Safe Waters Foundation Weekly Meeting

 

 

 For those interested in Second Life's underwater areas, and the people who have events there, you might want to check out the Safe Waters Foundation's weekly meetup, which is Saturdays at 10 AM SL time.

 

Mers Helping Mers Be Mers - Safe Waters Foundation weekly gathering, 10am SLT Saturday.  This is a discussion about all things mermaid, merman, and aquatic.  Lots of things going on - it's always a fun gathering, and all are welcome.  Please arrive a little early if you can, dress low lag and request the talking stick if you have something to share. 

 

The meetings are at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/60/236/1 

Safe Waters Foundation Weekly Saturday Meet

 

 

The Safe Waters Foundation has a weekly gathering at the Union Passage sim. It takes place every Saturday at 10 AM, and takes place in the sim's ocean floor.

 

 This is a discussion about all things mermaid, merman, and aquatic.  Lots of things going on - it's always a fun gathering, and all are welcome.  Please arrive a little early if you can, dress low lag and request the talking stick if you have something to share. 

 

While described as "Mers Helping Mers Be Mers", anyone is welcome to drop in except griefers and anyone else disruptive. While at the meeting for part of the time on Saturday July 22, I heard a few things mentioned from deals at stores to the SL Fandom Con (and reminded it was to benefit the Relay for Life), and Ŧємρєรτгα (Tempestra Varela) announced "I will be doing a class on mermaid lore and myth every other week, starting (Thursday) August 3 at 1pm and 6 pm here, will be a presentation and discussion so I hope you can come! We will start with early myths about Mermaids."

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/60/236/1

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

"Where Mercats Go"

 

 

Second Life has a number of places that appeal to water activities, and some places that appeal to tinies. But how about both? In the Safe Waters Foundation group, I heard about such a place from JoyceTravels.

 

Talahoy Mercat and Dinkie Friends,

We have been busy with SO many things making Aloha Dinkie Deep a wonderful place to play and live as Mercat and Dinkie! 

 

Dropping over with a friend, we found ourselves on a small island. Joyce and her friends greeted us, and invited us to look around and enjoy the activities. There was a surboard rezzer (and a nearby surf shack), there was a nearby tiny-sized schooner, and a tiny sailboat rezzer. I saw what looked like a sailboat race course around the small island. There was also a small dance floor for parties.

I decided to give the sailboat a try. This was a bit more detailed than some other sailboats as it took into account the wind in the virtual world. Text above the boat (not visible in the picture) showed which direction and how fast it was. It was green when the wind was directly behind you, yellow when it was to the side and slightly behind you, and red when the wind was blowing at your front. I decided to try to sail the race course. But I soon ran into trouble. Trying to get through the markers, I ended up sailing into the wind. So there wasn't anything I could do but wait. And after a few minutes of it not changing, I turned around and sailed back to the island. 

 

I recalled reading in the age of sail, sailors could sometimes have to wait for days for favorable winds. While one wouldn't have to wait that long in Second Life, it did seem patience was needed for these sailboats. Oh well.

The island was at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloha%20Beach/34/156/52

Bixyl Shuftan

"Don't Worry, Be Fishy"

 

 This was sung in the "Safe Waters Foundation" mermaid group.

Here's a little song I wail
You might want to sing it scale for scale
Don't worry be fishy
In ocean life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry be fishy
Don't worry be fishy now

Ain't got no place to lay your head SL came and took your bed
Don't worry be fishy
The landlord say your rent is late he may have to friggin wait
Don't worry
Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha
Be fishy
Look at me I'm fishy

Clarence DeLeon (binghamton Resident)

 

RFL Announcement: Mermaid Funday For RFL April 24th

 
Come enjoy a 12 hour Event at SWF Event area.
We will be raising Lindend's for RFL
Hosted by SLCS  & Seawaters Mermaids
Live singers  from 9am -9pmSLT
Ask for a notecard who is performing, look for your Favorites!

* *

April 24th

9-10 Nivor
10-11 Marqs DeSade
11-12 Star Twinlighton
12-1 Augusto Napoli
1-2 Harm
2-3 Larree Quixote
3-4 Krisie Snowdrop
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Ronnie
7-8 Holly Giles
8-9 Midnight McCarty

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/225/219/2
 

Memorial Service for JasElm Mertel

 

A number of things in real life can cause someone's journey in Second Life to end temporarily such as finances, military deployment, and illness. But one thing can end it permanently: death. Sadly, JasElm Mertel passed away earlier this month. She had friends in a number of places, including the Safe Waters Foundation. The mermaid community responded by hosting a memorial service in her honor.

Read the story in People.
 

Celebration of Life For JasElm Mertel, Saturday 11:30am

 

We are calling for anyone who knows or respects all the happiness within Second Life - we invite you to come together with us to celebrate and dance in honor of  one very joyful lady who has passed JasElm Mertel.

It is a memorial celebration as we know she'd want the waters to stay upbeat and hopeful for our future.

Who can resist??  Let us celebrate together Saturday!
11:30 am SLT

Where:  Safe Waters Foundation Chat Pavilion   -    Union Passage (58,236,2)

Theme will be Viking
 

Announcement From The Safe Waters Foundation

 

2021 has passed and we are looking forward into 2022:  Let's name this  the year of COMING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR UNDERSEA COMMUNITY.  Feel free to share this with other sea related groups - together we can continue to inject fun and energy to the sea parts of Second Life.  We hope you visit all the undersea spots - and come to Safe Waters Foundation to to find underwater resources, other sea folk, some fun and to help others in the community!

2021 was a great year for underwater seafolk communities.  Safe Waters Foundation  had a huge response to our Fantasy Faire involvement and experienced a big jump in traffic.  Traffic, as always goes in cycles -  we continue to encourage the  involvement of people and groups coming into SL and into SWF lands to take advantage of our resources.  

JustaChicky Goldshark has emerged as a solid officer for SWF and we soon will have another officer you all know - JewelMermaid, who owns the Pied Piper Mermaid Shop .  Jewel leads the concierge team - a huge sub-group of SWF that attempts to greet and help people as they come to a SWF booth (at special events) and to our headquarters location (contact Jewel if you'd like to become a SWF Concierge).

The Saturday gathering continues to be a strong weekly connection for us (thanks to Miranda and Sweete) - and a small  gathering I call "Grace Gather" now meets on Wednesdays 4:30pm to chat and go tour one of the SWF hangouts.

As usual, the winter months have been slow - but that's given us an opportunity to reflect and look for where we can improve in serving our mission.

We are excited to tell you that there are some remodeling and  upgrades coming to the Safe Waters Headquarters, Fanci's Deep Mer Mall and the Fanci's Deep Residential areas.  Adboards are being updated and we'll be offering some special rates to get people to restart there.  A very generous, talented builder team has stepped up to lead the rebuilds you will be seeing soon.   We intend to participate in Fantasy Faire again this year and will be working to strengthen our concierge team.  We are working on very fun ideas and yet still maintain that we want SWF HQ to be a place for you to go find all the fun under the sea in Second Life.  We are a hub for finding fun (but having fun doing it!)

So, while our areas have a bit of dust and disarray right now - please know that good things are in development.  You are invited to come to the Saturday gatherings as we'll try to have updates for you there as things start to happen.  We do need help in making it happen - I think right now we need volunteers for short term projects, and some quality full perm gifts if any of you like to build and share.  How can you help our community?  Things only happen when we all come together to help - please join us as we venture hopefully into a new year!

Sincerely,
GraceSWF Wrigglesworth
Founder and CEO
Safe Waters Foundation

=======================
Safe Waters Foundation Mission statement: Supporting the development of harmony and safety for merfolk and sea folk of Second Life. Bringing together and being a resource for designers, retailers, sims, merrow, mermen, mermaids, sirens, cetaceans, cephalopods, other aquatics and lovers of same in an environment that encourages diversity and awareness of RL ecological issues.

SWF Goals:
- To assist those considering an underwater life
- To increase awareness in the general public that there is an underwater option
- To make mer resources (events, projects, groups, retailers, sims, designers) visible and easily accessible
- To assist, as possible, with the viability of mer resources so they may continue to be available to the community
- To promote the conservation of RL oceans, lakes and waterways and the nature that relies on them

Please visit the SWF web page at: http://www.safewatersfoundation.com/

SWF Headquarters:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/212/223/4

Read about all things mermaid at:  http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/
 

The SL18B Begins

 

The Second Life Eighteenth Birthday is on! At 9AM on Thursday July 17, the twenty-three sims (and surrounding water sims) were open to the public. The theme this year is "Hidden Worlds."

Both Dancerina Starlight and Gemma Cleanslate, SL Newser reporters, were among the volunteers as greeters. While one can drop in anywhere, the official entrance is at SLB Beguile (16/99/53).

There are a lot of exhibits to see.

Silvia Ametza made one for the SL Newser. The build reflects the theme of "Hidden Worlds" by taking a look at the Earth and it's core. There is a number of information about the planet, and in one corner a poke at the "Flat Earth Society." The exhibit is at SLB Pizzazz (187/171/23).

Nearby is the Safe Waters Foundation exhibit, at SLB Pizzazz (197/239/6). 

Other exhibits include the American Cancer Society one, at SLB Sparkle (52/105/23). 

For freebies, there's the gift shop at SLB Enchant (214/128/23). 

Among the gifts are this SL18B teddy bear, which you can personalize. It's made by Nance Clowes.

Going down the paths in some sims, with the giant mushrooms and dim light, it looked like a dark fantasy forest at times.

The land matched the new theme of Linden Homes: Fantasy.

That's all the time we have now. We will go into detail about the Linden Homes later.

Bixyl Shuftan

Returning Sponsor: Safe Waters Foundation

   

A sponsor of Second Life Newser has returned just in time for the Fantasy Faire, the Safe Waters Foundation.

"Come and explore the largest underwater community in Second Life. Meet mermaids and mermen in their natural environment. You might decide to stay." 

Safe Waters Foundation is a "Not for profit group supporting the development of harmony and safety for merfolk and aquatics of Second Life, Bringing together designers, retailers, sims, merrow, mermen, mermaids, siren, aquatics and lovers of same."

Grace (Graceswf Wrigglesworth) is the head and founder of the group, and can answer any questions one has about them.

More information can be read about them on the Safe Water's webpage (link).

  Union Passage (233/227/1)
  

Underwater Area Maps

 

In Safe Waters Foundation chat, Celtic Infinity posted a link to a map showing some mainland, but also plenty of water sims, "The artist collective [ MD ] has been working on a comprehensive map for the Explorers among us. ... We hope it will raise awareness of how immense the undersea area is, and inspire to swim further and find new muses."

One can find a link to it on Flickr here: https://flic.kr/p/2kGaD5v

There is also a second one, "Sea of Fables," here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzsus/50993125817/in/photostream/

 

Mermaid Retreat in Trouble, Saved For Another Month

On Sunday over group chat in the Safe Waters Foundation, there was chatter among the merfolk of an underawater place in trouble, "We have a mer sim in trouble, and want us mers to come together to help out. ... It's short of L(inden dollars), by about 8K or so. ... The Mermaid Retreat ... great mer sim. So I am reaching out to see if anyone could help them."

"The owner Lady Scarlet (Luckxe Resident) is here," the person would continue, "taking donation and applying ot the land instantly." Someone else asked if help had been requested. The answer was, "Yes, she is just a bundle of nerves. (I) won't go into it, but she is one and this place means a lot, but went from sad to now almost crying form people wanting to help."

People did help. About forty minutes after the chat started, "WE SAVED IT FOR A MONTH!!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!"

The place itself is an underwater area with a few small rocky island on the surface. There are luminous underwater plants, and a large dancing area with a DJ booth. The description of the place is, "An island of tranquility and relaxation for the mind and body. Come and get lost with a sense of mythical mystery of merfolk and bonding with each other in a dreamlike state." A notecard describes the location as raising "awareness for a different charity every month," having group discussion, and a number of events and parties. Those wanting a party or wedding at the place are free to ask. The location is owned by Vivienne Koisera (Vivien0Koisera Resident) and Lady Scarlett Momobami (Luckxe Resident).

Flicker page: https://www.flickr.com/groups/themermaidretreat/

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frozen%20Field/74/48/2

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Burn2 Winter Burn 2020

Winter Burn 2020: Magic!  

Opening 5:00pm SLT, Friday 31 January 2020  BURN2, Deep Hole

Hear ye, hear ye! We welcome our magical friends,  for every being who entereth herein shall be seen as magic!  There are no bystanders, no mere observers!  Ye shall be part of the spectacle on the playa.
About Magic! Normally, Deep Hole consists of a lonely, desolate little desert town, an echo of Gerlach, Nevada, with a road that leads to the playa. This playa is a replication of a long ago dried up lake bed, with mountains surrounding. The environment is hostile, barren and dry, supporting little animal or plant life. However...

At times, there is a kind of desert magic that comes over the playa. A sudden unexpected rainstorm causes a flash flood, followed by a sudden carpeting of brilliantly coloured blooms. Almost as quickly, insects and birds, other desert wildlife arrive to take advantage of the available water before it all disappears.

Likewise, this virtual playa has its own magic and we've invited the hidden peoples of SL, from magical communities of all corners of the grid. The air has changed, and strangely fanciful flora - and some fauna - have taken hold on the dust. You'll see coloured lights glowing in the mist, beckoning to you to come closer and see the wondrous creations of magic folk. You are meant to explore, learn about, interact, and even play on these creations you’ll discover.

Some creative Burner souls set up a welcome area, a transition from the dusty lonely little town into a richly coloured and ethereal world, a new dimension of the playa, ready to welcome and embrace those who came to build, share music, and explore this world of wonder, follow pathways and pause to sit and ponder in lighted waystops. The art and music and celebration of wondrous realms will fill this place for a weekend, only to disappear into the mists soon after, then evaporate, chased away by barren emptiness of the desert once again.

So, while it exists - in the days of 31 January through 2 February - come and experience the shared magic of this Winter Burn!

This event is a unique collaboration, with Burn2 and members of magical communities from across the grid. We are deeply honoured and excited to say that Elven Forest, Faery Crossing, the Merfolk of Uhre, Safe Waters Foundation and Sylvhara are among the communities represented at the event as artists and

performers, and what they bring only adds to the delightful ambiance you will see, hear and feel around the playa. The Lamplighters​ will help to open the event with a walk-on from the Welcome Area to the main stage. Artists and builders​ have been hard at work creating their concepts of the theme.  A full schedule of performers​ - live singers, group acts and DJs will be playing, from opening on Friday all the way through to after the final Burn on Sunday evening. We always appreciate performers who may not have signed up but are interested in being “on standby.” Oh, yes… There will be a Burn!  Mark Your Calendar and SHARE the News! We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and community, to explore the builds and enjoy the music that will fill the air over the playa.

You can find the full performance schedule on the ​BURN2 Calendar​, with more information about the event here: ​https://www.burn2.org/magic-2020/​.  <

Three SL16B Exhibits

There's so many exhibits at the Second Life Birthday, we can't write about them all. But we can put the spotlight on a few. One is from the Safe Waters Foundation, a community of merfolk and their landwalking friends.

Tell your friends!  There be mermaids, mermen and sea creatures at the celebration event for SL's 16th year of existence (SLBD16)! Do come by to see our booth ... and check out the other displays.  Booth is incredibly well done by JJ Yowahoshi (Miss JJ).  Thanks  to Miss JJ and Celtic Infinity for all their hard work and talent. Hope you have a moment to drop in and admire our outreach to let people know - MER IS AN OPTION.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Astonish/29/161/21

With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing next month, it's fitting that there would be a "Back to the Moon" exhibit,  made by both the International Space Museum and National Space Society.

From the era of sock hops and the Space Age, to a possible future a short 16 years from now, the International Spaceflight Museum and the National Space Society invite you “Back to the Moon!” in a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11.

While getting a man to the Moon became science fact in 1969, in the 50s, it was still very much science-fiction. Part of the exhibit is a nod to how people in the 50s imagined the trip. Another part examines how in the near future we won't be just returning, but making a base there.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Astonish/157/99/24

With the Relay for Life in Second Life having just concluded it's fundraising season, it's fans will appreciate it's own exhibit at the Second Life Birthday. This build by Eclair Martinek resembles the inside of a 50s diner.

Since 2007 the American Cancer Society has had a "virtual office" in Second Life. The American Cancer Society provides inworld support groups for cancer Survivors and Caregivers throughout the year at Hope Haven on the American Cancer Society region. Visit the Relay for Life exhibit at SL16B for more information.


Probably the most important development in the 1950s in the fight against cancer was that the link between cigarettes and lung cancer was clearly established in 1950.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Enchant/48/200/23

Be sure to visit these, and other exhibits, at the Second Life Birthday

Bixyl Shuftan

A Busy Weekend

There were a number of events this weekend. Among them, the "Celebrating SL Women" event in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators on Saturday from 12 to 2PM SL time, and the joint SL Cheerleading Squad and Safe Water Foundation fundraiser event for the Relay for Life.

The Relay event raised 12,400 Lindens, and put the SLCS over 50,000 Linden dollars raised in total, and into Silver Level. Other events on the weekend included a festival in the ROMA community, and a Relay fundraiser by Cobras MC.

RFL Announcement: SLCS and Safe Water Foundation Underwater themed Funday Concert

Tomorrow from 9 am sl to 9 pm sl SLCS will be teaming up with the Merfolk of Safe Waters Foundation for a 12 hours Relay for Life concert. Singers Slated to attend are the following. I have included the LM for the event and bios of all the singers in the NC

9-10 Lisa Brune
10-11 Harmonia and SS
11-12 Lyric Serendipity
12-1 Phemie Garfield
1-2 ChicagoSax
2-3 Luke Auster
3-4 Luvofmusic
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Jimmy Soundz
7-8 Ronnie
8-9 Mark (singingit2ya)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/214/220/2

Valentine Dance by the Safe Waters Foundation

With Valentines Day this week, there's been quite a few Valentine parties. But how many can boast being a mermaid party? On Sunday February 11, there was a Valentines Day dance organized by the Safe Waters Foundation, held at Antiquity MarieGalante, at the Water's Edge Merhaven.

Tonight, Antiquity and Safe Waters Foundation present a Valentine Dance!  Bring your special someone, or meet them here!  Music by DJ Cynthia Maine, the Gold Mermaid.  All are welcome!

The party was held over a heart-shaped dance floor underwater on the sea bottom. As the announcement stated, not everyone whom attended had a tail and fins. And some who were, it was for the occasion, "This is a fun event.  And I do not get very often to be a mer." DJ Cynthia played songs like the theme from Titanic, "My Heart Will Go On," and Elvis Presley's "Burning Love."

I was there only a brief time, but was around long enough to hear some of the conversation. "ala everyone." "... how have you been?" "Just as fine as frog hair, how about you?" "Frogs have hair?" "They do but its very very fine." "Only if they grab it from somebody's comb." "They buy little froggy wigs."

The Safe Water Foundation. led by GraceSWF Wrigglesworth, is the largest group of mermaids and mermen, or merfolk as they're sometimes called, in Second Life. For more information about them, check their website: http://www.goldmermaid.com/SWF/ .

Bixyl Shuftan

"Mermaid Funday" Off-Season Relay For Life Benefit Held by SL Cheerleaders, Safe Water Foundation

Mermaids and cheerleaders may seem like an odd mix, but that's what was going on for twelve hours at the bottom of the Union Passage sim. The occasion: the Relay for Life in Second Life's Second Life Cheerleading Squad held a joint event with the mermaids of the Safe Water Foundation for an off-season Relay fundraiser.

It is better down where it is wetter under the sea so the SLCS Cheerleaders decided to check this out. So we are giving the mermaid life a try with out friends from Safe Waters Foundation. We are play to play done here on the ocean floor where all the fish are happy and the seaweed is always greener. Attached below in the notecard are singers performing at this event along with the LM to the event. All funds raised at this event are going to RFL

The event took place at Fanci's Deep Community Center at Union Passage (228/214/1). There were numerous performers such as live singer Harmonia Trefoil, Brix Canning, Hojo Warf, Madmax Huet, Laidback Celt, Lyric Serendipity, Bat Masters, and others.

I was told that the total amount raised "at the time of the last show was around 100 USD collected," which would be close to 25,000 Linden dollars, or "25,000 lindens under the sea" as one mermaid put it. As the event took place after the official Relay for Life fundraising season, it would not be counted as part of the SL Cheerleading Squad's total this year.

Bixyl Shuftan

Gentle Heron at the Safe Water Foundation's "Let's Mertalk"

Every other Saturday at the bottom of the Union Passage sim, the Safe Water Foundation holds their "Let's Mertalk" discussion. Last month on June 10, the discussion had Gentle Heron of Virtual Ability as the featured speaker, talking about community gateways, which had recently been in the news when Linden Lab announced their program for them was officially returning. Gentle talked about the one at her area, describing how it worked and how it was set up with people with disabilities in mind.

Read the story in Events.

Announcement: Open Merfolk Dance Saturday July 8

Safe Waters Foundation is happy to announce an Open Merfolk Dance with the lovely Cynthia Maine (Mermaid DJ) spinning tunes.

We are publicizing outside of Safe Waters Foundation and are hoping to get some curious legged folk in - can you come to show them the variety of our community and show them to our transformation center in headquarters if needed?  We also have free diving outfit up there - our builder is spiffing the place up.

Great tunes - come and dance and perhaps introduce some people to SL Underwater!

Here is how it is going out to the public:  DANCE LIKE A MERMAID (OR MERMAN)

Yes, we are dancing underwater and we will happily help you find underwater attire if you need any. There are free tails available as well as diving equipment or a little breathing bubble for your head. Or just come and dance with us as you are! Sea creatures welcome of course. How long has it been since you tried a little fun under the sea?

IM  Grace Wrigglesworth for details

Fanci's Deep Community Center, Union Passage (220, 218, 1)