Vida Magazine - September 2010 by Focused Knowledge Ltd

September 2010 - Issue 09

www.vida.com.mt

Christian on campus Overcoming disability Back to School Special

Sir Elton John Live in Malta

September 26th at The Granaries

Tired of your partner’s annoying habits?

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Brenda Lee Grech

Dancing to new heights

Sixteen and illiterate

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Keeping back pains at bay

Take 2 Goes Comedy

Reading Watches

8 Pages of Fashion

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vida.com.mt Issue 09 - September 2010 Vida Magazine is a monthly lifestyle magazine distributed to all households in Malta and Gozo. It aims to empower the people to lead a better, healthier and happier life. Publisher

Whether you left school last June or whether you haven’t touched an academic book for decades, you should remember that it is never too late to get back to the school benches. It might be because absence makes the heart grow fonder, however I sincerely believe that one should never stop trying to learn. This might not necessarily mean leaving everything and taking up a full time course in a subject you love – even though this would be dandy – but there are many alternatives nowadays. From basic literacy courses offered by the ETC to doctorates in Nuclear Science at the MIT, use this month to take some time for yourself and look at what you could be learning. It will surely make your life better by helping you in your current job or by making better jobs accessible.

Managing Editor Richard Muscat Azzopardi editor@vida.com.mt

Editorial

I always remember September to be a month of mixed emotions for me as a child. On the one hand there was the dread of imprisonment – days chained to the school bench (metaphorically) for hours on end loomed large. The upside however, was the excitement of returning to school with new books (mostly inherited from my elder brothers), some new stationery, a new pencil case and most importantly mingling with friends who did not live within walking distance.

Life is what Vida is all about and we believe that if we all did our bit to help the environment we shall be making a bigger difference in the long run. In our effort to help out we have launched a new marker to point out which articles will help you reduce the negative impact on the world we live in. Our first article in the series helps you choose your next car more wisely. Next month we will be presenting you with a bonanza of environmental articles. Enjoy the issue.

Richard Muscat Azzopardi

VIDA IN OCTOBER... • Green & Tech Special • Lots and lots of mobile phones • Natural beauty remedies

Focused Knowledge Ltd Pitkali Road, Attard ATD 2214 Malta, Europe Tel: (+356) 2339 2403 Fax: (+356) 2141 9089

News & Features Editor David Vella david@vida.com.mt Editorial Assistants Claire Camilleri - claire@vida.com.mt Sarah Micallef - sarah@vida.com.mt Layout & Design Kevin Abela Alexia Baldacchino studio@vida.com.mt Advertising Mexelene Davison - mexelene@vida.com.mt Maria Pillow - maria@vida.com.mt Sabrina Wingfield - sabrina@vida.com.mt Tel: (+356) 2339 2333 sales@vida.com.mt Cover photo Sir Elton John It is understood that all material supplied by agents (printed or otherwise) to promote their products is supplied with all necessary permissions for reproduction. Whilst great care and attention has been taken by the editorial team to ensure accuracy of text, advertising and other published matter, we disclaim all responsibility for any omissions and errors. The editor and publisher do not necessarily agree with views expressed in articles, adverts, letters, or other content appearing in this publication. Distributed by:

Contents

Christian’s Lessons

Bad Habits

David Vella

Claire Camilleri

Electric Vehicles - The Holy Grail Richard Muscat Azzopardi

What Your Watch Says About You James Young

If You Can’t Read This David Vella

18 20

Sarah Micallef

Vida Shopping & Leisure

Just Dance

Rebel at Heart

Fashion Fairground

Sarah Micallef

Books Page

One Stitch Leads to Another

Movies in September Mark Camilleri

And Now for Something Completely Different

Events in September

Your Song Elton John Live in Malta

National Book Council Joyce Guillaumier

Ed Eats

22 24

Miriam Dalli interviews Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando

Health & Beauty - Back Up

Jane Vella interviews Brenda Lee Grech

CMY

Updates

Letters

Ask the Experts

What’s Cooking at Take 2?

The Way the Cookie Crumbles Nine Artists on His Chair Junior Chamber International (Malta) Not for Profit

No Baby Shoes, No Problem Light as a Feather? Kim Dalli

Keeping it Short

Is 2010 the Hottest Year Ever? Vida Clicks Mr T In His Own Words

CMY

letters

STAR LETTER The writer of the Star Letter wins a €100 voucher to exchange for any product or service advertised on Vida*.

Your say

Behind the widow’s smile Dear Editor,

Letters

‘Pedalling on’, the interview with Shirley Micallef a year after the tragic death of her husband Cliff, really touched my heart. I went through a similar experience when I was just 34 years old.

empower” “To read is to

Dear Editor,

th information in English, rife wi ltese publication a has become Vid . ke ali Well done on a Ma n me share es, men and wo for people of all ag nt to enjoy in my alone time and to for the me terial ma nt lle ce ex es a monthly appoint vid dents . Indeed, Vida pro dents. Getting stu with my students my 16 -year- old stu quick to fear full-length th wi ns so les sh are Engli easy task and some short and interesting to read is never an Vida provides like e orts, zin ga ma a t . Ar ticles about sp novels bu ing and every thing ology are articles about anyth ts, interviews or science and techn even int that when travel, upcoming s and prove the po g these youngster if in English. en ev it d rea ll wi a favourite amon erest, the students the subject is of int for ount importance g is a tool of param lookout for I believe that readin me students are now also on the . So language learning s. Vida in their home all the g time to come, for ing Vida for a lon e Evershed’s Jan In . ke ali I do hope to be see s orm ding! the non-bookw book worms and us keep up the rea to empower”, so let words, “To read is

Priscilla Zammit Zabbar

I was a full-time mother of three young girls when my husband died in an accident while working on a construction site. It was a tough time for my daughters and me. We too used to sleep in one room because we were too afraid to sleep alone. I had to take up two part-time jobs to provide a living for my family. I had to be a father and a mother at the same time. Four years later I started a relationship with another man. We got on well and decided to get married. We soon had a lovely baby boy. I was 41 and my second husband was 43. It was a short-lived joy however – after 18 months he died of a heart attack. Suddenly my children and I were thrown back into a world of sadness. My daughters loved him as if he were their father. My baby son was too young to be fatherless. It was too much to bear. We are still trying to get back on our feet. Friends call me “the merry widow” because I try to be positive and have a great sense of humour. However, few can understand the grief we experience when we’re alone at home. Reading some of the features on Vida Magazine makes us feel we are not alone. It helps us a lot. S.J Zurrieq

Noisy kids

“I wish I had half her courage” Dear Editor ,

Dear Editor ,

Pedal li

A yea

r after

ng on

a father

I look forward to reading Vida every month. I am an elderly person but I still find interesting features to read and topics to learn about in every issue. Your magazine helps us to look for a brighter spot in our lives.

Max, Zak and is the eldest Jon are head Malta of over Cycling the three father brothe heels over Federa was tragica cycling rs. This tion, about . They lly killed a post which month, courag turn once e, memor while was occupi he finisheto their cycling mothe s Shirley ies of less than ed by Cliff, s his O a great r impress welcomed Level to convince dad, exams, and the a year ago. his father. me ion that her to with he No one let The strengt I was to her living ing about grief. about would plans to take them go h to stiflethree sons, his wish I never expecte to meet room I was lenge, believe up the cycling and anger under an ardous to particip d to find a family and paintheir mothe that these role of again. Max, lenge distraug the ate 10-day, Max held 16, r, Shirley are the secretary and get ht Some 2,000 in the Lifecyc eagerly Dei Hospitaevery year to the same days we Micalle back talkkilomet le in aid boys on their f, talk but on l. His get event of renal re cycling Chalto David whose father – the bad very sad. feet. chalwas actively patients part of last year he Friends days it Vella point was to tell me feels like you involve at Mater team the volunte accomp first left Malta er back-up d in this take overhave two choicesmy pain I reached any in the rock is lost theirthey team. the cyclists mornin to start the – either a bottomless bottom, angry or else try run, minutes g of challeng A week before as and be let anger pit. At 30th and then father they because I’d this into his July 2009, e in Istanbu the and sadness pass it positive. I grow they can’t daily up to got to on to “I am cycling Cliff died in l, early be strong? my sons afford to see even still afraid a hit-and exercise be After – then “they ” less to Cliff’s . are the how will let them of me huddled death their go the family bicycles complete nights. together. opposit cycling on Recentl – they For Max slept in the e. the room “I stared one him – y Max participwere brough They never road,” Shirley – not at the ceilingit meant weeksroom, I like explains because hearing couldn’t stop ated in a t up living considered Shirley leaving my of sleeples , and breathin giving I was but I still couldn’ the crash.” crying. cycling mother decided rooms. up afraid. event s I kept they are“People tell it was time and my brother I just didn’t t leave reliving and I accompg cycling. In the to ask me the shock, going beginni feel anied them through that I should the boys s.” After some ng it was not to imagini time, be respons a lot. Howev be lenient to go back not easy. ng and to their “I never with ible and er, Two months imagine disciplinthis cannot them because my desk later, be an d I would ed.” Shirley excuse several cope. it was started for times not a full-tim and the easy either. a day, to kids never Before go and cry e job. “I used in the realised Cliff died bathroo to leave I only I was m. At away worked home – I picked a few hours them up after

’s tragic

death

June

2010

| Issue

06 | vida.com.m

t 81

Your June issue’s interview with Shirley Micallef, whose husband and father of three died last year, brought tears to my eyes. I was impressed by how brave this woman is. I wish I had half her courage. God bless her and her three sons. Mrs C. Muscat Hamrun

In summer, lots of children go out to play in the streets. Since they are enjoying their school holidays, they have no problem staying out late. They do however create a problem for those people who may be trying to sleep. Some keep on shooting footballs against garage doors and cars even late at night. Residents are afraid to go out and scold them those who did try to stop them woke up the next morning to find their facades vandalised. My appeal to parents is to convince their sons and daughters to respect those who are not on holiday in summer.

cinema

Loving the fashion pages Through the Loo

king Glass

Dear Editor ,

I would be very grateful if parents paid more attention to what their kids are up to when they’re playing outside.

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Victoria Vella Qormi

An Ep

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ic Exp

erien by Clair

I would like to thank you and all your hard-working staff - Vida is simply awesome! I am 12 years old and I simply love reading the magazine. I find everything I need Fashion Fairground is my favourite section.

Travel writing 75

vida.com.m

t | Issue

08 | August

2010

Dress ‒ Shoes Blush & Panic ‒ Monsoo n Styling Photog by Sarah Micalle Hair by raphy by Jacob f & Claire MakeupJulian s Ciseau Sammu Camille Model: by Diandra T: 214153t Carabez ri - Pearl Christin Mattei 68 Works e Mifsud using T: 798577 Givench 33 y T: 798284 14

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Dear Editor , 18

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Nickelo e teen lounge includ for such as bars and hours ian offer. is the kids andand women ity es the through the Kids’ of deon Walkin its first ever the involve Dreams & lounges Epic offers only “big out the keep youths and buffet teens. out every at Sea first g on we Dinner more s Ice Bar Crew restaura . These top” at show. The courses artists perform . This than 20 vida.com.m were occupie Norweg performs speciali sea nt serving vary from dining cruise in the t | Issue d Unfortu ian Epic multiple ing in original dininghosts include with music an excellen options 08 | August fresh, sushi ties, French the air, indust and acrobat sailing. shows and sake prepare experie wintery nately since cuisine, and 20 2010 t while Howl Legends in ry” nce d-to-or steakho bar, Americ Chines ic imagina juggling at the Concer outdoo we did not the weather the opportu Moon e dishes, der food use and a t, Second tion. Other dinner an favourit was still expansi r facilities. have the chance to Italian teppany nity to Duelling Piano City Comed someth somewh This es, Asian-i perform ve Aqua aki bowl choose ing I to use at Show Park withwas a pity slide at truly nfluenc restaurant, any of rock climbin which y Troupe, ances enjoyed any song sea ed cuisine the and the only since the gives they’d Additio . g wall The Epic the like to tube slide ship has and nal highlig Plunge and the I would an hear the audience a mixed-u and largest first ever , as well hts include duo play, differen have liked experie se sports abseilin as an extreme to have nce eight deck whichbowling g wall 2 nights.t options availabl had more lanes at sea. differen give in e as unfortu time to trip will However t athletic guests the two venues I and opportu nately experience activitie summe be cruising will definite we were all the r 2011 ly go s includin nity to in the back after spendinMedite only there g ice skating rranean sometim for e soon g a year . to and as the in the from Special Barcelo Caribbe thanks na in to Cruises an.

I love travelling so I was very happy to find ‘An Epic Holiday’, Claire Camilleri’s write up, in the August issue of Vida, about her experience on the cruise ship. I’m a great fan of foreign magazines but I never bothered with local ones until I started receiving Vida. Keep up the good work! Internatio

nal Malta

for making

August

In the July issue I really enjoyed the Winter Moods pictorial – it showed this amazing band’s great history. I also like the Shopping & Leisure section. It always has practical information that I find useful - I always read the tips in the Health & Beauty feature.

this trip

| Issue

possible.

08 | vida.com.m

Claudia Scerri

Marthese Camilleri San Gwann

Send your letters, questions to the experts and suggestions to The Editor, VIDA Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214, or by email on yoursay@vida.com.mt.

Editorial Note: The author of last month’s letter to the editor ‘A loyal reader’ is J. Mifsud, from Attard, and not Priscilla Zammit. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.

* See page 53 for more info.

2010

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

.nl

ask the experts

Ask The Experts S. Azzopardi asked: I am 36 years old and have been diagnosed with breast cancer. At the moment I am undergoing chemotherapy. My doctor told me not to have cow’s milk, wheat and sugar. However I really love low fat yoghurts and can’t take them off my diet. Is it true that I can’t have cow’s milk and is it true that a high dosage of vitamin C can weaken the effect of chemotherapy? Vitamin C and chemotherapy have always been the subject of multiple studies. Many of them demonstrated that the concurrent administration of particular products called antioxidants (including vitamin C) with chemotherapy or radiation therapy reduces treatment-related side effects. Some research indicates that antioxidants may protect tumour cells as well as healthy cells from damage generated by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, other research suggests that antioxidants can protect normal tissues from damage induced by chemotherapy or radiation without decreasing tumour control. A 2008 study shows that treating cancer cells with vitamin C prior to exposing them to particular commonly used chemotherapy agents, reduces the efficacy of the agents. This reduction was also found to be higher in those cells that had the higher concentration of vitamin C (dose-dependant). Several other studies have shown that dietary measures might have an effect on breast cancer. These investigations did not exclude the possibility that reducing fat consumption below 20% of calories will reduce breast cancer risk. This is because dietary fat reduction can result in a lowering of blood hormone (oestrogen) levels that contribute to the growth of breast cancer. Dr. Malcolm Paul Galea, MD M. Caruana asked: We have just had our first child. What is the best way to save up for him until he’s an adult? We would also like to guarantee that we have enough money for his future education. When you invest, irrespective of whether it is on a long-term basis or not, it is important to have full control of your capital at all times. Do not enter into fixed contracts that will make it expensive or complicated to exit. Your investment objectives may change throughout the period. Make sure you can adjust your portfolio to these changes.

trave

It is more cost effective to invest a lump sum rather than small recurrent amounts. Minimise indirect costs such as management fees. Avoid complicated products and make sure that you fully understand their features. Do not mix protection with investment. You cannot have both, as there is always an element of risk in investments. Make sure that it is a calculated risk. Be realistic in your expectations and seek independent financial advice. Shop around and do not rush your decision. Be active and do regular financial checkups. Alex Mangion, MA Fin & Inv (Nott); B.Com (Hons) Bnk & Fin; CeFA

Vida Survey

Go to page 29 for more information

www.vida.com.mt/survey

John Farrugia asked: I live in a terraced house with a back garden. I would like to build a small tool shed (2.5 metres by 2 metres) to store gardening tools. Do I need a MEPA permit? What if I build it in aluminium instead of bricks? In order to build any kind of structure within the backyard, a development permit or notification is to be sought for. With regards to the material, the proposed small tool shed would be classified as a structure regardless of whether it is made of lightweight material such as aluminium or heavy material such as brickwork and/or blockwork. Perit Joseph Attard, B.E.&A. (Hons.) A.&C.E.

E.B asked: Five years ago I bought my own place with the help of my parents. Now I have a fiancé, and we have a child. We both wish to move to my place but to do so my fiancé has to help me furnish the apartment. What happens if we break up however? Does he have a right to get back the money used to buy furniture? I am also worried about who has a right to my inheritance. Our child has his father’s surname. Will my fiancé automatically inherit my property even if I have not yet fully repaid my parents? The fact that your partner pays for the furniture means that he is the owner of the said furniture and this in theory gives him the right as owner to take the furniture out of the flat at any point in time. The fact that it is in your flat means that you need to allow him access to do so and the situation becomes complicated with furniture that is fixed such as fitted kitchens. Before such furniture is installed in your flat I strongly advise you to enter into a written agreement as to what happens in the eventuality that you no longer live together. As for inheritance, as the law stands today your partner has no automatic right to inherit your property. Do note however, that the Government has stated that it shall present its proposals for a law on co-habitation by the end of the year. This law could change the position of your fiance’ as outlined above by giving co-habiting couples the right to inherit their partners. Dr. Adrian Muscat Azzopardi, B.A., M.A., LL.D

Ask a question and win!

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WIN €100 September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

updates

What’s cooking

Deceduti Uncovered

ith its award-winning TV series ‘L-Evangelisti’ now over, the recently-formed production company, Take 2 Entertainment, is spreading its wings and learning to fly with a variety of destinations in mind. Alexia El Merhebi was invited to the kitchen of the brains behind the successful media company and two of the craziest people on the island - Abi and Carlos - to find out what they have in store for you lucky viewers this autumn!

So, what have you been cooking up since the end of L-Evangelisti? L-Evangelisti was a very heavy seven-course meal I guess! It took some time to digest and process it, but after two weeks of rest there we were - all back in the kitchen. We had the basic recipe and it was time to shop around for the ingredients. Once more, we’re blessed with a great team and a strong cast, spiced up by new faces and new talents, which are fast becoming one of our trademarks. What essential ingredients can we expect from Take 2? Expect ‘top quality’. We strive to achieve this level because we feel that Maltese TV viewers deserve it. Add ‘entertainment’, ‘originality’, ‘great team work’ and ‘something that will make you want to watch from week to week’ to the mix and there you have it - a Take 2 production. What is your ultimate cake? This year we have more than one cake to bake. Actually we’re going to be very busy baking! The main cake however is our upcoming TV series – ‘Deceduti’ - to be aired every Thursday on TVM, the national TV station. It’s very different from anything we’ve produced to date but we’re sure that the TV viewers are going to enjoy it every step of the way! We retained some of our past ‘ingredients’ (some of our ‘L-Evangelisti’ cast) and also thrown in a couple of new faces. We are looking forward to the TV viewers’ reactions! Well there you have it; Take 2 certainly have a never-ending supply of tasty treats on offer. Tantalise your taste buds with their brand new lip-smacking comedy ‘Deceduti’, aired every Thursday on PBS starting from the end of September. TV has never tasted so good!

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

After meeting Carlos and Abigail we couldn’t leave without talking to a handful of Malta’s up-and-coming stars behind Take 2’s newest comedy ‘Deceduti’. Two of them have already won awards for their roles in L-Evangelisti, can you guess who? We caught up with them on set and as luck would have it, some were willing to give us more clues than others, so we can reveal some top secrets too!

Rodney Gauci

Role in ‘L-Evangelisti’: Jason, a youngster who ended up living off the dirty jobs he did for Brother Solomon. Role in ‘Deceduti’: Percy, a selfish, name-calling, manipulative goofy!

How was the transition from drama to comedy? Now that we’ve started filming I can say that it’s even harder than drama. Comedy must be witty and full of gags and punch lines. I’m really enjoying working with wonderful people who make life easy and jolly – with them on set, the job gets done better! Comedy has always been a passion of mine and I sincerely hope that we bring smiles to Maltese viewers’ faces.

How would you describe the upcoming ‘Deceduti’ series? It’s a cohabitation of the living and the dead that makes life a bit complicated for the tenants. The fact that the landlord is a selfish goof as well as a pinch of emotional tantrum make it an even better experience.

Please spill the beans... tell us more about ‘Deceduti’. The deceased are Percy’s lineage, who ended up living in a big chunk of concrete forming part of their previous palace which Percy had burnt down in a stunt to get monetary compensation from his insurance agency.

updates

at Take 2 Kim Dalli

Role in ‘L-Evangelisti’: The blind Helena Cole. Role in ‘Deceduti’: The spoilt, regal and fiery Spanish Doña Amelia... the total and complete opposite of Helena in every way!

How was the transition from drama to comedy? Comedy is as different from drama as chalk is from cheese... the tempo is different, the acting style is different – but both require hard work!

Tell us more about the upcoming ‘Deceduti’ series. It is so amusing that it will make you die of laughter (pun intended)! Some seemingly unexplainable events have some very plausible explanations. Two opposing parties occupy the same space and fight a battle for territory - the Living versus the Deceased - Round 1!

What is your favourite comedy show and who is your favourite Maltese comedian? My favourite comedy show is ‘Will and Grace’ whilst my favourite Maltese comedian is Snits.

Deandra Agius

Role in ‘L-Evangelisti’: Dominique. Role in ‘Deceduti’: Jackie; a loyal girlfriend and yoga fanatic.

How was the transition from drama to comedy?

Deceduti

L-Evangelisti was special; it was my first experience and it was enriching because I gained a lot of invaluable experience. Unlike Dominique’s role, which was way different from my character, Jackie’s role is more like I am in real life. Comedy involves more effort because it is extremely difficult to make the audience laugh.

What is your favourite comedy show and who is your favourite Maltese comedian? ‘Will and Grace’ and Chrysander Agius.

Julian Calleja

Role in ‘L-Evangelisti’: Benny Britt – a low-life gangster with lots of brains and very little dignity. Role in ‘Deceduti’: Alfio, a suck-up to best friend Percival with a nerdy look who’s afraid of the girls!

What have you been working on since ‘L-Evangelisti’? I have been working mostly on organising the set for the new comedy ‘Deceduti’, as well as editing, directing and sales.

Are you enjoying acting in a comedy? Acting in a comedy is definitely more difficult than drama. However as soon as the characteristics settle it becomes a joy to interpret and I am really enjoying being a different character from the one I played previously.

What is your favourite comedy show and who is your favourite Maltese comedian? My favourite comedy shows have to be ‘Extras’ by Ricky Gervais, ‘Two and a Half Men’ and ‘Scrubs’. My favourite Maltese comedian is Gordon Bonello from ‘Deceduti’. Keep a look out for Deandra, Rodney, Kim and Julian! They are sure to entertain you this autumn in a comedy full of surprises which is set to leave you rolling on the floor laughing! Take 2 vowed to bring comedy back from the dead and straight to the Maltese viewers, so sit back, relax and get ready for some authentic family entertainment!

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

updates

NOT FOR PROFIT Maltese voluntary organisations Junior Chamber International Malta (JCI) Our mission is... to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

The way the cookie crumbles What would you say is the perfect accompaniment to a nice milky cup of tea? Whereas the response to this question a little while ago might have been a resounding ‘custard cream’ or ‘digestive’, the humble biscuit now seems to be falling out of favour.

Our greatest achievement…

happens each time JCI Malta provides the means for its members to maximise their potential by exploiting their individual qualities and by creating opportunities to learn new skills, generate change, and improve themselves and their communities.

According to market research company Nielsen, basic biscuit sales have fallen by 4.5% in the last year, whereas the more up-market variety or ‘gourmet’ biscuits have experienced a surge in sales, increasing by 20% within the same time frame. Indeed, biscuits such as shortcake biscuits, digestives, milk biscuits and custard creams – previously traditional favourites – are being replaced by posher imported varieties like Viennese Whirls. What does this say about the debate on the increasing sophistication and refinement of the English palate? Will fish n’ chips be shunned for sophisticated sushi? Is toad in the hole destined for a life of misery and strife?

Our ‘enemies’ are… mosquitoes. JCI and its partners are committed to the global fight against malaria in African countries. We help save lives by providing insecticide-treated bed nets for all affected areas. JCI members are working towards the goal of one million bed nets by 2015. Members can help save a life and contribute to the eradication of a disease that represents one of the greatest hurdles on the track to success for developing nations. Log on to www. nothingbutnets.net - send a net, save a life.

Here on our little island however, our favourite accompaniments to the afternoon brew are still going strong. Which one do you like best?

We are currently... launching the seventh edition of The Outstanding Young Person Award. It gives deserved recognition, on a national as well as on an international level, to any individual who has made a difference in his or her community and beyond. JCI Malta encourages the general public to use this opportunity to reward the accomplishments of young deserving individuals. The nomination form may be downloaded from the JCI Malta website.

Shortbread biscuits – Named after their crumbly texture, shortbread biscuits are originally Scottish and have been referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of Scottish baking, but are now popular throughout the world. Digestives – Sometimes referred to as sweetmeal biscuits, digestives can be traced back to 1876 and despite their name, don’t actually aid digestion at all. Digestives are so popular that, by the time you’ve finished reading this sentence, around 100 biscuits would have been eaten in the UK alone! Custard Creams – The sumptuous vanilla and custard taste of a custard cream is the perfect match to your afternoon cuppa, and that’s not even mentioning their ornate baroque decoration! Jammie Dodgers – Consisting of a sandwich of shortbread and delicious plum jam, the heart in the centre of the Jammie Dodger reveals the jam beneath and is very reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts’ tarts!

www.jci.org.mt | herald.bonnici@jci.org.mt T: 7969 5368

Bourbon biscuits – Named after the House of Bourbon (an aristocratic French and Spanish family), the famous Bourbon biscuit was first introduced in 1910, and features two dark chocolate biscuits and a chocolatey fondant filling.

Nine artists on his chair

What happens when nine completely different artists are let loose with one concept? That’s exactly what’s in store in His Chair – a video and photographic installation from September 24th until October 16th. Comprising exciting displays including 3D materials, soundscapes, projections, sculpture, animation and dance, His Chair will take the audience on a personal journey through the different worlds they have created.

The initial phase of the project saw the artists being given a poem, and allowing them to develop their own interpretation and explore themes of love, absence and obsession. The artists involved are Matthew Grima Conell, Nicole Cuschieri, Elisa Von

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Brockdorff, Kenneth Borg, Aldo Cauchi Savona, Maria Bravo, Stephen Buhagiar, Christine Cutajar and Francesca Aquilina - each will be allocated a space where they can bring these themes to life. The launch night on the 24th starts at 20:00 and complimentary wine will be served by Marsovin. The exhibition also coincides with the 10th anniversary of St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity. Entrance is free. Opening times are from 09:00 till 17:00 on Monday and Tuesday and from 09:00 till 21:00 from Wednesday till Sunday. ladynannakola@gmail.com T: 79911200

Goes Bread

updates

KEEPING IT SHORT ...

No baby shoes, no problem

My life is like a roller coaster - it has its ups and downs but it’s always a thrilling ride! I am not cross-eyed (as some who watched ‘L-Evangelisti’ thought)! Playing the role of Helena Cole, a blind woman, in the TV series ‘L-Evangelisti’ was challenging, exhilarating and a deeply moving experience. Winning the Malta TV Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role is an uplifting experience, which I fondly dedicate to all blind persons.

Some parents find it hard to keep their little ones from kicking off their tiny shoes, even when they’re still in a pushchair before making their first step. Many health experts are now finding out that these ‘rebellious’ kids may be doing the best thing for their feet.

Kim Dalli

My first public performance was a dance as a five-year-old, dressed in a fluffy Pink Panther costume! Once I graduate I want to continue studying to become an interpreter. An acting role I would never accept is one which would require complete nudity.

The best thing about being a student is being free from the monotony of working life.

When children are born, the 28 bones that make up the foot are not yet fully developed. The tiny feet consist of softer cartilages, which harden and develop through the years to become bones. Choosing the wrong shoes can hamper this development, giving children foot problems for the rest of their lives – the ideal shoes should keep feet as free as can be – thin flexible soles, a wide area for the toes, a closure at the back and an adjustable closure at the top.

Actors are double-faced when they convincingly play the roles of unfortunate, deprived people but fail to recognise them in their everyday lives.

Not convinced? Well, even Clarks, the renowned international shoe manufacturer, warns parents that “there’s nothing better for young feet than walking barefoot, whenever it’s safe.”

Classifying among the top three students in the 2008 ‘A’ Level exams was an excellent incentive for me to pursue my studies.

I want to co-star in a movie with the talented Johnny Depp. I would love to perform the leading role in a biographical film on Virginia Woolf… such an intelligent and complex woman! My favourite book is Gone With The Wind… epic in every way! The sweetest verse ever written by a poet is ‘Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,/ And slips into the bosom of the lake:/ So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip/ Into my bosom and be lost in me.’ – Tennyson The sea reminds me of perfection. If you buy me a drink get me a Bailey’s please! Blondes are fun… and intelligent! My favourite unplugged song is Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’. My greatest achievement is convincing television viewers that I was genuinely blind. I wish I were rich enough to donate large sums of money to charitable causes. I’m so happy I am Maltese… yes, I’m quite patriotic!

Babies and young children should do without shoes, foot health specialists insist. “Toddlers keep their heads up more when they are walking barefoot,” podiatrist Tracy Byrne explains, “the feedback they get from the ground means there is less need to look down, which is what puts them off balance and causes them to fall down.” Doing away with shoes also helps build stronger foot muscles and ligaments, Byrne tells The Guardian. All this is lost when children wear shoes, especially those that are rigid and tight, constricting the foot’s natural development.

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Light as a Feather? Despite the common simile ‘light as a feather’, did you know that most birds’ plumage actually weighs around two or three times more than its skeleton? This may seem strange, but because many of birds’ bones are hollow (much like straw) and birds’ bodies contain air sacks which fill with air and enable them to breathe properly in flight; their skeletons are incredibly lightweight! The fact that birds don’t have any teeth also helps lighten the load, and that’s not even mentioning their light beaks – differing immensely from the heavy human jaw. The birds’ breast muscles are the largest muscles in their bodies and can account for 20% of a bird’s weight. Still wondering why humans can’t fly?

updates

Mr T

In his own words

September 16th is Ozone Day

Is 2010 the

hottest “I am the best bodyguard because I’ll take a bullet, I’ll take a stab wound, I’ll take a hit upside the head; I’m like a Kamikaze pilot; the President got shot because his men relaxed.” “I pity the fool...” [His trademark quote] “As a kid, I got three meals a day. Oatmeal, miss-a-meal and no meal.” “I believe in the Golden Rule - the man with the gold... rules.” “I’m not perfect, I’m not an angel, but I try to live a certain way because it brings honour and respect to my mother. I tell people that when they look at me, they’re looking at nothing but a big, overgrown, tough mama’s boy. That’s who I am.” “When I was growing up, my family was so poor we couldn’t afford to pay attention.” “If you think I’m big, you should see my brothers.” “I’m teaching fools some basic rules.” “Like I tell people in the ghetto – ‘If you can buy guns and bullets, why can’t you buy food? You can buy heroin and crack cocaine, so why can’t you buy bread and butter and milk? Why can’t you pay your rent?’”

year ever? Sensors from around the world have confirmed that we are living through what is possibly the hottest year on record. Global warming predictions by climate scientists a decade ago now seem to have come to fruition as global temperatures have risen by 0.8C since the Second World War. The normally cool Moscow has hit a record 39C, causing more than a stir with crops ruined and bogs catching fire to create heavy smog. Meanwhile, the Arctic continues to suffer whereas plankton numbers (the foundation of the marine life’s food supply) are steadily dwindling. This drastic climate change is due to global warming, which happens when gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) trap heat from the sun’s rays in the lower atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect. The fact that this heat is being trapped means that less heat reaches the ozone layer which, in experiencing cold temperatures becomes damaged, and lets in more of the sun’s harmful rays. Despite the realities of global warming however, the successful reduction of CFC gases following international initiatives remains promising, as the chlorine content of the atmosphere (which has a direct effect on ozone destruction potential) has begun a slow decrease. What’s more, following this success, the UN Environment Programme and the European Commission are aiding developing countries to reduce HCFC gasses too – the same gasses used as a temporary, less harmful replacement to CFCs. The project endeavours to promote efforts to reduce, and eventually eradicate the chemical emissions by putting emphasis on refrigeration and air conditioning as well as reducing car emissions.

What can we do to reduce CFCs? • Ensure your refrigerator is CFC friendly. Many older refrigerators contain a high amount of CFCs and contribute greatly to the depletion of the ozone layer. • Avoid using air conditioning unless absolutely necessary. • Certain brands of deodorant and hairspray also contain CFCs, so make sure they’re ozonefriendly before buying them!

Vida scours the web for interesting content on a daily basis. Here are a few of the websites which caught our fancy this month. Ever wondered what your heart, a brake caliper and urban sprawl have in common? You can learn how each of them works on this wonderful site. Starting off from simply answering questions on how stuff works, this fascinating web destination has evolved into a behemoth which now includes articles explaining how everything around us works, quizzes, games, top lists and features explaining the background to current events. One warning though - enter with care, once you visit this site you will probably get hooked. www.howstuffworks.com Vida reader Simone Vella suggests one of her favourite sites. It’s a regularly updated blog written from the point of view of an Australian Shepherd called Curtis. “His antics are brilliant,” Simone enthuses, “and

the pictures are also fantastic!” His story is told in a delightfully comic manner, with references to his owners as ‘the humans’ and mentions of his ‘sister’ Paige. talesofanaussie.blogspot.com Another reader, Riccardo Flask, recommends Virtual Racing Malta Club’s website as his favourite. The site is a must for all speed lovers, and features an online racing community providing “enjoyable, friendly and professional racing” to its members. They welcome all skill levels, so it’s highly adviseable to take a look if you’re into racing! www.virtualracingmalta.com

Suggest your favourite sites (and tell us why you love them): yoursay@vida.com.mt

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

special feature

Christian’s lessons Setting disability aside to become a school teacher

Christian has many aspirations. He dreams of writing scripts for television, of travelling to the USA, and of watching his favourite football team Juventus play on their home ground. He also dreams of entering a classroom as a qualified teacher one day. As he navigates the obstacles that a wheelchair user everyday, he looks forward to the start of the third year of his university course. David Vella meets the aspiring teacher who can already teach us a lesson or two in determination and commitment.

first met Christian Camilleri when a friend roped me into a summer youth centre initiative to help young children with disabilities revise what they learnt at school the previous months. Christian was seven and I was fourteen. That’s when I realised I was not cut out to be a teacher. However, that wasn’t the last I would hear of this young cheerful boy. I was surprised when, almost 15 years later, a Vida reader sent us a letter to suggest we meet Christian, now at university studying to become a secondary school teacher.

“I wanted to prove to myself I could be independent”

Christian has cerebral palsy, a chronic condition that affects a person’s motor functions. He is wheelchair-bound and does not have full control over his body, including his hands. He cannot hold a pen and he can only use a computer keyboard by typing with one finger. In spite of these setbacks, during the last two years he has managed to keep up with his fellow students, completing long written assignments and sitting for all his exams. A few months ago, Christian entered a secondary school classroom for his first experience as a Personal and Social Development (PSD) teacher. For six weeks he led a group of secondary school boys

through their weekly lessons. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep the class under control. The students did not make it easy – they gave me no preferential treatment as they tested my patience to see how I would react. I soon got used to it and got on very well with them.”

Christian tells me how the students reacted when they saw him entering the classroom. “They did not seem to have a problem with the fact that I was in a wheelchair. Before I started teaching, I went in to a few lessons in the same class to observe the atmosphere. So when I entered the classroom for the first lesson, the students were already used to me.” While his experience in class was very encouraging, getting there was much more complicated. “I was originally assigned to another school. At university they told me that this secondary school had elevators and it was easy for me to access the classrooms. I emailed the head of school to double check. I was told that the elevator had not yet been installed so the university had to start looking for another school. Finally we managed to find a school with proper disabled access.”

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special feature He also had problems in another school, where he had to go with his fellow students to watch a PSD teacher give a lesson. At first they tried to move the whole class downstairs since there was no elevator. Eventually they found out this could not be done. “I had no option but to stay at home,” Christian explains. Luckily, at university he finds it quite easy to go from place to place – most areas are accessible to wheelchair users and Christian’s classmates are always ready to help him move around in the few areas that are not. Commuting to school or university every day is another headache. Christian depends on his father for transport. He takes him to school for his teaching placements, as well as to university, everyday. Luckily his father currently works a night shift so he has the time. “This may change next year,” the youth explains, “my father is afraid that his shifts may change, leaving me stranded.” I ask whether he considers using public transport. The low-floor buses introduced in Malta a few years ago are purposely built to facilitate wheelchair access. Christian is not so convinced. He tells me that he knows a young wheelchair-bound woman who lives in Mellieha and works in Mosta, twenty minutes away. “There’s no telling when a bus with wheelchair access is going to come by. Sometimes she has to wait three hours until she boards a bus. She leaves home three hours earlier to make sure she gets there on time.” Depending on other people to go from one place to another is Christian’s greatest fear. “My dream is to graduate and find a job. However, even when this happens, I will still be dependent on my parents. What is going to happen when they are no longer here to support me?” Christian was the first student at Junior College to have a learning support assistant to help him write

This year, 36 University of Malta students with disabilities will be graduating after completing an undergraduate course. Another 49 students graduated in 2009 and 2008. There are currently 106 students with disabilities at the University of Malta and at the Junior College. During the last academic year, 36 of them requested assistance from ACCESS – Disability Support Unit (ADSU). This unit provides support services and equipment to students with sensory and physical impairments. It also helps them through different access arrangements, including time extensions for course completions, extension of deadlines for assignments, assistance during examinations, and the provision of resources on campus. The unit liaises with academic and administrative staff to facilitate access to all academic activities particularly at the start of the academic year. The ADSU meets students with disabilities before they start their course to get a clearer picture of their requirements and to advise them on various kinds of support they can get. ACCESS - Disability Support Committee (ADSC), chaired by Pro-Rector Dr. Mary Anne Lauri, aims to ensure that the ADSU is given all the necessary facilities to support students with disabilities. The Rector has also appointed Dr. Marie Alexander, Institute of Linguistics, as Rector’s Delegate for Disability.

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When it comes to exams, Christian has a slightly more difficult challenge than other students. Since he is unable to write or type fast enough, he cannot complete written exams. Instead his exams are held in a separate room, with the assistance of two other persons. Christian reads the questions and dictates the replies while a person employed by the university writes them down. A third person is also present to make sure that the script is exactly what Christian said. Having to spend hours dictating replies, some of which may actually be long essays, to two complete strangers must be more stressful than actually going into the examination hall and writing replies yourself. “It looks difficult and scary,” Christian says, “however, this is the way I always had exams, and I got used to it.”

At first Christian studied by borrowing class notes from a friend who was in the same course. Soon, all the other nine students “Everyone in the PSD course started helping him too. The whole class can go up or is now one group of friends. “They help me a lot. Even down a ramp, but when they go out on weekends, they try to choose places not everyone can where I can join them. However, this is not always possible. I miss out on meeting many other friends because the places use the stairs.” they go are inaccessible.”

Disability on campus

notes in class, a service that was previously offered to secondary school students only. However, when he applied to read for a degree at the University of Malta, he was told that he would no longer have this assistance. “At first I was going to give up. How could I keep up with other students if I could not take down notes? Then I changed my mind – I wanted to go it alone.” Eventually the university authorities informed him that they could get someone to assist him. He courageously refused this assistance; “I realised that not having special assistance presented an opportunity. I wanted to prove to myself I could be independent.” Two years down the line he still believes it was the right choice.

special feature This reminds me of a message Christian put up on the social networking website Facebook a few months ago – “where are my party tickets? Where are the photos of me with my friends getting drunk till I drop? The answer is – nowhere, because I am part of a minority in this democratic country.” Christian explains that he gets very angry when he cannot join his friends simply because Malta’s entertainment venues do not cater for persons with disabilities. “I wish I could go and have fun with my friends. Even cinemas are not adequately accessible. What’s the use of having an elevator leading to the theatre if you are then forced to watch the movie alone in front of the first row, right beneath the screen? Why is it that planners always opt for stairs instead of ramps? Everyone can go up or down a ramp, but not everyone can use the stairs.”

“he kept his word. Today, he is my guardian angel”

Out of all his friends, Christian mostly misses his friend Damian, who he met at Junior College, but who he can now never meet again. “When I started attending Junior College I was a bit timid – I had never been in such a big school before. Damian came up to me and started talking to me. He was always very cheerful and helped me make lots of new friends.” A few months ago, Christian was listening to the news and heard that the St. Sebastian Fireworks Factory had blown up. His first reaction was to try and call Damian, who was an avid fireworks enthusiast and helped prepare fireworks for Qormi’s village feast. There was no reply. “Something told me he was there. He used to tell me ‘I’m always the last to leave the factory.’ I went online and found out I was right – he was one of the explosion’s two victims.” “Damian made me realise that life is fragile - one minute we’re here, the next moment we’re gone,” Christian tells me with tears in his eyes. He recalls how his friend had once told him, “when you graduate I can be your assistant.” “In a way, he kept his word. Today, he is my guardian angel. I talk to him almost everyday, and when I’m facing a difficult moment I’m sure he is by my side praying for the Lord to help me.”

“I advise youths with disabilities who want to follow a university degree or diploma to contact us to discuss their plans well ahead of time in order to make sure that everything is in place by the time the academic year begins. A great deal of preparation is required, depending on the disabilities. The more prepared the student is and the more prepared the prospective faculty or institute is, the fewer problems there will be. In the meantime, there are many persons with disabilities who underachieve at secondary level for a variety of reasons. We would welcome a study looking into this issue. There is a great deal that still needs to be done at all levels, university level included.” Marchita Mangiafico Co-ordinator, ADSU

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

real life

Life,ove&

Bad Habits

by Claire Camilleri

ll couples have their disagreements from time to time yet there is certain behaviour that can place an unnecessary strain on the relationship. These bad habits may not have been present at the beginning of the relationship but can slowly start to emerge once the honeymoon phase begins to fade. Some people don’t have the heart to complain about them, so we are now taking the opportunity to let spouses and partners know what to avoid. Less irritating habits include the oh-so-common toilet seat problems – leaving it up or leaving it in a mess. I am referring to those of you who don’t seem to consider the fact that people will be using the toilet after you – please be more considerate. Both men and women share the blame in leaving the bathroom disorderly when leaving toothpaste streaks and hair after shaving, or combing, in the sink. Is it really that hard to rinse the wash-hand basin afterwards? Smoking and drinking are another two nasty habits which can severely impact a relationship. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks or a relaxing puff of a cigarette (in terms of relationships), but when it gets out of hand it can be rather annoying for one’s partner, especially if they don’t smoke or drink themselves. Many don’t enjoy their house smelling of smoke or their partner smelling of booze, and rightly so. It is certainly not easy to quit smoking, but it is simple enough to stick to a specific room or better still the garden or a balcony. As for drinking, moderation will spare you and your partner more than a few embarrassing moments.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Untidiness can be extremely frustrating in cohabitation. Leaving shoes on the floor at the entrance of a home isn’t a very nice welcome to anyone entering the house, and the same goes for cluttered rooms. According to psychologist Mary Ann Borg Cunen, “some people have a great deal of tolerance for messiness, and others are obsessive about having to have things in order. If the couple is matched according to their preference then clutter and untidiness will not be an issue.” Most women, however, will agree that there is one habit which should surely top the list – passing gas! Guys, why do you insist on doing it anywhere and everywhere? It’s really not very funny or amusing and certainly not attractive. Although many believe “it’s better out than in”, you can be out with it in your private sanctuary the bathroom. Money spending can become an issue, especially when the couple has a shared bank account. The constant splurging might annoy one of the partners, especially if saving up for something together. This may also lead to incognito purchases - buying items behind each others’ backs - and can make the partnership or marriage begin to deteriorate, as the financial security of the family may be threatened by such a habit. Some people don’t seem to realise that arriving late, especially when invited to friends’ houses or events, is just plain rude. Why is it that

real life

Is it really that hard to rinse the wash-hand basin afterwards?

people seem to think that when they plan to meet at a specific time, they can leave home at that time instead of planning ahead and leaving earlier? You can claim you are simply being ‘fashionably late’, but not when a table of people are waiting for you to start dinner!

In addition, some consider it very important that you have a life outside the one which you share with your partner. Not everyone may agree, however enjoying time responsibly with friends or hobbies may help a couple avoid getting stuck in a rut. Having said that, even though people need to do their own thing every now and again, it is important not to allow friends, hobbies and even work to become the first priority or the relationship will most certainly suffer. As Ms. Borg Cunen states: “unfaithfulness can also happen without another person being involved. The couple should balance things out, and communicate about the effect that long hours of absence may be having on the relationship.” Worst of all, bad habits can be picked up from each other. If one lets go, in time this can cause the other to do so too. Nevertheless, the same goes for good habits, such as remembering the little gestures. A little kiss hello and goodbye can help in maintaining the good relationship that you have with your partner for example. So try to change those awful habits and focus on practising the better ones and you’ll soon see a difference in your attitudes towards each other.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

motoring

The Holy Grail? The biggest question on the motoring world’s lips is whether electric cars are the one “simple” solution to the longterm issue of vehicular sustainability. Richard Muscat Azzopardi takes a look at the alternatives currently being presented and concludes that unless we find a magic wand, the way forward is spread over a series of improvements not a silver bullet.

“Low-cost” Electric Vehicles There is serious debate about the pros and cons of cheaper electric vehicles – on the one hand we need to find an alternative to the internal combustion engine as quickly as possible, however on the other by moving too rapidly we might be damaging the cause even more. Cars which look, feel and drive like a cheap toy might seem like the only way to get more people driving electric vehicles, however if the masses need to replace their clunky and heavy NI-MH batteries quickly on cars which are rapidly deteriorating it might take years to build people’s confidence once we have a realistic alternative. The major problem is that even when not spending a lot on a cheap electric vehicle you are still paying significantly more than the equivalent with a combustion engine.

Premium Electric Vehicles Some companies have gone out and built premium electric vehicles – the idea is simple, as long as you can build vehicles which people can love you will always sell a few. By getting motorists excited about the technology, even though they might not afford it at the moment, you build a credible alternative which will take off once the price is right. Someone buying a premium electric vehicle would not do so to save money (even though there can be savings in the long term) but because they believe in the technology or because they want to do their bit for the environment. A premium electric vehicle will set you back anything from around €25,000 (before any rebates the government might announce) but there are none on the market in Malta at the moment, even though Vida has learned that we might be seeing some on our shores soon – watch this space. For this price, though, you should get a luxurious interior, an exciting drive, modern Li-ion batteries and a premium brand.

Frugal Engines Although this effort is very underrated, by creating combustion engines which consume much less fuel we are going a long way in reducing the world’s drain on fossil fuels and belching of CO2. This is clearly not a viable long-term solution but will help delay the inevitable, especially since more cars are hitting the roads every year. Cars consuming as little as 4.3l of petrol or 3.7l of diesel per 100Km are available on the market for decent prices – these show a decrease of nearly 50% on cars of a similar size just 10 to 15 years ago.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

motoring

Parallel Hybrids The Toyota Prius is seen as the flag bearer of the combustionelectric vehicle. In this format a car has a regular fuel-powered engine and an electric motor. Below certain speeds the car can run exclusively on the electric motor – but it charges as soon as you’re driving at higher speeds and the main engine kicks in. The major debate in this field is whether to go for higher savings (and a higher initial cost) or whether to offer cars with simpler technologies of which more can be sold. Honda is going down this route with its Insight, however the Prius still seems to be car to beat in this field.

Series Hybrid Vehicle A series hybrid – internal combustion engine uses another take on the hybrid technology. In these vehicles the combustion engine is only used to charge batteries, which in turn power the vehicle. This solution is deemed to be cleaner than a conventional hybrid system because electric motors are more efficient and the combustion engine can be programmed to charge the batteries at its most efficient running speed.

Other options Everybody is still trying to find the holy grail. We’ve heard of water-powered cars from India, horse-powered caravans in Iran and air-powered cars from all over, however we’re yet to see a credible breakthrough. Some alternative fuels have caught on but each has its own limitations. LPG is still a fossil fuel, so even though we have large and untapped reserves of gas, it is still going to finish one day. Hydrogen-powered vehicles are already used in certain countries and regions, however it is a fuel which must be created by man – so it is only good to carry energy and is not technically a source of fuel.

Clean air, clean conscience

For the ultimate green credentials you can also invest in a photovoltaic system (which converts the sun’s energy into electricity) to charge your plug-in electric car. Since most charging is done at night, you can contribute the electricity you produce back to the grid during the day and buy it back at a cheaper rate at night.

Vida met one of the engineers at Fritz Energy who told us that on average an electric vehicle driven for 30km a day would need about an extra 0.6Kw – or three extra panels – in your solar panel array to make it completely self carbon neutral. For more information and a no obligation consultancy and quote contact Fritz Energy on info@fritzenergy.com or 2339 2261

www.fritzenergy.com

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

special feature

What your watch says about you S

igmund Freud might have a thing or two to say about watches if he lived in our times (excuse the pun). Some simply think of their watch as a timepiece, others find it unnecessary because they don’t mind arriving late or because they rely on their mobile phone to tell the time. However, most of us see a watch as an extension of our body, as vital as any organ but much easier to improve on, change, hide or show off. James Young takes a look at the watches we wear and what they say about us.

Designer Label Watches

Designer watches are usually bulky and very showy but they can suffer in terms of timepiece quality. Like upmarket plastic watches, these watches also show that you are really conscious about the way your watch looks and that you are prepared to spend more on your image. In choosing one of these watches you are also admitting that the craftsmanship of the leather is more important to you than the accuracy of your watch over the next five years - and at the end of the day who would blame you, a second here and there won’t make a difference when you’re drinking cocktails at the beach club.

Plain-Jane Watch

Wearing a basic functional watch tells people a lot about you. It shows that you are a person who values function very firmly over form - someone who likes practical things in life, not extravagant ones. Wearing your watch simply for its primary purpose also says that you are interested in punctuality and want to be on top of your schedule at all times.

Silicone or Plastic Watch The scariest sentence a watchmaker can hear starts something like this: “You know, a watch is like so last year”... With the younger generation glued to their mobile phone and computer screens, time is only important when measuring how many seconds its been since your “friends” last posted an update on Facebook or Twitter. Many traditional watchmakers have been scrambling to find attractive contraptions to draw the internet generation back to wristwatches. The main solution seems to be a lively stylish silicone or plastic watch which can act as an ornament primarily but also tell you the time. Wearing one of these watches is a statement that you value form over function - the way your watch is designed might compromise the ease with which you tell the time, but that is not half as important to you as the image your watch is portraying.

Toy Watch , Jelly Collection, silicone with interchangable strap

Victor Azzopardi Jewellers

T: 21222949

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

t i t li st

special feature Men’s Watches (on women)

Paul Picot, Plongeur Woman C-Type with diamonds Victor Azzopardi Jewellers

You are either a kleptomaniac or someone who keeps up with the times - following hot on the heels of the “boyfriend shirt” and “husband blazer” fads is this trend - wearing male watches. Donning a male watch - especially a chunky one - is as much a statement as any other. It is a sign that you do not mind attracting attention to yourself and don’t feel the need to wear dainty apparel to look feminine. Just one note of caution though: make an effort to pair it up with feminine clothes like a fresh summer dress to offset the masculinity of the watch. The stars have taken to this trend and both Madonna and Naomi Campbell have been spotted with ToyWatch’s chunky plastic watches for men.

T: 21222949

Paul Picot, Plongeur – Chrono Victor Azzopardi Jewellers T: 21222949

Luxury Watches

Tricked-out Watches (on men) Mere mortals might suggest that when spending north of a grand (or ten) on an exclusive timepiece you must have some serious deficiency you’re trying to hide by showing off such opulence. I must agree that I’ve come across people who seem to back this theory, but you can usually tell these by their double cuffed shirt - the left sleeve is always upturned far enough to show that they spent more on their wrist than you spent on your car.

Some people feel the need to communicate their membership in a fraternity through any means possible, however few methods can match the watch on your wrist. If your latest watch includes a barometer, thermometer and GPS then you must certainly be a sailor (or at least wish you were). The choices are endless and all appeal to the same basic human need for identification (and the not-so-basic addiction men seem to have to anything with more than 10 buttons and a thousand useless functions). The consolation is that you’re not alone - most men fall for these watches at some point or other in their lives - I just wonder what the variety for the stamp collecting fraternity looks like.

Costume Jewellery Watch (on women)

The modest rich person does exist though, and that is where the subtler exclusive models come in. These watches will look understated and would not catch the untrained eye, however anyone with more than a passing interest in watches and the luxury life would be able to set you apart from the Tom, Dick and Harrys amongst us. If you’re spending the equivalent of my house’s down-payment at least show me that you have the brains to carry it off decently.

Nothing says you are a classic woman more than a dainty watch. It adds a touch of vulnerability but men should still beware - there could be a femme fatale putting on an act on the prowl. Taken in isolation, these watches indicate that you are not out to make a statement, but still care enough about your appearance to bother looking for something attractive to decorate your arms.

Fake Luxury Watches Ouch! These don’t reflect well on anyone. Would you go out to dinner with a rubber doll if you couldn’t find a proper companion to go with you? Wearing a fake watch sends out an immediate statement that you are trying hard to be something you are not. If you can’t afford a luxury watch there are plenty of tasteful alternatives which won’t cost the earth, so steer clear of cheap imitations.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

special report

If you can’t read this Young people and illiteracy Over 25,000 Maltese and Gozitan people over the age of 10 cannot read this sentence. 4% of them are younger than 19. They cannot read labels at the supermarket, and they need someone else to read their mail. They find it difficult to write a birthday card or an email to a friend. They don’t know how to fill in a job application. Even worse, they may not yet have found an employer who can give an illiterate person a decent job. David Vella tries to find out why some youths are leaving our classrooms unable to read and write.

pupils with special educational needs, ineffective or absent teachers, unsafe or dirty school environments and discrimination based on gender and ability. These problems should be dealt with as early as possible.”

Research carried out by the Literacy Centre in Maltese primary schools2 indicates that a child’s social and family background can have a significant effect on the child’s performance at school. “Schools and teachers require more support to be able to deal with A group of 50 illiterate sixteen-year-olds from different parts of students from socially-deprived backgrounds, and who often manifest Malta were interviewed in 20061 to find out what went wrong during their frustration through poor or negative behaviour,” Professor their 10 years at primary and secondary school. There were many Mifsud says, “more attention needs to be given to basic functional replies. The most common was that during their first years at school skills for those who are still in compulsory education.” He adds that they considered themselves too “immature to learn”, and once they students who have literacy and numeracy difficulties would benefit started secondary school fellow students were “out of control” and from basic skills courses and some form of vocational training rather constantly misbehaving. Others said they always felt they than just the subject teaching they get at secondary schools. “Such were regressing and unable to catch up with the others, programmes have been offered to students aged between 14 rather than improving. Some attributed their failure and 16 years of age in other countries and have proved very to bullying, and a few others said that lessons were once they successful.” boring or that they had “bad teachers”. Half of the youths interviewed said that school was not an enjoyable experience.

started secondary school fellow students were “out of control”

“It is important to look closely at the reasons given by these young people,” says Professor Charles L. Mifsud, Director of the University of Malta’s Literacy Unit and the project leader of the study. He insists we should act fast and use these experiences to stop other children from going down the same path. “They may be experiencing difficulties which disrupt normal school progress like bullying, disruptive behaviour, insufficient support for

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Most of the illiterate youths interviewed in the latest 2006 study admitted they are unable to fill in an application form or read printed mail in English. Such difficulties may also discourage them from furthering their studies at post-secondary level. Illiteracy may be one of the reasons why Malta is lagging behind other EU states when it comes to students who remain in education after they turn 16. According to the latest EU figures3, only 6 out of every 10 Maltese youths continue their studies at post-secondary level. Two years after ending secondary school, only 42% are still in education.

special report

Reading the signs From the 2006 study among illiterate youths: 14% said they disliked school because they were bullied 56% particularly liked teachers who explained well 15% liked teachers who joked with students 15% liked teachers who stopped students from misbehaving 10% misbehaved in class because they could not understand lessons 24% insist that school did not prepare them for employment 96% have access to books and magazines at home 74% were read to by their parents when they were young 86% know how to use a computer 28% do not know how to apply for a job 46% cannot fill in application forms in English

These youths may not all be ‘discouraged leavers’ who end their education due to poor results. They may also be ‘positive leavers’, who choose to abandon school to take up a job they like. However, Evarist Bartolo, Shadow Minister for Education and a university lecturer, maintains that Malta needs a serious action plan to address this problem. “This is a national tragedy. For every young person graduating from university we have a young person leaving school practically illiterate.”

Can parents help? “Parents are a crucial factor in the development of literacy in children. They need to create a literacy-rich environment at home, where a variety of attractive and appealing books and magazines are readily available and where children have the opportunity to watch their parents read. Parents should share and read books with their children, particularly when they are very young.”

Professor Mifsud calls for a greater effort on the early identification of school failure. “There should be a systematic identification of difficulties in basic skills so that early intervention can take place. Recent moves for such identification and intervention at College level are positive, however this also needs to happen at the school and class level and even at the individual child level.” The illiterate youths interviewed in 2006 were among many young persons who decided to follow basic skills courses in literacy and mathematics. These courses are specifically prepared to patiently teach youths the skills they were unable to learn in their childhood. The same persons who had admitted to not enjoying their experience in schools had a change of heart after sitting for these specialised classes. Most of them expressed their satisfaction at the fact that “I am learning”, and that “everything is made easier to understand”. Some of them even confirmed they are now looking forward to continuing their education through other courses. Luckily, it is never too late to learn.

Professor Charles L. Mifsud

Recipe for success?

According to the 2004 nationwide survey on the literacy skills of Year 5 primary school children, some pupils might need more help than others to learn how to read and write: Most likely to need more help

Boys, living in the Inner Harbour region, born in the latter part of the year, of poorly educated parents with father in a low-paid job or unemployed. Most likely to succeed

Girls, born in the earlier part of the year, of highly educated parents, from the South Eastern region for (literacy in) Maltese and from the Northern region for (literacy in) English. Mifsud, C.L., Grech, R., Muscat, D & Rudd, P. (2006) A Study of Young People following Basic Skills Courses in Malta. Education Division, Malta 2 Mifsud, C.L., Grech, R., Hutchison, D., Morrison, J., Rudd, P. & Hanson, J., (2004) Literacy for School Improvement – Value Added for Malta. Agenda Publishers, Malta 3 Eurostat. (2009) Youth in Europe. 1

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

health & beauty

Back up

by Sarah Micallef

Back problems are a common ailment, but a bit of effort goes a long way toward prevention and alleviation. The majority of back problems are a result of muscular tension and tightness which is often caused by bad posture, inactivity, lack of abdominal strength and being overweight.

hysiotherapist Robert Grech asserts that the best way to look after your back is through regular exercise: “Exercise in general maintains a healthy posture and keeps the muscles and ligaments supporting your back supple. It also helps maintain a healthy bone density, particularly later in life. Activities such as Yoga and Pilates will engage your core stability muscles and if performed regularly, will ensure that your back is stable and less prone to injury.” Besides exercise, you should also pay attention to a number of other factors: • Standing – when standing, a large number of us tend to slump forward, which is very bad posture indeed. Aside from looking sloppy though, such a position may cause lower back problems in the long run. Mr Grech warns “Slouching puts unnecessary strain on certain vulnerable areas of your back. Over time, these sensitive areas suffer wear and tear and may give rise to chronic back pain.” The best way to stand (if you want to bypass the old school balance-a-book-on-your-head scenario), is to stand with your knees slightly bent, back straight and tummy in. It helps to pull your chin in slightly too, and if you can help it, don’t stand for a long period of time. • Sleeping – whereas it is common knowledge that orhthopeadic and semi-orhthopeadic mattresses are best for your back, your sleeping position also has some effect. Try sleeping on your side, as sleeping face-down can cause tightness in the lower back. If you sleep face-up, it helps to place a pillow under your knees, as it will keep your lower back flat and minimize tension. • Sitting – for those among us who have to spend lots of time at their desk or in front of a computer, posture is key. Sit at the very back of your chair with your back fully aligned with the back-rest. Your knees should be bent and your feet touching the ground. If you work on a computer, the screen should be just below eye-level. “You should also have a chair which has arm rests, and the keyboard should be at a level where the elbows can rest” maintains Mr. Grech, “a lot of problems can be avoided if the elbows are adequately supported!” • Lifting – when lifting something heavy, always bend your knees as you lift it off the ground, and never lift it higher than your hips. Mr Grech explains, “A poor lifting technique will put a lot of strain on your vertebral discs”, so if you bend your knees, your leg muscles will be doing most of the work not your weaker lower back ones. • Bags – if your handbag or laptop bag is on the heavy side, don’t always carry it on the same shoulder. If you absolutely can’t use a backpack, try to switch shoulders as you go.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

SHOPPING

LEISURE

Contents:

k c a b to l o o sch 1 1 0 201

Vida survey Win â&#x201A;Ź100 !

Back to school

Juggling work and family

Vegetables in September Gardening

You big softie

Dining out

Love lunchtime Food & Drink

Better breakfast Win 2 flights

Hair help Health & Beauty

Congratulations and jubilations Weddings

Back to school laptops Tech & Gadgets

Stick to the road! Motoring

Homes and more

Renew your old furniture DIY

Classifieds

Competitions

Only for Kids

Internet banking Money Matters

Company news Maltese families choose Fritz Energy

For autumn/winter 2010 New Look heads to the slopes drawing on Alpine influences. Nordic prints and Fair Isle knits are interpreted on jumpers and dresses and complemented with ‘Yeti’ style faux fur boots. The 1960s swings into luxury while the 1970s is referenced with baroque style prints on maxi dresses, high-waisted winter shorts and exaggerated bows on blouses. Outerwear gives a warm salute to the military with Sergeant Pepper style jackets and coats in blood red and khaki green. Shearling leather biker jackets add an edge while faux fur makes a welcome return to the winter arena with both feather fur and shaggy fur providing the texture on coats and jackets. Collection colours include camel, khaki, red, grey and black. The autumn/winter collection is now available at New Look, The Point, Sliema.

Several Maltese companies are choosing Fritz Energy to cut down their electricity bills and help protect the environment by installing photovoltaic systems. Installing a photovoltaic (PV) system has become an even more profitable solution since Government raised the feed-in tariff rate to €0.25 per unit. While cutting down utility bills by generating your own electricity, you will also earn €0.25 (€0.28 in Gozo) for any electricity you do not use, as it will be fed into the national grid to be utilised by other consumers. The feed-in tariff is significantly higher than the €0.16 households pay for electricity supplied by Enemalta, the national electricity distribution corporation. A considerable number of Maltese families who applied for the latest Malta Resources Authority scheme

to subsidise up to 50% of the initial cost of this solar solution will be trusting Fritz Energy for the supply and installation of PV systems. The company has a portfolio of large-scale solar systems, including the installation of a 70 solar water heater project in Gozo, and various industrial PV farms for local companies. The company is now drawing on this experience to offer Maltese households the most efficient and affordable PV systems and solar water heaters on the market. In the meantime it is also working on the installation of various other industrial PV systems. For more information and free advice on the best solar solution for your home or business, contact Fritz Energy’s engineers on 2339 2261 or on info@fritzenergy.com.

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Company News

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26 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Company News

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By sending in a questionnaire you are giving Focused Knowledge Ltd permission to store and use your contact details.

WIN €100

Your Vida! Help us make it better and better

We believe that Vida belongs to you, our esteemed readers. We’re receiving hundreds of letters and emails from you every month – we appreciate your comments and suggestions. We are happy that you love Vida. Our aim is to keep it that way, which is why we need your help. We are inviting you to fill in this questionnaire. Tell us what you like and what you would like us to change. We’re not fishing for compliments – we know we’re not perfect. Your honest opinion is very important to us.

All those who fill in the questionnaire and send it to us will enter a draw to win a €100 cash voucher to exchange for any product or service advertised on Vida. You can fill in the survey online: www.vida.com.mt/survey. This too would get you in the draw to win our prize!

QUESTIONS: Name three local magazines you read regularly: Do you read foreign magazines? If yes, name your favourite ones: No

Yes:

Name your three favourite articles from the ones published in Vida this year:

Name your three favourite sections in Vida Shopping & Leisure:

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy reading Vida? 1

10 I love it!

I do not like it

On a scale of 1-10 how likely are you to recommend Vida to a friend? 1

Would not recommend it

Would insist they read it!

In your opinion, on a scale of 1-10 how reliable is Vida’s advice? 1

I don’t trust Vida yet

I feel Vida offers very reliable information

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like Vida Shopping & Leisure? 1 I skip these pages

10 I read it all

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you look forward to Fashion Fairground, Vida’s fashion pages? 1

I skip these pages

They’re the first pages I turn to

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you follow the tips and ideas presented in Fashion Fairground? 1

I don’t care

When I go shopping I look out for the fashion items shown in Vida

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you like the interviews in Vida? 1

I avoid them

I love reading them

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you like Vida’s page layout and design? 1

It is confusing

Which new features/topics would you like to see in Vida?

What do you dislike about Vida?

How often do adverts presented in Vida help you decide what products or services to buy? More than twice in every issue At least once in every issue Not in every issue Rarely Never

Name the adverts featured in Vida this year which you found to be most useful?

Is there anything else you would like to say about Vida?

Name: Address: Tel: Mobile:

ID Card Number: Email: Age: Occupation:

Send your questionnaires to: Survey Competition, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214 All questionnaires should reach our offices by no later than Monday, September 6th, 2010. By sending in a questionnaire you are giving Focused Knowledge Ltd permission to store and use your contact details.

I wish all magazines were as good

Kids

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32 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Juggling work and family Gender roles within the family and the labour market are different now than they were a few years ago. The increased role of men in the sharing of childcare and housework has made it possible for women to return to employment, as they no longer take up the full burden of family work. Current projects set up by the Employment and Training Corporation such as Nista` and Women @ Work continue to aid and promote women’s reintroduction into the work force. For most, childcare is the pressing issue. Who will look after the children while both parents are at work and the children are too young for school? Many turn to grandparents and other able family members – but what when this is not an option? A select few companies possess a childcare centre for their employees’ children, but if you do not form part of the lucky few, other options are also available. One such option is the Government-run childcare centres dotted around Malta, some of which being Lelluxa Childcare Centre in Luqa, Smartkids in B’kara, Birgu and Qawra and It-Tajra Childcare Centre at the University of Malta. There are also plans to open even more centres, due to rising demand – an understandable one, as they are also useful to parents who work longer hours, thus finishing well after their children come home from school. The only thing left to consider for parents is just how much time they should spend at work, away from their children. Whereas a number of families include one parent working full-time while the other holds a part-time position, some children don’t see both parents until the evening. When considering this situation, it’s all about priorities.

Want to take advantage of our great offers? We offer you transport to Shoemark and back for just 1 euro Call us up to one day before to book your transport

When I joined the company I work for, I already had my eldest son Luke, so I worked on a six hour basis from Monday to Friday. After completion of the 14 weeks maternity leave when I had my daughter Lara, I returned to work. I finish work at about 3pm. At the moment, my mother looks after Lara, and Luke too when he is on his summer holidays. As from October, Lara will start school and that will make everything a lot easier, as they’ll both be at school during my working hours. Juggling work and family life is not an easy task! Flexible hours at work and support from my family really help though, as I manage to cope with work and the kids as well as other family commitments. I believe good planning and priorities are the most important aspects! Josianne Galea, Shipping Clark

97 tel: 2180 67 2780 6797

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 33

Back To School

As all parents know, it’s no easy feat adjusting to new arrivals in the family; and in today’s world, it is even more challenging, with the majority of women returning to employment (as a necessity or otherwise) after having children.

Gardening

Vegetables in September

It is the time to take up the older plants which are no longer producing and to prepare the ground for new produce. Start by collecting all the old and withered plants and burning them to reduce the risk of spreading disease. You can burn leaves and branches on soil and then till the soil well. Remove your old drip irrigation pipes and inspect them for rodent damage to see if they are still reusable. Rodent damage has been particularly prevalent this year, resulting in a loss of precious water and I, for one, will shift to a system of buried pipes next year. Till and fertilise the ground well but remember to rotate crops. New tomatoes and potatoes in particular should not go into the same patch as those sown in spring as this depletes the soil from particular minerals and increases the risk of plant disease. Plan your winter garden. There are many vegetables you can consider planting now for harvesting in autumn and early spring.

An interesting and largely unknown process in Malta is cloning tomatoes. If you are still harvesting your summer tomatoes, you can take suckers from your old tomato plants and grow them as separate plants. This saves time and money as you do not start from seed or small seedlings. It is also very satisfying to choose from your successful plants. There is also still time to sow or plant new courgettes. Ideally water the plants with drip irrigation to lessen the risk of mould diseases. If you are not using drip, remember to water close to the roots and avoid wetting the leaves. Dusting the leaves of the young plants lightly with flowers of sulphur will help reduce mildew. Rinse the harvested courgettes well before cooking them. Early potatoes can be sown in a sheltered part of the garden. Fertilise the ground with a general fertiliser, rich in nitrogen, before putting the potatoes in. Even though we may be getting some rain soon, remember that potatoes require a moderate amount

Cloning Tomatoes Cloning tomatoes from your summer tomato plants is simple. Make sure you select healthy plants. Choose suckers that are growing low down in your existing tomato plants. Suckers grow in the joints where a branch comes off the main stem. Bend each sucker back gently but do not press the base of the sucker too hard as this may cause damage. Plant these suckers directly into four-inch pots filled with peat. Dipping the sucker ends in rooting hormone before planting is said to help but it is not essential. Make sure you firm the peat very tightly around the stem when you plant the suckers. Do not be discouraged when you see the leaves wilting. The sucker has no roots

34 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

of watering. Leave enough space between the seed potatoes to allow you to mound the earth round the stalks in due course. This will help the plant produce more potatoes. It avoids the young tubers turning green through exposure to the sun. The end of September is the time for planting broad beans. I do not agree with the local custom of putting in dried beans which you buy from most pet and garden shops. Sometimes the germination rate of these beans is very low and they also produce far less fruit than the commercial seeds you find in appropriate packets. You will be investing in fertiliser and water in any case so it makes sense to use these resources to your maximum benefit. Carrot seeds, spinach, spring onions and rocket (aragula) can also be sown around this time. You can also think of sowing cabbage for transplanting around the end of October and which you will then harvest in early spring.

by Gnome-de-Plume

initially and you will need to keep the peat very moist for the first ten days or so. Then water normally. The suckers will start producing new leaves and you can then transplant them into the garden. Ideally follow the same procedure as for winter tomatoes, prune new suckers and train the tomato plants up canes or supports. This will help air circulation and diminish the risk of mildew and other fungal diseases.

Home Care

You big softie

form eners of t f o s c part Fabri ortant rocess p m i p an dering our n u a l em the se out th – with uld be coar s wo not clothe touch, and ll! a to the fortable at m o ver y c

bric clothes, fa clean our a lovely ts n m e e rg th te g n de le for givi b Whereas s to si n ie o rt e sp are re rtain prop softeners parting ce coat the surface of im y b re is soft textu h make it tually do at they ac r of lubricants, whic fteners them. Wh ye so la c ri in in a th ges of fab the fabric ’t r advanta n e o th d s O e r. e th th at the clo th feel smoo n glide), o o (s ir c g ti n ti-sta r (improvi kles! ie as include an e g in wrin ing iron ce and less cling), mak ain resistan st g n vi ro imp d fabric rgents an g e put dete ents in our washin w y h w n o tm as ar re e p e th m h T e co ible, and in separat til the ot compat softeners they are n ded to the load un nt at th is s – once ad r convenie e u b o ’t machine n re ine twice emicals ca d. In the past, befo the mach t ch si r e vi n e to ft so rinse uld have has been eople wo er. detergent achines, p the soften m r g in fo h n as ai known to modern w e detergent, and ag , they are wels! t th over time , tage in to at to deposi n th va is ad rs e an n e e c it ft ri u b q so t fa ith fabric hed with hich is no problem w ater absorption, w to be was d ly e n e o n e ly h T sw actual ! the fabric’ wels don’t ss naturally decrease d quality to retain their softne o go st o ly m Indeed, meant to hese usual as they’re r sheets. T – ite their e r ry sp e e d n f e D o ft so the dryer. ecause the form in in s le e b th la o the cl used b also avai e added to eners are ore widely Fabric soft efits, but ar fteners are still m n e b e m e sa c so possess th wadays, liquid fabri no e. iv ct e popularity ff e ply more they’re sim

Many fabric softeners though contain toxic chemicals which are deemed harmful. Such chemicals include Alpha-Terpineol, Benzyl acetate, Chloroform and Ethanol. This can affect your choice of fabric softener – are they really worth the possible ill effects? Luckily, more natural alternatives are available in stores. Besides, if you purchase clothing made of natural fibres, the necessity for fabric softener decreases significantly.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 35

Food & Drink

Dining out Looking to chill out in the relaxing atmosphere of a beautifully designed garden?

Mistral Wine, Dine and Chill Lounge at the Qawra Seafront (opposite Sunny Coast) is the place to be!

For bookings and more info call 9982 1805

Exquisite selection of wines and platters

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Open everyday, till late We also accept bookings for private functions and wine experience nights

Set in the heart of Spinola Bay, CHAINS, offers a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes specialising in Wild Boar, Venison & Sizzling Dishes. For something lighter, why not try one of our vast range of pasta and pizza? Or perhaps indulge in a succulent fish dish whilst admiring the spectacular view. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genuine dishes and great value for money you are looking for, CHAINS is definitely the place for you. Special Introductory Offer: Cocktails & Smoothies available from just 3.50euro CHAINS is open daily from 10am and last orders are taken at midnight. We also accept bookings for all sorts of parties â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Birthdays, Stag Nights, Staff Parties. For more info call on 2137 5567.

CHAINS...where people meet people

36 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Benefit from a 10% discount on presentation of this voucher next time you are at CHAINS

Lovin’ lunchtime Firstly, some guidelines to follow when preparing a packed lunch:

Now some tips on what to actually include in your packed lunch:

Choose a lunch box of a good size with proper insulation that can easily be wiped clean. Make a plan of what you want to include at the beginning of the week, and buy any extra ingredients you may not have. Be sure to vary your lunch – don’t make the same thing every day or it’s bound to get boring. If making lunch for your kids, it’s always a good idea to get them involved – ask them what they want! Remember to refrigerate items that might spoil.

Try to incorporate a main dish, a portion of fruit/veg, a snack and a drink. Sandwiches are the tried-and-tested favourite. You can change up fillings according to taste and as often as you like. Fresh fruit is easily included in a packed lunch – no wrapping and packing required! It’s a good idea to buy foods like yoghurts, cereal bars, dried fruit and other snacks, as these are easy to add to your packed lunch. If you have access to a microwave or a fridge at your workplace, the world is your oyster when it comes to lunch. You can include leftovers from dinner or even plan ahead when cooking the day before by making a little extra.

A South American Alternative

Hands up who’s ever heard of quinoa? No, it’s not the town in Peru! The seeds from this grain-like crop are known for their remarkably high protein content and, unlike rice, it also contains a balanced set of essential amino acids, making it really healthy! It tastes just like couscous, so why not try a nice cold quinoa salad for your next lunch break?

ACH

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Ltd.

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Clint G

45 mob: 9943 79 7 2 tel: 2732 27 melita.com email: derby@ vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 37

Food & Drink

As we all prepare to settle back into our Autumn routines with the kids back at school and a lot less daylight hours, certain changes need to be made. Apart from selecting the perfect new school shoes, bag or pencil case, the dilemma of packing a healthy and still exciting lunch returns. Whereas making a packed lunch saves money and is a great way to ensure your children eat healthily, it doesn’t have to be limited to kids. A packed lunch is also a great alternative to buying lunch in your own lunch break, and with a little effort, you can make it healthy and still look forward to it come midday!

Better breakfast Food & Drink

The world celebrates Better Breakfast Month during September and we feel that it’s our duty to share some delicious and easy early morning meals you’ll love to try out. Remember that having breakfast is the best way to start the day especially if you’re on a diet - it gives you energy, improves thinking skills and boosts your metabolism.

Leftover Fruit Smoothie:

Ready in less than 5 minutes! (1 serving) Leftover fruit just means pieces that are a little too ripe or soft to be appealing fresh, but are still full of nutrition and taste great blended into a drink! Waste not, want not! Ingredients: leftover fruit, milk, sugar or honey. Mix fruit with milk, blend and add sugar to taste. Quick and easy and will start your day off with a kick! Other LetGoDine.com healthy recipe ideas • Cereal with strawberries and skimmed milk • Oatmeal, orange and skimmed milk • Pancakes topped with fruit and skimmed milk • Bagel with peanut butter, banana and milk • Granola bar, apple and yogurt

Win two flights to any European destination!

ATTENTION ELVIS FANS! A not so healthy breakfast recipe you’ll just love!

This is a favourite sandwich of the late, great Elvis Presley. The combination of peanut butter and bacon may seem weird to some, but once you try it, you’ll understand why the king loved this sandwich. Elvis Breakfast Sandwich

(4 servings) - 2 Tablespoons softened butter - 8 slices white bread - 1/2 cup peanut butter - smooth or chunky - 1 large ripe banana - sliced - about 1/4 cup honey - 12 slices bacon - cooked and crispy

Create 4 sandwiches by spreading equal amounts of peanut butter over 4 slices of bread. Top each with slices of banana. Drizzle honey over the bananas. Place three slices of bacon on each sandwich and top with another slice of bread. Butter the outside of each sandwich. Fry on a griddle or in a large frying pan over medium heat until both sides are golden brown. Slice each sandwich in half and serve warm.

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and give instructions at the same time? Kitchen multitasking at its best! If you can, then you’re the person we’re looking for! Send us your video clip, this might be your ticket to fame!

Secrets will be revealed when LetsGoDine.com hits the airwaves this October with their newly launched TV show LetsGoDine.

LetsGoDine.com SHOP AND WIN This summer, lots

Some of our island’s best chefs team up to give food and wine enthusiasts great recipes, fantastic food and wine matches, entertaining ideas and all you need to know to become ‘king’ of your kitchen. Oh yes, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and find your hidden cooking talent. It’s definitely not your typical local TV culinary programme, LetsGoDine.com promises to truly treat cooking as absolute entertainment.

of registered members have enjoyed some of our signature LetsGoDine.com gourmet baskets and wine boxes from the LetsGoDine.com shopping cart. The LetsGoDine.com team in collaboration with Dical House also give you the possibility of customising your own hamper. Regardless of whether you are giving a gourmet and wine basket as a gift or if it’s for your own indulgence, with each purchase you will also be taking part in our shop and win competition – 10 LetsGoDine.com registered members will win our LetsGoDine.com signature gift basket. 38 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

LETSGODINE.COM

PAYS YOUR DINNER! Dining enthusiasts all over the world love to experiment and taste fascinating dishes and intriguing wines in a beautiful setting and in good company. Dining is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures no matter which part of the world you’re from. Gastronomy is an international language enjoyed and appreciated by millions of diners! We, at LetsGoDine.com believe that you will continue to enhance the skill of appreciating great food and wine matches purely out of practice, that is the repetitive dining experience – the chance to taste as many different dishes made by the artist in the kitchen – the chef. Pure bliss.

REALITY CHECK: We’re all on a budget and not many can afford to dine out regularly and certainly not as frequently as we might wish. SOLUTION: www.LetsGoDine.com and VIDA are about to change that. Read on.

chance to dine at our preferred selection of restaurants at 50% off. The are ‘Preferred restaurants’ because the LetsGoDine.com team and affiliates will be visiting these establishments to make sure you get the STAR treatment you deserve. Every month LetsGoDine.com will offer registered members the chance to eat at a variety of restaurants offering all kinds of cuisines and specialities, from Mediterranean to Asian, Italian or Maltese for either lunch or dinner.

NEXT STEP: Send an email to info@ letsgodine.com and the LetsGoDine.com team will send you the list of our ‘Preferred Restaurants’ for September as well as complete details of the offer and on how you can dine out at half price.

THE DEAL: You’ll pay 50% of the value of

your meal – LETSGODINE.COM will pay the other 50% of the bill – now didn’t that just get your attention? This offer is exclusively available to LetsGoDine.com registered members. Therefore apart from your free membership card, special offers on gourmet and wine baskets, discounts on wine travel as well as free LetsGoDine.mobi service and some great culinary competitions you now have the opportunity to dine out at half price.

Every month, VIDA readers and LetsGoDine. com registered members will have the

Living up to our slogan, LetsGoDine.com the ultimate dining experience. vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 39

Food & Drink

Don’t you just love the sound of that?

Congratulations and jubilations Your choice of wedding entertainment can make your wedding memorable for any number of reasons. If you’re aiming to stay away from reminisces such as ‘Gosh, d’you remember that wedding with the horrible band?’ then these tips are for you!

Weddings

There are generally three types of entertainers traditionally used at weddings receptions:

DJs: DJs are the common choice because they’re generally adaptable. A good DJ will provide ample musical variety to suit everyone’s taste – from the young bucks to your great grandmother! An important point is to ensure that your chosen DJ is familiar with the volume levels suited to your occasion – make sure he knows it’s not a mad rave!

Live Music: Hiring a band or singers adds a special touch to your reception – but it doesn’t come without its difficulties. The song selection is bound to be more limited and volume adjustment may no be as easy. It’s also important to factor in the time it takes for sound checks – you don’t want the first things your guests hear to be ‘testing, testing’ do you?

Karaoke: Whereas a fun and interactive option, karaoke is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you do decide to go for it, make sure you alternate off-key crooning with regular dance songs to keep everyone happy.

When it comes to selecting the entertainment, you can get a list of available entertainers from your wedding planner (if you have one), a business directory or even wedding planning websites. Whatever entertainment you choose, it’s a good idea to use a written contract specifying the date, start and end time and cost, so as not to encounter any difficulties later. Good luck!

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Buy 1 get 1 FREE or 35% Discount PAOLA: TEL: 21806797 OPEN ALL DAY | MON - SAT GOZO - VICTORIA : TEL: 27563481 OPEN ALL DAY | SAT ONLY 40 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Hair help After three months of sea, sun and chlorine, tresses often look dry and just plain tired. When summer is over, the combination of these factors can leave your hair lacking in moisture and suffering breakages. Whereas prevention is the best cure in the form of moisturising shampoo, conditioner and other protective products suited to the beach environment; all is not lost! The most effective way to revitalised beach-exhausted hair (often dry, frizzy and brittle) is a hair cut. Trimming split ends is essential in terms of maintaining hair strength. Besides the chop, there are a variety of treatments and leave-in conditioners on the market to help with sun-stressed hair. Some of them call for leaving them in the hair for a specified period of time and then rinsing, whereas some necessitate leaving them in until the next wash – it all depends on your choice of product. Aside from shop-bought treatments however, a natural remedy is also available in the form of a humble egg. Here’s how: • Separate the egg white from the yolk and whip it thoroughly. • Add a tablespoon of water to the egg yolk and blend until creamy. • Mix them together. • Apply the mixture to damp hair and massage until it is fully worked into the scalp. • Rinse your hair with cool water and keep reapplying until the entire mixture has been used up.

Did Summer leave your skin dry and flaky? Dead Sea Spa Magik’s Skin Softener is a natural remedy to rehydrate your skin and give it new life. The vitamins and Dead Sea salts contained in Spa Magik’s Skin Softener feed your skin and keep it moisturized. Dead Sea Spa Magik has received prestigious awards, such as the “Best Product for Dry Skin” at the 2009 UK Natural and Beauty Awards. Dead Sea Spa Magik is distributed by Serolf Trading Agency Ltd and is available exclusively from leading health shops and pharmacies. Call 2133 7231 for trade enquiries. Log on to www.serolf.com to view Dead Sea Spa Magik’s promotional calendar.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 41

Health & Beauty

Tech & Gadgets

Recession –

technology could be the answer!

Recession happens, just as night follows day, and is always tough on everyone concerned - from the corporate decision maker right down to the person in the street. With the economy still shedding jobs everybody is looking at possible solutions in order to ensure a speedy recovery. This scenario brings about a lot of negatives, but oddly enough it also provides the opportunity for people to look at their affairs in a different light. In times of crisis people can become more motivated to think outside the box and push the technology and innovation envelope further. With fuel on the increase, cost-conscious commuters and transport operators alike are adopting new technologies to help them get a better grasp on their operational costs and to save money. GPS technology can now be easily integrated in vehicles in order to reduce fuel costs, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.

Internet Computer GPS

Your vehicle

This is how it works:

Immediate Benefits

GPS tracking solutions use satellite technology to provide real time fleet vehicle locations and record historical vehicle activity.

• Accurately monitor time spent driving and the time a vehicle is stopped, with position information • Reduce excessive overtime and paperwork with automated time sheets • Protect vehicle against theft • Eliminate unauthorised vehicle use • Monitor excessive idle times • Increase route efficiencies with

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth - as long as it

42 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

has an unobstructed view of four or more GPS satellites. In conjunction with mobile phone technology all this information can be relayed back to a control centre or a desktop computer in real time. The GPS tracking unit records and transmits all pertinent vehicle information including location, direction, speed, idling, engine start up/ shut down and any other vital information via a mobile phone network.

GPRS/CDMA

live tracking and mapping • Improve response times • Increase fuel economy • Reduce mobile phone communication costs • Alert when drivers over speed – a huge source of wasted fuel • Provide reliable measurements to reward productive employees • Encourage safe driving techniques

Back to School Laptops First of all you need to look at the budget you’re putting aside for your portable companion. If you are very tight on cash you need not worry because you can still get a very decent netbook for just over €300. Don’t expect to be launching any space shuttles from it though, because these do tend to have quite limited processing capabilities. Pushing it slightly, for under €600 you can get yourself a decent machine for basic day-to-day computing. This increase in price will give you more multimedia options, a larger screen and

better performance. When budget is not really an issue and you can spend close to €1,000 then the options are much wider - you can start considering Macbooks and high end desktop replacements computers which are as powerful as a desktop PC but maintain some degree of portability. Netbooks are usually great to complement another (main) computer - be it a desktop PC or a chunky laptop - however keep in mind that they’re relatively low on processing power and might not be enough to be your only computer. Having said that, these tiny machines are far more practical if you’re looking at portability and a high degree of autonomy (long battery life). A larger laptop is great if you use it mostly at home but might need to move around from time to time. Do not underestimate how heavy the 3kgs most 15.4” laptops weigh when you’re lugging it around with you on buses and across campus. By opting for something larger you’ll usually also get an optical drive (DVD or even Bluray), a larger screen and better sound - which means you have a better multimedia machine too.

You also have to take a good look at the specifications of the computer you’ll be investing in. There isn’t much of a choice in netbooks, even though the later generation processors (Intel Atom 450 and 550) offer better processing power. With laptops look for a decent amount of memory (the norm now is 3GB of RAM) and large hard drives to be able to keep all your photos, songs and movies. Always ask about the battery life of portable computers - with netbooks anything between five and ten hours are achievable whereas normal laptops are much hungrier and usually only give you a couple of hours at best. At the end of the day your decision should be based on your needs - do not buy a laptop simply because “it, like, looks soooo cute in pink” or simply because you think that bigger is better more often than not bigger is simply much more of a back ache. Evaluate what you need to do with it and where you will be doing it, think of the importance of a large screen and keyboard if you’ll be spending hours working on assignments on it, think of the screen size if you wish to watch movies on it every day or keep the weight and battery life in mind if you intend on stuffing it in a bag and carrying it around all day long.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 43

Tech & Gadgets

School starts in less than a month, but all is not lost. Even though the time of constant lazing is over you can celebrate having a lot of reasons to splurge on all the gadgets and gizmos you had been saving for. The main one (and best excuse) is a laptop - it has the perfect alibi since you need it to work on too.

Stick to the road! One of the most crucial aspects to road safety is tyre grip - however this depends on a number of factors working well within your vehicle. The major factor is obviously the condition of your car’s tyres. Before the winter season begins in earnest you should take the time to check all your tyres well and replace any which are damaged or worn out. There are many ways in which tyres’ performance can be reduced. Unfortunately in many cases the recommendations given here will only help you find out what went wrong - there isn’t much you can do to repair a tyre which has been worn unevenly. Motoring

Over-inflation A pattern of wear down the centre of the tyre indicates you have put in more air than you should have. This does not only damage the thread but is also dangerous because an overinflated tyre will lose grip quickly since you have less surface area making contact with the ground. This is especially dangerous when present on the front tyres. Under-inflation Although safer than over-inflated tyres, by not having enough air pressure in your wheels you make your car slower, increase fuel consumption and damage your tyres. The tell-tale sign is a tyre which looks wider at the bottom when static and a wear pattern which is much more pronounced on the outsides of the wheels. Misalignment A car’s wheel can lose its horizontal or vertical alignment over time. If this becomes severe enough it will reflect in the wear pattern of the tyre’s thread. The solution is to take your car to a wheel specialist to align your wheel’s alignment and camber before replacing your tyre. If you don’t do this you’ll simply be transferring the problem onto your new investment. End of life Even if well taken-care of, every tyre will eventually need replacement when it is worn out. The minimum recommended thread height is 1.6mm, however this is very hard to measure so ideally if in doubt take your vehicle to your tyre specialist and ask them to measure your threads or to give you their opinion. Manufacturers also include raised bridges in between threads as indicators. If these are visible then it is time you look for a new set. It is surely better to err on the side of caution than risk losing control. Knocks & bumps With the state of our roads it is also very likely that at some point or other you would need to replace a tyre or two because you drove straight into a pothole or bump in the street. The telltale sign is usually a bump on the tyre’s surface or wall. Treat these defects as very urgent because this is something which will lead to a blowout, which can be very dangerous if it happens at speed.

44 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Motoring

What to look out for... When replacing your tyres you have a major choice to make - do you stick to the same model you had or is it time to change the specifications? Tyres have various specifications which can change - each one of these will have its advantages and disadvantages, but if you know what you want choosing should be a breeze.

Wheel size The overall diameter of the wheel affects your car’s performance - the larger the wheel the higher your top speed. Smaller wheels, on the other hand, increase acceleration. Tyre height Although directly linked to wheel diameter, the height of your tyre also affects grip and ride comfort. Higher tyres give you a better (softer) ride but reduce your car’s cornering capabilities. If you’re looking for a sportier ride you have to settle for low profile tyres but keep in mind that you’ll be in for a bumpy life. If you want low profile and large wheels then you’ll have to increase the rim size and lower the profile. Tyre width Tyre width is mostly cosmetic in low powered cars, however there are a number of factors to keep in mind. Very powerful cars need wide tyres to help the transfer of power from the engine to the tarmac. Wide tyres on the front wheels, however, reduce the car’s turning circle and can increase aquaplaning (where your wheels skim over puddles, meaning you lose control completely). Tyre compound Tyre manufacturers alter the mixture of the compound they make tyres from depending on the performance they would like to offer. When selecting a tyre compound you have to keep your usage in mind, because this is really crucial here. A hard compound tyre will be more durable and give you many more miles of usage, however a soft compound gives you much better grip while sacrificing longevity. Therefore if you drive around slowly most of the time it would be a waste of money to buy soft compound tyres, especially since they usually cost more than the hard compound equivalent. Tyre Thread Tyre thread varies greatly depending on the manufacturer, especially since it is more expensive to develop and manufacture the more complex designs. In general the more you spend on a tyre, the more work has gone into the planning of the grooves. Assuming you’re only considering road tyres, these make the biggest difference when travelling in wet conditions. A good set of tyres will push all the water out of the way, allowing the rubber to be in constant contact with the road’s surface. vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 45

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46 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

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m vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 47

Renew your old furniture! We all have that odd piece of old furniture lying around the house – a coffee table, a small cabinet or a chair. They may not match the furniture in any of our rooms so they end up in the box room. With a few hours’ work, that small table or cabinet can give us a new, stylish feature at a small cost. Here are some tips to consider when re-painting or staining furniture:

DIY

Can we fix it? Before getting your sand paper and brushes out, distinguish between old and antique furniture. An old table is one you bought 10 or 20 years ago, and which has little value today. Antique furniture is older, more elaborate, and more valuable. If you suspect that your old piece is actually an antique, seek professional advice before restoring it. Otherwise you may ruin it forever.

Getting ready. Get your furniture to a well-ventilated space. Start by removing any metal hardware attached to the furniture, such as handles and locks. If your item has drawers, remove them and treat them separately. Number them with a pencil to make sure they go back in the right order after repainting.

Removing old paint. Wood has to be sanded down thoroughly before repainting. If you want to reveal the grain to stain it, you’re in for a tougher job – all old paint has to be scraped off. If you are using a paint remover, test a small patch on a section that is not visible to ensure that it will not damage the wood. Always follow the instructions on the container. When the grain is exposed, sand the wood to smoothen it. Clean the wood thoroughly to remove all residue.

Repair. Before painting, check whether there are any holes or cracks that need to be filled in. Pay particular attention to corners, which may be chipped. Wait for the filler to dry and sand it down again. Sometimes you may also need to reinforce wobbly parts, such as chair legs, by replacing screws or by glueing.

Painting. Choose a colour that matches the area where you plan to place the furniture. Paint comes in various finishes including gloss, matte, and eggshell or satin. Be creative - remember that if you don’t like the finished job, you can always paint it over again. Paint with a brush or with a roller, which gives you a smoother finish. Rollers come in various sizes, even as small as 2.5 centimetres (1 inch). Apply one or two coats, as required. Ideally sand the wood with a very fine sand paper between coats.

Stain the grain. If you want to match your item to other stained furniture you have in the room, start by testing the stain on a discarded piece of wood with a similar grain. Remember that you can darken a light stain by applying a second coat of the same (or a darker) stain. Start with a light stain colour, and step it up until you are happy with the result. Once you match the shade, apply the same number of coats to your item. For a smoother finish, apply a thin coat of clear varnish.

Spice it up. If you are good with the brush, decorate your item with any design you like. If you don’t share this talent, try stencils. You can buy them from most DIY shops, or download them from the Internet, print them on stencil paper, and cut them out with a utility knife. Alternatively, get a sponge and dab a pattern with a different colour. Furniture decals are also available, and are particularly popular when decorating furniture for children’s bedrooms or nurseries.

48 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

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2 bedroom apartments Luxuriously finished apartments in Misrah Kola, Attard Homes & Property

Prices starting from 2 bedroom apartments €109,500 (LM47,000) Prices starting from 3 bedroom apartments €109,500 (LM47,000) Prices starting from 3 bedroom apartments €125,800 (LM54,000) Prices starting from Direct from Owners! €125,800 (LM54,000)

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Call owner - 7959 4184 (Available for viewings Monday to Saturday) 85

vida.com.mt | Issue 08 | August 2010

ZebbugA beautifully converted HOC, one of the oldest in the Village, having all original features €423.600. Ref: 068-ATT-04158 Lara: 99052920

Msida 3 bedrooms APARTMENT, close to all amenities with own washroom & use of roof. €135.552. Ref: 068-att-04131 Lara: 99052920

Iklin- Maisonette comprising of a K/L/D, 4 Bedrooms, Laundry, Lift & a roof with 360 degrees views. €270.905. Ref: 064-att-04075. Call James: 99052931

MarsascalaApartment comprising of open plan K/L/D, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms & use of Roof. Price: 109.000euros. Ref: 057-FGR-03999. Call James: 99052931

Cospicua TOWNHOUSE comprises of a hall, large surrounding rooms, backyard, marble staircase, 2 bedrooms, roof & cellar. €349.500. Ref: 001-FGR03947. Call Kris: 99990008

Iklin- Terraced House comprises of entrance hall, living room, kitchen/ dining, 4 bedrooms & garage €344.747. Call Lee: 99052930 Ref: 002-att-03025

Homes & Property

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Iklin- Terraced House, comprising of D, K/L, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, playroom, own roof & 1 car garage €345.911. Call Lee: 99052930 Ref: 002-ATT02405

San Pawl Ta’Targa - New on the market is this 3 bedroom groundfloor luxuriously finished maisonette in this sought after area. €194.000. Josephine: 79311117 Ref: 012SPB-01311

Zurrieq - Paradise on earth, ready to move into Farmhouse set on 3 tumoli of land with 3 bedrooms, pool & stables €869.200. Josephine: 79311117 Ref: 045-att-03322

Paola - A truly magnificent corner property retaining all original features & 4 bedrooms.€174.703. Ivan: 99052923 Ref: 035-att-04111

Marsascala - VILLA comprising a 6 car front drive, 3 bedrooms, garage 25X4ft & a garden 60X30ft. €750.000. Ivan: 99052923 Ref: 063-att03954

Attard – VILLA comprising of 3 bedrooms, hall, L/D, S, study room,toilet, kitchen, dining & garage.€493.361. Dorian: 99052937 Ref: 041-att-04027

Siggiewi - Apartment, having a K/L/D room, 3 bedrooms, front balcony, storage room, roof & views. €90.000. Dorian: 99052937 Ref: 031-stj-02312

Naxxar - 2 bedroom APARTMENT having an open plan, K/L/D, a utility room and bathroom. €106.180. Mario:99052928 Ref: 058-spb04063

Madliena - 2 bedroom APARTMENT with side seaviews from balcony & a large open plan. €174.700. Mario: 99052928 Ref: 058-spb-03801

Zurrieq - 1st floor MAISONETTE having a massive living room, K/D, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & a good sized yard.€209.500. Jon: 99052935 Ref: 065fgr-04127

Marsascala - A ground floor MAISONETTE having a kitchen with appliances including a 42inch TV, K/L/D, 3 bedrooms, 2 yards & garage €202.200. Jon: 99052935 Ref: 066-fgr-04040

Paola - Town House build to the highest elite Maltese architecture. Comprising of 10 large rooms, balconies, beautiful stairway, garden and full airspace. €180.000 Call Kris: 99990008

Zurrieq – HOC converted to high standards comprising a kitchen, living overlooking terrace, kitchen, 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. €221,000 Kris 99990008

Sliema - Corner Town House set on 3 floors consisting of an L/D room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a roof terrace.€209.000 Kris - 99990008 Ref: 043-ATT-03574

Qawra Apartment comprising an open plan K/L/D leading onto the terrace enjoying views, 2 bedrooms & back yard. €100.000 Ref: 035-ATT-02426. Call Kris- 9990008

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T: (+356) 2339 2339 | F: (+356) 2339 2247 | M: (+356) 9999 0008

www.coldwellbankermalta.com vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 51

Property for sale

Vehicles for sale

Attard - Misrah Kola - Maisonettes/apartments in a block of beautifully laid out residences. Direct from owners. Phone 9930 0527.

Mercedes - ML420. V8 Diesel. Full Extras. As new condition. Call 7905 6660.

Classifieds

Attard - 4 plots on 3 roads (3 corner plots) with MEPA permit for 23 apartments - P.O.R. Call 7905 6660. Mellieha - Large 3 bedroom maisonette. Must be seen. €125,000. Negotiable. Call 9982 7074. Msida - 3 bedroom apartments. Finished. €104,800 (Lm45,000). Call 7905 6660. Sicily, Ragusa - 165sqm fully detached unconverted farmhouse with 2991sqm of land €120,000.00 freehold. Call 9949 0515.

Property to let Mellieha - New penthouse with spectacular views, fully furnished and airconditioned.Kitchen,living/dining room,2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms (1 ensuite) and 2 large terraces. Available for long let.€750 monthly. Call 9923 8014. Valletta - Expertly converted 17th century Palazzo with underlying flatlet. Features ‘Piano Nobile’. 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Can also be let furnished & with garage. Call 9947 1250. €2,800 monthly, negotiable.

BMW 320D M Sport - Dec. 2004. €15,000. Immaculate Condition. Call 9949 0515. Land Rover - Series IIA. Ex Army Long wheel base. Power steering. 2.5 Diesel Engine. €2,800 negotiable. 9982 7074 Land Rover - SWB Series IIA converted to Defender - 2.5l TD engine, Coil springs, power steering & brakes, disc brakes. €4,600 negotiable - 9989 5100. Subaru Vivio - 1990. White. Good Condition.€1,000. Call 7944 6180.

For Sale Car Tyres - For all types of new tyres at competitive prices, express fitting and puncture repairs. Call David for more information - 2131 6058 / 7931 6058. Satellite T.V. – Professional satellite dish installation and repairs of all satellite decoders. Call 99856742.

To book your advert you can: • Send the details and photos you wish to include in the advert, together with a cheque payable to ‘Focused Knowledge Ltd’, by post to:

CLASSIFIEDS, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214.

• Send the advert details and photos by email followed by a cheque sent by post to the same postal address above.

classifieds@vida.com.mt

• Visit our offices at Pitkali Road, Attard, and ask for our Sales Team to book your advert and pay in cash or by cheque.

52 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

All bookings and payments must reach our offices by no later than 10 August 2010. Bookings that reach our offices after this date will be published in the following issue.

Tourna Grips – Discover for yourself why top pros depend on the non-slip quality of the Tourna Grips. Starting from €2.50. Call 79856742.

Private Tuition Learning to read and write in English and Maltese, Small Groups, Locality – Paola. Call 7926 0818.

Services Indulge in relaxation! BodyComfort Mosta are offering a holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing. Spend €15 to get a free scalp massage. Call 99872381 / 27016503. Models wanted – Male and female models between the ages of 18 and 50 wanted for advertising and fashion magazine shoots. Send recent photos (close up and full body shot) to fashion@vida.com.mt. Alessandros International gel nail technician and Itec UK qualified beauty therapist. With every five treatments, sixth is half price. 7989 3792.

Wanted Red, purple and black velvet - Any quantities and in any condition. No fancy prices. Call 7930 3685. Small affordable bar/restaurant - in central location for rent. Must have food permits and ideally well equipped. Phone 99172970.

From

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August Winner! The winner of last month’s Vida competitions is Charles Spiteri, from Naxxar. He correctly identified page 71 as that featuring a Nobel Prize Winner – the late Portuguese author Jose Saramago.

Complete this Sudoku game and send it to us by post or via email. The correct answers will enter a draw to win a €100 voucher to exchange for any product or service advertised on Vida*.

8 3 6 2 8 2

3 2 8 9 7 9 4 2 1 5

Another chance to

WIN:

In which page of Vida can you find a bourbon cream?

8 9 3 4 7 9 2 8 7 1 6 3

All competition replies should reach our offices by Friday September 10th. Send your entries to Competitions, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214, or by email on win@vida.com.mt.* * See bottom of page for more information on the prizes. By sending in an entry to any of Vida magazine’s competitions, you are giving Focused Knowledge Ltd and carefully selected partners permission to store and use your contact details.

Here’s another chance of winning the €100 voucher*. Just answer this question, send us your reply, and enter the draw to win.

August’s solution 9 2 6 1 5 7 3 8 4

5 4 8 2 3 6 9 7 1

7 3 1 8 9 4 2 6 5

4 9 7 5 6 8 1 2 3

1 8 2 9 4 3 7 5 6

3 6 5 7 2 1 4 9 8

6 1 9 4 8 2 5 3 7

8 5 4 3 7 9 6 1 2

2 7 3 6 1 5 8 4 9

Lilian Mifsud is the winner of last month’s NNG competition. She wins 2 VIP tickets to Sir Elton John’s concert at The Granaries, Floriana, on September 26th.

Pollino’s ‘Spot the Chicken’ Competition Spot the chicken in Vida! In which pages can you find the Pollino’s chickens hidden in this issue of Vida? The top 25 correct submissions will win a meal for two at Pollino’s Restaurant, St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s, offering many grilled chicken dishes in a wide range of sauces.

SUGGESTIONS & QUESTIONS COMPETITION R. Caruana, one of the readers who suggested Miriam Dalli to interview Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando (see page 60), is the winner of this month’s Suggestions and Questions Competition. Suggestions and questions to the experts (see page 5) published will enter a draw to win a €100 voucher to exchange for any product or service advertised on Vida*. Miriam Dalli and Jane Vella, two of our regular contributors, are waiting for your ideas as well. Let us know who you want them to interview.

Vida vouchers for August’s competitions are valid at: ACH Foods and Beverages Imports Ltd, Amrita, Banif, BOV, Cartridge World Malta, Chains Restaurant, Clima 755, Coldwell Banker, Cyberpass, Die Ecke, Estetika, Fahrenheit Freight Forwarders, Fapi Motors, Flock Image, Fritz, JWT Caruana, K&S Marketing Ltd, La Gatta, Living Concept, Magri Bathrooms, Malta Projects Development Ltd, Mistral, New Look, Nimrod, NNG, Queguapa, Shoemark, Splash ‘n’ Fun, Sylvia Bazaar, Ta’ Maria Restaurant, Tiptoes, Twenty 2, Victor Azzopardi Jewellers.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 53

Competitions

S N O I T I T COMPE

Kids

Only for Kids

The word collage comes from the French word ‘coller’ which means to glue. The most common types of collages are made using paper, wood and photos, but the sky is the limit with this art form! A collage is created by gathering pieces or chunks of different things together to create a completely new picture by glueing them all onto paper or canvas. Collage can be practiced as a hobby, or means of decorating books, greeting cards and scrapbooks.

What can you use? Some things you might use to make a collage are newspaper or magazine cut outs, ribbon, fabric, comics, food labels, twigs, shells or literally anything you can get your hands on – just make sure you use lots of glue!

How it all began? The art of collage dates back hundreds of years, though it enjoyed a resurgence as an art form in the early 20th century. Before that, a type of collage was used in around 200 BC in China – at around the same time that paper was invented! The technique was very limited until the 10th century, when calligraphers began using collage and applying different bits of paper to their work. During the Medieval period in Europe, a type of collage using gold leaf began to be used in art, and this continued throughout the Gothic period, where cathedrals were decorated using precious metals applied to religious iconography.

Famous collages Despite the early uses of the art of collage, it remains mostly associated with modern art through the work of artists Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. It also continues to be used in its varying forms by artists today! Some famous collages include the ‘Blue Nude II’ by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso’s ‘Compotier avec fruits, violon et verre’.

54 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

‘Blue Nude II’ by Henri Matisse

‘Compotier avec fruits, violon et verre’ by Pablo Picasso

‘Cut with the Dada Kitchen Knife through the Last Weirmar Beer - Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany’ by Hannah Hoch

Newspapers Magazines Ribbon Fabric Comics Twigs Shells

Pebbles Labels

X X

R R

T T

F F

A A

Y Y

U U

K K

L L

P P

F F

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N N W W F F

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Secret Word: _ _ _ _ _ _ is the French word for ‘to glue’.

Rach Rach ela Salib ela S a aliba

Nathan Vella Nathan Vella

We have hidden the names of 10 things you can use in a collage. Find them all, including the secret word, and send us the solution by post. The correct answers will enter a draw to win a €100 voucher (see page 80 for more info).

Another chance to win

Now it’s your turn to get creative! Make a collage using any materials you like, as long as it’s no bigger than A4 sized. Impress us with your imagination and be in with another chance of winning the €100 voucher. Send Send your your competition competition replies, replies, together together with with your your name, name, surname, surname, age age and and contact contact details details (address, (address, telephone telephone number, number, email email address), address), to: Kids Competition, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, to: Kids Competition, Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD ATD 2214 2214

Sarah Gr Sarah ima Grim a

uffy Sarah D a y a ffSalib h sDcu FSraanrace ba sca Sali France

Jeand

re’ Po

Jeand

rtelli

re’ Po

rtelli

August Competition

WINNER! Ashley M. Grima, 11, from Tarxien is the winner of last month’s competition. Her picture was Yasmine Galea drawn from the many entries we received last month.

Yasmine Galea

Kids Competition

by by no no later later than than Friday, September 10th 2010 2010.

ollii ico eem mic D D a riia M Maar LLia ian nd dra B ra Bo org rg

Darren Darren Gauci Gauci

T T

U U C C

Yanica Schiavone

Kids

A A

Last month we asked you to send us drawings of your favourite beach. Here are some of the entries we received: Yanica Schiavone

inaa ililin rraaAAqquu la la C C ia ia r r Maa M

Word Search Competition !

August Competition

WINNER! Ashley M. Grima, 11, from Tarxien is the winner of last month’s competition. Her picture was drawn from the many entries we received last month.

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010 55

Money Matters

Internet Banking Have you ever met the item of your dreams in the middle of a holiday without the necessary funds in your credit card? Do you dread the long queues whenever you need to settle a bill, or at bank’s branches to transfer funds to another account or pay your credit card bills?

BOV’s Internet Banking gives you access to your finances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, wherever you are in the world as long as you have access to the internet. What is BOV Internet Banking? BOV’s Internet Banking gives you full access to your accounts from the comfort of your home, office, hotel room or anywhere else through mobile broadband. This includes viewing your account statements and balances, transferring funds between your accounts or to third parties as well as the possibility of transferring funds abroad. Another great feature is the possibility of settling a large number of bills directly from your account without incurring extra charges or having to send cheques by post. The added benefit is that all funds transferred between your accounts, including credit cards and payments to third parties appear in the beneficiary account in real time. Other services available include ordering foreign cash, bank drafts and cheque books as well as setting up and changing standing order instructions. You may also send instructions to the bank to block your debit/credit cards in the case of loss or theft, apply for the SMS notification service or Mobile top up service, change your customer details and much more. How secure is BOV Internet Banking? Your personal bank details are accessed via the BOV Securekey. This Securekey - similar to a pocket calculator – is an electronic device which generates a one-time electronic password. This password, a six digit number which is created every time you use the securekey, guarantees optimal high-level security and is required to log in or ‘authorise’ transactions.

What are the benefits of using BOV Internet Banking? BOV Internet Banking allows customers to benefit from lower charges than the ones normally applied by the Bank should the service be done through the normal banking channels. Moreover, BOV Internet Banking is good for the environment since no receipts are sent out. All transactions may be viewed online and in real time. However, should you wish to have a printed receipt of you transaction, this is possible exactly after the transaction has been authorised from your end. BOV Internet Banking and businesses BOV’s Internet Banking is also a great asset for business customers, giving them the possibility to assign multi-users. These users will have different operating levels, ranging from ‘viewing only’ rights to ‘full’ rights over the business’ accounts. Different authority limits can also be assigned to individuals by an ‘Administrator’ who can add, delete or modify users and authority levels. With the optional dual authorisation feature, you can enjoy the convenience of having a non-signing officer keying-in a transaction at the office, and two authorising officers ‘signing’ the same transaction from any other location over the globe. What to do next BOV Internet Banking is offered to customers free of charge with the exception of a minimal annual fee for the use of the Securekey. When applying for BOV’s Internet Banking, customers may also avail themselves of BOV Telephone Banking, BOV Mobile Banking service as well as BOV’s Customer Service Centre.

To apply for BOV Internet Banking, please visit any BOV Branch, call our Customer Service Centre on 21312020 or apply online by logging onto www.bov.com

Personal Loan and Credit Card facilities are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from your BOV branch. Terms and Conditions apply. Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Zachary Street, Valletta, VLT1130. Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is licensed to conduct Investment Services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority

56 vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

interview

Just Dance

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

interview

he has danced in Italy, France, Spain, China and the UK, and is a rising star with the Scottish Ballet. Who would have thought all this was possible, from a girl whose parents were told she might never walk? Jane Vella meets Brenda Lee Grech, a 22-year-old from Zejtun, together with her parents, Susan and Lawrence Grech.

I meet Brenda Lee when she is home for her summer holidays. She’s a pretty, bubbly and enthusiastic young woman, and it proves quite a feat to keep up with her happy chatter.

“do you think I can live without my heart?”

“I always wanted to be a dancer, but I never believed it could be possible,” she tells me, as we leaf through a number of international ballet magazines where she has been featured. She also shows me some of her childhood photos – a smiling little girl with a pom-pom in each hand.

When Brenda Lee was born, doctors thought she had a condition that could leave her unable to walk. Her parents were shocked, but luckily it turned out to be a false alarm. They soon told them it was just an error and that Brenda was perfectly healthy, explains Susan. “And now, I don’t only walk, I dance on the tips of my toes,” her daughter adds. It all began with a dance school opening in her hometown. “I came home one day and told mum that I wanted to go. When I had my first lesson and saw my teacher, I felt so excited,” she says. “If my mum had known what was coming, she might not have wanted me to go. But she thought it was a phase.” This was followed by training at the Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire, before joining the Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala (Milan) for full-time training. She then went on to join Ballet d’ Europe (Marseilles) as an apprentice, where she had her first professional performance. Upon joining Ballet d’Europe, Brenda wasn’t sure whether she’d actually be performing with them. However, two dancers got

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

injured, and this twist of fate meant that she’d be going to Spain to take part in Mozart’s Requiem. “It’s such a beautiful dance, the flow of movement, a neo classical piece. And the music is incredible,” Brenda recalls.

Ballet d’Europe was followed by Ballet Central, with whom she read for a B.A course in Dance and Professional Performance, and later the Scottish Ballet, her full time job today.

I ask Brenda if her parents supported her decision to pursue ballet as a career. “That was the first argument,” she admits, “they were worried I would fall behind at school. And they wanted me to go to University.” However, her parents’ fears were unfounded, “I never disappointed them academically. I used my good results at school as a weapon,” she says, laughing. On the eve of her Maths and English ‘O’ level exams in Malta, Brenda had the La Scala auditions in Italy. She made it through both the exams and the audition so that come summer, it was off to La Scala. “Mum said that after summer we needed to talk and consider my options. But after the apprenticeship in France, I never looked back. Every dancer dreams of dancing with a company. My dad had also finally understood and told mum, ‘we can’t hold her back anymore. She wants to dance’.” Susan admits that she still asked her daughter to stop dancing a number of times, especially during her ‘O’ Levels. “Whenever I did she used to reply, ‘do you think I can live without my heart?’” “Brenda was right,” her father explained, “we were so proud when she graduated. It was amazing, the students dancing, the beautiful theatre.”

interview

“After Brenda performed she got a lot of applause. There were some other students that didn’t get so much,” adds Susan, “I remember thinking, ‘God forbid my daughter gets little applause!’” After graduation, Brenda was faced with a dilemma. “People in Malta would ask me; what are you planning to do next? Won’t you miss us? What will you get out of dancing? Some don’t understand that it’s hard work.”

“she was up against six other girls, all fighting for the same job”

The B.A course itself not only involved a thesis, which included a write-up and a practical, but also a tour and a blog, where she would record her experiences. “The tour prepares you for a professional career. You learn all that goes into it – even fitting the flooring on which you’re going to dance.” After the B.A, Brenda was one of the lucky few who found a job with a classical ballet company. The dancer admits that in such a career, it’s difficult to make friends. “When I was with the Ballet d’Europe, almost everyone was much older,” she explains, “I’d be online with my family all the time, and sleep with my laptop on.” Luckily, in the Scottish Ballet, her colleagues are closer to her age, yet there is a lot of competition amongst them. To find friends outside work is quite tough: “I finish work at six, and I’d be exhausted. All I’d want to do is put my feet up and relax.” She admits that sometimes she does question what she’s doing, especially when she feels lonely. “However, when I come to Malta for a little while, I just want to go back.” Brenda’s first contract with the Scottish Ballet was short-term, for six months. “Then they decide if they’re going to take you on or not.” She explains that she was up against six other girls, all fighting for the

same job. Once the contract came to a close, Brenda’s was extended for four more months, after which she joined the company on full-time basis.

Brenda explains that the Scottish Ballet performs with a live orchestra. “My very first performance was a solo. It was too much for me,’’ she confesses. “I was one of Aurora’s fairies in Sleeping Beauty.” She explains that performing with conductors who understand dance is an exhilarating experience. “They know our steps, and when we’re going to stop. You really get into the performance with a live orchestra.” So what’s next on the cards? “Besides taking part in our autumn tour, I have to work on strengthening my ankle due to an injury I suffered this year.” I ask her where she sees herself in the future. “I’ll definitely stick to dancing, but I don’t know what the future holds. I love the Scottish Ballet and I’m happy with my job.” She is well aware that she can’t be a dancer all her life, though she still wishes to do just that. “Then again, that’s what’s beautiful about life – you can let it guide you and there’s no telling where it will take you.”

Is there anyone you’d like to intro duce to the nation through this section? Send your suggestions to yoursay@vida.com.mt and get in the draw to win a €100 voucher.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

personalities

Love to Hate

Rebel at heart Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando on a very hot seat

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando says he feels like the child who proclaimed that the emperor was wearing no clothes in the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’. He claims that politics is part of his genetic structure. This controversial MP tells Miriam Dalli that he acts the way he does because he wants to make sure that his constituents’ concerns are voiced.

“In politics you meet dishonest people all the time”

This summer Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando rocked the government benches when he unexpectedly presented a private member’s bill to legalise divorce in Malta. Even the Prime Minister was caught unawares. The MP’s stand caused an uproar with commentators either hailing him a hero or conversely condemning him to burning hell. The Zebbug Parish Church, the heart of Dr Pullicino Orlando’s constituency, put up a billboard stating “God doesn’t want divorce”. I made my way to Zebbug to meet the Nationalist Party MP in his private residence. Having been elected in every election from 1996 onwards, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was never given the position of parliamentary secretary or minister. “I never insisted on being given further administrative responsibilities but I always felt that I could give a greater contribution to my country if given the adequate leeway to perform.” He refers to the proposal made in 2003 by former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami to appoint him parliamentary secretary. “I did not turn down the offer because I expected to be appointed minister. I refused it due to personal matters which I had to tackle at the time,” he states.

Was this year’s appointment as chairman of the Malta Council of Science and Technology a move to shut him up? “All I can say is that the idea of involving more people from the parliamentary group was a good idea. There are valuable people on the Nationalist Party backbench who have a lot to offer to our country and its smooth running.” He quickly adds, “the idea of appointing parliamentary assistants is an experiment which is proving successful, considering

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

that a decision was taken to have a very small cabinet.” But is he genuinely pleased with this appointment? “I feel very confident and satisfied with the role I was given because I believe that when it comes to science and technology we need to develop further for the benefit of future generations.” Noticing my unconvinced look he adds, “honestly, I really mean what I’m saying”. Are his contentious positions on various issues all part of a bigger political strategy to gain popularity? “I’m not guided by Machiavellian considerations in what I do. I simply speak about issues that will negatively affect my constituents. I am vociferous about people’s concerns because I want to truly represent the people that elected me to parliament,” he states. What about the divorce issue? Wasn’t that a move to attract attention? “I thought it was high time that divorce was seriously brought to the fore on the political agenda,” he asserts. “There are persons, particularly children, who are truly suffering due to the current situation. Enacting legislation to formalise cohabitation is not the solution to their problems.” At this point he makes an interesting observation, “I consider divorce to be a stance in favour of families because it helps out couples who currently can’t get married to rebuild their own families. I believe that it is pure hypocrisy for politicians to declare that they are in favour of stronger families while insisting that they are against divorce.” Does he support Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s proposal to hold

personalities Name: Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando Age: 47 Feels like: 18 Star Sign: Sagittarius Favourite Colour: Blue Summer or Winter: Spring Favourite Film: Braveheart Favourite Song: Mad World (Tears for Fears) Favourite quote: Great minds discuss ideas, average

minds discuss events, small minds discuss people

Wouldn’t live without: Spaghetti Bolognese Loved by: Hopefully by many Hated by: No Idea

“I believe that it is pure hypocrisy for politicians to declare that they are in favour of stronger families while insisting that they are against divorce”

Biography Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was born in 1963 in Sliema and grew up in Attard. He attended De La Salle College in Cottonera and later on proceeded with his studies at the University of Malta where he was also chosen as the students’ representative on the Dentistry Faculty Board and in the University Students’ Council. A dentist by profession, he was elected in every general election from 1996 onwards. In the 2008 election he contested the sixth and seventh district and was elected in both. In 1998 he was appointed as the Maltese representative in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and in 2003 he was appointed as the head of the Maltese delegation for the Council of Europe. He has three children - Jennifer, Gregory and Marija. Pullicino Orlando loves rock music and is an avid supporter of the English football team.

a referendum about divorce? “I wouldn’t mind if we were to ask citizens for their opinion about this issue, but first and foremost we must respect our parliament and debate the bill. It’s useless to ask the people whether they are in favour or against divorce without first informing them what legislating divorce really means to our citizens and our country.” Does he think twice before he speaks his mind? “I never do anything without seriously thinking about it. Even before presenting the private member’s bill about divorce I reflected on its impact. I never try to deceive anyone by what I do because it is not in my character to be devious.” Has anyone ever been politically dishonest towards him? “In politics you meet dishonest people all the time. But I never forget people who use dirty tricks against me, particularly those who criticise me to gain political mileage, knowing far too well that what they’re saying is totally different from the truth.” I sense that Pullicino Orlando is alluding to someone in particular, but pressed further on naming this person, he stops short of mentioning any names. How does he feel about being one of the few outspoken dissenters on the government’s side? “I can’t understand our culture. We don’t accept politicians who do not strictly toe the party lines.” But does he feel comfortable within his political party? “If there are ever any fundamental issues that I don’t agree with then I would simply resign from the party,” he affirms. Isn’t divorce a fundamental issue? “I don’t consider divorce to be a fundamental issue of disagreement. The Nationalist Party had other candidates who spoke openly in favour

of divorce.” When asked who these candidates were, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando mentions Georg Sapiano and Edward Demicoli – both failed to garner enough votes to make it to parliament. Dr. Pullicino Orlando also caused a stir with his vote of abstention when Parliament came to approve the appointment of Dr George Abela as President of Malta. Does he hold a grudge against Dr Abela? “Not at all,” he insists, “my only reason was a political one. I was reflecting my constituents’ opinion and I always held that it makes no political sense for the Nationalist Government to elect Dr Abela as President of Malta considering his political background.” Before I leave Pullicino Orlando to his daily work I ask him whether he dreams of being a minister one day? “I never had any particular ambition to be a minister,” he states, “if the Prime Minister offers me the post of Minister I will surely accept because I’m into politics to make a difference.” Will he still continue to express disagreement with his party’s positions once he gets the coveted post? “If I formed part of the cabinet my position would be totally different. I spoke out and took certain stands because I’m not part of the cabinet. If I’m part of the cabinet then my loyalty will be towards my position,” he concludes.

Who do you love to hate? Who do you want Miriam to interview? Send your suggestions to yoursay@vida.com .mt and get in the draw to win €100.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

fashion fairground

Brazen Modernity by Sarah Micallef

Nowadays, the majority of the fashionaware among us consider trends such as animal print and oriental drapery as classic style staples, ones that have been around for years, and continue to appear on the runways time and time again. What many of us don’t know however, is just how far back they do go, with leopard print for example, making its first appearance in clothing around a century ago.

pioneer of the animal print trend and many others besides is self-titled ‘King of Fashion’ Paul Poiret, who used real leopard skins for his capes long before the animal was put on the endangered species list. With the trend once again reappearing on the fall 2010 catwalks, I felt what I can only describe as a sense of duty as a fashion lover to pay homage to such a remarkable and influential figure in the fashion world; whose designs represent an apt expression of the central movements of the early 20th century such as Cubism, Classicism, Orientalism, Symbolism, and Primitivism. Born in Les Halles, Paris in 1879, fashion designer Paul Poiret’s designs comprising jewel-colored gowns, exotic costumes, culottes, fringed capes, and turbans possessed a “brazen modernity” that at first proved to be too much for his conservative clientele. He established his fashion house in 1903, which featured flamboyant and eye-catching designs heavily influenced by art nouveau, the Orient and costumes from the Ballets Russes. One of his first innovative designs was the kimono coat, which Russian Princess Bariantinsky has been reputed as comparing to the sacks in which the heads of “low fellows who run after our sledges and annoy us” were thrown. Poiret revolutionised fashion and dominated Paris couture from 1909 to 1914, putting an end to the previously popular wasp waists and 19th century constricting corsets to emphasise an Empirewaisted silhouette as well as introducing pantaloons (or as we call them nowadays, harem pants). His designs were constructed

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

using bejewelled and shimmering fabrics, and represented a novel dressmaking style that emphasised the skills of drapery rather than those of tailoring. In 1910, Poiret launched the aptly named ‘hobble skirt’, which restricted the wearer in an entirely new way, allowing only small steps due to its tapered nature around the ankles. Poiret also threw legendary parties in order to promote his designs – arguably the most famous of which being the notorious “Thousand and Second Night” party, in which he dramatically ‘rescued’ his wife from a large gilded cage. The breakdown of Paul Poiret’s fashion empire was due to his failure to keep up with current fashion trends. His main rival Coco Chanel was making easy-to-wear, understated designs which made Poiret’s own creations look too extravagant for the sleek 1920s. Upon returning from his service in the First World War (aiding with uniform production), Poiret found his fashion house on the verge of bankruptcy and had to close it down. The selling-off of his ornate designs by weight as rags heralded the end of an era, yet his influence remains to this day.

fashion fairground

Shoe Boots As the summer heat begins to fade and make way for the familiar (and to some, very much welcome) autumn chill, it’s time to put away open shoes in favour of a warmer version – one such variant is the ever popular shoe boot. The variety is, as always, plentiful, but the ones that really stand out this time round are the lace-ups. Adding a rock chick edge to a normally feminine style, lace-up shoe boots suit anything from slinky dresses to leggings and skinny jeans.

New

Under the Sea After three months of direct contact with the underwater world, we’re all reminiscing via our clothes this month. Be inspired by the beauty of the deep like Emilio Pucci’s Peter Dundas, who used his love of scuba diving to inject a feel of the sea into his new collection. Bubble over in sumptuous blues and aqueous patterns this season – after all, what better colour than blue to go beautifully with your summer tan?

Topshop

Loo

Dorothy Perkins

Topshop

New

Brooch the Subject

Loo

Brooches add a touch of glamour and interest to any outfit, be it smart or casual. Often associated with a vintage feel, brooches are so much fun because they come in so many shapes, colours and sizes! From quirky animal shapes to more elegant and formal settings, brooches range from simple gold or silver to jewel or stone encrusted varieties, so go ahead and give your look a boost with one of these babies!

Blush n’ Panic

New

Loo

Blush n’ Panic

Wardrobe Diaries Name: Maria Muscat Describe your style in 3 words:

Topshop

Recycled, inherited and/or extremely cheap. Favourite item of clothing: My old grey hat with red feathers. I stole it off a friend’s head and made it mine! Most expensive piece: Probably an item I was given rather than something I bought for myself. However, I do own an embroidered shift dress that cost 30 Maltese Liri back in the day! (Not expensive at all, I know!) Best bargain buy: A brown wool coat and matching cape with an orange diamond pattern and fake fur trim – all for the equivalent of €1.50. 3 items everyone should own: Gold shoes, flimsy Indian cotton shirts, and a hat that does you justice! Ultimate fashion rule: Surprise yourself regularly and don’t give it too much thought.

What’s in your wardrobe Topshop

Ours is constantly overflowing, but we simply can’t resist fresh ideas from your fashion diaries! Send us your ideas, tips, questions, even photos, on fashion@vida.com.mt, or to Vida Magazine, Pitkali Road, Attard, ATD 2214

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

Pastoral

Prelude

Styling by Sarah Micallef & Claire Camilleri - Focused Knowledge T: 23392403 Photography by Jacob Sammut Carabez – Pearl Works T: 79857733 Hair by Julian’s Ciseau T: 21415368 Makeup by Diandra Mattei using Givenchy T: 79828414 Model: Marthese Borg Location: Fra Brettel Wine Estates, Rabat Playsuit – Topshop Shoe Boots – New Look Jewellery – Accessorize

Shirt & Scarf – Mango Leggings – Topshop

Jumpsuit – Mango Necklace – Accessorize Shoes – Topshop

Necklace & Top – New Look Belt & Clogs – Topshop Shorts – Mango

fashion fairground €239 Menswear

View catalogue on www.ktm.com To place an order email us on sales@fapimotors.com

€75

€39.99

€39.99 €40 €29.99

€79

window shopping

€54.99

€32.99

The Point, Sliema

€70

Womenswear

€10

€28 €40 €38

€70

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

€200

€10

6, Luqa Briffa Street, Naxxar (in front of antenna) T: 2733 2000

View catalogue on www.ktm.com To place an order email us on sales@fapimotors.com

€10

Outfits - La Gatta Boutique, Blue Grotto Avenue, Zurrieq T: 21641417 Jewellery - My Silver Constitution Street, Mosta T: 27022323 Model: Gino Bezzina

Twenty 2, Birkirkara near Primary School T: 21445572 Model: Debbie Mallia

Hair and makeup by Charles Falzon and Charlene Falzon @AvantGarde, Fgura T: 21801429

Photography by Jacob Sammut Carabez - Pearl Works T: 79857733

fashion fairground

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

books

This month’s must-reads

News From Book Land Poet rebels against E-Books

Sekwenzi ta’ Tluq edited by Adrian Grima and Keith Azzopardi, Inizjamed This anthology of poems and short stories brings together an exciting mix of twelve established and budding writers who write passionately about life, love, childhood, identity and immigration, drug-taking and life in prison, and the future.

L-Aħħhhar Ħholma John Bonello, Merlin Library Ltd

This is a breathtaking, action-filled tale with myriad characters from different worlds. Bonello weaves a tale based on intrigue, fantasy, adventure and love in an amazing setting - Malta.

A Complete Guide to the Birds of Malta Natalino Fenech, Midsea Books This 453-page book is not just a bird guide, but an almanac of all that is related to birds in Malta. In his blurb for the dust jacket, Mark Cocker describes it as ‘three books in one’.

8 Books for Adolescents Rita Grech, Wise Owl Publications All the books deal with teenage girls and boys in various stages of their adolescent lives, with an emphasis on the social, moral and emotional problems that they face. Surely enough, young readers will find something to relate to here.

Cat Tails from Malta

J. Elizabeth Roche, Islands House Project

Through Pebbles, a spotted cat, the author pays tribute to a nation that possesses a great heritage. The author writes in an enthusiastic and unique manner. This fantasy travelogue is also educational and entertaining.

Poet Billy Collins recently argued that poetry and e-books do not go together. He was very disappointed with the result after downloading his latest collection of poetry on his Kindle. In a comment to the press, Collins remarked that “I found that, even in a very small font, if the original line is beyond a certain length, they will take the extra word and have it flush left on the screen, so that instead of a three-line stanza you actually have a four-line stanza. And that screws everything up.” Amazon.com promised that such defects will be corrected in the near future. In fact, eBook Technologies is working on its behalf to improve formatting for poetry. In the meantime, it was reported that Amazon.com has sold more e-books than hard covers. Between April and June 2010, for every 100 hardback books sold, 143 Kindle books have been bought. In just six months, Amazon.com sold three times as many Kindle books as it did in 2009. Authors Charlaine Harris, Stieg Larsson, Stephenie Meyer, James Patterson, and Nora Roberts have each sold more than 500,000 Kindle books.

Book Thief Jailed William Jacques, a Cambridge graduate in Economics known as the “tome raider” was jailed for three and a half years after he was found guilty of stealing antique books worth £40,000 from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley library in London. Mr Jacques made headlines in the press some years back when he managed to steal more than four hundred rare books, including manuscripts by Galileo, a total haul worth over £1,000,000. His victims were the Cambridge University Library, the private London Library and the British Library. Once stolen, the books were sold to auction dealers.

On the Web... For Readers of Maltese Publications Are you keen on keeping yourself updated on the latest Maltese titles? If yes, just go to www.ktieb.org.mt, the National Book Council’s website, and browse the Books in Print archive. The service is free of charge and very easy to use just type in what interests you and click the icon ‘Fittex’. Roald Dahl’s website This brilliant website, www.roalddahl.com, was created by Roald Dahl’s literary estate and illustrated by the talented artist Quentin Blake. It is the official site of the Welsh-born writer renowned for several literary gems including James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG. Ironically, Dahl’s schoolmaster once described him as “quite incapable at marshalling his thoughts on paper.” Time proved him wrong.

The National Book Council’s Notice Board

The National Book Council and the Malta Tourism Authority has launched ‘Books on the Beach’, an initative aimed at promoting the importance of reading in a season associated with free time. Cabinets with books for all ages are available at four beaches in Malta – the Bugibba Perched Beach, Ghadira, St. Paul’s Bay and Fond Ghadir. If the project succeeds, next year it will be extended to other beaches. The second edition of the literary contest Literature for Young Adults, organised by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth and Sport

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and the National Book Council was launched last month. Authors interested in participating should write works for adolescents aged between 12 and 17. Manuscripts not less than 20,000 words and not more than 25,000 words should be in Maltese and original. Participants are encouraged to read the rules of the competition before submitting the manuscripts. The contest closes on November 10th, 2010. www.ktieb.org.mt.

books

Snippets... Novelist James Patterson has set a new record. His publishing house Hachette Book Group announced a few weeks ago that he has sold 1,141,273 electronic book units. For the first time ever in the history of selling e-books he has exceeded the 1,000,000 mark. According to the BBC news portal, one and a half million people have signed up to follow author Neil Gaiman on Twitter. Thomas Raymond & Co. is launching the Ernest Hemingway line of men’s footwear. The author’s son publicly endorsed the initiative claiming that his father had a great sense of style and would have been impressed with the range. The Hemingway shoes cost from $150 to $235. Freya Blackwood, the artist who illustrated Harry & Hopper (text by Margaret Wild) won the 2010 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, the UK’s most important children’s illustration award. The book portrays the experience of a young boy, named Harry, coming to terms with the sudden death of his dog.

The Frankfurt Book Fair All eyes are set on the Frankfurt Book Fair, scheduled for next month. Book lovers around the world are eagerly waiting for it not only because it is the world’s largest book fair but also because most of them missed the London Book Fair, which took place a few months ago when thousands of flights were cancelled due to the Icelandic volcanic ash saga. It is interesting to note that Gutenberg’s invention – the first printing press – was located a few kilometres away from Frankfurt.

In summer 2011, Gallery Books are expected to publish Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley’s memoirs. The book will be titled No Regrets.

Waterstones, the famous UK book chain, took many people by surprise when it announced its intention to open a cinema in its Piccadilly branch in Central London next year.

Famous Writers born in September Agatha Christie (15th), Robert B. Parker (17th), J.I.M. Stewart (aka Michael Innes) (20th), H. G. Wells (21st) Antonio Tabucchi (24th), Horace Walpole (24th), Astrid Lindgren (25th), Minette Walters (26th), and Miguel de Cervantes (29th).

The books pages in Vida are coordinated by the National Book Council. Watch these pages for titbits of information from the world of books and reading!

Let the sun cut down your eLectricity biLLs

Photovoltaic

Solar Water Heaters

For more information call: 2339 2261 / 7906 0223 | info@fritzenergy.com | Pitkali Road, Attard, Malta

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

culture CHeritage Malta

One stitch leads to another by Joyce Guillaumier

Despite its small size, Malta possesses a wealth of artistic treasures which form part of the island’s rich heritage. One such treasure is the collection of two sets of Flemish tapestries donated as gifts by Grand Master Perellos y Roccaful, the Aragonese Knight who ruled over the Maltese archipelago between 1697 and 1720. On reaching the highest post he could aspire to achieve, Perellos consulted Mattia Preti, the foremost artist on the Island, to advise him on the best gift he could present. The artist recommended a set of priceless tapestries to further embellish the Conventual Church of the Order. Later, the Grand Master donated another set to the Magisterial Palace which, according to Quentin Hughes, had started life as the humble one-storey house of Eustacio del Monte (nephew of Grand Master Pietro del Monte) and was later combined with another building and converted into the Grand Master’s Palace – now the seat of the President of the Republic of Malta and of the House of Representatives.

Religious Tapestries Every Knight, on being elected to a higher position, was obliged to give a gift or ‘gioia’ to the Conventual Church of St. John. When Perellos became Grand Master, he elected to present the Church with a set of tapestries based on designs by Mattia Preti, Peter Paul Rubens and Nicolas Poussin. The tapestries were religious in nature and depicted various episodes from the life of Christ, Mary and the Apostles as well as the Four Evangelists. They also included allegorical works such as The Triumph of Faith. A large tapestry, fittingly showing Grand Master Perellos, was also included. This particular work would be hung above the Church’s main door during the month of June and other main festivities. This practice has been discontinued a few years ago however, because of damages incurred to the priceless work. The tapestries were woven in the workshop of Judecos de Vos, who was a weaver to Louis XIV. In fact, his signature can still be seen in some of the tapestries. The Grand Master sent the Conventual Fra Jean Baptiste Brix to see to the transportation to Malta of the complete set of 29 tapestries. Fourteen of the tapestries are very

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

CSt. John’s Co-Cathedral An old photograph showing the tapestries displayed at the Conventual Church of St. John.

culture

CHeritage Malta

impressive in size, and measure six by six and a half metres while the others are smaller. At the end of the mission in 1701, Perellos donated a gold cross encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones to the Fra – the trying voyage to Malta had taken over six months. After more than 300 years since their manufacture, a plan is in place to restore the priceless tapestries. Two of the works were restored in 1997, whereas another two were sent to the De Wit Laboratories in Belgium. The restoration of the entire set will take a number of years and will cost around one million Euros. The Belgian Government and the King Badouin Foundation are collaborating on this project. Meanwhile, you can visit these tapestries at the Perellos Hall at St John’s Co-Cathedral, which is open for viewers from Mondays to Fridays between 09:30 and 16:30, as well as on Saturdays from 09:30 to 12:30. www.stjohnscocathedral.com

CSt. John’s Co-Cathedral The figure of Grand Master Perellos, as seen in one of the tapestries.

Les Tenures des Indes After his first donation, the Aragonese Perellos took a good look at the interior of the Palace and decided that the Council Chamber, in which so many vital decisions were made, deserved a more sumptuous environment. Perellos sent Fra Jean Jacque des Mesmes, a Knight Commander, to Paris to view a set of ten original paintings by Albert van den Eckout and Frans Post – two artists who had accompanied the German Prince of Nassau on an expedition to Africa and the Americas. Eckout and Post had managed to capture the fauna, flora and inhabitants of these exotic locations so well that they ignited the imagination of the Europeans who viewed them. It is therefore no wonder that the prince thought they would make a present fit for a King! In fact, he donated the paintings to King Louis XIV of France. It was these same paintings that were to form the basis of the Grand Master’s present to the Palace. The ten tapestries known as ‘Les Tentures des Indes’ were produced at the Royal Gobelin workshop of Louis XIV after des Mesmes, in October 1708, contacted the Royal Manufactory’s head weaver, Le Blonde, who agreed to design the tapestries according to the measurements of the Council Chamber. Two years later the tapestries were ready to be shipped to Malta. Upon their arrival, following an eventful journey, the scenes depicted caused quite a stir, showing animals and plants hardly ever seen in Europe before. The ostriches, elephants, Indian hunters and king being carried shoulder high were so alive, so perfectly handembroidered in silk and wool yarn that their manufacture was, and still is, beyond comprehension. It is no surprise that the Gobelin Manufactory was considered to be the best in the business. These tapestries can be viewed at the Council Chamber in the President’s Palace. The palace’s State Rooms are open for visitors everyday except on Thursday. On weekdays the site is open between 10:00 and 16:00. On Saturday and Sunday opening times are between 09:00 and 17:00. www.heritagemalta.com

CHeritage Malta A detail from the Tenures des Indes tapestry series.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

cinema

September at the Movies By Mark Camilleri

Film of the month

Piranha 3D

Eat, Pray, Love In a nutshell

In 2006 the novel ‘Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia’ struck a chord with millions of readers, especially its target adult, female audience, and proceeded to stick around on bestseller lists for years. It seems that many people have sometime or another felt the urge to pack up and take off, leaving their stressful jobs, lives and ties behind. And who wouldn’t like to spend a year savouring Italy, India and other exotic places starting with ‘I’? Sadly, however, many of us mere mortals have financial or realistic restraints that prevent such romantic ventures. So we can read the book instead. Or, if we’re rushed, we can watch the film adaptation.

Back in 1975, a small film started the blockbuster phenomenon and kept many people out of the sea all summer. That film was Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece of marine terror, Jaws. Amongst the many imitation films that followed, 1978’s Piranha was noticeable for the small size but great numbers of its titular meat-eaters. Over three decades later, we’re invited back to the beaches to watch more young, unsuspecting bathers get chewed on, but this time it’s all in glorious 3D. The Jaws feel is very evident in the film’s trailers, including the appearance of Richard Dreyfuss amongst the stellar cast. Ving Rhames, Elizabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd, Kelly Brook and Eli Roth will also be there, but you can bet they won’t all make it to the end credits.

Why we’re hyped

Nowadays, whenever a book sells like hotcakes, a film adaptation is inevitable. Which is often great, as it increases awareness of both versions, and sometimes materialises the scenes we had visualised in our mind’s eye. A huge project like this was always going to need a big female star, and it got just that in the form of Julia Roberts, who won an Oscar the last time she carried a film on her own as a gutsy, girl-power character going against the current (Erin Brockovich). Her appearances have been few and far between since she devoted more time to family, so a starring role like this is more than welcome, and sure to rake in the attention.

Who’s in it?

Roberts plays the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, as she chronicles her voyage of self-discovery. The film was adapted and directed by Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck and Glee. Amongst the cast making an impact on Gilbert’s life we find Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men, Vicky Cristina Barcelona), James Franco (Pineapple Express, Milk), Billy Crudup (Big Fish, Watchmen), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Burn After Reading) and Viola Davis (Traffic, Doubt).

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

Grown Ups Adam Sandler, yet another king of his own brand of comedy, turned slightly serious for his great performance in last year’s Funny People. It looks like he’s back in his usual mood however, for this openly silly and childish comedy, which he helped write and produce himself. Five adult men meet up 30 years after they were close friends and basketball teammates. It soon becomes obvious that they’ve only matured on the outside. Apart from Sandler, the film boasts the comedic talents of Chris Rock (Madagascar), Kevin James (Hitch), David Spade (Just Shoot Me!) and Rob Schneider (Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo), with Salma Hayek and Maria Bello joining as two of the wives. I guess it all depends on just how childish this one gets.

cinema

The Other Guys In a nutshell

Yet another buddy-cop movie, but this time coloured with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s particular type of humour.

Why we’re hyped

Together, Will Ferrell and writer/director Adam McKay have made many of us laugh (and probably just as many roll their eyes) with the comedies Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and the recent Step Brothers. If you find Ferrell nauseating, you might as well skip to the next film preview now. But if he tickles your funny bone, this might be the first decent live-action comedy this summer.

Who’s in it?

Every buddy-cop movie needs two antagonistic stars, and the man patiently accompanying Detective Gamble (Ferrell) is Mark Wahlberg as Detective Hoitz, who was lumped with Gamble after a tragic shooting incident. The two minor-league detectives live in awe of the city’s star police duo (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson), but they are thrust into the limelight when they least expect it. Michael Keaton and Eva Mendes also star.

Dinner for Schmucks In a nutshell

Based on the play ‘The Dinner Game’, which was adapted as a French black comedy in 1998, this farce revolves around a group of successful ‘winners’, who host regular dinners between themselves, and are required to bring an eccentric person along as a guest. The guests end up being ridiculed throughout dinner, and a ‘champion idiot’ is rewarded at the end of the meal. Not your usual premise for a film, but with Steve Carell on the guest-list, this dinner could turn out to be delicious.

Why we’re hyped

Like Will Ferrell, mentioned above, Carell has established himself as one of the best and busiest comedians of the past decade. Even in mediocre films, he often shines. Here, he teams up with Paul Rudd, with whom he excelled in The 40-year Old Virgin. With

this year’s best laughs so far coming from animated vikings, ogres and toys, this is one of the two non-animated films this month that looks promising in the humour department.

Who’s in it?

Paul Rudd (I Love You Man, Knocked Up) gets invited to dinner as a winner. He takes Steve Carell (The Office, Date Night) along as an idiot. Which of them turns out to be a ‘schmuck’ has yet to be determined. Invites also went out to Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, Thirteen Days) and the hilarious Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Up In The Air). The film is directed by Jay Roach, who previously helmed the Austin Powers trilogy, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. The latter franchise should have provided him with ample practice for awkward dinner-table comedy. All movies released locally by KRS www.MarksMovieMarks.com

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

eating & drinking

eats

And now, for something completely different Andrew’s Bar Rating:

St Anthony Str (off Psaila Str), Birkirkara T: 2149 1222

The title of this article was immortalised, at least to the legions of Monty Python fans, by its repeated use throughout the Flying Circus series that graced UK telly in the early seventies. It was also the title of a 90-minute collection of what they considered ‘best of’ although we don’t all necessarily agree with their picks. Regardless of whether we agree with the team’s favourite gigs or gags, they helped pave the way for delivering accessible wit to the masses and pushed the idiot-box a few rungs up the ladder of quality.

office and headed to Andrew’s Bar in Birkirkara. I have been a regular patron since the early nineties and was definitely as not in for any surprises. Tables line the perimeter and mismatched as surround a large u-shaped (or is it n-shaped?) table in the centre of the establishment. Food is ordered the complaints at the bar at the far end of the place. Once orders queue at the have been placed and paid for, it is up to you to find a table to sit at - quite possibly shared with random Inland Revenue strangers - and wait for the food to be delivered.

Department

At the behest of the editor of this magazine, I tried something completely different this time around. Statistically, I did match the average daily lunch of people who, like myself, are obliged to sacrifice a little bit of their daily lives to make a living. The daily ftira, salad, wrap, pizza or sushi-in-a-box is the most common source of sustenance to us tax-payers so why leave it out of the monthly reviews? Would I accede to this request without dragging the editor who requested it? Hardly likely.

A look around the place reveals an overwhelmingly male gaggle of diners, albeit a group as mismatched as the complaints queue at the Inland Revenue Department. I’ve often pictured a particular scene being played out. The door opens and in pops a punter. He loudly calls out for someone who can repair his airconditioner/fill out his tax form/sort out a particularly difficult line of code/paint his boat/defend him in court/spray his car. In each case, someone in there is bound to stand up and yell, “I’ll do it.” There seems to be no common thread, no symbol of unity, no reconciling factor except the desire for an inexpensive, wholesome, genuine and tasty fix for mid-day meals.

And so, accompanied by the Editor and a trusty friend, we dragged our aching souls out of the brightly lit cell we each refer to as an

The lady at the counter is smart, attractive and ridiculously efficient. She takes our orders and others’ simultaneously, rings up several

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

eating & drinking

bleating or mooing away. Steak, bacon, sausage, egg and other bills, assigns the orders to several other members of assorted tributes to our position in the food chain were piled staff around her and keeps a smile on her face. We high in a tottering tower of tasty treats. The chicken wrap are packed off to our seats in less time than it takes At one point was, well, a chicken wrap. And though it looked good and to decide what we’re eating, having paid around tasted just right this was not reason enough to keep me four Euro each. That includes our drinks. I a couple of from snorts of derision and expressions of disdain. was tempted by the towering temple of baked young ladies rice. Trusty friend was in a daredevil mood and entered the bar. We tucked in with vigour, and little was said between us. ordered a ftira with absolutely everything he could At one point a couple of young ladies entered the bar. A pronounce. The Editor, instigator of this meal hundred meals were paused, a hundred necks strained, a and in whom we had high hopes, chickened out. He hundred conversations hiccoughed. Seconds later normality rather daintily ordered a chicken wrap, rolling his ‘r’s was restored to life, the universe and Andrews Bar. gracefully as he picked up his bottle of Sprite Zero. Oh well. Half an hour after walking in we sat back, stomachs filled to breaking point and satisfied smiles on our faces. Good, inexpensive food We swaggered to our seats, ablaze with machismo and anticipation, had been promised to the masses. Good, inexpensive food had and within less than a minute our meals were delivered to our table, been quickly delivered. And what better can a restaurant do than carried with the pride typically associated with the Olympic torch. consistently deliver upon its promises? My baked rice looked the part and the congenital auto-condimentor in me added the obligatory mound of grated cheese. Is this a carbohydrate rollercoaster to heaven steaming before me, the fork handle toward my hand? The trusty friend’s ftira was huge. Half of the circular loaf was stuffed with everything that, until the day before, had been merrily

Ed eats. That’s all he does. He accepts no invitations and turns up unannounced to keep this column free from bias. Readers of the column hardly ever agree with him and yet Ed eats on.

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

events Victory and Independence!Various localities in Malta & Gozo Wednesday, September 8th and Tuesday, September 21st September brings us two of Malta’s five national holidays - Victory Day on the 8th and Independence Day on the 21st. Victory Day, locally known as ‘Il-Vitorja’ or ‘Il-Bambina’, is a national holiday that commemorates the victory of the Knights of St. John and the Maltese people over the Turks during the1565 Great Siege. The Turkish army surrendered on the same day that Malta celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. In fact this day is also the village feast in Mellieha, Naxxar, Senglea and Xaghra (Gozo). It also the commemoration of another victory in World War II – the 1943 armistice between the Allies and Italy, effectively ending the bombing of the Maltese Islands by the Axis Forces. Since 1878, the traditional Victory Day Regatta is held at the Valletta Grand Harbour every year. On September 21st, 1964 Malta gained independence from Britain, ending centuries of foreign rule over the islands. This holiday is marked by a number of activities, including a military parade in Valletta and other events in Victoria, Gozo. A pontifical mass is celebrated at St. John’s Co-Catherdral in Valletta, whilst wreaths are laid at the foot of the Independence Monument in Floriana.

Opening times: 09:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:30hrs)

After Caravaggio

Theatre

Sports

Culture & History

Friday 3rd Qormi Wine Festival – near St. George’s Church and throughout Main Street – Qormi – 20:00 Delicata Wine Festival – Nadur – Gozo – 19:00 to 00:00 Saturday 4th Qormi Wine Festival – near St. George’s Church and throughout Main Street – Qormi – 20:00 Wine and Pasta Night (Nature Trust) – Wied Ghollieqa Env. Centre - Car Park 1, University of Malta - Msida – 19:30 Delicata Wine Festival – Nadur – Gozo – 19:00 to 00:00 Blood Donation Mobile Unit – next to Mellieha police station- 08:30 to 13:30 Xtreme Metal Asssault 2010 – Buskett Roadhouse – Buskett – 17:00

Pictures of the Floating World

Gozo Area Exhibition Hall - St Martin’s Quarter - The Citadel – Gozo - August 6th to October 29th

Events

Exhibitions in September

Malta Maritime Musuem - Vittoriosa Waterfront – Vittoriosa - August 15th to September 18th. Opening times: 09:00 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30)

Unframing Migrants

Heritage Malta Head Office - Old University Buildings, Merchants Street – Valletta - August 16th to September 26th. Opening times: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:30 (last admission 16:00)

Paradise Lost - Sean Ellul

Auberge D’Italie – Merchants Street - Valletta - September 1st to September 17th Opening times: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Cross Stitch Pictures - Philip Martin

Ministry for Gozo Hall - Victoria, Gozo – September 4th to September 30th

Raw Music Festival – Bugibba Square – Bugibba – 17:00 Sunday 5th Blood Donation Mobile Unit – next to Mellieha police station- 08:30 to 13:30 Xtreme Metal Asssault 2010 Buskett Roadhouse – Buskett – 16:00 Delicata Wine Festival – Nadur – Gozo – 19:00 to 00:00 Wednesday 8th Victory Day - National Holiday (See facing page) Village Feast Of The Nativity of Our Lady - Naxxar, Mellieha, Senglea & Xaghra (Gozo) World Literacy Day - International event

Clubbing

Music

Blood Donation Mobile Unit – next to Mqabba Parish Church - 08:30 to 13:30 Thursday 9th Mellieha Nights - Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa and Sanctuary Courtyard – Mellieha – 19:30 Friday 10th Qormi Bread Festival – Around St Sebastian Church – Qormi – 19:30 to 00:00 (see Events of the Month facing page) Mellieha Nights - Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa and Sanctuary Courtyard – Mellieha – 19:30 Saturday 11th Qormi Bread Festival – Around St Sebastian Church – Qormi – 19:30 to 00:00 (see Events of the Month facing page) Mellieha Nights - Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa and Sanctuary Courtyard – Mellieha – 19:30 Rockestra – MFCC – Ta Qali – 20:00 Sunday 12th Village Feast of Our Lady of Grace - Zabbar (including bicycle and motorcycle pilgrimage) & Victoria (Gozo) Blood Donation Mobile Unit – next to St. Sebastian Church - Qormi08:30 to 13:30 Mellieha Nights - Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa and Sanctuary Courtyard – Mellieha – 19:30 Monday 13th Village Feast of St. Francis - Qawra Tuesday 14th A contemporary art exhibition and music performance - The National Museum of Fine Arts - South Street Valletta – 19:15

Opening times: Monday to Friday 08:30 to 12:30, Saturday 09:00 to 12:00

Henry Alamango

Culture Section, Banca Giuratale - Gozo – September 4th to September 21st Opening times: Monday to Sunday 08:30 to 13:00

FEET Photographic Street Exhibition

Merchants Street – Valletta - September 24th to October 10th Opening times: All day

9th National Art Competition & Exhibition

Palazzo de La Salle – Valletta - September 23rd to October 16th Opening times: 25th September (Notte Bianca) 19:00-11.30, September 27th to 30th 09:00 to 16:00, October 4th to 16th 09:00 to 19:00 (Saturday 09:00 to 12:00)

Maritime Biodiversity Exhibition

Blood saves lives.

Please donate!

Blood Donation Centre in Guardamangia opens 7 days a week from 8am till 6pm. More information may be obtained from:

Auberge D’Italie – Merchants Street - Valletta - September 25th to October 11th

www.blood.gov.mt email: nbts@gov.mt

Opening times: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Fixed line: 220 66 209 Mobile: 79 307 307

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

events

this month Fund Raising

Business Events

Thursday 16th The Qala International Folk Festival – St. Joseph Square – Qala – 19:30 World Ozone Day - International event Friday 17th The Qala International Folk Festival –Marsascala Church Hall – Marsascala – 12:00 and Xatt is-Sajjieda – St. Julians – 20:00 Village Feast of St. Francis - Marsa Oratorio Demm Fuq il-Verna ft. Malta Philarmonic Orchestra - St. John’s Co-Cathedral - Valletta - 20:00 Saturday 18th Qala International Folk Festival – St. Joseph Square – Qala – 20:00 Sunday 19th Biodiversity Fair & Open Day (World Tourism Day event) - Natural History Museum - Mdina - 09:00 -16:00

Kids & Family

September 2010

Fairs

Blood Drive

Majjistral Park Guided Tour (World Tourism Day event) - Golden Bay Mellieha - 16:30 -19:30 (see Events of the Month - right) Blood Donation Mobile Unit – next to Paola police station- 08:30 to 13:30 Saturday 25th

The ninth edition of the ‘Qormi Bread Festival’ promises to be even bigger this year, with more activities spread over a wider area around the St. Sebastian Church.

Events of the month

The festival features several events including ‘ZOO goes Bread’ (a big and original re-enactment of the baker in the old village, to be performed for the first time ever); folkloristic and modern music with performances by popular local singers and bands, and stand-up comedies featuring the characters of ‘Koncett and Marinton’, under the direction of Sebastjan Aquilina. All events will be accompanied by a feast of affordable bread-related food and drinks. There will also be a kids area with several games, music, stands for youth organisations, guided tours of Qormi bakeries, free gifts, selling of Maltese bread (in re-usable bags with the Qormi Bread Festival 2010 logo) and many other surprises! www.qormibreadfestival.org

Get Fit, Be Fit Seminar (Bodies ‘n Motion) - Radisson Blu Resort - St. Julian’s - 10:30 - 13:00 Malta International Airshow – Malta International Airport - Gudja Notte Bianca – Valletta Sunday 26th Village Feast of St. Michael - Zabbar Elton John Live in Concert – The Granaries - Floriana (see page 80) World Tourism Day events - various locations (see Events of the Month - right)

Qala International Folk Festival –Bishop Buttigieg Square – Qala – 10:00 and St. Joseph Square – Qala – 19:00

Blood Donation Mobile Unit – infront of Zejtun parish church08:30 - 13:30 Malta International Airshow – Malta International Airport - Gudja

Die Cast and Scale Model Society Exhibition – Dolmen Hall – Dolmen Resort Hotel – Bugibba – 09:30 – 19:30

Monday 27th

Ingeddu Tfulitna (Enjoying Traditional Games) – Pretty Bay – Birzebbuga – 19:00 – 23:00

Tuesday 28th

Independence Day - National Holiday (See left)

Around St. Sebastian Church, QormiSaturday July September 10th and 11th, 19:30 onwards

World Tourism Day events - various locations (see Events of the Month - right)

Blood Donation Mobile Unit – infront of Naxxar Parish Church - 08:30 -13:30

Tuesday 21st

The Qormi Bread Festival 2010

World Tourism Day - (see Events of the Month - right) Cory Shearwater Observation (World Tourism Day event) - Above Blue Grotto - Zurrieq - (see Events of the Month - right)

To include your events in this page email all the required details on claire@vida.com.mt or call 2339 2274, by Tuesday September 9th, 2010.

World Tourism Day Events

Various locations - September 19th to 28th

The Malta Tourism Authority in conjunction with various local entities will be marking World Tourism Day on September 27th together with the rest of the World. This year’s chosen theme is Tourism and Biodiversity. An Open Day at Mdina’s Natural History Museum and a Biodiversity Fair (in the Museum’s courtyard) will kick off the events on the 19th. A guided tour of the Majjistral Park in Golden Bay is set to take place on September 21st at 16:30, and the weekend of the 25th and 26th will bring open days at IsSimar Nature Reserve in St. Paul’s Bay, and the Elyseium Centre at Ghajn Tuffieha, guided tours of Foresta 2000 at Mellieha Bay, and of Ta’ Cenc and Sannat, Gozo; as well as a Raptor Watch at Buskett. A snorkelling session will be held at Qawra Point on September 26th at 13:30, as well as guided tours of Salina Park in St. Paul’s Bay, Buskett Garden and Majjistral Park on the same day. There will also be an Observation session of the Cory Shearwater from the Zurrieq Cliffs on September 28th at 18:30. For further information on any of these events please contact any of the Tourist Information Offices on 22915440/1/2 or info@visitmalta.com.

Photography for social events, commercial events, private functions. Specialising in model portfolios & studio photography.

www.pearl-works.com : 7985 7733 email: info@pearl-works.com

September 2010 | Issue 09 | vida.com.mt

events

Your Song

With the brilliant Sir Elton John’s concert fast approaching, and a great number of Maltese people marking off the days till September 26th on their calendars, Vida shares some readers’ favourite Sir Elton songs and the reasons behind them. Whereas some songs remind you of your fun and frivolous childhoods, some are connected with a deeper meaning, representing a lot more than your favourite 70s tassled jumpsuit. Either way, the stage is set for a much awaited performance at the Granaries at the end of the month! “My favourite hit is ‘Honky Cat’, taken from Sir Elton’s Honky Chateau album. What I particularly like about this track is the feel-good rhythm, which conjures images of a New Orleans saloon with the pianist out to mesmerise his audience!” Charles Tedesco “Sir Elton John was my late husband’s favourite singer. His death thirteen years ago came as a shock for my daughter and I, but his records, especially ‘Your Song’, remind us of him and the happy moments we shared together.” Connie Micallef “My favourite song is ‘I’m Still Standing’ because it seems to epitomise Sir Elton John’s survival of all the ups and downs in his life, and the video on a French beach is so slick and professional, just like him!” Jessica Henry “My favourite Sir Elton John hit is ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’. It reminds me of when I was younger and of my first girlfriend – who is now my wife!” Chris Mallia “I love most of Sir Elton’s songs but my favourite is ‘Your Song’. The reason is because while I was pregnant with my daughter I was working on a production in which it was played. The baby used to always move while we were playing it, then once she was born I’d sing it to her ‘... how wonderful life is now you’re in the world’.” Amanda Sciberras

Sir Elton John will be gracing Malta once more for a concert on the Granaries in Floriana on September 26th. Performing alongside him will be the talented Ray Cooper. Tickets starting from €35 are available from all Vodafone, Agenda and Exotique outlets or from www.nngpromotions.com

vida.com.mt | Issue 09 | September 2010

“My favourite Sir Elton John hit is ‘Your Song’. I really like it because it conveys the message that the simplest things in life make a big difference and contribute towards one’s happiness. The song reminds me that I am special to those who love me and helps me appreciate the fact that the best gift one can get is undoubtedly love.” Ilona Costa “My favourite song by Sir Elton John is ‘Live Like Horses’. The song is a cry for freedom – an unshackling from the reins. What I like most is the symbolism of the horses: to live like horses, for Sir Elton, means to regain your senses, and I sincerely wish that in my lifetime, we can broaden our horizons in Malta.” Marisa Debono “‘Your Song’! It really brings me sweet memories as when in my late teens in the mid 70s, I met and fell in love with a young British service man who asked me to join him in the UK; but due to the fact that I had a very strict father, that was not possible. Before he left, he gave me a Sir Elton John record and needless to say, it brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it and wonder, what if!” Rita Hughes “My favourite song is ‘Crocodile Rock’ because although I am now 57 years old, whenever I hear it I am transported back to the days when I used to go dancing at the Palace and the Phoenica Hotel. I still sing at the top of my lungs when I hear it!” Lilian Mifsud

WIN

Answer our question and you can be the lucky winner of two VIP tickets to watch Sir Elton John Live in Concert! Who would you love to see perform in Malta and why? Send your answers by email to win@vida.com.mt by no later than Friday September 10th, 2010. (Last month’s NNG competition winners are listed on page 53)

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