NOAA Island Is Gone

With Hurricane Mathew in the news, I thought about a sim that was aimed at teaching residents about the weather: NOAA Island, sometimes called Weather Island, at the Meteora sim. But taking a look, I found that the location was not on the map. A search revealed it wasn't just located, but nowhere on the map. Nor was it on the Destinations Guide.

NOAA Island has apparently vanished, probably some time ago. Checking the Youtube about it, the place was still around three years ago at least, though some exhibits were no longer working, possibly due to Linden Lab software updates.

NOAA Island had been set up by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration US government agency in 2007 during the heyday of Second Life as a way to help educate people about the weather. The place was part of the collection of sims known as the "Sci-Lands." Second Life Newspaper, and then Second Life Newser reported about the place in March 2008 and August 2011. At the later date, the sim had some neighbors such as NOAA Island 2 and Second Earth, a gigantic interactive globe. There was much to see in the sim, such as a tidal wave simulation, which had been the target of humor at least once, an interactive weather map, and a hurricane hunter airplane ride.

The sim was the scene of some activity in April 2012 in which people from the US Government were likely involved, along with the Raytheon corporation, with some project, but there is no information about any involvement since.

Most of us would agree the US Government would have better use for it's money than a sim (though could probably recall it being used for things much less useful), but it's still sad to see the place go.

Bixyl Shuftan.



(click here if the video fails to play)

NOAA Island - Virtual Weather

With Hurricane Irene in the news recently, I decided to take another look at a place I first reported on a few years ago, NOAA island. Set up in the Meteora sim, the sim is set up to educate residents about weather and ocean science, in ways that are often entertaining.


Read more in Places.

Chilbo's "Chilbowl" Bowling Alley Raising Funds for Japan

Taking a look at the Chilbo website, the place in Second Life known for it's builders and artists has been raising funds to help out Japan since March.

From March 15th the normally free bowling lanes were set to collect Lindens, which went to the Doctors without Borders charity to help Japan following it's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

“It is my hope that Chilbo and the SL community at large, can once again step up to help another community in a time of need,” states Chibi Lexenstar, co-manager of the bowling alley. “Much like our efforts to assist the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, I believe our individual measures can create a synergistic effect especially at a time like this. Let’s all contribute to the rescue and rebuilding efforts of a country that has seen immense tragedy over the past several days.”

The picture and article were done by Chibi Lexenstar.

To get to the Chilbo sim, Click Here.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Fundraiser at Madpea

Madpeas are going mad for your cash. We have had a fantastic response from SL's entertainers who want to perform for you and now we need YOU to dance & donate for the Japanese Red Cross April 1st-3rd http://madpeagames.com/madpeaaid/

Madpeas islands of games are generously sponsored by Cha Klaar who is a RL doctor in Japan. Now we need to give something back, if you have ever enjoyed a Madpea game please come and donate this weekend April 1st-3rd. We have some of SL's best entertainers to ease the L$ from your pocket. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross in Japan via Cha Klaar.

Judi Newall

Madpea is at the Hoshi Island sim.

Japan's Nuclear Fashion Disaster

With the recent devastation in Japan, people in both the music and fashion industries have been offering their support. Any1 Gynoid reports on the Pacific Crisis Fundraiser, which raised a total of over a million Lindens on it's first day alone!

Read Any1's story in Events.

Over 500K Lindens Raised for Japanese Relief at “Go for Japan”

On the weekend from Saturday March 19 to Sunday Mach 20, the “Go for Japan” fundraiser took place in Gwampa's Dance Camp. Also known as the Pacific Crisis Fund Benefit Concert, the event lasted for over 40 hours involved many musicians, and raised over five hundred thousand lindens for the American Red Cross for their efforts in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country.

The event was set up at the four-corner meeting place at four sims, Pango Pango, Zeide Kamp, Gwampa Castle, and Bali Bali. The stage was set up at the Pango Pango corner with the official location of the event at Zeide Kamp (238, 241, 21), even though two other sim corners were available for the audience. Besides dancing around in the grass, one could also sit on some pillows in Bali Bali, or lie on some other pillows floating over Zide Kamp and Gwampa Castle.

There were a few dozen musicians taking part in the fundraiser. Among them were Lyn Carlberg, FunkyFreddy Republic, Lexie Luan, CraigLyons Writer, and more.

On the night of Sunday March 20, the total raised slowly crept up to the half million mark. Finally while Edward Kyomoon was playing, the total amount raised reached 500,000. The sight was greeted with applause and cheers of “Woooot!!” Edward continued to sing, and at the end told the audience, "Thanks for all your generosity, helping out the Red Cross," before handing the stage to Grif Bamaisin, the last musician of the event.

As even the most casual of news readers knows, the earthquake and tsunami wrecked enormous damage to Japan. One estimate of the economic damage puts it as 180 billion dollars. Some entire small villages were wiped out. One estimate puts the number of dead and missing at over 16,000, a toll almost always seen from a disaster striking a Third World country, not one of humankind’s most advanced societies. Curiously unlike previous disasters such as Haiti, there have been few fundraisers in real-life in comparison. With Japan having a debt more than twice the total dollar amount of it’s economy, fundraisers like “Go to Japan” will be a welcome relief.

For a link to the American Red Cross, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan

Linden Bears for Japan Tsumani/Earthquake Reflief

With Japan devastated by the worst earthquake ever recorded there, and the ensuing tsunami that sent a wall of water that swept miles inland, people are looking for ways to help. Linden Labs is among those collecting funds for charity, by selling teddy bears with proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Our thoughts are with all of those who are suffering in the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Japan and the tsunami in the Pacific. We encourage all Second Life Residents to support the relief efforts however they can, and we would like to help.

We have created a couple of special Linden Bears (one sitting, one wearable) and set them for sale. We will donate all proceeds from sales of our bears to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief efforts of the American Red Cross.

Prices for the bears range from 300 Linden dollars to 3000L.