Announcement: May Roma Festival, Bona Dea and Mercuralia

This weekend we celebrate Bona Dea, honouring the Goddess Fauna; and Mercuralia, honouring Mercurius, God of Commerce.  Hope to see you Saturday morning!

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Saturday, 25th May

10am - Bona Dea Ritual and Maypole Dance
Our festivals begin with a ritual for Bona Dea, "The Good Goddess" - Also known as Fauna, She is the daughter of Faunus, and a goddess of virginity, fertility, and healing. Bona Dea's rites included only women - even paintings or drawings of men or male animals were forbidden - but in our ROMA, the menfolk are welcome to Her rites. After the rite, we will have a traditional maypole dance, music, and picnicking!
The Temple of the Five
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Insula/24/52/26


12pm - Faunalia Fishing Contest
As Flora is a Goddess of green, growing things, so Fauna is a goddess of all who sport fur, feathers, or... scales! Come try your luck in the Faunalia Fishing Contest - catch and collect beautiful pets and have a chance at winning prizes - using the 7Seas Fishing system,  1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive cash prizes.
Roma Fishing
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/129/9/22


All Saturday and Sunday
Sponsored by the C.D.S., in honour of Bona Dea
An art show of women artists from the personal collection of Chancellor Kyoko Furse-Barzane , nestled into the heart of Roma, and consisting of both 'flat' pieces and sculptures.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/176/73/26
Torin Plaza


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Sunday, 26st May

11am -  Mercuralia Ritual and Treasure Hunt
Mercury isn't just the herald of the Gods - He's also the patron of merchants and commerce! So this Mercuralia, we will be honouring Him with a ritual on the roof of Trajan's Market! After the ritual, there will be Mercury's Treasure Hunt - Mercury has dropped His parcels and most of His money while flying home to Olympus! The pouches are now scattered throughout ROMA!  Can you help Him find them? But watch out - each pouch will give out only one prize, and then it will disappear. So you will have to be swift to find these elusive pouches before anyone else does!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/184/42/26
Roma Plaza


12pm - The Mercury and Fauna Grand Feast
Our Festival winds down with the Mercury & Fauna Grand Feast - come celebrate the return of Spring with us! Dancing, good conversation, curated music and a delicious feast.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/200/195/30
Field of Mars


1pm - Legio XIII's Vinovium Messenger Race
In honor of Mercurius, racers must help soldiers pass messages of vital importance to the defence of Roma!  All can participate - cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd; a Legionary winner will also get a medal.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/18/177/42
Legio XIII, Fort Western Gate

SL Video: Raglan Shire Artwalk 2019

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Nitwacket on May 19, "Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs opening the 14th Annual Raglan Shire Artwalk - open through June 16th"

Palmwood City

Many residents of Second Life came of age in the 1980s. Just as many of those in previous generations look fondly at the style of things at the time of their youth, many in this one look back to  the "neon-vibe aesthetic" of buildings. One community in Second Life got it start from one man seeking to build a place using that style : Palmwood City. Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich Resident), the Newser's newest reporter, talked to the founder Jimmy Talon about the beginnings of the area, and what it offers now.

Read Cyfir's story in Places.

Applications Being Accepted For SL16B Live Music Faire Auditions

On Wednesday May 22, Linden Lab announced it was taking applications for the live music event for Second Life's sixteenth anniversary, the "SL16B Live Music Faire."

In recent years we’ve taken the popular idea of music festivals and brought them into the virtual world - all the music, merriment, and good times without the sunburn. Last year marked the 4th Music Fest, and this year, things are going to be a little different! We do have a Music Faire that we’re very excited to announce! Like Music Fest, Music Faire is a way to enjoy a ton of live music within Second Life as part of the birthday celebrations.

 

We’re holding an audition showcase to highlight some of the musical talent in the Second Life community. Many of you have been performing for years in virtual venues all over the grid, and we’d love to have you come showcase your talent. All genres are welcome! From bands to solo acts, rock and roll to electronica - we encourage anyone to sign up for consideration.

Those wanting to sign up for auditions are asked to complete an application on the signup page (here) by Saturday June 1. "While we encourage everyone to sign up," Linden Lab stated, "it is not a commitment on your part and does not guarantee a spot at the auditions." Invitations to the auditions will be sent via notecard and/or email.

The dates and times of the auditions are as follows:

May 27, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
May 28, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
May 29, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
May 30, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
May 31, 2019 6 AM - 3 PM (SLT)
June 3, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
June 4, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
June 5, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
June 6, 2019 6 AM - 6 PM (SLT)
June 7, 2019 6 AM - 3 PM (SLT)
The location will be given "in a future blogpost." Every musician will have five minutes at most to play.

The Lab also stated it was extending Exhibitor and Performer applications to Friday May 31. Merchant applications for the shopping event will close a day later.

For the blog post in it's entirety, Click Here.

Image from inkie Pixelstyles.

Veterans Isle Fundraiser Nets Over 70,000 Lindens

On Sunday May 19, Veterans Isle was the scene of it's monthly benefit concert. A number of live musicians and one DJ performed for the crowd. The event was organized by guitarist Frets Nirvana to raise money for Homes For Our Troops, a charity that works to help wounded veterans keep roofs over their heads.

 This is the week where we should remember those who have sacrificed the ultimate for our country.  And we are kicking it off with our Homes For Our Troops benefit.  ...  Come on out and help those who sacrifice for our freedom …and enjoy a great night of music.

Following DJ Waya Snowpaw came performers Lazarus Doghouse, J Lively,Cryptic Harmony, and Franklee Anatra. As the musicians played, the crowd donated cash into the two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage.

At the end of the concert, a total of 70,475 had been raised.

Normally, Veterans Isle holds it's events on the last Sunday of every month. But as for May that would make it Memorial Day weekend, it was the Sunday before to allow fans to attend real-life events.

To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

Press Release: A Very Successful RelayStock 2019 Concludes

CRFB Finals and Bid Lindens Bald Raise more than L$1 Million

The 6th Annual RelayStock multi-team Relay For Life event concluded Wednesday with a solo performance by  the Tiny Maniac Band and the 3rd annual Bid The Lindens Bald fundraiser. The annual event hosted by the Relay Rockers, and sponsored by X-City Games, gathers RFL of SL teams for a weekend of ‘Peace, Love, Music and Hope”. Teams are provided prepared VW van and tent sites set on a 1960’s style outdoor music festival venue. RelayStock is organized by Rockers’ co-captain Arizona Ballinger and this year hosted more than 30 teams, who came together to celebrate the RFL season. Teams were also provided the opportunity to host 90 minute segments on the RelayStock stage and raise funds in their own kiosks.

RelayStock also host two of the Relay Rocker’s signature fundraising events: the CRFB Top DJ Fundraising Competition and Bid The Lindens Bald.

The weekend, which kicked off on Friday May 17, hosted live performances by Wild Eagle Tribute Band with MrMiKie String, Austin Moores, Todd Rumsford and Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs and more that a dozen DJs.  On Sunday afternoon the Relay Rockers concluded their 2019 Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back Top DJ Competition crowning Tril MacLeod as the 2019 CRFB Top DJ.

The 3rd Annual Bid The Lindens Bald fundraiser at RelayStock.  Five teams of Linden Lab from different departments put their virtual hair on the auction block with the team raising the least going bald in Second Life for 30 days. Teams were made up of nearly 30 members from Concierge Support, Tier 1 Support, Customer Account Operations, Land Operations, and Support Management. On Wednesday afternoon SL residents, along with dozens of Lindens with their distinctive blue tags and text, got to watch Governor Linden shave the hair of the members of the Tier 1 Support team. They will be bald in Second Life for the next 30 days.  Overall the event helped raise L$429,000 ($1716) to support the American Cancer Society.

The fundraising was shared by 3 RFL teams, the Cure Chasers, Roos With A Dream and The River of Life.  Earlier in the week, the Relay Rockers reached their season goal of raising $15,000 and decided to retire their own kiosks in favor of helping these three teams.  Rockers Captain and former RFL of SL Chair “We couldn’t have done it without these three terrific teams supporting us.” Nuala Maracas explained. “The CRFB Top DJ competition drew competitors from across SecondLife, including DJs affiliated with the River ( DJ Landy ) and the Roos (DJ Kayla Flow). These 2 competitors raised nearly L$800,000 ($3200) towards the Rockers fundraising goals. The Roos and Sienna Thor of the Cure Chasers were a constant presence throughout the competition, during RelayStock and at many RFL team events all across SL. The River hosted several CRFB events at their own venue and while the Rockers will continue to fundraise until the end of the season, we decided to recognize these 3 teams by retiring our kiosks and dedicating our remaining fundraisers, such as the Twisted Hunt, to these 3 passionate and supportive teams.”

The CRFB competition kicked off on March 30th with 15 DJs. Each competitor presented a 1 hour set of music while their supporters ‘voted’ for them by donating to a special kiosk set up for them by the Relay Rockers. The preliminary round, which raised L$ 1,050,081 ($4200) eliminated all but the top 4 djs.  DJ Landy ( L$ 102,773) DJ Kayla Flow (L$ 121,523) DJ Tazzie Tuque (L$ 145,000) and DJ Tril (L$ 302,600) qualified for the semi final rounds. Landy and Tril outlasted their challengers and moved on to the Finals.

The finals were held on May 19th on the RelayStock stage. Both presenters turned out large numbers of supporters forcing organizers to raise the region limit in order to accomodate the crowd. Following a short rainstorm which provided lots of mud for attendees to dance in at the front of the stage, Landy began his 90 minutes. His kiosk quickly rose, ultimately topping out at L$186,000, bringing his 3 show total to L$504,773  ($2019). Tril followed and it was obvious she came prepared to win top honors. Donations to her kiosk passed the L$300,000 level quickly and after just 40 minutes stood at more than L$500,000. Her final total was an amazing L$575,100 bringing her 3 show totals to L$1,183,184 ($4732). Overall the 2019 CRFB Top Dj Competition provided L$2,518,618 ($10,075) to help the American Cancer Society Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer.

Awards to all participants followed with special appreciation awards presented to host venues Junkyard Blues, The River, Greased Lightning, and EZRyder/Motorworld.  The Rockers also presented appreciation awards to the Roos With A Dream, The River of Life, Cure Chasers, X-City Games and the Headhunters MC for their support.

The weekend concluded with Relay Rocker co-founder and T1Radio DJ Trader Whiplash playing music from Woodstock as Relayers danced in the mud and celebrated late into the evening.

The Rockers wish to thank Linden Lab, X-City Games, all of our CRFB Competitors and their supporters, They also want to thank the 100’s of Relayers and Second Life residents who turn out each year for 3 Days of Peace, Love, Music & Hope at RelayStock.

Peace

The Relay Rockers

Photos can be downloaded at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nualamaracas/albums/72157680454717238/with/47088067904/ 

Chouchou Sim May Be Saved

The news about Chouchou about to close down drew quite a reaction among a number of residents. This included an appeal by Kira Balestra on the Second Life forums for Linden Lab to save the place. As it turned out, they were listening. Yesterday on May 22, Patch Linden posted the following on the forum thread:

Your calls have been heard! 
 
I need the region owner to contact me directly (via email or through support) to start the process of entering the region into the Second Life Region Preservation Society.  I have not seen contact from them so far.
So it seems the sim can be saved, but it will mean owners Juliet Heberle and Arabesque Choche contacting Linden Lab to do so. While the Lab had brought back the Lost Gardens of Apollo apparently without contacting it's owner, it took five years. Hopefully Linden Lab can get in touch with the musicians for a smooth handover.

Stay tuned for further details

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: "RFL Party For The World" , Saturday and Sunday May 25-26

From 1PM Saturday May 25 to 1PM Sunday May 26, a 24 hour Relay for Life event will be taking place at the Kyral Threndor Yacht Club. Fifteen DJs will be taking part in the event. Besides the music and dance, some RFL swimwear is up for sale, only available at the event, and two sailboat skins are up for auction.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Absolution/90/165/29

Announcement: 15 Year Collection of RFL Linden Bears!! Get Yours!

The special 15 year commemorative collection of Linden Bears is now for sale in the Relay building.  If you've missed getting any of the bears in the past, you can now grab them individually, at the reasonable fee of only $L75 each OR you can just buy the entire collection.  Come and get yours!!

Remember.. every bear we sell goes towards our goal! Enjoy!

American Cancer Society (118,46,24)

Interview With Marcel Mosswood

In a few weeks, the Second Life Newser will be celebrating it's ninth anniversary. Last year, we gave the reporters a chance to speak a few words. Since then, we've had one more join the crew: the talented Marcel Mosswood. Her fellow reporter (and virtual neighbor) Deaflegacy recently interviewed her, and Marcel had a few things to say.

Read Deaflegacy's interview in Extra.

Miss Globe Universal Pageant, An Interview With The Chairman

To some, beauty pageants are old-fashioned reminders of a bygone era. Others see them as a chance for women to shine. In Second Life, every year there is the Miss Globe Universal Pageant. The pageant seeks to "empower women from all over the world, build the confidence they need in order to do their absolute best and help further build careers" and "challenges all women in every way and helps them discover new things during their journey's." Marcel Mosswood recently had a few words with its founder and Chairwoman, Rose Mikaelson (DjRoseAthena). Rose had a number of things to say about the upcoming event.

Read Marcel's interview in People.

Chouchou Sim Reportedly To Close

Some sad news. According to New World Notes, the Chouchou sim will reportedly be closing soon. Made by two Japanese musicians who named it after their band, they stated the sim would close this Friday or any day afterwards. The two musicians, vocalist Juliet Heberle and composer Arabesque Choche, had met in Second Life, and performed there in numerous events without having met each other in real life. But eventually the couple did meet for real, married, and have a child. While they have been expanding their audience over the Internet, they cut back on their performances in the virtual world.

The scenery of Chouchou, and it's sister sim Chouchou V, was artistically beautiful. When I arrived, all was night and everyone around were black silhouettes. The soft ambient music added to the atmosphere. Visiting later, night had turned to day, first a cloudy white sky, then a clearer blue one. Besides the ground area with a few features such as a piano in the water, a half-sunken birdcage, and ladder leading up to nowhere, clicking on the last one led to two places in the sky. These were Islamey, a Japanese temple with cherry blossom trees, and Mememto, a large cathedral. There was a cinematic hud one could touch and receive, which made the screen look like a movie theater projection.

It was Kira Balestra, a fan of the sim, whom had told Hamlet Au that the sim was set to close. She appealed in the Second Life forums for the sim to be saved, which received numerous fan pictures.

By all means, visit the place before it's gone.

Flickr page

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chouchou/187/129/23

Source: New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

New Second Life Viewer Release Notes Website

There was some noteworthy news in the Second Life Tools and Technology blog on May 16 , Release Notes.

Over seven years ago, I posted my first set of Viewer release notes to the Second Life Wiki, where we have kept all of our release notes to this day. Over the years, we’ve made some minor tweaks to the appearance and how we generate them, but for they most part they have remained the same.
 

While the wiki has served us well for release notes, it’s time to improve their readability and browsability. We’ve been putting together the finishing touches to a new website dedicated solely to release notes, with a new look and feel that makes the individual pages easier to find, and easier to read - take a look!

Previous release notes will still be archived on the wiki, however, new releases will be shared and published on the new website.

 

Our goal is to improve overall accessibility and ease in browsing and reviewing release notes. I, personally, am excited to see the dedicated new website and hope you are too!

The website has more than just it's main page, but also separate pages for Repositories, Version Numbering, their Viewer Support Policy (to support their two most recent viewers), and pages for recent viewer releases, such as 6.2.2.527338 .

As mentioned, the Second Like Wikia also keeps records of release notes.

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan

Events This Week at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and CDS Clubs

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, Lyuba's Game and Dance Center, and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Best in 'S,' Rainbow Colors, Law and Disorder

The Happy Vixen: Anklebiters, Caramel and Chocolate, Best in Blue, Best In Gold, Best in Pink, Military, Pantsless, Nude, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowbuns,  TBA, The Blues Furs

Montecito Bay:Sharks, Sun and Surf, Chamber Music, Creepy n Cute, Neon, Anti-Love, Wildlife

FF Furscape: CAYA, Celtic/Green, Sci-fi, Barely There, Anime, Newbs/Trollls, Horror, Late Night, Jungle, Formal, Leather and Lace

Lyuba's Game and Dance Center: Apocalypse to Thunderdome, Monday Blues

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

CDS Election Results

Last week, the elections in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators took place. With the Chancellor Samara Barzane (Kyoko) running unopposed, the only contest was for the six people running for five open seats in the Representative Assembly. On Saturday May 18, Callipygian Christensen announced the results in a group announcement, and on the forums.

As  a member of the SC, and manager of these election polls, I would like to thank all the candidates who placed their names on the ballot and offered to serve.

The successful candidates,  forming the next RA, will be:

Em Warden
Lyubov
Laura Azalee
Rosie Gray and
MadmaxSoulLover.

Twenty four (24) ballots were cast representing only 37.5% of eligible voters.

Congratulations to the winners.

RFL Team Sunbeamers "Bid Me" Results

Earlier this month, Relay for Life's Team Sunbeamers started two more of it's "Bid Me" events. WolfSinger SilverShadow (WolfSinger Fluffball) volunteered for "Bid Me Bunny." Team Captain Rita Mariner put her appearance on the line as well with "Bid Me To The Dogs."

The four kiosks were at Club Cutlass for people to donate to, having until Friday May 17 at 8PM to do so. Shortly after time was up, the results were made public in a group announcement.

WOLFSINGER

WOLF - 50L
BUNNY - 13,010L - 4 weeks as a rabbit

RITA

BUNNY - 1065L
DOG - 6,025L   - 2 weeks as a dog

So far, Rita's been taking her new look in stride, cracking a few dog jokes here and there. But Rita having a reputation as a tough bunny, so far no one's talking about putting her on a leash. As for "Bunnysinger," so far no comment from the DJ whom will now have to deal with "hare-raising" puns.

With these "Bid Me" events done, and the Relaystock over, the team is looking towards the Relay Weekend, a few weeks away. There may or may not be one more event. But at Platinum level fundraising, it can only be considered a successful season for "The Little Team That Could."

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Survivors and CareGivers at the Relay Weekend

Surivors and Caregivers we need you!!

Relay weekend is to celebrate our Survivors and their Caregivers (remember caregiving is physical and virtual)

We need your help to get things ready!

#1 - Survivor sim
Please fill out the attached notecard and return to Savannahraye or Lizzy Gracemount as soon as possible. We are asking that all notecards be returned by May 15!

Your photos (and stories)  will become part of the Survivor sim build!

Also, we are updating the old Survivor stories book (the current one is from 2011!) and are including Caregivers stories as well.  The book will be available for you to receive a copy on the Survivor sim during Relay weekend - then will be moved to Hope Haven following Relay. The new format will be an online magazine!

#2 - RFL Honor Lap
Have you registered for the 2019 Honor Lap for our Survivors & Caregivers? This is the opening lap of Relay! Registration for the Honor Lap is not required - but it helps us make sure everyone is spread out around the track (so we don't crash the sims from the start!) You will also be invited to join the RFL Honor Lap group and be given a tag as a Survivor or Caregiver.
Register here:
http://bit.ly/2YcLo2Q

#3 - Survivors and Caregivers Gifts
If you would like to donate a special gift for our Survivors & Caregivers to receive during Relay weekend, we would love to have them! All gifts are welcome - mens, womens, childrens, decor, avatar enhancements, etc.
Questions or to donate, please contact-
ℳαч Iνч Äмaяa Рєndrαgσn (raidenrose)

If you have any questions or need any further information about celebrating our Survivors & Caregivers Relay weekend or Survivors & Caregivers inworld support, please contact Sandie Slate (Sandie Loxingly)

SciFi Convention 2019, An Interview With Merky (Richmerk)

From May 17 to May 26, The Sci-Fi Con is taking place in Second Life. This nine-day celebration of science-fiction from traveling to strange new worlds in space to powerful supercomputers and intelligent robots to superheroes and supervillains with strange powers battling one another, and more, raises money for the Relay for life of Second Life. SL Newser reporter Marcel Mosswood recently had a chance to interview Merky (Richmerk), the Coordinator of the event. Merky had a number of things to say about the con.

Read Marcel's interview in Events.

Reader Submitted: Blast From the Past - Fox Haven

Everyone in Second Life has a story, it's just a question of how long and how detailed. It's a similar detail with places. Some are private areas sealed from public view that are known only to the owners. And then there are communities where dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people interact and do things together. SL Newser reader Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich Resident), recently sent a story about a place he used to live at: Fox Haven. It wasn't a large community like Caledon and the Sunweavers, but a number of people called it home. Eventually, real life pressures on the owner caused the land it stood on to fold. But the memories go on.

Read Cyfir's reader submission in Places.

A Busy Weekend

Quite a lot happened this weekend in Second Life. Bay City, Second Life's largest urban area and community, celebrated it's 11th anniversary with a parade and party. The Relaystock took place with three days of rock music, dancing, and mud. The monthly benefit concert took place at Veterans Isle. The Sci-fi con was going on. And more.

More on some of these events later.

New Linden Home Houseboat Area Opened, 709 Homes Sell Out In 27 Minutes

Last week on May 14, Linden Lab opened up a new Linden Homes area, just east of the northeast coast of the new Bellisseria continent. The new area was made up of forty-eight sims, forty of which were Linden Home houseboats, and the docks and shore they were moored at.

Daniel Voyager had a couple articles about the new sims and their houseboats (article 1) (article 2). While it was announced in the blog that the new homes would probably be available "with in the next 24 hours," no exact time was given until at 10AM when Patch Linden announced they were ready.

While they were expected to sell fast given the demand, the results were probably a surprise to all but the most diehard fan. Daniel stated that all 709 new Linden Home houseboats were snapped up in just twenty-seven minutes!.

With such demand, it's almost certain that there will more more Linden Homes available soon. Will this be the rest of the Bellisseria mainland that has yet to be placed or another purely houseboat area? Time will tell.

Lower image credit: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

From Club Cutlass. Looks like Dark Helmet's Schwartz just ran out at a rather inconvenient time.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Mac on Trial"

(Click here if the video does not play)

From "TheOtherSideBand InSecondLife in April 20, a video about the justice system in the Tombstone roleplay community, "The arrest and trial of Mac McLeary."