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Dustin Bonello Frink celebrates his 34th birthday in the Boy George Suite of the Queen’s Palace Hotel

Mayor Calafato invited a delegation from Pyongyang to visit Ħas-Siġar in the near… or distant future

Socialite and hairdresser to distinguished heads Dustin Bonello Frink recently celebrated his 34th birthday with a lavish party for all his friends in the Boy George Suite of the Queen’s Palace Hotel, Delimara. Among Dustin’s multitude of dearest friends present were, pictured above (from left) Justin Degiorgio Vene and his ‘friend’ Waylon Pommerigio Borg, Tallulah Titecrutch (aka Adrian Delceppo), and Sid, Jez Monsanto and Cliff Doublesin… of Jez and Cliff Fashions, plus, of course… noted hanger-on and faghag Sharon Scalpello.

A cake in pink and white icing was cut by Dustin – assisted by his ‘partner’ Terry, to wild applause from all present. Music was provided by ‘Cy Liberace Fabuloza Disco Sounds’ – and a wonderful time was had by one and all. And as Dustin said: “Well dear, you’re not 34 every day now, are you!”

Ħas-Siġar twins with Pyongyang

In a ceremony with much pomp and pageantry in the Greater Hall of the People, Pyongyang, North Korea, the city was formally twinned with the Maltese village of Ħas-Siġar.

Speeches on this auspicious occasion were delivered by the 19th Secretary of the Communist Party of North Korea, Mr Li Chee, and by the Mayor of Ħas-Siġar Is-Sur Alfredo Calafato. The Maltese delegation was made up of 137 people; these included councillors, friends, relatives and anyone else from the village fancying a freebie few days in a failed state.

The delegation was treated to typically welcoming North Korean hospitality, including a banquet of rice and… erm rice, plus an extensive tractor tour of Pyongyang’s nightlife. This latter lasted a whole 10 minutes.

In his speech at the twinning ceremony, Mayor Calafato invited a delegation from Pyongyang to visit Ħas-Siġar in the near… or distant future. Mr Li replied that they’d absolutely love to, just as soon as they could make it across the minefield on the 49th parallel between North and South Korea. So don’t hold your breath.

M.A.F.I.A. delegation from Malta plants sapling in Sahara.

The chairman of the Malta Association For Irrigating Arboretums (MAFIA), Mr Joe Degiorgio Pace, recently led a delegation from the association into the middle of the Sahara Desert. Their mission was to plant the very first tree sapling in the Sahara, as the start of a Malta-inspired de-desertification programme.

The sapling – a deciduous horse chestnut was ceremoniously planted by Mr Degiorgio Pace using a silver plated spade, to the applause of a small group of onlookers. He then delivered the first of several speeches in praise of the association’s initiative.

The fact that by the time the speeches had finished the sapling had shrivelled up and died was – Mr Degiorgio Pace opined – irrelevant. It’s the thought that counts.

And he added, to spontaneous applause: “Where would we be today if all those centuries agoSt Vitus hadn’t been the first one up on the disco-floor. By the saint’s spontaneous actions today we can boast such sophisticated spin-offs as the funky chicken. Somebody has to be first.”

For your diary

• The San Ġwann and District Youth Group will be holding a burger and cocaine evening in the main stand at the Ta’ Qali stadium, next Tuesday evening at 11 p.m. All are welcome; bring a friend.

• A Yuletide ox-roast will be held on Xlendi beach, Gozo, next Wednesday. If wet… in the public conveniences nearby. Bring your own ox.

• The San Ġwann Over 80s Social Club will be holding a Country and Western hoe-down at the K O Corale (The Oratory to you) next Friday evening. Music by San Ġwann’s own Octogenarian Octet, with vocals by Mario (Tex) Spiteri. So come along y’all.

• Please note: This year’s ‘Walk yourself to good health’ walk from Mdina to Rabat has been cancelled. This is due to the sudden indisposition of the organiser, Mrs Valma Degaetano, who sadly fell and sprained her ankle while walking the course to check for hidden obstacles.

• Correction: Last week’s notice of the activity organised by the San Ġwann Scout Troop, which read: “A car crash will take place in the Scout’s Hall car park” – should have read: “A car wash will take place in the Scout’s Hall car park”. Any inconvenience is regretted.