Best Buy November 2016

COVER STORY

Three animal welfare workers share stories from the frontlines of volunteer organisations with Marie-Claire Grima. PAGE 3 >

BEST BUY

Malta’s Leading Lifestyle & Shopping Guide Distributed with The Times

30-NIGHT SLEEP TRIAL: LOVE IT OR RETURN IT – NO QUESTIONS ASKED 30-Night Sleep Trial. If you love it, keep it; if not, return it for a different, brand new mattress which is either firmer or softer, or get your money back.

Issue 114

November 2016

IN THIS ISSUE...

HOMES From the latest trends in bedroom design to made-to-measure mattresses for a perfect night’s sleep, Martina Said delves into the dynamic world of bedrooms.

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COMMON MEMORY FOAM MYTHS

Myth 1: Memory foam sleeps hot The cheaper, less breathable types of memory foam limit air flow and can seriously increase the heat. Malta’s climate is what it is; however, we use foams especially designed for our climate. They enhance breathability and, coupled with intelligent mattress fabrics, provide the optimal body temperature.

Sleepless nights, tossing, turning and exhausted mornings – we all know the feeling.

The effect that the right mattress can have on your life may never have crossed your mind. However a good-quality sleep can make you feel revived, improve your memory and help you live longer.

WHAT IS THE BEST MATTRESS FOR ME?

While sleeping, our muscles naturally relax to prevent us from acting out our dreams. So a mattress that felt supportive at the shop may perform differently while you are asleep.

To solve this problem, we provide our customers with a free

Myth 2: Memory foam mattresses cannot be used on a storage bed or solid surface bed as they will mould If there’s no air, there will be a build-up of condensation which leads to mould – this is especially true for the dense material of memory foam. However, we use a unique three-dimensional material, which provides the right amount of air circulation for the underside of your mattress that prevents mould. Our numerous satisfied clients can attest to the fact that our mattresses do not mould and really do improve your quality of life.

“You need just two things in life, a good mattress and a good pair of shoes, as you are either in one or the other!”

Mattress Collection, Mdina Road, Zebbug. T: 2146 1961; www.mattresscollection.com.mt

INTERVIEW Moira Delia chats to Sarah Micallef about her love for animals, her work to safeguard their welfare and her future plans. PAGE 17 >

HEALTH Ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Martina Said looks into the causes, prevalence and risk factors linked to diabetes.

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COVER STORY

ANIMAL KINGDOM

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It has been said that the true measure of a society can be found in the way it treats its animals – and this certainly applies to the hard-working employees and volunteers who work with abandoned, unwanted or displaced animals.

Marie-Claire Grima speaks to three animal welfare workers to find out more about what they do and why they do it. home, so that he could at least spend his final months in the comfort of a warm bed with someone who could cuddle him through the night.

“We often deal with heartwrenching situations, but the inspiring stories we see more often make up for them.”

Sarah De Cesare Dunkerley, COO, MSPCA “The MSPCA Re-Homing Centre in Floriana has been sheltering and re-homing cats and dogs since the 1900s. We find homes for more than 150 animals per year, and these are just the animals that physically enter the centre – every month we match several animals with suitable homes without them needing to enter our Floriana centre. But there is a great deal more that happens than simply adoptions.

The MSPCA is also an information hub, with a fullytrained behaviourist on staff that can help with concerns surrounding pets. It also offers boarding for when people

need to have their pets cared for whilst they travel. For the last seven years, with the help of our partners Dogs Trust UK, we have neutered and microchipped thousands of dogs – a service that is still available today at the subsidised cost of only €19!

The MSPCA employs 11 people and has over 100 volunteers who generously give us their time. We often deal with heart-wrenching situations, but the inspiring stories we see more often make up for them. One of my favourites is that of Wenzu, an old boy who had been with us as long as we could remember. He must have been around 15 years old, riddled with shotgun pellets, but an absolute gentle giant, and a favourite with all the staff and volunteers here. He was starting to slow down and we worried about his health – we thought it might be his last Christmas with us and we were determined to push hard for a

It turned out that one of our regular volunteers at the shops, Fran, had recently lost her dog Billy. She said she was ready to take on an older dog to give it the loving, peaceful send-off it deserved. It wasn’t long before ‘Wilbur’, as he is now called, joined Fran and her husband.

What we thought would be a few months turned into nearly a year, and Wilbur is looking fitter and happier than ever!

People can support the MSPCA by giving some of their time to walk the dogs or help in our charity shops. They can also support us through our €1 per week sponsorship schemes or by giving us donations, be they money or items for our stores or our animals. But perhaps most important of all, the public can show their support by spreading the word of responsible pet ownership.

Our greatest challenge is often the lack of education on certain topics that concern animal welfare. Our Education Officer has spoken to over 56,000 children in schools in the last seven years about a number of subjects ranging from staying safe around animals or what a pet needs. But although the future generation is so important to us, we must always have time to speak with adults who may not have been exposed to the great

responsibility that being an animal guardian holds. Taking the time to talk to friends, neighbours or colleagues about the importance of proper animal welfare can do so much good.” www.spcamalta.org

retired race horses, living out the rest of their days in comfort.

The sanctuary is also a good place to hold children’s parties, with a room dedicated to food preparation.

Each horse has its own paddock, with plenty of room where they can roam around.

The horses’ upkeep costs €2,000 monthly. The costs include feed, farrier costs and bedding. There are no fulltime employees but there are around 25 volunteers – it’s hard work but it’s amazingly rewarded. Anything the public can spare in terms of donations, supplies or even their time is very much welcome. Every little helps!”

Fb: Malta-Horse-Sanctuary

“Alone we can do little but together we can do a lot!”

“It’s hard work but it’s amazingly rewarded.”

Pedro Griscti, Malta Horse Sanctuary “The Malta Horse Sanctuary in Siggiewi was founded in April 2014, with the aim of giving horses that cannot live at home anymore a better life, while educating the general public on horse welfare. There are 11 horses of various ages currently living at the sanctuary. Not all horses which are currently at the sanctuary are unwanted or neglected – some of them are

Mandy Silva Micallef, Sicily Stray Rescue “Sicily Stray Rescue – ENPA Delegation is an NGO jointly run by Bridget Moncado and myself in Sicily and Malta respectively. Bridget has been living in Sicily for the past 23 years, rescuing sick, abandoned dogs almost singlehandedly. The stray dog situation in Sicily is horrendous – pets are rarely spayed or neutered so packs of dogs are often seen roaming the streets, scavenging for food. The locals consider them vermin and go through abominable lengths to get rid of them – poisoning them, drowning them and

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COVER STORY

throwing them from moving vehicles along the freeway. The situation is made worse by the lack of functional animal shelters.

Around 18 months ago, Bridget and I created the Sicily Stray Rescue group, and over the past year and a half, our team has saved and homed around 110 stray dogs and puppies in Malta. We have also joined forces with Samira Association, a volunteer group in a neighbouring province in Sicily, allowing us to help even more strays and save as many innocent lives as we can.

In Sicily, the volunteers take stray dogs and puppies straight to the vet to be checked and micro-chipped. They may often need medication as most are found underweight or nearly on death’s door. Once they are well and healthy, they are taken to our small sanctuary where the volunteers look after them. They take photos and videos of the dogs and puppies, which we post on our group and explain each case in as much detail as possible.

We are very strict with our homing procedure.

Not everyone is in a position to adopt a stray due to their hours of work or lifestyle. Once a

person gets in touch and I see that they fit the criteria, I visit them at home, and go through the contract with them. After that, I bring the adopted dogs and puppies on the ferry on an agreed date, when the government vet would be at the port waiting for me to see all our documents. It is a very strict procedure – all dogs and puppies come on the boat with their lifetime passport, micro-chipped, de-flead, de-wormed and inoculated with a rabies shot. The following week, they are registered with a Maltese vet and booked for neutering. I also do follow-ups and home visits to see their progress, as well as organise meet-ups every few months at the dog park, as often siblings go to different homes.

What we need most from the public is financial support to keep the sanctuary up and running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Charity begins wherever it is needed the most – alone we can do little but together we can do a lot. Visit us on Facebook to see if you can help us out, or even be the one to give a loving forever home to someone who needs it!”

Fb: SICILY STRAY RESCUE – ENPA Malta Delegation. BB

FOR ACTIVE AND SPORTING DOGS BonmAscota Extrem is a new product of the BonmAscota brand. It has been formulated by veterinarians to provide a healthy and balanced diet for pets, and is especially suitable for sporting dogs, as well as adult dogs of all breeds that are very physically active in extreme weather conditions.

BonmAscota Extrem’s main benefit is its high fat content which provides the energy that dogs need while exercising, helping them to achieve their best performance. In addition, it has a high protein level and is highly digestible, helping dogs maintain their muscle fibres and keeping them strong and in shape.

Like the other products from the BonmAscota brand, the formula incorporates fresh meat. This makes BonmAscota pet food highly digestible and very appetising. Keep your dog in magnificent physical condition and optimal health – give them BonmAscota Extrem!

Bella, left for dead in the Sicilian countryside, was rescued by Sicily Stray Rescue and found a loving home in Malta.

Imported by Emanuel Paul Schembri. T: 2146 3681; M: 9985 7577; E: friesian@maltanet.net; www.bonmascota.com

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Foreword

DOG DAYS It’s remarkable to think that in this day and age, there are still people who take on pets without knowing the responsibility that this entails, who then end up abandoning them without a second thought as soon as they get tired of them. In our cover story (page 3), we speak to three people who work and volunteer in different animal shelters, to find out what they do and why they do it. Some of the cases they encounter are truly wretched and © 2016 All rights reserved. Articles appearing in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to print, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

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Publishers

heart-breaking, but the love and dedication they show to our fourlegged friends is inspirational. If only everyone could follow suit.

Speaking of animal rights, we also have an interview with activist Moira Delia (page 18), who has dedicated a lot of time and energy towards giving a voice to the creatures that don’t have one. And if you needed any further proof that dogs are man’s best friend, take a look at our

Best Buy is the leading shopping guide distributed with The Times every month on a Wednesday.

fascinating feature on diabetes (page 24), a condition that affects thousands of Maltese people, and find out how dogs are not only providing companionship to their owners, but also helping them manage their condition more effectively. As they say, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!

Content House Group Mallia Buildings, 3, Level 2, Triq in-Negozju, Mriehel.

T: 2132 0713 E: info@contenthouse.com.mt www.contenthouse.com.mt EDITOR Marie-Claire Grima Contributors Sarah Micallef, Martina Said Advertising Publication Sales Manager Mark Barbara Advertising Sales Executives Diane Scerri, Amy Schembri Advertising Sales Coordinators Lindsey Napier, Marvic Cutajar

NEXT ISSUE:

07.12.16

DESIGN Nicholas Cutajar Printer Progress Press Ltd

DOn'T MISS IT

10-Year Burn Free Warranty and Free Sound Bar From Sound Machine

Samsung have just announced a 10year ‘screen burn’ warranty for its entire range of 2016 SUHD Quantum Dot TV, available for customers who have bought a 2016 SUHD Quantum Dot TV between 1 August 2016 and 31 March 2017.

Screen burn is a TV display issue which leaves a permanent imprint of an image on the screen. The fault happens when a screen is fixed on a single scene for too long or when the exact same image is displayed repeatedly. It is commonly

caused by news tickers, channels with static logos, and video games with static heads-up displays.

Samsung Electronics have just pledged to repair or otherwise exchange TV panels at no cost to the owner if any of its new SUHD Quantum dot TVs experience screen burn-in effect within the first 10 years after purchase. Samsung are describing this as an “industry-changing warranty”.

For the month of November, Sound Machine are giving a free Samsung SoundBar HW-K450 worth €249 with purchase of selected Samsung SUHD Quantum Dot TVs

Samsung is exclusively distributed in Malta by Sound Machine. View the Samsung SUHD Quantum Dot range of TVs on www.soundmachine.com.mt

SCOUTS AND BIRDLIFE COLLABORATE ON NATURE COURSES The Scout Association of Malta’s youth programme includes a series of naturerelated badges for each age group.

During these outdoor visits, the youths can complete part of their relevant sectional badge work; for example the Cub Scouts can complete parts of their ‘bird lover’ or ‘naturalist’ badge.

A series of outdoor visits and youth leader training courses are now being developed by the Scouts in collaboration with BirdLife Malta to integrate into the Adult Leader Woodbadge training course. With this collaboration, the Scout groups will have the opportunity to visit BirdLife Malta nature reserves and take part in guided

sessions to complete requirements of these badges while gaining invaluable knowledge from experts in the area and making sure that the youth members are engaged and learning from the outdoors.

Since nature is a fundamental part of the scouting method, this training and support from BirdLife Malta will allow our adult leaders to increase their knowledge to better engage with the youths and support their development.

The Scout Association of Malta. www.scout.org.mt; Fb: MaltaScouts

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HOMES

The latest in contemporary bedrooms

There is no place we long to retreat to more than the sanctuary of a bedroom at the end of a long day. From the latest trends in bedroom design to made-to-measure mattresses for a perfect night’s sleep, Martina Said delves into the dynamic world of bedrooms.

On-trend design

Scandinavian design has been making waves in home trends in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down, which is great news for those who love clean lines and a simple aesthetic, especially for the bedroom. If you’re considering going down the Nordic path, you’ll be looking at hues that include grey, off-white, soft browns and neutral tones, as well as warm wooden accents and lots of natural light. You could apply this to your choice of furniture, including bedside tables, bed frames, wardrobes and accessories too.

Reclaimed wood is being embraced by larger portions of the general population, and not just eco-conscious

homeowners. Besides being an economic and environmentally-friendly option, it brings a beautiful texture to modern bedrooms that are widely made using stone, glass and concrete.

Use reclaimed wood for an accent wall, as a bed frame, for storage shelves or even for your own DIY accessories, such as a full length mirror.

Statement headboards are also gaining popularity – whether you dig the lavish look of a richly upholstered headboard or would opt for something more innovative such as one made with wood pallets, you’ll find that a custom design will probably cost you less, fit your bed like a glove, and add a touch of originality to the room that a ready-made one will not.

Meanwhile, pastel colours and airy tones continue to dominate soft furnishings this year, made popular by one of Pantone’s colours for 2016, the elegant rose quartz.

Pale woods, light metals and soothing colours continue to infiltrate the wonderful designs of soft furnishings, ranging from throws and decorative cushions, to rugs, sheets and ornamental accessories.

The perfect mattress

The importance of a good mattress for a proper night’s sleep is widely underestimated, but the minds behind Mattress Collection are looking to change that. Luke Borg, Managing Director at Mattress Collection, says, “more often

than not, people tend to sleep on an old and wornout mattress until it becomes unbearable. It rarely crosses their minds that the right quality mattress can have a dramatic impact on their lives – that is, until they sleep on a good one.”

Backed by doctors and certified by health officials, the team behind Mattress Collection offers a service whereby they can pin-point with almost certain accuracy the support levels each person needs to get that truly comfortable sleep they want and need.

“We rely on feedback from our customers, which has been tremendous, to continue to develop our products. From being told they’re ‘seriously comfy’ to having changed their quality of life, we know our mattresses make a difference to people’s lives and we will continue to improve on them,” Luke says.

He adds that the company is very much on the ball when it comes to innovation. “Not only have we created some truly unique mattresses which incorporate each individual’s sleep needs into it, even if two people are sleeping on one bed, but we’ve also revamped our remote adjustable beds, making them more stylish and intuitive to people’s needs.”

“We know people are spending more time in their bedroom,” he continues, “watching TV, reading, and some even prefer to work in their bed rather than in the living room,

“Pastel colours and airy tones continue to dominate soft furnishings this year.”

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so we’ve incorporated new features such as quicker raising speeds, massage options and new never-seen-before wood colours for our frames.”

Luxury additions

Modern-day master bedrooms are more than just sleeping quarters – they’re evolving into luxury living quarters in their own right, complete with lots of comfortable add-ons such as a walk-in wardrobe, en suite bathroom and even a secluded work space. It’s evolving into ‘a home within a home’ aimed at offering all that you could need within the confines of your bedroom, ranging from a nearby bath tub to a wallmounted TV. No one ever said you can’t have your own minibar in your bedroom if you wanted to either!

This year, walk-in wardrobes have taken on a less streamlined and more mixand-match approach, with drawer faces, doors and shelves in different colours, textures and finishes. And if you’re not huge on nonneutral colours for the bigger pieces, you could implement small and simple changes, such as different coloured edge bandings on panels, to give tired-looking furniture a daring new look. As for en suite bathrooms, designers are increasingly moving away from artificial materials and opting for stone and timber where possible, including timber vanities and accessories that work wonderfully with a touch of greenery, lots of white as well as patterned tiles. Monochrome bathrooms continue to prove popular – whether it’s with a new set of towels and soap dispensers or a statement pendant over the vanity or bath, the contrast of black and white will never go out of fashion.

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HOMES

top quality appliances AT AMAZING PRICES

Most home owners would agree that there’s never enough storage space in the house, including in the bedroom. If you’re designing your bedroom from scratch, factor in additional storage units in the form of wardrobe-sized shelving, concealed drawers or over-the-door racks for all types of footwear. If you’re simply looking to add extra storage to your existing bedroom, consider plastic crates and labelled boxes which could be tucked away out of sight, or extra shelving concealed within your

“In 2017, we’ll be looking at remote adjustable beds, new apps that help us to assess our sleep patterns as well as cooling.”

wardrobe, extra drawers under the bed, as well as small cabinets that could double as nightstands.

Tech predictions

Since people are looking to spend more time in their bedrooms due to busy schedules and lack of leisure time, Luke says there’s a big push towards customised and functional products.

“In 2017, we’ll be looking at remote adjustable beds, new apps that help us to assess our sleep patterns as well as cooling. Body cells repair during sleep and the body temperature of an adult should be maintained at 37°C. There should be a slight decrease (of around 0.5°C) in body temperature at the time of falling asleep, therefore mattress covers will be set to take centre stage next year, as well as some truly innovative foams.” BB

Bomann is a German company renowned for top quality, durable goods at amazingly low prices. The Bomann range boasts an array of toasters and sandwich grills, kettles, juicers and blenders, food processors as well as deep fat fryers.

All products are imported by A&A Mizzi Ltd, the local agent for Bomann home appliances. We offer well-priced, quality branded kitchen and household products, and maintain a high level of after-sales service. Our aim is to offer you a wide range of kitchen appliances and other products without the hassle of having to leave the comfort of your home, helping you to save time and stress less. We are passionate about creating a quick and smooth process for our customers each and every time.

A full range of appliances is available in all leading retail outlets as well as www.myshopmalta.com A&A Mizzi Limited, Triq Is-Salib tal-Imriehel, Mriehel.

T: 2148 8160/2158 8168; www.aamizzi.com

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HOMES

Turn up the heat

It’s the time of year when keeping our homes warm becomes a priority. But before we can even think of the heating options available, we need to make sure that our homes are well insulated, so as to keep the cold out and the heat in.

Sarah Micallef learns more.

INSULATION

If your house is still being built, there are a number of options to consider when it comes to insulation, and whatever you choose will have a direct impact on your home’s ability to keep warm in the winter.

“The roof is the area which needs to be insulated most, since in summer it is the area most exposed to the sun and which absorbs most heat, which is in turn transferred to the inside of the house,” explains Hector Camilleri, General Manager at Bitmac Ltd. “In winter, the heat inside the house rises to the ceiling, and if there is no insulation, it is quickly lost by the cold roof.”

If you’re looking to insulate a finished house, there are several options available too. Again, the most important area is the roof. “One can opt to make a new screed which will include the insulation, but this is quite messy and expensive,” Mr Camilleri says. An easier method is to lay ready-made insulated tiles over the existing roof.

He warns that prior to placing the tiles, one should first make sure that the roof is properly waterproofed, and that there is a small space between the roof and tiles, to avoid condensation. When it comes to the walls, if it’s not possible to insulate them from the outside, Mr Camilleri explains that one can use insulated gypsum boards specifically made for interior walls – an option that can also be used in new buildings, and achieve the same effect.

HEATING

Once your home is properly insulated, it’s time to get the heating on. From underfloor heating and installing a fireplace or stove to portable gas or electric heaters, there are several permanent and portable heating methods for your home. Meanwhile, a hot bath or steamy shower is heaven on a cold day, so an efficient water heater is a must. But what kind should you get?

“The easiest way to insulate your roof during the construction phase is to place expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards between the reinforced concrete roof and the final screed, in line with the minimum legal insulation requirements set by the EU – here, it is calculated that 75mm thick EPS board is required. Installation costs are negligible so one only needs to bear the cost of the actual insulation material, which will pay for itself within a year,” he maintains.

Franco Bileci, Managing Director at BLEC Trading Ltd, lists the advantages of installing a gas water heater, such as that by Rinnai – a global leader in gas appliance manufacturing – in your home. “A gas water heater gives you instantaneous hot water on demand, savings of approximately €450 per annum when compared to storage electric water heaters, no heat standby losses due to stored hot water in high volumes and accurate water temperature control,” he says. Moreover, the options available offer multiple flow sizes according to demand requirements, as well as indoor and outdoor models, depending on your needs. BB

Your next priority should be insulating your walls. “Ideally the walls should be insulated from the outside, which will also serve as a protection for the building,” Mr Camilleri advises, explaining that this should be done by a well-proven system commonly referred to as cappotto termico. “To put it simply, EPS sheets are directly attached to the exterior side of the walls using a special glue, and plastered over using a reinforcing fibreglass net with a special cement/resin plaster. In this case, 30mm thick EPS sheets will satisfy the minimum EU legal requirements.”

Banish the draft Don’t let all your good work when it comes to insulating your home be ruined by heat loss from your apertures.

Make sure that all the spaces and joins between your doors and windows are sealed properly. If you’ve got older doors and windows, beat that draft with a draft stopper!

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BEST BUY RECOMMENDS

CEILINGS AND WALLS

Rope in the experts for an original design for your bedroom ceilings, and even your walls.

Ceilings and Walls specialise in all types of gypsum board work including flat ceilings, curved ceilings, bulkheads, partitions, wall lining, coving, gypsum plastering, painting, parquet and light fittings, as well as the all-new method used for stretchable ceilings.

Ceilings and Walls. M: 9944 9234; E: info@ceilingsandwalls.com.mt

GAS FIREPLACES TO SUIT ALL HOMES A wide range of gas fireplaces and stoves is available at HomeTrends in different styles, designs and sizes. With real flames and no chimney or flue required, they are ideal for any type of home.

HomeTrends, Industrial Estate, San Gwann; Mdina Road, Zebbug. T: 2144 5654; E: shop@hometrends.com.mt; www.hometrends.com.mt; Fb: Hometrendscomplex

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COMPANY PROFILE

A LOGISTICS COMPANY YOU CAN COUNT ON

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uroBridge’s journey started back in 1995 when an opportunity arose for the company’s previous owners to become the local representatives of a major Italian freight forwarding company. Business was going well, but as soon as managing director David Abela took over five years later, at the young age of 22, he decided he wanted more. The company branched out in its reach, targeting different segments and reaching new markets.

Needless to say, it was not easy. “We had to overcome the prejudice of some people towards my young age, as well as my lack of experience.

It actually took us more than three years of great sacrifices to find our feet again and start improving on our results,” David says. Yet the hard work and dedication of the company’s staff clearly paid off – EuroBridge is now one of the leading groupage trailer operators in Malta, with a fleet of 22 trailers and a complete logistical network.

“Our name is immediately linked with groupage trailer imports from all over Europe, mainly due to us having our own fleet of trailers and an impeccable network of foreign transporters,” David says.

“However, we are not just

trailer operators as we also act as freight forwarders, offering full load containers, full load trailers, warehousing, air freight and courier services for both importers and exporters. We can deliver or pick up from all over Malta and Gozo, and can cater for both business and personal needs, thanks to our own fleet and subcontractors. Finally, we also act as an insurance intermediary for customers who want to insure their cargo during transportation.”

EuroBridge’s relationship with its clients is more of a partnership than anything else, David says. “A few years ago, one of our major agents went bust. Besides the financial implications, we had to find an immediate solution so we could continue offering our customers a value-added service. I have to say that in both cases, we managed to not only recover but come out with flying colours, thanks to the dedication of our staff!”

“Our clients’ success means our success. In fact, we always work hand-in-hand with our customers when they are bidding for a project so we can present them with the best possible logistical solution.

Our motto is ‘Logistics people to count on’ – not only is it part of our company logo, we

even sign off every email that we send with it! We truly want our customers as well as our suppliers to know that they can count on us to do our utmost in order to meet and even exceed their expectations.”

Despite stiff competition in the sector, EuroBridge continues to grow. “We have been investing greatly in business development and in training our staff, and our customers are responding very well to the value-added service we are offering them,” says David.

“Our current premises are becoming too small for us so we are looking at moving early next year into a state-of-the-art office which has been designed with the employees’ welfare coming first and foremost, as we truly believe that only a happy employee can give the best possible service to our customers. As soon as we move, we have other projects in mind and these will be announced at the appropriate time. Whatever we do as a company, we always do it with the intention of giving our esteemed customers even more reasons to count on us for all their logistics needs.” BB EuroBridge Shipping Services Ltd, 43, Triq is-Sajjieda, Marsa. T: 2248 7000; E: sales@eurobridge.com.mt

David Abela, Managing Director, EuroBridge Shipping Services Ltd.

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INTERVIEW

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Giving animals a voice Actress and television presenter Moira Delia chats with Sarah Micallef about her enduring love for animals, her work to safeguard their welfare and what lies ahead.

H

aving been surrounded by pets from a young age, it is no surprise that Animal Diaries presenter Moira Delia’s relationship with animals runs deep. “Home was always a welcome place where we gave shelter to poor, abandoned animals,” she recalls of her childhood. “We rescued all types of animals… birds, tortoises, cats, dogs, hamsters and fish – and they somehow all understood that accepting each other meant

living together.”

“My mother was the culprit!

She couldn’t stand seeing injured or abandoned animals, and she did something about it,” she continues. Now a vocal advocate for animal welfare herself, Moira asserts that, “the minute the media gave me some attention, I used it to support animal rights!” And she has done so ever since, often appearing on a number of television programmes dealing with animals and their needs.

Moira currently presents Animal Diaries, which has been running for six years, but before that, she tells me, she presented and produced another animal welfare programme which aired for six years prior. When it comes to Animal Diaries and her work

“The minute the media gave me any attention, I used it to support animal rights.”

with animals, Moira explains that her ultimate goal is to upgrade and modernise the animal welfare law, “so that animals aren’t chained or locked up on roofs or garages, balconies or backyards,” as well as learning more about different species and increasing awareness of the difference between domestic and wild animals.

“Birds are also close to my heart, and I do my utmost to share the joy I encounter when coming across migrating birds.

Malta is an important stop for them – our island gives them a break from a long journey.

We should be taking care of these beautiful species and not killing them!” she says with conviction.

Listing Brigitte Bardot, Jane Goodall, Mahatma Gandhi and Paul O’Grady as various sources of inspiration, Moira points to her involvement in last year’s spring hunting referendum as a highlight in relation to her work regarding animal welfare so far.

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INTERVIEW day as a means of relieving stress, as well as having friends over for lunch, dinner or to watch a film or play a board game. “I love being alone with my family and my animals, but I don’t miss out on a night out with close friends every once in a while!” she grins.

also rewarding to see the way awareness with regards to animal welfare has grown in our country,” she says.

Moira maintains that while awareness has seriously grown, we still lack enforcement.

“In my opinion, we have no enforcement whatsoever when it comes to animals. A person who can be cruel to animals is one of the most dangerous human beings you can have around children and other vulnerable people,” she affirms.

Divulging her thoughts on the state of animal welfare in Malta,

As for her downtime, Moira says she enjoys training every

“My son’s girlfriend’s sister, Hannah Galea, painted this herself, and it features three hunters with faces of birds, shooting at a bird with the face of a blonde human!”

“Being the only female spokesperson for the spring hunting referendum was definitely a highlight, as well as the massive turnout at the protest I organised to ban chained dogs last April. It is

And while she loves all animals great and small, I ask, does she have a favourite? “I’ve never managed to answer that question, although I must say I seriously enjoy watching a black panther, jaguar or leopard walk majestically in the wild. I think wild cats are some of the most beautiful animals in the world. There is so much we don’t know about these fabulous creatures, yet you find ignorant humans who have them caged for life, just for their own selfish enjoyment!”

Are there any animals Moira is actually afraid of? She admits, “I am quite scared of snakes and still can’t understand why people keep them as pets.

They belong in the wild.”

Asked what her most treasured item is, Moira points to a painting she received from her son’s girlfriend’s sister, Hannah Galea. “She painted it herself, and it features three

hunters with faces of birds, shooting at a bird with the face of a blonde human!” Her favourite thing to do with her own pets is going for a nice walk with her dog, Nina, or now that the weather’s gotten cooler, enjoying a cup of tea on a cold winter afternoon with Nina and the cats, all cuddled up on the sofa. And if she had one word of advice for pet owners, she says it would be to “communicate with your pets and listen to them. Keep learning more about their behaviour. We know so little about animals.

Never underestimate their intelligence, they’re smarter than we think.”

And as the actress and presenter looks forward to a colourful Christmas with family and friends, her work with animals never stops. “I’ve just started working on a local Christmas animal awareness clip which will hopefully be on our screens shortly. And I’ve got another project lined up which is also related to helping animals, so it’s never-ending,” she smiles. BB

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BEST BUY RECOMMENDS

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WHERE TO DINE

YOUR RESTAURANT GUIDE Shakinah Shakinah, 5, Gorg Borg Olivier Street, St Julian’s.

T: 2731 8000; M: 7731 8000; E: booking@shakinahmalta. com; www.shakinahmalta.com; Fb: shakinahmalta

De Robertis Castille Hotel, Castille Square, Valletta.

T: 2124 3677/ 2124 3678/2122 0173; F: 2124 3679; E: info@hotelcastillemalta.com; www.hotelcastillemalta.com Open: Monday-Sunday 12-2.30pm, 7-10pm.

Tal-Puzzu Restaurant 11, Triq Gorg Borg Olivier (Main Street), Mellieha.

T: 2754 4388; www.talpuzzu.com

Situated on the St Julian’s seafront in Balluta Bay, Shakinah presents Indian tastes, scents and flavours, in an interesting selection of exquisitely prepared, Halal certified, colourful dishes. The fresh ingredients, oriental spices and interesting flavours are carefully hand-picked by our native-born Indian chefs. Great emphasis has been placed on the décor, mood and general ambience to ensure a true Shakinah special experience. Allow yourself to be transported on a magic carpet ride to the exotic orient in the heart of St Julian’s.

De Robertis is one of the largest established restaurants in Valletta.

Located across the road from Auberge de Castille, the restaurant is well-known for its refined cuisine at affordable prices. The open-air terrace dining area enjoys spectacular views of Valletta, the Grand Harbour and surrounding towns, providing a very romantic setting at night with the glimmering lights of the towns beneath.

The menu includes a fusion of Italian, Mediterranean, French, and local cuisines, all beautifully presented to patrons in a lavish way by our friendly staff, making De Robertis definitely one of the best venues for an informal business lunch or romantic dinner in Valletta.

We also cater for group lunches and staff parties with set menus, tailor-made to the clients' taste and budget.

Tal-Puzzu restaurant and pizzeria in Mellieha is the first in its area to offer wood-fired pizzas. This family-run restaurant offers tasty and mouth-watering pizzas using fresh ingredients with various toppings such as rucola, Parma ham and Maltese sausage, among others.

Apart from pizzas, Tal-Puzzu offers a selection of starters, salads, platters, pasta, home-made pure beef burgers, grills, rabbit, pork, chicken, duck and fish dishes. Specials of the house are offered daily.

Tal-Puzzu is perfect for meetings and events, an ideal place to meet family and friends, and a great place to savour home-made cooking. It is situated close to all the surrounding hotels in Mellieha and just a few minutes away from the popular Mellieha Bay. Outdoor seating is also available.

Tal-Majjistra Eat House Triq il-Kbira, Mgarr.

T: 2703 5098.

Tal-Majjistra Eat House is situated in Mgarr, one of Malta’s most scenic villages, renowned for its traditional Maltese restaurants.

Among these, Tal-Majjistra is a gem, both for visitors looking to grab a quick bite or drink throughout the day, as well as those who are after a hearty, typically Maltese meal.

Tal-Majjistra Eat House offers the perfect blend for those who want to experience delicious local cuisine while enjoying quality service and setting. The character, location and atmosphere of the restaurant make it even more special.

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HEALTH

25

Defeating Diabetes

Ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Martina Said looks into the causes, prevalence and risk factors linked to diabetes, and how to live with the condition that is turning into a national epidemic.

L

ess than a year ago, Malta was hailed one of the fattest, laziest and most-car dependent nations on the planet, according to a report by the Today Public Policy Institute, an independent and impartial think-tank focusing specifically on public policies. The report highlighted a number of health concerns that are impinging on people’s health on a national scale, one of which is Type II diabetes.

Type I or Type II? Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects the body’s ability to use energy found in food. Both types of diabetes have something in common: normally, the body breaks down sugars and

carbohydrates that you eat into a sugar called glucose, which fuels cells in the body.

The cells need the hormone insulin in order to absorb the glucose and use it for energy.

With diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin, cannot use the insulin it produces or a combination of both. A build-up of glucose in the blood can damage blood vessels in various organs in the body, and if left untreated, can cause a number of fatal diseases, including heart disease and blindness.

Type I diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes, often occurs in childhood, and results in the pancreas – the organ responsible for producing insulin – not

producing any insulin at all.

This kind may be a result of a genetic predisposition, and is largely treated with regular doses of insulin, injected through the skin.

Type II diabetes, the more common type which makes up around 90 per cent of all diabetes cases worldwide, occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin for proper function. It occurs more commonly in adults, and in those who are overweight and physically inactive. Unlike Type I diabetes which cannot be prevented, a number of the risk factors for Type II diabetes could be mitigated with lifestyle improvements, meaning that for many, the condition is preventable.

Malta’s case

The Today Public Policy Institute’s report highlights that, at 10 per cent, Malta has the highest prevalence of Type II diabetes in the EU. The World Health Organisation also recently declared that Malta takes the lead among all EU countries for the highest overweight and obesity rates, and ranks third in the world – obesity being a major risk factor for the onset of diabetes.

The causes of Type II diabetes are various, but a bad diet, lack of physical activity and excessive weight all play a major part. In fact, learning to live with diabetes while leading a relatively normal life often involves improving these aspects of your lifestyle,

which is what’s encouraged in the first place to prevent the occurrence of this disease that is fast becoming an epidemic on the island.

While medication could help affected individuals, it will not solve the problem, and sufferers will be better off taking long-term control of their lifestyle. In fact, one’s diet plays a huge part in managing Type II diabetes, but the diet of the Maltese population at large doesn’t do much to help this case.

The think-tank pointed out that the diet of most locals is nowhere close to a so-called Mediterranean diet. The Maltese consume excessive amounts of sugar – the

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HEALTH coma. Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs can easily pick up the unique scents produced by the body when a person is about to experience a hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episode. Diabetic Alert Service Dogs are trained to alert their owners to check their blood sugar level before it gets too low or too high to take the necessary precautions.”

highest in the EU on a per capita basis, calling for urgent measures to “decrease the consumption of energy dense, nutrient-poor, lowfibre foods, sweetened drinks and other low-quality foods.

The emphasis should be on a wholesome, balanced diet rich in vegetables and fish.”

Malta Foundation is also doing its part to assist those suffering from diabetes. Lindsey Napier and Robert Spiteri, dog trainers from the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, explain that Diabetic Alert Service Dogs can detect when their owners’ sugar blood level is rising or falling to an alarming level.

Canine Care

“Sometimes people who suffer from diabetes, especially children, are unable to recognise the signs and this can lead to seizures or even a

While individual sufferers are encouraged to do their part to prevent the condition from worsening, the Service Dogs

After identifying the most suitable dog for the job, they are trained in a two-phase programme, with the first phase ideally taking place during the first year of the dog’s life. “During this phase, the dog is living with a foster family – we call them puppy raisers – who work with the trainer to ensure that the dog masters a number of skills.

Phase two starts when our trainer decides that the dog is ready to move on to more specific training for a future as a Diabetic Alert Service Dog,” they explain.

The dogs are taught to provide a specific signal to alert their owner in the event of an episode. “The signals most commonly used are putting a paw on the owner, touching or

nudging their owner with their nose, or a combination of both.

In the case of children, the dogs are often taught to alert the parents or guardians.”

Matching a service dog with a client is another stage of the process. “Diabetic persons who believe that they would benefit from having a service dog must fill out a detailed form which is used to assess not only the person’s need for such a dog but also their ability to care for the dog for the rest of its life, taking a number of things into consideration, including the person’s lifestyle, living conditions and ability to handle a dog.” Lindsey and Robert point out, however, that the Foundation offers a service dog, and not a pet. “Training must be maintained – we give plenty of advice to clients because we are there with them every step of the way.

We develop strong friendships with them and it is always heart-warming to see that we have been able to give our clients a measure of security and independence.” BB For more information, visit www.servicedogsmalta.org or the Service Dogs Malta Foundation Facebook page.

In anticipation of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Chris Delicata, Vice President of the Maltese Diabetes Association, urges the public to attend the following event aimed at raising awareness of diabetes:

Saturday 12 November at Osborne Hotel, South Street, Valletta

A half-day seminar between 9am and noon will focus on diabetes and eyes, as per this year's theme for World Diabetes Day. The event will host two distinguished speakers: Dr Mario Tabone, Ophthalmologist, and Rachel Portelli, a person living with Type 1 diabetes.

For more information about diabetes and the association, visit www.diabetesmalta.org

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BEAUTY

29

HAIRSTYLIST TO THE STARS

I

run Unistyler Hair Salon in Imqabba, a quaint and charming village in the south. Hairdressing is my passion – with 17 years of experience, my services include blow-dries, latest cuts, up-styles, straightening and Brazilian treatments. I specialise in the latest colour techniques and offer a free consultation to all my clients. My salon uses exclusively Wella professional products. In terms of colour we carry four brands which are Koleston Perfect, Koleston Innosense, Illumina and Color Touch, and for bleach, I use Blondor which recently won an award for the best bleach

on the market. We also offer various other brands like Nashi, SP Professional, Eimi and Nioxin.

In 2006, when I was just 23 years old, I was chosen alongside 10 other Maltese hairdressers to attend the La Kore Hair Show in Taormina, which was streamed live on Rai Uno. There I was chosen

by Giorgio Armani to work on his models as part of his team. That same year, I also presented my hair show, ‘Tribal’ during a spot on ‘Talent Zone’

by Gaffiero Productions and RGV Productions. The following year, I decided to enhance

my knowledge and skills, and attended the Rome Hair School.

Since then I have continued to attend various seminars related to fashion and styles, as I believe that one should never halt their studies. You never know enough!

I consider myself as a patriotic woman and I truly believe in Maltese talent, which is why I support and work with various Maltese actors and models. In 2015, I was the official sponsor of Omar Farrugia – Best Male Model of the World Malta 2015, as well as Maria Ellul (pictured together right), first runner-up in Best Model of the World Malta 2016 by Vogue Model Management by Lorraine Sultana. At present I am working with Elliot Micallef, an actor and a script writer on the drama ‘Tereza’, and again with Omar Farrugia, an actor on the drama ‘Intricci’.

My journey is a truly exhilarating one and I would like to thank all of my clients who have believed in me throughout all these years, as well as Joseph Brincat Ltd.

My late father passed on to me the very principles that I will continue to practice in my career: being honest and loyal to one's customers and never forgetting from where one started. I am also grateful to Elexia and Twain, who are always ready to work with me as a team, and my husband, my mother and my daughters, for understanding my passion towards my work and believing in my abilities. I am grateful for all the sacrifices they have made to allow me to excel in my career.

My sincere advice to anyone wishing to embark on this career is to work passionately, ask when in doubt and never give up!

By Maria Zahra Maria Zahra at Unistyler Hair Salon. M: 9946 0519; E: unistyler@outlook.com; Fb: Unistyler Hair Salon Mqabba

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BEAUTY BEST BUY RECOMMENDS YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL SKIN

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FALL UNDER A SPELL

It’s time to switch up that summery do and skincare routine, and ease your look into autumn – Marie-Claire Grima looks at the latest hair and skincare trends for the chilly seasons ahead.

T

he heat seems to be finally winding down, and it’s time to update our personal beauty routine for autumn, starting with our hair. If you’ve not had the chance to carry out the essential post-summer trim, now’s the time to do it. Keep applying a deep-treating conditioner to your hair once a week to keep it looking sleek and shiny, and wrap your hair in a silk scarf before putting on a beanie to prevent frizzy hat hair.

While many of the rich, deep hair colours which characterise autumn and winter are still around, the freshest looks are twists on old favourites, which sound like delicious items off a café menu. These include chocolate rose gold (pink and brown tones), cinnamon swirl (warm honey and brown tones) pumpkin spice (strands of gold and chestnut over copper hues), and grombre (okay it sounds less tasty than the others), which takes the ultra of-the-moment grey hair to a paler shade toward the bottom. Balayage looks set to remain a huge trend, providing a way to create natural-looking highlights instead of blocks. The trick to avoid the ‘overbalayaged’ look of a bleach-heavy summer is not to use balayage solely for lightening and toning but also to add different tones and warm rich hues to a particular shade, making it infinitely more wearable for winter.

Celebrities are always a reliable source of inspiration when it comes to changing up your hair style. Jenna Dewan-Tatum (that’s Mrs Channing Tatum to you) got a sophisticated set of bangs, while Gigi Hadid debuted a new fringe for one glamorous night in Paris. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke bucked the light-to-dark trend

that’s typical of winter by going blonder with a warm ombre. Style chameleon Kylie Jenner changes her hair on an almost daily basis, but we really loved this rose-gold look from a few weeks ago.

Moving on to skin, it’s time to prepare our face and body for the months ahead. While humidity is never far from us in Malta, there is an inevitable dryness in the air, which will also affect your skin. Start moisturising now to prevent dry, cracked lips this winter, and use nonpetroleum based lip balm for best results. Treat yourself to an oil-based scrub, which combines the effects of exfoliation and hydration. Don’t forget to invest in hand cream. Hands often become dry and cracked during autumn and winter, but if you start early, you can fend off chilblains and have soft, supple hands all throughout the cooler months. As the air becomes drier, your skin needs a thicker moisturiser, so go for creams over lotion; however, if you feel like creams are too heavy for you, switch to a serum which will replenish your skin. Serums tend to have higher doses of skin-conditioning active ingredients compared to traditional body lotions.

One skincare trend that is ingenious yet stunningly simple (seriously, why hasn’t this ever occurred to us before?) is multi-masking. Even though different masks are made to suit different skin needs, the skin on our faces is not all the same, and some problem areas can remain unaddressed. Multi-masking is all about mixing and matching a few skincare masks on different sections of the face for the ultimate facial. The application process may be unsightly, but the glowing end results speak for themselves! BB

Deep Moist Depot is the two-phase moisture concentrate with proven depot effect. The unique product form makes it possible to forgo binding agents, so that your skin receives nothing but pure care and moisture. Mineralrich algae extract and hyaluronic acid ensure fast moisture supply, while Vitamin E protects against free radicals and helps skin bind moisture for hours and hours, making it look young and beautiful. Conditioning almond oil leaves your skin soft and supple, and the precious thermal spring water from BadenBaden improves skin's vitality and wellbeing in a natural way. Deep Moist Depot is dermatologically tested and paraben-free.

Distributed by Noriva Ltd. T: 2141 3112; E: info@noriva.com.mt; www.sanssoucis.com Beauty Therapist Angele Bugeja. M: 9932 0275.

GOOD FOR HAIR, GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Angel Haircare, one of the most popular hair product brands worldwide, has just won a prestigious award for environmental friendliness from the commerciallyindependent Danish Consumer Council THINK. 89 per cent of the ingredients found in Angel Haircare EnProvence products are natural, and are good for both your hair as well as the environment. You will love these products from the first time you use them – as soon as you apply the shampoo, your hair becomes soft and manageable as if you had already applied the conditioner! Angel Haircare is available from most leading salons.

Angel Haircare, Extreme Trading, Triq it-Taghlim, Fgura. T: 2166 0795.

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