SADDLES – COUNTRY FAVS FOR THE DISCERNING FAN: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

 

In the 1980 hit movie, The Blues Brothers, Elwood asks a proprietor of a bar where they are scheduled to perform, “What kind of music do you usually have here?”  The proprietor replies “Oh, we got both kinds. We got Country AND Western.“

I was sim hopping the other day, looking to find some really Great Country Music, when a hopeful pop-up appeared on my screen… “Do you want to allow music from this source?”  I clicked “Allow” and what immediately flowed from my speakers was a feast for the Aural Senses – The Saddles take on Country Music. Saddles is a place that excels in that department as well.  Their particular mix of Music is “Just what the Doctor ordered” for any true lover of the genre.   My Spidey senses kicked into hi gear and I looked for the owner of this musical oasis in a desert of pedestrian music.  I saw Ashley (littlebit31okla), deep in the throes of preparing for her Special Event set to kick off the weekend. I asked if she could spare a few moments to share with me the story of her success at Saddles, and she graciously consented.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB:    So, tell me, Ashley.  Just what is Saddles all about?

Ashley (littlebit31okla) AL: Saddles is about having a fun enjoyable environment to enjoy time in second life by spending time with others enjoying Live Music, Dj Events, Concerts, and the beauty of arts in second life, place where people can come enjoy, relax, with top quality entertainment.

 JB:      Where did you get the idea for Saddles, and is there some history here?

AL:  Saddles was created back in 2014 by myself and a female friend of mine. She was also a real-life friend and we both love and enjoy riding horse so Saddles was the name that we both came up with.  She was only able to be in SL a short time, because her real life would not allow her to remain here.  Saddles became a Live Music Venue loved by many. Due to health issues, I was forced to close for a few years, but I still had many supporters that gave me advice and showed me the way of the friendly live music community. 

JB:      Who managed to put this thing together and what role did each of you play?

 AL:    Gaza and Ashley Bayside both play a part in sim design and landscaping

JB:      Could you share some of the interesting things that visitors and guests can do at Saddles?

AL:   Enjoy Live Music, Dj Events, Concerts, Games/Tabletop, Romantic Swan ride through the tunnel of love under the club and under the dance floor in the ballroom, Ballroom dancing, Coffee shop, Pool to relax by and visit with friends, and a dining area for couples to enjoy.  Saddles can also do weddings for group members.  We also have Hunts, Shopping areas for rental space.  Artists can use Saddles to display art and have Art openings and similar events in the ballroom or around the Gallery,

JB:    What sets Saddles apart from the many other clubs out there with a similar theme?

AL:   Saddles has a wide range of events as well as activities for members and guests to enjoy,

JB:      Who do you hope to attract to your build? What special group of people might find Saddles especially appealing?

AL:  We hope to attract County Music fans as well as Live music performers and fans, Artists,  and  Photographers

JB:      And how about the future?  Do you have any planned changes in mind?

AL:   We are very happy with the current build.  We still have little more we like to do but we are keeping that a secret for now, with more to come, so keep coming back enjoying what we have to offer,

JB:      What has been your greatest challenge in building Saddles?

AL:   Finding the quality of staff that holds to Saddles’ top quality standards

JB:       Do you host Special Events?  And how might someone learn of any scheduled activities here?

AL:  Saddles Holds Special VIP Events as well as upcoming Charity events.  All Saddles events can be found on our FB Page as well as in “SL Events”, so join our Saddles Groups or stop by the venue and check out our event board,

JB:       Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

AL:   Over the last 10 year I have meet a lot of people come through the door of Saddles and I have to say I have been truly blessed after all these years. I can say that some of my dearest friends are still today walking back though the door of Saddles, coming in enjoying our events as well as memories we all have shared in the past years.  So many people missed Saddles and asked for me to bring it back so we all Saddled up and grabbed the rains to bring back Saddles so more memories can be made and more friends to enjoy,

Please share with us any social media, Websites, Flickr, etc that may be of interest to our readers? Flickr:

SURL: Update 8-1-23

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Saddles/198/83/25

WEBSITE:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/132522833@N07/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/153894580633567

So, there you have I folk!  For some of the BEST Country music out there in a fun and wholesome environment, you really do owe it to yourself to check out the scene at Saddles. You’ll be glad you did, and may even make a lifelong friend or two.

Go ahead. And when you do, tell ‘em Josh sent ya.

You’ll be glad you did.

Be there! ALOHA!

JB

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HALF MOON BAY: HALFWAY TO HEAVEN IN SECONDLIFE – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

After spending years as a resident in SecondLife, it is easy to develop a “Been there,  Seen it all” attitude.  After all, there are only a finite number of ways to design a dance club, right? Grab a few essentials – Dance floor, DJ platform, Dance Intan, some animated furniture and bar stools.  Throw in a strobe light of two, and you’re ready for launch.  But if you really think that is the best that SL has to offer, then, as my Dad used to say: “Ya got another think coming”.  After a particularly hectic week in “That other world”  I seriously needed a break from the flotsam and jetsam of life, when I stumbled upon Half Moon Bay,  A delight for the eyes and relaxation for the spirit… as if Norman Rockwell and Bob Ross had designed a village.. As I strolled the winding streets of this seacoast village, I came upon ℜσχу Μŷşŧīς  (roxymystic) and Virgil Flowers (xvirgilflowersx).  She was busy, touching up the paint on the sign over the bait shop, while he was replacing some paving stones that had broken under the weight of last winter’s snow.  They graciously consented to take a break from their labors and chat with me for a bit. 

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):   So tell me, guys,  Where did you get the idea for Half Moon Bay (HMB)and is there some history here?

Roxy Mystic (RM):   As far back as I can remember, Virgil and I always had a venue; not always a public one but we both enjoy building and doing creative things.  He is a SL musician and it is always nice to have a spot where he can call home to practice and play. This time around we both wanted a natural and relaxing spot. I always loved the charm of small coastal fishing towns so we hope that visitors instantly feel it too and enjoy the theme.  

Virgil Flowers (VF):  Roxy and I had a previous venue modeled after The Whisky, a famous live music bar in Los Angeles, and I wanted to give Her a nice gift, so when I gave this to her i was looking for names, and I used to live on the west coast so the name half moon Bay just appealed to me - it is a very image invoking the name, however,
the location in SL bears no resemblance beyond the name to the actual RL place.

JB:   Did you do all this yourself?  If not, who else is involved and what is/was their contribution?

VF:   Roxy did 98% of this build Herself - my contributions were the half-moon sort of logo - using a moon character found on MP and then crafting the letters and sign textures...and I did a little bit on the stage area.  Otherwise, this is all Her, and She is a wizard at building sims.

RM:   Virgil is a very generous person with a big heart, he knows how much I love to build. We do work wonderfully together. When we take on a big project, we love to brainstorm ideas first. Both of us have RL professional backgrounds so we understand very well how to execute business and marketing plans.

 JB:   What sets Half Moon Bay apart from the many other clubs out there with a similar theme?

RM:   I don't even think of HMB as a club at all, I really want people to feel they can come here and just relax and enjoy themselves, in my mind that is the first priority at HMB.

VF:  Well, HMB is more than a club - it is a well-laid-out place to kick back and relax - it has Virgil's Guitar Store, (also available on marketplace) MARKET PLACE: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/234018, naughty motel, a nice beach, a wharf area, restaurant, wedding chapel and the the outdoor music area, with a kind of hippy boho feel...it is a laid-back open place that accepts all.

JB:   Who do you hope to attract to your build? What special group of people might Half Moon Bay appeal to?

Virgil - Anyone looking to relax and enjoy the sounds of surf or music or to take some nice pictures.  Intimate rendezvous at the motel, Virgil's Guitar Shop is there as well.  Come for a nice walk with a loved one, or alone to relax and meditate.

Roxy - I agree with Virgil, it offers a little something for everybody. There are interactive furniture all over the place and some are very romantic. HMB is also a perfect spot for photographer enthusiasts and bloggers. We have a Flickr page where HMB pictures can be shared:  https://www.flickr.com/groups/14813696@N24/

JB:   What are some of the areas that guests might enjoy during a visit to Half Moon Bay?

RM:   People can come here for a bit of roleplay if they like. The restaurant for example has 80+ menu items and don't get me going about the kinky Motel! The Chapel with automated wedding services is quite quaint. Virgil and I were looking for a nice small spot to marry a few years ago and could not find anything out there that catered to small weddings so this inspired me to build a really adorable spot here at HMB. The chapel, car, arch, and bench inside the gazebo have a bunch of poses for the groom and bride. It is really perfect for a small intimate wedding.

VF:   As mentioned above, HMB features a Wedding Chapel, a beach, a Wharf area with a fish and chip shack, Virgil's Guitar Shop, an Outdoor restaurant, a Motel and a Sound-stage.

JB:   Do you have any special events planned?

VF:   We are kicking off the opening with a Flickr photo contest, and planning a Grand Opening in July with live music.  Right now, our plan is to have monthly themed events, such as Acoustic shows, Singer Songwriter original shows, Guitarist Show, and a Dueling event...there are so many talented people in SL, that we want to support

RM:   All of those details will be coming soon and we will ensure to send out a press release and notices once everything is confirmed! People are welcome to join our Facebook group as well to keep up with our events FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197517120888949

 JB:    And how about the future?  Do you have any changes in mind?

RM:  The future of HMB is hopefully a good one with lots of positive feedback. We are not officially open yet and so far we've had over 200 visitors. I think most have visited the Motel though as I keep finding dirty towels all over the rooms! Thank God Virgil is the one doing all the cleaning! Teasing aside, there are no immediate plans for changes but who knows!

JB:    Are these spaces available for use by others?

VF:   Absolutely - almost everything is interactive. You can use the Motel themed rooms (there are 3 rooms each with a theme, get married, eat a meal, relax on the beach….there is an interactive row boat and chairs ...so yes, a lot to do, and of course the music when we have events.

JB:   What has been your greatest challenge in building Half Moon Bay?

VF:   Roxy is a prolific builder, and I would come in in the mornings and She would have most of the things done, so other than designing a logo and helping Her fit buildings into spaces, there was very little challenge for me - I am sure She would say different!  lol..but really, the biggest challenge is probably creating a nice sim within a strict prim count.

RM:   PRIMS! I had to do a lot of creative prim combining but it all came out perfectly. I do have so many creative ideas but perhaps that will bare fruit in another build somewhere someday.

JB:   Is there anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

RM:  Half Moon Bay was built for the SL community to enjoy. There are no fees to join the HMB group and everybody is welcome!

VF:  I totally agree with Roxy, we come to SL to relax and leave the stresses of RL jobs and stuff behind for a while, HMB is a place to do exactly that.

So, there you have it folks. This place is DEFINITELY worth your time.  Come for a short visit…or stay the entire season.  Check out their FLICKR and FaceBook sites, then hop on over to the SURL listed below.

And when you do, Tell ‘em Josh sent ya.  You’ll be glad you did

Be there!  Aloha!!

JB

·         SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pleasant%20Cove/30/75/46

·         FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14813696@N24/

·         FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197517120888949

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IT’S POSH, BY GOSH – BY JOSH: POSH EVENTS - AN ICONIC EXPERIENCE IN SL - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC), REPORTING

Those of you who follow the fashion trendsetters in SL have no doubt heard of Posh Events.  Every month Posh invites independent designers and businesses to display their latest creations at a Posh Event.   I happened upon one just the other day.  Posh was there, putting the final touches on her displays, calming nervous exhibitors and generally ensuring all was in readiness for the next opening.    Not having spent a lot of time myself buying women’s apparel and accessories, I did manage to get Posh to share some about what a Posh Event is all about.  This is HER story.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB:  So tell me, Posh.  Where did you get the idea for Posh Events? Is there some history here?

Poshbarby Sun (PS): Welll..I guess I got the idea as it developed out of my Idea of wanting to connect with  other women on friendly, business basis,  That was how the concept started – wanting to meet other strong-minded, hard-working women who owned businesses. 

  

JB:  So then, who managed to put this thing together and what role did each of you play?

PS:  I am the owner I am responsible for all things.  I put the event together and work hard to keep it going. One of the toughest parts if this is making sure we have enough participants month after month.  My continuing role is to make sure my event has the participants it needs.  I make sure the exhibitors are well taken care of, and that they meet all the required deadlines.

JB:    There are many fun and interesting shopping malls in SL. What is the Posh Events difference?

 PS:  What makes my mall different from all the other malls out there is that this is not some cold shopping mall.  When you come to a Posh Event, you can feel like you are at home.  You don’t have to worry about being harassed or mistreated.  You are treated with love and kindness, and are made to feel very welcome.

JB:    Well then, just how big an area do you own?

PS:  We have a 30,000 prim property, split among the mall, a beach area, and special entertainment  venues scattered around the place to host special events.

JB:    Tell us about some of the different areas on the property?

PS:  IN addition to the main Events build, we have a complete shopping mall with shops for rent, a lovely beach area too relax those tired feet from shopping, and various other rentals available. 

JB:    Do you have any plans for future development?

PS:  Absolutely!  I am always looking to expand.  Join the group to be informed of upcoming events and activities.

JB:    Tell us about some of the designers you work with?

PS:  Some of these folks are truly amazing.  But I don’t really want to say any names for concern of leaving someone out who deserves to be mentioned.  We know that designers come and go in SL, but I am so very happy to be able to help those who are shining stars in the design world.  I do hope that, when they make it to the big time, that they will be able to appreciate the assistance I gave them in their climb and when they reach the top of their industry.

JB:    Shopping areas are not normally known for their Special Events.  What kind of events have you hosted and plan to host in the future?

PS:  I am hoping to host parties and do more sales and weekend sales

JB:  So tell me Posh.  If a designer wishes to get in on this, exactly what do they need to do?

PS:  Designers are cordially invited to participate in the Posh Event  June Round

Posh Event has Been around for 2 years. we are a well established development, with a Facebook Flickr Instagram sites. And we have loads of media sponsors

You can check out preview at www.barbyworld.com

We cater in all types of Art Nails Hair Skin Furniture clothing gadget ext

You will need to comply with Linden Labs Policies (including Intellectual Property

https://www.lindenlab.com/legal/intellectual-property-infringement-notification-policy.

Also, your behavior is expected to be professional and courteous to both event staff and fellow designers.  New and minimum 1 exclusive item is to be set for sale at your booth

Payment is open  7th - 13th

Set up/ Event timeline

☛ Setup starts: 20th

☛ Setup deadline: 27th at 12:00 AM SLT

☛ Opens: 1ST

☛ Closes: 17th

Thank you Hope to See you:)♥

 

JB:    Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

PS:  If you are a creator with a creative soul, feel free to apply to participate in a POSH Event.  There will always be a place for you.  I really enjoy supporting the up-and-coming creators. 

JB:    Please share with us any Social Media sites you have?  FB, WebSites?  Twitter?  Discord?  FLICKR? Any others?

SURL:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/POSH%20DRIVE/154/206/1849

Website:  www.barbyworld.com   

Designer Application:  https://forms.gle/TwH5pznNKBwS1oyW8

FLICKR:       https://www.flickr.com/photos/187504387@N03/

So there you have it, Folks.  For the latest in Grid Fashions and accessories, head on over to the next POSH Event! 

Tell ‘em Josh sent ya. 

Be there!  Aloha!!

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THE PLEASURE ZONE: PLEASURE IN PIXELS - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

One of the BEST things about being a writer for the Grid’s longest-running, continually active news source is that I get to travel the grid on a regular basis, at the paper’s expense.  On these trips, I get to discover all manner of phenomenal builds by the talented residents of SL.  General. Moderate, and Adult...the Grid’s got something for everyone!  But in the inventory of Adult Sims, one that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the pack is the unique and incomparable “Pleasure Zone”.  After seeing their ad, my curiosity was aroused and I set about trying to learn what I could about this aptly named Sim.  Intrigued by their ad, I felt compelled to check.  While there, I ran into the owners, Draven Voight and Trish Nebula, and they graciously agreed to sit with me for a spell and answer my questions about this most unusual build.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB:  So tell me, guys. Where did you get the idea for Pleasure Zone? Is there some history here?

Trish Nebula (TN):   We opened another club a few years back based on a Circus theme that was all rock and to be honest sex sells in second life. I was concerned about the patrons we would attract by having a sex-themed club, we started as just DJing and keeping it all sex-based and then people just kept coming back and wanting more.

Draven Voight (DV):  We tried a metal club and we wanted more variety so we decided to open a sex club that plays rock, country, and metal. We were brainstorming names and Pleasure Zone seemed to fit perfectly.

JB:      OK Draven and Trish. Just what is “Pleasure Zone” all about?

DV:  A fun friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.

Clothing is frowned upon but nudity is not required.  Sex and partying go hand and hand here. People can grope each other on the dance or take it to a room. We want everyone that comes here to feel like they are old friends as soon as they land. We don't want a "clicky" club.

TN:  Great music and everyone feels welcome. We want people to enjoy the sexual side of second life and not feel like you gotta go to some dingy-looking sim to have a good time, but a great place to meet people and perhaps use the amenities while here and come back to the dance floor and party some more.

JB:      Who managed to put this thing together and what role did each of you play?

DV:  We both put our heads together and built this club from the ground up. We are both co-owners and in the beginning, we were the only DJs and we hosted for each other.

TN:  We built a few different designs and it took us a few weeks to build what we have now. We wanted something unique.

JB:     There are many fun and exciting  Adult Clubs out there. What is the Pleasure Zone difference? 

TN:  Honestly, we pride ourselves on the fact everyone here is special. It doesn’t matter if they are a day old or 16 years old. Everyone is greeted and we encourage staff to engage with all people, not just the regulars.  That is how they become regulars.

DV:  Really friendly atmosphere, staff is required to greet everyone and make them feel welcome.  No one is a stranger and whenever someone joins the group Everyone welcomes them to The Pleasure Zone Family.

JB:      Tell us about some of the different areas on the property?

DV:  There is a gangbang area, BDSM room, a glory hole room, a porn cinema, couples rooms, a shower area, and a lounge.  We have a teleporter that has a wedding venue that is free to use, an Oasis, a hideaway, and a sex beach.

TN:  We have a mall, a few different areas for different sexual needs, a porn cinema and we have a teleporter to go to a wedding venue that is free to use, a little oasis(romantic setting with a house and hidden cave), and a fairy house. We also have a sex beach we do outside themes at. There is the KISS stage for concerts.

We also have a KISS Tribute band stage because PZ is the official home of the KISS Alive Tribute Band.

JB:      Do you have any plans for future development?

TN:  We have changed things up a few times, and try to keep what has worked. Currently, we haven’t looked into building anything more ATM and just trying to build patrons and more staff to meet the needs of the people wanting more parties during the day.

JB:      Could you share some of the interesting things that visitors and guests can do at Pleasure Zone?

TN:  They can get married and honeymoon here. There are a lot of different areas for the more sexually active. There is a shopping mall and can chill and watch a variety of porn.

DV:  They can shop, party with us, have sex in about any room they choose, or watch porn.

JB:      Do you host Special events?  And how might someone learn of any scheduled activities here?

 TN:  Every night from 6-8pm we have themed events ..best in a theme. We always say that includes naked. We post in the SL Event Calendar, there is an event schedule board in the club that is updated weekly, and every day a line up is sent out in a VIP group notice.

DV:  We have themed events m-f 6pm-8pm SLT. If they are patrons, they will get notifications in the group plus events are posted in the SL Event Calendar.  We have KISS Concerts and they will learn about those the same as the themed events.

 

JB:     I understand you just recently went over 1,000 members.  How do you plan to recognize so momentous an accomplishment?

TN:  We are having a week-long party of with a 1000 lindens giveaway for every DJ spinning, each day has a theme. So instead of one contest, there could be up to 5 contests on certain days.

JB:    Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Perhaps about any Social Media or locations or important URLs you would care to share with me and about 70,000 of my closest friends

TN:  We just want to have a place where everyone has a good time.  We hope that everyone that comes here feels like we value and appreciate the fact they choose our club to come party when there are so many out there to choose from.

So.  There you have it folks.  Check it out at the SURL below. For the absolute HOTTEST in adult entertainment anywhere on the Grid, you do NOT want to miss the pleasures available at The Pleasure Zone…

Discord     https://discord.gg/h92Zyze5FJ

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coral%20Baros/82/163/1472

 

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SIREN’S COVE: A CORNUCOPIA OF COLORS - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

So, there I was.  Outfitted with my new snorkeling gear, and I thought I would explore the local waters. After clearing my mask, I headed out into the deep when I saw a brightly colored Clownfish swimming lazily in the warm coastal water.  Intrigued, I followed him.  I was about to turn back, when we rounded a coral reef.  Suddenly the world EXPLODED with bright colors, the likes of which I have never seen before in my life, nor since!  I had found it.  The Supreme. The Extreme.  The Dream – Siren’s Cove!

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):    Tell me, Ladies.  Just what is Siren’s Cove all about?

Roryredrory (RR):   Siren's Cove is primarily about music, and DJ’s sharing their tunes and mixes to other music-lovers in a fun, relaxing environment.  For me, there is nothing more fun or relaxing than the ocean - seeing it, feeling it, swimming in it, relaxing on the beach...and we wanted to bring that vibe and good feeling to the club.  And why mermaids? I always wanted the club to be the "Disneyland" of SL clubs - "Happiest place on earth" - and love the vibe and beauty of mermaids.

idoru.venus (IV):  It's about good music, great company, and fun party time dancing with both! Also, some aquatic life...

JB:    So…there are lots of sims out there, many with underwater builds. Tell us what is the “Siren’s Cove Difference”?

RR:  What makes me proud of Siren's Cove are the DJ’s and people who are part of the Siren's community. We have always been supported by great DJ’s and amazing, fun people who keep things fun and amazing every day!!!  I love being greeted whenever I walk into the club, and greeting people when they do.  It's always so fun and feels like our own little family!!  I love being part of the over-all SL community as well - and I know people with DJ and hangout at other SIMs/clubs too - and I think that's great!!!  I'm honored whenever they come to Siren's and appreciate the time they give us!!! 

IV:  Many tell me that what makes us different is the atmosphere... the spirit of the place. People tell me it’s so warm and welcoming at Siren's Cove. That makes me happy because that’s what we want!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/-freckles-/52640892935/in/pool-14840434@N23/" title="Mermaid in the Aquarium"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52640892935_2b45a4ca37_c.jpg" width="800" height="461" alt="Mermaid in the Aquarium"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

JB:    What a phenomenal build. How did this idea develop?

RR:  Freckles Amore is our club builder and designer.  When we decided to start the club, we literally had 2 days to get the club running so we could keep DJ schedules and commitments from the former club I was managing, which closed on July 27, 2022.  We opened on July 29, 2022 :-).  We talked about how fun it would be to do a Mermaid theme, with Mermaids, pirates, beaches, starfish....but very high level.  I have ADHD irl hehehe and sometimes am not good at completing a picture or describing one.  But Iddy and I talked with Freckles, and then it was like magic :-) She came back the next day with the build for "The Cave" which blew my mind - so beautiful - so cool - so happy!!!!

IV:      It began rather small!  Once we decided to make the club, Freckles Amore offered to make our build. She did it overnight... and it remains in our new sim as The Cave. It’s a piece of art, like the entire build she has done for the whole sim. Truly gorgeous and fun to explore.

JB:    I understand you’ve been here since July, and that there us a story about that?  Care to Share?

RR:  Iddy and I had worked together earlier this in year in a club that was closing at the end of July.  We really enjoyed working together and loved the other DJ’s and people who came to the club.  We tried to open as soon as possible to keep the music going after that club closed.  The closing date was Wednesday, July 27, and Freckles built Siren's Cove and we opened 2 days later, Friday, July 29. 

JB:    Who managed to put this thing together and what role did each of you play?

RR:  Freckles is definitely the visionary who created the build and the magic and the vision for what is now the Siren's Cove SIM.  She is the designer and the one I call "our secret weapon".  I really feel her design and joy she brings to it is what makes Siren's so fun and amazing!  I see something different every time I come here :-)  We recently expanded to a whole SIM - and Freckles added a "Siren's Shores" side and a 3rd club - The Aquarium.  "The girl got skillz"

Idoru is the amazing talented DJ and is our ears and music Director :-)  She is incredibly talented in her own right, and is amazing at finding and hiring DJs for the club, and grouping those DJ's together for nice blocks or "Siren Sets" :-)  And as a co-owner and business partner, she is the level-headed one and keeps me from wrecking my boat into the shore.  I can be pretty emotional and the opposite of "level-headed" and she protects me from myself :-) I love talking to her and working things out.  She is the best business partner and friend ever!!!!!!!!!

Jinxy is my wife and is the visionary for the rentals here, and had the idea to add rental properties to the SIM.  She has amazing ideas and has brought a very cool element into the club.  She has a great feel for what things would be popular / fun for club-goers and renters, and keeps that side of the business going!!!  She is amazing :-)

Kisi is my sister and supports club promotion and managing!  She also brings great ideas on how to promote the club, how can use events, and manages our social media!!  She is an Angel who keeps the club events promoted and out there for all to see :-)

IV:      And don’t forget Rory!  She is a manager on steroids!  She is good at lining people up and organizing the schedule. She found the place for us and supports the sim. My part is to help her run the place and also help find us great DJs for the lineup. Freckles is the super builder who pours her heart into building the place and asks for little or nothing in return.

JB:    Could you share some of the interesting things that visitors and guests can do at Sirens Cove?

RR:  Siren's Cove is a place for land folk and merfolk to all explore and visit.  There are amazing underwater and above-water spots to explore and investigate. There are lots of beautiful photo and cuddle spots as well.  You can also meet our resident mermaids, Oyster Annie and Siren Sadie.  Although they might be quiet - be careful - they bite :-)

IV:     There are a LOT of things to explore on the sim, outside of the venues for music and dancing. In addition to the rentals offered, Freckles has created a gorgeous forest to explore that’s full of surprises and gorgeous scenery.

JB:    Tell us about the Aquarium. What kind of features can we discover there, and at each of the three main areas?

RR:  The Aquarium is our largest venue - and is unique in that it is actually underwater.  Swimming fish, mermaids, and other sea creatures are all around.  The colors swirl in the water to the music as the DJs mix on the underwater stage. 

The Cave is our original venue - with everything fun about the Sea.  There are pirate ships, mermaids, and huge snails, and you might even find Sponge Bob hiding in there.

The Rooftop is our Pool area - on top of the Cave, and has a fun beach set with a pool where you can hang out and swim with Oyster Annie and Siren Sadie.

Siren's Shores is a magical land where you can explore - just across the cove from the Cave, it has 7 rental properties, where you can actually live among the Mermaids and creates here :-)

JB:    And how about the future?  Do you have any changes in mind?

RR:  We would love to eventually expand our hours so we are open longer.  We plan to continue to add hours as our audiences grow.

IV:  We hope to continue to grow in group membership and daily visits to our events. We also might do occasional special events.

JB:    Do you have any special events planned? And how can people find out what’s Happening at Siren’s Cove?

RR:  Each week, we alternate to a different venue - Pool Parties at The Rooftop, and then a week each at The Cave and The Aquarium. To see what’s happening, I encourage you to check out the links at the end of this article for our Website, Flickr, and other Social Media URLs.

JB:    Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

RR:  Support live music on SL!!!

There you go folk.  For a truly unique experience, you have simply GOT to check out Siren’s Cove.   For unrivaled entertainment, SecondLife style, you owe yourself a visit.  I guaranteed it. You WILL be impressed!

Tell ‘em Josh sent ya.

Be there!  Aloha!

JB

SURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Redd%20Starrs/68/71/17 

Web: www.sirenscoveclub.com 

FB:   www.facebook.com/sirenscoveclub

FLICKR:   https://www.flickr.com/photos/195166491@N02   

FLICKR Groups:  https://www.flickr.com/groups/14840434@N23/

Discord:  https://discord.gg/qcv9Pzt8

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PETRICHOR: A PERFECTLY PIXELATED PARADISE – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

 

Petrichor: (Noun) a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather

This week’s hidden gem of a Sim is managed by the rental company Petrichor.  Anyone who has been in SL for more than about a week has learned to recognize the difference between a poorly built sim and a beautiful one.  In a Grid full of sims of “comic book art” caliber, this place is indeed a Michelangelo.  If Bob Ross could have painted in 3D, he would have designed a place like Chrystal Island.  If you are a lover of beauty, scenic views everywhere you look, and lag-free properties on a grid of omnipresent lag, you will find this place to be a refreshing change.  As I was exploring this once in a SecondLife time creation, I came upon The Starchilds, Night, and Onyx.  They couldn’t wait to tell me about this Garden of Eden that they had created (minus the snakes).

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB:    What a lovely build.  Did you do this yourself?  Or were others involved, and what were their roles?

Night Starchild (NS):  We had a vision and we involved some of our friends to help us build the sim.  For the build I provided the building materials and designed a few parcels on my own, then our friend Julia (Judithan Resident) stepped in and used the materials to help design more parcels. She was also very helpful in bringing in her own creativity enhancing the feel of the parcels even more. She turned out great at designing the hot springs with crystals in particular. We also have some properties with the interior design already done by my lovely wife Onyx Starchild and our friend Winter Rose (Abraa Xue).  If a renter isn't comfortable decorating their own home, they may choose to take advantage of the designs already made by them.  Our friend Winter Rose also loves ripping some houses apart and making extra rooms or create a new upper floor and new stairs. She customized a few houses for us in that way.

Onyx Starchild (OS):  Night Starchild, who has lots of skills and previous experience as a sim designer, started creating the sim, bringing to life the vision we had for Petrichor. Later on, some friends joined us to help along the way. Our friend Julia (Judithan) brought her building expertise, and our friend Winter Rose (abraa.xue) her abilities in the field of interior design and customizing houses. All of them are very talented, As for me, my role is mostly dedicated to the interior design of some of the properties.

JB:       There are many beautiful Sims out there. What is the Petrichor Difference? 

NS:  We focus on the beautiful views of nature all around the properties and have privacy as a priority.. So, we obscure the view of other houses in the sim using nature and blend the houses in so they become a part of nature. We use only the best quality materials and we re-texture a lot to our own liking to make everything blend together. We built the sim using a particular set of textures that we think makes it so beautiful and by controlling the texture set size also eliminates lag.

OS:   We wanted to provide the experience of a place that not only can offer privacy at its best but also, direct contact with nature. Each house is surrounded by unique landscaping and an enticing environment with breathtaking views. Everything here has been meticulously thought to bring our residents that special feeling that will invite them to call Petrichor their home.

JB:       As we were touring the property, I noticed a lack of clear paths between the properties.  Are you going to add those later?

NS:   Aha, yes.  We did that on purpose because we do not want people to wander onto other parcels.  The property borders are not that clear from the ground when you walk around, which adds to the rural wild feel of the rugged nature around and on the properties. Having paths leading onto private properties would entice casual wanderers to enter private properties, only to be greeted with a security warning.

JB:       Who would you envision as the ideal renter?

NS:   Everyone has a different taste. Basically, someone that really enjoys the beauty, the privacy, and the overall energy of the sim. Someone that feels at home here. If they like to play the occasional board game with us at the community game center area then that would make for a fun renter in my book :)

OS:   Someone who appreciates nature, and privacy and is looking for a comfortable place to live that they will proudly call their home.

JB:       How are your properties laid out here?

NS:   On the ground level, we have 8 big elite properties laid out in each wind direction. North South East West, and also on each corner. These are located on parcels that are around 4560sqm in size. They have around 2400 prims of which I use about 900 for the house and the nature around it. I tune the size of the parcel and its nature to have 1500 prims available for the renter to decorate their own space further and make it their own.

JB:       Tell us about the different areas here?                                    

NS:   On the ground level we also have the center of the sim, a big greenhouse is located in the middle of the forest there. This could be used by renters to have a wedding party or something like that. Free of charge that's a perk of being a Petrichor Resident. When this space is not in use, we provide some game tables there. This area is completely obscured from view from the private properties, yet freely available to all.  No roads lead to the center. The public center is separated from private parcels by streams of water.

OS:   To clarify, this area is not connected in any way to the houses, so the residents won’t be disturbed in the privacy of their homes.

JB:       What are some of the things that guests can do at Petrichor?

NS:   Guests are welcome to wander the public center part of Petrichor sims, and play board games there. Of course, Petrichor residents can have their guests on their private land as well. Guests should not wander into rented homes or they will be returned home by security, although some renters turn off security and run an open house, and available cottages have security disabled as well.

OS:   They can explore the public area of the sim, where the community center is located. And the guests of our residents should remain on their own property to respect the privacy of the other residents.

JB:       Is the natural lighting changing here?  What’s that all about?

NS:   Yes, I’m glad you noticed.  We have our own shared environment settings.  The sim goes through about 6 or 7 different settings in the course of a day, which takes 6 hours in this sim. These settings change over time, along with the seasons of nature. It just makes the sim look so much better.

JB:       Do you have any plans for future development?

NS:   Yes.  We are making a small community of a few very affordable tiny homes on smaller 1024 sqm private parcels on a platform at 2000 meters. This is currently under development to accommodate people with a smaller budget.

JB:   Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

NS:  We see our properties being rented really quickly and we cannot keep up with demand. We have started building PetrichorSL.com where people can add themselves to our waiting list. The website was just started so for now the best thing is to contact me or Onyx Starchild if you want to be on the waiting list, and you will be notified when we create new rentals or one becomes available.

OS:   We have put on this sim everything that we thought that the perfect place to live should have, such as stunning views of nature all around, lots of space and lovely comfortable homes. We love to invite everyone who appreciates nature with a dash of spirituality to come have a feel for the amazing atmosphere at Crystal Island.

Sooooo….there you have it.  These properties are going to go fast.  If you are interested in only the finest of residential properties in an idyllic mountain setting, you are going to want to get in on the ground floor of this deal.  Go visit Petrichor at the SURL below. Tell ‘em Josh sent ya.

Be there!  Aloha!

JB

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crystal%20Island/119/87/23

FLICKR:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/petrichorsl/

Website:  http://www.PetrichorSL.com (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

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