Announcement: CDS Inagural Ball This Saturday

DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2019
TIME: noon - 2 pm SLT
PLACE: Neufreistadt Schloss Ballroom "The Land of Sweets" (think Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker)
ATTIRE: Formal attire requested
DJ Dino Viper - noon - 1 pm SLT with his pulsing Miami dance mix.
Singer AleyKat - 1 - 2 pm SLT will change it up with her gorgeous vocals.

Funny Picture of the Day

Taken in Caledon. Looks like these turkeys are a little upset about what's for dinner for the holiday season.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Art 4 All Opening Today

There's an art exhibition opening today: "Art 4 All." Rasberia D. Parthicus (RasberryKiss Resident) would post the following in a group announcement:

Some time ago we have met a person, who owns the lovely and very creative made gallery - ArtCareGallery (fast TP to it you can find at the landing point of Wolvesland). Sharing similar interests, we could fast become friends.

Now she is starting a project in SL, which looks promising to turn into something big and lovely. It is called ART4ALL and is planned exactly as it name says - to bring art out from the galleries to the open sim lands.  

We are happy and even proud to announce that the start of the project will be on our sim and we hope this to inspire others to join too.

* * *

This  movement  is about equal access to ART  for ALL the people in SL  who believe that ART must be for everyone  and contribute to make that happen.  The vision of this group is to make art inclusive and not  limit them to the galleries in SL.  This is a group of artists who are driven by the need to express themselves and create art for art's sake.

The artists will show their artworks in  public places others than galleries  in successive itinerant exhibitions.

 1. All artists interested in this movement are invited to join the group.  secondlife:///app/group/9c8a7e3a-deca-c6ec-9354-e906eba9a91f/about

2. Artists involved  will show only 5 pieces for each exhibition.
3. All artworks will be offered as free gifts.
4. Artists are allowed to install a tip jar, artist statement  and LM to their galleries or main exhibitions.
5. The  artworks have to be SAFE content .

Please note that these informations  only apply to group-related activities and do not apply to your exhibitions outside of this group effort.

For more infos, please, contact group owners :
 Carelyna
 Bohemio Love 

The event is Wednesday, December 4 (Today) at 10 AM SL time.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Cove/118/177/25

Press Release: Largest SL Christmas Expo Ever Opens Thursday

Shopping, Entertainment, Auctions, Raffles & Linden Homes

Believe in the Magic of Christmas, the 2019 SL Christmas Expo in support of the American Cancer Society opens across 12 regions Thursday, December 5th. The 9th Annual Expo runs for 10 days and concludes with the Annual Holidays of Hope Ball, Sunday Dec 15th. The Expo is dedicated to children with cancer, and this year will be providing 100% of its fundraising to help provide Virtual Reality Headsets to children undergoing treatment for cancer.

This year Linden Lab has joined the Expo, and will be revealing the 4th edition New Linden Homes, taking part in the popular Lights of Hope house decorating competition, introducing the first ever Ebbe Linden Bear and offering an epic ONE OF A KIND LINDEN HOME AUCTION  including a 6 month Premium Membership with Exclusive Seasonal Content.

Other Highlights of the Expo include:

    More than 170 Merchants across 9 shopping regions

    Nearly 100 hours of non-stop Entertainment at the Holly Jolly Cafe

    OOAK and Breedable Auctions

    L$300,000 Shopping Spree and Gift Card Raffles

    All I Want for Christmas Kids Fashion Runway Show

    Gachas Galore

    Stocking Stuffer Hunt

    Lights of Hope House Decoration competition featuring SL’s top builders and Linden Homes

    Snowman Contest - Christmas Tree Lot - Pictures With Santa


In addition to the Linden home reveal region, the American Cancer Society will showcase its new Second Life® campus, which will be connected to the Expo.  The new, open design region was created using buildings by Colpo Wexler of Digital Cult, features a special tree donated by Mitsuko Kytoni of Hayabusa Design, and is the virtual home of the American Cancer Society. The region provides residents of Second Life® with support for survivors and caregivers, information and help with cancer and includes a direct text link to trained cancer specialists.  It will also be home to the Society’s virtual fundraising activities, Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer as well as areas for teams. The Catt Gable Memorial Garden is also undergoing a redesign and the Relay Museum will make its home on the region.  Annual Mega-Events, the SL Christmas Expo, Fantasy Faire, the Home & Garden Expo and the Sci-Fi Con, which support the Society, will also have areas at the new campus.

The American Cancer Society is the world’s leader in the Fight Against Cancer. All proceeds from the 2019 SL Christmas Expo supports the Society and its efforts to provide research to end, and support for those affected by, childhood cancers. For more information about the 2019 SL Christmas Expo visit: www.slchristmasexpo.com.
Need help with cancer? Needs answers or information? Visit the American Cancer Society region in Second Life®, call 800-227-2345, or visit: www.cancer.org.

Destinations Video: "Tis The Season"

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Linden Lab on November 27 as their Destinations Video, filmed by Draxtor Despres, "Happy Holidays from Second Life! Visit 'Tis The Season at Moochie for all things festive this winter. Old fashioned snowy sleigh rides, hot cocoa at the outdoor Christmas market, ice-skating on the frozen lake, visit Mrs Claus' Christmas tree lot, or just get lost pressing through the snow. Dress for a blizzard, you're going to need it!"

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

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

Cutlass: Best in 'A' , Apples/Oranges, Winter Chill

The Happy Vixen: Jungle, Animal Kingdom, TBA, Scales and Horns, Leather and Lace, Country Christmas, Canines and Cannids, Deer and Skunks and Bunnies, Foxes, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: CAYA, Fantasy, Monochrome, Metal, Royalty, Rave, Plushies, LNL, Disney

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

Reader Submitted: Sailboatin'

From Curzan Marikh Alexain (Curzan Marikh). He and his lady friend doing some sailboating across the Blake Sea.

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

HOLY CATS!  IT'S DECEMBER!
As our boots crunch in the frosty (or snowy) grass of December, we have stories and events happening at the now-opened Dickens Project! Join us this week for stories LIVE in #secondlife, and on our properties in #kitely, live in voice.

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT


*TUESDAY, December 3rd, at 7pm: Dark

*WEDNESDAY, December 4th, at 7pm: Craig Johnson's SPIRIT OF STEAMBOAT continues with Kayden Oconnell.

*THURSDAY, December 5th:

~  at 7pm: Adalbert Stifter's ROCK CRYSTAL begins with Shandon Loring. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

~  at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy with Finn Zeddmore


THE DICKENS PROJECT IS OPEN: 
https://slnewser.blogspot.com/2019/11/press-release-dickens-project-returns.html

All sessions held at the Seanchai Library in Second Life unless otherwise indicated. Schedule subject to change. 

Winter Holiday Village

Gemma Cleanslate's exploration of Christmas places took her to an old favorite, Winter Holiday Village. Built by the late Mairead Fitzgerald, the location is maintained by her husband. There are many things to do here, such as sleigh rides, skiing, skating, and of course, shopping.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Video Game Collecting: Part Two - How To Cheaply Start Collecting Video Games

Besides going about on Second Life, Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich) plays his share of computer and console games. Having a lifelong love of gaming that goes back to the 1980s and the days of Atari and Nintendo, Cyfir has gone about collecting older games. But where to get them? In his second article on the subject, he talks about where to go for a good buy.

Read Cyfir's article in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Press Release: Decorations Wanted For Holiday Display

On November 28, 2019, the Second Annual Season Of Love And Friendship opened. The Season Of Love And Friendship is an annual holiday festival taking place from Thanksgiving Day to the first Saturday following New Year's Day in the Koss region in the Snowlands of Sansara. During this time period, the public of Second Life is invited to visit and build or rez anything that they find meaningful for the winter holidays. All traditions and all faiths are welcome. A special Christmas music and dance show will take place on December 25, 2019. DJs and live performers are currently being sought for the show.

"The holidays can be a lonely time for people and time when divisions are rubbed raw," said Season of Love and Friendship founder Female Winslet, "I want to find a way where we all celebrate all the holidays that fall in this time of year together. And I hope by doing that we can make people just a tiny bit less lonely."

Anyone who wants to participate should click on the small potted Christmas tree next to the roadside or the one next to the mountain cabin on the Season Of Love And Friendship Land in Koss Region to receive an invitation and instructions. Participation requires joining the Season Of Love And Friendship group to rez on the designated parcel, but participants are free to leave the group as soon as they have concluded their business.

Located in a highly scenic area, the Season of Love And Friendship Land overlooks Lake Zermat and shares a view maintained by numerous fellow land owners and by Linden Labs. All are welcome to also enjoy the adjoining Snow Leopard Preserve and Paro's Spot as well as the sled rezzer and other facilities located nearby.

For questions, please contact Female Winslet.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Koss/77/77/117

Winter Wonderland Returns, Winter Swaginator Hunt Is On

There was some news in the Linden blog late last week. The Labs' own winter area, the Winter Wonderland, is once again open.

Winter Wonderland is back in all its beautiful glory - with activities you are not going to want to miss! Start your adventure in the Village of Lights, then make your way to snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice-skating, or snowball fighting in the snowball fight arena. Each of the activities is not to be missed, and are more fun with friends - so grab your besties and plan to spend a few hours catching everything that Winter Wonderland has to offer. If you’re in the mood for something a bit quieter after all that running around, take a breath-taking trip on the Ferris Wheel and catch incredible views of the twinkling lights and shimmery snow.

To get to Winter Wonderland, go to the Portal Park sim, and look for the door to the place. When entering, you'll be asked to accept permissions for objects in the place to act on your avatar. Do so.

Also going on, the Winter Swaginator Hunt has started.

‘Tis the season to be jolly - and what could be more jolly than a ton of new gifts? From now through most of December, Second Life will be giving away some goodies for everyone! Four exclusive Winter decorations have been scattered across the Bellisseria continent: special variations of items found in the Premium gift are only available through this hunt! Pick up your HUD at the Meauxle Bureaux and make sure to complete the gift hunt in order by following the clues in the HUD and local chat. Happy hunting!


To start, head to Meauxle Bureaux (157/123/29). Once there, click on the sign that says "Get your Swaginator HUD here!." You then find it in your inventory, then add it. You then follow the clues to the gifts.

Stay tuned for the date of the Linden Snowball Fight, in which you get a chance to lob a frosty one at Linden  Lab's finest at the Winter Wonderland's arena.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Natoma

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Merry Christmas MMD"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Furry SLife on Dec 2018

Interview With Emorald of Montecito Bay

Over time, the Newser has reported on the community of Montecito Bay. But who are the people behind it? Among the staff is Emorald Resident,  often mentioned with her partner as "Lem and Em." But who is she on her own? The Newser recently had a chance to ask her.

Read the interview in People.

HEA, A Place to Unify The Arts And Artists In Second Life

It’s been months since LEA was closed, since then artists spreading to the whole grid. Some are building their own gallery, some are building public galleries, and some artists just wait for the new endowment for artists.

I have written about Tansee and Riannah who tried to keep the LEA alive, “I took some time before I realized that Linden Lab was not going to respond to us in any way,'' said Tansee. But she makes another move! She found someone who kindly helps with her ideas and they are establishing HEA : Hannington Endowment For The Arts.

“When we were trying to save LEA, I put out a distress call in group chat asking if anyone knew of a benefactor that might have land. I received only one reply from a very wonderful gentleman named Hannington Xeltentat, he offered his space. So I pursued getting to know Hann as I call him. I wanted to be sure it was someone truly interested in the Arts.

“It took a few months before we got together and discussed different possibilities. I wanted to pursue the LEA strengths but did not quite know-how. After some contemplation, I participated in a real-life Hive network, where one person has a building and other artists work there and sell art, I have always loved that concept. it was also the idea of a Second Life resident. So I started building using the hexagon that is the base of the building instinct of bees. Hann and I discussed the possibilities as I took baby steps,” said Tansee positively.

“It seemed that Art in Second Life became scattered and disconnected after LEA closed. But everyone found their communities, and some started their own ideas. I felt the need to connect all the places that involved The Arts in Second Life, so I started an Art Information HUB, it connects all the different levels of the arts: galleries, the artist builds, and places that are available for artists to build,” Tansee continue her explanation.

But when I ask about committee members, she replied: “There will never be committee members. That was a lesson to be learned from LEA. Time will tell if this is something that the true artists of Second Life are interested in. This is very manageable with only 6 grants and maintaining the Teleporter.”

So, how do you promote the artist's works here at HEA?

“I love to use the SL Art group. it is a good reputation and is well established for years in SL. I will be applying to the Second Life Destination Guide as well. As this unfolds, I hope to have our reputation speaks for itself as featuring the true arts in Second Life.”

The opening of Hannington Endowment For The Arts will be held on Sunday, Dec 1st, at 01:30 pm.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Xeltentat%20Enterprises/129/128/3503

Marcel Mosswood

Benefit at Veterans Isle Raises Over 140,000 Lindens

On Sunday November 24, Veterans Isle was the scene of a benefit concert. From 4PM to 9PM SL time, several live singers and one DJ performed for the crowd. The event was organized by Frets Nirvana to raise money for the Homes For Our Troops veterans charity.

Happy Thanksgiving folks!  We are conducting our best way of thanksgiving …. our monthly benefit for Homes For Our Troops.  And we have some fantastic performers to help us with that!  



DJ Waya Snowpaw started things off at 4PM. He was followed by Maven at 5PM. Lark Bowen took to the stage at 6PM. At 7PM Ryanne performed for the crowd. And last but not least was Wolfie Starfire at 8PM. As the musicians played, the audience donated Lindens to two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage.

At the end of the event, a total of 141,250 Linden dollars had been raised.

Homes For Our Troops is an organization that helps disabled veterans by building and modifying homes for them. To learn more about them, check out https://www.hfotusa.org .

Bixyl Shuftan 

Announcement: This Saturday in The Science Circle - "Movies about Science"

"Movies about Science"
Saturday November 30
10 AM to 11 AM SL time

A presentation by Matthew Burr with video clips of science-based films.
Join us for your favourite hour of the week!

By Matthew Burr

Read more here (link).

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

Cartoon of the Day: Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey made by Celeste Cazenove. As you can see, it's not as easy for a fox to take on the choice bird of Thanksgiving as it is chicken.

By Bixyl Shuftan

New Office For KVXN

KVXN, jointly owned by Nydia Tungsten and JB Raccoon, is getting a new office. They recently invited the Newser over to take a few pictures.

The two story structure has a lobby, and a studio area for live broadcasting.

KVXN was once a 24 music stream that while doing decently at several venues, Nydia felt it could do more. Teaming up with JB, it expended to become an Internet radio station with growing numbers of listeners in and out of Second Life.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Geerkil%20Land/196/137/1366

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Caledon's Newcomers Ball

By Bixyl Shuftan

Interview With Emilia Dagostino, New CDS Chancellor

The Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS) has a new leader. Yesterday Emilia Dagostino (Emilia Avindar) was sworn in as it's new Chancellor. So who is Emilia and what does her election mean for the community? The Newser recently interviewed her to get some answers.

Read the story in People.

Reader Submitted: Elven Forest Celebrates Eleven Years

Over the last weekend the residents of Elven Forest celebrated the 11th anniversary of their land of fantasy and myth. It also marked the 5th anniversary of Bella (belladaine.nightfire) and Dᴀʀᴋ Mᴏᴏɴ (wakent) taking on the task of the forest caretakers. The festivities occurred with 2 Balls between Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. The announcement  read-

"Greetings Forest Folk!  Today we will start the celebrations of the 11th Anniversary of Elven Forest and the 5th Anniversary of Bella and Dark as Caretakers.  Join us in the Ballroom as we honor DARK and BELLA and have a celebration of the past, present and future!  Dress as your 'past' avatar (5 years or even 11 years ago????) or come as your 'present' self and we will celebrate the 'future' of Elven Forest and rock out to amazing music presented by DJ Thiaben!! "

Both events took place at the Elven Forest Ballroom. The informal dance was first on Saturday from 7PM to 9PM SLT. DJ Thiaben presented the music while the guest came in old avatars, such as yours truly who hasn't changed much in ten years, to the newest mesh. Sunday was the formal dance, a masquerade ball, from 1PM to 3PM SLT. DJ Kirana spun the disk as many attended with much talked of earlier times which provided history to the newer residents. Great thanks were given to Bella and Dark for keeping the forest vibrant with the great improvements that have come.

The Elven Forest group once consisted of two sims, Blossom and Jaded Wings, Jaded Wings sank into the waters in 2014. If you ever visit you will be given a note card of rules, PLEASE READ IT!. There is a degree of nudity allowed however there are rules about it, one being humans can NOT be. There are regular events which occur weekly from Ballroom to a dance on the beach. The land is absolutely filled with things to do and see so no way to tell you here just drop in.

www.elvenforest.net
Elven Forest (240, 217, 21)

Cynthia Farshore

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

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

Cutlass: Best in 'A' , Thanksgiving, Cats and Dogs

The Happy Vixen: Rebels and Rouges, Pilgrims and Indians, Wings and Tails, Birds, Sheer and Sexy, Cats and Mice

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: Feral, Pokeman, Videogames, Hair, Sexy, Anime, Late Night, Horns and Hats

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

Lacy Day at Nisa

On Friday Novemeber 22 at 2PM SL time, a small memorial event was held in honor of Lacy Musketeer, whom passed away this summer.

Hi folks, we're finally ready to do the memorial for Lacy. It will be held at 2pm on the 22nd of Nov. We'll send out LMs a little while beforehand. If you have a group that she was involved in or who would like to show your support, please contact Oscelot Haalan to see about having your group logo placed on a banner for the ceremony. We look forward to seeing you all there!

The event had some light music and discussion. It was hosted by Amehana Ishtari and Oscelot Haalan.

Addition: Amehana would send the Newser the following message.

Lacy Day will actually be a yearly art day always held on her birthday for artists to work and chat together. Lacy Day and her memorial in Nisa were two separate events.

We look forward to next year's Lacy Day.

We also thank everyone that attended her Memorial ceremony where she was announced as the first modern person to have been instated as a kami of Arashiryuu Yashiro.

Thanksgiving Parade

It's just a few days before Thanksgiving in the United States. While the holiday is best known for big turkey dinners among family or friends, it's also known for parades, especially the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City which is televised across the country. Recently Gemma Cleanslate found out about a tribute to the Macy's parade here in Second Life set up by Franny DJ Dean. So she paused her explorations of Christmas areas to take a look.

Read Gemma's story in Events.

Commentary: Twelve Years of Reporting SL News

Twelve years ago, the leading newsletter in Second Life was the Second Life Newspaper. Around the time of it's first anniversary in early November 2007, it took on a fox whom had sent in a few reader submissions over the previous month. Over time, that fox would write numerous articles about the people, places, and events about the virtual world. Today, yours truly looks back to reflect on his time as a virtual journalist.

Read the commentary in People.

CDS Election Results

On Friday November 22, the results of the election in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators were announced by Lilith Ivory.

We only had one candidate running for the office as chancellor.
So the chancellor in the 32th term will be:

Emilia Dagostino (emilia.avindar)

6 candidates were competing for 5 seats in the 32th RA

Winners are
Kyoko Furse-Barzane (samara.barzane)
Lyubov (20180414 Resident)
Richie Deschanel
Rosie Gray
Tanoujin Milestone

Congratulations to our new chancellor and the RA members of the 32th term
and thanks to all candidates who placed their names on the ballot

Soon after, Chancellor-elect Emilia Dagostino (Emilia Avindar) congratulated the winners of the Representative Assembly in another announcement, followed by:

I would like to invite also ran, Cathy Sabre, to join the EM team, and also perhaps be a member of the PIO Team.

Open Door to your ideas,; notecards are good. Thanks, Citizens, and carry on.


The outgoing Chancellor, Kyoko Furse-Barzane (Samara Barzane), had her own announcement.

Congratulations to Emilia Dagostino (avindar) who is our incoming Chancellor for the 32nd Term. I know you will support her during her term, as you did me. If she asks you to join her team, please say yes!

As outgoing Chancellor I want to thank  C.D.S. citizens for the honor of serving you this past year.

The Inaugural Meeting for the 32nd Term is scheduled for Tuesday November 26, at 12:30 PM SLT.  The meeting will take place in the RA Meeting Room in the Praetorium.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the Inaugural Ball.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the KVXN office

by Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

ONE HOLIDAY, AND THE HERALD OF "THE PROJECT"
It's just one week till the joyous madness that annually is The Dickens Project opens to the public. And if that were not enough, this weeks Giving of Thanks means another Seanchai tradition, and we are warming up the Group W bench JUST for you! Join us this week for stories LIVE in #secondlife, and on our properties in #kitely, live in voice.

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT


*SUNDAY, November 24th at 6:30pm : MAGICLAND STORYTIME - Ann Mary, Her Two Thanksgivings with Caledonia Skytower, live on stream at The Golden Horseshoe at Magicland Park.
The New Golden Horseshoe
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bracket/181/57/30

*MONDAY, November 25th, at 7pm:  TEACHER'S PET / WAR AND PEACE by Matthew Joseph Harrington (written with approval by Larry Niven) continues with Gyro Muggins.

*TUESDAY, November 26th, at 7pm: Craig Johnson's SPIRIT OF STEAMBOAT continues with Kayden Oconnell.

*WEDNESDAY, November 27th, at 7pm: WHAT'S COOKIN'? - Favorite Food Stories & Recipe Exchange. This week, the Thanksgiving Edition, with Turkeys and stuffing galore. Bring your knife and fork, and a favorite recipes to share, on notecard.

*THURSDAY, November 28th, at 10am: The Annual Seanchai Tradition: ALICE'S RESTAURANT MASACREE with Shandon Loring. Come along and claim you place on the Group W Bench, and don't be late!  The story is only 17 minutes long. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

COMING SOON! In Just 2 Weeks!  The Dickens Project 2019 Edition will crack its cover open!
http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/the-dickens-project-sl.html


All sessions held at the Seanchai Library in Second Life unless otherwise indicated. Schedule subject to change. 

Various Events Last Weekend

There were a few events going on last weekend that I didn't have time to write about in detail. One was the Newcomers Ball in Caledon.

The event would take place twice that day, 12 Noon and 7PM. The music was provided by Cynthia Farshore and Ms. Nyree Rain. There was plenty of dancing at the double-event.

The following day on Sunday November 17 at 12 Noon was the Raglan Shire Talent Show. The event was packed, with over 80 avatars present.

There were various acts from dances to live singing to scripted skits by bots that ended up exploding. Almost as entertaining were the reactions and gestures from the tinies in the audience. This annual event in the noted community is often videotaped and posted online.

At 2PM was the Aether Salon discussion in New Babbage. The topic was for writers interested in publishing their work. Unfortunately, I forgot to save my notes before teleporting away, and I crashed.

There's always something going on in Second Life. One just has to find it.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Duran Duran - Come Undone"

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Calacal on Dec 2011, "A Second Life movie, Duran Duran's Come Undone, inspired by Bride of Frankenstein. I hope you enjoy it!"

One SL Music Video Maker's Reaction to COPPA

This week in a number of Second Life and Discord groups, there's been some discussion about a law called COPPA and what it means to Youtube. Called the Child Online Privacy and Protection Act, it recently imposed a huge fine on Youtube, which reacted by announcing a new plan that confused and scared a number of content creators. Among them is Nydia Tungsten, whom has made many music videos in Second Life over the past few years and put them on Youtube. But no more. This week, she announced that no more would be going up on Youtube. I would talk to her about what she thought was the big worry, and what she may do next.

Read the story in Extra.

Two Art Galleries at Chilbo

Chilbo is not a new place in Second Life, but has been around for over a decade. It's long been known for being a community with a number of artists and other talented residents. For Newser writer Marcel Mosswood, it was where she got her start in Second Life. Earlier this year, she set up an art gallery there, "Marcel and Sebastian's Art Gallery." Later on when more land was available, she set another, "Art2048."

Read Marcel's article in Design.

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops Bennefit, November 24

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2019’s November benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2019 November benefit in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization Home For Our Troops. 

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 OVER 274 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2018 the community in Second Life sent over $13,000 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to may kind hearts and great Second Life performers.  HFOT built 34 homes for extremely wounded veterans in 2018.  We hope to help them exceed that in 2019!

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The November concert on November 24, 2019 is scheduled from 4pm to 8 PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Mavenn, Lark Bowen, Ryanne and Wolfie Starfire.

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: New Event at The Ivory Tower

This Saturday and Sunday we will have a mini build contest at Ivory Towers. I want you to get acquainted with the place and the folks there and thought this would be a good start. The theme will be, "Baby It's Cold Outside!" The platform is all set up with snow and you are to create a build that makes people shiver and run for the hot chocolate!  ... I will need for you to contact either Avi Arrow or me to say you want to join so that Avi can add your name to a list which will prevent your prims from being auto returned. So please do this sometime before early Sat. morning.  Ivory Towers is a really nice sandbox. I think you will like it there and will also like Avi Arrow. She is a peach!

Theme: "Baby It's Cold Outside"
Starting date: Saturday Nov. 23 - six a.m. SL time
Ending date: Sunday night midnight SL time
Voting open from Sunday night midnight until midnight Monday, Nov. 25

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Natoma/156/131/3752

Luna (LunaEnigma Resident)

For complete details, message Luna or Avi Arrow, or get the notecard from the Ivory Tower Library group.

Breaking News: Linden Lab Says Last Names Available Again By Jan 31, For Premium Residents

Earlier today, Linden Lab posted on the official blog a date on one of the more persistent questions of residents, the return of last names. The Lab stated it is "working furiously" to have the option to get or change a last name. However, the option will only be available for Premium Residents, and there would be a fee for it.

Soon it will be possible to change the name of a Second Life account. This is one of our Residents’ most requested features and we’re working furiously to make it available by the end of January.  Name Changes will be exclusively for Premium members at an additional fee. Changing one or both of your First and Last Name will be available as a single transaction. Last Names will be picked from a list, which you can help us curate.

It was also announced the Lab would soon hold a contest for suggestions on new last names. Five of the people who submit suggestions will get a free name change, regardless of their being Premium accounts or not. The contest will run for a month from December 16 to January 15.

At the SL16B this year, Oz Linden stated that the reason it was taking so long for last names was, "every part of Second Life, absolutely everything, was built with the assumption that your name can never change.  ... we have to go back and find that assumption everywhere in Second Life. And that's a *lot* of code."

The Lab would also announce a new level of Premium membership, Premium Plus, "an additional choice for Residents who want to get even more value from their Second Life."

Also announced were changes in Marketplace, including the fee to list an item as Featured reduced ten percent and "commission rates on Marketplace sales will become 10% of the item price." There was also a reminder about the Linden Home at the Christmas Expo.

To read the blogpost in full, Click Here.

Second Life Destinations: Surfing Enthusiasts

For those of you in Europe, northern Asia, Canada, and the US who miss the warm summer months already, and aren't too crazy about the ice and snow for the next few months, relief in Second Life is just a teleport away. In the latest Second Life Destinations on the Linden blog, there's a focus on surfing spots. And it includes a video by Draxtor Despress.

Catch a wave and hit the beach! The surf is up in Second Life, and the sunshine, beach sand, and horizon are the perfect place to feel the thrill of riding those waves! Even if you can't hit the beach in the physical world, you can surf all year long in the Internet's largest virtual world Second Life.

The four locations in the video, and others, can be found in the Destination Guide's Surfing category.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Studio 86 in Montecito Bay. In a virtual world full of foxes, bunnies, and felines, anteater avatars are rare. So it's easy to think they might be used by engineers whom deal with different kinds of "bugs."

By Bixyl Shuftan

Commentary: Second Life Is Dead, Long Live Second Life

Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich) recently wrote a  commentary. In it, he asked himself why do people still come to Second Life. Social networks seem to come and go. And in the virtual world, clubs and hangouts seem to last only a few months. So why does Second Life continue to last? Cyfir believes he knows the reason why.

Read Cyfir's commentary in Extra.

The Texas Tree Farm and Christmas Village

With December just days away, residents in Second Life are already making Christmas-themed places. Gemma Cleanslate decided to give her exploration of these places, and checked out two. The first place she went to was the Texas Tree Farm in the Larsen sim, where she was able to chop down a tree and check out the shop. After that, she visited Christmas Village 2019, which had more shopping.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Editor's Note: Article updated after it was found a paragraph was missing, my apologies.

Eye On The Blog: Lab Gab Episode Seven Today

Today at 3PM SL time (6PM EST) is another episode of the "Lab Gab" program by Xiola and Strawberry Linden. This week, the two popular Lindens will talk about various winder areas.

We’re all set to go walking in some Winter wonderlands in our next episode of Lab Gab with Xiola & Strawberry. What’s not to love about sweater weather, a cozy scarf, and the calming crackling of a toasty fire? Winter is a time of year for family, friends, holidays, and cheer - and we’re ready to bring some of that cheer to Lab Gab.

People can tune in on Linden Lab's youtube channel to see the program livestreamed

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

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

Cutlass: Best in 'X' 'Y' and 'Z', Hooved, Black and White Night

The Happy Vixen: Mythology, Lingerie, TBA, Dragons, Rainbows, Sweaters, Bikers, Bunnies and Foxes, Skimpy, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: CAYA, Rock, Pink Vs Black, Fire Vs Ice , Sea Life,  Goth, Mah Wolf release party, Late Night, Steampunk

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

Nydia's Last Video, For Now : "KDA Popstars"

(Click here to see the video)

Filmed at "The Rift," from Nydia Tungsten on November 16, "The Angels are dancing away and having fun with KDA Popstars!"

Unfortunately, a couple days after the video was made, Nydia would announce this would be the last of her videos, at least for now. Thanks to recent changes in how the COPPA law (Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act) affects Youtube channel owners and how vague the law is, Nydia has reluctantly ceased making videos and is seriously considering taking down her videos on Youtube rather than risk being fired $43,000 USD per video.

More on the issue later.

Update: Nydia has the video up once again on Vimeo (link).

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

OLD FRIENDS RETURN & ROMANCE TAKES THE TOUGH ROAD
Craig Johnson's Sheriff Longmire comes back for a visit, as does the delightful P.G. Wodehouse, and Louisa May Alcott - just in time for the holidays. Join us this week for stories LIVE in #secondlife, and on our properties in #kitely, live in voice.

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

 *TUESDAY, November 19th, at 7pm:  WHAT'S COOKIN'? - Favorite Food Stories & Recipe Exchange. This week Cale shares the P.G. Wodehouse story "Best Sauce." All are welcomed to bring some of their favorite recipes to share, on notecard.

*WEDNESDAY,  November 20th, at 7pm: Craig Johnson's SPIRIT OF STEAMBOAT begins with Kayden Oconnell.

*THURSDAY, November 21st, at 7pm: Louisa May Alcott's AN OLD FASHIONED THANKSGIVING with Shandon Loring  (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

COMING SOON! In Just 2 Weeks!  The Dickens Project 2019 Edition will crack its cover open!
http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/the-dickens-project-sl.html

All sessions held at the Seanchai Library in Second Life unless otherwise indicated. Schedule subject to change. 

Some Veterans Day Events

It was a hundred years ago last week, November 11, in which the first Veterans Day, or Armistice Day as it was called then, was held. In real life, there were parades, ceremonies, and other events. There were also some events held in Second Life to honor those who served in the Armed Forces.

Read more in Events.

Eye On The Blog: Call For Merchants in Christmas Shopping Event

Christmas is coming. For Second Life, it means a number of things from Christmas displays to holiday music to parties. And of course, it also means shopping. Linden Lab has been getting into the act with inworld Christmas shopping events. A few days ago, they announced on the official blog that the next such event would be taking place again and asked for merchants to sign up for it.

Winter is coming...and that means festive tunes, glitzy decor, snuggly scarves, and lots and lots of shopping adventures.

Our last big inworld shopping event for SL16B was a great success, and this is gearing up to be another one for the books.

Like previous years, we’re winding up for a winter inworld shopping event - and we’re now looking for Merchants who would like to participate!

This event, which opens on December 13th, 2019 and runs through January 6th, 2019, is an opportunity to bring a ton of new customers to your brand, offer some of your best items, and celebrate the holiday season in a huge shopping event across several Regions.

We are looking for merchants willing to offer a discount on some of their items (think Cyber Monday deals!) and provide a small gift to holiday shoppers.

Merchants interested in taking part need to fill out a form (here), and have it done by Wednesday November 27. The event is scheduled to start on December 4.