US military presence for the first time more than 50 years, recently-appointed US Consul General Robert Farmer is a key figure in future Bermuda-US relations.

So who is Mr. Farmer and how does he see his posting here in what on Washington columnist called "the softest, cushiest, most delightful job in the US Government''? In the January issue of RG Magazine, available free with tomorrow's edition of The Royal Gazette , the Consul General talks at length to senior writer Robin Zuill about his first three months on the job, his career and Bermuda after the Bases have gone.

"I do not look upon my new position as soft or cushy,'' he tells Zuill.

"There is a real job to be done as Consul General in Bermuda and I intend to do it.'' With so much bad news in the headlines these days, January's RG starts the New Year with some good news by presenting six Unsung Heroes. The six men and women selected for the first in what is hoped to become an annual feature, reflect the unselfish work that they and countless others do in the community every day.

And as the curtain goes up on the 20th Bermuda Festival next month, arts critic Patricia Calnan profiles the legendary violinist Lord Menuhin, who returns to the Festival to conduct a gala concert 20 years after appearing at the first Festival.

Calnan also previews "Hereward Watlington: Portrait of a Legacy'', a fortcoming exhibition of the late artist's work at the Bermuda National Gallery he helped found.

Also in this month's issue, Don Grearson travels to historic Greece, Roger Crombie rewinds the good, the bad and the ugly of 1994 and Hamilton town crier and actor Ed Christopher kicks off I-Spy, RG's new interview feature.

It's all in the January issue of RG Magazine and it's only available tomorrow with The Royal Gazette.