In spite of its spiffy new television commercial, claiming to get all of our favourite overseas papers here on a regular basis, the Phoenix seems incapable of bringing in the Weekend Financial Times.

This is the third week in a row that it has failed to appear. How does a newspaper which is available across North America early on Saturday morning fail to appear in Bermuda until late on Wednesday evening? Last time I asked, the Phoenix claimed that there were problems with the British Airways flights. This seems rather unsatisfactory as the newspaper in question is printed in, and flown in direct from, the United States.

Maybe it has something to do with the new commercial, which starts off with the World revolving the wrong way round. I trust they didn't pay too much for the brains behind that! World news and closing prices I can get elsewhere -- but the crossword? Yours, not in the pink.

ANDREW R. DOBLE Flatts Village Smiles make it worth it October 20, 1999 Dear Sir, How does one measure the success of a cultural event like the Flatts Village Festival? Certainly not by the number of attendees which was about the same as last year! Do we make any money for improvements to the Village? No! In fact, without financial support, we would be unable to pay for the entertainment, and lighting etc.

So, why do we as volunteers spend months in preparation for an event that only lasts six hours? Quite simply, we do it because we see the smiles of our senior citizens who have come to see old friends and make new acquaintances. We see the sparkles in the eyes of our children who have come to have fun in an environment that is normally overrun by traffic. We can e-mail around the world, yet some of us find it too much trouble to walk across the street to meet and chat with neighbours. That's what The Festival is all about! Finding satisfaction in what we do as volunteers is self-fulfilling, no matter how unimportant it may seem to others. We take the challenge personally that "One person can make a difference.'' W.A. (TOPPY) COWEN Chairman Flatts Festival Committee P.s. In order that the Flatts Festival does not clash with the Jazz Festival next year we have tentatively set aside Saturday, October 7, 2000 for this event.

The thanks you get October 22, 1999 Dear Sir, This letter is addressed to all the home owners, senior citizens and guest house owners who voted PLP a year ago -- especially those who kept saying: "Bermuda needs a change; let's give the `other side' a chance now.'' You know who you are, and you now know how you're being thanked by the PLP. You have all had your land tax increased which has resulted in a considerably reduced income which has been devastating for people with strict fixed incomes.

In the more than 30 years the UBP was in power, none of the Premiers felt it necessary to have a bodyguard or a full time assistant. One can quite understand why a person like the President of the United States needs bodyguards and a chief of staff, but Bermuda? Just 21 square miles and a population of under 60,000? Come on! We're smaller than a lot of small towns in the United States which are run by a Mayor who usually has a full time job.

SENIOR CITIZEN Warwick Merge all three parties October 26, 1999 Dear Sir, I find it absolutely amazing that the Government can say that the majority of us who are being swindled out of our money with outrageous land taxes are accepting this new low. Everyone I have spoken to who is caught up in this fiasco is extremely angry, and from what I hear, there are well over 400 letters of objections that have been sent in. Either the PLP is not listening to the people, or it is just "turning a blind eye'' to the situation.

We have crime running out of control on the streets, everything from petty theft to murder, in fact not a day goes by now without some form of crime being committed and we, the voters do not want to hear, "Crime has been here for a long time, and it will take a long time to correct'' -- what we want to hear is that Special Task Forces are being formed to crack down on this situation, and stiffer laws are coming into effect once the criminals are caught and sentenced. But again, it appears that a blind eye is being offered to this grave problem.

Since the Police have been told to ease up on the roads, the idiots are out in full force again, and driving now is worse than ever. Why is it that we have white lines across the roads in front of traffic lights when most vehicles will not stop until they are way past those lines and sometimes even past the lights? Again, another blind eye! There are strikes happening in every quarter, there are problems in the Police Service, the Customs Service, and now even the Magistrates are having problems. So much for the New Bermuda we have all heard about.

The NLP has offered an interesting idea of merging with the UBP. Frankly I think all three Parties should merge and take the best 30 people they can find who will run this country conscientiously, honestly, and effectively, and in the interest of the people, and in the event they should fall down on the job they should be fired, as in any other business.

SEEING IT AS IT IS Pembroke Follow Glasgow's lead October 24, 1999 Dear Sir, Glasgow Health Board is recommending a ban on putting cellular phone masts on council properties until further scientific research has been carried out. It also suggests toughening safety limits on radiation emissions from the masts.

As more and more research points towards adverse health effects from the masts our own Government here tell us they are safe, even though the cellular towers here are lower and closer to homes.

Do they think we are completely foolish? ASHAMED OF OUR LEADERS Warwick BUEI welcomes support October 27, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me the medium of your column to acknowledge recent public support of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

As one of the Island's newest and premier attractions we are continually looking at ways to improve our visitor's experience, hence a new exhibit, "Spanish Treasure'', is being prepared. This was the subject of a Preview on October 15. We were able to offer a Gala evening hosted by Teddy Tucker and Peter Benchley, with superb food from La Coquille and excellent wines from the cellars of Burrows Lightbourn Limited. The support from corporate and individual friends of the Institute ensured a very successful evening.

One of the special highlights of the Gala was the launch of a new initiative between Astwood Dickinson and BUEI. We were proud to unveil a stunning rendition of the Tucker Cross crafted by master jeweller David Beale. This exquisite replica is now the latest addition to the Bermuda Collection and part proceeds from sales of each piece will be donated to BUEI. A Limited Edition of fifty only, set in 22 carat gold, numbered and engraved with Teddy Tucker's signature, has also been created. Proceeds from these sales will also benefit our charity and ultimately our community, as we meet our mission to educate and inspire the public about our oceans.

BUEI is proud to be the recipient of this generous initiative and both Astwood Dickinson and the Institute are extremely pleased at the response in just less than a fortnight. The Tucker Cross, donated by Astwood Dickinson is also the highlight of a BUEI Turn of the Century Raffle Draw to be held on December 31, 1999. Only 2,000 tickets are available at a cost of $100 each. All prizes have been generously donated and the Institute will apply funds raised to educational programmes and exhibits at the East Broadway facility. We look forward to the success of this first raffle held by our no for profit organisation and wish to convey to the public that we appreciate the ongoing support of the community for our growing institution.

J. MICHAEL COLLIER Chairman BUEI Home says thank you October 25, 1999 Dear Sir, On behalf of the Sunshine League, I would like to extend a warm thank you to Mr. Lee Heiman and the other Jazz Festival organisers. Their generous donation of $10,000 from the concert proceeds will go a long way towards funding our new child care programmes which focus specifically on therapeutic child care.

For many years the Sunshine League was thought of simply as "the children's home''. While we remain committed to providing a warm and loving home environment for the children in our care, our focus is on both restorative and preventative treatment.

To have our efforts recognised as Mr. Heiman has done is truly gratifying. Our only hope is that others follow his example and lend their encouragement and support -- both financial or otherwise, to our efforts. Anyone interested in learning more about our services may call us at 292-4360.

KELLY FRANCIS On behalf of The Sunshine League Board, Staff and Residents