The luminaria lighting is a particularly moving part of the El Cerrito Relay For Life July 21 & 22 at Cerrito Vista Park. Each luminaria is dedicated to a person who has lived with, currently battles, died from, or survived cancer.

I hope for a day when this ceremony is no longer necessary as then there will be no one lost to cancer - but that time is a long way off. As for now, there is perhaps no more poignant a time during the 24-hour long event that brings to light how many lives cancer has touched. It is a glowing representation of how in our battle with a common enemy not only are loved ones lost but new and lasting friendships are forged, and in this experience we are all brought together - stronger and more united than ever.

Gathering supplies to do this can often take longer than the time it takes to put one together. Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is donating the supplies and space for a luminaria creation station during normal business hours from now until the weekend of the event.

This article was going to be about how proud we are at Playland-Not-at-the Beach for having won Best East Bay Party Venue and The Best Indoor Play Place for two years in a row by Parents' Press readers. If you have been to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach I hope you agree, if you have not been here please stop by for a visit and a free tour any Saturday or Sunday.

The focus of this article changed when we began planning our booth and fund-raising effort for the El Cerrito Relay for Life event July 21 & 22 at Cerrito Vista Park. We had been encouraged to concentrate on one type of cancer and to educate people about the one type of cancer that had touched us the most. We soon realized that the types of cancer that had touched us were as many as the number of people it had affected in our lives. We did touch briefly on many of the negative aspects of it, but we soon found ourselves talking about the positive outcomes, which may sound like a paradox to many of you.

Life changing events are, well, life changing. For some the most intense parts of dealing with a terminal illness have past, some are dealing with it now, and I have little doubt, some of us will have it touch our lives (in most cases, again) in the future. I hope next month to share some of the positive things some of us have learned or taken with us from our experiences. Some of the positive effects are not so easily recognized or noticed when they are happening because we are so focused on the needs of the moment.

Cancer had a BIG effect on ALL of us here at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach this year because of the passing of Richard Tuck last April. Richard, a larger than life figure who influenced all who met him, was the founder and creative force behind Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. Richard did not die from cancer as much as he lived with it for the 14 months after his diagnosis. He never lost his incredible enjoyment of life, fun, and all that could be. In fact, he would describe it as one of his most productive years.

We missed the Relay for Life last year because it happened to fall on the same weekend we had a celebration of life party for Richard here at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. This year Playland-Not-at-the-Beach will be open as usual, but we will also have a team at Relay for Life. If you would like to support our team and the American Cancer Society, please visit us at our booth the weekend of the event and/or visit us online.

You can also show your support by sponsoring or making a luminaria in honor/memory/support of someone who has dealt with, has, or has had cancer. I have not experienced this in person yet, but I have been told it is a very special part of the Relay for Life weekend.

We will have supplies to make them at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach the first 2 weekends in July and at our Playland After-Dark (18 & over) event Tuesday, July 10th. We can also accept pre-made luminaria, or if you would like to sponsor one but don't have the time or crafting ability to put it together, we will gladly accept requests to complete one for you.

We invite you to join us at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach to help us all add more magic, more birthdays, and more memories to all of our lives.