Press Release: May 2020 HFOT Donations

Hi all…..last month was the month that we celebrate Memorial Day.  And I am excited to announce that it was a great one for donations to Homes For Our Troops.  The total donations for HFOT came to $1445!  That is excellent folks.  Total donations are now standing at $5700 for 2020.  If we can keep having months like May we will beat 2019’s donations so let’s all keep up the great work!
  
As a result of May’s donations, Jamie Crossman, Manager of Individual Giving for HFOT has stated: 

"Thank you so much for all of your efforts. Despite these challenging times our mission continues to pay it forward to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. This past week we celebrated donating our 295th home since inception and are on track for our 300th early this fall. This would not be possible without all of you who believe in and support our mission.

Best wishes
Jamie Crossman
Director of Individual Giving, HFOT “


And once again these results were accomplished because of special efforts by some very kind folks and some great performing talent that helped create excitement for this important cause. 

The first round of applause goes to those folks that put in an extra effort for Homes For Our Troops.

Thank you:

EastbayRay, Cattleya Lovette LadySmack Gears and the Legion of Vets MC
JulesA Flow, Salonios Koolhoven and DOOWOPS FOREVER at Gigli  Isles
Rockin' Robin VIPs and all their great Staff
RGHangnLo Resident DJ efforts with Pop's Crue
Fire Bonfire and everyone at Boots and Lace Country Rock Club
Cayleen Linette and everyone at Cay's at Woodland Lake
DL Skytower and The Hacienda Club
Wizard2016 Resident  and Midnight Renegade Country Club

And then there were the great performers and their managers who donated their time. Thank you:

Di Waya Snowpaw
Quartz and his great manager Duplicat and management team Keys Management
Sassy Nitely and Troy Nelson and Music Speaks Management
The Vinnie Show and his manager Daallee
Neomaximus Brandenburg and his managers Tim Allagash and Kat Vargas
Samm Qendra

And our family of consistent supporters continues to grow.  These folks have located HFOT donation kiosks throughout the grid which helps with our on-going effort.  This round of applause goes out to:

Dilah Halostar at Bluemoon Island
Everyone at Club Mojo
Bixyl Shuftan and  Purrfection  estates
Joi Shepherd and all the folks at Runaround Sues
Creed Bimbogami aand all the folks of Patriots of War MC
Doris Johnsky and her gallery at Deneb
Ashley Steel and all the folks at Saddles Country
Mrs Tara Ἤᾄяяἷşὄᾗ  and CJ’s Club at the Metaverse SIM

Our family continues to grow and there are many more that have now placed HFOT donation kiosks and will be helping with this effort.  Thank you all for doing this.

Lastly, our monthly benefit at U.S. Veterans center could only be held with the great support of Bri Mcmahon, Gjackie Winkler and Dahlea Milena.  Thank you for all you do.

As always I am amazed and honored to be affiliated with everyone involved with this effort.  It is especially needed considering the events that have happened in 2020.  Please keep the faith and continue helping this great cause.

Stay safe and well,

Frets Nirvana

Bellisseria Sim At The Ten Days Of Relay

The Relay Weekend is a big event that everyone involved in the Relay for Life looked forward to. To help give anxious Relayers something to go to in the meantime on the track, the "Ten Days of Relay" was created. Of the sims that it took place on, the most active was the one for the Bellisseria team. Gemma Cleanslate was there at some of the events that took place there, seeing quite a bit.

Read Gemma's article in Events.

Another Sucessful Relay Weekend

The Relay Weekend, the most intense 24 hour event in Second Life, came and went on Saturday and Sunday. Over a thousand people set foot on the sims that made up the track. And this being the largest track in the number of sims, there was a lot to see.



It had all started with the opening ceremony, which could be seen live on youtube for those at their campsites or otherwise unable to get there, (Click here if the video fails to play).



And the closing ceremony was when it officially ended (Click here if the video fails to play), but while some people left to get much needed sleep or take care of things in real life, others continued to gather in smaller events or continue to walk the sims.

For those whom couldn't see the sims due to the lag, they will remain open until Wednesday June 10. This will be the day of the Flood Party. Word has it all of the sims, not just a few, will be flooded, but this is unconfirmed.

We'll have some more information soon. For now, yours truly needs to get a little rest.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

THIS WEEK: Bridges, Mysteries, and String Medicine, plus Spock!
Join us this week for stories, presented LIVE in Second Life, and on Seanchai Library's properties in Kitely.

All events at Holly Kai Estates (215/44/27) , unless otherwise noted.

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

 * * * * *

*MONDAY, June 8th, at 7pm:  Diana Duane's SPOCK'S WORLD continues with Gyro Muggins.

*TUESDAY, June 9th:

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live in the Glen with music and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen as guest of Seanchai Library
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holly%20Kai%20Estates/220/60/2966

 ~  a 7pm:  Thornton Wilder's THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY, begins with Willow Moonfire, live on stream.

*WEDNESDAY, June 10th, at 7pm: Kerry Greenwood's  THE PHRYNE FISHER MYSTERIES, continues with Corwyn Allen, live on stream.

*THURSDAY, June 11th, at 7pm: Tad William's STRONG MEDICINE - Weird Westerns with Shandon Loring. (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

****

COMING JUNE 14TH: A BRAND NEW Tea Time Series!

A brand new TEA TIME series featuring the debut mystery of Miss Jane Marple, in a six week presentation of THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE. Aoife Lorefield, Da5id Abbot, Caledonia Skytower, Corwyn Allen, Gloriana Maertens, Kayden Oconnell, Willow Moonfire, live.

The Murder at the Vicarage is the first novel to feature the character of Miss Marple and her village of St Mary Mead. This first look at St Mary Mead led a reviewer in 1990 to ask why these are called cosy mysteries: "Our first glimpse of St Mary Mead, a hotbed of burglary, impersonation, adultery and ultimately murder. What is it precisely that people find so cosy about such stories?"

Cartoon of the Day: Veiled Confusion

Taken at the Relay Track. In the Gorean roleplays, the freedwomen wear veils. But in 2020's time of masking to reduce the chances of falling to a pestilence, someone not in the know could easily confuse them for another purpose.

Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted: Stingray's Dress

Stingray Raymaker had stated if a certain fundraising goal was met, he'd take a lap around the Relay Track in a purple dress. Well, it was, and he did. And after the fact, he posted this pics in the Relay Discord group, "Proof that I paid my debt!!" And yes, he gave others the okay to use, "run with it! You all earned this one!!!"

Relay Weekend, Day Two

It's the second day of the Relay Weekend. Saturday had quite a lot from the survivors lap to the teams lap to various stories told during the luminaria hour. While Sunday has always been a little less intense, it's still full off fun with the closing ceremonies, and various smaller events as people celebrate after the main event is officially over.

See you there

Day Before Relay Weekend

 June 5 was the day before Relay weekend, and a number of things happened. Among them was an episode of "Lab Gab" in which Strawberry Linden interviewed some of the Relay Committee, Stingray Raymaker, MamaP Beerbaum, Nikki Mathieson, and Trager Alter. Patch Linden was also there. To see the video, Click Here.

After that, there would be a round of "Family Feud" between some Relay personalities and some Lindens and Moles.

Afterwards, Saffia Widdershins would have a discussion between Patch and Constantine Linden, taking some questions from the audience about the Relay and the Second Life Birthday.

In the past few days, some teams have made some last-minute level gains. This includes Team Sunbeamers, which on Thursday finally achieved 750,000 Linden dollars raised, or Sapphire rank. Once again, "the little team that could" has been a big achiever by getting to the top ten of over 200 teams in fundraising levels.

Don't forget to check out the Relay Weekend, which starts today at 10AM SL time, the most intense 24 hours in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Theme Hour Schedule

(Be sure to grab the box of stuff in every Info Station on the track.  This box has items that you might want to use while walking on the track!)

10 AM ~ Opening Ceremonies
   
11-12:30:  Survivor/Caregiver Lap - Theme Sponsor: Relay Rockers
   
12.30pm-2 PM: Teams Lap - Theme Sponsor: GridPlay
   
2PM: Roller Skating Hour - Theme Sponsor: Bellisseria Community Relayers
   
3PM: Walk with a Friend - Theme Sponsor: T1Radio.com
   
4PM: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (colors hour) - Theme Sponsor: Attention on Cancer
   
5PM: Sports Teams - Theme Sponsor: Royal Ascot by Chateau Trikassi
   
6PM: Nerds and Geeks Unite! - Theme Sponsor: EvenStarr Team
   
7PM: Video Game Hour- Any game! - Theme Sponsor: Washburn Lounge
   
8PM: Camping hour! Flannels, Smores and Hot Cocoa! - Theme Sponsor: Camping for a Cure
   
9PM: Luminaria Ceremony
   
10PM: Candyland Hour! Cookies-Candy-Game Piece! - Theme Sponsor:  SHB GEMS in memory of Julian
   
11PM: Las Vegas Hour- Showgirls, Cards, Poker Chips - Theme Sponsor: Team Gulls Wing
   
MIDNIGHT: TOGA! Food fights!? - Theme Sponsor:
   
1AM: 80's hour -Big Hair and Neon clothes - Theme Sponsor: In Memory of our parents, Billy, Loretta and Edna
   
2AM: Pac Man Hour - Pac man ghosts fruits - Theme Sponsor: Giant Snail Races
   
3AM: Monopoly hour- Game piece Jail Inmate Millionare! - Theme Sponsor:
   
4AM: Ahoy Matey! Nautical/Pirate Hour - Theme Sponsor: Rosehaven Privateers
   
5AM: Hero Hour - Dress as your favorite hero - Theme Sponsor: The Original Marvel RP
   
6AM: Fight Back Lap - Theme Sponsor: Gavin Dionysus
   
7AM: Wear your coffee and drink your curlers (bath robes, slippers, just rolled out of bed) - Theme Sponsor: Relay Rockers
   
8AM: Hawaiian Hour- Swimsuits and grass skirts - Theme Sponsor: C&V's House of Rock
   
9AM: Purple Power Hour! All purple!! - Theme Sponsor: Team Shadow
   
10AM: CLOSING CEREMONIES   
   
11AM: Victory Lap-Dancing In The Streets - Sparklers

SL Video: "Tripping through Skyscrapers in Second Life"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

By Erik Mondrain in May 21, "Skyscrapers is a Second Life art installation by Gem Preiz, an artist most known for his intricate fractal images. Here, he created an immersive, scaled-down cityscape—inspired, as he writes, by his 'fascination for [these] modern cathedrals which are, like those of the past, the synthesis of all the techniques of their time, dedicated to the collective aspirations of their builders.' For more about the installation, and about the idea of 'scale' in a virtual world, please see the excellent write-ups by Inara Pey (https://modemworld.me/2020/04/22/gems...) and Ricco Saenz (https://secondsighting.wordpress.com/...). 

"I highly recommend visiting the installation 'in person' as well, by the way, since there's much more to see there than I had time to show in this video. Also, a quick note on technique: Although there are a number of elevated mass transit tunnels crisscrossing the city, there are no trains, just the flying vehicles at the landing point; I filmed by setting my camera position and angle appropriately, then going "backwards" through the tunnels with my SpaceNav after turning off (or rather, zeroing out) all the other axes in the flycam's configuration. And the color shifts and the hallucinatory, back-and-forth swaying are, of course, a result of editing, not something this or any other city does naturally... so far as I'm aware. ^ - ^ 

"Music is by SLOOM, specifically the track 'Skyscrapers' from his Mix Tape #1 album. (And yes, though it still had to fit the kind of sound I wanted, I did seek out a track with the same name as Gem's installation on purpose.) It can be found at the Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sl...) and is used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License version 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...). More of SLOOM's music can be heard on Bandcamp: https://sloomsmixtapes.bandcamp.com/ "

Located in Akimori: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Akimori/128/128/2981

Ten Years of The Second Life Newser

Ten years ago, Second Life was a different place.

It was a somewhat larger grid, the long slow decline in the number of sims having only just started. Mesh was not yet around, aside from under development. The classic Linden viewer was being retired in favor of the less than popular Viewer 2. The largest third-party viewer at the time, Emerald, got in trouble for one of it's team using computers with the viewer to launch a DoS attack on a critic. Teens were not yet allowed on the grid, having had their own, but it would be announced that next year older teens would be allowed in certain sims. "SL TV" was still a thing, with people viewing televised programs via  Treet TV instead of just Youtube. And there was a sense Second Life was in trouble. It was clear it's glory days from a few years earlier were gone, and Linden Lab would end up laying off a third of it's staff and would see two changes at the top as M Linden stepped down as CEO and Philip Linden would be interim CEO for several months, only to step down near the end of the year. With these events, there were rumors the Lab was looking for an investor or even to sell Second Life.

In the middle of all of this, the leading newsletter of the Grid, Second Life Newspaper, would close it's doors. Four of it's reporters, Shellie Sands, Grey Lupindo, Gemma Cleanslate, and myself, Bixyl Shuftan, would start our own, the Second Life Newser. We were anxious, and a little afraid as a new business and media starting out. And while Second Life's troubles gave us plenty to cover, bad news was still bad news as we were a little anxious about if there would be a Second Life to write about in the future. But as time went on, it gradually became clear Second Life would continue, probably more due to the devotion of it's fans than the guidance of Linden Lab which while making some fancy new options such as mesh, it could be clumsy and heavy-handed at times.

Our motto is that we cover the people, places, and events across Second Life. And we have, notable personalities, popular locations, and major happenings. But we've also made an effort to put the spotlight on little-known people whom did something of worth, interesting places off the beaten path, and noteworthy small events that deserve more attention. Over time, we've covered changes in this virtual world, such as the development of mesh and animesh. And we've reported on events such as the Relay for Life which show the good virtual reality can do for people.

Over time, we've also attracted sponsors. The Sunbeamer community was with us since the beginning, giving us a place for our office (Ranchan Weidman, whom provided both the land and office). Not long afterwards come our first cash sponsor, Podex Exchange, which remained with us for years, and were the subject of funny advertorial articles until sadly changes in Linden Lab's terms of service closed them down. But by then we had found others, such as Farshore Radio, Lorena Chung Estates, and Montecito Bay. The Deathlands are our newest.

A few other publications have gone for quick readership by writing heavily about controversy, such as drama and unproven rumors. As a friend with experience in real-life media put it, it's much easier to sell a controversial story than a constructive one showing people doing good. While the Newser occasionally writes about controversy, such as unpopular (often justly) moves by Linden Lab and the occasional troublemaker, we do not do so for it's own sake. Nor do we go around looking for troublesome topics. Eventually one important enough to write about will make itself known. And in the meantime, there's always plenty to write about that the readers would like to know. Nor do we try to tell people what to think. Our policy is to present the facts as we see them, and let the readers think for themselves. And if we're presenting our opinion, we do our best to make it obvious that's what it is.

Over time, the Newser has been the workplace for many fine and talented writers. DrFran Babcock, Any1 Gynoid, Grease Coakes, Xymbers Slade, Mylie Foxclaw and many others have made their mark. Sadly, most have had to step down as real life demanded their full attention. Besides myself, only Gemma Cleanslate remains of the original crew. We do miss them. But thankfully good reporters continue to apply. We're always open to new talent.

So what does the future hold? In 2010, Second Life's future looked a bit iffy with the Lab having to lay off a third of it's staff and a number of other moves that gave the impression of going for the short-term buck at the expense of the long term. Today, it's fairly clear the virtual world should be around for years to come. It's biggest threat seems to be in real life with the struggle against a pandemic resulting in economic troubles that could very well cause many of it's userbase to stop or cut back on their spending.

So the news will keep on coming, and we'll do our best to bring it to you.

Special thanks to JamesT Juno and Dana Vanmoer for showing us how a newsletter in Second Life should be done, to Linden Lab for making this virtual world possible to begin with, to our sponsors for funding our efforts over the years, and of course you the readers without whom this publication wouldn't be possible.

Bixyl Shuftan
Editor
SL Newser

Veterans Isle Benefit Raises Over 184,000 Lindens

On Sunday May 31, Veterans Isle held it's monthly benefit concert. The event with several performers, organized in part by guitarist Frets Nirvana, raises money for Homes For Our Troops, a charity that builds or modifies homes for disabled veterans.

The event started at 4PM with DJ Waya Snowpaw. Starting at 5PM were the live musicians, begining with Quartz (Qqquartzzz Resident) who took to the stage with his piano. At 6PM, Sassy Nitely had her turn in front of the crowd. Vinnie (Acoustic Rhapsody) sang at 7PM, while wearing a safety mask. And last but not least at 8 PM was NeoMaximus Brandenburg took turns on stage.

As each musician performed, people donated money to house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage, G J  (GJackie Winkler) cheering them on as they did. On occasion, Frets or someone else would challenge the crowd to donate a certain amount, then match it when all the cash came in.

By the time the last person left, a total of 184,037 Linden dollars had been raised.

Veterans Isle usually holds it's charity event on the last Sunday of each month, though occasionally will hold it a week early, usually when a holiday is involved.

To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org .

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From the Relay

Thursday June 4 had a few things going on at the Relay track. One was the chat with Safia Widdershins, whom talked to some of the Committee in RFL Acceptance, which was in the Bellissarian area.

Looking around afterwards, nearby was the Bellia Blues Cafe, a Linden Home made into a venue, with music and coffee.

Later, looking around with Matt Carlton, we saw the Seekers of Hope camp in RFL Courage. Sandy Slate told us the playable game in the camp was based on Settlers of Catlan.

In RFL Fight Back, we found a playable Mojong board, giant sized.

In RFL Healing was the Meli's Maniacs camp, based on the Stragego board game. Not playable, it symbolized the struggle with cancer, "It's not a game, it's a battle."

And the Sunbeamers finished their own build, with a build based on Monopoly and a memorial garden with facts on cancer. Check it out at RFL Hope (120/41/23).

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Genome Island"

Genome Island

Saturday June 6

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Tour of Genome Island

Genome Island was constructed by Mary Anne Clark (Max Chatnoir) to serve as a virtual laboratory, and is divided into several regions, each of which focuses on some area of genetics.  Max has used it for teaching both majors and nonmajors, and the island is open for use by other students.

To read more, Click Here. 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Genome/119/145/53

News and Commentary: Linden Lab CEO States Second Life Userbase Now 900,000

It's been generally agreed that since the start of the Coronavirus crisis, the number of people using Second Life has been growing due to people staying at home and looking for things to do online. In early April, Brett Linden stated the number of new users was up 60%. But Linden Lab didn't say anything about it's monthly userbase, until recently. In an interview in Vice Magazine, CEO Ebbe Altberg stated Second Life was used by 900,000 people every month.

“The Second Life community, which now has about 900,000 active users monthly, hosts hundreds of events daily,” Ebbe Altberg, the CEO of Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life, tells VICE.

So how big an increase is it? Ryan Schultz thought about the 2013 statistics in the article about Second Life in the December 2017 edition of The Atlantic, which estimated the number of regular users were 600,000. That's not necessarily a 50% increase from just before the Coronavirus pandemic. In a Backchannel article (published via Wired Magazine) in Feb 2017, the number of monthly residents was estimated to be 800,000 by Linden Lab, down from 1.1 million from 2006.

So at least according to the Lab, the userbase fell by almost half from it's peak of 1.1 million to 600,000 in 2013. Then it grew some over the next four years to 800,000. And in the past three years, presumably mostly in the past few months, it's grown some more to 900,000.

While a one-eighth increase in usership is less dramatic than a 50% one, an increase is still an increase. It does seem to suggest that while many more are at least trying out Second Life, once again only a fraction are staying.

Sources: Vice, The Atlantic, Ryan Schultz, Wired   

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From The Relay

 The Ten Days of Relay continues, with just two days until the Relay Weekend.

Taking a look at the motorcycle club sims, there were a lot of gaming references, representing the theme "Game on, Cancer!"

 Over one group of TDoR sims was a clear walkway, or was it a driveway as it could easily be driven on with cycles.

 There were activities in the Gorean sim, such as this roleplay class.

Work on the Sunbeamer camp is just about done. This includes some flower garden areas.

Stay tuned for more pictures, including one of the Sunbeamer camp in it's entirely.

Bixyl Shuftan

CDS Announcement: Mad Hatter's Ball on Sunday June 7

Join us for The Mad Hatter's Ball, on Sunday 7 June at 1130 SLT.  Don't be late for this very important date!

What:     Mad Hatter's Ball
             - Celebrating the Inauguration of the 33rd Representative Assembly and Incoming Chancellor

Date:     Sunday 7 June 2020

Time:     1130 to 1400 SLT

Who:      DJ QT and Maximillion Kleene

Where:   Neuschloss Ballroom, CDS

Attire:    Fancy Dress Encouraged - Think Alice in Wonderland!

SLURL:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/245/141/203

The Mad Hatter's Ball is a whimsical and fun fancy dress ball with a theme inspired by the Lewis Carrol classic, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".  The Hatter is a Victorian-era hat maker to the Queen; he is not angry, but he is crazy-silly-fun "mad".  Brooke Brandenburg has transformed the Ballroom into the Wonderland world of the Mad Hatter.  Rosie Gray's event poster spectacularly captures the spirit of the event.

We have two amazing performers who will lead the festivities, our own DJ QT and Maximillion Kleene!

DJ QT will open the Ball at 1130 SLT.  Live from Holland, QT recently entertained us during the fun dancing-in-the-rain April Showers event.  We are excited to welcome her playful mix of rockabilly, blues, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s music back for our Ball!

Maximillion Kleene takes the mic at 1200 SLT.  Max is a live singer in Niagara Falls, Canada and winner of multiple Avi-Choice Awards over the years.  He has been thrilling audiences in SL since 2007 with his musical magic and vast repertoire of quirky, classic, and current covers.  See http://wslpromo.net/max-kleene/ for Max's bio and song list.

QT will return to the live stream at 1300 SLT for the final hour of our celebration.

The CDS Inaugural Ball celebrates the incoming Chancellor and members of the Representative Assembly for the 33rd term.  The Oath of Office Ceremony officiated by the Dean, will take place on Monday 25 May at 1200 SLT.  All are welcome to attend.

Chancellor:  Rosie Gray

Members of the 33rd Representative Assembly:  Brooke Brandenburg, Guillaume Mistwalker, Laura Azalee, Lyubov Atheria, Tanoujin Milestone

CDS would also like to recognize the 18 new and returning Citizens that have joined us since January:  Breydon Lane, Brooke Brandenburg, Drew Barnard, Guillaume Mistwalker, Jon Seattle, Kenny Hubble, Lian Laufer, Lina-Sui Nayar (sui Nayar), Mariska Dufour (Mariska Simons), Marley Storm (Marley1112 Resident), ᴻᵁᵀᵀᵞ (Sutha Stoop), Okrah Koskinen, RobertUGA (RobertSchneiderUGA Resident), Saineolai (Kathy Yamamoto), Teacherkatherine Resident, Tessa (Contessadrake Resident), Tink Chanel (Lookkilla Resident), Trudy Takacs

References:

Wikipedia on "Hatter", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatter_(Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland

"Alice in Wonderland (1951)", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043274/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

"Alice in Wonderland (2010)", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Announcement: RFL Team Fundrasing Totals, Week Sixteen

Final Fundraising Club Level Report.

We are hugely proud to see and be involved with the progress each of you has made. Because of YOU we have had a wonderful year! Let's have a GREAT RELAY WEEKEND!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped to make a difference and helped this year be such a HUGE success.

Congrats to everyone who has hit a Fundraising Club Level!!!! We are definitely saying "Game On, Cancer!"

Bronze

The Krazy Korner Team, The Red Door, Bonanza Country RFL TEAM, MC - Twisted Torque MC Club, MC - Silent Heathens MC, MC - Death Riderz MC, PawZ! For the Cause!, CastAways, Team Wishing Star, Spirit Walkers, MC - MC ODINS GUNGNIRS, MC - Eternal Wolves MC, Caer Cares, Twisted Hunts & Events For A Cure, MC - Satans Warriors MC, Feed Your Soul, Find A Cure, Slatanic Mechanic, MC - SAVAGE FEW MC, GridPlay, MC - Legion of Veterans MC USA, Mini A Chuu, RFL Ryukyu Warriors, MC - Thunder Demons MC, Secret Desirez, Sweet Genesis, United Artists of SL, Sail For Life, Sisters in SL, Purpose SL Homes, MC - RWA HELLS ANGELS, Jacksonville Friends Unite, ROCKIN REBEL'S BEARS, Quest for a Cure, We are Dragon's, Too Tough To Die, Omega Fleet, Ministry of Dance, RFL Evenstarr's, Midnight Renegade Country Club, MC - Dark Disciples, MC - Littlepaws/Desideria, MC - DARK ANGEL REBELS, Team Core Charities


Silver

UFS Metamorphosis, The Original Sinners, SOUL SISTERS n FaMiLy, Team Sol Existence, Circle of Life, One More Light, B - Bellis Blues and Djs, MC - Affliction Rising MC, Cruz4Life, Team Live Wire, Infinite Possibilities RFL Crew, Team Warrior, Burners Without Borders in SL, MC - Legends MC, Secret Garden Productions, MC - Blood Wolfs MC, Steelhead Salmons, MC - Highway to Rock, Foundation For Life, Southern Nights Country Club, Harshlands, MC - Outlaws KY MC, MC - Heaven's Vixens, Bluzsters For Life

Gold

Giant Snail Races, Elves Of Hope, MC - Cobras MC World, Little Toes Dancing For Hope, Stay PAWsitive, Team OD, Mieville Steampunks, Sanctuary Rockers, Supernaturals For A Cure, The Purple Nurple Gang, Rocking Sands, Gor - Port Kar, RGF Estates for RFL, Relay for Christ, Nightfall RFL, Team Bobbi Sue, MC - Relay Goes MC

Platinum

Cancer Gets Stung, SHB Gems, Second Life Cheerleading Squad, Stormy's Stars, MC - Voodoo Rebels MC, MC - HAMC Renegades, MC - SISTERS OF MAYHEM, Attention on Cancer, LOW GEAR AUTO RACING, The Grove Country Club Estates RFL Team, Free Spirit Hippie Brigade, Meli's Maniacs, Esalinus

Jade

Spirit of the DragonRFL, The Second Fiddle For RFL, Roos With A Dream, Gull's Wing Sailing Club, Inspired Dreamwalkers, BlueWaters Plaza, Team Shadow, Friends For A Cure, Seekers of Hope, Heroes Helping Heroes, SUNBEAMERS

Sapphire

MC - HeadHunters

Emerald

Goreans in Relay For Life
Aether Chrononauts Tiny Steps

Topaz

Bellisseria for RFL

Diamond

Cure Chasers
Harmony of Hope
MC - The River of Life
Camping for a Cure
Relay Rockers


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR TEAMS!!!!

Cartoon of the Day: Boneheaded Humor

Taken at the Happy Vixen

By Bixyl Shufan

How To Maintain a Community in Second Life

One of the big draws about Second Life is the chance to meet up with people from around the world. Some of us will gather in communities for a place to hang our virtual hats and do things together. But keeping a community together can be just as hard, even harder, than establishing one. Over time, Newser reporter Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich) has seen sim owners and managers try to maintain the communities on them, as well as in the past found himself in the position of helping to maintain one. So for those whom have just found themselves in the position by choice or chance, he has a few suggestions.

Read Cyfir's article in People.

The CDS Catacombs

The Confederation of Democratic Simulators has many places worth seeing. Some are plainly obvious such as the Praetorium where official business by the government is done. But some are well hidden. Last month, I was shown around one notable hidden area, the Catacombs, by Lilith Ivory. So was it simply just dusty passages, or was there more?

Read the story in Places.

Scenes From The Relay Track

The sims of the Relay Weekend track are down. And for the areas involved in the "Ten Days of Relay," the action has already started. There are numerous DJ events, such as the Sunbeamers' DJ Matt and DJ Cynthia playing at RFL Acceptance.

Besides a number of Motorcross Club teams, Bellisseria's Relay team is a part of the Ten Days of Relay, as is the Gorean team.

The theme "Game on, Cancer!" showed up in many ways, such as pictures of game characters in the track.

And work on the team camps continues. This includes Team Sunbeamers' camp. It's almost but not quite finished. So here's a sneak peek. What are these two ships next to a stone path for? Stay tuned to find out.

Bixyl Shuftan

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs and Furry Fashion Lounge

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, the Montecito Bay clubs, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.
 
Club Cutlass: Best in "G", Superheroes

Happy Vixen: Best in Purple, Best in Black, TBA, Mythology, Space, T and A, Bunnies and Feathers, Jailbreak, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Xanadu: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: Summer, Purple, Wings, Creepy VS Cute, Pride, Genderbend, Late Night, Fantasy

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.

Reader Submitted: The Cloud Move

Kἶէმƈεlἶმ Lմἶղƈօɾἶმlօէε Kεlνმɾl (Kitacelia Resident) recently sent a reader submitted commentary about what she feels has become quite an aggravating problem: increasing lag along with bugs and glitches due to Linden Lab moving data from it's current servers to cloud-based ones. The Lab's "good idea," from her point of view, is causing a lot of problems. So she took the time to explain the problem as she sees it.

Read Kitacelia's reader submission in Extra.

Announcement: Science Circle Field Trip Month

    June 6: Genome Island
    June 7: Concert Tchaikovsky
    June 13: Sustainable Energy Science Lab
    June 20: The Equivalence Theorem
    June 27: Science Fair

    Every Wednesday 10 AM PDT
    Pathfinder's Office Hours

    Abstracts and Locations available
    https://www.sciencecircle.org/events/list/ 

Giant House at Oxygen

Most longtime residents whom have been around for over a decade remember the "Greenies" sim. The place was only two rooms, but was built at such a huge scale that normal-sized avatars looked mouselike in comparison, with small green aliens around the place in whimsical situations. Sadly in 2010, the sim was closed. Recently, there was a location that gave residents a similar experience, Oxygen owned by Justice Vought at the River sim. Gemma Cleanslate recently went there, and had a look around.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Celebrating America's Return to Space

On Saturday May 30 was a momentous day for America's space program. The SpaceX Falcon rocket carrying two US astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, launched from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral.

The last such launch was the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, the Atlantis going up on July 8 2011, and landing two weeks later on July 21. That would be the end of the American manned space program for nine years, NASA having to pay Russia to send US astronauts in it's rockets. NASA decided to partner with private companies to get men into space again.

In Second Life, a group had gathered at the National Space Society sim, numbering over thirty at some points. People cheered as they saw the rocket lift off, both on the inworld screen and online in places like Youtube and broadcasts in Space.com and other websites. They saw the rocket go up, separate, and the Dragon capsule go up into orbit as the reusable first stage touched down.

"When I was a child I watched rockets launch in Florida with my grandparents." one woman spoke, "this is amazing to relive that feeling." "It looks so high tech compared to the Mercury Capsules," commented another. A third remarked, "Wow, my stomach had butterflies, I can only imagine what they're feeling!" A fourth felt mixed feelings due to what she felt were lost opportunities, "I resent certain political and corporate forces leeching onto the space program, and the timing, in these dark hours is not ideal, but when I see the Earth like this, the 'Overview Effect' is impossible to resist." Another joked, "I can fly in space just fine. I played Elite Dangerous."

There was also some technical talk about details, and invitations for people to see the exhibits at the International Space Museum in Second Life. For the crowd, it was a proud moment for America and the world, and a welcome change from less pleasant news such as the Coronavirus pandemic and shutdowns, and the rioting going on across many cities in the United States. While the country may be going through troubled times for now, it's future was in space.

To see a video of some of the highlights of the launch, Click Here. To see a longer video from NASA, Click Here (launch at 4:23).

Source: BBC News , NASA 

Correction: I originally thought the event was at Spaceport Bravo. It turned out to be at the National Space Society sim.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Busy Weekend

The weekend offered a number of things to see and do. Among them were the Relay for Life's Ten Days of Relay, in which numerous DJs played to crows, such as Team Sunbeamer's Matt Carlton and Cynthia Farshore. But this wasn't all. On Saturday, a crowd gathered at Spaceport Bravo to watch the Space-X launch at the Kennedy Space Center, America's first launch in nine years. On Saturday, the monthly Homes For Our Troops benefit concert took place, raising over 184,000 Linden Dollars.

Stand by for more news on these events.

SL Video: "Second Life's Prospering Virtual Economy Explained"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Luca on May 28, "Second Life is a virtual world with a prospering economy where not only content creators, but anyone can profit and possibly make a living from as long as people find value in what they do within the virtual world."