The Coke Bottle At Cutlass

 

When someone you care about passes away, what they leave behind becomes more precious. That's certainly been the case of Rita Mariner and her Sunweaver Estates, most of which have had their future up in the air since the announcement of her death. But it's not just her objects involved. There's one small object at Club Cutlass that is easily overlooked, but to those who know the owner is a reminder of a dear friend. 

 

Read more in Design. 

 

Gaeta 1 Stays: Linden Lab Reverses Decision To Close The Continent

 

In April, Linden Lab announced they would eventually be closing the smallest of the continents in Second Life, Gaeta 1, as part of "A New Chapter For Mainland."  The reason given was that Zindra, the unfinished continent they planned to complete, was growing in population while Gaeta had a small population that wasn't getting bigger. It was a decision that had many people asking "why," locals on the land mass as well as people who made their home elsewhere. Never before had Linden Lab shut down a permanent landmass. Why do so now?

 

Now it seems the residents who live on the small continent can relax. On Monday August 3, Linden Lab would announce it had canceled plans to close Gaeta 1.

 

After further review of resident feedback, relocation activity, and our long-term plans for Mainland, Linden Lab has decided that Gaeta 1 will remain open.

This is a significant change from the transition plan announced in April. We are sorry for the disruption and uncertainty this reversal has caused, especially for residents who made decisions or completed relocations based on the information and direction we previously provided. We recognize that those residents acted promptly and in good faith, and we are committed to providing affected residents with meaningful choices moving forward.

 

So those who have land on Gaeta can stay. For those who already moved out under assistance from Linden Lab, the announcement stated they would soon be hearing from the Lindens, who would ask if they wanted help in returning, or not, if they haven't heard already.  

 

The Lab would call this change of plans for Gaeta, "the first step in our renewed focus for Mainland." They would go on to say further plans included, 

 

Addition of several open water homesteads in an effort to improve the sailing experience around some of the mainland continents. We encourage anyone interested in sailing in SL to give it a try. 

Repairs of many legacy Mainland regions with badly baked edges, to fix longstanding region crossing issues between these specific regions, and make them more attractive overall.

Restoration of several legacy Mainland builds, including the Balloon Tour in Linden Village, the Snowlands chairlifts, and the Pomponio Crater area. 

So what did the Gaetans think of the move? When I looked at the map, the largest group was at "All Smolls Music Hall" in Vibus Ten. Going there, the tinies there told me others in the community had been talking about it earlier in the day. One remarked, "they go for the least productive ones first, never mind that those ones they are destroying are the ones that are more loyal to the rules and regulations than the others." Another quipped, "Wish they'd do something about all the bloodlines bots and Tiny World Bots." Still, they were happy they wouldn't have to move. 

 

And so, what looked like the upcoming closing of a continent has been averted. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

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.

 

Events This Week In SL Clubbin'

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver-Angel, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and Urban Furry clubs.

Club Cutlass: Temporarily Closed

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy - TBA

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  DJ Moni, DJ Cookie, DJ Chucklepuppy, DJ Moff

 

Furry Fashion: TBA

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Charlee, DJ Emma, DJ Emma

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Discussion on Tactics At Aether Salon

 

In Bixyl Shuftan's article for today, which was postponed due to reporting about the Second Life Birthday and the passing of Rita Mariner, he reports about last month's discussion at the Aether Salon in New Babbage. Over time, there have been many topics in these meet-ups that take place once a month most months, organized by Ceejay Writer. For July, it was "Tactics," with Jedburgh Dagger as the speaker, So how did it go?

Read more in Events. 

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 

Walk Around The Grid: Pet Pharmacy's Sixth Anniversary

 

Netera Landar was recently at the anniversary party of a venue known as Pet Pharmacy. Attendance was heavy, with everyone well-dressed, and dancing to swing music by the DJs.

 

See Netera's screenshots of the anniversary in Events.  

 

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 

 

Reader Submitted Picture: Thanksgiving With The Sunweavers And Angels

 

 From Marusame (Marusame Arai). This picture is probably from the mid to later 2010s, an inworld  Thanksgiving dinner with a number of Sunweavers and Nydia's Angels, with Shockwave Yareach playing the part of a dancing turkey.

 

Maru head the news of Rita's passing late, and regretted not seeing her in her later days online. She would comment, "Sometimes, a relationship can be like having a book on a table that you read a sentence or two or even full pages at a time, and over the years you keep the book open and read a few passages, it collects dust, you dust it off. Then one day you go to continue the book and it was suddenly closed and put back on the shelf, you forget the book and what page it was, but you remember enjoying it."

 

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.  

 

Taking A Few Pictures

 

 With the future of the Sunweaver sims in doubt, been going around taking pictures of the place. One was the Sunbeamer HQ where Rita would hold occasional meetings, and place items that brought back memories.

 

 

An ariel view of SunWaterOne

 

These are just a couple of those I've taken, and others have been taking some as well.

 

In the meantime, efforts to save a little of the land continue.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

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 

 

Developing ...

 

The situation in the Sunweaver community and Estates is still developing, with more than a little chatter between residents, sometimes people who haven't spoken to one another in months, or years. We are mourning the passing of our community leader and friend, and wondering what happens next with this place online we've called home for years.

There is talk that a couple sims *might* be saved. Nothing is certain though. Much depends on Rita's family in real-life, and Linden Lab. But there's reason for cautious optimism.

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Events This Week In SL Clubbin'

 

Due to the situation in the Sunweaver Estates, there has been a shakeup with some club schedules.

Club Cutlass: Closed temporarily

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy - TBA

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  Closed Indefinately (likely permanent)

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  Manic Moni, DJ Cookie, DJ Chucklepuppy, Magic Moff

 

Furry Fashion: Gold, TBA, Insects Vs. Arachnids

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Charlee, DJ Emma, DJ Emma

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

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