Heard in The Hive

Last year, over 140 Maltese wine lovers experienced for themselves the difference the right glass makes when drinking different wines. Initially sceptic, all were converted after participating in a series of demonstrations by Yair Hajdu, European regional manager and in-house wine expert of Riedel Fine Austrian Crystal, and internationally renowned wine journalist, author and teacher, during the demonstration at Living Interiors, Gzira.

Following the success of that event, Mr Hajdu is returning to Malta this week to introduce the Riedel philosophy of wine-drinking to anyone interested in maximising the experience of wine drinking.

During a series of demonstrations to be held on Thursday and Friday at Living Interiors (local representatives and importers of Riedel Fine Austrian Crystal), Mr Hajdu will invite participants to savour the true flavour of their favourite wines, while experiencing for themselves the difference between drinking from the correct shape of glass and drinking from an ordinary, uniform wineglass.

During these demonstrations, Mr Hajdu will invite participants to pour the same wine into two different glasses, a regular wine glass and one of four specially-crafted glasses, without knowing either the variety of the wine or the identity of the glass.

"We then ask the participants to taste the wine... invariably they are amazed at the difference in taste," said Mr Hajdu, who gives hundreds of similar demonstrations every year to wine lovers around the world. "You don't need to be a professional to appreciate the difference; even for an amateur, this is a crystal clear demonstration."

Understanding the true character of the wine is essential to the ultimate tasting experience, and drinking out of the correctly shaped and sized glass for the particular variety ensures you enjoy the best of both flavour and aroma. Wine connoisseurs around the world already recognise this, but anyone who enjoys drinking wine can experience this by trying it out.

Mr Hajdu, who has spent his life searching for the 'holy grail' of wineglasses, now divides his time between conceiving new glasses for Riedel and demonstrating their efficacy to audiences around the world. "These demonstrations provide audiences with crystal clear evidence of the truth behind our philosophy," he said.

"(All) our guests start out as sceptics and end up exclaiming in amazement. I am looking forward to returning to share this experience with Maltese wine lovers again."

Mr Hajdu is giving two demonstration to the public on both days at 7.30 p.m. and a third for restaurateurs at 3.30 p.m. on Friday. There will also be a special session at the ITS for students that will be attended and introduced by Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

Anyone who would like to participate in one of these sessions is asked to phone Living Interiors on 2134-1166 or e-mail living@maltanet.net to book.

There is no charge; however only a limited number of places is available, so bookings will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis.

Medical graduates hold a 45th anniversary reunion

Thirty doctors and dentists recently commemorated the 45th anniversary of their graduation.

Mass was said by Fr Jimmy Bartolo, the University chaplain, at the Jesuits' Residence, at the University of Malta.

This was followed by a reception and dinner at the Copperfield Restaurant at the Victoria Hotel, Sliema.

Fr Bartolo and Professor Victor and Dr Mary Griffiths were the guests of honour during the event. Twelve of the course members also came for abroad for the occasion.

HSBC Customers win holiday to Jamaica

The final HSBC lottery was recently won by Mr and Mrs John Muscat from Mosta.

Ray Briffa, head of Personal Banking, presented the winners with an all expenses paid trip to a Beaches and Sandals resort in Jamaica, courtesy of P&A Sullivan Ltd, Malta and Gozo agents for Sandals and Beaches resorts.

HSBC Bank Malta plc organised monthly lotteries in which four winners each month were presented with a weekend break at the Mgarr Hotel in Gozo. The final lottery was open to all HSBC customers who used either ATMs, deposit machines, EPOS machines, direct credits and debits, telephone banking or standing orders.

"HSBC's automated services are designed to make banking faster, easier and more convenient. Through these incentives, HSBC has been encouraging more customers to make use of these services. In fact, we are now seeing some 1.4 million electronic transactions per month. Mr and Mrs Muscat have not only been making full use of HSBC's automated services but, thanks to the collaboration of P & A Sullivan Ltd, they have also been lucky enough to win this once in a lifetime ultra all inclusive trip to a Sandals or Beaches resort in Jamaica," Mr Briffa said.

Australian honour for TV presenter

Josephine Zammit Cordina, presenter of the television programme Waltzing Matilda has been appointed as honorary member of the General Division of the Order of Australia.

The appointment was approved by Mayor General Philip Michael Jeffrey, AC, CVO, MC, general governor of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Mrs Zammit was nominated for the award for her contribution towards the development of the cultural link between Australia and Malta, particularly through her radio programme il-Boomerang and her television programme Waltzing Matilda, also transmitted in Australia.

In 1995 she was honoured by the Government of Malta for her services to foster closer ties between Malta and Australia, and was also awarded the Midalja Ghall-Qadi tar-Reppubblica.

Success for Maltese Chefs in Italy

Malta recently placed second and third respectively in the fifth edition of the QOCO culinary competition, held in Bari, Italy.

The Maltese team was represented by Steve L. Agius and Paul Borg, sous chef and executive chef of Barcelo Riviera Resort & Spa, Marfa.

Contestants from Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and Croatia were asked to create two original Mediterranean dishes using one main ingredient - Olive Oil. The dishes were then served to the 17 judges, who were food critics, journalists, chefs and restaurateurs.

This event was made possible with the support of the Malta Food and Cookery Association, PJ Sutters Co Ltd and BTI uniforms.

People

Emanuel Farrugia, MInst (Dip.) UK, Dip., Mgt, Dip. Trib. Eccl. Melit. has been elected full member of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of the UK.

Having graduated in Management from the University of Malta in 1996 and also from Cambridge College in the UK, he continued his studies in Theology and Philosophy at the University of Malta. Mr Farrugia also studied Canon Law with the Metropolitan Tribunal of Malta where he obtained a Diploma in Canonical Marriage Cases Jurisprudence and Procedure.

His dissertation was entitled "If either both of the parties should by a positive act will exclude marriage itself or any essential element of marriage or any essential property, such party contracts invalidity." (Canon 1101 S2)

Currently he is studying English Law, under the supervision of Colleen Swan, an American attorney and also a qualified solicitor in the UK.

Mr Farrugia is married to Theresa née Garcia and has two sets of twins - Tiziana, Samantha Jo, Luigi Consuelo and Juan Carlos. He is the son of the late Emmanuel and Theresa of Tarxien .

Mark Sagona graduated in Masters of Art History from the University of Malta with distinction.

His dissertation, entitled "Emanuele Buhagiar (1876-1962): his contribution to the ecclesiastical decorative arts of the Maltese Islands" was supervised by Professor Mario Buhagiar. Professor Chiara Bargellini Cione of the University of Mexico was his foreign examiner.

In spite of being one of the most significant of art endeavour in Malta, this area of study has never received any academic attention, even on an international level. This study, therefore, has broken new ground in the art-historical evaluation of the development of the ecclesiastical decorative arts in Malta.

Mr Sagona graduated first class honours in Art from the University of Malta in 1999 and held his first one-man exhibition in November 2000. He is the first Gozitan to obtain the BA.(Hons.) and MA in Art. Currently he is working on his forthcoming personal show of paintings which will be held next January at the Bianca Giuratale on Independence Square in Victoria. This will be curated by Dr Joseph Paul Cassar.

Miss Model of the World (Malta)

Nikki Farrugia recently placed first in the annual Miss Model of the World (Malta) contest, organised by Vogue Modelling Agency at the ballroom suite of the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort.

Miss Farrugia, who was, also voted Miss Model in Swimsuit and Miss Personality, will represent Malta in the Miss Model of the World competition in Beijing, China next February. Roberta Magro who placed second will be representing Malta in the Miss Tourism of the Globe Competition to be held in Russia. Both trips will be sponsored by Air Malta.

Other winners were Catherine Caruana, who placed third, Christina Schranz (Most Beautiful Face), Roberta Magro (Best in Evening Gown), Rosette Galea (Miss Photogenic), Chantel Enriquez (Most Beautiful Hair), Rosalie Casha (Most Promising Model) and Larissa Bonaci (Miss Model in National Costume).

During the event 17 models paraded in national costume, evening wear and swimwear. A fashion show was held by Divine Assets of De Tigne Shopping Complex Sliema, and Sweetheart Bridal Boutique of Hamrun.

Swimsuits for the event were provided by Christine and Sabrina Boutique of Paola and Valletta.

The contestants' hair stylists were Beauty Emporium and Hair Mode of San Gwann, Curls of Balzan and Avant Garde of Fgura, while Joseph Zahra of the Gallery Hair Studio of Luqa was responsible for the hair of the wedding gown models.

Nails were done by Kim Critien while NEE Make Up were responsible for their make-up. Flowers for the event were provided by Il-Werqa Florists while the costume jewellery for the swimsuits and evening wear was sponsored by Streetcraft. Albert Demarco was the official photographer. Entertainment was provided by Fabrizio Faniello, Eleanor Cassar and Shalaine.

Malta recieves three awards in Floral Art Competition

Malta recently placed in the top three in the stained glass section of the Floral Art Competitions, held by the London and Overseas of NAFAS in Essex, UK. Mariuccia Micallef Grimaud won first place while her daughters Nadine and Glorian placed second and third respectively. Floral club member Lily dei Conti Manduca was highly commended while Maria Galea, a student of the Grimauds, was commended.

A fresh new look for Farsons Website

Farsons Group of Companies has revamped its Website making it more flexible, user-friendly and informative. This year the company is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

With a contemporary look, the new Website reflects the company's modern outlook as well as its leading role in the marketing and production of beverages, while promoting a worldwide image through its global, franchise brands. It also highlights the company brands' international awards and recognition.

Other useful features on the Website include the Group's history, financial and export information and also the latest company news. The Website is ideal for research purposes as information has been made easily accessible through a search facility. Investors and prospective investors can now check the current share price and other trading information.

Two innovative features are the "Brewery Tour" and the "History Timeline", found under Farsons Group of Companies by clicking on "Group History".

The Farsons Group of Companies Webisite is www.farsons.com

Correction

The Wedding announcement "Chircop-Agius" carried in last week's issue should have read "Chircop-Borg". Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Martin Cardona, assisted by Rev. Can Carmel Calleja. The bride's cousin who witnessed the ceremony is Ramona M. Borg.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - November 30-December 7

Tomorrow
11.30 a.m. The President lays wreaths on the tombs of the unknown soldier and President Anwar Sadat's tomb in Cairo.

11.45 Mrs de Marco visits the Care Integrated Society of Egypt.

Noon The President is welcomed by Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, president of the Arab Republic of Egypt, at the official welcoming ceremony at the presidential headquarters.

12.05 The President is received by the president of the Arab Republic of Egypt for official talks.

12.30 The President delivers press statements with the president of Egypt.

12.45 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a luncheon in their honour, hosted by the president of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mrs Mubarak at the presidential headquarters.

4.15 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco visit the Giza Plateau.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President meets Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Mohammed Abeid, at the prime minister's Office.

10.35 Mrs de Marco meets the secretary general of the National Council of Women of Egypt at the council's headquarters.

10.40 The President meets Fathi Souror, speaker at the House of the People's Assembly.

11.15 The President meets Amre M. Moussa, secretary general of the League of Arab States, at the Arab League Headquarters.

12.05 The President visits the Bank of Valletta representative office in Cairo.

12.15 Mrs de Marco meets the secretary general of the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood at the Council's headquarters.

1 p.m. The President attends a luncheon hosted in his honour by Mr George Doublesin, ambassador of Malta to the Arab Republic of Egypt, at the Marriot Hotel.

3.45 Mrs de Marco visits the Citadel and Gawhara Palace.

4 The President meets Dr Muhammed Sayid Tantawy, grand imam of Al-Azhar.

7.30 The President delivers a lecture entitled The New Architecture for Stability in the Mediterranean at the Mubarak Library.

Wednesday
7 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco depart to Luxor for a private visit.

Sunday
1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco arrive at Malta International Airport.

For your diary

The Mission Fund is holding a Garage Sale at 21, Triq l-Imhalla, Naxxar, from Monday till next Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the physically disabled at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning at Les Lapins Hotel on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. Tickets, at Lm1.20 each, may be obtained from the centre (tel. 2169-3863 or 2143-6421).

A pasta night for past pupils of St Joseph School, Sliema, is being held at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday at 7.45 p.m. For bookings, phone Jo Delia on 2137-0666 or Mary Sciortino on 2133-2839 by Monday.

The St Joseph Blata l-Bajda Past Pupil Association is holding a general meeting to elect a new committee at its school on Friday. Mass will be said at 6.30 p.m.

The Friends of Attard Hospital Society is holding an annual Christmas fair at the Mount Carmel Hospital Entertainment Centre this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

An annual reunion for past pilgrims who visited St Pio of Pietrelcina's birthplace in Italy is being held on Sunday.

Mass will be said at the new Porziuncola church, Bahar ic-Caghaq at 3 p.m., followed by a high tea with tombola and games at Forum Hotel, St Andrews. For more information phone 2123-1446 or 2124-5528.