Archives 2009

Message from Razorhawk:
A friend of mine, whom some members of the GLHG know as well, asked me to participate in a great charity event for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. It is the Briggs and Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, or simply “Al’s Run”. I agreed instantly because I am well aware of the good that this hospital has done. However, several people involved know me and aren’t aware that I am The Watchman. Therefore, I will be participating in this one as my-civillian-self. I have gotten a few other folks who are involved in the RLSH community in some form on board as well. Despite doing this one sans masks, we are hoping that all of you will contribute what you can. Don’t be fooled by the name, the good done by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is not limited to one state. Many people come from all over the country for the care provided by this hospital.
Here is just is an example provided by the leader of the team I’ll be walking for:
_____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Hello Everyone-
For a little background story – our daughter Katie, who is now 3, was diagnosed in utero with hydrocephalus, a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid does not flow correctly out of the brain, through the spinal cord, and then eventually is excreted from the body. Hydrocephalus blocks this flow from the brain, resulting in increased intracranial pressure, which can quickly lead to brain damage, coma, and if left untreated long enough, death. Hydrocephalus is a serious neurologic condition, and many people with it have life long effects with mental disabilities and motor skill impairment.
Katie was born at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin , and was a patient in the NICU there. She had a shunt put in at 2 days old which diverts the excess fluid from her brain, and drains it into her belly. She was discharged home from the hospital 2 days later, and has lived an absolutely normal and happy life, with none of the mental or physical handicaps that we were told she would almost certainly have.
Katie’s life was great until January of this year when she began experiences frequent, severe headaches. To make a long, long story a little shorter, it culminated in Katie have 6 surgeries to revise her shunt in just a 6 week period of time this year, from March 31 – May 20. Without her shunt and Children’s Hospital managing her care, Katie could be severely handicapped right now, or even worse. A person with hydrocephalus cannot survive this condition without a shunt and sometimes frequent medical care.
Children’s Hospital is obviously very important to us – they have saved or child’s life and have greatly increased her quality of life. Things could very easily be quite different for Katie. Chances are, if you live in Wisconsin or even Illinois , you probably know some child that was helped through Children’s. This is not just for us and our child, but this will benefits thousands of children throughout the country. Families even travel from throughout the United States and even other countries because the care at Children’s is so awesome.
Here is some info on the walk, and if you cannot attend please donate to our donation site, it doesn’t matter how little the donation is – anything will help. We have an ambitious goal of $1000 for our first year – please help us meet that goal for the kids!
Event Info:
Join us for the 32nd annual Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
START LINE: 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue on the Marquette University campus
Wheelchair: 10:15 a.m.
Only self-propelled manual wheelchairs. Assemble in front of the start line.
Runner mass start: 10:30 a.m.
Elite runners line up at the front of the pack. All other runners, line up according to your estimated pace.
Walkers: Immediately follow runners
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
One part that she did not mention is that there was a balance amount of over $6,000 which her family’s health insurance didn’t cover for the multiple nuerosurgeries. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin wiped it clean so they owe nothing out of pocket. They do the same for many other famillies.
We at the GLHG have also set up a donation page so if you’d like to help out, and we hope you all will, go to:
http://www.firstgiving.com/razorhawk
She has a goal of raising $1,000 between members of her team, but she’s not counting on us. Let’s see if we can beat that.
 

Message from Razorhawk:
A friend of mine, whom some members of the GLHG know as well, asked me to participate in a great charity event for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. It is the Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, or simply “Al’s Run”. I agreed instantly because I am well aware of the good that this hospital has done. However, several people involved know me and aren’t aware that I am The Watchman. Therefore, I will be participating in this one as my-civillian-self. I have gotten a few other folks who are involved in the RLSH community in some form on board as well. Despite doing this one sans masks, we are hoping that all of you will contribute what you can. Don’t be fooled by the name, the good done by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is not limited to one state. Many people come from all over the country for the care provided by this hospital.
Here is just is an example provided by the leader of the team I’ll be walking for:
_____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Hello Everyone-
For a little background story – our daughter Katie, who is now 3, was diagnosed in utero with hydrocephalus, a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid does not flow correctly out of the brain, through the spinal cord, and then eventually is excreted from the body. Hydrocephalus blocks this flow from the brain, resulting in increased intracranial pressure, which can quickly lead to brain damage, coma, and if left untreated long enough, death. Hydrocephalus is a serious neurologic condition, and many people with it have life long effects with mental disabilities and motor skill impairment.
Katie was born at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin , and was a patient in the NICU there. She had a shunt put in at 2 days old which diverts the excess fluid from her brain, and drains it into her belly. She was discharged home from the hospital 2 days later, and has lived an absolutely normal and happy life, with none of the mental or physical handicaps that we were told she would almost certainly have.
Katie’s life was great until January of this year when she began experiences frequent, severe headaches. To make a long, long story a little shorter, it culminated in Katie have 6 surgeries to revise her shunt in just a 6 week period of time this year, from March 31 – May 20. Without her shunt and Children’s Hospital managing her care, Katie could be severely handicapped right now, or even worse. A person with hydrocephalus cannot survive this condition without a shunt and sometimes frequent medical care.
Children’s Hospital is obviously very important to us – they have saved or child’s life and have greatly increased her quality of life. Things could very easily be quite different for Katie. Chances are, if you live in Wisconsin or even Illinois , you probably know some child that was helped through Children’s. This is not just for us and our child, but this will benefits thousands of children throughout the country. Families even travel from throughout the United States and even other countries because the care at Children’s is so awesome.
Here is some info on the walk, and if you cannot attend please donate to our donation site, it doesn’t matter how little the donation is – anything will help. We have an ambitious goal of $1000 for our first year – please help us meet that goal for the kids!
Event Info:
Join us for the 32nd annual Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
START LINE: 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue on the Marquette University campus
Wheelchair: 10:15 a.m.
Only self-propelled manual wheelchairs. Assemble in front of the start line.
Runner mass start: 10:30 a.m.
Elite runners line up at the front of the pack. All other runners, line up according to your estimated pace.
Walkers: Immediately follow runners
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
One part that she did not mention is that there was a balance amount of over $6,000 which her family’s health insurance didn’t cover for the multiple nuerosurgeries. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin wiped it clean so they owe nothing out of pocket. They do the same for many other famillies.
We at the GLHG have also set up a donation page so if you’d like to help out, and we hope you all will, go to:
http://www.firstgiving.com/razorhawk
She has a goal of raising $1,000 between members of her team, but she’s not counting on us. Let’s see if we can beat that.

Friday October 9, 2009
Apparently “Superheroes” are not just for the movies or comic books anymore. Motivated by difficult economic times, high crime and homelessness, a new movement of real life “Superheroes” has sprung up across the country.
Real life “Superheroes”….for real? Yep, and some of them are even dressed in tights.
One of these masked men is Mr. Ravenblade, a former Microsoft employee who was laid off who now helps to fight crime in Seattle. According to “Superheroes Anonymous,” based in New York, there are hundreds of Superheroes out there today doing what they can to help out in theri communities. According to the World Superhero Registry, in order to be a “Real Superhero” one must be “committed to doing good for the benefit of mankind” above and beyond the call of duty.
Some of the other SuperHeroes on the streets today are:
– Mr. Xtreme, who patrols the streets of San Diego.
– The Dark Guradian, a martial arts teacher committed to giving back in New York.
– Crimson Fist, who fights homelessness with food and water on the streets of Atlanta.
– Chaim “Life” Lazaros, of Superheroes Anonymous, who helped raise money children at St Mary’s Hospital and provides supplies to theri local homeless.
Here’s the Real Life Superheroes Creed: (I love this!)
We are Real Life Superheroes.
We follow and uphold the law.
We fight for what is right.
We help those in need.
We are role models.
We will be positive and inspirational.
We hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Through our actions we will create a better brighter tomorrow.
Don’t you just love these people! It makes me want to run out and get a costume.
What about you….is there a Superhero inside of you? So here’s my question:
If you were a Superhero, who would you be and what would be your cause?
I’d love to hear your comments.
See photo gallery of real life Superheroes for a little creative inspiration.
Peace and Blessings and May the Force Be with You!
posted by Deborah Price @ 3:34pm
http://blog.beliefnet.com/yourdailyspiritualstimulus/2009/10/good-news-friday-superheroes-anonymous.html

By Ariella Cohen
It was a warmish spring night and Dark Guardian had on his trademark chest-hugging motorcycle armor and bulletproof vest. His face shining under the streetlamps, the 24-year-old strode purposefully across Manhattan’s Washington Square Park. When he reached his target — a burly man he believed to be a drug dealer — he stopped and ordered the man to leave the park. “I got you on video. I got you on audio selling drugs,” barked
Dark Guardian, one of a growing movement of American city-dwellers occupying territory once reserved for comic-book creatures. Dark Guardian, real name Chris Pollak, is a real-life superhero. Taking to the streets in homespun hero garb to fight crime, help the homeless or do other kinds of community service, he and other self-proclaimed “reals” are popping up in cities from New York to Fairbanks, Alaska, where spandex-clad Raven and her caped sidekick, Winter Knight, keep watch over dark, icy streets. Raven says she chooses to engage with her community under an alias rather than her own identity as a 26-year-old writer because it allows her to more comfortably traverse unfamiliar neighborhoods. “When I’m in character I don’t feel socially awkward in these places that would make me feel uncomfortable in my other life,” she says.
The superheroes say their ultimate intent is to encourage people to do what Raven did: abandon their everyday routines to do good in their communities. “We are drawing attention to the fact that regular people can become superheroes. You don’t have to be endowed with special powers to save the world,” says Chaim Lazaros, 24, an independent filmmaker who co-founded an organization called Superheroes Anonymous in 2007. Lazaros’ activities mainly consist of handing out food to homeless New Yorkers while dressed in the black mask and top hat of his alias, Life Laz. He estimates there are some 250 superheroes practicing in the U.S.
One of the most revered superheroes, Superbarrio, defends Mexico City in bullfighter-red tights and a matching wrestler’s mask. His chubby physique has become an unlikely sex symbol. But while Superbarrio has succeeded in making Mexicans feel safer, some have questioned whether taking law enforcement into one’s own hands could lead to vigilantism.
The anonymity is another red flag, says Renia Ehrenfeucht, author of Sidewalks: Conflict and Negotiation Over Public Space and an assistant professor of planning and urban studies at University of New Orleans. “Why not go into the streets as yourself,” she asks, “and participate in the community as a person from within it rather some masked figure from outside?”
Public safety officials, citing both physical safety and civil liberties concerns, have said they would prefer if amateur avengers left the work to professionals. That night in Washington Square Park, Dark Guardian succeeded in convincing the alleged dealer to leave without violence. The departure, however, didn’t come without a few threats and a hurried 911 call from the superhero.
Recently the New York Police Department reached out to Pollak to talk to him about a video they had seen of the park confrontation. “They were like, ‘We respect what you do, but these guys have been arrested 20 or 30 times. They carry guns,’” he recalls. “They’d rather me not do what I am doing.” Still, the Dark Guardian lives on. “There is a hero in everyone,” he says. “We are just getting the message out.”
http://americancity.org/magazine/article/superhero-subculture/

Originally posted: http://www.rnw.nl/pt-pt/node/27694
Civitron on Newsline
Twenty-eight-year-old David “Civitron” Civitarese is a Boston-based real-life super hero. In his day job he works with adults with autism but in his free time, Civitron dons his home-made super hero disguise – a burgundy and orange jumpsuit – and takes to the sidewalk, assisting his community however he can by cleaning up the streets, helping out the homeless or families in need.
He’s part of a growing collective of ordinary citizens across America who have transformed themselves into something – and someone – else, made themselves larger than life. Going under the banner ‘Superheroes Anonymous’, the collective is dedicated to inspiring the super hero spirit in everyone.
Original persona
According to Civitron, it’s about finding out what your individual powers are and finding out how you can use those powers to help your community.
“Many of us dress up as an original super hero persona – and that’s part of the personal journey of going out and changing your life, of becoming the change that you want to see in the world [to quote Gandhi]. We take a look at ourselves, take a moral inventory – and see what we can change. With the persona we provide a template for ourselves to live by.”
The costumes – and the reasons for wearing them – are different for everyone, says Civitron.
“It’s about becoming a living example, not only for others but also yourself. You put on the costume to remind yourself you are out there specifically for the purpose of helping and for living your cause. For others, it’s more about fun.”
Whether it’s Life Lazaros, a New York hipster who wears a black mask and works on the street with runaways and homeless people, or Zeta Man, who coordinates fundraisers in his local hip hop community, the growth of the real life super hero has been exponential in recent years, with close to 200 members across the United States.
Health and safety
But it’s not a question of vigilantism, Civitron is keen to point out. Superheroes Anonymous members act within the boundaries of safety and the law and liase with the police to build upon existing mechanism within society, rather than working alone. They aim to take responsibility within their own community.
Whether you wear a costume or not, Civitron says the guidelines to becoming a real-life super hero are simple:
“Know the law and know what the legal boundaries are. Always be safe… and for anybody looking to become a real life super hero – they should explore themselves, know what they believe to be true, set out to be that ambassador to the world and always stay true to their message.”

Twenty-eight-year-old David “Civitron” Civatarese is a Boston-based real-life super hero. In his day job he works with adults with autism but in his free time, Civitron dons his home-made super hero disguise – a burgundy and orange jumpsuit – and takes to the sidewalk, assisting his community however he can by cleaning up the streets, helping out the homeless or families in need.
He’s part of a growing collective of ordinary citizens across America who have transformed themselves into something – and someone – else, made themselves larger than life. Going under the banner ‘Superheroes Anonymous’, the collective is dedicated to inspiring the super hero spirit in everyone.
Original persona
According to Civitron, it’s about finding out what your individual powers are and finding out how you can use those powers to help your community.
“Many of us dress up as an original super hero persona – and that’s part of the personal journey of going out and changing your life, of becoming the change that you want to see in the world [to quote Gandhi]. We take a look at ourselves, take a moral inventory – and see what we can change. With the persona we provide a template for ourselves to live by.”
The costumes – and the reasons for wearing them – are different for everyone, says Civitron.
“It’s about becoming a living example, not only for others but also yourself. You put on the costume to remind yourself you are out there specifically for the purpose of helping and for living your cause. For others, it’s more about fun.”
Whether it’s Life Lazaros, a New York hipster who wears a black mask and works on the street with runaways and homeless people, or Zeta Man, who coordinates fundraisers in his local hip hop community, the growth of the real life super hero has been exponential in recent years, with close to 200 members across the United States.
Health and safety
But it’s not a question of vigilantism, Civitron is keen to point out. Superheroes Anonymous members act within the boundaries of safety and the law and liase with the police to build upon existing mechanism within society, rather than working alone. They aim to take responsibility within their own community.
Whether you wear a costume or not, Civitron says the guidelines to becoming a real-life super hero are simple:
“Know the law and know what the legal boundaries are. Always be safe… and for anybody looking to become a real life super hero – they should explore themselves, know what they believe to be true, set out to be that ambassador to the world and always stay true to their message.”
http://www.rnw.nl/pt-pt/node/27694

FOUR caped crusaders have taken to the streets to protect the residents of Colchester from evil.
Calling themselves the Nightwatchers, the group are a self-proclaimed “vigilante crime-fighting team”, aiming to stop fights, tackle antisocial behaviour, offer food to the homeless and generally do good deeds.
The four men refuse to identify themselves, admitting only that they are all 21 year olds and from the Colchester area.
Instead, they go by the names Dr Insomnia, the Nightman, the Shover and the Green and White Knight.
Dr Insomnia said: “It may sound a bit childish, but we class ourselves as real-life superheroes. We take the law into our own hands, but we do this in a way that is not breaking the law.
“We feel it is our duty to help the public. Colchester is getting worse and worse and there is only so much the police can do. Let’s just say we’re here to give the police a helping hand.”
He added: “We also want to let people know there are still people our age who are willing to help people, and to show we are not all hoodlums.”
The inspiration for the group came from dozens of similar organisations in America who view it as their civic duty to help.
True to form, the men don costumes to take on their superhero personas, although they draw the line at masks.
Dr Insomnia said: “I wear a hood, a long coat and I have a Union Jack on the back of my trousers.
“The Nightman is a big bald guy, who also wears a hood.
“We decided not to wear masks because we do not want to scare the public.”
The Nightwatchers were only formed a few weeks ago, but already claim to have helped drunks home safely.
They drive around in a car, looking for people to help.
Eventually they hope to have business cards printed with a Heroes Hotline for people to call.
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4647140.Superheroes_are_roaming_Colchester_streets/

by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury
IS it a bird? Is it a plane?
No it’s a portly middle-aged businessman in a mask and cape.
Birmingham has its very own superhero patrolling the streets, and he is out to tackle the city’s toughest criminals.
Captain Britain, as he likes to be called, promises that he is “the protector of this Blessed Isle and all who live here”.
The brave Brummie is part of a new online fad which sees comic book fans carry out real-life crimefighting deeds dressed as their own Superhero alter egos.
The World Superhero Registry site boasts scores of characters, from across the globe, many of whom post videos of their heroic acts and pictures of their bizarre costumes.
While Captain Britain remains elusive, some of the “Superheroes” on the site have gained notoriety in their communities, and have even been pressured to reveal their secret identities.
Shadow Hare, 21, who “protects” the US city of Cincinnati, featured on his local TV news channel and has been battling to maintain his anonymity ever since.
“Despite the coverage I have been patrolling just as usual,” he wrote on his blog.
“I’ve heard about the lame bounty on my identity. Who cares? It doesn’t distract me from the people out there that I need to help.
“Besides, anyone can give you people a name. If they do, does that mean you will give them money? Nice try guys.”
And Shadow Hare is not the only real life superhero to hit the headlines.
California-based crimefighter The Eye, 50, has become a legend in his home state, and uses social networking site Myspace to promote his skills.
“I am a street-level, practical crime fighter and Neighborhood Watch Block Captain who uses various self-created electronic devices and other means to prevent crime, and help others in need whenever and wherever possible,” the Eye writes.
“My background as a certified private investigator as well as over 25 years of electronics expertise have aided me well in these efforts, and will continue to do so.
“I am also trained to mastery in the style of Kung-Fu known as Northern Shaolin Praying Mantis.”
Britain boasts five other crimefighting comic book stars, based in Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh and Whitley, on the ouskirts of Reading.
Scottish superhero Seagull Man has targeted his feathered foes in a campaign to: “Keep the city clear of the vermin that live on our streets”.
And Whitley’s Batman and Robin are also tackling the lighter side of superhero duties.
Dressed as the famous dark knight and his sidekick, the Reading crimefighters are attracting more laughs than plaudits from the public.
One damsel in distress said: “They just appeared. I saw them running down the road in Batman and Robin outfits – I was laughing so much.
“It was like a scene out of Only Fools and Horses and they stayed in character the whole time.”
[email protected]
http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2009/09/20/meet-the-real-life-registered-superhero-66331-24742662/

By Michelle Stockman (AFP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jvOAXBNUg
NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts — Inside a hotel room in this New England port city, a superhero assumed his disguise before hitting the street.
Dressed in a black fedora, white shirt with skinny black necktie, and a studded belt, 24-year-old Chaim “Life” Lazaros looks like any other hipster from New York City. Except for his black mask.
In real-life he’s a radio personality at a college radio station, but in superhero mode, Lazaros spends his time comforting homeless people.
And his eye-catching uniform helps his cause.
“You will get stares, questions on the street from people who are interested and curious,” Lazaros said.
“They are always inspired. I got emails from soldiers in Iraq saying ‘It’s so inspiring to me to see people back at home helping each other.'”
Three years ago, Lazaros and Ben Goldman, a documentary filmmaker, created “Superheroes Anonymous,” an organized group of real-life superheroes.
Lazaros said there are now roughly 200 fellow superheroes across the country — costumed civilians who patrol the streets behind self-made superhero personas.
Their missions are varied, from conducting homeless and sex worker outreach and picking up litter to looking out for crime and teaching first aid skills.
In early September, about 20 members gathered in New Bedford from across the country for a three-day event that included a hip hop concert, beach clean-up and workshops on how to disarm an enemy.
“Scavenger,” a 28-year-old social worker, stood outside a local coffee shop during a break.
Dressed in a velvet bustier and black tassled bodysock, the tight spandex revealed only her eyes. She said crows and vultures inspired her costume, as they are the recyclers of nature.
“They clean up and they use things to live. So I take garbage off the street,” Scavenger said, explaining that money she earns from picking up litter goes to buying things for homeless people.
At home, Mike “KnightOwl” Johnson is a firefighter and emergency medical technician from Ohio.
This towering 26-year-old in a bright yellow jersey with an owl logo and a black head scarf said he became a superhero as another way to make a visible difference in the world.
“I think anyone who looks around will fastly realize there’s something seriously wrong with the direction that people are going in,” said Johnson.
“We try to reverse a little of that, and ease pain and suffering anyway possible.”
Toutou and Dave Marsden from nearby Walpole, Massachusetts were in town for a Sunday sightseeing tour. They dropped into a mask-making workshop with their two children.
“I think it’s great,” said Toutou, 34. “I think we should have everyday superheroes. I think it’s great that people are out there helping out.”
In their effort to do good, the superhero community may skirt the lines of safety.
Lazaros said he and other superheroes confront drug dealers, armed only with a camera.
On the “Superheroes Anonymous” blog, writers describe how to construct a practical crime-fighting costume — including a bullet proof vest.
It also suggests strategies to win over the local authorities, suggesting, for example, that on Halloween you pay an initial visit in costume to the local Wal-Mart. Repeat often thereafter so people get used to a superhero presence.
Dressed in a burgundy and orange jumpsuit and white-framed sunglasses, New Bedford local David “Civitron” Civatarese, 28, said despite their odd appearance, superheroes have simple, altruistic motives.
“I’m sure not many people are going to take Civitron himself very seriously,” said Civatarese.
“But once I start talking about the things that we’re doing, whether that’s helping out the homeless, helping out families in need, or just cleaning up the streets, they start to think about how can they help out whether they want to put on a costume or not.”
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jAGw2e6LKfNag93q3ZPt3mzQusIA