Maltese restaurants bounce back during Christmas season as local hotspots flourish

Dec 27 2022

Restaurant bookings are set to surpass pre-COVID levels as the local hospital sector continues to flourish during this year’s festive season.

This was stated by Tony Zahra, head of this sector’s largest lobby group, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. Zahra stated that it appears patrons would like to make up for the last two years as they congregate to local restaurants during the Christmas period.

Despite this, Association of Catering Establishments Michelle Muscat highlighted how several establishments have received multiple cancellation due to sickness and experienced an increase in no-shows.

Multiple business owners stated that they have experience a steady influx of large groups but day-to-day walk-ins have declined.

Have you made any restaurant reservations this year?

#MaltaDaily

Artist turns New York City garbage into collectible art pieces

Dec 27 2022

Quite literally taking ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ to heart, New York artist Justin Gignac has been collecting Garbage of New York City and turning them into collectible art pieces.

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The artist, speaker and entrepreneur started ‘Garbage of New York City’ in 2001, hand-picking New York garbage and arranging them in signed, dated & numbered cubes.

Bizarre as it may seem, Gignac managed to turn a weird idea into a cost-effective and lucrative side-business, selling over 1,300 garbage cubes in 30 countries around the world.

Initially priced at $10, the chests of curated trash were eventually raised to $50, with certain ‘special edition’ cubes going for $100 at a time because they include garbage from historic moments such as Obama’s 2009 Inauguration Day and the first day gay marriage was legal in New York City.

What do you make of this? Would you purchase Garbage of New York City?

#MaltaDaily

15 daily phone calls to national helpline on cases of anxiety, depression and solitude

Dec 27 2022

The new national mental health helpline has been receiving an average of 15 phone calls per day with issues of mental health.

Mental Health Services chief executive Stephanie Xuereb has reported that the 1579 helpline has received cases of depression, anxiety and solitude amongst others, with a notable increase during the festive season.

TVMNews reported that on Boxing Day, the helpline received a call from a woman who was not feeling well, with the specialised team managing to calm the woman and help her defeat anxiety.

Festive season anxiety is not rare, with many facing stress, depression, social anxiety and more during the holiday season. However, various mental health outlets including Mayo Clinic and Harley Therapy recommend that acceptance, journalling, deep breathing and self-care routines like sleep, exercise and eating healthy are key in overcoming holiday anxiety symptoms.

Malta’s 1579 National Mental Health Helpline operates 7 days a week and if anyone is ever struggling or needs someone to lend an ear, they are always one call away.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese artists come together for HUGE New Year’s Eve show in Valletta

Dec 27 2022

“A free national celebration for everyone” and what a celebration it will be; Valletta’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are only a few weeks away and preparations are well underway with a massive show in store.

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Featuring the Brass House Unit led by Kevin Abela as well as a long list of local talent including Aidan Drakard, Amanda Marie, Brooke, Gloriana Arpa Belli, Jasmine, Kevin Paul Calleja, Ludwig Galea, Owen Leuellen, Pawlu Borg Bonaci, Ozzy Lino and Tiziana Calleja, this year’s New Year’s Eve show is set to be one for the books.

The Valletta spectacle will return to a live crowd for the first time in two years and will also features local DJs Debrii & D-Rey and will be hosted by Ron, Taryn Mamo Cefai, Claire Agius Ordway & Clint Bajada.

Are you excited for NYE?

#MaltaDaily