Scenes From The CDS Inaugural Ball, Bay City's Christmas Party

By Bixyl Shuftan

The weekend of Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 saw a number of happenings, such as the Designing Worlds Christmas party, the Chateau Trikassi Holiday Ball, and various events at the Christmas Expo. But there were others. On Saturday at Noon SL time, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators held it's Inaugural Ball.

The event was held in honor of the community's new Representative Assembly and the new Chancellor, Emilia Dagostino (Emilia Avindar). The theme was "Sugar Plum Delights," with lots of candy decorations around, as well as couches made to look like cake. "Your buns will be frosted," someone mused. Emilia spoke of the set, "thanks to Lyubov who couldn't join us after working all night with Lilith (Ivory) last night!"

Other community noteables such as Rosie Gray, Hand Held, former Chancellor Kyoko, and others were also there. "Thank you for two wonderful terms, Chancellor Kyoko," Hand Held would say. DJ Dino Viper provided the tunes for the fist hour, live performer AleyKat sung for the second.

"Here's to a great 32nd term, and long live the CDS!"

For Sunday, the big event was the "Annual Tree Lighting, Concert, and Fundraiser" in Bay City. Local residents of the community and their friends headed to the community center in North Channel for things to start up at 1PM SL time.

Welcome to Bay City's annual tree lighting, music event, and silent auction!" Marianne McCaan, Bay City's most noted resident greeted everyone, "The silent auction is ongoing, and there are some great deals to be had! Check out the goodies just south of the stage/north of the skating rink."

For the first hour, the music was provided by DJ GoSpeed Racer. She played music from classic Christmas shows such as "The Grinch," as well as traditional songs of the season and some more modern twists. Her audience in and out of Bay City was from around the world, "Listening in I have the US, UK, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, France, Canada, and the Netherlands!"

Many of the audience got into a conga line. This included artist Moya Patrick, and even Lacie Linden joined in. "I look forward to this conga line every year now," someone would say.

One resident, Moo Money, was the subject of some bovine humor, which was "udder chaos." "I'd like to submit a cow abuse report," she mused.

The other Linden at the party, Wendi Linden, was dressed for the season. While April Linden was asked about, it was explained she was busy with something at the time.

Not far from the dancing were the silent auctions. People would bid on various items, and those outbid got their Lindens back. The high bidders would get their items at the end of the event. The money raised went to the Child's Play charity, which provides games to the children of poor kids in hospitals. People could also just donate straight to the charity, Marianne announcing, "CaithLynnSayes also has put a donation into Child's Play on Bay City's behalf, to the tune of US $500.00."

GoSpeed's last song was "John Denver and The Muppets - Twelve Days Of Chirstmas." After the first hour were live performances by Mimi Carpenter and Wolfie Starfire.

It was a fun event for all. But this won't be the end for Bay City's fun this month. On New Year's Eve, the city is host to the annual "Prim Drop" event to ring in the New Year.

Bixyl Shuftan

Thanksgiving Parade

By Gemma Cleanslate

“MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE SET IN FABULOUS NEW YORK CITY!
FANTASIC FLOATS GLIDE DOWN 5TH AVE. AS YOU DANCE AND WEAR PROPS GIVEN TO YOU
COME BE A KID AGAIN AND BE A PART OF THE ONLY TOTALLY INTERACTIVE PARADE IN SL HEADING INTO ITS 12TH YEAR
GOOD HOLIDAY FEELINGS SMILES GREAT PHOTO OPS  AND  FUN  MAKE THIS A MUST ATTEND
THE PARADE RUNS 24/7 UNTIL THANKSGIVING DAY (11/28)
FREEBIES - DINING - DANCING - ICE SKATING AND NEW THIS YEAR THE LITTLE ITALY STREET FAIR & AM”

I interrupted my Christmas regions visits  to go enjoy the wonderful Thanksgiving Day Macy’s Parade at FAME. Franny DJ Dean has opened her parade of terrific floats that invite you to join in the parade by jumping on one. When I arrived the floats were coming down the street but I saw Franny still working on more to add .

Macy’s store in New York City puts on a parade every Thanksgiving day along the NY streets which is attended by hundreds of thousands of people from the nearby states and also from far away. The floats are old and new, bands come from all over the country to participate.The parade runs from the "West Side" along Central Park, heads east along Central Park South (directly south of Central Park) while skirting Times Square, and then south through Midtown Manhattan along some of NYC's most famous streets - 6th Avenue and 34th Street.

What an inspiring sight. The Mayflower appeared with Pilgrims and other migrants to the new world is recreated in this parade. It reminds us that Thanksgiving was created to give us a celebratory day to remember to be grateful for the country we have with our families.

Step into Macy’s store to visit the Santa waiting for kids requests. I think back to the movies that have Macy’s Santa  and the parade in the story. I stopped over at the Reviewing Stand where there was a collection of dignitaries watching the parade .

I took a few minutes to walk down to Rockefeller Center to look at the ice skating pond which is ready and tested out the ice. I found some nice free skates for both  men and women available there so get some if you don’t have any.

The parade will go on until Friday.

Save time to watch and participate. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amethyst%20Cove/73/206/700


Gemma Cleanslate

Some Veterans Day Events

By Bixyl Shuftan

Last Monday, November 11, was Veterans Day in the United States. This is a holiday for Americans to honor those whom served in the Armed Forces. In real life, there were parades and other events. But there were also events in Second Life.

On Saturday November 9, the Marine Corps Ball was held.

Organized by the people behind the Veterans Tribute to honor the anniversary of the founding of the US Marines, the event was held in the Veterans Isle sim. The event was from 6 to 8 PM.

On Veterans Day itself, the Happy Vixen had a small party for the holiday. But the main event for the Sunweaver/Angels community was at Club Cutlass two days later on Wednesday November 12.

Cynthia Farshore, a veteran herself whom served in the US Navy, played the music for the event that went from 6 to 8PM. At the close of the party, the veterans of the community present lined up and saluted.

The big event was the annual Veterans Tribute, which appeared inworld just after the start of the month, and was around until shortly after Veterans Day. The Newser would interview the two people in charge, Flattop and Sarah Ewing.



Linden Lab would also feature the Tribute on Second Life Destinations. Draxtor Despress would do the video for it.

The people behind the Tribute would send the Newser a note of thanks:

Thank you so much for the amazing article about the 13th Annual Second Life Veteran's Tribute.

You made it possible for us to reach so many more of the Second Life citizens and let them know they have a place to honor those that have served in the armed forces. 

We, the coordinators, are so grateful for your assistance and willingness to contribute to the veterans. 

They would also send us a plaque, which is up at the Newser office at HV Community.

Thanks again to those who served, for the United States and other democratic republics.

Bixyl Shuftan

Halloween Party Fundraiser at Caledon Downs

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Tuesday October 22, Caledon Downs held a Halloween party at it's Goblin Cave. The occasion was to relax and have a little fun, dressing up in costume and enjoying a some music. But it was also the second of two fundraiser parties for Caledon Oxbridge University. The first had been on Saturday October 19 at Caledon Oxbridge Village.

Cynthia Farshore, the Duchess of Caledon Downs and the owner of the Goblin Cave, played the tunes for the audience. A total of Twenty-seven others were there, many in costumes that ranged from the spooky to the whimsical. A gift-giver would randomly give prizes to people, such as ghastly portraits, pumpkin bats, witch corgis, marshmallow skulls, and more.

There were some Halloweenish tunes such as Ray Stevens' "Sittin Up With The Dead," the "Transylvania Twist," the "Monster Mash," the theme to "Ghostbusters," "I Put A Spell On You," "The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati," "Feed my Frankenstein," and others. "What do you feed a Frankenstein?" "Frankenfurters."

People talked and joked as the event went on. When the song "Hotel California" came up, someone joked "Electricity on even-numbered days," a reference to the brownouts currently going on there. When Cynthia played "Darn I'm Dead Again," sung by Shackwave Yareach whom was also at the party, people jokingly offered to be his agent, "Do you have a manager Shock? Need one? Sign here...... No don;t bother about reading the fine print - trust me - (mwhahaha). Shockwave mused, "My daughter, who I made it for, hated it (grin)."

Someone named Teddy Bear walked in with a huge needle, "Anybody want a flu shot? ... I am not sure what kind of medicine I have in this syringe" "Flue shot?," someone asked jokingly, "No thanks, I had my chimney cleaned before winter. ... Are you a registered nurse Teddy?" "I am a deadly nurse. I specialize in zombies." "How does one nurse the undead?" someone else asked. "Carefully" responded another. Badger asked, "Oh, you're a staff nurse at parliament?" Teddy responded, "I have a special weapon to crack Badger skulls." "If  you do that Teddy you'll have to nurse him back to health." someone mused. Badger joked, "Do I get sponge bathes?" Teddy responded, "I will simply give him one squirt from my syringe. Bend over MGB, this will not hurt!"

There was a little talk of the Halloweenish attractions elsewhere in Caledon Downs, notably the "skull hunt" in which one has to look for nine small skulls, the three larger ones giving out a basket to collect them, "find them all you get a prize." Andrea Jones commented, "Cynthia puts a lot of work into her region. Always something to do here."

Eventually, the party came to a close, "Thank you all for coming." "Great set tonight Cynthia." "Thanks for hosting us!" A total of 15,300 Linden dollars had been raised.

Caledon Oxbridge University (http://www.caledonoxbridge.org/) is best known for offering tutorials for new residents of Second Life. Besides Caledon Downs, Cynthia Farshore is the owner of Farshore Radio.

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From Burn2

By Bixyl Shuftan

 Once again, it's time for Burn2. For those who don't know, it's the largest yearly art and music festival in Second Life. It's the virtual version of the yearly Burning Man festival which takes place in Black Rock Nevada. It's considered a partial inspiration for the creation of Second Life as early on in Linden Lab's history, some of the staff visited a Burning Man event and were impressed. After Second Life was launched, the Lab allowed the use of a number of sims for a "Burning Life" event by fans of the real-life festival. After a few years, the Lab no longer sponsored the event, and it would be renamed "Burn2."

This year's theme is "Metamorphoses." As usual, the official starting point is at Burning Man- Deep Hole (174/32/25).

 Not far from the starting point, you can get a balloon ride that can take you around the sims.

An art exhibit for the Lamplighters, one of the groups of Burners.

A Ranger station, with an animesh critter dancing away on top. I would see a few of the latter around the Burn.

 Burn2 isn't just about art, but music. While going about, I noticed this little party under a big tent.

The key build of Burn2: "The Man." On Saturday, this wood structure will be burned.

The six-sided structure under The Man.

While not 100% sure, this looks like the Temple. The burning of the temple on Sunday will be the last big event of Burn2.

A build based on the story of Pinocchio. The book wasn't quite like the movie.

A party on a platform high in the air.

Burn2 is known for it's decorated outhouses. Some could be whimsical.

Um, that cigarette isn't supposed to be there, is it?

 This exhibit was one of the more interesting, on the outside looking like a museum.

On the inside, it was a number of rooms. I forgot to write down the location, but it's one I recommend seeing.

That's it for now with the scenes from Burn2. It's just a small example of what's there, so drop on by. If you can't drop by this upcoming weekend, the sims should be up at least a couple days afterwards, with more time to enjoy the exhibits.

Bixyl Shuftan