Heard in the Hive

Over Lm4,700 were collected in aid of the Community Chest Fund at this year's annual Island Hotels Group President's Ball. The group directors hosted the black tie dinner at the SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa ballroom last month. As in previous years, Island Hotels Group offered all its services free of charge and all proceeds of the event went directly towards the fund.

This year, over 200 people attended the charity ball and the sum collected was presented to the Acting President of Malta and acting president of the Community Chest Fund Dr George Hyzler by Doris Zahra at the end of the evening.

In a short speech, Mrs Zahra thanked everyone for attending the dinner, including those who had also attended in previous years and returned this year to support the event. She said that it was thanks to the enthusiastic participation by all those present on an annual basis that over Lm30,000 had been donated to the Community Chest Fund.

Mrs Zahra also thanked those who contributed to making the event such an outstanding success including the Island Hotels Group, who put the dinner together, and Val Valente and his band who provided complimentary entertainment until the early hours of the morning.

Following the presentation, Dr Hysler explained the nature and extent of the work carried out annually by the Community Chest Fund. He also thanked the Island Hotels Group directors for hosting the event and all those who attended the charity ball for their generosity.

Vittoriosa mayor elected vice-president of AVEC

At the general assembly of the AVEC Network, a programme within the Interreg IIIC financed by the European Union, held in Evora, Portugal, on February 26-27, Malta's Three Cities - Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea - were unanimously approved as full members.

They were previously observers in AVEC's Qualicities Programme. The AVEC Network gathers 32 European cities in 11 countries.

At the general assembly, Vittoriosa was represented by its mayor, John Boxall, deputy mayor Christopher Cassar and project secretary Fiorella Scicluna. Joseph Casha, mayor, and Alphonse Zammit, executive secretary, represented Senglea, and Cospicua was represented by John De Bono, executive secretary, and Duncan Hall, project secretary.

Each city made a powerpoint presentation promoting the historical heritage of Cottonera, which was much appreciated by all the mayors and representatives attending the assembly.

The general assembly elected an executive board for the coming years and the representatives of the Three Cities agreed to nominate Mr Boxall to the board; the nomination was approved unanimously.

At the end of the general assembly Mr Boxall took part in a meeting of the executive board, which proceeded to elect its officials. Christian Mourisard, deputy mayor of Arles, France, who was elected president, nominated Mr Boxall for the post of vice-president. The nomination was approved unanimously.

Mr Boxall is the first Maltese to sit on the executive board of the AVEC Network, established seven years ago. In a short address, on behalf of the three local councils of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, he thanked the assembly for accepting their application to become full members of the AVEC Network.

He also thanked all the delegates for approving his nomination on the executive board and in particular Mr Mourisard for nominating him as vice-president. He promised to do his utmost so that the Maltese region of Cottonera will take a full and active part in the AVEC Network. The Three Cities' rich historical heritage deserved full appreciation, he said.

Mr Boxall added that he wanted to see more ideas exchanged between city members of the AVEC Network. With the help of these exchanges, he said, the Cottonera region could benefit from cultural tourism.

Vodafone joins in Corporate Social Responsibility Day

Vodafone Malta employees, for the first time, will be participating in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Day, held annually on March 19 by HSBC Cares For Children Fund, in collaboration with some of Malta's leading organisations. A group of Vodafone employees are volunteering to help out at Dar Qalb ta' Gesù in St Venera.

"Corporate social responsibility is about getting actively involved in our society," Vodafone Malta corporate affairs manager Deborah Grech, said.

"Vodafone employees assist our community in a number of ways and this year we are also participating in this event which will see employees from different sectors of our company teaming up to give a helping hand."

Vodafone employees will join forces with volunteers from Gasan Group, Farsons Group, Mizzi Organisation, M. Demajo Group and HSBC to spend the feast of St Joseph the Worker at Dar tal-Kleru and Dar Merhba Bik in Birkirkara, Residenza Vajrita in Marsascala, Fra Diegu Home in Hamrun, Dar Qalb ta' Gesù and Programm Fejda in St Venera, as well as at St Theresa Home in Zurrieq. The volunteers' work includes painting, decorating, maintenance, gardening, landscaping and cleaning.

Malta presentation in Vancouver

Fiona Perceval-Maxwell writes:

In a room full of Canadians at Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia, on a Saturday in mid February, the topic of interest was Malta, or more precisely, its plethora of neolithic temples.

Marie Mifsud, president of the Neolithia Foundation (founded 1993), was in Vancouver to present to an audience made up of curiosity seekers, travel lovers and archaeology buffs an informative slideshow of photos of Maltese temple sites such as the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (circa 3300-3000 BC) and the ornate Hagar Qim.

There was silence from the audience, punctuated by the occasional gasp, as Ms Mifsud revealed slide after slide of the sun-drenched ruins of Malta's megalithic temples, "the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world".

The subterranean Hypogeum was of particular interest, and the fact that no archaeological tools made of metal have been found in Malta serves to heighten the awe and mystery surrounding these temple remains. Ms Mifsud also presented a DVD showing various artefacts that have been found, such as the clay figurine known as "The Sleeping Lady".

In addition, she talked about her role in the foundation and its mission to "support further exploration of these sites and the cultures that created them", and her personal dream of one day establishing a woman's museum on the island, to pay homage to the fertility goddesses who once were worshipped by an ancient civilisation.

As noted on the Neolithia Foundation Website, "many figurines and statuettes found at the temple sites appear to be female, and have been referred to as 'mother goddess' figures." It was mentioned that though Malta's astounding archaeological sites pre-date Stonehenge, they are not always easily accessible to tourists and are not as well-known outside archaeology circles.

Ms Mifsud found herself fielding a variety of queries from the audience on to what is known about the temples and the people who built them (unfortunately all traces of these apparently peaceful people disappeared abruptly and very little is known), and about Malta and its people.

The Van Dusen presentation was organised by Dr John Allan, a Jungian psychoanalyst, and his wife Mary Anne, of Vancouver. They have been interested in the goddess in contemporary society for many years.

On the recommendation of a friend who had attended a woman's study group in Malta in September 2004 and met Ms Mifsud, they travelled to Malta last June and experienced the rich history of the island, becoming friends with Ms Mifsud in the process. They hope to hold exhibitions in Vancouver in the near future.

Before wrapping up her presentation, Ms Mifsud was asked by a member of the audience to "say something in Maltese", and she happily obliged. For this group of Canadians on the other side of the world, Malta has become a fascinating new place to seek interest in, to research, and to one day hopefully visit. The megalithic temples will be a must-see, and in the meantime the word will be spread that there is a history-lover's paradise just waiting to be discovered.

People

Duncan Ayers, B.Pharm (Hons), MRPharmS, recently obtained a Master of Science in Immunology and Immunogenetics degree from the University of Manchester.

His dissertation focused on the improvement of RT-PCR gene expression analytical techniques for diagnostic evaluation of Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha in the canine model. His research also received a distinction commendation by the University of Manchester.

Mr Ayers began his education at St Elizabeth School, Sliema, and later at St Aloysius' College, Birkirkara, and G.F. Abela Junior College, Msida. He graduated Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons.) in 1996 and took up various posts as a pharmacist within the Department of Health, the last being at the In-Patients Dispensary at St Luke's Hospital.

In September 2004, Mr Ayers became formally appointed as a Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and began practising his profession in the UK.

Mr Ayers is currently reading for a Ph.D. in molecular cancer studies at the Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre of the University of Manchester and will be focusing his research on anti-cancer drug design.

He is the son of Graham John Ayers and Carmen Ayers of Msida.

John A. Cauchi, B.Sc. (Toronto), MD, FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Paed Surg.), recently took up the post of consultant paediatric surgeon at St Luke's Hospital.

Mr Cauchi received his secondary school education at St Aloysius' College after which he proceeded to the University of Toronto, Canada, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences. He graduated Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta in 1992 and was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1997.

In 1998, he moved to the UK to continue training in Paediatric Surgery, which he undertook at the Sheffield, Bristol and Birmingham children's hospitals.

Mr Cauchi was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Paediatric Surgery following successful attainment of the Intercollegiate Examination in Paediatric Surgery in 2004. He obtained the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in Paediatric Surgery in 2005 and is a fully accredited paediatric surgeon in the UK.

Mr Cauchi has specialised in a wide range of paediatric surgical conditions including neonatal surgery, urology, and liver surgery.

One of his main interests includes minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery) in children, which comprises both thorascopic and laparoscopic surgery. Mr Cauchi has published write-ups in major paediatric surgical peer-reviewed journals as well as presented papers at international, national and regional conferences. He is an associate member of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons.

Mr Cauchi is married to Jacqueline née Mifsud Bonnici. They have two children, Emma and Gianni.

Ira losco unplugged at Grigio's

Friday will mark the beginning of a number of weekly unplugged sessions to be held at Grigio's with a performance by Ira Losco.

Girigio's, which is situated above Allegro Andante in St Julian's, is an ideal place for such events. With its magnificent view of the picturesque Spinola Bay, Grigio's offers patrons the ideal start to the weekend.

Anthony Farrugia, owner of Grigio's said: "We have given these events a lot of thought and I have even consulted with a number of successful organisers who have been on the entertainment scene for a number of years. We wanted to create something different and offer our patrons the possibility of socialising in a magnificent candle-lit atmosphere, while enjoying Malta's top local talent during unplugged sessions.

"We have a large selection of wines and dips to choose from and these will all complement the relaxing ambience that we intend to create. We know that people are itching for something new to be organised, since everyone started getting bored of routine activities. After a heavy week, people look forward to unwind in pleasant surroundings without having to endure very loud music. This is what we intend offering our patrons".

For more information call 9949-7995.

Camilleri - Borg Buontempo

The marriage took place recently at St Catherine parish church, Zurrieq between Catriona Camilleri, daughter of Mr and Mrs Carmel Camilleri of Zurrieq, and Alamanzo Borg Buontempo, son of Mr and Mrs Carmelo Borg of Birkirkara.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Bishop Frances Adeodato Micallef OCD. The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's aunt, Catherine Cutajar and the groom's grandmother Helen Buontempo, while the duties of best man were carried out by the groom's brother Alviro.

The bride was attended by the groom's sister Adriana, his cousin Philippa Buontempo and the bride's sister Chantea as bridesmaids, and the couple's daughter, Shanaya, who was flower-girl, while the bride's brother Eman-Charles Camilleri was pageboy.

The bride wore a lace and satin dress.

A reception was later held at The Victoria Hotel in Sliema.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - March 12-19

Tomorrow
10.30 a.m. The President receives a group of students from Rabat Primary School at San Anton Palace.

Tuesday
11 a.m. The President receives a group of young people sailing around the world to raise awareness on cerebral palsy, on a courtesy call at the Palace, Valletta.

5 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the Malta Community Chest Fund Working Committee meeting at the Palace.

6.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over an MCCF board meeting at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attends a performance of Verdi's Rigoletto, part of the Bank of Valletta Opera Festival, at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

Thursday
6 p.m. The President is presented with a donation, in aid of the MCCF, by the Fgura Nationalist Party Sectional Committee, at the Palace, Valletta.

6.30 The President presides over a meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over at MCCF Working Committee meeting at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President receives Spanish Ambassador Maria Boceta Ostos, on a farewell call.

Saturday
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a recital by Rebecca Hall at San Anton Palace.

Sunday
9.15 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend solemn Mass on the occasion of the feast of St Joseph at the Franciscan' St Mary of Jesus church in Rabat.

Tinu's birthday at Bay Street

Well loved television character Tinu, who hosts a children's programme on TVM, celebrates his birthday today.

All children are invited to join him and presenter Brooke, for an afternoon of fun and entertainment at Bay Street's Rotunda.

For your diary

the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund of Corradino will hold a coffee morning at Attard parish hall tomorrow at 10 a.m. For more information, phone Helen Sciberras on 2143-6421 or 9984-5600. Tickets are also available at the door.

Ward U Zghar is holding a private party at Trocadero Bar and Restaurant, St Venera, on Friday at 8 p.m. For tickets at Lm 2.75 phone 9947-2868.

David Pace will follow up on a video presentation by Darwinian scientist Richard Dawkins about the process of evolution being shown at the Youth Travel Circle, 226, Merchants Street, Valletta, on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

A Car boot sale will be held at the Hamrun Lyceum on March 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Entrance fee till 1 p.m. is Lm3 and Lm5 till 4 p.m. Proceeds will towards the Lyceum.