Monday, November 28, 2011

The “Happy Vixen’s” Grand Re-Opening

On November 26th, the “Happy Vixen” beach club had its “Grand Re-Opening” party. For several days, it had been closed, undergoing reconstruction. And when the job was done, owner Nydia Tungsten ordered a special party to celebrate.

Before she was entrusted with her position at Club Zero Gravity, Nydia Tungsten once owned another beach club: Angel’s Beach. Some time after becoming the space club's owner, Nydia placed a small shopping mall on the surface of the Purrfection sim, one that looked like a beachside shop with it’s thatched roof and wooden supports instead of walls. Next to the water, the decision was made to place a small beach club, built by Treminari Huet. It had all the basics of a club, plus a couple dancing poles plus tip jars for dancers and the DJ. The little beach club came to be known as “The Happy Vixen.”

Zero Gravity continued to be the main club in the sim, and indeed the little beach club was often seen as an extension of the larger space club, it’s “planetside beach getaway.” But it remained in regular use, and had it’s own group separate from Club Zero, as well as being counted among the clubs at the FCA club alliance. Parties were held at the “Vixen” usually once a week, often with beach music and the residents dancing around in bathing suits. Between parties, residents could always scoot around in the water in a couple jet skis in a nearby pier.

For months, the weekly parties of fun in the sun continued with few changes, an extra dance pole put up, a piece of artwork put up. A larger beach club, “Raised Tail Resort,” joined the FCA, but it didn’t seem to affect numbers at the “Vixen.” Recently came news from owner Kryxia Silverfall that “Raised Tail” would be closing it’s doors indefinitely due to events beyond her control.


It is with tears in my eyes that I announce that Raised Tail Resort is now closed, you will see a few more notices in the future about where you can find your favorite staff member. We are not gone for good, but like any fur, there is hibernation. Here's to hoping for an early spring.


Although there was still the “Happy Vixen,” both for the patrons and the DJs and hosts, some people had come to love the structure and beach of the larger club. Nydia Tungsten decided that perhaps after all this time, the Happy Vixen could use an expansion.

Jasmine Dawn (OraSine Resident) was given the job of rebuilding the Happy Vixen. She used the design of “Raised Tail” as an inspiration, Kryxia contributing a few items as well. The club itself was larger, with another room next to the dance floor, a future mall area with spaces for rent. The new structure has a little less open space on the sides, with a gap between lower and upper walls. The gap itself is partly covered by vines, though still allows sunlight in. The club has a wide entrance to and from the beach. in a hall between the dance floor and the second room, one can get information about renting a place in Purrfection.

Jasmine’s design included a beach. The wide beach has a number of palm trees, at least one of which drops coconuts, so careful where you step. There are a few beach towels to lie on, a hammock, a couple lounges with overhead sheeting, a few floats to rest on, a partly hidden cuddle spot or two, a couple games people can pass the time playing, plus the two jet skis from the previous build. And of course the waves lapping at the shore, and the terrific view at sunset/sunrise.

It should be noted that the beach at the Happy Vixen is a nude beach, where human, furred, and neko avies are free to go about in the buff. This was a decision Nydia made after taking to several friends whom complained about a certain development around the Grid: Second Life’s nude beaches are closing. Nydia had been told a number of “clothing optional” beaches were shutting down, and those that remained were often “perv beaches” which were the scenes of riskee behavior out in the open that would get one banned from ordinary nude beaches. The result was girls finding it harder and harder to find a place where they could enjoy full exposure without being pestered for sex.

“This nude beach is for those that have put a lot of time and effort into their skins and want to show it off, not for those looking for a quick lay,” Nydia Tungsten explained,”those will be banned immediately. It is a place to come hang out, ... um, no pun intended .... just to enjoy Second Life.”

With the refurbishing completed Saturday November 26th, Nydia threw a special party in the late afternoon to celebrate. Announcements were made in several groups, by both Nydia and Kryxia. On the board was a special prize of 2000 Lindens! Playing the tunes was one of the DJs from Raised Tail, DJ Artimay, whose metallic form got him the nickname of “DJ Furbot” by some. From 4 to 6 PM, a couple dozen residents, furred, neko, and human, danced around. Among those celebrating was a friend of longtime regulars and staff. Lsai Aeon, the beloved “Purple Puppy” DJ of Zero Gravity and elsewhere, had ended a period of hiatus and returned.

The DJ spun the tunes and the partiers danced until a bit after Six. Some went on to Club Cutlass, which had it’s Saturday party just afterwards. Others continued to dance a little to the KVXN music stream, or went to the beach to relax.

It was a good start to the new Happy Vixen.

Bixyl Shuftan

Friday, November 11, 2011

Veterans Day Themed Places and Events in Second Life

This week, and before, a number of events are taking place for the benefit of veterans in Second Life. Some of these are yearly events. Others are places which are always active and have special events. And then there are locations active throughout the year, and are simply more visible now.

For the fifth year in a row, the Second Life Veterans Tribute will be taking place. Hosted by the Flying Tigers, the location is high over the WW2 Pacific sim. One reason it hasn’t been mentioned earlier by the Newser is the team hasn’t quite had as much time to get the word out. “The SLVT is a ‘ lil scaled back this year as real-life constraints did not afford the necessary time to dedicate it truely,” explained Wellhung Bagley, “We were fortunate that the Flying Tigers agreed to host it.”

The Tribute has a number of displays up, from airplane exhibits, to the Second Life Coast Guard, to the National Native American Veterans Association and more. But the biggest one of all is the Second Life World War II Memorial, “permanently housed on the sim. This Memorial is a scaled replica of the original memorial located in Washington D.C. The SL version was commissioned by the SL Flying Tigers and built by RL architect, Deusen Marx. The purpose of this Memorial is to honor the sacrifices of a generation and commemorate the Allied victory in World War II. “

The continuing feature from previous Tributes is the Memorial Wall, each block a contribution by a resident to honor a Veteran alive or deceased. Wildroses Pevensey informed, “We have some new blocks that are in the newer section of the wall this year, a drummer boy from the Union Army (he lied about his age and enlisted when he was 14). We also have a block of veterans, submitted by one of their brothers, he comes every year to honor them.”

On Friday Veterans Day, the Flying Tigers are scheduled to perform several flyovers.

5:00 PM - Golden Tigers
5:30 PM - WW2 Flyover
6:00 PM - Second Life Coast Guard (SLCG)
6:30 PM - 23rd Flyover
7:00 PM - Historical Flyover
7:30 PM - Golden Tigers

For Saturday, the last day of the Tribute, the emphasis will be music, “this will be a combination of Live Singers and Live DJ's starting at 12 PM SLT. We are still working on the schedule but it is going to start at noon and go till it stops.”

The Veterans Tribute is at World War II Memorial Park, WW2 Pacific (128, 9, 2517). One can read more at http://slveteranstribute.blogspot.com/ . Funds raised go to “Operation Uplink, to provide free phone calls for veterans overseas.

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Another big event is the “Fearless Festival,” also known as the “Be Fearless PTSD Awareness Event.” Organized by the Fearless Nation Group, the thrid annual “Be Fearless” event offers “ten days of live music, art exhiits, sims hunt, sponsor showcase, and more.”

Fearless Nation welcome(s) all PTSD sufferers, their families, friends, and clinicians, war veterans, law enforcement personnel, emergency response workers, those traumatized by sexual abuse, child abuse, torture, human trafficking, hostage events and crime, man-made and natural disasters, and physical, psychological, and verbal trauma.

Honour McMillian wrote, “They provide information, access to resources, classes, workshops, support groups and more. They also hold an annual festival to heighten awareness of this debilitating problem and the help that is available as well as education to address the widespread issue of stigma associated with any mental illness.“ Anya Ibor is the founder of the group.

“I don't know anybody, including myself, whose life has not been touched or altered by mental illness whether their own or that of a loved one. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this burden is the feeling of being "alone." Second Life and Fearless Nation help begin recovery by first addressing this issue and then providing the support and assistance necessary to ensure that the appropriate treatment for PTSD is received.”

For the month, two sims have been set up for an art exhibition. One can find displays from artists such as Trill Zapetero, Scottius Polke, and Bryn Oh.

The Fearless Festival is at Oak Beach (96, 156, 22). For more information, go to http://www.fearless-nation.org/EVENT2011.html .

Source: Honour McMillian

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The London sims have an event to honor veterans in Hyde Park on November 11th. Residents are invited to visit the Tower Hill War Memorial at Knightsbridge (82, 234, 21). From 10AM to 12 Noon SL time, there will be a party at Hyde Park with a 2000L prize. On Saturday and Sunday are additional parties near the War Memorial at London England UK (104, 46, 22), starting at Noon and 10 AM respectively.

Other places include the Garden of Rememberance, “The ‘Garden of Remembrance’ is there for all to visit in memory of and tribute to the armed forces from the UK, British Commonwealth, the USA and NATO, as well as for all the reserves and volunteers.” The place is a memorial with poppy flowers slowly drifting down, with pictures and poetry on the walls, the ground having fields of more poppies. The place is at RoBeck Land (211, 104, 33).

Finally, there is Patriot Island. This location is more than the location of a memorial, but also hosts an active military community with regular events. They frequenly hold fundraisers for the Wounded Warrior Project. They are located at the US Military Veterans' Center, Patriot Island (165, 125, 28)

There are of course many more locations, and much went on while exploring these featured ones which will have to wait for further articles. By all means drop by to experience for yourself, and search for more.

Bixyl Shuftan