The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda and the Lupus Association of Bermuda were each presented with $500 cheques by the Independent Club yesterday.

The Lupus Association plans to use the money for research and education, while Big Brothers/Big Sisters will use it for various programmes.

Clara Jones, treasurer of the Lupus Association, thanked the Independent Club on behalf of the Lupus Association. Martin Humphrey, vice president of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, did likewise, adding with a chuckle: "Hopefully the children we help out will help us when we get older -give up their seat on the bus for us!'' The Independent Club, an investment club which believes in the importance of giving back to the community, can be reached through Uel Armstrong, secretary of the club, at the Argus Group.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters can be reached at 292-2802, and the Lupus Association can be reached at 297-7879.

LABOUR THE POINT CON EDC Labour the point What will Bermuda's workforce look like by year 2010? What skills will Bermudians need to have in order to compete for jobs? These questions, amongst others, will be addressed in a public forum tomorrow, at the Bermuda College North Hall Lecture Theatre.

Community activist Delcina Bean-Burrows will be joined by Rolfe Patton Commissiong, Kit Astwood, and Dawn Zuill on the panel, while the forum will be moderated by Mr. Stephen Thomson.

The public is urged to attend the forum, which begins at 7.30 p.m.

Progress means change, and perspectives on labour in Bermuda are indeed changing.

"Public forums that address labour issues are essential to Bermuda maintaining harmonious labour relations,'' says Ms Bean-Burrows.

CAUGHT OUT CRM Caught out A woman's waist pouch was stolen during a cricket game at St. David's Cricket Club on Sunday afternoon.

The pouch was draped over a chair and during the game, someone removed the pouch and slipped away unnoticed. The pouch contained cash and personal items.

THE DEVIL MAKES WORK CRM The Devil makes work A thief stole several items from a parked auxiliary cycle near St. John's Church in Pembroke on Sunday morning.

The complainant said she left the bike unattended from 7.40 until 8.40 and during that period someone made off with items including a cell phone and Palm Pilot.

PUT TO THE TEST HTH Put to the test Members of the public will be able to have their blood sugar and blood pressure screened for free by Registered Nurses at the Mount Zion A.M.E.

Church Hall this Saturday.

Cholesterol screening will also be done at the Hall, located on Whale Bay Road in Southampton, for a donation of $5.

The screening will be begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, and go on until 12 noon.

Mount Zion A.M.E. Church can be reached at (tel): 238-0284.

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY CRM Window of opportunity A thief made off with cash from a Middle Road, Southampton home overnight Saturday, with the culprit gaining entry through an insecure window.

The break-in took place while the residents slept.