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From Las Palmas City and surrounding areas to Santa Bridgida and down the coast to Puerto Mogan, The Canary News keeps the locals and tourists up to date on news, views and events around the Canary Islands. Advertisers please remember Edition 26 will be published on 9th July, so any copy changes must be with us by the 2nd July www.thecanarynews.com
FREE GRATIS - FREI - GRATUITEMENT - VAPAA Every 2 weeks, Edition 25, 18th June - 8th July 2010
Working Together
Page 7
Mogan Receives Money
Page 11
Property of the Month Costa Blanca
Page 12
Chaos at the Norwegian School
Headed by Joe Jordan of First Choice, staff of Thomson, First Choice and Thomas Cook joined forces once more to actively participate in cleaning the beaches in the municipality of Mogán in support of World Environmental Beach Clean Day. Last year’s initiative was very successful when the team spent many hours cleaning local beaches, this year however the Ayuntamiento of Mogán felt that it would be more beneficial to travel to a more isolated beach, which because of the previous storms and harsh weather conditions, needed more attention than the easily accessible ones. At 8.15am 17 tour representatives and various Council workers met at the port of Puerto Rico where a fleet of jeeps was waiting for them. Once on their way the
convoy made its’ way towards the village of Mogán from where it continued along a private road towards Veneguera Beach, their final destination. With great enthusiasm about what they were about to do, the crowed eagerly made their way along the winding roads.
workers who had arrived before us to help with the task in hand and were already busily cleaning the beach. Without a minute to waste our party quickly equipped themselves with gloves, bin bags, small nets and rakes; tools which would prove very necessary for the job.
Joining the party was Tomas Lorenzo, Tourism Concejal for Mogán, Alicia Alamo Vega, Environmental Concejal as well as Silverio Hernadez, Concejal of Cleaning and Security representing the Ayuntamiento of Mogán. They were all keen to participate in this joint venture and offered their full support to the initiative which in turn benefits their Municipality.
The Beach of Veneguera is very isolated and inaccessible unless you drive a 4x4 as the dirt track which takes you there is not in a very good condition.
Upon arrival at our destination, we were surprised to see another party of council
However it is a fantastic beach, partly due to this inaccessibility which limits the amount of visitors it receives. It measures about a kilometre in distance and the amount of dead vegetation left by the past storms was considerable. Continued on page 4 ...
Page 18
Simon Spit Restaurant Critic
Page 26
Ardiel Jimenez Local Body Boarder
2 Island Information
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
BUS TIME TABLE
Las Palmas Airport: 928 579 000
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Consulates: British Consulate Consul: Matthew Vickers Edificio_Cataluna,_C/Luis Morote 6, 3rd Floor, Las Palmas Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 1.30pm Telephone 928 262 508 www.ukinspain.com
Taxis: 928 154 77 or 902 192 019
Ambulance: 928 492 112 Fire Brigade Las Palmas 928 446 444 Maspalomas 928 762 671 Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, San Bartolomé de Tirajana 928 762 671 Local Police Province - 092 Las Palmas 928 304 600 Maspalomas 928 764 000 Guardia Civil Province 062 Las Palmas 928 762 898 Puerto Rico 928 736 817 S. Bartolomé 928 750 222 National Police Las Palmas Masapalomas 928 764 000
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Deadline Adverts, copy changes, classifieds, clubs and editorial copy: Friday noon for the following Friday’s edition to air your views. Letters on any subject are welcomed by the Editor for publication and must arrive by 12 noon on Friday for consideration for the following Friday’s edition. Priority will be given to letters dealing with local issues. We reserve the right to amend or shorten letters. The Canary News accepts no responsibility for readers´comments. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service you can write to Edificio Mercurio Torre 1, 2ºE, Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, España.
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Markets in Gran Canaria Agüimes In front of the municipal swimming pool Thursdays 09:00-14:00 Arguineguín La Plaza Negra: Every Tuesday 08:00-14:00 CC Ancora Every Thursday 08.00-14.00 TARA Second Hand Market, Plaza de Pino Seco, Arguinegín Every Saturday 9.00 onwards Arucas Calle Francisco Gourier: Every Saturday 08:00-14:00 Gáldar General Market Plaza de Santiago de Apostól: Every Thursday 08:00-14:00. Gáldar Collectors’ Market Guaires, 26, Tel: 928.55.21.40 Ingenio En el Ejido: First Sunday of every month 09.00-15.00 Jinámar Ramblas de Jinámar (Telde): Sundays 9:00-15:00 Las Palmas Rastro Terrace on top of the bus station Every Sunday 8.00-14.00 Maspalomas Second Hand Market CC Faro 2, Campo Internacional, Maspalomas Sundays 10.00 onwards Maspalomas Artisans’ Market Next to Global Bus Station Meloneras Mercadillo en Meloneras: Every Thursday 10.00-17.00 Mendizábal Calle de Mendizábal, Vegueta, Las Palmas Third Saturday of every month Moya On top of the bus station: Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Playa del Inglés Artesan market, at Parque Europeo, (next to the Minitren) Everyday except Sunday 19.30-23.30. Puerto de Mogán Traditional craft market Plaza del Parking, Puerto de Mogán: Every Monday 09.00-14.30 Puerto de Mogán General Market El Muelle Deportivo: Every Friday 08:00-14:00 San Fernando San Fernando Municipal Market, Maspalomas. Every Wednesday and Saturday: 08:00-14:00 San Fernando Municipal Market Skating ring in San Fernando Every second Sunday 09:00-14:00 San Mateo Every Saturday: 08:00-20:00 and Sundays 08:00-15:00. Santa Brígida Underneath the municipal park in Villa de Santa Brígida. Every Saturday 08:00-20:00 and every Sunday from 08:00-14:00 Santa Catalina Mercadillo in Las Palmas de G.C. Art Gallery of Parque de Santa Catalina Every Sunday between 08.00-14.00.
Santa Lucia Mercadillo de Santa Lucia: Every Sunday 8.00-14.00 Santa María de Guía Plaza del Casco Historico Every Tuesday and Sunday 10.00-14.00 Telde Plaza de San Gregorio, by the bus station Every Saturday 08:00-14:00 Teror Around the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Valleseco Mercado Municipal : Every Sunday 08.00-14.00 Valsequillo Calle Isla de la Gomera : Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Vecindario Agricultural Market Recinto Ferial Every Monday 08:00-14:00 on La Karpa, Avda. de las Tirajanas Every second Saturday 08.00-14.00 Vecindario General Market Recinto Ferial Every Wednesday 08.00-14.00 Vegueta, Cultural and Craftsmanship market Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Las Palmas de G.C. Every Sunday of every month (except July, August and Sept.) 10.00-14.00.
Distribution Points Just to remind our advertisers and readers that our distribution network covers all of Las Palmas, including tourist offices, Marks and Spencer, large hotels, main shopping centres, the museum, schools and colleges, the Spanish National Health hospital, private clinics, together with smaller private businesses, such as bars and restaurants. The Canary News can now be found in Santa Brigida at the main Spar supermarket in the town; an area which we will be expanding in the future. Other distribution outlets cover the coastline from Las Palmas down to Puerto Mogan but we are always looking for additional, good public places to leave copies of the newspaper. And don’t forget you can always read the newspaper online at www.thecanarynews.com For further details please contact Brian on 667 994 351.
The Canary News does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non appearance of advertisements or advertorials. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or nonappearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsiblity for claims or opinions in the same. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publisher is prohibited E & O E. Edita: JDC Canaries SLU, Imprime: Canarias7, C/Mimosas, s/n-Parcela 131-1ª Fase-Manzana V 35119 Pol. Ind. Arinaga, Villa de Agüimes, Gran Canaria, España.
Events 3
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
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Fiestas and Upcoming Events 1st Santa Lucia Tapas Route. Till 31st August 1 tapa and a drink for 3€ in participating bars and restaurants Avenida de Canarias in Vecindario and Santa Lucia Village For more info contact your local Tourist office Painting Exhibition by the Children of San Fernando. 1st till 11th June Maspalomas Culture House Free Entrance Gran Circo Mundial. Great World Circus. 18th June till 4th July Sovhispan, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria A Ras de Suelo Festival. 23rd June till 3rd July http://www.arasdesuelo.org/ Las Canteras Beach, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Canarian Exhibition 16th June, 10.00 till 13.00 hours 19th June, 10.00 till 13.00 hours 19th June, 19.00 till 21.00 hours 29th June, 19.00 till 21.00 hours Typical Canarian Sports Exhibition Las Canteras Beach, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Free Entrance 10th and last Annual Trek. 19th June Pico de las Nieves – Santa Lucia, with BBQ More info on: 928 76 42 01 San Bartolome de Tirajana
F.C. Barcelona Campus, Maspalomas 2010. 27th June till 3 July For more info: www.fccamp.cat/ maspalomas2010-06-16 San Bartolome de Tirajana VI Amateur 7 a side Spanish Championship. 26th and 27th June For more info: 928 76 42 01 Maspalomas Sports City, San Bartolome de Tirajana Photograph Exhibition: The Oil and Vinegar Shop. 11th till 30th June, 17.00 till 19.00 hours XIII Zafra Fair Casa de La Cultura of El Tablero, San Bartolome de Tirajana San Juan Fiestas and Bonfires Don’t miss out on the San Juan Bonfires which will light up the island! 19th June, Night time Arucas Cercados de Araña, San Bartolome de Tirajana Tenteniguada, Valsequillo Telde Teror 23rd June 23.59- Las Canteras Beach, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 20.30- Cercados de Espino 21.00 Juan Grande 23.00- Aldea Blanca 19.00- Castillo de Romeral 21.30- Playa del Ingles
If you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you do not require a visa to enter Spain . Other British Nationals should confirm the current entry requirements with their nearest Spanish Embassy. A valid British passport must be held for entry to and exit from Spain. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your visit. Residence requirements From 28 March 2007, Royal Decree 240/07 requires that all EU citizens planning to reside in Spain for more than 3 months should register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros in their province of residence or at designated Police stations. However, you will no longer be issued with a residence card. Instead you will be issued a Residence Certificate stating your name, address, nationality, NIE number (Número de Identificación Extranjeros) and date of registration. If you are an EU citizen with a valid residency card, you do not need to do anything until your card expires. On expiry you must register at the Oficina de Extranjeros or designated police stations. Where to apply You should apply in person within 3 months of entry into Spain at the Oficina de Extranjeros in your province of residence. You will be asked to present a valid passport, complete an application form and pay a fee. Spanish bank accounts If you have a Spanish bank account but do not live in Spain, you must register with the Spanish authorities. Residencia (registration as a non-resident) needs to be renewed regularly. Non-EU family members There is also provision for non-EU family members, who have entered on valid passports and visas (where required), to reside with EU citizens, providing they too register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros or designated Police Stations within 3 months of entry. They will be issued with Tarjetas de Residencia de Familiar de Cuidadano de la Union (Residency cards for family members of EU citizens). Additional documents will be required. Further information You can obtain further information from either: • The Ministry of the Interior’s webpage on procedures for EU citizens; or • By calling the Ministry of the Interior’s Immigration Directorate helpline on any of the following numbers: (+34) 91 363 9071, (+34) 91 363 9069 or (+34) 91 363 7108.
4 Local News
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
Continurd from front page ... This was due to two main reasons, firstly the water from the mountains had carried all it found in its path and deposited it on the beach and secondly all the rubbish brought directly in from the sea. After forming small groups, the party of tour representatives started to clear the washed up logs, tons of bamboo canes scattered across the beach and general bits of rubbish. Coordinated by the council workers they started to bring the rubbish into big piles which would later be collected by council lorries and taken to the local dumps for its’ disposal. Amongst laughter and the occasional joke, but also under a scorching sun and heat of the day, the team efficiently collected everything, knowing that although this was not much considering the extent of the island, it was a gesture which would certainly contribute to a better island. At mid-day when the heat was too much the team were asked to stop and enjoy a breakfast and cold drink, which was provided by McDonald’s, then following this were invited by Tomas Lorenzo to enjoy the beach and take a refreshing dip in our fabulous ocean. This was followed by a short ceremony in which all participants were given a certificate which gave them credit for their participation in this noble cause.
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As a special treat for the group, a boat which had sailed from Mogán Port arrived at the beach to take them back to their original destination. The participants of both tour operators were: Thomson & First Choice Participants Joe Jordan, Lisa Murfet, Jenna Craven, Laura Smith, Matt Alexander, Paul Gilliam, Clare Armstrong, Lucy Cutter, John Simpson Thomas Cook participants Lauren Williams, Ross Scrimgeour, Catherine Kane, Caroline Mcnally, Kim Whitehousem, Sarah Douse, Chantelle Davis, Katie Grey As you all know I am very pro this type of initiative and believe they should be done more frequently. The Canary News finds it a pleasure to assist with these actions and are more than happy to cover the stories and get involved, so if you hear about any similar stories please contact us and we will help all we can. Congratulations to the Ayuntamiento of Mogán, Thomson & First Choice and Thomas Cook for their involvement and we look forward to seeing you all again next year. By Tito Cabral
Mogán Celebrates San Antonio done when the temperature is at its coolest, in other words in the late afternoon; this one in particular was programmed to start at 18.00 hours. The parade consisted mostly of traditionally clothed people from many towns and villages with floats decorated in true Canarian style and which lined up on the main road of the village ready to set off and start the party. One by one they all paraded down from the mountains towards the centre of the village much to the enjoyment of neighbours and visitors alike.
Heading the parade, a herd of goats was lead by a number of farmers dressed in typical clothing and holding the massive sticks which they have always used to aid them when descending the mountains of our islands. On their backs they carried the traditional “Thurron”, which is a type of rock sack made out of a whole kid’s skin, and in these they usually carry water and food which they need during their long journeys looking for fresh pastures.
The floats were stacked high with drinks and food and provide the participants of the float, usually a group of friends, families and even neighbourhood communities, with plenty of refreshment, which no doubt helps them to gain strength for the duration of the fiesta. Having said this, it is very common for members of the float to offer both food and drink to passersby and people watching the Romeria, once again proof of the enormous Canarian generosity.
It is definitely summer as more and more Canarian villages celebrate their fiestas, and almost every single week from now until the end of summer, around the island, there will be some sort of celebration or other. These as most of you know are usually religiously related to the Virgin Mary or the Patron Saint of any given village. Last week it was the village of Mogán which celebrated San Antonio, so I went down there on Sunday 6th June to witness what is known amongst all Canarians as the most beautiful Romeria of them all. Due to the heat which already affects all the islands at this time of year, the celebrations are always
The atmosphere of the Romeria was extremely festive - attendees varied in ages tremendously but all were there to have a good time, and enjoy themselves. Smiles and laughter were shared by all including young children who were encouraged to play typical games like skipping rope and skittles .
Once more tradition and typical customs meet in a celebration, giving both Canarians and foreign visitors a chance not only to identify themselves but also to learn a little bit more about our culture. Because this Romeria has proved so popular in previous years, the Ayuntamiento changed the date to a Sunday in order to encourage the younger generation, who are not so interested on the cultural side, to take part. This has enriched the traditional celebration which each year does not fail to surprise all who venture to this wonderful village. By Tito Cabral
Local News 5
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Summer Concert at the British School South Once more the British School South has invited us to one of their shows which both teachers and the children work so hard to put together. With the end of the term almost upon us, the school always organises a concert for the entertainment of the parents and obviously we had to be there to see it!
This was then followed by a new particular musical version of Peter Pan, with all the elements of the original story, including five very young narrators who happily explained the story both in Spanish and English. We enjoyed the groups of pirates lead by Hook, the lost children, the Indians, Wendy and her brothers and if course Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.
The show was celebrated in the Casa de Cultura of San Fernando, where the Ayuntamiento has a small theatre, and as the parents poured in to take their seats the children waited anxiously backstage.
The Grand finale of the 2 hour show was completed by the older children from years 4, 5 and 6 who performed a very special number about two African Tribes, who historically had always had strong differences but following a number of events realised that their grudges should be set aside.
If it’s already hard to keep children under control in normal circumstances the teachers had their jobs cut out with the hundreds who were taking part in the concert. After a short speech by Lyn Cabral, headmistress of the school, who thanked all the attendees for being there, the show started. A group of girls from the younger classes started with a short gymnastics number, which was followed by the nursery children who sang a song about animals; a number which caused a great deal of emotion amongst the parents who proudly watched.
A strong message which should make us all think especial coming from such young performers, I for one was very impressed by the high quality of the performances, no doubt a lot of hard work had gone into this show and I’m sure a lot of patience on behalf of the teachers. Well done to all! By Tito Cabral
Canvas Moon Art Exhibition
From the 4th June until the 4th September the Neptuno Hotel in Playa del Ingles will be hosting an art exhibition dedicated to the Moon, and what makes this collection of paintings so special is that it has brought together a number of local Canarian artists, each showing their own and particular vision of the Moon.
-Francisco Lezcano -Pedro Lezcano Jaén -Cristina Martel -Inés Melado -Maria Teresa Miranda -Olimpia Peco -Javier Rodriguez e Irene Romero.
I was invited by Isabel de la Llave, who is an exceptionally talented artist and person and whom I have known for many years. I was very fortunate to have been taught some painting skills when I was a young boy, so I can vouch for the quality and talent of her work. The project has been organised thanks to the help of Mary Luz Romero and the Mur Group, who at the same time shows the increasing number of cultural offers on the island of Gran Canaria. All the paintings on show are for sale with the added value that all the prices are crisis proof, and they vary from 100€ to 450€, depending on the artist and obviously the style used.
The artists in question are: -Nadia Brito, -Juan Cabrera, -Isabel de la Llave -Julia Fernández Lopiz, -Cristina Fofanah
These prices are exceptionally low considering the amount of work and the usual rates for an original painting; I have personally seen these paintings and can assure you that the quality is very high, as these painters are very talented. The paintings all measure 60 X 50 cm and there are a number of various styles, so I’m pretty sure there is something for every ones taste. So my advice is to go along and see for yourself this good selection of paintings; who knows maybe you might end up with a bargain in your hands! By Tito Cabral
6 Local News
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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World Cup Fever Ignites Gran Canaria With the Canary Islands being home to so many different nationalities, it’s maybe not surprising that the World Cup ignites so much enthusiasm and friendly, but heated, rivalry. With Spain as favourites to win when this article went to press and England ranked fourth after Brazil and Argentina, the mood around the Canaries is already one of intense excitement and speculation. And we still have 3 more weeks of matches to go! We’ve spent the past few days catching up with locals and holidaymakers alike to see who, or what, is on everyone’s foot balling minds at the moment ...
that they’re going to be the first of the favourites to drop out. I’ll have to wait and see”. She was a little disappointed that England had only drawn 1-1 against the USA on Saturday and was looking forward to their next game against Algeria, although nervous in case they might get complacent against the team currently ranked 4th bottom to win the World Cup.
Jose Martinez who says he has been a fanatical supporter of the Spanish team since he was a child. “The World Cup is always an amazing time when your team is involved but this year, especially, we Canarians have so much to be proud of. Not only are Spain favourites to win, but the team also includes 2 of our very own talented Canarian players which will make the atmosphere even more electrifying every time we watch Spain play”, he commented.
On our visit to the Yumbo our attention was caught - or maybe “speared” is the right word! - by Jacky Donovan. Affectionately christened “Jacky Nails” by her friends to distinguish her from several other Jackie’s in their midst here, she was born in Newcastle but moved to Gran Canaria a year ago. “To be honest I’m not a great football fan”, she confessed a little guiltily when approached “but I do keep an eye on how England are doing and I love to keep my crazily long nails a topic of conversation so decided to have them decorated with the country flags from the teams who are currently among the top 8 favourites to win the World Cup. Maybe by your next edition those flags will have changed. Though I do hope the England one is still there!” She went on to add “The Italian one almost broke today so maybe that’s my forecast
John Foulkes, his partner and their 3 children were on the journey of a lifetime over the 4 weeks of the World Cup - their aim being to visit as many European countries as possible who are participating, whilst watching every single match along the route either in their camper van or in local bars! They started their trip in Gran Canaria where they holiday every year and were heading for the ferry later in the week which would take them to Cadiz. From there they planned a quick detour into Portugal before driving up through Spain to France, crossing the border into Italy, then through Slovenia and Serbia to Greece. Heading north and then west they would pass through Slovakia and Switzerland before motoring north through Germany and then on to Holland and Denmark. What a journey! Their journey is intended to culminate with a ferry back to England, theoretically in time to watch the World Cup Final - with England playing in it back in the comfort of their own home. The children might be missing several weeks of school but will certainly have an amazing geography lesson along the way if their mission succeeds!
After coming across the many British football supporters in Playa del Ingles we headed to San Fernando to seek out some local Canarians and came across
He’s referring, of course, to David Jimenez Silva who was born in Arguineguin in 1986 and currently plays for Valencia. After Silva had played 5 games for Spain in the Euro Cup 2008, the Arguineguin council delightedly named their sports complex after him. Our other Canarian player is Pedro Rodriguez, born in Tenerife in 1987, who helped his current team - Barcelona - win 5 cup titles last year and also this year’s Spanish league. He even wrote himself into the record books by becoming the first-ever footballer to score in six different competitions – Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup 2009 - within a single season. We can’t wait to see more of both players in action over the next few weeks. Jose told us that he would be in the same bar for every single game throughout the tournament, though his friends and family weren’t quite so enthusiastic and would only be joining for the key matches in which Spain was playing! En route to the Kasbah in search of more English fans, we heard excited shouts from a camper van parked at the roadside. The door was open and, as we went past, we saw the van was occupied by an English family clad head to toe in their team colours and all sporting England scarves despite a temperature of 27 degrees outside! We couldn’t resist stopping to talk to them and were delighted that we had when we heard their crazy story.
Almost exhausted by the thought of their trip, we headed for the Kasbah. One of the Brits we met there was Andy Douglas who said he’d unfortunately had no time so far for the football. Although Scottish, he said he was supporting England all the way but hadn’t been able to watch any games as yet. Meanwhile, as we headed back to the office, opinions were strongly divided in Pasito Blanco, where we stopped to chat with Theresa Coe, our resident Spanish teacher in The Canary News and her partner, Nelson Brenes Quiros. Theresa was staunchly supporting England, having been brought up in London before moving here 2 years ago whilst Nelson, Costa Rican by birth, was steadfastly in favour of Spain. “I’m not sure what will happen to our relationship should both teams meet in the final”, joked Theresa. Our conversations with people have fuelled our own World Cup enjoyment even further! We wondered what YOU were doing to support (or escape!) World Cup fever? With England as the only UK team represented in the World Cup, we’d love to know too who the Irish, Scottish and Welsh contingents on the island are supporting? Please send your stories to the editor@thecanarynews.com by Friday 25th June for a follow-up article in our next edition. Article kindly supplied by Jacky Donovan You can see more pictures of Jacky’s exotic nails at www.jaxnails.homestead. com
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Local News 7
Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Update from Matthew – Our British Consul There are five of us who work in the consular team in Las Palmas and we are here to help British residents and tourists, not just in Gran Canaria, but across the province, so our work comes from the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura too.
Sue Thain, who helps us out. Silvia, Caroline and Mukesh have plenty of work to deal with in the office. Last year we had 1,500 people come to the office for help, took 5,700 phone calls and handled around 600 cases needing consular assistance.
I’m British Consul for the Canary Islands as a whole and I live on Tenerife. There used to be separate Consuls for Tenerife and Las Palmas, but since 2007 there has been one Consul covering all of the Canaries. Steve Jones, who many of you will know, was Consul before me and lived in Las Palmas, so this time it’s Tenerife’s turn to have the Consul living there. With so much work in Las Palmas, I’m over here every week so I’m an expert on flying conditions between the islands now as I’m not a great flyer!
There’s a wide range of areas where we provide help; issuing emergency passports, helping out when someone has died, keeping an eye on vulnerable cases in hospital, ensuring those arrested or in prison receive proper treatment, supporting people with mental health problems, giving advice on where to find English speaking legal or medical help, supporting friends and relatives if someone goes missing etc. In many cases we’re working with people at a particularly tragic point in their lives and the work that the team do can make a huge difference to people struggling to come to terms with life-changing events.
Across Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, there are 14,000 British people officially on the municipal register (padron). I know that a lot of people don’t go to the town hall to register even though there are benefits for you and your municipality if you do, so we estimate that in fact there are about 20-25,000 of us living in Las Palmas province. Once you add in over 1.5 million tourists who come on holiday, even after the downturn in tourist numbers there are a lot of us out here and that means a lot of work for the Consulate. Like me, Esther Martin, the Vice Consul, travels between islands on a regular basis. She runs monthly consular surgeries on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. On Lanzarote, we’re lucky to have our Honorary Consul,
Las Canteras lose their Blue Flag The reduction in the quality of water has caused the city beach of Las Canteras to lose the blue flag for the first time in twenty one years. The blue flag which is the highest symbol awarded to any beach in Europe has finally been removed from Las Canteras due to the poor quality of its water; apparently because of several spillages of sewerage in the La Puntilla area. It has come to our attention that the Las Palmas Ayuntamiento have been aware of this fact for months and took the decision not communicate it until the last minute. The governing body, which is responsible, has carried out several water tests during the past year in six different points of the beach. They then calculate an average by evaluating the quality of the water, and since the beginning of this year the quality of the water in La Puntilla has dropped, bringing the total average down for the whole beach. This only leaves the beach of La Lajilla as the only blue flag beach in Las Palmas. The Road between Mogán and La Aldea is Re-opened The Consejeria of Economic Development, Public Infrastructures and Buildings and Transport has officially communicated the re-opening of the GC 200 road which joins the municipalities of Mogán and La Aldea.
Ultimately, we’re all in Spain, either living or on holiday so there are some things which the Consulate can’t do. We can’t get people out of prison, we can’t intervene in any property matters and we can’t get involved in legal proceedings. As you’d expect, we can’t give money to people, although we can advise as to how friends and family in the UK can transfer money to those in need. And, as you can imagine with so much work going on, we can’t act as interpreters or translators. That said, we do translate official British documents (e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates etc) and Following the damage caused by the strong storms last spring the Consejaria started urgent works on the affected areas which suffered the most, and last week finally finished, allowing once more all types of vehicles to travel on it again. However the works are only a temporary measure until more permanent solutions can be found. So the Consejeria ask drivers to take extreme caution when passing these points.
Canaries suffer a 250 Million Euro cut in their Budget As communicated by the Vice-President and Consejero of Economy and Tax of the Canarian Government, Jose Manuel Soria, the Canaries will have to suffer a further 250 million euro cut in their budget for 2011. This is due to attempts to reduce the public deficit imposed by Brussels and the approval of the Consejo of Fiscal Politics and Economy. “Canaries has given the government a huge support with this reduction, as the reality of the economic situation is far from that draw by the Vice-president of Economy, Elena Salgado”, added Soria, ”When the cut back proposals were made public by Salgado we already told them they would be insufficient”.
we can carry out a range of notarial acts- especially those connected with legalising documents, witnessing signatures and carrying out wedding paperwork. Wherever we can, we’re looking to encourage British people living here to integrate and to make the most out of what we’re entitled too. We ran a roadshow last year about pensions, benefits and healthcare to help everyone understand what can be a complex area. There’s a specialist team who are experts in this field who work for the British Embassy and are based in Malaga so if you have a problem then let us know and we can put you in touch. It’s great to see some of the fund-raising that happens on Gran Canaria for the less fortunate. I was talking to Father Peter the other day about some of the charity work that the parishioners at Holy Trinity have been doing to support local initiatives. But as well as money, giving up time or sharing skills as volunteers can have a huge impact on our local communities. As Genna wrote in the last edition of The Canary News, I’m always keen to hear about voluntary groups or to help those who are providing practical assistance to others. So don’t be shy if you’re already doing this sort of work or if you’re interested in doing some, get in touch! Matthew Vickers
7 Million Euros Destined for Mogán The new plan for the Development of Tourist areas has awarded 7 million Euros for the refurbishment of the Puerto Rico beach area and 4.2 for the south main road in San Bartolome de Tirajana. A Total of 30 million will be spent this current year, 42 million in 2011 and 50 million in 2012. This total investment was signed last week in an agreement between the Minister of Business and Tourism, Miguel Sebastian, and Paulino Rivero President of the Canarian Government. A total of 122 million will be invested over the next three years in the more needy tourist areas of the island. Mogán will be one of those who will benefit more on the island of Gran Canaria as it was left out during last year’s exercise. The money will be destined for the improvement of public lighting in many main roads, parks and children’s parks of the town of Puerto Rico. As well as these improvements it will also affect the GC 500 road which joins the municipal of Mogán with San Bartolome de Tirajana and main roads of towns, such as, Avenida La Gomera, Alegranza, and Juan Diaz Rodriguez. By Tito Cabral
8 Letters to the Editor
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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Editors Column
The Canary News reserves the right to edit your letters and accepts no responsility for readers’ opinions.
Letter of the week Dear Ed, Obviously I have been following the comments on estate agents (being one myself) with great interest. I would just like to make a few points regarding Mr Miltenburg’s letter in the last edition. Firstly, as Mr Miltenburg rightly points out, you don’t need to have a licence to be an estate agent although there is an official body/Association of estate agents in the Canary Islands which provides constant instruction, courses and training as well as closely ensuring that all their member agents adhere to a strict moral and correct behaviour. This Association also is involved with the Spanish equivalent of the American and Canadian MLS (Multi Listing System) called the BOIC here which works in exactly the same way as it would in these countries. It DOES exist although many people are unaware that it does. It does not really surprise me that Mr Miltenburg and other buyers are not aware of the Association and the MLS as from the 30 or 40 agents operating in the South of the Island (from Mogan to Arinaga), only 6 of us area actually members. It is very difficult, as Mr Miltenburg points out, for agents to convince sellers to sign an exclusive contract, which is a shame and really is the root of most of these problems. The seller really does have a much better chance of selling a property if it is an exclusive contract with a reputable, trustworthy agent. The Reservation Contract, when applicable, can of course have any number of clauses included, including a release clause in the case that a mortgage approval is not granted. These are things that the agent needs to negotiate on behalf of their client, as well as any other queries regarding unelco, structural damage etc. We are in Gran Canaria and some things are not quite as rigidly controlled as they maybe in other countries. However, buying a property here shouldn’t be a stressful and worrying process when it can be a straightforward, exciting one. Alex
Thank you for your comments; and Theresa another gold star to you! Don’t forget you can always catch up on anything you have missed by logging onto www. thecanarynews.com, download and print off the pdf. Ed
Alex, thank you for taking the time out from your busy day to write to us. I am sure your explanation will help many considering buying property over here. Ed.
Could you perhaps have half a page with a map showing where the places mentioned in each edition are? I’m often not sure where many of the stadiums etc are - I know it’s possible to look them up online but they can sometimes be quite difficult to pin down. I also notice there are often mentions for night time events happening in Playa del Ingles but rarely a mention for Puerto Rico - I am sure many locals would appreciate a note of regular events in bars and hotels round and about which would boost attendance. Although I live in Puerto Rico I often miss out on things happening nearby as I’ve not seen anything advertising the event and only know it has taken place because you report on how it went. Cheers,
Good Morning, I am missing a few editions of TCN for various reasons including not being able to obtain it in locations I ordinarily can, due to my lodger having ‘borrowed’ a couple of editions and ‘lost’ them, and also when I returned to the UK a couple of months back for a family funeral. Thus, my “set” of Spanish lessons by Theresa Coe is incomplete!! Is there any way that I can obtain the complete “set” to date? I have only a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish, but I have found these articles very easy to understand and Theresa’s explanations have allowed me to grasp some hitherto misunderstood foibles of the Spanish language, it also made sense of some hitherto seeming non-sensible words and phrases. The phonetic pronunciations of the words are very good too; all round it is a helpful and impressive aspect of your newspaper. Thanks in anticipation of your assistance Regards, Steve Cashley
Dear Editor I am sure the article by Ann Turner “I Didn’t Know...” struck a chord with many here who have found themselves in a similar situation. Is there anything, anywhere, which (in English) explains the processes of settling in on the islands? For example, a leaflet that explains what you have to do with changing your driving licence, where you have to report change of addresses (Town Hall etc etc), how to register for various things (social security, doctors), what is payable to where when you have a car or a home here, who you need to inform when you change your car... It’s a minefield out there! I didn’t realise it was necessary to inform the Town Hall when my car was scrapped (the insurance company were informed of this but didn’t mention I should contact anyone else!) and 5 years later an amount was taken from my wages (at source as I have never given them any bank details) for unpaid car tax. Even though I subsequently proved the car had not existed for those years this was not refunded to me. A costly error! Regards, Lisa Unlike mainland Spain where there is a central office manned by ex-pats, the only place we can think of is the British Consul. They can help you with many areas – hence our regular publication from them. Visit their website at www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk and you may find what you are looking for. Ed Dear Editor I have been on the island for quite a few years and find the articles very interesting, there is always something new to discover on the islands!One thing that would help hugely though is the inclusion of a small map or directions on how to get to places! I often set off to find stores etc on my own and trying to follow the road while looking for sign posts is difficult, not to mention there often appears to be a distinct lack of directions and I often get lost.
It would be nearly impossible to print a map with everything going on – a full time exercise! However, we have always found the tourist offices very helpful and the staff speak fairly good English. So try this route next time, you can even phone them if you don’t want to visit. As far as events in Puerto Rico, our writers do try and find out before hand what is happening around the island, but unfortunately we do not get to hear about them in time. If they advertised the event in The Canary News, then this would satisfy everyone. Ed.
After a number of suggestions on how we can continuously improve The Canary News, we have decided to add an ‘Editors Column’ on our letters page. It is our intention to look at subjects which affect both ourselves as residents and our diminishing tourist industry.You may not always agree with the viewpoint or subjects published, but we feel ‘healthy’ discussion can be beneficial to all concerned and we welcome your own comments. In edition 24 of The Canary News we told you about our exciting new character ‘Simon Spit’ Food Critic Extraordinaire – so let’s start with the subject of restaurants, bars and other places serving food and drink to the public. This sector has been particularly ‘hard hit’ over the last couple of years, with more and more businesses closing down – not a good thing for our beloved island. So what seems to be the problem and what can we do to address the issue? Yes, the ‘all inclusive’ packages have taken a toll on the businesses, however you cannot blame the holiday companies who listen to what the tourists want and then act accordingly – they too have to make a living. People coming to us on holiday will of course take advantage of the inclusive meals, however listening to many of them they say that after a couple of days of ‘hotel’ food they would like to try out other places to eat. So what’s stopping them? A few items were mentioned time and time again; the same type of menu everywhere, poor quality service and, as to be expected, too expensive. We can no longer rely on our ‘winter’ season when the Scandinavians flock to our shores, money burning a hole in their pocket, as according to statistics this year, the numbers are down, and those who did come spent 25% less per head on eating out. In previous affluent years, our ‘winter’ season more than made up for the generally slower ‘summer’ months – now it’s a different story. So what can we do about the situation? I am not going to mention yet again about the high rentals for premises – we all know this and it seems that the owners of leased premises turn a deaf ear. How can we entice the fickle tourist into our food and drink establishments? Read again the comments made by tourists on why they choose not to eat out. It’s not ‘rocket science’ just good business practice and easy to carry out. Educate your staff to understand that the ‘customer is always right’ – no matter how wrong you may think they are! Watered down drinks are an absolute ‘no no’ customers can always tell even if they don’t say anything. Create a happy, informal atmosphere, even if you or your staff aren’t really feeling that happy, it’s contagious! And it will ensure that they keep coming back. Why not form a small local owners club where you can meet and discuss similar problems, but don’t just moan, try and find solutions – be positive. Happy customers are your ‘bread and butter’. Finally, a word to ALL businesses, remember for each dis-satisfied customer who visits you, they will tell at least five other people about their negative experience. Editor
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Transfer Talk Get more for your money with Moneycorp’s new forward contract currency deal, writes Stephen Tiley
WHEN transferring money to and from Spain it’s important that you get as much for your money as you can. Transferring your currency overseas – whether you’re putting down a deposit on a home or making regular mortgage transfers – is often left to the last minute, which can cost you thousands due to currency fluctuations. Timing your transaction is key and you should never underestimate the value of a good exchange rate. Currency markets are constantly fluctuating, so making your transaction at the right time can make a big difference to the amount of money you end up with. The amount of money lost or gained over the last five month for example is incredible. For example, buying a Spanish home for 150,000 euros on January 28 would have meant transferring £129,310. Leaving it just four weeks to March 1, would have meant bringing over £137,299, or a staggering £8000 more. Two months later on May 17 and you would have saved £8,500 needing just £128,755. Currency experts like Moneycorp can tailor its services to make sure you trade when exchange rates are in your favour and save you money. A forward contract is just one of the services a currency broker can provide to clients making international money transfers. You book to buy or sell your currency in the future, at a rate you fix today. Forward contracts can help protect against adverse currency movements and can
Finance 9
Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
be used to lock into favourable exchange rates. Since November there has been a huge fluctuation from 1.11 euros per pound in January to 1.14 euros in February and up to 1.20. The lack of direction suggests a steady relationship between the pound and the euro but it would be fairer to describe the alliance as a marriage of inconvenience. For the euro and the pound the underlying problems are the same ones that have dogged them since the end of last year; debt and politics. The common thread throughout the election run up was the way investors had been following the opinion polls. The more level the two main parties, the more investors shrank from buying sterling. The chancellor’s forthcoming budget on June 22 should finally provide the pound with some direction. The woes of the euro stem almost entirely from the maladministration of previous Greek governments. In a situation dating back to Greece’s fudged membership of the euro (many warned against it), the Athens government of the day used financial derivatives to conceal the true scale of debt in order to meet criteria set for membership. Fortunately for Greece the EU Commission has
now put a rescue package in place, however some disharmony still prevails. In particular many other EU countries are concerned that the unrest in Greece may escalate to their own doorsteps if similar measures are put in place. With all this uncertainty, let Moneycorp take care of all your money transfers to and from Spain; however small or large. Our experts make the process quick, easy and highly cost-effective. For more information on how Moneycorp can help get you more currency than from your bank contact Stephen Tiley on +34 951 319 700 or email stephen. tiley@moneycorp.com and please quote the full name of your press, eg The Canary News, Gran Canaria.
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10 Family Life
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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Bonding with your Baby Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby. It makes parents want to shower their baby with love and affection and to protect and nourish their little one. Bonding gets parents up in the middle of the night to feed their hungry baby and makes them attentive to the baby’s wide range of cries. Scientists are still learning a lot about bonding. They know that the strong ties between parents and their child provide the baby’s first model for intimate relationships and foster a sense of security and positive self-esteem. And parents’ responsiveness to an infant’s signals can affect the child’s social and cognitive development.
Making an Attachment Bonding with your baby is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care. You can begin by cradling your baby and gently stroking him or her in different patterns. If you and your partner both hold and touch your infant frequently, your little one will soon come to know the difference between your touches. Each of you should also take the opportunity to be “skin to skin” with your newborn by holding him or her against your own skin when feeding or cradling.
Most infants are ready to bond immediately. Parents, on the other hand, may have a mixture of feelings about it. Some parents feel an intense attachment within the first minutes or days after their baby’s birth. For others — especially if the baby is adopted or has been placed in intensive care — it may take a bit longer.
Babies, especially premature babies and those with medical problems, may respond to infant massage. Because babies aren’t as strong as adults, you’ll need to massage your baby gently. Before trying out infant massage, be sure to educate yourself on proper techniques by checking out the many books, videos, and websites on the subject. You can also contact your local hospital to find out if there are classes in infant massage in your area.
But bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes and not something that has to be limited to happening within a certain time period after birth. For many parents, bonding is a by-product of everyday caregiving. You may not even know it’s happening until you observe your baby’s first smile and suddenly realize that you’re filled with love and joy. The Ways Babies Bond When you’re a new parent, it often takes a while to understand your newborn’s true capabilities and all the ways you can interact: Touch becomes an early language as babies respond to skin-to-skin contact. It’s soothing for both you and your baby while promoting your baby’s healthy growth and development. Why Is Bonding Important? Bonding is essential for a baby. Studies of newborn monkeys who were given mannequin mothers at birth showed that, even when the mannequins were made of soft material and provided formula to the baby monkeys, the babies were better socialized when they had live mothers to interact with. The baby monkeys with mannequin mothers were more likely to suffer from despair, as well as failure to thrive. Scientists suspect that lack of bonding in human babies can cause similar problems.
Eye-to-eye contact provides meaningful communication at close range. Babies can follow moving objects with their eyes. Your baby tries — early on — to imitate your facial expressions and gestures. Babies prefer human voices and enjoy vocalizing in their first efforts at communication. Babies often enjoy just listening to your conversations, as well as your descriptions of their activities and environments.
Bonding also often occurs naturally almost immediately for a breastfeeding or bottle-feeding mother. Infants respond to the smell and touch of their mothers, as well as the responsiveness of the parents to their needs. In an uncomplicated birth, caregivers try to take advantage of the infant’s alert period immediately after birth and encourage feeding and holding of the baby. However, this isn’t always possible and, though ideal, immediate contact isn’t necessary for the future bonding of the child and parent. Adoptive parents may be concerned about bonding with their baby. Although it might happen sooner for some than others, adopted babies and their parents have the opportunity to bond just as well as biological parents and their children.
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Feature 11
Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Property of the Month Entering through double gates onto a large gravelled driveway there is plenty of parking for half a dozen or more cars, with the main house comprising of a large dual aspect, terraced area, lounge/dining room with wood burning stove, spacious well equipped kitchen, 3 air conditioned double bedrooms and bathroom. In addition it has the added advantage of an attached guest house with a further two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom with jacuzzi.
On the beautiful Costa Blanca (White Coast) of mainland Spain, we are delighted to feature the following property: Private yet not isolated, and reduced from original price of 375.000€ to 299.99€, this beautifully restored ‘finca’ is set within the backdrop of mountains and magnificent views over vineyards. The present owner is a builder therefore the restoration work has been sympathetically carried out with thought and care for the surroundings.
Situated on 2,000 sq mts of land, the property’s constuction size is approx 180 sq mts. Outside there is a fabulous swimming pool, brick built BBQ, external kitchen area and shower room. Individual seating areas throughout lovely mature gardens. Additional advantages include a landline telephone, internet facility and satellite television. Ideally located for the towns of Aspe (6 mins), La Romana, Novelda and The Hondons all towns have excellent amenities and good health care and schools. Alicante airport and the beaches are reached within 25 mins.
Join The Club Whether they like it or not most buyers of property in Spain and the islands automatically become members of a community of property owners. Knowing your rights and obligations will help keep trouble away from Paradise.
others annually. Recent changes in the law of communities make it easier for them to force payment from those in arrears. The Community president can apply for a court order which allows the debt to be seized from the debtor’s bank account in as short a time as 30 days.
A community of property owners is the legally constituted body which regulates the workings of the common elements of an apartment building or an estate of houses (complex). Only those who purchase an individual house on a village street or a villa on a tract of rural land will not become co-owners of community property.
Your principal right in the Community is to attend the annual general meeting, speak your mind, and cast your vote. If you feel the charges are too high, you can assemble a group of likeminded members and vote to have them reduced. A Community of Property Owners is real democracy at its most vital. Those with the majority of votes carry the day, and the decisions taken at the AGM are the supreme authority of the Community. You can be elected President even if you are a foreigner and not a full-time resident of Spain.
Your principal obligation is to pay the annual Community charges. These charges cover the expenses for maintenance of the community’s property, such as the lift, gardens, the pool, and the streets in an estate of detached villas. Some Communities have very few assets held in common and so they have low fees. Others have extensive grounds or services and so their charges are higher. Some bill the members monthly, others quarterly and
Before you buy a property you should ask these questions: How much are the Community Fees? Ask your seller for his last paid-up community fee receipt. The fee depends on your ‘cuota’ or participation share
Because of the completely independent guest apartment, the property would be great for families with teenage children, families who have relatives staying with them long term, or it can be used to provide an income from holidaymakers wanting to stay in this beautiful valley. The apartment is currently advertised on a website for holiday rental. For further information please email propertyofthemonth@thecanarynews.com
in the property. The fee can vary from as little as 50€ per month in a modest apartment block up to 400€ a month or even more on a luxury urbanisation. Are the fees paid up? The seller should have his receipt. If not, the President of the Community is required by law to prepare a certificate showing the fees are paid up, or listing the amount of the debt. In any case, a new purchaser can only be held liable for the charges of the current year and the year before. What do the Community Statutes say? Ask your seller, or President of the Community, or the developer of a new urbanisation for a copy of the ‘Estatutos’. If the building is new, it is possible that no Community has yet been formed. In an older building or estate, the Statutes might have some surprises for you. When you sign your purchase contract, you agree to abide by the Community regulations, so this can be important but is often overlooked. Does the Community legally exist? In a new building or estate, the
Community of Property Owners may not be formed. This also happens when an older urbanisation has grown up more or less illegally, and where the developer has perhaps not provided all the services he should have. It the Community is not legally constituted, this can bring problems later. Check to see that your Community is registered in the Community section of the Property Registry. This is because it owns property such as the gardens and pool. Can I see the minutes of the last AGM? You want to see this official report of the last Community meeting, along with the accounts, so that you have an idea of the problems it faces. If the Community is in debt because of nonpaying owners, it will show up here. You will be responsible for your part in paying any such debt, according to your cuota share. If your seller does not have a copy, this should be available from the Administator or President. By David Searl
12 Scandinavian Scene
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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Swedish National Day with Nina Blaafjell On Sunday the 6th June the Swedish School in San Agustin celebrated the Swedish National Day with a gathering at the School.
morning in protest against being fired for what, she claims, are not valid reasons. Payments were made to some of the teachers who were let go but apparently holiday pay is still outstanding to several of the teachers.
The 6th June was made a national day by the Swedish Parliament ( Riksdagen ) in 1983, and previously the date was commemorated as Swedish Flag Day. The tradition of celebrating the date began in 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden. There was some debate about the validity of this day as a national holiday as it was not observed until decades later. However, the date does signify the end of the Danish ruled Kalmar union so in a sense marking Swedish independence. In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday. The Swedish school celebrated the event with songs and entertainment at the school as well as refreshments. The event was attended by students and their families and other Swedes in the area were also more than welcome to join in.
Chaos at the Norwegian school At the beginning of the school year a new principal was appointed at the Norwegian School here in Gran Canaria. The previous principal, Alf Moen, held this position for over twenty years. This spring and especially in the last few weeks chaos has erupted at the school with a number of allegations being made and conflicts between personnel and management. One issue which has come to light is that part of some teachers salaries have been paid in so called black money, in other words part of their salaries were not declared. The school has acknowledged that this is indeed the case in a letter to all parents that was sent last week. It is alleged that the accountancy and economic control at the school has been lacking but that the principal has now clarified it. While the principal and the governing council of the school maintain that this fact has only just been uncovered the teachers involved maintain that this has been widely known for a number of years and has been something that the teachers themselves have been keen to alter. The letter sent to parents stated that this form of payment is unacceptable and against both Norwegian and Spanish law. The letter goes on to say that the school would consider firing those involved in these arrangements. Furthermore a number of teachers at the school have been fired or told their contracts will not be renewed. There are allegations that the personnel changes are due to conflicts between part of the staff and the new principal. Firstly three teachers were fired from the school with immediate effect and there are now a number of teachers who have not had their contracts renewed for the next academic year. Those who were fired claim that no valid reasons were given. One teacher, Karen Anna BĂ˜rressen , has told Norwegian press that the only reason given was that â€?complaints had been made by studentsâ€? and no further explanation. She has stood outside the school every
One Norwegian news site claims that up to 22 teachers at the school will be without a job at the end of the academic year. Several of the teachers in question have been at the school for more than 10 years. One letter The Canary News has gained access to is from two teachers at the school who are on leave at the moment but who on reading about the situation at the school have resigned from their positions with immediate effect. One parent The Canary News spoke with is appalled at the current situation. She says the events have affected
teachers in question refute this but say that during the course of the year certain behaviour by the principal has been questionable and open for criticism. They also react to the statement that the reason several contract have not been renewed is that the school needs to economise and cut back, especially as this comes at the end of the academic year. In short they claim to be punished for having opinions that do not coincide with those of the principal. One teacher now claims that signing this letter led to her being fired from her position. In a further twist to the tale there are allegations that the school has manipulated student numbers in order to increase the level of funding given by the Norwegian government. The allegations involve the school asking employees to encourage their family and friends to visit so that their children could go to the school free of charge for a few weeks and there are also allegations that free accommodation was offered. It was important that the children were there on the 1st October. This is the date the government use to count the number of children enrolled in private schools. The number of students enrolled on this date is the basis for how much money the school will receive in government funding for the following year. 514 signatures have been collected via the website www.opprop.no which allows electronic signatures to be added to statements. The statements on this site in connection with the school includes concern that 3 long standing teachers have been let go. They also claim that the principal and governing council have not upheld the Norwegian law surrounding private schools with regard to proper meetings and minutes and that representatives from the school have been making false statements about certain members of staff. Regardless of the actual facts in this case there is no doubt that it has had a profound effect on students, staff and parents at the school. Hopefully the situation can be resolved in a manner that is satisfactory prior to the start of the next academic year. The Canary News did try to contact Sven Erik Rise for a comment but have had no response. Norwegian politicians are now demanding that the minister in charge look into the situation at the school. By Nina Blaafjell
the students at the school and that the atmosphere is very bad. Some of the teachers who have been fired or have not had their contracts renewed have been at the school for a long time and are well thought of by the students. The parent goes on to say that it is unfair that the situation is having such a grave impact on the students and that it has been evident for some time that conflict existed. The Canary News has gained access to several emails sent from teachers and parents to each other, the principal and the governing council. From these it is evident that a great divide exists in opinion. Much of the divide in opinion centres around the new principal, Sven Erik Riise. There are both letters of support and some more critical of the current management of the school. One letter sent by 19 of the teachers at the school, of which several no longer have jobs , as well as 3 previous teachers reacts to a letter sent by Jan Syltern who is head of the governing council. In the letter Syltern claims that principal Rise was undermined from the start. The
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
LIBRA Sept 24 - Oct 23 Somewhere in you now, there’s a great If you love somebody, set them free.’ So the song goes. The trouble is, when we love someone, or something - or even when we don’t so much love it, as want it and yearn for it - we find it almost impossible to let go.
ARIES Mar 21 - April 20 It just seems to me that there is currently an imbalance leaning too far in favour of prevarication, procrastination, doubt, debate and delay. You can at least be a bit more decisive this weekend.
CANCER June 22 - July 23 You feel as if you are stuck in a situation that you can’t get out of. Yet you are not comfortable with this. Here comes a way to gain a greater sense of power over circumstances that have previously seemed to be too big or too daunting.
TAURUS April 23 - May 21 If you have enthusiasm, energy, determination and faith, you can make the impossible, possible. That is true, in theory, for anyone at any time but it is particularly true for you.
LEO July 24 - Aug 23 Why are people sometimes so hard and so harsh? Why do they refuse to co-operate? Why do they criticise and complain when they could show so much more support? We all feel that their should be more love in the world.
Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22 How do you get what you want? Generally, you have to begin by wanting what you have got. It is true that a mood of determined defiance can sometimes propel you a long way forward.
GEMINI May 22 - June 21 Yes there is such a thing as natural justice. It exists. It just operates in its own way and in its own time. There may be no instant reward for making a brave and noble choice but it is still the right thing to do.
VIRGO Aug 24 - Sept 23 You find yourself, this weekend, able to influence the outcome of a slow and cumbersome process. You can’t just pull rank or demand compliance - but you can touch hearts and awaken sleeping minds.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22 This weekend, the new moon suggests there will be a change in the life of a person you care about. You may not immediately approve of this new development, but there is no need to fear.
CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20 If you are simply not in a position to make a major adjustment, instigate as many minor changes as you can, even if these seem trivial or random.
AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 This weekend, you don’t have to get caught up in endless complications. Avoid a potentially endless debate. Go out and have some fun, do something you normally don’t do.
PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 You will soon be in a position to reap a significant harvest. Remember that not everything in life can change suddenly and instantly.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY “ The power behind the power of positive thinking is the creative force of the entrepreneur.”
14 ‘Twitters from the Atlantic’
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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by Barrie Mahoney
Barrie Mahoney was a teacher, head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands as a newspaper editor. He is still enjoying life in the sun as a writer and author.
What Does a Scotsman Wear Beneath His Kilt
It was another windy day at the airport. Nothing, particularly unusual in that, Canarian residents might say. After all, it is the continuous gentle breezes that makes Gran Canaria such an idyllic place to live. Without these breezes, the island would be far too hot a place to live, let alone to work, during the summer months.
If you are an expat, you will possibly recognise that much of our lives tend to focus around the airport. Collecting friends and family from the airport is always a great delight, although returning them is often a very different matter. At other times, for me, regular visits to the airport are necessary to collect letters and parcels, as well as to have coffee in one of the rather good coffee shops in the airport. I am often entertained by the antics of visitors arriving and leaving the island, and a few minutes watching returning holiday-makers in those endless queues at
the Ryanair or Thomson check-in desks often brings its own rich rewards! I am continually amazed by the way in which those calm tour representatives mostly manage to keep their tempers under control! Recently however, my attention was drawn to the check-in desk for the flight to Morocco. It was, as usual, full of chattering men and women many of whom were dressed in elegant robes. Again, as usual, they were surrounded by massive boxes containing television sets, refrigerators, microwave ovens and washing machines. Certainly it is clear that they have a far more generous baggage allowance than most of us are given for flights to the UK.
My eyes fell upon an elegant middle aged man dressed in a brilliant white robe edged with gold braiding (a jellaba). It looked splendid and, in many ways, reminded me of a bride-to-be - apart from the greying hair and beard, that is! This gentleman was clearly bored and being accompanied by several other men,
who looked as if they were servants or aides, strode away from his collection of boxes and headed towards the door of the airport. He rummaged inside his splendid robe, no doubt in order to locate a packet of cigarettes or his mobile phone, and lo and behold an enormous gust of wind swept around him and lifted this gentleman’s robes high above him! Initially the gentleman looked a little embarrassed, but regaining his usual regal serenity managed to pull the offending garment once more fully around him and immediately headed for the safety of the inside of the airport - the need for a smoke now forgotten for the time being. I can now reveal the answer to the question that I am sure you have been wondering. What was he wearing beneath his glamorous robe? Pantaloons! The gentleman was wearing baggy, flowing, purple pantaloons that looked remarkably similar to those worn by Aladdin in the pantomime, cartoon and story books. They also looked very much like a pair of curtains that I remember my Auntie Gertie having in her dining room... So, what of the Scotsman and the kilt? Sorry, actually it was just a ruse to get you to read beneath the title! After all, ‘What does a Moroccan wear beneath his jellaba?’ sounds nowhere near as interesting as ‘What Does a Scotsman wear beneath his kilt’ does it? © Barrie Mahoney
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his latest novel, ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ (ISBN: 9781843865384). © Barrie Mahoney
Spanish Lesson you just stick the complete unchanged verb on the end. So, me gusta bailar pero no me gusta cantar means I like to dance but I don´t like to sing.
Lesson 20 I like you! Me gustas There are a number of ‘back to front’ or indirect verbs in Spanish, the most important being ‘to like’ which is expressed as ‘to please someone’. It goes like this: ¿Te gusta el pescado? Do you like fish? – lit: ‘does fish please you?’ To which you can answer: sí, me gusta mucho, or no, no me gusta nada. (Yes, it pleases me a lot, or no, it doesn´t please me at all). When we´re talking about more than one thing, we have to ask if THEY are pleasing to us: ¿Te gustan los perros? No, me gustan más los gatos. ‘Do you like dogs? No I prefer cats’ (lit: they please you the dogs? No, they please me MORE the cats). As you can see, in talking about likes (and dislikes) the Spanish use ‘the’: Me gustan las mañanas (I like mornings). So to say ‘I like you’, you need to say ‘you please me’: Me gustas. (lit: me you please). If you like an activity,
Be careful here: me gusta Juan could be interpreted in a romantic way (I REALLY like Juan). So when talking about platonic feelings, the Spanish often say that someone falls well with them (another indirect verb): Juan me cae bien [meh CAH-yeh bee-EN] - lit: Juan (to me) falls well.
Three ways to love… This being a romantic language, there are two ways to say that you love a person, and yet another for activities or things. For people, we use a direct verb like QUERER (to love or to want): te quiero (I love you) or quiero mucho a mi hermano (I love my brother a lot). However quiero un helado simply means ‘I want an icecream’. Te amo is more powerful, from the verb AMAR (to love), which gives us the noun: el amor. Amar is only used for people and is equivalent to estoy enamorado/enamorada de tí (I´m in love with you). Alternatively, an easier verb remember is ADORAR (to adore). However, if what you love is the sunshine, we´re back to indirect verbs: Me encanta el sol (I love the sun literally: it enchants me) or me encanta ir al teatro (I love going to the theatre). As ever, we get several words out of one root, so ¡Encantado! (from a man) or ¡Encantada! (from a woman) would translate as ‘pleased to meet you’ though the literal meaning is ‘Enchanted!’ And if we say es encantador (for a male) or encantadora (for a female) we´re saying that the person is lovely – delightful, in fact.
It hurts! Another indirect verb is DOLER (to hurt). So, ME DUELE [meh doo-EL-eh] aquí means ‘it hurts me here’. Spanish don´t use the possessive very much so to explain that something hurts, you need to say me duele…la cabeza/el estómago/la espalda (lit: it hurts me…the head/stomach/back). If more than one thing hurts you, it would be: me duelen….las piernas/los brazos/los ojos (they hurt me the legs/arms/eyes) etc. If you don´t like something, you can simply say no me gusta(n) or use the direct verb ODIAR (to hate – think ‘odious’). Whenever we use a direct verb with a person or people after it, we need to add the word ‘a’ in between the two. So, you´d say odio a mis vecinos (I hate my neighbours) but odio el frio (I hate the cold). If you can´t remember this word, you could opt for one that´s even more similar to ‘high’ English: DETESTAR – mi marido detesta el ruido (my husband detests noise).
Top Tip TUNE IN! Set your radio to 94.4Mhz to listen to Spain´s top forty – las cuarenta principales – a catchy, repetitive mix of Spanish and English pop. Lyrics are easy to download from the internet if you catch the song´s title - such as Manu Chao´s song ‘Me Gustas Tú’.
If you have any questions or comments relating to this column or the Spanish language in general: Please email theresacoe@gmail.com
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‘The Canarian Lawyer’ New Law for Road Safety that came into force on 25th of May 2010 – Part 1 The main news in the new law, binding of the PME drivers are as follows: Annex II of the Law is for infringements which entail loss of points and annex IV is for the sanctions and points for speed excess INFRINGEMENTS WHICH ENTAIL LOSS OF POINTS: A) Involves the loss of 6 points following breaches: 1. a) Driver with a rate exceeding the statutorily established alcohol values mg/l expired air more than 0.50 (professionals and holders of driving license with less than two years more than 0.30 mg/l). 2. Driving under the influence of narcotics, psychotropic, stimulants and other substances of similar effects.
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
3. Comply with the obligation to submit to testing the degree of alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic, stimulants and other substances of similar effects. 4. Lead reckless way, move away from the established or participate in unauthorized races or competitions. 5. Driving vehicles that have installed mechanisms or systems to inhibit traffic surveillance, or instruments with the same intention, as well as non-radar detection systems. 6. The excess in more than 50 per cent in driving times or minimize in more than 50 per cent in the rest periods laid down in the legislation on land transport. 7. Participation or necessary cooperation of the drivers in placement or putting into operation of elements which alter the normal operation of the use of the tachograph or speed limiter. (B) Involves the loss of 4 points the
following breaches: 1. b) Driving at a rate exceeding the statutorily established alcohol values mg/l air expired, more than 0.25 to 0.50 (professional and holders of the driving license with less than two years, more than 0.15 to 0.30 mg/l). 2. Drive a vehicle with a permit or license that not enables you to do so. 3. Throwing objects that can cause fires, road accidents or hinder the free movement to the track or in the surrounding area. 4. Comply with the legal provisions on priority pass, and the obligation to stop at the stop sign, signal transfer step and the semaphores with red light on. 5. Break the legal provisions on advancing endangering or hamper to those who are moving in the opposite direction and advance in places or circumstances of reduced visibility.
9. Do not keep the security distance with the vehicle that precedes. 10. Drive a vehicle having the administrative driving authorisation suspended or having banned the use of the vehicle you drive. Continues in Edition 26
6. Advance or endangering to cyclists. 7. Perform reverse maneuver on motorways and dual carriageways. 8. Not respecting agents that regulate traffic signals
Web and Computer problems? info@thecanarynews.com
For security reasons, nothing that you type on the keyboard will be recorded. There is a “Add Comment” provision for you to enter what was typed if you deem this an important part of the problem. For reasons known only to Microsoft, this program is hidden, and unless you know it exists, you won’t find it. Possibly the same reasoning that hides so many other what I consider important things was used. By default, Windows hides things like file extensions, contents of system files and folders, the context menus, etc., etc. To access the PSR, click the Start Orb, and enter psr. At the top of the list psr.exe will be displayed and when clicked on this little window displays.
Q. I sometimes find it difficult to describe a problem that I am having with my computer and resort to trying to write everything down step by step. Is there a better way to do this? A. There are steps recorders available and these can be found by searching the web. However, I have never found any that are easy to use or really reliable. Fortunately, Microsoft included one with Windows 7 that is super easy and very thorough. This program is called the “Problem Steps Recorder” (PSR). The Problem Steps Recorder automatically capture the steps you take on a computer, including a text description of where you clicked and a picture (screen shot) of the screen during each click. When all the steps are completed, they can be saved in an HTML file that can be used you or someone else helping you with a computer problem.
There may be some applications that require administrator privileges, so when you click the Start Record, this message is displayed. This message is not shown if the psr.exe file was opened by right clicking and choosing “Run as administrator”.
Clicking OK, then changes the above display to this. Note the little shield on the right.
Clicking on the shield then displays this
Click yes, and now clicking on “Start Record” will start the recording and continue until you click on “Stop Record”. Note the recording can be paused if desired. When you stop recording, you will be given the chance to name the file and save it. The default save location will probably be the desktop. It is a HTML file but will be automatically zipped to make emailing and handling easier. It can be opened and read from any browser. I have created a small recorded file starting with my desktop then opening Internet Explorer, going to my website, opening the search, and searching for System Restore. I added a comment to explain what was typed in. This test file called psr-test.zip can be downloaded. A probably unrealized side benefit of this PSR program is that it is detailed and powerful enough to create step by step instructions for documenting or explaining just about anything that can be done on the computer.
16 Feature
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
A Very Different Day Out 9.20a.m: We arrived at the military base and were escorted to the airplane which would fly us to El Hierro. Here we were introduced to the crew, composed of four, high ranking, professional military men, who were, to our surprise extremely nice and down to earth guys who were only there to make things easier for everyone. Apparently this is not always the case! After the usual amount of paperwork to be completed, we set off for Tenerife where we would pick up some more parachutists from another club.
As a reporter I have attended many different events around the island, from local fiestas in various villages and cities, to sporting events and smaller more modest ones. But a few days ago I received a proposal that I did not expect and of course could not refuse! I was invited to accompany the parachuting club on a military plane to assist a Parasailing show in El Hierro; Frontera, to be more precise as it was their 16th show. Over the last few years the club has taken part in an exhibition jump and this year was no exception. The group is required to land in the middle of the gathering, adding to the excitement and this is what happened:
8.15a.m: I met my travelling companions at the end of Anexo II commercial centre; the usual drop area for the parachutists of the Gran Canarian Paraclub, and we all jumped into one car, (for security reasons it is always recommended that in order to access the Gando military base you do so in the minimum amount of cars possible, its less hassle).
10.00a.m: After picking up the remaining ‘jumpers’ from Tenerife we swiftly set off for El Hierro, and were informed by the crew that the ride would be a bit bumpy as there were strong winds blowing from the south of up to 20 knots. You have to understand that this was no conventional flight, as to begin with the seats are all lined on the sides of the plane leaving the centre free to transport cargo and so forth, so it can be a little uncomfortable. However the atmosphere of excitement and novelty of such a different day out kept us all concentrated on the activity itself.
11.20a.m: We landed at El Hierro airport after a little bit of turbulence, which as I said we did not mind at all, and disembarked at the small terminal where we could all refresh ourselves and have a coffee; the jump was not planned until 13.00p.m. so we had a little bit of time. I was a little disappointed as I would have preferred to travel at this point to the event site and see the ‘jumpers’ land. Instead the plan was that we would board the plane again, watch them jump out and then travel to the site. However luck seemed to be on my side on this trip, as a friend of the group arrived at El Hierro in a small aircraft. He had rented a car so I jumped in and we proceeded to the village of Frontera where the event was taking place.
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Feature 17
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pineapple which is simply amazing! As we finished, the organisers presented us with a small souvenir pack comprising of a t-shirt, a buff and other bits and pieces; things you don’t need but who doesn’t like a freebie. (especially you Tito! Ed.)
12.15p.m: After a 28 minute drive we arrived at the site and presented ourselves to the organisers, who again were delighted to have us there and offered anything we needed. I was very happy to arrive at this point as some of the last paragliders were still coming down from the massive mountain which towers majestically hundreds of metres above the village of Frontera. It is absolutely incredible what these guys do up in the air, and most of them are just young men and women who share one common passion – flying. The twists and turns are simply breathtaking, and in some cases only metres away from the ground. These sportsmen use parachutes or sails which triple the size of those used by parachutists, giving them more stability and capacity to move not only down but with the help of thermal currents also up.
13.10p.m: With a little delay, the large military aircraft could be spotted high above our heads and over the radios we could hear that the ‘jumpers’ were already out of the plane, and then suddenly out of nowhere, the chutes opened and the seven ‘jumpers’ glided down towards us. One by one they comfortably landed next to an expectant number of spectators who finally broke into cheering after the last one landed. It seems that the atmosphere amongst these sportsmen and women is extremely healthy as they all greeted each other and congratulated each other on a safe and spectacular jump. After this, each participant took their chutes and carefully folded it into their backpacks ready for the next jump.
14.00p.m: The organisation had prepared a huge paella and drinks for all participants and members of the event, lining long tables side by side we all got a chance to sit together and exchange our views on how the day was going. As well as the paella they also included other Hierro specialities, such as preserved tuna, which was surprisingly good, and the well known Hierro
15.30p.m: We all jump on a bus which will take us back to the airport and start our journey back home. On the way I am told that the Gran Canarian crew are going to jump out upon arrival to Playa del Ingles - so finally I will get my chance to see the action from inside the plane.
16.10p.m: We land on Tenerife and after our goodbyes we swiftly set course for Gran Canaria, escorted by the Teide ‘jumpers’ who were getting ready for their final jump of the day. By this point I started to get quite excited, as you must understand that for me it is absolute madness to jump out of an aeroplane. However my friend Guillermo insisted that I must try it at least once as it cannot be compared with anything else you may ever experience; so who knows maybe soon I’ll write an article about this!
16.35p.m: The large back doors of our CASA T.19 opened, revealing the 4,000 metre drop behind it. It literally took my breath away, the view was just incredible and I cannot quite describe the feeling of being in an aeroplane with its doors open at such height. After the signal from the pilots advising us that we were in position, the ‘jumpers’ rushed out of the doors one by one, disappearing with such speed that it was quite hard to assimilate. 17.10p.m: The remaining crew and two passengers landed in Gando airbase ending a day I will not easily forget. Not in my wildest dreams would I have expected to live such an experience, which not only took me to a fantastic event but also gave me the chance to meet some fascinating people. I would like to thank them all for a fabulous day and for their friendliness which simple enriched the experience more. If you readers get a chance to visit El Hierro please go, it is a fascinating island which has a lot to offer anyone. By Tito Cabral
18 Restaurant Critic with Simon Spit
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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urgh! The restaurant next door’s tables were not so tightly close together, maybe that would be a nice one to try? Anyway back to Grand Italiano! The view from this restaurant is absolutely fabulous at Grand Italia. The views of the ocean with the sun setting really are stunning and I had a table just next to the window so I could see my glorious views and watch the sun setting whilst enjoying my Italian dining experience at Grand Italia.
Grand Italia, Meloneras Awarded 2 stars (out of a possible 5) ** Oh it was such another hot glorious day on Gran Canaria and I was so wet from the sweat! My ghetto blaster was playing some funky music and I drank 2 gallons of water to stay hydrated but ate nothing for lunch so by the time it was time for supper I was absolutely starving!
The menu was very discerning and very very very very very posh and they say the pasta is all home made! (with the exception of the Lasagne they served me which tasted exactly the same as the tasty micro-waved Lasagne I had at Playa Del Ingles for lunch the other day – I’m sure it’s my taste-buds playing tricks on me though because the waiter insisted it was home made pasta – silly me it was more than double the price so it must be home made).
It was time to slip into something extra special, step into my favourite purple suede shoes and parade off to Meloneras for some inspirational Italian food, nnnyeesssss… sounds good doesn’t it? Just as I was leaving Alexandra Burke phoned me again trying to persuade me to relinquish my Spaghetti Bolognaise recipe (the one I found when I was in Capri doing my restaurant reviews there). It seems we are all in the Italian mood today, hip hip hooray that must be a good thing must it not? I must cross myself quickly and sing for joy lalalalala! Back to Alexandra, I did give her my recipe in the end (but I left a few things out, well I can’t give away all my secrets now can I?). I locked my door and slung myself off down the pavement so much looking forward to my Italiano feast! I was so excited! “Hey presto!” Grand Italia was firmly in my view and the lovely looking Moroccan waiters were waiting outside to greet me, all of them were doing their very best to coach me onto their tables – it was like a scene from Mary Poppins – so let’s fly a kite! (I’m sure one or two of them found me attractive, oh lala!). So after I wrestled with the naughty waiters, I sat down next to some lovely people – the tables were so close I heard everything they were saying… The boyfriend slept with her sister’s friend so she dumped him, they had to make a false insurance claim to pay for the holiday ‘cos they were all unemployed and they all got diahorrea from eating kebabs whilst trying to save money…
I didn’t have a starter because I couldn’t afford it. But I did have Lasagne (Priced at around 13 euros) for my main course, they served it lukewarm and a bit frozen in the middle because that’s how the Italians like it, or so the waiter said anyway. I had some side vegetables to go with it and they were
very well cooked. Then my friend from the hospital joined me, she said she would pop by to translate because she heard the waiters couldn’t speak much English, and insisted I had a translator so I could truly enjoy my Italian experience – she understands how much my food means to me. Her Pizza Was Enormous! She ordered a Pizza with Ham and Mushrooms and it looked absolutely delicious, I was salivating it looked so good, it was a monstrous pizza with lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of freshly made bread dough and on top two slices of mushroom with a slice of wafer ham and a bit of tomato paste and some cheese priced at around 10 euros - a bargain for all you bread lovers out there! She said it was a bit cold but the waiter insisted that’s how the Italians like eating pizza.
It did look nice though – I took the massive crusts home with me for my pet pigeon (Sally) – that’s her monthly food supply sorted! Bless her! The Drinks Were Chilled To Perfection! Drinks were served cold and were of an excellent standard, I had water and my friend Mavis had a lager shandy – it didn’t have much gas in it but that’s how the Italians like it so the waiter said. We didn’t have dessert because we wanted to try out those lovely new ice lollies from the café on the corner and sit on the pier watching the waves coming in and listen to Mavis moan about her enormous phone bill – she is adamant her husband is calling dirty chat lines… he’s Italian with a French accent and works in a Spanish restaurant! Oh what a wonderful Italian day this is turning out to be! I am so glad. The bill came to 49 euros, seemed a bit steep but we didn’t mind that because we had such a lovely time, it was a truly memorable experience. I highly recommend visiting Meloneras for dinner. We waved bye bye as we left and the waiters didn’t seem to remember us, oh well never mind they were very busy dealing with some angry looking customers so we will let them off bless em! We really enjoyed our ice lollies, then it was time to go home. If you are a restaurateur you’ll know when you’ve been spat by Spit. All I ask you to do is treat your customers as they deserve to be treated and you will spared a spat from Spit! Don’t forget I will return to some restaurants more than once to look for improvements, Nnnyyesssss…… Bye! This is an independent review and does not reflect the opinions of The Canary News or it’s staff.
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Aceitunas con Mojo Rojo
Ingredients:
5kg olives 3 heads of garlic 1 red pepper or 5 chilli peppers 1 cup olive oil ½ glass vinegar 1 glass of water 4 sprigs of thyme 1 tablespoon of oregano 100g paprika Two teaspoons of gofio Salt
Soak the olives in water and salt for about 5 days. Stir the water and salt from time to time whilst the olives are soaking. After five days, make small cuts in the olives and squash them just a little. Place them in a large glass jar. You then make a mixture of crushed garlic, salt, peppers and the paprika. Add the oil to the mixture and the rest of the ingredients – oregano, thyme, water, vinegar, gofio and stir well. Pour this mixture into the glass jar where the olives are. In a week or so they will be ready to eat.
– Rabbit in Salmorejo
1 glass white wine 1 glass water 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon cumin 1 sprig oregano 1 laurel leaf Rock salt
Method: Clean and cut up the rabbit into medium sized pieces. Add a handful of rock salt and mix well to salt evenly and put to one side, whilst you prepare the ‘Salmorejo’ or marinade.
A 1 or 2kg rabbit 1 chilli pepper 1 head garlic Olive oil Vinegar
Crush the garlic with a pinch of rock salt in a mortar, together with paprika and chilli. When the mixture is like a paste, add a drizzle of oil and a generous splash of vinegar. Pour this mixture into an earthenware dish where you have placed the rabbit pieces and let it marinade for about half an hour.
Mantecados Ingredients:
350g of pork lard 300g sugar 500g flour 4 egg yolks Pinch of cinnamon Ground almonds (optional) Lemon (optional)
Method: Beat the lard until it is soft, then add the egg yolks and sugar. Mix well then gradually add the flour, cinnamon, ground almonds and lemon. Roll out the dough and cut into small circles with pastry cutter or glass. Place on a baking tray and put in a low oven for approximately one hour. Serve with tea or coffee.
– Olives with Red Mojo
Method:
Conejo En Salmorejo
Ingredients:
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
– Sweet cinnamon biscuits
Pour the glass of white wine over the top, and add the cumin, oregano and the laurel leaf. Leave to marinade overnight. Fry the pieces of rabbit in a little hot oil to seal, then add the rest of the marinade to the pan. Bring to the boil, then simmer for about an hour and a quarter. If the ‘stock’ is too thick add a little more white wine. Turn the rabbit pieces constantly until they are cooked. Add salt to taste and serve with ‘Papas arrugadas’
20 Fashion
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
Summer Brides
The bride who marries in the warmth of May, June, July or August is a lucky one; or in the case of Gran Canaria nearly all year round, as over 75% of dresses that you’ll find are sleeveless and/or strapless, making them perfect for the season. Look for light fabrics such as organza, linen, chiffon, crepe, georgette, and other light weight silk, so as to not add too much bulk.
Of course, for all the women in the bridal party (and some of the men!), you must think about what heat, humidity and moisture will do to your hair. Most importantly, don’t try to fight your hair in the summer: straight hair will get straighter and limper, and wavy hair will get wavier and frizzier. Getting your hair put up by a professional who will design a long-lasting style are one of your best bets. A crown of flowers, or a single large flower tucked into your hair will look summery and beautiful. An outdoor summer wedding is romantic, but it can cause panic with wedding guests trying to decide what to wear. Here, a guide to summer wedding attire:
At a beach wedding, look for an easy and elegant slip dress such as Carolyn Bissette wore when she married John F. Kennedy Jr. in Hyannisport. The bridal party can all go barefoot, and the men can wear dress shirts with slacks, or linen suits. For a garden wedding, consider big straw hats, either for just you or for all the bridesmaids. You might choose brightly coloured dresses or short floral cocktail dresses for the bridesmaids to really evoke the season. The men in the bridal party can go for the classic navy blazer with khaki slacks, or beautiful suits. For a more formal affair, there’s no reason not to choose morning suits or tuxedos (depending on whether it’s an evening or daytime wedding) but give a nod to the season by replacing the black tuxedo jacket with a natty white dinner jacket.
Do Take your cue from about the level of formality for a summer wedding from what the invitation says. Only an after six, “White Tie” or “Ultra Formal” would require a long gown (and those invites are very rare). Choose pretty florals or yummy colours (pink, yellow, blue) for daytime or outdoor weddings. Dress up more for weddings after 6 P.M., but still keep your look summery (sleeveless dresses, strappy sandals, glowing skin). Do keep hairdos under control in hot weather by wearing it up or pretty hair slides. Don’t Don’t wear white because it competes with the bride. Don’t wear hosiery, heavy makeup or chunky jewellery in hot, humid climates or you’ll melt. Don’t dress too sexy -- belly showing or lots of cleavage -- because it’s not appropriate. For a summer beach wedding, look for a light sundress
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for daytime, or a long elegant dress that feels beachy for an evening or destination wedding. Make sure to put on the sunblock, and consider bringing a wrap in case it is windy. For a casual wedding, you’ll want to look fresh and summery. A simple sundress will look just right when you’re out in the sunshine. You could also wear a similar dress for a daytime casual wedding. It will be comfortable yet look pulled-together. Summer Wedding Flowers You can’t go wrong with an abundance of flowers at a summer wedding. There are so many varieties you may have a tough time narrowing your choices down! Fill the scene with bright and cheerful flowers such as roses, sunflowers, red and yellow calla lilies, dahlias, gerber daisies, cosmos, mums, and zinnias.
An alternative idea is an airy summer look with mostly white and light coloured flowers such as roses, stephanotis, white phlox, elegant white calla lilies, huge and fragrant casa blanca lilies, hydrangea, snowball mums, and daisies (also known as Shasta daisies).
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Health and Beauty 21
Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Summer Weddings The Canary News visited the salon on two occasions and only managed to grab a few words with them as they busily worked on their clients – from facials, to massages, to manicures and pedicures, the team worked tirelessly and at some stages even had to ‘rope in’ extra help to serve champagne and strawberries to the happy crowd. Summer hairstyles featured high on the agenda, with the brides requesting pin up styles to combat the heat and to show off the lovely hair combs and flowers they would be wearing on the day.
Victoria, Graham and Adele of Rejuvena, Puerto Rico have been kept extremely busy over the last couple of weeks with ‘soon to be brides’ and their guests booking all manner of treatments before the ‘big day’.
Whilst bridesmaids and guests opted for either sleek bobs or cascades of shiny curls, a staggering 39 clients passed through their doors in the space of a day! So what beauty treatments proved the most popular? As Graham pointed out, the wedding parties’ arrived a few days before the event so had plenty of time to experiment with different ideas, as
well as grabbing a few days of beach bronzing, but the most popular treatments by far were manicures and pedicures; some clients even trying out acrylic nails with artwork to match the colour of their outfits. Victoria was kept busy giving her specialist head and body massages, guaranteed to relax the most nervous bride to be, whilst Adele and Graham took turns in creating unique bridal hair styles. Semi permanent eyelashes also proved very popular for that luxurious wide eyed look and the staff of Rejuvena found that as the ‘big day’ drew nearer many of the guests chose to book appointments to have their make up professionally applied on the day, Although this was a very busy time for the staff, they moved from client to client with true professionalism making sure that no-one was neglected and even if the waiting time was a little longer than usual, everyone was in good spirits sipping champagne and
eating strawberries in the hot Canarian sun. Congratulations to Rejuvena and the happy wedding parties who chose to ‘tie the knot’ on our lovely island. By Ann Turner
22 Health
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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Time to Spice Up Your Life! By Ann Mather, Celebrity Nutrition Advisor , Famouslyfit.com By adding just a few natural spices to your food every day, you could be on to a real winner. We tend to underestimate the true value of spices. They of course add colour, flavour and variety to your food, but they do much, much more! So if you are looking for a real health boost but at low cost, look no further!
Chili peppers have been found to help clear congestion and mucous from the lungs, boost the immune system, prevent stomach ulcers, help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol, prevent cancers, and relieve pain Curcumin This is actually a component of turmeric, and has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including rheumatism, skin diseases, psoriasis, diarrhea, inflammations, constipation and colic. It has the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease
Spices are taken from the roots, bark, buds or fruits of the plant and if stored properly maintain their potency for long periods of time. They are very low in calorie but dense in vitamins and minerals – containing a much higher level of anti-oxidants than many fruits and vegetables. They are also “thermogenic” which means that they give your metabolism a boost and help your body burn more calories. Studies have also shown that consuming spices result in a lower calorie intake because you feel satisfied sooner. Spices have been used for thousands of years to treat ailments and disease, although interest is only just being renewed amongst our modern medical fraternity! Scientists are starting to rediscover a whole host of health benefits from common spices. Let´s take a look at a few Ginger Ginger helps to relax blood vessels, stimulates blood flow and relieves pain. It aids digestion, inhibits motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. It is also antiinflammatory and may be useful in fighting heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis. It is high in anti-oxidants so fights off free radicals and protects against all kinds of other disease. Oregano Oregano has potent antibacterial properties, and has been found more effective that some common prescription drugs. Again, it is a potent anti-oxidant – 42 times more than apples, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries Cinnamon Cinnamon can stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and yeast. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting
Garlic
properties. It helps to control blood sugar and reduces triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. Again, it is a powerful anti-oxidant.
There is evidence that garlic helps to reduce blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, provides protection against strokes and heart disease, acts as a natural antibiotic, and prevents gastric and colon cancers. It is also effective as a natural mosquito repellant. Nutmeg
Turmeric Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and has been found to be as effective as many prescribed drugs. It helps to fight inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as having beneficial effects with heart and liver function. Sage This is another anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It contains flavanoids and oxygen handling enzymes which gives it a unique ability to prevent oxygen based damage to cells. It has been found to help rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma and also appars to promote better brain function. Red Chili Peppers
Studies show that nutmeg can help to lower blood pressure, stop diarrhea and help to detoxify the body. It helps to stimulate the brain and relieves stress. It is antiinflammatory, helps to dissolve kidney stones, increases blood circulation and stimulates the cardio-vascular system. Allspice Allspice helps sooth upset stomachs and aids in digestion. The tannins provide a mild anaesthetic that appears to help arthritis and sore muscles. Start including these in your daily meal planning and give your body a real health boost and sense of wellbeing. Always discuss natural options with your doctor – some natural remedies are just as effective as prescribed medications and without the risk of awful side effects!
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
23
24 Community
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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“Against all the odds . . .” Kay Owen, Comfort Corner When I was a Girl Guide we learnt a lot of campfire songs. Some were what my old Granny would have called ‘a rare bit o’ nonsense’ – but we were assured that these ditties often had a moral. Take for instance this:
forced to flee into the mountains. Their bid-for-freedom-trek took 27 days and they suffered indescribable hardship on the way. At one point, when Gladys looked at her predicament, weary, sick and with the enormity of the task, she grappled with fear. Following a sleepless night, she faced the morning hope of reaching safety greatly diminished. Confiding her feelings to some of the older children, she wondered how she could possibly lead them out of danger ... against so many odds.
“Oh Jemima, look at your Uncle Jim, He’s in the duck-pond learning how to swim. First he does the breast-stroke,
‘Nine-pence’ reminded Miss Aylward of the much loved stories that she had often told the orphans, a favourite being the miracle of Moses and the Red Sea, which related how, when there was real danger of the people drowning, the sea parted and Moses was able to lead them all across to safety.
Then he does the side. Oops! Now he’s under the water Swimming against the tide!” As a country girl I know full well that the most a duck pond can muster is a little wavelet, so the chances of a rip tide are zilch! However, our Captain said that sometimes we find ourselves in difficult situations where we are ‘nonswimmers’, as it were, and we don’t need much of a current to pull us under either. “Times when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, we just feel as though we will drown in the sea of life,” she said, “but just like ‘Uncle Jim’, let’s keep on trying different strokes, never giving up hope until we stop sinking and start swimming”!
for mules and men, and the young Gladys was accepted in the community. After mastering Chinese, she became a frequent visitor to the palace of the Mandarin, who found “her religion ridiculous but her conversation stimulating”! Gladys was popularly known as ‘Ai-wehdeh’–‘Virtuous One’. Her love and compassion soon won the hearts of the people.
Last week, when clearing out our dusty loft, I came across some old videos. One title caught my eye and I later sat down to watch it. It was a vintage movie , ‘The Inn of the Sixth Happiness’ starring Ingrid Bergman. Based on Alan Burgess’ book, ‘The Small Woman’, it is the true story of a young English girl - Gladys Aylward, who felt called to China to serve as a missionary. Against all the odds - no money, transport, training, or knowledge of the culture/language, but armed with passport, Bible, rail tickets, the princely sum of two shillings and eight-pence and sheer determination - she succeeded in travelling to the other side of the world to reach her goal.
“Yes, but I am not Moses,” Gladys sighed in despair. “Of course you’re not” replied the young girl, “but God is still God!” Ai-weh-deh’s faith soared! When they reached the Yellow River all transport boats had been seized – how could they possibly get across? Despite this depressing news, the children broke into song. A passing Chinese patrol heard their singing and miraculously found them a boat (no need for Moses here then!). Though their beloved leader was suffering from typhus, pneumonia and sheer exhaustion, she managed to cross every child over to safety. Well, my clearing out of our old loft proved a blessing. I sat humbled. This story has painted indelible pictures on the canvas of my mind. I doubt I will ever be called to lead a hundred orphans over perilous mountains to safety. But I do feel ‘called’ to do something about those still swimming against the tide of poverty and injustice in our world today. One beautiful child dies every 3 seconds. To keep it ‘do-able’, it may help think of a way to rescue just one little ‘Ninepence’. A life or death difference for one suffering child. Ai-Weh- Deh’s story proves that “with faith all things are possible”.
On arrival , she set about restoring an old building to its former use as an inn. It soon became a watering hole
I am feeling totally inspired by the commitment, sacrifice and courage of this diminutive lady, who, when finding herself in the deep-end, swam through the tide of doubt and despair and fulfilled her mission ... against all the odds. To support a child in need you can sponsor your very own “NINEPENCE” at :One day she saw a beggar woman on the road, accompanied by a dirty malnourished child who was covered in sores. Ai-weh-deh discovered the woman was just using the orphaned child as a begging aid. Gladys bought the child–a girl of about 5 years old, for nine-pence, (which became her name) and soon ‘Ninepence’ was joined by many more abandoned and sick children. Some years later when the Japanese invaded Yangchen, she, and by now over 100 orphans in her care, were
Josephine Charles Foundation. Info at - www.charlesfoundation.org Compassion UK info@compassionuk.org Telephone: 01932 836490
Golf 25
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Picking a Winner Mark McGeehan, PGA Golf Professional, Lopesan Meloneras Golf Not long to go now until the second and third majors of the 2010 season will take place, and the venues are likely to provide amazing and exciting golf at Pebble Beach and then St. Andrews, which is the home of golf.
Who is going to win? That is a good question. Well looking at recent form, and much speculation about the current performance of the world’s number one player, Tiger Woods, it will make interesting viewing. If you like a little flutter on the golf, then you will probably get the best odds on Tiger Woods in a long time. It may not be a bad bet, as he loves both venues and has won on both these courses before. Although pundits have been analysing and criticising his swing over the past few tournaments, I think we could see the real roar of the tiger. He is still is without doubt the best player ever, and is remains exciting to watch when he does not play his best game. His powers of recovery are amazing and his putting ability has never left him, so I certainly would not write him off just yet. Dustin Johnson is also a good tip, as he loves Pebble Beach. Congratulations must go to our own Rafa Cabrera Bello, attached to Meloneras Golf Club, for qualifying for his first major, and we all wish him the very best, and will be watching with great excitement. The open over the past few years has been very exciting with the golden oldies turning the years back. For all of you watching last year, it was fantastic to see Tom Watson nearly
win, and the year before Greg Norman coming very close as well. This year if you fancy a long shot, and an each way bet, then I think Colin Montgomery will be great value. He seems to have found some great form with a blistering round of 62 for a -9 total for 2 rounds at Sunningdale in the international qualifier. He is also captaining the Ryder Cup later this year at Celtic Manor, so his spirits may be running high and he might be thinking that it is now or never; the big Scots man at the home of golf. It would be a great story to have the ‘nearly man’ win his first major. Lee Westwood, who has been mentioned in previous articles, will also be looking to win his first major, and, with continuing great form, he looks well prepared for this year’s Open. He was a previous winner around the old course, which will benefit him, especially now that he is a player on the ‘big stage’. The players will probably have to deal with difficult winds and heavy rough if they are going to defy the Open Championship odds and come out on top. The contenders need to adapt to possible changing conditions over the four days although the top players must avoid the devilish bunkers of St. Andrews. The old course tends to favour players who can keep their drives down the middle of the fairways, as do most courses! Golfing legend Tiger Woods is one player who achieves phenomenal distance on his drives, and in my
opinion has an excellent chance of taking home the title. Woods has won three Open titles, and in 2005 took the prize in Scotland at St. Andrews; he will be hoping he can continue his good form on Scottish soil, and punters planning an Open Championship bet should bear his record in mind. Others likely to be fancied in Open Championship betting include Phil Mickelson, ranked number two.
My tips are: Tiger Woods to win both the US Open and the Open at St. Andrews; a brave double. I may be wrong, so do not bet your mortgage on it, but we will all watch with great interest.
26 Sport
The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
Capello faces moment of truth
4. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard do not play well together in central midfield and yet, mainly through lack of any alternative, he still persisted with that line-up in Rustenburg. Add to that the problems since the turn of the year - the John Terry affair, his brief flirtation with the Capello Index, his own contract situation and the fact Wayne Rooney has not scored for his country since last September - and it is easy to see why the gloss has come off Capello’s England.
World Cup 2010: Rustenburg Fabio Capello has had a relatively smooth ride since taking over as England manager in early 2008. And rightly so. He helped England regain their verve after the desperate days of Steve McClaren’s reign, which ended in them failing to qualify for the 2008 European Championship, and guided the team to the World Cup in South Africa with an almost unblemished record. But the last few days have shown that Capello, for all his pedigree as a club manager, is not perfect. Perhaps the unique pressures of managing England are a lot harder than he first realised. The case against Capello following England’s 1-1 draw against the United States in the Group C opener on Saturday reads as follows: 1. He is putting his players - and his goalkeepers in particular - under unnecessary pressure by sticking to his routine of naming his squad two hours before kick off 2. The decision to play Ledley King was a mistake given his catalogue of injury problems 3. James Milner should not have started as he had been suffering with a virus all week and his replacement Shaun WrightPhillips was not as effective as Joe Cole might have been;
Saturday’s lacklustre draw, the critics say, must be seen in that context. In Capello’s defence, the game against the US could easily have ended differently had it not been for Robert Green’s goalkeeping mistake - something no manager can legislate for. England had plenty of chances and the team have certainly made worse starts to big tournaments. And the Italian, who has won nine league titles in Italy and Spain, does not become a bad manager overnight. What we are seeing, however, is a healthy revision of the relationship between country and coach. Yes, he has made a massive difference. But this is still essentially the same group of players that played so poorly during the World Cup in Germany four years ago. The only big change is that most of them are four years older.
let alone the most likely starting partner for Terry on Friday in Cape Town, is revealing. At Monday’s news conference, Carragher explained why the country should keep faith in the manager. “Because he is Fabio,” he said at England’s training camp in Rustenburg. “Just look at his record. It’s unblemished.” It is important that Saturday’s result is kept in perspective. Senior Football Association figures I spoke to on Monday say there is absolutely no doubt over the manager following this first setback.
Ardiel Jimenez By Danny Alcock
Local Body Boarder comes Second in World Grand Slam Event in Peru Ardiel Jimenez, has returned to the Canary Islands having come 2nd in the IBA Grand Slam World Series in Peru! The bodyboarder from Maspalomas has been hailed by local politicians for his efforts overseas and for bringing the name of the Canary Islands to prominence at a world championship level. An ecstatic Ardiel has reported that his trip to Peru went from great… to even better. When he arrived, he was very well looked after by Shark energy drinks (one of Ardiel’s main sponsors) and surfed many great waves in the run up to the contest. “They treated me wonderfully” stated Ardiel, “right from the start I was on a schedule of activities, interviews and press conferences. I would like to offer them my sincere thanks on how they treated me”. …And if it wasn’t enough to have great company and great waves, even the business end went extremely well
Mark Webber were also contenders for victory and finished fourth and fifth. The result puts Hamilton in the championship lead, three points clear of Button, with Webber and Alonso next. “It’s been a tremendous weekend, fantastic,” said Hamilton. “Things have just gone so well. Tremendous support from the fans and the team did an exceptional job. One of the toughest races of the year. These guys (Button and Alonso) did a fantastic job. “Traffic was the opportunity for all of us today to get past the guy in front and I capitalised on that.”
But another disappointing performance against Algeria on Friday and the FA might come under pressure to explain why it was so hasty to remove a break clause in his £5m-a-year contract before a ball had even been kicked in this tournament.
The race victory turned on tyre strategy, and a couple of key incidents between Hamilton and Alonso.
Lewis Hamilton wins Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal
The Swiss Toro Rosso driver had found himself at the head of the field as the differing tyre choices of the main contenders played out in the opening laps.
Hamilton put himself in a position to win when he passed Alonso on lap 15 while the two were harrying Sebastien Buemi for the lead.
Alonso got caught on the outside of Buemi going into the hairpin and Hamilton was able to slingshot past him on the long straight down to the final chicane, where Buemi pitted from in front of them, promoting Hamilton into the lead. But Hamilton could not shake off Alonso and when the McLaren pitted again on lap 26, rejoining in third behind Webber, the Ferrari resumed the lead.
Although it was reasonable to hope Capello could get more out of England’s most talented players, it was always unrealistic to expect him to make all the difference. Unlike club management, Capello is stuck with the players he has got. The fact that Jamie Carragher is even in the squad, after retiring from international football in 2007 before Capello convinced him to reconsider,
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Hamilton fought with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso throughout, but the Spaniard lost out to Button with 14 laps to go. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and
Alonso was due in to the pits on lap 28 for tyres and a fastest lap on lap 27 put him on target to re-pass the McLaren. But the Ferrari got held up behind a backmarker Lotus’ Jarno Trulli - and Alonso ended up rejoining behind the McLaren.
Sport 27
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
with Ardiel achieving 2nd place, bringing his overall position in the Drop Knee World Championship to 4th. “At this event, my tactics were to analyse every single heat, my competitors and what they had to do to get through the heat. When I got to the quarter finals, I started coming up against some very stiff competition, the big names like Dave Winchester and Ryan Hardy. To get through these heats, I treated it like a free-surf. By that I mean I went at it wave at a time and didn’t force the moves, just doing what was right on the wave, keeping the surfing fluid and taking advantage of the conditions on offer.” In the final, luck didn’t go Ardiel’s way. The waves were extremely difficult to surf and not one of them allowed Ardiel to show his surfing in the final. Ardiel’s opponent, Cesar Bauer, had the good luck of picking out a great wave and surfing it very well, thus landing him the title. Frustratingly, just after the final hooter went, Ardiel was able to catch a good wave! Thus is competitive surfing. At least he was able to show the crowd his skills. Either way, Ardiel is ecstatic with his performance in Peru and has returned to the Canary Islands to focus on his training for the next competition in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, from 28 July to 6 August. Ardiel received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Gran Canaria, and at a special event held on the 8th June, Ardiel was presented with a souvenir watch as congratulations for what he had achieved in South America. During the reception, the guest of honour explained to the press on how the grand slam went and stated that “I am fighting hard for the title of world
champion, I have a chance and I’ll keep trying.” The General Director of Sports of the Canary Government, Álvaro Pérez, presented Ardiel with the watch and thanked him “for bringing the name of the Canary Islands so high in many places in the world.” The Canary News will continue to follow Ardiel as he continues his World Championship campaign. By Danny Alcock
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The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
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—-----------------------------------PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, LARGE BUNGALOW WITH PROPER GARAGE. Plot: 250 m². Livingarea: 110 m². Consisting of: living, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, seperate built-in kitchen, study, terraces and garden. Completely furnished and in perfect condition. Price: 450.000 euro. Europa Real Estate 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, OUTSTANDING BUNGALOW WITH GARAGE AT THE BEACH PROMENADE. This unique dreamhouse with aprox. 100m2 living area and largeprivate garden consists of living-diningroom, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large terrace and solarium with spectacular view to the dunes of Maspalomas and ocean. The bungalow is equipped with all luxury. Heated community swimm arge plot for construction. Is sold with or without project for a fine chalet. If wanted immediate realisation is possible. Price: 360.000 euro. PUERTO RICO Bungalow with panoramic seaview over the beach and harbor of Puerto Rico. 100 m² Living-area, 3 bedrooms and 2 large sunny terraces. Parking-lot and Pool. Price: 330.000 Euros PLAYA DEL CURA, EXCLUSIVE APARTMENT WITH PANORAMIC SEAVIEW This apartment has 72 m² livingarea and a large very private terrace of 36 m² with whole-day-sun. Bedroom and bath are ensuite. Situation and the use of only the most luxurious materials make this real estate to an unique exquisity. Price: 290.000 Euros PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, NEAR BEACH PROMENADE. One-bedroom apartment with livingroom/ kitchen, bathroom
and a large double balcony with access from living- and bedroom. Complex with pool, restaurant and supermarket. Price: 98.000 euro. SAN AGUSTÍN, DREAM BUNGALOW with beautiful view over the ocean. 64 m² Living-area, 2 bedrooms, full-fitted kitchen, bathroom and 32 m²-large sunny terrace. Parking-lot and Pool. Monthly communityfee only: 78,- Euro. PRICE: 290.000,-- € Europa Real Estate: 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com ------------------------------------Puerto Rico Cosy apartment in a quiet complex with a very nice atmosphere. Parking outside the door and outstanding sea views. Pool, children’s pool, poolbar and sun terrace. The apartment is sold fully furnished and ready to move in! Ground floor and large garden area directly in front of the patio so great for sunbathing or for children! Great bargain! Ref. PR584. Price: €69,500. Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Puerto Rico Beautiful apartment for sale in Puerto Rico. The two bedroom apartment was recently refurbished and has a private terrace (20m2) with seaviews. Brand new kitchen and seperate dining area. Sold completely furnished and ready to move in to! Complex with communal swimming pool. Bargain! Ref:PR650.Price:€98,000. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Maspalomas Nice cosy duplex with garden area to the front. Completely refurbished throughout and fully furnished and ready to move into. Property of 60m2 and has one bathroom upstairs and another downstairs. Quiet complex in a quiet residential area. Ref. MP635. Price: €132,000. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com San Agustín Fantastic bungalow for sale in San Agustín. The bungalow is totally refurbished and has air-conditioning, fully equipped kitchen even with dishwasher. Bungalow in very popular complex with heated pool, childrens area, pool bar, supermarket and tennis court. Viewing strongly recommended. Ref. SA654. Price: €137,000. Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www.
dreamhomesgrancanaria.com San Fernando Fantastic house with 4 bedrooms for sale in San Fernando. Very centrally located. Supermarkets and shops for the daily needs are within walking distance. The house is sold unfurnished. Great opportunity to buy at this price! Ref.SF614. Price: €216,000. Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com --------------------------------------PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Near the promenade and Tropical shopping center, beautiful 2 bedrooms apartment with 4 balconies (85 m2), fully furnished, off-road parking, tennis. 176.400 Euro (Ref. 1.013D). INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ksrgrancanaria.com MONTAÑA DE LA DATA Spacious Villa/Chalet, very special location with breath taking panoramic views, 5 bedrooms, 4 bath rooms, terraces and balconies, private pool and nice garden, garage and parking space, Possibility to upgrade with separate guest apartment. 598.000 Euro (Ref. 6.300C). INMOBILIARIA KSR, 928 766 684 SAN AGUSTIN Elegant Penthouse for a high standard life style with enormous terrace (60 m2) and fantastic sea view, 2 bedrooms (one with balcony), 2 bath, fully furnished, only few minutes away from the beach. 345.000 Euro (Ref. 2.505D). INMOBILIARIA KSR, www.ksrgrancanaria.com, 928 766 684 PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Near Hotel Riu Palace, very homely bungalow in well-kept complex with tropical gardens, heated pool, tennis. Generously proportioned floor plan, living and dining room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen all with access to the terrace, addition guest room. Tastefully decorated. 235.000 Euro (Ref. 3.001J). INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ ksrgrancanaria.com MASPALOMAS Near the Golf Course and short distance to the light house, quiet terraced 1 bedroom bungalow in very well kept complex with heated pool and tennis, ample parking space, nicely furnished with all comfort. 135.000 Euro (3.509K2). INMOBILIARIA KSR, 928 766 684 SONNENLAND Charming Duplex-bungalow in private complex with beautiful pool area in tropical gardens, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, separate WC, front and rear terrace, small fenced garden,
the property comes fully equipped (washing machine etc.). 129.500 Euro (Ref. 3.810B). INMOBILIARIA KSR, www. ksrgrancanaria.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Cosy Maisonette-Bungalow, 95 m2 living space, 3 bed rooms, 2 bath, spacious terrace partly covered, roof terrace, large storage room, fully equipped, offroad parking. 275.000 Euro (Ref. 4.008O). INMOBILIARIA KSR, 928 766 684 SAN AGUSTÍN Sophisticated bungalow with guest apartment, 155 m2 living space and 60 m2 terrace with breathtaking panoramic view, top quality, very tastefully decorated and equipped with lots of extras, residential complex, carport, pool, tennis. 495.000 Euro (Ref. 5.505J). INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ksrgrancanaria.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Beautiful 1 bed room Apartment, very private balcony with sea view, luxuriously fitted, quiet location and well-kept complex with pools, private parking, 24hour security etc. 95.500 Euro (Ref. 1.004U). INMOBILIARIA KSR, 928 766 684 SAN AGUSTÍN A dream front line to the Atlantic: top-quality apartment (52 m2) with bright rooms tastefully designed, fully equipped, lot of storage space, complex with heated pool and direct access to the promenade, low maintenance costs. 178.000 Euro (Ref. 1.507D) INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ ksrgrancanaria.com
Properties Abroad Estate Agents
PUERTO RICO INSURANCE, MORTGAGE & FINANCIAL ADVICE Tel: (0034) 928 562 467 Fax: (0034) 928 562 454 Email: info@propertiesgrancanaria.com Web: www.propertiesgrancanaria.com
--------------------------------------ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com STUDIOS OPPOSITE PUERTO RICO BEACH
Contact us to share your news and celebrate your anniversaries. See page 31 for more information
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Very central location, all facilities nearby, fantastic views. Residential complex with pool. Ref: 10051 Sale price: 60.000.-€. PUERTO RICO 1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS, CENTRAL LOCATION, large pool, solarium, parking, reception, lifts, sea views. Ref: 10042. Sale price from: 62.000.-€ 1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN PUERTO, residential complex with fantastic sea views. Large swimming pool, solarium, & parking Ref: 10080. Sale price: 63.000.-€ 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT OPPOSITE PUERTO RICO BEACH. Spacious apartment, excellent location, in a quiet & very popular complex. Ref:10118 Sale price 100.000.-€ GREAT VALUE!! 2 BEDROOM DUPLEX, PUERTO RICO, VERY CENTRAL COMPLEX. Private or with rental contract. Ref: 10043. Sale price: 126.000.-€ BARRANCO DEL CURA, 2 bedroom country house, only 5 minutes from Playa del Cura, with garage, BBQ area, terraces & gardens. Plus a separate 1 bed apartment. Ref: 10125. Sale price: 490.000.-€ ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com
FLATS TO
RENT
1, 2 and 3 Bedroom flats to rent in Arguineguin and Puerto Rico from 600 Euros all inclusive Call 618 647 027
PROPERTIES FOR RENT Agent Puerto Rico Studio for rent in Puerto Rico. Nice view over the harbour and the sea. Close to all ammenities. The Studio also has a terrace and the complex offers a communal pool and parking area. All costs are included in the rental price. Ref:PR653.Price:€500/month.
Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Playa del Inglés Refurbished apartment in Paraiso Maspalomas. Very well run complex with various swimming pools, hairdressers, supermarket, restaurant and pool bar. Satellite TV incluiding Spanish, English and German channels. All bills are included in rental price. Ref:PI547.Price:€600/month. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Puerto Rico Spacious two bedroom flat with a balcony overlooking Puerto Rico and the water park and a rear terrace. Complex is only 4 years old and has a jacuzzi with spa jets, minigolf, swimming pool and baby pool as well as a “petanca” (Spanish bowls) pitch. There is an undergorund car park and a car parking space. Fully furnished throughout and very light and airy corner property. Ref. PR460a. Price: €700/month Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Sonnenland Large family home for longterm rental on secure residential complex. Off road parking available for residents and the complex has a very nice pool area and childrens pool. There are five double bedrooms, each of which has its own balcony or terrace. The kitchen is fully equipped with an oven, 4-ring ceramic hob, fridge/freezer and a dishwasher. There is also a ultilty room with washing machine. Pets are allowed. Ref. : SN639. Price: €1.200/ month Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Tauro Newly built, modern villa near Tauro. Private garden and pool. Four spacious double bedrooms and two living areas. Marble floors and fully furnished throughout to a high Standard. Air-conditioning. Rental price includes gardener and pool maintenance. Ref. TR543a. Price: €1.700/ monthTel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com --------------------------------------ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com STUDIO APARTMENTS, close to Puerto Rico beach. Ref: 15051. Rent: 450.-€/month ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS, close to Europa Centre, Puerto Rico. Ref: 15203. Rent: 440.-€ / month
TWO BEDROOM DUPLEX, MOTORGRANDE, Puerto Rico. Rent: 550.-€/month TAURO SHOPPING CENTRE. 12 UNITS FOR RENT. 6 on top floor with own terrace. Six ground, floor no terrace. Private parking. Ideal for gym, spa, etc. Rent: 6.000.-€/month for all. ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com
EMPLOYMENT Suncare Central now require an English speaking Suncare Advisor to join their team in the South of Gran Canaria. Successful applicant must enjoy working outdoors and interacting with people. Full training will be given. For immediate interview call 620701944 or email your CV to lbyrne@suncarecentral.com
Call 607 671 617 for Cars, Boats, Businesses, Homes, Health Boat and Yacht Sales/ Service - Marine Surveys International Marketplace. All Logistics Included. We Find Your Dream Boat & Bring It To Where You Want It! Get Twice The Boat For Half The Price Call 607 671 617
Going out
Cafe Florin Calle Alfreces Prov. 29 (opposite Hard Rock cafe)
BRITISH SALES STAFF WANTED for all Gran Canaria own transport required Call Andy
693 717 555
Removals
FOR SALE
Princess 45 Flybridge motor cruiser 1987 spanish flag berthed in Mogán 99,000€ more information phone 676 985 474 SPORTFISHING BUSINESS Gran Canaria. Includes Everything But The Fish Established, Successful, Great Berth Location. A Very Special Offer For Only - 75.000€ Call 607 671 617 OCEAN EXCURSION BUSINESS Gran Canaria Everything Included, Boat, Client Contracts, etc. 10 years of Proven Success, Fully Documented, Put 2-3000€ In Your Pocket Every Month A Lifetime Opportunity 150.000€ Call 607 671 617 Sportfishing Business Top Boat/Top Equipment In-place Contracts/Website/ Publicity - A Proven Track Record, South Coast of Gran Canaria, No Debt, Just Profits Exceptional Opportunity for Only 160.000€. Call 607 671 617 Liberty Insurance! Complete Coverage Canary Islands and Around the World Inexpensive, Quality Coverage By A World Class Broker That Pays!
Charities
Free tandem bike rides
29
for blind people or people with any other physical disability who are unable to ride a bike by themselves. Also free excursions into the mountains in my car for people in wheelchairs together with a companion. Minibus trips can also be arranged at an agreed reasonable cost. For more information call Franz at 699 124 985. WANTED. Second hand books, in good condition, to be sold in support of Registered Childrens’ Charities 1) RUBBISH DUMP CHILDREN in Cambodia 2) ORPHANS/ SCHOOL projects in China. Please drop books off at Original Designs, Ancorra C. Arguineguin. donations gratefully received. Contact kay.r.owen@gmail. com Together we can make a difference Drinking Problem? International, English speaking AA meetings every Friday at the church in the Kasbah (door on the left hand side) Playa del Inglés, 8.30pm. Monday 12pm in San Fernando, behind Market Maspalomas and Tuesday 7pm at the Catholic Church (enter by the stairway on the right hind side), Behind the taxi rank next to the police station. Do you believe that you have a problem with alcohol?
Association NIF G35917004 - Register G1/S1/13980-06/GC. TARA Telephone: +34 607 671 167 WEBSITE: www.TaraAnimales.org FACEBOOK: Tara Animal Respect TARA BLOG: http://Taraanimales.blogspot.com/
Perhaps you are looking or some help? Alcohol Anonymous meet in Telde on Mondays and Thursdays from 20.00 until 21.30. Call 928 202 638 TARA Animal Charity Shops. Big & Beautiful - In Arquinequin 63 & 67 c/Tanausu near Pino Seco family park Monday thru Saturday 10am till at least 4pm. All Kinds of Donated Items ON OFFER! 607 671 617 or www.Taraanimales.org TARA Animal Car Boot Sale. Every Saturday 8am 2pm. Across from TARA Animal Charity Shops. Pino Seco Park, Arguineguin - Great Buys & Ambience Call - 607 671 617 for More Information TARA Charity Dog Pension. HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Beautiful Location, Low Prices, Your Pets Cared for By Dog Lovers 607 671 617 or www.Taraanimales.org TARA Animal Welfare Charity. Needs Donated Goods To Save Animals Pick-up Service Available For Big Loads. Volunteers & Foster Homes Also Needed. Dog/Pups, Cats/Kittens Need Homes Now Call 607 617 671 or www.Taraanimales.org Tara Animal Respect
stage and to train people in the making and operating of string puppets. The group has now found a suitable place in Arguineguín and if anyone is interested in joining them please call Peter on 639 229 414 and go to the meetings on Thursdays. Grupo Montañero de Mogan. Every Sunday all through the year this group arranges guided walks in the magnificent mountains and beautiful valleys of Gran Canaria. The walks are guided, and the members come from all over Europe, and also many Canarian members. Meeting place: Commercial Centre Ancora, Arguineguin. Time 08.00. Departure 08.15. Leaving from San Fernando (Viuda de Franco) 08.00 or 08.30. For more information call before 12.00 on Fridays 689 919 580 Can you spare a few hours each week to help feed stray and abandoned cats in San Agustin? There are special feeding places, all the cats are sterilised, have names and are very healthy. Of course, we will buy the cat food. We only want help to give the food to the cats.Please call Christina on 928770 019 for more information.
Arguineguin Cultural Society meets every Thursday at Tío Pepe bar from 20.00 at the C.C. Ancora in Arguineguín. As mentioned previously in TCN, the group were looking for a place to build up our string puppet
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The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
Join the library in Maspalomas with your NIE number and passport and picture or residencia. No charge. English books and other European languages too. Also free internet access.!! The library hours are 8.00 am till 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday. Biblioteca Municipal Maspalomas, Casa del Cultura Maspalomas, Avda De Tejeda 72 Phone 928 720 035 Amigos contra el Sida is a charity that provides support
for people with HIV and Aids and has information about sexually transmitted diseases Amigos contra el Sida - Friends against Aids Av. Alejandro del Castillo, Mercado Municipal, 2º floor San Fernando Maspalomas Contact: 695578004. Timetable: Tuesday and Thursday - 9:00 to 15:00 hour. Amigos contra el Sida Calle El Escorial nº 7, Vecindario Teléfono: 928 149 570 Timetable: Monday to Friday
- 9:00 to 14:00 hour. Website: www.amigoscontraelsida.org
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Support Maria Templeman’s Dog Rescue. You can find Maria’s stall in Arguineguin market on Tuesdays and Mogan market on Fridays. You can also find Maria in Maspalomas market next to the big, main flood light on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Money raised from Maria’s stall goes to funding dog rescue in Gran Canaria, including vet and kennel fees and re-homing dogs
Beloved TARA Friends & Supporters Prince Congo enjoying his new home in gorgeous Sweden!
He is the happiest hound in the northern hemisphere!
Problems on Your Mind?
928 798 662
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Issue 25 - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - The Canary News
THE CANARIAN PRO BREASTFEEDING runs a Support Group every Wednesday from 6pm until 8pm at the C.C. Botanico, Local 135, San Fernando. Anyone needing help and support concerning breastfeeding can also call 637 564 296 (leave a message if there is no answer with name and telephone number)
31
BUY, DONATE, SWAP BOOK LIBRARY All proceeds go to The Red Cross. Cristina´s Money Exchange, Local 261, Phase 1, CC Puerto Rico MON TO FRI 10am to 8pm SAT 10am to 1.30pm For appointments please tel 928 561 771
FARO 2 MARKET 28th March, 1st Sunday in every month there after BOOKS sold in support of Registered Children’s Charities (Home and Abroad) Over 500 books from 1 Euro. Also book donations wanted can collect - Contact kay.r.owen@gmail.com or drop books off at Original Design in Arguineguín
MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 4PM ONWARDS Different activities every week in the local Puerto Rico area Meet othermums with children of all ages. Call Jo Pike on 639 153 547 You can even leave a message on their
We Buy and Sell Second Hand and New. Call Mandy: 637 163 434 Ancora Centre No. 82 Arguineguin.
‘face book’ wall!
Dana Ptacinsky Asrilant
LEGAL TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER C/Luis Doreste Silva 56, 6º-2, 35004, Las Palmas de G.C. Tel: 686 412 345 dptacinsky79@hotmail.com
ADDICTIONS ALCOHOL & DRUGS Let us help you overcome your problem in a painless way. Contact us for a confidential consultation It can make a real difference On your road to recovery Tel: 928 934 097 Mobile: 619 391 040 Email: addictedgc@gmail.com
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Miscellaneous
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The Canary News - Friday 18th June - Thursday 8th July 2010 - Issue 25
Telephone: 928 141 202
,OOKING TO BUY PROPERTY IN 'RAN #ANARIA
Mobile: 676 406 679
"ELLEVUE "EST 0ROPERTY !GENT
Dream Homes , C.C. Yumbo Local 411/10 , 35100 Playa del InglĂŠs , G.C. info@dreamhomesgrancanaria.com www.dreamhomesgrancanaria.com
#ÉRDENAS 2EAL %STATE IS A FAMILY
For Sale
Puerto Rico
San Fernando
Playa del InglĂŠs
Price: 158,037â‚Ź Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Brand new family home with beautiful views over Puerto Rico. This secure residential complex has a pool, children's pool and baby pool as well as jacuzzi and communal gardens. The house has never been lived in and has marble floors, utility area, large patio, fitted bathrooms and fitted kitchen with appliances included
Price: 180,000â‚Ź Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Fantastic house with 4 bedrooms for sale in San Fernando. Very centrally located. Supermarkets and shops for the daily needs are within walking distance. The house is sold unfurnished. Excellent price for quick sale!
Price: 105,250â‚Ź Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Apartment for sale in Playa del InglĂŠs. Very centrally located right next to the commercial centre Yumbo and only a few minutes from the beach. Closed-in balcony. Apartment is fully furnished and ready to move in to.
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BUSINESS THAT HAS SPECIALIZED IN PROPERTY IN THE SOUTH OF 'RAN #ANARIA SINCE
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Price: 500â‚Ź/month Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1
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Fantastic bungalow for rent in San AgustĂn. Sea views and views of the dunes. Large, spacious terrace and only a few minutes from the shopping centre. Bungalow in very popular complex with heated pool, childrens area, pool bar, supermarket and tennis court.
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Luxury frontline villa in Los Lagos. Beautiful gardens with large, heated private pool which has interior lighting in the night. The property has air-conditoning and heating. Decorated with modern furniture. The villa has outstanding views over the golf course and the lake. Beautiful property for longterm rental.
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