Hotel Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC
Replica of the real life hotel in New York City. At the moment, there is an Andy Warhol tribute going on in Gallery 23. This new sim has lots of art, live music and poets and spoken word acts. They are looking for acts to book, so if you have some talent, please check them out. The hotel has always been a center of artistic and Bohemian activity and it houses artwork created by many of the artists who have visited.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lanestris/50/144/99
Read the NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/thecity/03virt.html?_r=3
Read about it on the web: http://www.chelseahotelblog.com/

Art - Education - Museum
King Tut Virtual Special Preview
This is the newest offering from Rezzable, the folks that brought us Greenie's House, Black Swan and Carnival of Doom. This sim must be seen and you must allow some time to explore. Over a year in the making, there are a number of areas to visit and a few of them are more developed than others. You will note this is a special preview (05/10/09) that will be fully completed soon but still is worth a visit. The landing point is on a pad high above the ground, you will see a world globe fade to a regional map, then an even more detailed map of the Valley of the Kings. There is an audio stream that talks you through the areas. Get your note cards and click on the eye to start on your way. When you get to the large museum space with lots of chambers, be sure to check out each room and the artifacts. One room holds a coffin of the king. If you click on twice it will open up and out will come all of the other parts of the coffin, just like a set of Russian dolls. Be sure you have your audio and video set up for your full enjoyment of this sim.
Got there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kings%20Rezzable/18/86/2337
Read more about it on the web: http://rezzable.com/vwdirectory/king-tut-virtual-special-preview

Afterburn Arts Project - Burning Life Deep Hole
A rotating art show of selected highlights of previous Burning Life pieces.
Burning Life is an Autumn celebration of art, fire and community. Modeled after the real life Burning Man celebration. A great way to see some of the very best artists work in one place on 22 sims dedicated to this fun event. This yearly event started in 2003 and should not be missed when it rolls around in fall. Be sure to create a landmark so you can check back occasionally for new selected pieces.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Life%20(Deep%20Hole)/51/251/24
Read about it on the web: http://burninglife.secondlife.com/afterburn/art

New Gallery Opening - April 11, 2009
A new AngelGate gallery is having a grand opening party on April 11. They are opening their doors in a very big way by hosting the newest art works from 38 Second Life artists. There are 3 floors to the gallery "filled with all kind of styles and media - from 2D paintings to immersive interactive art." Many of the familiar names in SL art are represented and many new ones are making their debut in the SL art scene at this opening. If you miss the opening, stop by later as the show will be up for awhile. AngelGate is a non-profit community promoting creative organization and innovative arts, be sure to pick up a mission statement note card.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/AngelGate/89/117/651

Art in SL
Khemennu: Kaleidosopium
The Cosmique I Mediaplex and the Kaleidoscopium V-Max Mk XII
This site presents video on prims in some very exciting ways. Very cool! You can select your own YouTube videos to be played. Note card with information about the sim is available at the door and includes instructions on how to change the video. Some simple instructions are in the complex on the floor. Please be polite. If other people are there watching a video, ask before changing the URL or making menu selections from the video controller.

There is a teleport to the original Kaleidosopium, so you may also want to check that out. You will be placed in a long tube with some seats. Just sit in one of the seats and point your camera at the far end of the tube and press the video play button. You can go into mouse view at this point for a more immersive experience.
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triphosa/223/32/439
Also related by the same owner is the Great Hall, a Thoth-inspired build with an SL Art Gallery above the main hall.
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triphosa/219/36/439
Touching, alt+zooming, and using your video setting are very important skills for full enjoyment when visiting these sims.

While not really necessary, mouse view can enhance the viewing experience. Here is how to use mouse view: Once seated, click the play button, then press the M key to enter and move your cursor into position. Press the escape key twice to exit. Alt+zoom camming can be used instead.

You will need to have QuickTime installed and video set up. Instructions for video set up are available in UD's woodland classroom.

Blackwater Sculpture Art Gallery - This may very well be the best collection of old and new sculptural art created in SL. Art works a spread about about the landscape in an open air setting, with a mix of large and small pieces, on land and in the air, and tucked into the folds of the landscape. Take some time to enjoy the wonderful works collected here.
Works by Cheen Pitney, Stella Costello, Starax Statosky, Masterful Escape, Madcow Cosmos, Light Waves, LittleToe Bartlett, Pavig Lok, Nomasha Syaka, and many more.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blackwater/101/109/94

Art show opening - Masks!
Everyone is invited to the opening of the Masks! Show at Erato of Caerleon. In addition to the works of 21 artists, there will be music and dancing and freebies for everyone.
The opening is Sunday, March 29 at 1pm PT (4:00pm ET) but the show will be up for a month.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Erato%20of%20Caerleon/147/214/29

Live performance - Metropolis
Fritz Lang's movie of the city of future Germany, made in 1927, is now a play in Second Life. Brought to us by Debbie Trilling and the folks at Virtual Art Space Diobolus. The same folks who brought us The Wall.
Sundays at 6:00 PM ET. Get there early! There is a 40 person limit on the sim and it fills quickly. Keep an eye out for alternate times.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Benvolio/39/48/1497
Their web site: http://diabolus.ning.com/

Artropolis—counterpART Gallery
Check out the art gallery, conterpART Gallery of Filthy Fluno (RL Jeffery Lipsky), who was recently featured in the New York Times.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artropolis/172/166/23
Read the NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/magazine/08fluno-t.html

Music in SL
Early Music concert at Northfarthing - March 31, 3:00 p.m. ET
Live renaissance and baroque music by Thom Dowd and friends, played in settings all over Second Life in venues that compliment the music. This week, he will be playing at the Northfarthing Spring Festival on March 31.
The Northfarthing Spring Festival is a medieval-style festival, featuring games, rides, merchants, and over six hours of live entertainment starting at 2:00 p.m. ET. Thom Dowd starts at 3:00 PM ET. He will be playing "Renaissance dance, Celtic, and anything I find that we can have fun with."
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Northfarthing/68/202/23
See Thom Dowd's web site: http://thomdowd.blogspot.com/
See Mistletoe Ethaniel's web site for information about the Spring Festival:
http://mistletoeethaniel.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/the-northfarthing-spring-festival-21-march-2009/

Art Opening at the Aho Museum - Sunday March 15th at 5pm ET
Exhibit Opening at the Aho Museum on the NMC Campus, Sunday March 15 at 5:00 pm ET. The featured artists are set up inside the museum.
Five artists are appearing: Sunn Thunders, Sledge Roffo, Kyra Gaea, Feathers Boa and Blunt Fhang. The art includes static wall art, reactive art, portrait primography, kinetic and interactive sculpture, and more.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/NMC%20Campus%20West%20/245/127/23/Live music at the opening:
Seba Sideways will be performing live on the sax at 6:00 pm ET and Joaquin Gustav is set to perform at 7:00 pm ET.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ars%20Simulacra/158/12/25/

SL Globe Theatre
Theatre Live by the Shakespeare Company
The virtual world's performance of Twelfth Night, Act 1—unabridged, live and direct from the first folio—returns and will play on indefinitely. The SL Shakespeare Company's long-awaited open-ended run premieres Sunday, March 1 at 4 PM Easter Time, and will continue indefinitely every Sunday at 4:00 PM ET and every Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET at the SL Globe Theatre.
Make sure your audio is working before you go and remember to keep your mic muted during the performance.
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/sLiterary/21/24/24
Their Web site: http://slshakespeare.com/

StormyEye
The StormyEye is a fun environmental installation by Douglas Story and Desdemona Enfield.

It is composed of approximately 1000 primitive objects which play video accompanied by densely layered sound effects. This complex and dynamic object floats over a landscape which is composed of a grid of interlocking sculpty megaprims which Enfield manufactured using mathematical data. "This derived from her work using real-world data from the USGS and NASA to create accurate models of actual landscapes within Second Life." Be sure to take a copy of Bryn Oh's umbrella that was made just for this installation.

Set you environmental settings to Sunset -> World menu -> Environmental Settings (at the bottom) ->Sunset. Then follow the instructions on the sim. Walk up to the ramp and wait a few seconds for the video to download before you walk in.
Visit the Installation: http://slurl.com/secondlife/NMC%20Campus%20West/252/129/22
Read More About It: http://slstormeye.blogspot.com/
StormEye Flickr Group Photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1004274@N20/

Pop down to the to the NMC's Art Gallery below via the teleport device nearby for a look at their permanent collection of SL art works

Total Wind Sculpture by Glyph Graves - Arachond
An interactive installation that responds to the wind in Second Life by emitting a symphony of musical notes, light, and color. This must be experienced to appricate it fully.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arachnod/200/77/2237

Here is a video that my get you motivated to pop on over for a look.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fbP2PRTlIjA&feature=channel_page

Art in SL at the NMC Art Spaces
At Ars Simulacra - Glyph Graves
Glyph’s pieces are generally kinetic, sometimes reactive pieces of virtual art and prim manipulation. Light and color permeates each piece in such a way that you may be mesmerized for hours.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ars%20Simulacra/128/128/2

The Aho Museum - Gwen Carillon & Gracie Kendal
In addition to the permanent collection of works by various SL artists, and the main building designed by CJ Carnot, builder of our Memorial Hall Gallery, this month's featured artists are Gwen Carillon & Gracie Kendal.

Gracie creates beautiful wall art, creating and painting with an amazing splash of color and shapes, while Gwen creates beautiful virtual sculpture, manipulating shapes and light and adding stunning colors as well.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/NMC%20Campus%20West/128/128/2

Art in SL - Music
The Clocktower of Edloe Island
Gears, particles, Tesla electricity and, best of all, a large collection of music from SL musicians are being featured there. It is somewhat like a record store, but Carp Mariner is using her sim space to promote and link to the music of SL artists who have music available iTunes. Check out the the top floors above the dance hall to view the featured artists. Click on their album art work for links to preview their music and buy it, if you like it.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Edloe/127/112/68

Health Info Island
Health Info Island is here to help all Second Life residents with health questions. This is funded by the National Library of Medicine so there is never a charge for their services. They also hold classes and workshops, often asking other people who are involved with health in Second Life to assist. They can help anyone with health questions, like the following:

• Basic or more advanced information about a disease or condition
• Information about surgical procedures
• Drugs and their side effects or interactions
• How to find a support forum where people are dealing with the same issues you are facing
• New research about diseases or therapies

As you can see, they are there to help with all these kinds of questions and more. There is plenty of information to explore here. After you land, you can pick up your sim informational note card. You will see a number of pathways radiating out in various directions. The newest addition is the AIDS information area.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/73/88/26

Alamo on ISTE Island 4
The historical landmark with complete buildings, artifacts, and informational note cards. There's also an Alamo informational scavenger hunt. Tours are available.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island%204/208/215/25
View a machinima on Teacher Tube of a costumed event on the Alamo sim: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a478dfc4f8c8c82f5e8b
Read more about it on the web: http://vworld.fas.org/wiki/Virtual_Alamo

Health Education
Center of Disease Control -CDC Island
The Center of Disease Control is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Informational signs are available in a centrally-located circle which takes you to the agency's web pages. Topics include Food Recalls, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Environmental Health, Diseases and Conditions, Travelers Health, and more. Pick up a free Awareness Bracelet which automatically updates itself to inform you of current awareness issues.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island%204/208/215/25
Read the CDC's web page: http://www.cdc.gov/

An Exhibit at the Whitehorn Library, Caledon Victoria City
“Speak to Us!: Victorian Spiritualism"
Spiritualism is looked on variously as a science, a philosophy and a religion: a science that attempts to investigate, analyze and classify facts and manifestations of spirits; a philosophy that studies what it defines as Laws of Nature, both of the seen and the unseen sides of life and that bases its conclusions upon observation; and a religion for its striving to understand and comply with physical, mental and spiritual laws that govern the human condition. Covering such topics as mediumship, spirit photography and séances, this exhibit considers Spiritualism as a complex subject, from its distinctly Victorian flourishing in the lives of such eminent 19th century figures as Arthur Conan Doyle and WB Yeats, to its continuing popularity today.
The Exhibit will will be on display May 1st - July 28th, 2009
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20VictoriaCity/52/203/23

Stomach Museum
Created to provide basic visual information about stomach disease, this sim features a big model of the stomach in the main building. When touched, it opens to show you the nicely labeled inside. There are lots of photos with models of gastric disorders of various kinds in the courtyard. There are also some informative videos as well. Make sure you have your video set up properly before you head over to Hoshi island and its Stomach Museum.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hoshi%20Island/228/231/24

OSU Medicine - Droppin Science
The Tour of the Testis
A wonderful tour via a Disney-style ride through the testes. The ride gives you the option to hear an audio tour or text chat. There is also a testes test for you to take. The tour suggests you set your sun to sunset, and there will be times that it encourages you to go in and out of mouse view for a better viewing experience. This wonderful educational tour is not to be missed.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/OSU%20Medicine/73/92/301

When you are done with the testes, have look at the ovary platform where you will be inside a giant ovary. The follicle ride is located in the center of the display. There are some interesting quizzes set up on either side of the ride.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/OSU%20Medicine/72/126/1002

Sistine Chapel on Vassar Island
You will not be able to teleport directly to the chapel as there is a forced landing point. The chapel is located on the eastern edge of the island so be sure that your mini map is open to make it easy to locate. This will help if your red arrow and beam location indicator fails to show up. Don't forget to click the arrow or walk through it to make the beam and arrow disappear.

Their note card tells us that the chapel "was built as a proof of concept, to explore how virtual reality might be used to learn about art and architecture, by experiencing the scale, context and social environment of a real-life space." Over 500 prims and more than 200 different textures were used in its construction. Be sure to click on the curtains to reveal the tapestries behind them. This is a good place to practice your alt+zoom skills. No need to fly up to get a better look of at the ceiling when you know how to use alt+zoom.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vassar/168/87/24

Science in SL
Elucian islands home to Nature & Macmillan Publishing Company
Offering regular conferences, discussions, podcasts, film screenings, and more.

The Nature Podcast is provided every Thursday 11:00 am SLT (2:00 ET) on the Rooftop Cafe, with discussions following. Also, "Notes from the voyage: The flagship activity of a Darwin-themed island" is coming soon. They have a group that you can join to keep up with all the happenings. Join the group if this is your area of interest.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elucian%20Islands/149/103/28
Go to the Rooftop Cafe: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elucian%20Islands/132/67/49
See their web page: http://www.nature.com/secondnature/index.html
Read Joanna Scott's Blog: http://network.nature.com/people/joannascott/blog

While there be sure to visit.

Second Nature - Home of the Ecosystem Working group
Second Nature sim is run by The Ecosystem working group. It is "a small group of dedicated scripters and builders committed to the notion of developing a simple, but functioning, ecosystem within the confines of the Second Life platform. We are attempting to develop common protocols for animal-animal interaction and believe our experiments here can enrich Second Life and the scientific understanding of complex systems themselves."
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Second%20Nature%203/151/100/21

Investing Infoisland - The Road to Smart Investing
This build is part of the Alliance Library System (ALS) located in the Infoislands. The American Library Association, FINRA Investor Foundation, the Alliance Library System, and your public library have partnered to promote the public library as an excellent source of unbiased investor information!

Visit Investing InfoIsland for fun activities and access to resources and a reference librarian. Just follow the RoadMap to Smart Investing. Stopping along the way top pick up informational notecards. First stop is the roadside dinner.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Investing%20InfoIsland/235/90/22
More info: http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com

ISTE (group name: ISTE: Educational Technology Association)
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation. A non-profit membership organization, ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education.
Thursday Social 6 pm SLT 9:00 ET
A monthly calendar of events is posted on the outside wall as well as on the SLED list (availiable in our list of links on the UDSL home page).
Visit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island/95/74/30
RL Organization: http://www.iste.org/secondlife

Adobe eLearning island
Adobe now has a presence in Second Life. Looks like the island will be used for promotions and helping you to decide which of their products is best for a particular job. You can get free trial downloads and a Crane Game where you can try your luck at snagging yourself an Adobe branded plushie.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Adobe%20eLearning/37/43/37

Dell Island
Dell has been in Second Life since late 2006. They have been expanding and have added some new things to the village since last year. Be sure to have a good look around, there are some freebies in the town, including a list of free eSeminars. There are two tower computers for exploring: the white one holds a dorm room, the other is red and is suspended over the water near the landing point. The red one is kind of a computer exploratorium. You get to walk through the inside of a computer.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dell%20Island%202/253/50/25
Read their web page: http://www.dell.com/html/global/topics/sl/index.html
View YouTube Real Biz interview with Dell's business development senior consultant (from 2008):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0fHUPjXulE&feature=related

RL Fashion
Uny Co Ltd., a RL Japanese department store chain, & Demi Étage - a RL fashion catalog in SL are both offering freebies. Uny is offering fun teeshirts & Demi Étage is offering lots of complete outfits displayed from the 2007 & 2008 collection. Since all of their information is in Japanese, their mission in SL is hard to tell, but it appears that both companies are related.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tokai01/175/114/34
More info: http://www.uny.co.jp/iikotoplus/kankyo/index.html
More info: http://www.nzu.ac.jp/index.php

Orange Island
This island belongs to the the France Telecom Group. Their PR tells us that they are "one of the world’s largest and most successful integrated communications companies, offering enhanced mobile, fixed line, television and internet services to customers through the Orange brand. And, "we are committed to an exciting future, with innovation from 4,200 researchers in Orange Labs 17 development centres in Europe, Asia and the US."

On their SL islands, they supports and hosts all kinds of interesting artistic builders and regular guest speakers, as well as Metaverse Explorer groups that offer guided trips around the Metaverse and often guided by the creator of the sim.

They offer photo sessions for improving your SL photography and 24 hour themed photo hunts and live music events. It is always worth repeat visits.
While there, be sure to join their group to stay abreast with all their developments. It's one of those groups that doesn't take up one of your 25 SL group limit. Yeah!

Visit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Orange%20Island/195/134/31
Island Webpage for info and events: http://www.orange-island.com
About the RL company: www.francetelecom.com

Sunbelt Software
Sunbelt Software is a Tampa Bay, Florida Windows security software company featuring antivirus, spyware, antispam and firewalls software company. In addition to offering information about their VIPRE software package, you will find classes in scripting and building in SL. They also host live music events. Enter their SL-only daily lottery where you have the chance to be one of 10 luck recipients of their software everyday, a $30 value.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/sunbelt%20software/149/205/23

Business-Chemisty
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Makers of biochemical and organic chemical products and kits. Aldrich is testing virtual worlds for social networking and internal cost-savings opportunities. A large part of their customer base is in academia. Therefore. this site is a good way for University of Delaware faculty to connect and get feedback and look at collaborations.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aldrich%20Chemistry/20/153/23
General Web page:
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chemistry.html
Wordpress page:
http://sialisland.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/aldrich-chemistry-island-grand-opening-oct-19-25/
An article in the SL Entrepreneur Magazine:
http://www.slentre.com/sigma-aldrich-in-second-life-the-right-chemistry/
Check out the Real Biz SLCN TV show for an interview
http://slcn.tv/programs/real-biz-sl

Asagao Memorial Park
This park is dedicated to those who have lost their lives to suicide. Intended to be a place of healing and support, it resides in a pretty park-like setting and is very peaceful. There is a very moving memorial temple where personal memorials can be left and little buildings, gazebos and seats are scatter about for personal reflection.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Asagao/83/167/24

Also at the Elysium Gardens - A Transgender Suicide and Hate Crime Victims Memorial: A Monument to the Inhumanity of Humankind
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elysium%20Gardens/197/195/22

World Trade Center Memorial - on the New York City sim
This nice little garden is just outside the Fire Department (FDNY) in the middle of the city sim. The garden features a large firefighter sculpture with the Firefighter's Prayer plaque.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20York%20NYC/66/44/21
While you are there, head north and visit another famous NYC memorial, the Statue of Liberty, or use the link below.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Statue%20of%20Liberty/90/133/40

The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall
Over 58,000 Vietnam veteran names are inscribed on this replica of the monument in Washington, D.C. Also included in the park-like setting are the Three Servicemen Statue and the Vietnam Veterans Women's Statue, plus videos and music from the time period. Looking for a vets name? Go to four "Wall Directories" and type in the name and be teleported to the name location.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Wall/39/32/26
Read about it on the web: http://www.thewallsl.com/

US Holocaust Memorial Museum
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/US%20Holocaust%20Museum1/1/35/26

Palestinian Holocaust Memorial Museum - on IslamOnline
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/IslamOnline%20dot%20Net2/29/182/24

Iraqi War Memorial
This memorial was first dedicated in 2004, to the memory of the 909 men and women who had lost their lives during the current conflict in Iraq at that time. It has grown and moved over the years. The names are updated regularly. The owners of the memorial ask that you do not use the site "for political discussions, where people share their pro-war, anti-war, pro-Bush, anti-Bush feelings" as there are plenty of other places to do that.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Minoa/150/39/107

Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial
Memorial dedicated to those that have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arena/70/95/46

Memorial
Linden Memorial Park - Shrine of Remembrance
This part was dedicated to the residents of Second Life on April 22, 2009. This Linden Public Works park consists of 12 sims containing a memorial park that has been built in the classical style of the grand Victorian memorial parks. It is a place to roam and reflect. This is an expanded park based on last year's Memorial Garden and the Day of Remembrance in honor of those Second Life residents who had passed away in real life and whose presences has been felt in Second Life. There are six main areas to visit at this point in time. Don't miss the Memorial beach and candle dedications.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Linden%20Memorial%20Park/147/88/8
Read about it on the web: https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/community/blog/2009/04/21/day-of-remembrance-returns

Philosophy Museum
Explore ideas through their Philosophers. A beautiful garden and some of SL's best fine art and sculptures. Play YouTube video and music. Chill in the lounge. Visit the ho lo room, play chess, check out philosophy links, and much more! From their note card: "The intention is to create a non-profit museum devoted to educating people about philosophy."

"Philosophy is normally taught through lectures, discussions, and or written form. This project aims to explore how SL's new media can aid in the holistic and visceral teaching of philosophy. We hope through use and evolution to improve."
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sinfully%20Unknown/27/189/251

Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum
When you arrive at the Smithsonian's Latino-themed sims (6 of them)
you will land in the basement lobby. This is where you can learn who the sponsors of the project are: The Vital Lab of Ohio University, Disney and Linden Labs. There is a teleport location in the middle of the floor to take you to the main level where you will find a rich array of displays. There are audio boxes at each of the displays and videos. Be sure to pop outside when you get to the music section. There is a wonderful outdoor courtyard space with musical, Afro-Cuban, and Day of the Dead informational displays. Also included and accessible through exit near the Natural History display is a sim of Archaeology and Early Cultures. There are also many links to the Smithsonian web site for more information. Some areas are still being completed, but it is a very rich sim even as it is.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Smithsonian%20Latino%20Lobby/127/119/21
Read their Blog: http://latinovirtual.blogspot.com/

Museum - Just For Fun - Build your own robot avatar
Robots Museum
Museum of Robots has just finished a remodel of their sim. In addition to the fresh build, you will find a permanent collection of last year's winners of the 'Build-a-Robot' competition. But the highlight is the Madcow Cosmos' and Tezcatlipoca Biziani's Robot Factory. Here you can build your own little robot from 8 different pieces for each part of your body. Once completed, everything is delivered to your inventory. You can make as many as you like and they are fully modifiable.
Important: Be sure to save your avatar before wearing your new robot avatar. You will want to be able to get back to your regular avatar settings when you are done.

Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kubrick/128/128/2
Their website: http://www.museumofrobots.com/

Science in SL
Sploland
Sploland is part of the Scilands and is run by "a group of renegade employees of the Exploratorium Science Museum in San Francisco" and is proof that science does have a sense of humor. The FAQ tells us that "It is a museum of Science, Art, Perception and Humor in Second Life. It is the first and oldest interactive science center in Second Life. The Splo creates interactive science experiences. The Splo has three main buildings: Splo Main with science and art exhibits, Splo Box with science and humor and art (It makes fun of RL and SL science museums) and Splo Steampunk.
Other exhibits are scattered around outdoors.

Did you know that March 14 is Pi Day? You too can join in the fun! Celebrate Pi Day— an international holiday born at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Join a live webcast to examine the nature of everyone's favorite mathmatical constant, 3.1415926535…ad infinitum!

Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SploLand/97/98/29
Their web page: http://www.exploratorium.edu/webcasts/

Port Merion Wales - The Village of The Prisoner
Visit Port Merion and have a look around at the SL version of the real-life place in Wales UK. This was the set for the crazy 1960 british TV show "The Prisoner", starring Patrick McGoohan. The sim is mostly for enjoying SL activities, some shops, gardens to explore, plus some homes to rent and events to attend. Stop by and have a look at what they have done with their recreation. And, going on now, another treasure hunt!
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Port%20Merion/117/240/50
Read more about it on the web: http://www.portmerionsl.co.uk/index.html

Luxembourg City is under construction in SL and the sim is now open. Have you ever wondered about the transformation from flat island to landscaped city? If so, now is your chance to see an old world city sim at it is being constructed. While construction is already underway, there is still plenty to see and it is all very interesting.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Luxembourg%20City/206/212/74

Paris 1900 has been expanded and redesigned. Regions include: Paris 1900, Paris Eiffel, Les Champs Elysees. These are now connected to 20 French-themed sims. They are part of the Sister Cities and Friends in Second Life which, according to their web site, promotes city-themed sims and social networking.
Many of these have already been featured in Sims of the Week or are landmarks in one of our class handouts. Extensive information has been added about the city monuments.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Paris%20Eiffel/6/161/24
Read about it on the web: http://libertasl.com/paris/

Opera Joven
Opera Joven is a private cultural organization from Mexico. Since 2007, they have promoted the Mexican culture. Their main project in SL is the replica of the most representative places of Jalisco, the land of tequila, mariachi, charros and many other things. Highlights not to miss are: "Los Arcos", the Arches Monument of Guadalajara, and The Metropolitan Cathedral of Guadalajara.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Opera%20Joven/133/191/21
Their website: htpp://www.operajoven.com

In the Spirit of Mardi Gras:
Two New Orleans Sims
1. French Quarter
The first is a commercial sim
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/French%20Quarter/121/27/23

2. Big Easy
Big Easy New Orleans for Charitable Events.
This is a fund-raising, non-profit island that includes Habitat for Humanity. This sim has many of the historical landmarks all very nicely made, and a city park for the fund-raising events.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Big%20Easy/212/196/25

There will be Carnival and Fat Tuesday events all over SL this week. Phat's Jazz Club is hosting a Mardi Gras Ball on Tuesday. Do a search for Mardi Gras or Carnival for lots of other options.

Cocos Island
Newly opened on February 7, 2009:
Costa Rica Launched Virtual Coco's island.
"This virtual site on Second Life kicks off a series of projects in 2009 by the Costa Rica Tourist Board to raise awareness of the current threats to the island’s ecosystem and to position it to be recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature."
After taking your time to admire all the great effects at the landing point, click on the teleport that takes you down to the island. Take the boat ride to the island. Once there, check out the park ranger's station to more get information and then explore the rainforest and waterfalls. Be sure to look into the water.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cocos%20Island/128/128/2
Read more on the web site: http://www.visitcostarica.com

Two Great Walls
The Lindens created this landmark that crosses 14 sims. Some residents have built their own creations that blend into the wall. There are two levels on the outer wall on the top and an inner wall at the bottom. The main entrance to lower level is at either end of the wall, in Hoisme or Athetis.
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Horisme/79/33/152

Newer Great Wall us located on the Japanese sim of Mao Island
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mao/233/123/24

Scotland - Eilean Donan Castle
Visit one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, now present in SL.
You can find the Eilean Donan Castle
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eilean%20Donan/176/138/30

Mont Saint Michel
There are two Mont Saint Michel builds where the real life location in Normandy, France has been reproduced in SL. Both are interesting and well constructed. One is the first in a new theme called Historic SL where I will feature some of the oldest builds in SL still visitable.

Mont Saint Michel island 1:
This is a historic SL location built in 2005 by YandNi, owner of the Newbie friendly YandNi's Junkyard and another historic build, Paris 1900.
Shivar Mont Saint Michel au Peril de la Mer -Built by YadNi in 2005 -
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shivar/125/173/22

On Edelweiss - island 2:
This is a relatively new sim. The whole island is dedicated to the build. It will feature a shopping area at the base and the church on top. It's all very nicely done.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Crazy%20Devil/140/37/23

Train ride at IJ
Take a train ride about Besiope Sim. This fun little train winds around IJ Designs. This is a uniquely designed shop owned by Insky Jedburgh, maker of textures, themed buildings, shrubbery and landscaping large scale prims, and is an excellent way to move you through all the themes laid out on the sim. There are very nice teleport signs to various areas on the sim. After the train ride overview, you can follow those to go back for a closer look. Also available is a note card with landmarks to other SL railroads. The railway system is a fun way to see the sims in the main land. Note: It is helpful if you stay on the train for two turns around the track. There are lots of textures to rez and lots to see. Two turns will give an opportunity to see more and have a second chance to look around at something that may not have had time to rez fully. Remember to use your Alt+Zoom camera skills to have a closer look or to zoom out for a wider view.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Besiope/121/74/59

Fotoscope
This is a fun place to go with a friend or two. Lots of fun poses and photo opps are set up all over the island. Take a raft around the island, get your fortune told, or have a snowball fight. Not to be missed is the meditation rock, just poking out of the water near the landing spot (it has a blue pose ball on top of it) and the Freefall Fotosphere (make sure you turn on your audio). Teleport for the Fotosphere is on the deck landing point. Be sure to grab a map and things to do info card (also on the deck) and the freebie treasures of Arcadia Asylum, available in the distressed containers near the shop.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fotoscope/76/139/22

Real Gaming in SL
Pot Healer adventure - Numbakulla Island Project
Arriving in Numbakulla, an explorer finds that fate and a shipwreck has cast them ashore in a land of mystery. You will be given a notecard when you arrive. This is a puzzle you can play by yourself or with others. It can also be used as a team-building exercise. You will need to pick up a notebook that is on the stand next to the open chest and wear it while you are in the Numbakulla sim. Do not rez it on the ground. There are some free clothes and items for you on the beach outside of the main entrance.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Numbakulla/215/18/22

Armada Breakaway
Sim theme: After a heavy storm unlike any Armada had seen for many a year, one small section was torn off and found itself alone and lost at sea. Discovered and repaired by some travelers, it is now beginning again and anew. This is a very friendly sim that has a role play theme but is not required. There are some very fun and unusual shops with wonderfully built items.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Armada%20Breakaway/128/128/2

Great Marine Adventure
An underwater adventure and treasure hunt with a haunted house and hidden cave, a bubble ride and more. You will get a note card when you arrive with landmarks to all the attractions. There is lots to do and see, so be sure to make a landmark to help you return to explore other areas. A note card is also handy since the exits are not always apparent and the note card is useful to get out of some areas. Freebies and helpful notes are in the community shop.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Enchantment%20Island/159/128/26
Skill-building tip: Remember that if you get lost or trapped in a location, just click on the Map button. You will see your location and then you can click on some land nearby and chose Teleport. You will be moved to the new location.

Giverny Village
This sim is inspired by Claude Monet. This is not a representation of the village in SL by the real life village, like those you can see for Warsaw or Dublin. There is some historical information about the actual village during Monet's time there. But, the village is made up of shops and a garden center selling items from this time period. Connected to this sim across a small waterway are rustic residential sims. All in all a nice idea for a themed shopping area.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Giverny/205/129/26

Tahoa Mountain Tiger
Four sims of a winter resort featuring, ice skating, skiing, bobsled, bumper boats and indoor swimming pool and a traditional English pub.
A tour is available to take you around the establishment and this will get you acclimated to the location of the various activities. There is also an information cabin with posters of activities available. Have fun while building your SL avatar navigation skills.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tahoa%20Mountain%20Tiger/31/141/23
Serena Carmel - Planetarium Dome and Moons
An interesting place to hang out, view images from space projected in the dome, teleport to planets, dance, or practice Tai Chi. This is another great place to practice alt+zoom skills and dancing pose ball skills.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Serena%20Carmel/147/115/413

The Giant Snail Races
Every Saturday morning at 2:00 pm ET, you can go watch the Giant Snail Race live as they happens! Or, you can check out the action on http://www.slcn.tv Go cheer on your favorite rider or learn to race yourself.
It is always a fun event.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Eternal/252/226/254
View it on SLTV: http://www.slcn.tv/giant-snail-races

Hunt The Alien ends March 31 2009
Build and Alien is always there
Grab your note card from the poster at the landing point for all the information on this hunt. There is currently a display at the Portal by Madcow Cosmos depicting a rather funny alien invasion. One of the alien invaders has been turned into an avatar and that will be the prize in a treasure hunt. The fungi will be found at the SF Portal and surrounding area and at Alien Isles sim. Click on the fungi to get your next clue. A note card includes information with where to find clues. Ten clues to solve the hunt or find 5 fungi to get the one-man (alien) band playable MadTone avatar.

There is also a free avatar making station in the center of the island, look for the Breeding Tanks, as well as other interesting and creative fun things to try.
On top of that, there is a Seven Seas fishing pier with some very unusual fish avatars to catch—only 1L to give it a try.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Unknowable/38/44/30

Seawolf Monsters
A very well built and nicely landscaped island. There be dragons here as well. Give yourself some time to explore this pretty sim. Be amazed at this sims appearance of scale, achieved by visual trickery—have your camera ready. This is really a shopping sim where you can purchase some very large and beautiful dragon avatars. They also have tons of features to fine tune their appearance and capabilities.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aggro/128/128/2
Read Their Wiki: http://www.seawolf-monsters.com/wiki/Dragon/Dragon

The Hobo Block Party February 27 through March 1
Starting on Friday and running through the weekend, this event will consist of many fun attractions including live performers. Get out there, meet some of SL's creative and very helpful hobos, and enjoy some great live music.
There is a poster for the event on the UD island near the Resource Center. Click on it for more information, and get a free top hat with landmark.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hobo%20Island/117/184/38

Carnivale Amusements
Second Life’s newest sim-sized amusement park! Located in Venusian sim and set in perpetual autumn. Carnivale offers midway rides, games and attractions; all incredibly detailed and realistic. Try the favorites from your childhood, the “Tilt-a-Whirl”, “The Graviton”, "The Scrambler", even the "Paratrooper”. Many built from the actual schematics and designs of their real-world counterparts, using photo-sourced textures from the actual rides when possible!
There is a sales office but you can explore and ride all the rides for free.
Go there: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Venusian/115/89/38

Nautilus
Check out the newest land that Linden Labs has opened up. It is the continent of Nautilus where there is a nice land preserve with gardens, the Nautilus Citadel Park, with its famed Starax sculptures among others for you to enjoy. Some of them are older and some are new. The theme is classical Mediterranean. There is lots of open water here so take out that boat from your of inventory and go for a sail. Be sure to look in the water occasionally just right for merfolks. There is a visitors center with a schedule of events, look for the cafe with the blue and yellow awning.
Go There: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nautilus%20-%20Shalim/173/139/23

Mouse World - Yes! You guessed it, it is The Mouse. This amusement park has a number of areas still under construction, but it is still worth an early visit. Be sure to look for the haunted house and grab the HUD (heads-up device). Wear it and the house will come alive. Not only is the ride well built and scripted, you will exercise some of your skills, such as wearing a HUD and going into mouse view. Be sure to look for the hidden Mickys.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mouse%20World/125/46/22

Ethereal Teal - Home of the Particle Factory
Try the The Tannen Bomb. Touch the metal door twice to get in (it is a double sealed door). Walk up to the green cannon on the platform and click the trigger inside it. Do it again, with your camera pulled back a bit (watching you) so you get a better view of the the action. Be sure to grab a free Candy Cane of Frost!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Teal/116/135/604
Then check out the rollacoster tube - be sure to go into mouse view (hit the m key and again to leave it) when you sit on the red riding tube.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Slate/128/128/2Be sure to make a landmark here so you can get back to visit all the other wonders on this sim. You can spend the day here being amazed or learning how to create some of the particle effects