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May 18 – May 31, 2017 On the beat
Vandals identified
Health
Arona’s force be with you
Graffiti showdown
When cells malfunction
Page 13
Page 15
Pages 34 & 35
Children in danger
The blight of bullying overcame her experience and transformed it into something positive. Now she helps other children and teenagers who are in the same situation as she was. It’s not just the victims who need help; often the aggressive behaviour of the bully is masking a deeper problem.
Photo: ACANAE
Incidents of bullying are on the rise in Spain and the rest of the world, causing adverse psychological effects on children and young adults and, in some cases, leading to suicide. It’s always been the case that children sometimes quarrel, no longer want to be ‘your friend’ or even resort to violence in the heat of a discussion. To a certain extent it’s normal, but education specialists have to keep a close eye on the situation. All too soon, it becomes a ‘game’, which for one of the parties is no longer any fun. If the attacks are regular over a long period of time, the child can be deeply affected. If the youngster is specifically humiliated and intimidated, then the border to bullying or mobbing has been crossed. It’s possible to learn to interpret precisely the reasons for a child to become aggressive or withdrawn: “Everyone involved in the education of children
Is there a typical profile?
When classmates make school a torment
should be made aware of this issue; home, clubs and school, from the director to the caretaker. Anyone who notices that a child becomes a victim of verbal or physical attacks should report it. Those bullied are usually so intimidated that they cannot deal with the situation themselves”, explained the
psychologist Roberto García, who, together with his colleague Lorena Martín, runs the non-profit organisation Asociación Canaria No al Acoso Escolar (Acanae), which aims to tackle bullying in Canarian schools. As an 11 year old, Lorena herself was bullied by a group of
girls at school. So much so, that at the end of her school days she needed psychological help because she suffered from lack of self-respect, depression and even had suicidal tendencies. She also didn’t trust her parents during this period of suffering. It was only through psychological help that she
According to the experience of the two psychologists, the aggressor is usually an extroverted type who likes to determine and lead his clique. He has great self-esteem, is impulsive and usually shows little compassion. The classic victim is a rather sensitive and quiet child with few friends, more passive, anxious and with low self-esteem. However, two alpha types in the same class will sometimes wrestle with each other for leadership. Sending your child to an expensive private school
does not necessarily mean b e t t e r p r o t e c t i o n . I t ’s wrong to believe that bullying occurs only in schools in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Like most problems, bullying encompasses all social strata and scholars, no matter where. “For example, we visited a school in El Hierro where we gave a lecture for teachers and parents as well as students. The problem exists there too. Perhaps even more pronounced in a smaller community, because people know each other so well and are often known or related. In our experience, we can only say that the bigger a school, the greater the risk. The more students meet, the more contacts are made, and the more likely it is that they can be bullied”, explained García. Continued on page two
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Abuse and attacks
Buddies not bullies Continued from front page
All photos: ACANAE
Bullying in school is not always physical. Much less noticeable are the mental attacks, pressure from classmates, or insults and verbal attacks, even over social networks. "Nowadays the anonymity of social media gives the perpetrator a hidden identity behind which they can hide. The attacks no longer stop after school, but go on around the clock. We also noticed that those affected are getting younger. Whereas the 10 to 16 year old used to be bullied, nowadays attacks are taking place even as young as seven years old”, García said. He is also convinced that there are not necessarily more cases today, only that adults are more aware and react faster.
by about 80 per cent. I think this is also desirable and feasible for us. Only, everyone has to be vigilant. Our children do not have to be over-protected, but sometimes they need adult back-up and this we have to give them. In addition, the Finnish model educates children on social fitness and civil courage". Studies in Finland have also shown that parallel to the decline of bullying at school, the desire to learn
Anyone who suspects that their child is being bullied at school can contact Lorena Martín and Roberto García any time. They speak English and will make an assessment of the situation with parents, the child and school as well as devise a solution to the conflict. Contact them via: www.facebook.com/ACANAE. Also, email: acanaeorg@gmail.com or visit the website: www.acanae.org.
and invited to join a closed group to participate in the blue whale game. It consists of 50 different tests on 50 consecutive days, ending with
Martín and García educate parents, teachers and children
What more can parents do? It’s very important to observe children closely, whether you have the impression that your child could treat others badly or whether you suspect they might be a victim. It’s best to talk with the child and teachers first. Parents of a victim should never directly contact the parents of the alleged attacker. "This usually leads nowhere. It’s best to talk with the teacher, often we are consulted and a psychological report is made. Together with all those concerned we are looking for a solution that is more neutral and efficient”, the experts said. Parents should be attentive if a child who is usually cheerful becomes quiet and less self-assured, if they no longer want to be with friends or perhaps no longer want to pursue extracurricular activities. During the holidays, when a child is distanced from school, is a good time to observe whether their behaviour changes in any way. Those who make life difficult for others with bullying are, by the way, not just boys. However, as a child targets their aggression, this pattern of behaviour also runs into personal relationships.
Education for social fitness The two Canarian psychologists continue to work on the
Roberto explains what bullying is and encourages children not to watch others’ humiliation
increases and the general mood improves. As a previous sufferer, Lorena makes it easy for victims to confide their problems
problem of bullying in Canarian schools. Almost weekly they receive up to 100 mails on the topic. This doesn’t mean that the number of cases is on the increase, but the sensitivity surrounding the subject has improved. The preventive workshops and lectures they offer contribute to this. The project KiVa, an abbreviation of Kiusaamista Vastaan (counter-bullying at school), which was developed by psychologists at the University of Turku in Finland about 10 years ago and is now integrated into 90 per cent of the schools, is a great example. The main point is that it is not only about the two opponents, attackers and victims,
but all the others who stand by and watch. Already, seven to 13 year olds get lessons to clarify and explain what bullying is, how it works and that everyone is responsible, even those that look on. "Do not look away, do not laugh, but intervene and prevent", is the motto. "If we bring in all the others to stand by a victim instead of looking away, the perpetrator is soon isolated and his bravado is no longer admired", explained García, who considers the Finnish approach exemplary. At each school, there are also virtual mailboxes through which victims or witnesses can report cases of bullying. "In Finland they have succeeded in reducing bullying in schools
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The blue whale menace A new and vicious danger is spreading online. It’s a deadly game where young people are given a series of challenges including self-mutilation. The final challenge is suicide. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world and very peaceful, but its name is being used for a mortal internet game. It’s believed that it originated in Russia but García explained: "We have not had a case in the Canary Islands yet, but we are convinced that this risk will also come here. It’s dangerous because it targets troubled teenagers and those who play can feel affected by it and find a reason to justify suicide”. Young people are contacted by WhatsApp or on Facebook
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suicide. Starting with simple things like a painting of a blue whale, it gets increasingly abusive: spending 24 hours without sleep watching horror movies, self-harming, and finally suicide. Participants have to prove their ‘success’ at each challenge with pho-
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tos and video recordings. They are motivated by the praise and recognition of the closed group. If they try and leave the challenge they receive threats from their examiner: a so-caller ‘healer’. There have already been several suicides of young people associated with the blue whale ‘game' in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay. A case in Barcelona of attempted suicide at the end of April is thought to be associated with the game and in Palma de Mallorca a youngster was detected with selfinflicted cuts by the headmaster of her school and it is assumed that she was also taking part. Both youngsters are being cared for and the Palma case is being investigated by the police. No one knows who is behind the anonymous and fake profiles of the self-proclaimed ‘healers’ who drive the teenagers to suicide. Parents can only be advised to be vigilant and protect youngsters. n
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
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Photo: 112 Canarias
German’s judgement
Almost five hectares of woodland and mountains were affected Photo: 112 Canarias
In August of last year, 27 year old Scott Verdinne Stumpf from Germany was arrested after accidentally starting a devastating forest fire in La Palma. His trial took place earlier this month and he has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison and to pay damages to the Island Council of almost €2 million, as well as compensation to the boroughs of El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, Villa de Mazo, Fuencaliente and to the widow and children of Francisco José Santana Álvarez, the forestry protection worker who died in the fire. Since the condemned is destitute and has no income, it’s unlikely that anyone will ever see a cent. The court found it proven that the young man caused the fire due to gross negligence, put the lives of many people in danger and cost a human life. In mitigation, it was allowed that he freely admitted his guilt to the police once detained.
Photo: Cabildo La Palma
Forest fire verdict
The incident cost the life of one of the firefighters Security forces fought to get the fire under control for days
Scott had been living in an abandoned building in El Paso in western La Palma for about three months. He had built himself an outhouse for his necessities and on August 3 after using the facilities, he set fire to the used toi-
let paper. With high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity the danger of forest fires was great, the island was on alert and he neglected to take note of that. He also failed to make sure that the burning loo paper had gone
out before leaving the house. The resulting fire raged for five days and affected four boroughs and 4,864 hectares of land. Some 3,000 residents had to be temporarily evacuated from their homes. Experienced firefighter
and member of the environmental protection agency, Francisco José Santana Álvarez from Gran Canaria, got caught in a fire trap as the winds changed direction. He was badly burned and died of asphyxiation as well as his
wounds. Scott was picked up by a roadblock on the LP2 by the Guardia Civil. He immediately gave himself up as a possible cause of the fire and was arrested. Whilst the fire was declared under control n after five days.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
La Gomera
A taste of honey As the Islands gear up for Día de Canarias (Canaries Day) on May 30, to mark the archipelago’s recognition as an autonomous community of Spain, residents and visitors will be treated to a large number of local and regional events. After the establishment of a democratic constitutional monarchy in Spain, autonomy was granted to the Canaries in 1982. In 1983, the first elections were held, which was won by the Spanish socialist party PSOE. May 30 (Día de Canarias) was chosen to commemorate the first session of the Canarian Parliament, nine months after autonomous status was granted. In the lead up to the fiesta, there will be healthy helpings of folklore, tradition and all things Canarian on the menu, helping to mark the celebrations as a key date in the calendar. It also affords the regional government the opportunity to honour those local individu-
Palms like the Palmeral in Tazo, La Gomera, play an important role in island life Tappers climb the palm and form a hollow, finally inserting a length of cane to drain the sap into a bucket below
als, institutions and businesses deemed to have contributed to Canarian culture. The Gold Medal (medalla de oro) is presented to such people, services and products, including this year, La Gomera’s treasured
Miel de Palma (palm honey). Island President Casimiro Curbelo welcomed the honey’s inclusion, as the tradition with Miel de Palma production – a process where palm tree sap is boiled into syrup and used in
the confection of desserts and sweets – goes back many centuries. However, La Gomera’s palm tappers (guaraperos) have been involved in a wrangle with the European Union regarding the definition of honey. The
EU ruled that the denomination could not be used because the product is not made from bees, in the traditional way, and is instead extracted from palm trees. Canarian authorities and producers disagree, stating that other products have been given official names, such as rice milk, so the same should apply to palm honey. The Canarian Parliament also backs the product’s status on the grounds of historical relevance and its “cultural and economic importance”. Casimiro Curbelo said that the matter is “simply a misunderstanding in Brussels”, but for local producers such as Juan Ramón León, the battle is more serious. After 29 years working as a palm tapper, he feels that the industry has suffered a form
of “prejudice” from the argument surrounding the honey’s status, and hopes that the Gold Medal goes some way to recognising the work of the ‘guaraperos’ and La Gomera’s proud product: Miel de Palma.
More medals Other Canaries Day Gold Medals went to: Basketball Champions League winners Iberostar Canarias, Handball Queen’s Cup winners Rocasa, the Asociación Niños Especiales de La Palma, Casco Viejo de Corralejo neighbours group, Michelle Alonso and Israel Oliver, the scientist Basilio Valladares, trapeze artist Pinito del Oro, Ramon Padron, Luján Pérez Art School, and La Graciosa n Eighth Island group.
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Poema del Mar
Shark tale
Weighing and check-ups are a stress-free routine at Loro Parque
Four grey reef sharks (Abel, Airam, Liam and Juan) at Loro Parque in Puerto de La Cruz are nearly one year old and are the first of their kind to be born in the Canaries in human care. They are strong and healthy and about to move to Gran Canaria where they will inhabit
the Poema del Mar aquarium, opening in Las Palmas at the end of the year. Currently they eat about three per cent of their body weight, five days of the week. Their meals consist mainly of white and blue fish, crawfish and cephalopods. They are trained regu-
Grey reef sharks can grow up to 2.5 metres long and become sexually mature at the age of seven years
larly so that weighing, measuring and check-ups are a routine for them. The grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) can live up to an age of 45 years. It only reproduces every two years but the female can give birth to seven to 10 shark pups.
The sharks at the giant aquarium are also ambassadors of their kind: 11 species from the shark family are on the list of endangered species. It is estimated that around 100 million sharks are killed each year by humans. The grey reef shark has been on the red list of endan-
gered species since the year 2000, but still in the category of 'near threatened'. No animal has been so badly demonised by Hollywood as the shark, even though there are relatively few shark attacks worldwide. In the last year, according to Statista, just 81 shark attacks
on humans were recorded and only four were fatal. Most of the shark-human confrontations occurred in Florida, USA (32), Australia (15) and Hawaii (10). There were also isolated attacks in California, North and South Carolina, South Africa, Brazil n and the Bahamas.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Private investment
Conned by officials
Lanzarote wind farm
Photo: Cabildo Lanzarote
Real estate swindle Eleven men and six women in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca and Ávila have been arrested in what appears to be a widespread real estate con. They are accused of fraud and are currently under conditional liberty. The charges and offences go back some time. They were originally caught because someone noticed a change in the land registry files back in 2015, showing a change in ownership in the property files. Three civil servants were arrested at that time and following investigations, further irregularities came to light and more arrests occurred. It seems that the group targeted properties like fincas (outlying farm land) and tried to switch ownership. It would appear that employees of the land registry office, notaries and lawyers were all involved in the scheme. The value of the properties involved is around €13 million. The accused face charges of belonging to a criminal gang, money laundering, abuse of official positions, theft, coercion, embezzlement, corruption and falsification of documents. n
Pedro San Gines and Antonio González Viétez (l-r)
In a recent meeting of the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve Council to discuss the change of the island’s ‘energy model’, one of the key points of discussion was the development of a new wind farm: Parque Teguise I. Island President Pedro San Gines was present at the reunion and the residents of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have been invited to financially participate in the new venture with shares of between €100 and €10,000. Gines claimed that they had enough funds for the project, but wanted to allow the islanders the opportunity to participate in the energy sector and its profits. A maximum of
€1 million from private funds is foreseen. The plan is to be implemented by next year. The president recognised that by bringing island investors on board they would be reducing the profit for the island government, but stated: “It is important to us that citizens recognise and advocate the importance of clean energy. Without doubt, this energy form is also associated with an environmental impact that does not appeal to everyone. We want island residents to identify with the projects”. Referring to positive experiences in other countries such as Germany and Denmark, where private investors are
obliged to pay up to 20 per cent of the cost of such ventures, the scientific director of the Biosphere Reserve Antonio González Viétez underlined the importance of the participation of the local population. Representatives of the Biosphere Reserve Menorca were also at the meeting and hoping to copy some of the water and alternative energy projects presented. The company 3iDS has developed an energy model for Lanzarote based on current development approaches, which simulates an energy transition that could be put in place by 2038. By then, around 75 per cent of energy supplies could be obtained
from renewable sources without increasing the cost of electricity for residents. To date, only four per cent is generated by clean sources. This would require about €600 million to be invested in 57 wind turbines, several photovoltaic plants and some 40,000 electric cars. According to the experts' calculations, these investments would be profitable and 60 per cent could be carried out by private companies. Perhaps following El Hierro’s lead, Lanzarote’s leaders are definitely convinced that the future is in renewable energy and of the need to adapt to the times as n quickly as possible.
Eleven men and six women have been arrested in a case of widespread real estate fraud
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La Palma
The island of La Palma is holding its breath to hear if it will be confirmed as the site for the state-of-the-art Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT). The ‘super telescope’ was initially scheduled to be set up on Mount Mauna Kea in Hawaii, but after protests from local residents its building permit was revoked and new locations have been considered, including sites in Mexico, Chile, India, China, and of course, La Palma. The TMT board had chosen Mauna Kea, which already hosts 13 other telescopes, as the observatory's site in 2009, and over the following years the organisation received a series of necessary permits and began work. However, native Hawaiians, who regard the Mauna Kea summit as sacred, have protested the plans and have always objected to the growth in the number of telescopes there. “We have invested over €155 million into the Mauna Kea site, and we admit that it is still our ideal destination for
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
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ing to do with pressure from local objections. As hope for the Hawaii site fades, La Palma waits eagerly in the wings. Discussions recently
took place between TMT International Observatory (TIO) and Astrophysics Institute of the Canaries (IAC) regarding the parameters for the possible implementation of the project in La Palma. Canarian representatives made it very clear that they would be very interested in installing the super telescope at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory and that the project would have the Islands’ full support. The final decision is yet to be made. Operating in wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to midinfrared, the TMT is an essential tool to address questions in astronomy ranging from understanding star and planet formations to unravelling the history of the universe. Universities in California, India, China, Canada and Japan are involved in the project. It is the largest reflector telescope ever produced, and should be able to eliminate errors caused by the earth's atmosphere and offer greater understanding of galaxies and the structure of n the universe.
Still the second choice
Photo: Cabildo La Palma
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
La Palma is still in the running for the new Thirty Metre Telescope
the TMT, but we cannot wait forever”, said Ed Stone, a lecturer of physics at the California Institute of Technology and head of the TMT project.
A survey recently conducted by the Pacific Resource Partnership showed that 72 per cent of Hawaiians support the project and see it as a great opportu-
nity for future generations. Ed Stone stated that the reasons for withdrawing equipment and discontinuing initial preparations were financial and noth-
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Interview with Klaus Matzdorff
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Tenerife shaped my grandmother’s life
By Sabine Virgin More than a century ago, Luise Schmidt from Halle in southern Germany spent three and a half years on the island of Tenerife. At a time when travel was not as common as today, this was an unusual place to journey to and a very courageous move for a 20 year old woman. Interestingly, the lady in question carefully documented her time here caring for the children of German hotelier C.H. Trenkel, a record which has now been published as a book. The diary that contained all her notes was not discovered until after her death. Fascinated by the contents, grandson Klaus Matzdorff decided to produce a copy of the diary in order to preserve the story for his family chronicle. "It was written in the old Kurrentschrift (a medieval-based style of writing). I can read this script, but my children cannot. That's why I wanted to copy it so it would not be lost", explained Matzdorff. Verena Zech, from the Tenerife-based Zech Editorial publishing house, became aware of the manuscript and soon saw its potential. Thanks to their collaboration, the diary is now available in book form, in both Spanish and German, with illustrations. We spoke to Klaus Matzdorff about his grandmother’s reasons for coming to Tenerife and how it has affected his family’s life since.
were on their way to, which is now known as Namibia. One of the ship's officers, called John Behrmann, made a very special impression on my grandmother and they maintained contact by letter. She said he had indicated that he
and a half years because she always hoped that Behrmann would come for her. But he did not. Exhausted, as the job was very hard work, she travelled back in 1907. Further down the line, at the age of 28, she married a teacher called Rich-
Klaus Matzdorff (r), pictured here in the Mundo del Mapa bookshop with Antonio Mas (l) and Bettina Matzdorff (m), has revived the memories of his grandmother Luise
How did your grandmother come to journey this far? “It was quite common at that time for daughters to take a position within a household until they later married. My grandmother did not come from a wealthy home. Her father was a mid-level railway officer and her mother a housewife. They had three daughters: my grandmother Luise was the middle of the sisters. She was an excellent housekeeper, cook and, above all, seamstress. She was very fond of sewing and kept up her stitch work well into old age. I think my grandmother was already a bit ahead of the times as a young girl. She was well read and knowledgeable,
even reading Alexander von Humboldt’s complex books. She had previous experience of working in households before applying for the job in Tenerife, which was published in a local magazine. A family of hoteliers was looking for a teacher and nanny for their children. She sent off the application without the knowledge of her parents, and introduced herself to the brother of the hotel owner, who was in Germany. She was offered the position and set sail for Tenerife on February 5, 1904, on the Lucie Woermann steamer. Her mother was obviously reluctant to let her go, and was very frightened for her, especially as the contract was for a minimum of two
years. Her father travelled with her to the ship in Hamburg. There were mainly soldiers on board at first, being transported to German South West Africa in order to crush the Herero rebellion which started in January 1904”. The Herero people rose against German colonial rule but were drastically defeated over a period of a few years. Your grandmother was one of the few civilians on board? “Yes that's true. She writes of some of the gentlemen who made advances to her or talked to her. Later, she also mentions that most of the soldiers who were on board were killed in service in the area they
A photo of the Trenkel family from the year 1906, with Luise in the middle. Property of the Trenkels, the photo was kindly provided by Christa Tams from the Zech publishing house
would visit her in Tenerife and make her his wife if she was still single at the end of her time here. Luise had to work for at least two years, only then would the Trenkel family pay for the return trip to Germany, which she would never have been able to buy on her own. Ultimately, she stayed three
ard Sonntag and lived with him in Löbejün near Halle. She had two daughters with him and 11 grandchildren, and she said it was a happy marriage. However, it turned out that a secretary had her eye on Behrmann and did not pass on his letters to Luise (she was consequently dismissed). There
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
was a reunion between them later, with Luise accompanied by her husband, which she herself described as harmonious. I don’t really know whether she was sorry to be married or not”.
being responsible for the children and coping with the constant heat”. How much was Tenerife present in her later life? “She didn’t talk about it at all, at least not in her grandchildren’s presence. I remember that in her living room she had a photograph of a dragon tree (from the Santo Domingo priests' seminar in La Laguna), which she liked very much and which fascinated us. Also, there was a decorative oil painting on which a hotel and surrounding landscape could be seen. Nevertheless, she wrote in her memoirs that those three and a half years shaped her very much. She experienced things that only a few had the opportunity to at the time, at least within the middle classes from which she came. Having to stand on her own two feet gave her a certain self-awareness. I always found my grandmother to be a warm-hearted person, who was very candid, sensible and cosmopolitan. She was religious, but not in the exaggerated way some could be. I visited Tenerife for the first time in 1993, with my wife as part of a package tour”.
In Tenerife your grandmother worked for the Trenkel hotelier family. Did she ever speak about it? “We mostly learned about it from records. At the time, the family ran the Quisisana Hotel in Santa Cruz, plus the Aguere in La Laguna and Martiánez in Puerto de La Cruz. Mrs. Trenkel was English. She was very hard working and supported her husband professionally; she possibly had little interest in the children. My grandmother always described having a beautiful relationship with the children, how much she treasured them and was, in turn, loved by them. She spent the summers in La Laguna and the winters in Puerto de La Cruz, something she obviously enjoyed. There were social occasions to which they were sometimes invited to, and even short excursions on donkeys or to local festivals. She recorded all her impressions in her diary. However, on her return, she also noted that she felt worn out, always
Even though she spoke little about those times, it seems
the connection with Tenerife was preserved? “Yes that's true. The Trenkel family had a total of seven children, though one sadly died of leukaemia. On several
because the parents were busy with the hotels in Tenerife. In return, Grandma and her family visited the family in Neudorf / Harz in the summer. Prilli and my mother, Luise’s old-
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often. Luise gave the children a lot of maternal love during the three and a half years of her life here, as well as later on, which was apparently never forgotten. It was important for me to keep her memories alive for our family. The fact that other readers want to participate in it is all the more beautiful.”
where the entire Zech range is available. (Also, find it in other stores via the ISBN number: 978-84-938151-9-6). It is a fascinating story, beautifully illustrated with old photographs, postcards, brochures and facsimiles, and provides a touching insight into the soul of a 20 year old in that period
The Hotel Martiánez is unfortunately no longer open. Luise always liked to stay there Luise with one of the Trenkel children in Plaza Adelantado, La Laguna
occasions some of the younger children stayed with my grandmother in Germany during the holidays. After the First World War, Carlito and Prilli stayed with Grandma for six months
est daughter, grew up together almost as peers. The two developed a real friendship. After the Second World War we were in East Germany and I can remember we regularly received a package from Prilli at Christmas. To this day, we are still in touch with her children Christa Tams and Jürgen Heinrich. They remember their parents talking about Luise
The Matzdorff family in 2017, sitting on the same bench as Luise Schmidt did 112 years before (see other photo)
The book, entitled Canarias 1904 – 1906, El Diario de Luise Schmidt, is currently on sale at the Mundo del Mapa book shop in Puerto de La Cruz,
of time. Luise Schmidt’s courageous step not only shaped her own life but also those of other members of her family. Conclusion: Absolutely readable. n
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Island identity
Celebrating Canarian culture By Barbara Belt May 30, 1983, was the first Día de Canarias: the annual celebration of Canary Island culture, achievement, history, sport and gastronomy. According to its founders: “It affirms and identifies us, despite our naturally fragmented territory, and ignores sectionalism and tensions”. This spawned the concept of ‘Canariedad’, a nice bit of sociolinguistics denoting ‘that which pertains to Canarian identity’. The date chosen was more to do with politics than Canariedad. Other regions may choose significant historical dates to celebrate local identity, but May 30 was chosen to commemorate the first session of the Canarian Parliament, nine months after Autonomous status was granted to the islands. On March 9, 1983, the (still) Provisional Parliament debated a motion presented by UPC spokesman Oswald Brito to fix a date for celebrating a day that would: “Have an historical, but at the same time contemporary, significance, with a future focus”. The admirable sentiments of this tall order created much argument in the fledgling parliament and the idea was nearly abandoned: the new
the Asociación Niños Especiales de La Palma, ‘whose dedication since 1994 has improved the quality of life of handicapped persons on the island of La Palma’; Ramon Padron, ‘whose investigation and recuperation of El Hierro’s musical tradition has kept it alive’; Casco Viejo de Corralejo neighbours group, ‘for their successful fight for the old quarter’; Michelle Alonso and Israel Oliver ‘for their brilliant performance in the Para-
Eighth Island group, ‘for its campaign for inhabited island status’; Champions League winners Iberostar Canarias Basketball Club; Queen’s Cup winners Rocasa Handball Club; and finally, Los Guaraperos de La Gomera, ‘ for keeping alive a 500 year old tradition’. This specialist occupation requires considerable knowledge, not a little daring, agility and balance. The extraction of guarapo, or palm sap, by said ‘guaraperos’ (palm tap-
La Graciosa’s islanders won the Gold Medal for their fight for eighth Canary Island status
parliament’s first fracas. Enter another Canarian called Brito (for they are legion): Augusto, from the PSOE party, who suggested using the date the first Canarian Parliament was constituted. This was a solution that pleased all parties who would, by implication, henceforth be remembered every Día de Canarias. When newly elected Government President Jerónimo Saavedra convened the inaugural session of the Canarian Parliament on May 30, the date for the new Día de Canarias was set.
Día de Canarias is an institution, celebrated all over the Islands, featuring attractive national dress that has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity over the last 34 years. Each island has its own version. There are romerías, or country processions, fiestas, sporting events, concerts, school parties and performances of Canarian legends and a select group of Canarians is awarded the Islands’ Gold Medal on this date. Predating Día de Canarias by three years, the ceremony was
created in 1986. Medals were to be awarded to ‘persons, corporations and institutions, who whether in or outside the Canaries, have made themselves worthy of recognition within the Islands’, according to the original 1986 decree. The Gold Medal is the Canary Islands highest honour and winners receive their award at the Canaries Day institutional act, which takes place each May 30, this year in the Pérez Galdós Theatre in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The list of 2017 winners is long:
The Asociación Niños Especiales de La Palma won a Gold Medal for improving the quality of life for handicapped persons
lympics in Rio last summer’; Tenerife scientist Basilio Valladares, ‘for his work with parasitology and tropical diseases’; Gran Canarian trapeze artist Pinito del Oro, ‘for her legendary circus skills’; Luján Pérez Art School, for its ‘place of honour in the history of art in the Canaries’; La Graciosa
pers) requires them to climb a long trunked, swaying palm tree and to work with sharp tools and precision at the top, before climbing safely down. The award, sadly, comes too late for father of three, Jesus: Valle Gran Rey’s principal guarapero, who was found dead under a palm tree in March.
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
“On the island of La Gomera, historians say the indigenous population made a barrel of honey from a single palm and today the sap is still extracted from the male palm tree. This liquid, when fresh, looks like
and had probably been doing so for millennia. Over the centuries since then, the practice disappeared everywhere but La Gomera, with its rugged topography and high number of Phoenix Canariensis palms.
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They tap the palms without harming them. These days, the guarapo is poured into stainless steel cauldrons then slowly cooked for several hours, gradually becoming thicker, darker and sweeter. When a thin, continuous string
of boiled guarapo falls from a spoon, it has become miel de palma and is left to cool before bottling. Try some! Congratulations to all Gold Medal winners, especially Los Guaraperos de La Gomera, and n rest in peace Jesus.
Photo: Javier Sánchez Portero CC A-S A 3.0 UL
Photo: Pamela Heywood CC A-S A 2.0 UL
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A typical Canarian sweet: Leche asado with palm honey
cloudy lemon water and has a very agreeable flavour. When concentrated by boiling, it produces a syrup known as miel de palma (palm honey) which is used in the confection of desserts and sweets,” said A.J. Benítez in his book Historia de las Islas Canarias, published in 1916. When the Spanish arrived, the native populations of all seven islands were tapping guarapo and drinking it, or boiling it down to make palm honey,
The quality and quantity of guarapo depends on the health of the palm, its situation, height, altitude and moisture content. Older, taller palms give more guarapo than younger ones. The guarapero’s work starts with cleaning the trunk to make it easier for climbing, then ascending to the top to clean off all greenery sprouting upwards, thus exposing the crown. Each evening, the guarapero climbs the palm and uses a
Most guarapo and miel de palma production occurs in Vallehermoso, La Gomera
chisel to gradually form a hollow, finally inserting a horizontal length of cane to drain the guarapo into a bucket suspended below. Each early morning, it’s collected and filtered. When each palm has been tapped,
the delicate exposed area is protected from the sun with a woven palm screen. New fronds quickly sprout. The palm must then be left without tapping for three or four years. In this way, the guaraperos work is sustainable.
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PROMOTION
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
CANARY ISLANDS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
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Bobbies on the beat
Arona’s force be with you in Costa del Silencio when one man chasing another suddenly began to hit him with a large stick. They were able to halt the attack and arrest the aggressor, a man with a criminal record of violence and threatening behaviour. The two officers also helped the victim, who sustained injuries to his limbs, and arranged for his transfer to Hospiten Sur in the south of Tenerife for treatment.
Photo: Policia Local Arona
Arona’s Local Police division and the Guardia Civil have decided to join forces and make their presence better felt throughout the borough, but particularly in the often troublesome areas of El Fraile, Costa del Silencio and Las Galletas. Since December of last year, large-scale inspections and an increased number of officers have been organised to combat rising crime, particularly burglaries and thefts in homes and businesses, and offer a deterrent to any would-be-criminals. The overall aim is to provide residents with a better sense of security and be well-placed should an emergency situation occur. During the past five months, joint forces have carried out seven major operations, massively contributing to the efforts of the Police Prevention Unit (UPP) which has had an added presence in town areas and public spaces throughout this period. The UPP intervened in 37 drugs offences (13 in both El Fraile and Las Galletas, and 11 in Costa del Silencio). One example, which occurred in Ten-Bel in April, involved a drug dealer openly selling cocaine from his car in the middle of the day. More recently, at 7pm on May 3, two UPP officers were patrolling Avenida José Antonio Tavío
False identity Over the past four years, Local Police officers in Arona have uncovered more than 150 counterfeit documents, several individuals with false identities, and numerous vehicles stolen from all over Europe. Having received specialist training, officers learned to recognise the many types of counterfeit documents, ID papers and vehicle insurance authorised in most countries in the world. This was no small undertaking, as most states have their own security and identification methods. With over 100 different nationalities visiting the towns and coastlines of Arona in a year, there is a lot of information for police forces to ingest. They are trained to identify all types
Arona Council has committed more police to troublesome areas
of visas, documents and personal papers and spot counterfeit versions. Recently, this expertise paid dividends when officers realised that the car insurance document presented by an Italian couple during a routine traffic check was false. In such cases in Spain, the vehicle is first confiscated until the situation is resolved, and the owner must prove his/her identity and provide the correct paperwork. Should they be unable to do so, they will be held responsible for falsifying official doc-
uments and the case will go to court. Depending on the situation and which papers were presented correctly, the person may be released until the hearing. Anyone that cannot provide correct papers will
be kept under arrest. Arona’s Local Police also discovered a large number of cars stolen from many different parts of Europe. Once the chassis numbers were altered, the cars were shipped to the Islands.
The vehicles have also been confiscated by the authorities. In such cases, police often investigate individuals wanted on an international arrest warrant for committing n related offences.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Fenáutica 2017
Fenáutica 2017 will feature a sea trip for tourists and locals for the first time, with the boat (Peter Pan) facilitating crossings between Los Cristianos and Las Galletas. Fenáutica, Tenerife’s biggest nautical fair, celebrates its third edition on June 3 and 4 at Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, South Tenerife. The boat fair had more than 10,000 attendees in 2016, combining sea, sports and recreational activities in an open area of more than 8,000 square metres. This year’s event will see a boat trip from Los Cristianos to Las Galletas, with departures on June 3 leaving at 11am, 1pm and 4pm. On June 4, the connection departs at 11am and 1pm. The return trip, from Marina del Sur to Los Cristianos, leaves at 3pm and 5.30pm on June 3, and 12pm and 5.30pm on June 4. Fenáutica 2017 expects to see over 400 exhibitors and numerous sports competitions and
Photos: www.marinadelsur.es
All the fun of the nautical fair
The Guanche’s Cup Regatta will again take place during Fenáutica
events taking place. As a new feature, the fair will install a huge LED screen so that the public can enjoy the many different activities from anywhere on site. Head of promotion, marketing and communication at Marina del Sur, Cristina Igle-
sias, said that: “The great sea party will surpass the numbers of the last two years, in business terms and with regards to participation and visitors. The objective is to become an established marina on the international stage, consolidate Fenáutica’s position as a lead-
ing boat fair, and show that Tenerife has much to contribute in this field”. Fenáutica has the cooperation of the Arona and Tenerife Councils, through its tourism, economic promotion and sports departments, as well as several companies related to tourism
and boating, such as Binter Canarias, Marina Rubicón, Puerto de Mogán and Asnáutica, among others.
boat trips, whale watching, and much more. There will also be workshops, exhibitions, concerts and a
The Guanche’s Cup Regatta will take place again, hosting competitions in various cruise categories as well as light sail Optimist and Laser. The tournament had over 125 registered yachtsmen compete last year. Other events and competitions include video, photography, scuba diving, apnoea, kayak, paddle surf, jet skis, kite surf,
wide range of foods and drinks. Entrance is open to all and most of the events are free. Activities are geared towards adults, children, residents and tourists alike, so something for everyone. If you are interested in participating, or you just want to watch two days of nautical fun, visit the website: www.fenautica.com n for further information.
Unresolved murder case
DNA test reveals further evidence Almost 16 years have passed since Urbana Ramos Plasencia was found dead in her Renault Megane at Fonsalía, on the coast of Guía de Isora. She had suffered a cruel death, having been beaten and stabbed. The crime scene was probably, at least partially, the car, but to this day the case has not been solved.
Urbana used to work in a cafeteria at the petrol station near Marazul and at the time, she and her husband were in the midst of a separation. Her husband was a suspect, but any involvement on his part could not then be confirmed. However, with new forensic techniques available, the victim's family has demanded that the
case be reopened. Originally, the finger of a glove with DNA residues of masculine origin was found in Urbana's car, but these could not be evaluated with the means available at that time. More recently, the director of the National Institute for Toxicology and Forensic Science in the Canary Islands, José Antonio Cuellas, offi-
cially called for a reopening of the investigation, and in January this year, the Arona Court agreed. Now he wants Urbana's husband to give a DNA sample. His lawyer has said that his client was not willing to do so because he had already been through all the tests 16 years ago. In addition, the DNA trace
is not a proof of his guilt, even if there is a genetic match. After all, he shared the apartment with Urbana at that time. The children and family members, however, see it differently. They argue that Urbana would have slept in the same apartment for lack of alternative, but she would have been very concerned
about the fact that the car was only used by her. If the widower does not voluntarily give a sample, he will presumably be forced to do so by court order. Urbana's family want to know what happened to her, and to ensure that the person responsible can still be identified and n held responsible.
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lishes them on social networks. Publishing examples of their work on digital media is
not unusual, as graffiti artists like to be identified with their work. The main players on the Santa Cruz scene, known as Difa, Saker and Dasco, like to pose for photographs alongside their graffiti. The work of an 18 year old, who calls himself Foundamento, appeared in several places in the city centre, including the Avenida Tres de Mayo and the Plaza Isla de La Madera. He also likes to keep records of his activities in video format. The most recent sprayer on the scene, known as Ask, is only 15 years old. He started his graffiti 'career' in La Laguna and has been concentrating his efforts for some time in the island’s capital. The city council representatives left no doubt that they would prosecute and strictly punish such activities. Eight criminal prosecutions, during the month of April alone, confirm that the fight has n begun.
Vandals identified
Graffiti showdown In Santa Cruz, Local Police officers from the urban environmental protection unit Proteu have, with the help of graphologists, been able to identify several local graffiti artists who are to blame for numerous acts of vandalism in the city. One of them, a 17 year old, was said to have been the author of around 200 sprayed graffiti paintings. The way a graffiti artist works is as individual as his signature. Some sprayers even sign their work with fictitious pseudonyms such as: Difa, Riok, Saker, Dasco, Sok, or Tonk. Some even use social networking and videos to publicise their work. In recent months, graffiti sprayers have caused conSeveral graffiti artists are active in the city and usually leave a trail A worker at the Galcerán Bridge on special cleaning duty
found and held responsible. Eight criminal proceedings have already begun.
Teenage vandals
siderable damage in the city, to facades, walls, public and private areas, for which they are now being held accountable. The city councillor for public security and mobility, Zaida Gonzalez, is satisfied with recent progress and said: "We are working inten-
sively to identify the authors of such damaging acts. They not only disfigure our city but also incur substantial costs for public funds or private individuals". Her colleague, public services councillor Dámaso Arteaga, also stressed that the culprits would be identified,
Particularly noteworthy is the identification of Riok, who is credited with a lot of graffiti in Santa Cruz. His work has appeared in the Plaza de Europa, and the streets Calle Castillo, San Juan Bautista, Doctor Allart, Avenidas Guimerá, Islas Canarias and Ramblas de Santa Cruz. He has also left his mark in La Laguna, Gran Canaria and even in the Barcelona metro. As early as January 2015, the young man was caught by Local Police officers as he sprayed walls in the district of
Cabo Llanos. The brazen youth also makes short films on how he produces his work and pub-
CANARY ISLANDS
By
y Kat
Hi everyone, katykennedy@telefonica.net
I love reading your emails, and if we should meet, listening to your stories. But sometimes a letter or email can almost tear your heart apart. I know this one I received will do the same to you. The reason why I feel this happens to us is because we just can’t help imagining how we ourselves would feel in that situation. Here is the letter, well email actually, from a lady called Margaret Kay. Dear Katy, Thought you might be interested in my story of finding my sister who had been adopted, and who we knew nothing about until two years ago. My brother was looking at our family tree and phoned me to say that he had found a sister we had who had been adopted when only six weeks old. We discussed this with my other sister and whether we should try to contact her but decided not to as our Mum had never told us and took her secret to the grave. My daughter Liane always went on at me to try to find her aunt but I always said no. However, things happen in life that can change your mind. Unfortunately, Liane was diagnosed with breast cancer and could not be cured. She was only 34 years old. She loved Tenerife as much as she loved life itself and her dying wish was to spend one last week on this beautiful island. We arranged for her and our granddaughter Abbie to have a holiday with us in April 2014, and on this holiday Liane and I spent many hours discussing everything in life and in death. Liane and I both believed in
but before singing she said: “Listen everyone, I am singing this song for the lady sitting with me in the audience as she is my sister who I knew nothing about until my son found out about her whilst doing the family tree, as she was adopted and my mother never told us anything about her.” Well, I could not believe what I was hearing and felt it was a sign from my daughter. I phoned my brother and, firstly, told him I was not drunk and had not gone mad but felt Liane was telling us to find our lost sister. My brother contacted the Bernardo's organisation and after several months we were called to a meeting to tell us they had found my sister Lindsay who now lived in Canada and that she wanted to meet us. We flew out to Canada in August 2015 and the rest is history. We all get on so well and we can't believe we have found her. My sister and her husband are coming with us to Tenerife in May this year as we feel that Tenerife had a lot to do with us finding each other. Yours sincerely Margaret Kay This picture was taken of the three sisters when they first met in Canada. Left to right: Caroline, Lindsay and author of the letter, Margaret
angels and she said: “Mum when I die I want you to go to an angel reader and if I can I will send you a message”. We had a code: 111 and flowers. Sadly, Liane passed away on April 11, 2014, and left a big hole in everyone's life as she was a bubbly, very loving girl who adored her daughter and her life. After her death my husband Mike and I came back to Ten-
erife as soon as we could, as this is where we feel especially close to our daughter. We were sitting on the balcony of our apartment one afternoon when a white feather came floating down from nowhere. There were no birds to be seen. That night we went to the Star Bar and were sitting chatting to staff members when a woman got up on the karaoke stage,
From everyone at Island Connections, we hope you all have a lovely visit with happy memories for the joy of past years with Liane, and future years with your granddaughter Abbie, and the cementing of relationships with your sisters and families. Until next time, take care of yourselves, and especially of each other. If you would like to get in touch with me, email: katykennedy@ telefonica.net or call me on: n +34 616 110 930.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Letter to the editor
A humbling tumble On February 21, I fell in the main Street in Las Galletas. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came to my aid. To those at the local health centre who administered pain relief to enable me to be put into the ambulance, and the very kind gentleman who held my back and supported me until the ambulance arrived. I had fractured my femur which was operated on the next day. I spent three weeks in Hospiten Sur (the Green Clinic) where the care was excellent. Thank you to all the staff there. It meant a lot to me as I was on holiday on my own. Special thanks must also go to my wonderful friends Val and Gordon for their kindness and support. Also to Michelle and Karl for being there for me. Bless you all, and thank you for caring. Janet Evans
Photo: Kurhan / FreeImages.com
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Janet would like to say thank you to everyone who helped her through a medical emergency
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Puerto de La Cruz
Bus station scandal rages on The socialist party (PSOE) in Puerto de La Cruz have complained about the incapacity demonstrated for years by the the Town Council led by Lope Afonso to clarify the situation regarding the plot of land where a future bus station is supposed to be constructed. A recent press release by the political party carried a headline saying they demand that Mayor Lope Afonso and Tenerife President Carlos Alonso stop messing around. National delegate Tamara Raya had initially asked the Parliament in Madrid if and when the land (Finca 5497, Plot 53) would be handed over to the town so that the works to build the new central bus station, promised since 2013, could begin. The shocking answer was simply that the state administration company SEPES is not the owner of Plot 53, and what's more, they do not know who owns it.
Marco González, the socialist press secretary, commented: "We have been travelling to Madrid for three years, watching ridiculously slow progress, and nothing has helped us to resolve this key development in Puerto de La Cruz. If this situation reveals the shortcomings of the Town Council, then the latest declarations on social media by Carlos Alonso, saying that he doesn't have the information needed to solve the problem, add even more confusion". The socialist party said that the sad truth only came to light after a simple question to Parliament, and that this is yet another grave error which condemns Puerto de La Cruz to continue without a decent bus station for its residents and visitors. González stated: "Necessary steps were not carried out to prevent this problem from being pushed aside. Rather, it seems that the current Town Council did not want a quick solution or
A proposed model to replace today’s dilapidated bus station
that they are simply unable to achieve results". The opposition party does not understand why the bus station threatened by collapse was not simply demolished and rebuilt.
Instead, there have been delays because a new plot supposedly owned by SEPES is being considered for construction. In addition, nobody knows who Plot 53 belongs to as it is not registered.
The socialist party insists that the current misuse of the open street as a bus station does not meet the demands of a modern city. Both residents and visitors consider the current con-
ditions a major inconvenience. González asked: "Why have we been making promises for three years? In addition, the people in charge of the town must have known perfectly well that they have been talking about a plot of land that is not even theirs. It’s all hot air". The role played by President Carlos Alonso and whether he was deceived by the council in Puerto de La Cruz is open to debate. Those who certainly have been deceived by the politicians of the PP and CC parties (Partido Popular and Coalición Canaria) are the general public. Since 2013, new promises were made every year that an adequate bus station was within reach, and then the plans disappeared. The opposition's statement concluded: "Like the inhabitants of Puerto, we are tired of hearing empty promises and declarations. They only show idleness, which seriously hinders the development of this n holiday town."
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Return to tender
Back to the future for Taoro The former Hotel Taoro in Puerto de La Cruz, located in the Taoro Park next to the Convention Centre, is undoubtedly one of the most striking buildings in the town. If you look south from the port you will be able to admire its 19th century grandeur. The once luxury hotel is even to be admired on old postcards. Hotel Taoro was inaugurated on November 22 1890, and became one of the pioneering establishments in the development of tourism in Tenerife and a great influence on the island's social life. Overlooking the town, with a privileged view of the sea and Mount Teide, the hotel became a favourite holiday destination for Europeans in the upper social classes in the 20th century.
Maybe these old walls will again be home to a luxury hotel
Even the successful British author Agatha Christie was one of the hotel's honourable guests in February 1927, when
she visited with her daughter. Two years later in 1929, a great fire devastated part of the hotel. From 1950 to July 1975
it was managed by the company Hoteles Unidos (HUSA). After the hotel was closed, the building was purchased by the
Tenerife Council and following refurbishment, it was reopened as a casino in 1979. It remained a luxurious casino with a restaurant and dance hall until 2006. For 11 years now, the casino has been integrated into the Martiánez complex and the building fell into a deep sleep from which, according to the Island Council, it is now to be “awakened”. President Carlos Alonso announced an invitation to tender for the hotel in midMay, seeking a tenant who can transform the building into a five-star luxury hotel. Alonso explained: "We imagine a similar model as we have already practiced with Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz. The hotel is to be revitalised and will give a new impetus to Puerto de La Cruz."
Missing persons
Santa Cruz the first to sign up Santa Cruz de Tenerife recently became the first city in Spain to sign an agreement with the non-profit making organisation SOS Desaparecidos. In the case of missing person reports, the association immediately starts to work on contacting public and private administrations regarding the search for the person as well as distributing information about the individual.
The search for a missing person needs to begin as soon as possible and the public is informed via social networks. Precautionary measures, reconnaissance, risk assessment, care of family members, contact with official bodies and the activation of addiction groups are part of the organisation's mission. In cases involving confused elderly people or patients who are in urgent need of medica-
tion, no time should be lost. For example, Carmelo Antonio DP has been missing from Adeje since November 9 last year. This man suffers from a degenerative eye disease. The faster a sick or senile person is found, the greater their chances of survival. The services of the association are immediately available to affected families. More information is available at: www. n sosdesaparecidos.es.
Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez signed an agreement
The former Hotel Taoro covers 3,340 square metres and is currently estimated to be worth €9.5 million. Based on the latest expert opinions, the condition of the building is very good. In order to repair some of the damage caused by the effects of time, an estimated investment of around €1.8 million is required. Further investments must be made in modernisation and new equipment to bring it to five star level. Around 80 per cent of the investment can be offset by the annual lease for €9.5 million. The luxury hotel is to have a maximum capacity of 504 beds. The project may also be compatible with sports, cultural, social or educational ideas. Tourism councillor Alberto Bernabé announced that it is a “great opportunity for investors.” n
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
PROMOTION
FOOD
19 PROMOTION
The essence of Italy Freshness, quality and tradition: Mamma Mía is where you’ll find excellent Italian cuisine in the south of Tenerife. Just like hearing the exclamation ‘Mamma Mía’, you are immediately transported to the romantic country of Italy. Restaurant Mamma Mía is located in Playa de Las Américas within the world of Gourmetland sensations. After 11 years at the top of the Safari commercial centre offering the best of Italian cuisine and all its aromas and textures, Mamma Mía now seeks to bring more typical Italian dishes to the diner, from the north to the south of the country, with a healthy dash of Parmesan or burrata cheese from Calabria in the ‘toe’ of the Italy’s boot-shaped southern peninsula. At the beginning of July, the restaurant’s menu will be renewed, offering clients even more than before. Restaurant manager, Riccardo Zedda, said: “The key to success is in the quality, and we are continually investing in our product line. Our team even makes fresh traditional Italian pasta onsite.” Pizza is always a firm favourite, as explained by Tommy Tavarner, the head chef at Mamma Mía: “Everything from the flour and tomatoes is the best quality. We use Parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, Fior di latte and more, and all the ingredients originate in Italy.” With uninterrupted opening hours, 365 days a year, the excellence of the cuisine is
Mamma Mia Trattoria & Grill confirmed by the opinions of Mamma Mia’s clients on TripAdvisor, which for years has awarded this restaurant with its Certificate of Excellence, demonstrating that the essence of fine Italy food is synonymous n with Mamma Mía.
Av de las Américas 7 C.C. Américas Plaza Playa de Las Américas Tel: 922 797 082 www.gourmetland.net/ mamma-mia Opening hours: Every day, 11.30am to 11.30pm
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
TV special
Championing Canarian cooking The wind, weather, soil and many other factors contribute to the earth’s richness when it comes to food cultivation. High quality product is influenced by the environment and what results after is due to processing. If an excellent raw material is present, then the chef's talent is necessary to bring out the best from it. Famous chefs such as Fabián Maldonado and Thomas Leeb appear on the Spanish cooking channel: www.canalcocina.es. The channel has the broadest range of TV productions specialising in gastronomy and culinary specialities, is broadcast in over 200 formats and for the first time it has integrated a video recipe media library. It is accessible via payTV and the internet.
Fabián Maldonado in front of the camera
In June there will be a three part programme on the biodiversity and specific characteristics of products from
Gran Canaria. For example, the Island Council's Arucas experimental farm, which is mainly home to native animal
breeds and crops, will be featured. Viewers will also see the exciting market in the old town of Las Palmas, and the
Gran Canaria
Cheesy trademark Canarian products are making enormous advances in quality, which can be seen from the abundance of positive news in the market sector of late. What better evidence than the recent award at Gourmet Quesos 2017, held in Madrid. The Maxorata brand cheese made by Ganaderos de Fuerteventura was voted the best cheese in Spain from 605 varieties, including 54 competing cheeses from the Canaries. Canarian President Fernando Clavijo, who recently congratulated Alfredo Alberto, president of Fuerteventura's breeders, commented: "There’s no
clearer evidence of the quality of our products". The cheese comes from the native goat: Cabra Majorera. It is a hard but creamy, ivory coloured cheese which exudes a rich aroma, slightly piquant, and is covered with a film of ground paprika. It has a shelf life of around 12 months. Since subsidies for cheese on the Spanish peninsula have recently been dropped, Canarian cheeses are better able to compete with Spanish products. Another positive trend is the labour market in the Canarian agriculture and livestock sector. Compared with the pre-
vious year, unemployment fell by 2,900 persons in the first quarter: a drop of 50 per cent.
Best family business The company Ganaderos de Fuerteventura, headed by Alfredo Alberto Hernández, was named the Best Family Business by the Association of Canarian Family Businesses (Efca). In February 1990, Hernández took over the reins of the agricultural company from Betancuria, Sociedad Agraria de Transformación Ganaderos de Fuerteventura,
The goats’ cheese with paprika is the best cheese in Spain
with a third of the shares in the company and has never looked back. The Island Council also held one third of the shares, and the last third was divided among four other holders. At the time, there were only three employees and the farmers hadn’t received payment for their milk for months. It's very different today: with a lot of dili-
Mercado de Vegueta where fresh fruit and vegetables are offered by producers. Also featured will be the Bodega Bentayga, a model for sustainable agriculture whose grapes grow at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, and the northern communities of Gáldar and Moya where there are some particularly exquisite cheese varieties. Filming of the TV show took place at the 'Me Gusta' fair, celebrated in Gran Canaria in April. Fabián Maldonado, who had just won the Best Cook of the Year in the Canaries title, prepared his classic Huerto de Gáldar (Garden of Gáldar) in front of the camera. Canarian tomatoes, mushrooms, cheeses, olives and juicy
onions from Gáldar were so splendidly blended that most viewers became immediately peckish! President of the cooks and pastry chefs of Gran Canaria, Thomas Leeb, prepared three exquisite dishes made with tuna, avocado, wasabi, black cherries and goat's cheese. The chef also recommended wines from Gran Canaria to accompany the dishes. Finally, the different types and flavours of Gran Canarian cheeses were presented by an expert who explained the denominations of origins of the Flor de Guía, Media Flor and Guía cheeses, all from the boroughs of Gáldar and Moya, as well as those made with goats' or cows' milk in n the northern region.
gence and sacrifice Alfredo has led the company forward. It is now a thriving market leader, which he will eventually leave to his two sons. The award recognises his work, and that of his wife Consuelo who Alfredo personally thanked for her unconditional support over the years. Today, the group has 120 employees and five cattle farms with a 4,000 strong herd. The company collects milk from 50 other farmers in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Last year, sales
of over €13.7 million were achieved and this year further increases are expected to bring the total to around €15 million. Their excellent cheese products have already received numerous regional, national and international awards. Additionally, since 2009 they have been selling animal feed and fodder. Better animal nutrition at a reduced cost is the principal aim. Last year saw sales of €3.5 million in this field, and this year could n reach €5 million.
Where to visit
Islands summary Pages 22 & 23
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Spin news & What‘s on
Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents
Page 24, 25 & 26
FICMEC
The environment in images This year’s FICMEC Canarian Environmental Films Festival will take place between May 27 and June 4 in Garachico. FICMEC focuses on the relationship between humans and the natural environment, both positive and detrimental, and offers commentaries and solutions via films, documentaries, workshops and complementary activities. This will be the nineteenth year that the visual arts fest has taken place and, due to popular demand, the festival now covers a whopping nine day schedule. Subjects covered range from the challenges of sustainable development and conservation for the future, to tasteful tourism, the effects of industry on health, and the organic approach. The main action will be located in the Ex-Convento de San Francisco in the town centre, and the square in front of said building. Environmental films on show include Ecoislas on May 30, which takes an in-depth and personal look into the lives of the Islands’ residents and their relationship with the landscape, as
well as the Spanish premiere of a documentary called The Canary Islands. The Austrian made film will be shown on May 30 to coincide with the celebrations for Canaries Day. The story, directed by Michael Schlamberger with the participation of Canarian Pedro Felipe Acosta, highlights the incredible biodiversity of the Islands. Other activities include a two day course covering aspects of
organic and sustainable farming (on May 29 and 30), an area which is steadily growing in the Islands. Techniques, tools and tips for healthy and safe growing will be shared with the audiences, as well as demonstrations on using worms for maintaining soil quality, how to make compost, the best use of organic fertilisers, and marketing, both here and abroad.
Between May 26 and 28, Antonio Liébana, nature photographer extraordinaire, will share his expertise during a three day workshop, and from May 31 to June 2 the emphasis will be on environmental education for young and old alike via talks and workshops. May 30 is the day to visit the Sustainability Fair, which will not only offer a variety of organic products from around the Islands for sale, but
the producers will be there to discuss methods and their own approaches. There will also be two days dedicated to the subject of volcanoes (May 31 and June 1) under the heading Vulcanalia. This part of the programme will include the showing of international films on the subject, as well as various workshops led by specialists in the field. Parallel activities include guided
walks through areas of volcanic interest, such as the one starting at 9.30am on May 31, which will be led by Carmen Romero, Professor of Geography at La Laguna University. There will also be various talks, including a discussion on ‘Volcano tourism – risks and opportunities’ on June 1, with participating experts including Clive Oppenheimer, Professor of Volcanology from the UK’s Cambridge University. On top of all this, the Ecocrea contest, which invites students to create items from recycled materials, will run for the second year, and the third conference on responsible videogame playing, entitled Jugando en verde (Green playing) will take place between the dates of May 25 and 27 and will include a demonstration of popular games with an environmental theme. And if anyone would like to get hands on and make a difference to the environment straight away, then they can join the coastal cleaning day on May 30, which will start at 10am in the town’s harbour. See: www.ficmec.es for more information on n further activities.
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The Canaries have what is considered one of the best climates anywhere on the planet, making the Islands the perfect destination for all year round tourism.
ous luxury hotels and some very nice, small white sand beaches. In the foothills above these towns you will find three great places to visit. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom), recently declared the best in the world, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to adrenaline freaks. See: www.siampark.net Aqualand, on Avenida de Austria, a water park with a dolphin show. See: www.aqualand.es. The Jungle Park, at Las Águilas del Teide, is great fun for kids of all ages. See: www.aguilasjunglepark.com
Tenerife Teide National Park The highest peak in Spain, at 3,718m, is one of Tenerife’s greatest attractions. It is possible to hike to the top, and also to catch the cable car. See: www.telefericoteide.com. To access the summit of the volcano, Pico del Teide, you need to obtain a free permit in advance, issued by the Administration Office of the National Park, which you can download at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es.
Los Gigantes
Las Teresitas beach
summer solstices. See: www. piramidesdeguimar.es
Santa Cruz
Playa de Las Américas
Santa Cruz, the vibrant, bustling capital city of Tenerife, is located on the northeast coast. It has a variety of interesting museums and art galleries, a well maintained historical centre, and an important commercial port. See: www.santacruzmas.com.
Currently Tenerife’s main tourist destination, this area has spectacular views of La Gomera. There’s a big night-life scene which attracts younger tourists, but it’s also somewhere you can relax, eat, and go sailing, whale and dolphin watching or golfing.
La Laguna La Laguna, a university city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It has a lively night life and a thriving cultural scene.
Puerto de la Cruz The town of Puerto de la Cruz was a popular tourist destination long before the south was. Its attractive and busy town centre has maintained its picturesque fishing-village charm, and nearby is the prestigious, award-winning Loro Parque Zoo. See: www.loroparque.com.
Los Gigantes cliffs
La Orotava One of the prettiest towns on the island, La Orotava also gives its name to the whole valley, which has a very prosperous history. The town centre has beautiful old mansions reflecting the wealth of the past.
Anaga Rural Park The Anaga Rural Park occupies much of the mountainous mas-
Los Cristianos sif in the northeastern corner of Tenerife. This is a steeplysloping area with exceptional natural and cultural treasures, and amazing landscapes.
Güímar This northeastern town is best known for the ethnographic park which was developed by Thor Heyerdahl. The pyramids are a complex construction, astronomically orientated according to the winter and
Once a little fishing village, Los Cristianos began as a tourist destination for ailing Swedes who came to enjoy some rest and recuperation. From the port you can take a ferry to La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro. The two main beaches offer safe swimming with disabled access.
Costa Adeje Costa Adeje is an upmarket area of South West Tenerife
which is popular with European, Russian and national tourists. There are vari-
The town of Los Gigantes, which lives mainly from tourism but on a much more modest scale than Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos, is overlooked by the towering cliffs. There is good diving and a small harbour.
Teide National Park
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Other islands Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, La Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a prehistoric rainforest which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind left in the world. The ferry will take you to the capital, San Sebastián, famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stop before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery. Valle Gran Rey, in the southwest of the island, and Playa
Photo: Stellab
La Gomera
Volcanic cones, Lanzarote
green and rugged, with breathtaking sights and one of the best places in the world for star gazing, hence the location of the world’s most important astrophysical observatories on its Roque de los Muchachos.
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is Fuencaliente: the place to go in La Palma to see a real volcanic landscape. The western side of this borough has nice beaches and withstood the many volcanic eruptions the island has suffered, the most recent being the Teneguía volcano in1971. La Palma has a lovely variant of Carnival called Los Indianos, where everyone dresses in white and people take to the streets during the day to cover everything, including each other, in talcum powder.
like parts of North Africa than it does the other islands. The interior is mainly empty, with a few sun bleached villages and a surprising amount of goats, but the coast has some lovely towns and villages and kilometres of white sand beaches ideal for sunbathing and surfing. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a relatively modern port town, rather sleepy and quiet despite the fact that nearly half of the island’s population live there. The two main tourist towns are at opposite ends of the island; Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south.
Gran Canaria The capital, Las Palmas, is a much bigger city than Santa Cruz de Tenerife and has a nice historical quarter, a good night-life and Las Canteras - a long, yellow sand beach with areas for supervised swimming - and another beach for surfers of all levels. The main tourist areas are Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, with its beauti-
Lanzarote Lanzarote is known as the ‘Isla de los Volcanes’, with over 300 volcanic cones. Like Fuerteventura, it’s flatter than the other islands and there’s very little rain, even by Canarian standards. The whole island was
Elder Museum, Gran Canaria
Juniper, El Hierro
Santiago, in the south, are the main tourist towns. Valle Gran Rey is a beautiful valley with good beaches and great restaurants. The harbour still has a small fishing fleet. Garajonay National Park houses an ancient laurisilva (laurel) forest at its heart, with over 400 species of flora and fauna. The forest was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
El Hierro The smallest and westernmost of all the islands, El Hierro only has three municipalities; Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar. For exploring, it’s best to hire a car, and you can easily drive all over the island in a day. Valverde is a small town in the north, the only capital in the
Canaries not located on the coast. Frontera (El Golfo) is a milder, bigger town to the west, with more going on and better weather, and right down in the south is La Restinga, famous for its diving.
La Palma Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the pretty island), La Palma is
The capital, Santa Cruz, lies to the east of the island. It’s a pretty city of seafaring tradition, although Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is in fact the biggest city on La Palma. The towns in the north of La Palma are also very beautiful and in the south of the island
ful sand-dunes and all-night bars and clubs. The island also has some spectacular archaeological sites.
Fuerteventura Flat, arid and sparsely populated, this island looks more
declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and those who take the time to explore the island will find it’s strangely beautiful. The capital is Arrecife, to the east, and the three main tourist resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.
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Lovely Orotava
Take a trip down memory lane La Orotava will be reliving its history from the 1940s, 50s and 60s on June 3 and 4. The Entre Molinos (Between Mills) ethnographic project will see four of the town’s central streets taken back several decades to reflect the life and times of the aforementioned 20th century period. Various customs, practices and traditional activities will be re-enacted, such as the work of the washerwomen, farmhands and seamstresses. There will also be demonstrations of how cereals were ground by hand, the cultivation and production of wine, classical carpentry skills, and elaborate
and ritualistic wedding preparations, amongst others. In addition, there will be various displays outlining the history of commercial activity of the time, and the importance of water and mills to the area. There will also be stalls selling typical snacks, as well as various bands providing one of the greatest Canarian traditions around: music and dancing. Much of the information for the festival has been gathered from residents of the area, who can provide a ‘living history’ of the town and surrounding region. The main action will take place between 10am and 7pm each day. For more information, see: www.laorotava.es. n
Smooth and silky
The sound of soul The Mahoney Soul Band will play in La Laguna on May 26. Nine Canarian musicians make up the classic soul band, which was founded in 1999. With a repertoire that incorporates over 80 numbers by some of the greats of the genre, the group continues to thrill fans around the archipelago and Spain. Hits from singers such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye are interwoven with numbers from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Ike and Tina Turner, and The Jackson Five, in an evening’s smooth entertainment at the Búho Club. The concert starts at 11pm. Entrance costs €7 with one drink included. Tickets can be bought in advance via: www. tomaticket.es, or pay €8 on the door. n
Faith, hope and love
Great gospel
La Laguna
Crazy rockers Spanish rock and roll legends Loquillo will visit the Canary Islands on June 30 and July 1 as part of their latest tour. Now in their fourth decade together, the band is still a firm favourite with fans, thanks to classics such as Rompeolas, La mataré, Cadillac solitario, and Cruzando el paraíso. A Gran Canaria concert will take place on June 30 at the Gran Canaria Arena in Las Palmas, followed on July 1 with a show at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in La Laguna, Tenerife.
The concerts are being held as part of the year’s ongoing Mar Abierto festival. Both shows begin at 9pm, and tickets, which start at €27, can be bought via: www.tomaticket. es. However, they are selling out very fast, so if you want to grab this rare chance to see Loquillo you need to secure yours now. You can also see: www.festivalmarabierto.com for information on other great concerts lined up for the rest of the festival’s n programme.
The hearty sounds of joyous music will ring out in La Orotava on May 26 when two of the UK’s greatest voices will accompany the Tenerife Gospel Shine Voices group for an exciting concert. Presenting their first album, Faith, Hope and Love, the Gospel Shine Voices will welcome soloists Lurine Cato and Dave Daniel for the evening’s entertainment. Lurine Cato, from London, is one of the most respected female voices on the international gospel stage and has won a number of awards. Dave Daniel, a pastor and singer who is also from London, is one of the pillars of gospel music in Europe. As well as having sung in various groups, he has also directed numerous choirs, including the London Community Gospel Choir. See them at the Auditorio Teobaldo Power, starting 8.30pm. Tickets cost just €12 and can be bought online at: www.tomaticket.es. n
Marina del Sur
Oceans of activities
The fabulous Fenáutica marine event will return to the south of Tenerife on June 3 and 4. As ever, the fair will offer a range of water-related activities which will be open to the public at the Marina del Sur in Las Galletas. Visitors on dry land will be able to check out a variety of stalls offering a selection of goods and services with a nautical theme. These include accessories, electronics, spare parts, and vessels old and new, as well as various excursions such as diving, fishing and whale watching. There will be music in the evenings and plenty of opportunities to get stuck into a range of snacks and drinks. The action starts at 10am on both days, and entrance is free. The full programme of events can be found at: www.marina delsur.es/fenautica. n
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Mighty tenors
Choral Canarians The Achamán male voice choir will be raising the roof tops in El Sauzal on May 27. The group began back in 1976 when several friends joined together to perform their favourite compositions and have a little fun. However, they were soon noticed by members of the renowned group Los Sabandeños who took Achamán under their wings, helping to turn them into the popular artists they are today. On the night of the concert they will be singing a mix of Canarian and South American folk music. The show starts at 8pm at the Espacio Cultural La Pirámide. Entrance costs between €5 and €9, and tickets can be bought via: www.tomaticket.es. Alternatively, you can purchase them from the local town hall, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2.30pm, or for 90 minutes before the performance starts from the venue’s box office. You can also visit: www. n elsauzal.es for more information.
Traditional tunes
Forging folk
The Arona Municipal Folklore Band will be celebrating its 30th anniversary by giving a free concert in Los Cristianos on May 27. The group was created in 1987 as part of the local council’s initiative for music and culture. The assembly currently counts with 40 members, who keep the dress and tuneful customs of the area alive for future generations. The celebratory concert will include traditional compositions from each of the archipelago’s seven islands. The concert starts at 9pm at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium. Entrance is free but places are limited so arrive in plenty of time to guarantee a seat. Visit: www.arona.org n for more info.
Letz Zep
Stairway to heaven Fans of 1970s and 80s rock giants Led Zeppelin will be delighted to know that Letz Zep, the group’s very own endorsed tribute band, will be playing two dates in Tenerife during June. The UK band is considered the world’s leading Led Zeppelin copy cat. They have appeared on various television shows on the BBC and ITV channels, as well as being featured in the pages of leading music magazines such as Rolling Stone and Kerrang. Led Zeppelin’s singer Robert Plant is said to approve of the group wholeheartedly. He has attended several of Letz Zep’s concerts, along with guitarist Jimmy Page, and is recorded as having stated that “It was
like watching myself on stage.” Record company Warner even invited the tribute band to the presentation party of Led Zeppelin’s Mothership album. Definitely ones not to miss for fans, the first concert will be on June 2 at the Auditorio Teobaldo Power in La Orotava, starting 9pm. This will be followed on June 3 by a show at the Hard Rock Hotel in Costa Adeje from 10pm onwards. During the roughly two hour long concerts, the band will take audiences on a journey through a history of hits, keeping the greats’ music alive and introducing new audiences to the classic sounds of rock. Tickets for both shows cost €18 per person and can be bought via: www.entrees.es. n
Lizzies
Thrashing it out Screaming onto stage, the Lizzies will be playing a serious heavy metal set on May 27 in La Laguna. The Lizzies are a group of female musicians from Madrid that perfectly combine the aggressiveness and melodic edge of heavy metal with a dedication and delivery that is rare in bands with members so young. The band’s powerful riffs and stage presence have propelled the group onto the international scene in a very short time thanks to successful performances in
Germany (at the Metalheadz Open Air and Headbangers Open Air festivals), Sweden (at Muskelrock), Holland (Heavy Metal Maniacs) and England at the Live Evil Fest. Backup band for the night will be Metrayer, who will present some of their latest original compositions. Catch them if you dare, at the Espacio Cultural Aguere. The concert starts at 10pm and tickets cost €7 in advance from: www.tomaticket.es, or €8 on the day from the venn ue’s box office.
Photo: Matteo Canessa
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HOLIDAY GUIDE WHAT’S ON 2017
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MAY / JUNE
GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES May 19 9pm: Marlango live, concert celebrating the group’s last 10 years, Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €20. www.entradas.com 9pm: El Consorcio in concert, celebrating four decades, Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €35. www.entradas.com May 20 8.30pm: Big Band sound with Perinké, Auditorio Teror, €5. www.entrees.es 8.30pm: El Consorcio in concert, celebrating four decades, Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €35. www.entradas.com 8.30pm: Davinia Gloria, Spanish pop, Centro Cultural de La Caja de Canarias, Las Palmas, €12. www.generaltickets.com May 23 8.30pm: Opera, Rigoletto, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €25. www.entradas.com May 24 8pm: Las Palmas Philharmonic Society, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €12. www. sociedadfilarmonicalaspalmas.org May 25 8.30pm: Opera, Rigoletto, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €25. www.entradas.com May 26
8.30pm: Opera, Rigoletto, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €25. www.entradas.com May 28 7pm: Grupo Compay Segundo, Cuban music, Teatro Cuyás, Las Palmas, from €12. www. entradas.com May 29 9pm: Gloria Gaynor concert, Gran Canaria Arena, Las Palmas, from €49. www.legendslive.es / www.entrees.es
Exhibitions Until June 4 El iris de Lucy (Lucy’s iris), collection of works by 25 contemporary African artists, Centro de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Las Palmas, free entry, Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 9pm, Sundays 10am - 2pm, www.caam.net. Also at the Casa África. www.casafrica.es
MAY / JUNE
TENERIFE DIARY DATES May 18 7.30pm: Quantum Ensemble - Aurora Boreal, chamber music, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €5 to €10. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8pm: Portuguese fado concert, Raquel Tavares, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €10. www.teatroleal.es May 19
9pm: Francisco Navarro, percussion, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €15. www. entradas.com
9pm: Rototom Launch Party, one night reggae festival, three different stages, top acts, Sala Cubik, Avenida Constitución, Santa Cruz, €10. www.rastatickets.es
May 27
May 20
12.30pm: Jazz kids, children’s concert by the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, Sala Gabriel Rodó, Las Palmas, from €5. www. entradas.com 8.30pm: Cambuyon Quartet, percussion, dance and vocals, Auditorio Teror, €8. www.entrees.es 8.30pm: Grupo Compay Segundo, Cuban music, Teatro Cuyás, Las Palmas, from €12. www. entradas.com
8.30pm: St Fusión in concert, modern jazz, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €6 to €12. www.auditoriodetenerife.com May 21 6pm: Family dance show, Moniquilla y El Cascanueces (Little Monica and the Nutcrackers), Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €5 to €10. www.auditoriodetenerife.com
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063 May 25 8pm: Amadeus, film showing of a performance by the London National Theatre Live, in original language with Spanish subtitles, Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Santa Cruz. www.yelmocines.es 8.30pm: Lucid Duo, percussion show, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €5 - €10. www. auditoriodetenerife.com 9pm: Catacumbia in concert, fusion of progressive rock and cumbia folk music, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €5. www.tomaticket.es May 26 7.30pm: Javier Alvarez in concert, Spanish pop, Espacio Cultural Rambla, San Juan de La Rambla, €10. www.sanjuandelarambla.es 8.30pm: Tenerife Symphony Orchestra with sibling piano soloists Arthur and Lucas Jussen, Mozart and Sibelius, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, from €5. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 9pm: Gloria Gaynor in concert, Pabellón de Deportes las Torres, Adeje, from €49. www. legendslive.es / www.entrees 9pm: Taburiente in concert, 40th anniversary of the group, Canarian pop/folk, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €12. www.teatroleal.es 11pm: Mahoney Soul Band, nine Canarian musicians play classic soul numbers, Búho Club, La Laguna, €7 in advance with one drink included, or €8 on the door. www.tomaticket.es May 27 8pm: Achamán male voice choir, Canarian and South American folk music, Espacio Cultural La Pirámide, El Sauzal, €5 to €9. www.elsauzal.es / www.tomaticket.es 9pm: Free concert by the Arona Municipal Folklore Band in celebration of its 30th anniversary, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos. www.arona.org 10pm: Lizzies in concert, all-girl heavy metal band, plus guest band Metrayer, Espacio Cultural Aguere, La Laguna, €7 in advance, €8 on the day. www.tomaticket.es May 28 11.30am: Spring concert, three big bands, San Pedro, Crearte, and Nueva Banda, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. www.auditoriodetenerife.com Until May 31
10pm: Letz Zep in concert, world’s premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band, Hard Rock Hotel, Costa Adeje, €18. www.entrees.es June 4 10am to7pm: Traditions of the 1940s, 50s and 60s in the centre of La Orotava town. Exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, traditional dress, stalls, snacks, music, etc. Free entry. www. laorotava.es 10am till late: Fenáutica nautical fair, stalls, concerts, talks, performances, photography exhibitions, crafts, and environmental displays. Marina del Sur, Las Galletas, free entry. www. marinadelsur.es/fenautica Until June 15 Photo competition with flora of the Canary Islands as its theme, in memory of scientist Antonio González, Los Realejos. www.losrealejos.es June 15 8pm: Santa Juana, film showing of a performance by the London National Theatre Live, in original language with Spanish subtitles, Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Santa Cruz. www.yelmocines.es June 18 11am to 8pm: First El Sauzal Photography Marathon, register beforehand at: www.elsauzal.es / email: cultura@elsauzal.es or on the day of the contest at the Sala de Exposiciones, 9am to 10am, El Sauzal Until end of June Win prizes for shopping at the Tegueste Agricultural and Crafts Market, every weekend between 8am and 2pm. Entries will be entered into a weekly draw for free tickets to see Iberostar Tenerife (C.B. Canarias) play basketball matches at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in La Laguna. www.tegueste.es Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents, many films 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
FotoNatura Los Realejos, photography contest. www.aularambladecastro.es
EXHIBITIONS
June 2
Until June 11
8.30pm: Tenerife Symphony Orchestra with piano soloist Hiroo Sato, Mozart and Bruckner, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, from €5. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 9pm: Letz Zep in concert, world’s premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava, €18. www.entrees.es
Paintings, El paisaje sonoro (The talking landscape) by Ildefonso Aguilar, Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 8pm, free entry. www.teatenerife.es
June 3 10am to 7pm: Traditions of the 1940s, 50s and 60s in the centre of La Orotava town, exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, traditional dress, stalls, snacks, music etc., free entry. www.laorotava.es 10am till late: Fenáutica nautical fair, stalls, concerts, talks, performances, photography exhibitions, crafts, and environmental displays, Marina del Sur, Las Galletas, free entry. www. marinadelsur.es/fenautica.
Until further notice Inédito (Unpublished), collection of works by, and information on, Alfredo Reyes Darias, founding member of the PIC Canarian Independent Painters movement, Museo Etnográfico, Calle Arquitecto Marrero Regalado, Granadilla de Abona, free entry, Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm. www.granadilladeabona.org
For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see:
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
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Family benefit
New UK inheritance tax threshold By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks
from April 2017: £100,000 in 2017/18; £125,000 in 2018/19; £150,000 in 2019/20 and £175,000 in 2020/21. After that it will increase in line with inflation. You can transfer the allowance to a spouse/civil partner in line with existing principles. This makes a total potential threshold for a couple of £1 million by 2020.
Trusts Since the residential nil rate band is only available where property is passed directly to children and grandchildren, this will not apply to many trusts, including discretionary trusts. Some types of trusts do qualify if the property is deemed to pass directly to the beneficiaries. If you own property in a trust, seek advice to establish what you need to do to protect your family from paying unnecessary tax.
April 6, 2017, saw the introduction of an inheritance tax reform that will reduce the amount of tax paid by most estates. Announced in 2015, it effectively increases the inheritance tax threshold to a potential £1 milLimitations on the lion, with limitations.
The Residential Nil Rate Band (RNRB) The inheritance tax rate is fixed at 40 per cent, with a tax-free threshold (‘nil rate band’) of £325,000. When this allowance is not or partly used, you can transfer the balance to your spouse or civil partner. This remains unchanged, but estates now benefit from a second, additional allowance, the new Residential Nil Rate Band. This ‘family home allowance’ will be introduced gradually
allowance
It only applies to residential property which is inherited by direct descendants – children (including adopted and stepchildren) and grandchildren. You need to have lived in the property at some stage. Only one property can qualify for the allowance, and assets besides the family home do not receive any extra allowance. A limit is also imposed, so that higher valued estates do not benefit. Where an estate is worth over £2 million the
Seek advice on how to protect your family and heirs from inheritance tax RNRB is tapered so that estates valued at over £2.2 million do not receive this allowance at all. This £2.2 million value applies to your whole, worldwide estate, including savings and investments, trusts, pay outs from life insurance
policies, pension lump sums received on the death of a spouse/partner, cars, furniture, personal belongings such as jewellery, and applicable gifts given away over the last seven years. Debts and liabilities are deducted from the total.
Expatriates and the new allowance If you are UK domiciled, you are liable for inheritance tax on your worldwide assets – liability does not depend on residence. Domicile law is complex; you can live in Spain many years and remain a UK domicile. You can claim the new additional family home allowance on a property here in the
Canary Isles, provided it is your main home. Spanish succession tax may still apply. Seek advice on how to protect your family and heirs from inheritance tax. You need specialist cross-border estate planning advice to establish where you are domiciled and the most effective solutions for you. 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
‘‘Are my investments suitable for me as a Spanish resident? Am I paying more tax than necessary?” Talk to the people who know. The Spanish tax regime provides opportunities for tax efficient investing, but there are many pitfalls. Using the wrong arrangements could have major tax and succession consequences. Blevins Franks has in-depth knowledge of the local tax system and using it to your advantage, and would be happy to review your existing investment structures.
contact us now on
922 716 079 PWK038-es
paul.montague@blevinsfranks.com Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.
FR ANCE
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
CYPRUS
MALTA
UNITED
KINGDOM
w w w . b l e v i n s f r a n k s . c o m
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BUSINESS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Legal matters
By Goya Abogados, Law Firm in South Tenerife Most of us remember the moment when, having saved up - not without considerable effort - the 20 per cent of the value of the house we knew that the bank was not going to pay, and then out of the blue they announced unexpected arrangement expenses or management fees to pay on top. All of sudden, we found out that we had to pay another five, 10 or 15 thousand euros. Of course, we signed a commitment to the buyer, saved 20 per cent and made plans for our new property, so we had to keep moving forward because we didn’t want them to change their mind and not give us the mortgage. These expenses went largely unnoticed (not because they’re cheap) and now it turns out that
many people with mortgages are learning that both the notaries and the registrars say that the person obliged to pay for their service is the person soliciting it. Therefore, it is the financial institution concerned that must pay these tariffs. With regards to the stamp duty, tax, etc., the law says (in the constitution) that payment of notary documents, testimonies, and relevant documents corresponds to the bank. Finally, let’s examine the costs of the agency that does all of the paperwork, that is supposedly an independent entity, with whom we have never met, whose name and price are unknown and whose work is, obviously, dispensable. How could it be otherwise? These are expenses that the bank forces on us so that we hire an agency, usually totally alien to us, to con-
Photo: Andrevruas CC A 3.0 UL
Managing mortgage costs with new ruling Banks should cover the cost of expenses Home buyers could be in for a refund
duct some business we could do ourselves or entrust to an agent that we know. In addition to the expenses, there are many mortgages which have been declared invalid in the judgment of the Supreme Court dated December 23, 2015. Thanks to this and other subsequent judgments, there are now being established legal criterion which state that with the exception of parties that have negotiated and agreed otherwise, the clauses that forced borrowers to accept these
conditions are null, and the money must be returned. Since no one remembers having agreed otherwise and yet everyone remembers having paid, we find ourselves in a situation
that the Supreme Court ruling affects the vast majority of people with mortgages. This is another sound drubbing for financial institutions that are already pedantically search-
ing for semantic formulas that exempt them from paying out on future mortgages, but that battle is yet to come. For more information visit: www.goyaabogados.com. n
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
BUSINESS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
Labour market
Lowest unemployment for nine years In the first quarter of 2017, the unemployment level for the Canary Islands was announced as 279,800. Taking into account the statistics for the past 12 months, the percentage of people registered as unemployed is 25.68 per cent. The lowest it has been since 2008. Compared to the first quarter of last year only, this represents a slight increase of 1.9 per cent; however, because the Easter period fell in the first trimester of 2016, a period that is typically high for jobseekers actively pursuing work and for employers issuing new work contracts, the latest figure has been received positively. Sergio Alonso, the director of the Canary Islands Employment Service (SCE), was pleased with the findings: “The Canaries belong to the group of Spanish provinces with the highest percentage of over 16 year olds able to work, with 60.15 per cent of the population available in the labour market. The Canaries are fourth behind Madrid, the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, but ahead of the national average of 58.78 per cent. We are currently experiencing a positive upturn and, if incentives for employers continue, we can expect to see more stable working conditions and contracts made available to n the Islands’ workforce.” Alonso said.
29
Pyramids of Güímar
Ethnographic Park misses out on award
The Güímar Ethnographic Park failed to win the coveted EMYA this year
The number of contracts for Canarian workers is rising
Güímar Ethnographic Park will have to try again next year to win the European Museum of the Year award (EMYA). The 2017 winner was announced as the Museum of Ethnography in Geneva, Switzerland, which received the prestigious EMYA trophy - ‘The Egg’ by Henry Moore - which it will keep for one year. The award was founded in 1977 by the Council of Europe with the purpose of honouring Europe’s finest museums and to promote learning and innovation for
the benefit of society. This year’s event was recently presented in Zagreb, Croatia. The ceremony coincided with EMYA’s 40th anniversary and was attended by over 200 people from 29 European countries. The opening of the Sustainable Garden played a key role in Güímar Ethnographic Park’s nomination. The new 1,000m2 feature is useful for the advancement of sustainable gardens on the Islands, and was developed in collaboration with the University of La Laguna. The garden
is based on a typical Canarian barranco (ravine) and the characteristic flora and wildlife to be found there. It even houses specimens of the European eel, since it is the only freshwater fish present in the Islands. The Tenerife-based ethnographic park said that it was “delighted” to make the shortlist for the award. It started off as one of 42 museum nominations in 22 European countries, and was this year’s only Spanish entry. Past recipients of the EMYA include: the Victoria and
Albert Museum in London, the National Railway Museum in York, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The winner in 2016 was the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The Pyramids of Güímar and accompanying museum, part of the Ethnographic Park, are still a mysterious and interesting island attraction, with many tourists flocking to the site every year. For further information visit: www.piramidesdeguimar.es/ n en.
BUSINESS
30
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Blacktower Financial Management
Diary of a fund manager By David Miller
is gaining perspective given how overwhelming the daily avalanche of information has become. It is said that we only came to appreciate how precious the blue Earth is, in an otherwise lifeless solar system, when the Apollo 8 astronauts filmed Earthrise from the moon. What have I learnt from my recent trips? In Wales, that the weak pound has boosted farm income derived from exporting lamb to the continent, but further out the loss of subsidies is a worry. I also discovered that lack of access to any speed of broadband is a problem for
Photo: Kanbers CC A-S A 3.0 L
The Cotswolds - another internet challenged area
people and businesses alike. From a couple of days of meetings in Malta, perspectives on what people and businesses are doing to take advantage of, or at least protect themselves from, changes in the EU. Then in Derby, during an unplanned research trip to an out-of-town retail park on the way to somewhere else, insights into the way in which consumer spending habits are changing. Pile it high and sell it cheap worked for Jack Cohen, the founder of Tesco, and still works today. Why pay 50 per cent more for a box of Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut Cornflakes than you have to? As
unexciting conclusions from suspect material. Furthermore, the search for arid islands of certainty is a waste of time and absolute precision means less, whether in terms of language or investment return. In terms of biases, I remain an empiricist at heart, regarding reality as much more important than theory, however seductive. To put it another way, untidiness and loose ends are far better than the rigorous imposition of an all-embracing rational system. Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up. This commentary has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice; investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. n
Photo: Saffron Blaze CC A-S A 3.0 L
You will not be surprised to hear that politics and economics are the predominant themes in my blogs. Occasionally, however, there is an opportunity for a bit of philosophy. For example, the news that Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and still remembered by aging hippies, recently died at the age of 88. In the last month I have been travelling and presenting more than usual and, quite reasonably, was challenged by a client to explain how not being at my desk was good for the performance of his portfolio. Unlike the past, proximity to markets is no longer physical, because of technology. The hard part
Kingspan Stadium – home to Ulster Rugby Club and a great place to have one’s views challenged in public
an aside, during a visit to the Cotswolds - another internet challenged area - I picked up some fascinating stories about what it was like to do business with Tesco in the early days from a now retired entrepreneur, but these will have to wait for another day. My grand tour ended in Belfast, coincidentally on the day that the EU added the border with the Republic to the Brexit negotiation priority list. The purpose of my visit was to talk to a select group of financial advisers about investment priorities in a complicated world. I have to say that there
is nothing better than having one’s views challenged in public, whether on live TV or in a hospitality suite overlooking an 18,500 capacity stadium, for getting rid of sloppy assumptions or inadequate generalisations. Fortunately, the Ulster Rugby Club training session, which included a number of internationals, finished just before I was due to speak, otherwise I might have been talking to myself. Three years ago, I wrote the first Diary and sent it to a couple of hundred contacts with no plan other than to see what happened. Now, 150 Diaries
later, the distribution list is a bit more than the capacity of the Belfast stadium and the ‘season ticket holders’ are based in at least 25 countries. If writing 120,000 words has achieved anything, it has reinforced my view that in the real world choices have to be made, whether good or bad; and to say anything significant means bringing in something other than immediate experiences, namely the past and judgements about the future. In contrast, much of the investment analysis that crosses my desk seems content to deduce
David Miller and his investment team manage the Nexus Portfolio range that is available exclusively to clients of Blacktower Financial Management. As such, he will be travelling to the Canary Islands in June where he will be a guest speaker at a seminar organised by Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited. For more information about the seminar or the Nexus Portfolio Range, Please contact: michael. mcseveney@blacktowerfm.com. Tel: 822 047 044 / Mob: 636 933 616. Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission, Licence 00805B and is registered by both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
RoadSmart moves
Ready for summer IAM RoadSmart has a few tips for drivers now the warmer weather has arrived. It is, the safety organisation says, time to get your car ‘beach body ready’. Whilst winter here in the Islands may not embrace the harsh conditions encountered in more northerly climes, it’s nevertheless true that vehicles can be a little neglected during the cooler months, so now is as good a time as any for a spring clean. First of all, check out your boot area for any items you won’t be needing over the next few months, and give the underside of the wheel arches and car a thorough hose down. Then you can turn your attention to the inside of the windscreen and other windows to remove any grime that has built up, which otherwise can spread bright sunshine into a blinding glare. Get them squeaky clean with water and detergent, and dry with a microfibre cloth. If your vehicle has pollen filters, remember they need changing occasionally. Look in your handbook to find out how to get to the filter, and if it looks in poor condition, change it now. Some very good after-market filters are available online, often with a charcoal layer to filter out pollutants as well as pollen. And then there is the all-important air conditioning: an absolute boon as the temperature rises. The special gas it contains can leak away over time, and a quick way to check levels is to make sure yours is still blowing cold air rather than warm. If not, take a trip to your local mechanic before the weather becomes too hot to handle. n
Restoring classics
Very Velocette Fans of Velocette motorbikes may wish to cast an eye over Peter Henshaw’s latest book. This Essential Buyer’s Guide to the 350 & 500 Singles from 1946 through to 1970 includes everything the potential Velocette buyer needs to know: how to assess the engine, transmission, frame, paintwork and chrome, tinwork, wheels and tyres, brakes and electrics, and even provides an explanation of engine and frame numbers. With a detailed run down of the various models, and an assessment of which offers the best investment potential, there’s also plenty of advice on problems caused by lack of use, plus a list of useful contacts. Out now, it costs just £12.99 (around €15.50) and is available from: www.veloce.co.uk, where you can view a number of sample pages. n
MOTORING
31
for children (eight to 12 years old, sevens and under go free). Or you can make the most of a
reduced price of €18 for adults and €12 for kids if you wish to n attend all four days.
Don’t miss it!
Exclusive vehicles Two and four wheel fans can look forward to several days of fun at the Magma Arts and Congress in Costa Adeje between June 8 and 11. One of the main attractions of the event will be the largest display of sports and exclusive vehicles in the Canary Islands to date, as well as plenty of classic cars and motorbikes. There will also be the opportunity to purchase motor-related goods from a range of exhibitors, including spare parts, car audio, alarms, tyres and much more. In addition, there will be a dedicated section for environmentally friendly and electric
vehicles, as well as a number of used and second-hand car companies offering their wares. There will also be a series of talks and workshops, as well as transmissions of the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix and Moto GP Catalunya. And if that wasn’t enough, there will be areas to test your automotive abilities, drifting exhibitions, a range of children’s activities, go-karting, radio control cars and much, much more. Check out: facebook.com/topmotorcanarias for information, or: www.tenerifemagma.com, where you can also buy tickets in advance. It costs just €6 to visit the event for one day, €4
Future Volvo
East-West eco move
Volvo Cars recently announced that the company will soon build its first fully electric car - in China. The all-new model will be based on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) for smaller cars, and will be available for sale in 2019. Volvo has been in operation since 1927 and is today one of the most well-known and
respected car brands in the world. Volvo Cars, made a separate entity in 2009, has been under the ownership of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group since 2010. The two companies still cooperate on various levels, and Volvo Cars’ head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden.
However, the decision to make its first electric car in China highlights the central role the country will play in Volvo’s electrified future. China is the world’s largest sales market for electrified cars, and has ambitious targets to expand sales of fully electric and hybrid cars in order to address congestion and airquality issues in its cities.
“Volvo Cars fully supports the Chinese government’s call for cleaner air as outlined in the latest five-year plan. It is fully in-line with our own core values of environmental care, quality and safety”, stated Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. “We believe that electrification is the answer to sustainable n mobility,” he added.
FASHION
32
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Pretty in pink
There’s no doubt about it, pink in all shades is the perfect colour for this season. The scale ranges from soft pastel to strong pink, and ensures that the rosy colour can be worn with confidence by every woman. While the
delicate nuances are particularly preferred by blonde women with fair skin, pink also looks great with dark hair and a tanned complexion. You can also do a lot with this colour: it looks romantic in a playful dress, elegant in
a simple-cut coat and stylish on an elegant gown. And if that’s still not pink enough for you, why not spice up your outfit with some pretty pink accessories?
A pink sweater with jeans and accessories to complete the colour trend. From Betty Barclay
Sandal with frills in bright pink. From Dorothy Perkins
Pink becomes business-like. From Penneys Ireland
Pink and feminine: the new fashion trend. From Vera Mont
All photos: www.prshots.com
Getting rosy for the summer
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
FASHION
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
Powder pink mules with a crystallised heel. From Dune
Simple and elegant a coat over a creamcoloured outfit. From Bon Prix
The pleated skirt is celebrating its comeback. From George at Asda
A touch of the 50s: a frilly, slightly transparent dress. From Dorothy Perkins
Accessories also play an important role in the new pink trend. From The Great Gift Company
Refined: the narrow dress with gathering at the shoulder. From Marisota
Open-toe mules with a touch of animal print. From Oasis Stores
33
HEALTH
34
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Motor neurone disease
When cells malfunction
The term Motor neurone disease (MDN) is used to describe a group of neurological disorders that affect the way muscles work, such as muscular atrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, and progressive bulbar palsy. The most common is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the condition often being synonymous with MDN. All are neurodegenerative and cause increasing disability which leads to eventual death. ALS became well known worldwide when physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with it in 1963.
What is ALS? ALS may be the most common motor neurone condition, but it is still classified as a rare disease. In Europe and the United States, it affects around 2.2 people out of each 100,000. Motor neurones are specialist nerve cells that pass messages to voluntary muscles telling them what to do. When they can no longer send instructions properly, the muscles cannot function correctly, leading to weakness, wasting and loss of control. Walking, sitting, eating, speaking and breathing can all be affected. It can be classified in several different ways:
by where it starts, how symptoms progress, and whether it is inherited or not. In approximately 70 per cent of cases, the limbs are affected first. In roughly a quarter, muscles in the face, mouth, and throat. Five per cent of sufferers find that muscles in the trunk of the body are first to be affected. In a few cases, symptoms can be limited to one region of the spine. The earliest mention of the disease dates back to at least 1824. Fifty years later, the neurological connection was first described by French Neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in an 1874 paper, from which the term amyotrophic lateral scle-
wardness when walking or running; difficulty with tasks such as buttoning a shirt or writing; weakness at the shoulder that makes lifting the arm difficult; cramping; slurred, very quiet, or nasal speech; loss of tongue mobility; and difficulty swallowing.
to blame them on tiredness or other reasons, so it’s often some time before someone feels they should visit their doctor. Symptoms build up gradually over weeks and months, usually on one side of the body. They may include a weakened grip, which can make picking up or holding objects difficult; awk-
Symptoms depend on the type of ALS. They also vary enormously from person to person, as does the pattern of their progression. Nevertheless, over time, people will have increasing mobility difficulties, and will experience other problems such as stiffness, exaggerated reflexes and muscle wastage. As damage
Most people are diagnosed with ALS in their 50s, 60s or 70s Sometimes symptoms are too vague to be worrying at first
rosis originates as well. Sadly, though knowledge of the condition has advanced, there is still no known cure and understanding of its causes is limited.
Onset and progression Symptoms generally appear when people are in their 50s or 60s. Nonetheless, ALS can affect adults of all ages, including teenagers (though rarely), but the majority of those diagnosed are over the age of 40. It affects slightly more men than Therapies, Spiritual hypnosis, Past life regression Come, unleash your internal power and heal your mind, body and soul completely through energy healing, hypnosis and past life regression. Get Space Clearing carried out for more positivity at home and in your work place
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By Xena Fox
women, though comparisons vary depending on the type. Percentages also even out after the age of about 70. The initial symptoms may be so subtle that they are overlooked. They include slight clumsiness, mild weakness or difficulty speaking. It’s easy
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
progresses, symptoms spread to other parts of the body and the condition becomes more debilitating. Around half of people with ALS will experience mild behavioural and cognitive changes, which can
multiple sclerosis, HIV and syphilis, which have similar initial features. Alongside blood and urine analyses, and other routine laboratory tests, patients may be given an electromyogra-
cause issues in functions such as planning, decision-making and language use. Repeating phrases or gestures, general apathy, loss of inhibition and sudden mood change are frequently reported behavioural features. Eventually, a person with ALS will lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement, although the bladder, bowel and muscles responsible for eye movement usually function until the final stages of the condition, and the majority of people will maintain the senses of hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste. The condition isn't usually painful, but psychological support is often recommended for dealing with the gradual loss of control and its consequences. Life expectancy from diagnosis is between two and four years on average, though around 20 per cent of people live up to 10 years after symptoms begin, and a further 10 per cent are said to survive longer than that.
Diagnosis There's no single test that can detect motor neurone disease. Instead, a diagnosis is based primarily on symptoms observed by the neurologist, who will also run a series of tests. Many of these will be to rule out a range of other conditions, such as
DENTAL IMPLANT SPECIALISTS GOLF DEL SUR Fairway Village 1st VISIT FREE
as early as possible with this condition, people with symptoms should always obtain a specialist opinion as soon as they can, and not be afraid to ask for a second one if they feel it is necessary.
HEALTH
35
initial stages, therapists can provide programmes for gentle, low-impact aerobic exercises to strengthen unaffected muscles, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce fatigue and depression. Stretching exercises can help prevent painful muscle stiffness and possible complications. Therapists can teach safe and effective ways to delay loss of strength, maintain functions such as speech and swallowing, and generally promote functional independence for as long as possible. As the condition progresses they can also recommend special equipment and adap-
cal ventilation may require a tracheotomy, in which a plastic breathing tube is inserted directly in the person's windpipe through an opening in the neck. A medication called Riluzole, recommended by the UK’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence, has been found to prolong survival by a few months, and two new drugs are apparently showing future promise for the treatment of ALS: Edaravone and Masitinib. Other medications may be used to ease muscle cramps, fatigue or pain, reduce excess saliva or phlegm, and assist with associ-
combination of triggers, both genetic and environmental. Some researchers suggest that moderate to severe traumatic brain injury is a risk for ALS, but are unsure whether mild brain injury increases rates. Others propose risk factors such as environmental toxins, electromagnetic field exposure, physical trauma, and electric shock. So far, there are no consistent findings. Studies have also focused on the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate, and further treatments are being investigated, such as the possibility of stemcell therapy.
tations that can make life more comfortable. These include grabbers, ramps, walkers, braces, and bathroom equipment such as shower chairs and toilet risers. Speech therapists can provide communication aids like alphabet boards, voice amplifiers and speechgenerating devices. A feeding tube (called a gastrostomy) may be inserted into the stomach to keep nutrient levels high and assist with overall comfort if eating and swallowing become complicated. Their use also reduces the risk of choking or aspirating food into the lungs. The tube is not painful and does not prevent people from eating food orally if they wish. As lung function diminishes, there are various external devices which can help with breathing that usually involve a tube that passes from the nose or mouth to the windpipe (trachea). Long-term mechani-
ated conditions such as constipation, or depression and sleep disturbances if appropriate. All of these treatments have ramifications when it comes to quality of life. Never be afraid to ask in-depth questions about your care plan. It is important to be fully informed of possible and probable outcomes on all fronts before making any decisions.
Tests will mostly be used to rule out other conditions Medications can help ease symptoms and slow down the development of complications Occupational and physical therapy can improve quality of life The condition will be monitored closely
phy (EMG) to measure electrical activity in the muscles, or an NCV that tests conduction velocity in nerves (used to diagnose peripheral neuropathy or myopathy). Administering an MRI scan will be normal practice anyway, and can also detect other conditions that may be causing the symptoms, such as a tumour on the spinal cord, or neck problems such as a hernia or cervical spondylosis. Because of the variety of disorders that can resemble the early stages of ALS, as well as the need to receive a diagnosis
Treatment There's currently no cure for ALS. Treatments aim to ensure the highest level of comfort and quality of life possible. Living with motor neurone disease is extremely challenging, but with the right support it is possible to maintain a level of independence for a significant part of the condition's course. For instance, making the most of any physical and occupational therapies on offer can make a huge difference to someone’s quality of life. In the
Causes Except in a few instances, it's not clear what causes motor neurones to stop functioning correctly. In between five and 10 per cent of cases there's a family history of either motor neurone disease or a related condition called frontotemporal dementia. Around half of these genetic cases are due to one of two specific genes. Otherwise, there is no known cause for ALS. Someone may be affected by a different
IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF THE DENTIST, we want you to know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE – and that THERE’S HELP. Please don’t hesitate to CONTACT US at info@clinicadental-tenerifesur.com or at +34 922.737.838 if you want to make the NEXT STEP towards a NEW-ANDIMPROVED SMILE.
Advice and support The MNDA Motor Neurone Disease Association is the leading UK charity for people affected by the condition. Visit their website at: www.mndassociation.org, as well as the NHS website: www. nhs.uk for information, practical advice and support. If you want to help provide for research and care facilities by making a donation or organising an event, there are a number of international and local fundraising opportunities. One of the craziest is the Ice Bucket Challenge that began in August 2014. For a donation of around €10, participants pour water and ice over their heads whilst naming three others who must do the same. More popular than you would think, it has already raised over €115 million for ALS Associations. Alternatively, have a look online for an organisation near you. n
Our Team is extremely experienced in all DENTAL TREAMENTS offering you several personalized options. Our goal is to provide you a welcoming environment that is free of ANXIETY and PAIN.
PETS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
ADOPT, DON’T BUY
Animal charities’ round up We go through vast amounts of bedding each week so we always need towels, blankets, sheets, etc. to keep the cats clean and warm. Food and litter is a large part of our expenditure each month as we feed 20 large colonies of cats and also have foster carers who need them for their charges. Any brand is always welcome. Do you have any spare pet carriers or dog training cages? We use carriers for transportation and cages for recuperation.
Acción del Sol resident dog Jack has been making the inhabitants of the Residencia de los Ancianos old people’s home very happy
Acción del Sol Our gorgeous resident dog Jack has been making inhabitants of the Residencia de los Ancianos old people’s home very happy, as well as helping with our educational programme throughout the many schools and colleges in the south of Tenerife - our main aim is to educate children on animal welfare in order to create a better life for dogs on the island. We are always in need of tinned dog food for our older dogs, plus blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, and collars and leads. If you have any of the above to spare they would be very much appreciated.
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
Please call: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way, or visit us on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm, and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm. We’re situated directly under the wind turbines, from exit 52 on the TF1 north bound, just after the El Médano junction. Head for the windmills on the coast and we’re located in the buildings on the right hand side. Alternatively, email us on: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: Action tier Acción del Sol.
Live Arico (PAWS) Bag a bargain at our shops in San Eugenio (Opposite Hotel La Niña. Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reverón, near the Thistle and Dragon Bar. Every day, 10am to 4pm); Golf del Sur (Golf Park, just before the lottery kiosk. Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm). Call us on: 629 388
102. Find us at: www.livearico. com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.
K9 We have many dogs waiting for their forever homes. You can see them on our website: www. k9tenerife.com. Or visit the Refuge on Calle Chimbesque, between Las Chafiras and Las Zocas, any day between 10am and 2pm. Alternatively, call us on: 667 638 468 or email: info@k9tenerife.com. You will also find stories of our dogs’ antics on Facebook at: Diary of a K9 Tenerife Dogwalker or K9 Tenerife. Visit our shop at Alcalá Plaza, every day from 10am to 2pm. Donations of quality household goods are very welcome. Call: 646 561 035 to arrange collection of larger items from all local areas.
Cats Welfare Want to help us but not sure how?
Charity shop Our shop is our main source of income and incredibly important for us for raising funds. Find it on San Blas in Golf del Sur (behind Hiperdino). It’s open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm, except Saturdays when it’s 10am to 4pm. If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items to donate please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 and he will arrange collection. Or maybe you would you like to help in the shop? Contact us to arrange an informal chat. It’s a great way to meet new friends and support the local community at the same time. Kittens available We have fluffy kittens of all different colours for immediate adoption. We do not charge a fee but there is a contract to sign saying you agree you will get vaccinations and neutering done when the kitten is old enough. Many people do not want black kittens as they don’t think they are ‘pretty’. To encourage adoption we arrange the vaccination, microchip and neutering of black kittens free of charge (of the first one only if two or more are adopted together). Or maybe you would like to be a foster carer? You don’t need experience; we can tell you everything you need to know. We supply food, litter, beds, etc. and cover vet costs. If you would like to ask questions about our work or cats, ring or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129, message us on Facebook or see our website: www. cats-welfare-tenerife.com. n
Adoptions
Royally beautiful Hi, I’m Princesa. I am eight years old and have been at the K9 refuge for over two years. I had a family all my life but a change in their circumstances meant they could no longer keep me. They were very sad and so was I and, while everyone is very nice to me here, I really want to spend my senior years in a comfy and cosy home with my own loving family. I am a lovely girl – friendly, small, and quiet and fit as a fiddle. I love my walks and am very well behaved. I do get overwhelmed by young children sometimes and occasionally snap, I am a bit older after all, so a home without children might be best. Do you have a place in your heart for me? If you would like to meet me, please get in touch with K9 by calling: 667 638 468 or emailing: info@k9tenerife.com. n
Acción del Sol
Contemplating canines The Acción del Sol organisation recently sent this thoughtprovoking commentary from a dog’s point of view, which we thought we would share with you. “My life is likely to last between 10 and 15 years on average, so please bear this in mind before giving me a home. You have lots of friends and family, I have only you for love, affection and companionship, so please don’t leave me tied up or alone for long periods of time. Talk to me, I may not understand your words but I will be there to comfort you. Take care of me as I grow older as one day you will also age. Go with me on my final journey because everything is easier with you by my side.” n
Photo: Márcia Rodrigues / FreeImages.com
36
FARMERS MARKET
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
Farmer’s Markets 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
Photo: Kelvin Yu FreeImages
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
Playa de San Juan Paseo El Bufadero 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
Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158
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
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
La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000
Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234
Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640
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 side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544
Island support!
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
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
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
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.
fairly – this is one way we can all help each other. So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island n of Tenerife. Enjoy.
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
Photo: by Frank C. Muller
Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm Telephone: 922 775 200
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Farmer’s Markets
Photo: Carlos Paes FreeImages
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
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
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HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Horoscope for period: May 18 to May 31 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Your family environment may have been a little up and down lately, but hopefully you are now entering a more harmonious period. A calm and peaceful domestic life will also give you the strength to tackle other affairs more easily.
Contacts
Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 Your career may well undergo a major transformation quite soon, or if you are unemployed you could find yourself being offered an interesting job. Either way, it will be a period of intense change but one which will pay off nicely in the end.
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: (+34) 631 343 527. Busty and curvy.
Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Do your social skills need updating? Not the online kind – those which include good old face-to-face conversation and the sometimes difficult task of expressing our emotions. Your loved ones cannot read your mind, you have to communicate. Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 Success at the moment depends on how you cope with the many and varied pressures that are surrounding you. You will find it difficult to balance all your responsibilities, but do not feel overwhelmed: It will be a good lesson in prioritising. Leo 23.7 - 23.8 If you are someone born with the gift of the gab, it can be hard to understand others’ silences. You can’t force people to communicate with you: that will almost always have the opposite effect. Try to be patient and respectful. Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Travel is definitely on the horizon, even if it is visiting a local area that you have not investigated before. Have you been stuck in a rut and feeling bored? This is the perfect opportunity to start a new approach to life – go for it! Libra 24.9 - 23.10 Personal enterprise and hard work will help you reach your ultimate target, but you sometimes have a tendency to allow others to take over. Only you can achieve what you truly want from life, so try to be more active on your journey towards it. Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Helping others is often the best way to aid ourselves. Energy, including money, has to flow, and a great method for kicking it off is to simply give some out. Make a donation, support a friend, or help a stranger – what comes back will be surprising. Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Money features heavily over the coming months and you will need to take a good look at your finances and investments. It is important to plan for the future, but don’t forget to enjoy today. It’s a fine balance that you will have to attend to. Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 Learning a new skill will help you in your job or give you direction if you find you are not sure what to do next. Is there something you have been thinking of studying for a while? You may find that taking this chance will open up new avenues. Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 You are not always the most emotionally responsive person, but this probably has roots in your early years. If you want to improve your relationships, it may be time to look deeper into what it is that makes you hold back so much. Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 Taking an interest in other people will be vital for your personal growth this month. Listen to everyone around you as much as you can as they can pass on a useful lesson. Do not disregard information, no matter where it comes from.
Erotic private massages or parties with German lady or couple, also threesomes. Without rush. In a very nice location or at your home/ hotel. English speaking. Tel: (+34) 619 614 380 or (+34) 648 245 425. Los Cristianos, I’m Julia, a beautiful Brazilian girl. I offer my services and I would like to be your perfect escort lady. I can make your holiday an unforgettable one. Start the night with a drink, have dinner, go clubbing and finish in style at your hotel or my place. I speak Portuguese, Spanish and English. You can find my photos at www. canarias69.com. Tel: 600 369 365.
For ladies: Excursions, escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc (German) who also speaks English and Spanish. I have an apartment and car and I also do visits. We can meet in a café before. Tel: (+34) 630 759 974. Los Cristianos, beautiful Colombian girl, 23 years old, providing all types of services without limits. You can visit me in my private apartment or I can come to you. Tel: 602 502 300. You’ll love the details. Luxury erotic massages. Visit our new branch in Adeje. Tel: 674 407 827. www.edencanary.com. We are also in Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje. Tel: 662 960 065. www.edentenerife. com. Appointments only, 10am to 10pm. Los Cristianos, young blonde, spectacular, welcoming body, natural 130cm breasts, all services. Discreet. I speak a little English. Opposite the bus station. Tel: 619 168 878. Los Cristianos, new, Aracely, Spanish blonde. All services. I can do hotel visits or welcome you in my private apartment. Tel: 664 099 043.
South Tenerife, young Latin girl, pretty, obliging, affectionate. Come and see me for good company and to have a good time. Tel: 642 615 094. Transsexual, beautiful, tall, blonde, long big penis, 140cm breasts, active/passive. Offer for this month only, €50 for one hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. WhatsApp for info. Tel: (+34) 602 626 848. Los Cristianos, Meliza, blonde Venezuelan, large breasts, all services, natural French, positions, kisses, sado. I have a private apartment in Calle Ramón Pino near to Playa Las Vistas. I can do outcalls. Tel: 602 629 191. 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, an Afro-Brazilian, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only. Private apartment. HH Franciscano Street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras. Tel: 608 285 035.
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu
Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu
Classifieds Deadline Next Edition The deadline for edition 797, which is published on 1st June, is 30th May. 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 796
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.
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. Professional massage therapy, available at the client’s home/ apartment. Certified and experienced masseur for remedial, deep tissue, Swedish, sports and relaxing massage. Mobile/WhatsApp: (+34) 683 141 129.
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
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. 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.
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 News: Los Abrigos Auction Room www.second-hand-tenerife.com
SAFECLEAN
PART OF G.D.A. GROUP S.L.U. Est 1987
PEST CONTROL
For private villas, apartments, complexes, providing Sanidad certificates for bars & restaurants
CLEANING
Professional upholstery & carpet cleaning, sofas, beds
Tel. 666 192 119
e-mail: info@safecleantenerife.com · www.safecleantenerife.com
MASONIC MEETINGS
Santiago del Teide Lions Club
Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73 Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. New meetings start in October, on the fourth Tuesday
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.
All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):
(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com
Mobile welder for hire anywhere on the island Contact Jason:
683 422 304
Spanish and English Lawyers
Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law
Qualified specialist from Germany helps you with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and insomnia. Tel. 0034 699 15 61 47 (ask for Eugene). 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
Second-Hand Sale LOS ABRIGOS & Auction X Room
39
LOCKSMITH Instant response, 7 days a week call out
Call 647 92 82 23
T: E:
922 719 520
tenerife@decottalaw.net
Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio
www.decottalaw.net
40
CLASSIFIEDS Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano with 2 bedrooms and a garage. Tel: 676 243 558.
Rental Classifieds
Investment property
Rental euro 20,000. Per annum. On traspaso with current tenant in for 7 years. Asking price – euros 240,000.00. Excellent investment opportunity for the long term investor with annual increase in return.
Prime location in Playa de Las Americas , Garden City. For further particulars
Tel David on 609 072467.
FOR RENT: Luxury one bedroom apartment in Los Cristianos Available May 30 to November 28. Fully equipped to very high standard, international TV channels, Wifi, secured off-street parking. Terrace, 3rd floor, lift and communal pool. One minute walk to beach and amenities. No pets. Mature couples only. €800 per month, bills included.
Tel: 637 268 337
Looking to exchange or rent: Luxury 85m2 apartment in 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. Apartment for rent, 1 bedroom, fully equipped, near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 /month + electricity. Tel: Theresa on 606 105 101. Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063 contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149 Looking to swap my house in Tenerife for a house in Dublin or surroundings. If agreed, the time could be arranged. From a month to a year time gap. Call Carmen 693 727 683 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191. Garage to rent, double width. Victoria Court 1, Los Cristianos. Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up. Tel: 679 919 623.
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 8 0 0m 2 lands caped 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
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.
Place your advert at
Mundo del Mapa Classified Agent for
www.teneriffa-fincas.net PRIVATE SALE 2 Locales, sold together or separately. English / Irish Pub €155,000 & Office €35,000 Playa de Las Américas close to the Casino. Purchase together price is negotiable. Tel. 647 077 835
Mundo del Mapa Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz
Situations
CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
41
You are invited to
(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 38)
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
Vacant / wanted
Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm
Remember the type of job you thought you might do when yo u m ove d to Tenerife...? Outdoors, fun, honest, helping people... Suncare Central are now recruiting friendly people to become Suncare Advisors. Supervisor also required to give ongoing training and motivation to their team. Please send your CV to jobs@suncarecentral. com or call Craig on 651 172 738.
Vehicles To advertise please call 922 75 06 09
Shopping Center Salytien Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina 37 www.clifchurch.org Pastor Mark 637 321 453
Across
1 - young aquatic bird (8) 6 - chop finely (4) 8 - common bird (6) 9 - arthropod (6) 10 - signal booster (3) 11 - children (4) 12 - keeps (6) 13 - song words (6) 15 - outcome (6) 17 - view of the world (6) 20 - cement (4) 21 - note down (3) 22 - deep blue (6) 23 - spiny tree (6) 24 - bowed stringed instrument (4) 25 - explode (8)
Estate agency in Las Américas requires: • A secretary with experience. Languages: English, German, Flemish. • Sales agents with experience, languages and own car.
Advert Placement www.islandconnections.eu
Please send your Curriculum Vitae to: sggconsultores@hotmail. com
Down
Tel: 658 032 174
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.
condition, only 25,000km. €8,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.
Mercedes 420 Elegance, 1996. 115,000km. ITV to MG Sport 1.6 Converti- November 2016. €4,500. ble 2003, ITV to October Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 2016, one owner, excellent 227 562.
2 - service (7) 3 - hinge joints (5) 4 - internal organs (7) 5 - clutches (5) 6 - dictators (7) 7 - storage space (5) 14 - first (7) 15 - unpleasant person (7) 16 - eye specialist (7) 18 - dissatisfaction (5) 19 - inlet (5) 20 - small particle (5)
FITNESS & WELLBEING
42
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Take control
Eating with mindfulness Photo: Vada0214 / FreeImages.com
Keeping a truthful and accurate food diary is the best way to see results
By Debbie Gilbey amendments when I know the of their habits. They already The best way to combat under/ over or mindless eating is by first really looking at what you consume. This is one of the main reasons that I ask all my clients to keep a food diary. It comes with a set of rules such as ‘please be as accurate and honest as possible’ and ‘please log all your food - even if you eat a kebab at 3am!’ The rules are in place as it is far easier to streamline and make
existing habits. Changing things too rapidly will cause the body to think it is on a diet and it will start to panic, which is not the aim. From experience I generally encounter three different types of people when it comes to keeping a food diary: 1 – The person who will literally log every last morsel of food, including three 54-gram scoops of ice-cream as a midnight snack. These people understand what they are doing and are extremely aware
know that portion sizes are important as they have begun to weigh their food. They are willing and ready to make a change. All they need is better portion sizes and a little streamlining to achieve fantastic results. Please note: these people are rare! 2 – Then there are those who guess portion size or write non-descript terms such as ‘medium size curry with some rice’ or ‘large salad with a little chicken’. These ‘kind of want
to see results’ and have probably yo-yo dieted in the past and therefore want to get their food diary to me as quickly as possible for review – five days is five days, whether you are being accurate or not. Unfortunately, this group like the idea of seeing results yet are unlikely to put any kind of real effort in. 3 – Then there are those who write down only what they want me to see they have eaten. From a glance it will look like a model food diary: ‘Two-egg omelette with a salad of lettuce, peppers and tomato’. It is accurate – to a point, but they tend to miss out key things such as the 10pm chocolate bar or, even worse, the jumbo portion of chips that accompanied the omelette they decided to erroneously post to their social media accounts. Yet this group seems to fall somewhere in the middle of success and failure. They will see results, just at a slower rate than the idea they have in their head. If you would like to have your food diary analysed by Debbie, please get in touch via: www.fitnesswithdebbie.com or n d.gilbeypt@gmail.com.
Positive psychology
Healthy workplaces Adeje’s Escuela de Seguridad y Convivencia (School of Security and Social Harmony) was recently one of the partners hosting a series of workplace wellbeing events, aimed at creating ‘healthy organisations’. Held in conjunction with the University of La Laguna’s department of Prevention, Security and International Cooperation, at the Adeje School of Music and Dance, the courses were the first of their kind in the Canary Islands. They included a series of talks organised by Gloria Díaz, from the Innovando team, which is dedicated to promoting wellbeing within companies through a series of evaluations and implementations based on positive psychology. The event was aimed at companies working in fields such as human resources, education, education and politics, etc. ‘Healthy organisations’ are those which are interested in investing in maximising the wellbeing and thus the productivity of their work-force. This involves the evolution of well-designed work stations and helpful social work environments, among other changes. Healthy organisations, slowly taking over from more traditional work places and practises, are known to experience financial success and a strong and well-balanced team of employees who are pro-active and show personal initiative. Workers are also seen to take responsibility for their personal and professional growth and enjoy excellent levels of engagement. In addition, it is recognised that healthy organisations enjoy improved quality in production and in links between the organisation itself, workers and clients. In recent years, rapid social change, the economic crisis, globalisation and new technologies have generated a need for alterations in many internal organisational practices, to guarantee the security and wellbeing of their workforce. If changes are not implemented many companies are in danger of becoming ‘toxic’ and therefore less viable in the modern world, not to mention more unhealthy for staff. Other partners supporting the initiative were the CIT SUR organisation (Centre for tourism initiatives in South Tenerife) and CEST (South Tenerife Business persons circle). Keep up to date with other events in Adeje at: www.adeje.es. n
Stop the spread of cold and flu germs
ronment, the fewer people will also become sick.
If you want to avoid sharing your illness then always cover
your mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and throw that tissue away immediately. Also, avoid touching people or shaking hands, keep shared utensils (or office equipment) spotlessly clean, sanitise door handles at least once a day, and don’t share towels or tea towels. The person with the cold should wash their hands regularly and/or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner throughout the day. And maybe try to keep to yourself. The nicest way to treat your friends, family and colleagues is to not n pass on your germs.
Happy employees are more productive
Place your advert at
Mundo del Mapa Classifieds Agent Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz
©2016 FLN
When suffering from a cold, it is tempting to try to drag yourself through your normal routine, thinking that to do otherwise is to let people down. However, sometimes the best thing you can do for others is stay away from them! A cold (or flu) is usually contagious for as long as the person is showing symptoms (runny nose, cough, etc.). Often, this is around a week. Germs are passed on via tiny molecules suspended in the air or any item that has been touched by someone with the virus. The less the germs are distributed into the envi-
Photo: Sebastian Smit / FreeImages.com
When you shouldn’t share
Photo: www.adeje.es
The common cold
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
SPORTS
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Challenge Mogán
Men’s triathlon The 29 year old Brit won the Challenge in 4:03:03, more than eight minutes faster than Belgium's Pieter Heemeryck who came second. Brownlee’s compatriot Mark Buckingham finished third. Brownlee used the event as preparation for May's Ironman 70.3 North American Championships taking place in Utah. On the day, all eyes were on the Olympic champion and he did not disappoint. Brownlee was in the front of the race from the swim then opened up an early lead on the bike that he held throughout.
Ahead of the race, he said: “This is my first attempt at a middle-distance race and there is a lot to learn. I chose the Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria because we are coming into the summer race season and the timing is perfect”.
Women’s triathlon In the women's race, Britain's Emma Pallant claimed victory from compatriot Lucy Charles, finishing in 4:35:15. Switzerland's Daniela Ryf was third. Ryf was the obvious favourite coming into the race, but the Ironman World Champion had a more difficult day than Brownlee. Although she took an early lead, race officials confirmed that she misjudged a bend and came off her bike, losing considerable time. Ryf eventually finished behind the two Brits. It was still an honour for the Gran Canaria crowd to see the Swiss triathlete. She is the 2015 and 2016 Ironman World Champion as well as the 2014 and 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Champion. She also represented Switzerland at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Medium-distance The Gran Canaria triathlon involved swimming 1.9km,
Sailing
Coastal crossing The first ever Puerto Colón to Marina del Sur Crossing recently took place in the south of Tenerife. There were 16 sailboats participating from all over Tenerife and the whole event was filmed with drones. First across the line was ‘Maeña7’, arriving after three hours. The first prize was a three night stay for
Photo: Jürgen Matern CC A-S A 4.0 IL
Double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee marked his debut in medium-distance triathlons with victory at the Challenge Gran Canaria which recently took place in Mogán, while Britain’s Emma Pallant claimed the women’s event. Alistair Brownlee MBE is the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist in the triathlon, and the only athlete to win two Olympic titles in the event. He is also a two-time Triathlon World Champion, winning in 2009 and 2011, and a twotime World Team Champion (2011 and 2014).
Photo: Jim Thurston CC A-S A 2.0 IL
Two Brits win Gran Canaria triathlon
two people at the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. The award ceremony was held at the Pool Centre in Puerto Colón with food supplied by Restsur Catering and the trophies were presented by the Adeje councillor for sports, n Adolfo Alonso Ferrera. Freebird catamaran photographed by an aerial drone
The firm favourite, Daniela Ryf, had an off day and finished third
Alistair Brownlee, winner of the men’s category
cycling 90km and running a halfmarathon (21.09km). The men's Olympic triathlon - which Brown-
lee won in 2012 and 2016 involves a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and 10km run.
Top five men
Top five women
Alistair Brownlee (GBR), Pieter Heemeryck (BEL), Mark Buckingham (GBR), Julian Mutterer (GER), Manuel Küng (SUI).
Emma Pallant (GBR), Lucy Charles (GBR), Daniela Ryf (SUI), Lucy Gossage (GBR), n Judith Vaquera (ESP).
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Rugby league final
Ñandú crowned Canarian champions Ñandú recently hosted Rugby Club Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Under 18s Canarian League final and triumphed to retain their regional league crown.
Ñandú Rugby Club recently retained the regional league crown
Ñandú 27 – CRLP 14 On April 29 the Ñandú boys from Adeje battled CRLP to retain the ‘Copa Canarias’ and it was a wonderful repeat of last year’s event in location, perfect weather conditions, and a great crowd of supporters. As a tribute to both teams, Mike Firby, our Internationally-acclaimed referee, had flown in from the UK purely to be a part of the day’s events. A formidable opponent to the Ñandú boys, any match against CRLP is always met with nervous anticipation. The starting whistle saw both sides get off to a powerful start, setting the theme of the game to come, with the skilful Ryan Cox powering past to put the first points on the board. Sure-footed Francisco Ferreyra responded by evading the ranks to slip through and make his mark, with Ryan closely following with his second of the day, making the half time score 15-0.
The Ñandú boys enjoyed another proud day
After the break CRLP had regrouped and came back with a vengeance, scoring an early try and conversion, and upping the pressure on the Tenerife boys. The crowd responded accordingly, with fans from both sides becoming more excited and vocal. With the
CRLP backs constantly threatening the Ñandú defence, the ever persistent Gabri Trujillo stormed over the try line, providing Ñandú with more breathing space. The lead was then increased further when the club skipper, Jacob Oakenfold, flew over the line and converted his own try. Despite a 27-7 lead, CRLP were not to be disheartened, powering through the Ñandú defence and scoring the final try and conversion of the match. Final score: 27-14. It was an incredible match between two fantastic teams, on a perfect sunny day. The atmosphere was one of true camaraderie, with players from both sides coming together in support of each other’s achievements and celebrating the presentation of the trophies.
Cup presentation
John Rogers, Jacob Oakenfold and Mike Firby (l-r)
Ñandú & CRLP were privileged to have three VIP spectators present, and each had a trophy to present: The Copa Canarias Runners-up trophy was presented to CRLP by Adolfo Alonso Ferrera, the borough
council’s sports councillor. Many thanks to Adeje Council for their continued support and assistance. The Copa Canarias Winners’ cup was presented to Ñandú by Antonio (Tanke) Cáceres from the Canary Islands Rugby Federation. Antonio is a player, referee, rugby representative, and friend to all. Ñandú were then awarded with a truly impressive plaque from the England RFU in recognition of their achievements and efforts. This was presented to Jacob Oakenfold by Cumbria RFU member John Rogers, to whom we are hugely grateful, both for the treasured gift and for taking the time to attend our match. Ñandú would also like to thank T3 in Costa Adeje for the support and professionalism that this world class sports facility continues to give our club. If you would like further information regarding the sport or Ñandú Rugby Club, please contact Paul n on: 664 361 058.
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
FOOTBALL
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La Liga 2
CD Tenerife faces stiff test against the champions By Chris Todd
06/05/2017 CD Tenerife 2 Lugo 1 Lugo travelled to the island with hopes of making a late challenge for the promotion zone, but their hopes were crushed after this defeat. The midday kick-off was mainly due to a deal struck between the league and Japanese TV companies who like to keep a close eye on one of their rising stars: Gaku Shibasaki. As CD Tenerife general manager Victor Borrego told me back in January when Gaku signed: “We knew he was a good player but never
before the half hour mark, it looked as though a thrashing was on the way. Japanese star Gaku was having his best game yet - a treat to watch at this level - and the defence, despite changes, looked solid. The second half, however, started badly when left back Camille had to go off injured and was soon followed by Choco. At this stage, Tenerife had six of their normal starting 11 missing and lack of match fitness had started to take its toll. Huesca pulled one goal
Photo: CD Tenerife Twitter
Photo: CD Tenerife
With just four matches of the season left, CD Tenerife remains well-positioned to retain a play-off place for a chance to compete in Spain’s top division. The play-offs can be something of a lottery and it is a shame that the blanquiazules could not have nicked that second spot and taken a direct route back to the big time. With Levante by far the best team in the league (and already crowned champions), second placed Girona has stuttered recently but they should be the team to join Levante come June. All the clubs at the top are feeling the strain it seems, with Valladolid being the only team to win out of the top eight apart from the unstoppable Levante. The most positive thing with Tenerife is that they have found their scoring boots again despite missing top scorer Amath through injury (he is back soon). The negatives include players with niggling injuries and a failure to deal with dead ball situations. However, all the teams in the hunt are showing weaknesses and Tenerife has a great opportunity for promotion this season.
Is this a story of two points dropped or one point gained? The result itself is fantastic for Tenerife as it keeps them well placed in the league, and in the process it also stopped play-off chasing Huesca from gaining ground. However, the fact that the blanquiazules were 0-2 up after 30 minutes and looking comfortable suggests that the day could have been so much better. Huesca is a small town about one hour from Zaragoza in Aragon. Their success this
Choco Lozano scored the opener in Huesca
Tenerife fans turned the town of Huesca blue and white for the afternoon
imagined that he was the David Beckham of Japan”. It is interesting to see Japanese journalists and photographers at every Tenerife home game now. The match itself proved to be a deserved win for Tenerife even though they were not at their best it must be said. It was a decent enough game, with both sides attacking constantly, and if anything Lugo edged the first half on play, but more importantly Tenerife had that extra bit of quality up front and led
by an Aitor Sanz diving header after 32 minutes. However, disaster struck just after the break when Tenerife defender Jorge Saenz headed into his own net to level the score at 1-1. With time against the blanquiazules and ideas running out, on came Aaron and his neat skills changed the game. The winning goal came with just 10 minutes remaining when Aaron found himself in the box. His quick turn and shot cannoned off the post and
into the path of Choco Lozano who scored with ease to make the score 2-1. The rest of the game was played out without any scares for Tenerife and they came away with three very important points. Not a classic performance perhaps, but a battling one and at this stage of the season it is all about amassing points. 13/05/2017 Huesca 2 CD Tenerife 2
season has drawn fierce jealousy from their more illustrious neighbours, Real Zaragoza: mid-table nobodies this year. Huesca have been punching well above their weight but they are a well balanced, hard working side and that can go a long way in this league. To get to the stadium you need to walk through fields, pine forests and pass by families enjoying barbeques in the warm spring sunshine. The game itself was a sell out with roughly 5,000 home fans creating a good atmosphere. Locals are very proud of their small club flirting with a place in La Liga, something unimaginable a few years ago. CD Tenerife, backed by a few hundred travelling fans, started well. Choco Lozano fired the blanquiazules into an early lead and when Choco scored again
back on 75 minutes, another set piece giveaway by the defence, and with just minutes remaining a penalty was awarded to the home side that was duly converted. At 2-2 it appeared that both sides were fairly happy with the draw and there were no more attacks on either goal in injury time. Next up for CD Tenerife is another stiff test against the champions Levante on May 20 at 6pm in the Heliodoro Stadium. Tickets are selling fast and with fan zones set up around the stadium it should be a cracking day. Roughly, Tenerife needs two wins and a draw from their four remaining matches to gain a play-off spot. With most players returning from injury and suspensions (including top scorer Amath), the team is in a good position but there can be no time n for relaxation just yet.
If you are one of those people who are lucky enough to have a generously sized garden, maybe you have thought about adding a tree or two. Trees can make a wonderful focal point for an otherwise medium-level plot, they can be used to screen out an unwanted view, and they also provide shade for outdoor sitting areas and a nesting area for birds. Even if your garden is of a more modest size or you only have a balcony, many trees will grow happily in a large container, though their size will be limited by the pot. The choice is huge as growing conditions on the Islands are perfect for a wide range of species, but if you have the time to invest in a more slower growing type, then a fruit or nut tree will have the advantage of providing you with a crop of delicious goodies once it’s mature enough.
Easy does it Avocado trees (Persea Americana) are a great one to start with as they grow well on the Islands. Native to Mexico and Central America, they were brought over sometime before the mid-19th century and were mostly grown as an ornamental until the 1950s. However, from then onwards their popularity as a crop developed, and it is now the second most important subtropical fruit crop (after bananas), with millions of kilos of them being exported each year. The main types cultivated here are Fuerte at coastal and low hill levels, Hass in mountainous zones, plus a number of Reeds and Pinkertons. They
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
Astonishing avocados Photo: Carlos Sillero / FreeImages.com
Plant a tree!
GARDENING
The beauty of planting an avocado tree – you can enjoy its delicious fruits
generally start producing once they are around four or five years old, giving a large, green, savoury fruit, with a rich and creamy taste, that is extremely good for you – avocado contains more than 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, and is high in fibre and healthy fats.
In the garden Avocados are quite adaptable when it comes to different soils, but must have adequate drainage. They prefer a rich, sandy loam and need plenty of room as they have an extensive root system. Above ground they also need space: Within 10 to 20 years they can reach their full height of 2.5 to 4 metres, with a spread of
grown several centimetres and the roots are well formed, the plant should be placed in soil or it will begin to deteriorate. You can also plant them straight into soil, starting them off in a pot ready to be transplanted into the garden later. Place them into a pre-prepared hole with the pointed end of the seed peeking just above the surface. Keep the soil fairly moist and the temperature between 20 and 25°C where possible. You can also presoak the seed in warm water (40 to 52°C) for 30 minutes before planting, and/or cut a thin slice from its pointed end before positioning. Keep soil relatively moist for the first few weeks, but do ensure it has that necessary good drainage.
Continued care
the same dimensions. They will also need full sun, or almost, to produce fruit.
Photo: Brybs / FreeImages.com
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In a pot Avocados are happy anywhere in a well lit location, including indoors. It’s quite easy to keep them to a handier size: Occasionally pinch back the two newest sets of top leaves, from when the plant reaches at least 30 centimetres in height. They also make a great growing project for children, who just love their wonderful large egg-shaped seeds.
Getting started There are two ways for the home grower to germinate an avocado seed. The first is
to use water. Take the seed from a ripe, unrefrigerated fruit and wash all the flesh off. With the pointed end facing upwards, push three or four toothpicks partially into it, spaced evenly around the circumference, just below halfway down. The toothpicks will rest on the lip of a vase or jar filled with tepid water, allowing the bottom of the seed to
sit in the fluid whilst the rest is in dry air. Place on a sunny windowsill and keep a close eye on the water to make sure it is always covering the base of the seed. Top up as appropriate and change the water every 14 days or so. Within four to six weeks it should start to sprout and yield roots. Three to six weeks later, once the stem has
Once established, your avocado plant will need a well-balanced, preferably liquid, fertiliser every two to four weeks. They are quite resilient to pests and diseases, though the spider mite has become a problem here during the last decade or so, since Oligonychus perseae was accidently introduced into the Islands around 2005. Keep a close eye on the undersides of leaves and remove any found as soon as possible. An infestation will normally be cured with eco-friendly liquid sulphur. The leaves can also tell you about water levels: If you have overwatered they will curl and the stems will go soft. Underwatering will lead to wilting and dry leaves which fall from the plant. Yellowed leaves indicate iron deficiency, which can usually be corrected by a spray. n
Homes and properties for sale in the Canaries
All photos: Wikimedia Commons
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PROPERTY PROPERTy guide
PROPERTY GUIDE
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
BAR/RESTAURANT COSTA ADEJE This excellent traspaso opportunity has just recently come on to the market. This busy establishment specializes in lunch and dinner service along with a strong football/sports customer base who regularly frequent the establishment to watch their favorite sport on one of the 7 TV’s located around the bar. The restaurant/bar has an official opening license
676 378 618 CONTACT: +34 icrealestate@icmedia.eu
SOL D
Studio apartment in Parque Tropical
• Marvelous partial sea views from the balcony and overlooking the pool area. • Fully furniture in perfect condition. • Price for the studio 145.000€. The garage is offered for 27.500€.
C
REALESTATE
+34 676 378 618 | icrealestate@icmedia.eu | Tenerife
TRASPASO
€200.000
€ 145, 000
Parque Tropical studio apartment
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
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www.tenerifepropertyshop.com info@tenerifeproperyshop.com • Skype: tenerife_property_shop AMARILLA GOLF AMG00439 This immaculately presented one bedroom apartment enjoys sea, golf and mountain views from two terraces and a lovely light and summery feel inside the property! Renovated with modern fully fitted kitchen, air conditioning and a spacious bathroom with walk in shower. Front and rear terraces gives you the flexibilty of enjoying the sun from morning until sunset! Based on a quiet and well established complex with pleasant pool area and amenities close by.
Pebble Beach, Amarilla Golf
€119,950
£104,304 approx.
GOLF DEL SUR
Terrazas de la Paz, Golf del Sur
GOLF01343 This 2 bedroom converted apartment offers stunning sea views. Offering spacious accommodation throughout, comfortable living areas, and a sunny terrace, this really is the perfect holiday home. Within walking distance to all local amenities including the San Blas Commercial Centre which has a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops and a well-stocked supermarket. The complex boasts immaculate grounds and a heated communal pool.
€139,000
£120,869 approx.
Chayofa
ONE BEDROOM SPACIOUS DUPLEX LA01767
This spacious and bright 1 bedroom duplex apartment is located just a few minutes from the coast and Playa de las Americas. The property has an open plan kitchen and a lounge area leading to a good size terrace. On the upper floor is the bathroom with walk in shower and a double master bedroom with its own private balcony.
Ocean View, San Eugenio Alto
€125,000
£108,695 approx.
FRONTLINE APARTMENT GOLF01419
This 1 bedroom apartment is as close to the ocean as you will find. Frontline to the sea, spacious throughout with 75 m2 interior and 17 m2 of terrace. Walk-in wardrobe, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning. Situated on a 5 star development where luxury knows no boundaries. Sauna, steam room, heated pool, 24 hour reception, marble floors, on-site restaurant and cafe. All local amenities are a few minutes walk away.
El Náutico, Golf del Sur
€255,000
£221,739 approx.
Villas del Duque EL DUQUE
FANTASTIC ROOF TERRACE OUT01082
LA01756 Located in the exclusive and upmarket area of El Duque this 4 bedroom linked villa is based on a secure and peaceful residential complex. It has a fully independent high quality kitchen, a spacious lounge with dining area leads onto a beautiful rear terrace and garden area with private pool. This property is sold furnished and includes a large double garage.
3 bedroom quality townhouse. The property is one of just three with shared private pool. Well maintained garden, beautiful modern kitchen and reception area (with guest WC), comfortable lounge with dining area. Spacious rear patio is perfect for relaxing in private! On the upper floor are 3 bedrooms with ensuite bathroom and further guest bathroom. The top floor of the property has a fantastic roof terrace.
€650,000 £565,217 approx.
€330,000 £286,956 approx.
Las Americas: Puerto Colon Marina, Local 117 / Golf del Sur: Las Adelfas I, Local 83 & CC San Blas 14, Local B
Tel: +34 922 714 700 / +34 922 715 064
PROPERTY GUIDE
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 063
House for sale in El Fraile
335m2 of living space 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, 1 guest WC Prepared for freight lift from the entrance to the roof Power supply: 380V Fin de obra 2015 Lighting: everything with LEDs Solar heating for hot water All rooms with balcony Wood parquet in the whole house Descaling system Drinking water preparation etc.
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
Value: 502,500 € (1,500 € per m2)
Price 450,000 € (1,342,28 € per m )
C.C. San Eugenio 46A 38678 Las Américas, Adeje Studio in San Eugenio Bajo (Villamar)
Location: central, close to amenities, first line to the beach, first line to the coast, popular urbanisation, gated community, touristic area Close to: beach, coast, restaurants / bars / cafes, shops, transport Views: garden Rooms: american style kitchen Quality: furnished Features: satellite system Outside: sunny terrace Parking: communal parking Community facilities: heated swimming pool
€170,000
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
Phone +34 922 77 77 47
Address
€385,000
Playa Honda
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
Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000
& 693 577 101
Location: residential area, quiet location Close to: transport, restaurants / bars / cafes Views: mountain, sea Rooms: W.C., store rooms, independent kitchen Quality: rustic style, cosmetic work needed, part furnished Features: security system, security shutters, satellite system, landscaped garden, private swimming pool, automatic watering system, adapted for wheelchairs Outside: large terrace, sunny terrace, large garden. Parking: private garage
British Style Bar
30€/month
2
3 bedroom Canarian house in Chayofa (Casa Chayofa)
Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé
+34 922 72 44 33 Fax +34 922 78 72 44
info@alliancetenerife.com
1 bedroom apartment in San Eugenio Alto (Malibu Park)
1 bedroom apartment in Costa del Silencio (Maravilla)
1 bedroom apartment in San Eugenio Alto (Caledonia Park)
Location: touristic area, popular urbanisation, gated community Close to: transport, restaurants / bars / cafes, medical facilities. Views: La Gomera, sea. Rooms: fitted wardrobes, american style kitchen. Quality: tastefully decorated, immaculate condition, furnished Features: sun blinds Outside: sunny terrace Parking: communal parking Community facilities: children’s play area, sun terrace, satellite television, reception, on site restaurant, children’s swimming pool, swimming pool, pool bar Additional: viewing recommended
Location: close to amenities, close to the coast, gated community, residential area Close to: restaurants / bars / cafes, coast, transport Views: garden. Rooms: open plan kitchen, fitted wardrobes Quality: furnished, well presented, renovated, refurbished, tastefully decorated. Outside: sunny terrace Parking: street parking. Community facilities: swimming pool, intercom entry
Location: close to amenities, touristic area Close to: restaurants / bars / cafes Views: pool Rooms: american style kitchen Quality: furnished Features: security shutters Outside: sunny terrace Parking: communal parking Community facilities: swimming pool
€144,000
€128,000
€93,450
18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
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PaulRuane Tenerife Property Specialists
If you are looking for a property on the
South-west coast, we are your
property experts
C/ Flor de Pascua, 43. Los Gigantes Tel: (+34) 922 861 313 · (+34) 922 862 233 · (+34) 607 371 666 · (+34) 647 943 721
www.tenerifepropertysales.com · info@tenerifepropertysales.com
SOL D
€ 580 ,000
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18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
PROPERTY GUIDE
20 + % 20
months
without interest* APR: 3.55%
additional discount**
**NOT ACCUMULATIVE WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS. CONSULT CONDITIONS IN STORES
Your house, like you
*Minimum finance €240. Example for finance of €600 over 20 months. Formalisation commission 3% (€18) included in first month’s payment. Monthly payment €30. Total payable €618. NIR 0% APR 3.55%. Interest subsidised by Merkamueble. Offer subject to approval by Banco Cetelem S.A.U. once appropriate documentation has been provided and contract signed. Offer valid between 01/05/2017 and 30/06/2017.
Variety and solutions for furnishing your home
IN AÑAZA & LAS CHAFIRAS
TOURISTIC APARTMENTS FOR SALE This appealing touristic complex is located in a privileged area in the town of Los Cristianos, at only 800 m from the seafront, close to shops and restaurants, with easy access from the motorway, and a short drive from the airport. Within the complex there are lovely garden areas, a play park, restaurant and swimming pool, everything you should need while holidaying in this Paradise Isle.
UNITS AVAILABLE NOW PRICES FROM ONLY 140.000 EUROS APARTMENTS OF 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS FULLY RENOVATED WE GUARANTEE YOUR RENTAL
CALL telephone numbers 657 088 285 or 628 842 913
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18.5.2017 – 31.5.2017
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 796
PROPERTY GUIDE
APARTMENT IN ADEJE Cozy apartment in Adeje, practically new, in c/ Castillo, on 2nd floor with elevator, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, fitted american kitchen with all appliances, 3 built-in wardrobes, living room, 2 balconies, 2 storerooms , Private garage in outside area, highlight this floor its luminosity and good ventilation, due to its 2 balconies, and it has views of the sea and the mountains
€142,000 PENTHOUSE IN PARQUE LA REINA Few minutes from Los Cristianos and tenerife south airport. 78 sqm, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, large private terrace, parking place, storage room, pool com
€150,000
HOUSE IN LAS MARETAS Beautiful and independent house in Las Maretas, small and quiet town on the coast, one of the best places to live in Arico with 5 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 toilets, big terrace and garage for 2 cars.
€230,000
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