Island Connections Edition 586

Controlled by

1984 - 2009

Ye Ex ars cel of len ce

The Canary Island’s biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents Edition # 586 / 13th - 27th March 2009 / 1.80€ at Newsagents / www.islandconnections.eu / www.newscanarias.net

Marathon Man STEVE CUSHING IS PREPARING TO RUN IN THE MARATHON DES SABLES IN THE SAHARA DESERT, STARTING ON APRIL 1ST.

Special Report

SLÁINTE Celebrate St Patrick’s Day Details of events Pages 28 - 29

Abuse arrests SIX SUMMER CAMP MONITORS questioned

over abuse claims Page 3

Granadilla WORK ON CONTROVERSIAL PORT suspended by courts Page 4

ften described as the hardest foot race on earth, it involves running 150 miles over six or seven days in daytime temperatures as high as 35 to 40 degrees, dropping down to around five

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degrees overnight. The route will not be announced until the day before the start but traditionally involves an average of 20 miles per day with one day dedicated to sand-hills of up to 300 metres on a one in four gradient. The

event finishes off with a 50 mile marathon which can be covered in one or two days.

Steve, 58 and from Blackpool, has been taking advantage of warmer weather and the dusty terrain in Tenerife to train for the mara-

thon during which he hopes to raise 15,000 pounds to equip a home for orphaned children in the village of Watamu, Kenya.

More background information and sponsorship details can be found on page 11.

...Always near to you with our offer of Spanish and British products!

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The Sports Megastore, 8.000m

Motorway Santa Cruz La Laguna, Exit “Las Chumberas”.

38205 La Laguna, Tenerife. Tel: 922 62 79 00, Fax: 922 82 11 07 © IC/542/2007

www.decathlon.com

CC Fañabé Plaza and Compostela Beach Commercial Zone Playa de las Vistas

Sign of the times ROAD SIGNS from Santa Cruz baffle Page 13

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Canary Islands SECURITY

Index > Interview 6 / 7

Hour change

Safer south

REMEMBER

The clocks go forward

Local and national police are to work more with the hotel industry to help prevent theft.

Hotel Tigaiga Looking back over 50 years of history Canary Islands News

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

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Tenerife South General

08 12

North

16

G. Canaria

18

La Gomera

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Business News Financial Blevins

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In an increasingly competitive market, the safety of our visitors in comparison with the new resorts springing up is a major differentiating factor in our favour. It is important that our tourists, and residents of course, feel safe. That was the basis of a recent meeting between the subdelegate of the Spanish Government in the Canaries, José Antonio Batista, the integrated security school, the hoteliers, Adeje’s mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, tourism councillor, Miguel Ángel Santos, and the security councillor, Carmen Nieves Rodríguez.

Surprisingly, despite the economic downturn, the number of crimes in Adeje is slightly down for the first two months of the year, a

ONE HOUR ON SUNDAY 29TH OF MARCH. So 1.00 am on Sunday morning will become 2.00 am and we lose an hour of sleep.

If you’re re travelling g do confirm nfirm check-in -in and flight times in advance. ce.

trend that everyone is interested in continuing. The mayor underlined that one of their worries was the amount of street sellers and time share and restaurant

touts still operating despite over a thousand arrests last year. A much demanded novelty which should be in place by the end of the year is that a group of officials

will be based in the national police headquarters at Las Américas specifically to help foreigners. The team will be made up of a police officer, a translator and a psycholo-

gist and Batista informed the meeting that the various consulates of the various countries that most visit Tenerife were happy to cooperate with the initiative. The scheme is already working well in Madrid and is also planned for introduction in Málaga and the Balearic Islands.

Lifestyle Beauty Fashion

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St.Patrick’s Special 28-29

What’s On

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Food Business News 36 37 38 39

Promotion

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Classifieds 44 45 46 48

Sport Motoring Bowling Boxing CD Tenerife

Airport strike Travellers are warned that there is to be a one-hour stoppage by all AENA workers on March 25 which will affect flights in and out of all the Canarian airports.

The move is part of a nationwide action in protest at the proposed semi-privatisation of the airports.

The government hope to sell up to 30 per cent of the nationally owned airports to private investors, including provincial and regional govern-

Rest. Review Cheeses Seasonal food Wine

Situations vacant Motoring General services Property

TRAVEL

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ing bodies. No date has been set for the move and national daily El País reports AENA Airports Manager, Encarnación Vivanco, as saying that nothing will be done until after the crisis.

However, the unions have called on the 10,000 workers to down tools this month to demonstrate they are against the move and to bring the proposal into the public domain. The wisdom of such a move at a time when the country

is suffering a downturn of tourist trade is being called into question by some specialists. The strike is in addition to the short stoppages already taking place every Friday in Tenerife South’s Reina Sofía airport, which have been in place since November over staffing levels and contracts.

Unions are threatening that if no agreement is reached by Easter they will strike for the whole of Easter week.

MINISTER ADMISSION

Tourism in freefall Canarian tourism minister Rita Martín is back in the headlines, this time for her realistic admission that the sector is in freefall at present.

Having been criticised on several occasions for painting an overlyoptimistic picture of the industry in recent months, Martín is now drawing fire for giving a bleak forecast to the region’s Parliament. “The sector is in freefall and there is no way of

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knowing when things will improve.

The pound’s weakness against the euro is forcing British tourists to look to dollar destinations. The Canaries used to ‘sell themselves’ unaided but we now need strategies to compete with rivals” said the minister, who urged the Spanish government to cut airport charges to attract airlines, which are twice as high (or more) as in some of the ‘competing’ destinations. Responding to a parlia-

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Joe Schacher director@ic-news.com Editor

Clio O’Flynn Commercial Director

Henry Cruz henrycruz@ic-news.com Head Office Tenerife C/ Francisco Feo Rodríguez,6º Las Chafiras 38620.

San Miguel de Abona.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

mentary question, the minister said that the regional government “has a strategy for tackling the problem” with funding already allocated for promotion, improving public tourist zones and training in an attempt to maintain levels of employment in the sector. The statements came as the minister was preparing for the Berlin tourism trade fair, one of the top European dates in the tourism calendar.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Yéremi Vargas

Anniversary too much for Ithaisa

CANARY ISLANDS

SUMMER CAMPS

Six arrested in suspected abuse case The Civil Guard arrested six persons in relation to an investigation into possible abuse of minors during a summer training camp in South Tenerife last year. down on their hands and knees and be hit on the behind. The actions were filmed and placed on the internet.

According to reports the

Images of the

The second anniversar y of the disappearance of Vecindario boy Yéremi Vargas in 2007 proved too much for his mother.

Ithaisa Suárez was admitted to hospital after feeling unwell in the run up to the sad date on March 10th. A family source said last night she had not eaten for several days and was very weak on the eve of the anniversary. She was admitted to the island’s main hospital and placed on a drip due to dehydration.

Local media reports add that Ithaisa is receiving treatment for severe depression also.

Yéremi has not been seen since he disappeared while playing yards from his grandmother’s house in Vecindario on 10 March 2007.

abuse WERE POSTED ON THE INTERNET

The case came to light when the mother of a 14 year old boy who attended the residential basketball camp, in a hotel in the area, was alerted to the fact that a video of her son being beaten by another boy, in the presence of camp monitors, was on the internet.

She informed the author-

ities who began investigations and subsequently arrested six monitors, three in Tenerife and three in Gran Canaria and charged them with a series of offences.

According to the information now collated it would appear that during some of the nights while the camp was in session boys were taken from their

Natalie Tours

From Russia with love

For the second time the leading Russian tour operator Natalie Tours chose Tenerife to host their annual conference, and speaking on the opening day they called for a major promotion of the island in Moscow and Belarus.

Chief spokesperson for the tour operators Joan Pascual, called on the Tenerife Cabildo and regional government to increase the publicity in Russia and “sell” the Canary Islands more than in the past.

Regional and local politicians included Adeje’s Miguel Ángel Santos, José Manuel Bermúdez, and regional deputy tourism minister María del Carmen Hernández. They all referred to the importance of Russian tourism to the islands – now fourth in importance for Tenerife behind Britain, the Spanish peninsula and Germany, and their elevated spending power compared to other tourists. In 2008 there were 92,000 Russian tourists in Tenerife, an increase of 27 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Natalie Tours has offices in all the major Spanish destinations and branches in Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Samara and Minsk.

rooms, accused of misbehaving, taken to a nearby garden where they were told to fight each other as well as being on the receiving end of some form of physical punishment from the monitors. In some cases the boys, between 13 and 16 years old, were told to remove their shirts and pants, hop around, or get

six have claimed that this was all done as “a joke”.

However José Luis Calvo, spokesperson for Prodeni, the association for children’s rights, said he was concerned at the reports, and said the “parents want to be assured of the characteristics and qualifications of the organisations in whose care they are placing their children” during such training sessions. Addressing concern among parents in

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the borough, Adeje sports councillor Marcos Barrera said that the council were appalled at the news, but wanted to underline the fact that this has been a privately organised and run summer camp, and the only official contact the council had had was the leasing of the sports facilities. He said that, on hearing the news, his initial reaction was one of “surprise as the evaluation immediately after the camp seemed to have been very positive. All the children who began the course saw it through to the end and at the time there were no complaints from any parents, in fact they congratulated the council on the sporting installations”.

He added that “all of the monitors who participated in the camp were contracted by the organising club” and that no one from the council was implicated in any way in the case. Further, none of the instances of abuse being investigated took place on council property, but in the hotel where the camp was based.

Island Connections also contacted Adeje council regarding the qualifications of monitors they do employ for council sponsored summer camps. We were assured that a rigorous selection process is employed, and those applying need to present a curriculum, prove experience in the relevant field, and are monitored themselves throughout the duration of their employment, with the council taking on full responsibility for those hired to look after children during any council activity.

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EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CANARY ISLANDS

TOURISM NUMBERS

Low cost passengers up The Canaries were the only region in Spain to see a rise in passengers flying with low cost airlines in January.

Figures for the month published recently by the Institute for Tourism Studies in Madrid show that the number of travellers increased by just over seven per cent to 303,000, consolidating the position of the low cost carriers as major contributors to the holiday industry here.

The Canaries now rank second behind Catalonia in terms of passenger numbers and over a fifth of all people

Increase in passengers flying with low cost airlines

flying to Spain on airlines such as Easyjet and Air Berlin did so to the Islands.

The seven per cent increase

compares very favourably with the rest of the country, where numbers fell by just under 10 per cent. Valencia,

third in the rankings, saw a drop of over 22 per cent in its numbers, according to the study.

Despite the January boost, February is expected to be less impressive owing to the recent pull-out of Ryanair from its nine Fuerteventura routes due to a dispute with a local business consortium, which is believed to have subsidised the flights. Some of the island’s losses will be offset in the coming months by the new routes announced by Easyjet, which is increasing its flights to Madrid and is to add a new service to Liverpool.

CREDIT CRUNCH

Canarian mortgages drop More confirmation that the credit crunch is biting hard has come with the news that the number of mortgages taken out in the Canaries in 2008 was down by almost a quarter on the previous year.

Figures from the National Institute of Statistics show that 4,208 mortgages were granted in the islands during the year, 23 per cent fewer than in 2007.

The average level of mortgage was a little over 126,000 euros, 13 per cent lower. Only two regions in Spain saw the number

of mortgages increase in 2008 (Madrid and Navarra) and the Canarian figure was slightly better than the national average (27 per cent).

Analysts expect the situation to improve slightly as interest rates continue to fall although the tighter controls on the maximum amount offered by banks, which have been formally warned against granting 100 per cent home loans, will almost certainly discourage potential buyers, who will need to have more cash in hand.

Motoring scam Check with your insurance company before accepting a tow

Poor pick up It’s not just businesses that share ideas, thieves do too and the latest motoring scam is sure to be imported to the islands soon so be on your guard.

A group of swindlers in Catalonia have been preying on motorists who have had an accident or a breakdown.

Representing themselves as authentic tow trucks sent by the motorists’ insurance companies, they ask the drivers to sign a blank estimate which they then fill in later for an amount varying between 600 and 3,000 euros. If the drivers cannot pay, the tricksters hang on to the vehicle in question. When they pick up the cars they inform the drivers that his or her insurance company will cover all the costs.

Over 50 official complaints have been filed so far, five arrests have been made; four pick up trucks and the land where the vehicles were towed to have been confiscated awaiting the trial.

Accidental death

Pool vent drowning A verdict of accidental death has been recorded by an inquest into a Gran Canaria holiday drowning. Teenager Ashley Surtees from Suffolk in England died after being sucked into the water filter vent of a hotel pool in Playa del Inglés in July 2007. The young bricklayer was under the water for around ten minutes and it took six other pool users to free him from the powerful suction pressure in the vent and bring him up to the surface.

The tragedy led at the time to calls for reviews of swimming pools in resorts on the island but the coroner’s court heard that the pool at the Dunamar Hotel met all UK and Spanish safety requirements.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

CANARY ISLANDS

IMMIGRANT TRAGEDY

Monthly shop

Prices down A cost cutting exercise at Mercadona has brought in 60,000 new clients a day.

According to company president, Juan Roig, the supermarket chain had brought in too many varieties of products during the period of economic growth and, “now it’s time to go back to basics so that we can bring prices down”. From October to February the actions put into effect have brought prices down on average by 10 per cent, a figure they expect to bring up to 17 per cent when all that has been planned is acted on. An average household spending 600 euros a month will find their bill reduced to 500 euros, a saving of 1,200 euros a year. However, the company are determined that lower prices do not mean a reduction in product standards or service.

Moroccan father denounces mafias Patera detection Patera detection

Photo Acfi Press

Magma award

Best in Europe The avant garde Magma arts and congress centre in Costa Adeje has walked of f with a coveted international prize.

Professionals from the business travel sector and readers of specialist travel magazine, Business Destinations, voted the venue the best events centre in Southern Europe. Voters par ticularly valued the original design, the versatility and functionality of the building which can house events for 30 or 3,000 people and the high quality of the service and professionalism of the Magma team.

Magma’s management are naturally delighted. Pablo Gutiérrez, their General Manager declared, “with this recognition and its modern infrastructures, the south of Tenerife is one of the main European

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destinations for the organisation and celebration of all types of events, congresses and reunions. At a time when the tourist market is suffering a slight setback, it is especially important for Tenerife to be able to attract other segments such as business meetings or congresses to complement our tourism demand and increase the level of occupation,” in the service sector.

A Moroccan father who lost a son in the recent Lanzarote migrant boat tragedy has submitted details to the country’s authorities of a mafia that organises the perilous trips.

Teenager Mohamed Haruash was one of over 20 occupants who drowned when their five-metre boat capsized just yards off the coast at Los Cocoteros (Teguise) last month as they tried to land undetected.

Mohamed’s grieving father has denounced the activities of a local mafia in his home town of Guelmin in southern Morocco which deliberately targets youngsters outside schools and in the streets to persuade them to sign up for crossings to the Canaries to start a new life.

The ringleaders persuade the youngsters to pester their parents for the 900 euros fee for arranging the trip, assuring them that as minors they cannot be sent back if

caught. Media reports say that Mr Haruash’s initiative could be the start of an unprecedented backlash by parents who have lost their children and a formal attempt to convince the authorities to take a firmer line against the mafias. A similar initiative in Senegal has led to the setting up of an association of relatives who have lost loved ones on boat journeys to the Canaries.

row escalates • Pressure

is mounting on the Spanish gover nment’s most senior of ficial in the Canaries to resign after she apparently misled the media and public over the recent tragedy involving a migrant boat Interior Ministr y official Carolina Darias said just hours after over 20 migrants drowned of f Lanzarote that the boat had reached the coast undetected by surveillance radar. However, it has now been reported that the boat was spotted three times out at sea but no action was taken. The revelation is believed to have come from a leaked Civil Guard internal document.

The Popular Party says the tragedy could have been averted if a patrol had gone to the rescue of the packed patera boat and has called on Darias to resign for “lying”.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

By Sheila Collis

HOTEL TIGAIGA – THE NEW GENERATION (Continued from edition 585, Hotel Tigaiga – the early years)

Green giants

PART II

The family-run Hotel Tigaiga celebrates 50 years since its inauguration this year, but nobody quite knows when, so the celebrations will continue throughout 2009.

T

Úrsula, Enrique and Irene (l-r)

The Hotel Tigaiga is celebrating

50

YEARS

he plaque that was placed on the inauguration was taken down some 20 or 30 years ago and the only person who may have remembered the exact date or at least the month, Enrique Talg Wyss, the second in the family hotel dynasty who made the Hotel his life’s work, sadly passed away on world tourism day, September 27th 2006 almost three years after handing over ownership and management of the hotel to his three children, Ursula, Irene and Enrique Talg Reineke.

All three children chose to become professionals in the hotel trade, each specialising in a different area and all speak fluent English and German as well as Spanish. There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that they have all inherited their parents’ remarkable qualities. Úrsula studied in the Swiss Hotel Management School in Lucerne followed by further training and jobs in Constance, Weggis, Twannn, Klosters, Hamburg and Washington before gaining an international scholarship at Cornell University in 1993.

OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY OF STAFF AND CLIENTS

In the same year she was named Young Hotelier of the Year by the IHA and Hotels Magazine.

She began working in the family business in 1990.

Now a full time mum to two daughters she works part time at the hotel, continuing the assignment handed to her by her mother of su-

pervising the gardens, not a small task, apart from the hundreds of exotic specimens, all neatly labelled for the visitors’ enjoyment, there are more palm trees than hotel beds. She also supervises the entertainment, but her principal task is customer services. In addition she teaches at the

Tourism School in Puerto de la Cruz. Ursula was one of a group of hotel pioneers who began to draw up criteria for quality standards in the hotels in Tenerife. The idea was later adopted all over Spain and the Tigaiga was one of the first hotels to hold the ‘Q’ for quality label. Ursula serves as

president of the Tenerife Tourism Excellence association to encourage quality hotels and service in the island.

Irene attended the Steingenberger professional hotel training school at Bad Reichenhall, followed by a business management qualification undertaken in

Münster and Madrid, and then practical training in Germany, Brussels, Prague and Madrid. She returned to the Hotel Tigaiga in 1993. It was whilst studying in Germany that, “the penny suddenly dropped”.

It was when that country’s Green Party was beginning to make itself felt in Parliament. She realised how recycling, waste control and energy efficient methods could be brought into the hotel trade and specifically into the family business.

The Tigaiga became one of the first hotels to fulfill the European norm for ecological practices and be awarded the EMAS

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

World Heritage Cultural Site Free guided tours in English, German and French.

Tourist Information Office Casa de los Capitanes Call to book tour: 922 631 194 Fax: 922 608 974 . E-Mail: turismo.laguna@cabtfe.es Mondays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm

Tourist Information Office Los Rodeos Call to book tour: 922 825 046 Fax: 922 608 974 . E-Mail: turismo.laguna@cabtfe.es Mondays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

certificate in 2002 and Irene has been invited to present her model to EU experts. The hotel has also been awarded the ISO 9001 Quality certificate. As a co-director, Irene’s specialist areas are in quality and ecological management as well as finance, floor service, reception and for the personal well-being of the guests. She is a founder member of the environment commission of the Tenerife Hotelier’s association, ASHOTEL. The youngest of the siblings, Enrique, is also its, “public face” but he insists that he and the rest of his family

guests’ well-being. He was awarded the Tourist Initiative Centre’s young businessman of the year prize in 1999, sits on the committee of ASHOTEL and has also served on the management committee of the Tenerife Association of young business persons since 2005. The hotel’s consistency of service, ecological responsibility and quality has not gone unnoticed in the trade. Every year since 1995 the tourism giant TUI has awarded the top 100 hotels in the world with a Holly prize. The Tigaiga is one of only two hotels in the world, the only one

has made this difficult.

Also, how to ensure no-one is left out and how to make sure all the contributions were back in on time are difficulties recognised by all editors everywhere. So they decided once again to be groundbreakers and started a blog for all old friends, current and exmembers of the team, clients and anyone else who has something they’d like to say. You can find it on http://en.tigaiga50.com.

After the death of their father, there was a plethora of honours, plaques, busts and events organised, which the family are only

are only cogs in the wheel and that they all work together with the rest of the “team” (which is how he refers to their 45 employees) to make the hotel the extremely welcoming and comfortable paradise that their many repeat visitors appreciate so much.

He graduated with Abitur from St Blasien College in the Black Forest, serving his apprenticeship as a hotel keeper in Cologne. He passed the cuisine course in Dortmund, gathering experience in Cologne, Murcia and Bem before returning to the island and the Tigaiga in 1996. He is head of safety and in charge of restaurants, kitchens and maintenance services. He is also in charge of the

in Spain which has won an award every year since its inception – 14 in all, so far. Over half a million holidaymakers join experts in selecting the winners. It is not surprising they are such consistent winners, the home from home atmosphere that encourages so many of their guests to return time after time and means that some of their staff have been with them for over 50 years, the welcome and care is obvious from the moment you cross the doorstep. The family had considered editing a special book to commemorate this special birthday, however the perennial problems of who to invite to contribute and who not so as not to offend anyone

just beginning to assimilate. An annual award for tourism has been instigated by the Tenerife hoteliers’ association and the Ministries for tourism and the environment which bears his name and a group of organisations are even now working to make one of Enrique Talg Wyss’ dreams come true, a coastal walk to join San Juan de la Rambla with Santa Úrsula, passing through Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava. Despite the crisis, the hotel will maintain its policy of continual renovation and improvement, although perhaps on a smaller scale than they would like. Enrique tells us they have lots of ideas and a, “cupboard full of plans,”

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WITH ITS STUNNING TRANQUIL LOCATION & IMPECCABLE SERVICE,

the Hotel Tigaiga JUST BEGS TO BE VISITED but will have to bend with the wind for a short time before more ambitious changes are introduced.

However they are confident that they will come through stronger than ever. With its stunning tranquil location and impeccable service, the Hotel Tigaiga just begs to be visited. There is always

something to see or do and in particular this year, excursions, walks, a painting competition, exhibitions of old photographs, the annual vintage car rally and road trip, an open day for neighbours in Taoro Park and Tigaiga and two spe-

cial folklore concerts with dancing. Non-residents are always welcome for a visit, to organise a special event, communion, wedding or simply for a Canarian/International cuisine lunch or dinner. You can be sure of a very warm reception.

COLEGIO COSTA ADEJE ENROLMENT NOW OPEN · NURSERY CENTRE FROM FOUR MONTHS · INFANTS’ SCHOOL · JUNIOR SCHOOL · SECONDARY SCHOOL · SIXTH FORM · German from three years old · Child psychologist service · Modern sports installations · Dining room (own chefs) · Teaching in line with the Spanish Education System

D ITE LIMACES PL · Computing · After school activities · English from first junior year · Personalised education · School transport

Avda. Madroñal, nº 10, 38660 · Adeje · Tel.: 922 71 32 17 · Fax: 922 71 97 51 http://www.colegiocostaadeje.com · admon@colegiocostaadeje.com

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EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CANARY ISLANDS

ESTA

New travel rules for US bound passengers Citizens of ‘Visa Waiver Program’ or VWP countries now need prior travel authorisation.

New regulations introduced by the USA’s department of homeland security (DHS), as of January 12th, mean that those citizens of ‘Visa Waiver Program’ or VWP countries now need prior travel authorisation, and with the news that direct flights between Tenerife and Miami are soon to be introduced, this is of increasing relevance to those of us living here.

Spain, the United Kingdom and Ireland are included in the list of VPW, counties whose citizens didn’t need a visa for travel to the USA for stays of less than 90 days.

Now however all those travelling from those nations need their trip authorised, such authorisation being

Travel to the United States now requires prior authorisation

available under the so-called Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, a free internet application adminisitered by the DHS and free of charge, accessible online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/, and with ancillary notes to assist in the application. You

will be required to answer a number of questions in detail as well as give information including date of birth, country you live in, passport related information, flight details, where you intend to stay during your time in the United States, etc. You

will also be asked a number of personal questions, including whether you have “a communicable disease; physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?” According to the site, communicable diseases include Gonorrhea, HIV, active Tuberculosis and “others as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services”.

The site also cautions you to be aware of disadvantages to using the Visa Waiver Program. If you are admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status and if your admission is denied, you have no right to appeal a determination as to admissibility.

STUDENT EXCHANGE

Free Japan trips Four Spanish students have the amazing opportunity to visit Japan free on a student exchange scheme.

Youngsters between 15 and 18 years old with Spanish nationality are invited to take part in the cultural interchange with Japanese students. Three of the places are for a five week break and one is for a whole six months. Students will live with a Japanese family and share their lives and will have the opportunity to travel and go to various activities in Japan. The Japanese gov

An amazing opportunity for four teens to visit Japan free

ernment covers the cost of the return flight, insurance, accommodation and travel within the country.

All the students will attend an intensive course of one

week to learn the Japanese language. The five week breaks will take place between June 21 and July 26 of this year and students will study in a Japanese school

for three weeks and have the opportunity for cultural visits within the country.

The lucky winner of the six month visit from August 16 to January 6 2010 will also attend a Japanese school but for a longer period and will take part in various activities.

To take part in the scheme you need to have Spanish nationality, be between 15 and 18 at the date you leave for Japan, have a high level of English and a grasp of the Japanese language or an interest in learning it. All applications must be received before March 18. Further details and application form available on http://www. es.emb-japan.go.jp/.

Livestock The deaths are attributed to roaming packs of dogs

Dog attacks prompt action The various levels of government in La Palma are to join forces in a bid to stop the current spate of attacks on livestock by stray dogs.

In the past few years an estimated 1,500 animals have died in the attacks, which locals say are the work of roaming dogs that were initially abandoned by their owners and have since bred to produce larger packs.

Some farmers have lost over a hundred goats each in recent times and have expressed their anger that little has been done to halt the phenomenon. The island’s Cabildo and the

Canarian Department of Agriculture now recognise that the problem is beyond the capacity of individual councils to resolve. One solution being considered is the creation of a shelter in Barlovento to house the dogs until homes can be found for them, although sceptics say that the dogs have roamed freely for so long that re-domestication will be impossible.

The authorities have set themselves a deadline of five-six months to find a solution to the problem and will not hesitate to punish owners who abandon their dogs in the wild or fail to prevent them from attacking herds.

Tomato war

Export row The Canaries have joined three other regions in Spain in a campaign to persuade the European Union to stand up to Morocco over its tomato exports.

Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia and the Canaries - who produce 90 per cent of tomatoes grown in Spain - have signed a manifesto calling on Brussels to stop appeasing the North African country in

the latest stand-off over its tomato exports to the EU. Morocco wants the current quotas and price restrictions to be lifted but the Canaries fear that further concessions will prevent tomatoes from here reaching markets in northern Europe. Prices are falling sharply due to the flood of imports from Morocco, which the four regions say, is repeatedly breaking the current agreement with the EU.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

CANARY ISLANDS

9

OPENING UP THE TOWNS

Accessible architecture

Elena Salgado (centre back) with members of CERMI

The Spanish government has invested 223 million euros to make our towns and cities more accessible to those with restricted mobility.

This is the largest amount of cash ever invested in such a project by the central government and 458 councils in 50 of the Spanish provinces and Ceuta have presented 814 projects. Barcelona has asked for almost 30 million euros, Valencia over 20 million euros and Seville over 11 million euros. In the Canaries, 20 projects were accepted for financing in Agüimes, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Moya, Telde, Arrecife, Tías, Puerto del Rosario, Adeje, La Orotava, San

Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Valle Gran Rey. Works projected include lowering pavements or providing ramps and lifts and removing obstacles in town halls, shopping zones, old town centres, public swimming baths, libraries, clinics, markets etc. The majority of the work is to be carried out in town halls, schools, social centres, underground tunnels, neighbourhood associations or homes for the elderly. On presenting the projects to the Spanish committee for disabled people (CERMI) and the press, the Minister for Public Administration, Elena Salgado explained that the inclusion of those with mobility challenges

was a priority for the government and underlined the importance of the involvement of groups like CERMI in forming policy and, “whose substantial contribution has meant that this government’s administration in the area of disability has been a success.

I am sure that all the projects mentioned, financed by the State Fund for Local Investment, will help us to achieve a society where no-one is excluded because they are different, where diversities are not seen in a negative way, because diversity is natural, and part of the human nature and therefore enriching and contributing to create a more varied and fair society”she declared.

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Less holidays for politicians

MPs to work more?

New rules could see MPs working a little bit harder A proposed reform of the Canarian Parliament could see regional MPs having to work a little harder.

Negotiations are under way between the politi-

cal parties to amend the current calendar of sessions to halve the number of non-working months (four) and keep MPs, particularly the Parliamentary Committees, at their desks

for longer to draw up and pass more legislation.

Statistics disclosed recently show that the Canarian Parliament spends less time that any other in Spain in session, operating for just two 120-day periods from October to January and March to June, which effectively means that no business is done for four months of the year. The system makes it easy for MPs to double up with other public posts such as mayors. However, growing criticism of the lack of laws passed in the last few years and of the absenteeism of many MPs has led to a rethink and new Rules of Procedure could be in place by the summer which would strip the honourable members of their February and July breaks.

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Tenerife South

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

SAVING THE SEAGRASS

Court upholds injunction Ecology group Ben Magec has been vindicated in its bid to force the Canarian government to reveal the true extent of environmental damage that will be caused by the new port in Granadilla.

The region’s High Court has upheld an injunction taken out by the green group against the government’s unilateral decision to partly remove local populations of ‘sebadales’ or seagrass, the breeding grounds of the local sea fauna, from the list of conservation species protected by law.

The decision enabled construction work on the port to begin at the end of February. However on March 4th the court issued a ruling agreeing with Ben Magec that destruction of the seagrass was “imminent” and rebuke the authorities for deliberately disregarding reports by its own officials advising against the declassification. It has also been reported

Abandoned toddler fate uncertain

vestigation was launched following the discovery by a woman of a pen-shaped camera in the toilets of a bar in Las Chafiras. Further enquiries led to the discovery of another camera, this time in the ladies toilet in a council building. Police reviewed images found on

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headlines last month when he announced that he had obtained a recording apparently showing one mayor admitting he had given a helping hand to well-known firms. Not long after, the lawyer filed a formal complaint to police in Santa Cruz that his car had again been targeted, this time in a city-centre car park. “I went back to my car to find that three of the four tyres had been slashed and other major damage caused. No others were touched so I can only assume they were after mine” he said, although insisting he will not be intimidated by the vandalism. Just over a year ago, two vandals daubed warnings on the walls of another lawyer’s of fice in Santa Cruz which they mistook for his and then set fire to it.

Abades

Peeping Tom caught A council employee who spied on female colleagues in the toilet using a webcam has been caught red handed after his own picture appeared in one of the recordings. The man, in his 30s, works for Granadilla council and was arrested after an in-

Campos ‘will not be deterred’ The lawyer who is leading the anti-corruption drive against several councils in Tenerife says he is being targeted by sinister vandalism as a result of his high-profile campaign.

As reported in a recent edition, Felipe Campos has provided the courts with copious documentation supporting allegations that council of ficials in various town halls, including Arona, colluded with developers to obtain planning permission in return for kickbacks. He hit the

that the government apparently refused to give the local council details of the potential effects on the seabed of the building of the new port. Granadilla council says it formally requested on three occasions the findings of experts commissioned by the government to study the repercussions of the port on the seagrass, following a warning from the EU that the port could be in breach of conservation rules. However, the dossier was never sent and the council was prevented from filing its objections in time. Granadilla has protested at the “deliberate concealment of negative reports” and threatens to take the case back to Brussels, which is providing a large slice of the port’s funding.

March 14 sees another mass demonstration in Tenerife against the Port in Granadilla leaving the Plaza Militar in Santa Cruz at noon.

WEE-B CAM

Lawyer targeted

the computer of the suspect and found that he had inadvertently filmed himself as he placed a camera in position. The man, an employee since 2007, is likely to face dismissal for the secret filming, as well as criminal charges brought by several of his victims.

The fate of a British toddler found roaming alone on a beach one Friday at the end of Februar y remains uncertain as the authorities continue to investigate the incident.

As repor ted widely in the Canarian and UK media the boy’s mother and her partner may face criminal charges of neglect after apparently letting the young boy out of their care in the small coastal village of Abades, where he was

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found by passers-by early in the morning. Reports stated that the police were called and the boy’s parents turned up shortly after wards. However police decided not to return the child to the couple, with some allegations that they showed signs of inebriation. According to court sources, the couple strongly deny they were drinking all night and insist that the toddler let himself out of their camper parked near the beach.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

TENERIFE SOUTH

11

Continued from front page

THE MARATHON DES SABLES

Marathon Man

58 year-old Steve Cushing is a partially retired GP from Blackpool who will be running in the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara, raising funds for the Happy House Project to build an orphanage for children in Watamu, Kenya.

While staying at his apartment at Palm Mar, he took advantage of our cli-

mate to continue his training and has been running a round trip through the nature reserve via the lighthouse to Las Galletas, on to Golf del Sur and back twice a week.

His last challenge was in 2006 when he completed the Inaugural Antarctic Ice Marathon, only a few hundred miles from the South Pole, and became the ninth

person ever to run a marathon inside the Antarctic Circle. He was also the oldest, raising about 30,000 pounds for cancer research.

This followed a horse riding accident in the eighties when his pelvis was smashed in four places.

Later on he participated in the Westminster Challenge in which a group of politicians on a profile and

fund raising mission went husky dog trekking in the Antarctic. Steve told Island Connections, “the worst part of that was spending six days with politicians!”

Of Steve’s marathon running, his wife Cherith said, “I just have to go along with it. I was horrified at first, but you just have to get your head around it”.

Steve will be carrying a 10kg rucksack containing supplies, and he and

Cherith have been sampling the most lightweight dried foods available to keep this weight to a minimum. He will be paying all his own expenses, so all the money raised will go to the charity which began in 2000 when Sue and David Hayward were on holiday and walked into a village school at Watamu. The kids were using stones and sticks on soil to do their lessons, so they bought paper

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and pencils for them and returned the next year with 600 pounds they had collected in a bottle on the bar of a hotel in Blackpool.

Since then they have built a school for 700 children which has a library of 15,000 books and a computer room. Building has already started on the Happy House orphanage.

If you would like to help, sponsorship forms are available at the Corner Shop and the Palm Bar in Palm Mar. Alternatively go to www. justgiving.com/stevecushingmds or click the link on Steve’s blog at www.stevecushing.blogspot.com where more information is available. The Palm Bar will be holding a charity night for the Happy House Project on May 8th at 9pm, and would welcome any auctionable items you can spare. Steve and the children in Watamu will be most grateful for your support.

12

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

TENERIFE SOUTH

ADEJE’S MANY CULTURES

PLAYA SAN JUAN

New cultural centre

L-R, Gabriel Bello, councillor Carmen Nieves Rodríguez, Teresa Budroni from MPDLC and Juan Carlos Torrejón

In less than a year’s time, the biggest cultural centre in the district of Guía de Isora will open its doors.

Living together Work has already begun, starting with the demolition of the old centre in Plaza Las Salinas in Playa San Juan.

Once completed, this new building occupying 16,000 square metres will be much more than just a cultural centre, also housing an office for the local police force, a consumers’ advice centre and forming the base of the association for the elderly of Playa San Juan.

A wide range of cultural services will be provided, including a hire service for films and CDs, a library occupying two floors, an exhibition hall, an auditorium and seven multiple use

classrooms where courses run by the municipal leisure school will take place. Users will also be able to enjoy free internet access and a children’s playground.

This ambitious project which has a budget exceeding 2.3 million euros is already moving ahead at a good pace. The old centre has been completely demolished and the new building is already being constructed on the same plot. Before work began, municipal technicians and a notary visited homes situated close to the site to check their structural condition and to explain the project to the residents. On the same

day, informative leaflets describing the characteristics of the new cultural centre were distributed by Guía de Isora council.

Once completed, it will form part of a network of socio-cultural installations, now exceeding 12, which the council has been constructing over the last two years.

With this new venue, Playa San Juan will have two great centres aimed at culture, education and leisure, as the new youth centre for creativity and education, in which the ministry for work and social services has invested more than a million euros, is also due to be inaugurated this year.

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Over 500 Adeje residents, representing a range of different nationalities and cultures, recently took part in a round table debate on the challenges and opportunities that living in a multi-cultural society present.

Organised by MPDLC, the Canarian movement for peace, disarmament and liberty, and held at the centre for tourism development in Adeje, the debate was part of a forum on integration, living together and security, and was co-financed by the Adeje council, the regional department of social welfare and immigration and the national department

section dealing with the integration of immigrants into the workplace. Top table participants included Gabriel Bello, from the University of La Laguna, author of many works on immigration and racism, and Juan Carlos Torrejón Gómez, of the Policia Local in Valladolid. The latter outlined various successful projects that have been running in Valladolid whose aim is to develop and assist the different cultural groups that exist in the zone to live together. He also said that since 2004 the town has worked under the auspices of municipal by-law regarding co-existence and the prevention of antisocial behaviour.

Traditions

Walk to the heights In the past the entire island’s production from the sea to the hills and farms was transported via the small footpaths that connected each population and the people who carried out that work will be honoured and remembered with a representation of those old walks through the hills on March 22.

The walk this year starts from a beach in the borough of Santiago del Teide, passes through San José de los Llanos and ends in Garachico. Everyone who takes part dresses up in the clothes of days gone by depending on the professions they are representing. Look out for the witches who go along chalking magic symbols on the path to hex other users or the priest with his round domed hat sitting astride a donkey. One farmer transports live pigs in baskets strapped to his mule and another drives goats and sheep from one village to another, whilst the farmers’ wives carry rabbits, chickens and eggs.

Staging the old traditions in the stree

There’s a herbalist selling fresh mead to help new mothers produce milk and the ‘pinocho’ man with his sack and hook off to fetch pine needles from the forest to sell for bedding and compost. Fishermen’s wives carry baskets of fresh fish on their heads and other trades people also struggle along underneath

their wares, all carrying or wearing the appropriate props, and all scurry out of the way of the lord of the manor striding along on his magnificent thoroughbred horse. It’s a great day out and good fun for all ages. Times for each village will be available from the individual council offices nearer the date.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

THE TIME SPACE CONTINUUM

Los Cristianos stays still for drivers

The time-space-Cabildo continuum continues..

Motorists using the TF1 motorway to head back to Los Cristianos after a day up north could be forgiven for thinking the journey is a little longer than they thought, almost six kilometres longer in fact.

Road signs along the way put them in a time warp in which their kilome-

tre-counter tells them one thing and the ‘official’ version another.

As they approach Candelaria from Santa Cruz they see a giant sign giving Los Cristianos as 55km away and the Airport 40km.

However, almost six kilometres further on, on the other side of Candelaria, another sign lets them know

that -despite the efforts of their trusty car engineLos Cristianos is still 55 km away, but the Airport has been moved a little further back at 42km. Something similar occurs when travelling in the opposite direction, proving that the motorway takes rest periods from time to time. At two different locations separated by a few kilometres, drivers are informed that Santa Cruz is 14km and La Laguna 20km away!

A spokeswoman for the island’s Cabildo, which is responsible for roads and their signs, said the problem could be due to confusion caused during work to widen stretches of the motorway in which different public administrations were involved. Which otherwise translates as ‘noone bothered to check the signs when they were put up’…

Education

New school for La Orotava

The new infants’ school is expected to be open within a year.

Various outdoor play areas are planned

The new infants’ school in front of the main square and civic centre in Villa de Arriba in La Orotava is expected to be open within a year.

The council claims that work is going well and that the school with places for 107 children should be finished in 10 to 12 months.

Children from birth to three years will be catered for with 24 places available for the birth to one

year range, 36 for one to two years and 47 places for those between two and three. Once the school is open it will bring the borough within the limits set by the regional authorities of covering the educational and care needs of at least 20 per cent of their birth to three year old population.

The councillor for social services, Vicente Pacheco, underlined that there are already a hundred children catered for in the centre

in El Mayorazgo and that there are various private centres open which cater for the remainder.

Plans are that the new centre will have four classrooms, an ample area for cots, play rooms, restaurant, administration, sleep, waiting room, bathrooms, sick bay and various outdoor areas to play. In addition, although after school play centres exist in four centres in the borough, two more are contemplated in the sports complex being built in El Mayorazgo and another to cover the areas of Cañeño, Barroso, Colombo, Pinolere, Bebedero and Aguamansa. The council currently spends 115,000 euros a year on these services which cater for over 200 children and are expanding the facility at La Perdoma in the near future to be able to cope with more kids with the help of a grant of 60,000 euros from the island council.

TENERIFE

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EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

TENERIFE

LONG LORRIES

Santa Cruz

Police driven around the bend Traffic police in La Laguna were presented with an interesting Catch 22 situation by articulated lorries recently.

The lorries, some of them many metres long, had been doing resurfacing work in the San Benito area and on several occasions used a narrow road to get back to base. On every occasion motorists, including school-run parents in the morning and evening, were forced to wait for a long time as the articulated giants made their way slowly down the road.

Despite complaints to the drivers, who work from a well-known construction firm, the use of the road continued and on one day traffic was halted on three separate occasions for over half an hour when the lorries could not negotiate a bend on the road. Police were called to help out but

Carnaval King next year?

With the weeping widows barely recovered from their grief over the demise of the sardine at the end of the 2009 Carnaval, the festivities for next year are already being planned.

Next year, for the first time in history, not only will a Carnaval Queen be crowned, but a Carnaval King as well, in a special edition of the Carnaval dedicated to the history of humanity.

Will the contestants have to drag an enormous costume around, as do the contenders for the title of Carnaval Queen? We don’t know the answer to that, but Ángel Llanos, deputy mayor for Santa Cruz and the councillor for fiestas, Maribel Oñate, both swear that this is not going to be a drag queen or ‘misters’ type contest, and that the title will be awarded for the contestant’s ‘beauty’, and his ability to dance or sing, plus he will have to dress up according to the theme chosen for the Carnaval. We’ll believe it when we see it!

Wedding fair Tense stand offs between residents and police

when they asked some local residents to move their vehicles to let the trucks past they were met with a firm but polite “my car is parked properly” response.

One officer admitted he was in a tricky position as he

had to prevent gridlock in the surrounding streets but was also mindful that he could not order the ‘offending’ cars to be towed away because they were not breaking the law. The lorry drivers insisted, meanwhile, that there

were no signs banning them from using the road. One tense stand-off took almost an hour to resolve and ended only when a lady owner broke ranks and agreed to move her car temporarily to allow the trucks past.

TRAM TALES

Budding authors on track The Tenerife tram company, MTSA, have just published a delightful collection of short stories, Un sueño hecho realidad y otras historias (A dream come true and other stories), written by a group of young authors all between nine and twelve years of age. The book brings together the winner and 12 other finalists of the junior short story competition organised by the company to celebrate one year in operation.

All the stories are based in or around the tram, and are a colourful mix of styles and content, showing the lovely leaps of imagination that we tend to leave behind when we enter adulthood.

The overall winner was Valeria Castro Rodríguez.

MTSA have published 10,000 copies of the book, and they are available free of charge in the company’s commercial office, beside the La Trinidad stop and the main tram/bus station in Santa Cruz.

I do at the Sheraton Brides and grooms to be might want to place another special date in their diar y.

On March 15th the Sheraton hotel in La Caleta, South Tenerife, is hosting a wedding fair, open to the public, free of charge. From florists to jewellers, photographers and beauty treatments, meals and honeymoons and of course dresses and suits, the prospective wedding pair can peruse all the best that’s on offer, enjoy a glass of champagne as well as delicious picky bits, and make those all important decisions about what they hope will be the best day of their lives. The fair opens at 2.30, and there will be a draw for those in attendance, with prizes including a wedding dress and a honeymoon.

Markets

Puerto point of sale

Winning authors with their prizes at the Cabildo offices

The open air market in Puerto de la Cruz is growing in strength and popularity and has been welcomed by the existing businesses as well as eager shoppers, bringing more people out on to the streets in search of a good bargain.

Located in the carpark of the Supermercado 2000 Spar, in the Plaza de la Paz in front of the Hotel Botánico, the market is open every Sunday from 9am to 2pm.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

PROMOTION

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16

Tenerife North

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

BOTANICAL GARDEN

How does the garden grow After years of stops and starts, the expansion of the famous Botanical gardens in Puerto de la Cruz is now well under way.

Within a year it will have a visitor’s centre where visitors and students can visit exhibitions and use a special botanic library for study and research purposes. The actual expansion means the gardens will increase from an area of 22,000 sq. metres to over 55,000. The only objection to date, apart from

the constant delays, is that the visitors centre looks as if it has been designed along the same modern, concrete lines used for recent developments like the new cafeteria behind All Saints Church in the Taoro Park, instead of with more attractive, traditional Canary Island architecture. But there appears to be a misled belief that progress cannot go hand in hand with traditional beauty. The news of the expansion of the gardens, and the

The gardens are being more than doubled in size

visit to them of regional President Paulino Rivero at the end of February, were overshadowed by the mayor of Puerto renaming the gardens, officially baptised by King Carlos III in 1788 as the Botanical Acclimatization Garden of La Orotava, as the botanical gardens of Puerto de la Cruz.

Both the President and the opposition leaders took a rather poor view of her idea, suggesting that to change a name which is recognised by scientists throughout the world, would not be desirable.

Marcos Brito, leader of the main opposition in Puerto, told her off for trying to reintroduce an old, populist, vindication which served no purpose except to try to stir up the odd popular vote.

Puerto politics

Corruption at the swimming pools A case concerning alleged corruption in the running of the Martiánez swimming pool complex in Puerto de la Cruz added fuel to already heated tempers at the town hall during February.

The problem arose after the CC nationalists, led by Marcos Brito, took advantage of a member of the administrative staff’s

against the suspect. It is these niggling little attacks aimed at making life difficult for the governing group which they have objected about recently.

In fact deputy mayor, Jaime Coello, who seems to be making real efforts to get things done, despite the hard times, spoke out against constant attempts to discredit their government. Both his group and the main opposition nationalists prefer to have nothing to do with the conservative PP, whilst it is

alleged dodgy accounting and theft at the swimming pool to rub salt into the governing socialist party’s wounds. Helped by the two conservative votes at the council they forced the creation of a commission of investigation. The socialists are fed up, believing it totally unnecessary because they had already ordered disciplinary proceedings

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Jaime Coello has spoken out against opposition attacks

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led by Eva Navarro, but Coello has accused the nationalists of using a, “diabolic pincer strategy” against his government.

He complained that Brito was calling for dialogue whilst at the same time attacking them from behind.

His outburst came soon after he and Brito had approached the regional government as a united front in a joint effort to get the new port started, a demonstration of unity for the sake of the good of the town which has rarely been seen in the last thirty years of modern, power-seeking politics.

News in Brief New aviary

Birds galore Loro Parque, in Puerto de la Cruz, is about to open one of the largest free flying aviaries in the world.

Apart from orca whales, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, gorillas and sharks, visitors will now be able to stroll through the new 17,000 cubic metre bird enclosure from the summer.

The new structure will soon become home to a hundred different species of exotic birds from Asia and Australia, which visitors will be invited to feed with nectar. Platfor ms and hanging bridges have been designed for spectators to stroll into the giant cage, and to feel how the birds live in a haven of tropical plants. The giant aviar y was designed by German experts and architects who have transferred to Tenerife to complete the project. The 21 ton structure is held up by a series of stainless steel pillars and supporting arms sunk deep into the ground supporting a fence of 3,000 square metres that reaches 27 metres at its highest points, creating a 17,000 cubic metre space for the enjoyment of visitors and birds alike.

The new aviary has been named Katandra Treetops, from the aboriginal word for birdsong, Katandra.

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TENERIFE NORTH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

News in Brief

17

Barreto

Reputation set in stone

No pension

Not a penny The social ser vices department at the town hall in Puerto de la Cruz has issued an order for emergency help to be given to an Icelandic gentleman.

Einar Bjarnason, who used to work for TUI, the well known German tour operator, has been living in Puerto for many years and became a pensioner two years ago. Unfortunately, although he is perfectly entitled to receive a Spanish pension, having paid his social security contributions in Spain for 34 years, he has not received a penny for two years. Consequently he ended up destitute, living like a tramp and was forced to put his house up for sale to pay debts. Help has only been forthcoming after his case was reported to the local press. He had been to the national employment office to claim his pension on numerous occasions but was always told they were looking into it.

The situation was made worse by the fact that the public health centre in La Vera, where he should have been receiving treatment, refused to attend to him.

Because his status as a pensioner had not been confirmed, records suggested he had not been paying his social security contributions and that he was therefore not entitled to medical care.

Pedro Gonzalez celebrated his 95th birthday last month and proudly looked back at his achievements, especially as a famed marble industrialist. Known to everyone simply as Barreto, it is fifty years since he founded the first marble factory in the Canary Islands. He was born in La Orotava in 1914 and when he was 22 was forced to fight in the Spanish Civil War, which he described as something wretched which should never be allowed to happen again. After the war

he went to Venezuela, as so many local men did, in search of work and fortune. But he came back and earned a good reputation as a mason and as a footballer playing for La Orotava. He began his own business making pots, bricks and balustrades.

Perhaps unlike most of his colleagues Barreto had a passion for reading and still devours any literature put in front of him. He never finished his schooling but remembers his teacher telling him that the place for books was in his head and

not on the bookshelf.

He founded his marble factory using small homemade devices until he bought machinery from Barcelona which he paid for in instalments. It was a family business. Barreto’s wife, María, used to sit out on the pavement carving tombstones and even his daughters helped polishing up the marble slabs. They made enough money to buy new machines and expanded production as the hotels began to go up in the 1960s. In fact Barreto got a lot of work building several

hotels like the Interpalace and the Tenerife Playa and at one time he was employing nearly a hundred workers. He then began importing marble slabs from Italy, Portugal and Greece. The business currently employs just eighteen people and, although the construction industry has collapsed, they still get plenty of work making tombstones, kitchens and floors.

With regards the economic crisis, Pedro is sceptical. A real crisis, like the one suffered after the civil war, is when people have

nothing to eat and have to emigrate to find work.

Besides, as far as he can see, the shops, bars and football stadiums are still filled up, so the crisis can’t be as bad as people make out. The difference is that people have become accustomed to living beyond their means. Nevertheless, recognising the fact that hundreds of construction workers have lost their jobs, he is critical of the regional government which he suggests has been prone to give contracts to outsiders and not to local firms.

THREE WAY CONTEST

Conservative choices There is now a third candidate for the PP conservative party leadership in Puerto de la Cruz.

Eva Navarro, putting voters off?

The news came as a surprise to many onlookers and possibly as a shock to the two existing candidates, including current leader Eva Navarro, who appears to be unwilling to relinquish her position despite suggestions that she has become a burden to the party’s future electoral chances.

A sixty one year old businessman, Sebastián González, until recently a reluctant supporter of Eva Navarros, has decided to make himself available as

candidate for the leadership battle due to take place in June. He has also hinted, however, that he has no intention of then standing for mayor at the 2011 local elections. He has someone young and better prepared in mind for that position.

González claims he already has the backing of at least 200 party members in Puerto and is certain of victory. He also believes that if he did not present his candidacy the party in Puerto would self destruct

as Navarro and the other candidate, Lope Afonso, tear it apart. His reluctant support for Eva Navarro in the past, he said, was due only because Tenerife’s conservative President, Cristina Tavío, to whom he remains faithful, had placed her in Puerto. However, with the party in tatters in Puerto with just two seats left at the council of the six they held in the 1990s, and with Eva Navarro, he feels, putting potential voters off, something has to be done.

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18

Gran Canaria

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ENERGY NEEDS

Sea wind farm Giant wind farms in the sea in the not too distant future Giant wind farms in the sea could meet nearly half of the Canaries’ energy requirements in the not too distant future according to a senior scientist.

Feliciano García, a naval engineering professor, says that plans are well underway to build a large-scale wind farm in the sea a short distance off the south-east coast of Gran Canaria and the facility could be operational by 2012. The farm would replace some of the existing land-based wind turbines on the island and would generate much more electricity given the constant wind conditions offshore.

Prof. García and his team have spent the last few years surveying sites off the coast of several Canary Islands in search of the best locations for farms to be built as part of an Oceanic Platform Project which the regional government hopes will reduce the islands’ depend-

Coastal wind farms could generate 40 per cent of energy needs

ence on energy imports.

In an interview with Tenerife daily Diario de Avisos the scientist forecast that as much as 40 per cent of energy needs could be met by the Gran Canaria project and others that will be set in motion in the com-

ing years. “At present only one per cent of our electricity use is supplied by renewables and the time has come to be much more adventurous and aggressive in our commitment to exploiting these sources” explained García.

Details of the

project emerged just weeks after a Dutch energy firm announced plans to build a string of giant wind farms in the North Sea spanning seven different countries and producing as much energy as the fossil fuels from the Persian Gulf.

FUNDING FOUND

Film Festival saved at the bell This year’s Las Palmas International Film Festival looked in doubt until the last minute due to financial difficulties.

Just days before the event was due to kick off on 6 March, it emerged that the budget for the festival had not been covered and the organisers were seriously considering suspending it rather than get into heavy debt.

However, a late decision by the Finance Department

at Las Palmas City Council to push additional funding through saved the day.

Although the exact figure has not been disclosed it is believed the budget for this year, the Festival’s 10th edition, is considerably lower than the 1.6 million euros spent last year. A council source said the problem lay with the organising body, which had run into cash flow trouble on the eve of the Festival and needed

a bail-out. The Festival’s main distinction, the Lady Harimaguada Award, went to Swiss-born Bruno Ganz for his distinguished acting career. However a planned presentation to Vanessa Redgrave didn’t happen as the British actress cancelled her appearance at the last minute. This is the second year in a row that Redgrave has pulled out of the festival; the cause is cited as “unknown”.

British actress Vanessa Redgrave

Tow truck firm

500,000 euro council debt

The company that provides the tow-truck service in Maspalomas and other parts of San Bartolomé de Tirajana in Gran Canaria say it may be forced to suspend operations and even go out of business unless the local council pays it some of the half a million euro debt that has mounted in recent years.

The firm’s general manager Oliver Perera said on the eve of the Maspalomas carnival, one of the busiest periods of the year, that strike action was sad but inevitable given the lack of progress in resolving the dispute. “We lodge

with the council all the fees paid by car owners whose vehicles have been towed away for parking offences, even though we are entitled to half the money under our contract with the council.

We have not been paid since March 2007 and have had to take out a loan of 140,000 euros to tide us over and pay our 11 employees” said Perera, who has tried since November to get the corporation to fulfil a promise to make an initial payment but has been rebuffed with a “we have no money” excuse. The firm has provided the service to San Bartolomé since 1999.

Coastal demolitions

Ojos de Garza notified Families living on the shore at Ojos de Garza in Gran Canaria have been notified that their houses will be demolished soon.

The Depar tment of Coasts in Madrid has already issued formal notices to around twenty owners of proper ties standing a few metres from the shore, but residents say their fight to save the homes is far from over. “We hope the council will support us to stay. But if we have to go, we should be allowed to build new houses a few hundred metres inland so we can remain in the area” said one of the

residents af fected by the order.

The demolitions have split the community, with some openly in favour of recuperating the seafront for public use. Others, however, fear the decision will be capitalised on by the authorities to build a promenade which will then serve as an excuse for a shopping centre.

Others still accuse the department of “picking on” defenceless residents in their crusade against buildings on the seafront yet they do nothing against well-known hotels in the south of the island which are in exactly the same position.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

The spectacular Castillo del Mar at Vallehermoso must be partially demolished and the area returned “to its former state”, according to a provincial official bulletin, or BOP. The Castillo was built by German resident Thomas Müller as a cultural and events centre, with a multimedia exhibition space, bar and restaurant. Day visitors enjoy the outside terraces, with wonderful sea views and Teide in the distance.

The Castillo at night is also impressive. Dancing under the stars, with waves crashing and light shows playing over the rocks, visitors may be forgiven the occasional bout of euphoria.

Vallehermoso’s mayor, Cabildo officials, the priest, folklore groups and hundreds of islanders and international residents were at the inauguration ceremony and opening party in 2001.

Amidst the back slapping and bonhomie, there was no mention of any illegality.

Vallehermoso is by no means a thriving metropolis and the opening of the Castillo was seen as a Good Thing for the town. Since then, a programme of varied mu-

By Barbara Belt

VALLEHERMOSO

Castillo del Mar demolition Castillo del Mar at Vallehermoso must be partially demolished The Castillo del Mar, in need of help if it is to be saved

sic events- from house and electronic to folklore and opera, and cultural events ranging from craft markets to circus, has taken place

there. Entering the Castillo’s wooden doorway across the ‘drawbridge’ is an adventure, and generally very worthwhile. There are few

well when the Castillo closed its doors to the public. Now advertised as a private party or honeymoon venue, it has, sadly, become exclusive. It burst into life again over New Year, when an entire failed festival, PsyRock (supposedly taking place at the nearby Parque Maritimo,) moved into the Castillo del Mar and was thus rescued.

The astonishing lack of interest shown by Vallehermoso council and mayor, Jaime Noda, for the fate of six hundred unfortunates from all over the world who turned up in bad

man-made places as spectacular anywhere, and absolutely none in La Gomera.

Some months ago, it became evident that all was not

New life in La Cantera the beach and smaller, stone storerooms, boathouses and dwellings set along the bottom of the cliff face. Time, weather, and- more damagingly- vandals have taken their toll.

La Cantera was founded by the Novaro Parodi family from Italy, who used their expertise to set up such plants throughout Europe, coming to the Canaries in search of tuna. It functioned from eighteen sixty until nineteen sixty and for a hundred years played an important

part in the life of the island.

Its success was emulated on other parts of the island. La Gomera had five such small scale factories at the turn of the last century. Japanese factory ships and increased labour costs led to the demise of all five and, since nineteen sixty, La Cantera has slowly crumbled.

The Belgian group contacted the owners of the ruined factory, at last count forty-five children and great grandchildren of Mario Novaro Parodi, when one

of their number decided the place was ideal for their purpose, which is to, “... set up a research centre for investigating natural cures.”

The owners, most of whom live around La Laguna in Tenerife, were apparently in accord with the idea and have drawn up a contract giving the group right to inhabit and use the abandoned hamlet. The Belgians are now, “...waiting for the necessary paperwork,” before embarking on the task of restoring La Cantera.”

19

weather, for a festival devoid of facilities-no camping space, no toilets, no showers, no food-was shocking indeed.

Court cases are proceeding through the system at regulation snail’s pace as a result, but none of them involves the ayuntamiento, which should have been sanctioned for its complacency.

The same complacency will no doubt stand it in good stead as Müller fights for the continued existence of the Castillo del Mar as a public venue. Once the party, photos and backslapping are over, mayors suffer a curious invisibility in La Gomera.

The national coastal authority, Costas, is suddenly enforcing the long-ignored letter of the law on all Spanish coasts. Exceptions are made when there is sufficient, well-documented, case for arguing that a coastal construction is of public or community benefit.

The Castillo del Mar needs all the help it can get.

Juan José Gutierrez Hernández

Hermigua man found

Restoration

A group of Belgians are camped out on the coast of Alajeró waiting for the green light to go ahead with plans to revive La Cantera.

Ruins at La Cantera bear testimony to its former activity. Its rusty sheds and diesel engines, boxes of tins and labels, smoke rooms, salt vats and boat skeletons are all that remain of a once thriving fish factory. Surrounding ruins reveal the layout of the tiny community, with the big house set back from

La Gomera

The body of Juan José Gutierrez Hernández was discovered floating a mile out to sea off the coast of El Médano, in Tenerife, after a four day search failed to reveal his whereabouts.

The body was identified by members of his family, who had repor ted him missing a week earlier.

He had left his home in Valle Alto, Hermigua for an appointment at the Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria Hospital in Tenerife. He was receiving

treatment for a psychiatric condition and accompanied by members of his family, but he disappeared from the hospital.

The family raised the alarm after a nephew, who waited until half past eight at night for the appointment to finish, became increasingly worried. Concerned that his uncle had taken so long with the specialist, he asked staff to check that all was well.

On investigating, they confirmed that the appointment had finished at three o’clock and that he had not been seen since. It was assumed that he had left the hospital alone, and his family raised the alarm, instigating a four day search for the missing man.

F e w t h i n g s i n l i f e a r e co n s i d e r e d p r e c i o u s , a n d w a k i n g u p to p e a ce, q u i e t a n d a n o v e r a l l s e n s e o f t r a n q u i l i t y i s w o r t h e v e r y p e n ny.

Fr e d O ls e n , S . A . h a s c h o s e n L a G o m e r a a s t h e p e r f e c t s p o t f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f e x c l u s i v e l u x u r y v i l l a s a n d a p a r t m e nt s . O n e o f t h e p r i m a r y r e a s o n s f o r t h i s u n d e r t a k i n g i s t h a t L a G o m e r a i s g u a r a n te e d to k e e p i t s t r a n q u i l i t y, s i n ce o v e r 6 0 % o f t h e i s l a n d h a s b e e n a l l o c a te d to n a t u r e r e s e r v e s .

Good Morning For more information please visit: w w w. p u e b l o d o n t h o m a s . c o m o r c a l l : + (3 4) 92 2 62 83 8 0 + (3 4) 92 2 14 59 39 Pueblo Don Thomas, La Gomera, Canar y Islands, Spain.

20

HOROSCOPE

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Chinese Astrology

T

he legend says, that one day Buddha called all the animals of the jungle to get advice. Twelve different animals followed Buddha’s call and one after another appeared. First the smart rat came along and is therefore the first animal sign of the zodiac followed by ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Pastime

Crossword

By Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller are based in in the south-west of Tenerife. They both are certified Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology consultants and Cosmic Healers and work and teach in Tenerife and Germany. Their comprehensive knowledge about Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and the five elements is a result of their work with Derek Walters, one of the most respected Feng Shui masters in the world. They have published several books about Chinese Astrology and how to increase your health and vitality with the five elements, with recipes from all over the world.

You can contact Roger and Daniela by email daniela@5-elementos.com, phone: +34 650 830 506 or visit their webpage www.5-elementos.com

Your Chinese horoscope Rat (1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008) Do not plan to make great changes this month, as you might be forced to rearrange your priorities. You should take more care of your health - dose yourself with plenty of water and healthy food and stay away from caffeine and too much alcohol.

Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) A fresh yin wood energy may give you the ability to show more of your creative side thus making you less resistant to necessary changes. A fresh approach to dealing with complex situations will improve career and business prospects.

Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998) Don‘t play the conqueror all the time! Usually charm and compliance can be much more impressive than an unequivocal demand. When it comes to your love interest you should show more of your softer sides. Possible changes are afoot and may cause some imbalance at times.

Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999) Love is in the air, so look out! Chances are high that you might get acquainted with suitable partners. Aside from this, please avoid any kind of investment because chances are you will lose a certain sum of money in the process.

Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) All is smooth and easygoing for you this month, but you should pay particular attention to the documents that you sign. Also pay more attention when you are on the road because if not you may face some hefty fines for your carelessness.

Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001) Your love luck should be very strong now. So do not hide – take advantage of the flattering light the universe lets shine on you! If you find yourself ensconced in legal or law-related matters this month, you may lose money as a result.

Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)

Sudoku

This time is especially fortunate for the Horse seeking love and companionship! In fact, there is a chance that even married Horses will be affected, therefore be a little careful regarding this because you may find yourself entangled in a love triangle if you are not careful.

Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003) Your career luck is going strong and you will finally gain the chance to show off your skills after months or long periods of not being able to do so. In personal relationships it may be the time to take the plunge and adopt a new lifestyle.

Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) You should not start too many things at the same time and organise your activities.

Use your time wisely and you will find yourself deriving lots of benefits in the end. If you feel as if you are pushed into a corner you should seek the advice of your elders.

Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) If you have been thinking of traveling abroad or if you have been thinking of moving your home furniture a little to freshen up the look, now is a great time to do either one or both! Aside from this, avoid all kinds of discord and you will do well this month.

Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006) You should stay at home a little more than usual this month to take care of family matters. Take the time to fix all the small problems in your home such as a leaky tap or chipped paint. Such home improvement activities will soothe you.

Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007) Be careful of what you say, because chances are your careless words will seriously offend others. Aside from this you may also need to fix mistakes of your work colleagues, because if you do not do so, the problems might be blamed on you.

The Chinese solar year starts around February 4. If your birthday is in January or at the beginning of February your Chinese animal sign belongs to the year before. Example 27.1. 1967 still belongs to the year of the horse.

[ For Crossword and Sudoku solution see classifieds section ]

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

YOUR OPININION

21

Letters editorial@ic-news.com

Response to Silencio’s public meeting

(this letter has been edited for space reasons)

Dear Editor Although the public meeting regarding Costa del Silencio, held at the cultural centre in Las Galletas, was welcomed many residents were left feeling that the current serious wave of violent crime was not being tackled.

Mr mayor, I hope you got the message loud and clear. The residents of Costa del Silencio need your help. One person suggested security cameras in the streets.

This would be a huge deterrent to the criminals, so spend some money on doing it.

What about coming up with a plan for members of the police in plain clothes to wander along Avenida Alfonso Tavio late evening, posing as relaxed holidaymakers? Almost certainly it wouldn’t be long before they were targeted by muggers, leading to their apprehension. What about setting up special post boxes or a special telephone line where the residents can tip the police off anonymously.

It has also to be said that some residents let the rest of us down by not attending the meeting.

There are many who have plenty of moans about the area and its problems who were not attending the meeting.

Some will have had good reasons, other probably couldn’t be bothered.

If there’s another meeting get there and be counted.

We can only hope that the strength of feeling demonstrated that night might have made some impression on the politicians and police. It is their job, their responsibility to come up with solutions.

If they don’t the problems faced now will dwarf the current ones.

Concerned of Costa del Silencio.

(We did ask some residents of Costa del Silencio why they didn’t attend the meeting, and they told us they hadn’t been informed that one was taking place - Ed)

Osteoporosis screenings Dear Editor The Lions Club of Tenerife Sur are continuing to hold their osteoporosis screening sessions.

These are generously carried out

by Mr. Rex Mallett M.Sc C.Eng. MIMechE, who is fully qualified in the use of the Sahara Ultra Sound machine. The following are the dates and locations where the screenings will take place :-• THE SURGERY OF DR. KAREN WHITTAKER, Hotel Gran Arona, Los Cristianos.

Thurs. 26th March, Wed.29th April, Wed.13th May, Wed. 10th June, Wed. 24th June.

• JOY CAFÉ, Ctra.General del Sur No. 68, La Camella

Wed. 1st April, Wed 6th May, Wed 3rd June, Wed 17th June.

To make an appointment for this test, contact Jim Hunter on 669444617 (or 922 720920). The test in England costs up to €300, however courtesy of Rex´s generousity the Lions Club of Tenerife Sur can offer the test for only €20 per person; all proceeds will go to the Lions Tenerife Sur Holiday Project which annually hosts a holiday for English handicapped children here in Tenerife as well as taking a party of underprivileged Canarian children for a holiday in England.

Yours sincerely Jim Hunter

Unwanted Guests

Foul!

Dear Editor Your reader’s letter in edition No 583 regarding cleaning up the streets was excellent but for many dog owners the message will fall on deaf ears.

Here in Playa San Juan the problem is so bad that we no longer call the mess excrement – only a four letter word can aptly describe the mess and the inconsiderate dog owners. What is the purpose of having a beautiful promenade when it is dangerous to look up. Most dog owners have small dogs on long leads which are allowed to foul anywhere. I feel sorry for those small cat sized dogs, many of whom have achieved miniaturisation by being bred form the weakest runts of litters.

Such breeding practices often produce serious side effects including bladder and bowel problems. Some of the mess is picked up by owners, but some is neatly bagged, left on the sea wall or dropped over onto the rocks.

Yours sincerely J Field

Get out there and picnic Dear Editor Much to my shame I had lived on Tenerife for five years and had still to discover just what fun it is to picnic or organise a barbecue here.

Two weeks ago as the kids were all on holidays from school some of the Mammies decided to organise a picnic up in the Chio mountains. I had never actually been there before (laziness always finds excuses), but with the enthusiasm of my friends I decided, why not? We set off early, with bags full of sandwiches, cakes, crisps and loads of juice and off we went.

Has anyone who lives here realised what a great job the Cabildo does up in the mountains? This place is enormous, with brilliant log tables and chairs, brick built barbecues, loads and loads of space between them, and what’s more there’s chopped wood ready to be burnt. There’s a great playground for the kids – so safe, there’s nowhere they can really run away too, loos (with paper), trails to

follow and a park warden on hand, who was cleaning up and generally keeping this huge park in order the day we were there. If you haven’t been there plan a trip now.Compared to public picnic sights in Ireland, where you’re lucky to get a table and benches, (though the scenery can be splendid), this is unbelievable, and I am informed, that these sights are hugely popular all year round, with large parties of people, like ourselves (we were five mothers and ten kids and two dogs between us), making a day of it.

We returned home tired but happy; the kids had spent hours running around and tumbling and jumping in fresh mountain air, and we had put the world to rights as only a bunch of women can do when they don’t have to spend every three seconds wondering where their precious charges are. A great day out. Nice one Tenerife.

Yours in appreciation V McCann

Eliminated!

Insect control Rat and mice control Disinfection Legionnaire’s disease treatments APPCC: Implantation of food quality systems

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It is high time that stringent fines be made for all forms of littering, including dog mess, gum, paper, bottles and cans, etc. Litter wardens are needed, with the power to enforce large penalties. (If it were possible they could be armed, so that persistent offenders could be shot – not the dogs, just the owners).

Enforcers need not cost too much, for perhaps the job specifications of those officials who check on people daring to fish in the sea without a licence could be extended.

While on the subject of mess, whoever approved the planting of date palms and trees with mulberry size red fruits on the San Juan promenade? A good example is the stretch from the main sewage outfall past the harbour entrance to the new beach. Ah yes, the new beach with the locked beach huts, no chairs and no kiosks, no toilets and rocks along the waters edge! Overall, Los Cristianos you are having it very easy. If you want to view a gross mismanagement mess come visit Playa San Juan.

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22

Business NEWS

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CEST

Feeling the crisis Pedro Suárez; conclusions regarding the current economic crisis

A

t a recent press conference the president of CEST (the association for business owners and professionals in the south of Tenerife), Pedro Suárez, spoke of the association’s last general meeting and the conclusions reached regarding the current economic crisis, the duration of which is still unknown, and at the same time thanked all members for their respect, support and encouragement.

CEST has asked the government to revise, very carefully, the economic model for the Canary Islands to allow stagnant projects to move forward. They want politics put aside and solutions found. Suárez says, “they talk about industry and tourism within the Cabildo, but these islands are in a different situation.

Here, we are feeling it (the crisis) on a personal level and

the authorities are not seeking solutions. They need to sort out what our economy needs. If they did this, there wouldn’t be so many unemployed families”.

He added that, “we have offered them our cooperation and opinions”. Suárez

said that our main problem is that the Canaries live off tourism. “We propose that the islands be given a different treatment from the rest of the country by the government”. He referred to the need for good planning on the part of the administra-

tions, and most importantly for clear answers. He believes that the government is finding it difficult because its form of administration is not working, and that this situation is also worrying the banks. “This problem was not created by a shortage of

money, but where the money went”. Suárez confirmed what we all suspected, that the current situation is serious, “this is really hard, especially for small companies with 20 or so employees all working day and night”, he said, adding that the only sector we could possibly strengthen, apart from tourism, is agriculture. He confirmed that income from tourism has dropped significantly. “The few infrastructures that we have are in need of renovation. We need good beaches, hotels and well signed roads”.

Regarding the construction industry and the number of incomplete projects in the south, he said, “there are lots of completed properties and people wanting to buy.

So what goes wrong? The would-be purchasers have been caught out by the crisis, find themselves unemployed and therefore unable to complete the purchase”.

He believes there has been a slight improvement during January and knows that

this must continue if we are to get through the crisis.

He confirmed that property sales in the south of Tenerife have fallen by around 90 per cent over the last 18 months and construction activity by around 70 per cent. From his own personal point of view as a businessman, Suárez commented, “the hardest part of all this is having to dismiss staff – people who you love and respect, knowing that there aren’t any jobs in the market for them”.

THIS PROBLEM

was not

created

BY A SHORTAGE OF MONEY, BUT WHERE THE MONEY WENT

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Financial By Bill Blevins

23

Is the ination dragon dead or sleeping?

Regular readers will know that I often warn of the dangers of ination on our long-term wealth preservation. With ination falling, has this threat subsided?

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks

U

nfortunately not.

For a start, inflation is different for each of us. Your personal rate could well be above the official one. Interest rates are also fast heading to zero, which negates the fall in inflation.

Inflation – even low inflation – can be compared to a cancer, it grows and grows, multiplying to an exponential rate of growth over time. We also need to look at why inflation has been falling and what will happen next.

The price of oil has fallen by over 70 per cent from its July highs – but is expected to rise again or at least stabilise.

Interest rates charged on mortgages and loans have been significantly cut – but they cannot be cut by much more. In the UK VAT was reduced, but only until the end of the year. Retailers and businesses have reduced prices to attract customers – but they cannot keep cutting prices ad infinitum.

Once the economy recovers interest rates will rise again,

If you are saving for retirement your concern is what your future personal ination will be

retailers will put their prices up to pre-recession levels, house values will improve and taxes will probably increase - all pushing the cost of living back up. Another issue of concern is that the Bank of England governor will need to start quantitative easing to boost the money supply. The problem is that aggressive steps taken today could result

in higher inflation tomorrow.

The most important thing to focus on with regards to inflation, is that it is a long-term issue. If you are saving for retirement, or are retired and relying on savings to support your living costs, today’s inflation is not actually relevant. Your concern is what your personal inflation will be each future

year of your retirement. And since we cannot possibly know this in advance, you need to set up your financial

planning to keep pace with a prudent inflation rate – for example you may decide that you want to plan for an average of say four per cent per annum, dependent on your own circumstances.

Others may choose a higher or lower figure than that If you leave all your money on cash deposit it will lose spending power and possibly af fect your standard of living. Provided you are prepared to keep your investments long-term, there are opportunities in the market place to make real growth on your capital, even at the moment - particularly at the moment, with share prices having fallen so far below their original price.

Although corporate earnings have been disappointing and may continue to If you are retired, your

portfolio should be matched to your life expectancy - and not to whatever is going on in the market place at a particular time. Your main objective is for your capital to grow over your retirement years to match inflation.

Equities would normally be balanced by fixed interest bonds, cash and possibly proper ty in a diversified portfolio designed around your objectives. Speak to an experienced and regulated financial firm like Blevins Franks to establish an appropriate blend of assets for you.

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

Moving home ? ... Call Est. 1988

Home loans

Cheaper mortgages NOW MORE THAN EVER IT PAYS TO SHOP AROUND WHEN LOOKING FOR A MORTGAGE. High street banks used to offer an interest rate of the interbank lending rate plus 0.10 per cent, but now the average is 0.70 per cent. If you shop around you can save up to 700 euros a year on an average mortgage.

On-line banks are far and away the most competitive and have lower start up costs and commissions and sometimes even zero costs for total or partial early repayments. They also offer mortgage terms of up to 40 years depending on the age of the applicants. However if you are expecting financial problems someone who

knows you personally is probably more likely to be helpful, patient and sympathetic. Best rates at the moment are offered by Unoe, Banco Popular-e.com, Oficina Directa de Banco Pastor, Openbank, Ibanesto and Ing Direct, who are charging respectively euribor plus 0.29, 0.30, 0.39, 0.54, 0.54 and 0.55 per cent.

CUSTOMER COMMENTS t'*345 $-"44 4&37*$& */ &7&3: %&1"35.&/5u .S 8IJUF 4BOUB $SV[ t+645 50 4": 5)"/,4 50 &7&3:0/& */70-7&% */ 063 4)*1.&/5 #"$, 50 5)& 6, 063 #09&4 "33*7&% */5"$5 8*5) /0 %"."(& %0/& 1-&"4& 1"44 0/ 063 5)"/,4 50 5)& (6:4 */ 5)& 6, 5)&: 8&3& &953&.&-: )&-1'6- "/% (00% "4 8&3& :063 (6:4 */ 5&/&3*'&u .T /JDPMM 4DPUMBOE t&9$&--&/5 4&37*$& $)&&3'6- 45"''u .S )BMTUFBE -PT 3FBMFKPT

Unemployment

Stimulating the economy THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK HAS INCREASED IN THE CANARIES BY 47.7 PER CENT IN THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 2009.

There are now 227,707 unemployed people signed on as actively searching for work and the increase in the islands’ unemployed is the fifth in the country. The

The specialists in Worldwide Relocation Services Full member of the British Association of Removers

Canarian Government point out however that they are below the national average which stands at 50.4 per cent more unemployed in the last 12 months. Almost three and a half million people in Spain are now looking for work. The Spanish President believes that the measure undertaken towards the end of last year to input cash

directly to the councils for local projects, together with recently proposed changes in the social security system will improve the economy. In addition, Spain will be receiving 8,057 million euros from the EU in the years up to 2013 to help stimulate employment.

It’s expected that over 15 million people will benefit from the investment.

t7&3: 7&3: (00%u .S .ST 8IJUFGPPU 1BMN .BS t&9$&--&/5 7&3: 26*$, +0# "/% 0/ 5*.&u .S .ST 5IPNQTPO 1MBZB #MBODB -BO[BSPUF Secure 24hr surveillance storage facilities Fine art / Antique specialists / Pet exportations / Vehicle import & export Weekly shared container service to the UK Whether you are in the Canaries or the UK we will gladly carry out a free, no obligation survey and quotation

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24

BUSINESS

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Merger proposal

Promotion: Tenerife Property Shop

Savings banks suggestion CANARIES’ BIGGEST BANKS MERGING OPTION CANNOT BE RULED OUT. Speculation that the Canaries’ biggest savings banks may be looking to merge has resurfaced following the admission by the new chairman of one of the two entities that the option cannot be ruled out.

Juan Manuel Súarez del Toro, recently appointed chairman of the Las Palmasbased La Caja de Canarias

(whose territory takes in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura), said at the beginning of March that a merger “was back on the table” for discussion and “it would be irresponsible not to talk about the possibility”.

Despite recording increased turnover last year in a context of an overall downturn, the bank seems keen to pursue a partnership with its

big rival, the Tenerife-based CajaCanarias. According to Suárez del Toro, a merger would not prevent each bank from operating as at present with its own brand-name and territory. “The current crisis is a time of opportunity and we would do well to seize it, sharing our strong points and centralising some aspects to save on costs” insisted the chairman.

No such thing

International Property Award Success!

T

enerife Property Shop has received two International Property Awards at the recent ceremony in London. But what does that really mean to people who want to buy or sell a property?

The prestigious International Property Awards gala was held on the 27th September, in London. This glittering event took place at the Park Lane Hotel, and Tenerife Property Shop scooped two awards: a proud moment!

Tenerife Property Shop has been recognised as the best Estate Agency in the Canary Islands, and has also won the award for best real estate agent marketing. The awards follow previous successes that the company has had, but winning this year is the result of the continual effort to improve the service offered to clients.

“We are continually building on our success, and ensuring that we remain several steps ahead of the rest of the market. Last year, we ensured that every member of staff was covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance, protecting clients, their money and their homes to a greater level than any other agent in Tenerife. This year we have built on that by offering all new purchasers a Title Insurance.

This unique insurance protects a purchaser to such a high degree, and for a period of twenty years.

We are the only company on the island to offer this to our clients”, said Mary Spencer, Director of the award winning estate agency.

At a time when many companies are cutting back on marketing their clients’ properties,

Tenerife Property Shop are as active as ever. “In the last two decades, we have seen the property market go through its cycle more than once,” commented Bruce Grindley, a director of Tenerife Property Shop. “But its no good simply cutting back, or else you are not performing the service you have promised to the many vendors who have trusted you with the sale of their property. This award for Best Estate Agency Marketing should show all vendors that we are really committed to finding buyers for their properties.”

But what do these awards really mean to you, if you are interested in buying or selling property? A recommendation is only as good as the person who made it and buying and selling property are probably the biggest transactions you will make in your life.

So a recommendation should always be from someone who understands the profession and who you trust. The impartial panel of judges involved in selecting the winners of the International Property Awards could hardly be more qualified: Eric Pickles, British Shadow Secretary of State; Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents; Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4’s Location and Relocation TV shows; Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council… it would be difficult to assemble a more experienced and competent group of judges. So when you next need to buy or sell a home in Tenerife, make sure you do it the safe way and give the award winning Tenerife Property Shop a call.

A free lunch?

Spanish restaurant chain Taberna Bocatín is lending a helping hand in the current crisis and attracting some positive publicity for itself in the process.

The chain’s 40 restaurants across the country are offering free lunches or dinners to the unemployed on Wednesdays during the month of

March in an initiative funded partly by its own staff. 20 per cent of the cost of the meals is being paid for out of voluntar y contributions from employees and another 20 per cent by suppliers, with the restaurants footing the remaining 60 per cent.

Jobless people can dine free mid-week on presentation of ID and their unemployment

card. Managing director Alfredo Heredia says he hopes others follow the chain’s lead to help at least some of the three million people out of work at present in Spain. He acknowledged that the current climate “was not the best for business but that was no reason not to help those who are even worse off”.

Council causing debt

Town hall delay fury Fir ms throughout the Canaries are seeing their financial wor ries compounded by late-paying councils, warns a leading business association.

The Las Palmas-based CCE association says that its members are suffering from what appears to be a concerted decision to delay

payment of bills by up to six months. “The rule is normally that bills for supplies and services to local government are paid in 90 days and, if not, interest is due. However, more and more councils are openly telling firms that they will not be paid for at least 180 days due to cash flow problems. In many cases,

businesses have to request loans to tide them over, meaning that they end up paying interest to the banks” said a CCE spokesman.

One big council in Gran Canaria has denied the allegations, insisting that “payments are made when all the required paperwork is completed.”

English Lawyers & Spanish Abogados Our specialised legal team can assist in various aspects of English and Spanish legal services including: Property, land & conveyancing • Criminal, commercial & employment law Wills, probate, tax & estate planning • Family & divorce law Timeshare & seasonal ownership • Civil litigation & personal injury Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, French & German Contact us now for a Private Consultation: 922 719 520 Tenerife Office: Avenida de Los Pueblos, Parque Residencial Villaflor, Local B-20, San Eugenio, 38660 Costa Adeje

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Established 1983 · Celebrating 25 years of expertise Consultation Hours: Monday to Thursdays 09.30 - 17.30 pm, no siesta / 09.30 - 14.30 Fridays

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Register Sim cards

Mobile must All Sim card holders in Spain must register their name and address or their telephone number will be cancelled and returned to the telephone company for redistribution at the end of October.

The law was brought in as part of the campaign against terrorism and applies to all mobile and Sim card holders who bought their phone or card before November 2007 and use them on a prepayment basis.

In particular, many swallows hold Spanish Sim cards which they use whilst wintering in the islands. To register go into one of the shops associated with your chosen operator with a copy of your identity documents and proof of your regular Spanish address if using a passport.

Tax

Drafts available Spanish taxpayers who didn’t request a borrador (rough draft) of their tax obligations last year may now apply for the information to be sent to them. The drafts became available on March 2 and requests will be accepted up to June 23. You can ask for your draft via the tax office web site, www.aeat.es, by phone on 901 121 224 or 901 200 345.

Driving

Fine discount Under a new proposed law, drivers who pay their fines within 15 days will only have to pay half the original amount.

The new amendment outlines a fine structure with benefits for fast payers and stiffer sanctions for those who don’t pay including the possible embargo of the vehicle. Further amendments under consideration include the possibility of recovering six points on the driving licence and not four as is currently the case and issuing a sticker for the car windscreen to prove that the driver has paid his or her insurance.

Grants

Self employment Cash is available to encourage people to set up their own businesses. The Canarian government is offering grants of between 5,000 and 8,000 euros to candidates who have been unemployed. Despite the dismal overall economic scene, experts claim there are niches in certain sectors such as accounting, computer technicians and sales as companies cut back on full time staff and outsource more tasks.

BUSINESS

25

HOUSE PRICES

Time to buy?

F

OR THOSE WITH CASH IN HAND, IT COULD BE A GOOD TIME TO BUY A PROPERTY ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPOR T

BY CONSUMER GROUP EROSKI. Their conclusions are based on recent reports produced by leading estate agents all over Spain showing properties on the market now at prices between five and 40 per cent less than a year ago, however they claim that some properties may still drop further. They attribute the latest drop in prices to a number of factors.

Firstly the psychological effect on potential buyers of their certainty of future decreases resulting in a wait and see attitude and a glut of properties on the market.

Secondly the credit squeeze by the banks and savings banks which meant that over half of the mortgages requested in 2008 were rejected. Thirdly

Not all property prices are falling

the insecurity of would-be buyers caused by the global economic crisis and lastly the emphasis of banks and savings banks on giving mortgage priority to those properties where they already have an outstanding debt. Buyers

could be encouraged by the lower interest rates reflecting the lower euribor interbank lending rate which dropped below two per cent for the first time since 2004.

Whilst overall prices in Spain went down in January, five

provinces saw increases of up to 1.9 per cent. Locally, Tenerife saw reductions of 4.65 per cent in La Laguna and 6.99 per cent in Santa Cruz in February but Las Palmas de Gran Canaria experienced an increase 5.57 per cent.

GOOD BUSINESS

Carnaval capers by day S

ANTA CRUZ’S SECOND DAYTIME CARNAVAL WAS A HUGE HIT WITH PARTICIPANTS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE. Over 200,000 people turned out for the daytime concerts and salsa sessions, double the number last year, for 16 hours of live music in four areas of the capital. The most waited for appearance by singer Craig David took place in Plaza Candelaria at 15.30. The talented young Brit was also to be seen the previous day at a signing session for fans in Carrefour.Carnaval goers made public pleas for two days of daytime celebrations instead of one every year. The bars, restaurants, cafés and trailers were very busy and extremely pleased as whole families dined out together before, during and after the events organised.

Perhaps smaller councils, especially in tourism areas, should take note. The small bars and restaurants are part of the rich fabric of our gastronomic offer and too many are suffering or closing at the moment. A daytime event of even half this magnitude could provide them with a welcome economic boost.

Craig David filled the square

26

Living & lifestyle

Beauty:

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Faking it WHO SAID PALE

O

nce a sign of wealth and the fact that you didn’t have to do manual work outdoors, those ivory tones are now more frequently forgotten in favour of a golden glow.

Whether baring all in the sun, faking it at home or in the salon, there are many options available to help you achieve a sun kissed look.

Gone are the days of ‘dodgy looking’ tans – there is just no need or excuse for it. Goodbye to the ‘lobster off the beach’ look or the ‘you’ve just been tangoed’ look, and welcome a host of new solutions for that bronzed skin.

According to all of the recent medical reports the most healthy tan is one that comes directly out of the bottle. But as with everything the right look requires professional expertise.

Thanks in many ways to celebrity endorsements, for example Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham), George Hamilton, TV host Dale Winton and crooner Julio Iglesias, the use of fake tans has become increasingly more acceptable. This has then in turn allowed the fake tan market to become increasingly healthy which therefore provides us, the clients, with higher standards.

So how can we achieve that golden, healthy glow without looking like we have just been ‘tangoed’?

Already the market has seen a massive improvement in the self-tanning products available, from those that were traditionally messy and more often than not

streaked, to pleasantly fragranced, simple to apply formulas which are available in many chemists, beauty salons and perfume shops.

But the era is changing, the development of spray tanning is a whole new definition of ‘self tan’, with airbrush and spray tanning booths providing us with an even quicker means to a golden glow.

We all love the sun, it reminds us all about holidays and a healthy glow, and it can heighten our confidence. For most of us, if we feel we are looking good we also feel great in ourselves and this will usually come through when we are with other people. However as mentioned, increasing medical evidence highlights the fact that the sun does not love us in quite the same way as we love it, it can cause sunburn, accelerate skin ageing and increase the chance of skin cancers.

Many professional skincare ranges feature their self-tan products alongside their suncare range for that all-year-round tan.

This again proves the importance of ‘alabaster’ skin. Back in the sixties and seventies, people coated their bodies in olive oil and then proceeded to lie in the sun from dusk until dawn. Nowadays there are not many people who would dream of this as we have all been inundated by the press revelations which tell us how harmful this really is.

Modern self-tan formulas have improved tremendously. They are much more sophisticated than they were.

Bodies no longer turn orange or have that unpleas-

By Nicola Roberts

WAS INTERESTING?

ant aroma associated with earlier products. With the latest technical advances, self tans are now far more user friendly and people are becoming more and more confident about applying them. However, newcom-

impregnated with a self tan formula. They sold a million products within their first month, and probably the most famous self tan company, St.Tropez, has also seen its business grow 30 times since it began six years

ers to self tan will more often than not turn to tanning/beauty salons for professional advice regarding types of self-tans and application procedures. In a beauty salon clients can be given advice regarding how best to prepare the skin for self tan and which are the best products and procedures for them.

The growth in consumer demand for self tanning formulations, for example lotions, creams, gels, sprays and spray tan booths, has become that big that even hair care companies have jumped on the bandwagon.

A European hair care company invented a ‘Tantowel’ which is basically a singleuse, individual towelette

ago and consistently anticipates the company will take five times more orders than the previous year.

Self tanning applications are no longer seasonal.

Holidays are not restricted solely to summertime.

People are travelling more and further afield, and they don’t want to arrive looking white. Self tanning products will therefore always be extremely popular before and after holidays (to help intensify and even out an existing tan). Like a natural tan, self tan can also help to mask the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite and will help balance skin tone. Other obvious advantages are that the skin won’t peel or dry out and the tan

will fade gradually.

Airbrush tanning arrived in the UK some two years ago, the market is now awash with airbrush tanning systems and thanks to fashion trends and all of the celebrities sporting the technique, it is now very much in demand in the UK and Europe. Therefore for instant gratification one of the more effective ways of achieving that healthy, sun kissed glow is the no-risk, no-rays way of spray tan – which can be carried out all year around.

At the moment there are basically two methods of spray tanning on the market; self tanning booths and manual spray tan techniques, the latter can be more precise with the colour being actually used to provide contours on the body, and all systems and distributors usually offer a range of colours and even glitter or sparkle effects. Some airbrush systems can now even be found in some of the larger UK airports allowing us with our ever busy lives the opportunity to nip in before our flight and arrive at our destination looking healthy and glowing.

The main rules regarding self tan application are to ensure you have adequately exfoliated your skin before any type of treatment, always pay special attention to knees, ankles and elbows as these are always the most likely places to have patchiness or streaking. Ensure you wear old or dark underwear for use during or after the treatment and also wear loosely fitting dark clothes – all these factors ensure adequate drying and reduce

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Crimes of the sunworshipper • Using sunscreen too sparingly: a teaspoonful is recommended for the face.

• Sitting out in the sun from 11am to 2pm: when the sun is at its strongest.

• Thinking that the darker your skin tone, the less likely you are to suffer sun damage: all skin colours need to be protected, even a black skin burns – always check your skin tone and purchase the correct SPF accordingly.

• Forgetting to apply suncream before going out: apply at least half an hour before going out.

• Forgetting to top up during the day: you sweat a lot of the product away and even waterproof creams will eventually lift off the skin in the pool or sea.

• Using last year’s sun cream: SPFs have a shelf life and their effectiveness deteriorates over a period of time.

• Exposing the same area of sunburnt skin the next day: once the skin blisters and breaks the damage is done and this area should not be exposed to the sun.

This pink new skin can burn much faster and can leave scarring.

Nicola Roberts is the owner of Bellissima Hair and Beauty in Los Gigantes and San Eugenio Alto. For information or appointments please call 922 867 343 or 922 719 355.

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27

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Fashion:

Blazers Boutique

Blazers, your boutique in Los Cristianos, now have their new Spring collection in stock.

Fabulous dresses, separates, shoes and accessories have now arrived so pop in and take a look. Blazers Boutique for stylish, sexy, unique and chic fashion is in Calle Juan XXIII number 10, Los Cristianos (just off the church square), and open Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.

Suzane Decor

We now have a large range of the Quality Ivory Furniture - at very special prices made from Silver Birchwood - perfect for Dining, Bedrooms and Salons. Packages for new Apartments including Beds and Curtains

Interior design

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We are in the Avenida de Emigrantes on the corner of Calle Altamar (next to Encuentro), Playa San Juan • Tel. 922 86 65 21 • Mobile 619 281 655

Call Ca a & save 922 767 166 German Dental Clinic Buzanada

28

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

17th March

St.Patrick’s SMILING IRISH EYES!

Fáilte, the organisation for Irish people living in Tenerife, have announced details of their excellent annual Pre-Patrick’s Day Party, to be held on Saturday 14th March 2009, in La Estancia Restaurant in Chayofa.

F

áilte is the gaelic for welcome, and this event has been welcomed annually, and is where Irish ex-pats get together with their friends and contacts from Ireland, Tenerife and beyond, enjoy some quite superb cuisine, terrific company, music and singing and lots more besides.

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated world wide and quite possibly is the only national holiday that has become a widely heralded and celebrated international event. For a country of which just a few million inhabitants, the Irish sure know how to spread their cultural wings.

Here in Tenerife which was Fáilte who was instrumental in kick-starting the whole St. Patrick’s Day phenomenon.

Back in 1990 the 17th March was really just another day on the Island.

One or two of the few Irish bars may have put on some Irish stew and a bit of Irish music, but it was all very low key. Nowadays, just under 20 years later, St. Patrick’s Day is just about as big as Christmas Day here in South Tenerife. And what’s more it is an event that is

looked forward to and enjoyed by people from all walks of life and national backgrounds. The dinner at La Estancia hosts local politicians from a number of different South Tenerife councils as well as residents from many different countries.

Current Fáilte President, Martina Bowe, aims to keep Fáilte on the map.

Last year the organisation ran some very successful events, including a Summer Picnic up in the mountains, a Halloween Party at La Estancia and a Christmas buffet and music evening at The Claddagh, and this year the calendar is already filling up, with the Pre-Patrick’s Day Party the first item on the list.

All are welcome to La Estancia on the 14th

Evening:

€45 RESERVATIONS:

922 729 359

March. The event starts at 7.30 pm (see ad in this section for full menu).

Entertainment will be provided

by Brenda de Bourke and Andreas Nolan (Piano, Guitar and Vocals,) the Fermin Rivero Trio (Saxophone centred mainstream jazz,) and Joy Dey (trained soprano singing operatic and popular favourites).

Pre-Patrick’s Day Party 7.30pm, Saturday 14th March 2009 in La Estancia Restaurant, Chayofa.

Superb cuisine, terrific company, music and singing and lots more besides.

Menu:

Kir Royale & Canapés Smoked Salmon served with Dill Cream, Blinis, Red Onion, Horseradish and Lemon

Seafood Bisque with Saffron Mousse Irish Beef & Guinness Stew served with Spring Onion Mash & a Bouquet of Green Beans and Bacon

Warm Chocolate Brownies served with Baileys’ Sauce Wine and Water included

Entertainment: Brenda de Bourke and Andreas Nolan (Piano, Guitar and Vocals), The Fermin Rivero Trio (Saxophone centred mainstream jazz) and Joy Dey (trained soprano singing operatic and popular favourites).

Fáilte Price 45€

Please reserve your places by ringing

922 729 359 by 12th March at the latest.

29

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three-leaved clover.

According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally

Day

THE FOUR LEAF CLOVER

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, EACH LEAFLET REPRESENTS SOMETHING

4Luck

rd

3

Love

Another Irish legend tells that the three leaf clover, or Shamrock, was over, o what Saint Patrick represent Pat atrick used to rep the Holy Trinity nityy

8%

FLAG OF IRELAND ELAND THE GREEN

Represents a Gaelic tradition while

THE ORANGE

Represents the supporters of William of Orange.

IRISH STOUT

LEPRECHAUN HAUN

S

TOUT AND PORTER ARE DARK BEERS, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY ALES, MADE USING ROASTED MALT OR BARLEY, HOPS, WATER, AND ALE (TOP FERMENTING) YEAST.

I

Stouts were tra-

[variations] ditionally the ge-

sociated in Irish mythology and folklore, as with all faeries, with the Tuatha Dé Danann and other quasi-historical peoples said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts.

neric term for the strongest or stoutest beers produced by a brewery

Baltic porter dry stout & Imperial stout

Creature Grouping First reported Country

IRISH DANCE

I

IS TRADITIONALLY REFERRED TO AS

STEPDANCE. Irish stepdance, popularised in 1994 by the world-famous show Riverdance, is notable for its rapid leg movements, body and arms being kept largely stationary.

(5 Piece Live Band)

Mythological Fair y In folklore Ireland

ST. PATRICK STATUE

MUNSTER / CORK

[ Location ]

AGHAGOWER, COUNTY MAYO ULSTER / BELFAST

from 1pm...

Leonardo’s

It’s a day NOT TO MISS ’ ’s at Leonardo’s

home of entertainment & sport ort

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CONNACHT / GALWAY

LEINSTER / DUBLIN

Live Entertainment • It’s Immaterial

N IRISH MYTHOLOGY, A LEPRECHAUN (IRISH: LEIPREACHÁN) IS A TYPE OF MALE FAERIE SAID TO INHABIT THE ISLAND OF IRELAND. They are a class of faerie folk as-

THE WHITE in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the ‘Orange’ and the ‘Green’.

PROVINCES

7%

st 1Hope nd Faith 2 th

Lots of FREE give aways ALL DAY

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St Patrick’s Day Tuesday 17th March

2 x1

2 Bottles of Bulmers for the price of 1 Upon presentation of this coupon

30

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

Alternative Health

Feng Shui tips & tricks

By Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller

W

hen you come across the topic Feng Shui for the first time, you might be full of confusion and contradictions.

There are many different opinions on the subject and it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. In this article, you will find some basic Feng Shui rules which can be easily adapted to your day to day life.

Today, it is common sense that a good Feng Shui in a house or working space can help people to feel more relaxed and work more efficiently. No wonder that this science of experience from old China continues to spread out over time. Unfortunately, quite a lot of publications on the subject don’t bother with a correct translation of the traditional Feng Shui rules, and this has led to a lot of misunderstandings. The following basic rules are based on classical Feng Shui which should enable everybody to bring more balance into his or her life.

Finding the right spot What is a good place for me? Have you ever asked yourself this question? If not, you should give this some deeper thought. You will probably find out that your intuition has told you a lot about Feng Shui already.

For example, imagine you enter an empty restaurant and have to pick a table. Do you take a table on the edge or do you prefer to sit in the middle of the room? 99 per cent of people would decide to sit on the side with their backs

middle of a room or under a window. Put them against a wall in such a way that you can see windows and doors.

• Working spaces like desks should be close to a window, so that you can use as much daylight as possible during your working time.

An L-shaped installation with the window is recommended.

In that case you would get enough light and most rooms allow a protected sitting area with a wall behind you.

• In the bedroom, the bed should have its head against a wall. Never put a bed under a window. It should be possible to overlook windows and doors from the bed, so that the subconsciousness is more relieved during the sleeping phase. Reflective surfaces like mirrors or television screens make the room seem bigger than it is. Subconsciously we have to observe additional virtual rooms which do not exist in reality. This puts unnecessary stress on our backs. If you don't want to move mirrors, TVs etc. out of your bedroom, simply cover them with something (like a blanket or some sheets for example), while you are sleeping.

Yin and Yang to a wall – simply because it feels more secure. Why is this so? Let’s look at it from the modern psychology point of view: our brain is still tuned to observe our surroundings and to distinguish important from insignificant things.

The important penetrates up to our consciousness, while insignificant things will be filtered by our subconsciousness. This process takes place in every second of our lives. Depending on how much information our subconsciousness has to run through, we feel more or less tension. Usually, we relax best in a situation with little action and if we are in a protected area. This is why

a protected place which relieves our subconsciousness is the key for all situations in Feng Shui. If we exclude disturbing factors – like in our example waiters walking around, whispers behind you, people passing through etc.

- we create more space for the essentials. Therefore, the places where we stay longer should be adapted accordingly to this rule.

Here are some basic Feng Shui r ules for resting areas: • If possible, always sit down with your back against a wall.

• Never put sofas in the

The concept of Yin and Yang stands for all oppositions such as bright – dark, loud – quiet, warm - cold.

Feng Shui experts distinguish between yin and yang areas in a house or a flat. Yang represents the more active rooms like the living room or the kitchen, while Yin is assigned to the more passive rooms like the sleeping areas.

In the active parts we need light and warmth, while the bedroom may be darker, cool and quiet.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the sunny sides (the southern directions) are considered to be Yang, while the northern directions are Yin.

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• Bedrooms are best in the north and north-east where it is a little cooler.

• The kitchen is well placed on the southern side.

• A dining room facing the southwest offers daylight for the whole family until the sun sets.

• A sitting room facing the west offers a nice view of the sunset after work. A home office or study room is also recommended to face the west or the northwest, or also facing south.

• Children's rooms are multifunctional spaces which have yin as well as yang areas.

The east or the southeast are suited for it rather well.

• The bathroom is best placed facing north.

What else should you know...

• Don't try to work against nature – it is simply stronger than you.

• Go along with the natural strength of the elements and include them when you plan a house or if you are searching for a new place. This affects not only your well-being but also your purse. Reducing heating costs are one side effect of good Feng Shui. Big south facing windows provide more light and warmth during cold seasons.

• Which direction does the wind come from? This is an important factor for the outside places. A windy terrace is not very comfortable.

• Give your home a structure.

• Smaller rooms assigned to a certain purpose make more sense than a multifunctional space which is used for everything. Particularly if you live as a couple or in a family, the subdivision of the rooms is really important.

Muddle makes trouble!

That's what my grandmother always said, and proved that she was a real Feng Shui expert. A certain basic order makes life easier. A chaotic desk constantly disturbs us, because it continually reminds our subconsciousness of what has still to be done.

Order your thoughts as well Take care of the unpleasant things straight away. They must be done anyway and once they are done, we don't need to waste our energy thinking about these subjects any more.

One more before we finish: Even if you read about them in many books and articles – mirrors, crystals, spirals or other Feng Shui items can't really improve your life.

Put up whatever you like and rely more on your intuition than on the arguments of a salesman.

Roger Keller is a cer tified Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology consultant and lives in the south-west of Tenerife. For personal Feng Shui consultations you can contact Roger by email at roger@5-elemente.org or by phone: +34 628 012 987.

PRACTICAL FENG SHUI WORKSHOP If you want to learn more about Feng Shui, join Roger in Gran Canaria for this handson workshop from 1st to 3rd of May 2009 in Agaete. Call +34 922 104358 for more information.

Specialist shop for your orthopaedic needs We speak English

Carretera Gral. Orotava-Icod, 41 bajo. La Mancha (38430) Icod de Los Vinos Tel. 922 812 807 / 121 804 Fax: 922 812 911

Shiatsu

with Michael Clark

Michael is recognised as one of the top Shiatsu practitioners in the Western World.

He was Japanese trained and has been practising for over 25 years. During this time, Michael has unbelievably taken over 400 people out of wheelchairs.

If you suffer from poor circulation, causing pain, aches or cramps – you have these problems unnecessarily.

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One treatment of four and a half hours with Michael is specially designed to help with these problems and will last for years.

'Life is for living – not for getting a stroke or thrombosis'.

Michael is based in Ocean View Apts., San Eugenio Alto

Give Michael a call anytime on his mob: 636 239 940 www.me-reliefnews.com

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

31

Health: Dr. De La Flor

House Calls with Dr. De La Flor

healthytenerife@gmail.com

Dear Dr. De La Flor, Two years after having my son I still have fat around my stomach. I do as many crunches as I can and religiously use anti-cellulite creams, but I just can’t get my flat stomach back. Is there a safe medication that I can take to get rid of this accumulated fat?

Thank you for your help, Tanya

Dear Tanya, When it comes to the tummy, experts say myths abound. How much do you really know about your stomach?

The top research in the area proves that there is no science proving that any diet produces fat loss in any specific area of the body, including the belly!

I’ve seen creams, gels and other products with outrageous prices. Despite the brand and how gorgeous the picture of the model looks, believe me, if they do have a flat belly it is not precisely because of creams and pillpopping routines.

Spot reduction is hype, not science. Don’t spend money on startling products.

The only tangible result will be a sharp decrease in the size of your pocket and/or

Skin issues are important, given where we live

bank account. To lose fat in the belly and everywhere else, here’s what matters most. You’ve got to burn more calories than you eat.

A bank savings account grows when you save more than you spend. You’ve got to embrace lifestyle change, not just diet change.

Focus on a sound nutritional program with an integral approach that takes into consideration your age, health status, activity level and likes and dislikes without the use of special powders, captivating massages, magic pills, enchanting creams or other supplements, just carefully selected foods that everyone can find in the grocery store.

Use reasonable portions of low-

DOCTOR De La Flor

FAMILY MEDICINE / G.P. 10 years of experience in the USA

HOME / HOTEL VISITS Best prices, honesty & €30 / €50 professionalism GUARANTEED Tinerfe El Grande, 9. ADEJE (next to Postal Office)

00 34 697 888 666 for Doctor 00 34 637 245 270 for diet advice

C. C. San Blas, local 64, Golf del Sur. Tel. 922 737 569

Dear Dr. De La Flor I recently read in a health magazine that I need to do an annual skin check

up. Is it really necessary to do it that often? I don’t think I have any problem with my skin.

Sincerely, Joel

Dear Joel, Better than the word “annual” is the word “individualised.” I don’t believe in annual check ups the same way I don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ mentality. Most hospitals love to run a lot of tests and check ups with only their bottom line being their concern. Sorry… if I’m too straightforward.

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The rule of thumb is common sense and a personalised attitude toward testing and check ups.

Depending on age, sex, race, personal and family history I do recommend different time lines.

A skin exam by your G.P. is the first step. Make sure he/she teaches you “what to look for”. This entails a headto-toe skin examination looking for unusual ‘stuff’.

When I perform an exam I like to teach my patients the American Cancer Society’s ‘ABCD rule’ to evaluate skin changes.

A is for Asymmetry. B is for Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. C is for colour.

The pigmentation is not

Comp leme glass ntary cham of pagn e

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calorie-dense foods, regular exercise and/or physical activity, be in love with someone, love what you do, and have an emotionally nourishing attitude toward life, is the ideal plan for burning more calories than you eat, losing weight longterm, and living well. By the way, smiling burns far more calories than frowning because more muscle groups are involved!

uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present.

Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Changes in colour distribution, especially the spread of colour from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma. D is for Diameter. Any growth of a mole should be of concern.

Once a month I offer a very inexpensive skin check up at a local Pharmacy. After that, you should be able to follow up on those skin areas or lesions (if any) that are of concern with your regular GP. Because of the area where we live, skin issues are very important, since melanoma and other injuries can become life-threatening and often we don’t take them seriously enough. Melanoma accounts for about four per cent of skin cancer cases, but it causes most skin cancer deaths. Early detection and treatment can save lives.

Dr. De La Flor, G.P. is licensed in medicine & general surgery.

He holds certificates in nutrition, medical exercise and human performance from the University of Berkeley in California, the American Council on Exercise and the U.S. National Strength & Conditioning Association.

He is a strong believer in work/life balance and spends much of his time outside of his surgery on the tennis court or chasing his four kids around the neighborhood.

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32

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CONSUMER WARNING

Tarjeta Ta arjjet eta Sanitaria S ni Sa n ta t ria Individual

Seven ‘chinese shoe’ cases in Tenerife A

t least seven cases of infection as a result of wearing certain brands of cheap shoe imports from China have been registered in Tenerife.

As reported in our last issue, it would seem that cheap shoes are not only bad for your feet but can actually be dangerous causing great pain, eczema, burns, horrific blistering and in some cases acute breathing difficulties. France, Sweden, Poland and Spain have been issuing warnings since last year over chairs and shoes imported from China which have been contaminated with dimethyl fumarate and the brand names and models of the footwear which have so far been reported, have now been released by consumer organisation, Facua. According to Marga

Some shoes kick back

Santamaría, president of the newly established association for those affected by the problem, “in the case of Tenerife we have been made aware of at least seven cases and there may be more, as in many instances doctors haven’t identified the substance causing the

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allergy they are treating and haven’t reported the matter to the office of consumer affairs”.

Consumers should be wary of buying: patent shoes by Latinas, design 821161; black women’s boots by Clara García design 52300252; moccasins

New health cards

by Benini Shoes, design A8352; Benavente shoes, designs patent Sabrina Cua 32022 and Sabri Cha, 36048; shoes by Roberto Botella, designs M5752, M5760, M5773, M5798, M5807, M5823, M5828, M5829, M5842, M5843, M5856, M5859, M5872, M5895, M5907, M5915, M5936, M5941 and M5945; beige women’s boots by Drastik, design 5244; white and silver women’s shoes

by Lalikaer, design 7094-1; Gioseppo women’s boots designs Homero Púrpura 68667 and Galvano 67914; women’s ankle boot by WSK, design S36708, White women’s boots by ESS, design 2098; children’s shoes

by Bache; boots by Love Red, design Hielo/2700; various colours of Cooway ankle boots, design 2706545 Norway; shoes by Bellucci, design Suiza-1, women’s shoes by SPWSH, designs 3401P094, 310IP051, 330IP045, 300IP100 and IP143; women’s boots by Maria Mare, designs 6031 and 6032 (supposedly taken off the market by the company at the beginning of December); children’s shoes

by Pasite, design P1030 and brown boots by Amelia Zaragoza, design 820116.

According to the regional department of health, nearly all the new TSI – Tarjetas Sanitarias Individuales – or public health cards have been distributed.

The new card, which features an electronic strip incorporating clinical data about the carrier, has been issued on a gradual basis since its inception in 2007, and since that date over 1,700,000 cards have been posted to individuals registered with the health service – nearly 85 per cent of those covered by the regional health service. The department hope that by the end of 2009 all those who

Skin disorder

PlayStation palm We have heard about repetitive strain injur y and texter’s thumb, and now researchers have identified a new skin disorder brought about by excessive enthusiastic handling of the joypads used to control games consoles. PlayStation palm is an affliction which causes painful sore patches on the palms of the hands. The good news is that if you leave the games alone for 10 days, you should make a full recovery.

OXYjet The Beauty Secret of the Stars Now available in Tenerife!

Exclusively at -The Tropical Wellness & Spa, Hotel Jardin Tropical,San Eugenio and The CAROLI HEALTH CLUB in the Sheraton Hotel, La Caleta.

OXYjet literally breathes new life into your skin.

A natural alternative to cosmetic injections.

A luxurious and relaxing experience that really does give results.

Call Julie at OXYbeauty Canarias now for appointments and free consultations on 627 890 570 Trade enquiries welcome for spas, beauty centres and mobile - exclusive areas still available throughout the Canaries.

are in possession of the older white card will have been issued with the new version.

With the information stored on the new card, users can use the Spanish health service in whatever part of the country they find themselves, where the medical staf f will have instant access to relevant information and be able to issue electronic prescriptions. The new card is described by the regional department of health as “one of the basic ways of identifying and recognising ever y citizen who is entitled to public health care. This is an administrative, nominative and individual document which identifies each user who has the right to seek medical attention and assists them in accessing services and benefits.....”

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• Duvets • Management Companies • Restaurants – Bars • Repairs and Alterations • Open All Day – 10AM - 8 PM

20% off all curtains + take down and put up service

DENTAL CLINIC We hear what you need FAÑABÉ PLAZA >> Hearing aids assessments without obligation >> Name brand hearing aids >> English speaking personnel >> Prices 40% lower than the UK

All of our hearing aids come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee

Sedation with gas: all treatments are pain free · White Fillings & implants · Whitening with Laser, only one appointment · First visit to Orthodontist, Dentist and Maxillofacial Surgeon FREE · In-house laboratory C.C. Fañabé Plaza, Avda. Bruselas 2nd floor (in front of Hotel Jacaranda) Playa Fañabé , Costa Adeje, Tenerife Sur Tel: 922 714 225 • Fax: 922 724 130 • www.clinicadentalfanabeplaza.com

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Emergency Phone Line (for Bank Holidays & Weekends) : 687 744 225

Hearing aids consultants Founded over 100 years ago Los Cristianos: Policlínica Spreafico Edificio Simón, local 1. Tel: 922 79 05 63 Santa Cruz: Clínica Barajas C/ Pérez de Rozas, 8. Tel: 922 27 54 88 ©IC/550/2007

Pets corner

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

LOST AND FOUND!

Pets Portrait

Spot the human

A mooving experience

Sara,

Queen of Europe

MISS EUROPE Planillo September Sara is a cow from Navarra in mainland Spain who recently won the title of Miss Europa at a championship in Italy.

Apar t from mooing par ticularly well, her owner, Andrés Planillo, says that she walks gracefully, just like a model – upright and with her back straight. The people in her village are extremely proud of this very young cow and hopeful that she will win many more tournaments. Sara, of the Frisona Holstein breed, was born on September

8 2004, the result of ar tificial insemination from a Canadian bull called September, “one of the best in the world”, according to Andrés.

Previously she had entered other competitions.

In Torrelavega in April 2007 she reached second place for beauty and first for best udders, and in 2008 she won first prize in Verona. But nothing can compare to being crowned Miss Europa in this year.

All this, however, is being kept quiet in the family as Sara’s daughter Sarita, may well follow the hoofprints of her mother.

Exotic species

Wild bird control The Canarian Government’s environmental department has set in motion a project to control the wild exotic birds between El Valle and the port of Las Nieves in Agaete.

Over the years the numbers of exotic birds that are breeding in this area have increased considerably and the idea is to cut back on those species which are causing difficulties or damage. Particularly problematic are the parrots and turtledoves, some of which have nested in restaurants, larders and kitchens in the various tourist complexes.

33

The curious incident of a dog called Pedro I was first seen trotting up the hill from the fruit and veg shop in El Varadero at lunch time on Thursday 19th February.

As I approached the laundry it started to rain, the kind lady in Lavanderia Varadero placed two round mats by the counter for her clients to stand on and they looked so inviting that I curled up and had a sleep. When it stopped raining the lady said ‘walkies’ and we walked to the pavement and I went down the road towards Transito and sat there for a while before returning to the laundry for the rest of the afternoon. They brushed me and I had a drink of water and at five o’clock when the shop closed they put the mat and water outside the shop and suggested I went home, asking various other shop owners to look out for me.

The following morning I decided to make my way home and was walking in the road past Punta Blanca towards Alcalá, the cars were swerv-

I once was lost but now am found

ing around me and flashing their headlights but I trotted on. The lady and gentleman from the laundry were driving to work when they spotted me and stopped their car, the lady ran quite a long way up the road after me, a bus and lots of cars waited while she caught up with me and carried me back to

their car. Back at the laundry I was pretty tired and enjoyed some food and water before taking a nap. They made lots of phone calls to try and find my home and I was made a fuss of by all of the customers and especially liked the ones who spoke German. At lunchtime a very nice lady called Judith Noble

came to collect me, the lady and gentleman from the laundry gave her some money for the vet and asked her to bring me back to the laundry if she could not find me a home. I was taken to the vet who said I was a bit deaf, fifteen years old and my owner was registered in Callao Salvaje. He then discovered that I had been staying with a friend of my owner on a finca in Armenime!

The mystery is how I got all the way from Armenime to El Varadero, the lady from the laundry thinks I must have hitched a ride in a car or van but was very happy to learn from Judith Noble that I was excited to be reunited with Karen again.

I would like to say a big thank you to Judith for taking so much time and trouble to find my owner and encourage people to support The Asociacion San Francisco de los Animales Santiago del Teide in whatever way they can.

Signed Pedro

LIVE ARICO

A plea from two of our volunteers Gillie and Dominique are two volunteers at the Live Arico kennels, and they aredesperately in need of the following:

Dog leads and dog collars, blankets, dog beds – preferably the plastic kind, old clean pillows and pillow cases (to make pillows for the dog beds)

Digs 4 Dogs Professional dog care at our purpose built

KENNELS 6 mins from San Isidro Only 10 € per day • Collection and return Service • Quarantine & UK return Service For rates and availability phone Allen or Lesley on 680 278 254 or 922 772051

and pet carriers. If you have some or all of the above which you no longer need please give Dominique a call on 687372923 to arrange collection.

Thanks to Eileen and Steve from Antiquities Tenerife S.L. for their kind donation of

€235. This was mainly the proceeds of a raf fle they held, plus some of their own money to top up the total.

Benefit night There’s a fundraiser on Thursday the 19th at the Wild Geese in Golf del Sur. There will be guest artists including Suzy Q and Jan

Monroe, raf fles, fun and games.

For more information about the work Live Arico do, or help if you find a dog in distress, call Eugenio on 649 001907, or Karen on 687 905511.

Where can you get everything for your dog under one Kennel?

At Don Perro where else?

• Dog grooming is not just for show!

• Prevent knots, disease and annoying pests!

• Come to Don-Perro now for professional + caring grooming. Your dog will thank you!

DON PERRO

For all your dog’s needs Call us now 922 73 58 24 We are 2 minutes from the TF-1 at Las Chafiras, Carretera San Miguel

www.don-perro.eu and woof for yourself!

34

WHAT’S ON

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

27 and 28, 8.30 pm, watch the skies at night from Izaña and see Venus, Saturn, the Lord of the Rings, Orion, the Andromeda galaxy and more. Discounts for students and youths. More information on 922 236 299, 647 872 484 or www.astroamigos. com

What’s On Tenerife

MUSEUMS & CULTURAL EVENTS

FIESTAS March 19, Fiestas of San José in El Sauzal, El Tanque and La Guancha

[ Tenerife ]

CONCERTS

Auditorium Tenerife

March 23, Concert for the

www.auditoriodetenerife. com

benefit of Padre Antonio with Chago Melián, Pepe Benavente and Danyssel. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz March 29, 6 pm, Classical concert, compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, John Bennett, Lambert Chaumont and Georg Friedrich Händel for soprano, flute and organ performed by Barbara Hebborn and Hans Peter Reiners. San Fernando Rey Church, Santiago del Teide. Entrance free.

Av. Constitución, 1 38003 Santa Cruz phone 902 31 73 27

Guimerá Theatre www.teatroguimera.es

Plaza Isla de la Madera, 2- 38001 Santa Cruz phone 902 36 46 03

CajaCanarias Cultural Centre www.canarynet.com

Pl. el Patriotismo, 1 38002 Santa Cruz phone 922 471 000

Museum of Science & Space (MCC) www.museosdetenerife. org

C/ Vía Láctea, s/n 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna phone 922 315 265

Museum of Nature & Archaeology (MNH) www.museosdetenerife. org

C/ Fuente Morales, s/n 38003 Santa Cruz phone 922 535 128

Tenerife History Museum (MHAT) www.museosdetenerife. org

C/ San Agustín, 20/22 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna phone 922 825 949/43

Tenerife Anthropology Museum www.museosdetenerife. org

C/ Vino, 44 38270 Valle de Guerra (La Laguna) phone 922 546 300 [ Gran Canaria ]

Cuyás Theatre

www.teatroperezgaldos.es

visitors are Helmut Kurth who will show how gemstones are obtained, and Cornelia Spork from La Palma who specialises in handmade glass-pearls made of Murano-glass. More information at www.orofino24.net or in Island Connections yellow pages at

March 13 to 28, Festival Musitemático. Various events and exhibitions, La Orotava March 14, 8.30 pm, jazz and blues, Michel Camilo and the Orchesta Sinfónica de Tenerife. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. Tickets 25 euros in advance from www. generaltickets.com March 20, 8.30 pm, Patricia Rancel (piano) and Mónica Pérez (vocals). El Castillo Cultural Space, Puerto de la Cruz. Entrance: 5 euros March 20 and 27, 8.30 pm, Orchesta Sinfónica de Tenerife, classical music. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. Tickets in advance at 15 and 25 euros from www.generaltickets.com March 20, Concha Buika, jazz singer with pianist Iván ‘Melón’ Lewis. Teatro Leal, La Laguna March 21, 9 pm, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz.

Acclaimed soprano Ainhoa Arteta presents a collection of popular songs originally made famous by artists including Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton and The Beatles. Tickets in advance at 25 and 35 euros from www. generaltickets.com March 21, Edith Fischer, pianist, performing works

by Beethoven, Ravel and Schumann. Teatro Leal, La Laguna March 27, Traditional Canarian music with singer Fabiola Socas and guests.

Teatro Leal, La Laguna

THEATRE March 19, Las Que Faltaban, directed by Antonia San

Cycling March 21, mountain biking in the pine forests of La Orotava.

More information on 922 335 903, 608 641 675 or www. pateatusmontes.com

Kayak Tours by kayak for all abilities which may be combined with snorkelling, hiking, climbing or potholing. More info on 922 127 938.

March 14 (night) and 21, Los Gigantes. More information on 630 784 534, 922 840 695 or www.tenoactivo.com

Surfing

MUSIC

www.teatrocuyas.com

Pérez Galdós Theatre

Juan, a tale of several female personalities, each with their own personal baggage and experiences. Teatro Leal, La Laguna March 21 and 22, Circo Madre África, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz

Inge and Peter at Orofino

ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS For information, see pages 28/29 and Showbiz

EXHIBITIONS Until March 25, VII edition of Art in Violet, by Julia Martín. El Castillo Cultural Space, Puerto de la Cruz March 27 to 29, MUECA, art exhibition in the streets of Puerto de la Cruz To April 30, International Astronomy Year, paintings

by May San Alberto Giraldos, sculpture by Julio Nieto and photographs by Luis Rouco. Public Library, Comodoro Rolín 1, Santa Cruz Until March 29, TF ‘89-’09, paintings by Antonello Ravazzi.

Sala de Arte CajaCanarias, El Sauzal Until May 24, Mirar de Reojo, Roland Penrose and surrealism.

Sala C, Photography Centre, Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Santa Cruz.

OTHER EVENTS March 21, 10 am to 3 pm, Open day at Orofino jewellery workshop, Crta. General No. 12, El Toscal/La Longuera, Puerto de la Cruz. Watch Inge GrassingerHeiser and Peter Heiser creating their marvellous pieces and find out what you always wanted to know about jewellery. Guest

www.islandconnections.eu.

Wedding Fair: March 15th at the Sheraton Hotel, La Caleta, from 2.30pm – 6-30pm, free entrance. Displays of dresses, jewellery, banquets, photography, etc. Register now on www. sheratonlacaleta.com.

Learn surfing and body boarding.

North: Escuela de Surf y Body Board OAD La Laguna, for those aged 12 years and over. More information on 922 256 244 or wwwoadlaguna.com South: Escuela Oficial de la federación Canaria de Surf K16 (Playa de las Américas). Groups or individual training for those aged 7 years or over. More information on 922 798 480 or www.k16surf. com

Hiking: March 14, paths of Roque de Taborno

March 15, adventure route, Ifonche

March 28, adventure route, Via

CULTURE March 22, Santiago del Teide.

Al paso de la Cumbre. Many actors participate in this event, wearing typical costumes of the countryfolk, and using utensils and materials needed for their daily work or for selling their merchandise.

Various stages will be set up at La Montañeta, San José de Los Llanos and Santiago del Teide.

The event finishes at the Agricultural Market.

MUSEUMS Casa Lercaro

Ferrata More information on 922 239 511 (Tenerife Cabildo sports dept) or correo@adenaventura.com

Discover Arona. More information about trekking routes: 922 725 180 or www. arona.org All year round, guided walks for groups through the most emblematic buildings of the lovely northern town of Los Silos.

Contact Oscar in their information office on 922 841 086.

Barranco del Infierno (Adeje):

Casa de Carta

Mondays to Sundays from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm. No access allowed after 4 pm. Price: 3 euros.

Max. 200 people a day. Free entrance on Sundays. Information and reservations on 922 782 885.

Tacoronte main road, Valle de Guerra, s/n. 38270 (La Laguna).

Phone 922 546 300

Guided trails for the general public:

C/ San Agustín, 20-22 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Phone 922 82 59 49

SPORT & NATURE Astronomy March 14, 18, 20, 21, 25,

The National Park’s interpretation service offers guided tours free of charge. You need to book in advance with the National Park Office (Tel. 922 290 129/922 290 183).

WHAT’S ON

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

MISCELLANEOUS Alcalá market has reverted to Sunday following public demand complete with food stands. The Wednesday market at Playa San Juan has been extended to include two popular sections, car boot and fruit.

La Baranda Wine Museum A renovated 17th century Canary Island hacienda used by the Island Cabildo to promote local quality wines. Autopista Gral. del Norte. Km 21, (El Sauzal exit), 38360 El Sauzal, Tel.: 922 572 535 Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm. Wine tasting and shop until 10 pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 11 am to 6 pm, closed Monday.

Castles Tours: Tenerife History Museum offers guided tours around the island’s castles for schools and groups. More information on 922 825 949

Masonic Meetings in the south of Tenerife. Visitors always welcome. Tenerife Craft, Chapter, Mark. For more information phone 922 794 502 or 922 732 386.

Ciudadanos Europeos (European Citizens Group) meets monthly September to April at the Cultural Centre (Casa Cultural), Los Cristianos.

Full programme of interesting speakers, advice, and social activities. For more information contact the Secretary, Chris Stanyer on 922 751507 or the President, Harry Davies, on 922 781905. e-mail: ceten@fsmail. net

K9 Pleasure Island in Playa de las Américas, just behind Lineker’s bar in Starco, now hosts the K9 and San Francisco charities for animals car boot sale.

All proceeds go to the charities.

Stallholders are very welcome but booking is advised, enquiries and reservations can be made by calling Pat the Cat on 608 121081. Open from 8am to midday, great for bargain hunters and those who love a good rummage.

English Library Calle Irlanda, Parque Taoro, Puerto de la Cruz: Monday 3pm to 5.30pm, Wednesday 10am to 12 noon, Friday from 4pm to 6pm and Saturday 11am to 1pm.

Information: Julia Gaskell 922 37 25 79

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in the South: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5.45pm, Friday at 11.45am. 1st Floor Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos (next to bus terminal). For more information call 630 478 448 (24 hrs).

Gran Canaria FIESTAS March 13 to 19, Fiestas of San José de las Longueras, Telde

magic with Jorge Blass, Auditorio de Teror

EXHIBITIONS Until March 15, Photography exhibition: Polis by Rubén Costa. Puerto Calero art gallery, Lanzarote Until March 28, La Entidad y su Patrimonio, paintings by Julio Romero de Torres, Francis Bacon, Christo, George Segal,

MARKETS

35

Church Services:

Every day: San Bartolomé de Tirajana, 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm, craft fair in the Parque Europeo

Mondays: Santa Lucía de Tirajana, 8 am to 2 pm. Farmers’ market in the neighbourhood fair ground

Tuesdays:

Living Spring Pentecostal Church Guaza Calle Almorejo 2, beside the Guaza sports complex.

Rev. and Pastor (Mrs) Nelson Olajide Tel: 609 505 915. livingspring75@hotmail.com The Anglican Parish of All Saints Puerto de la Cruz Sunday services 9.30am and 11am 29 Carretera Taoro. Parish Priest: David Jenkins. Tel: 922 384 038 www.allsaintstenerife.com Saint Francis Anglican Chaplaincy Tenerife South Chaplain Fr. Keith Gordon, phone 679660277 or 922742045

Book direct for great value flights to and from the UK & Ireland.

Fantastic special offers available now. Book early to avoid disappointment and get the best deal.

Contact Vicky Freeman & Vikki Singleton on Phone

922 761 202

Email: R_TE_SeatSales@firstchoice.co.uk

CONCERTS March 14, 10 pm, Revólver.

Dorada en Vivo, Las Palmas

MUSIC March 14, 9 pm, Scott Henderson Trio, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas March 16, 9 pm, Victor Manuel, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas March 21, 9 pm, Al Di Meola World Sinfonia, classical concert.

Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas March 21, 8.30 pm, Martirio, con mucho corozón. Auditorio de Teror March 22, 7.30 pm and 24, 26 and 28, 8.30 pm, 2009 Opera Festival, Roberto Devereux.

Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas March 24, 9 pm, Lionel Loueke Trio, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas March 27, 8.30 pm, Flamencoencaja Festival 2009, Vargas Blues Band, CICCA, Las Palmas. Entrance 15 euros

THEATRE March 19 and 20, 8 pm, Circo Madre África, Teatro Victor Jara, Vecindario March 20, 8.30 pm, De parto de quién, a benefit event for the children at the Hospital Materno Infantil. CICCA, Las Palmas.

Entrance 10 euros.

March 20 to 22, 8.30 pm, Estás Ahí? by Javier Daulte.

Teatro Cúyas, Las Palmas March 21, A night of comedy with Paz Padilla (an event for International Women’s Day), Teatro Victor Jara, Vecindario March 27, 8.30 pm, The art of

Miró Mainou, Juan Ismael, César Manrique, Pepe Dámaso, Manolo Millares, Juan de Miranda, Giraldo, Plácido Fleitas and Felo Monzón. CICCA, Las Palmas Until March 28, 7 pm to 10 pm, Women’s art and creation group, an exhibition for International Women’s Day, Teatro Victor Jara, Vecindario March 19 to 29, Suturá by Ángel Luis Aldai, Casa África, Las Palmas Until June 9, Temáticas Atlánticas by Antonio Sánchez, Hotel Neptuno, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, 10 am to 10 pm.

Until June 2009, sculpture

by Agoney Santana, Saulo Torón square, Las Canteras, Las Palmas Until June 2009, Un mar de Vergüenzas, Saulo Torón Square in Las Canteras

SPORT &NATURE March 14 and 15, 10 am, International Beach Tennis Tournament, Canary Islands 2009, Playa de las Canteras, Las Palmas Local councils in various areas of the island organise guided treks and other open-air activities. For more information, call UPNature, Guanarteme 928 270084 or 928 473265, Arucas 928 621754, Maspalomas 928 764201, Tablero 928 140640, Mogán 928 158805, Aldea de San Nicolás de Tolentino 928.891.252 or www. alberguelaaldea.com, or Valleseco 928 618740.

Archaeology Guided visits to the principal digs in the island: Bentayga (Tejeda), Cenobio de Valerón (Guía) etc. For more information 928 219 229.

Mogán, 8 am to 2 pm.

C/ Paco González

Wednesdays: Santa Lucía de Tirajana, 8 am to 2 pm.

San Bartolomé de Tirajana, 8 am to 2 pm.

Thursdays: San Bartolomé, 10 am to 5 pm. Craft fair in the Maspalomas parking terrace next to the Global bus station, Agüimes, 8 am to 1 pm. In front of the borough swimming pool.

Gáldar, 8am to 2pm.

Plaza de Santiago

Fridays: Mogán, 8 am to 2 pm. Marina

Saturdays: Telde, 8 am to 2pm.

Plaza de San Gregorio Arucas, 8 am to 2 pm.

C/ León y Castillo, Santa Brígida, 8 am to 8 pm.

Near the Borough Park.

San Mateo, 8 am to 8 pm.

Town centre

Christian Fellowship Los Cristianos 1st floor of Apolo Shopping Centre Pastor Adrian McBride.

Tel: 922 790 007.

Costa del Silencio Coral Mar. Sunday Services 11am-6pm. Mothers & Toddlers group Tue.10.30 to 12 noon.

Counselling and info: Pastor Bill Jeffrey Tel: 617291751. www. silenciochurch.com Calvary Assembly International Church Buzanada Sunday 11.00am, Wednesday 7.30pm Nursery is provided during the Sunday morning service as well as Sunday School for children under 12.

For more information, for counselling, or for information about the International Bible Institute, call: Missionary / Pastor Mark G. Baumgartner 628 107 316.

Catholic Mass Puerto de la Cruz International service Sundays (almost always in English) in the Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia parish church Los Gigantes Daily mass in English in the Espíritu Santo church St. Sebastian’s Inclusive Church Mogán, Gran Canaria Sundays 7pm at Cordial Mogán Playa Chapel

Sundays: Telde 8 am to 2pm.

Ramblas de Jinámar, Santa Brígida, 8 am to 2 pm.

Near the Borough Park San Mateo, 8 am to 3 pm.

Town centre; Valsequillo, 8 am to 2 pm.

C/ Isla de la Gomera; Teror, 8 am to 2 pm.

Near the Basílica of Nuestra Señora del Pino Moya, 8 am to 2 pm.

Bus station; Valleseco, 8 am to 2 pm.

Town centre San Bartolomé de Tirajana, 8 am to 2 pm.

San Fernando & La Vegueta, Las Palmas, 11 am to 3 pm.

Flowers, children’s area, art and crafts, with popular Canarian dancing, music and food

Canarian C-Days www.diasc.com/diasc/ Travel between the islands to cultural events is 50 per cent cheaper on certain days and for selected events with Fred Olsen, Islas Airways and Binter.

Discounts on hotels and car hire are also available.

You will need to book by telephone 902 292 999, Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm or via the web

Make sure you know the full price of the ticket (including Canarian residents’ reduction) to ensure you receive the full discount.

36

Food FOR THOUGHT

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Taking a look at Spanish cheeses

Cooking with cheese A SERIES OF RECIPES CREATED BY THE BEST OF TODAY’S SPANISH CHEFS

Cheeses, cheese cream and semi-dried fruit

By Alberto Chicote, Nodo, Madrid, www.restaurantenodo.es blender. Blend until the cream is smooth and thick. Refrigerate at least two hours.

Ingredients: Cream of requesón (cottage cheese):

Caramelised lemon grass:

• 800 g cottage cheese • 60 g honey • 300 ml cream • 150 ml milk

With the help of a peeler, make thin strips of lemon grass. Dip the lemon grass into the syrup and place on an oven tray on a nonstick silicon sheet.

Place in oven at 165ºC for eight minutes until they become dark and well caramelised.

Caramelized lemon grass: • 1 lemon grass stick • 1 dc simple syrup

Semi-dried fruits: • Papaya • Pineapple • Cantaloupe melon • Cherries • Kumquat

Almost dried fruit:

• ½ bunch of peppermint • 200 g sugar • 150 g water

Cut the fruit into 7 x 7 mm cubes.

Peppermint syrup: Blanch the peppermint in boiling water and chill well. Make syrup from the water and sugar. Chill to 2ºC. Dry the peppermint and blend with the cold syrup. Strain through a cheese cloth.

Presentation:

Presentation:

• 130 g cream • 5 little cubes of Gamonedo

Place the cream of requesón in the middle of the plate. Place the cubes of cheese all over the plate.

Distribute the almost dried fruit in the same fashion. Add a few drops of peppermint syrup. And finish with a stick of lemon grass.

Peppermint syrup:

cheese • 5 little cubes of de la Peral cheese • 5 little cubes of Montenebro cheese

Preparation: Cream of requesón: Put all the ingredients in the

Information and images from España y sus quesos (in Spanish, English and French) by José Manuel Escorial, ISBN 84-611-2686-6 (around 60 euros).

With the kind permission of the national federation of milk industries, FeNIL and the Spanish Institute for External Commerce, ICEX.

As

Asiaticoo Asiatic Buffet Libre As

Japanese, Thai and Chinese Cuisine

©IC/580/08

Choose your sauce and our chef’s will prepare your Wok, Grill & BBQ in front of you.

Residencial El Camisón, Playa de las Américas Open from 1PM till 1AM Tuesday closed Tel: 922 79 63 05 922 79 21 36 www.mesoncastellano.com

Mesón Castellano Superb Spanish Cuisine

Offering the best in meat, including steak, pork and lamb, not to mention our fine range of fish, cold cuts & tapas.

We combine tradition and good taste to offer you the best of our gastronomy, plus an extensive selection of top quality wines from our Bodega.

A variety of Asian snacks, fresh meat & seafood

EAT WHATEVER AND HOWEVER MUCH YOU LIKE We invite you to eat whatever and however much you like from our wide variety of cold and hot dishes, desserts and ice-creams of all kinds.

All day buffet

7,99€ ONLY

Tel. 922 797 168 • Fax 922 795 618 Lunchtime 1 pm – 4.30 pm Evenings 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm B Blvd.

Chajofe 10 • Los Cristianos (Formerly Mercedes-Benz)

sushi

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

37

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Rest. Sauco Ciao down...

PIZZA, PASTA AND GRILLED D DELIGHTS DELI L GHTS H WITH GENUINE ITALIAN FLAIR LA R LAI

P

izza, pasta and grilled delights of an excellent quality and with genuine Italian flair and cooking care are what makes Restaurant Sauco stand out from the crowd.

Vying for the title of best Italian restaurant in West Tenerife, this is a gem of an eaterie, based in Puerto de Santiago, whose somewhat ordinar y exterior belies the great food you will be eating once you order from the extensive menu. In

n ne other words, this is one cook book that most definitely shouldn’t be judged by its cover.

Given the excellent location, all the tabless t offer excellent views of the me era, bay, the sea and La Gomera, a and with owner Jorge and y his team waiting to help you, you’re in for a treat. a ality His bubbling personality and laid back sense of humour will make your visit all the more special, and once you taste the food you’ll be hooked.

Freshly made Italian garlic bread kicks the evening off, and though the basic theme r unning through the menu is Italian, food from other areas also features. For instance, within each section in the range of starters you can choose from Serrano ham prepared in a variety of ways, prawns in garlic oil with fresh rosemar y, scrambled egg with crab, or opt for one of the great soups and salads on offer.

For your main course you can eat pizza, freshly made

pasta, meat or fish with a mouthwatering selection of sauces. Taste the fresh Tagliatelle with mushrooms in cream and fresh Parmesan cheese or Panzotti (similar to Ravioli) filled with spinach served with Roquefort and cream sauce with ham and mushrooms.

The pizzas are quite simply divine, with all the toppings you could want and more besides, or as an alternative go for Focaccia, a flat Italian bread that is similar to pizza, made on site. If you’re a meat eater we would also recommend the grilled lamb cutlets with fresh thyme.

Wines from Spain and Italy complement the foods on offer and the prices will leave you more than happy and planning your return visit.

Restaurant Sauco CALLE LA GAVIOTA PLAYA LA ARENA, PTO. SANTIAGO

OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT TUESDAY, from 1pm to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm. *Starters from €3.50 - €13.50 *Pasta €6 - €11 *Pizzas €5 - €11 *Meat & Fish dishes €8 - €28 *Desserts €3.50 - €5.00 Reservations: 922 860744, all credit cards accepted.

...how a real restaurant should be!

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks • Fresh fish, paellas, vegetarian menu, pasta, pizzas • Specials: Suckling pig, T-bone steak, mixed meat barbecue • Great range of wines. Cocktails

Open 7 days a week from 9am to 11.30pm. Kitchen open all day Golf del Sur. Avda. Galván Bello s/n. 200 metres before the right hand turn to CC San Blas

©IC/577/08

Live music every evening • Flamenco show every Tuesday

38

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Making the most of seasonal food

C

hickpea stew is a standard Spanish dish which can be found all over the countr y with various recipes on of fer depending on the region you are visiting.

Our recipe is from Logroño.

There are over 20,000 different varieties of pulses and along with cereals they were the first plants cultivated by human beings. They were eaten by man thousands of years ago especially in the areas washed by the Mediterranean Ocean and the development and consumption of pulses in the Spanish diet was one of the many gifts of their Arab inheritance.

Proof of the growth of wild chickpeas in the Mediterranean basin goes back over 7,000 years.

They were one of the items introduced into South America

by Spanish sailors and became ver y popular there and traditionally chickpea stews without meat have been one of the most important dishes in the period of Lent.

Chickpeas have to be soaked for 12 to 14 hours before cooking and then rinsed thoroughly. They are the only pulse which is put into boiling stock or water to cook, all the rest are started with cold liquids and once they have started cooking no further ingredients may be added because the temperature will drop and they will harden.

If you have to add more liquid, heat it separately in another saucepan and add when boiling.

Total cost of our ingredients for 12 rations was under €15 and if it is to be eaten within a couple of days it can be bulked out to go even further by adding chunks of cooked boiled potato once it is finished, however the addition of tomato means that it should be refrigerated or it is likely to ferment.

The stew can be made in large batches and freezes

Cheap and cheerful chickpeas (tomates para salsa) peeled and chopped • A dry red pepper (palmera) deseeded • 100g chorizo • 2 pig’s tails • 2 pig’s ears • 2 pig’s trotters • 1 bottle dry white wine • 2 litres of chicken stock • 2 laurel leaves • Tsp oregano • Tsp thyme • 500g chick peas presoaked and rinsed

Preparation

well and it’s easy although a little time consuming. One Spanish writer, Julio Camba, remarked, “chickpeas are the trick that Spanish husbands have used for twenty-odd centuries to keep their wives occupied in the home”.

Chickpea stew Ingredients • 200dl Olive oil • 2 onions peeled and

chopped

• 1 red pepper deseeded and chopped • 1 green pepper deseeded and chopped • 2 leeks peeled and chopped • 2 carrots peeled and chopped • 8 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped • 500g pumpkin peeled and chopped • 500g marrow peeled and chopped • 500g sauce tomatoes

Warm olive oil and add in the following order pumpkin, carrots, peppers, leeks, onion, garlic, marrow, meat and tomatoes. Fry gently until glazed.

Add stock and white wine with herbs and hot pepper, which should be left in large pieces so that you can remove before serving. The chorizo is diced but the pork is cooked in whole chunks as it is easier to cut once cooked. Bring to the boil, skim foam and lower to simmer for two hours.

Separate meat, remove bones and chop. Bring stock to boil and add chick peas in small portions so that the temperature of the dish isn’t affected. Leave to simmer one hour or until soft. Return chopped meat, reheat and serve.

CROQUANT

sauc

British Bakery & Coffee Shop

Pizza - Pasta - Brasa

Fresh homemade Pasta Pizzas - Fresh Fish Meat Eat in or take away

Food Ideas: Easter by mail

Homemade desserts Great Range of Spanish and Italian wines

Wed - Mon 1pm - 4pm / 7pm - 11pm Calle la Gaviota. Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago On the main road between Hotel ‘Barceló Varadero’ and Mercadona

Tel. 922 860 744

Sandwiches, sausage rolls, pasties, etc.

Special cakes for special occasions The Apolo Centre - Los Cristianos Avda. Gral. Franco - Los Cristianos Mon - Sun 8am - 5.30pm Tel: 922 798 133

©IC/572/08

Take a look at www.lakeland.co.uk for some super new ideas to make your Easter celebrations special.You still have time to order some special Easter items. Order with a friend, or a group of neighbours to save on postage. Check out our favourites below.

Chocolate animals

Ideal for an Easter egg hunt, these exclusive chocolates are made especially for Lakeland. Five in a pack, choose from white chocolate lambs or milk chocolate rabbits or chicks. Buy two and get one free for only £2.97 per packet.

Egg wraps

Your child’s egg will be the best on the block with these magic egg wraps. Place one around a hard boiled egg and dip in boiling water for a shrink to fit colourful cover. Pack of 24 wraps, six designs for just £2.48 per pack.

BODEGA ARCA DE VITIS

New wine A NEW WINE HAS ARRIVED AT RESTAURANTE LOS ROQUES, THE 2009 VIDUEÑO AND TO CELEBRATE THEIR HEAD CHEF, SEBASTIÁN RODRIGUEZ, HAS CREATED A MENU TO COMPLEMENT IT. The wine is the latest of fering from the innovative bodega, Arca de Vitis, and the simple spring menu that Sebastián has created will be available for one week from March 10th.

The all inclusive menu is priced at 28 euros per

person and includes a Caesar Salad with breast of chicken, the highly prized Spanish salted cod with wasabi sauce, gnocci and chard and a lemon parfait to cleanse the palate, all washed down with a half bottle of the 2009 Vidueño.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

I

am assuming you don’t know Dublin like the back of your hand, and assuming you don’t normally loiter around the rear of properties.

However we were ver y fortunate in our choice of taxi driver as once he had conferred with a number of his colleagues he was able to deliver us right outside the premises.

Dobbins Restaurant was once part of a stable block that served the large houses around Merrion Square which can be found on the south side of the city centre. The square which was laid out in 1762 is considered one of the city’s finest Georgian squares. Oscar Wilde lived at Nº 1 Merrion Square from 1855 until 1876 and the poet William Butler Yates lived at No 82. The square is quite close to the Grand Canal which was built in the 18th century to connect Dublin to the Shannon River and the Irish midlands.

Up to 1960 there used to be commercial traffic on the canal and as a lad I would often see the Guinness barges being pulled by horses bringing the beer from the brewery down to the docks for expor t to England. In fact having been born in Portobello Nursing Home right beside the Grand Canal, the choice of Dobbins Restaurant by Marie to have lunch in could not have been

By Gerald Ruben

WineGUIDE

39

One of Dublin’s finest On a recent visit to the Emerald Isle, Vivienne and I were invited by our bank manager to lunch at an outstanding restaurant, situated in probably one of the most difficult locations to find.

Ignacio Bellmont with some of Dobbins wine selection

better. We were escorted to our table by the manager Ignacio Bellmont who comes from Madrid but has lived in Ireland for some time. His knowledge of wine is superb and he took some time out to show me some of the excellent vintages he has on offer. All the wines are well cared for in strictly controlled temperature containers, and to see Ignacio handle these bottles you know immediately that he is very proud of the stock.

The lunch menu is divided up into the Set Lunch Menu of the Day or an A La Carte selection.

I must admit I was surprised at how wide the selection was on the Set Menu and we all decided to order from that.

I won’t try and replicate the entire offerings as there are far too many but will tempt your taste buds with just a few. To start with Carlingford Lough Mussels, Stuffed Mushroom and Chive Veloute, Sausage of Seafood stuffed with Monkfish and Salmon with a Creamy Leek Pur ée, or Smoked Haddock Linguini with Baby Asparagus and Garden Peas.

The main course selection

included Goujons of Lemon Sole with Garlic Aioli and Tartar Sauce, Prime Rib-eye of Hereford Beef, chunky chips and pepper sauce, Rump of Slaney Lamb, Pea purée and Sautéed Spinach, and how about Slow Pot Roasted Belly of Pork with Pumpkin Purée and Cider and Sage Sauce, and for desser ts, Dobbins Sticky Toffee Pudding with warm Butterscotch Sauce, or Orange and Cointreau Crème Brulee, freshly brewed coffee and tea all for €23.50 plus service charge. (There was a small supplement for the Rib-eye steak).

The wine list was ver y comprehensive. We started with a white wine from the Rueda region of Spain. Here is the winer y of Bodega Cerresol. This is a seriously large operation as it is part of the Avelino Vegas company, which is still a family business.

Bodega Cer resol controls most of the vineyards in this region and owns over 400 hectares of land. They only make white wine here and

this remote rural area is at an altitude that provides a dry, arid climate with temperatures that cool down dramatically in the evening making ideal conditions for growing white grapes. The cool temperatures help the grapes maintain their natural acidity so the wines they produce are crisp and fresh. The group also has the Bodega Fuentespina, Bodega El Medievo and Bodegas Aires De Arosa.

The red wine Climbing Shiraz came from Australian Wine Estates which is based in New South Wales. This area was the first state in Australia to be colonised by Europeans and consequently was the first to grow the grapevine (there are no native vines in Australia).

It is in this region that the famous Hunter Valley can be found. It is only a two hour drive from Sydney and is well worth a visit if you are in that country. Mudgee is also one of the established but smaller wine regions in the state. Like most young red Shiraz wines from that area, it is robust,

strong and has a big taste, great with the rib-eye steak.

Dobbins Restaurant took its name from a very big farm horse that used to be stabled in the buildings before they were converted. The restaurant kitchen is under the guidance of head chef Gary Flynn backed up by a kitchen crew from Ireland and France. One interesting marketing programme they have implemented which could be adopted by some of the restaurants here is called the Early Bird. This is a set menu for €25 which is available for bookings before 6pm with the table to be vacated within two hours.

With money and spending in restaurants a common topic, this Early Bird idea is proving popular with business people who will now dine out before going home, especially as traf fic and car parking can be a nightmare at later times.

If you’re planning to be in Dublin soon and fancy some excellent food you can contact the restaurant on (00353) 1 6619536.

40

S Showbiz

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ST.PATRICS DAY

A hundred thousand Irish welcomes IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH. IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY FOR FUN.

T

he showbars and sidewalks of Las Américas will be filled with blarney. For sure, you’ll think Tenerife is old Killarney.

Saint Patrick’s Day is a day when ceoil and crack, music and dancing and much more, will be featured in Irish venues throughout the island. Irish bars or Irish theme bars dot the world from Beijing to Berlin and from Melbourne to Montreal, so it’s not surprising that we

have a number of them here in Tenerife and the one day in the year which is always well and truly celebrated is Saint Patrick’s.

Saint Patrick’s Day and the wearing of the green are steeped in tradition and history. The traditional Irish icon is the shamrock which stems from a bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick (who conver ted the Irish to Christianity), used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

The venue for this year’s main event is Chaser’s

(formerly Pleasure Island) in Playa de las Américas and the fun starts at 1pm with doors opening at 10.30am.

All your favourite Irish artistes on the island will be on stage performing including Celtic Con-fusion, Fergal Flaherty, Gerry (The Claddagh), Deadly Murphy Brothers and the Jigsters. Flying over for the event direct from Ireland will be traditional musicians and World Champion Step Dancers, the Sionainn Arts and Theatre Group, who will show their toe-tapping

Under new ma na gemen t Opening

BAR & GRILL €5 for tourists Every day from 4pm Every Sunday from 6am “Morning after Party” And from lunchtime (Sundays) BBQ for only €5

Workers

meal e deal offer! me offer

Only

€3

or €18 per week

Eat as much as you like Choose from a selection of 5 dishes daily. Served buffet style (help yourself). Open every day from lunchtime till late Kitchen open all day e.g. Curry, Chilli, Veg Stew, Goulash, Bolognase, Sweet & Sour, Sausage, Casserole, Pasta Dishes etc...

Served with Chips, Mash, Jackets or Rice.

CC Salytien, Local 37, 50 metres in front of the underground parking Playa de Las Américas (next to the Casinos) Tel: 922 798 944 · Email: mio.bar.grill@gmail.com

skills with their superb Irish dancing and I’m sure will highlight with an excerpt from Riverdance.

The whole show will be hosted by the effervescent Dee Daniels, one of the most popular artistes on the island who told me that this will be her 10th year doing it. “You’d think I would have seen sense by now,” said Dee, “but I’m just a gal who likes a good time, a good ol’ shindig. This year it is a real traditional line-up of enter tainment, proper Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Irish food, plenty of Guinness, fuelled with atmosphere and happy people from all over, gathering to party the afternoon away.

But you don’t have to be Irish to do that.”

So get down there and join the millions world wide who love to be Irish for the day.

Chase the par ty, play spot the leprechaun, treat yourself and have a good day. To be sure there will be

a few ‘flings and jigs’ on the dance floor. The Guinness will surely be flowing at the bars and the music is sure to be toe-tapping, knee thumping, finger rapping and lively.

Part of the show will be broadcast live on Oasis FM from 4pm to 6pm. It will all be sponsored by Miller Rentals (the new owners of Pleasure Islands which is now known as Chaser’s).

La Estancia restaurant in Chayofa as usual, will celebrate on the previous Saturday evening the 14th March. I have had the

pleasure of joining their Saint Patrick’s dinner party on a number of occasions over the years and have always enjoyed a magical night in true Irish style with lots of great music and song, dancing and laughter. I’m certain it will be no different this year.

(Check out our St Patrick’s Day supplement on pages 28/29)

Parades

Wearing of the green The St. Patrick’s Day parade was first held in Boston in 1761, while the first in Ireland was in 1931, under the Free State government.

For decades the St Patrick’s Day parade was very much a local affair, with national and provincial floats, Irish dancers and sponsored participants.

Until the 1970s in Ireland pubs were closed by law.

A religious and national festival it was a day off school, a day to go to mass, a family day when you could break your Lenten fast. Today secularism

has taken hold, and wild parties and festivities greet the arrival of March 17th the world over. As well as in mayor Irish cities and towns, parades are held in about 20 of the United States of America, in Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, China, Dubai, Japan, and Singapore – and they’re just the big ones.

But for those of us from the auld sod its one of those special days when “there’s no place like home”.

Restaurante

La Romántica International cuisine, flambées a speciality Superb food, stylish service, a touch of class in Callao Salvaje

Tel. 922 741 518 Open daily 12 midday - 11pm

El Ancla, nº 21. C/ El Jable Callao Salvaje, Adeje

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

BUSINESS PROMOTION

41

HOME STYLE DIRECT

A 2 bedroom furniture pack includes:

Stock Clearance Sale Now On! With many items up to 50 per cent off original price, Home Style Direct is more than worth a visit.

Home Style Direct continues to provide fantastic value, choice and style with their huge clearance sale.

Every sale item is reduced by 10 per cent to 50 per cent off the original price. So if the current euro rate is eating into your budget, a visit to Home Style’s ample well stocked showroom is a must. They are now clearing stock at greatly reduced prices to make way for their brand new and exclusive bed and sofa centre, which includes many items at lower prices without compromising on quality.

With 18 years in the business they can offer customers superb quality in home furnishings in different sizes and colours to suit your home and all at incredible prices.

They also have many styles of furniture to choose from, not only from stock, but also in a variety of catalogues. Their extensive range includes leather suites, dining room and bedroom furniture and also a range of bedding in English sizes (feet

and inches). Home Style have possibly the biggest choice in UK manufactured divan beds and mattresses and sofa beds in the South.

Not only are they available in different sizes, you can also choose the quality (soft, orthopaedic or back-care) plus storage options at low, low prices. And now with the new bed and sofa bed centre opening they will be able to offer over 50 different styles of beds and sofa beds all under one roof.

Since coming to Tenerife four years ago, Home Style has doubled in size. Though they are a relatively new store they are not a new business, they have an 18 year highly successful track record behind them in the UK where they carry most items in stock thus reducing delivery times to a minimum.

With a one bedroom furniture pack now starting at 2,995 euros there has never been a better time to refurbish your apartment or turn your new house into your dream home.

The pack includes two sofas, dining set, beds, coffee table and lamp table set, TV

unit, kitchenware, mirrors, pictures, lamps, bedding and curtains, plus much more.

This special offer includes free local delivery and assembly.

You also have the option of changing anything within the pack to meet your individual requirements and tastes.

The in-store stock is constantly being updated so whether you need just one piece of furniture or to

• 3+2 cloth sofa • Coffee table • 2X lamp tables • TV unit • Dining set with 4 chairs • 4 X lamps • 1 X set of 90” X 90” curtains • 1 X 4’6 bed frame + mattress • 2 X3ft bed frame + mattresses • 1 X chest of drawers • 3 X bedsides • 1 X 4’6 bedding pack incl curtains • 1 x 4’6 duvet • 2 3ft bedding packs incl curtains • 2 X 3ft duvet • 4 X pillows • 3 X pictures • 1 X mirror • 1 X complete kitchen accessory pack

furnish a full house, Home Style have the facilities to meet your needs. In addition, to help their customers to fully furnish their new dream home, they are now able to offer three easy ways to make their money go even further.

Select your goods from the fantastic range on display and choose one of our three money saving options available (exclusively only to Home Style customers).

1. Pay in pounds at a rate of 1.30 euros to one pound sterling* 2. Pay in euros, ask for the euro cash discount* 3. Pay for your goods with our exclusive no deposit zero per cent option and spread your payments over six-12 months

*2 bedroom pack starts from €3,995 *1 bedroom pack starts from €2,995

* Subject to availability and minimum spend and acceptance by bank for No. 3.

GRUBA

Hogs rule If you’re a Harley owner, fan or follower, there’s only one place in the Canary Islands you’d rather be unless you’re actually on your bike! Your nearest Gubra showrooms, in Tenerife or Las Palmas.

For everything connected with the king of bikes and much much more there’s nowhere else to go. Gubra, in Polígono Industrial Ingenieros in Santa Cruz and near Calle Pio XII in Las Palmas are the official distributors in the Canary Islands for Harley Davidson and Ducati and also sell top brands Buell and Benelli.

As members of both the Harley chapters in Tenerife and Las Palmas will tell you, these are the people to see for all your two-wheel needs. With expert staff who are as into your bike as you are, motorbike enthusiasts know they’re in the well oiled hands of the experts at Gubra.

Spare parts, accessories for bikes and riders and lots more, check out the showrooms soon and add a bit of vrooom to your vida.

Give yourself a break in paradise!

• Small four-star-hotel • Tranquil, close to ocean • 30 m solar-heated pool • Creative menu • Coffee and cakes • Special events • Banquets and private celebrations

The place for magical moments More Info: Hotel Luz del Mar Avda. Sibora 10, Los Silos Tel. 922 841 623 info@luzdelmar.eu www.luzdelmar.eu

42

BUSINESS PROMOTION

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

VENLI/MERIDIAN

Let there be light qualified British tradesmen at work. They also have a wealth of satisfied customers who are more than happy to show off their finished products.

Basically if it can be made in wood, aluminium or UPVC, they can make it for you. Apart from skilled carpenters in all materials they also have qualified cabinet makers for those individual cupboards or special doors you may require. Products include aluminium doors and windows, conservatories, patio doors, French doors, UPVC doors and windows, louvered security shutters, electric roller shutters, fly screens, balcony enclosures and glass curtains.

Glass choices include single and double glazing, laminated glazing for noise control (produced to the Arona and Adeje council standards) tinted glazing in mirrored, golden tint or smoked glass, safety glass, toughened glass, curved installations or individu-

ally designed stained glass.

They are one of only two companies to manufacture in UPVC on the island and the only British company to do so. They use the unbeatable Rehau products from Germany uniting German precision know-how with qualified British craftsmen to give you a matchless service and end product. UPVC products have a steel core

which makes them extremely secure and the finishes are extraordinary. Check out their realistic wood effect for example with its safety, lower maintenance costs, better thermal properties and every bit as beautiful as the real thing. They were the first company to introduce the revolutionary glass curtains, more popular than ever with our increasingly polar-

A YEAR

Legalise to maximise

Nu Skin science unlocks a secret

treatments costing thousands of euros. However ageLOC technology will propel Nu Skin to the forefront of the anti-aging industry by attacking aging where it is happening, before you even see it.

The science is unlocking a secret to how you age. This anti-aging technology from Nu Skin is the result of more than six years of research and development. AgeLOC employs a patent-pending ingredient blend to help diminish the negative visible effects caused by a newly discovered internal source of aging and offers a scientific explanation to why some

12

ised climate. The curtain encloses balconies without interfering in the least with the view, ensuring that you can make the most out of all of your home 12 months in the year, improve security and save money on heating your home. Easy to clean, when not in use the panels swivel through 90º to fold flat along the wall and the best is that as they are not a fixed structure, you need neither planning permission nor if you are in a block or urbanisation, the approval of your community of owners to fit them.The company have an excellent website at ww.meridianwindows.net showing all their products.

To visit the warehouse, go up the hill at the Atalaya roundabout at the end of the motorway in Adeje, left at the next roundabout and turn right behind Comercial Domasa.

You’ll find them at the top of the hill. For an individual quote call them today on 922 721 353.

TACMINA CANARIAS

ENHANCE BEAUTY

Current anti-aging products merely address the superficial signs of aging, like wrinkling and skin texture, but today Nu –Skin introduces its breakthrough anti-aging ageLOC technology that when incorporated into Nu Skin’s skin care lineup not only slows a newly discovered age-causing enzyme at its source, but also demonstrates visible benefits in the form of smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin.

Consumers in every economic category are spending money on anti-aging products, whether it’s for a 30 euro jar of cream or invasive

Use your balcony

MONTHS

When Venli were offered the opportunity to buy out Meridian Windows just over a year ago they didn’t hesitate long.

As fellow experts in the door and window business themselves as well as running two estate agents in Callao Salvaje, Venli and Callao Estates, they were aware of the excellent reputation the company had but felt that although it was making a good profit there was much more that could be done to improve their product line.

Venli, the parent company, took over Meridian and their staff and Greg, Simon and Warren have recently housed all their employees under one roof in the large warehouse in Adeje.

Business is going well, so well they’ve had no time yet to rebuild their showroom, but customers are welcome to visit the factory to see for themselves the quality of the prime materials they use and watch the skilled and fully

people may look younger or older than their actual age.

About the Galvanic Spa System Galvanic Spa Facial Gels with ageLOC are used in combination with the Galvanic Spa device that uses self-adjusting, low-level galvanic currents to help transport key ingredients to the skin for a revived and rejuvenated appearance.

Galvanic treatments operate on the basic principle that like charges repel and opposites attract. When

paired with proprietary Nu Skin products formulated with either a negative or positive charge, and when programmed with the same polarity, the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa instrument repels treatment products, assisting with the delivery of active ingredients to the skin. The Galvanic Pre-Treat Gel has a negative charge, and the Treatment Gel with ageLOC technology has a positive charge.

For more information visit Enhance Beauty, c/Asturias, Balcón del Atlántico, local 6, Torviscas Alto, Adeje or call them on 922 717380/692 045460.

Are you selling or remortgaging your villa for that extra cash requirement? Have you improved your home and increased the size of the built area only to find the bank will only cover the value as registered in your original escritura (deed)?

We have good news.

Subject to certain criteria Tacmina Canarias SL can legalise the additional construction and provide a new legal escritura for the total built area of your villa, enabling you to obtain a true valuation for any mortgage or sale/purchase requirements.

It’s worth remembering that even in today’s market residential property can be valued at between €2,200 and €3,000 per square metre. The housing market is in crisis, do not delay, legalise to maximise. Tacmina Canarias engineers have over 20 years experience in the construction industry here

in Tenerife. Having built over 500 apartments and villas for both ‘in house’ development and discerning clients alike we are perfectly experienced to provide all building and related legal services.

From home or business improvements, renovations, property extensions and complete villa constructions call 922 733295 or 686215146 for a free consultation, competitive quotations and join our many satisfied customers.

Call Tacmina Canarias’ English speaking engineers on 922 733295 or 686215146 to arrange for a free consultation.

Alternatively you can email them on tacminacanarias@yahoo.co.uk

Gadget TRENDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

43

SuperGadget

Toshiba Camileo S10

Change your doorbell ring at will...but don’t forget to answer it! http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/?p=10997

Vibrating Bluetooth Bracelet

When handy really means just that – small on camera, big on quality http://www.tecnogadgets.com/la-nuevavideocamara-camileo-s10-de-toshiba/

Pulsating with good intentions http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/?p=11002

BenQ nScreen i91

Nokia N86

The Weekend Clock

All in one PC http://nexus404.com/Blog/2009/02/19/benqnscreen-i91-all-in-one-pc/

Hitting the 8-megapixel mark, who needs a tripod and polaroid when you have your phone http://www.mobilefonereviews.co.uk/phonereviews/Nokia-N86.aspx

Your personalised countdown to the weekend – now that’s practical, I want http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090217/theweekend-clock-counts-down-till-the-weekend/

So

?

what´s your style

British Television in the Canary Islands

Q-Bass Unleashed with Chris Merrick Tuesdays & Thursdays Midday

Sunday 7pm & Friday 2pm

Dinner In Ibiza with Tony H Saturday 8pm The Lounge King with Agent 69 Friday 9pm Zoologic Radioshow with Café del Mar’s Valentin Huedo winner of the 2008 Ibiza 2008 resident dj award.

Thursday 5pm & Sunday 11am

Soul Unsigned with Phil Driver A weekly selection of the world’s most influential newcomers to the Soul and Jazz scene. Thursday 6pm & Monday 9pm

Brazil Eclético with Anna Paula Reis Bossa

The Qfm Sunset Sessions every evening...

www.Qmusica.com

Grooves, Brazilian Blues and Eclectic Excellence. Friday 8pm & Sunday 3pm.

And not forgetting

Qfm 94.3 ® is guaranteed 100% free from artificial additives, colourants and commercial bullshit.

TeleClub

Delfin-Computer

BBC 1- BBC 2 - ITV1 - CH4

Hardware & Software Sales Full Technical & Maintenance Services

All programmes are in English including British Premier League Football.

Buy directly from the source!

Price includes licence fee for copyrights.

2 years guarantee including g failure of receiver!! er!!

Tel: 922 783 177 · Fax: 922 783 141 email: info@delfin-computer.com www.delfin-computer.com

©IC/511/2006

R&B with Roxy B Saturday 7pm & Wednesday 2pm Smokey Lee´s Smooth Sailing Soul Sessions Sunday 8pm & Saturday Midday Eddie Meyer´s Jazzy Box Saturday & Monday 2pm Ritmos Fascinantes with Mercedes Lago

Ctra. Gral. Guargacho 52

TeleClub canarias

CALL 922 169 151

©IC579/08

The MP3 Doorbell

44

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / SITUATIONS VACANT

Island Connections Media Group Karen Swift Classifieds Manager

OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM – 5PM

Collection Points

Las Chafiras Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor. Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 San Miguel de Abona.

Tel. 922 750 609 Fax: 922 795 810 To Cho - Guargacho - Las

ISLAND CONNECTIONS LAS CHAFIRAS

TF-1 to Los Cristianos Las Américas

Sales staff wanted FIRE STATION

Galletas

ITV

To Golf MERCADONA del Sur

To San Miguel TF-1 To Airport Santa Cruz

High pay structure To Los Abrigos

Royal Palm

World’s Los Cristianos. leading Calle El Rodeo. timeshare Apt. Royal Palm Reception. company Tel. 922 750 609 Los Alisios start Immediate Castle Harbour · · ·Paradise Park

Acomodation CC Passarella Cristian Oasis Sur Available Beverly Hill Steve Reverón 600 372 514 Victoria ROYAL

Situations Vacant

Mar y Jardines Sol Canarios

PALM

after 4pm SUNDAY MARKET

Rates Lineage classifieds: From 15.75 € Boxed Ads: Black& White 57.75€ Coloured 68.25€ Long Term: Ask for our special rates

Director Required for a leading holiday ownership organisation in Tenerife (established more than 25 years).

•••

CLASSIFIED’S DEADLINE The deadline for edition 587, which is published on 19th March, is Thursday 27th March at 5pm.

No classified’s will be taken after this date.

Promotions company with more than 10 years experience is selling attractive, high quality products in Tenerife at markets, 5* hotels and superstores, is looking for open minded full/par t-time promoters, which like to present and sell in a live promotion.

No selling experience is required! Contract + Social Security + Fixed Salar y + Commission is guaranteed.

Feel free to contact us for further information. Office: 922 78 91 98 Fax: 922 7 8 9 1 9 8 Mobile: 6 2 9 493799.

Atlántida

Court

Sales / Marketing

01.

Haarstuido

2000

in Los Cristianos is look for a temporary stylist, German/ English speaking from 14.00-19.00 hours

You must be able to communicate in a multi-lingual and cultural environment.

••• German, Polish and Russian would be an advantage to continue our expansion with a leading professional to maintain our position within our sector.

•••

Tenerife Pearl / Perla Canaria is looking for models for its campaigns If you are between 18 and 30 years old, female, and you have all it takes to convert yourself into one of our models and do NOT possess a contract with any model agency, please e-mail us with the following information: • 3 photos (face, profile, body) • Personal info (full name, date and place of birth, phone nº, city, e-mail) • Measurements (height, breast, waist, hip, weight, eye and hair colour) to marketing@tenerifepearl.net

Tel 922 791 675

Superb renumeration and reward package available for the ideal candidate.

••• Only serious individuals need apply.

••• To request an interview call 922 729 100 / 610 753 675

B BELLISSIMA HAIR, HEALTH & BEAUTY E OF LOS GIGANTES AND SAN EUGENIO L ALTO ARE LOOKING FOR A BEAUTY L THERAPIST WITH SALON EXPERIENCE I A WORKING KNOWLEDGE S OF A PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE RANGE S IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT I Call Nicola on 677 509766 M or e-mail: nicky.bella@yahoo.co.uk A

Island Connections Newspaper http://www.ic-news.com Daily News Site http://www.newscanarias.net Tenerife Office Tel: 922 750 609 Mob: 609 581 632 Fax: 922 795 810 Classifieds Section: classifieds@ic-news.com Sales Department: sales@ic-news.com Gran Canaria Office Tel: 928 353 279/ Fax: 928 359 744 grancanaria@ic-news.com

Class. Info For personal and professional help in placing your classified in Island Connections all you need to do is pop along to our new offices in Las Chafiras and speak to Karen.

Not only is Island Connections here to ensure that your advertisement reaches it’s target market, we will also advise on sizing requirements for maximum exposure, with prices to suit your pocket.

Circulation controlled by: Distribución Gratuita

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

Succeed At The Highest Level Advertising Consultants (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera)

Even in the current economic climate we need extra help in order to fulfil our customers needs... We require the best in the marketplace. Have you got what it takes?

Our media group has traditionally led the field and will continue to do so by hiring the best and remunerating them accordingly.

Do you possess:

Night Owl (Sales person) (Tenerife)

Positive attitude and strong character. Self discipline and sales experience.

Spanish or German language to negotiation level. Self motivation and team skills. Teachability and 100% integrity. Trustworthiness and references.

If so then you could be what we are looking for. Media experience would be an advantage, but not essential as training will be given.

If you would like to apply for any of the above positions, send your CV, two references, an up-to-date photo and covering letter to director@ic-news.com • henrycruz@ic-news.com • Fax: 922 79 58 10

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

CLASSIFIEDS / GENERAL SERVICES

Mercedes-Benz C 32 AMG Engine: 3Litres kms: 65000 kms Year: 2001 Petrol Sun roof Doors: 4 Price: 24000â‚Ź Tel: 687451431

The family friendly car hire company

02.

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Motoring Mercedes Benz, SEL 600 V12 400cv, 5p, 1993, 180,000 km, black, automatic, ABS, four airbags, traction control, ESP, speed limiter.

Leather grey inner with walnut wood, air-con, heating system, adjustable setas with electronic memory. Central locking, double crystal lamps, sun roof, electronic rear view mirrors, nearly new wheels. Just passed ITC, fully equipped, ver y good condition, 16,000 euros, tel 629 244958 Suzuki Jimny 1.5D, 2004, 52,000 kms, air con, alarm, fender, hardtop, 8.800 euros, tel 609 130551 Mercedes 280 SE, 1984, good condition, ITV, 100 per cent motor, petrol, 2,400 euros, tel 653 039155 Toyota Celica Engine: 1.8 Litres kms: 90000 kms Year: 1997 Petrol Price: 11500â‚Ź Tel: 649911000 Audi A3 - 1.8T Engine: 1.8Litres kms: 182000 kms Year: 2000 Petr ol Doors: 2 Price: 8200â‚Ź Tel: 606552281

BMW compact Engine: 1.8Litres kms: 136000 kms Year: 1995 Petr ol Doors: 2 Price: 5700â‚Ź Tel: 675825148

Family company 27 years on Tenerife

DANISH RENT-A-CAR

Volkswagen Golf GT Engine: 2Litres kms: 30000 kms Year: 2006 Diesel Sun roof Doors: 2 Price: 22000â‚Ź Tel: 650355052

We guarantee:

¡ A reliable and friendly service ¡ Fully comprehensive insurance, no extras ¡ Free child seats, GPS (3 Euros a day) Special offer: ¡ Special long term rates Citroen Saxo 7 days only ₏139, ¡ VIP hire car service all included

Volkswagen Eos Engine: 2Litres Kms: 25000 kms Year: 2006 Petrol Convertible Doors: 2 Price: 21000â‚Ź Tel: 619631397

Hotel drop off and collection Airport service, street maps, tour information Voucher for free entrance into theme parks

Citroen C2 Engine: 1.4Litres Kms: 46000 kms Year: 2004 Petrol Doors: 2 Price: 6500â‚Ź Tel: 670308105

Poul's Auto – your car-hire company in South West Tenerife

Daewoo Korando Engine: 2.9Litr es Kms: 138000 kms Year: 2000 Diesel Doors: 2 Price: 5000â‚Ź Tel: 619471733

Mon-Fri, 8.30am – 12 midday, 5pm – 7pm / Sat 8.30am – 12 midday / Sun 10am – 12 midday

Tel: +34 922.740.742 ¡ www.poulsauto.com

BMW 523i Engine: 0Litres Kms: 132000 kms Year: 1998 Petrol Doors: 4 Price: 8500â‚Ź Tel: 679398108

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Land Rover DISCO TDV6 SE Engine: 2.7Litres Kms: 27800kms Year: 2007 Diesel Doors: 4 Price: 30900â‚Ź Tel: 639136697

Toyota Land Cruiser Engine: 2.5Litres kms: 200000 kms Year: 1993 Diesel Convertible Doors: 2 Price: 9500â‚Ź Tel: 922263181

Volkswagen GTI Engine: 2Litres kms: 52000 kms Year: 2005 Petrol Doors: 2 Price: 18500â‚Ź Tel: 679412358 Smart Musso Engine: 3Litres kms: 69000 kms Year: 2002 Diesel Doors: 4 Price: 10000â‚Ź Tel: 600568333

OUR RATES ARE INCLUSIVE OF: • Full insurance cover • Government taxes at 13%

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Lowest labour rates in the south

Tel: 600 858 080 / 600 328 561

Audi Allroad A6 Engine: 2.5Litres Kms: 97000kms Year: 2003 Diesel Doors: 4 Price: 21000â‚Ź Tel: 627225015

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Volvo S60 D5 Engine: 2.5Litres Kms: 20000kms Year: 2007 Diesel Doors: 4 Price: 29000â‚Ź Tel: 610738730

BMW 318-I Cabrio Engine: 1.8Litres Kms: 188000kms Year: 1999 Petrol Convertible Doors: 2 Price: 6500â‚Ź Tel: 922336154 Mercedes-Benz Viano Fun Engine: 2.2Litres Kms: 70000kms Year: 2005 Diesel Doors: 4 Price: 29000â‚Ź Tel: 670885315 Fiat Punto Engine: 2.5Litres Kms: 140000kms Year: 1994 Petrol Doors: 2 Price: 15000â‚Ź Tel: 615158647 Mercedes-Benz C220cdi Engine: 2.2Litres Kms: 96000kms Year: 2002 Diesel Sun roof Doors: 4 Price: 18200â‚Ź Tel: 687968232

45

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Contacts Sur - 24 hours. Beauties, young, super sexy, sweet, playful, massages, vibrators, all services, 686 826 734 Los Cristianos, near the church square, Julia, discreet apartment .Nice and pretty girls. Open and visiting 24 H, tel: 666 773 761.

For one hour or more, elegant room with jaccuzi for rent “room service� too, Playa Las Americas. easy parking. tel 659 767 875 Las Americas. professional massage (without clothes) artistic, relaxing, stress relief, sport massage, erotic and more... harmonise your body, heart and mind. natural and clean. magic hands 627 114 090 664 098 678 Susana, real beauty, high standing, dark, exotic, Thai massages, French, attends hotels and homes, south, 13.00-12.00, www.modelos-canarias.com, www,elmundoerotico.com, private appointments English gentleman seeks passive woman 30-60 for mild BDSM friendship. I’ve lived in Tenerife 10 years, own a restaurant in Las Americas, I’m genuine, affectionate and caring. Interested? Email me gentlemanjim2you@yahoo. co.uk

Attention, new, south, Carmen, attractive mature lady, 40 years, professional massage, lesbian, toys, etc. private apartment, visa, hotel, Jacuzzi, www.serviciosx.com/ carmenm. 637 080868 Cristianos, Europe, sweet, beautiful, sexy lady, big breasts, nice body, erotic professional massage, other services, discreet apartment, home / hotel visits, 662 545691 New Cristianos, Erica, lady, young, blonde, large boobs, slim, model body, very sexy, discreet apar tment, hotel visits, 600 835437 Cristianos, 2 good looking friends, long blonde hair and red head, sexy, sweet, big boobs, have a good relaxing time, erotic massages, other services, discreet apartment, hotels, invitation for a free drink, 667 217814 Sasha, Los Cristianos, sexy, loving young lady from Argentina for hot time, discreet, open 0900-2300.

648 054056 Los Cristianos, black lady, Brazilian, hot bottom, all services, special black kiss and Greek. www.sexcanarias. net/pamela. hotel and home visits, 24 hours, gentlemen only, 608 285035 Young, 19 years, bold, explosive, hot, kisses, massages anti stress, erotic, hotel visits 24 hours, Cristianos, tel 667 826598

Multi-language blonde, busty, high class lady offers top GFE and / or professional domination with full service.

Private apar tment with waterbed and home/hotel visits, tr y the best. www. sexyjessica.eu. Tel 662 476036

Petra, blond and young transsexual, big breasts with a wonderful body, well endowed, unforgettable moments, call me 6 0 8 866817, more information at www.pietrabcn.com

Amarilla Golf, 2 Russian ladies, young, tall, slim, cinnamon skin, sweet boobs, French, striptease show.

Home/hotel visits, discreet, 24 hours, go and enjoy. 669 993337

We offer a unsurpassed range of luxur y girls, transsexual, escor ts and courtesans for gentlemen who are in search of something exclusive, www. companymundial.com, 628 825034 / 676 118108

Perfect blonde, young, enjoy yourself, French, black kiss, come and join me, from 30 euros, 680 954616 South America boy, attractive, young, 20 years, well endowed, milky macho, erotic massage, French, tantric, body to body, sado, submissive, active, dominating, private apartment, Los Cristianos, 671 957957 Transexual, new, fair, red head, super feminine, well endowed, big boobs, volcanic, black kiss, natural French, ½ hour 50 euros, Cristianos in front of Hotel Gran Arona, Urb. Cristimar, 672 146814 New, south, Lidia M, 18, Canarian, model body, real

Club Swinger Triangle De Paris New in Las AmĂŠricas, near to the Casino Sur, under the Hotel Gran Tinerfe.

Open every day from 11 pm. For more information see our web page: www.triangledeparis.com or call us on 0034 610 954 701 20 % discount on presentation of this coupon

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / GENERAL SERVICES

04.

General Services Items For Sale: Very large traditional oak lounge unit, 4m long. Beautiful with many cupboards, cocktail cabinet etc. 650 euros ono. Spanish pine dresser, 250 euros only, four white wash basins and pedestals as new, 18 euros each. Tel 922 781783 / 639 069862

Real Bargain!!

Computer for sale Compaq Presario PENTIUM 4 (2007) with Printer/Scanner HP Photosmart C6180

500â‚Ź Tel. 677 799 475

Masonic Meetings: MASONIC MEETINGS LODGE AVE FENIX

P.J ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ALL ELECTRICAL WORK CARRIED OUT BARS RESTAURANTS APARTMENTS DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL FAULT FINDING 24 HOUR SERVICE 7 DAYS A WEEK ALL AREAS COVERED BULLETIN AND 647 039 656 ADEJE grigg1@hotmail.com pjelectrical.vpweb.co.uk

CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Polígono Industrial Las Chafiras III, C. Caracas Nave 4 - 38639 S. Miguel de Abona ¡ Tenerife Tel: +34 922 736738 Fax: +34 922 735 123 Email: info@canariesbritish.com ¡ web: www.cbas.eu

Kitchens, pergolas, ďŹ tted wardrobes, decking, staircases, windows and doors and much more‌ For a free, no obligation quote contact us on‌

CARPENTRY - SUNBLINDS - CONSTRUCTION

Tel. 922 782 683 - 618 776 167 ¡ lyden@venli.com Nave 1, Barranco de las Torres, Adeje 38670

Meridian

Refurbishment

Window Company SL Manufacturers and Installers of Quality

of Houses and Apartments

UPVC & ALUMINIUM

¡ Painting and Decoration ¡ ¡ Tiling ¡ ¡ Plumbing ¡ ¡ Electric installations ¡ ¡ Complete bathrooms ¡

FREE, no obligation survey & quotation

The Timber Specialists

ŠIC/583/09

46

Windows, Doors & Conservatories

:: Free no obligation quotations :: Now available 0% interest free credit on all products Visit our factory showroom in Nave 1, Barranco de las Torres, Adeje Tel: 922 782 683 / 649 559 866 info@meridianwindows.net ¡ website: www.meridianwindows.net

BEGINNERS’ DANCE CLASSES Adults’ Ballroom, Latin American, Tap or Freestyle Childrens’ ( 2 1/2 - 7yrs).

Introduction to Dance.

Many other classes in ballet, hip hop, modern, musical theatre for all ages.

Tel. 637 293 176

At Vamos a Bailar - Let’s Dance. CC Perla Blanca, Callao Salvaje ¡ Ring 636 817 265 or 646 067 471 SOLAR FANTà STICO

Skilled Builder Robert McAlees

As seen in “Dream Home DIY�

Tenerife Lifestyle magazine

I listen to what you want and make sure you get the best.

I can replace that faulty tap or renovate your home.

Over 30 year’s experience. UK qualiďŹ ed to advanced skills status.

Call any time 922 814 073 / 605 469 352 rmcplumb@yahoo.co.uk

MEET REGULARLY ON TUESDAY EVENINGS IN THEIR OWN NEW TEMPLE AT LOS CRISTIANOS ................

Please contact the Secretary John Donaldson on Tel. 922 17 91 74 e-mail: donaldsonjh@yahoo.co.uk

COMPUTER SALES AND SERVICE

-BQUPQT GSPN ĹŽ p #BTJD TZTUFNT GSPN ĹŽ 3FQBJST BMM DPOTVNBCMFT GPS ZPVS 1$ *OTUBMMBUJPOT p ZFBST FYQFSJFODF

Reformas

ALL WELCOME

FULL RENOVATION WORK

LODGE TEIDE meets in Puerto de la Cruz on Wednesday evenings contact John Hughes on 922 38 22 29 email taffy007naeve@ yahoo.com

Horse sharing!

I am offering horse sharing for my 5 year old gelding. He is a very quiet horse and enjoys rides.

Interested?

Please call 609 929 278

Would you like to change your house or apartment into a beautiful & cosy home? Or maybe all you need is a small renovation job? All with top quality ďŹ nishing?

tel: 677 799 475

Tel. 922 69 63 02 • 670 436 932 info@elbes-conservatories.com

CONSERVATORIES Your dream place to live

www.elbes-conservatories.com Your individual project from concept to completion.

See for yourself the superior quality of our tailor made conservatories at the homes of many satisfied customers.

Wood inside

Aluminium outside

Charm & Beauty

Durability & Minimal Care

ŠIC/576/08

4QBOJTI 7JTUB MBQUPQT VQHSBEFE UP &OHMJTI 1 0 " 4VFĂ’P "[VM MPDBM $BMMBP 4BMWBKF "EFKF 1IPOF p .PCJMF & NBJM JOGP!FB[ZQD UFOFSJGF DPN

VISIT OUR COMPREHENSIVE SHOWROOM "See the best display in Tenerife" We manufacture, supply and fit: All types of doors and window systems, insect screens, mirrored wardrobes, balcony screens and partitions. All types and sizes of gates, electric, manual and telephone entry etc.

Garage doors, louvered shutters, fixed or adjustable louvers, pergolas, balustrades, cupboards, roofing, mobile roofs (manual or electric),extensions, conservatories, shower screens and cubicles, tiling, building. All types of glass mirrors.

Security shutters, high security locks and glass. Take advantage of our free security survey.

NEW - GLASS CURTAINS 'Why spoil the view" *Frameless folding glass doors and windows* Ideal for balcony/terrace enclosures and for existing patio areas See all the above in our showroom and watch the manufacturing process.

WE ONLY SELL WHAT WE MAKE - WE ARE NOT MIDDLE MEN. Directions: With Iceland on your right, take the second turn left after the ITV station and we are on your left behind Autos Tenerife.

Fully QualiďŹ ed Legal Craftsman with more than 15 years experience.

Located in the South of Tenerife.

Learn to speak, communicate and understand Spanish in just 10 lessons Fully qualified professional teacher. Unique opportunity to learn in the comfort of your own home or work place.

Tel 610 834710 or 677 126506

Canaries & British Aluminium Systems S.L. A British owned company - Established in Tenerife 1992

Ventanas Tenesur SL Windows, doors, shutters

High quality German UPVC at competitive prices.

We also supply & ďŹ t all types of aluminium products.

Visit our showroom on two oors at Valle San Lorenzo.

Call for free quote: Tel. 627 511 606 OfďŹ ce/fax: 922 766 494 Web: www.ventanas-tenesur.com E-mail: ventanas-tenesur@hotmail.com

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

CLIMATE CONTROL

04.

CHOOSE FROM AIR CONDITIONING, FAN HEATING OR DEHUMIDIFYING TO BE COMFORTABLE WHATEVER THE WEATHER !

General Services

from *Illustration purposes only

47

CLASSIFIEDS / GENERAL SERVICES

â‚Ź585

Security Grilles, Gates & Railings

FITTED

SPECIAL OFFER!!!

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON PURCHASES OF 2 OR MORE MACHINES

All wrought iron metalwork undertaken from economical designs to individual speciďŹ cations

POOL HEATING Make the most of your pool ALL YEAR ROUND Affordable Pool Heating 10 Year from less than 1 euro / day Guarantee! from â‚Ź4,499 fitted Invest in the Best, with AC Direct - Established Professionals YOU CAN TRUST!

Domestic, Commercial & Industrial, with good after sales service.

Call Tony the Welder on

A C DIRECT 902 789 189

659 48.96 90

www.acdairconditioning.com

ON THE MOVE? • Weekly sailings to and from the UK and Ireland • Worldwide network - we can move you anywhere in the world! • Professional packing service

Call our Canarian Regional OfďŹ ce on 922 581 805

EMAIL: info@migrateglobalcanarias.com TM

GLOBAL

TM

GLOBAL

International Removal Specialists

UNIVERSAL EXPORTTS S.L.

AIRES L

REMOVALS TO AND FROM THE UK

Solar systems Sanitation systems

'"45 3&-*"#-& "/% &'' '*$*&/5 4&37*$& 1&340/"- "55&/5*0/ ( (6"3"/5&&% %003 50 %003 4&37*$& &

Swimming pools Air conditioning

Thomas Dolz has a German engineering diploma and is an expert on sanitation, heating and air conditioning systems

LET US TAKE THE HA ASSLE OUT OF MOVING... ŠIC/583/09 /583/09

5*0/ /""-40 -0$"- "/% /"5 3&.07"-4 "/% 4503 3"( (& 5FM p 'BY 3PC PO 6, p 6, 'BY XXX SFNPWBMT UFOFSJGF DPN p JOGP!SFNPWBMT UFOFSJGF DPN

UK residents can reduce bills for home telephone / broadband / gas / electric / shopping. Established English Plc company.

Tel 922 781783 / 639 069862

AIRESOL CANARIAS, S.L. Plaza de Venezuela, 1. 38670 Adeje (Behind the bus stop - between the Post Office and the Health Centre) Tel.: 922 79 28 39 - 922 79 44 93. Fax: 922 75 06 02. Mob: 630 410 011

SKIP HIRE & BUILDING MATERIALS DELIVERY (&/&3"- 53"/41035"5*0/ 0' "-- #6*-%*/( ."5&3*"-4 4BOE p #BMMBTU p $FNFOU p #SJDLT p #MPDLT

$BMM

48

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / PROPERTY

GPI

Irish Estate Agent Property Consultant We have a huge selection of residential both from plans and resale (i.e. Los Geranios).

Everything negotiable.

Tijoco Bajo AP-3088 New. Just finished. First class apartments.

Luxuriously equipped. 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms in two storey blocks. Underground parking.

Delightful views. From 130000€

Mare Verde Exceptional one bed-roomed at a give away price.

Excellent investment.

Ref: AP-2075 105000€ Villamar AP-3057 Spectacular one bed-roomed apartment with 80m2 including wrap around terrace of 30m2 overhanging ocean.

230000€ La Escalona 4356m2 of level land.

Large road frontage.

750m2 urban. Rest pending in very near future. Great investment opportunity. Ref: LA-Marie. 378000€ Chayofa Modern end townhouse 195m2 built. 3 beds. 3 baths.

Large garage. Pool.

Outstanding views.

Immaculate.

Ref: CA-3058.

420000€ O.N.O.

05.

Property Wanted : We will buy your property, whether it is a House, or apar tment for Cash, and complete in 28 days. No agents, no catches, no gimmicks. Call (0034) 922 720222 or visit www. tenerifehomebuyers.com

Business Opps : For lease restaurant, working with good client base, Beautiful local with a family feel, ample parking, tel 637 560 700 Your own business offering UK residents (holidaymakers) discounts on their home bills and shopping. Easy sale. Established English Plc company. Only 250 euros outlay. Tel 922 781783 / 639 069862 Busy laundry for sale, working with good client base (80 per cent British), apar tment complexes, property management, ferry boat Fred Olsen, restaurants etc. excellent profits, local 150m2, low rent, price including two company vans.

For more information 653 393081 / 653 039155

Prop Exchange: Fañabé Ref: AP 3079 Luxury three bedrooms, 2 bath penthouse 110m2.

Terraces 60m2.

Magnificent ocean views. A/C. Satellite dish. Garage.

590000€

Buzanada CA-3076 Ultra special, detached, villa 260m2 on about 10000m2. 6 beds, 4 baths, garage, pool, BBQ workshop etc. Unique family home. 820000€ Chayofa CA-3083 Dream detached home, exquisitely maintained and furnished. 3 beds, 3 baths, pool, large garage and much more 890000€

Long established bars/restaurants in high profile locations. Great opportunities.

Leasehold and Freehold. P O A

GPI (API/FIABCI) Playa de Las Américas Tel: (0034) 616 429 946 Gerrygalvin1@gmail.com

Property to exchange in North of Nottingham for one is south Tenerife. My property is a 2 bedroom with parking and valued at £110,000. Enquires on 07846725175

Los Cristianos, by the sea, beautiful one bedroom apartment, living room, kitchen etc. TV, washing machine, sun terrace, sea views, from 550 euros month, 922 752759 / 608 425426

El Médano, dir ectly from the owner!!! New, precious detached house, 3 bedrooms, 2 moder n bathrooms, indep. kitchen, 3 terraces,bbq, luxury complex with 2 swimming pools, 42m2 closed garage, very Available to rent – local exclusive furnished. Quiet with large terrace in prime zone, Price: 330.000 euros, position in Los Cristianos. Tel: 650 792 742 Ideal for Hairdressers, office or similar. Tel 629 911338 Torviscas Alto/ Resid.

Casablanca, directly from Long term rent in the owner!!! Very beautiful La Camella, one bedroom apartment (53m2) in the most apartment, internet available, exclusive zone of Tenerife, 1 fully furnished, TV, washing bedroom and an small officemachine etc, ver y private, room, ver y big bathroom, 430 euros per month fully 35m2 terrace with precious inclusive, 922 720671 views, luxury complex with swimming pool and gardens.

Garage and store-room. Only 6 months old!!! Price: 183.000 euros, Tel: 650.792.742

Sale :

Reduced for very quick sale. Golf del Sur. Fantastic 3 bed, 3 bath penthouse on 2 levels. (2 beds ensuite). Lounge/ diner. Air con, English SAT TV, 2 terraces overlooking marina and sea. Furnished thoughout to high standard.

Well kept complex with 3 swimming pools. Landscaped gardens, price 199,000 euros contact 609 587155 or 620 945895 Fantastic semi d e t a c h e d v i l l a in El Galeon, Adeje. Five bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, terraces of 97m2. First quality.

Sale direct from the owner.

470,000 euros (negotiable).

Tel 922 781783 / 639 069 862 Opportunity!! Los Cristianos, by the sea, one bedroom apartment, garage, panoramic views, sunny, 110,000 euros. Tel 922 752759 / 608 425426 (no agents)

Residencial

La Duquesa Playa Fañabé

Studios, 1 and 2 bed apartments from 400€ for rent to mature-minded people in quiet residential complex with all UK TV channels in Torviscas Alto. For details phone Nadine, 922 715 162 Tenerife south, 1st May to 31st October 2009, bungalow, 85m2, small garden, 2 bedrooms, living room with kitchen, bathroom, terrace, fully furnished, very quiet, near to the beach, tel 922 731674 / 677 141585 Beautiful duplex to rent in La Paz (Puerto de la Cruz), 200m2, 100m2 garden, 2 big terraces, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, fully equipped and garage, 800 euros per month, tel 670 817821

For sale, 3 bed apartment, 86m2, 2 bathrooms, separate equipped kitchen, balcony 25m2 with communal area

New 3 bedroom luxury villa 750,000€ Tel. (0034) 655 914 691 (0034) 922 71 33 56 3 bed, 2 bathroom duplex apartment for sale in Los Girasoles, El Madroñal Independent kitchen, downstairs toilet, office, living/dining room, 2 terraces approx 20m2 each.

For more information email ventasol@terra.es

For sale town house in San Isidro

4 bedrooms, lounge, dining room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, w.c. downstairs, garage for 6 cars.

With commercial use, fully furnished, all this for €220,000. No time wasters please.

Tel. 619 866 849 / 609 101 401

Excellent opportunity

Rent : One bedroom apartments for rent, just refurbished, 400 euros per month, tel 666 808182 or 647 927767

For sale, 2 bed apartment, 60m2 with equipped kitchen.

Terrace, 25m2, views of La Gomera. Closed garage, Urbanisation Sunset, Torviscas Alto, 195,000 euros, tel 629 244958

Villa Tagoro San Eugenio Alto

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, comunity pool. €425,000 Tel. 629 244 958 Detached villa in Callao Salvaje. Situated in a quiet cul de sac and sought after position in exclusive residential area.

Excellent views of both sea and mountains. Five minutes from local shops and restaurants. 25 minutes from South airpor t. Fully legal. Heated swimming pool.

2 store rooms. Courtyard.

Pool equipment & Storage room. Access to garden and Bodega. Plot 400 sqm. Garden approx 100 sqm: House 210 sqm. 650,000 euros.

Telephone 607 310 854

Frontline studio apartment for sale, partly furnished in a superb position with views of La Gomera. Recently refurbished.

Superb holiday or residential home; quiet zone, near to shops and restaurants.

Contact C. O’Flynn, 686 586 519

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé 3 bed semi detached, toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good views, beside commerical centres, 800m from Playa Fañabe, community feees 30/month, 185,000 € Tel 629 244958

FOR SALE Flourishing freehold business established 6 years in the up and coming area of Alcalá with high reputation throughout the south west coast and beyond.

Sales of quality second hand furniture, household goods, removals and hire service of cots, car seats, fold up beds and high chairs, Room for expansion in all areas.

FREEHOLD shop area of 70m2.

With height for an upper level, Toyota truck regularly serviced, all stock kept to a high level between 6,000 to 8,000€ at no extra cost. REDUCED 190.000€ O.N.O or LEASEHOLD 70.000€.

Storage premises available with contract near to shop.

450€ per month if required.

Tel: 607 435 267 / 677 509 764 Email: maryelainet@hotmail.com

views, Residential Fañabe (Fañabe Alto), 169.000 euros, tel 629 244958 For sale, 5 bed villa, in quiet are of Costa del Silencio, 160m2, terrace with sea views, Ajardinadas area, 2 separate bedrooms for guests, 370.000 euors, tel 629 244958 Urb. Arco Iris Playa Second line from the sea in Callao Salvaje. Duplex, totally furnished, 75m2, separate ktichen, totally equipped, toilet, dining room, complete bathroom, 2 bedrooms, SATTV, solarium 30m2 with views to Gomera and Teide, garage space, community areas with 2 pools, automatic gates, community fees 54/month, 145,000 euros. Tel 629 244958 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 80.00m 2 2 rooms 349000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 35.00m 2 1 room 89250€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 59.00m 2 1 room 179000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment San Eugenio Alto Location: central 91.00m2 2 rooms 295000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 4960.00m2 1 room 126000€ Phone: 922866559

PROMOTION

Apartment Gran Canaria, San Ba 86.00m2 3 rooms 155000€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Arucas 152.00m2 3 rooms 252425€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 35.00m 2 1 room 89250€ Phone: 922866559

Apartment Las Palmas d e G ra n C 2 9 . 0 0 m 2 1 room 144250€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 46.00m 2 1 room 120000€ Phone: 922866559

Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 28.00m2 141238€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 60.00m 2 1 room 138500€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 66.00m 2 2 rooms 162000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 71.00m 2 2 rooms 159000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment Playa San Juan Location: central 82.00m 2 2 rooms 359000€ Phone: 922866559 Apartment San Eugenio Alto Location: central 85.00m2 2 rooms 295000€ Phone: 922866559 Terraced house Masca Location: countr yside 70.00m 2 2 rooms 120000€ Phone: 659038027 Terraced house Tamaimo Location: central Views: sea 180.00m 2 150000€ Phone: 610703429 Urban Land 36.00m 2 140000€ Phone: 630050870 Apartment Cabo Blanco Location: central 62.00m 2 2 rooms 118000€ Phone: 609969203 Terraced house Guamasa Location: outskirts Views: mountain 90.00m2 3 r ooms 222000€ Phone: 616398928 Apartment Los Cristianos Location: central 77.00m 2 3 rooms 165000€ Phone: 635476415 Apartment Sta Cruz de Tenerife Location: outskirts Views: mountain 118.00m2 3 rooms 240€ Phone: 696471932 Apartment Valle San Lorenzo Location: central Views: sea 42.00m2 1 room 125600€ Phone: 629594872 ApartmentLas Palmas de Gran C Views:mountain 159.00m2 4 rooms 450000€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Firgas 101.00m2 181506€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 32.00m2 128900€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Gran Canaria, Santa 199.00m2 4 rooms 250000€ Phone: 638173382 A p a r t m e n t Te l d e, Las Huesas 171.00m2 3 rooms 261440€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Firgas 170.00m2 3 rooms 255430€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 103.00m2 3 r ooms 246415€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Gran Canaria, San Ba 35.00m2 103000€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Mogán 105.00m2 99600€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C Views:mountain 100.00m2 3 rooms 432729€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Telde 63.00m2 2 rooms 195330€ Phone: 638173382 Premises Las Palmas de Gran C 250.00m2 1800€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 202.00m2 3 r ooms 299000€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Vega d 71.00m2 3 rooms 159268€ Phone: 638173382

Chalet Arucas, Santidad 72.00m2 144243€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Gran Canaria, Vega d 116.00m2 3 rooms 153258€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Gran Canaria, Santa 43.00m2 3 rooms 145000€ Phone: 638173382

Apartment Gran Canaria, Valles 140.00m2 4 rooms 136189€ Phone: 638173382

Chalet Las Palmas de Gran C 180.00m2 4 rooms 342580€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, L a s Pa l m a s 1 4 4 . 0 0 m 2 3 rooms 258135€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 25.00m2 104000€ Phone: 638173382 Chalet Las Palmas de Gran C 120.00m2 4 rooms 261440€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas d e G ra n C 7 5 . 0 0 m 2 2 r ooms 252000€ Phone: 638173382 Parking Las Palmas de Gran C 13.00m2 12000€ Phone: 638173382 Parking Las Palmas de Gran C 25.00m2 14000€ Phone: 638173382 Premises Gran Canaria, Mogán 25.00m2 25100€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, L a s Pa l m a s 1 0 3 . 0 0 m 2 4 rooms 258000€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas de Gran C 110.00m2 3 rooms 560€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas d e G ra n C 8 4 . 0 0 m 2 3 r ooms 224200€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, L a s Pa l m a s 1 3 0 . 0 0 m 2

49

Urb. Arco Iris Playa Second line from the sea in Callao Salvaje.

Duplex, totally furnished, 75m 2 , separate ktichen, totally equipped, toilet, dining room, complete bathroom, 2 bedrooms, SAT-TV, solarium 30m2 with views to Gomera and Teide, garage space, community areas with 2 pools, automatic gates, community fees 54/month, 145,000 euros

Tel 629 244 958 3 rooms 261500€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Gran Canaria, Agaete 72.00m2 2 rooms 144243€ Phone: 638173382 Apartment Las Palmas d e G ra n C 5 8 . 0 0 m 2 2 r ooms 288475€ Phone: 638173382

50

PROMOTION

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Motoring

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

51

Tucson

Beat the crisis with HYUNDAI RECENTLY PRESENTED A NEW INSURANCE POLICY IN THE CANARIES WHICH PROVIDES COVER DURING UNEMPLOYMENT.

T

hanks to this innovative rescue plan which is called Plan Confianza, Hyundai clients can buy any new car from the extensive range and take advantage of this new policy which will cover your car credit payments for a year if you lose your job through no fault of your own.

If you pay cash for your car, the policy even allows for a monthly commission to be paid to you if you become unemployed.

The conditions of the policy include exceptional circumstances such as accidents, ‘acts of God’ and temporary incapacity or loss of employment.

The idea behind this policy is to offer peace of mind so that people can consider

buying a new car without any personal worries about the current economic crisis.

Designed by Hyundai, this is the best long term solution in the motoring category, and benefits all workers including self-employed.

One of the plan’s key points is confidence. Clients do not have to pay any premiums, suffer an increase in the price of the vehicle purchased or less favourable credit conditions. It is aimed at all workers aged 18 to 65.

The plan has been launched on an international level, and especially here in the Canaries Hyundai are looking to strengthen relationships with clients by offering what they need the most – an ample range of high technology vehicles which they can buy with complete confidence.

Hyundai

Santa Fe

This is a real anti-crisis plan whose main objective is to respond to the uncertainty felt by clients during this economic and employment crisis, offering them a financial guarantee to solve a major problem, the loss of employment, should it arise.

Hyundai’s range includes the Accent, Coupé, H1, i10, i30, Matrix, Sante Fe, Sonata and Tucson. A range with something to suit everyone, and completely worry-free.

For more information, contact Rahn Automoción at Avda. La Libertad No. 32, Polígono Industrial Los Majuelos, La Laguna, telephone 922 600 186, or at Las Chafiras in Avda. Claudio Delgado Díaz (facing the TF-1 motorway on the Golf del Sur side), telephone 922 736 218.

30

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SPORT

EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Megabowl

TENERIFE

Compiled by Doreen Lemm

10 pin bowling league results

Tenerife 8 Ball RED LEAGUE TEAM 1 The Cygnets 2 Target Bar A 3 Toscales Old Boys 4 The Palms Bar 5 Ten.Hammers A 6 Atlantis Bar 7 Trap Door B 8 North & South A 9 Phoenix Potters 10 The Terrace Bar 11 Barracuda

YELLOW LEAGUE PL W D L P

TEAM

PL W D L P

12 12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 11

1 The Swan 2 Delicias La Cana 3 The Brum Pub 4 Trap Door A 5 Bar Nauta A 6 Legends 7 Rat Pack 8 Ten. Hammers B 9 Lupain Properties 10 Bar Nauta B 11 Target Bar B

12 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

8 9 8 7 6 5 5 4 3 0 0

3 0 2 2 2 4 1 1 2 2 1

1 27 3 27 2 26 2 23 4 20 3 19 6 16 7 13 7 11 10 2 10 1

7 8 7 7 6 4 4 3 3 1 1

5 2 2 1 1 5 3 4 2 2 1

0 1 2 4 5 3 5 5 7 9 10

26 26 23 22 19 17 15 13 11 5 4

Shotokan karate

Kennedy’s black belt Congratulations to Kennedy Atkins, who at the tender age of 11 has passed her 1st Dan black belt in Shotokan karate.

Kennedy has lived in Tenerife for most of her life, and has been a member of the Blue Dragon Karate Club (Island Village) run

by Tim Smith since she was five years old. On Saturday 14th Febr uar y Kennedy, Tim and her mother Debbie travelled to Leicester to take her Shodan grading which is registered with the ranking standards of the Kazoku Kai Shotokan International Examiners! She passed on Sunday 15th Feb at a very high level standard and was

Tenerife Royale Estate Agents S.L. Tuesday Singles League

Monkey Foreheads (8) You’ll never bowl alone (0) A fine 209 for Bob (Monkey Foreheads).

Week 16

International Saturday League Canal Ocio Dayu

Barry Smith (2) Jeff Lemm (6) Allan Billing (6) Ron Howling (2) Margaret Conner (6) Duncan Wallace (2) Adam Davis (2) Chris Rose (6) Charlie Connor (2) Dave Simpson (6) No Player (0) Dave Dixon (8) Forfeit A superb 232 for Dave Simpson.

Week 17 Margaret Conner (6) No Player (0) Forfeit No Player (0) Chris Rose (8) Forfeit Allan Billing (6) Dave Dixon (2) Duncan Wallace (0) Sue Long (8) Jeff Lemm (6) Steve Carter (2) Barry Smith (0) Ron Howling (8) A fine 215 for Sue.

Saturday Doubles league Week 12

awarded her black belt from the grading examiners Sensei Dave Wilkins and Lauren Frearson.

(L-R) Sensei Tim Smith, with Kennedy and Sensei Dave Wilkins

RURAL VS SOCAS

Fans behave, unlike coach Fans have fun despite the on-court rivalry

Pearl’s Pantry (2) Double Whiskies (6) Megabowlers (8) Happy Days (0) Los Inflamantes (6) Buccaneers (2) The Arg’ylls (2) Troubleshooters (6) Monkey Foreheads (6) Job’s a Good ‘Un (0) Forfeit You’ll Never Walk Alone (6) Smart as a Frog (2) An excellent 216 for Danny (Double Whiskies); 204 for José (Los Inflamables) and 201 for Gill (Troubleshooters).

Week 13 No team (0) Troubleshooters (8) Forfeit Double Whiskies (2) Smart as a Frog (6) Happy Days (2) Pearl’s Pantry (6) The Arg’ylls (6) Los Inflamantes (2)

Week 4 Tasquita Damián (2) Canal Ocio Dayu (6) Delfin Computer Guargacho (2) Golf Costa Adeje (6) Megabowl Poppets (8) Tasca de Tranvia (0) A magnificent 238 for Sue (Megabowl Poppets) and 202 for Rafa (Canal Ocio Dayu).

Week 5 Golf Costa Adeje (1) Megabowl Poppets (7) Tasquita Damián (0) Delfin Computer (8) Canal Ocio Dayu (6) Tasca de Tranvia (2) 204 for Frank (Tasquita Damián) and 200 for Jacquie (Megabowl Poppets).

Ruby Supper Bar, Torviscas Sunday Doubles League Week 12 The Racketeers (6) Lucky Strike (2) Buccaneers (4) U Bin Framed (4) Nothing But Trouble (5) M + S (3) A fine 215 for Carol (U Bin Framed); 205 for Dave D (Buccaneers).

Week 13 The Racketeers (6) Pinseekers (2) Nothing But Trouble (2) U Bin Framed (6) 205 for Carol (U Bin Framed)

Monday Pub League This League will commence on Monday, 16th March at 2.30pm.

NATIONAL SWIMMERS

T3 visit by Belmonte Tenerife’s new training centre for elite athletes has chalked up another big-name visit just weeks after the incident-filled stay

by Manchester City.

The new Queen of Spanish swimming, world recordholder Mireia Belmonte, travelled to the island in early March to spend a few days training with members of the national team in the pool at the T3 Centre in Adeje. 19-year-old Belmonte won the gold in the 400 metres freestyle European Championships in Rijeka in December and smashed

Tenerife Rural may have had to play second fiddle to arch rivals Socas Canarias in the recent derby game but their fans outdid their La Laguna neighbours in ingenuity when it came to dressing up for the occasion.

Socas ran out winners in the keenly contested derby

and it was not just Tenerife’s promotion hopes that were dented on the night. Tenerife coach Rafa Sanz broke a cour t-side chair in anger after a refereeing decision went against his players and he was then involved in an unpleasant incident with a TV commentator. Sanz escaped with a small fine by

the league for his behaviour after arguing that he had been the target of ferocious insults throughout the game by fans behind his bench.

Despite the tension, both sets of fans behaved impeccably and engaged in good-natured banter inside and outside the stadium.

the world record in the process. Already a double junior world champion, she was tipped for glory at the Beijing Olympics but failed to show her true potential

and came home empty handed. Belmonte entered the sport by accident after being advised to take up swimming to cure a back problem.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

By George Reed

Boxing

53

It’s a risky business Isaac Stern (violinist), “you might say we’re in the same business, we both earn a living with our hands”.

Muhammad Ali, “you must be good. There isn’t a mark on you.”

O

n March 14th Bolton’s Amir Khan will take a massive step up in class when he faces the Mexican great, Marco Antonio Barrera at Manchester’s M.E.N. arena.

It’s the same venue where Khan suffered a devastating one-round loss to Breidis Prescott last September, and since then has had one warm-up fight against virtually unknown Oisin Fagan, who he stopped in two rounds. So it’s not surprising that the youngster will be the underdog when he steps into the ring to face the Mexican living legend.

On paper it appears to be too much to ask of Amir to take on a fighter who is in a different league to anyone he has faced before, a seven-time, three-weight world champion, with 64 victories in his professional career.

I don’t know what it is that flows through the blood of Mexican fighters, but it has made them consistently into the most warrior-like pugilists.

Their culture demands that they embrace the street fight. They bull. They hook.

They uppercut. They beat the body. They bleed and scrape and grin through gumshields runing red with their blood and the rougher the fight is, the better they like it. They all seem to be aiming to be recognised as the new Julio César Chávez, the greatest Mexican fighter of all time and they fight as if their lives depend on it. Chávez, nicknamed J.C. Superstar, was close to achieving one of the most remarkable records in

ring history, when in 1993 he took his tally to 87 straight wins. The brilliant Mexican fighter looked odds on to reach the magical 100, having won world titles at four different weights over the previous nine years.

He then took on world welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker and the bubble burst when he was held to a draw.

Over the past thirteen years many Mexican fighters have had hopes of becoming the heir to Chávez’ idolatry including Barrera himself and another tough Mexican, Erik Morales, who on the three occasions they fought each other in Las Vegas, always delighted the mainly Latin crowd with their great tenacity, both throwing their text books on boxing aside and wading into each other, with both seeming to find enjoyment in taking a couple of punches to land a couple.

Their first fight some nine years ago was one of the greatest I’ve ever seen. It was always likely to be a macho battle, with Mexico’s two most popular fighters involved and nobody was disappointed.

Barrera was the four to one betting underdog as Morales was believed to be the better boxer, but Barrera

forced him into a toe-to-toe battle through the fight, a fight that stirred the blood and brought out the goose bumps as the fighters took turns in getting the upper hand. The fight was never one-sided and backing-up had no meaning in either of the Mexican’s hearts. At the end, I thought like most that Barrera had won by a couple of rounds, but by a split decision Morales was given the verdict.

Barrera started earning money in a prize ring when he was just 15, an age when boxers in other countries are still boxing for trophies and

fighting 10-rounders when they’re 15 or 16 years old.

It’s expected. The only problem is that when they turn pro that young, and are involved in many tough fights like the Mexican fighters usually are, they often burn out by the time they’re in their mid-20s.

However, there are always exceptions to the rules and in Barrera we’ve had one exception, for even though he is now 35 years of age, it was less than two years ago that he was rated in the top ten best pound-forpound fighters in the world. I think that his longevity in boxing is mostAmir Khan takes on a Mexican legend at the ly due to the fact M.E.N. arena that he changed his style after the Morales fights.

Previous to that he used to get himself all worked up before going into a fight and didn’t box, even though he could. He would just try to blast his way through his opponents, but then he decided to make adjustments to beat certain types of styles and he had the boxing talent to do it, which meant he wasn’t taking so many punches himself. He made the adjustment to beat Naseem Hamed by giving wearing headgear in the ‘The Prince’ a boxing lesson amateur ranks, but fight- instead of slugging it out ers turn professional early with him. Beating Hamed in Mexico, a lot of them are elevated Barrera to hero sta-

The rougher the fight is the better they like it

tus in Mexico and more or less finished his opponent’s boxing career. It was a brilliant, controlled boxing display against Hamed that belied Barrera’s attachment to the Mexican fight culture, but at the same time cemented his standing with the Mexican fans. However that was over eight years ago, which can be a lifetime in boxing, a sport in which a fighter at Barrera’s age and after many a gruelling battle can fade overnight.

Most people in the fight game believe that Khan is taking a tremendous risk in tackling such a seasoned professional such as Barrera at this stage of his career, but I’m going to stick my chin out (I only hope young Amir doesn’t do the same) and forecast that the younger fighter with his advantages in age, height and speed, hopefully will patiently and methodically pick apart the well-worn warrior and stop him before the final bell. Especially now that he is being trained by one of the world’s best, American Freddie Roach, who will manage Khan’s corner on the night. I believe the biggest risk for Amir on the night will be in the Mexican’s counter punching left hooks to the chin and body, with which he has won many of his fights.

I hope young Khan doesn’t let me down in my prediction of the fight for this edition comes out only two days before the fight, so it will be on the streets for 12 days after, which will give everyone a chance to have a go at me if I’ve picked a lemon!

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Masters league

Hole in the Wall continued with their solid first season performances with a good win over Hoppy’s newly formed side Cyril’s Creations. Both sides played some great football at times, but Hole in the Wall finished the stronger with a 10 - 6 score line.

Morfitt Properties, runners up last time out, faced a new look Eclipse Café side led by captain Big Rhodri Jones.

Eclipse dominated play and scored some wonderful goals, with the first shock of all season they destroyed Morfitts 12- 4! Last season’s reigning champions Taylor’s took on the ever improving Spanish side led by the very solid Pablo. Not allowing Taylor’s any time on the ball the Spanish team took an early lead, the game intensified and Taylor’s tried to get going but too little too late and Pablo’s team went out with a deserved 6 - 4 win.

Week two saw Mor fitts take on Hole in the Wall and with a full strength side won 10- 6. Champions Taylor’s

The first game of the new season saw new side The Hoops Bar Los Cristianos take on established side Harley’s and with an action packed game Greg and Gogo’s Harley’s team came from behind to nick the game 7 -6 but Big Stevie’s Hoops team must get a special mention for how well they played in their first ever league game. Planet Football took on Dave Riche’s new side Britannia F.C. and the new team had it all to do as they fell behind early and there was no way back eventually losing 9 -5 but they will get better as they have very good young players led by Young Kyle.

One of this season’s Master’s league favorites Tenerife Warriors, who are the second of our Spanish teams, took on Big Rob’s and Mark’s Dreamers Bar, another new team this year. It was a hard start for Dreamers Bar and Tenerife warriors who played some lovely football won the game comfortably 8-3.

Morfitts reigning masters

OPEN AGE LEAGUE TABLE: Teams

Played

1. SPANISH TEAM 2. ECLIPSE CAFE 3. HOLE IN THE WALL 4. TAYLOR’S LOUNGE 5. MORFITT PROPERTIES 6. EXILES BAR SILENCIO 7. CYRIL’S CREATIONS 8. WINDOWPLUS.CO.UK

2 1 2 2 2 1 2 0

W 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 0

GF GA 15 12 16 14 14 3 11 0

9 4 16 9 18 10 19 0

Points 6 3 3 3 3 0 0 0

MASTERS LEAGUE TABLE: Teams

A

champions took on Harley’s.

This was a tough and close game with ever improving Harley’s giving Morfitts a real game.

It took a late winner for Morfitts to nick the game.

Last season’s runners up Taylor’s took on Britannia FC with Britannia looking to improve on their first performance. Taylor’s took an early lead but Britannia fought back and at times matched a strong Taylor’s side.

Eventually Taylor’s was just too much and ran out 11-4 winners. Next game was Dreamers bar against The Hoops Bar in a battle of the new boys. The Hoops Bar with the help of the best Welsh player on the island Shaun Hoops were a little fitter and in the second half finished the game off 9-5.

With only a few teams yet to play the leagues are closer then ever before the new teams settling in well and new players finding there feet and the goals. A special mention must go to our Spanish sides which are top in both leagues and are a credit to the Soccer Experience 7s leagues.

As always Soccer Experience would like to encourage as many people on the island to play football for fun and exercise as possible, so if any players or new teams are interested in joining the leagues or playing in our friendly games please contact Soccer Experience by email: soccer@soccerexperience. com or text: 654200470 or please review the website: www.soccerexperience.com

Lounge also bounced back from defeat with a brilliant display of finishing against new team Blair Macrorie’s Exile Bar Silencio, winning 10- 3…League leaders Pablo’s Spanish team started slowly with a score line of 3-3 at halftime, Cyril’s Creations were giving as good as they got until Jason Tucker picked up an injury. The Spanish team took this key advantage and the game finished 9- 5 and are looking the team to beat.

new season is here with all to play for including many new players along with some new teams, though it has to be said there have been some unusual player transfers in Soccer Experience 7’s ver y own transfer window! Not sure if there have been brown envelopes or dodgy agents involved!!

Played

1. TENERIFE WARRIORS 2 . TAYLOR’S LOUNGE 3. THE HOOPS BAR 4. MORFITT PROPERTIES 5. HARLEYS AMERICAN DINER 6. PLANET FOOTBALL 7. DREAMERS BAR 8. BRITANNIA F.C. 9. COLDFLOW 10. RACHAEL’S MOTORS

2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 0 0

W 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 2 0 0

GF GA 21 11 15 3 9 14 8 9 0 0

8 4 12 2 9 18 17 20 0 0

Points 6 3 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0

CD Tenerife

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009

Mid term crisis?

Words and pictures By Spike Jones

01/03/2009 CD Tenerife 3:0 RC Celta de Vigo Nearly 20,000 came to the Heliodoro for this encounter with the legendary Galician side Celta Vigo and, as befitted carnival week, they all had a whale of a time. For the first time this season it was possible for blanquiazul fans to thoroughly enjoy the spectacle of their team winning in a style so assured that the result was inevitable.

Celta offered not a glimmer of the tigerish football that, only a few years ago, had top European teams quaking. The last home match, the five-goal thriller against Elche, may have been great for the proverbial ‘neutrals’ to watch, but it was far too tense for any CD fan to get any real pleasure from – except after the final whistle had blown, natch! In the majority of cases no committed fan really ‘enjoys’ watching his or her side play; there is usually too much at stake and just far too much that can go wrong. In this game, however, it was party time from the first minutes to the last, and no one wanted the fun to finish. Any neutrals may have seen it as a one-sided bore, but to the home fans it was such a relief to support the team without the need for a constant supply of heart revival pills close at hand. Tenerife were so good that it was hard not to feel sorr y for the once-mighty Celta. Well, hardish.

Out of the traps like greyhounds the blanquiazules made straight for the Celta goal. There was no preliminary stroking the ball about.

Keeper Notario and his defenders were disconcerted to find themselves under immediate attack, and like gunslingers who hadn’t yet adjusted their holster-belts they were quite unprepared as the bullets began to fly.

Alfaro ended his dry spell with a 25-metre screamer on five minutes. The shot, from directly in front of goal just outside the box, left Notario no chance. Nino, as always, looked threatening and had a chance well saved and another go wide. But it

was defender Luna, with his second goal in two home matches, who grabbed the second on 10 minutes. In an action replay of his goal against Elche, Luna popped up to head Juanlu’s cross powerfully into the net. With two goals under their belts and 80 minutes to play the more knowing aficionados contrived to get themselves worked up into a state of impending doom – Tenerife can get fragile-looking and fidgety when defending a lead, even

Vigo mainly due to defensive lapses. Celta seem to have gone a step back in the interim, while Tenerife are now a much more formidable unit.

Ricardo patrols the mid-field with great authority. Wingers Kome and Juanlu track back well to cover their respective wingbacks. Central defenders Martínez and Luna look more composed with every game, and keeper Aragoneses is top-class. For this reporter the jury is still out on Marc Bertrán, but there are others,

a few weeks. Sergio, who has beaten two previous bouts of testicular cancer, has the best wishes of all at Island Connections for a complete and speedy recovery.

As far as CD Tenerife is concerned it may be too early for alarm bells, but the thumb is poised over the panic button nevertheless. Aragoneses took over No. One spot from Luis García back in the autumn. Next time you hear it said of a goalkeeper: “He’s a great shot stopper…” wait a

NEWS

Second Division 09/03/2009 CLUB

PLD W

1. Xerez 2. Tenerife 3. Hercules 4. Rayo Vallecano 5. Zaragoza 6. Castellon 7. Salamanca 8. Huesca 9. Real Sociedad 10. Levante 11. Gimnastic 12. Girona 13. Murcia 14. Albacete 15. Elche 16. Celta Vigo 17. Las Palmas 18. Cordoba 19. Alaves 20. Eibar 21. Alicante 22. Sevilla Atletico

27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27

14 14 12 11 12 11 11 10 9 11 9 8 10 9 8 8 7 8 8 7 4 1

THE FOCUS OF EVERYONE’S ATTENTION WILL BE

Luis García’s form and his ability to withstand the pressure

Nearly 20,000 came to see the blanquiazules stamp their authority all over Celta

a good one. But the fans soon realised there was nothing to worry about. Celta’s brief moments of possession produced only poorly executed crosses and mistimed halfchances, whereas Tenerife were pinging the ball around like masters. Manager Luis Oltra’s men played the ball to each other in bewildering triangles as they built up their attacks, and more chances fell to Richi, Ricardo and twice to Marc Bertrán before the half was over.

Celta had a good ten minute spell when play resumed, Michu’s shot passing just wide of Aragoneses’s goal. But in reality only the most sensitive and delicate of CD’s supporters had any nerves to settle, and this was achieved on 56 minutes when marauding right winger Juanlu jinked into Celta’s box and passed back for Nino to accept the gift. The Celtiñas were finished. Back in September Tenerife lost 21 in the Balaidos Stadium in

highly qualified to comment, who think he is a fine footballer. Some don’t reckon Dani Kome, but his work rate, tenacity and ability to run at defenders and baffle them with his ‘just-about-tofall-over’ gait make him a nightmare to play against.

Against Celta he was my Man of the Match.

07/03/2009 Alicante CF 2:2 CD Tenerife Bang in the middle of some of the best form of his life Tenerife first choice keeper, Sergio Aragoneses, was admitted to hospital earlier last week with severe stomach pains. He has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. Estimates vary about when he may return to the squad, with some sources saying he is out for the rest of the season while others suggest a possible return in

heartbeat and the statement will always continue with the word “but…” In Luis García’s case it’s “but… he’s hopeless at dealing with high balls.”

The truth of this was embarrassingly demonstrated in full 3-D Technicolor in Alicante’s Rico Perez Stadium in front of 2,500 home supporters, 100 travelling Tenerife supporters (a big high-five to you guys!) and umpteen hundreds of thousands watching on the telly, including, presumably, Sergio Aragoneses in the Hospital Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria in Santa Cruz.

With only four wins this season Alicante are on everyone’s ‘easy-thump’ list, and Tenerife came to the Costa Blanca with high hopes of adding another three points to their season’s tally. Actually, Alicante are a better side than their league position suggests (second from bottom) and on this showing and their per formance in Santa Cruz back in October

55

(a flattering 3 –1 to CD), it is mystifying that they should be so poised for oblivion. OK, they’re not Brazil, but they’re competent enough and quietly determined, and capable in this match of overcoming a two-goal deficit to deflate a rampant Tenerife… and they came within a squeak of grabbing all three points for themselves.

Having said that, Tenerife were all over them in the first half. Alfaro claimed his second in two games on 33 mins, as did Nino three minutes later. With Tenerife enjoying 65 per cent of possession it looked like end of storio for the Allas. At half time, sections of the crowd looked strangely smiley and happy - as if they were attempting nonchalance in the face of certain defeat. When they waved to the TV cameras you could imagine them saying: “We’re only here for the burgers and popcorn. Those guys on the pitch? Nothing to do with us” Shrug.

In the second half Tenerife seemed to have undergone some form of mesmerism.

Gone was the tenacity. Gone was the slick passing. Gone was the urge to advance. It was as though they were so blissed-out by their own wonderful first-half perform-

D 9 6 10 12 8 10 8 10 12 6 10 13 5 8 10 9 10 7 6 6 8 7

L 4 7 5 4 7 6 8 7 6 10 8 6 12 10 9 10 10 12 13 14 15 19

F 48 49 44 33 46 38 42 36 26 39 40 31 28 31 34 28 32 27 29 20 23 15

A 27 36 27 25 31 28 30 32 22 41 35 31 35 35 32 32 32 32 45 37 46 48

PTS 51 48 46 45 44 43 41 40 39 39 37 37 35 35 34 33 31 31 30 27 20 10

ance that all they had to do was amble about on automatic pilot for the next 45 minutes and everything would be OK. Alicante caught a whiff of this arrogance, and punished CD for it.

Luis García suddenly found himself having to do some serious work. All seemed well for Tenerife when he stopped a fantastic shot by Borja. Then disaster. On 66 mins he completely misread a high ball and rushed off his line to compete with the much better positioned Rafa Jordá, whose header looped over García towards the Tenerife net. For a brief moment it looked like Martínez had it covered, but the defender’s attempt to head it clear failed, and the look on his face was priceless as he contemplated his goalie’s error. Borja got Alicante’s second seven minutes from time after a nice ball from Pedro put him through in the box. Fighting off the close attentions of two Tenerife defenders Borja’s low, determined shot beat García. It was a fine effort, worthy of CD’s own Alfaro or Ángel.

Alicante were also very unlucky to have a penalty shout turned down, and Borja’s last minute shot produced another ‘moment’ from García, who was relieved to see the fumble whisper past his post.

With all of Tenerife’s close rivals also drawing their matches the standings at top of the division still remain unchanged. Unquestionably the focus of everyone’s attention will be Luis García’s form and his ability to withstand the pressure of expectation now placed upon his shoulders. I mean, he’s a good shot stopper… but.

8 436012 301118

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EDITION 586 :: 13/03/2009 - 27/03/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

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