Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520224
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MAY 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 917. Phoenician Juniper MOST trees produce flowers and fruit, but there's a primitive group called conifers that produce cones instead. Locally, two of these – the Aleppo pine and the Italian cypress – are common in gardens, cemeteries and afforested areas; and a third – the araar – has gained ground in recent years. And then there's the rare Phoenician juni- per (M. ġniepru), a very Mediterranean species that probably grew wild in the past (botanical records are not clear as it was confused with the araar). The Phoenician juniper's cones are quite different, because they're not woody but rather fleshy and look like berries – indeed some birds eat them and they're also used to flavour gin! The Phoenician juniper is one hardy tree that can boldy take on our arid climate, and should be planted by the thousand. Friends of the Earth Malta invite you for Summer Clothes Swap! Do you plan to buy new clothes for Summer? We're inviting you to SWAP NOT SHOP! Declutter your closet, bring along any clothes that you no longer wear and go home with lots of lovely pre-loved items. What should you get Up to 5 items of washed clothing (like t-shirts, shorts, trousers, dresses, bags, hats, shoes…). Make sure they are in good condition (i.e. no stains, no holes, and that are pretty enough for others to wear them and give them a new home). Clothes for all genders are welcome! Baked goods to share! Teas, coffees, and drinks will be available against a donation. All donations go towards our work at Friends of the Earth Malta. Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon (photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 790: Registration in the link here: foemalta.org/event/220524-clothes-swap/ 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 MIAF 2024 On June 22 Place: Teatru Manoel The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), under the baton of Michael Laus, presents two masterworks: Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Cello Concerto No 1 by Shostakovich featuring cellist Konstatin Manaev. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Malta Jazz Fesitival: Openning concert On July 21 Place: Great Siege Road Floriana The Malta Jazz Festival Opening Concert features the Gianluca Figliola Trio, led by acclaimed Italian guitarist. Held at the opulent Grand Hotel Excelsior, immerse yourself in melodies and rhythms, promising an unforgettable start to this prestigious musical celebration. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Taylor Swift's latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, has topped the UK charts with the biggest first-week sales in seven years. The 31-track double album shifted 270,000 UK chart units in seven days, eclipsing her previous personal best of 204,000 for her 2022 album, Midnights. The band Keane have announced their gig on Sunday is the latest to fall foul of "technical issues" at Manchester's troubled Co-op Live arena. The British group, headed by frontman Tom Chaplin, said they were "absolutely gutted" by the news and were doing "all we can to re- schedule the show". The last time an album sold more in its first week was in 2017, when Ed Sheeran's Divide sold 670,000 copies. A post on X read: "This is due to ongoing technical issues at the venue and is entirely beyond our control."