Four Hour Halloween Bash At The Happy Vixen, Tonight 5 - 9 PM

 

Join the fun at the Happy Vixen's Ghost Pirate Island tonight as we have our four hour Halloween party. At 5 SL time, DJ Jazzy takes the stream for two hours of fun tunes, with a big prize for the first contest in the "fishbowl." At 7PM, It's DJ Squeaks' turn to do the Monster Mash and the party continues with a second contest. Dress as you would for a Halloween party. It'll be a night of Spook-tacular fun.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Purrfection%20Estates/236/219/24

(Use the pirate chest marked "Teleport" to get to the party)

Cartoon of the Day

 *

Taken at Club Cutlass. Insect-like avatars are uncommon. Probably because they creep out some people, or "bug" them.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: This is Halloween! This is Halloween!  Join us for a special session at Haunted Hollow and music, then onward to November.  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

{IMPORTANT NOTE: To get to story sessions at Haunted Hollow, you will be directed to the main landing point. There is no direct teleport to the Halloween Tree venue.  Look for the sign outside the arrival building, pointing to the *telepumpkin*. Click on the *telepumpkin*  to be redirected to The Halloween Tree story venue.}

** SUNDAY, October 31st at 1:30pm: TEATIME ~ A Grimm Brothers' Halloween, live on stream at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow. Followed by music & dancing "Melodies of Samhaim" with Elrik Merlin - join us at The Hollow or listen in live on Virtual Community Radio. https://vcradio.org/ - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/220/2502

**MONDAY, November 1st, at 7pm: Philip Jose Farmer's THE STONE GOD begins with Gyro Muggins.
    
**TUESDAY, November 2nd:

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen.
   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
   
   ~ at 7pm: TALES with Willow  - TBA Day Of

**WEDNESDAY,  November 3rd at 7pm: STEAMPUNK STORIES with Finn: "Harry and Marlowe" Adventures. This Week: "Harry and Marlowe and the Talisman of the Cult of Egil" by Carrie Vaughn from  Lightspeed Magazine (Feb 2012)
 

**THURSDAY, November 4th:

   at 7pm:  Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND - Part 1 with Shandon,

   at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT with Finn Zeddmore
   

****
 

SL Video: "Thriller - Michael Jackson Tribute"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Darth X on Oct 2018, "Music video taken in second life. For entertainment purposes only. I do not own the rights to this song. Thanks for watching!"
 

Still More Halloween Locations

There's a lot to do and see this Halloween. The Newser has written about a number of places and events, but hardly all of them. So before the big day arrives, one more article with several more fun Halloween attractions. From locations such as Old Town, to events such as Spooky Strides, to games such as The Guild's Halfway Hunt, there's a little something for everyone.

Read the story in Extra.
 

Announcement: 17th Annual LEGENDS Masquerade - Benefiting Strides Oct 31st 5p

 

A Spooktacular Tradition
The 17th Annual LEGENDS & T1Radio Masquerade Ball
In support of Making Strides

Trader will be Treating guests to Hauntingly Awesome Music
Don't Be Tricked! Come in Costume or Masqued Formal

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Arinultra%20Cay/162/66/24 LEGENDS Classic Rock
 

SL Video: "Spooky Dance Video - Monster Mash"

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

From "Just Game and Play" on Sept 26
 

Avi Arrow, Owner of The Ivory Tower, Has Died

 

Sad news for fans of the Ivory Tower of Primitives. Avi Arrow, the owner of the noted longtime location in Second Life, has died. The news was announced in the Ivory Tower Library Group.

We are very sad to inform everyone that our beloved friend Avi Arrow passed away at home Saturday, October 23, 2021 surrounded by her family.

She will be deeply missed.

I had a few words with Marcov Carter, one of four officers in the group. "She will be deeply missed," he spoke of her, "she had a lot of good friends, she did a lot for the comunity, very sad." He stated an inworld memorial service was being planned and "we will rez two statues, in Zoe, as she wanted, close to (the) Lumiere Noir memorial." Of the Ivory Tower area, "Kennylex Luckless and I, will do our best to keep this place as it is, as Avi asked to us."

For those wishing to pay their respects now, "as a lot of friends started to rez objects for Avi near the table, where she used to stand, we made a temporary memorial." Taking a look for myself, there were candles, a rose, and a screen showing a slide-show of pictures of Avi.

Avi Arrow helped the founder of the Ivory Tower of Primitives, Lumiere Noir, run the place until he passed away in 2015. The Tower was created early in Second Life history to be a place of learning how to build and script.

Avi would present the Newser with an improved sign for it's office as a tenth anniversary present last year.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Natoma/74/172/26

Rest in Peace

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan
 

EOTB: "Zenescope x Second Life NFT Sweepstakes"

f you haven't checked out the Linden blog lately, time is starting to run out for a contest in which there's a couple days left to enter. Some of you recall the Zenescope region, a partnership Linden Lab made with a comic publisher. They're now having a sweepstakes "for a chance to win a First Edition NFT from Epik inspired by the Zenescope Metaverse in Second Life."

The contest is open only to residents of Second Life, and those in a few states will have to be of age 19 or 21. People can enter online by visiting Second Life's page on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram " and like or love Second Life’s post about the giveaway" by 11:59 PM SL time on Sunday October 31. People can also mail a postcard to Linden Lab, but it has to be postmarked by October 31 and recieved by November 8. On November 9, the winners will be determined by a random drawing. There are a total of 40 prizes to win.

For those concerned about privacy, it should be noted "Each winner, by acceptance of prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, voice and other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media (including digital media) now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval."

For more details, check out the Linden blog here.

NFT is short for "non-fungible token," a "unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain." For the past several months, interest in buying and trading them has greatly increased, along with concerns about what can go wrong.

Addition: Inara Pey published a commentary about the NFT Sweepstakes, raising some questions about Linden Lab's involvement, such as the winners having to disclose their real-life information, "that the Lab – a company that has traditionally prided itself on respecting its users’ anonymity – should offer the suggestion that any personal information might be requested could be passed to whomever they designate (such as Zenescope and Epik) for purposes of their advertising and promotion, makes for uncomfortable reading."

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Vampire Bat Sighted at Montecito Bay

 *

Montecito Bay has seen some strange things in it's past from flying saucers to slime monsters. This Halloween season, something odd has been spotted flying around at night, a human-sized vampire bat.

The bat, which is humanoid with arms and legs along with two huge wings, has been seen several times at night or dusk, either flying through the air or standing on top of a building or in a dark area. About the only time it's been spotted inside a brightly lit building was when it was seen checking out the new arcade. 

There are no reports of the bat having harmed anyone, though a few eyewitnesses describe it as chasing away a robber.  There are also reports it's been flirting at a few of the women walking the streets at night. A local clinic has treated a couple women found with two fang marks on their necks and having mild blood loss. When asked how they got the marks, they just smiled. 

Talking to leading Montecito Bay citizen Moffett Mephit, he felt there was no reason for alarm as there were no reports of him hurting anyone. In fact, he thought it was cool it was around, commenting at one point he wouldn't mind being one himself, "Skunk teeth are cool, vampire teeth even cooler."  

So if you're walking the streets of Montecito Bay at night following a night at Studio 86 or the Roller Rink, or the new video arcade, keep your eyes out for a dark winged shape in the air. 

Note: the preceeding was a tale of fiction for this time of year. 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: Caledon Halloween Dance

 

Come Sunday 31st from 6pm to 8pm to dance away the ghost with the goblins. At end of the dance the awards for the ghost hunt will be handed out.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/104/89/32
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Mitochondrial Dysfunction" and "Nuclear Energy"

 
"Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Failure in Human Disease" 

Saturday October 30

10 AM to 11 AM SL time 

Some two billion years ago, a seminal, endosymbiotic event occurred: a larger, anaerobic bacterial cell ingested a smaller, aerobic prokaryotic ‘germ’. This beneficial union of two life forms led to the evolution of more highly organized eukaryotic cells with mitochondria as subcellular organelles. These mitochondria still retain their own bacteria-like DNA – they also replicate themselves. As the metabolic power source for eukaryotic cells, mitochondria utilize (detoxify) oxygen to produce energy, an attribute that has made possible the rise of multi-cellular organisms and higher life forms. Mitochondria are vital to cellular life and therefore, to human life. Unfortunately, they can also be subject to genetically-based errors of metabolism.

Presentation by Robert A. Hendrix, M.D. 

Auditorium

To read more, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22

*  *  *  *  *

"Nuclear Energy"

Saturday October 30

9 PM to 10 PM

The prospect of carbon-free electricity produced reliably and abundantly would incentivize investments in nuclear energy. Concerns over proper fuel disposal or recurrences of nuclear accidents with disastrous consequences also inhibit liberal employment of the energy source. Alternative power plant designs such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being considered to improve safety and reduce construction costs. To what extent should we consider nuclear energy a solution to ensuring our energy needs are met in our struggle with climate change? 

A presentation by Karthik P.

Auditorium

To read more, Click Here.

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

Halloween at Calas Ghaladon

 

One of Gemma Cleanslate's favorite locations is Calas Ghaladon Park, which changes it's appearance about every season. The owners have also done something special for Halloween every year. But this year is a little different. Instead of sometime entirely new, this year's build is a look back at precious builds. Gemma took a look, and was not disappointed.

Read Gemma's article in Places.
 

100,000 Lindens Raised by Veterans Isle in Fundraiser Concert

 

On Sunday October 24, Veterans Isle held it's monthly fundraiser concert. Organized in part by Frets Nirvana, the event raises money for the Homes For Our Troops charity. The event ran from 4PM to 9PM SL time (Midnight EST).

The concert started out with Waya Snowpaw at 4PM, acting as DJ, dressed in uniform. After him were several live performers.


Tonight is the night folks!  October’s Homes for Our Troops benefit with a great lineup.  Up next is Wolfie Moonshadow ….kicking out the jams!  Check it out:

Wolfie Moonshasow 5-6 PM
Grace Loudon 6-7 PM
Dimivan Ludwig 7-8 PM
Rickylive Music 8-9PM

Actually ....Dimivan is at 6 PM and Grace is at 7 PM ...sorry about that folks!   Come on out for a great night!!

Come on out and help us reach our 2021 goal of $25,000 to HFOT.

For the five hour event, the various musicians played or sang on stage. As they performed, the crowd donated money to the two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage. At the end of Ricky's set, a total of 95,894 Linden dollars had been raised. But someone donated enough to make the total an even 100,000 Lindens.

The monthly event is sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veteran’s Group of Second Life. Homes Four Our Troops helps provide, and remodel, homes for wounded veterans https://www.hfotusa.org.
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

CDS Announcement: Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

12 noon-2pm SL time
October 31, 2021
Music by DJ Calli

Our second celebration in CDS of "Day of the Dead." Music by DJ Calli. Decorations have been totally updated by Lilith Ivory.

Come for a unique and exciting event! Bring your friends along to sharer the experience :)

Costumes strongly encouraged, but not required.

More information: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/158/182/157
 

Halloween in Bellisseria

 

Many Second Life locations are offering some Halloween fun. One well-known area, Bellisseria, has a few spook-tacular things going on as well. The big thing going on is "The Great Trick or Treat" event. But that is not all. The Haunted Neighborhood is back. And for something more spooky fun than terrifying, there's the "Hammieween."

Read more in Events.
 

Firestorm Sale

 

So how come the Firestorm Viewer is free for people to download and use? Well, it may be free for Second Life users to download and use. But it isn't free for Jessica Lyon and Team Firestorm whom have to spend real money to keep it going. So how do they get the money? Fundraisers are one way to get it, and at the moment one is taking place: the Firestorm Sale. Gemma Cleanslate went there recently to check it out.

Read Gemma's story in Design.
 

Don't Forget the Destination Guide For Halloween Locations

 *

There's a LOT going on around Second Life this Halloween, too much for us to do a review on it all. Plus there are other things going on, such as the closing of one mental health support group and the opening of another. We're still going to write up on a few more Halloween haunts. But don't forget to check the Destinations Guide's Haunted category.

And if you find a haunt that's very well done, let us know about it, or even better write a reader submission to describe it in your own words.

Happy Halloween.

https://secondlife.com/destinations/haunted
 

Cartoon of the Day

 

Taken at Montecito Bay. Looks like the vampire bat wants to do a little necking. But the woman isn't panicking.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: Halloween Dance at Deathlands!

 

Yep like ten thousand other sims, we will be having a Halloween celebration!  Why pick ours? Why would you not want to celebrate in a destroyed post-apocalyptic sim, with DJ Wolfy, followed by DJ Nafrini.  We have SL's  best Dj's. They even take requests! No irritating flashing boring neon club lights here! We would like to see you in costume fitting the occasion, but come as you are, or dress up with whatever you lost in your inventory.  DJ Wolfy promises Halloween and other monster tunes, DJ Nafrini will be doing a mixture of Powerwolf, Rob Zombie and scary songs.

Will you be scared there? Hopefully, as it's being held in a nuclear wasteland.  If that don't work I'll get them to play a Donnie and Marie Osmond song - scary indeed!

How about prizes? Sure you can give me stuff..oh wait you mean the guests! Well maybe , we shall see, but there will be a raffle for lindens...yes free loveable lindens you can happily spend on MP!

The event takes place at the Fallout Shelter at scenic Deathlands,  (on Sunday, October 31st, of course) starting at 4 SLT with DJ Wolfy, and continues on at 6 SLT with DJ Nafrini until 8. Follow the broken pavement or use the Transporter to the Dance.

We will even put out a few pumpkins and skeletons and other assorted holiday stuff. I wanted orange nukes but got out voted. In case you don't know, Halloween is  a old pre nuclear holocaust celebration where children would go out into the world and steal candy, stuff their faces, then evil witches would kidnap them, and cook them in a oven. True history!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paradise%20Kingdom/88/35/22

Rebel Wolf (The Baron)

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 'O and P', Hot and Cold, Halloween

Happy Vixen: Monsters, Under the Sea, Trick or Treat, Bats and Cats, Halloween Costumes, Halloween, Halloween Two, Predators vs Prey

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Monster Party

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Horror, Movies, Orange and Black, Creepy vs Cute, Murder Mystery and Monsters, The Black Parade, Halloween Ball

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

EOTB: Linden Halloween Costume Contest, 25,000 L Prize (Deadline Thursday)

 

On the official blog, Linden Lab announced a Halloween costume contest. To encourage more people to enter, they're offering a 25,000 Linden dollar prize. The catch, the deadline for submissions is a few days before Halloween, and the rules leave out some costumes.

 Unleash the costume of your dreams for a chance to win L$25K!

The Official Second Life Halloween Costume Contest is open for submissions from now until Thursday, October 28th at 8AM PDT.

Costumes will be judged on creativity and originality. Show us a look that will turn heads (180°, preferably)!

Need some spooky inspo? Check out:

    The Haunted category of the Destination Guide
    Our official Flickr pool to scope out the competition
    The Halloween Shop and Hop, with almost 300 vendors offering free gifts, discounts and bone-chilling clothes and accessories

The winner will be announced next Friday, so go on witch your bad self!

As stated, you have only until 8AM on Thursday October 28 to enter. There can only be one entry per resident (or at least email address). The rules on eligible costumes include that they can't be too suggestive or "unnecessarily violent," be of celebrities living or dead, be of a political nature, "promote" alcohol or tobacco or firearms, "communicates messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and good will to which we wish to associate," etc. 

For a list of the rules, Click Here.

For the blog entry, Click Here.
 

Survivors of Suicide Closes, Impact Mental Health Opens

This weekend, the most well-known of mental health support groups, the Survivors of Suicide, had it's last meeting. Soon after, the sim was closed, and the group was closed to new messages. But while this group was closing, another was opening. Impact Mental Health was another mental health support group that was created in response to the closing of SoS, and had taken on many of it's members. Their grand opening event was also this weekend.

Read the story in People.
  

Development on SL Mobile Viewer Reportedly Paused

 

Since at least January 2019, if not earlier, Linden Lab has been working on a mobile app for Second Life. In July, one that was basically a chat app was approved by Apple, though the Lab was waiting to improve some things before sending it to the store.

But according to an article in New World Notes, it seems work on the app has been postponed, possibly indefinately. Hamlet Au stated "A veteran Second Life insider" had send him a message, saying it was sent to him as one of the mobile app test group.

    After reviewing the current state of the SL Mobile Viewer and the helpful feedback from residents, we have decided to pause development on this branch. The team is actively working on a new direction to take from here. We should have some news on that soon.

    We’d like to thank you all for your time and feedback. It was very valuable to us! We will be closing TestFlight and the mobile regions on October 29th, 2021. Again, thank you for participation! Linden Lab

The source would also say of the development of the app, "It had been stagnant for months."

Hamlet messaged the Lab about the decision and is waiting for a response.

Stat tuned for more details

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: It's one of the biggest weeks of the storied year at Seanchai Library, and we have a very full banquet of adventures for you.  Join us in #Secondlife 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

{IMPORTANT NOTE: To get to story sessions at Haunted Hollow, you will be directed to the main landing point. There is no direct teleport to the Halloween Tree venue.  Look for the sign outside the arrival building, pointing to the *telepumpkin*. Click on the *telepumpkin*  to be redirected to The Halloween Tree story venue.}


**MONDAY, October 25th, at 7pm: Pamela Sargent's WATCHSTAR concludes with Gyro Muggins.
    
**TUESDAY, October 26th:

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen.
   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
  
   ~ at 7pm: Ray Bradbury's THE HALLOWEEN TREE concludes with Caledonia Skytower, Faerie Maven-Pralou, and Shandon Loring, live on stream at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow.
 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/220/2502

**WEDNESDAY, October 27th at 7pm: FLAMING PUMPKINS IN THE GLEN!, 100 Word Stories with R. Dismantled.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

**THURSDAY, October 28th:
Both of today's sessions  at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/220/2502

   at 7pm: TALES OF THE SLAYER - White Doe - Roanoke Island 1586 with Shandon

   at 9pm: LATE NIGHT HORROR - Dracula's Rivals - Night Cries with Shandon
   
** FRIDAY, October 29th at 7pm: More SCARY STORIES FOR SLEEPOVERS with Shandon Loring in The Glen with music/dancing to follow with DJ Cale
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

****
 

Cartoon of the Day: Dog and Furry Skunk

 *

Taken at Bellisseria. Someone had their pet doggie out while I was walking around as an anthro skunk. Which leaves one to wonder how would a real dog think about one.

  By Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Kickin Cancer At Kickin Boots All Day, Today

 

Please come join us for an all day event to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer at Kickin Boots.  The event will start at 10am and end at Midnight SLT, all L$ will be placed into the RFL Kiosk on stage!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kickin%20Boots/177/57/3894
 

SL Video: "Raglan Shire Ride of Horrors 2019"

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

From Nitwacket on October 2019, Raglan Shire's Ride of Horrors that year.
 

A Look At The Sci-Fi Expo

 

October may be best known for Halloween, but there is much more that's been going on this month. Among the larger events was the Sci-fi Expo, the sister event of the Sci-fi Con that takes place in Spring. Besides raising money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, it was a celebration of things sci-fi. Yours truly was there for a few events, and to play it's quest. 

Read more in Events.
 

Looking Back at BNT and Podex

 
by Bixyl Shuftan

It was twelve years ago last week in October 2009 in which one of the major sponsors of our predecessor paper, BNT Holdings, a virtual real estate rental business owned byIntlibber Brautigan, went under. Intilibber was a controversial figure, for some of his opinions and as a defender of Woodbury University, which had a reputation for harboring griefers. But his sponsorship of Second Life Newspaper was long term and generous, with space for a large office and a private island for the owner and editor thrown in. All seemed well until in October 18 when editor Dana Vanmoer logged in to find she couldn't get to her home, and none of us could get to the office. Intlibber had defaulted on the sim payments, and no one knew anything until they were taken offline.

Dana asked Intlibber for an official statement, and eventually he made one, While he blamed the economy for his difficulties, he also blamed others for his troubles, and Dana would not publish the "outpouring of spite" in full. Dana would soon get another sponsor and a new office in a deal with Skybeam Estates. But the paper never did recover from the blow, and a few months later in April 2010 she made the decision to close the paper two months later. After his business folded, Intlibber had gotten banned by Linden Lab "for multiple breaches of the TOS." One can read more on the details in our May 2015 article on BNT going under.

When Second Life Newspaper folded, Second Life Newser rose to take it's place. It's first, and one of it's longest running, sponsor was the Podex Exchange, sometimes called the Podex Bank. Run by Jacek Shuftan, they were a Linden dollar exchange service, exchanging Linden dollars for several international currencies, as well as Bitcoin. The big attraction, people could sell Linden dollars to him and get real world currency faster than with Linden Lab. Although not asked to, the Newser would do monthly adverts of stories of either customers at the bank or the misadventures of a hard luck bank robber, "Clumsy Cooper," whose schemes to rob Podex failed every time, and were futile anyway as he couldn't have gotten to the money. My "Polish cousin" as he called himself renewed his sponsorship time and time again, for years.

Unfortunately, Linden Lab was less than happy with independent Linden dollar resellers, Podex included. In June 2013, they moved to shut them down, but partially relented after a public outcry, though putting restrictions on them. Two years later in June 2015, the Lab moved again to close them, saying after August they could sell no more Linden dollars. Although Jacek hoped the Lab could be persuaded to change their minds, this time the decision was final. And in late October 2015, the Podex Exchange building vanished from the Grid, and the Newser lost it's best sponsor. This was not the end for Jacek as he had expanded his business to InWorldz and other virtual worlds, but without Second Life he was making only a small percentage what he had been.

Considering his blaming others for his troubles and not telling my former boss what was about to happen until after the axe fell, it's hard to sympathize with Intlibber. Jacek in contrast was an ethical businessman, and it's easy to see Linden Lab at the time as feeling embarrassed by him beating them at their own game. One certainly remembers their best sponsor being told he has to shut his doors. In any event, we thank Jacek for his long period of support.

Reprint from 2017 article

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Artificial Intelligence? The Truth Behind a Fascinating Buzzword"

 

"Artificial Intelligence? The Truth Behind a Fascinating Buzzword"

Saturday October 23,

10 AM to 11 AM

Nowadays it is almost impossible to read newspapers or watch media without encountering the words “Artificial Intelligence or AI”. These words evoke in most people either scaring remembrances of sci-fi movies or anticipations of a bright future where human beings will be freed of any duty and will devote their time to leisure or personal growth. In the real world, AI has very little to do with what we normally perceive as intelligence. It is just a combination of powerful statistical methods, fast algorithms and great volumes of data. This combination is however very powerful and potentially the most powerful an also the most disruptive technology ever  invented.

Presentation by Giuseppe Longo

Auditorium

To read more, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22
 

Burn2 Pictures

 

For those of us who missed Burn2, or want to see the scenes again, while the builds may have come down, there are still the pictures that were taken. Among the photographers was Wildstar Beaumont, who not only took many and put them on his Flickr page, but the pictures were well done.

Click Here to see Wildstar's Burn2 pictures for this year.

Suggested by Gemma Cleanslate
 

Announcement: HFOT September 2021 Benefit Concert This Sunday

 

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2021’s October benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life for October 24, 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 October 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 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 2020 and the donations received in Second Life were part of that effort.  Currently HFOT has 62 projects underway for extremely wounded veterans.  On September 12th HFOT presented their 18th Home for 2021 to a deserving Veteran and their family in Hillsboro, MO..

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The October 24 concert for 2021 is scheduled from 4PM to 9PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Wolfie Moonshadow, Dimivan Ludwig, Grace Loudon and Rickylive Music.

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
 

Cartoon of the Day: Empty Head

 

Taken at the Halloween Shop and Hop. I took this picture while things were still rezzing. The lady's head appeared before her hairpeice did.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

The Happy Vixen's Ghost Pirate Island

 

Once again, it's Halloween. Many clubs just put up a few decorations. But the Happy Vixen beach club has a special Halloween area. Builder Jasmine Dawn (Jasmine Knickers) makes one appear every year. This year's area is a ghost pirate island. So what can you expect should you brave the fog of this misty haunted isle?
 
Read more in SL Clubbin'.
 

Reader Submitted Poetry

 

Early in the history of the Newser, Shelly Sands would contribute poetry on occasion. Today, well, it's been a while since we had any. Aola Tyrian (Ratatosk Independent) recently sent the Newser a couple poems from someone known only as Laura. They are, "A Song to Humanity," and "About Rhythm."
 
Read Aloa's submissions in Extra.
 

Announcement: Halloween On Caledon Downs

 

You are invited to enjoy the fun of "Halloween On Caledon Downs". New this year is a Ghost Train along with the return of the Ghost Hunt and Pumpkin prizes. The Ghost Hunt is a region wide hunt for certain ghost that appear randomly for short periods of time that you shoot with any collision (prim firing) weapon. You can use any such weapon you have. There is no sign-up needed, the person and scoring is automatically recorded and the top four scores are displayed on a post in the Goblin Cave. Ghost Hunt has linden prizes of L$1500 first place, L$1000 second, L$500, and L$250 for fourth place. The hunt scoring will continue till the end of the Halloween dance at 8pm Sunday Oct 31st.

The Jack'o Lantern search is for 5 pumpkins deposited at certain locations about the region. Each Jack'o Lantern contains a prize delivered upon touching BUT mind you only touch once or well you'll get something scary! An example of the Jack'O lantern is displayed at the information board in the Goblin Cave. The information board will deliver the hints as to where these prize givers are.

The starting point is the Goblin Cave Community Center there you can pick up the info and hints for both the Ghost Hunt and Jack'O Lantern search. The region is completely open and filled with sights and games.

New is the Ghost Train. A scary ride along haunted rails to doom and more.

The Halloween season will end with a Halloween Dance in the Goblin Cave on Sunday Oct. 31st 6pm to 8pm. Enjoy!!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/104/89/32
 

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', Stripes & Spots, Fall Colors

Happy Vixen: Flight, Mad Science, Hooves Horns and Scales, Country Cowboys, Madkatt Mashup, Favorite Slasher Villain, Scary and Sexy, Orange and Black

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Raccoons and Wah

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Cute VS Creepy, Wings, Retro, Fire vs Ice, Masquerade, Late Night, Hooves and Horns, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

Election Schedule For The CDS, Fall 2021

 

"Hard to believe that we are more than halfway through our 35th term of government but we are. We in the CDS have the privilege of electing our governing officials to represent us in forming and maintaining the laws and policies that determine the structure of our community. This privilege is rare in Second Life. It's also rare in real-life. We should not take this privilege for granted. Any CDS citizen in good standing as of Oct 9, 2021, is eligible to run ..."

CDS 36th TERM in the autumn of 2021

Dean of SC notifies citizens of dates

Qualification deadline to run for office
    - October 9, based on citizenship according to the October 8 CDS Census

Qualification deadline for right to vote
    - October 16

Call for candidates for RA and Chancellor announced
    - October 18

Deadline for declaration to run for RA or Chancellor
    - October 31

Dean posts list of candidates
    - November 3

Campaign starts
    - November 6

Polls open
    - November 13

Polls close
    - November 20

Announcement of new officers for the 36th Term
    - not later than November 21

New RA Affirmation of Office
    - between November 21 and December 1 at the convenience of the new officers

New RA Schedules first meeting and election of LRA
 - On or shortly after December 1, 2021
 

Weekend in Brief

 

Quite a bit happened this past weekend. Among the events was the conclusion of the Burn2 festival, which culminated with the Burning of The Man (above) and the Temple Burn. It was also the conclusion of the Sci-Fi Expo, which raised money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Sadly there was a sad event, the announcement that the Survivors of Suicide depression support group was closing. And while on a Monday and not the weekend, the "Trick or Treat" game on Bellissaria started.
 

Survivors of Suicide Owner Announces Closing of Group

 *

After thirteen years, Second Life's largest depression-support group will soon be closing.

On Saturday October 16 at 2PM, SoS leader Sebastien Bouevier met with others in the group. There, he would first announce that he had reluctantly made the decision to close the group. He would also post the news in the group's blog (https://www.survivorsofsuicidesl.org/post/sos-is-closing), and on Facebook.

Today I did the hardest thing I have ever had to do in Second Life. Survivors of Suicide has been a part of my life for a full decade. It has been my pride and joy, and a real privilege to have been at the helm of this organization for the past seven years. It makes saying goodbye so hard, and I am so sad to announce that after 13 years in Second Life, Survivors of Suicide is closing.

Sebastien was interviewed in 2017 and 2019 by the Newser. He had first joined the group as someone in need of it's services. Eventually, he would end up taking over the group when it's founder could no longer lead it. Although the group started out for those whom attempted suicide, or whose friends and family had, it eventually expanded to help others suffered from depression (and friends of).

Chatting (with an alt) with some people in the group, a few mentioned on new depression support group: Impact Mental Health. It is led by Kitten Stratten-Jaks (Kitten Meridoc).

The last meeting of Survivors of Suicide is scheduled for Saturday October 23rd at 3PM.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Vampire Bat Spotted At Deathlands

 

As a post-apocalyptic wasteland slowly recovering from the collapse of civilization, the Deathlands have seen a number of scary beings and scary tales of such over time. But this October, something new has appeared, or at least that's what some claim. Lately there have been a number of sightings and tales of a human-sized vampire bat.

In a place where mutant monsters and raiders are threats, a vampire might not seem quite so scary. And indeed with a few of the sightings, the bat is described as helpful. In one case, a band traveling at night found themselves under attack by raiders when they saw a shape of some kind from above dropping an object. Then a magnesium flare lit up in the middle of the attacking raiders. Blinded, they could only stumble while the travelers got away. When they returned in the day to recover some lost items, they found the bodies of a few of the raiders, drained of blood.

In another case, a tavern owner late at night had a knock at the door, and answering found only a crudely written note, saying someone was hurt near the intersection of two nearby roads. Concerned, he and a few others in town went over, and found the bodies of two mutants, drained of blood, and an injured man with a crudely-made neck brace. When the man recovered, he claimed the mutants had broken his neck, then were attacked by some dark shape before he passed out. When they got the man to a doctor to examine his neck, the physician wondered if whomever had set it had access to x-rays, or sonar.

Not all of the stories involve tales of rescue. One was from someone whom checking on his sister found she needed supplies, notably food. When he returned, he found someone else had delivered a few fruits and meat of some kind. Curiously, she had what looked like two half-healed puncture marks on her neck. When he asked who was here, where the food came from, and how did she get the marks, she just smiled whistfully. 

The Baron, Rebel Wolf, could neither confirm of deny the existence of the vampire bat, saying stranger mutations have happened. But even in the Deathlands, people tend to tell tall tales around Halloween.

Note: the preceeding was a tale of fiction for this time of year.

Bixyl Shuftan