Judith Ward celebrates 70!

(Year 234, Spring) Global Actress Judith Ward turns 70! Although she would have preferred staying at 69 for a few more years, she went for the big announcement, that a huge party is. In the formal invitation she made it clear that she wanted to check how it is to not limit your friends to the fame level right under your own! Perhaps it was a hint that she has passed the peak of her career, but there were certainly some suggesting that she is still afraid that all the guests would believe she wants their friendship after he party... This was obviously meant as a one night only.

Well, the guest list was long, but they all had some connection to either Judith personally, or to her long film career. The party can begin!

Plumbob Pictures Celebrations

(Year 234, Spring) Every year in Spring, Plumbob Pictures celebrates their latest productions with a huge gathering at their lounge in Del Sol Valley. Many celebrities will attend, ongoing productions will be confirmed, and new productions that are not yet casted will be announced, and finally - the ticket sales for the previous year will finally go official including the important Top 10! And - not to forget - the many stars that will pose before the event begins!

Judith Ward was only one of the many well known guests this weekend. She normally gets her fair share of attention, and this time she even had the lead in last year's biggest production, «Lemonade». Did her fame help that film reaching Top 1?

Salon Orchid: New Owner

(Year 233, Winter) At Starlight Boulevard in Del Sol Valley, everyone with a foot in showbiz knows where to go when they want to freshen up, or perhaps winding down. The salon offers both outfits, makeup and massages. And now there is a new owner!

This little style business was founded by Anaya Jang (67), better known as Minister of Culture & Entertainment. She needed something creative to focus on aside of her strong and lasting political engagement. Anaya had a seat at People Chamber for multiple periods, based on her tireless involvement with Arts Quarter in San Myshuno, where her little family resides. Anaya was the Hood Contact representing the LEFT party for "as long as she can remember". Now that her daughter, Billie, is a young adult, Anaya found it time to let go of the salon.

Moon Books - Grand Opening! (and a release surprise)

(Year 233, Spring) Last year global star Octavia Moon (52) surprised everyone stepping out as the new owner of popular lounge Orchid A Go Go in Del Sol Valley. She announced that her new book publisher company Moon Books, Inc. will now occupy a fair share of the building, but that the feel of the existing lounge would be preserved like everyone knows and loves it. Go Go has been closed for a month during building reconstructions, and yesterday was finally opening night with a chance for us all to check out the result! And to everyone's surprise, opening day also included a release of a new book secretly written by Octavia Moon!

Olivia Clump was ready to sign her new biography «Olivia», written by Octavia Moon.

That's right, it looks like internationally celebrated jazz legend, Olivia Clump ready to promote the new book! Before we check out the new bookstore, let's rewind one hour to see the official re-opening, at the entrance!

Orchid A Go Go - New Owner

(Year 232, Fall) Earlier this year the popular hot spot at Starlight Boulevard in Del Sol Valley was sold. Celebrities and fans alike have flocked to the lounge Orchid A Go Go for years, and perhaps a new ownership sounds scary to the regulars? Well, fear not, because the hot spot won't change ... a lot, uhm... not quite yet!

Octavia Moon is the new owner of Orchid A Go Go in Del Sol Valley.

And who is the new owner? It's the global star Octavia Moon! She has not frequented Go-go Orchid as much as her husband and also a global star, Thorne Bailey, but she qualifies as a true insider anyway. She knows what the place offers and why it is so popular. And now she wants to add more!

Ward Park 25 Years Anniversary

(Year 232, Summer) A smaller event took place in Del Sol Valley last week, as Judith Ward invited the press to celebrate that Ward Park has been a public venue since 25 years. Obviously, locals did not care a lot, but if they had attended, they would have been treated with a surprise visit by HRH Queen Venezia!

Ward Park was established 25 years ago by film director Simerin Ward.

Ward Park was donated to Del Sol Valley residents in Year 207 by Film Director Simerin Ward (Y122-208). The park is quite spacious, but only a tiny square is equipped to be enjoyed by visitors. Hardly any improvements were made over the decades. So, Judith was proud to announce that she now has great plans! Although the lot is owned by community and she can not decide bigger changes just like that, she is still associated with the park and is allowed to minor administrative matters. Her plan might need regional approval, though.

Thorne Bailey reaching Global Fame!

(Year 230, Winter) Last night Del Sol Valley got a brand new star for its glamorous Starlight Boulevard. Musician Thorne Bailey (50) reached global fame with his smash hit «Llama dish-dash».

His brand new star brick is located on the same side of the boulevard as his wife, the author Octavia Moon, who got her star a couple years back.

Gossips #3

(Year 230, Spring) Antoinette Morck is here again with some gossip! 1st day of Spring is Election Day, but let's take a break from all Politicians and rather focus on the rich and famous - for other reasons than begging for our votes!

- I dressed up a bit, because I promised you a Del Sol Valley special, and here we are in the very heart of our kingdom, and the central stage of the entertaining industry: Del Sol Valley! I've dug up some not yet confirmed rumors, as well as a few fresh press releases that did not yet reach the press!

100 Years: The Butler Academy

(Year 229) In Year 129 The Butler Academy was founded by Mr. Hector Golden. This weekend there was a grand celebration including a formal dinner arranged by former and current students, and yesterday Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie guested this fine institution.

The Butler Academy was located at Arts Quarter in San Myshuno for more than 80 years. Then it took over some old property in Del Sol Valley (which actually is closer to San Myshuno than you might think), and shortly the old factory was renovated to meet the school's needs. Being next door to the Showbiz Academy (orange build) might seem like two rivals lining up shoulder by shoulder, but they definitely aim for different students. The Butler Academy's mission is of course to provide servants for the aristocracy, but this is also a popular boarding high school attracting children of fine, noble Houses, preparing them for a future as a servant or even as the head of a finer estate. Many a finer Missus studied here, then served for a few years as Governess or Cook, before marrying into a good House bringing her good earned skills and character values. Students learn subjects like Gourmet cooking, Parenting and Handiness, but they also get acquainted to history and rules of the aristocracy.

The Queen's Garden Tea Party

(Year 229) Yesterday 12 high nobility women were gathered in the Chateau Peak Garden. It was time for the Queen's Garden Tea Party!

This event was originally starting the social season, thrown late Spring every year by the Queen of Mazaloom. HRH Queen Venezia is of a less social nature, and has formerly apologized for not keeping up with this routine. However, now that HRH Crown Princess Emireza is about to join the adult society, things might have changed a little. At least it looked like the Queen enjoyed the little event.

A group photo shows that the gathering was not very formal, still they all wore hats, as tradition is. Well, those married, that is. 

Building a Royal Estate - The outdoors (Bonus)

The series where I built and equipped my first royal estate ever, was officially closed a week ago, and due to lag and a much too big household for regular playing, I skipped the already planned basements. But - there is a garden, and despite being a small outdoor area, I thought I ought to make those outdoors more or less representable. If not for anything else than the esthetics when seen from the neighbors like Judith Ward and Thorne Bailey. The royal household resides on 3rd floor, so just walking out into the garden and back in will take them more than one hour (that's why I planned for a large 3rd floor terrace). So I can't see them using the garden very often, but for some occasions - or photo sessions - it might get useful.

It's only the minimum of what I think a formal garden should contain, but this might be adjusted later. Let's have a quick look at the current situation:

Walk of Fame: Octavia Moon

(Del Sol Valley, Year 226) With the recent publishing of her Poems for Sleep Walkers, writer Octavia Moon has reached Global Fame! Last night she invited friends and fans to a ceremony at Walk of Fame in Del Sol Valley.

The situation turned out a little awkward as she was placing her tile.

The many Cultural Stages of Region 12

 (Year 225) A few posts ago I mentioned the new platform tool. Now that I've played a bit more with it all my cultural venues have got their stage upgraded, and it's time to show you most of those venues. I were not aware that I had this many stages...

The largest venue in my region is the one of the culture house called Fun Factory. If you watch my As Sims Go By series, you might recall Wilhelmina Dougham playing the grand piano in a pretty poorly way. The house is filled with cultural and media activities, and the stage is in the basement. There are currently 24 seats, which doesn't sound overwhelming, but with the household limit of 8, 24 is plenty.