Various Christmas Party Scenes

By Bixyl Shuftan

Besides the "Twisted Christmas" party at the Happy Vixen on Sunday December 17, there were a number of other Christmas parties. Furry Fashion had a Christmas Ball. Steelhead had an "Ugly Sweater" party. One event yours truly happened to catch was the "Winter Solstice" party by the National Space Society on Friday December 22. But I caught the tail end, so there were only a handful of people around.

 On Saturday December 23 was the Christmas party at Club Cutlass. During this time. Santa Claus paid a visit.

DJ Snowbuns played the music for the party, but she had left by the time this group picture was taken.

On Sunday December 24, Safra Nitely, a friend of the Newser, had her Christmas party at Devon Dream for her Second Life friends and family.

The night lighting made for some interesting visual effects.

Also on Christmas Eve, Nydia Tungsten had an encore for her "Twisted Christmas" event as not all of her friends could make it and/or wanted more. Once again, her mild to wild to "WHOAH!" Xmas parody songs played.

On December 25, Christmas Day, an impromptu party started at Club Cutlass. There was no contest, just people showing up for fun.

Shockwave Yareach was the DJ for the impromptu event, spinning a number of tunes, some of which I hadn't heard other DJs use.

Club United, a Christian Club, had it's Christmas party two days after the holiday, on December 27.

Christmas was celebrated in many different places with many different events. But everyone had a great time in doing so.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Bixyl Shuftan

Mary and Joseph Near the End of their Journey

By Klaus Bereznyak,

In Mexico, the lead up to Christmas day is marked in many places by the tradition of "Posada". Each night, Mary and Joseph are figuratively "hosted" in a different home in a village, with a parade and ceremony marking their progress from one home to the next. This tradition has become increasingly popular beyond Mexico, and it even has an equivalent in Second Life.

Since 2009, the Anglicans of Second Life group has hosted an annual Posada in which figures of Mary and Joseph are passed from one volunteer host to another through the season of Advent, staying over in chapels, gardens, campuses, cafes, private homes - wherever a space can be made for them. They reach their destination in the crib scene at The Anglican Cathedral of Second Life on Epiphany Island on Christmas Eve.

The Posada provides a simple moment for people to get together. Sometimes hosts will provide food or entertainment as part of having Mary and Joseph to stay on their sim or parcel. This year, for instance, there was a performance of the St. Columba Choir before the figures moved from Salem Land School to St. Columba's. While the event is run by the Anglicans of Second Life, hosts may come from any or no church or denomination in Second Life - all it takes is a willingness to show hospitality.

Coordinating hosts and handovers across multiple time zones is an enormous task that usually falls to a single volunteer. This year, nobody felt they quite had the time or energy to take on the responsibility, and the event was cancelled. However, it has been such a popular feature of this time of year that the community rallied and Hunny Spiritweaver volunteered at the last minute to make it happen.

"It was an honour and a privilege to coordinate the Posada this year," she tells me. "I was nervous, because the past coordinators did such a splendid job, and those were big shoes to fill."
 
I asked her about her best moment in coordinating the Posada. She is quick to point out how important the wider community is to the success of the event. "It was a pleasant surprise to meet so many generous people who embodied the spirit of generosity that we honour in the Posada tradition. It wouldn't have been possible without the support form Vincent Markovic, as he kept the times organized and took really nice pictures."

The figures will complete their journey around the grid by returning to Epiphany Island on the 24th December at noon. Following a short service in the Cathedral for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, they will be handed to the Second Life Anglican Lay Pastor, Helene Milena, by the final host,  Father Nolasco at the Mater Dolorosa Cathedral. A stable has been made ready at the entrance to the Cathedral and the crib scene can be visited throughout the Christmas season.

More information on Posada hosts and handover times is available inworld at

Epiphany Island - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Epiphany/100/147/50

St. Columba Abbey- http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Toyah/205/12/22 

Klaus Bereznyak

A Look at The Christmas Expo

By Gemma Cleanslate

The Relay’s Christmas is open for shopping, fun , building snowmen and riding through the sims on the sweetest horses. There are more than forty merchants displaying their wares. Some are in old New York shops along the avenues. Some have elected  large shops. As you wind down the various streets in and snow laden roads in the four sims there is a lot to see. Breedables occupy one region. A huge skating pond occupies the center of the four sims.  

Look for the Build a Snowman contest. It is a fun contest that takes place every year . That is S.I.D. waiting for snowmen.

”  Pick your spot in the snowman building area and start rolling that snow.  Simple, fancy, classic, wild… it is up to you what you do with your 30 prims. You have from Dec 1 – 5 to build your snowman, voting is held December 6 – 9  and winners are announced during a special Snowman Party  Sunday, Dec 9, 2017.  There are 2 categories –  Judges Picks and the Popular Vote, which is determined by donations to the Relay For Life Kiosk beside your snowman. 100% proceeds goes to Relay For Life of Second Life.”    

Be creative!!! Here is the place for that fun. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Oxford%20Street/112/251/26

Santa will be roaming around and will be happy to hear your requests for gifts and to take  a picture with you . You might run into me . I am an elf also roaming and greeting .

The Christmas tree lot has so many gorgeous trees that were created just for the Expo. Get one or more. There are three !! This year the Breedables are having a silent auction all week but a live auction on the 10th of December. Gotyas are available too.

Expect parties and live perfomers too. It is a great week and the  sl Relay for Life will hopefully  earn money for cancer research and help for those experiencing the trauma in this season of giving. This is the entrance on the skating pond at one of the sims. Check the map so you don’t miss any areas.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blvd%20Saint%20Germain/253/227/22 

Gemma Cleanslate