Thursday September 27th will see a special series of events take place across the USA and Canada – and in Second Life.
They are to both mark the premiere of Michael J. Fox’s new TV series and to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
The Second Life event, which kicks-off at 15:00 SLT is the only one of its kind to be taking place in a virtual worlds, and is a co-production between Creations for Parkinsons and Team Fox SL, and organised by Team Fox SL coordinator Solas (solasnagealai).
And there is still time to be a part of the magic!
Tickets are L$1,000 (and limited to 100), with all proceeds going directly to the Foundation via Team Fox, its official grass-roots fundraising arm. The party will run through until 18:00 SLT and will take place in the elegance of the Rose Theatre Ballroom at Angel Manor.
or copy and past the following in open chat: secondlife:///app/group/84fb7135-bf2f-7d66-a30b-98ecee9cd5a8/about – The Group Tag is your ticket.
Event Schedule
15:00-16:00 SLT – live music with Satin Galli
16:00-18:00 – live DJ Graywolf with handpicked music by Michael’s son Sam along with trivia games and prizes
VIP Auction
The afternoon will feature a special VIP Auction with some exceptional items:
A chance to work alongside DB Bailey, an architect who provides unique spaces with complex vibrant textures zealously executed are walks of art, and learn his magic!
A one-of-a-kind complete avatar, MICHELLE, a high quality, attractive female Shape and Skin from PYRO. Comes with Eyes, Lip Gloss and Hair
Two minutes of video magic about them self done by Draxtor Despres the man behind “The Drax Files” http://draxtor.com/
A unique fashion! From inspiration to creation, Solas NaGealai owner of BlueMoon enterprise will make you the perfect second life garment
Tea and talk with “Creations Mom” Fran Seranade herself, the inspiration for Creations for Parkinson’s, Enjoy some time with this lovable wise woman.
And more! All proceeds from the auction, and raised throughout the event, will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
So, don’t delay any longer. Be a part of this magical evening – there is still time!
Please note the dress code is formal attire is preferred.
Following-on from the initial announcement about the 3rd Annual International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC), which I previewed here, Gentle Heron of Virtual Ability Inc has supplied details of the panellists who will make up the four international panels which will be held during the conference.
IDRAC will take place on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September 2013 at the Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability Island. The central theme is “Let Me In”, focusing on different perspectives about access that are of interest to persons with disabilities, and seeks to address issues of inclusion and freedom of participation.
As well as keynote speakers on each of the two days and presentations from noted experts and specialists from around the world (again, please refer to my previous post for details), the conference will include four panel sessions over the two days, in which disability rights around the world will be discussed.
International Panel 1: Friday September 27th, 17:30 SLT
Roth Grut – Brazil
Losairam – Ecuador
Jens Nerido – Denmark
Moderator: Svea Morane (United States)
International Panel 2: Saturday September 28th, 07:00 SLT
Letty Pienaar – Germany
Winter Wardhani – Portugal
JayJay Zifanwe – Australia
Moderator: Tom Bukowski (United States)
International Panel 3: Saturday September 28th, 13:00 SLT
Slatan Dryke – Italy
Libido Siemens – Greece
jihan wonder – Egypt
Moderator: Blu Heron (United States)
International Panel 4: Saturday September 28th, 17:30 SLT
LifeSkillsWorker – Canada
Loquacia Loon – Malaysia
Kiremimi Tigerpaw – Japan
Zsuzsa Tomsen – United States
Moderator: Kopilo Hallard (Australia)
Commenting on the upcoming conference, organiser Gentle Heron said, “We are so excited! We invite you to attend the conference if you can, and tell your friends about it – bring them along! The slate of presenters is broad and varied. Presenters hail from places as diverse as Germany, South Africa and the Netherlands. Panellists come from places as widespread as Brazil, Italy, Japan, Ecuador, and Denmark.”
For full details on the conference programme schedule, including updates and changes, please refer to the IDRAC Presentation Schedule.
Grendel’s Children is seven years old this year. To mark the event, they’re holding a special hunt, The Seventh Element Hunt, offering participants opportunities for fun, quests and prizes.
The hunt, which started on Sunday September 22nd, progresses over seven days – one day for each year that Grendel’s has been open. But don’t worry about missing the initial days; all the previous days quest paths will remain open through the hunt period, and all seven days will be available for people to participate in them for a short period after the final day has been unveiled, so everyone has time to get involved.
It all starts here: the Cartographer’s Office
Toady Nakamura invited me to join her in the first stage of the quest, and we met up at the starting-point for our adventure: outside the Cartographer’s office, down in the basement level of Grendel’s.
“Recently, Kobold Scouts came through here and left bottles from their favourite types of cactus juice, all over the place.” Toady informed me, as we waited for the Cartographer. “But you know Kobold traders! They always want everything picked up, so they will give us prizes in return for the bottles. All we have to do is collect the bottles!”
She smiled up at me, continuing, “And of course, Kobolds have a great sense of humour, so watch out, they have some unusual names for beverages! You are more likely to find a Fire bottle, near a fire or a flame, and so on as the days progress. And the Kobolds may have used them as candle holders, water bottles, or dropped and broken some of them, so be on the lookout!”
In all there are three kinds of bottles to find: Smashed, Misshapen and Complete, and each day hunters must locate and collect three Smashed, two Misshapen and one Complete bottle to trade with the Kobolds when they return.
The bottles represent the seven Kobold mystical elements, with each day’s hunt focused on a particular element: Fire, Acid, Ice, Shadow, Darkness, Lightning, and Earth. Quite where to find them isn’t obvious to start with – Grendel’s is a big place, and as Toady said, the Kobold traders have a sense of humour.
Fortunately, Grendel’s Cartographer has been keeping an eye on things, and has put together of few clues and hints to help people on their way each day, which is why the Cartographer’s office is the starting-point for each stage of the quest.
The Cartographer kindly allowed me to sit at his desk and study the books…
“Each day, start here in my office, and touch the new item on my desk for the starting point of the quest, and perhaps, a hint or two,” the Cartographer said after greetings had been exchanged, “Other hints will be offered along the way.
“The first day is the easiest of all days and the hardest of all days. Easiest because the clues will be very straightforward, but hardest because you have yet to develop a search image for the Kobold’s discarded bottles. Today’s bottle looks like the one on my desk.
“So now you must find The Book of Fire in the Library, it looks just like this copy on my desk. Touch it, and begin your quest. Remember! If you find anything really interesting or curious, like bottles or a dragon’s nest, don’t forget to touch it!” And with a wave of a hand, we were dismissed.
The directions for the first day were rather specific, to find The Book of Fire in the library. But as Toady remarked, as we departed the Cartographer’s office and rounded the corner to enter the library, “Where to hide needle is not in haystack but in box of needles…”
The Kobold’s village is where you might find bottles to be had – and more!
With 280 titles in the library at Grendel’s, I could see what she meant. Fortunately, Toady has keen eyes, and soon the book was discovered, together with another clue. Touching the book revealed a secret passage with stairs winding ever deeper into the bowels of Grendel’s, leading to pair of passages, one marked by green carpet, the other by lit sconces, the flames illuminating a long tunnel. Follow the fire had been the instruction – and so we did. Heading towards the sound of deep snoring as we set out on our adventure…
Where the clues lead you each day will vary, but you can be sure that with Toady’s and Flea’s inventiveness, you’re in for some fun times. Again, don’t forget that while your main task is to collect the empty cactus juice bottles, there are other things to collect and do along the way. Eggs, for example may give hints and perhaps more to help you on your way. Do be sure to wear your Egg Backpack once you have been given it. And don’t forget the nests, either! Standing near the latter and touching the former will – well, you’ll see, when you join the quest!
With Toady as my companion and guide, it wasn’t long before I’d reached the Dragon Temple, location of the first day’s Complete bottle…
There are some additional things to keep in mind as well:
Bottles have different value, from the least (Smashed) to the greatest (Complete). They can be traded with the Kobolds, when they arrive, for prizes – however DON’T rez or touch the bottles once you have collected them before the Kobolds arrive. If you do, they will vanish, and you’ll have to start collecting for that day again
You’ll need a full set of three Smashed, two Misshapen and one Complete bottle from each day in order to trade for that day’s Pristine bottle. A full set of “Pristine Vessels” will unlock the ultimate prize
You may be sent off sim for certain items, suggested locations may be found in the kiosk near the Grendel’s entrance.
Redemption Days: soon after the last day of the hunt, the Kobolds will arrive in their airships. At that time, bottles can be redeemed for goodies from the traders before they continue onwards on their journey.
A full set of rules will be given to you at the start of the quest. Good luck and happy hunting!
Once again the year is passing swiftly, already we are drawing close to saying goodbye to September and, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, the last of the summer. Now October is peeking over the horizon, watching us; the time when the days grow shorter, the air crisper and the leaves on the trees turn to browns, reds, oranges and golds, before falling to carpet the ground beneath our feet.
October brings with it the first taste of winter and, as the nights draw in around us and as it also goes old, that time when pumpkins are prepared, and children take to the streets in all manner of spooky and bizarre costumes, earnestly asking for trick or treat; when bonfires are lit, games are played, and ghostly tales are told.
To mark the arrival of Halloween, Stories Unlimited and Branwen Arts will once again be hosting Boofest! and Boostock, and are issuing a call for performers.
This year’s event will take place on the weekend of Saturday 26th (Boostock) and Sunday 27th October (Boofest!), at Bran, and the organisers are seeking performers willing to participate and recite tales of terror in a 30 or 60 minute time slot during Boofest! itself, which will take place between 10:00 and 17:00 SLT the 27th October.
Presenters can tell original tales of their own, or opt to read seasonal favourites and classics, or share those dark tales by authors perhaps not so well-known. The only requirements are that presentations fit the requested time slot and are given live (no pre-recordings).
If you would like to participate, forward a notecard to either Caledonia Skytower or Dubhna Rhiadra with the following information:
Your name
The length of the time slot you’ll like (30 or 60 minutes)
Whether you are performing solo or with others (please include their names),
The piece you intend to present if you know it (not vital, as long as the organisers know by October).
Time of day preference or any time constraints that need to be considered when scheduling you.
Note that there will be limited rezzing during the event, and there will be no streaming – it’s just a blazing fire, an audience – and your voice! Submissions are open now, and will remain open until midnight SLT on October 14th.
Boostock and Boofest! will be open to all Second Life residents, and there is no charge for attending. However, any gratuities received will directly benefit War Child North America, and Branwen Arts.
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in Voice, brought to Second Life by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library SL.
As always, all times SLT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.
Sunday September 22nd, 13:30: Tea Time at Baker Street
Caledonia Skytower and Corwyn Allen return to read another installment in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s volume of stories The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
Watson (l) and Holmes (c) confront Charles Augustus Milverton (Sidney Paget, Stand Magazine, 1904)
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton, first published in 1904, but thought to be set in 1899, sees Holmes and Watson retained by wealthy débutante Lady Eva Blackwell, who is being threatened by one Charles Augustus Milverton.
Milverton has obtained compromising letters written by Lady Blackwell, and is demanding £7,000 (around $700,000 today) in order not to reveal them and so put an end to her engagement, and bring shame down on her family.
Holmes regards Milverton as the “king of the blackmailers”, and more repulsive than any of the fifty or so murderers he has brought to account in his career. He resolves to recover the letters by any means necessary…
This is one of Sir Conan Doyle’s more unusual tales for the Great Detective, as it is believed to be based on a real-life blackmailer, Charles Augustus Howell. Howell was an art dealer who preyed upon an unknown number of people, including the poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He met his end under mysterious circumstances in 1890, when his body was found near a public house in Chelsea, London. His throat had been posthumously slit and a ten-shilling coin placed in his mouth. The presence of the coin was known to be a criticism of those guilty of slander.
Monday September 23rd, 19:00: Sci-fi Shorts
Join Gyro Muggins as he reads Hemeacand Dance of the Changer and the Three.
Tuesday September 24th, 19:00: The Words and Wit of David Rakoff
David Rakoff (1964-2012) – image courtesy of The New Yorker
David Benjamin Rakoff was a Canadian-born writer and humorist most noted for his autobiographical writings. Rakoff was heavily influenced by David Sedaris, a former subject of a piece at Seanchai Library, and with whom Rakoff worked in both the theatre and on National Public Radio while based in New York City.
Rakoff was an essayist, journalist, and actor. He sometimes humourously / self-depreciatingly described himself as a “New York writer who also happened to be a Canadian writer”, a “mega Jewish writer”, a “gay writer” and an “East Asian Studies major who has forgotten most of his Japanese” writer.
Crap Mariner delves in to the Rakoff’s writings and presents an hours’ insight into his life and work – as seen through his own eyes.
Wednesday September 25th, 19:00: A Year in Tulfarris (3)
From the book jacket:
“My boss was wondering if I’d be up for working in Dublin for a year. What would you think of moving to Ireland for a year?”
And so began the adventure, chronicled by his photographs and her written musings, as they explore monuments and meet people (and animals) who will leave an indelible mark on them and their children forever.
Follow them as they trek down livestock-riddled narrow lanes, traipse through fields to standing stones and megalithic tombs, and deal with the delightful and at-times maddening resistance on the Irish to the intrusions of the modern world.
Join Caladonia Skytower as she reads from this very personal and charming tale, laced as it is with a bittersweet twist.
Thursday September 26th, “Get yer spook on!”
Join Shandon Loring in getting into the Halloween spirit
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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule. The featured charity for September and October is Water for People.Have questions? IM or notecard Caledonia Skytower.
Friday September 27th and Saturday September 28th will see the 3rd Annual International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC) take place in Second Life.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Let Me In”, and focuses on different perspectives about access that are of interest to persons with disabilities, and seeks to address issues of inclusion and freedom of participation.
Virtual Ability Island – the hub of Virtual Ability’s work in Second Life
Persons with all types of disabilities can be fully functioning community members, given appropriate accessibility accommodations when needed. However, despite increasing legal protections ensuring access and community participation, significant barriers to equal access for persons with disabilities still exist:
A person with a disability or chronic health condition may not have access to all the facilities, resources, and communities that persons without these conditions have. A person with a mobility disability may be stymied by a flight of stairs leading to a public building, by public transportation their wheelchair won’t go into, or even by the tall threshold of a shop
A person with a visual impairment may be unable to benefit from daily newspapers or printed textbooks
A Deaf person may not be able to communicate on the phone, or receive information on radio announcements or at public lectures. Persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities may have difficulty understanding public policies or getting appropriate health care.
Panels of citizens from around the world will provide background as conference participants explore both policy and implementation aspects of providing full accessibility.
Commenting on the upcoming conference, Alice Krueger (Gentle Heron in SL), President of Virtual Ability, Inc., said:
For persons with disabilities, access to information is critical. We must be included in research about the world, and our needs must be considered in policy development. We also should have access to buildings, transportation, and all the other resources used by persons who do not have disabilities. Having access to the full function of communities in which we engage is equally important. “Let me in” is a logical follow-up to last year’s IDRAC conference which focused on communities people with disabilities belong to.
For full details on the conference programme schedule, including updates and changes, please refer to the IDRAC Presentation Schedule. All times given her are SLT.
Friday September 27th
08:30-09:30 – Keynote Address, Dr. Letitica De León:- Play to the Strengths: Accessible Fun and Learning for All Children
10:00-11:00 – Dr. Sarah Rule: Training Community Based Rehabilitation Personnel in South Africa
13:00-14:00 – International Panel #3: Disability Rights Around the World
14:30-15:30 – Mike Rose: Inclusive Emergency Preparedness, or “I’ll Open My Own Doors” 16:00-17:00 – Dr. Nina Slota: Gender, Community, and Collaboration: The Experiences of Women Living with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
17:30-18:30 – International Panel #4: Disability Rights Around the World.
Thursday September 27th will see a special series of events take place across the USA and Canada – and in Second Life.
