Announcements

ALDRED. A Memorial Service will be held for DEREK HARRY ALDRED at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Msida Bastion Garden of Rest, Floriana. (Directions: left from the Excelsior Hotel, pass Floriana Public Library and 400 metres on right.)

BONELLO, on November 23, aged 46, JOSEPH, passed peacefully away at Mater Dei Hospital. He will be fondly missed by his mother Victoria nèe Attard, Auntie Carmen Attard, Theresa Attard, widower of his uncle Paul Attard, uncle Joseph and his wife Rose, uncle Christian and his wife Josephine, uncle Benny and his wife Josephine, cousins of family Attard and family Bonello, relatives and friends. Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated today at St Paul's collegiate church, Rabat at 4 p.m. followed by interment at the family's vault at Santa Margherita Cemetery, Rabat. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi would be greatly appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors at home. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ZAMMIT FARRUGIA. On November 23, suddenly at home, ROBERT, aged 87, widower of Iris, née Sapiano, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his only daughter Marie Louise, his sisters Mary, Vivienne, Kathleen, his brother Joseph, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held tomorrow and details will be announced later.

In Memoriam

ASCIAK - MARY. In loving memory of a dear wife, mother and grandmother on the fourth anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by her husband William, her daughter Elaine and her husband Jonathan, her grandchildren Liam, Miguel and baby Jodie, her sisters Monica and her husband Michael and Lilian and her husband Arthur, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Lord, grant her eternal rest. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said tomorrow at 6.30 p.m. at Sta Luċija parish church.

BALANI - ROOPWANTI. In ever loving memory of a beloved and precious mother and grandmother, today being the 20th anniversary of her demise. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her children Ramesh, Pushi, Vishnu, Vijay and Mary, daughters and sons-in-law. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Dear Lord, grant her eternal rest. Hari Om.

CARBONARO - LUCY. On the second anniversary of her passing away. Her sons William and Pawl and their wives and grandchildren Carla and Francis. Those who live in our hearts will live forever.

CUTUGNO - WILLIAM OSWALD - Cherished and unfading memories of a dear husband, father and grandfather, today the 10th anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers, forever in our hearts. His wife Babs, his children Juliet, Andrew, Michael and Theresa, in-laws and grandchildren. Please remember him in your prayers. Lord grant him eternal rest.

DALMAS. Fond memories of MARIA on the 10th anniversary of her demise. Her son Saviour, daughter Irene Fleri Soler and their families. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

QUATTROMANI - LAURA. In ever loving memory of a most precious mother on the 11th anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered and never forgotten by her children Graziella, Mariella, Fernando and Marina, relatives and friends. A prayer is solicited.

QUINTANO. In everlasting memory of JOSEPH who left us on 24.11.'87. His children, in-laws, their families and other relatives.

TABONE. In loving memory of VICTOR, today being the second anniversary of his calling to eternal life. Sadly missed and always remembered by his wife Margaret, his children and in-laws, together with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.

Talk on diabetes

A discussion about diabetes and its effects on men will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Phoenicia Hotel.

The discussion will focus on the metabolic syndrome, testosterone deficiency and erectile dysfunction as well as other effects of the disease.

After the session, men will have the opportunity to get their blood pressure and sugar levels checked as well as their weight and waist measured.

The discussion will include speeches by Joseph Azzopardi, a diabetes specialist, and Patrick Zammit, a urology specialist.

This activity is organised and sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma in association with the Malta Diabetes Association. Entrance is free.

Road works

Tower Road, in Sliema, from The Strand (Magic Kiosk) up to the ex-Joinwell building, will be closed for asphalting works between Wednesday and Sunday. This is part of the embellishment works commissioned by the Rural Affairs Ministry. The Malta Transport Authority will be implementing a traffic management scheme for the duration of the works.

School of Art talks

The Malta School of Art will be holding a talk entitled Primitivism In Modern Art by Louis Laganà on Thursday and another by Joseph Casha on December 11 entitled The Development Of British And Maltese Sculpture 1950-2000. Both start at 6 p.m. and will be delivered in English at the school at 106, Old Bakery Street, Valletta. For further information and reservations contact school head Joseph Micallef on 2123 4351 from 9 a.m. to noon or 5 to 7.30 p.m.

Celebrate Life Week

Mcast sudent organisation Comunio will be holding two activities at the Mcast campus, Paola, on Friday evening to conclude Celebrate Life Week events.

At 8 p.m., Fr Karm Debattista, MSSP, and a group of young people who attended the World Youth Day held in Sydney, Australia, in July, will share their experiences. Fr Debattistia and Roberta Sacco will also perform tracks during the event, entitled Flashback To World Youth Day.

A party in aid of charity will follow between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. with the participation of DJs. Dress code is black and white. Tickets at €5 are available from ticket hotlines 7990 1541, 7930 8532 or at the door. Transport will be provided at the party's end. For further information e-mail comunio@mcast.edu.mt or go to www.comuniomalta.org.

Discussion on children

The Office of the Commissioner for Children will be holding a discussion to hear recommendations on its Manifesto for Children on Wednesday between 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. at 469, St Joseph High Road, Sta Venera.

The manifesto, launched earlier in the year, outlines various improvements in the field of work. Child labour was a persistent problem, which was often linked to absenteeism in schools, and there was a need for increased efforts in order for children's rights not to be violated in this manner. Furthermore, the transition from a school education to employment was one which was very challenging for a significant number of young people.

A brief presentation will be made and the floor will then be opened for comments and recommendations. These will eventually be drawn up in a report and presented to the relevant authorities to encourage their implementation.

To attend, phone 2148 5180 during office hours or send an e-mail to sharon.a.attard@gov.mt.

Bus lottery winners

Rosaria Cassar has won €698 courtesy of the Malta Transport Authority's Board a Bus and Win Lottery. Anthony Borg and Maria Spiteri won €349.40 and €116.46 respectively. They have already been notified.

Ignatian retreats

The Centre of Ignatian Spirituality will be running a series of short retreats based on the Advent Sunday liturgies in preparation for Christmas. They will be held at Mount St Joseph, Tarġa Gap, Mosta on Saturday and on December 6, 13 and 20 between 4 and 8 p.m. Booking is not required and one can simply turn up on the day.

Paola Bazaar

The annual traditional Christmas bazaar in aid of Christ the King parish, Paola will be held between Sunday and December 8 at the parish hall in Church Avenue. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m.

Crib competition

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts is accepting applications for participation in the Christmas Crib competition. Application forms can be collected from the council's office at 230, Republic Street, Valletta during office hours. Closing date is December 1 at noon. For more information call Noel D'Amato or Martin Gauci on 2123 2515.

Xagħra concert

The Xagħra local council will be holding its Christmas concert, Puer Natus Est, for the 10th year running on December 28 at the Basilica of Marija Bambina in Xagħra, Gozo, at 7 p.m.

This year, the council has invited the Voci Angeliche Choir to perform as the choir celebrates the 24th anniversary of its foundation. The choir will be directed by Grace Vella and the concert musical director will be John Galea.

The concert will be held under the patronage of President Eddie Fenech Adami and donations will be collected in aid of the Community Chest Fund.

For more information one can contact the council on 2156 3737 or visit www.xaghra.com.

Contrasting music

Eleven years after its experimental inception, I Unplugged is still going and will be taking to the stage again between Friday and Sunday.

Since 1998, it has been entertaining patrons with its broad range of music genres: from up-and-coming musicians to the more established.

Held annually at the Manoel Theatre, Teatru Unplugged's contrasting musical acts offer a unique event, said producers Nirvana Azzopardi, Dave and Jonathan Shaw.

This year's line-up includes Sasha & Sam, with their soulful, heartfelt, hit-the-right-spot lyrics and melodies, and Scar, who are returning to a familiar setting, fusing their rock DNA with a raw, unplugged set for a stripped-down version of their latest tracks.

The line-up also includes Simon & Phil, the classically trained musicians from Sixth Simfoni, acoustic duo Peter & Papps, who rock through cover versions from U2, Snow Patrol and Bob Dylan, Ray Mercieca, former front man of The Characters, who is working on a new album with The Rifffs, and special guest star Ira Losco, who is not new to Teatru Unplugged. The artistes are presenting a set that also includes musical masterpieces for the classically oriented but interpreted in their original contemporary style so that even younger sections of the audience can relate to them.

Performances start at 8 p.m., and tickets, costing €8, €12 and €15, can be purchased online from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, booked via e-mail from bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt, or by calling 2124 6389.