The Time Portal Community Hub

By Gemma Cleanslate

Frau Jo Yardley, creator of the famous Berlin Project has a new location for lovers of time travel. I visited the hub and was thrilled to experience several of her new sites that are completed and open to the public. There are more to come and under construction. France is next I believe.  The name of the ‘hub’ is “Time Portal Community for time travelers and virtual history”. Landing there for the first time is a an experience in itself. There are three spinning portals now to walk through in this scientific looking center. Three more portals have a sign saying Opening soon. 

Also on the wall there are some tiny spinning portals that will take you to destinations off site to other historical builds owned by other creators. It makes it so convenient while on exploration of the grid to just click and go. The era portrayed in these sims is also indicated in case you want to go looking like a citizen of that time and perhaps find a new role play community. On another wall is the Information board so you can keep in touch with information about the Portals and events. This region is right next to Berlin so you may wonder over there from one of the streets.  

My first trip was through the portal of the Victorian era where I stepped into the years around 1890‘s. I went through the seedy part of town to the town square.  I found horses and carriages along the streets outside the shops as I wandered along peering into the buildings . I stopped into a shop called “The Curious Seamstress" featuring clothing of the period for ladies of fashion and farther down the street I found a gentlemens shop. I stopped in at the London Hall where I found a magic lantern show set up and waiting for customers. This area is certainly a delightful reminder of historical setting the stories of Marley and Scrooge, whose shop I passed.

Walking through the next portal I entered the years of the 20-30‘s 40‘s. Here along the street I found elegant autos lined up in front of “The Calendar Club”. Numerous shows were advertised on posters in the windows and on the walls of buildings. The change of the style of the art deco buildings and furnishings showed how much  modernization had taken place between these years and the Victorian age. Shops with vintage clothing for this era. In one shop I found furniture and decor from the 1920s and next to that a vintage hat shop with stylish cloches for sale. I came across “The Curious Seamstress” again but up to date fashions in this shop.I almost bought an antique auto but controlled myself! I stopped in at the old well known Delmonico’s Restaurant known here a Clarrington’s Delmonico, bar, restaurant and shopping. Across the street I found some great gotchas. Just stepping into all the buildings is a study of history . 

Stepping into the next portal was more familiar since many remnants of the 50-60‘s still remain as part of the environment to this day in many cities.The Pink Flamingo Diner in its pastel colors ,with long cabriolets in front, is the first building your eyes are drawn to . Another eye catching build is the Cinema with posters of Jimmy Dean on the front. Again I was so tempted to buy the era car. I did stop at the pizza shop! How interesting to see the changes in the offerings of food and vendors over the decades from the Victorian era.  

There is much to see and experience in these three open portals. I would take a look now so you will be ready to visit the portals under construction when they open. It is a fun region to visit and offers opportunities for getting a look at sims off site too. I used to enjoy visiting the ports of call from the ship Galaxy. This is a similar opportunity I hope you like!  So far I have taken an out trip to Rocco Sorrentina 1784 Italy, in the baby portals on the wall. There are five more! My next trip is to Ancient Rome.   Here is your entrance. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Time%20Portal/128/128/1930

Gemma Cleanslate

1920's Chicago Roleplay

“Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town”

But this is Chicago in the Roaring 20’s. RP gangsters, the real kind.  You might get shot!  There is a hospital waiting for you if you end up needing it.  Old advertisements of the era on the building walls, the elevated tracks, the true opulence or desolation of the times.  Pick up some duds at a local shop and explore in style.  There are some shops with guns and damage meters so you can join in the gang wars.   Thugs hang out on the streets, and have many hang outs to be at. 

At the corner of Fullerton and Wrightwood you will find a barber shop.  Stop in and get a cut.  Or, better yet, seek the secret entrance to the hidden speak easy.  The hoochies will be waiting for you.  This is the Back Room.  Blues and jazz are all the rage at this sim.  There are many venues to enjoy, from The Back Room, with all its seclusion and secrecy, to the fanciness of Fiume Jazz Club.  There is the Asylum, the Red House Society, in the red light district, (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more), and The Fox Club. Just to name a few.  But don’t miss out of the Burlesque show!  A real burlesque show for you in Second Life.  The Empire hosts this show in a plush red themed theater. A naked and naughty 1920's style burlesque every Saturday night at 7:30 SLT. 

The Chicago Theater show movies, current to the times, in class. I find that the lush art deco style eases the eyes after seeing the slums.  Art works in deco style are for sale in many shops or in the city hall.  Wrigley Field is there, in its original simplicity.  Run the bases, if you like.  Of course there are places to rent for your own shop, and homes.  I even found a Bear Detective agency for all your furry legal needs.  I have found myself welcome there and feel all will be, if you respect the role play about you.  I love it for the music, the art deco builds and the fun of old time Chicago.  Secret room, gambling halls, and teleporters to skyscrapers are there to be found. 

The Roaring 20's Chicago Mobster Group is there to join so you can add to the role play. Get to know the citizens and mob bosses there.  Pretend you are Americas Most Wanted, shoot up the town and take over, if you can.  They are love RPing here and would enjoy it if you got in the act. 

Don’t forget to visit Lyon, Avon and Sons Mortuary, (you stab ‘em, we slab ‘em).  Who knows, you might just end up there anyway.  Beats “sleepin’ with the fishes”.  And as always, tip the venues, workers, shop the stores and respect what they offer you.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shepham%20Estates/129/224/22

Fritter Enzyme

New Toulouse

By Fritter Enzyme

Lafitte's Old Primsmith Bar is just one of my favorite places at New Toulouse.  Described as:  “Home of Mama Cree's Freebies, All Full Perm - The oldest structure in New Toulouse!  Refurbished a few times, but it was here first! Stop by and drown your sim-blues in prim-booze.” It is the type of place I was hoping to find in New Toulouse.  The environment is with the trimmings and music of the era in the flavor of Second Life.  Tarot cards on the bar really work, with instructions for you to learn from.  You are reminded not to drop your cigarette butts on the floor as they may burn the hands and knees of the other customers as they leave. 

I ran into Henri Godenot, the Mayor of the city and owner of the sim there.  He welcomes all to come to Toulouse to explore the city and bayou as well.  It is nice to have an official welcome extended to all. 
New Toulouse is based on New Orleans, circa 1900-1925.  The buildings show it, and music everywhere is jazz, blues and zydeco.

In the old time cemetery you can find tombs, all above ground, as it truly is there.  One is for you to leave your current worries.  It is called the Catharsis Laval. Open the tomb, and touch the floor and type in your worry.  Close the door and leave it behind you.  The grave yard by itself is a beautiful and unique experience.  Lots can be rented, if available to set up a mausoleum as creative as you are.   Included is a tomb dedicated to Miss Ing Inventory:  The Lab giveth, the Lab taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lab. 

Street cars (one named Desire) run through the streets to give you a ride or tour of the city.  Art galleries offer proper vintage posters and art for your home in New Toulouse, which, of course does offer rentals for homes and businesses.  The homes can be a simple apartment or a Victorian house.  Architecture is one of the best features of the city.  Hanging plants, balconies, and pony mounts are everywhere.  Silent movies of the era are at the Bijou Impromptu.  It is near the Beth Shalom Synagogue. 

Another favorite of mine is a second hand store called Look What the Cat Dragged in. They gave grab bags in the back room, and all products are delivered by a cat with a bag in its mouth.  Speaking of cats, they are all over the city, many at Miss KK's cathouse.  This is a home for abandoned cats, not what you might think as a ‘cat house.’  It is by Skye Qi Vintage Apparel Emporium. Which is a fine place to find your outfits for this sim.  Sadly lacking in much for males, but this seems so true for most of Second Life.

But now, a trip to the bayou.  Land of swamps and alligators.  Bridges and boats will bring you around in this land.  Many residential areas are here, but then you will find places to shop and rest, or drink… same thing.  Watch for the gators here.  Things are very rustic and rural. Broken windows and river rats are the norm.  Private areas are here, and armadillos too.  Club houses exist as well as great swamp nature to see. 

Voodoo, and spirituality are everywhere in both sims.  You can make appointments to get your fortune read at many places.  Even participate in reading them yourself.  Houses range from boats to shacks to nice dwellings, but all have that touch of age, and of the damage of the bayou.  You may find modern music here on some private lands, but all seems open and worth seeing.  The homes all seem very accessible here.  One last word.  There is a newspaper here, the Tattler.  It has gossip, events, and a lot of silliness worth seeing. 

New Toulouse:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/209/202/23

A video of their Mardi Gras event:  http://www.newtoulouse.org/samedi-gras-15-movie/

The Tattler: http://www.newtoulouse.org/

Fritter Enzyme