2010 Music Fest tickets go on sale today

Tickets for the 15th annual Bermuda Music Festival featuring Toni Braxton and Ziggy Marley go on sale this morning at 9 a.m.

The festival starts on September 30 with a performance by the multi-Grammy winning performer Ziggy Marley, with Angie Stone and Estelle performing on October 1 and Toni Braxton closing the festival on October 2.

Tickets for general admission cost $95, with reserved seating at $140 and three day general admission passes are available for $245.

Those interested can purchase tickets online at www.bdatix.bm, or in parson from the iStore in Hamilton or Fabulous Fashions in the Heron Bay Plaza.

Thirty teens enrolled in work experience programme

The Department of Children and Family Services is hoping to teach students through hands-on work.

The Summer Experience 2010 programme, which launched on June 28, teaches at-risk children through "experiential learning modules,' tackling subjects including carpentry and farmwork.

Thirty students are enrolled in the programme, with four to six students in any module at any given time.

Each week, the students, who age from 12 to 18, switch from one module to another, learning a wide array of skills.

Minister of Culture and Social rehabilitation Neletha Butterfield said: "The Summer Experience 2010 has proven to be very successful thus far. This is evidenced by the many requests from the students to lengthen the time they spend in each module, and also to extend the entire experience beyond the summer months."

Teen charged with importing heroin

A 19-year-old appeared in Magistrates' Court charged with importing more than $600,000 worth of diamorphine into the Island.

Co-Shae Kirkleen Suzette Bartrum, of Controversy Lane, Pembroke, is alleged to have imported 274 grams of the controlled drug on May 23. She is also accused of possessing the same drug, with a total street value of $657,600, with intent to supply.

Bartrum was not required to enter a plea as the matter is indictable and must be heard in Supreme Court.

She will appear in Magistrates' Court on August 6 for mention. Bartram was released on $15,000 bail with one surety.

Grant proposals sought for Cultural Legacy Fund

Innovative artists are being encouraged to apply for cash from Government's $200,000 Cultural Legacy Fund.

The pot of money has been set aside this year for projects focusing on Bermuda's culture, heritage and arts — and applicants have until Friday, August 6 to request a grant.

A Department of Community and Cultural Affairs spokesman said: "Grant proposals received from individuals, new or established organisations and charities are considered.

"The goal of the fund is to encourage innovation across the full spectrum of culture and the arts and to provide opportunities for Bermudian artists. The Department believes this event will raise the quality of Bermuda's cultural, heritage and arts scene and raise its stature in the community."

Applicants must submit a typed project proposal with their application form. More information can be found at http://www.communityandculture.bm/pages/cultural-legacy-fund.

Motorcyclist suffers facial injuries in crash

A 26-year-old sustained facial injuries after his motorcycle and a water truck collided.

The accident happened at 7.20 a.m. on Thursday at the junction of Crow Lane and Lane Hill in Pembroke. According to Police the 26-year-old Warwick man was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The water truck driver, a 27-year-old Southampton man, was not injured. The motorcycle was extensively damaged; the water truck received minor damage. Witnesses are asked to contact PC Oliver Jones on 295-0011.

Man gets conditional discharge for swearing at Police

A man charged with swearing at Police told Magistrates' Court that he has learnt his lesson — drink less.

Kenji Griffith, 20, pleaded guilty to obstructing Police and using offensive words, saying he was drunk at the time.

Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess said Police were outside Southampton Rangers Club when they stopped Griffith to be searched. Griffith immediately became aggressive, pulling away from officers and forcing his hands in his pockets.

He said to the officers: "You're f***ing jokers. Why you still searching me? You're doing it 'cause you gay."

He told Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo that he was sorry for the incident. "I was out drinking. A couple of my ace girls had a bit too much to drink. When they stopped me, I was trying to put my money and my cell phone in my pockets, but [the officer] kept pushing me, and I got a little rude. It was the alcohol talking."

Asked by Mr. Tokunbo if he had learnt anything through this experience, Griffith said: "Know your limits."

Mr. Tokunbo released Griffith with a 12-month conditional discharge, suggesting that he should stick to water.