Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/345566
Events 40 Special fares to Cyprus with Emirates for a limited time only Casa Antonia hosts its annual garden concert Best Mum and Best Dad award winners announced For those who want to enjoy a period of relaxation in Cyprus this summer, Emirates, the internation- al airline that connects people and places around the globe, is offering special fares for a limited time only. The offer is valid for tickets booked and purchased by Tuesday 22 July 2014. Economy Class fares to Larnaka start from €220 for outbound travel between 15 August and 30 Septem- ber 2014, and €239 for outbound travel between 1 July and 14 Au- gust. A weekend surcharge of €20 each way applies for departure on Fri- days, Saturdays and Sundays. Prices are inclusive of taxes and fuel surcharge. The offer is subject to availability at the time of booking and terms and conditions apply. Operating on a daily scheduled flight between Dubai and Malta via Larnaka starting 1 August, Emir- ates connects Malta to over 140 destinations across six continents. Emirates flight EK108 leaves Mal- ta at 15.45hrs and arrives in Larnaka at 19.00hrs (Cyprus time). Emirates currently flies between Dubai and Malta on a Boeing 777 four times a week via Larnaka and three times a week flies direct from Dubai to Malta and returns via Tripoli. Further information on flights to Cyprus, can be obtained from Emir- ates Sales Office on tel: 2557 7255, through the local travel agent, or by visiting the site www.emirates. com.mt Malta Enterprise has launched the Get Qualified Scheme for 2014. The objective of the Get Qualified 2014 Scheme is to support the personal development of individuals who aim to achieve qualifications and certifi- cations required by industry. The incentive is applicable to stu- dents following a course of studies leading to a certification, diploma, degree or post-graduate degree courses. On successful completion the student will benefit from a tax credit hence recovering part of the costs incurred. This incentive is mainly intended to support persons who have com- pleted formal education and who are seeking to further their education in areas that are relevant to Maltese Industries, and will remain effective till 31 December 2018. A qualification shall be considered eligible if approved as level 5 or high- er by the Malta Qualification Frame- work (MQF) grading structure and directly relevant to careers in one of the specific areas as indicated on the guidelines as published by Malta En- terprise, available on its website. These include arts, graphic design, life sciences, economics, computing, engineering and others. In case of specialised training which is specific to a technology or industry, a quali- fication may also be considered eligi- ble for assistance. The tax credit granted to successful students will be of 70% of the eligible costs yet the maximum value of tax credits will be capped in relation to the MQF level of the qualification. Eligible for tax credits are costs in- curred for the registration fees paid to the awarding body awarding the qualification; fees paid to the uni- versity, institution or other entity recognised by Malta Enterprise for the training and educational services leading to the approved qualification; and, fees payable in connection with examinations required to achieve the approved qualification. Students are required to apply for the tax credit within one year of commencement of their course. On applying the student will also be re- quired to submit a declaration stat- ing that the beneficiaries' studies have not and shall not be reimbursed nor compensated for the whole or any part of the costs on which the tax credit is being claimed from any source whatsoever. The holder of the Incentive Entitle- ment Certificate may start claiming the tax credit as a deduction from the tax payable for the year of assess- ment for the relevant qualification obtained. Any amount of tax credit not utilized by the beneficiary in that year of assessment may be car- ried forward and be set against his/ her respective tax liability within the subsequent ten (10) years of assess- ment. For further information, including the list of approved courses, log onto www.maltaenterprise.com maltatoday, Sunday, 13 July 2014 Get Qualified Scheme for 2014 launched by Malta Enterprise Residents of Casa Antonia Nursing and Residential Home in Balzan and their guests were treated to an annual anni- versary concert in the residential home's ex- quisite gardens. The evening opened with Maria Bambina Choir and Orchestra under the direction of Mro Kenneth Fenech, who performed songs from popular classics and musicals. Performances by re- nowned singers Chi- ara and Enzo Gusman followed, interpreting delightful Maltese songs as well as Ital- ian and English well known tunes, some of which going back a number of years. Residents and their relatives joined in the sing-along on sev- eral occasions during the evening as many recalled happy memories. Managing Director Edward Vella and General Manager Sarah Cas- sar thanked the nursing and car- ing staff for their utmost dedica- tion and the residents for their co-operation and welcomed par- ticipation. Cassar said, "The summer garden concert has become one of our spe- cial annual events which our resi- dents look forward to. It is a great satisfaction to see so many happy faces enjoying the music and sing- ing along with the singers on such a tranquil summer night." Over 120 well-trained employ- ees provide a holistic service for the residents' needs: comfortable accommodation and care, medi- cal care and other services such as hairdressing, beautician, social activities, and catering for private parties amongst others. At Casa Antonia, residents enjoy many social activities in the com- mon areas and landscaped gardens, including daily Mass, bingo, cook- ing, crafts, regular outings, live music, cinema nights, keep-fit on a weekly basis and special occasions. A Church of England Mass is also said for the foreign residents. Following the concert the guests and residents were treated to a re- ception where they enjoyed meet- ing relatives and friends and shar- ing some of their life experiences. Casa Antonia residence has es- tablished itself as one of Malta's top nursing and residential homes, offering long-term care, short-stay convalescence, rehabilitation and respite care. It is spread over a large area of tastefully decorated spaces in clas- sic design and surrounded by nice and peaceful gardens, offering a comfortable accommodation for 130 residents, which can be en- joyed in single rooms, sharing, or apartments. The winners of the Malta Baby & Kids Directory Best Mum and Best Dad Awards were presented with their awards and prizes by Ivan Grech committee member of The Marigold Foundation, at a celebra- tion on Thursday 10 July at Girgenti Palace during the launch of the 8th edition of The Malta Baby & Kids Directory. On the day, together with the launch of the latest directory, the Malta Baby & Kids team in collabo- ration with The Marigold Foun- dation, supporting the Children's Special Olympics Malta, hosted a Children's Fashion Show. During the event exciting summer collec- tions by Okaidi, Missey & Bo and MO-Zippy were displayed. One year since the update of the web portal at www.maltababyand- kids.com, it is now the top website for parents and carers looking to find events, services and products available to them throughout the year. Earlier this year the Best Mum and Best Dad Awards campaign was launched and the public was invited to nominate a spouse, relative or friend who they felt deserved the ti- tles of "Best Mum" and "Best Dad". The campaign generated a great response and six finalists were cho- sen. Readers were then asked to vote for their favourite choice and these together with a panel decided which mum and dad deserved to win these awards. Sarah Cachia and Kenneth Frendo were deservedly voted this year's winners, proving that raising chil- dren through difficult circum- stances can be positive in spite of the challenges. Their stories are featured in the latest edition of the Malta Baby & Kids Directory. The winners were presented with their awards and some amazing prizes including: a weekend break at the Radisson Blu Resorts in St Julians and Golden Sands; a meal for two at top award winning res- taurant of the Definitive(ly) Good Guide – Tarragon in St Paul's Bay; a €100 voucher to spend at Wem- bley Stores, Valletta; a three month membership for a family of four at Spinach Fitness club, a treatment at Myoka Spas, 2 hours of party ani- mation by Cheeramigos and a cel- ebration cake commemorating the award by Millie's Cookies. The front cover painting compe- tition, sponsored by Art Academy with the theme 'The Maltese Islands Landscapes & Nature', was won by Indira Caruana (9 years old) and the runner up Katryna Vassallo (13 years old). The winner's painting is on the cover of the 8th edition of the Malta Baby & Kids Directory, launched on 10 July. Paintings of 12 shortlisted artists are also featured in the di- rectory. The book is the essential reference for parents and childcarers in Malta and Gozo. It is available to buy on- line at www.maltababyandkids.com. Expectant mothers are entitled to a free copy of the directory through Mater Dei Maternity Outpatients. Anyone who subscribes on www. maltababyandkids.com receives a free monthly newsletter, packed with news and events, and can par- ticipate in our exciting competitions and win great prizes. They will also be kept informed about events or- ganised on a regular basis through- out the year. For further press information please contact Denise Briffa at den- ise@maltababyandkids.com.