Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/608340
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2015 43 THE third edition of the BOV Joseph Calleja Fund Raising Christ- mas Concert will be held on Sun- day 20 December 2015 at the Di- vine Mercy Chapel in San Pawl tat-Tarġa starting at 19:00. Joseph Calleja, accompanied by a number of scholars currently be- ing supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, will be per- forming a repertoire of Christmas songs in an intimate atmosphere. The concert will be followed by a reception at Villa Arrigo that will also be attended by Joseph Calleja and the accompanying artists. All donations raised from the Concert will go towards the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation. "In the relatively short time since the inception of the Foundation, we are already supporting a good number of 'scholars' to maximise their artistic potential and making a difference in their lives," explained Joseph Calleja. "I am really eager to perform alongside these exception- ally talented musicians during this concert, which has now become a regular event in our cultural calen- dar," continued Joseph Calleja. Set up two years ago, the Founda- tion has a two-pronged focus, 'The Gifted Youth' and 'The Vulnerable Child'. Launched earlier this year, 'The Vulnerable Child' arm sees the Foundation partnering with a number of organisations with a view to develop specific programmes that aim to assist the development of underprivileged children. Speaking about the Patron scheme of the Foundation, Rod- erick Chalmers, Chairman of the Foundation's Board, explained, "In addition to the annual contribu- tions of the founding parties, Bank of Valletta and Joseph Calleja, the Foundation relies on the generous response of a number of patrons and benefactors to be able to per- form its mission. This concert is our major fund raising event, and we are anticipating another sold- out event this year." Seats for the concert are available against a donation of €100 each. Tickets may be reserved through the booking website ooii.com.mt. Benefactors who attend the concert will also have the opportunity to meet Joseph Calleja and the guest artists during a reception hosted at Villa Arrigo following the concert. Further information about the concert and the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation can be found at bov- josephcallejafoundation.com This Week Representatives of the more than half a million EU citizens who signed the #NatureAlert campaign, flanked by giant animals, handed over a colourful 'cheque' to EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella calling on him to save and enforce vital EU nature protection laws. Members of the public, representing the biggest-ever response to an EU Commission consultation, were joined by a giant bee and a beaver to hand over the cheque outside a key conference for the future of EU nature legislation. The public support for saving and implementing our strong nature laws is deafening. A record half a million people plus scientists, MEPs, businesses, and 10 governments, have raised their voices for strong nature protection – they are too big to ignore. A thriving natural world is crucial for everybody's health and wellbeing, so Commissioner Vella must ensure Europe's nature protections are properly put into practice – not watered down in the name of cutting red tape. The handover took place outside a conference to review the future of EU nature protection. Over 400 business people, government and EU representatives, and environmentalists from around Europe came together to discuss whether the EU's Nature Directives are fit to achieve the goal of preserving Europe's nature, or whether they should be rewritten – as part of a so- called 'Fitness check'. Preliminary findings of a European Commission review show Europe's nature laws are the right tool to protect Europe's nature. A record half a million citizens called for the laws to be saved and implemented, and not rewritten. The cause was also backed by governments from 10 EU countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Aside from the unprecedented public and governmental support, there is strong evidence that the nature laws work well in practice, but need better funding, implementation and enforcement. Garrulous, querulous, clever, gregarious and opportunist: meet the Common Starling. Unlike some other species that sport the adjective 'common' but then turn out to be not all that frequent, this customer does live up to its qualifier, as flocks numbering thousands arrive here in autumn, many of which then decide to stay the winter. For all their 'common-ness', however, one still can't deny that the starling (M: sturnell) is a beautiful creature. Its silky black plumage, which at this time of year is covered in a mass of white spots, isn't straightforward black: whenever it catches the light the plumage shimmers a metallic green and violet. Starlings are omnivorous birds, eating berries, seeds, worms and insects with equal relish, and a nicely stocked bird table may even entice them to overcome their fear of people and visit for a free meal. Sadly, starlings are not protected, so hunters freely make sport by shooting into them, just to enjoy poking a hole in the flock. Such fun. 482. COMMON STARLING GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 385: : DO NOT PRE-HEAT THE OVEN – UNLESS YOU ARE MAKING BREAD OR PASTRIES OF SOME SORT, DON'T PRE-HEAT THE OVEN. JUST TURN IT ON WHEN YOU PUT THE DISH IN. ALSO, WHEN CHECKING ON YOUR FOOD, LOOK THROUGH THE OVEN WINDOW INSTEAD OF OPENING THE DOOR. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon Photo Denis Cachia Giant animals tell Karmenu Vella: Save our nature laws Annual BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation Christmas concert announced Joseph Calleja, accompanied by a number of scholars currently being supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, will be performing a repertoire of Christmas songs in an intimate atmosphere Joseph Calleja PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD