Heard in the Hive
BMW launches new models
BMW Group Malta and Muscats Motors Ltd invited a number of guests to 'Go on a journey of discovery. The new BMW models await you.'
This reception was held last Friday week at St John's Cavalier, Valletta, where a number of guests had the opportunity to experience BMW innovations and discover the fascination of new models.
These included the new BMW 1 Series three-door, the new BMW 3 Series convertible, the new BMW X5 and the surprise unveiling on the night of the latest BMW M5.
Guests also had the opportunity to learn more about new engines and developments that set superlative benchmarks for efficiency and progress.
BMW Group Malta and Muscats Motors thanked the Ambassador of the Order, Ing. Umberto di Capua, for having exceptionally granted the use of the Main Hall of the Embassy.
In light of this occasion the Ambassador of the Order had the honour of effecting a donation to the Jerosolimitan Sisters of the Monastery of St Ursula in Valletta, as a contribution for the restoration of the Monastery and the Ursuline Creche in Sliema, contributing towards their running costs.
The full BMW range can be seen at Muscats Motors' showroom in Gzira.
Marsovin launches Caravaggio range of wines
Marsovin recently launched a new range of Maltese wines, Caravaggio. To mark the occasion, President Emeritus Professor Guido De Marco launched the new wine range of wines at St John's Cavallier, Valletta.
The new range comprises of four wines, a Merlot, a Shiraz, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay. Every wine carries one of Caravaggio's masterpieces. The Merlot carries the The Beheading of St John the Baptist, Shiraz carries the Portrait of a Knight of Malta, the Cabernet Sauvignon Bacchus and the Chardonnay Rest on the flight to Egypt. Every single grape used to produce these wines was grown and handpicked in selected Maltese vineyards. The production of this wine is limited and each bottle is numbered to validate its issue.
These wines are being produced by official appointment to the Caravaggio Foundation. Marsovin will be donating a sum of money to the foundation to help restore Caravaggio's paintings.
Caravaggio wines are dedicated to the master of art, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a revolutionary naturalist painter. Caravaggio showed his talent early and at the age of 16, after a brief apprenticeship in Milan, studied with d'Arpino in Rome. During the period 1592-98, Caravaggio's work was precise in contour, brightly coloured, and sculpturesque in form, like the Mannerists, but with an added social and moral consciousness. His use of chiaroscuro was revolutionary. Famous and extremely influential while he lived, Caravaggio was almost entirely forgotten in the centuries after his death, and it was only in the 20th century that his importance to the development of Western art was rediscovered.
Marsovin is also honoured to have made a donation to the Jerosolimitan Nuns of the Monastery of St Ursula on this occasion.
Funky Mamas fashion show in aid of Eden Foundation
Smart Cells Malta and the Eden Leisure Group Mums Club teamed up for a fund-raising Funky Mamas fashion show and fair at the Eden cinemas on May 19.
As well as the opportunity to see the latest maternity and children's wear from Malta's leading stores, visitors could also go round stands which provided invaluable information on services for parents and children.
There were also activities for children, like face painting, colouring, balloons, and a supervised play area. This was an event for all the family: daddies were treated to stylish baseball caps sponsored by Lifan motorcycles of Zebbug and mums were treated to makeovers by Kyphi.
Sylvana Brannon, director of Smart Cells Malta Ltd, said this was a very positive experience which everyone enjoyed thoroughly. "Smart Cells is a company that cares... while we help Maltese families store their babies' cord blood as a form of life insurance against future disease, we make a donation to charity from every collection, and hold events such as this to help charity groups, particularly those working for children," she said.
The fashion show presented by the models (mainly customers of Smart Cells Malta and their children) came in all shapes and sizes and they all had one thing in common: they all looked radiant and beautiful! There was a lively parade where mums and dads showed off their babies carried in colourful and practical slings.
The participants and sponsors included Sonlit, Wee Ones, First Years, DHL, Lorraine Grech, Herbalife wellness coach and independent distributor, Little People, Wyeth, Alfred Gera, Kyphi, Eden Foundation, Svea, Transforma, the Employment and Training Corporation, St Paula's Childcare, Party Princess, Smart Cells, Smart Cells Malta, Eden Leisure Group Mums Club, Lifan Motor-cycles, Leaf Ltd, Golden Harvest Shop - Marsascala, Parent-craft/Maternity Unit at St Luke's Hospital and the Midwives' Association.
Investiture ceremony of Order of St Lazarus
An investiture ceremony of the Commandery of the Castello - Malta of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, was held at Torri Lanzun, San Gwann.
The ceremony was presided by the Deputy Commander, Chevalier Geoff Fosberry, GCLJ, GCMLJ, Presiding Officer by the authority vested in him by Grand Master, Prince Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, Duke of Seville, who is also the Commander of the Commandery of the Castello.
The ceremony commenced with the entry of the cross, the sword and the commandery's banner, followed by postulants, officers and commanders, Knights and Dames of the Commandery and the Prior of the Priory of Malta, Dr J.R. Pace, LL.D., GCLJ, KMLJ, GCrLJ, Deputy Commander, and the three Chaplains, Rev. Colin Westmarland, Canon Tom Mendel and Fr Charles Carabott.
Following the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Prayer of the Order, the chaplains blessed the insignia.
Postulants Professor Roberto de Santis, Saviour Garcia, Jacqui Maidens, Mary Pace and Jenny Welsh were inducted as members, while Dr Andy Welsh was inducted as Officer. They received the cross as the symbol of charity and the mantle of the order, the symbol of knightly brotherhood. Confreres Werner Kubesh and Lt Cdr Clive Bennington were created Knights of Grace, while Dame Amy Middleton was promoted to Dame Commander of Grace. Chev. Edward R. Grech was promoted to Knight Commander of Grace.
An award in the Companionate of Merit was presented to Anthony J. Tabone as Officer. Confrere Simon Walker was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit, while Dame Alda Fosberry was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit. Chev. Les Middleton received the Gold Cross of Merit.
Israel celebrates 59th anniversary of independence
The Israeli Ambassador and Dr Amira Meir last month hosted a gala dinner on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of Israel, at the Portomaso Suite at the Malta Hilton.
The distinguished guests included President Eddie Fenech Adami, the Speaker and Mrs Anton Tabone, Ministers Louis Galea, Michael Frendo and Dolores Cristina and their spouses, the ambassadors of US, Russia, China, Australia, Italy and Belgium, and representatives of Austria and the Czech Republic and their spouses.
Dr Dimitri Dombret, director general of the European Parliamentary Friends of Israel, come purposely from Brussels to attend this happy occasion and to show the organisation's solidarity.
President Emeritus Guido De Marco, Dr Jason Azzopardi, chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, deputy chairman Leo Brincat, former Foreign Minister George Vella, shadow Justice Minister Angelo Farrugia, Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier and their wives, several members of the Jewish community of Malta, and many members of the 300-strong Malta-Israel Cultural and Friendship Society, led by their president-founder, Lawrence Attard Bezzina, and his wife, who co-ordinated the whole event.
Several Israelis and members of the business community also attended the gala dinner. The guests were entertained to the inimitable violin strings of George Curmi (Il-Pusé) and his trio. His brilliant performance elicited repeated ovations.
The Israeli Ambassador to Malta, Italy and San Marino, in a short speech for this special occasion thanked the many friends Israel has in Malta. He said he was spellbound by the hospitality and openness shown towards him and Israel, not only during his official meetings but also by members from all walks of Maltese society he and his wife (a professor in Biblical studies) met on there three visits to Malta since presenting his credentials last November.
Ambassador Meir promised he would come to Malta as often as possible to further enhance the excellent relations between the two countries. His main agenda during his tenure is to improve economic and cultural relations between Malta and Israel and to bring over to Malta and vice-versa as many tourists as possible.
Malta has so many attractions that Israeli tourists yearn for - climate, safety, friendly people, history, archaeology and casinos. Once direct flights are again initiated, both countries stand to benefit economically from tourism and financial investment. He is certain that many Maltese would take the opportunity to visit the Holy Christian places or enjoy the wonders of the Dead Sea, the Eilat and Red Sea Riviera, the many archaeological sites or else skiing on Mount Hermon.
Ambassador Meir thanked President Fenech Adami who has always attended the annual gala dinner since its inception, both as Prime Minister and as President, and promised that Israeli diplomats would continue to visit Malta every month to improve and follow up on bilateral relations.
Rising a champagne glass, Ambassador Meir wished for the good health and prosperity of the Maltese and Israeli nations and the sincere friendship which both enjoy. President Fenech Adami replied with a short speech after which the anthems of both nations were played to the applause of all present.
Go Mobile offers discounts on Robert Plant concert tickets
Go Mobile is offering new and existing subscribers a Lm7 (€16.31) discount for the Robert Plant, Smokie and John Mayall live concerts in July. Three-day passes to all the concerts in the event are available to all subscribers from all Go Mobile Customer Contact Centres for the price of Lm18 (€41.93) instead of Lm25 (€58.23).
Go Mobile marketing manager Albert Gouder said: "Go Mobile subscribers will be saving Lm7 while gaining entrance to one of the biggest music festivals that will be held in Malta this summer. The pass includes entrance to all three major concerts - Robert Plant and The Strange Sensations, Smokie and John Mayall - as well as the Wine Festival itself, where guests can sample a number of wines for free."
Those who aren't yet subscribers can also avail themselves of this offer by becoming part of the Go Mobile family.
The concerts, which are being organised by Classic Rock Promotions, will be held at the Valletta Waterfront as part of the Blues and Wine Festival. The highlight of the event will definitely be Robert Plant, who will be accompanied by his band The Strange Sensations.
The offer is available until stocks last and each subscriber is entitled to purchase two passes. For more information, call 146 (free) from your Go Mobile or 7922-2146 from any other line or visit www.go.com.mt.
Mizzi - Balabanov
The marriage took place on May 1 at Sacro Cuor parish church, Sliema between Maria Tiziana Mizzi, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Mizzi of Sliema, and Asparuh Balabanov, son of Mr Ivan and the late Mrs N. Balabanov of Bulgaria.
The Provincial of Franciscan Friars, Fr Paul Galea, OFM, celebrated Nuptial Mass. Venko Balabanov, the groom's uncle, and Amanda Mizzi, the bride's sister, were witnesses. The duties of best man were carried out by Rupert Mizzi, the bride's brother.
The bride was attended by Maria Balabanov, the groom's cousin. A reception was later held at Palazzo Nobile, Naxxar.
Cutajar - Mamo
The marriage took place recently at Our Lady of Sorrows parish church, St Paul's Bay, between Clare Elizabeth Cutajar, daughter of Valent and Margaret Cutajar of St Paul's Bay, and Manuel Mamo, son of John and Maria Mamo of Mosta.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Edgar Vella. The ceremony was witnessed by Rebecca Bartolo, the bride's sister, and Josianne Mamo, the groom's sister. Zaren Zammit carried out the duties of best man.
The bride, who wore an ivory satin gown, was attended by Amanda Mamo, the groom's sister, accompanied by Chris Ebejer. Kimberley Ebejer, the bride's niece, and Antonella Mamo, the groom's sister, were bridesmaids, while Megan Bartolo and Helena Cutajar, the bride's nieces, were flower-girls. Liam-Patrick Cutajar, the bride's nephew, was pageboy.
A reception was later held at Villa Arrigo in Naxxar. The couple spent their honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise.
Piccinino - Sammut
The marriage took place recently at St Gregory's parish church, Sliema, between Elaine Piccinino, daughter of Carmen and the late Joseph Piccinino, of Madliena, and Gregory Sammut, son of Joseph and Josephine Sammut of Sliema.
A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija.
Glass - Depasquale
The marriage took place on May 19 at St Mary of Angels Church, Bahar ic-Caghaq, between Elaine Glass, daughter of Gina and the late Adrian Glass of Swieqi, and Dr Enrico Depasquale, Adv.Trib.Eccl, BA, LL.D., son of Nancy and Henry Depasquale of Balzan.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Mark Ciantar.
The bride was given away by her uncle Thomas Glass. The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's aunt, Susan Ghigo, and the groom's uncle, Judge Franco Depasquale, BA, LL.D. Patrick Vella and Nigel Apap were best men.
The bride was attended by her sister Anne Marie Glass. Julia Depasquale and Elaine Marie Vella were flower-girls, while Leonard Farrugia and Miguel Ghigo were pageboys. A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni. The couple spent their honeymoon in Switzerland.
Maltacom continues to support Caritas
Maltacom recently presented Caritas with the second cheque under the terms of a sponsorship agreement signed between the two companies last year.
The initiative is in line with Maltacom Group's social commitment to continue supporting projects and activities with a strong social significance. Maltacom has, for the past decade or so, joined forces with Caritas on several occasions and assisted in financing initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life of socially disadvantaged persons.
Saviour Portelli, chairman of Maltacom Group, said: "We are proud to have yet another opportunity to team up with Caritas and play an active role in carrying out programmes targeted to promote human development and voice the rights of underprivileged members of modern society."
"Maltacom is acutely aware of its corporate social responsibilities and is determined to continue offering its full support to community-led initiatives. The sponsorship underpins Maltacom Group's commitment to effectively care for the community in which it operates," he said.
Mgr Victor Grech, director of Caritas Malta, thanked Maltacom for its ongoing support over the years and said that the organisation relied on the support of caring companies with a strong social conscience - such as the Maltacom Group - to reach its goals, particularly those focused on implementing care plans and rehabilitation programmes for youths with alcohol or drug problems.
He made reference to the shelter that Caritas had opened for homeless males with a drug-related problem and expressed hope that in the very near future, Caritas could raise funds to open a similar shelter for females in dire need of stability and support services.
The presentation ceremony was held at Maltacom's head offices in Marsa. Mgr Grech was accompanied by Anglu Fenech, administrative secretary for Caritas Malta.
Another winner with Sana Healthcare
Doris Borg of Floriana is the winner of last month's draw held among all those who bought a Sana Healthcare Policy in April. She was presented with an iPod Nano by Mark Mamo, Sana Healthcare manager.
Sana Healthcare offers a range of private medical insurance products underwritten and operated by GasanMamo Insurance. All new policy holders have the opportunity to win an iPod Nano every month.
GasanMamo Insurance have also joined forces with Body Works, a contemporary health centre in St Julian's, specialising in personalised healthcare and fitness, to offer new Sana Healthcare policy holders a voucher for free treatments and therapies as well as future discounts with every new Sana policy issued.
For more information call 2134-5123, e-mail sana@gasanmamo.com, or visit www.gasanmamo.com.
Italian hairstylist in Malta
One of the best hair extension stylist will be giving a love demonstration at the Corinthia Hotel tomorrow. His participation was made possible by Extremes Trading, importers of Casre Hair Extensions, Lakme and Angel Professional hair products. Tickets cost Lm12 and include lunch. To book a place, contact Extremes Trading on 2166-0795 or e-mail extremes@euroweb.net.mt.
Charity dinner in aid of Ethiopian community
On June 14, several people, including President Eddie Fenech Adami, will gather for a sumptuous meal in the suggestive setting of San Anton Gardens - graciously made available by the President.
The aim is to raise funds for the building of houses for a community of destitute Ethiopians in the north of the country. The members of this community are undergoing a degree of suffering which is almost inconceivable by European mind-sets.
It will strike some as more than faintly ironic that in order to raise money for the poorest in Ethiopia, where daily starvation is proportionately as common as weekend drunkenness in Paceville, an event involving the consumption of quite a lot of food is being planned. The organisers hope that indulgence in Maltese love of good food in congenial surroundings expressly for the benefit of the grindingly poor will help make the point that, while we are having it pretty good, many others are not even in a position to eat the crumbs which fall off the table.
Living Waters Mission Team, a Catholic group made up of mostly young people, have been carrying out mission work in Ethiopia for the past seven years.
In 2003, they were encouraged to shift the focus of their work northwards. In the town of Bah'r Dar, they encountered a community living in such abject poverty that even destitute Ethiopians consider them particularly unfortunate.
Try to visualise this scene: it's late August, the height of the rainy season in Ethiopia. On a low-lying expanse of grassy knolls a clutch of derelict huts huddle together, their closeness almost symbolically suggestive of the need for mutual protection their inhabitants must feel.
There are some 55 of these huts, each offering shelter to six or seven people of all ages, from a few days to middle-age. The elderly are virtually unknown in this community: very few make it past 50, because poverty and illness will have claimed their life at a stage where most of us in Malta would be still approaching our professional peak.
At their gleaming best, the huts can offer a fair amount of protection against the elements. The huts in this community, ravaged by termites and racked by exposure to rain, are little better than thatch-and-dung strainers through which the water pours in rivulets every time it rains. Babies who, quite often, are simply put on the bare ground to sleep are snatched away and held close to bodies in an attempt to protect them from the water. Sometimes it rains so hard that the rickety, termite-ridden beds made from stick actually float around inside the huts.
The rain turns the lowlands into swamps where the mosquitoes, malaria's minute death squad, thrive and multiply. One bite and that baby, child or adult can contract malaria.
The Living Waters team is doing its best to re-house the 300-odd members of the Community into sturdier, more hygienic housing which would be able to withstand the elements. The project would also drain the area and neutralise the lethal qualities which have turned it into nothing more than a death-swamp. The project costs almost Lm120,000. So far, 10 of the 55 brick-like houses planned have been constructed. The work can only be completed if more funds are collected.
The fund-raising event is one of many which Living Waters holds throughout the year in order to raise funds for its projects. A few places, each for the price of Lm15/€34.94 for a four-course meal with wine, are still available by phoning Manuel Chetcuti on 2124-1010 Maurizio Lapira on 9945-9084 or Elaine Cauchi on 9942-3296.
Those who decide to attend will not only be enjoying excellent food provided by Island Caterers Ltd in the suggestive environs of San Anton Gardens, but will take pleasure in knowing that their fun will translate into tangible help for those who truly need it.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - June 4-10
Tomorrow
• 11 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mgr Mario Grech on the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca at St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
• 3.05 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami arrive at Malta International Airport on KM 617 from Rome.
• 7.15 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Italian Ambassador and Mrs Trabalza on the National Day of Italy at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.
Thursday
• 7.15 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concelebrated High Mass by Mgr Paul Cremona and other Maltese bishops as a celebration of the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca, on the Granaries, Floriana.
Friday
• 11 a.m. The President receives Polish Ambassador Michal Radlicki on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
• 8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the José Carreras Concert on St George's Square, Valletta.
Saturday
• 6.15 p.m. The President receives a group of Jesuit Provincials at Verdala Palace, Rabat.
Sunday
• 5.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami depart Malta for a state visit to Cyprus.
For your diary
A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Skyroom Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.
The next self-help group meetings of the Richmond Foundation are being held in Maltese at No.16, Antonio Agius Street, Floriana, on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m., and in English on June 13 at 5.30 p.m.
Every month, self-help group meetings for persons who are experiencing mental health difficulties are being held with the aim of supporting and encouraging each other on their road to recovery.
For further information contact Richmond Foundation on 2148-2336, 2144-0324 or e-mail: info@richmond.org.mt.
The meeting of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support Group will be held at the Junior College, Msida on Friday at 6.30 p.m. Dr Ethel Felice, consultant psychiatrist, will talk about ADHD in adults. Kindly refrain from bringing your children to the meeting as there will not be a PSD teacher.
The Carmelite and Discalced Carmelite Friars in Malta will celebrate the canonisation of the Carmelite Tertiary Dun Gorg Preca with Mass in Blata l-Bajda on Saturday at 10.30 a.m. Members of the Carmelite family are invited to attend.
Club Italia members and friends are meeting for a cultural outing in Mdina, followed by refreshments at a cafeteria, on Saturday at 3 p.m. near Main Gate. For further information phone 2143-6680 or 9920-4900.
St Monica Past Pupils Association is organising a barbecue at the Sisters' Summer House, Triq it-Tunnara, Ghajn Zejtuna, Mellieha, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost Lm3 (Lm2 for children). Phone 2145-4356 for more information.
The Committee of St Catherine Band Club's Youth Section Zurrieq is organising a Retro Music Night with Dj Zepp, with dinner at the band club on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets cost Lm3. For more information call 7905-6662.
Caritas Co-operators invite you to join them for a day trip to Gozo on June 13. Coaches will leave Sliema ferries and Valletta terminus at 7.45 a.m. Holy Mass at 10 a.m. at Ta' Pinu Church, celebrated by Gozo Bishop Mgr Mario Grech. Time for shopping in Victoria before lunch at Cornucopia Hotel. For more details and bookings contact Marie-Louise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 or Evelyn Zammit on 2132-2466.
St Joseph High School, Valletta, is organising a thanksgiving Mass and a reunion dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of school leaving, on June 14. For more information contact Mercedes Schembri Wismayer on 2133-2478 or Greta Vella née Muscat on 2144-4739 or 7929-1844.