NTBscholarships on offer

The National Training Board (NTB) launched an ambitious recruitment project this week in the hopes of finding a dozen Bermudians eager to learn.

Executive officer Michael Stowe said that an advertisement ran this week in in the hopes of finding up to 15 Bermudians, between the ages of 18 and 30, who are willing to study one of the six courses NTB has on offer for scholarship.

The lucky few to complete the tough selection process, will attend the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic in Barbados ? paid in full by the NTB, which will also provide a living expenses subsidy.

The courses include certificate programmes in animal husbandry and crop husbandry and diploma programmes in agriculture, cabinet and furniture making and garment making.

Mr. Stowe said there is no formal training available in Bermuda for garment making and he hopes, by offering this course, to revive the occupation of seamstress/tailor on the Island.

?There are so many people who still prefer having their clothes made as opposed to buying them,? he said.

The garment making course takes roughly a year to complete.

Mr. Stowe said the selection process should be over by the end of June and only eligible, mature and hardworking applicants will be considered.

A?orean president to visit Bermuda

A?orean president Dr. Carlos Manuel Martin Vale do Cesar will be the guest of honour at Vasco da Gama Club on Portugal National Day this year.

The president, his wife and two other A?orean government ministers will be on the Island from June 9 to 12 to celebrate with the local Portuguese community.

President Cesar was slated to be here for the festivities last year but had to cancel at the last minute when an important vote on the European Union took place.

Organisers said they have lined up a full itinerary of engagements for President Cesar during his three-day visit. He?ll meet with the Premier, visit the House of Assembly, the Mayors of Hamilton and St. George, the Azores Room at Commissioner?s House and the A?orean school.

The president, his wife Dr. Luisa Cesar, secretary of education & science Dr. Alamo Meneses, regional director for Portuguese communities Dr. Alzira Silva and cabinet chief Dr. Luis Soares, will all stay at Government House.

The dignitaries will also be guests at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel hosted by Vasco da Gama Club on June 10, Portugal National Day.

Tickets to the dinner are $120 and available by calling Vasco da Gama Club or Paul Fortuna at 298-8024.

BHBholding community meetings

The Bermuda Hospitals Board is holding community town hall meetings to announce the results of its estate review, including preliminary options for the hospitals? future services and locations.

This is part of the hospitals? estate master plan project, which will ensure that the BHB is equipped to provide quality healthcare services to the Bermuda community well into the future.

The dates and times of the town hall meetings are:

Tuesday, June 7 at Cathedral Hall, 12.30 to 1.30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 8, Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. George?s 7 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, June 9, St. James Church Hall, Sandys 7 to 8 p.m.

?We will be sharing significant information at these meetings about the state of our facilities, the services we provide and the steps we must take to best serve Bermuda?s healthcare needs now and into the future,? said Joan Dillas-Wright, chief executive officer of the BHB.

?These are very much community issues, so we strongly encourage Bermuda residents to attend and contribute their feedback.?

Two break-ins in Paget

Two Paget homes were hit by thieves on Wednesday, with cameras and jewellery being stolen.

Police were called to a Laurel Lane home at around 5.40 p.m. where the complainant said that sometime between 7 a.m. and 5.15 p.m., an unknown culprit had gained entry.

The culprit stole $5 worth of coins, a man?s gold wedding ring, a woman?s wedding band and a gold ankle bracelet.

Police were also called to a South Shore Road home at 6 p.m. where the complainant said that sometime between 4 and 5.30 p.m., an unknown culprit gained entry and stole several items of jewellery, a Sony video camera, three digital cameras, several DVDs, $300 worth of coins and personal items.

Police appeal for witnesses

Police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the reported disturbance and stabbing during a majorette performance in the White Hill Field area of Sandys Parish at around 9.20 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, to contact them.

Police are especially interested in speaking with anyone who may have photos or video footage of the competition around the time the incident occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Con. Donald at the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.

Thief steals Gucci watch

A thief with expensive taste made off with a Gucci watch and Ray Ban sunglasses after breaking into a Devonshire home on Tuesday.

Police arrived at the home on Meadow Lane and were told the break-in had occurred around 4 p.m.

The thief stole several pricey items. In addition to the watch and sunglasses, a Panasonic DVD player and numerous coins were taken.

DAB defers on Coco Reef application

The Development Applications Board has deferred an application by Coco Reef Resort to renovate a cottage until it can inspect the site.

Coco Reef has applied for permission to renovate the cottage in order to provide better accommodations for tourists.

The resort also applied for permission to beautify its shoreline.

Coco Reef spokesman Robert Gilbert said the existing shoreline was damaged by Hurricane Fabian. Fixing it will require mending the current pathway, constructing a retaining wall and creating a beach area.

New stables approved by DAB

In other Planning news, Opposition United Bermuda Party MP Cole Simons was granted permission to construct six horse stables on his family property. The stables are for private use.

The board noted that the stables must be painted green to ensure they comply with the Bermuda image.

Perfumery to refurbish cottage

Ralph Terceira has been given Planning approval to make an addition to Bermuda Perfumery lot in Hamilton Parish.

The proposed addition is to the existing cottage and will create a refurbished, single dwelling unit.

9 Beaches to add spa and jetski lift

Planning approval has been given to 9 Beaches resort to build a new personal watercraft lift for a jet ski facility.

9 Beaches, located at Daniel?s Head, also received approval to build a new spa.