Trans-Sansara Causeway Update

 

 There's nothing new at the islands that are the remaining places for the Trans-Sansara Causeway since ourlast update on Friday. But there is one change on the map a number of sims to the south. The Whatever islands look a bit different from last week, with sections being colored. What the different colors mean is not yet known.

 

Stay tuned for more information. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Trans-Sansara Causeway Update

 

Since the last update, I haven't noticed anything new but teasers for what's to come.  On both the Thetis bridge tunnel island and the island on Swanton, I noticed portable barriers and rubber cones set up at the end of the roads. The cement mixer that was part of the equipment added on the Aptos side of the Aptos-Tomales island in late August is now rotating. But more obvious, Wendi Linden had placed a bulldozer. 

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Trans-Sansara Causeway Update

 

 Very little has changed on the island on the sims Aptos and Tomales set to be the focus on further construction on the Trans-Sansara Causway since last Friday, About the only difference I saw there was a little more equipment being added, such as this surveying equipment. 

 

 But a glance of the map showed something interesting. Some distance to the southwest were four sims, named Whatever 1 to 4, that were shaped like Thetis, Aptos, Tomales, and Swanton. They showed what looked like a bridge crossing from Thetis to Aptos, and lines from the west end of the middle island the wooden color of untextured prims extending to the completed section of bridge on the eastern island. These sims could not be TPed into. 

 

This is likely the roads being build before being moved into place into the real sims.  But there was extra workings on Whatever 2, the duplicate of Aptos. Is there anything besides bridgework being planed? Time will tell. 

 

Stay tuned for further information.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Taking A Few Pictures

 

 With the future of the Sunweaver sims in doubt, been going around taking pictures of the place. One was the Sunbeamer HQ where Rita would hold occasional meetings, and place items that brought back memories.

 

 

An ariel view of SunWaterOne

 

These are just a couple of those I've taken, and others have been taking some as well.

 

In the meantime, efforts to save a little of the land continue.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Future of Sunweaver Estates Unclear

 

 There's been plenty of talk about the passing of Rita Mariner, and not much time to write about it. But what can be stated is Rita had no backup plan for the Sunweaver Estates. Maybe the Sunweavers can get Linden Lab to pass them on to someone, or maybe not. 

 

Yours truly will have some more information soon.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

And ... Gone. SL23B Sims Closed To Exhibitors

 

 

Yesterday, Thursday July 23, was the last day the SL23B sims were up for exhibitors, also known as "Takedown Day." If you left anything behind after Midnight, you might not get it back until next year. So naturally there was space after space empty of exhibits. 

 

 

And so this meant the SL Newser's exhibit had to come down as well. 

 

There will be one or two more articles about the SL23B, and at least one more about the Relay for Life, of which we had to all but cut off coverage due to The Birthday starting just after the Flood Party. And after that, the "Busy Time," which I often call the period of time from late May to mid to late July, finally slows back down. And August will see me catching up on a few things I put off while I focused on the big news. But if you have pictures, or a story, you'd like to share, by all means do so.

 

Have a great summer, 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Relay Sims Taken Down, Quicker Than Normal

 

 Normally Relayer camp builders have some time after the Flood Party to take down their builds, and people have a little time to see the camps. But not this year. Less than a day after the Flood Party, most were down. Aside from the three permanent American Cancer Society sims and RFL Screening & RFL Royal Ascot, which are up for the Royal Ascot event, they are offline and unreachable. 

 "Linden Labs were quick to the draw this year," Selene (selene Jashan) remarked, "I think the lindens were bored (laughter)." For those who wanted a copy of their campsite marker, "If you did not get your campsite marker please reach out to Sass Piggins  She can help you as well as Kitty (Prettykitty Gumbo) to make sure you get your badges to put on it."

 

For those wanting to get a look at the campsites, Wildstar Beaumont took some pictures he would post on his Flickr (here).  

 

But while most of the Relay Track sims are gone does not mean no more activity. As mentioned earlier, the Royal Ascot is going on in two sims.  Also in ACS 3, The Relay Rainbow events are taking place at (153/170/21). Both are going on until Sunday June 21st. But for most of the teams, their events are over, congratulating one another for a job well done.

 

More on the Relay later,

 

*Addition*  There have been a few comments in Relay Discord, Avariel Falcon saying, "They have been more snappy with region closures recently, the same thing happened with SciFi. Although in that case they re-opened them for a while so we could collect our stuff." Cynthia Farshore would comment this sudden development would mean no video of hers of the sims this year, "Well I thought I had the time after the sinking to fly my Wild for a Cure balloon around for the annual youtube video, nope. POOF! Oh well. Normally LL drags it's heels to do anything this time it went for the cheetah award." Fuzzball Ortega wondered, "Someone was on their toes at the Lab. They must be new."

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The Relay Weelend Begins Today

 '

 This is it. After months of events of fundraising, and many days to get the campsites ready, the Relay Weekend, described as Second Life's most intense 24 hour period and it's ultimate stress test, is about to begin. 

 

Across the permanent American Cancer Society sim, and American Cancer Society2 and 3, track has been laid, along with a few dozen temporary sims : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/128/27

 

The opening ceremony starts at 10am SLT, taking place  at the stage on ACS2 and ACS3. "If the regions are full, overflow attendees can land on the American Cancer Society island and watch from the back patio of the Relay Building.."

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society3/20/158/34 

 

 Along the track are various campsites and designer sims, from top teams like the Sunbeamers and Roos With A Dream.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Win/124/67/23 

 

To smaller teams such as Kitsunes For A Cure, led by Mattie Carlton

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Acceptance/196/124/23

 

It's going to be a great event.

 

See you there.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Relay Track Sims Up

 

 This weekend, yours truly found out the sims making up the track for the Relay Weekend were online and up. There are a few dozen sims, including the American Cancer Society sim. 

 

Some are special exhibit sims, and there's the Royal Ascot sim for a horseback riding event. But most are for the various campsites for the Relay teams. 

 

Among them, that of the Sunbeamers, located at RFL Win.

 

Over time, we will show sneak peeks of various campsites, but none of complete builds until a few days before the Relay Weekend. 

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Last Day For The Fantasy Faire

 

 It's the last day of the Fantasy Faire, and the last day in which you'll be able to enjoy the Fairelands for this year before they close to the general public. One can do a little sightseeing, like I did.

 

There are also impromptu events and gatherings. I missed the Centaur Parade, but I did catch a "Mad Dragon Party" at the Fairechylde following a dragonflight.

 

 I continued to come across avatars of all kinds. 

 

I would end up doing the rest of the quest, finding the last of the ingredients ...

 

 And after finishing the ritual, one flash of light, and the quest was complete. 

 

 And a trip to the final area to get the prizes. 

 

Enjoy the last day of the Faire,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Reader Submitted Picture: "Oh My God!"

 

 From Zada Bury in Johnson, "OMG ... and Rezz Zones ... ON ZINDRA !!! Total unbelievable !"

 

Reader Submitted Picture: Zindra's New Roads And Lands

 

 

Taken at West Heimer in Zindra by Zada Bury. Last month it was mentioned Zindra would soon be expanded. Looks like it's started. 

Fantasy Faire Is On

 

 Yesterday, Thursday April 23, the Fantasy Faire started. And like many, I headed over to Fairelands Junction (https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairelands%20Junction/144/140/20).

 

 Some of the people attending were an attraction in themselves. 

 

From the entrance, I had to go up the stairs ...

 

 And out of the water, to some great scenery.

 

The Fantasy Faire goes on to May 10. Keep an eye on the blog for all kinds of great events, such as the Patch Linden Jail and Bail today. 

 

https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/ 

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

 

Speculation: What Are The Blank Sims In Bellisseria's Ranch Area For?

 

Last month, the first of the new commercial districts in Bellisseria opened. They were placed in the blank sims in the Linden Home continent's Ridgewood area. A few days ago, Zada Bury messaged me about an interesting possibility, are the blank sims in the Ranch Linden Home region next?

 

She gave the Two Step sim as an example, and here it is (picture above), a huge patch of grass and spots of dirt surrounded by ranch homes. And checking the map (left), there are a few other places on this corner of Belliseria without homes. 

 

So are these going to be future commercial areas, perhaps "Farmers Market" themed as Zada suggested? I would ask a Linden or Mole about this in Belli chat. But I'd likely be given a two-step of an explanation.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

  

Commercial District Sims Open in Bellisseria's Ridgewood Area

 

 At one of the Meet the Lindens events at the SL22B, Patch Linden stated that there were plans for "a foray into the commercial" for Bellisseria. Today, the Commercial District sims in Bellisseria's Ridgewood community area were open.

The Ridgewood Enclave Commercial Districts are places to shop for clothing, home furnishings, plants, decor items for your patio and yard … you name it.

Are you a merchant? Any Premium Plus member can claim a 1024 sq m parcel and use its permanent building for a shop. Use simple controls to choose a style and color scheme, then add your own lighting, displays, and signage. There’s no purchase price and no monthly fee.

While the announcement was Tuesday, when yours truly dropped by then, the sims were not yet open. Checking the Bellisseria group today, it had been announced they finally were.

 

The commercial sims are:  Scherzo, Highlight, Yellow Brick, Brubeck, Big Toque, Greenbush Hill, Broadstreet, West Martinet, Fortune Hills, Sidewall, and Downbeat. Readers might remember when the Ridgewood sims were first on the map in September 2025, Scherzo was among them, but was closed. 

 

There are seven styles of shops:  Bridgecrest, Cityview, Edgeworks, Gridline, Overlook, Seamstone, and Vault.  They come in either long, 16 x 64, or 32 x 32. They are arranged around a central square, with roads passing through north and south, east and west, with a decorative island with trees in the middle. Around there are signs one can click with information on the sims, as well as a map of Bellisseria and benches to sit on. The tops of the stores are green with grass, and have decorative vents poking through. 

 

Oh, and you need to have a Premium-Plus account to claim one, not just Premium.  

 

No shop that had been claimed was yet complete in the sim I looked at, but were in various states of setup. Some had only a single sign. One had a few vendors. There was one place that wasn't a store to buy something, but an arcade people could play games for free with a tip jar for those feeling generous.  

 

There is a thread in the official Second Life forums about the commercial districts (I admit I haven't read very far). 

 

There may be more on the topic later if details warrant. For now, those who love to shop have several more places to go to.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

New Sims Off Bellisseria Coast

 

Listening in on Bellisseria chat the other day, it was pointed out there were some new sims on the map. Checking it out, there was a new group of eighteen off it's west coast, next to the "dragon in a boot eating a pickle." They're separated from the rest by a one sim wide gap, and cannot be seen from outside, other than the map, or tped to. 

 

 Hard to say what theme these sims will be. While "Smeagol Brook" sounds like something out of "Lord of The Rings," "Trampoline Man" certainly doesn't.

 

I heard that the sims first appeared on Monday, and at first there were just a few, then more appeared. So by the time this is posted and read, there may be more. 

 

Stay tune for further developments,

 

Update: The sims on the map have changed color, looking wintry, though are still off-limits.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

New SSP Sims on Map

 

There's some new sims in development by Linden Lab. On the map, far north of the mainlands and Belissaria, One can see a number of light blue squares with the front part of the name being "SSP" followed by a number. There is also a group of ten whitish sims, looking like winter landscapes from above, named "QT 1" to "QT 10."

 

"SSP" has been a common temporary name for sims in development. It's short for "Super Secret Project" according to the Lindens and Moles. 

 

As of now, there's no official word on what these sims are for. But no doubt people will have fun speculating just what their purpose will be.

 

Time will tell.

 

Hat Tip: Zada Bury

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Christmas Shop And Hop Starts Today

 

 For those of you who love Christmas shopping, or looking for a good buy and the occasional freebie, good news. The Holiday Shop and Hop, organized by Linden Lab, starts today.

 

The 2025 Holiday Shop & Hop is ... here with 360 participating Creators across 18 shopping regions, bringing you loads of festive fun! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above! 

 

The fun starts today, Friday December 5, at 9AM SL time,  and as the announcement says, there's a lot of territory to cover, 360 stores across 18 sims. Each item will be on sale at least twenty percent, and at least one free gift or a gift certificate worth at least 300 Linden dollars. 

 

To get to the Shop and Hop, check its section in the Destination Guide for the list of sims, teleport to one of the stores from the list on the bottom three-fifths of the Holiday Events blog page, or just jump right in at Gleaming (128/128/54). 

 

For those shopping after Christmas, the event goes on to Sunday January 4 2026.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan