Out the window
A Beaconite was glad to see so many taxi drivers attending the Taxi Academy Workshop this week. However, the one driver who may have needed the academy the most was not in attendance. The reporter took a bus to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, where the event was being held. At one stop, the driver’s jerky braking caused the reporter to bang her knee against an exposed piece of metal. Then, as the driver approached the college, he threw a piece of paper out the window. Though the majority of taxi drivers are doubtlessly pleasant and ecologically aware, the Beaconite believes there are a few others who could use some serious customer service training.
A worthy substitute
When Police Information Officer Diane Drayton said she was leaving for vacation last week, a Beaconite was worried that he might have trouble receiving reports on the force’s activities. However, the temporary PIO, Carl Mason, didn’t miss a beat when filling in for Ms. Drayton. Not only were reports released promptly after crimes were committed, but Mr. Mason also set up an interview with a police official and helped him acquire statistics he’s compiling for an ongoing report. The Beaconite would like to thank Mr. Mason and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for making sure that vital information is available to the public during Ms. Drayton’s absence.
New mosquito
Caribbean public health officials have been focusing for months on the spread of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which, though rarely fatal, can be very painful. An outbreak began in December in French St. Martin and has since spread across the Caribbean and into Central America, northern South America and the United States, infecting more than 500,000 people, according to the magazine Scientific American. The disease originated from East Africa, and the Caribbean is particularly susceptible to spreading it because its host, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, can thrive year-round in tropical weather. But the outbreak may soon spread further, even to colder climes such as the northern US. According to a recently published study from researchers at Tulane University, in at least two cases mutations have allowed the virus to be carried by Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, a heartier and more aggressive variety of the insect. A Beaconite hopes that health officials here and abroad will continue to expand efforts to combat chikungunya, which has no cure.
VI visitors
After a few years of living in the territory, one Beaconite thinks her persistent badgering of friends and family to come see the beauty of the Virgin Islands for themselves might finally have worked. On her latest trip home, she learned that one friend will be stopping in the VI for a day during a cruise vacation with family next year. The reporter also has a relative who plans to celebrate the completion of her nursing degree next year with a trip to the territory. The Beaconite is looking forward to sharing some of her favourite parts of her new home with friends and family when they get here.
Overheard on a plane
A Beaconite loves listening to visitors’ reactions as they arrive in the Virgin Islands for the first time. On her latest return by plane, for example, she enjoyed hearing some passengers seated near her describe what they saw out of the airplane window. “Wow, the water is so blue,” said one woman, in a typical comment. “I just want to jump in,” responded another, similarly. The third woman’s comment, however, was new to the reporter’s ears: “It looks like Gatorade.” Although the Beaconite isn’t a particular fan of the bright blue sports drink, she has to agree that the VI’s waters are every bit as colourful.
Early announcement
Beaconites were glad that the Education Department announced the dates of school openings in a relatively timely manner this year. At times in the past, the dates have been announced only a few days in advance, and Beaconites often wondered how educators, parents and students were able to plan ahead. In the future, Beaconites see no reason why school year schedules shouldn’t be determined several months — or even a year — in advance.
{fcomment}