![[IMG: Luis; Credit: Norm Nelson, Bermuda Biological Station for Research - http://www.bbsr.edu/Weather/]](http://www2.gobeach.com/luis5.gif)
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The Caribbean Hurricane PageUpdates from the Islands- - The Bahamas - - |
1999 Hurricane Season Updates
Click here for current season reports
On this webpage first hand information on the current situation on the Bahamas after Floyd made landfall in 1999 can be found. Special reports from other Caribbean islands can be found on the Caribbean Hurricane 'home' Page.
Map of the Bahamas (from Excite Maps)
Wondering about friends or family? Unfortunately I am unable to answer all the e-mail at this point of time. You can now post your plea for help on the Caribbean Hurricane Page Bulletin Board.
Do you have any info about the situation on the Bahamas? Please, forward it to me at gert@gobeach.com Also, check out the Bulletin Board. Let's try to help each other out! No news is bad news! Thanks, Gert
More Bahamas news at BahamasNet. Abaco Is. updates can also be found at: Abaco's Community Message Board. -Gert
| - Dateline Bahamas: Briland Modem 21 May 2000 [PCs & pink sand beaches] |
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Karin Anderson of the sailboat 'Easily Amused' has graciously donated a Mac power book to the Briland Community Computer Center! So far, so good with the latest and greatest project to hit the Gaol Lane government complex. The conversion of the old firehouse into a high-tech mecca for after-school, adult computer programs, and community Internet access continues under the forward-thinking auspices of Senior Commissioner Rufus Johnson and local councillor Harvey Roberts. Several computer donations have been received, and several others are anticipated. Many thanks to local carpenters, businesses and homeowners who have donated their time, services and furnishings to build out the center. Keep an eye on the Briland Modem for news of the official ribbon-cutting, expected later this summer. All software, hardware, book, furniture donations to the Computer Center remain U.S. tax-deductible under the auspices of the Briland Modem Fund, which is an approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information and specific shipping instructions that are import duty-exempt, buzz 'The Briland Modem Fund' at this Board, or online at info AT briland.com. Thanks! A Briland Fiction Appetizer -- choice selections from the next edition of The Fig Tree, earlier issues of which are available online at www.briland.com. Talking to Myself Along The Beach Jim Reno, Walnut Creek CA Looking back upon my island companions, asleep on stolen beach chairs, drunk from Kalik and gold rum, I bid them farewell and stumbled alone down the famed pink sand beach of Harbour Island, Bahamas in search of conversation. The first thing one notices about this beach is that if there is to be conversation, you might as well talk to yourself, because there is no one for miles. Sure, the occasional couple might be walking by now and then, in search of the same elusive conversation I sought, but other than that, no one. Okay, there was one Rasta guy. But, I would rather have exchanged places in life with him, rather than words. I like walking a little in the water, up to my shins. Dragging my feet a little to give the illusion that I have no destination or place to be at a certain time. Overtly swinging my arms like I did back in the military years ago. Convincing myself that I just don't care who looks at me or what they think, like I do so much back at home. I pondered taking off the only piece of clothing I wore, my swimsuit. But I immediately thought better of that. I'd need a lot more Kalik to feel as anonymous as I wanted to, to blend in with the family jewels on exhibit. So I continued down the beach in search of whatever one looks for in a beautiful place like this with seemingly one thing to offer. Absolute nothingness. There aren't many shells on this beach. Maybe there are some little ones that the shellhunters haven't yet borrowed for their Bahamian souvenirs for sale on Bay Street. Just a few remaining that visitors to the island hadn't taken home in their bulletproof Samsonite luggage that Mr. Bo Henghy brought over and will gladly take back. There were a few cool-looking sticks and some sandy, earth-compressed rocks and even one broken sea fan that I left behind, as I certainly had enough of this stuff at home. My wife had quite a large collection growing in our laundry room in California, thinking she'd make some composite craft art piece of our visit to Briland with the scraps she'd found along this beach last year. She's an avid shell-hunter, complete with her beloved Nassau-straw-market-bought-Rasta-guy-made shoulder bag stowing her treasures as she walks this same beach. She asked me once if she could do this for a living, hunting for shells, providing that I won the lottery. Of course, I said yes. I'd even buy them from her, I said. It was a warm day with little cloud cover, but the humidity was high, so I walked further into the ocean until I was chest-high and feeling relieved. I dunked my long hair into the clear water and flung it back like a supermodel, making a dinosaur-back with the water. I think they may have called him, "Triceratops." Or something like that. I don't know. It's been awhile since I thought of being like a dinosaur. Back on the beach, I walked along the shore and after a while glanced back. How long had I been gone? My friends were getting smaller and smaller in my rear-view mirror, just like in "Smokey and The Bandit" when Burt Reynolds was flooring the Trans Am and watching Smokey get smaller in his rear-view mirror. "Bye-bye, baby." He sang. Man, at the time, that was quite a car. And Burt was the biggest actor in Hollywood. Heck, they made three of those movies, and one was with an elephant. An elephant! I figured that if I kept walking long enough, I'd eventually end up where I started. It is an island, right? The more I walked, the more I realized that it might take at least one sequel for me to finish this walk. This island seems small when you're racing around in your golf cart, looking for all that seems interesting, and things that you just can't miss. But, when you're walking, it's huge. I thought again of the Rasta guy. I should've asked him if he had any pot. Dumb question, unless he was down on his luck. But isn't that what all Americans do when they're in the Caribbean? Try to lose themselves in some culture that they think revolves around a boredom-lessening substance with the locals? "I mean, really. How can these people exist on this island?" If they think that being Rasta or island local revolves around pot, they just don't get it, do they? My Kalik-buzz was wearing off. The sun was hot. "Come to the islands." The brochure always reads, "The land of sunshine." If I lived here, I'd have to wear nothing but sandals and shorts. The ground is hard and has surprises here and there. Sandals are a must unless you're on the beach. Shorts should be worn just in case someone comes along, right? So, how did the islanders wear so much clothing? Okay, they're used to the heat. But, why so much clothing? Adornment? Status? I saw some of the local guys wearing long-sleeved Tommy Hilfiger sweaters in the middle of the day. Well, they probably laugh hysterically at the standard-issue tourist uniform of tank top, bathing-suit, and sandals dangling a camcorder or camera, too, but I chuckled at their attempt to look hip in this weather. Must be hot being hip. Well, we suffer for the look, right? Then again, they're not on vacation, are they? I remembered seeing visitors to my hometown of San Francisco wearing shorts and tee-shirts, freezing their asses off. They don't realize that San Francisco is so much like London most of the time, cold and foggy, save for a few great days. How could a visitor know how a local dresses? Who cares? That's what Kalik does to you, makes you feel local, while dressing like you're at home. The cliffs to my left bore fewer structures now. I kept on my trek, thinking to myself that I would really like to go see Gusty and enjoy one of his gin/Kalik concoctions right now. It was then that I remembered the time my wife and I kinda broke the rules governing golf cart rental and actually went off-road in our vehicle. The road got so rough at one point that there was nothing but trees and bush around us on a narrow, hilly dirt road. I high-centered the thing once. One of Martinez's horses poked his head through the bush and laughed a horsey-grin. My wife had once regrettably turned down a ride from Martinez when my buddy and I were lost on one of the island's skinny, beach-like paths. We had picked up sandwiches for Beth from Angela's Starfish Restaurant, and were in a hurry to find her. But we were a little Kaliky, so we laughed it off and I pushed as she punched the gas. The golf-cart was freed. At the end of the road we came upon a great estate of Palm Grove, which Gusty had told us was owned by the sister of the same millionaire that owned the world-champion Florida Marlins. And built Blockbuster. Perhaps he also owned the Miami Dolphins, but remember, we were Kaliky at that point. The bush-chopping Haitians were busy slicing back the brush and burning what they had removed. I saw the smoke rise in the air from the multiple piles and wondered what they'd do if a great wind came and blew the fire out of control. Run to the ocean, no doubt. I now did the same. Some narrow, silvery fish darted by me and made my skin tighten. Their eyes always looking left and right -- thanks to placement by God -- and swimming in packs of three or four, they saw me and just as quickly disappeared. I headed back for the beach and continued my ankle-high water journey. If I got hungry, I could eat them, right? Make my stand right here, on this beach. Never go home. Just stay and wait for the darts. It might take about thirty of them to make a meal for this 220-pounder, though. And, like Chinese food, I'd probably be hungry soon after. I regretted not having brought a fishing pole for some shore casting. But, then again, my matches would be useless after my multiple sabbaticals in the ocean. I tried hard to remember my one day of Boy Scout training, but on that particular day they had talked more about how to recruit new members than how to light a fire with driftwood and catch darty fish with nothing more than a bad attitude and some sandy rocks. At one point, I believed it was time to return to the 'mainland', and it was then, more than ever, that I wanted to continue on my trek. But, the sun was turning orange and daring me to beat it to the ocean, so I turned around slowly and faced my return. The way back is always farther than the way there, right? You've already seen it all and are tired from your trip, no? I faced the sun, the ocean, and the sand, and turned back, wondering why I had come so far in the first place. On the way back, the wind picked up a bit and blew my long hair over to my right side. At home, I hate my hair being blown about. Here, I could care less. I enjoyed being touched by the low-lying clouds that reached out to me. I felt the power of different sources of the world. The wind, the water, and the earth. Even the sun gave me the fourth element as it continued to warm my bare skin. At this time, I couldn't even see my companions. But, it's pretty simple to navigate the land at the edge of an island. Maybe it was this simplicity that allowed me to ponder as I wandered, the shore being my guide. I suddenly remembered the library on Harbour Island. The faded books. The age of them all. The section on the United States being all of a foot wide, and just out of reach of the school children. Perhaps they could grab a book on my country when they were taller. But I found myself wishing that that particular section were ten feet tall, so that only the really good basketballers from the island could snatch one. America cherishes its athletes and pays them well. Normal people, below seven feet tall or so, need not apply. I wanted very much to be the unpaid librarian. The one that put the lock on the Cuban cigar box full of donations in cash, the one that made sure the windows were weather-tight, and that the front doors would actually dissuade a would-be thief armed with little more than a butter-knife. I wanted to guard that sacred library, so full of writing, and knowledge. The place that I had first sat and wondered, "Is this the place where I am to make my mark on the world? Is this where I am called to help?" So full of my own self-want to help. As though this place isn't perfect already. If I were the island dictator, I would tell the children that some kids could learn to clean conch, others could learn to build buildings, some folks would learn the intricate art of plaiting straw, a few would become expert fishermen, others could become teachers, some would learn to build boats again, some could write books, and still others could learn to sew names like "John" or "Steve" in straw hats that no one would actually ever wear but would pay a premium price for, or best of all … they could learn just how lucky they were to be here in the first place. Maybe, just maybe, if I were in charge, I'd keep Eden just the way it was. If I were wiser still, I would encourage them to read and learn about the United States as a place that came, saw, and conquered all it could until there was little else but strip-malls and 7-11s in every town across the country. I would tell them what I had learned about the world, and hope to scare them into staying safe, here where God lives. Perhaps that would make them stay here, here in this glorious place. If I were a realist, I would realize that the reason I donated a computer system to the All-Age School was because I knew that these blessed people were smart enough to reach out and touch the world, and somehow make it better, whatever the risk to all that is immaculate about them and their home. I realized that the best gift I could possibly give to this enchanted place, its beautiful people, the All-Age School, and Ms. Elodie Ling, the actual librarian at my favorite place, was to leave them alone. Or, better, to be the anonymous visitor on a beautiful beach, on a perfect island, to take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints. And the occasional gift to those to have unknowingly given so much to my wife and me. I saw a pink-colored shell in the shape of a cone. Granted, it was a small one, but maybe it could bring a dollar to someone if a tourist wanted to bring it home. Perhaps it could adorn the desk pen and pencil set of some Manhattanite. For that, I left it where it lay, in the clearest water I've ever seen on a beach that defies Crayola, Inc.'s best imagination. Harbour Islanders instinctively know that they own something outsiders may never purchase or franchise or incorporate, and that the magic that they hold, that we visit from time to time, will never disappear. The essence of what God gave these people that they know is theirs, is that they smile at each other, and that they hold each other dear. This glorious people: Briland People. When I finally got back, my friends and my wife were concerned less about where I had been, but more when I would come home. Home was a long way away. Home wasn't Tingum Village, where we were staying the night. Home wasn't anywhere near Gusty's or Queen Conch. Home wasn't even remotely close to Angela's Starfish Restaurant where you must write down everything you want, like a will to yourself. ["What I will leave myself when I die: a conch salad and a Kalik, oh yeah, don't forget the fritters.] At Angela's, she sits behind a window and gives you a pencil and paper, and asks you what you want. Looking back, I should have asked for another pencil, and some more paper. Epilogue Beth -- my beautiful wife, otherwise known around the island as, "Lovely Miss Beth" -- thanked me for introducing her to something I held dear that has become to her "the simplest, easiest place that anyone would ever want to be in. It's hard to explain: it's a place that I tell others about. I've given pink sand to very few people. From that gift, they've understood me a little bit better and wanted to visit this place I described. I wouldn't pass pink sand to just anyone, you know? Sure you do. A lot of times, I feel I can take them there, because I'm there everyday." You see, I had been to Nassau and down the Eleutheran chain a few times before, but when we got married, I wanted to take her to the Briland side of The Bahamas. She trusted me. She has not questioned my vision since. [Yeah, right.] Love and peace to all. Beth and Jim Reno Friends of The Bahamas Support Briland Fiction, located at www.briland.com. All fiction, factual stories, artwork and photography submissions for publication and posting at The Fig Tree can be sent to the Briland Modem via e-mail at info AT briland.com, or snailed to 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 244, Toluca Lake CA 91602 USA. The Briland Modem is a central island resource by and for Harbour Island and North Eleuthera, Bahamas. The Modem is a community portal for all local businesses, school and library outlets, historical and cultural resources, resorts, aviation and marine resources, fishing charters, travel information, and airline and ferry connection updates. The message board at www.briland.com is a popular online meeting room for Brilanders all over the world. The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: Notes To A First-Timer |
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Message In A Bottle: Notes to A First-Timer By Ken Smith 15 May post to the Briland Modem message board. Since your trip to Harbour Island will be your first exposure to Kalik, I feel compelled to share a few of my Kalik moments and illustrate the whole new world waiting your arrival. I first discovered Kalik almost 20 years ago, and the memories are sweet and lasting. The first and perhaps my favorite memory is of the time that I dozed off at the wheel of my golf cart and drove it off the end of the abandoned airstrip into the bay. Very exciting, as it took several dives to recover the 2 cases of Kalik I had next to me on the front seat. I'm pretty sure that I also retrieved the cart at some later date. Yes. Kalik was navigating that day ... Then there was the day I flat-out walked through the sliding screen door of my time share unit. Again, Kalik was at my side that afternoon. There was a very interesting evening several years later when, returning from a visit with Kalik on the beach, I mistakenly entered the wrong time share unit - in my defense, they were identical and locks weren't used in those days -- and crawled into bed, only to find another man with my wife! Of course it wasn't my wife, and fortunately the occupants were good and understanding friends who guided me home and tucked me in. Kalik can be so much fun, Robin. I vividly recall the morning that I discovered a Palmetto bug on my toothbrush and swinging my empty in defense, hit my honey on the noodle knocking her off the pot into the bathtub full of Kalik, ice and limes. Two bottles were lost, so fearing that I might run short I immediately replaced them with a case. No sense taking chances. Ah, Robin, such memories. These are but a few and I could go on and on but space is limited so I'll conclude with a final thought. In all fairness, I must say there are those among us who don't share my lust for Kalik, and have instead drifted from the mother ship and fallen in with a vile concoction called Mount Gay rum. They've forsaken the lifeblood of the island and I fear they may be cast out, even stoned. Sad. Sad too that living in New York I'm unable to buy Kalik. Although I've beseeched my beer distributor, he is unable to import it. As luck would have it though, I've been able to find a fair substitute called Corona. Corona too stirs many fond memories. There was the time … ah, but that's another story for another day. So you see, Robin, the memories that a cold bottle of Kalik can provide are endles, and you have to but unlock your heart and let them happen..Who knows, when you return from the island you too may have an album of memories ready to be shared with the next first timer. Always remember, great memories start with a Kalik and a good chug-a-lug … a beautiful sight to behold. Good Luck - Ken Smith Long Island, New York The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: Fig Tree IV Hits Virtual Newsstands Everywhere Today! |
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Cruise the latest edition of The Fig Tree: Offbeat news and upbeat thoughts from Dunmore Town Oh, What a Lovely Surprise The very first Miss Bahamas now resides on Harbour Island By Brenda Barry, Landing Restaurant & Hotel Harbour Island Teacher of the Year Says Reading is Key By Teri Murphy, Little Boarding House Staff and students of the Harbour Island All Age School have named Patrice Gail Davis Teacher of the Year, and Miss Davis has also ranked fourth among all the teachers of Eleuthera. In her fourth year of teaching at the school, Miss Davis teaches grades 7-12 with a homeroom assignment for grade 11. New Political Parties Formed in January From the Bahamas Dateline, VOLUME 21, NUMBER 7, FEBRUARY 19, 2000 The Harbour Island Police Department THE HARBOUR ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT: A Fig Tree Update The Regular Harbour Island Report By Franklyn Mather Important Notice - Work Permits Bahamas Dateline, VOLUME 21, NUMBER 7, FEBRUARY 19, 2000 Harbour Island Beach Cleanup Millennium Project By Humphrey Percentie, Jr. As you know, Harbour Island has the most beautiful pink sand beach in the world. It is our obligation to carry this beauty forward by keeping our beach the cleanest in the world. Last fall, Hurricane Floyd transformed our beach in many ways. Got Satellites? Space News Discovers The Briland Modem: IRIDIUM USERS WARILY CONSIDER SWITCH TO GLOBALSTAR By Ben Iannotta, Space News History of the Bahamas: Part I - Modem Primer Sir George S. Roberts Library Resource, Courtesy of Elodie Ling Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahama Islands in October 1492 when he landed on the island of Guanahani, the Arawak name for San Salvador. Columbus was really in search of the continent of Asia, where he hoped to obtain gold, silver, silk and spices. He renamed Guanahani San Salvador, meaning Holy Saviour, and claimed it for the King and Queen of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella. Every Child Counts Educational Update Lang Fincher More photographs coming soon ... Goombay -- The Briland Modem Team The Fig Tree is published by the Briland Modem, located online at Briland.com. Publisher: Kimberly King-Burns Editors: Kimberly King-Burns and Mandy Barton Editorial Review Board: Karol King-Black, Richard Haskell, Sharon King, Senior Commisioner Rufus Johnson, Glenroy Aranha Content: Franklyn Mather, Prince Mather, Brenda Barry, Teri Murphy, Kristi King-Lahache, Humphrey Percentie, Jr. Briland Fiction by Ken Smith, Jim Reno Photography Layout by Mandy Barton Island History: Dr. Gail Saunders, Sir George S. Roberts Library, Elodie Ling The Fig Tree Layout by Tianna Brown Photography by Sharon King Island artwork by Allen Hermes and Harvey Roberts If you're interested in submitting stories, artwork, photographs, poems, queries to the Briland Modem, catch us at rum AT briland.com! The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] -- Check out our sister site at www.caribeworld.com |
| - Briland Mddem: Shipping Supplies For The Community Center? |
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Thanks to all who have already expressed interest since today's posting! You'll be shipping all such supplies to G&G Shipping, 760 NE 7th Avenue, Dania FL 33004, Tel 1 954 920 0306, attention: Richard Monroe. In the meantime, please remember to clearly LABEL all parcels earmarked for the Harbour Island community center to note Senior Commissioner Rufus Johnson, c/o Customs Officer Wilson, Harbour Island Community Center. Any questions, buzz info AT briland.com -- Kimberly The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] -- Check out our sister site at www.caribeworld.com |
| - Briland Modem Fund: Community Computer Center |
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Harbour Island Commissioner Rufus Johnson has announced his intention to refurbish the old fire engine house on Gaol Lane [next to the Post Office, the courtroom and police station] as a computer-based community center, which will offer classes in computer instruction, HTML design for the World Wide Web. The community center is currently being wired for Internet access. Volunteers for onsite afternoon tutorials, weekly classes, and assistance in the technical infrastructure buildout of the community center are invited to note their schedule of availability via the Briland Modem messageboard, for integration into a master schedule for access by local teachers. To that end, the Briland Modem Fund has agreed to distribute a call to arms for donations to the community service project, in the way of all furniture and supplies needed. As of today, two generous donations of a computer have been received, but the center hopes to bring in up to six such setups so that adult and after-school classes can be scheduled. All computers earmarked for the Community Center [and shipped via G&G Shipping in Dania, Florida/1 954 920 9292, ask for Richard Monroe, Ex. 206] to Harbour Island, c/o Customs Officer Wilson and clearly marked 'parcel' vs. 'manifest' shipping] will be imported duty-free. All such donors to the Community Center buildout should inform the Briland Modem Fund of their offering at info AT briland.com, as all such gifts will be acknowledged with a receipt for tax purposes, as the Fund is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Comm. Johnson's wish list: Computers Related manuals, 'Windows 95 for Dummies" series, et al. 2 long folding tables about 8 feet long 8 chairs Cork bulletin boards for Lang's school notices Bookcase for her books One dozen mouse pads Software Please buzz info AT briland.com with any questions or comments -- Kimberly The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] -- Check out our counterpart at www.caribeworld.com |
| - Briland Modem: Your Iridium Refund |
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For those of you who purchased an Iridium satcom telephone directly from Motorola [or know someone else who did] in 1999: For more information as to your full refund, please contact Tom Derrico at Motorola directly, via e-mail at tom.derrico AT motorola.com or by phone at 1 847 481 5310, pager 888 467 9240. Please mention the Briland Modem. The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: Iridium Satcom Phone Refund Update [USA Today] |
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For those of you who purchased satcom phones last fall in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, here's part two of the ongoing series as to the fate of the telephone service. For more information as to your specific rebate/refund, please e-mail Tom Derrico, Motorola Satellite Group at tom.derrico AT motorola.com. Iridium users may be cut off permanently By Kevin Maney, USA TODAY Iridium customers are getting notices saying the troubled satellite phone system is close to being turned off, which would leave many of them holding useless phones that cost $3,000. Once off, the $6 billion system might not be able to be restarted. The 66 satellites could become space junk - one of the costliest corporate strikeouts. Motorola, which built, operates and owns 18% of Iridium, is sending out the notices this week. "Unless a qualified buyer comes forward and provides additional funding by March 15," the letter says, "we do not expect Iridium service to be available after 11:59 p.m. ET on March 17." Motorola has not been paid by Iridium for operating the system, says Motorola spokesman Scott Wyman. Motorola has no plans to continue operations after March 17. Iridium, in bankruptcy, was granted enough money to keep going through that date. Craig McCaw considered buying a controlling stake in Iridium, but last Friday backed out, dousing what seems to be Iridium's last hope. Not everyone will end up with an expensive paperweight. People who bought Iridium phones directly from Motorola since January can get a refund. Seven Seas will give 75% refunds to those who got the phones within the past 12 months, Aston says. Iridium has about 20,000 customers. The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Attention All Iridium Satcom Phone Users: www.briland.com, www.caribeworld.com |
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This fax came in the morning's mail, and indicates that Motorola does not at this time plan to support Iridium-serviced satcom telephones after 17 March. At the very least, we are hoping to encourage Motorola to offer some measure of relief -- refunds, partial refunds, alternative satcom service support -- to the thousands of telephone owners in the Bahamas and Caribbean who purchased their satcom setups just months ago after the onset of several hurricanes in the region this past fallr. In September, Motorola committed to 12-month support of Iridium phones no matter the outcome of the Iridium reorganization. At this time, Motorola DOES offers other satcom phone service options in addition to Iridium. Contact options: Tom Darico, VP Sales and Marketing for Motorola at Motorola headquarters, whose office's direct line is 1 847 481 5302 Leave comments online at the Motorola site at http://www.motorola.com/cgi-bin/web-comments2/. Satellite Products: nmg_iridium AT motorola.com In the U.S., Motorola's Satellite Program: 877-355-6274 Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Please cite the Briland Modem or CaribeWorld in your correspondence, so that we can show them an organized community voice on behalf of the Bahamas and Caribbean region. In the meantime, we are researching alternative satellite phone options, and will distribute such information as received. Kimberly King-Burns Briland Modem CaribeWorld.com March 6, 2000 Dear Valued Motorola Customer: On Monday, March 6, 2000, Iridium LLC was authorized to use cash collateral to continue operations through March 17, 2000. Iridium LLC will continue its efforts to find a qualified buyer. However, unless a qualified buyer comes forward and provides additional funding by March 15, 2000, we do not expect Iridium service to be available after 11:59 PM (EST) on March 17, 2000. In the meantime, Motorola will continue its support for Iridium LLC, the gateways, service providers, and all current customers and subscribers. Motorola is attempting to directly contact all end users who subscribe to service through MCSI as quickly as possible; however, we would appreciate your sharing this information with anyone within your organization who uses Iridium service. As you may know, Motorola and other Iridium investors have been working very hard to support Iridium LLC's efforts to reorganize and continue operating the business. Motorola cares deeply about its customers, and as a valued customer, we are concerned about your needs. We understand that you probably have a number of questions. We will have additional information (including information about other products or services that may provide alternative solutions to your communication needs) available through a dedicated website at http://www.motorola.com/satellite/info/. If you have any additional questions, please contact our customer care center at 1-800-232-6274, available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Very truly yours, William Smilie Vice President & General Manager The Briland Modem Community ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: For Those First-Time Would-Be Chatters |
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Hello! You have been invited by brilandmodem to join the Listed Yahoo! Club named "Briland". To become a member of this club, just go to the Web address below: http://edit.clubs.yahoo.com/config/sjg?.k=71738bc4277CBWr2 You need to go to the address above to join the club, but you can take a look at the club by going to: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/briland You can learn more about brilandmodem by looking at the Yahoo! Public Profile: http://profiles.yahoo.com/brilandmodem Note: This invitation will expire after 7 days, or after being used. A Yahoo! Club is a great way to bring friends, family or anyone you know together using the latest in Web technologies. Club members are able to take advantage of a club's private chat room, message boards and other features. You can also create your own free club focused on any interest, such as hobbies, families and industry associations. Clubs are either listed or unlisted. Listed clubs are available to the public while unlisted clubs are available exclusively to those who receive invitations. If you have no interest in joining this club, there is no need for you to do anything. You will not be enrolled as a member. Thanks, The Yahoo! Clubs team http://clubs.yahoo.com/ P.S. If you need some help on getting started, go to: http://help.yahoo.com/help/clubs/ __________________________________________________ CONVERGENZ/Solutions New Media Brokerage & PR and Tech Marketing Consultancy www.convergenz.com Guerrilla Marketing - Strategic Planning Public Relations - Corporate Communications 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 244 - Toluca Lake CA 91602 USA Tel 818 761 5688 - Fax 818 761 0024 Pager 8185163460 AT mobile.att.net - eFax 800 861 4606 www.convergenz.com www.caribeworld.com www.briland.com |
| - Briland Modem: Yahoo! Chat at 6:00p EST |
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Miss Elodie Ling of the Harbour Island All-Age School and Sir George S. Roberts Library after-school program will be making her Internet debut online at the Briland Yahoo! Club chatroom this evening, thanks to the careful tutoring of Fig Tree contributing editor Teri Murphy. Please stop by to say hello to your fellow Brilanders, both on and off the island. If today's scheduled online forum is popular, we'll schedule more such conversations with island personalities and local government. To join the Briland chat, here's a refresher: Thanks for your interest in joining the Yahoo! Club named "Briland". To become a member, go to the Web address below. <http://edit.clubs.yahoo.com/config/cjg?.k=41E38c469d2sM4KG> Thanks, The Yahoo! Clubs team http://clubs.yahoo.com __________________________________________________ CONVERGENZ/Solutions New Media Brokerage & PR and Tech Marketing Consultancy www.convergenz.com Guerrilla Marketing - Strategic Planning Public Relations - Corporate Communications 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 244 - Toluca Lake CA 91602 USA Tel 818 761 5688 - Fax 818 761 0024 Pager 8185163460 AT mobile.att.net - eFax 800 861 4606 www.convergenz.com www.caribeworld.com www.briland.com |
| - You're invited! |
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Hello! You have been invited by brilandmodem to join the Listed Yahoo! Club named "Briland". To become a member of this club, just go to the Web address below: http://edit.clubs.yahoo.com/config/sjg?.k=71738bc4277CBWr2 You need to go to the address above to join the club, but you can take a look at the club by going to: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/briland You can learn more about brilandmodem by looking at the Yahoo! Public Profile: http://profiles.yahoo.com/brilandmodem Note: This invitation will expire after 7 days, or after being used. A Yahoo! Club is a great way to bring friends, family or anyone you know together using the latest in Web technologies. Club members are able to take advantage of a club's private chat room, message boards and other features. You can also create your own free club focused on any interest, such as hobbies, families and industry associations. Clubs are either listed or unlisted. Listed clubs are available to the public while unlisted clubs are available exclusively to those who receive invitations. If you have no interest in joining this club, there is no need for you to do anything. You will not be enrolled as a member. Thanks, The Yahoo! Clubs team http://clubs.yahoo.com/ P.S. If you need some help on getting started, go to: http://help.yahoo.com/help/clubs/ |
| - Briland Modem - Countdown to Storm Season 2000: Satellite Phones? |
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Everyone: What with last year's popular rush on satcom phones post-Floyd -- folks mentioning the Briland Board as a reference point bought thirty-four such phones last October -- Motorola checked in yesterday to gauge everyone's interest in putting together a group buy for Harbour Island and North Eleuthera. If anyone's interested, and we can put together a good-sized group, we can negotiate a far more competitive 'Briland Modem' deal, one that will have individual satcom phones costing quite a bit less than last year's $2500 package. We thought we'd check in with you now, just after hearing Storm2000.com's prediction of a 12-15 storm hurricane season this year -- Kimberly Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem's Ready -- |
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Hello: Thanks for your patience as we dealt with server problems this morning ... but we're glad to say that the Briland Modem is now open for business. Kimberly Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: The Fig Tree [And Other Musings] - February 2000 |
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What's new at the Briland Modem at www.briland.com this month: The Y2000 and February issues of The Fig Tree are now online, with an overview of Junkanoo history; Y2K fig tree remembrances; interviews of teachers Miss Elodie Ling and Lang Fincher and their innovative after-school programs on Harbour Island and Eleuthera; a closeup of the Fast Ferry; the monthly Island Passages overview and Jim Reno's romantic journal entry of a walk along the pink sand beach. Check out the newest fiction from Ken Smith, available at the Marinas link; The latest investment and banking information is now available at the Banking link; We've got photography celebrating the New Year's Junkanoo celebrations; Update yourself as to what's happening now with Bahamian Internet access options via the Communications link; Let the FAQs link answer your common questions as to the hows and whys of Harbour Island and North Eleuthera; … and much, much more. We look forward to your feedback! Please forward all of your writing and photography samples by no later than 11 March for inclusion in Volume IV of The Fig Tree. Goombay -- The Briland Modem Team Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem Fundraiser Now Available |
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Note from the Briland Modem Foundation Team: Briland Modem T-Shirts now here! ALL PROCEEDS go directly to Harbour Island [to support the cost of Internet access for the library, purchase supplies for the school, et al.]! Back Design: Harvey Roberts' "Welcome To Harbour Island" sign detail Front "Pocket" Design": Briland Modem Relief Fund/www.briland.com 100% cotton, white T-shirt, M, L, XL sizes available Cost: $20 Shipping Domestic: $5 Shipping International: $10 (for first 2 shirts, quotes on request for additional quantities) All shipping Priority or Global Priority mail. Please make checks out to: Briland Modem Relief Fund [a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation] Send check or money order to: Briland Modem 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 244 Toluca Lake CA 91602 USA Questions, Comments, Special Orders? Contact Mandy Barton at mandy AT bartongroup.net Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: Gauging Your Interest in A Local ISP |
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Note from Briland Modem: Robert Malone runs Out Island Internet, an ISP located in Abaco. If they can get enough subscribers on board, they will open access to a local call from Harbour Island and North Eleuthera. In the meantime, they are looking for someone residing on the island [or North Eleuthera] to act as their agent in signing customers up, assigning their preferred user names and passwords, etc. and e-mailing that information on a regular basis back to Abaco. Although the e-mail access involves a long-distance call to Marsh Harbour until they can get the local setup going, the cost is still two-thirds lower than the cost of access to service providers located in the U.S. In the meantime, OII.Net offers a competitive package, as shown below. I very much appreciate OII.Net's support of area cybercafes, libraries and schools for Internet access for locals, as subsidized by area business use. See below for more details, but I do see how Harbour Island's library and community points would benefit from such an arrangement, much like that which Island Services has offered the island. Your comments, please. If you are in fact interested in becoming OII.Net's agent for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island in return for free Internet access, please buzz me at rum AT briland.com at your earliest convenience. Kimberly >Reply-To: "Robert Malone" <robert AT oii.net> >From: "Robert Malone" <robert AT oii.net> >To: "Kimberly King-Burns" <kkingburns AT convergenz.com> >References: <3.0.32.20000118125156.01fe91d4 AT VIPmail.earthlink.net> >Subject: Re: ISP for Briland/Spanish Wells >Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 17:41:35 -0500 >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 > >Kimberly, > >I have checked the phone book (Batelco) and inter-island calls are at the >rate of $0.40 per minute-daytime, and $0.30 per minute from 8:00 pm to >6:00am nightly and all day on Sunday. > >My partner and I are willing to accept subscribers from your area, and >consequently add the necessary modems and phone lines here to accommodate >the additional customer load. We will, however, need someone on the 'ground' >at Eleuthera to act as an Out Island Inter.Net agent to sign customers up, >assign Usernames and Passwords, and communicate that info. back here to our >office for insertion into our database. Is there such a candidate in that >area?? We would naturally provide that person will free access to our Server >in their capacity as our Agent, and work out some financial arrangements >with them together with a business model for accounting, collection of fees, >etc. > >Here we charge a one-time $100.00 Sign Up fee for ALL accounts. >We have 3 levels of service that we offer at the moment. > >GRUNT 10 hrs. $20.00 p/m *** $2.50 per additional hour >CHUB 25 hrs. $40.00 p/m *** $2.25 per additional hour >BARRACUDA 50 hrs. $60.00 p/m *** $2.00 per additional hour > >We issue each customer with a UserName which indicates his area, his >initials, and a sequential number, e.g. mine is MHERM999 (Marsh Harbour >East-Robert Malone-999). This makes it easy for us to identify our customers >by their user name and so on. You could be "BRIKB123" and would be easily >identified by us in our server for example. > >Here, as our civic duty, we provide free access to the Marsh Harbour >Community Library which is staffed by volunteers. This is mainly set up to >serve the transient boaters, and those in rented cottages who cannot justify >the sign up fees etc. The Library charges $2.00 for the first 5 minutes, and >a dollar per minute thereafter. BIG POINT!!! This is for COMPUTER time. The >user pays whether he is online surfing the net, reading his mail or just >typing letters, etc. The income form this has already paid for their >computer, printer, etc. This service was started last July. It has really >helped the library. They have now put a/c in and fixed the place up some >with these 'donations'. > >We offer a similar plan for the schools. They get the computers, phone line, >etc., and we give free access. We monitor this closely, as sometimes >teachers need a little lesson in over-indulgence!!! Generally it works fine. >Most are quite responsible. These services can be offered free due to the >fact that a large number of our customers are 'part time' residents who >maintain regular monthly accounts, and keep them open even when they are not >on the Island. If a customer does not wish to do this, then we consider the >account closed when he leaves, and he restarts his account with the $100.00 >set up fee when he returns. Most just leave the accounts open as they know >we offer their unused hours to the schools and library. > >Other business folks over in Hope Town are setting up a small (2 to 3 >computer) cyber booth where second homeowners and boaters may access the net >for stock trading, emails, etc. They plan to have a $5.00 for up to 15 >minutes charge, plus $0.50 per each additional minute. > >I mention these various efforts to give you some idea just what the user >public is prepared to pay for a good, fast, reliable internet connection. >(Pat on my back here!!) > >Would welcome you thoughts on the subject, as we are always looking for ways >to expand our service. > >Robert > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Kimberly King-Burns <kkingburns AT convergenz.com> >To: Robert Malone <robert AT oii.net> >Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 3:51 PM >Subject: Re: ISP for Briland/Spanish Wells > >> Hey there! >> Yes, it's me ... the erstwhile Brilander <grin>. And as you've guessed, >> folks are not able to access their e-mail -- much less surfing the 'Net -- >> through Batelnet on a regular basis, and are instead accessing their >> Earthlink/AOL/ATT/Mindspring accounts overseas, which are also involving >> long-distance charges. I expect that the intra-island rates from Abaco to >> Eleuthera are a bit more competitive than overseas, though, and so would >> appreciate any idea you can offer as to packages available, sample >> long-distance charges, etc. The folks who are inquiring about such >'local' >> access are a mix of islanders and winter residents and frequent visitors. >> The local population is 1,800, of which I'd estimate 25% are interested in >> access. As for winter residents, I'd top that off at around 200, but >> again, I am just guessing. Frequent visitors are anyone's guess as to >> overall numbers, but they've asked about such options while on island. But >> local businesses, houses, hotels, grocers, marinas, etc. certainly seem to >> be interested. >> >> Can we put together a Briland Modem package that accesses the Abaco >numbers >> until such time as you do actually place a POP on North Eleuthera? Let me >> know what you think. And, best of all, does your company offer any wiring >> services? I'm researching the costs, feasibility of wiring several places >> on the island for Internet access, i.e. the library, but am loathe to get >> on Batelco's waiting list. >> >> Let's talk -- >> Kimberly >> >> At 03:28 PM 1/18/00 -0500, you wrote: >> >Is that Kimberly? >> > >> >I frequently read Briland's Message Board and have seen some of your >> >postings. >> > >> >I am with Out Island Inter.Net here in Abaco, and would love to offer >> >service to subscribers in places outside our local calling area, however, >as >> >you know, it would involve a long distance call. If that is not a >problem, >> >then we certainly could do it. I would imagine that folks there have >pretty >> >much given up on Batelnet as they have done here on Abaco. >> > >> >We are considering setting up a similar service in the Spanish >Wells/Harbour >> >Island area, and have the license and people all ready to go. One of the >> >main questions which remains unanswered is "just how many subscribers >> >(potentially) are there in your local calling area"? When we get a better >> >idea of the potential customer base, then I feel that I could convince my >> >partners to move quickly on the project. >> > >> >We are just about to install our first Wireless Network here in Abaco >which >> >will link all the Cays via microwave to our central tower in Marsh >Harbour. >> >The demand for this type of 'unlimited access' here is great. The Hotels, >> >Resorts, Banks, Insurance Companies, etc. all want it. >> > >> >What are the major problems with the service presently offered you now?? >> >Perhaps the same problems as here!! >> > >> >Would like to continue this discussion as it might produce a further >> >incentive for us to move more quickly in your direction. >> > >> >Kindest regards. >> > >> >Robert Malone >> >Out Island Inter.Net >> >robert AT oii.net Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: Allen Malcolm |
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Note from Sharon King: Sadly, Sir Richard Malcolm's father Allen [nephew of Pink Sands Club founder Herbert Malcolm] passed away on Harbour Island on January 12th. Our condolences to the bereaved family. Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem: FedEx Service From Harbour Island [13 January 2000] |
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Until further notice, Island Services of Harbour Island, Bahamas will no longer be sending OUTBOUND FedEx packages as of February 1st, 2000. We will start outgoing FedEx as soon as Nassau organizes their system and brings themselves up to standard. In the meantime INCOMING FedEx packages will still be delivered daily to Island Services [Dunmore Street at Temperance Square] between 4pm and 6pm and all questions regarding FedEx should be directed to the Nassau office at (242) 322-5656 or 322-5657 or 322-5658, their fax is 322-5659. Island Services apologizes for any inconvenience caused. Contact Dake Gonzalez 333-3032, or via e-mail at islandsvcsi AT hotmail.com Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem [www.briland.com] Launches Today! |
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Greetings, y'all -- Briland Modem [the website] goes partially live Wednesday, 22 December 1999! Check the newest stories and get back to us with your comments. In the meantime, here's to you and yours for a very happy holiday season. Goombay -- The Briland Modem Staff Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
| - Briland Modem [www.briland.com] Launches Today! |
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Greetings, y'all -- Briland Modem [the website] goes live Wednesday, 22 December 1999! Check the newest stories and get back to us with your comments. In the meantime, here's to you and yours for a very happy holiday season. The Briland Modem wants to be a central island resource by and for the Harbour Island and North Eleuthera area of the Bahamas. The Modem connects all local businesses, resorts, school and library outlets, educational resources, historical resources, aviation and marine resources, fishing charters, travel information, airline and ferry connection updates. The message board at www.briland.com is a popular online meeting room for Brilanders all over the world. We'll eventually include an e-commerce solution, which in plain English means that if you want to make peas and rice in Los Angeles, you can e-mail <www.briland.com>, order pigeon peas from Mr. Summer online and pay for them with your credit card. We have a great team on the island who will be in charge of shipping such stuff through second-day FedEx. The entire process will be automated, so that there'll be no such thing as losing paperwork <grin>. It also means that shortly down the line, Geraldine Albury can make rental bookings online, the Sugar Mill can sell Eddie Minnis prints, the area hotels and fishing boats can make bookings online, the library can take advantage of learning resources online, order books and offer different educational workshops for locals, etc. It's called a community portal, which means that it will be one spot that all of the community will come through. Briland.com wants to become the all-purpose start page for the island, offering local businesses and islanders their own webpages on the site, i.e. www.briland.com/hilltop. www.briland.com will be marketed through traditional and online travel, business, general and Caribbean/Bahamian media and the Ministry of Tourism. Goombay -- The Briland Modem Staff __________________________________________________ CONVERGENZ/Solutions New Media Brokerage & PR and Tech Marketing Consultancy www.convergenz.com Guerrilla Marketing - Strategic Planning Public Relations - Corporate Communications 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 244 - Toluca Lake CA 91602 USA Tel 818 761 5688 - Fax 818 761 0024 Skytel Page 800 278 5769 - eFax 800 861 4606 |
| - Briland Modem: Soft Launch of Briland.com Coming Soon |
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Note from the Briland Modem Coconut Notes Team: With Bernel Davis, Teri Murphy, Karol King-Black, Richard Haskell, Harvey Roberts and Miz Ling already on board, we're happy to announce that an early version of the Briland Modem central information website will be ready for prime-time viewing in just a few short days. In the meantime, start packing your pens, pencils, PCs and Palm Pilots for your editorial debuts. We do want to hear from you as to your take on anything and everthing that's Briland -- the music, the schools, the history, the Fig Tree, the storm, the fishing, the farming, the straw work, the paintings, the stores, the roads, the library, the ocean, the harbour, the clinic -- so e-mail rum AT briland.com at your earliest convenience. An editorial calendar of topics and happenings will be posted with the opening of the site, which should help you brainstorm your Hemingway offerings. In addition to next week's launch, we expect to have a New Year's edition up during the first week of January ... and our resourceful editorial team will be creatively working around the present Batelco/Batelnet go-slow situation to bring you the latest updates from the fig tree. Goombay -- Kimberly Briland Modem ___________________________________________________________ News & Information for North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas www.briland.com [It's much better in the Out Islands.] |
Older reports can be found on another page.
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