Island Connections Edition 637 by Island Connections Media Group

Controlled by

1984 - 2011

The Canary Islands’ biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents Edition # 637 /

24th February - 10th March 2011

/ 1.80€ at Newsagents / www.islandconnections.eu / www.newscanarias.net

Visiting Bishop

passenger dies on flight out of tenerife

Have crook will travel Plane death By Sheila Collis

he Right Reverend Doctor Geoffrey Rowell, the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe paid a flying visit to the south of the island recently.

Given the size of his diocese, it’s difficult to see how he could spend much time in any one place as he’s Anglican Bishop for the whole of mainland Europe, Gibraltar, Morocco and the area covered by the former Russian Soviet Union. However he was kind enough to spend some time with us before going on to the business of the day, which was the confirmation of four new communicants in the chapel shared by the Anglican congregation in Los Gigantes. His main cathedral is in Gibraltar and there are secondary cathedrals in Valetta in Malta and Brussels. The diocese as it stands has existed since 1980 when two areas were amalgamated and that and another merger means that the Bishop now has three Bishop’s crooks or crosiers to choose from. The one he travels with is adorned with

gold and amethysts and engraved with the name of the first person to receive it, who donated it and the date, June 4th 1913. “It’s almost coming up to its centur y,” the Bishop remarked, light the heartedly demonstrating to me why this

crook was the one he travelled with. “Look it comes apart,” he showed me as he pulled the curved top off. I was amazed at the far flung nature of his responsibilities and remarked that he must spend a great deal mag of time in az MAR

C H 20 11

Property Connections A pull out supplement for professionals and those interested in buying, selling or rentals in the Canary Islands

Pages 25-32

LI FE

ST YL

E GU ID

Ine E FO R TH

E CA NA

Gran

RY IS LA

planes, “you could say that” the Bishop smiled. He was in the UK before coming to Tenerife, the Bishop’s Lodge is in Crawley in Sussex, and was due to be in the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar almost immediately. Apart from that, destinations this year so far have included

Scotland, Malta, Nice, Venice, Costa Azahar, Chichester, Woking and Oxford. I asked if he got out as far as Russia often, “as often as I can,” he responded. Last year he celebrated Easter there, that most important event of the Christian calendar, in Saint Andrew’s Church in Moscow and then attended a Russian Or thodox overnight ser vice as a guest where he was impressed by seen another member of the congregation, Vladimir Putin. “There were a lot of other obviously very high up Russians there too, but I didn’t recognise them,” he said disarmingly. This year he will be spending Ash Wednesday in Liubliana in Slovenia, followed by visits to Trieste, Venice, Padua and Corfu, but this well travelled clergyman posed patiently beside one after another of the congregation to immortalise the moment in front of yet another camera. “It’s one thing they don’t warn you about when you become a Bishop,” he laughed, “all the photographs!” Continued on page 3

ND S

rest aura nt

Rese rv Los excursio a Giga n ntes fash io

Cari n Bou n’s tiqu e prop er Med ty Style iterran in Te ean neri fe

out soon

Fore

ve Win ticket r Kin s to se g e the of Po show p in La Lagu na

Look out for The Magazine, March edition

Night clubs & clubbing guide to

Carnaval 2011 See our web page

16 Page Pullout

Guide

Pages 08-09

A flight from Tenerife South to Seville early on Tuesday February 25th was delayed by several hours following the death of a passenger as the aircraft was about to take off.

The man, in his early 50s, suffered a heart attack minutes after he boarded the 06.50 Ryanair flight 1961 to Seville. Despite frantic efforts to revive him by a doctor and a student nurse who were also on the flight, he died shortly afterwards.

Reporting of the tragedy has included conflicting accounts of the first aid treatment given to the dying passenger and details of alleged delays in the arrival of two ambulances. Selu Vega, who was sitting in the row immediately in front of the deceased and his wife and witnessed the scenes at close hand, has published a detailed account on the internet, including photographs, to denounce what he described as the lack of appropriate equipment on the aircraft and the unprofessional response by the crew.

However, others on board have disputed the claims and described them as sensationalist. Full details of the passenger’s version of events (in Spanish) can be found on http:// www.tremendoviaje. com/2011/02/22/muertepasajero-ryanair/

The Sports Megastore 8.000m2

Motorway Santa Cruz La Laguna, Exit “Las Chumberas”. La Laguna, Tenerife. Tel: 922 62 79 00, Fax: 922 82 11 07

www.decathlon.com

7Islands

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Crimestoppers

Regular flight worry

Summer concerns for Costa Adeje

he Adeje tourism councillor Miguel Ángel Santos has said he is alarmed at the possible withdrawal of scheduled flights to and from Reina Sofía airport in South Tenerife this summer. The councillor has reacted to reports that potential visitors to Adeje may not have the kind of flight choice they might prefer (ie, not low cost or budget). “We have developed the best accommodation offer in the island, one with the highest occupancy rate and most tourists, we have created quality infrastructures such as the Magma Arte y Congresos centre, Siam Park, Costa Adeje golf, and now that we have put in place the elements needed to have top level tourism we may be left without scheduled flights”. Santos said he has spoken to the Tenerife Cabildo and urged them to convene a round table meeting to include representatives from the central government, the regional administration, the Cabildo, southern councils and businesses to analyse the problem and look for solutions, as “the southern airport simply cannot be left without scheduled

flights; this would be absurd both for residents and tourists”. He said that what was needed was a manner in which airport tax discounts could be available to all companies, not just low cost airlines. “If it doesn’t make financial sense for scheduled flight companies to fly into the south it’s our obligation to put in place mechanisms to assist” if this part of the island doesn’t want to lose connections with the Spanish mainland in particular. He pointed to the work that Turismo de Tenerife have been doing to make sure British tourists have access to scheduled flights via British Airways and Iberia, but says that the south of Tenerife is in danger of losing out with regard to the Spanish market. “For Costa Adeje, the Spanish market is the second most impor tant”, just behind the UK. Ángel Santos said experience in other Spanish airports showed that some low cost airlines only stayed as long as there were discounts available and then left, and airports which had favoured these airlines over the traditional companies were suddenly left high and dry. “Low cost airlines, of course, but they should exist side by side with scheduled flight providers”. “What happens next year if there are no discounts offered? Will we be left without airlines? Will we have to go, hand in cap, to the doors of the companies that we are ignoring today”, he asks, adding that it was vital that tourist demands are met at all levels.

Operation Captura returns T

he UK crime-fighting organisation Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) are once again closing in on Britain’s most wanted who are believed to be on the run in Spain.

Ten new appeals, which include some of the UK’s most dangerous individuals, were launched recently in Spain in Alicante, an area with a large British ex-pat community and a potential hideout for fugitives on the run from British law enforcement. Operation Captura is the successful multiagency campaign which identifies individuals on the run in Spain who are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for serious crimes committed in the UK. Since the campaign launched in October 2006, there have been 50 appeals; 38 of whom have been arrested. Many of these are now serving lengthy prison sentences for their crimes which range from drug trafficking to sex crimes to murder. Dave Cording, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, said: “The public is one of the greatest weapons in the fight against crime, and once again we are asking the public to help track down most wanted individuals who are sought in connection with some violent, sexual and highly organised crimes. We’ve continually had an overwhelming response to this campaign, resulting in over 500 pieces of useful information on the fugitives sought. You can view all the appeals on the most wanted section of Crimestoppers’ website and if you know anything about the individuals please contact Crimestoppers. No one will ever know who you are and you will not go to

Publisher & Proprietor Tina Straub, Joe Schacher

Island Connections S.L. C.I.F: B-38748315 Printed by Artes Gráficas del Atlántico S.A. Dep. Legal: TF-287/93

Noisy neighbours?

Is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.

court. Contact us on 0800 555 111 or through our website crimestoppers-uk.org” Ken Gallagher, Head of European Operations for SOCA, said: “Operation Captura is helping make the ex-pat community in Spain an uncomfortable place for fugitives. Having the public’s attention focussed on these individuals goes a long way to making it harder for them to hide and should act as a warning that Spain is no safe haven for British criminals.” While neither body is suggesting that the Canary Islands is an ideal place for these individuals, they are asking everyone to keep their eyes open for any one of these men, and report them if they are seen. Calls to the Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number are answered in the UK by Crimestoppers’ call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the online Giving Information form on Crimestoppers’ website www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Those in the UK should call 0800 555 111 or visit the website. The ten new Operation Captura appeals are: Jamie Dempsey, Derek Mcgraw Ferguson (Alias: William Murdoch Henderson), Anthony Fraser, Patrick Pious Hancox, Eriberto Jimenez Melo (Nicknames: Nando And Eric), Jonathon Lejman/Lehman, Darren Kevin Oflaherty, William Thomas Robert Paterson / Patterson (Nickname: Buff / Billy), Andrew Mark Spooner, Everardus Wijtvliet. To view pictures of these men go to http:// wanted.crimestoppers-uk.org/search/12/1/ all/51/beginning/all/5/

Miguel Gonzalez miguel.gonzalez@icmedia.eu

This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, co-financed by funding from the ERDF, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries

Las Chafiras-38639

Dogs yes, kids no! Spain’s excellent reputation as a child-friendly nation could come under threat if the recent decision of a community of owners in a private complex is followed elsewhere.

According to one resident in the Martina complex in Calle Bethencourt y Molina, 34, in Puerto de la Cruz, a recent meeting of the ‘comunidad’ voted to evict a mother and her three year old son because the child makes too much noise! Our source told us that the child is a normal playful three-year old, doesn’t disturb excessively, but some residents have obviously decided they don’t want a child in their complex and are trying to evict him and his mother. Dogs, however, are allowed, despite the noise they make and that they are often seen to do their ‘business’ in common areas. This is a building which has been home to many nationalities, including Britons, Germans, Swiss, Italians as well as Spanish. Let’s hope this kind of intolerance is not supported. Whilst legally in extreme circumstances a group of owners can, ultimately, ask the parents of a noisy child to move, they cannot force them to sell their property. We’ll keep you informed.

7Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

Continued from front page

Have crook will travel

The reason for this particular visit was to welcome four new communicants into the Anglican Church, Marjorie Withers, Ian Anderson, Dennis Liptrot and Robert Smith, all adults between 50 and 80 years of age. Thanks to the Bishop’s visit, they, their family and friends, enjoyed the attention of a packed congregation, to watch their first official steps as members of the church. The communicants were prepared by local lay readers, Marisha Carter and Christine Gaunt, who were also dressed in their finest for the occasion, a solemn yet joyful event, enjoyed by all who took part including of course the local father Keith Gordon. The church workers would like to remind you that they are holding their Spring Bazaar on March 5th in the Los Gigantes Plaza from 10.30am, with books, clothes, bric-a-brac, home made produce, tombola, gifts and cards and a raffle. There’ll be something for everyone – don’t miss it!

PISA

Could do better! R esults of a study undertaken by Andreas Schleicher, for the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA, will be published soon, but advance reports indicate that the report will conclude that while some Canarian schools are reaching excellent international levels, others could do better. The regional minister for education, Milagros Luis Brito, told local press that her department have already received an advance note regarding the final conclusions which indicate that the study will state that in the Canaries “there are educational centres

The airline insists that all passengers, regardless of age, carry photo ID

yanair may have to amend its passenger ID r ules following a decision by Spain’s Air Transport Safety Agency that it cannot oblige children on Spanish domestic flights to carr y their own passports or ID cards.

which don’t do things well, but others which are at the ‘top of the class’, on a par with centres in Shanghai or Korea (who were top scorers in the PISA report)”. What needs to be done, she added, was to work to make sure that the uppermost standards were the ones that were aspired to – many parents in schools where teacher vacancies are not being filled this year would agree! The minister said her department would publish the report when findings were available, and stated that the advance notices stated that schools here were working well in inter-cultural related areas but could improve in

The low-cost airline says the agency acted wrongly in insisting that an 18-month toddler who was to travel on a domestic flight from Malaga to Valencia last summer needed his own passport or ID card. Ryanair refused the child permission to board, forcing his father to undertake a six-hour journey with him by road instead. To make matters worse, the baby’s mother, Carolina Martín, did fly to Valencia only to find that her laptop had been stolen from a checked-in suitcase. The family refused to take the matter lying down, not least because they were out of pocket to the tune of almost €730, and filed a formal complaint to the Air Transport Safety Agency

Rule change?

Ryanair in child ID row over the incident. In a decision made public by the family recently, the agency said “Ryanair cannot order youngsters to have their own ID documents when Spanish legislation allows them to travel on domestic routes without photo identification,

Official Language Schools in the Canaries look set to introduce a means-tested fee system to cover costs and fund more classes.

Regional education minister Milagros Luis Brito said that, unpalatable as it was, some sort of charge may have to be made for the tuition offered. “It is never pleasant to bring in fees at difficult times but there is good reason to use students’ financial situations as a criterion for deciding who pays what” said the minister during an appearance before the Canarian Parliament’s

CASH & CARRY

education committee. She added that the current situation in the Language Schools, of which there are 22 in the Canaries (attended by almost 30,000 mainly adult languagelearners), is unsustainable. “If we are to increase provision to cater for the demand we will have to think about changing the current system and making those who can pay contribute to their language education”, explained the minister. In a separate development, the Department of Education has been accused by teacher’s unions of making massive

The regional education minister Milagro Luis Brito

savings by replacing only 10 per cent of teachers who are due for retirement in the near future.

Was €12.00

€9.95 Now

€9.95

Offley Porto

Less than a month ago, a Barcelona cour t ruled that Ryanair could not levy a reissue fee of €40 on passengers who do not print their boarding cards before going to the airport. The airline disagrees and says the fee is part of the contract to which its passengers agree when purchasing tickets.

to charge fees?

Was €10.79

Now

Influential Spanish consumer group FACUA says it has lodged two complaints with the authorities against the airline for refusing to carr y babies without photo ID. Spokesman Rubén Sánchez said Ryanair “should be forced to pay all expenses incurred by passengers who have fallen foul of the rule, which is contrary to Spanish legislation”.

Language schools

THE LUXURY OF PAYING LESS... €6.95

their unused tickets. News of the decision, which is expected to have repercussions for all Ryanair flights within Spain, including its many routes to and from the Canaries, has been reported widely in Spain, with national daily El Mundo headlining a Sunday piece ‘Ryanair: a law unto themselves’.

Means testing

mathematics and reading. Schleicher’s report, which saw 1,500 students from 50 centres interviewed, will also state that there is a need to reduce tolerance of failure in schools if the islands want to compete on an international level. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an internationally standardised assessment that was jointly developed by participating economies in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, and administered to 15-year-olds in schools. Four assessments have so far been carried out (in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009). Data for the assessment which took place in 2009 was released on 7 December 2010. Spain scored significantly below the OECD averages on all listed tests.

Was €8.95

on the responsibility of the accompanying adult”. According to Señora Martín, the airline is obliged to pay €250 as denied boarding compensation to the members of the family who were prevented from flying and also to refund in full the cost of

Now

SPIRITS • TOBACCO • LIQUEURS • GIFTS

Smirnoff

The Famous Grouse

Responsible consumption recommended

Head Office / Main Store C/ Archajara, 17. Pol. Ind. Barranco Las Torres. Los Olivos, Adeje Tel. 922 711 639 • Fax: 922 715 277 • Mobile 669 729 704 • e-mail: pedidospanish@step.es

SPANISH STYLE MALIBU. Avda. Austria. Aptos Malibu Park L.11. Adeje SPANISH STYLE PALMERAS. Avda. Rafael Puig L.1A. Playa de Las Américas, Arona SPANISH STYLE FAÑABÉ. C.C. Fañabé L.1. Fañabé, Adeje SPANISH STYLE SAN EUGENIO.- C.C. San Eugenio L.24. San Eugenio, Adeje SPANISH STYLE DORADO. Avda. Alfonso Noelia L.A4. Playa de Las Américas, Arona SPANISH STYLE PARAÍSO. C.C. Paraíso L.14. Adeje SPANISH STYLE GOLF SUR. C.C. San Blas L.36. San Miguel de Abona SPANISH STYLE ARCADE I.- C.C. Arcade L.1. Playa de Las Américas, Arona SPANISH STYLE LA NIÑA. Avda. España s/n. Bajo Hotel La Niña Palace L.18. Adeje SPANISH STYLE FAÑABÉ PLAZA. C.C. Fañabé Plaza L.244. Fañabé, Adeje

OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK FROM 8:00am - 10:00pm

7Islands

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

he rectangular space The boat is making excellent progress where a container used to be and a few pieces of wood are the only signs left of the An-tiki raft and her crew of adventurers. From late November, when 84-year-old Anthony Smith and his ‘youngsters’ arrived in Valle Gran Rey, until Januar y the thirtieth when the An-tiki was sedately towed out to sea, this spot was a hive of activity. The red container arrived the day after Anthony and it and its contents, gradually assembling themselves By Barbara Belt into an extraordinary vessel made of huge water pipes, soon became a local latest ‘whilst being towed out’. they were ‘brave men’. The It would, in any case, ‘sink with crossing was ‘easy’. Look at all attraction. Visited by TV crews, locals the first big wave’. The door to the little boats that had done and tourists, this An-tiki site in the cabin ‘shouldn’t have been it when Canarians emigrated. the port was a busy place. Hard at the front; waves would rush in Just a question of ‘getting to work continued throughout and and drown everyone’, if the cabin the current and sitting there’. the raft slowly took shape, all had not already been ‘washed A wonderful adventure.. We wondered what had occudevelopments scrutinised and overboard’. The mast was either argued about by obser vers, ‘far too tall’, or ‘not tall enough’. pied us before An-tiki. Football amongst whom were both en- The whole thing was ‘obviously and politics were relegated to the going to turn over’, (beer mat and wings. As An-tiki’s local person, thusiasts and detractors. explanations were urgently In bars, ‘experts’ cheerfully match box simulation). What right did these crazy required on a daily basis almost made predictions of doom and Englishmen have to commit anywhere I happened to find disaster. The raft would ‘fall apar t suicide expensively in Canar- myself. Feeding my chickens when the time came to move ian waters? Was there no water one day, a machete-wielding it into the water’, being far too around their own island? Short neighbour appeared, way off his heavy. Should it miraculously break, maps, using glasses etc, normal slashing route. “But where is their drinking survive being moved, it would courtesy of bar geographers. Experts of optimistic nature water?”, he shouted. “Here”, ‘sink immediately’, or ‘shortly after being loaded’, or at the said it was ‘a fine raft’ and that I replied, surprised. “Don’t be

An-tiki at sea

ridiculous woman! How can they survive with that for a couple of months?” In a small community, everything is news and everyone quickly morphs from information-seeker to expert. There were information sessions for townspeople, schoolchildren and tourists. The chaps appeared on all Canarian TV channels and most national. The story was picked up by English and Spanish press and-in the midst

ocean is. I’m sure people imagine with all the shipping travelling the Atlantic you see signs of life on a regular basis. In the 11 days since we left we’ve seen only three ships. One Dave saw far away on the first night and since then an unidentified freighter which overtook us on about the third day and then the Olsen cruise liner Boudicca which passed us about three or four miles away. Apart from that we’ve been completely on our own. “We had a brief visit from dolphins yesterday, leaping out of the water and splashing back before getting bored with our sedate progress. Dave and Anthony took some plankton samples. I could hear ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’ so assume specimens were interesting! “We started on our bananas today, as they have just ripened. Much of our fresh fruit and veg is finishing. Dave made excellent bread on Monday, now that our supply has gone. He’s making more today. We four seem to be rubbing along very well, and there’ve been no dramas (or drama queens, for that matter). Anthony’s busy taking notes for his book, so we’re all on our best behaviour, of course. The wind’s picked up and the sea’s rougher. We’ve picked up a lot of speed. The waves are dashing along under us. Although we’re now

Only time will tell of it all-away they went, smiling and waving, whistled out of port, with a stem of green bananas hanging aft. An-tiki is currently on course, on schedule and in good shape. The Yellow Brick tracker gives frequent reports and a satellite phone makes live radio interviews possible. See the An-tiki webpage for both, updated daily by balloonist, Robin Batchelor, at www.http://gasballoon.com/ antiki/ > Crew member John Russell, a Stroud solicitor, sends this report: Day 11 “500 miles from Valle Gran Rey. One certainly gets an impression out here of how enormous the

below the Tropic of Cancer and officially in the tropics, it can be quite chilly. “We see thousands of stars. The moon’s sunk below the horizon, so the only things lighting the sky are the stars, and Jupiter, which throws out a surprising amount of light. It is amazing how much you see just by starlight! The endless movement of the waves and raft can be quite mesmeric. We don’t often have long periods of time with nothing to do but think. I’m sure that introspection about priorities in life is no bad thing. It’s a bit like going on a very long ‘retreat’, all this time to reflect. “Weather charts show we’re picking up stronger winds for both south and then west shortly. We’ve done 546 miles as at noon today. I think we can expect over 50 miles a day for the next few days, and a bumpy ride. The ‘cruise’ part of the voyage may be suspended for a while. The sea depth here is near to the maximum it will be, well over 5,000 metres. “We were discussing over breakfast today whether we’d get bored with our ver y limited existence here after a month or two. Only time will tell. So far, noone’s asked to get off and we’ve enough books, music and stories to keep ourselves amused. Long may that last. “Greetings to all, John”.

CabildoNews

‘Youkoso’

Cabildo president recently welcomed the Japanese Consul, Toshio Sato, to the Cabildo offices. The meeting focused on underlining the ongoing excellent relations between Tenerife and Japan and in particular focused on the shared interest in renewable energies and ongoing cooperation between the two areas regarding third level education. Ricardo Melchior presented the Consul with a book on Tenerife and received gifts of a hand crafted and painted Japanese box and hand painted silk handkerchiefs.

competition, Carlos Alonso, spent time with each of the companies displaying at the fairs. Melchior congratulated these companies who, with the backing of the Cabildo via the Tenerife Moda umbrella, have created a space in the national market for their wares. Alonso stressed the importance of Tenerife Moda, with almost 40 companies now part of the group, generating and feeding an important economic activity which was showing healthy and steady growth within the sector.

Eco museum tenerife visit moda

Fashion companies, By Lu, Morena Mia. Roselinde and Magdala took part recently in two fashion trade fairs, SIMM and Bisutex, in Madrid. Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior and the councillor for finance and

The Cabildo will soon open an Ecomuseum in El Tanque, with over 11 hectares of space devoted to the Project. Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior along with the councillor for Agriculture and Fisheries, José Joaquín Bethencourt and mayor Faustino Alegría, along with other insular and local authorities, visited the

installation recently to see the museum, work on which is in the final stages. One of the projects at the heart of the project is the recovery of cultivated areas, in 38,000 square metres, where a variety of plants have taken root, including cereals, legumes, and 152 types of traditional Canarian potatoes. The buildings, when complete, will include a traditional kitchen and a

On track

The Cabildo recently staffed a train information office in Los Cristianos, just in front of the cultural centre. This is a mobile office, with Los Cristianos it’s first stop, and it’s coming to a town centre near you quite soon. Interested people can find out information about the planned train to the south of the island, examine ‘info-graphics’ on the new public transport initiative as well as other related news regarding transport and roads in Tenerife. The office is open from 10am to 8pm daily.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

Mossad involvement?

Robert Maxwell death

The death 20 years ago in the Canaries of media tycoon Robert Maxwell has been revisited by Tenerife newspaper Diario de Avisos in a new series on unsolved mysteries. The paper included an extensive feature on Sunday February 13th on the mysterious events leading up to and following the death of Maxwell, who was found floating in the sea after apparently suffering a heart attack and falling off his luxury yacht shortly after sailing from Los Cristianos in Tenerife in November 1991. According to the paper, despite the natural causes verdict returned, many are convinced Maxwell was assassinated by agents of the Israeli secret service, Mossad, for whom he worked for many years.

President upbeat

German assurances

Canarian president Paulino Rivero says his trip to Germany to

meet with the heads of the main tour operators has proven a success, with commitments from all concerned that they will continue to increase the number of tourists to the islands. Rivero met with senior figures from TUI, Bertelsmann AG and Kuoni Travel Holding, as well as top management from airline Air Berlin, at a speciallyarranged reception in the Spanish Embassy in the German capital. “I come away happy that they have reaffirmed their commitment to work with us. I have also reiterated to Air Berlin the incentives available to airlines that increase their flights to the Canaries, particularly from central and eastern Europe, two markets we are keen to increase’ said Rivero afterwards.

Air Berlin

SOS mystery

An Air Berlin flight to Lanzarote was at the centre of a mysterious emergency alert on Sunday February 20th although the airport has refused to indicate the cause of the scare. The plane, which was nearing the island after a four-hour flight from Dusseldorf, activated the SOS, prompting local emergency services, including the fire brigade, to be in a state of readiness at the airport. However, the Airbus 330 landed without incident at 10.10 and no intervention was required.

Fernando Bañolas and Carlos Muñoz in the prescriptions billing room

Electronic prescriptions

repeat prescriptions, until the following medical revision (up to 90 days), and simply take it to the chemist, along with his/her medical card. The lessening of the amount of paperwork that a doctor needs to attend to means, according to the department, that they can spend more time with the patient, as well as reducing the possibility of any risk of mistakes in medicines given out on the part of the pharmacy. No doubt many will also be glad that they no longer have to decipher a doctor’s handwriting when it comes to the old style prescriptions. With the introduction of the system here the regional department of health say they

Canaries leading the way

he Canary Islands, along with Andalucia, Catalonia, Galicia and Extremadura are leading the way in the switch over to electronic prescriptions.

Regional health minister Fernando Bañolas, flanked by the region’s pharmaceutical director general Buenaventura Fernández as well as other insular medical authorities, said that the evolution of this method of drug prescription and collection was proving to

be very effective and efficient in the islands and was operating well in all of the islands’ medical centres. By the end of February, all public health centres in the Canaries should be using the electronic system, ahead of other regions such as Madrid or the Basque region which are only beginning to introduce the technology. Under the new system a patient is given one piece of paper only which lists all the medicine and treatment information he/she needs to obtain and follow, including

have witnessed a more effective method of administration in operation, assisting both patients and chemists, par ticularly patients with ongoing complicated medical requirements and the elderly. The increased information that is now available regarding each patient also means that anyone registered in the Canarian health system can be properly attended to in any health centre that is part of the public network, and purchase their medication in any registered pharmacy.

7Islands

Trial

Traffic fine help ‘normal’ The trial of two Las Palmas police officers accused of pressuring colleagues to drop traffic charges against acquaintances has served to highlight the ‘flexibility’ used in processing traffic offences in the city.

is too much evidence” insisted one of the pair during the trial in the Las Palmas Criminal court. The trial heard that the officers turned up at the scene after being alerted by telephone by the girlfriend of one of the drivers who was stopped at a routine checkpoint and found to be under the influence of drink.

Egyptian fallout

and the Middle East due to the political instability that the House Full signs are a real prospect for the Easter week in late April. The manager of the Don Gregory Hotel in San Agustín is quoted in the Canarias 7 paper as saying “places will be hard to come by” for locals in April, a prediction ratified by the owner of the Green Field apartment complex, Luis Mosquera, who says he and his colleagues have accepted firm offers from holiday companies for the coming two months.

No room for Easter? Divorce Fair Separation

The surge in bookings as a result of the problems in Tunisia and Egypt, although a welcome development for the tourism sector, could see thousands of Canarians left without accommodation over the Easter period.

Gran Canaria has been chosen as the venue for the first ever Divorce Fair to be held in Spain.

Hotels, particularly in Gran Canaria, have taken so many unanticipated bookings from European tour operators who are diverting their business away from North Africa

The two-day event will take place at the end of April in Las Palmas and is expected to draw an extensive range of professions related to the divorce business, rang-

ing from lawyers to psychologists and marriage guidance counsellors. The organisers say that in the last five years over one million people have been directly affected by divorces in Spain and there is therefore “a real need to address this social reality professionally and without taking moral stances”. A spokesperson said divorce should not always be seen as “synonymous with failure” but rather a process that has to be channelled appropriately. During the days leading up to the event, an on-line consultation service will be launched to provide professional advice to those thinking about or already involved in a divorce.

Court costs

Legal aid restrictions A review of the cost to the authorities of legal aid

in the Canaries has resulted in a government decision to restrict access to those who genuinely cannot afford a lawyer. Coinciding with the publicity given to highprofile cases such as that of a retired prominent politician who was granted aid to fight traffic offence charges, the regional Department of Justice says legal aid will now only be made available to people earning less than €1,066 per month. Department head Carolina Deniz says the decision is in line with moves in other parts of the country to rationalise the use of court-appointed lawyers, a service which costs the government considerable amounts every year. The Canaries have joined other regions in asking Spain’s Justice Ministry to eliminate current exceptions to the means-testing for legal aid, such as in labour court cases where the plaintiff’s financial situation is rarely taken into account when granting a free lawyer.

112 day “T

each your children how to dial 112 – the life you might be saving could be your own”; wise words from Gregor y Rohde, Executive Director of the E911 institute in Washington DC, and one of the guest speakers at the European headquarters of 112 Day, Adeje in Tenerife. While many countries in Europe do recognise 112 as the emergency number nationally, a lot of tourists don’t realise that it is a pan-European number – and here in the Canary Islands it is the number to call when you find yourself in trouble. February 11th was European 112 day, and the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the number, with Adeje chosen as the centre for many reasons – one important one being the progress the Canary Islands have made in educating people as to the importance of the appropriate use of the number, as well as the international response when someone dials the number here. 112 operators in

www.torreswines.com

©Copyright Miguel Torres S.A.

The pair were prosecuted after four colleagues reported them for stepping in to prevent the results of a breathalyser test from being recorded officially. Both denied the charge, although one did admit he had made a comment that could have been interpreted as a veiled threat. “While it is true that traces of speeding or parking tickets and other driving offences are regularly wiped as favours, there is no way we would intervene to make breathalyser results disappear because there

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

7Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

ayA life saving number the Canary Islands can respond in five languages – Spanish, English, French, German and Italian – and with one in three people here likely to be tourists at any given time of the year, that’s important. Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodriguez Fraga was honoured that Adeje had been chosen – last year the central point for the day was Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – and added that underlining the importance of the international aspect of 112 was an excellent way to transmit a valid sense of security to tourists as well as residents, which was a very important part of any tourist destination. Also present at the of ficial event was José Miguel Ruano, regional minister for justice and security, and Carla Anderson, also from the E911 institute in the USA. Both Carla and Gregory also serve as Advisory Board Members to the EENA (European Emergency Number Association). During her presentation Carla said, “our objective is to promote the knowledge and

appropriate use of the European Emergency Number 112 all over Europe. We are doing that on this day! Education, outreach and awareness”. She underlined the need to educate children in the use of 112, “everyone needs to know and understand the emergency number: What number you call, when to call, when not to call,

what information should you know. The common factor for all of us gathered here is that we all have the ability to educate. And education is critical. Especially with our children. Education makes them more confident.” Speaking to Island Connections after the official event Gregory Rohde repeated the

(l-r) José Miguel Ruano, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, Gregory Rohde and Carla Anderson

importance of teaching children the appropriate use of the number, and said that last year he began to teach his five year old son how to use the number. He made reference to one case in the States in

which a three year old saved his father’s life by dialling the emergency services “after his father severed an artery in his arm” by accident. He was fulsome in his praise of the extent to which the Canary Islands have educated their population in the proper use of 112. However for the over 1,500

children who were present at the event the politicians were almost irrelevant. You’re six years old, there’s a man in a suit talking to a bunch of adults, but on the other side of the road a fireman is letting you try on his hat, you can jump into and out of a helicopter or operate the siren on an ambulance – what would you choose?

BOMBAY BLUE Indian Tandoori Restaurant

Let’s eat in India today! C.C. Safari Playa de Las Américas Tel. 922 797 190

Ample terrace · Open 7 days a week

Open from 5pm to 11.30pm · Friday and Saturday to 1am

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

TenerifeGeneral

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Holy row

Church building A row has erupted in Granadilla after land that was apparently destined to be used for the building of a church was used to construct a civic centre. According to reports a plot of land was handed over to the council by the Tenerife diocese on the understanding that the buildings that the council would erect would be subsequently handed over to the church to be used as part of a new church complex. However it would appear that local authorities have gone beyond the limits of the 1997 agreement and the construction exceeds the agreed barriers meaning in effect that there

is now no room to build the church as planned. The row has political overtones and could also be seen as an electoral salvo, given that the agreement was signed by the previous socialist mayor Jaime Cejas who now claims that current mayor, Carmen Nieves Gasper Rivero, “hasn’t respected the convention signed by the previous council” to erect a civic and social centre in the lower part of the plot of land, leaving the upper part for the church. However his position would seem to be backed up given that the word from the bishop’s office is that they have been waiting for over ten months for a reply from the council regarding the matter.

Las Galletas

Area unsafe

According to parents and residents in Las Galletas, the children’s playground beside the Luis Álvarez Cruz public school is not in a fit state, and in fact “poses a real danger for children”. A spokesperson told local press that on more than one occasion they have seen a child fall on his face or head given the bad condition of the park. “It’s perfectly normal that children would want to play here, in a space created for them . What’s not normal is that a space with these characteristics isn’t properly equipped and furthermore puts the physical wellbeing

of children at risk”, he said. Given that the park is located in the heart of Las Galletas and used by lots of kids from the area, it really is vital, say the group, that the installations are safe to use, “before something really serious happens”. The local representatives also want to see an increased police presence in the area, and point to a growing number of teenagers cycling through the zone at speeds that could endanger the younger children. “More than one parent has had to endure insults from youths when they have asked them to reduce their cycling speed”, according to residents.

Online aid

Forum rescues stranded tourists

An Irish couple whose hire car was broken into as they visited Mt Teide are eternally grateful to members of the Tenerife Forum for bailing them out with badly-needed advice and more than a helping hand.

he holidaymakers posted a number of SOS questions on the forum from an internet café after losing their passports and credit cards in the theft. Within hours, forum members were on line with responses, particularly how to get a police report to enable them to fly home. Kind gestures including free transport to the airport. The generosity, particularly on the part of two members known as Young Golfer and Doreen, was gratefully acknowledged by the couple and did not go unnoticed by others.

ne contributor proposed to hunt Young Golfer out when he comes on holiday to buy him a drink. Another posted the following com-

ment: “If ever anyone writes anything mean about this Forum again I shall send them to this thread. You have all made me a bit weepy that you should show such kindness to strangers”.

Drug smugglers

he operation is the latest in a string of successes against North African drug traffickers who have focused their attention on Tenerife’s northern and eastern coasts for landings during the last few months. However, the authorities believe that only a fraction of the shipments are being caught on arrival.

Radar snares Women at risk traffickers Gender violence mystery The radar surveillance of Tenerife’s coast, designed primarily to detect illegal immigrant arrivals, proved its worth recently with a haul of over 1,000 kilos of drugs.

ivil Guard officers monitoring the radar spotted a suspicious boat approaching the coast off Güímar under cover of darkness. A patrol lay in wait as the boat landed on the beach at El Socorro and moved in to arrest the occupants, who were found to be carrying 36 giant bundles of cannabis resin, weighing a total of 1220 kilos.

hree men were detained in the operation, one of them local and the other two from Morocco. A 4x4 Jeep which was to transport the shipment of drugs was seized on the beach also.

reservation recommended 922 750 036 WWW.mongolian-bbq-tenerife.com c.c. mirador avenida san francisco / avenida amsterdam locales 3 y 4

Concern has been voiced at recent figures showing that cases of gender violence are more than four times higher in the province of Tenerife than in Las Palmas.

n official watchdog set up by the Spanish judiciary to monitor the situation says it is at a loss to explain the puzzling difference, reflected in significantly more serious incidents (deaths, violent assaults etc) and protection measures for at risk women in Tenerife. Of seven women who died at the hands of their current or former partners in 2010 in the Canaries, six lived in Tenerife or one of the province’s smaller islands

TenerifeGeneral

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 (La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro). The watchdog’s head Inmaculada Montalbán says a detailed study is urgently needed to examine the causes of the massive difference in order to act on the root causes.

Puerto de la Cruz

‘Immediate surgery’ call

the Ashotel hoteliers’ federation. Molas accepted that the private sector was partly to blame for the town’s current situation but broader-based action was needed to give it a much-required facelift.

Puerto de la Cruz is in need of immediate surgery to restore the resort to its former glory, says one of Spain’s top tourism figures.

A Hungarian arrested in Playa Paraíso has been sent to Tenerife II prison by the judge investigating allegations that he raped his par tner’s young daughter.

uan Molas, head of the countr y’s Tourist Accommodation Federation (CEHT), said the town requires major inter vention if it is to recover the status it once enjoyed as a thriving and prestigious destination. “A wide-ranging pact is needed among politicians, the business sector and society here to do something fast. I don’t have the answer as to how but it must be done quickly”, said Molas, who visited the area recently to meet with representatives of

ivil Guard officers detained the man after the eight year old girl’s distraught mother contacted them in the early hours of the morning of Sunday February 13th to report her live-in boyfriend, who is said to have raped the child on several occasions during her mother’s absences from the flat. The 33-year-old appeared in court in Arona and was remanded after the judge studied reports from doctors who examined the girl and listened to her story.

Miguel Ángel Santos meeting with Monarch representative Katy Sayburn during the recent Fitur fair

Hungarian remanded

Stepdaughter rape

Late and loud

The residents of Oro Verde and Parque Royal have complained about the noise

Noise row goes to Ombudsman L

ong-suffering residents and hotel guests in the Torviscas area of Adeje have asked the Canary Islands’ Ombudsman to intervene to help them get some sleep. Two blocks of apartments Oro Verde and Parque Royal, plus nearby hotels the Bahía and Guayarmina, are furious that nothing has been done to curb the latenight noise caused outside their windows by a number of popular night-spots. Added to the problem, hundreds of young people converge on the area around Calle Castilla for street-drinking parties that go on all night, often accompanied

by blaring car stereos. “The council has done nothing to resolve the issue, which is getting worse by the week, particularly now with the number of clubbers who have to go outside to smoke” said one local. Property owners in the complexes say values are falling sharply as the area gets a reputation as one to be avoided for holiday rentals. Many owners in Oro Verde and Parque Royal are having to pay out several thousand euros to soundproof their apartments to ensure a night’s sleep, according to the Diario de Avisos newspaper, which reported on the plea to the Ombudsman recently.

FITUR cost row Fair funding

The cost of Adeje’s participation in the FITUR holiday fair in Madrid sparked a war of words in a recent session of the council. Tourism councillor Miguel Ángel Santos was urged to be more careful with the town’s money when it emerged that the visit had cost over €35,000, including €18,600 in accommodation, meals and meeting rooms. “The councillor must have had a great time, judging by the expenses” complained opposition member Alfredo Goriño, who asked Santos to approach spending “as if it were out of his own pocket” in future. The rebuke prompted mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga to intervene to stress that the council “did not use FITUR as a holiday or for a break” but worked very hard to generate business for the area’s resorts. Several councillors were called to order as insults were traded during the heated exchanges.

Tenerife & SouthWest

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

South West

Adeje improvements

Guía school protest

Lock out

The Adeje council continues to focus on the borough’s outer zones along the South west coast, and at recent meetings mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga along with councillor Gonzalo Delgado Díaz spoke to residents of La Caleta and Playa Paraíso to outline the plans they have for the two areas in coming months.

ccording to the official council source, “letters, meetings and telephone calls and actions within the norms” having got nowhere with the regional department of education, radical measures were obviously deemed necessar y by the parents and parent association of the Le Era school in Guía. They locked ever yone out. On the morning of February 14th staff and pupils who turned up at the gates found that they were chained shut. The protest centred around the failure of the department to fill a number of teaching posts, in particular the teacher for the 5a class who has been on long term sick leave since January. The lack of response from the department is “damaging the right of our children to receive a quality education which we are paying for”. As well as taking the lock out action, parents and supporters, including the Guía councillor for education Josefa Mesa and the councillors

The mayor said that the council was responding to local needs, though admitted that some of their plans had been put on hold due to a lack of finance, but now they could go ahead.

La Caleta In La Caleta work would begin on paving the dry dock, creating an indoor sports and social centre which would include multi-use courts. Work on the port area would include renovation of the footpaths, lights and gardens and the installation of street benches, etc. Money will also be spent on the renovation of the El Cabezo green zone as well as the development of a public square. A desalination plant is also in the process of being built and should be complete by April, and will, says the mayor, benefit many residents of Adeje, with a capacity to produce 10 thousand cubic metres of water a day, meeting the needs of up to 50 per cent of the borough’s population.

for police and youth, Secundino Yanes and Raquel Gutiérrez, gathered with placards calling for regional minister Brito to go, calling on Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior to guarantee a proper education for children in South Tenerife, and stating “in school we are taught about our rights: let’s

not forget them”, among other things. The protesters took the march to nearby school, CEIP Almágico, where an inspector from the department was present and who listened to their demands. However those taking part made it clear that they would not be fobbed off with empty promises. “If we

Playa Paraíso The gates of La Era school were chained shut

see that there is no solution proposed in the coming days we will increase the pressure in other ways”, promised one of the mothers of a 5A pupil, Carmen Mesa.

Tree of dreams O

Tenerife will be used as the setting for the sequel to the Clash of the Titans, which was filmed in 2009 on the island. According to media reports, the Tenerife Film Commission has persuaded the makers of the sequel to the Louis Leterrier blockbuster to return, possibly some time next year. The Commission says it expects the presence of film crews and the need for extras and supplies to generate around € five million ofbusiness for the island, particularly in towns such as Icod and Garachico. The volcanic landscapes of Teide National Park will once again feature prominently in the film.

Santiago del Teide

Road delays Travellers through the south west should be aware that there may be delays on the section of the TF 82 that runs through Tamaimo.

children would benefit from new toys, stor y books and computers. Four children from

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTRE - CENTRO MÉDICO INTERNACIONAL - INTERNATIONALES ÄRZTEZENTRUM

Filming in Tenerife

Clash of Titans II

Abama Golf & Spa Resort

riol Montal, Director General of the Abama Golf & Spa Resort, was delighted to hand over a cheque recently for €1,600 to children’s centres Ludodíver and La Mano in Guía de Isora. The money will be used to buy toys and other necessities. Also present at the presentation was Raquel Gutiérrez, councillor for children, youth and special needs in the borough. The money was donated by guests and workers at the Abama who were asked to contribute to a ‘Tree of Dreams’. Verónica Curbelo from Ludodíver and Idaira Morín from La Mano were present to receive the cheque and said that local

Playa Paraíso can look forward to a new multi-purpose Sports court, which should be ready for use in three to four months. The mayor said they were also looking at the construction of a Sky Park (skating park) as they had received a lot of requests for something of this nature via the department of youth affairs.

Dra. Camelia Nela Sasu

Col Nº 38/4096

24 Hours Emergency Service: CALL (0034) 609 245 024

ENGLISH SPOKEN - WIR SPRECHEN DEUTSCH - SI PARLA ITALIANO - NOUS PARLONS FRANCAIS

Avda Marítima, C.C. Seguro El Sol, Local 25, Playa de la Arena (Opposite the Black Sand Beach) • Tel. 922 862 081 • Fax 922 861 050

the centres were also invited to the presentation and thanked the hotel staff and clients on behalf of the centres. Raquel Gutiérrez said that the donations were very welcome and would “contribute to the improvement of the quality of services the centres could offer the children in the area”. She said that initiatives such as the Abama’s Tree of Dreams

demonstrated that people continue to work to ensure that our children are well looked after and given appropriate play time”. The Tree of Dreams initiative is part of the hotel’s ongoing project, “Huellas en la Comunidad” (Community Footprints), which encourages social responsibility within the hotel Group, and its employees.

Road works in the area to restore a surface damaged by use and weather have now started and are expected to take some weeks. The total investment in the project by the Cabildo is €313,000. Initially the programmed time for the work is two months for the top layer to be scraped off and dug out and the new surface laid, painted etc. New plans to improve the security of pedestrians have also been included with a new zebra crossing planned of the humped variety which will also act to slow the traffic down. Drivers who don’t wish to get tied in a possible traffic jam, can take the alternative route through Arguayo. From the Santiago del Teide direction take the left hand turn just after you leave the town and from the other direction take the right hand turn just after Chio. The latter turning is also signposted to Teide, you keep straight on, the Teide turning forks to the right.

Business NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

How Much Of Your Estate Will You Leave To The Taxman?

UK inheritance tax has followed you here to Spain By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks

nlike many other UK taxes, UK inheritance tax (IHT) will follow you around the world. As a British expatriate living here in Spain, depending on the value of your estate it could easily still fall into the IHT net, leaving less of an inheritance for your children than you may expect. It is domicile, rather than residence, which determines your liability to IHT, and you can live in Spain for many years and still remain domiciled in the UK. The basic rule is that a person is domiciled in the country in which he has his home permanently or indefinitely, often described as the country you regard as your, “homeland” or where you intend to die and be buried. Inheritance tax is charged on your worldwide estate, including property, investments, bank deposits, cars etc, so it includes

ever ything that you have in Spain or offshore. There is no IHT between spouses or civil partners. The current threshold is £325,000 for individuals and £650,000 for married couples or civil partners. It used to increase each year but is frozen at this level until at least April 2015. IHT is often described as a ‘voluntar y tax’ due to the number of measures which may be employed to mitigate or avoid this potentially onerous tax. If you really have made a permanent move to Spain, and intend to stay here for the foreseeable future without ever intending to return to the UK, then you can take the necessary steps to establish a ‘domicile of choice’ in Spain, which would replace your British ‘domicile of origin’. You would need to be resident and paying tax here in Spain. You must establish a permanent home here and cut most ties with the UK and establish new ones here. Even then it takes at least three years to shed UK domicile for IHT purposes.

is liable to Spanish succession tax. If you are not resident any Spanish property will be hit by this tax. Unlike in the UK, spouses are liable to this tax. Both taxes can often be mitigated or avoided with professional guidance and advance planning, so if you want to be confident that all your estate will go to your heirs rather than the taxman you should seek advice from a firm like Blevins Franks which has had decades of experience in this area.

Many widows return to be close to their family Domicile can be complex. You need to be able to leave your heirs proof that they can use with HMRC if necessar y to show you were non-domiciled. It is important that you take professional advice. Even if you have lost your UK domicile after living here for a

number of years, if you or your spouse return to live in the UK you will become UK domiciled again. Since many widows do return to be close to their children and grandchildren, this is a serious possibility to consider. Relying on changing your domicile alone can be

quite risky as it may change back again, even if you do not expect this now, so you need to look into other opportunities to mitigate or avoid IHT. IHT is not the only death tax facing British expatriates in Spain because as a Spanish resident their worldwide estate

*To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website: www.blevinsfranks.com

Business NEWS

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Preparing for a journey

Travelling abroad M

ost of us prepare check lists for travel, clothes, medicines, creams and potions, travel documents and travellers’ cheques, the list can be endless, but it should be remembered that some countries require additional documents. Within the EU, European citizens can travel freely, but authorities in Russia, Cape Verde and China for example require that you are able to present them with a confirmed hotel reser vation, show that you have enough cash for the length of your stay and that you have a return flight booked and paid for. Lack of the necessary paperwork may mean you won’t be allowed to fly or you will be denied entry. An identity document and/or passport and Visa are required for many countries. If you are not sure what is needed where you go check with the Spanish Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores for up to date information over requirements and documents necessary for the various countries. They will also give you excellent information of safety conditions, risk areas, obligatory and recommended vaccinations, telephone numbers which

Travel insurance

If you are travelling outside an area where your TSE is valid it’s wise to take out a short term health policy which covers heath care, additional travel costs generated by illness, accommodations and repatriation should it become necessary.

Vaccination

could be of interest to you during your stay, etc. If you are going outside the EU and want to drive, you will need an International Driving Licence. Take along your identification DNI or equivalent, your driving licence and a photocopy with two photographs to the Jefatura Proivincial y Local de Tráfico in your area. You will have to fill in the appropriate form which you can download on the Jefatura website, from the DGT or collect in the office. There is a fee which

is changed annually, the current fee shown is €9.60.

Health care

Spanish residents will need the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea for the majority of European cover, which can be obtained from offices of the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social, normally whilst you wait, but always best to get it well in advance of your need, just in case. There are also reciprocal agreements in place with

Business in Brief

‘Black’ economy

Clampdown F

other countries such as Andorra and various South American countries, information on which is available from the Centro de Atención de la Seguridad Social.

ebruary has seen a renewed drive by the authorities to clamp down on the Canaries’ thriving black economy, which is reckoned to cost the region €140,000 per day in lost tax and national insurance revenue. The new drive to target non-paying businesses and self-employed traders has received prominent billing in the media, with reports that the Tax Office is systematically checking utility bills for warehouses officially listed as empty to obtain proof of activity.

There have been reports also of undercover inspectors posing as patients in private doctors’ surgeries to count the number of people seen on a particular day to then check the estimated earnings against tax records. Recent calculations of the total worth of the black economy put its share of the Canarian economy at a massive €12 billion, almost 30 per cent of regional GDP. In the first three quarters of last year, inspections by tax and social security officials here uncovered over 5,000 people who were working without declaring any earnings. Both bodies say they expect the number to rise this year with the new campaign.

Information on necessary and recommended vaccinations can also be obtained from the Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. You are recommended to go to a Centro de Vacunación Internacional where they will give you the necessary jabs and issue you with an International Vaccination Certificate. Apart from protecting your health, you may not be able to travel to certain countries without this document. Remember that some of the vaccinations should be given several weeks ahead of travelling and cannot be given at the last moment.

Discounts

The International Students Travel Confederación offer discounts in museums, cultural activities and other services all over the world, but with each of the cards you also get a free emergency travel and information service 24/7. Some of the advantages of the various cards include discounted flights for under 30 year olds and are also available for accredited teachers, not just students. More information is available from your Servicios de Información Juvenil in the Gobierno de Canaria offices. There are also international hostel cards for all ages, more information at the same youth offices as above or at REAJ, the Spanish chain of youth hostels. And for under 26s the European discount card, Carné Euro, information via the Instituto de la Juventud.

Cost of living

Pensions increase

Cost of living links saw average retirement pensions rise 3.5 per cent in January. The average Spanish pension is now at €905.94, but just as in the wages there are differences across the regions. The average pension overall including widow’s, orphans and family assistance is now at €797.92 an increase of 3.3 per cent on last year. Above average pensions are the norm in Ceuta, Basque Country, Asturias, Madrid and the lowest are paid in Galicia and Extremadura. Meanwhile discussions continue on the proposed pension reforms. To obtain full Spanish pension benefits and retire at 65 you will need to have been paying into the system for 38.5 years. Those who reach 65 and wish to retire and collect their pension without having the full 38.5 years will be able to do so, but will receive a correspondingly lower amount.

Those retiring at 67 will have to have paid into the system for 37 years to receive full pension rights and the extension of the retirement age will increase from 65 to 67 by stages from 2013, a month and a half a year. Those with particularly physically hard or dangerous jobs will be allowed to retire earlier. Early retirement will be allowed across the board from 63 for those with a minimum of 33 years paid into the system, but the amount you will receive will be reduced by six to 7.5 per cent.

The calculation on how much you will be paid will be based on how much you have paid into the system over the last 25 years rather than 15. Given that most people receive more in their later years at work and cost of living increases, the difference in how much you receive now and how much you will receive on retirement is probably going to be greater. Negotiations continue, with special attention to the issue of women who took time off work to raise children and youngsters who had trouble entering the job market.

SPAR FAÑABÉ C.C. Fañabé Plaza (opp. Hotel Jacaranda) COSTA ADEJE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011

health directory

Health Directory Useful Vocabulary

Describing your symptoms

I have a pain (here) Tengo dolor (aquí) I have stomach ache Tengo dolor de estómago I have chest pain Tengo dolor en el pecho I have a sore throat Tengo dolor de garganta I feel sick Tengo nauseas I feel dizzy Tengo mareos I have a temperature Tengo fiebre I have diarrhoea Tengo diarrea I have cramps Tengo calambres I have sunburn Tengo quemaduras del sol I have something in my eye Tengo algo dentro del ojo I have difficulty breathing Tengo dificultad en respirar I am sick a lot Vomito mucho It itches Me pica I get pain when I pass urine Me duele cuando orino I have high blood pressure Tengo hipertensión I have low blood pressure Tengo hipotensión

Existing conditions I am allergic Soy alérgico(a) I’m diabetic// Soy diabético(a) Asthmatic Asmático(a) Epileptic Epiléptico(a) I’m pregnant Estoy embarazada I have anaemia/arthritis Tengo anemia/artritis I have high blood pressure Tengo hipertensión I have low blood pressure Tengo hipotensión

DIAL 112 Emergency Home care or home help in your hotel or apartment from 1 to 24 hrs. Dementia care a speciality. Rates start at just €7.

Hospitals USP COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL Urbanización San Eugenio, s/n, 38660 - Adeje Tels: • 922 752626 • 922 791 000 • 900 112 111 Hospital La Candelaria Carretera Del Rosario 145 Santa Cruz de Tenerife 922 602 000 hospitaldelacandelaria. com Hospital Universitario Carretera Cuesta-Taco San Cristobal de La Laguna (Tenerife), 922 678 000 www.huc.es HOSPITEN SUR Playa de Las Américas Arona-Tenerife Tel.: 922 75 00 22. Fax: 922 79 36 18 HOSPITEN C/ Pescadores, Edf. Discovery, Carretera Gral. La Cuesta. Taco 38108 La Laguna Tel.: 922 626240 Fax: 922 614355 HOSPITEN BELLEVUE C/ Alemania, 6 Urb. San Fernando. Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 35 51 Fax: 922 37 03 12 HOSPITEN TAMARAGUA C/ Agustín de Bethencourt, 30 Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 05 12 Fax: 922 38 08 50 HOSPITEN RAMBLA Address: Rambla General Franco, 115. 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tel.: 922 29 16 00. Fax: 922 29 10 88 Hospital San Juan de Dios Ctra. Gral. del Norte, 53. Santa Cruz. Teléfono: 922 64 55 11 Fax: 922 64 93 52

Gynaecology Dr Michael Theis Calle La Hoya 55 Puerto de la Cruz In the south on Saturdays at Hospital Las Americas Tel 922 370 897 Specialist in gynaecology

Gran Canaria Hospital Dr. Negrín

C/. Barranco de la Ballena, s/n. 35020 Las Palmas. Tel. 928 450 000 Fax: 928 449 100 Hospital Insular

Plaza Doctor Pasteur 35020 Las Palmas. Tel. 928 313 033

Materno-Insular

Avda Maritima del Sur 35016 Las Palmas. Tel: 928 444 500 Fax 928 444 288 Clínica San Roque – Sur

Mar de Siberia 1 Urb. Meloneras 35100 MaspalomasMeloneras Tel: 928 063 600 Clínica Roca

C/ Buganvillas 1 35100 San Agustín Las Palmas. Tel. (0034) 928 76 90 04 Fax: (0034) 928 76 12 48 Clínica Salus Las Palmeras

Avda. de Tenerife, 24 Centro Comercial Kasbah Playa del Inglés Tel: 928 762 992

Physiotherapy PHYSIOTHERAPIST / OSTEOPATH Officially registered Nº967 Philippe Hoogstoel Home visits Tel: 677 818 661 English, Spanish, French, German spoken

Emergency

080 092 091 062 016

Fire Brigade Local Police National Police Guardia Civil

•Emergency & Ambulance

922 791 000

Dental surgery, implantology and periodontics Free bacteria test and painless elimination of same Qualified in France and USA South: C/ Amalia Alayón, 11, 1º D, Los Cristianos. Tel. 922 78 83 28 North: Plaza del Charco 6, 2nd floor, Puerto de la Cruz. Tel. 922 38 13 47

Fussengel Your home visits’ service • Chiropody • Manicure • Massages Call Claudia: 687 662 849

Missing Children> 116000

or eMail: fussengel@gmail.com

Counselling Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) South:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5.45pm, Friday at 11.45am. 1st Floor Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos (next to bus terminal).

630 478 448 (24 hrs).

Frequency & type :

DOCTOR

De La Flor Lic. 06089

 GP Providing All Family Medical Services.  Success Coaching Programs for Depression, Alcoholism, Low self-esteem, Eating Disorders.

Sometimes A veces All the time Todo el tiempo A lot Mucho A little Poco Stabbing p�� ain Dolor punzante

 Action Plan, Attitudinal Training designed to meet your needs and empower you to achieve greater health & happiness.

New location in ADEJE, HOME VISITS available BEST PRICES (30-40 €) & RESULTS GUARANTEED!

10 years younger in 2 weeks! Place yourself in the hands of one of the top cosmetic surgeons in Poland and treat yourself to a holiday, all for half the price of the same operation in the UK. Monthly group trips organised from Tenerife. Full translation and consultation. Meet Joanna and see the results for yourself.

10 years of experience in the USA

00 34 697 888 666

18 YEARS EXPERIENCE | NEW DENTAL CENTRE OUR OWN DENTAL LABORATORY M.LAUCH IN IKARUS - LA PAZ

Call 634 311 589 for more info

DENTAL CLINIC FAÑABÉ PLAZA

M. Dr. Jorge Prieto Col. 3806773

THE

Tel. 639 977 334

USP COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL

We are the Smile Creators

domestic violence

Tenerife Nursing and Care S.L.

Hospitals

BITE OF LIFE

CALL NOW MRS. ELSA

FREE check-up and X-ray Emergency Phone Line (for Bank Holidays & Weekends)

687 744 225

Tel: 922 714 225 • Fax: 922 724 130

C.C. Fañabé Plaza, Avda. Bruselas 2nd floor (in front of Hotel Jacaranda). Playa Fañabé, Costa Adeje, Tenerife Sur www.tenerife-dental.com

Family doctor – Ultrasound – Home visits 24 hour service 14 years of experience in USA Also office in Plaza del Charco (Puerto de la Cruz) & Las Galletas Please ring mobile

669 603 979

922 38 20 28

WE SPEAK ENGLISH NEXT TO LIDL

EXIT 35 | Puerto de La Cruz | Via de Servicio Las Arenas

living lifestyle

EDITION 637 :: 24/02/2011 - 10/03/2011 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

HouseCalls

Dr. De La Flor

healthytenerife@gmail.com

Coaching Corner ::

Dear Dr. De La Flor Dear Dr. De La Flor, I got a bloody nose the other day for the first time and it startled me. Is this something I should be concerned about? Sincerely, June

Dear June, Most nosebleeds are not serious and can be handled fairly easily. They are basically divided into two types, depending on whether the bleeding is coming from the anterior (the majority) or posterior part of the nose. In the anterior ones, the bleeding comes from a blood vessel at the very front part of the nose. They are usually easy to control with measures that can be per formed at home. Posterior ones tend to occur more often in elderly people. The bleeding usually comes from an ar ter y in the back part of the nose. They are more complicated and usually require management by a consultant (otolaryngologist). An underlying disease process, such as an inability of the blood to clot, may contribute to the bleeding. It can also be due to bloodthinning drugs (warfarin or aspirin) or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Liver disease can also inter fere with blood clotting. Abnormal blood vessels or cancers in the nose are rare causes of nosebleeds. High blood pressure may

By Dr. De La Flor

Happiness

contribute to bleeding but is almost never the only reason for a nosebleed. Bleeding usually occurs from only one nostril. If the bleeding is heavy enough, the blood can fill up the nostril on the affected side and overflow within the nasopharynx (the area inside the nose where the two nostrils merge), spilling into the other nostril to cause bleeding from both sides. Blood can also drip back into the throat or down into the stomach, causing a person to spit or even vomit blood. A small amount of bleeding from a nosebleed requires little inter vention. Sit up straight. Lean your head for ward (tilting your head back will only cause you to swallow the blood). Pinch the nostrils together with your thumb and index finger for five to ten minutes. Exposure to dry air, such as in a heated home in the winter, can contribute to your problem. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporiser will help keep the nose from dr ying out and triggering more bleeding. Another option is to place a pan filled with water near a heat source, such as a radiator, which allows the water to evaporate and adds moisture to the air. In other cases, if the source of the bleeding is a blood vessel that is easily seen, a doctor may cauterize it (seal the blood vessel). Try to avoid any further irritation of the nose. Do not blow your nose. Tr y

Mumps is a contagious viral infection

not to sneeze or cough, if possible. Avoid any strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or exercise. Stop smoking since it contributes to nasal dryness and irritation.

Dear Dr. De La Flor, I’ve not been feeling well and my mother is convinced that I have mumps. I didn’t think that anyone caught that anymore. Could I have mumps? What are the symptoms? Sincerely, Eva

Dear Eva, Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can cause painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands (located in between the ear and the jaw). Although not as common as years ago, it is still possible to contract the virus. Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you or shares

food or drinks. Mumps can affect many body systems and cause flulike symptoms, abdominal pain, swollen cheeks, and in men, swollen painful testicles. But some people who are infected with the mumps virus do not have any symptoms. Infected people can spread the virus one to two days before symptoms start and for about a week after the onset of symptoms. Mumps is most often diagnosed by a histor y of exposure to the disease, the presence of swelling and tenderness of the parotid glands, and other symptoms, including neck stif fness, headache, and painful testicles. If needed, a blood test can be done to confirm the diagnosis and eliminate the possibility that another illness is causing the symptoms. In most cases, people recover from mumps with rest and care at home. Treating the symptoms with overthe-counter medication is normally enough. Feel better soon!

“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” C.S. Lewis. Truly, I can’t think of a better medicine than a committed kiss, a strong hug, a simple gaze of understanding or a gratuitous smile to those who passed through our day. A constant strive to smile, to give our best is immediately rewarded by those around us and our inner strength and self esteem grow hand in hand with that commitment to bring out our best mood.

Zinc and the common cold

Aitchoo Latest medical findings are indicating that zinc may work to alleviate the symptoms of the common cold. While there is still no actual cure for what ails most of us at some stage of our lives, scientists are now saying that taking zinc once a cold starts can speed recovery and in some cases act to prevent a cold. These findings are published in the Cochrane Systematic Review which focused on data from 15 trials involving 1,360 people. However the report also warns that long term use of zinc is not recommended due to toxicity concerns.

Resolution: Let’s try to make sure that our day is packed with acts of kindness with those around us. Paving our day with random as well as prepared acts of kindness will make us stay focused on what’s really ‘vital’ and will create an ‘inner’ atmosphere that breathes family, social as well as professional success. Talk to you in a couple of weeks. Dr. De La Flor, licensed G.P. Holds certificates in coaching, nutrition and medical exercise from Berkeley University and the American Council on Exercise. His medical approach is highly influenced by Positive Psychology; an empowering, encompassing way of approaching patients through the study of their strengths and virtues to enable them to thrive and lead fulfilling lives, accept the past, find happiness in the present, and hope for the future. You can reach the doctor at 0034-697.888.666 to schedule a consultation in his surgery or in your home/business.

Health savings

Single doses

Single doses of Ibuprofen and paracetamol will be available in Spanish pharmacies from April of this year in a move that could save the Spanish health system over six million euros a year. Ibuprofen will be available in 400 and 600 ml tablets and paracetamol in 650 and 1,000 ml tablets, according to Spain’s Health minister Leire Pajín. The move is part of an overall plan to rationalise the use of medicine by the population, “we have more medicines than we need in our homes”, she said. It will mean that chemists will be able to give patients exactly the amount of medicine prescribed by their doctors, avoiding waste.

14 DAY GUIDE

25th February - 11th March : BBC1 / BBC2 / ITV1 / Channel4 / Channel5 / Skysports1 / Skysports2 ITV1 / 10th March / 9.00pm

ITV1 / Comedy 25th February / 4th March, 9.00pm

Monroe

Benidorm It’s back!

he Garveys arrive to stay with Madge at her villa, only to find that it has been sold to Cilla Black - and Madge is nowhere to be found. Mateo is introduced to his new colleague Les/Lesley, who has a few surprises up his/her sleeve. Gavin has a new holiday companion in the form of his employee from his salon, Kenneth. With Troy back home tending to his sick father, Gavin tries desperately to stick to his low carb diet as Kenneth tries to polish off as much free food as he can get. In next Friday’s visit to Benidorm, it’s check in time at The Solana for Noreen who, this year has brought her irritable daughter Pauline along. There’s also trouble in store for Sam and Natalie as they hit a nightclub with Liam and mayhem ensues

ITV1 / 28th February/ 9.00pm

The Biggest

Loser

Realit y

Dram a

The new series examines Monroe’s world inside and outside the hospital, with medical emergencies cutting across the lives of everyone involved from staff to patients and relatives.

ITV1 / 7th March / 9.00pm

Law & Order

Dram a

Bradley Walsh plays the old school coppers’ copper – DS Ronnie Brooks, while Jamie Bamber stars as Brooks’ partner, the young and ambitious DS Matt Devlin in the new series

BBC1 / 7th March / 8.00pm

Eastenders

BBC

Soap1

ll 14 contestants return for the grand final, revealing how much weight they have lost since their journeys began. Now one will be crowned The Biggest Loser 2011 and win the £25,000 prize money. Pictured are finalists Karen, Zandela and Wil.

Ronnie is worried that Glenda knows her secret. As a consequence, Phil and Ronnie try to think of a way to get Glenda to leave the Square.

TV18

IC TV GUIDE

/ Friday 25/02/11 Channel 4 / Comedy

25th February - 10.30pm Lee Evans at the O2

Infectiously funny stand-up from the master of physical observational comedy

one 6:00 Breakfast 9:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 1:00 BBC News at One 1:30 BBC London News 1:45 Doctors 2:15 Escape to the Country 3:00 BBC News 3:05 Deadly 60 3:35 Bear Behaving Badly 4:00 Dani’s House 4:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 5:00 Newsround 5:15 The Weakest Link 6:00 BBC News at Six 6:30 BBC London News 7:00 The One Show 7:30 Deadly 60 on a Mission 8:00 EastEnders Max needs Whitney to fix the mess she has made, but she ends up burning all her bridges in Walford and turning to her new friend for help. Zainab’s decision to keep the Square’s new resident a secret from Masood comes back to bite her, and Heather discovers Julie’s secret. 8:30 QI 9:00 New Tricks Drama featuring an eccentric group of ex-police officers brought out of retirement to investigate unsolved crimes. Brian Lane reluctantly goes into rehab to treat his alcoholism. 10:00 BBC News at Ten 10:25 BBC London News 10:35 The Graham Norton Show 11:20 The National Lottery Friday Night Draws 11:30 High Crimes Thriller starring Morgan Freeman, in which a woman finds her world turned upside down when her husband is accused of being a war criminal living under a false name. 1:20 Weatherview

TWO

6:00

11:10 11:40

1:00 1:45 2:30 3:00 3:45 4:30 5:15 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30

9:00