MAY 2012 ‘FIELD NOTES’
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING OUR LIVE MUSIC EVENTS!
We really appreciate your donations and support as we work to bring some of the best music and live performers into CALAS. Although limited by the fact that Truck and I both live in the PST time zone, we are doing our best to add more early shows for members and guests in other time zones and will try to have more of those on weekends. Check out this very nice story about OZ in The Metaverse Tribune http://metaversetribune.com/2012/05/04/were-off-to-see-the-wizard/
May is usually a quiet month for Truck and me - time for tending the flower gardens around the village and Town Park, the vegetable gardens, fields of corn and orchards on Glanduin. It’s an opportunity to sit back, relax, listen to music, take a balloon or a bike ride and basically just enjoy the Park as it was designed…a peaceful retreat. This means we have more time to travel around the park and chat with friends, members and visitors…so be prepared…you know how both of us like to talk…maybe too much. lol
BAY OF BELFALAS NOW IN THE DESTINATION GUIDE
Not that you don’t know…we’ve been telling just about everyone we come in contact with, but the BAY OF BELFALAS sim, our tribute to Live Music in SL and home to our GLASS PAVILION and OZ NIGHTCLUB venues, made the Destination Guide at the end of April, joining our other regions and unique spots already listed there. BAY OF BELFALAS DESTINATION GUIDE
NEW COTTAGE & ‘BOAT HOUSE’ ON SOUTH FARTHING
When you have time, please make your way to the South Farthing sim to see the new ‘boat house’ on the southwest corner of the region.
You’ll find the cottage along the western shore, overlooking the marsh and waters of Gulf of Lune…on the northwest corner… near the border of Dimrill Dale.
We’ve done our best to give both the detail and ‘sense of place’ that you’ve come to expect from us. We hope that each will give you another place to enjoy…whether it be sharing some time with your SL friends, family or finding some quiet peace on your own.
A COUPLE OF OTHER CHANGES, ADDITIONS
Of sailing ships & yachts …If you are able to turn up your draw distance and look across the waters of Grey Havens… from either The Island of Armenelos or Dimrill Dale…you’ll see that the old sailing ship that has been there from the beginning has now made its way west and out to sea. It is still visible off shore from the GLASS PAVILION on BAY OF BELFALAS. Moored in its old site on the waters of The Island of Armenelos is now a medium-sized sailing yacht that provides a wonderful place to sit on your own or with friends, in the cabin or out…while you enjoy the views of the islands around you. One can even work on the engine if they wish 
Once you access the menu, you’ll see you can move your position around the boat. Sleek in design and more modern, we both feel it works well and adds to the Mediterranean feel of that area.
Cuddle Swings… be on the lookout for the new cuddle swings… one of the reasons I love that Truck has become so ‘involved’ with the ’60 Linden Weekends’… they were a great find 
. They offer some wonderful animations for both singles and couples. You’ll find one on GLANDUIN overlooking the pasture near the ‘tree fort’, one on the lawn area near the Lake on the main sim of CALAS GALADHON and one at the MIRROMERE overlook near the bridge to MISTY MOUNTAINS. We are always excited to find such wonderful creations of others to use in the Park and at such a price!
AS ALWAYS…
Please let us know when you find something that is not working…and we’ll take care of it as soon as we can.
Wishing you the very best this month!
Tymus Tenk & Truck Meredith
APRIL 2012 ‘FIELD NOTES’
Revised Park Rules / New LM giver
In an effort to simplify Park travel, we have taken out all of the LM giver scripts from the Teleport Boards so our guests won’t be having to ignore the irritating LM offer each time they teleport using the board. Instead, our guests will find a separate board for the PARK RULES AND LANDMARKS at each sim entrance … which when touched will give only one notecard. We expect all visitors to be aware of the Park rules and will enforce them in an effort to assure the best possible experience for those who chose to enter Calas.
Spring continued …
Except for a few additions and or changes to the landscape across the Park, we’d have to say that Spring is finally here. The hills and meadows are making their way to full bloom … even the corn has been planted again on Glanduin … so feel free to grab a rake or hoe when you can and help keep out the encroaching weeds when you have some free time 
New Additions to the ‘mother sim’ of Calas Galadhon
Some of the changes that we have made since the snows left were the additions on the ‘mother sim’ of Calas Galadhon including a new Victorian home on the hill, behind the Church and Town Park, which offers a great view over Calas from the swing on the front porch or the cuddle bench set on a stone patio overlooking the main bridge from Main Street to Dimrill Dale.
On Main Street you’ll find the new Bakery, detailed with some of the best baked goods and sweets that SL has to offer . Next door is the new Pharmacy /Soda Shop, offering the latest concoctions to heal what ails you … except lag perhaps … to the best milkshakes in the Park. One of the changes to this sim that both Truck and I are excited about was the widening and improvements to Main Street itself, with a new dock area from which you can grab many of the boats we now have on the sims, as well as sit a while, fish or sit and daydream while dangling your feet in the water. Look for the new Paddle Boat as well as the new tandem and single bicycles we mentioned last month. The new terrace is one of the most noticeable changes, complete with tables from which you can sit and talk with friends over coffee or a glass of wine, feed the swans or have a romantic meal with that favorite someone while watching the sunset over the lake. An intan is close by for dancing there as well.
The new terrace on Main Street
You may also notice some changes up the hill in the Town Park including a topiary garden surrounding the ‘Red Victorian’.
Planned this month …
We are currently working on changes to the South Farthing farm sim including a little New England style cottage near the border of Dimrill Dale as well as a new ‘Boat House’ which will take the place of the home that currently sits near the shoreline on the Southwest corner of the sim. Although some may miss the stately manor house that has been there for the last two holiday seasons, we do think you’ll love the new home just as much.
During the month of April we continue to work on an area I’m sure many of you will find a quiet retreat. Near the back edge of this new landscape will also be the home to our ‘Friends of Calas’ board where we will display the Landmark boards which can carry you to the stores of many of the prominent creators whose work we use in the Park and /or who have been very supportive of the work we do here. We also have plans for a a small shop area where we will offer some of our own, meager creations for sale as well. Any funds from these sales will of course go back into the Park. A separate section of that building may house a second area where one of creative team may sell some of their creations. Have no worries though, we hold to our concept of no malls or rentals to support the cost of the fees for the Park sims. This area is also well above the park and the environ itself another gem in the Park’s history. Below is a snapshot of the new area to tease you a bit. We are keeping the location private for the time being until we feel it is ready to open to our guests to explore.
new project in the works
Other Notes ..
Be on the lookout for a new ‘kayak’ rezzer which adds one more fun way to explore the sims. A hint … it’s near what some call ‘the swamp’ …. We call it wetlands or salt marsh J. The kayak is more primitive in nature but somehow seems to fit the Park better than something more modern. Only one paddler is allowed per each … and just ignore the animation for the passenger … lol. Hey, we can’t always be perfect, right?
New Kayak
As usual, please let us know if and when you find something that is not working … and we’ll take care of it as soon as we can.
Have a great April!
Ty Tenk & Truck Meredith
MARCH 2012 ‘FIELD NOTES’
We wish to thank again all who were able to participate and to attend the grand opening of the new GLASS PAVILION on the Bay of Belfalas Sim on Valentine’s Day. It was a great success! As we’ve said before, we haven’t forgotten about those who, because of time differences, are unable to attend many of our evening (SLT) shows. We will continue to explore the possibilities for addressing that!
NEW HOSTESS for The Dolphin Cafe! ALICIA UNDERBY
Join us in welcoming Alicia Underby as our new hostess at The Dolphin Café! We are fortunate to be able to add her to the CALAS team! She will be a great help to Magi.
With having to clean the floors of the venues…and you know what a mess OZ can be after a busy night as well as clearing tables…we felt Magi needed a break once in a while:-) Seriously, Magi does so much work for us, it will be nice to have her at some of the shows just enjoying herself and not having to work.
Magi is still our CALAS VENUE MANAGER, handling all of the scheduling, creating the monthly calendar, working and coordinating with our performers and she will still be the Hostess for OZ and THE GLASS PAVILION. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions having to do with ANY of the Live Music Venues, please be sure to approach Magi McBride about them.
FUTURE OF CALAS GALADHON PARK SIMS
As expressed before, Truck and I appreciate all of the input we received at the end of last year regarding what meant most to those who visit the Park regularly. We are pleased to let you know, that for the immediate future at least, it will not be necessary to make any changes in the make-up of CALAS, the type or number of the sims. For now we will do our best to hold onto the 11 sims of the Park. As all of you know, SL and RL can change quickly, but for now we can all take a deep breath.
SPRING
The snow and ice of CALAS’ four farm sims have finally melted, giving way to lush green fields and hillsides. Streams and waterways throughout the farm sims are open once again. More wildflowers and gardens will be added to the Park as the month progresses (and we get caught up:-)
Spring Changes & Additions to the Park:
While CALAS is in a constant and healthy state of flux…we are always adding and changing elements of the landscape, features and occasionally homes…there is a certain sense of consistency that characterizes CALAS…which I think plays a big part in the comfort and peace that many find here…kind of like coming back ‘home’ when gone for a good period of time. Truck and I are dedicated to holding true to that.
NEW BIKES & BOATS (Courtesy of the guys @ TUFF BOATS)
As most of you have heard, we have added not only the ‘couple’s walks’ across the Park, but BICYCLES as well. There are currently single and tandem bike rezzers near the Livery Stable on Main Street (the Calas Galadhon sim). There is also another tandem bike rezzer near the TP boards on South Farthing.
You merely right click and sit to ride…using the page up/page down for speed (you’ll need it to go up some of the hills; the arrow keys, like the boats, point you in the right direction. I’ve fixed most of the roads on the farm sims to allow a fairly smooth ride, but until I get to Mirromere and Misty Mountains, you might find that you have to navigate a bit more.
Be sure to look for the ‘bell’ on the handle bars to give fair warning as you head into the lake;-) They both have lights on them now…sensitive to the day/night sl cycle…and a book rack on the back!
Gulf de Lune Airboat – fly on the water!
A new Air Boat…the kind with a big fan on the back…can be found on Gulf of Lune. It’s a fun ride, but I’d suggest not ‘opening it up’ to full speed until you are in open water. Also be on the look out for the new paddle boat which operates like one of the bikes…in fact, a bike frame and pedals are part of it. Lots of fun. With both boats, a passenger can be carried.
If you’ve not been to the Calas Galadhon Sim…the actual Park entrance, you will see some changes are being made which include a new widened street, a small park near the lake, a new boat dock and a romantic terrace sitting on the edge of the lake for dining and dancing. Truck is hard at work renovating two of the older buildings on Main Street to include a small bakery and an old fashioned Pharmacy/Soda Shop. Truck spends hours shopping and building…emphasis on shopping …;-) to make sure that we keep the level of detail in the Park that you expect.
NEW HOMES
As the month progresses, be sure to watch for the new home on the hill above Main Street …as well as a new one planned to replace the one currently on South Farthing. Although a favorite of many, I can guarantee that it’s replacement will ease any sense of sadness at seeing the old one go.
We think you will have as much fun with the changes as we’d had in planning and putting them in place for you.
FINAL NOTES
If anyone notices that something is not working…a boat, a cuddle rug, etc.…please let one of us know so we can get to it right away. Also, if anyone has a problem with another visitor harassing them we want to know as well. We don’t always have a solution, but we do our best to keep everone’s experience here a good one.
Wishing our members all the best this Spring!
Ty Tenk & Truck Meredith
