Linden Snowball Fight Tomorrow, Friday December 19

 

Have you always wanted to pelt Linden Lab's finest with a cold, wet, snowball?  Well, tomorrow's your chance. The Linden Snowball Fight will be taking place. 

 

 

Grab your warm clothes and prepare for some snowy mayhem at the Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena! This year’s event promises sparkling snowballs, big laughs, and a chance to face off against your favorite Lindens.

Event Details

• When? Friday, December 19th
  • First battle: 8 AM - 9 AM PT/SLT
  • Second battle: 12 PM - 1 PM PT/SLT
• Location: Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%201/241/212/44 

 

Arrive early to snag your free snow-launching gear from vendors around the arena. Assemble your squad and prepare for the ultimate showdown. See you on the battlefield!

 

This event is something of a tradition that has taken place every year for over a decade. It's been known by a few names, but people keep calling it the Linden Snowball Fight. Typically, it takes place twice a year, in December and February or March.  

 

Once again the action takes place from 8 to 9 AM, and 12 Noon to 1 PM SL time at Winter Wonderland 1 (241/212/44).  

 

Newser Crew Meeting

 

On Saturday December 13 at Noon SL time, the Newser staff would hold a meeting. It would be at its office in HV Community. From right to left were Gemma Cleanslate, Nydia Tungsten, Netera Landar, Penny Shuftan, and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We would talk about subjects to write about, which December certainly provides plenty of,

And eventually came "meeting adjourned," which brought out a festive gesture.

 

Stay tuned for more stories from the Newser crew.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The Lost Gallery

 

Netera Landar recently went to the opening of an art exhibition going on to January 3, "The Lost Gallery." Set in a wintery outdoor area, the place was "beautiful and realistic." She would talk to some people and take a few pictures of the displays. So which artists were there and what did they have?

 

Read Netera's article, and see the pictures, in Design.

 

Addition: Part of the article was accidentally left out earlier. It's now up. 

Cartoon of The Day: On Purpose

 

 Taken at the Happy Vixen. This cartoon was based on actual dialogue with Umbra Gardenvale. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Who Should Be Second Life's Man of The Year?

 

A few days ago, Time Magazine named the people leading the development of AI as the Persons of The Year for 2025.  The "Man of the Year" edition of Time is something the magazine has done for almost a century, the person, group or persons, or thing that has made the news the most in the past year. Its not always awarded to a man, and like this year sometimes it's a group of people. The choices are occasionally controversial. One year, it was awarded to "The Computer" due to the impact of them on technology and lifestyle & entertainment. There have been time's it's been awarded to someone who did a lot of death and destruction or otherwise affected peoples' lives for the worse. 

 

So with this in mind, who would be the man, or woman, or people, of the year for Second Life in 2025?

 

The Second Life Newser has announced a "Man of the Year" every year for almost a decade. Over time, we've chosen a variety of people, We've chosen Lindens. One year the Moles got it as a group for their work on Bellisseria. Citizens and communities have gotten it. 

 

Should it be someone behind a noteworthy project? Should it be a group of people helping others, such as the Relay for Life Volunteers? Or maybe this was someone or something that had such a big impact on the Internet, it was clearly felt within Second Life?

 

We have a few people in mind, but we certainly can use some suggestions. Who do you think should be Second Life's Man, Woman, or Persons of the Year?

 

Source: Time Magazine, Wikipedia

Bixyl Shuftan

 

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Casual Dress, Rockin' Christmas, Christmas with A Twist

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

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - 

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - 

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Celtic, Hooves & Horns, Neon

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Autism Australia Event Raises Over 130,000 Linden Dollars

 

At one minute after Midnight SL time on Saturday December 13, a 24 hour fundraiser named Autism Australia took place. It was held at Club Evolution in Hartford. A number of DJs would take part. The event was to raise funds for "Shine for Autism."Simone Wagstaff, the club's owner, and Missy (Misfit72 Resident) helped run the event. I would drop by at the tail end of DJ RocknRoll's event, and they were whooping it up. 

Missy would call out on occassion:

 

💙 AUTISM AWARENESS CHARITY EVENT 

 ═══════════════════════════════
🎗️ EVOLUTION is raising funds for AUTISM! 🎗️
Already L$130,000+ donated! 💕
Every donation counts - big or small!
Help us make a difference! ✨
Donations can be made directly at
https://www.initforautism.org.au/event/shine-for-autism/home 

 

 She would comment, "I started just before midnight. I must say we.. Anna and I ..." DJ Grizzly, who was next on stage, responded, "It's tough being indispensable." Missy grinned, "Heh, I am sure I am indispensable. ... This will be my last set (smile) after this I really need to go and pay my bed a visit." Grizzly was just starting to head to the stage, "Awww...  Well, glad your sticking around for my set.  And thanks for toughing it out!" "All for charity," Missy commented. Grizzly would start his set with "Rough Girl," while someone else, Jessica (VicBitter Resident) encouraged, "Missy get to bed!" 

Grizzly would encourage people to donate to the posters, which were accepting cash like kiosks. Jessica would say, " just want to say right here...thank you to Simone and Jack for putting all of this together. To all of our awesome DJ's and host volunteers on behalf of Evolution Australia thank you all." People were also encouraged to enter a couple raffles in which a car and a place were the prizes. 

Mira Dust would thank the Newser for helping to publicize the fundraiser. 

 

Yours truly was only able to stay at the event for a short while, and due to real life couldn't be at the end. But over 130,000 Linden dollars had been raised by the time I was there. Dropping by later, I couldn't find the total amount. 

 

There will be a second Autism Australia fundraiser just after Midnight early Saturday morning December 20.

 

Addition: The Newser has been informed that the event raised over 170,000 Linden dollars.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Applications Being Accepted For Valentine Shop and Hop

 

It's not yet Christmas, and people are still shopping at the stores for gifts. But already Linden Lab is getting ready for February.  On Friday December 12, Linden Lab announced it was accepting applications for the Valentine Shop and Hop.

 

We are thrilled to announce the early opening of applications for the 2026 Valentine Shop & Hop!

As we prepare for an extra special Valentine’s event, we're on the lookout for enthusiastic Creators ready to join the celebration of love ...

Merchants wanting to take part will need to fill out a Google Doc (here).  They will need to offer at least 20 percent off on items on sale at the stores. They will also need to offer a new gift for shoppers, regardless if they're in the merchant's group or not, or a gift certificate worth at least 300 Linden dollars. No adult items are permitted, nor are political themes. Also, applying does not guarantee approval.

 

 The Valentine Shop and Hop will run from Friday January 30 to Monday February 16. 

 

For the blog post in full, Click here.  

 

Yosemite in Winter

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for wintry places took her to a favorite location:Yosemite. Snow has come to the natural park, and there are winter activities one can enjoy such as skiing and skating. But you can also enjoy the usual ones, such as horseback riding, this time with a wintry atmosphere. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Places.  

 

Reader Submitted: "Bixyl The Newshound Fox"

 

By Masane Amaha  (Masane Bloodrose), using Suno

(To the tune of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer")

(Intro) You know Cronkite and Brokaw and Cooper and Blitzer, Reporters who love to drink coffee and spritzer. But do you recall... The most famous news fox of all?

(Verse 1) Bixyl Shuftan the News Fox, Has a nose for sniffing news. And if you ever see him, He’s hunting for the interviews.

(Verse 2) All of the other avatars, Wonder where he’s gonna go. They know that clever Bixyl, Is always in the festive show.

(Bridge) Then one foggy Christmas Eve, The Editor came to say: "Bixyl with your nose so bright, Go sniff out a scoop tonight!"

(Verse 3) Then how the readers loved him, As they shouted out with glee: "Bixyl Shuftan the News Fox, You'll go down in history!"

(Outro) He's sniffing out the news... Yeah, he's sniffing out the news! (Cha-cha-cha)


https://suno.com/song/864df382-bc19-4887-9e05-acc6cc594eff

 

 

 

Cartoon of The Day:

 

 Taken at the Feral Furry theater. One of the costumed bots behind the concessions counter was open to a certain pun.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

A Look At The Virtual World Resonite

 

 Have you heard of Resonite, one of the newer virtual worlds? I hadn't really until a few days ago. Created by Tomáš “Frooxius” Mariančík of the Czech Republic and published by Yellow Dog Studios, it officially came online just two years ago in October 2023. One of my friends (Scratch Musikatt) talked me into giving it a look. 

 

 It's comparable to VR Chat, though there's also a third-person view from behind available. As one can see, the starter avatars aren't very much. It's clearly expected of you to move on to a better avie once you know more about the place. 

 

 Unlike VR Chat, you have an inventory. Looking into mine, I found a card showing the controls, which could be adjusted in size. 

 

If you go about and see someone with a green microphone symbol over their heads, they're volunteer mentors who should be able to answer most any question you have.  

 

I may write more on this place soon. For now, you can read more about this new virtual world on it's website (https://resonite.com/), and it's Wiki (https://wiki.resonite.com/Main_Page). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Music Video: "Forever"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Diamond Doll Productions on July 14, "Jazmine Sulvine Tribute video, Forever doesn't last."

 

Press Release: "Autism Australia" Taking Place Saturday Dec 13, Dec 20

 

 ## Second Life Charity Event Raises Funds for Australian Children with Autism

**Second Life, Virtual World** — Evolution Australia proudly announces a special charity event in Second Life, raising funds to support Australian children with Autism through **Shine for Autism**.

This community-driven event brings together DJs, hosts, volunteers, and residents from across Second Life for an inclusive celebration of music, connection, and giving. All funds raised will directly support programs and services for children with Autism in Australia.

Participants can support the cause in several easy ways:

* **Donate Lindens**: Click and pay the **big blue “Shine for Autism” donation signs** located at the back of the stage.
* **QR Code Donation**: Scan the QR code on-site to be taken directly to the Shine for Autism website.
* **Website Donation**: Touch the information sign to receive a notecard with the Shine for Autism website link. Navigate to **Donate** and contribute as normal.

Every contribution—big or small—makes a difference.

 

* **FREE Car and Aircraft Raffles** will be held during the event.
* Entry is limited to **200 people**.
* Participants must wear the **AutAusEvoEvent group tag** to be eligible.

## 🎉 Most of All… Have Fun

This event is about community, music, and making a real-world difference. Whether you’re donating, DJing, volunteering, or just dancing—thank you for being part of something meaningful.

**Together, we can shine a light on Autism and support Australian children who need it most.**

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hartford/230/18/22

 

"What Thanksgiving Means To Me"

 

Penny Shuftan took a break from her medical hiatus to send an article to the Newser. Last month, she thought about Thanksgiving, and what it means to people. So besides looking up information on the holiday, she would interview three people she came across. So what did they have to say?

 

Read Penny's article in People (yes it's late, but better late then never). 

 

Holiday Shop & Hop Women's Gift Gowns And Outfits

 

The Christmas Shop and Hop is taking place. And Netera Landar dropped by to check it out. For today's article she looks at some of the women's gowns and outfits offered as gifts by the stores. So what did she find?

 

Read Netera's article in Fashion. 

SL Video: (Science Circle) NASA Presentation

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From The Science Circle on March 6 2016, "NASA Presentation 03-12-2013"

 

 

74,000 Linden Dollars Raised at Veterans Benefit

 

On Sunday December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, the monthly benefit concert at Veterans Isle took place. Organized in part by Frets Nirvana, the event raised money for the Homes For Our Troops charity. 

 

The music was scheduled to start at 10AM with DJ Zack.  Then Quarts at 11 AM. At Noon SL time would come performer Paul Kindhartdman. I dropped in the middle of the 1 PM performance with Ed Lowell and Mr. Multiwriter (Mrmulti Writer). As the musicians played, people donated Lindens to two house-shaped kiosks on the left and right sides of the stage.

 

Frets Nirvana was there, encouraging the people to give a little more,  

"Folks ...We have been supporting HFOT in Second Life now for 11 years ...and through the support of folks like all of you we have sent donations on average of $15000 a year to HFOT. ... HFOT Veterans are gifted this home mortgage free!  They are responsible for upkeep and taxes.   - Sad Fact- Only 16 states in the country are tax exempt for severely injured Veterans.{this truly needs to change to all 50 states supporting our vets, dontcha think?}"

 

The event would raise a total of 74,000 Linden dollars (34,000 in one kiosk, 40,000 in the other). 

 

To learn more about Homes for Our Troops, check https://www.hfotusa.org .

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Sunweavers Get Free Month's Rent

 

A few days ago, Rita Mariner, the chieftess of the Sunweaver community, and it's landlady, gave the local residents an early Christmas present: a free month's rent. 

 

CHRISTAMS RENT BONUS FROM THE BUNNY

Hi, as per my tradition, I give all my Wonderful Renters, a free month's rent, as a Heartfelt thank you for sticking with me another year. 

If I missed someone by accident, IM me.

RITA M, your ebil land bunny 

 

 

Christmas Lane

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for Christmas places continues. For today's article, she looked at Christmas Lane. The place boasted plenty of decor, outdoor and indoor, plus gachas and an advent calendar. She also gave a short mention about the Christmas Shop and Hop. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

 

Tiny Carolers At Virtual Ability

 

On Monday December 8 at 1PM SL time, Virtual Ability got a Christmas treat. The "Tiny Carolers" from Raglan Shire dropped by for a performance. The Newser was there, and took a few pictures and heard some of the "Wootmas" tunes. 

 

Read the story in Events. 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Antler Ornaments

 

 Taken at the Christmas Expo. One lady had tree ornaments on her antlers. So what happened here? I could think of one explanation.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

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

 

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

Club Cutlass: Disco Dreams, Dragons & Devils, Rock And Roll 60's

Happy Vixen: DJ Arooo, DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, DJ Nydia, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - 

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - 

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: CAYA, Disney, Insects Vs. Arachnids, ATC Release/Ferals

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

"Machinima Monday" by Chantal Harvey

 

 Longtime residents will likely remember Chantal Harvey, known in Second Life's Golden Age for her work in machinima, films done within virtual worlds and MMOs. Chantal is still around, holding a weekly event around these kinds of videos called "Machinima Monday."

 

We welcome filmers, writers, musicians, actors, movie-fans - hey - everybody is welcome.
This friendly machinima group holds weekly meetings at 1pm - every monday.
You are welcome to join us. 
Newcomer welcome, we chat and show our work, share tips and tricks, on fb too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MachinimaMondays

 

I dropped by the other day, in time to see a couple well-done videos. Chantal herself was there in a "camera" avatar, looking like a robot with a few treats on her belt. The others present would share videos, and the others would comment. One was for Madpea, the other a music video. The people thought both were well done. 

 

Machinima Monday is every Monday at 1 PM SL time at Samandiriel (209/225/1797) 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

EOTB: New Last Names

 

In the official Second Life blog last week, Linden Lab announced they had released a list of Christmas and winter-themed last names for accounts. 

 

To celebrate the winter holiday season, we have released some festive new last names! 

 

The list of names goes as follows :

 

Nutmeg, Krampus, Solstice, Twinkle, Snowveil, Everfrost, Winterpelt, Glacia, Nuzzle, Polar, and Gingerpaw 

 

These seasonal names will be around "for a limited time," saying some *might* be available again in a future Christmas season. 

 

As a reminder, changing one's account name is not free. There's a fee of $49.99 for basic and Plus accounts, less for higher ones, more details here. And special seasonal names aside, once a name is dropped from the list, it's gone for good. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

A Busy Weekend

 

 Plenty happened this weekend. The Christmas Expo took place, with events such as the Dream Kids performance and the last sets at the event stages, along with auctions, the results of the snowman contest, and more, ending with the Holiday for Hope Ball (above). There were other happenings, such as the monthly Homes for Our Troops fundraiser at Veterans Isle, Bay City's Tree Lighting, and more.

 

Yours truly would also give another virtual world a short look, and get talked into seeing a couple women's wrestling matches. But I forgot one thing:

 

Girls

 

fight

 

viciously.

 

 More details later. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Patch Linden at The Christmas Expo

 

On Friday December 5 at Noon SL time, Patch Linden 

Mark your calendars for Friday, December 5, 2025! From 12 PM to 3 PM PT/SLT, join us for a special festive event with Santa Patch and the “Molelves”!

Stop by for holiday fun, photos, and plenty of cheer. Share your Christmas wishes, and don’t miss out on the exclusive Sebastian Boopie, available only at the Christmas Expo!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

Among those there was Gemma Cleanslate, who would take a few pictures. 

 

There were many who would sit with "Santa Patch."

 

This would be one of many events on the last weekend of the Christmas Expo.  

 

Pictures from Gemma Cleanslate

 

Last Day For The Christmas Expo, Holidays of Hope Gala Today 2PM

 

 It's been lots of holiday and winter fun. But today is the final day of events at the Christmas Expo. It's the last day to head to the music parties at the DJ stages, get a ticket at the raffles, take part in the auctions, and more. At at 2PM is the main event of the day, the Holidays of Hope Gala. Formal attire is requested at this event. 

 

For those who missed out on the shopping, the sims should be up another day or two.  

 

The event, which is separate from the Relay for Life, raises money for the American Cancer Society.  

 

To TP in, click here: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CHRISTMAS%20EXPO/115/140/24 

 

For more information, check the blog: https://slchristmasexpo.com/

 

Remembering Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial

 

It was eighty-four years ago today when the Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at the Navy base Pearl Harbor at Oahu Hawaii. For the Americans, the results were devastating, over 2400 killed, both soldiers and sailors as well as several dozen civilians, and numerous ships sunk or damaged, including four battleships that were sent to the bottom. Half the deaths came from the sinking of the USS Arizona, which took a direct hit where it's ammunition magazines were, resulting in a massive explosion. While other ships were recovered, the Arizona was too severely damaged, and left as a memorial to it's crew. An official memorial was completed in May 1962, over the wreck of the ship. 

 

Second Life has it's own USS Arizona Memorial, appropriately at Oahu Island. It's for people to drop by and pay respects, and maybe learn something about the ship. 

 

The memorial has historical pictures of the ship and of the event. At the back is a listing of the names of those whom were killed.

 

For those who have been here before, there have been a few changes, notably a small theater that will be showing a small film tomorrow about the Imperial Japanese attack. 

 

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (180/10/24). 

 

On a final note, Cynthia Farshore has informed the Newser that KGYG will be playing announcements of the Pearl Harbor attack today, and Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech tomorrow, Monday December 8.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Red Bull Gives You What?

 

 Taken at the Christmas Expo, I saw this winged lady. I promptly thought of a certain commercial.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The Science Circle Video: "How We Got To Where We Are"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From The Science Circle on March 2016, "Growth of Human Being and Biological Thought by Stephen L. Gasior." While the Science Circle may have closed, it turns out there's records of many of it's discussions in the past decade. 

The End For The Science Circle

 

 For years, The Science Circle has been offering discussions on various science subjects. But it appears that has come to an end. Instead of information including the subject of the next lecture, the website, https://www.sciencecircle.org/, had a goodbye message. 

 

After seventeen wonderful years of lectures, discussions, field trips, and friendships, Stichting The Science Circle is closing its doors.

We are incredibly grateful to every speaker, visitor, partner, and supporter who made this international community possible. Together we explored everything from quantum physics to climate change, from astronomy to archaeology — always with curiosity, rigor, and joy.

Although the foundation ends here, the passion for science continues. A number of us will keep meeting and organizing activities in Second Life.
You are more than welcome to join us there for lectures, debates, and new adventures.

Thank you for being part of this unique journey.
– The Science Circle team

 The Newser has reported on Science Circle events for years. It is sad to see them go.

 

For All Seasons, Hilly Haalan Knows What You Love

 

Thanks to Netera Landar, the long-neglected Fashion section of the Newser is getting a story. She dropped by Hilly Haalan, a store with a wide selection of womens' wear. So just what did she find?

 

Read Netara's article in Fashion.