The big stink

Beaconites have been hearing complaints about the sewage-smelling water that has been washing over the road near Road Reef Marina in recent days. They hope government officials will handle the issue straightaway before more residents health is endangered. Until then, they can only say, Yuck!

The Paddle and Party for Promoting Animal Welfare on Saturday was a much-needed success for an organisation that needs a lot of help right now. A Beaconite who attended doesnt paddle, but many of her friends (and at least one of their pets) did, and she helped raise money for an organisation that, like so many, faces more challenges than ever in Covid-19 times. PAW, as an offshoot of its work spaying and neutering pets at low cost, normally relies on travellers to escort animals on commercial flights to foster or adoptive homes in the United States. Of course, closed borders have nearly shut down travel in both directions. As a result, the animal shelter has become overrun, with many healthy potential pets facing euthanasia if they cant be placed in homes. This epidemic of animal suffering is just another unforeseen and largely forgotten problem caused by Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns. However, the Beaconite has not forgotten, and she hopes readers dont either. To support PAW, go to https://tinyurl.com/ya3jq4w2.

A Beaconite has been on an endless search for turtles. Her heart has sunk as each day passes when she doesnt see any tracks across the sand or moving black dots across the moonlit beaches. It is not a solitary journey, and for that, shes grateful. Time passes quickly in the presence of good-hearted and intellectual turtle watchers. Every day, there is a shimmer of hope and a plan to stay for a couple hours. Sunsets spent on the beach are the best way to end a long day, watching the celestial turning of the universe. Adjusting her eyes to the moonlight has sharpened her vision and her senses. Somehow shes tied to the journey of survival of these creatures now. The investment is there, just as their mother invested in the beach. The natural progression of time continues, and the turtles are on their own schedule. The reporter will just wait patiently. Sometimes the journey is the most valuable part of a story.

Despite living in the Virgin Islands for almost a year, a Beaconite had never been to a full moon party until Sunday. Prior to that, it seemed as if the full moon always fell during an excessively busy time for him, or he couldnt coordinate with any friends who wanted to go, and without a car of his own couldnt find a reliable way there and back. Now that he has his own car, he was determined not to miss the first full moon party following the coronavirus lockdown. Though he typically aims for Sunday evenings of quiet and lots of sleep to properly prepare for the workweek ahead, he thoroughly enjoyed switching it up to something a little more lively.

One Beaconite isnt the biggest fan of needles. In fact, that might be an understatement considering shes gotten somewhat woozy the last few times she had blood drawn and might be known to shed a tear when getting a shot even though shes 25 years old although such reports are complete hearsay. But when she heard the Virgin Islands Red Cross was urging community members to sign up for the online blood donation registry, she filled out the form, paced around her room a bit, hopped up and down to shake out her nerves, then hit send. She figures if one less-than-stellar afternoon spent donating could help someone who really needs it, the discomfort would be well worth it. And its an excellent reason to treat herself to some cookies if called on to donate. Anyone interested in signing up can visit http://www.redcross.vg/giveblood.

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REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK (July 16, 2020) - The BVI Beacon - BVI Beacon