled with activities to make your visit a pleasure. It is all for the benefit The American Diabetes Association. The hope of Team Diabetes of SL is” Our focus is to bring awareness and dispel the myths of diabetes. We will hold a variety of fundraisers in support of The American Diabetes Association and we invite you to plan your fundraising events to help fight this global epidemic.”  Be sure to get there between December 7 and 14 to support the cause and have some fun!. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crestwood%20Acres/93/47/22

Gemma Cleanslate

Scenes From Thanksgiving 2015

By Bixyl Shuftan

Thanksgiving doesn't get much attention compared to Christmas. That stores seem to start their Xmas shopping season once Halloween is over hasn't helped. Still, there were a number of events that went on Thanksgiving week and weekend.

The Happy Vixen club held it's themed event, Pilgrims and Indians, a week before Thanksgiving on the 19th. Cutlass would have it's Thanksgiving party one day before, on the 25th.

On Thanksgiving Day, Gemma Cleanslate celebrated by having some friends over at her place at Skye Condos. Plenty of turkey for all.

Aero Pines Park had an all-day Thanksgiving event, their Harvest Festival and Pow-Wow, with people, some in American Indian and Pilgrim outfits, dancing around a fire.

There were other things to do, such as the mechanical turkeys, in which like mechanical bulls, you were timed to see how long you could keep a hold of it.

There was also fishing, or one could peek in the Indian lodges.

At one point, a dragon dropped by. For a moment, I wondered if it might want horse for a Thanksgiving dinner. But instead, it just listened to the music for a few minutes, then flew off.

While not a Thanksgiving themed event, the fundraiser for Kalli Birman (Brandy Maltas in real life) on Friday evening drew plenty of attention with it's kickoff. TerryLynn Melody and Seth Regan (Mankind Tracer) performed live for the crowd. The event would raise many hundreds of dollars

Saturday November 28 was the start of the Roman community's monthly festival. First was a roleplayed ceremony at the Temple of Jupiter. Perhaps not the most Thanksgiving like of events, but afterwards was the "Feast of Jupiter," which had lots of food next to the dance floor.

Following a chariot race, the third event of the day fit perfectly with Thanksgiving: the Turkey Hunt. Three volunteers donned tiny turkey avatars, and with the promise of a prize for those who could tag all three, several residents, locals and visitors, went after them. Among those who got all three was a certain vulpine, leading to jokes about how foxes have a natural affinity to taking down poultry.

Also on Saturday November 28 was the "Life Seems to be Normal" event by Kikas Babenco and Marmaduke Arado.  An interactive art show, those coming by to watch were invited to take part. A prankster (or griefer, depending on your opinion) tried to disrupt the show, but the event went on.

Sunday November 29 was the second day of the Roman festival. At 10 AM was the Lectica Race, which was of teams driving litters. I wasn't able to attend that one, but did make "Jupiter's Grand Feast at 12 Noon. The theme of the party was "Modern Gods and Goddesses." The plurality of those dressing were in superhero outfits (maybe they saw the movie "Hancock," in which there was a comparison made).

The winners were Ronijn Resident, who came as Merlin the Magician, and Rasberia Cornelia Daciana (Raspberrykiss) whom was in a tub of golden coins as the "Goddess of Fortune." Unfortunately for Rasberia, one of the turkeys at the event kept walking over to her tub, "Shoo turkey! Go away!" Maybe the bird mistook the gold for feed.

And what would Thanksgiving Day be without a parade? At New Las Vegas in the Isle de Casanova sim, there was a tribute to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. From Thursday to Sunday at Midnight, floats went down the street.

I dropped by to get a few pictures. One thing I noticed was the floats were designed for residents to ride, on, and one, a "SheilaDDulySweet" in a "Betty Boop" av was hoping on them, sometimes singing a line or two, "Yay my parade! *smiles big* Tee-hee-hee-hee! Boop-Boop-De-Doop-Boop!"

"Tee-hee-hee-hee! It's the Navy handsome fellows! Boop-Boop-De-Doop-Boop!"

It was quite a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend. Stay tuned for Christmas.

Bixyl Shuftan

Happy Rezzday Brandi

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday November 22, the Sunweavers and Angels held a surprise Rezzday party for Brandi Streusel Tungsten. Brandi is the partner of Nydia Tungsten, as well as the owner of "Brandi's Intimates," a clothing store sometimes called "Brandi's Panties." Cute and friendly, she's quite popular among the others in the community. So when Nydia announced there was a party for her, many dropped by.

The event was originally planned to take place at Nydia and Brandi's home, Mouse Hole Manor in Sunlight Bay. But the sim can handle only a certain amount of people. So it was decided to hold the party at the Happy Vixen Beach Club in Purfection.

The guest of honor arrived not on a white horse, but a dark one, a little present she had gotten herself. Jasmine Dawn, who sports an equine avatar, pretended to be sad, "she's seeing other horses!"

And of course we had a cake for her. Instead of candles though, there was a sign, "Happy 7th Rezzday."

And with Brandi and Nydia in-step, the party was in full swing.

Among those arriving was Lomgren Smalls, who did so on his new pedal-powered blimp, courtesy of Jasmine Dawn.

 Brandi's a country music fan, so most of the tunes were country ones, such as "Romeo." She passed out a few cowboy hats, which were modifiable to fit different-sized heads. Someone stretched hers out to giant size and placed it on the club music board.

It was a fun time had by all.

Bixyl Shuftan

Wildroses Pevensey On The Veterans' Tribute

By Bixyl Shuftan

Almost forgotten in the midst of the attacks on Paris, in the Thundering Falls sim, this year's Second Life Veterans' Tribute stood until Saturday November 14 before presumably being taken down the next day.
In the early evening of Veterans' Day November 11, I dropped over to check the place, and it was crowded with both people checking the wall and dancing at the set up music stage. Greeting people near the landing craft where people appeared in the sim was Wildroses Pevensey, one of the team behing the Tribute.

"So what can you say about this year's Tribute?" I asked Wildroses. Her answer, "Uhmm.. overwhelming?" She then smiled, "I would not know where to start. It turned into something bigger than I ever expected or dreamed this year." She gestured to the memorial wall, made up of bricks with names of veterans of wars from the American Revolution to today, "I lost count of how many blocks I have added, but I do know that the top two rows are all new all the way around, and this section is almost already full."

 I brought up saying I had been checking to see if the block representing a friend of a friend was still up. Wildroses smiled, "You know they always will be. Same spot too. The wall may grow 'up' but they will always be there in that spot." Of the number of people whom had entered the sim that day, "I can tell you my counter is broken. (smiles) It is saying 864. I know we have had more people than it says."

She paused for a few moments, then apologized with a smile, "Sorry, I am sooo wiped! This has just been honestly overwhelming this year, in a good way. But it is just sooooo much work. It just exploded." "How long have you been out here?" I asked her. She checked the time, "Since 5 this morning." "That's quite a while." "But I have made sure every block has been added. I will sleep in tomorrow for sure... I am going to close down the 'build' part of it over night due to overwhelming traffic, but still take submissions."

Of how long the exhibit would be up, Wildroses told me, "I think I have the (quarter) sim till the 14th, then it will be put to rest again. (smile)"  "Anything happening until then?" I asked. "No, today (November 11) is the only day we plan (for). We have one more entertainer ... tonight, and then its just hopefully much calmer. Give everyone a chance to wind down after Veterans Day. (smiles)"

"The Tribute's been up every year for several," I reminded, "When it first when up, what were your plans?" Wildroses thought for a moment, "Hmm..... The goal of the Tribute has not ever changed over the years, it has always been to pay tribute to our veterans past and present, allowing everyone a chance to put loved ones on the wall.. a way to remember. 'The Tribute itself is non-political serving one purpose to honor all those  that have given willing of their time to protect the lives we enjoy today,' to quote our founding statement." She smiled.

Wildroses did mention one complication, "Over the years the people running it have dwindled," she smiled, "but you know I am the curator of the wall... so I make sure it comes out every year. If nothing else were here on the land, the wall would still stand." "Suppose someone expresses interest in helping out next year?" I asked.   Wildroses answered, "I think, as long as its not 'over commercialized,' (if that makes sense) and people wanted to help, Iwould welcome it." She smiled, "Jill MacKenzie did step up and offered to take over and plan for entertainment this year, and got all the wonderful live entertainment." "Nice. (smile)"

"So what are your plans for next year, so far?" I asked. Wildroses answered," Surviving this year first?" She smiled, then laughed, "I do believe next year though we are starting to out grow the (quarter) sim." "So it's likely to be larger?" I am not sure yet?" she laughed a little more, "with help there is a possibility."

Peter Pan on Stage Tonight

By Gemma Cleanslate

I was invited to  "a Magical night that through music and dance will show you Neverland and tell you the story of a boy who never grew up...... " The premiere was held on Thursday at the Roseland Theater and I loved every minute of it! Peter Pan is a favorite of most people. The story of Peter and his friends, and enemies has been recreated in a wonderful setting as you can see from the pictures . The group that put it on is The Roseland Theater Cast, “Roseland Theatre SL is an all-inclusive Group promoting Performing Arts in Second Life, bringing to you innovative performances created by it's cast and producers.” 

I have been to several other shows there and really enjoyed them all and this one was so lovely . The members are Producer: Semina Llorien , Cast: Angelus Llorien, Dae Llorien, Jamie Cheeky, Jessilyn Brandi, Daniel Corbeaux. Semina told me ,”Every song is carefully picked by the producer to tell the story about Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and all of his friends through music and dance leaving no one in the audience untouched.“ The scenery on the stage changed to fit the story with the bedroom for the kid cute and fun, and Captain Hook’s ship looking ominous. Mermaids danced underwater in their habitat . 

So much work went into the whole performance with changes of scenery coming fast and no crashes!  If you get a chance to go see it don’t miss it. The show lasts less than one hour and there was a full audience. The next performance is November  12 at 1:00 pm slt.  The show coming up following this one sounds equally interesting. It will be Alice Dreams, November 19 at 1:00 pm slt. I hope I can make that too. Here is the theater  entrance :
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Romanum%20V/96/113/3205

Gemma Cleanslate