American Association of SMOM to hold Pilgrimage at Ta’ Pinu

Everyone is invited to join the American Association of Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) on Tuesday 10th September at 10am for a Pilgrimage at Ta’ Pinu, Gozo. This event will be led by Mr Pohrer and Mr Christopher Hyland from SMOM. Afterward Mass which will be said by the Bishop of Gozo.

The SMOM also know as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order of, traditionally, a military, chivalrous and noble nature. It is the world's oldest surviving order of chivalry. It is headquartered in Rome.

Why Labor Day

Labor Day is to the US what 1^st of May is to Malta. This year this federal holiday comes at a time when the US economy seems to be picking up. With news of companies like GE, Lenovo and Apple in the process of moving manufacturing back to the US, we sincerely hope that this year’s Labor Day celebrations will mark the beginning of a period of economic recovery during which workers will have decent jobs and their basic right to work is fulfilled.

Labor Day was first proposed as a holiday in 1882. Although it is not universally agreed as to who first suggested it, it came during a time when workers typically worked a twelve hour day, seven days a week and earned just enough money to live a basic lifestyle. Working conditions were awful with no concern for the mental and physical safety of workers. Movies such as Modern Times, Silkwood, Roger & Me, The Grapes of Wrath and Norma Rae should help you appreciate what Labor Day is all about.

The first Labor Day march took place on September 5 1882 in New York. The date was chosen because it was felt that there were no holidays between July 4^th and Thanksgiving. Workers first marched from City Hall to Union Square and then spent an afternoon at Reservoir Park being entertained and listening to speeches asking for an 8 hour day. Initially workers would have had to take an unpaid day off to participate in the holiday. Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on February 21, 1887 and others soon followed.

In 1894 workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike following a reduction in wages. President Grover Cleveland sent 12,000 federal troops to Pullman, Chicago and violence erupted. A number of workers died in the clashes that ensued. President Cleveland made Labor Day a federal holiday just six days after the strike ended.

The first Monday of September was retained rather than more widespread International Workers' Day (May 1) because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with Communists.

Many families today use Labor Day to mark the end of summer.

Improving US Entry Process

US Travel Association is a non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. According to this organization, the national and international travel industry generates $1.9 trillion in economic output and supports 14.4 million jobs.

US Travel has setup a website at http://www.travelersvoice.org/ to lobby the Congress to make the visitor entry process into the US simpler and more efficient. This can be achieved by employing more people and by investing in technology that will  make the process of entering the USA quicker.

According to surveys conducted by this organisation:

• One in seven overseas travellers missed a connection because of long delays at customs;
• 100 million overseas travellers are away of the negative experience of others from the inefficient customs and entry process;
• Almost 50% of overseas business travels won't visit the Us because of the cumbersome entry process.

If you are a US citizen and would like lobby to make the processes more efficient go to http://www.travelersvoice.org/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the Contact Congress button in the Get Involved section.

The Malta Railway

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Attard you might want to pop over to the Malta Railway Museum. This mini museum is managed by Nicholas Azzopardi. Malta once had its very own railway running between Rabat and Valletta. Triq il-Linja, Mile End, Il-Gnien ta l-Istazzjon, Old Railway Road, Railway embankment are references to structures and places that relate to the time when the trains were operational. For more information and to book a visit to this museum surf to http://www.maltarailway.com/.

SASM 3rd Independence Day dinner

SASM 3rd Independence Day dinner that was held, for the third time, at Ta’ Kenuna Bar and Restaurant in Nadur Gozo. There were many individuals who attended for the first time. This is very encouraging.

 

Committee members John Mizzi, Joe Meilak, Joyce Grech and Alan Bonnici together with Mona Vella-Nicholas arrived at the venue before to decorate the place and turn the restaurant into a little bit of the USA. We will let those looking at the photos judge whether we achieved our goal. As in the past, the proceedings kicked off with the singing of the Maltese and US National Anthems. After that the food started being served. In the background, US songs for the occasion could, at times, be heard over the chatter and laughter of those attending.
 

President Alan Bonnici interrupted dessert. In his short speech he thanked all those who had attended as well as those SASM members who, while not present, take an interest in the organization. He stressed that SASM is by members for members and that the occasional email of encouragement from a member would energise the committee to keep going. He also thanked the committee members who volunteer their time to improve and promote SASM. SASM is a not-for-profit organization that thrives on the input of its members and offers services and support to all those who have at heart the continued good relations between Malta and the USA.

Joyce Grech then became the master of ceremonies for the raffle part of the event. A young attendee was selected from the audience (we have a few shy volunteers who refused to be the centre of attention) to pick out the raffle tickets. Thanks to our sponsors many of those attending walk away with a prize.

At the end, those who live in Gozo drove or walked home while those who came from Malta headed for the ferry. Those attendees living in the USA continued their holiday.

Stars and Stripes Malta would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for helping out:

 

A Little Knight Musik

Screenwriting lectures

 The public is invited to attend 3 free lectures on the art of screen writing addressed by 3 visiting lecturers from the University of Southern California David Howard, Martin Daniel and Mary Kate O’Flanagan. 3rd, 4th and 5th July at 19:00.  Attendance is free: Registration is required on imagine@valletta2018.org.

Ben Hecht, an American screenwriter, director and producer, known as the Shakespeare of Hollywood, once said it would be easier to become famous by riding a tricycle than by writing screenplays. On first glance these might not sound like the most encouraging words for those interested in joining the industry.  The reality is that millions of creators are drawn into this world, lured by the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. However, the problem lies with the fact that many who want to write believe they have nothing to learn, that anyone who can string a sentence can become a writer.

Composers study harmony and theories of musical form. Painters study colours and various techniques. Every art form requires a basic understanding of the craft, so does storytelling.  How does one build exciting stories? How does one create exciting characters? How does one structure and plot a tale? How does one build rich scenes? The Valletta 2018 Foundation, together with three lecturers from the University of Southern California, will be helping local professionals and students to develop and strengthen their insight into story. They will be nurturing their capacity to conceive and express characters, to create parts that will whet anyone’s appetite.

Attendees will also be provided with thorough insight into the business and economics of feature film production so that they fully understand the commercial marketplace. David Howard, Martin Daniel and Mary Kate O’Flanagan will be presenting three public talks about the art of screenwriting and story analysis. On each day, a different film will be shown and dissected in great detail. These lectures are mainly aimed at the local film and TV industry talent. However, the general public is also encouraged to attend. Registration on imagine@valletta2018.org.