SL Burner Gets Her Build To Be Made At Burning Man

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

This is from the Burning Man Journal.

”The Black Rock City Honoraria Program funds artists from around the globe to create innovative participatory art projects — big and small — that rise on the city’s open playa. These grants from Burning Man Project support returning and new artists alike, they catalyze cross-cultural understanding, and help communities nurture artists and community leaders. These capacities may emerge through the process of creating art in Black Rock City, but their impact extends well beyond the dust to advance a more creative and connected world.

Funded by the nonprofit Burning Man Project, the Black Rock City Honoraria Program helps artists from all traditions and walks of life tell their stories through collaborative projects. When you contribute to the nonprofit through donations or higher-priced tickets, you’re directly funding these grants, bringing art to the playa and more connective creativity to the world. The Honoraria grants are designed to cover a portion of the artists’ costs, but projects require additional financial and logistical support from the community.”

At the July Conception weekend in Second Life, 3V (3vilyn Vortex) and Jeff Olhoeft (jolhoeft Resident) erected a beautiful effigy to be burned. It is one of the few I have seen that I did not want to see flame and disappear. Now it is being constructed for the Burning Man on the Black Rock City in real life!

3V ‘s vision won an honorarium for this year. This is allowing her to recreate that effigy. Burning Man opens August 24 and runs until September 1. Jeff is helping her along with a support team working on the installation. Jeff did the same thing several years ago . He had a beautiful butterfly on the playa and was encouraged to bring it to Black Rock and he did. The name of 3V’s creation is “Inikadowa, “. To see some photos of them working along with team members you can visit https://www.burn2.org/

Scroll down on the left, you will see a slide show of the labor. You can learn the background of the name Inikadowa in a link above the photos.

Congrats to all! What an honor! I can’t wait to see it on the Black Rock TV! 

 

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

 

People

 

The Bellisseria Bureau of Bureaucracy

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

During the SL20B event many visitors saw Lindens and Moles walking around with “tablets” in their hands and avatars swarming around them chattering about STAMPS. In the birthday group chat people were stating where those Moles might be sighted and a gaggle of avatars would descend on the locations immediately. Here are Strawberry , Patch, and Misssy with theirs in hand, I thought I would explain to those who are not in the know what it was all about and invite you to get involved.

Back in 2020 BÓÒ (Boo Rojyo) envisioned the need for bureaucracy on Bellisseria and the Bellisseria Bureau of Bureaucracy, (the BBB) to help people leave their homes and explore the grid. He invented the passport. The headquarters was set up where applicants could apply for a one. The passport was good all over the entire grid at all sorts of places, clubs, nature centers, yacht clubs, gas stations, restaurants and so many more. The owners of the sites maintain a passport terminal at their locations. With help from several friends they also began issuing a driver’s license, plate for vehicles. The idea grew and so did the staff all of whom had a role.

The personal tablets carried came as a later idea. This Ancient Mole’s .

When a holder carries (wears) their passport they may click the terminal and receive a stamp on their

own passport. It is great fun. Sometimes there are special stamps for events such parties at the fairgrounds or the Relay or birthdays. They are available for that time and then retired. A list of all the past stamps are on the web provided by Robert Rhodan. At first it was just for Bellisserian residents. Every Saturday The Gazette is published and a list of new locations with terminals is listed. I take advantage of that and go get them immediately.

Over the years the opportunity has grown so much. This is a statement by Boo explaining the new opportunity for all to collect stamps . Each continent can now carry a passport the reflects their own continent and for those off the mainland a generic one. He told me,

“Why and how did the BBB make passports available to everyone in SL ?

It's something we'd always planned to do. However we had a rather manual process for producing passports and were afraid we just couldn’t cope with the workload that might occur if we suddenly opened the passports to all.

However North Crannock did some great work creating a more 'self build' passport. This coincided with the creation of the Bellisseria embassies throughout mainland. This allowed us to make the stamps, and the passports freely available to anyone on SL, land owner, premium, or neither who wanted to collect and explore. Since I stepped down as CEO of the BBB the team has continued to perfect and improve the stamp and passport process enormously. Special mention to Robert, Amanda, Laurel, and also Dave for all the publicity. And of course to Bel for taking over leading the ship so ably.”

Boo has now become an ambassador at the Embassy on Heterocera. The embassies are maintained by the BBB.There is a Board of directors that works together to ensure everything keeps up to date and has other ideas in mind. To see all the previous stamps that are available or retired you can go to
https://robertrhodan.de/index-aTAU.html and begin to collect the older ones listed.

To apply for an intercontinental passport on line you can visit

https://robertrhodan.de/ICBelliPP-AutoAppForm.html

or you can stop in at anyone of the Embassies to get a folder containing loads of information to help you. This is the Corsica Embassy. A passport is already in the folder with directions.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Timescape/198/81/68


These are the people who are involved in the workings of the BBB . I hope I got them all!

Founder and Ambassador to Heterocera -- Boo Rojyo

CEO -Bel (Jezebel Bailey)

Board Members -, Dave (Lord Junibalya), AmandaT Tamatzui. Teresa Firelight

Scriptors -North (North Crannock), Robert Rhodan (RobertRhodan)

and Sandy Burgess

POH editor and Linden/Mole Liaison -- Teresa

Party Planner - Amanda

Stamp Designers - Amanda, Robert

BBB Passports, Licenses, License Plates -Laurel (Laurelrose Anthony) (Bel backup)

Discord Geek and backup scripter - Coal Edge

Editor in Chief - Dave

Scout - Gemma Cleanslate


Ambassadors --

Heterocera - Boo Rojyo

Nautilaus -Freddie Harrington (Freddie Venus)

Gaeta - SᴏɴDᴇᴇ Bᴀᴛɪsᴛᴀ-LᴇFᴇᴠʀᴇ (SonsarayDeJonay)

CDS - Sandy Burgess

Corsica - Dulcinea Andretti

Zindra -Rascal Starlight

Jeogeot - Coughran Mayo

Sansara - OPEN

Satori – OPEN


There is a search on for a new ambassador for the two open continents in case you are interested.

“Builders of all things possible - Everyone has their own specialty! Mine is stand and point!” said Bel , and she does a wonderful job of pointing and directing traffic!

The BBB headquarters is a fun place to visit .
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swordfish/208/50/33
 

Take a walk around and see the buildings and the back yard. Relax in the new Zen Garden. On the wall inside are posters for each of the type of Passport available. upstairs is a room with all the Embassies on the wall.

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Photos From The Fandom Fashion Show

 

 Pictures by Gemma Cleanslate

 

Last week, Gemma Cleanslate dropped by the Fandom Fashion Show, and finding a number of Moles and Lindens took some pictures. This included Alotta Mole.

There was Wendi Linden. No word from Gemma on if anyone was saying "Bettlejuice" three times.

And there was Patch Linden, in a pink-stripped outfit.

There was Mini Mole in a sailor suit.

Ancient Mole looked a bit like a Murlock from "Warcraft" on a broom.

It wasn't clear what Jester Linden was trying to be.

Ador Mole was looking a little cheesy. 

They and others were having fun, dancing away at a pad.

At one point there was an "intruder on stage." If this guy was out to cause trouble, no doubt with all the blue tags around, he was taken care of in a hurry.

Gemma may have more on the con later. 

Bixyl Shuftan & Gemma Cleanslate

Memorial Service For Indea Vaher

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

JardenAlexis called to say there would be a memorial for her Second Life sister. Though I did not know her sister I decided to attend the memorial out of respect for the Phenomenal family of which she was a member and I am so glad I did.

Indea Vaher is a well known artist both in Second Life and in real life. Her roots are in South Carolina and Georgia. She had a Gullah ancestry. To be honest I am pretty sure I visited one of the installations she created to help people in Second Life learn Black History. I have a memory of the Gullah village I visited some years ago.

The chapel at the Premier Business Center which belongs to JardenAlexis is very lovely. There were 76 people who attended the service. ⓂⓈ ⓂⒾⓃⓍⓎ (Juanita Petrovic) greeted with “Welcome to PBC House of Prayer Memorial Service for Indea Vaher. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU INDEA!
~GONE FROM SIGHT, FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS~” and handed me a lovely program to follow.

Pastor Kitty Cummings (DulcetKitty Melody) opened the celebration with an invocation followed by scripture readings by Jonquel (Jonquel Jiagu) .The theme for the Memorial service was "Celebrating the Life of a Phenomenal Woman."

Family members did special tributes which included a Libation ceremony requested by her daughter PlumQueen, and a dance performance to the audio of the late Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" poem which was choreographed and performed by Denyayii along with two other dancers MzzSapphire, and Muñeca (monaka.harris)

There were 76 attendees in the chapel for most of the ceremony. JardenAlexis read her sister’s biography and I am going to reprint it here .

“Indea Vaher graced the Second life grid with her presence, her knowledge, wisdom, and her art on July 29, 2008. She departed this life on January 31, 2021 after 13 years of meeting and leaving an everlasting impact upon everyone that she encountered in Real Life and Second Life.

"Indea was one of the most high spirited, fun loving, and caring people on the SL grid. She was always spreading love, kindness, knowledge, and words of wisdom. No matter the subject she had an answer. She was especially passionate about her Gullah culture and the traditions of those who lived in the Lowcountry regions of South Carolina and Georgia, which includes both the coastal plain and the Beaufort Sea Islands on the South Carolina Coast.

"Her Spirit, Her Art, Her Wisdom and so much more will be remembered and forever treasured by everyone who had the honor of merely speaking to her. To know her was to love her and it is an understatement to say that Indea Vaher our 'Phenomenal Woman' will be deeply missed.

"Indea is survived by her beloved SL partner DJ Blackcinder; her SL daughter Plum (plumqueen) and SL God Daughter Iɳԃια Bҽʅʅαιɾҽ (india.umia); her sisters Rhyme Gardner, Jackie Lefko-Hawk, and JardenAlexis; Her brothers Moobeemoo Redenblack, and Iwan Sweetwater; her "Cuzzo" Stew (justew.goodnight); a special nephew Kayden Colman; her very special and dear friend Zephrane Staton (zephrane) and so many other family members and friends who will tremendously miss her PHENOMENALLY.”

She then read a letter tribute by her SL brother. Moobeemoo Redenblack who could not attend.

DJ Blackcinder, her Second Life partner, with his heart breaking spoke of their relationship and closeness and his wonderful memories of her that will last forever. He said that their birthdays were the same day but one year apart and spoke of their private times talking together as the best of all in sl. Her sisters, Rhyme Gardner and Jackie Lefko-ℋąωk (Jackie Lefko), sang lovely songs for her. Each sister and brother all talked of their love and memories of their lost sister.

Other family members and friends , one after the other stood to talk of her help and contribution to helping them with their art in Second Life. One attendee, who happened to be in China at this time, actually came in at that time of night there with loving memory of her. One after another stood at the podium to praise her kindness and genuine proud Black womanhood and artistry both in SL and real-life. Their stories were done in voice and I wish I could print every one here. They were so real and full of love and loss.

Following the ceremony there was a final celebration for Indea at the PBC Botanical Gardens with her favorite music provided by her SL God daughter India Bellaire(india.umia), and a special Tribute performed by Monrocie Pontecorvo dressed as one of Indea's favorite characters from the SLeople's Court. The final event at PBC Botanical Gardens was the sequel to Indea's final request for JardenAlexis to create her a "Magical Midsummer Night's Dream SL Rezz Day party." on July 29, 2021. Indea's memorial service and final celebration was just that! A "magical" event from the beginning of the Ceremony to the final party at the PBC Botanical Gardens. This was a beautiful memorial and ending celebration for everyone.

I was amazed to attend such a beautiful memorial, It was uplifting, beautiful and educational. I did not know her but now I feel a loss that I missed making her acquaintance. I actually LEARNED her at the memorial. I almost feel that I did know her by the words I heard. Thank you Indea.

Thanks to all who arranged the inspiring celebration of her life. There are no words to really express all that I experienced. Here is some of her art.

Gemma Cleanslate
 

The BBB Anniversary Concludes

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

The last days of the BBB event were full and busy. The staff hung around the fairgrounds greeting those who were still gathering stamps for their visas. Some gatherings were planned and on the events calendar. Some were impromtu, so I did miss a few. But everyone who visited the fairgrounds had a marvelous time just exploring , riding the train and meeting the staff who were there.

A pop party where DJ FAR (fwdfwd Farslider) provided the entertaining tunes. Great attendance as usual!

Ambassador Yukiko Yeshto led another of her fun tours on Saturday to other regions of the Bellisseria continent. One amazing part of the tour was by bus. We entered a tunnel under the waterway on a region . Everyone was shocked to see the tunnel and then more surprised to enter another tunnel for the next stop. Then we transferred to the train to get us to the next stops. At each stop we picked up another visa stamp that was especially for event. Yuki advised us there would be another tour Sunday and we could hardly wait!

The start of the tour Sunday was by minicopter! That was an experience . I started flying my mini and following the course that was charted for us. Everything was fine until I wandered off the coast line and too close to a security orb I think. Next thing I know I was in the water with no copter. Thank goodness I was able to get into a passing copter and continue as a passenger.

After collecting the stamp at Fishtail Point we continued over to Molehenge that was the site of the next stamp and also a magical stone. Touching the stone was enough to take each one of us off to the next stop, Fantasseria. This is where Kalia and Riot were married a while back. We tried out the beautiful flying luna moths around the lovely community center. I missed the end of the tour but know it ended at Rigamarole pier.

Later the final planned event party took place at the fairgrounds again. DJ Stephanie spun some lovely tunes as staff and many members of the group and friends enjoyed the fireworks overhead. What a week! It was a jam packed week and it will take a while for attendees, and I am sure the staff , to recover and slow down. Thanks to Boo and all the staff for the great event! The beautiful venue at the Fairgrounds will be gone but will be replaced ty another for the next event. We will see what will come.

In the middle of all this I went over to Burn2 Winter event to do Ranger work. I took some photos of the cute gingerbread houses and the parties going on . Here is a look at some of the builds and party if you did not make it. 

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Nonprofit Commons Celebrates Fourteen Years

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

I have been over to the Nonprofit Commons several times in past years to pick up materials for an event and  always thought I really should check into this place and write about it. I had perfect opportunity when Gentle Heron sent me an invitation to a meeting and the 14th anniversary party August 20. So it was a perfect opportunity to get to know about it all.

I arrived while Rhiannon Chatnoir,  AvaCon lead and Community Leader ,welcomed  everyone to this special weekly meeting which was also a celebration of the 14th anniversary of the NPC Commons. She spoke of the spirit of the mission of the commons focused on community.

The Mission  as stated on the website is “The mission of the Nonprofit Commons is to create a community of practice for social-good to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits and others might utilize these unique virtual environments to achieve their missions”. The NPC is peer governed and funded.

After the welcome there was open mike where members were encouraged to speak of the projects and organizations in which they might be involved and how to reach them on line.

Many offered information on their own missions in Second Life. I was familiar with so many of the members. To mention a few, ThinkererSelby Evans (thinkerer.melville) was there as well as Gentle Heron of Virtual Ability, Valibrarian Gregg from the virtual library. Elli Pinion of the VWBPE , Buffy Beale member of the Board and the Mentor team. Other members of  the board and members of the commons also talked of their missions. It was interesting to see and hear  how many non profit organizations from all over the world are involved in this virtual world and use it to educate,  do workshops, share research and learn .

Rhainnon then  gave a short history of the commons in second life . In 2006 TechSOup began to have virtual weekly meetings led by their director of Online Community , Susan Tenby (Glitteractica Cookie). In 2007 TechSOup opened the region that was a NPC in Second Life .

In 2017  NPC became a peer-governed group which elected the first board. During those years many projects were taking place for the betterment of the world. Many coalitions were formed to effect projects as Buffy Beale spoke about . Many ideas were shared and acted upon . Common interests drew together small groups that collaborated together and still do. Many members have met outside of second life as well in their collaborations and at conventions.

Some comments from attendees expressed their feelings about the comaradarie of the Commons:

   Dancers Yao: For the past 14 years NPC has been an Oasis to share dreams and friendships. No matter what has happened in real life, I know there is a special place where people are kind and care about life. Thank You.

Rhiannon Chatnoir: it was great to see the social good community come together for early things like disaster relief, Info Island's community space that hosted the NPC in it's early day, and the eventual founding of our NPC community.

Zinnia Zauber: It is about making people belong and let their superpowers shine
I am grateful that I can encourage amazing teams through shared experiences and projects.

 Buffy Beale: Fourteen years of learning and networking and sparking ideas which inspired others to form real life nonprofits.: Amazing longevity for any community, never mind one where we are all pioneers in this virtual world. Cheering loudly!

 It  was a wonderful gathering and many shared more feelings about the NPC as the music played and members danced and enjoyed celebrating the anniversary.

At this time the NPC and has two regions, Plush, which is donated by the Anshe Chung Studios, and Aloft sponsored by  AvaCon Inc by donations.  https://www.avacon.org . I took a walking tour of the Aloft offices where I have been before to One Billion Rising to pick up greeter tees . I walked over into Plush which has just been rebuilt .

There seem to be new offices there waiting for new non profits.  The offices are very well furnished and have information about their specific purpose at their sites . To have an office there are rules about the time one must commit to the Commons, either at meetings or having office hours. Some non profits do not have an office perhaps because they have their own region, or cannot commit to hours , but they have Kiosks where you can find out about them. I saw one for Virtual Ability and Survivors of Suicide  for example.  They are still members of the group and participate in meetings and activities.  A non profit can find terms of agreement here  https://form.jotform.com/90761219372155 .   

To visit and explore you might like to start  at this location  where you will find a list of all the members of the NPC listed on the board and can teleport to any of the offices on the list .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/115/95/24 .

Gemma Cleanslate
 

The Other Dating Game

By Gemma Cleanslate

Bellisseria fairground was the site of  a really fun event last Saturday, March 7. Sponsored by the new team for the Relay for Life , Bellis Blues and DJs, and Bellisseria for RFL citizens gathered to watch and giggle at The Other Dating Game. Money was raised during the shows, of which there were two.

DJ FAR Dharma (fwdfwd Farslider) was the charming host of the show with assistance from the lovely fairgrounds host, Iseult Ní Urquhart (PrudenceAnton Resident) . The stage was set with a chair for the bachelor of the game and three stools for the lovely contestants vyeing to be his date. Of course he could not see them,

This is not the first time the show was on and it was such a  success a repeat was requested. I was not able to make the first one, nor the first part of this two hour show but finally got to see the whole show at the second part.

What a riot. Zildjian Clifton took his place on the red sofa and three lovelies arrived to sit on their stools and wait for the questions that would determine his choice. The audience had to get involved by providing their answers too as it progressed. Some of the comments were so distracting and funny it  is a wonder Zildjian could keep his mind on what he was doing and the poor contestants could survive with their own responses.

A sample of a question and answer.

“Zildjian Clifton: No. 2: If lindens were no object, what would you buy for yourself?”

Meli (MelisseLharithlyn Resident): A  year's worth of a full sim”

The show people tried hard to keep it more or less serious . I am sorry I did not think to collect some of the comments from  the audience but it was probably better that I didn’t.

The other contestants , Annie Panties (JadeEast Resident) and Gem Parker (Gem Oxygen)
waited patiently to face their questions and interference from the  watchers.

At the end Zildjian chose contestant number three, Gem Parker as his date. All those attending sent waves of applause to each of the show’s participants . I don’t know where or when the date will take place but will find out . I hope  the show will be on again it was amusing and raised some good funds for the Relay. North Crannock reported,

“after todays fantastic donations to RFL our current Bellisseria joint donations are
B - Bellis Blues and Djs  L$: 50,520     USD: $202.08
Bellisseria for RFL       L$: 230,853    USD: $923.41
Total                           L$: 281,373     USD: 1,125.49“

Gemma Cleanslate

Interview with Patch and Keira Linden

By Gemma Cleanslate

I was able to make it to the auditorium Tuesday for the talk at 2:00. The Lindens present were Patch Linden, Senior Director of Product Operations, and Keira Linden, part of that team. Saffia Widdershins was the interviewer and talked with the Lindens asking questions and discussing. Both talked about their very early days in Second Life and their present position with the Lab. The audience was approximately 75 through out the attached sims.

Some interesting information they gave us explained the collaboration between the resident leads of the SL15B and the lab this year since it is 15 years . They both felt it was a special year of celebration not only for the residents but for themselves. They looked back on the changes that have taken place in the past years and both look forward to the next 15 promising that more changes we will like are coming soon. They are “baking” !

Kiera‘s job is working specifically with Second Life.

 Patch works with Second Life and also with Sansar.

One thing that they discussed that is interesting that I did not know was that certain regions that you can use for big events, The Galaxy is one, Svarga another .Patch says last names are coming back soon! He also explained who the Moles are.

If you have specific questions on becoming a Mole or other specific information you can im him or e-mail him too, or put a ticket to his attention.

The interview was interesting and went well over time with questions. Saffia always does a wonderful job talking to the Lindens and has a good knowledge of what is going on at the Lab. Please link here to see and hear all the discussion and the many questions that came from the audience that you might have been wondering about.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OGsngQXhsQ&feature=youtu.be 

Gemma Cleanslate