New website change
The Beacon recently has received a few inquiries from concerned readers wondering why the newspaper’s website hasn’t been updated. At first, this was puzzling for Beaconites, who launched a new website at the start of the month. However, it turned out that the readers’ bookmarks for the site were outdated: Thus, the bookmarks still pulled up the Feb. 25 edition at the paper’s former site. Beaconites recommend that readers update their bookmark, so they can enjoy the latest edition, which is updated every work day.
False alarm
Living on a relatively small island that is vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, one Beaconite considers himself well prepared for the risk of natural disaster. Especially this week with the tragedy in Japan, the Beaconite found himself thinking through emergency evacuation drills in case a tsunami ever hits. But perhaps the Beaconite is becoming too perceptive of the disaster threat. On Sunday night from his Road Town apartment, the reporter heard the unmistakable sound of the emergency warning sirens minutes after he’d gone to sleep. He immediately woke up, hoping it was a dream caused by watching too much CNN. It wasn’t. The siren-like noises were real. But they were accompanied by Latin music and the sound of a nearby party, much to the Beaconite’s annoyance and relief.
Going green, not home
The Virgin Islands has had two consecutive Mondays off due to holidays. This month has been filled with holidays, including today — Happy St. Patrick’s Day. But don’t expect to have the day off, unless you live in Ireland. Despite having to work, however, Beaconites are still looking forward to drinking green beer and eating corned beef and cabbage.
Phone line down
A Beaconite was pleased that one person she was trying to contact for a story was every bit as persistent as the reporter often has to be. Recently, one of the three office phone lines went down, which means that if two lines are in use and someone tries to call, he or she will just get a busy signal. The Beacon has informed the phone company of the problem, but just like other customers, the paper has to wait until technicians can fix the malfunction. Luckily for the Beaconite, the consistent day-after-a-holiday, right-before-deadline busy signals didn’t deter the caller. Instead, he did what reporters often do, and sent an e-mail. Once the reporter received that message, she simply waited for the next available line and phoned the man back to get her interview. Beaconites recommend that anyone else who gets a busy signal here try the same tactic.
Reversal reversal
A Beaconite present in Magistrates’ Court last week heard an unusual statement from a defendant: “I reverse my defence.” After some confusion in the courtroom, the presiding magistrate advised the suspect that he intended not to reverse, but to reserve.
Tracked down
A Beaconite planning to cover a police-community meeting on Anegada was impressed with police officers’ detective skills, after a friendly officer tracked him from his home to the police dock to inform him the meeting had been postponed.
National pride
During the Commonwealth Day celebration at Ivan Dawson Primary School, a Beaconite was pleased to see that most of the participants stood still and behaved respectfully as the national anthem was being sung. In the past, the reporter had attended events where people ignore the anthem. After the ceremony, the students also sang songs that spoke about the beauty of the Virgin Islands.
Helping hands
A Beaconite recently relocated to Virgin Gorda. The move went smoothly, with few problems. However, once he and his family got settled in, they started to have car trouble. Being on a new island, however, they didn’t have very many contacts. The Beaconite thought the battery was dead, so he went to buy one. But this was not an easy task on VG — especially when all the parts stores were closed. Fortunately, he came across Wilbert “Sampie” Samuel Smith, who is the marine chandlery manager at the VG Yacht Harbour. Mr. Smith drove to the store and opened it, just so the Beaconite could purchase a battery. Unfortunately, a new battery didn’t solve his car woes, and he realised the expertise of a mechanic was needed. He had been using the same mechanic for the past seven years on Tortola, so he gave him a call. To his surprise, the mechanic made the 35-minute boat trip to VG to repair the vehicle. Thankfully, the mechanic, who the Beaconite will call “Smiley,” fixed his car, and he is now mobile again.