Anouncement: Baron Klaus Wulfenbach Laying in State in Antiquity

 

From the Antiquity group:

 

It is with sorrow that her Imperial Majesty announces the death of Herr Baron Klaus. Former Prime Minister, Ambassador, and friend of Antiquity. 

He will lay in state in the Repose of the Capital Building,  from Monday the 10th of November for those wishing to pay their respects and sign the book of memorial.

The Royal Family joins all people that knew Herr Klaus (in the many lives they had), in mourning.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20Tejas/151/173/24
 

RFL Announcement: Antiquity ACTS Magic of Hope

 

Travel through the portals...discover Magic through the Ages!

May 15th
12noon slt

Dress Code: come as you are...or something magical!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20Texas/224/225/1957

Antiquity Art Museum At Texas Capitol Building

 

The Newser was notified about the opening of an art exhibition in the Antiquity area. Dropping by, the opening party was characterized by people in period clothing. Bixyl Shuftan had a talk to the person behind the exhibit, Jacon Cortes de Bexar (Jacon Cortes) about the exhibit, and why it's location. 
 
Read more in Design. 
 

Scenes From the Texas Furry Fiesta

 

Last weekend, the Texas Furry Festival took place in Second Life. Moved here and a few other places online due to the Pandemic, it was a way people could still attend the usually real-life convention. The Newser was there, and took a few pictures.

See more in Events.

Texas Furry Fiesta Going Virtual

 

Last year in 2020 with the Coronovirus Pandemic in full swing, numerous conventions were canceled. One, Gen Con, would go virtual that year with much of the event taking place in Second Life. Today, while there are vaccines increasingly available, the Pandemic is still with us and conventions that would normally take place this time of year are having to make decisions. Some are canceling or postponing the decision on whether or not to have one this year. But one, the "Texas Furry Fiesta," is doing what Gen Con did last year and take the event virtual, including partially here in Second Life. 

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that Furry Fiesta will not be having a physical event in 2021. ... This was not an easy decision. We considered the options, seeing if there were ways we could structure our event to improve safety. Vaccines are on the horizon, but the logistics of their distribution are daunting and CDC projections indicate that none will be widely available until after our event. Ultimately ...  we must accept the reality that an in-person event at this time would risk the health and safety of our community.

However, this will not be the end of Furry Fiesta for I am happy to announce that we are planning a virtual event! Details are still being determined and more information will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks. We know how important TFF is to our community, so we are striving to ensure that we can provide the best possible virtual event.

The event will be taking place on four places online (link). This includes here in Second Life. The Fiesta has a place in the Crimson sim on the mainland in two sections. The ground level section is a beach area with the sounds of waves lapping at the shore, with a pier and campfire. There's also a freebie store where one can pick up some dated but still useful furry avatars free of charge. By clicking on a crystal, one will be teleported to the upper area. This is an urban setting in a city park area with a couple games to play. There's also a building with a dance floor on the upper level.

It should be noted the sim is ranked moderate, and people attending are asked to abide by the rules, including keeping things PG-13 or cleaner. Residents are asked to keep drama and other issues outside. 

Besides Second Life, the event will also be taking place on VR Chat, Minecraft, and Discord.

The event officially runs from Friday March 26 to Sunday March 28. For a schedule of the event, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crimson/158/223/23

Bixyl Shuftan
 

The Big Chill: Arctic Weather Brings Power Outages

 

It's been a cold week across much of the US. A cold blast of air with temperatures most in the US would associate with Alaska and northern Canada has moved south not just into the northern states but also down south to the southwest and south-central states. Texas in particular has been hit hard as much of the state is without power. But the damage isn't just there and millions across the country have lost electricity, and of course Internet. The power outages aren't just from downed power lines, but blackouts being done to preserve power grids.

Over the news, there are stories of people in southern Texas burning furniture, children's wood blocks, and fenceposts to stay warm and cook.  More than thirty people across the country have died because of the cold, some from carbon monoxide poisoning when they kept the car running in the garage to stay warm. While "warming shelters" were an option in some cities, there was a risk from the Pandemic. In one town, people were advised to boil water before drinking it (which could be a problem without power).

In Second Life, a few residents I usually see haven't been on for a few days. Two from Texas messaged me, saying their power was out and wouldn't likely be getting back on soon, one saying she was told not to expect it to come back on for good until next week. Another ran out of firewood, until hearing where he could get some more and drove through icy roads for over an hour to get it. I've noticed some DJ events in clubs needing a substitute. 

As bad as the situation is now, it won't last forever. Warmer weather should arrive next week, and for most of the affected areas so should the power. And of course their ability to get back online.

Source: Associated Press, weather.com

Image sources: www.weathercentral.com, weather.com

Bixyl Shuftan

News And Commentary: No Plans For Covering US Election in SL This Spring

Over the past few days, there's been quite a bit of chatter on my social media in Facebook at Discord about certain political issues, notably the unsuccessful impeachment of US President Donald Trump. But there were also comments about President Trump's State of the Union Address and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reaction to it. While results of the vote itself were more or less as expected, there was still no shortage of angry comments. There were both people expressing their fury at the President and those who voted for him, and the President's opposition and those who voted for them. 

Like Election Night 2016, I ended up reflecting for some time at the Texas State Capitol Building in Antiquity Texas (153/132/22), the closest Second Life has to Capitol Hill. While I had thought of covering the election some this spring, the frequency and depth of the anger I've been hearing has convinced me to wait a little longer. There's plenty else to write about in the meantime.

Perhaps a little time will help calm the angry voices ... hopefully. As a reader of American history, I am all too aware of what can happen when there is no longer an agreement to disagree. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Gamer Gets Help For Friend Having Seizure 5000 Miles Away

To those who say online friends aren't real friends, the parents of a 17 year old gamer, Adian Jackson, would disagree. They were watching TV in their home in Widnes, Great Britian, while their son was playing games on his computer upstairs. They had no idea anything was amiss until two police cars with lights flashing drove over. The three officers told them they'd gotten a call that something was wrong with the boy. Going upstairs, the boy was found "severely disoriented and not fully conscious of his surroundings." He still had his headset on, and a gamer friend, the one whom had made the call, was still online trying to talk to him.

The other gamer was Dia Lathora of Texas, 5000 miles away. While they were both gaming online, he suddenly stopped talking Dia was able to guess he was having a seizure. She had his address, but not his phone number, so she tried to reach an emergency number. While she couldn't find it, she was able to talk to someone, and though that person was able to explain what was happening.

"We always say to the kids, be careful who you speak to online," Caroline Jackson stated, "but in this case, it was invaluable."

Sources: BBC News, Liverpool Echo

"Hope After Harvey" Shopping Fundraising Event at Arima City

Besides the two items up for sale on Marketplace with the money going for charity, and the fundraising kiosk at Furry Fashion, there's another fundraiser in Second Life to help out people in need of help due to the flooding in Texas caused by Hurricaine Harvey. This one is a shopping event at the Arima City Sim.

In Second Life we often forget, when we stare at perfect pixels all day, every day, that there are real people behind these avatars. And as real people, sometimes we suffer the real realities of life and its struggles. Recently, Models Giving Back received a notecard from one such individual, affected by the displacement of the recent evacuations throughout Texas and other surrounding areas..

So many people that are our friends, co-workers, and families here in Second Life are affected by the devastation that was left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. And, as we know from previous water related emergencies, it will take a long time to recover fully.

Therefore, we as Models Giving Back have decided to run a two week fundraising event to help. For some in Second Life this might be the only way they can help make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering right now.

The area has numerous small shops with items for sale, with 100% of the money spent going to charity. Among what's up to purchase are dresses, t-shirts, shoes, skins, nails, and more. The money goes to the American Red Cross and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

For more information, check out the event blog at https://hopeafterharvey.wordpress.com/.

Source: A Style Asylum

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Arima%20City/60/199/23 

Bixyl Shuftan

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fundraiser Kiosk at Furry Fashion

As the damage left by the massive flooding in Texas by Hurricane Harvey is revealed as the waters recede and homeowners return home often to find their place ruined, the scale of the damage is becoming more and more staggering, thought to be as high as 180 billion US dollars. Last Friday, the Newser reported on an item for sale on Marketplace with the money promised to go to the recovery efforts by H-E-B Groceries, a major chain of grocery stores in Texas.

SynodaMae Sonnenkern, who started the first fundraiser, has come up with another. She set up a fundraising kiosk at the Furry Fashion Lounge to raise more money for H-E-B's hurricane relief efforts, "Donate now or buy a Houston Texas inspired mod! 100% of the sales will go to H-E-B's relief fund. My fellow Texans and I thank you!" Her goal is to raise 40,000 Lindens.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furry/222/215/55

Hurricane Harvey Hits Texas, Flooding, Power Outages For Residents There

Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast as a dangerous Category Four storm as the weekend was starting, resulting in major flooding in places such as Houston. As of late yesterday, five people were confirmed dead. For Second Life residents caught in it's path, the results can be being offline for a while due to power being knocked out. But with flooding and other damage to homes, some Texan SL users could potentially be offline for a while.

Hopefully the residents involved won't be offline for too long, or have much damage to deal with.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "TAMU Veterinary Medicine Class in Second Life "

From "Extenstion Initiative," "Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine students participate in a class held in the Second Life virtual world. The role play simulation involves a Veterinary Emergency Team's hurricane disaster response. Using avatars, professors and students work together in a virtual learning environment not possible in real life."

Alamo Exhibit Opens in UT Arlington

Remember the Alamo? Well, one can now find it in Second Life. Yesterday on Tuesday May the 3rd, a Grand Opening party was held for the historical build on the grounds of the University of Texas.


Read about the Alamo in Places.