Homemakers Club

I am in charge of this simweek's Homemakers Club Meeting. We're going to meet at CupaJava for some espresso and maybe a cake...or two and discuss how we can bring Exercise in the Home. I will publish the minutes from the meeting.

I'm an elder and life is slowing down. I will not run for re-election, I wonder who will take my spot on the Hood Council.

Grooming

Going through our hold vacation photos. The Zen garden was so great, I loved to groom it-o, yes, the vacation was lovely, we stayed in our underwear for most fo the trip-hihi! I felt so alive. We had a small party when we returned to celebrate our golden anniversary! Rebecca was able to come from school and we told her all about the trip!

Hood Council Note: Farming Rights

There's been a lot of discussion about farming rights and food produce for the hood, so I decided to do a formal report.

Number of households: 13 (not including house on BAP Campus-thier food source comes from national sources)

Current Number of Residential lots: 15

Number of ground plots needed to feed each lot: 5

Total number of ground plots needed: 75

Only one family has farm rights. These farm rights include:

• Must develop/harvest a minimum of 22 ground plots, 3 fruit trees or any combination of the two to equal 25 (ie 20 ground plots/5 fruit trees; 10 ground plots, 15 fruit trees, etc).
  
• Must develop at least one plot of each food: Tomatoes , Strawberries , Cucumbers , Pole Beans, Peppers , Eggplant.
  
• Must have at least two fruit trees variety: Apple, Lemon, Orange
  
• May reside on a 3x3 to a 4x3 lot
  
• $300 incentive each season

Mendenhall Farm: 30 plots (5 plots of each variety) + 6 fruit trees (2 trees of each variety) + 3 bee hives that each produce 4 jars of honey simdaily (12 jars (6 servings each (72 meals total)) simdaily)+ small pond with healthy fish population.

There are no grocery stores and Smokey Jane's reduced it's selection of fine wines and cheeses that can be purchased-thus families pay an additional $50 delivery fee for processed food. This is an incentive for families to buy fresh local produce from the Farmer's Market. As long as prices are kept reasonable, the hood council will be able to support the farm and local produce.

As My

I miss my children. When my son, Roy, prepared to leave, I shared with him an ancient tale from our vacation. When Ray decided to leave, I shared a check with him. Thankfully Rebecca is staying in Apple Valley with her family. I don't fault the boys, there are better opportunities for them in other hoods. I miss them.

Goodbye!

I am out of here! Where am I going you ask? I'm going to Murdville! Grigia and I both got accepted and we're on our way. We have a lot of paperwork to process but thankfully things will be fine. I will transition when I arrive so mom and dad will miss out on that, but that's ok. Whooppie!!!

School

Riverdale said wait-I am inpatient and want to start teaching now! Today at lunch, Grigia told me about her immigration application to Murdville. I wonder if they'll accept me as well, I could start a school there.

Hood Council Note: Musik Faire

The Musik Festival has been approved. It will be the last day of summer, a nice event for the teens, at The Foundry. It will be in the evening of the Summer Festival and we're importing special snack kiosks for the event, as well as making sure there is ample room and restrooms.


Performers
Sam Jones, Mayfair Plaza: pending
Selena Farrell, Mayfair Plaza: pending
Sergio Gitano, Harper's Cove: confirmed
The Fighters, Palatial Heights: confirmed

Special Guests
Chad Vanderburg, MC: confirmed


There will be a re-release of Alisa Crawston's CDs and concert tees; and the sales of the other performers CDs and tees. Tickets will be on sale for $50 and VIP tickets will be on sale for ~$150 and will feature access to the VIP lounge, meet and greet with performers and a special souvenior backstage pass. The profits will go towards the purchase of new computers for the school.

Brrr Cold

Gosh, no one told me that uni was so cold! It's always snowing and freezing! Yikes! O, uni is going well, I'm learning lots of theory behind business, and even some hands on studies, but not a lot. I wish I just stayed at home and ran the business, this economics degree won't help me with managing the Toy Shoppe! I'm doing well though, managing a high GPA-I need more hands on projects!

Vacation

Rayne and I went to Kimikura to celebrate our anniversary and our elder birthday. It was a nice trip. We learned so much and enjoyed each other's company-I don't like being old though, I wet my pants while in the shopping district-so embarassing!

Teaching

There's a position open in Riverdale for a teacher, I would love to apply-I sent them a letter explaining my desire, maybe they'll let me come. I'm very very skilled!

Hood Council Note: New Tasks?

With the new deal, we're supposed to discuss how to manage the new task of overseeing the increased travel and vacation destinations. Since I'm in charge of culture, it falls to me :(

Thankfully there isn't much. So here's an update to my plan:

Secure family values, uphold rights for children and elders

• Encourage families to create wills by hosting a free class at The Centre, free donuts will bring a bigger crowd


• Research health insurance policies for residents


• Establish a play group system for children to meet thier neighbors

Ensure a family friendly and healthy community for current & future generations.

• Encourage residents to compost instead of trash (see report in paper)


• Install more lights and benches at the parks


• Obtain address signs for homes

Ensure adequate culture, local food produce, restaurants and bars, & social meeting places.

• Look into selling travel certificates


• Look into hosting charter tours


• Host a child friendly event: Children's Festival with free lemonade and sweets and local entertainment and games and prizes. Location: Celebration Park or Modern Sculpture Park, cost for residents: free


• Host a teen-friendly event.Musik Festival with concerts from local bands and maybe some international acts (contact Sergio Gitano of Harper's Cove, post notice on Career & Fame Board). Location: The Foundry


• Add a trend section in the local paper. Will review resturaunts, bars, etc. Also help residents stay abreast of the local trends.


• Allow local farmer's to reside on larger lots, thus produce more food.


• Build a public pool and gym for residents to enjoy in the summer time

Ensure a quality education system for residents

• Build a local school for the children of Apple Valley.


• Host graduation ceremonies for graduates of the school and the university


• Encourage more extracurricular activities for teens and children-start with debate team, chess club, and simscouting program Postponed until more information about Spring 2008 Deal is revealed.
  

Finally-A Teen

I'm finally a teen and I don't know what to do!!! It was all so simple when I was younger. Mom and Dad said that I will grow into myself and find my own interests and hobbies, but what? What could I do?

Studies

With Julio gone I have to concentrate on my studies more-no more dates, well, I do see him sometimes, but school has gotten so busy-especially with my business classes. Mom and Dad are moving to another house-I was able to see it since I will be the one inheriting it later...wow...I am almost an adult-it doesn't feel like it.

Reviews

Did a review for the Apple Valley News of Tati's. I won't say too much since it will be in my article, but I can talk about the reviews/trend section.



Each paper will have the section and we'll either have a review of a business (done by various sims so businesses won't start trying to be nice to one particular viewer). The businesses can earn ratings of up to five apples (the worst rating is the "Rotten Apple" the best is the "Golden Apple"). Ka'obi wants to award a Golden Apple to a business each simweek and the reviews will help her with the task. The other part of the reviews/trends is that we'll have residents tell us what's hot and what's not...we haven't fully decided about this part yet since STAR has a similar section and Clark doesn't want to repeat.

Hood Council Note: Community Director Report

Update on my progress this term:

Secure family values, uphold rights for children and elders

• Encourage families to create wills by hosting a free class at The Centre, free donuts will bring a bigger crowd



• Research health insurance policies for residents



• Establish a play group system for children to meet thier neighbors

Ensure a family friendly and healthy community for current & future generations.

• Encourage residents to compost instead of trash



• Install more lights and benches at the parks



• Obtain address signs for homes

Ensure adequate culture, local food produce, restaurants and bars, & social meeting places.

• Host a child friendly event: Children's Festival with free lemonade and sweets and local entertainment and games and prizes. Location: Celebration Park or Modern Sculpture Park, cost for residents: free



• Host a teen-friendly event. (What's cool now?): Musik Festival with concerts from local bands (contact Selita Grey) and maybe some international acts (contact Sergio Gitano of Harper's Cove, post notice on Career & Fame Board). Location: The Foundry



• Add a trend section in the local paper. Will review resturaunts, bars, etc. Also help residents stay abreast of the local trends.



• Allow local farmer's to reside on larger lots, thus produce more food.



• Build a public pool and gym for residents to enjoy in the summer time

Ensure a quality education system for residents

• Build a local school for the children of Apple Valley.



• Host graduation ceremonies for graduates of the school and the university



• Encourage more extracurricular activities for teens and children-start with debate team, chess club, and simscouting program

Engaged

WOW! It so...WOW! It was Julio's last day on campus and we went for a walk in the snow...next thing I know he's on his knees proposing!!! I said yes of course! I can't wait until mom sees my ring!

Date

Went to the park with my lovely wife, it's been so long since we had a nice date for the two of us. She talked about the upcoming trial, that seems to be the topic on every sims mind these days. We also discussed pulling up our roots and buying that empty house on Fuji. We would convert the Toy Shoppe into a community lot and finally seperate it from our home. It would be good especially with Rebecca's interest in the business.

Happened So Fast

I'm in love with Julio! I always thought he was cute and a very good friend and I secretly crushed on him-but never thought he liked me too! Well oncampus he confessed and we started dating! He's a senior and I'm a freshman, so all the other freshmen think that I'm amazing for snagging a cute senior! He wants to run the medical centre, I'll continue the Toy Shoppe and together...together we'll be the best!

Good bye!

Well, I'm off for university. All my things are packed and I can't wait to learn about business and economics.


My family took me out to Tati's as a treat and I got to order whatever I wanted! It was great!


I can't wait to start university. Mom made me promise that I would get a make-over once I reached campus and that Roy could come visit me. That's ok, a small price to pay for learning.

Family Trip to the Park

Before Rebecca left for university, we all had a trip to the park. It was nice seeing my family enjoy nature and each other. I must post a note to see how my son, Ray, is doing in Simmington Hills. Ayanna mentioned that she might be making a tour to some nearby hoods and that she would try to visit Simmington Hills. I hope she says hello to Ray and see how he's doing.

Exercise in the Family

I decided to get the family involved in some exercise routines. Even little Roy joined us in jumping jacks and streches. I think that the family that exercises together will have a healthy life together.

I will look into promoting a healthier lifestyle in the hood, so many teens and children are overweight and eat junk food all day. Chips and cookies. No, especially with so much fresh food, children should snack on juice, honey wheat cakes and fresh salads.

University

I leave for university soon, the next simday in fact. Rosemary and I are both going to be freshmen and hopefully we can share a room and be roommates.

Mum says that she thinks Rosemary likes me as more than a friend, but...I doubt it, besides, Julio still calls me from university. He says that he's waiting on me. How sweet is that! He will be a senior when I get there, but hopefully...well, I don't want to dream too much. Besides, he is busy with school and trying to get a job at the medical centre...why would he wait for a sim like me?

Trial of the Century

I stopped by Celebration Park and bumped into Elda-the wife of Clark who broke the story that the Brad Dawson death might be murder. There are rumors that an arrest will happen soon and once the arrest happens, there will be a trial naturally. Thank goodness the construction is finished with the courthouse at The Centre. I hope there won't be a lot of press at the trial...I guess it depends on which sim they arrest.

Hood Council Note: Phase One School Curriculm Proposal

Curriculm
Classes will be held simMonday-simFriday, 9am-3pm.
Teens: Level 3, simyears 14-18 (pupil count 4)
Teens: Level 4, simyears 18-22 (pupil count 0)
*Teens: Level 5, simyears 23-28 (pupil count 0)
9am-11pm: Morning Period
11am-1pm: Lunch/Break
1pm-3pm: Afternoon Period


Level 3 Class Schedule (AM/PM)
simMonday:Golf Clinic III/Science III
simTuesday: Art III/Shop Class III
simWednesday: Science III/Physical Education III
simThursday: Golf Clinic III /Shop Class III
simFriday: Art III/Physical Education III


Level 4 Class Schedule (AM/PM)
simMonday: Science VI/History IV
simTuesday: Physical Education VI /English VI
simWednesday: Home Ecomonics VI/Science VI
simThursday: English VI/Physical Education VI
simFriday: History IV/Home Ecomonics VI

*Level 4 Class Schedule
Optional for teens opting not to attend university.
Encourage teens will join a trainee program with a local business.
Teens can also take classes of thier choice.

Class Descriptions
-Science III (cleaning): students will learn how to find lurking bacteria
-Shop Class III (mechanical): students will learn how to craft small electronics
-Physical Education III (body): students will learn healthy habits through kick boxing
-Art III (creativity): students will learn the basics of cubism
-Golf Clinic III (charisma): students will learn how to play the game of golf
-Science VI (logic): students will study microbiology
-Home Ecomonics VI (cooking): students will study spaghetti techniques
-Physical Education VI (body): students will learn healthy habits through yoga
-English VI (charisma): students will learn how to effectively give speeches
-History IV (creativity): students will learn how to write historical research papers'

Extracurriculars (TBD): chess club, debate team, sports team, theater, yearbook, etc

Hood Council Note: Proposal for School: Phase One

Purpose
There is a need for the hood council to build a local school instead of bussing off the children and teens to other public schools where parents and the council can not monitor thier curriculm and education closely. This effort would take a considerable investment, but it would provide more jobs for residents and give us more control over the curriculm and education our children recieve.


State of the Hood's Education System
Currently the hood counts 9 teens and 10 children that are bussed off to nearby schools. It would take about two simdays to establish the Apple Valley school so that it can open on simMonday (if construction starts this simSaturday). By this time the pupil count would be 16 pupils. If we look at the number of students currently enrolled in private school: 5 teens and 2 children, that would ease the load of pupils for the school. Then that would leave 12 students to start the school.


Phase One
It will be best to slowly intergrate the students into the school and start with high school students and then add elementary students in Phase Two. With the increased requirements for university, the high school students are in danger of not being prepared for thier future. That would give the school 4 students to start with, also would only require 1 teacher. With this in mind:


Potential Jobs
1 Secondary School Teacher
-suggest teacher moves into an apartment on school grounds. If not possible, then at least the caretaker must move into the school.

1 Principal
-suggest that the Community Director holds this position to oversee the curriculm, will not increase duties of the CD too much, also will not cost the hood extra money to pay the principal.

1 Part-Time Cafeteria Worker or Delivered Pre-cooked Meals
-suggest delivered meals to save on cost. Can try to work a contract with Tati's

1 Part-Time Caretaker
-suggest either teacher does this afterschool or hire a worker to come in during afterschool hours to clean. Local maid service will be disruptive to classroom environment.

Classes/Grade Levels
Classes will be held simMonday-simFriday, 9am-3pm.
Will submit a more detailed curriculm proposal if the school proposal is approved.
Teens: Level 3, simyears 14-18 (pupil count 4)
Teens: Level 4, simyears 18-22 (pupil count 0)

Curriculm
Nationally Approved Curriculm/Subjects: use basic gradebooks
Extracurriculars: chess club, debate team, sports team, theater, yearbook, etc
Skill Building Classes: art, physical education, home ec, music class, shop class, etc


Investment
School Building
-believe this will be about $50,000 for the initial construction. Then another $30,000 for furnishing the school with neccessary equiptment.

Salary for Teacher
-can be a flat salary (suggest $1000/simweek) subsidized by the fact the teacher lives on campus and has room and board

Maintanience of School Building
-cleaning, repair work, landscaping, school supplies


Total Initial Investment=$90,000


We can qualify for the New School Education Grant ($35,000) and the Small School Iniative Grant ($40,000) which would require the hood to provide $15,000 towards the cost of the school, which is well within the budget.

Hood Council Note:My Plans for the Term

My plans for the term as Community Director:


Secure family values, uphold rights for children and elders

• Encourage families to create wills by hosting a free class at The Centre, free donuts will bring a bigger crowd
• Research health insurance policies for residents
• Establish a play group system for children to meet thier neighbors

Ensure a family friendly and healthy community for current & future generations.

• Encourage residents to compost instead of trash
• Install more lights and benches at the parks
• Obtain address signs for homes

Ensure adequate culture, local food produce, restaurants and bars, & social meeting places.

• Host a child friendly event: Children's Festival with free lemonade and sweets and local entertainment and games and prizes. Location: Celebration Park or Modern Sculpture Park, cost for residents: free
• Host a teen-friendly event. (What's cool now?): Musik Festival with concerts from local bands (contact Selita Grey) and maybe some international acts (contact Sergio Gitano of Harper's Cove, post notice on Career & Fame Board). Location: The Foundry
• Add a trend section in the local paper. Will review resturaunts, bars, etc. Also help residents stay abreast of the local trends.
• Allow local farmer's to reside on larger lots, thus produce more food.
• Build a public pool and gym for residents to enjoy in the summer time

Ensure a quality education system for residents

• Build a local school for the children of Apple Valley.
• Host graduation ceremonies for graduates of the school and the university
• Encourage more extracurricular activities for teens and children-start with debate team, chess club, and simscouting program

Bye Bye Hello

My big brother, Ray, moved to Simmington Hills. He wants to open a bakery or something. I still help out with the store, my skills are getting better, but not by much. I still haven't decided if I will go to university or not. Julio and I still talk on the phone. He's cute...older, much older. He's in university already. I doubt he would wait for me...

WooHoo! Goodbye!

Goodbye Apple Valley! Hello Simmington Hills! I graduated this past simday (after a rousing game of snow war on campus) and am off to settle in Simmington Hills. Thanks Aunt Ayanna for believing in me, thanks Sabien for the encouragement! I can't wait. Mum and Pop were shocked, but they wished me the best and even took over my college loan-I can't emmigrate with debt-thanks mum and pop! Sister is happy-no direct competion for the Toy Shoppe and Roy...well Roy said he would miss me and cried. I was a bit sad. Also, my grandmum died...I can't go to the funeral because of my move.

Possibilities

I've been taking breaks bewteen term papers and class cooking assignments. I found out about this interesting hood. It's kind of small, brand new in a way, but I would love to move there after graduation...maybe open a bakery. I could sell raisin buns and carrot muffins in the morning to the citizens, and chocolate eclairs in the evening. I bet I could make a bundle! That would be much better than baking for my great-uncle's coffee shop. They also have some nice looking ladies there...I wonder if they would dig a younger man?

Business

Business is going well. Rebecca is learning the ropes at crafting toy bricks and she's even helping at the register at times. Sometimes I catch her helping customers find items or encouraging them to buy a gift for thier child. I think she will do well with the business. Very well. Ray is in university. He wants to be a pastry chef for his great-uncle's store, CupaJava. I might have to visit and talk with the family about that.

Birthday

My baby brother celebrated his child birthday. It was rather eventful. We ate cake and that's about it. I help in the store after school. Sometimes I work the cash register, other times I help customers find items. Mum and Pop said that they will buy me my very own toy crafting station. I am excited. I will learn how to make toy bricks first and then kites! I wonder if I should go to university. I think I would do better training here at the store for those four simdays. I haven't asked mum and pop yet.

Future

Should I be a chef? Or a baker? I like to bake-my best recipes are for tri-tier lemon almond chocolate torte. Yummy. I need to study more...will mom and dad be disappointed that I won't take over the business? Maybe I could start my own business. Sell cakes in my spare time. Maybe I'll work with CupaJava. They're starting a bakery section in thier shop. I can bake. I'll bake all day!

Contract

The hood council has asked us to supply some toys for one of the parks-so Rayne is making those spinning top things and her custom water-octi as well as a few kites for good measure. I need to make some more toy robots for the shop and try to spend some more time with the children. Thankfully we decided to keep the Toy Shoppe on our land and work from home. Which means the commute is shorter, but residents didn't like the option of not being able to chose when to come to the store and buy a little goody, perhaps we could have a big grand reopening sale/event. Select items would be heavily discounted, raffles for free toys and plenty of cake. Yes, cake. Maybe Ray could bake some cake. Ray will be leaving for university soon, I have no idea what that young man is going to do. His sister, Rebecca, has made it clear that she wants to take over the toy business and has been helping Rayne craft toys, she's been doing pet bricks and soon she'll know enough to make music boxes and kites. Roy, well Roy is toddling about, soon he'll celebrate his child birthday and head off to school. Nothing else is happening except my twin sister is having issues at home with mother, the twins and the hood council.

Our Family

Our family:

Rayne-co-owner of The Toy Shoppe/sales/master crafter
Ajani (Kent)-co-owner of The Toy Shoppe/cashier/restocker
Ray, teen-2 simdays until he starts university
Rebecca, teen-6 simdays until she starts university
Roy-child

Nothing more to say