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 'E', Master/Servant, Really Red

Happy Vixen: Horns Hooves and Wings, Sock Hop, Asian Flaire, Tooned in, Maddkatt Madness, TBA, Black and Gold, Spots and Stripes

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Bunnies and Foxes

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Fur V Scales, Sci-fi, Jungle, Barely There, Late Night, CAYA, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy,

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

Hurricaine Ida Smashes Inland, Knocks Out Power to One Million

 

On Sunday August 29, Hurricane Ida reached Louisiana after quickly strengthening to a Category 4 storm. The result was flooding and damage that brought back memories of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Over a million people lost electric power, including practically everyone in New Orleans. One or two people have been confirmed dead, though more may be found. But for many, it may be some time before they places they evacuated from are safe to return to, and it may be weeks until some places get full electric power, and Internet, again. 

What's left of Ida is continuing to move northeast, and may create flooding and tornadoes along the way.
 
Sources: Weather Channel, CBS News, AP News 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

  

THIS WEEK: Good heavens! Where'd  Summer go?  September 1st arrives this week, and we are still sharing stories if all kinds  Join us for fun and adventure, this week.
Check out the stories and the storytellers! 

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

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

* * * * *

 --------->> COMING THIS WEEK

**TUESDAY, August 24th, at 7pm: GOING GREEK! - Selections from Stephen Fry's Mythos, Heroes, and Troy with Willow Moonfire.


**WEDNESDAY, August 25th at 7pm: Roger Zelazny's CREATURES OF LIGHT & DARKNESS continues with Corwyn Allen, live on stream.   


**THURSDAY, August 26th:

        ~  at 7pm: SUMMER STORIES with Caledonia, in The Glen http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
        
        ~  at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT, contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy with Finn Zeddmore


****
 

Nonprofit Commons Celebrates Fourteen Years

 

The Nonprofit Commons describes itself as "A community-led project, providing space to meet and network, all to create a cooperative learning environment and foster outreach, education, fundraising, all in a virtual environment." Part of Second Life for most of it's history, on August 20 it celebrated it's fourteenth anniversary. Gemma Cleanslate was there at the event, which was not just a celebration but a reminder of what the NPC was and has been doing over time.

Read Gemma's story in People.
 

Fantasy Subcontinent Off Bellisseria Open, Fairgrounds Water Park Closes

 

Near the beginning of the month, the subcontinent for the new Fantasy-themed Linden Homes had appeared off Bellisseria. Recently, the land was open to all, and the houses were available for those with Premium accounts to claim.

Dropping by, the place looked much like the display area showing the houses at the Second Life Birthday. the four types of houses were there. So were the trees, crystals, mushrooms, and other decorations, as were the bridges over the water. There was one notable difference. As the houses were now being claimed, some were being decorated for individual tastes with pets, statues, more lights, and other items. I had yet to hear about a community center of some kind. But this may change in the future. 

On another note about news from the Linden Home continent, There's been a water park in the Bellisseria Fairgrounds, with pools, lounge chairs to enjoy the sun, and four tall slides that took close to a minute to go down into the water. Some wag also put a Bellisserian Slenderman doll in the water as a joke. But the fun didn't last forever, and last week it's closing was announced.

This week will be the final farewell to the water park. It's been an amazing summer and Vari and I would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support of the Belli Animal Sanctuary and the Bellisseria Fairgrounds!

There were a few farewell events. But people continued to drop by afterwards to slide, or just to relax. But this isn't necessarily a permanent end. The water park may be back sometime in the future.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Weekend in Brief

 

Plenty happened this weekend. On Saturday, the Rosehaven Regatta boat race and party took place. Sunday had the Homes For Our Troops veterans' fundraiser. It also had the start of the Virtual Burn 2021 event.

Stay tuned for more on these events.
 

Picture of the Day: Robo-Chair

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Spooked Dreamscape shows off a chair that's actually a robot walker. He never did dance with it, possibly because those metal feet might scratch something.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Hurricane Ida Srengthens to Cat 4, Heading Into Louisiana

 

Residents in Louisiana and Mississippi are facing lots of rain and power outages as Hurricane Ida is not only making a beeline toward them, it is rapidly gaining in strength along the way. 

Ida has been gaining strength very fast. Currently, it is a Categoty Four storm, with winds next to the eye going 130 miles an hour. The storm will make landfall later today, bringing high winds and possible flooding over much of the Louisiana coast, as well as power and Internet outages. As the storm travels inland, while it will lessen in intensity, the still high winds will continue to knock out power over much of Louisiana and Mississippi.

For more information, check out the weather channel: https://weather.com/ .

Source: Weather Channel

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Video: "Particles in Inspire Space Park" (Part One)

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

By Kristina Kohn on April 2010, "This is a live show with Earth Primbee, Tomo Ritt,Grafx Newbold and Jessie Kleiner as a producer. Music, ligths and particles in one of the best places in second life; Inspire Space Park This video is dedicated to alkohn, to remember the day he became in angel."
 

Wedding in The Deathlands

 

As a post-apocalyptic region that describes everyday life as a struggle to survive, one wouldn't expect the Deadlands to be the scene of a wedding. But it was. Rebel Wolf, the local baron, recently announced the place's first wedding. The Newser asked him how it went about.

Read more in People.
 

Artist Bryn Oh Makes Real-Life Statue of Oz Linden For Linden Lab

 

Second Life artis Bryn Oh has been known for various artistic displays in Second Life, such as her Rabbicorn. But she has also been doing some real life art, such as the bronze sculptures she made in 2017.  Recently in Facebook, Bryn announced she had been doing more bronze statue art. But this time, it was Linden Lab itself that requested the sculpture, in honor of Oz Linden, whom had retired in February this year after 11 years.

Several months ago I was approached by Linden Lab, the makers of the virtual world I use for my art,  to create a retirement gift for Oz Linden a long time and very well known Linden Lab employee.  They asked me to create a bronze sculpture of his avatar.

Bryn used a couple of images of Oz from the 2019 interview of him an April Linden (though mistook April as the one doing the interviewing). The resulting sculpture was 12 inches high, and was slumped forward in the style of an AFK avatar.

I created a 12 inch sculpture of Oz and it is being shipped to Linden Lab right now so yay.  When creating the pose for the sculpture I decided to make Oz in an "away" pose.   An away pose is unique to the virtual world in that when a person doesn't touch their keyboard for a while because they have gone to make tea or went to walk the dog.. their avatar will time out and be put in the "away" pose which is slumped over and asleep looking.

So why put Oz in this particular pose? Bryn would explain with the following:

I felt it was nice to make Oz in "away" because maybe retirement its more of an adieu than a goodbye.  Or maybe I am just too sentimental.

So the scuplture was made in a way that expressed a wish that Oz wasn't really gone, just having stepped away for a while to return later.

Images from Bryn Oh's Facebook page

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Do You Have A Story?

 

We at Second Life Newser work hard at bringing you the news of the people, places, and events across Second Life. This past year, we've posted a thousand and one articles, announcements, press releases, briefs, and our popular screenshot cartoons. But sorry to say we can't be everywhere, and we don't always have time to write about every single place we come across.

So this is where you the readers come in. Have you seen a particularly well-detailed sim? Went to a great event? Found yourself in a hilarious "only in SL" predicament? We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.

Mail submissions to bixylshuftan(at)gmail.com.

PLEASE include your SL user name and tell us if you wish it to appear with your story.

SL-Newser reserves the right to post in the appropriate section and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture (if taken in a private area) or use an alias for them).
 

"How Does Your Club Choose Its Themes?"

 

While my main job in Second Life is running the Newser, some time ago my friends in the Sunweaver/Angel community asked me to give them a hand in helping to run their beach club, the Happy Vixen. Since I was going there anyway, as numerous cartoons from screenshots I've taken there show, I agreed. Among the things manager Snowy Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre) and I go over are the event themes each week. So how does our little beach club choose it's themes?  Well, it's a process.
 
Read the story in Extra.
 

The Burn2 Fashionistas and "Larry"

 

I would like to recommend one meeting that I hope to attend. Vickie Maidstone is having a workshop to introduce her marvelous group , The Fashionistas. This group strut their stuff at the Burn2 events with an air of fun and fashion. She is looking for members to add to the models who appear now. Read about the Fashionistas here  -  https://www.burn2.org/spotlight-the-burn2-fashionistas/
 

Vickie says   "What does it take to be a fashion model? How does a fashion model train? Schooling and rewards Have you ever wondered what goes on when a fashion model gets ready for a show? And the process to becoming a model? See you at our stage on playa."

Two opportunities :   Sunday, August 29th, 1pm SL time or Thursday, Sept. 2nd 1pm SL time.

Mrs. Mia Wallace (Mia Quinote) sent me another reference I highly recommend.
 Burn2 VB2021 there will be several showing of a wonderful film of Larry Harvey one of the founders of Burning Man .

"LARRY- A Burning Man Story".
The film will be shown in the Black Rock Saloon.
When
Sun, August 29, 10am SLT/Pacific time
Sun August 29,  5pm
Wed. August 31, 6pm
Location: BLACK ROCK SALOON
 Burning Man- Deep Hole (193,41,24)

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Press Release: HFOT August 29 Benefit Concert

 

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2021’s August benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life for August 29, 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 June 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 EXTREMELY INJURED 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 August 29 concert for 2021 is scheduled from 4PM to 9PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Erin and Satin, Keeba Tammas,  Hogan Baily and Austin Moores.

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
 

Grand Opening Party For New "Survivors of Suicide" Sim

 

On Saturday August 21 and Sunday August 22, the Survivors of Suicide celebrated the grand opening of their new home sim. The "SoS" as it's known for short has been a noted mental health group in Second Life for several years, and have been more in demand with the Pandemic. Gemma Cleanslate was at their celebration, and saw quite a bit.
 
Read Gemma's article in Events.
 

SpaceX Gifts

 

For space fans, there's a chance to get a rocket in Second Life. In the National Space Society group, someone posted about a new space-themed group: SpaceX.

I have great gifts from the Official SpaceX.com group I would love to give out today.
To receive them, join secondlife:///app/group/71d716fc-3bc3-159e-8c05-ddad966760fb/about
and check out the group notices.

Joining the group, it claimed to be the official SpaceX.com group in Second Life. It had a docking simulator on https://iss-sim.spacex.com . But checking the group notices, there were some gifts. One from Neuralinks that got my attention was a rezzable Falcon rocket. Once rezzed on the ground, board it, and the rocket would rise some feet in the air. Get out, and the rocket would come back down.

Other gifts include large pictures. There may be more gifts in the group in the future.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Press Release: BURN2 Virtual Burn Week, Aug-Sept, 2021

 

Opening 6:00 pm PDT/SLT, Sunday, 29th of August, 2021
Ending Midnight PDT/SLT, Sunday, 5th of September 2021
Location in Second Life (aka the) SLURL: Burning Man- Deep Hole - https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/174/32/25
August 29th through September 2nd:  Workshops and Burner Films
September 3rd~5th:  Stages Open for Performances
Saturday, September 4th:  Live stream of  the BURN2 Man Burn at Burn Night Live 
Sunday, September 5th:  BURN2 Temple Burn

Virtual Burn Week 2021

BURN2 is participating in Burning Man's Virtual Burn 2021 event. With Black Rock City cancelled once again, we have a version of our annual "echo" with stages, art, music, and even the Man and a Temple! We invite Burners from all over the world to visit and participate with us.

August 29th through September 5th
The BURN2 Virtual Burn 2021 event is free to attend. It will open starting August 29th - come to the workshops during the week, chill out in a cuddle puddle at one of the Burner Movie Nights. Some amazing burner art and camps were curated and are on the playa for you to explore all week long. The stages will come alive with performances from Burners all over the world starting Friday, September 3rd. Come listen and dance with your avatar to a wide array of tunes, explore the art, participate! We have a full weekend of performances! There may be times when Deep Hole becomes full. Throughout the event, BURN2 will have a live stream channel active during the performance weekend to showcase the stages. More information will be available on the website. There will be a virtual Lamplighters fire dance on Saturday just before the Man Burns, and also on Sunday before BURN2’s Temple Caelum of Stars burns.

Coming for the First Time?

BURN2’s virtual playa is accessible by a PC/Mac using a desktop world viewer. Create your free account witha customisable avatar and find us using our instructions to arrive. You will see a newcomer area to help you quickly learn the basics, and Burners can assist with questions.
While the event is free, there will be donation kiosks in various places so you can make a voluntary donation directly to Burning Man Project

If You Have Attended Our Events Before

Then you know you’re in for a great week and weekend! We celebrate the Virtual Burn with Burning Man! Come to this event, then look forward to - even get a plot and build your own camp - our upcoming October event, themed “The Great Unknown” on an expanded playa, set to take place October 8th through 17th.

Did You Know...

Of course you knew that BURN2 is the oldest running virtual regional, residing on Deep Hole in Second Life® (SL) and echoing Black Rock City, right? It is! We’ve existed since 2003 and became an officially sanctioned Burning Man Regional in 2010. Our community is active and welcoming new Burners to join us.

Burn With Us!

You can join the BURN2 community - it’s free! BURN2 is an extension of the Burning Man culture and
community into the world of Second Life. It is an officially sanctioned Burning Man Regional, the only virtual world Regional out of more than 100 Regional groups worldwide, and the only Regional to burn the Man! This unique virtual Regional spreads the culture and Ten Principles of Burning Man year-round in the world of Second Life hosting 6+ events per year, culminating in an annual major festival of community, art and fire in October – a virtual echo of Burning Man itself.

As always, we look forward to welcoming Home Burners and the community. Enter the playa through the Gate, walk-on with the Lamplighters; visit the Rangers, and check out our effigy burn. Wander, explore, climb, interact. Visit the stages, where DJs and musicians bring music to soothe, inspire, excite and incite to dance. You will be surrounded by art, music, fire and welcoming Burners! See the (continuously updated) BURN2 Calendar at https://www.burn2.org/event-calendar/ for the event’s schedule.

Want to stay informed through group notices? Join BurningMan 2.0 group in Second Life. Do a search on groups or pull up the profile of any BURN2 staff member, open the group properties, and click the Join button. As always, the Ten Principles serve as our framework for how we want to live and do things together.

SHARE the News and Plan to Come!

How to access BURN2
https://www.burn2.org/who-is-burn2/come-to-burn2/

More about Burning Man’s Virtual Burn Week and here as well.
https://journal.burningman.org/2021/08/vr/virtual-burn/how-to-access-the-virtual-burn/
https://kindling.burningman.org/virtual-burn-2021-faq/

Virtual Burn Week Landing Page
https://virtualburn.burningman.org/booth/

Information about the Burning Man Regionals from around the world
https://regionals.burningman.org/event/virtual-burn-at-burn2-the-week-of-aug-29-to-sept-5th/
 

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 'D', Topless Night, On Vacation

Happy Vixen: Animal Instincts, Anthro, Cute and Fluffy, Foxes and Wolves, Madkatt Madness, TBA, Naughty, Bats and Cats

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Bunnies and Foxes

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Nature VS Tech, Animation, Purple, Sci-fi, CAYA, Late Night, Horns and Hooves
, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy,

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 
 

Announcement: "Under the Sea" at Caledon

 
Everypaws is invited to come and spend time with DJ Cynthia and myself  Under the Sea!  Dame, DJ Cynthia Farshore says, "All you pirates, mermaids, fish and seamen, come dance to the shanties!" 

We will be in the Under Ocean Retreat this Tuesday the 24th from 6 to 8 as Cynthia streams the tunes of a pirate under water theme. In or out of theme come and join us. Please make you way to the main chamber once you arrive. Hang a left at the intersection.
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/124/218/2411
 

Jaycatt and Frogg at The Shelter

 

At 6PM on Friday August 20, "The Shelter" was the scene of a music event by noted live musicians Jaycatt Nico and Frogg Marlowe. Frogg, who used to appear as an anthro amphibian, was now human, though still shoeless. Jaycatt was still the cat behind the piano. They played songs such as "Apateure Science," while cake and other goodies were available nearby.
 
The Shelter, located at at Isabel (44/244/79), was a noted hangout for newcomers from 2004 to August 2020 when it's leadership announced they could no longer continue running it.  After that, it was turned over to Linden Lab.
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Shark's Bay Underwater Sim Closing This Friday

 

A well-done underwater sim will soon be closing. In the Safe Waters Foundation group, it was announced Shark's Bay would soon be shutting down. The sim belongs to Saer Genossee.

 The sim and the group for Sharks Bay will be closing on Friday, August 27th.

We know this happens a lot in SL but are so greatly saddened and send our condolences to Saer Genossee - she is an incredible builder and a huge contributor to SWF group and lands. Please go now if you want to see her work!

Dropping by the landmark provided at Sunshine Island (20/30/37), I appeared on a small island. There was a group joiner, and a free gift of a light ans a snorkel.  On the other side of the sim was a floating patio with a couple of lounge chairs made from shark jaws. But the real treat is underwater. There was an underwater gazebo, underwater kelp forests, an underwater lava flow of a small island building itself up and about to form, and numerous critters swimming about from whales, sea snakes, turtles, and of course sharks. 

The background music is relaxing, gentle tunes. If you're observant, you can hear whale calls as well. Be careful about approaching some of the fish. While panning around, a sea snake swam over and nipped me, and I had to leave the sim to get medical treatment. Later on, I would hear the "killers" had their instinct to bite turned off.

Once again, baring the owner getting enough money to keep it going longer, the sim will be closing down Friday August 27.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunshine%20Island/20/30/37

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Linden Lab Has New VP of Engineering: Andrew Kertesz (Mojo Linden)

 
Since Oz Linden retired in February, his position as VP of Engineering remained vacant for months. Several days ago, it was finally filled. Linden Lab's new VP of Engineering is Andrew Kertesz, or Mojo Linden. He had the following description on Linden Lab's website:

With over twenty years of experience in the games industry, Andrew is an expert at building teams and launching groundbreaking games across genres that push the limits of their respective platforms. His product and technical expertise spans across multiple mobile, PC, and console games, as well as platform and SDK development, web applications, and cloud services.

Prior to joining Linden Lab, Andrew held senior-level positions at Level Ex, Zume, DoubleDown Interactive, IGT, and Microsoft. Andrew has worked on iconic franchises such as Halo, Forza Motorsport, Fable, Crackdown, and Wheel of Fortune. Andrew has a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Washington.

It has not yet been announced when he'll be in a meeting or interview in which residents will get a chance to ask him questions. Presumably, there will be one soon.

Kertesz has a LinkedIn page one can read here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kertesz/

Source: Modem World

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Summer is such a wonderful time - where stories are born to share when the earth turns cold and wintry. Stories to share - stories in the making. Join us for fun and adventure, this week.
Check out the stories and the storytellers!

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

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

* * * * *

 --------->> COMING THIS WEEK

**MONDAY, August 23rd, at 7pm: Scott Westerfield's GOLIATH continues with Gyro Muggins.
    

**TUESDAY, August 24th, at 7pm: GOING GREEK! - Selections from Stephen Fry's Mythos, Heroes, and Troy with Willow Moonfire.


**WEDNESDAY, August 25th at 7pm: Roger Zelazny's CREATURES OF LIGHT & DARKNESS continues with Corwyn Allen, live on stream.   


**THURSDAY, August 26th:

        ~  at 7pm: SUMMER STORIES with Caledonia, in The Glen http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
        
        ~  at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT, contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy with Finn Zeddmore


***

Hurricane Henri to Slam into US Northeast

Residents in the American northeast are preparing for a rare hurricaine, and possible power and Internet outage, from Hurricane Henri. In the past 24 hours, the tropical storm has been upgraded to hurricane status, and much of the New England and New York and New Jersey coasts have tropical storm and hurricane warnings. Second Life residents, and everyone else, in these areas may face power and Internet outages.

For more information, check out the article on weather.com .
 

Announcement: Mini-Woodstock Event at The CDS Today

 

CDS is celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the original Woodstock with our own version.

We have flowers, dairy cows and camper trailers, plus beer and whatnot. Anything else is up to you >winks<

Sunday, August 22 from 12 noon until 2pm

DJ Qt will preside in her inimitable style.

Wear your best hippie/boho outfit and some. Bring a friend, bring 2 the more the merrier.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Locus%20Amoenus/210/18/29
 

SL Video: "Don't Forget Me"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Furrex on August 2019
 

Announcement: Grand Opening of New Home of Survivors of Suicide

Please join us in celebrating what will be an exciting weekend for SOS. The unveiling of our new Forever Home on a full 20k prim region kindly given to us by our friends at Linden Labs at a nonprofit rate and lovingly built and landscaped by non other than our Director himself, Sebastien Bouevier.

Mental Health has faced a particularly difficult time during the Covid pandemic and, as a result, worldwide lockdowns. However, we have continued to support our peers and members throughout this time and now that we are, hopefully, nearing an end to the crisis - what better way to celebrate?!

The Grand Opening Weekend will commence Saturday the 21st of August at noon SLT - Sunday 22nd August. There will be 2 hours of live music and, of course, free snacks! It will also be a great opportunity for visitors to explore the new sim and check out all of our new facilities.

We really hope to see as many of you as possible at this exciting event!

On behalf of the entire SOS team, we would like to thank you all for your valued and continuous support.

Sincerely

Sherridon Mercury
Director of Events
Survivors of Suicide

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Survivors%20of%20Suicide/75/122/25

 

Weekly Fishing Contest at Tiny Oasis in Sunweaver Estates

 

While the Sunweaver lands are best known to being home to a (mostly) furry community, there is one spot in the southwest corner of Sunweaver Space that's more tiny oriented: the Tiny Oasis. Owned by Skye Tracer, the place has two events a week. One is the Tuesday night dance. The other is a fishing contest every Wednesday. The event is hosted by Kitty Huang (SuperGirl1970 Carver).

With a few known regulars from Raglan Shire, the fishing can be whimsical, with various tiny-themed gestures played throughout the event. It's done using 7Seas equipment and contest board, with the current leaders of the event shown for all to see. There's at least two rounds per event. The contests have been going on for over a year, with Kitty only unable to run it twice.

I have yet to sit in on a contest, though have seen it from a distance. By the time I get there, it's pretty much wrapped up, with the fishers doing the tiny riverdance. By some coincidence, the radio stream was playing, "So Long And Thanks For All The Fish."

"Ni ni all. See ya next Wed."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunweaver%20Space/7/65/22

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Video: "Second Life 2021 Review - Everything About The Social Metaverse That You Need to Know"

 

From Luca the Guide on August 11, "A mini documentary styled overview of Second Life, from inside Second Life. Its cultures, people, economy, features, outlook, history, social fabric and so on . 

"'Is it worth getting into SL in 2021? 

"Second Life is an open world 3D social virtual world, the precursor of the virtual reality or VR platforms we see today. But is it really on its way out of the Metaverse game as some believe? Or does it hold the keys to realizing the Metaverse as it is envisioned by many futurists and sci-fi authors? This short film seeks to answer those questions. 

:Everything about its history, social fabric, cultures, technology, economy, virtual land system and what the Metaverse truly means is explored in this short Second Life documentary." 

Hat tip: Nydia Tungsten
 

Announcement: Fourth Annual Rosehaven Regatta

 

End the summer with a fun-filled day celebrating Rosehaven and it's beautiful waterways!

Saturday August 28, 2021

1-3PM SL time

Music for the day provided by Dr. Holocluck Henly

Catering provided by Flock and Feather

The plaza in Laudanum is the main landing point:
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rosehaven%20Laudanum/214/194/22

All along the Laudanum docks will be the boardwalk games, rides, foods, a couple's promenade walk on eitherside, prizes ... tons of fun! In the water at the edge of the Laudanum dock will be a cordoned space for inner tube bumper car play, as well as paddle and rowboats for cruising the water.

Dress code is within the theme of Rosehaven, with late Victorian attire (including bathing suits) suggested.

ANYTHING THAT FLOATS but is NOT a boat CONTEST. Be your most creative and enter something that floats. If it's not a boat (no rowboats, steam ships, tall ships, speedboats, canoes, dinghy, etc.) and it floats, you can enter your own creation. All flotations must be able to move, or sail, along the water of the canal, adding a sailing script is allowed. Prizes awarded for the most unique! (Register with either Duchess Wilner or Oriella Charik to enter)

STEAMLAND TEAMS SCULL RACING/RACE FOR THE GOLDEN OARS TROPHY. We have two-person scull boats (in the US, this is known as crew boars) ... please form your teams! Each of the Steampands is encouraged to send two people to represent their region. Last year's Golden Oars Trophy went to Rosement, and they are prepared to defend!

Practice boats are available in the water near the lighthouse at Dragonlight Plaza in Laudanum. Oars are provided at the dock ... please take a copy of the oars and have fun practicing! The course will be laid out in the channel  ... lighthouse bridge and back.

Please let Oriella Charik know via notecard the names of your rowers. Only teams of two are accepted. Team shirts will be provided.

There will also be fireworks! See you at the Regatta!

Duchess of Trikassi

Cartoon of the Day: Redshirt Retreat

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. I never did hear why this guy was in a redshirt uniform. But given what happened to so many in Star Trek's original series, I could think of reasons why he had his communicator out.
 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Reader Submitted Commentary: Things To Do About The Gacha Ban

 
As everybody knows, Linden Lab plans to ban gacha prize machines later this month. LL says that the gacha ban, is because of legislation in other countries. If that were so, then they would confine gacha prize machines on islands. They do that with games of skill, such as Zyngo. In the U.S., in many states, games of skill are not legal. People living in those states, can't go to those islands. So, why is LL banning gacha prize machines? That is because of one of the new owners. He doesn't like gacha prize machines. He thinks that people that play gacha, are being cheated. So he, and perhaps one of the other new owners, have decided to ban gacha prize machines.

The Lindens have closed the forum thread about the gacha prize machine ban. So, what can be done? If you have twitter, then send the Lindens a message on twitter. But don't cuss, or send any nasty messages. If you play the gacha machine, tell them, and tell them what you think of the ban. Do you sell your gacha prizes? If you do, tell them, and tell them how much you make per month selling gachas. Do you make the gacha prizes? If you do, then tell them that. And tell them how much you make per month, making the prizes. You can also email the Lindens. But no name calling, or nasty language.  But do be firm, and do let them know what you think.

Now, what else can be done? Email, or send a tweet to the news media. I don't mean just the SL news media. I emailed Fox News. You might email your local paper, or your local radio, or TV station. Let them know about the gacha prize machine ban. Let them know what you think about the ban. You could still email the SL news media. One is the SL Newser. Here is the link to the website.  http://slnewser.blogspot.com/

There is something else that can be done. That is to file a lawsuit. That should be done last. The creators need to get together, and file a class action lawsuit. The resellers need to get together, and also file a class action lawsuit. Chances of winning is slim. But here in the U.S., we don't have loser pays laws. You sue somebody, and you lose, you don't have to pay. LL has been sued, and has lost. One time they got sued by Marc Woebegone, the case was settled out of court. Another time, Stoker Serpentine sued LL. He made sex beds, and made them transfer, no copy. Somebody found away to copy the sex beds during a sim restart. Stroker sued, and it was settled.

My store has 7 gacha prize machines. The items were made by FeelGood Trip, and his ex wife. There's clothes, cellphones, buildings, and other items. The items are about 10 years old, or older.

Pass this note card out, and let everybody know. Also pass this out to other Gacha groups.

Kelvin R. Throop
 

Announcement: HFOT July 2021 Donations

Hello fellow Homes For Our troops supporter …

I hope your summer is providing you with some great memories.  

We continue to move ahead with our goal of $25000 in donations to HFOT for 2021.  In July we sent HFOT $750.  The total now that we have sent to HFOPT in 2021 is $12427.5.  So we are basically half way to our target and now need to achieve $2500 in donations per month for the rest of 2021 to get there.  We can do this!

And as we do monthly, let’s thank those who make the special efforts to help us achieve our goals.

First of all a round of applause to the performers and their managers who gave their time and talent to this cause.  Thank you:

BG Singer
DudeCanSing and his manager Troy Pruitt-Nelson and Music Speaks Management
Naughty
RickyliveMusic

And then let’s thank those who put forth an extra effort to help us in July.  Thank you:

EastbayRay, Cattleya Lovette LadySmack Gears and the Legion of Vets MC
JulesA Flow, Salonios Koolhoven and DOOWOPS FOREVER at Gigli  Isles
Cayleen Linette and everyone at Cay's at Woodland Lake
All the folks at Club Mojo
Starry Moonlight and everyone at Pigeon Cove
J.J. Roseblood and Four Seasons  DFS Marketplace & Auction

And thank you to those who have placed kiosks thoughout the grid to help our cause:

Big Casper and THUNDER RIDERZ MC
Rebel Gothic and Rebellious Intentions Dance Club
LeAnn Clawtooth  and HAVOK Entertainment
All the folks at Southern Fried Country Club
ℳѕ Tamm Schism and everyone at Dandy's Place

FIⱤЄ - ̗̀ℬƠƝFIⱤЄ  ̖́ and everyone at Country Roads Ranch

There are many more who have taken the time to place kiosks …to each and every one of you we say thank you.

Lastly I personally appreciate Bri McMahon and Sabryne Hotaling for all your help with our monthly event as well as my performance on July 25 at Veteran’s Isle.

Once again we ask that you continue praying for our good friend Dahlea Milena of Veteran’s Isle, who is now fighting cancer.  We pray she beats this and is back with us soon.

This year is shaping up to be the best we have ever had.  We can do this ….let’s hit $25,000 for Homes For Our Troops and stay in the top ten donors list for 2021!  THIS MEANS THE TARGET NOW IS $2500 A MONTH TO HIT THAT $25000.   It is going to be work …but it is well worth it!

Thank you for letting me a part of this.

Frets Nirvana

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: Flower Power, Stripe Night, Monochrome 

Happy Vixen: Into The Desert, Zoo Animals, Wizards and Lizards, Spies and Secret Agents, Madkatt Madness, TBA, Lingire, Stripes

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Mixed Up, Canines and Equines

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  CAYA, Ferals, Retro, Purple, Horror, Late Night, Black and White, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy,

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Our summer series continue,  a tribute to a passed colleague concludes as does our  "At The Movies" teatime series. Join us for stories presented LIVE in Second Life.
Check out the stories and the storytellers! 

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

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

* * * * *

--------->> COMING THIS WEEK

**TUESDAY, August 17th  
Both sessions today, in The Glen

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

   ~ at 7pm: Ursula K. LeGuin's DRAGONFLY concludes with Willow Moonfire.


**WEDNESDAY, August 181th at 7pm: Roger Zelazny's CREATURES OF LIGHT & DARKNESS continues with Corwyn Allen, live on stream.     


**THURSDAY, August 19th at 7pm: Selections from THE BOOK OF DRAGONS (ed. by Jonathan Strahan) with Finn Zeddmore

   
**FRIDAY, August 13th at 2:30pm: Terry Pratchett's UNSEEN ACADEMICALS
concludes with Caledonia Skytower at the Seanchai lanai-firecircle (90 minutes).


****
 

Applications Open For Halloween Shop and Hop

 

While it may be only August, already Linden Lab is getting ready for October 31st. On Friday August 13, the Lab announced on the official blog that they were accepting applications from merchants for the Halloween Shop and Hop shopping event. 

The Halloween season is fast approaching and our annual multi-region inworld shopping event is coming back. If you are a Content Creator, this is your chance to spook up some sales and reach a large audience with your creepiest and coolest creations!

The 2021 Halloween Shop & Hop will open on October 1st, and will run through the 31st. This is your opportunity to bring a ton of new customers to your brand, by offering some of your best items. We are looking for Merchants willing to offer a discount on their items (at least 20% off) and provide a small non-exclusive gift to shoppers. 

To take part in the event,  interested merchants need to fill out a Google doc form (link here). All have to follow several guidelines, including having to provide a gift or gift card available to those outside their shopping group, and no adult-themed or politically-themed items. The setup for the event is from September 22-26.

The Halloween Shop and Hop starts at Friday October 1, and ends Sunday October 31 at Midnight.

To read the blog post in full, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan

Virtual World Commentator Will Burns' (Aeonix Aeon) Mother Passes Away, Sets Up GoFundMe for Funeral Costs

 

Will Burns, known in Second Life as Aeonix Aeon, has been going through personal tragedy. On August 8, he posted that his mother had passed away, and needed help with expenses.

It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of my mother, Cindy Stoll, on August 6th at 11am. Her viewing will be on Wednesday August 11th between 4pm  and 8pm at Newbaker Funeral Home [https://newbaker.com/]
https://newbaker.com/tribute/details/888/Cindy-Stoll/obituary.html

While my mother had good life insurance, I can anticipate that the costs will likely run over that in her headstone and executing her last will and testament. In light of this, and at the suggestion of my uncle James White, I've set up a GoFundme for friends and family where we can hopefully all pull together and ensure a dignified burial and cover any extra costs involved along the way.

On behalf of myself and my Mother, thank you.

The Cindy Stoll Memorial Fund has a goal of $3500. 

Will Burns was a commentator about news in Second Life in the early 2010s, getting attention with his comments about Linden Lab in the content creator Terms of Service controversy from 2013-14. In more recent years, he's moved on to discussing virtual worlds other than Second Life.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/cindy-stoll-memorial-fund

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Reader Submitted Cartoon: Lost Unicorn?

 

From DeniseUnicorn Toonie, "I was exploring on Second Life recently, and I came across this place, 'The Lost Unicorn Gallery?"  'Dude... I'm not lost.'"
 

SL Video: "Lose Yourself"

 

(Click here to see the video)

By Inworld Films on Sept 2019, music by Luca Stricagnoli
 

Zenescope

 

So what is the Zenescope? This area in Second Life, an exclusive partnership with the acclaimed comic book publisher Zenescope, is described as not just a place, but an "exciting new virtual world experience." There are games such as the Hedge Maze and Goblin Golf, and shops where you can get limited edition items. Gemma Cleanslate decided to drop in for a look around. So what did she think?

Read Gemma's article in Places.
 

Montecito Bay's Roller Club

 

Studio 86 is the main club of Montecito Bay. But last week, there was a new place to hang out and dance, or in this case dance or skate to the tunes: the Roller Club. DJ Moff was spinning the tunes, while others were spinning around on the roller-skating rink. The Newser was there, and took a few pictures.

Read more in Design.
 

Announcement: The Peale Founder's Day Celebration

Sunday, August 15,
3 pm SLT/Pacific -- 6 pm ET
The Peale Museum

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Peale%20Museum/128/98/22

Join us on The Peale Museum island for a screening of the Founder's Day event to celebrate the 1 year birthday of the Peale in Second Life, and the 207th birthday of the physical Peale, located in Baltimore, Maryland. This live broadcast will be "projected" into the courtyard of the Virtual Peale, providing a portal into the physical Peale. Meet RL artists, staff and partners from the Peale, and see the progress of the ongoing restoration of the oldest museum building in America, established in 1814 by artist Rembrandt Peale. The hour-long event will also feature a musical performance by Scott Patterson for the Proximity Project, a history and demonstration of silhouette cutting with Lauren Muney, and a look back at Out Of The Blocks with Aaron Henkin.

The event includes live human generated captions and American Sign Language interpretation. For more information about transcripts, captioning, and other accessibility resources, please visit the Peale's accessibility page. If you have any additional accommodation requests ahead of time, questions or feedback about access, please contact our Accessibility Manager Robin Marquis at access@thepealecenter.org.

Second Life Destinations: The Zenescope Metaverse comes to Second Life

Created in an exclusive partnership with the acclaimed comic book publisher Zenescope, the all-new Zenescope Metaverse is bursting with magic and mystery. In this week’s “Second Life Destinations” video, Zenescope co-founder Ralph Tedesco gives an exclusive “first look” at this exciting new virtual world experience. 

Immerse yourself and discover the many secrets hidden across this vast Second Life region offering dark and twisted games and experiences inspired by the Zenescope universe. In partnership with Epik, visitors can snag limited edition collectibles inspired by heroes, villains, and Zenescope favorites such as Cinderella (a.k.a. “Cindy, the serial killer princess”), Belle, the Mad Hatter, and more.

This huge region is so highly detailed that it might just take several visits to see everything. Start your journey in the wide courtyard where you can connect with others before exploring. As you traverse this enchanted realm of flowing brooks and glistening flowers, keep an eye out for hidden locations and easter eggs referencing some of Zenescope’s most iconic tales. 

Meet new friends as you wind your way through the Hedge Maze and discover games that you can play together like the whimsical Goblin Golf. Don’t miss the special quest to score the ultimate prize -- but beware of the Jabberwocky, among other fantastical creatures.

Experience storytelling and comic books in a whole new way at the Zenescope Metaverse -- check it out exclusively in Second Life. 

Video production credits: Draxtor Despress