The Primgraph and Steeltopia are hosting The Clockwork Ball!

3/29/11  at 6:15 PM
The new issue of The Primgraph (due out in early April) is all about Automata!

And to celebrate this, The Primgraph magazine - in association with the Empire of Steeltopia - will be hosting The Clockwork Ball on Saturday April 2, 2011.

There will be two separate Balls: 2-4pm slt AND 7-9pm slt.

The Balls will be held in The Pneumatic Revolution Lounge in Steeltopia.

The invitation states:
We are living in a time that will perhaps come to be known as the golden age of the automaton. His Imperial Highness Steelcobra Calamari has decreed that the State of Steeltopia will celebrate the creations of our time at a fine ball, at which it shall be proved that mechanicals are as graceful as humans upon the dance floor.

Whether you are called clockworks, automatons, robots, war machines, household helpers, factory workers and so on, please join your constructed colleagues for an evening of well-earned merriment.
Prizes will be awarded for the attendees whose appendages and / or apparel most please the eyes of our judges.

New Babbage Oiling Festival Recap

  at 5:44 PM
New Babbage's annual Oiling Festival occurred March 18th through the 26th. As our esteemed mayor, Clockwinder Mosseveno Tenk, put it:

The Oiling Festival is a steampunk answer to spring cleaning, when we halt the factories to clean out the grit and grime of the previous year and perform our annual maintenance. All good citizens and visiting steamlanders are encouraged to roll up their sleeves, show their national pride, and participate! The original Oiling Festival was held in 2009 to add needed items to the city inventory and invite the greater steamlands to experience the Babbage way of life for a week. The drawbridges in Wheatstone Waterways, the city tartans, naval jack, the Sea Gate, and the palettes of bricks that appear at every build site and the crates of goods on the piers are all artifacts of previous Oiling Festivals.

Unlike last year, this year's festival went off without a hitch. (All right, so a nigh-well immortal embodiment of evil may have been spotted, but that's hardly surprising in New Babbage.) This year also saw several popular building contests, as well as the exceptionally well-attended monthly New Babbage ball, which had a theme of Carnival.


Now, straight from the mouth of the Clockwinder:
RESULTS OF THE THIRD ANNUAL NEW BABBAGE OILING FESTIVAL CONTESTS

BABBAGIZATION (2 entries)
1st - Tesla Tripsa
2nd - Queer Hermit


BEST OILER (9 entries) (See the Carnival Ball picture set for all pictures of this contest.)
1st - Kaylee Frye: This "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE" between the gears made the judges giggle, and shows off not only the comical aspects of being a good mechanic, but also how sometimes it really takes getting "into things" to do a good job.

2nd - Palabra Puddlegum: What makes an oiler? Detail, complete attention to detail. Not only does she show a close interest in the machine she's trying to oil, but she even added a rather nice frame the ties in the peice in color, and composition.

3rd - Tepic Harlequin: Where would we be without the children of our future? And with the clumsy mess that Tepic has shown in his artwork, I think this is a GREAT example of the future of oilers everywhere in New Babbage. Worried yet?

Honorable Mention - Brother Riddler: One judge noted that Malus' heroic pose while his friend did all the work was a telling commentary about the inner workings of the Church. Others found this a nostalgic portrait of the crazy times you had with your best friend and *that car*.


DARK CARNIVAL RIDES (See the Carnival Ball picture set for pictures of this contest.)
1st - Tesla Tripsa. Over the top Gorgeous.

2nd - Amadeus Hammerer. Simple yet effective optical illusion and most on target with the theme of the contest.

3rd - Canolli Capalini. audacious. size matters.


HONKING. BIG. MACHINE. (See this post for pictures of all contestants.)
1st - Cutea Benelli for the Annoyanator - it's like Bob and Dr. Obolensky had a child.

2nd (tie) -Nightshade Sixpence - One of those great machines evil genius build to conquer the world!

2nd (tie) - Kimika Ying - Practical and steamy. Should we keep it?

3rd - Rip Wirefly - what is not to like about digeridoos?


IMPERIAL FLAG. (13 entries) (See here and here.)
1st - Verlia Bilavio (#6)

2nd (tie) - Tanarian Davies (#13) and Osric Worbridge (#9).

The judges all commented that Mr. Worbridge's entries would have done better if he had not used the eagle, which was too specific to existing European countries. It is requested that the 3 finalists go a second round.


IMPORTS/EXPORTS (15 entries)
1st - Satu Moreu for Coffee Beans imported from Cala Mondrago

2nd - Brother Lapis for the educational and "realistic in a bizarro way" fruitcake.

3rd - Cornelius Fanshaw for the Midnight Oil (burn sparingly)

Honorable Mention: Nightshade Sixpence for the meteor. It might have placed higher if not for the particles.


MOVIE POSTERS (11 entries)
1st - Jimmy Brannagh - The Mad Doctor Strikes

2nd - Edward Pearse - Seraph City

3rd - Cutea Benelli - Grimopolis

Honorable Mention - Edward Pearse - The Mark of Zorro

Mayor's Choice for Best Teaser - Verlia Bilavio - Never Get Off In Bump


STEAM PONIES (2 entries)
1st - Verden Jervil

2nd - Aeolus Cleanslate


WINDMILLS (SMALL) (5 entries)
1st- Cornelius Fanshaw - and special mention for lighting at night.

2nd - Amadeus Hammerer

3rd - Tepic Harlequin

Honorable Mention - Nathaniel Lorefield


WINDMILLS (LARGE) (6 entries)
1st - Kaylee Frye. Elegant Mediterranean design with interesting sculpts

2nd - Nightshade Sixpence. The king of cogs strikes again!

3rd - Jonathan Spires - unusual engineering

Honorable Mention - Nathaniel Lorefield. His windmill grinds wiggyfish paste.


Special thanks to all the judges--volunteer and otherwise--in making their difficult decisions. And special thanks also to everyone who participated in and attended all of the contests and events. Without your enthusiasm, the Oiling Festival would not be what it has become. We hope to see you all next year!

Cala Mondrago Seeks Participants for Tribal Week

3/28/11  at 1:56 PM


Haala!

You are officially invited to participate in Tribal Week - Inferno, Set the Desert Ablaze, The Republic of Cala Mondrago’s belly dance festival.

Tribal Week runs from April 4th to April 9th with events every evening starting at 7 p.m. SLT.

Participation includes:
• Free 10 prim vendor carts for the entire week in the landing zone
• Space in the fashion show to present your newest designs
• Opportunities to participate in or enjoy performances and an amateur dance contest

We would love to have you come be a part of our exciting new world and showcase your work to our guests!

For more information and to register as a vendor contact Bianca Namori (bnamori@gmail.com).

Cala Mondrago is a Desert Steampunk Sim that takes pride in endulging and promoting classy entertainment here in Secondlife. From music events, to dance showcases, Cala Mondrago is a very busy sim, especially when the sun sets, and have many people and locations singing our name.

Team New Babbage launches it 2011 RFLSL campaign this weekend

3/25/11  at 3:28 PM
This coming Saturday, March 26th, New Babbage will officially launch its 2011 RFLSL campaign at The Carnival Ball, hosted as ever by Breezy Carver Fabre at Piermont Landing in Wheatstone Waterways, New Babbage



Miss Carver Fabre announced in a notice to Babbage residents yesterday "We join together as a community
to raise awareness, to join together in fun(d)raising events and help to fight cancer."

RFLSL or Relay for Life of Second Life to give it its full title, has been running since 2005 and is the largest charity event hosted in Second Life, this year expecting to raise its 1 millionth US dollar for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Even before the official launch the New Babbage team has chalked up just over 100,000L$. Miss Carver Fabre is looking for help, support and ideas to boost this further, "Let's rally as the wonderful community we are and have some fun!"

Aether Chrononauts kick off

3/19/11  at 4:22 AM
the Aether Chrononauts is a RFL team made by residents of those Steamlands nations that do not present a team by themselves. It currently includes residents from Antiquity, Cala Mondrago, New Toulouse, Seraph City, Winterfell and Zeppelinheim .


The Aether Chrononauts will kick off their RFL campaign today at 11 am SLT at the Winterfell Community Center in Winterfell Anodyne, with Revelry on Reveriepresented by Gabrielle Riel, the fearless leader of Radio Riel.

Pajamas in the Palace? Why not?

3/17/11  at 8:48 AM
Most likely you have a pair of jammies languishing in your inventory, with very few occasions to wear them. And, perhaps it's been a while since you attended a party in a sumptuous palace. Well! Cala Mondrago has the answer to both dilemmas - and as usually happens in that Steampunk Oasis... it's in the form of a party! Please, come join the fun Friday, March 18th, from 8-10pm slt in the Clockwork Palace!

Caledon's RFL Kick-off Party and Silent Auction

3/13/11  at 4:46 PM
The Caledon Relay For Life fundraiser started officially on Sunday, March 13th with a silent auction over Caledon Oxbridge Village. The music was under the baton of Miss Magdalena Kamenev (corrected!), and the platform was provided by Miss AutopilotPatty Poppy, together offering a very appropriate environment for the bidding, stirred up at proper interval by the Caledon captain, Miss Garnet Psaltery. 

Most items finished in the thousands, reaching L$4050 for a higly sought cherrywood SPVC rifle from 1903, offered by Captain Rachire Andel. Three different—and beautiful—roses were also hotly disputed, all ranging between L$2050 and L$3000. Yours truly was also astonished that her offer of two poems went for L$4250.

The total collected reached the impressive amound of L$27,700. And to make it even better, a donation kiosk amassed an extra L$14,800, for a total amount (as I write this) of L$114,050 for the Caledon Team. Impressive start, Caledon!

Relay for Life of Second Life kicks off on March 12!

3/8/11  at 6:17 PM
Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is all set to KICK OFF on March 12!

For the past few weeks, the Teams Chairs Panza Eilde and PrettyKitty Gumbo have been working with a team of mentors and liaisons to recruit, register and train the team captains and help them to start planning events ... over 80 teams have registered to date, and now they’re ready to KICK OFF!

KICKOFF event
Saturday March 12 is the big KICKOFF event, organized by Special Events Chair Katina Magic, at the BOSL Browns Football Stadium.

Before the ceremony, DJ and cancer survivor Aryon Dagger will be spinning the discs at the Tailgate Dance Party at 10am SLT.

Join her at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/BOSL%20Country%20Club/45/130/27 or listen on the stream at: http://t1radio.serverroom.us:8242.

The Kickoff Ceremony itself starts at 11am SLT. Take your seats at:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Casablanca%20Bay/26/224/2029 or http://slurl.com/secondlife/BOSL%20Country%20Club/206/232/2024

If these venues are full, you can continue to listen on the t1 radio stream.

FUN and FUNDdraising
Last year, Relay For Life of Second Life raised $222,000. This year’s target is US$300,000. Event Chair MamaP Beerbaum said: ‘My main goals for this year’s event are to bring in new relayers, those we haven’t reached before, to have all of our relayers work as "one team", helping one another, supporting each other, all working towards a common goal, and to have a successful fund raising season, setting new records in those efforts!’

She continued: ‘I love attending team events and I love interacting with our relayers. Everyone participates for their own reasons, but we share one common goal. The stories of our relayers bring everything to life for me.’

Stingray9798 Raymaker, the American Cancer Society’s representative in Second Life, added: "This year, Relay For Life of Second Life will raise its one millionth US dollar. This momentous occasion gives our volunteers a reason to rally, and a reason to get excited. It's a special year and a landmark that has inspired our volunteers to think bigger, better, and to remember how amazingly unique and groundbreaking the Relay For Life of Second Life is. My hope for 2011 is that all of our volunteers have fun while participating in this event and have a fulfilled experience, knowing that they are leveraging technology to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer."

Seasons of Hope
The theme of this year’s Relay For Life of Second Life is Seasons of Hope. Because every season – winter, spring, summer or fall – is a season of hope. As Event Co-Chair Dwen Dooley said: "Even in the shortest days, the darkest nights, the coldest winds, there is hope, and nothing can take that from anyone." Stingray added: "Hope is the most important intangible that Relay For Life provides, because the work that volunteers, teams, survivors and caregivers do through Relay For Life allows newly diagnosed cancer patients opportunities for survival that didn't exist years before. And that is the kind of hope that each season brings."
Relay weekend
After 18 weeks of fun and fundraising, the teams will build campsites for Relay Weekend which will take place on July 16 and 17. Team members, volunteers and members of the SL community will walk a track for 24 hours to Celebrate survivorship, Remember those we have lost, and Fight Back to save lives by making a personal pledge to fight cancer.

To keep up to date, please join our SL’s RFL Volunteers Group in Second Life, follow us on http://twitter.com/RelayForLife_SL and http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/ or ‘like’ our Facebook page ‘Relay For Life of Second Life’.

________________________________

About Relay For Life of Second Life
Relay For Life® is the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is an annual activity that takes place in Second Life® in July each year. Volunteers form or join teams to have fun while fundraising and raising awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track, just like in a real world Relay. The main RFL of SL track event this year will take place on July 16-17. We will walk a virtual track for 24 hours, just like in a real world Relay For Life. Team members build and gather at their team campsites, enjoy live music, participate in fun events, and explore the many Relay sims and the incredible builds by some of Second Life’s top designers, as the event runs overnight and into the next morning.

In 2010 Relay For Life of Second Life attracted more than 120 teams with participants from over 30 countries, held over 300 team fundraising events between March and July, and raised over US$222,000 (that’s REAL US dollars) for cancer research and education. The funds raised go to research, advocacy, patient services and programs, with 12-15% going to international projects. Just as in the real world, RFL of SL is an international event.

______________________________________________________________________­­­­­­­­___________

For more information:
For background information see https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life

Relay for Life in the Steamlands: an Offer from The Primgraph

3/5/11  at 9:37 PM

Relay for Life in Second Life is starting soon, and already, as many of yus know, the teams are preparing. In the Steamlands it looks like being an exciting and event-packed season ... and The Primgraph is eager to do all we can to help publicise the events and the teams.

Therefore, we are asking each team to nominate an individual who can act as their Primgraph liaison. We will give posting rights to The Primgraph blog so that each team can promote their events. Just send an email to: saffia.widdershins@gmail.com or IM Saffia inworld, and your representative can be added to the bloglist!

Watch Designing Worlds explore the dark fantasy in Winterfell

3/3/11  at 8:26 PM
Join us on a journey to the dark beauties of Winterfell, a fantasy region that ranges from dark Victorian to the high fantasy of the northern forests.



We were joined on our journey by Serra Anansi, the Senschelf of Winterfell (and for an explanation of that title, you will need to see the show!) and Captain Wildstar Beaumont, a long-time supporter of both Winterfell and Designing Worlds (who found it fascinating to be on the other side of the cameras!). The Captain, of course, may be better known to some of you as the avatar behind Ralph Montcalm, hero in the web comic, The Quest for the Golden Prim.

We managed to see quite a lot of this fascinating region, even if the seas did prove rather stormy when we took to the famous Winterfell Ferry (recently chosen by Steamlanders as the Most Romantic Location in the Steamlands). So make sure you watch it soon!

Join the Mardi Gras Celebrations in New Toulouse

3/1/11  at 12:03 PM

The Estate of New Toulouse will be having their Third Annual Mardi Gras celebrations from Sunday, March 6th, 2011 through Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Their actual Mardi Gras Parade is on Sunday, March 6 from 11:00am - 1:00pm SLT.

Like New Orleans, New Toulouse has "Krewes", or teams, that work together to create floats and that ride them together during the parade. A Krewe can be anywhere from two to five people. Krewe members toss items to the parade audience and shout to them, as well as to the Krewes on other floats.

The citizens of New Toulouse and other sims are busy preparing their floats, and the parade promises to be the best yet! Float entries are accepted until noon on March 5, so if you are inclined.. contact Estate Owner Gabrielle Riel as soon as you can.

The full Mardi Gras schedule follows.

New Toulouse Mardi Gras Festival
Sunday, March 6 - Tuesday, March 8


All Weekend
Mardi Gras Exhibit at Toussaint l'Ouverture Library
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/64/96/24

Open Houses - Specific New Toulouse Merchants and Artists have open shops during the Festival and are offering sales or special items


Sunday the 6th
11:00am - 12:30pm SLT - Mardi Gras Parade with dancing the square
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/144/174/23

7:30-8:30pm SLT - Costumed Street Dancing
Residents and visitors don wild and creative attire and masks and visit the Open House shops

8:30pm - ? -
The Opening of the "Nightmare Visions" Exhibit at The Chaos Faerie in New Toulouse Bourbon
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse%20Bourbon/179/192/24


Monday the 7th
1:00pm-2:00pm SLT - Costumed Street Dancing
6:00pm-8:30pm - Mardi Gras Party at Madhu's
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse%20Algiers/152/145/30


Tuesday the 8th
12:00am - 2:00am - The Mardi Gras Day Kick-Off Party
at Le Vieux Canal Jazz Club in New Toulouse Algiers
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse%20Algiers/129/57/27

12:30-2:00pm SLT - The Absinthe Ball at l'Hôtel Spiritueaux
7:30-9:00pm SLT - The Absinthe Ball at l'Hôtel Spiritueaux
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse%20Bourbon/91/132/25

Photographs of New Toulouse by Mr PJ Trenton

Lucky Reader Winner!

  at 10:03 AM


In the February issue of The Primgraph we launched a new contest for our subscribers called the "Lucky Reader". Participants had to scour the magazine for "5" hidden horseshoes and be the first one to correctly submit their findings for a chance to win $500L!

We are happy to announce that the Honorable Venerable Broome was our premier winner of this contest, submitting his corrent entry the very next day after the issue printed! Well done Sir!

Would you like a chance at winning cash and prizes for reading your favorite SL magazine? Then stay tuned to future issues of The Primgraph!

Going forward the contest will award ALL correct submissions with a custom Primgraph Cover T-Shirt, and one lucky recipient will be drawn from the entries for the grand prize... $500L! Easy money!

So, break out your magnifying glasses and prepare to seek-n-find in the next issue of The Primgraph.