Heard in the Hive

The Basketball Pavilion in Ta' Qali was once again a witness to a uniqe dance festival organised by the Malta Dancesport Association. More than 85 international couples together with Malta's finest dancers participated in the First Malta Open International Dancesport Federation Championships.

Judged by a panel of seven international adjudicators under the chairmanship of IDSF representative, Mr Stefano Francia, of Italy, these competitions were declared open by Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett. After a magnificent march past all the elegantly dressed couples and with a smart attractive topline, the wooden pavilion floor was graced with a continuous flow of dancers. The exquisite music of the Standard and Latin dances, provided by sound engineer and DJ Saviour Delia, kept both dancers and enthusiasts in a world of beautiful melodies which relaxes the heart but prompts the feet to dance or tap.

The level of dancing was very high, especially in the IDSF Standard where the Italians were the most formidable. The winning Italian couple was later described by the judges as superb.

The cabaret show of professional couple Giacomo Steccaglia and Melissa Dexter was an extra reward given by the MDA to all present. Their interpretation of the Samba, Rumba and Pasodoble was fantastic and guests showed their appreciation by giving them a ten-minute standing ovation.

At the end of the championships, Tourism Minister Michael Refalo, who was accompanied by his wife for most of the evening, presented the trophies. Vouchers for dancing shoes and tailsuits were alo presented to the finalists by Tony Bailey for Brackleys and Sylvia Robinson for RayRose Shoes Ltd. Mr Noel Gravina for Air Malta presented four air tickets to the winners of the IDSF Standard and Latin Championships.

This Dance Festival showed the commitment with which the MDA is working not only to raise the standard of our athletes, but also to place Malta in the centre for major IDSF Championships.

TCTC donates trackball mouse and edutainment software

Earlier this month, TCTC Ltd donated a trackball computer mouse and "Reader Rabbit: Toddler" educational software to Frankie Vella, a primary school student with special needs.

Frankie, who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair, needed this particular mouse to enable him to have access to a computer, with the help of his facilitator, Tania Cilia.

The software, "Reader Rabbit: Toddler", is extremely interactive with many sound effects. When children click on any part of the screen, they hear different sounds, which serve as an encouragement to make use of the mouse.

TCTC Ltd is a reputable company that specialises in computer training courses, edutainment software, computer systems, compatible printer cartridges and also produce Click, an educational programme about computers that is on every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on Super 1 TV.

Contest for musicians on Zebbug Day

On Zebbug Day, the honorary consulate of Latvia and Zebbug council, organised a cultural contest, the first of its kind, for musicians from Zebbug.

The honorary consul of Latvia, Notary Dr Mark Anthony Sammut, sponsored the activity. Miss Maria Bonnici, who plays the flute, placed first and was awarded a diploma and Lm150. The second and third prizes were of Lm100 and Lm50 respectively.

In a brief speech, Dr Sammut said Lavtia, a North European country, had a long cultural tradition and it was therefore proper to organise such a cultural contest with a view to strengthening relations between the two countries.

Dr Sammut thanked the mayor and the councillors of Zebbug for accepting his invitation to organise this contest.

19th Gold Award for Coastline Hotel

The Coastline Hotel, since opening in 1994, has won a total of 19 Gold Awards from Thomson Holidays - one for every winter and summer programme operated.

On three previous occasions, in 1995, 1997 and 2000 the hotel also won the Overall Award for the best hotel in its category in the whole of the Thomson brochure for the Mediterranean region.

This year has been no exception and once again the Coastline was awarded with a Gold Medal for winter and an Overall Gold Medal for the Thomson Young at Heart Programme.

The awards were presented at the Thomson annual gala dinner, which was held at the Savoy Hotel in London last Tuesday. On presentation of the award to the Coastline's general manager Ernest Barry, Thomson described the property as "an excellent property offering very high standards complemented by very friendly staff which has achieved consistently high satisfaction scores over its many years of operation."

Mr Winston V. Zahra, group managing director, said he was very pleased to see the Coastline continue on its award-winning trail.

"We believe in offering excellent service, excellent food, service with a smile and value for money. This is the successful formula we have adopted at Island Hotels Group."

In the meantime, Mr Zahra said this year, which after the September 11 attacks looked as if it was going to be a difficult year, has proved to be another good year for the Group with an increase in both turnover and operating profits of the Group. This was the result of the efforts put in by the Island Hotels Group team of management and staff.

Commenting on the industry in general, Mr Zahra said that it is imperative that the MTA continues with its aggressive marketing campaigns and to allocate the maximum amounts of funds possible to continue to give the vital exposure to the islands in line with the strategic plan.

"Concurrently the government needs to ensure that the overall environment is upgraded to a product which complements the efforts being made by private industry", Mr Zahra concluded.

People

Dr Alan Ellul, MD, M.Sc., and Mr Joseph Sant, DNS, members of the general committee of the Diabetes Education Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, just returned from Celano (AQ), Italy, after attending a workshop on diabetes education.

Topics discussed during this meeting were: loosing excess weight, daily physical exercise, carbohydrate counting and use of insulin pumps.

Conclusions and recommendations from these discussions will be used in the formulation of diabetes education programmes to be implemented throughout Europe.

The Holy Trinity External Feasts Committee of Marsa recently organised a musical concert by the Nottingham High School Band under the patronage of Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett. The Francis Holland School Senior Choir from Chelsea, UK, together with the parish choir Gloria Tibi Trinitas, directed by Carlos Vella, also gave a choral concert at the Holy Trinity Church, Marsa. A reception was later held on the occasion of the nomination of Mr Charles Attard, a prominent member of the society, as Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Seen here are (from left) Mr Mugliett, MP, Lieutenant Victor Licari, EOHSJ (Malta), Knight Commaner Chevalier Charles Mifsud, Chevalier Charles Attard, EOHSJ, and Fr Manuel Abela, OFM Cap, parish priest Holy Trinity Church, Marsa.

Bonett - Montebello

Married recently at the Old Birkirkara Church were Karen Bonett, daughter of Mr and Mrs Godwin Bonett of Birkirkara, and Noel Montebello, BA (Hons) Sociology, son of Mr and Mrs Francis Montebello of Safi.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Charles Grech, OFM, assisted by Fr John Azzopardi, OFM. Mr Charles Bonett, the bride's uncle, and Mr Anthony Montebello, MBA (Maastricht), BA (Hons) Sociology, the groom's brother, witnessed the wedding ceremony. Mr Karl Bonett, the bride's cousin, was best man.

The bride was attended by her cousin Naomi Bonett as maid of honour. Katia Galea was flower-girl.

A reception was later held at Olive Gardens, l/o Mdina.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Southern Germany.

Stellini - Brincat

Married recently at the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha, were Annabelle Stellini, daughter of the late Francis and Doris Stellini of Mellieha, and Simon Brincat, son of the late Joseph and Mary Brincat of Paola.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Mario Mifsud. Marianne Stellini Rydahl, the bride's sister-in-law, and Anna Poque, the groom's sister, witnessed the wedding ceremony. Ivan Abdilla was best man.

The bride, who was given away by her brother, Stephen Stellini, was attended by Joanne Mifsud, the groom's niece, and Donna Abdilla, best friend of the couple, as bridesmaids. Jessica-Marie Barbara, the bride's cousin, and Martina Brincat, the groom's niece, were flower-girls. Simon and Thomas Stellini, the bride's nephews, were pageboys.

A reception was later held at Villa Mdina, Naxxar.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Rome, Venice and the Greek Islands.

Sweating for Charity

On Saturday, Cynergi by Reebok is hosting a 12-hour aerobathon in aid of the Community Chest Fund. Classes will commence at 9 a.m. and will finish at 9 p.m. and will be held at Cynergi by Reebok Health and Fitness Club in St George's Bay.

All fitness classes cost Lm3 each and there is a large variety to choose from, including jazz, line dancing, core and many more. For Lm3 one can also choose to have a game of squash or one could simply use the gym.

There will be a simultaneous squash-a-thon also being held at Cynergi by Reebok during the day - organized by the Malta Squash Association, from which all funds raised will also go to the cause.

Live bands and personalities will perform throughout the day and some will take part in the classes. There will be a host of activities throughout the day to keep participants entertained and free health related seminars in subjects like nutrition or chiropractics - given by professionals.

People do not have to participate in the classes to be a part of the event, with a small donation, they can simply visit Cynergi to enjoy the activities and watch the marathon.

All proceeds are in aid of the Community Chest Fund. For more information, call to book your space on 2371-0700.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements November 25-December 1

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives Alfred Pace, Comptroller of Customs, at the Palace, Valletta.
11.30 The President receives George Anomeritis, Minister of Mercantile Marine of the Republic of Greece.
12.15 p.m. The President receives Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano.
6 The President is presented with the Budget Speech by Finance Minister John Dalli.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives Deborah Farrugia, secretary for the Administration for Justice, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Michael Refalo, Tourism Minister.
Noon The President receives Judge Giovanni Bonello and is presented with a copy of the publication The Histories of Malta Vol III of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malta.
1 p.m. The President receives Fr Victor Livori and Fr George Scerri, missionaries in Peru.
6.30 The President presides over a Commission for the Administration of Justice meeting.

Wednesday
10.30 a.m. The President receives former US Congressional Representatives, Bill Paxon and Susan Molinari, at the Palace, Valletta.
5.45 p.m. The President receives Dr Simon Busuttil, chairman of the Malta-EU Information Centre, and is presented with a publication entitled Favur u Kontra.
7 The President presides over the launching of the book A Journey through the Centuries Historical Discoveries in Russo-Maltese Relations by Dr Elizaveta Zolina at the Palace.

Thursday
9.45 a.m. The President is presented with credentials by Patrick Christmant, French Ambassador, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.45 The President is presented with credentials by Valentin S. Vlasov, Russian Ambassador.
11.45 The President is presented with credentials by Joaquim L. C. Palmiero, Brazilian Ambassador.
1.15 for 1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited French, Russian and Brazilian ambassadors at San Anton Palace, Attard.
6 The President delivers the opening address at a seminar organised by the Strickland Foundation entitled "Human Rights and Journalism" at Erin Serracino Inglott Hall, University of Malta, Msida.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Ronald Henry Loudon, Ambassador of the Netherlands, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
11.30 The President receives the executive committee of APAN.
8 p.m. The President attends a reception hosted by the president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Mrs Fava at The Exchange, Valletta.
8.45 for 9 The President and Mrs de Marco host a dinner in honour of Judge Sir Nicolas Bratza and Judge Giovanni Bonello, Judges of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, on the occasion of the Human Rights Seminar at San Anton Palace, Attard.

Saturday
11.30 a.m. The President receives the chairman and members of the National Commission Persons with Disability at the Palace, Valletta.
7 p.m. The President attends the Premju Haddiem tas-Sena 2002 ceremony organised by the Ministry for Social Policy at Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq.

For your diary

A bazaar in aid of the missions in Pakistan will be held at St Joan Antide School, Gudja, starting tomorrow till Thursday from 8.30 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m. There will be plants, bric-a-brac, toys, clothes, household goods and much more.

A coffee morning in aid of the Salesians will be held at the Salesian Oratory, Sliema, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. Tickets are available from Fr Forte or Mrs Yvonne Camilleri on 2133-1447 or 2133-4253.

A card party in aid of the Girl Guides Association will be held at the Imperial Hotel in Sliema on Wednesday from 10 a.m. For booking please phone Laura on 2133-2502 or Tessie on 2122-4811.

A bazaar is being held at Stella Maris parish centre at 50, Cathedral Street, Sliema, on Friday and Saturday, open all day from 9.30 a.m.

A christmas bazaaR in aid of children at St Joseph's Home, St Venera, will be held at the home between Saturday and December 8.

A grand fayre will take place on Sunday from 9 a.m. onwards at St Dorothy's Junior School, Mdina Road, Zebbug.