EOTB: Applications Being Accepted For Christmas Shop And Hop

 

It's still mid-October, and Halloween isn't for almost two weeks. But already Linden Lab is getting ready for the Christmas season. On Friday in the official Second Life blog, the Lab announced they were accepting applications for stores in this year's Holiday Shop and Hop.

 

Halloween may still be spookily lingering, but we’re already brewing up plans for the festive season! We’re excited to announce the return of our highly anticipated Holiday Shop & Hop event. Mark your calendars for a spectacular shopping extravaganza ...

 

Those interested in taking part need to fill out a Google doc form (here).  As with Shop and Hop events in the past, participating sellers need to offer a 20% discount on all items on sale, plus offer a free gift to any shopper regardless if they're in the store group or not. It either must be a new product, or a gift card worth at least 300 Linden dollars. All products, and store decoration, must be rated moderate. Nor is anything political permitted. And stores cannot be used to promote items at other events. 

 

Those interested in taking part have until Sunday October 25 to send in their applications. The Holiday Shop and Hop will take place from Friday December 4 to Sunday January 3, 2027. 

 

To read more about the Shop and Hop, Click Here.  

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

 

"The End of The Road" For OSgrid, Second Largest OpenSim Virtual World To Close After 19 Years of Operation

 

With virtual worlds being dominated by Second Life and VRChat, OpenSim gets only a relatively small amount of users these days, about 164,000 monthly users compared to about 600,000 to 750,000 of SL. With over three hundred OS worlds, it doesn't usually make much news when one closes. But a few days ago, OSgrid, the second largest one, announced that after nineteen years it was finally "The end of the road."

 

 For 19 years, OSgrid has been more than just a server or a platform. It was a digital frontier built on a radical premise: that an open, decentralized metaverse could thrive entirely on community, trust, and shared architecture. Today, it is with a profound sense of loss that the OSgrid board must announce the end of this journey. We are officially calling it a day.

It wasn't lack of usership that was the problem, the grid remains the second-most OpenSim world used. It wasn't from a lack of staff keeping it up, according to them the team remained dedicated. The reason the nineteen year old virtual world was deemed beyond worth saving was because of one single hacker who took advantage of the grid's open code framework to flood it's infrastructure with huge amounts of junk data  "Our inventory items table exploded from 3 GB to a crippling 139 GB, turning routine 10-minute database backups into 12-hour ordeals. Our assets are effectively poisoned." 

 

The damage wasn't from one single attack, but repeated ones that were not stopping. when the staff discussed how to stop them, the only way to do so was to abandon their philosophy of an open grid and change to a closed one, "to truly end the attacks, we would simply have to permanently lock down the grid. We refuse to compromise the very soul & model of OSgrid just to keep the lights on. Spending 11 hours a day in shifts—blocking attacks and cleaning up poisoned data—is no longer sustainable as a volunteer effort. We have survived and combatted many forms of attacks over the decades, but Entropy has finally won."

 

Hypergird Business stated twice in the past two years, OSgrid was down for a month, once in March 2025 to clear it's database of corrupted information, and June this year, blamed on "metadata size limits."  

No more registrations to the grid are being accepted, and the final membership meeting was yesterday, Sunday October 18. The grid will close at Midnight, December 31. 

 

Sources: Hypergrid Business, OSgrid

 

Hat tip: Fluffyfoxy364

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

More Burn2 Scenes

 

Burn2 continues, with it's exhibits and music events. 

Besides the DJ events, the Lamplighters have some shows of their own.

 

 Like other Burning Man events, they made decorating porto-potties an art form.

 

 Last time there was no sign of "The Man," just a construction site in the general vicinity of where it should be. And it looks like I guessed right. Yesterday I saw the effigy lying down. Maybe it will be up by tomorrow. 

 

All for now,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Loose Threads

 

 Taken at one of Merryjest Starchild's events. In the audience was someone dressed as the "Nightmare Before Christmas" antagonist Oggie Boogie. So just why is he freaking out about a loose thread being pulled? Well, watch the movie to find out.

 

By Bixyl Sullin 

 

A Glance At Burn2

 

The Burn2 art and music festival is going on. At the 12-sim area, music parties are going on. 

And there are numerous art exhibits up. 

But there is one thing I haven't noticed. I didn't see the wooden effigy known as "The Man." I did see this build under construction close to the middle of the area. Maybe this is the future spot.

 

Stay tuned for more. 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Holy Presence Christian Church

 

 

With so much publicity about the naughty side of Second Life, it's not always easy to remember there's a spiritual side as well. There are a number of churches still offering services in Second Life. Among them, the Holy Presence Christian Church in Majorero.

 

The church considers itself interdenominational, and services are at 9AM every Sunday by Michiel Allaire (MichielAlarie Resident).

 

Holy Presence Christian Church is a REAL Church which offers a full range of Christian church experiences like, weddings, baptisms, Christenings, prayers for healing and emotional deliverance, family gatherings and social events.  We have everything a real life church has to offer, right here in SecondLife. 

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Majorero/181/92/154 

 

Announcement: Eternal Night Vampire Ball

 

 

 Saturday October 17

 

Noon to 2PM SL time

 

The Green Fairy, New Toulouse 

 

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/62/206/24 

 

SL Video: "This Is Halloween"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From  Blue R on October 13

 

Humanist Discussion on Capital Punishment

 

Capital punishment has long been a topic of discussion. Done away with in Western Europe, it remains an option in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, in addition to many Third World countries. But with the decision by America's Secretary of War to have the execution of a terrorist livestreamed, that made headlines as America hasn't done a public execution in almost a century and never televised one. As it turned out, Second Life's Humanist Discussion event for last Sunday happened to have capital punishment as the topic. So how did it go?

 

Read the story in Events.  

 

Burn2 Art And Music Festival Begins, 9AM Today

 

At 9AM SL time today, Friday October 16,  the event Burn2 fans in Second Life have been waiting for all year will finally begin: the main Burn2 art and music festival, also known as the "Octoburn" will officially begin. The theme this year is Axis Mundi.

 

The event covers 12 sims and ten days, with numerous art exhibits, music events, and other happenings, notably the Burning of The Man and the Temple Burn on Saturday October 24 and Sunday October 25 respectively.  

 

Burn2 goes on until late night Sunday October 25. For the schedule, Click Here.  

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/182/34/24 

Announcement: Pink Ribbon Ball Tomorrow

 

 Saturday, Oct 17th... 1pmslt!  Get your pink on!  

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wooburn/175/128/43 

 

 

It Came From Bellisseria Chat: Ghostly Choir

 

When a chat in the Bellissarian Citizens group turned to home decor, Traci Quandry posted this short animation. 

 

 Gwen Enchanted (Gwen Fairelander): Ooh, a ghostly choir.
 Wanda Witch (WandaRider Resident): nice
 Keme Fierce: Traci!  that's my house
 Keme Fierce: thank you for accepting the experience so you could participate with them
 Traci Quandry-Marabana (Traci Quandry): it has you shivering in fear on the floor while they move around you
 Traci Quandry-Marabana (Traci Quandry): yeah now Ihave ran into 3 of them during the hunt
 Fizzy (Fizzea Fairey): do you except an experience or do you sit on an object to start shivering/
 Keme Fierce: you accept the experience as you pass through the front door
 Traci Quandry-Marabana (Traci Quandry): accept an experience
 Fizzy (Fizzea Fairey): Oh ive seen those Sway Dench makes the ghosts
 Fizzy (Fizzea Fairey): they follow you around
 Keme Fierce: that one is by Bee
 Gwen Enchanted (Gwen Fairelander): Yeah; they are great. 

 

Announcement : This Saturday At The Science Circle

 

10 am SLT Saturday Oct 10
Discovering The Seventh Planet
by Phil Youngblood

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/69/77/22

Announcement: Spooktacular Halloween Event at Cafe Lilardo

 

 SAVE THE DATE:  Spooktacular Halloween Event at Cafe Lilardo on October 16th!!  

Starts at 3PM SL time 

Uber:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crest/78/213/2807

 

Announcement: Creator Forest's Pumpkin Carving Contest

 

Welcome to Creator Forest's FIRST annual pumpkin carving contest!

Running Oct 1st-25th 
Voting 26th-31st
Winners Announced November 1st

Well gosh dang, how do we carve pumpkins in SL?
- Not to worry friend, I got you covered! I'll be providing you a free pumpkin that can be textured to have any face or design you want! 

Pumpkin can be found here: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beloved/151/97/25

How does it work?
- Once you download the link, it'll open a PSD. In the spot that says "design here" you'll put whatever yer little heart desires. Make sure behind that area stays transparent.
- Now in SL, replace the default texture with your own and viola! Yer very own carved pumpkin :D

Can I recolor my pumpkin?
- Absolutely! However, we will only be judging based on the carved design, not the pumpkins colors. 

What's the prizes? :O
- First place: A custom mod from Braelynn Darkstone OR a custom mod/art (your choice) from Hyena Enthusiast
- Second place: 5000L
- Third place: 2500L
All participants will also get a special trophy <3

What are the rules? 
- Absolutely NO Gen AI!
- Derogatory, sexist, hateful, political and religious content are not allowed.

Cartoon of The Day: Lending A What?

 

 From Club Scorn. One partier was in a witch costume, and had on her shoulder what resembled "Thing" from the Addams Family.

 

I could easily imagine how she came across it.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Slosh Kosh 2026, Aviation And Camping Event

 

The Slosh Kosh is taking place in Second Life.  It could be described as part camping event and part air show. It's taking place over four sims, Rhodium, Osmium, Iridium, and Platinum. It started on the ninth, and is going on to Sunday October 18

 

I was told about the event through someone in the "Drivers of SL" group, and talking to someone else was informed most of the campers came through that group, which organized it with the SL Aviation Network. This is the second year the event has taken place, and is apparently based on the real-life annual air show and gathering at two airports near Oshkosh Wisconsin, organized by a group of aviation fans. 

 

To my knowledge, there are still a few camping spots, "each camper gets 120LI for their campsite," and setting up is free. There are some rules to follow, two of the sims having additional restrictions, so read them before setting up.  

 

There are a few places people have set up vehicle stores. One is offering a free "speeder." It is at Iridium (212/214/121). There are air show events by squadrons, on Friday October 16, Saturday October 17, and Sunday October 18 (and some practice hours before these), with Sunday being the most active day. For music fans, there are DJ events. One can find a schedule HUD for both at the music stage. And besides the flying, watching air shows, and being at the music parties, one can just hang out at the camps with friends and airplane fans. 

 

Once again, the event is taking place until Sunday October 18.  

 

Music stage: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Iridium/217/134/121 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Outshop Cancer Announcement: Get Your Pumpkin On!

 

Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

🎰 October 15–31
🎃 Contest Kit — L$100 entry fee
✨ Decorate your pumpkin — up to 25 LI
🏆 Top 3 pumpkins win trophies!
💗 Every vote is a donation supporting ACS.

Pick up your contest kit and let your imagination run wild!

Ready… Set… GO! 🎃🎰💗

Out Shop Cancer 2026: Luck Be a Cure Tonight
The House Doesn’t Win… Hope Does.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zelopian/130/78/22 

 

Events This Week In SL Clubbin'

 

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

Club Cutlass: Temporarily Closed

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Mr. E, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - Silky and/or Sandy

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  DJ Moni, DJ Cookie, DJ Chucklepuppy, DJ Moff

 

Furry Fashion:  Horns & Hooves, TBA, Fall Colors

 

Urban Furry :  TBA, DJ Emma, DJ Emma

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 *Updated Tue Oct 13 at 4:30 PM*

 

Announcement: Halloween at Book Island

 

We have our little graveyard up for events, or just to chill, and our reading pavilion and games room are decorated for the season as well so you can play Cheesy in the icy grip of a skeleton chair, or ride one of the spooky horses wandering near the pavilion, and if you ask nicely they might not gallop you straight to Hades. And most importantly... we don’t have one freakin’ pumpkin out.

 

Laraa Short
 

Book Island (100,139,38)