Category: Events

RFL of SL: an important update and KNH Hope Hostel news

Posted on by Inara Pey
via RFL of SL

In mid-December, I offered an update on Relay For Life of Second Life, which included news on the KNH Hope Hostel, and the slightly less positive news that it appeared as if Stingray Raymaker, so long the guiding force of RFL in Second Life and the conduit Second Life and the American Cancer Society (ACS), had departed the organisation.

Well, as it turns out, there is more news on both – and the news is very positive.

Stingray had broken the news of his (then) impending departure from ACS at the end of November, emphasising that while it was due to occur on December 7th, he was confident that ACS’s work in Second Life would continue.

Well – the work will continue – and with Stingray still very much actively involved, having accepted a new position with ACS, as he notes himself:

As you all probably know, my last day as Director, RFL Online Revenue was on December 7, 2018. I have continued to support our volunteers in Second Life during the past weeks while applying and interviewing for other jobs. For those who wish to keep up, I am proud to share with you that I have found a new job that I started Monday, December 17 and the best thing about this new job is that I get to continue working with you all in Second Life. In fact, Second Life is one of the most important priorities that I am responsible for now as the new Sr. Consultant, Virtual Community Development for the American Cancer Society.

The new position stands in recognition of the huge amount of support virtual world residents  – particularly those engaged in Second Life – have given to the American Cancer Society over the years, and came about as a result of ACS leaders meeting with members of the Second Life Relay community, allowing them to gain an even greater understanding of the potential offered by virtual environments.

This is actually very good news, and I’d like to extend my congratulations to Stingray on his new role.

More on the KNH Hope Hostel

As I’ve previously reported in these pages, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Hope Hostel is the flagship of a programme to expand the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge facilities world-wide. These provide free accommodations for cancer patients and their caregivers during treatment. More than a place to stay, a Hope Lodge can be an essential part of cancer care for many. In 2014, for example, over 44,000 cancer patients and caregivers stayed at a Hope Lodge in the United States, accumulating over 276,000 free nights of accommodation with access to a range of facilities such as a social centre, library, and laundry, all of which they otherwise might not have been able to afford.

Artist rendering of the Hope Hostel from the Kenyatta National Hospital website

As a part of the initiative, the 2018 RFL of SL Fantasy adopted the KNH Hope Hostel as the recipient of all funds raised.

The total cost to build the new hostel and operate it for two years has been put at US $2.8 million. Thanks to a goal effort by supporters of the American Cancer Society – including Second Life residents – all but US $300,000 has now been raised.

The incredible amounts of money raised by Relayers in Second Life, and their commitment to help us finish the job of funding the KNH Hope Hostel has been an inspiration to our Matching Sponsors. It has gone a long way to convincing them – and us! – that we can get to the finish line in 2019. 

Kristen Solt, ACS Managing Director of Global Alliances.

A plan is now being developed to rally support from Relay For Life teams in Second Life along with those in other virtual and digital communities, as well as in brick-and-mortar Relay For Life events to raise the remaining US $300,000. As well as participating in these efforts during the 2019 RFL of SL season, those who wish can donate directly to the KNH project. Note that all donations made through this page will be automatically matched by ACS Matching Sponsors.

There is a wonderful Kenyan proverb which states that sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. The kinds of partnerships that are emerging through this project – connecting communities across the world including those throughout the metaverse – are proof that when we work together there is nothing we can’t achieve.

Zander Greene, Fantasy Faire of Second Life Co-Captain

So, here’s wishing the ACS and the RFL teams all the very best for the 2019 season, and to seeing the ground broken and work started on the KNH Hope Hostel.

I’ll have more on the KNH Hope Hostel, and of course on the work of the RFL of SL team and fund-their raising throughout 2019.

With thanks to Zander Greene.

Lab issues 2018 snowball fight challenge

Posted on by Inara Pey
Credit: Danni Ravinelli, via Linden Lab

Coming slightly later this year is the Lab’s annual snowball fight challenge. The challenge was issued in a brief blog post with the invitation:

Come one – come all to the Snowball Arena for a friendly ice battle of epic proportions! This Snowball Showdown means you’re free to pelt your fellow Second Life Residents and Lindens with a bevy of sparkling snowballs! But the Lindens and your fellow Residents get to return fire with their own avalanche of snow-arsenal.

The event itself will take place between 11:00-13:00 SLT on Friday, December 21st at – where else? – the Snowball Arena in Winter Wonderland.

As with previous years, Winter Wonderland is a 5-region experience which, for those who haven’t visited, includes the 2-region snowball fight arena, a winter snow track for snowboard and snow mobile racing, a skating ring, a Ferris wheel, and spaces to walk. The best place to start explorations is the Village of Light, where the Lindens tend to place a seasonal gift.

Weapons can be obtained at the entrances to the Snowball Arena – walk through the Village of Light and climb the steps up into the hills behind the village. Snowball guns can be collected at the vendors around the Snowball Arena.

Collect your weapons at the vendors in the Snowball Arena. If you are Premium, you can use your Premium Member’s Token or HUD to claim the Premium-only Snow Zooka weapon (outlines in red on the HUD and in the vendor, above)

For those who are Premium members and who haven’t participated in the snowball fight before, don’t forget you can use your Premium Member’s Token or HUD you can claim additional Snow Zooka weapon. If you don’t have the Token HUD, you can can claim them by picking up the latest Premium gift, the Winter Cabin from any of the Premium Gift Kiosks. You can find out more about the Winter Cabin via the Lab’s gift blog post.

SLurl Details

Supporting the IKSDP Kenyan schools project in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Harambee Xmas Charity Market

Currently running through until January 6th, 2019 is the Harambee Xmas Charity Market, raising funds for the  IKSDP (Italian Kenyan Scout Development Project) Kenyan Schools project, operating in Gwassi region in south-western Kenya, around Lake Victoria.

Harambee is Swahili for “working together”, and can often be used as a cry when people are working in concert together. It has been chosen as the embodiment for the Harambee project Gwass-Kenya in recognition of the way the project is bringing together volunteers from beyond Kenya with local people working on a series of projects to benefit the people of the Gwassi region.

Operated by the IKSDP since 1983, the work is to promote community self-development among the local population through a range of practical self-help projects in an area covering some 200,000 square kilometres and encapsulating around 50,000 people, the majority of whom are Lou, relying on pastoral herding, farming and fishing. Specific work for the project has included water supply and irrigation facilities, medical field trials for disease treatment and medical dispensaries, and on improving education among the young. This latter work has involved the construction and development of a teacher training college and the development of new schools in the region.

The Harambee Xmas Charity Market in Second Life is aimed towards helping to raise money for the schools project, and features a cross-region venue, offering both the tropical warmth typical of Kenya and the snowy delights usually expected of a Christmas market.

Designers and creators participating in the event include: *AAP* Angel’s Art Pose; *ASIA* FASHION; [in] sanity; {.Gross Princess.} & *Tori-Tastic*; 3D Republic; Anastyle; Cassandra Couture & Gallery’s Happy; Celestial Designs; Dimi’s; EdizioniVolando; Droxene; Face Paint; Fantasy China; …:::: GIULIADESIGN made in italy:::…; Gundam Park; Hair Sale; ‘Harambee Gwassi-Kenay Charity shop’; Kastle Rock Couture and Mirage Treasure Co.; Lamu Fashion Exclusive Italian Style; Manna Benoir; Scarpenia; She_Avi; *Sour Pickles*; Style 4 Woman; Sweet Intoxication; TMT Texture Me True; and Verastyle.

Participating artists comprise: CioTToLiNa Xue; Desy Magic; Maddy (magda.schmidtzau) and Solkide Auer.

As well as the creators and artists, the event features hunts and entertainment (as detailed in the calendar below.

So, even if you are feeling a little shopped-out, why not hop over to the Harambee Xmas Charity Market and help out a good cause.

SLurl and Links

Second Life 2018 Shop and Hop

Posted on by Inara Pey
Christmas 2018 Shop and Hop event – open through until January 4th, 2019

The end-of-year Shop and Hop event, organised by Linden Lab, has opened its doors to shoppers for 2018.

Following the success of recent in-world shopping events organised by the Lab, the Christmas 2018 event provides a similar – but expanded – setting that includes some lessons learned from previous events. It features around 100 merchants and creators, a full list of whom can be found in the opening announcement for the event.

The holidays are upon us, and for many that means baking, wrapping, peppermint lattes, and shopping! We’ve gathered 100 Merchants for a very exciting shopping event! … this shop-stravaganza spans 5 full Regions … All 100 Merchants have provided a free gift (and in some cases more than one per stop) and some generous discounts on some of their most popular products.

From Linden Lab’s Shop and Hop announcement

This 2018 Shop and Hop is located in five regions (two up from previous events). These are Aurelian, Gilded, Golden, Halycon, and Tinseled, all of which will be open through until the end of the event, on January 4th, 2019.

In addition, the five shopping regions are bordered north and south by two further regions apiece. These effectively act as overspill regions for each of the shopping regions. So, for example, if you try to teleport to Aurelian, but it is already loaded down with avatars, you may be redirected to the landing areas of Aurelian North or Aurelian South, where you’ll be greeted by the message:

Sorry, but you are in an overflow region. Feel free to cam around and window shop while you wait for a space to be available.

This is actually a nicer touch than simply finding your teleport fails with a Region is too full message.

Shop and Hop SLurls

All of the regions are rated General.

The Dickens Project 2018: Carol Week in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Dickens Project 2018

It’s time to highlight another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and this week’s events are held at The Dickens Project.

Carol Week, December 17th-21st

  • Monday, December 17th 14:00 and 19:00: Stave One: Marley’s Ghost.
  • Tuesday, December 18th:,
    • 12:00 noon: Russell Eponym Live – stories, music, & poetry, on stream
    • 13:00 and 19:00: Stave Two: The First of Three Ghosts.
  • Wednesday, December 19th:
    • 13:45: Raglan Shire Tiny Carollers
    • 14:00: Stave Three: The Second of Three Ghosts.
    • 15:00: DJ DanoBookmite, live in Dickens Square.
    • 19:00: Stave Three: The Second of Three Ghosts.
  • Thursday, December 20th:
    • 12:40: Raglan Shire Tiny Carollers.
    • 13:00 ans 19:00: Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits.
  • Friday, December 21st:
    • 13:00: The Conclusion – The Last of the Spirits (selected) & The End of It.
    • 15:45: Raglan Shire Tiny Carollers.
    • 16:00: The Conclusion – The Last of the Spirits (selected) & The End of It.
    • 19:00: A Very Misfit Christmas – Misfit Dance & Performance Art
  • Saturday, December 22nd:
    • 12:00 Noon: A Very Misfit Christmas – Misfit Dance & Performance Art
    • 14:00-16:00: Fezziwig’s Ball in “Christmas Past” With DJ Dano Bookmite.

All times from the 2018 Dickens Project calendar.

Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for August and September is Little Kids Rock, transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in schools.

Survivors of Suicide Christmas Fair in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
SOS Christmas Fair

Currently running through until the first of January 2019 is the Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Second Life group Christmas Fair, aimed at both celebrating the group’s tenth anniversary and to raise money for the group’s work.

For those unfamiliar with their work, Survivors of Suicide is a suicide prevention and peer support group for anyone affected by mental health issues. It comprises mentors and members who support one another, and those who reach out to them in their time of need through one on one chats, and via support meetings at the group’s in-world location and via group chat.

For the Christmas Fair, SOS have set-up a sky platform featuring stalls from creators and merchants, details of whom can be found on the Sponsors web page. There is also a raffle featuring a range of prizes (entry: L$100 per ticket, all proceeds to SOS). There is also a photography contest with the subject of Support – details for entry can be found via the info giver alongside the in-world display board featuring entries. The winner(s) to be decided by voting on entries.

SOS Christmas Fair

There is also daily entertainment – including visits by Santa! – however, I was unable to find details of performers / performances or times.

While the fair is already underway, the organisers are still taking Gacha item donations and DJs, musical acts and / or spoken word artist – the information card provided on arrival details how those interested can donate / apply.

The organisers additionally note:

If you or a friend or family member are feeling the holiday blues, or you are worried for yourself or someone else, we are here for you. Grab any information that would be helpful at our information booth and if you need to talk to someone, check our Holiday Cuddle Corner, where mentors and members will be standing by to help with those Holiday Blues. If no one is available on site, join our group, there is always someone in chat to talk to.

Support is always welcome – and given. So whether you would like to support SOS in their work or do have a need to talk to someone, do pop along to the SOS Christmas Fair.

SLurl and Link