Bay City's Sixth Anniversary

What a hoot!! Sunday May 18 at 12:30, the parade started. Right on time Uccello Poultry led off the celebration of the Bay City 6th Anniversary parade . From the start to finish it was an amazing event. 

Elegant floats took the corners with some trepidation but for the most part made it without a hitch. 

Noise makers and fire abounded. The fire was deliberate. As you know one of the most loved citizens, Ever Dreamscape, passed away so she was dearly remembered during this time. I ear she loved to set fires so in her honor most of Bay City was in flames when I checked in this morning. Fire was prevalent even in the hair of some. 

I took numerous pictures of the citizens and the floats. Marianne Mccann played a huge horn as she marched. Pygar Bu waved the flags proudly. Vic Forcella, with burning hair, announced they had they best team! 

Everyone worked hard on this parade and it was a great one. It terminated at the fairgrounds with enormous lag as everyone rushed into the party area. But finally we got to the dance floor and listened to the music of Christov Kohnke. 

Great fun for all!

Gemma Cleanslate

Editor's Note: Arriving at the tail end of the event, I caught a surprise. One of the Lindens had dropped in: April Linden. "Heya!" she greeted us, "I can't stay long, I just wanted to come see what was goin on and say congrats to Bay City. (smile)" April was in a furry bunnygirl av, which got complements from the crowd, "April, aren't you an adorable little rabbit. Oh and you're a Linden too. Nice to meet ya!"

I had time to ask her a couple questions, "How's Ebbe doing?" "I've only seen him in passing, but seems to be a very nice fellow." "Word has it Ebbe's been encouraging the Lindens to interact with the residents more." "That is correct. (smile)." But she soon had to depart, "Bye everyone!! Yay Bay City!! (smile)" She waved, and ported out.

As the last musician finished his set, Marianne McCann directed everyone's attention to the sky. We then saw fireworks going off. The crowd cheered, "Yay for Marianne!" "(gigglemews) Mari wants BIG BOOM!" "Woot Woot!" "Yaaaaaaaaay!" Marianne called out, "Happy Sixth Anniversary Bay City! ... And to Ever Dreamscape, It was a honor to know you!"

People talked on about the late Ever Dreamscape. Uccie commented, "It was an honor to have Ever sneak into my house and scare the crap out of me. .... we need a Fire Day for Ever. Someone pick one." People suggested her rezzday or her birthday. Uccie reminded, "April 1 is her birthday." So Marianne decreed, "The 1st of April will be Ever's Night."

And so, the place that was built to represent the mid-20th Century North American urban experience had ended it's Sixth Anniversary. This time it was to both celebrate what they accomplished, and to say goodbye to a friend whom would be remembered.

For more pictures, check out ZZBottom's and Daniel Voyager's Flickr accounts.

Scenes From the Relay For Life Fantasy Faire 2014

Earlier this month in Second Life, the Relay for Life's 2014 Fantasy Faire took place. Although the place was set up to sell items for charity, it also got attention for the sims great designs. There were a total of 11 sims, mostly in a circle, setup next to the permanent American Cancer Society sim. Each was an eyeful to see.

The Fairlands Junction was the official entrance to the Faire. One appeared in a small island in a shallow lake with shops around.

To the north was a wooden walkway over a river in a marsh, which led around the sim, leading one west, north, or east.

To the west of Fairlands Junction, and east of American Cancer Society, was the Palace of Tears.

This sim was the scene of some dance parties.

Some events were on a boat in the air.

Which was carried by a dragon.

To the north of Fairlands Junction was the Sanctum sim with a flying palace.

North of Sanctum was the Blackwater Glen.

It was a mix of marshy woods, with wooden walkways providing a path over the water, and clear areas, with shops all around.

North of Blackwater Glen was Mourningvale Thicket.

The place was the darkest of the sims of the Faire, a dark forest, the trees keeping most of the sunlight out.

There were some elements of a dark RP game about, such as this headless body.

East of Mourningvale Thicket was The Faery Court.

The sim had the appearance of a fantasy village, though the west had a touch of dark from being next to the forest.

The east was a brighter shade of green.

Going east from the Faery Court was the sim of Heavenslough.

At both the west and south sides, there was a "Survival Station," where one could pick up a few freebies.

My favorite among them was the backback, with critters in the back. The rat in the cage is waving a flag that says "help."

There were a few more walkways over water, but they also went up and down hills.

And one sometimes went across rock, looking down at waterfalls and trees.

South of Heavenslough was Hopes Horizon, the Dwarfins' sponsored sim.

One went down a stone path ...

To a city of carved stone.

South of Hopes Horizon was Medhir Woods.

The place was simpler, with shops along the stone roads. I noticed places that sold treehouses.

And a magic shopp owned by Zachh Barkley, Second Life's self-professed "King of Magic."

Asperatus started off at the foot of a misty, snow covered mountain.

One went up the slope, and some stairs ...

And into a Steampunkish city in the clouds.

The place seemed to be held up by a combination of balloons and propellers

And it looks like there had been some roleplay going on, " 'The Revenge of Professor Timmons.' In it, the professor has built a treacherous robot, which damages our town’s power center.  They then make their escape to Asperatus.  We townsfolk chase after these miscreants, so there will be lots of excitement, fighting in the streets, and general mayhem going on. In the end, we will capture the bad guys, and there will be a great big celebration on Friday, 9 May.  After which, we will return the evil doers to NeoVictoria to receive their just desserts.”

West of Asperatus was Wiggenstead Moorning, the Tiny-themed sim.

The place reminded me a bit of Mulgore in "World of Warcraft," though instead of on mesas, the shops were placed around floating islands.

But the scenery wasn't just above, but also underneath on the surface.

To the west of this sim was back to the beginning at Fairlands Junction. So this is where the journey in pictures ends. It was quite a well-designed and visually pleasing place.

There are a few other links for Fantasy Faire pics, such as Daniel Voyager, Ciaran Laval, Loverdag, and the Fantasy Faire Photography contest.

There will be other events in Second Life. As I was writing this, the "RelayStock" was taking place, but the memories, and screenshots, of the Fantasy Faire will go on.

Bixyl Shuftan

Creations For Parkinson's Raises Over 800,000 Lindens

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Tuesday May 13th, the Creations for Parkinson's group held their third annual fundraiser at the Sweethearts Jazz club. For thirteen hours, a number of musicians performed for the crowd, which was up to 75 avatars in size. The event was to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox foundation.

Last year, the event had raised 756,000 Lindens. In the final hour of the event, they not only reached that amount again, but exceeded it. At the official close of the event, the total raised was 800,000 Lindens, or more than $2,500 US dollars. More would be continued to be donated, and later the official number was 805,000 Lindens.

Barbie Alchemi, the head of Creations for Parkinson's, called the amount donated, "amazing! ... it is the power of love!" Barbie went on to say someone had told her Linden Lab's CEO Ebbe Altberg himself had tweeted about the event. Also, "Firestorm and Singularity viewers all had us on their opening page today!!!! I am so happy and amazed at the kindness and generosity of the SL community."

Barbie expressed her thanks to the Newser not just for helping to publicize the event, but also writing about her real-life mother Fran Serenade, "she is unique both in real-life and in SL. She is so filled with love and joy of life. She is always eager to learn the next thing. When we are out (in real life) food shopping people will stopped us and say to her 'Do you know you glow' and she does."

Eventually, Barbie had to leave, "I have been glued to my computer chair since 8 am and it is time for me to get unglued. Heehee!" She expressed her thanks to "Shannon, Blake and the entire Sweethearts team."

Bixyl Shuftan

"Promptly Erotic" at Book Island

By Grease Coakes

Promptly Erotic Is a new event at Book Island hosted by Freda Frostbite. When I happened to see the notice at Book Island I was surprised that a place like Book Island would showcase such an event. Book Island is well known for people talking about books and their stories. Having interest in erotic writing I couldn't resist. I played a game beforehand and then logged onto Second Life. Freda Frostbite told me over voice that this would be a weekly event at book island at 3pm SLT every Wednesday at this landmark:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/191/197/36 .

Freda logged on and announced that she was in a meeting in real life before she logged on. Everyone wanted the meeting to end so Freda in real life ended the meeting by announcing she wanted to jump in Second Life to hold a workshop about writing erotica. The meeting ended very quickly.

Selina Greene the owner of Book Island also attended. I asked Freda what her event was about and she said in voice, “It's a workshop for people to share and improve their erotic writing.” She also was saying that erotica could be an art form like a tasteful nude picture. I could agree with that writing itself is an art form. Erotic writing is merely another facet of that art.

She chose this week's theme as “Behind the Curtain.” Like the scene from The Wizard Of Oz “Ignore the man behind the curtain.” She showed pictures to inspire us writers to write steamy prose. She showed us pictures of Gypsy Rose behind a curtain with various other pictures. She said the only rule was you had to start your story with “Behind The Curtain,”as the first three words. Freda set a timer for fifteen minutes for everyone to write whatever came to mind.

After fifteen minutes or so she announced time was up. I copied and pasted my writing sample to a SL notecard quick enough that Freda read me first. She gave everyone the chance to read their erotic writing out loud over voice. I wasn't brave so I asked Freda to read out loud for me. To tease the reader of this SL Newser article I can say my story involved handcuffs and woman's underwear. Freda said my story flowed very well. Here's a small sample of what I had written.

Behind the curtain Narcosis wagged her finger slowly at her boyfriend. Nathan, as a short sky blue griffin couldn't believe that after being picked on and slammed into lockers that finally he would lose his virginity. The tall slender unicorn black woman was a godsend to him.

The other stories were also well written as Freda read everyone's story except for Selina Greene's erotic adventure which involved a BDSM club behind a curtain. I told Selina over voice that she was very brave to read her story over voice. She responded and said, “But I felt so embarrassed when I read it.” I told her she didn't sound embarrassed when she spoke over voice with her smoky British accent.

After Freda left Second Life to do things in real life, Selina and I hung out at Book Island until she had to go to bed. She mentioned that every Sunday was a new writing event like Olivia's micro fiction event. She explained at 12 noon SLT Every Sunday is a writing dash event and an open mic at 1pm. I said I'd do my best to reach one of those events. It involves writing 500 words or so in a half hour. I said that sounds doable if I wrote 322 words in fifteen minutes.

Selina logged off as it was close to 1 AM her time in the United Kingdom. Book Island is a great place for writers and readers to hangout and share common interests. I said I missed Jackson Arthur's Writer's Chat and Olivia's Micro Fiction.

However Selina is keeping Book Island going strong with Freda Frostbite's new event called Promptly Erotic. It's certainly a bold and brave new step for Book Island and I'm excited to see it as an event as a fun way to practice writing and to socialize. I invite you readers of the SL Newser to come to this event or any other Book Island event for kicks. Here's Freda's email and website if you would like to contact her.

StephanieMesler@gmail.com

www.APoetsProgress.com

Grease Coakes

Relay Wizards' "Dunk the Emperor"

By DrFran Babcock

There are a few things that you need to know in order for this article to make any sense to you. We will make things easier by explaining:

Relay for Life in Second Life™

Relay for Life in Second Life™ (RFLinSL) began in 2005, headed by Jade Lily, with one team of 315 avatars participating in the event across six sims. Last year, under the leadership of Nikki Mathieson and Co-Chairs: Dwen Dooley and Serina Juran, 200 teams walked 40 sims to raise a whopping $393,000 real dollars for the American Cancer Society. The 2014 Relay is already underway and culminates in the actual 24 hour walk on July 19^th-20^th. (http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org )

Tiny Empires

Many consider this HUD-based in-world game to be a scourge, but just as many are entranced by the idea of rising up from a wanderer to a king or queen, and collecting gold, acres, and other prizes. The interesting thing about Tiny Empires is how many people have made friends and found social outlet in this game.

The game is the scripting coup of Ultralite Soliel, the self-appointed Emperor of the Tiny Empire. He is a witty and delightful scripter, and a very good sport, as you shall see. (http://tinyempires.com )

Dunk The Empy!

The Relay Wizards for Spunky are celebrating their seventh year of participation in RFLinSL. Teams hold events in world to raise Lindens for the cause. Captain, Shawna Montgomery is not only a fierce advocate of fundraising for cancer support, but is a Queen of the Kingdom of Avalon in Second Life™. She has played Tiny Empires since its earliest days, and is on a first name basis with Emperor Soleil. One of her co-captain, HALEY Salomon, is the Queen of another Kingdom, Green Acres, and gave money to many of her peers to moisten the Emperor, because her aim was not that true. She did consent to being dunked after it was all over, demonstrating her good nature.

Thus, she was able to convince Emperor Soleil to volunteer for being dunked in a dunk tank by anyone who paid a Relay for Life official vendor for three balls and three chances to throw the Empy in the drink.

Residents were invited to the event that was held in the Kingdom of Avalon. One of the beautiful things about Second Life™ is the sense of community exhibited by so many people. We come together for a common cause without competition and ill will. Members of competing Tiny Empires kingdoms showed up to take a shot at the confident and overly haughty Emperor. The Emperor scoffed at all attempts of dunking him, until he ended up soaked a few times.

Most attendees winced as Ultralite Soleil’s royal robes had to come off, because they were soaked, and then his banana hammock bathing suit was revealed. Some went as far as becoming horrified at the sight. The Empy took it all in stride, and vowed to give gold bars to all who succeeded in dunking him.

Residents danced, threw balls at the Emperor, and laughed and had a very good time. Best of all the event raised almost 15, 000 Lindens for Relay and the American Cancer Society.

All’s Well That Ends Well

It’s hard not to get emotional about this simple, yet complex coming together of people to raise money for the worthy cause of cancer research. The power of groups to change the world is a small miracle.

If you are interested in becoming part of this ever-growing movement to beat back cancer, then perhaps you want to join a team, form a team, or just drop some Lindens in a Relay for Life donation kiosk.

The Relay Wizards for Spunky team will be holding more events up until the big walk/run. Watch for an amazing art auction containing works from the likes of Bryn Oh and Littleone Aries.

Go Relay!

DrFran Babcock