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

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.

 

SL Video: "Sunbeamer's Bring Your Own Kiosk Moment"

 

 (click here if the music does not play)

 

From Baine Finch on May 31, a pan-around of the Sunweaver Estates, "Having some fun at a Sunbeamer's BYOK"

  

Sunweaver Community Leader Rita Mariner Diagnosed With Stage Four Cancer

 

Sad news for the Sunweaver community, and the Sunbeamer Relay team. Rita Mariner, the community's "Chieftess," as well as the captain of it's Relay team, announced on the evening of Friday June 27 that the surgery for her cancer earlier this year in March was unsuccessful, that it had spread to the point it was Stage Four. 

 

 Turns out they waited too long to treat the cancer on my head. It spread to (the lymph) system and has spread throughout my beautiful bunny bod. PET Scan shows tiny cancers everywhere. Now instead of a  cure, best I can hope for is  add time to my life.

Love you all.

There were numerous words of well-wishes from both the Sunweavers as well as from the Relay volunteers group. 

 

Hopefully things aren't as bad as they seem for Rita

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

The Relay Weelend Begins Today

 '

 This is it. After months of events of fundraising, and many days to get the campsites ready, the Relay Weekend, described as Second Life's most intense 24 hour period and it's ultimate stress test, is about to begin. 

 

Across the permanent American Cancer Society sim, and American Cancer Society2 and 3, track has been laid, along with a few dozen temporary sims : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/128/27

 

The opening ceremony starts at 10am SLT, taking place  at the stage on ACS2 and ACS3. "If the regions are full, overflow attendees can land on the American Cancer Society island and watch from the back patio of the Relay Building.."

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society3/20/158/34 

 

 Along the track are various campsites and designer sims, from top teams like the Sunbeamers and Roos With A Dream.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Win/124/67/23 

 

To smaller teams such as Kitsunes For A Cure, led by Mattie Carlton

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Acceptance/196/124/23

 

It's going to be a great event.

 

See you there.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The Sunbeamer Camp

 

Tomorrow is the Relay Weekend. Described as Second Life's most intense 24 hours, hundreds will be walking the Relay track and past dozens of campsites. Among them is the Sunbeamer's camp at RFL Win. Most of the work was done by Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach.

 

This year, the camp is a somewhat wooded area with a trail winding around, with a grand entrance area with an arch and sparks. In the middle is the Hope Lodge. Going around the track, you might want to keep an eye out for snakes, and other dangers. The snakes can be hunted down and shot, leaving a red stain on the ground.

 

For fun, one can play a game. There are a dozen Chinese Restaurant take-out containers. Try to find all 12.

 

Go Sunbeaers! Go Relay!

 

 RFL Win (133/188/23)

 

 

Scenes From The Relay Track: Rememberance

 

 From the Sunbeamer camp at RFL Win, a moment to remember friends and family who passed from cancer, Luminaria lit in their memory. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Video: "Sunbeamers Make Ruby" (2023)

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Nydia Tungsten on June 2023, a video to celebrate the Relay for Life's Sunbeamer team reaching Ruby level fundraising. 

 

RFL Announcement: Sunbeamers Make Ruby!

 

 

 Late last night on the evening of June 4, following the Relay Sunbeamer team's weekly Moon Dance event, Cynthia Farshore announced in the Relay's Discord channel they had crossed the one and a quarter million Linden dollar mark, and were now Ruby level fundraising.

 

Sunbeamers got Ruby at the Moon Dance, going to need the camp marker changed! (excited grin) 

 

In the Sunbeamer's own group, she would happily announce, "We did it, at the end of the Moon Dance tonight we made Ruby!" Journey Texan would respond, "Congratulations, Cynthia and all Sunbeamers. That is fantastic! Thanks for all you do during Relay season. You definitely deserve to reach Ruby."

 

As of now, the Sunbeamers are eighth of 202 registered teams in fundraising.

 

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay! 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Relay Track Sims Up

 

 This weekend, yours truly found out the sims making up the track for the Relay Weekend were online and up. There are a few dozen sims, including the American Cancer Society sim. 

 

Some are special exhibit sims, and there's the Royal Ascot sim for a horseback riding event. But most are for the various campsites for the Relay teams. 

 

Among them, that of the Sunbeamers, located at RFL Win.

 

Over time, we will show sneak peeks of various campsites, but none of complete builds until a few days before the Relay Weekend. 

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

RFL Sunbeamer Carnival

 

 On Saturday May 23, The Relay for Life's Sunbeamer team would hold it's Carnival event. This was an event involving a number of rides, and hours of music by three DJs. So what were the details?

 

Read more in Events. 

RFL Sunbeamers: Bid Me Ringtail Results

 

The results of what are likely to be the last of the Relay for Life's Team Sunbeamers Bid Me fundraisers are in. "Bid Me Ringtail" concluded on Saturday May 23, at 8PM SL time.:

 

Stay Foxy: 350L

Go Ringtail: 19,000

Six weeks as a ringtail (when not covering the news or representing the Newser). Somebody must really want a second ringtail who puns around the clubs. ;-)
 

So it looks like for a month and a half, when not doing Newser duties, yours truly will be having "ring around the tail.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

It Came From Relay (Discord) Chat: "'The Hair' On The Moon"

 

 

From Fuzzball Ortega when he was at the Thursday May 21 Moon Dance, "The Hair spotted on the moon." 

 

Cynthia Farshore would respond, "Yes and he had a rather 'hairy' landing."

 

RFL Announcement: Sunbeamer Carnival 2026

 

 Come and enjoy the Sunbeamer Carnival with BYOK dances Saturday May 23rd. Gates open at 8am SLT and close at 5pm SLT. Enjoy the rides, contest, and dances.

On the grounds will be Roller Coaster, Ferris wheel, Bicycle Blimp contest, Avatar Cannonball with free Wild For A Cure parachute, Explosive Combat Bumper Cars, Plenty of games and rides. At close will be fireworks

BYOK dances all day, schedule is:
9am to 11am      DJ Cynthia Farshore of the Sunbeamers
12 noon to 2pm DJ Primi Giles-Harding-Ronin of ACTS
3pm to 5pm       DJ Kayle of Roos With A Dream

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunlight%20Bay/112/169/22

 

RFL Sunbeamers: Bid Me Ringtail

 

 Team Sunbeamers has one more Bid Me fundraiser this month. This time it's intrepid reporter, Bixyl Shuftan, has stepped forward to put his looks on the line in "Bid Me Ringtail."

 

The rules are fairly simple. There are two kiosks at Club Cutlass in the room behind the dance floor, a default one on the left, and a change one on the right.  For every three thousand Linden dollars donated to the right kiosk, rounded down, Bixyl has to spend a week as a ringtail. 5999 Linden dollars would mean one week, 6000 L would mean two with a stripped long tail. For those wanting to keep the fox reporter foxy, they can donate to the kiosk on the left. It it's total is higher than the right one, he stays as he is. 

 

People have until Saturday May 23 at 8PM SL time to head to Club Cutlass and donate. At that time, all results will be final. 

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunweaver%20Bay/114/117/757 

 

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

More On The Last Relaystock

 

From Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12, the Relaystock took place. It was three days of rock music and mud. While hosted by the Relay Rockers, it's asked for other teams to participate from the start. And this year like others, many other teams' musicians, as well as a few independents playing for one, took part. And many would give their teams huge boosts in their fundraising totals. But, there was one problem. 

 

Read the story in Events. 

 

The Last Relaystock

 

This weekend, the Relaystock took place with days two and three. While hosted by the Relay Rockers, it's always been open to performers from all teams, as well as some playing in behalf of one. And for many it was a moment to shine. Among those performing Saturday, DJ Cynthia, with a number of others from Team Sunbeamers acting as dancers. The team would get almost 77,000 in the kiosk, which was enough to bring them over the one million Linden mark, and Emerald level. 

 

 Read more about the Relaystock later. 

 

Sunbeamers Reach One Million Lindens, Hit Emerald

 

 

Yesterday, Saturday April 11 just before 8PM SL time, Cynthia Farshore announced Team Sunbeamers had crossed the one million Linden mark in total donations for the 2026 Relay season, and reached Emerald Level fundraising.

 

Congrats yall we got Emerald
Sat, Apr 11 2026 7:57:57 PM SLT

that last push on the stage got us just across the line at L$ 1,000,523 to make Emerald!

 

As the picture shows, about 910,000 Lindens were raised inworld, but a total of $363.75 or 90,000 Linden dollars, had been raised outside of Second Life, for a combined total of a little more than a million. This makes the team seventh out of 168 teams in terms of fundraising.

 

And "the little team that could" does it again.

 

More on the Relaystock later,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Relaystock Continues Today

 

 The Relaystock got started yesterday, Friday April 10. The three day tribute to Woodstock lived up to the promise of music and mud, with performers playing music at the stage. 

 

 Among those playing the tunes were Trader Whiplash and Nuala Maracas of the Relay  Rockers, standing in for a performer that couldn't make it. 

 

A number of teams have themed campsites. This includes the Sunbeamers, the team of the community where the Newser office makes it's home.

 

 

The Sunbeamers have a few items for sale for charity, including a virtual replica of the Victorian Era toilet by Thomas Crapper (yes, women could use it in those dresses). 

 

On this second day of performanices, the schedule is as follows: 

 

8:30am – DJ Melina Firehawk
Heroes Helping Heroes

10:00am – DJ  Temptation
VRaze Dreamers

11:03am – DJ Starlight 
Team Darkpaws

1:00pm – LIVE Eva Fae
Seekers Of Hope

2:00pm – Erika Ordinary
Relay Rockers

3:00pm – DJ  Kayla & The Roos
Roos With A Dream

4:30pm – DJ Hell
Camping For A Cure

6:00pm – DJ Cynthia Farshore
Sunbeamers

7:30pm – DJ Castion Eyre
Scorpions Take On Thyroid Cancer

For those in the Sunweaver community, Club Cutlass will be closed tonight with those usually showing up Friday evenings asked to head to DJ Cynthia's set at the Relaystock.

 

Rock on and Relay,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Top Ten Relay Teams In Fundraising

 

 

The various teams for the Relay for Life in Second Life have been busy raising money from events to casual donations. And here's the top ten list for this morning (which is very much subject to change).

 

At number 10, the Free Spirit Hippie Brigade at 625,000 Linden dollars and Jade level.
Number 9 was the Debauche Dance Group with 748,000 Linden dollars, also at Jade level, but 2K shy of leveling.
For number 8, the Sunbeamers at 879,000 Linden dollars and Sapphire level.
At number 7, Team ACTS (Aether Chononauts Tiny Steps) with 898,000 Linden dollars, also at Sapphire level.
Number 6 was Camping For A Cure having raised 936,000 Linden dollars, at Sapphire level.
For number five, Alpha Hope Force at 938,000 Linden dollars, at Sapphire level.
Harmony for Hope was number four with 1,094,000 Linden dollars, and Emerald level.
Number three was Seekers of Hope having raised 1,227,000 Linden dollars or over $4,900 USD at Emerald level.
The number two team was Quest For A Cure at 1,503,000 Linden dollars or over $6,000 USD at Topaz level.
And number one team was The Sugar Skols at 2,776,000 Linden dollars or #11,100 USD at Crimson level.

 

Some well-known teams are further down the list, such as the Cure Chasers at 404,000 L, Roos With A Dream at 278,000 L, Purple Tears at 179,000 L, Ponies For Life at 135,000 L, SLCS at 98,000 L, Giant Snail Racers at 78,000 L, Meli's Maniacs at 68,000 and others. 

And as time goes on, the numbers and levels will continue to go up for the teams. Stay tuned for news about upcoming events such as the Relaystock and Fantasy Faire, and others.
 

To read the complete list: https://sasun.info/rfl_teams?s=total_desc 

 

Go Relay! 

 

Bixyl Shuftan