• Parts of Mtarfa Road, in Mtarfa have become veritable race tracks. Young daredevils put their cars through their paces, not showing any consideration whatsoever towards other motorists, pedestrians and residents. They either race their vehicles or drive with wild abandon in the evenings, particularly at weekends. Perhaps a policeman or traffic warden could include the area in their beat and warn them of the dangers of their reckless behaviour.

Security

• It is nice to see that Mickey’s Child Educare Centre in Bulebel is up and running, and, moreover, it is being patronised. However, there appears to have been an over-the-top fixation about security. A part of the wire netting meant to keep children and things from falling makes the play area set-up look like a cage at the zoo. Surely, a less vibrant colour would have made it less noticeable?

Voiced

• It is wonderful to note that the 17th edition of the world-class popular Rai Due Concerto di Natale will be performed in Malta this year. This is yet another opportunity for us to showcase cultural tourism possibilities for times when the weather does not permit the usual sun, sea and sand combination. One notes this will include local talent, namely the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Voices, the children’s choir led by soprano Gillian Zammit and Maltese soprano Maria Abela. It is also intended to raise funds for charity.

Danger

• Each time there is an accident in which pyrotechnics are involved, the public asks how long it would have been since the Occupational Health and Safety Authority would have inspected the site. As it turns out, this issue does not fall under the jurisdiction of the said authority. Fireworks factories are regulated by the Explosives Ordinance. It is high time the law was amended to enable regular onsite health and safety checks.

Education

• The lifelong learning system appears to be gaining ever more popularity, so much so that many courses are oversubscribed and the directorate at the Ministry of Education has issued a call for applications from “suitably qualified persons” to teach in several topics. This raises at least three questions: Why is remuneration so low? Are courses not held in the morning so as not to coincide with U3A activities? What certification or the equivalent in experience, qualifies a person for the post of instructor?

Feathering

• BirdLife reports it has received “shot protected birds” and “reports of widespread shooting of birds”. It is understandable that some may not be able to resist the temptation of birds migrating or seeking refuge from inclement weather over the open sea. However, seeing that legislation exists that prohibits the trapping or killing of protected birds, one wonders who, exactly, is responsible for seeing that the rules are enforced.

Boardwalk?

• Blackboards have been replaced in favour of more user-friendly methods of imparting messages. Yet, it seems the person in charge of setting up the boards just outside the Labour Party club at Floriana is still “of the old school”. The occasionally witty barb is more often than not replaced by inane statements that sometimes are grammatically incorrect. Besides, one wonders how wise it is to place posters directly in the line of traffic in such a busy thoroughfare, just metres away from traffic lights. A moment’s distraction could prove fatal.

Barcodes

• The use of horizontal bars for balcony and porch railings had been discontinued on account of health and safety regulations. However, this trend appears to be gaining ground again, especially in modern buildings, because they are easier on the eye than vertical ones and lead the eye smoothly across the building rather than abruptly up and down. However, when it comes to public places and business establishments, common sense has fallen by the wayside because children accompanying their parents might use them as rungs of a ladder.

Monumental

• M. Demajo Group, in a project coordinated by Din l-Art Ħelwa, is sponsoring the restoration and conservation of the Valentini Queen Victoria monument in Valletta, with the Valletta/Mdina/ Cottonera Rehabilitation Project within the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs providing the scaffolding. The project celebrates the group’s first centenary. Such initiatives bolster the common good as well as augmenting a company’s goodwill.

Sheltered

• This column is pleased to report that the bus shelter that had been removed in Dingli, which is used by hundreds of commuters, some of whom are schoolchildren, has now been re-erected. Well done and thanks to al those who had a share in this.

Watered

• Let us, for a moment, suppose that the removal of the Water Services Corporation’s office at Valletta’s City Gate was done on a whim and not because the City Gate project necessitated it. The re-siting of it has not in any way decreased the amount of complainants queuing daily at the replacement offices. Is it possible that there were no rooms in any empty building in Valletta, not necessarily a government department, which could have been utilised instead?

Cultured

• It is good to note that Astra Theatre of Gozo has offered 200 students up to 25-years-old discounted tickets for the production of Verdi’s La Traviata for Thursday’s and Saturday’s performances. The idea is to encourage students to learn how to appreciate this type of artistic musical event. One hopes that if it proves to be a success, the next time around, the age limited will be rounded off to 30. The idea of holding a workshop at St Margaret’s College, Cottonera, was a stroke of genius.