Wedding Bells

With so much going on lately, it's been easy to miss smaller events.  On Friday June 26 came a special occasion: The wedding of Lilybeth Patterson (LilyBethPatterson) and Ardo Topaz. Yours truly was among those invited, and took a few pictures.

 

See more in Events. 

 

A Fun Weekend

 

 

The weekend had some fun activities. With this being the 250th Fourth of July weekend, while some went to celebrations in both Washington DC and locally in real life, there were some inworld as well. Sometimes they were a day early, such as the one at Club Cutlass. Sadly, community Rita Mariner wasn't there, possibly due to power outages that took down some residents. But Jenni Greenfield took a break from her hiatus to appear for the red white and blue celebration. 

 

 

Cutlass and other places would be closed on Saturday July 4, as were others. But some places had small parties, such as a the pool party at Raglan Shire's "Ool" (the running joke here is there should be no "p" in the "pool"). One resident showed up as a cloud of red, white, and blue fireworks. 

 

 

 

 

Sunday July 5 had some events. At the Second Life Birthday grounds at SLB Delightful, there was a "Dream Machine Gala" at 12 Noon by Carolyn Handrick, which lasted for about three hours. 

 

Also at Noon was the Anniversary Ball of Antiquity, at,it's Buckingham Palace. The community has been around for nineteen years. For the upper crust, the wearing of crowns and sashes was encouraged as for roleplay purposes this was a state event. The ladies and gentlemen danced, as well as chatted, and mused, about goings on. There was also a note of thanks from the Relay for Life for it's contributions to Team ACTS. 

 

There was also a Homes For Our Troops fundraiser. But sorry to say real-life would drag me away from seeing it. There will be another one for today, Monday July 6.  

 

Finally at 5:30 tonight was a small party at the Happy Vixen Beach Club with "Mister E" DJing the tunes. Hostess Kitacelia brought her own fireworks. 

 

It was a great Fourth weekend.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Like Wearing Clouds

 

 Taken at Club Zero Gravity

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Happy Fourth of July

 

 Happy American Independence Day from the Second Life Newser.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

SL Video: "Merryjest: Opening Act at Second Life's 23rd Birthday"

 

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 From Merryjest Starchild on June 27, "For those who missed the SL23B concert, we're doing a watch party on Youtube for it- this was recored on my computer so you'll get to see me frantically typing at people (or trying to) while singing, when things go wrong. And the hilarious reaction in the chat when thy get YEETED to another region in the middle of the finale XD  starting at the top of the hour"

The SL23B Swaginator Hunt

 

 

Besides seeing the exhibits at the Second Life Birthday, there's the Golden Ticket Giveaway, and the Shining Stars Hunt. But there's one more, an SL Birthday classic: The Swaginator Hunt. 

 

Join the fun and follow the hints to each SL23B Swaginator kiosk to collect a series of awesome SL23B themed gifts. The SL23B Swaginator kiosks are hidden throughout the Second Life Birthday Event, so grab a bottle of water and let's start hunting! 

 

To start, head to the Red Carpet Welcome in SLB Incredible and head to the Swaginator HUD giver at (151/106/21). Clicking on it, you'll get the HUD. Go to your inventory and click and "add" it to your avatar. It should appear on your viewer on the upper right. 

 

Seconds after putting it on, you should get your first clue. Clicking on Teleport, you'll end up somewhere in the vicinity of where the clue is, but you'll still need to search around for it.

 It may take some looking around for a while. But eventually, you'll find it.

 

 And the first prize is, something fun for watching a movie or sports event. So what are the next four? That's something you'll have to find out for yourself.

 

Happy Hunting,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Scenes From The SLB: Uncle Philip

 

 Taken at SLB Marvelous. Looks like Philip Linden is in a patriotic mood with him wearing an Uncle Sam outfit.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

 

Press Release: HFOT "America's 250th" Benefit Concert July 6

 

Frets Nirvana, longtime supporter and contact for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life, in conjunction with the US Military Veterans Group, announces the 2026 July 250 benefit for Homes for Our Troops benefit in Second Life.   The benefit will be held on July 6, 2026 from 5PM - 8 PM SLT at Veteran’s Isle.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Veterans%20Isle/176/58/3501.

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 have suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. DURING THAT TIME HFOT HAS BUILT 441 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR EXTREMELY INJURED VETERANS.” 


This HFOT benefit concert celebrates the United States 250th birthday and will feature the following DJ’s and artists from 5 PM- 8 PM July 6, 2026:


DJ Yume Yoshikawa 5 PM
Marqs Desade 6 PM
Grace Loudon 7 PM


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 

 

SL Video: "SL23B - Meet the Lindens: Second Life Studios Team"

 

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 From Linden Lab on June 27, the last of the "Meet the Lindens" events of the SL23B on Friday June 26, "Members of the Second Life Studios team answer community questions in this special "Meet the Lindens" event from Second Life's 23rd Birthday Celebration"

At The SLB23 Shop & Hop

 

One of the biggest annual shopping events is the Second Life Birthday's Shop and Hop. With hundreds of shops to go through, there's plenty to see. Netera Landar decided to go check it out. So what did she find?

 

Read Netera's article in Fashion. 

 

The SL23B Pod Tours

 

There's a few ways to get around the sims of the Second Life Birthday. You can walk around, fly around, take a balloon, or you can take the Pod Tours. While you can look around for one roaming around the sims, it's best to start where they're rezzed, at SLB Incredible (134/224/21), near the Red Carpet Welcome. 

 

Nothing too complicated. Just hop on one and wait for it to get going, which may take a while, or click on the pod and it will get going. As they go past exhibits, sometimes they'll give a little information on them.  

 

Compared to previous years, there's more detail to this year's pods. They look like small, wheelless cars. 

 

Normally they go s few feet off the ground. But at one point I was going several feet in the air. Not sure if this was a glitch or not. 

 

Enjoy the tours 

 

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Incredible/134/224/21

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Press Release: America's 250th Homes For Our Troops Concert at Voodoo Bayou Blues

 

 Hello to all Homes For Our Troops supporters.  I am writing you to inform you of several events that will happen in July in celebration of our country's 250th birthday that will be supporting HFOT.  

We hope you take note and attend these celebrations and support. Homes For Our Troops.

July 4 and all month at Creator's Park, Cat Fish Cove and Bear Skin Mall.  Thank you Starry Moonlight and Catrinia Beck 

Lots of simple low prim things for the 4th,   Visit the SIMs below and take a walk! 

Bear Skin Mall on Rockport

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rockport/22/32/22
Cat Fish Cove Home for the Celtic Cross Family

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cat%20Fish%20Cove/208/25/23
Creator's Park, Shops and Fishing on Strawberry Bank

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Strawberry%20Bank/212/25/22

July 5.  Voodoo Bayou Blues is sponsoring a full day of DJ's and performers to celebrate United States  250th.  All donations go to HFOT.  Thank Marty Jacobus, Bundy Xue and all the folks at Voodoo Bayou.  Go to the LM Below

Voodoo Bayou Blues and Motown

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tomorrowland%20Estate/117/27/27

Check out this lineup!

6-8am Gospel -DJ DeeDee
8-10am DJ Brin
11am DJ DeeDee
10am DJ Ashley
12am DJ Cel Magic
1pm Mavenn
2pm Frets 
3pm NeoMaximus
4pm Marina Sharpsire
5pm  PensacolaPete
6pm DJ DeeDee
7pm Cajun
8pm Dj CG
9-pm DJ Marty

 

*  *  *  *  *  

July 6  Veteran's Isle 250th HFOT celebration 5-8 PM

DJ Yume Yoshikawa and the Yummies 5 PM
Marqs Desade 6 PM
Grace Loudon 7 PM

US Military Veterans Center - Hangar Stage
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Veterans%20Isle/227/67/3501

July 13 Veteran's Isle 250th HFOT celebration continues 6-8 PM

DJ Zack 6 PM
Noma Falta and Frets Nirvana Dual Stream 7 PM

US Military Veterans Center - Hangar Stage
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Veterans%20Isle/227/67/3501


If there is anyone else sponsoring an event in July to celebrate the 250th and benefit HFOT ...let us know!   We hope to see all of you out there while we celebrate our heroes and this great event.

Frets Nirvana

SL23B Announcement "BBB Studios Ribbon Cutting Party"

 

 

 DJ Fu will provide the music at a party to open the BBB Studios Movie Theatre on July 3rd at 12 noon to 2pm SLT

 

SURL:  https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Breathtaking/190/37/21 

 

SL Video: "SL23B - Meet the Lindens: Second Life Marketing & Growth Team"

 

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 From Linden Lab on June 25, the Meet the Lindens event on Thursday June 25, "Members of the Second Life Marketing & Growth team answer community questions in this special "Meet the Lindens" event from Second Life's 23rd Birthday Celebration"

Happy Canada Day

 

 Happy Canada Day from the Second Life Newser

 

Taken at the Canadian Club Lodge at Spectrum (52/197/41) 

Shining Stars Hunt

 

 Besides seeing the exhibits, and the "Golden Ticket Giveaway," there are other things to do at the Second Life Birthday sims. One is the "Shinning Stars Hunt."

 

To do the hunt, you're going to need the HUD. You get it at SLB Incredible (149/231/21) (not far from the Red Carpet Welcome). There are two givers, one for the HUD and one for the prizes. Click on the one on the left to get the HUD, and then "add" it to your avie. It should appear on your viewer on the upper left. Once it does, you're ready to start looking for the shining stars. 

 

The stars appear randomly at various stretches of pathways, both the red carpet and the sidewalk. You either click on them, or walk over them. Doing either means the star vanishes with a sparkle, and there's a brief noise of triumph as the number on your HUD goes up by one. 

After about twenty stars, you can get your first prize. Return to the two givers, and this time click on the one on the right. If you've collected enough stars, you get a small prize. There are at least two more to get as you get more stars. Word has it there's a special prize available once you've collected a hundred.

 

So what is it? Not telling you yet. Get it yourself or wait until after The Birthday is over for me to show you.  

Once again, the Shinning Star Hunt givers are at : https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Incredible/149/231/21

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Angels Beach Land Rentals

 

 

At the Angels Beach Land Rental Agency, you can find a great new home in Second Life. With many sims to choose from, in the Sunweaver Estates, Hidden Valley, and Purrfection, you can choose from a variety of environments.

We offer places with friendly and interesting neighbors. Some places have a tropical island look, others more temperate. Some of the sims have access to enough water to boat around in. And there are plans later on for an open water sim for even more water activities. The sims are home to a number of quality clubs, such as Cutlass, Zero Gravity, Xanadu, the BBBC, and the Happy Vixen Beach Club. In one sim alone there are two quality clubs that work together so there is no lag from them. There are also some small shopping areas available.

 

The sims range from Mature to Adult, but the purpose of the adult rating is for a relaxed atmosphere in which couples can relax. The places do not allow for harassment, and while there are vendors that cater to mature tastes they are discreet about it. Spaces available range from small plots to a full homestead that will rent out for only $30,000L's per month. Most of the sims break the parcels down into 512 Sqm parcels and and most have a sliding rent scale, so the more you rent the cheaper it gets. Our prices are VERY competitive here in Second Life. 

 

And if you bring a friend to an Angels Beach area, you get more than just a good neighbor. Anyone that refers a renter to us and they rent land, they will receive 10% of the first months rent. And if someone you know needs help renting out land on his/her sim, bring them to us. Renters who bring in a sim owner needing administration, we will give 10% of our first check.

To learn more, please contact Nydia Tungsten, Brandi Streusel, or Matoazma Kazyanenko.

"We pride ourselves on on not just renting land but renting our customers the land you want. We listen to what you tell us on what you are looking for." 

 

It Came From Second Life Birthday Chat: Fun With Ballooning

 

 

In Second Life Birthday group chat, talk turned to the balloons the Moles had set up for people to ride around. Camden McAndrews showed off a couple pictures, one "Ballooning over the BBB." When a Rubbery Toy joked "seems you'd need a permit for that," Camden laughed and mused, "Next thing you know, we'll have Bellisseria Balloon Pilot's licenses."

 

 "Of course, sometimes things don't go exactly as planned."

 

 Just some of the fun from SLB group chat.

 

SL Video: "SL23B - Meet the Lindens: Second Life Engineering Team"

 

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From Linden Lab on Wednesday June 24, the "Meet The Lindens" event earlier that day, "Members of the Second Life Engineering team answer community questions in this special "Meet the Lindens" event from Second Life's 23rd Birthday Celebration"

 

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Stars and Stripes, Patriotic Fireworks, No Event

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Maliit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy - Red White and Blue

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  No Event

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

 

Furry Fashion: Retro, TBA, Rainbow

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Charlee, DJ Emma, DJ Emma

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Scenes Around The SL23B: Hollywood Hawt, Bryn Oh's Stormgirl

 

When I speculated the other day after the official parties there would be more, I was right. Going about the SL Birthday grounds, I noticed activity while at SLB Fabulous. And at the Hollywood Hawt exhibit, a bask was going. Talking to someone they had two more planned next month, Monday July 6 and Monday July 13 from 4 to 6PM SL time. 

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Fabulous/47/211/43 

 

SL artist Bryn Oh has an exhibit at the Second Life Birthday, "Stormgirl." It's at SLB Marvelous.

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Marvelous/179/139/21

 

More to come. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "SL23B - Meet the Lindens: Second Life Product Team"

 

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 From Linden Lab on June 24, the Tuesday June 23 "Meet the Lindens" with Grumpity and Kiera Linden, "Second Life Sr. VP of Product Grumpity Linden and Manager of Trust & Safety/Customer Success Keira Linden answer community questions in this special "Meet the Lindens" event from Second Life's 23rd Birthday Celebration."