If you're interesting in learning more about JVM languages, there is a linkedin.com group that is generating some discussion/news, etc.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1334297&trk=anet_ug_hm
Also wondering if anybody here is actually using Scala (functional and OO, cool!) with their Seam projects. twitter.com has already started using Scala with their RoR architecture.
