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