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 'T', TBA, TBA

The Happy Vixen:
Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: CAYA, Animation, Creepy vs Cute, Masquerade, Throwback Thursday, Elements, Omnipunk, Seven Daily Sins,  Late night, Pokemon

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

RFL Announcement: Ebbe Linden Bear To Debut At 2019 SL Christmas Expo

Linden Lab is doing its part to add to the Magic Of Christmas in Second Life, and help the American Cancer Society fight Childhood Cancer.   Already a partner in the fight against cancer, the Lab is joining in the Expo goal to provide at least $20,000 for VR Headsets for kids in treatment.

As already announced, Linden Lab will be revealing their 4th Edition of the coveted Linden Homes and taking part in the Lights Of Hope Holiday Home Decorating Contest.

And Now Even Bigger News!  Since becoming CEO in 2014 Ebbe Linden is the lone Linden without his own bear... until now!  A Very Special EBBE LINDEN BEAR will be available during the EXPO for a L$250 donation to the American Cancer Society.   Linden Bear collectors take note!  The design of the bear will be revealed on Dec 5th at the opening of the Expo so do not miss out on this opportunity!

More Than 150 Merchants! Breedables! Entertainment! Linden Home Reveal! Don't miss The All I Want For Christmas Kids Fashion Runway Show, Lights of Hope Christmas Decoration Show and HUGE Raffles, The 2019 SL Christmas Expo is the place to be!

Mark Your Calendars for Dec 5 - 15 and Believe in The Magic of Christmas!

The SL Christmas Expo is in support of the American Cancer Society and its Childhood Cancer programs.  For More Information visit http://slchristmasexpo.com or the ACS Campus in Second Life http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/96/22

Fortnite Game Down Following "Black Hole" Event

For fans of the popular Fortnite game, some were expecting something to happen on Sunday October 13. But what happened was a complete surprise to the players. The map was blown up, and everything sucked into a giant black hole. As of the writing of this article, the game has been unplayable since.

There were some early hints something big was about to happen. Paul Tassi of Forbes reported that all season long, Season 11, the game's owner, Epic Games, was teasing Fortnite's Battle Royale players about a final event, "The End." Tassi concluded whatever the event was, it would would be the end of the gaming map as they knew it. The event itself just lasted a few minutes, with rockets flying around, a "rift" opening, the players flying upward as a meteor comes crashing down, then everything gets sucked into the center, with only blackness and a black hole remaining.

RIP Fortnite: Battle Royale

FULL LIVE REACTION TO THE END! pic.twitter.com/ifX4CJcnEK

— Jack “CouRage” Dunlop (@CouRageJD) October 13, 2019

(Click here if the video does not play)

Since "The End," Fortnite Batttle Royale's game servers have been down. Reactions have varried from jokes that the gamers would have to step outside and see the sun for the first time in months to that Epic Games had pulled off one of the most epic trolls in gaming history. What happens next, no one really knows. It's also being speculated that the servers won't be back up until Thursday October 17, four days. All that is known is that Fortnite Chapter 2, as it's been dubbed by fans, will be quite different.

Sources: BBC, Forbes, Polygon, Twitter,

Bixyl Shuftan

Luskwood Update: Ice Cream and Obedience

As Luskwood moves closer to it's sixteenth anniversary, the place still has the dystopian look that it's had since August, including proclamations from a "Council" and declarations of rebellion. Since then, this Council has continued to issue proclamations calling for it's residents to "eat the ice cream" for "a bright and happy future. One issued in mid-September looked like it was taken from L. Ron Hubbard's Sea Organization.

More recently was another one of a furry in a factory worker's outfit with a red banner in one hand and an ice cream cone in another, "Secure Our Future: Only Through Obedience Will We Prevail." It seems that the Council is taking cues from Soviet propaganda posters.

As Luskwood heads to the second half of October, there are unconfirmed reports that there will be an anniversary event of some kind. Hopefully by then, people will be talking more about cake and less about Halo Top ice cream.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO SHARE!

Seasonal tales abound this week, and it's hard to know where to start: new series, old series, classic Gothic and Victorian, new spins on old adventures.  Check out this week's schedule and see. Then 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

*MONDAY,  October 14th, at 7pm: Spider Robinson and Robert Heinlein's VARIABLE STAR begins with Gyro Muggins.

*TUESDAY, October 15th, at 7pm:  THE SPOOKY CLASSICS: Edgar Allan Poe with Caledonia Skytower, live on stream.
5 Siddal Street - Ravenheart Museum
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rosehaven%20Laudanum/137/159/22

*WEDNESDAY, October 16th, at 7pm: THE MYSTERIOUS WOODS OF WHISTLE ROOT begins with Fairie Maven-Pralou.

*THURSDAY, October 17th:

   ~ at 7pm: Stories from THE SEALED BOOK based on the 1945 radio plays of the same name, Shandon Loring presents live in stream (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

   ~ at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT - Contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy from online sources such as Lightspeed, Escape Pod, and Clarkesworld with Finn Zeddmore

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

*SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL FOR AUTUMN* 

Seanchai Library is offering TWO (count'em, two) listening rooms featuring seasonal literature. Created by Shandon Loring, these are available for resident enjoyment 24/7.

Check the post for more info.
https://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/2019/10/autumn-special-listening-rooms.html
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holly%20Kai%20Estates/215/44/27

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Yes there is a "Space Unicorn" song.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: Cetatea Poenari in Second Life

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Erik Mondrian on October 11, "By request, a music video of Cetatea Poenari, the Second Life home of the Drakul family. Built by Vlad Drakul-Dragonash and Nazaire Dragonash and named after a ruined Romanian castle that was once occupied by the real-life Vlad III Dracula (also known as Vlad the Impaler), Cetatea Poenari defies description and seems to stretch far beyond the limits imposed by its virtual borders. From the Valley of Horses and Arefu Prison to The Slaughtered Lamb pub and Snagov Monastery—and with the magnificent castle itself keeping watch over all from above—this is a region with many different paths and hidden places for the curious traveler to find. Thanks again to Vlad, Nazaire, Rain, and the entire Drakul family for asking me to film here!"

The Blind Users Support Group

When it comes to using computers, it's pretty difficult for most of us to imagine using one's computer without their eyes. But that's what some residents do, either being legally blind or having total blindness. The Newser recently interviewed the head of the Blind Users Support Group, Mermaid Celene (CeleneHighwater Resident). So how would a blind person get about Second Life and how has the group been doing?

Read the interview in People.

Burn2 Starts Today

Just a reminder. The Burn2 event, the largest annual art and music festival in Second Life begins today. The sim should be open to all at 5PM SL time. This year's theme is Metamorphoses. The event goes on to Sunday October 20, and the sims should be up for a day or two afterwards.

SLURL:​ ​http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/174/32/25

Announcement: This Saturday in The Science Circle - "Evolutionary Theory Before Darwin"

"Evolutionary Theory Before Darwin"
Saturday October 12
10AM to 11AM
By Dr. Stephen L. Gasior 

The easy narrative of how people thought of evolution in Europe before On the Origin of Species was that God created everything. Then Darwin came along and showed how it really is. While Darwin was revolutionary, he did not create his evolutionary theory from whole cloth.

This talk will explore more the concepts in the scientific field that set the foundation for Darwin. Scientists like Buffon, Cuvier, Lamarck, Chambers, Unger, and Darwin (Erasmus) were instrumental in developing theories on the origins of species and how they interrelate. While some concepts like the scala naturae (ladder of being) were wrong, they nevertheless provided a foundation for criticism which helped Darwin conceptualize his objections to current thought. Thoughts on how Darwin’s contributions can be thought of as part of a continuity as compared to a foundation for evolution will be the goal of the talk.

Read the announcement in full here (link).

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

News and Commentary: Blizzard's Removing Hong Kong Gamer From Tournament Sparks Calls for Boycott, Debate on Free Speech

For years, American companies have been trying to get into the Chinese market. With over a billion people, the potential number of customers for a large business is huge. However, the country is under the control of a dictatorship that does not react well to criticism or remarks in opposition to it's goals. It frequently makes demands to such companies, and penalizes those already in for perceived comments or actions against it. The debate flared up again this week thanks to three stories in the news. One of them was a tournament of players of the Hearthstone game, which is owned by the same company that owns the still noted MMO game World of Warcraft. When one winner was interviewed, he proclaimed his support for the protestors in the city of Hong Kong. Blizzard soon reacted with actions many of its customers have found troubling, including yours truly whom had recently just signed up for Warcraft again after an extended break.

Read the story in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

The Last CDS Anniversary Events

For the past month, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators has thrown several events to celebrate their community's fifteenth anniversary. Last weekend were the last of their events. On Saturday October 5 at 12 Noon, Maggi696 sung for an audience of both local residents and friends. Shortly after 1PM, she was followed by DJ Patricio.

The Raglan Shire duo of singer, maggi696 and her partner, DJ Patricio will join us for OKTOBERFEST 2019 (They were kind enough to step up when our scheduled performer fell ill.)

Both the local residents and their friends, notably some tinies from Maggi and Patricio's home area of Raglan, enjoyed the show. There were also a few wisecracks. "Try to avoid stepping on anyone." While there was food and beer available to the side, the tinies asked, "How about wootberry juice? And waffles?" "Waffle, on a stick!" "If I don't get a waffle right now, I swear to God, I gonna start pulling someone's fur!" "Make waffles, not war."

On Sunday at 10 AM, a game of paintball, or "Get the Chancellor" as CDS Chancellor Kyoko Furse-Barzane (Samara Barzane) musingly called it, was scheduled. Rosie Gray was the winner of the match. "She is brutal," Kyoko would say. A few minutes after Noon was the "Party on the Platz." It turned out the original performer's computer wasn't working, so DJ Jonesy stepped to to provide the music.

Alas, but Calli's streaming computer has fallen ill. So she will not be able to DJ today for our OKTOBERFEST Party on the Platz. But never fear! Calli found us a replacement DJ who has confirmed. His name is Jonesy (bo130). He doesn't do "oompah", but we can provide our own with a yodel here and there. Please welcome him warmly!


The people there danced to the music, snacked on the food available, and chatted some, "One time my friend was talking about a sausage fest in real life.  I laughed.  She said no it's really a sausage festival. (laughter)." There were more tinies dropping by, "Oh my goodness, a hedgehog with beer." "It is funny to hear hedgies yodel." There was also a contest for "Best Dressed for Oktoberfest" with 1400 Lindens as the prize. A number went in traditional Bavarian outfits. One man just went as a droid, then changing to a "Mars Attacks" alien.

The Oktoberfest party went on to about 2:30PM, a happy moment for the CDS.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: September 2019 Homes For Our Troops Donations

We have kicked off our fall campaign for Homes for Our Troops with a bang folks!    We were successful in sending just over $1400 to HFOT during the month September.  This now brings our total to right around $11250 for 2019.  If we can continue throughout the fall and winter we WILL exceed 2018’s $13000 in donations!

This is due to a lot of great folks hard work here in Second Life.  First of all let’s give that applause to the great performers at our monthly event at Veteran’s Isle as well as some other events that were held.  Thank you:

Waya Snowpaw DJ
Austin Moores
Cryptic Harmony
Chillee Hernandoz
Abby
Anek Fuchs
Taj Nishi, Laurie C and all the folks at Keys Management
Corina Canning, Djembe Dragonfire, Nina Setner, Anj Gustafason, and Bill Tigerpaw at  Jacksonville Barn

And of course Bri Mcmahon, Dahlea Milena and Gjackie Winkler!

Without your help we would have never achieved this. 

There was also a very special event sponsored by Victoreeria, Bee Itamae and all the folks with Phoenix Rising MC  …they made a fantastic effort for HFOT!

Then other special efforts were made by:

EastbayRay and the Legion of Vets MC
RGHangnLo and all the folks at RG’s hangout
JacksonTrig Resident and the Jacksonville Concert Series
And all the great folks at Country Mojo

Last but not least are those who support HFOT every month to help us reach our goals:

Cayleen Linette and everyone at Cay's at Woodland Lake
Joi Shepherd and all the folks at Runaround Sues
Dirk Danger and the All Breedable Market
Jaztone Resident and …..
Hayanah Resident and ….
Bixyl Shuftan and all the folks at Purrfection estates
Fire Bonfire and everyone at Boots and Lace Country Rock Club
Ashley Steele and everyone at Saddles Canyon Country Retrea
Grizzly Nightfire and all the folks at  Eternal Knights MC


Thank you all for helping and supporting.  Let’s make 2019 the year to beat for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom

Frets Nirvana

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. And yes, those extra arms move.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Salem Halloween Event and SL's Top Haunted Places Tour and Hunt

After a short break due to real-life matters, Gemma Cleanslate is back to writing articles. With October having arrived, this means some spook-tacular scary places for her to explore. The first place she wrote about was Salem, a Halloween-themed shopping event at the Prism Events sim with over a hundred vendors, "Designed to evoke the tenor of the 1692 witch trials." Her next stop was Quincentival, the place to get the notecard for the SL's Top Haunted Places Tour and Hunt.

Read Gemma's story in Extra. 

Eye On The Blog: Creepy Crawl Call For Venues, Lab Gab Today

October means the Halloween season in Second Life. And part of Halloween in the Grid in recent years has been the "Creepy Crawl." For those who don't know, it's a Halloween-themed venue crawl, the inworld equivalent of a bar crawl in which a group of people go to a number of bars and spend just a little time at each, organized by Linden Lab. A few days ago, the Lab posted on the official blog that they were looking for venues to take part.

If you’d like to host a stop along the Creepy Crawl, own a spot that will be decked out for the holiday, and don’t mind if a parade of Residents and Lindens come through, then you might be just what the witch doctor ordered. We’re looking for spots that have entertainment (we like to dance around in our costumes!), are appropriate for general and moderate audiences, and can handle a crowd.

To get in, first of all, venues wanting to be part of the Crawl have to be listed in the Destination Guide. They also have to fill out and submit this online form before October 25. The Lab will choose several venues and notify them by email after October 25.

The Creepy Crawl will take place Thursday October 31 from 10AM to 2PM.

To read the blog post in fill, Click here. 

*  *  *  *  *

There will be another episode of "Lab Gab," the live-stream show hosted by Xiola and Strawberry Linden.

Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays in Second Life - when the veil between the other world and inworld is thinnest. Each year, we see events, parties, hunts, and costumes haunt even the farthest reaches of the Grid. It’s a great time of year to explore the elements of surprise and the unknown, and maybe even get a little scared. While dressing up is a year-round activity for many, there are some next-level looks that roam inworld.

This week, we’ll be talking about Halloween in Second Life as well as taking a field trip to venture into some Halloween-themed events. Join us as we wander the spooky, spoopy, and downright kooky side of Second Life! 

Those interested can watch the show on Linden Lab's Youtube channel,or their new Mixer channel. The show is today, Wednesday October 9, at 3PM SL time.

To read the blogpost in full, Click here.

Announcement: World Space Week Party Today

World Space Week is almost over. After a few other celebrations by the National Space Society, they're about to have their last one, courtesy of musician Cypress Rosewood.

The legendary SL space musician, Cypress Rosewood performs his musical magic with flutes, guitars and synthesizers. He is a metamedia treat to see live in concert.

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. These dates commemorate two events. The first is the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957. The second is the signing of the "The Outer Space Treaty" on October 10, 1967.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/155/91/801