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1984-2015
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October 22 – November 4, 2015 Changing time
Puerto Santiago
757 Teide and Cueva del Viento
Farewell and thanks
Clocks go back
End of an era
Tenerife’s highs and lows
George Reed steps down
Page 7
Page 13
Pages 14 & 15
Page 30
Fraudulent eviction?
Property owner’s nightmare
IVE! EXCLUS
By Sabine Virgin then on annual leave. When the world. He is practically liv- who disappeared in late 1998, “You are being evicted. You can pack your clothes then you must leave immediately.” These are the words that greeted Dr. Pierre J. on September 18 when police officers, a representative of his former neighbour and girlfriend Marietta R., and a delegation from the Arona Courts arrived on his doorstep in Chayofa. The consultant, who was running a private practice from the lower floor of his house, simply could not believe his ears. He didn’t have any choice, however: he grabbed his clothes and left, to go directly to the Court of Arona. Unfortunately, the judge who had made such a profound change to Pierre’s life was by
the doctor returned to his home, he found that he was now only allowed access to the basement of his property. An external staircase that led to the first floor of the house had been walled in and sealed off with an unsightly metal cover. Inside the basement a steel box had been erected to block him from reaching the first floor of his house from the underground room. All of the physician’s furniture, documents, books and personal belongings were on the upper floor: to which he no longer had access. He estimates that the total value of his belongings is approximately €100,000, though no price can be placed on the personal memorabilia. Pierre says he no longer understands
ing in his practice – the basement of his own house. He sleeps on a makeshift bed and does his cooking on a portable stove. “I have nothing left. Even my pots, plates and all my records - everything is in my apartment, which I can no longer enter”, he says in despair. The story begins in 1997 when Pierre and his partner Marietta bought two building plots in a new residential area in Chayofa above Los Cristianos. The pair, both from Switzerland, aimed to finish two semi-detached houses: one for Pierre and the second for his partner and her mother. Unfortunately, the purchase agreement for the two plots and subsequent construction was handled by an architect
halfway through the work, because of tax debts covering a 10-year period. Despite this set back, by December 2000 both houses were completed thanks to Pierre loaning his partner the funds she needed to finish her property. Pierre is still in possession of receipts for work and materials he paid for. In a private contract between the two it was specified that in the case of the sale of Marietta’s house, Pierre should receive half of the proceeds in return for the capital investment he had made in it. At that time the houses had no official numbers. Marietta gave hers the number seven and Pierre named his house number nine. Continued on page 2
Pierre currently lives in his practice whilst he leads an absurd fight for his house
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Home or hell?
Registration confusion Continued from front page Unfortunately, shortly afterwards the two decided to end their relationship and Marietta, who had also fallen into financial trouble, returned to Germany and Switzerland. The couple agreed that while she was away Pierre could use the first floor of her house, including the garden and pool. In 1997 the road that Pierre’s and Marietta’s houses were built on was named Calle Tinguafaya, but the borough council renamed it Calle Tahona in 2001. In addition, in December 2012, the council redistributed house numbers in the area and Pierre’s residence became number seven and Marietta’s was given the number nine: a swap that may be partly to blame for the current distressing situation. In 2007 Mariette won a case in Arona Court for the eviction of Pierre from her house. The proceedings at the time dealt with Calle Tahona, number seven – the address of Marietta’s house at the time, which, since 2004, Pierre had indeed made use of, as agreed. In 2010 he removed all his belongings from number seven and turned the basement of his own house into his practice. Thus, the story could have come to an end, but it was actually the start of a nightmare. In spite of the fact that Pierre had long moved out of Marietta’s house, in 2011 she once again applied for an eviction order, citing the judgment of 2007 on house number seven. Yet it wasn’t until 2013, six long years after the original ruling, that a representative of the court actually visited the properties - and officially registered the fact that Marietta’s house was empty and that Pierre no longer used that half of the semi-detached building. However, any sigh of relief was a little too early, for later that same year Marietta submitted architectural plans dated from 2006 to the Arona
Chasing a ghost
Clearly two front doors. Unfortunately, the street numbers were changed in 2012 and that may have led to the confusion
court. One side of the plan, where Marietta is listed as the owner of the house at Calle Tahona, number seven, it is stamped and signed by the architect and all the delineated spaces are all correctly registered. The second page of the plan, however, was apparently not stamped or signed by the architect and seems to have been added much later. It shows the upper and lower floors of the two houses as one: though always two semidetached houses with separate house numbers since 1999, now depicted as one property with one front door and one number – seven. There are several aspects of the plan that seem to point to it being a falsification: various measurements apparently do not match the architect’s 2006 plan; for the upper section of the house there is only one door; and the basement of Pierre’s house, which Marietta had never seen, was shown as an open double garage when there had, in fact, been various rooms and pillars in place since 1998. With this plan in hand, Marietta demanded Pierre’s eviction. Though representatives of the Arona Court verified in May 2013 that there were two distinct properties, and that Pierre had lived in just one house since 2010, that
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Pierre outlined one of the difficulties in bringing his complaints before the judges: “One of the problems is that Marietta is hard to pin down, for me and especially for the two Spanish courts. She has two clinics, in Switzerland and Lake Constance, but is constantly changing her place of residence. She also has two passports: in one she is called Mariette and the other Marietta. Several judicial processes have been rejected because one or the other passport has been submitted each time, with a claim that there had been some mistake”, protested the doctor. He cannot understand how the law can reach such a judgment and how he has been left fighting for his rights, his investment and, most importantly, his home. Not giving up, on September 22 he filed a complaint in court against the eviction and the unlawful structural changes.
Help from the authorities? A steel plate prevents Pierre from reaching the upstairs from the basement
The external staircase has been blocked off with a wall and steel cladding
same court in September 2015 decided to split the two houses horizontally – into upper and lower floors. Added to the incomprehensibility of the situation, Pierre hadn’t even been informed in writing of the impending eviction. Rather, the court decision was executed on the same day as the hearing and he was simply told that the ‘one’ house had been separated: the first floor now belonged to Marietta including everything it contained, and the basements now belonged to Pierre. According to the authorised plans from 1997, Marietta’s property contained two bathrooms, two terraces, a kitchen and three bedrooms. Thanks to the Court’s judgement and in conflict with the official deeds,
she is now the owner of a property which has five bedrooms, two kitchens, four bathrooms and four terraces. The eviction even seems to contradict the laws of mathematics.
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Even the lawyer representing Pierre in the civil and criminal proceedings against Marietta said he had never come across anything like this in his career, and would at least have expected the eviction to
be postponed awaiting the outcome of the fraud lawsuit. On October 8 an inspector from the council’s Construction Office visited the houses and confirmed there was no license for the structural works carried out by Marietta’s representatives to split the properties, and that the changes would never have been approved in the way they have been carried out anyway. The inspector told us: “I cannot say anything about the details of the case, only that we found modifications to the buildings which have not been approved. I cannot give any information about the registration in the land registry office either, as this does not fall within my remit, and concrete details such as that should only be discussed with the people concerned.” However, she assured us that an embargo on the structural works would be processed soon. Meanwhile, Pierre has also applied for an impediment to prevent the sale of both properties until the situation is clarified. When invited to do so by reporters, Marietta refused to comment. Pierre continues to live in the basement of his house wondering if he will ever wake up from this nightmare and be allowed to sleep in his own bed on the n first floor again.
Momentous misconception? To add to the peculiarities of the case, two criminal proceedings initiated by Pierre against Marietta, including one denouncing the bogus architect’s plans, have been pending before the courts in Arona and Santa Cruz for several years. Yet this was not taken into account during the hearing in September. Even the authorities that carried out the eviction granted that it could be a mistake, but that is of little help right now. 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.
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22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Three Canarians arrested
Three men have been arrested in the Canary Islands as part of a nationwide operation carried out by Spanish police against internet child pornography. It’s a criminal activity that stuns and angers so many, and it is with full credit that the National Police successfully carried out an investigation and subsequent operation to smash a major child porn ring. For over a year officers had identified over 80 people across Spain who were sharing sexual images and videos of minors on peerto-peer networks, some of which involved sadism and bestiality. The cybercrime division painstakingly built a case against the individuals and 300 officers carried out a recent weekend raid at over 80 homes throughout 28 Spanish provinces, seizing a total of 58 computers, 98 external hard drives, 68 memory sticks and hundreds of DVDs, as well as three cam-
eras used to film children and containing extensive material. A total of 82 people have been arrested; two of them have mental disorders and two were even minors themselves. Three men were arrested in the Canaries, with two based in Gran Canaria and one in Tenerife, although no information has been released on the trio yet. Police say the operation, which dismantled a “prolific” file-sharing network, is a massive breakthrough in the fight against child pornography. For investigators, this represents the second major success this year following the arrest of 17 suspected paedophiles in Spain in April, including a 45 yearold man from Los Abrigos in the south of Tenerife. During that operation over 20,000 incriminating files were seized which had been shared via a peer-to-peer network – originally set up by the Univer-
Photo: Policía Nacional
Nationwide child porn bust
Around 300 officers carried out a recent raid at over 80 homes
sity of Madrid to exchange scientific data. Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking is a dis-
tributed application structure that partitions tasks or data between users. All peers are
equally privileged, and members make a section of their resources, such as process-
ing power, disk storage or network bandwidth, available to other peers without the need for central coordination by servers or hosts – which is why paedophile and child porn rings can use this technology so easily for sharing data. This form of file-sharing has been used for many years as a means for illegal downloads. They often involve hundreds of user computers and it is very difficult for police to detect and identify individuals, especially as they often encrypt their names. A case in Gran Canaria in August this year was much simpler for the authorities when a 31 year-old tourist was arrested in Maspalomas after taking photos of children around the pool area of a holiday resort. One concerned father alerted the police, who during the subsequent search of the man’s room found substantial material containing n child pornography.
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Amid Achi Fadul
Tenerife’s number one entrepreneur Photo: Cámara de Comercio de Tenerife
the El Galeón Commercial Centre, also in Adeje, which I think will open in March with 300 new jobs. There are also four more mall projects in the pipeline”.
Show stoppers Don’t miss this fabulous show in support of three local charities. The Gillian Banks Theatre students perform in Show Stoppers, entertainment for all the family, at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos for one night only on October 27 at 7pm. Proceeds are to be divided between Helping Hands in Tenerife, Live Arico, and the Centro de día Guaydil. Tickets at €10 are available from Liz on: 661 274 281, Sue: n 629 388 102 and Sandra: 661 837 184.
How many jobs has Siam Mall created? “There are 630 fixed workers. I managed to do this during times of economic hardship and without help from the banks, which is what I’m most proud of. Across all my companies I employ over 1,500 people.”
Amid Achi Fadul recently won the Tenerife Businessperson of the Year award
Amid Achi Fadul founded the ‘Numero 1’ chain of stores in the 1970s to cater for a community with limited means and a desire to dress well. The shops offered popular clothing lines with no individual garment costing more than 998 pesetas (around €6). Their fame spread fast across the Islands’ towns and where there was a church and a pharmacy also stood a Numero 1 store. Now a proud 67-year-old grandfather, Amid – who is a close personal friend of Amancio Ortega, the owner of Zara and one of the richest people in the world – recently opened the new commercial centre in Adeje: Siam Mall. Originally from Syria, he recently won this year’s Businessperson of the Year award, presented by the Tener-
Charity concert
ife Chamber of Commerce, announcing that he “feels more loved than he could ever have imagined on this island, which is my paradise”. Island Connections were lucky enough to have the opportunity to catch up with Amid Achi Fadul and speak to him about crisis, horror, hope and… football. The refugee crisis in Syria is well covered at the moment, has anyone from the region approached you directly for help? “Yes, there are people that needed to leave. Entire families; parents with two or three children. I helped some find work in Senegal, for example. These people are doing whatever they can, because the Islamists will come and if they know they belong to another religion they carry out horrific acts”.
Have there been victims in your family? “Many relatives and associates have died in troubles over the years, some of them when they were young. My saddest moment was the death of my son, Antoine, before his fifth birthday. He would be 31years-old today. If I am not travelling I visit him at the cemetery every Sunday and speak with him. My son is my force and my inspiration; he keeps me on the straight and narrow and helps me become a better person. I always feel his presence”. You recently opened the impressive Siam Mall commercial centre in Adeje, are you now thinking of taking a break? “No way! I play the long game; when I finish one project I’m starting another. I just bought
Is the financial crisis over? “We’re no longer going from bad to worse but we still need two or three years to feel that there is no danger of falling back into recession”. What lessons have we learned from the crisis? “The lesson is not to take shortterm credit and be in the hands of the banks. Banks have not been too affected by the crisis, and I still don’t see any of the bankers responsible in prison. These individuals stole billions and ruined the lives of many people”.
A fun show for some great causes
What do you think about the level of corruption in the Canaries? “The crisis has left about a tenth of what it was. There is less business now, so less corruption.”
“If the Canarian president and members from each island’s government ask those individuals to meet with them, I’m sure they’d be pretty flattered and will bring something to the table. However, the initiative has to be taken politically first”.
Why doesn’t the Canarian multi-millionaire class meet and help with the problems?
Do you ever think about retiring? “I don’t think I’ll ever retire!
Without work I’d feel empty – this is what I’ve done my whole life. I come from a modest family in a small village and I never forget my roots”. Is there extravagance in your life? “Football! I’m passionate about CD Tenerife games – I think my daughters are afraid that something will happen to me one n day during a game!”
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
No empty council housing
In a passionate speech to fellow politicians, deputy president of the Islands’ Government Patricia Hernández recently outlined an ambitious plan to create agreements with banks whereby repossessed properties could be leased out as council housing, with reasonable rents. Hernández claimed that “There will not be a single unoccupied council house or flat in the Canaries, and we will not allow people in the process of being evicted from their homes to be refused access to public housing just because, legally, they are still owners of another property. This doesn’t make any sense, and we are going to change that.” To ensure that council housing is provided with affordable rents, and that empty apartments which have been repossessed by banks can become public housing, there will need to be a change in current legislation. Hernández added that
Photo: Gobierno Canarias
Everyone’s right to a roof
As deputy president, Patricia Hernández continues to vehemently defend social issues
she looks forward to a plan that will mean that “the home will once again become the central point for families around which all of life revolves, rather than a constant worry.” She assured listeners that women who are victims of
domestic violence and those who have been evicted because they can no longer afford to pay their mortgages will be two of the priority groups in the new selection process based on need, which has replaced the old raffle-type system. Oth-
ers to be given priority include large families with three or more children and those who care for a disabled person or family member in need. Hernández said that there are currently 20,000 council apartments around the
Canaries, and that each week meetings are held to ensure a prompt distribution of empty ones. The Socialists praised the final handing over of keys to various apartments such as those in Jinámar and Las Torres in Gran Canaria which had been ready for occupation for some months but had not been released. “This has allowed 115 families to obtain a rented council flat. We are also working in La Laguna, in Tenerife, on reassessing the financial circumstances of families who already live in council housing so that we can help them”. She added that the Canarian government is also busy with several apartments in El Sauzal which are almost ready for occupation. Hernández insisted that the priority is to fill all types of properties which are currently empty, and said that “for this we are working on a pilot programme with Sareb, which is known as a ‘bad’ bank, and we
also intend to sign agreements with other private financial institutions so that eventually we will have a stock of properties available for rental.” The deputy president said that the new Canarian Housing Plan would also include steps to create jobs for those who are out of work. In addition, the Canarian government is moving forward with the creation of a department to defend people’s right to a residence: the Oficina de Defensa del Derecho a la Vivienda. The protocol of this division has already been presented to the Island Council, and its aim is to modify and improve the original antievictions project to incorporate the right that everyone has to a home. She concluded, “We will not be able to solve all the housing problems in the archipelago. To say so would be science fiction. But we won’t let anything stop us in our ambitious plans.” n
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Capital shoot
Local extras during a break in filming
Matt Damon on the first day of shooting
Alonso stressed the financial benefits that the city and the island made from the filming. Approximately 350 people were on contract for the production and another 600 were hired as extras. In addi-
tion, around 600 local companies were hired or took part in the film while some 1,200 contracts were signed with private individuals and businesses during the making of the movie.
In accommodation alone, over 14,000 additional overnight stays were registered in Santa Cruz and neighbouring La Laguna, with some hotels in the capital fully booked. The benefits from just bed
and breakfast total a million euros and of course the cast and crew, mainly in the higher income brackets, also used the local restaurants and bars. Sales were boosted further by residents and visitors rubbernecking the film locations in the hopes of seeing the star Matt Damon or catching the eye of Director Paul Greengrass. The total economic benefits are currently being finalised and will be available in a few months. Bernabé asserted “Add to this the enormous publicity value which the film has
for the island of Tenerife. We have shown that we are able to stage super productions, and the pictures of the movie will go around the world. This is priceless advertising.” The island has gained in prestige and credibility from this successful shoot. The fifth instalment being filmed in Tenerife has also resulted in major national and international media attention, with articles about the filming in Der Spiegel, Daily Mail, Hollywood Reporter, The Knowledge, The Location Guide and the magazine Variety. Additionally, in an amazing publicity coup for the local football team CD Tenerife, a picture showing Damon wearing the official team jersey generated over 22,000 Twitter comments in 24 hours, causing 4,500 interactions. Thus the name of Tenerife is spreading, in conjunction with the film around the world, even before the expected release date of n July 29, 2016.
Falling unemployment
The south is moving up Booming tourist numbers alongside modernisation projects and a healthy improvement in the construction sector have helped to relieve the island’s flailing labour market in recent times. The Canarian Institute for Statistics (ISTAC) recently reported a positive balance, concluding that 3,037 more people were employed by the end of September this year compared to the end of September 2014. What is perhaps even more significant is that the twelve boroughs in the south of Tenerife all reported positive figures, with Arona coming top with 695 fewer unemployed people compared to last year. Arona is also the most populated borough in the south and third largest on the island. Granadilla de Abona followed with a decrease of 618 job seekers and Guía de Isora and Güímar have 363 and 342 fewer people without a job. Candelaria reported 257 fewer out of work; Adeje 239; Arico, 126; Santiago del Teide, 112; San Miguel de Abona, 99; Arafo, 92; Fasnia, 56; and
Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com
The local film industry and politicians are delighted over the results of the filming in Tenerife of the latest hopefully soon-to-be blockbuster Bourne V which took place in the last three weeks of September. The positive balance of the shoot was announced in a press conference by the island President Carlos Alonso, Vice President of the hoteliers association Ashotel Gabriel Wolgeschaffen, the island councillor for tourism Alberto Bernabé and Juan Cano, the representative of production company Sur film which worked directly with Universal on the movie as an intermediary. The initial thanks were for the city’s residents who put a good face on all the limitations and aggravations of road closures etc. caused by the filming schedule. “There wasn’t anywhere the shooting wasn’t being talked about and anecdotes being told” remarked Santa Cruz mayor José Manuel Bermúdez.
Photo: SV
Cashing in on filming Bourne V
A rise in tourism and construction has relaxed the south’s labour problems
Vilaflor has 38 fewer unemployed residents. However, as positive as this seems, these figures fail to tell the whole story, and when comparing data to January 2007 before the start of the global financial crisis, the unemployment situation is still extremely worrying. Before the recession, statistics for the south’s boroughs totalled 10,876 job seekers while today’s figures exceed 26,000. Early 2012 saw the alarming situation peak, with around 38,000 residents in the twelve boroughs queuing in front of employment offices – nearly four times the level of 2007. Therefore, while it’s welcom-
ing that the south has seen a downward trend in unemployment numbers for three consecutive years, showing positive signs for the near future, there is still a very long way to go before reaching the pre-crisis levels of 2007. Another interesting aspect of the recently published report was regarding male and female jobless numbers. In 2007, 80 per cent of unemployed residents were women, and this was the highest female unemployment rate in all of Europe. Today the figures are much more balanced, with women totalling 55 per cent of the overall figures and men, 45 n per cent.
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Time change
Clocks go back Even if climatically the difference between autumn and winter in the Canaries is felt very little, it is noticeable in the time change and October 25 will bring winter a little closer to all of us. During the night of the last Sunday in October between two and three in the morning, the clocks will go back one hour. That is to say that at three o’clock on that night, the clocks are turned back to two o’clock again, making mornings brighter, but the evenings draw in earlier. Of course, here, unlike the majority of Europe, the days are not shortened that much over the winter period as we are so much closer to the Equator, so evening won’t fall until around 7pm. For anyone planning a party, the last weekend in October could be the ideal date. After the celebrations and before going to bed, you put the clock back an hour and it doesn’t seem so late! European ‘Winter Time’ applies this year until March 27 when we ‘lose’ an hour of sleep, but the longer evenings are restored.
Controversial time difference The switch between summer and winter time has been common in the Central European Time Zone since 1980 and binding since 1996. The original objective was to save energy, making use of the brightness of the longer hours of summer sunshine. This argument has been moved into the background, but the ‘Spring forward and Fall back’ rule has now become the norm. However, the change still garners its critics from those who believe time should be left alone. In particular, some doctors warn that people with sleep disorders could be affected by the change in rhythm, others seem to suffer a kind of jetlag, and a study by Janszky and Rickard Ljung shows a correlation between an increase in the risk of heart attack and the spring changeover to Central European Summer Time. We find it best to take it easy and enjoy every hour, whether it falls in summer or winter time! n
Man brutally killed in La Palma
Couple arrested for violent murder Guardia Civil officers recently arrested two people in connection with the murder of a 59year-old man in Fuencaliente in the south of La Palma. The man was discovered in a farm’s outbuilding on October 10 with multiple stab wounds and severe head injuries, leaving investigating officers in no doubt as to the violent cause of death and implication of others’ involvement. Police checked hospital records and learned of a 51-year-old woman admitted in the capital Santa Cruz de La Palma with a stab wound to her hand. It transpired that the woman and her partner, aged 58, knew the victim personally. Four hours after the body had been found, police were already on the couple’s doorstep in Los Llanos.
Photo: Guardia Civil
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
They uncovered bloodstained clothing and various marks on the pair’s bodies. The unearthing of a machete, believed to be the murder weapon, further convinced police that the couple were very strong suspects.
It is reported that the man and woman became embroiled in an argument with the victim over claims he stole the couple’s chainsaw. They were both arrested and have been remanded in custody. Their 30-year-old daugh-
The alleged murder weapon, found in the couple’s possession
ter has also been detained as an accomplice - for driving her mother to hospital and concealing the crime from n authorities.
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Noise and mind pollution
Residents and tourists at a well-known apartment complex in Playa del Inglés are at a loss to explain why dozens of formal complaints against a man who has made their lives a misery with loud music, constant calls to Muslim prayer and even recordings of speeches by Adolf Hitler have failed to produce a solution to their nightmare. Local media have highlighted yet again the plight of the long-suffering occupants of the Europa Apartments, where over 30 official complaints have been lodged to police and the courts in a bid to have the anti-social behaviour ended. According to some reports, the neighbour from
Photo: Hector Madonar
Authorities slammed for lack of action over ‘deranged’ neighbour
hell has prevented others in the complex from relaxing during the day and sleeping at night for approximately 18 months and his behaviour does not end there. One resident, Wendy Thomas, posted a com-
ment on Island Connections’ Facebook page stating “I live in the complex. It’s not just the music. He has parked cars in the car park blocking the fire engine spaces… and still nothing is being done”.
Some believe the man is suffering from mental health issues and is convinced that the Europa Apartments have been the scene of several murders by paid hitmen. Cars parked in the complex regularly get covered in written rants in several languages placed by the man but despite the repeated requests for intervention by the authorities in San Bartolomé little has been done. Tour operators have also formally complained to the police and the local Tourist Board that they have to re-accommodate holidaymakers constantly due to the noise blaring from the man’s balcony at all hours of the day and night. n
Spanish festival
The day of Our Lady of El Pilar on October 12 is one of the most important annual bank holidays in Spain. Our Lady of El Pilar is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after her miraculous appearance in the Spanish area of Zaragoza at the time of the upsurge of Christianity. The celebration is also known as Columbus Day or Hispanic Day, and is the anniversary of the day in the year 1492 when Christopher Columbus suppos-
Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766
Why Hispanic Day is celebrated
Guardia Civil officers celebrating the day outside the headquarters in Playa de Las Américas
edly first sighted American land, and when the first Mass
in the Americas took place. A religious, military and civic
affair, the biggest celebration of the day was in Madrid, with military processions and aircraft displays, wreaths laid to honour those who have given their lives for their country, and a whole host of other activities. It was attended by the Royal Family, the prime minister and the majority of his government. Celebrations also took place on a rather smaller scale at locations throughout the country, including in Playa de Las n Américas in Tenerife.
Crumbling crisis
Rock fall sparks calls for road netting Another near tragedy on a road in north Gran Canaria has led to calls for definitive measures to shore up dangerous rock faces in the area. The picturesque La Aldea road was the scene of an incident which could have had serious consequences but fortunately did not result in injury. Four occupants of a van had a narrow escape when a falling rock slammed into the side of the vehicle and nearly forced them off the winding road. The quartet, who were driving from Gáldar to Tasarte for the bank holiday weekend, were shaken but otherwise unhurt. Pictures of the damage caused to the van have fuelled demands for steel netting to be placed urgently on the hillside overlooking the road. The near miss came just days after La Aldea council adopted a unanimous motion calling on the island authorities to resolve the rock fall problem as soon as possible. n
Photo: SizterS / freeimages.com
Gran Canaria’s mountain roads can sometimes be dangerous
Signs of recovery?
Standard & Poor’s credit rating raise The Canarian government has welcomed the decision by influential credit agency Standard and Poor’s to raise its rating for the Islands, a move which the authorities here feel is international validation of the ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy. S&P revised its long-term rating upwards from BBB to BBB+ in October, giving as the reason for its more positive opinion its belief that there will be a gradual reduction in the Canaries’ public deficit and that the region will continue to receive liquidity support from the central government. The upgrade to a stable outlook has delighted the government not least because it will mean the Canaries should encounter fewer problems on world financial markets in the event of a major loan application. Regional finance minister Rosa Dávila said that the Canaries was one of just four of Spain’s 17 regions to meet its debt target at the end of 2014 and investors had “taken note” of the sound management of the regional books. n
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Cry for help
Tenerife trending
Take your pets on the Titsa buses!
Photo: www.titsa.com
Animal lovers in Tenerife have welcomed the news that the island’s bus company is to lift its ban on pets travelling on board its vehicles. The company, TITSA, which operates public transport buses throughout the island, announced recently that it had revised its policy on the carriage of animals and, as of October 19, will allow pets to be taken on board as long as they are in a suitable cage or carrying case, with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35 cm. Until now all animals except guide dogs have been forced to travel in the luggage compartment, a requirement that has led most owners to avoid travelling with their pets. A company spokesperson said the change in policy brings Tenerife into line with other parts of Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao. n
You can now take small pets on Titsa buses
Lower taxes
Government urged to fulfil promise The Canarian government has been taken to task by the opposition Popular Party over its failure to implement a promise given by the previous government to reduce taxation levels, particularly the Canaries’ equivalent of VAT (IGIC). PP leader Asier Antona invited regional president Fernando Clavijo to give a public commitment to make good the promise made by his predecessor Paulino Rivero to cut IGIC and other taxes which were increased in 2012 as part of the austerity drive to raise money for key spending. According to the PP, the current economic climate and stable growth in the region’s GDP “more than justify” a reduction in sales tax, which would provide a boost to business and increase families’ disposable income. The PP argues further that, since the two-party coalition in government since May is exactly the same as that which governed previously, there is no logical reason why the tax cuts should not be implemented immediately. n
Alarming increase in teenage self-harm The number of youngsters who deliberately hurt themselves or contemplate suicide has seen a chilling rise in the first nine months of the year. The number of calls received by the ANAR youth emergency line has risen to 507 from 344 over the same period in 2014. The majority (84 per cent) of the calls to the free hotline 900 202 010 are from young females. Diana Díaz, psychologist and deputy director of ANAR explained: “We see the current situation as a serious problem in society. The phenomenon itself is not new, but it is reaching new levels due to the Internet media and has almost become a kind of ‘fashion’.” Teenagers feel alone, despite their families - the psychologist calls this accompanied solitude. The main causes are the more pernicious effects of the
The injuries are a cry for help
social networks, excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. “The emotional swings in adolescence, social isolation and escaping into new technologies are the big risk today”, the expert continued. Adolescents contact like-minded people on the social networks and goad each other on. It is
Photo: Wikimedia
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a trend which is causing Díaz a great deal of unease. She advises concerned parents to be vigilant for early signs of the injuries, to make time for and show willingness to talk with their youngsters. To dismiss the problem as “typical teenage troubles” was fatal she avowed. “The self-inflicted injuries are cries for help that must be taken
very seriously” affirmed Díaz. ANAR also provide families and parents with a free hotline for assistance and advice - 600 505 152. It is important to respond to each case with abundant affection and to avoid tension within the family, the specialist advised; she also underlined the importance of hands-on support n from a psychiatrist.
Aspiring to be Spanish
Canaries’ knowledge needed by nationality applicants Foreigners hoping to acquire Spanish nationality will need to brush up on their knowledge of the Canaries if they are to secure the all-important piece of paper. The new test which the government has introduced to ensure applicants have a detailed
understanding of Spain, including its culture and history, includes two questions on the Islands. One concerns the weather here and requires candidates to give the proper geographical term for the climate enjoyed by the islands while the other asks them
to identify the most famous celebrations that take place in the Canaries, i.e. Carnival. The standardised test has been put in place to eliminate the different approaches taken thus far in Civil Registry Offices throughout the country when testing the degree of integra-
tion of nationality applicants. Other questions include the maximum length of maternity leave allowed under Spanish employment legislation and the procedure for designating Spain’s prime minister. Candidates need to score 60 per cent to pass the n knowledge test.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Certain centenarians
The 106-year-old ladies By Barbara Belt European populations are ageing. By 2030, it is estimated that there will be four times the present number of centenarians in Spain, and by 2064, for every working person there’ll be one more of post-retirement age. Centenarians were once a rarity. Reaching a hundred still warrants telegrams from monarchs and media attention, but numbers are growing fast. In 1998, there were three thousand centenarians in Spain, but by 2030 there’ll be more than fifty thousand. Another half century on and more than three hundred and seventy thousand people are expected to fall into this age range. These figures, issued by the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), reflect a Europe-wide tendency: we live longer and have far fewer children. Better health care and
Candelaria Felipe León from La Gomera María Dolores Cleofé Mederos Rodríguez, known to all as Doña Fe
living conditions are the obvious cause for the happy result of longer life, while the declining number of fertile women, who then have children far later, points to a population in serious decline.
The population pyramid will thus suffer a profound modification over the coming decades, with the base eaten away by the declining birth rate, creating a top that is heavy with ageing citizens.
Spain will be among the countries with the highest figures of dependent populations in Europe, a statistic arrived at by comparing the percentage of workers between sixteen and sixty-four with non-work-
ers of under sixteen and over sixty-four. This will cause, as Amelia Fresneda from INE predicts, “An enormous economic imbalance”. Mayte Sancho, president of the Fundación Amigos de los Mayores, Spain’s Help The Aged equivalent, insists that ageing isn’t only a question of increased costs for a country,
but must be viewed as a social opportunity. “People of over eighty will outnumber those of sixteen. We have to adapt our conception of ageing as a burden and take measures to change our ideas about what is still very much a youth-oriented society”. “We need, from the age of fifty onwards, to be given tools to decide how to
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015 age, take measures to prevent dependence and learn how to enjoy both getting older and being alone. We need a change of attitude and education for ageing. “This leads us to the so-called Silver Economy, the name given to new business ideas based on the future necessities of the elderly. In France, for example, this is fast becoming an important source of employment. There’s a rich arena of possibilities to be studied, including gyms, personal fitness in general, special holidays and very different provisions for home help and support. Urban design and services will either adapt to these new circumstances, or go under. We need to start planning now”. Thirteen centenarians, those who are one hundred or older, live in the Canary Islands, and two of them have featured in the local news recently. They are both women and an impressive hundred and six years old, in possession of their faculties, and able to offer fascinating stories of small island Canarian life throughout almost the entire twentieth century. La Palma recently paid tribute to María Dolores Cleofé Mederos Rodríguez, known, more comfortably, to all as Doña Fe. She’s considered La Abuela de El Paso, (El Paso‘s Grandmother), which is both a small town and a municipality of some eight thousand inhabitants in the middle of La Isla Bonita. A group representing El Paso’s town council visited Doña Fe at the house where she was born in 1909, and has lived for the last hundred and six years, to mark this year’s International Day of the Elderly at the beginning of October. Doña Fe, who never married or had children, continued to look after her herd of goats and keep house for herself well into her eighties. She has clear
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days later, on the neighbouring island of La Gomera, another 1909 baby celebrated her hundred and sixth birthday in the northern town of Vallehermoso, where she was born and has lived most of her life. La Gomera’s centenarian is Candelaria Felipe Leon, a resident at the local old people’s home, where she is “well looked after and contented with life”. Mayor Emiliano Coello visited to congratulate her and wish her an official happy birthday on behalf of
the town council. Her birthday was celebrated in the company of family members and friends. “This wonderful lady has achieved an incredible age and still possesses great vitality, obvious to all around her. She reflects more than a century of history”, he said. Doña Candelaria enjoyed the occasion, surrounded by five generations of family, but declined to say much. “I’m a hundred and six years old, that’s all. Nothing to make a fuss about”, n she said.
Candelaria celebrating her 106th birthday with family and friends
memories of all she has lived through and says her ambition is to become a supercentenarian and live “At least until I’m a hundred and ten!” She was happy to talk about her life now, which starts every day at seven in the morning when she has her usual breakfast of a large cup of milk and gofio (maize meal), accompanied by two spoonfuls of ground almonds and a glass of water. Gofio was the staple source of carbohydrate when times were hard in the Islands and many
Canarians, not just the elderly, continue to enjoy it. Despite her age, she enjoys good health and takes only one tablet daily, for raised blood pressure. She professes to being “a little hard of hearing, which makes it difficult sometimes to have good conversations” but is full of life and maintains a good sense of humour. During the visit, Mayor Sergio Rodríguez presented Doña Fe with a bouquet of flowers and was invited to her next birth-
day party, which he promised to be at. Councillor with responsibility for the elderly, María Del Carmen Acosta, delighted Doña Fe - who’s known to have a sweet tooth - with a large box of sweets and asked her for details of her eating habits, which have obviously stood her in good stead. Apart from the occasional sweet, her diet is predictably healthy, with simple, unprocessed food, copious amounts of water and plenty of ‘leche gofio’, milk and maize meal. Six
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CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Take care of your world
Don’t mess your seabed! The 1-2 Dive scuba school recently organised a successful beach cleanup event at Alcalá with around 60 people involved, helping to remove vast amounts of rubbish left on the seabed by beachgoers and boat day-trippers. “The problem is more common than you realise” said 1-2 Dive owners and PADI Master Trainers, Alex Huitrón de Velasco and Mark Vanderhaegen. “People spend the day at the beach or on a boat, bag their rubbish and drop it in the sea or leave it behind to be swept up by the tide. There’s a frightening amount of garbage sitting on the ocean bed.” The point was recently echoed by Candelaria mayor, María Concepción Brito, after the borough council organised a beach clean that saw 120 people come together, including dive schools, volunteers and local fishermen, to remove over two tons of cans, bottles, car tyres and unwanted household items thoughtlessly dumped in the ocean. The 1-2 Diving School was joined by many sympathetic groups and organisations when planning the Alcalá beach cleanup, and together they organised a fun day with BBQ, snacks and music. The Guía de Isora borough council supplied a skip, electricity and necessary permits; Venture Restaurants provided 150 delicious burgers and five crates of beer; Gourmetland supplied a masterful chef; Angie and Roy made cool Teazer drinks available; Creventy and Tenerife Shows organised the sound system and media support;
Cans, bottles, car tyres and unwanted items are thoughtlessly dumped in the sea Over two tons of rubbish were recently collected from the sea in Candelaria in one day
Volunteers during the Alcalá beach cleanup 1-2 Dive co-owner Alex being interviewed before the cleanup
Gomera Producciones supplied six gazebos; Espíritu de Buceo and the Fire Service donated gloves, mesh bags and additional help. The 1-2 Dive company would also like to thank Bubbles, La Huerta Design, and the support of many radio stations, newspapers and TV channels that covered the event, such as Nacho Palacio at Radio Sur, Oasis Fm and Atlantis Radio. Alex started the proceedings with a full dive briefing in English and Spanish, and then everyone was divided into small groups and assigned a section of the beach to clean. They were all handed a pair of safety gloves and large mesh
bags to collect the trash, and at 10 minute intervals the teams entered the water, group by group. The piles of rubbish were placed in the councilprovided skip and later taken
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to a waste plant. Many bags of cans, clothes, glass and plastic items, as well as sun loungers and large metal girders, were collected by volunteers during the six-
hour session. However, when all the dirty work was done, the BBQ was fired up and music filled the fragrant, smoky air. Everyone involved was able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, knowing they’d contributed something important for the local environment and community. So with a burger and drink in hand, the cleanup team socialised until nightfall and arranged to come together in the near future to finalise plans for the next one later in the year. Following the success in Alcalá, 1-2 Dive is organising
another collection day to take place at Playa de La Caleta in Costa Adeje on December 12 at 9.30am. The five Star PADI Dive School, Career Development Centre and Aqualung Partner Centre, would like to invite you to sponsor or participate in this environmental event – divers and non-divers alike. They believe this occasion will be even bigger and hope to make it even more successful than the last cleanup. If you are a certified diver and want to help on the day, please bring proof of your certification and insurance. If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry you can purchase a day’s cover from 1-2 Dive for only €6. Non-divers can take part in the beach cleaning as well as enjoy the various activities taking place, which will include a BBQ, bar, snacks and refreshment, music and much more. Visit the 1-2 Dive Facebook page for further information: www. n facebook.com/12dive.
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End of an era
Memorial message at Wingate School
Remembering Mr Green Puerto Santiago
seafront square ‘to be demolished’
Remembering a great man: Mr Green was always immensely proud of the Wingate students
from strength to strength. Mr Green was always immensely proud of the Wingate students and this was reflected in the behaviour of all the children from Nursery to Sixth Form during the services. Mrs Green and the staff were so impressed with the children on the day. It is a difficult subject to address – especially for the young ones – but good listening, superb
behaviour and beautiful singing truly made this an occasion to remember. The garden is to be used as a peaceful and tranquil area where children can take time away from the very busy playgrounds to read and take part in quiet activities. Thank you to all the friends and family who have supported the school and Mrs Green during this difficult year. n
Super car up for grabs
Among the unusual engagements of the Canarian government this month is a sale by auction of an item which will no doubt attract considerable interest. As part of its regular auctions to raise money and help offset the costs of its services, on October 29 the regional government is to put up for sale in Santa Cruz a Porsche Cayenne S, for which the bidding will start at just €16,296. The 4x4 luxury vehicle is eight years old and has leather upholstery and the government has been quick to stress that it is not part of the
Photo: M93. CC3.0
Porsche to be auctioned by government
Still an absolute dream car: the Porsche Cayenne
vehicle pool of a regional ministry but rather was impounded to recover tax debts owed by its owner. As is customary in such procedures, bids must be
submitted in sealed envelopes to the head office of the region’s Inland Revenue, on Avenida Tres de Mayo, in this case by Octon ber 28.
Shocking attack
80-year-old woman mugged at cash dispenser A man who robbed an elderly lady at a cash machine in the village of Chío, Guía de Isora, had little occasion to enjoy the proceeds of his crime as he was arrested a short time later for the despicable act.
The 45-year-old attacked the old lady, who is in her 80s, moments after she withdrew €30 in cash from the dispenser at a bank early in the morning. He made off with her handbag but, thanks to the excellent description given by the badly
shaken OAP, was tracked by a Civil Guard patrol to a bar in the area and detained. He was still carrying most of the money taken from his victim. Officers believe he had the old lady under observation for some time before launching his attack. n
Puerto Santiago is the latest part of Tenerife to come under the microscope of the Spanish environment authorities in their campaign to restore shorelines to their natural state by removing illegal constructions. The picturesque coastal town, which is highly popular with foreign residents and visitors, looks as if it will have to demolish its seafront square as it occupies public land and a right of way. However, local daily El Día reports that Santiago del Teide council may try to reach an agreement with the Department of Coasts to reinstate the small bay which was eliminated to build the Plaza and, in return, be allowed to develop the area to add amenities near the shore. Council sources admit there is no option but to demolish
Photo: Thomas Tolkien. CC3.0
On October 14, 2015, we at Wingate School came together to remember Mr Green exactly one year after his death and officially open the garden which has been built in his memory. Due to limited space we were, unfortunately, unable to invite all parents past and present on the day. In fact we had four small services to cater for the whole school. The Infant choir sang Morning has Broken, Mr Green´s favourite song, and the Senior choir gave a rendition of Over the Rainbow accompanied by Miss Heppner on the piano. Miss Pearson and Mr Macrae led the services, helping us to remember how Mr and Mrs Green founded Wingate School starting with only seven children, and that it’s through their dedication and commitment that the school has gone
the costly Plaza, which was built in the 1990s, but every effort would be made to use the opportunity to provide other usable spaces and even a small shopping centre near the spot.
The Plaza was supposed to be part of a much more ambitious project for Puerto Santiago, including an open-air pools complex which never made it n off the drawing board.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Mount Teide and Cueva del Viento
Mount Teide is the principal symbol of Tenerife, and at 3,718 metres in height it is also the highest mountain in Spain. If measuring from the ocean bed it rises to 7,500 metres, which makes it the third largest volcano in the world after Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Teide was formed some 170,000 years ago when the summit of the larger Las Cañadas volcano collapsed, creating the caldera of Las Cañadas. The stratovolcanoes of Teide and Pico Viejo rose from the caldera. During the past 20,000 years the majority of Teide’s eruptions have not occurred from the peak but around the volcano’s base, however. The entire island is comprised of many smaller craters that have been far more active in recent times than Teide has. In 1704 there were the simultaneous eruptions from the Siete Fuentes, Fasnia and Arafo volcanoes. In 1706, the Trevejo volcano famously spat out tons of lava onto the then prosperous port of Garachico, burying the town and forever changing its position as an influential European trade hub. In 1798 the Chamorra volcano erupted, while the last on the island to
Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com
By Sabine Virgin
Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com
The island’s highs and lows
Just a few metres up – do you have what it takes? From Teide’s peak there are breathtaking panoramic views
go off was Chinyero in 1909. Despite more than a century of lava-free activity, many of the island’s resting volcanoes are still very much active and volcanologists monitor the situation very closely. During periods of inactivity, the perception of Teide often switches from one of danger to one of majestic beauty. In June 2007 the Teide National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being “one of the richest and most diverse volcanic landscapes in the world with spectacular natural resources”.
The Islands’ original inhabitants, the Guanches, considered Teide a sacred mythical mountain and as important to them as Mount Olympus was to the ancient Greeks. According to legend, the devil Guayota kidnapped Magec, who was the god of sun and light, and imprisoned him inside the volcano, sending the world into a period of darkness. The Guanches asked Achamán, their supreme god, for help and he challenged and defeated Guayota in combat, using the devil to plug the crater closed and they believed that he was
locked inside from thereon. Guayota is often represented as a black dog accompanied by his army of demons known as Tibicenas. Many Guanche artefacts have been found in and around Teide which are believed to have been left as offerings to the gods to help ward off evil spirits, similar to those made by the Berber people of Kabylie. Guayota shares similar features to other powerful deities that inhabited volcanoes, such as the fire goddess Pele in Hawaiian mythology who lived in the Kilauea volcano
and was regarded by natives as the deity responsible for the volcanic eruptions. Later, Teide served as a useful guide for seafarers although it wasn´t known by that name at the time. The writings of the Greek historian Herodotus stated that the mountain rises cylindrically and is so high that the summit is invisible in summer and winter as it remains above the clouds, and the inhabitants refer to it as ‘the sky column’. During the Renaissance many historians and adventurers identified the islands in the Atlantic Ocean as the legendary lost city of Atlantis due to the magnificence of Teide from afar.
Legends and accounts of Teide throughout history inevitably vary but one thing is for sure, when you’re standing at the highest point in Spain and look around at the stunning scenery, the vastness and tranquillity absorbs you. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a resident, the experience is amazing. Everyone should visit the area at least once if they’re on the island. Today there is a cable car that takes visitors to the mountain station near the summit, and this was first opened in July 1971. El Teleférico, as it’s known in Spanish, can carry a maximum of 38 people and ascends at a speed of around 29 kilometres per hour. It takes approximately five minutes to reach the station at the height of 3,555 metres and the vista from this altitude is breathtaking, with panoramic views of the national park and beyond. From here you have several options: you can turn left or right to the trails that take you to the Pico Viejo vantage point or the La Fortaleza vantage point, which afford even more stunning views for visitors, or you can continue up to the summit – to Teide’s peak! However, climbing to the top requires registering for a permit online beforehand as daily places are limited. This is free,
Peak permission To reach the summit register at: www.reservasparquesnacionales.es. This must be done well in advance of your planned climb as there are often week-long waits, depending on the season.
Refugio Altavista The overnight stay in the hostel costs €25 and is limited to a one night maximum stay. Email your booking to: info@ refugioaltavista.com or telephone 922 010 440 between 8am and 4pm.
Hotel Parador de Cañadas del Teide For booking a stay at Teide’s Parador Hotel, visit their website at: www.parador.es/ es/paradores/parador-de-lascanadas-del-teide. Prices vary depending on the season and residents get discounts.
The Cueva del Viento From the lofty heights of Teide to the island’s dark underworld; the Cueva del Viento lava tube complex is located in Icod de Los Vinos and was also known to the
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ing the cable car, there is a popular route that sets off from Montaña Blanca to the peak. There is even a small, modern hostel just before the cable car station where walkers can rest or stay the night, rising early in the morning to catch the sunrise from the top of Teide. This is a little
more strenuous but well worth the experience. For those who prefer a more comfortable and luxurious setting, the Hotel Parador de Cañadas del Teide is located close to Teide’s base. You can spend a night acclimatising to the altitude and take the cable car in the morning to Teide’s peak. n
Take a cable car to the top of the island!
Guanches, with many artefacts and burial evidence found at the site. Cueva del Viento (Cave of Wind) owes its name to the different air flows occurring through its 17 kilometre length and multi-level passageways, which makes the underground network the largest lava tube within the EU. It was created by lava flows from Pico Viejo (neighbouring volcano to Mount Teide) about 27,000 years ago. The tubes that were formed by several different volcanic eruptions have left three hollowed lava flows stacked upon each other, making the Cueva del Viento lava network the fifth largest in the world (the other four are located in Hawaii). It is a natural treasure of great scientific significance and still holds many secrets yet to be discovered or unearthed. Only a small part of the lava tube is open to the public and daily visitation is limited.
Rich underworld For geological, biological and speleological scientists the tubes are a unique area of research. Over 190 species have already been discovered,
including various troglobitic species that were previously unknown, such as the eyeless cockroach Loboptera subterranea and the ground beetles Wolltinerfia martini and Wolltinerfia tenerifae. This phenomenon is common in caves of this type as the animals that have adapted to them are unable to survive outside of that environment. The cave is also rich with Canarian megafauna, and the fossils of the Lacerta goliath (an extinct giant lizard) and Canariomys bravoi (an extinct giant rat) have been found there. The Flora of the cave is divided into three zones: in the outer area there are ferns and lichens; near the entrance where there remains a little light you’ll find various lichen and moss species. In the darkness of the cave where only sporadic light falls there are blue-green algae and lichens. The Cueva del Viento has the feel of a completely different world and is a fascinating place to visit. It’s one facet of Tenerife that not everyone is aware of, but if they ever have the opportunity to visit, it’d be well worth the trip!
Deep inside the island’s interior
Photo: Tenerife Cabildo
Teide National Park Located on the TF-21 at 40.2 km Tel. 922 010 445 Website: www.telefericoteide. com Prices: A return trip for adults is €27 and for children it’s €13.50. Resident adults pay €13:50 and for resident children it’s €9.50. One-way trips at reduced prices are also available. The cable car does not operate in high winds for safety reasons.
TENERIFE GENERAL
Photo: Tenerife Cabildo
Teleférico del Teide
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com
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A fascinating underworld formed from lava flows
but obligatory, so plan ahead if you’d like to visit the pinnacle. The 163 metre uphill hike from the cable car station is exhausting and a little tricky: the air is very thin, there is a strong smell of sulphur and some surface areas can be hot. It’s important to wear appropriate footwear, warm clothing and take regular respites to regain your breath; but when you reach the top you’ll find that it was very much worth it – the panorama and sensation of sitting on top of the world is indescribable. On a clear day you can see the other six Canary Islands. Teleférico del Teide staff members are at hand if necessary, and to ensure that nobody strays from the designated path on the way down. The cable car operators also offer special programmes, such as Sunset and Stars, a guided stargazing tour in English, German and Spanish. If you prefer to walk up to the summit instead of tak-
Cueva del Viento
Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm. Pre-booked guided tours are available in English, German, French and Spanish. The entrance fee is €16 for adults and €5 for children aged 5 to 14 years. Adult residents pay only €10. The duration of the walk is approximately two hours with a moderately difficult level. Good shoes and a jacket are required. For more information visit: www.cuevadelviento. net. Telephone: 922 815 339.
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TENERIFE GENERAL
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Christmas Panto
Tenerife Isla Sur Lions Club
Search for Aladdin For what we believe to be the first time in south Tenerife, this year there is going to be a professional pantomime production and you have the chance to take part in what promises to be a wonderful show of classic entertainment! The renowned Music Hall Tavern will soon be proudly presenting their version of Aladdin, complete with humour, suspense, music and dancing, magic carpets, the enchanted lantern, Jasmine, the Genie, the Widow Twanky and a full cast of colourful characters, but they still need one key player – Aladdin himself. If you enjoy treading the boards, can sing and dance and are over 18, this could be your turn to shine in this glamorous new production which is sure to be a hit. The part is open to allcomers, male or female of any nationality. Your English accent doesn’t need to be totally correct, after all the legendary Aladdin was hardly British, but you do need a good command of the language. You also need to be
More smiles for children in need
able to hold a tune and boogie on down well. Experience is a plus but not essential. The booking is for an approximate seven weeks over the Christmas and New Year period
You could be the next Music Hall Tavern superstar
and will be for evening shows and matinees. Island Connections will be following the casting process carefully and interviewing the winning bud-
ding actor or actress before and after the run. If you think that you fit the bill and that you are the perfect candidate for this stylish new
production, send a head shot and full details of yourself to casting@musichalltavern.com. Good luck and we look forward n to speaking to you!
In mid October Tenerife Isla Sur Lions Club entertained a group of 60 children and their carers at the world famous Siam Park in the hope that the attraction would provide a day of joy, happiness and sunshine for the youngsters. The groups of children from various different parts of the island met up at the park on a Saturday morning, with excitement already in the air. The fun started immediately: With so many activities to choose from everybody sped off for their first ride, under the watchful eyes of their own carers and a group of five Lions members from the Dream Holidays team. The morning passed too quickly for everybody, but nobody forgot lunch. Once fed and watered, off everyone went again. Unfortunately, time goes much too fast when you are enjoying yourself, and it was soon time to pack up and leave for home. Even though it was a day of non-stop activities, none of the children seemed the slightest bit tired and would have been happy to stay even when the park was closed! As the children made their way to the exits they were met by club President Norman Goodall and his wife, who had brought large bags of sweets for everybody, even the carers and helpers. Goodbyes are always sad, but with hugs and kisses and smiles, the groups boarded their buses, tired but happy. An event such as this is just one amongst many that the Tenerife Isla Sur Lions Club organises during the year. Other projects include the incredible gift of a university scholarship to lucky youngsters who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education. The latest recipient is a young man called Christian, from a school in Los Cristianos. The signing of the contract with the Isla Sur Lions Club guarantees his funding for the next four or five years. This is the third year that the club has been funding brilliant pupils to go to university, and in so doing giving them an opportunity for Lion President Norman Goodall a life-changing future: all the with Christian as he signs the students have to do is add the contract for his university hard work and dedication. n scholarship from the Lions
Two arrested
Boat drugs haul intercepted in Tenerife A massive drugs haul has been caught on arrival at a beach in south Tenerife thanks to coastguard surveillance.
The interception, the latest in a series of successes in the fight against drug trafficking from Africa, was made after radar used to detect migrant boats spotted a fast-moving vessel heading towards the coast in the Callao Salvaje - Playa Paraíso area during the early hours of the morning. A Guardia Civil patrol and police from Adeje were sent to the spot and arrived just as two men had finished loading large bales of hashish into a waiting van. Officers seized 26 bales weighing a total of just under 800 kilos and arrested the two men, who are from La Laguna and El Médano. The pair are due to appear in court shortly on trafficking n charges.
A group of lucky youngsters spent the day at Siam Park thanks to the Isla Sur Lions Club
TENERIFE GENERAL
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Traffic
Guía de Isora road closure The upper section of the TF-463, the old road connecting Guía de Isora with Playa de San Juan, has been temporarily closed for works and in order to speed up the completion of the southern section of the island ring road. The announcement was made by the Canarian Public works department in response to a request made by the local mayor Pedro Martín this summer. The construction company working on the road will thus be able to pour more men and heavy machinery into the area to finish the job more quickly. Works to be completed include widening and resurfacing the road, flattening out curves, installing guardrails, new signs and a new roundabout at the junction with the TF82. A total of about €1.5 meuros is to be invested in this section and the closure is expected to last until approximately Christmas Eve. Lorries, public transport and school buses will be diverted via Chio or Piedra Hincada, which will cause a delay of about ten minutes. Cars can detour on the Carretera de Las Higueritas road and residents or landowners who live or have property in the blocked-off section, must obtain a special permit and wait for instructions from the construction workers as to when and where they can enter. n
The road between Playa San Juan and Guía de Isora is temporarily closed
‘Saborea San Miguel’
Those Spanish delicacies called tapas – a range of typical snacks and appetisers - are as much a part of the Spanish experience as are the sun, sea and sand. In the borough of San Miguel de Abona, a wonderful ecological tapas tour recently began, which offers as many as 52 of the most delicious tapas there are – and all just waiting for you to taste. Will you be able to try all of them? Are you up for the challenge? It shouldn’t be too difficult in the end, as each of them is accompanied by a glass of organic wine from the San Miguel denomination, or another drink if you prefer. The best news is that, together, a tapa and a glass of wine cost only €2.50, and you have several weeks to taste all of them as the event runs until November 14. Last year 16 restaurants took part. This time there are not only more, but they are also well distributed; a total of 23 establishments spread across Golf del Sur, Guargacho, Las Chafiras, Aldea Blanca, Las Zocas, El Roque and, of course, San Miguel town. Each restaurant offers two different tapas: a popular one and something more innovative. For those who can’t decide where to start with this tour of exquisite pleasure, here are the winners from last year: first prize went to Bodega de San Miguel, second place was awarded to La Tasquita de Nino, and the third went to Cuatro Esquinas. There are also prizes to be won for the lucky public. For each
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Tapas, wines and great ideas Photo: Knut Pettersen / FreeImages.com
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
Just seeing these dishes is enough to create a healthy appetite
tapa you consume between now and November 14 you can have a visitor’s card stamped at the restaurant. On the same card, you can vote for the three best tapas. When handed in, you can win a dinner for two, a visit to a spa or even hotel stays. The draw will take place on November 25. You can obtain your card, and return it when completed, at the San Miguel Town Hall or the citizens’ attention office in Las Chafiras (by November 17 for returns). And that’s not all, because in addition to the tapas tour, there are also some very interesting workshops: Wine tasting will take place on Friday October 30 from 5pm to 8pm at the Casa Capitán Museum, with expert Damián Díaz González. A cooking course, with the main topics being art, new culinary techniques and how to be creative with raw materials in an imaginative and innovative manner, will be held
on November 6 at 1pm, and November 7 to 10 from 5pm to 8pm, at the Tamaide Cultural Centre. The bakery workshop is all about the dough. It takes place in the production hall of Ingapan Canarias SL on the Llano del Camello industrial estate on November 12 from 10am to 1pm. On November 14 from 9.30am to 2.45pm, the XVIII Gran Capítulo de la Cofradía del Vino de Canarias takes place. This is the 18th annual meeting of the federation of Canarian winemakers, and this year San Miguel will be their host. It will include lectures and the acceptance of new members. Also on the last day, November 14, there will be a tasting of San Miguel wines accompanied by the very best culinary creations from the participating restaurants, in the Plaza del Agricultor. Between 5pm and 11pm, you can taste the local red, white, dry and sweet wines, and there’ll also
be dancing with live Canarian music. What could be better! Arturo González, mayor of San Miguel, is confident that the community will appreciate the collaboration of the companies, and the chance to experience hospitality at its best. He added that the various tapas routes which are organised each year now form part of the Canarian identity. Lot García, councillor for employment and local development, is especially pleased that thanks to the success of the event over the last three years, the fourth edition of Saborea San Miguel de Abona will take place with a much stronger presence, and invites residents and visitors to go along and enjoy the delicious tapas and wines on offer. If you would like to join the workshops please register early as places are limited. There’s a full guide to locations, tapas on offer and their ingredients, at: www. sanmigueldeabona.es. n
LIVING & LIFESTYLE
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
No fun for fans
Hundreds of young fans of cult Spanish rock band Fito & Fitipaldis have vented their anger on the organisers of the concert for selling tickets but then barring them from entry to the event on the night. The organisers, Planet Events, gave just 24 hours notice that they would be applying Canarian legislation that bans under 18s from being at concerts after 11pm but several hundred young fans had already bought their tickets and turned up at the football ground in Adeje to see their idols, who were scheduled to go on stage at 10.15pm after the curtain raisers. Although Planet Events issued a statement apologising for the confusion and promised a refund of all sums paid by the disap-
Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766
Under 18s’ fury at concert access ban pointed fans, the announcement was not enough to placate the fury of the fans, some of whom had queued for hours before being turned away. One teenage fan of Fito & Fitipaldis vented her anger in the El Día newspaper, slamming the organisers for the mix-up. “How come they did not know about the legislation until now? They put on the tickets that minors could go if accompanied by an adult. Shame on them” said the fan. The gaffe is the latest embarrassment, including last minute cancellations, to hit headlining gigs in South Tenerife in n recent times. A concert experience that was forbidden for young people
Not so blue now
Warring councils settle boundary dispute Two neighbouring Tenerife towns who featured in the news a few months ago over a bitter boundary dispute have settled their differences, at least for the moment, thanks to some diplomatic brokering by the island’s governing body. As reported here, Güímar and Arafo became embroiled in a major row when the lady mayor of the former, ordered council road painters in to demarcate the town limits in a business park, after she became fed up with complaints about the upkeep of the area, which is shared between the two towns. The blue lines became an instant Internet sensation, with spoofs posted showing troops massing on both sides for a Korea-style confrontation. At the time, Güímar’s Carmen Luis Castro stated that she wanted to make it clear to residents and to users of the business park exactly who was responsible for which part but she nearly landed herself in trouble with the law for adding the illegal road markings, which could confuse drivers and pedestrians. After weeks of talks, the respective town bosses are back on speaking terms thanks largely to a deal, brokered by the Tenerife Council, which will see both Güímar and Arafo contribute financially to improvements to the disputed zone, with assistance also from the Council and neighn bours Candelaria.
Vehicle zone for visitors
Car park for Candelaria Hospital at last After years of promises, it seems that the long-awaited car park at the Candelaria Hospital in Santa Cruz may be about to become a reality. Canarian health minister Jesús Morera announced earlier in the month that plans are being drawn up for a 180vehicle car park at the big hospital, which is the only hospital in Spain without a
proper parking facility. The lack of a car park has proven a major source of complaints from users and relatives of patients, who often have to leave their vehicles far away due to the lack of space near the Candelaria installation. The zone immediately outThe parking situation in front of the hospital is to be eased
The legendary blue lines: visible markings of the towns’ dispute
side the hospital has been commandeered by selfappointed ‘attendants’ who charge the public to park on the public highway and can become aggressive if they do not receive their money. News of the car park plans, given in a Parliamentary appearance by the minister
before the Health Committee, has been widely welcomed. MP Guillermo Díaz, who requested Morera’s appearance, said it was a disgrace that people needing to take a family member to the Emergency Department had to spend time driving around the area looking for a n place to park.
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FOOD
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
19
El Sol – Chez Jacques
A Gallic gastronomic delight By Xena Fox Set in the heart of Los Cristianos is a French restaurant that is famous for its inherent style, quality of cuisine and warm and welcoming atmosphere. The El Sol Restaurant is affectionately known as Chez Jacques after the gentleman who is the driving force behind the whole experience. Jacques Sabatier moved to Tenerife in 1971 and opened his first restaurant on the seafront in 1974, back in the days when Los Cristianos was still a sleepy fishing village. Over 40 years later, his restaurant is still going strong and is as popular as ever. Nowadays, it is based a little nearer the centre of town, in a cosy side street in the pedestrian area near the church and as soon as you approach, the loving care which has gone in to creating this dining experience is evident. There are a number of tables on the terrace for those who are inclined to dine al fresco, and these are set in delightful greenery alongside decorations such as chickens and wheelbarrows full of harvested vegetables – a countryside feel that is no mean achievement in the heart of a busy town. And when you enter the restaurant itself you are instantly transported to another world. The décor, atmosphere, sounds and aromas immediately conjure up the romance of classic French style and an appreciation of good living. The interior has three separate, and cosy, seating areas and simply exudes olde worlde
Jacques Sabatier is the perfect host: charming and attentive – and an incredible chef! There are three different seating areas inside plus the terrace for al fresco dining
charm. Everywhere you look there is something fascinating and an attention to detail which isn’t always that easy to find. Fruits, wines, poignant posters, fascinating and varied implements, wooden cockerels, photos, chillies and onions, iron, brass and natural stone… in a combination which is very pleasing to the eye indeed. Yet the décor is far from the only pleasure at Chez Jacques – the food is most definitely the main attraction, and the fine dining experience becomes evident right from the start. As visitors are seated they are each handed a Kir Royale
aperitif, a mixture of champagne with various liqueurs, to take pleasure in as they peruse the menu. The selection is not broad but is certainly very interesting – you won’t be presented with endless pages of ‘International’ food and you definitely won’t find any ketchup, mayonnaise or other such pre-packaged embellishments. Jacques is adamant on this point and makes no apologies for the fact: El Sol sells only freshly made, quality cuisine, and that includes all the sauces, thank you. The list of appetizers includes Fayette puff pastry with fresh asparagus, gratinated onion
Start with half a perfectly cooked chicken… …and dress it up to your taste
soup, a variety of salads, prawn cocktail, pâté and tarte au fromage. For main course there are various traditional dishes from several different regions in France, including chicken in Arlesienne sauce, Beef Bourguignon with no less than six sauces, or tenderloin beef with four of them. Alternatively, you can choose roasted chicken or the fillet steak and add a range of side dishes and any number of sauces to taste.
Amongst others, desserts include various tarts such as almond or lemon, plus chocolate mousse, profiteroles, vanilla ice cream and a variety of cheeses. It wasn’t easy choosing from such a delectable range of treats, but we were very happy with our selection once we had. In fact, it can only be said that, from start to finish, everything we tasted was excellent: cooked to perfection, well presented and absolutely delicious. The
onion tart and quiche Lorraine had a wonderfully light consistency and perfect pastry. The chicken liver pâté was simply divine, as was the bread with a variety of dips such as tomato jam and sweet onion sauce. We chose fresh Spinach with melted cheese, creamy and rich, to go with our main course of chicken, and all the meat dishes are accompanied by the crispiest of French fries (what else?). Continued on page 20
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20
FOOD
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024 All of the desserts are made by Jacques
Continued from page 19 We also sampled, and thoroughly enjoyed, three of those famous homemade sauces: trappeur, Arlesienne and mushroom and black pepper.
Note the ‘No Ketchup’ sign Jacques prides himself on the fact that no ketchup will touch his meals
We did over indulge a little on the dessert front as Jacques could see we were having difficulty so suggested we have a mix of three! Lemon meringue, apple pie and bitter chocolate with raspberry sauce: For those who have a well-developed sweet tooth, Chez Jacques is simply heaven on earth. To complement your scrumptious repast you can choose between several of the finest French wines as well as some of the best Spanish and Canarian ones too. We tried the El Grifo dry white from Lanzarote
desserts, sauces and other dishes, as well as overseeing the cut and preparation of the meats. He is certainly a perfectionist and it shows: The interesting décor, considerate staff, genial atmosphere and excellent homemade cuisine make for a winning combination. Yet, for this Gallic gourmet experience prices are extremely reasonable: Appetizers start at €4.90; main courses range from €6.65 for plain chicken to €18.50 for the tenderloin, and those tempting desserts begin at just €4.95. You can find El Sol /Chez Jacques in Peatonal Roma, S/N, Playa de Los Cristianos, Arona. The restaurant is open from 6pm until around 11pm or when the last diners are ready to leave. During summer it closes on Tuesdays but is open seven days a week for the winter months. You can call 922 790 569 for reservations or more information, but make sure you visit soon: this is one restaurant that is definitely worth getting n to know.
The finest chicken liver pate, quiche Lorraine and onion tart. Just the starter menu is enough to make the mouth water The spinach with melted cheese was creamy and rich
and were smitten - it’s definitely worth a recommendation. There is also, of course, a wide range of soft drinks, other alcoholic beverages, and a variety of coffees available. The glasses of muscatel and plate of coconut macaroons we were presented with at the end of our meal was the perfect way to round off the palate. Throughout the evening we had been courteously and professionally attended: The service, as everything else, is of
the very best quality. Jacques Sabatier himself is the perfect host: guiding customers to their seats, taking jackets, charming the ladies, chatting to each of the gentlemen, and generally taking care of everyone’s needs and making every guest welcome. He is also the head chef. He makes all of the delectable
Even outside the restaurant you will find touches of rural France
For all coffee connoisseurs
El Café de Don Manuel in Santa Cruz de La Palma As of October 15 one thing is certain - the best espresso in the Canary Islands can now be found in Santa Cruz on the beautiful island of La Palma. That is to say: in ‘El Café de Don Manuel’, opposite Plaza España in Calle Real. Owner of the bar, Rayco Rodriguez, participated in the Spanish Barista Championships which were held on October 14 and 15 at the Congress Centre in Málaga. Rodríguez, who is sponsored by the brand Tirma, had earned his place in the competition hav-
ing been previously crowned Canarian champion. Within Spain, however, the Canarians are not best known as coffee connoisseurs. “Up to now, the ‘Canarios’ have not put so much emphasis on good coffee, more that it should be cheap. Though, myself and seven or eight bars around Santa Cruz are already making sure we serve a good coffee quality to attract guests”, says the Palmero. Rodríguez was excited when he travelled to Málaga: He was one of 17 baristas who jour-
neyed from all over Spain to take part. More than half of the competitors having been participating for years: They are the Spanish (coffee) ‘crème de la crème’. “For me it was quite a surprise and success, to move into the final after the first day of the competition” the Palmero said modestly – and then went on to win his category. The prize for best coffee overall went to Damián Seijas, a representative of Galicia, but it was Rayco Rodriguez whose espresso made the day. “I got the award for the best espresso coffee. This is unbelievable for me, especially because the level was really high. I use the Don Manuel branded Tirma. The coffee comes from Panama and is superbly cultivated. The bean grows at 1,600m above sea level and at a constant 21 degrees centigrade. It has an aroma of jasmine and pineap-
ple. If you want to experience this wonderful taste, just keep the coffee as long as possible in the mouth”, says the expert. On the question of how a layman can recognise a good quality coffee, he only said: “I have a regular guest who told me that he drank five to six cups of coffee daily. He used to always have an upset stomach by the end of the day. Since he is drinking coffee with me, it’s different. He still drinks a lot of coffee but now does well on it. And about his win: “In order to make a really good coffee, various factors have to be right. And to be within the top Spanish baristas, you have to keep improving and learning.” The Tirma brand first put this delicious-sounding coffee on the market about three years ago after rigorous testing and experimentation. The company wanted to find a coffee
At ‘El Café de Don Manuel’ there is the best espresso in Spain
to import that would meet the highest demands. The result
appears to have been well n worth the effort.
024
Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents Island life
Contact details
Music and concerts
Cultural agenda
Summary of the Canaries
General information
Spin news
What’s on
Page 22 & 23
Pages 24 & 25
Page 26 & 27
Page 28
Flamenco returns to Tenerife
Setting the stage alight Authentic, passionate and rousing - these are the attributes that best describe the flamenco show presented by Antonio de Verónica and Saray Cortés that’s currently touring Spain. The show, Por Derecho (By Right) will feature at the Teatro Timanfaya in Puerto de la Cruz on October 22, 28 and 29. Performances start at 8pm and entrance costs €12. On October 30 and 31 the spectacle can be seen at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos, and performances begin at 8.30pm and tickets cost just €10. The show thrilled audiences in Tenerife recently when it was performed twice at the Teatro Timanfaya, and has been receiving rave reviews since embarking on a nationwide theatre tour. It is reported to be a true reflection of flamenco and its
gypsy roots and captures the spirit of the genre exceptionally well. “As long as there is love, despair, nostalgia, joy and pain in the world, there will be flamenco – by right!” said the show’s creators. Por Derecho also features the powerful dance talents of La Salinera and the musical direction of Israel Cortés. The flamenco ensemble, Compañía Sánchez Cortés from Málaga, was founded in 2005, and is a family business that was set up to preserve authentic flamenco traditions. Antonio de Verónica was seven years old when he began to express himself with flamenco music and dance, and has shared the stage with the likes of Antonio El Pipa and the singer Miguel Flores. He also The flamenco show that’s captivating audiences
studied and learned alongside flamenco artists such as Rafael Amargo, Rafael del Carmen, Farruco, Farruquito and Juana Amaya. Antonio’s partner on stage and in life is Saray Cortés, who has been dancing since the age of five and was taught by the renowned flamenco dancer, La Salinera – who also happens to be her mother! At the tender age of 16 Saray performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in London with her own ensemble - and received stunning reviews. It’s obvious when you see their show Por Derecho that these are exceptional dancers who have generations of flamenco influence in their blood. When you’re sitting in the audience you can see the stage is alight with pure and intoxicating passion. This is n one not to be missed!
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HOLIDAY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
The Canaries have what is considered one of the best climates anywhere on the planet, making the Islands the perfect destination for all year round tourism.
ous luxury hotels and some very nice, small white sand beaches. In the foothills above these towns you will find three great places to visit. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom), recently declared the best in the world, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to adrenaline freaks. See: www. siampark.net Aqualand, on Avenida de Austria, a water park with a dolphin show. See: www.aqualand.es. The Jungle Park, at Las Águilas del Teide, is great fun for kids of all ages. See: www.aguilasjunglepark.com
Tenerife Teide National Park
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes
summer solstices. See: www. piramidesdeguimar.es
Santa Cruz
Playa de Las Américas
Santa Cruz, the vibrant, bustling capital city of Tenerife, is located on the northeast coast. It has a variety of interesting museums and art galleries, a well maintained historical centre, and an important commercial port. See: www.santacruzmas.com.
Currently Tenerife’s main tourist destination, this area has spectacular views of La Gomera. There’s a big night-life scene which attracts younger tourists, but it’s also somewhere you can relax, eat, and go sailing, whale and dolphin watching or golfing.
La Laguna La Laguna, a university city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It has a lively night life and a thriving cultural scene.
Puerto de la Cruz The town of Puerto de la Cruz was a popular tourist destination long before the south was. Its attractive and busy town centre has maintained its picturesque fishing-village charm, and nearby is the prestigious, award-winning Loro Parque Zoo. See: www.loroparque.com.
Fañabé
La Orotava One of the prettiest towns on the island, La Orotava also gives its name to the whole valley, which has a very prosperous history. The town centre has beautiful old mansions reflecting the wealth of the past.
Anaga Rural Park The Anaga Rural Park occupies much of the mountainous mas-
Los Cristianos sif in the northeastern corner of Tenerife. This is a steeplysloping area with exceptional natural and cultural treasures, and amazing landscapes.
Güímar This northeastern town is best known for the ethnographic park which was developed by Thor Heyerdahl. The pyramids are a complex construction, astronomically orientated according to the winter and
Once a little fishing village, Los Cristianos began as a tourist destination for ailing Swedes who came to enjoy some rest and recuperation. From the port you can take a ferry to La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro. The two main beaches offer safe swimming with disabled access.
Costa Adeje Costa Adeje is an upmarket area of South West Tenerife
which is popular with European, Russian and national tourists. There are vari-
The town of Los Gigantes, which lives mainly from tourism but on a much more modest scale than Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos, is overlooked by the towering cliffs. There is good diving and a small harbour. Adán Martín Auditorium
Photo: Jordi Verdés Padrón
The highest peak in Spain, at 3,718m, is one of Tenerife’s greatest attractions. It is possible to hike to the top, and also to catch the cable car. See: www.telefericoteide.com. To access the summit of the volcano, Pico del Teide, you need to obtain a free permit in advance, issued by the Administration Office of the National Park, which you can download at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es.
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Other islands La Gomera Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, La Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a pre-historic rainforest which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind left in the world. The ferry will take you to the capital, San Sebastián, famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stop before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery. Valle Gran Rey, in the southwest of the island, and Playa
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is Fuencaliente: the place to go in La Palma to see a real volcanic landscape. The western side of this borough has nice beaches and withstood the many volcanic eruptions the island has suffered, the most recent being the Teneguía volcano in1971. La Palma has a lovely variant of Carnival called Los Indianos, where everyone dresses in white and people take to the streets during the day to cover everything, including each other, in talcum powder.
like parts of North Africa than it does the other islands. The interior is mainly empty, with a few sun bleached villages and a surprising amount of goats, but the coast has some lovely towns and villages and kilometres of white sand beaches ideal for sunbathing and surfing. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a relatively modern port town, rather sleepy and quiet despite the fact that nearly half of the island’s population live there. The two main tourist towns are at opposite ends of the island; Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south.
Gran Canaria Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
green and rugged, with breathtaking sights and one of the best places in the world for star gazing, hence the location of the world’s most important astrophysical observatories on its Roque de los Muchachos.
El Hierro
Santiago, in the south, are the main tourist towns. Valle Gran Rey is a beautiful valley with good beaches and great restaurants. The harbour still has a small fishing fleet. Garajonay National Park houses an ancient laurisilva (laurel) forest at its heart, with over 400 species of flora and fauna. The forest was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
HOLIDAY GUIDE
El Hierro The smallest and westernmost of all the islands, El Hierro only has three municipalities; Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar. For exploring, it’s best to hire a car, and you can easily drive all over the island in a day. Valverde is a small town in the north, the only capital in the
Canaries not located on the coast. Frontera (El Golfo) is a milder, bigger town to the west, with more going on and better weather, and right down in the south is La Restinga, famous for its diving.
La Palma Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the pretty island), La Palma is
The capital, Las Palmas, is a much bigger city than Santa Cruz de Tenerife and has a nice historical quarter, a good night-life and Las Canteras - a long, yellow sand beach with areas for supervised swimming - and another beach for surfers of all levels. The main tourist areas are Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, with its beauti-
Lanzarote Lanzarote is known as the ‘Isla de los Volcanes’, with over 300 volcanic cones. Like Fuerteventura, it’s flatter than the other islands and there’s very little rain, even by Canarian standards. The whole island was
Timanfaya, Lanzarote
The capital, Santa Cruz, lies to the east of the island. It’s a pretty city of seafaring tradition, although Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is in fact the biggest city on La Palma. The towns in the north of La Palma are also very beautiful and in the south of the island
ful sand-dunes and all-night bars and clubs. The island also has some spectacular archaeological sites.
Fuerteventura Flat, arid and sparsely populated, this island looks more
declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and those who take the time to explore the island will find it’s strangely beautiful. The capital is Arrecife, to the east, and the three main tourist resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.
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HOLIDAY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
General information for visitors
Useful contacts Tenerife Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm
Time zone: The time zone in the Canary Islands is the same as in the UK and Ireland. Foreign exchange The Spanish currency is the Euro. You can change currency in any bank by showing your passport (Mon – Fri, 8am – 2pm), or in the many exchange agencies in resorts. 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. However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in tourist resorts open. There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning 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. Limits are: 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 Medical care All residents of the EU 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 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; excluding dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness.
If you are 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 so make sure you are in the right place before paying. Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valuables. A UK driving licence with a photograph is usually accepted as ID for most credit card purchases, a photo credit card will still have to be accompanied by photo ID, daft, but there you are. Do not leave belongings unattended. Particular vigilance on the beach and when you are travelling with luggage is recommended. Take the minimum with you on excursions and lock everything in the boot that you aren’t carrying with you and only access it where you are not overlooked. Do not leave anything in sight. Cars have been broken into for a beach towel before now. If you are at a bar or nightclub, don’t leave your drink unattended and avoid dark streets on the way home. The Islands are safer than many places in Europe, but there are always those who prey on the unaware: relaxing your vigilance could cost you dearly, not just in money but in precious holiday time - reporting the loss of a passport to the police for example and then the visits necessary to the consulates to replace it.
Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062
Post Offices Open Monday to Saturday, generally 8.30am - 2.30pm. Some city offices open later.
Blue Badge users 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: www.bluebadgetenerife.com
Consulates 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 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), and help you in the case of emergency/catastrophe. Inter island transport: Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www.navieraarmas. com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065 Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aenaaeropuertos.es Buses The transport company TITSA has buses that reach all corners of the island. The main bus station is in Santa Cruz, near the Adán Martín Auditorium. Clients can choose to purchase a ticket on the bus for each individual journey or to buy a Bono-bus ticket, a card which can be shared by various people and will mean saving up to 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the route. They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window. If your Bono-bus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bono-bus card. For information you can call TITSA on: (0034) 922 531 130 or see: www.titsa.com
Taxis Tenerife taxis are white and, unless they are minivans, the maximum number of passengers is four, including children. Eurotaxis have ramps for wheelchairs. Eurotaxis, Santa Cruz: (0034) 609 867 581/607 612 816/629 132 269 Taxi Santa Cruz: (0034) 937 780 030 www. teletaxi.es Radiotaxi San Pedro: (0034) 922 310 000 Parque Marítimo César Manrique (next to the Auditorium) Open every day: Sun-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri, Sat: 10amMidnight Adults: €2.50, Children (under 12): €1.50, Over 65s: €1.50 Tel: (0034) 922 229 368 https://es-es.facebook.com/ parque.manrique Palmetum Open Tues – Sun, 11am - 2pm, 4pm-6pm. Adults: €4, Children (under 12): €2.80, Canarian residents €1/1.50 Tel: (0034) 697 651 127. info@palmetumsantacruz. com Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Nature and Man) Open Tues – Sat, 9am - 8pm; Sun, Mon, 10am - 5pm. Tel: (00 34) 922 535 816 www.museosdetenerife.org Museo Militar (Military Museum), C/ San Isidro. Tel: (0034) 922 274 224. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, ecocmar@et.mde.es Castillo de San Cristobal, Plaza de España Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm http://www.museosdetenerife. org Auditorio Adán Martín Tel: (0034) 922 568 600 www.auditoriodetenerife.com Teatro Guimerá, Plaza Isla de la Madera. Tel: (0034) 922 609 408/922 609 400 www.teatroguimera.es
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
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La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera. Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106. The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city. Call to make a reservation.
Tenerife South Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office Plaza del Centro Comercial City Centre, Avda. Rafael Puig, 19. Tel: (0034) 922 797 668
Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, C/ San Agustín. Open Tues - Sat: 9am-8pm; Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.
Oficinas de Turismo: Avda. Juan Carlos I (Bus station) Tel: (0034) 922 730 133 Paseo Marítimo Playa de Las Vistas Tel: (0034) 922 787 011
Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407
HOLIDAY GUIDE Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque. www.siampark.net Lost Property Offices Tenerife North Airport: (0034) 922 635 855 Tenerife South Airport: (0034) 922 759 391 Arona: (0034) 922 725 562 Costa Adeje: (0034) 922 710 606 La Laguna: (0034) 922 608 805/922 251 080 Puerto de la Cruz: (0034) 922 378 448
Evangelical Service Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68
Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555. Puerto de la Cruz Tourist Office, Casa de la Aduana, C/ Las Lonjas. Tel: (0034) 922 386 000. Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo. Tel: (0034) 922 370 243/922 388 777.
Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539 Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com. Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) Avda. Siam Park s/n. Tel: (0034) 822 070 000.
Santa Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354 Religious Services In Spain, Catholicism is the main religion and almost all towns and cities, including tourist resorts, have churches where mass is frequently held. Below is information about Catholic services held in languages other than Spanish and services for other faiths. Holy Communion Anglican Church, Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas. Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/
San Sebastián Tourist Office C/ Real, 4. www.sansebastiandelagomera. org/turismo/ Taxis: (0034) 922 870 524
Tourism Board C/ Triana, Las Palmas. Tel: (0034) 928 219 600. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.
Valle Gran Rey Tourist Office C/ La Noria, 2, La Playa. Tel: (0034) 922 805 458 www.lagomera.travel/islascanarias/la-gomera/es/acerca/ visitar-valle-gran-rey/
Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. De Tirajana (Hotel Riu Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.
Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, Avda. Los Menceyes. Tel: (0034) 922 315 265. Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm. Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.
La Gomera
Gran Canaria
Las Canteras Tourist Office Paseo de la Playa de Las Canteras (opposite the Hotel Meliá) Tel: (0034) 928 446 824. www.lpavisit.com.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Teguise Tourist Office Plaza de La Constitución, s/n Tel (0034) 928 845 398 www.turismoteguise.com
Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo. El Portón Tourist Office El Portón Shopping Centre, Playa del Inglés. www.turismo.maspalomas. com.
Lanzarote
Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058
Costa Teguise Tourist Office Avda. Islas Canarias s/n Tel: (0034) 928 592 542 www.turismoteguise.com
La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041
Taxis: Radiotaxis La Palma: (0034) 922 181 396 www.taxilapalma.com: 686 553868 Radiotaxi San Miguel: (0034) 922 416 070 Los Llanos de Aridane Tourist Offices: Avda. Dr. Flemming, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 402 583 / (0034) 922 402 528 www.lapalmacit.com Llano de Argual, 31 (also handicraft shop) Tel: (0034) 922 401 899
Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698
Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516
Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844 Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216 Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235
Morro Jable Tourist Office Avda. Saladar, Jandía shopping centre Tel: (0034) 928 540 776 turismo@playasdejandia.com Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257
Residents choose
Rani Tandoori
Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003 Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es Caldera de Taburiente National Park www.visitlapalma.es/recursos/recurso-parque-nacionalde-la-caldera-de-taburiente / www.reddeparquesnacionales. mma.es Theme Parks Maro Parque, Breña Alta. Tel:(0034) 922 417 782. www.maroparque.com Palmex Cactus, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 464 862 Paraíso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701 All information was correct at the time of going to press. Please confirm before travelling.
Exquisite Indian Cuisine
Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955
C.C. Pueblo Canario · Loc. 308 Opening times: 38670 Playa de Las Américas Every day 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm Adeje · Tel.: 922 798 943 Director & Chef: Yoguendra „Michael“ © 2015 FLN
Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999
La Palma Tourist Office Avda. Blas Pérez González s/n Tel: (0034) 922 412 106 www.visitlapalma.es
Taxi rank: (0034) 922 462 001 www.taxilapalma.com / (0034) 686 553 868
Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999. Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com
La Palma
Playa Santiago Tourist Office Avda. Marítima, s/n. Tel: (0034) 922 895 650 playasantiago@lagomera. travel
Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108 Arrecife Tourist Office Parque José Ramírez Cerdá s/n Tel: (0034) 928 813 174 www.turismolanzarote.com
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Pickup Point 2nd Home Tenerife C.C. Plaza del Duque
HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS
Los Cristianos
The Arona municipal social services department, via the Women’s and Equality Opportunities Unit, has organised a free show to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women. Ellas, Agua y Tierra (The Women, Water and Earth) is the name of a tribute to the collective memory of the Island’s country women in days gone by. It presents a view of females who produced and collected crops, forgotten and vulnerable women: without a voice, without water and land. The tribute will take the form of a dramatised poem which looks at the symbolic feminine universe, embraces the memories of the valiant women, and rewrites the story over the scars left by such a hard and unrelenting life. The United Nations’ webpage has this to say about rural women and the need for
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
A tribute to rural women in Arona
international acknowledgment of their role in society: “Rural women, the majority of whom depend on natural resources
Nostalgia plays its part
and agriculture for their livelihoods, make up over a quarter of the total world population. In developing countries, rural
women represent approximately 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force, and produce, process and prepare much of the food available, thereby giving them primary responsibility for food security.” For this production in homage of these strong and invaluable women, photos, sounds, aromas and words describe the way of life of these workers of the pastoral world. Videos, verse and dance will also aim to take the audience back to the times of the ancestors where their silent tales will be revealed. Ellas, Agua and Tierra, directed by the Revolotearte company, will be at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on October 23 at 6.30pm. Entry is free. See: www.arona.org for more information, or: www.un.org for an insight into the International n Day of Rural Women.
Arona’s artful approach Arona Town Hall is currently hosting an exhibition by a talented array of local artists. Simply called ‘Artists in Arona’, the collection features works by 12 very different painters from around the borough. The array of styles, from oil on canvas to delicate watercolours and acrylic on stone is mirrored by the interesting mix of those presenting their visions: Between them, the dozen painters hail from as far afield as Italy, Cuba and Germany as well as from our beloved archipelago. The 12 artists are: Heriberto Tapia, Yamil Omar Walls, Carlo Forte, Juan Carlos Sánchez Lezcano, Juan Martín Sánchez, Sonia Delgado, José Manuel Encinoso Reverón, Juan Antonio Correa Reverón, Sergio Linares Velasco, Maijo González Marrero, Ariam Lázaro Pérez Barrios and André Bagemihl. The exhibition is running until November 30. You’ll find the Town Hall in Plaza del Cristo de la Salud in the village of Arona. And if you haven’t been in the area for a while or have never visited this quaint mountain community then this is a wonderful opportunity to do so. For more information n see ‘exposiciones’ at: www.arona.org. Photo: www.arona.org
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Sea and stars The beautiful islands of the archipelago have oft been spoken about in a poetic vein. It isn’t difficult to understand why: Many a landscape or glimpsed image can evoke elegiac moments for even the most prosaic amongst us. From arid deserts to lush green mountains and lighthouses and storms, the Islands are designed to evoke nostalgia at every turn of a corner. It is this last emotion which was the inspiration for the latest play, called The Sea and the Stars, by the 2Rc Theatre Company. Antonio Tabares, José Padilla and Irma Correa were each asked to compose one section of a theatrical production each, based on the stories of famous people who have passed through – and had an impact on - the
Canary Islands. Tabares uses the recent visit by the elderly Neil Armstrong to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma. In José Padilla’s scene we see a young Agatha Christie fleeing England for sentimental reasons, and Correa tells the story of Miguel de Unamuno’s exile on the island of Fuerteventura. Wistfulness, magic, daring and humour permeate all three stories. El Mar y Las Estrellas is coproduced by the Teatro Circo de Marte in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Teatro Cúyas in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. See it at the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz on October 31 at 9pm. Tickets, priced at €12 and €15, are available from: n www.tomaticket.es.
Arona Town Hall is playing host to a collective exhibition
Get your walking boots on
Commune with nature
The last hike of the year’s ‘Güímar Patea’ programme will take place on November 8. The walk will guide participants along the Camino Las Lecheras from La Laguna to Santa Cruz. The cost is €8 for residents who live in the borough and €18 for those from other areas. Everyone over the age of 13 is welcome to take part and you can register between October 24 and November 4 at the Güímar Town Hall. Places are limited so book early. See: www. n guimar.es or call: 922 526 159.
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
International documentaries
The 10th anniversary of MiradasDoc, the international festival of documentary films held in Guia de Isora, will be celebrated with the presence of over 20 movie directors and at least 56 showings. MiradasDoc is an annual competition and associated film event which attracts documentary makers from across the globe, as well as offering the public the chance to see some of the best and most heart-rending records of modern life, made by some of the finest up-and-coming directors. The event is arranged in three main sections: festival, market and training, each of which includes a series of activities related to reality cinema. The documentary films offer indepth views of social processes and/or are produced or shot in developing countries and the third world. During the 10 years since its inauguration, the festival has carved out a niche as one of the most significant of its kind in Spain and Europe. Wanting to do something extra special to mark the successful decade, the
Mickey comes to town Mickey Mouse and friends have been entertaining audiences across the continents with their travelling show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival and will soon be coming to Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Mickey has leapt into the 21st century for this melodious extravaganza which features hits from the Disney movies that have been mixed with popular styles such as hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock and many more. The story unfolds along with the soundtracks from the friends’ movies and, as ever, the homely and down-to-earth values of honesty, courage, simplicity and friendship are
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS
27
confirmed their attendance. Isidro Sánchez, with No me contéis entre vosotros, tells the story of an Andalusian worker at the end of his life, whilst Pablo García de Lara and Marc Serena present Tchindas which explores the world of homosexuals and transsexuals in Cape Verde during Africa’s best carnival. Our neighbouring continent also features in Africa 815 by Pilar Monsell, which tells the history of a family in the Sahara, and Antonio Moreno and Silvia Venegas will display their joint project called Boxing for freedom about Afghanistan’s best boxer – a movie that has already been selected for the EnseñanDoc educational programme. Raúl de la Fuente will once again grace the festival after his success in 2014 with Minerita which went on to become a finalist in the Goya awards. This year he returns with I’m Haiti, a complex and deep view of the society of that particular island following the massive earthquake suffered only a few years ago. All those taking part in the battle for the title of Best
Canarian Documentary will be making personal appearances in Guía de Isora. Mercedes Afonso will present her film Autobiografía, a reflection of life and infancy; Los sueños al viento by David Delgado Sanginés features the life and daydreams of a mysterious garden builder in Lanzarote, whilst Sacristán by Octavio Guerra visits the interestingly cooperative relationship between the verger of the Murcia Cathedral and a parishioner. Miguel G. Morales will present Las manos about artist César Manrique’s local collaborators, and Haliam Pérez will show Marina, a story about a Cuban family. Finally, Sergio Morales offers Estación Andamana, the story of the Las Palmas port and its influence on the city in the second half of the 20th century. All the above fascinating films and more will be shown during the MiradasDoc festival which will take place at the Guia de Isora auditorium from October 30 to November 7. See: www.guiadeisora. org and www.miradasdoc.com n for more information.
soon became the official mascot of the company and one of the most recognisable cartoon characters in the world. And although he’s had a few wardrobe changes over the years, he’s still the same old cute cheeky mouse and is as popular as ever. And that includes right here in the Canaries – he makes regular appearances at carnivals and has even been known to pop up at Three Kings fiestas.
See Mickey’s Music Festival at the Centro Insular de Deportes in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from October 28 to November 1, and in Tenerife at the Santiago Martín Pavilion, Los Majuelos, from November 5 to 8. There’s more information at www.espectaculos.disney. es and tickets, priced from €13.80, are available from n www.elcorteingles.es.
MiradasDoc returns
The scene at the Guia de Isora Auditorium during last year’s MiradasDoc
organisers have invited competing directors to come and join the festivities. Amongst those who will show their films personally are several who’ll be presenting for the category of Best Long Documentary. These include Piotr Morawski and Ryszard Kaczynski from Poland, directors of
The promise of a happy childhood, a story about the phenomena of international adoptions. From Hungary, Marcell Gerő brings Cain’s children, a profile of three men who committed murders during their adolescence; and Jill Coulon from France presents Voyage en Occident about the inter-
cultural topics derived from tourism. In the same section, the Belgian Manu Bonmariage offers Vivre sa mort, which reflects on life, death and the individual’s right to euthanasia. Out of the nine films entered for Best National Documentary, five directors have so far
Disney Live! those that save the day. Kenneth and Alana Feld are the father and daughter production team in charge of the show and they explained that they hoped that everyone, both young and old, will feel a connection with the characters, as though they are actually part of the performance. In fact, they continue, it’s almost like being up there with the actors: the show is fully interactive so everyone can sing, dance, laugh and join in whenever they wish. With a cast of 25 irresistible characters that includes Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Jasmine, Aladdin and his Genie, Woody, Buzz and
Jessie – as well as amazing acrobatics, flying carpets, underwater scenes and magic transformations - this will be an unforgettable show for all the family to enjoy.
Traditionally garbed in red shorts, oversized yellow shoes and white gloves, Mickey Mouse has been charming the crowds for almost 90 years. Created by Walt Disney in 1928, he
HOLIDAY GUIDE WHATS ON 2015
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October - November
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
October - November
GRAN CANARIA TENERIFE
DIARY DATES
DIARY DATES October 22 8.30pm: Three musicians - three cultures, Teatro Pérez Galdós - Plaza Stagno, LPGC.
October 24 11am and 11.45am: Folklore dancing exhibition, Parque Santa Catalina, LPGC. 12pm: Oktoberfest beer festival, Plaza de Santiago, Galdar. 8.30pm: Remembering the Bee Gees, Teatro Guiniguada, LPGC.
October 25 11.30am: Band concert with the bands Unión Musical Vega de San Mateo and the Agrupación Cultural Musical Barahona de Lomo Blanco, Teatro Pérez Galdós - Plaza Stagno, LPGC 11.30am and 1pm: Folklore dancing exhibition, Pueblo Canario, LPGC.
October 28 12pm, 4pm and 7pm: Disney Live, Mickey’s Music Festival, from €22.80, Centro Insular de Deportes, LPGC. www.elcorteingles.es/entradas
Until October 24
October 24
10am-2pm and 5pm-9pm: Free wine tastings of the superb wines of the Tacoronte-Acentejo denomination at the Alcampo supermarkets in La Laguna and La Orotava.
10.30am-8.30pm: Feboda, see above. 12.30pm: Band concert, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte. 8pm: Mass and religious street procession, followed by fireworks and a street party with the Orquesta Sensación de Gomera and Deliciosa, Free Entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 8.30pm: Fascinating traditional libreas dance complete with devils and fireworks, Free entry, Calle La Alhóndiga, Buenavista del Norte. 8.30pm: The Marriage of Figaro, see above. 9.30pm: Mass followed by religious procession accompanied by the local band, firework display, decorated float and ‘big-heads’ parade and street party with the Orquesta Sabrosa, Free entry, Buenavista del Norte.
October 22 10.30am: Guided visit to a banana packing facility in Puerto de la Cruz, Free entry, setting off point Plaza de Europa. 11am: Clownbaret clown show Sin Remite with Jean Philippe Kikolas, Centro Cultural de Adeje. 8pm: Children’s gala, clowns, Disney musical, live music, Free entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 8.30pm: The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart, opera, Auditorio Adán Martin, €12.25 - €26, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. auditoriodetenerife.com.
October 23
October 29 12pm, 4pm and 7pm: Disney Live, see above. 8.30pm: Los Gofiones, folk music, Teatro Guiniguada, LPGC.
October 30 12pm, 4pm and 7pm: Disney Live, see above. 8.30pm: Los Gofiones, folk music, Teatro Guiniguada, LPGC.
October 31 11am and 11.45am: Folklore dancing exhibition, Parque Santa Catalina, LPGC. 12pm, 4pm and 7pm: Disney Live, see above.
November 1 11.30am: Band concert with the airforce band from the Gran Canaria barracks, Teatro Pérez Galdós - Plaza Stagno, LPGC 11.30am and 1pm: Folklore dancing exhibition, Pueblo Canario, LPGC. 12pm, 4pm and 7pm: Disney Live, see above.
10.30am-8.30pm: Feboda, wedding exhibition and fair, 140 stands with everything you could possibly want for your special day, Recinto Ferial, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, €4. www.recintoferialdetenerife.com. 11am: Free Canarian mojo sauce-making course, municipal market, Puerto de la Cruz.
November 3 8.30pm: Masdanza, dance groups from Taiwan, Korea and the UK, Cicca Theatre, Alameda de Colón, LPGC.
EXHIBITIONS Until November 14 Paintings / sculpture by Santi Palenzuela at the Centro de Arte La Regenta, Calle León & Castillo, Free Entry, Tuesdays to Fridays: 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm, Saturdays: 11am to 2pm, LPGC. www.laregenta.org.
Until January 10 Black Hole, a collection of pastels and charcoals by local artist Raúl Artiles, CAAM (San Antonio Abad), Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am – 9pm, Sundays, 10am – 2pm, LPGC. www. caam.net.
10.30am-8.30pm: Feboda, see above. 11am: Almond fair, traditions, folk music, tastings and stands to buy everything that can be made from almonds, Aripe, Guía de Isora. 11am: Zumba master class, Free entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 4pm-8pm: Bouncy castles and water spouts followed by a foam party, Free entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 5pm: Parade with decorated floats and ‘bigheads’, drum and cornet bands, Free entry, Calle La Alhóndiga, Buenavista del Norte. 6pm: The Marriage of Figaro, see above. 8pm: Folklore festival, Free entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 9pm: Arts festival, with the spectacular timplist Benito Cabrera and his new presentation, Constelación, in collaboration with the Canarian Astrophysics Centre, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte.
October 29
October 30 – November 7
All day: All Saint’s Day, national holiday, banks and some businesses may be closed.
7.30pm-12am: Keroxen music festival, featuring Tim Hecker, Chancha via Circuito, Pumuky, Diego Hernández, Hernández & Fernández and David Gann, €12-15, El Tanque Culture Space, Santa Cruz. www.keroxen.com. 8pm: 11am: Clownbaret clown show Post Clássic with Totell Poltrona, €10, Centro Cultural de Adeje. 8.30pm: The Marriage of Figaro, see above. 11pm: Street party with live music from the Orquesta Sensación Gomera, Free entry, Recinto Ferial, Plaza de Guaza, Arona. 11pm: Street party with live music from the Orquesta Kimbara, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte.
November 2 All day: All Saint’s Day, national holiday, banks and some businesses may be closed.
November 5
October 25
7.30pm: Folklore festival, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte.
November 2
music, DJ, surprises for adults and children, La Pirámide de El Sauzal, next to the municipal market. 8.30pm: Por Derecho, see above. 11pm: Street party with the Orquesta Malibú, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte.
International documentary competition Miradasdoc, Guía de Isora, over 20 directors, at least 56 screenings, Free entry, Weekends and Bank Holidays from 12pm – 11pm, weekdays, 3pm – 10pm. miradasdoc.com. 7.30pm-12am: Keroxen music festival, featuring, Za!, Joan Colomo, Sara Fontán, Peinetta, Lznotebook, Adrián Cuervo and Simone Marin, €12-15, El Tanque Culture Space, Santa Cruz. www.keroxen.com. 8.30pm: Por Derecho, flamenco, Saray Cortés dance company, €10, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos. www.arona.org. 11pm: Street party with the Orquesta Tropín, Free entry, church square, Buenavista del Norte.
October 31 12pm: Antique cars exhibition, followed at 4pm with bouncy castles, Free entry, church square and surroundings, Buenavista del Norte. 7pm: Wine, apples and chestnut tastings, tapas, cookery workshops and demonstrations, live
9pm: For the second year running, The Hard Rock Café Tenerife hosts the European and African regional bartender final. Hard Rock Café contestants from as far away as Stockholm, Malta, Helsinki, Johannesburg and Dublin will compete for the prestigious crown. Knowledge, skill and flair will be fully tested in front of a panel of top judges and the winner will go on to compete in Orlando in January 2016 for the title of World Champion Barocker. Not to be missed! Hard Rock Café Tenerife, Avda. de Las Américas, Pirámide de Arona, Playa de Las Américas.
Until the end of December Creativity corner for 5-11 year-olds, Mini Tea, Friday 4pm - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 8pm, TEA, Santa Cruz. www.tea.tenerife.es.
EXHIBITIONS Until October 30 Celebrating 250 years of journalism in the Canaries. The first newspaper to be produced in the Islands was La Gaceta de Daute, hence the first location for this roving exhibition in the Sala Pérez Enriquez, Los Silos. Mondays to Fridays, 5pm -8pm and Sundays 9am -1pm.
Until November 14 The Ten Diez Movement Art Box. 40 talented local photographers display their work at the Baobab Suites, Calle Roques de Salmor, Free entry, 9am – 11pm daily, Costa Adeje. www. ten-diez.com.
Until November 30 Paintings, various artists, Free entry, Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am – 2.30pm, Arona town hall. www.arona.org.
For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
MUSIC
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
29
THE QFM MUSIC REVIEW – YOUR GUIDE TO MUSIC CREATED IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
Marianne Robiou delights once again One of the perks of working at a radio organisation which supports breaking and unsigned artists is that you get to hear music months before it’s released to the public. And when such an original album as Mademoiselle Electroswing arrives at our studios for evaluation, it certainly makes us feel privileged. If you haven’t yet heard of this French born singer-songwriter, you must have slept for the best part of this decade. Founder of the Tenerife-based group Liqueur de Feeling, which released its debut album Dreamland in 2013, Marianne has performed in numerous music festivals, on local TV stations and her music has an important presence on Qfm. Her ability to compose and sing in French, English and Span-
ish has opened many doors for her in the industry, not forgetting her vibrant stage presence and photogenic style. Throughout this year, she has focused much of her energy in the recording studio, collaborating with legendary producer Bebo Best. The result of many months of work is Mademoiselle Electroswing, a collec-
tion of original tracks written by Marianne, with a few classic covers given a radical electrojazz-lounge makeover. Bebo’s unique style of upbeat Bossa-jazz is very present throughout the album, so much so that on a handful of tracks it almost outshines the vocalist’s charm. However, when we hear Marianne’s character
shine through on songs such as Sol y Luna and Magic Scene, we appreciate the producer’s skills in bringing out the very best from this artist and her wonderful creations. Rounding up the album are some extravagant remixes of, for example, La Vie En Rose,
together with some danceable fusions of jazz, swing and electro-lounge. Pure positivity, an album which we can look forward to next year. In the meantime, Qfm has selected a few tracks which are now on the playlist, so listen in to 94.3 or www.Qmusica.com. Also,
Marianne has promised us a few live renditions from this album at her performance at the Jazz Roja Festival 2015, to be held in El Médano from November 7 to 15. See back page for more information on the upcoming fesn tival.
30
SPOTLIGHT
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Spotlight on George Reed
Retirement of the Mac Initially, George helped his wife secure entertainment work on the circuit, which wasn’t easy at the time as the south’s first hotels were sceptical about hiring British singing acts for international guests, even
George with the Raging Bull himself, Jake LaMotta
However, through all the changes and life events, boxing has remained close to George’s heart. Aside from writing a regular column for Island Connections he has frequently taken the time to travel and see some of the best fighters of the day, venturing to the US on occasions to witness the enrolment of Jake LaMotta in the Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as see the Naseem Hamed and Marco
with Barbara’s experience on TV shows and radio in the UK. George convinced one hotel to give her a shot and she became one of the first British singing acts to appear regularly on the hotel scene, enjoying a successful career in Tenerife that lasted more than two decades. A couple of years after arriving on the island George also became involved in Tenerife Markets with Norman Simms, initially setting up in Torviscas and helping to manage the growing number of market sites.
Barrera, and Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield title fights. He’s also rubbed shoulders with many great champions, past and present, such as Larry Holmes, John H Stracey and Nigel Benn. When asked who he thinks is the greatest fighter of all time his answer was instant: “For me, Sugar Ray Robinson.” Island Connections would like to thank George for his wonderful contribution that has featured in the paper since its earliest editions. Happy retirement Mac O’Brien! n
George with the great former heavyweight champion, Larry Holmes
Tenerife Markets co-founder and Island Connections’ boxing columnist for over 25 years, George Reed is a well known and hugely admired businessman in the south of Tenerife and a former professional boxer and semi-professional footballer. Sadly, George recently turned 80 and has decided to retire his popular boxing column that has illuminated our sports pages for close to three decades. George was born and raised in Carlisle in Cumberland, leaving school at 15 and shortly afterwards embarking on a short boxing career that was interrupted by national service. His father was a boxer in the army and George had been practicing the sport since he was a small boy. Despite being a smoker since the age of 11, he trained hard and had bouts in youth clubs until he was 16 when he gained his boxing licence and turned professional. He went on to have nine professional fights with nine wins. “There was a well known Canadian guy who married a local girl and lived in town; he was like a celebrity and ran the boxing scene in the area. He saw me fight in one of the old boxing booths when I climbed in as a 14-year-old to take on the local bully who was a couple of years older than me, and who I
rather pleasingly beat! He later told my dad that he liked the way I picked my punches.” Johnny Mac went on to train George and shaped him into an effective young pro. As was common at the time, George adopted a new name and boxed as Mac O’Brien. After his ninth successive win George was conscripted. However, due to his sporting background he was able to spend his time in the service as a PT instructor and found himself stationed at Padgate Camp in Warrington training the RAF boxing teams. Here he met his future wife and life partner Barbara, a promising young singer and entertainer. Within 12 months they were married. George stayed with the RAF beyond his national service and
Ricky Hatton and George Reed George with former WBO heavyweight champ, Lamon Brewster
served seven years before taking a job at Winwick Hospital, a former psychiatric institution. “I spent several years there and the experience was an eyeopener, that’s for sure! The film One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest is one of my favourites because it reminds me a lot of my time at Winwick!” George then entered the shoe business and was a partner in a small hotel, spending 15 years as a local businessman before starting Chaplin’s, a popular nightspot in Warrington that opened during the swinging sixties, until he moved to Tenerife in the mid-80s. “The 2am licence was new when we
opened and we saw an opportunity to start a late-night entertainment venue.” George and Barbara’s only child, Scott, was born during this period and by the time he was a teenager, following many years running the club, the couple decided it was time to move to pastures new and in 1984 they came to Tenerife. George had recently undergone a coronary triple bypass and wanted to convalesce in a less demanding lifestyle that included a good climate.
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
BLEVINS FRANKS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
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Are you ready for the new automatic exchange of information? By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks
We are about to enter a new era for international tax planning and cross-border wealth management. January 2016 sees the start of a new global automatic exchange of information regime that affects everyone with financial assets outside their country of residence. Financial privacy is dead and buried, to the point where your local tax authority will passively receive information about your investment assets without having to ask for it. Everyone should be aware of what information will be shared about your assets, and consider what tax and estate planning arrangements are best suited for you and your family.
‘Everyone should be aware of what information will be shared about your assets, and consider what tax and estate planning arrangements are best suited for you and your family.’
since 2005, the EU Savings Tax Directive, only applies to interest income. Third countries like Switzerland implement the directive by applying a withholding tax. Many jurisdictions around the world signed bi-lateral tax information exchange agreements. These are of limited benefit to tax authorities, who only receive The current situation information on a taxpayer’s offThe current automatic exchange shore assets if they suspect tax evaof information in Europe sion and request it.
The situation from January The Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) new standard for the Automatic Exchange of Financial Information in Tax Matters, including the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), goes live on January 1, 2016. It involves the systematic and periodic transmission of taxpayer informa-
tion by the source country to the residence country and goes much further than just interest income. The Spanish tax authorities will automatically receive information on the financial assets their taxpayers own overseas – without having to ask for it, and on offshore accounts and investments they may not have been aware of before. They will compare data received against tax returns and Form 720.
Information to be reported under CRS This includes name, address and tax identification number of the asset owner; the balance/value, interest and dividend payments and gross proceeds from the sale of financial assets. The institutions that need to report include banks, custodians, investment entities such as investment funds, certain insurance companies, trusts and foundations.
Implementation Almost 100 jurisdictions around the world have signed up so far. The ‘early adopters’ (including the EU and UK offshore centres) start collecting data from January 2016, to make the first information exchange by September 2017. The other countries, including Switzerland, start a year later. In Europe, the CRS will be implemented through the Administrative Cooperation Directive. It provides for automatic information sharing on interest, dividends, other investment income, account balances, sales proceeds from financial assets, income from employment, directors’ fees, life insurance, pensions and property.
What does this mean for you? If you have many different offshore bank accounts, investments, trusts etc, each one of
these will share information with your local tax authority. Cross-border tax planning is complex. You need to be clear on what you should be declaring and where. If you live here and earn income in the UK, do you pay tax in UK or Spain? This is a good time to review your tax planning arrangements. Are they compliant here in Spain? Are you paying more tax than necessary? We are entering a completely new era. Are you ready? To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com 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
MOTORING
32
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Cleaner and quieter
Range Rover
The rise of electric vehicles
More off road fun than should be allowed…
Gran Canaria President Antonio Morales before the Elder Museum in Las Palmas where the conference took place
Antonio Morales, president of Gran Canaria, recently made a case for the use of more electric cars and renewable energies during a conference on sustainable transport. Morales proposes an ongoing campaign for conversion to cleaner fuels and methods of transport and seems particularly enamored with electric cars. The advantages of E-cars were listed as being many. While the vehicles are a little more expensive to buy initially, the president was quick to point out that they are almost 60 per cent cheaper to run, as the cost per 100 kilometres of driving, compared to a conventional car, drops from around €8 to €3. In addition, electric cars usually incur much lower maintenance and repair costs throughout their lives.
Other benefits include lower pollution and noise levels, and the creation of jobs through the greater demand for renewable energy. Most electric cars at the moment have a range of around 200 kilometres per fully-charged battery, which, on islands where the average daily range is 50km, is ideal. Nevertheless, journalist Roberto Martí pointed out that at the Frankfurt Motor Show, electric cars have been already presented that can go up to 500 km without needing to recharge. Furthermore, cars with electric engines are now available in a range of sizes and comfort classes to suit most families’ needs. Morales and companions also believe that cities around the world would be much more comfortable to live in if more
In Los Realejos two e-scooters are now being used in the public sector
electric cars were adopted, due to lower noise pollution and cleaner air. The president even pointed out the benefits of private free-standing wind generators which can be used to fuel electric cars and the home’s energy needs.
E-scooters in Los Realejos The borough of Los Realejos in the north of Tenerife is leading by example. Two e-scooters were recently purchased for integration into the fleet of the subcontractor Realserv which is responsible for street lighting. The E-scooters have a range of around 70 kilo-
metres and the initiative has been made possible thanks to the recent installation of the area’s first charging point, in the town hall’s garage. A public re-charging station, carrying both of the two most widelyused sockets, will be inaugurated soon. “Little by little we are taking steps to save energy and emit less carbon dioxide. We also want to raise awareness on the subject in the public and private sphere”, said local mayor Manuel Domínguez. Cutting edge technology at the charging points and fixed daily rates will create further n incentives.
The all-new Range Rover Evoque Convertible will be the most capable SUV of its kind when it debuts in November after completing Land Rover’s punishing development and assessment programme with flying colours. Proud of their latest exploits, the company has released a film highlighting the car’s all-terrain credentials. The footage shows the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible completing the final phase of testing at Land Rover’s legendary Eastnor Castle estate, in Herefordshire, UK, and demonstrates how Land Rover’s engineers have rigorously tested the four-wheel drive vehicle to ensure it delivers tip top all-terrain capability. Mike Cross, Land Rover Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, said: “Thanks to a combination of innovative engineering and the application of advanced technologies, the Evoque Convertible will deliver a dynamic and assured SUV experience that has been tested around the world. We call it The Convertible for all Seasons.” Land Rover confirmed plans to launch a convertible derivative of its award-winning Evoque at the Geneva Motor Show in March of this year. Not eight months later, the car will be launched in November and will make its public debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Evoque Convertible will be available after spring next year but you can see it being put through its paces right now at: https://www.youtube.com/embed/BElY8FbEjPA. n
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible sure has style
Renault 5 GT Turbo
Around Tenerife 14 times
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The following day will be mostly taken up with a run around the north of Tenerife so look out in your area for a whole host of Renault 5s buzzing through towns and along highways and byways. See: http://tenerifeturboclub. blogspot.com.es/ for news. n
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year under the heading “14 years of uniting the Canaries.” The action starts at 3pm on October 24 when the cars will be on display at the Los Realejos Municipal Market, where there will also be a number of activities and jollities throughout the evening.
NE
October 24 and 25 will see the annual Renault 5 GT Turbo Event where owners and fans from all over the archipelago gather together to admire their vehicles and strut their stuff in convoy. As ever, the event is organised by the Tenerife Turbo Club – this
Now that’s taking off-road ability very seriously indeed…
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
BUSINESS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
33
New consumer protection law
No more double fees
Why use an independent adviser? Why would you use Sebastian & St James rather than go to your bank or building society, or even directly to an insurance company yourself? There are a number of very good reasons, from customer service to impartial advice. Relationship Sebastian & St James will spend time getting to know you and understanding your requirements in order to build long term relationships.
Photo: Wikimedia
Simplicity Sebastian & St James will act as an intermediary between you and the product provider. They will make sure that you understand the choice available to you. They will explain what each product
Whether the customer uses a debit or credit card to withdraw cash, charges must be made clear
Early October saw the introduction of a law prohibiting banks from ‘double charging’ when customers use cards to withdraw cash from ATMs which belong to banks which are not their own. Up until now, that type of transaction has sometimes incurred eye-watering fees for the withdrawal of even small amounts of money due to both banks making charges. However, according to the new rules the bank which owns the cash machine can no longer ask for a direct commission off the client, but can charge the bank which issued the card - which
can then choose whether to pass this on to the customer either partially or in full, with charges being made clear at the time of withdrawal. If a debit card is used the only charge that can be levied is by the owners of the ATM, though for credit cards the issuing bank may still charge a processing fee. Levels must be stated clearly in the credit card agreement, however, and should not exceed the amount levied for a similar transaction from one of their own ATMs. It is also stressed that all charges must be ‘fair’. In addition, all credit card issu-
ers must inform the Spanish National Bank of their commission rates. The National Competition and Markets Authority (CNMC) will also be expected to make annual public reports to the Ministry of Economy regarding each entity’s fees, the first of which must be issued in the first semester of the coming year. Banks have until January 1, 2016, to have fully integrated the changes into their systems. Across Spain there are around 900 million cash withdrawals made each year from approximately 50,000 ATMs. n
is and what it does, in simple terms. Best Products Because Sebastian & St James spend time getting to know you they can recommend the best products for your circumstances, at the best rates. Impartiality Sebastian & St James are independent; they can look at the whole of the market to identify the right investment product for you. Professional Advice Once they have established what your needs are, and have researched the market, Sebastian & St James will provide you with a suitability letter. This letter will outline all the options
available to you and the reason why they are recommending one product over another. Ongoing Service Maybe the most important area of all for clients, Sebastian & St James are always available to speak to clients. You will deal with a named individual with email, telephone and often Skype contact details. They do not charge upfront fees Sebastian & St James put any costs to the client, clearly in writing, prior to agreeing any investment strategies. Sebastian & St James International Financial Advisors Limited: advice based on integrity, n trust and experience.
34
HEALTH
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Malignant melanoma
Photo: Dick Herrmann / FreeImages.com
Dying for a tan?
It is especially important to ensure that children have enough protection when in the sun
What is a melanoma? Melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour, is made by cells called melano-
cytes. When bare bits of our bodies are exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes produce more melanin and the skin becomes darker, to help protect it from the ultraviolet light which is contained in the sun’s rays. Malignant melanomas develop when the melanocytes become cancerous and multiply in an uncontrolled manner. If left untreated, the cancer can invade the skin around the melanoma. Nevertheless, around 75 per cent of people who have a melanoma removed will have no further problems, though it is vital that it is taken away as early as possible: every extra millimetre of depth can greatly affect survival prospects.
Where do they appear? Melanomas may not cause any symptoms at all and can emerge in an area that otherwise looked quite normal, or a new and different, usually darker, patch of skin may develop. Many melanomas are sited in, or near to, a mole. Moles are normally harmless groups or clusters of melanocytes that everyone has at least a few of: most of us sport between
Over exposure to the sun whilst young can have life-altering health repercussions many years down the line Northern Europeans who make a life in hotter countries should take particular care
Though anyone can develop the disease, there are several
Photo: Patrick Moore FreeImages.com
Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer there is, and melanoma, a disease of the pigment cells, is the most dangerous form of skin cancer around. Although it is one of the least prevalent, there are still around 160,000 new cases diagnosed around the world each year – and melanomas which have spread to other areas of the body have a very high mortality rate. Annually, around 3,600 people in Spain are found to have a melanoma, but figures are currently growing exponentially across the globe. The World Health Organisation is expecting the incidence to triple between now and 2030. In the Canary Islands, over 15 cases per 100,000 people are now detected every year – and numbers continue to rise. If left untreated, a melanoma often causes death, though if removed early enough the outlook for a long and healthy life is usually very good indeed.
Are some people more susceptible than others?
10 and 50 of them on our bodies. The majority of moles remain harmless forever, but changes in the size, shape or colour of an existing one may be the first sign of a melanoma developing. As well
as changes in appearance, the area may, or may not, tingle or itch in the initial stages of the disease. As the condition develops, it may feel hard and lumpy, or even bleed, ooze liquid or grow a crust.
groups who have a higher than average risk. People who are very light skinned, especially if they have fair or red hair, and /or a tendency to freckle in the sun, are much more vulnerable
to melanomas. Darker-skinned people are not immune, however, and still have to protect themselves. People who have had sunburn are said to be twice as likely to get a melanoma than those who have not, especially if it occurred during childhood: For babies and young children, over exposure to the sun when the skin is at its most delicate can have life-altering health repercussions many years down the line. Severe sunburn at any age, especially when the skin blisters, increases the risk of developing a melanoma even more dramatically. The use of artificial sources of ultraviolet light such as sun beds raises the danger in just the same way as natural sunshine. You don’t have to actually burn either: any time spent in the sun damages the skin, and over-exposure can cause rough, dry patches called solar keratoses. These can be skin-coloured, pink, red or brown, and studies have shown that people with several on their head and neck also have a higher risk of developing a melanoma. Sun exposure isn’t the only factor, however, and melanomas can appear on areas of the body that are normally kept covered. Having an above-average number of moles or a propensity for the so called ‘atypical
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
The ABCD system delineates the features to look for in moles or discoloured areas of skin: Asymmetry, border, colour and diameter. Notable changes or the appearance of any of the Use the ABCD check to monitor following may mean that a moles melanoma is developing: Asymmetry: Draw an imaginary line down the centre of the area or mole: if the two halves of the shape are different then you need to have it investigated by your doctor. Border: Look for edges that are irregular, indistinct or appear to have ‘notches’. Colour: Note if different shades of black, brown and pink – or any uneven colouring – are present in the one area. Diameter: The majority of melanomas are over 5mm in diameter – so if they are over this size, are growing, or show any of the signs above, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you have an elevated number of moles or spend a large amount of time in the sun, it may be worth taking photos of your moles every couple of months to keep a record – this can be particularly useful if they are situated out of your daily sight, in areas such as on the back or rear of the legs, arms or shoulders. n
Photo: Zarko Kecman FreeImages.com
If moles are on a part of the body which you cannot see easily, ask a friend to take regular photos
Frightening ‘epidemic‘
If melanomas are removed early enough the prognosis is very good
The incidence of all types of skin cancer is apparently rising alarmingly in the Canary Islands. Earlier this year, Jaime
Vilar, head of Dermatology in the Gran Canaria San Roque Hospital in Las Palmas, warned that the Canaries simply do not have the necessary resources to keep up with the increase in cases – especially as a staggering seven to 10 per cent rise in melanomas has been seen annually for the last few years. The Canary Islands are famous for having one of the best climates in the world, but it is that very year-round sunshine which is turning skin cancer into what has been dubbed by some doctors as an “epidemic”. Many of Vilar’s patients are now in their 60s and 70s. They are people who have spent several years working in agriculture, fishing or other outdoors-based occupations or sports. There are also plenty of fairer-skinned foreigners who have spent many years as dedicated sunbathers. It can
HEALTH
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though melanomas are the least frequent, they are still the most dangerous. Thankfully, there is some good news – due to improvements in early detection and treatment methods, the mortality rate for melanomas isn’t growing at the same pace as the number of cases: More and more people are beating the disease and going on to live a full life.
Wear a T-shirt or a long sleeved top with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever you go out. Where possible, simply stay out of the sun – it’s no longer fashionable to be dying for a tan. Checks of skin properties and the state of moles should be undertaken regularly. Melanomas can appear on any part of the skin but they are most common in men around the trunk of the body, and in women on the legs. See the information on the ABCD of changes to look out for in the ‘skin safety’ box below.
What can you do to lower your risk? For everyone, light- or darkskinned, excess of moles or not, the most important way you can reduce risk is to avoid too much exposure to ultraviolet light, especially during the first 20 years of life. For all ages, however, try to avoid the sun when it is at its hottest between 11am and
Getting a diagnosis If you are worried about changes in your skin or to a mole, do not hesitate to see your doctor. There may not be any reason for concern, but if there is any doubt you will be referred to a
Photo: Matthew Bowden FreeImages.com
Skin safety alphabet
moles’ - which have an irregular shape or colour and are often larger than usual – can also raise risk, and this tendency often runs in families. Danger is also higher if another family member has suffered from the condition, and people who have already had one melanoma are more likely to develop another one in later life. New research also seems to show that around 10 per cent of cases may be linked to inherited faulty genes, though studies are ongoing. A rare type of birthmark, called a melanocytic naevus, can on occasion develop into a melanoma, usually around the age of three to five years old. The marks look like brown or black moles, often on the buttock area, and are present at birth or develop within the first few months. Parents are advised to check all birthmarks regularly for any signs of change. Where possible, doctors may recommend the complete removal of birthmarks while the child is still young. Research has also shown that people with reduced immunity (perhaps as a result of HIV infection or taking immunosuppressive drugs) have an increased chance of getting a melanoma, and risk is also slightly higher in people who have previously suffered from various other cancers, such as breast, prostate, non Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid, and certain childhood cancers, as well as renal cell carcinoma and leukaemia. The highest incidence of melanoma is in people over 85 - so advancing age makes keeping regular checks on the skin even more important.
If you must sunbathe, make sure you use plenty of protection and limit your time in the sun
take around 20 years for skin damage to manifest itself as cancer, hence its prevalence in the older section of society, but it is becoming much more common in people in their 20s or 30s as well. Types of skin cancer such as non-melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell are the most common. However,
©2015 FLN
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
3pm. When applying sun protection, use at least a SPF 15 (though the higher the better) and follow the instructions carefully to make sure you use enough cream or lotion to actually provide defence against the sun’s rays. Spend fewer hours on the beach and more time in the shade when out and about.
specialist for an examination. They will decide if the mole or area of skin should be removed. Once taken off, tests can be run to determine if cancer is present of not. A biopsy will provide valuable information about the type and depth of the melanoma which will help determine whether further treatn ment is necessary.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
m_delaflor@hotmail.com
Ideally, exercise programmes should include aerobic activity, resistance training and flexibility and balance
Dear Dr. De La Flor, I’ve been checking out antiaging tablets at a local pharmacy. Do you recommend any of them in particular to ward off memory loss? Thanks for your help, Elena Dear Elena, If I were you I wouldn’t rely on any specific supplement to aid memory, to boost brainpower or to try to slow down the inexorable aging process. We’ve seen only a minuscule amount of compelling, independent research evidence on this ever growing supplement world. If you’re concerned about memory loss, some degree of which is normal with aging, I would focus on more proven protective strategies. Keep your neurons alive and kicking by reading the paper and challenging essays or books, delve yourself into the wonder of learning a new language, a new manual skill or a musical instrument, or enroll yourself in an ongoing education course of any area of knowledge you are interested in. In addition, scientific evidence suggests that physical exercise helps keep our mind sharp and our memory from slipping. Social and intellectual engagement is also highly protective and a vital strategy for healthy aging. Best regards. “Better to hunt in fields, for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught, The wise, for cure, on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend.” John Dryden
Dear Dr. De La Flor, I’m 67 and about to finally start taking exercise seri-
ously. In your opinion, what’s the best type of exercise for me? Thanks, Ed Dear Ed, At any age, an exercise programme should ideally contain three ingredients: aerobic activity (such as walking, swimming or biking) for cardiovascular fitness, resistance training to increase or maintain muscle strength and muscle mass (which declines by about 10% per decade after 60) and exercises to increase flexibility and balance, which can help boost confidence as well as help prevent falls or losing independence. Fitness facilities these days offer a myriad of workouts and physical conditioning options. Without getting into the specifics of each type of exercise or physical activity, please consult your trusted GP to help you prepare a personalised plan, considering your likes and dislikes, current level of fitness and medical conditions so that you can maximise the time you spend exercising. Congratulations on your decision and best wishes. “Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” Plato
Dr. De La Flor Facts
Thumbs Up By Dr. De La Flor
Common sense & common
cold The majority of us tend to get a common cold once per year. Viruses are the top culprits. Most resolve within 5 - 10 days with abundant rest and liquids, some vitamin C, paracetamol,
… Always benign! (SK)
Seborrheic Keratoses can often be scary 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. Your GP reassurance is essential to avoid unnecessary worrying.
A wise prescription for a
lifetime “Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds.” Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582
Symptoms women should
never ignore If you’re still getting periods, tell your GP if you’re spotting between them. Between-period bleeding that’s not a part of your usual monthly cycle can have many causes, but it’s key to rule out any endometrial issue, including cancer. Bleeding after menopause is never normal and it should be checked swiftly.
Back pain myth – don’t lift
heavy things It’s not necessarily how much we lift, it’s how we do it. Let’s try to get directly in front of the object. Squat close to it, with the back straight and head up. Stand, using the legs to push up the load and the arms to hold it close to the body. Twisting or bending our body may end up hurting our lower back.
Coaching Corner By Dr. De La Flor “I am not dying, I am entering life.” Early during my medical school period, a friend recommended me to read The story of a soul. He only mentioned that it was written by a young teen that overcame disease and trib-
ulation with a very elementary, though challenging, life approach – simplicity. Ever since, the I am not dying mantra seems to come on stage in my mind and vehemently resonate in my heart when I encounter a patient entering life, or when I sense any type of suffering or frustration in someone near me or in my own walk through existence. I am not dying emanated from the very heart of adolescent pretty Thérèse. She was juvenile in spirit but wrapped up by a languishing body slowly decimated by the White Plague. A hundred years ago tuberculosis was a death sentence but her vibrant and well nourished soul transformed the tragic consequences of her disease into a source of inner peace and a steady march into life. I am not dying seemed to be the right tablet, the right recipe to help her perceive and transform her ordinary realities into extraordinary, meaningful events.
ReSOLUTION By Dr. De La Flor For the next two weeks, let’s ponder how you and I are entering life. A sound entering life approach should shed light on everything we do and say. Indeed, it should allow us to have a healthier view when tackling daily undertakings, when facing our patent weaknesses, or when we encounter the inescapable pain and adversity that adorn our earthly voyage. God bless you, your family and your loved ones, especially the ones in pain. Talk to you in a couple of weeks. “I understood that every flower created by Him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would no longer be enamelled with lovely hues. And so it is in the world of souls, Our lord’s living garden.” Thérèse de Lisieux
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 on: 0034 697 888 666 or email him to register.
Pedro Alegre Alonso Pilates trainer ä Physiotherapist ä
Tel. 699 521 649
pedroalegrealonso@hotmail.com
©2014 FLN
Photo: Cheryl Empey / FreeImages.com
patience and a few engaging movies... Please avoid antibiotics unless prescribed by your GP.
©2014 FLN
Dear Dr. De La Flor
Therapies, Spiritual hypnosis, Past life regression Come, unleash your internal power and heal your mind, body and soul completely through energy healing, hypnosis and past life regression. Get Space Clearing carried out for more positivity at home and in your work place
Call 619 519 858
Pickup Point GP SURGERY DOCTOR DE LA FLOR SAN EUGENIO (Pass Casino, next to church)
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
FASHION
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
37
Crucial trendy accessory
Great Bag! For a woman it is simply indispensable but for a man it is a true mystery. What item could this be? Why, the handbag of course. Back in the Middle Ages women had the idea of a bag which was not carried on the belt, as even then the small sacks of the time were simply not sufficient: And now so, even less. For what should be done with all the important items without which a woman today can no longer survive? Phone, lipstick, tissues, sun cream, keys... Leaving aside its wonderful practical benefits, a handbag nowadays is more than ever a fashion statement - not for nothing do cult objects such as a French Hermès Birkin bag have waiting lists of years. But you don’t necessarily have to invest the equivalent of a small car to find a great bag. Whether you like it simple and elegant, rock chick or big and bright, it is merely a matter of personal
A real eye-catcher: as green as can be. From Gionni
taste. Combinations such as a stylish evening clutch with jeans and shirt are no longer a fashion faux pas, but a conscious statement which can appear very original. One thing is certain: Without pockets it is not in - not this autumn! n
Hints of nature are a big issue in bags from Accessorize
Fine colour contrast: The Classic Barrel Bag is back. From BHS
A classic model is an investment for eternity. From Simply Be
Animal print, golden buckle and a shoulder strap – great style from New Look
The focal point of the rollover case is the geometric colours. From Radley
Delicate nude shades remain popular even for accessories. From House of Fraser
Gold end elements lend elegance to this simple model from Dune
A sexy fringed bag with long straps from Glamourous
We’re back with small pockets with invisible magnetic fasteners. From Oliver Bonas
Practical: the City backpack with two zip pockets. From La Portegna
KATY / PETS
38
Following on from last edition’s column, I’d like to thank Mrs. Judith Reginals for her letter: “Dear Katy, I look forward to reading your column and luckily I was on holiday in Tenerife recently and had a wonderful time. I saw some copies of Island Connections in Las Américas. You had me giggling at your stories of when you were a young nurse, as it was much the same kind of experience as mine! I was on my second year when the dreaded Mrs. Hornby was admitted again. She had some kind of reoccurring kidney ailment and came in for two weeks, three times a year, and it was mayhem. I always
seemed to be on night duty on her ward and I dreaded it. The senior nurse and I would just get everyone washed, bedpanned and settled down with a hot milky drink or stout beer, and they were all sleepy and quiet. Mrs. Hornby, having finished her ablutions, stout and bedpan seemed to come to life. About 11pm she’d start shouting “Come on girls, let’s have a singsong. I’ll start you off…Oh, my old man said follow the van and don’t dilly dally oll the way. Orf went the van…” “Mrs Hornby, you mustn’t sing at night, some of the patients are really poorly and need their sleep”, we’d say. “Oh, all right love” she’d answer with a grin, and you knew that the minute you left the ward she’d be at it again, but a little quieter so
Hi everyone, katykennedy@telefonica.net
you might not hear her and tell her off again. One time, she took a nurse’s hat from the sluice room, pinned it on and began washing patients. One of the elderly ladies had very bushy hair so Mrs. Hornby began to cut it with huge scissors she’d found for cutting sheets which had been left by accident in the sluice. Can you imagine the mayhem this caused? People were afraid to go to sleep. We had no side wards available as they were full with post-op patients so the doctors came to the conclusion that ‘blue bombers’ were the only solution. Blue bombers were sleeping pills that would have knocked
Photo: Salim Fadhley CC 2.0
By
y Kat
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Nursing work is difficult but most wouldn’t have it any other way!
Pets charities round up
a regiment out, but boy did they do the job. They had their drawbacks of course. Bedpans were useless as she couldn’t sit on one all night, and when she woke sufficiently to see she’d managed, she would throw little presents at the people she disliked the most, namely the nurses. Happy days? I think so!” Well Mrs. Reginals, thank you for your wonderful memory, it really made me laugh - but isn’t that the finest of life? Doing your best and enjoying it? Until next time, take care of yourselves and especially of n each other. Email: katykennedy@telefonica.net. Tel: 616 110 930.
Looking for a home
Acción del Sol One of our regular volunteers found a dog wandering the streets in a particularly bad condition, dehydrated and full of ticks, fleas, sores and open wounds on his skin. However, there was still a spark in his eyes after all he had been through. Chris is about 1213 years old and recently he was adopted, collected from the refuge, and has started to enjoy his new life. Please call 922 778 630 between 8am and 5pm for more information, adoptions or if you would like to help out in any way. Maybe you have some spare time and could walk some of the dogs, which is always appreciated by our four-legged friends. The refuge is situated at the Poligono Industrial Estate, Exit 51 on the TF1, directly next to the Parque Eolica where the wind turbines are. We are open to the public Monday, Tuesday,
Golfo is at Live Arico and would love to find a caring new owner
Golfo is a six-year-old male Spaniel cross who needs a lot of attention and would be ideal for a couple or single person. He is currently staying at Live Arico’s refuge and would love a caring home. Call Sue on 629 388 102 for more information. Please adopt a dog, don’t buy one. n
Chris was found wandering the streets but Acción del Sol has since helped him find a home
Thursday and Friday, 2pm to 5pm. On Saturdays we’re open from 1pm till 4pm. The refuge is closed on public holidays.
Tierhotel Lilly
Live Arico (PAWS)
We look after your pet while you are away
We have nine puppies that need forever homes, as does their mum, a small Schnauzer cross; call Sue on 629 388 102 for more information. All is going well at our new charity shop on the Golf, and
(short or long term)
Tel: 697 826 738 (D/E), 659 131 382 (SP, Trainer)
www.tierhotel-lilly.com
please remember that our vet, Cesar Bertoldi, is with us every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm offering advice on all aspects of pet health care. Feel free to pop by and have a chat with him. We are situated at Golf Park and open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. We also have shops in Los Cristianos and San Eugenio. They are open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday; and until 3pm on Sat-
Live Arico (PAWS) have a large number of dogs at the shelter waiting for adoption
urday and Sunday. Come and have a browse, bag a bargain and help the animals. Find us at: www.livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.
Cats Welfare Tenerife All adopted cats leave on a week trial so you can be sure you have made the right decision. We always have cats and kittens needing homes so if you
are looking for a kitty friend we can probably help you. We are looking for more volunteers to work in our charity shop in Golf del Sur. We only ask for two shifts a week. A shift is either 10am until 2pm or 2pm until 6pm. The shop is open seven days a week so there are lots of days to choose from. The Cats Welfare Boutique on San Blas in Golf del Sur also has plenty of free parking and the clothes are all excellent
quality. We also have shoes, books, DVDS, jewellery, ornaments and so much more. It’s open from 10am until 6pm except Saturdays when the hours are 11am until 4pm. If you are having a clear out and would like to donate quality items please drop them into the shop or message us and we will arrange collection. Call or WhatsApp 686 719 604 between 6pm and 8pm every day for more information. All cats and kittens go on a one week trial. See: www.cats-welfare-tenn erife.com.
FARMERS MARKET
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Farmer’s Markets Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 4pm – 8pm Telephone: 922 775 200 Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm. Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160 El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657
Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105
side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544
Guía de Isora Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico Friday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100
Playa de San Juan Plaza de la Iglesia Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100
Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938 La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120 La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633 Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234 Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004 Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand
39
Farmer’s Markets
Island support!
Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158 San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966
Photo: by Frank C. Muller
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
San Miguel de Abona P.I. Las Chafiras, San Miguel de Abona, next to the fire station Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Wednesday 2pm – 7.30pm Telephone: 922 735 386 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000 Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640 Tegueste Calle de Asuncionistas, 6 Saturday/Sunday 8.00am – 2pm Telephone: 922 316 100 Vilaflor Plaza de Vilaflor Monday to Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 709 002
We at Island Connections are sure in the knowledge that one of the best ways to help yourself, and the economy, is to buy locally – even if you are just visiting for a short time. Canarian farmers harvest an extensive range of crops, which can be seen growing in the typical stepped-terrain farms around the Islands. Products range from tropical fruits, such as mangoes, to worldwide staples like lentils, potatoes and onions. According to the agricultural group COAG-Canarias, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables differ greatly between the amount the farmers receive and the sale price in the supermarkets. For instance, towards the end of last year, small marrows, which the farmers were paid just €0.07/ kilo for, retailed at €0.84, and leeks sold at €0.36 were passed onto the consumer for around €2.23 a kilo. Many of the prices don’t even seem to cover the cost of production - and this is when subsidies became neces-
sary to keep farms from disappearing, which, like the hiked prices, also come out of our pockets. Enter the farmers markets, where the grower can sell directly to the customer without an intermediary. They are dotted all over the Islands, with at least one in almost every town. They allow customers to purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.
In these markets you will be sure to see a variety of seasonal products, as well as some local home-made delicacies such as preserves, honeys and Canarian goat’s cheese. A selection of meats and fish can also be found among the stalls, along with an assortment of cakes, pastries and biscuits. Buy locally, eat healthily, pay fairly – this is one way we can all help each other. So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island n of Tenerife. Enjoy.
40
HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Horoscope for period: August 27 to September 9 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Even if the present situation blows up, you need to keep a clear head. With an analytical mind you’ll be able to solve almost any problem. Luckily, that means that you are in demand at the moment, something which will help you in the times to come.
Contacts
Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 You need to be completely honest with yourself: Though you have been working hard towards your dream, it has not become a reality. Do not fret, however: try to accustom yourself to your new situation – you are exactly where you should be right now.
Relaxing, energising, sensual and tantric massages for her, him and couples in Playa de Las Américas. Tel. 642 311 909
Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 You have already achieved a lot, but there is still quite a bit of effort in front of you. As you are so focused on your goal you will not worry about the challenge ahead – rather, you are feeling energised at the moment.
Erotic massages, also tantric and other services with attractive German lady. No rush, nice location and Jacuzzi. Tel. 619 614 380. Liberal German couple invites men to erotic parties, also threesomes: Tel. 0034 648 245 425
Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 You have a tendency to always look on the bright side, even when your circumstances aren’t the easiest. But in the bottom of your heart you know there is no point getting upset about things you cannot change anyway. Leo 23.7 - 23.8 Sometimes you really cannot believe what’s happening around you and get frustrated at not being able to affect the outcome. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do at the moment is show people that you are on their side and offer support. Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Sometimes problems and worries seem to solve themselves. Of course you can rejoice at this, but it would make sense to also get to the bottom of the matter: the origin of the unnecessary frictions in this case. Libra 24.9 - 23.10 Most of those who know you well are accustomed to the fact that you are unconditionally loyal to your friends. Dependability such as yours isn’t that common so you can be proud of yourself when someone praises you for it. Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 You will not be able to change the fact that some well-intentioned contemporaries suddenly shoot all caution to the wind. Obviously, you have to let them live their own experiences so it makes no sense to get upset about it. Sagittarius 23:11 - 21.12 Finally, you have a little time for yourself again. More than anything you would really like to just laze around for a while. Unfortunately, you must finish off some annoying jobs first, but then you will be able to truly enjoy your free time. Capricorn 22:12 - 20.01 You are wasting your time waiting for something that you don’t even know will appear. This only costs time and unnecessary energy: Concentrate instead on the here and now. What should happen is happening anyway. Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 Even if it sometimes seems like so to others, you cannot be everywhere at once. You need to remember this and delegate a larger portion of the responsibility: some of your colleagues are equally as capable as you are. Keep them informed and your trust will pay off. Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 Your sensitivity is both a blessing and a curse, but at the moment you are wondering whether you have overreacted to an innocent situation. You need to do some straight talking with the person concerned. Only then can you know if your intuition was right.
Only for ladies: Escorts, excursions, wellness and also erotic massages with Marc from Germany. I speak English well, have own apartment and car, visit to your location possible. Tel. 630 759 974
Patricia from Venezuela returns, big breasts, all services without limits, French, positions, kisses, vibrators, massages. Available 24 hours, private apartment Come and enjoy our erotic in the middle of Los Crisbody to body massages with tianos. I can visit you too. happy ending! Unforgetta- Tel. 650 442 665 ble experience. New beautiful ladies! Opening hours: I’m Diana, Latin lady, 23 10am – 10pm. Playa Para- years old, amazing body, iso, Costa Adeje area. Tel. French, positions, mas0034 662 960 065 www. sages. Available 24 hours. edentenerife.com I am waiting for you in my private apartment in Los Beautiful Brazilian woman, Cristianos. Tel. 605 072 amazing body, sweet, very 917 sensual, I’m alone, I can offer you a bit of everything, Los Cristianos, Russian very discreet, visits, parties Elena, fully figured, relaxed and excursions. You will not lady, 30 years old, discreet regret it. Private apartment apartment, in front of bus in Los Cristianos. Tel. 611 station. Building Royal – Los 325 518 Cristianos, call me before, I speak a little English. Tel. Las Galletas, NEW, 2 sen- 626 712 090 sual friends, very nice girls, services. Come… come and Los Cristianos Emma, I’m enjoy with us, kisses. Tel. 24 years old and I’m from 669 738 298 Brazil, I’m mixed-raced and I do erotic tantric massages. Transsexual from Venezuela, Feel the sense of our inti30 years old, beautiful, tall, macy. You can call me and black hair, fat, long penis, ask for an appointment. I apartment Royal, in front of will send you my erotic phobus station, Los Cristianos tos. Tel. 634 132 066 area, send text message. Tel. 602 626 848 horny, adventurous, spectacular hips, explode in my mouth, private apartment, discreet, 24 hours. Tel. 692 50 69 73 / 664 077 390
Las Chafiras, Pamela Black, very loving, all services, relaxing pain relieving and prostate massage, medium breasts. www.canarias69. com ‘Pamela’. Tel. 635 Hello lovely, I’m your sexi801 105 est dream and I’m here to please you. Beautiful sexy English model, showgirl, escort for your needs and professional striptease, pleasures. Good English quality service, general spoken. Also visits. Tel. entertainment, stag nights, 634 116 164 dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, visits 24 hours, Los Cristianos ‘Destiny’ escort service available. Tel. 24 years old, mixed race. 697 227 139 I will give you the greatest pleasure with a hot tantric Los Cristianos, Margaret, 23 massage. Make an appointyears old, beautiful, slim, ment and I will send you white, dominant, erotic my sexy photos. Tel. 634 massages, natural French, 132 092
To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu
Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu
Classifieds Deadline Next Edition The deadline for edition 758, which is published on 4th Nov., is 2nd November. No classifieds will be taken after this date.
Head Office: Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor. Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 - San Miguel de Abona. Tel.: 922 75 06 09 Fax: 922 795 810 Office Hours: Mon-Frid 9:30 -16:30 hours
Classifieds Info: For personal and professional help in placing your classified in Island Connections all you need to do is pop along to our new offices in Las Chafiras and speak to our Staff. Not only is Island Connections here to ensure that your advertisement reaches its target market, we will also advise on sizing requirements for maximum exposure, with prices to suit your pocket.
Rates: * Lineage classifieds: From 16 € * Small & Long Term: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts. * Further Options: color / boxed adverts. To Place your advert call: 922 75 06 09
You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.
CLASSIFIEDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
General Services Housecleaning, care of elderly people and translations in English and Spanish. Tel. 670 402 301 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 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 Massage saloon Ilona. Offer: 60 minutes full body massage for €36. Couples, four hands, lava stones, massages, etc. Playa de las Americas, Ernesto Sarti no.18, across from Iberostar Hotel in Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 or email: ilonarebisch@hotmail.com
41
Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2015 on the fourth Thursday of the month. If interested, all visitors are welcome to come down. For further information, lodge secretary John Donaldson is available to contact on Tel: (+34) 922 178 091 or Email: ave.fenix73@gmail.com
MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73
BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS
Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. Meetings every fourth Tuesday starting in October (Installation), November and January to April.
internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.
All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):
Call
(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com
647 928 223 Bachelor of Arts in Philology
Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975
I give private lessons of Spanish for foreigners and I do translations of Romanian, Spanish, French and English.
922 716 079
In Los Cristianos, Tenerife.
www.blevinsfranks.com
Mirela: 663 216 858
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. Qualified specialist from Germany helps you with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and insomnia. Tel. 0034 699 15 61 47 (ask for Eugene).
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
Santiago del Teide Lions Club
Bargains galore From clothes and children’s toys to kitchenware and books – there are plenty of great deals on secondhand goods. They even have sets of golf clubs! Don’t miss out – visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigilia Park): Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am – 1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm.
Pickup Point
Frutería Miraverde Spanish and English Lawyers
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
CLASSIFIEDS
42
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Pto. de la Cruz La paz
Los Gigantes flat
La Esperanza house
Apartment for rent La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife North Studio Plot: 216 m² . furnitured . balcony . lift swimming pool
Santiago del Teide Tenerife South Rooms: 2 Plot: 40 m² € 66.690
El Rosario Tenerife North Rooms: 2 Plot: 803 m² € 250.000
€ 450/month www.paluum.com
www.paluum.com
www.paluum.com
Rental Classifieds For Rent Playa de las Americas 1 Bedroom apartment. Well-furnished and equipped, central location, quite area close to beach. No Finder’s fee. €570 all in. Call 620 230 871 / 922 75 11 13 Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149
Los Cristianos Studio
Abades House
Pto. de la Cruz Apartment
Apartment Arona Tenerife South Studio Plot: 39 m² € 104.000,00 www.paluum.com
Arico Tenerife South Rooms: 2 Plot: 120 m² € 98.950
Almácigo Tenerife North Rooms: 2 Plot: 68 m² € 95.000
Las Chafiras el roque
El Médano Las Dunas
Ten-Bel Costa sol
www.paluum.com
Villa for sale Chalet for sale Las Chafiras Las Dunas El Medano S. Miguel de Abona Granadilla de Abona Tenerife South Tenerife South Rooms: 4 Rooms: 2 Plot: 266 m² Plot: 150 m² . terrace . air connditioning . private garage . terrace . store room . swimming pool € 129.500 € 210.000 www.paluum.com www.paluum.com
www.paluum.com
Apartment Ten-Bel | Arona Tenerife South Rooms: 1 Plot: 110 m² . terrace . private garage . store room . swimming pool € 79.275 www.paluum.com
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 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. Email: Philhirstconsultant@btinternet.com or P.D.Hirst@gmail.com 1 bedroom apartment for rent in Playa Paraiso. Tel 662 507 191 www.villasandmore-tenerife.com
SALEs Classifieds Three bedroom house in Costa
del Silencio for sale with 182 m2. One big living room and one small one, two bathrooms, two terraces and a patio. Price: €160,000. Tel. 922 73 28 40
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 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
€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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 Offer of the month in Puerto de la Cruz. Beautiful studio, at Playa Jardin, with nice furniture, 40m2 with terrace and oceansight, pool, tennis area, restaurant, elevator 48.000€. Mov. 604 100 174. Los Cristianos, central apartments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, furnished, Tel: 649 142 612
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
CLASSIFIEDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
Apartments for rent & sale. Apartments at playa Jardin, centricity, furnished, with washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, TV plasma, fully equiped, 1 or 2 bedrooms, new prices for rent 530€ and 650€ per month, water and electricity apart, garage. Also available studios, townhouses and villas all over Tenerife. Mov. 604 100 174.
Golf villa for sale
Appartment in Botánico with BBQ, common pool, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, salon, kitchen, terrace, aprox,300 m2, 1 extra bedroom with toilet, garage, for sale 380.000€ or for rent 1.350€ + Extras per month, Mov. 604 100 174.
Opportunity in Torviscas Alto (Playa Fañabé)
Property for Rent Rent-Playa Paraíso
1 bedroom apartment
for rent in Playa Paraiso. Tel 662 507 191 www.villasandmore-tenerife. com
For Long
Term Rent
Apartment, 60m , one bed, furnished with terrace 8m2, views over the pool and La Gomera. 2
Situated in the
Real Golf Club Tenerife in Tacoronte
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. Garden 750 m2.
Quiet neighbourhood, near to commercial centres, Playa Fañabé , safe, communal zones. Community pool. Community monthly fee, €49. Excellent investment.
43
LOS CRISTIANOS
Santa Úrsula
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. EEC Registered.
5 bedroom house for sale, separate studio, 3 bathrooms, sauna, sea and mountain views, garden with fruit trees. Great location, only 8 minute drive from Puerto de la Cruz
Well Priced £99,000
Call Alan. (0034) 667 513 689
Price €260,000 Tel. (0034) 695 977 163 (available evenings)
Price €75,000. Iñaky - Tel. 629.24.49.58 aska_tenis@hotmail.com
Information Tel. +34 659 928 805
www.villatenerifenorte.com
€690.000
Mobile home in prime position Camping Nauta
8% Commission to intermediaries
Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé
Parque Santiago 11
3 Bed Semi Detached.
Mature people preferred. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, big kitchen, 1 terrace, living room, garden with fruit trees, in quiet area. Tel. 609 531 178 melquiadesm@hotmail.com
Property for Sale
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.
Private Sale 10.800 m2 Tel. (0034) 682 392 956
Pto. de la Cruz Apartment
Guía de Isora abama
Almácigo Tenerife North Rooms: 2 Plot: 68 m² € 95.000
Playa. San Juan Tenerife South Rooms: 2 Plot: 56 m² € 107.000
www.paluum.com
Servihabitat.com
902 15 01 02 your office at “la Caixa”
www.paluum.com
€36.000
Tel. 693 760 769
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. Tel 629 244 958
€ 155,000
Sought after complex. 2 bed Duplex Ground Floor apartment. Las Americas sea views, fully furnished. Big private sunny terrace and upstairs terrace. Rental opportunity!
Great location! Price €220,000
Call Alan: 667 513 689
44
CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
B Funky Fashion Shows are looking for internatio-
Vacant / wanted
in the south of Tenerife for an immediate start. Must be presentable and speak good English, other languages are an advantage. PR experience essential. Daily work, salary, commissions paid and contracts given. Call José, between 11am and 5pm on 606 181 946 or 922 751 021
Vehicles Opel Corsa 2008
Suzuki Intruder VS 600 - 1996
1.4 16v sport. Itv till 2017 recent service all filters changed, oil changed, new break pads. Electric mirrors, 17” alloys, electric windows, cruize control, a/c, mp3/cd, tinted windows, custom mats and smoked tail lights from Opc model. Great milage at only 75,000km. Tel. 664 458 839
€5.000........ o.n.o
Custom Bike in good condition, 61.000 km. Very low seat. All services done regularly. ITV until 2017
2.600€
Tel. 677 799 475 Sales staff needed to represent a printing and design company in the south of Tenerife, applicants must be presentable and have their own transport. For more details please call Jon on 604 103 048
Ford Fiesta
100.000 km, Top Zustand. Air Condition, Transferkosten inklusive.
3.900€
Tel. 609 248 245
(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)
Situations
nal girls to model swimwear
ne a g e M t l u a n Re /C, power steering, Diesel, A , first driven in 13,000km l 2014. Apri
0 783 713 Contact: 61
Across
1 - don (anag) (3) 3 - pledge (3) 5 - Australian mammal (5) 8 - undergarment (4) 9 - hatmaker (8) 11 - relax (10) 13 - treeless grassland (6)
14 - go up (6) 17 - long cliff (10) 21 - assumed (8) 22 - woody plant (4) 23 - small open pies (5) 24 - mixture of gases (3) 25 - downwind side (3)
Down
1 - midpoint (5) 2 - switched off (8) 4 - rotates quickly (6) 5 - ovens (5) 6 - tuna (anag) (4) 7 - irritated; wore off (7) 10 - plant yield (4) 12 - delay (8)
13 - bunker (7) 15 - tree resins (4) 16 - photographic device (6) 18 - amazes (5) 19 - subject; topic (5) 20 - heat; burn (4)
Boxing roundup
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
By George Reed
Dempsey - the first crowd puller Many boxing connoisseurs say they prefer contests between the lighter weights to those between the heavies, but they are in the minority for it is a well-known fact that attendances at heavyweight fights are larger. However, I recall Julio Cesar Chavez, the pride of Mexico, who won titles at three different weights, pulling in a crowd of 136,274 in Mexico City in 1993. It turned out to be a record breaker for a boxing match between two fighters who weighed less than 63 kilos - the champion Chavez who was unbeaten in 90 fights and Greg Haugen who wasn’t even a big name in the boxing game. It was amazing really that a comparatively small fighter could draw such a crowd, especially in these days of televised bouts. The previous crowd record was at the Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia in 1926 when 120,757 turned out to watch Gene Tunney take the heavyweight title from Jack Dempsey. These days a fighter is a big draw if he can pull over 10,000 fans into an arena, and they are the exception, especially if they are in the lighter weight divisions.
First million dollar gate Few boxers will go down in history with the same extraordinary record that former world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey achieved. Dempsey was one of history’s best and best-loved heavyweights. He was a tough young hobo from Manassa, Colorado, with fists of iron and a granite jaw, who rode the roads on his way to fame and fortune, and landed in New York broke and pleading for a chance to display his fighting qualities. He had many managers early on, but his career soared when he met up with Jack Kearns, the original peddler of high pressure sales talk, and promoter Tex Rickard, who on first meeting Dempsey was not impressed. “He looked a terrible tramp”, remarked Rickard, “I never thought he would make the grade.” Dempsey’s early days as a miner gave him a tough frame, and his fighting was the hard, vicious, relentless kind of the man whose whole upbringing has been a struggle against adversity. He was definitely not the best defensive boxer in the world; always willing to take a few punches to land one ‘haymaker’, although his crouching style, with his bobbing and weaving, made him a fast moving target to pin-point. He won 26 fights with knockouts in the first round and 19 others with KO’s between the second and sixth round, figures that speak for themselves. Kearns and Rickard eventually steered Dempsey to a world title fight on July 4, 1919, against the champion Jess Willard, who was battered into submission within three rounds. Dempsey gave Willard the worst beating any heavyweight champion had ever suffered, dropping him on the canvas seven times in the first round. By the third, blood was flowing freely from the champion’s mouth and nose, two of his front teeth had been knocked out, the right side of his face was swelling rapidly and his right eye was closed. At the end of the third round his seconds dragged him back to his corner and mercifully they called the ref over and retired their brave fighter. It would soon be the golden era in boxing and during this period Jack Dempsey made a fortune out of the game, despite the fact that during the seven years he was heavyweight champion of the world he had only seven fights and that was in the days when there were no television rights, where today’s big money is. ‘The Manassa Mauler’ was involved in the first million dollar gate in ring history, successfully defending his title by knocking out Frenchman Georges Carpentier at Jersey City. His other title fights drew in crowds of over 100,000 and each one attracted gate takings of well over a million dollars, phenomenal takings in those days. How I wish we had one or two heavyweights like him today! n
George Reed has been Island Connections’ boxing columnist for nearly three decades. Sadly, George is no longer able to continue his passionate articles and experienced insight, and we wish him the very best for the future. A full interview with Mr Reed is on page 30.
Euro success for weightlifters
The weightlifting tradition of the Canary Islands shows no signs of waning following yet more international success by local lifters, this time in the European Junior and U-23 championships. The Islands’ members of the Spain squad returned from Lithuania with a total of four medals. Atenery Hernández collected a silver in the 53 kilos category in the U-23 competition, while her La Laguna team colleague Andrés Mata – who took part in the London Olympics in 2012 – earned a gold, a silver and a bronze in his 77 kg events to cement his place as one of the top young lifters in Europe. Another Canarian participant, Ilia Hernández from Fuerteven-
BOXING | SPORTS NEWS
45
on a podium in the women’s 69 kg category in the Junior n competition.
Canarian weightlifters fared well in Lithuania
Medal wins for Canarian athletes Photo: Atenery Hernández
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
tura, who won three medals in the last European U-17 in the summer, narrowly missed out
Iberostar Canarias
Martínez extends contract Local basketball side Iberostar Canarias continues to show that it does things a little differently to the majority of clubs in the Spanish ACB premiership. With just hours to go before the start of the new season, club chairman Félix Hernández announced that head coach Alejandro Martínez had been offered an extension to his contract to keep him in La Laguna until June 2017. The offer, which was accepted immediately by Martínez, was most unusual in that Hernández and his board did not wait to see how the team would
Alejandro Martínez (centre) has just signed a contract extension
fare in the early games of the season, the fourth since promotion to the top flight
was earned in the summer of 2012. Club sources say the decision was taken to ease any
pressure Martínez, now in his 13th season in charge, might feel in the early weeks of the league if results do not go his way. Similarly, if things go very well the club did not want to give the impression that the solid early showing had been a factor in wanting the coach to stay. Iberostar have several new faces in the squad this year, including Tim Abromaitis, Will Hanley and Kerry Carter, and will be hoping the arrivals adapt quickly to the rigours of the world’s second toughn est league.
International no hopers
Meaningless international fixtures irk club coaches The price of fixtures against no-hope nations has again become an issue after Canarian player David Silva suffered an ankle injury in Spain’s qualifier against Luxembourg. Manchester City were unhappy at the news that the Gran Canaria-born star had to be taken off with ligament damage after just ten minutes of
the game, which Spain won comfortably (4-0) to book their place in the European Championships in France. Also injured in the match was Spain striker Alvaro Morata. The injury blows have been seized on by critics of the current qualifying system, which forces top nations to play games against sides that have
no hope of securing a result. This year’s European qualifiers saw newcomers Gibraltar accumulate zero points and a goal difference of minus 54 goals in ten games, while other minnows such as Andorra and San Marino earned just one point between them. Some national managers have accused the no hopers of being
overly physical to compensate for their lack of skill, while others want them to compete in a preliminary competition rather than access European and World qualifying groups directly, a move which would cut the number of games played and thus lessen the risk of injuries on international duty. n
46
SPORTS NEWS | POOL LEAGUE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Los Cristianos to Las Galletas
Hiking the south Seeing the south on shanks’ pony!
The Los Cristianos to Las Galletas Walking Route, organised by the Granadilla borough council, takes place on November 8 with an entrance fee of €5 for walkers wishing to participate.
The start time for the walk, which has a medium-difficulty rating, is 7am and it’s expected that participants will return around 5pm. Places for the activity are limited so be sure to book as soon as pos-
sible. The walk ascends the Guaza Mountain, offering spectacular views of Los Cristianos, and down to Palm Mar and along to Malpaís de Rasca, with its well known lighthouse and surrounding area of natu-
ral pools, coves and beautiful coastline. It’s important to wear suitable hiking boots and clothing; the official website advises gloves, jacket and waterproofs for if needed. Also, be sure to take plenty of water, sufficient food for the day and walking sticks for parts of the route with difficult terrain. The Los Cristianos to Las Galletas Route is organised by the council’s Youth Recreation and Leisure Department under the supervision of Nacho Mendoza Morales in collaboration with the Mountaineers Group of Granadilla. For more information visit the SAC office in Granadilla or call 922 759 959. Also, you can email them at: juventud@granadilladeabona.org or participacionciudadana@granadiln ladeabona.org.
Los Realejos’ prestigious night
Celebrating the local heroes
The IV Los Realejos Sports Gala takes place on November 22 at 7pm and sees the borough’s sports clubs, schools and federations present their candidates for this year’s prize event for the area’s best athletes and sports teams. The gala was recently publicised by the mayor Manuel Domínguez and the councillor for sports Benito Dévora, and is to be held at the Basilio Labrador Sports Complex. Local clubs, schools and associations are invited to nominate candidates for the various prize categories, including best male and female individual athletes in their chosen sports, and best male and female sports teams. Manuel Domínguez said that “this is one of the town’s most anticipated dates in the calendar, where we pay tribute to the borough’s sporting achievements over the past twelve months and celebrate the fine local athletes and coaches that bear the name of Los Realejos. They sometimes compete very far from home, and do us proud when they earn recognition and success for our municipality.” n
This year’s Los Realejos Sports Gala takes place on November 22
Pool roundup
Tenerife Super League results Division one, week six Great news for Summerland Elite who won their home match against Toby Jug Saints by 7-3, but not so great for Shaun who lost his 100 per cent win record. Sloops also maintained their unbeaten run with victory over Scruffys 6-4. Legends A defeated their stable mates Polygon Legends 82 to grab third position in the table over Phoenix, who had a hard-fought win over Legendary Jokers thanks to a fine eight from the break by Victor: Which can be seen on the Tenerife pool website if anyone is interested in seeing it. There were also fine wins for Pedro and Valeri to record a 6-4 victory. Ben won all his matches for the Jokers. Legends B had an easy win at home to Bar Tasca, winning by 9-1. It was another heavy defeat for Dos Hermanos at home to Marius & Lo (8-2), and that keeps them in the bottom three. Bad Bobs are settling into the top flight now and recorded a fine result over Mad Hatters, winning 7-3. Britannia Inn were
held to a 5-5 draw against Clouseaus. Division one, week seven Joint top-of-the-table Summerland Elite met the other unbeaten team Sloops Bar, and what a close match it turned out to be. John of Elite started things off winning the first frame, and then Paul of Sloops levelled things up by beating Paddy. The next two singles were won by Elite, and the pairs were shared. Paul won the seventh frame to reduce the deficit, but Shaun levelled the score by winning his second frame of the evening. Christopher won frame nine to set up a nail biting final frame and Paddy held his nerve to clinch all three points, leaving Elite three points clear at the top and still unbeaten. Phoenix joined Sloops in second position after beating Polygon Legends 6-4. Marius & Lo were at home to the bottom team Bar Tasca, winning quite comfortably 7-3. Legends B leapfrogged Bad Bobs with a 6-4 win. Three draws on the night saw Britannia Inn
(Paraiso) share the points; also Clouseaus and Dos Hermanos finished 5-5, and Mad Hatters at home to Scruffys also ended up a 5-5 stalemate. Division two, week six The Boothen Bar are still flying high after trouncing Summerland Shooters 8-2, with Jamie Jambo top of his team stats. Bar 180B were at home to the Tavern team and returned to winning ways, beating them 7-3 to stay second in the table. Grandee O’Donnell’s were away to James Place and emerged 6-4 winners, moving them to third in the table. Bar Nauta had a close encounter with Lupain but edged it 64. Boothen Squad defeated Palms Pool Bar 7-3. After getting their first point in their last match, George Bar collected a well deserved three points away to Bar Leones, winning by 7-3. Britannia Bar drew at home to Bar 180C. Division two, week seven Boothen Bar are still leading the pace in the second division but dropped their first points
of the campaign after drawing at home to Bar Nauta 5-5. Grandee O’Donnell’s inflicted another defeat on Bar 180B to go second in the table, winning 7-3. The Boothen Squad were away to Bar Leones and came away with the points winning 73. It was the same score at Britannia Bar (Silencio), who lost after accommodating Lupain Properties as they are without a home venue at the moment. Sincere thanks to Mike of Britannia for his hospitality, sorry about the result though! George Bar hosted James Place but were narrowly beaten 6-4. Scruffy Macs also lost at home to Palms Pool Bar, 6-4. n
Tenerife Pool Super League Powered by EXPRESS BAR DELIVERIES S.L. Information supplied by Tenerife Pool Super League www.tenerifepoolleague.com
Division 1 as of October 13 POS 1 Summerland Elite 2 Legends A 3 Sloops 4 Phoenix 5 Marius & Lo 6 Scruffys 7 Britannia Inn [Paraiso] 8 Legends B 9 Bad Bobs 10 Clouseaus 11 Mad Hatters 12 Toby Jug Saints 13 Legendary Jokers 14 Dos Hermanos 15 Polygon Legends 16 Bar Tasca
P W 7 7 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 4 7 3 7 2 7 3 7 3 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 0
D 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 1
L 0 1 1 1 2 2 1 4 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 6
F 49 50 44 43 40 38 36 36 32 33 32 26 31 25 24 21
A 21 20 26 27 30 32 34 34 38 37 38 44 39 45 46 49
+- PTS 28 21 30 18 18 18 16 18 10 13 6 11 2 10 2 9 -6 9 -4 8 -6 7 -18 6 -8 5 -20 4 -22 3 -28 1
Division 2 as of October 13 POS 1 Boothen Bar 2 Grandee O´Donnell 3 Bar 180B 4 Bar Nauta 5 Lupain Properties 6 Palms Pool Bar 7 The Boothen Squad 8 Summerland Shooters 9 James Place 10 The Hunters 11 Bar 180C 12 Britannia Bar [Silencio] 13 The Tavern 14 Bar Leones 15 The George Bar 16 Scruffy Macs
P W 7 6 7 5 7 5 7 4 7 4 7 4 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1
D 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 2 2 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 6
F A +- PTS 52 18 34 19 41 29 12 16 45 25 20 15 38 32 6 13 34 36 -2 12 33 37 -4 12 37 33 4 11 34 36 -2 10 34 36 -2 9 32 34 -2 8 33 37 -4 8 32 38 -6 7* 31 39 -8 6 27 43 -16 5 29 41 -12 4 24 42 -18 0* * Adjustment Made
22.10.2015 – 4.11.2015
FOOTBALL AND SPORTS NEWS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 757
47
League leaders next for CD Tenerife
Clash of the Strikers Nino v Choco 10/10/2015 CD Tenerife 0 CD Leganés 0 The blanquiazules’ unbeaten run of three matches continued against a stubborn Leganes outfit, a club located on the outskirts of Madrid, but just when you hoped that Tenerife could muster a win and therefore climb significantly in the table they were unable to go that extra mile (or kilometre, here). In fact, the visitors controlled large parts of the contest and fully deserved their point. With top striker Choco Lozano missing on international duty with Honduras, it was always going to be a tough task for his young replacement Nano to make his mark. Coupled with this, an early injury to Cristian García scuppered manager Raul Agne’s plans and he was forced to bring midfielder Ricardo into the fray. It is fair to say that his first game in eight months was nothing short of a disaster. When one
ers is having a shocker you know you are in for a long day! Pass after pass went astray and this summed up Tenerife in the first half. The second period saw a slight improvement by the blanquiazules and they had a goal disallowed for a close offside; on another day the goal may have stood. Pedro Martín missed an open goal soon after, dragging his shot wide after a surging Suso run. With Leganes hardly threatening and Tenerife unable to score the 0-0 result was the most likely outcome. The bad state of the pitch certainly played a factor. A recent rock concert in the grounds, with over 30,000 people in attendance, incredibly just one week before the first league match, certainly contributed to making the pitch uneven and troublesome. To prove the point I saw the Spain under-21 side play a few days later in Santa Cruz with players like Arsenal´s Bellarin and Everton´s Duelofeu involved,
gling to control the ball on the Heliodoro pitch. It needs to be looked at as it may not be a coincidence that Tenerife have gained more points away from home this season than at home.
18/10/2015 Real Zaragoza 2 CD Tenerife 0 A story of two invented penalties helped Zaragoza secure victory against Tenerife. Referee Arias López must have had a bad holiday here in the past, as he has now given six penalties against us in his eight games in charge of blanquiazul fixtures. This was arguably Tenerife’s best performance of the season but they still lacked that final killer pass. With Choco now back from his Olympic qualifiers but unable to play due to a muscle strain, Tenerife had to shuffle their pack once again. Zaragoza have had a faltering start to the season but with their massive budget they are without
Photo: Colin Kirby
By Chris Todd of the team’s main playmak- and even they were strug-
Nino v Choco: Clash of the Strikers
doubt one of the favourites for promotion. The second half reflected the first, Tenerife enjoyed plenty of possession and the appearance of Omar Perdomo gave width to the attacks. The 18-yearold Canarian winger played without fear, giving the Zaragoza defence plenty of problems. However, the breakthrough failed to materialise and a 93rd minute penalty sealed the game. The pen-
alty was taken and scored by ex-Tenerife player Angel, who also hails from the island, and attracted a huge amount of criticism by the fans. Angel celebrated scoring against his old club as if he had won the Champions League, perhaps it was a dig at the Tenerife board of directors but he has scuppered any future return to the island with this action. Not the brightest move perhaps. Next up is a very interesting match
in Santa Cruz against league leaders Osasuna. The return of blanquiazul Nino is always a good draw and our current top scorer Choco Lozano will be back in action to create a ‘clash of the strikers’. For that reason the game has gained the star billing on national TV but there is nothing like being there! Prices start from €15 in the ‘Popular’ section and go up to €35 in the main ‘Tribuna’ n stand.
Nomads Football Club
Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk
The International Veterans Football 7s is to be held in Adeje from November 6 to 8, kindly sponsored by Club Olympus. Ex-Celtic and Scotland stars have confirmed they will now play in the tournament after recently leaving their coaching duties at Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League. We are very lucky to have former stars like Jackie McNamara, Darren Jackson and Simon Donnelly coming to play in our allstar team. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have ex pros like Nayim and Michael Mols
come to Tenerife to play in our annual 7s veterans tournament. This was recently highlighted when someone of Donato’s stature agreed to participate, and this is an amazing achievement for a small event held in Tenerife. Donato is basically the equivilant of the modern day Diego Costa of Chelsea, as he was the first non Spaniard to play for the Spanish national team, and like Costa he is originally from Brazil. This is a great opportunity for any old men living or on holiday in Tenerife who have always wanted to play against the game’s super stars. It’s also great education for young players, and what an opportunity to see some legends play! The
event is also free for all the family to come and watch over the weekend of November 7 and 8 at Las Torres Soccer 7s stadium in Adeje, which is at Exit 79B on the TF1. We still need one team to play in the over 35s tournament and one for the over 45s tournament, so if you would like to bring your own side or be in a team that still needs players, then please get in touch asap. This year we have teams flying in from London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Chesterfield, Nottingham, the Shetland Islands and from across Spain! This year our local teams like LA Masters and Balti Balti will be among the favourites to win the tourna-
ment so the ex pros better be ready! The Youth Nomads Football Club still needs a few extra players for the under 10s, 12s and under 14s teams. We have started a new youth club that helps players to participate in the local Spanish youth leagues. We have a weekly group of kids from Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, Uruguay, Russia and the UK participating, and we are looking for some new players to join our teams. We will be providing weekly football sessions in Los Cristianos for the following groups of kids so if you would like to come along get in touch: Pre Benjamin (under 8s) and Benjamin’s (under 10s)
Photo: Дмитрий Садовников CC 3.0
Veteran soccer stars coming to Tenerife soon
Ex Rangers and Netherlands star Michael Mols will play in the Veterans 7s Tournament
teams practice on Mondays at 5.30pm, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Fridays at 5.30pm. For the Alevin (under 12s) and Infantil (under 14s) we have team practice on Mon-
days, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6.30pm. We also host a weekly men’s six-a-side league for social footballers living in the south. Some teams need a few extra players so please contact us if you would like to join the weekly 6s league. We have started a new local website to advise on the men’s weekly social 6s league and friendly games, and also the growing youth football classes and teams. Please see: www. nomadsfc.com. Email us at: info@premfs. com or telephone/message us on 0034 654 200 470. Further information can also be found at the tournament webn site: www.premfs.com.
JAZZ
48
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 024
Festival Jazz Roja 2015
Over 60 musicians to perform in El Médano Between November 7 and 15, El Médano will once again host Jazz Roja – The Red Mountain Jazz Festival. This year’s edition will include over 60 musicians performing in thirteen concerts, plus a jam session. Each and every concert is offered with free entry to the public and will take place on terraces or in plazas. The festival is organised by the Asociación Cultural para la Difusión de las Artes y las Músicas de Canarias (Qfm 94.3) and the cultural department of the Granadilla de Abona council, with the special participation of the Island Connections Media Group, Mahou Cervezas, SigeArt Graphic Design, the Veinte 04 Surf Café and the A.M.A.E. Music & Arts Academy.
The great Groovy Groove Quartet
Sexy sax with the Cotton Blues
Vens
How does he do that?
Jazz with a Qfm twist The thirteen concerts include diverse sub-genres of jazz such as hip-hop, acid jazz, funk, swing, world fusion, flamencojazz and Brazilian electro-jazz, in addition to contemporary jazz and blues. The festival will begin at 7pm on Saturday November 7 in El Médano’s Plaza Galicia, and each day up until Saturday November 14 there will be a concert at a different venue. On November 14, the Plaza Roja will host four concerts on a large stage, and the public will be able to try speciality tapas, regional wines and Mahou beers, all at fair prices. On Sunday November 15, professional musicians can take part in the jam session at the Veinte 04 Surf Café, to which of course the public are invited.
Last year’s event The first edition of Jazz Roja took place in May 2014, with
For daily news, updates and event information
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each and every concert supported to full capacity by the public. As a result of the festival, one of the participating groups, Abraxas, now has a 10-year album deal with an international recording label. The original date for this year’s festival was to have been in April, but due to the tragic passing of co-founder María Fernández Couso in March, the event was postponed. Thanks to the support of friends and family, the
decision was made to continue with the project in her honour. In addition to Óscar David Delgado Melo (councillor from Granadilla town hall) and his team, the organisation consists of Brian Harrison (director), Christian Comellas Barreneche (stage director), Gwen Belén and Arlet Paola (coordination and promotion), Mercedes Lago (public relations), Monica Siddi (photography) and Miguel Issa (graphic design).
only stimulate the local economy, but also project a positive image of a cosmopolitan society to the international arena. Typical visitors to international jazz festivals are sophisticated Europeans with a higher than average available expenditure. A longer term goal is to create organised international tourism associated with the event, aiming it’s marketing towards the Northern European market. Considering Qfm’s 12,000 plus daily online listeners, the festival is privileged with an immediate advantage in achieving this goal.
Who, when, where?
El Medano’s the perfect background for the festival
Jazz and the local economy A medium term aim of the project is to convert South Tenerife into the European capital
of jazz for two weeks each year. Established jazz festivals such as San Javier, Vitoria, and also newer events such as the Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival, are proof that such festivals not
Read the next edition of Island Connections, listen in to Qfm 94.3 or www.Qmusica.com, or visit www.jazzroja.com to find out exactly which groups will be performing, and when, what styles of music to expect at each concert, and a list of all n the venues.