Raglan Shire Accepting Applications For Artwalk

 

Some news for artists in Second Life aspiring and established. Raglan Shire is accepting applications for it's Artwalk, one of the largest yearly art shows in Second Life. 

 

Residents of Second Life are invited to show their original artwork during this event.  Reproductions of original RL artwork (painting, drawing, digital fine art, printmaking that can be imported and put on a prim) are encouraged, along with SL photography, manipulated photography and sculpture.

In past years, we have had between 120-150 artist participants exhibiting in spaces over several sims and hope for another good turnout this year for the 21st Artwalk. The show will include space in Raglan Shire tree city, Raglan Commons, Heron Shire forest, Morning Shire park and Athen Shire village. The 2D artwork will be displayed along hedgerows around Raglan Shire, and sculptures in designated areas of Commons, Heron, Morning and Athen Shires.

The event itself tuns from May 17 to June 14, with entries being accepted from now to Monday May 11. Those wanting to enter must fill out an entry form (here). 

 

For more information, click here. 

 

RFL Team Sunbeamer Bid Me Results

 

The results of the three Bid Me fundraisers this month by the Relay for Life's Team Sunbeamers are in.  

 

Cynthia Farshore

 

Stay Normal: 500L

Change : 9000L

 

Cynthia becomes a gray male furry wolf for three weeks.

 

Shockwave Yareach

 

Stay Normal: 200L
Change: 9000L

 

Shockwave becomes a white female furry goat
3 weeks

Charlee Harmony
 

Stay Normal: 0L

Change: 9000L 

Charlee becomes a black-furred vixen for four weeks. 
 

As of now, the Sunbeamer team has raised a total of 1,109,028 Linden dollars, eighth of 189 teams. 

 

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

At The Fantasy Faire

 

 Sunday it was back to the Fantasy Faire, ant it's sights to see. I didn't have as much time as Saturday, but still had plenty of fun.

 

 With the technical glitches gone, the Children of Stories roleplay at 1 PM went smoother.

 

 We were investigating the mystery of the zigurat, and helping out ghosts we found, going through a portal, making a choice of which of three trials to face, and meeting the challenge.

 

Who chooseth the Gold Casket shall gain what many men desire.
Who chooseth the Silver Casket shall get what he deserves.
Who chooseth the Lead Casket must give and hazard all he hath. 

 

 

Those who chose lead ended up facing a challenge that rewarded us with a "Staff of the Fallen." But for one of us, it was so exhausting, it was back to camp. 

 

Check out today's events here: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/calendar/ 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Getting A Head

 

 Taken at The Relaystock. Dropping in on Trader Wiplash's set Sunday night on April 12, the lag was a bit heavy, so for a couple moments, he was just a head. It eventually cleared and he appeared normal, but not before I'd gotten this picture. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Going About The Fantasy Faire, And Grid Issues

 

 Yours truly has been exploring some of the Fantasy Faire. Faireland Junction by itself had much to see. 

 

 

 And some people took the opportunity to don a great fantasy look.

 

 

 The Fairchylde is where the daily dance parties are, a rainbow walkway leading to it from the pier. 

 

 I dropped by a set being done by Baine Finch, with people in all kinds of avies dancing away.

 

 But when it was time for the Children of Stories roleplay at 1PM SL time, The Squires of Garland, in which the return of the Golden Hour area is being investigated, along with a huge zigurat. But there was a problem. Linden Lab was working on problems with the Grid, and many avatars wouldn't rezz, or appear partially gray, and some objects wouldn't fully rezz.

 

Investigating - We are undergoing inventory maintenance on April 25th 2026 at 12:40 PM Pacific Time. Please be advised that in-world inventory access, Login activity, rezzing objects, displaying avatars, and loading times may be temporarily impacted during maintenance. Our engineers are working on resolving this issue as soon as possible.

 

 Troubles would continue to 5PM SL time, when some people told me they were starting to clear up.

 

Check the schedule for events today here : https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/calendar/ , or just walk about and enjoy the scenery, and shopping. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Update on Gemma Cleanslate

 

For those of you wondering about Gemma Cleanslate, she is still slowly recovering from medical procedures and is still on break from the Newser. She is able to go out and around in Second Life, though responding may be slow. She should be ready to resume writing before too long. 

 

Looking forward to your next articles Gemma. 

 

Anzac Day Memorial

 

 Today is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, a national holiday in both countries that honors all of it's soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served in all of their wars and other times of conflict. High above the Ethereal Isle, there's an Anzac Day memorial.

 

 

They shall not grow old as we who are left to grow old, 

Age shall not worry them or the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ethereal%20Isle/181/50/2615 

 

Caledon's Battle of Wits

 

Last weekend, yours truly attended an event some might say was overqualified to take part in, Caledon's "Battle of Wits." This fundraiser hosted by the Relay's Team ACTS was supposed to be a contest between those on stage who could crack one joke and pun after another. Things didn't go quite according to plan, but it all turned out well. Perhaps not so much for some of the jokes. In this spree of groaners, it was a must to be oh=pun minded. 

 

Read the story in Events (and lovers of bad puns, feel free to use every one).

 

 

Fantasy Faire Is On

 

 Yesterday, Thursday April 23, the Fantasy Faire started. And like many, I headed over to Fairelands Junction (https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairelands%20Junction/144/140/20).

 

 Some of the people attending were an attraction in themselves. 

 

From the entrance, I had to go up the stairs ...

 

 And out of the water, to some great scenery.

 

The Fantasy Faire goes on to May 10. Keep an eye on the blog for all kinds of great events, such as the Patch Linden Jail and Bail today. 

 

https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/ 

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

 

FF Announcement: Jail & Bail - Patch Linden (Postponed)

 

The ever-vigilant Pawlice have discovered that Patch Linden has been involved with the Notorious Moles ransacking the candy store for a nefarious attempt to emulate Hansel and Gretel. Shocking! Candy Detox is ordered in a Gingerbread Waffle Jail. There is evidence! There is candy! There is a rumor that the Pawlice will eat both while Patch offers bribes – big, stupendous, amazing bribes – to the Fairelanders to bail him out! How will it turn out? Come to the Golden Hour on the hour, dance around with DJ DaveOSaurus’s tunes and see!

Jail & Bail takes place in the Faireland of The Golden Hour.

SURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden%20Hour/127/220/82
 

UPDATE:  Patch Linden's Jail and Bail has been postponed to a later date.

SLB23B Open To Applications For Volunteer Staff

 

Last week on April 14, Linden Lab announced they were accepting applications by residents wanting to be volunteer staff for the Second Life 23rd Birthday celebrations, or SL23B. 

 

 

We’re looking for volunteers to help bring the celebration to life. SL23B volunteers play an important role in welcoming visitors, assisting with events, and helping guests explore the birthday regions.

We’re seeking Residents with strong people skills, patience, and enthusiasm for sharing the best of Second Life with others. Volunteers help answer questions, guide visitors through the celebration regions, and support the many activities happening throughout the event.

If you enjoy helping others and want to be part of the team that makes SL23B run smoothly, we encourage you to submit a volunteer application ....

 

Those interested in submitting an application need to do so through this Google doc (here).  Besides being courteous, you need to keep your appearance appropriate for a General-audience sim, as well as wearing the group tag and team shirt. You must commit to shifts two hours long and be available for at least a minimum total of eight hours for the event, longer totals very much preferred. And volunteers *must* attend a pre-event training session, with those not showing up removed from the group. And as these are strictly volunteer positions, no compensation in Linden dollars will be offered. 

 

Volunteer applications need to be submitted by Monday May 18.  This is the same date as exhibitors and performers. The information for those wanting to take part in the Shop and Hop is currently pending. 

 

The SL23B will take place from Thursday June 18 to July 19.  The theme this year is The Golden Age of Hollywood. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

(sorry for the delay, lots of things happening) 

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 

Saturday April 11

 

    ~*~

 

At 10 AM PST  

 

Automation in Science

By David Fries

 

SURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/59/128/29

 

    ~*~

 

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝  

 

Fantasy Faire Starts Today

 

 After weeks of preparation and months of anticipation, the Fantasy Faire is about ready to start. Today, Thursday April 23, The Fairelands will open to the public at around Noon SL time. Faireland Junction is the main entrance, so expect that sim to be a bit crowded (and laggy). But once everything loads, the fine details will show.

 

Every year, this mega-event by the Relay for Life attracts top builders of many stripes, and each of the twenty sims promises great detail, and much to explore. Besides that, there are music and dance parties, many shops to buy items (with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society), events such as discussions and book readings, the Children of Stories roleplay, and of course the Fairelands Quest.  

 

For more information, check the Fantasy Faire blog: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/  

 

Stand by for updates as the Faire goes on,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

RFL Announcement: "A Walk On The Wild Side"

 

Event Name: A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
When:
Sunday APRIL 26, 2-5pm 

Brief Description of Event:
You thought walking a lap during Relay weekend was a challenge? Wait until you get here!

Location:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kangean/141/123/3202
TEAMS: ELMF+Hope Floaters

Linden Lab Answers Questions and Concerns About Gaeta 1, Other Issues, At Town Hall

 

On Monday at 11 AM SL time, there was a meeting at Linden Lab's Town Hall building. The main reason was for residents to get answers to questions and concerns about The Lab announcing that the smaller of two unfinished Mainland continents, Gaeta 1, will be closed down and it's residents relocated while the other unfinished continent, Zindra, will be completed. But other issues could be brought up as well. 

 

In short, the Lab is "beginning the process over the next 2-3 weeks," and "we are not deactivating any regions until the land owners there have been able to find new locations."

 

Read more in Events.

 

(Updated 4PM SL time) 

 

Picture from Zada Bury 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Boning Up

 

 Taken at the Linden Town Hall. One guy had a chew bone in his mouth. I made a joke, my friend Zada in the audience grinned, predicting another cartoon was in the works. So happy to oblige a lady's wish.

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

EOTB: No More Browser Viewer: Linden Lab Announces End to Project Zero

 

Linden Lab announced it was pulling the plug on an alternative viewer, one accessible through one's webbrowser. 

 

In January 2025, Linden Lab announced "Project Zero,"a viewer accessible through one's computer webbrowser. Browsing sessions through it were limited in time, though a few signing up would randomly be chosen to experience Second Life through it. Later, "priority access" would be an option, but it would cost $2.99 for five hours of time. In March 2025, there was a Firestorm version available, though people had to pay to use it as there was no free option available.

 

Since then, there hasn't been anything about Project Zero that caught the Newser's attention. That is until now. Yesterday, April 21, Linden Lab announced it was "Ending Support" for it.  

 

Last year, we introduced Project Zero as an experiment to explore a new way of accessing Second Life through a web browser. 

Many of you took part in testing Project Zero and shared thoughtful feedback along the way. Your involvement (and the feedback you shared) has been incredibly valuable in helping us better understand how lowering the barrier to entry – by removing the need for downloads or high-end hardware – could help improve new user onboarding and engagement. Thank you for being part of that process.

Based on what we’ve learned, we’ve made the decision to end support for the Project Zero Viewer ... 

 

They would go on to say support would end on Friday April 24 at 5PM SL time.  Those who have unused time were asked to file a support ticket to get up to 30 days worth of time back. The mobile and desktop viewers are not affected. 

 

"The insights gained from Project Zero will directly inform improvements to these core experiences, helping us focus our efforts where they can have the greatest impact. Our work to make Second Life more accessible, welcoming, and engaging is ongoing. We look forward to sharing more with you soon."

 

For the blog post in full, Click Here. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan