Rik's Picks for July 12-16

Rik Riel's weekly round-up of upcoming SL events...

Maria Monnett, team leader of Virtual Angels

Starting at 6PM on Thursday, come to the Virtual Angels Charity Auction to bid on cool stuff for a good cause. Among the merchandise and services on the block are original artwork, one-of-a-kind couture, catering services, private concerts by SL musicians, and many other items.  Your purchases will support the Virtual Angels, whose mission is to be "the provider of financial support to selected residents of Second Life who have exhausted all other means of obtaining necessary health care." That's at Cape Point (62, 42).

I ran into Virtual Angels team leader Maria Monnett, who was busy setting up the goods for display. I chatted with Maria about why she got involved in Virtual Angels.  "Simone Stern of Simone Designs started Virtual Angels," she explained. "One of the primary reasons I wanted to work with Simone was because of the charity work she did in SL.  I believe in helping those in need and I think that is why all the 'angels' are a part of Virtual Angels."

Also coming up this week: an Italian politician on virtual organizing, a big white anti-war cube, Harry Potter prognosticating, peripatetic art, getting folky with Vega, and -- I kid you not -- Spanish for German speakers.  All that and oodles more after the click...

(All listings in SLT, i.e. Pacific Standard Time)

Thursday, July 12

"Why War?" Art Exhibit
A mixed-reality art exhibit taking place at the University "La Sapienza" of Rome and in Custer (105, 177, 34), until July 29. Type into chat a question near the giant white cube and it becomes part of the art display in the real world.

8AM - Italian Minister Antonio Di Pietro Press Conference
Antonio Di Pietro, Italian Minister of Infrastructures, will conduct a live, virtual press conference to discuss the power of Second Life as a tool for political and social organizing. At NeverLand (teleport SLURL).

9AM - Class on Prim-efficient Homes
Sally Savard teaches tips and tricks for building and texturing a low prim home suitable for a small plot of land. Precision prim placement, working with linked parts, building models to scale, and resizing your finished design will all be covered and the secrets of a simple scripted door revealed. At Dream City (167, 176).

3PM - Virtual World of Work Discussion
CNET journalist Daniel Terdiman moderates a discussion on "the virtual world of work" with Tammy Johns, Senior Vice President at Manpower; Algis Leveckis, Co-Founder and CEO of Quest G; Kimberly Rufer-Bach, founder of 3D software firm The Magicians; and Fallingwater Cellardoor, a prominent Second Life entrepreneur. At Manpower sim (teleport SLURL.)

* * *
Friday, July 13

July 13-15 - ArtWalk
The Raglan Shire Art Walk is going on from July 13 - 15 featuring the work by over 20 artists. Paintings, photography and sculpture will be on display around the serene setting at Raglan Shire (185, 60).

12:30PM - Scripting Class on Teleporting
Jim Gustafson teaches an intermediate level class in in English and German. Students will learn how to use llSitTarget for short range teleport, Nepenthes Ixchel's long range TP script, and the warpPos function written by Keknehv Psaltery. At Colorado Tech (33, 157).

2PM - Talk on "Mood, Depression and Cancer"
DoctorAnn Buchanan talks with cancer survivors and caregivers about mood and depression and how it relates to cancer and chemotherapy. Dr Ann, herself a cancer survivor, is the founder and director of the Ann Myers Medical Center in SL where she is building a center for collaborative research and virtual training of medical, nursing and allied health students. At Niagara Falls (144, 213).

4PM - Suzanne Vega in Concert
Folk superstar Suzanne Vega returns to SL to perform at a virtual Ludlow Street, where residents can spray graffiti on the walls and chat with Vega. See the Cruxy website to RSVP and for more info.

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Saturday, July 14

10AM - Sculpties Class
Metaphor Box and Gramma Fiddlesticks teaches a course on the new sculptured prims.  Learn what a "sculptie" is, how they are created, and how you can get started creating your very own sculptured prims. Please download and install the free 3D modeling software "Rokuro" prior to attending this class. At   Fishermans Cove (28, 150).

12PM - Book Talk on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 
Princess Ivory invites muggles and wizards alike to a discussion about the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. Gather together with other Harry Potter fans, and talk about how you think the final book will end, and why. At the Reader's Garden at Cybrary City II (38, 244, 22).

1PM - "Crab Island Classic" Surfing Competition
The SL Surfing Association presents the "Crab Island Classic" where the cream of the crop surfers compete for cash and prizes on the largest known waves in Second Life. Surfs up! Spectator area is at Bundoran Reef (160, 5). Please avoid the Crab Island sim as it's open to competitors only.

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Sunday, July 15

9AM -Spanisch Basis Konversation (Spanish Conversation Class for German-speakers)
Sie haben schon Elementarkenntnisse der spanischen Sprache und moechten gerne den Umgang mit der Sprache im Gespraech/Chat ueben? Dann kommen Sie zum Basis-Konversationskurs Spanisch. Hier wird die Anwendung der elementaren Strukturen im fliessenden Gespraech geuebt. (Translation: Do you speak elementary Spanish but want to practice?  Then come to this Spanish conversation class.) At Rockcliffe I (47, 100)

1-4PM - Caledon Rooftop Auction and Party for SL Relay for Life
Come by Caledon VictoriaCity (150, 173) for a nice selection of artwork, custom designed frocks, DJ services, interior design and other items for auction to benefit the SL Relay for Life.

2PM - Meet the Author Sarah Salway
Author, poet, and journalist Sarah Salway will be interviewed, read an extract from her work and take questions from the audience at Convention Center (125, 84).

6PM - Rocking with Wendy Curtiss
"Folksy, jazzy, bluesy" rock musician Wendy Curtiss performs at the Multi Media Arts Center in Somerset (230,200,66).

* * *
Monday, July 16

7PM - ASPPAR Meeting
ASPPAR is a group for parents and caregivers of loved ones on the autism spectrum.  Come find support and information at Haebyon (220, 22).

Join Rik's group on Eventful.com to stay up to date on what's happening in SL-- info on submitting event notices below.  Visit Rik's blog, Click Heard Round the World.

SUBMITTING EVENTS FOR COVERAGE IN NWN

New World Notes often highlights events for the upcoming week. If you'd like an event to be considered, send the description and event link to Rik Riel via IM or e-mail him at [email protected].

Main guidelines:

1. Events for the coming week must be received by Monday Noon SLT.
2. Events posted in SL's official listing board greatly preferred. 
3. Events with artistic, cultural, scientific, political, creative, and/or educational value preferred.
4. Events sponsored or promoted by real world corporations are usually not appropriate to NWN Events.  Instead, consider advertising your event on New World Notes.
5. Bonus consideration given to game-related or machinima events, and for events with "I've never seen that in SL before" value.

SUBMITTING EVENTS FOR COVERAGE IN NWN

New World Notes often highlights events for the upcoming week. If you'd like an event to be considered, send the description and event link to Rik Riel via IM or e-mail him at [email protected].

Main guidelines:

1. Events for the coming week must be received by Monday Noon SLT.
2. Events posted in SL's official listing board greatly preferred. 
3. Events with artistic, cultural, scientific, political, creative, and/or educational value preferred.
4. Events sponsored or promoted by real world corporations are usually not appropriate to NWN Events.  Instead, consider advertising your event on New World Notes.
5. Bonus consideration given to game-related or machinima events, and for events with "I've never seen that in SL before" value.