Announcement: All Day Caledon Anniversary Celebration Schedule

 

 Starts at Saturday 9am, ends at 9pm!  Come join us!

 9am  - NeoBokrug DJs some "music"
 10am - Trilbymania - Triblymania
 Noon - Justine Plays Live
 1pm  - Dia G. - Dia the Second Duchess of Sound
 2pm  - Secret Steampunk Movie
 4:30pm - Samm Florian: Buildarama!
 6pm  - Magda Fairlander: Swing, brother, swing ...
 7pm  - Major General Badger: Shoegaze on a Shoestring Budget

 Here:  Caledon (194,198,23) 

Mardi Gras Parade And Party In Bratsville

 

 

Today is Mardi Gras, also known as "Fat Tuesday" or "Carnival." There will be a few places holding themed events. But one place you won't want to miss is the Mardi Gras Parade in the Bratsville sim. 

 

 The Mardi Gras Parade is open in 2026. It will run from ... Friday Feb 13 thru Sunday Feb 22 in  a full 256x256 sim & contains 100 floats, most of which are ridable by those of us in Second Life for pics & videos of us & our friends, or the new ones we meet while riding them together. There will be DJs & Live singers, as well as a continous Blues music stream for us. 

 

 

Dropping by, there were plenty of floats, balloons, bands, and more going down the street. Many were playing their own music, such as the Wonder Woman float which played the tune from the 70s TV show. Some floats, and a couple balloons, also had poseballs one could hop on and dance. To avoid feeling alone, there are a number of still figures on the street, watching the parade with you. 

 

But the parade isn't the only attraction at the sim. At the west end of the street is a party area with a dance floor and stage. I dropped by to see a couple performers entertaining an audience with dance and song. This included Bayou Diesel, who heads the "Fans of the Mardi Gras Parade" group. 

 

Bayou reminded me the parade was created by FrannyDJ Dean, who ran it until she passed away in 2023. But a band of fans has kept the parade alive. And this year. one can do more than watch the parade. For today, Mardi Gras, there will be four parties, with DJs, from 11 AM to 9 PM (two hour break).  

 

11 AM to 1 PM: DJ Jaap, 3PM to 5PM : DJ Elise Boop, 5PM to 7PM : DJ Ali Heron. 7 to 9PM : DJ Bard Wasp 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bratsville/34/129/23

 

Happy Fat Tuesday, 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

RFL Press Release: Relay Season Kickoff This Saturday, February 7, 10 AM

 

Wild for a Cure

Some journeys feel like stepping into the unknown.

The path twists. The terrain gets rough. The nights feel long.

For anyone touched by cancer, the journey can feel like pushing through a dense jungle with only hope as a compass.

That’s why our 2026 Relay For Life of Second Life theme is “Wild for a Cure.”
Because this fight takes courage. Because it takes heart. Because it takes a community brave enough to venture forward together. 

On Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10am SLT at the American Cancer Society Island (ACS2 & ACS3), we invite you to join us for our Kickoff Celebration, where we officially begin another season of fundraising, remembrance, survival, and determination in support of the American Cancer Society.

This is where our expedition begins.

A Wild Celebration of Life, Strength, and Hope

Our kickoff will burst to life, featuring dynamic dance performances by the Playdolls and the Dreamstars, bringing rhythm, color, and electric energy to the heart of our celebration. A poem written and performed by Sugar (Vibrat0) will inspire us to press on. And we’ll hear an incredible story of survival from Nicole Malady & Hellraiser. 

The kickoff celebration is more than entertainment. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of hardship, there is movement. There is joy. There is life worth celebrating.

Why We Gather

We gather for the survivors who kept going when the trail seemed impossible.

We gather for the caregivers who carried hope when others felt too tired to stand.

We gather to honor those we’ve lost, whose stories continue to guide our way.

And we gather for a future where fewer families have to walk this path.

Every step we take through Relay For Life of Second Life helps the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research, provide patient support, improve prevention, and offer guidance to people facing cancer at every stage of their journey.

This kickoff is where our collective mission takes shape.

Where teams form.

Where goals are set.

Where hearts align around a single purpose: a world without cancer.

What Awaits You at the Kickoff

• Powerful stories of survival, remembrance, and resilience

• A preview of our 2026 Relay season and what resources are available to volunteers

• Opportunities to join a team or start your own

• Community moments to honor loved ones and celebrate life

• Music, performances, and an atmosphere charged with wild, unstoppable hope

Join the Adventure. Join the Fight.

You don’t need to be fearless.

You just need to be willing to take the next step.

Whether you’re a longtime Relay supporter or new to the cause, this kickoff is your invitation to step into the wild with us. To run toward hope. To stand with fighters. To help carve a trail toward cures.

Bring your heart.

Bring your memories.

Bring your courage.

Let’s go Wild for a Cure, together.

 

Second Life Coast Guard 20th Anniversary Celebration

 

 This weekend, the Second Life Coast Guard is throwing it's 20th Anniversary celebration.

 

Join the Second Life Coast Guard (SLCG) as they celebrate 20 years of excellence in virtual maritime service, training, and community engagement. This milestone weekend is packed with live entertainment, thrilling demonstrations, a silent auction benefiting Relay For Life, and immersive experiences that showcase the heart and history of one of Second Life’s most respected roleplay organizations. Highlights include boat and air showcases, training center demos, and performances from August 22–24. 

 

 The events today are schedules as follows:

 

9:00        Recruit Training Center blimp flyby             
                        
10:00        Sail Training Center "Sea Eagle"               
                        
11:00        Live Singer    Quartz       
                        
12:00        Live Singer    Amberle    
                        
13:00        Music    DJ Jax     
                        
14:00        Music    DJ Judith     
                       
15:00        Music    DJ Farryn    

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Farcastle/94/159/22

Reminder: SL Newser Party Today

 

 Just a reminder, there will be a party at the Happy Vixen in honor of the SL Newser, which is celebrating it's 15th anniversary this month. It's going on from 12 Noon to about 2PM, with music by DJ Snowbuns. 

 

Come on over and take part in the fun.  

 

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)   

Join The Newser For A PARTY! (Take Two)

 

Okay, the first time around got scrubbed due to real life. So we're at it again. 

 

It was fifteen years ago this month in which the SL Newser started. And to celebrate, a party will be held. It will be at the Happy Vixen Beach Club at Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24). this Saturday June 14. The planned time is from 12 Noon to 2PM SL time. DJ Snowbuns will be spinning the tunes.

 

Come on over and get a chance to meet some of Second Life's roving reporters.  

 

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)  

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor

 

Join The Newser For A PARTY!

 

 It was fifteen years ago last week in which the SL Newser started. And to celebrate, a party will be held. It will be at the Happy Vixen Beach Club at Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24). this Saturday June 14. The planned time is from 12 Noon to 2PM SL time. DJ Snowbuns will be spinning the tunes.

 

Come on over and get a chance to meet some of Second Life's roving reporters.  

 

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)  

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor

 

Abnor Mole's Speech for Bellisseria Mole Day

 

Last Friday, Belliseria started off it's Mole Day Celebration Weekend. It started off with Abnor Mole, one of the more familiar of Linden Lab's Moles, giving a speech.  The Newser wasn't able to make it. But thankfully someone copy-pasted the speech and put it in notecard for the Belliseria group. So what was talked about?

Read more in Events.

Bellisseria Citizens Group Weekend Celebration Schedule For Friday

 

Bellisseria Citizens Group Weekend Celebration at Bellisseria Fairgrounds on Friday 30th: 

10 AM SLT Abnor Mole's speech and more! 

11 AM SLT 11AM SLT Moleseum tour! 

Come along to celebrate with the great team that gave us Bellisseria! Don't forget to ask nicely for their bears and / or trading cards 

Annoucement: Bellisseria Citizens Group Mole Day Celebration Weekend!

 

 

 Join us for an unforgettable weekend featuring the Moleseum Tour, a stroll down Memory Lane, live singers, DJs, games, and surprises!!! Let's celebrate the team that gave us Bellisseria and keeps on making it even better every day before going back to school / work, etc.  August 30th - September 1st. 

Commentary: Reflections on the SL21B

 

Second Life is now "old enough to drink." And while most residents are happy, a few feel like having a drink themselves.

There's no doubt that the Lab would have prefered that this year's Second Life Birthday be remembered when it showcased it's PBR update and finally brought out it's mobile viewer. While that's part of how it will be, unfortunately there are some details the Lab would prefer we the residents forget.

In late February came allegations in an anonymous online article that a number of Lindens and Moles had been involved in ageplay, offering no real evidence. Despite the caution of the Second Life media, the Newser and others only giving hints of what was going on or limiting themselves to saying there was an investigation, and that the host website took down the article, word got around as rumors do. While most may believe "all remain innocent until proven guilty," some instead were "once accused, always suspect." A few Lindens and moles named in the accusations were regulars on Bellisseria chat and stopped chatting, laying low. They would not appear at the WVBPE Conference and one would briefly show up at the Fantasy Faire. Finally at the Second Life Birthday they would appear as normal. This was a relief to most, though there were still one or two people going, "Hide the children!"

About a month and a half before the Second Life Birthday came the Linden response to the ageplay allegations: more restrictions on child avatars. They would all need to have "modesty layers" under their clothes. But more importantly would be completely barred from  Adult-rated sims, even if there was nothing overtly sexual outside private homes and the rating was there only because those making their home there were afraid the Lab would ban them for what went on behind closed doors under any milder rating. The Moon Dance and possibly a few other Relay events were barred to child avatars, and while Burn2 once allowed both nudity and child avatars, it is currently deciding which to do away with. Marianne McCann and possibly others whotook part in the past may not be able to do so any more without changing from the look they've been known for.

Soon after, it was announced that the mobile viewer could not be used to take users to Adult-rated areas either. The viewer could be gotten only through Google Play and Apples App Store, both of which had rules about what products available there could show. Between this move and the rule about child avatars, for better or for worse Adult sims were no longer as acessible as they were compared to Mature ones. For some places, this brings up a choice. Do they remain Adult to soothe nagging fears by some who make their home there about what the Lab will do if they spend a little private time with a loved one (or friend with bennefits), or do they lower the rating to make the place more accessible?

And this was the time in which Firestorm, the most popular viewer, released it's PBR (Physical Based Rendering) update. And so the majority of residents were now able to see objects made with this feature, notably the first truly functional mirrors. It was a joy to a number of residents. But for others, notably with older computers, it wasn't. A few people I talked to complained of greater lag and even crashes. Former Newser reporter, who was scheduled to DJ at the Second Life Birthday, had to cancel as he lagged heavily and repeatedly crashed. He would make the decision to leave Second Life for good. How many others did the same is unknown. And a better computer isn't always better for Second Life. I was told about someone's brand new expensive PC that was "barely able" to play the new viewer.

In some ways, it's a reminder of Linden Lab's delima. Unless Second Life is updated, fewer new users will come in. But the problem is, updating means higher requirements for computers. And so those with older machines end up with slower virtual experiences that can make going about here less easy and more difficult, and eventually not able to get on. And 21 years after Second Life's creation, working class residents often have less disposable income than their forebears, and it takes them longer to save for a better computer, if they can save at all.

The Second Life Birthday itself would reflect some of these happenings. People cheered at the sight of certain Lindens and Moles who had been lying low for a while. Much of the terrain, and many of the exhibits took advantage of the new PBR technology, which was a treat for those who could see it. The theme "Elements" was an odd one, but thankfully one didn't need to make their exhibits adhire strictly to the theme. And there is quite a variety of exhibits to see. Plus with this year's SLB lasting a month, more time to see them.

There was one other difference from previous recent birthdays. Instead of a Musicfest at the start with a lot of DJs and singers at the begining weekend with a smaller number of stage events the rest of the celebration, this year all the scheduled performances were in the first ten days, then no more. But there will almost certainly be a few performers step up in the closing hours to help end things with a bang.

As with previous birthdays, there were a few things that raised eyebrows, but much to celebrate, such as despite all the naysayers saying we were doomed, the glitches, the recessions, and the occasional Linden blunder, we're still here.

Happy twenty-first birthday, Second Life. And here's to many more.

Bixyl Shuftan 

SL Newser

The Second Life Birthday Begins

 

 

 The Second Life Birthday is underway! Sometime earlier today, the sims were made open to all, and people could finally drop in and go around the exhibits, theaters, and other locations.

 

 

The welcome area is at SLB Awesome at (128/136/46).

With plenty of exhibits to see across the sims.

Patch gave a speech at the opening ceremony at 2 PM.

This was followed by the music events at the theaters.

Happy Birthday Second Life

Bixyl Shuftan

SL21B Begins Today

 

 

For those waiting for the Second Life Birthday, today is the big day. Sometime today, the sims will open to all, and the music stages, the shop and hop, and the exhibits will be open for all to see.

It is unknown just what time the sims will be open, but the Opening Ceremony will be 2PM, hosted by Patch Linden. It will be at the Aquatorium theater in SLB Mesmerize, SLB Pizzazz, and SLB Spellbound. At 3 PM, the music begins at the three music theaters, The Nimbus, Firestone Keep, and The Stonehold.

 

 

This includes the Newser exhibit, built by Silvia Ametza and her team, located at SLB Incredible (23/26/21).

 

See you at the SLB

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Second Life Birthday, SLB Shop And Hop, Start Tomorrow

 

 

 After weeks of preperation and months of anticipation, the Second Life Twenty-First Birthday celebrations, also known as the SL21B, are almost here. There's the music, the meet the Lindens events, the Shop and Hop (image above), and of course all those exhibits.

For a lucky few, the Shop and Hop has already started with early access. For the rest, it opens fully tomorrow.

 

While we don't have the exact time the sims will be open, the Opening Ceremony will be 2PM, hosted by Patch Linden. It will be at the Aquatorium theater in SLB Mesmerize, SLB Pizzazz, and SLB Spellbound. At 3 PM, the music begins at the three music theaters, The Nimbus, Firestone Keep, and The Stonehold. 

 

Next week, are the Meet the Lindens (and Moles) wvents, from Tuesday June 25 to Friday June 28. On Monday July 1 is the Second Community Roundtable with Chairman Oberwolf Liden and Patch Linden.

 

And don't forget to check out the exhibits. This includes the Newser's exhibit, built by Silvia Ametza and her team, located at SLB Incredible (23/26/21).

Bixyl Shuftan

Reminder: The Second Life Birthday Starts Friday

 

Just a reminder. The Second Life Birthday, aka the SL21B, will be starting in a few days.  On Friday June 21, the sim will open up to the public. Presumably there will be an opening ceremony soon after. The times of both have yet to be announced. 

Later will be the "Meet the Lindens" events, this year known as the Town Hall and Community Roundtable. 

Stay tuned for more details.

Picture from Destination Guide

Announcement: Furry Fashion's Seventeenth Anniversary

 

 

 FF's 17th birthday will be celebrated on may 5th with back to back events 2pm to 8pm in the lounge, if anyone wants to donate towards the prize fund or sponsor via giftcards or products etc feel free to poke a admin to drop it on them!

 

Scenes From the Bellisseria Anniversary Grounds

 

Bellisseria, the Linden Home continent, turns five years old this month. And there's a month of celebrations planned. Much of them will be taking place at a special Fairgrounds created just for the occasion, one that's been in the works for some time. Gemma Cleanslate went and checked out the place.

 

Read Gemma's article in Design. 

 

SL Video: "Bellisseria 5th Anniversary Celebration

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Pring Productions on March 29 , "Celebrate 5 years of Bellisseria with us. Bellisseria's 5th Anniversary : April 15th, 2019 - 2024. Celebration runs from April 2nd - April 30th, 2024 @ Bellisseria Fairgrounds."

Second Life Rings In 2024

 

 

Sunday December 31 was New Year's Eve. In real-life, there were parties large and small around the world. And here in Second Life, there were a number. At Burning Man Deep Hole, the Burners and friends threw a party.

Some people were in paper airplanes, for some reason. Good for traveling from one party to the next maybe. 

 

Virtual Ability had a small party, hosted by Gentle Heron.

 

 

Complete with a view of Times Square, the scene of America's largest New Year's celebration.

 

Bellisseria Fairgrounds had a large event with many people. 

Some were wearing "DeadMaus" hats. What the reason was, no one spoke a thing while I was there. 

Goodbye 2023, and hello 2024. It'll be a year full of events. And the Newser will cover a number of them.

Happy New Year

Bixyl Shuftan

New Year's Eve

 

 

New Year's Eve is upon us. And so that means saying goodbye to the old year of 2023 and hello to the new one of 2024. A number of places are doing so. The community of Caledon, along with friends from other communities such as the Sunweavers, will be ringing in the new year at the Goblin Cave in Caledon Downs. The party starts at 8PM SL time, and at every hour starting at 9 (12 Midnight EST).

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/104/89/32

 

 For the Second Life mainland (and those staying up later), one of the larger celebrations will be at Bay City. It's at the Bay City Fairgrounds, and starts at 11PM SL time, with the Prim Drop taking place at 11:59 PM, set to land right at Midnight and the start of 2024.

Bay City Fairgrounds, North Channel (103, 134, 28)

 

There are other celebrations, so keep an eye out for them.

Bixyl Shuftan