Belliforlife

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

 

On Friday February 21, a great 10 day event opened at the Bellisseria Fairgrounds for a wonderful cause. Belliforlife, our Bellisseria Relay Group is sponsoring 10 days packed full with events to raise money for the 2025 American Cancer Society. The money raised goes for research, help for Cancer patients, caretakers and survivors. It is used not only in the United States but in other countries too.

Cica Ghost created this cute build for the events. It is so charming. Be sure to visit. One of the first events held was Hollywood Squares game. Madori, Wendi, and Derrick Linden occupied a square as did our faithful Moles, Abnor, Alotta, Spiffy, Star, and Briggantia. It was a hot game to be sure with heckles and fun from the attendees and the game was battled out. Becca Ordinar , our Captain in the Group was a wonderful MC and it gave lots of enjoyment to us all and tried hard to control the whole group. A sample of the chat lol

“[12:22] Brigantia Mole: Bravo!

[12:22] Becca Ordinary shouts: Ok so now have the slugfest for the championship, Bryn versus Etheria!

[12:22] Xia Xevious: *screams*

[12:22] BJoyful Resident: I think I'm stress sweating

[12:22] Bryn Oh: i lost but ok

[12:22] SkyWatcher Questi: OOooooooooooooo

[12:22] SarahKB7 Koskinen: plus NZL includes Middle Earth too..

[12:22] Bryn Oh: i was looking for my swag bag

[12:22] Becca Ordinary: wait no New Zealand is the answer

[12:22] Missy (terris Graves): Ooh...

[12:22] BJoyful Resident: HUGS Bryn Oh ♥♥

[12:23] Becca Ordinary shouts: welll I apologize!

[12:23] Becca Ordinary: The judges have contacted me!

[12:23] BJoyful Resident: LOL@ Middle Earth

[12:23] Becca Ordinary shouts: Texas is the correct answer!

[12:23] /me Bryn Oh: i lost but oh well

[12:23] BJoyful Resident: JUDGE FIGHT!

[12:23] Madori Linden: Zindra is biggest if you know what i mean”

Following there was a raucous party with DJ Far… and his faithful host Sandie Rau. It was good to see and hear Far after he has been away for some time. All donations went to the Relay. He will be back next Friday also.There are kiosks for shopping and a Special Relay 2025 Bear and other items. Touch the Poster board to get a full program for the entire event. Here is your entry point. ev


Some pages from the program…

Gemma Cleanslate

Abnor Mole's Speech for Bellisseria Mole Day

 

On Friday August 30 at 10 AM, Abnor Mole gave a speech to a crowd in Bellisseria. This would be the opening event of the Mole Day Celebration Weekend. While no one at the Newser could be there, the speech would be offered in a notecard in the Bellisseria group.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

Hello everyone! Thank you for coming.

As many of you know, today is the beginning of a major holiday weekend in the US… Labor day… a day to recognize the contributions of everyday working people and their contributions to society. And I think most of you already know this, but a group of moles is referred to as a ‘labour’ of moles… so, it is quite appropriate since that is exactly what LDPW Moles do. While most of you are here to play, we are here to work; toiling away building things not for ourselves but for all of you.

It is something we have been doing since 2008. Creating everything from the roads that span across the mainland to games like Paleoquest and Linden Realms… and if you haven’t played those in a while I highly suggest trying them out again. Even though they are nearly 10 years old at this point they are still quite fun. And if you have payment info and have used it (and if you live in Bellisseria you are Premium or Premium plus, so you have) you can even get a few L$ for playing.

Then there are the season regions like Isle of View for Valentines… (say it out loud if you haven’t gotten that particular pun yet)... Winter Wonderland, and the Halloween Ride, which should be coming back in the not too distant future like it does every year. That one still impresses me. It too is a little long in the tooth, but it is still one of the best Halloween experiences in SL I have ever seen.

Then comes the big one… Bellisseria. What started out as a facelift for the old Linden Homes morphed into something huge. Because you all loved it and appreciated it soooooo much, it morphed into something so far beyond its original scope it boggles the mind. Over 3000 regions and counting, 12 themes and more on the way. Roads, bridges, railroads and waterways that connect most of the original continents with a new continent all its own… all built with you in mind by a huge team of people working hand in hand to make it happen and bring features and amenities for you all to enjoy as an individual and as a community. An area so huge that you can sail, fly or drive from practically one end of Second Life to the other. I’ve done it! The bad news is it will take you all day, but the good news is, it… will… take… you… ALL… DAY. ;D

We appreciate every thank you we get from all of you of course, but what really warms our hearts the most is when we see you using and enjoying it. As any of you who have built things know, nothing is as disheartening as when you build something or plan something and you put all of your heart and soul into it… and nobody comes… Or they come, look around, say “meh” and leave. Like when you give someone this handmade gift that you worked on for a whole year and they put it down and leave it untouched.

But that isn’t what you all have done. We see you living in the homes we built and placed with care. We watch as you sail by or drive your cars and trucks through the neighborhoods. That.. that right there is the biggest thank you we can receive, because we know you love and appreciate what we built and are using it every day as a part of your SL lives. Decorating your homes, having friends over, maybe driving to an airfield and flying across the grid.

Of course then you hit a bad crossing and everyone is like… “OMG! WHAT HAPPENED? DID I CRASH? WHO IS FLYING? JERRY? JERRY!?!?!!! OMG JERRY CRASHED!!! WE’RE GOING DOWN!!! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!” and you crash into someone’s backyard in the ranch homes and their cow is staring are you. Jerry logs back in and you tp him there and it’s like “Um… Jerry? Where are your clothes?”

Yes, we complain about those things when they happen. Buggy region crossings… clothes not rendering… But years from now you’ll be with your friends and say, “Remember that time we crashed into that cow and Jerry lost all his clothes?” and one of them will say, “Yeah, that’s how we met Lexi.” and Lexi will say “That was my house and that cow was never the same after that. You still owe me a cow, Jerry.”

The point being, those things are what makes Second Life fun. It’s why we are here, to have those crazy fun experiences. But to have them you need a place for it to happen. And that is what we try to build for you. Not a place where we entertain you, but a place where you all can entertain yourselves and each other. And when we see you all doing just that, it is the most satisfying form of a thank you we can ever receive.

So on behalf of myself and the entire LDPW team I just want to end by saying…
It is our pleasure, and thank you. 

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

It was stated there would be a video of the event available later, but as of the writing of this, so far the Newser has not come across one.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

The Belliwood Squares

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 For those who remember the game (and comedy) show Hollywood Squares, there was a treat at Bellisseria for Life yesterday, Thursday March 7. Seven Moles and two Lindens volunteered to take part in a special event: "The Belliwood Squares."

 

Please join us at the Beliisseria Fairgrounds for an hour of great entertainment as our contestants play a game with the help of 9 celebrity Lindens and Moles! There is plenty of room and we will have a great one-of-a-kind piece for your Linden Bear collection to auction at the end! The amazing DJ Steph Lytham will follow the show so plan to stay and dance to some great music too! The show starts at NOON. ... Please join us!

Among the Moles there were the notable Ancient and Abnor Mole, the latter taking the center square. Ancient instead of sitting was standing on the bench, "Someone put a seatbelt on Ancient, I fear he may fall off." Wendi and Sequoia were the two Lindens on the board.  Becca Ordinary was the host of the event, giving Wendi and the Moles various questions as their squares were picked, and after getting the answer asking the contestant up if they agreed or disagreed. A correct answer got the square. Nance Clowes was the cohost, who instead of on stage was on the floor.

There were a number watching, Bellisserians, Relayers, other Lindens and Moles, and others.Throughout the event, numerous people donated. Someone acting anonymous offered a donation of 10,000 Linden dollars, but there was a catch, "We have a 10k anonymous donor ! but they will only donate if YOU GUYS collectively match that 10k in the next 10 minutes. can we do it ??" The amount challenged was raised in just a few minutes and the donation sent.

 

 

I (through an alt) saw two games. The first between was Sandie Slate and Artie McGregor. At one point, Wendi Linden's square was picked by Sandi, "OK Wendi! What type of Linden home has Die Betrunken Maus as its Community Center?" Wendi had a little trouble remembering, "I believe that is the... new theme coming up... The... No, wait!" Some encouraged her, "You can DO IT Wendi!" Kit Linden growled, "YOU CANT TEASE ME LIKE THAT WENDI!" Finally Wendi spoke, "It's the Chalet style!" Sandi agreed, was correct, and got the square.

Then there was when Dreaming Mole was asked, "In British money, how many shillings were to a pound?" Her answer was, "Lets see, it’s 2 tablespoons to an ounce, 16 ounces to a pound, 12 pence to a shilling… 2.4 miles to a kilometer… carry the 8… divide by four servings…. That comes out to…I though..20." Artie agreed, was correct, and got the square.

 

At one point, Sequoia Mole was asked, "What is the only type of bird that can fly backwards?" She grinned and answered, "The only type of bird that can fly backwards is the Reverse Ostrich. Unlike its earthbound relatives, the Reverse Ostrich developed tiny jetpack-like wings that allow it to zip backwards through the air, primarily to confuse predators and make a swift exit from awkward social gatherings in the bird world. Its unique flying technique is also a great party trick at avian get-togethers, making it the life and soul of the bird party scene." That got a lot of chuckles, then Sequoia composed herself, "Just kidding...it's a hummingbird of course!" Artie was laughing, "I think it's Dragons!  Come hunt Dragon Eggs with us at the MadPea Grid-Wide Hunt!  I Will Disagree!  The answer is definitely DRAGONS!" While amusing, unfortunately her disagreeing with hummingbirds cost her the square.

 

Sandie was considered the winner of the first round. But the next had a certain spooky personality she was up against: The Bellisseria Slenderman.

 

 "Slendy" instead of directly saying he agreed or disagreed would hold up cards with his answer, at one point texting "Bellisseria Slenderman (Slenderman Grumpypants) cuts some siding out of some poor home owner's Stilt Home and makes a sign out of it!" Slenderman would end up winning the match, "Congratulations on your win Slenderman, please don't hurt me."

Once the game was over, people were invited to get off the seating area and dance, with Steph Lytham DJng the music. The event had raised well over 40,000 Linden dollars.

Talking to Becca after the event, she would say for the paper, "I am deeply grateful to the Moles and Lindens that came out to play BelliHood Squares. They do a lot for us day in and day out and this was the extra mile, coming out to share their time and humor with us for a good cause. I really loved hearing their humorous answers, especially! This was a really fun event and it was a fantastic experience to be around them!

 

"I also am very grateful for our four contestants who generously gave of their time and made meaningful contributions to RFL to be part of it. They were first class contestants and even better people for doing this!"

Bellisseria For Life goes on to Sunday, March 10. And this is just one of many Relay events over the season.

Bixyl Shuftan

Bellisseria For Life

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

The Relay for Life season is in full swing. And there have been various Relay events. Some are large such as the recent SL Living Expo. And there have been plenty of smaller events by the various teams. This week, the Linden Home continent of Bellisseria is getting it's own Relay event: Bellisseria For Life, or "Belli For Life" for short. It's taking place in the Bellisseria Fairgrounds.

Games is the theme of this year's Bellisseria For Life. Some of the displays were fun parodies, such as this Monopoly take on the "Game of Homes" joke Bellissarians make when giving up one Linden Home in hopes of getting a better one.

I decided to dust off my alt Rezzdammit to check things out.

There was a huge squid on display with a fishing pole, for any aspiring fisherman to pose with and take pictures. 

 

 There was something for the Korean show "Squid Games" as well.

Gorden Ramsey meets GTA.

 

 There were tributes to many classic games, from Minecraft to Pac Man.

 

An AT-AT becomes a zip-line anchor.

There was also a stage for music events. At times when I was busy, I'd notice close to two dozen there on the map. But when Rezz was around, it was a small audience with the "Bell Hammies" on stage with DJ Stella.

It was a tiny crowd (no pun intended), but a happy one just the same.

The dance floor doubled as a "Bellisquaria" game board. 

And at one point, the attention went to the rare Gacha steampunk hat I'd given Rezz years ago. 

 

[14:15] Becca Ordinary: love that hat Rezz
[14:15] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): yush great hat!
[14:15] RezzDammit Resident: Hyuk hyuk, thankies
[14:16] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): so funny
[14:16] RezzDammit Resident: Ah gotts et frum ah friend, he sez since eys wuz et th' steem-lahnds so much, it fits me, hyuk
[14:16] Becca Ordinary: hahahaha
[14:16] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): steampunk is awesome 🙂

But not all of the games were show pieces. Many were playable, like these tabletop games.

And there was this miniature golf game. 

This Tetris game had a rather low-tech "screen" made up of light bulbs that went on and off. 

Eventually Rezz would head back home and I would appear to look around, such as this Minesweeper and pool table.

There was also a classic hammer and bell game. Can you whack hard enough to ring it?

Charlee would join me, and we would play a few games of bowling (she would win two to one).

From Gemma Cleanslate

Also there were games of laser tag and a few others. Gemma Cleanslate says there will be trophies given out to top players of some of the games.

Bellisseria for Life continues to March 10. So if you're in a gaming mood, come on by

Bixyl Shuftan

Hippiestock

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I finally was able to find time to visit Hippiestock.It was live music day which was great! This a terrific event that has been in SL since 2011. It came out of the vision of Hippie Bowman and friends and is here in January every year since. Take a walk up to the barn on the west side of the region and read the History there. There is a road sign with direction.

This year the region was built by CK (Ceakay Ballyhoo). She said “This year's Hippiestock has been shaped by me as I have tried to recreate the Woodstock Festival area of 1969 in watercolour textures. Lots to see and find, including sim related items for sale or for free!

The sim is only around for the month of January.

Find out about the events here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=81f52f2267f7570b8ae8bf69791f297d2e6042cc5f7009e6840bf467c3dbb6a4@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles “

I arrived at the site while Hippie was strumming and singing songs from that original Woodstock and artists of the era. The décor is so reminiscent of the original farm. There are lots of places to just hang out and chat when there are no events taking place .

CK has also created a cute “tour” book from the eyes of the Elle who meets Hippiefrog and goes off to help him search a lost smile somewhere in the region.that you will find on the land next to teller of the story. Take some time to read it, It is so sweet and cute! It is also for sale on the hill at the barn.

You will land right next to her . Take a look at the picture of the original farm and the recreation that is posted at the landing point also. Visit while you have time. Check the goggle page for events. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Terrapin/31/247/22

I have to tell you that the Bellisseria continent 5th anniversary is coming ! It will be a fun event held beginning on April 24 with a whole week of events. So much has happened as this continent grew exponentially over those years. It is still growing! That is a shot of the continent map taken from my home recently. All are invited, not only residents, to celebrate. Initial information is found here. Put it on your calendar!

https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/507622-bellisserias-5th-anniversary-an-invitation-for-residents-to-participate/

Gemma Cleanslate

 

*Correction: earlier we slipped and put the wrong date for the anniversary. It's been corrected*

 

The Bellisseria Anniversary, PBC Autism Awareness Show, And Other Happenings On April 15 & 16

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

April 15 was a very busy day in Second Life. The main event was the Fourth Anniversary of Bellisseria party. For about six hours from just after 10AM to 4PM SL time at Bellisseria Fairgrounds, both locals and their friends from other areas in Second Life partied it up to celebrate the creation of this continent in Second Life.

Patch gave an opening speech at 10AM. Unfortunately, I was a bit late and missed it, and I have yet to come across a recording of it. I dropped in to see many residents dancing, human and otherwise, to a DJ's music. I didn't get a picture of him as he remained one of the handful of people my viewer just wouldn't rez.

This included the "Bell Hammies," who earlier this month set up their "Hamraiders" event at the Fairgrounds. 

 

 At 12 Noon was the Autism Awareness event at the Premier Business Center in the PBC sim.  

Please join PBC and the Baptiste Family Foundation this Saturday at 12:00 PM SLT at the PBC Performance Hall for Dancing with Donny and The Panda Dance Crew for Autism Awareness!

 

 

 This was a family-friendly event, with numerous child avatars as performers on stage. PBC owner Jarden Alexis was there, welcoming people as they came in, "Thank you all for support of Autism Awareness. We want to personally thank each one of you for being here!" There were no donations being taken as the goal of the event was to raise awareness of the condition, which has been diagnosed more frequently in recent years, "So please make donations to the autism charities of your choice."

"✯What is Autism?
 

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD."

 

There were free t-shirts for those who wanted them. Dancerina Starlight was there and got one.

 

 Once the event was over, there was much applause, Jarden saying, "I want to thank the Panda Dance Crew for volunteering for this event. Panda Dance Crew, you are appreciated." Then there was a "met and greet" dance, with a DJ playing music. Several people and publications were thanked for publicizing the event, including the Newser.

At 1PM, I headed over to a live music event at Music Island in the Sorbet sim.

Merryjest (Kain Scalia) was returning to singing in Second Life after having to take a hiatus for a while, demonstrating his skill as an opera tenor. Some longtime readers may remember him for his reader submission "My Psychotic Little Friend," which still gets laughter to this day.

 

 From 4 to 8 PM was the Affiliated Ministries' annual Easter dance in the Eternal Life sim. The event took place outside Club United's Chapel. The event was attended by multiple Christian groups. 

 

"I still love looking around and seeing all these various Christian groups all united together and it makes me smile to see our unity in Christ!" "Its always good we come together and worship and thank our Jesus for what He has done for us!!"

 

 On Sunday April 16 at Noon SL time, there was the Grand Opening of the Digital Dream Studios Gallery in FairChang Quebrada.

 

 DJ Maliit opened the event from Noon to 2PM, followed by DJ Snowbuns who played until 3PM. At 4 was DJ Whisky followed by 5 with DJ Anni. The gallery itself offers both PG art, as well as adult-rated.

It was an eventful weekend with plenty of events.

Bixyl Shuftan