In Gaming: Rise of Cultures Marks Five Years

 

 

Just a note, one of the games I play, Rise of Cultures, marked it's fifth anniversary. It did so with an inworld event, and on it's Discord. Since doing the review two years ago, I continued to play, though took breaks when I was extra busy. By now, I've gotten to the Feudal Age, or about 1000 AD. Of this level, your allies are Vikings. So some of the resources you need to progress can be acquired only from their pillaging, "We didn't steal it, it was just there and we took it." 

 

Rise of Cultures can be played on both compatible webbrowsers and some smartphones. Making "RoC" jokes, "I'm a RoC star," "Upon this RoC I stand," are optional.

 

Bixyl Shuftan. 

 

Announcement: 5th International Womens' Day Concerence at PBC

 

 

 Saturday March 8th at 12 PM SL time

Two speakers, Changhigh Sisters Fire Show, and DJ after party meet and greet.

Come celebrate the women in your life!

Attire: formal, purple, green or white (optional)
Video invite: English:https://youtu.be/L2duNix0ZoY
French version: https://www.tiktok.com/@haven.bridge3/video/7477276725043383574

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/PBC/192/193/1127

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. 

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."

SL Video: "Bellisseria is turning 5 on April 15, 2024!"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From Pring Productions (and Linden Lab) on March 28, Punky, Magellan Linden, and "Announcer Guy" riff a movie trailer about Bellisseria's upcoming anniversary. 

Announcement: Bellisseria's Fifth Anniversary

 

 

"Get ready everyone. We're going to celebrate Bellisseria turning 5 and we're going BIG"

 

For most of the month of April, the Linden Home continent of Bellisseria will be celebrating it's fifth anniversary. From Tuesday April 2 to Tuesday April 30, Bellisseria Fairgrounds (and a special area) will be the scene of DJ music parties, live singers, dance performances, hunts, art shows, races, special family day events, and of course prizes and gifts

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SSPBA1/171/249/25 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whiskey%20Bay/172/6/24 (Fairgrounds Pier)

Press Release: "Scare Me Silly" by Creations for Parkinson's

 

Join us from October 16 to 23, 2020 for the 5th Annual Scare Me Silly Event! This event will feature shopping, 2 hunts, live music, tricks & treats, and an art asylum where you can purchase art from some of your favorite artists, all in one location to benefit Team Diabetes of Second Life, an official and authorized team of the American Diabetes Association! Participation is 100% free for all merchants and artists!

For more information, Click Here.

Slurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/137/132/23 

Press Release: Team Diabetes of SL to Return For A Fifth Season

DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

WEBSITE: www.teamdiabetessl.org

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Non%20Profit%20Commons/221/30/26


We are pleased to announce the fifth season of Team Diabetes of Second Life! Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association. The mission of Team Diabetes of Second Life is to raise awareness, tolerance, and funds for diabetes in the virtual world of Second Life. According to the World Health Organization (2016): 422 million adults in the world have diabetes and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.


The official Team Diabetes of Second Life’s season will take place from October 2020  to December 2020 , with the following events scheduled to take place:


    5th Annual Scare Me Silly Event – October 16 to 23, 2020

    Art Asylum Event – October 16 to 23, 2020

    5th Annual Red Hunt – November 1 to 15, 2020

    5th Annual Red Party – November 7, 2020

    World Diabetes Party – November 14, 2020

    Red Discount Hud Shopping Event – November 15 to 30, 2020

    5th Annual Winter Showcase & Winter Art Show – December 8 to 15, 2020


In addition to the events mentioned above, individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to hold fundraising events in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life!  The official 2020 fundraising season toolkit will be available to the second life public on October 1, 20202, at the organization’s office in the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life.

About The American Diabetes Association:

The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at http://www.diabetes.org and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2382).


For More Information:

Team Diabetes of Second Life’s American Diabetes Association Page:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=11304578&pg=personal&fr_id=13123


Team Diabetes of Second Life’s Website: www.teamdiabetessl.org

American Diabetes Association Page: www.diabetes.org

International Diabetes Federation Page: http://www.idf.org/membership/meet-our-members

Press Release: 5th Annual Kultivate Spring Art Show

Dates: April 24, 2020 to May 1, 2020

Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/139/134/24

The 5th Annual Kultivate Spring Art Show will take place April 24 to May 1, 2020 and will feature 2D and 3D artists, live music, a hunt, storytelling, and cabaret dancing! We will also have a variety of giveaways and contests, so you can win a variety of artistic and photo tools, as well as lindens! This event will feature both a juried and non juried competition component, where artists will compete for prizes in a variety of categories.

Participating juried artists include: AlexAvion, angyel Resident, Anouk Lefavre, danielofangel, Eucalyptus Carroll, Freedom Voix, ilyra chardin, Jamee Sandalwood, Johannes Huntsman, Judilynn India, Kacey Macbeth, Kapaan, KodyMeyers Resident, Michael Lysios, mth63, Myra Wildmist, paineful, Rory Torrance, Sabine Mortenwold, SandyBlackCloud, Sevant Anatra, Sheba Blitz, Skye Joubert, softandred, softandred, Solana Python, Syphera Inaka, TaraAers, Tempest Rosca, Vanessa Jane, Veruca Tammas, & ViktorSavior. There are also two special exhibitions by Debauche Dance & The Art Loft.

The following live performers and instructors will provide entertainment throughout the art show:  Wolfie Starfire, SaraMarie Philly, Aislen Sings, Melenda Baptiste, Samm Quendra, Holly Giles, Savannah Rain, Mavenn, and Maximillion Kleene. Whymsee and Seanchai Library will also have special events at the art show.

About Kultivate Magazine:
Kultivate Magazine is a publication about the cultural aspects of Second Life. The goal of Kultivate Magazine is to support art, culture, photography, music, and fashion. Kultivate Magazine consists of the magazine, The Windlight Art Gallery, The Edge Gallery of Black & White Imagery,  The Kultivate Loft Gallery, The Kultivate Signature Gallery, The Kultivate AIR Gallery and The Kultivate Select Gallery. Kultivate Magazine is proud to be the media partner and primary sponsor of Team Diabetes of Second Life, an official and authorized team for The American Diabetes Association

For More Information:
https://kultivatemagazine.com/2020-spring-art-show/

RFL Announcement: Lindens to Reveal 5th Home Theme at Home And Garden Expo

The American Cancer Society is excited to host the 5th Linden Home Reveal as part of the 2020 SL Home & Garden Expo. Residents are welcome to take a tour of the new Linden Home theme that will become available at 10am SLT on Friday, February 28, 2020. Residents can land on the American Cancer Society Island and walk to the Reveal region following the directional signs from there.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/128/25

“We are always grateful for our relationship with Linden Lab and are honored to host the Themed Home Reveals,” says Stingray9798 Raymaker, American Cancer Society staff Director in Second Life. “We hope to use this opportunity as a way to educate the residents of Second Life that the American Cancer Society is here to help cancer patients and caregivers from around the world, and to give our Second Life community a means to fight back against a disease that has taken too much.”

This marks the 5th Linden Home theme that will be added to the Bellisseria community, alongside the previous 4 themes: traditional, trailers, houseboats, and Victorian. Residents of Bellisserria are sharing theories with one another in the Bellisserria forum and a queue of avatars has been sighted on the American Cancer Society island.

Source: Second Life ACS Information
 

RelayStock, Bid The Lindens Bald, Starts Today

One of the more notable multi-team events, Relaystock, will be taking place this weekend. A tribute to the famous music festival in 1969, for three days, the place will be full of hippie costumes (some better than others), 60s music, dancing, and lots of mud. The music will be provided by T1 Radio, and various DJs and live performers on stage.

Taking place at the same time is the "Bid the Lindens Bald" event. Last year, the three teams of Lindens involved raised over L$1,478,000.  And once again, three teams of Linden Lab's finest are putting their hair on the line. How much will be raised this time?

Besides the Relay Rockers who are hosting the event, many other teams are taking part, camped out in tents or vans. The Sunbeamer camp is located at RelayStock2018 (129/124/23). As of now, the team has raised 279,063 Linden dollars, closing in on Jade level.

Come on by, though bring a raincoat unless you're not afraid to get a little muddy. The fun starts today at 2PM SL time.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2018/67/14/23

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: RelayStock IS Coming Still Room for Teams

RelayStock is 7 days away!

Join us at Yasgur's Farm for the 5th annual Gathering of the Tribes in support of Relay For Life!

The Stage is FULL but a few Vans and Tents Remain

Performers expected: Nina Bing, Dimi Vonludwig Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs and Maximillion Kleene

https://relayrockers.org/relaystock-2018/

Scenes From One Billion Rising

On Tuesday February 14, many residents were at the Isle of View's "Hug a Linden/Dunk a Linden" or other Valentines Day themed happenings. But the event that most likely got the largest attendance was not a romance-themed one, but one that was part of a worldwide demonstration against violence on women and in support of women's rights globally: the One Billion Rising. Gemma Cleanslate was one of the volunteers for the event. Bixyl Shuftan dropped by briefly and took a few pictures of his own.

See the pictures in Events.

One Billion Rising in Second Life

A wonderful place to be on Valentines Day in Second Life is at the One Billion Rising Event. This is the 5th year of the event in our virtual world which coincides with the real-life event held all over the world on that day. “The Rising continues as a demand to end ALL forms of exploitation of women and girls.”

 

To read about the event check the Second Life website  https://onebillionrisingsl.wordpress.com/  and see the explanation of the statement above. This is not just a women’s event. All men who recognize the issues are definitely invited. 

“The Second Life event will feature a four-region stage where 200 people can come together to dance, surrounded by an area of art installations, an arena for poetry and dramatic productions, and informational exhibits. A variety of performers will play over the 24-hour period and poetry and dramatic events will be held at different times, enabling people all over the world to attend this virtual event no matter their timezone. The regions will have a General maturity rating to allow all residents an opportunity to participate. Pictures are welcome on the event’s Flickr group.”

 

The artists who exhibit always do a wonderful job with their installations and I am looking forward to seeing them and to the great parties on the stages. 

 

I stopped over at the offices of the OBR to pick up my t shirt. 

Saturday I hope to participate in the filming of the new "Break the Chain video. It will be my third film working with all the other dancers .  I will be greeting again this year so will see you there.

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Luskwood and Trotsdale's Anniversary Events

Last weekend on Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23, the communities of Luskwook and Trotsdale held their anniversary celebrations, Luskwood their 13th, Trotsdale their fifth. Most of the events were in the older community of Luskwood. The Newser's Bixyl Shuftan, whom has a Luskwood red fox as his trademark main avatar, dropped in to join the fun.

Read the story in Events.

Press Release: Darkwood Castle Turns Five

Editor's Note: Darkwood Castle is an adult-themed roleplay area, with graphic details such as torture and violent death. so prepare yourself for blood if you head here.

DC5B - Darkwood Castle is 5 Years Old

It all started with a small dungeon, which was initially set up as a skybox. Over the past five years, Darkwood Castle has expanded to cover a whole sim,  offering a home to enthusiasts of a special type of role play.

Using the maxim: "5 years of Darkwood Castle - 5 Days Party" we would love to celebrate with the whole SL community! We have rented an additional area on which the event will take place from 21st - 25th October inclusive. This will allow us to showcase some of the historical developments which have led to the Darkwood of today.

There is a varied program, including the following:

▷ Dream, be amazed and chill out at the Darkwood Stage when famous live musicians (including Cyberpiper, Clyde Barrow, Aminius Writer and others) will entertain you;

▷ Dance on the Bunker Stage to an eclectic mix of some of SLs best and most original DJs;

▷ Listen, question and be informed during gripping talks and lectures in the Auditorium;

▷ Watch and experience first hand the two-hour RP-show "The Darkwood Games":

▷ Discover new things in the exhibition, presenting the latest developments by developers of Adult-RP accessories;

▷ Reminisce on the History Walk, experiencing some essential stages in the development of Darkwood Castle;

▷ Enjoy art with in a exhibition of paintings;

▷ Enjoy the DC5B gifts.

Take a peek for yourself, the entire program for the five days is attached!

So!, October 21st - 25th, don't forget! We look forward to greeting you! Bring your friends!
There's more information in the Welcome Area of the DC5B Festival region, or just ask one of the DC5B staff, wearing their red T-shirts.

See you there!

Devils Cave (105, 131 23)

Press Release: Call For Merchants For The Fifth Annual SL Christmas Expo

Calling All Second Life Merchants..  The Fifth Annual SL Christmas Expo Is Waiting For You!
The Largest Holiday Shopping Event in Virtual Worlds Supports the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Second Life
_____
The Relay For Life of Second Life would like invite you to become part of the 5th Annual SL Christmas Expo, December 3 - 14, 2015.

The Expo is a holiday tradition, the largest Holiday Shopping Event in virtual worlds and supports  the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Second Life.

The theme for this year is " A Frozen Christmas".  Our four regions will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with stores and entertainment venues carved from ice.  Snow crunching underfoot, Christmas Carols filling the air and Expo-goers wandering through the shops of Second Life's finest merchants.  Add Gachas, auctions, raffles, hunts, ice skating, snowman building and Christmas Tree Shopping to the mix and you have the recipe for the perfect Holiday Shopping Setting! Oh and let's not forget Santa Claus!   All that’s needed is YOU!

Merchants can choose from 5 different Shoppe Packages from 125m square (with 50 prims) to 1600m sq. and 700 prims. You can also select indoor or outdoor locations.  Some sizes and locations are limited so act quickly.

I'm In!  What's Required of Me?
The Christmas Expo Is a Fundraising Event and as such we do require all participants to support Relay For Life.  You will be required to
  •    Pay A Registration Fee
 •    Create One (1) New and Exclusive item for 100% Donation to Relay For Life
 •    Use ONLY Relay For Life shared revenue vendors* (provided with your Welcome Kit)

       You can mix the percentage donated from each item and can choose between 50%, 75% or 100% by selecting the  preset value of each vendor and the item(s) for sale. NO OTHER VENDORS OR SALES WILL BE PERMITTED

 •    Make a donation to at least one Special Event, i.e.:
     o    Hunt For The Bells (Gift Item)
     o    Raffles or Silent Auctions ( Valuable Gifts or Gift Certificates)
     o    Christmas Tree Lot ( Limited Edition or Designer Christmas Tree)
     o    Holiday Of Hope Ball Door Prize Raffle   (Gift Certificates strongly recommended)
     o    Gacha Gallery (Gift Item)
     o    Naughty or Nice  (Novelty Gift)

•    Read and Agree to Comply with All Expo and Relay For Life Guidelines https://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/guidelines-2/

 Please visit Expo Shop Registration  https://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/expo-shop-registration/   for more information and to register as an SL Christmas Expo Merchant

 BUT WAIT!   BREEDABLES!!!
In addition to all our shops, venues and entertainment we've got Breedables too! This year  Breedable Merchants will be integrated into our Expo shoppes and stores.  As with all merchants Breedable Packages must use Relay For Life shared revenue vendors.
For Special Breedable guidelines please visit: https://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/guidelines-2/breedables-merchant-guidelines/

 The Christmas Expo staff looks forward to seeing you this December, both old friends and new merchants.  Christmas Expo provides you with the perfect holiday sales opportunity combined with the means to support the largest annual virtual fundraising event.  Don't miss the chance to take part in a Second Life Tradition!  Act quickly as space is limited.

 Each person who shares the Relay For Life experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where the disease will no longer threaten our loved ones or rob anyone of another birthday. Thank you for sharing your skills, talent, creativity and just plain ol hard work with RFL of SL and jumping onboard this amazing, historical Fight Against Cancer!

For more information, contact Nula Maracas: nuala.maracas@gmail.com

Happy Holidays from the Christmas Expo Staff!
*****************************************************************************

Five Years of Second Life Newser

By Bixyl Shuftan

Our first anniversary was an important milestone. We had gone through a whole year, sticking to what we do, gaining sponsors, and would be around for quite some time. Our second, it brought back memories of Dana making a big deal out of our predecessor paper's two year anniversary, her feeling that it was being seen as "all grown up." Three years, we had matched our predecessor in time on the grid, at least in the number of anniversaries. Four years, we had accomplished what the old SLN hadn't: a fourth anniversary.

Now ... difficult to say how it feels. I've certainly been doing a lot of looking back to the days of JamesT Juno and Dana Vanmoer. While we've been trying to preserve some of what was published then, perhaps it's important to look back to not just what you've done while in charge, but also looking back to how you got to where you are.

Five years ago, I wasn't quite sure what lay ahead as our former team leaders logged off for the last time (at least as newspaper owners). A couple months earlier when Dana told me and the other reporters of Second Life Newspaper that the paper would be shut down, it was stunning news. I'd been writing articles about Second Life almost since I began logging in here regularly, and I couldn't imagine going on here without it. I also was part of a team I didn't want split apart to the four winds.

But going from reporter to the head of a newsletter, that was a bit scary. I wasn't as talented as Dana when it comes to leading a team and marketing a business, (probably still not as I never could get the numbers she did). Would those who read Dana's paper follow one under a new editor? Would we get the support of advertisers? Indeed in our beginning the eight thousand readers per day Dana attracted had dwindled down to just two thousand for the whole month. For months, I would rely on the hosting job I had at Mystery to help pay the other writers.

But eventually, the sponsors came. Podex was the first of a number whom over time have helped keep the Newser running, the Safe Waters Foundation and our old friends M&M Creations being our latest ones. Also, the readers came back. The 2,000 readers a month increased to 25,000 by July 2013.

There were certainly plenty of reasons to read the paper over the years. The expression "Timing is everything" may have come into play as just barely a week after we were under a new name, Linden Lab dropped some breaking news with the layoffs of about a third of their staff. This included some popular Lindens whom were sorely missed. Events continued in rapid succession that year with the CEO resigning, Philip Rosedale coming back as interim CEO, the "Emeraldgate" scandal of the most popular third party viewer at the time which would eventually lead to what is now Team Firestorm, the decision to merge the Teen Grid with the main one, and more.

Over time, we have continued to deliver the news about major happenings from Redzone, to CEOs Rodvik Linden then Ebbe Linden coming aboard, the arrival of mesh, real life companies asking their copyrights be respected within Second Life, the arrival of the MLP avatars and pony community, when Linden Lab distanced itself from the residents such as their decision to no longer take part in the Second Life Birthday celebrations, and when it began to interact with them more such as bringing back the Linden Snowball fight, questionable moves such as their decision to ban all third-party Linden dollar exchange companies, then partially reversing the order, the fall of the SS Galaxy, and many more. We've also reported on occasion about other virtual worlds, such as InWorldz, and done a few game reviews.

But there's more to the news than the big out of the blue events on the Grid. We've put the spotlight on many places across the Grid that offer a nice place to relax, exciting things to do, or just simply look cool. We've highlighted events of all kinds, from sim and community anniversaries, to fundraising events such as those of the Relay for Life. And we've given attention from the various movers and shakers of Second Life from content creators to sim owners to community leaders, sometimes just the simple man on the street who wants to express his/her opinion on the soapbox.

While the statistics of our readership are nice to read, what truly encourages us are the messages of praise we've gotten over the years. People such as those from the Relay for Life have thanked us for our coverage of their events. Also are the complements of people whom have been looking for things to do and places to see and found both in the Newser.

Sadly we've had to say goodbye to some people over the years. Shellie Sands and Grey Lupindo have taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with real life matters. But other talent such as Fritter Enzyme and Ozymandius have come aboard. We're happy to have you as part of the team.

So what does the future hold? Right now, there's been worry about Linden Lab's new virtual world under development, that they'll turn out the lights here to force people to a place with fancy bells and whistles but little convenience or freedom. Such fears are nothing new. In our first year, people wondered if Linden Lab was on the verge of selling Second Life, going bankrupt, or both. Unless there's some major economic or military calamity, Second Life will be around for a long time. Perhaps long enough for yours truly to turn over the Newser to a new editor years from now.

We'll keep on doing what we do best, informing you about the people, places, and events of Second Life, and provide a little chuckle along the way with an occasional cartoon or fun story.

Special thanks once again to the sponsors who fund our paychecks. Thanks to the Sunweaver and Angel Estates whom have given us a home inworld. And of course thank you the readers for keeping us going.

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor and head reporter, Second Life Newser

Second Life Newser's Fifth Anniversary Weekend

Last weekend marked the celebrations for Second Life Newser's fifth anniversary. The milestone was marked with parties being held and prizes given out. Bixyl Shuftan was there and took some pictures of the three happenings.

See the scenes in Events.

Press Release: Caledon's 5th Annual Time Essential Airship Wreck Race

Greetings gentles all,

Saturday, May 23rd, sees the running of the 5th Annual Time Essential Airship Wreck Race, in aid of RFL of SL 2015, and fun:)

The race involves pilots flying between a series of aerial platforms, and leaving a prim from their vehicles at each station. I wish to reassure residents that the aerial platforms are temporary structures, that will be erected no earlier than is strictly necessary for setting up the course, and they will be removed within hours of the event being over. They will sited at carefully chosen locations, over Commonwealth land, and the surrounding areas have also been surveyed to make sure that no stray prims will cause any problems. There will only be a handful of prims dropped during the whole event anyway:)

The nature of the TEAWR means that Judges are required to oversee the platforms, one Judge at each. To this end we are seeking volunteers for this responsible and very fun duty - if you feel would like to volunteer, please message me for a notecard explaining what's involved, and then indicate your interest to Miss Darlingmonster Ember via IM or notecard.

The TEAWR is set to start at 9am SLT on May 23rd, so Judges will need to be on hand before this and ready to man their given stations by around 8.45am SLT. The time of the start has been chosen to give the greatest number of residents the chance to participate. More details on the TEAWR itself are to be found in this notecard;

We thank you for your interest and good nature toward this event, and welcome all to come and watch the spectacle that is The Time Essential Airship Wreck Race!

Solace Fairlady
Team Caledon RFL of SL 2015