SL Video: "Stray Cat Strut"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Merryjest Starchild on August 8, "It's Nationall Cat Day, so this song was pretty much OBLIGATORY. Thank you for my dancers for jumping in at the last minute to make this video a possibility!" 

 

Now who is that Felis with the guitar?

 

Announcement: Musician Grace Loudon at The CVL Library

 

CVL Marly Milena Music Library presents....

Musician Grace Loudon

Sat Aug 9th at NOON SLT

Where:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Bay/20/91/23

This month's MOTM concert is part of the 2025 VWMOOC (Virtual Worlds Massive Online Open Course) Conference, and features the wonderful Grace Loudon, winner of this year's Viral Voice award in Second Life!  Grace is an award winning musician, singer & songwriter who plays piano, guitar and offers a voice that can be gritty and dark or light and pretty.  She has an impressive vocal range and unique style that allows her to perform a mix of originals and covers with skill and talent that comes through in every song.

Although this is being held on the second Saturday of the month, Musician of the Month events are normally on the fourth Saturday of each month, and we will resume that schedule beginning in September. 

Contact Francisco Koolhoven or Valibrarian Gregg

 

Cartoon of The Day: What's On Your Mind?

 

 Taken at WVEC Eduverse. Valibrarian Gregg's look comes with an open book with flying pages on her avatar. It certainly looks like she has some heavy reading on her mind.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Update on The Travelers Station, Elsewhere Blog

 

 While it's neighboring areas are gone, the Traveler's Station just got a reprieve. 

 

A couple days ago, the Newser reported on the location, made by Tripp Foxtail, the man behind the "Elsewhere in Second Life" blog, was closing. The first hint something had changed when clicking on the link to the post about the closure had changed to a "does not exist" message. Checking the website, it was gone, and the latest entry was a simple three word message, "Please Stand By." 

 

Teleporting over, I saw that the neighboring places to Traveler's Station were gone, but it wasn't. What was gone was the sign about it's closing. I noticed Tripp was around, and we ended up talking for a while.  

 

"Yes - The Station remains," Tripp told me, "I have a few others properties to let go of still - but this is my heart and I could not bear to lose it. ... I thought long and hard about this place - and I just could not imagine myself in SL and not be running it. It has been my dream for so long and I fell in love so in love with it."

 

More on the story later. 

 

Ulyanovsk Oblast (174/116/92) 

 

Do YOU Have A Story?

 

On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you, the readers.

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.

 

This is where you the readers come in.  On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you. 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, edit,  and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture that's clearly someone or use an alias for them).

 

Miniature Horse Avatar

 

When going about Second Life, you often see avatars that get your attention. But going about getting pet food, yours truly saw one I haven't seen before, a tiny horse avatar.

 

Messaging the little filly, she was appreciative for the attention, "Breeders Choice gifted them to the first handful of people that bought their brand new mesh horse avatar (back when mesh horses were brand new) so you probably won't see them around really at all. I think they had them in a lucky chair after that for a VERY short period of time. ... This is my favorite avatar to wear to Amaretto auctions."

 

The filly mentioned Amaretto Horses would be having their fifteenth anniversary event on September first and planned to be there. So if you want to see a tiny horse check out there and then. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Waterpark At Bellisserian Fairgrounds

 

In Gemma Cleanslate latest article, she writes about the attraction this month at Bellisaria's Fairgrounds: The Oasis Waterpark. The Bellisarian Hamsters, also known as the "Bell Hammies," made it with some long, twisty slides. And there are the DJ parties, and there's the game room. So what did Gemma think?

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

Blogger Tripp Foxtail To Close Travellers Station

 

 Tripp Foxtail, the man behind the "Elsewhere in Second Life" blog, was also the person behind a few locations in Second Life in the Ulyanovsk Oblast sim, notably the Travelers Station. It's entry in the Destination Guide had this description:

 

Travelers Station encourages travel across Second Life and transforms your exploration into a game-like experience. It is located on Route 8B in Satori and connects you everywhere. Curated destinations and vehicles and horses are provided for your convenience. Divers Station and Travelers Park are also located here. Stay curious and enjoy your travels.

 

There was also Travelers City, Travelers Square, Hooligan Hill, Night Meadow Gallery, The Castle, the Oubliette Coffee Shop, and others. But on Monday August 4, he made the following announcement on his blog.

 

This notice was sent out today to all groups & individuals involved with my virtual businesses. This has been a very emotionally difficult decision for me, but my declining health combined with diminishing financial situations, that are out of my control, force me to take this action.

_______________________________________

Dear Friends & Travelers,

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the closure of Travelers Station, Travelers City, Travelers Square, Hooligan Hill Farm, The Docks, and The Salvage Yard Research Facility.

The Ulyanovsk Oblast Region will be returned to Linden Lab on August 20th.

Thank you for your patronage. It has been a pleasure providing these public spaces for you. I hope you will all continue to stay curious and enjoy your travels in Second Life.

-Tripp Foxtail

______________________________________

As you know, building in this virtual world has meant so much to me over the past 13 years. I will retain my account but can no longer pay the land fees required to keep the public lands.

Our real world is changing so rapidly. We are walking through some very dark times. Hold on to hope during this passage, hold on to each other and remember that everything eventually changes and that love always wins in the end. 

 

The blog started in March 2024, but the second entry wasn't until May 2025, where there would be a number of updates, but on July he would announce a hiatus in the blog due to events in real life.  

 

Travelers Station has a Discord and a Flickr page (here).  

 

Travelers Station is located at  Ulyanovsk Oblast (174/116/92)

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

After The Sharknado

 

 

Taken at the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club. On Sunday August 3, the little beach club held a "Sharknado" party. After DJ Snowy's last song, a number of sharks were rezzed on the deck. What to do with a pile of sharks? "We're gonna need a bigger net."

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Linden Lab Announces An Indefinate "Pause" On AI Characters Starting Sept 1

 

Those who worry about AI bots in Second Life can relax soon, at least for the time being. 

 

A few days ago, Linden Lab announced they would soon "pause" both the creation and activity of AI characters. 

 

... we are announcing a pause in the Character Designer experiment. Starting Sept. 1, the Character Designer feature will be turned off and no longer available.  

 

 This pause gives us time to carefully evaluate everything we’ve learned and determine how best to evolve this technology in a way that aligns with the broader future of Second Life.

 

What this means is those who have created AI characters will no longer be able to access them, nor can any more created. The Lab would also say characters and their memories would not be saved.  

 

Linden Lab would state this was not the end of AI in Second Life, but "a thoughtful pause as we refine our strategy and continue exploring new opportunities for innovation."

 

 For more information, check out the Linden blog entry (here). There's also a thread in the Linden forums (here). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, Furry Fashion, and Club Scorn

 

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: Pirates, Black and Blue Blues, Big Hair Bands

Happy Vixen: DJ Arooo, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy  - TBA

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Snowy - TBA

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: W 4-6, Th 4-6, 7-11, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Disney, Pawns & Hooves, Under the Sea

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 

 

Merryjests Writes on "Crumbling" Lighthouse

 

For those who want to read more on the Lighthouse vs Bella Epoque, or the "Gang of Homos," controversy, Merryjest Starfield just posted a few words of his own about it, "The Crumbling Lighthouse." He would comment, "I have to admit that this wasn't exactly how I wanted to start the Star Dispatch, but times being what they are... here we are." 

 

One can read his article on his website here. 

 

News In Brief

 

 There's a few news items that deserve a mention, even if there's not quite enough time to explain all in detail today. 

 

Linden Lab announced there will be a pause on AI character development on September 1, No more can be created and any existing ones can not be used until further notice. 

 

There's been some talk about the "Stop Killing Games" movement, of which Ubisoft's CEO responded several days ago. 

 

Next month, the International Space Museum turns 20. 

 

More on these later, when time permits.

 

 

 

Musical Tribute to Tom Lehrer By Merryjest

 

On Saturday at 3PM, performer Merryjest Starchild held a tribute to musician Tom Lehrer, who passed away on Saturday July 26. He was 97, noted for his quirky darkly comical songs composed in the 1950s and 60s. The event was done at 3PM in the Varro in Queue, "Come today for a tribute to the late, great and incorrigible Tom Lehrer!"

 

Merryjest would sing tunes like "Poisoning Pigeons in The Park," and "The Masochism Tango." Of "Poisoning," one feathered member of the audience joked, "As an Avian-American, I object." The audience applauded frequently. 

 

Tom Lehrer was a professor and a mathematics teacher, but gained a following with his unique style of music that kept it's charm over the decades. In 1972, he stopped composing new songs. But what he did would continue to be played on "Dr. Demento" and be re-released over the years. 

 

Queue is rated Adult, so not everyone may want to drop by the sim.  

 

*Correction* We originally stated 8PM.  

 

Source: Variety

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Announcement: Call For Merchant Sponsors For "Spoonful of Sugar" Festival

 

 

"Join us for an unforgettable journey to Regency and 1800s England! Expect grand balls, garden parties, lively gossip, and a chance to time travel to another era while making a real difference in this one.

 

"We are deeply grateful for your generosity. Micro-donations, such as those made in Second Life, add up quickly. Over just ten festivals, Spoonful of Sugar has raised more than $160,000 USD for MSF. When we say every linden counts, we mean it."

 

"...we will be working behind the scenes to build a magnificent festival for you this September. We’ll be smiling too—as we hammer nails, plant gardens, and coordinate over 200 creators, performers, and events for you to enjoy and support." 

 

There are four levels of sponsorship, Peer, Gentry, Noble, and Villager.  12 spaces for peer, and 13 spaces for Gentry are available (as of the making of this announcement). 

 

Spoonful of Sugar is a fundraiser for "Doctors Without Borders." 

 

Merchant set-up dates are August 31 to Sept 4

 

Event time: Sept 5 to 21 

 

More information (here). 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Feeling Blue

 

 Taken at Club Scorn. This picture was used in a previous cartoon, but I thought of another punchline.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "2025 Balloon Flight over Relay For Life of Second Life 'Magic of Hope' Camps"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Cynthia Farshore on July 10, "Ride with Cynthia Farshore on the Sunbeamers balloon as she flies around all the campsites of the 2025 Relay For Life of Second Life in this year theme Magic of Hope. Second Life is a virtual world celebrating 21 years now. https://secondlife.com/ Relay For Life of Second life is supporting the American Cancer Society, since 2006 has raised more than $6 million."

 

More on the "Gang of Homos" Controversy

 

Several days ago, the Newser reported on the Bella Epoque store having to move after the landlord Lighthouse (landland.ansar) evicted the owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), she posting that this was done so out of discrimination, showing him making a "Gang of homo" comment. The response was much support for her and condemnation of him. Since then, Lighthouse finally answered the Newser. But more details have come out, such as someone else going over to talk to him, as well as looking around, and feeling things aren't adding up. 

Read more in People. 

 

No Science Circle Events Saturday

 

 Checking the Science Circle calendar, there's no discussion scheduled tomorrow, or any other Saturday for a while. There are some "Moon Base" events Mondays at 10 SL time, though.

 

So that's it for "This Week At The Science Circle" for a little while.

 

Press Release: Homes For Our Troops Fundraiser Concert At Veterains Isle Sunday August 3

 

Frets Nirvana, longtime supporter and contact for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life in conjunction with the US Military Veterans Group, announces the August 2025 Homes for Our Troops benefit in Second Life.   The benefit will be held on August 3  from 5-8 PM SLT.

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or have suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. DURING THAT TIME HFOT HAS BUILT 416 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR EXTREMELY INJURED VETERANS.” 


This HFOT benefit concert will feature the following DJ’s and artists from 5 PM- 8 PM on August 3:

DJ Zack 5 PM
Wolfie Starfire 6 PM
AcousticEnergy Nitely 7 PM


Sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veteran’s Group of Second Life.  To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org