Life&Style February Issue - MaltaRightNow.com

FEBRUARY 2007 – ISSUE 53
& S T Y L E
DENISE
MULHOLLAND
ON SINGING, DIRECTING
AND CATS
VALENTINE’S DAY
IS LOVE REALLY IN THE AIR?
FASHION
& PERFUME
A PERFECT MARRIAGE
WHEN STRANGERS
ARE FRIENDS
KEEP YOUR KIDS
SAFE ONLINE

| EDITORIAL |
| EDITORIAL |
| FEBRUARY 2007 - ISSUE 53 |
5 RALPH LAUREN
The King of New York’s Fashions. By Noemi Zarb.
7. THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS
Liz Ayling looks at how you can help your kids chat safely online.
11 SPORTS FAMILIES
Charles Camenzuli meets the multi-talented Mock family.
15 KEEPING LOVE ALIVE
Thoughts shared, souls bared on St. Valentines day. Jo Caruana meets two couples.
19 EUROPE PROMISES GOOD WORK
What the EU says about employees rights. By Cleavon Vella.
20 THE SONGBIRD’S TALE
Paula Fleri Soler meets a wonderful and funny Scottish Lady.
23 NUTRITION
Cliff Sultana explains how to help your body fight flu.
25 DOC Q & A
Our doctor answers your health questions
27 THE FASHION OF FRAGRANCE
The historic route of the world of perfume
31 CROSSWORD
Try your luck in our prize-winning crossword
33 NAILS
What the state of our nails reveals. By Angèle Stafrace
34 TV
Frederick Zammit on the new nostalgia-based show on Net TV
35 FOOD
Happy Chinese New Year. Festive Food, history and traditions.
38 RADIO
Eric Montfort meets ‘Nightcap’ presenter Joe Vella.
In February, the only respite
we get from the dreaded flu
that touches all our lives is the
celebration of the most romantic
day of the year – St. Valentine’s.
But just how romantically inclined
are you? Jo Caruana meets two
couples to see what they really
think of St. Valentines, and gives
us some background on how
this popular day may have come
about.
On the darker side of things – we’ve all heard some horror story
about a kid meeting a stranger they met on the ‘net. Liz Ayling
looks at how you can keep yourself informed so you can guide
today’s computer-savvy kids on chatting safely online with their
‘friends’.
This month, we also meet a very funny woman – singer Denise
Mulholland – a stylish Scot with oodles of talent, who has recently
moved to Malta and is currently pouring all her energies into a
musical production soon to hit the Manoel.
If you’ve already ditched last month’s resolutions, don’t despair;
here’s another chance to make up or give up – the Chinese New
Year starts in February! And to help you celebrate it, we’ve given
you some delicious Chinese recipes to try out.
Enjoy!
Charlotte Stafrace, Editor
Contact me : life&style@media.link.com.mt
EDITOR Charlotte Stafrace – life&style@media.link.com.mt
PUBLISHER Media.link Communications
ADVERTISING MANAGER Charles Zammit Moore
COVER Denise Mulholland photographed by Robert Camilleri@FotoClassic
DESIGN Antoinette Micallef
PRINTING Europrint Ltd.
CONTRIBUTORS
Godfrey Magri Demajo, Charlotte Stafrace, Frederick Zammit, Eric Montfort, Liz
Ayling from thinkingliving.com, Dr. J. Cutajar, Paula Fleri Soler, Noemi Zarb, Jo
Caruana, Cliff Sultana, Angèle Stafrace, Charles Camenzuli, Cleavon Vella.
Life&Style, Media.link Communications Co Ltd,
Triq Herbert Ganado, Pietá, HMR08 ·
Tel. 25965 ext. 232/317/407/522 · Fax 21240261
E-mail sales@media.link.com.mt · www.maltarightnow.com
Life&Style is not to be sold separately. It is published monthly and is
distributed free with il-Mument. Life&Style is protected by the laws of
copyright. No part of the magazine can be lifted or copied without the prior
consent of the publishers.
Publication date: 11 February 2007
L&S | FEBRUARY ’07 3

| FASHION |
RALPH
LAUREN
The Kid from the Bronx is King of New York’s Fashions
By Noemi Zarb
Enviable refinement is what the Ralph Lauren label is all about
whether you slip into his day or evening wear. A sure hand at fusing
historicism and modernity, he is one of Big Apple’s big designers
who crystallises pared down sophistication and underlines
wearability with perfect colour, shape and softness. Yes, 4-digit
minimum prices leave you gob smacked. And feeling the lushness
of minted cashmere, velvet, silk, chiffon, cotton and tweed all the
more so.
True to New York’s fashion runways, Lauren’s clothes steer
clear from the flamboyance of cutting edge and embrace a
quintessentially American, profit-driven, masculine-feminine
synthesis. His androgynous vision overlaps male and female
undertones with a luxurious breezy élan which only well-heeled
smooth operators can buy. This season’s return of tailored couture
has him flying higher than ever because sharpness is what he has
always excelled at. A razor-sharpness searing swathes of plain
colours, especially, white, black, grey, chocolate, sand and silver,
only occasionally broken with a series of stripes in primary colours.
So while his collections have been themed according to whatever
struck his fancy at the time, a classic cut runs through each one -
be it American prairie, Russian revolutionaries, English aristocrats,
Parisian café culture, or Old Hollywood glam.
Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills is where he opened his first
boutique which sold literal versions of his menswear for women.
That was way back in 1971, just four years after he hit the streets
of New York as an uncompromising seller of his own ties. Thirty five
years on and a billionaire many times over, he is still at it though
he now takes more pains to emphasise female curves while lording
over a fashion empire. His business savvy fuelled by the ambition
of a modest background in the Bronx plus a glib salesmanship
doing Manhattan has long enabled him to personify the American
Dream.
In fact, it’s no surprise to discover that he was the first designer
in the States to produce furniture and furnishings, therefore
introducing the concept of buying a successful lifestyle to a
continent addicted to success. Those who relegate Ralph Lauren
to a merchandiser may have a point. But they gloss over the
commercial core of American fashions. Moreover, Lauren (who
went beyond his POLO creations by taking on Armani’s understated
power dressing) has the grace to produce unmistakably American
lines which paradoxically don’t conjure up brash and flash.
This season he too has reinvented classics. Sweaters, trousers,
skirts and coats which bring back the waist, so essential to the art
of dressing seriously. The simplicity of his evening gowns expresses lyrical simplicity. No wonder copies
keep on replenishing the stores. It’s just the look to hook the high street after years of eclecticism,
though there’s no end to vintage.
Retro is still raining on the catwalks. It has been for quite a few seasons now as designers continue
to raid the looks of the past before they get to the drawing board. What’s different about Ralph Lauren
is that he has the knack to keep on updating his own look – permanently tanned, clad in dateless getups
and a flashing smile, turning out clothes you’d want to wear for the rest of your life. .
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| PARENTING |
Strangers
The Comfort of
How can you help your children chat safely
online when strangers can be virtual
friends? Liz Ayling looks at the issues.
Before starting school last September, my four-year-old son was somewhat clumsy
with the mouse and lacked the manual dexterity to click, drag and drop most items
on the various CBeebies’ website games.
Now, all that’s changed. After a few computer lessons at school and some home
practice, he’s now a whiz with the mouse and without being able to read, he has an
uncanny knack of clicking the right buttons.
That young kids like ‘buttons’ is nothing new to most parents, but I was stunned
all the same to read on my online news-feed a few months ago, “Boy, three, buys car
on Internet”. This particular child got into Ebay and clicked a ‘buy it now’ button.
Luckily for the parents, the seller saw the funny side and re-listed his vintage car.
Then, shortly afterwards, there was a far less lighthearted Ebay scenario. “17-yearold
boy’s Ebay con nets £45,000.” He was ‘addicted to Ebay’ and conning buyers
gave him a buzz. He is now facing prosecution.
The point here is that with online computer skills starting alongside learning to read
and write these days, it is all too easy for children to leap ahead of parents in online
savviness. Parents, although using online tools in the workplace, may feel unfamiliar
with the spaces that children tend to occupy online, such as chat rooms, instant
messaging and live chat.
Children, especially teenagers, are keen to develop their individuality yet will tend
to do so within social communities. Online, this is very often in chat rooms that reflect
their interests, hobbies and mindsets and so on. In ‘real life’, some children may be
“Boy, three, buys car
on Internet”. This
particular child got
into Ebay and clicked
a ‘buy it now’ button.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| PARENTING |
Your child must be aware that real life
behaviour is reflected online and it’s
quite possible to come across bullying,
racism, sexism and advances of a
sexual nature online in text chat, just
as in ‘real life’ verbally.
shy, but online they feel they find the support to share
emotional or personal issues. They make friendships
online, yet these online ‘friends’ are for the most part
total strangers to them. If left unguided by parents,
children may not recognise the pitfalls of some aspects
of developing these friendships, especially if they are in
a familiar, chatty atmosphere.
The fact that children are talking to their online
friends from the security of their own home reinforces
the feeling that it’s safe to chat away online without
worrying. It is all too easy then for a child to unwittingly
divulge more personal information than is necessary,
and it doesn’t have to be to just individuals. Companies
often use the lure of a competition requiring online
registration to engage children in what is effectively a
commercial ‘online community’ relationship.
Below, we’ve some pointer to get you started on
helping your children use Internet chat for the best, and
safely. It’s not a question of putting in so-called ‘net
nanny’ filters, it’s more a case of common sense and
open dialogue; the same methods you would employ on
other issues you have to deal with as a parent such as
sex education or healthy eating.
Starting safely
It is rare, very rare that a child will come across online behaviour that is deeply
sinister or illegal in their online life. But using the Internet is a bit like learning
to drive; one must be aware of the hazards and become adept at reading the
road ahead. One of the first things we can do to help our children is to spend
time discussing the good and bad things about the online world as well as sitting
together viewing good sites and chat rooms in action.
Good chat rooms require registration the first time you visit; it’s important to
tell your children not to give out their email, address or phone number to anyone
without checking with you first. You should read the small print on the site and
see what happens to any such details. Avoid any sites which say that the details
will be passed on to other companies.
Personal details such as your child’s real name and location, email, address,
phone number or school, or those of friends, should never be visible to the
general public online. Get your child to use nicknames. Putting a nickname, real
age and general location – in our case, ‘Malta’ – is fine as it’s truthful but nonspecific
enough to ensure privacy.
Online behaviour
Your child must be aware that real life behaviour is reflected online and it’s quite
possible to come across bullying, racism, sexism and advances of a sexual
nature online in text chat, just as in ‘real life’ verbally. If your child is made to feel
angry, upset or uncomfortable, they must be made aware that they are in control
and can leave the chat, inform the chat room moderator and tell you. You can
report such incidents to the website and your Internet Service Provider.
With instant messaging, your children can create a ‘buddy list’ of only those
people they would like to talk to. However, children will need to understand that
they must make judgements about whether someone is trustworthy enough to be
invited to join their buddy list.
Getting ‘real world’ about the Internet
Buddy or not, get your child to recognise that their online ‘friend’ is still a
stranger to whom they must never divulge personal details. If your child does
wish to meet an online friend in ‘real life’, then make sure they let you know, and
that they NEVER go alone to a meeting without you the parent or a trusted carer
present.
If you have been engaged in a dialogue with your child and notice that they are
spending overly long hours chatting online or getting more secretive about their
online friends, you may need to work hard and sensitively to get them to open up
about their online discussions.
And finally, there is of course the problem of your child developing a lack of
fitness or eye strain or other repetitive strain injuries from too much time spent at
the computer. Get them to spend time doing rather than just chatting! .
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| SPORTS |
Far left: Charlie Mock in ‘ The Count of Monte
Cristo’
left: Charlie Mock interviewed by Charles
Camenzuli for Sport Extra on Net TV
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Charles Camenzuli meets the MOCK family.
The origins of the Mock
family can be traced
back to Bavaria some
four centuries ago.
However, the Maltese
connection goes back to
the early ‘40’s.
U.K west country-born Billy Mock, a member of the
Royal Artillery in pre-war years, was already a leading
figure in Pick Army XI. As a warrant officer, Billy also
had the opportunity to be referee at the Gzira Empire
Stadium in key F.A Trophy and Cassar Cup matches.
Such experiences inspired Billy Mock to embark
on a tough refereeing career. In 1945, he set about
organising a refereeing course at the Vernon Club
in Valletta, and in the following year he was elected
Chairman of the Malta Football Referees Association.
The MFRA went through some changes only to be
reorganised in May 1949 by Billy Mock himself.
Billy Mock was not only a referee, but also a key
figure in coaching. His successes were winning twice
the Triple Crown with Floriana, in tandem with his
son Donald who was a regular player in the Greens’
line-up. Another son, Michael, was at one point playing
for Sliema Wanderers f.c. reserves, until he moved
to Valletta Swifts before ending his football career in
above: Charlie
Mock took part
also in a couple
of boxing bouts in
Sliema
left: Billy Mock
ex.Melita and
Siggiewi was a
regular Hamrun S.
player in the 70’s
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 11

| SPORTS |
Toronto, Canada, in the same team of former Sliema
Wanderers’ ace Ray Edwards.
Charlie the other budding offspring, was at the time
having his first experiences with Msida St.Joseph,
Zebbug Rangers, and Siggiewi.
The youngest son was Billy, who was a prominent
player with Hamrun Spartans in the early 70’s and went
on to become an established coach with various clubs.
He is currently coaching Luxol St.Andrew’s f,c. Billy’s
son, Gilbert, after playing with Hamrun Spartans in
2000 – 2001, was also one of the leading defenders in
the Premier League with Xghajra Tornados f.c.
Perhaps the most renowned in the Mock family
remains Charlie. Way back in 1950, Geraldu Tanti,
Balluta WPC mentor convinced him to join the club as
goalkeeper. In times when players like Sydney Scott,
Dennis Degiorgio, George Borg and Budgy Dowling
were in the limelight it was difficult to succeed. And yet
Charlie was triumphant with Balluta, with whom he won
4 league championships and 4 Knock-Out finals in 12
years and was an automatic choice for the ASA national
team. Charlie remained loyal to the Balluta colours even
in times when the club had leading players such as
Griscti, Bonello and Dowling transferred to other clubs.
At the end of 1968 season, thanks to his performances,
Balluta managed to achieve the KO Final.
Charlie, who was also a success at waterpolo, won
both national championships, reserves leagues and
minors leagues. In four decades of coaching he won
the Minors League and K.O with Sliema ASC, 2 nd
Division league with Sirens, League and K.O honours
with Valletta United, League with San Giljan WPC and in
recent years 2 nd Division League and K.O with Ta’ Xbiex.
At the age of 27, Charlie went on to follow in
his father’s footsteps and took up refereeing. After
refereeing 3 rd division football, Charlie jumped at the
opportunity to be appointed linesman in Juventus and
Milan AC UEFA Competition matches. Between 1970-
71 and 1977-78 he was referee in 25 senior division
matches.
Charlie Mock’s career is like a never ending story.
For decades he has been responsible for the sports
department at St.Edward’s College where he recalls
the days when former Malta goalkeeper the late David
Cluett donned the class colours. The 90’s offered him
left: Gilbert Mock
son of Billy jr. as
player with Xghajra
Tornados f.c
left: Billy Mock in the early 40’s at the Empire Stadium
RIGHT: UK born Billy Mock was the mentor of the Malta Football Referees Assoc.
a different experience, as sports commentator, at the
former Island Sound Radio station and RTK station.
Charlie narrates that in his varied career he has even
managed to be present in a couple of boxing bouts at
Villa Bonnici in Sliema and at the Veritas Hall at the
Ferries.
His photo album bears testimony to yet another
‘sport’ – that of a film actor/extra, where he can be
seen donning costumes ranging from those of a Roman
emperor to German soldiers. Charlie has taken part
in more than 30 films shot in Malta, including the
blockbusters ‘Gladiator’, ‘Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Munich’.
Long distance swimming was only another challenge
in Charlie’s sports repertoire. After crossing the
Malta-Gozo Channel in three hours 10 minutes, at
age 56, Charlie went on to achieve a new personal
best, clocking in at two hours, 11 minutes. On his
64 th birthday, he managed to make it in two hours
19 minutes. Moreover, in aid of the Ghana Mission
Foundation, he made a personal record of five hours
continuous swimming at the Sliema ASC pitch.
Charlie’s three sons, Stephen, Peter and Michael
have all played water-polo at club level. Stephen
extended his coaching career in a totally different sport
– that of Shooting, with the Bidnija Shooting range.
Peter’s son, Ryan is already a leading player with the
Malta’s and Neptunes Under 17 string. His other
grandchildren - Kurt forms part of the San Gwann f.c
Nursery and Keith has taken up karate.
Mock may be an unusual name, but it’s a familiar
one in the sporting world in Malta. .
Charlie Mock as
Balluta WPC player
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 13

| RELATIONSHIPS |
Valentine’s Day is not
the best time to be
single. As she ponders
this, Jo Caruana chats
to two couples about
their thoughts on the
Patron Saint of Love and
keeping love alive.
St. Valentine’s
Keeping
LOVE ALIVE
As a single girl in a modern world, the thought of St Valentine’s Day doesn’t
exactly bring a spring to my step. The birds may be singing and the flowers may
be blooming for those individuals who are part of a two-some, but as another
February 14 th looms, the impending doom of thrusting open my letter box only
to find a credit card bill (and not a swanky card from some Adonis) starts to hit
home.
I’m fine with this of course. After all, I’ve had plenty of practice on-and-off
through the years as one boyfriend came and went, taking with him the promise
of romantic poems, candle-lit dinners and expansive bunches of blood-red
roses. I regularly assure myself that I’m single by choice, and not because I’m a
complete loser drastically lacking a personality. Somewhat as a result of this, St
Val has become my
patron saint of friendship and each time he’s about to rear
his head, I give him a nod and plan a fantastic night of fun and games with a
group of gal-pals instead.
This is a more American approach it would seem, as a bit of research
confirms that across the Atlantic they’re focused on honouring the love of their
best-mates and friends, as well as their partners, which sounds like a good plan
to me.
Valentine’s Day Trivia
Long before St Valentine lived, February 14th had strong links with
fertility. The date traditionally is known for when birds choose their
mates.
In Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St Valentine's Day to
make them dream of their future husband. During this time, they also
believed that the first unmarried person of the opposite sex you met
on the morning of St Valentine's Day, would become your spouse.
Over 1 billion Valentine cards are sent in the United States each year.
Over 50 million roses are given on Valentine's Day each year.
The oldest known greeting card in existence is a Valentine card made
in the 1400's which can be admired at the British Museum in London.
By the 19th century, printed Valentine's cards were on sale and
extremely fashionable - in 1825 the Post Office handled more than
200,000 letters more than usual on St Valentine's Day.
The first box of Valentine's sweets was made in the late 1800's.
L&S | FEBRUARY ’07 15

| RELATIONSHIPS |
Krysta Vella and Karl Meilak Brunetti will have been together
for a year and a half on Valetine’s Day. Krysta is a student
reading a degree in Psychology, while Karl is an interior
design consultant.
“Our meeting was not in the most romantic place in the
world but in a bar where we got talking through friends. It was
the beginning of summer and I took his sunglasses as a joke
and unconsciously left with them. I didn’t see him for about
three months until one day I received a call from him asking me
to return them! We met up to do so and have been together ever
since. The glasses are now considered a ‘sign’ as without them
it’s unlikely we would have met again.
“Our first Valentine’s Day together was amazing as we
exchanged gifts, and more importantly, cards. Seeing it was
our first Valentine’s as well as our six-month ‘anniversary’, we
went to a restaurant to eat and chatted all night about the
good and bad points of the relationship. If there’s one thing Karl
and I are, it’s open towards each other, which is one of the best
things about our relationship.
“Personally, I believe in Valentine’s Day because I love any
excuse to get soppy and I think it’s nice to dedicate a day
especially for love when many people take it for granted. On the
other hand, Karl thinks that a couple can make Valentine’s Day
every day, just without the costly presents!
“As a couple we’re quite romantic. The most romantic thing
I’ve done so far is give him a box with fifty reasons why I love
him in it, and a little chest with sand at the bottom and a key
which obviously symbolised the key to my heart. Karl plays the
guitar and he often surprises me with a song he’s composed for
me. This always wins my heart!”
“Cards, flowers, lavish dinners,
holidays, toys, trinkets and other
such expenses have become
linked so intrinsically with
this day that it’s often hard to
see through all the pink and
packaging to the love that’s
supposed to lie underneath.”
Back to basics though: St Valentine’s Day first popped up in the Middle Ages when
it became a day dedicated to romantic love on where couples would exchange love
notes and spend time honouring each other. Doesn’t that sound lovely? Although the
saint himself is shrouded in mystery, the celebration itself contains vestiges of both
Christian and ancient Roman traditions. One legend relates that the original Valentine
actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself, while in prison. It is believed that
he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his
death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’
an expression that is still in use today.
While the origins of this may be as simple and sweet as all that, for many, this day
dedicated to ‘amore’, has become a complete headache thanks to the commercial
aspects that now cloud its every move. Cards, flowers, lavish dinners, holidays, toys,
trinkets, balloons and other such expenses have become so intrinsically linked with
this day that it’s often hard to see through all the pink and packaging to the love that’s
supposed to be nestled underneath.
But see through it we shall! As, single or not, I’m determined not to see red this
time round and instead chat to two couples, one that’s kept love alive over 19 years,
and another that is still enjoying what could be called the ‘honeymoon period’… .
Edward and Marika Mercieca have been married for nineteen years and have three children
Edward, Luke and Sarah. Together they own and run the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools (Malta),
FM Theatre Productions and FM Casting. They also work locally as actors.
“We met at a mutual friend’s birthday bash at, what was then, Paul’s Punch Bowl in Paceville.
Marika turned up late (as usual) and had no option but to sit next to me! The rest, as they say, is
history! Our first Valentine’s Day together was rather romantic. I remember that we went for dinner at a
restaurant in Sliema and afterwards, I proposed. She cried back then, but I think it’s only now that she
fully understands why!
“I think Valentine’s Day is a positive thing for couples at any stage and/or state of their relationship.
If it’s not going too well, it could act as a catalyst to make amends… if it’s going really well it could
make it better…. if it’s going ok, it could put that extra zest into it, albeit for a short while, to take it up
a notch or two.
“This year we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s in a roundabout way because I’ll be away in London on the
actual day. Obviously we’ll have to do something about it before I go or after I get back!”
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 17

| EU |
Europe
promotes
‘good work’…
by Cleavon Vella – Consultation Coordinator
Europe needs more joint efforts to promote ‘good work’ which consists of employee rights and
participation, fair wages, protection of safety and health at work as well as a family friendly work
organisation.
Good and fair working conditions as well as an appropriate social protection are indispensable for
the acceptance of the European Union by its citizens.
The German Presidency, together with its trio presidency partners – Portugal (second half of 2007)
and Slovenia (first half of 2008) – drew these conclusions following the Informal Meeting of Ministers
for Employment and Social Affairs, which was held in Berlin from January 18 - 20.
The subject ‘good work’ implements the Lisbon Strategy’s objective to create more and better jobs in
Europe. It addresses topical European debates on the shaping of labour law in conjunction with social
protection, demographic trends and equal opportunities. The issues of appropriate regulations for new
and other forms of employment are also treated in the Green Paper on Modernising Labour Law which
was presented by the European Commission.
The topic is also suited to continue the discussion launched under the Austrian and Finnish
Presidencies on how to find the necessary balance between flexibility and security in the labour market
- ‘flexicurity’ - with the objective of arriving at a common understanding as requested by the European
Council in March 2006.
The Ministers, lead by Federal Minister Franz Müntefering, are of the opinion that greater flexibility
on the labour market has to be reflected in adequate employee rights. This includes that employees
can defend their participation rights with the help of collective bodies representing their interests. The
Member States and the social partners bear great responsibility for ensuring that greater labour market
flexibility will not lead to a reduction of social protection for employees.
Fair wages are an important characteristic of what has been termed ‘good work’. The Member States
and the social partners are called upon to ensure that wages are set in a fair and adequate manner
while safeguarding the national wage setting systems’ characteristic features.
Working conditions that promote life-long learning and the chance for further occupational
education, modern and staff-oriented leadership and work organisation as well as promoting and
maintaining health and occupational qualifications are key to competitiveness and to the employability
of older employees.
The Informal Meeting of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs concluded that regular
employment relationships are indispensable since they provide security and strengthen
competitiveness in a sustainable manner. Hence Member States are called upon to strengthen standard
working relationships in accordance with their national practice and to limit their circumvention by
atypical employment relationships.
New forms of employment types can facilitate reintegration into the labour market. They must,
however, not be abused of for the purpose of excluding employees from their rights. They must not lead
to discrimination and exclusion.
The Ministers added that promoting a family friendly work organisation is an opportunity to improve
equal rights, competitiveness, health protection and income security while coping with demographic
development. Young people need security in their occupational
development and perspectives for their own future and the
foundation of a family. They need clearly defined framework
conditions for a good start in working life.
Wage replacement benefits and minimum security for job
seekers are elements of a social Europe that has made the fight
against poverty and social exclusion one of its central priorities.
The persons concerned must receive help from a well-balanced
system of support programmes within the meaning of an activating
labour market policy, in particular in view of threatening or actual
unemployment. This approach combines support and demands. .
More information is available from Forum Malta fl-Ewropa on
2590 9101 or by email at foruminfo@gov.mt
Cleavon Vella is Consultation Coordinator at Forum Malta fl-
Ewropa.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 19

| FIRST PERSON |
THE SONGBIRD’S
tale
Denise Mulholland – singer, actor, director
and teacher – cemented her relationship
with Malta when she moved here recently
from the UK. She has thrown herself
straight into the local theatre scene by
directing Stephen Sondheim’s musical
COMPANY for MADC. Paula Fleri-Soler
caught up with her at rehearsals to find
out more about this multi-talented woman.
Here’s what Denise had to say.
TOP: The Land of Smiles - Covent Garden Royal
Opera House 1998
ABOVE: Denise in her wild punk years
I was born 40 years ago just outside Glasgow, in Scotland. I usually tell people I come
from Glasgow because it is well known and much more glamorous than my real
birthplace! I had a fantastic childhood thanks mainly to my very relaxed upbringing at
the hands of my two mad parents - Wilma and Archie. From the earliest age possible I
loved performing and would put on relentless ‘variety’ shows. I managed to pick out the
tune of ‘Drip Drip Drip Little April Showers’ on my aunt’s piano after watching Bambi
(one of the most traumatic experiences of my life to date - how could you do that to
us children, Mr. Disney? How?) This persuaded my parents that I was a child prodigy
who should start piano lessons immediately, aged 4. I kept the lessons up until I was
around 15 but it was only years later that I discovered that my instrument was actually
my voice.
All through my childhood and teenage/punk years, I was interested only in drama
and acting. I travelled back and forth to Glasgow every week to take acting lessons with
professional actors - at the time I was only just 15, but I was tall for my age (still am)
and wore lots of make up, so they believed me when I said I was twenty. I also had a
10-inch purple Mohican haircut, which helped. I learned a lot from watching those
actors - it was the best training I could’ve had.
I then applied to Glasgow University to study for my MA. I was just 16 when I started.
There, I met some brilliant actors and together we formed our own theatre company
and lived what could best be described as a ‘bohemian life’. During this time, in a bid
to perfect my performing skills, I decided to take some singing lessons…. and within
6 months of my first singing lesson I was en route to London with a Queen Mother
Scholarship to study opera at the Royal College of Music. I remember going to the
20 L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| FIRST PERSON |
LEFT: Playing ‘Musetta’ in La Boheme at Glyndebourne Opera 1999
BOTTOM: Denise in her Valletta apartment
auditions with no idea of what I was doing - in the theory
exam I drew pictures of the other people taking the test.
Thankfully, my entry to the college didn’t live or die with
my performance in the theory test and they offered me a
place on the spot!
I moved to London the following year - in 1988 - and
loved it from the moment I unpacked. I left college after
five years and started work. My first job almost put me
off for life - it was for a then very avant-garde opera
company that had a reputation for opera in the nude!
I was then lucky enough to understudy the fantastic
soprano Renee Fleming at Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
I was reliably informed by everyone that she was never
ill. Of course, the second show she went down with some
lurgi and I had to go on - with no rehearsal whatsoever
– yet it all went very well. As a result of that I won some
prizes and got lots of job offers. This went on for years
and I was lucky enough to actually earn a living as a
singer. I got to travel and tour; I got married, and sadly, I
got divorced; I moved house a lot. I got very tired of living
out of a suitcase and never seeing anyone I actually liked
- so I decided to call it quits and - with the exception of
one concert in Malta - haven’t sung in public since.
My first contact with Malta happened when I met a
foreign pianist at the Royal College of Music. Turned out
she was from Malta, was called Rosetta de Battista and
she has been one of my closest friends ever since. It was
through Ros that I was invited to sing in Malta in a fundraiser
for the Community Chest Fund. From the moment
I got here I just loved it. I came over frequently after that
and a few years later I was employed by Masquerade
Theatre Company to co-run a summer drama course
and through that course and many subsequent ones I
met lots of theatre people and made some good friends.
The idea that I would settle here at some point was
always in my mind, but it wasn’t until 2005, when I
bought an apartment in Valletta – my favourite place in
Malta - that it began to feel like a reality.
Meanwhile back in the UK I was getting itchy feet
again. I had been talking about moving here for so long, it seemed like the ideal time
to actually make the move. Obviously there were major concerns - I would be leaving
my family, my friends, my colleagues, my home and most tragically my cat. My cat has
been in my life through thick and thin (mostly thick as he is a somewhat rotund feline).
When my life was at its darkest during my divorce, Findlay was a splendid furry pillow to
cry into.
I am lucky to have the support of Edward and Marika Mercieca who run StageCoach
Theatre School. We are working on some very interesting projects for the future and I
like the fact that I get to work with kids and write shows for them. When I’m not doing
that, I am directing Stephen Sondheim’s ‘COMPANY’ for MADC. Thankfully Rosetta
is the musical director, which is just brilliant. The music is, like all Sondheim, just
wonderful but it is very difficult to learn and I take my hat off to Rosetta and to the
astonishing cast who are working their ***** off.
COMPANY is a play with music set in New York. Bobby, our hero, is turning 35 and is
still single. All his married friends think he should be married too - the only person who
is not so sure is Bobby. Despite their best efforts, it’s their marriages that are putting
Bobby off the idea! A show like COMPANY is all about frailties of human nature and
about real-life relationships. To tackle a show like this you need actors who are open
and honest, hardworking and dedicated. I am completely in awe of our cast - they are a
phenomenal group of singing actors.
COMPANY will have a resonance with everyone who watches it – whether single,
in a relationship, newly married, newly separated or celebrating their Golden wedding
anniversary. There is something in this show that will make everyone think ‘that is
exactly how I felt!’ The themes of friendship, loneliness, and love are universal and the
show is really, really funny. Sondheim wanted his audience to split their sides laughing
then go home and think about it afterwards … that is exactly what we want too. .
A TV interview with Denise Mulholland will be shown on Net TV’s ‘Mhux Ghal Kulhadd’
on 14 February. Company will be staged at the Manoel Theatre on the 23-25 February
and 2-4 March. Bookings from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office on telephone
21246389 / email bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt / website www.teatrumanoel.com.mt
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 21

| | LIFE&STYLE NUTRITION |
L&S body
Cliff Sultana Dip.PT (UK)
ËË The season to be jolly has come and gone. It’s
now the season to be ill. Or so it seems. Every other
person I know is suffering from a flu or cold. And
those who aren’t, seem to be expecting it any day.
This is the time of year when we stock up on an
abundance of pharmaceuticals to relieve those runny
noses, sore throats, headaches, stuffy
heads and sleepless nights. A much simpler
solution would be to eat the right food and
make sure your immune system can cope
with fighting off the virus doing the rounds at
home or in the office.
Of course, if you are already on a
healthy eating regime you probably
have nothing to worry about. A varied
spectrum of food and regular exercise
ensure that your immune system is in its best
shape possible to produce those antibodies needed
to ward off nasty colds and visits to the doctor. All of
you who fit this description can stop reading now. This
article is for the other 99% of the population for which
‘healthy eating regime’ is a foreign term.
‘Everything that enters the body is foreign to it: food,
drinks, fungal spores, germs, pollen dust, medicines,
chemicals, gases, even cosmetics. The immune system
is there to deal with these ‘invasions’ every moment
of our lives.’ This is how Dr Ali describes the immune
system in his book Dr Ali’s Nutrition Bible. It does a
pretty good job on its own without us ever having to
worry about it, but irritations such as hay fever and the
flu put a strain on our immune system.
Too much sugar, excess alcohol, food allergens and
an abundance of body fat also contribute to a weaker
immune system. Reducing the intake of these foods
and lowering our body fat through exercise is a step in
the right direction, though losing more than 1kg/week of
body weight will adversely affect the immune system.
Many already know of the healing effects of vitamin
C and Echinacea. The latter is a herbal remedy which
has grown in popularity in recent years especially in
Germany, where it is now prescribed by doctors as a
cure to the common cold. Echinacea works
by indirectly boosting your immune
system which in turn gives your body
better defences against bacteria. It is
believed that it stimulates the production
of infection-fighting white blood cells. It is
suggested that Echinacea is only taken when
symptoms of a cold are felt, and then only for a
couple of weeks. Taken constantly it could lose its effect
and possibly stress the immune system.
Vitamin C is part of the antioxidant group which,
along with vitamins E and A (which is converted from
beta-carotene), selenium (a mineral), and a group
known as the carotenoids (of which beta-carotene
is the most popular), help to fight off free-radicals
which have the potential to reduce our immunity.
Vitamin C increases production of white blood cells
and interferon, the antibody the coats cell surfaces,
preventing the entry of viruses. It also raises levels of
good cholesterol and helps fight against colon, prostate
and breast cancer.
Zinc is also widely prescribed for fighting colds. It
increases white blood cell production and helps them
fight more aggressively by producing more antibodies.
Zinc is found in foods such as beef, beans and oysters
(the greatest concentration).
Omega-3 fatty acids, found mostly in fish and flax
seed oil, are beneficial to the heart and joints as well
as helping boost the immune system by increasing the
white blood cells that eat up bacteria.
Glutamine, aloe vera, garlic, probiotics, selenium
are some of the other foods and minerals that have
been found to boost our immune system and help
fight against virus and infections. There is not enough
space to list all the foods and their benefits in this
short article. Suffice to say that a well-balanced eating
plan with sufficient intake to meet your daily energy
requirements, sufficient sleep and controlling stress will
go a long way to reducing risk of illness and disease. .
Too much sugar,
excess alcohol,
food allergens and
an abundance
of body fat also
contribute to a
weaker immune
system.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 23

| HEALTH |
D C Q&A
John Cutajar M.D.
(doctor of medicine and surgery)
Contact us with your queries. If you have a medical question email us at: life&style@media.link.com.mt or write in
to: DOC Q & A, , Life & Style, Media.Link Communications Co Ltd, Triq Herbert Ganado, Pieta HMR 08. Please
state your age, sex, initials and town. A selection of questions will be answered in the magazine but our doctor cannot
enter into personal correspondence.
The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you’re worried, see your GP.
Q I suspect my 16-yearold
daughter is taking
drugs. I have no proof, it’s
a ‘mother’s intuition’ based
on her present lifestyle.
Can you tell me please
what physical symptoms
and social factors I should
be looking out for? As she
smokes I suspect at the
moment she’s smoking
the occasional joint. I am
terribly concerned. I’m
sure there must be many
mothers who are equally
concerned to know what
symptoms to look out for.
Ms A.P. - Qormi
A This is an extremely vast and delicate
subject. First I will address your direct question.
It can be very difficult to identify a person who
is starting to try out drugs. Physical symptoms
may include irritability, anxiety, restlessness,
lethargy, aggressive behaviour, depression, lack
of interest in usual activities, loss of appetite,
frequent nosebleeds, eye irritation, inability to
concentrate and memory lapses. Despite the
long list, symptoms may be mild and barely
noticeable. Moreover, none of these are specific to
drug abuse and each could easily be due to other
less serious causes. Typically there would also
be some social factors such as a sudden change
of friends, secretive behaviour, petty theft or
deterioration in progress at school. You may want
to keep a lookout for unusual smells or stains
on clothes, any marks on her arms, legs or lips,
unusual tablets or powder, scorched metal or foil,
and the possibility of any alcohol, prescription
drugs, cash or valuables going missing from the
house. I understand your concern, but do not let
this become an obsession. Any sixteen-year-old
would expect to be treated as an adult, even if
his or her behaviour demonstrates immaturity.
Probing into her life and expressing what she
may perceive as excessive concern will only
make things worse for both of you. Healthy
communication is the key to guiding children to
a life free of substance abuse. Whether she is
taking drugs or not, she should be made aware of
the devastating effects of smoking, alcohol and
drug abuse on health and life. Be available for
her to discuss the problems, fears and thoughts
which might be pushing her towards such a
lifestyle. Sensing that you love her and that
she can trust you will help her understand that
following your advice and making responsible,
healthy choices will after all be in her own best
interests.
Q I have had diabetes
for three years and have
always been able to control
it. I have an enormous
amount of energy and run
a big family. The worry I
have is that I am losing
weight and am down from
9.5 to 8.5 stone. I find I
can’t sit and relax and
am always on the go. I
maintain a proper diet. Can
you tell me how I could put
on some weight? Could a
change of insulin help?
Ms B.F. - Valletta
A There are many possible causes of weight
loss. These may very well be associated with
your diabetes, but may also be totally unrelated.
High blood sugar levels lead to high levels of
sugar in the urine, with consequential loss of
large amounts of fluid and dehydration. There
is usually polyuria (passage of large volumes of
urine) and polydipsia (excessive thirst), and this
can be severe enough to cause significant weight
loss. Another possible cause is over-activity of
the thyroid gland, which can result in weight
loss despite a normal or even increased appetite.
I suggest you discuss this with your general
practitioner. Most importantly your diet and
diabetic control will be re-evaluated. If control
is not optimal, a change of insulin treatment
might be needed as you suggested. Thyroid
gland function will also be checked by clinical
examination and a blood test. Maintaining a
proper diet is important. Do not make dietary
adjustments with the aim of gaining weight
unless advised and told how to do so by your
doctor.
Q I have a PC at home
and I would like to know
what kind of problems I
might experience from
excessive use. Ms B.B. - Msida
A Your concerns are justified, as the longterm
incorrect use of computers and related
equipment is associated with increased health
risks. Excessive and habitual use can cause
postural neck and back pain, stress, headaches,
irritability, sleep disturbance, eye strain, eyesight
decline and many other problems. Computer
users should sit comfortably without placing any
strain on their neck or back. Avoid crossing or
bending legs and ensure adequate leg-space.
Screens should be in a central position rather
than to the side, at a height which allows
comfortable neck posture. Frequent breaks are
advisable and anti-glare screen filters can help
protect against eyestrain and headaches.
L&S | FEBRUARY ’07 25

| BEAUTY |
The fashion of
fragrance
0h sweet smell of Perfume
An all-time favourite gift is undoubtedly a nice bottle of
perfume. Recently, we have seen so many fragrance
launches – light perfumes for day, intense versions for
night, and perfumes designed to be worn on holiday.
Suddenly, it seems only fit to update those fading
bottles on our dressers with something hip.
There was a time when we had clothes for day and
night – even today, our wardrobes have to make space
for a few eveningwear pieces too as our collection of
everyday basics just won’t do. The pressure is on not
just in the fashion world but also for fragrances too it
seems. You have just to walk into a perfumery to be
enveloped by all those different day and night scents
and you can be sure there are more genres to come in
the future.
On the whole, throughout the year, we generally
succumb to a few designer pieces and fill up the rest
of the wardrobe with high street fashion. We are a
nation obsessed by labels, but the older we
get, we generally become more eclectic
and confident about our choices.
The same goes for scent. We are
more prone to try a few different
perfumes instead of sticking to
Chanel No.5.
So has the myriad
of perfumes earned
its place along with
the various fashion accessories? Do we
shop for perfumes the same way, say,
that we do for bags? It does seem
that finally the lines between
fashion and fragrance have
merged.
It’s still something special
buying a designer dress – it feels
unique. The perfume industry
has equalled this by launching a
MALE SCENTS
Men tend to wear aftershave, which is simply perfume by another
name. Rather than choosing to smell of carnations or roses, men
tend to go for fragrances that are based on spice, leather and wood,
which are by definition more masculine and ‘butch’. However, recently
sweeter fragrances have been creeping in as men like the smell of
flowers as much as women.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 27

| BEAUTY |
handful of elite fragrances that boast the same credentials. The designer Armani has
launched a set of luxurious scents – created of course under the personal guidance
of the man himself. This Armani perfume range was launched in tandem with the
designer’s Privé Collection a few seasons ago. Another example of the fashionperfume
marriage is the set of Coco Chanel floral scents created from a secret recipe
said to be dating back to the 1920’s. The elite set of wearers treat the perfume with
the same reverence they have for their Chanel gowns. Couture scents are crafted with
an expertise that would be impossible to channel into mass-market fragrances.
Some examples of the costs incurred – Donna Karan’s Essences comes at about
Stg £1,600/kg – 640 kg of petals yields only 1 kilo of oil!
But even on the high street there are links between the world of fashion and
fragrance – household names like Zara have their own brands. The new generation
of youngsters like to make purchases for both in their favourite stores. The stylish
over-30-somethings will splash on some ‘high-street’ scent, but they will also choose a
serious fragrance to go with the chic outfit.
Some fashionistas in search of something different, have opted for the ‘vintage’
fragrance trend and are now obsessed with the grown up scents such as Worth Je
Reviens or Patou 1000. The ultimate desire for being different may be the driving
force behind the vintage scent craze. .
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FRAGRANCE
• When you want a subtle smell, lightly spray your clothes
• Or layer with perfumed products – shower gel following by body lotion and perfume for the top
notes
• For a long lasting scent, spray perfume into the air and walk under it – the smell lasts longer on
your hair than on your skin
HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT PERFUME
• When you want to boost your confidence there’s nothing wrong with a tried and tested favourite
• Keep a range of scents to match your moods
• Determine which fragrances are your favourite – citrus, aromatic or floral
• Perfume on your skin takes at least 30 minutes to develop, so you can’t choose a new fragrance in
5 minutes
HISTORY OF PERFUME
Perfumes have their origin in the Ancient World and are
mentioned in the Bible. No doubt Delilah and Salome had their
own perfumers. The idea of perfumes is to smell desirable. A byproduct
of this is to hopefully become attractive to the opposite
sex. Cleopatra met Anthony covered in perfume, in a barge with
sails soaked in rosewater.
Similarly, containers and receptacles for perfumes date back to
Ancient Egypt in at least 1000BC. The Egyptians used scents and
perfumes a great deal for religious ceremonies - and it wasn’t
a good idea to see the perfume go off in the heat or evaporate.
Certain fragrances are still valued in modern religions such as
frankincense and myrrh which make the crypts smell better. In
the Middle Ages, a congregation could be malodorous indeed.
Bottles of glass and pottery were then used by the Greeks
and Romans to store perfumes. The Romans particularly liked
perfumes as they believed it could improve the prowess of both
ladies and gentlemen. They splashed it all over and put it in their
famous baths. Special slaves called ‘cosmetae’ were employed to
keep their mistresses fragrant.
In the Middle Ages in Europe, perfume was important in the
higher circles as they did not wash very often. The wigs and
clothing were seldom if ever washed and became particularly
musty after a while. Even lice and fleas were an accepted part
of life no matter what social status. Hygiene is a comparatively
modern concept after Pasteur and Lister demonstrated the
efficacy of a good wash in improving health.
Elaborate perfume bottles became commonplace with the
ascendancy of the Venetian glassblowing industry, and by the
1700s bottles of scent were decorated with gold, silver and
jewellery to denote the social status of the wearer and also
the giver of perfume, which has been a welcome gift for many
millennia.
Perfumes are made from many constituents - some natural (of
plant and animal origin) and others synthetic. Oils which make
perfumes are extracted from plants by steam distillation and
then have alcohol added to them to enhance the fragrance. Other
techniques include the ‘maceration’ of oils where the constituents
such as peels from fruit are steeped in water before being treated
again with alcohol.
Some fine perfumes have up to 100 or so ingredients - so
the next time you encounter an interesting fragrance there will
probably be something like cloves, lavender, moss, civet (from a
cat) and musk somewhere within it.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 29

| CROSSWORD |
CROSSWORD
PRIZES
PACEVILLE · Tel. 21388545
THIS MONTH’S PRIZES
1st prize: Weekend Break for 2 at Alexandra Palace Hotel
2nd prize: JB Stores Lm10 voucher
3rd prize: Pizza for 4 from Buon Caffé, St Julian’s
4th prize: Lm10 voucher from Salon Services
5th prize: Remington Professional Hair Dryer
Across
1. Kind of egg that is made of chocolate
(6)
3. Boasts, perhaps, about wooden-soled
shoes (6)
7. In a written summary of the facts (7)
8. A trio formed to show relationship (5)
9. Mother-of-pearl from any shelled
mollusc (5)
10. Saves iron for breaking up things one
dislikes (9)
11. Seize quickly, eagerly or unexpectedly
with outstretched hands (6)
12. Small crisp butter cakes eaten hot (7)
13 & 22. Florist appears badly damaged
this will immobilize broken limbs
(7, 2, 5)
15. Meal is about over (6)
18. It’s difficult to find a way out of this
maze (9)
20. This cat gives it to Reg when it’s all
up (5)
21. Aromatic herb with purplish flowers (5)
22. See 13.
23. Only Australia is smaller than this continent (6)
24. Poor Annie’s mad (6)
Down
1 & 7. This and this with baked beans for
breakfast? (3,3,5)
2. A select group or class (5)
3. Particular make, shape or pattern (5)
4 & 5. Proverbially, they flock together (5,2,1,7)
5. See 4.
6. Is shot out of lifts? (6)
7. See 1.
12. But they sail in peacetime, too (8)
13. The sense of taste (6)
14. The submarine’s weapon (7)
16. Signals when Al comes out? (5)
17. Carcade loses leader. It‚s a covered way for
shoppers (6)
19. Loop with a running knot (5)
20. … and I turn around to locate Italian city (5)
Last month’s WINNERS
1st prize: Louise Vella, Mosta
2nd prize: Anita Saliba, Fgura
3rd prize: Mrs. Maria Grech, Paola
4th prize: Salvina Grima, Cospicua
5th prize: Miss J. Baron, Birgu
Last month’s solution
Across – 1. Obtain; 3 & 10. Test of endurance; 7. Lullaby; 8. Organ;
9. Largo; 10. See 3. 11. Bandit; 12. Sweated; 13. Frame-up; 15. Mental;
18. Oppressor 20. Gravy; 21. Manna; 22. Bertram; 23. Rasher; 24. Header.
Down – 1. Orally; 2. Igloo; 3. Toyed: 4. Scourge; 5 & 13. Take a tip from
me; 6. Indeed; 7. Larva; 12. Sombrero; 13. See 5. 14. Eyebath; 16. Alarm;
17. Oyster; 19. Sober; 20. Gorge.
Send in the correct answer to:
Life&Style Crossword Competition, media.link Communications,
Triq Herbert Ganado, Pietà, HMR08.
Send in your correct entries by 20 February 2007.
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 31

| NAILS |
NAIL What TIPS Can FOR Nails Tell
Us About Our Health?
Christmas
TIS [ by THE AngÈle SEASON Stafrace TO BE jOLLY……
BABTAC, ITEC, IFHB, MABT, OPI M.Educ. (Dip USA) ]
BRIGHTEN UP YOU NAILS WITH
SOME Nails cover UNIqUE the sensitive CHRISTMAS Shape or growth NAIL change Shape or growth change Shape often gets altered in many disease conditions.
TIP nerves DESIGNS in the fingertips FOR and THAT ExTRA
SPECIAL also provide more HOLIDAY strength EFFECT!
Clubbing
[ BY AngÈle StAfrAce Inflammatory bowel disease, BABTAC, pulmonary ITEC, IFHB, complications, MABT, OPI asbestosis, M.Educ. chronic (Dip USA) ]
bronchitis, cirrhosis, congenital heart disease, endocarditis, atrioventricular
and stability to the fingers
malformations, fistulas
and finger tips in doing any
BLUE SPARKLE
CHRISTMAS PRESENT
OH CHRISTMAS TREE!
fine and strained work. The
Koilonychia -
Iron deficiency anaemia, Raynaud’s disease, trauma, nail-patella syndrome,
1. change Paint in the shape, nail with colour, blue shimmering Spoon Nails 1. Paint nail with white nail lacquer. Vitamin B12 deficiency 1. Polish the nail red or burgundy.
texture polish and (or any stability other preferred gives colour).
2. Using red nail lacquer and a thin stripper brush, 2. Sponge on a tree shape with dark and
2. us an Use indication a thin brush of and our white nail
paint a vertical line from cuticle
light green paints.
Onycholysis -
Psoriasis, infection, hyperthyroidism, trauma, connective tissue disorders
health. lacquer Being to make “faces” lines that of the form an
to nail tip and another red
Nails that separate from
3. While the nail is still wet, lightly dust
fingers, “X.” Then, nails make often a cross speak the opposite the nail bed, Brittle, horizontal line from sidewall to
the branches with white paint to
about way the with quality the same and paint. quantity
soft nails with a shine sidewall.
create snow.
3. of blood Use a small circulation. brush to These make little lines Ridges off the in cross. the nail 3. Use a small brush and green
4. Glue on rhinestones in various
4. guidelines Use a dotter for tool the and nails white can and dark Bumpy blue nail nails lacquer to paint hollies.
also give the nail technician
colours. Paint a yellow star on top of the tree.
lacquer to make dots. Top the design off with a coat 4. Add detail to the hollies with fine
Pitting
Psoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, alopecia areata
more idea about the body
Finish with top coat.
of glitter top coat.
brush and black lacquer.
conditions i.e., anaemia,
5. Using a dotter tool and gold nail lacquer, add dots
STARS jaundice, etc. & This SWIRLS is why
Beau’s lines to design. Finish with top coat.
LIGHT THE MENORAH
Any severe systemic illness that disrupts nail growth,
1. doctors Paint always a French have pink-and-white a look
Raynaud’s disease, 1. trauma Polish the nail dark blue.
at the polish. patient’s natural nails
HAPPY HOLLY-DAY
2. Using light grey nail lacquer, draw a
before diagnosis.
Yellow nail
Lymphedema, pleural effusion, immunodeficiency, bronchiectasis, sinusitis,
2. Use silver paint and make swirls on
1. Paint nail with classic red nail
menorah shape.
rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, tuberculosis, Raynaud’s disease, diabetes,
Changes the nail. in Add Nails dots – with The white paint.
lacquer.
3. Using rainbow colours, add flames to
respiratory disorders, problems with the lymphatic system
3. changes Use a small often brush noticed and blue in nails paint to
2. Apply white nail lacquer in a
the branches of the menorah.
are create discolouration, stars. ridges or
Terry’s (white) nails diagonal angle at tip.
Kidney or liver disorders, 4. Create Hepatic candlestick failure, cirrhosis, accents diabetes with black mellitus,
4. grooves, Add glitter clubbing polish and a pitting. few rhinestones for accents. 3. Use a small brush and green hyperthyroidism, malnutrition,
paint.
Nails often get damaged by
lacquer to paint hollies.
Finish with top coat.
accident when we close car Azure lunula
Hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson’s disease), silver poisoning, quinacrine
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN 4. Use the dotter tool and deep red lacquer to add
therapy, pulmonary obstruction, Emphysema
1. or house Use blue doors; and purple but nails to paint the
berries to the design. Finish with top coat.
CHEERS!
can nail. grow in a very normal
Azotemic Onychopathy -
fashion, even if plugged out
1. Paint the nail black.
2. Use white paint to make three Half-and-half nails CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Specific for renal failure, Anaemia
completely, without damaging
2. Using white paint, draw the shape of
circles and outline the shape of the
1. Paint a two-tone using a very
the snowman nail bed in or light matrix. blue paint.
3. Nail For Discolouration
snowflakes, paint in white
Dark longitudinal streaks translucent pale pink with a pearly
white tip.
Melanoma, benign nevus, a champagne chemical staining, glass.
normal variant in 3. darkly Using pigmented gold paint, peoplefill in the glass to
– Commonly, asterisks and nails add dots. get Use black
2. Using a small brush paint ‘almond
create champagne.
Ridged nails
Ageing, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis
coloured paint to from paint colouring
the eyes and
shaped’ bulbs with red green and
4. Using white paint, add accents to the
agents mouth. like Paint Mehandi, in blue dashes Henna, for the hat and orange yellow lacquer.
glass. Using gold paint, add bubbles
nail for polish, the nose. and lacquers and Brittle nails 3. Using a fine brush and black Ageing, malnutrition, protein and tiny deficiency, accent dots serious above medical the illnesses, glass.
4. hair Add dyes detail etc. to They the snowflakes may also and fill in the hat. Paint lacquer paint the wire between the bulbs. constant use of aggressive nail polish removers.
5. Add a few gold rhinestones and finish with top coat.
get a discoloured blue scarf around by fungal the neck and add buttons. Paint 4. Detail the shimmer on the bulbs using a fine brush
Onychauxis -
Psoriasis, fungal infection, ageing, circulatory problems
infection, brown disease stick arms conditions and add glitter polish over the and white nail lacquer.
Thickening of nails
or chemotherapy snowflakes. Finish and with heavy top coat.
Finish with top coat.
L&S L&s | DECEMBER FEBRUARY ’06 ’07 39 33

| TV |
new
Nostalgia
on Net TV
‘Dak kien is-Seklu XX’ is the name of a new nostalgia-based show starting on
Net Television on February 17th. The series is aimed at presenting memories
of the 20 th century and each programme will concentrate on a short period
from that century – remembering how life was at the time, what the important
events were, what inventions came about, and the life and style of various
personalities from the political, entertainment and sporting worlds.
Whenever possible, guests will share their experiences
of the time and take us on a trip down memory lane
and we will see what events marked the 20 th century.
It was a century which saw a great change in the world
we live in and the century in which the most progress
was made by mankind.
How was Malta in 1900? How did it change by the
time the century ended? How did children play at the
beginning of the century? How did people have fun?
Where did people travel to? How did the two World Wars
affect two generations?
Vinnie Vella Jr and his band, together with resident
singer Fiona, will provide the “sound track” to the 20 th
century and will probably bring a tear or two as we
reminisce about those early songs, and remember the
‘good old days’.
The programme will also include a period newspaper
review which is a good introduction to exploring an era.
What filled the newspapers in a given year? What made
the headlines? What were people concerned about, say,
in Malta in 1921?
The programme is produced by Peter Fleri Soler &
Co, which also produces Kontra l-Hin, with Stephanie
Spiteri and Charles Saliba as the presenters. The series
promises to provide viewers with a Saturday night show
bringing a smile and maybe even a tear or two. Viewers
will also have the chance to win prizes through phoneins
during the programme.
If you are interested in sharing an experience or
sending in some “souvenirs” of the 20 th century to
help enhance our experiences of the various decades,
please contact us by writing to ‘Dak Kien is-Seklu XX’,
triq Herbert Ganado, Pieta’ or e-mailing on sekluxx@
nettv.com.mt. .
The series
promises to
provide viewers
with a Saturday
night show
bringing a smile
and maybe even a
tear or two.
34 L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| FOOD |
HAPPY CHINESE
NEW YEAR
The Chinese New Year, which is similar to the Western one, has
a great history and is swathed in traditions and rituals. By this
time in the year, when most of our resolutions have already
been discarded, you needn’t despair as all is not lost – here’s a
second chance to celebrate another New Year.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important
celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese
year 4705 begins on 18 th February, 2007.
Chinese months are calculated by the lunar
calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest
day.
The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself
centuries old; in fact, too old to actually be traced.
It is popularly recognised as the Spring Festival and
celebrations last 15 days.
Preparations tend to begin a month from the
date of the Chinese New Year (similar to a Western
Christmas), when people start buying presents,
decoration materials, food and clothing. A huge
clean-up gets underway days before the New Year,
when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to
bottom, to sweep away any traces of bad luck, and
doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of
paint, usually red. The doors and windows are then
decorated with paper cut-outs and couplets with
themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity
printed on them.
The eve of the New Year is perhaps the most
exciting part of the event, as anticipation creeps
in. Here, traditions and rituals are very carefully
observed in everything from food to clothing.
Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings,
signifying different good wishes. Delicacies include
prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters
(or ho xi), for all things good, raw fish salad or yu
sheng to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-hai
(Angel Hair), an edible hair-like seaweed to bring
prosperity, and dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi)
signifying a long-lost good wish for a family. It’s usual
to wear something red as this colour is meant to ward
off evil spirits. At midnight, the sky is ablaze with
wonderful fireworks.
On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong
Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves
married couples giving children and unmarried
adults money in red envelopes. Then the family
begins to say greetings from door to door, first to their
relatives and then to neighbours. Like the Western
saying “let bygones be bygones,” at Chinese New
Year, grudges are very easily cast aside.
The end of the New Year is marked by the Festival
of Lanterns, which is a celebration with singing,
dancing and lantern shows.
Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year
vary, the underlying message is one of peace and
happiness for family members and friends..
A Piggy Year
Legend has it that in
ancient times, Buddha
asked all the animals to
meet him on Chinese New
Year. Twelve came, and
Buddha named a year after
each one. He announced
that the people born in
each animal’s year would
have some of that animal’s
personality. Those born
in pig years tend to have
excellent manners, make
and keep friends, work
very hard, and appreciate
luxury. They are very loving
and make loyal partners.
Lucille Ball, Humphrey
Bogart, Hillary Rodham
Clinton, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, Ernest Hemingway,
Alfred Hitchcock, Mahalia
Jackson, David Letterman
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
were all born in the year of
the pig.
So if you’re in a festive
mood, then don something
red and sizzle up our
selection of delicious
Chinese recipes.
L&S | FEBRUARY ’07 35

| FOOD |
STEAMED FISH
Serves 4
1 Whole snapper or seabream,
weighing about 1.5 kilo, cleaned and
scaled
3cm piece fresh ginger, finely sliced
1 tbsp sesame seed oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
Wash the fish inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the fish with the
salt and pepper and place the ginger inside the cavity. Combine the sesame oil and
soy sauce and lightly brush over the fish.
Cut the spring onions and celery into 4 cm lengths, then shred finely them into long
strips. Slice the red pepper into fine matchsticks.
Place a wooden pair of chopsticks in the base of a large wok (to act as a rack) and fill
the wok with about 7cms of water. Score the fattest part of the fish three times, place
on a heatproof dinner plate and sit the plate on top of the chopsticks. Cover with a lid
and bring the water to the boil over a high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes; turn off the
heat, scatter over the vegetables and leave, covered, for 3 minutes.
Slide the steamed fish onto a warmed serving platter. Heat the oil in a small pan
until it is very hot and slightly smoking, then carefully pour it over the vegetables.
The vegetables or fish skin may crackle. Serve with small bowls of soy and chilli
sauce and steamed rice.
3 spring onions
1 stick celery
½ red pepper
½ cup soya bean oil
salt & pepper
KLIPFEL RIESLING
Very dry, full bodied and fruity, this wine of classic perfection
compliments the finest food. Very elegant with a green-yellow
colour, sharp to the nose with a floral leading note, this wine
offers a vigorous taste in the mouth.
BEEF IN OYSTER
SAUCE
Serves 4
500 gms rump steak
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp cornflour
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp peanut oil or
1 tbsp sesame seed oil
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
Trim the meat from any fat, and cut into strips.
Combine the soy sauce, egg white, cornflour and pepper – add the meat to coat.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok, swirling gently to coat the base and sides. Add the ginger,
then the spice powder, peppers, celery and corn and stir fry over high heat for 2
minutes. Remove and keep in a warm place.
Heat the remaining oil in the wok and cook the meat quickly in batches over a high
heat until just browned.
Return all the meat to the wok with the vegetables and oyster sauce. Stir fry over
high heat until the meat is cooked and the sauce is hot. Serve immediately with the
spring onion.
KLIPFEL GEWURZTRAMINER
The Gewurztraminer is a vine plant providing a relatively weak
and irregular yield. However, it is a full bodied wine, well balanced
with a highly elegant bouquet. Very nice bright yellow colour, this
wine has an appealing taste and smell, and offers spicy and floral
aromas.
¼ tsp five spice powder
1 small green pepper, cut diagonally
1 small red pepper, cut diagonally
2 sticks celery, thinly sliced
1 can (425 gms) whole baby corn,
drained
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 spring onions, cut diagonally.
36 L&s | FEBRUARY ’07

| FOOD |
LEMON CHICKEN
500 gms chicken breast fillets
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 tbsp water
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp dry sherry
3 tsp cornflour
½ cup cornflour extra
2½ tbsp plain flour
oil for deep frying
Cut the chicken into long strips, and set aside. Combine the egg, water, soy sauce,
sherry and cornflour in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Pour the egg mixture over
the chicken and leave to marinate for about half an hour.
Put the extra cornflour and plain flour together on a plate. Roll each piece of chicken
in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
Heat the oil for deep frying in a wok. A little test to know if the oil is hot enough is
when a cube of bread turns brown in it in 30 seconds. Carefully put in about 4 pieces
of chicken in the oil and cook until golden brown. It’s important not to crowd the wok.
Remove when cooked with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
To make the lemon sauce: Combine the lemon juice, water, sugar and sherry in a
small pan. Bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Stir the cornflour into the extra tablespoon water and mix to a smooth paste; add it
to the lemon juice mixture, stirring constantly until the sauce boils and thickens. Set
the sauce aside.
Just before serving, reheat the oil in the wok to very hot, add all the chicken pieces
again and fry for 2 minutes until very crisp. Remove and drain again on paper towels.
Drizzle over them the sauce, sprinkle with spring onion and serve immediately.
ALBERT BICHOT SANCERRE
A pale yellow colour with green tints. A clear, brilliant wine. The
nose is very complex with different expressions of the Sauvignon
grapes – blackcurrant, grapefruit. On the palate, fresh and very
well balanced.
Lemon Sauce
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp dry sherry
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cornflour
1 tbsp water, extra
4 spring onions, sliced
NOODLES WITH
PRAWNS & PORK
200gms barbecued pork (This can
be done quickly on griddle pan -as I
haven’t come across this ready made)
500gms egg noodles
15 large raw prawns
¼ cup corn oil
1 tbsp sesame seed oil
2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 tbsp black bean sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
Peel and de-vein the prawns. Cut the pork into thin slices, if it hasn’t been sliced
before.
Cook the noodles in a large pan, until just tender. Drain and set aside.
Heat the oils in a wok and swirl gently to make sure its coats its sides. Add the garlic
and cook gently until pale in colour. Add the prawns and pork and stir fry for a few
minutes until the prawns turn pink. Add the noodles to the wok together with the
black bean sauce, soy sauce, vinegar and stock. Stir fry over a high heat until the
sauce is reduced. Add the bean sprouts and spring onion and cook for 1 minute. You
can also add some chilli sauce or chilli oil at the end of the cooking, for a bit of a
kick!
MONTGRAS VIOGNER
Viognier arrived to the granite slopes in Condrieu, France
via the Roman legionnaires or Greeks from Marseilles
around 600 B.C. It is of limited availability worldwide
as it is not massively planted. A fragrant grape with an
array of smells and flavours, it is an intriguing drink. It
has a yellow to golden appearance with aromas of apricot
and honey coupled with some tropical fruit. Full bodied
white wine. Alcohol very well integrated with its fruitiness.
Good balance between sweet aftertaste and its acidity.
Structured on the mid palate and very long finish.
1 tbsp white vinegar
¼ cup chicken stock
125gms bean sprouts preferably fresh
(if you use canned, rinse in lots of cold
water, and drain. If you put in a plastic
bag a bit of time before, it will make
them somewhat crunchier)
3 spring onions
fresh coriander leaves for garnish
All the wines are imported and distributed by Mirachem Marketing Limited. For more information, please call 21214434 or visit www.mirachemltd.com
L&s | FEBRUARY ’07 37

| RADIO |
RADIO 101
LAST NOVEMBER, RADIO 101
BROUGHT BACK LIVE NIGHT-
TIME INTERACTIVE SHOWS.
AFTER ALL, THE STATION WAS
INSTRUMENTAL IN THE REVIVAL
OF SUCH PROGRAMMES AT A
TIME WHEN PLURALISM WAS
IN ITS INFANCY SOME 15 YEARS
AGO. HOWEVER, THIS TIME, IT
IS ‘NIGHTCAP’ HOSTED BY J
OE
VELLA, RATHER THAN GEORG
SAPIANO’S ONE-TO-ONE
DISCUSSION PROGRAMME,
WHICH IS NOW TAKING TO THE
AIRWAVES LATE AT NIGHT.
Joe Vella is no stranger to such programmes having hosted a variety of late night shows on other stations,
as well as having presented early morning programmes on TV some seven years ago.
“I was presented with a bit of a challenge when Noel Mallia, Head of Radio 101, asked if I was interested
in presenting a late nighter, running from midnight to 3am. You have to bear in mind the people who are
likely to be tuning in – such as students, watchmen, cab and van drivers, and yes, those who find it hard
to switch off at night. In presenting this slot, you have to be very careful about your choice of music, and
the mode and style of your delivery; in fact, the whole way of presenting things.
“You also have to watch how you express yourself during those hours as anything that could sound
off-note or have nuances of meaning might not be taken the right way by the listener,” Joe added, as he
summed up the challenges facing him on the ‘night-shift’, Monday to Friday.
There is no arguing about Joe’s great choice of music. He conjures up some really soothing sounds,
be it those belonging to the latest US or Italian Top 40 or classic oldies. However, his choice of music
is intriguing too because Joe owns a few rare records, which were once popular tunes of their time. A
particular example which comes to mind is a song by a Joey Cee, whose real name is Joe Camilleri; a
local composer who emigrated to Canada some 30 years ago. The songwriter had a hit at the time with
a melodic song about his homeland that was played often on Radio Malta and Cable Radio. Nightcap
is already getting a good response from abroad especially from the US and Japan.
Joe is doing a wonderful job by giving listeners the chance to hear some great revival pieces in the
still of the night. And, if you’re still not tuned in, why not listen in soon as there is bound to be some
soundtrack that will please you.
A novelty of Nightcap is the introduction of an Internet dating service, which features a live studio
chat line that is closely monitored, due to its sensitive nature. Joe is to be commended for taking the
initiative and his sole effort late at night. His programme is a wonderful example of radio at its most
human and personal. .
38 L&S | FEBRUARY ’07