Island connections 737 FLN 004

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1984-2014

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8th January – 21st January 2015 Winter fuel allowance

Exclusive interview

Drugs haul

Year round up

End for expats

Pier Luigi Cherubino

Red light drama

Highlights of 2014

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Page 6

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Pages 21 - 24

A year of growth

As the New Year kicks off, our offices are buzzing with renewed optimism. The “green shoots” of economic recovery are finally filtering through to the Canaries with positive signs in the property markets and the retail trade, especially pre Christmas and Three Kings. Hopefully that trend will continue throughout the Sales period bringing much needed liquidity into the market. With the launch of our new brand Foreign Language News just three issues ago, uniting for the first time all three of our products in English, German and Russian, we feel we have hit the nail on the head to surge ahead and help your business to do the same. We wish a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year to all our clients and readers. Remember, “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertisn ing” - Mark Twain.

Looking forward

The sky’s the limit The year ahead looks promising for residents and visitors as traditional events abound and the heavenly calendar is full of predicted celestial phenomenon. The festivities begin in January with the colourful San Antonio de Abad celebrations and the iconic San Sebastián homage (see page 11). Regular traditional events include: the almond blossom walks in Santiago del Teide; the threshing display in San José de los Llanos; the holy festivals of Easter, Corpus Christi and Santisimo Cristo and much more. However, the star of the year will have to be the Librea in Valle Guerra, recreating the Battle of Lepanto with over 250 local ‘actors’, which this year celebrates its 400th anniversary. Overhead, although we won’t have last year’s super-moon as shown in this excellent photograph, 2015 will see two visible eclipses, meteorite showers coinciding with a new moon which makes them particu-

Photo: Credit Daniel López/IAC

Foreign Language News

larly striking, attractive juxtapositions of planets and two comets. Comet Lovejoy will be most visible in the middle of January and Catalina from November to December during the second half of the night and in January and February 2016 throughout the night. Of the four eclipses due this year those most visible from here will be a partial eclipse of the sun on March 20 and a total eclipse of the moon during

the night of September 27-28. The meteorite showers coinciding with the full moon are Quadrántidas on January 4 and Eta-Acuáridas on May 6, and those with a new moon: Perseidas on August 13; Dracónidas on October 9 and Gemínidas on December 14. Jupiter will be best seen on February 6, Mars and Venus will be worth looking out for at nightfall on February 21, Mercury will be

particularly visible at the end of April and the beginning of May and Saturn on May 23. As always, the incredibly clear skies of the Islands enhance the observations and if you put yourself in expert hands, you’ll enjoy the experience more. Look out for all the information on upcoming events in your copy of Island Connections and enjoy n all that 2015 has to offer.


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Gran Canaria

Kiesslings challenged Plans by the Kiessling family for two major tourist attractions in Gran Canaria appear to have hit trouble in the form of legal challenges by a company which was set up on the island just a few months ago. The projects - a water park in Maspalomas and a giant aquarium in Las Palmas - have the full backing of the local and island authorities but have been challenged by a firm called Lebensraum Wasser, which alleges that the Kiesslings, who own Tenerife’s Loro Parque and Siam Park, have received, “privileged treatment” by the authori-

ties for their business ventures. The president of the Gran Canaria Cabildo is known to be furious at the move, which could see the projects, particularly the city aquarium, held up for some time. José Miguel Bravo de Laguna defended the corporation’s support for the attractions given the revenue and jobs they will bring for Gran Canaria. Sources close to the Kiesslings say that the actions of Lebensraum Wasser are a deliberate attempt to torpedo or at least n delay the projects.

Library photo of Siam Park in Tenerife

Moldovan murder suspect

Still on the run The main suspect in an ongoing murder enquiry purportedly, “paid a visit” to the victim’s family over Christmas. The Moldovan man, named as Eugeniu Bereznko, is wanted in connection with the brutal murder in late November of 53-year-old Russian Andrei Timofeev.

According to the El Día newspaper, police were alerted by a telephone call at 4am after Berezenko was spotted on the video door entry system at the main gate to the Vista Hermosa complex in Los Cristianos where members of the victim’s family currently reside. Calls have been made for law

Las Américas

Prostitution crime fears The Spanish Interior Ministry’s senior person in Tenerife has flatly denied that Playa de Las Américas’ red light zone is attracting crime to the area. Guillermo Díaz says he and senior police chiefs have met with local residents on several occasions in the past year to allay their fears that the two main prostitution streets (Llanos de Troya and Arquitecto Gómez Cuesta) have been turned into no go areas for tourists and locals in recent times. “Despite our efforts and statistics, the residents’ representative remains unconvinced but I can safely

say that the district does not deserve the reputation it has acquired. There have been only thefts during six months” said Díaz, adding that, contrary to locals’ allegations, tourists do not stay away from the streets because, “They don’t tend to go there anyway”. “Prostitution is not illegal and does not pose a threat. There are no schools or residential developments nearby” insisted the Spanish government official. However, his assurances have been challenged by some, who have accused him of living in a “virtual world” out of touch with the everyday reality of the red light district. n

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enforcement agencies to be merged under one roof following alleged information-hiding by the Guardia Civil from its police colleagues during the initial search for the suspect. Despite Spanish interior Ministry denials that the ‘patchwar’ order had put other officers’ lives at risk needlessly and

showed the lack of coordination between forces, many are insisting on a review of the law enforcement structure in the Canaries, where there are no fewer than four separate bodies (Local Police, Canarian Police, Spanish Police Force and Civil n Guard).

La Gomera

“Slave” weatherman The plight of the only person currently manning the Met Office’s weather station at La Gomera airport has been highlighted by a local trade union, which says he is being forced to work like a slave due the lack of personnel. Union CSIF says that the longterm sick leave of the head of station and the departure of another Met Office employee at the tiny airport means that the only remaining member of staff has been working 21 days in a row, on shifts of 11 hours, to make sure weather data are collected and entered into the system. The union demanded a meeting with the head of the Disclaimer: Island Connections Newspaper is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising

Centuries of tradition

Looking back to the future

A recent initiative under the auspices of the Fundación Tenerife Rural saw a group of very dedicated people get together to share their joint passion for the history and traditions of the island. They spend enormous amounts of their free time recreating historical events, investigating and restoring ethnographic values and encouraging the practice and recovery of island traditions. Quite apart from the intrinsic value of their labour, it’s the work of associations like these that help mark the difference between Tenerife and other holiday destinations, something which is of benefit to everyone and all of their events are well worth attending. n

Three Kings parades

Camel shock

The transport conditions of a group of camels brought over from Lanzarote for the Three Kings parades all over the island has brought national condemnation. The animals were tied up and crammed 12 to a lorry, unable to stand at any time during the sea crossing. Unconfirmed reports say they were heavily sedated for the 18-hour boat trip. A tip-off from passengers saw police waiting at the port of Santa Cruz to meet the ferry, with animal health inspectors also on hand to record the conditions under which the camels had been shipped. A formal investigation is believed to have been launched by the authorities. Tenerife Cabildo chief Carlos Alonso declared, “Whether needed for a Parade or not, nothing can justify these conditions” and he wants an exemplary punishment dished out. n

Medical cover row

Airport death Spanish Met Office recently to discuss the working conditions, which are in breach of working time regulations. It has also written formal complaints to various Government departments at regional and national level. n

features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.

Office hours: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm

The tragic death of an airport worker at Tenerife South has reignited the controversy over the extent of medical cover at the busy airport. Groundstaff employee Victor de la Fuente suffered a heart attack as he was removing the wheel chocks from an aircraft which was about to depart. He died a short time later despite resuscitation efforts by cleaning staff with first aid experience. The fatal incident has rekindled calls for a review of emergency medical procedures at Tenerife South, which is Spain’s fifth busiest airport and handles around nine miln lion passengers every year.

Publishers: Tina Straub Schacher, Joe Schacher Designer: Javier Gómez Editor: Sheila Collis editorial@ic-news.com Deputy editors: Xena Fox, Lee Bullen, Karl McLaughlin, Barbara Belt Contributors: Katy Kennedy, Manuel De La Flor, George Reed, Chris Todd Sales Manager: Jamie Lee Armstrong sales@icmedia.eu Classifieds: classifieds@ic-news.com

European Union European Regional Development Fund

“Creating Europe” This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, cofinanced by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries.


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Policy change

New Year’s Eve cruises

Winter fuel allowance cut Photo: Cunard

Queen Elizabeth visit Almost 5,000 cruise passengers rang in the New Year in Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, completing a bumper cruise ship year for the port. Nine ships called into the port during the two days before New Year’s Eve, with four more scheduled for December 31. The star of the end of the year for the city was the Queen Elizabeth, Cunard’s newest ocean liner and one of three ships to stay past midnight to welcome in 2015 and take in the celebrations in the city. The last few days of 2014

Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea

saw a burst of cruise activity, with a total of 19 ships calling in to Tenerife between December 26-31, bringing in nearly 40,000 tourists and crew. They also consolidated Santa Cruz’s position as a key

Health care

Family fury The family of an elderly Tenerife man who has been given an appointment with a specialist in April 2016 says the Health Service may have to carry out the prescribed tests “on his ashes”. Gilberto González, 72, is a diabetic and has undergone heart surgery already but will have to wait for over a year to see whether fastspreading varicose veins in his legs pose a

Atlantic port in winter. The situation is expected to get even better as port officials have predicted a 15 per cent growth in traffic during 2015. n

further threat to his health. His family was astounded at the news that he will not be seen for ages and have slammed the authorities for what they say is a “shambles” of a Service. “The referral was made by his GP 18 months ago and only now does he get an appointment, which is over a year away when he might not even be around” said his son. To add to the family’s frustration, officials have told them to file a complaint and, if they hear nothing in two months, to file another one. The Canarian Health Service is repeatedly criticised by patients for failing to observe legislation setting a maximum 90 days for specialist appointments. n

The MailOnline recently published details of a possible change in UK regulations that is likely to send shivers up the spine of many expats. According to the report, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has condemned the “absurd” payments and vowed to change the rules which have apparently cost the UK taxpayer £130 million during the last decade. Last year Britain sent £8.7 million in winter fuel payments to Spain and it appears that expat pensioners who have chosen to live in the hotter areas of Europe are finally going to lose the annual help with their heating bills, despite having paid into the system for, in many cases, the whole of their working lives. Ministers are said to be planning the introduction of a ‘temperature test’ to stop payments

Photo: MailOnline

8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

being made to countries where the average annual temperature is higher than the UK’s warmest region, which is the South West with an average of 5.6C (42F). People living in Spain, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, France, Malta

and Gibraltar will all lose the right to claim from September 2015, but pensioners in 25 other countries will still be n eligible.


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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Fuerteventura

Murder sentence upheld A last-ditch bid by a Fuerteventura man to have his sentence for murder overturned has been rejected by Spain’s Supreme Court. Claudio Pulido was convicted of the brutal murder of his former partner, 28-year-old German Nicole Zaehle, in her home on the outskirts of Tarajalejo on April 14, 2012 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In addition he was ordered to pay €175,000 in compensation to her family. Jurors accepted the prosecution’s version that he battered his ex-girlfriend in the face with a frying pan and then stabbed her fatally in the neck, leaving her bleeding to death as he went on a drinking binge. Following his conviction in December 2013, Pulido, who is originally from Gran Canaria, filed an unsuccessful appeal

to the Canarian High Court and then took his case to the Supreme Court, where judges have upheld the original ruling and rejected his version that

he had acted in self-defence after allegedly being attacked by Nicole. They also dismissed his argument that a motorcycle accident suffered several years

earlier had impaired his ability to control his actions. During his trial, it emerged that Pulido had a previous conviction for n domestic violence.

“Ghosts” eliminated from records

Government warning The Canarian Government has issued a warning to people thinking of taking out a payday loan ahead of the traditionally tough month of January, when spending bills which ran up over Christmas begin to arrive.

Telde barber retires

Savagery in a beach paradise

Santa Cruz

The population of Santa Cruz is now officially confirmed as having fallen by several thousand following the outcome of the “ghost” residents probe which left the city council red faced and on bad terms with the National Statistics Office. As reported here, the Office in Madrid has repeatedly queried the Tenerife capital’s assessments of its own population in

Gran Canaria

recent years and the issue is far from trivial as Government funding depends on the official number of residents. The spat led to a formal investigation which confirmed rumours that council officials had inflated the numbers back in the mid1990s by registering thousands of non-existent people as residents. Madrid demanded to see the evidence on which

the registrations were based and, after a bitter stand-off, Santa Cruz had no choice but to admit that the mandatory copies of ID cards for the queried residents could not be found and none of the “missing” people had ever paid local taxes or rates. The discovery has led to a cleaning up of records and the city’s population is now some 13,000 lower,

which means that Santa Cruz will receive €2 million less in funding from Madrid. The reduction could be even bigger as Santa Cruz’s numbers for this year are likely to fall further given that many non-EU immigrants, particularly from Latin America, have opted to return home due to the lack of work during the past year. n

Payday loans Senior trade official Gustavo Matos said the small print of loans offered by credit firms should be, “Checked very carefully” by those thinking of borrowing to make sure there are no nasty surprises in store. “It is impor-

tant to check and compare nominal interest rates (APR), which tend to much higher than standard loans. There may also be hefty administration fees to pay, so care needs to be exercised” said Matos, who urged potential

borrowers to calculate the exact amount they will repay at the end of the loan, rather than just the size of monthly payments, to see if it is a viable decision. n

One of the best-known ‘institutions’ in Gran Canaria’s second biggest city has called it a day after 60 years plying his trade. Local barber Florencio Rodríguez, known to his many customers as Floro, hung up his clippers for the last time at his shop in Calle Nueva on December 31 and his absence will be sorely noted by old and young alike. Floro began cutting hair as a 13-year-old in the 1950s and opened his own barber’s shop aged just 22, subsequently combining his day job as a machine-operator in a factory with trimming hair and beards in the evenings. He admits the decision to retire was, “painful” and at times wonders at night whether it is the correct one, but is looking forward to spending more time at home with his wife and playing with his grandchildren. n

Portugal

‘Invasion’ flag An independence flag hoisted by Canarian activists on a Portuguese island a few months ago has been returned by the country’s authorities. As reported here, members of the left-wing ANC movement “invaded” the uninhabited Savage Islands midway between the Canaries and Madeira on September 23 in a publicity stunt against oil drilling off Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Portugal sent a Navy patrol vessel to deal with the incident and remove the invaders, who were taken to Madeira and then released with just a small fine, which has still not been paid. To the surprise of the activists, Portugal has now arranged for the tricolored Canarian flag with seven green stars representing the Canaries to be sent back, neatly folded in true military style. An ANC spokesman said the gesture “spoke volumes” for the Portuguese authorities’ handling of the situation and compared it to the drastic action of the Spanish Navy, which rammed a Greenpeace dinghy - injuring an Italian ecologist - as it tried to approach the Repsol drilling ship at sea in November off Fuerteventura. n


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PROMOTION


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Exclusive interview

Man with a vision By Chris Todd Pier Luigi Cherubino was born in Rome on October 15, 1971 and after settling in Tenerife as a young boy he started to play football in the Puerto de la Cruz area. His talents soon caught the attention of scouts and he was snapped up by the CD Tenerife youth system. He made his debut for the team in 1991 and the following season he scored the goal that famously handed the league title to Barcelona when CD Tenerife beat Real Madrid 3-2 on the last day of the season. His heroics were to continue, this time when he stood in as a goalkeeper for the last 30 minutes in a UEFA Cup tie against French side, Auxerre. He kept a clean sheet and the blanquiazules progressed into the next round. After successful spells at Real Betis and Sporting de Gijón – and his only cap for the Spanish side – he returned to the Island and gained promotion with Rafa Benitez’s Tenerife side in 2001. Pier is an ambitious fellow and sees no limits for CD Tenerife and hopes to become the president of the club in the near future. He will base his project on the Canarian youth system and only bring in players from overseas who can make a difference, lowering prices to help fill the stadium. Pier is a great admirer of the German model and wants to make the name of CD Tenerife resonate over Europe, which he believes can only be good for tourism. He is a currently a football commentator on Televisión Canaria.

Quick-fire questions

IC: Where do you see yourself and CD Tenerife in five years time? PC: I am not sure because life can spring many surprises, but for CD Tenerife I hope they will be playing in the top flight. IC: Do you follow Premiership football and if so which is your favourite team? PC: I love the English Premier League and the competitiveness of it. Now with Ayoze Pérez playing there I think many Canarians watch it more than ever. I do not really have a favourite team but as Ayoze is at Newcastle United, I’m currently keeping a close eye on them.

IC: Your dream is to become the next President of CD Tenerife, what are your plans for the future of the club? PC: I would totally revamp the management on the sporting side and also on the economic side. I would support a project largely reliant on the youth system to generate a heritage for the first time in many years and create private economic resources. I think it would be disastrous if I was president of CD Tenerife and 80 per cent of the budget came from public institutions (hinting at the current set-up). IC: Who was the best player you played with and against?

PC: The best player I played with was Fernando Redondo (CD Tenerife, Real Madrid, and AC Milan) and the best I played against must be Zinadine Zidane and the Brazilian, Ronaldo. IC: As you know CD Tenerife have many ‘foreign fans’ resident on the Island and abroad. Do you have a message for them? PC: I think CD Tenerife need to recuperate the impact and importance at national and international level. For that to happen it is important to involve tourism with football and Tenerife.

IC: What was your best experience as a footballer? PC: Without doubt the most memorable was the two victories against Real Madrid when Tenerife stopped them from winning the league. It was also very memorable when CD Tenerife qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history. I also had some great moments with Real Betis and Sporting Gijon. IC: Where do you think the blanquiazules will finish this season in the league? PC:To be honest, I am really not sure. IC: Do you think the club should have predicted just how good Ayoze Perez was going to be and obtained a bigger transfer fee from Newcastle United? PC: Of course! I think we are talking about the biggest error

Do you have any superstitions? Yes! Many. Favourite part of Tenerife? The south. Favourite place for a holiday? The beach. Favourite restaurant? Kazan in Santa Cruz. Your footballing idols? Van Basten, Quini and Rommel Fernández. Favourite music? A bit of everything. in the club’s history. We have lost a footballer from the youth system, our greatest sporting asset, and Ayoze could have been the key to promotion and a future transfer fee in excess of €10 million instead of the €2 million received. IC: After the recent violent events before a match in Madrid, how do you see the future of fan groups and the

Favourite song? Peter Pan by Dani Martín Favourite movie? Ooh, too many to mention! Your best qualities? I like to be a normal guy. In society, with so many people that think they are important or superior, I think to behave normally is a real virtue. Your worst points? Far too many to list, I’m sure of that!

atmosphere in Spanish Stadiums? PC: Well, it is complicated. At the end of the day, fans that are only interested in cheering on their team may be the ones to suffer. IC: If you had not been a footballer, what would you have been? PC: I would like to have been n a doctor.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Lanzarote

Canarian storms

Last migrants?

Weather Top 10 The two storms that hit the Canary Islands in October and November both feature in the annual end of year compilation of Spain’s worst weather incidents. The Top 10 is headed by the gigantic 28metre wave that crashed over the seafront in Galicia on January 6, but the gales and downpours that hit the Canaries on October 19 and exactly one month later, also make the list, published by weather website eltiempo.es. The first of the storms brought Santa Cruz’s second worst rain for 70 years and caused major damage to the capital and other areas. One woman was killed as she was swept away trying to cross the road with her husband. The year also ended with some incredible weather as hot, sandy winds brought impressive lightning storms. The light show was cap-

tured on film by Juan Jesús Hernádez Hernández (pictured here) and the impressive photo, which was published in various media, made a last minute bid for the honorary title of the Islands’ weather picture of the year. n Photo: Juan Jesús Hernández Hernández

Santa Cruz

Massive drugs haul Two men who jumped a red light in Santa Cruz in the early hours of the morning have been arrested after police who spotted the traffic violation discovered over one tonne of drugs in the vehicle. The bizarre incident began on the seafront in the capital when the van was spotted as it failed to stop at the red light and then continued towards the TF4 dual carriageway leading on to the motorway.

In their attempts to get away from a patrol car the van took a slight bend at speed and overturned, sending over 30 bales of hashish spewing on to the road, to the astonishment of the chasing officers. Initial reports put the amount of drugs seized at 1.4 tonnes. Police say the drugs had arrived by boat under cover of darkness a few hours earlier at Las Teresitas beach outside the capital. Both men were arrested on the spot. n

As the countdown began for the New Year, a reminder of the plight of less fortunate human beings came in the shape of what is likely to be the last migrant boat of 2014 to arrive in the islands. A boat carrying 41 Africans landed in Lanzarote in the early hours, under tow from a sea rescue vessel which was dispatched to meet it after its presence was detected a short distance from the coast. The occupants included four women and five youngsters, according to Red Cross volunteers who met it on arrival in Arrecife and provided medical assistance. All are said to be in reasonably good health despite their perilous crossing. The boat is the 16th to reach the Canaries in 2014, bringing a total of 288 African migrants this year. In early November, migrants were in the news here and internationally after 21 newly-arrived Africans were forced to stay for

Untold numbers travelled aboard the pateras

several hours in hot conditions on a Gran Canaria beach as the authorities decided what to do with them amid fears they might be carrying the Ebola virus. Pictures of them being loaded onto a rubbish truck to be driven away from the beach sparked major controversy. August of this year saw the commemoration of the 20th

anniversary of the first ever migrant boat landing in the Canaries. The numbers have fallen dramatically of late compared to the peaks reached between 2005-2008, when some days saw several hundred Africans reach the islands in their rickety wooden ‘pateras’ or larger ‘cayuco’ boats. n


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Oil debate

Will Canarian oil, if found, be a viable proposition? By Donostar During the last three months, the price of oil has plunged from $114 a barrel to $60 a barrel (at the time of writing), a reduction of around 47 per cent. Also it is reported that worldwide demand for oil is at a 12 year low. During the last five years there has been a boom in oil production around the world. In America vast deposits of shale oil and gas have been found, principally in Texas and North Dakota and vast sums of money have been expended in exploiting these reserves. There is one very significant difference between these shale oil deposits and the oilfields of other major producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and the British North Sea. Oil is extracted from shale by drilling into it and then forcing a toxic mixture typically made up of five to eight chemicals down the drill hole at very high pressure and cracking the rock apart, thus releasing the oil and gas contained therein. The production from these wells declines rapidly and the process has to be repeated all over again on a regular basis which is very expensive and needs a high oil price to remain economic. There is much opposition to shale oil drilling as it has been blamed for contamination of underground oil sup-

plies and causing minor earth tremors. With normal oilfields such as those in the aforementioned countries, the wells are drilled into vast underground deposits of oil where underground wellhead pressure is measured in thousands of pounds to the square inch and the oil literally spouts to the surface on a continuing basis over a period of many years. Production costs for sea based oil fields are obviously much higher than land based oilfields due to the very significant costs of seaborne exploration, seaborne drilling rigs, seaborne production rigs and

the cost of subsea pipelines or seagoing tankers to get the oil ashore. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, who have vast land based oilfields which produce oil at a very low cost have publicly stated that they will not reduce production even if oil falls as low as $20 a barrel. There are reports that Saudi Arabia has in fact increased production with the express intention of bankrupting the American Oil Shale Industry and harming Russia due to their support for the Assad regime in Syria. These reports are interesting as Saudi Arabia has deliberately

expanded supply in the past in order to maintain their market share. In December 1985, due to Saudi increased production, oil went down from $30 a barrel to $10 a barrel which caused devastation in the British North Sea Industry. Many companies became non-viable and were forced to close, including my own. Conjecture has it that the oil price will not recover until 2016 or beyond as there is a vast surplus of oil in storage worldwide and a huge over-supply. This brings into question the future viability of any oilfield found in Canarian waters.

There are further reports that the British North Sea Oil industry is non profit making with oil at current prices and that large scale redundancies will be forthcoming in the near future. And it has just been announced that the Baker Hughes American rig count (the number of exploration rigs operated by American companies) has plummeted

in the last three weeks and is now at an eight month low. This indicates that oil exploration is being curtailed around the world. In these circumstances will the Spanish Government and major oil companies currently spending millions of Euros in our waters carry on doing so or will they call it quits? n

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8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Adeje

Lanzarote

Instagram competition

Tom’s return Lanzarote received many festive visits by people who returned to spend the holidays on the island but probably none was as eagerly anticipated as that of Tom Carver, the young British resident who is currently undergoing treatment in the UK for a mystery medical condition. The 22-year-old’s life was turned upside down when he suddenly took ill exactly two years ago, just as he was in the thick of physical training to become a lifeguard. What appeared to be a bad cough turned to pneumonia and gradually worsened during his time in Lanzarote hospital, where he fell into a coma. He has since lost the ability

to control his limbs fully due to severe neurological impairment, which is being treated by specialists at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation in Surrey, England. The treatment costs an average of €13,000 every month and friends and supporters in Lanzarote have been magnificent in raising funds through a range of events, including a rugby match and summer concert. Local businesses in Puerto del Carmen and Tías town hall have also contributed to the cause and Tom was met on his arrival at Lanzarote airport by the town’s mayor, José Francisco Hernández. Local media report that Tom is making good progress and

Tom prior to his illness

has recovered some mobility in one hand and can now smile again. For full details of his case, see the Healing Tom page on the Just Giving website, which states that it has reached nearly 80 per cent of its target of £40,000 for Tom’s treatment. n

Local style

Fashion for him Lucas Balboa is a member of the Tenerife Moda group, promoted by the local Cabildo in an attempt to diversify the Island’s income sources and

also as a way of attracting tourism via their appearances in fashion shows all over the world. The first Lucas Balboa shop,

characterised with the company’s trademark charm and savoir faire, is now open in the heart of Santa Cruz at Avenida Veinticinco de Julio, 23. n

This stunning photograph was taken by Juan J Martín (@marmesis) and was the winning shot in Adeje’s recent Instagram competition. Martín won a Go Pro 4, and the second and third placed winners Auxi Rodríguez and Enrique M. respectively, won hotel weekends in the H10 Costa Adeje and the Jardín Tropical. Over 560 photographs were entered for the competition and the winners were chosen by a combination of a specialist jury and Instagram users using the ‘Like’ option. The twelve top photographs will appear in the council’s promotional desk calendar. n


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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

La Gomera

New Year thoughts on Brits in the Canaries By Barbara Belt

lish pirates when Spain was busy despoiling the New World and caravels laden with American gold and jewels crossed the Atlantic. As the Pirate Museum in Teguise, Lanzarote tells us, “John Hawkins was the English pirate who used the Canaries as trampoline territory to carry out his piracy. The son of an old trader who knew the islands well, he exchanged merchandise for slaves. His associates in the Canaries gave him contacts and legal protection to take slaves in Guinea to be sold in the West Indies. In the 1560s he often visited the Archipelago as a pirate, having no hesitation in boarding other slave ships to rob their valueable human merchandise.

“Sir Francis Drake was the most outstanding pupil of John Hawkins (they were cousins). He was famous not only as a corsair under the orders of Queen Elizabeth I, but also as navigator and trader. In 1580, he circumnavigated the globe. A confessed enemy of Spain, he struck on several occasions against Felipe II. He made an

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The Canary Islands are a natural stopover on sea journeys between Europe, Africa and the Americas. They feature on the earliest accounts of voyages, and the earliest maps, as the Fortunate Isles, the Blessed Isles, the Canary Islands and, out there on the borders of myth-land, Atlantis. Transient factors like ‘ownership’, wars, alliances and trade agreements pale into insignificance beside the constants of the natural world. Prevailing winds and currents around the Canaries take vessels across the Atlantic, and always have. Most islands, throughout history, are visited by adventurers, travellers and settlers. Such is the nature of man and islands. Islands are of a finite, conquerable area, the edges of which are clearly defined by watery expanses and not troublesome, invadable borders. Unsurprisingly, islands generally provide rich DNA mixes. Some visitors stayed on. They either arrived intentionally for a variety of reasons, or by chance, perhaps as marooned or lovestruck sailors, (one condition often leading to the other). A brief skim through Canarian history reveals a fairly constant British presence: all the Playas del Inglés (inglés = English) had nothing to do with tourism. Island waters provided rich pickings for Eng-

unsuccessful first attempt to invade the Canaries (1583) in La Palma... neither could he manage to penetrate San Sebastian de La Gomera… or Valverde in El Hierro.” Drake’s difficulties in the Canaries obviously spurred him on. Sir Francis Drake’s Bays, Avenues, Drives and Boulevards proliferate up and down the west coast of the USA and Central America. The man got around. Two local stories here in Valle Gran Rey interested me. One involves our Playa del Inglés. A descendant of the shepherd involved told me this tale of the late16th century, when English pirates patrolled Canarian waters. “My ancestor was dozing by a local beach while his goats grazed. He woke to see an English two-master sailing in and hid behind a rock to watch. The boat anchored and lowered two rowing boats, which came into shore.” The beach in question is notoriously dangerous, generally pounded by big waves breaking over a

rock shelf. So the pirates, (for it was they!), were either lucky, or very canny. “He watched as they dug a hole, buried something and left, then waited until the boat had gone over the horizon before he ran

and fauna to the locals themselves. The writings of these privileged visitors make entertaining reading. They were often baffled by local people and their customs, although they would probably

down to uncover a considerable fortune.” His family is still relatively prosperous today. The beach was subsequently named Playa del Inglés. The other story concerns a blue-eyed family living in the port of Vueltas, known locally as ‘los ingleses’. I went to meet them thirty years ago as I fancied a break from struggling with Spanish, but they didn’t speak English. Their Englishness came from a sailor who’d been too ill to leave when his boat sailed. He fell in love with a local girl and spent the rest of his life here producing numerous children, who produced numerous children, who etc…, most of whom had blue eyes. Strong genes! I tried to work out with the very elderly granny how long ago it was that this sailor had added his DNA to La Gomera’s mix, but didn’t get further than, “much longer ago than my great grandmother’s great grandmother”. British presence on the islands between these marooned, DNAseeding sailors and pirates and today’s tourists has been a constant. Moneyed, often aristocratic Brits were among the first to winter in the Canaries. Tourism as a concept was unknown, so they styled themselves anthropologists, painters, writers, or travellers. What they had in common were journals. They were assiduous fillers of pages, drawing and noting everything- from local flora

have been equally baffled by contact with British workers. The commercial potential of Canarian produce didn’t escape these well-connected visitors and there was considerable British investment in banana and tomato production and exportation. On La Gomera alone, five enormous gantries were built on the north coast, between the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, to facilitate the arrival of bananas and tomatoes at London’s Canary Wharf. Another vestige, the classic British cars languishing in Hermigua, were crated up and sent back on empty banana boats, then winched in on the gantries, as sweeteners for the land-owning ‘cacique’ families the Brits traded with. By the mid-20th century, the gantries were abandoned and the fruit fincas and packing plants run down. Cheaper fruit was available elsewhere, the port of San Sebastián had been built and post-war workers’ tourism was a fast growing phenomenon, and the new industry. Today’s ‘Canarian’ Brits are, generally, neither pirates nor aristocrats, but we still contribute to both economy and gene pool. Stella, my lovely new granddaughter, has eyes that look as if they’ll be light. Will my descendants be ‘los ingleses’ four hundred years n from now?


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The celebrations begin

Animals welcome too

Once the Christmas, New Year and Three Kings celebrations are over, the Canarians are just warming up for the next round of fiestas and the first one on the calendar is Saint Anthony’s day.

and check with the local town hall when they will be holding the celebration to confirm. Religion, tradition, history and culture are kept alive by the romerias and their fascinating animal gatherings. As well as the nor-

The festivities in honour of San Antonio de Abad on January 17 open the ‘romerías’ season in many of the Islands’ boroughs. Predominantly rural in flavour, the festivals, livestock exhibitions, folklore and other traditional events are spread throughout the month of January, with San Antonio de Abad being particularly honoured in Arona, Buenavista, Güímar, Los Realejos and La Orotava. Arona has an especially big celebration as the parochial church in the town is dedicated to San Antonio Abad. The fiesta is held over several days but the main Parade days are usually the busiest so arrive early to ensure a parking place

mal fiesta atmosphere, crafts stalls with staff in traditional dress often offer local products such as handmade goods, wines, sweets, biscuits, basketwork and pottery etc. and there is always the ubiquitous party in the local square to finish off the event. On the agricultural theme, farm animals are centre stage so mind where you step: gardeners, do not forget a bucket and shovel. A church service is held and afterwards an array of animals are blessed. Horses, cattle, goats, dogs and all kinds of household pets are on display, groomed and dressed with ribbons (normally red to ward off the devil), bells and brasses to look their best

to join the procession as the statue of the saint is carried through the streets; herders wear colourful traditional costume, often sporting old-style wineskins on their shoulders when they are not in use! Displays of Canarian wrestling vie for attention with the folk musicians and dancers, the atmosphere buzzing with the sound of timples and guitars; and at every turn vendors of wine, barbecue meats, gofio and ham display their wares to tempt passing visitors. There are events all over the Islands, but perhaps the largest of them in Tenerife will be celebrated in Arona and Los Silos, with the main day being on January 17, and in Buenavista del Norte on January 25, from midmorning onwards.

San Sebastián January 20 has for centuries been celebrated in the Canaries as San Sebastián’s day, not least in the municipality of Adeje in the South of Tenerife. Together with Santa Úrsula, San Sebastián is the joint patron saint of the borough, and the celebration is one of the largest and most popular in the south, drawing crowds from neighbouring areas as well as from Adeje itself, and even from La Gomera. Every year on the third Sunday

in January the local farmers and rural residents of the area

congregate at the Ermita de San Sebastián, near La Caleta on the Adeje coast, with their goats, sheep, horses, cows and even camels, where a traditional mass is conducted and the animals are blessed. All the animals are dressed up for the ceremony in bells, brasses and ribbons, and this is truly a day to give their pets and farm animals a bit of extra attention. Once the religious solemnities and formalities are concluded the fun then slips the leash. The statue of the saint is carried in procession, horses gallop in a free-for-all, and other animals are herded en mass down to the beach of La Enramada for a frolic in the waves with their owners. This is a singular and popular spectacle, with as many as 30,000 pilgrims and tourists flocking to the site to watch the blessing and the bathing of the animals. The event is accompanied by a traditional Canarian

romería which includes regional music and dances, typical local cuisine, and crafts and wines from the Islands. The fiesta has a long history, beginning in the early sixteenth century at a place which was of religious significance before the Spanish conquest of the islands. With the passing of the years, the fiesta has adapted to new customs until it has adopted the form we know today. Farmers and ranchers in Adeje and throughout the island adopted this saint as their patron, to whom numerous miracles are attributed, and the old chapel became venerated in his name. Even today many people make pilgimage to San Sebastián de Adeje in the hope of a rapid cure for their ailments or to request a favor or fulfill the promise. So for a day out with a difference, why not head on down to Adeje and join in the fun on n Saint Sebastián’s day.


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Canarian fiestas

Bank holidays

Here’s a rundown on the bank holidays throughout the islands during 2015. All banks and some shops and businesses will be shut. Look out for romerías, craft fairs, concerts and similar events on and around these dates in the different areas. The following are the national and Canarian fiestas: January 1 - New Year January 6 - Epiphany February 2 - Day of the Virgin of Candelaria April 2 - Easter Thursday April 3 - Easter Friday May 1 - Labour Day May 30 - Canary Islands Day August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary October 12 - National Spain Day November 2 - All Saints Day December 8 - Immaculate Conception

December 25 - Christmas Day The following are local holidays for each borough in Tenerife: Adeje: January 20 - San Sebastian Day; February 17 - Carnival Tuesday. Arafo: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; August 31 - Día de San Bernardo. Arico: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; September 8 Nuestra Señora de Abona. Arona: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; October 5 - Santísimo Cristo de la Salud. Buenavista: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; August 24 - San Bartolomé Day. Candelaria: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; July 27: Día de Santa Ana. El Rosario: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; August 3 - Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. El Sauzal: February 17 - Car-

nival Tuesday; June 29 - San Pedro Apóstol. El Tanque: August 31 - Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje; October 19 - Santísimo Cristo del Calvario. Fasnia: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; August 24 - Fiesta Patronal. Garachico: June 24 - Día de San Juan; August 17 - Romeria de San Roque. Granadilla de Abona: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; June 13: San Antonio de Padua. Guía de Isora: June 24 - San Juan Bautista; September 21 - Santísimo Cristo de la Dulce Muerte. Güímar: June 29 - San Pedro Apóstol; September 7 - Nuestra Señora de El Socorro. Icod de los Vinos: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; April 25 San Marcos Evangelista. La Guancha: February 17 Carnival Tuesday; August 17

- Lunes de las Fiestas Patronales La Matanza de Acentejo: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; August 6 - Fiestas Patronales de San Salvador. La Orotava: February 17 Carnival Tuesday; June 11 - Infraoctava del Corpus Christi. La Victoria de Acentejo: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; September 7 - Fiestas Patronales del Municipio.

San Juan de la Rambla: June 24 - Day of San Juan Bautista; September 14 - Día de San José. San Miguel de Abona: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; September 29 - Día de San Miguel. Santa Cruz de Tenerife: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; May 4 - Santa Cruz Monday. Santa Úrsula: February 17 Carnival Tuesday; October 21 - Santa Ursula Day.

In addition, the following are fiestas on neighbouring islands: In El Hierro on September 24 it is Nuestra Señora de los Reyes Day while in Fuerteventura on September 18 locals celebrate, Día de Nuestra Señora de la Peña. In Gran Canaria on September 8 it’s the day for Nuestra Señora del Pino, and in La Gomera on October 5 islanders enjoy Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. In Lan-

Los Realejos: January 22 - Festividad de San Vicente; June 1 - Virgen de los Remedios. Los Silos: June 24 - San Juan; September 8 - Nuestra Señora de La Luz. Puerto de la Cruz: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; July 14 Día de Virgen del Carmen. San Cristóbal de La Laguna: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; September 14 - Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna.

Santiago del Teide: May 15 San Isidro Labrador; July 16 Día de Virgen del Carmen. Tacoronte: February 17 - Carnival Tuesday; November 25 - Santa Catalina. Tegueste: April 25 - San Marcos Evangelista; September 8 - Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Vilaflor: April 24 - Hermano Pedro Day; August 31 - San Roque and San Agustín.

zarote on September 15 it is the fiesta for Nuestra Señora de los Volcanes and in La Palma on August 5 locals celebrate Virgen de las Nieves Day. Remember all towns have two local holidays and the information for the remainder of the Islands’ bank holidays by borough can be found at www.gobiernodecanarias.org/ n boc.


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Puerto de la Cruz

K9

Award for CIT

The Mayor and Hortensia (l-r)

The Tourism initiatives centre has received the highest award that the borough can bestow, their gold medal. It’s a great honour and a grand way to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Mayor Sandra Rodriguez spoke of the award as, “A deserved homage and recognition of a task that has now lasted half a century”. For her part, the CIT president Hortensia Hernández underlined the efforts that they had made so far, in, “The promotion of a destination which is beginning to reinvent itself and show signs of recovery”. n

Santa Cruz

Yoghurt factory demolition imminent One of Santa Cruz’s biggest and most hazardous eyesores is due to be demolished nearly a decade after it was abandoned by its owners. The old yoghurt factory on the outskirts of the city has been the subject of controversy for years, with attempts to pull it down thwarted by legal complications. The derelict building became a magnet for local down and outs, with up to 20 people living there permanently at one time last year despite its dangerous condition. Not even the partial collapse of a roof with the squatters inside spurred the authorities into action but it seems that a solution could be on the horizon at last. “We have finally managed to establish the official address of the owners, a company in Galicia, and we have therefore been able to issue the required summons for them to undertake the demolition. It is very unlikely they will do so, in which case we are legally empowered to pull it down ourselves,” said a Santa Cruz council spokesman. The demolition of the historic factory, which made yoghurt and other dairy products for over 40 years until 2005, is likely to take place by the end of January. n

At the recent Annual General Meeting of K9 animal refuge, Pat Bate decided it was time for her to call it a day. Affectionately known as Pat the Cat, the 76 year old was aware her poor mobility was having an effect on the contribution she was able to make to the K9 Association. In the early days of her involvement with K9, Pat was an active participant in the physically demanding role of helping to run the kennels near Las Chafiras, along with her other roles. Until three years ago, she was K9 treasurer and the driving force behind the organising of the monthly car boot

End of an era

sales at Los Gigantes and Costa del Silencio, the monthly good

as new sale at Callao Salvaje and the quarterly auction of

13

goods, also held at Costa del Silencio. The K9 President, Elsie Clinton-Leslie, presented Pat with a Certificate of Appreciation for all her hard work over the years, a huge bouquet of flowers and a silver necklace with an appropriate pendant, a cat! For the time being, Pat will continue to receive telephone calls regarding the collection of K9 red donation boxes from bars and other businesses, but will now delegate the actual collecting to those who are physically able to do so. Committee meetings somehow will n never be the same...

Loro Parque

Happy anniversary The multi-award winning zoo based in Puerto de la Cruz has just celebrated its 42nd anniversary. Originally conceived as a paradise for parrots, it has become a magnet for the residents and tourists in the Canaries and has now given pleasure to over 45 million visitors. The animal collection too has expanded and includes a diverse collection such as gorillas, chimpanzees, dolphins, sea lions, penguins,

European Citizens On January 28, the European Citizens group will be honoured by a visit from the team of the mayor of Arona.

tigers, meer cats, crocodiles and six magnificent killer whales. One of the strong points of this zoo, and indeed of the company in general, is never to rest on its laurels. They are constantly improving and upgrading and this year have introduced a larger crocodile pool, AguaViva, a spectacular exhibition of jellyfish and Animal Embassy, a combined exhibition by Loro Parque and its

Foundation to alert visitors to the destruction of nature and the extinction of species and how visitors can help prevent these problems. Their constant attention to detail, quality and environmentally responsible management policies are some of the many reasons that this zoo has received so many awards. If you haven’t been recently, go soon, there’s always something n new to see.

Meet the mayor If you have any questions you would like to put to them, don’t miss the meeting to be held at the Los Cristianos cul-

tural centre. Their presentation will be followed by a talk from Paul Montague, a Blevins Franks partner to bring those

present up to date with the economical and financial situation. n


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Tenerife Isla Sur Lions

Annual Christmas party A group of almost 100 children along with their carers or monitors from various organisations in the south of the Island went to Aqualand to take part in the Tenerife Isla Sur Lions Club’s annual Christmas Party. The weather was kind and the promised rain did not appear. It wouldn’t have mattered however as the children were very quickly into the water and enjoying the exciting slides and wave machine. Thanks go to Roy’s Pizzas who supplied the lunch which was a real treat and enjoyed by all, even an on duty life guard managed a slice. After the lunch, it was everyone to the dolphin show to be entertained by the very professional and expert trainers of the dolphins who had the crowd oooing and aahing as they came out of the deep water on the noses of the dolphins to be thrown over the suspended high wire, a thrilling time for everyone. Then, the highlight of the day, the arrival of a bell-ringing Father Christmas and applause from everyone in the area, even the holidaymakers who were not part of the group joined in. The children lined up to meet Father Christmas,

Santa and the Wingate ‘elves’

had their photograph taken and were given a present by him. All these gifts had been donated by the pupils of Wingate School. They had been sorted, wrapped and labelled by the members of the 6th form earlier in the week and they also turned up on the day to help Father Christmas as he gave out the gifts. At the end of the day the Lions and their supporters waved off

a group of very happy children, and members were pleased to know that all the hard work was worthwhile and appreciated when during the goodbye hugs and kisses one young boy told everyone, “This is the best day of my life”. Tenerife Isla Sur Club wishes all its many friends and supporters a Happy Christmas and n a Peaceful New Year.

Tenerife Isla Sur Lions

Granadilla children’s day centre This active branch of the Lions was very pleased to help a children’s day centre in Granadilla which had a particular problem with all their rooms overheating caused by direct sunshine most especially in the summer months making the rooms almost un-useable. They arranged for a local company to measure and fit a series of pull down blinds of different types of material suitable for the different uses of the pupils using the rooms at different times of the day. While assessing the results it was noticed that some of the older children in groups of

Helping the homeless

Sharing the Christmas spirit The Noah’s Ark community support group invited friends from the homeless communities to enjoy a Christmas meal with them at the Many Stars Chinese Restaurant. A really wonderful evening was had by all, the worries of day to day living for the guests disappeared, smiles appeared and all expressed their gratitude of being involved in such an evening. This would not have been possible without the kind owners of Many Stars, who did a really good job of making everyone welcome and providing excellent service, and the financial support of many individuals, Callao Salvaje Community Church, Los Cristianos Community Church, Scandinavian Church Puerto Colon and Tenerife Family Church. A big thank you for this support from everybody concerned.

Noah’s Ark Community Support Group was formed in 2014 to further the work which has gone on for a number of years in befriending and helping those in need. This includes offering clothing, kindly donated by local charity shops and individuals, toiletries, dried and tinned

Hospiten

Lions’ biscuit gift In what has become an annual tradition at the festive time of the year, Edna Goodall of Tenerife Isla Sur Lions Club presented 30 boxes of English style biscuits for the various nursing stations throughout the Green Clinic hospital. Hospitals are lonely places to be especially at Christmas time for both the patients and for the staff working through the night. To the emergency department, the cleaners, the intensive care, the administrators, reception staff along with the theatre nurses the Lions say a big thank you for

their dedicated work in our community. It gives all the members of Tenerife Isla Sur Club a great deal of pleasure

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to thank those people who work so hard for the community in this way and at this time of the year. n

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8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

BUSINESS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

15

A happy New Year

And many more happy returns on your investments As we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in a New Year, how did your investments stack up in the last twelve months?

Photo: Thomas Picard

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Property market

House sales in the Canaries continue to show signs of a noticeable upturn in fortunes as last year drew to an end.

Tourism statistics The downturn in the number of Russian tourists in Spain this year is not having as serious an impact in Tenerife as elsewhere in the country. Tourism chiefs here say the noticeable dip in numbers due to the falling rouble, the drop in world oil prices and the effects of the Ukraine crisis is affecting mainland Spain

cuss options on your investments or pensions please email or call Sebastian & St James to n see if we can help.

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Recovery in the Canaries? The latest Government figures, corresponding to sales during October, show that the number of sales was a full 50 per cent up on the same month in 2013, putting the Canaries at the top of the national table. The increase across Spain as a whole was 16 per cent and follows the 13 per cent rise recorded in September. Although Andalusia was the region with

the highest number of sales, with 5,200 properties changing hands, the Canaries performed best in relative terms when population is taken into account. Despite the positive showing, experts stress that nearly 70 per cent of the transactions involved secondhand properties and that it will take considerable time to clear the current stock of n unsold new homes.

Russian dip’ much more seriously, with figures down by almost nine per cent. In Tenerife the fall in Russian visitors, who are now the island’s fourth biggest market, is expected to be around 3.5 per cent by the end of the year. “It is a concern not just because the numbers are down slightly but because Russians spend over 20 per cent more

than other tourists on holiday in Tenerife” said a Dept. of Tourism source. The biggest fall in numbers is being seen in the 5-star hotel segment, where the decline is approximately 20 per cent and suggests that many Russians are opting for cheaper accommodation alternatives on the n island this year.


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TENERIFE GENERAL

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Linea Directa

Rain, wind, hail, snow and fire What to do if your home is damaged by atmospheric phenomena!

General weather conditions in Spain As the climate has warmed globally, some types of extreme weather have become more frequent and severe in recent decades. Extreme heat, intense precipitation, and drought are on the increase. Heat waves are becoming lon-

ger and hotter. Heavier rainfalls and flooding are more frequent. In a wide swing between extremes, drought is also more intense and more widespread. Small changes in the averages of many key climate variables can correspond to large changes in the weather. These changes are extremely difficult to predict and this weather variability can be extremely costly. Other atmospheric phenomena, such as hail, snow and fire, previ-

ously uncommon in regional climates such as the Mediterranean, are now becoming more common occurrences. That’s why its important to take out a quality home insurance policy.

cies to ensure that customers are covered for damage resulting from some types of extreme weather. Linea Directa includes cover for these unpredictable events in their insurance policies.

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We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 151. More information on Linea Directa online at n www.lineadirecta.es.

La Villa

SportsZone opening

Islands, four in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, one in La Palma and two each in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. This number is to

be augmented next year. Little by little this company is becoming a major player in the sports goods market for Canarians.

©2014 FLN

You’ll find anything you need for the practice of any sport at the new Sportzone store in La Villa, La Orotava (near the cinemas). The opening offer of free vouchers for €40 for the first 40 customers who spent €20 on the first two days unsurprisingly brought in early crowds! Local coffee bars did a grand amount of early morning business as bargain hunters started to arrive before 7am. The first shoppers through the doors were greeted with applause by the new regular members of staff and additional experienced helpers brought in for the launch from Madrid and the rest of the Canarian stores. With the opening of this store, Sport Zone Canarias SL now has 13 outlets around the

The joint venture between the Portuguese group Sonae and Grupo Número 1, with Sonae as majority partners, began back in 2010 and the company has grown apace, so far providing around 200 new jobs with an emphasis on top staff training and quality locations to match the goods sold. Whilst Sport Zone is a relative newcomer to the Islands it is very much established in Portugal and the Spanish peninsula. The websites offered by both those separately held companies give an excellent idea of the range and class of merchandise carried, although local prices will vary because of differences in transport costs and taxes. The Canarian company’s own web service is expected to come online soon.

They carry all the top brands, Puma, Adidas, Nike etc. but also have a superb range of own brand labels, which offer excellent price/quality value, including Outpace shoes, clothes and accessories, Deeply (the bodyboard and funky surfing wear specialist) and Berg cycles. The latter is so popular that they also retail the make to other sports stores and it’s the best-selling bike brand in Spain. If you fancy a shirt or even a full kit from your favourite football team, you’ll find it here. There are trainers for the serious sports fiend as well as the casual beach stroller; flip-flops from under €3 or the latest fashion designs; swimming costumes for those who want to look good on the beach or those who enjoy swimming

laps to keep fit (without the straps falling down all the time!) and a great selection of hiking footwear, wetsuits, bodyboards, weight training equipment, snorkelling and scuba diving equipment. You name it - they’ve got it! Sport zone have their own loyalty card which gives exclusive discounts and promotions to holders as well as €10 to spend for every €250 spent. They offer technical help and a bicycle repair service, gift cards, credit facilities, home delivery and a reservation option. This latest store is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm. As their slogan says, You win n with SportZone.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

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Is your tax and wealth management in shape for 2015? clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, or your portfolio will not be suitable for you. Matching your risk profile to the optimum portfolio:- Every set of investments can be forecast to display a given amplitude of risk. The key is ensuring your investment portfolio matches your attitude to risk. Diversification:- It is critical your investments are suitably diversified, so you are not over-exposed to any given asset type, country, sector or stock. A ‘multi-manager’ approach provides further diversification. Review:- Review your portfolio around once a year to rebalance it.

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

Do you have a considered, strategic tax and wealth management plan in place? If so, is it up to date with all the latest developments in Spain and internationally that affect you? If not, make a New Year resolution to review your tax planning, investments and pensions. Are they ready for what 2015 will bring? Are they designed to preserve your wealth over the long-term and meet your objectives? Savings and investments

Consider the principles for suc- Tax planning cessful investing below. If you do not have them in place it is You want to ensure that your time to make changes. investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable Your appetite for risk:- The arrangement to limit your tax starting point is to obtain a liabilities. Take advice from

Do you have a considered, strategic tax and wealth management plan in place?

someone who is well-versed in the nuances of Spanish taxation, otherwise you could see your investment returns slashed by Spanish tax. The right arrangement can keep most of your investments in one place and help you legitimately avoid paying too much tax. Spanish income and savings tax rates are being reduced over 2015 and 2016. The main beneficiaries are those on low

stand if the state or regional tax rules apply to you. Spain is changing the succession tax rules for non-residents from January 2015, following a court ruling by the European Court of Justice. British expatriates also need to consider UK inheritance tax. UK pensions

2015 is a big year for UK pensions. You need to understand all the new rules and options, and tax implications in Spain, and medium incomes. Those to establish the best way forwith savings and investments ward for your personal situastill have need of specialist tax tion. planning to protect their capital, income and assets from Seek personalised advice to find tax. out what strategies would work best for you. Blevins Franks Estate planning has been providing tax planning and wealth management In Spain inheritances between advice to expatriates in Spain spouses are taxable, and allow- for decades. We have in-depth ances can be very low under the knowledge of Spanish taxation state rules. You need to under- and the approved tax planning

opportunities. We take a holistic approach to tax planning, succession issues, investments, pensions and asset protection, and specialise in reducing tax on invested capital, pensions, wealth and inheritance. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Blevins Franks has 20 established offices across Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta and UK, and decades of experience advising British expatriates. Contact our Partner Paul Montague on 922 716 079 or paul.montague@ blevinsfranks.com

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SPIN NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Double bass virtuoso

Mich Gerber returns Swiss musician Mich Gerber gave his first concert in Tenerife five years ago, at Puerto de la Cruz’s Timanfaya Theatre, and is pleased to now return – this time with two concert dates: January 29 and 30. Starting at 9pm on the first evening, Gerber will once again appear at the Teatro Timanfaya and on January 30 he will grace the Bodega Monje’s tapas, wine and music event in El Sauzal. Mich Gerber is a virtuoso on bass, a great composer, and an enthusiastic performer. In recent years he has toured extensively, including Japan, Austria, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, and has found many new fans of his extraordinary music. Amongst other achievements, he has played with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and taken part in last year’s Isn’tNits project. He is also known for his summer ‘L’heure bleue’ concerts which always have water involved and take place around sunset. They can be on an old boat on Lake Brienz, a small fishing craft on a lake, on ferries or on the roof of a seaside resort building; his choice of venues for the ‘blue hours’ concerts is legendary. The Italian animation artist Mauro Carrara liked the idea of these sets so much that during a sunrise on Lake Geneva he made the short film ‘Aubade drehtet

2010’, since shown at many international festivals.

Gerber is a very versatile musician, using a range of instru-

ments to create new fusions, such as his work with musicians on typical Indian instruments. He is also a little radical: In 2012 he toured Switzerland and France with the socially critical Cirque de loin and composed the music for ‘Ackermann from Bohemia’ (directed by Michael Upper Bern), a play that was performed in various venues around Switzerland. Last year, amongst other projects, he composed the music for the open-air ‘1476’ event, which remembers the Battle of Murten. The climax of the event ends with a closing hymn sung by internationally known singer Jael and one striking stage set even includes acrobats dancing at dizzying heights in transparent PVC tubes. The show was so successful, selling over 35,000 tickets, that it was repeated due to popular demand. Innovative, stylish and quirky, Mich Gerber is a musician who follows his own intuition, unconditionally and in a uniquely creative manner. Well worth seeing. Tickets for the concert at the Teatro Timanfaya are available in advance for €12, €15 or €17 at the theatre’s box office or the Libreria Masilva bookstore, Puerto de la Cruz, Calle Pérez Zamora. The concert at the Bodega Monje costs €10 euros, including a glass of n wine.

Theatre

Life is a dream

‘La vida es un sueño’ is a classic Spanish theatre piece first performed in 1635 under the reign of Felipe IV. The conflict of that age, forever captured in this dramatic commentary and the literature that surrounds it, is well depicted by the Timaginas Theatre Group’s representation, which is aimed at introducing children and young people to the classics. See it at the Teatro Leal, La Laguna, on January 16, starting 9pm. Tickets cost between €8 and €15 and are available at: www.teatroleal.com or from the theatre’s box office, Monday to Saturday, 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm and on Sundays, Bank holidays and the day of the show they can be bought two hours before the show begins. n

Music tuition

Drum up some fun

Night race

Santiago chase Following on from its previous successes, the Third Santiago del Teide Night Race will take place on January 24. Starting and finishing at the Plaza de La Vigilia, competitors will race around the coastal streets of Puerto de Santiago, Playa la Arena and Los Gigan-

tes to a total distance of 7.5 km, starting 7pm. Each entrant will donate five kilos of non-perishable food stuffs which will go to the borough’s Food bank. Participants must be 15 years old or present an authorisation form signed by their parents

or carers. You have until January 16 to register, or simply join the crowds lining the streets to cheer the competitors on. Forms and information can be found at: www.santiagodelteidedeportes.blogspot.com.es. You can only register online. n

Dog Days in The Fortunate Islands A new life in hidden Tenerife By John Searancke

A series of adventures that you won’t want to miss! On the brink of

It’s never too late to take up a new hobby – as San Isidro’s percussion classes for 14 to 70 year olds demonstrate perfectly. Under the heading ‘Tambores para la Convivencia’ (Drums for Communal Living) the Bloko del Valle Music and Sociocultural Association offers tuition on Wednesday evenings in the Recinto Ferial, annex of the SIEC (San Isidro Espacio Cívico) building, between 6pm and 8pm. Not just percussion classes but a project which aims at promoting cooperation, participation, integration and intercultural relations via music. The cost is €15 a month. For more information or to sign up call: 630 675 834. n

On sale in good Canary Island bookshops NOW! Available on all Amazon platforms

retirement, John and his wife Sally, together with their beloved Jack Russell/Staffie cross, Freddie, embark on the journey of a lifetime and relocate to the island of Tenerife. www.johnsearancke.com


SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Spanish Pop Rock

Marlango

Leonor Watling and Alejandro Pelayo will bring a taste of their latest album, El Porvenir, to La Laguna’s Teatro Leal, on January 24. Recorded in Los Ángeles, the duo’s album was produced by Sebastián Frys, and features big names from the Spanish speaking pop world such as Fito Páez, Bunbury and La Santa Cecilia, the last being winners of the best Latin Rock Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards. The concert starts at 9pm. Tickets cost between €8 and €15 and are available at: www.teatroleal.com or from the theatre’s box office, Monday to Saturday, 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm; Sundays, bank holidays and the day of the performance, for two hours before the show begins. n

Children’s theatre

Jungle book

Disney – on ice! A date for your diary could be the coming Disney on Ice show that will be visiting Gran Canaria in April. The ‘100 Years of Magic’ extravaganza features more than 65 different characters and some of the best moments from 18 of Disney’s most popular films, including The Lion King, Toy Story, Finding Nemo and many more, as well as classic personalities such as Cinderella, Pinocchio and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The ice set is designed by David Potts who has worked on films, Broadway and various television series: centre

stage is a castle and there are plenty of special effects and fabulous scenery. Choreography is by Emmy Award winner Sarah Kawahara. Various Disney on Ice shows have been touring the world

since 1993, with the ‘100 years’ show being one of the most popular, celebrating as it does a whole century of laughter, fun and childhood dreams. Gran Canaria has been aim-

ing to host this show for several years, but it’s only with the completion of the new arena in Las Palmas that there is finally a venue which can accommodate the 1000m2 ice rink needed for the spectacular performance. See it at the Pabellón Gran Canaria Arena between April 1 and 5. There are six shows, with both afternoon and evening starting times. Tickets begin at just €9 and are already selling well. They are available from organisers Proactiv at: www.proactiv.es, or from El Corte Inglés or via: www.ticketmaster.com. n

Cultural cities

Endowed with art There’s an array of great art exhibitions in the north of Tenerife during January. A trip to Santa Cruz or La Laguna is the perfect day out for anyone wanting to check out some of the incredible artistic talent that’s around. Exhibitions in Santa Cruz include sculptor Martín Chirino’s ‘Crónica del Viento’ (Chronicle of the Wind), on until January 31 at the Caja-

canarias Cultural Areas, Monday to Saturday, 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm (www.cajacanarias.com), as well as ‘Al desnudo’ (Naked), a collection of over 90 photographs by 50 different artists, at the TEA gallery (www.teatenerife. es) until January 18. In La Laguna, meanwhile, at the Ermita de San Miguel (Plaza del Adelantado) you can see Leonardo Oliveros’ ‘Dio-

ses y Monstruos’ (Gods and Monsters) which looks at people’s inner worlds of spirituality and fears. On until January 20, you can visit it Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm, and Saturdays 11am to 2pm (www.aytolalaguna.com). Alternatively, marvel at Óscar Domínguez’s surreal ‘La belleza convulsiva’ (Convulsive beauty) until January 31, Mon-

Carnaval 2015

For a contemporary take on a classic children’s piece, see El Libro de la Selva at the Teatro Guimerá on February 7 and 8. A musical treat for kids of all ages, this version of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ offers all the well known friends, such as Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera, in an upto-date adaptation that is sure to delight. There are two showings on the first date (5pm and 7pm) and three on the second: 12pm, 5pm and 7pm. Tickets cost between €10 and €15 and can be bought via: www. teatroguimera.es or from the theatre’s ticket office. n

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Family fun

Credit: www.proactiv.es

8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

Let the party begin! The countdown is on for one of the biggest carnivals in the world – right here in Tenerife. Santa Cruz Carnaval starts on January 21 and goes on for a whole month until February 22. To a background of a myriad of bands playing an array of mostly Latin rhythms, with Caribbean and Brazilian sounds abounding, there will be com-

petitions, parades, concerts, shows and plenty of glamour and sparkle. The main events start from February 11 onwards with the election of the Carnival Queen that night, and further highlights include the burial of the sardine on February 18. Fireworks, dance, food, fairs, children’s activities and music:

lots of it. See: www.carnavaldetenerife. com for a full list of events and don’t forget that the centre of Santa Cruz is transformed into one big party every night of the main festival, with the majority of the hundreds of thousands of visitors in fancy dress. It’s quite a sight: well n worth a visit.

day to Friday, 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm at the Cristino de Vera Foundation’s gallery (www.fundacioncristinodevera.org). And that’s just a taste of the dozens of exhibitions which are happening at any one time, most of which have free n entry.


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BOOK REVIEW / SPOTLIGHT

Book review

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

By John the various flora that may be its size and, being a neces- quoting, as I write this, just This beautifully illustrated book describes 35 trails or walks around Tenerife. Far from the concrete jungle of the south of the island, the author introduces us, in the greatest possible detail, to the beautiful and only lightly explored areas of Tenerife unseen by so many. Walks are marked as easy, medium or hard. All have the author’s trademark characteristic of explaining the route in painstaking detail and pointing out, (and illustrating) along the way,

encountered. Old abandoned farms, spectacular rock formations, ancient tile ovens, stunning views and even volcanic bombs are all there to entrance the reader. Aimed squarely at the serious walker rather than the casual tourist, this nevertheless is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to know more about the unknown and unspoilt parts of this beautiful island that are so often ignored by the holidaymaker. Printed on thick gloss paper, the book is quite heavy for

sary adjunct to any walk in question, could weigh heavily in the rucksack. I also wondered how sturdy it would prove to be after a number of walks had been completed, the book needing to be taken out at every twist and turn to get the best from it, admiring and checking on all that rare flora. At 15cm x 21cm it is not small either. If you want to buy a copy, seek out an English bookshop in Tenerife where you may be able to obtain a copy for about €17. Online, Amazon UK are

under £15. I live here, and am no hiker, but I learned a lot from just reading it. So indeed may n you.

Tenerife Nature Walks

Author: Sally Lamdin-Whymark Publisher: Flintwork Publications ISBN: 978 0 9575486 0 2 Price: See text.

Spotlight on… El Médano

A passive paradise Situated near Tenerife’s largest series of natural beaches, the small picturesque town of El Médano is an enchanted spot for day trippers, shoppers and water-sport devotees alike. Noted for its unassuming beauty, bohemian charm and hearty wind, El Médano is considered one of the best windsurfing/kitesurfing locations in the world, and host to numerous international competitions. It also has a more Spanish feel than most other resorts in the south of Tenerife, and is a favourite evening and weekend destination for residents from all over the island. A great place to relax and recharge low batteries, but also with a youthful vibrancy should sport or partying be on the agenda. In the evening El Médano springs to life and its chill-out bars and nightclubs open their doors to throngs of revellers. Live music is popular among the string of small bars that provide a spotlight for El Médano’s many local musicians. Veinte 04, Manfred’s Soul Café, and Chirinstones all regularly host intimate concerts – usually simple acoustic sets consisting of covers and original compositions, with a healthy mix of Spanish and English songs – and are favourite night spots. While Flashpoint at the far end of town is the perfect place for a next day recovery breakfast! With a long list of morning meals and brunches available, it’s an enormously popular

Day or night El Médano is stunning

El Médano’s stretching shoreline

weekend eatery and jostling for a table is, more of than not, unavoidable. ElMar Origenes, who featured in Spotlight… in issue 735, Lionel Roma, Leticia Torres Casañas, Carlos Spuntí and RokanRoy, makeup a collective of local musicians who tour bars locally, and can often be seen providing free entertainment along Medano’s commercial walkways and boulevard. Alongside them are often painters, jewellery makers and souvenir sellers, add-

ing a touch of artistic craft to strolls around town. Situated close to the airport, and fifteen minutes from the larger resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, you don’t have to travel off the beaten track to find this secluded spot. It’s nestled nicely in the midst of South Tenerife’s hub. The unusually fitting bohemian/water-sports blend creates a joyful energy reflected in the friendly community. The town hosts many

local fiestas, especially during the summer months and New Year celebrations, which include a spectacular firework display across the bay that many come to see. The impressive Montaña Roja – an imposing volcanic cone towering at one end of El Médano’s shoreline – serves as the town’s iconic backdrop, and its surrounding area is a protected natural reserve; the perfect place for a pensive stroll or reasonably exertive hike to the cone’s peak. There are several routes covering the area that crosses to La Tejita beach and urbanisation. Marking this end of town is the chiringuito (beach bar) Pirata, while at the other end close to the area of La Pelada is

Chiringuito La Jaquita – popular for volleyball competitions and surfing. It’s a place of its own, and everything you need is within walking distance – shops, supermarkets, restaurants, playgrounds, bays and beaches. The main plaza and seafront boulevard are home to a wide range of cafés and quirky boutiques, and most days something is going on. El Médano’s diversity is another endearing feature. Buxom and strapping windsurfers from around the globe harmonise alongside scruffy artists and prim white-collar workers. A simple stroll along the seafront can often involve several considerably lengthy greetings and coffee stops. It’s as if there’s

a secret that only ‘Medaneros’ and returning visitors know about. Most people dismiss the town as ‘too windy’ – a reputation I think was exaggerated by residents intent on keeping the intimate atmosphere as just that - however, while it’s certainly windier than most spots in the south of the island, the idea that it’s continually blowing a gale generally keeps the hordes away, and that rather suits. An ocean breeze is a godsend in sticky summer months while adding a nostalgic chillfactor in the winter that much of the south misses. It’s the perfect living environment, but does it have a downside? Dog poo and limited parking, so you’ve been n warned…


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

YEAR ROUND UP

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

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2014

2014 was an interesting twelve months for the islands, bringing a range of colossal controversies, catastrophes, charity events and celebrities. Here’s a look back at some of the key stories of the year.

have been the result of collusion by the major power firms, would have added an average of €120 to the annual bill for households, but the Government stepped in and authorised a rise of under three per

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The year in brief

In January the AECC started a campaign to raise €32,000 for a 16-seater bus to take cancer patients on the island to and from the HUC or Candelaria hospitals for treatment, following a series of health service cuts that

2 of non-stop rowing, battling huge life-threatening waves and 30 knot winds they also became the youngest pair ever to row the Atlantic and became Breast Cancer Care’s biggest ever fundraisers in the process. (2)

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1 General news At the start of the year, energy bills were set to rise by a whopping 11 per cent. Spain’s Industry and Energy Minister admitted that a two per cent rise was likely for January but news of the significantly larger rise was released days later by electricity companies. The increase, which the Government believed may

cent. They are now under growing pressure to take further steps to curb the cost of lighting and heating homes, either by forcing the companies to cut their margins and compete more effectively with each other or, as some are already demanding, by introducing subsidies to cheapen the costs to households. The issue is likely to become a hot political topic as crucial elections draw nearer.

left sufferers without a transport service. Called kilometre zero, the cash for the vehicle has now been obtained, but further fundraising continues to meet the costs of running the service. The flagship of the Cunard company, the Queen Mary 2, spent a full day in the port of Santa Cruz in January, a full 10 years after the ship’s first ever visit on its maiden voyage. (1)

Luke Birch and Jamie Spark, two young British men who set off from La Gomera to

row across the Atlantic, set a new World Record at the start of 2014. After 54 days

Tierra Blanca animal shelter in Fasnia had to put out an emergency call for donations after heartless thieves stole around 1,000 kilos of dog food in February. The shelter opened in December 2012 and took most of the animals which were previously housed by Live Arico, as well as a steady weekly input ever since, and the missing provisions represented a week and a half’s food for 500 dogs. (3)

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YEAR ROUND UP

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Photo: fotoartevirogo

2,000,000 spectators in less than a month. However, the film lost out to Vivir es fácil con los ojos cerrados in the vote taken by the Spanish Film Academy for their candidate as a foreign language film in the forthcoming Oscars. (9)

5 third in the world. In August high seas with waves of up to five metres resulted in the loss of six lives and

Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766

Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766

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April 7 that the satellite picture of the islands against a sunglint backdrop had won the competition. It emerged that

Locals and communities connected to Wingate School were deeply saddened by the passing of co-founder and former headmaster, Mr. Green. After a lengthy battle with cancer the former maths lecturer died on October 14 and tribute was paid with a well-attended commemoration in Santa Cruz four days later. (10) Another heartbreaking loss was that of

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Photo: butaca.net

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Around 14,000 residents from seven districts of Puerto de la Cruz were left without drinking water for nearly five months following a tap water use ban due to safety con-

cerns. In February over 150 residents took to the streets to demand a solution to the dire problem and demonstrated outside the headquarters of the town’s water company Aqualia

to express their fury, but the solution wasn’t reached until the end of July when the water company Aqualia finally installed new filtration equipment. (4) NASA’s Tournament Earth 2014 competition turned out to be a very one-sided affair after the announcement on

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96 per cent of the votes cast in the final went to the Canarian image. (5) Almost 300 passengers suffered a scare due to a fire on an inter-island ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera. The Friday evening ferry was half an hour into its journey to San Sebastián and onward to La Palma when a lorry caught fire on the car deck. Despite efforts from the crew, the fire spread to three other lorries parked nearby. 13 people required medical treatment for minor conditions, including shock. (6) Travel website TripAdvisor named Siam Park the world’s best water park in July. The award came via the Travellers’ Choice Attractions section of the website and was given as a result of remarks and opinions posted by millions of holidaymakers. (7) Sister company Loro Parque was awarded the best European zoo prize in the same competition several weeks later and was also rated

10 brought serious problems to the Canaries, with numerous ferry services cancelled and damage caused by crashing waves in many parts of the islands. (8)

Marion Yates, who died peacefully in her sleep on November 27 aged 65. Her passing was sudden and the unexpected news saddened a great many people due to her popularity

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A film with a major Canary Island component missed out on the chance for Oscar glory in 2015. Action thriller, El Niño (The Boy) by director Daniel Monzón, became Spain’s biggest box-office success in its first weeks in cinemas across the country, attracting over

and enormously kind heart. Marion’s tireless charity campaigning and recognised volunteer work with children will be sorely missed on the Island, especially at Christmastime with all the events she helped to organise annually. (11)


Repsol Protests against oil drilling off the coasts of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura saw tens of thousands take to the streets across the Islands throughout the year. The demonstration in June in Santa Cruz was the biggest gathering since 2002, and President Paulino Rivero and other leading figures stepped up calls on the Conservative Government in Madrid to halt the drilling. Soon after, Repsol received the formal go-ahead for exploratory drilling off the Canaries, despite multiple legal battles against the move. The permits covered a total of nine sectors where they are test drilling in search

YEAR ROUND UP

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Photo: Ben Magec

8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

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of viable oil fields. As part of a bid to win over locals via media advertising campaigns, Repsol stated that the first stage of prospections will make millions for the Islands and create mass employment. Meanwhile, critics said that few jobs for locals would actually be created from the project, and fear that the environmental risks are too high for an area heavily dependent on tourism. (12) Over the weekend of November 15 - 16, Repsol’s platform made its way to the Islands, escorted by the Spanish royal navy. The arrival was never going to go unnoticed but the Spanish government was probably unprepared for it becoming the international incident that it was. Greenpeace activ-

ists were waiting in the area, their boat, the Arctic Rainbow, was hit by a Navy zodiac din-

internet, pouring more oil on the fire surrounding the controversial project. The Canarian Government continues its legal battle to stop the drilling, understandably furious that drilling permission has been refused off the Balearic Islands (governed by the Conservative party) in waters with considerably less environmental interest than those surrounding the Canaries. Opposition parties have claimed that the Canarian President Paulino Rivero has, “Lost the plot”, calling him obsessed and accusing

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Celebrities and dignitaries in the Canaries ghy and a crew member was knocked into the sea and hit by a boat’s propellers, injuring her leg – all caught on video and widely seen across the

him of making an issue of the project to divert public attention from the more important matter of the high level of unemployment here. (13)

In January, filming for the new Ron Howard film, In The Heart of The Sea, finished in La Gomera. Mayor, Manuel Plasencia recognised the economic benefits obtained during filming, “Not

only by all the businesses in the area, but also by those who have, in one way or another, participated in the film”. (14) The honeymoon scenes for the soon-to-released film, 50 Shades of Grey, were shot at Playa La Tejita in Granadilla de Abona in late February. (15)


YEAR ROUND UP

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004 your efforts. We’re delighted to announce that the target has been reached and this beautiful little girl will be heading to America soon for assessment and hopefully to begin treatment. We will keep you in touch with the outcome. (22)

CD Tenerife and UD Las Palmas

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CD Tenerife recorded their worst ever run in the second division with seven straight losses towards the end of the 2013/2014 season. Their final league position of 11th was respectable enough but it could have been so much better; coming towards the end of April the blanquiazules lay

to La Liga, and after the first leg in Cordoba finished 0-0 things were looking good for the Gran Canarian side. They knew a home win would mean promotion, and all seemed to be going to plan when Apono put them ahead on 48 minutes – although a single goal by the visitors would have been enough to spoil their dream on the away goal rule. As the end of the game approached some supporters climbed down for a premature celebratory pitch invasion, and with only one minute of injury time left the referee stopped the match and threatened to suspend proceedings if the crowds were not cleared. Eventually, after ten minutes and a plea from the President,

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Photo: Gary Hill

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Simon Manley CMG paid his first official visit to the Islands as Her Majesty’s British Ambassador to Spain and non-resident Ambassador to Andorra in early February. It was only Manley’s second visit to the Islands but he was already, “Struck by the incredible diversity of the region and beauty of the city centres”. The British PM David Cameron and his family spent part of the Easter break in Lanzarote. The tourism authorities on the holiday island were delighted at the publicity generated by the visit, which is believed to be the first by the Camerons to the Canaries. (16) Penélope Cruz, who recently starred in Elegy - which includes breast cancer as one of its themes – visited Tenerife in early July for a press conference. It was hoped she could be persuaded to help the Walk for Life breast cancer charity, if

only to sign a couple of items for auction, but disappointingly she failed to reply to the request. (17) The Sonic Universe concert which featured rock legends, Rick Wakeman and Brian May, was a massive success and surprising addition to 2014’s Starmus Festival, which also included two presentations by Stephen Hawking – whose appearance grabbed many headlines of its own. The concert was held at the Magma Arts and Congress centre in Adeje on September 26, and was a spectacular musical blend of astronomy and music. (18, 19) Hawking has already expressed his interest in returning to the Festival another year and authorities announced that the media impact of the festival was over €171 million, a more than ample response to the €1/2 million invested. Founder and organiser of the event Garik Israelian was delighted with

the news of Hawking’s wish to return to the island, “It’s the biggest honour we can imagine,” he declared. It is hoped that the festival will be able to be staged every two years. Al McKay visited Tenerife with the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience in November, also playing at the Magma Arts and Congress centre as the only Spanish date on an international tour. Funk fans were treated to a spectacular set of classics including, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove and September. (20)

Charity events As usual the solidarity of the ex-pat residents and foreign visitors was very much to the fore. The annual golf event in Amarilla Golf in favour of breast cancer charity Ámate raised €9,670, the Walk for Life team outdid themselves and their results can be seen on

the following pages in the coverage of their 10th anniversary events. The animal charities continued very busy throughout the year as did the Masons, Rotary and all the Lions International Clubs. Sadly the most popular charity this year has been for those who are being hit hard by the crisis. Appeals by the normal charity fundraisers have been joined by many others with collections by community groups, special events in most of the boroughs and even some of the shopping centres such as Gran Sur. (21) Great news for our ‘bottle top princess’ Lucia whose case we highlighted earlier in the year. She was born blind with a rare illness, but treatment may be possible in the United States at a cost of €100,000. Many of you have helped throughout the last six months by bringing in caps and other plastic items for recycling, we were, quite literally at times, flooded with

comfortably in the play-off zone and even peaked at third in the league. (23) Unfortunately their start this season hasn’t been too impressive either. UD Las Palmas managed to secure a place in the playoff final to gain promotion

the fans retreated. The game restarted and the unthinkable happened, with just 10 seconds of the whole season remaining Córdoba scored and were promoted instead. (24) 2014 ended with the team sitting at the top of the league n and playing strongly.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

WFL 10TH ANNIVERSARY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

25

Walk for Life – 10th anniversary!

An eventful pink year It’s been a stressful and busy year for all of us involved in the Walk for Life organisation, none more so than for founder Brigitte Gypen, who lost even more weight off her already enviously skinny frame! In a moment of madness we suggested holding 10 events to celebrate our 10th anniversary and in an equally mad moment Adeje council and then Arona agreed to back us up! Had we bitten off more than we could chew? A couple of events were downsized or cancelled because of external forces such as rotten weather, others were added in and we were added on to their events such as the Zumba in Adeje or the Earth Wind and Fire Experience Concert in Magma. It all made for a hectic, whirlwind few months. Well, we made it through and the end result is €29,000 which has been divided between the following charities/projects. For Ámate and the Aecc breast cancer projects, €8.000 each, for the bus for cancer patients from the south to the hospital, project Kilometre Zero, €3,000, to research project Fero €5,000 and finally to our own pet project this year the Pink Room €5,000. For those who haven’t yet heard about the Pink Room, the idea is to have a drop-in centre for people to chat and share experiences, get information, relax, have a cup of tea and give mutual support. The Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga has already confirmed that Adeje will pro-

Swim for Life

Solidarity match at Tenerife Top Training

vide us with the space. We now need to fill it with comfortable furniture, a pc, television, tea and coffee making equipment etc. So, if anybody out there can help with any of that, we’d love to hear from you. Often hotels have a refit after the New Year and they may be able to offer us some of their cast-offs – we’re not proud! An idea born from the Pink Room that we still have to look at from a technological point of view is to have a call number that people can ring to talk to someone when they are sad, tired or worried, or want to share some news, good or bad: Maybe news that they are not ready yet to share with their nearest and dearest. Again, if anybody has any experience of setting up such a system, your input would be very welcome. The winner of the main raffle prize this year of a fabulous

Conference for Life

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines cruise was a delighted British holiday-

maker, Kira. She’s promised to let us know all about it and new events for this year are already underway starting on January 10, see page 28. Thanks are due to so many people: Adeje and Arona councils and their staff; all the media companies for the free airplay and space in their newspapers that was given as well as their time and support; all the companies and individuals who donated prizes for our endless raffles, tombolas and lucky dips and those who bought the tickets; our notary for this year Salvador Madrazo Villaquiran and Mercedes, the bank clerk who turns up at the walk each year to help us count the cash; the entertainers, comperes, teachers, referees etc (in no

Yoga for Life

particular order) Abraxas Band, Luke Towler, Will Appleby, Nicky Paul, Baby Black, DJ Pablo Amador, Funktastic Band, Fasican (Asoc translation for the deaf), Abraham Aránega, Williams Rodriguez, Cristina Pérez, our English language authors who staged the book signing (Nikki Attree, John Searancke, John Reid, Joe Cawley and Lee Bullen), photographers Sir Old Golfer Bill, Kar Dawson, Phil Crean, Mark James and Mark Thornton, yoga teacher Aldo,Teresa Guarino, Dra Isabel Rubio, Tenerife based Canarian swimming referees committee, Dani Ramos, our adorable Katy Ken-

nedy and Diego and Rocky. So many companies helped out too, offering space and staff, free services or whatever they could. Again in no particular order: Tenerife Top Training, Ashotel, Cit Sur, Rotary Club Tenerife Sur, Club Tenerife Masters, Regalos con Logo merchandising, Karonte, Blex Ideas, Arona Latin Fest, Sebastian St. James, Peconvi, Fonteide, SportZone, El Corte Ingles, Tenerife Pearl, FincaCanarias Aloe, Finca Las Margaritas and the Arona plátano cooperative Coplacsil, Island Connections, Danone, Cobega, Nordkit design, Liberty Seguros, Wimpen Leisure


WFL 10TH ANNIVERSARY

26

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Golf for Life

Pink day

Soul for Life

Radio Marathon for Life

Dance for Life

Management, Base Deportes Salud, Azulon eventos Pablo Pastor, Beatriz Cabañas Eventos, Veinte 04 Surf Café, Subway, Magdala design, Terminales Canarios SL, Indicam cars, Tui Ireland/UK, Auditorio Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Transportes Barrera Chinea, Calemi Zumos, Baobab Suites / Activate Sports Club, Canary Cera, Colonial

Bar, El Cine restaurante, Ezegroup, Jesuman, 24-7 Media Concept, Silverpoint Vacations, Hospital Quiron, Costa Adeje Golf, Los Palos Golf, The Red Pen, Hotel Villa Maria, Villa Cortes, Sheraton La Caleta, Hotel Jardin Tecina, Hotel Anthelia, Fred.Olsen Express, Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, Hovima Hoteles, Westhaven Bay,

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Cycling for Life

SimonSananes Tax and labour advice Translations, paperwork Inheritance matters… C/ Max. Bacallado Rguez 39A, El Rosario info@simonsananes.com • www.simonsananes.com Tel. 699 444 879 • Fax 922 985 043

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Hotel Rural Costa Salada, Santa Ana Apartamentos La Gomera, AR2Surf Project, Bushido Restaurante, Siam Park, Loro Parque, Escuderia

Zapatera, Deportes Valle San Lorenzo, Pirámides de Güímar, CN Tenerife Masters, Our Place bar, El Productor de Tenerife, Radio sur Adeje, Horizon Radio

and QFM Radio. It’s a long list, please forgive us if you have been missed off! And finally for all those who walked, cycled, swam, twisted

themselves into strange shapes at yoga, danced the night away etc. and gave, gave gave, a miln lion thanks!


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

WFL 10TH ANNIVERSARY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Walk for Life 2014

An amazing day that saw a record breaking number of people walking, over 2,500 of you!

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28

WFL ACTIVATE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

First and foremost

Activation Day

The very first Walk for Life event of 2015 will take place at Activate Sports Club in Costa Adeje on January 10. The recently inaugurated fitness centre, situated opposite the five star Baobab Suites Hotel, is the perfect setting for the opening of the year’s WFL events. Much more than an everyday sports club, Activate is Tenerife’s most original and dynamic centre of its kind, with a philosophy that encourages an all-round healthy lifestyle – for physical, emotional and mental health. So where could be better to kick off the fundraising for 2015? On the day there will be an exciting array of activities for the whole family, all of which are free to participate in. Between the hours of 11am and 6pm, you will be able to take your pick from various classes. You can have a go at cycling, relax with yoga, be thrilled and tested by the energetic Capoeira, try your hand at pole dancing, or boogie along to an exhilarating Zumba session.

can enjoy demonstrations and interactive workshops in skateboarding and roller-skating and even have a go at a try-dive! The very youngest members of the family are not forgotten as there will also be plenty of activities for keeping them occupied, as well as a whole host of surprises for everyone. Drinks and fruit will be offered throughout the day and there will even be physiotherapy sessions available. And that’s not all: The event will be rounded off with live music on the spectacular chill out beach situated at the heart of the magnificent sports and fitness centre. The Walk For Life team will also be there to enjoy the day and will be offering a range of merchandise, including the last opportunity to buy a WFL 2015 calendar or a 10th anniversary t-shirt etc. This is going to be an incredible event and the perfect start to the year’s good cause. A day that unites sports, family fun and charity in an open-

There will also be padel and beach volleyball matches as well as Pétanque, the popular form of boules where the goal is to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet. Not only that, but visitors

ing act that is guaranteed to create positive vibes for those who take part as well as those who will benefit from all the hard work. For more information see: www.tenerifeactivate.com. You can also visit: www.carreraporlavida.com for all the

up to date news on the ongoing campaign. With its modern, minimalist design and clearly defined philosophy, Activate Sports Club provides the perfect combination of first-class facilities and highly professional instructors, in a warm, welcoming atmos-

phere. Everyone, regardless of physical ability, receives complete encouragement and support to aid them in not only achieving their desired fitness goals, but also to support them in their search for personal growth. Activate also offers a dynamic

social scene; a warm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere which inspires and invites people to really enjoy taking exercise and make the very best of themselves on all levels. Sporting events, tournaments, master classes, workshops and social gatherings are just some

of the many reasons why Activate is set to be a leader in its field. It’s not just about getting physically fit – Activate is a way of life, and the perfect opportunity to make your contribution to the fight n against breast cancer.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

FASHION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

29

Marsala: a loyal companion

Colour of the year Phase Eight’s cool coat goes well with everything from slim skirts to jeans

It’s possible to combine many different styles: this short jacket from Get The Label goes well with ethnic prints

A very fancy dress from Ax Paris

A Primark UK leather biker style jacket perfect for spring

Perfect down to the fingertips with leather gloves with decorative bows from Dorothy Perkins

Shine away! Apricot’s shirt comes with attractive sequins on the front

Linzi’s narrow loafer in a patent finish

A great furry key ring from Very to complement any outfit

Strikingly beautiful, this short jacket coat epitomises the new Marsala colour trend. www. dunnestores.com

Every year the North American ‘Pantone Color Institute’ sets the colour trend for the following seasons. This year, Marsala, a warm burgundy, is at the top of the hit list of trendy shades. The colour will feature heavily on the catwalks for the summer of 2015, especially in the shows of Hervé Lèger and Daniel Silverstain. But the first pieces in this colour can be taken advantage of even before the official Summer season’s launch, and as it is always warm here you

have the perfect opportunity to be trend setters. The beauty of the colour, which derives its name from an Italian dessert wine, is that it complements brunettes’ warm complexion as well as the lighter one of blondes. It is also extremely versatile: it works just as well with elegant evening wear as it does with sports gear or casual fashion. However, it’s not only in clothes that Marsala will set the scene for summer - the Pantone colour of the year also appears in makeup. n

Even the new summer sandals are following the trend. These are from Dune

Elegant accessories, like this bag with shoulder chain from La Portegna, also take advantage of the Pantone colour of the year

The checkered short coat by BHS is casual, sporty and feminine


HEALTH

30

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Tissue therapy

Elisabeth’s miracle massage Elena Herz Elisabeth Dicke developed the Connective Tissue Massage in the latter part of her life, between 1932 and 1952. Originally from Lennep in Germany, Elisabeth was a physiotherapist but suffered from a circulatory disorder in her right leg and amputation threatened. To ease the lower back pain that resulted from prolonged lying down, Elisabeth realised that blood circulation to her leg greatly improved following selfadministered massaging to the pelvic area. As she stimulated the area more her leg got better over time, and a seemingly irrevocable onset of gangrene was avoided. Through personal study and experience she developed a massage method for different parts of the body that she found not only helped circulation but also positively influenced various organs. Connective tissue supports,

It is comprised of three main components; fibres, ground substance and cells, which are immersed in body fluids.

Connective Tissue Massage

joins or separates different types of tissues and body organs. With muscle, epithelial and nervous tissues, con-

nective tissue is one of the four types of animal tissue and is found all over the body including the central nervous system.

This technique helps the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of disorders and when applied correctly it can also relieve tension, enhance awareness and improve posture. It increases blood flow to the problematic region, with no pain involved in the process. It is different from traditional massage in both technique and physiological effects and has gained in popularity in recent years, as therapists widely report on its many benefits. Disorders are often improved by the increased tone of superficial muscles, especially on the back (Mackenzie’s zones) and a change of fluid in the subcutaneous tissues that can often be hypersensitive to touch (Head’s

zones). The therapeutic effects come from the improved circulation deep within the tissues, and are aided by the soothing effect of massage which can help alleviate muscle spasms and increase mobility of connective tissue. During treatment the patient typically sits with his or her back to the therapist, who will use either a series of small symmetrical pulls or long stimulating strokes that pass over the length of the back. Once Mackenzie or Head zones are identified they can be manipulated to correspond to the area containing the damaged tissue. Practitioners believe the treatment can benefit patients suffering from cardiac and respiratory diseases, circulatory deficits, neurological disorders, gynaecological problems, and digestion and urinary conditions. Primarily, it is widely used to relieve the symptoms of spinal and joint dysfunction,

osteoarthritis and rheumatoid disease, lower back pain, and neuralgia. It is particularly useful for women as the repeated applications of the massage and hormone release is said to help ovulation and improve fertility. It also assists with menstrual irregularities, cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, bowel problems, vascular disease and migraines. Elena Herz is a fully qualified physiotherapist and experienced alternative and holistic therapist. She is based in South Tenerife (Chayofa) and the north (La Laguna) and can also undertake home visits. Elena offers a range of services including rehabilitation, personal training, craniosacral therapy, qigong classes and many types of massage. Contact Elena on: 600 424 252 or see: www.about.me/elena.herz. n

Dr. Chanut advice

Vitamins are essential for our oral wellbeing, as are important minerals such as calcium, fluoride and phosphate; and

it’s easy to include them in our daily diet. Vitamin C can be found in various fruits and vegetables and

has many benefits, including the strengthening and wellbeing of gums and tissues. Vitamin C helps produce collagen,

found in ligaments, blood vessels and mucous membranes. It is also a tissue antioxidant and reinforces our immune system to fight microbial attacks that cause the loss of teeth. Vitamin E can be found in food types such as olive oil and wheat germ and is similar to vitamin C in that it helps protect membranes and mucous from resulting oral cavities. Vitamin D, common in fish and mozzarella, acts in a similar way to calcium in helping to form and strengthen bones around your jaw. Calcium is found in many dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, and many fruits and vegetables. Drinking lots of water is also a useful source, so choose mineral water rich in calcium. Our advice; a varied diet naturally provides the nutrition and necessary elements for good health and strong teeth. Your short and long term oral-wellbeing relies on you benefitting n from a healthy diet.

©2014 FLN

Vitamins for oral health

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8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

HEALTH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

31

m_delaflor@hotmail.com

Dear Dr. De La Flor,

I’ve had itchy skin for a few weeks. What can I do while I wait for the lab results? Thanks, Sue Dear Sue, The type of treatment you need for itching will depend on the cause. While waiting for investigations, there are several things you can do to give yourself some relief. Using a cold compress (damp flannel), or applying calamine lotion may help alleviate your prickling. When showering, try to use cool or lukewarm water, avoiding hot ones as well as perfumed soap and certain deodorants. Unperfumed moisturising lotions and emollients afterwards will help thwart dry skin. Regarding clothing and bed linen, try to avoid wearing clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool and some man-made fabrics; wear cotton whenever possible, shun tight-fitting clothes and use a gentle laundry detergent. With regard to medication, please ask your trusted pharmacist or GP. There’s an abundant arsenal available. From an oily moisturiser or emollient (if you have dry or flaky skin) to mild steroid creams (for localised, inflamed, itchy areas); from antihistamine tablets to oral steroid during a flare-up. If your itch upsets hairy areas, an array of lotions and gels can be utilized. Remember to avoid scratching as it would get you into a perilous ‘itch-scratch’ vicious circle. Likewise, strive to do activities that relax your mind, as a calmed mind is essential for success in confronting any skin irritation. If necessary, and for the short term, some anxiety medication might work wonders. Warm regards. “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” Augustine of Hippo

Dr. De La Flor Facts

Thumbs Up By Dr. De La Flor

 Warfarin crucial findings

Long-term use of warfarin, if not well controlled, can notably increase bleeding risks and over time, raise the risk of dementia. INR meticulous control is key to thwart complications.

 Dementia/stroke preven-

tion Difficulty standing on one leg may indicate that small strokes or tiny bleeds have already occurred, which means the risk for more serious strokes is high. Let’s stay physically active as well as intellectually engrossed to ward off dementia.

 366… A healthy dosage

“Be not afraid” appears in Scripture 366 times! Ongoing encouragement tends to speed up emotional and physical healing. Health isn’t just absence of illness and/or daily prescription drugs. Health is a ceaselessly-self balancing state of mind, foreign to fear, familiarised with a joyous sporting spirit when approaching inexorable life obstacles. Let’s be soulfully fearless.

 Seborrheic keratoses is

benign! (sk) SK ‘façade’ can often be scary to us but they’re noncancerous (benign) skin growths that we all develop as we age. Emergence and location can vary widely. They usually look like they’ve been stuck onto the skin. Reassurance is essential.

 Is contemplation of death

life-giving? Every minute of our lives we stand on the brink of eternity. It is our pre-eminent mentor through life’s ebbs and flows, laying down but one simple rule, which is the direction of

Dr. De La Flor, licensed G.P. (6089). In dealing with his patients he is highly influenced by Humanistic Psychology - an encompassing way of approaching patients through the study of their strengths and virtues to enable them to thrive and lead fulfilling lives, accept the past, find happiness in the present, and hope for the future. Call him today at 0034 697 888 666 or email him to register.

all our acts to one last end. This consideration drives away any inconsequential trouble that punctuate our life with unfailing regularity: It steadies us on the course and sustains us on our challenging journey. Don’t you think?

 Painful downstairs issues

Genital herpes is caused by the Herpes simple virus. Painful genital blisters do occur. The bug can lie dormant for a while. Timely topical and/or oral anti-viral drugs help control it, speedy treatment and prevention ward off unsolicited flare-ups.

 Osteoporosis options

Most of the time, osteoporosisrelated spine compression fractures heal on their own within about three months. But you might need surgery if incessant, severe pain persists despite medication, postural/ back brace measures and relative rest. Ask your trusted GP for further advice.

 Life/work/family balance

“One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.” Bertrand Russell. No more procrastination for you and I. A brand new year should be a fitting opportunity for us to re-examine our life priorities, don’t you think?

Coaching Corner By Dr. De La Flor “It´s easy to feel small in this world, to feel insignificant in this universe. But I think God is looking down from heaven saying, ‘You’re huge next to all of these’. Yet there are hundreds of millions of stars in our galaxy and over a hundred billions galaxies in our universe. That’s amazing! Do you know what is even more amazing? There are tens of trillions of cells in your body, living cells, each in their own way more spectacular than a lifeless star. But more awe-inspiring than your physical body, you have a soul. You have an intellect and will. You can know, you can love, you can make choices. More than anything

in creation, you are the mirror image of God. Can a mountain, as big as it is, know someone? Can an ocean love? Can a galaxy change directions? No, but you can. And you’ll still be around long after all this has passed away. God had you in mind before the Big Bang. God had you in mind when He created space and time. He had you in mind when He entered space and time… I know physically you feel small in this world, spiritually, you’re kind of a big deal!” Chris Stefanick

ReSOLUTION By Dr. De La Flor For the next two weeks, let’s spend a few minutes pondering if we truly believe that we are a big deal. Indeed, you are a big deal. Please, think about it! If you have two minutes and 12 seconds, type, You’re Kind of A Big Deal on YouTube. Let’s allow our intellect and will overwhelm our yearning body, and awaken our fascinating, action-packed but perhaps quiescent soul. Let’s raise the bar in all areas of our life, including our health. Talk to you in a couple of weeks, unless you call me before that! “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.” G.K. Chesterton

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©2014 FLN

Dear Dr. De La Flor


32

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Lifestyle changes

Go for it! It’s the start of a new year and the period when millions of people will be making resolutions to change or improve something about their lives. It is also the time when those declarations are, for many, struggled with, passed over or simply forgotten. Many will, of course, stick to their guns, realising that change is rarely instantaneous – it takes time and effort. The trouble with habits is that they take time to form and also a while to change into something new. It takes commitment and sustained endeavor to turn our behaviour from something we no longer desire into a new and happier you. But don’t be disheartened – everyone is capable of change. You may need several attempts before you achieve what you desire, but be patient and give yourself plenty of time to adjust to your new routine: whilst initially it will take conscious effort to implement the change, eventually it will become second nature. If you are already growing and changing, then good luck. For the rest of us, here a few ideas for some small alterations which can have a big impact.

Re-programme yourself Your brain has been trained by all of your experiences during every one of the years you’ve been alive. Yet you don’t have to leave things to chance – you can be your own programmer. Some people are unconfident, have low self esteem, or are jealous, angry, resentful or simply sad. Certain difficulties in life can be addressed simply by adjusting the way we think, by changing negative thoughts for positive ones. There are endless self help books available nowadays: why not give one a read, try some of the exercise and see how you feel – even the most skeptical of people have found they can change their mind set this way. Of course, if a problem is deeprooted it may be necessary to enlist some help. For instance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the newer ‘talk’ treatments. It teaches us how to recognise negative thought patterns and how we can turn

something else instead: write to or phone a friend, do some of those little jobs you’ve been putting off, read to the kids or simply go for a walk or out for a coffee. You may be shocked at how much you find to do and how much you enjoy it.

Don’t eat meat for a while

Making a conscious effort to appreciate the good in our lives is vital for our happiness

The health benefits of reducing meat intake for heavy indulgers are now well documented. Why not try a week without? Not only may you find that your digestion receives a boost, but you will also be doing a little for the environment. You may also find that your cooking skills improve drastically – it’s too easy to base every meal around flesh – having to use your imagination more could have some very pleasing results.

them into positive ones, and can be ideal for people who are ‘stuck’ in damaging and repetitive cycles. No one should ever be ashamed of needing a hand to readjust their way of thinking – people don’t get embarrassed when they take their car to a mechanic, call in an specialist to mend the washing machine or visit their GP for help with their physical wellbeing. Mental and emotional health are exactly the same: if we don’t have the skills to do something ourselves it is only natural to look for expert help.

Don’t be afraid to try different styles – a new look could be just what you need

Share some good vibes Pick a day, any day, and make a conscious decision to make as many people feel good as possible by sharing some positive energy. And as you walk around, hold your head up high, look into people’s eyes and give them a unadulterated smile. Beam at shop assistants, fellow travelers, shoppers, people in queues and those you pass on the street. Don’t go over the top (or people may question your sanity!) but such small acts can spread happy feelings and encourage people to pass on a little positivity as well. Also, give compliments generously – genuine ones, not falsehoods that are easy to see through. There is almost always something nice you can find to say

Eat well, sleep lots and get plenty of exercise for a healthy New Year

about people. Maybe they are dressed well that day, have had a haircut, done a good deed, smell nice or have achieved something that has taken them effort. When you see something you like, let people know: with just a few words you can really make someone’s day. You may also be surprised at just how good it feels when you make other people happy.

Have a week without television Sounds drastic? All the more reason to give it go. For the few hours every day that you spend in front of the box, try doing

for a year or more. This second pile should be donated to friends or charity immediately. Don’t think about it – just do it. Now look at what you have left. You should have a few basics such as black skirts, trousers, shirts and jumpers etc. as well as plenty of coordinating options. Now top up with accessories and colourful pieces to complete different outfits. When purchasing new clothes try on different styles – if you always wear jeans and a T-shirt for example, try a skirt, floral top, slacks, or anything you have never worn before. You may surprise yourself at how good you feel and look.

Altering your look is also one way to encourage inner change. Whilst outward appearance should never be confused with who someone actually is, dressing well for work may encourage you to feel, and even be, more professional. Developing a style which is very much your own can also help you feel more confident. Even wearing clothes which simply fit well, suit our body types and show off our best features can really give us a boost.

Learn something new The best way to keep our brains healthy is to keep learning new

Change your look Many of us keep the same hairstyle, way of dressing and makeup routine (where applicable) for years on end. Not only can this look staid, boring and dated – it can feel it too. You don’t necessarily have to spend loads of money: work with what you already have. Go through your wardrobe and make two different piles – one of clothes which you enjoy wearing and look good on you, and another of clothes that have never fitted right, gone with anything else you own or that you haven’t worn

Learning something new is a great way to keep the brain healthy


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

33 ter, you don’t have to be drastic, and the better you feel the more likely you are to instigate greater changes.

Enjoy life

Everything is easier to deal with when you’re fit and well: take some positive steps to improve your health

Doing something scary doesn’t have to mean dangerous sports – taking yourself out of your comfort zone can be as simple as going for a walk on your own

skills. If you have always fancied painting, photography or learning a new language, what’s stopping you? Look for internet learning courses or classes in your area and give it a go. Alternatively, find a friend who has skills you lack and see if there is anything you can teach them: learning off each other can be a great way to enjoy each other’s company.

And last, but not least: be happy. Whoever you are, wherever you are and whatever time of life you are in, your level of happiness is up to you. Every day we make thousands of choices, each of them forming our experience of life, our emotions, and the way we interact with other people. We can all choose to look on the bright side of life more often. It is too easy to concentrate on what is ‘missing’ from our lives or what we don’t enjoy. Making a conscious effort to appreciate the good in our lives is vitally important for our happiness. And don’t forget the basics: If you have good friends, family, a roof over your head, enough food and sufficient safe drinking water you are already ahead of many people who are less

Do something scary Taking yourself out of your comfort zone can incite new emotions and thought processes which will inevitably lead to long-term change. You don’t have to start jumping out of planes to find something frightening: all you have to do is tackle something you personally find challenging. Maybe just the thought of going to a bar on your own, walking in the hills, speaking publicly or simply being left in your own company gives you the heebie jeebies. Having a go at even small things that we have avoided our whole lives can give us a sense of achievement and a real confidence boost.

A hand-written letter will be appreciated by many people

Write a letter

Stay healthy

A real one, one that involves paper and pen! When was the last time you sat down to actually write to someone? In particular, many of the people of older years in your life would really appreciate a hand written letter so why not get away from your computer for a while and make a friend or family member really happy.

Everything is easier to deal with when you’re healthy – it even makes maintaining a positive attitude easier. Eating well, getting a good night’s sleep, and staying active all help keep us fit and well. Of course, almost all of us have one or two habits that aren’t particularly good for us, be it drinking too much, smoking,

Jump for joy – the new you is close at hand

or eating junk food or sweeties, but if you aren’t ready for a complete overhaul, don’t worry – even making small changes can drastically improve our health. If you haven’t done

any exercise for a while then start by taking short walks and build up to more energetic pursuits. Even cutting down on cigarettes, alcohol or unhealthy food will make you feel bet-

Laugh your way to a new you

fortunate. Try to live in the present and enjoy what you do have rather than forever striving for a happier future: with a little effort you can be happy n tomorrow – and today.


FOOD

34

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

A generous libation to Dionysus

Cheers, prost, skoll, salud, wassail

potassium metabisulfite powder to kill off wild yeasts on the fruit before fermentation and to kill off yeasts and bacteria when fermentation is finished is also needed. Most fruits, especially citrus ones, contain pectin. This is essential for making jam but if left in wine the brew will not clear so you will also need pectic enzyme or pectolase to destroy unwanted pectin. Recipes vary but the basic principle is the same, times and quantities being the only differences. Carton fruit juices, such as apple, orange, and pineapple etc., make excellent wine as long as they are free of additives. First sterilise the equipment in a mild bleach solution and give a thorough rinse in fresh water. Then pour 12 litres of fruit juice into the fermenting bin, add a couple of kilos of sugar depending on how strong a wine you want, plus a teaspoon of pectic enzyme and four grams of yeast nutrient, then give the ‘must’ a good stir. Close and seal the lid, fit the airlock containing some water

and place the bin somewhere out of direct sunlight. Within 12 hours or so, as fermentation builds up, carbon dioxide should be bubbling out through the airlock. After a week to ten days, the fermentation process should be almost finished and the wine can be siphoned off the lees (the sludge of yeast in the bottom of the bin) into a clean carboy. The yeast left in the fermentation bin is still viable and can be used for the next batch of wine, so have another ready to start at this stage. Fit an airlock in the rubber cap to the neck of the carboy and leave for a further two weeks to be certain that fermentation is finished, then add a couple of crushed campden tablets. Do not leave your wine on dead yeast as this will taint it. Once your wine has cleared, siphon off the dregs into another clean carboy, fit an airlock and leave to mature, sampling every so often until you decide it is fit to drink; it will keep well in the carboy if you want to avoid bottling and

There’s nothing like a spot of homemade wine

©2014 FLN

A delicious strawberry wine fermenting nicely

corking, just ensure the airlock doesn’t dry out. Many different fruits grow on the islands which make a delicious beverage: blackberries are perfect and fig trees grow everywhere (but make sure you aren’t stealing some poor farmer’s crop), bananas can be bought inexpensively from the farmers markets, as can plums, mangos, apricots and many others at the right time of year. Following a recipe for times and quantities, the fruit should be coarsely chopped, stones removed where applicable, and put in the fermenting bin with the correct amount of boiling water, sugar and campden tablet to destroy the wild yeasts, then left for twenty four hours. A yeast culture can be started a couple of days in advance by placing a half litre of apple juice in a suitable bottle with some sugar and yeast nutrient, then adding the yeast and fitting an airlock to the neck. When it is bubbling merrily add this to your fruit must with the correct amount of nutrient salts and your brew will quickly start to ferment. After the time given in the recipe, siphon the wine off the fruit into a carboy to finish fermenting then continue as with the carton juice wine or as your recipe states. Then all that remains is to enjoy the n fruits of your labour!

©2014 FLN

Why, when we live in a worldfamous winemaking region, would anyone want to make their own wine at home? Especially as there are such good local brews at very reasonable prices. The answer is simply because it is fun. Winemaking began thousands of years ago and its history is tightly connected to the development of agriculture and Western civilization. The earliest evidence of a fermented drink based on grapes is in China, circa 7000-6600 BCE, then soon after in the Middle East whence the process spread via the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, Greece and Rome to finally come to rest in the glass in our hand. Wine normally refers to the alcoholic beverage made from grapes, but other fruits, vegetables, even flowers can be used to make most excellent drinks, and the process is quite simple once you know how. To begin you will need a 30 litre fermenting bin: a hard plastic camlock sealing bin can be found in ironmongers shops. Fit an 8mm cable gland from an electrical supplier into the lid to take an airlock and you then have the first item sorted. Carboys can also be found in the same shop; they are called a ‘Garafon’ in Spanish and can hold 16 litres of wine. Siphon tubes and corks are also readily available there. Airlocks and the rubber caps to carry them can be bought online. They come in several sizes so choose the correct ones for the bottles or carboy you will use. Yeast can be bought locally but by the half kilo, too much for home use, so a selection of yeasts in small sachets is sufficient and keeps well in the fridge. As far as the yeast nutrient goes, grapes contain everything the yeast needs to thrive, a generous handful of raisins in your ‘must’ (the mixture which will ferment) will suffice, or nutrient salts in powder form can be used. Campden tablets or

Photo: Simon A. Eugster

By Francis W.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

FOOD

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

35

El Pescador 1

Harbour Delights

The twisty hill road, curving steeply down to the little village of El Pris, beckons us. The problem is that it beckons rather too often, because we are great fans of camarones, those very small red shrimps which they catch just offshore and then sell on at a fraction of the cost that they occasionally come up for sale at in the likes of Al Campo. So, the long snout of the old Mercedes is pointed once more along the TF5 in the direction of Tacoronte, where we bear off, enter the town and immediately are bustled off around the rather fancy new ring road. From there it is just a few kilometres down the corkscrew road to reach the harbour at El Pris. It is only a small place, with some apartments built into the vertiginous cliff face, looking out to sea over the harbour, its raison d’etre, and quite a large car park, usually half full of boats!

A few paces away lies our destination, a short row of fish restaurants. I think that, in our time, we have savoured the delicacies of all of them, but this time, we opt for El Pescador 1. Directly next door is the unadventurously named El Pescador 2. Although one can sit inside the little restaurant, with open plan kitchen to one side, and a huge chilled cabinet containing literally heaps of camarones, limpets, conger eel, octopus and other local

piscatorial delights, we opt to sit out in the road (as you do here) under a large Dorada parasol. There is no written menu, as is so often the case off the beaten track, so the thing to do is to stand in front of the cabinet and point out what you want. I always ask, “How much is it?” despite often being told that if you have to ask the price then you can’t afford it… or does that only apply to the buying of antiques? Anyway, the camar-

ones are charged at €6 for a heaped plate full, which seems cheap compared with prices at fancier places, and with that just-cooked freshness. What to have next? Some of us want the pimientos de padrón, because they have seen a large bowl of them in the kitchen, just itching, as they said, to be cooked whilst still so recently gathered. We enjoyed them, but sadly with no really hot ones thrown into the mix to make our jowls quiver with the

unexpected heat. For others there was a platter of churros de pescado, deep fried in herby batter, and containing proper chunks of fish. They even wolfed the alioli that accompanied it. We followed on with a plate of tasty fried chicharros (horse mackerel) accompanied by Canarian potatoes. Finger food in its entirety, this was a superb lunch break, setting us back a meagre €34 for the six of us, including some wine, bread, cola, water and

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like to wish you Our team would christmas and all a very merry ! a happy new year

beers. I do not know anywhere else quite like it on this fair island. Nothing smart, nothing fancy, but if you like eating fresh fish with the locals, this might just be the place for you. And so, over the road we strolled, to where the children swam the afternoon away in the man-made lagoon as the tide went out. Quite an amenity for such an out of the way little village, as witness the many families desporting themselves much like I seem to remember we all did back in the ‘60s. All in all, a throwback to treasure and a thorn oughly good day out.

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KATY / PETS

36

By

Merry Christmas one and all; and a very Happy New Year! We just had the 10th anniversary of Walk for Life and I loved every minute of it! But I’m sure you’ve all read about it in our paper by now. Well, last year I thought I’d start my fundraising for this special walk early so last Christmas Eve I went out carol singing. I knocked on the door of a house and began to sing Silent Night and Once in Royal David’s City. A man came to the door crying his eyes out. I sang every beautiful carol I knew. He just cried harder and harder. So I stopped singing and said, “Are you crying because my singing brings back memories that touched your heart?” He couldn’t stop sobbing so I said, “Look, don’t cry, I’ll sing you a happy carol.” So merrily I started singing again, smiling with every verse to show the joy he should be feeling with my happy carol. I nodded my head as I sang and started Oh Come All Ye Faithful, following straight on with Ding Dong Merrily on High. I sang all seven verses and even put in the actions. At the end of the last chorus I drew out the last line in true choral soci-

ety mode, and even raised my arms above my head to show I was finished, like the singers on The X Factor do. My little chubby arms were waving about with fervour and passion. And still he cried. I was more ‘cream-crackered’ than he was following all that singing and swinging my arms about. I was sweating buckets. I nearly lost my patience with him but I thought, “Katy Kennedy, it’s Christmas. Don’t you dare lose your temper!” so I gave him a hanky and asked him, “Are you all alone on Christmas Eve? Is that why you’re crying?” He said, “No, it wasn’t the sad carols that made me cry. I’m not alone; I’ve got all my family here so that’s not why I was crying either. The reason I couldn’t stop bawling is... I’m a singing teacher!” It was coming up to Christmas and Josh asked his mum if he could have a new bike. So she told him that the best idea would be to write to Santa Claus. But Josh, having just played Joseph in the school nativity play, said he would prefer to write to the baby Jesus and his mum told him that would be fine. Joshua

y Kat

Hi everyone,

went to his room and wrote, “Dear Jesus, I have been a very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas.” But he wasn’t very happy when he read it over so he decided to try again, and this time he wrote, “Dear Jesus, I’m a good boy most of the time and would like a bike for Christmas.” He read it back and wasn’t happy with that one either so he decided to go for a walk to think about a

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

katykennedy@telefonica.net Tf: 616 110 930

better approach. After a short time he passed the church with a small statue of the Virgin Mary in the front doorway. He stuffed the statue under his coat, hurried home and hid it under the bed. Then he wrote this letter, “Dear Jesus, if you want to see your mum again, you’d better send me a new bike!’’ So I hope you all have a loving and happy time, and I’ll n see you again soon.

Tierra Blanca

Dogs’ Christmas party

Pets Charity News

Pets charities round up Live Arico P.A.W.S. Live Arico is an organisation that is completely reliant on public goodwill and donations. In 2014, if you bought things in our charity shops, if you adopted one of our rescue dogs, if you fostered an animal for us, if you visited Katie our rescue horse, if you gave us unwanted items to sell in our shops, if you attended or performed at one of our char-

Tierhotel Lilly We look after your pet while you are away

(short or long term)

Tel: 697 826 738 (D/E), 659 131 382 (SP, Trainer)

www.tierhotel-lilly.com

ity events, if you dropped just a one cent coin into one of our boxes, then we say thank you for supporting our work we really appreciate it! Have a fantastic 2015. We had a blast at Howard´s Smokehouse for our Christmas dinner and dance in collaboration with Sangha Sanctuary San Miguel. Howard, Louise and the team did us proud with scrummy

festive food and drinks, and the atmosphere was terrific. We raised €850 for the animals, so heartfelt thanks to all who supported the night. The entertainment was provided by Suzy Q, Colin Stevens, Tanya Tevaro, Nik Page, Uproar and the return of Slam after a 16 year break. If you have unwanted clothes, CDs, DVDs, shoes, household items or children’s clothing,

call Siobhan now on 630 857626. And do come and see us, we have shops in Los Cristianos and San Eugenio which are open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, and until 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Come and have a browse, bag a bargain and help the animals. Follow us at: http://twitter. com/live_arico and our website: www.livearico.com n

A market and Christmas party was held at Westhaven Bay in aid of the Tierra Blanca home for abandoned animals over the holiday season. Festive wear and Crimbo decorations were de rigueur and Westhaven Bay kindly gave up their poolside area and their stage for the day to the organisers to help raise funds for the animals. The stalls looked excellent and despite a strong wind managed to stay that way. The organisation was superb, with a long list of some excellent artists giving up their time to entertain those who turned up and there was even a Father Christmas for the children. However, they let themselves down badly on getting the word out to prospective punters and the turn-up of customers was a disappointment. Stallholders and the Westhaven bar turned over a percentage of the day’s take to help the home, but sales were slow. Maybe next year they’ll remember their local foreign news press and send emails to the relevant editors. We don’t charge for advertising charity n events. Such a shame.

Lee

This good-looking chap is a cross poodle around six to eight weeks old and will be a medium size dog. If you would like to give Lee a home see: www.k9tenerife. eu or call 667 638 468 between 9am and 8pm.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

FOOTBALL NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Soccer Experience Tournament

Get football fit

Sponsored by: Island Connections Media Group & www. windowsplus.co.uk

37

CD Tenerife

Ifran secures deserved draw

Chris Kamara visiting Soccer Experience during 2014

Just how many New Year resolutions have already gone out of the window? It’s very easy to make promises to yourself as a new year begins, probably after an amazing Christmas period of food, drinks and a few too many chocolates. As we enter January the popular option is to promise to give up just about everything you indulged in, and maybe a few things you didn’t. A much better way is to look for something that’s fun and fit, so instead of giving up something, you add something sporty to your week. Football! Great idea! And football for all ages and members of the family too. At Soccer Experience all footballers are welcome, and given our glorious weather this is a great way to get out of the house, meet new people and get fit too. Never played before but always wanted to? There’s a team for you. You’ve tried ballet and kung fu and your friends say football isn’t for girls? Wrong – look at Stephanie Roche, whose goal in 2014 was voted one of the best of the year worldwide (and could still win the overall FIFA award on January 12), football is for everyone; girls and boys, old and young. Soccer Experience offers a range of different ways to get involved, whether you’re a veteran who would like to get back into the game or a family who would love a chance to play sports together. Local teams are also made up of players who come from all over the world to live in Tenerife and have found their way into the Soccer Experience family. They meet and play in the grounds in Los Cristianos, a microcosm of the best of Tenerife South’s multicultural society. There are leagues, training days and you can even talk to organisers about hosting events or football-themed kid’s parties and summer camps. A new year’s resolution is about making your new year a better one overall – and what better way than to up your fitness and have some fun in the bargain. Check out the Soccer Experience website for more information www.socexp.com or call or text 0034 654 200 470 n or email: info@socexp.com

Table positions

Canarian football Club UD Las Palmas CD Tenerife CD Marino

League Liga Adelante Liga Adelante Tercera

Position 1st 16th 3rd

Points 39 23 36

Current leader of the Tercera Division Canarian group of 20 teams from all over the Islands is Lanzarote with 40 points.

04/01/2015 CD Tenerife 1 Sporting de Gijón 1 Tenerife matched high-flying Sporting de Gijón in every department during an entertaining draw inside a cool Heliodoro stadium. The blanquiazules have picked up their form recently but knew they faced a stiff test against a Sporting team yet to taste defeat this season. Due to the suspension of stalwart centrehalf Carlos Ruiz, young Jorge made his senior team debut and came through with flying colours. One for the future perhaps? Another player to be promoted from the youth setup recently is 19 year old keeper Carlos Abad; and scouts from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Newcastle were reported to have been in the stadium to keep an eye on his progress. The game burst into life on 14 minutes when Uruguayan striker Diego Ifran scored with a superb free-kick taken from outside the box. The game enjoyed a nice flow and halfchances fell to both sides but at the break Tenerife were still in the lead. However, Sporting de Gijón equalised early in the second half when a lovely turn and volley by Ndi found the net. The match was, in bal-

Photo: Gary Hill

By Chris Todd

Ifran gets mobbed after scoring a sublime free-kick

ance during the last stages, a good advert for the Spanish second division. One of the biggest cheers of the night from the near 10,000 strong crowd was saved for substitute Younousse Diop as he warmed up behind the goal. The young Senegalese midfielder found his way to Tenerife onboard a wooden patera boat after a perilous journey

from Africa as a 10 year old boy. After spending years in foster care he is now living his dream to become a professional footballer and last week signed his first contract with the blanquiazules. The game finished 1-1 and overall that was a fair result. Next up for CD Tenerife is a difficult trip to Seville to face Real Betis on January 10 at 7pm.

The next home game will see Tenerife play against Numancia on January 18; a team involved in an incredible 6-6 draw last week! Don´t expect that here but with two new strikers set to join Tenerife very soon the future looks a lot more promising than it did a couple of n months ago.

Tenerife benefit match

Charity doubles the crowd The popularity of seasonal football friendlies for a good cause shows no sign of waning, even if the same names appear year after year. Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez stadium was once again the venue for the annual charity game organised by local player Vitolo to raise money,

on this occasion for seven children - one from each Canary Island - in need of urgent medical care. A crowd of almost 16,000 (double the usual Tenerife gate) attended the end of year game, which generated €45,000 in donations for medical bills. Several present and past Ten-

erife players turned out on both sides for the fun fixture but the biggest attraction was someone who did not even take to the pitch – Spain and Barcelona star Pedro Rodríguez, who is also from Tenerife. Pedro stole the show just by being in the stadium to let adoring fans take pictures and seek an

Pedro visited his home island to attend the charity match

autograph. The organisation of this year’s game proved much easier for Vitolo now that he is back playing in Tenerife after years of ‘exile’ in Greece and Turkey. n


POOL LEAGUE / SPORTS NEWS

38

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Pool round-up

Tables for Tenerife Pool Super-League as at January 2

All to play for Reaching the halfway point of the season, as the Tenerife Pool Super League did before the Christmas break, is something of an understatement. Although 18 out of 36 league games have been played, the most interesting part of the season is still to come. The fixtures have now been set and the draws made for the Express Bar Deliveries Cup and Plate competitions, battle lines have been drawn for the 4+ Challenge, and in a few weeks the Scots are coming!

League Phoenix, who play out of the Pool Centre in Puerto Colon, rejoined the league in the second division mid-season last year. The 2012-13 Blue Division winners won promotion to the first division by the skin of their teeth and their rise to the top has been astonishing, being the only unbeaten team in the league. Legends A in sec-

ond place are only four points behind with a game in hand so there is still everything to play for at the top. Thirteenth placed Scruffys are the next team in line, chomping at the bit to break that Phoenix winning streak on January 13. In the second division there’s no surprise to see second placed Britannia so near the top. The surprise is that three new teams have joined Britannia to make up the top four. The Bad Bob’s and Brewers team in first place are three points clear with a game in hand, and two players in the top twenty personal stats, with Dean Bull having an impressive win rate of nearly 91 per cent. Third placed Golf del Sur team Grandee O’Donnell’s managed an impressive sixteen week unbeaten streak and three players in the top twenty stats, with top player Mark Donnelly third overall. Fourth place newbie’s Mad Hatters are just two points behind Grandees.

4+ Challenge

Tenerife v Scotland

The Express Bar Deliveries 4+ Challenge is a team game played throughout the year with a cash prize for the winning team. Phoenix currently lead the table with 17 points, while 180 C sit in second place with 13 points, and 180 B in third with 12. It is interesting to note that of the top ten teams in the 4+Challenge, seven are second division sides.

The league is very proud to again host The Original Tenerife v Scotland Challenge. It is a weeklong event with a karaoke competition, ladies pool, a golf day, and the main event; a three day pool competition. George Fagan and his band of ‘Bravehearts’ will be jetting in on February 9 so keep an eye on the league Facebook page n for updates.

La Liga Promises Tournament

Arona is the true winner

n American Diner style cafe n Homemade burgers 100% beef n Homemade cakes n Best coffees in the area n Exquisite cocktails n Vegetarian menu Calle Luis Alvarez Cruz 5 (opposite Correos) Las Galletas · Tel: 922 731 847

17 13 12 11 11 11 11 11 9 9

DIVISION 1 1 Phoenix 2 Legends A 3 Legendary Jokers 4 Summerland Elite 5 Leones B 6 Hoops 7 Target Old Timers 8 Fosters 9 ZizzisLegends 10 TobyJugSaints 11 Clouseaus Diamonds 12 PenaltySharks 13 Scruffys 14 Sloops 15 Bar 180A 16 Bar Tasca A 17 Dos Hermanos 18 PolygonLegends 19 ScruffyMacs

P 18 17 17 18 17 17 19 17 18 17 17 17 18 16 15 16 17 16 17

W 13 12 10 10 10 9 9 7 7 5 6 6 5 5 5 3 4 3 2

D L F A 5 0 119 61 3 2 108 62 4 3 100 70 3 5 106 74 1 6 95 75 3 5 93 67 3 7 87 93 7 3 92 78 2 9 85 95 6 6 83 87 3 8 74 96 2 9 81 89 5 8 85 95 3 8 75 85 2 8 64 86 5 8 71 89 1 12 59 111 2 11 62 88 2 13 61 99

+- 58 46 30 32 20 26 -6 14 -10 -4 -22 -8 -10 -10 -22 -18 -52 -26 -38

PTS 44 39 34 33 31 30 30 28 23 21 21 20 20 18 17 14 13 11 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

P 17 18 17 16 18 18 18 17 18 18 17 16 17 18 18 13 17 17 16

W 14 13 11 10 10 8 9 7 7 4 5 4 5 4 5 3 3 1 1

D 2 2 4 5 3 6 3 6 4 9 5 8 3 4 1 2 1 5 3

+- 56 46 34 36 26 26 4 16 -6 0 -10 -12 -18 -14 -30 -26 -46 -28 -54

PTS 44 41 37 35 33 30 30 27 25 21 20 20 18 16 16 11 10 8 6

DIVISION 2 BadBobs Britannia Inn [Paraíso] Grandee O´Donnell MadHatters Bar 180B Bar Leones Lupain Properties Nauta Bamboo Beach Target Rangers Bar 180C Mykonos Barracuda Hunters Britannia Bar [Silencio] The Boothen Squad Lowrys SummerlandShooters T.P.@ Boothen Palms Pool Bar

L F A 1 108 52 3 113 67 2 102 68 1 98 62 5 98 72 4 103 77 6 92 88 4 93 77 7 82 88 5 90 90 7 80 90 4 74 86 9 76 94 10 83 97 12 75 105 8 52 78 13 62 108 11 71 99 12 48 102

Powered by EXPRESS BAR DELIVERIES S.L. Information supplied by Tenerife Pool Super League www.tenerifepoolleague.com

King Reyes Photo: © Daniel L. Cetrulo

tus and Chelsea. The Antonio Domínguez stadium hosted the three day event, and Vicente del Bosque and Canarian president Paulino Rivero were present to award trophies to the winning side and best players of the tournament at the end of the final - watched by a 6,000 strong crowd and an incredible one million at home. Valencia won the title, defeating Atlético Madrid 3-1, and their star player Oscar took the prize for best player, and coach Joaquín García won the best manager award, marking it a highly successful occasion for the Valencian side. The tie for third place was contested by Real Madrid and Juventus, with the Spanish side winning 2-1. Zinedine Zidane’s son, Theo, featured for Madrid and won the tournament’s golden boot with a goal tally of four. n

4+ Challenge Phoenix Bar 180C Bar 180B Bar Leones Fosters Leones B Nauta Target Rangers Barracuda Hunters SummerlandShooters

Tenerife Pool Super League

Valencia’s young stars shower in celebration

Photo: © Daniel L. Cetrulo

Valencia may have trotted out champions of the 19th La Liga Promises Tournament but it was the success of Arona for promoting and hosting such a prestigious event - that even attracted Spanish national coach Vicente del Bosque over for the final, as well as over a million TV viewers – that must be most heralded. Promotion of youth football is very important in Spain and the La Liga Promises Under-12 competition featured clubs as prominent as Barcelona, Juven-

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The champions parade the trophy

Canarian darts Tenerife is not normally associated with household names from the world of professional darts but the unexpected success of local lad Cristo Reyes at the PDC World Championship has put him on the radar screen. Reyes, who is 27 and from La Laguna, first emerged back in October 2014 when he beat an entry field Flying the Canarian flag in the of 150 players to qualify for world of darts the finals at Alexandra Palace in London at the turn of the year. He then proved his qualification was no fluke by negotiating the first two rounds to become the first Spaniard ever to make it through to the last 16, taking the scalp of world No.13 Wes Newton along the way. Despite his loss to Scotland’s Gary Anderson, ranked 4th in the world, he was thrilled to make it so far among the biggest names in the sport and is optimistic he can progress further during the coming year. n


BOXING

BOXING / SPORTS NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

By George Reed

The Brockton Blockbuster Although Rocky Marciano retired in 1956 as the only undefeated heavyweight champion in the history of boxing the legend of the Brockton Blockbuster continues to grow, with many students of the fight game believing that he was the greatest heavyweight of all time. But how great was Marciano really? It’s true that The Rock had a perfect record of 49 straight wins in his all too short career, but most of those claims that he was the greatest seem to have been made after he was killed in a plane crash in August 1969 in Iowa on the eve of his 46th birthday. Many who had known him claimed that he was the modest of men, a faultless husband and a dutiful father, but Barney Nagler an American journalist, always insisted that Rocky Marciano was a man nobody knew and the boxing legend’s brother Peter Marciano surprisingly agreed. “All of the stories ever told about my brother Rocky were always very careful to protect an image that made him an all American boy, who never swore, never got angry and never did anything but be nice to everyone,” Peter said, “If Rocky was like they said he was he could never have been heavyweight champ. He would never have hit anyone.” Rocky was certainly no saint inside a boxing ring, he was devastatingly brutal. He was short for a heavyweight, just five feet ten inches tall and had remarkably small fists for such a muscular man, but what he did have in abundance was physical strength. He could take heavy punches from an opponent as well as deliver them and what he lacked in technical skills he made up for with brute force and power. Always tremendously fit he often spent three months at a time training for his big fights at Grossingers gym in the outback while living in an old farmhouse. He hardly ever saw his family. “That’s the price I have to pay” he would say. What is Marciano’s standing alongside other heavyweight greats? Well first of all he was fortunate to have a very crafty manager in the shape of Al Weill, who did a clever job of directing him through the maze of preparation leading up to his first title fight and through his five bouts in defence of his crown. Besides the ones who rate Marciano as the greatest, there are many who know the fight game who insists that if not ‘the best’ he came close to being the number one heavyweight of all time. There are others – knowing ones too – who view Marciano’s achievements and class in a more proper perspective. In ranking the heavyweight greats, I believe you must take into consideration (in no particular order) skills, punching power, accomplishment, longevity and level of opposition, stamina and a deadly flair for a fast knockout. His tremendous forearms, his sturdy legs and thighs, his strong shoulders and powerful neck, all shouted ‘knockout’ and Marciano for sheer power of punch must be ranked alongside Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. However, for boxing skills and defensive ability he must be rated way down the list of boxing technicians. In his last fight Marciano defended his crown against light heavyweight champion Archie Moore, rated as one of all the time greats of boxing. In the second round of the fight Moore caught Marciano with a right cross which dropped the champion to the canvas. Few fighters could have taken such a punch and beat the count, but the Rock was one of those few and he was back on his feet before the referee could reach the count of ten. Moore hammered the champ for the rest of the round and had him groggy and bleeding. The fight was even going into the sixth round but from then on Marciano’s weight advantage took its toll on Moore and he was counted out in the ninth round after taking a barrage of punches with a final left hook to the jaw. After the fight Marciano officially announced his retirement and there was no strident claim for all-time supremacy on behalf of Marciano until years later when a company placed the records of all the heavyweight greats into a giant computer and came up with an electronic meeting of Marciano and Jack Dempsey in the final of the imaginary tournament. The fantasy title meeting produced a 15th round knockout for Marciano. However comparisons aside the fact remains that The Rock was certainly one of the best, one of the most determined and one of the gamest fighters the ‘sweet’ or ‘sour’ science n has produced and a credit to the fight game.

39

Ayoze in with a shout

Spain call-up hint Former Tenerife player Ayoze Pérez’s summer move to Newcastle may prove even more rewarding than first thought for the skilful forward. Already grabbing regular headlines with his performances in the English Premiership, Pérez could be in line for his first senior international call-up judging by comments made by Spain manager, Vicente del Bosque. Asked about possible inclusions for the next bout of internationals in the spring, del Bosque - who flew to Tenerife for the youth tournament in Playa

de Las Américas at the end of December said that Pérez was, “A pleasant surprise” during his first few months with Newcastle and would continue to mature as a player in England. “He has been doing good things and may well be in with a shout to bolster the forward line in March if he continues as he is.” said del Bosque. The 21-yearold from Santa Cruz has played for the Under-21 side on two occasions. He is not the only member of the Pérez family to ply his trade in the north-east of England, as older brother Samuel

Ayoze could be in line for an international call-up

is currently playing for non-league n Blythe Spartans.

Basketball

Cup hopes dashed Basketball side Iberostar Tenerife’s hopes of qualifying for the Cup competition in February are all but over following a dip in form that saw them lose three out of four games at the end of the year. After a very promising start, injuries to key players such as Saul Blanco and the poor performances of Levi Rost and

new signing Mihalis Tsairelis have seen the La Laguna club slide down the table and a finish in the top eight by the end of the first half of season is now virtually impossible, thus ruling out a place in the knockout Cup which takes place in Gran Canaria this year. With the basement teams picking up wins in recent weeks, Iberostar

Tenerife’s comfortable cushion is gradually being eroded and wins in the New Year are badly needed to make sure the side is not dragged into a relegation tussle later in the season. Fans are still pinning their hopes on a return to form by Rost, who has been the subject of departure speculation of late although coach Ale-

jandro Martínez has publicly defended the American. In any case, Martínez’s lack of confidence in Tsairelis, who rarely gets minutes on court, and fellow Greek Fotios Lampropoulos puts additional pressure on the other forwards, Luke Sikma and Blagota Sekulic, and an injury to either could prove n disastrous.

Belgium nightmare over

Return to Las Palmas Former Las Palmas idol, Jonathan Viera, is back at the club as their first winter transfer window signing following his disastrous stint at Belgian club, Standard Liege. The 25-year-old midfielder left Valencia for Standard in

Handball glory Tenerife has a new and very unlikely sporting icon following Spain’s impressive silver medal in the European Women’s Handball Championships in Hungary. The side captured the nation’s hearts with a battling display to reach the final and almost pip world and Olympic champions, Norway. Among the players, nicknamed the ‘Warriors’ by the media for their never-say-die attitude throughout the tournament, was Eli Chávez from La Orotava. Eli

a €2.5 million move in September but failed to settle in Belgium, playing just a handful of games, and made it known a few weeks ago that he wanted away. “I had no doubts where I wanted to go - back home!”

said Viera after passing his medical to start a loan period until June 30, after which the two clubs will discuss his future. The signing of a former favourite, who is believed to have taken a massive pay cut to

return to Gran Canaria, has instilled even more optimism in Las Palmas, where many believe this could be the season that brings a return to the first division after an absence n of 13 years.

The book of Eli came of age at international level in Budapest, even though she has been a regular face in the Spain squad for several years, and has an Olympic bronze medal from London 2012. Chávez, who left her native Tenerife in 2008 for the Spanish peninsula and moved to France in 2012 to play, received unanimous plaudits for her goal-scoring performances in many of the games, and is now one of the cornerstones of the national side as it looks to the next

World Championships to book an Olympic place. She returned to Tenerife for the Christmas holidays and admitted she was overwhelmed by

the blaze of publicity she and her team-mates have enjoyed since the end of the year. n

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8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

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40

MOTORING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Mercedes

Virtual speed Mercedes-Benz has recently launched a series of spectacular 360 degree films which are free for all to watch. The films, which feature some of the fastest and most exciting cars ever created, can be viewed via the Samsung Gear Virtual Reality (VR) devices. The first two feature the allnew Mercedes-AMG GT S being driven at its limits, and a little way beyond, around the Laguna Seca Raceway in California. The experience is so vivid, it feels like you’re hovering just off the front or back bumper of the new GT – a view even the most determined tailgater would struggle to replicate. Likewise, you can opt to take a virtual seat next to the driver to experience what the action feels like from inside the car. Set to be available for free through the Oculus Store by searching ‘Mercedes-AMG GT’, the films were shot in real time using a total of 18 cameras mounted on special rigs. The output from each camera was then electronically stitched together to create one seamless lap of the Laguna Seca track in 360 degrees. The resulting footage, shot by virtual reality specialists, Visu-

alise, forms an app called ‘Mercedes-AMG GT’ which can be downloaded onto what is the heart of the Samsung Gear VR – a powerful Galaxy Note 4 smartphone. Once the app has downloaded, the phone is inserted into the white and black-coloured Gear VR headset and the user can simply

look around, just like in real life, to change their viewpoint of the action as the MercedesAMG GT is driven hard around the track. For those without access to the Gear VR, the footage can also be downloaded via the iTunes store at: http://bit.ly/1GyvLog - or by searching ‘Mercedes-

AMG GT’. The Android version is set to arrive later this month. Like the Virtual Reality version, the apps are free and can be put onto any iPhone or iPad, and use the gyroscopic sensors inside the devices to allow you to move the camera angle in real time to give you a 360

degree virtual window into driving at immense speed. For desktop users, the footage of five times DTM Champion Bernd Schneider being chased down can be viewed at: http:// bit.ly/16yubWM. A solo lap, with the GTS being driven very, very sideways can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/1w6cvq0.

The Mercedes-AMG GT app forms just one of 11 stunning 360 degree films shot over the past year. Cameras were recording when the Championship-winning Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W05 Formula One™ car was driven for the very first time in a pre-season test at Silverstone by Nico Rosberg. Likewise, the 360 degree cameras were in place when 2014 World Champion Lewis Hamilton set out to destroy some rear tyres on an E 63 AMG S Estate around the track, and when Nico Rosberg demonstrated an often-overlooked skill for a Formula One driver: the ability to perform donuts. The spectacular Goodwood Festival of Speed was captured in 360 degrees too – everything from a 1937 W125 Silver Arrow Grand Prix car to the more contemporary F1 W03 heading up the Hill had cameras attached to allow the experience to be relived in the most attention-grabbing and vivid way possible. The Mercedes-AMG film allows viewers and potential customers to get a little closer to the car, albeit in virtual form, ahead of the arrival of the real car in showrooms later this year. n

Brand comparison

Top car

Best tyre forward

Superb ŠKODA

The Consumers and Users Organisation (OCU) has compared analyses of various top makes of tyres over a period of an average of 10 years and has compiled a list of the top brands for quality and performance. Each year for the last decade the organisation has tested and compared Tyres according to size and thanks to their long history of doing so they have been able to compile a list of what OCU considers the brands which overall give best performance. Continental and Michelín came out top all round, with names such as Bridgestone Dunlop, Firestone, GoodYear, Pirelli and Uniroyal being considered as good to high quality – the next rung down.

The new ŠKODA Superb revolutionises the familiar ŠKODA design. A recently released sketch shows an expressively designed saloon full of class and passion: sophisticated, elegant, dynamic, discrete, modern and expressive. From the front to the rear, from the large wheels to the gently rearward-sloping roof line, the new Superb features clear

V.A.G ©2014 FLN

Kleber and Sava were found to be only good to average and Wanli even further below that. These results are based on global wide performance across all tyre sizes. If you would like to know more, see: www.ocu. org/coches/neumaticos/noticias/neumaticos2014. n

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geometry, strikingly contoured surfaces, sculptural shapes, purist precision and elegant lines as if made from one piece, according to the car’s makers. The new ŠKODA model does make a visual impact, offering a sharp and muscular look that is more poised than ever

before, taking the Superb to the higher level of the automotive mid-class segment. The car will make its world premiere in Prague in the middle of February 2015, followed by its introduction at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The market launch is planned for n mid-2015 for Europe.


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

MOTORING

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Honda

Follow the crowd

41

The year ahead

Rally Scene ‘15 By Francis W.

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R2

Electric fun

low Spaniards Jesús Puras and Luis Monzón have taken three wins as has Czech driver Jan Kopecky. This is a world class event and the effort of getting there to see it will be well rewarded. Keep up-to-date with news

RIFE FO

North Tenerife

Rallying is extremely popular in the Canary Islands

event, which covers much of the south of Tenerife over the two days, has sections in Arona and Vilaflor, Tijoco and Taucho, Guía de Isora and Santiago del Teide, and Tamaimo and Playa San Juan. All these are on public roads which will be subject to closure for normal traffic. April 17 and 18 sees the 39 Rally Islas Canarias ‘El Corte Inglés’ in Gran Canaria. This international event has been a long running round of the European Rally Championship, the Spanish European Rally Championship and the Canary Islands Rally Championship. It has also in the recent past been part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the European Rally Cup South and the European Rally Cup West. The rally is a tarmac event. First run in 1977 the rally was quickly popular for its location and climate as well as the Canary Islands’ reputation as a tourist destination. In keeping with its importance as a Spanish event, Spanish drivers have dominated. Medardo Pérez won the first two events driving a BMW. Spain’s world champion, Carlos Sainz, won the event in five consecutive years from 19851989 in a variety of cars. Fel-

NE

HondaProRacing’s interactive digital magazine, Line, is now available for a free download. Line takes two and four-wheel racing fans inside the fastmoving and colourful world of HondaProRacing. The final issue (number 10) of 2014 reflects on the best moments of the racing season, with highlights from Honda’s on and off road campaigns, as well as looking ahead to 2015. It includes news of Honda’s long-awaited return to F1 and the brand-new rider line-up for Pata Honda in the World Superbike Championship. It is also packed with brand new videos, from the second installment of A Life Behind the Bars, with Team HRC MXGP star Evgeny Bobryshev, to Inside Track, which gives an exclusive insight into the minds of the Castrol Honda WTCC drivers and what makes them tick. You can also get the lowdown on the highly anticipated unveiling of the RCV213-S and True Adventure prototype models. HondaProRacing Line can be accessed via www.hondaproracing.com/Honda-Racing/proracingline/ where you can choose to download it to an iPad or iPhone from the App store, do the same to an Android smartphone or tablet from Google Play, or even view it on your desktop. n

Petrol heads amongst us will be delighted to learn that the information regarding motor sports events in 2015 is gradually trickling into the public domain. Though the year’s sporting calendar is still to be released, some events have already been confirmed. Fans of classic and historic vehicles might be interested in one of the first get togethers of the year: the V Clásica de Mogán in Gran Canaria on January 24. Open to vehicles made before the end of December, 1982, the course is 198.6 kilometres on open roads, so normal traffic regulations apply and other traffic must be respected. The start is at the Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa and el Paseo de los Marrero, in Puerto de Mogán at 12pm, arriving for lunch at the Parque Tematico at Gran Caventura at around 2.30pm. The departure for stage two is at 4pm, to return to the start point at just after 7pm. The trophy ceremonies will be held at the Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa. The 2015 Spanish Hillclimb Championship kicks off with round one on March 21 and 22 with the Arona – La Escalona Uphill rally on Tenerife. The start line is just above Las Casas in Arona and it is a 4.4 kilometre blast up the TF 51 to the finish line just before La Escalona. The map shows this section of the road to be all twisting, steep, tight corners with the promise that the race will be fuelled as much by adrenalin as by gasoline. The Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (RFEA) has recently confirmed the dates for this year’s Asphalt Rallies National Championship with the round at Adeje, Tenerife, on April 18 and 19 starting the off the season. This multi-stage


CLASSIFIEDS | CONTACTS | PASTIMES

42

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

HOROSCOPES

Classifieds

Jan. 8, 2015, to Jan. 21, 2015

Aries

(March 21 – April 19)

Contacts Contacts

From buying a pet to moving house and everything in between

Erotic massages, also Tantric. Attractive Ladies from Germany, for gentlemen, ladies & couples: 619 614 380 (English spoken), 664 085 213. Other services: parties, escorts, photo shoots: (English spoken): 648 245 425.

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English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, visits 24 hours, escort service available. Tel. 697 227 139

Las Chafiras, Pamela, black, very loving, all services, relaxing, pain relieving and prostate massages, medium breasts. www.canarias69.com ‘Maya’. Tel. 635 801 105

Bored in Tenerife? I am a pretty and sexy young Italian lady. Dream body, big breasts and slim. Very discreet, not professional. I like erotic games, sex and massages. Call me for an appointment for hotel visits or escort

Patricia from Venezuela, big breasts, French, different positions, massages, vibrators, fetishes, private apartment in Calle Noruega next to Altavista supermarket in Los Cristianos, I can travel. Tel. 650 442 665

Come and enjoy our body to body massage with happy ending! Unforgettable experience. Beautiful Polish ladies. Opening hours: 10am to 10pm. Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje area. Tel. 0034 662 960 065, www.edentenerife.com Los Cristianos, Margaret, 23 years old, beautiful, slim, white, dominant, erotic massages, natural French, horny, adventurous, spectacular hips, explode in my mouth, private apartment, discreet, 24 hours. Tel. 692 50 69 73 / 664 077 390

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Try to relax and make the most of this time as the year ahead will be very exciting.

Taurus

(April 20 – May 20)

Don’t hold back – if you feel you need to say something, say it, but remember to do so kindly.

Gemini

(May 21 – June 21)

You may feel a little disappointed with the last few weeks but don’t be – the foundations are laid for the good times.

Cancer

(June 22 – July 22)

Though the festivities are over you should still be feeling a glow from all the good times. (For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 45)

Leo

(July 23 – August 22)

It is often the way that the life and soul of the party is a Leo – but it’s probably time to slow down now.

Virgo

(August 23 – Sep. 22)

This year you will really come into your own – as long as you can keep your head about you.

Libra

(Sep. 23 – October 22)

Never one for relaxing, you have already got this year’s goals in mind, but try not to push too hard.

Scorpio

(October 23 – Nov. 21)

Hopefully, you have had a relaxing time recently. If not, now is your chance.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

You should have had a very good Christmas and New Year – a forerunner of the fabulous time ahead.

Across

1 - lens (8) 6 - bills (4) 8 - hinge joints (6) 9 - pieces of leather (6) 10 - spiders’ weave (3) 11 - suggestion (4) 12 - agreement (6) 13 - reappearance (6)

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CLASSIFIEDS | PROPERTY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

Property for rent

Email: Philhirstconsultant@ btinternet.com or P.D.Hirst@ gmail.com

Retired gentleman seeks long let in south Tenerife. Studio or small apartment, €400 -500 per month inclusive all bills. Must be ver y clean, to commence in Februar y. Email: colinfischer56@hotmail. com or call: 699 162 952

Los Cristianos, 2 bedroom apartment to rent by the sea front, €500 per month (including bills). 1 bedroom apartment to rent by the sea front, €380 per month (including bills). Call John 669 831 439 or email richard@larkinproperty.com

Office space for rent, furnished or unfurnished. community, electric, and WiFi included. Special assistance for new start up businesses, no deposit or bank guarantees needed, contact Chris on 667 554 800 to arrange a viewing Retired English couple with excellent references seeks a 2/3 bedroom apartment to rent for 3 months from 7/12/14, preferably central Los Cristianos. Tel. 603 261 322 Winter letting north west Tenerife Old Canarian house in Buenavista del Norte, three month minimum contract. Two bedrooms, tiny shower/toilet, lounge, small dining area, fitted kitchen, large garden. Very central for all services, very few stairs. From €400 per month. 669 652 149 Winter letting Puerto de la Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149 3 bedroom apartment in Vista Hermosa complex, Los Cristianos, fully furnished, 2 bathrooms, €900 per month includes bills, first and last months rent plus one months damage deposit, E-mail baytreejohn@aol.com or call 07518 035960 Los Cristianos, central apartments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, furnished, Tel: 649 142 612 Los Cristianos Cactus 2, for rent attractive two bedroom apartment, sea views, pool, satellite TV, large terrace, unsuitable for children, €650 per month + bills, minimum 3 months. Tel. 629 606 494 Two bedroom apartment with bathroom, kitchen, balcony, in very quiet area. For rent, €390 all included. Please call 659 098 653 (Juan) Valle San Lorenzo Los Cristianos nice apartment, bedroom, living room, American kitchen, bathroom, very near to the beach, lots of sun, sea view, quiet. €500 / month. Tel. 922 752 759 – 608 425 426

Rustic finca for long term let near Icod de los Vinos. Fully equipped and furnished, open fire, satellite TV and Wi-Fi available. Fantastic sea and mountain views, sun terrace and barbeque, €450 PCM. Tel. Spain: 0034 922 865 776. UK mobile: 0044 (0) 7786 390541. Spanish mobile: 0034 674 287 632.

Elderly couple 70 and 80 looking for a large attic, for very

long term rent in Los Cristianos/ Las Americas. Price from €1,000 per month (can wait until approx. April). Agents welcome. Telephone: 922 362496. E-mail: privat3001@yahoo.de

Playa de las Américas, studio for rent, central location, quiet area, close to the beach, well furnished and equipped. No finders’ fees. €450 – bills included. Tel. 620 230 871 or 922 75 11 13

Property for sale Los Cristianos, central apartments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, furnished, Tel: 649 142 612 €39.990 Sunny apartment for sale (Studio) in Playa Paraiso (Tenerife-South), 40 m2, with balcony, spectacular sea views, pools, SAT-TV. Very near to the beach, supermarket, restaurants and bus-stop. Private sale. Tel. 922 30 15 75, email: mesa3@telefonica.nice Villa for sale in San Isidro, 11,500 m2, living area 400 m2, 4 bedrooms, living room, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, office, double garage, utility room, hobby room, pool, sauna. Telephone 922 390 951, email: horstbrett@gmx. de. Price: €990.000 (negotiable) possibility of payment terms. Website: horstbrett.de Apartment Tabaiba Alta for sale, only five mins away from the German school, roughly 102ms, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, utility room, garden, big terrace. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net For Sale! Favourable living in the sun. Staying at the most beautiful camping place of Tenerife. Nice view of the sea and La Gomera . A Caravan (Weippert) with compact wooden front structure. (Aluminium windows and doors). Total 40 sqm. Fully equipped with TV, washingmachine and so on. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 85 06 85

Los Cristianos centre near beach, I’m selling 2 business units together (90 + 40 m2) – They can be separate. Updated installations. Each one has an alarm and air conditioning. Tel. 922 792 168 – 649 142 612 Comercial property for sale in Los Cristianos Calle Suecia, best place for a store or cafe! Directly from the owner. 42 square meters. Phone: 922 726 029 / 696 978 211 Looking to swap my house in Tenerife for a house in Dublin or surroundings. If agreed, the time could be arranged. From a month to a year time gap. Call Carmen 693 727 683 Property Wanted - Kundalini is expanding. In Los Cristianos, Las Américas and Fañabé areas. Four or Five bedrooms and bathrooms, lounge, terrace and if possible a pool. Exclusive area with discreet entrance. Ask for Irene: 693 979 153 Amarilla Bay, Costa del Silencio, large, two bedrooms, two bathrooms apartment to rent. Fully furnished, English TV, three balconies, community swimming pool, close to all local amenities. €550 per month plus bills. Telephone 659 489 690.

43

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 commercial centres, 800m from Playa Fañabé, community fees 30€/month,

165,000€ · Tel 629 244958

Opportunity in Torviscas Alto (Playa Fañabé) Apartment, 60m2, one bed, furnished with terrace 8m2, views over the pool and La Gomera. Quiet neighbourhood, near to commercial centres, Playa Fañabé , safe, communal zones. Community pool. Community monthly fee, €49. Excellent investment. Price €75,000. Iñaky - Tel. 629.24.49.58 aska_tenis@hotmail.com

www.villatenerifenorte.com (Web: English, D,F, E)

8% Commission to intermediaries. 690.000 €

Best Deal Properties from banks & firstline. Bungalow Club Atlantis, 2 bedrooms €249,000; Fañabe beach 1 bedroom, €170,000; Torviscas beach 2 bedrooms 159 m2, €250,000; Torviscas 2 bedrooms, €110,000; Cristianos beach €118,000. Tel. 628 486 190 – 922 718 257

Private Sale 10.800 m2 Tel. (0034) 682 392 956

One of the most beautiful fincas! Villa and Guesthouse. Pool, Sauna Whirpool, Tennis court, Bodega, Garage, Water tank. Nice view to the sea and Teide, 8,500 sqm. P.o.r. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 850 685 Two very good business premises for sale. Leasehold, restaurant near beach in Los Cristianos, €120,000, and bar/snacks Los Cristianos, €65,000. Tel. 690 676 527 For sale, Bungalow 160m2 Costa Sauzal, situated front row with guaranteed spectacular sea-views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms , living room with panoramic windows, modern kitchen, dining room connected to the terrace, including a heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on same level, garage and a marvellous tropical garden with 800m2 landscaped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsananes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879

Opportunity to purchase freehold,

a very popular Theme Bar, well established and profitable, good location, near to beach in Los Cristianos. Price: 265,000€.

Tel: 690 676 527

For Long Term Rent mature people preferred. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, big kitchen, 1 terrace, living room, garden with fruit trees, in quiet area. Tel. 609 531 178 or e-mail: melquiadesm@ hotmail.com

LOS CRISTIANOS

Lovely condition 1 bed with 1 bathroom apartment plus balcony. All New kitchen, All New Bathroom, New Furnishing, very good condition. Nice size balcony, town views, great location well run complex with pools.

Fully furnished. Well Priced £113,000.

EEC Registered. Call Alan. (0034) 667513689


CLASSIFIEDS | PROPERTY

44

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

San Miguel Village

Property for sale One of the most beautiful fincas!

Villa and Guesthouse. Pool, Sauna Whirpool, Tenniscourt, Bodega, Garage, Watertank. Nice view to the sea and Teide, 8,500 sqm. P.o.r. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 850 685

Golf Del Sur

4 bed, 4 bath villa

Already sub-divided into three separate residences, all with independent private entrances. Or retain as a 4 bed, 4 bath for a growing family. Extensively refurbished and must be seen to be appreciated. €315,000 Tel: 627 629 933

Smallholding: 3,000m2 with 350m2 property In Playa de La Tejita (El Médano). With permission to construct a further 20 per cent, practically on the beach front of the Playa de La Tejita (El Médano). Unique opportunity in Tenerife. Price was €250,000, now €170,000 due to transfer. Tel: 629 244 958

Tel: 639 515154

Opportunity in Playa de Las Américas

Apartment, 55m , one bed, American kitchen, terrace. Excellent location, 2 minutes from the beach. Community pool, excellent investment opportunity. 2

Price: €85,000 Tel: 629 244 958

Laderas de Palm Mar

Nice one bedroom apartment situated in the idyllic area of Palm Mar. This is on a modern complex with pools and easy access to the sea front and restaurants. Residential complex, tranquil setting, priced to sell!

Price € 99,000 Please call Alan 667 513 689

For Sale - Rural house in Aldea Blanca, San Miguel, Tenerife

Residencial La Duquesa Playa Fañabé

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, community pool.

€455,000

Tel. 629 244 958

Tel. 922 514 156

Great Opportunity San Eugenio Apartment 1 double bedroom, 55 m2, furnished large terrace with sea views. Community pool, bar, 24 hour reception, security, supermarket... Price 69.000 euros. Tel: 629 244 958

Property for sale

Duplex with extension, 1 bathroom 1 toilet, separate kitchen, with garage and utility room. Next to Adeje police station, music conservatory, Supermarkets, schools etc. €100,000

Chalet on Camp Site Guía de Isora

El Camisón 247.56m2, very quiet, close to the park and Hospiten, triplex and private garage with electric doors. Three bedroom with three complete bathrooms. Independent kitchen, dining room with air conditioning, terrace with awning and BBQ. Independent water tank (750 litres). New electrical system. Own satellite system and community TV.

Wooden house for sale in Arafo (La Hidalga) Terrain 1520m, 2 floors, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one with bath and one with shower), kitchen, living room, upper parquet floor with tiles, quiet location with fabulous sea-Mountain views. Good connection south motorway. Negotiable price. 180.000€

Land 400 m 2, built 230 m 2, three bed, two bath, barbecue and wood burning stove, pool, garage for two cars, patio with planters, kitchen with pantry, fireplace, wood fitted ceilings, fitted wardrobes. €398,000. Contact José Guadalupe Mobile 676 399 652 josejguadalupe@gmail.com

Double bedroom, fitted wardrobes, shower, WC, hand basin, gas boiler, 4 gas rings, microwave, kitchen diner, TV, DVD, Hi-Fi, CD system, patio, sea view, table and chairs, swimming pool, security gate,parking, rates paid till March 2015. For sale furnished €25,000 UK Tel. 0044 (0) 1903690309. UK Mob. 07973349111. Spain Tel. 0034 922 136 778. Spain Mob. 646 586 318

Bungalow Golf del Sur (Fairways-Village) 88m2 built and fully renovated. 190m2 garden with 9m2 Porch. 2 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms, one of them on suite. Open kitchen, living room and dinning room attached. Private pool and community pool. Community €110, includes a gardener who takes care of the garden entrance to the house Price: €205.000

La Duquesa

Price: €85,000 Tel: 629 244 958

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, community pool. €455,000 Tel. 629 244 958

Fantastic Coastal and Pool Views from this 2 bed 2 bath Apartment, with Large 30sm Terrace, Fully furnished. Walking distance to shops and Puerto Colon. Well maintained complex with 2 pools.

Priced at 139,000 Euros. Great Value! Ring Alan: 667 513 689 for appointment to view.

Situated in the Real Golf Club Tenerife, in Tacoronte.

Playa Fañabé

Apartment, 55m2, one bed, American kitchen, terrace. Excellent location, 2 minutes from the beach. Community pool, excellent investment opportunity.

San Eugenio Alto Exclusive!

VILLA FOR SALE

Residencial

Opportunity in Playa de Las Américas

WINDSOR PARK

“Mobile home” in prime position. Camping Nauta Purpose built 2008. Double glazed. Large Approx 65m2. 2 big bedrooms. Fully tiled bathroom. Fitted kitchen. Spacious Loung dinner. All electric. Laminate floors. Air con. Garden. Car parking. Use of all site facilities. €36.000 Phone: 693 760 769

243 m2, Garage for two cars. Hall with a little toilet, dining room, living room, 2 bedrooms with 2 complete bathrooms, dress room, kitchen, service bedroom with bathroom, and terrace around the villa. The garden: 750 m2.

SAN EUGENIO ALTO DON’T MISS THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY

Information Tel. +34 659 928 805

Apartments 58m2, 1 double bedroom. Renovated and furnished, living/dining room.

Urb. La Tagora • San Eugenio Alto

American kitchen and large terrace.

New 3 bedroom luxury villa 650,000€

Price €56,000 Tel. 629 244 958

(0034) 634 072 328 (0034) 922 72 44 16

For advertising that really works CALL

922 750 609


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

CLASSIFIEDS | GENERAL SERVICES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

General Services

45

Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975

922 716 079 www.blevinsfranks.com

MASONIC MEETINGS

Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73

Mark has a great team of professionals for your kitchen, bathroom, building work, plumbing, aluminium doors & windows, electrical work, painting & decorating, plastering, parquet flooring, etc. Plans & permits included. Long term guarantees on all work. Happily living & working in Tenerife since 1987 For general help & advice, please call Mark on 619 472 458 or 922 362 834 or email mark@kitchenco.es

Golfers – great opportunity

The Santiago del Teide Lion’s Club currently has a number of secondhand sets of clubs at very reasonable prices – don’t miss out, be first off the tee! Visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigillia Park), Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm.

All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

(+34) 922 178 091 or donaldsonjh@yahoo.co.uk

GESTIÓN DE FUGAS

English Library Opp. Yeoward School Puerto de la Cruz

Spanish and English Lawyers

TENERIFE 2014 S.L.

Pipe burst detection • Leackage detection Pressure pipe Pool Flat roofs • Pipe cleaning Television Pipe location Mob. 649 956 898 629 637 026 Tel. / Fax 922 772 000 e-mail: tubo-control@web.de

www.tubo-control.eu

For advertising that really works CALL

922 750 609

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio

www.decottalaw.net

ISLAND CONNECTIONS PICKUP POINT Frutería Ágaves Ed. Ágaves, Av. Venezuela 6

Playa de Las Américas Learn how to speak Spanish with lessons, audio, video and games, including the alphabet, phrases, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and activities. Only with a native teacher. Puerto de la Cruz area, call Saida. Tel: 630 574 073 Rocket Café - An American style diner selling 100 per cent beef homemade burgers; homemade cakes; the best coffees; and exquisite cocktails. C/ Luis Álvarez Cruz, 5 (Opposite the post office), Las Galletas: 922 731 847 For sale. Home-produced ecological vegetables, Tenerife south. Interested businesses, call 650 323 751 (Spanish only), send WhatsApp or email to: michelteide@hotmail.com After school classes, help or activities in English, German or Spanish, please contact Mrs. Garus. Tel. 602 506 793. We are 5 minutes away from Wingate School in Cabo Blanco. www.mascuidados.com Website for our massages, dedicated to bringing the benefits of therapeutic massage to your home or hotel, no charge for travel. Do you want a massage? www.mascuidados.com Tel. 663 190 727

ISLAND CONNECTIONS PICKUP POINT

Items For Sale

Clínica Dental Fañabé C.C. Fañabé Plaza

Double bed sofa, blue pattern, 205cm in lenght, good condition. €100 Approx. 1000 box videos, all original (offers invited). Approx. 1000 new books, mainly fiction (offers invited).

Playa Fañabé

Tel. 922 58 23 78

Tenerife’s leading specialist in the manufacture, repair and installation of all types of awnings, canopies, interior and exterior blinds. Manual or electric.

Lamp Factory Buy during your holidays We deliver to your home country Ctra. General C-820, Travesía la Panadería, 1 38440 Santo Domingo (La Guancha) Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Tel / Fax: 922 130 301 OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 2 pm & 4 pm to 9 pm

Specialists in the manufacture, repair and installation of all types of industrial and domestic shutters, security grilles, garage doors. Electric or manual. Remote controlled systems.

©2014 FLN

Kitchen Bathroom & Building

©2014 FLN

Kitchen Co.

Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. Meetings every fourth Tuesday starting in October 2014 (Installation) until the fourth Tuesday in April 2015

ISLAND CONNECTIONS PICKUP POINT

PRESTIGE GARDEN FURNITURE COMPANY

C/ Agustín Millares 20 · Armeñime · 38678 Adeje

Tel/Fax: 922 74 08 88 · Mobile: 660 878 763 Showroom open: Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 www.theprestigegroup.es · info@theprestigegroup.es

High quality garden and terrace furniture


CLASSIFIEDS | MISC. SERVICES / SIT. VACANT

46

Car for sale

Vehicles for sale

Sell your car here!

Mercedes Benz CLK 200, cabriolet, automatic, 1999, metallic-silver, petrol, 92.000 km. 9.800€ Tel. 602 453 718 OPEL COMB O-C

1 Module

ONLY

20

* IGIC included

VAN 1.6 L

* 2003, ITV 09.2012 , blue CD radio, central loc metallic, king system with remote key, ele ctric windows, Tel. 690 229 216, € 4,900.00

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

Situations Vacant / wanted Regional distributor seeks commercial staff for Gran Canaria and Lanzarote English essential. Please send your CV to: comercialesgc@ gmail.com

The Canary Island’s biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents

DO MORE

I’m a Spanish translator and can help with the doctor’s, school, NIE’s, community meetings etc.

Letters & CV’s also translated

Tel: 649 882 366 Seeking highly motivated distributors for a natural product. This is not only for Tenerife but also for the UK. Send CV to oroten10@ gmail.com or call 0034 922 985 462

Administration specialist Requirements:

FOR THE BEST

• Bilingual English/ Spanish • University Degree • Experience in tourism sector administration • Working knowledge of Ofimatica

902 886 226 www.todocancer.org

aecc

Reply to: employment@smith-hunter.com

©2014 FLN

Join us and combat cancer

Qfm, Spain’s only Cool Jazz Radio station www.Qmusica.com

www

(Worldwide)

Daily Cultural Guide updated every day in English at 07:45, 09:45, 11:45, 13:45, 15:45, 17:45 & 19:45.

And don’t miss Qfm’s famous Sunset Sessions, an exclusive chill-out mix every evening. The Asociación Cultural para la Difusión de las Artes y las Músicas de Canarias, registered with the Gobierno de Canarias (G1/S1/16504-10/TF), operates and administers Qfm94.3 within Ley 7/2010 - Artículo 32.

©2014 FLN

(South Tenerife)

FRUSTRATED WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER?

Qualified and experienced native

English, German, Russian and Spanish teachers wanted for new language school in El Médano. Please send your CV to info@babelacademy.es

A new upcoming business is looking for attractive, high

class and opened minded women, to

work in a different and exciting profession. Call 669 977 993 for more information.

Smith & Hunter require

THAN HOPE

94.3

Promotions company with more than 10 years experience in selling attractive, high quality products in Tenerife markets, 5 star hotels and superstores is looking for open minded full/part time promoters, who like to present and sell in live promotion. No selling experience is required. Contract + Social Security + fixed salary + commission is guaranteed. Feel free to contact us for further information. Office: 922 781 548 fax: 922 781 548 Mob: 629 493 799

SECRETARY OF MANAGEMENT

We are looking for: a person with full knowledge of the general tasks of a management secretary -Qualifications appropriate for the position. -You must have at least 5 years of experience in a similar position plus complete domination of spanish, english and german, and also advanced knowledge of computer use. C.V. to:

personal@loroparque.com


8.1.2015 – 21.1.2015

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 737

General Information 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in big tourist resorts open. There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning

Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www. navieraarmas.com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065

Duty Free Despite popular belief, it is generally cheaper to buy alcohol and tobacco on the Islands than on the plane or at the airport.

Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aena-aeropuertos.es

Duty Free Limits 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250grs rolling tobacco 1L spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22% 2L wine 60ml perfume, 250 ml eau de toilette Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062

Mount Teide

The Canary Islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Spain and northwest of Africa, directly in front of the coast of Morocco. Because of this unique geographical situation, the Canaries have always been an important location for navigation between Europe, Asia and America.

Time zone: The time zone is the same as in the UK and Ireland.

Can I drink the water? You can drink the tap water in the Canaries, but the change may affect your stomach. If your visit is short, it’s perhaps best to stick to bottled. Discounts Students and senior citizens may receive discounts on ferries, tickets to concerts, museums, etc., so always ask, as long as you can provide ID to prove it. Shopping Normal opening hours in the Canaries are from 10am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm hours. However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from

For daily news, updates and event information

visit

Temperature To convert ºC to ºF multiply by 1’8 and add 32 To convert ºF to ºC subtract 32 and divide by 1’8

Medical care All residents of the European Union have the right to free medical and hospital care from Tenerife’s Public Health Service whilst on holiday (ie less than three months). To receive this medical care you need to have the European Medical Card or equivalent document, which can be applied for in your home country. It doesn’t cover all treatments; and excludes dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness. Where do I go if I am ill? Find a Centro de Salud or Centro Médico. The ones in the tourist resorts generally speak some English. Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi drivers have been known to take back-handers for taking sick people to private clinics. Don’t pay for your ride until you are sure you are in the right place.

General Information

Foreign exchange: The Spanish currency is the Euro. You can change currency in any bank by showing your passport (Mon – Fri, 8am to 2pm), or in the many exchange agencies in tourist resorts.

GENERAL INFO

The British Consulate

Consulates can: Issue passports, give information about medical care, education and legal matters, give assistance to people under arrest, under exceptional circumstances give you enough funds to be repatriated (on loan), help you in the case of emergency/catastrophe. British Consulate Tenerife: (0034) 922 286 653 British Consulate Gran Canaria: (0034) 902 109 356 Honorary British consulate Lanzarote: (0034) 928 262 508 Indian consulate: (0034) 922 241 416 Irish Consulate: (0034) 922 245 671

Inter island transport Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es

47

Look out for these emblematic local dishes: Gofio (ground, roasted maiz flour, good on soups) Lapas (limpets, delicious with green mojo) Potaje (thick soups) Costillas con Papas (bacon ribs with potatoes, sweet corn and coriander mojo) Rancho Canario (a stew/soup with meat, potatoes, beans...) Ropa vieja (beef, potato, onion and chick-pea stew) Puchero Canario (beef and vegetable stew) Chicken and rabbit in Salmorejo sauce Goats’ meat stew Carne fiesta (fried, marinated, spicy pork chunks) Bienmesabe (a lovely and very sweet dessert made of almonds) Quesadilla (similar to a crême caramel, only much tastier) Miel de Palma (syrup from palm trees) Spanish specialities: Jamón serrano (cured raw ham) Cordero lechal (suckling lamb)

Try the local food – these squid rings are delicious for example

Swimming and water sports

Blue Badge users

Always remember that the sea is the Atlantic Ocean and it can get rough very quickly, especially during the winter months. This applies to strong swimmers too. Even if you can’t see big waves, the tides and currents can be strong. Use common sense; if there’s nobody else in the water it’s usually for a reason. Never ignore red flags.

Parking for Blue Badge holders in the Canaries is limited to the ‘disabled only’ (Minusválidos) parking spaces in each town. There are no concessions to park on yellow lines or anywhere else normal parking is not allowed. And even if you have a Blue Badge, don’t park in a disabled area which has a registration number marked on it – you will be fined and probably towed away. For further information see: www. bluebadge-tenerife.com

Eating out Canarian food is uncomplicated, healthy and very tasty, so try everything. Good advice is to order fish/seafood dishes by the coast and meat dishes in the interior. Mojo is a delicious Canarian sauce which is pretty good on everything, but especially with ‘papas arrugadas’ (wrinkled new potatoes). Each place has their own version and it’s common to all the Canaries. Goat’s cheese, either fresh, smoked or cured, is made on all the islands.

Playa Las Vistas, Los Cristianos, Tenerife


48

WHATS ON 2015

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 004

January / February

January / February

TENERIFE

GRAN CANARIA

DIARY DATES

DIARY DATES January 8

www.unahoramenos.es 10pm, Mäbu (Live music), €10, Mojo Club, Las Palmas January 30 8.30pm, Maria Joâo Pires & Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, €25 - €65, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Las Palmas. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es January 31

8.30pm, ‘Link Floyd – Animals’ (Live music), €10, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas. www.elteatroguiniguada.com January 9 8.30pm, ‘The Beatmaps – Tribute to The Beatles’, €10, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas. www.elteatroguiniguada.com January 10 11.30pm, Subversia (Live music), Mojo Club, Las Palmas January 16

9pm, Raphael (Live music), Gran Canaria Arena, Las Palmas. www.entrees.es February 6 8.30pm, Juanito Makandé (Live music), €15, CICCA, Las Palmas 10pm, Marwan (Live music), €16, The Paper Club, Las Palmas February 7

EXHIBITIONS

8.30pm, Gran Canaria Symphonic Orchestra ‘La Revolución de las Art: ‘Días de Vinilo’ (Vinyl Days), Centro Orquestas Españolas’ (Revolution of the de Arte La Regenta, Las Palmas Spanish Orchestras), €20 - €50, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Las Palmas. Until January 11 www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

8.30pm, Gran Canaria Symphonic Orchestra ‘La Revolución de las Orquestas Españolas’ (see January 16) January 23

8pm, Cadena 100 concert, Plaza del Cristo, La Laguna

La Florida Traditional Pilgrimage, La Orotava. www.villadelaorotava.es

January 15

January 11 to February 13

9pm, Helen Lennys (Live music), €5, Teatro Guimerá. www.teatroguimera.es

31st Canarian Music Festival at Adán Martín Auditorium (Santa Cruz), Teatro Leal (La Laguna) and Magma Arte & Congresos (Costa Adeje). www.festivaldecanarias.com

January 17 7pm, 5th Tegueste Night Trail, Plaza de San Marcos, Tegueste San Antonio Abad Traditional Pilgrimage, Arona. www.arona.travel San Antonio Abad Traditional Pilgrimage, Los Realejos. www.realejos.es January 20 San Sebastián Traditional Pilgrimage, La Enramada (Adeje). www.costa-adeje.es

9pm, Red Beard (Live music), €5, Teatro Guimerá. www.teatroguimera.es January 23 9pm, ‘Atlantes & Hamelin Quintet AECC Concert’, €10, Teatro Leal, La Laguna. www.teatroleal.com January 24 9pm, Marlango (Live music), €8 - €15, Teatro Leal, La Laguna. www.teatroleal.com

Paintings: ‘La zona habitable’ (The habitable zone), San Martín Centro de la Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas January 25 Sculpture: Welcome Bridge, San Martín Centro de la Cultura Contemporánea, From 10am, San Antonio Abad Las Palmas Traditional Pilgrimage, Buenavista. www.buenavistadelnorte.es January 20 7.30pm, Concerts in Ábaco, Puerto de la Cruz. www.abacotenerife.com Paintings: El Greco – Oro y Tinieblas 8pm, 2nd Flamenco Romí Festival, (Gold and Darkness), Casa Colón, Las €12 - €15, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz. Palmas www.teatroguimera.es

8.30pm, Olga Cerpa & Mestisay – Estación Lisboa (Live music), €20, Teatro Cuyás, Las Palmas. www.teatrocuyas.com 8.30pm, Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen January 23 (Queen Tribute), €10 - €45, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Las Palmas. Art: ‘La maldición del cuerpo’ (The www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es curse of the body), University of Las Palmas Art Gallery, Las Palmas January 24 8pm, Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen (Queen Tribute). www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es 8.30pm, Olga Cerpa & Mestisay (see Jan. 23) 9.30pm, Los Sabineros (Live music), €10, Auditorio de Teror, Teror.

February 1

January 22

8.30pm, Tribute to Metallica (Live music), €10, Auditorio de Teror, Teror. www.unahoramenos.es

Until January 10

January 22

January 13

January 30 9pm, Olga Cerpa & Mestisay – Estación Lisboa (Live music), €15, Teatro Leal, La Laguna. www.teatroleal.com

Until January 25

January 31

Art: ‘Cruce de Colecciones’, 105 artists from all around the world, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Las Palmas

9pm, Olga Cerpa & Mestisay (see January 30)

January 16 to January 18 From 10am, San Antonio Abad Traditional Pilgrimage, Los Silos. www.lossilos.es Until March 27 8.30pm, Canarian Folk Festival, Thursdays (beach front promenade Los Cristianos), Fridays (C.C. City Center, Las Américas), 2nd Saturday of each month (11am – Rambla de Las Galletas) www.arona.travel Last weekend in January Almond Blossom Tours, Santiago del Teide. Bookings: 922 86 03 48. www.santiagodelteide.es

EXHIBITIONS Until January 9 British School art exhibition at the English Library, Parque Taoro, Puerto de la Cruz. Monday 3pm - 5.30pm, Wednesday 10am - 1pm, Friday 3pm 5pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm Until January 18 Photography: ‘Al Desnudo’ (Naked), Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA), Santa Cruz Until January 31 ‘Art: Entre el Mito y el Sueño’ (Between the Myth and the Dream), Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA), Santa Cruz Art: ‘La Belleza Convulsiva’ (Convulsive Beauty) by Oscar Domínguez, Fundación Cristino de Vera, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, La Laguna Sculptures: ‘Crónica del Viento’ by Martín Chirino, Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Santa Cruz Until February 12 Art: ‘Impressions’ by Felipe Hodgson, 10am – 8pm, Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA), Santa Cruz

For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html


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