Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Wild snow leopards don't usually bother people, but they usually would prefer to avoid them. But it looks like this one is an exception.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Calas Christmas Pavilion 2018

A few days ago, Deaflegacy wrote about a trip to Calas Galadhon Park where she had a ride on it's balloon. Since there was more to the place, she went back to look at it's Christmas Pavilion. She found the place quite nice. But there was more to the area, such as the nearby skating pond and the winter scenery.

Read Deaflegacy's article in Places.

A Favourite Irish Musician Returns to Perform at Music Island

Dainial had been a live musician in Second Life up to about two years ago, then took a hiatus. Earlier this month, he ended his break with a performance at Music Island. Klaus Bereznyak was there, and had a seat among those in the audience as he played music inspired by traditional Irish folk songs.

Read Klaus' article in People.

Announcement: "DJ Naughty Nydia's Twisted Christmas Special" At The Happy Vixen Tomorrow

It's that time of year again....a week from Christmas and just so damn tired of the saccharine sickeningly sweet yule tide pablum being spoon fed down our throats by every media outlet in the world to make sure they get their share of the pie.  It's enough to make even the most charitable soul scream "Bah Humbug!" So on that note, it's time for the "Twisted Christmas" special event. This event will have numerous funny songs and parodies from mild to wild to "Oh-Em-Eff-Gee, what were they thinking?!" There will be adult songs, so those with sensitive ears beware. So come on over and "stick it" to the sappy side of Xmas.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

 4PM to 6PM : DJ Naughty Nydia
6PM to 8PM : DJ Geerkil and the Dragon Crew
8PM to 10PM : DJ Snowbuns

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)  

The Winter Swaginator Hunt: Clue to Gift Five

After five weeks, the Winter Swaginator Hunt is coming to a close. This week, the clue leads you to the sim where the gift is.

It begins with a Z and ends with a T, a cute little cabin and a wintery tree. Located at the center of a frozen lake, the prize can be yours if you find it to take! http://bit.ly/2QCTWkg

Clicking on the SURL takes you to the Zermatt sim. The first thing I saw was the scene above. So just where is the gift and what is it? Stay tuned for where and what it is.

Bixyl Shuftan

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

It's a new week of events at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Ravenwood Retreat

Club Cutlass: Best in 'T', "I'm Too Sexy," Christmas Party

The Happy Vixen: Spies and Secret Agents, Size Does Matter, Tails, Ladies' Night, Twisted Christmas, Epically Failed Christmas, Foxes and Bunnies, Forest Critters, Geeks and Nerds, Around the World, Star Trek vs Star Wars, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: DJ JB, Poker, Poker, DJ Snowbuns, Poker, DJ JB, DJ Lexi, DJ Applebloom

 Montecito Bay:Taco Tuesday, Monsters, Lem n' Em Show, Yule, After Dark, Christmas Countdown

FF Ravenwood Retreat: CAYA, TBA

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

SL Video: "Mont Saint Michel In Second Life"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

Posted by Richardus Rainmaker in October 2015. A cool video of Mont Saint Michel. But instead of shutting down "at the end of September," the build would remain up for another year before vanishing. Shortly afterwards, it returned due to Linden Lab's intervention in November 2016, only the third time they'd intervened to keep a virtual build up.

Hat tip:  Bastian Endless

Reader Submitted: Game Review - World of Tanks

Rita Mariner, who sent us a series of articles on how to get through Subnautica, recently sent us a review of a noted game that's been out for a few years: World of Tanks. Developed by Wargaming in 2010, "WoT" as it's called for short was the company's first Massive Multiplayer Online game, and remains it's most popular one. Rita has been a longtime player of the game. But in her opinion, the game has not gotten better with age.

Read Rita's reader submission in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

3D Republic and Harambee

Christmas is getting closer. And the search for winter and holiday-themed places in Second Life continues. Gemma Cleanslate found two more, 3D Republic and Harambee. 3D Republic is a place where vendors "come together to bring you a variety of items to choose from to celebrate your holiday season." Harambee is a place that helps raise funds for schools in Kenya. So what did Gemma find in the two places?

Read Gemma's article in Places.

A Busy Weekend

There were a number of events that took place this weekend. Saturday December 15 had the CDS Inaugural Ball (pictured above), and the Caledon Oxbridge University Christmas party. Sunday December 16 had this month's Homes For Our Troops' fundraising concert at Veterans Isle.

More on these events later.

Exclusive Winter Gift For Premium Accounts by Linden Lab

When Linden Lab announced their Winter Swaginator Hunt, they also stated that "Premium members will see a very special new and exclusive gift"and it would "go with your Winter Swaginator gifts." A few days ago, they announced it was available for pickup, at least for those with Premium accounts. And what is the gift? A winter cabin.

This charming home-away-from-home features a scripted door for added security, extra textures for the exterior, and other features. If you’ve been collecting the weekly Swaginator gifts, you’ll find this cabin in the perfect place to decorate with those gifts or give it your own personal flair with your unique decorative eye.

So if you have a Premium account, head to a Premium Gift Collection Spot and get it. If you're not, trying gets you a message like that on the left. For everyone else, the clue for the final gift in the Winter Swaginator Hunt should appear on the official blog sometime today.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day: Bike Riding Santa

Taken at the Christmas Expo. So what would Santa be doing with a bike instead of his sleigh and reindeer? A few possibilities come to mind.

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Winter Swaginator Hunt, Gift Four Location

It's the final day to get gift four of the Winter Swaginator Hunt. The clue was a vague one, suggesting it was somewhere around the Winter Wonderland area accessible from Portal Park. Turns out that the gift was placed just outside Winter Wonderland's entrance, at Portal Park 1 (180,112,52).

Unpacking the gift, there are four items of furniture: a bed, a bedside table, a bedside table with books, and a table lamp.

Check the Linden Blog tomorrow for the fifth gift in the Winter Swaginator Hunt, and the last one for free players. Premium accounts get one more gift.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Senchai Libraries

CAROL WEEK at The Dickens Project begins Monday, December 17th. We'll be presenting multiple opportunities to hear Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL (in parts and in entire) all week, PLUS additional special events.  It's a little overwhelming actually, with multiple events happening every day.

HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS, so you to keep abreast of everything that's going on:

1) Refer to the Dickens Project page on the Seanchai Library Website. There's a text listing of the week's events and if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll find the Project Google Calendar.
http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/the-dickens-project-sl.html

2) Check the landing point at LEA 7. Events of the day will be posted there, and you can also connect directly with the Google Calendar.

3) Okay, if you MUST have a notecard, here it is!

** MONDAY, December 17th
           @ 2pm - Stave One:Marley's Ghost with VT Torvalar
           @ 7pm - Stave One: Marley's Ghost with Aoife Lorefield, Gyro Muggins, and Cybele Moon
          

** TUESDAY, December 18th
           @ Noon - Russell Eponym w/stories, music, & poetry
           @ 1pm  - Stave Two: The First of Three Spirits with Da5id Abbot and Caledonia Skytower
           @ 7pm - Stave Two: The First of Three Spirits with Kayden Oconnell
          

** WEDNESDAY, December 19th
           @ 1:45pm - Raglan Shire Tiny Carolers
           @ 2pm - Stave Three: The Second of Three Spirits with Aoife Lorefield
           @ 3- 4:30pm - Music - DJ Dano Bookmite
           @ 7pm - Stave Three: The Second of Three Spirits with Kayden Oconnell
          

** THURSDAY, December 20th
           @ Noon - VWER Tour with CVL
           @ 12:40pm - Raglan Shire Tiny Carolers
           @ 1pm - Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits with Caledonia Skytower
           @ 7pm - Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits with Shandon Loring
          

** FRIDAY, December 21st
           @ 1pm  - The Conclusion: The Last of the Spirits (selected) & The End of It with Caledonia Skytower and Kayden Oconnell
           @ 3:45pm - Raglan Shire Tiny Carolers
           @ 4pm - The Conclusion: The Last of the Spirits (selected) & The End of It with Aoife Lorefield and Da5id Abbot
           @ 7pm - A Very Misfit Christmas - Misfit Dance & Performance Art
          

** SATURDAY, December 22nd
           @11am-12:30 (approx) slt - Radio Riel Players Broadcast of “A Christmas Carol” (exact start may be up to a few minutes later) Click Here to listen to the Stream
           @ Noon - A Very Misfit Christmas - Misfit Dance & Performance Art
           @ 2-4pm slt - Fezziwig's Ball with DJ Dano Bookmite
           @ 7pm-8:30pm (approx) slt - Radio Riel Players Broadcast of “A Christmas Carol” (exact start may be up to a few minutes later) - Story Tour available on LEA 7


** SUNDAY, December 23rd 
           @ 11am - Wald Schridde live in Dickens Square

           @ Noon - THE BIG READ in Dickens Square

There will be postings of daily events in social media, in Stories Unlimited!, and in daily group notices. So stay tuned!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA7/128/131/22

SL Video: "Last Christmas"

(Click here if the video doesn't play)

From Die Villa in Nov 2016, "We wish you a wonderful Christmas time, health, happiness, and a happy new year. "

Mystery Craft In Montecito Bay

Just a week after the Newser reported on mysterious circles appearing on the streets of Montecito Bay, more strangeness has happened. Their Oceanside Galleria building has what looks like a flying saucer of some kind having crashed into the side.

If anyone needs to take Flamingo Ave. East, don't bother, traffic is officially halted from the start of Mission and ends at Venetia. We're not entirely sure, but... there's been a massive..... object that's crashed into the Galleria. We're doing our best to sort it, but please, to avoid delays, simply go all the way around to Bayside Drive or Palm Drive.

Group chatter didn't reveal much. Two people stated besides the police, the FBI has gotten involved. But no one would would say a thing about what the craft was, except perhaps the person in charge of the community's Twitter page.

Traffic has been halted from the start of Mission to Venetia, as authorities investigate a vehicle crash in the side of the Galleria. Expect delays. ⌿⍀⟒⌿⏃⍀⟒ ⊬⍜⎍⍀⌇⟒⌰⎐⟒⌇
#SecondLife #UFO #Second_Life

So somebody called this craft a "UFO." What the strange symbols in the tweet, or those in the tweet of this week's club events mean, or if they have anything to do with the UFO or the strange markings on the streets is unknown.

Although the US Military has tried to develop aircraft that resemble flying saucers, so far the prototypes are highly unstable more than a few feet in the air ... so far.

Stay tuned for more information.

Source: Popular Mechanics

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Caledon Oxbridge University Christmas Winter Fundraiser

Greetings, all! The Caledon Oxbridge Universities Christmas Winter fundraiser will be on the 15 th of December!

 On the 15th we will have two dances,  at 1 p.m. SLT and  at 7 p.m. SLT. Ms Cynthia Farshore will be our DJ at both events. We will have random prizes given out at both events. I do hope you can join us as we have 2 hours of music at each event.

More may be added as get closer to the event. Feel free to join us at our fundraiser build constructed by Star for our use. Land and prims donated by Caledonian nights.

Your SURL to the site : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/163/177/22

Both the main event build and Christmas Park will have donation coins to make it easy to support Caledon Oxbridge, which exists because of public donations that pay its costs.

I have set up for you this year a small park for your enjoyment. It has the Christmas train with multiple sit poses as well as the Christmas Carousel, and along the back of the park are plenty of photo opportunities. You can sit Rudolph, kiss a snowman, stand with carolers, and many more scenes to take your picture in,

Refreshments (hot cocoa, and coffee) , free santas caps, and possibly a few venders will be there. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/100/51/22

Ms Stereo Nacht has created a Christmas tree decorating contest, message her for details if interested.

Ms Cynthia Farshore is Duchess of Caledon Downs. She has set up Downs as a great place to explore. She has trails, boating, and has several builds for your enjoyment. She has included a Christmas themed build for you to explore. Here is the landmark to access it. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/200/114/44

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle : "Interactive Tour of Brodmann’s Brain"

"Interactive Tour of Brodmann’s Brain"
Saturday December 15
10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Join us for an interactive tour of Brodmann’s Brain! Within this giant cortex we can see and stimulate the fMRI mapped areas which correlate to fear, desire, love, coordination, meditation, speech, and more!

This model and others being developed provide a platform for exciting educational opportunities in biology, psychology, and health, behavioral, and social sciences. Sponsored by Whole Brain Health on Inspiration Island, featuring brain research post-doc OsanGar, Thuja Hynes and Lissena Wisdomseeker.

Whole Brain Health
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/130/127/23

What Happened to Aero Pines?

In the past, the Newser did a number of stories on Aero Pines Park. This park area had a number of activities, most noted for it's nature trails and horseback riding. But it also had yearly parties and festivals, in addition to it's 9/11 firemen tribute. But earlier this year, the park closed down. Recently, I had a chat with it's former owner Cindy Bolero, and she explained what happened.

Read the story in Extra.

Announcement: The CDS Inaugural Ball This Saturday, Dec 15

The Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS) invites all CDS Citizens and friends to the Inaugural Ball for our 30th Term.

The theme is TOKYO NIGHTS in honor of our newly elected Chancellor, Kyoko (Samara Barzane), and the Representative Assembly. 

Music will be provided by Callipygian Christensen.

Dress is not required to be formal, although you may feel welcome to wear evening dress. You are encouraged to dress for the theme; Japanese cosplay, kawaii or goth, would be welcome.

Saturday December 15, Noon to 2 PM SL Time

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/244/170/203

Who Should Be Second Life's "Man of the Year?"

The noted TIME magazine recently issued it's annual "Man of the Year" edition, as it has for decades, the person whom it feels made the biggest impact in news events for the past year. It's not always a man, as women have won it. It's not always a good guy, as it's been awarded to dictators. Sometimes it's awarded to a group of people, as it was this year when it was awarded to a number of journalists whom have dealt with persecution, and in once case death, at the hands of authoritarian governments. Sometimes the choice stirs controversy, such as one year when it was awarded to "The Computer," and at other times when it was awarded to someone whom had obviously made the news for destruction and death.

So whom was the biggest newsmaker over the past year in Second Life? What man, woman, group of people, or even thing, made the most news here?

This will be the fifth time the Newser has given the title. In 2014, the new CEO of Linden Lab Ebbe Linden was the Man of the Year. In 2015, the residents of Steelhead were the Community of the Year. In 2016, the title was given to the Relay for Life in Second Life. In 2017, someone from outside Second Life was chosen for the first time with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai getting the title for the potential damage his Net Neutrality could have for the virtual world.

So who will be number five? For now, we're still taking suggestions. Feel free to list then in the comments below.

Bixyl Shuftan