More On The Sunweaver Estates Expansions And Other Changes

By Bixyl Shuftan

It's been a time of change and growth in the Sunweaver/Angel community's land. In August 1, Nydia Tungsten who owned Sunlight Bay and Cynthia Farshore who had Pacific Waters agreed to swap sims. Then several days later, there was a new sim on the map: Sunweaver Eclipse. A little more than a week later came another: SunWaterOne. These new sims meant open water to boat around in, and beach area to relax on.

But if there was a SunWaterOne, would that mean a SunWaterTwo? Finally, on September 29, it arrived, located south of Sunlight Bay and east of SunWaterOne. Rita Mariner, the Sunweaver's leader, invited me over for a look. It was a mountain rising out of the sea, with a small volcano nearby at the time.

Rita told me the sim would soon be changing, "Maybe hollow it out and put in a bunch of secret tunnels, and cool maze, with stuff for folks to explore and stuff to find, and with the height of the hill here, could have multiple levels. We have 5000 prims to play with, I am sure we can come up with some fun stuff." She also mentioned the possibility of trading the sim with Oriana Sun, who had rented SunWaterOne since I first wrote about it, "I can suggest the secret tunnel maze to her and maybe get Shocky to assist. She wants folks to visit the sim, and what better way."

Two days later on Sunday October 1, SunWaterThree would arrive, west of Sunweaver Eclipse and north of Sunny Beach. The main body of the Sunweaver/Angel sims was now ten sims large, Sunweaver Isle a little to the east and the Purrfection Estates sim far away. Rita told me these new sims will likely be the last new ones for a while.

I met briefly with Oriana at SunWaterOne, which was now hers and was different from when new and the temporary location of Nydia's "Margaritavile" hangout. She showed me around her place in the middle of the island which had been enlarged in size a little and shifted to mostly in the southeast corner with a thin part sticking out into the southwest.

There was a tunnel to a cave underneath, which she had yet to decide what to do with. The main build was some island huts built around a tall rock, linked by a wooden walkway lit by tiki torches. There were a few macaw parrots flying around. She showed me the games that were placed here and there for others to come by and enjoy.

In a visit later, I would find more things there that were either placed there later, or perhaps I was to focused on Oriana's tour to notice. In the middle was a tiny island with some lava bubbling in the middle, though still had sand and trees along the edges.

At the western tip, there was a gazebo people could sit in. Not far to the south was a stone head that reminded me of the ones at Easter Island, with some proportionally sized stone hands and feet nearby, placed as if there was a body in the sand.

At the other end of the island north of the island huts was a rusty derelict submarine beached on the shore.

The inside had been furnished to make it look like people were residing there, made into a hangout people could relax in. One time I dropped by, a couple visitors, at least one a friend of Oriana's from outside the Sunweavers, were there.

 Rita would show me SunWaterThree and it's builds before I saw the changes at the second one.

On it's first day, there was one sizable build. Rita had set up a complex of tiki huts the same kind as Oriana's, though there was no tall rock in the center.

These huts were all on stilts, with the wooden ramp going from the ground and around to successively higher ones until one reached the top. With one's viewer set to 1064 meters, which my Firestorm allowed, there was quite a view available of the surrounding land. Maybe it was me, but the macaw parrots flying around seemed more numerous than at SunWaterOne.

There was one addition to the place. There was a rope that one could climb up from the ground to one of the higher huts, or make their way back down.

Checking a couple days later, the mountain looked volcanic, with bubbling lava and smoke plumes, and a bit rockier.

Back at SunWaterOne, I saw this under the water. More Easter Island humor.

In a few days, SunWaterTwo had changed. The island was in the middle of a renovation that as of the writing of this article is still going on. The place was also Oriana's. I would later hear from her she was moving to here.

A few places looked complete, though may change as the building goes on.

Pretty and attractive (virtual) natural scenery.

Sunweaver Eclipse, which is under Shockwave Yareach, has a smaller island than the other new places. The main build is his skybox, which we won't publish any pictures without an okay.

The Lone Star flag of Texas,Shockwave's home state, flying overhead. Behind it is a tower in Sunweaver Space that I first thought was Jenni Greenfield's tower relocated, but it's a different design. Further back is Pacific Waters, now under Nydia Tungsten.

Pacific Waters is now the home of the office of White Vixen Enterprises, which has under it the Angel sims, including Purrfection which is some distance away from the Sunweaver sims, and the Happy Vixen Beach club. Further north is Nydia's manor and her theater set up in the water, described as the "float-in theater."

Nydia's guardian angel statue, standing guard.

The work on the new Sunlight Bay, under Cynthia Farshore, is close to done. Farshore Field is all laid down, with lights that shine at nightfall, and what look like tire marks on one of the runways.

The northeast corner of the sim, the port area with docks, has a store with Victorian-era clothes and other goods one can buy. There's also a 7Seas fishing spot. There were also a few trees with a swing and a couple cuddle spots.

Cynthia (picture from an event at Sunlight Bay's Goblin Cave), told me the 7Seas game would soon be joined by something called Neo, "Zorro (Wuramunga) says Neo is college compared to 7-seas." She went on to say, "Now that we have the new sims, I will have to see if I should run the rails through or the road. The railroad track is pretty much done to the sim border of Sunlight and Space."

Cynthia did say she's had to adjust her plans, "My plans got a bit changed with the new sims. That caught me by surprise." She may add some forest in places. Her train needed some repairs, but, "as soon I get that done I hope to have the train running, at least (the) short line till I get the other sims railed."

It's been an active time with sims being added and sims already here changing. And the changes aren't finished yet. Stand by for more developments.

Bixyl Shuftan

Ari's Park in Cape heron

By Deaflegacy

The Park has no official name.  The only thing about the Park is that it had been created in Ari's honor.  Who is Ari, some people might ask.  Ari is a piano player on Second Life who travels from sim to sim, playing beautiful piano music.  Second Life is something that's real to Ari.  That's why he plays the piano on Second Life
because he can only play the piano on Second Life, not in real life. Along the way, Ari had made many friends.  What Ari had done for so many people cannot be forgotten.  He had played so many different piano pieces.  But playing piano is not the only thing Ari had done, and that is the reason why the Park had been created for.

Ari is a friend to many people.  Even while he is playing his piano, he would always find the time to have a conversation with someone.  Ari would usually gives a compliment or he would just listen with a gentle smile.

That's why the Park was created on Cape Heron.  It was created because Ari is more than just a piano player.  He created beautiful music that many people would get together and have good time.  That's what it is all about.

In more than one way, the Park serves as a thank you to Ari for his beautiful music and being there for people.  I have a good feeling that the Park is going to be around for a very long time.  That's as long as the owner of the Park can continue to pay for the Park.

If anyone would like to listen to Ari's music, his piano schedule can be provided at the request.  Ari plays his piano on Second Life every day. The Park is there as a tribute to Ari and his piano music.  Today, he is unforgettable as the piano player who would travel from sim to sim just to provide beautiful piano music to people.

For these who enjoy the piano music, I recommend going on Second Life and contacting Ari for his piano music.  He is really an unforgettable piano player and that is why the Park had been created in his name.  Thanks, Ari.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cape%20Heron/233/24/22

Deaflegacy

Yosemite Brunch

By Gemma Cleanslate

It is always a treat to get over to Yosemite for any reason, exploring, horseback riding, shopping. Sunday morning I was lucky enough to have time to make it to the brunch that is held on the first Sunday at 10:00 slt. The Coffee Shop is the site for breakfast and is nicely set with a big buffet waiting, Eggs, sausage, pancakes, sandwiches, cappuccino... and other goodies are for the choosing.

There was a roaring fire in the fireplace next to which fleegle Mumblewood was taking a nap. 

Jadyn Firehawk , the owner  invites and says “These meetups are low-key social gatherings with casual conversation and friendly people to meet.“ There is also a campfire meet held on first Friday at 5:00 pm slt to suit the varied timezones and all are invited to both or either.  

There was a nice group of visitors attending the brunch and having conversations that were eclectic. Reference to the weather around the USA, the possible incoming storms next week, and wild fires in California. This led to more conversations about Yosemite and the actual good that wild fires do there in the area of the Sequoias . By clearing the understory it allows new sequoia to grow. Jadyn supplied a few links to view the so called firefall that has a long history at the park. Some who have been to Yosemite talked about their experiences of the sight of the giant trees, the new ones growing and the size of the seeds.. like footballs! The visitors joined in the conversation as they were interested in the topic. It was all very informal. 

Yosemite has also added new 7Seas fishing areas in the region. This whole area of the park is covered by servers.What  a wonderful place to sit in nature or ride a horse or just wander and fish to raise your experience points while enjoying the surroundings. 

Getting around at Yosemite is very easy. There are wonderful TP stations where visitors can choose a location and get there immediately. Visitor guides are available at the TP boards so grab one to keep. It contains all the areas to visit and the landmarks. Stop at the visitor’s center to get an idea of the real Yosemite and pick up lots of information about the wonderful park itself.Jadyn had set up a wonderful display of stones for us to take with  Then choose where you would like to visit. 

This will put you at the new fishing pond at the Visitor Center where you can start your adventure. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yosemite/134/147/2653 

Gemma Cleanslate

New Pod Station at Sedge

By Klaus Bereznyak

Last week, a new pod station was activated on the Northwest side of the mainland continent of Heterocera. These tour vehicles are found on all the mainland continents and are one of their most exciting features. Pod vehicles ply the roads, railways and waterways, chatting local information and pointing out landmarks to their riders and they are a great way to explore the grid. They can be rezzed at specific stations or an avatar can just hop into one as it passes.

Yavanna Llanfair works tirelessly maintaining the pod routes and adding new tours, and this is just the latest update to the system. Yavanna says, "I believe that mainland should be enjoyed and appreciated. Yet there is so little on mainland as a whole which attracts people, simply because they don't know about it. Most people don't travel around and look to see what is there; they go from
landmark to landmark in their inventory, without taking the time to look around them. Yet mainland has so much going for it; beautiful areas, historic locations, educational establishments, rail and sea
transport, which most people probably don't know exist. Mainland should be alive, it should be a community. We should all care about it, and then maybe we would take more pride in it and in our
buildings."

The new station at Sedge provides a halt and a rezzing place for pods H3, H6 and H7, which all pass through this region on Route 2. An announcement to the podrider's group also suggested the possibility that H4 may divert this way in the future, too. Pod stations are established on parcels willingly shared by other pod enthusiasts and this one exists thanks to Taraa Destiny, who recently acquired the land. Sedge is a lively corner of Heterocera, with much to see locally. The station lies below the Sedge Graveyard.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sedge/216/216

Klaus Bereznyak

"Shoot The Rapids" Log Flume Ride at Whispering Windz

By Bixyl Shuftan

In the Whispering Windz sim, I found a fun ride. Called "Shoot The Rapids  - Whispering Windz's Log Flume Adventure, it offers a trip across some picturesque scenery, and some thrills and spills going up and down, the latter resulting in some splashes.

Prepare to get drenched!!!  Welcome to our newest attraction here at Whispering Windz, called Shoot The Rapids!  Hop into a log boat, and travel along our water flume, taking in the natural environment and getting yourself soaked at the same time!!

Getting in the logs, one goes down the course, which goes through some forested area and another attraction in the sim or two. The area is a bit hilly, and people will finding themselves going up hillsides, as well as valleys cut into the rock. And of course what goes up must come down. And in places the logs will come speeding down with a splash. And if that wasn't enough, there's a cave with water pouring down at the entrance and inside, sure to give you a soaking. Fortunately, virtual water doesn't stay on your avatar very long.

The fun ride has a serious purpose. At the entrance is the following sign:

Your Generosity Urgently Needed

From this point on, every donation given on this thermometer tip jar will be donated to my brother, Chuck, to help with his cancer treatments.

Any help you can give will be appreciated. You all have been so generous to the venue, but now my brother needs help.

If you can please donate, my family and I will greatly appreciate any help you can give.

You will make a difference in his quality of life, and I am eternally grateful for you all

The letter was signed Shaylin Yordstorm, the owner of the sim. The ride is owned by Shaylin's partner Cranston, and was built by Corne Skytower.

There is much else to see in the sim. I saw a roller coaster ride, and there are rope and plank walkways in part of the forest high above the ground. At the ride I found a teleporter to other locations, such as a dwarven mine. So come by for a ride like the log flume of your trip to the big amusement park, and maybe drop in a few Lindens.


Whispering Windz (124/101/21)

Bixyl Shuftan

Furry Tiki Island

By Bixyl Shuftan

I was asked by a couple friends to check out "Furry Tiki Island," a sim made like a Pacific resort island. Getting there at the landmark I was handed, I was in a welcome area made like an open-air wood structure with a few tribal carvings, and a sign greeting me "Aloha" in front of me. The music stream played Hawaiian tunes. Behind me was a pool area with floats, and a thatched roof hangout people could relax in. Next to me was a map showing the various locations on the island. Seven were named, The Mall, Waterfall, Pirate Sanctuary, Shark Bites and Bar, Sex Beach, Main Beach, Club Erotica, and Club Bounce. Besides the welcome area, there was an above-water villiage in the northeast that was unnamed.

Going around clockwise, I saw the mall only had a few stores in it, all small thatched roof to match the decor of the location. But perhaps this was from the place being relatively new. The Pirate Sanctuary was an old wooden frigate on the rocks that had been converted into a hangout with couches and chairs to sit in and drinks to sample. Going to the "Sex Beach," there was a guy and a girl there, but they weren't being intimate but just playing around on the sand in a "clean" way, save that the guy was nude, "I'm not usually naked, she forced me to." "You listened, that's worse." Almost as if on cue, the music stream started playing "Friendly Pressure." Talking to them, they told me only recently had this particular part of the island been made a place where intimacy was allowed. Besides the beach towels, there were surfboard racks and what looked like a small bar.

Club Erotic was just a simple place, an octagonal wooden floor weathered a bit by the tropical air with a DJ booth in the back and a canopy overhead. The unnamed village had more detail, with a central seating area for meeting up and relaxing, a 7Seas fishing spot, and a canoe for anyone who wanted to sail around. Nearby were a couple of caught trophy fish one could pose next to for a screenshot. The Shark Bites and Bar had a number of fruits and sweet foods one could sample, or just admire and imagine tasting them. The place had a set of shark jaws over the entrance, and a trophy with the tail end of a shark.

On my way to the Waterfall, over a stick bridge, I saw a few butterflies flying around. The place was detailed and picturesque, once everything rezzed, a smaller waterfall near the larger one flowing down from a presumably dead volcano. Some steps to the left led to a cave behind the waterfall with a pillow for a couple. The Main Beach was more detailed than the Sex Beach, with waves lapping at the shore, a bar, a grill, a hot tub, tubes in the water one could float on, and of course the beach towels.

Just west of the Main Beach, and east of the entrance, was Club Bounce, which was where the most people were on the island. Getting there, I saw several people, including Vatra (Shadowulf Umia), a black anthro lion with a crown whom later put it down and slipped on a grass tribal outfit. When I asked him what gave him the idea to make the place, he answered, "Always wanted a tiki bar of my own as I love those type of places. Over time, the love for tiki expanded and so did this place. (It) started as a small parcel just for friends, then expanding to a larger parcel over time. Now I see this place as something different, (a) different theme than most furry sims and hangouts, but with opportunities available." I asked him what opportunities, and Vatra answered, "we encourage and help those new to djing, security, management roles and so on. We also promote new merchants and help them get their foot in on selling their stuff. So both new and experienced can enjoy Second Life and the opportunity they have. We are also very active and all staff are approachable as they have been selected personally by me for their friendly nature."

Of the helping DJs and merchants, Vatra told me the place does "by promoting for the stores and will also be offering discounts along the way to encourage buyers/ (It's) not set up yet, but I am hoping to set up a DJ school here too. ... (The) DJ school will help you by suggesting DJ software and how to bring it to stream through SL. (We) will also teach you key skills on DJing. ... We teach DJs, then they are offered to work here as their stepping stone to professional SL DJing. ... We have a few DJs interested in working here." When someone else asked who would teach them, Vatra explained it would be the managers.

Vatra also stated the place was also offering housing, and would soon have more stores at the mall, including furry avatar makers (with more coming each weekend." He went on to say, "We also have a lot of playable board games and so on for those wanting to enjoy those on their own or as a group like Greedy greedy, Battleships, Cards against Humanity and pool."

The black lion concluded, "We welcome everyone within Second Life's legal age and so on. We encourage those interested in being a part of the Island as staff to drop us a application.  There are many areas for loved ones to embrace around the island, but hope everyone enjoys their time and share with us their best moments."

Others nearby were also happy with the island, one saying, "it's a nice place to hang out, relax, meet new people, explore new wonders."

Havoc (29/35/27)

Africa Live Revisited

By Bixyl Shuftan

It was four years ago in 2013 when I first wrote about Africa Live in the Estings sim. Today, the sim and community are still around, although there have been a few changes over the years. I was recently invited back to see what's changed and what hasn't.

I was welcomed back by Hobbi (Joanne Kimono), "Glad to see you again after all these years. ... I want to show you the breadth and depth of Africa Live so your readers will feel welcome to all of this place." She pointed to some wood buildings with thatch roofs over the water, "As you see across the water is blue shacks that is ecology area. ... This is TerreDarmoise African Nature Refuge. Beside us is the open water ... making a very place to tour SL on a boat." One could boat around on the water, or take the "Aero-Putter" flyer, a basket with a couple balloons and motors, which was still around from last time. There was plenty of nature scenery around, that of a river area, with some prim animals around, such as elephants and hippos.

Hobbi would introduce me to CarryLee, whom I'd met here before, "CarryLee made my dress and her group FAFA  has offered as a group gift," going on to say her designs have improved over time. Hobbi mentioned another store owned by  Analeee Balut, "Analee Balut  made my boots." CarryLee herself told me the place has had, "many changes, but the idea is still the same. It's only the looks that has changed a bit. Oh, and we have the stores." Her FAFA was just one of a number of shops there. CarryLee told me later on, "We try to get only shops that offer African fashion, but thats not easy."

We happened to be around at the time of dawn, Hobbi telling me, "Look! The sunrise is beautiful! ... The sun here on water is a great advantage here on a water based village." Besides the regular boats to get around, "you can sail under, all the stilts you can pass trough," Hobbi told me there was also a speedboat rezzer, "there are also wind surf sails rezzers." CarryLee commented, "and the duckee bumper very fun (giggle)."

Next to the shops, there was also an open area club and dance floor, owned by Bafana Beaumont. Hobbi told me the club's normal events are, "Saturday, sometimes Monday and then the weekly reggae event Thursdays. Recently there was a Sunsplash Reggae event and ongoing reggae and dance."

Near the old entrance high above the sim, which could be accesed through the teleporter and  had a permanent sunrise over a savana, there was a gallery area with pictures of Africans and other peoples, "very beautiful photos in my opinion," CarryLee thought. Next to it was what CarryLee called "the little jazz bar," which had a couple of drums people could play. Some events, such as poetry readings, take place there. The teleporter could also take people to a couple other places high above the sim. One was a small library area, with various paintings. Some looked like they were done in traditional African style, but there was one that reminded me of a American WW2 "Rosie the Rivetter" picture.

I asked if a number of Africa Live were still French speakers. CarryLee told me, "There are still many French coming here. But we do our best to keep English as main language." Bafana was among those whose first language was French. Another was Frederic Herberle, "Frederic has poetry here ... All cultural events are welcome, art, music, poetry."

Another question of mine was if any of the visitors here had misconceptions about Africa. CarryLee answered, "I meet a few here, but it's rare ... ask about the wetlands, since many do see Africa only as dry savana. ... The main idea is to bring people away from the negative impressions they get from the media. ... they show us the bad news yes, and that's ok and understandable. But it does make an impression." Hobbi felt, "Perhaps because Africa is a large continent of people that is an issue.  People for example in Nigeria are not having crisises too much. There are places where people live well and others where crisis does prevail at this time."

CarryLee stated, "My point was, we want to bring people the beauty of Africa. There is so much! What I want SL readers to know is this is a safe and welcome open arms place to travel and have fun."

I was told currently the number in the Africa Live group was close to 2000, and this year the community turns ten years old.

For those interested in meeting up with people in other parts of the world, especially Africa, Africa Life is an interesting place to visit.

Estings, (220, 130, 143) (don't forget to take the transporter down)

Bixyl Shuftan