Sometimes it seems that new stores and restaurants in Hamilton open and close so quickly it's hard to keep up; and tickets to events like the annual Gourmet Getaway or the Film Festival sell out before you've even figured out what the event is about.

To help Bermudians keep up with what's hot in the community, ZBM started a new television programme last fall called 'Bermuda Now'.

Bermuda Now will begin airing a second season this month on Channel 9, and is already gaining in popularity.spoke with show organisers about their programme and what it has to offer the community. When we met up with them, they were in the process of scouting out a possible story segment on a new caf? in Hamilton.

"Bermuda Now is an entertainment and events show that lets Bermuda know what is going on in terms of all the latest activities and events," said John Godina, Bermuda Broadcasting sales and marketing manager and Bermuda Now executive producer.

"We talk about all the latest happenings in the arts world, the entertainment world in terms of music, and rising stars.

"We profile a lot of different personalities whether they come from off Island or from here. We just capture the essence of what is going on in Bermuda.

"We want to show viewers there is a lot going on here. There are so many people who don't get a chance to see these events, and possibly don't even know what they are."

What gives the programme its unique flavour is its charismatic hosts Zina Edwards Malcolm and Patrina Paynter, two high-energy extroverts with a passion for their jobs.

"Zina is like one of the older sisters that I never had ? not to say that you are old, Zina," said Mrs. Paynter with a laugh. "I have an outgoing personality, and Zina has an outgoing personality.

"Normally, people would say, when you are like that you wouldn't be able to mix, but our personalities are a little bit different.

"Zina has a more earthy thing going. There is a difference, but we get along well. It is fun and exciting, and I love working with her. We have a good time together."

Mrs. Malcolm said the two of them giggle incessantly. "It is probably a little sick."

Mrs. Malcolm is fairly new to the world of television, having previously worked in tourism.

Mrs. Paynter will be more familiar to viewers, as she has hosted several programmes including YouthTalk.

She is also a Powergirl on the Power 95 radio show. She now works for the Bank of Bermuda.

"However you see us, is the way that you get us," Mrs. Paynter said. "Zina is the same way that she is now all the time. We are a crazy twosome."

Mrs. Malcolm said once she got past the difficulty of looking at herself on screen, the show became a lot of fun.

"It is like, what I do," she said. "I am a social creature. I love learning new things and meeting people. I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this."

She said one of her favourite interviews was with local clothing designer Amethyst.

"I have known him for years, but I saw a whole new side of him," she said. "He has never taken any professional courses in design, but he just has this vision.

"He is an artist first and foremost, and I have a passion for art and fashion. So with Amethyst and his creations and models, we had so much fun.

"He claimed to be shy, which is a bunch of hooey. He has an amazing personality. On the other side was Amir, another fashion designer, international model and artist. "We had an absolute ball. He is a perfectionist and a professional, and all his art is just exquisite."

Mrs. Paynter said the show she enjoyed making the most was the Bermuda Now debut at 'tha Underground' Music Awards, a separate project of Bermuda Now producers Jonathan Talbot and Mr. Godina.

"That night I got to dress up, and I got to see all of our local talents," said Mrs. Paynter. "It was set up so nice, like the Grammy Awards, but done Bermuda style.

"So that was the fun part for me, going around and talking to all the artists and being in that type of environment, it added that glitz and glamour to the show.

"The Bermudian paparazzi was there. It was so much fun."

Mr. Godina said the feedback from the community had been entirely positive and supportive.

"One of the focuses we have is to give businesses a chance to profile themselves for five minutes," he said. "We have been inundated with everyone.

"There are so many businesses in Bermuda that don't get the opportunity to let people know what they do.

"We want to make a commitment to helping businesses. We want to encourage Bermudians to shop at local businesses and that is why we try to give the businesses as much exposure as we can.

"You could be walking by a store 25 times and not know what is inside that store.

"Once you look in that store you will find there is just as much variety as there is in the United States. The buyers shop all over the world, and they bring it to this Island."

Mr. Godina said it is a misconception that Bermuda doesn't have the type of merchandise found overseas.

Mrs. Malcolm said a lot of Bermudians were also unaware of all the different events and entertainment options available to them.

"That is the feedback I have gotten," she said. "A lot of people said they had no idea things like the Gourmet Getaway or the wine tastings at Gosling's Wine Cellar going on. Those sorts of things, mainstream Bermuda is not always aware of.

"There is so much out there that is offered in Bermuda. That is one of the main points of the show, it is to show Bermudians and other people out there ? you say there is nothing to do in Bermuda, but look at the things we have done on the show! Bermuda has everything to do."

Mrs. Paynter said Bermuda Now is on the pulse of the 'new Bermuda'.

She said some of the things they focus on are tourist-based, some of it is sporting and a lot of it is art.

Mrs. Malcolm said: "Sometimes the social scene is a bit divided, socially and racially. My personal goal is to make sure that we get a diverse array of events and activities."

Her co-host, Mrs. Paynter, who has a six-year-old son, said she also wanted to highlight what is available for families to do.

"I took my son to Dolphin Quest," she said. "Everyone looks at it as a tourist attraction. But they offer birthday parties to locals. They offer so much.

"Sometimes the tourist attractions are things that we Bermudians can be partaking in too."

Mrs. Paynter said they have had positive comments, but also some comments that threw them off a bit.

"One day a lady stopped me on the street and said 'oh I loved you on the Jean Howes Christmas show. And I really liked your daughter too'. (Meaning Patrina)," said Mrs. Malcolm with a laugh.

Mr. Godina said the actual personality of the show was developed by Mr. Talbot.

Mr. Talbot is also the producer of the Power 95 radio show, 'tha Underground'.

"The main difference between putting together a radio show and a television programme is time," Mr. Talbot said. "With 'Bermuda Now' sometimes I find myself up until three or four o'clock in the morning putting things together.

"I work best at this time because I don't have any distractions. Sometimes though I invite the others in for another perspective. Sometimes it helps. I don't want it to all come from me."

He said his job is to get the best out of the footage taken, no matter what.

He said the fact that Zina and Patrina both "talk a lot" means there is often quite a bit of footage to sort through.

"If I am doing a three-minute spot, I have to cut that to about 20 minutes of footage," he said. "I like working with all of them.

"John is a genius too because this is a lot of his exposures and I value his opinion. Sometimes he brings out things that I would have missed and that helps."