Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1511356
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 NOVEMBER 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 892. Field Marigold ASK anyone to sketch a flower and they'll always draw a daisy – that simple pattern of radiating petals from a circle is so quintessentially 'flower'. Mind you, daisies and their relatives ARE one of the biggest plant families on the planet, represented by 100+ species in Malta too. One that should start to bloom at this time – if it rains, that is! – is the field marigold. It's a short plant but lots of them often grow together to form a carpet. Each flower sports a score of orangey yel- low petals around a darker middle. The field marigold (M. suffejra tar-raba') is common along country lanes and field margins. Sadly it's considered a weed, for growing wild rather than being planted by all-knowing humans! So men armed with grasscutters set out to 'cleanse' our roadsides of marigolds and other ħaxix ħażin. How sil- ly! Bicycle Repair Cafe Do you like to cycle, but not sure what to do if you get a flat tire, the chain coming off, or an issue with your brakes? Join us for a free, vol- unteer-based, and participatory Bicycle Repair Cafe where you can learn the basics of bicycle maintenance and repair common issues like punctures and brake problems. Joe Gatt, cyclist and bicycle repair in- structor will show how to take care of the bike and guide you through the process, following the 'do it yourself' principle. Coffee and cakes will be available for participants! Date: December 2nd (Saturday) Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: FoEM Green Resource Center in Floriana Registration is required via the link foemalta.org/event/bicycle_repair/ Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon (photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 774: Please note that it's not a drop-off service; you're encouraged to actively partici- pate and get hands-on experience with your bicycle.climate-change/nogas/ 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 Valletta Resounds Runs through December Place: St. John's Co-Cathedral Extended run till December 2023! Valletta Resounds elegantly strings together Caravaggio masterpieces with theatrical storytelling and timeless classical music. Enjoy the rare chance to explore Malta's most visited historic church without the hustle and bustle of crowds whilst enjoying a memorable performance in the unique magnificence of the Oratory. An unmissable experience! Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Rediscovering Abos From 22 November Place: Tarxien Parish Church In the Roman Catholic liturgy the readings for the first 'Matins Nocturne' of the triduum sacrum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) consist of the lamentations of Jeremiah, or portions of the Old Testament prophetic book of the same name. Often the lamentations are sung, which is why, along with the great responsories, they are musically the most important texts of 'Tenebrae'. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Hollywood actors are set to end their nearly four-month strike, the Sag-Aftra union announced on Wednesday, bringing to a close a historic work stoppage that had brought the film and television industry to a standstill for months. Five Just Stop Oil protesters have appeared in court charged with storming a performance of Les Miserables in London's West End. The show at the Sondheim Theatre was brought to a halt at 21:00 GMT on 5 October, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Sag-Aftra and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday The protesters have pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated trespass.