Cartoon of the Day: Cloud Nine

 

 Taken at Sunweaver Space

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

KittyCatS! Celebrates Ten Years

 

For fans of KittyCatS, it's the tenth anniversary of the producers of the breedable pet cats. And they have a gift for anyone whom has ever gotten a kitty, or kitty food, from them (presumably that's all that's needed to be registered in their database). They have a pair of special cats just being offered at this time, for free. One is for their tenth anniversary, and the other their ninth.

In celebration of our 10 year birthday, we created a fun little cat as a grid-wide gift!

This cat comes as an "non- identical twin" kitty with our 9th birthday kitty, who has arrived "fashionably late" to the party! Something about that 9 lives thing? Who knows! But you will be getting 2 cats to jump "out of the cake!" this year!

The cats are available at KittyCatS (131/44/26). It should be noted there was nothing in the announcement about the pets not needing food. So while the kitties are free, you'll still need to get pet food. 

The free kitties are available until March 15.

RFL Home and Garden Expo Starts Today

 

The Relay for Life's "Home and Garden" Expo starts today, Saturday February 27. For those looking for a new home inworld or furnishings for it, this is a good event to attend. And there's also music performers to listen to.

For a little more than three weeks from now to Sunday March 21, there will be events and shopping across nine sims. The temporary areas, named Hope 1 to Hope 9, are east of the American Cancer Society sim. Unlike some Relay events, one can't just walk from the ACS sim to the adjacent sims. One has to fly or teleport over.

The main stage is on the west side of Hope 1. The other sims are for various shops and other buildings by exhibitors. There are dozens of stores to go to, a list of which can be found here (link). But there are other places, such as the SL Newser, at Hope 4 (40/165/23). There will also be occasional discussions by Saffia Widdershins.

For more on the Expo, check the website at https://slhomegardenexpo.com/ ,  or the inworld group, or it's Discord channel (link). For schedules of performers, click here (link).

Bixyl Shuftan

Sunweaver Community Goings-On

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

There's been some things going on in the Sunweaver community. With the Relay season having started, much of it is about Team Sunbeamers. This includes the team making Platinum rank on day one, the  "Bid Me Panda" and "Bid Me Purple" events,  and the Moon Dance (more on that later). But there's more going on. 

Not long ago, the community's main club, Club Cutlass, had a night in which the double contest had seven winners instead of just two. On Wednesday February 24, it happened again. 

[19:45] Jenni Greenfield: VOTING IS NOW OVER. TIME FOR TONIGHTS 'B' WINNERS. GL ALL!.
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Perri Prinz won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: LiskaBystrouska Resident won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Dusk Griswold won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Contest is over! Congrats to the following winners: Perri Prinz, LiskaBystrouska Resident, Dusk Griswold
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Spooked Dreamscape won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: RECoyote Mindes won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Zorro Wuramunga won L$83!
[19:45] [KittyKode] ContestBoard shouts: Contest is over! Congrats to the following winners: Spooked Dreamscape, RECoyote Mindes, Zorro Wuramunga
[19:45] Crystal Sabre (CrystalAmber69 Resident): Congrats !!
[19:45] Kylee Gracemount: Congratulations !
[19:45] Zorro Wuramunga: 6!
[19:45] òᴥó Mr.Fox da'Alenfey òᴥó (Spooked Dreamscape): :o
[19:45] òᴥó Mr.Fox da'Alenfey òᴥó (Spooked Dreamscape): Thanks
[19:46] Jenni Greenfield: CONGRATS TO....... ALL OF OUR WINNERS!
[19:46] LiskaBystrouska Resident: Two three-ways
[19:46] Rita Mariner: wow 3 way on males and females

So for both the men's and women's boards, it was a double triple-play that night, or a six-way depending how you look at it, and another contest for the books.

At Sunweaver Space, Snowbuns (Skylark Lefavre) was up to a bit of funnery when she rezzed a huge fedora on a friend's house, knowing it would soon be seen. She then took it down, but the friend liked it and wanted it back. So Snowy placed it where it was.

Guess one could call it "Hats off to a house, or maybe not."

A little of the good-natured funnery that goes on around the community.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Psy - Gentleman"

 From W.L.F./MsYogurt on April 2016

Philip Rosedale's "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit

 

On Wednesday, people on Reddit had the chance to ask Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Lab and later on High Fidelity, any question they wanted. For three hours, he answered a number from the future of virtual reality to what surprised him the most about Second Life and a number of others.
 
See the questions and answers in Extra.

RFL Fundraiser "Bid Me Panda" And "Bid Me Purple" at Club Cutlass

 

Relay team Sunbeamers is having it's first two "Bid Me" fundraisers. For those new to the Relay, they are based on the noted "Bid Me Bald" events that have been held almost since the start of the Relay for Life in Second Life. But for some avatars such as furs, losing their head hair isn't so drastic a change. So came events in which the volunteer puts their looks on the line in another way, such as wearing an avatar of a different fur color, or a different type of avatar altogether. Over time there's been a variety of possibilities done.

For the team's first "Bid Me," none other but it's captain Rita Mariner has put her looks on the line in it's "Bid Me Panda." As before, there is a pair of kiosks involved in the challenge. For those wanting to have Rita make the change to a "fat male soup-slurping panda," donate to the kiosk on the right. For every 3000L, rounded down, Rita has to spend a week in an avatar inspired by "Po" of "Kung Fu Panda." 5999 Lindens would count as one week while 6001 would count as two. For those whom want to keep Rita as-is, they donate to the kiosk on the left. If the amount in the left kiosk is greater, Rita doesn't have to change regardless how much is in the right.

 

LiskaBystrouska is the volunteer for the second "Bid Me" event: "Bid Me Purple." The two kiosks for this one are next to Rita's. For every 2500 Linden dollars donated to the kiosk on the right, rounded down, Liska has to spend a week as a purple vixen. That is, unless more people donate to the left kiosk to keep Liska her normal Foxy self.

The "Bid Me Panda" event lasts until Saturday March 13 at 8PM SL time. The results will then be calculated and made final, and if successful Rita will change into her new look starting then. For Liska, her event goes on for another week, to March 20 at 8PM.

For those wishing to contribute to the events, the kiosks are in the back of Club Cutlass at Sunweaver Bay (114/117/757). The money goes to Team Sunbeamer's total for the Relay for Life, and the American Cancer Society. 

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Panel: Gravity"

 

"Panel: Gravity"

Saturday February 27

10AM to 11AM SL time

To aid everyone in the audience in getting the most from our presentations, The Science Circle is introducing a series of presentations that seek to explain popular and important topics in different fields of science. Each presentation will start with a basic understanding that most pre-college students may have and gradually work up to the types of things that experts know, and still do not know, about each topic, all within an hour.

For this month’s Panel discussion, the topic is Gravity. Gravity is something so present in our lives that we may take it for granted, but it is also what makes possible some of the most fantastical concepts that explain, and objects that make up, our known universe.

     Panel Host Matthew Burr will start by reviewing that we understood about Gravity until the beginning of the 1900’s, based on Newtonian mechanics.

     Dr. Phil Youngblood will then review the new ideas that Einstein discovered at the turn of the century regarding the relativity of space-time. 

     Dr. William Wall will conclude by talking about Einstein’s field equations and the more exotic aspects of gravity associated with massive objects.      

On March 20, Phil Youngblood will continue the series with an explanation of “Elementary Particles” at different levels of understanding.

For more information, Click Here.

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

Reader Submitted: Farewell Party For Oz

 

 From Panterapolnocy. On Feb 23, a party was held at Simon Linden Land in Denby in honor of Oz Linden, whom retires from the Lab tomorrow. His last public appearance will be at the Lab Gab that day.

"Thank you for everything good you've done for the platform of Second Life and the residents that use it - making their lives fun and more interesting. "

Oz Linden's Last TPV Meeting

 

Panterapolnocy films the Third-Party Viewer Developer meetings. The last one on Friday February 19 would be distinguished by it being the last one. For those not wanting to sit through the whole thing, Inara Pey's report gives a rundown on what was discussed, notably the Project Jelly Viewer. But many would find the most important detail being Oz Linden's farewell talk near the beginning.

"I want to say that working with the third party viewer community has been  – I mean this is how it started for me, and it has been a theme throughout, and it has been a very great pleasure working with all of you. It’s really been terrific, and thank you. Thank you for making me look good, and thank you for all you contribute to this really impactful and fun product. It's even more fun to work on than it is to use."

Oz Linden's last appearance will be on Lab Gab, tomorrow at 11 AM SL time.

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops Benefit Concert on Sunday

 Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2021’s February benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life for February 28, 2021!  

Frets Nirvana, longtime supporter and contact for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life in conjunction with the US Military Veterans Group, announces the 2021 February benefit for the Veterans Support Organization Home For Our Troops at Veteran’s Isle . 

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 313 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2020 the community in Second Life sent  $15,750 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to many kind hearts and great Second Life performers. THIS PUT SECOND LIFE’S DONATIONS EFFORTS IN THE TOP TEN OF HOME FOR OUR TROOPS DONORS IN 2020!  

 23 Veterans and their families received the keys to their forever homes in 2021 and the donations received in Second Life were part of that effort.  Currently HFOT has 62 projects underway for extremely wounded veterans.

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The February 28 concert for 2021 is scheduled from 4 PM to 9 Pm PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Wes West, Wolfie Moonshadow, Paul Nowles 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.

For any questions, message Frets Nirvana

Oz Linden to Appear on Lab Gab Friday

 

On Thursday February 16, Oz Linden announced he would be soon be retiring, on Friday February 26. On Monday, it was announced he and Grumpity Linden would be on Lab Gab that day to be interviewed by Strawberry Linden.

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she speaks with our VP of Engineering, Oz Linden, and VP of Product, Grumpity Linden. Grumpity and Oz will give us an update on AWS! Oz will also speak about his years at Linden Lab.

Those with any questions for Oz or Grumpity were invited to send them via a Google form (here). 

The show, which will most likely be Oz's last public appearance (at least as a Linden) will air on Friday Feb 26 at 11 AM SL time. (link)

For more information, check the Linden blog.

Cartoon of the Day: Floating Cat

 

 Taken at the One Billion Rising

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: Rare Disease Day in Second Life

 
 

The Relay fundraising season is in full swing. But that's not the only charity event going on. This Sunday February 28 is "Rare Disease Day," and an event for it is being held here in Second Life at Tainted Island. Wesley Regenbogen sent the Newser a press release explaining what it is and what it's for.

Read Wesley's announcement in Extra.

RFL Announcement: Sunbeamer Moon Dance This Thursday

 

 Sunbeamer Moon Dance - BYOK

When: Thu, February 25, 6pm – 8pm 

Where: Sunlight Bay

A benefit for the American Cancer Society! The dance starts at 6PM SLT goes to 8PM SLT every Thursday starting Feb 25th and runs through June 10th. You arrive at Farshore Airfield and grab a seat in the Columbiad Moon Cannon to be shot to the moon. There once you land on the lunar surface a kiosk in your team's name will be planted and dance a celebration of your moon landing with other teams. Tunes provided by a Live DJ who is not taking tips! Wants you to tip the kiosk instead.  Come rep your team. *BYOK (Bring Your Own Kiosk) but don't worry we'll put it out for you.

Team: Sunbeamers

SLURL:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunlight%20Bay/172/85/23

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 'B,' Take Wing, At the Beach

Happy Vixen: Fliers and Diggers, Bottomless, TBA, Nautical, Dragons, Going Medieval, Feathers, Lions Tigers and Bears

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Xanadu: Tuesday After Dark, Electro-Swing

Bouncing Bunny Club: Foxes, Mice and Deer

Montecito Bay: CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Cute VS Creepy, Fantasy, Retro, Purple, Rainbow, Late Night, Horns and Hooves

Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Shapes, DJ Wolfy

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

Linden Lab Founder Philip Rosedale Doing An "Ask Me Anything" On Reddit Today

 

Do you have a question that you've always wanted to ask Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Lab, and Second Life as well? Well, tomorrow may be your chance. On his Twitter, Rosedale announced he would be doing an "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit.

 Join me for a @reddit_AMA on Feb 23 from 11am-2pm PT. Ask me about #SpatialAudio, #VR, virtual worlds and virtual economies, avatars, and … anything.

An "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit is "a scheduled question-and-answer session hosted by anyone from a high-profile celebrity to a regular person with extraordinary life experiences."

Hat Tip: Ryan Schultz

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Endings and beginnings - where did February go?  Time may fly, but the tales continue. Join us 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

 *  *  *  *  *

 **TUESDAY, February 23rd:

    ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/197/131/21

    ~ at 7pm: Ursula K. Le Guin's GIFTS concludes with Willow Moonfire.

**WEDNESDAY, February 24th, at 7pm : Roger Zelazny's THE GUNS OF AVALON, continues with Corwyn Allen
   
**THURSDAY, February 25th:

   ~ at 7pm : STAR WARS- A NEW HOPE, continues with Shandon and Caledonia. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

   ~ at 9pm : SEACHAI LATE NIGHT - Finn Zeddmore presents contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy from such online sources as Light Speed, Escape Pod, Clarkesworld Magazine, and more.

***

The 2021 Relay Kickoff

 

The biggest charity group in Second Life is the Relay for Life. And on Saturday February 20, they started their official fundraiser season. There was plenty of excitement, lots of music, and plenty of fun. The Newser was there and took a few pictures.

See the pictures in Events.

RFL Team Sunbeamers Hit Platinum At Start

 

 The Relay season is on! The Kickoff was on Saturday (more on that later), and among the teams is the Sunbeamers. The team of the Sunweaver community, the "beamers have been a top-performing team, last year making the top ten teams in terms of Lindens raised. And this season, they hit the ground running. As the team has been raising money since the end of last season, they started out at 255,050 Linden dollars in their kiosks. And so, right off the bat, the Sunbeamers were at Platinum fundraising level. And as a picture provided to the Newser showed, started out in the lead. 

As the weekend went on, Grove Country Club Estates also reached Platinum and took the lead. A look at team totals shows most teams are still at Bronze level or below. This includes some yearly heavy-hitters, such as the Relay Rockers and Team ACTS. But the number of teams in Silver and beyond will quickly grow as the teams hold various events. Those holding events include the Sunbeamers with their first Moon Dance later this week.

Those wishing to donate to the Sunbeamers can use the kiosk at Club Cutlass at Sunweaver Bay (114/117/757).

And for yours truly, the season started having to own up on a certain promise right away. Five years ago, I challenged the team that if they ever reached Platinum Level fundraising, I'd go pony for a week. Since then, I've gone about in an odd look for a week when it happened. For a time, it was one I never went about in public before, the most remembered of these being the "Rita clone." But as time has gone on, I've been running low on options I've never done before, such as going pink and pantsless. So this year, I'll be a tiny Dinkie fox for a week.

The Dinkie Fox isn't sold as is, but is a mod of the Dinkie cat made by Missy (terris Graves). As I haven't installed this kind of mod before, I needed a little help from Missy herself. But as you can see, the job was done. And unlike my other tiny fox, this one can wear a jacket and pants. As before, my "out" is when obviously on Newser duty such as doing interviews. And finally on Saturday the 27th, I'll be back at my usual height.

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

Middle image credit: Spooked Dreamscape

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Raglan Shire Mardi Gras Parade 2021"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

 From Nitwacket on February 14, 2021, the Mardi Gras parade at Raglan Shire, "Links to pictures of all the stuff that didn't rez: https://www.flickr.com/photos/40509264@N06/, https://www.flickr.com/photos/isaurasimon/albums/72157718288964851 "

 

Cartoon of the Day

 

 Taken at the Happy Vixen

by Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Dance Compilation"

 

 From Panda Jenn on Feb 14, scenes of her and other people dancing at Club Cutlass (Sunweaver Bay), Urban Furry, and the Flying Pickle Lounge (Montecito Bay).

 

Watching the Mars Lander At The ISM

 

Yesterday, the Mars rover "Perseverance" touched down successfully. After a journey of half a year and 300 million miles, the craft entered the Martian atmosphere, deployed it's parachute, and landed without a problem in the Jezero Crater. The most advanced robot to date send to the red planet, it will look for evidence if there was ever life in the past on the world. Photos are already coming in, though it will take a little time for the car-sized robot to get moving. 

In Second Life, me and several others were watching from the International Space Museum in the Spaceport Alpha sim. In the past, people went there for Space Shuttle launches and landings. But they would end in 2011. But whenever something like this happens, one's sure to find a few space fans heading over to watch (or in my case watch from the webbrowser as the screen inworld wasn't working). I talked a little with them, and besides a few moments of joking around, there was a general sense of optimism and hope. Despite the Pandemic, despite the deep freeze across much of the US, despite the political troubles, the march of science and progress continues.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Relay Kickoff Tomorrow

For members of the Relay for Life in Second Life, tomorrow is a big day. Saturday February 20 marks the start of the 2021 Relay season here in the virtual world. The the first event will be the Kickoff at the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society2 sims. It's set to start at 10AM SL time.

The theme this year, "A Cure for a Happy Ending. It's sure to be a big event with people from many teams, large and small. For those already in the Relay, it's an event not to be missed. For those not yet part of the Relay but wanting to know more, this is a good chance to find people to talk to about it and maybe join a team.

On a similar note, there's a call for screenshots, and other items for the Relay museum. They're looking for those from the 2016 to 2020 Relay seasons. While they've gotten the permission from the Newser to use any of it's pictures, well, we weren't everywhere at once. So by all means consider sharing any you have. The one to contact is Museumstorage Resident. The museum can be reached at American Cancer Society (78/104/23).

Go Relay!
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/25/23

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: RFL Fashion Faire

Fashion Faire
Relay For Life of SL Event
______________________________

February 20 thru March 7, 2021

Presented By:

Seekers of Hope, Dragons Nightfall, Stormy's Stars and Elves of Hope
Relay For Life of SL Teams

Sponsored By:

Fire Within, Clazzy Bratz and FemTastic
______________________________

The Seekers of Hope, Dragons Nightfall, Stormy’s Stars and Elves of Hope RFL teams invite everyone to Fashion Faire, a two week fashion-centered shopping event to benefit Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

The event will feature items donated by more than 40 Second Life designers in a spring-themed shopping venue. Items on sale will range from men’s to women’s to children’s as well as dinkies.

In addition to the shopping, there will be special raffles for gift cards and two full mesh avatars (head and body) - one male and one female - from Altamura.

Rounding out the event will be select entertainment provided by some of Second Life’s talented live performers.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Stowaway/116/218/753

Announcement: This Friday and Saturday at The Science Circle - "Climate Change and Risk Analysis"

 

"Climate Change and Risk Analysis"

Satutday February 20

10AM to 11AM SL time

Over the last 40 years, a wide scientific consensus predicted a global, annual average, temperature increase due to human emissions of carbon dioxide plus the feedback of the amount of water vapor that the atmosphere can contain as the atmospheric temperatures increased. The primary focus of scientific policy recommendations was mitigation of such global warming by shifting to carbon neutral energy production  Nonetheless, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 has continued to increase from a preindustrial value of 285 ppm (parts per million) to a concentration in 2000 of 370 ppm to about 418 ppm today, high than any prior time in human history.. This increase is sufficient that we can no longer focus only on global emissions reduction but must reckon with local adaptations to already existing economic and social system risks, where a risk is considered to be an undesirable event stemming from a changing climate.

This initiates a project, often at the level of cities and counties, of identifying potential risks, estimating various levels of likelihood, tying those levels to consequences for human lives, social systems, and economics, and then pursuing means of adapting to reduce the risks. 

Presentation by Dr. Keith Grant

For more information, Click Here.

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

The Big Chill: Arctic Weather Brings Power Outages

 

It's been a cold week across much of the US. A cold blast of air with temperatures most in the US would associate with Alaska and northern Canada has moved south not just into the northern states but also down south to the southwest and south-central states. Texas in particular has been hit hard as much of the state is without power. But the damage isn't just there and millions across the country have lost electricity, and of course Internet. The power outages aren't just from downed power lines, but blackouts being done to preserve power grids.

Over the news, there are stories of people in southern Texas burning furniture, children's wood blocks, and fenceposts to stay warm and cook.  More than thirty people across the country have died because of the cold, some from carbon monoxide poisoning when they kept the car running in the garage to stay warm. While "warming shelters" were an option in some cities, there was a risk from the Pandemic. In one town, people were advised to boil water before drinking it (which could be a problem without power).

In Second Life, a few residents I usually see haven't been on for a few days. Two from Texas messaged me, saying their power was out and wouldn't likely be getting back on soon, one saying she was told not to expect it to come back on for good until next week. Another ran out of firewood, until hearing where he could get some more and drove through icy roads for over an hour to get it. I've noticed some DJ events in clubs needing a substitute. 

As bad as the situation is now, it won't last forever. Warmer weather should arrive next week, and for most of the affected areas so should the power. And of course their ability to get back online.

Source: Associated Press, weather.com

Image sources: www.weathercentral.com, weather.com

Bixyl Shuftan

Linden Sighted at "Feed a Smile"

 

On Wednesday February 17, the Lavender Field at "Feed a Smile" got a certain visitor at one of their events: a Linden. Simon Linden had dropped by. 

Jed Luckless was playing the music. Moondance Resident was doing some particle effects. So the place was a big laggy. Yours truly (through an alt) didn't stick around long.

"Feed a Smile" helps out children in the country of Kenya in Africa. A donation of 100L is enough for a meal. But they also help out with education and medical care. The location in Second Life frequently holds charity events to help raise money.

For more information, check out their blog at - http://feed-a-smile.blogspot.com/ or their website at - http://leben-lernen-kenia.org/

Feed A Smile/54/141/23

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Relay Rockers Announce 2021 Event Dates

 

The Relay Rockers, RFL of SL’s oldest team, kicks off its 17th season by announcing the schedule for its signature fundraising events in support of the American Cancer Society.

The team will once again host the Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back (CRFB) Top DJ Competition, Bid Me Bald Team Challenge, Bid The Lindens Bald and the popular multi-team RelayStock.  The Rockers are also planning their Blues for Life, Hard Cure for the Cure and Country fair events.

The CRFB DJ Competition begins March 27 with preliminary rounds through April 24th. The competition is open to Club DJ and Radio Presenters who are challenged to raise funds for the Relay For Life during one hour sets.  The Top 4 competitors move on to the May 1st & 2nd semifinals rounds with the 2 remaining DJs performing in the Finals at RelayStock May 14, 15 & 16. The event, which has been held since 2012, has raised nearly L$10 million in support of the ACS. Entry forms will be available at the team website: https://relayrockers.org/ beginning on Feb 20th and is limited to the first 20 DJs to sign up.

The Bid Me Bald Team Challenge will be held April 9th through the 17th and is open to all Registered RFL of SL Teams.  Teams fund raise to “Keep Their Hair” with the last place team pledging to go bald until RFL 2021 Weekend, June 13 & 14. Teams share kiosks with the Relay Rockers during the event.

Bid The Lindens Bald will be held during the Rockers annual multi-team RelayStock weekend, May 14 -16.  Teams of Lindens and Moles compete to outraise each other and again the last place group pledges to ‘shave’ their heads until Relay weekend 2021.

Anyone interested in participating or attending Relay Rockers events can visit https://relayrockers.org/ for more information, sign ups and landmarks, when available.

Trader Whiplash

Cartoon of the Day

 

 Taken at Club Cutlass at it's "Funny Stuff" event.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

A Look At One Billion Rising

 

There were a number of events over the weekend, notably many Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras themed ones. One of the bigger ones, while having moments of fun, was a bit more serious: the One Billion Rising. This was a demonstration in support of women's rights. Gemma Cleanslate was there, and wrote some about the exhibits there and what took place.

Read Gemma's story in Events.

RFL Team Sunbeamers Gearing Up For Relay Season

The Relay for Life in Second Life's official fundraising season doesn't officially start until Saturday February 20. But some of the Relayers have been getting ready ahead of time. This includes Team Sunbeamers, the Relay team of the Sunweaver community, whom last year made the top ten teams in terms of money raised. Not long after the last season concluded, team captain Rita Mariner set up an off-season tip jar for anyone to donate for the one this year. Over the months, thousands of Linden dollars were collected. And last weekend, Rita herself donated enough to bring the team just past 250,000 Lindens raised (or $1000 USD). Should fundraising levels be the same as last year, this means the "beamers" will begin past Bronze, Silver, and Gold, and right at Platinum level.

On Sunday Feb 14, those of the team who could gathered for a group picture at the America Cancer Society sim. This included the newest member, Andrew Foxian Arctic.

The Sunbeamers plan for an active season to get beyond Platinum level. This includes an Air Show, at least one Moon Dance, taking part in multiteam events, notably Relaystock, and of course some Bid Me Events. For one certain Sunbeamer though, that the team will start at Platinum means someone will have to own up to a promise. More details on that later.

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan

Oz Linden to Retire

After over eleven years at Linden Lab, Oz Linden, the Lab's VP of Engineering, will soon be stepping down. He made his announcement in the Second Life forums earlier today. He would call his time with the Lab "one of the best career decisions I ever made," and he would not be taking another job but retiring.

About 11 years ago I was working for a big multinational that had acquired the startup where I'd been for several years, and decided I needed a job with more fun and more job satisfaction. I put out the word on my professional network and got a response from a colleague who was a Linden at the time. I interviewed with several people at the Lab (half my interviews were in-world using an account I'd had for some years), and after much thought I joined the Lab as the Director of Open Source. It turned out to be one of the best career decisions I ever made.

My job evolved over the years, but through it all I got to work with brilliant, passionate, and committed people and got to know many residents. I've never worked anywhere that was as much fun (a Linden who returned to SL after some time away said recently that he'd forgotten how often the SL team laughs in the course of a normal day). More importantly, I got to work on a product users really enjoy using and that makes a big difference in the lives of many of its users - for me there's no greater source of job satisfaction.

Some time ago, I reached the point that I could afford to think about retiring but decided to stay to finish moving SL to its new cloud platform. I can't imagine a better last act in my working life than ensuring that Second Life has this better platform for its future growth. Now that project is done (well, except for a few loose ends), and it's time for me to move on to the next phase of my life. 

I want to emphasize in the strongest possible terms: my decision has nothing at all to do with the change in ownership of the Lab; the timing really is a coincidence. If anything, I regret that I have overlapped with them for only a few weeks; in that time (and in the time leading up to the change) I have come to respect and appreciate the skills and energy they bring to the company.

There aren't many jobs that come with a new nickname; this got me one I'll always cherish, but it's time for me to set aside my Linden last name. I leave Second Life in great hands, and have every confidence that it has a great future. 

Oz would say his last day would be Friday February 26, 2021, the last weekday of the month.

There were a number of well wishes following his announcement,  "You'll be missed, Oz. Thank you for everything, and enjoy your retirement." "Thank you for everything you did for us." "He's done more than leave his mark on the grid. Oz has touched thousands of lives in ways he will never know. For that, we are all grateful. And for the ways he has touched my life that I am unaware of, I am grateful." "Just don't COMPLETELY leave us, okay?" "One expressed pessimism, "Not gonna sugarcoat it. This is 100% bad for SL. Oz is one of the good ones."

Jessica Lyon of Firestorm, "Oz! It has been a great honor and privilege to have worked with you the past 11 years. I remember you coming in as a liaison for third party viewers during a time of great chaos in the TPV space. You created order, structure and in doing so, kept the Open Source nature of Second Life alive. You will be missed by many! Enjoy your retirement! You have earned it."

Tonya Souther of Firestorm, "Thank you for being there, for advocating for open source, and for understanding even when we didn't agree. Best of luck wherever you go next, even if it's just a chair by your pond."

 Coyot Linden, "So long and thanks for the fish. It's been great working for you." 

Alexa Linden, "And now I'm crying again... Oz, I can't thank you enough for the mentorship, encouragement and friendship over the last 11 years.  I am so fortunate to consider you family and I am a better person for having worked with you.  I wish you all the best in your retirement!" 

Dakota Linden, "Thank you, Oz, for everything you brought to Second Life and everything you have contributed to the platform. Your experience has been an excellent asset to Linden Lab and Second Life and you will be missed by a great many people. May your next adventure bring you as much satisfaction as this one has and may you always look back on this time with fond memories as we will remember you with the same. Be well, friend."

Perhaps Oz Linden will stick around in Second Life as a regular resident. Wherever he goes, hopefully it will go well.

Hat tip: Panterapolnocy

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 'A,' Hot Stuff, Gold and Silver

Happy Vixen: Africa, Topless, Cowboys and Indians, Angels and Demons, Canines and Mice, Horns and Hooves, Tigers/Tigerstripped

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Xanadu: In hiatus

Bouncing Bunny Club:Pokemon and Digimon, Bare

Montecito Bay: CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Canines, Rainbow Colours, Video Games, Retro, Rave, Late Night, Cute

Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Shapes, DJ Wolfy

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Continuing series by Ursula K. le Guin. In the new series department a return to Roger Zelazny's realm of Amber, and a New Hope begins (yes, THAT "New Hope") Join us 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

 *  *  *  *  *

 **TUESDAY, February 16th:

    ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/197/131/21

    ~ at 7pm: Ursula K. Le Guin's GIFTS continues with Willow Moonfire.

**WEDNESDAY, February 17th, at 7pm : Roger Zelazny's THE GUNS OF AVALON, begins with Corwyn Allen
   
**THURSDAY, February 18th, at 7pm : STAR WARS- A NEW HOPE, begins with Shandon and Caledonia. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

***

The Bouncing Bunny Beach Club Gets "Waved"

 

There's a new club in the Sunweaver lands, the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club. Sometimes called the BBBC or "Beeb," this beach and bunny-themed club has events twice a week. There's been plenty of fun as people arrive to relax and dance to the music. Recently, a certain seahorse arrived, and brought some water with her, a lot of water.

See the pictures in SL Clubbin'

Reader Submitted: Mole Day At Bay City

Mole Day was an amazing turnout. Maxed the region at around 66 avatars.

The event was our biggest yet, with over 60 avatars present over the course of the event including about nine moles (Resident contractors of Linden Lab, tasked with making inworld infrastructure. GoSpeed of KONA Stream spun tunes, Quartz performed, and the residents of Bay City performed their traditional conga.

Marriane McCann

Panda Jenn's Pad, Rebooted

Remember Panda Jenn's Pad, which was written about last year? Sadly, it was taken down after the owner of the land left Second Life. But Panda Jenn (PandaJenn0 Resident) recently told me the venue is back. This time, it's high over the Zeta Valley sim.

Like before, it's meant to be a comfortable hangout. As when it was first around, one can listen to the music, as well as dance away to it with a friend, or with one or two bot dancers who are sometimes there. But there have been some video games added. One can also order a drink from Deadpool at the bar. And there's the artwork of Jenn's. She's added many more of her pictures.

Jenn also told me a special party is being planned for the 20th anniversary of the character Panda Jenn. It's scheduled for Saturday February 20 between 6 and 9PM.

Jenn, Jennifer Carnivele in real life, is known for her online comic "Simply Panda Jenn," and for her artwork, which one can find on her Fur Affinity and Deviant Art pages.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zeta%20Valley/194/123/3201

Bixyl Shuftan