Haunted Train On The Sunweaver Railroad

 

Things at the Sunweaver Railroad are getting a little spooky. Instead of the usual golden-yellow train, a different locomotive has been seen steaming down the tracks. This one is coal-black, is numbered "666," and is marked "Skeleton RR."  And the engineer was looking a little on the bony side. 

Guess one could call him the "skeleton crew."

Presumably, once November 1 rolls around, this spooky train will chug back to whatever Halloweenish place it came from.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

More Halloween Places in Second Life

 

October is here, and it's time for Halloween season. This means plenty of spooky and scary places across Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate has been on the lookout for them. In her second article, she writes about a few more spooktacular places to visit. That is, if you dare. It seems some are just, dying, to stay for good.

Read Gemma's article in Places.
 

Cartoon of the Day: SS Minnow Dance

 

Taken at the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club. Not sure why Gil Otaared was waving around the life preserver with "SS Minnow" on it. But one can imagine.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Do You Have A Story?

 

We at Second Life Newser work hard at bringing you the news of the people, places, and events across Second Life. This past year, we've posted hundreds of articles, announcements, press releases, briefs, and our popular screenshot cartoons. But sorry to say we can't be everywhere, and we don't always have time to write about every single place we come across.

So this is where you the readers come in. Have you seen a particularly well-detailed sim? Went to a great event? Found yourself in a hilarious "only in SL" predicament? We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.

Mail submissions to bixylshuftan(at)gmail.com.

PLEASE include your SL user name and tell us if you wish it to appear with your story.

SL-Newser reserves the right to post in the appropriate section and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture (if taken in a private area) or use an alias for them).*
 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.

Club Cutlass: Best in 'M', So Foxy, Tooned In

Happy Vixen: Fairy Tales, Red and Black, Witches and Warlocks, Odds and Mods, Madkatt Mashup, Day of the Dead, Mice and Canines, Spots Stripes and Other Markings

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Nearly Naked

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Fursonas, Scales VS Fur, Horror, Insects, Sexy, Late Night, Good vs Evil, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

Announcement: No 2021 Dickens Project

 

We regret to announce that, after careful consideration, we have decided to give Charlie a year off. A variety of First Life imperatives and other factors brought us to the realization that we could not provide our community with the Project that they have come to expect, for 2021.  

This is not a long-term decision. We fully intend to come back refreshed and ready for guests and friends in 2022. In the meantime, Seanchai Library will be offering a wide range of story experiences for the season beyond the works of Mr Dickens, including a special Sunday series from classic holiday radio shows, and the annual Big Read of "A Christmas Carol" on Sunday, December 19th (just as if there had been regions filled with Dickensian doings).

Thank you for your support & enthusiasm!

~ Slainte'
 

A Visit to the Viridian Gallery

Recently Anita Kimono went over to the Viridian Gallery. Created by Julian Crooks, the exhibit there, “The Butterfly Eyeffect: Touch of Light at the Edge of the World" is by Eyeclectic (John Stone in real life). It features feature real-life photos of nature alongside some picturesque Second Life builds. Anita took a look around, and even ran into the photographer.
 
Read more in Design.
 

A Bad Week For Facebook and Twitch, Windows 11 Launched

It was not the best week for Facebook last week.  On Tuesday October 5, Frances Haugen, a former Facebook manager turned whistleblower, testified before Congress. She stated the company knew it's app Instagram could be hazardous to the mental health of teenage girls, and knew it was not doing enough to combat disinformation on it's social media website that contributed to the worsening political divide in the United States and led to the January 6 riot. While it could have taken measures to protect girls on Instagram and done more about misinformation on Facebook, it had not done so as the company didn't want to cut into it's profits, putting money over the safety of it's customers. Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg would respond with a statement denying her accusations.

But then came more bad news in the form of a six hour outage of both Facebook and Instagram. While for most it was an annoyance, some small businesses have come to rely on Facebook for communication with their customers. Also affected were sets of Oculus VR headgear. The company would eventually offer an apology.  It's estimated that the company lost billions from this outage. Then on Friday, the company suffered another outage and once again Facebook and Instagram were down once more, another blow to it's reputation.

Facebook wasn't the only social media platform to face big trouble. On Wed Oct 6, there was a massive data leak targeting Twitch. Over 100 gigabytes of data was posted online on Wednesday October 6. This includes operational details that the company "fiercely guards," such as how many millions the top streamers made in revenue from broadcasting. "Aside from the salary details, the documents seems to contain the site's source code and even technical details for yet to be released products and platforms," Joe Tidy in an article on BBC News would say, adding if everything was confirmed it would be, "the biggest leak I have ever seen - an entire company's most valuable data cleaned out in one fell swoop." ThreatModeler founder and CEO Archie Agarwal would say of the data breach,"This is as bad as it could possibly be."

While there didn't seem to be any passwords included in the leaked data, it was listed as "part one," hinting there was more to come. Still, it is reccomended that Twitch users change their passwords anyway.

Tuesday October 5 was the release date of Windows 11. Six years ago, Microsoft was saying there would be only new installments of Windows 10. That has changed, and the company has launched a new version that promises to be "clean and fresh and simpler." If you're reluctant to change over to the new system, you'll have plenty of company. The list of machines the company says this version of Windows needs has been described as "ridiculously strict." In a review on PC Gamer, the writers thought Windows 11 had a few nice improvements, but nothing worth upgrading to the new system, and a number of reasons to wait. Officially, PC users have until October 2025 to wait. After that, Microsoft plans no more technical or security updates.

Sources: BBC News, PC Gamer, The Verge   

Bixyl Shuftan
  

Announcement: Haunted Hollow - An All Hallows Experience

 

Presented by Elite Equestrian, Seanchai Library, Tarot @ Teatime, and Virtual Community Radio
October 7 - 31 on Chestnut Hills in Second Life.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/219/2502
 
"Once Upon a Time there was an Enchanted Hollow under the glow of the Hunter's Moon. It was there that tales gathered: tales of struggle and virtue, of light and looming darkness. They settled in as cooling breezes whirled the falling leaves, nestling between the autumnal heights and that place where the brook waters blend with the salty sea. Some thrive, some expire, and some twist themselves just a little."

Haunted Hollow features stories, music, live trick or treat, hunts, pony rides, and a region of fun to explore.

Take the rambler tours (aerial or ground based) of the Hollow, or stop by for one of the trick or treat events hosted by Elite Equestrian. Join Seanchai Library as they present  hours of stories for the season, including an encore presentation of Ray Bradbury's "The Halloween Tree." Explore the caves and discover video screening spots.

~ Not one, not two, but THREE treasure hunts
~ Pony rides with adorable free gifts
~ Participating in Free Bird's annual live trick or treat event
~ Presentation of author Roger Zelazny's "A Night in the Lonesome October"
~ Ray Bradbury's "The Halloween Tree"
~ Special story sessions, and "A Grimm Brothers Halloween" on the day itself
~ Two Live Tarot@Teatime episodes
~ Live Tarot Readings
~ A dedicated "Spooky Music Stream" provided by Virtual Community Radio
~ Three viewing rooms to stop and watch short features on the theme of death and transition.

~ Music events, and more!
 
Check out the schedule of events at the Main Landing Point, then check back often as the month of spookable doings continues.

You can also check out our Google Calendar for updated events: https://tinyurl.com/3p3n5pu5

Haunted Hollow is presented by:

Elite Equestrian - https://ladiespleasure.wordpress.com/
Seanchai Library - www.seanchailibrary.com
Virtual Community Radio - https://vcradio.org/
 

Cartoon of the Day: "House Flippers"

 

Taken at the Second Life Renaissance Festival. Who knows why this guy was wearing just a wetsuit bottom and a pair of divers' flippers. But there was one other kind of "flipper" I could think of.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: Haunted Hollow is open and splendid!  We've done our first stores there, and more are on the way plus Ghostbusters, Watchstar, and more Wyrd Sisters. Join us in #Secondlife for fun and adventure, this week.

Check out the stories and the storytellers! 

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

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

--------->> COMING THIS WEEK

{IMPORTANT NOTE: To get to story sessions at Haunted Hollow, you will be directed to the main landing point. There is no direct teleport to the Halloween Tree venue.  Look for the sign outside the arrival building, pointing to the *telepumpkin*. Click on the *telepumpkin*  to be redirected to The Halloween Tree story venue.}


** SUNDAY, October 10th at 1:30pm: TEATIME ~ A Night In The Lonesome October Continues, live on stream at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow. NOTE: Session will be 1 hour, 15 minutes-ish long. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

**MONDAY, October 11th, at 7pm: Pamela Sargent's WATCHSTAR continues with Gyro Muggins.
    
**TUESDAY, October 12th:

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen.
   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
   
   ~ at 7pm: Ray Bradbury's THE HALLOWEEN TREE  begins with Caledonia Skytower, Faerie Maven-Pralou, and Shandon Loring, live on stream at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/220/2502

**WEDNESDAY, October 13th at 7pm: More from Terry Pratchett's WYRD SISTERS with Caledonia Skytower.

**THURSDAY, October 14th: Both Thursday sessions are with Shandon, live at The Halloween Tree at Haunted Hollow. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/144/220/2502

   at 7pm: THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH OF JOHN BUCKLEY

   at 9pm: LATE NIGHT HORROR - It Came From The Multiplex
   
** FRIDAY, October 15th at 7pm: GHOSTBUSTERS Continues with Shandon Loring and Caledonia Skytower

***
 

Burn2 Begins

 

Burn2, the largest and longest running annual art and music festival in Second Life, got started yesterday. This is the virtual version of the Burning Man festival that takes place in Black Rock Nevada every year, and helped inspire members of the early Linden Lab to develop Second Life. 

The event goes on to Sunday October 17, with numerous exhibits and music events across several sims. The theme this year is "The Great Unknown." The high points of the event, the Burning of the Man and the Temple Burn, aren't taking place until next weekend. But there's plenty to see, hear, and experience every day.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/174/32/25
 

SL Video: "Halloween - Second Life"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Luvett Productions on Oct 2007
 

Lab Gab Today, October 8, at 1PM SL time

 *

Yesterday, Linden Lab announced their next episode of "Lab Gab" would be today, October 8. It will take place at 1PM SL time. Strawberry Linden will be interviewing Brian Friedman and Jon Nakagawa.

Brian is a choreographer that has worked with many popular artists, such as Britney Spears, Cher, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and many more. He has also provided choreography for music videos, concerts, and television and film productions.

Jon is the owner of Paragon Dance Animations, a Hollywood-based production company founded by professionals in the movie industry. Paragon brings the talents of accomplished and high-profile dancers to life in virtual reality, by specializing in the production of dance animations for Second Life.

The Lab would go on to say the two had teamed up recently with Paragon, and worked on a "dance number using a motion capture suit," with a film on their Facebook page. 

The episode can be seen on Youtube live at 1PM today, or later in the archived list of videos. 

This will be the first Lab Gab since the Second Life Birthday, in June.
 
To read the blog post in full, Click Here.
 

A Few Halloween Happenings

 

It's still early in October, but there are plenty of Halloween-related things to do in Second Life. For those who like shopping most of all, there's the "Shop and Hop" going on, with ten sims of stores to see and buy from.

Come celebrate Halloween with your favorite Second Life Creators. With sales galore and gifts for everyone! The event will run from October 1st to 31st, 2021.

The Destinations Guide had a list of the sims. On the Linden blog, the post about the shopping event had a list of participating sellers with a SLURL next to each one. Or you can just head here: Tinseled (154/128/52)

There's also some haunted areas to visit. One featured in Second Life Destinations was "Hauntings."

Moody, ghostly, creepy, and fun, Hauntings is another delightful venue in Old Town. Once a charming and peaceful spot in rural America, when the events began happening, folks moved away. No cars stopped at the motel; the farm lies abandoned. What happened here? What went on in that house? No-one knows. But once a year, the spirits of those who were innocent walk, looking for treats.

To get to this spooky place, head over to Adagio Breeze (199/59/3603). The place is a little scary, though not as nerve wracking as some places. Oh, and don't worry about the giant bat, too much.

For those in the mood for a hunt to get lots of prizes, one place to go is the Furry Fashion Halloween area. They have one every year. This year, one looks around a foggy fantasy-themed place, with a few signs of witches and pirates, for dragon eggs. There are thirty to be found, as well as a few decoys that give nothing. Flying is turned off, but all places can be reached by jumping, "think jump puzzles from Guild Wars2 (Blame Fortunas and Minty for that!)."

It is recommended that you set your environment to foggy or Midnight, and people are asked not to give hints to others. The entrance, which has some backstory, is at Furry (83/115/4007).

Oh, and Furry Fashion has a Halloween photo contest. All pictures have to be taken in the Halloween area, "Submissions must be put in notecard form into the contest application box by the ghost ship in the Halloween area - Photos must be full perm or linked to your twitter/flickr. Don't forget to add your legacy SL name so we know who you are!" You can send up to five pictures, and the contest lasts until November 3. First prize is 5000 Lindens, with 2500L for second, and 1000L for third.

Stay tuned for more reports of Halloween locations and events.
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Gacha Guild Taking Place

 
The Gacha Guild, a twice a year shopping event, is back in Second Life. This is the first season since Linden Lab banned the sale of items through gacha machines and vendors last month. While the organizers decided they would continue, renaming themselves "The Guild," they're having to sell items though regular methods. So the gachas are gone, and there are no random chances when buying an item. Some items are sold individually. Others through fatpacks. A casual look around showed prices are higher than last season. 

The theme this year is "Dia de Muertos," the area looking like a Latin American town.  One thing that will be the same is the "Halftime Hunt." It will start Friday October 15, and players will have a chance to get some prizes. It's unknown how much of an effect the gacha ban will have on attendance numbers.
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Abnormality/140/130/1751 

Bixyl Shutfan
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms". "Alien Exosociology"

 

"Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms: The Latest Fossil and Geologic Data from Virginia"

Saturday October 9,

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

"Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms: The Latest Fossil and Geologic Data from Virginia"

By Dr. William F. Schmachtenberg, SL: Dae Miami

Virginia contains excellent exposures of Late Precambrian and Early Cambrian rocks and fossils. In this talk, I will share pictures of those rocks and fossils and possible theories that can explain the explosion of life in the oceans during the Early Cambrian. There will also be pretty touristy landscape pictures for Chantal and others who love the mountains of Virginia! If time permits I would also like to discuss Perseverance rovers search for life on Mars and why Virginia may be a model for the search for life on Mars. So a little bit of something for everyone!

To read the announcement in full, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22
 
*  *  *  *  *

"Alien Exosociology"

Saturday October 9

9PM to 10PM SL time

Recent military reports of unexplained objects flying in our skies have sparked renewed interest in alien visitors. Some scientists predict that we will have made contact with advanced civilizations on other worlds within 25 years. What might they be like, and — more importantly – how might they act? Steven Van Hook, a researcher in transcultural relations, will consider what universal social traits we could share in common with our galactic alien neighbors.

Dr. Steven R. Van Hook,
 
To read the announcement in full, Click Here.
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
 

Reader Submitted: At "Tea and Rockets"

 

Taken by Neuralinks Resident at the "Tea and Rockets" event at the Rocket Ring central stage in Spaceport Alpha on Wednesday October 6 as part of World Space Week.
 

New Halloween-Themed Last Names Available

 
 

Yesterday on Wednesday, Linden Lab announced five new last names. They were listed as "Limited Edition" for Halloween season, and it was obvious they were for the spooky holiday.

To celebrate Halloween we are releasing new limited edition last names today!

The following Halloween-themed names are only available until November 1st:  

Trick
Treat
Lecter
Pumpkins
Ghostly

The Lab would also say, "These names for Halloween are seasonal and may come back around this time next year, for a limited time."

However, to keep the list of names at forty-eight, this means five surnames were taken off the list of last ames. They are Primless, Knickers, Orlando, Aviator, and Caboose.

Most of the new names are the harmless kind of spooky. One stands out: Lecter, the surname of the psychotic and cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs." Ghosts and vampires may not be real, but serial killers unfortunately can be. Hard to say how many will come up with names like "Hannibal Lecter" and "Doctor Lecter" as a result of the new option.

For those who think the choices of last names leave something to be desired, the Lab does have a suggestion form to fill out - Click Here to do so.

To view the blog post in full, Click Here.
 

Do You Have A Story?

 

We at Second Life Newser work hard at bringing you the news of the people, places, and events across Second Life. This past year, we've posted a thousand and one articles, announcements, press releases, briefs, and our popular screenshot cartoons. But sorry to say we can't be everywhere, and we don't always have time to write about every single place we come across.

So this is where you the readers come in. Have you seen a particularly well-detailed sim? Went to a great event? Found yourself in a hilarious "only in SL" predicament? We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.

Mail submissions to bixylshuftan(at)gmail.com.

PLEASE include your SL user name and tell us if you wish it to appear with your story.

SL-Newser reserves the right to post in the appropriate section and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture (if taken in a private area) or use an alias for them).

Cartoon of the Day: Fallen Pony

 

Taken at Faeun. At a dance party, this alicorn pony was rolling around. So why would a pony be stumbling around this way? I could think of one reason, the only kind of liquor sold at Trotsdale.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Preparing For The Burn

 

In a few days, Burn2, the largest and longest-running annual art and music festival in Second Life, will began. This is the virtual version of the Burning Man festival in Black Rock Nevada, which helped inspire Philip Rosedale and others in the early Linden Lab to come up with Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate has been at the Playa as the "Burners" are getting ready. So what has she seen?

Read Gemma's story in Events.
 

Gofundme Fundraiser for Maxwell Graf Succeeds

 

Over a decade ago, the Newser wrote about Maxwell Graf, or Timothy Jackson in real life, in 2010 over his deleting his sim to protest content theft. A few years later, he asked for some help to avoid an eviction in real life of himself and his wife, and residents answered generously. But soon after disaster struck and they lost their home anyway. The following year she was badly hurt in an accident. Still, they found a new place and rented it monthly, making plans to get a lasting home. But then the property they were renting was bought, and the new owner told them they had to leave. They did get an offer accepted on a mobile home. But their savings weren't enough. So they started a Gofundme and asked for help. "We are so close to having some stability," he stated, "We need your help desperately to keep from becoming homeless again. Please fund us if you can."

Over the next several days, the fundraiser would collect $4675 US Dollars. Max was happy with the results, and closed the fundraiser.

We have reached our goal ... so have locked accepting further donations, other than continue to keep this open. We have what we needed, what we asked for and more than we dared to home. Thank you to all who shared, reposted, blogged, upvoted, linked, and most of all to all who donated. .. Your kindness and lvoe made every difference. We are lifted by others.

For those still wanting to help out Maxwell, they can purchase items from his Rustica furniture store at Rustica (130/116/58), which has a Marketplace page.

Hat Tip: Ryan Schultz

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: I Pink I Can Halloween

 

Camping for a Cure acting on behalf of the ACS Relay for Life in SL is announcing its October Strides campaign, I Pink I Can! From October 8-17, enjoy some retro themed Halloween fun (think 80s-90s scary movies!) and work with us for a great cause. There are so many vendors and designers already involved with the event, but we can always use more! Please Contact Jenny Shackle in world if you would like to be a sponsor for I Pink I Can. 

Watch this blog for more information! http://www.campingforacuresl.com/ 
 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge

 *

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.

Club Cutlass: Best in 'K' & 'L', Spaced Out, Filthy Rich

Happy Vixen: Spooky, Nekos and Kitsunes, Pink and Blue, Odds and Mods, Madkatt maship, TBA, Intimate Wear, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Hooved

Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Furry Fashion Lounge:  Video Games, Fantasy, Canines vs Felines, Angels vs Demons, Sci-fi, Late Night, Black and Red, TBA

Deathlands Fallout Shelter:  DJ Wolfy, DJ Nafrini

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
 

CDS Oktoberfest And The Renaissance Festival Ends

 

This past weekend saw a few events. One was the Oktoberfest at the Confederation in Democratic Simulators. It was three days of fun that culminated in the "Party at the Platz" with DJ DJ Callipygian from 12 to 2 PM, with all the beer and sausage one could eat. 

It was also the final few days of the Renaissance Festival, the largest fundraising event for "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer." There were roleplays, tournaments such as the archery ones (above), and the music events. There were also some raffles. Among those who won a chance to name a new region was Trader Whiplash. Among those whom won a chance to make a new last name for residents was the Sunbeamers' Matt Carlton. 

For those who missed the event, there are other Making Strides fundraisers. And of course there is the upcoming Christmas Expo. Making Strides raises money for the Relay for Life, which goes to the American Cancer Society.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Press Release: Burn2 The Great Unknown

 
Opening 6:00 pm PDT/SLT, Friday October 8th, 2021

Ending Midnight PDT/SLT, Sunday, 17th of October 2021

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/174/32/25

Burn With Us!
BURN2 is an extension of the Burning Man culture and community into the world of Second Life. It is an official Burning Man Regional, the only virtual world Regional out of more than 100 Regional groups worldwide, and the only Regional to burn the Man! This unique virtual Regional spreads the culture and 10 Principles of Burning Man year-round in the world of Second Life hosting 6+ events per year, culminating in an annual major festival of community, art and fire in October – a virtual echo of Black Rock City.

As always, we look forward to welcoming home Burners.  Enter the playa through the Gate, walk on with the Lamplighters; visit the Rangers, and check out our effigy burn. Wander, explore, climb, interact. Visit the stages, where DJs and musicians bring music to soothe, inspire, excite and incite to dance. You will be surrounded by art, music, fire and welcoming Burners! See the (continuously updated) BURN2 Calendar at https://www.burn2.org/event-calendar/ for the event’s schedule.

The Great Unknown, October 8-17th, 2021
https://www.burn2.org/burn2-events/the-great-unknown/
Building is in full swing for our October event, themed “The Great Unknown,” as Burn2 follows the same Burning Man art theme each year.  As is tradition every year, artists and creatives are invited to get their plots and create homes and art installations in our virtual temporary city.  For 2021, we have double the size of our past virtual playa with a total of 12 regions - plenty of space for seasoned and new Burners to build their art, theme camps, and even camp villages.  So collect some friends and join together to make your scene on BURN2’s virtual playa, 2021!  Yes, you can group build and make a great village or art installation come alive and share it with friends. Only a few days left until the build period closes!

This year’s theme, The Great Unknown, is Burning Man’s 2021 theme and we are presenting this as BURN2’s theme for our annual October burn at BURN2.  Did you participate in Virtual Burn Week? If yes, bring it out again to BURN2 in October. We’ll help Burners bring their 3D builds into Second Life, help campmates decompress on our Playa, and we can help you with some supplies that you can decorate as your own.  Take your virtual theme camp to another level by creating events or gatherings in your space and we can post the activity to our website in our version of the Who/What/Where Guide.  We have a large Burner community at BURN2 eager to burn with you and we are excited to see what you will bring out to the virtual Playa and share with us!  Check out more at www.burn2.org. Welcome Home!

Plot Sale
Our plot sale in its last few days! While the deadline was the 29th of September, we are extending it through Sunday, October 3rd. Burn2’s plot sale is equivalent to buying a ticket to camp on the Playa.  This helps to pay for the cost of renting the sims in Second Life®.

We have a Plot Lottery
Apply for our Plottery if you find you are unable to afford a plot, but you want a place to call your home on the Playa.

Create a Small Art Display
Big art sounds intimidating?  We are inviting Burners to contribute small-scale art that will be displayed across the Playa. You can sign up on this page. Meanwhile, put on your art beret, fire up the sketchbook or mesh build apps and add your bit of creativity to this event.

Gift Your Talents in Tunes and Dance
Not into building virtually?  Burn2 has three official stages for performers: Main Stage, BOB Stage, and Center Camp at Burn2. Visit our website for information on how you can join the event as a DJ, live mixer, live musician or singer.  The stage times are first come, first served. And all camps aka “plots'' have their own sound stream and can create their own stage. You can even do your thing inside your camp space and invite others to join you, of course.  Want to read, interview someone, have poetry readings?   You can do that with a live stream or in local voice chat.

 

And, last but not least...the Man will Burn! And we will also burn a beautiful Temple, a space that we hope you will enjoy similar to the experience you get from being in the presence of a temple on a physically dusty Playa.

Tell Your Friends and Plan to Come!
We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and our community. Walk through the gate, and if you are a virgin Burner, ring the bell! Follow the Lamplighters on their twice-daily processions; visit the Rangers, view the Man and meditate in the Temple. Wander, explore, climb, interact. Dress your avatar in your Playa finest.  Visit the many performance camps with music to soothe, inspire, excite and incite to dance with your avatar in your own living room. You will be surrounded by art, music, fire and welcoming Burners!

Want to stay informed through group notices? Join the BurningMan 2.0 group in Second Life. Do a search on groups or pull up the profile of any BURN2 staff member, open the group properties, and click the Join button. As always, the 10 Principles serve as our framework for how we want to live and do things together.

About Burning Man Project
The nonprofit Burning Man Project produces the annual Burning Man event in Black Rock City, and works year-round to provide support, education, and grants to a global ecosystem of artists, makers and community leaders. In doing so, the organization functions as the cultural heart of the global Burning Man community, facilitating and extending the culture that has issued from the Burning Man event into the larger world.

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Information about the Burning Man Regionals from around the world
 

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

 

THIS WEEK: The "High Story Season" is here and we have a schedule overflowing with stories, including the Friday evening special, and at The Haunted Hollow this week. Join us in #Secondlife for fun and adventure, this week.

Check out the stories and the storytellers! 

All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.

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

--------->> COMING THIS WEEK

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


** SUNDAY, October 3rd at 1:30pm: TEATIME ~ "A Night In The Lonesome October" Continues, live on stream in Ceiluradh Glen. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

**MONDAY, October 4th, at 7pm: Pamela Sargent's WATCHSTAR begins with Gyro Muggins.
    
**TUESDAY, October 5th:

   ~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen.
   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
   
   ~ at 7pm: Alice Hoffman's NIGHTBIRD  concludes with Willow Moonfire.


**WEDNESDAY, October 6th at 7pm: From X-FILES: "Dusk" with Shandon Loring and Caledonia Skytower

**THURSDAY, October 7th:

   at 7pm: THE PAST by Ellen Glasgow with Shandon Loring at The Haunted Hollow on Chestnut Hills (check back for landmark on the day of)

   at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT with Finn Zeddmore, back at the Main Library
   
** FRIDAY, October 8th at 7pm: GHOSTBUSTERS Continues with Shandon Loring and Caledonia Skytower

***

 

Cartoon of the Day: Thanksgiving Typer

 

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Gil Otaared demonstrates a typing animation that had small stuffed baked turkeys (or are they chickens) floating around her. It was enough to get someone nearby hungry. This is obviously not a typer that someone on a diet would want.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: World Space Week At The National Space Society

 

You are cordially invited to events celebrating World Space Week 2021, October 4th through the 10th, sponsored by the National Space Society in SL, the International Spaceflight Museum, and SpaceX in SL.

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contributions to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. These dates commemorate two events:

October 4, 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration; and

October 10, 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, a.k.a. "The Outer Space Treaty".

This year’s theme is “Women in Space”.  For more information and a listing of RL and Virtual events worldwide:  [ https://www.worldspaceweek.org ].

Spacey Sock Hop Lift Off for World Space Week 2021 with DJ Aristippus
Monday, 4 October from 3 to 5 pm SL/Pacific time
Location:  NSS L-1 BALLroom
[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/128/152/1261 ]


Tea & Rockets
Wednesday, 6 October from 6 to 8 pm SL/Pacific time
Location:  Rocket Ring central stage
[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/128/169/24 ]

Join us as we soak up the rocket fumes…errr…view, at the International Spaceflight Museum’s iconic Rocket Ring and discuss humanity’s past, present and future in space…”gunpowder tea” will be served!


Out Of This World Awards Event Of The Year
Saturday, 9 October from 3 to 4 pm SL/Pacific time
Location:  SpaceX In Second Life Event Center~NSS Location
[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/38/226/3675 ]

Black tie / formal attire please...drinks and hors d'oeuvre will be served.
Guest of Honor Dr. Joseph Borg of Malta will be receiving an Achievement award, and additional awards will be presented. Dr. Borg and his colleagues are the first Maltese space project to be launched via a SpaceX rocket. His cube with science experiments successfully made it to the International Space Station.
[ https://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/news/2021/07/joseph-borg-magazines ].
Live-streamed outside of Second Life at:
[ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaCt33MsVmkQBm-Z7b-Zo5CegcPaUvOtA ].

Throughout World Space Week, please enjoy our audio stream in Second Life or at [ http://stream.gclef320kbps.us:11032 ]. Our WSW playlist is inspired by, but not limited to, this year’s theme of “Women in Space”.
 

Missed The Pillory Event

 

As it turned out, we got the date of "Lindens at the Pillory" wrong, not today but yesterday on Friday. Things in real life have been busier than usual for me lately, and was occupied with things in real life at the time as well. So all that we have is this picture of the scene a few hours later with the stocks empty, and the rotten fruit on the ground all cleaned up.

On the plus side, the Renaissance Festival has been doing very well with fundraising. With this announcement soon after the event:

SL Renaissance Festival just hit $10,000 today and that was our goal! So of course we can’t rest there with 2.5 days to go. Our new goal is $15,000 !!! Woohoo! Let’s kick cancer in the pants and stick it in the pillars!!!!

Today and tomorrow are the last days of the festival, and the last chances to shop, get a raffle ticket, or attend a dance or other event.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Video: "DJ Wolfy At Deathlands"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Hearty on August 16, filmed at the Fallout Shelter at the Deathlands.
 

Jessicabelle Dayafter's Memorial Service

 

It was last week that news of Jessicabelle Dayafter passing away reached Second Life. She had been part of many places and groups, including the New Bastogne WW2 combat roleplay. On the night of September 26, the people of New Bastogne held an inworld memorial service for her, inviting some friends of her from the Sunweavers to attend. There was ceremony, and remembrance, and a salute to a friend and comrade.

Read the story in Events.
 

SL Video: "Pre-Opening of 2021 SL Renaissance Festival"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Bain Finch on Sept 23, "Media Day Access to the 2nd Annual Second Life Renaissance Festival, September 23 – October 4, 2021 to fundraises for the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Mission. 

Funds raised through Strides allow the American Cancer Society to serve breast cancer patients and their families. All proceeds of the SL Renaissance Festival will be directed to funding research, 24/7 support for breast cancer patients, and access to lifesaving screenings.

www.slrenaissancefestival.com
 

Veterans Isle Raises Over 150,000 Lindens at Benefit Concert

 

On Sunday September 26, from about 4PM to 9PM SL time, Veterans Isle was the setting for a concert with one DJ followed by four live musicians. The event, organized in part by Frets Nirvana was to raise funds for the Homes For Our Troops charity.

We are kicking off our 2021 Fall series of benefit concerts for Homes for Our Troops tonight.  And we have a great lineup!  Check it out:

5pm: Chapman Zane  (Live Musican)
6pm: Chilliee Hernandoz  (Live Musican)
7pm: Donn Devore (Live Musican)
8pm: Lark Bowen (Live Musican)

Come on out and support those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  Help us reach $25,000 in donations to HFOT in 2021!

As DJ Waya Snowpaw and the live singers performed for the crowd on stage, the crowd, which was over thirty at one point, donated money into two house-shaped kiosks on either side of the stage. People were encouraged to donate, and at times someone offered to donate a large amount if others would match it.

At the end of the event, a total of 150,720 Linden dollars had been donated into both kiosks.

These fundraisers are typically held once a month at Veterans Isle, at the last Sunday of the month, with some exceptions such as Thanksgiving weekend.

To read more about Homes For Our Troops, check the website: https://www.hfotusa.org

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "What Is It About The Science Circle and Second Life?", "Mitochondrial Dysfunction"

 *

"What is it about The Science Circle and Second Life?"

Saturday October 2,

10AM to 11 AM SL time

Second Life and The Science Circle has been going strong for over 13 years. That is a longer time than almost any of today’s social media platforms.

What does Second Life and The Science Circle mean to you? How do they differ from social media? How is communicating or interacting with other people different in a virtual world than in other ways to meet online? How does it differ from being together in person?

This will be a relaxed and informal conversation about this topic. We would love to hear from you and your point of view on this fascinating social phenomenon.

Non-members only need to register once.

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

To read more about the event, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/161/99/24

*  *  *  *  *
 

"Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Failure in Human Disease"

Saturday October 2

9PM to 10 PM SL time

Some two billion years ago, a seminal, endosymbiotic event occurred: a larger, anaerobic bacterial cell ingested a smaller, aerobic prokaryotic ‘germ’. This beneficial union of two life forms led to the evolution of more highly organized eukaryotic cells with mitochondria as subcellular organelles. These mitochondria still retain their own bacteria-like DNA – they also replicate themselves. As the metabolic power source for eukaryotic cells, mitochondria utilize (detoxify) oxygen to produce energy, an attribute that has made possible the rise of multi-cellular organisms and higher life forms. Mitochondria are vital to cellular life and therefore, to human life. Unfortunately, they can also be subject to genetically-based errors of metabolism.

Presentation by Robert A. Hendrix, M.D.

To read more about the event, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32