US politics take centre stage this week in Second Life with two major real-world presentations being simulcast into Second Life.

Candy Crowley

Today, Wednesday September 14, CNN political correspondent Candy Crowley will be talking on the subject Broke… and Broken? Assessing the US Political Scene, at the University of Delaware.

The talk is scheduled for 16:30 SLT, and will feature a simulcast in Second Life at the University’s in-world sim, and Ms. Crowley will answering questions from both the live and virtual audiences.

Given we’re into the run-up to the next year’s US Presidential election, this could be a challenging and thought-provoking presentation.

US Vice President Joe Biden

On Friday 16th September, US Vice President Joe Biden will also be speaking at the University of Delaware. As a former alumnus of the University, he will be delivering the inaugural James. R. Soles Lecture on the Constitution and Citizenship, and gifting his three decades of US Senate papers to the University’s library.

His talk will take place at 13:00 SLT, and will be simulcast to the University’s  Imagination sim in Second Life.

Questions on the Vice President’s presentation should be directed either to the University of Delaware’s website, or in-world to Firery Broome.

With thanks to Betterverse and the University of Delaware

Torley Linden, rightly one of the most popular Linden Lab employees, famous for his infectious good-humour, his love of watermelons and talent for music, is to be the focus of the 4th resident-run Saint Torley’s Day, organised by the First Church of Rosedale and the Four Kittens of the Apocalypse.

The event will take place this Sunday, the 18th September, 2011, commencing at 12:00 SLT. Celebrations will comprise:

• 12:00-14:00: a party featuring Second Life artist Kaklick Martin and Torley’s own compositions, hosted by Alchemy Epstein and Nakira Tennen; to be held at the Four Kittens of the Apocalypse, Penning
• 14:00: a “special service” at the Rheta Shan Memorial Chapel of the First Church of Rosedale, Rhianna, wherein Torley’s story will be recounted (participants will need to be adult-verified or have payment information on file).

The press release announcing the event reads in part:

“Torley Linden has written innumerable posts on the company’s official blog and created hundreds of video tutorials. He listens and responds to residents, holding weekly office hours and keeping tabs on Second Life content all over the Web, including blogs, Flickr, Twitter, Vimeo, and YouTube. His Saint Day is the Sunday closest to his “rezday” (the day he first entered Second Life), September 15; 2011 will mark the end of his seventh year ‘in-world.'”

The event is intended to be a warm celebration of Torley’s work as Resident Enlightenment Manager, as such those attending the party are encouraged to “wear the most pleasingly garish shades of neon pink and green they can find”, and expect the “‘melon-go-round’, the grid’s most heavily armed watermelon piñata, and more surprises”.

So get your shades, grab a watermelon and join the festivities!

Watermelon Wine by Torley Linden

For further information, contact Samantha Poindexter in-world.

The organisers stress this event is not affiliated with or sponsored by Linden Lab.

Sunday 18th through Wednesday 21st will see the Second Life Fashion Expert days take place in the official SL forums.

Each day of the event, up to 5 SL Fashion Experts will be standing by to share ideas and images, and to discuss the vibrant fashion scene in Second Life.They will be available from 09:00 through 16:00 SLT on each day of the event, ready to answer questions related to SL fashion and avatar appearance. In the words of the official blog post, “No query is off-limits!”.

In addition, the event will see exclusive Fashion blog posts and insider style tips shared in the Fashion Forums.

The provisional schedule is as follows:

Sunday, September 18, 09:00-16:00 SLT:

• Iris Ophelia
• Felicity Blumenthal
• Elusyve Jewell

Monday, September 19, 09:00-16:00 SLT:

• Frolic Mills
• Sasy Scarborough
• Whimsy Winx
• Harper Beresford
• Laylinha Tomsen (in Portuguese)

Tuesday, September 20, 09:00-16:00 SLT:

• PopTart Lilehook
• Casja Lilliehook
• Gidge Uriza
• Vick Spitteler (in Portuguese)

Wednesday, September 21, 09:00-16:00 SLT:

• Strawberry Singh
• Lily Karlsbar
• Ponino Oh
• Thereaver Barrymore (in Portuguese)

Details may change according to availability, so make sure you check with the official blog post for updates.

Image courtesy of Rena Sakai

Sunday September 11th 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 2001. To mark the date, numerous events are being held across Second Life throughout the day. There are also a number of Featured Events being held, and places within Second Life people can visit and join with others in remembering those who lost their lives during the terrible events of that day.

The following are provided to help those wishing to commemorate 9/11 in-world to do so.

Click on the images for further information.

Memorials

911 Memorial

Join the conversation and pay tribute to those who lost their lives to the tragic events of September 11, 2001 at this memorial.

Visit in Second Life

World Trade Center Memorial

Visit this tribute to those who perished in the attacks on New York City on September 11, 2001.

Visit in Second Life

9/11 WTC Stairclimb Tribute

Arrive and suit up in the gear provided at the base of the stairs. Next, grab a nozzle and hose. Begin your ascent up 110 stories in honor of and in tribute to the fallen firefighters of Sept. 11. This tribute is sponsored by the Aero Pines Park Fire Department, made up of RL, active and retired firefighters who train and mentor in SL every day. More info at http://firehero.org/stairclimb/.

Visit in Second Life

Events

9/11 Street Art Festival

Located at Toronto, this display will feature the work of various artists joining together to remember the tragic events of 9/11. The art comes in all forms, and focuses on the concept of “Find Healing. Find Hope. Celebrate!” The event is part of many sponsored by Blue Angel Memorial Garden.

Visit in Second Life

Further 9/11 events can be found in the SL Destination Guide.