Winter Storms Hitting Middle Atlantic States

 

 It was just a week ago that a huge winter storm slammed into the Midwest and South of the USA, knocking out power for almost a million. Now another storm is bringing harsh weather to Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and parts of neighboring states. 

 

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for parts of the Southeast. In general, the worst weather will be where blizzard warnings or winter storm warnings are in effect on the map ...

Significant snowfall is likely in some of these areas this weekend. Travel is expected to become dangerous and power outages and closures are likely, some of which could last multiple days. Wind gusts closer to the North Carolina and southeast Virginia coast could drop visibility significantly.

 Yours truly is in the path of the storm, and there is the possibility of lost power. So we'll see how bad the conditions get.

 

Source: weather.com 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Party With a Purpose, Sunbeamers Anthem"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From EmpressLuna Starchild on January 27

 

[Intro]
Alright Sunbeamers - listen up!
We don’t just show up…

[Verse 1]
We’re the loud ones, the real ones, never sitting still,
Top ten strong cause we bring that will,
Not here for the fame, not here for the crown,
We show up smiling when life knocks down

Inside jokes, wild nights,
Turning heavy moments into light,
When it gets hard, we lean in closer,
This team don’t fracture - it gets stronger

[Pre-Chorus]
We don’t wait for a reason to care,
We already do - we’re already there

[Chorus]
We party with a purpose, feel it in the room,
Laughing loud while we fight the gloom,
For the ones we love, for the ones we lost,
We raise it up no matter the cost

Relay for the defeat of cancer,
Every form, every name, every answer,
We don’t do sorrow, we do resolve,
Turn love into action - get involved!

[Verse 2]
Some of us fighting, some remember pain,
Some still waiting on good news again,
Families shaken, hearts on the line,
So we celebrate life while we still have time

No pity looks, no whispered fear,
Just open arms and people here,
We honor the past by living loud,
That’s how this team makes them proud

[Pre-Chorus]
Every moment counts, every voice matters,
We build joy where the world shatters

[Chorus]
We party with a purpose, feel it in the room,
Music loud, let the silence lose,
For the fighters strong and the memories near,
We choose joy over fear

Relay for the defeat of cancer,
Together loud, together unanswerable,
We don’t step back, we don’t pretend,
We stand as one until the end
We stand as one until the end

[Bridge]
This isn’t denial - it’s defiance,
Smiles with meaning, noise with science,
Hope with rhythm, love with teeth,
We fight by living - that’s belief

[Breakdown / Chant]
One team!
One fight!
One reason!
Do it right!

Say it loud!
Say it clear!
Sunbeamers are still here!

[Final Chorus]
Party with a purpose, heart on display,
Celebrate life in the boldest way,
For every member, every family name,
We turn love into fuel for the flame

Relay for the defeat of cancer,
Not someday - now, together, faster,
We live, we love, we don’t waste time,
Sunbeamers forever - THIS is our shine. 

 

TikTok Deal Finalized, Complaints About New TOS & Posts Being Censored

 

For fans of TikTok in America who have been somewhat worried about the lingering threat of a potential ban in the United States, they no longer have to worry about that as a deal was made with American investors that satisfied the demands of the current administration. But, it may have come with a price that some users are not willing to bear.

More on the story in Extra. 

 

(finally up, sorry about the delay). 

SL Video (Science Circle): "Steven R Van Hook, Writing for Low Watt Brains"

 

 

(click here if the video does not play)

 

 From The Science Circle in March 2017, "Presentation by Steven R. Van Hook"

 

More News Later

 

Yours truly has been busy, and wasn't able to finish writing something before the need for sleep took over (or maybe was busy to the point he couldn't start). 

 

We'll have something up soon once we have a chance to pick up our pens and finish. 

 

 

Writers' Meeting in Caledon

 

I was busy with things today, but last week, I was able to attend the Writer's Meeting, a weekly event that takes place in Caledon, every Thursday at 11 AM. 

 

 Join the Writers' Meeting in Caledon January 22nd 2026, 11:00 AM SLT. in Caledon Nights reading room in front of a huge fireplace. Talking in public chat about writing. Elfbiter and Silver Moon Unicorn. 

We talked about a few things, such as stories we've finished and stories we're currently writing on.

 

Once again the Writer's Meeting is every Thursday at 11 AM.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/223/189/4002

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Press Release: Mole Day 2026, Sunday Feb 1, 11 AM to 1 PM

 

“MOLE DAY’ ONCE AGAIN RETURNS TO BAY CITY

Annual event Honor Members of Linden Department of Public Works for their works throughout the years.

BAY CITY, SL -  As in years past, Bay City will once again come together to honor the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works with a party at the Bay City Fairgrounds.

Initially held in 2010 by the residents of Bay City, Mole Day serves as an occasion to show appreciation for the Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the broader Second Life® Grid. Residents from all Second Life communities are welcome to attend and share in appreciation for the LDPW’s moles. 

Mole Day event will begin with a DJed set by GoSpeed of KONA Stream at 11:00 a.m. SLT. This will be followed by a performance by Agatha Nowles at noon.

“Moles” are members of The Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW). The LDPW is a program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life experienced by residents and visitors on the Linden Mainland. The LDPW comprises a team of Resident builders, scriptwriters, and other professionals who collaborate to create new content on behalf of Linden Lab and the benefit of all users. Notably, all members of the LDPW have Second Life accounts with the surname “Mole.”

The Moles are responsible for constructing the infrastructure of Second Life, including public roads and railways, coastal waterways and protected lands, and larger-scale projects such as the Linden Homes regions, premium content, and experiences.

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, or to participate in the event, please contact Marianne McCann. 

 

Reader Submitted: Sunbeamers Prepare for Relay

 

With the 2026 RFL season fast approaching, the Sunbeamers team held a planning meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25.  Rita Mariner opened the meeting, attended by Cynthia Farshore, Shockwave Yareach, FluffyFoxy and Liska daLantros.  

 

Rita will be sponsoring our (Relay Weekend) region, where we will be joined by Cure Chasers and Roos With a Dream.  Cynthia will be in charge of campsite construction. We discussed tentative plans for the design, which will not be revealed yet, as we don't want to spoil the surprise. 

 

Cynthia will also be running the highly successful Air Show again.  Last year's event was well attended, with four aerobatic teams performing awesome maneuvers ovey rhe Roos.  This year's tentative date for the air show is April 18, but watch the Newser or the RFL of SL calendar for updates.  

 

Other topics discussed included the annual Relaystock concert, Shockwave's annual Easter Egg Hunt, and Bid-Mes.  With off-season fundraising already putting the team at "Jade" level, it looks like the Sunbeamers are on target for another successful Relay For Life season.

 

 LiskaDaLantros2

 

Cartoon of The Day: Driven Batty

 

 Taken at the Winter Burn. Not sure why he was wearing bat wings, but given the dumpster fire real-life news can sometime be, I could think of one reason.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The New Panda Jenn's Pad

 

Earlier, we reported that Panda Jenn was rebuilding her place in Second Life, Panda Jenn's Pad. She just announced that the rebuilding has been completed enough to officially reopen to visitors. 

 

Previously of an Asian-inspired design, the new Pad at Zeta Valley is a Wild West saloon. It boasts games such as a playable poker table and pool table, as well as a mechanical bull. There's also a second floor, which has a bedroom or two, for those looking for activities of a more private kind. 

 

In the back is a dance floor where presumably the parties in the future will be held. 

 

Besides the saloon, there's other buildings around, giving the place the feel of a Wild West town. This includes a general store, although none of the items are for sale to visitors. On the street, there's a pair of gunfighters staring one another down. Careful about startling them, they'll liable to draw their guns at the slightest poke.

 

As of now, there are no scheduled events, but this may change soon. 

 

So feel free and drop by for a ride on the mechanical bull or play some poker with a friend.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zeta%20Valley/81/208/3002

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, Furry Fashion, Urban Furry, and Club Scorn

 

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

Club Cutlass: Very British, TV Themes , TBA

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - Fantasy

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - Predator and Prey

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Fantasy, Cats vs Dogs, Smol/Tinie avatars

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 

Memorials For Renee Good And Alex Pretti At Book Island

 

 At Book Island a memorial has been set up for two people who were killed recently in Minneapolis Minnesota by Federal ICE agents, Renee Good on Thursday January 8 and Alex Pretti on Saturday January 24. 

 

Light a candle if you wish.

There is a small shrine to the two Minnesotans gunned down by ICE recently by the main teleporter and message board.

We were donated a system for leaving a candle to them, which is by the pictures.

America has our sympathy at this time ♥ 

 

Originally brought into Minneapolis following stories of major fraud by Somalian immigrants, the ICE agents have been accused of creating a climate of fear among legal immigrant residents and there have been confrontations with protestors. The Trump Administration, as well as supporters of ICE, claim the two people shot were trying to harm the agents, who were there to arrest dangerous criminals, and the shootings were justified. Critics feel what the agents did was outright murder, and the real purpose of ICE being there was to intimidate a state and city unfriendly to the President into submission. 

 

 Sources: Associated Press, ABC News

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/173/208/37

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

At The Living Expo

 

 While the Winter Burn was taking place, so was the Second Life Living Expo. Over the weekend, I dropped by one party in Silverfall City aka New York Noir. With environment set to local, things looked pretty dark and gray, as well as rainy. With the winter storm approaching, I imagined some people had gloomy weather on their mind as well.

 

Stay tuned for more about the Living Expo, which raises funds for the Relay for Life.

 

For more information, Click Here - https://sl-living-expo.org/

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Winter Burn Festival Ends

 

 Last night were the final events of the Winter Burn, the Burn2 spinnoff event taking place in January at Burning Man Deep Hole. Late into the night, a few dozen people partied it up.

 

 While the DJs played music from the stage, some from the crowd cheering them on.

 

 While the events are over, aside from occasional unscheduled ones, the builds (most of them) will still be up for a few more days for those who couldn't make it or wanted to avoid the lag.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/157/37/24 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Winter Storm Knocks Out Power For Almost A Million In The US

 

 This weekend brought weather woes to much of America. A massive snowstorm pushed into the Midwest and South, dumping lots of ice and snow and setting record low temperatures. 

 

Tree damage from ice accumulation has been reported all across the South. Icy roads have been reported as far south as a stretch of Interstate 10 near Kerrville, Texas, northwest of San Antonio, as well as in the Houston area. 

 

Yesterday, close to a million Americans were without power in a number of states, with over 800,000 as of the writing of this article. And as the storm is heading northeast, there may me some there who will soon be out of power. There were also many reports of grocery stores with numerous aisles of empty shelves. So some people may find items such as toilet paper hard to get for a short while

 

So if a Second Life resident who's on almost every day hasn't been on for a few days, this very well be the reason. Power should be restored to most within a few days. But for a few it may be over a week. 

 

Sources: weather.com, poweroutage.us, Yahoo.com

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Skunky Weather

 

 Taken at Club Balance. And yeah, the weather in real life for many in the USA this weekend stinks. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Interview For A Study

 

A few days ago, it was yours truly who ended up interviewed.  It was by Evonova, a graduate student of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Inspired by the "1000 Avatar Project" by Gracie Kendel in 2011 and 2012, she was doing "research on how people’s avatars have evolved over time and what that means for identity and self-expression." She contacted me, and I agreed to answer her questions, us meeting at the Newser office in HV Community, 

 

We ended up talking for a while not just about avatars, but about Second Life and how it's changed over the years, and what brings people here and what makes them stay. 

 

Evonova didn't say how many in total are being interviewed, but I'm sure she'll get quite a study.

 

Bixyl Shuftan