Have you ever gone to WASA to play Hotspots and been frustrated that there's nobody there? Are you yearning to show off your mad ArtSets skillz at the Getty Museum? Well, we've got the solution for you!

Starting this week, keep your eyes peeled for Challenge Hours on the Welcome Page calendar.

During a Challenge Hour, everybody is invited to bring their best game to one of Whyville's most popular multiplayer games. Each week will highlight a different game. Will it be time for tic-tac-toe? A collision at kalah? Who knows, so get yourselves ready for anything!

And since these weekly events seemed like such good fun, we thought we'd propose a weekly Social Hour as well.

Ever had a beachside chat in Tahiti? Talked about sushi in Tokyo? Rode on a crocodile as you swam down the Amazon? Come to a Social Hour and enjoy your fellow Whyvillians' company at many places all over the world, accessed by the Warp Wagon.

Whoever you are, however you define yourself -- prep or goth, newbie or veteran, or just a great person with no simple definition -- let's all get together and have fun learning about each other!

Social Hours will also be announced each week in the Welcome Page calendar. Meet new people in new exotic locations!

If any of these activities inspire you, let us know! Maybe there are other events we can post in the calendar -- improv comedy at the City Hall auditorium or massive projectile fight in the Sportplatz? Great ideas are always in season!

Happy new year, everybody. It's going to be a great 2005!

From the hours that slipped by last year,
Bigfoot