Close to both Tokyo and Mount Fuji the small town of Hakone holds something of a revelation. However, unless you are from Japan, you may well not have heard of it. The town plays host to a large open air museum where the works of many famous artists are held - outdoors. It balances art and nature in harmony. The artworks, combined with the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains give the visitor an unforgettable experience. Now recreated in OpenSim for all those missing travelling in Real Life.

https://www.kuriositas.com/2010/07/hakone-japans-amazing-o...

New release today. Something for the garden, at least we can have virtual spring ;)

This one is a victorian-ish garden gazebo.
It has several versions that's aren't all on display at the shop since the gazebo is pretty large. There are 2 metal choices, 2 clematis colors, and 2 vine configurations. Textures are inside a version in the box and an enclosed notecard has all the info.
The vines and the chandeliers are separate objects so they are optional for those who just want the structure.

Have a lovely day!

** PETUNIAS LOG PLANTER ** New release - Available for FREE and FULL PERM at FLORA, GARDEN SECTOR, BOX 01.
- 5 different flowers and seasons included.
- Scripted version also available - use a single script to change colors/seasons using one single script! Even if rezing a hundred of these log planters!
Enjoy :)

ATTENTION: Needful Things is currently being revised!

Planned are:
- Reduction of (rezzed) meshes & scripts
- Extension of the store buildings by 2 floors
- Revision of the interiors

Most freebies (even the older ones, e.g. clothing for standard avatars, Selea Core Stuff, etc.) will remain. The location of the stores will also remain largely the same, only the buildings itselves will be redeveloped.

The rebuild is a longer-term project (120 houses to modify!), so Needful Things will remain open to visitors. It is expressly warned against construction lag and falling prims during this time ;)
* * *
ACHTUNG: Needful Things wird zur Zeit überarbeitet!

Geplant sind:
- Reduzierung von (gerezzten) Meshes & Skripten
- Erweiterung der Shop-Gebäude um 2 Etagen
- Überarbeitung der Inneneinrichtungen

Die meisten Freebies (auch die älteren, z.B. Kleidung für Standardavatare, Selea Core Stuff, etc.) bleiben erhalten. Auch die Lage der Shops bleibt weitgehenst erhalten, nur die Gebäude werden kernsaniert.

Bei 120 Häusern auf der Sim ist der Umbau ein längerfristiges Projekt, daher bleibt die Region durchgehend für Besucher offen. Vor Bau-Lag und herunterfallenden Prims in dieser Zeit wird ausdrücklich gewarnt ;)

HG Houses with Snow Control - NEW @ Needful Things

I added to all my HG Winter Prefabs a Snow Control Panel, so you can switch between summer / winter with just one click.
Most of these houses got a Light Control Panel, too.

p.s.: More modificated HG prefabs will coming soon in "Need a new Home?" store - opposite to the Bank of Needful Things.

* * *

HG Häuser mit Schnee-Menü - NEU @ Needful Things

Ich habe meinen Winterhäusern mit Schneedach, die ich über die Jahre im HG aingesammelt habe, einen Schnee-Kontroll-Schalter hinzugefügt, so dass man mit nur einem Klick zwischen Sommer- / Winterstyle wechseln kann.
Ebenso haben die meisten der Häuser einen Lichtschalter zum Kontrollieren der Lampen bekommen.

p.s.: Mehr modifizierte HG Häuser (ohne Schnee^^) folgen nach und nach in den neuen Shop "Need a new Home?" - gegenüber der Bank von Needful Things.

New release today. I was intending to make these flowers for a while and finally did them. Day Lilies and "Tiger" Lilies. In my garden, the flowers I call Tiger Lilies are really just larger Day Lilies. The real Tiger Lilies are different, I know, but I named them as I knew them :).

LIGHT MUSEUM is now known as LIGHT and SOUND MUSEUM *** Available for FREE and FULL PERM (store number 07), SOUND BOXES (environment sounds) for ur sim/place:
Choose different environements such as:

NATURE SOUNDS: Boreal Forest, Australian Outback, Pine Forest, Desert,Rain Forest, Swamp, Beach, River, Waterfall, Rain, Thunderstorm, Wind, Tornado, Underwater, Whales & Dolphins ,Volcano Eruption, Earthquake, Wet Water Cave and African Savannah.

URBAN SOUNDS: Bar, Harbor, Amusement Park (Machinery, Merry go round, Haunted Mansion and Zombies), Construction,Subway, Factory, Military Base, City Traffic, Airport, Stadium, Garden Party, French Cafe, Irish Pub, Buddhist Temple, Bazaar (Oriental Market), Mosque, Chinese Market, Cooking, Office, Volleyball, Hospital, Night Club ,City Battle WW2, Swimming Pool, Traffic Jam, Gregorian Chant, Grocery, Police Department, Coffee Shop, Mantra OM and Hockey.

FARM SOUNDS: Farm Ambiance, Ducks, Cattle Yard, Turkeys, Backyard Geese, Horse Stable, Goats, Pigs, Fire (Campire and fireplace) and even an Old West Saloon Ambiance.

BIRDS SOUNDS: Amazon Parrots, Black Capped Chickadees, Budgies, Cockatiels, Crows, Eagles, Nightingales, Northern Cardinals, Owl, Pigeons, Robins and Thrushes.

MEDIEVAL and FANTASY SOUNDS: Medieval Tavern, Space Station, STARWARS (Cantina, Duel of Fates, Imperial March), Yggdrasil Viking, Cosmic Melody, Enchanted Forest, Dinosaurs Jungle and Spiders Cave.

P.S. When boxes are rezed for the 1st time it might happen the sounds break a little bit. Normal at Opensim when more than 1 wav file is played. But after loop is completed ,sounds will go smooth :)

Arkham Grid was born without an internal community project, players can't register, so I knew the difference. Not knowing and not having friends. This has not happened, I have more friendships now than in many years of Opensim, many come to greet, to talk, or to listen to me. I am very happy, there is a lot to do in this grid, my next project is to open land for residents "Arda", I am ready to host friends in my house.
I thank all the people who have always chosen Arkham, thank you for your friendship, and for creating a great community in the grid.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
https://youtu.be/44iGtczRJjQ

*** NEW RELEASE ** A good collection of snow, cloud, mist ,fog in mesh or sculpted for covering houses or streets to the close winter. Available at WEATHER AREA for FREE and FULL PERM.
PS. I updated also the FALLEN LEAVES and PETALs box at BOX 08 , GARDEN AREA.
Enjoy :)

*** GREEK OLIVE ANIMATED TREES PACK *** FREE and FULL PERM different models. Seasonal textures (spring with flowers, summer with green and black olives and winter) included. Animated leaves (script included when needed). Available at FOREST AREA (ground) at BOX 05. Enjoy :)

The new Stark! magazine with Miranda Djannovic from Virtual Dream Grid and Niki Stark is out now! Be careful! It is HOT!

Get your copy of the magazine and/or vendor from the new Stark landing point.

The technical admins at Arkham are still working tirelessly around the clock to bring Arkham back online, and I can’t thank them enough. I heard today that the maintenance is going really well, so just a few more days and we’ll be back to normal. Honestly, this little pause has been a blessing in disguise — it’s teaching me patience, even though I miss Arkham like crazy. But I know everything will be just fine! WE LOVE ARKHAM Thank you

Opensim is so much more than the hatey-whiney folk who so often try to dominate the front page of this site with their pointless drama, and then (which is really low rent) blame their health when they get called on it.
If you're an emotional adult, you may find the following news from around Opensim interesting. We are at the halfway point of this HG Safari season, here are a few recent posts you may have missed.
Our inworld goodbye to Mal Burns - watch the video too if you can, it's lovely
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-life-in-review.htm...
A chance to be part of a dancing troupe here in Opensim for the Xmas holidays
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/10/dancing-on-counterea...
Jimmy Olsen's weather-beaten Scandinavian wonderland
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/09/gorgeous-norge.html
An intriguing medieval masterpiece by Lilly Topas
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/09/wonders-of-washago.h...
An outstanding recreation of Old Paris by Glenn Dayafter
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/10/arte-and-montmartre....
the heartwarming forest build by Pasha Theas, lovingly maintained by Clairwil Oh
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-witching-hour.html
and finally, Wyldwood Bayou grid celebrates its 5th anniversary
https://hgsafari.blogspot.com/2025/10/wyld-five.html

All New stuff going out at the mall. Things I made in Meshy so you won't find them anywhere else. Stop by and see! There are Monsters for your Halloween decor, there are carved caves, mysterious portals, beautiful arches, and some absolutely adorable little critters that make the cutest little nick knacks. There is a nice statue of a swordsman and a "Sleeping Beauty" scene. And there will be more coming!! This stuff is all free and full perm except for re-texturing as these textures were applied in Meshy and cannot be changed. Blessings and much love, Lavia.