Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1455666
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2022 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 803. Didder AROUND this time of year a strange plant starts to appear in our rocky garrigues, a plant that actually couldn't look less plant-like. A tangled mass of pink-red threadlike structures that, like the Red Weed from The War of the Worlds, spreads over and engulfs entire shrubs: behold the dodder. Dodder is not green and doesn't grow leaves because it doesn't contain chlorophyll, that magical stuff that helps plants produce their own food through photosynthesis. You see, dodder doesn't need to produce its own food because it steals it from other plants by sucking it out of their stems. That's right, it's a parasite, no wonder its Maltese name is pittma. If you look close- ly, however, you may spot, at intervals along its eldritch tentacles, something that give its 'plantness' away: tiny clusters of pinkish white flowers. Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 694: Join us and subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on our campaigns https://foemalta.org/join Be Active Be Plastic Creative WHAT can we do with all the plastic bottles that are wasted in Mal- ta? Make jewellery out of them of course – for you, for your sister, your brother, your mum, your dad, friends, for everyone! LEADING on from the Be Active beach clean, join us in a workshop to re-use some of the waste collected and get creative. Come for a cup of tea, biscuits, good music and bring your creative flare as we demonstrated what you can do with plastic bottle waste. SOCIAL media is a powerful way to communicate the environmen- tal issues of today, to spread awareness about protecting our marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Let's spread the word and raise our voic- es by sharing how we can re-use plastic waste in a creative way! THIS event is open to young people under 25. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this Pandemonium Start date: 5 March Place: Arthall, Triq G.P.F Aguis De Soldanis, Victoria, Malta Pandemonium intends to target some of the absurdities of our status quo, bringing to light what the artist describes "as implicit injustices in accepting dictatorial and classist behaviours, which tends to appear throughout human history". The aim of the exhibition is to raise questions about social control, obedience and freedom of expression, or lack of it. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member IZFEN ma' ZfinMalta - Dance with us! Start date: 7 March Place: finMalta Studios These evening classes are open to participants over 18 years of age who are open to exploring the idea of movement from scratch. Individuals from all backgrounds and all levels of fitness and flexibility are invited to participate. No previous experience of dance is expected. MONDAYS: Open ballet classes where participants are guided through the basics to build skills, strength and confidence. TUESDAYS: A release from the workday. Let yourself go with guest teacher Zoe Camilleri, who will introduce various tools for exploring creative movement in a safe and stress-free space. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK A notebook containing hand- written lyrics to the Beatles classic Hey Jude is to go on display for the first time.The book, compiled between 1967-1968, features Sir Paul McCartney's draft of the famous song alongside poetry and doodles squiggled by the music legend. Gary Brooker, the frontman of 1960s rock band Procol Harum, has died at the age of 76, his record label has confirmed. The London-born singer led the band throughout their 55-year history, co-writing and singing their most famous song, 1967's A Whiter Shade of Pale. It will be exhibited at The Beatles Story in Liverpool from 22 February. Brooker died at his home from cancer on Saturday.