Burn2 Summer Event: Circus of Fire And Fun

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

Time to visit a Circus! The next fun event now that the SL22B is over and only a wonderful memory is the Burn2 Burning Man Virtual Regional summer event, Conception. The theme this summer is ‘Circus of Fire and Fun’. 

I stopped over to see if the Playa is ready and it sure is. Outside in the town of Gerlach all is in place. 

If you are new to Second Life in town are tips to help you on moving around, getting outfits, and lots of gifts. If you are new to Burn2 there are information booths to check out that will link you to the websites that will tell you all about it. Stop and see them. Click Language help to read the 10 Principles if Burning Man in any language you choose.

The entrance itself is spectacular as are the gorgeous installations inside the gate. Those I will leave you to explore over the weekend and a few days after they will remain in place. The lamplighters will open the event at 5pm slt “Friday 25 July 2025 at 5:00PM SLT. Join the Lamplighters on a walk-on for a little tour of the Playa, ending up at the Circus Main Stage to kick off the event!” Saturday morning at 8:45am slt there will be a short parade of the event participants and again at 5:45pm slt. I recommend getting there to see the parade a little early.

I ran into Jeff Olhoeft (jolhoeft Resident) , who built the effigy that will burn Sunday at noon slt and again at 6pm slt to close the event. He was working on and testing the burn which you will have to come see for yourself. There will be parties at the stages over the weekend and notices will go out to the BurningMan2.0 group. Join the group and you will not miss the fun! There are several ways to get around the Playa once you enter the gate. Look for art car rezzers and choose one to use. I have a feeling we will have a running train. Riding a horse is always a great way tp get around.

I am a Ranger at Burn2 . You can learn more about what Rangers do by stopping over at the Ranger Station on the playa while you are visiting. Take an ice cream cone or a glass of lemonade and click the wall of our portable station to learn about us. The manual that we train by is on the table . Check that out and see our work to be able to help everyone who visits and needs information or assistance. I don’t usually dress for work like this but wanted to " feel in" the circus atmosphere.

Here is your landing point. See you on the Playa! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/146/30/24

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

Some Exhibits And An Event At The SL22B

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 The Second Life Birthday is here! Time for the Birthday Shop and Hop. Time for the Meet the Lindens events. And time to see what exhibits the creativity of the residents came up with.

 

 I dropped by the pod station in SLB Breathtaking, and besides the pods, there were horses. 

 

 Maybe I should have tried riding one, but I wanted to run around on foot.

 

 I saw some pods that looked like miniature Viking ships

 

 

I also saw one that looked like an airplane

 

Close by was the Kiticats exhibit, by the makers of a popular breedable pet kitty.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Breathtaking/78/122/21

 

Also in SLB Breathtaking is an exhibit by Bryn Oh, a longtime SL artist. 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Breathtaking/71/216/21

 

Holocluck Henly had an amusing exhibit: The Bunny Cult.

 

"Hop on the dark side" to get a few bunny freebies, and see a few pictures of scary Easter Bunnies.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Breathtaking/97/109/21

 

In SLB Blissful, there was the Builder's Brewery exhibit, by a group aimed at helping residents be better at building.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Blissful/180/141/21 

 

There was also an exhibit by the SLB Public Land Preserve
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Delightful/19/182/21 

 

I also stopped by Loki Eliot's "Hero Man," a take on "He-Man."
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Blissful/164/92/21

 

 The exhibit of "I Pink I Can," a Relay for Life fundraiser that takes place in October. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Electrify/116/87/21 

 

While walking, I saw a few dragon eggs on the track, those are for a HUD based SLB game. 

 

While there, I stopped by "The Royal Keep" to catch the tail end of an event by Merryjest Starchild.

Unfortunately, the star performer and his crew just wouldn't rezz.

From Merryjest

But Merryjest had a few he told me I could use.

 

And that was my first day at the Second Life Birthday celebrations. Be sure to check it out yourself. What, and who, will you see?

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Mental Health Month At Health Island, Virtual Ability

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

May is Mental Health month and I am sure most of us ask ourselves once in a while “How is my mental health?” Well a good place to check it out is Health Island. New exhibits are filled with answers to that question and resources to aid one in a self checkup. When you land at the island there is a sign that contains a notecard with slurls to take you to one of the exhibits that interest you, Click any poster to learn more about that statement.

I checked out the posters at Anxiety. I don’t think there are too many people who don’t have anxiety at one time or another over personal issues, self, family, the state of the world or even space. Mild anxiety is mostly controllable but when it becomes an issue it can not only cause mental problems but physical problems too. I find breathing deeply is so helpful when I get into a situation that may make me anxious or stressed out.

The notecard will guide you or you can just walk around to the various exhibits . There are many relaxing areas on the island to visit . I enjoy the herb garden and seeing if I can identify one from another. Remember to visit the walk of support groups to see if there is an inworld group you might like to join to discuss your problems and listen to support others.

Thursday , May 15 there is an all day Symposium at the Virtual Ability island where there will be presenters speaking about mental health. Anyone is invited to attend the various presentations by experts from all over the world. Here is a list of times and presenters and topics mostly based around fear , stress and anxiety. 

 
When you arrive enter the Sojourner Auditorium and take a seat. One must be inside the Auditorium to hear in voice. There will be a transcriber typing the discussions in local chat also. 

For more information, check: https://virtualability.org/mental-health-symposium-2025/

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/54/170/23

Gemma Cleanslate
 

A Few Fantasy Faire Stories

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

The Fantasy Faire has come and gone, but it certainly won't be forgotten. For a few days after the event was officially closed, and probably for several days after, people continued to chatter. The day after, I invited people to share their stories, and screenshots. Two people took me up on the offer. 

Prokofy Neva: I was dithering about buying this Dinkie outfit and then time ran out and three mages walked me out to the safe hub with my cardboard box of goods, so astarrynite agreed to buy the outfit as a gift, for which I am grateful.

 

Kira Skydancer (Kira Fairelander): Well... I'm apparently failed in my quest to fly the Faire one last time. I didn't crash, but I'm stuck. But what an appropriate place for a dragon to *be* stuck.  so I'm playing with EEPs, (laughter). https://gyazo.com/d53ed4b91ee39b40a0626658291cb70c

 

 When asked about the Faire being closed, "Maybe? I'm still here, just can't move. There are others in this region too."

 

And then, there was this final post in the blog:

Sonya does all she can to convince me to write something for the website at least once a Faire season. Sometimes she succeeds, but more often then not, the Faire comes and goes before I have time to sit down and collect my thoughts. This year I was able to co-host the opening tour of the Fairelands on FFR with Zander Greene. I love the audio introduction to the regions which has become the traditional opening of Fantasy Faire. To be part of welcoming Fairelanders home after months away is a gift I feel very fortunate to share with Zander. The soundtrack sets the stage for the adventures awaiting Faire visitors in the coming days as they start off on their explorations of the assembled worlds.

It also gave me a chance to say something that I felt needed to be said. I didn’t want to simply welcome people to the 2025 Fantasy Faire. I wanted to welcome Fairelanders home. I wanted to embrace each of you and thank you for returning. For bringing your light back to the Fairelands. For contributing to the magic that fuels the Faire and flows through our community, illuminating our time together and creating enough residual energy that we continue to glow with the warmth and brilliance of the Faire for months to come. No darkness can survive the light of our community.

We came to a Faire full of darkness, but not hopelessness. We found the hope in every shadowed corner and embraced it. Arriving from a physical world full of increasing challenges, we came together in the Fairelands reaffirming our friendships and our shared desire to make a world where the Unweaver’s influence shrinks every day. Where every action, large or small, monetary or emotional, brightens the strength of our heart lights and makes the darkness across realms retreat.

I knew coming into this year that my goal was not to reach some number on a RFL kiosk. I knew whatever we raised during the course of the Faire would be life changing to people around the globe. But I also knew that the act of being a community of Fairelanders together would also change our lives for the better. I look at the RFL kiosk in front of me as we prepare for the regions to fade back into the Mists and I am shocked at what we were able to do in a year as turbulent as 2025. I am even more shocked when I realize that in the rush of all the things, there was no good time for me to add additional funds to our total, including the store and sponsorship donations, the website donations, and the wootable and memorial candle sales. All told the final total for this year’s Faire is 31,980,309L (still going up) or 127,921usd.

Take a moment for that to sink in.

In 2025 we not only raised a bit more than we did last year BUT we also crossed the point where Fantasy Faire has now raised over 1 million USD lifetime total. All I wanted was for us to be together. To be happy and remember that we each carry the light of the Fairelands in our hearts throughout the year, but during the Faire, we are a bonfire! Then you went and raised an unprecedented amount of money for the global cancer programs that the American Cancer Society supports on top of that. What more is there to say? Unweaver, go away! There is no place for you to play today. Faire on!

Oh and there WILL be a party Relay Weekend, June 6-7. Don’t think there won’t be. We are going to rock Relay to it’s foundations as only Fairelanders can!

With Love and Appreciation,

Elizabeth aka Fantasy

For me, it was another great Faire. I've enjoyed ever one that I've attended, enjoying the detailed scenery, the smaller events here such as the parties and tours, the shopping, the Fairelands Quest (the story more than the prizes, but the latter's a great bonus) and the enthusiasm of the people here.  

 

I wasn't able to spend as much time here as in previous years, missing out on some events, and the Children of Stories seems to have skipped a year, for some reason (maybe they needed another year to come up with a great story).

While I'd love to post the hundreds of pictures I've posted, sadly time is short, and I must move on to both the demands of real life and the next story.

 

If any of you have more stories about the Faire, feel free to send them to the Newser, bixylshuftan@gmail.com

 

Until next year, Fairlanders, 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From the B6B

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

The B6B, BBB5B event is going strong until April 20. As promised there is a wonderful build in the Renaissance theme . Parties start every day at 12 and go on until about 9ish every evening. One night they continue til midnight! You may run into Lindens, Moles Bureaucrats, and commoners roaming about or dancing at the stage area. For collectors with passports many are carrying tablets with memorable stamps. If you are new to collecting visit the BBB office at the event and get started.

Here are some photos at the event.

This is the main builder of the installation , Liberty Fairelander

Philip Linden’s first prim on loan in the center square. I think it has been polished a bit .

Party !!!!

DJ Fuyuko '冬子' Amano spinning tunes at a party.

Teddy Bear Picnic and me

Hurry over to see it all! There are hints around for hidden gifts . Check the offices and you might find some other interesting items to collect. Enjoy!! Here is your carriage.
 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bellisseria%20Fairgrounds/131/122/24 

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Virtual World Best Practices in Education 2025 Conference

 

By Dancerina Starlight

It is the last month of the first quarter of 2025, and it is time for Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE). The VWBPE is a global grassroots community event, which focuses on education in immersive virtual environments. Organized by the Second Life community, the conference is designed to provide space to showcase immersive learning in virtual worlds.

This year's theme proves to lend to some really interesting topics over the three-day conference. The conference will occur from Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5. However, there will be a kick-off party for all volunteers on Tuesday, April 1 at 4:00 PM SLT. All are welcome to join and have a great time.

Where will the Conference Take Place?

All sessions of the VWBPE 2025 Conference are held in Second Life®. A few exceptions are the Immersive Experiences that occur before and after the conference, which may be in SL or other online venues. All times are in SLT (US Pacific Daylight Time).

You may access this time zone converter for your local time: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html.
 

How Do I Get to the Session?

To teleport to a session, open an individual event on the calendar from any calendar view. A window will open and you will either see SLURL links in the text or a text link at right that says “Go to event website” – clicking either link will take you to a separate tab or window with the familiar SL map. You can then either copy the URL at the top of that page, or right-click the “visit this location” button and copy that link address, then paste in the location box at the top of your viewer window and press “enter”.

Teleport boards will also be available in convenient locations around the regions for your use as well.

Can I Add Sessions to My Own Calendar?

Yes! You can add these events to your personal calendar! You don’t have to miss any sessions of the conference!
• To add all VWBPE conference events to your calendar, find the “Add to Calendar” button and click on it. You will find options to add to your Google, Outlook or Apple calendar.
• To add individual sessions, click the event and find the “Subscribe” button on that page.

Daylight Saving Time

In most of the United States and Canada, Daylight Saving Time is in effect as of 08 March 2025. Is your location affected? Check this page to find out when (and if) Daylight Saving Time begins for you. The Spring/Fall time change occurs throughout March and April, if at all, depending upon your location.

The Posters, Exhibits and the Rock and Bone Mysteries conference game will all open at 9:00am SLT on Thursday, 03 April 2025.

(https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe25-program)
 

Dancerina Starlight
 

 

 

 

 

 

Events

Virtual Ability Town Hall

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

The annual Town hall for the Group of Virtual Ability was held Saturday a the Region. The four members of the Executive Committee , Gentle Heron, Pecos Kidd, Eme Capalini and addressed the members about the real world and virtual world mission.

The corporation is a legal entity n the physical world, Virtual Ability, Inc was chartered in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of Colorado. The corporation is headed by a Board of Directors. Inworld there is an Executive team that runs the activities which are numerous, some just fun and many informative and fun.

Pecos Kidd explained how the inworld and real world are conducted financially and is stable. Eme Capalini explained that there were 450 events were held hosted by volunteers from the group during 2024, and “hold two annual international academic conferences each year. In the spring, we hold a Mental Health Symposium; in the fall it’s the International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC).The 2024 International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference was held on November 15.“ She thanked Linden Lab for their support of the group during these conferences during which speakers from all over the world come to speak on issues that touch the lives of members and what is going on in research management of disabilities.

The meeting continued with more information about the past year and future expectations for 2025.

Gentle Heron , who keeps the group altogether through out the many years thanked all the committees and volunteers that conduct activities. An open Discussion Q&A followed the formal part of the meeting with suggestions offered for inworld volunteering or helping those who need special attention.

In all the meeting was most informative and also expressed the thanks of the group members to the Executive committee for all their efforts.

Any one who is interested in disability issues by having one of being an advocate or caretaker can become a member. Contact Gentle Heron. I often write about certain ongoing endeavors like Health Island and special activities going on so if you want information you can contact me also.

Gemma Cleanslate