PRO LIFE MOVEMENT RALLY

Photographs by Johnnie Bugeja

The Best Recipes of our Cuisine

Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya

A Cajun-inspired rice pot recipe with spicy Spanish sausage (Chorizo), sweet peppers and tomatoes

Serves: 4 Preparation: 10 MINUTES Cook: 45 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil - 2 chicken breasts, chopped - 1 onion, diced - 1 red pepper, thinly sliced - 2 garlic cloves, crushed - 75g chorizo, sliced - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning - 250g long grain rice - 400g can plum

tomato - 250ml chicken stock

HOW TO MAKE IT 1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan with a lid and brown 2 chopped chicken breasts for 5 – 8 minutes until golden.

2. Remove and set aside. Tip in the 1 diced onion and cook for 3 – 4 minutes until soft.

3. Add 1 thinly sliced red pepper, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 75g sliced chorizo and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, and cook for 5 minutes more.

4. Stir the chicken back in with 250g long grain rice, add the 400g can of tomatoes and 350ml chicken stock. Cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes until the rice is tender.

1. A massive thank-you to the Bosom Buddies Cancer Trust, who donated £867 to the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness from the sale of their 2020 calendars. 2. Johnnie Bugeja with The Late Tony Avellano. RIP My Friend. 3. Sir Joe Makes The First Move at this Year's International Chess Tournament at The Caleta Hotel. 4 A & B. Dignitaries took part in a ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at Commonwealth Park. 5. The Gibraltar Tourist Board Team at this year's FITUR. 6. Gibraltar for ‘YES’.

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Cosmetic Surgery Real Life Patient Case Study

We speak to Isabella from Gibraltar, who recently had a breast lift and augmentation with Aria Medical Group’s Dr. Marco Vricella at the HCI private hospital in Marbella

ISABELLA (we have changed her name to protect her privacy) works in Gibraltar in Financial Services, and for some years she had been considering cosmetic surgery. She explains, “After pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding, I was unhappy with the way my breasts looked - I wanted my former figure back!”

THE CHOICE In Gibraltar residents have a number of options for cosmetic surgery, including local private clinics, private surgeons and hospitals in Spain, the UK and beyond. Like many men and women thinking about a cosmetic surgery procedure, Isabella had a few concerns about the operation and after reading some horrors stories in the media, was a little worried. “I had heard such a mixture of stories from different surgeons and clinics that I was very cynical. The only one I knew that had a consistent track record was Dr Marco Vricella of Aria Medical Group.

My friend had undergone a similar procedure with him and when I saw her results and learned how everything had gone so smoothly for her, I thought ‘why not me’? My friend was waxing lyrical about the whole thing!”

addition, one can read case studies and testimonials from former clients and talk to somebody that has had the same procedure you are thinking about. Aria Medical Group considers this research essential for potential clients and is able to provide case studies and additional information for all clients at their private consultations in Gibraltar.

THE CONSULTATION IN GIBRALTAR College Clinic, the private medical practice on Queensway Gibraltar, is the venue for Aria Medical Group’s private consultations. All clients meet Dr. Marco Vricella

and have plenty of time to discuss their requirements and concerns with him in private and become fully informed before making the decision to proceed. Isabella says this was a distinct advantage, “The fact that you can see Dr. Marco Vricella in Gibraltar for the initial consultation is just great; and then for each check up afterwards. It makes life so much easier than having to go over to Spain or fly to the UK. You don't have to worry about border queues - it really is ideal to be able to pop into the College Clinic to see him.” Some Gibraltar residents also consider cosmetic surgery in the UK, but as Isabella explains, it is not always the most convenient option. “I could also have looked at flying over to the UK to have the procedure, but to be honest the cost as well as the thought of flying abroad and leaving my family behind for an operation was not a real option for me. One also has to think about post-operative check-ups and how practical it would be to have those abroad!” In addition, the Costa del Sol has become a centre of excellence for well-being and cosmetic surgery, although possibly not everyone shares the same commitment to excellence as Dr. Marco Vricella. Isabella concurs, “I think southern Spain has seen an increase in the number of plastic surgeons of late, due to the number of foreign residents who live on the coast. We are very lucky to have such a variety of experts at such a close proximity to Gibraltar, but you do have to do your homework - it is your body that you are dealing with after all!”

For Gibraltarians, nearby Marbella offers the perfect location for cosmetic surgery; close to home and family; yet discreet and private, so one can have a procedure without sharing the news with neighbours or colleagues at work. Just take a short break.

THE HOSPITAL “The Marbella International High Care Hospital (HCI) in Marbella, where Dr. Marco Vricella is Director of the Cosmetic Surgery Unit, offered me the right privacy to have the procedure” continues Isabella. “It was away from Gibraltar but not too long a drive. As well as the first-class care, my room was more like a hotel room with an ensuite bathroom; the meals were lovely; and I could not have asked for more from the staff. The right balance was also the fact that I knew my ‘post op’ check-ups could be carried out in Gibraltar which was a definite bonus.”

THE PROCEDURE IN MARBELLA “My husband drove me up to the HCI private hospital in Marbella” explains Isabella. She continues to detail how things went, “Within ten minutes of arrival I had been shown to my room and had Louise (Aria’s Chief Patient Care Coordinator) explain the whole procedure to me again. Later I was wheeled into theatre and before I knew it, I was out like a light! The next I knew I had woken up and was holding hands with Louise. I was excited to see the results, but I had to wait as I had a full dressing on. I slept for a few hours and then had something to eat, and then spent the night at the HCI hospital. It’s a luxurious place to recuperate and I felt safe as I was checked on every hour by the nursing staff. The next morning Dr. Vricella, as well as their Specialist Nurse, and Louise came to see how I was doing and since everything was fine, I was allowed to leave for home. My husband picked me up and we drove home to Gibraltar. I spent a week at home relaxing and taking my painkillers and antibiotics (to avoid any infection) and within two days I was itching to get out as I felt fine. It is incredible how easy and painless the whole procedure was from start to finish.”

THE AFTERCARE IN GIBRALTAR Dr. Marco Vricella, and his team offer complete aftercare in Gibraltar. In addition, included in the price is any revision surgery in the first year – a compelling service for residents of Gibraltar.

Isabella adds, “I had heard of many patients who had been to Dr. Marco Vricella and all had good things to say about their personal experience with his staff; the whole team made me feel comfortable from the word go.”

THE NEXT STEP So, choosing cosmetic surgery with Aria Medical Group is a decision one can make with confidence. Isabella simply adds, “My only advice is not to be scared; you can hear some horror stories in the media about cosmetic surgery but these I believe are one in a million and that's why they appear in the news. All you have to do is talk to the people you have around, and you will be surprised at the amount of people who have had procedures done and you would not even know about it. The results are natural looking and only makes you feel and look like a better you!”

Dr. Vricella holds free consultations in Gibraltar throughout the year (at College Clinic, Regal House) – for dates and to book an appointment please call + 34 671 639 353 or email info@ariamedicalgroup.com

Procedures available from Aria Medical Group include:

• Breast Augmentation • Breast Uplift • Breast Reduction • Tummy Tuck • Liposuction • Facial Injections • Face Lifts • Eyebag Removal • Rhinoplasty

Science Shows How Guitar Players' Brains are actually different from everybody elses’

WHETHER IT'S PLAYING "Stairway to Heaven" until your fingers bleed or always finding yourself in the centre of a group of people intent on singing "Wagon Wheel," some things are common to all guitarists including, as it turns out, their brain chemistry.

For starters, guitarists literally have the ability to synchronize their brains while playing. In a 2012 study in Berlin, researchers had 12 pairs of guitarists play the same piece of music while having their brains scanned. They discovered that the guitarists' neural networks would synchronize not only during the piece, but even slightly before playing. So, basically, guitarists can read each others' minds better than they can read music.

That synch happens in the areas of the brain that deal with music production and social cognition, so it makes a real difference in how tight a band sounds. When people talk about a band's chemistry, this may well be what they're seeing. It also explains why brothers are the core duo in so many famous rock bands.

But part of this ability to synchronize actually comes from one overarching truth about guitarists: they're more intuitive than most.

It sounds weird to solo while hooked up to a scanning machine, but a few brave guitarists pulled it off and contributed a major finding to the science of guitars. Researchers found that, when a guitarist shreds, he or she temporarily Carlos Santana

deactivates the brain region that routinely shuts down when achieving big-picture goals, signalling a shift from conscious to unconscious thought.

And when mere mortals (non-musicians)

Ritchie Blackmore

attempt a solo, the conscious portion of their brain stays on, which indicates that real guitarists are able to switch to this more creative and less practical mode of thinking more easily.

All of the research makes it clear that guitarists are just super spiritual, intuitive people. Think about anyone from the Jimmy Paige to the Edge right on up to Bon Iver. That sort of intuitive thinking runs all the way to how they learn. Unlike musicians who learn through sheet music, guitarists, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University, get a better grasp of a song by looking at someone playing it rather than reading the notes on paper.

The intuition might come from one truth every guitarist knows: playing guitar transcends basic brain chemistry. In a famous incident, Pat Martino, a renowned jazz guitarist from Philadelphia, had 70% of his left temporal lobe removed in his mid-30s due to a haemorrhage. When he came out of surgery, he couldn't play any longer.

But guitar-playing is about more than any one part of your brain. Within two years, Martino was able to completely relearn how to play the jazz guitar. Scientists everywhere have used his brain as an amazing example of cerebral plasticity. For guitarists, he represents something else — playing guitar isn't a skill. It's a way of being.

Royal Gibraltar Regiment Holds Insight Weekend

THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR Regiment held its first Insight Weekend of the year at Devil’s Tower Camp and Buffadero Training Centre on the weekend of 24th January. The two day event included an overnight stay to provide potential recruits with a better understanding of the Regiment and what it could offer them. On the Friday, 26 potential recruits, three women and 23 men aged between 15 years old and 42 years old, took part in indoor activities and presentations as well as outdoor activities including a Night Stalk, a live shoot and more.

They will now receive a followup phone call with those still interested in joining the Regiment invited to the Recruiting Office for an interview and completion of the relevant documentation, followed by a medical at the Princess Royal Medical Centre. Potential recruits will then be loaded onto Phase 1 Alpha training at which point contracts will be signed.

For Regulars, training will involve Phase 1 Alpha, plus another 5 days prior to attending the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, in the UK, to undergo Phase 1 and Phase 2 training. For the Reserves they will complete their Phase 1 Alpha training and then complete Phase 1 Bravo. All this must be completed within 3 months. They will then attend ITC within 12 months to complete their Phase 2 training.

Gibraltar marks EU departure

Photographs By Johnnie Bugeja

GIBRALTAR MARKED ITS departure from the EU with a short ceremony at midnight. The ceremony focused on the three flagpoles at the northern end of Gibraltar by the land frontier with Spain (land border with the European Union).

The flag of the European Union was lowered at midnight to the tune of “Ode for Joy”,

which is the EU anthem, as a sign of respect and affection to Europe. It was immediately replaced by the flag of the Commonwealth, which was raised to the tune of the National Anthem, “God Save The Queen”. The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo received the EU flag when it was lowered, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, who is the Minister for relations with Europe and the Commonwealth, handed over the Commonwealth flag. This happened in the presence of His Excellency the Governor Lt General Edward Davis, as well as, the Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament Melvyn Farrell and the Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi. The music was provided by the Gibraltar Band and Drums Association.