Still More Christmas Shopping Places

 

Thanksgiving is over, and the Christmas shopping season is in full swing. Still more stores have opened, and Gemma Cleanslate has been looking around at places that offer holiday gifts and especially those with winter scenery. In her article today, she describes a few more: the Christmas Fair at Ancient Life, Snuggles, Erotic Shores, and Dench Designs.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Press Release: Season of Love and Friendship Invite 2020

 

Today, November 27, 2020, the Third Annual Season Of Love And Friendship opened. The Season Of Love And Friendship is an annual holiday festival taking place from the day after Thanksgiving Day to the first Friday following New Year's Day in the Koss region in the Snowlands of Sansara. During this time, all of Second Life is invited to visit http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Koss/90/82/123 and build or rez anything that they find meaningful for the winter holidays. All traditions and all faiths are welcome.

A special Christmas Day Show will take place on December 25, 2020. Volunteer DJs and live performers are currently being sought for the show.

"The holidays can be a lonely time for people. Even more so now that we have a pandemic keeping people apart," said Season of Love and Friendship founder Female Winslet, "I want to find a way of making people a little less lonely."

Anyone who wants to participate should click on one of the small potted Christmas trees located in the Season of Love and Friendship Land to receive an invitation and instructions. Participation requires joining the Season Of Love And Friendship group to rez on the designated parcel, but participants are free to leave the group as soon as they do so.

Located in a highly scenic area, the Season of Love And Friendship Land overlooks Lake Zermat and shares a view maintained by numerous fellow land owners and by Linden Lab. All are welcome to also enjoy the adjoining Snow Leopard Preserve and other facilities located nearby.

For questions, or to volunteer for the Christmas Day Show, please contact Female (female.winslet).

Urban Furry's Christmas Globe

 

Different clubs are doing different things for the Christmas season. Some just put up a few small decorations. But Urban Furry went all out. Whiskey (Thorrin Resident) made a huge snowglobe that people can dance in. To get there, go through the double doors between the candy canes near the main entry area. It opened on Friday November 27, and started having events that night.

It's not the first time the club did something big. In December 2018, they had a larger winter area.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Empire%20State%20Island/76/103/3549

Cartoon of the Day

 Taken at Club Cutlass

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Caledon Newcomers Ball

 

So how does a community celebrate it's recent arrivals? For a large one like Caledon, Second Life's largest steampunk area, there's a number of new people every year. So they have an annual Newcomer's Ball. It took place last weekend. It had music, classy scenery, and plenty of conversation and chuckles.

Read the article in People.

SL Video: "Winter Christmas Love Valley"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

 By InWorld Films, "The snow falls and the ground is oh so slippery..... time to grab your ice skates and take to the iced lake. Grab a steamy hot chocolate and watch the world pass you by. Take a brisk walk through the park and enjoy the scenery and ambient sounds of winter. A truly immersive region which will make you feel like your on a truly winter break!"

Reader Submitted: Turkey Protestor

 

Taken by Clarence the Crosseyed Lion (binghamton Resident). It seems one turkey has been trying to encourage people to have something else for Thanksgiving.

Black Friday Sale At Furry Fashion

With Thanksgiving over, it's the unofficial start of the Christmas Shopping season, Black Friday. And there's a place in Second Life having a Black Friday sale: Furry Fashion.

From now until 30th November you can get 50% off FF products at the FF Main store only (Sale is not on marketplace) , FF vendors belonging to Amethyst Crystal and Becky Doulton ONLY are doing the sale so make sure you check who owns which vendors before you pay (Amethyst's are purple, Beckys are teal/blue!

As the announcment says, the sale is inworld only. And only two merchants, Amethyst Crystal and Becky Doulton, are taking part in the half-off sale. While some other items may be discounted, only Amethyst's and Becky's are officially participating in the shopping event.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furry/212/61/30

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Kuhn: A Primer in Scientific Paradigm Shifts"

 

"Kuhn: A Primer in Scientific Paradigm Shifts"

Saturday November 28,

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Thomas S. Khun is the author of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: A brilliant, original analysis of the nature, causes, and consequences of revolutions in basic scientific concepts."

Guests

1. Stephen L. Gasior

2. Giuseppe Longo

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving from the Second Life Newser.

Taken at the Happy Vixen, feel free to grab a plate for yourself.

 

Press Release: 2020 SL Christmas Expo Opens Next Friday, December 4th

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the 12 Regions around the American Cancer Society virtual office in Second Life as Lindens and Moles join with Expo Elves, more than 225 Merchants and nearly 100 Live Performers putting the finishing touches on ‘Christmas Memories’, the 10th Annual SL Christmas Expo. The Expo, the largest holiday venue in Second Life, supports the Society and its fight against Childhood Cancer.

Ten Days of Holiday Shopping and Entertainment on Twelve Regions!

The 10 day event opens Friday December 4th through Sunday December 13th, features shopping entertainment and holiday activities including the annual Snowman Contest, Christmas Tree lots, Gachas, Raffles, Auctions and more.  Ride in Santa’s sleigh or pose for pictures on the Jolly Old Elf’s Lap.  Dance and enjoy live performances at the Holly Jolly Café, open 10am to 9pm daily or simply wander streets lined with shops decorated for the holidays.  It’s all at the Expo!

Linden Lab Joins The Expo!

Linden Lab will reveal the next edition of the coveted Linden Home series at the Expo and will be providing several special One Of A Kind Auction items and special surprises.  SL Residents can:
 •    Vote (by donation to a special ACS Christmas Expo Kiosk) for your favorite decorated Linden Home at the 3rd Annual Lights of Hope Home Decorating Contest
 •    Bid for a 6 Month Premium Membership, including a Private Bellisseria lot (for 6 months) with your choice of Linden Home style*
                (*Home styles maybe limited by lot location and availability)
 •    Bid to Create a New Linden Last Name to be added to the list of choices for new members
 •    Bid to Name a Future Bellisseria Region
 •    Purchase a Limited Edition Linden Christmas Ornament, specially designed for the 2020 Expo and only available at the Expo.

And Just Announced!  Pictures with SANTA PATCH AND HIS ELVES!  A very special opportunity to pose for a picture with Linden’s Boss Elf himself on Wednesday December 9th from 1 to 3 pm in the main SL Christmas Expo region.

Holiday Shopping Spree Raffles and Silent Auctions

Take a chance to win Gift Cards Galore! Check out all of our Raffles, including the MEGA
Holiday Shopping Spree.  Bid on Great Prizes at the Silent Auctions! Watch our website for mere details!

Lights of Hope Home Decoration Contest

Be sure to visit the Lights of Hope regions and vote for your favorite Holiday decorations provided by some of SL’s top home designers, Lindens and Moles and special guests. Vote often as you like! Vote for ALL Your Favorites by donating to the designated kiosks next to every home.

Holidays of Hope Gala Ball

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Holidays of Hope Gala Ball, Sunday December 13th from 1 to 5 pm.  featuring performances by Fly, Tamara Hayden and music by T1Radio On Air personalities. Be sure to dress in your fanciest Holiday Formal Attire.

One Billion Linden$!

Since 2005 volunteers in Second Life have fund raised to support the American Cancer Society and its mission to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead The Fight For a World Without Cancer.  In this especially difficult year Society volunteers and the residents of Second Life have stepped up and helped raise more than $300,000 U.S. bringing the 15 year cumulative total to more than $3,970,000.  The SL Christmas Expo, which dedicates its proceeds to help fund Childhood Cancer research and support, has set its goal to bring that total to ONE BILLION LINDEN$ - $4,000,000! Join us at the Expo and help us finish this most trying of years on a positive note!

For Entertainment Schedules, Lists of Merchants, Landmarks and more information visit SLChristmasExpo.com or contact us at:  slchristmasexpo@slchristmasexpo.com

Cartoon of the Day: Alternative Thanksgiving Dinner

 

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. In 2020, with a Pandemic continuing to rage and kill thousands, people are calling off plans to see family for Thanksgiving. No doubt some will cook turkey at home. But for others, having the bird and stuffing with no one else around just isn't the same. 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Interview With Xirana Oximoxi

 

Among the artists showing their real-life works here in Second Like is Xirana Oximoxi (Nuria Vives). Her work is shown in a number of places inworld from landscapes to abstracts to illustrations books. Kayly Iali recently met up with her, and interviewed her about her inspirations, galleries, and her children's stories.

Read Kayly's story in Design.

Mutant Turkey Monster Prowls Montecito Bay

 
Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!
Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!
Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!

Thanksgiving has taken a strange and scary turn in the community of Montecito Bay. There have been sightings of a huge mutant beast resembling a four-legged turkey prowling the streets. While Montecito Bay has been the source of wild tales, this one has some pictures as evidence.

The beast shown in the pictures, and eyewitness descriptions, is a quadraped about twice the size of a normal human or anthro. Most of the creature is covered in turkey feathers, including a large plume of them in the back. Only the lower back legs, which resemble that of a feline, have any hairs. On the sides are two wings which are probably too small to small for it to really fly, probably. But it would be able to glide from someplace high to the ground. The head and neck are like those of a turkey, but much larger and stronger. The beak appears sharp and with the presumed size and strength of the creature is likely capable of tearing holes into someone or taking off limbs.

The creature has supposedly be sighted following people. And there are stories about a few people whom haven't been seen for a few days. Did they go ahead out of town for Thanksgiving, or did something else happen? Supposedly it followed someone into the city's Club 86, but left the people there alone. It is unknown what it would do if it encountered someone alone. But it has been seen consuming meat. Ironically enough, it seems to have a taste for turkey legs.

A number of Montecito Bay's streets have  dim to no lights. So residents in the city are advised to avoid traveling down these streets alone at night. And should you hear "gobble-gobble-gobble" sounds that don't seem right, RUN! You just might end up some mutant turkey's Thanksgiving dinner.

Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!
Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!
Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble!

Stay tuned for further details.

Bixyl Shuftan

Note: The preceding article is for entertainment purposes, and residents aren't in actual danger.

Over 150,000 Lindens Raised at Veterans Isle Benefit Concert

 

On Sunday November 22, Veterans Isle held it's monthly concert for charity. From 4 PM to about 9PM SL time, various performers played music for the crowd. The event was to raise money for Homes For Our Troops. The event was organized in part by guitarist Frets Nirvana.

Thanksgiving week Homes For Our Troops benefit …that is what we are doing tonight!  What are you doing??  Come on out and kick off a real Thanksgiving…by supporting those who have sacrificed all for our freedom.  We have a great lineup tonight …

DJ Waya Snowpaw started things off at 4PM, playing music on stage. At 5PM, the live performances started starting with Stratus Mactavish. 6PM, it was Zak Claxton's turn to entertain the crowd. Jessi Janic sang away at 7PM. Last but not least, Lark Bowen had the last hour at 8PM.

As each perfomer entertained the audience, people donated to two house-shaped kiosk on either side of the stage, "Thanks for the kind donation for Homes For Our Troops, rest assured your donation will go directly to HFOT to help our severely injured veterans ..." Once in a while, someone such as Frets challenged them to donate a certain amount within a certain time limit, promising to match it when met.

At the end of the event, 157,000 Linden dollars had been raised in the two kiosks.

Veterans Isle holds these benefit concerts once a month, usually on the last weekend of the month. But it was held early this month due to Thanksgiving.

For more information on Homes For Our Troops, read the website at https://www.hfotusa.org.

Bixyl Shuftan

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.

Club Cutlass: Best in 'N', Pink and White, Winter Fashion

Happy Vixen: Magical Creatures, Cold Weather Critters, TBA, Cops and Robbers, Pilgrims and Indians (Thanksgiving), Wings, Domesticated, Anything But Clothing, White and Gold

Club Zero Gravity: TBA
 
Montecito Bay: TBA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge: Anime, Fantasy, Canines vs Felines, Rave, Undead vs Survivors, Late Night, Leather and Lace

Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Wolfy

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

Toys For Tots Donation Kiosks

 

For Christmas, poor families often have a hard time getting presents to their kids. But there are charities that can help. Among them is Toys For Tots, an organization set up by the US Marine Reserves. Here in Second Life, Kickazz Shoutcast Stream Rental is doing a Toys For Tots drive. The company has pledged that all money donated will go to the charity, and is willing to match the first $1000 USD.

Those wanting to take part in the drive can head to Lorii Caproni Island and take copies of one or both of the kiosks there by "buying" it for zero Lindens. Set it where you want, then "when you set it out, you will be asked permission to take money from you. This is because of how the Kiosk works. A donation is made to the Kiosk, you are the Kiosk owner, the Donation goes to you, the amount donated is then transfered from you to ToysForTots Resident.  The exact amount donated, not a penny more or less."

The kiosk is copyable and transferable, so you can give friends copies of it to take part in the drive too. They are good until December 24, 6PM, when the charity drive comes to an end. Among the places taking part is the Happy Vixen beach club.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lorii%20Caproni%20Island/106/55/22

 

More Christmas Shopping Places

 

Last week, Gemma Cleanslate wrote about the start of her Christmas shopping around stores across Second Life. But it was pretty early in the season. More stores are opening, and Gemma is continuing to find some. Today, she writes about several more places where one can do some holiday shopping at some themed locations. From the traditional to the comical, there's a variety.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Montecito Bay's Firecracker Arcade

Montecito Bay's gone through a lot of changes since the Newser last talked about the sim. Talking to the management, they weren't quite ready to go into much detail about them. Not yet anyway. But they did point out one thing they wanted some mention: the Firecracker Arcade in the southwest part of the sim. The games are from Mateo Firecaster, with Moff (MoffettMephit Resident) having contributed the arcade building.

The arcade has three floors, the top two accessible by a stairway on the side of the building (or flying up). The first two have a huge number of arcade games. 

Some are games those whom frequented arcades in the 80s and 90s would recognize. Some never saw the arcade, found only in console or app gaming. Some had dark screens and unplayable. Others were playable only for those with Flash on their computer, and even for some whom do there may be problems.

The third floor has various inworld games, such as Zombie Meltdown and Fist of Discomfort. Unlike the ones directly below, flash is not required to play them. Lag may be a slight problem, though. The bottom also had a few novelty games, such as "How Sexy Are You." Behind the arcade is a small playable bowling alley game.

Most everything else about the place was decorative. There was a change machine, but it accepts donations. I saw a pizza delivery drone and a fruit n drink delivery one, each when touched offering a snack or drink. There's a hoverscooter, but it can't be ridden.

As for the sim's new look, which is obvious when looking at the area around the arcade, well, that's for another article.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Montecito%20Bay/39/29/23

Addition:  I was later informed the following games at the Arcade no longer require Flash to play: Killer Instinct, Puzzle Bobble, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, Splatterhouse 2, Street Fighter II Turbo, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts, Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World 2, Yoshi's Island, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III - The Manhattan Project, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV - Turtles in Time

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: The return of beloved characters, and current popular series are all things to be thankful for. And we are! Join us this week for stories, presented LIVE in Second Life, on Seanchai Library's properties in Kitely.

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

 *  *  *  *  *

** MONDAY, November 23rd, 7pm: Patricia Wrightson's THE DARK BRIGHT WATER continues with Gyro Muggins.

**TUESDAY,  November 124th:

    ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream.

    ~ at 7pm: WOMAN'S WEIRD: Strange Stories by Women, 1890-1940 with Willow Moonfire, live on stream.

Both events today at .Ceiliuradh Glen, Nowhereville (194/131/21)

**WEDNESDAY,  November 25h, 7pm : Roger Zelasny's NINE PRINCES IN AMBER continues with Corwyn Allen.

**THURSDAY, November 26th: Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Events This Weekend

 

 Quite a bit happened this weekend. Among the events was the Caledon Newcomers Ball (above) on Saturday. Also on Saturday, the Whymsee venue had it's 250th event. And on Sunday there was the monthly Homes For Our Troops benefit concert in Veterans Isle.

 More on these events when time allows.

Cartoon of the Day: Felines and Laser Pointers

 

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. What got this tigress on the floor in this position, I forget. But my imagination could come up with a few reasons.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops Benefit This Sunday Nov 22

 

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2020’s November 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 2020 November benefit 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 300 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2019 the community in Second Life sent  $14,000 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to many kind hearts and great Second Life performers.  HFOT built 19 homes for extremely wounded veterans in 2018 and purchased the land to build 21 more in 2019.  And now in 2020 HFOT has built 23 homes for extremely injured veterans.

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The November concert on November 22, 2020 is scheduled from 4 PM to 9 Pm PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Stratus Mactavish, Zak Claxton, Jesie Janic and Lark Bowen.

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: "SL Furry Dance - Rock"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Furry Andy on January 2015

Commentary: Thirteen Years of Writing The News in Second Life

 

It's been thirteen years ago this month that Second Life's "Fox Reporter" started writing the news about the people, places, and events here in Second Life. In Bixyl Shuftan's article today, he talks about how he got his start here, how things have changed over time, and a little about his plans for the future.

Read the commentary in Extra.

Linden Lab Announces Second Life Public Calendar

 You've probably seen a number of communities and groups inworld use Google Calendar to show at a glance what events they'll be having. Linden Lab has used it themselves in the past to show when smaller events in the Second Life Birthday are. There's been some requests to the Lab over time that they could use a calendar full time to show when their events are. And on Thursday, they announced on the official blog that they were with the Second Life Public Calendar.

We’ve heard your requests and we’re introducing a new public Google calendar that will have all Linden Lab official events listed. This new calendar offers a convenient way to get an at-a-glance look at upcoming User Group meetings and other Linden Lab-sponsored events (such as the Second Life Book Club and upcoming Winter Wonderland snow fight).

To check out the calendar, head to second.life/calendar. One doesn't have to login to Google. "You can additionally use this ICAL feed link to add it to your own personal calendar. You can also click the +GoogleCalendar icon on the bottom right of the web calendar to add it to your Google Calendar. Or, copy over individual events that you are interested in by clicking on the event and click 'copy to my calendar.'"

The calendar already shows a number of events. Besides the weekly events such as the Simulator User Group meetings and Second Life Book Club, there are special ones such as the opening of the Lab's Winter Wonderland area on December 1 and the Linden Snowball Fight on December 18. For some reason, there are no "Lab Gab" events planned.

The Lab says the calendar will be updated frequently, and asks that any errors be reported to Strawberry Linden, at strawberry@lindenlab.com.

For more information, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan

April Linden Announces All Sims Moved To The Cloud

 

It was just about a week ago in which it was announced half the sims had their data moved to the Cloud. So with all the time that had been done before, one would probably expect quite a bit of time before the other half were moved. Well, that's not quite what happened. Yesterday, Thursday November 19, April announced that all of the sims now had their data moved to Cloud servers.

The team just finished up moving all of the regions to the cloud! We did it, before our goal of Thanksgiving!!! Uplift isn't done, we still have things to move, but getting the regions done FEELS SO GOOD!

As April stated, this isn't the end of the work on the Cloud move. And there's still glitching going on. For instance, there were issues with group chat, teleporting, and reading the world map. But it is a notable milestone that hopefully will lead to an improved Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "The Biochemistry of Our Senses"

 

 "The Biochemistry of Our Senses"

Saturday November 21

10 AM to 11 AM

All living things become aware of, and interact with their environment and each other through, their senses. While the mechanism of sensory perception may be complicated, it all comes down to chemistry and physics, with chemistry being mostly electricity and energy levels in atoms. No magic required.

Understanding the chemistry of biology reveals secrets about how life exists, how living things are all related, and provides important clues about how and why living things evolved from each other.

Join me in exploring the fascinating and dynamic world of the very small, the menagerie of molecules that create familiar tastes and smells, that help us to see and feel, that mess with or fool our natural systems, and that make up us and the rest of life and living things.

Dr. Phil Youngblood

 To read more, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

 

Crew Meeting

 

 Taken at the Newser office at it's monthly staff meeting. From left to right are Kayly Iali, Gemma Cleanslate, myself (Bixyl Shuftan) and Nydia Tungsten, whom was offscreen at the moment. In the middle of our discussion, some confetti went up. Guess someone wanted to celebrate the end of a long election season. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

 

 Taken at Moonlit Night Shores

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Fourmilab Cloud Halo, A Way Of Seeing If A Sim Has Gone To The Cloud

 

One of the big things in Second Life going on is the move of sim data to Amazon Cloud servers, also known as the move to the Cloud or the uplift to the Cloud. It was recently announced that just over half the sims were now uplifted. So how does one tell if a sim has gone to the Cloud? For most residents, there usually isn't a quick way. But there is one quick way that all one needs is a visit to the Second Life Marketplace, the Fourmilab Cloud Halo.

It is possible to determine whether a region is on an original host or the cloud by examining the host name of the simulation, but many users aren't familiar with the arcana of doing so. Fourmilab Cloud Halo is a light-hearted attachment which makes it easy to see the hosting status wherever you happen to visit and alert you to changes when you arrive in a new region.

There's no known location inworld to get the Cloud Halo. The sole known place is on Marketplace. Fortunately the item is free, so just "purchase" and the Halo folder will appear in your "Recieved Items." To put it on, just "add it." You may need to edit and adjust the height a little. Once it's worn, should the sim be uplifted into the Cloud, the halo should briefly glow and there should be a few seconds of harp music. If the sim data is still in the old servers, the halo appears as dull metal and there's a moment of "sad trombone" music. After five seconds, the halo will fade from view. Going from sim to sim, either by flying or running around or teleporting, the halo remains unchanged if the sim entered is the same as the one you just came from. If it's different, it briefly appears with the opposing appearance and music as last time. So it "appears only when you change to or from the Cloud."

The Cloud Halo comes with a user guide notecard, that allows for some adjustments. Trying it out, it did the "wah-wah" sound and faded after briefly appearing as metal. It took some time flying around, but eventually it lit up and did the harp sounds. Besides the pictures I took, one can also check out a Youtube.

John Walker (Fourmilab Resident) is the man behind the Cloud Halo. He has a number of other products on Marketplace, all of them free.

To get the Cloud Halo, Click Here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Fourmilab-Cloud-Halo/20555301

Hat Tip: Hamlet Au

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: "Research Surveys About Our Second Lives"

 

"Tom Boellstorff and his students have designed a survey to ask about how we are using SL during the COVID pandemic. (There is a second survey to take if you are in Animal Crossing.) There is more info in the notecard. Thanks for helping with this research.

"Hello! I have exciting news to share. As part of my research project on 'virtual cultures in pandemic times,' my graduate students and I have created a survey. I’d love you to take it and to share it with anyone and everyone! We worked to make the survey as fun and brief as possible. For each there is a place at the end where if you wish, you can let us know that you’d be interested in participating in an interview. We also have a survey for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If you’re in both places, do both surveys, and feel free to pass along the Animal Crossing survey as well."

Second Life survey link: https://ucisocsci.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b1QNAZ5rxiA9LA9

Animal Crossing survey link: https://ucisocsci.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26sKrRubahncwPH

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: November's seems to be flying by (wasn't it just Halloween?) but we mark each step with more stories. Join us this week for stories, presented LIVE in Second Life, on Seanchai Library's properties in Kitely. 

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

 *  *  *  *  *

 ***WEDNESDAY, November 18th, 7pm : Roger Zelasny's NINE PRINCES IN AMBER continues with Corwyn Allen.

**THURSDAY,  November 19th,

   ~ 7pm: Anthea Sharp's THE FAERIE GIRL & Other Tales. Shandon presents another adventure from the mystic lands. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

   ~ 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT. Finn Zeddmore presents contemporary sci-fi-fantasy from such online sources as Light Speed, Escape Pod, and Clarkesworld magazines.
***

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.

Club Cutlass: Best in 'M', Take Flight, High Class

Happy Vixen: Nature, Best in Green, Manthrocon (human), Demos, Star Wars, Beach Party, Fall Colors, Mad/Weird Science, Swimsuits, Desert

Club Zero Gravity: TBA
 
Montecito Bay: TBA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge: Fantasy, Bunnies, Wings, Videogames, Felines, Late Night, Scales

Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Wolfy

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

Number of Sims Moved to The Cloud Passes 50%

 

Of the move of sim data to Cloud servers, a noteable milestone was achieved a few days ago, at least according to Daniel Voyager. In his blog, he reported that Stawberry Linden had told him that April Linden had told her that half the sims now had their data in The Cloud.

Hi Daniel, this is Strawberry. I have confirmed with our Sr. Engineering Manager, April Linden, that over half the regions in Second Life are now running in the cloud.

Since this was a few days ago, The Lab has no doubt continued it's work. How long will it take until the move is complete? Daniel Voyager himmself thought it would be "six weeks or so."

Source: Daniel Voyager's Blog
Image Source: Linden Lab

Early Christmas Shopping Locations

 

Veterans Day is over, and for some people, they're looking beyond Thanksgiving and to the Christmas season. This includes people in Second Life, both longtime residents and those whom came here as an escape from pandemic lockdowns. Gemma Cleanslate went around to see if there were some Christmas shopping locations available. She found a number, and picked several to write about.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Mermaid Retreat in Trouble, Saved For Another Month

On Sunday over group chat in the Safe Waters Foundation, there was chatter among the merfolk of an underawater place in trouble, "We have a mer sim in trouble, and want us mers to come together to help out. ... It's short of L(inden dollars), by about 8K or so. ... The Mermaid Retreat ... great mer sim. So I am reaching out to see if anyone could help them."

"The owner Lady Scarlet (Luckxe Resident) is here," the person would continue, "taking donation and applying ot the land instantly." Someone else asked if help had been requested. The answer was, "Yes, she is just a bundle of nerves. (I) won't go into it, but she is one and this place means a lot, but went from sad to now almost crying form people wanting to help."

People did help. About forty minutes after the chat started, "WE SAVED IT FOR A MONTH!!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!"

The place itself is an underwater area with a few small rocky island on the surface. There are luminous underwater plants, and a large dancing area with a DJ booth. The description of the place is, "An island of tranquility and relaxation for the mind and body. Come and get lost with a sense of mythical mystery of merfolk and bonding with each other in a dreamlike state." A notecard describes the location as raising "awareness for a different charity every month," having group discussion, and a number of events and parties. Those wanting a party or wedding at the place are free to ask. The location is owned by Vivienne Koisera (Vivien0Koisera Resident) and Lady Scarlett Momobami (Luckxe Resident).

Flicker page: https://www.flickr.com/groups/themermaidretreat/

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frozen%20Field/74/48/2

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

 Taken at Studio 86, Montecito Bay

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Veterans Day at Club Cutlass

 

 

On Veterans Day, Wednesday November 11, the Sunweaver community's main club, Club Cutlass, held a themed event from 6 PM to just after 8PM. The idea was dressing up as a soldier or sailor. DJ Cynthia played the music of the event, which was music of various conflicts in American history. There were a few tributes made later, such as "The Battle of New Orleans" which was made a century and a half later. But most songs were made at the time period of the conflict, though in the case of the older ones they were sung by singers of today.

 Near the end of the show, four of the Sunweaver communty's veterans, Zorro Wuramunga, Shockwave Yareach, Cynthia Farshore, and Rita Mariner, did a salute. A fifth, ReCoyote Mindes, had gone away from keyboard due to something in real-life.

There would be many other Veterans Day events across the Grid, such as the Veterans Tribute.

It should be noted the Sunweaver/Angels community has a number of other veterans, such as Jasmine Dawn. Others also have veterans in their family. Thank you all for your service. 

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Maroon 5 Animals"

(Click here to see the video)

From Nydia Tungsten on November 13, "A special Thank you to Jessica, Mato, and Skylark for dancing with me, we hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it. As always this video is not monetized we do this for fun. This was shot in Second life, come check it out."