Social and Personal

A Mass for the repose of MARIA BALDACCHINO who passed away on November 28, 2004, will be said tomorrow at 7.15 p.m. at the Conversion of St Paul church, Birkirkara. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In Memoriam

BIANCHI - Dr MARCEL BIANCHI. In loving memory of a dear husband and father who departed this life 35 years ago. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife Maud, children Louis, Madeleine and Veronica. The 12.15 p.m. said on December 3 at St Julians parish church will be offered for the repose of his soul.

BONNICI. In loving memory of EDDIE on the sixth anniversary of his death. Lord grant him eternal rest. Nephews, nieces and in-laws.

CALLUS - MAURICE. In loving memory, today being the fourth anniversary of his death. Always remembered in our prayers. Albert, Josephine, Matthew and Mark.

CALLUS - MAURICE. Treasured memories of our beloved brother on the fourth anniversary of his demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Tony, Albert, Marguerite and families.

CHETCUTI. In ever loving memory of a beloved father, FRANK, today being the 22nd anniversary of his passing away. Always remembered and fondly loved by his children Joe, Anton, Theresa, George and MaryAnn and their respective wives, husbands and grandchildren.

EBEJER SLYTHE. In loving memory of WILLIAM on the 35th anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his wife, daughters and in-laws.

FENECH - BIANCA MARIA, November 28, 2001. Dear daughter, five years have passed since you passed. I love you and always did. Always on my mind and in my heart forever. Your mother Kitty.

FRENDO - ALFRED FRENDO, MD. Treasured memories of our father on the 42nd anniversary of his death. Guza, Franz, Mario.

GALEA LUPI - JOE. Being the 45th anniversary of his tragic death. Never forgotten by his loving wife Doris, his sister Adelaide, Gordon, family and friends. Always in our minds and prayers.

GRECH - BESSIE. Lovingly remembered by her husband Saviour, children Adrian, Serah and Andrew, relatives and friends, today her ninth anniversary.

LAFERLA. Loving and treasured memories of GUIDO, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, today being the third anniversary of his meeting the Lord. Fondly remembered by his wife Mary Rose, his children and their families. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said today at 6.30 p.m. at St Gregory's parish church, Sliema. May he rest in peace.

MOHNANI. In ever loving memory of NARAINDAS TAHILRAM, a dear father and grandfather, on the 33rd anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his family, relatives and friends. O Lord grant him eternal rest. A prayer is solicited.

PORTELLI. In loving memory of my father SPIRIDIONE on his anniversary. Forever in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. His son Peter Paul, Tania, and grandchildren Fr Claude, Clarissa, Pierre and Andrè.

SCIRIHA. Remembering with extended love and devotion our dearest SALVINU whom we shall always remember as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Lord grant him eternal rest. His family.

SCOLARO - MARY. In loving memory of my beloved mother, today the 23rd anniversary of her death. Always remembered by her son John and family.

Lost

Dalmatian named Jewel (no patches around eyes), three years old. Last seen Fleur-de-Lys roundabout. Reward offered. Phone 9943 1294, 7970 5666.

Personal

A special thanks goes to a very special person today that is just another day. I would like to let you know how much you mean to me. Thank you for all the kindness and nice things you share with me. Joe, you are special in every way and in everything you do. I love you dear and can't imagine my life without you. With love from Marianne.

TV Song Festival Gala Nights

One Television, together with the board of The Malta International TV Song Festival, will hold two gala nights to showcase the songs that have made it to the final stages.

Those who attend the first gala evening, on December 8, will be able to enjoy the 14 Maltese finalists who have qualified for the final round.

They will also be able to listen to the 14 participating foreign singers, who have been invited especially for this occasion. Guest entertainers include Keith and Adonelle Dance Company. Tickets cost Lm4 per person.

The second gala night, on December 9, is the festival's final night where a panel of distinguished judges will decide who will be awarded first, second and third place.

During the evening, the 14 foreigners will sing the Maltese compositions in their native language. Guest entertainers include Winter Moods and Ira Losco. Tickets cost Lm5 per person.

Both evenings will be held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, at 8.30 p.m. and will be compèred by Deo Grech and Celaine Buhagiar. Tickets are available from Super One, Marsa and Hamilton Travel, Floriana.

San Gwann Diversion

Due to patching works being carried out along the San Gwann Industrial Estate, between today and Saturday, the road will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. from the junction at Bella Vista Road up to the new roundabout near Mater Dei Hospital.

Traffic coming from Sliema Road, Kappara towards San Gwann will be diverted through San Giljan Street and onto the Birkirkara Bypass. Traffic coming from Bella Vista Road, San Gwann will be diverted towards Kappara.

No access will be permitted for private vehicles from the Birkirkara Bypass onto the San Gwann Industrial Estate.

Prayer Meetings

Fr Hayden will lead two MIR prayer meetings entailing the rosary, Mass and adoration in December.

The first meeting for youths aged 30 or younger will be held at the church of St Clare's Monastery in St Julians on December 5 between 7 and 9.45 p.m. while the second meeting will take place at St Sebastian church, Qormi on December 13 between 7 and 9.45 p.m.

Further information on 9905 7498 or info@mir4malta.org

Sliema Band In Cospicua

The Sliema band will perform festive marches in Cospicua for the titular feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 5 from 7.30 p.m.

The band, under the musical direction of Mro Ronnie Debattista, will play a selection of marches by local composers as well as playing Herman Dorstal's Fliegermarsch and the Sliema Hymn by Cardenio Botti.

Telephone Service Disruption

Due to the upgrading of its telephone switching system, Maltacom customers who have their numbers starting with the prefix 2123, 2124, 2125, 255, 256 and 259 may have their telephone service disrupted between tomorrow night and Thursday.

St Andrew's Society Mass

A Mass for deceased members and friends of the St Andrew's Society will be celebrated at the Lija parish church on Thursday at 6.30 p.m.

A reception for members will follow at the club's premises.

www.santandrijalija.com

Madeleine Gera Lecture

In last Friday's issue of The Times it was erroneously reported that Madeleine Gera's lecture entitled In Search Of Naturalism In European Portrait Painting And Its Influence In Malta at Din L-Art Helwa was due to take place on December 4 when in fact it is taking place on December 14.

Introduction To Restoration

A short course entitled Restoring Old Buildings: An Introduction will be delivered by Joanna Spiteri Staines at Din l-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta, on December 19 from 5.30 to 8.45 p.m.

The course will focus on the diverse methodologies and ways of thinking encountered by people seeking to rehabilitate historic buildings.

Ms Spiteri Stains will expand on international conservation charters to which Malta subscribes and their interpretation within the field of planning laws. Examples of good conservation practice will be shown to illustrate how buildings in a bad state of disrepair may be restored with contemporary stylistic interventions.

The second part of the course will delve into the practical difficulties of intervening upon the local historic building fabric, while respecting both the aesthetic and historic value of the building.

Ms Spiteri Staines has a degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering from the University of Malta and a MA in the restoration of historic buildings from La Sapienza in Rome. She is an associate partner of Architecture Project.

The fee for the course is Lm8, including a coffee break. Places are limited to 25 persons. To register the public may contact Din l-Art Helwa on 2122 5952.

Cake Sale

In an effort to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Fund, a cake sale will be held at the Luxol Grounds on Saturday from 9 a.m. until stock lasts.

Anyone wishing to help out by baking a cake can call Sylvana Causon on 7960 2441.

Munxar Concert

A concert in honour of the new Munxar parish priest, Rev. Can. Tonio Galea, will be held at the parish on Saturday at 7.30 p.m.

The formal launch of Fr Galea's pastoral ministry in the parish will be held on Sunday during a pontifical high Mass in the parish church led by Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech.

The Laudate Pueri choir of St George's Basilica under the direction of Rev. George Frendo and the local parish choirs will animate the liturgy, which will be preceded by the installation ceremony at the St George's Basilica in Victoria at 9 a.m.

The concert will highlight a 15-day long programme leading up to the official inauguration of the new pastoral ministry.

The concert lasts for about 50 minutes. Patrons are asked to be seated 15 minutes prior to commencement.

All About De Roberto

Margherita Ganeri will deliver a paper called Dai Viceré Di Federico De Roberto Ai Viceré Di Roberto Faenza Sulla Traccia Del Gattopardo Di Visconti at Hall D, Gateway Building, University of Malta tomorrow at 6 p.m.

The paper will focus on the work of De Roberto, in particular on I Viceré, via a discussion of recent critical debate and the novel's transformation by Faenza into a film. A number of parallels with Tomasi di Lampedusa's Il Gattopardo and its filmic version by Visconti will also be examined.

Prof. Ganeri teaches Contemporary Italian Literature at the University of Calabria.

Everyone is invited to attend.

What's On Today

Exhibitions
At Carafa Stores, Cottonera Waterfront, original drawings by children from 191 UN countries.

At the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, 36, Merchants Street, Valletta, a display of Russian icons entitled Simboli Tas-Santa Russja.

At Artitude Gallery, Tigné Street, Sliema, paintings by Olaug Vethal and Christine X.

At Heritage Malta Gozo area office, the Citadel, paintings and drawings by Prof. Joseph Briffa.

At the Main Hall, St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, abstract paintings by Christopher Saliba.

At the Malta Aviation Museum, Ta' Qali, abstract aerial images by www.airphoto.com.mt.

At Sopo's Central Coffee House, Independence Square, Victoria, works by European artists featuring batik, icons and paintings.