On the Dot...

Just across the road from the Birkirkara bus terminus, a few steps up from the chemist's shop, and the zebra crossing, is a fairly deep hole in the pavement. It is catching many people unawares, especially if they are more intent on catching the bus or the green traffic light than watching where they are stepping.

Well Noted

The Business Directory 2003 compilation has started being delivered to certain areas of the island. However, it is a pity that those residents who have received it were not asked beforehand, through the media, to put out their obsolete copies for collection and recycling. Unfortunately, when the next Maltacom plc telephone directory or Yellow Pages are delivered, the chances are that those giving them out will only collect old copies of the same books, as happened last time.

Crash Barriers

During school holidays, and also after school hours, too many children are seen riding pillion on motorcycles wearing imitation crash helmets, more suitable for the toddler drivers of battery-driven cars than two-wheelers wending in and out of congested traffic. One notes that wardens appear not to notice this type of dicing with death.

Stationary Items?

The wardens going about their rounds in the upper part of Sliema must be commended for their vigilance; they are often seen taking down particulars of cars parked at the Dingli Street bus stop before 7 a.m. and by the Imperial Hotel, in St Mary Street, soon afterwards. It is a pity they are never around on Sundays and public holidays, when a car is parked for the best part of the morning on the double yellow lines in High Street, opposite a stationery shop.

For a Spin(ola)

The upgrading of a part of the Spinola area has been successfully completed. However, it is a shame that the lights along the bay from the Hotel Cavalieri side, all the way to the San Raffaele Restaurant, have remained off for the best part of three months. This only serves to make more conspicuous the neglect in which the picturesque bay, ironically only a stone's throw away from the plaque so recently unveiled, has been allowed to fall.

Recent History

In 1645, St John's chapel, in Naxxar, had no front door, and the locals passed the hat around in order to raise the required money for it. Their descendants are now wondering whether they will have to do the same thing for a rather more simple matter - a plaque beside the door bearing the name of the church.

Different Drums

The entrance to the offices of the Ministry of Tourism in Melita Street are full of olde worlde charm, and the young lady at the reception desk makes it a point to help all those who require her assistance. Alas, the same may not be said of those who man the front desk of the VAT Department. For one, those of them who smoke could at least remove the cigarette from their mouths before greeting clients.

Holy Days

Speaking of entities concerning tourism - it was indeed a wonderful idea to have the Good Friday processions on the website of the Malta Tourism Authority. Thus, not only could homesick emigrants have a taste of something that is typically Maltese, but even the housebound could enjoy the proceedings, if they had access to the internet.

Season's Bleating

A young Irish lassie needed to wash her face and hands after eating an ice cream. When the adults with whom she was asked the receptionist of the new Sliema Tower Palace Hotel to indicate the way to the restroom, she pointed out that it was for the use of paying residents only. To further confirm her stand, she enlisted the owner's help in showing them the door. How many of this group will pick this place for their next holiday residence?

Trailer Trash

Just opposite the Peugeot and Industrial Motors, at Blata l-Bajda, on the Marsa side, the trailer park has once again risen from the ashes, after having been clear of these monstrosities for quite some time. This is a pity, because the area midway between the two sites has just been embellished and turned into an urban oasis. Now one's attention is siphoned off from the flowers and greenery, and dwells on the huge metal boxes.

Stamp Dutiful

Last Wednesday, Maltapost plc issued a set of stamps with St George as a central theme, to coincide with the celebrations connected with, and the feast of this martyr. Whereas one cannot but agree that this was a combination coup of devotion and salesmanship, it is hoped that the company will see it fit to issue a similar set of stamps to commemorate the feast of St Paul next year.

Shopping Bags

One kind-hearted owner of an outlet in Hamrun regularly matches the donations of victuals that local families give to the needy on a one-for-one basis. If other establishments took up this challenge, there would be less hungry and sad people around. If there are no needy people in the parish, the circle of love may be widened to include people in neighbouring villages, or Church homes, or refugees.