Burn2: "Seasonal Perceptions" Brings Snow and Dust Storms to January

The Winter Burn festival, the Burn2 spinoff event for the cold months of the year, "Seasonal Perceptions," is over. The builds however will be up for a few more days. And there are some particularly fancy ones. Klaus Bereznyak was there, and writes about the art exhibits and other things about the event.

Read Klaus' story in Design.

Press Release: Montecito Bay Announces the Grand Unveiling of the Magnum Opus Lounge

On Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 6pm SLT, Montecito Bay is proud to present
our very own DJ Sildrae and Host Kait performing for our Grand Unveiling
celebration of the iconic Magnum Opus Lounge.

Truly living up to it's name as a masterpiece, the Magnum Opus is the
jewel of Montecito Bay. Located right in the heart of the city, the Magnum
Opus has served as a centerpiece of the Sunset Beach community since it's
original construction.

Presenting with awe-inspiring decor from the Art Deco era, the Magnum Opus is
to be revered for it's supurb arrangements and intricate finishes which can
best be described as a blend of traditional Art Deco coupled with a modern
flair.

So please join us on Saturday, February 2nd at 6:00pm SLT to help us celebrate
the re-opening of a Montecito Bay Classic, the Magnum Opus Lounge.

Montecito Bay (60/128/23)

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Cape Florida

With many residents having to live with a cold winter in real life, many dream of taking a place where it's warm and sunny. But real-life vacations can often be a big hassle and expense. But here in Second Life, a sunny beach is just a few clicks away. Gemma Cleanslate recently went to one picturesque place with lots of warm oceanfront scenery: Cape Florida State Park. Owned by Teren Silverheart, the sim has a lighthouse you can walk the stairs up, a club with the dance floor over an aquarium, and of course beautiful beaches.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Press Release: Bay City To Hold Annual "Mole Day"

Members of Linden Department of Public Works to be honored

BAY CITY, SL (20th January, 2019) -  It's that special time of year, when the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works are celebrated by the Residents of Bay City! Remember, if the moles see their shadows that day, it means... well, that they're running advanced lighting with shadows enabled, I guess!

Bay City welcomes all Second Life® members to their annual "Mole Day" celebration on the 2nd of February, 2019. The event will be held in the Bay City Fairgrounds in North Channel

Initially honored in 2010 by Residents of Bay City, Mole Day is set aside to show appreciation for The Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the rest of the Second Life™ Grid.

Held on the same day as Groundhog Day, the event will feature a DJed set by GoSpeed of KONA Stream at 11:00 a.m. SLT, followed promptly by a performance by Melenda M. Baptiste beginning at noon..

"Moles" are members of The Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW). The LDPW is a program focused on improvements related to the experience of living on, or visiting the Linden Mainland. The LDPW is a team of Resident builders, scriptwriters, and others to create new content on Linden Lab's behalf and to the benefit of all. These Residents all have Second Life accounts with the last name “Mole.”

Moles build the infrastructure of Second Life: the public roads and railways, items in our coastal waterways and protected lands, and even larger scale projects like the Linden Homes regions, premium content and experiences, and much more.

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.

For more information, or to participate in the event, please contact Marianne McCann.

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

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Best in 'B,' Stripes/Spots, Costume Ball

The Happy Vixen: Formal Party, Leather, Oddities, Bunnies, Space, Candy, Anything But Clothing, Skimpy, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

 Montecito Bay: Envy Nightlife, Envy Nightlife, Studio 86, Flying Pickle Lounge, Magnum Opus Grand Unveiling, Envy Nightlife

FF Furscape: CAYA, Disney, CAYA, Zodiac, Magic vs Tech, Creepy vs Cute, Genderbend, Lewd, 60s

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

Islandz Discord Server Taken Down, Questions and Comments Continue

Sometime yesterday on Monday January 28, the Discord channel for Islandz was shut down. On Saturday, Elenia Llewellyn (Beth Reischl) announced that the virtual world, which was set up in November as the replacement grid for Inworldz, was closing down due to her running out of money. While there are articles about Elenia's announcement, such as the Newser's, the announcement itself and the following comments are gone.

The Inworldz Disporia Discord group ( https://discord.gg/aTDyn9U ) that was set up before the closing of the virtual world in July 2018, remains up. And numerous comments have been coming in. Many are angry and upset, such as content creators who never game permission for the goods they designed not to be used outside InWorldz who were unhappy to hear about Elenia deciding she would send back the items residents saved in OARs without going through them to see which content had the okay to use elsewhere and which didn't. But their options are limited as a lawsuit would require hiring a lawyer, and Elenia has stated she's broke and has no cash to give as compensation.

The impending closure of Islandz has brought back the sad memories of former residents of InWorldz when that grid closed in July 2018, as well as reviving discussion of why it closed. Elenia had stated that she had taken out a loan to keep the grid running, though claimed something went wrong in repaying the lender despite having the funds to do so. No one else on the team at the time seems to have been told this decision. Exactly how this came to be is only speculation, though one can guess the departure of certain members of the team that helped Elenia keep it running over the years, things went downhill. With the confusion and questions surrounding the closure, and doubts following it, only a fraction of InWorldz's users chose to move to the new grid to make their virtual home. Some people who kept the faith in the owner did move in, and Jim Tarber did join in to help out despite his earlier talk of staying out. But it wasn't enough. Instead of a new beginning, it was a sad last chapter.

Hypergrid Business, as well as Ryan Schultz and Daniel Voyager have also written about the closure of Islandz. Some people have also left comments. While Elenia may have left virtual worlds, it's fair to say the discussion of what she left behind will be talked about for a little longer.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Busy Weekend

Quite a bit happened this weekend. The 2019 Winter Burn "Seasonal Perceptions" (pictured above) took place from Friday to Sunday. The Roma community's January festival, Paganalia, took place over Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Caledon Oxbridge University held it's tenth anniversary ball. Sunday had an event at the CDS community at their Venus Cafe. Later in the day, Veterans Isle hosted a benefit concert for Homes For Our Troops.

More about these events later this week.

Islandz, Successor Grid to Inworldz, Closing Down

Following the closing of the InWorldz grid in July 2018, once second only in Second Life in size among open-ended virtual worlds, there were hopes among many of it's residents that Beth Reischl (Elenia Llewellyn) would get a new grid up and running. Finally on November 14, her new virtual world Islandz was online and open to all, especially former residents. Over time, some of InWorldz' residents moved in, and the grid grew slowly, eventually encompassing a few dozen sims.

Then on Saturday, Elenia dropped a bombshell. Islandz would soon be closing as she had run out of money to the point of being about to lose her home.


I'm just going to throw this out there now... the grid is not sustainable. We knew what our break even point was, we're not even remotely close. I'm being evicted from my home, my date of move out is Feb. 11. My mother is about to be evicted from her home because I'm working up here so they hiked her rent up as it's the same landlady. My phone is completely shut off. I have no electricity, hence why I'm up by my Mother's condo during the day. I've tried to sell my motorcycle in the States to no avail as it's not riding season.

People are disheartened at the lack of content we could restore, and I don't blame them
So, this is where we are at right now.

I woke up at 7 am trying to figure out the best way to say all this and I'm just beyond stressed, depressed and disheartened at this point.

Elenia stated she had kept things going about as long as she could, "That is where I'm at right now. I'm tired of crying every day, tired of stressing every day. ... I'm maxed out, in every way shape and form. ... I can't do this fight anymore. I have cried myself to sleep more times this past month than I care to admit to." Of the OARs content files, as she had to concentrate on her real-life family's needs, she didn't have the time to go through them to determine which content the creators had given their okay to use outside InWorldz and which didn't, "so I will simply email them out. ... no matter what I do, some of you will not be happy. ... I'd LOVE to give you all filtered oars, really, but I can't."

The response was some people upset that once again their grid was closing, plus content creators upset that their protection was gone. Elina thanked her fans for their continuing support over the months, "you guys have been great, seriously." To those who were upset at her, "I'm done with the metaverse. ... I have zero, zilch, zip, nada, just maxed out credit cards. ... I'm done. I have literally lost everything. Sorry if you all don't get that." After about an hour, Elenia made her last comment.

Over the weekend, people would continue to comment in Discord chat. Some were confused, "can someone tell me please what is going on, the only thing I read when I scroll back is that a lot of ppl are upset." Some were upset, "I am a consumer who was screwed royally." But there were many comments expressing sadness with little or no anger over their home closing once more and sadness for Elina's financial state. "Give Ele time to get over the emotion of what she told us today. It's a harder blow for her than for any of us." "This is very sad news. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Jim and Ele for fighting like lions to get Islandz up and running. I have the greatest respect for all the people I have met in Islandz who worked like Trojans to provide us all with free content. I have nothing but respect for all the selfless work done by so many here. It has been an amazing community and I am proud to have known you all." "My heart goes out to you Jim Tarber  and especially to Elenia. You have both moved heaven and earth to try to bring us back all together in Islandz. I appreciate all the months of hard work, sweat and tears you have put in. You both have my full respect for what you have done so far and tried to accomplish FOR ALL OF US."

Jim Tarber told people not to start another Gofundme to keep the grid afloat. He would go on to say, "I actually had a plan after IW shutdown to just fire up a couple of recovery servers and provide filtered OAR exports for folks for other grids. I didn't think it was realistic to try to recover everything on a new grid, with all the legal and ethical headaches (and costs) associated with that.  In hindsight, that would have saved a lot of trouble. However, Ele was so moved by the support of the community that she decided to try anyway. I'll give her credit for continuing when I didn't think it possible. But the real world has finally caught up."

There is some talk of a final farewell party. But unlike the last days of InWorldz, there is no talk of a successor grid. The only options are to choose between the Opensim worlds, or perhaps somewhere else like VRChat, Sansar, and of course Second Life. As for Elenia Llewellyn/Beth Reischl, it looks like sadly this will be the last we hear of her, at least for a long time.

Hat tip: Oldesoul Eldemar

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Mod Monday at The Avagora

7pm, Monday the 28th, we'll have the honor to represent Bullseye and Aten'Ka! We hope to see you there!
DJ: Sil
Host: Kait
Security: Pandah
Show up for some free gifts, live staff and to show your favorite modders some awesome appreciation!

Montecito Bay (132/89/702)

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen

by Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Shot Me Down"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From MysticSabreonic on May 2015

More on M and M's Sales Cancelation, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

A week ago, we wrote about Marcthur Goosson and his "M and M Creations" having two sales worth a toral of 42,000 Linden dollars being canceled by Linden Lab and the money taken. When he asked Linden Lab for an explanation, they didn't say very much other than the sales, made through M and M's Marketplace page were "done with Lindens acquired from another source." So he turned to us, and our readers, for answers.

Marxus Lefevre was the one person who answered through the Newser's article comment section, saying:

It does happen a lot actually... when I was working for an estate, which shall remain unnamed, LL would take regularly L$ from the estate owners account with above explanations. Due to close contacts with the support we eventually figured, that there were rental payments done with money acquired, i.e. from stolen credit cards etc., often from Russian or Arabian accounts. If the money was stolen from another account, which happens to often sadly too, LL would return the money to the person it was stolen from, independent of the purchases made through the offenders. I always thought it was the right thing to do though, but I understand, that it comes disturbing to Marcthur or anyone who's not aware of these things.

On the Friends of Second Life Facebook page, there were more comments. While there were accusations of "shady business practices," others confirmed Marxus' story. " This has been done for years and even on almost on daily basis. It relates to their procedure on how to handle stolen accounts. And perfectly legal. Credit card comp, banks etc all do the same by reverting payments when accounts stolen. ... This a normal buisness practice and nothing shady." "it's just a nice way of saying 'stolen lindens'."

So why didn't Linden Lab just up and say that they were returning stolen money to it's owner instead of giving vague and cryptic explanations? The only responses I got were from the Facebook chatter, "They just can't give more details than (they) did due to privacy right issues of account holder. ... by law they can't."

I don't know where to look to confirm this explanation. But if this is true, it seems this isn't simply Linden clumsiness at work, but also the law. Still, couldn't the Lab find some way to give a better explanation to a confused content creator trying to make a few dollars only to find his sales canceled and the money taken? There is also to consider that if dealing with stolen cash is a frequent problem, Linden Lab may be naturally reluctant to talk about it. In any event, this seems to be the best explanation there is for Marcthur's missing money.

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops 2019 Kickoff Event

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2019’s kickoff benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2019 kickoff of efforts in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization  Home For Our Troops . 

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since its inception in 2004, over 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. DURING THAT TIME HFOT HAS BUILT OVER 274 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2018 the community in Second Life sent over $13,000 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to may kind hearts and great Second Life performers.  HFOT built 34 homes for extremely wounded veterans in 2018.  We hope to help them exceed that in 2019!

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on January 27, 2019 is scheduled from 4 PM to 9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Quartz, Paul Nowles, Erika Ordinary and Savannah Coronet.

Sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veteran’s Group of Second Life.  To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

SL Video: Presentation of Whole Brain Health Activities on Inspiration Island in Second Life

Last Friday, the Newser had a story about Whole Brain Health on Inspiration Island. There was one thing yours truly forgot to add, a video about them made in Sept 2016.

Announcement: 2019 ROMA Paganalia Festival Schedule

Saturday, 26 January

10am - Roman Paganalia Ritual and Feast
In celebration of Paganalia, the Roman festival of sowing, we will be performing a ritual to honour Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) and Tellus (Mother Earth), followed by a feast in Collegia Religio Romana. Come join us in celebrating the beginning of the Paganalia!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Vinovium/110/231/24

12pm - Croc Race
You may have explored ROMA's Cloaca Maxima before, but have you ever raced through it on the back of a crocodile? Well now you can! Our Cloaca Croc Race will be a timed race, with the 3 best times winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Can you navigate your croc through to victory before the competition? Join the race and find out!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/211/11/580

*************************************

Sunday, 27 January

12pm - Paganalia Grand Feast

ROMA's Paganalia Festival  continues with an evening of feasting and dancing. Live music will be provided by Franklee Anatra - so come dance the night away to good tunes and great company!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/193/220/27

1pm - Legio XIII Death-match
Come watch our brave soldiers challenge each other in a a brutal death match on a rope bridge

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/79/188/42

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. 

By Bixyl Shuftan

Sagan Planetarium

People have always been interested in space and learning about it. One way of educating, as well as entertaining, the masses about the planets and stars for many decades has been planetariums. Second Life has it's own: the Sagan Planetarium. So what is the place like?

Read more in Places.

Announcement: Early Spring Library Limerick Contest

This time in the usual Valentine slot of events we are looking for limericks here in the library. All submissions will be recorded for the video archive and to play over the library stream.

Early Spring Library Limerick Contest
Open: Now
Deadline Midnight SLT Mar 18, 2019

=Suggested theme: "Anything"=
Although this is the time I usually look for Valentine-ish, friendshippy, and Irish sorts of stuff there is no theme this year. Let your imagination soar. Send in your best limericks of any sort as long as it is PG-13 or lower in rating. Best one takes the prize!

=How Do We Limerick?=
According to wikipedia:
A limerick is a form of verse, usually humorous and frequently rude, in five-line, predominantly anapestic[1] meter with a strict rhyme scheme of AABBA, in which the first, second and fifth line rhyme, while the third and fourth lines are shorter and share a different rhyme.[2] The following example is a limerick of unknown origin:

The limerick packs laughs anatomical
Into space that is quite economical.
But the good ones I've seen
So seldom are clean
And the clean ones so seldom are comical.[3]

Do your best! It's ok if it doesn't quiiiite fit the usual meter.

=Prize=
Staring Prize 1000$L. This may increase if donations are sent into the prizebank.
Each entrant will also receive 25$L for their trouble, one payment per entrant. In the future this may go up, but for now it is a minimum of this.

All submissions will be archived with the Trotsdale Library and Intersim Library Network. Text will be read and recorded for video and sound archive. Images will be incorporated into video archival as well. Winners will be announced late March. If no one enters then the prize money in the prize pool will roll over to the next contest.

Prize money will be disbursed from Hanaarashi Resident, an alt controlled by Amehana Ishtari (Arashi).

Donations to the prize pool can be sent to Hanaarashi Resident or sent via one of the prizepool book piles.

Merchandise or service prize donations please message Amehana Ishtari with a notecard stating what your donation will be and what you would like to see it go out as prize for.

=Submitting=
There are several ways to enter:
* Use the forum archival thread and post your entry below the first message. Paste your writing into the full reply box, or if an art piece you can upload and link to it, or attach to the post.
* Place your entry into a notecard and drop it into one of the listed drop boxes. For other contests: if you are submitting visual art for the contest inworld you will need to upload the image and then place this in a notecard if presenting via SL or into your forum post. You can also present both together if you note that you are doing an illustrated writing piece. If you can't afford to upload to SL then upload to your host of choice and paste the link into the card or into for forum submission.

Use the enclosed template(s) to help make sure that your entry is well marked after renaming to include your legacy name.
* Each entrant can send in up to three (3) limericks.

 * * *
Card name: (Your Legacy Name): Limerick 2019 Entry

Please ensure your entry is set as transfer, mod, and copy (full perms).

Display Name:
Legacy Name:
Preferred Pen Name:
Title:

=Written Works=
Put your limerick(s) below here:

=Written Works=
Put your limerick(s) below here:


* * * * *

=Submission Locations=
Last time there were boxes out in 6 communities but most were not used. In order to simplify for pickup there will be fewer inworld locations this time in addition to forum entries. You do not have to put your submission in them all, these are provided for convenience. Please do not send directly to Amehana.
forum: intersimlibrary.freeforums.net/thread/69/early-spring-limerick-contest-2019

Inworld:
1. Trotsdale: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Trotsdale/22/156/25
2. Nisa/Ibexia maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ontario/211/11/63
3. Luskwood: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lusk/216/169/62
4. Neighberry: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neighberry/47/76/22
5. Neighberry #2:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neighberry/130/84/23

~Amehana Ishtari (Arashi), Trotsdale Library Curator
Library Forum: http://intersimlibrary.freeforums.net
Library Website: http://intersimlibraryresources.weebly.com
Youtube Channel archival: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana

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

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Best in 'A,' Flying Away, Formal Dance

The Happy Vixen: Heroes and Villains, Back to School, Lions and Tigers and Bears, Best in Green, Sci-Fi, Hospital Hilarity, Pajama Party, Arabian Nights, Lingerie, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

 Montecito Bay:Taco Tuesday, Musical Expedition, Lem n' Em Show, Opposite Day, After Dark, Monochrome

FF Furscape: CAYA, Sci-fi, Neons, Japan, Pastels, Cybergoth, Horror, Country, Rock n' Roll

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

Reader Submitted: The Dragon Crew at Club Cutlass

Picture submitted by Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach. On Saturday January 19, the Epic Failure Show, sometimes called the Dragon Crew, took it's act to Club Cutlass. DJ Geerkil, the purplish dragon on the left, is usually the largest avatar when he plays music. But some of his big fans showed up, and they were big in stature as well, making him look a bit small in comparison. "Wow. You don't often see so many dragons," one of the people below commented. When someone wondered if the ceiling might buckle, Shockwave, who was around, responded with a grin, "Not MY roof." He explained when he and Cynthia were building the club, he was in charge of the roof, so he assured everyone it could accommodate the draconian passengers easily.

Arcadia Asylum Living Library

Longtime readers will likely remember Yadni’s Junkyard, which for over a decade was a place for newcomers and even established residents to get free stuff, and Arcadia Asylum, whom made a number of items for residents to get for free. You can find the works of Yadni, Arcadia, and others at the Arcadia Asylum Living Library. Made by Prof. Grey (BrianL61 Landar), it is his aim to "preserve the works of SL's Great Creators and Collectors" for residents to continue to be able to get and use them. Gemma Cleanslate dropped by the place to have a look around.

Read Gemma's story in Design.

How Second Life Makes Life Better For A Disabled Person

Life, virtual and otherwise, is hard enough when you're fully abled. But when you're disabled, it gets tougher. Deaflegacy, as her name suggests, has been deaf since birth, able to hear only with hearing aids. So how does she feel virtual life is for a disabled resident? When one knows how, it can make life in general better.

Read Deaflegacy's story in People.

Farshore Radio Now Has A Country Music Station

Cynthia Farshore is known for her Farshore Radio station (24/7 Internet music stream), which delivers a great mix of classic rock hits and more recent tunes. But this is not all she has to offer. Late on Sunday night, she announced the opening of a new station: Farshore Country.

Farshore Radio Has a New Stream

The Goat you got is happy to announce that Farshore Radio-The Goat has added a new stream! Farshore Country - http://69.175.94.98:8074/stream  with your favorite country stars from Hank Williams to Garth Brooks.
 The Goat, Farshore Country where you feel right at home.

Farshore Radio's main station is continuing to play it's classic rock at http://198.178.121.76:8420/stream . Cynthia also has a Steampunk-themed music station at  http://67.212.165.106:8074/stream

Cartoon of the Day: Why is Earth Feeling Ill

Taken at the Happy Vixen, with Lia in another of her avatars. So if Earth could think and feel like a person, what would make it feel sick? While some might think of the theory of Climate Change, other things come to mind.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Are You Ready"

(click here if the video fails to play)

By BloodAppleKiss on August 2010

Wisdomseeker and Whole Brain Health

When it comes to matters of health, people frequently talk about their heart, joints, and digestive system. But what about the brain? As the brain is where the mind and soul are, what goes on there affects us more than other parts of the body. There is a place in Second Live devoted to the health of the brain: Whole Brain Health. Located at Inspiration Island, it is aimed at a "multi-faceted approach to brain fitness. ... it takes place in a 3-dimensional environment allows a level of engagement that is unique to online brain-training programs." I recently had a chat with group leader Wisdomseeker (Lissena Resident) about them.

Read the story in People.

Merchant's Sales Canceled, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

Longtime readers may remember "M and M Creations," run by Marcthur Goosson. For years, he has been making quality items for sale, such as his cottages. But he recently came to the Newser after an incident that concerned the sale of some of his cottages.

Besides his inworld store at the Isle of Paradise, M and M also has a Marketplace page. Sales there were routine until December 30 when Marcthur discovered the Lindens had taken away 11,000 Linden dollars from his account, "without any warning or explanation." A few days later on January 4, he found 31,000 Linden dollars were gone. So he asked Linden Lab what was going on. They gave the following answer

Thank you for contacting support. We'll be happy to explain! We discovered the Marketplace purchase on your store was done with Lindens acquired from another source. The transaction was cancelled and the Lindens that were used were subsequently removed. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Let us know if you need any further assistance!

Marcthur messaged them again for more details, and his money back. He was given this answer.

Unfortunately we are not privy to the specifics on which Marketplace purchase was actioned against, you do have our apologies! Our Accounts Review team discovered the issue and made a determination which resulted in the removal of the Lindens spent. For security purposes we cannot reveal the source of the Lindens or who spent the Lindens through your store.

Exactly what Linden Lab meant by "acquired from another source" they never stated. Marcthur wondered if it might be "fraud or stolen Linden dollars." But with the Lab not saying more, he could only turn to the Newser. Of the items involved in the canceled transactions, "I do not know cause they do not tell me. But given the amounts ans transactions in my overview it must be mainly cottages. So my cottages are in the wild now, and who-knows-what other items (I mainly sell full-permissions only). ... I am still in conversation with Linden Lab so they might compensate me or tell me more (or give me the LL finger)."

So far, Marcthur has yet to tell me of any additional information Linden Lab might have given him, or any of the lost 42,000 Linden dollars. If anyone knows of any similar incidents, please contact the Newser about it. In the meantime, M and M Creations remains open for business.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Paradise/217/158/22

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse Party

What:    Celebrate a Total Lunar Eclipse with National Space Society in Second Life!

When:    Sunday, January 20 2019 at 19:33 - 22:50 SLT (Eclipse Sequence).

Where:    National Space Society "Tranquillity Base" ON THE MOON! (Landmark attached)

Why:    The only total lunar eclipse in 2019, visible in Western Hemisphere and western Spain, Portugal, Brittany, British Isles and Scandinavia. A rare conjunction of events:

Super Moon: Full Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, so larger, and Earth's shadow is bigger, so the eclipse lasts longer (over one hour) (and may be extra dark);

Blood Moon: Sunlight refracts through Earth's atmosphere, making a ring of red light like sunrise-sunset around the planet.

The Moon appears bathed in a dim red light. See what this looks like on the surface of the Moon at NSS' Tranquillity Base;Wolf Moon: American Indians called the January Full Moon the "Wolf Moon" after wolves singing to its brightness over the long winter night (and on the hunt).

Period of Totality: 20:41 - 21:43 SLT.

Dance to our "Space Filk and More" music and socialize with space colonists. Everyone Welcome!

Come early -- stay late!

More Info:
https://www.space.com/42830-supermoon-blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-2019.html

-- Hosted by the NSS in Second Life Team and Friends of NSS.

Tranquillity Base:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/50/100/3675 .

Prng Flagstaff, NSSinSL Planetologist

SSP Region Update

Tyche Shepherd's first Grid Status Report of 2019 on January 6 had some things of note, such as an increase of 11 sims that week, seven private and four Linden-owned. But these four had the letters "SSP" as part of the title,ssp65X, SSP66X, SSP67X, and SSP92X, and along with nearby SSP2 QA are apparently part of Linden Lab's
mystery SSP region, which is just to the south. With these new sims, the total is now slightly larger, now 389 sims in total size, though almost all the sims are part of the main mass which has been around since August.

Since the Newser's last update on the area a few months ago, the amount of change has been more gradual. But some of the sims have slowly taken on more detailed looks. Many of them from above resemble streets and homes, which could be a sign the area will be a new area of Linden homes. While this has been suggested, the exact purpose for the region has never been officially confirmed.

In a Town Hall meeting, one Linden stated SSP stood for "Super Secret Project."

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Source: Virtualverse

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: American Cancer Society Day in Second Life

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DAY IN SECOND LIFE

This January 27 2019 is American Cancer Society in Second Life Day.

Since 2004 the American Cancer Society has been part of Second Life. Most Second Life residents know The Relay For Life of Second Life, established in 2005. It is one the largest Relay fundraiser events in the world and has raised nearly $L1 Billion.  Residents may also know about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or the 'mega-event' fundraisers Fantasy Faire, SL Christmas Expo, SciFi Convention and the Home and Garden Expo.

Just as in the physical world the American Cancer Society is more that its fundraising events.  Since 1913 the American Cancer Society has lead the global fight against cancer.  In addition to funding ground breaking research the Society offers more programs for Survivors and Caregivers than any other organization, continues to fight for equitable cancer and health care and education and provides support in the fight against cancer on a global scale.

Since 2008 the American Cancer Society has had a 'local office' right here in Second Life.  American Cancer Society is a full region available to any Second Life resident who wants to know more about our programs and fundraising events. 

American Cancer Society day is an Open House to re-introduce the Society and our virtual home to Second Life residents. Visitors can:

~Learn about Hope Haven, the home of the ACS Cancer Survivors and Caregivers support groups;
~Learn more about real world programs that can assist cancer survivors and patients
~Find out more about the 2018 Global Outreach program that saw more than $70,000 (USD) raised in Second Life to support cancer patients in Kenya
~Learn how to get information about cancer and survivor support by speaking to a Cancer Information Specialist without logging out of SL
~Meet with Relay and Strides participants and learn how to take part in Second Life's largest fundraising events
~Visit the Resource Center and Catt Gable Memorial Gardens


General Information Sessions and Break outs are Scheduled for 6am to 8am; 10am to 12noon; 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm
Entertainment will Included:
12noon Austin Moores
1pm Maximilion Kleene
4pm T1Radio's Relay Rap Talk  Show
5pm Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs

Join your fellow residents and ACS Volunteers for American Cancer Society Day, Sunday Jan 27

A schedule of information sessions and times can be found here
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/126/154/21

********************
About the American Cancer Society:

For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.  Together with our global partners and millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society carries out its mission to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives, and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer. 

For More Information: www.cancer.org
                                 www.relayforlife.org/secondlife

Cartoon of the Day: Pony on the Internet

Taken at Cape Heron. So what would a pony browse online for? A few things come to mind, as do what might result from "autocorrect" blunders.

By Bixyl Shuftan (and Deaflegacy)

Sebastien Bouevier and Survivors of Suicide

Last month the Survivors of Suicide had their Christmas Fair. Having been around in Second Life for ten years, it is the largest and most recognized depression support group inworld. Deaflegacy recently interviewed the head of the group, Sebastien Bouevier. He had a few things to say about Survivors of Suicide, which has recently moved to a new location.

Read the interview in People.

Viewer Developer's Remarks on Resource-Intensive Avatars Sparks Debate

If there's a universal complaint among the residents of Second Life, it's the lag. The slowness in our viewers rendering images of objects and avatars. Except perhaps for those with the most top of the line computers, everyone gets it. But what opinions differ on is what causes it. Over time, people have pinned blame on things from blingy jewelry to breedables to poorly made objects. But last month in New World Notes, an interview with the creator of the Black Dragon Viewer suggested that some of the more popular mesh avatars were actually particularly bad causes, being so resource intensive, they would slow everyone around them. This caused quite a bit of debate about solutions.

Read more in Extra (note, links to NSFW images).

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

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Lost 60s, Mad Science, Best in Blue

The Happy Vixen: Monsters, Secret Agent Man, Mice and Mares, Pirates, Silks, Foxes, Pokemon, Skunks, Pasties and Things, Rave

Club Zero Gravity: DJ JB, DJ Sexi Lexi, Poker After Dark, Poker Tournament, Freeform DJ/Poker Tournament, DJ Snowbuns, Freeform DJ/Poker Tournament, Poker After Dark, DJ JB, DJ Sexi Lexi, DJ Applebloom

 Montecito Bay:Taco Tuesday, Scalies, Lem n' Em Show, Hobboes, After Dark, Rainbow

FF Furscape: CAYA, Wasteland, 80s, Canines, Pastels, Bits and Butts, Videogames, Fantasy, Space

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

"Hover Bug" To Be Fixed Today

On Friday January 11, dozens of tiny avatars and friends of held a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion to draw attention to the "Hover Bug" which was making some mesh avatars, tinies included, appear to float a few feet off the ground. Linden Lab listened, and it is delivering. On the webpage for Second Life on Monday January 15, the Grid Status Report area stated there would be a "Bake Service Update" for early this morning. A closer look revealed this update was the one that would fix the glitch that's caused the mesh tinies so much trouble.

We're floating a new update to help you get back on the ground! You may encounter issues changing outfits during this time.

Once the update has completed, any avatars experiencing issues with hover height will need to change outfits in order to help you stand on the ground. 

Oldesoul Eldemar, who spends part of the time in the Relay For Life as a Tiny, had a few comments about it, "Have an issue- call a tiny! Still lockin em up at Fantasy Faire! I mean dis is jest silliness!" There were a number in the comments section of the protest article, "A big box of choco waffas and a box of Wootjoos to the Lindens! Hugggles!" "On behalf of my dinky and titchy friends, thank you for fixing this!" "Thank you programmers for helping me, my frens, my frens' frens, and all those affected by involuntary flight."

So the issue seems to have been resolved, and the tinies can, to paraphrase a quote from World of Warcraft, keep their feet on the ground.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tinies Protest at Governor Linden's Mansion

So what do the tinies of Raglan Shire worry about? Usually they'll tell you it's about where their next waffles are coming from. But lately, there's been a "Hover bug" in the mesh tinies that's been driving them to distraction. So they decided to get Linden Lab's attention with a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion in Clementina. And they did so in a way of seriousness and humor only they could pull off.

Read the story in Events.

Windlight Gallery

One place Gemma Cleanslate has gone to a number of times to look at the exhibits of artwork is the Windlight Gallery. And after exploring a number of Christmas and winter places in Second Life, she decided to check out what's been going on over there. The gallery reopened earlier this month, and has new exhibits with "something for everyone." There will also be a party to celebrate the opening next Sunday.

Read Gemma's article in Design.

Press Release: First Fundraiser Social For VWBPE 2019

First Fundraiser Social for VWBPE 2019!
WHEN: Thursday, 17 January 2019 at 5:00 pm SLT (Pacific time)
WHERE: Rockcliffe Village in Second Life

Winter is perfect for dancing the night away in a beautiful winter themed venue complete with a skating rink and free ice skates! Enjoy an evening with friends and colleagues at VWBPE’s first networking and sponsorship social of 2019!

DJ Coz OKelly will be on hand to spin some fantastic dancing tunes (again donating his time in support of VWBPE).

Don your warmest, fanciest, fur-lined outfits (the one with the deepest pockets!) and take advantage of the photo ops available.

All donations are welcome, and while cash contributions (USD) are preferred, Linden dollars are also accepted. Hope you will join us for an evening of fun, networking, and fundraising.

VWBPE Sponsorship Opportunities

Cash contributions are our most appreciated form of support. The conference costs at minimum $5000 each year in order to have a successful conference. This is in a large part due to several in-kind sponsors who have been dedicated to helping this conference succeed since it first started in 2007.

One hundred percent (100%) of contributions received go to program related activities. No one involved with the organization of the conference receives a salary or stipend. Funds are used to help support our information systems, development of video and machinima archives, live video streaming, social activities, swag bag materials for conference attendees, buildings supplies (mesh 3D objects), and graphic designs.

Click here for more information, including the Sponsorship Packet

Upcoming Events
Registration is NOW OPEN
14 January: Presentation Proposals DUE
17 January: Winter Wonderland Fundraising Social
11 February: Thinkerer Award Nominations DUE
11 February: Exhibit and Immersive Experiences Proposals DUE
4-6 April – VWBPE Conference!

Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education
re:Vision
April 4-6, 2019
* Play * Explore * Engage * Immerse * Learn *

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Club Zero Gravity. DJ Snowbuns, in the red panda (Wah) avatar requested a cartoon of her. So, one was delivered.

By Bixyl Shuftan

(PS - Snowbuns gave her thumbs-up)

SL Video: Lazer Love

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Furry Alex on December 21

Feral Furry Theater Returns to Sunweaver Space

Watching movies at the theater is a pastime that has been around for over a century. With the arrival of cable TV and video tape recorders, people have been able to watch them at home alone. But it's not quite the same as watching with a group of your buddies. In the Sunweaver community, people would watch movies at the inworld theater there, the Feral Furry theater, for years. But when updates to Second Life caused problems for movie viewing, the location was closed. But last Sunday, Shockwave Yareach announced the theater was once again open.

Read the story in Design.

Linden Lab Confirms Work on Mobile App For Second Life "In Early Stages"

There's been some talk in the past several months about Linden Lab coming out with an app for mobile devices, such as iPhones and Android phones. During the "Meet the Lindens" events at the Second Life Birthday in June, Ebbe Linden stated the Lab was "thinking hard about mobile." In August, Linden Lab had a job opening for a "Senior Mobile Engineer."

Not much more was revealed, until January 9 when Inara Pey blogged that Brad Linden, Second Life's Marketing Manager, had posted about work beginning on such a project. The following day on January 10, Inara posted that he had responded to her questions, and confirmed ''we’re in the early stages of work on an iOS companion app for Second Life."

    ...we discussed at our Town Hall events last year that we’re actively looking at ways to extend the reach of Second Life to new audiences including mobile platforms. For example, we’re in the early stages of work on an iOS companion app for Second Life. 

    Right now we’re focused on getting a prototype out to our Residents, at which point we’ll be looking for feedback and suggestions. In the early stages, we will not be tying the app to a streaming service. However, we don’t have anything to formally announce yet about the specific features, capabilities, and availability.

Inara felt this wasn't much information to go on. But it did say they were in the early stages of the project. When they'll have something to release for the public is still unknown.

Source: Modem World

Bixyl Shuftan

Join the Newser Crew For a Party

The Newser crew work hard to give you the news about the people, places, and events across Second Life. But this weekend, we're going to take a little time to relax. Tomorrow at the Happy Vixen beach club, we're going to have some fun with a beach party. The party is open for most everyone to come by and say hello to the crew. And if enough come by, there will be a small prize up for grabs. The music will be provided by DJ Applebloom.

Saturday January 12

12 Noon SL time

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)   

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle : Optics for Photographers

"Optics for Photographers"
Sunday, January 13 at 10 AM PST
   
by Robert Lawson Brown, Ph.D.

A tutorial on “Optics for photographers”.

This tutorial is intended to teach practical optical concepts to persons who are photographers but have not had formal training in optics and may have acquired misleading notions from camera advertisements, the common talk on forums, and the like.

The tutorial outline is shown below.
Optics for Photographers
by Robert Lawson Brown, Ph.D.
Physicist and Photographer

Pinhole Camera
– Making a Pinhole Camera
– Using a body cap on a regular camera
– Raytracing
Field of View
– Sensor Size and Image Distance
Magnification
– Object Distance and Image Distance
The relationship of pinholes optics to lens optics.
Focal length
Depth of field
ISO, Aperture, and shutter speed.
Choosing the right lens.
Perspective is about where you stand.
Thumb through my portfolio.

The Science Circle (61/127/32)

Crew Meeting

On Saturday January 5, the Newser crew had it's first meeting of the year. Attending were Klaus Bereznyak, Deaflegacy, Gemma Cleanslate, and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We discussed ideas on what to cover this month while we still had some time before the Relay season and other events hit next month.

Stay tuned for some exciting news, some you might have seen this week already.

Press Release: Winter Burn 2019 - Seasonal Perceptions

Opening 6:00pm SLT, Friday 25 January 2019
BURN2, Deep Hole

Seasonal Perceptions: Theme for Burn2’s Winter Burn Event
Perception -- the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.

This is particularly important as we move through the seasons... especially the holidays.  However, our perceptions are affected by our environment... the things and people around us.  Even the weather!  At this time of year, one person might be shoveling the snow off his driveway while another might spend the day surfing the waves off the coast of Australia!

But it is also influenced by our imaginations.  Michael Whelan, a world-renowned artist, once did a painting of his young daughter who loved playing in the sandbox.  What he did differently is depict his daughter wearing a spacesuit and playing in a lunar sandbox!

Our perceptions ares a driving force in how we interact with the world around us.  But imagination is also a strong influencer.  Given all that, how would you perceive the seasons?  Would you reflect the environment around you... or imagine something completely off the wall and different?  Show us your "Seasonal Perceptions!"

Lamplighters will help to open the event with a walk-on from the Welcome Area to the main stage.
Artists and builders are invited to sign up for a plot (limited number, first come first served). We also have a collaborative build area set aside for Burners who would like to join a team with other creatives to build to theme. Signup is available at https://burn2.org/seasonalperceptions-buildsignup. On this form, one can indicate interest in the collaborative team or a single plot. There is also an opt-in available to be part of the Ten Principles Hunt if signing up for a single plot.

As for performers - live singers, group acts and DJs - watch for the self-signup to play at Burn2 in the next few days. If you know you are interested, you can contact Cuga Rajal inworld, until the signup sheet is available.

The Weather Machine will have its place at the center of the playa, an interactive build gleefully doomed to burn!

Mark Your Calendar and SHARE the News!

We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and community, to explore the builds and enjoy the music that will fill the air over the playa. The BURN2 Calendar at http://www.burn2.org/calendar will fill up quickly as performers sign up.

Want more information? Connect with us through our networks::
Website: https://burn2.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BURN2BURNER
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BURN2BURNERS
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Burn2.SL/
Google+ Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/114073732445186160592
Regional Page: http://regionals.burningman.com/regionals/cyberspace/second-life/

BURN2 Inworld Contacts:
BURN2 Communications: iSkye Silverweb communications@burn2.org or contact inworld
BURNING MAN Regional Contact: sl@burningman.org

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. You'd be worried too if a two foot butterfly landed on your head.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Crystal Ski Resort and Zimminyville

Christmas is over. But there are still plenty of winter-themed areas across Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate recently took a look at two. At the Crystal Ski Resort, the big attraction is of course, skiing. But there's also sledding, snowmobiles, and a place to warm up after a length of time in the snow. Zimminyville offers ballooning, ice skating, horseback riding and hiking, and scenic views for photography or just enjoy them for the memories.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Draxtor Despres Needs Three Couples For Valentines Day Video

Draxtor Despres, recently made the Newser's runner-up for Man of the Year for his series of videos about Second Life over the years, notably his recent documentary "Our Digital Selves." Yesterday on January 8, he announced that he will soon be working on a new video, and needs the help of three couples in Second Life who took their relationship to real life and kept it going.

Friends: I am doing a VERY special Valentine's Day video profiling THREE couples who fell in love through Second Life & stayed together. Do you know of a great story or do you have one yourself and are you cool with being on camera? CONTACT ME as soon as you can in IM.

Draxtor says he'll start filming on January 17.