Gemma's Explorations

 

Gemma Cleanslate has been to a few areas here in Second Life, ones "compact and familiar." She went to the WelcomeHub, and among the builds representing places found one about Burn2. Burn2 was also represented at the Firestorm Art Gallery, where one of the Rangers has become Artist of The Month. She also stopped by another gallery at the Confederation of Democratic Simulators.

 

Read Gemma's story in Places. 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

 

 It's St. Patrick's Day. And for those who want to see a themed location, there are a couple longtime ones that have been on the Grid for years. 

There is a Dublin sim, and in the middle is the Blarney Stone pub. It's active year round, with live musicians. 

 

WELCOME TO DUBLIN IN SL, GATHERING PLACE FOR THE WORLD ! Dublin in Second Life recreates the look and feel of the city of Dublin, Ireland. Events are scheduled daily. Irish Pub, club, bar, live, blarney, gogartys, shamrock, st paddys, st patricks

 

But St. Patrick's Day is special, with DJs and live music, late into the night. 

 

Don't forget to check the rest of the sim as there's much to see.

Dublin (83/82/25)

Another place to explore is Castle Blarney, in the Wilde sim.

 

Scale replica of the real Blarney Castle main tower in Ireland, with Blarney Stone kissing animation certificate outside the castle entryway Irish village, Malones Irish Pub, Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone faerie wishing well

Here, you can travel up and kiss the Blarney stone, which is a lot quicker here in SL (and more sanitary). 

The castle is part of O'Hare's Gap, with a nearby Irish village. Don't forget to check it out if you have a little time.

Wilde (160/109/33)

 

Bellessarian Embassy Opens at The CDS

 

The Bellissarian Bureau of Bureaucracy, or BBB, is known for building embassies on other mainland continents. But the other day, it made one on one of the more notable community lands. The Confederation of Democratic Simulators, known as Second Life's oldest practicing democracy, had a grand opening party on Sunday April 23 for it's new Bellisserian embassy, with both members of the BBB and noted locals attending. Gemma Cleanslate as among those there, and had a few details to report.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Announcement: CDS Winter Fantasy Inaugural Ball

 

 This Sunday We will celebrate the beginning of our 38th Term and our new government!

WINTER FANTASY
Inaugural Ball for the 38th term
Sunday, December 4, 12noon-2pm

NFS Schloss Ballroom
DJ Calli presiding.

Theme is Winter Fantasy (amazing decor by Brooke Brandenburg-Blackburn)

Formal attire requested,
(unless you are coming as a snow flake;)
Wings welcome

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/245/142/203

 

CDS Holds Inauragal Ball

 *

Sunday June 12 at the CDS was the Inaugural Ball, their party to celebrate a new term of their government. The event was held at the Schloss Ballroom in the Neufreistadt sim from Noon to 2 PM.

You are invited to the CDS Inaugural Ball for the 37th Term!

Join  in the beautiful Neufreistadt Schloss Ballroom to celebrate with the newly elected CDS Government Members and to celebrate our move to VWEC Eduverse.

The theme of the event was "La Belle Epoque," described as "The era spanning years between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the Beginning of Word War One." DJ Calli provided the music.

The CDS has been active lately. With Tor Karlsvalt as their current Chancellor, they have been in the process of having their community's land moved closer to VWEC Eduverse and other science sims. They also have an exhibit at the Second Life Birthday celebration, at SLB Amaze (164/63/23).
 

Announcement: CDS Inagural Ball Today, Noon to 2 PM

 

"La Belle Epoque" the Inaugural Ball for the 37th Term: Sunday, June 12, 2022
.
You are invited to the CDS Inaugural Ball for the 37th Term!

Join  in the beautiful Neufreistadt Schloss Ballroom to celebrate with the newly elected CDS Government Members and to celebrate our move to VWEC Eduverse

"La Belle Epoque"
The era spanning years between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the Beginning of Word War One

Sunday, June 12, 2022
12noon-2pm
Neufreistadt Schloss Ballroom
DJ Calli presiding

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/246/145/203

**Dress is formal preferably from the historical period.

(Search on Regency and/or Edwardian for many options for "meshies", male and female, fewer for classic avatars.)
 

CDS Swears In New Representative Assembly

 

On Saturday June 4, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators swore in their latest group of Representative Assembly members, their 37th. They were Brian Livingston, Almut Brunswick, Jerry McNally, Agatha Macbeth, and Rosie Gray. The swearing in was done by the Dean, Delia Lake.

On Sunday June 12, the CDS will hold their Inaugural Ball, from Noon to 2 PM at the Schloss Ballroom.
 

CDS Announcement: Indigoskye Books is Open!

 

I want to welcome the citizens of CDS to the opening of Indigoskye Books, a bookstore dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, and speculative poetry.

Downstairs is the bookstore where you can find information and a link to my latest book "Eccentric Orbits 3" an anthology of speculative poetry.  Many of the top poets in speculative poetry supported this volume with their outstanding poems.  If you wondered what speculative poetry is, this is the anthology to explore what this genre has to offer.

As time goes on, you will find a library of notecards featuring my reviews of classic science fiction and fantasy books along with more speculative poetry.  The first few are available on the shelves featuring classic science fiction books..

Upstairs is home to Gallery Indigoskye.  A small gallery featuring my second life art.  The paintings are for sale or click the sign upstairs to join my Flickr feed that showcases my travels around Second Life.

Find Indigoskye Books in Colonia Nova, just north of the main square and across the street from the public baths.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/60/229/45
 

CDS Election Update: The Candidates

 

On  April 18, the Confederation of Democratic Simiulators (CDS) made it's call for candidates in their upcoming elections. On May 2, the day after the deadline, the Dean, Delia Lake, announced the list.

Chancellor - Tor Karlsvalt

Representative Assembly - Almut Brunswick, Jerry McNally, Rosie Gray, Agatha Macbeth, and Brian Livingston

A big thank you to you all from all of your fellow CDS citizens!

With the number of candidates being exactly the number of offices, this usually means the election becomes a formality. But this time, there's also a referendum to vote on.

"Should CDS join the Virtual World Education Consortium and move to the VWEC Eduverse reserve?"

A proposal has been made for CDS to join the Virtual World Education Consortium (VWEC) and move the estate at no cost to an educational/non-profit reserve on the SL Grid.

The purpose of the VWEC Eduverse reserve is to bring educational communities together into a common area. That area will include welcoming spaces for socializing and educational purposes, and for providing convenient links to the larger educational community. As well as supporting diversity and inclusion, there will also be opportunities for collaborative educational projects, and for sharing best practice of learning within virtual environments.

The CDS Government and a group of citizens already active in the VWEC are convinced that the CDS would blend in well. We can contribute as one of the oldest democratic communities in Second Life and our numerous creators and instructors can work towards the goals of the VWEC Eduverse.

As a VWEC member region, we would anticipate mutual inspiration and collaboration with our new neighbors. This could also have positive effects on the further development of the CDS community.

We will remain an independent working democracy within this wider community.

The idea of joining the Eduverse was favored by the current Representative Assembly. But as RA member Almut Brunswick put it, "I prefer to make this vote more official and transparent to the CDS public." So the matter will be put to the voters as a referendum. The matter was discussed in the CDS forums.

The campaigning doesn't officially start until May 7. But already residents are expressing their support for the issue. At the Antiquariat Bookstore at Neufreistadt (154/165/173), those in the CDS group can pick up a t-shirt, courtesy of Lilith Ivory.

Voting starts when the polls open on May 14, and close on May 21. On June 1, the new term of the local government, the 37th, officially begins.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Call for Candidates for the 37th Term of CDS Government

 

It's election time in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators. Unlike most places in Second Life, the CDS chooses it's leadership. And twice a year, they have an election for their Representative Assembly and their Chancellor. 

The schedule for this spring's election go as follows:

April 8 - Census of citizens for eligibility to run for office

April 15 - Citizen qualification deadline for right to vote

April 18 - Call for Candidates for Chancellor and for RA

May 1 - Deadline for Declaration of Candidacy

May 4 - Dean posts list of candidates

May 7 - Campaigning starts

May 14 - Polls open

May 21 - Polls close

May 22 - 31, incoming RA take their affirmations of office and members meet to elect their officers

June 1 - The RA and Chancellor of the 37th Government of the CDS take office.

It was on April 17, a day early, that the Call for Candidates went out.

Today (April 17) is the first day to declare your candidacy for the offices of Representative Assembly (RA) and Chancellor. These are very important offices for our CDS Community. When we elect these representatives we are electing friends and neighbors to work on our behalf to set the direction of our community, enact our laws and regulations, and manage all the tasks that keep the CDS a wonderful place to live. Now is your time to participate and declare candidacy.

So far, one person, Almut Brunswick, has declared his intention to run. More will certainly follow in the next ten days. 

In contrast to many real-life elections, the CDS elections have remained largely drama-free for some years.  

Stay tuned for more information.
 

"All that Jazz: CDS Spring Ball", April 16, 2022, 12 Noon-2PM

 

Join us for "All that Jazz CDS Spring Ball", brought to you by the Confederation of Democratic Simulators in celebration of Traditional Jazz month.

Performing will be CDS Citizen, Colt Shostakovich on saxophone and the unique piano and song of Ankari Holder.

Come dressed as your favorite musical instrument, in jazzy dress or formal dress. Hope to see you there!

The Schloss Ballroom
 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 *

It's St. Patrick's Day. Of the places to check out, there's the Blarney Stone Pub in the Dublin sim at (83/82/25). 

"Come visit the lively, always-exciting Blarney Stone Irish Bar in Second Life. Social events and live DJ music occur daily. Live music concerts are also held three times a week." Don't forget to look around a little as a nearby building has a few freebies. But so does the pub. And for those dropping by between events, there's a few games on the second floor.

Another location would be Castle Blarney, in the Wilde sim at (160/109/33). 

In real life, Castle Blarney is where the Blarney Stone is located. Legend has it those kissing the stone will be granted the "gift of blarney." Come by to give it a try. 

Don't hesitate to explore around a little. In a nearby sim was a Disney ride. 

And of course there are various St. Patrick's themed parties. Club Cutlass would have it's own last night with 1400 Lindens as the prize on both the male and female boards. Keep a lookout for others today and tomorrow.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

CDS Announcement: Annual Skating Party This Sunday

 

The Annual CDS Skating Party
Sunday, January 9, 2022
@Friedsee Lake

Music by DJ Night (her CDS debut)

Other events:
Zoree Jupiter, singer  Jan 8 @Aphrodite  12n-1pm
Maggi Morpath, singer Jan 15 @Venus  11am-12noon
 

Special Election at The CDS

 

The CDS will soon be having a special election, following one of the Representative Assembly resigning her position. The following was posted as an announcement in the group.

In accord with CDSL 20-02 By-Election Procedures Act, the Scientific Council has declared that the CDS will have a by-election to fill the RA seat vacated by the resignation of Han Held. The Official Census of Citizens conducted December 26, 2021 will be used for both eligibility to run for office and for voting in this election. The successful candidate will serve for the remainder of the 36th Term of Office. The dates for this by-election are as follows:

[b]Jan 2[/b] - Call for declarations of candidacy
[b]Jan 9[/b] - Period for declarations closes ,
[b]Jan 9[/b] - Citizen Census list declared final and accepted
[b]Jan 17[/b] - Candidate campaigning begins
[b]Jan 29[/b] - Polls open
[b]Feb 5[/b] -  Polls close

Candidates please declare your intent to run for the open RA seat by giving a no-modifications notecard stating your intent to Delia Lake, SC Dean.
 

CDS Inagural Ball, With Incoming Chancellor, Tor Karlsvalt

 *

On Saturday December 4, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators held their Inaugural Ball. The event was to honor the new Chancellor and Representative Assembly for their 36th term. The theme was "Cruising the Canal," and the ballroom had some sand brought in, as well as DJ Calli playing some beach music. The event went from 12 Noon to 2 PM.

 Tor Karlsvalt is the incoming Chancellor, replacing Kyoko Barzane (Samara Baranze). The members of the representative Assembly are Almut Brunswick, Rosie Gray, Han Held, Jerry McNally, and Cathy Sabre.

There was a little discussion of current events, such as a blizzard on the Hawaiian Islands, which got a few chuckles. There was a little mention of some of the CDS sims starting to get some snow on them.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: Grand Opening of The Aphrodite Ballroom, Dec 11

 

Grand opening of The Aphrodite Ballroom will be Saturday, December 11, 2021 from noon-1pm. Zoree Jupiter will perform on this special occasion.

Continuing the Grand opening of The Aphrodite Ballroom we will enjoy the songs and stories of Maggi Morpath on a holiday theme. Sunday December 12, 2021 from 11am-12noon.

The ballroom is a lovely intimate space opposite The Venus Cafe in Colonia Nova.

Plenty of champagne will be served

Semi-formal to Formal
.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/68/162/37
 

CDS Announcement: Aki No Odori

 

Our dear friends from Kyoyo Kagai will perform three dances for us, including the wonderful "Two Frogs"

Sunday, Nov. 22, 2021
11am-12 noon
C.D.S Amphitheatre
 

CDS Announcement: Candidates For Election

 

We have candidates who declared for each open office for the 36th Term of CDS Government.

1 Chancellor - Tor Karlsvalt
5 RA - Han Held, Rosie Gray, Almut Brunswick, Jerry McNally, and Cathy Sabre

Thank you for your commitment to our CDS community.

SC Dean Delia Lake

*************************   

As a fellow citizen and current chancellor I want to thank all of you who declared as candidates for Term 36

Chancellor Kyoko Barzane (Samara Barzane)
 

CDS Announcement: Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

12 noon-2pm SL time
October 31, 2021
Music by DJ Calli

Our second celebration in CDS of "Day of the Dead." Music by DJ Calli. Decorations have been totally updated by Lilith Ivory.

Come for a unique and exciting event! Bring your friends along to sharer the experience :)

Costumes strongly encouraged, but not required.

More information: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/158/182/157
 

Election Schedule For The CDS, Fall 2021

 

"Hard to believe that we are more than halfway through our 35th term of government but we are. We in the CDS have the privilege of electing our governing officials to represent us in forming and maintaining the laws and policies that determine the structure of our community. This privilege is rare in Second Life. It's also rare in real-life. We should not take this privilege for granted. Any CDS citizen in good standing as of Oct 9, 2021, is eligible to run ..."

CDS 36th TERM in the autumn of 2021

Dean of SC notifies citizens of dates

Qualification deadline to run for office
    - October 9, based on citizenship according to the October 8 CDS Census

Qualification deadline for right to vote
    - October 16

Call for candidates for RA and Chancellor announced
    - October 18

Deadline for declaration to run for RA or Chancellor
    - October 31

Dean posts list of candidates
    - November 3

Campaign starts
    - November 6

Polls open
    - November 13

Polls close
    - November 20

Announcement of new officers for the 36th Term
    - not later than November 21

New RA Affirmation of Office
    - between November 21 and December 1 at the convenience of the new officers

New RA Schedules first meeting and election of LRA
 - On or shortly after December 1, 2021