HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The royal family and select friends celebrated the new year in the garden in the sky. It was a small affair.

First ball of 2008 Scheduled

Today His Majesty announced that New Bergen shall host the first ball of 2008 on January 23rd (a Wednesday) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM PST (9:00 PM to 11:pp PM EST)

Here you can see where the hall that once housed the official opening ceremony for New Bergen is already being remodeled into a proper ballroom.

The Royal Architect will be doing his usual stunning work.

It is a formal affair, so please dress accordingly.

South West corner of New Bergen Grows

His Majesty is pleased to report that the Governor General has begun building residential structures for new colonists. This move will help make New Bergen more attractive to new colonists.

The structures are simple, but proper.

It is expected that the next phase of development will be landscaping with trees, flowers and other plants being placed all around the colony to enhance the overall atmosphere of the place.

New Castle arrives in New Bergen

Today His Majesty was given a tour of the latest addition to the growing New Bergen community. This castle is fairly modest, really more of a keep, but very nicely decorated and apportioned. While still technically under construction it is nice enough to be viewed now.

Christmas Decorations Up

I forgot to report that the Palace has its decorations in place.

Here are two photos:

Visitor Counter Installed

The Governor General has ordered that a visitor counter be installed to track traffic patterns and record visitors arrivals by teleport. It also record the visitors name and other information for later use. This is an important part of the marketing plan as it allows the colonial government to measure the effectiveness of their actions.

Colony to Sell Land

In a surprising move His Majesty and the Governor General have changed the colonial model from a pure rental system to an ownership tax structure. This change will allow the colonists to have more control, and potential benefit from their land holdings, but will not effect the colonial income stream.

The basic plan calls for the sale price of the parcels to be equal to two weeks tax, and then to collect tax weekly thereafter.

New Bergen Open for Colonists!

Without any fanfare or other hype New Bergen quietly opened for new colonists. The new Assembly building is in place. The public sand box is ready. The landscaping employment system is ready, and the rental signs are all in place.

His Majesty and the Governor General have launched the recruitment program they have been planning for the last 75 days.

It is the hope of the House of Gagarin that the colony of New Bergen will become an excellent starting point for new members to Second Life, then new colonists, and then as new citizens of the Kingdom of Hanover.

Sand box nears completion!

The Governor General was seen putting the last minute touches on the sand box. The sand box is an integral part of the New Bergen colony. This is a great place for newcomers to learn about how to build in a friendly and safe place.

It will help draw new potential colonists to the colony.