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Do you need to send money overseas? Trouble in Fighting for social justice Zootopia 1984-2016
035
1,80 €
768
March 31 – April 13, 2016
UB40 concert
leaderS in canarieS
Binter travel
Spotlight on...
You be fanstastic!
Cameron and Merkel visit Islands
One holiday, two destinations
Fight to save Canarian houses
Pages 6 & 7
Page 8
Page 19
Page 28
ORca cOnTROveRSy
SeaWorld Entertainment recently announced that the orcas currently living at its facilities will be the last as it vows to stop breeding them immediately and phase out theatrical orca shows, leading Canarian-based conservationists to query Loro Parque’s longterm plans for their shows. loro Parque’s new manager, Wolfgang Rades, joined the park in mid-december 2015, citing the orcas as a main reason for taking the position and relocating from germany to Tenerife. “i am a biologist, a committed animal rights activist and founding member of the Federal Working committee for international Species conservation (naBU); do you think i would have taken this job if i had the slightest doubt that orcas or other species were being mistreated or living badly here?” he said in response to the debate which has resurfaced since SeaWorld’s announcement.
Medical negligence
Concerns over healthcare, cuts to social services and harm to patients have again hit the headlines following recent cases of medical negligence at two of Tenerife’s most frequented hospitals. Health authorities may have to pay nearly €60,000 to a young man who had a testicle removed following a misdiagnosis, while three doctors involved in another case which resulted in the death of a teenager stand accused of manslaughter and professional negligence.
Constipation or testicular torsion?
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Will orca breeding and hand-rearing soon be a thing of the past?
Continued on page two
a young man from arona, who was still a minor when admitted to el Mojón’s emergency room on February 2, 2011, complained of severe pain in his right testicle. The doctor on duty examined the teenager’s abdomen, carried out a radiograph and diagnosed constipation. He prescribed appropriate medication and sent the boy home.
Sheila was a beautiful, friendly and outgoing girl
The young patient was still experiencing strong pain the following day and visited his paediatrician who suspected advanced orchitis (inflammation of the testes) and sent him to the candelaria Hospital near Santa cruz. Fur-
ther inspection showed that the teenager was suffering from testicular torsion (twisted spermatic cord) and his right testicle had died due to restricted blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of the oxygen and glucose
needed for cellular metabolism. The affected gonad was removed, while his left testicle was repositioned so that torsion would not occur again. To compensate for the physical and emotional trauma as well as 59 days of sick leave, the young man’s family is seeking compensation from health authorities for €57,361.91. The claimant argues that he was not initially treated correctly by the eR doctor who focused on his abdomen, leading to a serious misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of testicular torsion. in november 2015, legal representatives for the health department partially upheld the claim but believe that the claimant should only receive half the compensation being asked for as it’s not possible to establish with certainty that the testicle would have been saved with a slightly earlier diagnosis. The decision is still pending. Continued on page two
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www.islandconnections.eu
1984-2016
035 1,80 €
768
March 31 – April 13, 2016 UB40 concert
Leaders in Canaries
Binter travel
Spotlight on...
You be fanstastic!
Cameron and Merkel visit Islands
One holiday, two destinations
Fight to save Canarian houses
Pages 6 & 7
Page 8
Page 19
Page 28
Orca controversy
Trouble in Zootopia
SeaWorld Entertainment recently announced that the orcas currently living at its facilities will be the last as it vows to stop breeding them immediately and phase out theatrical orca shows, leading Canarian-based conservationists to query Loro Parque’s longterm plans for their shows. Loro Parque’s new manager, Wolfgang Rades, joined the park in mid-December 2015, citing the orcas as a main reason for taking the position and relocating from Germany to Tenerife. “I am a biologist, a committed animal rights activist and founding member of the Federal Working Committee for International Species Conservation (NABU); do you think I would have taken this job if I had the slightest doubt that orcas or other species were being mistreated or living badly here?” he said in response to the debate which has resurfaced since SeaWorld’s announcement.
Will orca breeding and hand-rearing soon be a thing of the past?
Continued on page two
Medical negligence
Fighting for social justice Concerns over healthcare, cuts to social services and harm to patients have again hit the headlines following recent cases of medical negligence at two of Tenerife’s most frequented hospitals. Health authorities may have to pay nearly €60,000 to a young man who had a testicle removed following a misdiagnosis, while three doctors involved in another case which resulted in the death of a teenager stand accused of manslaughter and professional negligence.
Constipation or testicular torsion? A young man from Arona, who was still a minor when admitted to El Mojón’s emergency room on February 2, 2011, complained of severe pain in his right testicle. The doctor on duty examined the teenager’s abdomen, carried out a radiograph and diagnosed constipation. He prescribed appropriate medication and sent the boy home.
Sheila was a beautiful, friendly and outgoing girl
The young patient was still experiencing strong pain the following day and visited his paediatrician who suspected advanced orchitis (inflammation of the testes) and sent him to the Candelaria Hospital near Santa Cruz. Fur-
ther inspection showed that the teenager was suffering from testicular torsion (twisted spermatic cord) and his right testicle had died due to restricted blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of the oxygen and glucose
needed for cellular metabolism. The affected gonad was removed, while his left testicle was repositioned so that torsion would not occur again. To compensate for the physical and emotional trauma as well as 59 days of sick leave, the young man’s family is seeking compensation from health authorities for €57,361.91. The claimant argues that he was not initially treated correctly by the ER doctor who focused on his abdomen, leading to a serious misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of testicular torsion. In November 2015, legal representatives for the health department partially upheld the claim but believe that the claimant should only receive half the compensation being asked for as it’s not possible to establish with certainty that the testicle would have been saved with a slightly earlier diagnosis. The decision is still pending. Continued on page two
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
An orca tale
End of killer whale shows? Continued from front page S e a Wo r l d h a d a l r e a d y announced plans to end orca shows at its San Diego park following regulatory scrutiny in California and will now turn its attention to “new, inspiring, natural orca encounters” with educational programmes that emphasise enrichment, exercise and health, CEO Joel
member, Adán, was bred at the park.
Sinking SeaWorld SeaWorld has been struggling with an image crisis in the wake of Blackfish. The company has turned to discounts and an intense marketing campaign to restore its reputation
opened in 1964. Orcas were not universally loved and more commonly associated with fear; they were also widely hunted. Over 50 years later and orcas are among the most popular marine mammals on the planet. This was one main reason why people visited SeaWorld and learned about orcas up close.
was born in the wild, were a failure and he remained dependent on human caretakers for the rest of his life. SeaWorld also announced plans to create educational programmes for the health and welfare of marine life. The company said it would spend $50 million (€44.6 million) over the next five years to rescue animals and fight commercial fishing of whales and seals, and combat shark finning.
What does it mean for Loro Parque?
Four of Loro Parque’s six orcas are on loan from SeaWorld
Manby said. The orca shows will end at the San Diego park in 2017, while the San Antonio and Orlando parks will finish shows by 2019. The company has been under heavy pressure from animal-rights activists, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other groups, to end shows and breeding programmes following criticism for its treatment of orcas and their trainers in the documentary Blackfish, released in 2013. SeaWorld San Diego currently has 11 orcas, San Antonio has five and the Orlando park has seven. Four other orcas belonging to SeaWorld are presently on loan to Loro Parque: Keto and Tekoa arrived from San Antonio; Kohana and Skyla came from Orlando. The orcas live with Morgan, a wild killer whale that was found in dire health off the coast of the Netherlands. The youngest
which has suffered heavy setbacks, particularly in California where regulators recently blocked the company from breeding orcas. Chief Financial Officer, Peter Crage said that they expect financial benefits from the decision based on surveys showing strong support for the move. Over the next three to five years, the company is projecting an attendance increase of 380,000 to 940,000. The percentage of customers who would consider visiting SeaWorld after this decision jumped from five to 17 per cent based on internal polling, with a pre-tax profit of $25 to $65 million (approximately €22 €58 million) expected. The stock market quickly reacted to the news with a sudden rise in share value of 6.4 per cent. Americans’ attitudes about orcas have changed dramatically since the first SeaWorld
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Reaction Animal-rights organisation PETA hailed the move and called for SeaWorld to move its orcas to sanctuaries. “PETA has campaigned hard and now there is a payoff for future generations of orcas” said the organisation’s president, Ingrid E. Newkirk. Some critics want SeaWorld to go even further and release the orcas currently in their care but many experts say this is not a wise option. Most of the orcas were born at SeaWorld, and those that were born in the wild have lived in the parks for the majority of their lives. If released into the ocean, they are likely die. In fact, no orca or dolphin born under human care has ever survived when released into the wild. Even attempts to return Keiko, the killer whale from the film Free Willy, who Disclaimer: Island Connections Newspaper is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising
Loro Parque near Puerto de La Cruz has been named Europe’s best zoo and the second best in the world by TripAdvisor several times, and millions of people visit the park every year. It also has one of the world’s most innovative and modern orca facilities where six killer whales live. Each orca has specialised veterinary supervision, a balanced diet and a social structure. The recent announcement has taken the directors of Loro Parque by surprise and they have asked for a meeting with SeaWorld, saying: “Our love for our animals and their welfare requires that we deal with comments and changes of overall opinion carefully. SeaWorld has decided to stop breeding orcas and holding shows, and we must respect this decision.” In response to the arguments levelled at SeaWorld, Loro Parque states that the animals in their care are well-trained and monitored and that all shows have educational value for the audience. The Tenerife-based zoo will also follow SeaWorld’s developments with interest. Loro Parque is not yet willing to make any decisions that will affect the wellbeing of their orcas, reinforcing their commitment to education, research and investing in projects to help stabilise endangered species or habin tats overseas. features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.
Office hours: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.00pm
Teenager death
Medical mistake mourned
Continued from front page
Remembering Sheila The family of a 13-year-old girl is still mourning her death back in summer 2014 which was apparently due to a massive medical error. Three doctors from the University Hospital (HUC) near Santa Cruz stand accused of manslaughter and gross negligence. On June 9, Sheila underwent a laparoscopy (a minor operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis with small incisions and the aid of a camera, used to diagnose a condition or perform surgery) which in this instance led to a reflux of stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus, known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease. A Nissen Fundoplication procedure was carried out, which is a standard surgical process to treat the reflux disease and involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower end of the esophagus, reinforcing the closing function of the lower esophageal sphincter. The procedure is often recommended in children to spare them a lifetime of medication, however, in Sheila’s case there were unforeseen complications which led to chronic vomiting, severe pain on the right side of her abdomen and her urine turning orange. The duty paediatrician was apparently called five times to inspect the patient during her period of intense discomfort but never appeared, initially having prescribed painkillers for Sheila and describing her as being “over-sensitive”. Five days after the surgery, further inspection showed serious accumulation of water in the lungs and thrombosis in the bile ducts: “The fact that the pain was so chronic and intense should have alerted doctors earlier. There were clear signs of complications and adjacent organs were injured as a result”, said Andrés Martín, the family’s lawyer. On July 27, Sheila was admitted to Hospital La Paz in Madrid in urgent need of a liver transplant; however, 36 days after the surgery in Tenerife, she succumbed to internal injuries. Her mother, who was by Sheila’s side the entire time, swore during her daughter’s last minutes that she would “make the case public and see justice served so that this never happens again”. She wants the doctors to be held accountable for her daughter’s untimely death which she believes was caused by neglect. “Sheila was a beautiful, friendly and outgoing little girl. She was the centre of our world,” added the mother, who has set up a public Facebook page called Nuestro Ángel Sheila (Our Angel, Sheila) where photos and posts n are uploaded to keep the young girl’s memory alive.
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“Creating Europe” This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, cofinanced by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries.
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
TenerifE I Easter extravaganza
stage staff, security, communications, artists, and sound technicians, etc. Desiderio Afonso Ruiz, who took part in the street theatre, spoke of his immense pride for “an event of such importance”, which has now achieved international status. The staging of La Pasión had a number of changes this year, including the addition of the two thieves crucified alongside The streets of Adeje thronged with onlookers for the 20th Easter passion play held around the town’s Calle Grande. Over 300 people took part in the staging of the last days and death of Jesus Christ. Local mayor Rodríguez Fraga congratulated the amateur actors, singling out those who played Jesus and Mary, José Antonio Lopez and Ana Oneida. “Today Mary moved me in particular,
she always does, but today more than ever because she is a symbol of so many mothers who ask ‘why’: Why their children have died, in an accident, or have been killed in Belgium, in Syria... Today this is happening and this is something we need to think about”. He also paid tribute to all those who took part in the event, including the actors, director, operations and back-
Jesus Christ in the final scene. There were also new costumes, dances and additional music and songs, all composed by members of the Adeje School of Music. The event has been taking place annually in Adeje since 1996, and began with a small group of local residents staging the representation, growing to the extravaganza that it is today. Well done Adeje. n
Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766
Thousands attend La Pasión in Adeje
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Brussels terrorist attack
Canarians in bombing nightmare A young Tenerife man who works at the European Commission says he is lucky to be alive after being caught up in the terrorist attack in the EU capital on March 21. Jorge Cologán, the son of a well-known figure in the banana sector here, was travelling in the underground train that was targeted by Islamist terrorists as it was approaching the heart of the EU district where he works. The 32-year-old described in vivid detail how his choice of carriage on that morning saved his life. “I got on at the front, nearest the driver, because it was slightly emptier than the other two car-
Visit by Pedro Sánchez
During a recent visit to the Canaries, socialist party leader and possible candidate for prime minister Pedro Sánchez pronounced that “things have always been positive for the Canaries when the socialists have been in power.” In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria he promised the Canarian president Fernando Clavijo that he would set up a special agenda for the Islands to revive the road construction and job creation programmes which were drastically cut by the Partido Popular government, and con-
riages. The blast ripped through the train as it was leaving the station. About 2025 of us in the front carriage managed to get out through a shattered window” explained Cologán, who has only been working at the European Commisson Trade Department since the beginning of March. In an interview with the El Mundo newspaper, he revealed that a friend had just texted him about the bombing of Brussels Airport a short time earlier but he had decided to continue his journey into work because “it was just 10 minutes away” and he felt safer in his well-guarded building.
A surveillance camera filmed three suspects thought to be involved in the attack
Another Canarian, Begoña Iglesias, who works at the Canary Islands’ Office in the Belgian capital, revealed that she had alighted at the Maelbeek station where the bomb went off ‘just minutes before’ on her way to work. Canarian MEP Juan Fernando
López Aguilar was one of hundreds of politicians who were forced to stay in the European Parliament for several hours as the EU institutions went into lockdown after the bombings, responsibility for which has been claimed by n Islamic State.
Socialists benefit for the Canaries? tinue the fight against poverty - if he gains sufficient support in Congress to become prime minister. He also promised that part of his work during the next legislature would include incorporating the laws regarding finances and taxes in the Constitution, which were awarded to the Canaries because of their outermost position in Europe. At the same time Sánchez took advantage of the opportunity to thank the Coalición Canaria politicians for their support during his party’s recent
failed attempt at gaining an investiture. His schedule also included meetings with ports authority management and representatives of business associations. Sánchez urged the Canary Islands to support him in his fight to govern Spain, to ensure that the current period of political paralysis and inaction finally ends. The next stage of his tour of the Canaries took Mr. Sánchez to Tenerife where, accompanied by the deputy Canarian vicepresident Patricia Hernández,
he visited the Hermano Pedro centre for the elderly in Santa Cruz. The remainder of his planned agenda on the island was suspended and Sánchez returned to Madrid for a meeting with the anti-terrorism pact group on hearing news of the terrorist attacks in Brussels, but not before observing a minute’s silence for the victims. His agenda would have included a meeting with the Tenerife business federation CEOE, and a visit to the observatory at Izaña in the Teide National Park. n
Angela’s delight
Awarded for 34 years of loyalty An Irish tourist who has been visiting Gran Canaria for 34 years has been recognised for her longstanding love affair with the island. Angela Murphy, from Wexford, enjoyed celebrity status on St Patrick’s Day when she was presented with a plaque commemorating her more than three decades of short visits and longer winter stays in the south of the island, to which she has been ‘unfaithful’ just once when she swapped Gran Canaria for Málaga, an experience she said she regretted deeply. Following her award, Angela, now 73, and partner Jimmy Roche featured in the local media, including in the topselling La Provincia daily, before Easter as they prepared to head back to Ireland for the spring and leave behind what she calls her “second family”, which has grown up in San Bartolomé down the years. Her daily routine includes walks from Playa del Inglés to Playa San Agustín in the winter sunshine and a taste of the fish and potatoes available locally, although she admits to being also partial to a steak at a well-known Irish pub. Angela said she could not wait to get home to tell her Irish family and friends “how famous she had become” n in Gran Canaria during her latest stay.
Gran Canaria
Anti-mosque sentiment escalates The authorities in Gran Canaria admit to being concerned at the fresh wave of reaction against a new mosque planned for the capital, Las Palmas. Several pieces of graffiti have appeared in recent weeks, particularly on advertising boards, but matters escalated just before Easter when two pigs’ heads were left next to a giant No Mosque Here sign daubed on the site in Las Torres that is earmarked for the controversial place of prayer. According to sources at Las Palmas Council, police have passed the incident to the prosecution service to follow up as a case of incitement of racial hatred. Local Muslim leader Muhammad Saleh played down the latest graffiti and the presence of the offensive pig heads, insisting they were the work of “infantile opponents” of the mosque. However, he urged the city authorities, who ceded the Las Torres site to the Muslim community, to take steps to guarantee secun rity at the location until building is completed.
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
PROMOTION
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
UB40 in concert
You be fantastic! UB40 recently rocked the island, delivering one of the finest concerts staged in Tenerife in recent years. The band arrived on the morning of March 18 and held a press conference at the Hotel Iberostar Anthelia hours before taking to the stage. The concert was held at the auditorium of the Pirámide de Arona and was a two-hour master-class in top reggae entertainment. Legends Live, the organisers of the show, started the evening’s proceedings with the Canarian reggae support act Ruts & La Isla Music, who hail from La Laguna. Following the lively start to the night, UB40 came on stage around 9pm and delivered rousing versions of their hits spanning nearly four decades. There was huge interest from residents who fondly remember the group’s success, particularly during the 1980s and 90s, and the arena was packed to the rafters with an absolutely electric atmosphere. UB40 came to Spain with three of their key original band members: their distinctive lead vocalist and frontman Ali Campbell, Astro on percussions and vocals, and Mickey Virtue on keyboards. It was their first ever visit to Tenerife and during the Legends Live press conference, Ali joked: “it’s a little embarrassing to be considered a ‘legend’ but don’t worry about our age, we’ve come here to party!” The band was keen to point out that they’re very much enjoying this new stage of their career: “some people ask if we get tired of singing the same songs, especially as
many of our hits are cover versions, but the truth is that it’s still an honour to perform them as they mean a lot to us and we owe a lot to them.” The day after their successful concert in Tenerife, the group flew over to Gran Canaria to
disappointing someone. We don’t perform the famous duets, such as I Got You Babe which we recorded with Chrissie Hynde, but the vast majority of our known material is in the show. We’re eleven people on stage and this line up has
at the time of meeting: “most of us had jobs when we got together, but a lot of us did choose to become unemployed when it looked as though we could go somewhere, and began treating it as a fulltime occupation.”
UB40 performing in the auditorium of the Pirámide de Arona (L-R) Mickey Virtue, Ali Campbell and Astro A press conference was held at the Hotel Iberostar Anthelia on the morning of the concert
perform in Las Palmas to another eager crowd.
Mickey Virtue interview Island Connections interviewed the keyboardist and original band member, Mickey Virtue several weeks prior to the event: “We’re coming to the end of one tour and about to start another”, he said, “we try to include a good mix of everything but there are so many hits, there’s always a chance of
been touring together for two and half years, getting some great reviews.” UB40 recently played around North America, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and are about to move on to Dubai, Singapore and Australia. Although this is the first time in the Canaries, there was no time to enjoy the Islands: “we arrive, do two shows, then get out!” Mickey said. Contrary to urban legend, Mickey confessed that the band weren’t all unemployed
Two UB40s! One aspect of the band’s renewed enthusiasm for touring and recording appears to come from the competition they have with many of the original UB40 members who perform in a different line up but under the same name, meaning that there are currently two UB40s on the scene. Courts are currently deciding on which of the two outfits will officially be allowed to use the
brand, but fractions began when Ali Campbell and Mickey Virtue both quit UB40 in 2008, citing financial and managerial differences. Five years later, Astro also left and the three ‘outsiders’ formed their own rival band and began to tour. As the three most distinctive members, many will argue that they are the face and voice of the band that people want to
see; however, tensions are high following the original line up’s decision to replace Ali with his brother, Duncan, who had no notable experience as a frontman – let alone the lead singer of one of the UK’s most successful pop acts. Unfortunately, this also led to friction within the Campbell family and Ali famously said of the situation when forming his own line
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768 musicians of British, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The eight original band members knew each other from various schools across Birmingham and their name was selected in reference to the signing-on document issued to people claiming unemployment benefit at the time (Unemployment Benefit, Form 40).
band rose to fame in 1983 with their cover of Neil Diamond’s Red Red Wine, which
records. Notable hit singles include: Kingston Town, Rat in Mi Kitchen, Homely Girl
Island Connections’ sales manager Jamie Lee Armstrong (middle) with Ali and Astro 11 band members make up UB40’s impressive live act
and I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.
up: “I sat back for five years and watched my brother Duncan murdering my songs. We’re saving the legacy!”
Band history UB40 formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The ethnic makeup of the original line-up was diverse, with
Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders, saw them play after recording their first demo and offered them the opportunity of supporting her on The Pretenders’ 1979 tour. The
hit the number one spot in the UK and US. UB40 have had more than 50 UK chart singles and achieved international success, selling over 70 million
Legends Live presented the show as part of a series of concerts by classic groups from the 70s, 80s and 90s, taking place in March, April, May, July, September, October and November this year. All concerts are staged at the auditorium of the Pirámide de Arona in Playa de Las Américas which seats 1,500 people. Alan Parsons Live Project performs on April 22, followed by Jethro Tull on May 20. Alpha Blondy is booked for July 9, and Earth, Wind & Fire return
Photo: Stuart Sevastos CC 2.0 GL
Legends Live
UB40’s distinctive frontman, Ali Campbell
to the island on October 21, following a successful show at the Magma Art and Congress Centre in Costa Adeje in 2014. The other concerts have yet to be confirmed. Information about the shows can be
found on Legend Live’s website: www.legendslive.es, and their social media pages: Facebook (Legends Live TF) and Twitter (legendslivetf). Tickets for all shows are available from: n www.ticketbell.com.
CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
European leaders choose the Canaries
Cameron and Merkel enjoy Easter on the islands
the supermarket or eating fish in a restaurant. His encounter with a jellyfish was also well documented, not to mention ridiculed. The island council estimated at that time that the financial impact of the honorable visit was €1.2 million. This time, they are expecting a large media response to the visit, which lasted until the end of the month.
Britons make up the majority of foreign tourists visiting Lanzarote. Last February 185,281 visitors from other shores went to the island, of which 92,823 were from England. Political celebrity visits are nothing extraordinary. The island has, in the past, already welcomed the former Spanish prime ministers Felipe González, José María Aznar and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; the former presidents of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, and of Russia, Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and, more recently, the Irish prime minister Michael D. Higgins. This year, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, visited La Gomera for Easter, as she has already done in the three previous years. Merkel is a great fan of trekking, so she has probably found her ideal island. She is known to try to keep out of the spotlight during her holidays, and has found that La Gomera is the perfect destination for n low-key vacations.
Police in Lanzarote have detained a man on charges of grooming teenage girls in the care of social services to obtain sexual favours. The 45-year-old, who is believed to be foreign, was arrested at his home in Playa Honda on the island in the company of two girls, both 15, who had absconded from a care facility in Arrecife.
Police say he made contact with the girls via social media and then showered them with presents, including expensive mobile phones, and cash to persuade them to visit him for sex. The decision to bail him after a court appearance has been criticised widely following the disclosure of the details of the n case.
In 2014, David Cameron and his wife Samantha enjoyed fresh fish from the Atlantic Ocean in Lanzarote (archive image)
Both David Cameron and Angela Merkel are repeat visitors to the Canaries. The British prime minister flew with his family to Arrecife in Lanzarote on March 24 to spend his Easter break on the island. Two years ago, he chose the same holiday paradise and stayed at Casa Tomaren in San Bartolomé. This year, he chose a less rural
location, and opted for a hotel in Playa Blanca in Yaiza in the south of the island, plunging into the middle of the tourist district to have some fun in the sea with his wife Samantha and children Arthur, Nancy and Florence. Even when he was in Lanzarote as a guest in 2014, the international press managed to take photos of him and his family on the beach, in
Preying on teenagers
Lanzarote sex groomer arrested
Infectious virus arrival
First Zika cases in the Canaries
During mid-March it was confirmed that two women infected with the Zika virus, the world’s latest health scare, had returned to the Islands from a vacation in Latin America. These are the first cases to be reported in the archipelago, while in the Peninsula there have been over 40 to date. The virus was verified by a blood test at the National Microbiological Institute in Madrid. No details were announced about the women themselves, apart from the fact they had returned after spending two weeks in South America and that they are not pregnant. This latter point is important as infections of Zika in women expecting a baby have been linked to miscarriages and microcephaly (severely reduced head size, often causing developmental issues). Otherwise, the disease is so mild that patients can usually recover at home. The director of the Canarian health service, Ricardo Redondas, was quick to quantify concerns, saying that there is “no cause for concern in the Canary Islands”. Though it is known that Zika can be passed on during sexual intercourse (particularly from male to female) and via blood transfusions, the main method of transference is the Aedes mosquitoes – which were successfully eradicated in the Canaries over 30 years ago thanks to strict controls at ports and airports. Back then, the authorities fought very hard against the flying invader as it is also responsible for the transmission of dengue fever, and at that time several cases arrived in the Canary Islands from Madeira. This rigorous approach has now been proven to have been the correct one: Even if an infected person arrives here, the disease lacks its favourite intermediary so the likelihood of it spreading is significantly reduced. In Cape Verde, where the mosquito is still active, more than 7,000 people have been infected with the disease and the first baby born with microcephaly has just been registered. Under the emergency protocol activated on February 15 of this year, doctors must immediately notify any suspected cases of Zika to the authorities, the most common symptoms of which are fever, rash, joint pain, and/or conjunctivitis. Other common effects include muscle pain and headache. n
Zika is predominantly transmitted via the Aedes mosquito
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Promotion
Summer sports camps at T3 The Tenerife Top Training Sports Centre (T3) is the most modern of its kind in Europe, offering instruction for a variety of sports. One of the advantages at T3 is the wide range of facilities available, including: • A 100m x 70m natural pitch • A 102m x 80m natural pitch
• Two clay and one hard tennis courts • Beach volleyball courts • Running track • Five padel courts • Indoor gym • Open-air gym • CrossFit box • Year-round heated swimming pools (25m and 50m) • High-tech flume channel The combination of its unique location and amenities enables
T3 to offer the very best conditions for amateur and professional athletes alike, in fields as diverse as swimming, football, triathlons, rugby, beach volleyball, tennis and more. Many of the regular clients come from the top of their
offering summer sports camps for youngsters aged six to 15 years old: so they can aim for the top too! Those who attend can develop their skills in almost any sport, including indoor climbing and padel. Active learning games,
T3 inaugurates new facilities
On March 24 Tenerife Top Training inaugurated some additions to its sporting facilities: a second natural grass football pitch, a CrossFit Box, and the T3 Free Motion Bike Centre, confirming its position as one of the most important high performance centres in Europe. The inauguration event was attended by numerous social and political personalities, including the island president Carlos Alonso and councillor for sports Cristo Pérez; the mayor of Adeje José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga and his councillor for sports, Adolfo Alonso; Belgian Consul Nille Van Hellemonty; Jorge Marichal, president of the hotels’ association Ashotel; and Roberto Konrad, the owner of T3. During the opening ceremony a tribute was made by the Vlaamse Zwemfederatie (the Flemish swimming federation) representing the Belgian people, and a minute’s silence was held following the recent terrorist attacks. Those attending were then able to see a training session by the English Premier League football club, Liverpool, which has chosen T3 as its winter training venue. Roberto Konrad guided the visitors around the new facilities, including the new Bike Centre, from where mountain or electric bikes can be hired for the enjoyment of organised tours n around the wonderful natural scenery of Tenerife. Cap: (l-r) Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp with T3 owner Roberto Konrad, Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, and island president Carlos Alonso
different nationalities, and possibly make new lifetime friends. The main objective is that they all enjoy themselves, however: connecting with different cultures and improving their sports and social skills. Places during the last two years sold out quickly so it’s important to make your reservation early. In 2015, 120 youngsters attended. As T3 want to offer a quality experience, kids work in groups of no more than 20, and two monitors are assigned to each of these units. All group leaders speak Spanish Fun and games in the pool The parents are invited to the party on the final day
fields - professional swimmers or Porsche race drivers, for instance - all taking advantage of the individuallyorientated services offered. They know that, thanks to the high level of flexibility available, athletes can train under optimum conditions and prepare perfectly for their personal goals. Accommodation in three, four or five-star partner hotels can even be arranged. The exceptional climate in the south of Tenerife ensures mild temperatures of between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius with approximately 300 days of sunshine annually. Consequently, the island offers perfect training conditions for a wide range of sports.
Summer camps For the seventh year running, Tenerife Top Training - the facility chosen by champions - is
like a gymkhana, treasure hunts or creating items such as rafts or boats from recycled materials, take place on each of the Fridays. The children will also learn important values such as teamwork, communication and respect: It will be an unforgettable experience, full of nonstop excitement and fun! During the international event the young and aspiring sportspeople will have the opportunity to meet, work and communicate with others of
and English, and some are also fluent in Russian - important not only for those taking part, but for their parents as well. Children are supervised at all times by the professional monitors, and there will be tests and challenges throughout the five week period so the young-
sters can see how much they have improved, and go home knowing just what they have achieved. Good, healthy food suitable for younger sportspeople, and their tastes, is provided daily for lunch throughout the camp. On the final Friday of the event, there will be a party, which parents are invited to join. There’ll be food provided and the kids will perform a choreographed show of skills: a perfect way to round off their sporting experience. Not only does the summer camp provide top quality sports and social skills training for your younger ones, but it also means that working parents won’t have a problem combining their family and working lives once the school holidays begin. This year’s event runs from June 27 to July 29, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. The cost for the full five weeks is €495, although individual weeks are available. Booking is open until June 23. If you make your reservation before the end of April, you will benefit from a 10 per cent discount and, no matter when you sign up, there is an additional 10 per cent discount for every second child registered and any further siblings. Don’t miss this great opportunity: call now, or send an email to make your reservation! n
Tenerife Top Training Avda. de los Acantilados s/n, La Caleta de Adeje Tel: 922 782 755 Email: swim@tenerifetoptraining.com Web: www.tenerifetoptraining.com
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Small town crime
Who stole the pineapples? By Barbara Belt One of the lovely things about living on a small island is the lack of crime. My thirty years on La Gomera make me very complacent about this and I take it for granted, becoming something of a liability elsewhere. But, despite the lack of crime, TV increasingly convinces people here that evil lurks everywhere. This also applies to the police, who often cruise round looking for trouble that doesn’t exist. They’ve calmed down recently to concentrate on being local heart-throbs, probably gaining far greater insight into local nefarious deeds than with all the driving around.
Pineapples in El Hierro
As a convent girl, I understood that the copse beside school was heaven for local perverts. Timetabled, guaranteed, gig-
El Hierro’s pineapples are sold with this label The Frontera region, where the robbery took place
Crime busting must be very frustrating for them. How, for example, are they to identify and fine the owners of small, illiterate dogs who chase each other along the beach, wilfully ignoring the ‘dogs prohibited’ signs? These TV induced fears are widespread. Why do parents here bother to escort their often overweight kids a few metres to the school bus
every morning? What are they scared of? We know who the perverts are. They’re a known quantity, less dangerous than
the perils of no exercise and being over-protected and statistically less hazardous than the school bus. And, anyway, flash-
ers are always with us and we should know how to deal with them and ignore them, rather than gratify them with drama.
gling girls in uniform! Trees to lurk behind! And there skulked the flashers, triumphantly opening their regula-
tion macs as we tried not to scream with laughter whilst we steadfastly ignored them. We told the nuns, who told the police, and were regularly dispatched to the police station to make reports. It’s hard to keep a straight face when an adult asks you confidentially if you’d like to call it his Johnny or Willy. What’s wrong with penis, I innocently asked the first time, despite a convent sex education based entirely on frogs. If I’d always been with an adult protector and found myself suddenly alone confronted with a flasher, I imagine I’d have been traumatised. As it was, it gave cause for nothing much other than a lasting conviction that men were mysteriously equipped with chicken giblets. And why school buses if the school’s not far? What happened to legs and bikes? What happened to adventures on the way to and from school, to fights, plans, games and friendships conducted without the restraint of adult supervision? How can kids stretch physical boundaries, or know how to conduct themselves
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taller crops? Why did no dogs bark? Why did nobody hear or see anything untoward? Island Connections asked the Guardia Civil, who admitted that it was: “Highly unusual that the thefts went unnoticed until the following day”, by which time it was “very probable that the pineapples had left the island”. At least three big plantations in Valle del Golfo were hit. The fruit was cut and stolen at
night, then supposedly loaded into vans and transported off the island. “A thousand kilos of pineapples fetch €3,000 on the open market. We’re insured against rain, plagues and other menaces, but not against robbery”, say angry growers, quashing inevitable speculation about an insurance job. Meanwhile, police investigations into who stole the pinen apples are under way.
Photo: Gobierno de Canarias
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
Growers affected by robbery are asking for increased vigilance Juicy-looking cut pineapples The great 1950’s experiment in Gran Canaria
steal between two and three thousand kilos of pineapples from plantations in Frontera recently? Were they hidden by
with each other or the community if they never have the chance? What, in fact, happened to childhood? When did it degenerate into kept-on-alead status in places where there are more imagined than real dangers? Or is that so? I couldn’t lock my house if I wanted to, having neglected to install a lock, and often leave my car keys in the ignition, though few people would covet an elderly, peeling Landrover listing slightly to starboard. The point is that, should someone steal it, where could they go? Anywhere on the island, it’d be seen more or less immediately, while police in San Sebastián would keep an eye out for my car and nab its captors as they boarded the ferry. Consequently, cars aren’t stolen. You’d have to be a very dumb thief indeed to try and get away with such behaviour in La Gomera, El Hierro or La Palma. Or so I thought.
Small communities generally police themselves if left to get on with it. Family honour is important. An errant lad, often with his father, will go round the village after a night of misdemeanours to apologise to anyone who suffered from whatever it was he was up to. The apology will be accepted. It would be churlish not to, especially as it’s understood that damages will be paid for. Everyone knows what everyone else is up to. So if we take it as read that it’s not worth committing crimes on a small island because you can’t get away with it, the following news story from El Hierro is extraordinary. La Gomera is a small island of twenty-two thousand inhabitants, but El Hierro’s tiny, with a population of ten thousand. After twenty-four hours there you coincide with people you recognise, so how could the Great Pineapple Theft possibly
have happened there without anybody noticing? This tropical fruit has been grown in the sub-tropical Canaries, further north than usual, since early trials in the 1950’s in Gran Canaria, when it was discovered that pineapples could be adapted to grow here. Promising results led to a massive introduction of the plant in the Frontera region of El Hierro in the 80s. It has prospered, benefitting from experiments with different forms of cultivation carried out by the Island Council with the ICIA (Canarian Institute for Agricultural Investigation). Eighty-five per cent of the one hundred and thirty Canarian hectares now dedicated to commercial pineapple production are in El Hierro. The plant’s low height is ideal for combined planting with papaya or banana trees. Does this explain how it was that thieves managed to cut and
PROMOTION
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Gran Canaria healing
Exports soar
Celebrity turtle returns home Photo: Gran Canaria Cabildo
A turtle rescued on the Channel Island of Jersey and then flown by private jet to Gran Canaria to be nursed back to health has made another media splash, this time after being released back into the sea. Nicknamed Terri, the loggerhead turtle - the only survivor of a group that washed up on a beach in mid-January - made the headlines when Iron Maiden lead singer Brian Dickinson offered his private plane to fly him to the Canaries for urgent rehabilitation at the renowned Island Council-owned Wildlife Recovery Centre. Islanders in Jersey had already raised several thousand pounds to pay for the trip to Gran Canaria before Dickinson stepped in with his alternative plan. Terri made an excellent
Banana cheer for Canaries
Terri on the way back to freedom
recovery in the Canaries and was returned to his natural surroundings before Easter.
Dozens of well-wishers turned up to see the big moment when he was released into the Atlan-
tic and the ceremony was filmed for a TV programme charting n the unique story.
The banana sector in the Canaries is celebrating a significant upturn in one of its most valued markets. Exports from the Islands to the Spanish mainland rose by a full 25 per cent during the period December 2015 to February, compared to the same three months last year, and the signs are that the growth is set to continue. The increase of 19 million kilos has, not surprisingly, brought considerable cheer to the industry, which is constantly worried at the impact of imports from South American countries such as Colombia and Ecuador under their tariff-free quota arrangements with the EU. Canarian bananas now account for approximately 75 per cent of bananas sold in Spain, and the administration has been working hard to ensure the figure does not fall, even though this can mean having to sell at rock-bottom prices during certain weeks to avoid losing fruit already picked. Approximately 12,000 people are employed full time by the sector in the Canaries, although there are many related jobs in the packaging and transport industries. Tenerife is the single biggest producer of all the islands, accounting for 42 per cent of all the bananas grown here, followed by La Palma at 34 per cent. n
Photo: Vasant Dave/freeimages.com
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All signs point to growth for banana plantations in the Canary Islands
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Air pollution
Coincidentally clean Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has developed a much nicer aroma of late and many are attributing the improvement to the enforced shutdown of the oil refinery on the outskirts of the city. The latest air quality studies show that sulphur pollution has fallen by a massive 50 per cent over the past 18 months, coinciding more or less with the decision by oil giant Cepsa to close its premises in the Tenerife capital temporarily. In some districts, such as at the outdoor swimming pools at the motorway exit, the reduction has been as high as 75 per cent and opponents of the refinery say it is no coincidence that the pools are one of the closest locations to the chimney stacks, which used to give off foul-smelling plumes of yellowish smoke. Pollution levels have been a source of constant friction down the years between the oil firm and the city authorities, who have been accused by the refinery of imposing unnecessarily tough restrictions on emissions when it already meets all the required environmental directives. n
Pinolere
Cheesy dog show
Come along to try, and buy, some great cheeses! A proud, powerful dog with a gentle soul
Russia air crash
Canarian crew members among dead The 62 victims of a plane crash in southern Russia earlier in the month included two Canarians, it has been confirmed. Alejandro Álava and Xavier Alejandro Curbelo were two of the crew members on the ill-fated AirDubai plane that crashed on landing after circling Rostov airport for almost two hours in bad weather, having made an initial attempt to touch down. Alejandro Álava, the plane’s co-pilot, was aged 36 and from La Laguna. He was due to become the father of twins shortly, family sources have revealed. His death has shocked former colleagues at regional airlines Binter and Naysa in the Canaries, where he began his flying career and spent several years before moving to Dubai in 2014. Xavier Alejandro Curbelo was from Las Palmas and was the purser on the 737-800 aircraft on the day of the tragedy. His sister is head of communications and marketing at Binter. n
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Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
The Pinolere Ethnographic Park is best known for its annual craft fair at the beginning of September, its quaint, thatched-roofed ‘pajares’ and its bijou museum, but the organisation also holds several other interesting traditions-linked events throughout the year. The next on their calendar is the annual Cheese Fair and competition, which will be linked to an exhibition and competition of the best-known of the Canarian dog breeds, the Dogo Canario, formerly known as the Presa Canario. The two days of the fair will be filled with exhibitions and contests, as well as tastings of some excellent cheeses, mojo sauces, and preserves etc. Wonderfully fragrant artisan bakery bread and homemade style cakes will be on sale too. Previous occasions have offered guided tastings for those who wish to improve their cheese palate and workshops for children on how to make cheese and how to milk by hand. This year, the cheeses and cheese makers of Lanzarote will be honoured during the event. The last Dogo Canario occasion there attracted 98 competitors – fans of the breed for which the first official reference dates back to 1516. The original Presa Español was derived from the Dogo de Burgos, the Perro de Toro of Salamanca and the Alanos. Towards the end of the 17th century the British began to
settle in the Canaries for commercial reasons and brought with them their culture, customs and their dogs – amongst which were the Mastiff, the Bulldog and the Bull Terrier.
Breeders began to cross the Presa Español and the Bardino (Pastor Majorero) with the English breeds. In 2001, the breed was registered and accepted by the Féderation Cynologique Internationale a world-wide association of kennel clubs - and became
known as the Dogo Canario. Despite their fierce appearance they are calm, stable and good natured dogs and this show is a great opportunity to get to meet them. To get to Pinolere, take the road up from La Orotava towards Teide and follow the signs. The event will be held over two days on April 9 and 10 from 10am to 8pm and the entry fee is just €1.50 n per person.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Memory of a tragic love story
House of Sanmao Famous Taiwanese author Echo Chan, also known under the pseudonym of Sanmao, lived for around ten years in Telde on the east coast of Gran Canaria. Along with her partner, diver José María Quero, a native of Jaén, she enjoyed a busy social life with compatriots who settled on the island in the seventies, as well as the couple’s many Canarian friends and neighbours. Several of the writer’s tales were based on what she saw and experienced in the Canary Islands, and her stories created a lot of interest in the archipelago for people in Taiwan and China. Their time in the Canaries was said to have been bliss for the couple, but this was also where their great love story came to an end when José died in a tragic diving accident. The house where the couple lived in Gran Canaria is in Calle Lope de Vega, in Playa del Hombre. Although it is now privately owned, the house’s former inhabitant is remembered with a plaque, and dozens of people still flock to the site every week. Now, with the aim of attracting more of the author’s fans, the local council has launched an initiative that will be dedicated to Sanmao and her work: An itinerary that will map out the writer’s life and the places that she loved most on the island.
An icon for a generation Marked by both intense love and tragedy, the life of the author could well have been
the subject of a best-selling novel. The great lady was born Chen Mao Ping on March 26, 1943, in Chongqing, China. In 1948, towards the end of the Chinese Civil War, her father Chen Siqing, a lawyer, moved his family to Taiwan. His soonto-be famous daughter went on
pseudonym of Sanmao, borrowed from a famous cartoon character, and to record her travel experiences. At the time she was engaged to a 45-yearold German man but, sadly, he suddenly died of a heart attack. Again she left Taiwan and returned to Spain.
was sitting on his lap. It was easy to see that they were very much in love.” A little later, in 1976, her first book - semi autobiographical and called The Stories of the Sahara - was published in Taipei. A huge success, it has long been a bestseller and soon established Sanmao as a popular author. Quero, however, was finding it difficult to get work. Finally, in 1978 he was offered the chance to participate in the construction of the Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz. The The chronicler of La Palma, Manuel Poggio Capote, recalls the couple in his book El Olivo y el flor del ciruelo (The olive tree and plum blossom). The Sanmao Mirador (pictured) is in Barlovento at the site where José María drowned
A card that Sanmao and José María sent to friends from the Western Sahara
A plaque on her former house is reminiscent of the author’s happy ten years in Gran Canaria People who were close to the pair still take flowers to the diver’s grave, in the Santa Cruz de La Palma cemetery
to train in philosophy at the Chinese Culture University, and from 1967 to 1970 she continued her studies in Spain and Germany and also spent time travelling around the USA. At Christmas 1967, in Madrid, she met the then 16-year-old José María Quero. He fell in love with her, but she considered the age difference between them - of eight years - as being too much. Three years later, she returned to Taiwan, where she worked as a German teacher. She began writing short stories under the
There, in 1973, she once again met José María Quero. This time, the two became a couple and she accompanied him to the Western Sahara, where they lived until 1975 when they bought a house in Playa del Hombre in Gran Canaria. The author’s friend, Nancy Chang, recalled: “I remember a dinner with friends in Las Palmas. Everyone was Chinese except José María. When I entered the room, Sanmao
project, created by Lanzarote artist César Manrique, needed to be secured underwater on the rocky coast so divers were employed for the tricky task. In April 1978, the couple took an apartment with fabulous views of Mount Teide, and situated in the middle of a banana plantation about two and a half kilometres from the coast. Sanmao liked the island and sent enthusiastic weekly reports to the Taiwanese press. The couple enjoyed their stay and she spent a lot of her time writing. When José María’s job was finished, they returned to their home in Gran Canaria. The only problem with their close relationship was the lack of work for José María, but another
offer soon arrived: divers were needed for the port expansion of Santa Cruz de La Palma. In March 1979, the couple moved temporarily to an apartment in the seafront Rocamar Hotel, based in the small capital city in which around just 17,000 people lived at the time. Again, Sanmao wrote about their home, the contemplative life and the exuberant, lush nature of the island. But on September 30, 1979, a tragic accident changed her life forever: José María unfortunately drowned during an underwater fishing trip to Barlovento. To add to her heartbreak, shortly after José’s death she also lost the baby she was carrying. She returned to Taiwan, and for a while she worked prolifically, publishing, in the end, 20 books and translating the Mafalda comic stories from Spanish to Chinese. However, on January 4, 1991, the 47-year-old tried to hang
herself using silk stockings and later died in hospital. She had recently had a cancer scare and a few days previously had been nominated for the Hong Kong Film Festival for her screenplay for the film Red Dust, though was not one of those awarded. Whether this disappointment was the last straw is unknown, though it’s said that it had been obvious all along that Sanmao had been unable to recover from the death of José. Sanmao is still one of the most important contemporary writers in Taiwan and China, and was the role model and heroine of a whole generation. She encouraged the rise of the new, independent woman, and, with her short stories, built a bridge across nations and continents. A fascinating lady who lived an incredible life, and who will now forever feature in the history of the archipelago. n
Fundraising event
For Oliver
Oliver García Carmenatis lives in Santa Bárbara, in the Icod de los Vinos area. When he was seven years old he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative and progressive disease. Now 23, he has to use a wheelchair but remains very positive and active. Luckily, this cheerful young man, once a well known rally driver, has many a friend backing him, with their latest move being a fundraising lunch on April 23 in Playa San Marcos at the Italia en Boca restaurant. There are many areas in which Oliver could benefit from help. As well as the ongoing battle with the local council for assistance and support, he desperately needs to visit the Icod municipal swimming pool for rehabilitation three times a week but the taxi fares are out of reach of the family’s finances. A plan for the future would also be an adapted car – which would provide Oliver an incomparable amount of freedom. The special lunch, which will include snacks, pasta, Pasqualini, tiramisu, and wine etc. costs only €23. Hopefully, a coach will take visitors from the south of the island (phone Stephanie on: 658 086 453 for details). Anyone who would like to attend or make a donation can call Ann Goulden on: 922 810336 or 696 911 311. n
Rural Tenerife Foundation Walkers have a calendar of treats in store with a new project on offer from the Rural Tenerife Foundation. The idea is to promote rural areas through dynamic walking routes linked to local products and the seasons they are on offer, giving you the chance to live a unique experience and at the same time get to know the agriculture of the island and the people who work in that field. Final dates will be linked to the premium time for each product and, as that depends to a great extent on the weather, will only be able to be confirmed closer to the time on the Tenerife Rural Facebook page, but a rough guide would be the Guayonje onion walk in Tacoronte in April, honey in Arico in May, bananas in June, the local ‘papa bonita’ and cereals in Icod Alto in July and August, wine and the Reineta apple in El Sauzal in September and October, chestnuts in the Acentejo area in November and mushrooms in El Rosario in December. Each walk costs €15 and includes transport and the services of a guide. It should be emphasised that some Spanish will be needed as whilst the guide is an excellent communicator,
Drunk Tenerife coach driver arrested after passenger complaint A Tenerife coach driver faces criminal prosecution for endangering the lives of dozens of passengers while taking to the wheel well over the legal limit for alcohol. The bizarre case was triggered when the emergency services received an SOS call from one of the 36 passengers on board
the private hire coach, which was travelling from Santa Cruz to Chío in the south of the island. Civil Guard Traffic Branch units mobilised to intercept the coach and check the report that the driver was in a drunken state. The vehicle was pulled over on the motorway near Los Cristianos and
officers breathalysed the driver, who tested positive for drink in two separate tests, recording 0.59 and 0.58 mg/l - more than twice the legal limit for drivers of public transport vehicles. The coach company was forced to send a replacement driver to the scene to enable the party to continue its jour-
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cultural activity, planting, harvesting etc. - or the chance to dress up like a bee-keeper for the day - and many offer tastings.
at mass tourism, often they are through fragile ecosystems and places are limited to one bus of a maximum of 55 people, so book quickly as they become available. And the idea is to promote local produce and to give participants some knowledge of the difficulties in farming such abrupt terrains and therefore a higher appreciation of both the goods and their producers and their importance to the tinerfeñan landscapes. Most walks will offer the opportunity to buy local products – so don’t forget your wallet! More information at www.facebook. n com/TenerifeRural.
Take a hike!
Photo: Fundación Tenerife Rural
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Dress like a bee-keeper for the day
his language skills are a bit rusty. Other longer and more strenuous walks to be offered this year will be through the vines, pines and old stones of Vilaflor and San Miguel and the volcanic route through Santiago del Teide. A series of walks linked to wine production is also well along in the planning stage offering an innovation in Enotourism and the popular Bees-eye view of Teide walk to see those busy workers and the Red Tajinastes in flower will take place again in May/June. All the guided walks will offer the chance of handson involvement with the agri-
DIY In addition, if you prefer to go it alone or at your own pace, there is a series of selfguided excellent hikes in Anaga which are explained in several languages in the Cabildo’s webpage www.todotenerife.es and those all over the island offered by Tenerife Rural which can be found at www.rutasteneriferural.com. These are not walks aimed
Photo: Michal Zacharzewski / FreeImages.com
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ney to Chío. The case has been passed to the Arona Courts for action. n
Tens of thousands of coach excursions take place across the Islands each year
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Promotion
Are you looking for a quality used car in Tenerife or wanting to bring your own vehicle from home to the island? If you are, this no longer has to be a stressful time: you can now just sit back and relax in total confidence thanks to south Tenerife’s Car Import Service and experienced car retailer Emiel Hirsch. Tenerife almost has a glut of used cars, but if one is looking for something special, a highclass or luxury car in excellent condition, the island isn’t always the ideal place for it. However, the Car Import Service company specialises in this field and always has vehicles ready for sale directly, a selection of which can be seen on their website at: www.carimportservicetenerife.com. And if you can’t see the car you desire in
Promotion
Haarstudio 2000 opened in Los Cristianos an incredible three decades ago, and soon become a popular, and enduring, hairdressing venue, especially for fashion-conscious women. Ladies travel from far and wide to take advantage of the excellent service, not just from around the south of Tenerife, but also the rest of the island: ‘Quality you can see’, is probably the secret of the salon’s remarkable success. Hairdresser Ingrid Mauer took over the business 19 years ago, and put the ‘plus’ into much more than just the name of the salon. She previously headed
See all our shops
and you?
vape ? SMOKE or
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Second to none
The well established and professional vehicle retailers headed by Emiel Hirsch gladly offer their treasures
stock, then Hirsch also offers a professional location and transfer service for an appropriate vehicle from Germany. Of course, the company also provides associated serv-
ices such as organising the importation technical inspection, re-matriculation, and car insurance from Mapfre, with warranties that go beyond the statutory for engines and trans-
missions being recommendable for a quality used car. A reliable transportation service for all kinds of vehicles can be arranged and, once on the island, Hirsch will ensure a stress-free handover to the customer, having dealt with all possible bureaucratic pitfalls before exchange. This facility can also be used by those who wish to import a vehicle from other areas of Spain, not just from further afield. There are many who choose to bring their beloved vehicle with them when they move to Tenerife, but the importation requirements and necessary time and effort are not insignificant. In addition, it can be easy to make mistakes when the system isn’t understood properly: something which costs not only money
Car Import Service TF-655, no. 135. Cho II • Tel. (0034) 922 399 296 WhatsApp: (0034) 603 819 040 Email: info@carimportservicetenerife.com www.carimportservicetenerife.com Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am - 2pm and 4pm - 8pm / Sat, 10am - 2pm but also time. With Emiel Hirsch, however, all checks and bureaucratic steps will be dealt with in no more than two weeks, with any additional transport service from Germany taking around the same length of time - all at a transparent and fair price. And, not only will the papers be fully in order, but the vehicle comes with a full tank of fuel, ready for you to simply drive away. All technical work done via Car Import Service is undertaken by trusted companies, which are also available should any problems arise after the handover of the vehicle.
So, Emiel Hirsch will not only provide an all-round service and deal with you competently and in your language, but he will also be there to provide reliable assistance throughout the time you have your vehicle – so you can enjoy it without having to worry. So: those interested in a highclass vehicle or hassle-free transfer of their own transport to Tenerife, are welcome to drop into the showroom which is located just off the TF1 motorway at Parque de la Reina, in the district of Cho, on the road to Guaza. Please also see the advert in this newspan per on page 30.
Haarstudio 2000 celebrates 30 years in business two of her own hairdressers in the fashionable city of Dusseldorf. Her knack for providing a perfect haircut became evident early on, not only to customers but also at national hairdressing championships. The German mother company Haarstudio 2000plus is of course very popular, especially with the Germans, Austrians and Swiss, and also other European customers such as English, Italian and Swedish. Ingrid Mauer uses quality hair care products from Germany and Switzerland: something that is particularly important when tinting strands of hair, and for creating voluminous waves.
And now, as a special anniversary offer, you can take advantage of a full colour and highlights deal for just €54.50. This includes a modern, easy to care for and fashionable haircut, colouring with special nourishing elements (depending on your hair type), deep conditioning, mousse, hair spray, wax or gel as well as eyebrow colouring and plucking. Along with this great anniversary bargain, there is a range of all-inclusive packages available at special prices. Haarstudio 2000plus works to the highest standards possible and uses the very latest techniques: Ingrid is always on the
Ingrid Mauer (r) with her longtime colleague Corinna
cutting edge of current trends. She regularly attends training and continuing education seminars for hairdressers in Germany, and her many skills are enthusiastically extolled by her employee and colleague Corinna who has been working at Haarstudio 2000plus for six years. All customers are welcomed to this salon, by the friendly, multilingual team, with a cup
Haarstudio 2000plus is above Playa de Las Vistas in Los Cristianos
of delicious coffee or a glass of sparkling champagne. You don’t know this salon yet? Then
maybe it’s time you did - just don’t forget to telephone for an appointment in advance. n
Haarstudio 2000plus Las Fuentes, Local 3D. Avenida La Habana Los Cristianos • Tel: 922 791 675 or 659 420 002 www.haarstudio2000plus.com
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
TENERIFE GENERAL
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
Letter to the editor
Venting at vendors
Photo: Anna Kaiser CC A-S A 3.0 UL
My wife and I come to Los Cristianos every January, February and March each year and enjoy the warmth and friendly atmosphere of the town and its surroundings. However, there is one point which gets on our nerves and that is the mobile street traders selling watches, bags, glasses and CDs. I understand that they are earning money for their families in Senegal, etc. Indeed, I do buy a few watches from them as souvenirs for my friends. My concern is about the number of vendors there are. When having lunch recently we counted eight who had approached us during a ten minute period. If it is against the law why is it tolerated so openly by restaurant and cafe owners and the police? This is also the view of the majority of visitors with whom I have spoken. Thank you for your kind attention. Michael Robinson
Tenerife’s ‘hawkers’ are often African immigrants selling goods to help them get by
By
At last, the sun has got his hat on and it’s lovely weather to sit on the patio with a good book and a cool drink for company! I love books about murder, thrillers and others of that ilk, but I never read the soppy ones with lines like “He kissed her milk white shoulders under her ringlets”. Give me blood and guts every time please! I like to read before going to sleep, with the house securely locked, the covers around my ears, and a scary book with only a booklight to illuminate the page. I jump at every sound but sometimes I can’t put it down and wake up the next day with my book at the bottom of the bed and the batteries in my light as dead as the bodies killed by the serial killer in my book! But often during the day I like to read history, because the real thing can be utterly absorbing. I would like to thank Val Simpson for her email to me about a fascinating true story which happened during the Second World War. In 1941, many members of the armed forces, especially airmen, were captured by the soldiers of the Third Reich. The cost to the Air Force in manpower was extremely high and these young men, like Douglas Bader for instance, had only one thing on their minds… to escape! But it wasn’t going to be easy. They were in a country where they had no knowledge of the land itself, hardly any of them could speak or understand German, and what’s more, they only knew the broad area of where their planes had come down. The British government knew they would need accurate
y Kat
Hi everyone,
and relevant maps and useful information like the location of train stations, safe houses where they could get help, and clothes, food, and shelter before continuing with their escape.
katykennedy@telefonica.net
Now, at that time, the only manufacturer who had perfected printing on silk was John Waddington. When he was approached by the government he was only too happy to help. He was also the British
Waddington’s think tank also included pieces containing a small magnetic compass, a two-part metal file that could be screwed together, and high denominations of German and French money amongst the
Secret information was printed onto silk and planted inside Monopoly pieces
Monopoly money. Once the games were ready, all airmen were told how to identify the correct models – the boards containing the secret information had a tiny red dot on the Free Parking square. Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POWs who escaped, approximately one third used these secret aids to get away. Everyone who took part in the printing was sworn to silence by the Official Secrets Act, and this was only declassified in 2007, when Waddington and the surviving craftsmen were finally honoured in a public ceremony. Necessity certainly is the Mother of Invention!
In 1941, many members of the armed forces, such as Douglas Bader, were captured behind enemy lines
Paper maps were useless as they rustled loudly, tore easily, and turned into mush if wet. Then someone had the brilliant idea of printing maps and other information onto silk. It didn’t make a sound when opened and nothing got damaged if they had to swim to escape capture. Also, it could be folded over and over, even scrunched up, but didn’t get damaged.
17
licensee for the popular American game, Monopoly. Strangely, games and pastimes were allowed to be handed to prisoners in Red Cross parcels in accordance with the Geneva Convention, and what a convenient coincidence that proved to be! Under the highest level of secrecy, specially-selected personnel produced escape maps, with key points of every location in Germany where prisoners were being held. The silk maps were highly detailed and could easily be folded up and inserted securely inside one of the Monopoly playing pieces.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and especially of each other. Send an email to: katykennedy@telefonica.net. Telephone: 616 110 930. n
TENERIFE GENERAL
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Promo – Hard Rock Café
The terrific twos! Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife recently celebrated its second birthday in style, organising an intimate evening of entertainment and first class hospitality. Top DJs, live bands, dancing, mojito bars and fabulous complimentary food accompanied the buzzing party atmosphere
2 1
world-renowned Hard Rock style, the cafe features two
3 created for the special event. Representatives of many of the island’s top companies and organisations were treated to VIP service to mark the venue’s second year on the island. Hopefully, the excellent cafe/restaurant will celebrate many more! Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife is located in front of the Safari commercial centre in Playa de Las Américas in an enormous venue that’s surrounded by good shopping, excellent restaurants and varied leisure activities. Fitted with a modern, decorative flare, in keeping with the
cater for all groups’ needs, and two terraces overlook-
100 items of music memorabilia to gaze at as well, Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife is a must visit. The venue is part of a chain of themed restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton. The first cafe opened in 1971 in Piccadilly, London. By 1979 the popular cafe had begun decorating its walls with famous Rock and Roll memorabilia which became a tradition that was carried on with the expansion of the chain. Currently there are over 200 Hard Rock locations in more
Los Realejos
Council takes a bow (wow) Tucked away behind Los Realejos’ 17th century Hacienda de La Gorvorana, is a brand new facility for local canines and their families. In the space of just two weeks, council contractors have created a hound heaven out of a somewhat rundown area in this Toscal-Longuera district. The park has been fully fenced in and there is a lock-style double-entry gate for additional safety. There are now Agility-class jumps, tunnels, see-saws, stands etc., drinking bowls that fill automatically, poop scoop facilities, a concrete area painted by local children and plenty of room to run about in. It’s a truly international mixture. Lola’s Spanish Mum was one of the signatories of the petition which requested the park from the local council and she was “thrilled” with the outcome. Cristabelle’s German owners thought it “lovely – but a little small”, although it is the largest in Tenerife. Whilst Poppy’s English dad was very pleased, and suggested that some benches on the hillside with a view over the park would be nice as many of the humans that visited the park with their dogs were “north of 50”. The dogs can play together while humans chat and pet each other’s pooches: socialising and bonhomie at its best. One of the gates needs some adjusting as it doesn’t quite close properly, but the rest of the facilities are brilliant, not to say luxurious. There’s a list of sensible dos and don’ts as you go in and each piece of equipment has a diagram to show what it’s for. “I wonder if the dogs can n read that?” asked Poppy’s dad, tongue in cheek.
4
5 floors for dining and socialising, two function rooms to
ing a beautiful area of the town. And, with more than
than 60 countries, including around 150 cafes. They also have a group of hotels and casinos. For more information visit: www.hardrock.com, call: 922 055 022 or visit Hard Rock Café Tenerife at Avenida de Las Américas, Pirámide de n Arona. 1. Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife recently celebrated its second birthday 2. A night of superb entertainment was put on for the special occasion 3. Top DJs helped to create an absorbing party feel to the night 4. Members of Island Connections attended the glitzy event 5. Hard Rock staff treated guests to an evening of first class hospitality
A great new dog park
Promotion
Triple your enjoyment with the enchanting multi-destination offer from the holiday company CanariasViaja.com with Binter direct flights from Tenerife to Agadir.
Essaouira Your first stop is Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador. Endless fossil sand beaches and the best surfing venues in the Atlantic await you just half an hour away from this ancient, historical, walled city on the coast of Morocco. This fascinating destination, with Portuguese, French and Berber architecture and an ambience of being lost in time, is also host to some of the classiest, hippy-chic chillout terraces in the country and some romantic and unforgettable restaurants on the shore with haunting views over the sea. It has long since become one of the must-see destinations and, as one of the most beautiful and fascinating coastal cities of the country, it’s not surprising they call it the Pearl of the Atlantic. The old town was recognised by Unesco as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001 and it has played host to Hollywood stars like Orson Welles (some of the classic scenes of his famous version of Othello were filmed in the Medina) and it’s rumoured that Winston Churchill was a guest there at the same time! Nowadays it is recognised as one of the best places on the Atlantic to practice windsurfing and kitesurfing, and worldclass facilities offer rentals
TRAVEL
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lar views of the sea and the Agadir marina, Le Tapis Rouge Restaurant offers authentic Moroccan gastronomy and Le Parasol Bleu is a small restaurant near the beach which is popular for its great price/ quality blend.
Region’s Airline Association (ERA) Gold Award for the Best Airline of the Year an incredible five times, most recently in 2013.
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
One holiday, two destinations, three times the pleasure! for the more active holidaymaker. The local harbour is small, but nonetheless one of the most important in the country, and its catches of conger eel and sardines are particularly important to the local gastronomy. The Medina is home to many artisans, particularly wood carvers, so some excellent mementos/gifts from your trip can be found there.
Your hotel The Ocean Vagabond is a four star hotel just 100 metres from the beach and 300 metres from the city walls. Each room is unique and, after your welcome complimentary soft drink and pastries, you will be able to enjoy the free wifi, heated pool, spa, fitness centre and some incredible views from your room. Explore the history of the old town and its Roman past, or travel through the surrounding area, on foot, by quad bike, boat, on the back of a horse or camel. Dine in the stunning hotel facilities in the restaurant, under the palm trees or by the pool, or try Moroccan specialities at the highly rated La Fromagerie, seafood at Zahra’s Grill, or International cuisine at Umia. After two nights it’s away to Agadir and don’t forget all transfers from the airport to the hotel and between destinations are included.
Agadir Seated near the foot of the Atlas mountains, Agadir is
Canariasviaja.com CanariasViaja is the specialist online agency offering complete holiday breaks and packages (flight, hotel and excursions)
A land of timeless mystery
Photo: Morocco tourist board
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
The typical blue fishing boats of Essaouria
the largest seaside resort in the country and the year-round mild climate attracts many local and foreign visitors. It’s a great base to explore from into the surrounding areas, but locally there are some fabulous golf courses, camel and cave excursions and aquatic sports. Don’t miss the sights, sounds and scents of the Zoco market, especially the amazing spice choices, and don’t forget to bargain; it’s obligatory! Other well-recommended visits include the Kasbah for some fabulous panoramic views, and Paradise Valley with its natural pools and waterfalls and a horseback excursion to the walls of the beautiful fortified city of Taroudant, sur-
BinterMás card The BinterMás loyalty card awards points to customers when flying with Binter or using the excellent facilities offered by associated companies. Improving your BinterMás level is easy and will earn you perks such as waiting list priority, discounts, and check-in and attention facilities. The Silver level is attained with 2,500 points and Gold with 8,000. Canarias Viaja’s clients get one point for every €1 spent on their holiday package.
Binter Blogging Agadir is the largest seaside resort in Morocco
rounded by date palms and olive trees.
Your hotel The Iberostar Founty Beach 4* is a spectacular seafront hotel, and offers high speed internet connectivity, a spa and beauty salon. As part of your all-inclusive package you can choose between the hotel’s top restaurants’ Moroccan food which blends the best of Berber, Arab and Andalusian gastronomic traditions offering couscous, lamb, chicken or fish Tajín or, if you prefer, head for less formal snack bar cuisine. If you choose to explore farther afield, try the Restaurant Pure Passion which has spectacu-
to destinations served by the Canarian airline company Binter, with regular special offers and promotions for Canarian residents.
CanariasViaja Works with the leading hotels in the areas Binter flies to and provides the best packages with the aim of offering real value to their customers. If you have a young family, check out their amazing special holiday offers for under 14s.
Awards Binter was named Europe’s best regional airline in 2005 and has won the European
For testimonials or to leave comments regarding a Binter/ CanariasViaja trip, visit: www.viajerosyaventureros. com. The website is dedicated to traveller feedback and blogs regarding Binter’s current list of destinations and the services provided.
Contact and bookings Binter is far more than just an inter-island service! For further information and bookings visit: www.bintercanarias.com, or call 902 391 392. Their website is available in English, Spanish and French. For holiday offers and packages available from their travel operator, visit: www.canariasviaja. com or call 922 248 161. n
FOOD
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
El Padrino
A great meal, but… By John menu did not detain us over- with those ubiquitous car- likened the place, as a dear One of my favourite restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz is El Padrino. Not just because the owners and staff are so friendly, but also because they serve the best fillet steak in town. So, I was delighted to hear they had opened another restaurant along the same lines up in La Paz. Same name, same menu, great terrace: what’s not to like? Well, on a cold night we tipped up and sat inside. The terrace was off limits other than for a solitary couple with eyes only for each other and clearly made of hardier stuff than we. The place was quite busy – almost exclusively with English people, all talking nineteen to the dozen! In La Paz! Where had they all come from? Passing by the bar area, we were shown to a table by a waiter who had left his smile behind at home. Hot buns and a garlic dip appeared as though by magic (and appeared by magic on the bill, too). The
long, since it was a copycat of the other place and we knew it well. So, the food should be good. And, to be fair, it was, other than for the fact that I
rots and a sprinkling of wrinkled peas. The problem was, should I eat from the crock – a la française – or should I tip it all out on to the cold plate pro-
friend who is almost a Saturday night regular at the other El Padrino, to being akin to a barn. I am not alone, then, in that thought. Oh dear!
Nevertheless, we will visit again in spring My wife’s fillet steak was, as usual, superb
The interior lighting is a little harsh
could not understand how a large grain of uncooked rice could form part of an avocado and prawn starter.
vided? In view of the weather, eating from the crock was a clear winner. The drawback was that the sauté potatoes
Having said all that, we bade our goodnights, having paid out €53 for one shared starter (€8.90), two main courses
we can eat out on that enclosed courtyard terrace instead. And hopefully when we can engage
The avocado and prawn starter came with a large grain of uncooked rice, strangely
Restaurante El Padrino Calle La Haya 2, La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz Tel: 922 370 794 Open: Daily for lunch and dinner, closed Wednesdays Loo Score: 7/10
Carrots were the order of the day. Both main courses were heavily, to say the least, garnished with this delightful vegetable. My wife’s fillet steak was, as usual, superb. My three different fillets of meat were served in a crock pot, on a bed of sauté potatoes, and covered
Three different fillets of meat were served in a crock pot
had been placed in the bottom of the crock, so that they had all gone soggy. Perhaps that was my error, but nobody offered to serve the meal to me, so how was I to know? The biggest bugbear of the evening, we agreed, was the lighting. Bright white overhead lights prevented any semblance of intimacy or atmosphere and
(€16.50 and €12.90), half a litre of house red (€3.90), a small bottle of water (€1.60) and the two small buns (€2.00) as aforesaid; all with definitely no smile from the waiter as we left. Had we perchance undertipped? I don’t think so. Will we go again? Well, yes, but it will be in warmer weather when
someone with a smile! I will report back again once spring n has sprung.
035
Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents Where to visit
Upcoming events
What’s on
qfm MUSIC REVIEW
Islands summary
Spin news
Cultural guide
Acoustic excellence
Pages 22 & 23
Page 24 & 25
Page 26
Page 28
Van Bommel exhibition
Famous Dutch artist Lambert van Bommel is showing a collection of his works until April 20 at the Castillo de San Felipe in Tenerife. The theme of the exhibition, entitled Spring, is reflected in the gentle floral motifs found in many of the compositions. The painter has a distinctive style which is clearly visible both in technique and subject. In his speech during the inauguration, Silvano Acosta Jordán, painter, sculptor and lecturer at the University of La Laguna, praised the showing artist expansively: “Lambert van Bommel has developed a particularly impressive method of working in watercolours. Add to this his idiosyncratic perspective and the result is always surprising and authentic.” Van Bommel himself confirmed that the essence of his art comes from a combination of his technique and choice of subjects.
Spring art Large crowds attended the opening His subjects are self-chosen and true to life in Tenerife
The artist is known for his love for the island, but also for his honest viewpoints. For him, rotting boats, filled with garbage, are as fine a subject as scenic snapshots of enchanting beauty. He misses nothing out: rather, paints exactly what is
offered to the viewer’s eye – be it a toilet bowl in the middle of a flower meadow, or other fascinating juxtapositions that arise in daily life. What some may view as pollution or contamination, to others is merely another interesting topic. Or,
possibly, they are both aspects simultaneously. Each of Van Bommel’s images exudes charm and is refreshingly different. By contrast, however, there are also many classics on show, such as a Mount Teide land-
scape, a meadow of flowers, or an almond tree in blossom against a brilliantly blue sky. Yet, from start to finish, his chosen subjects don’t show only the perfect, but include all the small imperfections which give any scene its charm. Picture a knotty pine tree with dry branches in Teno Alto; an old, rickety chair standing on the Atlantic coast; or an abandoned
Banana plantation with its coverings dishevelled by the wind - these are precisely the flaws and blemishes that make van Bommel’s work so special. Many followers of the artist, who has lived in Tenerife for several years, as well as those new to his collections, attended the opening night. The exhibition can be viewed until April 20 at the Castillo San Felipe, next to Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 1pm and from n 5pm to 8pm.
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HOLIDAY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
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 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.
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 beach
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. El Teide National Park
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
Other islands Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, La Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a prehistoric 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
Photo: Mathias Weil / FreeImages.com
La Gomera
La Gomera view
Gran Canaria street
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.
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
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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 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-
Photo: Miguel DP / FreeImages.com
Photo: Manny Proebster / FreeImages.com
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.
HOLIDAY GUIDE
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
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
Cactus garden, Lanzarote
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 SPIN NEWS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Canarian rock
Nobody’s fools Popular Canarian rock band, Ni 1 Pelo de Tonto (Not a fool), will be playing in Santa Cruz on April 7.
Till death do us part? Sculptor Ramón Hernández, from Los Realejos in the north of Tenerife, has an exhibition of his works on show in Garachico until May 1. The collection, entitled ‘Silence! The soul is calling’ is a compilation of works aimed at inviting the audience to look deeper into their own psyches. Hernandez, who is a Doctor of Fine Arts and Professor of Sculpture at the University of La Laguna, is an extremely talented artist, and one who is not afraid to tackle subjects which others consider taboo. Hence, one of the main themes of his latest collection is ‘the end of
name. Their songs have also been used for major publicity campaigns, some for big names such as Adidas, and as signature tunes for various programmes on Spanish radio stations. Firm believers in supporting charities, they also played an important role during this year’s carnival with their rock version of the song written
by Agustín Ramos, Santa Cruz en Carnaval, being the official theme for the fiesta. During April, the group returns to the stage and, for the first time, will be performing a concert with a repertoire consisting entirely of their own songs. For the future, the group will be travelling around the Canaries on a tour called De Puerto en
Puerto, during which, as well as their concerts, there will be a series of cultural, sporting and leisure activities designed for children and families. See the band on April 7 at 9pm, at the Espacio de Música at the Teatro Guimerá. Tickets, which cost just €5, are available from the theatre box office or via: n www.teatroguimera.es.
Sculpting Garachico Photo: turismo.garachico.es
Based in said capital city since 2010, the group has released three discs to date, with considerable success. They have also played as curtain raisers for some extremely popular Spanish groups during their visits to the archipelago. The band is much loved on the Islands, and by the end of this year they will have performed over 150 concerts around the archipelago, and will also have played in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Formentera, Oporto and the Principality of Andorra. Ni 1 Pelo de Tonto were the winners of the Heineken Campus Rock 2012 and Hard Rock Rising 2015 contests, so the group definitely live up to their
The Casa de Piedra in Garachico
life’ - though that doesn’t mean the show is morbid, far from it: there is an intrinsic beauty in the sculptor’s viewpoints.
Hernández has been teaching his art for the last 28 years at the ULL and has seen some real talent pass through the
establishment’s doors: Students who have no doubt benefited from his inspirational approach, much of which, he says, is based on the beauty of nature and poetry. See the ¡Silencio! Suena el alma exhibition in the gallery area of the Casa de Piedra in Glorieta de San Francisco in the centre of the town. You will find it open from 11am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. On April 23, starting 6pm, there will also be a chance to meet the artist and join a guided viewing of his works. See: www.areagarachico.com for more information and news n of future exhibitions.
Dragon Battle
The ultimate test The Dragon Battle challenges, held throughout the year, promise to stretch participants to their physical and mental limits, a real personal experience that takes shape in an intense competition in which only the strongest will rise to victory. The Dragon Battle Race, organised by Oceanbox, is a true clash of the Titans, an event in which the winner of one of the toughest physical tests of the Canary Islands will be crowned. Contestants will have to negotiate fire, water, mud, logs, ropes and ramps, and only the bravest and most skilled will be able to conquer all the obstacles they will encounter in this extreme athletic adventure. Dragon Battle wants to share this practice with everyone, helping them to bring down their own barriers and discover just what they are made of. The Dragon Battle is a classifying event in the OCR European Championships. Why not join in, stretch your limits and see how far you can get. Do you want to be a Dragon? Do you dare to join the skirmish? If so, the next Dragon Battle Race will be at Los Gigantes on April 30: a stunning location with its impressive cliffs. Coming soon are also the challenges in El Médano and San Miguel (dates to be released later), followed by Arona on November 12. There are several ways to register for the competition. You can do it online at www.dragonbattlerace.com, or visit one of the points of sale around the island, which include the OceanBox Centre in El Médano, Intersport in Las Chafiras or at CC El Trompo, La Orotava, and Rocktrail Tenerife in Los Realejos. If you wish, you can even organise a Dragon Battle in your own town, simply contact the organisers via the website. You can even choose to be a volunteer helper and live the experience yourself! For more information see the n website above or Facebook/Dragon Battle Race.
Exciting exhibition
A window to art The Magda Lázaro Art Gallery in Santa Cruz is hosting a collective exhibition called Una Ventana al Arte, which is open to the public until April 6. The artists participating are Fernando Álamo, Juan Betancor, Dámaso, Margo Delgado, Ayose Domínguez, Pedro González, Gonçalves, Luis Alberto Hernández, Hugo Pitti, José Rosario Godoy, Ernesto Valcárcel and Augusto Vives. The Galería de Arte Magda Lázaro is at Calle Numancia 24, Santa Cruz, and is open Mondays to Fridays from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. See: http://galeriamagdalazaro.es for more information. n
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
A cultural experience
Sounds of La Orotava The Teobaldo Power Auditorium will be hosting the La Orotava Sueña Festival in April. Organised by Espectáculos Tenerife with the collaboration of the La Orotava Council, the Canarian Government and Tenerife Island Council, the festival has an impressive bill of solo artists and groups, as well as a good helping of Gospel music. La Orotava Sueña began in 2013 as an ambitious new initiative which was created with the aim of supporting cultural projects, and to make a wider range of events available to the public. For this reason, a great variety of shows are on offer, to suit all ages and tastes, and at affordable prices. On previous occasions, well known artists such as Vanesa Martín, Miguel Poveda, Revolver, India Martínez. Merche, Los Secretos and Efecto Mariposa have taken part, and this year the offering is equally as exciting. The first concert takes place on April 8 with Carlos Goñi, who returns with songs by his popular rock group Revolver, in acoustic format. He will be presenting his latest album Babilonia. There is a unique concert to look forward to on April 9, when international Gospel artist Latonius will be on stage with a band of six musicians, his choir and the wonderful Shine Voices. Latonius has given shows around the world, and has become popular for the Gospel workshops he has led in the United States and Europe. He founded his own Latonius Gospel Choir in Tenerife in 2015 with the aim of sharing Gospel music on a grand scale. With this exceptional union of talent, the concert will allow the audience to enjoy the Harlem Experience concept, which will revive the mythical soul, Gospel and R&B concerts that Harlem, where Gospel was born, is internationally known for. They will present a repertoire of popular and classic songs, which will make you want to sing along. The icing on the cake will be on April 16, with a concert by singer David Demaría, who will be presenting his latest album for the first time in the Canaries, En el séptimo cielo (In seventh heaven), in a new acoustic format which is sure to delight. All concerts will be held at the Teobaldo Power Auditorium starting at 9pm, and tickets, which cost €12 to €15, can be purchased from www.tomaticket.es, and at Casa Valladares in La Orotava. See www.laorotava.es for updates. n
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Tenerife Symphony Orchestra
A family concert The Tenerife Symphony Orchestra invites you to bring the youngest members of your family to a special concert in Los Cristianos towards the end of April. The show is an exciting journey through the greatest symphony hits of yesterday and today, and will also offer the opportunity to learn about some of the marvellous musical instruments from the bowed string family. The programme will include works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Holst, Britten, L. Anderson, H. Zimmer and K. A. López. The orchestra will be conducted by Ángel M. Camacho Bermúdez, and the performance will be narrated by Moisés Évora de la Rosa. Soloists will be performing as
well, including the incredibly talented 14-year-old Georgy Mikheile who is studying the viola at the Tenerife Professional Conservatory.
The concert will take place at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium on April 23 at 12pm. Tickets cost €5 or €1. You don’t need to buy one for children under a
year old, as long as they sit with you, but children’s identification documents will be needed. For more information and tickets, see: www.arona.org. n
Los Cristianos
Of nuns and footballers
Visitors to south Tenerife have another opportunity to enjoy Yolanda G Sobrado’s flamenco dance show at the Los Cristianos auditorium on April 7. Originating from the southern regions of Spain, especially Andalusia, Extremadura and Murcia, flamenco is a traditional style of singing, guitar playing, dance, rhythmic hand clapping and finger snapping which is known for its emotional intensity, pride, expressiveness, and rhythmic stamping of the feet in a manner akin to tap dancing. Closely associated with the gitanos, or gypsies, pure flamenco remains true to its original influences, though several different styles have developed over the course of time. Yolanda and her company mix tradition and modern dance in a combination which thrills all audiences, and the troupe’s latest show, called Viento del
If you speak Spanish you’ll enjoy the comedy play called Sacrilegio featuring two nuns who are tired of life in their convent, which, happily for them, happens to be right beside a footballers’ training centre. The Mother Superior is very strict when it comes to the rules and regulations imposed by the Catholic Church, and which her nuns must follow to the letter. However, two of them, Sisters Jazmín and Violeta, are tired of the celibacy, obedience, chastity and other ‘no, nos’ as well as being locked up in their convent. Of the two, one is more extrovert and disobedient than the other, who tends to be more shy and subservient. Yet they are both seeking a ‘Lord’ who isn’t exactly the one in heaven. Sacrilege! The performance includes amusing prayers, irrational and crazy lies, and madcap
Fine flamenco
Sur (wind from the south), is an excellent evening’s entertainment. See it at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, starting 8.30pm. Tickets, which cost €10, are available from the Cultural Centre in Los Cristianos, Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 2pm, or on the day of the show from two hours before the performance onwards, at the auditorium’s box office. Alternatively, see: www.arona.org n
Sacrilege!
musical scenes. In the play written by Leonardo Abreu and directed by Aldo Tejera, the stars in Sacrilegio are Elizabeth Morales, Verónica Núñez and María Laura Marrero. Fabulous fun, at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on April 16 at 8.30pm. Tickets, which cost €8, are available from the town’s cultural centre, the auditorium’s box office two hours before the show or via: www.arona.org n
HOLIDAY GUIDE WHATS ON 2016
26
March – April
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
March – April
GRAN CANARIA TENERIFE DIARY DATES
DIARY DATES March 31
April 8
Saturday mornings
8.30pm: Yul Ballesteros Trío/Rayko León Trío, jazz, €12, CICCA, Alameda de Colón 1, LPGC. 8.30pm: Sharif, Spanish rap, €12 early buyers, €15 on the day, The Paper Club, Remedios 10 and 12, LPGC.
9pm: Carlos Goñi, singer songwriter (Revolver), pop/rock, from €12, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava. www.tomaticket.es.
Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women etc., Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com.
April 9
Sundays
April 2 and 3
6.30pm: Ámate breast cancer charity fashion show, €5 adults, €3 children (under 14), Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos, Santa Cruz. More information at: 922 220 564/618 382 615.
Secrets of Teno, 4-hour hike, demonstration of local traditions and activities, cheese and wine tasting, guide and insurance, Plaza de Teno Alto, Buenavista del Norte, €25 (transport available). www.elcardon.com.
April 1
Various times: Disney on Ice, from €175, Gran Canaria Arena, LPGC. www.disney.es. April 2 All day: Hiking/running event from 12 to 40 kilometres, some roads and footpaths will have restricted use, Moya. www.circularextremavillademoya.com. 8.30pm: Giselle, Moscow Ballet Company, From €29, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, LPGC. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es. 9pm: Diego El Cigala, voice and piano, flamenco, one of the living legends in this genre, €35, Teatro Victor Jara, Vecindario, Santa Lucía de Tirajana. entrees.es. April 3 From 9.30am: Active tourism day in Valsequillo, climbing, orientation, archery, walking, hiking, running, cycle and horse-riding routes, children’s workshops, bouncy castles, exhibitions, healthy food tastings, Barranco de San Miguel and Plaza Tifaritti, Valsequillo. aedl@ valsequillogc.net. 8pm: Ara Malikian, violinist, €23, Teatro Victor Jara, Vecindario, Santa Lucía de Tirajana. entrees.es.
8.30pm: Quantum Ensemble, wide mix of classical music, from €5, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz. auditoriodetenerife.com. 9pm: Diego El Cigala, voice and piano, flamenco, one of the living legends of this genre. From €26, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín Santa Cruz. auditoriodetenerife.com.
EXHIBITIONS Until April 3 Archaeology, results of dig on the Islote de Lobos, Fuerteventura, Roman remains, €5, residents €3, Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, Santa Cruz, Tuesday to Saturday, 9am - 8pm, Sunday and Monday, 10am - 5pm. Paintings 2013-2015, Art photography, Alba González Fernández, Free Entry, Casa de la Juventud, Avenida de los Vientos, Adeje, Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm and 5pm – 8pm. www.adeje.es.
April 1 8.30pm: Giselle, ballet, Moscow Ballet Company, €38, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, Arona. www.4tickets.es/balletdemoscu. April 2
Until April 4 9pm: Mikel Erentxun, rock, from €14, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz. www.teatroguimera.es. 9pm: Latonius and the Shine Voices, gospel, from €12, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava. www.tomaticket.es.
Art student show, Free Entry, Museo de Pescadores, Puerto Santiago, Monday to Friday 9.30am – 1pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Until April 6
April 10
April 8
9am until approximately 7pm: International nail art competition and show, open to the public, Hotel Alborada, Las Galletas, Arona. 663 946 945.
8.30pm: Claudio Marrero Trío/Chano Gil and the Latino Blanco Quartet, jazz, CICCA, Alameda de Colón 1, LPGC. 9pm: Ulf Wakenius, Guitarist, from €15, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, LPGC. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es. April 9 Hiking: Degollada del Sargento – Azaenegue – Meseta de Carreño – La Aldea. Vallesecograncanria.com 8pm: Running – all ages, Vegueta, some routes will have restricted access, LPGC. www.corriendoporvegueta.com. 8.30pm: Grand Canaria Big Band/Blanco Latino, jazz, CICCA, Alameda de Colón 1, LPGC. April 9 and 10 10am: Craft fair, Plaza del Pueblo, Vega de San Mateo. 11am: Agricultural fair, sales and tastings of local products, Vega de San Mateo. April 10 12.30pm: Organ Concert, Simone Vebber, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, LPGC. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es. Sundays: Folklore exhibitions, Pueblo Canario, Francisco González Díaz, Free Entry, LPGC.
EXHIBITIONS Until April 30 Zonians, photography, Matías Costa, Centro de Arte La Regenta, León Y Castillo 427, LPGC, Tuesday to Friday, 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm, Saturday 11am – 2pm.
April 13 8.30pm: Vocal Siete, human voice imitating instruments, wide range of styles, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz. www.teatroguimera.es. April 3 Charity walk/run, €6, Plaza de San Pedro, El Sauzal. 922 573 953. Las Galletas Half Marathon, access to the area could be restricted. www.mediomaratonlasgalletas.com.
Yoga for life master class, Pink Room, Free Entry, Escuela de Seguridad y Convivencia, 2nd floor, Calle Beneharo s/n, Las Nieves, Adeje, register to book, limited places. 674 352 002 Tuesdays Tour of Dorada beer factory, Avenida de Ángel Romero, Santa Cruz. www.doradatour.es. Thursdays
Healthy eating, talk, Pink Room, Free Entry, Escuela de Seguridad y Convivencia, second floor, Calle Beneharo s/n, Las Nieves, Adeje, register to book, limited places. 674 352 002
Hiking route down the Masca ravine, €45, visit to Masca village, 4-hour hike, half hour on the beach, 1 hour food and boat trip, guide, insurance and transfer to and from Puerto de la Cruz, Los Gigantes, Garachico, Los Silos and Buenavista. www.elcardon.com.
April 7
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
8.30pm: Viento del Sur, flamenco, music and dance, Yolanda G. Sobrado, €10, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, Arona. www. arona.org. 9pm: Macronesian Jazz Quartet, music and photography, Free Entry, Patio de las Palmeras, Museo de La Naturaleza y El Hombre, Santa Cruz. www.museosdetenerife.org. 9pm: Ni 1 Pelo de Tonto, rock, €5, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz. www.teatroguimera.es.
Canarias Folk Fest, parade, regional costumes, traditional dancing, singing and crafts and tastings in Las Galletas and Los Cristianos. Thursday – Rambla Dionisio González, Las Galletas, Friday – Avenida Las Américas (Golden Mile), Playa Las Américas and Saturday – Plaza de la Pescadera and Paseo Marítimo (Avenida Juan Alfonso Bautista), Los Cristianos. Thursday and Saturday, 5pm - 8.30pm, Friday 8.30pm.
April 6
Una Ventana al Arte (a window on art), group exhibition, Fernando Álamo, Juan Betancor, Dámaso, Margo Delgado, Ayose Domínguez, Pedro González, Gonçalves, Luis Alberto Hernández, Hugo Pitti, José Rosario Godoy, Ernesto Valcárcel and Augusto Vives, Galería de Arte Magda Lázaro, Calle Numancia 24, Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 5.30pm – 8.30pm. galeriamagdalazaro.es. Until April 15 Anne Frank – a History for Today, travelling exhibition from the famous Amsterdam House/ museum, Fundación Mapfre Guanarteme, Plaza de San Cristobal, La Laguna, Monday to Sunday, 10am – 1pm and 6pm – 9pm. www.annefrank.org Until May 28 Photography, Chema Madoz, national photography prize-winner, Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Plaza del Patriotismo, Santa Cruz, Monday to Saturday, 11am – 2pm and 5pm - 8pm.
For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
MUSIC
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
27
The Qfm Music Review – Your guide to music created in the Canary Islands
Acoustic excellence So springtime has arrived, the days are getting longer, and soon we’ll be able to switch off our TV sets most evenings, and spend some time on our balconies, terraces and in our gardens. And I’m about to reveal the ideal soundtrack to a perfect evening in Tenerife, from one of this island’s finest singer-songwriters. At just 18 years of age, Tenerife-born Marta Solís relocated to Madrid to study at the Complutense University. Whilst there, she filled her spare time learning to play guitar, composing songs and playing them in bars and restaurants in the capital. She later continued her studies in France, where she also learned to play piano. Marta returned to her island in 2001, and began working on her debut album Promesa, which she then recorded in Florida. After a decade of winning awards and performing at various music festivals around Europe, she began work on her second album, Sin Límites.
This second album, though true to the folk-jazz roots of her debut, hits us with more mature and refined flavours. With a fully acoustic arrangement, her delicate yet provoking vocals capture our imagination and hearts. The lyrics, all in a pleasant, neutral-accent Spanish, ooze sophistication, yet are firmly tied to the ground with everyday life. In addition to Marta, the album features
Mon Cabrera on guitar and acoustic bass, Santi Bobet on guitar, and Akior García on drums and percussion. Marta is very active on the live music scene both in Tenerife and in the Peninsular, so if you get a chance to see her perform, don’t miss out! Tracks from Sin Límites can be heard on Qfm 94.3, and the album is available from www. n zarandarecords.com.
Tracklist 1. Mundo de Papel 2. Lejos de Mí 3. César 4. Mar Adentro 5. Sólo Para Dos 6. De Improviso 7. Sin Límites 8. Nana a la Nena 9. Estrella Fugaz 10. Ven 11. Un Vestido y un Amor
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SPOTLIGHT
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Spotlight on...
The fight to save traditional Canarian houses age. He has also been photographing traditional Canarian dwellings for the last 25 years and has developed an impressive portfolio. Dotted around the Islands are many houses and
Nevertheless, many of these beautiful buildings have disappeared over the last two or three decades - torn down to make way for apartments or hotels, or reformed by new
All photos: Luis Eduardo Fierro
Luis Eduardo Fierro from Tenerife is a well known local artist who has exhibited extensively around the Islands, as well as in various places abroad such as Norway, London and Holland.
So many of the Canarian houses are left in ruins Sadly, large numbers of them are seen as prime positions for rubbish bins
The traditional stone abodes exude charm and are an important part of the Islands’ heritage
As a painter he uses acrylics and watercolours and specialises in large-format murals. He is also one of the illustrators of a comic based on the original habitants of the archipelago Antón Guanche, the meeting of two worlds - and another about one of the Islands’ most famous sons, entitled Agustín de Bethencourt, a universal Canarian engineer. In addition to being an artist and teacher, the 47-year-old is also, in his own words, a “social activist” who has been involved in many a campaign for protection of the archipelago’s herit-
estates which date back to the 17th to 20th centuries - grand and opulent developments in which their inherent beauty is hard to miss. However, these are relatively few compared to the amount of traditional, often one-floored, tile-roofed stone houses of the everyday populace which range right across the archipelago. The Canarian buildings add charm and atmosphere to any area, even when surrounded by modern edifices, and it is this traditional feel which attracted many visitors to the Islands in the first place.
owners until they are almost unrecognisable. And, sadly, as well as having catalogued some of the most attractive houses on the Islands, Fierro has also gathered images of many an abandoned and neglected property which is falling down or has been used as a dumping ground for rubbish. Apparently, there has long been a call for official action to ensure their preservation but, says Fierro, there are two main problems facing any attempts: A “lack of political will” from the authorities - there currently isn’t any legislation in
place to safeguard the houses - and “almost total indifference within the media.” With some exceptions, of course. It is this desire to preserve the archipelago’s legacy which led Fierro to contact experts within the field with the aim of developing a text outlining the current situation, to be used to kick-start a petition on the Change.org website - a platform for those who wish to advance social causes or campaign for modifications
to present laws or administration. Since its start at the beginning of February, the petition, titled ‘Salvemos las casas terreras Canaries’, has already gathered more than 1,700 signatures, and a Facebook group under the same name attracted more than 500 affiliates in just two weeks. The call for action on the Change.org site states that along with the loss of the traditional houses “a vital part of the memory of our land, a
legacy from our ancestors, our historical and cultural heritage, as well as an emblem of the Canary Islands which also has very high tourist value” will disappear. Interested parties are demanding an urgent introduction of laws for the protection of the properties, including restrictions to keep any private reforms in line with the houses’ traditional roots - something akin to the laws already in place in most countries in the EU. Fierro and the movement’s followers lament the fact that, whilst some of the larger and grander houses have indeed been protected and restored, there are whole areas where more humble abodes have been almost completely wiped out. If you would like to join your voice to those who have already shown their support for the campaign, sign the ‘Salvemos las casas terreras Canarias’ petition at: www.change. org to let the Canarian Government know that there really are n people who care.
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
BLEVINS FRANKS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
29
What will happen to your legacy? may also wish to establish a way to gift with certainty, where you have some control over when heirs receive their funds and Many readers are enjoying how they use it. their retirement years here in Spain, taking advantage Taxation is another of all the benefits living here essential component of has to offer. You are reap- estate planning ing the rewards of your hard work advancing your career If you live in Spain or if you have or building a business, and Spanish assets, you need to plan the effort you put into accu- to protect yourself and your heirs mulating your investments from Spanish succession and gift and pension funds. tax. This tax is due when either Even if you have put a lot of the assets being inherited or thought into your wealth man- gifted are located in Spain, or if agement in the past, there comes the recipient of a gift or inheria time when we need to look tance is resident in Spain. at our financial planning again UK nationals are also faced in terms of multi-generational with UK inheritance tax. Deterwealth management. mined by domicile rather than residence, it continues to affect How will your wealth be passed many British expatriates. For down to your children, grand- wealthier families the tax bills children and other chosen heirs? can be considerable. How will they handle your leg- It is not just inheritance tax acy? How much will they actu- you need to consider. If you ally receive, and how much will are leaving your heirs savings go to the taxman? and investments, once they Complex family situations need receive the funds they will pay particular consideration – for tax on the income and gains. example if you have children So plan how to hold your capifrom previous marriages. You tal so that it is tax efficient for
multi-jurisdictional succession law, taxes and probate into account. There are compliant opportunities available in Spain that allow you to do all this, and which provide significant tax advantages. Take specialist, personalised advice to ensure you get it right.
By John McCann, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks
Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com
“Cross-border tax planning can be complex, with various potential pitfalls… Ensure you seek personalised advice from a firm which has in-depth knowledge of both Spanish and UK taxation.” them. Also consider how these investments will pass on to chosen heirs – can ownership easily change hands?
Finally, do not forget your own needs. You may want the best for your heirs, but you also have to ensure you and your spouse
benefit from your wealth in the meantime. Cross-border estate planning is complex, and needs to take
Blevins Franks provides tailor-made advice on investment strategies, tax mitigation and estate planning. It has decades of experience advising British expatriates in Spain. Contact Paul Montague on 922 716 079 or paul.montague@blevinsfranks.com. www.blevinsfranks.com
BUSINESS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Promo – Linea Directa
Do we always need to insure a vehicle?
A car has to be insured even if unused and kept in a garage
out insurance in such a situation will have to pay a fine depending on the gravity of the incident, the period of time it was left uninsured and whether the owner had previously failed to provide insurance cover. Are there any circumstances where insurance is not mandatory?
Photo: Patryk Specjal/freeimages.com
Why insure a vehicle that is kept in a garage? Vehicle owners also have a responsibility to other people and their property and this extends beyond typical road use. For example, if you have a car in a community garage that catches fire, the owner of that vehicle is liable for all other property that is damaged. Anyone with-
You will need to go to a vehicle technical inspection centre (ITV in Spain) beforehand and have the vehicle checked and its status suspended or terminated.
Photo: m00n0i/freeimages.com
Some insurance policies, such as private health insurance, are not compulsory, while others like property insurance are needed, as is vehicle insurance – even if your car or motorbike sits unused in a garage. By law you must have at least one policy that covers your motor vehicle for damages or claims from a third party in the event of a fire or accident. According to Spanish legislation (Royal decree 8/2004) every car must have insurance cover. A vehicle that is not driven on public roads does not need insurance, however, this does mean that it cannot be parked on a road and must be kept and used only on private property. If you own a vehicle that is not insured you can be fined anything from €601 to €3,000 and the vehicle may be seized.
The quality of Canarian beer will soon be even better
If your vehicle has been officially signed off, either temporarily or permanently – for example, due to lengthy offroad repairs or because it is being scrapped – then you do not need insurance cover. If you have a motor vehicle that is out of use and you are paying insurance on it, you can temporarily cancel it.
How can I prevent fines? The best way to avoid penalties is to make sure you always have adequate insurance cover, and if your vehicle meets all the required standards with road taxes paid you will be problem-free. If you need car insurance or are thinking of changing policies, get in touch with Linea Directa today by phoning: 902 123 495. You will be dealt with quickly and efficiently, and receive a free quote for whichever policy best suits your needs. We hope that the information in this article is of interest to you. For further information visit Linea Directa’s website: n www.lineadirecta.com.
Canarian brewery’s massive investment The Canaries’ regional brewery CCC is to spend €13 million upgrading its technology and facilities in both Tenerife and Gran Canaria, it has been announced. The brewery, which makes the local market-leading Dorada and Tropical beers in the Islands, is owned by the London-headquartered multinational SABMiller but has a distinctly local focus despite
also brewing global beers that are under licence here. The injection of money, disclosed by CEO Filippo Scandellari during the recent visit by the mayor of Las Palmas to CCC’s Gran Canaria operations, will be geared essentially to improving production processes for both the brewer’s main beers while also reducing the environmental impact of the company in the Canaries. n
It’s all in the photo
Identify yourself! Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife Everyone in Spain is obliged to carry government issued ID at all times, regardless of whether they are a Spanish national, an EU citizen or a foreigner living or holidaying in the country. The specific law is Article 4 of Organic Law 4/2000 which states that foreign nationals in Spain must carry identity documents issued by the country of citizenship. Although EU citizens have the right to move freely without a visa, each nation retains the ability to carry out identity checks within their territory. In realistic terms, a holidaymaker could not be blamed for not carrying their original passport on their way to the beach, but someone who lives here should always have their documents available for inspection. There is no obligation on the part of the authorities in Spain to give you a reasonable time to produce your documents as you might expect in the UK, and, in theory, you could be fined or even detained until you can prove your identity. Obviously, these laws are intended to restrict the movement of terrorists and criminals, but can unfortunately have repercussions for all citizens. In reality, if you have a Spanish driving licence which proves your NIE number and has a photo, you will probably be OK, but photocopies of documents are not accepted. The problem arises because the Spanish DNI is of credit card size and therefore convenient to carry around, as was the old residency card with photo ID, whereas the British passport is not. In addition, with the risk of loss, theft or damage, and the cost and inconvenience of replacement, it’s not surprising that many British people don’t comply with this law. A good compromise is a notarised copy of your documents, i.e. passport and NIE number, which are simple to obtain for a small fee. Although, if the law was applied to the letter, they might not be valid, in reality they are a good compromise between an unofficial photocopy which could have been doctored, and the original with its inherent risks. The same goes for your car papers. You are required to carry the originals, but if the car gets stolen, you don’t have the papers to make an official complaint! Again, notarised copies are the answer. Obviously, in the event of an inspection, whether for reasons of an incident, accident or spot check, much will depend on how things are handled at the time, but as with all administrative matters in Tenerife, sometimes things can be unpredictable, so perhaps it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Photo: Ross Brown / FreeImages.com
30
Official photo identification must be carried at all times
Feel free to visit the Free Advice Centre Tenerife for clarification or further advice. FACT operates from an office inside Wheeler Dealers in Las Chafiras, and in each edition Sue McDonald will be writing about issues that affect all of us living in Tenerife. If you have something you would like to discuss, write to Island Connections at: editorial@ic-news.com or call in to the Fact Office at n Wheeler Dealers any morning, Monday to Friday.
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
BUSINESS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
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Promotion - Cabrera Rodríguez
Inheritance and Gift Tax in Spain In the past, Spanish people in general tended not to be very proactive concerning arrangements for succession and Inheritance Tax Planning. It seems they felt it was a discussion which could always be postponed for a while. However, more and more, during the past couple of decades we have started to realise the relevance of paying proper attention to this subject. The simple matter of drafting a Will became such a stressful step that most of the time it was simply deferred to the next month or year. Thinking on what will happen with our assets or businesses after our own death was considered an undesirable process, which nobody wanted to go through. In reality, facing this issue in advance creates great opportunities, not only in terms of tax saving but also on preventing and sorting family conflicts which no parents would like to leave with their children. Moreover, a proper review of family wealth structures creates scenarios for going through subjects and discussions which, by leading those at the right rhythm and with the right level of sensitivity, will definitely contribute to improving the solidity of the family wealth but also the strength and capacity of family relationships. Inheritance and Gift Tax in Spain is a national Tax regulated for the whole state, although collection and some other procedures are under the charge of the different regions.
On top of this, regional parliaments hold the capacity of creating allowances on the tax which, in practice, means removing almost the whole impact of it by meeting a number of requirements and limitations. Under that capacity and competence, from January 2016, the Canary Islands Parliament has reintroduced an allowance of 99.9 per cent (it previously existed from January 2008 till June 2012), under certain conditions on gift and inheritance tax from grandparents and parents to children, from children to parents and grandparents, and between husband and wife. Two essential matters are to be considered regarding this particular regional allowance: The first one refers to the often forgotten aspect which concerns the fact that any gift, excluding cash, implies not only tax on the receiver, which takes the benefit of the 99.9 per cent, but also Capital Gains Tax on the donor, calculated on the difference between the purchase price of the asset gifted and the market value of the same. Awareness of this second piece of taxation is essential in order to work out the appropriate transaction. The second one falls into the consideration when the donor or receiver is non resident in Spain or the Canaries, or when the assets to be transmitted are not located in Spain or the Canaries but in the EU.
It’s not been until Spain formally adopted the ruling of the European Court (with its consequences and interpretation incorporated into our own regulation) that this advantage of the regional allowances - such as the Canarian one - could become applied to taxation in situations such as the ones briefly described above. This temporary, huge allowance, which, without question, could become a very interesting tax planning tool when properly used and implemented, we understand will definitely disappear as part of the harmonisation policy of the Spanish Government, as it is the official trend to equalise the tax in all regions. Consequently, any steps to take advantage of this specific measure should be addressed, in our view, as a matter of urgency within the year 2016. Leaving aside all the above, within Inheritance and Gift Tax regulation, two basic items or assets have always been protected, in terms of significantly minimising taxation: the family house and the family business. In other words, the law protects the house where the family has been living or intends to live, and the business which has provided or that is currently providing the main income to some or all of the family members. Regarding the family house, a number of interesting situations may be produced so that inheritors could keep their parents’ house without effective tax or receive cash as gifts
Octavio Cabrera Toste; Director, Lawyer and Tax Adviser
from parents for buying a family house. However, we have to say that the star of the tax incentives can be the family business. Under this particular regulation there are huge opportunities for reorganising the wealth structure of the family which could be worked at little or almost no cost. A family trading company or even a family holding company could be adjusted and worked in order to meet the legal requirements which will provide a reduction on the tax base of both Inheritance and Gift Tax of either 95 per cent or even 99 per cent. Sometimes the reduction on both the trading and asset holding company of the family can be achieved. This could eventually imply - if optimising the planning - that most of the family wealth could end up reaping the benefit of
it, and consequently the threat of a major tax for your children could disappear. It is not the first time we have heard about foreigners or even nationals deciding to leave Spain or just the Canaries because of the fear produced by the uncertainty of the tax regulations or the potential high taxation for passing assets to relatives. Of course, this could happen. But facing the issue in advance, getting the proper reliable and creative advice by putting the right vehicles in place, will highly contribute to reducing that impact.
All of this, together with the benefit and advantages of the analysis and renewal of the old business structures and its internal policies, could also have implications for the day-to-day running of the business, its profitability, present and future, and ultimately for securing a safe, cheap and peaceful succession. We are available for any consultation, kindly contact us on the email address: info@ cabrerarodriguez.com or visit our website: www.cabrerarodn riguez.com.
Cabrera Rodríguez has offices in Santa Cruz and Adeje
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HEALTH
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
The future of cosmetic treatments
Beauty without pain The craze for oversize breasts definitely seems to be on the
patient’s own tissue. However, this is still several years away from becoming a reality.
A delicate dare Female genital surgery is one of the fastest-growing areas of cosmetic procedures. Often, women are looking for reconstruction - or tightening - after damage occurred during child-
Photo: Ignacio Leonardi / FreeImages.com
Known under its trade name, Kybella is an injectable treatment that is used to break fat down into tiny particles which are then absorbed into the body. The active ingredient is deoxycholic acid - also known as deoxycholate and cholanoic - which is a bile acid produced by mammals and other vertebrates. It has been used for many years by the medical profession but it’s only last spring that the USA’s Food and Drug Administration declared it safe for cosmetic purposes, after rigorous testing. Kybella can be used to target small areas of extra fat such as under the chin, at the back of the knees, below the bra line, or behind the elbows. Whilst not related to Botox in any way, it is nevertheless being likened to that other popular treatment. Each sitting involves receiving around 25 injections and it may take two or three sessions to achieve results, though, obviously, return visits in the future
Best boobs
a small amount of the prospective patient’s blood which is then spun at high speed to separate the blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma, known as PRP. This substance is then injected into specific areas to encourage the generation of new tissue, in a procedure that generally takes less than 60 minutes. Effects are immediately noticeable, though full
Photo: Adriana Herbut / FreeImages.com
Fighting the flab
will be needed. Though not painful in itself, there may be some bruising, swelling, numbness and a slight burning sensation, especially the first time, but these effects wear off in a few weeks.
Photo: Benjamin Earwicker / FreeImages.com
From vampire boob jobs to a substance that is being hailed as the new Botox, non-invasive procedures developed over the last few years are set to change the way we think about cosmetic treatments. Fans of ‘nip and tuck’ procedures - or those who would love to but aren’t sure about undergoing non-essential surgery will probably be delighted to hear that many medics working in the field believe that less is now more. Here are some of the ways you can change your look without a major operation.
wane, with many a headlinehitting star having their surgery reversed. Nowadays, the natural look is definitely in. Enhancements tend to be more of the 36B variety than double Gs, but they still involve the implantation of silicone even now considered by some to be a potentially dangerous substance. Or do they? ‘Vampire breast lifts’ are all the rage at the moment. The relatively cheap (about €1,300) procedure involves extracting
results take around two months to be appreciable, but can then last for a year or more. This process is particularly useful for giving a ‘lift’ to breasts that are not as pert as they once may have been, and for filling out a cleavage for a firmer look when wearing a bra. Some specialists are now saying that the future for this type of procedure may well lie in the area of stem cell technology, which will allow surgeons to grow new breasts using a
birth, or one of the laser treatments which stimulate collagen production (such as the so called ‘MonaLisa Touch’) to counteract the effects of the menopause when the walls of the vagina are prone to thinning and drying out, often causing discomfort during intercourse. Pubis liposuction is also popular - but definitely an invasive procedure so not one to be taken lightly. Meanwhile, the so-called ‘O-Shot’ is another practice
Residents choose
Rani Tandoori Exquisite Indian Cuisine
© 2015 FLN
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“ Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor
from the creators of the vampire breast lift. Based on the same principles, this time the plasma is injected directly into the vagina to stimulate new cells. As well as being useful to help ease the symptoms of stress incontinence or dryness, the procedure is also said to improve sensitivity in the area.
Non invasive treatments to smooth out wrinkles are becoming more popular ‘Vampire breast lifts’ are great for improving the cleavage The latest treatments give a natural look
Facing the future The trend for facelifts nowadays is to try to avoid having the whole face operated on at once. Many people are opting for, say, a lower-half lift, followed further down the line by tightening of the eyelids etc. This can often avoid the ‘unnatural’ look which can sometimes occur with a full lift, but still involves surgery. One way, for those who wish to avoid the knife altogether, is that self-same ‘vampire’ procedure, which can also be used to target specific areas of the face. Alternatively, one of the latest innovations in this field is a
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procedure that has been developed by the UK cosmetic surgery group, Transform. For their ‘Silhouette Soft’ treatment, the face is first numbed using local anaesthetic. Then, dissolvable threads are injected into ‘trouble’ spots to restore volume, give a more defined silhouette, and an overall smoother appearance. Results are noticeable within 30 minutes, last between 12 and 18 months, and are perfect for the redefini-
The group has identified that the activity of a key metabolic enzyme (mitochondrial complex II), found in human skin cells, naturally declines with age. This is a completely new link to the ageing process and one which may open the way for tailored treatments which counteract the decline in the enzyme’s activity. It is also hoped that it may be applicable in the medical field for illnesses which are directly
Areas of extra fat such as those under the chin or below the bra line can be specifically targeted
tion of a sagging jaw line, furrowed brows and ageing skin in general, or even for elevating the cheeks. As with any treatment of this kind, there is often mild swelling, redness or bruising following the session, but this disappears within a few days. It can also be used as a complement to other cosmetic treatments, such as hyaluronic acid and botox. The beauty of these new methods is that they provide a fresh, natural look, whilst still allowing full facial movement and expression. Another exciting breakthrough for the possibility of anti-ageing treatments is a recent discovery by scientists at Newcastle University in the UK. Published in the online Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the results of the team’s research have sent ripples of anticipation throughout the industry.
Photo: Iwan Beijes / FreeImages.com
Kybella is an injectable treatment used to break fat down into tiny particles which are then absorbed by the body
related to advanced age.
Work it out If you really want a rejuvenated look the natural way: regular, self-administered face massages can counteract the effects of sagging skin, wrinkles and puffy eyes, taking years off you without the need for other procedures – all you have to do is give the muscles of the face a regular work out. To improve a drooping chin line and tighten the skin around the
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the face muscles. Repeat five times. Gently massage the forehead from middle to the sides, then use the fingers to softly brush the cheeks up and outwards several times. After spending a few moments relaxing, place your palms over the eye hollows and press gently
for a few moments (without exerting direct pressure on the eyes). Repeat each movement three times, five times a day. Doing all of the above facial exercises will only take around five minutes each time, so they are easy to fit into a busy lifen style.
Scientists at Newcastle University have shown that a key metabolic enzyme, which is highly active when we are young, diminishes with time
Photo: José Rivera / FreeImages.com
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
Photo: Angel Norris / FreeImages.com
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
front of the neck, raise the chin slightly and then gently press the middle and index fingers either side of where it joins the neck. Then clench the teeth and press your tongue on the bottom row of teeth. As you do so, you will feel how the muscles in the upper neck become slightly taut. Push the tongue a little harder against the teeth and count to 10. Relax the pressure of the tongue for a few moments before pushing again for 10. Either as an exercise on its own or in conjunction with the one above, tip the head back slightly and bring the lower teeth out, up and over, the top teeth. Hold for three or four seconds before relaxing and lowering the chin. Rest for a few seconds before doing it again. Repeat one or both of these at least four times a day. To firm the cheeks first relax the body and face completely. Then, with a closed mouth, pucker up the lips in an exaggerated kiss, pushing the lips out as far as possible. Hold for 10 seconds, repeat up to 10 times in one session and various times during the day. To lessen worry lines on the forehead, gently press the knuckles along the area above the eyebrows for between five and 10 seconds. Follow this with a general rubbing motion using both thumbs. Repeat several times a day. This will not only improve blood circulation but is also a useful technique for reducing tension in stressful situations. For similar results you can also use the index and middle fingers to create a sweep-
ing movement from the centre of the forehead out to the temples using moderate pressure. Relax and repeat up to 10 times. For an all round face relaxer, sit or lie in a comfortable position and take a deep breath. On the exhale, consciously relax
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HEALTH
34
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
+34 697 888 666 • m_delaflor@hotmail.com
Dear Dr. De La Flor,
For about three months, and intermittently, my husband has noticed a little blood in his stools. Unfortunately he refuses go to the hospital for tests. Do you have any advice please? A.F. Dear A.F., Any bleeding has to be promptly reported to our GP. Anal bleeding per se does not imply a malignant condition. As a matter of fact, in most occasions a benign issue is the culprit. Common causes may include internal haemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis or polyps. The great news is that, generally speaking, minor rectal bleeding causes can be initially evaluated and treated by his GP and he may not need to go to hospital. Best regards. “Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle.” Bob Hope, Comedian 1903-2003
Dear Dr. De La Flor,
My husband takes eight tablets a day. His lifestyle habits are not good at all. He simply
By Dr. De La Flor
FFF
Photo: Adam Ciesielski / FreeImages.com
Dear Sarah, HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is an option for treating menopausal symptoms that clearly disrupt the quality of life of some women. On average, HRT duration is three to five years depending on several personal and family medical history factors. It might not be suitable if you have or have had certain conditions (i.e. blood clots, history of heart disease or stroke, oestrogen-dependent cancers). Some women with superb genetics and healthy lifestyle habits might avoid most signs and/or symptoms. Talk to your trusted GP for further personalised advice. Best wishes. “And even if you were in some prison, the walls of which let none of the sounds of the world come to your senses Would you not then still have your childhood, that precious, kingly possession, that treasure-house of memories?” Rainer Maria Rilke, Austrian poet and novelist
Thumbs Up
It is never too late for change – ask your doctor to check your prescription
tells me that at 71 is too late for everything and it’s not worth changing. What should I do? Thanks, E. Dear E., One thing caught my attention at the nominations for the 2016 Academy Awards. One thing, two names: John and Ennio. Ennio and John. Mr. Williams was born in the Big Apple back in 1932. His tunes are behind such classics as Jaws, Star Wars, Superman, the Indiana Jones series, E.T., or the more recent Harry Potter films. Mr. Morricone was born in the Eternal City. It was also a long time ago… back in 1928. It was the year when Dr. Fleming met his long-time and longsaving companion, Mr. Penicillium notatum. Enio’s lasting creations have adorned endless movies, like The Exorcist, The Mission, Bugsy, Ripley’s Game, and The Untouchables. Their towering careers, spanning over six decades, are astonishing and edifying indeed. Their creative drive and longing to push inner boundaries are still alive, truly alive and kicking indeed. Two titans, one lesson. Two cinematic masters, one lesson. Two legends, one lesson. Two music composers, one lesson. Two seniors, ONE lesson… Please keep fighting for your husband. You are my actress in leading role Oscar nominee for the 2017 edition! Best regards “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo, 1475-1564
Blisters, swollen feet, heel pain… You and I need proper running shoes and fine feet fitting in order to fully enjoy our exercise and to ward off injuries. Let’s toss out shoes that are excessively worn out. Let’s choose shoes that are designed for our physical activity.
24/7/365
The 24/7/365 expression was originally coined in the computer server context. You and I are humans, however, and that’s why we need to strive to strike a daily balance when juggling activities: family time, work, hobbies, prayer, and reading/learning. Balance breeds health…
Live better, longer, fuller…
“We don’t have to be superstars or win championships… All we have to do is learn to rise to every occasion, give our best effort, and make those around us better as we do it. Do not permit what you cannot do to interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden, 1910-2010, The Pyramid of Success
Coaching Corner By Dr. De La Flor For countless generations the remotest northern circumpolar regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia have been inhabited by the brave and venturesome Eskimo tribes. One of their hallmark heart-warming secrets is the kunik. It is a charming salute they use when greeting dear ones. It involves pressing the nose and upper lip against each other’s. Similar noserub welcoming practices can be encountered around the globe: from Maoris to Hawaiians, from Mongolian nomads to several Southeast Asian cultures.
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ReSOLUTION By Dr. De La Flor For the next two weeks, you and I can spend a few minutes pondering our own use of cariñotherapy. You and I need healing and, thus, affection should be an ever-present healing balm in our daily therapeutic arsenal. No matter how frozen we feel inside, how icy our emotions or how cloudy our inner landscape might look, you and I need to strive to sow what we would love to reap. Affection should be like a blanket that wraps up our daily undertakings, warming up every single word you and I utter and every single deed you and I perform. A nose rub to all those undergoing any type of pain or tribulation. Let’s enjoy the voyage! Talk to you in a couple of weeks. “Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” C.S. Lewis
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
I’ve just started taking HRT tablets. How long should I take them for and is there a way to avoid tablets and use natural supplements? Thank you, Sarah
Wherever you encounter souls, no matter how distant, virgin or isolated the whereabouts might be, you’ll inevitably contemplate innate displays of tenderness and kindness: it’s the human touch. It is a widespread phenomenon. It is a deep-rooted roar yearning from within all of us, you and me too. Francis was in Mexico City a few weeks ago. He met with a group of hospitalised kids and their medical staff. He used a few times a thought-provoking Spanish expression - cariñoterapia (which we can translate as kindness or affection therapy). He said: “It is very important that we feel cared for and accompanied, to feel loved and to know that all these workers here are looking for the best way to care for you. May God bless each one… not only doctors but also those who provide kindness-therapy thus making the time spent here more enjoyable. This kindness-therapy is so important! So essential! Sometimes a caress can greatly help the process of healing.”
DO MORE THAN HOPE FOR THE BEST
902 886 226
www.todocancer.org
Join us and combat cancer
Dr. De La Flor Facts
aecc
Dear Dr. De La Flor,
©2014 FLN
Dear Dr. De La Flor
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
Bad hair days
FASHION
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
35
How to put things right Colourful stones adorn this pretty bracelet. From Cielle London
by the shop where your favourite shoes are in the window – grab them now. Even if they are too bright, with heels that are far too high for everyday wear, s o m e times you
A new handbag – the guarantee of happiness! From Accessorize In a lighter version for the summer: La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain. From www. thefragranceshop.com
bad mood, and you don’t have time for a lunch break. Such days are best met with good humour and a lot of patience – an approach which could even mean that you end up achieving good, rather than ruining the rest of the day. Take a stroll on the beach promenade and let the Atlantic wind blow through your hair. Stop off at the next perfume store and treat yourself to a great new scent. Don’t pass
Sometimes you need something striking! High-heeled sandals in pink. From TK Maxx
All photos: www.prshots.com
Have you had one of those days too? One that began with the fact that you could do absolutely nothing with your hair, despite a marathon session in the bathroom. Then, whilst applying your make-up, you slip with your mascara, make a complete mess, and on the way to work you get stuck in a traffic jam. When you arrive, your boss wants everything yesterday, your colleagues are in a
Have the courage to use unusual nail colours, such as Autograph Turmeric from Marks & Spencer
Exercise also helps to combat the stress of everyday life. Outfit from Matalan
just need something special. Psychologists have long known that shopping is actually a happy and therapeutic activity. They say that, at the moment of buying something, one of our desires is fulfilled, and that is the greatest form of happiness. Researchers have even measured brainwaves during their studies: So millions of women are not, n in fact, mistaken!
Water, sun, wind in your hair: what more could you possibly wish for? Outfit from Betty Barclay
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PETS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Adopt, don’t buy
Animal charities’ round up
Jessie’s dream Jessie is a four month old, lively pup with oodles of energy. She is medium-sized and very playful, sweet and loving. She needs a home to call her own. Could that be you? For more information call Sue on 629 388 102. n Jessie is waiting for a home at Live Arico (PAWS)
Cats Welfare Tenerife Thank You! Once again we are overwhelmed with the generosity of the Atlantic Dog pet shop in Las Galletas and Purina pet foods, who together donated a mountain of food for the cats in our care. It is tremendously generous and will make such a difference. Every cent we save on cat food means we can treat more sick and injured cats and neuter more strays. The charity work these two organisations do is fantastic. Have you seen a pregnant cat or found a kitten? We are now in the season (which will continue over the summer) where many hundreds of kittens will be born. If you see any kittens or pregnant mothers please contact us and don’t wait until the kittens are big and running around. If we are informed early we can decide the best time to move them and re-home them. If they are safe with a mother we may well leave them where they are and monitor them. If they are stranded or in danger, we may remove them immediately. For more information please call or WhatsApp Theresa on: 680 475 500 (9am to 6pm, seven days a week) or message us on our website: www.cats-welfaretenerife.com/contacts. Smokey is a beautiful black one year old female that needs a special home where she can get good food and lots of cuddles. She has tested positive for leukaemia but is so loving that we really want to give her a chance to live her life out in peace. We will pay for her treatment so there will be no extra cost to her new owner, and she is already spayed. She needs a home where she is indoors and
Live Arico adoption
and Debbie Diamond. We also auctioned a specially signed football from CD Tenerife’s first team players. Bag a bargain at our shops in: San Eugenio (opposite Hotel La Niña. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reveron, near the Thistle and Dragon Bar. Open daily, 10am to 4pm); Golf del Sur (Golf Park, just before the lottery kiosk. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10:30am to 3:30pm). Find us at: www.livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.
Acción del Sol
Cats Welfare received a staggering donation from the Atlantic Dog pet shop and Purina pet foods Smokey is a beautiful one year old female at Cats Welfare that needs a special home
either an only cat or with other leukaemia-positive cats. There is no adoption fee so if you would like to meet her, call or message the number above. Did you know you can be a foster carer for us? We constantly need people prepared to foster a cat or kitten short term while we find them a permanent home. We provide all food, litter and veterinary care, you provide the cuddles! It’s a great way to have a pet with none of the long term responsibility or cost. We always require old towels and blankets for bed-
ding, donations of cat food and biscuits, pet carriers, etc. If you have anything for donation including furniture and household items, ring Mark on: 636 590 557 to arrange collection. Our shop is on San Blas in Golf del Sur (behind Hiperdino) and is open seven days a week, 10am until 6pm. Saturdays is 11am until 4pm.
Live Arico (PAWS) The Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt was a great success. Staged on the Top Square in San Blas, Golf del Sur, it was an evening full of entertainment hosted by Suzy Q, with guests including Ady Evans, Steve Delsey, Nigel Walker,
Colin Stevens, Michaela Jay
We had a lovely afternoon walking some of the dogs at the refuge recently. People of all nationalities came together to spread some happiness and love. We all enjoyed a gentle stroll down to the beach then back to the refuge for some much needed refreshments. We are always looking for people to walk the dogs so please come during our opening hours if you would like to volunteer. We have many dogs at the refuge that are classed as dangerous breeds, ready for adoption: Pit Bull Terriers,
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, etc. Potential owners need to have a dangerous dog licence for these, which we can guide you with if you are interested in adopting. They make lovely pets and are all good-natured, socialised and ready for adoption. Please call the refuge on 922 778 630 if you can help in any way. We are always in need of dog food, blankets, towels, dog toys, etc. 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, Thursday and Friday, 2pm to 5pm. On Saturdays we’re open from 1pm till 4pm. The refuge is closed on public holidays. Email: teneriffa@aktiontier.org. Or visit the Facebook page: ‘action tier Acción del Sol’.
K9 Our shop on Alcala Plaza is in continual need of donations. If you have anything suitable please take it to the shop. The kennels are open every day from 11am until 2pm. If you have any enquiries or are looking for a dog or cat, the number n is: 667 638 468.
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
FARMERS MARKET
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
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
37
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 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.
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HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS
Horoscope for period: March 31 to April 13 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Your recent successes look set to continue – as long as you can stay a little aloof from the troubles which are going on around you. Try to take a step back when any quarrels arise. Your impartiality will be appreciated in the end.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Contacts To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09
Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 The last couple of weeks may have been hard for you, as you reap the results of earlier mistakes. Don’t worry, however: often the least expected – or wanted – outcome can actually lead you to where you should have been heading all along. Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Have you taken that step into the great unknown yet? Your reluctance to take the plunge may have been based on the need to think carefully about the situation at first, but now it is holding you back. Have faith in your abilities. Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 You have had a bit of a shock lately and are still not sure how to deal with it. But have you looked at it from the other people’s point of view? If you can, it may help you understand why they acted like that– and take some of the resentment away. Leo 23.7 - 23.8 Not all decisions are easy ones, as you well know. But at times the most simple-seeming choices are actually the most difficult. Nevertheless, try not to get tied up in minutiae – if you allow yourself to become bogged down you may miss the main issue. Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Congratulations on taking that brave first step. Though you know there will be plenty of hard work in the future, having made the decision you can now move forward with ease. All you need is stay true to your principles. Libra 24.9 - 23.10 It is still a time of reflection for you, but do not fall into the trap of believing that you are not achieving anything. This time of introspection is necessary – you need to think very carefully about your future and who you want to include in it. Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Bear in mind that many looking from the outside are receiving totally the wrong impression of what you are trying to do – and are judging you without anywhere near enough information to do so. Be strong and don´t answer your critics. They will learn. Sagittarius 23:11 - 21.12 It has been a while since life has been as exciting for you as it is now – it is going to be a great year. However, you are prone to trying to fit too much in at once. You need to prioritise or you will achieve much less than you could. Capricorn 22:12 - 20.01 The saying ‘slowly but surely’ is the perfect one for you right now – if you run before you can walk you know you will only fall over. Nevertheless, you need to keep the momentum going, so careful balance is the only way forward. Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 Don’t listen to those who are telling you that you aren’t capable of fulfilling your dreams – of course you are! The only thing stopping you is your lack of belief in yourself. Maybe you need to reassess your friendships. Are these people really good for you? Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 Listen to your intuition – it is screaming that something is very wrong right now. The only problem is that you don’t want to hear. There won’t be a good ending unless you learn to trust in yourself. Do that, however, and the outcome will be surprisingly good.
Transsexual, 35 years old, beautiful, tall, fat, blonde hair, long big penis, active/ passive. €60 one complete hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. I will send you all the information. Tel: (0034) 602 626 848. Los Cristianos, 2 girls: well built Russian 35 years old, and a slim Ukranian 23 years old. Peaceful, discreet apartment. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. Call first. We speak a little English. Tel: 626 712 090. Los Cristianos, Patricia from Venezuela returns. Big breasts, French, positions, kisses, vibrators, massages, private apartment in Calle Noruega, near the Altavista supermarket in Los Cristianos or I can come to you 24 hours a day. Tel: 650 442 665. Los Cristianos, Areceli, age 25, no limits, French, positions, kisses, Greek, private apartment in Calle Noruega. Tel: 664 099 043.
Los Cristianos, Paula, Latin girl. Enjoy my kisses, body, vibrators, no limits. Available 24 hours in my private apartment, or I can come to you. Tel: 604 115 052. Come and enjoy our erotic body to body massages with a happy ending! Unforgettable experience, beautiful Polish ladies. Opening hours 10am to 10pm, Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje area. Tel: (0034) 662 960 065. www.edentenerife. com. Novelty in Las Galletas, exuberant Italian girl, 27 years old, big breasts, kisses, full French, Greek without limits. Available for erotic massage. Only for special gentlemen. Available 24 hours. Tel: 634 727 121. I’m Diana, a pretty Latin girl, 23 years old, good body, pleasing, French, positions, massages, available 24 hours. I’m waiting for you in my private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Home/hotel visits available. Tel: 605 072 917. Los Cristianos, Silvia, blonde, Spanish and complete. My services are inclusive. I’m waiting for you in my apartment, or I can come to you. Tel: 617 035 582.
body, all services, natural French, massages, erotic toys, threesomes, accompaniment to swingers club, private apartment, hotel visits, make your fantasies come true! I speak English. You will repeat this experience. Tel: 649 879 663. Brazilian with a beautiful body, adorable, sensual and kinky, I attend to you alone. I offer you from a little to everything, very discreet, I go out for parties and trips. You won’t regret it. Private apartment, Los Cristianos. Tel: 611 325 518. Geishas, luxury villa, Jacuzzi, pool, gardens with marvellous views, maximum discretion. Lovely international young ladies are waiting for you in a unique environment 24 hours a day. We can come out to hotels and your homes. Tel: 667 018 103. Adeje. More info at: www. guiasexcanarias.com.
English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, visits 24 hours, escort service available. Tel: 697 227 139. Los Cristianos, provocative Ukrainian blonde, escort, great body only for demanding men. Incalls or outcalls. All my services will fulfil your dreams. Just call me. Tel: 602 631 367. Las Américas, blonde Colombian, slim, beautiful, sexy
To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
The deadline for edition 769, which is published on 14th April, is 12th April. 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
Classified Info Adverts for our Classifieds Section must be sent by email or hand delivered to the office. If you would like to advertise, please send your classified text to: classifieds@ ic-news.com. Alternatively, place your classified advert with one of our four agents: Now Tenerife.com in Golf del Sur, Redhound Bookshop in Los Cristianos, The Bookswop in Las Américas, Petras Deutscher Bücherstand in Puerto de La Cruz.
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.
General Services
Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu
Classifieds Deadline Next Edition
39
FOR SALE
Ikea spring based bunk beds (metal silver) Full size double on bottom with single above. Good quality mattresses included. €250. Two electric radiators as new €30 for both.
Tel 922 72 96 24 For sale: 3 electric sun blinds, orange, new / 1 x 5.60m wide x 4.00m long, new €1,200, now €700 / 2 x 2.70m wide x 3.00m long, now €700 / 1 new A/C unit, new €850, now €450. Tel: 922 797 565 Massage and more. Offer: 60 minutes body massage €36. Couples, four hands, lava stones tantric massages, etc. Playa de las Américas, Ernesto Sarti no.8, across from Iberostar Hotel Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 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 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). Spanish native teacher and interpreter gives Spanish lessons at reasonable prices. Tel: 747 790 001. k.arim555@ live.com
Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu
CLASSIFIEDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73 Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. Meetings every fourth Tuesday, January to April, October and November. All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):
(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com
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
BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS
internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.
Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975
922 716 079
Call
647 928 223
www.blevinsfranks.com
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
Santiago del Teide Lions Club Bargains galore From clothes and children’s toys to kitchenware and books – there are plenty of great deals on second-hand 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.
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
40
Rental Classifieds
for rent Playa de Las Américas Large bungalow (near Hotel Tenerife Sol). 30m from the beach, inside 95m2, outside 120m2 garden/terraces, partly furnished, 2 bedrooms, ideal for family with domestic animal.
€1,100 net/month Free from April
Tel.: 922 797 565 or privat3001@yahoo.de Apartment for rent, 1 bedroom, fully equipped, near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 /month + electricity. Tel: Theresa on 606 105 101. Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149 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 Looking to exchange or rent: Luxury 85m2 apartment in Travemünde (on the Baltic Sea, Germany) in exchange for 2/3 bedroom apartment in
For rent, luxury one bedroom apartment in Los Cristianos. Available mid-April to October 31. Fully equipped to very high standard, international TV channels, WiFi, secured off-street parking. Terrace, 3rd floor, lift and communal pool. One minute walk to beach and amenities. No pets. Mature couples only. €850 per month, bills included. Tel: 637 268 337.
Tenerife for 4-6 weeks January/ February 2017. Our property is located on the 2nd floor overlooking the sea and the city and furnished to a very high standard. There is a Wellness and Spa on resort and underground parking. We are looking for a 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife in a nice complex with heated pool and Spa facilities. Email: m.perling@gmx.de or 0049 179 51 75 987. Studio for rent, in quiet Bio Finca, 25 sqm, in Los Realejos, close to Restaurant Monasterio, furnished, balcony, parking, garden, terrace, SAT TV, Internet, €280/month, incl. additional costs. Tel: 616 802 861 or 699 044 668. Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.
SALEs Classifieds Apartment Tabaiba Alta for sale, only five mins
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035 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
Beautiful seafront apartment for private sale. One bedroom, garage, sea views and in a sunny position. Price: €120,000. No agents. Tel: 922 752 759. Mobile: 608 425 426.
Property for Sale
www.teneriffa-fincas.net
Las Américas
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 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 For sale We are looking to buy a 1 bedroom apartment in the south of Tenerife up to €100.000. We are a German couple. Pay cash and quick (understand English). Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.
Playa Honda One bedroom apartment, tiled throughout, American-style kitchen, separate bedroom and terrace. Located in the center of Las Americas within 3 minutes walk from the beach.
€ 122,000 Alan: 634 098 838
Wonderful rustic house available for holiday rental in San Miguel de Abona. 4 bed rooms, independent flat on the roof. Very well furnished with amazing views. Please call for further information. €70 per night for 2 people. €15 per extra person maximum 5 people. Close to the local town, restaurants, bars, cultural centre.
Tel. 616 460 728
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
‘British Style’ Bar Playa de Las Américas
Located just off front line, excellent reputation, regular clientele. Terrace for approximately 10 tables and refurbished interior in timber. Bar walls adorned with memorabilia. Includes store room and Ladies & Gents toilet facilities.
CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
41
Freehold
Roadside Cafe Bar High profile main road bar located opposite one of Tenerife major parks and situated on the side of a busy main thoroughfare to one of the South’s largest residential areas.
€ 188,000
Alan: 634 098 838
€ 25,000
Alan: 634 098 838
Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé
3 Bed Semi Detached. Toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good views, beside commercial centres, 800m from Playa Fañabé, community fees 30€/month.
Situations Vacant / wanted
(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 38)
Tel 629 244 958 / € 155,000 B Funky Fashion Shows are looking for international girls to model swimwear 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
Island Connections Pickup Point LA PEPA FOOD MARKET Av. San Francisco, Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife South
Advert Placement www.islandconnections.eu
Veterinary practice for sale in the south of Tenerife Fully equipped vet-
erinary practice (small animals) for sale leasehold, due to health issues. The practice is located on the busy main street of a small town in the South of Tenerife. It measures 85m2 and has a spacious waiting area, a small shop, a consulting room, toilet, laboratory, operating room, etc. It is sold including stock, furniture, equipment and instruments. The only vet in town. Good customer base. All licenses and permits are fully up to date. Interested? Contact 667 811 462 or veterinariotenerifesur@outlook.com.
publisher@icmedia.eu 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
Vehicles Mercedes-Benz
P320 CDI DPF 7 G-tronic 2007/12/15 mod 2008 ABS, kamera, NAVIGATION SYSTEM COMAND+DVD MULTIMEDIA+ 6 FACH CD / 1 owner full service absolutely as good as new, Año:2008 Kms:89.000 Diesel
€26.900 655 988 367
Across
1 - hairpiece (3) 3 - legal ruling (3) 5 - make right (5) 8 - inclined plane (4) 9 - murkiness (8) 11 - spat out (10) 13 - propels forward (6) 14 - acrobatic stunt (6) 17 - requirement (10)
21 - causes (8) 22 - body covering (4) 23 - dark black; hardwood (5) 24 - where a pig lives (3) 25 - extremity of foot (3)
Down
1 - straw (anag) (5) 2 - risk takers (8) 4 - entwined (6) 5 - knot of foot (5) 6 - finished; complete (4) 7 - guarantees (7) 10 - dish; cook slowly (4) 12 - crusader (8)
13 - one who holds property (7) 15 - ring (4) 16 - cloud type (6) 18 - baby carriage (5) 19 - care for; look after (5) 20 - luxurious car (4)
MOTORING
42
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 035
Everyday motoring
What to do in the event of a breakdown By Wheeler Dealers important to show others that If you are on the motorway, or see if they have an emerA breakdown can be dangerous as well as inconvenient, so it makes sense to take a few precautions to ensure you are prepared. If your car breaks down whilst moving, you should, if possible, direct the vehicle to the side of the road as quickly but safely as you can. Don´t be too eager to brake, as you may be able to use the momentum of the car to move it to a safer place, such as the hard shoulder. Bear in mind that the steering and the brakes might be harder to operate without power assistance. Also, turn on the hazard lights to alert other drivers. Your hazards are
you are stopped or in trouble so that they can make allowances for you. If you break down at night, you can put your side lights on as well to improve your visibility to other road users. By law you are required to have two triangles in the car at all times. If you break down on a twoway road, place one triangle on each side of the road at a distance of approximately 25 metres as a warning to passing traffic. If you break down on the motorway, you only need to place one triangle behind your car. You must also put on your fluorescent jacket, which is another requirement under Spanish law.
indeed on any busy road, evacuate all passengers through the right hand door, and stay as far away from the road as possible. Do not try to carry out any repairs to the car, even of a minor nature, unless you are in a place of safety and well away from the road, and never on the motorway, as this will put you in danger for far longer than necessary. Motorways are monitored so assistance will arrive in due course. Use your mobile phone to call for help, to your garage, a recovery service, or to the police if you are on a main road or motorway, and if your car is causing an obstruction. Talk to your local garage to
gency number or contacts with a recovery company that you can save in your phone, and make sure that you have your triangles, jacket, and the number of the garage or a recovery company, so that you are well prepared in the event of a breakdown. Based on their years of experience in the car industry, Wheeler Dealers will be providing useful advice and in-depth information for the coming editions of Island Connections. Wheeler Dealers, Las Chafiras. n Tel: 605 318 143.
Uphill rally
On your marks El Tanque! Fans of the annual El Tanque Uphill Rally had to wait a little longer than expected to enjoy the fun this year after the competition was rescheduled from its original date of March 5 to April 1 and 2. The competition, now in its eighth year, was postponed to allow a little more time for organisation but aficionados will be winding up for the big event as we go to print. See: www.escuderiadauterealejos.es for starting and finishn ing points and times, and don’t miss the fun.
Petrol station service
Photo: Kym McLeod FreeImages
No more ‘Help yourself’? Clever cameras
Though it will be a while until the legislation comes into force, if it does, from that moment on it will be expected that: “All petrol stations must have, whilst they are open and in service, at least one appro-
priately trained person on duty who is responsible for all services offered…” Members of the Assembly have apparently become concerned by the number of un-manned stations which are now avail-
The Spanish Government is being urged to force petrol stations to employ an attendant
able, despite the fact that petrol and diesel are “highly flamn mable products”.
Whilst many were still celebrating the decision by the DGT (Spain’s governing body for traffic) to ban the use of ‘surprise’ speed traps, information was recently released regarding the new generation of cameras which are being rolled out across the country. The latest technology can recognise vehicles which do not have an MOT or insurance by comparing photos of each registration plate with a central database. The cameras can be fixed in situ or mobile varieties can be used by traffic police when undergoing routine checks. According to the DGT’s figures, there are currently around two million vehicles circulating in Spain without insurance – something that not only puts the drivers and occupants at risk but also any, properly insured, driver they may collide with. Though there have been the usual protests that it is just another way of raising funds, the majority of drivers’ associations have applauded the move, saying that the possible savings for innocent drivers in accidents, and improvements to road safety in general, are well worth n yet another step towards a “Big Brother” society.
©2016 FLN
The Madrid Assembly recently urged the regional government to force petrol stations to have at least one person attending drivers, after the area administrative body passed the proposal for their own district.
Reading the signs
43
Spanish basketball
CD Tenerife fined
Beer can fan slip-up Second division side CD Tenerife has fallen foul of Spain’s strict rules on alcohol in sports venues. The club was fined €3,200 for not detecting a fan who entered the Heliodoro Rodríguez stadium for a recent home game with a can of beer. The man was spotted drinking from the can during the match and security intervened immediately, although the action was not enough to prevent the country’s Violence in Sport Commission, which oversees crowd behaviour and measures taken by clubs to control hooliganism and racism, from slapping the penalty on Tenerife. The fan is also likely to face a stiff fine and the prospect of a ban on entry to sports stadiums for up to six n months. Photo: BrandonSigma freedigitalphotos.net
SPORTS NEWS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 768
Tenerife was fined for not detecting a spectator entering the stadium with a can of beer
Herbalife Gran Canaria
Omic impresses in Europe
Herbalife Gran Canaria’s Alen Omic has taken to European competition with a shine and could be in line for the EuroCup’s MVP if his brilliant form continues. The 23-year-old Slovenian international moved to the Canaries from Olimpija last summer and has had an outstanding season as Herbalife bid to repeat last year’s run that saw them reach the final of a European competition for the first time in their history. Omic, who stands a massive 2.17 metres, is near the top of the individual rankings for the EuroCup this year with a rating of 19.11 for the 24 minutes he has averaged on court during his team’s impressive showings. Omic led the Canarians to a quarter-final victory over Stelmet Zielona Gora, notching up 20 points, n eight rebounds and four assists in the first leg.
Iberostar claim historic scalp Iberostar Tenerife put to rest a longstanding ghost just before Easter with their first ever win over giants Real Madrid in Spain’s basketball premiership. The La Laguna club defied the form book in the Santiago Martín Arena to humble the current European champions with an impressive showing of attacking play which left the visitors in a state of shock for much of the game. The 5,100 fans who packed the venue for the biggest game of the season could scarcely believe their eyes as the home side took Real Madrid apart with a dazzling display that saw them take a 20-point lead in the closing stages.
Photo: Coentor CC 3.0
Sergio Rodríguez said Iberostar were “full value for their victory”
Las Palmas hit form
Keeping the survival dream alive UD Las Palmas play at the Estadio de Gran Canaria
UD Las Palmas continued to show there is still a lot of fight left in the team as it battles to stave off the drop to division two after just one year back in the top flight. After spending months in the relegation spots, a purple patch of 12 points from a possible 15 saw the islanders move five points clear just before
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Herbalife Gran Canaria reached the final of last year’s EuroCup
Spearheaded by perimeter shooters Nico Richotti and Javier Beirán, the locals took their foot off the pedal in the closing stages to allow Real Madrid to cut the score line to a less humiliating 93-84 but still fall to their first ever defeat in Tenerife. Afterwards, Real’s Tenerife-born star Sergio Rodríguez said Iberostar were “full value for their victory” and looked certain to make the play-offs if they continued to show such devn astating form.
Photo: Carlos Delgado; CC-BY-SA
31.3.2016 – 13.4.2016
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the break for international fixtures at Easter. Quique Setién’s side’s only defeat in the five
matches was against Real Madrid but they did enough in that game to deserve at least
a point. The away win at Real Sociedad was the third in succession by the same scoreline (0-1) and can only be considered as miraculous given that Las Palmas had failed to win on the road until beating Eibar on February 26. Next up for the Canarians is Gary Neville’s inconsistent Valencia in Las Palmas. n
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Pool results
Legends A and Boothen top the tables 5-5. Scruffy Macs beat the Boothen Squad to keep them mid-table, 6-4.
Division one, week 23 The biggest shock of the night was the defeat of Legends A away to Sloops (6-4), which left the door open for the teams below to close the gap. Marius & Lo, their closest rivals, were held at home to Legends B, 55. Third placed Summerland Elite also dropped points away to Mad Hatters, 5-5. Legendary Jokers trounced Dos Hermanos 8-2, who now look doomed for relegation and sit bottom of the table due to the demise of Atmosphere. Polygon Legends also remain deep in trouble after losing 4-6 at home to Britannia Inn (Paraiso). With Legends A leading the pack, the fight is on for the runners up spot and Marius & Lo, Elite, Legends B, and the rejuvenated Sloops all have to battle it out. Three players share the lead at the top of the singles stats: John and Graham of Legends A, and Shaun of Elite.
Division one, week 24 Marius & Lo were at home to Clouseaus and were level at 4-4 when the two youngsters, Sam and Zac, played the final two
Rugby Ñandú 40 – 0 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria After their victorious trip to Valladolid, Ñandú returned to league action against rivals Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Played at El Galeón in Adeje, the location led to a lot more spectators and a great atmosphere in the build up to kick off. Las Palmas brought a large and physical side, with the early encounters being tough for both sides. Neither were willing to concede yards, with big hits coming from backs and forwards alike. Ñandú broke through in the seventh minute, with flanker Mel blasting his way over from a great scrum. Team captain, Jacob, converted and Ñandú began to settle. After a fierce exchange, Ñandú went further ahead when Facu broke two tackles to muscle over. Las Palmas kept pushing, using their big forwards to try
1st Division - Tenerife Pool Super League Standings
Division two, week 24
Summerland Elite are in the running for second place
matches of the night; they both won, earning Marius all three points. Congratulations to Zac for an eight from the break. At the other end of the table, Dos Hermanos were at home to Polygon Legends in what was a fascinating bottom of the table tussle. Polygon emerged winners (6-4) and moved six points clear of Dos Hermanos. Midtable Britannia Inn hosted Toby Jug Saints but were beaten 6-4. Legends B were given a walkover by Scruffy’s; Summerland Elite also received a walkover at home to Bad Bobs. League leaders Legends A beat Mad Hatters, 7-3.
Division two, week 23 Boothen Bar still impress as they march towards the
title, thrashing Britannia Bar (Silencio) 8-2. Bar 180C kept up their winning streak with a hard-fought victory over Palms Pool Bar, 6-4. After a dismal run of defeats, Lupain Properties got back to winning ways against The Hunters (7-3), thanks to Graham, Victor and Mike winning their singles matches to move back into the top five. Bar Leones were held at home by James Place, 55. The Tavern had a great result over Camping Nauta, winning 7-3. Bar 180B travelled to Las Americas and thrashed The George (8-2) to close the gap on Grandee O’Donnell’s, who could only manage a draw at home to Summerland Shooters,
The biggest thrashing of the week took place at Palms Pool Bar, who won the first nine frames but should have made it ten. Dave only had the black to pot for a whitewash but he gave it an almighty smash and saw the white go into the opposite pocket! The game finished 9-1. Summerland Shooters had a great win at home to The George, 8-2. Hunters had an expected defeat at home to the league leaders Boothen Bar (7-3). Bar Nauta earned a much deserved point at home to second-placed Grandee O’Donnell’s, drawing 5-5. Bar 180B impressed with a fine win at home to Bar Leones, 6-4. Scruffy’s stopped Bar 180C’s fine run of results with an unexpected 6-4 victory at home. Boothen Squad hosted James Place but were well and truly thumped (8-2) with James the captain leading the way. The Tavern travelled to Costa del Silencio to play Britannia Bar and left with a n point, drawing 5-5.
2nd Division - Tenerife Pool Super League Standings
Tenerife Pool Super League Powered by EXPRESS BAR DELIVERIES S.L. Information supplied by Tenerife Pool Super League www.tenerifepoolleague.com
Ñandú thrash local rivals half, Mateo, the forwards and backs began to flow. Supported by a vocal crowd, Ñandú began to pull away. Facu added three more tries,
Our next match is on April 2 at 1pm at Tenerife Top Training (T3) in La Caleta, against local rivals The Boatmen of El Médano. The following week
Las Palmas brought a large and physical side
Ñandú showed great attacking flair again
and punch a hole in the Ñandú defence, but the local side held firm. Facu added another first half try from open play which was converted by centre, Gabri.
Ñandú went in for the break 19-0 ahead. Las Palmas regrouped well at half time and started the second half strongly, with Ñandú
having to dig deep to keep the visitors in check. Ñandú’s fitness soon started to show, however. Through great link play by their superb scrum-
all from excellent team play, and all successfully converted by Jacob’s consistent kicking. It finished 40-0 to Ñandú, and was another great win for a great team. It was also a tough physical match that was enjoyed by all.
at El Galeon de Adeje, Ñandú take on Fuerteventura’s Mahoh RC. All spectators are more than welcome. If anyone is interested in getting involved in this great sport, please contact Paul on 664 n 361 058.
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CD Tenerife news
Unbeaten run continues By Chris Todd that new forward Moutinho of the league, they looked poor these home games if we are to
20/03/2016 CD Tenerife 0 Real Zaragoza 0 With top striker Choco Lozano bizarrely missing due to being stuck in Honduras with visa problems, and the revelation
was out with a calf strain, it was always going to be a tough job to unlock the resolute Zaragoza defence. Due to the match being classified as the ‘TV game of the
and happy with a draw. The second half saw more of the same; the blanquiazules were solid but just lacked that final killer ball or the ability to score a ‘dirty goal’. The biggest chance fell
make a serious play-off push.
26/03/2016 Osasuna 0 Tenerife 0 With striker Choco Lozano still missing, this time on
“Cheering the club of our fathers, defending the team of our land” Tenerife battled well against Osasuna
Photo: CD Tenerife
With eleven matches to go, CD Tenerife are still flirting at the edges of the play-off zone. They have now gone six matches unbeaten and have not conceded a single goal in the last 371 minutes of play. The spirit is top notch, and under new manager Pep Marti we now play a better style of football. They are the plus points but there are some stumbling blocks as well. Most importantly, due to the team’s slow start to the campaign we have always been trying to catch up with the league’s top clubs. The lack of goals is evident and whilst the away form has been tremendous there have been a raft of missed chances to win games at home. The calculated amount of points needed for a play-off spot for a chance to gain promotion to La Liga is 61 points. The blanquiazules now sit on 42 points, so basically five wins and three draws will be sufficient. It is a difficult task but with these new determined times at Tenerife, the fans and players are united and we are going to give it a good go for sure.
week’ it was switched to an early morning kick off and, despite the lack of goals, the near 11,000 crowd went home fairly happy if not a little frustrated at what could have been. Tenerife dominated in the first half, a Suso shot skimmed over the bar and Omar came close. Zaragoza had little to offer and for a team in the higher reaches
to Carlos Ruiz, with his header from a corner missing the goal by inches, which was the key moment, you felt. In the closing stages manager Pep Marti brought on some fresh legs with youngsters Jairo and Cristo but the visitors held firm. Another home draw, another point against the biggest club in the league but really we need to start winning
World Cup International duty where he scored for Honduras, and forward Moutinho out with a slight strain, the attacking options for Tenerife were stretched. Osasuna has been fairly consistent all season; they are one of the favourites for promotion so all in all this was a very good point gained by the blanquiazules. The game witnessed
few chances but the best ones fell to the home side at the end of the first half. However, Dani saved well to keep up his impeccable form. This new look Tenerife side has found defensive toughness, they are very hard to beat but on the downside they need to score a few more goals in order to join the upper reaches of the table. Late in the game Ale Gonzalez, a rising star from the youth setup, made his debut for the blanquiazules and the future looks bright with so much fresh talent coming through. In total eight Canarian players were used on the day. The game finished as it had started
with a 0-0 scoreline but this was a very credible performance and the unbeaten run continues. Next up Tenerife play CD Lugo, a game we simply must win to keep in touch with the play-off dream. The visitors also have high hopes and stand only one point off the play-offs. So all to work for!
Home ticket offer CD Tenerife has put together a special mini-season ticket offer to cover the remaining five matches to be played at the Heliodoro Stadium; prices are as follows: Popular - €45, Herradura - €75, San Sebastian - €85 and Tribuna (main stand) - €135. It is hoped that extra support from the stands will give the team a late push for a chance to play in La Liga n next season.
Local football fun
Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk During the past few weeks, Premier Football Services has taken an American team on a tour of Spain where they trained, played and saw an incredible Champions League tie between Atlético Madrid and PSV. And during Easter, the under 11s side from Málaga played against Scottish Premier League academy teams such as Kilmarnock FC, Hamilton Academical FC, St Johnstone FC, Hearts and more.
Photo: Tilmandralle
The travelling Nomads
Premier Football Services recently took youth teams on tours of Spain and Edinburgh in Scotland
This is our real speciality: taking football teams to train, play and experience local football and cultures in other countries. With the Málaga kids touring Edinburgh, it’s great to see how football helps people enjoy and discover new experiences. One of the young players even dressed up as William Wallace (of Braveheart fame). If any players or teams want to travel with us in the future, please get in touch. The Nomads Football youth teams will go on football, cultural and fun trips to Granada and the Costa del Sol in early
July 2016, and the following week they will participate in a UK competition against professional academy teams. More info on the trips can be found at: www.nomadsfc.com. We are getting requests to provide daytime football games and bookings for night time workers, so if you and your friends want to use the pitch or organise a friendly game during the day, please call Darren on 650 705 120 or 654 200 470 for more details. We are starting a new first and second division 6-a-side league, so if any players would
like to join then please get in touch. We will find a team that best suits your level and availability. Nomads Youth Football Club still needs a few extra players for the under-10s, 12s and under-14s teams. We are looking for players to join and we provide weekly football sessions at our training facilities in Los Cristianos. For more information visit: www.nomadsfc.com. Alternatively, email: info@premfs.com or visit: www.premfs.com. Call/ message: +34 654 200 470. Also visit our general website: n www.premfs.com.
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