Christmas at The Goblin Cave And The Happy Vixen

 

Last week saw a number of Christmas events. Two the Newser dropped in on were the Christmas party at the Goblin Cave in Caledon Downs by Cynthia Farshore, and Nydia Tungsten's "Twisted Christmas" at the Happy Vixen. So how were they?
 
Read the story in Events.
 

Press Release: Bay City New Year's Eve Prim Drop

The Bay City Alliance cordially invites you to the Bay City New Year’s Eve Prim Drop, Commencing at 11:00 p.m. SLT on the 31st of December at the Bay City Fairgrounds at North Channel

Music and Pyrotechnics presented by Marianne McCann

Black Tie Requested

Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres to be served throughout the evening

Donations accepted to benefit Child’s Play Charity.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/North%20Channel/104/134/29
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "A Biological Perspective on Mating Dynamics" and "The Future Is Now"

 

A Biological Perspective on Mating Dynamics in a Sex Ratio Imbalanced Population

Saturday January 1

10AM to 11AM SL time

The basic tenet of biology is reproduction to continue the species. Evolution and genetics has programmed every species’ to follow behaviors to ensure the next generation. This genetic programming influences the mating game between the sexes in those species even in “higher” cognitive species such as humans. The interplay between conscious and subconscious driven behaviors is increasingly complicated to understand as society becomes increasingly complicated compared to “cave-man” days. One aspect of human biology without intervention is that the birth rate of male to female is 50/50. One aspect of most historical and modern societies is a cultural trend towards life-long pair bonding being encouraged and even legally enforced in some cases. Research has suggested a correlation to economic and social stability in such monogamy encouraged societies.

China and India are notable case exceptions to the gender balance. Cultural practices has lead to an overabundance of men. These have important consequences for the mating game in those countries now and the foreseeable future. Japan similarly has had cultural practices leading to a current stagnation of dating today, developing the monikers: dating “‘herbivores” and “celibacy syndrome”

This presentation will explore initially the biology of sexual reproduction in vertebrates and humans, the development of monogamy practices in history, then look to reconcile or at least understand better the current society/cultural situation in these countries.

Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

For more information, Click Here.

Auditorium

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

*  *  *  *  *

"The Future Is Now"

Saturday January 1

9PM to 10PM SL time

In a daily fog of uncertainty, we may lose track of transformational changes just over the horizon. So where are we headed? Some of the world’s smartest people in government, social research, academia, business, economics, science, and other fields have looked 20 years into the future and seen a time of abundance and shared opportunities. Let’s update on evolving technologies and trends from an optimistic perspective beyond the turmoil of today.

By Dr. Stephen Van Hook

For more information, Click Here. 

Auditorium

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

Interview With Sunweaver Leader Rita Mariner

 

Penny Shuftan recently had a chance to talk to Rita Mariner, the leader of the community of which the land is where the Newser office makes it's home. The "Chieftess" of the Sunweavers, as she calls herself, had a few things to say about the group, it's Relay team the Sunbeamers, and herself.
 
Read Penny's interview in People.
 

EOTB: "Second Life Year In Review," From Linden Lab's Perspective

 *

On the official Second Life blog a few days ago, Linden Lab had their "Year in Review" for Second Life. It described 2021 as a "Year of transition."  They talked about:

The passing of CEO Ebbe Altberg and other changes at Linden Lab, such as the retirement of Oz Linden. 

The completion of their move to The Cloud, and other performance improvements that the Lab claims resulted in overall less stress for avatars, such as 35 percent fewer crashes on average.

New features such as 360 degree panoramic view pictures and new last names. 

Improving the new user experience with a new Welcome Island, improvements to Marketplace, and new Linden Homes.

"Marketing the Metaverse," with Facebook's move into virtual worlds resulting in new attention on Second Life, and a new Second Life commercial. 

Various partnerships, such as with the NFL, Titmouse, and Zenescope. 

For the complete year in review, from Linden Lab's point of view without any mention of controversies, Click Here.
 

Announcement: New Years Eve Party at Caledon Downs

 

Greetings to all! You are invited to the yearly New Years Eve Party at the Goblin Cave! The Duchy of Downs will throw a party starting at 8 PM SL time and will last till at least 1 AM. Music will be provided by Her Grace Cynthia Farshore and will play region wide so you can enjoy the Christmas rides and sights before they are taken down. 

A ball will drop for each time zone of the continental U.S. followed with 3 minutes of fireworks till the last zone you get a full 5 minutes. Besides the dance you can enjoy riding the Christmas Express around the region and even pay a visit to Santa on his hidden aerial abode. The Caledon wide sleigh ride awaits there too to take you on a 40 minute round trip tour of every region of Caledon! So come enjoy and if you can't stay long who cares just drop in and say Hi!!

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

Their Grace, the Duke and Duchess of Downs
Shockwave Yareach & Cynthia Farshore
 

People of The Year Runner-Up: The Departed

 
Sadly, among the things 2021 will be the most known for by the Newser is how many people who passed away. A number of residents, and one noteable Linden, would have their last goodbye this past year, leaving behind various records of accomplishments and sad friends and admirers.

The most prominent of these people was Ebbe Altberg, aka Ebbe Linden, Linden Lab's CEO. Never before had someone at the top of the Lab died while at the helm, and the news was a big shock to everyone. While he hadn't appeared inworld for a while and was making fewer statements, few if anyone thought much of it until the announcement. His death just before the SL18B cast a cloud over the celebration, and with the statue of him at the event, his memory was never far away. Under his watch, Second Life would halt it's long slow decline and start to grow again, in addition to numerous technical improvements. Linden Lab never did announce the cause of death, but it was confirmed to have been cancer, a disease Ebbe helped the effort against with his support of the Relay for Life.

Another whom had an impact on Second Life as a whole was Avi Arrow. She ran the Ivory Tower of Prims, where residents could learn how to build and script at their own pace. She passed in October, leaving the Ivory Tower in the hands of Marcov Carter and Kenny Luckless. Robin Sojourner (Robin Wood) , whom had connections with both Bay City and the Ivory Tower, died in April from cancer. Delightful Doowangle, known in real life as Barbara Truman, whom was with the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education and a winner of the Thinkerer Award, passed in July. Dahlea Milena was one of the volunteers at Veterans Isle, which hosted a community of vets and held monthly benefit concerts to raise money to help wounded veterans keep roofs over their heads. She died in December, possibly from cancer.

The Sunweaver community would say goodbye to two noted women. Jessicabelle Dayafter, years ago noted for being a crack pilot in a combat RP who rose through the ranks, as well as designing her own aircraft, later on would pose for pictures and appear in music videos, died of Covid-19 on late August/early September. Alleara Snoodle was a woman of many talents whom had connections to both the Sunweaver and Chilbo community, earlier in SL history appearing on the Metanomics show was also known as a brilliant builder and scriptor. As time went on, she preferred to work more behind the scenes, and like Jessicabelle appearing in Nydia Tungsten's music videos. Her passing in late November is also believed to be from Covid. Curzan Markn was an occasional visitor to the beach clubs, but he had a devoted following of friends and family. He died in December from a heart attack.

The retirement of two Lindens from the Lab, Oz Linden and April Linden, was greeted with sadness by some. But they could always still reappear as regular residents. Sadly for people like Robin and Alleara, there will be no return.

Rest in peace.

Nominated by readers was Aeonix Aeon (Will Burns), and the Relay for Life volunteers.

Bixyl Shuftan
Editor, SL Newser
 

Sansar Mistakenly Declared Dead After Being Knocked Offline

 
Those who read DrFran's article from earlier this month may remember she described Sansar as "on life support" with "all of the employees have been furloughed, and many have gone on to other jobs," and it's license for Umbra, which helps it's graphics to run better, had expired. So last week on December 22 when noted blogger Ryan Schultz couldn't get on, he assumed the virtual world had died. New World Notes would also report it was offline. But the next day, people were able to get back on the virtual world. Inara Pey would say, "services came back on something of a rolling basis, with all avatar services being about the last."

Exactly why the virtual world was knocked offline for a day is still unknown. While one can easily pin it on the lack of technical support, it's notable at the time there was an outage with Amazon Web Servers which is known to have affected the Epic Games Store, Imgur, and other places online. So that may have has something to do with the outage. While Second Life uses Amazon Cloud servers, it is unknown what effect if any the outages had on the larger virtual world.

While Sansar may still be around, it's still a virtual world in trouble. So while the reports of it's demise might have been mistaken, unless things change for the better for the place, it could soon go permanently offline for real.

Sansar was created by Linden Lab, officially going online on July 2017, as a next-generation virtual world. But it's numbers remained small, so Linden Lab would eventually sell it to Wookey Technologies in 2020. 

Update: DrFran reported a response from Wookey management on December 26:

 hi there. this is steve from the wookey management - sansar team. i thought i'd pop in to let you know we are actively looking to resolve the issues on the platform. we value our community big time, and hoping we can get things running smoothly soon. ... we appreciate your patience and understanding... happy holidays from the wookey team!!!

Sources: The Verge,

Image Credit: Inara Pey

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: Dogs & Cats, No Event, Welcome To 2022

Happy Vixen: Magic, Forest Critters, Large and Small, No Event, , TBA, Western, Spots and Stripes

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Pink and Blue

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Anime, Fantasy, New Year's CAYA, All That Glitters, Late Night CAYA, Silver and Gold

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

 

SL Content Creator Creates Gofundme To Deal With Problem Landlords

 
Several days ago in Montecito Bay chat, one of the people, Becky Nosferatu, brought attention to a certain Gofundme. Bespoke, one of the content creators at their Avagora mall, had created it due to real-life trouble, some troublesome landlords
 

Hey everyone. I don't talk to you guys often, let alone for anything really important, but this is important to me. Bespoke's owner, Mud, has had to create a GoFundMe for his area, due to the fact that the landlord he and his disabled charge (she suffers from Dementia,) have been forced to deal with. read the whole thing here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/landlords-destroyed-our-neighborhood-during-covid and please donate if you can. Don't put yourself out though! We know it's rough times, but if you can, please donate to help them out. If you can't, but have plenty of Linden, go to their inworld store and grab a product from them!

For anyone wanting to help him out, Bespoke's small store is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Montecito%20Bay/89/98/702, which has a few avatar heads up for sale.

As of the writing of this article, the Gofundme has raised $320 USD.
 

Announcement: "Boomday" Burn2 New Years Eve Event

 *

The last event of the year will be our New Year's Eve BOOMDay 2021. 

Come and BURN the year away! There will also be a COVID germ burn. We're gonna obliterate that Omicron variant, and if you come, YOU will participate in getting that started! Fire syringes for one and all! What's more, there will be skydiving, drunk hockey, Thunderdome, drive-by shooting gallery, ice skating, aaaaaaaannnnnd fireworks!

Effigy Burn times on 31 December: 3:00pm, 9:00pm and midnight SLT (ringing in the new year!).

*All the details are here https://www.burn2.org/

How to Come to BURN2** https://www.burn2.org/who-is-burn2/come-to-burn2/
Questions? IM any staff member inworld or email info@burn2.org.

**CALENDAR**- https://www.burn2.org/event-calendar/
 

Interview With Snowy AngelBun Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre)

 

One familiar face to the Newser, and the Sunbeamer community, is Snowy AngelBun Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre). The manager of the Happy Vixen and the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club, she also DJs at those and other clubs. Recently Penny Shuftan sat down to have an interview with her.
 
Read Penny's interview in People.
 

Man of The Year: Patch Linden

 

For quite some time, Linden Lab's Senior Director of Product has been quite visible, meeting with residents at various events, explaining what was going on with Linden Lab and Second Life, and answering questions the residents had. When CEO Ebbe Altberg/Ebbe Linden began appearing less, inworld and making statements, Patch more or less stood in for him.

After Ebbe Linden passed away, Linden Lab never did make anyone else CEO. Instead Patch helped fill in the role, notably the public part, with some of the decision making presumably taken up by Linden Lab's new owners, the Waterfield Network (just how much is known only behind the scenes), with Brad Oberwager/Oberwolf Linden standing out more than the others as Executive Chairman. Patch himself would join other Lindens in some Relay for Life fundraising, notably one event that was a twist on the "jail and bail" theme in which he spent time in the belly of a giant teddy bear until enough money was raised. He's also been more visible than Ebbe was in the forums, and sometimes appears in the Bellisseria group chat inworld.

With Patch as it's de-facto head (at least in day to day operations), Linden Lab and Second Life have continued to do well. More houses and more themes of the popular Linden Homes have been produced. There's been progress made on a mobile viewer. The number of privately-owned sims has gone up. The Lab has engaged in more partnerships, including one that resulted in a commercial that while it's impact on attracting new residents has yet to be determined has won some awards.

Not everything has gone perfectly under Patch. The decision to ban gacha machines no doubt hurt a number of content creators. And the Zenescope contest that stated winners would have to disclose real-life information raised some eyebrows as the Lab has prided itself on guarding the privacy of it's residents.

Patch isn't quite the CEO, so maybe he shouldn't get the full blame, or credit, of things that happened that Ebbe Altberg would. Still, with him being the new face of Linden Lab to the residents, and taking some time to talk to them, the Newser declares Patch Linden it's Man of the Year.

Stay tuned for our runner up.

Image source: Flickr

Bixyl Shuftan
Editor, SL Newser
 

SL Video: "Made in Second Life - Holiday Special 2021"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

 From Draxtor Despres for Linden Lab on December 23, a look at several bloggers. More information can be found on the Linden blog post (here).
 

Cartoon of The Day

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Being able to glide in the air would have it's advantages, such as being able to avoid rush hour on the freeway.

By Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: SL Christmas Expo Total

 
 A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL
 
The total for 11th Annual SL Christmas Expo & Winter Breedable Fair
 
 $35,384 US   L$8,846,000
 
 Thank you for everything you have done in the fight against childhood cancer !!

ps: that is about L$737,167 / $2,949 US per day over  12 days!

You kicked cancer butt for the kids and gave us a great start to the 2022 RFL Total!   $500,000 US here we come Relay!!
 

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas from the crew of the Second Life Newser

Taken at Caledon Downs

 

SL Video: "Baby Its Cold Outside"

 

From Rivers Family Videos on December 15, "Baby It's Cold Outside" sung by Bing Crosby and Doris Day
 

Three More Winter Fun Places

With Christmas arriving, many of us will be spending time away from Second Life with friends and family. For those of us sticking around on the holiday, or need a break, there's some places to check out for some winter-themed fun. Gemma Cleanslate's done many articles about locations where one can take part in activities. So was there more? I found a few more places: Linden Lab's Winter Wonderland, Caledon Downs Christmas Express and North Pole, and Roos Holiday Village. 

Read more in Places.
 

Veterans Isle Raises 200,000 Lindens at Concert For Charity

 *

On Saturday December 19, Veterans Isle held it's monthly fundraiser concert. The event was to raise money for the Homes For Our Troops charity. It was organized in part my guitarist Frets Nirvana.

We are conducting our last USMC Homes For Our Troops benefit tonight …hoping to hit 250,000 linden!!  Up next is BG Singer at 5 PM.

To encourage your kind giving look at this lineup! Up next is BG Singer

BG Singer 5 PM
Hogan Baily 6 PM
Paul Nowles 7 PM
Austin Moores 8 PM

We are having a great night …come on out and really get into the spirit of giving to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

DJ Waya Snowpaw preceeded the live events.

Instead of the usual stage at ground level, the event took place at the USMVC Events Hangar above the sim. As always, people donated cash to two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage.

Some of the people were wearing black armbands, "In memory of Dahlea Milena." Dalhea was one of the volunteers at the monthly event over the years. She had passed away earlier in the month on December 7. The cause of death wasn't know, but she was known to have cancer.

At the close of the event, a total of just over 200,000 Linden dollars had been raised.
 
Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Cirque du Mystere"

 

"Cirque du Mystere"

Saturday December 25

10 AM to 11 AM

On Saturday, December 25 at 10 AM & 9 PM PST, we’ll treat you to a compelling murder mystery, facilitated by MadPea (link).

To participate you need a HUD of 500 L$, which you will receive from The Science Circle.

We enjoyed your presence in 2021 and with this Murder Mystery experience we hope to offer you a fun and challenging end to the year.

Organizer: Chantal Jager 

For more information, Click Here. 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

*  *  *  *  *

"Cirque du Mystere"

Saturday December 25

9 PM to 10 PM

We’ll be treating you all to a compelling murder mystery facilitated by MadPea (link), so bring your magnifying glasses!

To participate you’ll need a 500L$ HUD, which you will receive from the Science Circle.

Thank you for a thrilling 2021, and a great start to the East calendar, we hope to see you again in the new year!

Organizer: Jes Stannard 

For more information, Click Here. 

 

Plans For Older Linden Homes To Be "Phased Out And/Or Repurposed"

 
With all the Linden Homes on the Bellisseria continent, the older ones have barely gotten attention lately. But recently in the thread about the latest Linden Homes, the Newbrooke, someone (Prokofy Neva) asked what was going to happen to the Meadowbrooke and the other older styles of homes. Patch Linden answered most would eventually be closed down.

The old homes will be phased out and/or repurposed.  I've never hidden this fact, what I don't know yet is timing.  There is a balance I have to strike on available new Linden Homes vs the old and having enough supply to meet the demand of shutting down the old homes (also, blend of available themes to choose from).  I have also contemplated keeping some of the old because it tickles my historian bones, some of the various community center or landmark places with the old homes will be preserved.  Largely though, those regions will be shut down when the time is optimal.  

For those unfamiliar, besides the Meadowbrooke "California style modern homes," there are three other themes of early Linden Home  These are the Tahoe "rustic cabin retreats" outdoors homes, the Elderglen fantasy-themed homes, and the Shareta Osumai "traditional Japanese style" houses. These are located in three small continents far away from Bellisseria and the mainlands. They haven't been discontinued as options, and remain open for Premium account residents to get if they choose.

While Patch stated the Lindens plan to eventually close down the older Linden Homes, at least most of them, they won't be starting to do so anytime soon.

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Cartoon of The Day: Question For Santa

 

Taken at the ABC store. Santa gets plenty of milk and cookies, but what do the reindeer get? With hay not always easy to come by, the guy in the red suit would have a solution in hand.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Interview With Rudolph

 

After being on medical leave, Penny Shuftan is back with an article. Recently, she happened to meet one of the best known of Santa's reindeer: Rudolph. No longer the young little guy in the classic claymation tale, he's all grown up. But he's still got a shiny red nose, and still pulling Santa's sleigh. So what else has he been doing? Penny had a few questions.
 
Read Penny's article in Extra.
 

"A Christmas Wish" At Calas Chaladon Park

 

Christmas is just a few days away. But Gemma Cleanslate has continued to explore winter and holiday-themed places. In her latest article, she stops by a favorite area: Calas Ghaladon Park. Tymus Tenk and Truck Meredith are frequently changing part of the region to match the season, and have always had something interesting to show for Christmas. This year, they had "A Christmas Wish." So how was it?
 
Read Gemma's article in Places.
 

Tiny Carolers At Club Amarantha

 

On Sunday December 19, Club Amarantha had some visitors of small stature. Raglan Shire's tiny carolers had come over to sing. Yours truly got in a bit late, but caught the tail end of the performance, as only the tinies of Raglan can do one.

~*~ You Better Watch Out, ~*~
~*~ You Better Not Cry,~*~
~*~ You Better Not Pout, I'm Telling You Why, ~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming To Town,~*~

~*~ He's Making A List, And Checking It Twice ~*
~*~ Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice,~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming To Town,~*~

~*~ He Sees When You Eat WAFFLES, ~*~
~*~ He Knows When You Eat CAKE,~*~
~*~ He Knows If You've Been Bad Or Good,~*~
~*~ So Be Good For Goodness Sake! ~*~

~*~ You Better Watch Out,~*~
~*~ You Better Not Cry, ~*~
~*~ You Better Not Pout, I'm Telling You Why, ~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming, ~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming,~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS is Coming To Towwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn, ~*~ SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN! ~*~

~*~And so this is Wootmas~*~
~*~And what have you done?~*~
~*~ Another year over~*~
~*~And a new one just begun~*~ 

~*~And so this is Wootmas~*~
~*~I hope you have fun~*~
~*~The near and the dear ones~*~
~*~The old and the young~*~ 

~*~A very merry Wootmas~*~
~*~And a happy new year~*~
~*~Let's hope it's a good one~*~
~*~Without any fear~*~ *

~*~Happy Wootmas everyone~*~

And at the end, they started shaking up the stage with their "tiny riverdance," the place starting to sound like it was being tromped on by much larger critters, "Shake the sim!" Violet Solano would comment, "Good thing I build solid."

It was a fun event by performers small in height, but big in heart.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: Ballet Pixelle Presents "The Nut"

 
Ballet Pixelle® will present its special traditional "The Nut" ballet throughout December.  This is the 15TH YEAR anniversary for Ballet Pixelle to present "The Nut", which premiered in 2007!

Ballet Pixelle performs its version of the Nutcracker, using Artistic Director Inarra Saarinen's own animations and choreography, and utilizing some of the particular attributes of virual reality.  "The Nut" is Ballet Pixelle's essence of The Nutcracker so you can see just the wonderful, and our truly original, dances.

Does Clara become the Princess to her Nutcracker as he becomes the Prince of her dreams?  We see mysterious dances in the white castle.  Arabian dancers fly in on magic carpets.  A Russian cossack stamps out a dance.  Russian dolls roll and play.  Chinese empresses and emperors move on delicate feet, and Spanish senoritas and senoras throw themselves flamboyantly.  A field of flowers waltz together.  And even snowflakes dance!

Performances are Wednesdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 5:00 pm SLT throughout December in Ballet Pixelle's new Grand Theatre.

Join us for an evening of classic, and yet new, holiday delights.  Chat with the performers and crew after the performance for autographs, photos, and a question & answer session.
Quat (42,24,107)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quat/42/24/107
 

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: Blue and White, Christmas, No Event

Happy Vixen: Holiday Cheer, Silks, Twisted Christmas, Red and Green, Christmas Eve, TBA, Naked, Ice and Snow

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Superheroes

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Formal, Celtic, Red and Green, No Event, Christmas Ball

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

Newser Office in Destinations Guide

 

Some interesting news. The Second Life Destination Guide now has an entry for the Newser's office in HV Community.

Designed by Ranchan Weidman, this destination is the main office of the Second Life Newser, "Your source of news about the people, places, and events across Second Life." Run by Bixyl Shuftan and Gemma Cleanslate, visit them at slnewser.blogspot.com .

The Newser's entry is one of eight in the "Media, Movies, and TV" category, along with Film Threat, and the Second Life Enquirer.

Hat tip: Strawberry Linden
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Traditions, traditions, traditions - the return of "The Night Before, the Night before,'" and a Christmas Eve Skating Party! Join us for fun, adventure, and fellowship 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, December 20th:
 
     ~  at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live in The Glen                            
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

   ~  at 7pm: FESTIVUUS, Live with R. Dismantled.
 
**WEDNESDAY, December 22nd at 7pm: More Adventures from Terry Pratchett's HOGFATHER with Caledonia Skytower, Live at Seanchai's Winter Holiday.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/209/87/2602
 
**THURSDAY, December 23rd at 7pm: THE NIGHT BEFORE, THE NIGHT BEFORE, the return of a Seanchai tradition with Kayden Oconnell, Aoife Lorefield, and Caledonia Skytower, Live at Seanchai's Winter Holiday.

** FRIDAY, December 24th at 2-4pm: CHRISTMAS EVE Skating Party, with DJ Caledonia, Live at Seanchai's Winter Holiday Skating Pond.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/204/108/3001


***

Our friends at Elite Equestrian have opened their Winter Hollow seasonal experience.  Check out the decorations and trail rides.
 

Fifteen Years Later

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," goes an ancient proverb. Every one of us in Second Life, no matter how experienced, had their own beginning. It was about fifteen years ago, on December 17, 2006, in which yours truly first came to this virtual world. So what were these first few days, with no money and uncertainty about lay ahead, like?

Read more in Extra.
 

Furry Winterfest Hunt 2021

 

Come celebrate the Winterfest Season with us at Furry!

You'll find Lucky presents under the tree hanging out with Reindeer at one end and if you wander down the lane filled with shops offering festive products you can nip in to see Santa and maybe snag a gift from him!

Watch out for all the little cozy seating areas perfect for picture taking!
On top of all this is the Winterfest Snowflake Hunt!

December 20th - 1st January

Every Snowflake has a free gift, just find the snowflake and then get close enough to touch it to receive the prize!

Snowflakes can be found anywhere in the Winterfest area, The FF Main Store, Lounge, Lilyvale, Gardens and Mall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furry/142/35/27
 

"The Bellisseria Cipher Challenge"

 

On the "Linden Homes" section in the Second Life forums, on Friday December 17 Patch Linden started a thread about a certain challenge in the Bellisseria continent, one that offers a prize for the first person to tell him the solution

 Some of you may have seen a recent interview where it was revealed that there is a secret (currently unsolved) cipher hidden throughout the Fantasy regions of Bellisseria (Fantasseria).  

The first person that legitimately brings me the correct cipher...

Will get (1) - 1 year of free premium, as an annual membership, which will be renewable at the end of the term. Annual membership will be effective the date the submission is accepted.

If you team up with others, this can only be applied to a single account, you will have to choose among yourselves who will receive the benefit.

Submissions should be submitted to this forum thread. First to get it completely right wins!

The challenge ends on December 23, 2021 at 12:00pm SLT/PST if nobody is able to solve it. 
 
The thread is here for anyone looking for clues.
 

SL Video: "Linden & Resident Snowball Fight 2021"

 

From Strawberry Linden on Dec 17, scenes of the Linden Snowball fight, "Join us at Winter Wonderland on Friday December 17th at 10am to 11am PT and again at 2pm to 3pm PT. "
 

Cartoon of the Day: No Snowshoes

 

Taken at Sunweaver Eclipse. The other idea was to reference the well-known image of a fox with it's front half in deep snow. But events in real-life this year inspired another punch line.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Christmas Party at The Goblin Cave

 
Come join us at the Goblin Cave Tuesday the 21st at 6 PM as DJ Cynthia presents Abby Normal's Christmas Dance, a selection selected twisted tunes, funny or odd.  Parodies, offbeat, just generally funny like Bob Rivers. Join us at the Goblin Cave in Cynthia's Winter wonderland region. Feel free to explore. She has decorated the whole region with Christmas.

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

Seanchai Library: Attention Fans of The Dickens Project

 

Missing The Dickens Project? Despairing that Dickens' 1843 classic tale of redemption might be passing you by thus year -- OR WORSE, you might have to read it yourself? (*GASP*)  Fear Not!

* SUNDAY, December 19th at Noon
Seanchai Library's Winter Holiday - Nowhereville
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/209/87/2602
Project or no Project, some traditions know no hiatus, and this is one of them. For the 14th year, Seanchai Library presents the full-meal-deal of A Christmas Carol - all the words from beginning to end (approx 3.5 hours)
Featuring: David Abbott, Corwyn Allen, Aoife Lorefield, Gloriana Maertens, Dubhna Rhiadra, and Caledonia Skytower, live.


*FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24th: Christmas Eve
A CHRISTMAS CAROL on VCRadio

Friday, December 24th at Noon and 4pm Pacific / 8pm and Midnight UK Time
Virtual Community Radio presents the CEH Productions special adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the timeless tale of one man’s journey from miserly indifference to redemption.

Through the intercession of the ghost of his seven-years-dead partner, Ebenezer Scrooge journeys through time – and Christmas – with three Spirits; observing the causes, and effects, that his life choices have made – and will make, unless he changes his ways.
Featuring Shandon Loring, Elrik Merlin, and Caledonia Skytower.

Happy Holidays!
Mark Your Calendar & Stay Tuned!
https://vcradio.org/

##
 

Crew Meeting

 

The Newser Crew meeting last week on December 11, at our office in HV Community. Currently, we have only a few writers. So it was just me (Bixyl Shuftan) and Gemma Cleanslate there, along with Penny Shuftan whom while currently on medical leave was also there, hoping to make a partial return in the near future. We discussed what the past month had delivered, and things to write about in the month ahead.
 

SL Video: "Run Run Rudolph"

 *

From Rivers Family Videos on Dec 6, "Gotta Love and Respect the Oldies, They are the true rebels of music"
 

Christmas Expo Winners And Statistics

 
Lights Of Hope Home Decoration Contest has raised L$237,216  / $949 US!  

HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIAPTED AS DECORATORS & WHO VOTED

TOP 3 BUSINESS CATEGORY
Never You Mind   L$20,225
Varriale Designs L$11,540
Karabella Kreations  L$9,814

TOP 3 RELAY TEAM CATEGORY
Seekers Of Hope  L$10,500
SHB Gems    L$7,520
Roos With A Dream  L$7,425

TOP 3 LINDEN / MOLES
TJ  Izzy Wendi   L$22,930
Abnor Mole  L$20,920
Acan   Sparky  Dakota  L$18,260

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE BUSINESSES AND RELAY TEAMS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LIGHTS OF HOPE & TO THE LINDENS AND MOLES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LIGHTS OF HOPE LINDEN


Total Raised Overall
L$237,216    $949 US

==============
LIGHTS OF HOPE

Total Raised:
L$111,212  or  $445 US

=======================================
THE TOP 3 VOTE GETTERS IN THE BUSINESS  CATEGORY WERE:

Never You Mind   L$20,225
Varriale Designs L$11,540
Karabella Kreations  L$9,814

Followed Up By

Atlantis Land Corp. L$6,585
Glass Houses  L$6,320
Huntress Inc.L$4,500
Tatiana's Tea Room L$4,155
Sparkettes L$3,300


=======================================
THE TOP 3 VOTE GETTERS IN THE RELAY TEAMS CATEGORY WERE:

Seekers Of Hope  L$10,500
SHB Gems    L$7,520
Roos With A Dream  L$7,425

Followed Up By

ASC Leadership Team   L$5,997
The River   L$5,311
Team Shadow  L$5,020
Camping For A Cure  L$3,000


===============================
================================
LIGHTS OF HOPE LINDEN  

Total Raised:
L $126,004    $504 US

===============
TOP 3 VOTE GETTERS

TJ  Izzy Wendi   L$22,930
Abnor Mole  L$20,920
Acan   Sparky  Dakota  L$18,260

Followed Up By:

Hobbes  Spots  Kady   L$10,160
Kristin  Madori   Maggie   Ellie  L$9,391
Dreaming Mole  L$9,075
Patch L$6,612
Chipper  Cascade  Derrick  Vix  L$6,540
Itsa Mole L$5,745
Adora Mole L$4,825
Missy Mole  L$3,775
Obi  Oatmeal  Evie  Raine L$3,000
Frosty  Harley   Tommy   L$2,751
Vanessa  Keira  Theresa  Volo L$2,020

Nance Clowes: SUPER THANKS, everyone who helped at Christmas Expo this year. Whether its merchanting, performing, vounteering, HUNDREDS of people in here worked together to get that goodness done again.
 

Interview With Strawberry Linden

 

Recently, the Newser met up with Strawberry Linden. Currently the Social Media Manager of Linden Lab, appearing to residents in the "Lab Gab" show and occasional Linden blog posts, a few years ago she was known as Strawberry Singh, a noted Fashion blogger. In the interview, Strawberry talks a little about how she got her start in Second Life, and a little about how it is working at the Lab.

Read more in People.
 

Reader Submission: Moving About the Metaverse

 

Longtime readers will likely remember DrFran Babcock whom wrote for the Newser several years ago. Since then, she's gone on to other virtual worlds, first High Fidelity, then others. Recently, she sent us an article about the state of three other virtual worlds. These are Sansar, which used to be owned by Linden Lab, Horizons, which is owned by Facebook, and Vircadia. So how are these virtual worlds doing? DrFran had some observations.

Read more in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.
 

Announcement: Homes For Our Troops Benefit at Veterans Isle, Sunday December 19

 

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2021’s December benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life for December 19, 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 November 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 300th Home 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 December 19 concert for 2021 is scheduled from 4pm to 9 pm PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, BG Singer, Toxie Darkmatter, Paul Nowles 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

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Fireside Chat Dating Dynamics," "SC Region Tour"

 

"Fireside Chat Dating Dynamics"

Saturday December 18, 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM SL time

Following on from “Choking on Red Pills: A Biological Take on Modern Dating Dynamics,” Stephen Gasior holds a Fireside Chat.

Hosted by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

Fireside

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/161/99/24 

*  *  *  *  *

"Science Circle Region Tour"

Saturday December 18, 

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM SL time

The Science Circle owns a region with more than fourteen beautiful locations. Today we visit them with you, answer your questions and listen to your ideas about regional development.

SC is an alliance of scientists and teachers, who in turn are given regional space to display their work. Some exhibitions are permanent, others are replaced by new acquisitions.

Recently Steven Van Hook, CEO of Educare, left his plot in the region to open a much needed “How to Educate in SL” region. We expect to have a tour in June 2022!

However, Steven’s departure offers his SC colleagues the chance to showcase their project.

During the regional tour we offer you the opportunity to share ideas or projects with us. So that our home base remains attractive, challenging and innovative.

By Jes Stannard & Chantal Jager

Science Circle region 

For more information, Click Here. 

(no SURL mentioned)
 

Still More Christmas Locations

 

Gemma Cleanslate continues her explorations of Christmas locations. One was Enchanting Landscapes Decor Fantasy Home & Garden for some shopping. Next was Never You Mind.  Third was Snowhaven in Bellisseria Fairgrounds. And finally SWANK was having a Christmas sale.
 
Read Gemma's story in Places.
 

Linden Snowball Fight Tomorrow, Friday Dec 17, 10 AM

 

"Get in the winter spirit for the most epic snowball fight in Second Life. Come with a group of friends and meet new people - either way, you're sure to have a blast as you toss snowballs at other Residents and even Lindens! The annual Snowball Fight event will be held on December 17th at 10am to 11am PT and another one at 2pm to 3pm PT. "

Winter Wonderland (5/113/7/31)
 

Winter Comes to The Sunweaver Lands

 *

In real life, the winter season is approaching in American and Europe. And various places in Second Life have been getting a snowy look. This includes a couple of the Sunweaver sims near the Newser office, such as Sunweaver Eclipse. 

And at Sunlight Bay, the Farshore Field Airport and the Puddle Jumper Mall have gotten snow, though the road and runway are clear. 

Not all of the Sunny sims have snow. Some of the residents have requested their places don't get the white stuff. So much of the community is still green.

Other communities are also winterizing. So be sure to look around.

Bixyl Shuftan