Nothing New On The Sunny Estates

 For those wondering about the Sunweaver Estates, there have been no new developments about their future. The sims are still up, despite their owner Rita Mariner having passed away a few months ago. When I last talked to Shockwave Yareach, he told me there's been no word from Linden Lab about them. The most likely is there's still money in Rita's account, and as long as money goes from there to Linden Lab, there's no issue. But there's no telling how long it will last. 

 

In the meantime, life, or in this case virtual life, has gone on, with Club Xanadu having taken the Wednesday at 6PM time that the now inactive Club Cutlass had and a few more people going to it's Saturday at 8PM party. The Happy Vixen has also seen more people drop by, especially with it's Halloween Haunt set up.  

 

When there's more news about the future of the Sunweaver sims, we'll let you the readers know.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

More Tributes to Rita Mariner

 

 

One recalls the expression, "Always the last to know." Well, a few people never got the news Rita Mariner had passed away until they saw the article about her memorial service, "Oh my God! Rita's dead?!" Others would wait to say something until after the goodbye.

 

Rhayne Tungsten would say, after reading the article, "It was a fitting tribute. I'm more upset I missed it. We touched on and off early on when I'd DJ for Nydia (Tungsten) and when I dj'ed at other clubs, including hers. She was also a regular when I had my own club. even after my absence from Second Life for a while, we picked right back up like nothing ever happened. She was a *terrible* flirt, and I can't say it wasn't welcome. Later on, I acquired her cell number, and we texted semi regularly up until the end. Gawds ... I miss her so much.

 

"It's just.... Rita meant a lot ta me. an now she's gone. An there's a hole she used ta fill."

Tantari Kim would comment, "I'm sorry that we lost her. I'm sure it was a big impact to the whole Sunweavers community. I used to be active there but I've had so much on my plate that it has kind of fallen off. But still it is good to know, at least so I can be more supportive of Sunweavers like you."

 

Jessie Vix (DJ Jessie) remarked in the comments at the end of the memorial article, "Bad Wi-Fi kept Me away. I'm just a noob in the Sunweavers as I'm only 5 years old in SL. Rita was one that was too patient with my attempted customizations messing up her land, I broke my parcel many times and Rita would drop by immediately to help. Once it was repaired, we would chill awhile and talk. As I look up towards Cutlass circling my parcel, I swear its Rita and Zorro driving her up there. The music has gone silent there but she still sails the digital skies over Sunweaver Bay, A comfort to one so young who has lost so many already both in real-life and Second Life."

 

Further comments are welcome,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

A Special Tribute ...

 

 I'm sure a number of you remember when I surprised Rita Mariner by going as a clone of her. It worked so well, it became something of a Sunbeamer tradition when we hit a million Linden dollars raised to go about as that for a week. Well, with Rita gone and the Sunbeamer team retired, it looks like that tradition is no more. 

 

Still, there was one more thing I could do with the avatar. I contacted Corey In The House (jjws888 Resident), who specializes in making statues of avatars. And we got together for him to make a statue of the avie. It wasn't lost on me that what started out as a joke became something to help remember her. 

 

A copy of it is at Club Cutlass, Rita's hangout. So one way to honor her, and keep her at her favorite spot. 

 

*Addition* - I had sent a message in both a group announcement and a Discord message that I had dropped off something at Cutlass, though didn't say what it was. Apparently that wasn't enough to keep one Sunny from getting a surprise, "Scared the crap out of me! I went to Cutlass ... came face to face with Rita's ghost! ... dammit guy, where the hell did you get that?!"

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

A Little Project ...

 

I spent much of yesterday working on a certain project. Well, sort of. Someone else was doing most of the work. 

 

So what is it and what does it involve? You'll see.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Memorial Service For Rita Mariner

 

 

On Saturday evening August 1, it was time for the Sunweaver community to say goodbye to a special friend: it's founder Rita Mariner. A number of people gathered to give their farewells, sometimes saying a few words about her. Complicating things were technical glitches which prevented some people from being there, so ways had to be found to work around them. But the event would proceed, with much spoken. 

 

Read the story in People.

 

Commentary: Of RFL's Team Sunbeamer's Folding

 

"All good things must come to an end" so goes an old saying. And late last month, following the death of it's captain Rita Mariner, it was announced that the Relay for Life's Team Sunbeamers, after thirteen years of fun and fundraising, would be retired. Obviously the end of it's leader was the big reason. But there were others that led to this decision.

 

Read the commentary in Extra.  

Reader Submitted Pictures

 

 

 From Marusame Ari. The first one shows Rita Mariner playing with one of her pet Meroos.

 

 From 2011, Rita dancing with Marusame and another friend.

 

 

Reader Submitted: Tribute to Rita in Palworld

 

From Marusame Ari, whom has been playing the game Palworld, and did a tribute to the late Rita Mariner.

 

Words of Goodbye and Condolences to Rita Mariner

 

 As word of Rita Mariner's passing spread last Sunday and Monday, well wishes came around. There were numerous short comments from many, but some stood out. Among the usually quiet Sunbeamers, Logi WIldSpirit Arizona (logan Weder), "Rest in Paradise, Dear Rita, you are at peace now." Rififi Resident, "... I've wandering alone in Rita's huge mansion ... listening to the echoes. The echoes now sound even more hollow."

Zidders Roofurry (Zidaya Zenovka) would say, "I just wanted to offer my condolences to all. While it's been a long time since I last spoke to Rita when I first came to SL she was kind, warm, and welcoming in her own way. I appreciated it a lot as well as all the friendships that came about as a result of her welcoming me into her community. I'm so grateful for all the kindness she and other weavers have always shown me. I know she loved all of you a lot, and you all loved her. Again...please accept my deepest of sympathies.

"The Sunweavers were some of my first friends here in sl. I found SL at a pretty rough time in my life. Rita helped save my life. I'll always be grateful for that."

 

Comments came not just from the Sunweaver group, but also from the Relay for Life. Among those that stood out, Sandie (Sandie Loxingly), "So sorry for your loss, Cynthia and all of the Sunbeamers." ϿϮ Kαrmα ϮϾ (mariposa4242 Resident), "My heart goes out to the Sunbeamers."

 

MamaP (MamaP Beerbaum) would say, "Oh my God, my heart breaks.  Rest in peace dear Rita.  I can not imagine Relay without her. We continue to fight for her!" Vickie (Vickie Maidstone), "This is so sad, one of the sweetest Relayers I ever met."

 

Vicki Wildrose (Victab Resident), "I just saw the notice Sunbeamers, so sorry to hear of Rita's passing. " [Bill Wheelwright, "Sad. we will continue to relay until there is a cure." Kitty (Prettykitty Gumbo), "It makes me want to Relay more!! We will miss our dear Rita!! ... My heart goes out to you all!" 

 

Alison Flow, of Roos With a Dream that took part in many events with the Sunbeamers, would say, "So sorry to hear of Rita's passing. She was a wonderful friend of the Roos and a staunch supporter of RFL. Hugs to all who loved her and most of all to the Sunbeamers.♥️"

 

Selene Jashan, "I so hate to hear this.   You all are in my thoughts and prayers.   Please let me know if there is anything I can do .. Rita will be very much missed as she was an extremely big part of our Community." Duchess Trikassi , "Deepest condolences to Rita's family and the Sunbeamers.  Rita was a very big part of the RFL community...she will be missed dearly." Wateru Kohime, "She will definitely be missed. Sending hugs to all the Sunbeamers."

 

On Discord, Lia (WarbloodCityCancerKickers) would say, " It is with heavy hearts that we, the Warblood City Cancer Kickers, extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Captain Rita Mariner. Rita was a true force within the American Cancer Society in Second Life community, touching countless lives through her kindness, dedication, and unwavering spirit. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in Power, Rita."

 

This was not all that was spoken. There were numerous smaller comments, and others who felt they had no words to express their sadness
 

Bixyl Shuftan 

A Farewell To A Friend And Community Leader

 

Saturday August 1 at 6PM SL time was Rita Mariner's memorial service. The event for the Sunweaver's departed community leader was held at Sunweaver Air next to Farshore Field, with Shockwave Yareach and Cynthia Farshore being the organizers. Unfortunately our sadness was mixed with frustration as despite this being a full sim, the capacity was capped much lower than it should have been. Cynthia tried restarting, but that didn't work. So Nydia had to broadcast it on her Discord channel while Lom copy-pasted the chat onto the Sunny group.

 

For those who missed it, I'll soon have a more detailed article of what those who could be there spoke about Rita. 

 

 Shockwave would also add Rita Mariner to the Sunweaver Memorial in Sunweaver Eclipse. He would comment on Facebook since she was the community leader, she would get the biggest flame, which went up like a beam when the sim was viewed at night. 

 

She joins others whom have passed on, Zorro, Alleara Snoodle, Jessicabelle Dayafter, Akea Gromet, Artistic Fimicloud, and several others. Time has taken it's toll on the community.

 

But while memorials are supposed to be lasting, sadly this may not be the case. With the future of the sims in jeopardy,  it's very possible that the memorial will fade away into the virtual nether. 

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Video: "Sunweavers Say Good Bye"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Nydia Tungsten on July 31, "We lost our Cheiftess, Our Friend, our Loving Friend Rita Mariner. Another Angel went home We Love You Rita."

 

A Few More Articles About Rita Mariner

 

 

Rita Mariner and The Sawyer Squad (2017) - read in People. 

 

Rita Mariner, Head of The Sunweavers (2013) by Grease Coakes - read in People. 

 

Interview With Sunweaver Leader Rita Mariner (2021) by Penny Shuftan - read in People. 

 

Rita Mariner and the History of the Sunweavers (2014)

 

With Rita Mariner's passing, the Newser has written about her about every day since. Some readers might be asking "So who is she and how did the Sunweaver community start?" I would interview her in 2014, asking her those questions. 

 

Since then, a number of things have changed. A few sims were added. A road network, then a railway, were laid out. Nydia Tungsten and Cynthia Farshore ended up swapping sims. And sadly, some people would pass away or their real lives took over and they were seen less and less until gone. 

 

Read the 2014 interview in People.  

 

Musical Tribute To Rita Mariner

"Our Little Purple Star"

 

(Verse 1)

She was a flash of violet in the morning light,
A gentle soul who made the world so bright.
Our Rita Mariner, with ears so soft and long,
You filled our quiet house with your own sweet song.
You hopped into our hearts, a wondrous shade of hue,
There will never be another bunny quite like you.

​(Chorus)
Oh, Rita, our wonderful purple friend,
We held your little paws right to the end.
Though the shadows fell and you had to slip away,
Your colorful spirit in our hearts will stay.
Rest now, sweet Rita, beyond the pain and tears,
Thank you for the magic of these beautiful years.

​(Verse 2)
It was a heavy storm that came to take your strength,
But you fought so bravely down the journey's length.
Even when the sickness tried to steal your spark,
Your bright purple light guided us through the dark.
You never lost your sweetness, never lost your grace,
Leaving tiny paw prints that time cannot erase.

​(Chorus)
Oh, Rita, our wonderful purple friend,
We held your little paws right to the end.
Though the shadows fell and you had to slip away,
Your colorful spirit in our hearts will stay.
Rest now, sweet Rita, beyond the pain and tears,
Thank you for the magic of these beautiful years.

​(Bridge)
Now we picture a meadow where the sweet clover grows,
Where the sun is always shining and a warm breeze blows.
Hop free, little Mariner, across the endless green,
The most beautiful purple bunny that heaven's ever seen.
No more tired days, no more battles to be won,
Just endless fields of dandelions sleeping in the sun.

​(Outro)
Goodnight, our dear Rita, we'll miss your velvet nose.
Sleep softly in the starlight, where the peaceful river flows.
We will love you always, our little purple star.
Rest in peace, sweet Rita, wherever you are.

 

Masane Amaha 

 

Link to music on Suno (here).

 

Announcement: Memorial Service For Rita Mariner on Friday

 

Event: Memorial Service for Rita Mariner

 

When: Friday July 31 at 6PM SL time

 

Where: Farshore Field, Sunweaver Estates 

 
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunlight%20Bay/115/87/23 

 

Sunbeamers RFL Team To Disband

 

Talking to Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach yesterday, Monday July 27, they stated with team captain Rita Mariner passing away, this will be the last year the Relay for Life's Sunbeamer team will be active. It will not be coming back for the 2027 season.

"Sunbeamers was Rita's team," Cynthia told me, "fitting to let it go." "The team can retire now," Shockwave added. 

Both are already members of Team ACTS and will be relaying under their banner next year, "ACTS can use our powers I'm sure," Shockwave commented.

 

The Sunbeamers are not the only noted team to disband this year. During the Relaystock, the Relay Rockers announced they would be closing the team after twenty years of Relaying.

Rita Mariner founded Team Sunbeamers in 2013, following the decision to officially fold the Passionate Redheads team, some months after it's captains stepped down. Over the past thirteen years, it went from a small performer to being one of the top dozen teams in terms of fundraising, "the little team that could," in it's past few years reaching Ruby Level fundraising, well over one million Linden dollars. Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach were key to the team's rise with events such as the weekly Moon Dance and annual Air Show. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club Closes Indefinately, Club Cutlass and Club Squeaks Temporarily Suspending Events

 

With the sims of the Sunweaver Estates, save one, likely to close sometime after the end of the month, this is affecting the clubs that call the place home. Yesterday, Monday July 27, Brandi Streusel announced following the event Club Squeaks had that day, the club would be closing temporarily, reopening some time in the future. 

 

turns the lights out and closes the door, stops, turns and pats the door      "We'll be back . . . "
 

Club Squeaks in recent times has had one event most weeks, on Mondays, though it hasn't been a guarantee with the DJ and owner's real life.

 

Club Cutlass, the main club of the Sunweaver community, is also having it's regular events temporarily suspended.  There will be a memorial service for Rita Mariner soon. While it may be at the club, it's equally likely it will be at a larger location. The time regular events will be resuming has not yet been decided. 

 

Club Cutlass normally has events Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 6 to 8 SL time.  

 

But one club is closing it's doors indefinitely, probably for good.  On Sunday July 26, the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club would hold one last event. In honor of Rita, DJ Snowbuns played songs such as "Angel Flight," "In The Arms of An Angel," and others. 

 

Since this was the last Sunday of the month, the sim would likely be gone. Because of this, it was talked about what to do earlier, and it was decided with too few places available to place clubs, the place would have to be shelved indefinitely, probably for good. And so after the event, hostess Kylee Gracemont gave a goodbye message.

 

Thank You for all the Fish !
Unfortunately we are sunsetting Bouncing Bunny Beach Club because of Rita's passing.
Thank You All for the great memories !
Keep on Hopping Along and See You Elsewhere Everyone ! 

 

Club Zero Gravity, Xanadu, and the Happy Vixen Beach Club, the latter which isn't considered on Sunweaver land but is a favorite of the Sunweaver Community, are unaffected. 

 

Stay tuned for more information later,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Fimi's Memorial Treehouse Relocated

 

 With the Sunweaver Community and it's land in an upheaval following the death of it's leader and main landholder Rita Mariner, there are some small bits of good news. Among them, whatever happens to Rita's sims, the Fimi Memorial Treehouse is safe, relocated to HV Community, the one sim on the estate that was owned by someone other than her.

 

This was the home of Artistic Fimicloud, the pink foxgirl in the early days of the Sunweaver community and Passionate Redheads Relay team, known as Stephanie Koslow in real life, an artist. Sadly she passed away from cancer in May 2008 at age 49.  But the community and Relay team remembered her, her treehouse preserved as a lasting memorial to her. Fortunately, Cynthia Fareshore had permission to move her objects, and so the tree, and the objects inside, were be able to be moved, " I took my time in edit and ctrl key looking move a bit find what wasn't selected , did that a number of times till finally had it all selected and slowly moved it over."

 

Much is still going on. Yours truly has been taking pictures of some of the land, though it seems the treehouse might not have already be the only thing picked up.  One club has announced it will be closing indefinitely, perhaps permanently. Club Cutlass and Club Squeaks are closed temporarily. The Happy Vixen, Club Zero Gravity, and Xanadu are going on as scheduled. 

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Future of Sunweaver Estates Unclear

 

 There's been plenty of talk about the passing of Rita Mariner, and not much time to write about it. But what can be stated is Rita had no backup plan for the Sunweaver Estates. Maybe the Sunweavers can get Linden Lab to pass them on to someone, or maybe not. 

 

Yours truly will have some more information soon.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Breaking News: Rita Mariner Has Died

 

From Cynthia Farshore:

 

I am saddened to report that our wonderful purple bunny Rita Mariner had passed away last Thursday from cancer. I spoke directly to Shockwave who had a direct contact with Rita’s sister who informed him. There will not be a funeral as Rita had asked to be cremated so it seems there will be no need in sending flowers or planning trips to attend a funeral.

At this time it appears that no ownership of regions has been transferred. We are not sure when the regions may go poof so do not pay any rent boxes and I urge all residents of Sunweaver Estates to begin collecting up all no copy items. I had brought up before that people need to be looking at where to move; now it is time to act on it. 

May Rita find joy in the presence of Jesus 

 

More information to come later.