Heard in the hive

Roads minister Jesmond Mugliett officially opened the Cadillac Experience Centre, incorporating a Corvette section, both represented in Malta by Fapi Motors, in Mdina Road, Attard, last Friday week.

Among the guests was Tom Ring, director, Retail Network Development, from Cadillac and Corvette Europe, who spoke of the ambitions of these General Motors brands in Europe. Cadillac is GM's luxury brand, and Corvette is its sportscar brand.

Speeches were also made by Fapi Motors general manager Stephen Xuereb and the premises were blessed by Fr Alfred Vella. Also hosting the event was Hermann Mallia, managing director of Fapi Motors, a subsidiary of the Famalco Group, and other group directors Sandro and Etienne Mallia.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the new cars, including the Cadillac BLS and CTS, and Corvette C6. Two classic cars, a Cadillac that is over 100 years old, and an open top Corvette, were also on display.

Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort donates Lm6,000 to Heritage Malta

Over the past four months, guests staying at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort donated a sum of Lm6,000 to Heritage Malta, which will help in the preservation of St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat.

The resort is supporting the HSBC Cares for Heritage Fund, which has been launched by leading five-star hotels in collaboration with Heritage Malta.

All guests are being asked to give a voluntary contribution of 40c per room per night added to their hotel bill. All these funds are then deposited into an HSBC account for the Hagar Qim conservation project.

The Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, owned and operated by Island Hotels Group, has always promoted a responsible business policy. The resort, together with the other Island Hotels Group properties, hold at heart environmental improvements and social responsibility in the surrounding communities. The resort has in fact in the past received a number of international and local awards for the environmentally sound practices that it uses in its overall operation.

Ernest Barry, general manager of the resort, said: "We thank all our guests who are making it possible to donate such a substantial sum towards Malta's national heritage and we look forward to our heritage sites being improved for both locals and visitors alike to be able to cherish in the future. We look forward to collecting more funds in the same way in the months ahead."

Stagecoach raises Lm2,000 for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

Every year, Stagecoach students aged four and up sing their hearts out in a two-hour music extravaganza, Vocal Aid, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, to raise money for children less fortunate than them. Vocal Aid 2006 was the third edition of this highly charged event, launched by Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools (Malta).

So far Lm7,000 have been donated to various children's charities, which include the Eden Foundation, the Daniel Delicata Memorial Foundation, Puttinu Cares and the Spina Bifida and Hydroenchephalus Society. This year, Stagecoach decided to donate the proceeds to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

This year's repertoire included songs from musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, Company, A Slice of Saturday Night, Hairspray, Seussical, West Side Story, Wicked and Sister Act, songs from Disney films, including Prince of Egypt, as well as songs from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Shrek, among others.

Stagecoach senior principal Edward Mercieca visited Id-Dar tal-Providenza to present Mgr Gatt with the cheque. Mr Mercieca said, "It is part of our ethos that our students should use the skills they learn at Stagecoach and give something back to society. It's a win-win situation, they love performing and their performance can do so much for others!"

Mr Mercieca appealed to companies in a position to help Stagecoach cover the expenses for Vocal Aid in the form of sponsorships, to come forward so that more children can benefit from this worthwhile event. He thanked Stagecoach for the much needed donation, wishing them every success in future ventures.

For more information about Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools and Vocal Aid 2007 contact Edward Mercieca on 2141-9306 or e-mail info@stagecoachmalta.com.

Best customer service awards to HSBC's southern area

The southern area branches of HSBC Bank Malta plc have been presented with the 'Area Award for Best Customer Service' after topping the bank's most recent customer service survey during 2006. This prize is a regular customer service driven award given periodically on an area basis, through which HSBC recognises team effort in providing excellent service to customers.

"HSBC's regular surveys on customer satisfaction consistently record high levels of customer satisfaction. This continues to motivate us and strengthen HSBC's commitment to place the customer at the centre of our attention across our branch network," said HSBC's head of branch banking, Ray Briffa. "I would like to thank all HSBC staff, in particular the southern area, for taking very good care of customers, and for adding to HSBC's success," Mr Briffa concluded.

Cut Coiffeur wins KMS Award for Best Hair Salons

Cut Coiffeur has won the KMS Award for Best Hair Salons during the Goldwell Award 2006 held at the Hilton (Malta). For this show Alexie Lapira and David Bajada of Cut Coiffeur set up the opening and closing hair event of this prestigious show.

This year has been a particularly good one for hair duo Alexie and David. They were recently invited to Villa Bellini in Catania, Sicily, for the Miss Tourism Europe event where Cut Coiffeur presented the hair show they had won the Malta Fashion Awards with this year. Fourteen Maltese models accompanied them to Sicily. They were also responsible for the hairdos of many of the competitors. The show was televised during Mediaset's programme Lucignolo.

Earlier last month, Everline and Nee make-up invited David and Alexie to a hair show in Milan, which also featured in another popular Italian programme, Zelig Circus. Cut Coiffeur were invited by local agents MGS and Nee make-up.

Alexie Lapira recently obtained his Masters diploma in hairdressing from KMS, a qualification that makes him the only qualified tutor to officially teach the KMS foundation cutting course.

Cut Coiffeur opens daily at Bay Street, in St Julian's.

Family fun day for HSBC employees at St Aloysius Sports Complex

A fun-filled day at St Aloysius Sports Complex marked HSBC's annual Family Sports Day. Adults and children alike took part in an atmosphere of enjoyment and competition.

Potato, sack and three-legged races were organised for children. Meanwhile, balloonists, jugglers, clowns, magicians and the bouncing castle entertained the younger children.

The adults participated in basketball and volleyball matches, tug-of-war and track events covering 100 to 800 metre lengths. HSBC departments organised themselves into teams to give the games a more competitive edge.

"It was great fun for lots of kids, families and colleagues and a lot of healthy outdoor competition!" said HSBC Bank Malta plc's chief executive officer, Shaun Wallis.

Medals were presented to winners and certificates were given to those who also took part in a raffle for a weekend break at the Hilton.

A day of fun at McDonald's

This year's World Children's Day programme at McDonald's Malta saw a large number of children and parents.

McDonald's Malta organised a programme of fund raising activities yesterday week and last Sunday.

Proceeds from all activities went towards the Mc Donald's Eden Foundation Children's Fund. On the second day, McDonald's Malta contributed Lm1 from every Extra Value Meal sold towards this fund. The total sum collected will be announced shortly.

Activities organised consisted of a fund-raising spinning marathon for adults, which also saw some members of parliament work on their physical stamina to support this initiative. A football tournament was also organised for children under eight.

On Sunday, the management and crew of each McDonald's restaurant organised a schedule of activities varying from car boot sale to puppet shows and games.

Some of Malta's top personalities also spared some time to help out at the restaurants, as well as the presenters of favourite TV shows such as Nannu Spagu and Mini Bugz.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet their favourite personality. Ira Losco, this year's local ambassador for World Children Day, who hosted a special concert at Tigulio on Sunday.

Old Aloysians' annual reunion

Friday, December 8, is fast approaching and plans are well in hand to organise the annual reunion of the Old Aloysians' Association. This year the OAA is making an extra effort to bring together a good crowd of ex-alumni for this traditional get-together.

This reunion is open to all past students of St Aloysius College, Birkirkara (including Sixth Form).

The programme starts at 9 for 9.30 a.m. with Mass. Then all present will assemble at the sports complex where coffee and biscuits will be served, providing an opportunity for old schoolmates to meet again. This will be followed by the annual general meeting.

Anybody interested in joining the new committee should send an e-mail to one of the following addresses: brinj@onvol.net; stephengatt430@hotmail.com; vlm@vol.net.mt; olivieri@maltanet.net.

It is planned to finish the day with a pasta lunch, consisting of three kinds of pasta at the complex cafeteria. Those wishing to stay for lunch should inform the organisers by e-mail at one of these addresses by Sunday.

Next year will be a very important year in the annals of St Aloysius' College. Between October 2007 and May 2008 the college will be celebrating its first centenary. A programme of events is being drawn up by a joint organising committee made up by representatives of the Jesuit community, the Old Aloysians' Association and the college staff.

Among other things it has been already decided to issue a souvenir booklet covering these last 100 years. The OAA has been entrusted with its publication and work on it has already started. Moreover, the OAA has proposed that, as a centenary project, a statue dedicated to St Aloysius Gonzaga, the college's patron saint, be erected in the gardens in front of the college entrance.

These plans require substantial funds and the OAA is appealing to all past students of the college to help the association in this regard. The OAA is convinced that as happened for the organisation of the European Congress of Past Pupils in 2001 many past students will again contribute and send donations towards these new initiatives.

All donations, indicating towards which initiative they are to be directed - whether the organisation in general, or the souvenir nooklet, or the statue - are to be sent to the OAA at PO Box 54, Birkirkara. All donations will be acknowledged and mentioned in the souvenir booklet.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - November 26-December 3

Tomorrow
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a piano recital by Geoffrey Tanti at San Anton Palace, Attard.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President visits the restoration works carried out on the frescoes at the chapel in the Palace, Valletta.

10.15 Mrs Fenech Adami is interviewed by Claire Agius of Net TV for the programme Mhux ghal Kulhadd

11 The President receives Josef Formosa Gauci, the newly elected president, and the council of the Malta Restaurants and Hotels Association on a courtesy call at the Palace, Valletta.

7.30 hrs The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a recital by guitarist Simon Schembri at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President receives Victoria Guardia de Hernandez, ambassador of Costa Rica on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.

Thursday
11 a.m. The President is presented with the proceeds of L-Istrina 2005 by the chairman of Public Broadcasting Services at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the Sixth Malta Medical School Conference gala dinner at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort.

Saturday
10 a.m. The President inaugurates the annual Christmas fair organised by the Friends of Mount Carmel Hospital in Attard.

8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a concert version of the opera Madama Butterfly in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund at the Palace, Valletta.

Sunday
11.15 a.m. The President attends a concelebrated Mass at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary in Gharb, Gozo, to be followed by the inauguration of two vans for the transportation of the Sick on the occasion of the World Day for Persons with Disability.

7.45 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami travels to London to visit Maltese patients.

Call for volunteers

The Fondazzjoni Nghinu lil Hutna fil-Bzonn is calling for volunteers - doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and spiritual workers - to offer their services for a TV helpline that will be made available from next March. Those who are interested in helping out may call 2122-0936 or 7920-8456 by Friday, December 15, to attend a day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., organised by the foundation at the Suncrest Hotel, Qawra.

A bazaar in aid of the Mission Fund will be held at 20, Schinas Street, Pietà, till Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 2141-3664 to donate items for the bazaar.

The grand Christmas dinner dance in aid of Caritas will be held at the Portomaso Suite of the Malta Hilton on December 9 at 8 for 8.30 p.m.

For more information and bookings contact Marylouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Olga Muscat on 2133-0132, or Evelyn Zammit on 2132-2466.

The Malta Historical Society will hold the second lecture in the series "Rediscovering Valletta" at Palazzo Parisio, Merchants Street, Valletta, tomorrow at 6 p.m.. Dr Ray Bondin will give a lecture on "The Lost Treasures of Valletta".

The MEDAC Alumni Association is organising its third event for 2006 - an international night bringing together students and alumni from past academic years. Some of the students will participate with culinary entries from their respective countries making it a truly international night not to be missed.

Dr Stephen Calleya, director of the academy, will give a general address during the evening that will take place at Sundown Court Restaurant, Russett Street, San Gwann, on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Finger food will be served. MEDAC alumni are invited to join. Reserve your place by calling 2340-2821.

The Friends of Mount Carmel Hospital Society is organising its annual Christmas fair at Mount Carmel Hospital on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Items on sale will include indoor plants, household goods, clothes, Christmas cakes, Christmas decorations and a large variety of items produced by the occupational unit of the hospital.

The Christ the King church of Paola fund-raising committee is organising its annual Christmas bazaar in aid of the parish church. It is being held at the parish hall in Church Avenue from Saturday to December 10, daily from 9 a.m. to noon, and 4 to 8 p.m. Various items including books, toys, carpets, household goods, plants, Christmas lights and decorations, and gents' and ladies' wear will be on sale.

St Dorothy's Junior School, Zebbug, is holding its annual school fair on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. For more information call Doreen on 7941-5811.

The Malta Floral Club is holding its annual Christmas get-together for members and guests at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar, on Tuesday, December 5, at 11.30 a.m. There will be an exhibition and sale of Christmas floral arrangements and other hand-made decorations, puddings and hampers followed by lunch for which the price is Lm10. A donation to a charitable institution will be made out of the proceeds.

For bookings call Agnes Melillo on 2137-8716 by Saturday.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Skyroom of the Preluna Hotel, on December 6 from 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

People

Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat has been elected Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health of the United Kingdom. In 2003, Dr Azzopardi Muscat had successfully passed the examinations leading to Membership of the Faculty of Public Health.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat is a consultant in Public Health and director for European Union and international affairs within the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat is also a lecturer in Health Services Management and Public Health at the University of Malta, where she is responsible for co-ordination of the Health Services Management programmes at the Institute of Health Care.

Her research interests include health systems and European health policy and she has collaborated in international research initiatives in areas including patient mobility and human resources in health care.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. She graduated Doctor of Medicine and Surgery in 1995 and obtained her Master's degree in Public Health in 1997, both from the University of Malta. She was awarded a Chevening Scholarship to pursue her studies further at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

In 1998, she was awarded a Master's degree with distinction in Health Services Management. Since 1998, she has been working in the public health sector where she was appointed director with responsibility for European Union affairs in 2001.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat has held several positions both locally and internationally in the field of public health. She is currently president of the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine. She has been a member of the High Level Committee on Public Health, and advisory committee to the European Commission, since 2001. She is presently also the president of the Public Health Practice and Policy section of the European Public Health Association, having previously been a member of its Governing Council between 2001 and 2005.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat is the daughter of Godfrey and Marie Muscat. She is married to Dr Conrad Azzopardi, a consultant physician (MD, FRCP, Dip IMC), and they have two children, Aidan and Sereena Marie.

Stephanie Scicluna, who late this month will be conferred with the B.Com Hons (Public Policy) degree, received singular praise John Dixon of the University of Plymouth for her dissertation on the impact of the proposed pension reforms on women.

John Dixon has been acting as external examiner to the Department of Public Policy at the University of Malta for the last three years.

According to Professor Dixon, Ms Scicluna's dissertation is immediately publishable.

Stephanie Scicluna will now be awarded the Department of Public Policy Prize for best dissertation at the Annual Policy Lecture on Thursday.