Island connections 784 FLN 51

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November 24 – December 7, 2016 NINE BOROUGHS

OPERATION TEATRERO

HEALTH

TRAVEL

Excessive fluoride in water

Drugs ring busted

Gambia, no problem!

Changing your tune

Page 8

Page 13

Pages 14 & 15

Pages 36 & 37

DRINK DAMAGE

GROWING INEQUALITY

Living in the bottle The Canarian health authority treated over 3,000 people for alcoholism across the Islands last year.

According to a recent report released by the Ministry of Health for the Canary Islands government, the Department for Alcohol and Drug Dependency (UAD) helped 3,062 patients suffering with excessive alcohol use, which is 20.27 per cent higher than in 2014.

Authorities communicated the important message that over consumption has enormous repercussions on public health and is considered the third highest risk factor for premature death and disabilities.

Fight against child poverty

Photo: BocaDorada CC A-S A 2.0 GL

Continued on page two

A large number of Canarian teenagers congregate in public areas to socialise while drinking alcohol

Over 130,000 children are affected by poverty in the Canary Islands

Over 130,000 children are affected by poverty in the Canary Islands, according to a statement released by the ASG (Agrupación Socialista Gomera).

“Second only to Andalusia, the Canaries are the Spanish autonomous region most affected by severe poverty”, said representative of the organisation, Melodie

Mendoza, recently. Evidently, more than 10 per cent of families in the archipelago have to survive on less than €332 a month, meaning that over 130,000 children are living on the fringes of society. Difficulties that can arise from this situation are probably clear to most people.

In the statement, Mendoza demanded greater dedication to

finding solutions, especially from Island and City administrations.

“We need help”, she stated, simply. Amongst other initiatives, the group is calling for free admission of children under three years of age into day-care centres, as well as an increase in relevant grants, and financial support for those who have two children or more.

Mendoza and her colleagues are insisting that arrangements should be put into place immediately, or the loss of a whole generation could be at stake. “Children today are living in poorer conditions than their parents - incredible in our time. This cannot and must not be”, she implored.

Continued on page two

CANARY ISLANDS

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

DANGEROUS DRUGS

The Canarian health authority treated over 3,000 people for alcoholism in 2015

and drug dependence. The main points address tobacco consumption, physical inactivity, poor diet, drinking, and stress.

Under the motto ‘Alcohol: less is best’, the Circle of Life programme hopes to reduce drink-related problems, promote healthy alternatives and remind the general public of the very real health risks concerning excessive alcohol use.

Opioids, including morphine and heroin, are drugs derived from the opium poppy

advice, as should anyone with a physical or mental illness that could be aggravated by drink or drug use. If you feel that you have trouble controlling your consumption, you should also seek medical advice.

Risks

Teenage drinking

According to the report, alcohol is most dangerous to individuals under 18 years of age, pregnant women, those driving vehicles and operating machinery, and people undertaking an occupation or activity that requires concentration and coordination. Those taking medication are also at risk and should see their doctor for

Data from the ESTUDES state survey on drug use in secondary school students between 2014 and 2015 reveals that alcohol is by far the most widespread psychoactive substance used by students aged 14 to 18 years old.

In the Canary Islands, the prevalence of alcohol is slightly lower than the registered

FRINGES OF SOCIETY

Photo: Cabildo La Gomera

Community charity

Melodie Mendoza is committed to helping underprivileged children

Continued from front page Politicians are called upon to counter the poor economic situation of many families. The fact that three-year-olds could be cared for would increase

parents’ chances of finding work and thus increasing the family’s income.

Single parents in particular are threatened with social exclusion. It has also been shown that children who enter day care

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facilities from a young age are more likely to develop healthy relationships later on, especially when they come from families in which the parents have low levels of education.

Save the Children.org has been working in Spain for over 20 years. In their opinion, one in three children is currently threatened with poverty and social exclusion. The Foundation concentrates on school support, believing that education offers the best tool for breaking the cycle of “poor parents equal poor children”.

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council runs a ‘no child without a gift’ campaign to ensure that all children in the area receive presents during the Christmas festivities.

Small gifts are collected in the run up to January 6 when the ‘Reyes’ (Kings) hand them out to each child. In addition, there are numerous ways of donating food to be distributed to socially vulnerable families.

Sometimes it is via collections or, at other times, activities such as concerts and football games are held where the entry price is a donation of items of non-perishable food.

To make a contribution, look out for posters announcing collection points and events, or contact your local council or Lions Club. n features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full.

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national level, noting that in the archipelago three out of four students (74.1 per cent) admitted to having tried alcoholic beverages, and approximately six out of 10 (61.4 per cent) admitted to being intoxicated within 30 days prior to the survey. The average age at which a Canarian adolescent first tried alcohol is 14 years old, similar to the national average of 13.8 years of age.

The average age when students began consuming alcohol weekly is 15, and they typically started regular use one year after first trying it. This is also similar to the national level. In the Canaries, over half of all 14 year olds (51.6 per cent) admit to having tried alcohol. The prevalence of alcohol use increases progressively with age: only 15 per cent of 17 and 18 year olds have never tried alcohol.

prior to the study, while 23.3 per cent used somebody else aged 18 years or over.

Favourite spots In the Canaries, alcohol consumption among students aged 14 to 18 years old is mainly carried out on streets, parks, beaches and other public spaces (29.7 per cent admitted to drinking in these areas in the last 30 days), while 37.3 per cent visited bars or pubs.

Photo: A.Savin Wikimedia Commons

Alcoholism is also among the four highest risk factors highlighted in the report for non-communicable diseases (NCD) – a medical condition that is non-infectious and non-transmissible. Currently, NCDs are the leading worldwide cause of death and disease.

In total, drug dependency units treated 13,897 patients last year, of which 11,637 were men and 2,257 women, a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.

Opioids formed the principal drug that represented the highest attendance of patients, with 5,032 (4,401 in 2014). This was followed by alcohol, with 3,062 dependents (2,546 in 2014); cannabis with 2,892 patients (2,507 in 2014); and cocaine with 2,183 (1,910 in 2014).

Public health bodies want to see a promotion of healthy habits that protect people from NCDs, including alcohol use

Photo: Nik Frey CC A-S A 2.5 GL

Continued from page one

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Alcohol and adolescents

Supermarket convenience

22 per cent of Canarian adolescents purchase alcohol in bars and pubs

The most common places for Canarian youngsters to buy alcohol are supermarkets (31.3 per cent), bars and pubs (22 per cent), and local shops and kiosks (20.7 per cent). The survey showed that most adolescents purchased it directly. Across the Islands, 28.7 per cent of students aged between 14 and 18 years old had bought alcoholic beverages themselves during the 30 days

Teenage drinking also regularly takes place privately, such as at home (21 per cent), although only 15.7 per cent admitted to using alcohol already bought by other family members. With regional and national averages steadily rising, combined with a younger demographic experimenting with alcohol, there is a real cause for concern and need to better educate teenagers on the risks involved. n

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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.

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

GROUNDED RESEARCH

Canarian scientists angry at ban Two major airlines have stopped transporting laboratory animals from the Spanish peninsula to the Canary Islands, putting numerous research projects on hold and leaving scientists and politicians scrambling for answers.

Air Europa recently stopped transporting research animals and Iberia soon followed suit, citing international regulations and safety issues, including the possibility that mice might escape and cause damage. Ironically, both Air Europa and Iberia continue to fly pets, including some rodent species.

The ban is particularly problematic for researchers who need transgenic mice which are often ordered from specialised labs. At the request of the Canarian government, the Spanish civil aviation authority has been negotiating a possible solution with various alternative airlines.

Canarian researchers say some 30 biomedical research projects at the Islands’ two universities and university hospitals have been affected by the flight ban. Researchers who need genetically modified mice from overseas have put their plans on hold, says Teresa Giraldez, who studies neurological diseases at the University of La Laguna: “We cannot take the risk that the animals get stuck in Madrid and can’t be transported to the Islands. The current situation is very worrying. Without access to transgenic mice, we are competing at a disadvantage with the rest of Europe”. n

The ban is particularly problematic for researchers who need transgenic mice

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BACHMANN GO HOME

Front page reaction Last edition our front page was dedicated to the disturbing relocation to Tenerife of Lutz Bachmann, a known inciter of racial unrest, and the overwhelming reaction of the local government in its declaration of Bachmann as being unwelcome on the island.

Many people, from all sections of the community, spoke out against the hypocrisy of a man who criticises immigrants while becoming one himself by moving to another country. One young man – whom we shall call Paul – has started his own campaign to ensure that Bachmann does what he recommends for others: leaves the island and goes home.

Until two years ago Paul worked in the tourism sector in the Balearic island of Mallorca, close to a restaurant on Ballermann Beach called the Räuchermännchen, which had a good reputation for its fine cuisine.

However, when Holger Apfel, a former leader of the German far-right National Democratic Party (NPD), settled in the area

and reopened the restaurant under the name of Las Maravillas-Stuben, the eatery was soon attracting a different kind of clientele, apparently includ-

ies amongst the customers, some of whom didn’t mind the change in atmosphere, whilst others chose to take their custom elsewhere. In addition,

The ‘Bachmann go Home’ Facebook page

ing people with a propensity towards football violence, and many from the extreme rightwing scene.

Not wanting to ignore the situation, Paul made enquir-

Paul organised various public protests and events against the restaurant’s activities.

Paul has been working on Tenerife for about two years now and was happy that he had

found a better crowd. So he was not pleased to discover, thanks to our news story, that Bachmann was close by. Paul feels that this is a problem that has simply followed him and genuinely believes in publicising the whereabouts of rightwing extremists. He didn’t hesitate in setting up the ‘Bachmann go Home’ Facebook page and he and his followers have vowed to continue protests against his presence.

"I think it’s very good that the Island Government has so specifically opposed this person, and above all his attitude. I also find it positive that newspapers published it. We need no more fascism in Europe. We must all fight together against such trends", he insists.

Paul was also able to discover that the landlord of Bachmann’s apartment had reacted to the Island Council’s ‘persona-nongrata’ declaration by not extending the rental lease. Bachmann has now moved and is thought to be living in a residential complex in Las Chafiras. n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

SUPER SURVIVORS

Setting sail for cancer sufferers Marian, Yolanda, Patricia, Carmen and Susana are five women who have one thing in common: they had breast cancer and overcame it.

Thanks to the AstraZeneca Foundation and the organisers of Reto Pelayo Vida Trasatlántica, these five women now face an incredible new challenge. They will cross the Atlantic to Martinique in the Caribbean aboard the sailing yacht Cannonball.

The group departed from Valencia on November 10, sailed to Tenerife via Málaga, and from there they set off on their adventure. There is, of course, a professional crew on board.

Before the great crossing, they climbed to the top of Mount Teide and were surprised when on arrival at the Mirador de Las Narices del Teide they were

presented with a star by the foundation's director, Cecilia Taieb. She explained that she had wanted to present them with this as a symbol of "their willpower, courage and willingness to face obstacles and overcome them, even when they felt like giving up". She added that she hopes this will give them a new impetus to keep transmitting their will to take on the world, to encourage all sufferers to continue fighting and never give up.

The conditions of participation were that they had to be cancer survivors, that they have been given the green light by their doctors, and that they have a basic knowledge of sailing. In addition, the interested parties had to download an app and start running, dancing, swimming or walking up stairs. Each step

The five women spoke to Guardia Civil officers at the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife

counted until they had covered 34,820 kilometres. This is the distance they will travel together on this exciting adventure.

After the transatlantic crossing from Tenerife to Martinique began, Susana wrote in her logbook: "We were given a farewell at the Valencia port by hundreds of people who let their pink balloons rise into the sky as symbols for the fight against

cancer. It was an incredibly emotional moment".

For the five women, a new adventure has begun and it's full steam ahead. Above all they want to feel alive, in every way, even if they sometimes feel cold on the boat. If you would like to follow the women's journey, you can do so via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ RetoPelayoVida. n

SANTA ÚRSULA FARMERS’ MARKET

Fresh and funky

The Santa Úrsula farmers’ market takes place every Saturday

Every Saturday at the Santa Úrsula farmers’ market in the north of Tenerife, the freshest produce in the region is available to buy, along with a host of arts and crafts, herbs and plants for the garden, and homemade cakes and jams to fill the cupboards.

Gifts, accessories and clothing items are also on sale, including decorative purses, leather bags and knitwear. You will also find fresh honey straight from the beekeeper, prepared sal-

ads to fill the fridge, homemade liqueurs for those special occasions, and a whole host of other treats, tapas and trinkets.

Fresh, locally produced food always tastes better and is often kinder on the waistline; it also varies regionally and seasonally, bringing ever-changing goodies and specialities.

The market takes place every Saturday from 8am to 4pm and is located on the main street by the plaza, opposite the town hall. n

LA OROTAVA CARNIVAL

Swatches of colour and brightness

The theme for the La Orotava Carnival 2017 has recently been selected, with a formal invitation for artists to send in their poster designs in December, prior to the Christmas holidays.

The chosen theme: Adoquines de brillo y color (swatches of colour and brightness) was announced by the carnival committee in mid-November, for the annual celebrations taking place between February 25 and March 4, 2017.

The theme will be incorporated into the poster design while the carnival committee will hold several meetings in November to finalise details of the fiesta programme. n

Photo: Ayuntamiento La Orotava

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The carnival commission of La Orotava is finalising the details for next year’s celebrations

COSTA ADEJE

A free classical concert

Everyone is invited to a free classical concert on the last Sunday of November at the San Sebastián church, near La Caleta in Adeje.

This pre-Christmas season concert will feature Dr. Barbara Hebborn (soprano and recorder) and Hanspeter Reiners (organ) and they will be playing works by Nicolas Bernier, William Boyce, George Frideric Handel, Joseph Haydn, Alexandre Guilmant and Ivan Novello. The concert will start at 7pm on November 27. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

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STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Do it for the children!

The participation of the public in the fight against domestic violence forms the basis of the Gran Canaria island Council's campaign which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, taking place on November 25 under the slogan: ‘We will stop domestic violence. I am involved, Gran Canaria is involved’.

The island councillor for equality, María Nebot, is thus setting clear priorities for this campaign which forms part of the many initiatives organised for November 25. She pointed out in the run-up that male dominance is still deeply rooted in many parts of society. That is why it is often not enough to point out that everyone is asked to look and react when domestic violence occurs. She said: "Society must fight and destroy sexist inequality." That is why there are numerous educational campaigns running in schools aiming at the younger

Women are prompted to take action to protect their children

Zero tolerance against domestic violence - that is the aim of the campaigns

generation in order to eliminate the root of domestic violence.

The Las Palmas Local Police force is running a campaign with the slogan: ‘Mama do it for us - do it!’ Women who have been

victimised are encouraged to free themselves and their children from the situation.

Children are just as much victims as their mothers because they suffer from the family sit-

uation, are often also abused and grow up in an environment of fear. Sadly, they may become perpetrators themselves in adulthood.

Again and again, responsible bodies in the councils and security forces all over the Canary Islands point out that there are aid programmes for women and their children. In addition, there is the emer-

gency number 016 via which affected people can seek help.

It is available and attended 24 hours a day and the number will never appear on your telephone bill.

In many locations across the Islands there will be activities during the course of November 25 against domestic violence.

Zero tolerance for violence is the premise behind which all

the authorities, from the local councils to the Canarian government, stand. They are not tired of observing a minute of silence for every woman who dies at the hand of a current or former partner. They will not tire of stressing that: "Every woman who dies like this is one too many", until hopefully domestic violence in our society is eradicated. n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

CHILDREN’S FRIENDS

Christmas charity sales Women from the Amigas de los Niños (Friends of the Children) crafts group have once again had a very productive year, all with the aim of helping society’s most disadvantaged youngsters.

The talented ladies from the south of the island use their nimble hands to create beautiful and original gift ideas which can be sold to raise funds for supporting families in need.

One member, Marianne, has sewn adorable pillowcases, whilst Gisela has knitted an incredible 50 pairs of socks.

Others have created wonderful Christmas cards, crocheted cuddly toys, or knitted hats, scarves and much more.

As Christmas time is round the corner, the group has organised a number of opportunities for the public to purchase one of their handmade items. The first will be on November 25 from 5pm to 9pm at the Hotel Playa Sur in El Médano. On December 3 the ladies will be in the Plaza del Charco in Puerto de La Cruz from 11am to participate in the Charity Day for the Disabled.

Christmas sales for a very good cause indeed

Then on December 5 and16, from 10am to 4pm, the group will set up their stand in the foyer of the Mar y Sol Spa Hotel in Los Cristianos. It’s the perfect opportunity for a little Christmas shopping and to help a good cause at the same time.

Direct aid The Amigas de los Niños has been committed to helping children on the island for many years and have undertaken a number of direct projects. Since February of this year, there have been four activities supported by the group which have helped dis-

abled and socially vulnerable children. One of the beneficiaries is a family with very little income. With triplets to feed, the father unemployed and the mother in irregular work in a canteen, times have been hard.

But every month, group member Silvia goes with the family to purchase groceries and hygiene items worth €150 – a total of €1.800 to date.

In an on-going project, one autistic young man has received €1,582 of speech training at Orobal. He has made fantastic progress and can now construct short sentences.

Helga and her husband Anastasios have taken seven chil-

dren living in care on a shopping spree, during which they were each given €50 to spend on a present. "The children were very friendly.

They could hardly believe they were allowed to choose something for themselves. In the home we have already had one Christmas celebration.

It’s wonderful to see how loving the children are towards each other", says Helga. Her husband Anastasios is Greek and speaks Spanish very well, hence he is the official translator for the group.

Other projects have included a donation of €150 to a family with a sick son, and the purchase of school uniforms for two other children. They, their mother and their other sibling have received further help as well. "We also take care of this family privately”, says Marianne, “after the mother came out of the women’s refuge, she managed to get an apartment but it was completely empty.

We all contributed."

If you would also like to do your bit, pop down to see the ladies on any of the dates above. n

WORLD ROUTES 2016

Continental connections Delegates from the Tenerife Council recently travelled to Chengdu in China for the World Routes 2016 staged at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

Island president Carlos Alonso announced the strengthening of strategic markets such as the UK, Germany, France

and Poland, as an increase of 286,000 new seats to the island during the winter season was promised, representing an increase of 12.3 per cent on last year. British Airways’ scheduled flights will now include an additional connection with London’s Gatwick Airport, bringing the total of

weekly flights from Tenerife to the British capital to eight.

Island officials at World Routes 2016 also met with leading airlines and travel companies, such as Norwegian, LOT Polish Airlines, South African Airways, Alitalia, Jet2.com, EasyJet, United Airlines, SunExpress and Iberia, among others.

“New flight routes to Poland, Italy and Switzerland have already been agreed for the second half of 2017. This is a very pleasing development, ensuring positive future prospects for Tenerife”, said Carlos Alonso during the travel fair.

“More international flights and passenger capacity will

PROYECTOS HARAMBEE

Charity event in Puerto de La Cruz The Proyectos Harambee Association is active in the north of Tenerife for the benefit of children with handicaps. To this end, on December 3, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a charity event will take place in the Plaza del Charco in Puerto de La Cruz.

At 1pm there will be a walk through the old town led by the organiser and council representatives. Meanwhile, in the Plaza de La Aduana, following the opening at 10:30am there will be a dance marathon from 11am to 1pm and T-shirts can be purchased for €5, benefitting the children. Further charitable activities will take place from 2pm to 6pm.

Among others, little Edgar is one who needs urgent help. He is only three years old and has already had 27 operations, one of which was when he was implanted with an artificial stomach, which his body always rejects, and because of this there are always acute emergency situations. A clinic in Zurich could use a stomach made from different material, but this surgery would cost around €28,000. If Edgar does not get a new stomach by the beginning of January, he will probably die as he has been surviving on artificial ventilation for days.

Also the brothers Abiam (15 years old) and Ariam (six years old) are among those needing help. They receive aqua therapy and they must also be fed artificially. For more information see www. proyectos-harambee.es. n

increase our competitiveness”, said the Tenerife councillor for tourism, Alberto Bernabé.

EasyJet also confirmed a new route to Tenerife, connecting with London Luton Airport. This brings the total of the low-cost airline’s routes to the island to 15, with flights to top European cities in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Breakfast in America Flights across the pond to the USA and Canada are

also being arranged, with negot i at i ons wi t h Nor t h American airlines possibly bringing connections in 2018. At the Routes fair were María Méndez and María Guardiet of Promotur Turismo de Canarias, who held around 30 meetings with various airlines about the possible links.

Méndez confirmed: “Negotiations with Air Canada and American Airlines went well, and it’s very possible that routes to Canada and the USA will be set up for 2018.” n

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

HELICOPTER DRAMA

Underwater fisherman injured

Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766

A 39 year-old man has been admitted to hospital in a serious condition due to the injuries he suffered while practising underwater fishing off the coast of Playa de Las Américas in the south of Tenerife.

The services received a call saying that a man had disappeared in the sea. According to family members, he had gone fishing early in the day and had not returned. An emergency helicopter was deployed for a sea search, while National and Local Police worked on land.

Later, the crew of a sailing vessel reported that they had found an injured man and taken him on board. The helicopter crew were able to airlift him from the boat and take him to Los Rodeos Airport in the north.

The man, who was then taken to the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria by ambulance, had sustained serious head injuries. n

The helicopter crew airlifted the injured man from the boat

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XI GOSPEL CANARIAS

Divine music festival Fans of the liveliest spiritual music around are going to love the exciting line up for this year’s Gospel Canarias Festival.

Throughout December and even into January, there will be more than 20 different concerts from some of the very best international and national artists.

The Black Heritage Group is headlining the festival and will be presenting their tribute to the wonderful Aretha Franklin during an amazing six different performances. The group is formed by 10 of the top singers from the United States, under the musical direction of composer and pianist Jerry Calvin Smith. As part of their current European tour, the concerts will pay homage to the aforementioned Queen of Soul, who never forgot her Gospel roots.

See the Black Heritage Group in Gran Canaria on December 2 and 3 at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Las Palmas (tickets start at €16).

Over in Tenerife they will visit

the Guía de Isora Auditorium on December 4 (€10 and €12) and, finally, they will

December 4 (free entry) and over in San Sebastián de La Gomera on the 17th. In addi-

nied by the Arona Music Band.

There will also be a number of performances from various groups and soloists from around the Canary Islands, including Gospel Shine Voices, the first gospel group in Tenerife, which began in 2008, and Gospel MLOU from Gran Canaria.

Photo: Daniel L. Cetrulo

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

play three nights at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna between December 6 and 8, with tickets available from €12.

Not to be missed, the popular London Community Gospel Choir returns to the Islands with a concert at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on December 16, with tickets at €15.

The Latonius Gospel Choir will play in Granadilla at the San Antonio de Padua Church on

The London Community Gospel Choir will play at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, on December 16 The Tenerife-based Latonius Gospel Choir will play in Granadilla at the San Antonio de Padua Church on December 4

tion, The Latonius and his crew of heavenly singers – which include our very own reporter Theresa Willson – will grace the Infanta Leonor Auditorium on January 4, 2017, accompa-

You can find more information on the XI Gospel Canarias Festival at: www.gospelcanarias. com, and you can buy tickets via: www.entrees.es and: www. entradas.com. n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

PROBLEM IN NINE BOROUGHS

Excessive fluoride in water Excessive fluoride levels in drinking water are a serious problem in some boroughs, especially in the north of Tenerife. This is an issue that has been known for a long time and has still not been solved in many places.

In Tacoronte, Los Silos, La Guancha and Garachico, problems with drinking water were addressed in 2013 and 2014, and the levels were significantly reduced. But not so in nine other boroughs where their water still has a high content of fluoride. These include: La Laguna, El Sauzal, La Victoria, La Matanza, Santa Úrsula, San Juan de la Rambla, Icod de los Vinos, El Tanque and Buenavista del Norte.

Representatives of the Buenavista council demanded the lifting of restrictions on tap water consumption in the borough in April this year, but the Canarian public health authority declined. At least for children under eight years of age, consumption of drinking water is not recommended in the town centre, and this is also the case in the districts of La Cuesta, Las Canteras, Triana and Rincón.

The use of the desalination plant at the golf course to supply the borough with drinking water has been pending since 2013. In the mountain villages of Erjos, Ruigómez, and San José de los Llanos near El Tanque, the fluoride level is so high that the health authority warned people of all ages to stop drinking tap water. That is, it should neither be drunk nor used for the preparation of food. The same is true of La

Florida in Icod de los Vinos. In the centre of the town, known for its wine, as well as in the districts of San Felipe, San Marcos and Campino, the recommendation is restricted to under eight-year-olds.

In San Juan de la Rambla, in the villages of San José, La Vera, Las Rosas, Los Quevedos, El Rosario, Lomo Guanche, La Pascuala and Fuente del Bardo, the problem also affects under eight-year-olds. The same is true of the Acentejo area.

Improvements are being made to the north channel of the drink-

ing water supply, which is supposed to put an end to the high fluoride content, but it is not yet complete and the problem is not solved. This affects all the borough of La Matanza; Ravelo, Montillo, La Baranda, La Costa and part of the town centre of El Sauzal; La Vera-Carril and La Resbala in La Victoria, and La Tosquita, Pino Alto and La Corujera in Santa Úrsula.

Since 2015, the island council has invested €906,000 in work on the north channel and the sanctuary of San Antonio in La Matanza. After comple-

tion of the work, the drinking water quality in El Sauzal, Santa Úrsula, La Matanza and La Victoria should be improved.

The Santa Úrsula council has also decided to invest in its own supply network in order to improve its distribution and quality. Meanwhile, the community of the CEIP La Corujera school provides 68 bot-

Palmitos in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, where they all have an increased fluoride level.

In Puerto de La Cruz, there is another problem. The consumption of drinking water has been an issue since 2007, particularly in the areas of Punta Brava and Guacimara where the problem is too much nitrate. The reason for this is

There is no life without water How healthy is tap water?

the excessive use of nitrates in agriculture in the lower Orotava valley. The prohibition of consumption of drinking water and food prepared with it is restricted to pregnant women and babies under three months. In Puerto de La Cruz, the only town in Tenerife that has this problem, the risk has been known since the beginning of the 21st century.

In Gran Canaria, this problem has only affected Tasártico in La Aldea de San Nicolás.

tles of water without excessive fluoride daily for the primary school students.

In La Laguna, especially in the neighbourhoods of Los Baldios and Gracia, children under the age of eight should not drink the tap water nor eat food prepared with it. The fluoride problem almost exclusively affects the north of Tenerife but it also affects locations in Gran Canaria, including El Horno and Los Peñones in the borough of Mogán, as well as the hamlets of Fataga, Los Sitios, Monte León and Los

Health hazard?

What does it really mean when drinking water is unsuitable

for pregnant women and children under eight years old?

After that age, is everything is suitable or are the effects simply not as bad? And what about long-term effects caused by drinking water with too much fluoride? While some favour the addition of fluoride in toothpastes or even salts, others question its usefulness.

The intake of one milligram of fluoride per day is considered good for dental hygiene in some circles of the pharmaceutical industry and the health care sector.

But they also warn of excessively high values, which can then lead to brown discoloration and even damaged teeth.

An acute excess of fluoride is associated with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and long-term disorder of the skeleton structure. Also, damage to the nervous system or a compound to the formation of cancerous diseases is not excluded regarding fluoride. Long-term studies from the US have shown that in cities with fluoride in the drinking water, the number of cancer cases rose by around 11 per cent compared with cities without fluoride additives in the water. This could be a confirmation of a causal relationship between fluorosclerosis and cancer.

It is not easy to escape from bad drinking water quality, so do you wait until it gets better?

Do you buy water in bottles to use for drinking and cooking?

Move house, or install an inhouse water filter system? The best solution must be decided in each individual case. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

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PROMOTION

9

CANARY ISLANDS

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

LA GOMERA

Light at the end of the tunnel

By Betty Boop La Gomera president Casimiro Curbelo has announced a €4.2 million investment to improve La Gomera’s roads.

Great news, but a word here about Curbelo is impossible to resist in these times of surreal elections and political leaders.

He’s head of the Asociacion Socialísta La Gomera party, which was quietly formed when it became apparent that the writing was on the wall for him with the national socialist party PSOE. Even political parties have limits.

Thus, when his association was terminated, he slid effortlessly sideways to take the helm of his party-in-waiting and rule on as island emperor. Donald Trump take note. This boy knows a thing or two about sideways sliding.

And here’s the astonishing bit about both Trump and our chap: they didn’t, as far as we know, rig the voting!

They’re in because, despite everything – and everything in

considerate, well-balanced, well-informed, unbiased, benign individual with a cool hairstyle, well equipped to influence world affairs in an intelligent and disinterested fashion, will, by deduction,

President of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo Valle Gran Rey is a deep valley, with access through two unlit tunnels The president-elect of the United States

our chap’s case encompasses shed loads of well-known, welldocumented fact, deferred judicial proceedings, investigation by the Guardia Civil, and a declared personal for-

tune wildly exceeding his earning capacity – they were both chosen by voters!

The extraordinary fact that populations vote, regardless of clear indications that their

choices are flawed, is very apparent as I write, with the USA frothing itself into frenzy at Trump’s poll success.

Now, those of you who think Trump’s a perfectly sincere,

see nothing untoward in La Gomera’s chap, referred to hereafter as LGC.

LGC’s obviously a man of the people too. He can do what he likes. We don’t care. We love him. His hairstyle is, lamentably, less flamboyant than Trump’s, but he compensates with grace and favour work contracts and his baldness is forgiven. His subjects have been voting for him for over 30 years now. We kiss his hand. He can do no wrong.

He goes from strength to strength, as the recent money for roads announcement shows.

Recent, mildly uncomfortable adversity has done nothing to deter him, quite the reverse.

Be bold Donald! You can get away with it, whatever it is and you too will be energised, more active, more successful and more popular than ever once the truth is known.

The municipality of Valle Gran Rey, for example, was always a Canarian nationalist Coalición Canaria stronghold, steadfastly ignored by LGC and the Island Council and deprived of funding treats as a reprimand for ‘not being of the right party’.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

New CC mayor Ángel Piñero, veteran of the former treatment, did the unthinkable and formed an alliance with LGC’s party. Eureka! The land of plenty now includes Valle Gran Rey. You’ll get California and New York on board too, Donald, if you just stick at it.

was discovered running up and down the tunnel in distress by a local bus driver coming in the opposite direction.

“So you had a crash! Calm down! The bus can be fixed”, teased Pepe, until he realized that JAA was under the bus, obviously very badly injured,

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dazzles drivers for a couple of seconds, he would in all probability be his former cheerful, fitness-mad self today.

of the local council, not the Cabildo”. The family were distressed by my mention of the unlit tunnel, rather than

I coincided, on the ferry taking JAA’s family and me to Tenerife the next morning, with LGC. He expressed his condolences to the family. I mentioned the lack of lights in the tunnel. Our man moved away, after reassuring us that: “Lights are the responsibility

angry at his reaction, or the lack of lights. I’d contravened the rules and felt sorry, but how wonderful it is that LGC decreed the whole matter to be a Cabildo matter after all and of great urgency now.

Do we get the politicians we deserve, I wonder? n

That he survived is a miracle.

He was ambulanced to a helicopter, to be flown to Tenerife.

We were there, praying for him, wondering why it didn’t take off. It didn’t take off because he couldn’t be stabilised.

Ambulance crew and medics thought he’d die, so fragile was

Photo: Valle Gran Rey Ayuntamiento

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

tiate past and present, and his ability to orientate himself is better, but his spark, his essence was lost in the Mayor Ángel Piñero, whose pact with LGC has facilitated benefits for Valle Gran Rey Valle Gran Rey’s tunnels are dangerous, particularly for walkers and cyclists The seriously injured cyclist was transported to Tenerife

Photo: Valle Gran Rey Ayuntamiento

The accident scene

The road money will be spent on improving safety barriers at the sides of La Gomera’s pleasantly serpentine road system and illuminating Valle Gran Rey’s two tunnels. After years of silence on the subject, LGC recently declared in Parliament: “This is of great urgency”.

So, there will be lights in Valle Gran Rey’s tunnels at last, which will be of little comfort to JAA, full name withheld as he suffers sufficient consequences of dark tunnels to need no further notoriety or fame.

Two years ago, as JAA cycled through an unlit tunnel, a bus driver ‘failed to notice him’ despite his bike lights and reflectors. The empty bus knocked him off his bike, then ran him over. The driver

with part of the bike frame, lights still flashing, lodged in his skull.

It was opportune that Pepe passed at that moment. His presence insured that a dreadful story was nipped in the bud.

In the event, nobody needed to invent an excuse. Islanders are compliantly hesitant about taking local authorities to court for negligence.

JAA’s story since then has been one of slow, partial recovery.

his hold on life. He was kept alive, put into a coma so that his broken bones (most) could be set, then slowly brought round much later.

He learned to talk and walk again. He learned to swim again. He had to undergo months of intensive treatment to be able to function minimally with help.

Today, he can remember more, his sequential memory works again so that he can differen-

dark. Had there been lights in what is a very dark tunnel, with a notorious blind spot when the sunlight at the other end

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

HOME VALUE

End of the tax year Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT) The Spanish tax year runs with the calendar, unlike the UK, so the year end is approaching!

There are various taxes spaced out during the course of the year, with residents doing their declarations in the summer, the IBI (equivalent to rates) being paid at the town hall in spring/summer according to where you live, as well as car taxes, and companies also making their declarations in July.

As the year end approaches, it is the turn of the non-resident property owners, many of whom may have just arrived back from the UK to avoid the winter

there. The non-resident’s tax, or Modelo 210, is a tax that some property owners are not even aware of. A good estate agent will always inform you of your on-going obligations, but perhaps in the excitement of buying a property abroad, it gets forgotten. Unfortunately the tax office is under no obligation to advise or chase you for this tax.

If you consider yourself a fiscal non-resident of Spain and you rent out your property, you should be making a declaration quarterly, in which case you will almost definitely need financial assistance.

If you don’t rent your property out, you should be paying this nominal declaration based on

the value of your home by the end of December. The amounts generally are not huge, but as with everything else, there is a fine if you miss the payment date. It is possible to do it yourself online and there are some good websites available in English to help you, but it isn’t easy, and the best way is to use a fiscal representative.

The tax is based on the rateable value of your home, and the percentage of the tax depends on when this value was last reviewed. San Miguel, for example, which covers the two Golf courses, has reviewed its valuations and some have reduced.

The borough council has also decided to lower the rate of

taxation for this year, which means lower rates and a pleasant surprise for some property owners for a change!

If you don’t know the rateable value of your home because you pay your IBI by direct debit, you can obtain a copy of it on the consorcio website, using your NIE and some security checks relating to the associated bank account. This will show you any official payments that are registered as direct debits, and you can print off copies for your records.

The Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT) will be happy to explain the procedure to anyone who is unsure. The office is situated at the Wheeler Dealer premises in Las Chafiras. n

GRAN CANARIA

Spotlight on avocados The second grand avocado fair will take place on December 4 in Arguineguín, in the borough of Mogán in the south of Gran Canaria.

Mogán produces around 21 per cent of all the avocados on the island, with an annual harvest of 160 tons of fruit grown on 23 hectares of land, and 4,200 trees spread through the area. The factors which most influence this excellent production level are the local climate and water quality.

In collaboration with the Island Council, 16 producers and three agricultural associations will be selling 6,000 kilos of fruit during the fair. The winter avocados will be featured this time, as the fruits grown in the summer were the stars of a fair in August which also featured mangos.

The avocado fair will take place in the Plaza Pérez Galdós in Arguineguín from 10am to 2pm, and will include a gastronomic area where visitors will be able to try delicious recipes using the avocado as the main ingredient, such as avocado ice cream, juices, guacamole, crepes and much more. Visitors can also try other delights from Mogán such as honey, potatoes, local beers, bread, wine and conserves, and buy products directly from the producers. n

ALSATIAN ATTACK

Dog seriously injures woman The owner of two German shepherds made an emergency call to police from the Dr. Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria after she was attacked by one of her dogs.

The canines had been held on the roof terrace of her house for some time when one of them apparently attacked the woman without warning, biting both arms and one of her legs.

When local police turned up at the scene they were unable to catch the dogs due to their continued aggressiveness and had to call in agents from the UCAPOL department. The specially trained officers managed to capture the dogs and move them to the island’s refuge.

The versatile avocado is the star of this fair

The two German Shepherds were very aggressive and difficult to catch

Neither of the animals was vaccinated against rabies, a fact that could apparently explain the aggressive behaviour. The one which caused the

injuries was put into quarantine. The victim and her family members confessed to police that they already had plans to get rid of the dogs. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

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OPERATION TEATRERO

Moroccan hashish ring busted The police were able to seize €21.325 euros in cash

Photos: Guardia Civil

The captain and his boat: both are in police custody

The Guardia Civil’s ‘Operation Teatrero’ began in July with the arrest of a suspected drug supplier in Los Llanos de Aridane in La Palma. It quickly became clear that the suspect was part of a large smuggling ring, which brought hashish from Morocco to the Canaries using fast inflatable boats.

The investigations were initiated and increased when officials reached the conclusion that a larger consignment was to come in September. They observed several people of interest, and became aware of one of the heads of the gang responsible for quality control of the goods, the selection of the route, and the recruitment of staff. Officers from Tenerife's

organised crime and anti-drugs teams were then sent to Gran Canaria, where a shipment was expected to arrive.

The hashish was brought from El Aiún in the Western Sahara, on fast boats to the open sea where the smugglers were met by another vessel. The cargo was transferred from one boat to the other and then taken to a port in Gran Canaria. From there, the idea was that part of the shipment would be sent to the gang in Gran Canaria, while the rest would be transferred to La Palma.

Police drugs unit officers were positioned so that they could see the fishing port of La Sardina near Gáldar on the north western tip of Gran Canaria,

where the boat departed to meet the smugglers' vessel and transfer the cargo of hashish.

At La Sardina, the Guardia Civil intercepted the boat, now loaded with hashish, when it returned to port. The occupants tried in vain to escape and four Moroccans were arrested. It was confirmed that the drugs had been transferred successfully out at sea, so when the Spanish captain of the boat moored in the harbour returned with his vehicle, the police were waiting for him. He was intercepted and admitted that the drugs were hidden in the back of the cabin.

The captain was arrested while officers confiscated his boat and seized 810 kilogrammes

of hashish. This occurred on September 22, and in order to safeguard the investigation which had not yet been completed, the operation continued in secrecy. Several apartments were searched for evidence and in addition to the five previous

arrests, officers seized a fast launch boat with two engines, €21,325 in cash, two vehicles, six mobile phones, and one satellite phone.

On the basis of the data on the phones, the officers were able to confirm that the gang

kept themselves constantly informed about current police checks and risky locations.

With the completion of Operation Teatrero, police were able to smash a major drug route between Morocco and the Canaries. n

TRAVEL

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS

Gambia, no problem!

Gambia, ‘the smiling coast’, is a quiet, safe holiday destination offering the essence of Africa alongside splendid nature and exquisite beaches.

Fishing is important to Gambia’s economy and local culture

Sunset on the Gambia River

‘Gambia, no problem’ is a well used phrase and one that regularly welcomes tourists arriving into the country’s capital, Banjul. One of the city’s main attractions is the Albert Market, a vast area where art and craft blend with fresh produce, clothing and footwear.

See how Gambians shop and haggle with local traders for the best deals and give it a try yourself!

Gambia’s rich wildlife includes monkeys, hippos, crocodiles and exotic birds

during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

History A tour into the history of slavery is not complete until you visit Kunta Kinte Island, where the sold slaves were sent to await shipment to America.

Kunta Kinte is a character in the novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family by the American author Alex Haley. The story also became a famous TV mini-series in the late 1970s.

Gambia Gambia is a narrow country that nestles into Senegal, which surrounds it on three sides. The country’s borders mirror the meandering Gambia River, and the country is 320km in length and 50km from north to south, making it the smallest nation on the African mainland.

Gambia has a thriving holiday sector that combines sun and sand with adventure and nature. The local culture is

another reason to visit this former British colony where English is the official language, and which has many markets and trading points

thriving with activity. The country also has a rich and interesting history, although it is commonly associated with its slave trading past

How to get there Binter flies directly to Banjul, the capital of Gambia, every Saturday from Gran Canaria with

connections from all the Islands.

Flight duration is approximately two hours 30 minutes.

Where to stay The tourist area of Gambia is situated on a 10km beach stretch between Bakau and Kololi on the Atlantic coast, home to many quality hotels with lush tropical gardens and fascinating birds and wildlife.

• Sunset Beach Hotel 3*: A very affordable choice along

Kotu’s b e s t stretch of beach.

• Kairaba Beach 5*: this hotel has stunning gardens and an ideal location.

• Senegambia Beach Hotel 4*: A nice hotel with a perfect seafront location.

Where to eat The basis of most local dishes is rice with fish (Benachin) or meat (Thiébouyape) served with vegetables and the special touch of peanut sauce and local spices. Fresh seafood is another attractive option.

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

TRAVEL

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Gambia, no problem!

CanariasViaja.com offers a nice selection of holiday packages to Binter destinations

• Restaurant Sailor’s Boy: This restaurant has excellent fish and is perfectly situated to enjoy a sunset dinner beside Kotu Beach.

• Green Mamba Garden: This establishment in Kololi has superb Asian fusion cuisine and spectacular gardens.

Don’t miss • A daytrip to the Makasutu Culture Forest is ideal

for completely immersing in nature and Gambian culture. You can canoe through the mangroves and see many exotic birds, Monitor Lizards and baboons.

• Go upriver to Jufureh village to see where Kunta Kinte lived.

• Visit a Batik factory in Serekunda.

• Go to the Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool, located in the heart of Bakau.

CanariasViaja.com CanariasViaja.com is the specialist online agency offering complete holiday breaks and packages (flight, hotel and excursions) to destinations served by the Canarian airline Binter, with regular special offers and promotions for residents.

Their Gambia packages offer great value for money and quality. There are connections from all the Islands for the international flight, which also has an onboard service, and you can choose your accommodation from a selection of charming hotels.

Families

The country’s borders mirror the meandering Gambia River

LAST CHANCE!

Escape with CanariasViaja.com’s Special International Promotion!

If you have a young family, check out the amazing special holiday offers for under 12s.

Contact and bookings

Senegambia Beach Hotel 4*

The Sunset Beach Hotel 3*

Binter is far more than just an inter-island service!

For further information and bookings, visit: www.bintercanarias.com, or call 902 391 392.

For holiday offers and packages available from their travel operator, visit: www.CanariasViaja.com or call: 922 248 161 (8am to 5pm). n

Travel to Lisbon, Marrakech, Isla de Sal, Agadir or Gambia with discounts up to 39 per cent, including a stay at selected hotels in prime locations.

Offer available for bookings made before November 27, to be enjoyed between January 9 and June 30, 2017. Don’t miss out! n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Remembering the fallen

This year’s Royal British Legion Remembrance Service took place at Westhaven Bay in Costa del Silencio

This year’s Remembrance Service, organised on behalf of The Royal British Legion, took place on November 13 at Westhaven Bay in Costa del Silencio. It was well attended, with 350 to 400 people join-

ing to remember those who put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy the liberty we do today.

The organisers wish to thank Rita, Nellie and all the staff at Westhaven Bay for allowing

the use of their complex for this event and the help and hard work on the day. Also, thanks to Rick Sweeney for leading the touching service, along with his team of readers, musicians and collectors.

Other services and acts of remembrance were held in Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas, Callao Salvaje and Los Gigantes. On the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday, an event was held at Bar Albatros in Costa del Silencio, where the magnificent sum of €716.40 was raised through a BBQ, raffle and Race Night.

Many thanks to Don and his staff for making it a lovely and memorable afternoon.

The collection tins for this year’s Poppy Appeal are being gathered and when they have been counted we will inform you of the amount raised this year. Thank you to all those who helped and gave generously. n

2,000 PRODUCERS

World Cheese Awards The Gran Canaria Island Council entered 29 different cheese varieties, four of them from the Flor de Guía region, in the World Cheese Awards (WCA) at San Sebastian in northern Spain, winning 14 medals.

Over 2,000 cheese producers from all over the world took part, entering their best cheeses in the hope of achieving international recognition in the sector. Four cheeses from Gran Canaria were awarded last year in Birmingham, winning one gold medal, two silvers and one bronze, and one was even voted the best cheese in the world. This year, Gran Canaria took 14 medals: three gold, four silver and seven bronze.

The Canary Islands produce great cheeses for many reasons, not just because there are a lot of goats.

They also produce cheeses from different varieties of milk, or mixtures of milks, sometimes with vegetable whey. The result is unique with an excellent flavour, and some cheeses are coated with pepper or gofio.

The Canarian smoked cheese is also very popular. n

CLEAN ENERGY

Sunflowers with a difference In mid-November, a sunflower of a very special kind was publicly inaugurated at Avenida Marítima in Puerto del Rosario.

The ‘flor solar’ is a flowershaped device that is fed by three solar cells to provide free energy for recharging mobile phones and other electronic items. Two of the power points are installed at Free sun energy from a sunflower

the perfect height for wheelchair users. Island president Marcial Morales pointed out that Fuerteventura is pursuing the goal of covering 100 per cent of its energy supply via renewable sources.

A similar ‘sunflower’ had already been installed on Fuerteventura in Gran Tarajal. Others are planned for Corralejo, Morro Jable and Caleta de Fuste. n

Gran Canaria entered 29 cheeses into the World Cheese Awards

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

By

The study, which is to be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer conference in Liverpool, found that only one in six women with breast cancer visit their doctor with a symptom other than a lump.

Symptoms such as these include nipple abnormalities, breast pain, skin abnormalities, ulceration, shape changes and/or an infected or inflamed breast. Women with these signs were more likely to wait longer than three months to seek help, while the research also found that 15 per cent of women with ‘non-lump’ symptoms waited more than 90 days to see a doctor compared with seven per cent of women who only had a lump.

Researchers from University College London (UCL), who conducted the study, said that more must be done to educate women so that they are aware of all the possible signs of breast cancer.

Presenting author Monica Koo said: “It’s crucial that women are aware that a lump is not the

Hi everyone,

only symptom of breast cancer. If they are worried about any breast symptoms, the best thing to do is to get it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

katykennedy@telefonica.net Tf: 616 110 930

of the other key signs of the disease. With many patients not getting non-lump changes to their breasts checked out as quickly, thousands of women

Photo: Ignacio Leonardi/ FreeImages.com

Hi everyone, I’m getting really excited because on December 11 it’s the wonderful ‘Camino por la Vida’, (Walk for Life) event.

Everyone here at Island Connections supports and takes part in the special day in many ways. I will be the compère and am honoured to be on stage with you all again, this being the 11th year. Our lovely Sheila will be in the tent adding up all the cash and those of our staff who aren’t actually working will, if possible, be in the cheering crowd.

But I’d like to take this forthcoming occasion to remind you all of the risks of not self examining, because a new study has found that women with the early warning signs of breast cancer are increasingly delaying visits to their doctor.

Yahoo news reports that data from 2,316 women found that although most women with a lump sought help quickly, those with ‘non-lump’ symptoms were more likely to avoid a GP compared with women with a breast lump alone.

y Kat

Diagnosing cancer earlier really is key in order to increase the chances of survival.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of the charity Breast Cancer Now, added: “It is of great concern that women with non-lump symptoms are waiting up to twice as long before visiting their GP. This suggests women aren’t as aware that these could be a sign of something serious and we therefore need to do much more to raise awareness

17

A lump is not always the first sign of breast cancer With treatment many people survive and thrive

each year could be delaying the start of their treatment, something that could impact on their chances of survival.

Ultimately, the key to remaining aware is to get to know how your breasts look and feel normally and to report any unusual changes as soon as possible.”

Almost 54,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the UK during 2013, according to Cancer Research UK figures, whilst in 2014, 11,400 people died from the disease.

I personally was shocked at these results, and hadn’t realised that not feeling a lump meant that I still could have cancer of the breast. So I’d like to include these vital ‘other’ signs of breast cancer in my column with the following list: Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt); skin irritation or dimpling; breast or nipple pain; nipple retraction (turning inward); redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; or a nipple discharge other than breast milk.

Sadly, the figures for breast cancer are rising for men as well, so here are some of the things you need to look for as well, but they don’t necessarily mean that you have breast can-

States, the statistics for men compiled this year affirm that approximately one in 1,000 men will be examined and that 2,600 cases will be discovered per year. The American Cancer Society says that about 4,440 men will die from breast cancer. The percentages are similar to those in the UK, who say that only one in 1,000 men will be diagnosed with it.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola, but if you don’t want to become a statistic, pay attention to any signs as shown below: Changes to the breast behind the nipple; any lumps that can be felt; a firm mass directly underneath the nipple; nipples turning inwards; discharge from the nipple, which can sometimes be bloody; pain and/or an itchy nipple; skin ulceration; a lump under either arm; redness of the skin on the chest.

Photo: Alice Wycklendt/ FreeImages.com

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

cer. If you find any of the symptoms below, get it checked out immediately by your local doctor, and if you are still uncertain then seek another doctor’s or specialist’s advice.

Please gentlemen, don’t think that you are exempt from breast cancer as you are not.

I can tell you that in the United

And don’t forget, you can check each other out which, while purely medicinal, can be great fun too!

So, as always, take care of yourselves, and especially of each other. Contact me by emailing: katykennedy @telefonica.net or calling: 616 110 930. n

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PAWS FOR THOUGHT

A year ago Island Connections published an article about Megi Kovac, a dedicated woman who founded her own charitable association to care for abandoned cats in Tenerife.

In order to fund the project she works in four different jobs in order to raise money to cover food, veterinary expenditure, rent and other costs.

The number of animals she looks after continues to rise, especially as many of them are simply dumped in front of the premises. "Only recently a sack of kittens was hung on the front door. And someone else who had adopted cats from me six years ago suddenly brought them back to me", she says.

She already has over 100 animals in her care, all of them living together peacefully in one big house. Soon, new premises will be necessary but Megi is most worried about her lack of vital everyday items.

A constant supply of cat food is needed, of course, and all donations are always welcome,

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

SOS from the cat house nica Veterinaria La Montaña which is situated on Carretera La Montaña, at number 58, about 300 metres after the Monasterio Restaurant in Los

though other necessities are not so obvious. Armchairs, beds and mattresses for the cats to sleep on are useful, and just as important are old blankets, pillows and towels, which can be converted to resting places. Cat boxes can also be put to use.

Obviously, families that wish to adopt are needed, as are donations and flight partners.

At the top of Megi's wish list is a clothes dryer. Winter weather creates greater amounts of washing, and drying everything slowly by hand is hard work and hard to keep up with.

Realejos. The practice is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm.

Saturdays it is open only for the morning hours. n

Megi needs help for her fourlegged friends On the roof terrace, the cats can romp, sunbathe or just enjoy lunch

Do you think you could help donate funds or some useful items? If so, contact the Cli-

Asociación Protectora de Animales Felicidad Felina Isleña (APAFFI) CIF: G76666767 Apartado Correos 115 · 38379 Matanza de Acentejo Mobile: 677 227 747 · Email: MEGI1968@GMX.DE

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

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SAN ANDRÉS CELEBRATION

Wines, chestnuts and parties galore Corks are popping and chestnuts are ready to roast for the annual San Andrés fiestas, where winemakers across Tenerife celebrate the bottling of the year’s first vintages.

In fact, the season’s festivities kick off at the end of November, heralding the start of several weeks of revelry, particularly in the north of the island.

In La Orotava, on the Friday before the first Advent (November 25), the Christmas lighting is switched on for the first time, to the sound of glasses being chinked in honour of the new wines - and the patron saint from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm.

Three Bodegas and three restaurants will be helping the evening along by offering snacks and a glass of wine at a bargain price, and the Parranda Villera band will play from 8pm onwards.

The Fiestas de San Andrés are a time when families join together and share a meal which includes salt fish and sweet potatoes and, of course, older members enjoy a glass of

wine whilst the children play games. One of the youngsters’ favourites is a tradition that is particularly strong in

of the ‘Chatarras’. Children tie tin cans and other metal items together, pulling them along rather loudly through

The tradition doesn’t come, as could be suspected, from the amount of alcohol that is imbibed. It stems back to the

the Orotava Valley and Puerto de La Cruz areas, where the streets will ring to the sound

the towns. Metal ‘snakes’ are also tied to parked cars as a prank, and many a driver has made more noise than wanted as they set off!

November 29 will see raucous festivals take place from 7pm in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in La Victoria and the Plaza del Charco in Puerto de La Cruz.

The wine and adrenalin will also be flowing on that day in Icod de Los Vinos, where a unique custom sees locals racing down narrow streets, often cobbled, on homemade wooden boards, the only brakes used being a stack of tyres to land on at the bottom of the inclines. Bruises are worn like badges of honour and the making of the sledges are carefully kept secrets.

Rapid rides on handmade boards - not for nervous types!

Wonderful fireworks rising from the Atlantic Ocean can be seen in La Caleta de Interián

time when vintners would roll the barrels down to the sea to clean them in the salt water of the ocean. They would often

be moved along wooden slats to protect them, and it’s easy to see how that would provide amusement for many, turning into what is today an attraction that people travel from miles around to see.

The town will also be filled with stalls selling a variety of snacks including, of course, freshly roasted chestnuts and an array of wines, from 7pm onwards.

The celebrations a little further down the coast at La Caleta de Interián are also popular as they are rounded off between 11pm and midnight with a wonderful fireworks display that seemingly rises out of the Atlantic Ocean to illuminate the entire coast. n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT

Photos: Loro Parque

Fond farewell to Loro Parque artist

The artist who helped shape Puerto de La Cruz’s Loro Parque was recently bid a sad farewell as he headed into a well-deserved retirement.

Manuel Martin Cabrera, or Manolín as he prefers to be called by friends and colleagues, has worked with the world-renowned theme park for over 30 years. His influence on the development of the facilities was succinctly stated in the official release to mark his departure. “Manolín reflects the philosophy of Loro Parque”, said the statement, a belief that attention to even

The design of the artistic roofs, adorned with genuine gold leaf, is one of Manolín’s greatest accomplishments Some of the finest inlay work in gold Top-quality decorative elements give the conference room and Porcelain Parrot Museum an exciting ambience

the smallest of details is infinitely important.

Manolín regards himself as a simple painter, a conviction which epitomises his mod-

esty. Yet his work, thanks to his extraordinary knowledge and many years of experience, has left an instantly recognisable mark on the park, helping

it gain its position of best zoo in Europe. Manolín began at Loro Parque as a subcontractor more than three decades ago. However, his dedication and precision soon attracted the attention of the owner, Wolfgang

Kiessling, and in 1997 he finally accepted the offer of working exclusively for the park.

His personal touch can be seen across many differ-

ent areas, starting as you approach the entrance: the name Loro Parque both there and in reception were carefully crafted by him in gold

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784 starting. He was astonished to find that gold leaf is nowadays often replaced by simple gold paint, and felt honoured to be given the opportunity to

team. “It took many months of hard work, during which time our work focused exclusively on preparing this innovative installation”, he stated, look-

CANARY ISLANDS

21

tive floors and tiles, he and his team are also responsible for the many wooden ceilings with fine engravings that give such a unique character to places

venues as part of an initiative by the Loro Parque Foundation to promote conservation of the oceans. Once again ready for action, the orcas have added another interesting method of supporting the necessary cause.

Many at Loro Parque are understandably sorry to see the artist move on. The official statement by management continued by saying: “Manolín was a valued member of the Loro Parque family all these years, and we are very proud of that. Even if many visitors cannot perceive it directly, one can admire his work in many corners of the park. For retirement, we wish Manolín all the best, and at the Orca sculptures were restored lovingly Manolín was also creative for children

leaf. Working in this medium requires high levels of precision and patience, and is a skill that Manolín learned during his apprenticeship in Paris.

His work in gold also features heavily in other areas of the park, such as the elegant words announcing the name of the parrot show. It is in the Pueblo Thai zone that this approach literally shines through, however. The world’s largest traditional Thai village based outside the borders of that exotic nation

Gold leaf was also used in the lettering at the entrance to the park Many weeks of hard work flowed into the design of the penguinarium

is an impressive sight. The Dragon ornaments are particularly enlivened by the attractive material, catapulting the viewer into the world of the enigmatic temples of Southeast Asia. Manolín actually travelled to Thailand to research the project before

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work with such high-quality materials at Loro Parque.

Manolín’s artistic talent can also be seen in many other departments. Planet Penguin is one of the largest penguinariums in the world, and the visitor zone was entirely designed by Manolín and his

ing back on the pre-opening phase that culminated with the inauguration in 1999.

Loro Parque employs 400 people, and the administrative areas and public rooms have also benefited from his keen eye and specialist touch. As well as the fitting of decora-

such as the conference room and porcelain parrot museum.

He also lovingly restored the 19 sculptures, originally by various artists, which form the Expo Orca exhibit. Inaugurated in 2008, the collection of almost life-size models has toured many different

same time we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for his 30 years of commitment. He has inspired and impressed all the employees through his professionalism and coping power.

Thank you, Manolín. The doors of Loro Parque will always be open for you.” n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

FINE DINING

Sizzling Kalima Situated on the beachfront of Playa de Torviscas in Costa Adeje, Restaurant Kalima offers fantastic Mediterranean cuisine and seafood delicacies.

The restaurant may be positioned next to McDonald’s but don’t hold that against it! It’s a great spot on the Torviscas beach and Kalima is a quality venue where you can dip your toes into the sand while sipping a cool white wine, enjoy delicious meals, and finish off by watching a live rock band.

The fish and seafood are particularly excellent, with a great choice of lobster, clam and prawn dishes, among many

Pandora: Adrián, WiFi and Gabor

Restaurant Kalima is situated just a few metres from the breaking waves of the Atlantic

including performing with the acclaimed Tribute to Queen and Freddie Mercury act in Barcelona. He also played in several nationwide tours with the band Esclavitud and recorded two albums with them that featured Andy Deris, the famous singer of Helloween. Adrián also performed as the support act for the legendary Spanish heavy metal band, Obús.

WiFi Kalima offers fantastic seafood and Mediterranean cuisine

others. La Mariscada is a popular platter of seafood specialities, and perfect for two people. Alternatively, try their recommended catch of the day.

Kalima also offers a variety of paellas and rice dishes, and prepares a mouth-watering tapas selection to try, just a few metres from the breaking waves. You can enjoy one of

their many cocktails in the daytime sunshine, at sunset, or once the moon is high.

At 7pm the kitchen closes in preparation for Kalima’s evening speciality: live rock music.

Pandora The rock band Pandora consists of three professional

musicians who met in Kalima after years of performing separately in other groups, recording albums and touring the Spanish peninsula.

Adrián Adrián is a talented songwriter, guitarist and vocalist with an impressive background,

WiFi is a self-taught drummer and comes from Tenerife.

Prior to Pandora, WiFi played with groups such as Obús and Nadien, a well known band based in La Laguna that had a large following in the north of the island. WiFi has a unique playing style and impeccable rhythm.

Gabor Gabor is a bass player and double-bassist with a true

rock soul. He loves progressive and funk rock, and has been a professional musician his whole life. His father was also a full-time musician.

Gabor has spent the last 11 years in Tenerife, working the entertainment circuit and playing in many prestigious hotels.

At one of Gabor’s hotel gigs, he was joined onstage by Brian May, the former guitarist of Queen, who was visiting the island.

Music style Pandora performs songs by groups such as AC/DC, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, Kiss, The Police, Motör-

head, and Guns N' Roses, among others.

It is an emotional and interactive show where the crowd gets involved, singing and dancing to the powerful rock anthems.

The band also accepts requests from the audience for any number of songs from the 60s to today, whether rock, blues or heavy metal.

Pandora performs on the terrace of Restaurant Kalima, Sunday to Friday, 8.30pm until midnight. The group attracts visitors from all nat i onal i t i es and back grounds, and has a following that returns time and again to see their local guitar heroes.

Long live rock! n

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

FOOD

23

for house wine and were told that they did not offer it, but that we could have a half litre of Viñátigo from just along the coast. We should have bought a bottle for about €14 instead of the €20.25 we were charged for two half litres.

A starter of fried Chipirones (€10.60) arrived to share between us. Delicious, though expensive. For the main course, my wife chose a large mixed salad at €7.90, artfully arranged, though she felt that a touch less wine vinegar in the dressing would have been to advantage. Peter selected the large dish of baked rice with a crusty topping, hiding below it were various delicacies of shellfish. All of the main course rice dishes, whether of the dry variety such as we enjoyed, or the more moist Casuela ones, are for a minimum of two people. Our choice would have been ample for

three. It tipped the scales at €20.90 for the two of us.

Next time, I think that I would prefer to visit at lunchtime, so as to be able to enjoy the lovely terrace with sea views.

If you like Bognor and if you like rice, then this is just the place for you! n

RESTAURANT LAS AGUAS

Rice is nice!

By John At the risk of alienating the local inhabitants, the seafront at Las Aguas, an area of San Juan de La Rambla, when we visited, much resembled a wet February night in Bognor Regis – that is to say it was dead, deserted and looked abandoned to its fate.

The parking area was empty but for one lone vehicle and everywhere seemed closed – and this at 8pm on a gorgeous early autumn evening!

The swimming pool, jutting out seawards, is long emptied and closed down with no sign of redevelopment other than the steady encroachment of weeds.

The same applies to the old kiosk, now rusting and unloved.

Just what is going on here?

However, there is a saving grace. Perched above that silent seafront, one road inland, as it were, is a great restaurant, trading since 1983. There is obviously no problem with parking, but you do have to navigate up some steep stairs in order

to reach it on foot. Oxygen to the ready, we scaled their ramparts, and lo! A complete revelation!

A lone couple were dining on the outside covered terrace, but in deference to our aged guest, we moved indoors. Nobody was in there, but there were small

rooms immaculately laid up, a bar area, and a glimpse of a large stainless steel kitchen to one side. Wow! With the menus came another surprise. Not only do they specialise in rice dishes, but they are the only main courses that they offer! If you don’t like

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rice, then this is simply not the place for you.

I was surprised at the plainness of the bread rolls, bearing in mind that the accompanying butter had been grated on to a platter of shredded vegetables, which was a delicious yet complicated touch. We asked

Restaurante Las Aguas Calle La Destila 20, San Juan de la Rambla, Tenerife.

Tel: 922 360 428 Closed: Sunday night, Monday night and Tuesday night.

24

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

General information for visitors Medical Card or equivalent document, which can be applied for in your home country. It doesn’t cover all treatments; excluding dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness.

If you are ill, find a Centro de Salud or Centro Médico. The ones in the tourist resorts generally speak some English.

Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi

Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valuables. A UK driving licence with a photograph is usually accepted as ID for most credit card purchases, a photo credit card will still have to be accompanied by photo ID, daft, but there you are. Do not leave belongings unattended. Particular vigilance on the beach and when you are travelling with luggage is recommended.

Los Indianos Carnival, El Hierro

Los Gigantes, Tenerife

Can I drink the water?

You can drink the tap water in the Canaries, but the change may affect your stomach. If your visit is short, it’s perhaps best to stick to bottled.

Discounts Students and senior citizens may receive discounts on ferries, tickets to concerts, museums, etc., so always ask, as long as you can provide ID to prove it.

Shopping Normal opening hours in the Canaries are from 10am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.

La Gomera view

However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in tourist resorts open.

There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning Duty Free Despite popular belief, it is generally cheaper to buy alcohol and tobacco on the Islands than on the plane or at the airport.

Limits are: 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250grs rolling tobacco 1L spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22% 2L wine 60ml perfume, 250 ml eau de toilette Medical care All residents of the EU have the right to free medical and hospital care from Tenerife’s Public Health Service whilst on holiday (ie less than three months). To receive this you need to have the European

Photo: César Borja Photo: Robert Wagner CC A-S A 2.0 UL

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

Photo: Mathias Weil / FreeImages.com

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

Telescope, La Palma

drivers have been known to take back-handers for taking sick people to private clinics so make sure you are in the right place before paying.

Take the minimum with you on excursions and lock everything in the boot that you aren’t carrying with you and only access it where you are not overlooked.

Do not leave anything in sight.

Cars have been broken into for a beach towel before now.

If you are at a bar or nightclub, don’t leave your drink unattended and avoid dark streets on the way home.

The Islands are safer than many places in Europe, but there are always those who prey on the unaware: relaxing your vigilance could cost you dearly, not just in money but in precious holiday time - reporting the loss of a passport to the police for example and then the visits necessary to the consulates to replace it.

Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062 Blue Badge users Parking for Blue Badge holders in the Canaries is limited to the ‘disabled only’ (Minusválidos) parking spaces in each town. There are no concessions to park on yellow lines or anywhere else normal parking is not allowed. And even if you have a Blue Badge, don’t park in a disabled area which has a registration number marked on it – you will be fined and probably towed away. For further information: www.bluebadge-tenerife.com

Post Offices Open Monday to Saturday, generally 8.30am - 2.30pm. Some city offices open later.

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

Inter island transport: Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www.navieraarmas. com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065 Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aenaaeropuertos.es Buses The transport company TITSA has buses that reach all corners of the island. The main bus station is in Santa Cruz, near the Adán Martín Auditorium.

Clients can choose to purchase a ticket on the bus for each individual journey or to buy a Bono-bus ticket, a card which can be shared by various people and will mean saving up to 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the route.

They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window.

If your Bono-bus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bono-bus card.

For information you can call TITSA on: (0034) 922 531 130 or see: www.titsa.com

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

Useful contacts Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm Taxis Tenerife taxis are white and, unless they are minivans, the maximum number of passengers is four, including children. Eurotaxis have ramps for wheelchairs.

Eurotaxis, Santa Cruz: (0034) 609 867 581/607 612 816/629 132 269 Taxi Santa Cruz: (0034) 937 780 030 www.teletaxi.es Radiotaxi San Pedro: (0034) 922 310 000 Parque Marítimo César Manrique (next to the Auditorium) Open every day: Sun-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri, Sat: 10amMidnight Adults: €2.50, Children (under 12): €1.50, Over 65s: €1.50 Tel: (0034) 922 229 368 https://es-es.facebook.com/ parque.manrique Palmetum Open Tues – Sun, 11am - 2pm, 4pm-6pm.

Adults: €4, Children (under 12): €2.80, Canarian residents €1/1.50 Tel: (0034) 697 651 127. info@palmetumsantacruz.com Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Nature and Man) Open Tues – Sat, 9am - 8pm; Sun, Mon, 10am - 5pm. Tel: (00 34) 922 535 816 www.museosdetenerife.org Museo Militar (Military Museum), C/ San Isidro.

Tel: (0034) 922 274 224.

Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, ecocmar@et.mde.es Castillo de San Cristóbal, Plaza de España Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm www.museosdetenerife.org Auditorio Adán Martín Tel: (0034) 922 568 600 www.auditoriodetenerife.com Teatro Guimerá, Plaza Isla de la Madera.

Tel: (0034) 922 609 408/922 609 400 www.teatroguimera.es La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera.

Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106.

The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city.

Call to make a reservation.

Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, C/ San Agustín. Open Tues Sat: 9am-8pm; Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.

Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, Avda. Los Menceyes.

Tenerife South Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office Plaza del Centro Comercial City Centre, Avda. Rafael Puig, 19.

Tel: (0034) 922 797 668 Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407 Oficinas de Turismo: Avda. Juan Carlos I (Bus station) Tel: (0034) 922 730 133 Paseo Marítimo Playa de Las Vistas Tel: (0034) 922 787 011

Religious Services In Spain, Catholicism is the main religion and almost all towns and cities, including tourist resorts, have churches where mass is frequently held.

Below is information about Catholic services held in languages other than Spanish and services for other faiths.

Holy Communion Anglican Church, Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas.

Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/ Evangelical Service

Photo: Manny Proebster / FreeImages.com

Tenerife

GENERAL INFORMATION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

Tel: (0034) 922 315 265. Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm. Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.

Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539

Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555.

Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com.

Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo.

Tel: (0034) 922 370 243/922 388 777.

Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999.

Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955 Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999 La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041

El Portón Tourist Office El Portón Shopping Centre, Playa del Inglés. www.turismo.maspalomas. com.

Lanzarote Arrecife Tourist Office Parque José Ramírez Cerdá s/n Tel: (0034) 928 813 174 www.turismolanzarote.com Costa Teguise Tourist Office Avda. Islas Canarias s/n Tel: (0034) 928 592 542 www.turismoteguise.com Teguise Tourist Office Plaza de La Constitución, s/n Tel (0034) 928 845 398 www.turismoteguise.com

La Gomera San Sebastián Tourist Office C/ Real, 4. www.sansebastiandelagomera. org/turismo/ Taxis: (0034) 922 870 524

Gran Canaria street

Puerto de la Cruz Tourist Office, Casa de la Aduana, C/ Las Lonjas.

Tel: (0034) 922 386 000.

Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.

Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm

Valle Gran Rey Tourist Office C/ La Noria, 2, La Playa.

Tel: (0034) 922 805 458 www.lagomera.travel/islascanarias/la-gomera/es/acerca/ visitar-valle-gran-rey/

25 Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235 Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108 Morro Jable Tourist Office Avda. Saladar, Jandía shopping centre Tel: (0034) 928 540 776 turismo@playasdejandia.com Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257

La Palma La Palma Tourist Office Avda. Blas Pérez González s/n Tel: (0034) 922 412 106 www.visitlapalma.es Taxis: Radiotaxis La Palma: (0034) 922 181 396 www.taxilapalma.com: 686 553868 Radiotaxi San Miguel: (0034) 922 416 070 Los Llanos de Aridane Tourist Offices: Avda. Dr. Flemming, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 402 583 / (0034) 922 402 528 www.lapalmacit.com Llano de Argual, 31 (also handicraft shop) Tel: (0034) 922 401 899 Taxi rank: (0034) 922 462 001 www.taxilapalma.com / (0034) 686 553 868 Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516 Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003

Fuerteventura

Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites.

Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es

Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) Avda. Siam Park s/n. Tel: (0034) 822 070 000.

Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque. www.siampark.net

Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

Lost Property Offices Tenerife North Airport: (0034) 922 635 855 Tenerife South Airport: (0034) 922 759 391 Arona: (0034) 922 725 562 Costa Adeje: (0034) 922 710 606 La Laguna: (0034) 922 608 805/922 251 080 Puerto de la Cruz: (0034) 922 378 448 S. Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354

Tourism Board C/ Triana, Las Palmas. Tel: (0034) 928 219 600. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

Gran Canaria

Las Canteras Tourist Office Paseo de la Playa de Las Canteras (opposite the Hotel Meliá) Tel: (0034) 928 446 824. www.lpavisit.com.

Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. de Tirajana (Hotel Riu

Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058 Playa Santiago Tourist Office Avda. Marítima, s/n.

Tel: (0034) 922 895 650 playasantiago@lagomera. travel Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844 Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216

Caldera de Taburiente National Park www.visitlapalma.es/recursos/recurso-parque-nacionalde-la-caldera-de-taburiente / www.reddeparquesnacionales. mma.es Theme Parks Maro Parque, Breña Alta.

Tel:(0034) 922 417 782. www.maroparque.com Palmex Cactus, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 464 862 Paraíso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701

All information was correct at the time of going to press.

Please confirm before travelling.

26

SPIN NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

MOSCOW BALLET

The Nutcracker For a Christmas ballet treat, head to Los Cristianos on December 8.

The Nutcracker is also one of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s triumphs, with the score having become one of his most famous compositions, in particular the pieces featured in the Suites.

Set to a background of Tchaikovsky’s music, often quoted as “the most admired composer in the classical ballet tradition that ever lived”, the story takes place in Germany in approximately 1850, beginning in the house of Dr. Stahlbaum and his wife on Christmas Eve. Fritz and Clara are the couple’s children, and a family party takes a surprising and entertaining turn, especially when it comes to Clara’s dreams. The show is a classic of the Christmas season, and the exquisite dancers will include some of the very best Russian soloists, including the outstanding Cristina and Alexei Terentiev. The Moscow Ballet was founded in 1989 by Rus-

Ballaké Sissoko and Vicente Segal will bring their fabulous World fusion music to Santa Cruz on November 25.

The French cellist and Malian kora (a 21-string lute harp used extensively in West Africa) player have rocked the world of music since their inception in 2009. Their seemingly incongruous combination of instruments has redefined the approach to classical sounds and has proved popular in many an otherwise closed circle.

Their first album, entitled Chamber Music, was released in 2011 and was widely acclaimed, achieving glowing reviews in leading publications such as The Guardian and Le Monde. This was followed four

First rate fusion

Photo: www.entrees.es

INEXORABLE INSTRUMENTS

sian choreographer and dancer Timur Fayziev. The company is made up of some of the leading dancers and choreographers from across the Russian ballet companies, and today it is one of the largest companies in the country. Since its foundation it has offered over a thousand performances and made over 60 tours around the world, which have included Japan, China, Taiwan, Italy, Switzerland, England and Spain. In 1991, the company was chosen by the great Rudolf Nureyev for his last tour of Europe.

The Moscow Ballet will be performed at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, starting at 7pm. Tickets, priced at €38, can be purchased online at: www.4tickets. es/balletdemoscu. For groups of 12 or more a special price of €20 each can be arranged, simply email: info@factoriacultural.com.

Alternatively, see: www.arona.org for more information and a PDF containing a full synopsis of the evening’s performance. n

years later by the equally successful Musique de Nuit, in which the pair’s interaction as they take turns to supply the rhythms and melodies - is incomparable.

Sissoko and Segal have travelled far and wide to bring their redefinition of fusion to as broad an audience as possible, from the United States to China, Europe, Brazil and back again, and at some of the absolute top festivals such as Womad, Chicago World Music and the Jerusalem Sacred Music Festival.

There is now a one-off opportunity to see them live on Tenerife, at the Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, starting 8pm. Tickets cost only €12 and can be bought via: www.entrees.es. n

STARS IN ARICO

Free films Some of the top movies will be showing in a series of free cinema dates in Arico Viejo.

The local cinema premises will be the host to the last in a series of films that have been offered without charge to the general public. On November 26 the galactic battle which is the latest Star Wars film will bring the screen alive, followed by jungle adventures on December 3 when The Legend of Tarzan swings into action. One week later, on December 10, Finding Dory sees the famous fish and her underwater friends on a mission to locate Dory’s family.

All the films are in Spanish and start at 9pm at the Cine de Arico Viejo. See the local council website at: www.ayuntamientodearico.com for more info. n

GREAT GASTRONOMY

Eats and treats in Adeje Adeje town centre is the place to head to on November 26 if you fancy taking part in a very special tasting session.

The ‘especial degusta.me’ gastronomicfestival is part of a month long range of activities for adults and youngsters, based around fine cuisine developed from local products such as wine, gofio, honey and cheese. A full epicurean agenda has included markets, training sessions, show cookings, non-alcoholic cocktail workshops, and much more.

Now coming to an end, one of the closing activities will fill the streets of the town with a range of stalls offering delicious wines, delightful sweets, treats, savouries and snacks, as well as a host of musicians and fun and games for the younger members of the family.

There’s no charge for entry to the festival, and make sure you grab one of the Copa Degusta.Me tickets which will give you one free drink.

The action will take place around Calle Grande and the Plaza de España, starting at 5pm and going on until 10pm. n

SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

DANCE SHOW

Say yes!

Dancing talent from the Arona area will be showcased in a Christmas extravaganza in Los Cristianos on December 4.

Students of the Dile Que Sí Dance Academy will give an exciting performance in disciplines that cover salsa, zumba, Canarian folk, bachata and modern dance.

Catch the show at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, starting at 7pm. Tickets cost €8 (children under one year old enter free) and can be bought from the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm. They’re also available from the ticket office next to the auditorium’s cafe on the day of the show, two hours before it starts and up to 15 minutes before the doors close. Alternatively, book your seats via: www.arona. org. n

TASTE TEMPTATION

In a chestnut The streets of Valle San Lorenzo will be the scene for a chestnut celebration on November 25.

The centre of the town will be bustling with autumn cheer (no matter the weather) as stall holders offer a range of traditional treats in homage to San Andrés.

Between 5pm and 10pm, there will be roasted chestnuts galore, hot out of the oven, plus a variety of tempting handmade cakes, sweets and snacks, both sugary and savoury, to tantalise the taste buds and fill the air with irresistible aromas. Many will feature chestnuts as an ingredient, in this homage to the cheeky little nut that fills trees across the island at this time of year.

There will also be wine tastings from bodegas around Tenerife, as well as children’s games, displays, folk group performances and various activities.

Free transport to the town is laid on from Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos. Discover more about the Noche de Castañas, Dulces y Vino at: www.arona.org, or by calling: 922 761 600. n

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LA OROTAVA

Dramatising history Two chances to catch free showings of the wonderful dramatised walks throughout the centre of La Orotava are coming up at the end of November and during December.

Back in 2012, Jaster & Luis Creations began a series of guided tours through the historic centre of the town, initially for cruise visitors. However, the events rapidly grew in popularity, for both tourists and residents alike, due to the dynamism of the experience. More a performance than a narrated stroll round old buildings, actors in period costume bring to life important episodes and figures from the area’s history, via song, storytelling, re-enactments and musical moments.

With the background of the beautiful gardens and traditional architecture that make up La Orotava centre, the trips through time are an incredible experience. They are available to order, in three languages, throughout the year, but you can take advantage of two performances of the latest show, called The Magic of the Villa de La Orotava, which are free for all those interested. The first

Photo: Jaster y Luis Creaciones / Facebook

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

will take place on November 27, followed by the second on December 17, and the starting point will be the Auditorio Teobaldo Power.

Though these particular guided walks are in Spanish, the shear theatre of it all is enough to keep even the most dedicated monoglot entranced with the action. You will even be offered

the opportunity to try some of the local fare.

Alternatively, you can always get together with friends or your local club and order your very own show in your own language, and prices are very reasonable. There are also dates throughout the year with walks in German and English which can be joined by individuals.

For more information see: www. laorotava.es. You can also call the La Orotava Tourist Office on: 922 323 041, or pop in to their premises, situated next to the Auditorio Teobaldo Power, to speak to staff. Places are limited on the free walks so you may want to reserve yours as soon as possible. Jaster & Luis: 922 359 393. n

TRADITIONS

Fabulous Arona Folk Fest Los Cristianos’ winter season of Canarian folk music, craft and gastronomic events will begin on November 30.

Throughout winter there will be a fortnightly celebration of all things Canarian, held in the Plaza de La Pescadora in the town centre. The Canarias Folk Fest is a yearly series of activities which include a free folk dancing demonstration on each of the days that the event is held.

The dates will be every second Wednesday and Thursday, and as well as the traditional music and dance

supplied by a variety of groups, from 4pm to 10pm

there will also be an arts and crafts fair which will include

stalls selling locally produced food and drink.

The first of the events takes place on November 30 and December 1. The next Folk Fest will be on December 14 and 15, followed by January 11, 12, 25 and 26; February 8, 9, 22 and 23; and March 8 and 9. The very last one of the season will take place on March 22 and 23.

Entrance is free; all you have to do is turn up on the day. See: www.arona.org for more information on this and other activities in the Arona area. n

WHATS ON 2016

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES November 25

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

EXHIBITIONS Until December 16 Collective exhibition, ‘Las Fronteras’, Teatro Víctor Jara, Santa Lucía, free entry, Monday Friday, 7pm - 9.45pm. www.santaluciagc.com Until January 15

8pm: Concert, Caterina Di Placido Soul Band, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas, €5. www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com November 26 8.30pm: Concert, Timple & Bohemia, Mescolanza, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €15. www.entradas.com 9pm: Celebrating Buena Vista Social Club, Teatro Auditorio Agüimes, €15. www.entrees.es December 1 8.30pm: Concert, St Fusión, Common Time, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www. entrees.es

Mapas de Acción, feminist collection with a socio-political message, by Yolanda Domínguez.

Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Las Palmas, free entry, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sundays 10am - 2pm. www. caam.net

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

TENERIFE

DIARY DATES November 24 7.30pm: Carmen, French opera, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €6. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8pm: Dance show, Flamenco Puro, Teatro Timanfaya, Puerto de La Cruz, €12 from the theatre’s box office.

December 2 & 3

November 25

9pm: Black Heritage Group, Tribute to Aretha Franklin, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €16. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es December 4

5pm - 10pm, Noche de Castañas, Dulces y Vino, San Andrés chestnut celebration, stalls, wine tastings, music and dance, Valle San Lorenzo town centre, free entry, free transport from Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos. www.arona.org 8pm: Fusion concert by Ballaké Sissoko and Vicente Segal, Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Santa Cruz, €12. www.entrees.es 9pm: Theatre show, Mi Lucha (My Fight), by Antonia San Juan, not recommended for under 16s, Adeje Cultural Centre, €13. www.adeje.es

8pm: Ainhoa Arteta concert, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €29. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

7.30pm: Carmen, French opera, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €6. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 9pm: Star Wars movie (in Spanish), Cine de Arico Viejo, free entry. www.ayuntamientodearico.com 9pm: Theatre show, De Hombre a Hombre (From Man to Man), by the Insularia Theatre, not recommended for under 14s, Adeje Cultural Centre, €8. www.adeje.es 11pm: Concert, Canarian rock group Barón Rojo, followed by merchandise signing session and rock music party, El Arcón, Puerto de La Cruz, €22. www.entrees.es November 27 2pm: Family Christmas Show with Miguel Moly, Enrique Barrios and Gaita Cuero and Madera, Achaman Discopub, Costa Adeje, from €8, children under 10 go free. www.entrees.es 8.30pm: Dance show, Flamenco Puro, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €10 and €12. www.arona.org.

November 29 & 30 All day: Fiestas de San Andrés, celebration of the new wines, held all over the island but catch these two days in Icod de Los Vinos when local residents travel down steep hills at breathtaking speeds on boards, trays and sledges. www. icoddelosvinos.es November 30 and December 1 4pm - 10pm: First of the winter season’s fortnightly celebrations of all things Canarian, traditional music and dance, food and drink, arts and crafts fair, Los Cristianos, free entry. www. arona.org December 3 5pm and 7.30pm: Tarzan the Musical, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €10 - €14. www.teatroguimera.es 8.30pm: Tenerife Symphony Orchestra plays Strauss, Wagner and E.W. Korngold, €12 - €34. www.sinfonicadetenerife.es 9pm: Tarzan movie (in Spanish), Cine de Arico Viejo, free entry. www.ayuntamientodearico.com December 4

December 6 8.30pm: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €42. www. auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

7pm: Christmas dance festival from the ‘Dile que sí’ school, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org 8.30pm: Gospel Canarias Festival, Black Heritage Group, tribute to Aretha Franklin, Guía de Isora Auditorium, €10 and €12. www.entrees.es December 6 8pm: Gospel Canarias Festival, Black Heritage Group, tribute to Aretha Franklin, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €12. www.entrees.es December 7 8pm: Gospel Canarias Festival, Black Heritage Group, tribute to Aretha Franklin, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €12. www.entrees.es December 8 7pm: Moscow Ballet , The Nutcracker, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €38, €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.arona.org 8pm: Gospel Canarias Festival, Black Heritage Group, tribute to Aretha Franklin, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €12. www.entrees.es December 10 9pm: Finding Dory (in Spanish), Cine de Arico Viejo, free entry. www.ayuntamientodearico.com 9pm: Minor Empires concert, Aguere Espacio Cultural, La Laguna, €10 - €12. www.aguerecultural.com Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents. Until further notice, many films will be shown in the original language.

See: www.openaircinematenerife.es for programme and non-resident prices.

Every Saturday morning Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women, etc. Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com.

EXHIBITIONS Until December 2 Tribute to Maria Zimmerman, Museo Casa El Capitán, San Miguel, free entry, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am - 1pm and 4.30pm - 7pm. https://es-la.facebook.com/ bacossanmiguel / www.sanmigueldeabona.es Until December 5

Until December 25

Photography, Sala de Exposiciones El Aljibe, San Miguel, free entry, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10am - 1pm and Friday 4.30pm - 7pm. https://es-la.facebook.com/bacossanmiguel / www.sanmigueldeabona.es

11.30am – 1pm, every Sunday: Folk dancing, Pueblo Canario, Las Palmas. http://blog. lpavisit.com Until December 27

Until December 11

4pm – 11pm, every Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: Craft fair, Centro Comercial El Portón, San Agustín, San Bartolomé de Tirajana. www.maspalomas.com Until further notice Thursday – Sunday: CamBuyon Market, art, second hand, vintage and antiques, Mercado del Puerto, LPGC, Thursdays and Fridays 7pm – 11pm; Saturdays 6pm – 11pm; Sundays 12pm – 3pm.

Photos and audiovisual art, ‘Recherchez les femmes’, TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm. www.teatenerife.es

9pm: Moise González and various Canarian artists, will be recorded live for a DVD and CD, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €10. www. entrees.es November 26 5pm - 10pm: ‘Especial degusta.me’ gastronomic event, delicious local products, musicians and children’s activities, Calle Grande and Plaza de España, Adeje, free entry. www. adeje.es

Until December 31 12pm: Mimí and Floon clown show, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €5. www.entrees.es 7pm: Gospel Canarias Festival, The Latonius Gospel Choir, San Antonio de Padua Church, Granadilla, free entry. www.granadilladeabona. org/concierto-de-gospel-2016/

Retrospective collection of surreal images by 20th century painter Óscar Domínguez: Entre el mito y el sueño (Between myth and dream), TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm. www.teatenerife.es

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

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

29

INHERITANCE PLANNING

Changes to UK’s domicile rules

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

The UK’s Summer Budget of 2015 included measures to remove the “fundamental unfairness” in the non-domicile regime.

Following a period of consultation we have a good idea of what the position will be from April 2017. While the reform is mainly aimed at foreign nationals living in the UK, it also affects Britons leaving the UK or returning after living abroad.

Domicile is the key factor in determining if you are liable to UK inheritance tax on your worldwide assets (assets in the UK are always liable). If you are a UK domicile, or deemed domicile under HM Revenue & Customs rules, your estate is liable to tax at 40 per cent, above the allowance of £325,000.

The main consultation has ended and further guidance and consultations have been

“While the reform is mainly aimed at foreign nationals living in the UK, it also affects Britons leaving the UK or returning after living abroad.” released by HMRC. The following is not yet final but is likely to be the position from April 6, 2017.

left the UK to live abroad, you may be able to adopt a ‘domicile of choice’ in your new country. However, HMRC will continue Domicile issues for to treat you as domiciled in expatriates the UK for inheritance tax purposes – ‘deemed domicile’ Currently, if you have a UK – if you were UK domiciled domicile of origin and have in the previous three years, or

were resident for income tax purposes for 17 out of the 20 years before you died.

This three year period increases to five years from April 2017.

So it will take at least five years before you can escape inheritance tax.

If you had a UK domicile of origin, this also means that if

you return to the UK for anything more than one year, you will be deemed UK domiciled again and back in the inheritance tax net.

If you had settled a trust while you were non-UK domiciled, it will then be treated as a UK domiciled trust.

This could undo previous inheritance tax planning, so if you are thinking about resuming UK residence, you should ideally review your position prior to returning. You should seek advice as soon as you decide to move back so that any restructuring of assets can be done taxefficiently.

Enveloped UK residential property Where a UK residential property is ‘enveloped’ in a corporate structure, it will become liable to UK inheritance tax from April 6, 2017.

There will be no tax relief on de-enveloping such properties, so when weighing up the pros and cons of keeping the struc-

ture, you need to consider all the costs involved in de-enveloping.

Domicile is a complex area of law, particularly for inheritance tax purposes. If you get it wrong, your heirs could be faced with a large and unexpected tax bill. Take specialist, professional advice to establish the best solution for you and your family.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

Blevins Franks 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

The Circle of Professional Entrepreneurs of South Tenerife (CEST) recently called for accelerated measures to enforce security in the south of the island, considering it imperative that police stations have translators, more manpower and better resources.

The group of businesses and professional individuals has requested an urgent meeting with government delegates to outline their concerns and follow up on decisions announced by officials in the recent past that have not been implemented, making the situation “increasingly worrying” for CEST. “We believe that improvements including more manpower, better resources, and a different approach would undoubtedly contribute to strengthening security across the island’s boroughs, especially in public areas with large numbers of residents and tourists – and therefore, greater economic and business activity”, CEST announced.

With this in mind, the business group recently criticised the

Stretched security

uncertainty surrounding staff numbers and current vacancies for police in the south of Tenerife: “It is still unknown how many positions will be filled and when they will begin working, which is simply not good enough”.

CEST also points out that there is also no up-to-date information on unresolved procedures,

such as the processing of tourist complaints in hotels and other tourist establishments, modernising police facilities, and including interpreters and translators to help visitors file complaints. “Generally, police units aren’t even using mobile applications such as AlertCops to help tourists report a crime

adequate response to the nonviolent robberies taking place”, CEST insisted.

Similarly, authorities need to tackle the problem of ‘false reports’, where individuals seek insurance payments, typically for new equipment such as smartphones and tablets, by lodging fraudulent claims The group also asks that the issue surrounding the opening of a police station in Las Chafiras or Parque La Reina be resolved as quickly as possible.

trol: “Given the differences in borough needs, we ask that administrations properly coordinate the resources and manpower available, as at the moment, police presence is scarce and often nonexistent. Street vending causes unfair competition and service practices, while generating an image of the island that somewhat spoils the holiday experience for tourists, as well as local residents in those areas where they operate.” CEST

With respect to the problems caused by street vendors, CEST calls for better Local Police coordination and con-

reminded officials that they submitted these and other concerns some months ago, without receiving a reply so far. n

Photo: Anna Kaiser CC CC A-S A 3.0 UL

CEST

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

Photo: Arnstein Rønning CC A-S A 3.0 UL

30

CEST wants to see greater security in the south of Tenerife To tackle the problem of street vending, CEST believes that Local Police divisions need to coordinate better

in their own language. The south of Tenerife needs quick, modern procedures to give an

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

MOTORING

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

MIGHTY MINI

Cool Countryman The new MINI Cooper Countryman just got very mighty indeed.

The Countryman is the biggest and most versatile model to be launched in the brand’s 57-year history, and is sure to please existing fans and entice even more people into MINI’S world. Larger external dimensions, increases in space throughout the cabin and luggage area, useful new features such as electric tailgate control with touch-free opening, and unique options such as a fold down picnic bench at the rear all add to the ownership experience.

The car’s on- and off-road ability is improved, thanks to extended ground clearance, large wheel arches and short overhangs, and for the first time ever MINI is offering a plug-in hybrid model with the new Cooper S E Countryman ALL4.

The rest of the line-up is powered by a new range of engines sourced from the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo generation, and the Countryman is even available with both manual and Steptronic gearboxes and either front- or all-wheel drive.

Additions to the standard equipment list include the acclaimed Satellite Navigation System, plus Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Emergency E-call and Active Guard, among others. There is plenty of opportunity for personalisation and a range of option packs that include fixtures such as the new 8.8” inch touchscreen display as part of the Navigation System XL, offering touchscreen multimedia and navigation control for the first time in a MINI. n

31

GREAT GOLF

Volkswagen for the future The world premiere of the 2017 model of the Volkswagen Golf, the brand’s most successful car, saw a major update on show, with thorough digitalising of all its systems.

The main focus for the coming year is, alongside new engines, keener design and new assistance systems, a completely new generation of infotainment technology.

As a world first in the compact class, the top of the range ‘Discover Pro’ system can be operated by gesture control. With its 9.2-inch screen it forms a conceptual and visual entity with the Active Info Display, which is also new. In parallel to this, the range of online services and apps has also been enlarged.

The update to the Golf, of which over 33 million have

been sold to date, also reflects a new standard for assistance systems in its class. Technologies such as City Emergency Braking with the new Pedestrian Monitoring function, the new Traffic Jam Assist (partially automated driving at speeds of up to 60 km/h) and Emergency Assist, which is also new

in the segment, significantly improve safety.

The progressive digitalisation is accompanied by the enhanced EA211 TSI engine family, seeing the debut of the new turbocharged petrol engine, the 1.5 TSI Evo – a 110 kW/150 PS four-cylinder turbo with Active Cylinder Management (ACT).

This will be followed by a BlueMotion version producing 96 kW/130 PS. Volkswagen has also boosted the performance of the Golf GTI, the new version of which will produce 169 kW/230 PS and 180 kW/245 PS (GTI Performance), and a new 7-speed DSG (dual clutch gearbox) will gradually replace the 6-speed DSG as a high-efficiency gearbox.

The more refined design of all new versions of the Golf will also make a powerful impression. Modifications include new bumpers at the front and rear, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, full LED headlights instead of xenon headlights, new front wings and full LED tail lights, and breakthrough wheels and colours. n

LIMITED 911

Porsche on paper From the earliest design studies, to the last of the air-cooled line, every model and iteration of the iconic air-cooled Porsche 911 is covered in a collectors’ item book that is selling fast.

In the most comprehensive reference work yet, limited edition models, rare prototypes, and one-off specials are all included, each illustrated with over 1,250 contemporary photos and drawings, plus reproductions of advertising materials and brochures.

Revealing the continuous process of evolution and impeccable build quality that has kept the 911 fresh for over 50 years, and with the full co-operation of

Porsche, the author has assembled and presented an extensive history of the air-cooled 911 that includes full year-by-year coverage of production models, listings of colour and trim options, meticulous descriptions of the cars, Porsche’s racing efforts in the arena of motor sports, and three highlydetailed appendices.

The birth, rise, and eventual replacement of the air-cooled 911 by the water-cooled 996 is catalogued in unprecedented detail, revealing how the company fought through sometimes difficult times, political turmoil and changing fashions to keep the 911 at the top of its game

through every decade. A definitive history, presented in an exquisite and impressive package, could this be the perfect Christmas gift for a fan? Bound either in white leather or cloth, only 911 of these books are presently available, so you will need to make your reservation soon.

The Ultimate Book of the AirCooled Porsche 911 by Brian Long can only be bought via the dedicated website: www. ultimate911.veloce.co.uk. n

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GARDENING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

PERFECT PREPARATION

Photo: Diego Rios / FreeImages.com

Autumn almanac

There is still time to take cuttings from geraniums

lowest sets of leaves and dip the cut ends into hormone powder for best results. Plant in small containers filled with premium potting mix and keep the soil moist for a while. Don’t leave out in strong sun or wind and your new plants will soon be thriving. This technique is especially useful for geraniums and hardwood herbs such as rosemary.

Photo: Ralph Morris / FreeImages.com

Protect pot plants

Protect container plants’ roots by ensuring trays are the right size or filled with sand or gravel

Though winter still feels a way off in many parts of the Islands, now is nevertheless a good time of year for carrying out a few simple jobs in the garden in preparation for the coming months.

Particularly if you live on one of the western islands, your plants will currently be enjoying higher moisture levels and cooler temperatures than they have over the summer months, creating the perfect conditions for various tasks.

Rearrange and reorganise Autumn is a good time for transplanting as the sun is not so strong and the plants have a little time to form new roots and adjust before the harder weather of January and February arrives.

HOTEL

Hotel Rural Los Realejos ‘Las Cañas’ Calle El Medio de Arriba 40, Los Realejos info@hotelrurallosrealejos.com www.hotelrurallosrealejos.com

922 34 37 71 • 622 15 54 73

So, if you are thinking of moving some of your perennials, now is the moment to reorganise the look of your garden.

If you live in an area that receives rainfall on a semiregular basis, one of the difficulties can be pot-plant trays overfilling with water, leaving the roots open to rot which can permanently damage them. One way to deal with this is to ensure that the pot fits nicely into the tray, allowing little space for water to gather.

Alternatively, you can fill larger trays with sand or gravel which will have the same effect.

Create clones

Trim and prune

To make new plants, take 10cm cuttings, remove the

Herbaceous perennials, bushes and shrubs will all benefit from

a good trim at this time of year, especially if they have started to go yellow or their stems are bending towards the ground.

Don’t be afraid to cut them back quite extensively – they will regrow healthier and bushier in the end. Check plant labels or internet advice for individual types if you are unsure. Trees will also appreciate a prune but you may seek expert advice.

Love your lawn If you are one of the lucky ones to have an expanse of grass, now is the perfect time to add fertiliser.

Move the mulch One of the benefits of mulching, especially over the summer months, is that it helps soil to retain moisture, which can be an absolute boon in our climate. However, as rain starts to fall you want to ensure that mulch isn’t touching the stems of plants, trees or shrubs to help prevent rootrotting diseases. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

Home improvements in the Canaries

By Sabine Virgin and Andrea Abrell

There is absolutely no question: The Canaries really are a paradise. But as with the real Garden of Eden, the Islands are not immune to problems which can present themselves from time to time. This is especially true if you live here permanently, whether you rent an apartment or are a home owner.

Sooner or later you may find that you have problems at home.

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Several factors are responsible for this: the sun, the wind, and the rainfall during the winter months. All three natural phenomena can cause long-term damage to exterior walls or interior spaces. The masonry can be worn down by heat, forming tiny cracks which remain undetected. Water collects in these little cracks and this can lead to the formation of mould. In the worst case, a leak can suddenly appear in the bathroom because the exterior wall had a hole in it. The wind, which is permanently present in some regions, can also damage houses in the long term, especially roofs.

There are now many wellknown craftsmen in the Canary Islands who know about such problems and can offer the right solutions. One of them is Dieter Krause from Ossi-Bau. He explains: “If you are buying a home in Tenerife, you should make sure that you don‘t pay too much. It is very important that water pipes and electricity cables are new, and it is also important to pay attention to water damage. What almost always happens when someone buys a house is that they renovate the bathrooms, kitchens and floors, and it is important to make sure that

A glass winter garden is a beautiful seating area and offers extra warmth

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

the walls are not damp. I like to suggest to my customers that I accompany them to the property prior to purchase so that I can draw their attention to any construction defects.”

This builder, who arranges visits to properties for purchasers, also offers consultations regarding problems and construction projects in a property already owned by a client.

M. Eisen is also a well-known expert from the north of Tenerife. His roofing company relies on the renowned Kemper and Kemperdur products for leaks in walls and roofs. They are particularly suitable for weak points

and problems, such as brick and concrete transitions, on flat or tiled roofs or in the case of joints. Their liquid sealing products are also suitable for balconies and terraces, extensions or for bathrooms and kitchens.

Their consistency allows them to adapt perfectly to these different conditions. Even in difficult cases, they provide a lasting solution. Once the product has cured, the problem areas of

the house are properly sealed.

Even if the Canary Islands are known as the ‘islands of eternal spring’, it can also be chilly or cold in the winter. On a finca at an altitude of 800 metres, it is not unusual for the temperature to drop to five degrees Celsius during the winter. Luckily, there are some specialists here who can provide cosy warmth within your own four walls. This can be provided via

conventional methods such as a heater, but also innovative ideas such as marble heating systems or Infra-deco heating elements (see page 35).

Michael Muranka from La Orotava, who even turned Mother Nature into an ally, also offers special ideas: an alternative that uses the sun indirectly as a source of heat is a glass conservatory. Muranka explains: “We have used this technique

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

35

INFRA-DECO

Do you freeze in the winter?

Watertight roofing is key to maintaining warmth and dryness

The latest design – a standing table with infrared pillar – which was presented by Infra-Deco at Exposaldo in Santa Cruz

on a bungalow and it works wonderfully. The conservatory can on the one hand become a wind-sheltered seating area, perfect for an evening drink, party or a reading session, while on the other hand it heats the house. The sunshine warms up the conservatory and this heat is passed to the living room behind it.”

This option is creative, aesthetic, efficient and functional at the same time.

For anyone who still wants a conventional heating system, the constructor recommends heating panels from Schlüter®Ditra-Heat-E. These are individually installed panels that heat the floor or walls.

They occupy very little space and are very flexible to use.

It makes sense in many areas of the Islands, in the mountains or in the north, to think about structural investments like these, because it is not only more cosy, but in the long term you will also be protecting your house or apartment from mould formation and avoidable damage.

The constructor Dieter Krause Ossi can be contacted on 670 739 588; Michael Muranka on 630 782 941; and M. Eisen’s roofing business can be reached on 630 429 793.

Alternatively, email: m.eisen@ freenet.de, and www.kempersystem.com.

Infra-deco has given domestic heating in Tenerife a completely innovative option: a decorative infrared heater.

Heating in the Canaries?

Admittedly, at first that sounds like a crazy idea, but those who have been living here for a long time know that heating can be necessary.

It all depends on where you live - on which island, at what altitude, north or south? How you live - with many exterior walls or some linked to another property, facing north or facing south? What time of the year?

How sensitive is the individual?

And quite frankly, even in the Canaries, it can be quite cool in the winter when the sun is not shining. That’s when the living room isn’t quite so cosy, but rather fresh instead.

That is precisely why Infradeco infrared heating is the perfect solution. Their aluminium infrared heaters are available in three sizes to suit areas of 12 to 28 square metres, with an electricity consumption of 400 to 750 watts per unit. The heating elements are manufactured in Germany and are TÜV tested for environmental safety. Infra-deco provides quality work, with a five year warranty which promises security. In Tenerife the heaters are made of powder-coated aluminium. Heating with infrared is not expensive: if the heating runs for around five hours a day, which is quite a lot for the Canaries, each radiator costs

30 to 56 cents a day, depending on the size.

Arguments for infrared Radiated heat is as pleasant as a tiled stove, and it heats up the entire room, preventing damp walls and mould formation. Compared with conventional heaters, you can save 40 to 60 per cent on your heating costs. The heater is silent, maintenance-free, easy to install and, above all, mobile. This means that if you are a tenant, they can just be attached to a wall or ceiling

with a few hooks and can be easily removed when you move home. This heating method does not dry out the air and is suitable for allergy sufferers. Best of all, it is not only functional and efficient, but also very decorative. Painted pictures, works of art created with airbrush technology or your favourite photo can be applied to the heating elements. Each unit is individually designed and very attractive. In the summer it is just a decoration, but it becomes a heating system in the winter - the perfect combination.

If you do not want to hang the heater on a wall or ceiling, you can opt for a mobile version which can simply be rolled into the room you are in. New in the range are standing tables with an infrared supporting pillar. This variant is a good idea especially for restaurateurs as it is ideal for guests who sit outside, and their feet stay warm and they are happy!

You can find more information about this at Infra-deco or at the open day on December 3 from 10am to 6pm. Those who buy on this day will receive a 20 per cent discount. n

Infra-deco Plaza Toronjil 4 Las Rosas (between Guargacho and Las Galletas) Tel: 922 09 94 78 Mobile: 626 166 046 www.infra-deco.es Sub-contractors:

TENERIFE NORTH Mercado Manus, Carretera Provincial, Santa Úrsula.

Tel: 672 811 069

GRAN CANARIA SOUTH

Luz & Deco, Calle Colombia 55, El Tablero.

Tel: 670 546 554

LANZAROTE

Wolfgang Merz.

Tel: 636 876 554 Even a painting can become a heating system

LA PALMA

Thomas Pabst.

Tel: 654 322 700

HEALTH

36

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

THE POWER OF POSITIVE

Changing your tune Instead of ‘I can’t’, say ‘I will do my best’. When faced with an unwanted but necessary situation, don’t instantly declare how awful it is, try saying ‘This is a challenge but I will find a way to make it work’. Try to choose words that are positive Photo: Dennis Stamatoiu/ FreeImages.com

Photo: Michal Krzymin/ FreeImages.com

hate…’, ‘I can’t...’ or ‘I am… something awful’? Consider whether what you are saying is actually true or not. Do you really hate so many things, or are you just saying it habitually? Does ‘I can’t’ mean you are not physically capable?

Some have been thinking negatively for so long that it has become a habit

from a misplaced critical word from a friend, or an overheard comment which caught us at a sensitive moment. Others we will have created ourselves by being far too critical of our behaviour or looks – much more judgemental than we would ever be with anyone else.

Unfortunately, once a pattern like this has taken hold it not only shapes the way we feel about ourselves and our lives, it also affects the way we deal with others, and therefore how they treat us in return.

Nevertheless, with practice you can control and change your thoughts, but first you need

Find your strengths

Practice swapping damaging phrases for ones that evoke strength and success

to become aware of what you are thinking, and when.

Listen and learn Listen to yourself over the next few days or weeks. How many times do you say ‘I

Or that you don’t want to, or you’ve never done it before so aren’t sure whether you can or not? Become aware of what you are saying and thinking and consciously find different ways of expressing yourself.

and evoke strength and success, rather than committing yourself to failure before you’ve even started.

Instead of saying you hate something, ask yourself how you really feel about it. If you tried a food when you were

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Swap phrases such as ‘I am useless’ for ‘I can…’ and ‘I know how to…’ We often berate ourselves for everything we can’t do and forget that we are already capable people.

Write down all your skills and everything you have accomplished thus far in life, from knowing how to sew or knit, to sports you play, being a good mother, a supportive friend, a trustworthy employee, or a tidy and organised person. Allow yourself to feel confident about the things you have achieved.

Furthermore, trade ‘I am not worth anything’ for ‘I deserve… (a holiday, respect from others, a treat, a partner that cares for me, some time off to myself…)

You fill in the blanks, and truly

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Tel. 699 521 649

pedroalegrealonso@hotmail.com

©2014 FLN

Negative thoughts can run amok in our subconscious, undermining our self-esteem and holding us in uncomfortable patterns of behaviour.

‘I can’t do that’, ‘I never have fun’, ‘I’m ugly’, ‘I’m fat’, ‘I’m stupid’, ‘Nobody likes me’, ‘I hate myself’. These are surprisingly common messages that many people repeat to themselves endlessly. It’s like having someone whispering insults in our ears 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These phrases influence our every mood and action, yet a lot of the time we aren’t even aware of them.

Beliefs such as these may have originated in childhood thanks to thoughtless or deliberate comments made by our peers or elders. Some will spring

Repeating statements like ‘I hate myself’ will lead to mental unbalance

Photo: Sixty Sixtyyy / FreeImages.com

Altering the way you think can change your life

Photo: Gabor Kalman/ FreeImages.com

By Xena Fox

eight years old and haven’t since, are you certain you hate it? If you met someone only once, for 10 minutes 15 years previously, and they upset you, are you sure you really hate them? That television programme you only caught five minutes of five years ago, do you actually hate that as well?

A more honest way to express these opinions would be to say sentences such as ‘I didn’t enjoy it when tried it, but I haven’t done so for such a long time that I really don’t know whether I like it now or not’.

Try to discover how you feel and phrase it in ways that reflect the truth.

If that seems a little daunting, you can tackle it little by little. There are several ways of ‘tricking’ yourself into thinking more positively and clearly.

good points. Swap ‘I am too fat’ for ‘I am proud of my curves’.

‘My nose is too big’ for ‘I like my eyes’.

Similarly, volunteers were once asked to speak about how they thought their friends, family and colleagues saw them as people. Many who considered themselves to be unpopular, or somehow failing those around them, were surprised to hear that their associates actually considered them to be very

Forgive yourself

Photo: Robert Zuranski/ FreeImages.com

Many of our negative thoughts originate from guilt, often unnecessarily or inappropriately. We all make mistakes, and some of those errors do hurt others, it is an inevitable part of life. But nothing you can do will alter the past, including beating yourself up

about it for the rest of your days. Remember that no one is perfect, and make peace with yourself. Change ‘I am a bad person’ to ‘I will learn from that experience and do better next time’.

Paint a pretty picture We all have an image in our minds of what we look like and who we are, one that is often quite wrong. During an experiment a few years ago, women of all different proportions were lined up, from the slimmest to the largest, and members of the public were asked to join the line where they thought they fitted in size.

All but one of them saw themselves as considerably bigger than they actually were. Try to build a realistic view of your body and concentrate on your

capable, supportive and loving.

Change ‘I am not liked’ to ‘Many people appreciate me’.

Be grateful List at least five things you are grateful for. Friends, family, health, your house, food on the table, your car, computer, clothes, pets, having the day off: everything, no matter how large or small. Write it all down, on a regular basis if you are having trouble remembering. It’s too easy to concentrate on what we consider lacking and forget that we are already blessed. Turn ‘I don’t have’ into ‘I am so lucky that I…’

Smile Swap a frumpy frown for a cheerful smile. If you find yourself locked in a negative con-

versation with yourself, take a deep breath and force a smile onto your face – it will instantly help change your mood. Use that moment’s pause to think of something that has made you laugh in the past. Your

one thing that is just for me’.

And do it.

Pick perky people Choose whom you associate with carefully. If your friends

HEALTH

37

ship has run its course. Value your time - it’s precious - and choose to spend as much of it as possible with people that make you feel happy, who are loving and supportive, have a good sense of humour and/or have something to teach you.

feelings for more helpful ones, learn how to meditate or practice yoga or Tai Chi. As well as the physical benefits of taking up this type of discipline, the focus on the breath will give your mind a break from its incessant chatter. Negative thoughts are often simply a habit – you’ve been thinking them so long that they repeat themselves without your volition.

Learning how to pause the mind will help you become aware of obstructive patterns, and relaxation techniques will provide you with the strength and energy to change them.

Inspiring ideas

If you are feeling down, force a smile onto your face – you will instantly feel better Reading stories of people who have overcome difficulties can inspire us to change Spend time with people who make you feel good Making a list of what we are grateful for can change our mood

always look for the worst in people, spend their time belittling others, or you come away

If necessary, take a break from reading or watching the news for a while and choose an uplifting or inspiring film instead. If you read psychological thrillers or crime stories constantly, try a funny story, a book on self-motivation, or the biography of someone who managed to overcome great odds or illness.

When will fill our thoughts with death, destruction, crime and disaster, it is even harder to stay positive. Yes, we should be aware of what is going on in the world, but immersing yourself in everybody else’s tragedies will not help improve your state

Photo: Pilar Vargas / FreeImages.com

believe it: you really do deserve to be happy and fulfilled.

Photo: Mokra / FreeImages.com

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

Alesia17 / FreeImages.com

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

thoughts will soon be following a happier path.

Find the fun Instead of thinking ‘I never have any fun’, write down 20 activities you really enjoy, be it shopping, going for a country walk, having a long bath, sharing a meal with friends, listening to music, or walking on the beach. Say to yourself: ‘Every day I will do at least

from them feeling drained, they will only reinforce any confidence or emotional issues you may have. Take a good long look at the relationships you have in your life, and if someone you spend a lot of time with always makes you feel weary, it may be time to acknowledge that the friend-

of mind. And the more mentally and emotionally fit you are, the more you will be able to actually help others, rather than just take on their pain.

Practice relaxation To exchange a whole range of your frantic thoughts and

Make it stick Learning to think positively takes practice, just like any skill. At first you may find it difficult and quickly slip back into your old ways. But with time you will automatically frame your thoughts and words in a more caring and kind manner. Of course, it is much easier when everything is going well and tougher when in the midst of problems or difficulties. It will require more effort at these moments, but the more often you do it, the easier it will be.

If you are having trouble getting started, try surrounding yourself with uplifting phrases and quotes: place post-it notes on your computer, the fridge, in the bedroom, on the back of the toilet door! Even if you don’t stop to read them all the time, your brain is taking them in, filing them in your subconscious and building a storehouse of positive vocabulary that you will be able to access more and more easily.

And remember: You are in charge. Don’t let your thoughts rule you, take control and choose a way of thinking that makes you happy and will lead to a healthier and more wellbalanced life. n

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Golf del Sur

38

PETS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Animal charities’ round up

If you would like to help foster cats, please get in touch with Cats Welfare

Acción del Sol We have so many dogs at our refuge, all of which deserve a second chance, they have so much unconditional love to give and will be your friend for life.

They all have a story to tell, often of cruelty, starvation and neglect, but with a little time and lots of love they make such loyal pets. You can also be assured that every single dog adopted from our refuge will be fully inoculated, micro-chipped, heartworm free, holding a passport and with a clean bill of health. We also castrate / sterilise every dog before their adoption and all we ask is a donation of your choice towards the costs we incur.

Maybe with Christmas on the way you can find it in your hearts to help us; maybe a tin or two of dog food with your usual shopping – it would be very much appreciated by our four legged friends.

Please contact us on: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way.

We are always in need of tinned dog food, blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, and collars and leads for everyone. Alternatively, visit the refuge on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm - 5pm and Saturdays 1pm - 4pm. We are situated directly under the Eolica Parque’s wind turbines at exit 52 on the TF1 north bound, after the El Médano junction.

Just head for the turbines on the coast and you will see our buildings on the right. Alternatively, email the refuge at: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: action tier Acción del Sol.

Live Arico (PAWS) For some of the best charity store chic around, bag a bargain at our shops in: San Eugenio (Opposite Hotel La Niña. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reverón, 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). Don’t throw things away! Call us on: 629 388 102 and we can sell it to help the dogs. Find us at: www.livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.

Cats Welfare To foster, all it takes is a small spare bedroom or office, a bathroom, or even a corner where you can set up a playpen cage, which we provide. While we do need foster cats to stay separate from your own cats, it doesn’t take much space to do that, and remember: whatever space you have at home is better than the cat being on the street.

Yes, you might get attached but no matter how difficult it is to pass the cat on to its new owner, knowing that you’re helping to save a life

Tierhotel Lilly We look after your pet while you are away

(short or long term)

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

www.tierhotel-lilly.com

should ease any short-term pain. When you take in a foster cat, it gives us room to help others and allows us to learn more about their personality than we ever could with it living on the street, which, in turn, makes the cat much easier to adopt out.

Some worry that their own cats won’t tolerate a foster cat, especially an adult, but if you have a separate room it shouldn’t be much of a problem. Your cat(s) will know there is another cat in the house, and they may be a little upset about it at first, but chances are they’ll get over it pretty quickly, especially if you make sure you wash your hands after visiting with the foster cat and keep the cats from seeing each other. Tell your cats they need to help too! Eventually, they will be nonchalant about the fostering.

You will get all the food and litter from Cats Welfare and we cover all medical expenses associated with foster cats.

A foster cat won’t make your own cats sick if you follow basic health protocols such as washing your hands between handling and wearing an old shirt when handling the foster cat. Bedding for the foster cat will be provided by us so after it’s used it can be thrown away.

We have a few foster homes but still need help! The sad reality is that we constantly turn cats and kittens away. Want to find out more with no obligation?

LOOKING FOR A HOME

Glorious cats

This young female cat was found at the side of the road, very frightened, in San Blas, Golf del Sur. She was taken to the vet and had no injury but also no collar or microchip.

She’s just one of the many cats looking for a home. Call or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129 (9am to 6pm, seven days a week). n

Ring or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129 (9am - 6pm, seven days a week) or message us on our website: www.catswelfare-tenerife.com where you will also find photos and details about the adult cats we have available for adoption.

There are also kittens but in the south we do have some for viewing in the Don Perro pet shop in Las Chafiras and Vet Express behind Gran Sur. Opening times and maps are on our website. In the north, kittens can be seen in the Kiwoko pet shop in the El Trompo commercial centre just outside Puerto de La Cruz. If you are looking for something specific, contact Maria on the number above (please leave a message if the phone is not answered immediately). If we don’t cur-

rently have that colour/sex we can put you on a waiting list.

Good condition items for donation can be dropped into the shop on San Blas in Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino) which is open seven days a week, 10am – 6pm (Saturdays, 11am – 4pm). If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items, please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 to arrange collection.

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 is: 667 638 468. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

Farmer’s Markets Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm Telephone: 922 775 200 Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm.

Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160 El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657

Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105

side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544

Guía de Isora Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico Friday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Playa de San Juan Plaza de la Iglesia Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938 La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120 La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633 Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234 Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004 Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand

39

FARMER’S MARKETS

Island support!

Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158 San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966 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 necessary 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 of Tenerife. Enjoy. n

40

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

Horoscope for period: November 24 to December 7 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 As the year starts to come to a close, this is the time for you to take control of your reputation, especially as you should be feeling confident at the moment. Consider carefully the image you wish to project to others.

Contacts

Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 This has been a year of important changes and many may be feeling a little overwrought with it all. Worry not though, your tenacity in dealing with all you have been confronted with will pay off.

Cockney girl, Ana. Just what you need to get pampered.

Stunning hot brunette. Let my pleasure be your pleasure, owo, French kissing. Los Cristianos, opposite the bus station. Tel: (0034) 631 564 875. Busty and curvy.

Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 After a time of indecision you are now feeling focused. You should be developing a better idea of what is actually important to you in life: keep that in mind when you deal with other people’s feelings.

Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 It’s time to turn on that considerable charm of yours if you want to hold on to your loved ones. Family and friends will put up with your confusion for a while, but not forever. A little more effort on your part is needed.

Leo 23.7 - 23.8 The moment is auspicious for you to slow down and take stock of where you should be. Everything can be a game to you, Leo, which makes you lots of fun to be around but may not always be the best, or most honest, path.

Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 After a period of uncertainty you are now brimming with new ideas.

You may not be able to see how to put them into practice just yet but your practical nature will help you work out a way forward and you will be helped.

Libra 24.9 - 23.10 Though you may not quite understand the ramifications yet, this really has been your lucky year. Though it may have been hard work, you have been laying the foundations for a brighter future.

Have faith.

Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Developing more patience has to be your goal right up until the end of the year: it’s the only way you’ll be able to solve your problems and ensure you make more friends and allies than enemies.

It is all about the balance.

Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Romance has been highlighted for you this year, be it within an existing relationship or the start of a new one. It isn’t a given, however. You need to put the effort in. If you aren’t seeing results just yet, hold firm.

Senses Agency, services: threesome with two ladies, companionship, threesome with your significant other; bachelor party, sex assistants, swingers, erotic fantasies. WhatsApp: 640 814 067.

Las Américas, Cristianos, Adeje. Ukrainian blonde, spectacular body, for demanding men. Private apartment. Outcalls 24 hours. All services.

You won’t regret it. Call me, I’m waiting for you. Tel: 602 631 367.

Erotic massages, tantric and other services with attractive lady from Germany. Without rush. Nice location. Jacuzzi.

Tel: (0034) 619 614 380.

Erotic parties for singles and couples, also quickies and threesomes (English and German speaking). (0034) 648 245 245.

Mature 50 year old man, pleasant, polite, affectionate, seeks women for sporadic relations. Age not important. Without commitment. I am in the south, but available all over the island. I speak Spanish and English. Tel: 631 515 381.

Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, fat, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €70 half hour, €100 one hour.

Apartments Royal, in front of

the bus station, Los Cristianos.

You can pay in Sterling. SMS/ WhatsApp for info. Tel: (0034) 602 626 848.

Outcall same price: Tantric massage for impotence, premature ejaculation, and sagging. Prolong your erection and enjoy an incredible experience.

I’m Amaia from Colombia, I’m a very exotic woman. I offer you two orgasms, internal and external, prostate massage, body to body, couple massage.

Full body relaxation. More than pleasure. For more about me, see: www.sensesmassagetenerife.com. Tel: 0034 640 814 067. Also by WhatsApp. For ladies: Excursions and escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc who speaks good English, German and Spanish. I have my own apartment and car in Tenerife South.

I also do visits. Tel: (0034) 630 759 974.

Los Cristianos, Marcela, blonde Venezuelan, big breasts, pretty, obliging, all services, no limits.

I am waiting for you in my private apartment, or I can come to you, 24 hours a day. Tel: 650 442 665.

Los Cristianos, young blonde, spectacular, welcoming body, natural 130 breasts, all services. Discreet. I speak a little English. Opposite the bus station. Tel: 603 387 563.

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, novelty, Meliza, Latin blonde. Natural French, positions, kisses, massages, vibrators. Private apartment in Calle Noruega, near the Altavista supermarket. I can do visits and I am available 24 hours. Tel: 602 629 191.

Los Cristianos, Latin girls (friends), private apartment, erotic massages, happy ending, affectionate and obliging.

Outcalls to hotels, 24 hours, appointments, maximum discretion. Playa Las Vistas, San Telmo and Avenida Suecia. Tel: 603 332 156.

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

PAMELA, brunette, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only. Private apartment. HH Franciscano street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras. Number has changed: was 635 801 105, new number: 608 285 035.

Gay Latin guy in Los Cristianos.

Sex and massage service for men. Masculine, 28 years, handsome, athletic body, sportsman. Contact by WhatsApp in English: (00 34) 695 793 841, or in Spanish call me on (00 34) 695 793 841.

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.

To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09

Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 By sticking to your favourite way of doing things, with slow steady efforts, you will achieve the results you have been looking for. Don’t let anyone convince you that you need to rush – you know what to do.

Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 You are entering a period of great creativity, when all your hard work and efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded. Much of what you have been doing has been going on in the background, but others have still noticed.

Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 You will be faced with a difficult choice in the coming weeks, but if you stay calm and don’t make any hasty decisions you will soon see the path you have to take – one that will ultimately lead you to where you need to start the coming year.

The easy way to sell or rent properties

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

ISLAND CONNECTIONS MEDIA GROUP S.L. www.islandconnections.eu

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE NEXT EDITION The deadline for edition 785, which is published on 8th December, is 6th Dec. 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.

CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

General Services 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 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 Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2016 on the fourth Tuesday 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 You’re invited!!! FREE BEAUTY SESSION. This is your time to relax with friends or on your own, share the excitement of trying new products, learn about the latest techniques and trends and of course, earn fabulous rewards. More info: 642 601 553 Maggie.

Are you looking for an opportunity with financial independence and personal fulfillment? Become an Independent Beauty Consultant!!! More Info: 642 601 553.

For sale, cooker with three burners, spit roaster for chickens, three freezers, chairs and decoration. Tel: Carlos on 676 243 558.

Teacher (English and Spanish) and interpreter gives Spanish lessons. I would also like to work as a secretary. Tel: 747 790 001 or email: k.arim555@ live.com.

MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73

BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS

Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos.

New meetings start in October, on the fourth Tuesday

internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.

All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

Call

(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com

41

647 928 223

Spanish and English Lawyers

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

Second-Hand Sale LOS ABRIGOS & Auction X Room We sell everything you need for your home or rental apartment We buy quality furniture for CASH. Free Valuations!

Collection & Delivery Service.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm · Sat 10am-1pm

Tel: 922 749 664

Los Abrigos, 1st building on the right, coming from Las Chafiras

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.

Lady Golfer, 65 years old, single, hcp 28, new resident in South Tenerife, is looking for male or female partner for many relaxed rounds. Tel: 922 741 118.

Body, foot reflexology, Breuss massage, manual lymph drainage. Let yourself be pampered

by Simone’s hands. Economic price. Tel: 611 277 578. www. simonehands.de.

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

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

www.decottalaw.net

You are invited to

Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm

Shopping Center Salytien Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina 37 www.clifchurch.org Pastor Mark 637 321 453

We sell furniture suitable for bar/restaurant (tables, chairs, kitchen accessories, decoration etc.) in excellent condition. Price negotiable.

Tel: 922 717 613 or 671 912 301

CLASSIFIEDS

42

RENTAL Classifieds

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

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 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.

Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano Garage to rent, double with 2 bedrooms and a width. Victoria Court 1, Los garage. Tel: 676 243 558.

Cristianos. Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up.

Looking to exchange or rent: 2 Luxury 85m apartment in Tel: 679 919 623.

Travemünde (on the Baltic Sea, Germany) in exchange for 2/3 bedroom apartment in 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.

SALES Classifieds

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 APARTMENT TABAIBA ALTA For sale, only five mins away from the German school, roughly 102ms, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, utility room, garden, big terrace. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@ gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net

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.

Playa Honda

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

Las Américas

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

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.

€ 25,000

ALAN: 634 098 838

30€/month

Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000 Place your advert at

The easy way to sell or rent properties

Mundo del Mapa Classifieds Agent Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz

Quiet property in Playa Fañabé for rent 900m from the beach, from November 2016 to March 2017, corner house, garden, large communal pool, underground parking with direct access to the living area, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, air conditioning, TV, WIFI. No pets. Contact:

Apartment for rent, 1 bedroom, fully equipped, near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 /month + electricity. Tel: Theresa on 606 105 101.

+34 676 378 618 publisher@icmedia.eu

Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY ON GOLF DEL SUR

• Opened in May 2015 • Modern Mediterranean and international cuisine • Chef restaurant - Seasonal changing menu • Open 6pm - last customer • Reason for selling: started a new bigger project and unable to run both • Initial investment 80k

Property for Sale

Selling everything as it is together with the name/ reputation (all the equipment is included in the price) For sale: €70,000 For more information please call: 616 460 728

Situations Vacant / wanted

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

Estate agency in Las Américas requires: • A secretary with experience. Languages: English, German, Flemish.

• Sales agents with experience, languages and own car.

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

43

Vehicles To advertise please call 922 75 06 09

Car needed for long-term rental 676 378 618 Ford Fiesta 1.6, 2007.

ITV until February 2018.

Good condition. 87,000km. €4,750. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

FOR SALE

Mercedes S 320

MG Sport 1.6 Convertible 2003, ITV to October 2016, one owner, excellent condition, only 25,000km. €8,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

Mercedes 420 Elegance, 1996. 115,000km. ITV to November 2016. €4,500.

Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

1999. 216,000 km.

Serviced with ITV valid to September 2017.

€4,850 Tel: 634 347 439

Please send your Curriculum Vitae to: sggconsultores@hotmail. com

Tel: 658 032 174 Across

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FITNESS & WELLBEING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

TRAINING

Beautiful and practical sportswear One thing is clear: The right training plan is first and foremost for the success of a fitness programme. However, there are also other factors that determine whether the sport you decide to do to stay healthy and feeling young is also fun.

They include the fashion you wear during your workout.

High-quality fitness wear can look much better than just a known brand. Materials should be easy and flexible, and above

and that they keep their shape for a long time.

The right trainers are just as important. It is best to choose a shoe with a shock absorber function for jogging, while using lighter trainers for the gym or fitness studio. n

For longer trips, a drinking water bottle is recommended Functional, comfortable and fashionable: this is how sporting fashion should look. From Littlewoods

especially true for items such as sports bras or tops which should be smooth. High elastane content ensures that the training items do not constrict

A lightweight and fashionable look. Sneakers by George at Asda Pastel colours are also popular in the gym. From Littlewoods

all they should shift the perspiration quickly outwards from the inside of the material during training. This not only prevents the feeling of being

sweaty, but the body does not cool down either.

Some seams are not required by manufacturers of highquality sports fashion. This is

High-quality fitness wear should be comfortable and flexible

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enhance your fitness

By Debbie Gilbey

Welcome to my fitness column. I am the owner of Enhance Fitness in Tenerife and have worked and studied in the fitness industry for over 10 years. I will be using this space to share some knowledge and answer your fitness and healthy-eating queries.

Over the years I have listened to many excuses for why people don´t keep their fitness levels up, and they are all just different perspectives of the same term: I already feel fit and strong.

Well, let me congratulate you. I am also fit and strong, yet I haven’t suddenly ceased activity. On the contrary, you can always improve your technique and training strategy.

Fitness is a lifestyle, not a game or downloadable App. You don’t gain experience points and go up levels; stop practising for a period and see the difference. It is extremely easy to become complacent and slip right back into old habits.

Usain Bolt didn’t wake up on the day of the Olympics with zero training and suddenly run 100 metres in 9.58 seconds. He trained and progressed. There is always room for personal development.

Something else I often hear is: I don’t need to be fit and strong. Why not? Do you have a personal butler who carries all your groceries? Do you have elevators in your house banishing a life of staircases and trouble away?

While I can agree that you may not want to become an extreme bodybuilder (which I can assure you won’t happen because you went to the gym that one time in 2007), realistically, exercise is a way of future proofing your body. As you age, your bones become less dense, muscles degenerate, and joint motion becomes limited. Even simple exercises and stretches can help you overcome the inevitable.

Many of my new clients have stooped spines or can’t lift their arms straight above their head anymore, and they are only in their early 40s. Without preventative and corrective measurements, these inflictions do not suddenly reverse themselves. Help yourself get the best quality of life and movement, not just for your own sake, but for your loved ones. I’m sure you don’t want to be a frail person hunched in a chair relying on others to help with simple tasks.

Something else I often hear is: I am not fit and strong enough. Fit enough for what, exactly? You cannot say you didn’t go to school because you weren’t smart enough. You went to school to learn and become smarter. You exercise to become fitter and stronger.

Everybody starts somewhere and that is your personal benchmark; it can only improve from there on. You don’t need to be lifting 100 kilos or running a marathon on the first day, what you need is to actually begin your ‘day one’ if you’re ever going to see any form of results.

If you have any questions, please email me at: d.gilbeypt@gmail.com, and check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/debbiegilbeyfitness. n

Debbie Gilbey, owner of Enhance Fitness

©2016 FLN

44

POINT BREAK

Surfing arrived relatively recently to the Canary Islands and only really took off during the 1990s. With a bathymetry similar to Hawaii, the Islands' breaks are famed for being heavy and shallow; however, calmer beach breaks are available.

By the time the open ocean swells reach the Islands, the winds which produced them have long dissipated, offering the possibility of clean, swells for long periods. Unfortunately, the islands are also plagued by north-easterly trade winds which can affect the strong, north-westerly swells. It is possible to find quiet waves, especially if you explore a bit and ask fellow surfers about their preferred spots.

Tenerife Tenerife’s two main surf zones couldn't be further apart: Bajamar in the north of the island is home to some solid reefs with northerly swells and southern winds plus the reliable beach break

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

SPORTS

45

beaches than the other islands. Strong winds are part of the package, making the island a world-renowned windsurfing destination, but there are plenty of waves to be found in the calmer, winter months too. The north coast is packed with exposed reefs that pick up excellent swells, while the waves range in intensity from the challenging tubes of Lobos to the serene walls of Derecha de Los Alemanes. The long west coast offers open beach breaks, but anywhere south of Cotillo is isolated and currents can be extreme. The south has a couple of quality locations but access is sometimes difficult and it can be a long drive down with often unreliable conditions once you get there.

The east coast is very popular around Corralejo, where golden sands cover some nice reefs and beginners can get some space. However, if the wind is high then the area becomes full with windsurfers and kite flyers. The east coast

can become a hive of activity in summer months; however, the winter months are when the winds are lighter, offering calmer surf conditions. Early starts are good for beating the strong winds and throngs of water sports enthusiasts, while mid-afternoon is the windiest period of the day.

Surfing the Islands at Almáciga, while the popular Playa de Las Américas resort in the south offers good, constant surfing conditions. This area can get a little overcrowded, particularly at the popular spot at La Izquierda, but has a friendly, multicultural community that regularly frequents the area due to its low offshore winds and clean surfing.

The east coast of Tenerife is largely poor due to high winds and weak breaks, but it improves the further north you travel, and is considerably better around Igueste de San Andrés.

Photo: Mike Baird CC A 2.0 GL

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

Gran Canaria Gran Canaria's most popular surfing area is Playa Las Canteras in Las Palmas, with a variety of beach and reef breaks from El Confital to El Lloret.

Countless spots are available along the north coast but many of them are considered dangerous and have difficult access.

The west coast has high, surrounding cliffs that offer very

The Canary Islands offer excellent surfing conditions

few surf spots. Tauro, Arguineguin and Maspalomas are the best zones in the south, but this area is nowhere near as reliable as the north. The east coast breaks receive swell all year round and this part of the island offers many quality

spots, including La Izquierda del Muelle.

Fuerteventura Fuerteventura has an arid landscape and generally dry conditions, with more sand

Lanzarote Lanzarote is known for its excellent conditions, with many of the locations producing superb waves from even the most average of swells. The predominant trade winds can be a problem and sometimes grow in intensity. East coast breaks are inconsistent but occasionally show good form when the winds back off. Jameos del Agua offers interesting rides and has the longest wave in Lanzarote.

The surf is consistent throughout the year with constant swell from September to May. The optimum months from October to April are most likely to have lighter winds. n

46

SPORTS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051

RUGBY

New look Ñandú less unit of players, reading the game and making quick decisions.

The Boatmen kept the pressure on throughout the game, dominating the scrum and forcing Ñandú to concede a try at the close of the first half. Ñandú rose to the challenge in the second half and continued their try scoring run, winning 41-5.

Mikel Urkidi Johnson and Valentin Sukudian, all coming up from the under 16s team and rising to the challenge. They proved themselves true rugby players; strong, fearless and committed to the game.

It was a great start to the new season and the boys did themselves proud, proving that hard work and dedication pay off.

Ñandú has enjoyed a great start to the season

The new season is underway

November 13 saw the start of the new Tenerife rugby season, this time as an under 18s team rather than under 16s, and under the guidance of the new coaches Nico Corte and Adrian Sukudian.

Although awareness of rugby within the Canary Islands is on the up, and the numbers of players are constantly growing, the small number of teams has led to Ñandú fielding two teams of their own, ensuring some good match time for all players alike. It is a tough challenge for the players, but good practise for future games next year when the Canarian League begins.

The team recently travelled to La Laguna, with many parents and supporters in tow, to put their new training techniques to the test, and to see if their extensive previous grounding had stayed with them over their summer off. Club Rugby Universidad La Laguna (CRULL), a newcomer to the under 18 category, were the hosts, the sun was shining, and the boys were keen to get started.

CRULL 0 – Ñandú 58 The game got off to a quick start with Ñandú scoring their first try within the first four minutes of play, and it didn’t

2; Facu Olivera Rodríguez: 1; Axel Morán Bragado: 1; Miguel Ángel Castañeda Orozco: 1; Mel Tena Deharbe: 1; Gabri Córdoba García: 1 conversion.

New look Ñandú are rising to the challenge

Ñandú 41 – Boatmen 5 The extensive training of the Boatmen of El Médano was clear, with their power and skills vastly increased from last season. From the start, this was always going to be a challenging and physical game. However, Ñandú’s years of hard work and training quickly shone through as they played as a seam-

take long for the boys to find their rhythm and improve as the game progressed, with a further six tries scored in the first half, along with two conversions. The game continued with team play dominating the attack, leading to a further three tries and one conversion.

A fine display ensured that

CRULL were kept in their half for a large part of the game, with the final whistle confirming a Ñandú 58-0 victory.

Try scorers: Gabri Trujillo Méndez: 2 and 2 conversions; Fran Ferreyra: 1; Jacob Oakenfold: 1 and 1 conversion; Gregor Prieto García:

Try scorers Jacob Oakenfold: 3 and 3 conversions; Gabri Trujillo Méndez: 1; Fran Ferreyra: 1; Miguel Ángel Castañeda Orozco: 1; Ricky Lorenza Bernal: 1.

Three players made their debuts for the Ñandú team: Grigory Sulimov Andreevich,

The next game will be held at Tenerife Top Training, La Caleta, on Saturday November 26, with the first kick off time at 11am.

If you would like more information on how to become involved or support this fantastic sport, please contact Paul on: 664 361 058. n

24.11.2016 – 7.12.2016

FOOTBALL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 784

47

CD TENERIFE

Youth saves the day Photos: Cristo González

By Chris Todd It may not have been pretty at times but CD Tenerife has certainly turned the corner with four points won from the last six up for grabs.

12/11/2016 CD Tenerife 1 Numancia 1 It is fair to say that visitors Numancia were the poorest team to visit the Heliodoro this season but they managed to win a point against a lacklustre blanquiazul team.

CD Tenerife was without four key players and it showed. The play was predictable and slow with the first shot on goal not coming until the 15th minute. French left-back Camille was causing some headaches to the visitors’ defence, however, and it was his run into the box that led to the Tenerife penalty on 34 minutes. Suso stepped up to score to make the score 1-0, and that was incredibly Tenerife´s first penalty goal in the last 18 months.

They had missed their three previous efforts!

The largest crowd of the season (9,874) were confident of the three points but Numancia edged their way back into the encounter without carving out any clear cut chances. That all changed on the hour mark when stand-in keeper Falcon charged out of his area to try to clear a ball he was never going

NOMADS FC

Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk

Girl’s football Girls weekly training sessions have started and we now provide two classes a week on a Monday and Friday at 4.30pm, and we will start some friendly games soon. Any girls aged eight to 15 years old wanting to play girl’s football, please contact us.

Six-a-side Our weekly men’s six-a-side league is looking for new teams for the winter season, so if you and some friends want some

Cristo González scored the first goal against UCAM Murcia

to get and Manu de Moral beat him with ease to equalise.

The game limped on with neither team deserving much more than a point, but in the very last minute Tenerife could have won when an Alberto effort was spectacularly saved with the resulting rebound hitting the bar and post before being scrambled away. A draw was a fair result at the end of a frustrating day for Tenerife.

20/11/2016 CD Tenerife 2 UCAM Murcia 1 With missing players returning, CD Tenerife is starting to regain full strength. The main striker Choco Lozano will be out until the New Year, however, so the responsibility to score goals fell onto the shoulders of two youngsters: 18 year old Cristo and 20 year old Amath. With

González’s clever play set up Amath for the winner

pressure building on the blanquiazules they knew that nothing but a win would silence the critics.

This was UCAM Murcia’s first ever visit to the stadium, the 182nd different club to do

so. The match started in the worst possible way for Tenerife as they conceded within two minutes. It did leave plenty of time for a fight back and with Aaron Ñíguez now pulling the strings in midfield the team

has finally found some shape and creativity.

The equaliser came on 24 minutes when Cristo González pounced after a Murcia error and it was game on! Just before the break the blanquiazules took the lead. Left back Iñaki powered his way into the area before cutting the ball back to Cristo González and his classy touch set up Amath who scored with some style. This was more like it, this was the football we wanted and it was so pleasing to see the two young lads make the difference.

Going into the break on a high and at 2-1 up you would normally expect Tenerife to wrap

Footballing fun exercise and fun playing football, why not get together and make a team to play every week at our recently renovated pitch in Los Cristianos.

New players needed Our Nomads Football youth teams are getting started with the next round of the local league games. Please note that our under 8s and 16s teams still need some players. If you want your kids to start playing football and making friends then please bring them along to start training. Each Nomads youth team has its own section on the club webpage. For more information visit: www.nomadsfc.com.

Daytime football We are getting more requests to provide daytime football games for night time workers, so if you and your friends want to use the pitch or organise a friendly game during the day, please give us a call for more details.

Contact Nomads FC For more information visit: www.nomadsfc.com. Alternatively, email: info@premfs. com. Call/message: +34 654 200 470 or 650 090 737.

Also visit our general website: www.premfs.com. n

Girls’ training sessions take place every Monday and Friday at 4.30pm

the game up in the second period but it never quite happened. UCAM Murcia has won more points on their travels and they are a better side than their league position suggests.

The second half was more a battle than a football match, without too many chances created for either side, but most importantly Tenerife held out to gain all three points. You cannot fault the determination of the players and slowly but surely the results are improving also. That makes it four matches unbeaten and the supporters are looking more up than down at the ever so tight second division table.

Next up on November 26, Tenerife has a tough trip to the northwest corner of Spain to face Lugo before welcoming Huesca to the island on December 4 with a 5pm kick off. The blanquiazules have already won in Lugo this season in the cup so why can´t they do it again? With the home form steady (only one game lost in the Heliodoro in over a calendar year), a few away victories are needed if the team can make a real go at hitting the play-off zone.

This season, with Sevilla Atlético riding high (they cannot be promoted as they are Sevilla’s under 23 side), even seventh in the league would result in a play-off spot so it is all to play for. n

48

PROMOTION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 051