Islandconnections Edition 630 by Island Connections Media Group

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1984 - 2010

The Canary Islands’ biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents Edition # 630 /

19th November - 3rd December 2010

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

Live Arico/Ostrich farm face off

Unicef

“Not guilty!”

(l-r) Eugenio di Mommio Juan Vicens

he owner of the ostrich farm located alongside Live Arico dog refuge in Granadilla has made a further accusation against the installation, claiming that two more ostrich chicks were killed by a dog (or dogs) from the refuge on Sunday November 14th.

Juan Vicens told local press, “this is the third time my birds have been attacked by dogs from the refuge, which operates without a licence yet the authorities have not lifted a finger so far”. He added that he would be taking further legal action (there has already been one adjourned court case following earlier allegations) against Live Arico and Granadilla council over the attacks, which, he says, are ruining his livelihood. In our previous issue we reported that Vicens has claimed that since Live Arico opened their refuge beside his ostrich farm and restaurant he has lost, he calculates

Christmas 2010

up to €60,000 as the chicks that are hatching are weak and not surviving. He says the presence of the dogs is disturbing his birds greatly, and has claimed that at times the noise levels from the refuge are unbearable, day and night. Live Arico founder Eugenio di Mommio has completely rejected the accusation that any one of his or the refuge’s dogs was responsible for any bird deaths on the Sunday

Centre Pages

Advent Calendar See our Advent Calendar for details of how to win a prize a day throughout December

in question, and the local police haven’t taken any of his dogs away following the attack. (Vicens countered by stating to Island Connections “of course, an assassin doesn’t admit his guilt”). When we called to the refuge following the initial complaints a few weeks ago Eugenio readily admitted that his dog had taken part in one attack, the dog was chipped in his name and is already

back with him, but says there is no way that his dogs were involved in the latest incident. Regarding claims that the refuge is not in possession of all the proper licensing he told us that all the paper work is proceeding, they are working to erect an electric fence around the zone, and complete the work that will qualify the refuge for all the required ‘zoological’ authorisation needed. It would appear that this is a stor y that won’t go away, but neither side seem any nearer to reaching an amicable accord. A live ‘face off’ on Canarian television didn’t do anything to bring the issue closer to resolution, and contributors to the Tenerife Forum, Twitter and Facebook continue to keep this one going. Vicens says that one of them has to go – and he will wait to see which one the courts decide to close. Watch this space.

Suffer little children A

n extremely worrying report by Unicef claims that four out of 10 children in the Canaries are living in poverty. In the report, Infancia en España 20102011, the Spanish situation as a whole is revealed as unhealthy and getting worse. In the last five years since the previous investigation, the percentage of children in Spain living in poverty has increased from 23 per cent to 24.1 per cent. This puts Spain at the tail end of the European Union with only Rumania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Italy reporting a worse showing. The Canaries are at the head of the shame list in Spain registering the highest level of child poverty. Marta Arias, a co-writer of the report, explained, “to be a poor child in Spain doesn’t necessarily mean being hungry, but it does mean that there is more possibility of being undernourished; it doesn’t mean no access to education, but it does mean that parents will probably have problems facing educational costs and that the children are more likely to give up studying; it doesn’t mean that they can’t go to the doctor, but it does mean that they will have problems to pay for some treatments”. Unicef Spain are asking that a minimum of 1.4 per cent of the gross national product be used in social programmes for children, that a national plan to fight child poverty be drawn up to clarify the real needs and find answers to them, and asks for a consensus of, “all the social and political forces”.

Unesco awards

Prizes

Page 55

Two Canarian hotels rewarded for excellence in environmental intitiatives

Page 3

Justin Harman

football

CD Tenerife

away point but no respite from relegation fears

Ireland’s Ambassador to Pages 6-7 Spain, interviewed

Pages 21-36

Guide

Pages 8-9

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 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/20100 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

British Ambassador visit

Hello and goodbye the premises in Playa Blanca where one of the monthly Consulate surgeries are held and then on to Puerto Calero, where they met up with the mayor of Tías. The Ambassador spent the weekend on holiday in Lanzarote, ahead of a heavy week in Madrid.

The British Ambassador and Consul with the RBL team

iles Paxman LVO, the British Ambassador to Spain paid a three day official visit to the Islands recently, accompanied by the British Consul to the Canaries, Matthew Vickers. Gran Canaria first, visiting HMS Portland, meetings with Paulino Rivero, the Canarian President and with members of the British community in the British Club in the capital. The Tenerife visit started with a brief visit to the Consulate office in Santa Cruz to greet the staff and to present Vice Consul, Helen Díaz de Arcaya Keating with a long service medal for her 29 years of dedication. Next stop was with Lee Mountford and

Ross Jeffrey at The Living Room, to see at first hand the work of this charity here, followed by a get-together with some of the British tour operators, a meeting with members of the Southern delegation of the Cabildo and Steve McKenna, the Santiago del Teide councillor and winding up with the Royal British Legion group. The third day they flew to Fuerteventura for a meeting with the Cabildo President and the mayor and tourism councillor from La Oliva as well as some of the wardens on the island, the volunteers who will be mobilised in case of an emergency. On to Lanzarote where they met with the Vice President of the Cabildo and the mayor of Yaiza, visited

A common theme throughout the visit was the importance of charities and volunteers here given the reduced numbers of Consulate staff and the vast numbers of residents and tourists, the integration of British residents into the Canarian community and the need to register on the Padrón, “easy to do and lots of benefits” as Matthew underlined. If you haven’t registered and would like to tell us why, we would be happy to pass your comments along. Congratulations and a fond farewell to Matthew who will be transferring to his new post as Consul to Madrid in a couple of weeks. It’s an excellent career move for him and whilst he has enjoyed himself in the Canaries, “it’s been good fun and it’s a nice place to live”, as the proud father of a seven month old little boy, on a personal level he prefers to be closer to the UK for family reasons. Candidates to replace him are being interviewed as we go to press.

Tenerife Sunshine

Fantasy afloat

Book an appointment at the Tenerife Sunshine office with one of their cruise specialists and enter a prize draw where you can win a free cruise with Royal Caribbean anywhere in the world for two, up to $2,000 worth of free credit on board Royal Caribbean to give away, Free Upgrades and lots more.

London WTM

Saying no to winter blues

There’s no better way, or so the Canarian tourism chiefs hope, to get rid of the winter blues than booking yourself a trip to the Canary Islands. Yet again the Canarian stand at the London tourism trade fair, the World Travel Market, was a great success, giving people a real taste of the archipelago, and all the delights they can find during a stay here. Politicians local and international visited the stand as well as hundreds of tour operators not to mention potential visitors.

Quiz question

Day 1. The Shrine of the Three Kings, a

reliquary said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men, can be visited in the cathedral in a) Canterbury, b) Cologne, c) Vienna or d) Rome?

ou will be given a free goody bag to take away with cruise magazines, DVD’s and promotional cruise material. Book your berth on the MSC Fantasia, the tenth largest cruise ship in the world and with a capacity of 3,900 passengers, on one their superb Tenerife to Italy 12 day cruises, between now and March 2011. Other routes on offer from MSC Fantasia out of Santa Cruz this year are:

anta Cruz – Funchal – Malaga – Rome – Genova – Barcelona – Gibraltar – Funchal – Santa Cruz, leaving on 4th December 2010, 2th January 2011, 3rd February 2011, 25th February 2011, and19th March 2011. Santa Cruz – Lanzarote – Málaga – Rome – Génova – Barcelona – Casablanca – Santa Cruz, leaving on 23rd November 2010, 23rd January 2011, 14th February 2011, 8th March 2011, and 30th March 2011. Now is the time to book – November is open cruise month - the price for an inside cabin would normally cost €845

The best of fashion & food Your favourite store there is also here

Open all day

Pilar, 5 (Textiles & Toiletries) 922 281 555 Bethencourt Alfonso, 10 (Simply Food) 922 286 819

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

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.

7Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 per person is now on offer €740. An outside cabin, normally €965 can now be booked for €840 and for sheer luxury a balcony cabin is down from €1,250 per person to just €940 including all taxes and on a full board basis. More information from the Tenerife Sunshine offices at Troya Beach, 922 751867 or email info@tenerifesunshine. com.

Stop press

Ministry of Sound

The world’s most famous dance brand will be in Omm on December 4th and 5th when Ministry of Sound will make Tenerife the world capital of electronic music. Four of the best and most acclaimed Djs of Ministry of Sound will travel from London to Tenerife, to play their best music selections in the OMM Club, in Playa de las Américas, Arona. The tickets are already a va i l a b l e a t w w w. ministryofsoundtenerife. com

ood news on the green front as two Canarian hotels are the first to receive an important new international environmental initiatives prize and La Palma is designated as the world’s first sustainable tourism destination. Luis Ramallo Massanet and Tomás Azcárate y Bang, presidents respectively of the Spanish National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco and the Responsible Tourism Institute, presided jointly over the hotel prizegiving which took place in the gardens of the Hotel Botánico in Puerto de la Cruz. Also present was Ricardo Fernández de la Fuente, the Deputy Minister for Tourism for the Canarian Government, and representatives of the island councils of Tenerife and La Gomera, local councils and members of the hotel sector. The Hotel Botánico and La Gomera’s Hotel Gran Rey were the first proud recipients of the new honours – International Sustainable Tourism Prize – awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute, which is associated with Unesco and the World Tourism Organisation. The new prize is due to, “the growth of environmental, cultural and socioeconomic initiatives on the part of the tourism sector” and coincides with the

RTIs 15th anniversary. Luis Ramallo underlined the, “necessity for society to recognise sustainability as the future model of development,” which he assured has, “a particular relevance in tourism where the various establishments can impact on the environment or make a rational use of energy, water etc.” This was the thinking behind the creation of the R TI, an organisation which grows in importance yearly.

Ramón Arteaga Álvarez, Tomás Azcárate y Bang, Ricardo Fernández de la Fuente, José Carlos Francisco, Luis Ramallo Massanet, José Ramón Arteaga Hernández, Clarivel Molina de Arteaga

The work of both hotels in achieving European ISO standards and developing systems for environmental protection were underlined as worldwide reference points for the sector. Collecting the prize for the Hotel Gran Rey, the President of the administration body, Ramón Arteaga Álvarez dedicated the award to the hotel’s personnel who had not only achieved these awards but many others during many years of hard work and effort and emphasised that tourists increasingly place more value on efforts made for the environment. He was accompanied by José Ramón Arteaga Hernández and Clarivel Molina de Arteaga who echoed his sentiments. Speaking for the Hotel Botánico, their General Administrator, José Carlos Francisco, gave a brief idea of what they have

Biosphere prizes

Green winners done to deserve this and other awards in the management of water, waste products, recycling and participating in socially responsible projects. Mentioning their recent election in the TUI holiday company awards as 9th out of 8,000 hotels worldwide he affirmed, “sustainability is profitable. More tourists come to the hotel because of our policies and they are willing to pay more.” The following day saw La Palma receive the first Unesco

award in the world as a sustainable destination in the Benahoarita archaeological museum in Los Llanos de Aridane. Ramallo explained, “this is an island which has not had an excessive population growth and is controlling its population growth in line with resources and the future necessities of its citizens”. La Palma was named an International Biosphere Reserve eight years ago. Guadalupe González Taño, the island coun-

cil’s president, was showed her delight at this important recognition saying, “it can only be a matter of pride that we continue to be a reference point in many matters, but above all in something that for us is fundamental, that we are capable of combining the preser vation and maintenance of the land and our people with a social and economic development for the future”.

7Islands

EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Young mothers

Teenage pregnancy debate reopens

he international media coverage given to the case of a 10-year-old Romanian girl who travelled to Spain to give birth has ser ved to reopen the society debate on teenage pregnancies, with most health departments publishing figures on the situation in the respective regions.

All young mothers have been monitored by social services

Mother gets 18 years for infant death

he young mother of a seven-month baby from Fuerteventura who was left to die from horrific injuries inflicted on her almost from birth has been jailed for 18 years.

María Inmaculada Vega, 25, was convicted along with her live-in partner, who was not the baby girl’s father, of causing the death of the infant through repeated abuse. Doctors told the court that the post mortem showed the girl had several broken ribs and other major injuries sustained weeks before her death. The brother of Vega’s boyfriend tried to take the blame for the death, alleging the baby had fallen from his arms while he was baby-sitting but the prosecution produced conclusive forensic evidence matching deep bite marks found on the girl’s thighs to Vega’s teeth. During the week-long trial in Las Palmas, the court also heard that Vega, who has two other young children by different fathers, failed to register the birth of the baby and did not take her for any paediatric check-ups or seek treatment for her injuries.

Partner murder plan

A man from El Médano has been sentenced to nearly seven years in jail for trying to recruit someone to kill his partner.

Within days of the public outcry over the Romanian birth in Andalusia, media here carried reports of the number of very young teenage mothers in recent years. According to the Diario de Avisos, the Canaries rank eighth nationwide, with 14 girls aged 10-14 giving birth to babies in regional hospitals in 2008, the last year for which full statistics are available. A further 15 opted for an abortion, including three who had previously terminated another pregnancy. The regional social services say they have monitored all the young mothers and their babies but have not felt the need to take any into care so far.

Abuse verdict

Man convicted

Panga

Greens call for school fish probe T

he Green Party is urging the education authorities to remove from school menus a variety of cheap Vietnamese fish thought to be dangerous for human health.

The alert was issued by the Greens in the light of a European Commission visit to Vietnam to investigate claims that pathogens found in the species of catfish commonly known as panga have been the cause of various health problems in humans. Spokesman Rafael Rodríguez said the Greens had already contacted Brussels with their concerns at the presence of the fish in school lunches and wanted to know the results of any tests already carried out. “Irrespective of the results, the use of the Vietnamese fish reflects the poor standard of school meals and we call on the authorities to promote more ecological foods for our children” he added.

enerife’s Criminal Court heard that the defendant decided to get rid of his girlfriend of ten years, who was also an employee of his firm, by having her killed by an ex-work colleague. “At first I did not take the suggestion seriously because I knew they were going through a bad patch but he repeated it several times and offered me €5,000 to cut her throat” said the former colleague, who became so worried he contacted the woman directly to tell her about the offer.

onvicting him of conspiracy to murder, the cour t told the defendant his offer was a credible and serious plan to murder his partner and not a prank as he had tried to make out to police when arrested.

TF-1

Lighting resolved

T h e n e w l y- w i d e n e d section of the TF1 motorway between Santa Cruz and Arafo should be completely illuminated for night driving by the end of the month, says the island’s governing Cabildo.

he lack of lighting on the long stretch, which is one of the busiest on the island day and night, has been a source of repeated controversy in recent months but it

looks as if the problems have finally been resolved and the corporation is willing to meet the €270,000 annual bill.

he switch-on has been planned in two stages: the first saw 800 lights connected on the 10km stretch from Arafo to Tabaiba on 6 November and the second, 700 lights from Tabaiba to the outskirts of Santa Cruz, around a fortnight later. Media reports in the summer suggested the corporation’s current finances did not allow it to take on the cost yet but Cabildo sources say the problem has always been a technical one, not financial, caused by the lack of a transformer to provide the lighting on the second section.

Travel scam

OAPs conned

A group of pensioners from Santa Cruz say they have fallen foul of an unscrupulous travel agent who sold them a nonexistent cruise package to Madeira.

he elderly couples from the El Chapatal district signed up for the mini-cruise to Funchal and between them paid a total of €9,000. However, as the date drew near they were informed that the cruise was no longer possible and were offered an alternative trip to La Gomera for the same price. The 28 pensioners say the agent never made the bookings for the cruise, which should have taken place in early September, and had so far refused to refund the money paid in full. The allegations are being investigated by police.

Quiz question Day 2. In what year

was the original Band Aid song Do They Know It’s Christmas? record released?

BritishConsul

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

By Matthew Vickers

Social Services

Consular aid 2010

in terms of benefits, pensions and healthcare. The more that British citizens are aware of what is and isn’t available to them, the more they can plan their future and avoid needless worry.” The open days give residents the opportunity to ask general questions to the panel of presenters and sign up for a one-to-one session where they can discuss specific issues in more detail.

useful information

Open days

Pensions, healthcare, benefits & subsidies:

The Pension, Benefits and Healthcare team attached Gran Canaria :: to the British Consulate will hold open days in Tenerife Arguineguin and Gran Canaria to present advice and information on Friday, 26 November 2010 Venue: Complejo Deportivo the issues that matter most to British residents.

By Matthew Vickers, British Consul, Canary Islands

• See our website: http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-forbritish-nationals/pensions-benefits/ • Pensions, Healthcare & Benefit Team Email: enquiries. social-sec.spain@fco.gov.uk Tel: 952352300(Ext.16) • Canaries Government Services & Subsidies Tel: 012 Avda. José Manuel Guimerá, 10 - Edf. Servicios Múltiples II, Planta 0 - 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife or C/ Carlos J.R. Hamilton 14, Edf. Mabell 1ª Planta, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife www.gobcan.es/bienestarsocial/discapacidad.jsp

The open days consist of presentations covering a wide range of issues including Consular services and pension, benefit and healthcare rights of UK citizens living in Spain. Dave Thomas, British Consul General and Director for Consular Services Iberia, said, “it’s important that Britons living in Spain help themselves and their friends by finding out what they are entitled to. Too many people simply don’t know their rights

David Jimenez Silva (Arguineguin Swimming Pool) C/ Alcalde Paco Gonzalez, 10, Arguineguin, Gran Canaria Time: 2.30pm (doors open at 2pm)

Tenerife ::

Playa de la Arena Wednesday, 24 November Venue: Hotel Playa la Arena, Calle El Lajial No. 4, Playa de la Arena, Tenerife Time: 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:30pm)

* For more information and registration go to http://ukinspain. fco.gov.uk/en/ and click on the ‘open days’ section.

• Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo) Unidad de Discapacitados - Tel: 922843126 / 160 - www.iass. es/iass/DEFAULT/informacion_general_de_la_unidad_de_ discapacidad.html • Imserso Spanish Institute for the Elderly and Social Services - www.imserso.es/imserso_06/index.htm Tel: 900 406 080 - • Healthcare Servicio Canario de Salud - Tel: 922475704 C/ Pérez de Rozas, 5 Planta 4ª - Santa Cruz de Tenerife http://www2.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/

Homes, day centres, tourism & activities for the disabled: • Tenerife Island Council www.iass.es/iass/DEFAULT/ acceso_a_centros_discapacidad.html#

• Canaries Government www.gobcan.es/bienestarsocial/ dis_detalleservicio.jsp?DS42.step=3&DS42.ID=5506 • Sociedad Insular para la Promoción de las Personas con discapacidad (SINPROMI) (Cabildo’s Office for development, employment & leisure for the disabled) Tel: 922249199 - www.sinpromi.es C/ San Francisco 102, Edif. Majona, 3800 Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Social services The social services of the local councils are available to help residents including foreigners, exiles and refugees, in accordance with international reciprocal agreements. The services provided may be divided into those of the councils and those which are financed from other sources such as the Cabildos and the Canarian Government. The links to the above in the main British concentration areas are listed below: http://www.arona.org/ http://www.adeje.es/esp/portada_servicios_sociales.asp http://www.sanmigueldeabona.org http://www.granadilladeabona.org/ http://www.santiagodelteide.org http://www.villadelaorotava.org/sociales http://www.ayto-realejos.es/ayuntamiento/areas. http://www.puertodelacruz.es

Useful contacts: • British Consulate Tel: 922286863 - http://ukinspain.fco. gov.uk/en. Plaza Weyler 8 – 1º, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (In the south only by appointment)

Request your Discount Card at our Customer Service Department (SAC).

Solicite su Tarjeta Descuento en nuestro Servicio de Atención al Cliente (SAC).

* Only valid for foreign non resident tourists * Must register and present valid passport or identification card with photograph. * Check conditons at stores for further details.

* Sólo para turistas extranjeros no residentes. * Obligatorio registrarse y presentar el pasaporte o documento de identidad con fotografía. * Consultar condiciones de uso en el Centro Comercial.

• ASPRONTE Tel: 922221746 – www.aspronte.com (Association for Mentally disabled) Avda. La Salle No.8, Santa Cruz de Tenerife • (*)Cruz Roja Tel: 922 282924 Calle San Lucas 60, Santa Cruz de Tenerife www.cruzroja.es/portal/page?_ pageid=659,1&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30 • Accessible Tourism Guide www.portalturismoaccesible. org/setzone.jsp?zoneId=1 • Assistance at Airports Tel: 902404704 - www.aena.es • Down Tenerife Trisómico 21 - Tel: 922261128

• Asociación Orobal Tel: 922796514 - www.orobal.org/

• Asociación Adepsi Tel: 928414484 - www.adepsi.org/

• FEAPS Canarias Tel: 928227077 - www.feapscanarias.org/

SERVICIO DE INTÉRPRETES A SU DISPOSICIÓN. INTERPRETER SERVICE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.

TENERIFE: Avda. Tres de Mayo, 7. CP: 38003 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tfno: 922 849 400 Horario de Lunes a Sábado de 10:00 a 22:00 H. Open Monday - Saturday from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM.

7Islands

EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Honours list

Norman Goodall, MBE Regular readers, residents and visitors to Tenerife will no doubt be glad to join us in offering our congratulations to Norman Goodall who was recently awarded the MBE for “for charitable activities and services to the British community in Tenerife, Spain”. Norman, his wife Edna and two sons, Nicholas and Craig, were at Buckingham Palace on October 29th, as the man who has worked for over twenty years for Lions Sur here in Tenerife was given his award by Prince Charles. Norman has also worked for Age Concern here in Tenerife. “It was an absolutely brilliant day”, Norman told Island Connections, “I was very impressed”, he added. Norman says he was there with about 120 people from all walks of life, including one Lance Corporal who Norman noted was there and being congratulated by many people. Later Norman found out

*food & drink

Deliveries

mayoral race

S p a i n’s Po s t O ff i c e (Correos) has chosen Tenerife to trial new electric bicycles bought for its postmen and women.

Santa Cruz mayor Miguel Zerolo has confirmed he is stepping down at next May’s elections after 16 years in office.

Electric bikes for postmen Norman, Edna and their sons Nicholas and Craig outside Buckingham Palace

that the soldier was awarded the medal for Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC), having saved an army colleague who

*extra legroom

group booking service

was seriously wounded, and still under heavy fire during a mission in Afghanistan. Norman said he was also

*pre-bookable

seats

online check-in

very impressed with HRH Prince Charles who made time for each recipient and asked Norman about the work the Lions do here in Tenerife. The celebrations lasted longer than the day in question, Norman told us, as this was very definitely a “once in a life time event”. And when he and Edna returned to Tenerife there was another surprise in store. Norman thought he was attending a charity evening at Westhaven Bay, and even when a red Rolls Royce collected him from home he didn’t suspect, but when the couple arrived they were greeted by over 80 friends and colleagues who were there to congratulate him on years of charity work very well done.

our of the fleet of 80 bikes, acquired recently at a cost of €45,000 as part of the Correos drive to cut its environmental impact, are to be used on the island in place of the traditional Vespa motorcycles which have been synonymous with postal deliveries for decades.

he hi-tech bikes are expected to be allocated to flat parts of Santa Cruz and La Laguna to gauge their efficiency and further units should be added later. The batteries have a range of 40 km and last up to three years.

Correos spokesman said the new bikes are ideal for deliveries, producing zero emissions and no noise, unlike the motorbikes currently in use.

Zerolo says goodbye U

nder fire for his handling of several issues in recent years, particularly the controversial Las Teresitas beach development project, Zerolo is believed to have been under pressure from his party to step aside due to the growing prospect that it might lose control of the city council for the first time in decades. His decision clears the way for the popular José Manuel Bermúdez to move from the Cabildo and fight the local elections.

lthough there have been several reports that he wants to withdraw from politics, Zerolo is expected to seek re-election as a regional MP in May, not least because it would guarantee him privileged rank and help delay any proceedings brought against him in connection with the ongoing Las Teresitas corruption investigation.

TenerifeGeneral

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

CabildoNews Australian visit The Australian Ambassador to Spain, Zorica McCarthy, was in Tenerife recently and met with Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior. During the Ambassador’s official visit to the Islands she also met the Tenerife councillor for Economy and Competition Carlos Alonso, and was given updates on ongoing projects taking place via the Institute for Renewable Energies, ITER and involving Australian firms Petratherm and Enel Renovable. The Ambassador also showed a keen interest in the maritime connections between the Islands and the use of catamarans as a chosen form of transport by many commuters and tourists, many of which were actually built in and sailed from Australia. During her time in the Cabildo building Zorica McCarthy signed the Book of Honour and was presented with two gifts by the Cabildo president as a reminder of her time here – a hand-made silk scarf and a book on Tenerife.

Coasts and the Church

Candelaria basilica next T

he church that is home to the image of Tenerife’s patron, the Black Madonna of Candelaria, could be next to come under the microscope of zealous environment officials.

According to the La Opinión newspaper, the Department of

Coasts has written to the bishop of the island to notify him that the church and its adjoining buildings, including the old convent dating back to the mid16th century, are in breach of the law, which sets a minimum distance of 100 metres between the shore and buildings. The Department has invited the bishop to submit arguments

to exempt the church, where thousands of Tinerfeños congregate in August every year after walking from all parts of the island to pay their respects to the statue of the Virgin, from the application of the law. Church sources say the notification, while surprising, is not cause for undue alarm at present given that the Can-

delaria basilica is a heritage building and therefore cannot be pulled down. However, sources say that if any part of the building were to collapse due to age or bad weather, the law could prevent the reconstruction of the parts affected if they are close to the shore.

ADIÓS TELEFÓNICA! Welcome to UK TELECOM Canary Islands

Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior and Australian Ambassador to Spain Zorica McCarthy

Caught NAPping

Rent

Renewal The ‘Tenerife Acoge’ plan has seen an investment of €3.5 million to create and reenergise tourist products in Tenerife. According to island counsellor for tourism, José Manuel Bermúdez, the involvement of businesses within the sector as well as local authorities was crucial in the development of the plan and has allowed the Cabildo to advance and see the start of the “revaluation of the destination”. The commission behind the plan met recently to review actions taken in the last three years, and look at projects completed and ongoing, which have included the development of rural walks in Llano de los Loros in Anaga, the creation of a single communications platform for the tourists which includes a monthly events guide, a dedicated television station in hotel rooms, giving the visitor information on different attractions around the island, brochures, the development of Tenerife Mobile, via which tourists can download information on the destination, and a free phone call centre. Under the plan a new information office in the airport in South Tenerife has also been opened and the island’s gastronomy has been boosted and promoted as well as Tenerife wines.

Quiz question Day 3. The Messiah, was first performed in 1742 in a) London, b) Dublin, c) Vienna, or d) Jerusalem?

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Work has begun on the project to install a telecommunications ring road which will see fibre optic cables laid down from the NAP installations in Granadilla to the ITC (Technology Institute of Communications). The work comes under the ALiX project which sees Tenerife occupy a key position in the global development of telecommunications. The first phase of drilling and cabling will be carried out at night and on Saturdays parallel to the TF1 up to Santa María del Mar, where the line will split in the direction of the Santa Cruz bus/tram station on one side and La Laguna on the other. Work is expected to last seven months at a cost of €5 million. The Cabildo have acquired a specialised drilling machine for the job, which can perforate a mini- just ten centimetres wide to a depth of 50 centimetres, with the residue dumped directly into the depository, thus avoiding extra work post-drilling.

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EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

ExclusiveInterview

f ever an individual seemed ideally suited for a job, it would be Ireland’s Ambassador to Spain Justin Harman. A man who, while obser ving the norms of the diplomatic route throughout his career, has long-standing links with this country, is fluent in Spanish, has a superb grasp of the intricacies of the current economic situation at home and abroad and can target how the two countries can assist each other, is an excellent communicator and quite obviously thoroughly enjoys his job. We met while he was in Tenerife to launch an impressive tome, Los Cólogan de Irlanda y Tenerife, “it’s one of the most impressive volumes that I’ve read” he says, and he found time for a chat as part of his busy 36 hour stop over. In fact he wrote the preface to the book, with extensive reference to the centuries-long relationship between the Irish and the Spanish – the first big wave of Irish emigrants arriving in Spain was at the start 16th century as a directly result of the rebellion of the Irish clan chiefs against English domination, under Gerald Fitzgerald, the Count of Desmond. This group was aided by the Spanish crown, who would work with Irish immigrant groups in the future, which in turn saw many Irish immigrate to here and take up arms in the Spanish army and navy. At one stage in the 18th century there were 24 generals in the Spanish army of Irish origin. Back to today, and the Ambassador, who began his connections with Spain in 1970. “As a school boy, I taught

English to a family outside Bilbao and worked in a language school too”. When he finished his third level studies he joined the Irish department of Foreign Affairs, “and within months was in South America and Argentina, and was there for three years. Then I had no further contact with the Spanish speaking world for many years (Justin enjoyed a variety of postings, most recently six years in Russia), so it was a great delight when I was invited to come here”. Justin explained that while postings are, of course, government decisions, Irish Ambassadors are not party political figures. To some extent then they can indicate where they might like to serve, but there are no guarantees. And as to ‘ranking’ of embassies, is Washington, for instance, seen as one of the top jobs? He says it depends… “there would be some who see it that way, others, based on their own experience, would see other places as a top choice. The pinnacle is very much in the eye of the beholder.” Interesting too was a reference to how the modern ‘diplomatic family’ has changed, given cheap travel and improved communications. “In many cases nowadays one of the spouses goes abroad while the other stays at home. Children take decisions nowadays that they’re not going to travel, for reasons of education, age…. “It is stressful for families in general but there are many compensations – it’s a fascinating career, but not without its difficulties and a lot of the most difficult challenges are faced by the families.

EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/20100 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

For the working partner you go from one structure to another structure, and it’s much easier than trying to reinvent yourself totally. You have your function set out for you very clearly, there is a structure into which you fit, but this is not the case for the spouse or children and it tends to be more complicated for them.” Fitting in for Justin Harman seems to have caused few problems, and he delves into explaining the patterns and demands of his job as Ambassador here in Spain, which have been made all that more challenging by the ongoing economic crisis, something he has an insightful grasp of and a very clear perception of the way forward. “Basically as the Ambassador you represent the government and all that implies – bilateral relations, government to government contact. We have very good relations with Spain, and a lot of our contacts now take place in the context of what is happening in the European Union, so Ireland and Spain together are looking at issues and in the main we see things through the same prism. One of the big challenges, as an example, is the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. We’re very anxious to work with Spain to ensure we don’t end up with a collapse of the existing scheme. We’d like to see a greater alliance –that would be something that I would be pushing,” and to this end the Ambassador would also maintain regular contact with the Ministers of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs. “The second area where we’re closely

Justin Harman, Irish Ambassador to Spain

A hands-on By Clio O’’Flynn

tracking and in contact is the response to financial and economic crisis”. Regarding similarities between Ireland and Spain in this regard, he points out that while the scale is different, both went through a boom fuelled by cheap credit and lax lending and risk management by banks. “The boom in Ireland has led to a fiscal problem which has been

exacerbated by an underlying structural deficit which has in turn created immense challenges for us over the coming years. In a sense I have very close contacts with the budget division of the Ministry of Finance in Madrid. We’re following very closely what Spain is doing and providing information on how budgetary policy is evolving in

TRIANA 8 / CC MUELLE / MELONERAS KIOSCO 35 / CC LAS ARENAS – GRAN CANARIA CC SAFARI SHOPPING CENTRE - TENERIFE

ExclusiveInterview

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

n diplomat (L-R) Alfonso Soriano Benitez de Lugo, Ireland’s Ambassador to Spain Justin Harman and Hugo O’Donnell

Ireland.” The third area where the Ambassador plays a contextual role is in keeping the Spanish President closely informed as to how things are evolving in the Irish context economically. “One of the reasons for this is that we understand that we are in this together, there is always a risk of contagion, and we feel

it’s very important that the Spanish – other government too, but particularly the Spanish governments - understand the pressures and the medium term response that’s being developed in Ireland. A) solidarity and B) the importance of avoiding contagion.” Ambassador Harman would also work a form of ‘out reach’ programming, seeking to reassure businesses and the professional sectors in Spain that Ireland was taking the matter seriously. “Recently I was inter viewed on the floor of the Bolsa (the Spanish stock exchange) in Madrid on the main TV business programme Intereconomia, to explain precisely to the business and financial community in Spain that the strategy Ireland is following is precisely to bring to a head the total cost of the bail out and recapitalisation, and to show how we’re dealing with the structural deficit, and instill that confidence that

will translate into the markets when we return to the markets. (A letter from the Ambassador printed recently in El País pointing out inaccuracies in some reporting of the Irish debt/bail out plan was another example of his hands-on approach to keeping the Spanish public up to speed on the Irish economic situation.) Another obviously very important part of his Ambassadorial role is representing and looking after the interests of Irish residents in, and visitors to, Spain, though at times that is hard to quantify. The Irish while here are not as visually present perhaps as other ex-pat groups, with a tendency to absorb themselves into Spanish life. “By and large that’s true, and that’s a great testament to the Irish/Spanish empathy. “There is an empathy, throughout the many facets of Spain…over the years there are a lot of Spaniards who have been to Ireland. In the last 30/40 years, not an insignificant proportion of the Spanish population has been to Ireland to study…that forms a bond. “In fact the number of ‘empadronados’ (people registered with local councils) is relatively low, it’s about 17,000, for the whole of Spain but there are on average something like 250 flights per week between Ireland and Spain, which gives you an indication of the traffic back and forth. But a lot of people don’t feel the need to register with the embassy, they don’t have a need for officialdom and there’s no requirement for them to do so. Many Irish people own property here and haven’t registered as Irish…this is one of the reasons we

don’t have accurate figures as to how many (Irish) property owners there are in Spain…though estimates are as high as 80,000 or 90,000.” The Irish though, like many other national groups who come to live in Spain, have, in general, poor linguistic skills? But they would, Justin agrees, work to bridge gaps. “I think that’s very true. I was with a group of hoteliers and Irish tourists in Gran Canaria in Maspalomas, where large groups of Irish people go on holiday, and that point was made. In fact I spoke to hoteliers about dealing with the Irish and all of them enjoy dealing with the Irish. They find them a warm group to deal with in general…obviously like everything else you get the difficult cases”. Unlike some other countries, the Irish don’t operate a separate consulate service in Spain, “so of course dealing with the Irish in Spain is a main role for the embassy…there are so many Irish living or travelling here - 1.5 million people out of a population of four million annually –and there’s an understandable desire that if there are difficulties while they are here there is some form of consular protection”, apart of course from the day to day administrative work of an embassy, dealing with passports, etc. “We don’t have career consulates in Spain – we feel we can operate more effectively through this system of cooperation with honorary consulates (and a dedicated staff who the Ambassador praises very highly), but it is demand-

ing, and always being looked at”, given that Spain is different to many other cases because of the sheer number of people who visit the country from Ireland. “The consular ser vices char ter is there too, which exists to ensure there is a clear understanding of what the consular service can and cannot do. One of the important things is to ensure what Irish people are entitled to in their country of residence (Spain in this case). Get them to register, develop awareness of rights, obligations, voting, etc, and through that to integrate, so that the consular service is not there to provide people with protection that is already being provided by the host state”. Ambassador Harman also detailed some of the other bodies working in Spain to promote and assist the Irish and Irish interests here, including the Spanish Irish business network, which is based in Madrid, Irish Club, and Enterprise Ireland. As I left him he was preparing to go for lunch and visit one of Tenerife’s historic homes in Puerto de la Cruz, in the company of Hugo O’Donnell, (Duke of Tetuán) and local politician Alfonso Soriano Benitez de Lugo. He is looking forward to returning at some stage if his schedule allows, but for now the very hands-on Irish Ambassador to Spain will be concentrating his efforts on the bigger political and economic questions at hand, and I can think of no better man for the job.

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EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

SW / el puertito adeje

News in brief

Ocean Dreams Factory

Paradise lost D

espite the recent receipt of a tourism Gánigo award, the Ocean Dreams Factory may be looking at the loss of everything they have worked for over the last five years. With the cooperation of the local council via its Océano Sostenible Association, the company set in motion a programme to restore the seabed at El Puertito in Adeje which had been severely damaged by a plague of sea urchins (Diadema antillorum). It is work that has been recognised by publications as well known as the National Geographic. Year by year the group of mainly volunteers worked hard to make the area into a haven for numerous species, including seven green turtles (Chelona midas) a species which is at the top of the list of protected species in the Canary Islands, seahorses (Hippocampus ramulosus) and Harlequin crabs (Platypodiella picta) among many others. To display their work and raise funds to continue, a marine stewardship scheme for residents and visitors called Flyover was put together to develop knowledge of Tenerife’s marine reserves and broadcast the negative impact of some diving activities and how to minimise these effects. It all sounds wonderful, so what’s the problem? The group is tr ying to set up a marine reserve to protect the area. As

PRS and hawkers

David Novillo

it will be the first in Spain there is no legal pattern to follow and the delays seem interminable. Without protection, the bay is now receiving around 140 divers a day with the result that of the seven turtles present at the beginning of the year, only three now remain. David Novillo who heads the group underlines that they don’t want to block other groups out of the area, but they do want the diving to be more responsible with respect for the area and the neighbours. Sadly fast buck merchants, many of whom have been banned from following the whales and dolphins due to crackdowns, are jumping on the bandwagon. Boat after boat is brought into the bay and large groups of ‘Sunday divers’ launch themselves into the water to snorkel

or dive, often with little or no care or interest for the animals concerned except to get a good photograph. Some even try to touch them, grabbing a turtle flipper to have their picture taken with the terrified creature as if they were with costumed figures in Disneyland. David doesn’t understand it. After all, “would people go into an art gallery or museum and touch the pictures and exhibits?” he asked. Others wait until the animals are about to surface to breathe and home in which forces them down underwater again, stressed and often deprived of oxygen. It’s not surprising the majority of them have upped sticks. David and his group want an area, marked out by buoys where a limited number of

controlled dives can take place, prohibition of spear fishing and controls on the size and numbers of fishing quotas. A tighter control over camping and residues is also needed for the animals’ protection, more education and control over abusive overuse of the bay. They also suggest that similar schemes be put into effect in other areas by local diving groups, thus regenerating more areas of the coast for the animals and the divers and lessening the carbon footprint of the groups in travelling to the area as well as the problems caused by an excess of visitors. Locals are divided over the area’s new-won fame. Some are delighted that they can show their grandkids the animals they remember from their youth, others angry because of proposals to change a lifetime’s fishing habits and because of the number of divers who seem to take over the quayside, often leaning on cars with sea-water soaked wetsuits to change after their dives. Neighbours complain that visitors are taking over the town, bait used to attract the turtles, fish heads etc. ends up stinking on the coast and David and his group are getting the credit and the blame for everything that is happening, although clearly the abuse by some diving groups cannot be put down to them. The coastal department and local authorities have reached accord, the final decision now lies with Madrid, but feet are dragging and the area is suffering as a result. If they don’t reach a decision soon, five years of work could go down the drain and the animals and seabed recovery with it.

Shops urge action S

hops in Los Cristianos have called on the local council to deploy more police to curb the growing numbers of street sellers in the resort. Representatives of local traders met with council officials to ask for more police on the main streets and seafront area after 6pm to deter the sell-

ers and to crack down on the harassment of tourists by PRs trying to tempt customers into restaurants. The Group also asked for plain clothes police to operate in the zones in question, a request immediately rejected by the council who pointed out that policing of that nature could only be done “under special authorisation from the senior Government representative”.

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The meeting was one in a series of get-togethers held on a regular basis to iron out problems in the commercial zone in Los Cristianos. The president of the businesses, Carlos Magdalena, said that tackling the problems of on-street selling and harassment of passers-by by PRs was essential to improve “the poor image which Arona is projecting as a tourist destination”. In response the council says it has had considerable success

Quiz question Day 4. In Dickens’

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since it began to tackle the problems a few weeks ago and there was excellent cooperation with the national police in working to control the street hawkers. The councillor for security Manuel Reverón explained that, “since last September there are three weekly patrols (on different days and at different times),” and 28 people already face action for illegally occupying the public highway. Regarding the actions of the so-called PRs, Reverón added that the police were “sanctioning not just those individuals working on the street but also the establishments employing them who could also face temporary closures for failing to observe municipal by-laws”.

Baby death

Mother awaits answers

A Tenerife mother is still waiting for answers from the hospital where her newborn baby died within hours of birth almost six years ago. Luz Maria Lo Cosío gave birth in February 2005 in the University Hospital but her son did not survive the early hours of life. “Mine was a recognised high-risk pregnancy and I was taken in on a Wednesday to have labour induced. However, nothing was done until the Friday and my baby had to be delivered by forceps. He was taken away immediately to intensive care” explains Luz María, who launched legal action over the death, which she is convinced was the result of medical negligence. According to her lawyer the Department of Health has consistently refused to provide details of its investigation, on the grounds that the case is the subject of court proceedings commenced at the time. The mother decided to go public with her case in early November after it emerged that another woman who gave birth at the same time and shared her Christian name revealed that she was repeatedly given Luz María’s medication by mistake by hospital staff. The family are seeking €160,000 for the death, which the post mortem attributed to “a lack of oxygen to the foetus”.

Bail-out

‘Revolving door’ justice

The failure to put away criminals is once again at the top of the agenda in Tenerife following the news that a 22-year-old man from La Laguna arrested in connection with the stabbing of another man had a staggering 53 previous arrests to his credit. The suspect, who stayed away from his usual haunts for several days after the stabbing, was eventually detained when he was spotted by a patrol as he tried to break in to a car in another part of the city. His alleged accomplice in the stabbing, a 29-year-old local, has been arrested 19 times already. The revelations have rekindled the debate on prison policy, with critics of the current bail system stressing that neither man should have been on the streets if they had so many arrests on their record. “It is the same old story: criminals arrested repeatedly and then released pending trial. In one door and out the next to commit more crimes, this time a serious stabbing which could have killed someone” said one reader comment in a Tenerife paper that published the details.

Train route

Residents “knew about noise”

A plea by 400 residents of a development which will be seriously affected by the new train from Santa Cruz to the south to have the route modified is unlikely to be granted following the revelation that the developer and Santa Cruz council were informed before the houses were built that the track would run alongside them.

Tenerife daily Diario de Avisos has published details of correspondence between the island’s Cabildo, which is behind the train project, and the developer of the Hesperides housing project close to the motorway near Hoya Fría. According to the exchanges, the Cabildo made it known that the building land lay very close to the proposed route but it would not object to planning approval for the homes as long as residents would not file noise claims once the train became operational (now scheduled for 2018). The corporation’s Carlos Alonso said he failed to understand why the homeowners are now trying to force the train company to modify the route. “They knew about this long before the houses were built and it was the condition we set to grant the planning permission” explained Alonso.

Business NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

pensions

UK tax blow for pension pots

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks

he UK tax free allowance on annual contributions to a pension plan has been slashed to £50,000 from £255,000 in a bid to raise £4 billion a year for the cash strapped Exchequer. The maximum amount that a person can save in a pension pot tax free over their lifetime, the lifetime allowance, has been cut to £1.5 million from £1.8 billion to replenish the coffers by around £500 million. The Treasury estimates that the measures will hit 100,000 pension savers, of whom 80 per cent earn over £100,000. Industry analysts estimate that many thousands more could be affected including anyone who pays a lump sum into their pensions and long-term members of final salary schemes who receive large pay rises near to retirement. Inflation will

have an impact too if it rises in the future as the caps are not expected to increase in line with inflation.

perienced adviser like Blevins Franks to review your pension arrangements. For peace of mind ask them to review your investments as well to see if they are best placed to benefit from tax mitigating and wealth protection structures which help provide financial security through your retirement.

The £50,000 annual allowance will come into effect from 6 April 2011 and the cap on the lifetime allowance from 6 April 2012. Any UK taxpayers considering putting between £50,000 and £255,000 into their pension pot may wish to do so before the start of the next UK financial year. Any Britons living outside the UK would need to be eligible and have UK earnings to be able to contribute. The previous Labour government originally proposed targeting those earning over £150,000 and an annual cap of £30,000 to £45,000 instead of £50,000. The new measures introduced by the present Lib-Dem coalition government came in response to protests from the pension industry that Labour’s proposals were too complicated. Gross tax relief on pensions is £29 billion a year, and £6-£7 billion of that is for those on incomes of £150,000 or more, a Treasury spokesman said.

Financial experts questioned whether the measures would raise the £4 billion anticipated by the government. Tax relief will be given at an individual’s marginal rate of tax, meaning that those earning over £150,000 per year will receive 50 per cent tax relief on contributions under the £50,000 annual allowance. People who are in the £1.5 million to £1.8

million range will undergo some transitional measures. Taxpayers will be able to carry forward three years of unused allowance which will benefit those who make one-off large contributions that take them over the limit.

a multiplier of 16, resulting in reaching the annual limit faster. However, there are measures to ensure that indexation of pensions will be excluded when calculating the value of their ‘defined benefit’ annual allowance.

Employees in a final salary scheme where contributions are calculated by a multiple of ten will find this increased to

If affected by the new pension rules you could find yourself paying more tax. This would be a good time to consult an ex-

If you are affected by the new pension rules you could find yourself paying more tax

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 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

By John Hatrick, Tenerife Solicitors

Legal Matters SPANISH LAW (MATTERS WITHIN TENERIFE / SPAIN)

• Property Sale and Purchase / Conveyancing • Spanish Wills • Translation of Spanish Documents • Family Law and Divorce • Legal Disputes & Debts • Contracts • Timeshare Issues • Business Law

ENGLISH LAW (MATTERS WITHIN ENGLAND & WALES)

• Witnessing / Swearing documents • Family Law & Divorce • Landlord & Tenant • Disputes & Debt Recovery • Wills & Probate • Company Law • Business Start-ups Experience legal services the way you expect them. Call Tenerife Solicitors now on

922 71 78 45

for a no-obligation quotation or to discuss your needs.

. My wife and I recently spent a week in Tenerife. We visited an estate agent, who gave us the hard-sell on an apartment in off-plan development. We paid a deposit of £5,000 Sterling by credit card. Having returned home and done a little more research on the internet, we have decided we do not want to buy in this particular location. Is there any cooling off period during which we could get our money back?

. Unfortunately there is no ‘cooling-off’ period applicable to regular Spanish property purchases, as this only applies to timeshare-related transactions. It is therefore impossible to get your deposit back without the consent of the developer. I would suggest approaching the developer and seeing if they are prepared to resolve the matter amicably, whether it be a complete refund, or possibly refunding half of your deposit. If the developer refuses to cooperate, I would recommend that you ask the developer for the complete relevant documentation as per your consumer rights, in addition to a bank guarantee for the amount paid. If the developer refuses, you would be within your rights to file a denuncia (in this instance, a civil consumer complaint) to the police.

This way, the developer may decide that it doesn’t need the hassle and may instead offer you something to go away. This is obviously a last resort however and an amicable resolution should be sought wherever possible.

. Last year, I purchased a newly built property and paid a deposit plus the IGIC (V.A.T). I am now standing by to complete at the original agreed purchase price. However, the property developer has written to me asking for more money on account of some unanticipated costs they have encountered. They have attempted to soften the blow by declaring that the property is now worth considerably more than the amount I had originally agreed to pay. Are they allowed to increase the price like this? I used a solicitor when the contract was signed and ever ything was checked and double checked.

. Put simply, it is totally illegal for the developer to demand further monies when you have signed a contract to buy at a certain price. Unforeseen costs are the responsibility of the developer, who should have made allowances for the same in his original construction budget. I recommend you seek immediate legal advice and reject any attempt from the developer to impose a price increase.

Fair pay

Are you worth what you earn?

credit:svilen

We offer a variety of legal services to English- speaking visitors and Expats alike, including:

A recent survey carried out by the Great Place to Work Institute in Spain shows that 43 per cent of Spanish employees believe they receive a fair wage for their work. The survey was carried out by talking to 30,000 workers all over Spain from 250 businesses in various sectors. Over half (56 per cent) believe their bosses do a good job coordinating and assigning tasks, seven out of ten see their supervisors as competent and six out of ten claim that they keep their promises. Good results for perceived racial and sexual discrimination with 87 per cent of the workers believing that they are fairly treated, but room for improvement in the areas of conciliation and worker satisfaction. If this doesn’t sound like your workplace, perhaps you’d like to check out their list of great places to work on http://www.greatplacetowork.es/.

Alternatively, visit our website

www.tenerifesolicitors.com or email us at

info@tenerifesolicitors.com Club Atlantis, San Eugenio Opening Hours: Mon - Thu: 9.30am - 1.00pm / 2pm - 6pm Fri: 9.30am - 1pm / 2pm - 5pm. Sat / Sun: Closed Tenerife Solicitors is a trading name of HATRICK & CO SOLICITORS, who are regulated by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England & Wales (www.sra.gov.uk) and the College of Abogados (Lawyers) in Tenerife (www.icatf.es). We also hold separate Professional Indemnity Insurance Policies for £2 Million GBP in England and €3 Million EU in Tenerife in the unlikely event of a professional claim against us.

Transport

Used car costs

The average cost of used cars dropped by 2.2 per cent in October in comparison with the same month last year. The average price paid for a second hand car in Spain was €12,700 according to AutoScout24, an online company. Overall the market has dropped two per cent this year. The price drop has been attributed to the preferences of the ‘mileuristas’, those who earn €1,000 a month, who tend to spend around €3,000 on a vehicle and the end of the Government’s Plan 2000E, to replace the old vehicular road stock with newer, safer, less contaminating models, has also meant a drop in the prices of second hand vehicles. Navarre and the Basque Country spent the most on second hand cars paying an average of €16,050 and €15,188 respectively and six areas actually experienced an increase of between 3.1 per cent and 0.2 per cent. Regions where the prices dropped were headed by Castille and León with a reduction of 5.9 per cent, the remaining areas saw drops of between 5.6 per cent and 2.2 per cent with the Canaries registering a reduction of 4.6 per cent.

Business NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 With Björn Mildner, Director, Hotel Jardín Tropical, Costa Adeje

Financing studies

Plan renove

New for old

Last issue we published an article on the Government’s Plan Renove which gives grants to those replacing energy and water inefficient fridges etc. with new efficient models. The article was intended to give a general idea on the ongoing plan which depends on annual allocations of cash, which by November have, of course, been fully depleted. For those interested in the New Year in replacing old equipment, information on when the grants are available can be obtained from the Regional Government offices.

Vueling

Flight options

Spanish low cost company, Vueling, will open their first non-Spanish hub in Toulouse in April. The ‘baby’ of the national Iberia airline plans to invest around €30 million in the area in the next three years. The first flights on offer will be to Pisa, Venice, Ibiza and Malaga with linking flights to Barcelona, Amsterdam and Paris. Flights will be on sale from December.

Unemployment

Job seekers rise

October saw a further 68,213 people looking for jobs in Spain. The only sector that saw a decrease was construction with 2,697 less people signed on as actively looking for work. The total number of registered job seekers at the end of October stood at 4,085,976.

Grants and courses Official aid

The following grants and courses are now available. Until November 18, grant for training investigation staff: www. gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/2010/206/. Until November 26, course on leading innovative and creative teams. Learn how to spot the characteristics that show someone has the potential for innovation. https://servicios.feu.ull.es/Portal/ExpedienteOfertado. aspx?COD=A10040160.

Economic thoughts

Björn thinks that we could return to good figures but not as good as then. “If we worked hand in hand with the government, it could be”. International travel fairs are designed to boost business, but Björn comments, “you have to be present. What is more important is to bring those guys over here”. All inclusive package holidays are not a bad product and it is important that they are available. But Björn comments, “what you offer must be good and customer satisfaction must be as high as possible, then they will come back”.

enerife, along with the rest of the world, has been going through difficult times and due to the island’s dependence on tourism as its main economic motor, and therefore on other countries’ economics, the island has suffered more than most.

Björn spoke of hotels in general and the recent tendency towards a decrease in demand as well as a limited number of seats available from tour operators on flights to the island, due to their own risk management strategy. He feels that this situation may improve during this winter season but that there is a continuing tendency for hotels to cooperate with tour operators. The result is that the seats available on tour operators’ flights go to the clients who have booked into their hotels. Björn went on to talk about other contributing factors. “One problem with the Tenerife market is that in the past we did not modernise our hotels, our products and our offers, and we didn’t do anything with the environment. I think in the past we’ve just been too lazy. The result is that countries like Turkey, Morocco and even Cape Verde are our competitors and they offer excellent products and services. We have to renew our image with new products”. He also says we must offer quality to our customers and that you cannot offer this if you are selling at ridiculously low prices. Björn feels that we need to work more closely with the government and also complains that the government’s budget distribution is not relative to the percentage

of income gained from tourism. He feels that the government should be helping to create employment, rather than using labour reforms which only make it easier for employers to sack staff. Lower social security contributions or the possibility of being able to grant two year renewable work contracts would certainly help to create, rather than destroy jobs. “We are on a privileged island with average temperatures of 21 to 22 degrees. It is a perfect temperature, we must promote that again”, he says, adding that we need to diversify our marketing campaigns and target them at different groups of people – not only at those who want the sun, sand and the sea. “We have so many different things to offer – Teide, our gastronomy, trekking, cycling, scuba diving, whale watching, and we are underselling ourselves”, he added. As to whether or not we can ever get back to the ‘glory days’ of 2002 and 2003,

Did the Tenerife Amable campaign highlight an attitude problem? Björn feels that we have too many staff who have been in the same job for 20 years or more, and it is too expensive to change that. “But this will change with the new generation, and their new attitudes and skills. I have a lot of confidence in the new generation. Everything is attitude”. No-one knows whether this winter will bring an improvement in our tourism figures as consumer behaviour has changed. More and more people are booking through the internet and late (and last minute) booking is now more than a tendency. But what is certain is that if a customer is satisfied, he will return. The Hotel Jardín Tropical has recently renovated 300 rooms, and all its restaurants and bars, and this is surely a good sign for the market. Björn advises, “do things well and sell them better!“ Hard work and consistency seems to be the key.

902 107 111

EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Health

HouseCalls

Health News

Dr. De La Flor

healthytenerife@gmail.com

Dear Dr. De La Flor Dear Dr. De La Flor, I have type II diabetes and I’ve been reading about Glycemic Index. Is it really that important? Sincerely, Gordon

Dear Gordon, The glycemic index (GI) is one attempt to measure each individual food’s effect on blood sugar. High GI foods generally make blood sugar levels higher causing detrimental effects on Consider knee body functions. In addition, replacement surgery if you have a stiff, people who eat a lot of high GI painful knee that foods tend to have greater levels prevents you from performing even the of body fat, as measured by the simplest of tasks body mass index (BMI). High BMIs are linked to obesity, heart prevents you from performing even disease, and diabetes. High GI foods include many carbohydrates the simplest of activities and other such as these: white bread, pasta, rice, treatments are no longer working. Obviously, priorities may dif fer low-fiber cereals, baked goods. Low glycemic index foods - fruits, since some patients may love to vegetables, whole and minimally exercise regularly whereas others processed grains, legumes - generally may not even walk once a week, have less of an impact on blood therefore it’s essential to consider your preferences, activity levels, pain sugar levels. You can find lists of low (good), and joint function level as well as the medium, and high (bad) GI foods joint’s current situation. on the internet. Choose foods from The damaged part of the joint is the low and medium end of the GI as removed from the surface of the often as you can. Keep this general bones, and the surfaces are then principle in mind: unprocessed shaped to hold a metal or plastic foods tend to have lower GI than artificial joint. The artificial joint refined foods. is attached to the thigh bone, shin and knee cap either with cement or The GI is a vital concept that we a special bonding material. all should use and it is not just for Minimally invasive surger y people with diabetes. (MIS) has revolutionised knee replacement surgery. The smaller, “The part can never be well unless less invasive approaches result in the whole is well.” Plato less tissue trauma by allowing the surgeon to work between the fibres of the quadriceps muscles instead of requiring an incision through the tendon. It may lead to less pain, decreased recovery time and , better motion due to less scar tissue I’m 65 and have been suffering formation. We now know that about from arthritis for 20 years. I’ve been 90 per cent of the joint implants will considering knee replacement, any last about 20 years. The average hospital stay after thoughts? knee joint replacement is usually three to five days. The vast majority Sincerely, of people who undergo knee joint Janet replacement surger y have a dramatic improvement in about six weeks (most have been able to walk comfortably with minimal assistance). Once muscle strength I’ll try to give you a few hints about is restored with physical therapy knee replacement surgery (KRS). and daily activities, you can enjoy In general, you should consider it most activities (except running and if you have a stiff, painful knee that jumping). Remember, every person

Dear Dr. De La Flor

Dear Janet,

is dif ferent and the course of rehabilitation will be determined on an individual basis with the assistance of your doctor and physical therapist. I hope the info helps you make an informed decision. The single most important piece of advice I’ll give you is to be extremely serious during the rehab process. Patience and determination can work wonders! 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 00-34-697.888.666 to schedule a consultation in his surgery or in your home/business

La Laguna award

Royal award for drug programme

Queen Sofía presents the award to La Laguna mayor Fernando Clavijo

pain’s Queen Sofía recently handed over the top national S Reina Sofía prize for work in the prevention of drug abuse in schools and communities to La Laguna mayor Fernando Clavijo.

The award to the council was for their programme on the prevention of drug dependency, called ‘Que quede entre amigos’ (keeping it among friends), which saw 8.327 young school-goers in the borough taking part in the 2009-2011 programme as well as 432 volunteers. The prize giving ceremony was held at the Palacio de la Zarzuela in Madrid and the mayor was accompanied by the councillor for youth and drug dependency Javier Álvarez as well as Miguel Tomé, director of the programme and the head of the regional department on drug abuse

Coaching Corner :: Dr. De La Flor

Others opinions Can you imagine for a second how many headaches we’ll save ourselves by just not being too preoccupied about others’ opinions of us? I once read – “Be more concerned with your character

than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are”. Paradoxically, we all tend to focus more on the latter. We live in a society too focused on “what they say” and “how I compare with” … Both are highly wasteful of time and precious energy.

Resolution:

For the next two weeks, let’s try to focus on our character, in knowing ourselves better. Be yourself and dare to, little by little, polish defects and weaknesses and don’t give a damn what others think of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson used to say that every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm. Your life is or should be exciting - get enthused about taking baby steps to grow as a person! Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

prevention, Teresa Díaz Luis. The programme has been in place since 2004 and has the support of the regional government as well as being co-financed by the Canarian foundation for the prevention and investigation of drug dependency (FUNCAPID). It is aimed at secondary school students and encourages them to work together in workshops, encourages group motivation and helps them design their own preventative programmes which can then be practiced in their individual surroundings. In this way the students themselves become the mediators in their respective education centres.

Médecins sans Frontières

Forgotten ills

ure-all pills are on sale now at €1 in 22,000 chemC ists across Spain in a new fund raising push by the non governmental organisation, Médecins sans Frontières.

Every year 14 million people die, mainly in the poorer countries, from the so called ‘forgotten illnesses’, sleeping sickness, malaria, tuberculosis etc. To call attention to this and to raise funds to try and help fight the problem, the international organisation that sends free medical help all over the world where it is most needed, have produced a pill for the pain of others. In reality the pills, Pastillas Contra el Dolor Ajeno, are six mint sweets which have been formatted to look like tablets.

Quiz question credit:isap

Day 5. What did my true love give to me on the ninth day of Christmas?

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010

health directory

Health Directory 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

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

Hospitals

USP COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL

•Emergency & Ambulance

922 791 000

Hospitals

Physiotherapy

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

Home care or home help in your hotel or apartment from 1 to 24 hrs. Dementia care a speciality. Rates start at just €7. Tenerife Nursing and Care S.L.

Tel. 922 163 236 or 639 977 334

Gynaecology

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

Emergency

080 092 091 062 016

We are the Smile Creators

Fire Brigade Local Police National Police Guardia Civil domestic violence

Missing Children> 116000

Chemist Farmacia de Guardia

24H Service

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

South: C/ Amalia Alayón, 11, 1º D, Los Cristianos. Tel. 922 78 83 28

Gran Canaria Hospital Dr. Negrín

North: Plaza del Charco 6, 2nd floor, Puerto de la Cruz. Tel. 922 38 13 47

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

Finally

Hospital Insular

stop smoking!

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

15 €

Materno-Insular

Avda Maritima del Sur 35016 Las Palmas. Tel: 928 444 500 Fax 928 444 288

Enter the website of the Federation of Canarian Chemists:

www.fefarcan.com and click on ‘farmacias de guardia’ at the top right of the page.

We can help you. · · · · ·

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

Lifestyle Choices

online counselling & healing

Counselling

District Nursing Services now available at home. Cancer Care, Respite, long term care for your relative.

Login to www.counsellingandhealingonline.com Free e.book and half hour assessment 922 781 702 for appointment • info@choices.com

German Dental Practise Buzanada Your dentist in South Tenerife

Beaming smile with white teeth Tooth whitening our offer, only

€

149

CHURCH

painless treatment - drug free no side effects high success rate stop smoking without any weight gain post treatment care for one year

Call us now! You can reach us on: 922 73 70 00

DENTAL CLINIC FAÑABÉ PLAZA

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

10 years open Your German dentist in the South

Dr. Martin Seth PLAZA DE ESPAÑA TOWN HALL

ADEJE

All your dental needs under one roof Buzanada - Arona, Av. Puerto Rico 314 Tel. 922 767 166

r your gift coupon fose online purcha

Are you planning to stop smoking?

Clínica San Roque – Sur

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

The various chemists in the Canaries take it in turns in each area to make sure that there is access to medicine all over the islands.

Dental surgery, implantology and periodontics Free bacteria test and painless elimination of same Qualified in France and USA

www.sin-nicotina.com

Useful Vocabulary

MOTORWAY EXIT 79

Free consultation Implants, Quality Dentures General dental care Edificio Maria, Local 3-4 C/Principe Pelinor s/n, Adeje centre (Near town hall, Cultural Centre, Oasis Restaurant) Tel: 922 78 10 03 Mobile: 637 81 93 18 (24h)

EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

living lifestyle Credits: Photos: Ray Atkins / Location: Hotel Villa Cortés

Al Paradise

fashion

Al Paradise

Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection Al Paradise boutiques, exclusive to Tenerife, with several stores on the island, present their stunning Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection of timeless fashion for the stylish lady, in a variety of colours.

Al Paradise

Items are available in sizes: S, M, L and XL, or 10 to 24.

You can find Al Paradise at: Parque Santiago III and IV, Playa de las Américas CC La Niña, Torviscas Bajo CC Fañabé Plaza C/La Hoya, Puerto de la Cruz Soon you will be able to buy online at:

www.alparadise.com

living lifestyle

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 630 :: 19/11/2010 - 03/12/2010 Health News

Atchoo!

Flu news 110,000 senior residents of the Canary Islands have already received their flu vaccination under the annual health service scheme. That number represents 40 per cent of the target age group, according to the department. The department of health is continuing to urge all those who fall into any of the risk groups to make an appointment with their local health care provider sooner rather than later, stating that the vaccination is the best form of prevention. Risk groups include those over 65 years of age, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, people suffering from morbid obesity, and those working in certain professions such as teachers, police, health care workers, for instance. If you want to receive the vaccine phone 012 and make an appointment with your local doctor/nurse stating that it is for the vaccine. Another part of the campaign has also seen airline companies Islas Airways and Binter already distribute 50,000 packets of tissues to passengers with hygiene and flu prevention advice printed on the packaging, and specific instructions on avoiding contamination while flying in a plane.

Waiting lists

Shorter waiting lists The newly appointed regional minister for Heath, Fernando Bañolas, has assured that despite the continuing economic problems the promise to reduce waiting lists was a continuing priority and results were already being seen. Bañolas told press that surgical waiting lists had been notably reduced, and were continuing to do so “at a good rate“, but promised that his department was continuing to push for further reductions, adding that “the increase in the number of specialist consultants was seeing the numbers of patients awaiting surgery dropping“. He has said he will be looking for savings in the pharmaceutical costs of at least 36 per cent, by introducing, says his departments, “rational use of medicines“, and there will also be a drop of up to 24 per cent in the department’s funding for publicity and advertising. Overall, the department says, making savings while at the same time improving the level of medical assistance available to the public combined with improved hospital and health centre efficiency are fundamental tenets of the minister’s plans. In the area of improved patient care and satisfaction, the department is also looking at the introduction of out basis reach and home medical care, as well as the increased use of new technology, as complementary to existing services. Further developments should also see the inclusion of children born in 2005 into the Canarian dental health scheme for children.

HEALTH WITHOUT LIMITS Dr. Fu Qiang Li Chinese massage and acupuncture

Tel. 922 717 906 Mobile 679 787 290 Complejo Palo Blanco Fase 2, Avda. Los Pueblos, Costa Adeje

Emergency

DIAL 112 Emergency

HealthFitness

info@bfit.es

Fabian

The Bfitone day diet! W

hat if there was a diet which lasted for one day only? If one single day could change your body completely, wouldn’t you want to know how that works? I think so because you are reading this article. But before I let you into the secret of our BFIT- one day diet I have to explain you some of the diet´s benefits and we have to do a quick recap of the knowledge my regular readers already may have. So what kind of benefits will you get out of our Bfit one day diet? First of all you will improve your body composition, second of all you will improve your health and last but not least you will improve your performance. Fat loss, muscle growth, better performance and good health. Doesn´t that sound good? But why isn’t everybody in that kind of shape? Let me ask you a question: Did you ever try a diet before? If yes, how long did you last and did you keep that new bodyshape? Most of you will probably answer yes to the first and no to the second question. And this leads us right to the reason why people struggle with their diets. If you want to loose ½ kilo of body fat in the space of a week you have to burn 500 kcal more on a daily basis. For those of you who want to understand the science behind that: one kilo of bodyfat has 7,000 kcal. Now we know what we need to do. We need to burn more calories than we ingest , known as negative energy balance. As easy as it sounds, where is the problem? People don’t fail because of miscalculations, wrong training, weak food selection or bad nutrient timing. They fail due to lack of discipline.

Here is how the BFIT-1 day diet works. You need to know three things: 1. Yesterday is past, and there is no way to change anything that already happened.

2. Tomorrow is the future and you do not know what is gonna happen tomorrow, if yes call me and tell me the lotto numbers.

3. Today is the day you influence. Today you are gonna stick to your diet. It is just this single day what separates you from having the body you want, the health you wish and the performance you would like to have. Stick to your diet just one single day and repeat that procedure when you wake up each morning. That’s it, as easy as it sounds. There are no other secrets. If you do that and you are using the right diet it will work. If you need help with dieting, training, body transformation or health feel free to call me or write me an email. Fabian

DOCTOR

De La Flor Lic. 06089

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

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

Single emergency line

New location in ADEJE, HOME VISITS available

Missing Children> 116000

BEST PRICES (30-40 €) & RESULTS GUARANTEED!

10 years of experience in the USA

00 34 697 888 666

adventcalendar2010

’ Boutique

Looking for something special for the festive season & party time? Then visit us.... Large range of Joseph Ribkoff & Exclusive Stockists of Pause Café · Sizes 10 to 20 CC El Camisón | Local 28 | Playa de Las Américas T: 922 75 29 02 | F: 922 79 69 99

Are you looking for somewhere special this Christmas?

Fabulous Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings New Years Eve gala dinner with small disco

Booking now for pre Christmas parties (office parties, girls night out, birthday party out or just a romantic meal for 2)

Situated under Club Atlantis Hotel near Puerto Colón • Tel. 922 712 257 / 634 703 133

LI G HTI N G CE NTR E

VISIT OUR 200M 2 SHOWROOM IN PALM MAR! Choose from over 250 lights on display and 2000 more fittings in catalogue & our extensive range of quality Fantasia ceiling fans with 10yr warranty.

Simply beautiful flooring C. C. Muelles de Genova, Local 13-16 Avda. El Palm-Mar, Palm-Mar. Arona Tel. 922 748 317 info@islandinteriordesigns.com Mon-Fri 9am to 5 pm / Sat 10am to 2pm

DO MORE THAN HOPE

Prize: Luxury Firming Diamond Facial

Prize: 40 euro voucher

Prize: Medical foot care or foot reflexology massage

Prize: Sunday carvery for 2

Prize: Round of drinks for 4

Venus Fashion

Prize: 40% discount voucher

Prize: 2 tickets

Prize: Ticket for 2

21 The Off Road Centre

Prize: 2x35 min Excursions (Quad or Buggy)

22 Tenerife Sunshine

Prize: Jet Ski Safari for 2

In December's The Magazine:

• Win a Luxury Christmas Hamper • Christmas shopping in La Laguna • Wines: Casa del Vino. Driving: Mercedes CLS

THE MAGAZINE, THE ISLANDS' TOP LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH

CASH PAID FOR YOUR UNWANTED FURNITURE We buy & sell quality used furniture & household goods Full HOUSE clearances are our speciality

ROTATIONS Second Hand Centre 2 Large Showrooms

Viña del Mar Hotel, Las Américas · Open Mon - Fri 9am to 6pm & Sat 10am to 5pm EASY PARKING · Call Gary or Ray 922 790 822 / 675 569 804

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Joe Harrie

Prize: VIP double ticket

13 Liquid Shop

Prize: 1 electric cigarette

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Join us and combat cancer

11 12 13 14

17 Rock Story

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Prize: 40 euro voucher

902 886 226 www.todocancer.org

Koala Sur

Freebird

James’ Brasserie

Mogu Lounge

FOR THE BEST

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Zhen Estética

Little Treasures

Angelina Gräb

Under the Tenerife Sol Hotel · Playa de Las Américas Tel. for bookings 652 364 495

23 Hotel Puerto Azul

Prize: Weekend with bed & breakfast for 2

14 DAY GUIDE

19th November / 2nd December 2010 :: BBC1 / BBC2 / ITV1 / Channel4 / Channel5 / Skysports1 / Skysports2

Programmes and timings are subject to change at the Broadcaster’s discretion.

BBC1 / Entertainment

19th November, 7.00pm

Celebrity Juice X Factor Special

Children in Need

acap host Keith Lemon is joined by Dermot O’Leary, Diana Vickers and Olly Murs for a special X Factor-themed show.

ITV1 / 23rd November, 10.35pm

comedy >

sport>

The 2018 World Cup L

ive coverage from Zurich as FIFA unveil the venue for the 2018 competition.

BBC2 / 2nd December, 2:45pm Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly and Fearne Cotton are joined by a whole host of stars around the country for a spectacular night of fun and fundraising. Cheryl Cole gets the party started with a dazzling show-opener, the Hairy Bikers cook up a sizzling version of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, and Kylie Minogue performs live in the studio. The Saturdays take on McFly in a special edition of Strictly Come Dancing, and the Doctor and Amy throw a tea party in the TARDIS and serve up a sneak peek at the Doctor Who Christmas special.

film >

Good Luck Chuck W

omen find out if they sleep with Charlie, the next man they meet will be Mr Right. So Chuck has to break the trend after meeting his perfect girl.

Channel 4 / 19th November, 10.00pm

• Watch live or Catch Up TV • 28 Channel package for 30€ per month • Satellite quality • Easy install set top box • No dish No contract • Built-in TV Guide • Try it for free on a 3 day trial!!

TEL: 922 79 31 72 · 637 05 05 05 info@premier-satellites.com · www.premier-satellites.com

TV22

IC TV GUIDE

/ Friday 19/11/2010 ITV1 / Film

Quiz question

19th November - 10:35pm Tango and Cash

Day 6. In Winter

Wonderland, who do we pretend the snowman is?

Two arch-rival Los Angeles cops reluctantly join forces when they are both framed by a drugs baron

one 6:00 Breakfast 9:15 Rewind the 60s 10:00 Homes under the Hammer 11:00 Cowboy Trap Clive arrives in Clacton to see the mess cowboy developers left behind in a pensioner’s bungalow. 11:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 12:15 Bargain Hunt 1:00 BBC News at One 1:30 BBC London News 1:45 Doctors While Karen tries to track down Jack, he runs into Zara at The Campus, and his behaviour spirals even further out of control. 2:15 The Indian Doctor Dr Sharma is preparing to leave the village for good, and Mrs Sharma goes in search of the missing Dan. 3:00 BBC News 3:05 Trapped 3:30 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 3:50 Shaun the Sheep 4:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum 4:30 Horrible Histories 5:00 Newsround 5:15 The Weakest Link 6:00 BBC News at Six 6:30 BBC London News 7:00 Children in Need 2010 Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly and Fearne Cotton are joined by a whole host of stars around the country for a spectacular night of fun and fundraising. Cheryl Cole gets the party started with a dazzling show-opener, the Hairy Bikers cook up a sizzling version of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, and Kylie Minogue performs live in the studio. 10:00 BBC News at Ten 10:25 BBC London News 10:35 Children in Need 2010 Peter Andre performs a tribute to Michael Jackson, the stars of Loose Women sing their version of a Girls Aloud classic, and Blue Peter adventurer Helen Skelton takes the role of Baby in the hit musical Dirty Dancing. 2:00 Weatherview

TWO

6:00

11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:45 2:15 3:00 3:45 4:30 5:15

6:00 6:30 7:00

9:30

10:00 10:35 11:05 11:50 12:00

Children’s Entertainment Programmes include The Pingu Show and Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build! In the Night Garden Animal Park: Wild in Africa The Daily Politics GMT with George Alagiah Due South Car Booty Ben Fogle’s Escape in Time Murder, She Wrote Flog It! Pointless The Hairy Bikers’ Cook Off Si and Dave make a leek and blue cheese tart, and the seven-minute supper is haloumi and mushroom kebabs with salsa verde and roasted pepper couscous. Eggheads Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Rugby Union John Inverdale presents as Wales meet Fiji for the first time since the Pacific Islanders sensationally knocked them out of the 2007 World Cup. Harry and Paul Gillian and Gerald present the Henley Royal Northerner Show, Nelson Mandela has a run-in with Maggie Thatcher and there’s a visit to an island populated by Jeremy Clarksons. Mastermind Children in Need Special Newsnight The Review Show The National Lottery Draws Later... with Jools Holland Joining Jools in the studio for the tenth and final live show of this series is the legendary Robert Plant, who performs tracks from his recent Band Of Joy album. Arcade Fire are also in the studio with a couple of tunes.

6:00 8:30 9:25 10:30 11:25 11:30 12:30 1:30 2:00

Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning ITV News This Morning Loose Women ITV News & Weather Dinner Date David from Leeds selects three menus that appeal to him. 3:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00 Midsomer Murders When a solicitor falls from a roof to his death, Barnaby and Scott investigate whether it was suicide or murder 5:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show Classical star Andre Rieu provides music today, plus Alan offers his regular gardening tips for the weekend. 6:00 London Tonight 6:30 ITV News & Weather 7:00 Emmerdale Rhona is thrown by some unexpected news. Chas decides to take her revenge on Carl to the next level. Val takes pity on Amy. 7:30 Coronation Street Owen is left seething as Katy announces that she is moving in with Chesney. John panics when Fiz receives a menacing DVD. Molly admits her true feelings to Kevin. 8:00 Cheetah Kingdom 8:30 Coronation Street Can Kevin stop Molly from confessing everything to Tyrone? John confronts Charlotte after lying to Fiz. Will Leanne succumb to Nick’s advances? 9:00 I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 10:00 ITV News & Weather 10:35 Tango and Cash Two arch-rival Los Angeles cops reluctantly join forces when they are both framed by a drugs baron. Constantly at loggerheads over their differing styles of police work, they both end up in prison 12:30 The Zone

5:25 6:10 6:15 6:30 6:50 7:15 7:40 8:40 9:10 9:40 10:10 11:05

12:00 12:05 12:10 12:20

3:25 4:10 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30

7:00 7:25 7:30 8:00 9:00

10:00

12:00

Countdown Sali Mali The Treacle People Planet Cook Yo Gabba Gabba! Freshly Squeezed Everybody Loves Raymond Double bill. Frasier According to Jim Cook Yourself Thin One Tree Hill Smallville Oliver is drugged and kidnapped by a woman named Victoria, aka Roulette, who informs him that he must now play a life-threatening game as punishment for what he’s done. Channel 4 News Summary Atlantic River Cottage Bites The Bridge on the River Kwai War drama about British prisoners of war who are forced to build a jungle railroad bridge in World War II Indochina. Countdown Deal or No Deal Come Dine with Me Celebrity Coach Trip The Simpsons Hollyoaks Cheryl goes to confront Brendan about his sexuality. Channel 4 News 4thought.tv Unreported World Come Dine with Me The Event President Martinez and the Director of National Intelligence fulfil their agreement with Thomas. Good Luck Chuck Charlie has a gift which becomes a curse. Every woman who sleeps with him immediately meets her perfect Mr Right after their encounter - which means a lot of women in line for him, making a satisfying, if lonely, life for Chuck. Barclaycard Mercury Prize Sessions

6:00

9:15 10:45 11:45 12:40 12:45 1:45

2:15 2:50 3:05 3:10

5:00 5:30 6:00

6:25 7:00 7:30 8:00 9:00

10:00

10:55

11:50

Milkshake Programmes include Thomas and Friends and Roary the Racing Car. The Wright Stuff Trisha Goddard House Doctor Double bill. Five News Emergency Bikers Neighbours Steph is still missing, and Lyn, Lucas and Summer are frantic. Their worry is compounded when Karl and Susan reveal Libby has gone to meet her Home and Away Rough Guide to Bang for Your Buck Donald Duck: Winter Storage The Note II: Taking a Chance on Love Romantic drama about a newspaper columnist who is reluctant to commit to her partner when he asks her to marry him, but she receives inspiration when a reader contacts her with some words of wisdom. Five News Neighbours Home and Away Marilyn struggles to cope with Mitzy’s death. Dex reconnects with Adrian when he confides in her his grief over Mitzy’s death. Live from Studio Five Five News at 7 Fifth Gear White Van Man The Mentalist The team investigates the disappearance of a federal judge’s daughter, who went missing on the same day that the judge’s mother died. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Benson finds herself in a compromising situation when she learns the rape suspect she and Stabler have been spying on is her half brother. CSI: Miami When a corpse is found buried at a beach volleyball court, Delko and Horatio investigate. Cops in Crisis

6:00 7:30 8:00 9:00 10:00

12:00 2:00 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:30

7:00 7:30

10:00 10:30 11:00

International Cricket Barclays Premier League World The Rugby Club Time of Our Lives International Cricket Day three of Australia ‘A’ against England. Ringside International Cricket The Rugby Club Barclays Premier League World Football League Weekend Barclays Premier League Preview A look ahead to the weekend’s Barclays Premier League action. Sky Sports News at Seven Premiership Rugby Union Leicester Tigers face Harlequins at Welford Road Take it Like a Fan Barclays Premier League Preview International Cricket Day 4 of Australia ‘A’ against England

2 Good Morning Sports Fans Three hours of the latest sporting news. 9:00 Ringside Latest news from inside the ring. 11:00 WWE Special 12:00 European Tour Golf Day two of the Hong Kong Open. 4:00 Race World 5:00 Trans World Sport Join the team on their hourlong foray into sports news, tournaments and competitions across the globe. 6:00 European Tour Golf 7:30 Sky Sports Victory Shield Northern Ireland v Wales. 9:30 World Wrestling Entertainment 11:30 World Wrestling Entertainment

6:00

59 | December 2010

LIFESTYLE GUIDE FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

IC TV GUIDE

TV23

/ Saturday 20/11/10

ITV1 / Music

20th November - 11:35pm Band on the Run Paul McCartney and Wings: Band on the Run Dermot O’Leary interviews music icon Sir Paul McCartney

one 6:00 Breakfast 10:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 11:30 Nigella’s Kitchen Nigella cooks up an incredible Venetian carrot cake. 12:00 BBC News 12:10 BBC London News 12:15 Football Focus 1:00 F1: 2010 Season Review 2:00 Rugby Union Gabby Logan introduces live coverage from Murrayfield as Scotland take on world champions South Africa. 4:30 Final Score Mark Chapman introduces all the results and reaction from the day’s football fixtures. 5:10 BBC News 5:20 BBC London News 5:30 Children in Need 2010 6:30 Strictly Come Dancing 7:45 Merlin As Gilli begins to realise the full potential of his powers, Merlin finds himself torn 8:30 The National Lottery Draws 8:45 Casualty It’s Ruth’s first day as Clinical Standards Manager, and she receives a frosty reception from her colleagues in the ED. Will she bow to pressure and reinstate Charlie? 9:35 The Armstrong and Miller Show Sketch show starring Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller, featuring more from the out-of-touch vampires, ‘no nonsense’ nonsense from new characters Phil and Ken, and a special report from Royal Correspondent Terry Devlin. 10:05 BBC News 10:25 Match of the Day Gary Lineker presents Premier League highlights, including the derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium. 11:45 The Football League Show 1:05 Weatherview

TWO

6:00

11:30 12:00 12:25 12:50 1:20 1:35 2:0 2:25

4:00

5:00