Wave work
One Beaconite got to flex her somewhat underused science education this week,
as she did some final interviews with geologists in preparation for an upcoming special report on tsunamis. She was shocked at how much came back to her as she spoke with experts about the movements of the Earth’s plates, different types of earthquakes, and exactly how land moving at the ocean bottom causes massive amounts of water to run far ashore. In fact, it’s fitting that her first special report will be about tsunamis, as this was also the topic of her 10-page final paper for her physics course at university. Readers needn’t worry, however: Next week’s report will only be a few pages.
Who’s counting?
A Beaconite was waiting to interview the owner of an accounting firm last week when he spotted an abacus the business owner had on the table for show. Another reporter in the room picked it up and looked at it strangely. “An abacus? I never did learn how to play that game,” the reporter said. “Is it hard to learn?” The Beaconite looked at the reporter strangely and replied, “It’s as easy as one, two, three.” The source of the reporter’s confusion later became clear: He thought the antique counting device was a children’s toy similar to the game backgammon.
Theme, slogan winners
The winners have been announced for a contest to name a theme and slogan for this year’s August Emancipation Festival. The theme, “A Hearty and Glorious 177, Emancipation Age 2011,” was chosen by Simeon Pope. The slogan, “Come and Play Mass with Class like we did in the Past,” was chosen by Courtney Donovan. One Beaconite who had come up with several themes of his own was a little disappointed that his didn’t get chosen, but in the end, he thinks that’s probably best. And all Beaconites congratulate the real winners
Young marchers
During the Queen’s Birthday Parade on Saturday at the Festival Village Grounds, a Beaconite was impressed with the young participants. Apart from prison, police and fire officers and Virgin Islands Cadet Corps members, there were also dozens of primary school students. Some of them appeared to be not much older than 5. The reporter was happy to see that they were engaged in such a positive activity from an early age. Even though the sun was hot, they had smiles on their faces as they marched past the governor. And they kept smiling even when they missed a couple steps, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Heating up
A Beaconite covering an ongoing trial was taken aback by the unusually heated proceedings in the High Court Tuesday. It wasn’t that the lawyers were unusually aggressive — simply that the courtroom’s air-conditioner had broken down. The judge initially allowed the lawyers to remove their judicial robes, but as noon approached and the room grew steadily hotter, she adjourned until cooler quarters could be found the following day.