Mieville's 9th Annual Renaissance Hunt and Faire begins September 1st and runs thru the 30th, 2019

The changing of the leaves mark the end of Summer. To celebrate the changing of the seasons. Dress in your best Renaissance attire and get inolved in the Ancient  and fantasy RP community on Sunday September 1st.  You are the Duke or Lady in your own storyline.  Restore your love of fantasy adventure  by particiapting the the dragon hunt game or Visit the themed market and Join in the grid-wide hunt with plenty of entertainment, Music, shopping and more!

To begin your journey, visit Mieville's 9th Annual Renaissance Hunt and Faire.


There will be Renaissance, Medieval and Fantasy-themed gifts to find hidden all over the grid in dozens of participating shops. You'll be offered a variety of gifts as you search for the hidden items.  
Only high-quality designers have been invited to participate, and their exclusive items will be available only for the duration of the hunt. If you join the group Historical Hunts, Ltd. you'll be given a list of all the merchants' shops and you can start wherever you like!  The hunters group is extremely valuable when you are stumped and need help, or simply to meet new like-minded friends.  There will be a group joiner at the start of the hunt, or you can search "Historical Hunts, Ltd." and join for free.  You'll also find a joiner for the group "Mieville".
THERE IS A MINI HUNT AT THE FAIRE AS WELL!!!  Look for information near the entrance.

**Please keep your lag as low as possible whilst hunting--do not wear a lot of primmy items, scripts and items like bling, weapons and HUDs.  These items will slow things down for everyone.

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GeekSpeak – reaching a Kardashev Type 1 civilization. Join the Discussion on Saturday, August 31st at 12pm SLT

Reaching level 1 on the Kardashev scale means storing and using all the energy that the earth gets from the sun.  We will reach this when we increase our energy production about a million-fold.  Can we ever get there?  Will we need to hollow out the earth and use all the asteroids around?

What will happen if we do not reach it?  Will we fall back to stone age energy levels, or is there a middle way?

What will life be like if we do reach it?  Imagine spending a terawatt for your morning breakfast!

Come and discuss our energy future on a long timeline.  Bring your friends.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

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Welcome to Wonderland! An Alice in Wonderland themed Amusement Park

Follow Alice in Wonderland down the rabbit hole and enter the world of Lewis Carroll, with the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Jabberwocky and Queen of Hearts. Dark ride, spinning teacups, giant chess game and more!

 Part of Black Pearl Pleasure Beach Amusement Park.

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GeekSpeak – what is the future of Africa? Join the discussion Saturday, August 24th at noon SLT

Africa is the second largest continent, with 54 countries and a very young and rapidly expanding population.  At present it is suffering from wars, diseases, and droughts. But there is a lot of promise for the future.

Let’s talk about how the next superpower will develop.  How soon will we see a major boost in the wealth of the African population?  What is needed to get it going? What problems must be overcome?Will Africa be the next energy provider, or the next food provider for the world?  Or will we see an industrial revolution as in East Asia? What leapfrogging effects will take place?

Come and discuss the soon-not-so-dark continent today!

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

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GeekSpeak – ethical shopping, how important is it? Join the discussion August 3rd at 12pm SLT

We in the west buy questionable products like palm oil or hardwood from the Amazon.  We buy products that may have been produced by slave labour, or at the expense of local people.  Should we all be forced or nudged into ethical buying?

Is the problem one of information?  Should all products carry enough information so that we can make an ethical choice?  Is that even possible?

How do we know what information we can rely on?  How can we see through all the tricks used by industries?  How do we decide between competing claims?  If a product is unethical because it damages the environment, maybe the only alternative is unethical because it relies on slave labour.  Is it even possible for everyone to agree about what is unethical?

Perhaps you think we should all buy whatever we want, and the market will sort it out.

Come and discuss ethics in the world markets.  Bring your 50-country-lunch.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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Why Distance Learning is More Effective Than On-Campus Learning

Online courses and degree programs have become more popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise. With on-campus learning facing a number of issues, like budget cuts, less funding, increasing tuition and fees for students, and lower enrolment rates, it’s easy to see why distance learning is a more attractive option. 

There are still some preconceived notions about studying online, however, including the myth that online courses are easier and you don’t actually learn as much as you would if you were studying in a traditional on-campus classroom. Often times, the syllabus and coursework online are identical to the in-class syllabus and required assignments, with the exception of accelerated programs offered online, which are just condensed versions. Studies also show that online students learn more effectively than on-campus students, and here are some of the reasons why.

Fewer distractions

In a traditional classroom setting, you could be sitting in a lecture hall with hundreds or even thousands of other students, all sitting on their laptops or phones, chewing gum, eating snacks, or talking to their friends. It can be quite a distracting environment, especially if you have a hard time focusing already. If you’re studying online, you can put yourself in an environment that will help you focus, like a library, or at your own home. You can decide where you work and learn best and take advantage of that. 

Furthermore, online courses offer more opportunities for assessment, and rather than have them at specific intervals throughout the course; they’re more of an ongoing process. This can help students stay focused on the coursework and keep them engaged, so they don’t lose focus and get distracted from the course overall. 

Go at your own pace

Online students can learn the coursework at their own pace, rather than having to keep up or slow down with their on-campus classmates. If a student is comfortable with the course material, they can quickly move through the syllabus and move on to the next lesson, which also lessens the time commitment to the program. Some students prefer this option so they don’t have to dedicate as much time and can get back to work or other commitments, like family or volunteer work. On the other hand, if a student needs more time to understand and digest the information, they can revisit a lesson, take their time in understanding, and ask for extra help either from their professor, peers, or by doing outside research online. Both of these methods of learning help with retention rates as well, because if you understand something and take the necessary amount of time to do so, you’re more likely to remember and retain the information over the long term. 

Accelerated programs are also becoming more widely available from schools like Marian University, which offers a program called MPath – a flexible, accelerated program designed for online learners or adults returning to school. More schools are beginning to offer programs like this to better accommodate students and their lives outside of their educational careers. 

More opportunity for communication with the professor

Because of the ongoing assessments, professors can monitor a student’s progress more effectively, and gives the professor an opportunity to step in earlier if help is needed rather than waiting until the final exam or assignment is due. 

Class sizes are also generally smaller for online courses, and there are portals for students and forums where they can engage with professors any time to ask for clarifications or advice. Instead of waiting for a professor’s office hours, or booking an appointment to see them when it’s convenient for their schedule, distance students can communicate directly via these student portals at their convenience. Of course, if you want to have a face-to-face conversation, you most likely will have to schedule a video call, but online instructors are usually more available than on-campus instructors. 

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Believe in the Magic of Christmas 2019 SL Christmas Expo Now Accepting Merchants and Sponsors

Do you Believe in the Magic of Christmas? It may be the middle of summer but it’s time to think about Snow and Ice Skating, Decorating Houses, Holiday Store Fronts and that ‘right jolly old elf’ himself! It’s time to start planning your participation in “Believe in the Magic of Christmas”, the 9th Annual SL Christmas Expo, December 5th through the 15th, 2019. Supporting the American Cancer Society, the Christmas Expo is the premier holiday shopping and entertainment destination in Second Life. Sponsorships are already available for various levels at https://slchristmasexpo.com. 

The Christmas Expo Mission: To Fight Childhood Cancer

Christmas is especially important to kids! Remember how big that tree was when you were small? Pictures with Santa? Listening for those reindeer on the roof?  Christmas Morning?! For kids Christmas is a Magical Season! And so, this year the Expo has a new mission. Together with the American Cancer Society and our partners at Linden Lab, the expo will be supporting Childhood Cancer initiatives of The Society. All proceeds of the Expo will be directed to support research and palliative efforts to help children with cancer.

What’s Planned for the 2019 Christmas Expo?

Back again are: 

• more than 100 merchants, 
• Breedables and One-Of-A-Kind auctions, 
• nearly non-stop musical performances, 
• Gotchas and Hunts. 
• Christmas Trees, Ice Skating, Snowman Building Contest 
• Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Elves
• The Holidays of Hope Ball. 

Also back again is the popular Lights of Hope House Decorating Contest featuring homes built and decorated by some of Second Life’s best home builders! The event was introduced in 2018 and was one of the highlights of the 8th Annual Expo. 

Linden Lab Partners With The Expo to Help the American Cancer Society Fight Childhood Cancer!

But wait there is more! This year Linden Lab, the Society’s partner in the fight against cancer, is joining the 9th Annual SL Christmas Expo. Not only will Linden Lab be decorating Linden homes as part of the Lights Of Hope contest but the Expo will be the venue of the BIG REVEAL!  The long anticipated ALL NEW Version 4 LINDEN HOMES will be UNVEILED at the Lights Of Hope!  Expo visitors will be treated with the newest premier member homes as well as some very VERY Special Linden surprises and incentives! (We can’t tell you now and spoil the Christmas Surprise can we?)

The thermometer may say it’s a heat wave, but the coolest event of the year is only a few short months away!  Do not miss out on Believe in The Magic of Christmas, the 2019 Second Life Christmas Expo, December 5th through the 15th, all in support of the American Cancer Society. 

Give The Gift of Hope and Fight Childhood Cancer! 

Sign up now for a store, shop or booth, and join some of Second Life’s premier merchants as a sponsor! For More Information visit https://slchristmasexpo.com or contact Nuala Maracas in world.

Nuala Maracas nuala.maracas@gmail.com

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BREAKING NEWS! +++ BREAKING NEWS! LUXORY ESTATES IS EXPANDING!

Over the next 4 weeks Luxory & Willowdale will add over 70 (!) new sims. 

Homesteads as well as regular full prim sims! If you are interested in upgrading to a full homestead or to a full prim sim - this would be the time!
- 5000 / 20.000 / 30.000 Prim
- choose your own sim name for free!
- full estate rights for you and up to 8 of your friends
- standalone sims with no neighbors
- no covenant, no rules, no restrictions
- General / Mature / Adult
Contact Vanity Bonetto via IM asap!

https://secondlife.com/destination/luxory-estates

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Interplanetary Liberation Front Live @ Mystery July 31st at 2pm SLT

Alazarin Mobius and The Interplanetary Liberation Front will be performing live a selection of original dynamic space rock music. This is music unlike any other performed live in Second Life. Catch this show and be transported into another dimension! Euro-friendly scheduling. http://www.alazarinmobius.co.uk

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Misfit Dance and Performance & Art-Theater Stage Dance Show July 31st at 6pm SLT

Curtain Call is at 6 PM SL but please arrive early to grab a seat -  full sim at our shows often!***Come join the fun!! **** Misfit Dance and Performance Art will be presenting a showcase of amazing Theater Dance Art for you tonight! Think Broadway in SL*** fun sets, full costumes, and music that is sure to please! *** Come see what everyone is talking about and Expect the UnExpected!

*** Contact JenzZa Misfit for more information

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A Guide to Planning a Fun Wedding Reception

While your wedding day will be a celebration of your commitment to your other half, you must ensure you cater to your guests’ needs throughout the big day. After all, they will be choosing to spend five hours or more with both of you during the reception.

It is imperative to ensure that they are comfortable and have plenty of fun from beginning to end. To ensure your guests never want to go home, read this helpful guide to planning a fun wedding reception.

Consider Comfort

It is crucial your guests feel relaxed and comfortable during the reception. For example, if you are hosting a winter wedding, they might be delighted to receive a hot cup of cocoa or mulled wine upon arrival. If you’re planning a summer wedding, help your guests to feel refreshed and hydrated with a cold glass of lemonade or a chilled cocktail.

You also could increase their comfort levels by providing a basket of helpful items in a restroom, which could feature:

• Safety pins
• Deodorant
• Mints
• A sewing kit
• Band-Aids

It is a thoughtful way to care for your loved ones’ needs and ensure everyone has a great time.

Plan Unexpected Entertainment

While your wedding guests will likely expect to find a DJ and a dancefloor at the venue, you could blow them away with an obstacle course bounce house, which can delight both adults and children. So, give your wedding the wow factor by incorporating unexpected entertainment into your reception. Your guests will be glad you did. 

Cater to Your Guests

Hungry guests might be tempted to leave the reception early to grab a bite to eat. To keep their feet firmly on the dancefloor, you must provide ample food that will ensure they are happy throughout the event. After all, the last thing you will want is for your friends and relatives to remember your wedding due to their rumbling stomachs. 

So, confirm with the caterer that the food service will run in a timely and efficient manner, and there will be enough dishes to cater to your guests’ needs. For example, you could add a late-night snack station to feed your loved ones.

Encourage Your Guests onto the Dancefloor

If you want your guests to have a brilliant time from beginning to end of your wedding reception, you need to get them onto the dancefloor as soon as possible. Rather than waiting until the end of the night to encourage people to get up onto their feet, you should open up the dancefloor to your nearest and dearest as soon as the first dance has come to an end.

Hand Out Fun Wedding Favors

Make your guests smile during the reception by handing out fun wedding favors. For example, they will appreciate a cute plant, a cool pair of sunglasses or a jar of candy. You could even provide them with some take-home treats that they can use the next day, such as a bag of your favorite coffee beans or a hot cocoa mix.

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Chicago - by Lacy Muircastle

Dear Readers

What follows is my interpretation of fanfiction in the form of flash fiction.

Musician, Mr Hudson, recently released a new album -  When the Machine Stops.  Chicago (featuring Vic Mensa,) is a single that was released prior to the album hitting the airwaves, and which is now included on said album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmWrABFiJ1U

Chicago

As old blue eyes, himself said, Chicago was my kind of town.  I don’t understand why he didn’t get that.  Chicago was my kind of people too, people who smile at you while singing the blues. 

Music - house, electronic dance, blues, jazz… echoed through the streets of the city, as it echoed through the core of my being, it was the elixir of life for me.  If he knew me as well as he thought he did, he’d have known that.

Instead, he presented me with a band of gold.  As much as I loved him, I was not suburban housewife material.  If I put on that band, the music would die.

The old cliché about 20/20 hindsight drummed through my psyche. He was right; it was cold here at this time of the year. Could I go slinking back to him?  He said I’d run home.  Should I give him the satisfaction of being right?  Could I swallow I told you so?  I’d swallowed so much, what was a bit more?

            I should’ve known that dreams don’t come true for everyone.  New beginnings were not always all; they were cut out to be. 

It was my turn to face a closed door. Chicago had divided my heart.  Vic or Ben?

            Vic said, “come to me Missy; you got talent…”  How long I’d waited to hear those words.  I was on a high.  It was finally my time.

But the walls of the studio whispered “my misery is that woman,” and my heart shattered.  A thousand decibels were screaming. What had I done?

            He knew I loved company, and he knew how business went, he created it, created me.  I sat and stared out into the grey haze that was winter in Chicago. Everything had lost its definition, including me. One minute he was promising record deals and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, and the next minute the warming glow of love and happiness were snuffed out.

He accused me of stringing him along and trying to play him like a symphony.  He said I did it just to fuck with him.  He has no clue.  For some reason he thought I was judging him, he said he could see it in my eyes.  He needed glasses.

Back home, there was a band of gold waiting for me.  I know he’d forgive me, but could I forgive myself? Could I live with myself?  What about my dreams?

He’s gone.  On the road, it was his happy place.  I’d thought my happy place was to be with him.  We all know what thought did…  He said he’ll see me when he got back to Chicago.

Blue eyes had got it wrong.  Chicago had let me down.

 Ben called again.  “You'll be back,” he said.  That piece of gold had magnetic powers.

“You'll see, sooner, later you'll run home.  You'll run home…”

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Breedapets Breedables Grand Re-Opening Celebration! July 30th at 12pm SLT

Join us for the grand re-opening of the BreedaPets Breedables store in Second Life. Celebration kicks off on Tuesday, July 30th at 12pm SL. This will be a 4 hour event with DJs, a raffle bowl with one-of-a-kind prizes, door prizes and a 1500L (to start) contest for Best in Animals split prize. So save the date and join us for a fun-filled event while we celebrate the return of BreedaPets Breedables, ~Breeding Made Easy~. See you there!!

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GeekSpeak – how close are we to a nuclear war? Join the discussion on Saturday July 27th at 12pm SLT

Nowadays most of us are less worried about nuclear weapons than we were in the last century.  But is that reasonable?  The danger is still there.  Any conventional war could become a nuclear war.  As nuclear weapons spread, more and more countries could start a nuclear war.  

Would it be possible for terrorists to start one, either by making nuclear weapons or by hacking into command codes?  Could a nuclear war start by sheer accident?

Where will this happen?  What are the danger areas?  And what will happen in the aftermath?  Will we completely destroy the planet, or will the nuking stop after the first 10 or so?

Would we be safer if all countries had nukes, or if none did?  Are there ways to stop this madness?  Come and discuss total annihilation.  Bring your lead radiation suit.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have any ideas for new subjects.

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Ballet Pixelle on Tour for ONE NIGHT! July 27th at 3pm SLT at Tesla Theatre and Nightclub

Performing vignettes from 7 of their full length dance productions, Ballet Pixelle will astound you! No dance HUDs used, ever. True dancing Inworld, SHARE THIS! We are sure you will love this show, Invite a Friend , show them how awesome SL can be! 

ONE NIGHT ONLY AT TESLA THEATRE and NIGHTCLUB-
 An Opulent and Classical venue with a dash of steampunk. Bringing SL Full scale Theatrical productions, Live musical performers, DJs of every genre, dances, Readers Theater, and much more. NLS Tardis and Eternity gate, Airship and train access.

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LOOK of the YEAR The winners are...QUINTE and YEBEN!

The fifth LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR is Quinte from China and the first LUXE Dot Be LOOK of the YEAR is Yeben from Belgium!

Right behind them, Selene Snowpaw from USA, first runner up in the Women's category, Ahn Avion from USA, first runner up in the Men's category, and Melany Aguilera from Peru and Nasao Elton from Colombia, the second runners up!

The excitement was at its peak, Sunday, on AIM stage as the LOOK of the YEAR finalists competed in a final challenge. On the theme ''Romance at the Ritz'', the finalists rivaled elegance, really carrying us into the luxurious ambience of this mythical Paris hotel.

As the finalist were walking the runway, the 13 judges evaluated their style, elegance and charisma and gave them a last score. This score was added to the Swimsuits competition and Happy Sunny Afternoon challenge scores, assigned last week, and the total determined the winners.

LIKE A FAIRY TALE!

The two winners were astounded as the two of them had no modeling background and that several experienced models were in the race. 

''I am totally shocked'' said Quinte, who was intensely trained by her friends models the last past weeks.

''I still wonder what’s happening to me'' confided Yeben, a DJ in his ''normal'' Second Life.

It is not mandatory to be a professional model to enter the LOOK of the YEAR competition but you must demonstrate that you have the potential to become one. The LOOK of the YEAR organization, together with In-Nova Academy and Proposes, offers an accelerated modeling course for the inexperienced finalists and a scholarship to the winners.

IT'S A FIRST!

This is however the first time in five years that the LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR is a new comer to the modeling world. As for LUXE Dot Be, Yeben’s victory comes as part of the brand’s first participation in the competition.

Quinte and Yeben distinguished themselves by the quality and originality of their look and their excellent performance on the runway, convincing the judges that they were the best possible ambassadors!

The new LUXE Paris and LUXE Dot Be LOOK of the YEAR each received the tidy sum of L$50,000! They also won: One year of free shopping at LUXE Paris/LUXE Dot Be (a value of L$30 000), a fashion feature in The Second Life Enquirer and in the magazines ModeLS,  SL Confidencial and L'Amour Diversity (a value of L$30 000),  a private dinner party for 20 at the Duplex Club (a value of L$5000), a scholarship at In-Nova Model Training (a value of L$4000), a gift card of L$3500 at ProPose, a gift card of L$3000 at Alma Makeup, a crown by Zuri Jewelry (a scepter for the man), a value of L$1500, an official picture by Jack Rock (a value of L$1000), an hour coaching with Ponchituti Boucher and a VIP invite to be part of AIM Modeling Agency.

The two runners up in each category (women & men) also received a scholarship at In-Nova Model Training (a value of L$4000), a Zuri tiara or scepter (L$1000), a gift card from ProPose (L$2500 for the first and L$1500 for the second), a gift card from Alma Makeup (L$1000 for the first and L$500 for the second) and an official picture by Jack Rock (L$1000). They will also get an hour coaching with Ponchituti Boucher and be interviewed by ModeLS Magazine and SL Confidencial.

Bravo to the winners but also to all the finalists who gave a fabulous show!

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