Month: January 2017

As part of Operation Pasteur, the demolition of the pergola along boulevard Charles III and the former municipal workshops along the avenue de Fontvieille, will begin on Monday, January 16, 2017.

To achieve this destruction under optimum safety conditions, scaffolding will be installed on the avenue de Fontvieille. Also, the uplink will be closed until mid-March 2017, while the downhill use of the avenue will be maintained throughout the duration of the work.

As a security measure, the Fontvieille staircase will also be closed during the demolition and pedestrians will be invited to take the stairs of Le Méridien 100 metres away.

Work will begin on connecting the Pasteur operation to the wastewater and storm water networks in the Fontvieille district.

“This restructuring of wastewater networks is now necessary in this district,” said Olivier Lavagna, Director of Public Works. He added: “Over the decades, the urbanisation of the Principality, whether it concerns public housing, residential buildings or offices, requires adapting all the networks to the increased resident, employee or visitor population.”

Jean-Luc Puyo, Director of Urban Development, commented, “Over the years, significant storms, even critical ones, have seen thousands of litres of rainwater arrive from the watersheds around the Principality. We have experienced flood events that show the importance of having a network calibrated to respond to these changing weather conditions.”

The state services in charge of this project have implemented phasing to limit the impact on road and pedestrian traffic in this neighbourhood, especially when sporting fixtures are being held.

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The Monaco Priory of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, which was instituted in December 2014, is hosting a special concert Saturday at Saint Paul’s Church, featuring the women’s choral ensemble, Les Choraline 06.

The Ensemble Vocal Féminin choir began four years ago in Nice on the initiative of Isabella Baicchi, a lyricist and soprano artist, and in 2015 it became the Association Les Choralines 06, a non-profit organistation, or Loi 1901 as its referred to in France, headed by Silvana Sideri.

In addition to the choir’s main focus on the promotion of music to contribute to the development of local cultural, artistic and educational activities, Les Choralines 06 also study vocal technique, as well as the practice and theory of classical and opera singing, as characterised by bel canto.

For the choir, this style relies on the ability to carry the voice without impetus for the ability to read music, and the group looks for “more human than musical” contributions from potential members, those with discipline, diligence and who are good humoured.

In addition to choral activity, Les Choralines 06 also offer vocal technique workshops, Italian courses and conferences.

The concert begins tonight at 5:30 pm at 22 avenue Grande-Bretagne, and donations will go to support the charitable work of the Order. A reception with galettes des rois and beverages will follow.

Monaco Paws is off and running in 2017 as we continue our quest to meet the cutest and most intriguing dogs in the Principality. We begin with the irresistible Larry, a Pomeranian owned by Zhanna Pikhulya and her daughter Stella.

Zhanna originally came to Monaco from Ukraine to attend the International University of Monaco where she earned an MBA. Building upon a career in modelling, Zhanna is now co-founding a new brand of luxury handbags. Stella, 11, attends Collège Charles III. She is also a very accomplished rhythmic gymnast and regularly excels in international competitions.

When did you decide to get Larry?
Zhanna: I gave Stella a “License to Have a Dog” certificate for her tenth birthday. We hadn’t found Larry yet, but she had this certificate, which made her very happy. Then we set out to find the perfect dog together.

So how did you find Larry?
Zhanna: We knew we needed a small dog, who could travel with us, and my other condition was that he shouldn’t be too silly. We found Larry at a breeders in Biarritz. When I saw he was born on Stella’s birthday, we knew he was the one.

Is this your first dog?
Zhanna: We’ve always had cats but the dog is the French influence. I fought against it very hard because it is such a commitment, however, we eventually gave in.

How have you adjusted to having Larry?
Zhanna: He’s in charge and has completely taken over the apartment. He is our guardian.
Stella: We play a lot. He is always ready to play.

Is he ever a bit naughty?
Stella: He steals slippers and socks … And I feed him from the table.
Zhanna: He can be very barky, but when he wants “me time” he will go into his crate for a little break.

Does Larry like to go for walks?
Zhanna: He hates walking! He puts out his front legs and refuses to move, definitely not a jogging dog.
Stella: We always end up carrying him.

How does he do when you travel?
Zhanna: Perfect, not only is he is such a great traveller but he loves his travel bag. He’ll sit in it for hours when we take it out to start packing up for a trip. He does not want to ever be left behind.

I see Larry has seven different outfits are displayed on the sofa …
Stella: We like to dress him up, but he doesn’t really like it very much.

Larry is very handsome. Does he need a lot of grooming?
Zhanna: We give him a bath every few weeks and afterwards we wrap him up in a towel to dry. He loves to sleep for hours wrapped up like a baby.

Does he get a lot of attention?
Zhanna: He is such a rockstar, definitely more popular than me.
Stella: He has his own Instagram account – @larry_pom_monaco – he has more than 150 followers, so far.

Monaco Paws is a collaboration between writer Siri Trang Khalsa and photographer Kaidi-Katariin Knox. Follow on Instagram @stkmonaco and @art.of.an.eye or contact monacopaws@gmail.com

Article first published January 11, 2017

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Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Stéphane Valeri, visited the Monegasque Institute of Sports Medicine (IM2S) on Thursday, January 12, to present his best wishes for 2017 to all staff and practitioners.

The visit also highlighted the new services of the institute. On December 13, 2016, the sports centre received the accreditation of the Minister of State for the establishment of beds for Continuing Care and Rehabilitation (SSR). The clinic now offers its patients the benefit of global care including post-operative follow up with a dedicated team. Patients in Monaco, and by extension those who are insured at the Caisses Monégasques, can now benefit from the SSR.

The Institute also has an immediate walk-in consultation service operating seven days out of seven. The objective of the IM2S is to allow a specialised medical examination to be carried out whatever the day of the week and to offer the possibility of surgical priority.

At the end of his visit, Minister Valeri met all the staff and practitioners during an informal reception. In welcoming new staff, he said that “IM2S is an essential part of the medical attractiveness offered by the Principality”.

READ ALSO: Minster of Health and Social Affairs, Stéphane Valeri: the real deal

Thursday evening, the Club des Résidents Etrangers de Monaco (CREM) held its annual New Year cocktail for members at its impressive clubhouse, with the added honour of a visit from Minister of State, HE Serge Telle.

Although this was the seventh gathering to toast the New Year since the club’s inauguration in 2010, it was the Minister’s first time at the CREM premises, and, speaking to room of 50 guests, he was clearly impressed by the splendour of the space.

Passing on the gratitude of HSH Prince Albert, CREM’s Honorary President, to CREM President Louisette Levy-Soussan Azzoaglio, Director Marilyne Pierre and the rest of the team, Minister Telle kindly commented, “I want to thank CREM for all the work they do for the Principality,” before offering attendees his warmest wishes for 2017.

There was also a draw for four lucky CREM members to visit CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, located in Geneva. The names for the March 23 outing were drawn by Walter Scandale from CERN, who helped to arrange the event, and in the presence of Minister Telle.

The brief speeches and raffle were followed by servings of the traditional King’s cakes, the frangipane Galette des Rois and candied-fruit brioche.

CREM has held more than 800 wide-ranging events since it launched, including recently a private tour of the Conseil National, an invitation-only seminar on the Welfare State presented by the Centre for Future Studies for Monaco and, on Tuesday, a karting evening. For more on future events, see the CREM website.

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