New Year's Eve

 

 

New Year's Eve is upon us. And so that means saying goodbye to the old year of 2023 and hello to the new one of 2024. A number of places are doing so. The community of Caledon, along with friends from other communities such as the Sunweavers, will be ringing in the new year at the Goblin Cave in Caledon Downs. The party starts at 8PM SL time, and at every hour starting at 9 (12 Midnight EST).

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

 

 For the Second Life mainland (and those staying up later), one of the larger celebrations will be at Bay City. It's at the Bay City Fairgrounds, and starts at 11PM SL time, with the Prim Drop taking place at 11:59 PM, set to land right at Midnight and the start of 2024.

Bay City Fairgrounds, North Channel (103, 134, 28)

 

There are other celebrations, so keep an eye out for them.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: Stereo Love

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From Furrex on November 19, about five days after what he thought was his goodbye video. But his fans convinced him to stay.

EOTB: Linden Lab Gives 2023 Year In Review, "What To Expect" For 2024

 

 

A few days ago on the official blog, Linden Lab posted what they felt were the highlights of the past year, and a few things on "what to expect" for the next. 

As the end of 2023 approaches, Second Life is entering an exciting and pivotal moment in its development and evolution. The past year has seen the release of several new features and breakthroughs ...

Of the "new features and breakthroughs," they first mentioned their mobile viewer, which a few days ago an alpha version was available to Premium Plus residents. They also talked about PBR (Physically Based Rendering) Materials which offer the promise of working mirrors, and other reflective surfaces, in Second Life. They also mentioned the new Ranch and upcoming Mediterranean Linden Homes for Premium Plus residents, and the new Senra starter avatars, replacing the previous ones with better-made mesh. There was the new WelcomeHub area and Motown.

There were also smaller things such as improvements to chat history and Marketplace search. They also mentioned "a certain Linden executive cameo during a pivotal scene that prominently featured Second Life in the season finale ... of the popular Apple+ program 'The Morning Show'."

Finally there was also the 20th anniversary celebration, along with some media outlets using the milestone to write about the virtual world for the first time in years.  

For 2024, the Lab promises more developments with it's mobile viewer. It also says they plan "something spicy" with some "new adult-friendly initiatives." They plan on improving the new user experience. And they plan to make use of AI technology.

In the coming year, we plan to carefully explore some cutting-edge use of AI in Second Life including experimental use of smart AI-driven chatbots to help greet, educate, and mentor newcomers. We know that there are additional opportunities to integrate AI across all aspects of Second Life, but we also know that AI can be a polarizing topic and there are many sensitivities on how (and if) we should explore AI integration at all. We've already established internal policies governing the selection and use of AI tools with user privacy as the foremost consideration. Our goal is to find the right balance to bring some AI advancements and innovations into the virtual world – but only in a way that respects the rights of content creators, while also advancing the overall Second Life creator ecosystem and quality of the overall community experience.

 

 At the end, they wished the residents Happy Holidays

On behalf of the entire Second Life team, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy new year! We are thankful to be part of your virtual family and send you blessings from both the virtual (and physical) worlds!

But not everything newsworthy would make the Lab's official word. The Newser will make it's own year in review later. 

 

 Source: Linden blog

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: New Years at the Goblin Cave

 

 

The Duchy of Caledon Downs invites you to the annual New Years At The Goblin Cave! Come gather at the Goblin Cave on New Years Eve at 8 PM SLT to enjoy great music and watch the ball drop at each of the four time zones followed with 2 minutes of fireworks till the last zone you get a full 5 minutes. There will be a wide range of music covering various genres. Music will be DJed by the Duchess of Caledon Downs Cynthia Farshore who will take request. Also 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 30 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!! All the Christmas rides and sites will still be up until the next day January 1st so you still have time to enjoy a sleigh ride with Santa.

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

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 Saturday December 30

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Field Trip: The Human Jungle

    Organizer: Chantal Jager

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/field-trip-5/

 

    The Science Circle (139, 112, 23)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    A Well Deserved Holiday (no event)

    No organizer

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/well-deserved-holiday-2/

 

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

The Linden Snowball Fight

 

Winter offers many kinds of activities, from skiing, to sledding, to skating, snowman building, and more. But there's nothing quite like a good 'ol snowball fight. And one Second Life tradition is the Linden Snowball fight between the residents and Linden Lab's finest. This year, the snow scrap had a different twist to it. Bixyl Shuftan was there, and took a few pictures, and observations.

 

Read more in Events. 

 

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

 

BAY CITY PREPARING FOR END-OF-YEAR “PRIM DROP"

Bay City's gala set for 31st December


BAY CITY, SL (26th December, 2023) - Citizens of Bay City, Second Life's® city by the bay, are marking the end of the year in their usual fine fashion with their annual "Prim Drop" in the Bay city Fairgrounds in North Channel on the evening of the 31st of December.

The party will include a two-hour set of music presented by Marianne McCann, as well as fireworks and other festive fun. Food, drink, and other party favors will be provided for all attendees.

The event is presented as an outdoor, high-class, wintertime soirée, and black tie attire and/or full dress is requested. All Second Life® Residents are welcome to attend and ring in the New Year with the Bay City community.

This will also be the last event within Bay City this year for donating to Child's Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org) .  Child's Play is a 501c3 non profit organization offers online communities such as ours an opportunity to help seriously ill children around the globe during their hospital stays with the purchase of games and gaming equipment.

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.

For more information,  please contact Marianne McCann.

 

 

Cartoon of The Day

 

 

 A test of a floatie ride didn't quite go as planned. 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Angels Beach Land Rentals

 

At the Angels Beach Land Rental Agency, you can find a great new home in Second Life. With many sims to choose from, in the Sunweaver Estates, Hidden Valley, and Purrfection, you can choose from a variety of environments.

We offer places with friendly and interesting neighbors. Some places have a tropical island look, others more temperate. Some of the sims have access to enough water to boat around in. And there are plans later on for an open water sim for even more water activities. The sims are home to a number of quality clubs, such as Cutlass, Zero Gravity, Xanadu, the BBBC, and the Happy Vixen Beach Club. In one sim alone there are two quality clubs that work together so there is no lag from them. There are also some small shopping areas available.

The sims range from Mature to Adult, but the purpose of the adult rating is for a relaxed atmosphere in which couples can relax. The places do not allow for harassment, and while there are vendors that cater to mature tastes they are discreet about it. Spaces available range from small plots to a full homestead that will rent out for only $30,000L's per month. Most of the sims break the parcels down into 512 Sqm parcels and and most have a sliding rent scale, so the more you rent the cheaper it gets. Our prices are VERY competitive here in Second Life.

 

And if you bring a friend to an Angels Beach area, you get more than just a good neighbor. Anyone that refers a renter to us and they rent land, they will receive 10% of the first months rent. And if someone you know needs help renting out land on his/her sim, bring them to us. Renters who bring in a sim owner needing administration, we will give 10% of our first check.

To learn more, please contact Nydia Tungsten, Brandi Streusel, Jasmine Dawn (Jasmine Knickers), or Matoazma Kazyanenko.

"We pride ourselves on on not just renting land but renting our customers the land you want. We listen to what you tell us on what you are looking for." 

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

 

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

 

Due to this being Christmas

Club Cutlass: Beach Party, Sleepwear, New Years Eve?

Happy Vixen: Closed to regular events (watch for announcements by DJs, and a special event this New Year's Day)

Club Zero Gravity: Mythologicals

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Closed to regular events (watch for announcements by DJs)

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: Closed

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge: TBA

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 

Do YOU Have A Story?

 

On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you, the readers.

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.

 

This is where you the readers come in.  On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you. 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, edit,  and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture that's clearly someone or use an alias for them).

Calas Ghaladon And Yosemite At Christmas

 

Christmas is here. For those who aren't with family in real life today (or looking for a place to meet up with SL friends for a little while), there are a number of Xmas-themed places to check out. In her latest article, Gemma Cleanslate checks out two favorites the Newser has wrote on over time: Calas Ghaladon and Yosemite. Both had good scenery to admire.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

 

Merry Christmas

 

 

 Taken at Caledon Downs

Merry Christmas from the Second Life Newser

 

Cartoon of The Day: Pink Santa

 

 

 Taken at Club Scorn. Why this guy got a pink Santa outfit instead of a red one, who knows. But it leads one to wonder what the reason is.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Scrooge - A SL Christmas Carol - Part Six"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From AVTV on December 2022, "AVTV proudly presents, for the first time in Second Life, the Greatest Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol - Second Life Version. Tribute to Second Life in its 20th Anniversary Year. Filmed @ Second Life virtual world."

 

This is the conclusion, hope you enjoyed it. 

 

SL Video: "Scrooge - A SL Christmas Carol - Part Five"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 From AVTV on December 2022, "AVTV proudly presents, for the first time in Second Life, the Greatest Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol - Second Life Version. Tribute to Second Life in its 20th Anniversary Year. Filmed @ Second Life virtual world."

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday December 23

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Colorado State University Department of Anthropology and Geography

    Organizer: Merrill Johnson

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/colorado-state-university/

 

    The Science Circle (139, 112, 23)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    A Well Deserved Holiday (no event)

    No organizer

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/well-deserved-holiday/

 

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

SL Video: "2023 SL Christmas Expo and Winter Fair"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 From the Relay for Life in Second Life on Dec 12, "13th SL Christmas Expo & Winter Fair CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD December 1 – 10, 2023 Giving The Gift Of Hope To Children With Cancer"

Cartoon of The Day: "Tree-Mendous Outfit"

 

 

 Taken at Club Zero Gravity. Looks like someone decorated her outfit with some tree lighting. But yes, it does make for a "tree-mendous" look.

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Newser Decorates For Christmas

 

 

The Christmas season is well upon us. And so that means decorating. At the Newser office in HV Community, Gemma Cleanslate and Dancerina Starlight put up some decorations, such as this tree just outside the entrance. 

And we've also decorated our new satellite office in Bellisseria a bit.

Happy holidays.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Red Yellow & Orange, Sci-Fi, Bad Christmas

Happy Vixen: DJ Maliit, DJ Arooo, DJ Char, DJ Snowy, DJ Mattie, DJ Malit, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: Wilderness Wednesday

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: DJ Snowy

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge: Food, Fantasy, Rave, Katurday CAYA, Demented Christmas

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Announcement: Christmas Downs Is Open

 

 

The Duchy of Caledon Downs is pleased to announce the opening of Christmas Downs and the Santa Sleigh Ride. We do apologize for the lateness this year but most all know of the major land movement that took place which cause a re-routing of the ride. The Christmas Express which takes you up to Santa's land is located on the high ground at the railroad track, Also the Christmas Express has been replaced with newer models with easier to sit on car. Ice skating rink now can provide free skates. 

 

We do hope you will come and explore Caledon Downs as it is completely open to the public.

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

 

 

Weekend in Brief

 

 

 Quite a bit happened this weekend. On Friday December 15, the Linden Snowball Fight took place. It would also be the closing day of the Team Diabetes Winter Showcase. There were other events, such as the Riny Carolers at Mieville on Saturday December 16, and the "Christmas at Wild Castle" party on Sunday December 17.

We'll have more on some of these stories, and more, when time's available to report in detail.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Seventeen Years Ago ...

 

On the evening of December 17, 2006, yours truly first came to this virtual world. I had just gotten a cable modem, and was finally able to leave the slow "dial-up" behind, So I went to check out two places my online friends were talking about, "World of Warcraft" and "Second Life."

 

Seventeen years later, I've long left Warcraft behind. But I'm still going around Second Life just about every day. A lot has changed over time. The prim avatars have changed to mesh, as well as the way people go about getting one. CEOs have come and gone. There's Bellisseria. There's Linden Lab getting a new owner, and more. But after my first year, a few things have remained the same. I'm still writing away about this virtual world, and I still have a circle of friends that keep me going back in. 

To read more about my first days, check out my 2021 article.

Bixyl Shuftan. 

Announcement: Bay City's Lighted Boat Parade This Thursday

 

 Happy Holidays!

It’s the Bay City lighted boat parade! If you would like to join in please bring your boat to the New Port Yacht club at 7:00 p.m. SLT of Thursday, the 21st of December.

Boaters will then proceed to the Bay City fairgrounds in the North Channel sim. Spectators can view from Uccie's Lighthouse, and go directly to the fairgrounds, and all are welcome to enjoy a skating party and holiday tunes w DJ GoSpeed of KONA Stream.

Many mesh boats come with party lights and other options, but if you boat doesn't have lights, we'd recommend adding some, either by editing them onto the boat, or creating a lighting rig you can wear!

Come one come all… it’s always  time for festive fun in Bay City!

 

New Port Yacht Club - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Port/38/80/23

 

Uccie's Lighthouse - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Luna%20Point/229/213/37 

Bay City Fairgrounds - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/North%20Channel/104/134/29

Rough Weather On East Coast May Mean Power Outages

 

 

 Hurricane season may be over, but that doesn't mean the threat of storms on the Eastern coasts of America has passed. A huge storm system has been making it's way from Florida to up the East Coast, arriving in the Northeast by Monday today. It is "spreading heavy rain, strong wind gusts, coastal flooding and possibly spawning a few tornadoes." This will likely mean power outages for many in the areas affected. 

So if someone you know who lives in the Eastern US who's usually online but isn't, this may be the reason.

 

Source: weather.com

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of The Day: Christmas Fainting

 

 

 Taken during DJ Naughty Nydia's "Twisted Christmas" show at the Happy Vixen. There was some joking around, which led to this double fainting on stage. What could get two people to faint at once? I could think of one think ...

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Over 230,000 L Raised at Two Veterans Isle Fundraisers

 

 On Wednesday December 6, Veterans Isle held a fundraiser concert for the Homes For Our Troops charity. The event, which ran from 4 to 9 PM SL time and had a DJ and four live musicians raised a total of 131,900 in the two kiosks on either side of the stage. But that wasn't all. A few days later, Frets Nirvana, one of the organizers of the event, would hold another in which he himself went on stage.

 

Hello to all my Second Life friends

I will once again climb the stage in Second Life today December 10 @ 2 PM for one last push for donations for Homes For Our Troops at Veterans Isle.  In this week that we have remembered December 7 as the day that the U.S. entered WWII, come on out nd help today's heroes who have sacrificed just as their brothers did 82 years ago. 

Frets' Sunday concert would bring in exactly 100,000 Linden dollars, fifty thousand in each kiosk. This made for a total of 231,900 L. Almost a quarter million Linden dollars to help veterans keep roofs over their heads. 

To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org 

 

SL Video: "Scrooge - A SL Christmas Carol - Part Four"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From AVTV on December 2022, "AVTV proudly presents, for the first time in Second Life, the Greatest Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol - Second Life Version. Tribute to Second Life in its 20th Anniversary Year. Filmed @ Second Life virtual world."

 

EOTB : Applications Being Accepted for 2024 Valentines Day Shop and Hop

 

 

 It's not yet Christmas, let alone New Years Eve. But already Linden Lab is getting ready for February 2024. Yesterday, Thursday December 14, Linden Lab announced that it was accepting applications for the Valentine Shop and Hop, but only for a limited time. 

 

While the festive cheer, twinkling lights, and echoes of holiday celebrations still continue, we are thrilled to announce the early opening of applications for the 2024 Valentine’s Shop & Hop!

As we prepare for an extra special Valentine’s event, we're on the lookout for enthusiastic Merchants ready to join the celebration of love ...

 The event itself will from from Thursday February 1st to Tuesday February 19. Merchants interested in taking part are asked to fill out a Google Docs form (here). Like previous Shop and Hop events, stores will be required to discount their items at least 20 percent and have at least one free gift available to residents coming by, regardless if the person is in the store's group or not, or offer a free gift card worth at least 300 Linden dollars. Merchants are asked to tell the Lab what they primarily sell.

 

What's different about this Shop and Hop is that Linden Lab wants to put the spotlight on merchants offering items for their new line of Senra starter avatars, "This year we will also be highlighting designers who are creating for our new Senra mesh bodies. To be considered a Senra designer for the Valentine Shop and Hop, you need to have at least 2 items available at the Shop and Hop for Senra bodies. Special consideration will be given to Senra designers when applications are being reviewed." The days merchants have to set up their stores are January 25 to Jan 28.

Some might note that the picture on Linden Lab's announcement shows a furry couple. Maybe the Lab is trying to appeal to this particular demographic, or in that it's showing a feline/canine couple trying to say that love can bring very different people together. 

Source: Linden blog 

Bixyl Shuftan

This Saturday at The Science Circle

   Saturday December 16

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Field Trip: Rural Living

    Organizer: Chantal Jager

   https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/field-trip-3/

 

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Fieldtrip Roulette

    Jes Stannard

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/fieldtrip-roulette-3/

    

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

SL Mobile Viewer Now in Private Alpha, Available For Premium Plus Residents

 

 Some news for those who have been waiting for the Second Life Mobile Viewer to be available. Linden Lab just announced it's in a "private alpha" release, but a very limited one in which only Premium Plus members can apply for. And some who do may not get a chance to try it out yet.

 

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

The Second Life app brings the richness of the Second Life virtual world to your Android or iOS mobile device...and Second Life Premium Plus members are among the first to get access. 

 

With the new Second Life Mobile, you can experience a new level of convenience and engagement in your Second Life adventures, whether you’re at home or on the go. 

 

 The mobile viewer is described as allowing residents to see their avatars and "edit through changing outfits" (but apparently not through Inventory), go about virtual reality "with a limited series of movements," being able to teleport or accept teleport offers, pan around to some extent (but doesn't say how far), use local and group chat as well as see group announcements, create and log in a new account, "and more in future releases."

The Lab stated that while all Premium Plus residents are eligible to apply to get access to this alpha version of the mobile viewer, "we’ll be adding users in small groups over time. There is a server registration limit and we’ll be adding participants on a first come first served basis." So assuming demand for the mobile viewer is strong, some people will have to wait. 

And of course, being an alpha version, the Lab reminded people that the mobile viewer will almost certainly be glitchy as heck. "please remember, this is still early Alpha! That means it’s buggy, and it’s missing functionality. It also means we’re looking for your help in making it better. "

 

Presumably the beta version will be available some months from now well into 2024. But this is speculation, and much can go wrong, or right.

 

Source: Linden Blog

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

"T'was The Night Before Christmas," SL Style

 

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the box, people built houses with doors that had locks. The Mods were complacent, all snug in their chairs, with dreams of tomorrow without any cares.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter i sprang from my build to see what was the matter...   the moon on the flat of the fake sandbox sand... told me the mods all had it in hand... when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a flat color skinned man on a flying case of beer... he was dressed all in lace and wearing a tube... i knew in a moment it must be Saint Noob.

As the 6-pack roared by in it's three sets of pairs... Saint Noob started dropping his default prim squares... and i heard him exclaim as the mods had him banned... "Count on my ALT coming back to this land!"

 

From Clarence The Cross-eyed Dinkie (binghamton Resident) 

More Christmas Places: The Grove and Kringle County

 

It's the Christmas season. And there's plenty of holiday and winter-themed places all over Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate decided to check out two. The Grove has a number of free gifts available to visitors, as well as a Christmas parade. Kringle County has a racetrack, a town with shops, and of course there's Santa who you could get a sleigh ride with.

 

Read Gemma's story in Places. 

Linden Snowball Fight This Friday

 

For those wanting to toss a little "Christmas cheer" at Linden Lab's finest in the form of a snowball, or just in the mood for a good snowball fight, now's your chance. It was recently announced in the Linden blog that the next Linden (and Mole) Snowball Fight is this Friday, December 15. Or rather, two fights. The first will be at 8 AM SL time, and last for an hour (at least officially). The second will be at 12 PM SL time.

 

  ‘Tis the season for some snow-slinging shenanigans at the NEW Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena!

Get your warm clothes and throwing arms ready - it’s time for a Lindens and Residents snowball fight! This snowball showdown means you're free to pelt your fellow Second Life Residents and Lindens with a bevy of sparkling snowballs - launched fresh from the snow-arsenal available at the arena.

The battles take place on Friday, December 15th from 8am to 9am PT and then again from 12pm to 1pm PT. Spots are limited, so be sure to get there early to grab your free snow-launching weaponry from the vendors around the arena.

Mark your calendars, assemble your dream squad, and be there!

 While the snow scraps officially last for an hour, people often linger for longer. 

Remember, the fun is this upcoming Friday, December 15, at 8 AM and Noon SL time.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%201/241/212/44

 

 

Sunweaver's Get A Present From The Landlady

 

 

Christmas came a little early for the residents of the Sunweaver community. Rita Mariner, the leader of the community and the landowner, had a present for the renters there. She went and paid those living there a free month's rent. 

Merry Christmas to the "Sunnies."

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Jeans On, Winter Outfits, Christmas Party

Happy Vixen: DJ Maliit, DJ Arooo, DJ Char, DJ Snowy, DJ Mattie, DJ Squeaks, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: Christmas Party

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: DJ Snowy

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge: Paws & Hooves, Fur vs Scales, Tinies, Katurday CAYA, All That Giltters

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Reader Submitted Picture: "Underwater Dangers in Bellisseria"

 

 

 From Alden Cortes, "Yikes!!  I almost got eaten in Bellissaria today." Fortunately, he got away.

Game Review: Rise of Cultures

 

Second Life may not be a game, but many if not most of it's residents like to play games. Among them is the history-based city-builder "Rise of Cultures." Starting off with a small stone-age tribe, you found a settlement and grow and develop it to become larger and slowly more advanced. So how does it play?

 

Read the game review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games .

New Linden Home Theme: The Mediterranean

 

 

 On Friday December 8 at the Christmas Expo, Linden Lab revealed their upcoming style of Linden Homes: The  Mediterranean.

 

These homes come in seven varieties. Two are one story, the Bella Rosa and Bella Vista. Five are two story, the Gran Palma, the Grande Vista, the Felicita, the Primavera, the Favola, and the Precioso. The homes were brick structures with terracotta-style roofs and arched doorways, in yards with dry grass. Some had outdoor stairs. Some had the entrance in a turret-like structure. As with the Ranch homes about six months ago, these Linden Homes are for Premium-Plus residents only.

Patch Linden didn't give a date on when these Linden homes would be available. But there were a number of new sims that just appeared on the map north of the Ranch home area. This is likely to be the future location of the Mediterranean Linden Homes. So they will likely be available early in 2024. 

There is a thread in the official forums about the new homes (here). So far, response has been positive.

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Team Diabetes 2023 Winter Showcase & Art Show

 

 

 

 The 2023 Winter Showcase & Art Show will take place December 8 to 15, 2023 and is in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life! This event will feature shopping, an art show, live music, and a hunt! Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association.

Participating Merchants/Brands: Adore Amore Fashion, AdReNaLiZeD, Angel Fae Boutique, ARKONA, ART & FASHION, Catori, Cosmos Boutique, Country Crafter, Couture Chapeau, Dalrymple Designs, DINKIEWEAR, Fae Fantasy Creations, Firelight, Grumble, IKR!, Just Imagine, Kittycat’s Creations, LeCock, Literature Alive!, Little Big Designs, Manikin, MMP –Muircastle Motors & Parts, PEEPS, Pixel Box, POTOMAC, QUE RICO Design, Shanti, Starlight Apparel, Telsiope’s Couture, Tinkerz, Undiscovered Jewel, & Xtal Store

Participating Artists: Aquarius27, Hannah Starlight, Harlow Jamison Resident, Jamee Sandalwood, Jessamine2108 Resident, Llola Lane, Maggiemagenta, Myra Wildmist, Nyte Vargas (Notable Art Gallery), Viktor Savior, & Vita Theas.

Slurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/184/84/22

Official Website: https://teamdiabetessl.org/2023-winter-showcase/

 

Cartoon of the Day: Reindeer Babysitter

 

 

 Taken at the Christmas Expo new Linden Home display area.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Scrooge - A SL Christmas Carol - Part Three"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From AVTV on December 2022, "AVTV proudly presents, for the first time in Second Life, the Greatest Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol - Second Life Version. Tribute to Second Life in its 20th Anniversary Year. Filmed @ Second Life virtual world."

 

EOTB: New Limited Edition Winter-Themed Last Names

 

 

With the Christmas season, Linden Lab is offering a number of winter and Christmas-themed account surnames as options to change to.  

To celebrate the winter holiday season, we have released some festive new last names!

 

The new names are as follows:

 

Snowfox

Icicle

Evergreen

Candycane

Frostypaws

Yulepurr

Jollyfluff

Tidings

Tinsel

Feliz 

 

A few of the names could mean something other than the Christmas season. "Tidings" could mean something oceanic. I can see "Evergreen" being used by someone who sees himself as fprever newbish.  A few such as "Snowfox" and "Yilepurr" would go well with some furries.

The names are available "for a limited time," which presumably means they'll be taken down not long after Christmas.

Source: Linden Blog

 

Christmas Movie Aired In Newser To Appear at Linden-Run Cinema

 

Readers will likely recall the Newser has been showing parts of  "Scrooge: A Second Life Christmas Carol" by AVTV. Well, we can be forgiven if Linden Lab saw what we were doing and got an idea. They recently announced the movie, in full, will be shown at the WelcomeHub Cinema.

Calling all Second Life machinima enthusiasts! Embrace the spirit of the season and join us for a special screening of "Scrooge - A Second Life Christmas Carol" directed by the talented Caligula Aquila on Wednesday, December 13th, at 12pm PT at the Second Life Cinema.

Immerse yourself in the timeless tale of Scrooge as reimagined within the immersive world of Second Life. Caligula’s unique vision brings Dickens' classic to life, blending the magic of virtual cinema with the charm of a holiday favorite. 

 As mentioned the movie will be shown next Wednesday, December 13, at Noon SL time.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/WelcomeHubCinema/52/128/23?

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 Saturday December 9

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Field Trip: Living Near Nature In SL

    Organizer: Chantal Jager

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/field-trip-2/

 

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Fieldtrip Roulette

    Jes Stannard and Chantal Jager

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/fieldtrip-roulette-2/

    

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle 

 

 

 

The Pearl Harbor Memorial

 

 It was 82 years ago this day in which the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a devastating air attack on the US base at Pearl Harbor . A number of ships were sunk or damaged, including three battleships that were sent to the bottom, and over 2400 American servicemen lost their lives. About half the casualties came from the USS Arizona, which was sunk along with almost 1200 sailors whom were killed. The other battleships were eventually brought back into service, but the catastrophically damaged Arizona was left on the bottom as a memorial to its crew. About two decades later, an official public memorial was built over the ship.

 

Second Life has it's own USS Arizona Memorial, in the Oahu sim. Most of the island is a happy tropical residential place, but one corner was set aside for a replica of the memorial to the sailors whom met their end at America's entry into WW2. A lei thrower allows visitors to toss in rings of flowers for the fallen. 

 

Under the memorial is an image of the sunken battleship, complete with an occasional bubble of oil that makes its way to the surface from the wreck (for some reason, panning around it isn't visible at all angles). inside the memorial are pictures of the real structure, plus of the USS Arizona. At the end is a plaque to those who gave their lives in defense of the United States that day.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (190/27/24). A tribute to the event that catapulted America from isolationism to a true global power.

 

Bixyl Shuftan