=== ENGLISH VERSION ===

Hello friends and fans of Stark Islands!

We are glad to tell you after 9 months of absence that we are back and will be releasing a new and optimized version of Stark Islands in the near future!

We have had some time to think through the concept and the technical foundation. The huge (server-)workload of Stark Islands was one of the biggest issues we had to fight with in the past. To offer you a better experience, we've made some important changes and are working on other important details. New Stark is the same size as before (though it may expand in time) but split in 4 different regions on different servers to reduce the workload per server.
The region will have a new footprint, based on the old main island, and the best of old Stark you will find in the new version too. We reduce prims, meshes and scripts as much as possible without changing the soul of Stark Islands. This all means a lot of work and we will need some time, though as you all know, a sim will never be finished.
When we think, the sim is in an acceptable state, we will open the gates!

We're thrilled to bring you this announcement today and hope you're as excited as we are, so stay tuned for further updates!

Wishing you a happy Easter 2022!

With love, pride and respect and all the values that make Stark great.

Mathilda and Niki


=== DEUTSCHE VERSION ===

Hallo Freunde und Fans von Stark Islands!

Wir freuen uns, euch nach 9 Monaten Abwesenheit mitteilen zu können, dass wir zurück sind und in naher Zukunft eine neue und optimierte Version von Stark Islands veröffentlichen werden!

Wir hatten Zeit, um das Konzept und die technischen Grundlagen zu überdenken. Die enorme (Server-)Arbeitsbelastung von Stark Islands war eines der größten Probleme, mit denen wir in der Vergangenheit zu kämpfen hatten. Um euch ein besseres Erlebnis zu bieten, haben wir einige wichtige Änderungen vorgenommen und arbeiten an weiteren wichtigen Details. Das neue Stark hat die gleiche Größe wie zuvor (es könnte sich mit der Zeit aber auch erweitern), ist jedoch in 4 verschiedene Regionen auf verschiedenen Servern aufgeteilt, um die Arbeitslast pro Server zu reduzieren.
Die Region wird einen neuen Grundriss haben, basierend auf der alten Hauptinsel, aber das Beste von Alt-Stark werdet ihr auch in der neuen Version finden. Wir reduzieren Prims, Meshes und Skripte so weit wie möglich, ohne die Seele von Stark Islands zu verändern. Das alles bedeutet viel Arbeit und wir werden einige Zeit brauchen und wie ihr alle wisst, wird eine Sim niemals fertig sein.
Aber wenn wir denken, dass die Sim in einem akzeptablen Zustand ist, öffnen wir die Tore!

Wir freuen uns sehr, euch heute diese Ankündigung machen zu können und hoffen, dass ihr genauso aufgeregt seid wie wir!

Also seid gespannt für weitere Updates!

Wir wünschen euch frohe Ostern 2022!

Mit Liebe, Stolz und Respekt und all den Werten, die Stark so großartig machen.

Mathilda und Niki

Born on October 30, 2008 on Francogrid, this day March 14, 2022, the pirate queen died with the grid. Thank you for your past support.
Bisoux
Née le 30 octobre 2008 sur Francogrid, ce jour 14 mars 2022,la reine pirate est morte avec la grille.
Merci de vos soutiens passés.
Bisoux

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 :)

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 :).

I worked out a solution for initial sitting bug in the NPC Horse (script by Shin Ingen) where the avatar sinks through the horse when wearing an AO.
In the NPC horse script by Shin Ingen in under run_time_permissions(integer perm) FIND
if (perm & PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION)
{
llStopAnimation("sit");
//llStartAnimation("man-stop");
switchAnims("idle");
}
and REPLACE with
if (perm & PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION)
{
list anims = llGetAnimationList(llGetPermissionsKey());
integer len = llGetListLength(anims);
integer i;
for (i = 0; i < len; ++i) llStopAnimation(llList2Key(anims, i));
//llOwnerSay("Permissions Accepted");
switchAnims("idle");
}
If you don't like coding, just hop over to Neiferleaf and fetch the boxed new horse rezzer at the landingpoint.
Enjoy

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.

🌟 Tribute to Joe Dokes — A Life That Left Light Behind

There are people who pass through our lives quietly, and then there are people like Joe Dokes — people whose presence becomes part of the foundation of our world. Joe was one of those rare souls who didn’t just exist in DigiWorldz… he gave to it. He built community, he offered shelter, he created belonging. And for those of us blessed enough to know him personally, he offered something even deeper: respect, kindness, and a sense of being seen.

Joe and PreciousRuby were more than friends to me — they were family in the way only virtual worlds can create. They made special exceptions for me, welcomed me into their circle, and trusted me with moments that mattered. One of the greatest honors of my life was standing with them as they rededicated their marriage. They asked me to lead the service… and I did, with all the love and reverence I had. To be their officiant was a privilege I will never forget.

Joe carried a quiet strength — the kind that didn’t need attention or applause. He simply lived with generosity. He gave people homes. He gave people safety. He gave people dignity. And he gave PreciousRuby a love that was gentle, loyal, and deeply rooted.

My heart breaks for her now. Losing a partner is losing a piece of your world, and she is walking through a grief that touches both her real life and her inworld life. I pray she feels surrounded by comfort, by support, and by the love Joe poured into her for so many years. She is not alone. She is held — by God, by community, and by every person Joe touched.

Joe’s passing leaves a silence… but not emptiness. His legacy is kindness. His memory is warmth. His impact is lasting. And the love he shared — with PreciousRuby, with his family, with his friends — continues forward.

Rest in peace, Joe.
Thank you for the home you created, the love you gave, and the lives you lifted. You will never be forgotten.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

💛 Prayer for Joe Dokes & PreciousRuby

Father God,
Tonight we lift up the life of Joe Dokes, a man whose kindness built homes, whose generosity built community, and whose quiet strength touched more hearts than he ever realized. Thank You for the gift of his life — for every moment he offered comfort, every time he made room for someone who needed a place to belong, and every act of love he shared with PreciousRuby and those around him.

Lord, we ask You to wrap PreciousRuby in Your arms right now. Her heart is aching, her world feels shaken, and the silence he leaves behind is heavy. Surround her with Your peace — the kind that steadies trembling hands and breathes calm into the deepest places of grief. Let her feel Joe’s love still present, still warm, still carrying her forward.

Bring comfort to every friend who knew Joe, especially those of us who were blessed to stand with him and PreciousRuby in sacred moments. Heal the places in us that feel the loss. Remind us that love does not end — it transforms, it continues, it becomes legacy.

Lord, let Joe’s memory be a light that never dims. Let his kindness echo. Let his generosity inspire. Let his love remain a shelter for PreciousRuby and all who cherished him.

And tonight, Father, hold us close.
Hold her close.
Hold Joe close in Your eternal rest.

Amen.

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A New Chapter Ahead

After taking some time away, we have been giving a lot of thought to the future. Due to the many requests, messages, and words of encouragement from so many people, we are seriously considering making a return—with a fresh outlook and a stronger vision.

To be clear, this is not a reboot, nor is it anything like what one negative individual suggested in a previous comment.

What happened did hurt us, but it did not break us. If anything, it made us stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

This may be the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to sharing more when the time is right.

Keep an eye on future notices... there may be some exciting news ahead!

Ted & Sofee