Social and Personal

AGIUS. Treasured memories of dear ELVIA on the third anniversary of her death. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her mother, her brothers and sisters, aunt, in-laws, nephews and nieces. "Gone in flesh, but ever present in spirit".

BORG - LILIAN née Inglott. In ever loving memory of a dear wife, mother and grandmother on the 15th anniversary of her death. Always in our hearts. Sunny, Peter and Ramona, Karen and Bernard, Sam, Alex, Sophie and Daniel.

CASSAR - JOSEPH. On the 11th anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Jane and all the family. Today's 6 p.m. Mass at St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex, will be offered for the repose of his soul.

DEBONO. In ever loving memory of our dearest father FRANK, today the 12th anniversary of his demise. Remembered with love and gratitude by his sons, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren. Merciful Jesus, grant him eternal rest.

EBEJER - ARTHUR (ex-Notary). Today his 16th anniversary.
We treasure you
Like a bouquet
Of beautiful memories
Sprayed with a million tears.
Mum, dad, Neville and Isabel.

GALEA - CARMEL (Nenu). Though you've left us 21 years ago, we still feel your presence, your name is still on our lips and the love that united us is as always very strongly felt. Always missed by your wife Lily and children Neville, Jeffrey, Cedric and wife Denise and Graziella. We love you and pray for you.

PACE DECESARE - PHYLLIS. Treasured and fondest memories, today the first anniversary of her demise. Always in our hearts and prayers. Her husband Ronald, her children Audrey, Rowena and Anthea, in-laws and grandchildren. Lord Jesus, give her Your loving care. The 7 a.m. Mass at Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema, and the 10 a.m. Mass at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, will be offered for the repose of her soul.

RUNZA. In loving memory of our dearest mother JOSEPHINE, today the 20th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her sons, daughters, in-laws and their families. Rest in peace.

Appreciation: Joseph V. Psaila MD. DA.(Eng.) FRCA.(Eng.)

N. Azzopardi, MD., DA., FRCA., honorary president, the Association of Anaesthesiologists of Malta, writes:

It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Dr Joseph V. Psaila, erstwhile one of the best anaesthetists in Malta.

He was also a great teacher of the specialty and pioneered many innovations in the field at a time when patient monitoring was limited to checking the pulse and the blood pressure.

Born in 1914, he graduated doctor of medicine and surgery at the Royal University of Malta in 1943 and then proceeded to the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford where he obtained the diploma in anaesthesia in 1947 while training under the famous Prof. Macintosh.

In 1954, the Royal College recognised his valuable contribution by electing him a Fellow.

Back in Malta, he was appointed anaesthetist in 1948 at the Government Hospital in Floriana and senior anaesthetist in 1963 at St Luke's Hospital.

For a few years before his retirement in 1974, he also lectured in the specialty.

The Association of Anaesthesiologists of Malta granted him honorary membership in 1996, recognising his achievements and his contribution to the furtherance of postgraduate training by helping to find suitable placings in United Kingdom hospitals.

Sidonia Enterprises Ltd

Christmas shutdown. Last trading day Thursday, December 18, 2003, re-open, Monday, January 5, 2004.

Examination Applications

Applications from candidates intending to sit for the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Series 2, 2004 examinations will be received from January 12 to 23 from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Examinations Department, in Floriana and the Examinations Centre, in Victoria.

The department may accept applications received after the closing date until 4.30 p.m on January 30. Online registration will be available between January 12-25.

Application forms for the AQA (AEB) summer 2004 examinations will be received as from January 5 - 16 from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

The department may accept applications after the closing date until 4.30 p.m. on January 26. Online registration will be available between January 5-18.

Other details may be obtained from the Examinations Department, Floriana and the Examinations Centre, Victoria or from the department's website.

http://www.exams.gov.mt

Orchestra Audition Courses

Audition courses for the European Union Baroque Orchestra will be held in The Netherlands.

The first course will take place between April 13-16 and the second one between April 16-19.

There will be audition courses for the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, oboe, bassoon and harpsichord/organ.

Further information is available from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230, Casa Gaspe, Republic Street, Valletta - reference number KMKA 163/03 - or on telephone 2124 5168 or 2124 7913.

Competition For Vocalists

The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium for vocalists will be held in Brussels between April 24 and May 15, open to singers of all nationalities aged under 30 on January 15, 2004.

Applications should reach the secretariat of the competition in Brussels by January 15.

Further information is available - reference number KMKA 162/03 - from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230, Casa Gaspe, Republic Street, Valletta or on telephone 2124 5168 or on 2124 7913 during office hours.

Weekend Break Winner

Margaret Borg of Pietà is the winner of a weekend break for two people in Gozo, courtesy of Ta' Cenc Hotel, after successfully choosing the final placing of the first four choirs at the 15th edition of the Malta International Choir Festival.

The festival was organised by the Malta Tourism Authority last month.

On all the nights of this year's festival, members of the audience were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite choirs. The votes were then entered into a prize draw.

Feast Of The Holy Family

The Cana Movement is celebrating the feast of the Holy Family through two main activities for families and couples who got married during this year.

The movement is organising concelebrated Mass on December 28 at 9 a.m. which will be transmitted on TVM live from the Ursuline church, in Guardamangia.

The Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, will be meeting newly married couples at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta on January 17 at 6.30 p.m.

Art Exhibition

Bulgarian artist Ilina Filipova is displaying a range of her works at 115, The Strand Apart Hotel, in Gzira throughout this month.

A unique and stunning display of hand carved icons bearing a 22-carat gold leaf along with ornate wood designs are among the items on display.

Art enthusiasts can also see a collection of Maltese landscapes along with a selection of colourful and bright flower paintings.

The exhibition is open for viewing every day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Car Stolen

A silver Peugeot 206, registration number JAK 775, was stolen from Triq il-Kappillan Magri, Hamrun, on Thursday afternoon. Anyone spotting the car is asked to call 2148 8307, 2125 1504 or the police.

Hotel Appointment

The Victoria Hotel, in Sliema has appointed Raymond Borg as its purchasing officer. He has over 16 years experience in different purchasing procedures.

Application For Matsec Exams

Candidates intending to sit for the Matriculation certificate and Advanced level single subjects - May 2004 examinations, are to send in their applications from January 5 - 16 between 8 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. at the Examinations Branch, in Floriana and the Examination Centre, in Victoria.

On behalf of the Matsec Board, the Examinations Department may authorise exemption of fees in cases of proved financial difficulties.

The applicants' parent/legal guardians who qualify for government social assistance are to collect the relevant Waiving of Fees form, from the Examinations Department, Floriana or from the Examinations Centre, Victoria on presentation of the payment invoice.

Candidates in receipt of a student Maintenance Grant/TAS or ESTS allowance do not qualify for the exemption.

Candidates should note that clash of subjects with overseas examining boards will not be considered.

Applicants can send their application online at www.exams.gov.mt.

Higher Load Factor

British Airways passenger capacity in November this year, measured in available seat kilometres, was 2.3 per cent above November 2002 and traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, was higher by 7.4 per cent, the airline said.

This meant that the passenger load factor rose by 3.4 points, to 71.8 per cent, when compared to the same period last year.

The increase in traffic comprised a 2.5 per cent increase in premium traffic and an 8.4 per cent increase in non-premium traffic.

Charity Weekend

Over Lm950 was raised during the Living Well open charity weekend. The proceeds will go for the Millennium Chapel extension. The money was presented to Father Hilary Tagliaferro, chapel director.

Talk On Burial Rituals

Caroline Malone and Simon Stoddart from Cambridge University will be the main speakers in a talk at the hall of the Ministry for Gozo on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The talk - Mortuary rituals of the Xaghra Stone Circle in Gozo - will deal with the burial rituals used by prehistoric people in the Xaghra Hypogeum.

It will be accompanied by visual material, which will include information obtained during excavations carried out on the site some years ago through a project coordinated between the universities of Cambridge and Malta and the Museums Department.

Entrance is free.

Yesterday's Lotto Draw

33-7-78-12-55

President's Engagements Today

10 a.m., at Palace Square, Valletta, the President reviews a guard of honour by the Armed Forces of Malta, followed by a march past on the occasion of Republic Day.

11 a.m., at the Grand Council Chamber, the Palace, Valletta, the President presides over an investiture ceremony on the occasion of Republic Day.

7 p.m., in the Gozo Ministry hall, Victoria, the President hosts a reception on the occasion of Republic Day.

What's On Today

Play
8 p.m., at the MITP Theatre, Valletta, Theatreworx production of the play Marat de Sade.

Concert
7.30 p.m., in St Patrick's Church, Sliema, Christmas concert by the New Choral Singers and guest children's choir Peprin.

Exhibitions
8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, exhibition organised by Heritage Malta for the 100th anniversary since the establishment of the first National Museum in Malta.
At Wignacourt Museum, Rabat, exhibition on the Nativity by the International Art and Artists Malta.
At the Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, exhibition on the mv Star of Malta.
At Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria, photography exhibition by Joerg Botcher.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.
New British Dispensary 109/110, Triq San Gwann, Valletta;
Blata l-Bajda Pharmacy 20, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp, Hamrun;
Lantern Pharmacy, Misrah il-Kebbies, Sta Venera;
Mackie's Pharmacy, L. Casolani Street, Ta' Paris, Birkirkara;
St Anthony Pharmacy, 56, St Joseph Street, Pietà;
Marc Pharmacy 92, Triq il-Mensija, San Gwann;
Rudolph Pharmacy 133, Triq Rodolfu, Sliema;
Medica Pharmacy, Naxxar Road, Balzan;
Santa Margherita Pharmacy, Vjal il-Qalbiena Mostin, Santa Margherita Estate, Mosta;
El Medina Chemist, Fliegu Street, Qawra;
Maddalena Pharmacy Shop 2, Binja tal-Faqqani, Tower Promenade, Santa Lucija;
Vittoriosa Pharmacy 9, Main Gate Street, Vittoriosa;
St James Pharmacy, Misrah is-Sliem, Zabbar;
Pompei Pharmacy 28, Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk;
Bronja Pharmacy Sonata, Bronja Street, Zurrieq;
Santa Marija Pharmacy 40, Triq l-Ghasfura, Zebbug;
Healthwise Pharmacy, 36, Francesco Zammit Street, Dingli;
Tac-Cawla Pharmacy 'Marga', Dr A. Tabone Street, Victoria, Gozo;
Nadur Pharmacy, 28th April 1688 Square, Nadur.

Pharmacies Open Tomorrow

Malta 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.
Vilhena Pharmacy, 37, St Anne Street, Floriana;
Thomas' Pharmacy, 796, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;
Drugshop Dispensary, De La Cruz Avenue, Qormi;
Marrit Pharmacy, May 1 Street, Fleur-de-Lys;
St Anthony Pharmacy, 56, St Joseph Street, Pietà;
St Julians Pharmacy, 24, G. Borg Olivier Street, St Julian's;
Drug Store: Anglo Maltese Dispensary Ltd, 382, Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema;
M4 Pharmacy, Old Railway Road, Attard;
Tat-Targa Pharmacy, Plot No. 2, Constitution Street, Mosta;
Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha;
Portelli's Dispensary, 1, Luqa Road, Paola;
Kalkara Pharmacy, 8, Archbishop Gonzi Square, Kalkara;
St James Pharmacy, Misrah is-Sliem, Zabbar;
Beta Pharmacy, 50/52, St Mary Street, Ghaxaq;
Chrysanthemum Pharmacy, St Nicholas Street, Qrendi;
Spizerija Hal Mula, Dun Salv. Ciappara, Zebbug;
Healthwise Pharmacy, 36, Francesco Zammit Street, Dingli;
Batu Pharmacy. 38, Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo;
St Joseph Pharmacy, 28, St Joseph Square, Qala.