EOTB: New Last Names Available

 *

Yesterday, Monday July 12, Linden Lab announced in the official Second Life blog that they had added several new last names to the list of surnames available for residents to change their account names to.

Today some of the older last name options were removed and the following new ones were added:

Vanlager
Wainwright
Tater
Skydancer
Primless
Vermilion
Morningstar 

Several older choices for surnames were discarded, keeping the list of available last names at forty-eight.

The Lab stated the new list of last names will be available until about mid-October, in three months time. Then, some will be added, and some taken away. The Lab also plans for some Halloween-themed limited-edition last names to be available only around for a short time. 

Of the original forty-eight names, only about eighteen are left: Takeda, Littlepaws, Alpha, Mysterious, Hexem, Atheria, Puddles, Leeder, Cloud, Dismantled, Ravenhurst, Kiyori, Enchantment, Banana, Dallas, Mercury, Crisp, and Resident.

To read the blog post in full, Click Here.
 

Mobile App for Second Life Approved by Apple

 

At the Web User Group Meeting moderated by Keira Linden on July 7, Keira had some details on several issues. But the most notable one was about Linden Lab's mobile app for Second Life. She announced that it had been approved by Apple for it's App Store. It wasn't currently in the store as the Lab wants to add a few things before it gets posted. It will just be the iOS version as Android still needs more work.

The app is just a chat app only with no 3D view, for now. Also for now, one can only directly IM others with it, though group chat should be available later. One can search names on the app, but it can't access notecards (or anything else in inventory). Keira Linden thought it would be particularly useful for Second Life merchants to keep in touch with customers away from their computers.

To read in detail what Keira Linden stated about the app, see more in Design.

image from video by Pantera Polnocy

RFL Sunbeamer Off-Season Donation Jar

 

The Relay season is over, and RFL Team Sunbeamer's fundraising kiosks are put away until next February. But that doesn't mean the fundraising is completely shut down. At Club Cutlass, Rita Mariner set up a tip jar for those wanting to donate money between seasons, the money going to one of her alts. Once the 2022 Relay for Life in Second Life fundraising season starts, the money will go to Team Sunbeamers. 

As of the writing of this brief, there's a little more than 10,000 Linden dollars in the tip jar. How much will there be when the season starts? We'll see.

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

Sunweaver Bay (114/117/757)
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Cartoon of the Day: On Top of The Newser Exhibit

 

Taken at the top of Silvia Ametza's SL18B Newser exhibit. While going about the SLB grounds, Mia Wallace decided to climb it, then I followed, then Zoren Manray. While this wasn't quite the conversation that followed, we had some fun times.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

  

THIS WEEK: Teatime goes to The Movies, we stop off at Hogwarts once more, our July series continue, and 'thar be dragons' with Shandon. Join us for stories, presented LIVE in Second Life.
Check out the stories and the storytellers! 

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

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

* * * * *

**SUNDAY, July 11th ,  at 7pm: TEATIME at The Movies: "The African Queen."  Join Corwyn Allen, Gloriana Maertens, Kayden Oconnell & Elrik Merlin for a backyard festival of radio drama versions of some of the finest, well beloved films of the golden age of 20th C cinema. Popcorn provided.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/204/44/2603


**MONDAY, July 12th ,  at 7pm: Eric Vinicoff & Marcia Martin's WEIGHER continues with Gyro Muggins.
    

**TUESDAY, July 13th:
Both session in The Glen today http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream.   
    
   ~ at 7pm: TBA  
   

**WEDNESDAY, July 14th at 7pm: HOGWARTS: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide continues with Caledonia, live on stream.   


**THURSDAY, July 15th:

   ~ at 7pm: Rumer Godden's THE DRAGON OF OG, with Shandon Loring, live (90 minutes).

   ~ at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT, with Finn Zeddmore.

   
**FRIDAY, July 16th at 2:30pm: Terry Pratchett's UNSEEN ACADEMICALS continues with Caledonia Skytower at the Seanchai lanai-firecircle (90 minutes).


****
 

Second Life Birthday Sims Closed

 

Since Thursday June 17, the sims of the Second Life 18th Birthday were open to the public. That is, until sometime in the morning of Friday July 9. Checking a little after Noon, I found the sims to be closed, and later on checking the map, they were shown to be offline. 

Checking around the day before, many of the exhibits had been cleared out.  

I came across one exhibitor, Pixels Sideways, in the middle of her takedown. She would post in group chat, "All tidied up.  Thank you Moles for all your creative work and help.  Ya did good! :-)  Thank you to the exhibitors and performers for your creative visions and music.   TY to the Shop n Hop merchants for all the fab swag,  And TY Linden Lab for keeping the lights on and the plumbing intact.  Raises a glass - to Ebbe.  TY for guiding us here.  We'll keep the engines running & the creative juices flowing and continue to create merry mayhem throughout Second Life.   Ciao everyone.  Stay safe out there. Hope to see you around the playground. xoxo"

And so, another Second Life Birthday is now history. For some, there is Burn2 Conception and Burning Man to look forward to. But for others, already people are looking forward to SL19B. Among them, Marianne McCann, "As one might say among Burning Man folks, 'Next Year Was Better!' You will always look fondly on SL18B... but next year, just *imagine* what may come! All the things you learned at 18B, and another year of exploration." 
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Concerns About Suspicious Discord Posts

 

There's been a number of warnings on a few Discord channels about scammers trying to trick people ot click on a link that could lead to trouble. This was from the World of Warships Discord:

Players, good evening, morning and day!
It has come to our attention that lately there has been a rise in suspicious activity involving Discord users attempting to scam or share phishing links in our community and via direct messages.

Please do not click or open any suspicious links and report them immediately.
These scams often but not always involve fake Steam-related links such as "free" gifts or claims that your accounts were banned.

If you encounter suspicious activity please proceed to follow the instructions from the link below on how to properly report such users to Discord's Trust & Safety team or contact a member of our moderation team.

https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000291932-How-to-Properly-Report-Issues-to-Trust-Safety

Enjoy your weekend
 

SL Video: "Milan Zepp Live at The Second Life Music Fest 2021"

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Jackson Redstar SL Videos on June 22
 

Press Release: Burn2 Conception 2021: Emergence

 
Burn2 Conception 2021:  Emergence
Opening 5:00pm SLT, Friday, 9 July 2021
Ending Midnight SLT, Sunday, 11 July 2021
SLURL:Burning Man- Deep Hole

Conception 2021: Emergence

With this theme, the Conception event seeks to explore interpretations of emergence that are not necessarily about the usual ideas of “emerging” from or through things.about becoming greater, becoming awesome, colorful, unique. How can you interpret the physical or conceptual on or above the Playa? How can things transform, and what sorts of experiences can serve to transform us?

As always, the Ten Principles serve as our framework for how we want to live and do things together. Read Event Lead Holocluck Henly’s words in further explaining the theme, here: https://www.burn2.org/conception-2021/.

The playa has already transformed from its barren,forlorn appearance into a riot of colour, movement and life!

Conception is our third Regional event of the year. It will open with the Lamplighters doing a walk-onaroundthe Deep Hole playa at 5:00 PM SLT on the 9th of July.With their usual fiery enthusiasm they invite everyoneto tour the art installations and camps until finally arriving at the Main Stage, where we can all letloose a littlefire to properly start things off, and start theydo, with music and much dancing!

Burn With Us!
The moment you step off the walkway and onto the playa,you are no longer a mere spectator; you becomepart of the spectacle. Welcome Home!

SHARE the News and Plan to Come!
We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and thecommunity. Experience Burn2 once again. Enter theplaya through the Gate, walk-on with the Lamplighters;visit the Rangers, see the effigy that shall be burned.Wander, explore, climb, interact. Visit the stages,where DJs and musicians bring music to soothe, inspire,excite and incite to dance. You will be surroundedby art, music, fire and welcoming Burners! See the (continuously updated) BURN2 Calendar at https://www.burn2.org/event-calendar/ for the event’s schedule.
 

Emergence 2021

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Opening today, Conception, 2021 Emergence! It is an event of the Burning Man in Second Life. There will be so many parties 24/7 beginning after the opening 4:00 pm slt Friday and ending Sunday. There are wonderful gifts on the table before the entrance at Deep Hole. I already grabbed them. Some boxes are from previous events in case you missed them.

To get an idea of what Conception is all about see   https://www.burn2.org/conception-2021/emergence-who-what-where/ . From there you can get to the Event Calendar to see who will be playing at the stage and when!

If you like riding horses there is a horse rezzer (saddle ) in front of the Burning Man Office  before you go to the entrance. Or , once inside there is a choice of Art Cars to take you around . I did a quick overview ride on my horse Sugar to see the wonderful installations that creators have placed and they are beautiful. Be sure to take the tour pod ride to get an overview and visit the individuals after  that.  I will be on the playa as a Ranger so say hello.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/175/35/25

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Picture of the Day: Tiny Pandataur

 

From the Jimx/Order of Centaurs Discord page, an image of Rayven Firebrand as a tiny panda-taur, by Emily Williams. It got quite a few comments over the rest of the day.
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Follow The Food"

 

"Follow The Food"

Saturday July 10

7 to 8AM SL time 

Organized by Stephen Gastor, Cotreva Scientist

In the Auditorium

For more information, Click Here. 

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

Game Review: "Love & Sex : Second Base"

 

While computer games are often thought of as kid stuff, not all are okay for kids. There's been a number with blood and guts since "Doom" (and before). And some offer adult situations, nudity, and sex. But considering how the expression "porn movie plot" has come to mean hardly any, one can be forgiven for thinking none of the latter have much of one, and most don't. Nydia Tungsten however heard about one adult game that was supposedly an exception: "Love & Sex : Second Base" by Andrealphus Games. Giving it a try, she found the game offers comedy, drama, and suspense. So how well did it all come together?

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.
 

Reader Submitted: The Newser SL18B Exhibit From Nearby

 From Mia Wallace, pictures of the SL18B Newser exhibit from the nearby Brazilian Marines in SLB Pizzaz.

The last one was from inside the tent.
 

SL Video: "Second Life Destinations - Centauria"

(Click here if the video fails to play)  

Posted on January 19 by Linden Lab, with the help of Draxtor Despres, "The Ancient Order of Centaurs is a beautiful, and varied region where centaurs and their friends can feel at home. Visitors are very welcome, whether they are centaurs, creatures, and even hoomans. Come explore, join the community, or just take photos of the lovely scenery."
 

Cartoon of The Day: Beaver Tales

Taken at the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club. Beavers are known for a few things, notably their reputation as busy builders. But also for their flat tails. So what would an anthro lady beaver do with a tail? I could think of one think.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Second Life Birthday Sims To Close Today (For Most)

 

Yesterday, Tuesday July 6, was the last day the SLB sims were scheduled to be open for the Second Life Eighteenth Birthday. So the sims had a number of people going about for one last look at the exhibits. Group chat was full of people saying how much they enjoyed the event, and more than one commented they were going to have to leave some exhibits unseen as they didn't have enough time to see them all.

An alt of mine was able to get in the sims after Midnight. So it's possible the sims will be accessible for part of the day. But the schedule is for the sims to be closed and the exhibitors to take what they want picked up. 

Yours truly was up late last night exploring around, so before writing more, it's time for some much-needed rest.

Addition: My alt was still able to get to the sims at 9AM SL time, but the main music stream was turned off and some exhibits were already gone.  

Addition 2: At 1PM, my alt could no longer get into the SLB sim. So presumably they were closed to the general public at Noon.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: CDS Art Museum Summer Exhibition

 

The Museum of Contemporary Art of CDS
  summer 2021 exhibitions
ART that moves ^ ART that moves us

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/186/136/181

Ground floor: ART that moves

1st floor: ART that moves us
 

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Best in Black, Work Shift, Pink and Purple

Happy Vixen: Ears and Tails, Anything But Clothing, Red and White, Scales and Horns, Blue, TBA, Tacky, Videogames

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Felines. Beachwear

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Fantasy, Bunnies, Scales vs Fur, Beach, Tattoos and Piercings, Late Night, Pink vs Purple, Horror

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Shapes

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

Last Scheduled Day For SL18B Exhibits

 

Since Thursday June 17, the various exhibits of the Second Life 18th Birthday have been available for all to see. But today, Tuesday July 6, is the last day scheduled most will be able to see them. Tomorrow, the plan is to close them to the public as exhibitors are given a couple days to pick up what they want. 

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a great time celebrating Second Life's 18th Birthday! We want to thank you all for contributing your creativity to the the event. Now comes the sad point where we have to close the party, The regions will stay open thru Tuesday, July 6. Please come and pick up your exhibits July 7-8 before the regions disappear on July 9.

Again thank you for being a part of SL18B. Now let's start planning for next year!!

So if you haven't seen all the builds yet, now's your last chance, such as this zoo in SLB Amaze (44/117/23)

There are a number which are interactive and you can have fun on, like Nance Clowes' Amusements with neat rides, also at SLB Amaze (211/86/23).

I ran into Mrs. Mia Wallace (Mia Quinote) at the Burn2 Burning Man Regional  build at SL18B, which has a hidden area, "Pro tip: click that freezer door wink wink!" SLB Pizzazz (81,32,23)

One other build Mia liked was "Larry's Garage", which had links to several notable places across the Grid at SLB Incredible (110,79,23).

In SLB Sparkle (40/33/22) was "Sarah's Adventures in Second Life," a narrated tale of a child avatar's life in an SL small town. 

At SLB Incredible (73,11,23) was The Emerald City, which had a tribute to Ebbe Linden.

"Let's Enjoy The Sea" had some boats to ride, SLB Stunning (146/148/24)

And of course the SL Newser's own exhibit at The exhibit is at SLB Pizzazz (187/171/23).

Be sure to see them before "The Birthday" closes down.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 *

THIS WEEK: Summer series' begin, music with Russell, and Shandon takes us time traveling.  Join us for stories all week long, presented LIVE in Second Life, on Seanchai Library's properties in Second Life.

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

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

* * * * *

--------->> COMING THIS WEEK

**TUESDAY, July 6th:
Both session in The Glen today http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream.   
    
   ~ at 7pm: Robert MacFarlane's LOST SPELLS in The Glen with Caledonia Skytower, live on stream.   
   

**WEDNESDAY, July 7th at 7pm: HOGWARTS: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide with Caledonia, live on stream.   


**THURSDAY, July 8th,  at 7pm: TIME CAPSEL,  with Shandon Loring, live (90 minutes).

   
**FRIDAY, July 9th at 2:30pm: Terry Pratchett's UNSEEN ACADEMICALS continues with Caledonia Skytower at the Seanchai lanai-firecircle (90 minutes).

***
SUNDAYS Beginning July 11th, TEATIME at the Movies: Join us for a backyard festival of radio drama versions of some of the finest and well beloved films of the golden age of 20th C cinema. Popcorn provided. The First Session: "The African Queen"
***
 

Over 11,000 Lindens In Prizes Given Out at Happy Vixen's Fourth of July Party

 

Over the weekend, there were a number of Fourth of July parties from Rosehaven to Virtual Ability. But one, The Happy Vixen, was particularly generous with it's prizes. The beach club held a double event over four hours with two DJs, and 11,600 Lindens given out as cash prizes. 

Hey folks! It's Independence Day in the USA, and it's time for our Fourth of July party. Come dressed in red white and blue, have a red white and blue avie, have or come as an eagle, or just wave an American flag. DJ Jazzy will be playing her "Thunder on the Beach" set with 2500 Lindens in a fishbowl contest (all can join, including staff). Be sure to set your viewer to Midnight to see the fireworks. 

DJ Jazzy (Jasmine Dawn/Jasmine Knickers) played the tunes for the first two hours. She also decorated the place with a few red white and blue banners, a food stall with some sweets with red white and blue frosting, and a fireworks display that would go off at times. She would provide the initial 2500L for the first of the two contest that night, and the 2600 of the second. Club owner Nydia Tungsten would bump it up to 9000 Linden dollars. The second half of the event was DJed by DJ Maliit.

More than two dozen people would show up at the double event, some showing up after some real-life Fourth events. Instead of votes on the board, the three winners of each of the two contest were determined by the "fishbowl." Unlike normal events, this was open to the DJs and hosteses and other staff. The 9000 Linden prize of the first half was split between Kryxia Silverfall, Valkyrie McGill, and MaliitCoyote Resident. The 2600L prize for the second half was shared by Mandy Lehew (Wedge Venkman), LiskaBystrouska Resident, and BurnerBob Resident. 

The Happy Vixen is the most active of the Sunweaver community clubs, with events several days each week, is a member of the FCA, and recently celebrated it's tenth anniversary. It is located at Purrfection Estates (236/219/24). 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Video: Pookymedia's Second "Vector Inspectors" Video

 *

In 2012, Pooky Amsterdam's Pookymedia did a video to help educate young viewers on how to help fight the Asian Tiger Mosquito, "Vector Inspectors." Recently, they did another, "Vector Inspector Program Assembly Video." 

Pooky would explain in her blog, "In April of 2012 PookyMedia finished a video for the San Gabriel Vector & Control District which would be presented at schools in the San Gabriel Valley grades K-8, in conjunction with a scientific study. They needed to find out the scope of Asian Tiger Mosquito infiltration in the Valley, and they needed school kids to collect samples of trapped water around their homes for research.  PookyMedia created this gem of a Call to Action, which was SO successful that almost a decade later, not only is the film still being shown, but we just had to update the film, as new invasive species have been identified.

"So once again the Vector Inspectors will help eradicate mosquitos and the diseases they transfer, by getting rid of standing water around homes and giving samples for this ongoing study. The film has been shown to tens of thousands of schoolchildren, and it works! Even if one person avoided getting Dengue Fever, Zika or any of the other viruses these species of Aedes mosquitos carry it will be a triumph, but this has helped thousands of children and their families stay safe. And this new film will help thousands more!  

"Machinima Can save lives!  It's a great video and we encourage you to take a look at the newer version here with an introduction by real professionals!"
   

Happy Fourth of July

 

Happy Independence Day from the Second Life Newser

 

Today's Cartoon: The X-Ray

 

Taken at Club Cutlass. Shockwave Yareach brought out the X-Ray machine used in the 2017 Sunbeamer campsite and placed it where someone was using a dancing pole. So why make a guy use an X-ray other than health reasons? Well, with my imagination, I could think of one.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Happy Dance at Ace's Place"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From "Misfit Dance SL" on June 1.
 

Lab Gab Interview With Oberwolf Linden (Bradford Oberwager)

 

During the course of the Second Life Birthday, a number of Lindens were interviewed at both the "Lab Gab" and the "Meet the Lindens" events. But there was one whom was making his first public appearance inworld: Oberwolf Linden, aka Bradford Oberwager, the Executive Chairman of Linden Lab, and one of the two people leading the acquisition of the company last year. Strawberry Linden had a number of questions for him, such as how did he find out about Second Life, what were his impressions of it, what experiences did he have inworld, and what were his plans?
 
Read the article in People.
  

Announcement: Deathlands is Moving

  

Ya know how  sim owners say ' the sim is finished and done?' No more moving and building stuff? They lie. Deathlands as of July 1st ( Happy Canada Day) will begin  moving, to another sim. It's a 20,000 prim sim! ( Deathlands gets half so 10,000. Double what we have now. So over the coming weeks you might see stuff gradually disappearing, and me swearing. Dances and Zombies will be the last to go, and Please still come and visit us as we are giving ourself a month for doing this! Kill me nowwwwwwww!
 
Rebel Wolf (HermitBlue Resident) 
  

Homes For Our Troops Fundraiser at Veterans Isle

 

On Sunday June 27, Veterans Isle held it's monthly fundraising concert. The event with several live musicians and one DJ ran from 4PM to about 9PM. Organized in part by Frets Nirvana, it was to raise funds for Homes For Our Troops. 

Here we go folks!  This is the first in our 2021 summer series of benefits for Homes For Our Troops …DJ Waya is kicking it off now and up next we welcome Melodee McDonell!

DJ Waya Snowpaw started things off with his set of tunes at 4PM SL time. At 5PM, it was Melodee McDonell's turn to take to the stage. ReggieSunset Rookswood stepped up to entertain the crowd at 6PM. at 7PM, it was the noted Max Kleene's turn. And last but not least was Stephanniyah Sinatra at 8PM. 

As the performers played to the crowd, people would donate money to two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage. By the end of the concert, a total of  133,753 Linden dollars had been raised. 

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

Bixyl Shuftan

 

"SL18B Greeters and Hosts"

 

From the Second Life Flickr page, Gemma Cleanslate, and other volunteers of the SL18B whom did greeter and event host duty.
  

Happy Canada Day

 *

Happy Canada Day from the Second Life Newser

Taken at the Montreal Jazz Club
 

RFL Season Concludes

 

While the Relay Weekend in early June was the high point of the 2021 Relay for Life fundraising season, the end didn't really come until yesterday, June 30. With the volunteers on the verge of beating a season fundraising record that had lasted for seven years, they came together to make one last push.

Read the story in Extra. 
 

SL Video: "Adwyn Applies For Her Bellisseria Passport"

From Pring Productions on June 21, "This is a video tutorial from the BBB (Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy) to help walk Bellisserian residents through the process of applying for their Bellisseria Passport. Apply today for your own Bellisseria Passport at our main office in Lorelei, Bellisseria, Second Life. https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lorelei/201/68/23 (BBB is a nonprofit community group in Bellisseria)"