Summer Solstice in SL

While logging in a week or so ago, I received a notecard invitation to a summer solstice celebration and thought it sounded interesting.  The events were taking place over the weekend of June 21 and June 22 on the Rocca Sorrentina sim in conjunction with the Feast of St. Giovanni.  I later learned that Rocca Sorrentina is a historical Italian sim, and I was pleasantly surprised at the welcoming I received from its friendly residents as well as the lovely town.

To start off my visit, I decided to embark on one of the cruises to France.  I boarded one of the last ships out, as I could not get into SL until the evening.  I was the only passenger, but the captain was happy to have me aboard and presented me with some background history on our ports. 

After my round-trip cruise because I wanted to attend more of the solstice events in Rocca Sorrentina, I headed toward the market square and took a pleasant stroll through the pretty town.  I noticed signs for the tarot card reader and found her parlor at the time indicated for the evening readings.  I was a bit early, but she was there, and I scheduled an appointment.  When my time arrived, I joined her in her tent and requested a 3-card reading.  While there was a fee for this service, it was mostly entertaining, although some of her suggestions to me seemed accurate. 

After the reading, I strolled the town some more and visited the church which was festooned with flowers and beautiful religious paintings.  I also found the library that, as a librarian, I especially enjoyed with its lovely decor.  Lastly, I walked among the gardens of the castle and saw the dance area set for the following day's Sunflower Ball.

I returned the following evening and joined the dancers at the Sunflower Ball.  The music was enchanting, and I was welcomed by the town residents again. 

I look forward to future events in Rocca Sorrentina and am told that there are numerous educational and literary ones. 

Community Virtual Library on Imagination Island

The Community Virtual Library (CVL) has moved to Imagination Island, and the new location has provided a nice backdrop for the auditorium, main library, reference area, Exhibit area, meeting spaces, and the InfoPub.  The ladies responsible for moving and setting this up are Abbey Zenith, Rolig Loon, and Bud Ballyhoo.  They have done a fantastic job in creating a pleasing atmosphere for librarians and visitors.  Here are some photos from a recent tour:

The auditorium comes complete with resizeable stage, projection screen, and HUD to show slides.


 

Rolig Loon gave an informative tour of the Main Library with its collection of copiable books, audiobooks, and many other resources.


 

The reference area includes maps of the sim, group event boards, and a reference desk manned by CVL volunteers. There is also a changing area outside.



 

 

Abbey explained that Snow Scarmon is in charge of booking the Exhibit area where different exhibits can be displayed on a monthly basis. Currently, the Math in 3D is up.



 

The event space is a large area that can be divided into two sections or left as one. It is reserved by the CVL Google calendar. Set up and take down is done right before and after the event.



 

The tour ended with an impromptu dance at the new site of the InfoPub where the Infogroupies will continue their regularly scheduled Monday and Friday 5 pm SLT dances. Members of Infogroupies who don't need to create a set can also use the InfoPub for their own events such as rez days or theme parties. 

It is the hope of the CVL to put their new home on Imagination to good use and to welcome visitors.

Reference Desk: Imagination Island (151, 210, 28)

The New Illumination Library

It was with unexpected pleasure that I heard from Xinoxi Han recently and learned that the Illumination Library and Opera House has been reopened and moved to a new sim.  There are two library buildings, a main library and a smaller Annex, both containing a highly-detailed collection of world literature and history in a beautiful setting.  There is also a teleport map to other locations on the property including the Opera House where events will be scheduled and the new Biblio Shop where books and other library and home decorating items can be purchased.  All proceeds from the shop and the donation boards in front of the library, go toward tier costs and programming

The Library's SL group is the Second Life Literary Foundation.  Members will receive notices about updates to the collections and events.  There is also a library card catalog near the entrance to the Main Library that lists titles included in both buildings.  The collection includes several hundred interactive books in audio, full-text, and page-turning formats.  An touch giver by the library gives out an information notecard as well as a small gift to visitors.

For questions or suggestions, contact Xinoxi Han, Director or Farzaneh Eel, Librarian & Bookmaker. 

Slurl to Illumination Library: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bloomfield/69/180/55

Virtual Glass Blowing Exhibit

A new Fun-draising exhibit created by Rolig Loon for the CVL features a small glass studio where you can visit and learn about glass blowing and safety information, see a glass furnace, watch a video, receive notecards, and view lovely pieces of SL glass in several shapes and sizes.  If you make any donation, you receive a tote bag.  If you make a donation of $150 or more, you can choose a piece of glass, as well.  Although the exhibit is small, it is very well researched and worth visiting.  All donations go toward a great casue, too.
Here are a few photos:

 

Info Island, CVL Monthly Exhibit Space (159,118,24)

Crystal Caverns

A dance party at the new Crystal Caverns celebrated the grand reopening of the Portal to SciFi and Fantasy (formally the Sci Fi and Fantasy Portal) on Friday night, March 23.  Guests dressed in Fantasy costumes or came just as they were.  Spacemen, Tinies, cats, and aliens all joined the mix as DJ, Brielle Coronet, spun the tunes.  There was even a psychadelic light show. 

The redesign of CVL's Science Fiction and Fantasy build was an incredible job by BrianA Corleone and ReneeiLene Spiritweaver. 

Here are some photos from the event:

DJ Brielle Coronet provided great tunes and a lighshow

Spacemen, cats, tinies,and  aliens on the crystal dance floor

The lightshow was psychadelic

Slurl to Crystal Caverns: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/203/118/1903

The Fantasy Area

Other locations at the Portal include an area for Fantasy Literature and Media which has a unicorn greeter; Orbital Station1 inside a crashed spaceship that has Science Fiction Resources; and the Dancing Stones Theater designed like Stonehenge where meetings and events can take place



Orbital Station1 (outside and below inside)

Reneeilene Spirtweaver and me at Dancing Stones Theater

Slurl to Fantasy Area, TP to Orbital Station1, and Dancing Stones Theater: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/185/90/26