Luskwood's Rumble in the Jungle

Last Saturday, I decided to stop by Luskwood to see what was going on. The place certainly had changed since I last stopped by, the Big Tree's platform now overgrown with grass. This might have been a one day happening as I noticed a sign: "Jungle Party - March 26." It was today. These kinds of events don't happen too often at Luskwood, so I checked the map for the nearest cluster of avatars, and headed over.

In the Perry sim next to Lusk, an ancient ruin had been set up, with a rain forest and waterfall around it. There were about a few dozen avatars gathered there, so it took a while for them to rez, and there were probably a couple whom never appeared more than a cloud. With Lusk's strictly enforced PG rating, residents at the tree stay in their clothes. It was somewhat relaxed at the party, with the majority of the avatars wearing loincloths, resulting in a few bare thighs. A few appeared looking like Victorian explorers.

I noticed one security guy looking like some kind of space probe, presumably keeping an eye out for griefers. Mousegirl AnneDroid Lilly stood over the bunch, wearing skins and a ham in her hand (hamming it up?). Blogger Treminari Huet was also there. And in the middle of it all was popular Luskwood Founder Michi Lumin, the skunkgirl still in her trademark tank top and top hat.

Luskwood is one of the oldest social areas in Second Life, as well as the location of the Luskwood furred avatar company. Some in Second Life get their start here, either by stumbling across it, some poping over from the entry area for newcomers, or by hearing about the location. This includes yours truly.

I don’t drop by as often as I used to, but that night was a fun time to be back.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Cheeky Cow Golf Course

Gemma Cleanslate checks out a golf course in Second Life, The Cheeky Cow Golf Club. One can take the free golf lessons, or dive right in. There are eighteen holes of fun, plus a tavern and a horseback riding area.

Read about Cheeky Cow in Places.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Fundraiser at Madpea

Madpeas are going mad for your cash. We have had a fantastic response from SL's entertainers who want to perform for you and now we need YOU to dance & donate for the Japanese Red Cross April 1st-3rd http://madpeagames.com/madpeaaid/

Madpeas islands of games are generously sponsored by Cha Klaar who is a RL doctor in Japan. Now we need to give something back, if you have ever enjoyed a Madpea game please come and donate this weekend April 1st-3rd. We have some of SL's best entertainers to ease the L$ from your pocket. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross in Japan via Cha Klaar.

Judi Newall

Madpea is at the Hoshi Island sim.

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Shelter

Open for almost seven years, "The Shelter" is one of the oldest and most noted newcomer help places in Second Life. Xymbers Slade recently stopped by, and asked one of the staff a few questions.

Read more about The Shelter in People.

Would-Be Bandit Bungles Bank Robbery at Podex Exchange

It was just an ordinary day at the Podex Exchange when something highly unusual showed up, a bank robber.

A masked man in dark clothes walked in, acting calmly, headed to one of the tellers, and then drew a gun, “This is a stick-up! Hand over all your Lindens, no one gets hurt.”

The teller just stood there, stunned at the surprise threat. Then he blinked, recognizing what was pointed at him, then chuckled, “A popgun? Funny joke buddy.”

“This ain’t no joke!” The man then fired at the glass on the counter. But instead of shattering it, the projectle harmlessly bounced off the surface.

Everyone then stared at the would-be armed robber, one saying, “Okay wiseguy, you just earned yourself a police call.”

The criminal then turned tail and ran, sprinting out the door. But a woman sitting not far from the exit grabbed a small tray, and chucked it at the fake pistol packer. It struck him in the back of the head, and he fell into the sand outside, knocked out.

The bandit was soon picked up by the SLPD, and charged with Second Degree Griefing, “Sly Cooper he wasn’t.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Bixyl Shuftan

Events this Week in Second Life from March 29 to April 4

March turns to April this week, and the events keep on coming. Tonight Live is back after a break. There are a few new events at Book Island, a club reopened, SpiritValley, and there is the Relay for Life 2011 Fantasy Faire.

For these events, and many more this week, go to Events.

RFL Fantasy Faire 2011

* * Fantasy Faire 2011, April 2 - 10th * *

Proudly brought to you by
Friends Fighting Cancer
Strong! Together!
...
with the Spirit of Hope!

From Saturday April 2nd to Sunday April 10th 2011, thousands of Second Life residents and creators are coming together to support the American Cancer Society's vision of a world without cancer. Friends Fighting Cancer (FFC) have transformed nine sims of Second Life into a fantasy wonderland: the Fantasy Faire 2011 to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life (RFL of SL).

The Fantasy Faire 2011 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers and performers in the virtual world. Ten days of commerce, special events, live music concerts, exclusive items auctions, RFL ribbon hunts and fundraising to benefit Relay for Life and the fight against cancer. Avatars, clothing, furnishings, gadgets, goodies and exclusive items are available from top SL Fantasy Creators in stunning sims designed by builders creating some of the most noticeable fantasy spots on the SL destination guide.

This nine sim event is bringing together such fantasy genres as Fairy, Elven, Magic, Mermaid, Goth, Demon, Vamp, Neko, Micro, Steampunk, Sci-Fi and more including fantasy landscaping and appearance such as skin & hair! FFC's goal in 2011 is to raise $20,000 USD for RFL of SL. The Fantasy Faire 2011 will also offer visitors an opportunity to celebrate the survivors of cancer, remember and honor loved ones lost, and to fight back with the American Cancer Society.

The Fantasy Faire 2011 is made possible by the generous support of Sim and Event Sponsors: Dark Goddess Designs, Evie's Closet, Fallen Gods, Fantasy Furniture by Arachne Anatra, Hoof It, Mer Betta, Petable, The Looking Glass, The Arcanum, T R I D E N T, Mycon3 fantasy sim & Fondazione Connell - The Project

To join us this year just search for "Fantasy Faire Central" on the map - open to the public 2nd - 10th April, 2011.

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This year's third annual Fantasy Faire is produced by Friends Fighting Cancer, an international team of people who have been involved with the RFL of SL for the past five years who are all committed to helping the American Cancer Society reach this year’s goal of $300,000 USD.

Since its inception in 2005, the RFL of SL has grown in both attendance and fundraising. With almost $275,000 USD raised last year RFL of SL has become the largest fundraising event in the virtual world.

The stunning fantasy environments and surrounds have been created by some of SLs top builders including the wonderful Elicio Ember (Cerridwen's Caldron), Mayah Parx ( Epic Toy Factory), Alia Baroque (Fallen Gods) Piedras Chama & Nonna Hedges (Natural Fantasies), Numberofthebeast Angelus (see his work at Arcanum), Marcus Inkpen & Sharni Azalee (The Looking Glass), Zander Greene & Lauren Thibaud (Thibaud Green Industries) and we're very excited to welcome Sextan Shepherd (who will be bringing elements of his famous steampunk "Nemo" build back just for the Fantasy Faire!)

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As with all events this size, there will be lag. We have done our best to keep it as low as we can but we’ll also need your help. Be considerate of your fellow shoppers - keep prims and bling in your pocket, turn off your AOs and other scripted HUDs (you will find the going easier for yourself). Low prim clothes are available at each teleport point so that you can show your support for The Relay for Life and help everything run smoother PLUS our secret Fairy Godmother will be dropping FABULOUS prizes on people with really low Avatar Render Cost and Scripts for doing such a great job at keeping the lag down!

----------------------------------------------------------------

For more information please contact:

Captain Ember Farina or Co-Captain Zander Greene in SL
or email us at FantasyFaireSL@gmail.com

The official FFC Fantasy Faire 2011 website - http://www.FantasyFaireSL.wordpress.com
is updated regularly with news of the Fantasy Faire Sponsors, Featured Creators, limited availability auction items, competition & event details.

The Fantasy Faire in SL Flickr group - http://www.flickr.com/groups/fantasyfairesl/
will soon be showing limited release items available in the Fantasy Faire vendors or auction and also giving details of great competitions.

Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345.


Email: FantasyFaireSL@gmail.com
Blog: http://fantasyfaireSL.wordpress.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/fantasyfairesl/
RFL in SL: www.relayforlife.org/secondlife

Questions About Linden Lab’s “Local Payment” System

Checking Tateru Nino’s “Dwell on It” blog, one of the Second Life blogs I peek at on occasion, I found a little bad news. It seems some sims owned by Europeans are at risk of vanishing. The problem, Linden Lab’s new “Local Payment” system. According to her post on the matter, the system is buggy, a number of people with premium accounts not able to make their payments. And when landowners ask that their sims not be taken down, the answer they get is, “I cannot assure you of this at this time.”

Tateru’s post got a number of replies, some saying they too have been having trouble with the “local payment” system. Checking the Linden Blog, there was an official post that the system had problems, but assured they were fixed. That wasn’t the opinion of at least one person in the forums.

As Tateru put it, it’s near the end of the month, and not a good time for silence from the Lab.

This news comes at a time in which some Second Life friends of mine have been “testing the waters” in alternative virtual worlds such as AVN and Inworldz. If anyone ends up losing sims because of bugs in the new system, some may just resettle in one of these worlds.

Bixyl Shuftan

Sunday Cartoon

By Bixyl Shuftan

Here’s to You, Kara Nakamori

Second Life can be one experience after another, but for many what makes it valuable are the people we share it with. And for those starting out, the people we run into can make a difference. For myself, one such person whom helped make my early days in Second Life worthwhile was Kara Nakamori. Her friendly manner made her someone I still think of three years after her departure from the Grid.

Read more in People.

Xymber Slade's Horoscopes for April

Xymbers Slade has his horoscopes up for April. What do the stars have in store for us? Xymbers has a few answers.

Read Xymbers' Horoscopes in Extra.

Latest SL Beta Viewer has Basic and Advanced Modes

In the Linden blog entry on March 18, Rodvik Linden talked about Linden Lab making efforts in customer service, lag, and usability. The latter was the main point of the post:

Many of you have noted that Second Life is difficult to use, both for yourself and when inviting friends inworld. This usability issue is more complex than the user interface as it not only includes finding people and places, but it is also is dependent on some of the items above. We want to make an experience that helps you overcome some of the big usability hurdles that you’ve shared with me.

Today, we’re launching a new version of Second Life Viewer Beta which introduces two modes that are available to everyone who downloads it--Basic and Advanced.

Basic mode is an easier, simplified experience designed to introduce users to Second Life. It includes simple communication and navigation tools such as click to move and hold to move the camera, a choice of 24 pre-configured avatars, and an integrated Destination Guide to help you connect to friends and interesting places quickly and easily. Certain functionality, such as voice capability, building tools, and the ability to purchase virtual goods, is not available in Basic mode.

Advanced mode is for those already familiar with Second Life who use the full feature set of the SL Viewer.

There were numerous comments in the feedback forum. Among them was Shockwave Yareach, “Click to move comes right out of Blue Mars. I hated it then and I hate it now.” Opinion was mixed, some feeling it was useful for newcomers, others feeling it was flawed one way or another, or overall too stripped down.

Yours truly downloaded the beta viewer, but was unable to run it. Looking for reviews elsewhere, Daniel Voyager’s Blog had a Youtube of the Beta Viewer’s Basic Mode.



In “Dwell on It,” Tateru Nino wrote she liked it overall, though thought it was difficult to move around, “the click-to-move feature gets tangled up with the rest of the UI, causing a lot of unexpected frog-hopping, plus that feature’s tendency to jam the avatar through walls and other intervening obstacles.” Still, in her opinion it was good for someone coming to Second Life for the first time. But wrote that the idea that all that was needed to attract and retain newcomers was a better viewer was "dead wrong."

Hamlet Au in New World Notes commented on the feature in which one could change the avatar’s appearance in a single click, “This will likely change a new Second Life user's understanding of an SL avatar, making it seem less like a concrete persona that represents important aspects of your real life self or personality. (Which is how most long-term Second Life users see their avatar.)” He saw a resemblance to “The Sims,” which Rod Humble worked on before coming to Linden Lab, “So it's a very significant change. And, in my opinion, a good one: The Sims franchise is many times larger than Second Life ... But as The Sims begins to show its age, it's a safe bet than some Sims fans will look to a revived SL to take their imagination to another level.”

At the end, Hamlet joked one might expect to find new residents from “The Sims” to ask where the bathroom was.

Sources: Linden Blog, Daniel Voyager's Blog, Dwell on It, New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

Xymbers Slade’s Interview by Sam Nightfire

Freelancer Xymbers Slade recently made an appearance on Samantha Nightfire's Virtual Tonight talk show. Sam wanted to know about his fortune telling through tarot cards. There were a few technical glitches, but Xymbers gave Sam a demonstration.

Read about the interview in People.

Burn2 Rite of Passage

Burning Equinox begins this coming Friday at 10:30 AM SL time. Workers are preparing the playa for lots of fun. Kev Sweetwater has the Department of Public Works busy constructing roads, public buildings, The Man, a Temple and more. There is a group creating new porta-potties with all kinds of décor.


There will be activities going on all day Saturday and Sunday. Doctor Gascoigne has stage managers ready to assist the performers at the stages. I found the Myst Dancers on stage preparing for their show. They will enthrall you with their moves. Many well known DJs have signed up for the parties which look like they are going al day and all night. Ladyslipper Constantine and Exorcist Uriza are busy with the Rangers who will be assisting anyone on the playa. This midyear time on the playa is always a great time that you all will enjoy so remember the dates March 25 through March 27.

One thing I am sad to hear is the Yokohama Marching Band will not be able to perform due to the horrific situation in Japan. I know there will be some fun races going on with awesome art cars. The Lamplighters will be processing daily which is always a wonderful sight. Plan some time to spend on the playa.

Keep an eye on this blog for more information: http://www.burn2.org/ You will find the entrance SLurl on that page also for Friday at 10:30 with the Grand opening at 11:00 AM SL time.

Gemma Cleanslate

Japan's Nuclear Fashion Disaster

With the recent devastation in Japan, people in both the music and fashion industries have been offering their support. Any1 Gynoid reports on the Pacific Crisis Fundraiser, which raised a total of over a million Lindens on it's first day alone!

Read Any1's story in Events.

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

Never Give Up Japan

A project to show support for our friends in Japan has been created by SL residents Clubkenjin Loon and Nekonuko Nakamori. “Never Give Up Japan” is at JAPAN DREAM KENJIN MALANDI , MALANDI (101, 119, 146).

Loon and Nakamori are making a Wall of images to show support and give hope to the people of Japan after the devasting earthquake of March 11. The images are being created by other Second Life residents and posted on the open squares. When the card is filled, Clubkenjin Loon (director of "Girls in the Sky") will make it into a movie and present it to the Japanese people to show our concern.

Images can be contributed by using the LM above. Fly close to an open space, click on the center and drag an image to it. There is also a kiosk on the LM site where Linden Bears for Japan can be purchased.

Grey Lupindo

Relay For Life Cross Country Giant Snail Race

"Giant Snails kick-off the 2011 Relay For Life in SL season with the March event: a 60+ sim cross country race across the Second Life mainland. It's crazy fun for everyone and all for the great cause of finding a cure for cancer." treet.tv

Among those in the race, Daaneth Kivioq, and Sabine McGettigan appeared in their own giant snail avatars. Daaneth got third place, and this trophy which can be seen in the Southern Colorado sim.

Changes at the New Bastogne WW2 RP

The first few months of 2011 have been a time of change for the New Bastogne WW2 combat roleplay area. More sims have meant a fresh look for the region. More events give the soldiers and pilots something to do here besides fight. And recently was the Anniversary Party, celebrating one year since the historical combat area came to be as it is known today.

For the article, go to Places.

Events this Week in Second Life from March 22 to March 28

It's a week filled with events in Second Life, from talk shows to holiday parties to book readings, we have a small list of what events to go to in Second Life

Read about the article in Events.

Over 500K Lindens Raised for Japanese Relief at “Go for Japan”

On the weekend from Saturday March 19 to Sunday Mach 20, the “Go for Japan” fundraiser took place in Gwampa's Dance Camp. Also known as the Pacific Crisis Fund Benefit Concert, the event lasted for over 40 hours involved many musicians, and raised over five hundred thousand lindens for the American Red Cross for their efforts in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country.

The event was set up at the four-corner meeting place at four sims, Pango Pango, Zeide Kamp, Gwampa Castle, and Bali Bali. The stage was set up at the Pango Pango corner with the official location of the event at Zeide Kamp (238, 241, 21), even though two other sim corners were available for the audience. Besides dancing around in the grass, one could also sit on some pillows in Bali Bali, or lie on some other pillows floating over Zide Kamp and Gwampa Castle.

There were a few dozen musicians taking part in the fundraiser. Among them were Lyn Carlberg, FunkyFreddy Republic, Lexie Luan, CraigLyons Writer, and more.

On the night of Sunday March 20, the total raised slowly crept up to the half million mark. Finally while Edward Kyomoon was playing, the total amount raised reached 500,000. The sight was greeted with applause and cheers of “Woooot!!” Edward continued to sing, and at the end told the audience, "Thanks for all your generosity, helping out the Red Cross," before handing the stage to Grif Bamaisin, the last musician of the event.

As even the most casual of news readers knows, the earthquake and tsunami wrecked enormous damage to Japan. One estimate of the economic damage puts it as 180 billion dollars. Some entire small villages were wiped out. One estimate puts the number of dead and missing at over 16,000, a toll almost always seen from a disaster striking a Third World country, not one of humankind’s most advanced societies. Curiously unlike previous disasters such as Haiti, there have been few fundraisers in real-life in comparison. With Japan having a debt more than twice the total dollar amount of it’s economy, fundraisers like “Go to Japan” will be a welcome relief.

For a link to the American Red Cross, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan

Sunday Cartoon: WW2 RP Area

By Bixyl Shuftan

White Mouse Power

At one party a friend was hosting, someone’s AO muttered something so crude, it shocked everyone into silence. What did we do in response? Find a way to diffuse it with humor.

For the story, go to People.

Weekly Tank Rallys in New Bastogne

This month in New Bastogne, every Saturday the combatants in the WW2 combat RP take a break from the fighting for a tank rally. The objective, to either get your tank past a course full of obstacles and explosive traps, or blow up all the other tanks. "It's a blast."

Read more about the rallys in Events.

Club Little Dove to Hold Only RFL Events Until July

Little Dove is fulfilling the reason it was created, to serve Relay for Life. She will be taking a break from regular events now until the end of July, allowing all RFL teams to hold events to help the fight against cancer. This is her mission.

There will be open events for RFL announced here for events held aboard her that everyone is welcome to take part in. Wish her luck as she joins the battle against cancer and support her when you can.


Nydia Tungsten

Goonies Escapades

Gemma Cleanslate was recently contacted by one of the Second Life kids, and invited to take another look at Goonies Island. The place has been updated, and renamed Escapades. Here, one can find new sights, and new adventures.

Read about Goonies Escapades in Places.

"Go For Japan "

Well , this is such very sad news, horrific beyond belief . . one of the 5 worst impact earthquakes in recorded history - the damage yet to be assessed, but we know the numbers are to be staggering. It is incumbent upon us to recognize the plight of our fellow man, and i call upon myself and you to help as we can to provide relief. To that end , we are now organizing SAT March 19 as Japan Catastorphic Relief Benefit Day and asking for your support .. a 24 hour marathon - 30 min gigs . L$ to Red Cross

TOGETHER WITH

An emergency fundraising effort for the victims of the crisis in the Pacific that hit on the 10th/11th of march is being set up.

SL is an international community, with a strong base in Japan specifically. This disaster is worldwide and affects us all, as a community SL has risen up time and time again to help out in times of distress, including very recently.

In September 2010 11,000 us dollars was raised for the Pakistan flood crisis relief fund (UNICEF) at an SL event. An event organised in four days. This is an example of what our community can do, and we are attempting to prepare for a similar, simple but effective, event.
We are calling for anyone who wishes to help with this fundraiser. We will be providing vendors that donate 100% of sales to a charity account (Charity Shelter) for people to place in their stores and at an event location ?. The products in these vendors don't have to be new, but the more new and exclusive items available the more money we will raise, so even a variation of an existing product is appreciated.

We welcome any and all participation and interest in this event - if you'd like to participate as a designer please go to - http://www.tinyurl.com/pacificfund

We require all brands involved to have one product sold at 100% to the charity, however if more than one item is available the others can be at 100% or 50%.

Please note that 100% of all money raised will go to the charity Americares (http://www.americares.org/). Land was donated by Glam Affair and all volunteers are giving their time without charge.
____________________________________________________________________


We now have an awesome group of performers lined up for our 24+ hours of event "GO FOR JAPAN"

We have a presence with Face Book , Ustream, Linden Labs, CNN RL , and within our SL communuty . Bravo for stepping up to the plate as we collaborate for Pacfiic Relief .. we collected almost $2000 USD even now ..
As we know the Japanese government has humbly said "please don't send funds directly." They are accepting Red Cross and Unicef interventions (Americares) at this time with their direct send goods.

The Location: Zeide Kamp, Zeide Kamp (238, 241, 21)

The time: from Saturday March 19, 6AM SL time, to Sunday March 20, 10 PM

The Line-Up: many musicians from Lyn Carlberg, FunkyFreddy Republic, Max Kleene, Zorch Boomhauer and Lexie Luan, Edward Kyomoon, and more.

The Organisation: USA Catastrophic Planning and Management Institute in SL as Confederated Respoonse Force and M.U.S.I.C. EVENTS is working with Pacific Relief Fund (PROCEEDS TO USA NATIONAL RED CROSS AND AMERICORE Disaster Relief Fund distributed by UNICEF to Japan)

The Team:
Joy Teskat and Patrick Thorkveld
together with many helpers !

JAPAN SAYS THANK YOU

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Second Life Newser

zFire Xue Banned From Second Life

In the latest development of the Redzone controversy, the maker of the product zFire Xue (and apparently his alts) have been banned from Second Life by Linden Lab.

Checking the Redzone forum, it appears to be down.

In the two weeks since Linden Lab finally moved against the alt-detecting product, there has been much discussion about zFire Xue and what he might be up to. There have been reports hackers have broken into his database of accounts and IP addresses. The No2Redzone blog stated not only was ZFire manually adding the accounts of Greenzone users to his blacklist, they went as far to say in real life zFire was a convicted criminal just before they announced his banishment.

This may not be the end of the story, considering zFire's threats to sell his Redzone service outside Second Life and Marketplace. But to those whom have continued to campaign against him, this is a development they have been waiting for.

For more, read: No2Redzone, Dwell on It, The Alphavile Hearld, Treminari's SL Blog. The Hydra also had a commentary, saying Redzone could just be the beginning of a serious privacy scandal for Linden Lab.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

Alvastra Monastery

Grey Lupindo reports on the Alvastra Monestary in the Gigli Aragami sim. A reproduction of the ruins of the real-life monestary before it was restored, the place offers a chance to meditate or enjoy the natural beauty of the numerous flowers and plants.

Read about the location in Places.

ROMA Sim Celebrates Italian Unification Aniversairy

Thursday March 17 is not only St. Patrick's Day, but is also considered the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. The Roma sim in Second Life will be having a number of events to celebrate the historic event, in the style of Ancient Rome, the high point being the Grand Feast at 2:30 PM SL time (11:30 PM Italian time) at the Roma Subura sim (138, 128, 5) .

For more information, check the Roma blog: Here.

Events this Week in Second Life from March 15 to March 21

"Top-o th' mornin! Tis be St. Potty's week! Be checkin' out th' Grid this week fer events of the holiday o' th' Em'rald Ile. There even be a sim named Dublin, which be havin' events all th' Day o' the Wearin' o th' Green. But there be more than jus St. Potty's Day events this week, talk shows, readin's, lectures, and more."

Read about this week's happenings in Events.

What Do You Want to See Here?

Second Life Newser has the stated goal of covering a variety of topics from across the Grid. So far, we've kept it up and published daily. But there is quite a bit to write about.

So what do you the readers think we need more of? Did you want more locations? More fashion? Religious themes? More games and roleplay? Adult topics (written about in a manner safe for a family newspaper)? More on Redzone and other mischief? Newbie help? More interviews? More humor?

What do we need to show?

The 2011 Relay for Life Kickoff

Saturday March 12 marked the beginning of the start of fundraising for the Relay for Life in Second Life. And to start things off, the groups had a football style tailgate party, followed by a "kickoff" ceremony with speeches from cancer survivors.

Read about the Kickoff in Events.

Dragon Avatar Review

Dragon avatars are not quite as common as most other varieties in Second Life. Many residents know of them, but do not necessarily know where to go to get one or how many make them if they feel like getting one. Xymbers Slade paid a visit to a few makers of the scalies, and wrote a review on which wyrms are good to hook.

Read the review in Design.

Sunday Cartoon

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Newser Radio Ad on KVXN Vixen Radio

Shockwave Yareach recently voiced and made this radio ad for the KVXN Radio Station. It plays between songs on the stream, at random times.

"For a second look at Second Life."

Linden Bears for Japan Tsumani/Earthquake Reflief

With Japan devastated by the worst earthquake ever recorded there, and the ensuing tsunami that sent a wall of water that swept miles inland, people are looking for ways to help. Linden Labs is among those collecting funds for charity, by selling teddy bears with proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Our thoughts are with all of those who are suffering in the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Japan and the tsunami in the Pacific. We encourage all Second Life Residents to support the relief efforts however they can, and we would like to help.

We have created a couple of special Linden Bears (one sitting, one wearable) and set them for sale. We will donate all proceeds from sales of our bears to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief efforts of the American Red Cross.

Prices for the bears range from 300 Linden dollars to 3000L.

Relay For Life Kickoff Today

Today marks the start of the 2011 season for Relay For Life in Second Life. The Tailgate Party starts at 10 AM SL time at the Country Club sim (45, 130, 27) For the Kickoff ceremony at 11 AM, head to Casablanca Bay at (26, 224, 2029).

"Go Relay!"

Caledon's Vicerenie Kamilah Hauptman Appears on "Designing Worlds"

One of Caledon's leaders, Vicerenie Kamilah Hauptman, recently made an appearance on the "Designing Worlds" show. She came to discuss AOs and her experiences in making them, and a few other things about Second Life. This includes a little about mermaid AOs, her making one a couple years ago in which the proceeds went to Relay for Life.

Reader Submitted: Virtual Panhandlers

I believe we're starting to see a growing problem with panhandlers, possibly professional ones, probably from outside the US, hitting people up for their cash on SL. Here's some chat logs of one that I encountered today. The first is a piece of chat log from the Azure Club and Gallery group.

[2011/03/04 13:20] Janedoe3 Resident: Hi everyone, could anyone lend me 100L? I pay back tomorrow.
[2011/03/04 13:20] LadyDi Andel: no soliciting for money here

I paid her L$100, just a second before LadyDi warned against soliciting for money in this group. After the warning from LadiDi, Janedoe I.M.ed me personally, "can you lend me 700L more? ... I'll pay you back, please. I beg."

(Me): That's bait & switch. I had no problem with L$100.

Janedoe, "Please, i beg, i promise pay back, i beg ..."

The panhandler was a new account, born March 1. I suspect it to be started just for the purpose of panhandling. The L$2,300 she was trying to raise for the "AO of her dreams" is the equivalent of $9.46 US.

This is not the first time I've run up against attempts at panhandling. Another too ran up his request after I initially took the bait of giving him a small donation.

Skye Vanistok

Article edited for publishing

Second Life Artist Sabrinaa Nightfire Dies

Sabrinaa Nightfire, known in real life as Debbie Berman, was known in Second Life as an artist, notably for her “Stage 4” inspired by her personal battle with breast cancer. Earlier this week, her struggle with the illness came to an end.

There is no shortage of posts honoring her, by Leland Lee, Rowan Derryth, Apolla Manga, Claus Uriza, Hamlet Au, Bryn Oh, and others. Bryn Oh stated the family would try to arrange for an inworld ceremony to honor her, in addition to her real-life one.

She was fifty-one.

*edit* For the RFL in SL Blog post, Click Here.

Paisley Beebe interviews Azure Twine of Team GreenZone

This Sunday, with the RedZone controversy fresh in peoples' minds, Paisley Beebe had on her Tonight Live talk show a member of Team GreenZone, Azure Twine. Azure explained some about RedZone and what weaknesses it exploited and how it worked, how GreenZone was made to help keep people safe from it, and a few related issues in Second Life

Read about the show in People.

A Visit to Devil's Labyrinth, Madpea

I came after hearing about a "medical game" (which turns out to be the Virtual Medical Doctor here) where you enter a giant body and try to figure out what is wrong and then fix it.

What I got was a small store with a lot of good ideas, and not just a medical game, but several games: Kaaos Effect, Devil's Labyrinth, the Dead Man's Hand Hunt (find all 52 cards!), the Virtual Medical Doctor, and Firefly.

Instead of visiting the medical doctor, I picked the Devil's Labyrinth instead, since dungeon crawls are something I've always loved. After paying 25 $L for a hud, it was on to the maze for some exploration and monster-smashing. Well, exploration for a while at least, as after I got the first "item" I ended up dead due to a collapsing floor trap.

I'm definitely putting this in my "places to go when tired of playing Rift" folder. There's a lot of clickables, a lot of interactive things (try standing near one of their altars during the game) and even creature combat, which I never got around to. This is -exactly- the kind of thing I would have attempted to design early on in my SL career, before getting turned off by all the people crying out that LSL was a clunky garbage language. Madpea Productions also seems to offer a lot of services through a website, so if you want something like the Devil's Labyrinth, they can make it for you.

Xymbers Slade

Ash Wednesday Forehead Mark Av Tattoo

I found out from a friend about this item in SL Marketplace, an avatar tattoo made to look like the forehead mark made during Ash Wednesday church ceremonies.

Get ready for Lent with this affordable Ash Wednesday ash for your forehead. It comes as a Second Life tattoo. Just click wear and you are good to go. The item transfers so get one for your family and friends. A wonderful way to observe the special time of Lent.

Made by JP Ivercourt, this product certainly stands out, virtual goods having a reputation of catering to vanity or the riskee.