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by CARINA GONZALEZ (RL) CARINA GONZALES (SL)
 The Sci-fi & Fantasy Portal, part of Info Island, will be presenting Sky Stories once a month. The project, run by Franja Russell (SL), showcases stories about constellations in a planetarium-like setting. The stories are available anytime. Come in, sit, and hear a story about a constellation.
The inaugural Sky Story was about the Big Dipper and features the word “yo-ho”. Quite appropriate for the same month that hosted International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The story comes from the Snohomish Tribe of Washington State’s Puget Sound. Accompanied by the sound of tribal drums, the story is captivating while still being educational.
The idea for Sky Stories came from another section of the Sci-fi & Fantasy Portal – a diorama that sits just inside its entry. The diorama was changed seasonally and provided a space for visitors to take snapshots of themselves or with friends. The diorama was created by Russell “after visiting the planetarium in the new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. [She] remembered seeing Stonehenge in England and various megalithic structures in Scotland and Ireland [and] made the diorama evoking those places.” Russell thought, “wouldn’t it be neat to go back in time and hear some of the ancient stories about constellations?”
 A year passed with the idea in the back of Russell’s mind until she approached Lorin Tone (SL) of Lorin’s Sound Shack. Tone assured Russell that the sound could be contained within the exhibit and would not interfere with the conversations and meetings of the sim’s neighbors: Mystery Manor and the Science Center. Russell agreed to build the exhibit and Tone agreed to provide the sound.
Russell created the outside of the exhibit “phantom” so people can enter or exit from any side. The outside is partly transparent so people can choose where to walk in without bumping into anything or anyone. However, the inside wall and dome are textured to look like the night sky. The sky texture was created by Rosmairta Killara (SL) whose textures were featured at an exhibit hosted by the Sci-fi & Fantasy Portal two years ago.
The operation of the Sky Stories exhibit is simple. Access is available 24/7. People come in, sit on a comfortable cushion, and click on numbered prims to hear the story. Prim [1] will always have an introduction and the beginning of the story. When the story ceases, click on [2], [3], etc., in order to hear the rest of the story.
At present, the stories are being chosen by Russell. However, she welcomes recommendations and submissions. Russell is currently compiling information for ten constellation stories and two information tracks within the next twelve months. She is not looking for newly written, author-inspired stories, but rather authentic, ethnic stories from the human past. Once that is set, the project is slated to present two to four additional pieces each year, for several years. The Sky’s the limit.
 Sky Stories
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Books & Publishing 
Messmer already had a head start, as well as book group experience, with BookFix, the discussion he runs for his real life library. By using the same books for the book discussions in both real life and Second Life, he wouldn't have to put in a lot of extra time prepping for the meetings. And the lineup of books was already established.