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The thing I have been interested in are abandoned or revitalized places. Like the old steel mills in Pittsburgh or Bethlehem. Maybe you could consider an abandoned version....not like the abandoned in the game though. It would essentially have a NIMBY effect unless you wanted it to have a museum or park effect. I built a Hardun Coal Mine and forgot to add water. oops. But I added some industrial zone and by chance it grew the foundary. Very cool. But, do remember that if you are building these coal mines, be sure to build a patch town and appropriate electrical and water systems. They would, of course, have such things on or near site. Anyway SimGoober is a god. I donated to Simtropolis because of his (her?) work. Well done on anything. I have a very SG themed type of town going on. Hopefully I can get back to the CJ soon. My life just got upended with the realization that my wife is pregnant...so.... Thanks again. Aaron

I wanted to post to make sure people didn't think I was suddenly off the map. Far from it, I actually made my proposal too agressive for my own good. I am working now on getting out some great images - but bear with me as I have a certain rigour that I hold myself to. I will be posting images of a coal patch town, a look at sprawl in a conservation area, an architectural tour, and some advertisements from commercial operations. Thanks for bearing with me! Aaron

Date: 2/10/2006 11:07:21 PM Author: SimGoober FYI, I played a bit tonite with a coal wharf idea for the canal set. After about 3 hours, and one complete start over, I think I have a design that I like. May even make a small set of wharf lots using this crane. I'll see how this one turns out first. quote> Looks great. Kind of looks like: Always fun to watch this stuff develop. Aaron PS - Anyone using the coal mine, make sure you have water hooked up. Mine went abandoned! Darn!

Date: 2/6/2006 3:47:44 PM Author: dev Hey SG...After seeing your coal mine BAT and remember my 'adventurous' hikes in the West Virginian woods...I thought it would be cool if you did an abandoned coal mine shaft...it could be hidden by the trees, and could be basically attached to a mountain....it would be really cool.quote> Again - me with ideas and no BAT. Anyway, you are quite right. Perhaps just take that tunnel entrance and the admin building. The admin would have the windows missing and the entrance covered up (perhaps with a hole where the kids go in). The rest would be trees. How cool of an idea. I need to play so I can see if I can get my mine to grow... Aaron

Look for more to come with the West Fens Preservation Trust, the West Fens governments, and some of the local towns. If you have a particular part of the government or non-profit sector that you would like to hear from, let me know. If you are interested in some of the historical research (i.e. the archaeological dig, the architectural history, the old settlements) let me know and I will do my best to document this history. Thanks, Aaron

West Fens Grange Association Dear Visitor: It is a great time to be a farmer in West Fens. We have great opportunities to grow and market our crops. While other places around the world are struggling to get by, we are working hard to make sure the small farmer gets his part of the pie. Probably melon pie! There are several historic farms in West Fens. The most significant is the Wannamaker Farm near the Old Settlement area. This farm - with its distinctive round barn - is a major force in the area and the Wannamaker family is working hard to diversify and stay in the farming game. They were instrumental in starting the Grange and also for forming the Farm Bureau program. Now that the government oversees the Farm Bureaus, the Grange is the local connection to all things farming. We also have the Quinn farm down the road from the Wannamakers with their small crops of organic melons, they are a local favorite. On Williams Point the farming is going strong. Andrew's family farm is one example of that type of work. For a small tourist community, its great to see these small farms working hard. We hope you consider joining the Grange if you are involved in local farming. Your work is important and we hope we can do more for you. Rawley Smith (Market Farm, Center Fens) Grange President Round Barn by Nexus, others TBA

Whale Back Island Archaeology Project The Whale Back Island Archaology Project is a program funded largely by the West Fens Historical Society, but is provided grants from the West Fens Historical Commission (a government agency), and the West Fens College System. The project is located on Whale Back Island, a largely undisturbed island, which was previously used by Native Americans for ceremonies, was the site of the first landing, and later for sheep grazing. The lack of construction on the site has provided a clear site for archaeology. The WFHS has most recently built a boat landing and constructed a small cabin near the first test site. Clearing is underway and several archaeology and preservation students from the college are camping on-site for the summer. Recording will take place with the standard pit markings. Four other test sites will be conducted in the future. Below are a few images from the survey plane which provide a good overview of what is happening currently on the site. If you would like more information, please contact the WFHS. The site is closed to general boaters and visitors, but we will be planning an open house type even to WFHS members later this year. Overview of island showing boat landing and site. A closer look at the site. Clearing is underway to create a clear site for researchers to examine the area. **This area reserved for lot makers. Cabin, timber workers, and camps by Pegasus.

Dear Visitor, The Old Settlement Neighborhood Association would like to offer a warm welcome to you visitor. The OSNA is one of the oldest neighborhood associations. We are located in Fens Landing, around the old settlement site. The entire district is a National Register District and is on the local historic register of historic places as well. We have a voluntary design restriction that we ask local residents to follow. The OSNA is committed to ensuring a great neighborhood and a strong design ethic. Our board members work hard to hold bake sales, garage sales, welcome wagons, neighborhood watches, and much more. If you are thinking about moving to West Fens, the Old Settlement neighborhood could be a perfect fit for you. We are near the ferry terminal and just down from the commercial district. The Old Settlement Elementary School is in the heart of our neighborhood - which runs from Main Street to Old Settlement Turnpike and between First and Seventh Avenue. Elm Street forms the core of our neighborhood. Please contact me if you have any questions about moving to the area. Many local realtors are ready and willing to help you get into the OSN. If you do move in, be sure to join the OSNA as soon as possible to get into all the fun! Andrea Semoyer, President Old Settlement Neighborhood Association The Old Settlement village, operated by the West Fens Historical Society. An aerial image of the Old Settlement Neighborhood. OS Elementary in the background. An Art Deco home in the Old Settlement Neighborhood. Art Deco was common in the period around 1920, especially in coastal neighborhoods. Art Deco was less common on smaller homes, so we are especially proud to have this house in our historic district. **This space will denote lots used as researched. Colonial Village by sk8zim17.

Dear Visitor, I would like to personally extend a hearty welcome to West Fens and the Fens River watershed. The Fens River, first charted by Isiah Fens, extends up into the Fens Mountains and is considered some of the cleanest river water in the region. We have worked hard to clean up the river over our last 20 years. We have cut back industries along the river. We have worked for a watershed protection overlay district. We have fought for better upstream conservation of land from resource extraction processes. But most importantly, we have worked to create and maintain the Riverway. The Riverway is a 35 mile long trail extending from the central part of West Fens up and into the mountains. We have built an overlook near the trail head and have worked to establish a public camping area. The trail crosses atop Dunham's Ravine - well known to locals as the place where Joseph Dunahm tragically perished when he tried to navigate his raft upstream in 1843. The trail then winds its way along the river and over Crocker's Hill to the end point at the Marshall Penn Memorial Campground. Here we have cooperatively agreed, with the West Fens Park System, to host a ranger and interpretive guide. We have also encouraged the docking of kayaks at this site. Now that the Riverway is running so well, we have turned our attention to the overall watershed. We are working hard to protect both the Jumping Child Lake, the Moon Pond, the Sun Pond, and the Fens Lake. We are also working with the West Fens Park System to ensure an easement is placed over Whale Back Island for its continued enjoyment in its natural state. Thanks for visiting and please be sure to get involved in our local environmental initiatives. We look forward to having you! Emma Tilson Executive Director, FRA Fens River Overlook Dunham's Ravine Pegasus trail, overlook, and trailside bathrooms featured

Dear Visitor, Scout Troop 1287 of Fens Landing, WF is thrilled to extend our welcome to you visitor. Scout Troop 1287 (formerly Troops 12 & 87) can trace their history to the earliest days of scouting in West Fens. We offer a great many options for today's scout to participate in. Our Scout House is located in Fens Landing, but we travel throughout the region to participate in camping trips, camporees, and to attempt to help the variety of citizens of Fens Landing and West Fens. Below are a few pictures of a recent scouting trip we took to the Upper Fens River area. We kayaked the river to the overlook and back again. Ranger Bill Wilson provided us with a biology lesson about the river. Emma Tilson from the Riverway Association also turned out to help us clean the riverway. We camped overnight and cooked out on the fire. If you are interested in helping out with local Scout Troop 1287, we would love to have you. Contact us any time! Bob Scott, Scoutmaster Baden Powell, III, District Commissioner From Pegasus' trail, cabin, restoom, and camping packages