On the Dot...

Buses going to Balzan pass through Triq Dun Karm Lia, Lija, and the passengers - and the driver - often lose precious time because of the traffic close to Annibale Preca School, as parents drive their children there. Moreover, since parking is allowed on the left hand side of the road, going down, the street automatically becomes narrower, and patience less.

Child Care

A past column mentioned a system for combating child pornography on the internet. Italy is now officially the first European country to have adopted it, in conjunction with Microsoft. Are there any plans to adopt CETS (Child Exploitation Tracking System) in Malta too?

Oil Slicked

Newly-laid pavements such as the one between the Wignacourt aqueducts and houses are already stained with engine oil, because cars have not been prevented from parking there, despite the fact that the pavement is now somewhat higher than it used to be. The bricks chosen for this project are very light in colour, and that is a part of the problem. Could they be given an oil-repellent surface?

Team Effort

Well done to the Vittoriosa Primary School for piloting the model of creative play in order to hone the students' verbal, motor, listening, literacy and communication skills. The whole concept revolves upon group work, which is, alas, sometimes set aside in the search for personal excellence. This is collaboration between the Playmobil Funpark, which is supplying the models, Cottonera College, and Rotary Club La Valette Malta. One looks forward to hearing of similar ventures elsewhere.

Cats Eyes

What exactly is being done about drivers who persist in driving at night with their headlamps set to dazzle oncoming traffic?

This is a habit that can cause serious accidents; it is high time that fines for this type of traffic regulation violation were upped considerably, either as a deterrent or as a well-deserved penalty.

Dress Code

There is no type of dress code extant at the Sixth Form in Msida. Students - of either sex - have been known to wear clothes that are at odds with the atmosphere that ought to prevail in an institute where education is supposed to be the ultimate aim. Moreover, students can also be seen smoking on the premises, within the gates.

Book Reviews

On Sunday, October 15, New York City held its Great Read in The Park. Bryant Park, fittingly situated right behind the New York Public Library, was the literary celebration version of Notte Bianca, in which over 100 authors were featured. People were encouraged to tote something to read for those odd moments when they felt they had to take a rest from all the goings-on. It would be interesting to emulate this event, say at Ta' Qali.

White Satin

Well done to Mary Ann Cauchi and her team for organising the Notte Bianca in Valletta. The fact that in some places it was standing room only, and that some eateries had to turn away people, proved there is a great desire by the public for this type of activity. One would like to participate in others, more frequently.

Flour Power

In Britain, adverts for situations vacant have become bland because certain words are no longer allowable under the Discrimination Act. In Malta, however, one is still obliged, according to one recent call for applications, to hand in an application personally, and to attach a photograph to the form. Is this not a type of discrimination known as face-ism?

Sum Total

The maths book that children in a particular school have to carry every day weighs no less than 1.5 kilograms. Obviously, it is not the only book they need to use during the scholastic day. Is it possible a workable alternative arrangement cannot be found?

Attention Please

Well done to Cathleen Tanti and Angelique Muller, and the rest of the team behind Ward Sixty6, their short film that won the Grand Prize in the Fourth Edition of the Mediterranean Short Film Festival 2006. About the only fault it has is that it errs on the side of caution, presenting the eponymous ward as a cold, clinical place, therefore reinforcing the stigma usually associated with mental health.

Guiding Lights

The Scout Shop, in Floriana, was a good idea. However, one would have thought that the surrounding area would be prettied up to go with the new image of the place, and that of the recently-renovated church building close by.