New graves index

(Year 234, Summer) Church of Similius cordinates all of Mazaloom's graveyards, and today they made their grave index public to all. Wonder what funerals you missed recently? Or did you forget what graveyard to visit to tend your greatgranduncles grave?

A funeral service for Eleanor Elderberry, Britechester, took place this week.

The public index is still in beta, but except from a few images not showing and some text details that might be moved or adjusted in other ways, the index is fully operational. It is used by the five Undertakes to keep track on new graves and what temporary grave deco that needs attention.

National Top 10 Bestselling Books Year 233

(Year 234, Spring) It's that time of year again, and this time we are more excited than ever: What books sold best last year? Publisher and Author Octavia Moon (53) met the press in San Sequoia this week, as the brand new Top 10 was released.

Octavia did not only get last year's release on the list, and she did not only get 3 titles squeezed into the Top 10, but she also reached the top: Her bestselling biography «Olivia», covering jazz legend Olivia Clump's life, did reach the very top as #1.

Call for New Botanical Garden

(Year 234, Spring) Ministry of Science & Education has announced that Mazaloom would benefit from a stronger botanical focus. We currently have two private venues focusing on plants, but neither of them are committed to the Ministry. At Gilbert Gardens in San Sequoia (region Aarbyville) there is a lovely and grand herbarium, but only the outdoors are open to the public. The location is a popular stop for a family picnic, but there is hardly any educational aspects.

In the secluded Glimmerbrook (now region Crafthole) we find Brook Herbarium, another fine indoor greenery. This one is accessible to anyone, but they mainly focus on local tradition and less on national garden history.

Minister Emma R. Golden (64, RIGHT) is now calling for initiatives to build a new national botanical garden.

Nomination Day: Adjustments to Election Routine

(Year 233, Winter) As the Year 235 election gets closer, it's time to take a look at some changes that will affect both the political system and the electional routine. Most changes are minor, and all were approved by all three Chambers already. The four political parties were involved with most of the proccess, and got all details in time to plan for their upcoming nominations and political program.

Mrs Anita Ferny from Oasis Springs is our current High Judge, leading the Court Chamber.

Nomination Day is next week already, on 1st day of Spring, and this is exactly 1 year before the next election. Right here and now High Judge Anita Ferny (72), leader of the Court Chamber, will shed som light on the most important adjustments.

High Note Talent Agency for Musicians

(Year 233, Fall) Today the last, but not the least important - new webpage from Mazaloom kingdom's many talent agencies went public. If you work with music you should check out High Note Talent Agency!

From Olivia Clump's Farewell Concert at Museum of Classical Music in San Sequoia.

This agency signs with Musicians and Singers. They help building a career, through marketing and a wide network of consert venues - small and huge.

Maps galore

(Year 233, Fall) There is a new page in the Community section, namely a page providing a set of maps covering a wide range of topics.

The plan was to reveal the maps one by one, but there are currently so much going on that you get all those maps in one go, and well - maybe there will be more details in future articles here on the blog. Or maybe not.

The map page is linked from the start page of the community section.

Showbiz: The Talent Agencies (part 2 of 2)

(Year 233, Summer) Here comes the second part of the biggest talent agencies. Mazaloom's recent focus on showbiz lead to new webpages to secure transparency and a minimum of public information.

This time we're releasng the pages for the top notch agencies - those signing with the more famous actors and actresses. Goldie Ruthfield Acting Network (G.R.A.N.) is currently the goal for many actors. Those even more ambitious might sign with Well Suited Talent Agency.

Showbiz: The Talent Agencies (part 1 of 2)

(Year 233, Summer) We are currently focusing on showbiz, and time has come to release two more new webpages! You can now learn more about two of the many talent agencies; A.I. Staffing Talent Agency and Everyday Extras Talent Agency. These are often referred to as the newcomers' agencies, and two top notch agencies will be released shortly.

Signing up as an Extra, you might find yourself in an TV-show audience before you can count to ten.

So, lets get to know those agencies a little better!

Political parties - Spring gatherings

(Year 233, Spring) Every year in Spring, our political parties arrange their annual gatherings. Most years they will debate the current political situation and perhaps serve a couple tidbits to the press in order to drag attention to their political program, but this year is different: The parties must work on their political program to have a final version ready in time for Nomination Day, a little less than one year ahead.

Four political parties are preparing for the upcoming Y235 election.

A party's political program can stay unchanged for many periods, but this time there are numerous changes to the entire system, some as a result of the Regional Reform Y233. But there is also a new political party, WORLD party, facing their first election ever. On top of this numerous long time Politicians can not run for another 5 years period due to age. Candidates can not be elderly on Nomination Day. This time both Prime Minister Wilder (RIGHT) and Vice-PM Silverbone (LEFT) are too old!

Great Mazaloom Simposium: Value of Land

(Year 233, Spring) This year's Great Mazaloom Simposium took place at the conference center of Hotel Lykke in Windenburg this weekend. The title was "The Value of Owned Land", and among the presenters were HRM King Tarriot, Duke Merlin von Windenburg (81) and Mrs Fanny Silverbone (73), Minister of Trades & Taxes.

Left to right: HRM King Tarriot, Duke Merlin von Windenburg, Mrs Fanny Silverbone
(Minestry of Trades & Taxes), and Henrik Kraft (Windenburg Mayor).

The Simposium is an annual arena intended for Aristocracy and Politicians. This year's focus stirred a massive interest also beyond the target group. It was a successful two days event, and several Councilors stated that they now see the ongoing land projects with new eyes. The national project has been in the works for a couple years already, including the completed Regional Reform Y233, and the expressed goal is to secure that all land is registered with both ownership and usage, and to decide on an improved national system for rented land. This won't affect most lot owners much, but will be good news to anyone fighting the bugged Landlord system.

Simmerville Studio webpage

(Year 233, Spring) Time has come to release Simmerville Studio's new webpage! You will see that it was built on the same formula as Plumbob Picture's webpage, but there are still some unique content. Also, while Plumbob Pictures produce for the silver screen, Simmerville Studio focuses on TV productions, which are both drama series, documentary, talkshows, news and more. And, perhaps the most interesting difference: Most of Simmerville Studio's productions can be streamed anytime you like!

Simmerville Studio is well established in Gloomville.

It was fun building their catalog for the new webpage, because the new system is scripted to integrate their productions with the talent agencies, the actors and others who contributed.

Plumbob Pictures webpage

(Year 233, Spring) And we keep rolling out webpages for media production companies and the many talent agencies! This time we'll focus on the big silver screen legend, Plumbob Pictures! Their productions are what most hopefull Actors aim for. Being casted for a big production, means the ultimate chance for a break through!

Plumbob Pictures are located in Del Sol Valley. Indirectly, we can blame their existence on the re-establishing of the royal palace in Del Sol Valley, taking place back in Year 150.

Historical Guide to (my) Ravenwood

(Year 233, Spring) Up through Mazaloom's history we often find references to Ravenwood. And that is not so strange, because Ravenwood is probably the oldest civilization within the kingdom. When Mazaloom's year count started 233 years ago, the Heighwood family claimed they already occupied Crow Farm (now Crow's Crossing hood), while the Mux-Raisser family claimed their rights to Whisp Farm (now Whispering Glen hood). This is quite extraordinary, as all other areas of the nation seem to have been rather unoccupied land from the very beginning.

The Ravenwood administration was early, too, but we can't say for sure if it was a community like we define a community today, or just a few organizations with the particular interest in Thanatology, that Ravenwood is still famous for.

Anyway, the place grew into a small town, and Crow's Crossing became the administrative center. From early years there was a town board, unlike most other districts. Here in Ravenwood the board originally had 7 members, but gradually 4 of them were replaced with crows. Today the board includes Ravenwood Mayor, the Priest and the Undertaker, but they still consult the 4 crows when important issues are handled. The Mayor will be elected, but there is a tradition of this position being held by either House of Heighwood or House of Mux-Raisser.

Artists Guild: Focus on Talent Agencies

(Year 233, Spring) Yesterday Vince Remeréz (75), painting artist and leader of the Artists Guild core group, met the press at Casbah Gallery in his home hood, Arts Quarter of San Myshuno. The occasion was that the Artists Guild worked closely with Talent Agencies last year in order to improve routines involving performing and creative artists - a work that is now about to close.

- This time we chose to look into the conditions for Actors, Models and TV-personalities. It turned out that the many talent agencies were too restrictive with what information they give out. New and hopeful performing artists will hardly get a contract and the system appeared as closed to anyone outside the right network. 

This had to be dealt with and new webpages are on their way.

It's Tax Day!

(Year 233, Spring) This 1st day of Spring is Tax Day, and like every other Tax Day the extra taxes got plenty of attention. Mazaloom kingdom's system of extra tax and tax relief is nothing new. This comes on top of regular bills, which already include the general community taxes. Extra Taxes are meant to be a way for the dominating political parties to create financial consequences reflecting their political agenda.

Mrs. Silverbone supports the Extra Tax.

A typical example is the old pool-tax, which charged households with a swimming pool extra tax. It made sense to most because poor households were not affected, while those with a pool in their garden are normally able to pay a little extra without much trouble. On the upcoming Tax Day there is no Pool tax, but many other taxes and reliefs. Each extra tax is §1,000 while each relief gives a discount of §1,000. The extra taxes are not the same in all regions either, depending on what party won the previous election.

The good thing is that most households ends up with no extra tax at all.

Advorton Zoo

(Year 233, Spring) At Plaza Mariposa in Ciudad Enamorada there is a Zoo! Well, it used to be a bit more exclusive, but it is still worth a visit. Because it is no longer accepted to keep wild animals in a cage, you will see neither tigers and elephants from Tomarang, nor apes and snakes from Selvadorada. Only a couple very rare species are kept in the name of science. Instead, Advorton Zoo offers visitors to meet with a large number of creatures, big and small. Families spend hours here - especially children find so much to enjoy.

Advorton Zoo has been around for a couple generations. Let's take a look at what they offer! But first - a few worlds about the zoo keepers: The López family.

Mazaloom News - Year 232

Year 232 has closed, and Mazaloom NEWS is here with the highlights! The format has changed and the main focus i sno longer on just one region, but the entire kingdom, and even covering a few news from other nations like Empire of Snorthia and Sea kingdom. This time there is a new Sports section, too! Six minutes video with news, job openings and family notes, presented by Simmerville Studio's news anchor, Paulo Caliente.

Adjustments to Nectar deeds

(Year 232, Winter) Merchants Guild has today announced that several adjustments will affect most current Produce Deeds regarding nectar making. There are two reasons for these changes. The most obvious is the switch from an old (CC) production system to a new routine based on Advorton traditions. The second reason is that the old system offered a total of 19 unique deeds, while the new system narrows this down to 9.

Claudia Tangerin Mester Shine met the press at Oasis Spring's nectar store.

A Produce Deed is required only if you intend to sell your produce via the nifty drag-n-drop system or via retail stores. Deeds are not needed if you sell from ie street tables or at a market square. Also, producing for own private consume is available to everyone regardless of deed.

Mazaloom kingdom: Maps - Transport net

(Year 232, Winter) We focused on the Regional Reform Y233 already, but the Mazaloom map contains so much more information than the regional borders. In a mini series we will check out where to find the Parishes and Churches, the many Schools, where the High Nobility houses are located, and not the least: How to travel within Mazaloom kingdom? Along the road there is also a touch of national history.

Today, let's check out the transport net! What are the alternative transport options, and where do we find them? What districts are the busy network points, and what areas are secluded? The well established transport network includes roads, boats, railway and 3 airports.

The national transport plan sorts under Health & Welfare dept., and Minister Rebekah Starks (MIDDLE Party) will fill in as there are numerous ways to get about.

Jewelry by Madam Maxim at Gallery Ex-Po

(Year 232, Summer) This Summer Jewelry had a new Spring. All over the kingdom residents wanted a piece of what was on offer. The reason for all the attention was probably a mix of a few Crystal Crafter, and some headlines regarding the Politician's urge to regulate this business. More about the latter further down.

Madam Maxim Sprucewood.

First we will bring a brief report from a new jewelry sale that opened this week at Gallery Ex-Po in Newcrest. They are known for assisting the aristocracy finding new owners to old heirlooms. When you want to sell something, Gallery Ex-Po will buy it, this way you will get paid immediately even when it takes a while to find a new owner. The jewelry is different, though.