Club News

A Message From Our President

There has already been a lot of activity this year and it is almost hard to keep up!

Our Fourth Installation Ceremony of the Board of Directors and the General Meeting was held on January 26th. Thank you to Mona Nicholas and Louis Vella for their roles in the Ceremony. Thank you to those of you who came and who also stayed for the reception following the General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board and the Members of the Club, a gift was given to Joe Vella thanking him for the 27 years he served as Treasurer and for all he has done and continues to do for the Club.

The Grievance Committee members for 2025 were approved by the members present at the February General Meeting. The committee incudes Paula Ebejer Moffitt (chair), Mary Anne Fassler, Charlie Catania, Peter Abela and Rita Goldberg. Thank you for volunteering to serve on the committee this year.

Thank you to Laurie Scribner for organizing a very successful Blood Drive and to Mary Anne Fassler for her assistance. Donating blood is extremely important and we hope to make this an annual event.

Many members attended the Community meeting on January 13th and after presentation by In-N-Out, those who were there were able to ask questions and make comments. Many spoke up, including our members. Prior to the meeting, several members of the Planning Commission met with 4 different individuals associated in some capacity with In-N-Out. Along with our traffic concerns and other issues, we made it very clear that the exit door we have in the back is essential. Honorary Consul General Louis Vella let us know that when the City Planning Commission meets it will be a public meeting which we can all attend.

Thank you to all who have helped at the Bar. If you can cover for Gillu or assist him on Friday nights and Sundays, please let me know so we create a schedule. You just need to be a member of the Club and 21 years old.

If you are interested in joining the Malta Day Committee, please contact me. Our first meeting will be held at the Maltese- American Social Club on February 18th at 5:30.

Our first event this year is a Graton Casino Bus Trip on February 22nd. There are still a few seats left so if you are interested in going, please contact Mary Smith asap at 650-692-0413. Payment should be sent to the Club, ATTN: Ninfa Pace.

This month’s General Meeting will be held on February 23rd and will be starting at 10:30 a.m. Please plan to attend.

Grazzi ħafna

Thank You,
Mary

Message from the Honorary Consul General of Malta, Louis Vella

Greetings dear friends of the Maltese American Social Club and the Maltese Community in California. This year, so many things have already taken place including disasters on land and in the air. It will be so nice if we could have a break from the bad and sad news that captured the news so quickly in 2025. We continue to hope and pray that the rest of the year will bring us lasting peace first and foremost in our hearts and among our families especially, our Maltese-American family, as well as peace and cooperation outside our homes, our State, our nation and throughout the world. By the time you receive this communication it will be around the feast of St. Paul Shipwreck which is celebrated in all churches all over Malta but particularly in Valletta. It will also be Carnival time in Malta.

Carnival in Malta this year will take place from February 28th till March 4th. The Malta Carnival continues to gain in popularity among residents in Malta and Gozo as well as tens of thousands of visitors. If you have a chance and the time to look at some videos or online images of Carnival in Malta, I have no doubt you will be impressed with the artisan skills and the intricacies and details of the Carnival parade floats, costumes, music, singing, dancing troupes, lights, colors, and anything anyone can imagine to celebrate the crazy carnival days in Malta.

Please see this month's newsletter for more of my message.

Always remember that, it is not what we take but what we give that make us rich.