The Waterfall Café

 

The Newser has covered many winter places in recent weeks.  For those looking for something different, Newser reporter Netera Landar found a location very interesting and unique in all seasons: The Waterfall Cafe. From Katie Luckstone, with it's picturesque underwater caverns, huge aquariums with swimming fish, chairs made to resemble sea shells, and more, it's very much worth a visit. 

 

Read Netera's article in Places.  

Last Day For The SLB

 

  For those who put off checking out the Second Life Birthday sims, this is the last day to so. One is about a Second Life myth, "Our Lady of Perpetual Silence." It's at SLB Delightful (212/184/21).

 

But there's more than just the exhibits. Zady Bury invited me to eheck out what's in the water. 

 

 And there was much to see off the beaten path. The Moles did some great work.

 

 Be sure to check it out.

 

Sadly, unless there's time to do one more update, this will be the last article showing the exhibits as anything other than a memory. After Midnight tonight, the SLB sims will close.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

New Tiki And Groto Linden Home Sims On Map

 

 When the first Tiki and Groto Linden Home sims went online earlier this month on Monday February 2, the homes in the eighteen sim area were all quickly snapped up in a matter of hours. Fortunately, the Moles have been continuing to work on more, adding sims with the new kind of Linden home around the original area (outlined in red above) and to it's south and southeast along the southern coast of the central part of Bellisseria. 

Figures on how many houses are left available are unknown, but the sims are open for anyone wishing to boat from Bellisseria to them (or swim underwater for any merfolk).

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Tiki Linden Homes Appear on Map, Quickly Grabbed by Residents

 

 

 

Earlier today, the new Linden Homes, the Tiki and underwater Groto homes, were made available, the sims open and free to people to visit. There were several varieties of Tiki, and two types of the underwater groto.

Even though the homes were limited to Premium Plus residents, within hours, every single one had been grabbed up.

More on the homes later.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Bellisseria Anniversary Grounds And Bubbles

 

Gemma Cleanslate has been busy. With Bellisseria celebrating it's anniversary, she was at the Fairgrounds checking the sights and the tours and other activities. She also checked out Cica Ghost's newest art exhibition, "Bubbles," featuring creatures under the sea.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

 

 

It Came From Bellisseria Chat: When Stamp Collecting Gets Dangerous

 

 

From Tamarind Silverfall: "Can anyone tell me what this passport stamp from the Dannielles area looks like? I clicked the sign, and it says I got it, but I don't see it in my passport."

 

Maybe a little less attention to the passport until you're away from the shark.

 

"Just when you thought it was safe to go stamp collecting."

Reader Submitted Picture: "Underwater Dangers in Bellisseria"

 

 

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

Safe Waters Foundation Weekly Meeting

 

 

 For those interested in Second Life's underwater areas, and the people who have events there, you might want to check out the Safe Waters Foundation's weekly meetup, which is Saturdays at 10 AM SL time.

 

Mers Helping Mers Be Mers - Safe Waters Foundation weekly gathering, 10am SLT Saturday.  This is a discussion about all things mermaid, merman, and aquatic.  Lots of things going on - it's always a fun gathering, and all are welcome.  Please arrive a little early if you can, dress low lag and request the talking stick if you have something to share. 

 

The meetings are at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/60/236/1 

It Came From Bellisseria Chat: The Scariest Trick or Treat Pumpkin

 

 

 Shown in the Bellisseria community group chat. People were talking about some pumpkins in the "Trick or Treat" being a bit difficult to get to or in curious places. Traci Quandry-Marabana (Traci Quandry) would post an animation of a shark swimming around the waters one pumpkin was in, "This was the scariest."

 

Whole Brain Health Opens New Underwater Sim

 

 

On Sunday September 17, there was the opening of a new underwater sim. Inspiration Bay, also known as Wild Fairy Pond, was open to visitors, and there was a live music event to celebrate. The area is part of Whole Brain Health's land, and the event announced by Wisdomseeker (Lissena Resident).

Come celebrate the opening of our new sim with its massive underwater environment, designed and developed by landscaper Luna Bliss!  Includes a special performance by Aubryn Melody at our underwater stage!  We hope to see you there!

 

Dropping by, the place was well-designed with plenty of underwater plants, rocks, fish, and occasional stone structures. It was all quite colorful. And it wasn't just one small area in the sim, but walking around I found much to explore. There was a place were one could get a snorkel if they wanted. In others, one could get a swimmer's AO.

In a notecard, the place was described as a collaboration with the Safe Waters Foundation. It would also say of builder Luna Bliss, "Luna has supported our classes in the past, generously donating her creations for students to build their projects, and we invited her to develop Inspiration Bay." The notecard also described the smaller surface area, "We have horses to ride the trail, rowboats, sailboats, canoes to tour the surface. You can spot the very fun Riverboat at Southwest corner, which also has a high-dive!"

 

I missed the tour that was offered, but did see the start of the live music event. Aubryn Melody was on stage, singing while playing her guitar, while the various people in the audience, merfolk and human, danced away. This included Luna, who was among the mers with her tail.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Bay/27/141/26

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Three Underwater Places: Mad Mines, Pacifique, Nightgarden

 

In the USA and many other places, August can seem like the hottest month of the year. So many of us are looking to cool off a bit. And one place to cool off is in the water. Recently Bixyl Shuftan decided to check out a few underwater areas in Second Life: Mad Mines, Pacifique, and one that was part of a place we looked at before, Nightgarden. So what did he find?

 

Read more in Places. 

 

Safe Waters Foundation Weekly Saturday Meet

 

 

The Safe Waters Foundation has a weekly gathering at the Union Passage sim. It takes place every Saturday at 10 AM, and takes place in the sim's ocean floor.

 

 This is a discussion about all things mermaid, merman, and aquatic.  Lots of things going on - it's always a fun gathering, and all are welcome.  Please arrive a little early if you can, dress low lag and request the talking stick if you have something to share. 

 

While described as "Mers Helping Mers Be Mers", anyone is welcome to drop in except griefers and anyone else disruptive. While at the meeting for part of the time on Saturday July 22, I heard a few things mentioned from deals at stores to the SL Fandom Con (and reminded it was to benefit the Relay for Life), and Ŧємρєรτгα (Tempestra Varela) announced "I will be doing a class on mermaid lore and myth every other week, starting (Thursday) August 3 at 1pm and 6 pm here, will be a presentation and discussion so I hope you can come! We will start with early myths about Mermaids."

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/60/236/1

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

EOTB: Second Life Destinations - Dwarka

 

 

Recently, Second Life Destinations featured an underwater area: Dwarka.  

Dwarka is an elaborate universe that allows a fully immersive role-play experience underwater. Races that live on land and in the water coexist here, form alliances, do battle, and imagine intricate scenarios within the existing but constantly changing lore of Dwarka. Oh and yes: folks at Dwarka do go shopping, hang out in taverns and educate themselves at the Merbrary, where books are available under as well as above water.

 

The place is run by Kei Kawanish, "Dwarka was created with about 75-80% of it underwater, and the rest on land. There are 3 underwater districts - The elven city, the Mer city and royal court, and the depths." The article would say there's places for both land dwelling races such as humans and elves, and oceangoing ones such as merfolk and aquatic kobolds. There's also a "D&D style" roleplaying HUD, " "Whether you're already an aquatic fanatic and want to take your RP skills to a new level or you're an already experienced RPing nerd who is looking for something new. The destination will bring something for everyone." There's a number of themed shops there, as well as an aquatic spa, "Rumor has it that each approved new member gets a spa ticket on the house!"

For more information, read the full article here, or check the Destinations Guide.

 

Video by Draxtor Despres 

 

Faerie Tale (158/135/1003)

 

Scuba Diving in Second Life

 

 People can do a lot in Second Life, some things one might be a little surprised can be experienced. Among these is scuba diving. At The Dive Shop in Ukupanipo, one can rent some equipment, and go underwater for two hours. And there's much to explore that will keep you looking around for that time, including some almost hidden places.

 

Read the story in Design. 

 

"Don't Worry, Be Fishy"

 

 This was sung in the "Safe Waters Foundation" mermaid group.

Here's a little song I wail
You might want to sing it scale for scale
Don't worry be fishy
In ocean life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry be fishy
Don't worry be fishy now

Ain't got no place to lay your head SL came and took your bed
Don't worry be fishy
The landlord say your rent is late he may have to friggin wait
Don't worry
Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha
Be fishy
Look at me I'm fishy

Clarence DeLeon (binghamton Resident)

 

Announcement: "Help Me Help Ukraine"

 

After earning, cashing in and donating the first L$5000, I am up to L$2443 in the second round!

Help me get there!  Come to my Fanci's Deep Mer Mall booth:
 Union Passage (243,171,3)
and BUY SOME STUFF for your mer self, legged self, and friends!

100% OF SALES will be donated to the Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. 

Thanks!
Dana Enyo
 

"The Guild" Shopping Event "Atlantis" Is Open

 

The twice a year shopping event "The Guild" is once again taking place. Until Thursday March 31st at Midnight, the area and it's stalls will be open. This spring, the theme is "Atlantis." 

The doors are now OPEN to the city of Atlantis! Tons of exciting aquatics and undersea products for your enjoyment! It lasts all month and don't forget our Halftime special on the 13th where NEW products as well as the hunt will begin! So who's ready to go deep-sea diving? Get your snorkels ready because Atlantis awaits~

There are many avatars and accessories up for sale. Most are aquatic in theme to go along with the event, such as merfolk and sharklike furry avatars.

 With all the talk about supporting Ukrainian residents, one of the shopping areas, Web Dew with it's jellyfish umbrellas and matching outfits, is owned by an Ukrainian, "I really appreciate your support from around the world. 

The event used to be called "The Gacha Guild." But in August of last year, Linden Lab banned the use of gacha machines. 

For more information, check the website at: https://theguildsl.com/

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Abnormality/132/122/1756

Addition: As mentioned, on Sunday March 13, the event's Halftime Hunt begins, allowing the chance to pick up some prizes.  

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement From The Safe Waters Foundation

 

2021 has passed and we are looking forward into 2022:  Let's name this  the year of COMING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR UNDERSEA COMMUNITY.  Feel free to share this with other sea related groups - together we can continue to inject fun and energy to the sea parts of Second Life.  We hope you visit all the undersea spots - and come to Safe Waters Foundation to to find underwater resources, other sea folk, some fun and to help others in the community!

2021 was a great year for underwater seafolk communities.  Safe Waters Foundation  had a huge response to our Fantasy Faire involvement and experienced a big jump in traffic.  Traffic, as always goes in cycles -  we continue to encourage the  involvement of people and groups coming into SL and into SWF lands to take advantage of our resources.  

JustaChicky Goldshark has emerged as a solid officer for SWF and we soon will have another officer you all know - JewelMermaid, who owns the Pied Piper Mermaid Shop .  Jewel leads the concierge team - a huge sub-group of SWF that attempts to greet and help people as they come to a SWF booth (at special events) and to our headquarters location (contact Jewel if you'd like to become a SWF Concierge).

The Saturday gathering continues to be a strong weekly connection for us (thanks to Miranda and Sweete) - and a small  gathering I call "Grace Gather" now meets on Wednesdays 4:30pm to chat and go tour one of the SWF hangouts.

As usual, the winter months have been slow - but that's given us an opportunity to reflect and look for where we can improve in serving our mission.

We are excited to tell you that there are some remodeling and  upgrades coming to the Safe Waters Headquarters, Fanci's Deep Mer Mall and the Fanci's Deep Residential areas.  Adboards are being updated and we'll be offering some special rates to get people to restart there.  A very generous, talented builder team has stepped up to lead the rebuilds you will be seeing soon.   We intend to participate in Fantasy Faire again this year and will be working to strengthen our concierge team.  We are working on very fun ideas and yet still maintain that we want SWF HQ to be a place for you to go find all the fun under the sea in Second Life.  We are a hub for finding fun (but having fun doing it!)

So, while our areas have a bit of dust and disarray right now - please know that good things are in development.  You are invited to come to the Saturday gatherings as we'll try to have updates for you there as things start to happen.  We do need help in making it happen - I think right now we need volunteers for short term projects, and some quality full perm gifts if any of you like to build and share.  How can you help our community?  Things only happen when we all come together to help - please join us as we venture hopefully into a new year!

Sincerely,
GraceSWF Wrigglesworth
Founder and CEO
Safe Waters Foundation

=======================
Safe Waters Foundation Mission statement: Supporting the development of harmony and safety for merfolk and sea folk of Second Life. Bringing together and being a resource for designers, retailers, sims, merrow, mermen, mermaids, sirens, cetaceans, cephalopods, other aquatics and lovers of same in an environment that encourages diversity and awareness of RL ecological issues.

SWF Goals:
- To assist those considering an underwater life
- To increase awareness in the general public that there is an underwater option
- To make mer resources (events, projects, groups, retailers, sims, designers) visible and easily accessible
- To assist, as possible, with the viability of mer resources so they may continue to be available to the community
- To promote the conservation of RL oceans, lakes and waterways and the nature that relies on them

Please visit the SWF web page at: http://www.safewatersfoundation.com/

SWF Headquarters:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/212/223/4

Read about all things mermaid at:  http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/
 

Announcement: "Under the Sea" at Caledon

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

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

Shark's Bay Underwater Sim Closing This Friday

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bixyl Shuftan