Logo Chosen For InWorldz's Successor Islandz

While development on Islandz, the successor of the closed virtual world InWorldz, continues, there is a little news. They now have a logo. It shows the letters big and bold, with an outline of a palm tree and a fish. There's also a wooden sign with the letters "Virtual World," in front of tropical plant leaves.

Earlier on the Islandz Discord chat, it was announced three logos were being considered, and opinions on which was best were welcome. The one that eventually was chosen got complements from several people. When I asked if this was now going to be the logo, I was told this was most likely it, though there is the possibility of a small change or two.

Also, it looks like there will be no need for former residents of InWorldz to register new accounts on Islandz. They should be able to use their old account names and passwords when it opens.

No date for the opening of Islandz has yet been set, official or closed beta, has been set.

Bixyl Shuftan

An Active Weekend

Quite a few things happened this weekend in Second Life. Hurricane Florence slammed into the American southeast, hitting coastal areas with high winds and causing flooding as it moved inland, knocking out power (and Internet) to close to a million people. The Pixel to Pixel Foundation had it's Ninth Anniversary party (pictured above). The "Spoonful of Sugar"began, and will last for the rest of the month. Stay tuned for more information on these, and other goings-on.

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Senchai Libraries

HOUNDS, HALLS, AND PIRATES

One of our favorite "holidays" this week - International Talk Like A Pirate Day!  It's almost as sacred to us as St. Patrick's Day (oh, but don't tell the good Saint I said that!).  Plus TEA TIME moves to baronial Baskerville Hall at "The Hound of the Baskervilles" continues.

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All events at Senchai Library at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise noted
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holly%20Kai%20Estates/215/44/27

 All stories told in open voice. All times SL/PT

**SUNDAY, September 16th at 1:30pm: TEA TIME at Baker Street: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Episode 3- Corwyn Allen, Kayden Oconnell, David Abbot, and Caledonia Skytower, live in voice.

**MONDAY, September 17th at 7pm: Ellen Anthony's MURDER IS BLISS  continues with Gyro Muggins. (We are pleased to welcome friend Gracee Andel's Sci Fi Detective adventure to the Library)

**TUESDAY, September 18th at 7pm:  Katherine Applegate's WISHTREE continues with Faerie Maven-Pralou

** WEDNESDAY, September 19th at 7pm: INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!  Come along and celebrate with all the scurvy dogs on the good ship "Seanchai" ... possible celebratory cruise to follow for those brave enough to endure one of Captain Cale's sailing expeditions!
   
** THURSDAY,September 20th at 7pm - More from Richard Ratay's DON'T MAKE ME PULL OVER! with Caledonia Skytower. (TBD in kitely)
  ***

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle: "Two Part Talk by Dr. Gastor, and Debate"

"Two Part Talk by Dr. Gastor, and Debate."

“Reducing Irreducible Complexity”
“A Biological Basis for Morality”

Saturday Sept. 16
8-9AM SLtime 

In this two part talk, Dr. Gasior discusses two crux arguments in the evolution versus religion debate.
 
One counter concept to Darwinian evolution is the argument that biological systems are designed. And, an irreducibly complex machine must have had a designer. A deconstruction of this line of reasoning will be produced along with an example of how evolution works to develop biological machines via analogy with handgun development.

Regardless of the truth of religion, many people find comfort and feel a need for a system of morality with an omniscient and punishing/redeeming entity. Science does not per se offer a specific system of morality and in fact it is argued it creates a potential sense of loneliness and isolation. The second segment puts forth a biological basis for morality from our understanding of biological diversity and Darwinian evolution.

The second segment will begin by watching the first couple minutes of the following video which sets up the conversation.

 More information at: https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/two-part-talk-by-dr-gasior-debate/

The Science Circle (61/126/32) 

Crew Meeting

Saturday September 8 was when the Newser crew had it's monthly meeting at Noon SL time at the office building in HV Commmunity. Attending were Gemma Cleanslate, Klaus Bereznyak, Deaflegacy, and myself, Bixyl Shuftan. My friend Velani was also there as a guest.

Klaus had a shirt with the country of Zimbabwe on it. This led to a short discussion of our coverage of sims with African themes, both safari areas, and places with communities with African residents. Will we be seeing more in the near future? Maybe.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Kisses Back"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Furry Alex on August 9, 2018, "Song: Matthew Koma - Kisses Back (Anthony Keyrouz Remix)"

New Blog Devoted to Virtual Sex and Romance

A new blog features discussions and information about sex, romance, and related issues in virtual worlds: virtualsexromance.wordpress.com. (Note that there is no “and” or “&”).

Sex and romance are among the most popular pursuits in SL.As in real-life, they occasion many questions and discussions, which the new blog will cover.

“I’ve had interesting talks in Second Life about virtual relationships,” said Eugene Rodgers, who created the blog. “For instance, does a person in a committed real-life relationship cheat if they have virtual sex with someone else? And why is BDSM popular in SL? Contributions to my blog should prove enlightening.”

Rodgers is the author of “Femme Fatale Online,” a mystery novel with an unidentified villain who acts through an avatar in a virtual world like Second Life. “She tries to seduce the married hero into a virtual sexual relationship,” Rodgers said. “He agonizes over whether to go along. I first planned a blog to address this and other issues raised in the ebook, but decided there was a greater need to focus entirely on sex and romance.”

Rodgers is restricting the blog to serious discussions and legitimate questions. “I’ll remove any salacious material or improper solicitations that may be posted,” he said.

Blog topics include:
Best places to make friends and go on dates
Questions and advice about virtual relationships
Is it acceptable for a committed person to pursue virtual sex or romance?
Meeting in RL
LGBT and BDSM
Best clothing-free sites
The Future—How will virtual reality affect online sex and romance?
Other Virtual Worlds

Be among the first to raise questions or initiate discussions at virtualsexromance.wordpress.com!

Reader Submitted: Netera Landar's Chat Lounge Returns, to OpenSim

In an effort to inform, entertain and simply have a great time, I'm booting up my virtual world chat. But this time, I'm going to involve those of the open sim community.

I've been doing a lot of hyper jumping and have landed on a few interesting grids. One of which is run by Bill Blight and is called opensim life.com. I'm not leaving SL, my friends and partner are here. I merely want to introduce talented builders, content creators, authors and performers to what lies beyond. Open to guests that can speak on various topics: real life or virtual.

Those interested in being my guest, IM me here or email me at Netera@aol.com, Create an account on opensim life.com and IM me there. It will be a voice chat in a large build owned by an SL musician.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Netera Landar

Hurricane Florence Update: Making Landfall

Hurricane Florence is making landfall in North Carolina, at winds of 90 mph around it's eyewall. Already, over 170,000 have lost power, and the number promises to go much higher. There are also over 150 needing rescue in the city of New Bern NC.

The storm is expected to linger in the general area for a few days, crawling westward into North and South Carolina, and causing flooding well inland, with Georgia also being affected. Then the remnants will turn north, dumping large amounts of rain onto eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, West Virginia, and western Virginia.

It has been estimated some places could be out of power for days to weeks.

Source: weather.com

Update: The number of those without power has gone up to over 430,000.

Bixyl Shuftan

Firestorm Fundraiser Decleared a Success

It was late last month that Team Firestorm started a "Gacha" fundraiser to help pay for a new server and other expenses. A few days ago, team leader Jessica Lyon declared it a success.

Once again I find myself flabbergasted by the level of community support we receive from our users. In just over two weeks we have raised just over L$1.3 million lindens between Gacha sales and donations! This will be more than enough to keep us going for a few more years.

Our server admin, Mygoditsfullofstars, has already upgraded us to one new server and you should see faster download times as a result. He’s now very busy working to upgrade and migrate all our other things over to a better server too. There is even enough now to cover our Kakadu license renewal, possibly for two years!

The Firestorm team and I are forever grateful and appreciative for the support we receive from our community.

While there are a still a few more goods for sale in the fundraiser area, Team Firestorm is collecting no more.

Special thanks to all who gave donations, many were very generous! Special thanks to Kio Feila as well for all her hard work trying to keep the shelves stocked. Thank you also to all our Gateway volunteers and managers for enduring the additional traffic! Thank you all SO MUCH for your support!

Announcement: Pixel To Pixel Foundation's Ninth Anniversary

Saturday , September 15 save the date!  There will be a celebration of the 9th anniversary of the P2P Foundation in Second Life

Their work has assisted many many avatars in SL over the years. Jadyn Firehawk explains, “Some people who are on disability, however, cannot afford to spend any money on Second Life, The Pixel To Pixel Foundation's mission is to assist people in Second Life who are on disability. By granting them weekly Linden-dollar stipends, we help to make it possible for them to have homes, buy things, and pursue creative interests in SL that they might not otherwise be able to afford.”

 Donations support this effort . To read about Jadyn and this foundation see Deaflegacy’s interview. http://slnewserpeople.blogspot.com/2016/09/interview-with-jadyn-firehawk-of-pixel.html
Stop over at the event to say congratulations and celebrate!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Clairehaven/130/136/24

Announcement: The Spoonful of Sugar Festival

Welcome to the Spoonful of Sugar Festival!  This Fall we bring to you the fourth of these very successful festivals for the benefit of MSF/Doctors Without Borders.  

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation

MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. You can find out a lot more about them on our MSF INFO page at the above URL or by visiting their website at: http://www.msf.org/

Second Life is a global community and with the help of Seraphim, T1 Radio, AIM and ModeLS Magazine, we will come together to celebrate the world wide movement of Médecins Sans Frontières with an entire two weeks of parties, events, and fund raising running September 15 - September 30, 2018. Join us at The Spoonful of Sugar Festival as we visit Italy!

We bring to you the finest in SL Fashion, Home and Garden and amazing Breedables to enhance your second life with style, comfort and charm. Our calendar is packed with a Panel Discussion with MSF workers, SL's highly acclaimed entertainers, dance troupes, and Fashion Shows. Shop us. Talk about us.  Educate yourself and your friends and family to this beautiful cause. Join us for what many are calling the sweetest fund raiser in all of SL.

To learn more about the S.O.S Festival and MSF/Doctors Without Borders please visit our website where you can see all the latest happening and developments: http://www.thesosfestival.com

You can also stay up to date and follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/thesosfestival/?pnref=story

To see all the new releases, exclusives, and creations from 200 amazing designers, check out our flickr group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/thesosfestival/

We will see you at The Spoonful of Sugar Festival, Sept. 15- September 30, 2018.

Yours Truly,
Ever Courtois & Angel Wickentower
S.O.S Founders
and The S.O.S Event Team

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spoonful%20of%20Sugar/157/132/43

Hurricane Florence Update

For those in the American southeast, there's been some changes in the forecast of Hurricane Florence. It's path has shifted somewhat to the south and west. This is good news for people living in Virginia and northern North Carolina, which won't be hit quite as hard. But bad news for South Carolina which will get hit harder, and Georgia which will be more affected by the storm.

Florence has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm. But it is still very dangerous for those directly in it's path as the winds around it's core are expected to blow up to 110 miles an hour as it approaches the North Carolina shore tonight and tomorrow morning. The storm is expected to linger in the area for a few days, with a risk of flooding deep into North and South Carolina. As the illustration shows, much of North and South Carolina, and parts of Georgia and Virginia are likely to lose electric power, and with it Internet connections.

Source: weather.com

Cynthia and Shockwave's "Bid Me" Period From Relay Season Ends

In a sense, it was the last event for Team Sunbeamers, the Relay for Life team of the Sunweaver community. During the Relay season, Cynthia Farshore, known for her anthro nannygoat avatar, volunteered for a "Bid Me Foxy" fundraising event for the team. Shockwave soon followed up with his "Bid Me Goat" fundraiser. The two "Bid-Me" events raised over 62,000 Lindens for the team when the totals were tallied on Friday June 15, and helped it reach Sapphire status that weekend. But they were stuck in their new looks for twelve weeks.

When the Relay season ended in July, Rita offered to let Cynthia and Shockwave off the hook as technically all Relay events were over. But the two answered that a promise was a promise and they would stick to it. So they stayed in their "Bid Me" looks until the night of Friday September 7 at the "Lemon/Lime" dance at Club Cutlass when the 12 weeks were finally up. For the first hour, they danced about as usual.

At 7PM, Cynthia vanished in a cloud of pigeons flying in every direction. Then a few minutes later, both reappeared in another cloud of pigeons and red smoke, both in their usual appearances. "Showmanship counts," Shockwave would comment. The two then resumed their dance.

And so, the last of Team Sunbeamer's events was truly over. While the team is proud to have reached Emerald rank for the first time ever, it is also tired. While the team will be doing Bid-Mes and other fundraisers next year, there will probably be no games like this year's "Cancer Shooting Train." But the next season is months away, and Cynthia and Shockwave have a few things to work on in the meantime, such as the Caledon Downs sim and the relocated Goblin Cave,

Bixyl Shuftan

Urban Furry's "Furry Prom"

On Saturday September 8,  the Urban Furry club held it's "Fall Furry Prom." The event went from 4 to 8PM SL time/ When I dropped in, it was well attended, with over fifty present. The event attracted a wide variety of avatars, including feral, neko, and normal human avatars.

Thorrinn Resident, the owner of Urban Furry, seemed satisfied overall with the event. Aside from the lag and one or two people trying to grief the place, the party went well.

Urban Furry holds events every week, and among it's DJs is Brandi Streusel of the Sunweaver/Angels community where the SL Newser has it's office.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcent: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in October 2018

American Cancer Society in Second Life Preparing to Attack Breast Cancer Like Never Before 

Hey, Let’s talk numbers for a minute….

I want you to imagine the Rose Bowl stadium, AT and T Stadium, and the Los Angeles Coliseum, all filled with people…

Now realize that this represents all of the people who will be diagnosed with breast cancer…in this year.  That’s 270,000 men and women.

The good news is that we have the power to change the numbers by getting involved with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Across Second Life right now! The Strides series of events will feature 5 different ways that you can use your Second Life to fight breast cancer.

* * * * *

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk-A-Thon

October 20, 10am – 6pm SLT

SLURL (coming soon)

Walker registration for this event will open on September 15, 2018. Sponsorship registration will open on September 16. Sign up at makingstridessecondlife.org and collect pledges from your friends and family both in and outside of Second Life. We’ll help you track how many laps around the pink-ribbon track your avatar can make, and then you go and collect all those pledges from your supporters! Awards will be presented for Top fundraiser, most laps completed, most sponsors (pledges), and Overall Top Walker. Get the full details about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk-A-Thon here.

Out-Shop Breast Cancer

10/1/18 – 10/31/18

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – American Cancer Society

This is not just about fashion, this is about Everything! If you have a store in Second Life, and you are interested in fighting breast cancer – this event is about as easy as it can get. Store-owners will use American Cancer Society breast cancer vendor kiosks to feature special products in their stores. Shoppers will make their strides across Second Life by teleporting from store to store with the Out-Shop Cancer HUD.

Get your shopping HUD at the American Cancer Society Island, then visit the variety of stores who have committed to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The more you buy, the more impact we have together. For more information, get the full details about the Out Shop Cancer event.

Parade of Homes

10/1/18 – 10/31/18

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – American Cancer Society

If you’re a home builder, designer/creator, or landscaper who wants to use your skills to fight breast cancer, this is the event for you! The Parade of Homes will bring shoppers to your store, where you’ll offer a limited edition home through a special vendor kiosk where proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer program.

Shoppers & home buyers can pick up a Parade of Homes HUD, which will bring them to each store where they can shop and make donations! This is a perfect opportunity to discover some of the great home designers in Second Life, get your new home, and fight breast cancer – all at the same time. The parade of homes will conclude with a special live auction for a L$90,000 dream home, donated by Slash Hansome, owner of AXL pro.

If you’re interested in donating a home or shopping, visit the Parade of Homes page for full details.

Breast Cancer Gala

10/27/18 from 2pm-5pm SLT

SLURL (coming soon)

The annual gala event will celebrate breast cancer patients, survivors, and pay homage to loved ones that are no longer with us. This is a chance to meet new people,  reconnect with old friends, and share stories with others about your personal connection to breast cancer. This is a formal attire event with special live performances. Donations are encouraged throughout the event.

Photos For A Cure

Accepting Submissions from 9/1/18 – 9/30/18

Submit Photos at  www.flickr.com/groups/makingstrideswalk-secondlife

SKYY Games is proudly sponsoring this annual breast cancer photo contest where all photographers in Second Life are invited to share your artistic talents by submitting a photo that you feel best reflects the theme, “The Rack Pack.”  A L$10,000 prize will be awarded to the top photo. Additional prizes for 2nd and 3rd place will also be awarded. For contest rules, timeline, and full details, visit the Photos For A Cure on the Making Strides website.

Participate in an Event, purchase an item whose proceeds go to Strides, make a donation to a Strides Kiosk or at makingstridessecondlife.org.  For information on any of these breast cancer events, contact Leala Spire or Sandie Loxingly in Second Life.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Hurricane Florence Update

Hurricane Florence is still making it's way to the American East Coast, heading to North Carolina. As of the writing of this article, it ranks a Category 4 storm  Hurricane warnings and watches cover all of the North Carolina coast and most of the South Carolina coast, with storm warnings in Tidewater Virginia. Unfortunately, the coast is not the only area in danger as the interiors of the states in it's path and nearby face possible flooding as the storm is likely to stall and linger. The result could very well be more widespread and longer power outages.

The storm will be approaching the North Carolina coast on Thursday evening. Stay tuned for more details.

Sources: weather.com, Reuters

SSP Region Update

Since last week's update on the SSP sim region, which appeared in late August, there's been a few minor changes. A few sims such as SSP119 have been changed to look like something artificial in contrast to the island's natural features. What look like piers and jetties are being set up along the shoreline in places. SSP150 has what looks like a picture of a snake over the sim. There's also a new sim just north of the landmass: SSP2 QA Test.

Stay tuned for further updates.