Islandconnections Edition 605 by Island Connections Media Group

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1984 - 2009

The Canary Island’s biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents 4th - 18th Dec. 2009

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Trial by media WHEN THE TRUTH DOESN’T STAND IN THE WAY OF A GOOD STORY!

he death of a child is ever y parent’s worst nightmare. It is a fear that is ever present no matter how old your child. No mother or father wants to bury their offspring. But add to that a public lynching of your partner, falsely accused of not just physically but sexually abusing your three year old and causing her death, and the nightmare spirals out of control. As we go to press Diego P.V. has been admitted to hospital suffering from anxiety. He is the partner of the mother of three year old Aitana, who died on the night of Thursday November 26th in Tenerife. She was a pupil in an infants’ school in Arona. The previous Saturday she had fallen, as many children do, in a playground. Diego took her immediately to El Mojón. Without a scan or x-ray, which he requested, the hospital apparently sent the child home, missing the fact she was already reportedly suffering internal injuries. Three days later Diego brought her back to the emergency outpatients as the child was having difficulty breathing – she was

suffering a heart attack. This was when the doctors who examined her decided, wrongly, that they were dealing with a case of abuse, and the police were called. Diego was arrested, and the case details were leaked to the press, along with a detailed suggestion that the child had also suffered various forms of sexual abuse. Subsequently Diego’s name and picture (in handcuffs) were published in a number of newspapers, in effect labelling him guilty before any form of trial or proper examination of

the evidence. Aitana died on Thursday, and the subsequent autopsy revealed that all her injuries and the cause of death were exactly as her step-father had said – the result of a fall. There were no signs of any abuse, no skin burns (as had also been suggested), and the 24 year old man was released without charge. But his life has been changed forever. By all accounts he cared deeply for the young three year old, who is now dead. So he has lost a loved one, but he has also had his character

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A POSTER OUTSIDE AITANA’S SCHOOL abused and threatened, his good name sullied. Through what can only be described as a press frenzy, he has suffered a media lynching. The regional health minister has denied that her Department was behind the leaking to the media of details of alleged abuse which led to the death of Aitana. Mercedes Roldós says that health staff did not release details of the visit

of the three-year-old girl to a health centre, where doctors contacted police with their concerns. An official inquiry has been called for to determine how the unfounded allegations found their way into the media. In a statement the Federation of Spanish Journalists (FAPE) publicly ‘apologised’ to the man at the centre of the false accusations, and called for “reflection as to whether we (journalists) were doing our job as we are supposed to”. FAPE president Javier Arenas said that “the majority of media organs do act responsibly”, but in this case there could have been “a possible error which needs examination”. He added that under the Spanish constitution the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed without limits, but this must be tempered with the right of individuals to their good name. He also said that the word ‘presumed’ was used in reports of this nature. Whether such words will offer any level of comfort to Diego is to be seen. His lawyer has said he is very concerned for his client’s health, and will quite possibly take the matter a lot further.

Index ADVENT CALENDAR 24 chances to win a Christmas prize with our exclusive Advent Calendar

Pages 28-29

Edition # 605 /

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Flood follow up Tenerife North

cleans up after the devastating heavy rains Page 15

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Walk for Life, December 13th. Page 27

7Islands

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

LORO PARQUE

News in Brief ::

Kiessling triumph

Amenatou Haidar

Hunger strike continues As we go to press the health of Amenatou Haidar, the Sahrawi human rights activist on hunger strike at Lanzarote airport, is said to be a cause for concern.

olfgang Kiessling, the president of Loro Par que, has been awarded the most esteemed business award in the Canaries and the door is open for further national and international acclaim. The Ernst & Young award, which began 23 years ago in the United States is currently awarded in 50 countries across five continents and is recognised internationally as the most prestigious and well known award in the field of business. In the case of Wolf-

gang Kiessling, the award acknowledges his particular business spirit, his feeling for innovation and improvement in administration, as key factors in facing the challenges which are imposed by an economic climate which is constantly more complex and changeable. The award was bestowed by the Ernst & Young associate and representative, Andrés Perera Carballo, during a lunch at the Club Oliver in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the presence of a number of important Canarian business personalities. It was under-

lined, that never before in the severe crisis which is hitting the tourism sector, has the work and effort of businessmen and women been more impor tant for the economy and especially those, who like Wolfgang Kiessling, have known how to negotiate the various economic obstacles, with creativity, endeavour and constant progress. This regional prize automatically makes Wolfgang Kiessling a candidate for the national Ernst & Young prize that will be decided in 2010 and if he is successful

Wolfgang Kiessling receives the prestigious award from Andrés Perera Carballo there for the World Business Award which is selected from among all the individual national winners.

We're here to make sure that you're missing nothing from home

CC Fañabe Plaza and Compostela Beach (shopping zone), Playa de las Vistas

She began her action after being deported from Morocco on November 13th following controversy over how she filled in her entry card on a flight from Europe – Haidar is a strong supporter of Western Saharan independence. Her passport was taken from her, “stolen”, is her interpretation, and she was placed on a flight out of the country bound for the Canary Islands. There has since been some controversy over the painting of the role of the Spanish government in her transfer to the Islands – at one point they were alleged to have abetted in her ‘kidnap’. Since then, and as her hunger strike has attracted national and international attention, the Spanish department of foreign affairs sent a top representative to talk to Amenatou Haider. A

Amenatou Haidar on hunger strike in Lanzarote airport

number of offers were made in an attempt to arrive at a solution – she was offered a Spanish passport, or full asylum status, both of which she rejected. She says she doesn’t want to be the bearer of a Spanish passport as they would make her a stranger in her own country, refugee status could mean that she could never return. Nor did she agree to the government’s assistance in going to the Moroccan consulate to apply for a new passport. “She has a passport, it was stolen by the authorities”, her spokesperson, actor Willy Toledo told Island Connections.

Volunteers

Iceland invades On November 25th 100 Icelanders arrived in the Canary Islands to spend a week as guests of the archipelago, ambassadors, in a sense. They were chosen as part of the No to the Winter Blues campaign being run by the regional department of tourism, hand picked by a group of Canarian visitors to Iceland during ‘castings’ in Reykjavik in October. During their week-long stay they were divided into four distinct groups to enjoy one of the holiday products on offer – in line with the sales pitch the department has developed: Volcanic Experience, Water Sports, Wellness Delight and Family Welcome. As a result of their stay (during and subsequently) and as they get to know and hopefully love these islands, they will encourage others to visit, via the web, social networks and their own circles of contacts.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 19. What is Boxing Day called in Ireland? © ISLAND CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER Is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior Distribución Gratuita written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or Publisher & Proprietor advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish Tina Straub, Joe Schacher adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertisements once contracted Island Connections S.L. cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not C.I.F: B-38748315 Printed by Artes Gráﬁcas del Atlántico S.A. be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices. Dep. Legal: TF-287/93

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7 Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

News in Brief :: Ignacio BĂĄrdenas

Police chief for new Canarian force The Canarian government has appointed Ignacio BĂĄrdenas to head the new, but as yet nonexistent, regional police force. The designation has surprised many, given that BĂĄrdenas is a high-ranking member of the Spanish police who has headed the force in the province of Las Palmas for several years. It was thought the government would opt for a high-proďŹ le Canarian appointment, given its repeated argument that a regional force is needed to remedy the problems caused by the lack of interest on the part of the Spanish police in Canarian law enforcement matters. However the new chief has many years of distinguished service in the islands and has been decorated on a number of occasions. He also directed the successful operation to track down and detain the ex-Croatian general Gotovina, wanted for crimes against humanity, who was arrested while dining in a restaurant in Playa de Las AmĂŠricas. The creation of a regional police force continues to generate opposition in Madrid, particularly in the Interior Ministry. However the regional government continues to plan for the forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception, with the ďŹ rst agents scheduled to be in place at the start of next year.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 15. How

many sides does a snowflake have?

TOURISM AWARDS

GĂźĂmar honours Fred Olsen A

man who is recognised as one of the greatest entrepreneurial brains of our time was honoured recently in GĂźĂmar, for a peculiarly tinerfeĂąan project, the Piramides de GĂźĂmar Ethnographic Park. Fred Olsen is the president of the Fred Olsen group and the fourth generation of the family to head the firm which was started by his great grandfather Peter Olsen. He also heads up two Norwegian companies which are involved in underwater drilling, marine water transport, renewable energies, properties, risk capital management and computer technology. The Olsen family businesses in the Canaries began with the transport of the local bananas (plĂĄtanos) in 1904 and later with the establishment of a large farm in La Gomera in 1907. These days, the company is a major employer and investor in the islands with Fred Olsen Ex-

press, Fred Olsen shipping, Hotel JardĂn Tecina, Tecina Golf, Pueblo Don Thomas, Restaurante Las Rosas and the PĂramides de GĂźĂmar Ethnographic park. There was a surprisingly large audience for an event of this kind in the auditorium of the PĂramides de GĂźĂmar. The top prize of the award of El CardĂłn (which Mr Olsen referred to as a cactus and raised a shout of laughter from the crowd) was awarded also to Doctor and bodega owner Gumersindo Garcia and Carla Antonelli, actress and well known activist for the rights of gays and transsexuals. There were honorable mentions to Olga HernĂĄndez RodrĂguez (posthumous), the local music band and restaurant Malola. Mr Olsen talked about the first time he came to Tenerife in 1949 as, â&#x20AC;&#x153;an ordinary seaman. It was a very different island then. You could smell it before you arrived. the olive oil was not the good quality it is today,

and you could hear it before you arrived too as although there were not so many motor cars then, everyone who did have one was sounding their horns.â&#x20AC;? His involvement with the PĂramides de GĂźĂmar Ethnographic Park began with a newspaper clipping sent to him by his friend, Norwegian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl. It showed pyramid constructions in the GĂźĂmar area. Unable to go himself to see, Fred Olsen sent his wife and family to check out the site, but no-one in the area seemed to know where they were until they were finally guided there by a young tourism councillor, who is now the local mayor, Rafael Yanes. They took photos and sketched plans of the area for him, and he felt it was obvious that it was an area of pyramids. However, local academics were hard to convince, believing that they were rocks left over from the farmers clearing out fields for agriculture. Fred Olsen showed his skepticism

of their theory by drawing attention to a pyramid in La Palma between the capital and the airport where the structure is on the edge of a cliff, â&#x20AC;&#x153;surely it would have been easier to pitch them over the cliff than construct a pyramid?â&#x20AC;? he asked. He called the academic

Fred Olsen and his cactus

cold shower, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a minor set backâ&#x20AC;? going on to praise Thor Heyerdahlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in proving the, â&#x20AC;&#x153;cultural parallels in the worldâ&#x20AC;? and ended with an open invitation to everybody to join them in the park on April 1st next year, â&#x20AC;&#x153;as there are some surprises for youâ&#x20AC;?.

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7 Islands

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

LEGAL RESIDENCE

Puerto ﬂoods

Met boss defends forecasters

Victor Quintero admitted that a rain tracking radar was out of action immediately before the torrential downpours that brought chaos to Los Realejos, Puerto de La Cruz and La Orotava, but insisted that it would have been of little help anyway. “The radar tells us in which direction the rain is moving but

ll the members of the various administrations insist that you gain much more than you lose by registering as a resident at your town hall. Councils are of course interested that you register as their income is based on the number of residents they have, but what benefit is it to those of us living in the Canaries? For young mums and students, residents may have the right to grants for transport, school meals and materials. There is a wealth of free cultural and leisure activities for ever ybody such as theatre workshops, learning computer skills, excursions and holidays within the islands, within Spain and international at very cheap prices, celebrations at Christmas and New Year, folklore classes, hiking and trekking, beach sports, yoga, golf, visits to spas, open air gym classes and Spanish classes. The local social services

The head of Tenerife’s weather forecasters has defended his team against criticism received from all quarters over the lack of warning of the flash floods that devastated northern parts of the island in mid-November.

only when it is on us already. The problem was we did not predict the rains would fall so intensely in certain parts, so perhaps we could have issued a more accurate alert than was done. In any case, not even God was able to give 60 days warning of the Great Flood” retorted Quintero, who refused to be drawn into a war of words with the island’s politicians over the situation and supporters of the weather forecasters have stressed that it is not their fault that infrastructure planning has failed to remedy the chaos caused by the heavy rain. (Clean-up report on page 15)

Expensive MPs

Claim for 10-minute meeting budget and ﬁnance committee went ahead with the meeting in Tenerife rather than put it back. The decision was queried by at least one MP but other members preferred to turn up and carry on with the business that did not require the minister’s presence. In its brief sitting, the committee approved two Despite being informed that the region’s motions and rubber-stamped three reports, ﬁnance minister would not be attending, the all without discussion.

Canarian MPs are at the centre of another expenses storm after it emerged that the members of a Parliamentary committee met for just over ten minutes but filed claims for allowances of between €60 and €205 on top of their salaries. There are many beneﬁts of registering residency

department offer personal homecare for disabled people or the elderly, tele-assistance, help with paperwork and administration and there is also economic help available in special cases. Tenerife’s island council also has grants available and summer camps, here and abroad for your children. They give out craft

licences, hunting, fishing and camping permits and help to administer free public transport for those who are eligible. They have a good website at www.tenerife.es, a selection of branch offices all over the island and a central phone line at 901 501 901 which operates 24 hours but is better 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday.

Resale scam

Timeshare arrests per sale to cover legal fes etc but disappeared as soon as the fee was received from the owner. Police say the network obtained details of owners, particularly those more desperate to sell, by bribing staff at several top timeshare The members of the well-organised network companies. The full extent of the scam will offered to resell timeshares in return for an be known when computers and documents administrative fee of several thousand euros seized in police raids are examined.

Police in Tenerife and on the Costa del Sol have arrested 22 people in connection with a massive timsehares resale scam, which swindled hundreds of foreign owners

7 Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

News in Brief :: Santiago del Teide

Visitors’ centre After a long wait, part of this 17th century jewel of Canarian architecture known locally as the Casa del Patio, is finally open. In the renovated Señorio del Valle, ducks, chickens and horses vied with the politicians to attract the public’s attention as the folklore band played Canarian classics and charming hostesses in regional costume were on hand with any information you needed. The contract for this stunning installation was ﬁnally awarded to Juan Pedro Escobar who now has the right to run the centre as a museum about the eruption of the volcano Chinyero, a wine museum, a craft shop, cheese tasting and sales, a Tasca and restaurant for the next 25 years, ampliﬁable to 30. The centre offers visitors the chance to hack round the area on horseback and there is ample room for conferences and banquets, with bags of parking. The 40 bedroom hotel on the same site is due to open in a few months time.

VOLCANIC ERUPTION

100 years of Chinyero O

n November 18th a centur y ago the ear th trembled and opened in a little travelled corner of Tenerife. It was the last eruption on the island to date. A local shepherd from San José de los Llanos was cutting wood and he couldn’t understand why his axe kept vibrating in the tree. Then he realised, it wasn’t the axe, or the tree, everything was vibrating. He talked to his colleagues and they all decided they’d better make themselves scarce as, “something bad was about to happen”. The earth opened and volcanic boulders were thrown into the sky, “to a height of three pine trees” in the middle of horrendous thunder and frightening earthquakes. José waited impatiently for his son and when he arrived they both ran, not stopping until they reached the Fuente de la Vega some kilometres away. They took off their shoes to enable them to run more quickly. Residents in Icod, Garachico, El Tanque, El Valle, Tamaimo, Arguayo,

A hundred years ago the earth opened in Chinyero

Las Manchas, El Molledo, El Retamar, El Valle de Arriba and Los Llanos ran from their homes to the heights of Bolico, Araza, Guama and other nearby mountains. By the following day, the more curious had moved in for a closer look with one intrepid writer of the time, Antonio Ponte, explaining how they lit their cigarettes in the hot rocks that they were collecting

for scientific analysis. The 200 metre wide, two metre deep tongue of lava moved at 16 metres per hour, with the eruptions localised in a perimeter defined by the mountains: Flores, Riegos, Bleque, Poleos, Cruz and Bilma. As days went by the ear th opened nine more times, spitting lava from nine craters distributed in over a kilometre, with the

majority of the openings in the Llano del Trigo area. Later investigations showed that the lava reached temperatures of 2,400 degrees centigrade and covered 1,249,000 square metres. It was the first time a Canarian eruption could be filmed and photographed and specialists flocked to the area. One magazine of the time La Ilustration Española Americana published

a number of pictures, claiming, “it has impoverished many workers, burning farms and dragging vines and banana trees, drying water sources and burying farmland”. Ponte assessed the column of cinders at two hundred metres high and spread all over the north by the wind. It was nine days before the earth calmed and the people could return to what was left of their homes. Thankfully there were no human injuries. One hundred years later, a plaque was unveiled on the path where the first crater opened on that November day. You will find it by the circular path around Chinyero, an area which is now a special natural reserve, in the middle of a bleak mass of lava that still speaks volumes of the volcanic eruption of so long ago.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 16. What is traditionally eaten in Spain as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve?

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CIVIL SERVANTS

Soria accused of tarnishing civil servants

Unions slam “lazy’ threat” T

hreats by the Canarian government to clamp down on absenteeism and needless sick leave among civil ser vants have produced a furious reaction from unions. The region’s vice-president

and finance minister José Manuel Soria said he would put a stop to the growing numbers of public servants, from clerical staff to teachers, who spend prolonged sick leave “on the beach” at the taxpayers’ expense. Soria announced that he was looking

into amending the current provision whereby servants suffering long-term illness get 100 per cent of their wages for 18 months. “We will be looking to make salary cuts as of the third month to discourage such situations” vowed the vice-president, who was

High ﬂyer

Rivero challenged over helicopter use Canarian president Paulino Rivero has been urged to justify the use of a helicopter to travel to different parts of the Canaries. immediately taken to task for his remarks. Unions say he has tarnished the entire sector with his accusations and have urged him to name and shame employees who have milked the system by claiming full pay for non-existent illnesses.

ETA link fears

1997 fire drill proves costly A

procedures for dealing with forest blazes. The exercise was organised by the Department of the Environment and involved trainees on a vocational training programme. Despite being super vised by an official, the trainees let the fire get out of control and

major damage was caused to a telescope facility owned by Germany. For almost twelve years, the telescope’s insurers have waged a legal battle to secure compensation for the damage and the case has now been settled by a Supreme Court

Police in the Canaries fear that Basque terrorist group ETA may be trying to forge alliances with independence movements here.

ruling which slams the Department of the Environment for its poorly-prepared drill. “The proper safety measures were not in place when the fire was started and thus the body responsible for the exercise must bear the liability” said the judges.

REPSOL

Oil company gives up on Canarian prospects T

he long-running controversy over drilling rights granted to a Spanish oil company to look for oil of f the coast of the Canaries has ended with the news that the firm does not intend to pursue the explorations further. Repsol says it will not make use of the permits which allowed it to drill in

waters off Lanzarote. The decision is understood to have been taken in protest at the constant delays in receiving the final green light for the prospection work, which was authorised back in 2002 but was subsequently conditioned by the Zapatero government on comprehensive environmental impact assessments. “Under the present cir-

The call was made by Juan Carlos Alemán, a member of the PSOE party, who says the helicopters are costing the taxpayer a small fortune. “I want the president to tell Parliament how many times he has hired a helicopter, for which visits, and exactly who accompanied him on those trips. He should also tell us which company has beneﬁted from his bookings” said Alemán, whose party will wait for answers to the questions before deciding on further steps to get to the bottom of the helicopter mystery.

Secret meetings

OBSERVATORY BLAZE

fire drill carried out over a decade ago has cost the Canarian government one million euros in compensation. The drill took place near the Astrophysics Observatory in La Palma, where scrubland was set on fire to test

News in Brief

cumstances, there is no point in taking the plans forward” admitted a company source. The decision was confirmed by the government in a response to a Parliamentary question by a Canarian MP. The news has been welcomed by environmentalists, although some business sectors say a golden opportunity has been wasted.

Newspaper La Opinión has revealed details of secret meetings between ETA emissaries and representatives of unions linked with movements that repeatedly call for the Canaries to break away from Spain. According to the paper, two meetings in particular in Las Palmas last year attracted police attention and have led anti-terrorism bosses to place a number of people in Gran Canaria and Tenerife under surveillance. The authorities are also believed to have stepped up security discreetly during the summer throughout the Canaries in case the contacts may have helped ETA establish a logistics base here to strike at tourist resorts, just as they did in Majorca in mid-August.

Pájara shooting range

Conflict escalates A dispute over an army shooting range in Fuerteventura has intensified with a public protest which drew several hundred people from all over the island at the end of November. The range, which occupies a large chunk of the coast in Pájara, has been criticised by locals due to the effect it has on tourism, not to mention the area’s development possibilities. “There is no room here for a full-blown shooting range which is used to ﬁre all sorts of ammunition, from guns to vehiclemounted weapons” said a member of the organising committee of the protest, which called once again on the Ministry of Defence to shut the range down and use the land (over 10 per cent of the total size of Pájara) for tourism or nature purposes. However, the Ministry is adamant that the facility must stay, as it is “of strategic national interest”.

7 Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

La Gomera

Segovia trip A VALLE GRAN REY SCHOOL RECENTLY WON A MUCH-COVETED PLACE AT AN ENGLISH CAMP IN SEGOVIA. By Barbara Belt

he stor y began this spring, when all Spanish schools received a bulletin inviting their English teachers to present teaching programmes for the Redleaf Fall Camp at La Granja, near Segovia. The Camp’s theme was to be the environment. Teachers interested in taking their Class Six pupils to the camp were asked to present a detailed programme of lesson plans on related topics, such as water and air, the history of the planet, pollution, recycling and other related issues. Places were limited and competition was fierce, given that acceptance meant an all expenses paid, intensive, total immersion English course for the entire class. Such treats are generally only for fortunate offspring of the fairly well-heeled. English residential courses are expensive. In U.K. coastal towns like Eastbourne and Bournemouth, these courses generate income and employment during the summer months. Economies may fluctuate, but summer schools have flourished for over twenty years. A two week, residential English course at a reputable school will set parents back nearly a thousand pounds, travel costs apart. Similar courses in Spain are relative newcomers to the language teaching market. All staff on such courses are native English speakers and are often recent university graduates. Everyone, from sports monitors to whoever’s dishing out the chips in the canteen, speaks only English to the children. Spanish pupils

thus get a similar experience without needing to leave the country. Redleaf is a Canadian company offering this English speaking experience to Spanish schoolchildren. Thanks to a contract financed by Spain’s regional Education Authorities, the chance to attend a week’s course near the Spanish royal family’s summer palace was offered to all schoolchildren. In return, their teachers had to devise and design appropriate lesson plans for inclusion in the course.

We had to say everything we could in English because they didn’t understand Spanish Of hundreds of Canarian schools, only seven who presented plans were chosen. One was the Nereida Diaz Abreu school from Valle Gran Rey, whose English teacher Zia Belt had, “...forgotten all about it, as we didn’t hear anything for so long! I’d assumed my project hadn’t been chosen and was a bit fed up that I’d done the work for nothing. Then the summer holidays came and I forgot. It was a bit of a shock when we heard we were going. There was a lot to organise in a short time, but the children did very well.” The twenty lucky children, accompanied by Zia and English speaking colleague César, set of f from La Gomera’s

have now opened their New Interactive Showroom!

airport en route for Segovia on Saturday afternoon, in very high spirits. They spent a largely sleepless night in Tenerife. Most of them had never been on a plane before and spending the night with all your classmates is enormously stimulating anyway when you are eleven. Undiminished, they flew on to Madrid the next day and were bused to their destination. Once there, they met the children from the Galician school also there and the young Canadian and British monitors and teachers who were to pleasantly bombard them with English throughout the week. They then enjoyed a fullon week of lessons, activies, sports, excursions, videomaking and talent showswhere the Valle Gran Rey childr en demonstrated Gomera’s whistled language, the Silbo Gomero, to their new friends. Despite the freezing weather, the children say they, “... had a fantastic time.” According to eleven year old Victor, “...we loved it! It was great. The monitors were good fun. We had to say everything we could in English because they didn’t understand Spanish. It was very cold, but it didn’t matter. We played lots of good sports.” His friends Abraham and Federico concurred. “I’d like to go back there again. The whole thing was excellent,” said Abraham. “We had a great time. The monitors were really nice,” agreed Federico. The three thousand five hundred euros paid by the local Education Authority to make the whole thing possible would appear to have been well spent.

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7 Islands

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

GAY TOURISM

News in Brief

Tenerife ‘copying us’ T

enerife’s bid to attract gay and lesbian tourism is a direct attempt to cash in on the success of established gay holiday locations such as Maspalomas, say critics in Gran Canaria. The holding of a recent conference in Santa Cruz’s Auditorium to raise Tenerife’s profile and attract tour operators who cater specifically for the LGBT community, just three months after Puerto de la Cruz staged its first ever LGBT-themed week, has sent alarm bells

ringing over in the south of Gran Canaria that custom might be diverted with tempting offers. “We have done all the groundbreaking work to build up the reputation of the Canaries as a gay-friendly and even gay-specific holiday destination and have consolidated Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés on the international LGBT scene. “Now Tenerife is clearly trying to muscle in on the act, having seen how successful the market is” said one scene insider in Maspalomas.

CALLE PEROJO

‘Chinatown’ fears grow ots to settle his score with the café staff. Police rushed to the scene to quell the disturbance, which locals say could have turned ver y nasty without their inter vention. “Calle Perojo is losing its identity because of the massive numbers of Chinese people who have moved in or spend all their time here, many of them playing the fruit machines in bars and cafés all day. It is not Las Palmas anymore, it’s Chinatown and they want to run it as their own territory” complained one local trader.

esidents of a district of Las Palmas say an incident which led to police being called to a local café is a further reflection of the conversion of their area into a mini Chinatown. The incident was triggered when a Chinese man aged 60 was rebuked by the café owner for pushing and shaking a fr uit machine, apparently in anger at not winning a pay-out. After a heated argument the man was ejected from the premises but returned shortly afterwards with several dozen compatri-

CARNAVAL 2010

Drag Queen date set T

he date for the biggest event in the Las Palmas Carnival has been set at last. After months of speculation and apparent changes of heart, the Drag Queen Contest, which is now synonymous with the Carnival not to say

its most eagerly-anticipated night, is to take place on 12 February, exactly one week after the Carnival Queen Contest. No details have been announced yet of the stars invited to appear at the show or take part on the jury to choose the Drag Queen. The focus on the event,

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which is televised live in many parts of Spain and on Spanish TV’s International Channel, has already produced criticism in conservative sectors, who say the images of scantily clad transvestites do little to enhance the reputation of Gran Canaria as a family holiday destination.

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Two hurt

Petrol station explosion Two employees have been hurt in an explosion at a Las Palmas petrol station. Emergency services were called out at around 9am to deal with a ﬁre believed to have been caused when fumes ignited during maintenance work on the petrol storage tanks. The two men were admitted to hospital with extensive burns although their condition was not thought to be serious. Trafﬁc near the Cepsa petrol station was severely disrupted, causing tailbacks in other parts of the capital.

Television programme

Telde discovered The famous Discovery Channel recently filmed a documentary in Telde. Site of two of the Canary Islands’ best known archaeological sites, Montaña Bermeja and Cuatro Puertas, the borough became the focus of the American producer, Michel Jhonson and his team, including the well known presenter and journalist Oliver Steed. Several hours of material on the customs of the Canarian aborigines were ﬁlmed in the two sites, followed by further ﬁlming in the Cueva Pintada of Gáldar and Tenerife’s museum of history.

Design competition

Las Palmas logo The city council has announced a competition to design a logo for their candidature to be named the European Cultural Capital. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with its wealth of cultural activities and installations is applying to be considered for the 2016 European Cultural Capital and the logo which will be the flagship of the campaign is very important. The council announced that the people themselves will have the final say over the important decision of the winning design. Designs can be presented from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm in the offices of the Oficina de la Candidatura at Calle Pedro de Vera, 4, Monday to Friday until December 11th at 1.30 pm. The initial whittling down of the entries will be carried out by a multidisciplinary group of five judges well known in various fields of culture. They will decide on the final three entries which will be displayed and voted on between the 14th and 16 December on the city’s web page. The designer of the winning entry will walk away with a cheque for €3,000.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 9. Who was first to the

microphone on the original 1984 Band Aid Christmas hit Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Tenerife

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Puerto de la Cruz Puerto tourism

Client free fall There has been a sharp drop in the number of tourists visiting Puerto de la Cruz since the beginning of the year. Ashotel, the hoteliers’ association in Tenerife, has expressed grave concern at a further 19 per cent drop in the number of beds being occupied in the north of Tenerife since January. As compared with the same period in 2008 the number of visitors to Puerto is down by 26.4 per cent. As far as tourists from the British Isles are concerned there have been 28.5 per cent less and a huge 63 per cent less from Eire. A spokesman for Ashotel warned that the required investment to renew the tourist industry in Puerto, either governmental or private, simply isn’t materialising fast enough.

FUNDRAISING EVENT

Let’s all help Maxine I

f you read the article in edition 604 of Island Connections, then you will know about Maxine and the tragic disease that she is suffering from.

Maxine and her family

Briefly, she has been diagnosed with a form of ALS, a debilitating motor neurone disease, and is having difficulty with not only getting around but also with obtaining help with her financial burdens. Reading about Maxine puts the minor problems of life into perspective, and also reminds us that this could happen to any one of us at any time. To help her concentrate on her actual fight with this disease, a fundraising event has been organised to relieve her of some of the financial pressure she is under. Taking place on Sunday December 13th between 4pm and 8pm at the

Terrace Bar in Amarilla Golf, there will be performances by many local entertainers who have kindly agreed to contribute, and an auction. Hotels, restaurants and spas are being asked to donate meals, trips, spa treatments and hotel stays to be auctioned off. There will also be a tombola, and companies or individuals who would like to donate a prize will be welcome. Santa’s Grotto is also in need of small toys and gifts, as we understand that the elves are on a go-slow. If you can help, please email Sue at suekristen@yahoo.com. A bank account number will be supplied shortly for anyone who cannot attend the event but who wishes to make a donation. Please do come along on the day, not just to support Maxine, but also to have a great time and start your Christmas festivities!

15 YEAR DELAY La Vera Attempted theft

Hold up The lady attendant at the tiny lottery office in La Vera got the shock of her life early in November when a man in his twenties came through the door in mid-morning and threatened her with a huge knife. The man, who was wearing a false moustache and other disguises, told her to hand over all the cash. Fortunately something suddenly made him change his mind and he ran off without receiving a penny. The police, who are having to deal with more desperate robberies due to the economic situation, are still trying to discover his identity.

Hospital delay triggers fresh criticism A

n association created to promote the building of the public hospital in south Tenerife has hit out at the local and regional authorities over the latest delays. Despite being billed by both the Cabildo and Depar tment of Health as a flagship project, the hospital in El Mojón has still not materialised after 15 years. Association spokesman Jordi Esplugas says attempts to meet with senior officials to receive information on the

latest hold-ups have come to nothing. “We were promised by the President of the Canaries when he opened a health centre in San Lorenzo

last year that the hospital would be finished by 2011 but no progress has been made since” says the association. The group also

reminded the public of previous public assurances. In the La Opinión newspaper in November 2000 the Tenerife Cabildo promised, “the North and South will have their hospitals before 2002”, the same newspaper, one month later, informed the public that the regional government and the Cabildo promised the centres would be operational in 2004, and El Dia, in September 2001 published a promise from the Cabildo that “the work on the hospitals in the North and the South will begin at the end of 2002 and finish in 2005”. The general public could be forgiven for allowing some levels of cynicism to

overshadow any fur ther statements from politicians regarding these much-needed institutions. Further, the Pro-hospital group say they have been asking for meetings with regional health minister Mercedes Roldós and insular councillor Antonio Alcaró to get information from them first hand, but say to date their requests have been ignored. The situation, they say, cannot be sustained, many living in South Tenerife would agree. With over 40,000 children living in the region today, the lack of proper pediatric hospital services as well as emergency post-natal and children’s services is a disgrace, as are the waiting times patients are suf fering when they are transferred from one centre to another in need of immediate attention.

TENERIFE

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

TOURIST FACILITIES

News in Brief

Puerto parking

Are baptisms deletable?

ttracting visitors to a place is difficult, getting them to stay once they arrive can be more so, especially if they have trouble parking. Visiting Puerto de la Cruz three days after the flooding, we were amazed to see that a large part of the harbour car park was still flooded and no-one was doing anything about it. As we normally park in the Plaza Europa carpark this normally wouldn’t have been a problem but on this occasion it was full and although there were cars coming out, we were told rudely by a local police officer, “as long as that sign’s there you’re not going in”. He referred to a large sign announcing the installations to be full, however if cars were leaving… Never mind logic officer, you stick to being a good jobsworth.

Baptisms

Church faces data protection poser

Disappointed visitors had to ﬁnd alternative parking

Quite frankly the officer’s attitude in talking to a visitor fully fluent in Spanish was alarming, when asked where there was alternative parking he said he didn’t know and

told us to move on. Luckily we knew where to try next. How non-Spanish speakers would get on we dread to think. The most likely reaction of visitors with a

limited amount of time to enjoy their holiday would probably be to turn around and leave the town as quickly as possible. New city chiefs take note.

ROADWORKS

Cash for main access T

he regional authorities in Tenerife have given the go ahead for 1.5 million euros to be spent reconditioning the TF-312 Botánico road, one of the main arteries leading into Puerto de la Cruz. The rapid approval since the new nationalist-conservative alliance took over at the council is another sign that the regional nationalists are doing more for the new council in a matter of weeks than they did for the previous socialist administration in months, thus underlining socialists’ claims of cash being allocated on political grounds to councils and not on need. Nevertheless the road has shown signs

The Catholic Church in Tenerife has been threatened with action under Spain’s data protection legislation if it does not delete the records of a number of people who want their baptisms scrubbed because they have renounced their faith. Attempts to have the records cancelled by the Bishop’s Ofﬁce have failed and the complainants, ten in all, have taken their case to the country’s data protection regulator for a solution. “All they do in the Bishop’s Ofﬁce after

much insistence and a certiﬁcate from a Notary is to offer to add a note at the side of the original record in the Book of Baptisms but that is not the same as total deletion. Anyone consulting the Book will have a mistaken impression of our association with the Church” said the complainants. However, their cause may not be helped by Spain’s Supreme Court, which issued an ambiguous ruling recently, which could be interpreted as meaning that baptism records are not governed by data protection laws.

Las Américas Starco

Mugger caught A 22-year-old Senegalese man who assaulted a Canadian holidaymaker in Playa de Las Américas has been caught by police.

The road is in a disgraceful condition

of wear and tear for too long and was becoming an embarrassment. The work, which will include resurfacing, installing new drains and creating safer car parking, will take an es-

timated thirteen months to conclude. The other transport project, the building of the new access road from the west, has already taken years longer to complete than anticipated. Ricardo

Melchior, President of the island governing administration, the Cabildo, hinted recently that the construction firm had promised that this road might be finished by 2010.

The Canadian, aged 40, was intercepted in the Starco area at around 6am by the African who tried to grab his wallet. An argument followed and the tourist suffered extensive injuries which required treatment in the health centre in nearby El Mojón. Police say the African managed to make off with the wallet but thanks to detailed descriptions by witnesses was picked up by a patrol shortly afterwards.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 18. What was Frosty the

Snowman’s pipe made out of?

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

World Heritage Cultural Site Free guided tours in English, German and French. Tourist Information Office Casa de los Capitanes Call to book tour: 922 631 194 Fax: 922 608 974 . E-Mail: turismo.laguna@cabtfe.es Mondays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm

Tourist Information Office Los Rodeos Call to book tour: 922 825 046 Fax: 922 608 974 . E-Mail: turismo.laguna@cabtfe.es Mondays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

TENERIFE PEARL

One pearl, no plain...

he resident discount day at Tenerife Pearl in Armeñime in South Tenerife was a huge success, with a stream of shoppers and pearl perusers making their

way towards the showrooms all day. From 9am on Saturday November 28th the cars and buses were parking outside the doors of Tenerife Pearl with eager shoppers ready to look for bargains, or simply

take the time to appreciate the excellent range and quality of the goods on sale. The sales staff, ever helpful and friendly in an enormous variety of languages, were rushed off their feet, but are such a professional bunch that there was time for every client’s question, help with trying on different strings of pearls, seeing which ring would suit which pair of earrings, and lots more besides. With an in-house coffee shop those accompanying the pearl fans can sit and relax while purchases are pondered, but to be honest, such is the excellent display of pearls not to mention exhibitions, Christmas decorations and other showings that few people were seated when we were there. This was the ideal opportunity for those who appreciate quality in search of a bargain – and at least 1,500 people thought so, with over that number visiting Tenerife Pearl on the day in question.

Christmas Guía de Isora/Adeje

Christmas festivities Councils are publishing the range of activities organised for this Christmas, and certainly both in Guía de Isora and Adeje they are working hard to banish any pre-seasonal crisis blues. With lots going on it’ll be hard to choose, but two dates for your diary should include the New Year’s Eve concert in Guía, by ‘La

Orquesta Divertiminti’ with musicians from the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, starting at 8.30pm, and the traditional Adeje Kings’ Eve parade through the town’s main thoroughfare on the night of January 5th, starting at 8pm and ﬁnishing, no doubt, with a couple of surprises for the younger Adejeros and visitors. More Christmas details in our next issue.

Puerto de la Cruz Film festival

Culture in the balance

A change in the ruling group at the town hall in Puerto de la Cruz and a limited cultural budget puts next year’s annual film festival in jeopardy.

The economic crisis coupled with what the new council refers to as uncontrolled spending by the previous administration, means this is a time for austerity and for cutting out events and projects which are not strictly necessary. They claim that because of overspending this year the cultural budget for 2010 will have to take into account a deﬁcit of 600,000 euros. There are other priorities, according to the new Puerto councillor for culture, Carlos Marrero. He also warned that innovative projects would not be considered unless they were accompanied by private funding. However he does hope the town can go ahead with a novel idea to invite the ﬁnest 100 young voices in the world to take part in a choir campus in Puerto de la Cruz, organised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the famous Reyes Bartlett Choir.

TENERIFE

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

PUERTO POLITICS

Puerto de la Cruz

Circle of blame I

Each new ruling group piles blame on the outgoing party or coalition

n what has become a boring round of blame and counter-blame in Puerto de la Cruz, the nationalist led council continues with its efforts to undermine ever ything the previous socialist administration did by highlighting alleged inefficient policies. Rather than getting on with the job in hand, it would seem that each party consistently blames the previous ruling group for any debts or failures and claims all the credit of any achievements, no matter how minor, for themselves. In November the new councillor for sports and culture told reporters that the socialists left the council owing money to 80

companies. The fact may be correct but some political obser vers are beginning to understand that the nationalists might simply be

preparing public opinion for the fact that certain projects which are under way or not yet begun will either not be completed on time or not be

started at all as a result of unpaid debts. At the same time there is evidence that the governing coalition has set out to blame the socialists for all of the town’s woes so as to profit as much as possible from alleged mismanagement before the next elections in 2011. When will the politicians realise that the ordinar y man in the street, the ordinary voter, couldn’t care less who does what, they just want it done. This constant bickering is counter productive and proof only of an immature democracy incapable of constructive opposition for the general good.

Hotel Botánico

International acclaim The magnificent five-star Botánico Hotel in Puerto has received the first International Award for Sustainable Tourism from the Institute for responsible Tourism, ITR. The ITR is a new organisation associated to UNESCO and the World Tourism Organisation and this is a new award initiative which recognises careful respect for environmental and cultural values. The aim is to highlight examples of tourism establishments which combine the best aspects of economic, social, cultural and environmental management. The President of the Spanish Commission at UNESCO, Luis Ramallo, said he was delighted that the ﬁrst winner of the award should have been a hotel in the Canary Islands.

North Airport Airport controls

Drugs in their pants The Civil Guard at Tenerife North airport continues to successfully spot and arrest drug couriers.

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La Orotava Infestation

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Their growing expertise, helped by dogs sniffing around luggage in the arrivals lounge or by simply spotting telltale body language in the crowd, was evident again during November. The police are particularly watchful when flights come in from South American countries and two Venezuelan citizens who had arrived on a flight from Caracas on 13th November were caught with five kilograms of cocaine in their luggage. A sniffer dog doing the rounds amongst luggage pointed the police at suitcases which they discovered had the cocaine tucked in behind a double lining. Three days later a 46 year old woman and her 15 year old daughter were questioned about the reasons they had for travelling to Tenerife after expert customs police officers noted what they interpreted as suspicious body language. The inability of the women to give coherent replies led to an x-ray which revealed cylinders containing cocaine hidden inside their bodies.

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Although classes resumed after a weekend of fumigating ordered by the regional educational authorities, the flea invasion did cause alarm and a good deal of embarrassment. A circular was sent to parents of the 530 children of between 12 and 18 saying that classes would resume shortly as the classrooms would be treated with chemicals after the discovery of fleas in the school gardens which had begun to invade the classrooms. The origin of the problem was not clarified and although the plague of fleas may have been the result of the recent rains, it is thought stray cats within the school grounds were the most likely source.

SouthWest

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

JOSEFA MESA MORA

Los Gigantes

An investment, not a cost

Los Guios

Rockslide beach closure The Los Gigantes beach where two women died as they sunbathed last month will remain closed for at least six months, say the local authorities.

isitors to Guía de Isora are delighted by an enviable combination of old style Canarian village life and charm alongside a developing urban centre, with commercial and cultural developments in line with 21st centur y needs.

Gerard Zenou

The small beach remains at the centre of heated controversy over whether the council did enough to cordon it off following a rockslide which occurred just a few weeks before the tragic deaths of 57-year-old tourist Marion O’Hara and a Spanish woman, who were buried under tons of rocks which came loose from the cliff above. The council has held emergency talks with local businesses and various government bodies to ﬁnalise a plan to make the spot safe once and for all. A corporation source conﬁrmed that several ideas had been placed on the table, including a detailed geological study to assess the risk of future rock collapses. Although prolonged closure will seriously affect bars, shops and restaurants in the area, all sides agree that action is needed urgently, even if it takes a full year. Application has already been made to the Spanish government for funding for the extensive project to shore up the cliff and build protection walls to prevent another tragedy.

It’s a mix that in recent years has seen many new arrivals to Tenerife choose Guía as the place to settle (the population has doubled in 12 years), being that step removed from the neighbouring perhaps more touristy boroughs of Adeje and Santiago del Teide, while developing a character that is as rich and diverse as any where else the islands have to offer. On the international stage too Guía is becoming something of a reference point, certainly in the field of documentary film, as the success of the recent MiradasDoc film festival underlined. The festival, over a number of years, has established itself as, according to Guía mayor Pedro Martín, “one of twenty most important festivals of its kind in the world”, and according to Josefa Mesa Mora, cultural councillor for the area, is also helping promote the islands as an audiovisual centre for production, training and post-production facilities, not to mention advancing the talents of local documentary makers. The festival feeds back into the wider zone too, inviting secondary school students to showings with guest directors and allowing

Josefa Mesa Mora outside the council’s cultural and education ofﬁces

them to explore the world of documentary making from many different angles. Guía’s cultural offerings are extremely diverse and designed to suit all ages and the multi-ethnic population of the zone. According to Josefa Guía was careful to develop as somewhere that could complement rather than ape its neighbouring tourist zones, while also offering the South’s population alternatives on a similar cultural level to Santa Cruz. For instance they are finalising details of a New Year’s Eve concert with some members of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, so lovers of classical music won’t feel that the island’s capital is the only place they can go. The cultural development of Guía de Isora, “in the deep south”, she says,

“is a challenge for a small town” that until recently would have been seen as an agricultural zone and little more. Josefa says the town saw that it was important to develop a diversity, which didn’t rely solely upon tourism, such as, for instance, the audiovisual development with MiradasDoc, which brings primary and secondary financial benefits as part and parcel. Events such as these, she points out, “also help break the stereotypical image of the south of the islands as nothing more than a tourist zone”. While the word ‘culture’ might conjure up notions of elitism in English, and others might argue that funding of ‘cultural’ events should be secondary during a financial crisis, here it is a much

more integrated concept, working hand in hand with local education and social ser vices, providing extra curricular courses for children and adults, language classes for foreigners - “our first Spanish for foreigners course filled up so quickly last year we had to organise another one”: theatre that is linked directly with the curriculum secondary school students are following, not to mention drama based events, such as last summer’s puppet festival, which attracted audiences from way beyond - little surprise that with an entrance fee of just €1 for kids and adults performances were sold out each afternoon. There are also showings of older films once a week in the auditorium, classic and art-house included, mostly

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subtitled, which again are of interest to many outside the confines of the borough as well as those living in Guía itself. The cultural councillor added that she also hopes to have much of the information on the council’s web page in English as well as Spanish, but that will take a while. Guía, with a population scattered through the borough, in smaller towns and villages, operates a network of smaller cultural centres too, to encourage involvement and interchange among the r esidents, with people signing up for courses in different parts of the area, and meeting new people as they go. “There are courses for all ages, educational, leisurebased and fun”, says Josefa adding that in this way the council hope to encourage co-existence among young and old, Canarian and newer residents. The town also has a full cultural calendar when it comes to exhibitions, and hosts an inter-cultural agenda with residents from different backgrounds bringing their own experiences to be shared. “At the moment it’s music, with performances, singing...”. Local fiestas are seen as a great mixer, and also bring financial benefits to the town. In this way, “spending money on culture is seen as an investment, not a cost”, the councillor stresses. A refreshing attitude and one which can only benefit those lucky enough to live in or near this charming town.

DIY

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Hands On HELPFUL HINTS FOR AROUND THE HOUSE

Re-plastering an old wall

he main walls in this room were finished off with plasterboard. However, the doorways required a different solution. (Pic 1)

This further helps the new plaster to adhere to the old surface. Robert used Sika Latex which you can get from many ferreterías. (Also available is Weber DR). Allow several hours for the wall to dry. Then apply a second coat.

(Pic 5) Plasterboard is an excellent way to cover an unsightly wall. It used to be as rare as hen’s teeth, but is now widely available on the Island. Robert described how to plasterboard a wall in an earlier issue.

(Pic 2) First, Robert used a hammer and chisel to score through to the underlying brickwork.

(Pics 3 & 4)

Once the second coat has dried to the point where it is just sticky, mix up the plaster with the same PVA water-mix. Robert uses a whisk attached to an electric drill to ensure a smooth mixture. Again, there are several makes of plaster. This is Weber.cal Fino. Apply the plaster with a metal float. Wait until it is completely dry, right through, before painting.

D.I.Y. tip for a perfect finish. When applying the plaster, spread it on without worrying how smooth the finish is. When it has dried to the point where it is just soft to the touch, spray it with water and trowel it smooth. If you are matching it to old rough plaster, finish it off by smoothing it over with a damp sponge.

Useful vocabulary Electric mixer batidor electrico Float (trowel) llana Plaster enlucido Plasterboard placa de yeso

d ar

Next, soak the wall with a solution of one part latex or PVA glue and six parts water.

G d C Garden Centre t LLas FFlores l

If you would like advice or help with plastering or re-plastering or any other DIY projects, you can call Robert on 922 814073 or 605 469 352. E-mail rjmcalees@yahoo.com

Cultivating new ideas Monday Mon Mo M on to Sunday Mon-Sat 9am – 8pm M Mo o Sun 9am – 3pm

House and garden plants Furniture and ﬁttings Flowerpots and accessories Plants grown on site Garden design and construction

TENERIFE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

FLOODS

Mud, sweat and tears A

week of typically glorious sunshine followed the heavy rains which caused havoc in the Orotava Valley in November and in just a few days there was little evidence of the dangerous and dramatic situation experienced by all. However, although the authorities were remarkably quick to start cleaning up and repairing general damage, they prohibited the use of town water for drinking and cooking over a number of days. At the same time, in the upper regions of the valley hundreds of families were still counting the cost and living days of miser y a week after over flowing ravines sent torrents with rocks and debris into their properties. A neighbour in the Los Realejos suburb of Las Llanadas, interrupted whilst

QUIZ QUESTION Day 5. When was the Christmas cracker invented?

she and neighbours toiled to clean up their properties, told how the doors of her house were torn down by the force of the torrent and how everything was buried under two metres of muddy water and stones. The only consolation for her and the whole neighbourhood was that the government had promised quick compensation to help them resume their normal lives. In fact the government estimated that there had been a total 23 million euros lost to damage to property, farms, livestock and infrastructures. Hundreds goats were killed. Most of herds are kept in the ravines and many were washed down the barrancos at the mercy of the rocks and mud. Small bridges and country roads were affected or destroyed and the mayor in Los Realejos has asked the regional authorities to send the army in to erect a temporary bridge to replace the one at Las Llanadas which collapsed under the force of the torrent in the ravine. As a result two rural neighbourhoods have been cut off. It

Financial support has been pledged at all levels for ﬂood victims

was a much easier task to temporarily repair the access road into the Oceánico Tennis Club in Puerto de la Cruz. The road was washed away by the water flowing down the Las Arenas barranco on the evening of 16th November and various cars were trapped in the club’s car park.

Members were grateful to the town council for their quick work. The council has also been hasty clearing debris from the Playa Jardín beach, which some reports said had been destroyed. The main beach and the smaller central section have only been affected slightly by debris

being washed ashore by the heavy winter seas during the week after the rains, and sunbathers and surfers have been making the most of the warm black sands, the waves and the unusually temperate water for the time of year. There has been surprisingly little attempt at political

vote catching as a result of the rain damage so far. Nevertheless the Cabildo, whose task it is to compensate for some of the losses and to repair much of the damage if the areas are not declared disaster zones, has complained that a plan for the prevention of floods has been stuck for two years in the government’s bureaucracy. The plan, which was prepared at the end of 2007, had pinpointed 547 flood risk areas in nearly half of Tenerife’s towns which needed attention. At the time of going to press, none of the areas had been declared disaster areas but there is a flood of promises of help from administrations at all levels, with central government confirming that individual’s payments will be received before six months and maximum levels from them set for home damage at 14,500 euros and cars at 6,000 euros. Other specific areas such as Playa del Jardín have also been pinpointed for special aid. Scepticism was expressed at some levels at the lack of interest in applying to declare the areas disaster areas. It would seem that if they are, not only the supply of funds comes from the central government, but also the administration of those funds and the decision as to who gets the contracts for the work.

Business NEWS

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Business in Brief

Pension and benefit entitlements D

ue to its high British resident population Spain is lucky to count with its own UK pension and benefits specialists, however although they can give you all the up to date information, they cannot deal with individual cases. UK state pensions as well as some other benefits are payable in Spain. For some benefits you will have to have been in receipt of them before you left the UK for Spain. These are: contribution based jobseekers allowance, statutor y maternity pay, statutory sick pay, winter fuel allowance and severe disablement allowance. For others, you can apply for them even if you have been resident in Spain several years. For example, contribution-based employment suppor t allowance (which replaced incapacity benefit from October 2008), industrial injuries disablement benefit, bereavement benefits, disability living allowance (care component), maternity allowance, UK child benefit and guardian’s allowance. Other benefits, particularly those that are means-tested are not pay-

able abroad. These include income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability living allowance (mobility component). If you are considering a move to Spain and are in receipt of benefits it may be a good idea to contact the International Pension Centre in the UK to find out how your move will affect what you receive. As a Spanish resident, if you have ever worked in Spain, the Spanish government is responsible for administering your benefits so you would normally have to apply through the INSS or Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social. If in doubt check with the specialists. If you apply to the UK and should have applied to Spain, your application will be rejected. All changes in circumstances, address, marriage, death etc. must be notified to the Department for Work and Pensions within 28 days. Failure to do so may mean that your pension or benefit is stopped. You should inform your GP of the date you and your family left the UK to live abroad as you will no longer be eligible for routine medi-

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cal treatment under the NHS during return trips to the UK. If you have worked and contributed to the social security system in Spain, you may be entitled to claim a Spanish benefit, and must apply through the INSS. However some benefits such as sickness or unemployment may be increased if you are able to include time spent working in other EU countries. Make sure you include the information on your application form to increase your entitlement. At some stage you may be asked to complete a Life Certificate and have it witnessed at your closest consulate. This is simply a legal document to prove that you are still alive and still therefore entitled to pensions or benefits. From April 6th 2010, the Pension Reform Act comes into force. If you reach, or have already reached, pensionable age before that date it will not affect you. After that date you only need 30 years of contributions to qualify for a full State Pension. Depending on the year you were born, the female state pension age will increase from 60 to

65 between 2010 and 2020 depending on the year of your birth. Between 2024 and 2046, the pensionable age will increase from 65 to 68 for men and women. You can calculate your state pension age on the official site with the special calculator

You may be entitled to UK bereavement beneﬁts at www.thepensionservice. gov.uk/. You can make voluntary contributions to state pension funds in both Spain and the UK, contact the HMRC (UK) and the TGSS (Spain) for details. If you are bereaved, your late spouse or partner last worked in the UK and you were under state pension age when they died, you may be eligible for a Bereavement Payment, a tax free

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Saturdays

Sundays

Breakfast Show with Gordon King Sunday Roast with Katy Kennedy Love in the Afternoon with Pete Quilty Ex-Pat Show with Spencer James BBC Top of the Pops The Love Show with Bernie Simmons Early Hours – Virtual Power Daybreak – Virtual Power

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sum of £2,000. You must apply within 12 months of your partner’s death. You may also be entitled to a regular payment for up to 52 weeks for which you must apply within three months of the death. If your partner last worked in Spain you may be entitled to a Pensión de Viudedad from Spain and should contact the INSS: If you were in receipt of a UK State Pension when your spouse or civil partner died, you may be entitled to an increase in your State Pension payments. Disability allowance is payable in Spain under certain circumstances, but if you are not entitled you may be able to claim Spanish dependence allowance if you have been permanently resident and registered in Spain for five years. You may be able to claim services such as home help, access to day centres or economic help to pay a carer under this new law. Contact your social worker at the local town hall. They can also inform you of any means tested benefits you might also be entitled to. Please remember that for UK nationals special rules may apply for the terminally ill. For more information call 44 1912187777.

Travel industry

Recovery delayed A new report from the Euromonitor Internacional released as part of the World Travel Market Trends has forecast that the travel industry will take at least three years to fully recover from the economic crisis. The gloomy report warns that, “a full recovery to precrisis levels for travel and tourism is not expected until 2013 at the earliest”. They believe that low consumer conﬁdence aggravated by increasing job losses will continue to affect demand and there will be less spare cash as governments face the need to pay off high levels of public debt with higher taxes. The report claims, “consumers are expected to embrace thrift for the long term and operators need to adapt to this”. Reports by other agencies seem to imply that although the main family holiday is still seen as sacrosanct, additional weekend and winter breaks may go by the wayside. However on the plus side, one of Britain’s largest travel agency chains, The Cooperative Travel, is seeing a patchy mini recovery in some areas of the UK with sales in the northern airports up 46 per cent compared with last year.

BUSINESS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Business in Brief

SPANISH HEALTH SYSTEM

Deregistration

Returning to the UK Whatever the reason for your return to the UK, it should be planned as precisely as a move abroad. You must officially inform the local council and the police that you are leaving and if you have been registered for healthcare, the INSS. If you fail to deregister before you leave Spain you may face difficulties registering in the UK and getting benefits. Special rules apply to people who arrive from living abroad and you won’t be immediately entitled to all the

beneﬁts you may have had before you left the UK. You must show you are habitually resident, which means you have attachments to the UK, you have lived there for some time and you have a settle intention to remain in the country. It may take one to three months to prove this to your local counciln hall, but deregistering in Spain, having a UK bank account and property will help. Both healthcare and social care are dependent on whether or not you can be considered as a habitual resident.

Business in Brief

Consumer trends

Green hotels A recent pan-European survey shows that almost a third of the holidaymaking public would choose an eco-friendly hotel if it was offered by a popular on-line booking system. In the poll of 5,000 people over half say that sustainable energy sources should be used, just under half said that energy efﬁcient devices should be installed and nearly

two thirds believe that low ﬂow toilets should be standard to save water. This green attitude is reﬂected in guests’ behaviour in the hotels with a massive 88 per cent turning off the lights when they leave their hotel room, 63 per cent reusing their towels and 59 per cent switching electrical equipment off at the base and not leaving them on standby.

Healthcare F

or healthcare in the UK all you need is residency, but in Spain the system is contribution based which means that normally you must have paid into the system for you and your dependants to get state healthcare. These contributions may be made by yourself as a self-employed worker or by your employer. You may also get state healthcare: if you are in receipt of a UK state pension, or long term contributor y incapacity benefit, or bereavement benefit, (you will need an E121), if you are an early retiree to Spain and have been resident less than two years (form E106), you are a posted worker for a UK company, or the dependent of one of the above categories, if you spend less than six months of the year in Spain (you will need a valid UK European Health Insurance Card) or you are registered as a Spanish resident and have a monthly household income of 615 euros or less (this amount may increase if there are children or disabled people in the home – contact the social worker at your local health centre). In addition, all children under 18 have their right to public healthcare protected by law in Spain. If you register with the Spanish state health system

you must deregister with your GP in the UK and vice versa. The E121 gives you and your dependents the same medical cover in Spain as a Spanish national, but may not cover the same as you received with the NHS in the UK so you may have to pay for some treatments or services. You will need your certificate of residence from the national police station and the certificate of local residency from your town hall (certificado de empadronamiento). Information on how to obtain these certificates is available on ukinspain.fco.gov.uk. Once you have them take both copies of the E121 to the local Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) who will keep both copies of the form and issue the document that gives you the right to healthcare which you need to take to your local health centre to register with your GP. If you are registered on an E121 and travel to the UK or another EU country you will need a Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea until May 2010 after that date you need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK. Workers who are posted to Spain for a period of two or more years who will continue to pay National Insurance contributions in the UK, need to apply for their E106 at the

HM Revenue and Customs. CAR-Residency in Newcastle upon Tyne (information on 44 191 2037010). Early retirees need to contact the DWP also in Newcastle on 44 191 218 1999. To register the E106 you will also need your residence certificate and local residency from the town hall. Both copies of the E106 need to be taken to the INSS with the above documents who will keep one copy and return the other signed and stamped. This can now be used to access the healthcare system. It is not necessary to register with a local GP, but if you don’t you may not be seen by the same doctor each time. If there is an end date on the document, be careful to renew it or take out private health cover, if there is no end date it is valid until the International Pensions Centre tells Spain that the cover has come to an end. If you visit the UK you will still be able to access NHS services under the normal rules and if visiting Europe the UK issued EHIC card should be used. The UK European Health Insurance Card is only valid for holidaymakers and temporary visitors. If you are not normally a resident of the UK and spend less than six months of the year there, the Spanish may decide to treat you as a private patient.

There are strict rules on what the EHIC card does and does not cover. Make sure you know what these are before you travel. Finally pensioners who need prescriptions whilst on holiday may often be asked for additional documents to prove pensioner status to get a free prescription. If the proof you give is not enough, keep the receipts and apply for a refund when you return to the UK by sending a covering letter with the receipts and prescriptions to DWP International Pension Centre Overseas Healthcare Team at Newcastle upon Tyne. Alternatively you can get a certificate from your nearest British Consulate confirming your pensioner status. For this you will need your UK EHIC, your British passport and recent DWP correspondence to your UK address regarding payment of pension. There is a non-refundable charge for the certificate of £34 and it will need to be no more than three months old. The EHIC is obtained free of charge from the Department of Health, online at www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/ home.do, by phone from 44 191 203 555 or by post to the appropriate department at Newcastle. Remember, each family member needs his or her own card.

BUSINESS

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

FACTS AND FIGURES

Airlines

British consular services

European ruling

Flight delays A decision requiring airlines to compensate travellers for long flight delays has been called, “historic” by consumer groups.

pain is home to around one million British residents and visited by some 17 million British tourists a year. The Consular network in Spain is made up of nine Consulates in Madrid, Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Las Palmas, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife. In addition there are 13 honorary Consulates in Almeria, Andor ra, Denia, Gerona, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, Lanzarote, Menorca, Murcia, Seville, Tarragona, Valencia and Vigo. The Consular team in the Canaries consists of, Matthew Vickers, Britain’s Consul to the Canaries, two vice consuls in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Helen Keating and Esther Martín, three consular officials in each area and Sue Thain, the honorary Consul for Lanzarote. Last year among the main and auxiliary offices of the Consulate in the tourist areas, out of the estimated 80,000 residents and three million tourists, the Canarian Consular Service received 4,000 visits, 15,000 phone calls, 2,000 written enquiries and paid 2,000 emergency assistance calls to help with deaths, accidents, arrests etc. The Consulate is there to help and support you in times of distress and of course the

Better compensation for long ﬂight delays

Matthew Vickers is at the head of the British Consulate in the Canaries

staff would like to help you in detail with any and all of the problems that may crop up but their resources and time is limited. However as Matthew said, if they are unable to help you, quite often they, “know a man who can” as the advert used to go. To make things clearer on what they can and cannot do, there is a list on the Embassy website http://ukinspain.fco. gov.uk, however, although they cannot pay bills or give you money for example they

may be able to point you towards a charity or organisation who can such as Age Concern, the Royal British Legion, the Lions etc. Under UK law some of the services provided must be charge for and a full list of services and charges is also available of the web site. New passports and renewals ser vices and visas are dealt with by the embassy in Madrid and you can find more information and the forms on the website at http://ukin-

spain.fco.gov.uk The Consulate would advise ever yone visiting or living abroad to register in Locate which helps them to find you in an emergency such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. It is also a way to maintain contact with families and friends if necessary. Your details will not be given to a third party and registration is simple via www.fco.gov. uk/en/travelling-and-livingoverseas/Locate/.

When the airline is held to be responsible for the delay, they will be required to compensate victims. The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg decided that those passengers who have to wait three hours or over will be awarded €600, the same amount as if their flight had been cancelled. The airline will not be allowed to cancel the flight unless the reasons are within strict guidelines set down in the new law. Technical problems will no longer be accepted as an, “extraordinary circumstance”. There have been some criticisms of the new law on safety concerns, but the majority of passengers would seem to be delighted. It should certainly stop the fraudulent practice of charging more for daytime flights when the airline doesn’t really have their takeoff slot until the evening or night time. A spokesperson from Which? Holiday, Rochelle Turner, claimed, “this is great news for air passengers”. At the moment passengers are entitled to, two free phone calls, faxes or emails and free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay, free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required and if the delay is for five hours or more you can choose not to travel with that company and get a refund of the price of your ticket. These rights kick in when a flight under 932 miles is delayed for over two hours, when a flight within the EU for over 932 miles is delayed for over three hours, when a flight outside the EU for between 932 and 2,174 miles is delayed for over three hours or when any other flight is delayed for more than four hours. (Rights source Which? Holiday).

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Financial

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

END IN SIGHT?

The world’s biggest economy exits recession Overall, the general consensus on recovery continues to be reasonably strong

By Bill Blevins, Chief Executive, Blevins Franks

fter shrinking for four consecutive quarters, the world’s biggest economy produced its strongest growth in two years. Over the third quar ter of 2009 US gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by a healthy 3.5 per cent (annualised), marking the end of the worst US recession in 70 years. The result was better than analysts had hoped – which contrasted with recent UK data where GDP was unexpectedly still in decline. The US economy was boosted by government support schemes for the motor, financial and industrial sectors. Residential real estate investment rose 23.4 per cent - a surprise and indication that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the housing industry. Growth is likely to slow over the next quarter. Some of the largest components of the growth between July and September came from spending on automobiles and house building - areas propped

up by federal programmes which have now expired. It is also unclear if businesses and consumers have regained enough strength to propel the economy on their own. Businesses are still cautious and households are still in debt, two factors that economists warn will result in noticeably slower growth in the com-

ing months. Nonetheless, this does not diminish from the fact that the US government’s efforts to stimulate the economy have been relatively successful, and that the US economy is on the path to recovery. While it may not keep growing at 3.5 per cent a quarter, it should still keep growing. A large

portion of the stimulus funds are still pending, so there is significant potential for further sustainability for the recovery. US inflation remains relatively low, giving the Federal Reserve Bank leeway to keep interest rates at low levels for some time, which will further aid the economic recovery.

The housing market is at or near the bottom. Manufacturing and consumer spending - while they still have some way to go - have recovered from the deepest levels of the downturn. From an investor’s point of view, slower growth over the next quar ter, even a temporary decline, should not necessarily derail the stockmarket recover y as the market will be looking further ahead. If anything, this quarter’s positive results help to solidify the view that we are in a bull market rather than a large bear market correction. The US growth is in sharp contrast to the UK, where the economy contracted by a further 0.4 per cent over the

quarter. However this need not be too much of a worry for global investors, as the UK only represents four per cent of global GDP and is not significant enough to derail the larger economy. While British investors tend to be inclined to buy British company shares, the different fortunes of the US and UK economies is a good example of the importance of having global diversification in your share portfolio. Overall, the general consensus on recovery continues to be reasonably strong and we are in a favourable environment. There is scope left for further gains, primarily driven by positive earnings developments and receding risk appetite, as well as a bit more room in valuations. Professional and authorised advice from firms such as Blevins Franks Financial Management is a necessity when setting up the asset allocation in your portfolio to ensure that it meets your investment objectives and risk tolerance. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www. blevinsfranksinternational.com

HEALTH

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

House Calls with HouseCalls Dr. De La Flor

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Horse sense

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Depression – FAQ I

’ll tr y to answer a myriad of questions received about depression. I have noticed some misconceptions especially when it comes to treatment and medication side effects. Antidepressants can’t make you forget your problems, but they may make it easier for you to deal with them. Being depressed can distort your perception of your problems and sap you of the energy to address difficult issues. My experience is that through proper coaching and behavioural changes my patients truly accelerate their improvement. Properly prescribed, antidepressants will not change your personality. They will help you feel like yourself again and return to your previous level of functioning. The medication aides in levelling the neurotransmitters back to a functioning level. If a person who isn’t depressed takes antidepressants, they do not improve that person’s mood or functioning. Some antidepressants may be more likely than others to cause weight gain; others may actually cause you to lose some weight. If this is a concern, talk with your doctor and prepare a plan that includes adequate nutrition and daily doses of physical activity to counterbalance unwanted side effects. Antidepressants

Your quality of life is greatly determined by the quality of the people around you

can have an effect on sexual functioning. The problem is usually an inability to achieve orgasm rather than a lack of desire. But because depression itself decreases libido, a medication that eases depr ession may improve your sex life. As with other side effects, certain antidepressants may be more likely than others to cause sexual problems. Once an antidepressant gets depression under control, you should work with your doctor to decide when to stop your medication and then decrease your dose gradually. Discontinuing them suddenly may cause side effects. Most people do not need medication

for a lifetime. But, rest assured that ever y single one of us do need a self improvement regime, a daily training plan that targets behavioural aspects and attitudinal habits that keep us on course and help us perform at our best during this super brief passage through planet earth. Taking an antidepressant is not a sign of weakness. Only an idiot or someone that wants to hurt you will even suggest such stupidity. (Thanks to the editor for not censuring or softening this statement on this radical opinion of mine.) Depression is a serious condition that with medication, proper care, love and the right attitude can

Fuel contamination

Road rage Taking three groups of rats, Kinawy subjected them to clean air, vapour from unleaded petrol and vapour from leaded petrol. During dissection it was found that those exposed to petrol had large ﬂuctuations of a key group of neurotransmitters (chemicals used for exchanging messages between neurons) in three areas of the brain. Even rats

I use what I call Kennedy’s life approach’; … ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. It’s a question that transformed an entire generation, a question that enriched a bunch, a question that sparked an

According to reports numerous Liverpool players, Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, have visited the Serbian woman with injuries and have reported near-miraculous recoveries, though the Serbian football authority is now saying that, until the treatment is properly tested and approved by the relevant authorities, it should be considered to be “quackery”.

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Nathalie wins a circuit at the Yhi Spa and a massage for herself and a friend. The unforgettable Yhi Spa, a 2,000 metre oasis of aqua therapy, is located within the Gran Melía Palacio de Isora hotel in Alcalá and is open to the public.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 24. How do you say Merry Christmas in Spanish?

News in Brief ::

A study by Cairo University’s researcher, Amal Kinawy, seems to imply that one of the causes of road rage could be petrol fumes.

be successfully overcome. Make sure you surround yourself with empowering people. Jealousy abounds and flourishes these days but there are also wonderful people out in the jungle. Make sur e you pick a doctor that has an encompassing approach to you and your condition. Your background, your nutritional habits, your social and family life are essential.

International soccer stars seem to be leading the pack to knock on Marijana Kovacevic’s door in search of her horse placenta juice cure for their injuries.

inner revolution in many self-centered, materialistic minds. Ask not what pills and doctors can do for you but … what you can actually do for yourself to emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially overcome your depr ession. Making a paradigm shift and asking ourselves the empowering, bold questions bring about the very best of our selves. Have guts and challenge yourself! Quality of life for a person with depression is greatly determined by the quality of the people you surround yourself with, by the quality of our decisions, and the quantity of sweat used in the process. As a trained doctor, athlete in spirit and coach in mentality, I firmly belief that attitude is the single most important predictor in depression. I’ve seen radical changes with little medication through proper motivation and empowering attitudes and I’ve seen appalling results in over-medicated patients with lack of motivation and too much trust in pills and doctors.

exposed to unleaded petrol showed signs of neurological change and brain cells looked as if they had been damaged by rogue molecules called free radicals. Both groups of rats exposed to petrol fumes of either kinds spent more time in aggressive postures and carrying out attacks, compared to the clean air group. Further investigation is needed to conﬁrm the parallel with human reactions, but Kinawy speculates that people exposed to high levels of trafﬁc emissions may also be affected by the urban air pollution.

Hidden chemicals According to a recent report published in the Daily Mail, most of our favourite cosmetics are mixtures of industrially produced and potentially dangerous chemicals

which could be damaging to our health and in some cases, rather than having anti-ageing effects, could be making us age faster. Research by natural deodorant company Bionsen revealed that the average woman hosts a staggering 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every day. For example, shampoo contains an average of 15, hairspray 11, eyeshadow 26, lipstick 33, blusher 16, foundation 24, nail polish 31, deodorant 15, body lotion 32, fake tan 32 and perfume a

Cosmetics

staggering 250. The most common are parabens, used to preserve the product’s shelf life. A range of studies has linked them to serious health problems including breast cancer, as well as fertility issues in men. Some parabens may become toxic when exposed to sunlight and so on. The best advice is, if you want to protect yourself from chemicals, reduce your overall cosmetics usage, use natural or organic products, and read the labels on your beauty and grooming products with care.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

HEALTH DIRECTORY

Health Directory Hospitals

Hospitals

Physiotherapy

Gynaecology

HOSPITAL LA CANDELARIA Carretera Del Rosario 145 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel : 922 602 000 hospitaldelacandelaria. com

COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL English Spoken Urb. San Eugenio. Edif Garajonay Adeje â&#x20AC;˘ Appointment Tel: 922 792 400 â&#x20AC;˘ Emergency & Ambulance Tel: 922 791 000 www.uspcostaadeje.com

PHYSIOTHERAPIST / OSTEOPATH Officially registered NÂş967 Philippe Hoogstoel Home visits Tel: 677 818 661 English, Spanish, French, German spoken

DR MICHAEL THEIS

HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO Carretera Cuesta-Taco San Cristobal de La Laguna (Tenerife), Tel: 922 678 000 huc.es HOSPITEN SUR Playa de Las AmĂŠricas Arona-Tenerife Tel.: 922 75 00 22. Fax: 922 79 36 18 HOSPITEN C/ Pescadores, Edf. Discovery, Carretera Gral. La Cuesta. Taco 38108 La Laguna Tel.: 922 626240 Fax: 922 614355

Health DOCTOR DE LA FLOR Family medicine, home or hotel visits Calle Tinerfe El Grande 9, Adeje 697 888 666 (Doctor) 637 245 270 EXCELLENT MEDICAL Personalised medical service, more than 20 prestigious specialists, complete health & beauty care. Tel: 922 737 560

HOSPITEN BELLEVUE C/ Alemania, 6 Urb. San Fernando. Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 35 51 Fax: 922 37 03 12

DIAL 112 Emergency

HOSPITEN TAMARAGUA C/ AgustĂn de Bethencourt, 30 Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 05 12 Fax: 922 38 08 50

Mobility

HOSPITEN RAMBLA Address: Rambla General Franco, 115. 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tel.: 922 29 16 00. Fax: 922 29 10 88 HOSPITAL SAN JUAN DE DIOS. Ctra. Gral. del Norte, 53. Santa Cruz. Tel : 922 64 55 11 Fax: 922 64 93 52

ORTOPEDIA Specialist shop for orthopaedic needs. English spoken Ctra. Gral, Orotava-Icod 41Âş La Mancha. Tel: 922 812 807 LE RO Mobility Holidays Professional medical care. Mobility rental Equipment. Repair Service. Avda.Amsterdam Edi.Mary Sol Los Cristianos Tel: 922 750 289 www.lero.net

Emergency

080 092 091 062 016

FIRE BRIGADE LOCAL POLICE NATIONAL POLICE GUARDIA CIVIL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Health CLĂ?NICA BARAJAS HEARING AID Assessments without obligation. Name brand hearing aids. English speaking personnel Los Cristianos 922 790 563 Santa Cruz 922 275 488 BELLISSIMA Osteopathy, acupuncture, Reiki, reflexology, chiropody and holistic massage â&#x20AC;˘ Sports Centre Los Gigantes. Tel: 922 867 343 â&#x20AC;˘ San Eugenio Alto (next to Royâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza) Tel: 922 719 355 SHIATSU Michael Clark Treatment for poor circulation, pain, aches and cramps Ocean Views apt. San Eugenio alto Tel: 636 239940 www.me-reliefnews.com

South: C/ Amalia AlayĂłn, 11, 1Âş D, Los Cristianos. Tel. 922 78 83 28

North: Plaza del Charco 6, 2nd floor, Puerto de la Cruz. Tel. 922 38 13 47

Health TENERGIE CLINIC Aesthetics Medicine Dentistry. Personalised Programmes. CC D. Antonio. C/Juan XXIII -19Âş. Los Cristianos Tel: 922 796 634 EL OLIVO Herbolario Natural nutricion and healthy food Tel: 922 862 480 5ELEMENTOS Feng-Shui / Chinese Astrology / Nutrition. Consultations on the spot, holistic health check, nutrition consultation Roger & Daniela 628 012 987. www.5-elementos.com

Missing Children 116000 Spa

Scooter Sale www.lero.net lero@lero.net Avda. Amsterdam, 8 Edf. Mar y Sol Los Cristianos Tel. 922 750 289

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Emergency Phone Line (for Bank Holidays & Weekends): 687 744 225 C.C. FaĂąabĂŠ Plaza, Avda. Bruselas 2nd floor (in front of Hotel Jacaranda) Playa FaĂąabĂŠ , Costa Adeje, Tenerife Sur Tel: 922 714 225 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 922 724 130 â&#x20AC;˘ www.clinicadentalfanabeplaza.com

5 elements life coaching

AQUA CLUB TERMAL www.aquaclubtermal. com C/ Galicia (Torviscas Alto) S/N 38660 Adeje Tel: 922 716 555

Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology, Nutrition, Qi Gong. On the spot consultations, holistic health checks, nutrition consultations, individua classes all using traditional Chinese methods. 'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO DPOUBDU %BOJFMB 1IPOF EBOJFMB! FMFNFOUPT DPN

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Dental Surgery, Implants and Periodontics

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Tel 922 370897 Specialist in gynaecology

We look after your dental health and are offering free bacteria testing with painless elimination in only ten minutes (value â&#x201A;Ź100). Please ask for Mandy to make an appointment.

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Avenida Los Abrigos, 21 Los Abrigos / Granadilla de Abona email: adsita@libero.it Âˇ www.medicalimplant.es

A professional u o y s it a w a m a te l a u g multilin Tel / Fax 922 71 53 07 - www.kutniak.com Urb. Miraverde, HLS - Center, 1ÂŞ Planta Derecha, Costa Adeje

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

HEALTH

HealthNews Swine Flu Special I

Swine flu special II

Swine Flu – FAQ

Vaccination update

According to the latest information available from the regional department of health over 26,000 people had received the swine flu vaccination in the first 11 days of its distribution.

ith the start of the campaign to vaccinate certain sections of the population here in Spain now under way (see other news on this page), there are ongoing concerns among some members of the public – parents of young children for instance – as to the safety of the vaccines, exactly who should and can receive the vaccination, and whether those not listed in the high risk groups should be considering looking for the vaccine as well.

Children who are allergic to eggs, children under six months of age. The contraindications (risks involved) are the same as with any vaccine (for example, acute infections, anaphylactic reactions to vaccines, etc). The best advice is to consult your doctor.

How safe are people who are in a non-risk group? Can they or should they consider a vaccine? In the Canaries clearly the incidence of swine flu are on the increase: in week 45/2009 there were 359/100.000 residents presenting symptoms. The groups most affected are children, adolescent and young adults. The vast majority of cases are presenting with minor symptoms – similar to a cold or normal flu, with a recovery rate of a few days. To date the vaccine is only recommended and available to those in the listed groups.

We contacted the experts at the USP Hospital Costa Adeje and asked them to help us answer some fundamental questions. They have done so and included important information from the World Health Organisation and the national Department of Health. Thanks to their doctors for the following information.

Who should consider getting the Swine Flu vaccine?

If you are not registered with the health service can you still get the vaccination? Is it available privately?

Readers are referred to the flyer issued by the regional department of health and the Canarian Health Service, which states that those who should consider seeking the vaccine are:

The vaccine for swine flu is currently only available through Canarian health centres. If you are in a risk group and only carry private insurance see your GP or paediatrician who will write you a letter outlining that you are in a high risk group and with this you can go to a health centre for the administration of the vaccine.

1. Persons over six months of age with a high risk of complications because they suffer from one or more of the following: • Chronic heart problems (excluding hypertension) • Chronic breathing difficulties (including bronchopulmonary displasia, cystic fibrosis and moderate/serious persistent asthma) • Diabetes I and II (receiving medication) • Kidney failure (moderate – serious) • Blood disorders and moderate/ serious anaemia • Asplenia • Chronic liver-related illness • Chronic neuromuscular illness • Patients with Immunosuppression related conditions • Sufferers of chronic obesity • Children and adolescents under 18 who are in long term treatment with Aspirin who may develop Reye’s Syndrome. 2. Pregnant women 3. Health workers (both in public and private practise, those working in retirement homes and rehab centres) 4. Essential public ser vice workers (fire personnel, ambulance workers, prison staff, etc)

Can you reassure parents who don’t really know if their children fall into a high risk group? Phone 012 (the general help number) and ask or ask your paediatrician at the health centre who knows your child.

Is the vaccine safe for children and adults? Has it been fully tested? The vaccine is recommended for patients over six months of age in the high risk groups (see answers to question 1). Don’t vaccinate healthy children or healthy senior citizens over 65 years of age. The manufacture of the vaccination for seasonal flu helped in the development of the swine flu

vaccination, but given the pandemic nature of this flu (placed at level 6 by the World Health Organisation), it was developed in a shorter time, but the experiences of previous testing would hold well.

Are there any reported cases of side effects? If so, how serious? The side effects are the same as those from the vaccine for seasonal flu (the most common are pain in the arm where the vaccine has been administered, flu-like symptoms, fever, tiredness, muscular pain).

Are there any groups of people who should not have the vaccine?

The vaccine is recommended for patients over six months of age in the high risk groups

The statistics are based on the numbers using the health help line 012 to book their vaccination and don’t include those who have been vaccinated in hospitals, prisons or state security bodies where the vaccine is also being administered. According to regional health minister Mercedes Roldós “it is very important that those who fall into the risk groups are vaccinated” a message that she believes is being well received by the population in general. The department added they now also had the vaccine without adjuvants, considered safer for pregnant women, was now available. As we go to press there are some concerns about mutations in the virus that have been detected in Norway, Brazil, China, Japan and the USA. According to Keiji Fukada from the World Health Organisation – the WHO - they are still researching the mutations and say they still need more information before they can make any deﬁnite statement. To date, the WHO has received vaccination information from 16 of around 40 countries conducting national H1N1 pandemic vaccine campaigns. Based on information in these 16 countries, they estimate that around 80 million doses of pandemic vaccine have been distributed and around 65 million people have been vaccinated. National immunisation campaigns began in Australia and the People’s Republic of China in late September. Vaccination campaigns currently under way to protect populations from pandemic inﬂuenza are among the largest in the history of several countries, and numbers are growing daily. Given this scale of vaccine administration, at least some rare adverse reactions, not detectable during even large clinical trials, could occur, the WHO state, underscoring the need for rigorous monitoring of safety. Results to date are encouraging.

LIVING & LIFESTYLE DIRECTORY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Living & Lifestyle Directory Useful Vocabulary

Counsellilng

Dental Care

Describing your symptoms

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) South:

GERMAN DENTIST DR. MARTIN SETH Free Counselling Interview. Implants. Quality Dentures. Edif.Maria, Local 3-4 C/Príncipe Pelinor Adeje Centro 922 781 003 637 819 318 (24h)

MEDICAL IMPLANT

CLINICA ESTETICA DENTAL

GERMAN DENTAL PRACTISE BUZANADA All your dental nees under one roof. Buzanada-Arona. Av. Puerto Rico 314º 922 767 166

I have a pain p (here) ( ) Tengo dolor (aquí) I have stomachache Tengo dolor de estómago I have chest pain p Tengo dolor en el pecho I have a sore throat Tengo dolor de garganta I feel sick Tengo nauseas I feel dizzyy Tengo mareos I have a temperature p Tengo fiebre I have diarrhoea Tengo diarrea I have cramps p Tengo calambres I have sunburn Tengo quemaduras del sol I have something in my eye Tengo algo dentro del ojo I have difficultyy breathing g Tengo dificultad en respirar I am sick a lot Vomito mucho It itches Me pica I get g p pain when I p pass urine Me duele cuando orino

Frequency & type Sometimes A veces All the time Todo el tiempo A lot Mucho A little Poco Stabbing pain ain Dolor punzante

Existing conditions I am allergic Soy alérgico(a) I’m diabetic// Soy diabético(a) Asthmatic Asmático(a) Epileptic Epiléptico(a) I’m pregnant Estoy embarazada I have anaemia/arthritis Tengo anemia/artritis I have high blood pressure Tengo hipertensión I have low blood pressure Tengo hipotensión

Specialist shop for your orthopaedic needs We speak English

Carretera Gral. Orotava-Icod, 41 bajo. La Mancha (38430) Icod de Los Vinos Tel. 922 812 807 / 121 804 Fax: 922 812 911

Useful Vocabulary

Body parts Teeth / Dientes Heel / Talón Elbow / Codo Ankle? / Tobillos Fingers / Dedos Toes / Dedos de los pies Hair / Pelo

MUEBLES DE JARDíN

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5.45pm, Friday at 11.45am. 1st Floor Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos (next to bus terminal).

630 478 448 (24 hrs).

Beauty & Fashion MISS NAIL Manicure & Pedicure Spa Parque Santiago III Local 6, Playa de las Américas, Arona Tel: 600 557 763 BLAZERS BOUTIQUE Stylish, sexy, unique & chic Juan XXIII. Los Cristianos. 922 793 194 UNPLUGGED HAIRDRESSERS Your one-stop shop for style and sophistication from the top of your head to the tips of your fingers C.Viera & Clavijo 10 El Médano Mon-Sat. 10am-8pm Tel: 922 179 340 XAZZPERFUMERIA Excellent brandmarks and outstanding quality Cosmetics. Calle Perez Zamora, 28, (close to Plaza del Charco), Puerto de la Cruz, Opening hours: Monday – Friday 10h to 13h, 18h to 20.30h or make your own appointment Tel: 922 372 937 ZENZI Laser hair removal & Beauty centre CC.El Camisón 53 Las Américas Tel: 922 798 587

Head / Cabeza Face / Cara Eyes / Ojos Nose / Nariz Mouth / Boca Ears / Orejas Neck / Cuello Shoulders / Hombros Chest / Pecho Hips / Caderas Legs /Piernas Feet / Pies Hands / Manos Knees / Rodillas Nails / Uñas Veins / Venas Arteries / Arterias Heart / Corazón Liver / Higado Ovaries / Ovarios

General dentistry, implantology specialists, laser technology. Founder member of the German Society of Implantology. Multilingual team. Urb. Miraverde, HLS Center, 1ª Planta Derecha, Costa Adeje Tel: 922 715307 www.kutniak.com INSTITUTO EUROPEO DE INPLANTOLOGÍA DENTAL Dr. Denis Chanut Dental Implants & Periodontics

Science & technology Dentistry. Avda. Los Abrigos, 21 Los Abrigos / Granadilla de Abona Tel. + Fax: 922 749 742 adsita@libero.it www.medicalimplant.es

Gran Canaria HOSPITAL DR. NEGRÍN

C/. Barranco de la Ballena, s/n. 35020 Las Palmas. Tel. 928 450 000 Fax: 928 449 100 HOSPITAL INSULAR

Plaza Doctor Pasteur 35020 Las Palmas. Tel. 928 313 033 MATERNO-INSULAR

CLINICA DENTAL FAÑABÉ

CLÍNICA SAN ROQUE – SUR

Complete pain free dental care, dental laser whitening, computer guided surgery, no stitches and no incision required.

Mar de Siberia 1 Urb. Meloneras 35100 MaspalomasMeloneras Tel: 928 063 600

CC Fañabé Plaza Av. Bruselas, Local 355 2nd Floor, Playa Fañabé 10am-6pm 922 714 225 www.tenerife-dental. com

C/ Buganvillas 1 35100 San Agustín Las Palmas. Tel. (0034) 928 76 90 04 Fax: (0034) 928 76 12 48

Day 3. Who were Walking Backwards for Christmas

Great Christmas offers in December. De EC E AR

LOSE

OU T AN Y H T R

HINK

SUPERSTORE FEK S.L. North: C/ Til , 7. (Next to Marcha). Úrsula. Tel Tel. 922 301 397 397. Fax Fax. 922 301 685 Sta Úrsula South: Pol. Las Chafiras (Next to Hiperdino). San Miguel. Tel. 922 735 363. Fax. 922 735 121

Shiatsu

with Michael Clark

South: Los Cristianos 922 788 328 North: Puerto de la Cruz 922 381 347

QUIZ QUESTION

AY ISPL D 0M 4,00 2

Avda Maritima del Sur 35016 Las Palmas. Tel: 928 444 500 Fax 928 444 288

CLÍNICA ROCA

CLÍNICA SALUS LAS PALMERAS

Avda. de Tenerife, 24 Centro Comercial Kasbah Playa del Inglés Tel: 928 762 992

Michael is recognised as one of the top Shiatsu practitioners in the Western World. He was Japanese trained and has been practising for over 25 years. During this time, Michael has unbelievably taken over 400 people out of wheelchairs. If you suffer from poor circulation, causing pain, aches or cramps – you have these problems unnecessarily. One treatment of four and a half hours with Michael is specially designed to help with these problems and will last for years. 'Life is for living – not for getting a stroke or thrombosis'. Michael is based in Ocean View Apts., San Eugenio Alto

Give Michael a call anytime on his mob: 636 239 940 www.me-reliefnews.com

S R E Z A L B ique

t u Bo sexy, s i Styl h & chic unique &

Mon -Sat 10.30am 0 30 0 5.00pm 00 m - 8 8.30pm 30 m 0..30 0.30am 30am am - 11.30pm 1.30 0pm pm & 5 Juan XXIII, nº 10. Los Cristianos. Tel. 922 79 31 94

UBUUPP!!!!!!!!!!TUVEJP Body piercing Heavy Metal Rasta

Clean & safe Exclusive Unisex

C. C. Reverón, Locales 5 - 8. C/ Gral. Franco, 24. Los Cristianos Tel: 922 795 102 • www.tattootenerife.com • yesbrazil2000@hotmail.com

Under new management, with new facilities, for the new you!

CLUB TERMAL

Tel. 922 716 555 · Calle Galicia s/n, Costa Adeje

50% discount On buying at least one ticket, you will receive a 50% discount on the second ticket. LIMITED OFFER.

Living & Lifestyle

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

All photos: www.benetton.com

Fashion nowing that what you are wearing underneath it all is both comfortable and attractive is all important to both men and women. Undercolors of Benetton are currently stocking a range of underwear for him and her which fits the bill, as well as body suits, pyjamas and cardigans for those cooler evenings, all of which would make ideal festive gifts. Visit your local Benetton store or www. benetton.com.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 6. In which ocean is Christmas Island located?

i t h a t l a l.. e

Undern

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Cellulite

Living & Lifestyle

Beauty / PART II

By Nicola Roberts

actors contributing to cellulite can be fluid retention, a build up of toxins in the body, incorrect diet, inactivity, insufficient water intake, fatigue, tension and a generally unhealthy lifestyle which can also result in poor circulation, slow digestion and constipation.

Some women may experience more severe forms of cellulite due to hormonal imbalances caused by the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, HRT, or the menopause. Anything which causes an increase in body toxins also seems to aggravate the condition, this in turn slows down the elimination of waste products accumulated within the body and therefore causes a change in the tissues. Cellulite can be painful to the touch because the nerves can be compressed amongst the tissues and with the circulation not functioning efﬁciently, it can lead to ﬂesh that is cold to the touch which probably bruises more easily and may also feel puffy and spongy. There are also different forms of cellulite and this could depend on the length of time it has been present; it could be quite soft and seemingly easy to manipulate or it can be very hard

and compacted and usually uncomfortable to the touch. Cellulite is obviously not contagious but is an aesthetic problem which will improve with constant attention; as mentioned this will involve a healthy diet and improving circulation through massage and exercise. The beauty and cosmetic surgery industry have ‘discovered’ hundreds of ways to deal with cellulite from injections and wraps to ultrasound and giratory massage. Here are a few of them:

Medi-Cell – studies the cell structure and blockages in the connective tissue and uses a non-invasive, high frequency ultrasound treatment that breaks down the toughened fatty deposits that cause the cellulite. Body Wraps - the body may or may not be measured in various places before the treatment which usually involves some form of deep exfoliation, massage with essential oils and an application of mud or seaweed, followed by wrapping the body in bandages or plastic. The results are usually a reduction in water retention, detoxiﬁcation, breaking down of the fat cells and a general feeling of well-being. Cellulolipolysis - this treatment is slightly more

drastic; needles are inserted under the skin, which are attached to an electrical current. The theory is that fat cells use up energy when putting up resistance to the current and this gives the lymphatic and circulatory systems a massive boost. The treatment is painless, but must be carried out under medical supervision.

Ultrasound – the theory of this system is to break down the waste deposits, which when removed will enable cells to function more effectively, this is quite popular and usually involves massage, dietary and exercise advice. Nicola Roberts is the owner of Bellissima Hair and Beauty in Los Gigantes, Playa San Juan and San Eugenio Alto. For information or appointments please call 922 867 343, 697 902 361 or 922 719 355.

* Stressed out? All massages half price every Saturday at Bellissima, Playa San Juan. * Dry, spotty, dull skin? Facials half price every Friday. * Pale, healthy and uninteresting? Spray tan half price (15 euros) every Saturday. Bellissima, San Eugenio Alto.

Beauty News

Ask mother According to a recent Pond’s survey, The Age of Your Skin, Spanish mothers tend to encourage their daughters to moisturise from the age of 16, but apparently only one in three women say they do use hydrating creams because of motherly advice. And it would

Ponds

appear that as we get older we tend to trust our mothers less and beauty ‘experts’ more and more. The survey also found that 62 per cent of Spanish women who say they started looking after their skin from the age of 20 are happy with how it looks, and 73 per cent agree that their skin looks its age.

LETTERS & CROSSWORDS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Letters

Feral cats Dear Editor

ay I take this opportunity through this page of pointing out how the feeding of the feral cats, by well intentioned residents and tourists, is ill advised. Feeding the cats encourages breeding and reduces the cat’s natural need to hunt. It encourages them to be fearless and makes them more likely to encroach on residential properties, scavenging, as is the case here on the residencias of Alto Visto and Oasis Tropical on Calle el Mojón, here in Callao Salvaje in particular. Residents here find them in the properties, drinking from the pools and depositing faeces and vomit around the public areas. They lie in the road, reluctant to move and prove a real hazard to traffic. Feral cats are known to live in colonies usually near a feeding source and people who deposit food at random, on the rocks opposite the spare land at Alto Visto and Oasis Tropical are perpetrating a real health hazard which can

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Chinese Horoscope

editorial@ic-news.com

no longer be tolerated. At this moment in time, there are more than 80 cats and this will increase soon unless something is done. Steps have been taken by approaching the local police and the Ayuntamiento de Adeje and it is hoped that practical measures will be taken to deal with the problem which can no longer be tolerated. It has been noted too that the cats are infiltrating some restaurants in Callao Salvaje during dining and this is another health hazard which must be discouraged by the owners. Various animal charities have been approached but can do nothing due to lack of funds and personnel So, may I ask tourists and residents to no longer contribute to the problem by feeding and encouraging the feral cats to breed, otherwise the solution which must be adopted may be unpleasant to both cats and cat lovers. (I enclose my name and address but wish to remain anonymous due to possible reprisals).

Clean hands Dear Editor

an something be do ne a b o u t th e state of the toilets in restaurants and bars in Tenerife. Most of them don\’t have soap or hand dr ying facilities which is alarming as usually the staff have to use the same toilets! Is there a Health/Safety inspector who should be investigating some these unhygienic places? Roma Etherington WARRINGTON

Puerto police Dear Editor

rabbing the cash on of fer for road improvements while it lasts, Puerto de la Cruz in northern Tenerife is currently a disaster of closed main roads and new one way systems.

Poor parking by the usual selfish few don’t help matters and when that’s added to police incompetence and intransigence, chaos is the only conceivable result. Tr ying to leave the town during a lunchtime r ush hour there were tailbacks of over half a kilometre along the road where the national police station is in two files of traffic. It soon became clear that the left hand lane was practically at a standstill and when I finally got almost to the junction at the end of the road, the reason became clear, there was a large jeep double parked which meant that two lines of traffic had to file into one to get around it. When I got to the end of the road I pulled over to inform the policeman there what was causing the tailbacks that made it necessary for him to be there waving his arms and blowing his whistle. The jeep was just 10 metres down the road but he refused to even check it out and moved me along very brusquely. Where do they find these people? Better to blow your whistle than find a cure. Puerto all over really isn’t it. ASTOUNDED REALEJOS See picture below

Click

Pastimes

By Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller daniela@5-elementos.com / Tel. +34 650 830 506 / www.5-elementos.com

Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller are based in the southwest of Tenerife. They both are certified Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology consultants and Cosmic Healers and work and teach in Tenerife and Germany. Their comprehensive knowledge about Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and the five elements is a result of their work with Derek Walters, one of the most respected Feng Shui masters in the world. They have published several books about Chinese Astrology and how to increase your health and vitality with the five elements, with recipes from all over the world.

Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) It is a good time for recognition and fame in the office! Superiors will notice your fine hand and your dedication to your work, so you might even receive a promotion. Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998) It’s a great period for you to move house or renovate your current dwelling place. If you are about to enter a marriage or other joy-filled celebration, this is a great time to do so. Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999) We highly recommend you to go on a little holiday! You will be able to capitalize on some great financial luck while you are doing so. Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) Dragon, smooth career and financial luck is ahead now! But your love luck may suffer a little - especially if you are ensconced in longterm relationships. Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001) There may be some troubles between you and your partner so watch what you say and always be patient because you may take arguments too far now. Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) You will need to be watchful of legal issues now. Be careful of the documents you sign and take note to go through all fine print to be on the safe side. Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003) You should take better care of your health because you are likely to be bugged by headaches, colds and fevers now. Take a rest when you need it.

Los Realejos

[ For Crossword and Sudoku solution see classiﬁeds section ]

Across 7 - effect (6) 8 - fastening (6) 10 - deforming (7) 11 - sense experience (5) 12 - small compartment (4) 13 - change (5) 17 - propose (5) 18 - covering material (4) 22 - piece of land (5) 23 - wearing away (7) 24 - meaning (6) 25 - travelled on water (6)

Down 1 - multi-span structure (7) 2 - early Christian teacher (7) 3 - performing artist (5) 4 - planned (7) 5 - itinerant (5) 6 - unpleasant people (5) 9 - services (9) 14 - engraving (7) 15 - dreams of future (7) 16 - cyclone (7) 19 - tore (5) 20 - numbers; analysis (abbrev) (5) 21 - deceives (5)

Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) You will find great career, financial and relationship luck. You may even want to take up a new course or study, the knowledge you gain from this will be very helpful. Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) Rooster, it is a stable time ahead, even if you may be a little upset by your children’s behavior. Always temper your firm attitude with understanding and kindness. Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006) It’s a good time for the Dog to move house or switch some furniture around. If you suffer from insomnia, observe your sleep patterns. Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007) Pig, you might feel sad and a little unhappy with the many problems that crop up now. Don’t let it get to you! You can avoid the extra stress by going on a holiday.

The Chinese solar year starts around February 4. If your birthday is in January or at the beginning of February your Chinese animal sign belongs to the year before. Example 27.1. 1967 still belongs to the year of the horse.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 13. What gifts did the Magi bring for the baby Jesus?

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

SpinNews

WalkforLife Charity events

Breast cancer support December 4th From 2pm at Coral Mar Square in Costa del Silencio. Live acts, Christmas songs, Santa Claus, bouncy castles, Christmas fair, face painting and the big switch on of the Christmas lights at 8pm There will be a Tombola and a stall for Tenerife breast cancer charity, Amate, and all proﬁts from the various events will go to a local charity and to breast cancer charities.

December 11th Join Tina and Tom for their Pre-Walk for Life extravaganza at the Starlight Cabaret Bar in Coral Mar Square, Costa Silencio from 8 pm. Hosted by well known local resident Tom, for a paltry entrance fee of just €2, there is a free mini-buffet, a

TENERIFE SOUTH BE PART OF THE PINK TIDE

rafﬂe and great prizes available for auction at silly prices. Live acts include the fabulous Katy Kennedy, classy Martin McCall, our Jean, the return of Maureen Sinclair and direct from the UK, Trevor. Any offers of prizes large and small gratefully received. Contact 600 821 100. All proceeds go to the Walk for Life organisation to be divided equally between Amate and Tenerife based, breast cancer programmes organised by the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC).

December 13th The grand ﬁnale of the current round of fundraising for the Walk for Life organisation (see above). Last year saw over 2,000 people gathered together for this fun solidarity event and the ﬁnal tally to be split between the charities was almost €20,000. This year we are reversing the direction of the walk and starting by the Hotel Mediterranean

Palace, Avenida Francisco Andrade Fumero in Playa de las Américas in Arona. Registration will open from 10.30 am onwards and the 3.5 kilometre walk will start promptly (we hope) at noon. It’s a pleasant stroll along the beach front and through important tourist areas, fetching up at the Saly Tien

Square, above the Casino car park, on the Avenida Rafael Puig in Costa Adeje. For a minimal donation of two euros (although the more the better), you will automatically be entered in the draw for top prizes including free holidays, ferry trips and much more. If you are able to get friends and

neighbours to sponsor you, all the better and we have included a small sponsorship form here. A larger version can be downloaded at www.carreraporlavida. com or collected from the Island Connections ofﬁces in Las Chaﬁras. Given the mobile nature of many of your sponsors, we would

SPONSORSHIP

FORM

suggest you get the cash up front. All sponsored walkers will be issued with a certificate to confirm the amount they have raised when they register at the special sponsors registration desk. On a strictly first come, first served basis, and while stocks last, registered walkers will also have the choice of a t-shirt, cap, scarf, bracelet or balloon. Live acts before and after the event, information booths on self examination etc. and bags of fun, good nature and moral support make this a mustdo for everyone. If you can walk, you can support.

Stop Press Fred Olsen S.A., as well as supplying some top prizes, is offering free return ferry trips to residents from La Gomera who want to join the walk. Contact 629 111 856 for more details.

ᔉ

ut on the pink, best foot forward and join us in the annual activities in support of breast cancer victims and their families.

December

carrera por la vida “walk for life”

Name & Telephone:

Sponsor Name

Signature

Tel.:

Amount

Paid

Lesley and Steve at the Cosy Corner, El Trebol, Costa del Silencio welcome everyone to the family fun day on Sunday 13th December in aid of ‘Help for Heroes’. The party starts at the Cosy Corner at 2pm. Food available, karaoke, live acts, raffle. Home made cake, Christmas stall, tombola. Any donations for the raffle will be greatly received, as will any performers wishing to lend a hand. Join in the fun and raise money at the same time for this worthy cause.

For more information on contact

Lesley on 637 824 769

Please contact Gina on 600 821 100 when collected

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

A Very Merry Christmas to our past, present and future clients For all your property requirements please visit: www.thepropertygallery.com

Chill Out Âˇ Live Sports Âˇ Entertainment

The best beach and cocktail bar in South Tenerife Sit back, chill out and enjoy Perfect for birthdays, parties and functions

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pie era ze

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Experienced, specialised guide Great photo opportunities Buffet lunch, complementary drinks Swim, snorkel and sunbathe

Freebird One - an exhilarating experience especially for you!

EL REFUGIO Restaurante Fresh pr Fr Fresh pproducts rod od c t s Home HHoomee m made add fo food oodd La La EEscalona c o ddirection ire r c ioon Ifonche fooncchhe TTel. Te e 9922 7725 255 8894 94 94 CClosed lo eedd SSaturday turrday

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BRITAIN BEST BRANDS ChristmasHa

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Recently reformed to a high standard. Great food from one of Tenerife's leading chefs. Snacks, 3 course menu specials, sunday dinners and lots more. Everyone is welcome to the ocean view bar and restaurant. Great place, friendly staďŹ&#x20AC;, good food and cheap drinks.

4QFDJBM

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Zenzi Laser Clinic, Beauty Treatments & Massages C.C. El CamisĂłn, L. 53. Playa de las AmĂŠricas Âˇ Tel 922 79 85 87

OCEAN VIEW, IN THE COMODORO APARTMENTS Just up from the Los Cristianos Markets. Enter through the main doors of the Comodoro and past reception to the pool area.

For more info call Roger on 625 222 164

Mp4 Play

In December's The Magazine: THE MAGAZINE, THE ISLANDS' TOP LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION ITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/1 18/12/2009

2009 Art.Bistrot

Free Entry + Round of drinks for four

Dinner for two

€40

visit & r wine

Dinner for two

20% Discount voucher

One Return Flight

La Romántica

Acupuncture Session Heiltherapiezentrum Silke Lambeng

er KRIPLUS HYPERMEDIA K

amper

Two meals deals

Double ticket

Tel: 922 703 323

Avda. Claudio Delgado Diaz, C.C. Afortunadas 15c, Las Chafiras Monday to Friday: 9:30am-8 pm / Saturday: 10:30am - 8 pm

Estivaliz HOME DESIGN

Quality International Food & Drink

Restaurante

Free Cocktails for 4 on VIP Area

Computers and electronics for personal and office use. Installation, maintenance and technical support. Excellent service and English speaking staff.

Tel. 922 39 07 49 Avda. Santa Cruz, 133. San Isidro

Voucher for

degas Monje

KRIPLUS HYPERMEDIA

Open daily from 1pm - late. Closed Tuesday C.C. Muelles de Genova, Avda. del Palm-Mar, 64. Palm-Mar - Arona. Tel. 638 671 333

Opening soon new clinic in El Camisón

Oﬀering a full range of individual consultancies and in-house clinical services

Kitty O'Shea's

Meal for two

Xmas Day & New Year´s Eve Menus available Reservations required

Liquid shop For more info call

Electric cigarrette

Experie e nc e t he Millionaire Life$tyle

Tel.

609 645 023

kitty o'shea's The latest in Irish music Serving the best fish and chips in town Beach front, Puerto Colón To reserve your table, call 922 717 202

Give your Xmas & Neew Year Parties ulttimate styylee on board the largest annd most luxurioous motoor yaccht in Teneri riffe. From €50.

• Corporate Events • Privvate Char arters • Speciaal Occa casions

Carpe diem... OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TRADE Cheapest British brands cash & carry No order too small

FREELIVING YACHT CHARTERS The Largest & Most Luxurious Yachts In Tenerife

Tel: (+34) 922 790 938 · (+34) 600 656 729 · (+34) 649 250 292 www.freelivingyachtcharters.com · info@freelivingyachtcharters.com

Calle Las Artes I Res. Costa Caleta Loc. 3 La Caleta di Adeje I Adeje I Tel. 922 711 979 Open from 19.00 – 2.00 I Sunday closed

C/ Buenos Aires, 5, Buzanada Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am - 4pm • Tel. 679 134 873

WhatsOn09

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

What’s On Gran Canaria Museums & Theatres

Tenerife Auditorium Tenerife www.auditoriodetenerife. com Av. Constitución, 1

38003 Santa Cruz Phone 902 31 73 27

Guimerá Theatre www.teatroguimera.es

Plaza Isla de la Madera, 2- 38001 Santa Cruz Phone 902 36 46 03

CajaCanarias Cultural Centre www.canarynet.com

Plaza del Patriotismo, 1 38002 Santa Cruz Phone 922 471 000

Museum of Science & Space (MCC) www.museosdetenerife. org C/ Vía Láctea, s/n

38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna Phone 922 315 265

Museum of Nature & Archaeology (MNH) www.museosdetenerife. org C/ Fuente Morales,

s/n 38003 Santa Cruz Phone 922 535 128

Tenerife History Museum (MHAT) www.museosdetenerife. org C/ San Agustín, 20/22

38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna Phone 922 825 949/43

Anthropology Museum www.museosdetenerife. org C/ Vino, 44

38270 Valle de Guerra (La Laguna) Phone 922 546 300

Casa Lercaro C/ San Agustín, 20-22 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Phone 922 82 59 49

Casa de Carta Tacoronte main road to Valle de Guerra, s/n. 38270 Phone 922 546 300

Gran Canaria Cuyás Theatre

FIESTAS

December 6, Constitution Day December 8, Day of the Immaculate Conception Until December 13, Fiestas de La Concepción y de la Caña Dulce Jinámar 2009. December 6, Romería, Jinámar, Telde. Events from 10 am

Tenerife

December 13, Fiestas of Santa Lucía, Santa Lucía de Tirajana December 20, 1 pm, Romería Los Labradores. Santa Lucía de Tirajana

FIESTAS

CONCERTS/ MUSIC

December 8, Day of the Immaculate Conception

December 6, Constitution Day

December 4, Festival Canarias Hard y Heavy Meeting 2009. Paraninfo, Las Palmas

CONCERTS/ MUSIC

December 5, Festival Canarias Hard y Heavy Meeting 2009. Duke’s Club, Playa del Inglés

December 4, Fito y Fitipaldis and La Cabra Mecánica. Parque Marítimo car park, Santa Cruz

December 5, Fito y Fitipaldis and La Cabra Mecánica. Gran Canaria stadium car park, Las Palmas

December 12, 9 pm, Black Heritage Choir (Gospel music). Tickets €30

CLASSICAL MUSIC

December 12, 9 pm, Georgia Mass Choir. IV edition of the Canarian Gospel Festival. Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas December 12, 10 pm, Rosana in concert. Vecindario December 17 and 18, Jazz: The Glenn Miller Orchestra conducted by Ray McVay December 18, Gran Canaria South Party (electronic music). Meloneras

CLASSICAL MUSIC /OPERA December 4, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria conducted by Pedro Halffter. G.Mahler, Symphony No. 5. Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas December 11, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria conducted by Michal Nesterowicz, performing works by R. Chapí, I. Urrutia and Dvorák. December 18, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria conducted by Paul McCreesh accompanied by the orchestra choir performing G.F. Haendel’s Messiah

www.teatrocuyas.com

THEATRE

Pérez Galdós Theatre

December 4, humour with Manolo Vieira. Teatro Pérez Gáldos, Las Palmas

www.teatroperezgaldos.es

Terór: Sunday, Vecindario: Monday and Wednesday – all 8am to 2pm. Playa del Inglés, every day except Sunday, 7.30 to 11.30pm. Rastro, Sunday 8am to 2pm, bus station, Las Palmas.

December 4 to 6, Días de vino y rosas (Days of Wine and Roses) with Carmelo Gómez and Silvia Abascal. Teatro Cúyas, Las Palmas

Tablero 928 140640, Mogán 928 158805, Aldea de San Nicolás de Tolentino 928.891.252 or www. alberguelaaldea.com, or Valleseco 928 618740.

December 9, 2pm, Wingate Juniors present Who The Devil Did It, Who the Devil Did It? Tickets €3 on the door.

Archaeology

December 11 and 12, Galdosiana: World Premiere – a theatre show by Fernando Méndez-Leite relating the many faces of Benito Pérez Galdós December 19, Recital: Romántico with Olga Cerpa and Mestisay December 19, 8.30 pm, humour with Manolo Vieira. Auditorio de Teror. 15 euros

SPORT & NATURE Acrobats workshop Until December 5, at the Casa Pastores, Vecindario. More information www. escueladecircomsb.com Trekking: Local councils in various areas of the island organise guided treks and other open-air activities. For more information, call UPNature, Guanarteme 928 270084 or 928 473265, Arucas 928 621754, Maspalomas 928 764201,

Guided visits to the principal digs in the island: Bentayga (Tejeda), Cenobio de Valerón (Guía) etc. For more information 928 219 229.

EXHIBITIONS Until December 10, biographies of Canarian scientists. Sala Pedro Martír, Telde. 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm Until December 12, photographs by Patrick Herchl. Maspalomas Cultural Centre, San Fernando Until December 24, sculptures, paintings and drawings by Norbert Prangenberg. Galeria Manuel Ojeda, Las Palmas

MARKETS Arguineguín: Tuesday, Gáldar: Thursday, Mogán: Sunday, Puerto de Mogán: Friday, Telde: Saturday,

QUIZ QUESTION Day 8. What’s the name of the angel in Frank Capra’s Its A Wonderful Life?

December 4, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife conducted by Lü Jia with Christian Lindberg, trombone. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. Tickets: €15, €18, €22 and €25 December 11, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife conducted by Hans Graf with Kristine Opolais, soprano. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. Tickets: €15, €18, €22 and €25 December 14, 8.30 pm, El Mesías. Tickets €20 from Servicaixa, www.servicaixa.es December 18, 8.30 pm, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife conducted by Michal Nesterowicz with Martina Filjac, piano. Tickets: €15, €18, €22 and €25

DANCE December 5 and 6, 9 pm, Tenerifedanzalab. Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. Tickets €8 December 20, 8.30 pm, Ballets de Tenerife. Tickets €6

FESTIVALS & FAIRS 14th International Storytelling Festival, Los Silos December 4 to 8, storytelling, musical performances, workshops, short films, chats and more. For more information, go

WhatsOn09

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

to www.cuentoslossilos.es

647 765

December 12 and 13, VI Science Fair, La Orotava

December 12, Children’s Party

December 17 to January 5, Merkarte. The 6th edition of this art market where young artists display and sell their work at reasonable prices. Casa Elder, Calle Castillo, Santa Cruz

There is a new charity shop in the Apolo Center, Los Cristianos. For more information contact Edna on 619 059 577 or Jim (Equipo Hire) 669 444 617

December 23 to January 10, PIT 09 (children’s activities and attractions), Recinto Ferial de Tenerife, Santa Cruz

FUNDRAISING EVENTS December 13, 4 pm to 8 pm, at the Terrace Bar, Amarilla Golf, a benefit afternoon to raise funds to help Maxine, who suffers from ALS, a debilitating motor neurone disease. Performances by local entertainers, auction, tombola, Santa’s grotto and much more. If you would like to contribute or take part, email Sue at suekristen@ yahoo.com. Breast Cancer Charities, see page 27

LIONS CLUB EVENTS San Miguel de Abona: December 5, Christmas Dinner/Charter Night. Westhaven Bay, Costa del Silencio. Contact Phil on 627 166 522 or Ralph on 685 542 128. Santiago del Teide: December 15, 8 pm, meeting to establish a new Lions Club in Playa San Juan. Juan’s Bar, on the main road next to the medical centre. Contact Alan on 669 838 846 or Ken on 647 247 800. Arona, Las Galletas, Costa del Silencio: December 12th, Christmas Party. Contact Don on 629 883 733. Second Sunday of each month, 3 pm, barbecue with entertainment in Coral Mar Square. Buy food there. Last Sunday of the month, at Habla Habla on Las Galletas seafront. Buffet and entertainment in the afternoon. 10 euros per person. Contact Cath on 629 506 882. Tenerife Sur: December 6, Christmas Fayre. Contact Edna on 619 059 577 December 10, Christmas Dinner. Contact Ken on 670

Floor Apolo Center, Los Cristianos, Wednesdays 11 am to 1pm. For further information phone Edna on 922 732386 or 619 059577

December 19, Carol Singing

K9 and Friends of the Animals K9 car boot sales are held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am to 12 noon at Happy Days, Costa del Silencio. Nearly new sales are held on the second Saturday of every month outside Shimmers Bar, Callao Salvaje from 10am to 1pm. K9 also have a stall on the Playa San Juan market every Wednesday and at Alcalá every Sunday, from 10am to 2pm.

EXHIBITIONS Cultural Centre, Las Galletas: Until December 4, paintings by Juan Martín Cultural Centre, Cho-Parque de la Reina: Until December 16, paintings collection Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA), Santa Cruz: Until January 6, Indagaciones y Miradas, a photographic collection of Ordóñez-Falcón (COFF). Sala B

welcome. More information from Tony on 628 689 306.

Information and reservations on 922 782 885.

Until January 17, Landscapes of Tenerife by Thomas Ruff, Sala C

Tourist routes 922 127 938

Guided trails for the general public:

Cultural Centre, Los Cristianos: Until December 4, art collection, first floor hall

1st Saturday of each month: Teide National Park

Museum of Science and the Cosmos, La Laguna: Until December 31, Photographs: Tenerife, un balcon al Universo

3rd Saturday: Volcanic tube at Cueva de San Marcos

Until December 12, X International biennial photography exhibition, Fotonoviembre 2009. Various locations. More information at www.fotonoviembre.org

Kayak routes

Until December 12, Otoño Cultural 2009. Photographs by Antonio Sabater: De repente Amazonas (photos of the Amazonian rainforests). Sala de Arte María Rosa Alonso, La Laguna Until December 18, 8.30 pm, La huella imborrable (the footprint which cannot be erased), a tribute to the poet Rafael Alberti with videos and information panels. Council offices, Los Realejos

COURSES Christmas floral art workshops by Sonia Luz Gazzera Until December 16, Wednesdays 10am to 12 noon, Cultural Centre, Los Cristianos Until December 15, Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm, Civic Centre, Cabo Blanco 15 places available on each course. Cost 40 euros, materials not included. Failte fun walks Stretch your legs every Friday morning with Failte. The group meets outside the Hotel Gran Arona in Los Cristianos for a trek over Guaza mountain followed by refreshments. Wear stout shoes, meet friends and get some exercise. New faces are always

Every Tuesday: Montes del Agua

2nd Saturday: Masca ravine

4th Saturday: Kayak trip off Los Gigantes cliffs, Punta de Teno Tours by kayak for all abilities which may be combined with snorkelling, hiking, climbing or potholing. More info on 922 127 938 or www.elcardon.com

Surfing Learn surfing and body boarding. North: Escuela de Surf y Body Board OAD La Laguna, for those aged 12 years and over. More information on 922 256 244 or wwwoadlaguna.com South: Escuela Oficial de la Federación Canaria de Surf K16 (Playa de las Américas). Groups or individual training for those aged seven years or over. More information on 922 798 480 or www.k16surf.com

Hiking: Discover Arona. More information about trekking routes. 922 725 180 or www. arona.org All year round, guided walks for groups through the most emblematic buildings of the lovely northern town of Los Silos. Contact Oscar in their information office on 922 841 086. Barranco del Infierno (Adeje): Mondays to Sundays from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm. No access allowed after 4 pm. Price: 3 euros. Max. 200 people a day. Free entrance on Sundays.

The National Park’s interpretation service offers guided tours free of charge. You need to book in advance with the National Park Office (Tel. 922 290 129/922 290 183).

English Library

MISCELLANEOUS

Calle Irlanda, Parque Taoro, Puerto de la Cruz: Monday 3pm to 5.30pm, Wednesday 10am to 12 noon, Friday from 4pm to 6pm and Saturday 11am to 1pm. Information: Julia Gaskell 922 37 25 79

La Baranda Wine Museum

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

A renovated 17th century Canary Island hacienda used by the Island Cabildo to promote local quality wines. Autopista Gral. del Norte. Km 21, (El Sauzal exit), 38360 El Sauzal, Tel.: 922 572 535 Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm. Wine tasting and shop until 10 pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 11am to 6pm, closed Monday.

meetings in the South: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5.45pm, Friday at 11.45am. 1st Floor Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos (next to bus terminal). For more information call 630 478 448 (24 hrs).

Ika Markets,

Castles Tours:

August Park, Adeje Market (selling new items) Saturdays from 4pm

Tenerife History Museum offers guided tours around the island’s castles for schools and groups. More information on 922 825 949

Flea Market, bring and buy a huge variety of items, Sundays from 4pm,

Masonic Meetings in the south of Tenerife. Visitors always welcome. Tenerife Craft, Chapter, Mark. For more information phone 922 794 502 or 922 732 386.

Ciudadanos Europeos (European Citizens Group). For more information contact the Secretary, Chris Stanyer on 922 751507 or the President, Harry Davies, on 922 781905. e-mail: ceten@fsmail.net

The Wednesday Club This is your opportunity to meet people like you, ladies, gentlemen, couples or on your own. Come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and cakes and a chance to make new friends and have good conversation with a bit of fun. Come along to the 1st.

Choose your guide wisely

€10.00

Repsol Guide 2009 *See page 53 for more information

The Friends of the Animals car boot sale is held on the last Sunday of every month in the Los Gigantes Sports Centre from 9am to 12 noon. Goods are desperately needed for these events which are great for bargains and a good rummage. For more information call the kennels on 667 638468 or Pat the Cat on 608 121081.

Canarian C-Days Travel between the islands to cultural events is 50 per cent cheaper on certain days and for selected events with Fred Olsen, Islas Airways and Binter. Discounts on hotels and car hire are also available. You will need to book by telephone 902 292 999, Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm or via the web Make sure you know the full price of the ticket (including Canarian residents’ reduction) to ensure you receive the full discount.

PetsCorner

Pets Portrait

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Paxi

BOOK REVIEW

Celebrities’ favourite pets Compiled by Sheila Collins

room read as you can pick it up and put it down whenever you wish. Also a purrfect Christmas present for animal lovers. This book has been created in aid of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Buy a copy and you will be helping animals who are in need of veterinary care. It’s only £9.99. For more information go to www.apexpublishing.co.uk.

ave you ever wondered how celebrities feel about their pets, what type of pets they choose and how they enrich their humans’ lives? Well, this is your chance to find out.

Paxi Paxi, her stepcat, Poppy, and all her family would like to say a big thank you to the ladies at Finishing Touches in Chafiras who kept her safe until she could be reunited with them.

Environment

Sheila Collins has created this book which is crammed full of short anecdotes written by celebrities including actors and actresses, TV and radio presenters, chefs, authors, singers and comedians about their favourite pets, ranging from cats, dogs and hamsters to hummingbirds and goldfish. Some are extremely amusing, some are sad, but all reveal how much their pets meant to them, the important roles they have played in their lives, how they became significant family members, and in many cases, how much they are missed. Some anecdotes occupy a few lines, some a couple of pages, but they are all love stories of a kind. It’s a perfect book for a quick coffee break or bath-

LIVE ARICO

Flights, whales and Christmas fun Cabildo campaign

Saving shearwaters The annual Tenerife Cabildo campaign to save the young Cory’s shearwaters ended recently with over 800 birds being successfully returned to the wild. Anyone who has enjoyed sitting at supper in the Hotel Jardín Tecina’s wonderful outdoor patios and hearing the enchanting mating calls of the shearwaters will be delighted at the news. This species lays only one egg per pair and feeds it up until it is a ball of fat, before leaving the chick to fend for itself and going back to their life in the open sea where they survive for months on end drinking seawater through a special desalination ﬁlter in their beaks. The chick eventually launches itself out to sea in the direction of the moon, but occasionally they are confused by bright lights on shore and come crashing down. That’s when the bands of volunteers, ofﬁcials and the specialists at the wild life recovery centre at La Tahonilla come in. The implication of all those involved including members of the public is essential in the successful outcome of this campaign every year, which ends with the release of the birds into the wild.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 17. Who was left Home Alone in 1990?

Thanks this week to all who took part in the Walk on Water Fun Day, on Saturday November 21st, followed by the benefit night at the Olympus pool bar Garden City, San Eugenio where €309 was raised in total. Thanks to Lorna and Ann from Walk on Water, April for the face painting, and entertainers Suzy Q, Charlie Karlsen, Pats Elvis Show and Ged Bolton as Rod Stewart. The walk on water balls are available for children’s parties, call Lorna (627 686830) or Ann (650 723853) for information.

Flight Line Anyone who books their flights to and from the UK with the Live Arico Flight Line will be getting their flights at very competitive prices and also helping the dogs at the same time here in Tenerife. Call now on 922

give as a Christmas present then please contact Karen for more details.

Upcoming event Can you give Bella the Christmas present she really wants, a home

794918 and please quote Live Arico Flightline.

Whale watching

The trip on the Eden catamaran to see the whales and dolphins on Friday November 20th raised €300! A big thank you to all on the Eden and to the Atlantic Whale Foundation for their excellent guides. The organistion are planning the next trip between Christmas and the New Year. If anyone would like to buy a voucher to go on this trip to

Val Karlsen will be holding a benefit night at the Theatre Bar, Garden City, San Eugenio on Thursday the 3rd December, with Charlie Karlsen, Jesse Garon and guests entertaining. On Sunday the 13th December there will be a dog show on the Top Square, Golf del Sur. Be there to register your dog at 2pm, and the show will start at 3pm. There will also be a tombola, and some stalls selling Christmas goods, so well worth a trip down there. Only €5 entrance fee to enter your dog in one of the following categories. Puppies (up to one year) Adults (1 – 8 years) Seniors (8 – 13 years)

Super Seniors (over 13 years) There’s a Christmas benefit night at the Market Tavern, Los Cristianos on Sunday the 20th December, more details soon, and on New Years Eve at the Palms Bar, Golf del Sur, compere Dale Brailey will be having a sponsored haircut, after having left it to grow free since the 1st of January 2009! Get yourselves down there to be the one to crop his locks!!!

Give Bella a home Bella was abandoned in a pet hotel and is now looking for a new home. She is aged between 18 months and 2 years, and is quite persistent at times, and insists on cuddles etc, but with patience and the right training she will make someone a lovely dog. She loves walking and can walk off the lead and responds well when you call her back. Please make Bella’s Christmas by giving her a loving home for life. Call Dominique on 922 733892.

4 Dogs Tierhotel Lilly Digs Professional dog care Have you lost your pet?

922 750 609

We look after your pet while you are away (short or long term) Tel: 697 826 738 (D/E), 666 864 349 (SP, Trainer)

www.tierhotel-lilly.com

at our purpose built

KENNELS 6 mins from San Isidro Only 10 € per day Collection and return Service available For rates and availability phone Alan or Lesley on 680 278 254 or 922 772051 after 5pm

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

The Play:

Who the Devil Did It?

THE SPIN

SpinNews

SpinFilm

Lu Jia

Cine Gransur www.cinegransur.com

Orchestral manouvres... Amelia T

he Chinese conductor of the prestigious Tenerife Symphony Orchestra will see out his contract after an emergency meeting of the Orchestra’s Trust opted to keep him on despite major internal strife.

WINGATE SCHOOL A Mystery Comedy of Intrigue, Theft and Dilemmas, as performed by Wingate Juniors, Wednesday December 9th, 2pm. €3 on the door. Set in the fifties at the time of Elvis, Bill Haley, Cliff Richard and Marilyn Monroe, this is a story of disguise and deceit. 922 72 01 02 or see the website www. wingateschool.com

Spain top 10 SOURCE: PROMUSICAE

Lu Jia looked to be on his way out after scores of musicians at the TSO formally voted in favour of his removal due to increasingly strained relations. The exact cause of the squabble has not been revealed but local media sources say a major personality clash has divided the Orchestra and only seven of the eighty musicians backed him in the vote. However a spokesman for the orchestra told Island Connections that many musicians hadn’t attended the meeting in

Lu Jia has expressed a desire to renew his contract despite problems

question as they believed their votes wouldn’t make a difference. He also said that he believes one of the main problems is that some of those who take the decisions don’t appreciate that

the internationally acclaimed conductor “doesn’t act like a civil servant”, adding that there had been some scepticism as to the true nature of the man’s illness following his heart attack during the

Charlie karlsen

Charlie 1. Buraka Som Sistema Kalemba 2. Milow Ayo technology 3. Manuel Carrasco/Malu Que nadie 4. A.Sanz/Alicia Keys Looking for paradise 5. El Barrio Crónicas de una loca 6. Black Eyed Peas I got a feeling 7. Beyonce Halo 8. Shakira Loba 9. David Bisbal Esclavo de sus besos 10. Fito y Fitipaldis Antes de que cuente diez

wins again! C

harlie Karlsen who won the top prize in the Granadilla young talent contest which was held in El Médano in August this year has won again.

This time, at the Arona young talent contest held at the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre on 14th November, there were hundreds of entrants but only ten qualiﬁed. Charlie, who wooed the jury with his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, was not only in the top ten voted for by a group of business people and music specialists, but he was the overall winner, and crowned with the title Euro Singers 2009 Orfeum Grand Prix Trofeo Internacional Canarias 8th Festival Jovenes Promesas. His prize was worth €2,200 and included an all expenses paid trip to Europe where he will represent the Canary Islands in an international singing competition. He also won a voucher from Rubens music shop for €180 and recording facilities in the AMAE studios in Los Cristianos. Well done Charlie!

summer while performing in Mongolia. The Trust says Jia will stay on until his contract ends on 30 June and may well be invited back for guest appearances after that. However the conductor is known to have expressed a desire to renew his contract and stay for another ﬁve years. There is support for Lu Jia from the public and he is believed to have backers in some high places – whether that will be enough to change the Trust’s mind is, however, another matter. As we go to press there are already discreet steps being taken to sound out leading conductors with a view to replacing him in the summer.

Cast: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, Joe Anderson, Cherry Jones Director: Mira Nair Producer: Lydia Pilcher Duration: 01:51:00 Genre: Drama

melia Earhart is played by Hilary Swank, twice winner of an Oscar. Legendary pilot and an enigmatic symbol of the free American spirit, Amelia’s life was ruled by a profound curiosity for all that life had to offer. Her aviation triumphs and rise to fame and fortune were stimulated by her tempestuous relationship with, and later marriage to, George Putnam, played by Richard Gere. United by their mutual ambition, admiration and love, nothing could break their bond – even her brief yet passionate adventure with Gene Vidal, played by Ewan McGregor. Amelia Earhart was the first woman pilot to cross the Atlantic solo, but during her attempt to circumnavigate the world in 1937 using the Equatorial route, her life ended abruptly when she mysteriously disappeared beneath the South Pacific.

South Beach Cocktail Bar Chill Out · Live Sports · Entertainment The best beach and cocktail bar in South Tenerife Sit back, chill out and enjoy Perfect for birthdays, parties and functions Puerto Colón, next to Subway For more information call 686 597 832

FoodforTHOUGHT

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

FOOD SEASONAL

Food News

One pot meal

Company hospitality

Merry Christmas The annual business person’s nightmare of where to book the company Christmas party is on the horizon. Why not look at something different, maybe even a different island? Fred Olsen S.A.’s stunning Hotel Jardín Tecina has just opened its reservations books for the Christmas period offering a unique evening and a spectacular menu. For around 100 euros per person which includes an overnight stay and special offers for transport within La Gomera or from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, they offer an unforgettable Christmas feast for you and your staff. There are also offers at just over 50 euros for those only requiring the meal. The mouth-watering menu includes a chutney of mango and giant prawns flambéed in Pernod with a coconut foam, grilled foie gras on a bed of red onions and papaya glazed with a grape sauce, cod loin confit with a purée of grated sweet potato, red spicy sauce, goat cheese and tomato jam, guava sorbet, pork fillet and pistachios with mascarpone cream and to round off a gourmet delight an ice cream of amaretto.The price also includes water, soft drinks, beer, Montoro white wine from La Gomera and Viá Alcorta from La Rioja, coffee and an hour’s free bar.

The most well known Cocido is the Cocido Madrileño

lmost every region has its own version of cocido, possibly the most famous of which is from Madrid. It consists of a full meal cooked in one pot, of soup and pasta followed by pulses, meat and vegetables. If you are not used to this quantity of food, it can be over-facing so we have given the traditional recipe but prepared a

‘light’ alternative version, omitting the white butifarra (sausage) and chorizo and serving a smaller portion in the one bowl. Cocido Catalán or Escudèlla I Cam d’Olla, is the oldest dish in Catalán cuisine. It is typically served at Christmas as a first course with stuffed roast turkey as a second course.

Preparation

5. When the 1 ½ hours is up, add the vegetables and the meatball(s) and simmer for a further 30 minutes.

COCIDO

Ingredients (Serves 6 or 12 light portions) kg beef cut from the animal’s calf (jarrete) • ½ a boiling chicken • 1 Serrano ham bone • 1 piece of Serrano ham • Pig’s ear and snout • 1 each white and black butifarra (optional) • 1 parsnip • 2 carrots • ½ cabbage • 1 large or several small meat balls • 3 large potatoes • 3 celery stalks • 1 turnip • 100 gr chickpeas • 100 gr pasta or rice • Beef knuckle bone • 1 small chorizo (optional) • 2 chicken stock cubes •½

Bookings are for the exquisite sea side Club Laurel, a haven of luxury and tranquillity. Book direct via the website at www.fredolsen.es or call 902222140.

Christmas raffle

Free food The old adage of, you’ve got to be in it to win it, is never so true than with free raffles. One lucky Santa Cruz resident entered the last Central Lechera Asturiana raffle published in this paper and walked away with 100,000 euros, now the top milk product company is giving away Christmas baskets filled with top brand products. Just send eight barcodes of any milk, cream or butter product made by the company to Apartado de Correo 100.103, 33080 in Oviedo with your personal details for entry into the 25 free weekday raffles to be held up until December 31st. Each basket contains one Iberian Serrano ham, some Iberian loin, a pack of three excellent patés, two bottles of cava, a bottle each of red and white wine, a selection of turrones, some truffles and polvorenes, milk, cream, cheese, pepper and carbonara sauces and a chunk of the marvellous Cabrales cheese produced in the region.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 12. What “visions” danced

in the children’s head on The Night Before Christmas?

1. Put the chickpeas to soak in abundant water the previous day. 2. Wash all the bones and vegetables, peeling where necessary. 3. Place the beef, chicken, bones, ham, snout and ear in a large cooking pot and bring to the boil. When the stock is boiling, skim off the froth and add the chickpeas in a net. Leave to simmer, covered, for 1 ½ hours. 4. Meanwhile chop the bacon finely and mix into one large or several small meatballs with the parsley, salt and pepper, beaten egg, chopped garlic and bread crumbs. If you make one large ball (the more traditional method) make it long rather than round. Roll the meatball(s) in flour.

6. Finally add the butifarras and the chorizo if you are using either or both. Check and adjust the seasoning if necessary and leave for a further 30 minutes on a low light.

9. Here we have presented a smaller portion combined and omitting some of the fattier elements.

BAR Las Chafiras / TF-1

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delighted to lanco and is nt. Enjoy a B o in ol M restaura is back at Felipe Neri u to his beautiful from 6pm to midnight welcome yo ner in our restaurant ls from 6pm til late. Cocktai delicious din d join us for or come an

El Médano >>

LOS ABRIGOS C/ Playa Grande

Reserve Your table upstairs with a view or downstairs in the cave Tuesday – Sunday 12.00-24.00

C/Playa Grande, Edf. Brenda Los Abrigos · Tel: 646 676 619

German Ger rmann and Austrian cuisinee

in the party di

TRADITIONAL TAPAS AND A SELECTION OF WINES

JA RED or TRECEPAS RIO EN of LE TT O B table FREE E WINE for each vert. IT H W A ED U R ad CASTELLO entation of this

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gr lean minced pork • 100 gr streaky bacon • 1 egg • 1 clove of garlic • 2 tablespoons fresh breadcrumbs • 3 teaspoons finely chopped parsley • Flour • Ground cinnamon • Salt and pepper

8. Usually the soup is served individually with platters of meat and vegetables in the middle for guests to help themselves.

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H YO A NCO ENJOY WIT OF EL MOLINO BL IC G A M E TH DO

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7. Sieve off the stock and return to the cooking pot with the stock cubes and the pasta or rice, or cheat and add a sachet of chicken and pasta soup mixture.

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ys. losed Tuesda 2 796 282. Co Alto, Costa Adeje 92 ns io at rv ni Rese om Euge ino-blanco.c stria 5, San Avda. de Au blanco.com • info@mol oin ol .m w ww O 5PM) TO

T D HONE (9AM EMAIL OR P R VIP CAR D. FR EE AN U O Y ! T S S E E G R EQ U ADVANTA WITH MANY

Open: pen: n: Monda Monday, onday, Tuesd Tuesday, sday Thursday, Friday riday day 15.00-midnight 15 ht / Wednesday, W Wed ednesday ay Sundayy 11.00 - midnight ght · Saturday urday closed Avda. El Emigrante 29, Playa San Juan • Tel: 922 138 563

RestaurantREVIEW

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Slow Boat I Terrific Teppanyaki

n days gone by going out for dinner was something of a magical mystery tour, especially if you decided to opt for something a little bit more exotic. Nowadays though people are much more health conscious and therefore ingredient conscious, and are keen to know what they are

eating and how it is prepared. How many of us have seen the word ‘fresh’ on a menu, but when the dish ﬁnally arrives to our table the ﬁsh or meat we have chosen is so badly prepared or hidden beneath a lake of sauce that it’s hard to determine what it is, let alone whether it is fresh or not. That’s

why dining at the Slowboat Teppanyaki restaurant is such a pleasure, not to mention an entertaining night out. The originator of the Teppanyaki-style steakhouse was the Japanese restaurant chain Misono, which introduced the concept of cooking Western-inﬂuenced food on a teppan (iron plate) in Japan in 1945, however they soon

From Los Cristianos to Playa Paraíso From 6pm till 11.30pm

found that the cuisine was more popular with foreigners than with the Japanese, who enjoyed both watching the skilled manoeuvres of the chefs preparing the food as well as the cuisine. Today Teppanyaki cooking, as practised at Slowboat I, has become something of an art form with chefs performing culinary wonders before the diners’ eyes, preparing mouthwatering food in a manner that will make your taste buds tingle in anticipation. Working with a variety of very fresh ingredients, your food, from starter to finish, is prepared in front of you, sitting in a communal setting, either with friends or people who may well be about to become friends. Q, the chef (no, he’s not a Japanese James Bond agent as far as we know), slices, sears, and serves the succulent meats and fish, fries and flings the various rice combinations, surprises with sake flames. Menu specials offer chicken, thin slices of sirloin, loin of pork, scallops, prawns, sea bass, and lots more, served with sautéed vegetables and fried rice. Showmanship aside, the quality of the food is unparalleled, and with the top cooking skills of Q, you are guaranteed a top class gourmet treat at very good prices. This kind of dining is very adaptable, not to mention family friendly – no need to bring pencils and drawing books for the kids when they have live entertainment at the table, just be careful they don’t want to try it at home the next day. For couples, parties, birthdays, or even for those of us who like to dine alone now and then, Slowboat I Teppanyaki is a definite must.

Teppanyaki Menu KITA – Meat - €18.00 per person Miso Soup Mixed Salad Grilled Vegetables Skewered Chicken Thigh Rolled thin slices of Sirloin Steak Loin of Pork Fillet Steak Fried Rice Sautéed Vegetables

HIGASHI – Mixed - €27.00 per person Miso Soup Mixed Salad / California Maki Grilled Vegetables Skewered Chicken Thigh Prawns Rolled thin slices of Sirloin Steak Scallops Fillet Steak Fried Rice Sautéed Vegetables

OSAMA – Seafood - €27.00 per person Miso Soup Mixed Salad / California Maki Grilled Vegetables Scallops Salmon Fillet Prawns Fillet of Sea Bass Fried Rice Sautéed Vegetables

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

FoodIDEAS

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Fun Cooking

Cooking for Kids HEALTHY AND FUN FOOD FOR ALL THE FAMILY. GIBLET SOUP Ingredients

SMASHING SAUCEPAN

• 1/2 a boiling fowl • 2 chicken livers

Boil, steam and sieve. www.williams-sonoma.com

• 2 chicken gizzards • 1 leek

SIMPLE SEASONING

Peppered steak made easy. www.williams-sonoma.com

recommended for anyone who can understand the Spanish language.

HANDY GLOVES Vegetable scrubbers. www.williams-sonoma.com

Shepherds all over the world have their own recipes, normally those which could be cooked over an open fire whilst they led their flocks from pasture to pasture. In many recipes, migas de pan, small chunks of bread which are not quite breadcrumbs, are a prime ingredient.

ur recipes are translated with the generous permission of the author, Teresa Pérez Hernández, from the superb series of books, La Cocina Encuentada.

FIRESIDE MUNCHIES

Popcorn gift set. www.williams-sonoma.com

In the Spanish version, this series of books combines healthy, fun recipes with original short stories to feed the body and the mind. They are highly

Asiaticoo Asiatic Buffet Libre As

Japanese, Thai and Chinese Cuisine Choose your sauce and our chef’s will prepare your Wok, Grill & BBQ in front of you.

A variety of Asian snacks, fresh meat & seafood

EAT WHATEVER AND HOWEVER MUCH YOU LIKE We invite you to eat whatever and however much you like from our wide variety of cold and hot dishes, desserts and ice-creams of all kinds.

All day buffet

7,99€ ONLY

Tel. 922 797 168 • Fax 922 795 618 Lunchtime 1 pm – 4.30 pm Evenings 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm B Blvd. Chajofe 10 • Los Cristianos (Formerly Mercedes-Benz)

sushi

Chicken giblets are useful for so much more than making gravy. Low in sodium, they are high in iron, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, riboflavin, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, B6, B12 and C. On the negative side they are also high in cholesterol. This tasty heart warming soup is sure to become a family favourite.

* Information and images from La Cocina Encuentada – Las cuatro estaciones (in Spanish) by Teresa Pérez Hernández. ISBN 978-84-96509-84-9 (around 12 euros).

• 1 stick of celery • 1 turnip • 5 cloves of garlic • Parsley • Sweet paprika • Freshly ground black pepper • Bread • Salt • Olive oil

Preparation 1. Peel and roughly chop the vegetables and place in a large saucepan with the boiling chicken, cover with water and simmer for 1 1/2 hours to make the stock. 2. Meanwhile finely chop the garlic, parsley and the chicken giblets, add a little black pepper and fry gently in a little olive oil, adding half a tablespoon of paprika when they are almost cooked through. 3. Once cooked, add half the mixture to the stock, mash the remaining half with a mortar and pestle and add that to the stock too. 4. Continue to simmer for ten minutes. 5. Slice and toast the bread in thick chunks and place one in each soup bowl. Cover with the soup and serve piping hot.

Suggestion Plain boiled rice combines well with the stock and the giblets to turn the soup into a hearty meal.

Restaurante

La Romántica International cuisine, flambées a speciality Superb food, stylish service, a touch of class in Callao Salvaje

Tel. 922 741 518 Open daily 12 midday - 11pm

El Ancla, nº 21. C/ El Jable Callao Salvaje, Adeje

By Gerald d Ruben n

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

QUIZ QUESTION

WineGUIDE

Day 14. What festival was the song Jingle Bells originally written for?

Carlos Moro lunches in Tenerife MATARROMERA

t the recent official launch of their very low alcoholic wines the President of Matarromera, Carlos Moro, held a lunch and presentation at Corte Inglés in Santa Cruz for about fourteen people. The idea was to introduce the company that will be representing Matarromera in the distribution of not only their low alcohol products, but the whole range of their wines. The company chosen for this task is Cadiex. Cadiex is part of the Galaco company, this was founded by merging two other companies, Atlántico S.A.created back in 1959 and Commercial J Galarza. They are a main stream distribution network supplying tobacco, food stuffs, beverages, wine, alcohol etc to shops, supermarkets,

CIGALES PRODUCE HEREDAD DE ALSOR (L-R) ÁNIBAL MAESO VERGARA DIRECTOR OF CADIEX, CARLOS MORO PRESIDENT OF MATARROMERA & GERALD RUBEN

hyper-markets, and hotels and restaurants. Galaco is the major figure within the holding which is divided into two major companies, Galaco S.A which has 360 employees and a turnover of 85 million euros and Cadex.

S.L. with 100 employees and 16 million euros turnover. Cadex will be distributing the Matarromera wines, which hopefully should be on sale here in Tenerife within the next few weeks. As I wrote in the last edition of

Wine in Brief

Gift ideas

Merry Christmas indeed For gift suggestions for lovers of the vine check out http://www.wineenthusiast.com/. All tastes catered for, from fun to sophisticated, personalised items, from a colourful set of Blixen and Vixen wine stoppers to top range wine cellars and fridges. You can choose by price, occasion, or simply browse through the extensive range and ﬁnd something that’s just right for a friend, relative, or yourself.

Food News

Exterior promotion

Hanover Canarian feast Chef Juan Miguel Cabrera designed the menu

The Hotel Bahía del Duque recently held some special gastronomic days in major tour operator, TUI’s, German headquarters in Hanover. This prestigious hotel is a top client of TUI’s and a grand ambassador for Canarian hotels and especially for Canarian cuisine. In a space of three days they served over 2,700 lunches to the lucky company employees. The menu designed by

Juan Miguel Cabrera, consisted of local specialities such as Puchero Canario, pork stuffed with dried fruit and nuts, salted cod in an onion based sauce, wrinkled potatoes, various types of mojo sauce and desserts such as quesillo, Prince Albert or banana pie. The fun idea came from a meeting between the hotel manager, Santiago Cabré and top TUI directors about how best to present the hotel’s novelties, such as their exquisite new spa and the new hotel the holding company are to open in Lake Como to the north of Milan.

Island Connections the low alcoholic wine Eminasin will be a great purchase for all those drivers that like to have a drink of wine and still be able to legally get behind the wheel of their car. The Matarromera organisation is

vast and their wines highly prized in Spain. They own a number of Bodegas which all produce excellent products. The range covers Matarromera Gran Reserva from Ribera del Duera, Emina Red from the same Bodega, Emina Chardonnay from Valladolid, Ermina Blanco from

Rueda, Eminasin from the Duero . Rueda and Cigales regions, Emina Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Emina Oxto, a red wine that is kept in French Oak barrels for three years. From the Finca la Calera in Toro (Zamora) comes the superb wine Cyan and from the Bodega Renacimiento in Ribera de Duero they produce Rento. The Val de los Frailes originated in Cigales and the company also produces Heredad De Alsor, a herbal liquor along with a digestif drink called Esdor, watch out for these labels in supermarkets or wine stores like Spanish Style. The Cadiex operation, in so far as Matarromera is concerned, will be directed by Ánibal Maeso Vergara, whose job it will be to ensure that these wines are available in as many outlets as possible, and that the promotion of the brand is kept in front of the public eye. Carlos Moro is a charming man who knows how to run a big winery whilst at the same time one who can relate to the needs of the buying public. His knowledge of wine is legendary. He is the public face of Matarromera and as an ambassador does a wonderful job

TENERIFE / PROMOTION

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

RestaurantREVIEW

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Cocktail Art Bistrot

DJ Cocktail Art Bistrot La Caleta, Adeje

922 711979

La DolceVita

f you’re a fan of Italian cooking, and let’s be honest the Italians really do know how to prepare good food, especially for lovers of the Mediterranean diet, then you have to visit Cocktail Art Bistrot as soon as possible. Forget run of the mill

pasta, when you sit down at the table in this particular restaurant your taste buds are in for a real treat. Italian born Michele and Marilena opened this delightful eatery in the very picturesque harbour in La Caleta just a few months ago, having spent a number of years in New Zealand. They have creat-

Open Monday – Saturday 7pm – 2am

ed an ambiance conducive to relaxing over great food food, with good friends and very good wines. As well as a mouth-watering range of ﬁsh and meat specials, Cocktail Art Bistrot really comes into its own when it comes to their homemade pastas that melt in your mouth and conjure up images

of parts of Italy you may not have visited but have probably dreamt of. Their VIP menu offers select diners some excellent dishes including live Lobster cooked to your liking. And of course you will have to leave room for desserts, which are as good as after dinner treats could possibly be.

BUSINESS PROMOTION

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

TIBU

Nightlife

TIBU explained MARTZIO FAVARIN, MARKETING DIRECTOR AND PART OWNER OF TIBU TENERIFE EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE NEW AND EXCLUSIVE NIGHTSPOT WHICH OPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO NEXT TO THE LAS PALMERAS HOTEL. is our “Boutique night” and on Fridays we have special themed nights. Saturday, our busiest night, is “Classic TIBU”. We open at 11pm and have a warm up lounge session with sax and vocal mixes and by 12.30am we are busy. We shut at 6am.

What is TIBU? TIBU is “affordable exclusivity” an international style up market club but with sensible pricing for residents and tourists alike. How is your pricing compared to other bars and nightclubs in the area? We are somewhere in the middle, slightly more than local bars and pubs in the Starco area for example, but cheaper than some of the nightclubs in Tenerife south. Our bottled beers start from €5 and all our branded spirits such as Smirnoff, Ron, Gordons, Red Label, Jack Daniels etc are €6. Quality reservas are €8. TIBU only

sells top brand spirits. What clientele are you aiming for? The simple answer is an international one, English, Spanish, Scandinavian etc, everyone is welcome, we just ask people to make an effort regarding appearance. What is your door policy? There is NO door charge. However, due to the exclusive nature of the club our dress code is no shorts or vests but smart jeans and trainers are allowed. Which nights are you open and what are the opening times? We are open at the moment on Thursdays which

Tell us more about the Boutique night.... Yes it’s every Thursday night and the idea behind it is to create an industry/networking night where fashion meets music, giving a chance for local businesses and residents to get togehter and take advantage of the special drinks offers (champagne reception until 1am and drinks at €5 drinks). So far it’s proving to be very successful, and every second week we hold a fashion show displaying some of the ﬁnest local designer shops Tenerife has to offer. Can you explain the VIP table/bottle service? Yes a group of people will either pre reserve via telephone or request a table on arrival at

the club (subject to availability). There are plenty of other seating areas in the club, but a table in the VIP area requires you to purchase a bottle of spirits, for example a Vodka bottle price starts at €80 and this is for up to six people. If you do the maths it’s not too expensive considering the price also includes all mixers, and excellent service from our team of waiters from Marbella. What is your music policy? A blend of uplifting sexy vocal house fused with dance ﬂoor classics from over the years mixed in a fresh and innovative style. OK Marbella, but why Tenerife? Why not? In recent years Tenerife has seen a big change for the better in terms of clientele, infrastructure, new 5-star resorts etc, also we have seen a higher standard and quality of nightlife from new as well as the existing bars and restaurants in the south. There are many positive reasons

Chaﬁras

New Chaﬁras showroom

All your home needs THE NEW CHAFIRAS SPACIOUS AVANT-GARDE SHOWROOM OF 2,000 SQUARE METRES OCCUPYING TWO FLOORS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC VERY SOON.

eparate room displays enable clients to see the latest designs and trends and easily imagine these in their own homes. For example, on the lower ﬂoor on the right, you will ﬁnd a representation of a 70 square metre home equipped with the latest in styles and materials. To the left is a wellness and spa area which, as well as offering new design ideas and encouraging a healthy lifestyle and that feel-good factor, allows the client to get to know how each product works. The central area is the most stylish and is dedicated to the highest quality products and exclusive Italian brands. This is where you can see how to personalise your home by teaming up

mosaics with warm and sophisticated woods. A more technical zone houses larger indoor and outdoor materials, which will always follow current trends. At the rear of the premises there are more than 500 display panels where you can see all the tiles you could ever need and other products as well. 39 individual environments show you how different products and materials look when teamed up together in a room, and these are of a great help in choosing for your own project. Don’t miss the area for stones and slates which are presented in different formats and ﬁnishes, including specialist pieces for swimming pools. The upper ﬂoor is dedicated to the world of bath-

rooms and occupies 650 square metres. Complete bathroom displays adorn the centre, and around the edge, bathroom furniture in a variety of different models, ﬁnishes and colours. Next to these are taps, bathroom accessories, radiators and hydromassage systems. Behind the main display clients

can see and choose baths, shower trays, bathroom sinks – everything you need for your bathroom as well as a selection of sinks and taps for your kitchen. Chaﬁras gives you so many ideas, so much space in which to contemplate and choose, and they are all under one roof, at Las Chaﬁras.

to visit and live in Tenerife, now is the perfect time. We are really trying to create a club environment in which fashion, style, good music along with good service and reasonable pricing means

that TIBU can really be “affordable exclusivity”. A club that would be at home in any major city in the world, a club that Tenerife residents and tourists can both enjoy and indeed deserve.

Megashop

Mega Shop

Bargains galore

Paul (left) and his multilingual staff

nyone resident or a regular visitor to the south west will know or have heard of local businessman wunderkind, Paul Ruane. A Tenerife resident for over 30 years, Paul is perhaps best known for his highly respected estate agent, Los Gigantes Properties which has been successfully helping people through the property jungle for three decades. It was there that he established his welldeserved reputation for integrity. His superb taste was demonstrated with the opening of his sports and social club, San Francisco Sports and Beach Club, a delightful place to socialise, take exercise and enjoy the white sand beach, heated pools, sports facilities, the fabulous tasca and restaurant and chill out bar, all with amazing views over the Atlantic. His latest venture, proving his eye for a bargain, is a top quality discount store. When asked what sort of businessman opens a new venture during a crisis, he replied, “If there wasn’t a recession I wouldn’t be able to get the stock at these prices and if I can’t get it at the right prices I would buy it.” Mega Shop is in the Los Gigantes area of Puerto de Santiago, on the road down to the harbour, about 50 metres on the left hand side after the Harbour Club. The members of staff speak English and Spanish and they have a German translator on the end of the phone (Paul himself). The stock is varied, but the one thing they have in common is that everything is the best money can buy at the lowest prices in the market, from Christmas ornaments, garden equipment and furniture, student and office equipment and a large selection of dinner sets at knock down prices. Light fittings are below manufacturers’ cost and small electric items are top brands from Tesco and Argos, Kenwood, Brabantia, Tower, Hinari and Cookworks to name a few. At these prices and this quality, stock doesn’t hang around, so go now. Great for presents, furnishing your home or just for a good old browse. You’re bound to find something you’ll like at a price you can afford.

BUSINESS PROMOTION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

M&S

Marks & Spencer

Simply Food for Christmas

THE LONG AWAITED MARKS & SPENCER FOOD STORE, SIMPLY FOOD, OPENED IN SANTA CRUZ IN JULY, THE FIRST TO OPEN ITS DOORS OUTSIDE OF THE UK.

ince then, many Marks & Spencer foodaholics have visited the store, and revived those wonderful memories of very special mouthwatering food. The small but expertly arranged store is packed with more than 400 exclusive products to tantalise every taste bud, so whether it’s a festive gathering you are planning, a last minute barbecue or an intimate dinner, Marks & Spencer can help you to enjoy simply delicious and easy to prepare food with your friends and family. Simply Food has delights from all over the world. Their pre-cooked chilled or frozen international main courses, those wonderful desserts, their famous bis-

cuits and cakes, and wines from different countries cannot fail to surprise even the most

Spar

SM2000 Spar

Fabulous fruit

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BANANAS TO LIVE HERE, AND YOU’RE GUARANTEED MORE THAN AN APPLE A DAY TO KEEP THE DOCTOR AWAY! There are so many plusses to living in the Canary Islands, and just one of them is the year-round supply of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. There’s always a delicious selection in season, so head down to the SM2000 Spar supermarket at Urb. La Paz, next to Hotel Botánico in

Puerto de la Cruz and stock up on your fruit and veg. Fresh and tantalisingly tasty, not to mention oh so good for you and your family.

QUIZ QUESTION Day 7. Name all of Santa’s reindeer.

discerning palate. Simply Food means your event will be a resounding success and the big surprise is that everything, including the wines, is very reasonably priced. Right now, Simply Food has a full range of irresistible Christmas products in store to make your festive dinner extra special including Christmas cakes and puddings, mince pies, family tins of biscuits, chocolates, and in the freezer department, butter roast turkey breast in two sizes. There are also Christmas crackers, giant chocolate coins and chocolate Christmas tree decorations, advent calendars with a chocolate shape for every date, and novelties such as a toy racing car ﬁlled with a selection of mints and toffees: smooth mint, malted mint, clear mint, butter mintoes and humbugs, sure to delight both the young and

young at heart. While you are there, you will probably be tempted by a carefully selected range of European bakery and patisserie products which are freshly prepared in-store every day. The Marks & Spencer clothing store in Calle Pilar as always has a small selection of Christmas foods in stock, together with 2010 calendars and other items which would make perfect gifts. Normal opening times for Simply Food are: • Monday to Friday 9.30am to 8.30pm with no lunchtime closure, • Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm. Special holiday opening times during the festive season are: • December 20th and 27th, 11am to 8pm, • December 24th and 31st, 10am to 5pm.

Simply Food is easy to ﬁnd – close to the Plaza de España, the main underground car park and opposite the ferry terminal, in Calle Bethencourt Alfonso number 10. As its name implies, Simply Food sells 100 per cent simply delicious food.

HEAT YOUR SWIMMING POOL with a

titanium heat pump

Special Offer: Now from only

2,995€

Up to 15% discounts on certain models while current stocks last

• In or outdoor installation • 2 year all round guarantee • 5 year guarantee on titanium condenser • Hermetically sealed scroll compressor • Super quiet operation (from 39dB) For further information please contact: Tel: 922 331 278 • Fax: 922 334 930 Email: info@henleytecnic.com www.henleytecnic.com

Supplied by Henley Tecnic, exclusive agents for Calorex, and wholesale distributors in the Canary Islands for over 26 years.

We stock a large range of heat pumps and spare parts. CALOREX, a reliable British trademark with technical service throughout the islands.

Enjoy your pool all year round

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / SITUATIONS VACANT

WANTED

Situations Wanted :

WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN

WORK WANTED

FOR A NEW CENTRE IN ADEJE MUST HAVE: • Technical leadership • Responsible attitude • 5 years experience • Commercial skills an advantage • Fluent Spanish

Send your CV to e-mail: 3702@redmidas.com

• Experienced in labouring, retail, delivering and a good all rounder. • No job too small. • Has been on the Island for 3 years. • I have all legal documentation. • I’m a hard worker, good team player and work well with people.

Tel. 664 826 505 QUIZ QUESTION Day 11. Who wrote A Christmas Carol?

Succeed At The Highest Level Even in the current economic climate we need extra help in order to fulﬁl our customers needs... We require the best in the marketplace. Have you got what it takes? Our media group has traditionally led the ﬁeld and will continue to do so by hiring the best and remunerating them accordingly.

Advertising Consultants (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera)

Night Owl (Sales person) (Tenerife)

Situations Vacant CLASSIFIED’S DEADLINE The deadline for edition 606 & 607,which are published on 18th December and 1st January, is Thursday 10th December at 5pm. No classified’s will be taken after this date. Promotions company with more than 10 years experience in selling attractive, high quality products in Tenerife markets, 5 star hotels and superstores is looking for open minded full/part time promoters, which like to present and sell in live promotion. No selling experience is required. Contract + Social Security + fixed salary + commission is guaranteed. Feel free to contact us for further information. Office 922 781548, fax 922 781548, 629 493799

Karen Swift Classifieds Manager

OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM – 5PM

Collection Points

Las Chafiras Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor. Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 San Miguel de Abona. Tel. 922 750 609 Fax: 922 795 810

ISLAND CONNECTIONS LAS CHAFIRAS FIRE STATION ITV

Mature female, English speaking. For an elderly lady in Las Américas. Experience and references required. Nice Job, good terms. Tel. 0044 1656 724480

TF-1 to Los Cristianos Las Américas To San Miguel

To Golf MERCADONA del Sur

TF-1 To Airport Santa Cruz

To Los Abrigos

Royal Palm Los Cristianos. Calle El Rodeo. Apt. Royal Palm Reception. Tel. 922 750 609 Los Alisios

Castle Harbour

Paradise Park CC Passarella Oasis

Cristian Sur

Atlántida

SUNDAY MARKET

Carer/ Companion required. Days and nights.

To Cho - Guargacho - L as Galletas

WE OFFER: • Salary + work related incentives • Company training • Permanent contract a possibility

Work wanted for young man 21 years of age

01.

Island Connections Media Group

Reverón Victoria Court Mar y Jardines Sol Canarios

Beverly Hill

ROYAL PALM

Rates Lineage classifieds: From 15.75 € Boxed Ads: Black& White 57.75€ Coloured 68.25€ Long Term: Ask for our special rates Island Connections Newspaper http://www.ic-news.com Daily News Site http://www.newscanarias.net Tenerife Office Tel: 922 750 609 Mob: 609 581 632 Fax: 922 795 810 Classifieds Section: classifieds@ic-news.com Sales Department: sales@ic-news.com Gran Canaria Office Tel: 928 353 279/ Fax: 928 359 744 grancanaria@ic-news.com

Do you possess:

Class. Info

Positive attitude and strong character. Self discipline and sales experience. Spanish or German language to negotiation level. Self motivation and team skills. Teachability and 100% integrity. Trustworthiness and references.

For personal and professional help in placing your classified in Island Connections all you need to do is pop along to our new offices in Las Chafiras and speak to Karen. Not only is Island Connections here to ensure that your advertisement reaches it’s target market, we will also advise on sizing requirements for maximum exposure, with prices to suit your pocket.

who represent

If so then you could be what we are looking for. Media experience would be an advantage, but not essential as training will be given. If you would like to apply for any of the above positions, send your CV, two references, an up-to-date photo and covering letter to director@ic-news.com • henrycruz@ic-news.com • Fax: 922 79 58 10

- a company specialising in traditionally made quality food products - is looking for a professional sales representative. The ideal candidate should speak English and Spanish ﬂuently. An excellent commission based package is oﬀered to the right person. For more details telephone 922 167 044

Circulation controlled by: Distribución Gratuita

Publisher & Proprietor Tina Straub, Joe Schacher

Island Connections S.L. C.I.F: B-38748315 Printed by Artes Gráﬁcas del Atlántico S.A. Dep. Legal: TF-287/93

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

CLASSIFIEDS / MOTORING / CONTACTS

Insurance :

02.

Yamaha R6 600cc. Horsepower: 123hp. Year: 2004. Kms: 30000kms. Price: 5500€. Tel: 678760432

Motoring Renault Scenic 4x4, reg: CC, ITV til August 2010, electric windows and side mirrors, roof-rack, air conditioning, CD player, radio/CD controls on steering wheel, full service, excellent condition, only being sold due to illness, would accept 5,750? o.n.o. or ideally would be interested in exchanging for an automatic car, please phone: 627 551 052 or 922 163 242

YOUR ENGLISH RENT A CAR SINCE MORE THAN 20 YEARS

Phone Terry on 661 264 080 Email: terrybury@gmail. com

www.libertyseguros.es/ expatriates/en

Items Wanted : BEST SERVICE AT BEST PRICE

Sibora Park 3B, Los Silos, Tel/Fax 922 84 11 14 Email janetlaluz@yahoo.co.uk

MINI FOR SALE • LIMITED EDITION

Car boot items wanted will collect Tel. 664 826 505

Motorbikes : Lanvertti City 125cc. Price: 999€. Tel: 922636211

Rover engine, 1100 CC, lead free petrol, 1999 model. Special competition model (only 95 models in Spain). Wooden dashboard. Leather steering wheel. 4 competition headlights. Wide wheel axle. Airbag, competition tyres. Impeccable condition.

CARS TO RENT LONG TERM FROM 275€ PER MONTH INCL. INSURANCE

Triumph Street Triple 675cc. Horsepower: 108hp. Year: 2008. Kms: 12000kms. Price: 5750€. Tel: 656186031

RRP: €11,500 • Tel. 670 833 944

Mercedes Benz Elegance, C22 CDi 115,000km, 2003, metallic silver, as new, automatic 12,000 euros Tel 922 729 497

The family friendly car hire company

Citröen C2 VTS Sports Red, Engine: 1.6litres Kms: 29,500, Year: Dec 2007 Petrol, Doors: 2, FSH. Price: 9,000€ ono Tel: 678095370 Toyota Hilux, extra cabina, 2.5cc, BXX, 180,000km, 13,000 euros tel 669 808362 Black BMW, Z3, 1996, one year ITV, 7,000 euros, must be seen, tel 693 743999 Audi A3 - 1.8T Engine: 1.8litres. 209000kms. Year: 2000. Petrol. Doors: 2. Price: 6800€. Tel: 606552281 Opel Astra G Caravan. Engine: 1.7litres. 172000kms. Year: 2000. Diesel. Doors: 2. Price: 3900€. Tel: 617878616

Family company 27 years on Tenerife

DANISH RENT-A-CAR We guarantee:

· A reliable and friendly service · Fully comprehensive insurance, no extras · Free child seats, GPS (3 Euros a day) Special offer: · Special long term rates Citroen Saxo 7 days only €139, · VIP hire car service all included Hotel drop off and collection Airport service, street maps, tour information Voucher for free entrance into theme parks

Poul's Auto – your car-hire company in South West Tenerife Mon-Fri, 8.30am – 12 midday, 5pm – 7pm / Sat 8.30am – 12 midday / Sun 10am – 12 midday

Tel: +34 922.740.742 · www.poulsauto.com

Rover RT 1.6. Engine: 1.6litres. 77000kms. Year: 1997. Petrol. Doors: 4. Price: 1800€. Tel: 625692869 Nissan Patrol GR. Engine: 3litres. 114000kms. Year: 2000. Diesel. Sun Roof Doors: 2. Price: 13000€. Tel: 922716931 Ford A Doble Phaeton. Engine: 0litres. Year: 0. Petrol. Doors: 2. Price: 15000€. Tel: 669767092

Triumph Speed Triple 1050cc. Horsepower: 132hp. Year: 2007. Kms: 17800kms. Price: 8600€. Tel: 665784265 Yamaha YZF 1000r 1000cc. Horsepower: 145hp. Year: 1998. Kms: 46000kms. Price: 2900€. Tel: 660979848 Aprilia Shiver 750cc. Year: 2008. Kms: 3300kms. Price: 5800€. Tel: 922662113 BMW R1200R 1200cc. Horsepower: 110hp. Year: 2007. Kms: 27000kms. Price: 11000€. Tel: 637006800 Trial Sherco 2, 290cc. Year: 2002. Price: 2200€. Tel: 647873131 Honda CBR 600 Rr 600cc. Horsepower: 118hp. Year: 2006. Kms: 8000kms. Price: 6000€. Tel: 695200325 Lanvertti Radom 250cc. Price: 2500€. Tel: 922636211 Trail O Nake 1000cc. Horsepower: 100hp. Year: 2000. Kms: 20000kms. Price: 3000€. Tel: 638783940 Kawasaki ZX6-R 636cc. Year: 2004. Kms: 12000kms. Price: 5000€. Tel: 645936614

QUIZ QUESTION Day 4. In what film was the song White Christmas first performed

NEED CASH?

We buy used gold and diamond jewellery

BEST PRICES PAID We sell new gold & diamond Jewellery up to 50% discount Joyería Classic. C/ General Franco, 22, Los Cristianos Mob. 626 234 284 · joyeriaclassic@telefonica.net

Honda CBR-RR 1000cc. Kms: 5500kms. Price: 800€. Tel: 661671345 BMW GS 1200cc. Horsepower: 98hp. Year: 2006. Kms: 43000kms. Price: 8800€. Tel: 667297382 Yamaha Aerox Réplica R 50cc. Year: 2007. Kms: 15000kms. Price: 1700€. Tel: 606943157 Honda Replica Crf 150 150cc. Horsepower: 15hp. Year: 2006. Price: 600€. Tel: 699255224 Suzuki V-Strom 650 650cc. Horsepower: 67hp. Year: 2007. Kms: 17500kms. Price: 6300€. Tel: 677891473 Yamaha R1 1000cc. Horsepower: 152hp. Year: 2003. Kms: 21000kms. Price: 5000€. Tel: 687031727 Suzuki Intruder 125cc. Horsepower: 15hp. Year: 2005. Kms: 10944kms. Price: 2200€. Tel: 922864014 Kymco 2006 Grand Dink 125cc. Horsepower: 12hp. Kms: 3200kms. Price: 2200€. Tel: 607757280 Honda CBR1000RR 1000cc. Horsepower: 172hp. Year: 2006. Kms: 28000kms. Price: 6500€. Tel: 629939316 Kawasaki Z 750 750cc. Horsepower: 100hp. Year: 2007. Kms: 10000kms. Price: 4500€. Tel: 675472697

03. Contacts Las Américas. professional massage (without clothes) artistic, relaxing, stress relief, sport massage, erotic and more... harmonise your body, heart and mind. natural and clean. Magic hands 627 114 090 English gentleman seeks passive soul mate. Affectionate, romantic, loving caring, passive, genuine woman 30-50ish into mild BDSM. I’m genuine live/work Las Americas area. I am what I seek. Inerested? Email gentlemanjim2you@yahoo. co.uk Las Americas, 24 hours, erotic massage, visiting, 664 055995 Danna, new, Cristianos, two friends, beautiful, sexy, erotic massage, discreet apartment, 634 273126 / 664 077390

Cristianos, Vanessa, blonde, slim, green eyes, Barbie body, 45 years, big breast, sweet, complacent, offers massage and all types of services, private apartment, hotels, total discretion, 689 882107 Cristianos, sweet, beautiful, sexy lady, nice body, big breast, you’ll have a great time, stress relief, erotic massage, other services, discreet apartment, home and hotel visits, 667 217814 / 600 835437 Lovely professional masseuse, Latin, welcomes you to explore the harmony of a very special trantrico massage, 672 854596 Cristianos, Marcela, Columbian, great body, sexy meetings for guys, 60 euros, all services, 24 hours. Apartment El Finchal, ring 10 minutes beforehand. Basic English spoken, 664 500352 Nicole, student, not experienced, dusky, 26 years, 1.65m, beauty, high standing, playful, hotel visits with discretion, 635 289530 Hot models!! Las Americas and Los Cristianos, all ser vices, special lesbians and couples, blonde and dark ladies. 20-25 years, 24 hours, hotel and homes also, 686 111493 / 664 513700 Transexual Rania, ardent, active/passive, hot, big boobs, dark, tall, discreet, well endowed, erotic massage, sweet, good body, Apartments San Rafael, Las Americas, 617 563051 Relax in a cloud of sensations. Massage, Reiki, Sutra, Thai, reflexology, enjoy the experience, 646 023177 South, pretty Russian girl. Blonde, tall, slim, young, sexy. I execute your fantasies. Visiting service. Call me 686 323685 Lovely professional Latin masseuse welcomes you to explore the harmony of a very special tantrico massage, 672 854596

Items for sale : Brand new quality english bedding for sale. Single, Double ,kingsize and super kingsize flat and fitted sheets, quilt cover sets, polyester, memory and duck filled pillows, quilts, bedspreads, valances, towels, cellular blankets plus much more. All at discount prices. Please call 661932881

FOR SALE TECHNICS KEYBOARD SX-KN6000 NX SOUND Complete with folding stand, stool & carrying case. Also tutorial video & music books. Hardly used - Cost 1,400 Sterling. Price 750 € complete Tel. 922 724 829 Mob 626 118 982

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / GENERAL SERVICES

Be forever comfortable – whatever the weather!

04.

SPECIAL OFFER!* Only

General Services

1699€

Lounge & Two Bedrooms

Items For Sale:

1 x 12000 BTU & 2 x 9000BTU

Real Bargain!!

Operational modes: cooling, heating, fan only or dehumidifying · *While Stocks Last

Computer for sale Compaq Presario PENTIUM 4 (2007) with Printer/Scanner HP Photosmart C6180

Swimming pool cold? Now use all year round! Pool Heaters – Latest Technology - Whisper Quiet – Maximum Efficiency. Affordable and Economic (from less than 1€ per day!) Private or Community - from 4499€ fully installed.

A.C. Direct

500€ Tel. 677 799 475

TOTAL CLIMATE CONTROL Experienced professionals. Established more than 15 years in Spain. Qualified by C&G and CITB to conform to EU refrigerant gas regulations.

Masonic Meetings:

Scheduled Maintenance Agreements available – Call for details

MASONIC MEETINGS

902 789 189

For all your climate control solutions - Call for free no-obligation site survey www.acdairconditioning.com

QUIZ QUESTION Autopista del Sur, KM 67,5

Parque de La Reina Tel. 922 739 222 Mon-Sat 9am – 8pm Sun 9am – 3pm

Day 21. How many

presents were given in total in the 12 Days of Christmas?

DO MORE THAN HOPE FOR THE BEST

Tony the Welder • Security Grilles • Gates • Railings • Steel Fabrication • On-site Welding Fully Qualified Legal Craftsman 27 years experience, 14 years Tenerife

Tel: 659 489 690 Property Secured, Quality Assured

ELECTRIC WATER BOILERS SUPPLIED AND FITTED FROM 180 EUROS

LODGE AVE FENIX MEET REGULARLY ON TUESDAY EVENINGS IN THEIR OWN NEW TEMPLE AT LOS CRISTIANOS ................ Please contact the Secretary John Donaldson on Tel. 922 17 91 74 e-mail: donaldsonjh@yahoo.co.uk

ALL WELCOME

LODGE TEIDE meets in Puerto de la Cruz on Wednesday evenings contact John Hughes on 922 38 22 29 email taffy007naeve@ yahoo.com

• 2 Year manufacturers' guarantee

902 886 226 www.todocancer.org

aecc Join us and combat cancer

• 25 years' experience in plumbing

Horse sharing!

• We also supply and ﬁt LPG boilers

I am offering horse sharing for my 5 year old gelding. He is a very quiet horse and enjoys rides. Interested? Please call 609 929 278

• Special offer in digital safes, supplied and ﬁtted, 99 euros.

Tel 697 292 399

ROTARY MEETING Every Monday at 8.20pm in the Hotel Conquistador. All visitors welcome

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

04. General Services Simply Spanish Call: 665 495 888

CLASSIFIEDS / GENERAL SERVICES

Conveyancing â&#x20AC;˘ Criminal law â&#x20AC;˘ Wills

Buy Direct from the Importers, save â&#x201A;Ź100â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, sofas, bedding, mirrors, kitchenware, houseware. Home Style Direct, Las ChaďŹ ras, 922 736849

â&#x20AC;˘ Spanish for beginners, intermediate and advanced. â&#x20AC;˘ 1-2-1 or group classes. â&#x20AC;˘ Simple to learn, simple to use. â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Spanish Teacher.

Home tutoring in Mathematics, English Literature and Language available from primary age to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Level standard (as pertaining to Spanish Curriculum.) It is a proven fact that one-to-one educational interaction enables a child to attain improved understanding and knowledge of each subject, which in turn translates as better examination results and ultimately better opportunities later in life.

Employment law â&#x20AC;˘ Family law â&#x20AC;˘ Personal injury RESIDENT SPANISH LAWYERS & ENGLISH SOLICITOR

922 719 520 for friendly professional advice Celebrating 25 years of expertise - www.decottalaw.com Residencial Villaflor B20, San Eugenio, Costa Adeje. Email: tenerife@decottalaw.net

BEGINNERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DANCE CLASSES Adultsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ballroom, Latin American, Tap or Freestyle Childrensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ( 2 1/2 - 7yrs). Introduction to Dance. Many other classes in ballet, hip hop, modern, musical theatre for all ages. At Vamos a Bailar - Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dance. CC Perla Blanca, Callao Salvaje Âˇ Ring 636 817 265 or 646 067 471

4)& &6301& JT B DPOGJEFOUJBM IFMQMJOF GPS XPNFO PG BMM BHFT XIP OFFE B GSJFOE UP IFMQ UIFN JO UJNFT PG EJTUSFTT XIFO FWFSZEBZ MJGF TFFNT PWFSXIFMNJOH

For further information, please call 617 550 140

8IFO UIF DBMM JT SFDFJWFE TIF XJMM CF HJWFO QSBDUJDBM BEWJDF SFMFWBOU UFMFQIPOF OVNCFST PG QSPGFTTJPOBMT BCMF UP IFMQ BOE UIF GSJFOEMZ TVQQPSU PG $ISJTUJBO XPNFO GSPN UIF &OHMJTI TQFBLJOH DIVSDIFT PO UIF JTMBOE

Reasonable hourly rates and professional commitment

0VS XFC QBHF JT XXX TIF FV DPN BOE UIF IFMQMJOF OVNCFS JT

SOLAR FANTĂ STICO

Skilled Builder Robert McAlees

As seen on the DIY page I listen to what you want and make sure you get the best. I can replace that faulty tap or renovate your home. Over 30 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience. UK qualiďŹ ed to advanced skills status.

Call any time 922 814 073 / 605 469 352 rjmcalees@yahoo.com

www. tenertodo. com we have everything in the Canaries

Video tapes copied. Super 8 and VHS to DVD. Make it safe for the next generation. Phone 922 797 104

SPANISH CLASSES Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak the `lingoÂ´? Never too late to learn or improve! Individuals or groups all levels. Home visits. Telf: 649 882 366 ALSO TRANSLATIONS & INTERPRETING

Moving home ? ... Call Est. 1988

The specialists in Worldwide Relocation Services Full member of the British Association of Removers Secure 24hr surveillance storage facilities Fine art / Antique specialists / Pet exportations / Vehicle import & export Weekly shared container service to the UK Whether you are in the Canaries or the UK we will gladly carry out a free, no obligation survey and quotation

Tel: (34) 922 300 916 Âˇ Fax: (34) 922 300 360 E-mail: info@goworldwidesl.com.es Âˇ Website: www.www.goworldwidesl.com.es Ringing from the UK? Call 0844 598 7456

HOMESTYLE DIRECT S.L. QUALITY FURNITURE IMPORTERS

HOMESTYLE DIRECT Quality Furniture Importers. Pol.Industrial Las Chafiras. Tenerife South 922 736 849

FREE, no obligation survey & quotation

PolĂgono Industrial Las Chafiras III, C. Caracas Nave 4 - 38639 S. Miguel de Abona Âˇ Tenerife Tel: +34 922 736738 Fax: +34 922 735 123 Email: info@canariesbritish.com Âˇ web: www.cbas.eu

Canaries & British Aluminium Systems S.L. A British owned company - Established in Tenerife 1992 VISIT OUR COMPREHENSIVE SHOWROOM "See the best display in Tenerife" We manufacture, supply and fit: All types of doors and window systems, insect screens, mirrored wardrobes, balcony screens and partitions. All types and sizes of gates, electric, manual and telephone entry etc. Garage doors, louvered shutters, fixed or adjustable louvers, pergolas, balustrades, cupboards, roofing, mobile roofs (manual or electric),extensions, conservatories, shower screens and cubicles, tiling, building. All types of glass mirrors. Security shutters, high security locks and glass. Take advantage of our free security survey.

NEW - GLASS CURTAINS 'Why spoil the view" *Frameless folding glass doors and windows* Ideal for balcony/terrace enclosures and for existing patio areas See all the above in our showroom and watch the manufacturing process. WE ONLY SELL WHAT WE MAKE - WE ARE NOT MIDDLE MEN. Directions: With Iceland on your right, take the second turn left after the ITV station and we are on your left behind Autos Tenerife.

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / PROPERTY

650 euros per month, 629 606494

05. Property Business Opps : US based company offers Home Business Opportunity in Personal Development. Full training and support provided. Contact details: christiane@ virtualcoaching24.com or call +34650724330

Wanted : Desperate to sell your property ? We will buy your house or apartment for Cash, and complete within 28 Days. We are not Agents. Call (0034) 922 720222 or visit www. tenerifehomebuyers.com

WE HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PROPERTIES FOR RENT CALL 655 113 253

Golf del Sur, attractive villa, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in exceptional position surrounded by lakes, golf course, garden and sea views. Heated pool. Parking by front door. No pets. 550 euros per month. 627 219001 Adeje for rent, brand new luxury apartment, one bedroom designer kitchen terrace, pool, garage, sea views, gardens, 450 euros, 660 132296 Apartment Guargacho. Location: Central. 1 Room 440€. Phone: 663805740 Chalet Caleta Fuste. Location: Central. Views: Sea 156.00m2. 3 Rooms 720€. Phone: 605781981 P re m i s e s. L o c a t i o n : Central. 200.00m2. 5 Rooms 1100€. Phone: 686955971 Terraced House Durazno 166.00m2. 3 Rooms 800€. Phone: 670242080 Terraced House Ayuntamiento 167.00m2. 3 Rooms 950€. Phone: 922248514

Studios, 1 and 2 bed apartments from 400€ for rent to mature-minded people in Tor viscas Alto. UK TV channels. For details, phone Nadine: 922 715 162 One bedroom apartment in Puerto Santiago for long let. Sea views, large terrace and kitchen, 400 euros per month, tel 667 091261 To rent directly from owner in Playa de las Américas, Balcon del Atlantico II, Toriscas Alto. One bedroom apar tment (58m2), nicely furnished and equipped, excellent sea view + 32m2 terrace, quiet area, 500 euros per month + bills (long term) or 750 euros per month including bills short term (3 months), phone owner 616 916551 Los Cristianos, for rent, lovely 2 bedroom apartment, quiet location, fantastic views, English TV, pool, looking for someone to look after it,

Apartment. 60.00m2. 2 Rooms 700€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Santa Cruz De Tenerife. Location: Central. Views: Sea 76.00m2. 2 Rooms 460€. Phone: 663805740 Apartment. Location: Outskir ts. Views: Sea 60.00m2. 2 Rooms 375€. Phone: 922363570

Premises. 4 Rooms 800€. A p a r t m e n t A d e j e . Phone: 922382782 Location: Central. Views: Sea 50.00m2. 1 Room 400€. Apartment Bco. Grande. Location: Central. 80.00m2. Phone: 922363570 3 Rooms 360€. Phone: Apartment Vistabella. 649319493 Location: Central. 60.00m2. 2 Rooms 650€. Phone: Semi Detached House 607798406 Parque De La Reina. Location: Central. Views: Mountain Apartment El Golete-la 68.00m2. 2 Rooms 490€. Caleta. Location: Central. Phone: 619080175 Views: Sea 60.00m2. 2 Rooms 360€. Phone: 630873360 Apartment Playa Paraiso. Location: Central. Views: Apartment Santa Cruz De Sea 60.00m2. 1 Room 320€. Tenerife. Location: Central. Phone: 671193765 65.00m2. 2 Rooms 500€. Phone: 686853631 Apartment La CuestaHiguerita. Location: Central. Apartment Santa Cruz. 3 Rooms 600€. Phone: Location: Central. 90.00m2. 663805740 3 Rooms 550€. Phone: 630257404 Apartment Tacoronte. Studio. 35.00m2. 400€. Phone: 670242080

Rent :

Lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom duplex apartment for rent in Amarilla Bay, Costa del Silencio. Fully furnished, English community TV, three terraces, washing machine, communal pool, 600 euros per month. Minimum six months contract. Tel 659 489690 for more details

Apartment Cabo Llanos. Location: Central. Views: Sea 80.00m2. 2 Rooms 850€. Phone: 922595965

Location: Central. Views: Sea 65.00m2. 2 Rooms 450€. Phone: 635262689 Apartment Los Menores. Location: Outskirts. Views: Sea 100.00m2. 2 Rooms 550€. Phone: 679853684

Apartment El Centenero. Location: Outskirts. Views: Sea 60.00m2. 2 Rooms 420€. Phone: 615061610

Apartment Bajada al Pris 59.00m2 2 rooms 450€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment. 56.00m2. 1 Room 600€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment Urb. Paraíso 52.00m2 1 room 650€ Phone: 670242080

Premises Cabo Blanco. Apartment Guargacho. Location: Central. 100.00m2. Location: central 1 room 440€ 1 R o o m 0 € . P h o n e : Phone: 663805740 687583862 Studio Puerto de la Cruz. Duplex La Higuerita Location: central . Views: 95.00m2. 1 Room 500€. sea 35.00m2 400€ Phone: 670242080 Phone: 922248514

Studio San Fernando 33.00m2 400€ Phone: 670242080

Villa Tagoro San Eugenio Alto

Studio Plaza Del Charco 20.00m2 420€ Phone: 670242080

Terraced house Puerto de la Cruz. Location: outskirts . Views: mountain 166.00m2 3 rooms 800€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment Puntillo Del Sol 43.00m2 1 room 450€ Phone: 670242080

Duplex Maritim 80.00m2 1 room 800€ Phone: 670242080

Terraced house La Quinta 130.00m2 3 rooms 800€ Phone: 670242080

Studio La Paz 550€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Torviscas Alto. Location: outskir ts 45.00m2 1 room 550€ Phone: 922751064 A p a r t m e n t Fa ñ a b é. Location: outskirts 2 rooms 795€ Phone: 922751064 Apartment Valle San Lorenzo. Location: central 60.00m2 2 rooms 495€ Phone: 922751064 Terraced house Durazno 166.00m2 3 rooms 800€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Armeñime 77.00m2 3 rooms 500€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Maritim 80.00m2 1 room 800€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Armeñime 49.00m2 1 room 380€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment Piedra Hincada 2 rooms 700€ Phone: 670242080

Chalet El Durazno 275.00m2 3 rooms 1500€ Phone: 670242080

New 3 bedroom luxury villa 750,000€ Tel. (0034) 655 914 691 (0034) 922 71 33 56 Terraced house Urb. Green Golf 135.00m2 3 rooms 950€ Phone: 670242080 Premises Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Location: central 120.00m2 750€. Phone: 922273239

Terraced house Green Golf 150.00m2 3 rooms 750€ Phone: 670242080 Studio Playa Jardín 35.00m2 450€ Phone: 670242080

Residencial

La Duquesa Playa Fañabé

Apartment Puerto Viejo 54.00m2 2 rooms 550€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Los Frailes 60.00m2 2 rooms 550€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment La Longuera 74.00m2 2 rooms 650€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment Tabaiba Baja. Location: outskirts. Views: sea 50.00m2 1 room 400€. Phone: 922273239

Apartment San Antonio 70.00m2 2 rooms 680€ Phone: 670242080

Terraced house Green Golf 120.00m2 3 rooms 850€ Phone: 670242080

www.teneriffa-fincas.net

Port Royale

Terraced house Las Candias 100.00m2 2 rooms 1000€ Phone: 670242080

Los Cristianos 2 bedroom apartment

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, comunity pool. €425,000 Tel. 629 244 958 Excellent opportunity in Costa del Silencio

Chalet San Jose 70.00m2 2 rooms 550€ Phone: 670242080 Terraced house Green Golf 150.00m2 3 rooms 750€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Amparo 50.00m2 1 room 450€ Phone: 670242080 A p a r t m e n t E l To p e 75.00m2 2 rooms 650€ Phone: 670242080 Apartment Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Location: central 190.00m2 5 rooms 850€. Phone: 922273239 Studio Puerto de la cruz. Location: central . Views: sea 35.00m2 400€. Phone: 670242080 Terraced house Green Golf 135.00m2 2 rooms 850€ Phone: 670242080 Terraced house Green Golf 135.00m2 3 rooms 850€ Phone: 670242080 Terraced house GreenGolf 135.00m2 2 rooms 850€ Phone: 670242080

QUIZ QUESTION Day 10. How many drummers drumming did my true love give to me?

If it's great views that you're after then this lovely 2 bed, 2 bath apartment has some of the best. Great views over Los Cristianos out to sea with La Gomera on the horizon. To be sold furnished & fully fitted, the property consists of an American style open plan kitchen and dining area combined with the large airy & light living room with patio doors leading onto the large 36m2 terrace which enjoys the afternoon sun. Master bedroom is en-suite with patio doors leading out to the terrace and both bedrooms have fitted wardrobes. The complex benefits from a large communal pool, reception, supermarket and many other amenities within a short walking distance.

Reduced from € 270,000 to € 225,750 for a quick sale. Contact Horizon Property Group on 922 777 652 quoting ref C-1456

Apartment, 73m2, 2 bed, 1 bath, American kitchen, fitted wardrobes. Terrace, 40m2 with . Views over Teide and the complex. 2 community pools, one heated and one salt water, playground and other services. Price €82,000.

Tel. 629 244 958

Sale : El Médano, dir ectly from the owner!!! New, precious detached house, 3 bedrooms, 2 moder n bathrooms, indep. kitchen, 3 terraces,bbq, luxury complex with 2 swimming pools, 42m 2 closed garage, ver y exclusive furnished. Quiet zone, Price: 330.000 euros, Tel: 650 792 742 La Gomera, peace lovers, rustic palm fringed natural retreat. Three dwellings (123m2), residence and letting for rural holidays. Matur e patio gar dens, beautiful mountain . Views. For sale 196,000 euros, tel (0034) 922 800888, email davina@gmx.com

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Sale : For sales apartment approx 42m2, Puerto de la Cruz, in a private building, well situated, free of monthly costs. 75,000 euros negotiable, tel 618 622759, www. idealesta.com / VC2040048 Los Cristianos by the sea. Two apar tments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, panoramic views, sun, pool, garage, 128,000 euros (no agents) 922 752759 / 608425426 Opportunity, for sale, Adeje, band new apartment, 65m2, one bed, terrace, pool, garage, sea views, 110.000 euros, 660 132296, direct promoter Attention everyone! Adeje, Los Olivos, 3 bedrooms bathroom, living room, separate kitchen, store room, only 69.000 euros, tel 629 300139 Bargain apartment, 130.000 euros, La Concepcion, Las Chafiras, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, air con, furnished, lovely condition, tel 922 731138 Every crisis cloud has a silver lining. We have studios and apartments for sale in one of Costa Adeje’s coastal villages, 5 mins from the sea. Studios from €62,000, 1 bed from €82,000. Call Janis Info Ser vice SL, 670 871848/922798914. Plot of urban land for sale, 800 m2, El Madroñal, with planning permission. Call 6 7 0 871848 / 922798914.

Apartment Tabaiba Baja. Location: central. Views: sea 86.00m2 3 Rooms 250000€. Phone: 663805740 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 140.00m2 4 Rooms 370000€. Phone: 663805740 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 84.00m2 3 Rooms 252500€. Phone: 663805740 Apartment Los Cristianos. Location: central. Views: mountain 50.00m2 1 Room 100000€. Phone: 670804067 Chalet Barranco Hondo. Location: outskirts. Views: sea 169.00m2 4 Rooms 438000€. Phone: 663805740 Terraced House Guayonje. Location: countr yside. Views: mountain 350.00m2 3 Rooms 330000€. Phone: 922245178 Apartment Los Realejos. Location: central. Views: sea 74.00m2 2 Rooms 225000€. Phone: 922245178 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 105.00m2 4 Rooms 162200€. Phone: 922245178 Apartment La Laguna. Location: outskirts 55.00m2 2 Rooms 138200€. Phone: 922245178 Premises Santa Cruz 125.00m2 2 Rooms 540000€. Phone: 922245178

CLASSIFIEDS / PROPERTY

Apartment Los Abrigos 62.00m2 2 Rooms 115000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment El Médano 2 Rooms 175000€. Phone: 670242080

Terraced House San Clemente 174.00m2 3 Rooms 250000€. Phone: 670242080

Terraced House Carmenaty 174.00m2 4 Rooms 299000€. Phone: 670242080

Chalet El Monturrio 190.00m2 4 Rooms 189000€. Phone: 670242080

Luxury 2-bed villa in Las Mimosas, Torviscas Alto. Fully refurbished, new kitchen & ﬂoors. Conservatory dining room. Sold fully furnished. Amazing coastal views. Communal pool & garage space Must be seen! €369,000.

Tel: 649 882 366 Apartment Piedra Hincada 2 Rooms 244300€. Phone: 670242080 A p a r t m e n t E l To p e 108.00m2 3 Rooms 208000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Los Abrigos 62.00m2 2 Rooms 115000€. Phone: 670242080 Chalet Playa Paraíso 3 Rooms 475000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 1 Room 125000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 1 Room 125000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 2 Rooms 175000€. Phone: 670242080

Terraced House Aguamansa 190.00m2 3 Rooms 200000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Puntillo Del Sol 80.00m2 1 Room 160000€. Phone: 670242080

Chalet Candelaria. Location: outskirts. Views: mountain 180.00m2 4 rooms 222375€. Phone: 922273239 Terraced house Guayonje. Location: countr yside. Views: mountain 350.00m2 3 rooms 330000€. Phone: 922245178 Apartment Los Cristianos. Location: central. Views: mountain 50.00m2 1 room 100000€. Phone: 670804067

A p a r t m e n t E l To p e 58.00m2 1 Room 196350€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 105.00m2 4 rooms 162200€. Phone: 922245178

Terraced House Tabaiba Alta 186.00m2 4 Rooms 355000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment La Laguna. Location: outskirts 55.00m2 2 rooms 138200€. Phone: 922245178

Terraced House Cruz Del Teide 3 Rooms 342577€. Phone: 670242080

Terraced house Aguamansa 190.00m2 3 rooms 200000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment Playa Jardin 70.00m2 3 Rooms 225000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment San Luis 115.00m2 3 Rooms 188500€. Phone: 670242080

Premises Santa Cruz 125.00m2 2 rooms 540000€. Phone: 922245178 Apartment Los Abrigos 62.00m2 2 rooms 115000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment San Luis 105.51m2 3 Rooms 176000€. Phone: 670242080

Duplex Las Aguas 3 rooms 167000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment San Luis 120.00m2 3Rooms192500€. 3 Rooms 192500€. Phone: 670242080

Terraced house San Clemente 174.00m2 3 rooms 250000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment Los Realejos. Location: central. Views: sea 74.00m2 2 rooms 225000€ Phone: 922245178

Chalet El Monturrio 190.00m2 4 rooms 189000€. Phone: 670242080

Apartment Piedra Hincada 2 rooms 244300€. Phone: 670242080 A p a r t m e n t E l To p e 108.00m2 3 rooms 208000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Los Abrigos 62.00m2 2 rooms 115000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Chalet Playa Paraíso 3 rooms 475000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 1 room 125000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 2 rooms 175000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment El Médano 2 rooms 175000€. Phone: 670242080 Terraced house Carmenaty 174.00m2 4 rooms 299000€. Phone: 670242080 Apartment Puntillo Del Sol 80.00m2 1 room 160000€. Phone: 670242080 A p a r t m e n t E l To p e 58.00m2 1 room 196350€. Phone: 670242080 Terraced house Tabaiba Alta 186.00m2 4 rooms 355000€. Phone: 670242080 Rustic Land La Hoya. Location: outskirts. Views: mountain 12000.00m2 2 Rooms 300507€. Phone: 670804067

Tenerife Royal Gardens is considered the resort with the best location on the island of Tenerife. Front line, with the breathtaking beaches of Las Vistas and the Sir Anthony 5-star hotel, this represents the last opportunity to own what is, for many, their dream beach property. Only a few seconds walking distance from the legendary Golden Mile, the leisure and commercial area with the most upmarket shopping and dining choices around. Selection of studios (with separate bedroom), 1 & 2 Bed units. Amazing prices starting from €120,000. For more information contact us TODAY on info@key-property.com or call us on +34 922 78 81 25

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

CLASSIFIEDS / PROPERTY

05. Property

Apartment San Luis 105.51m2 3 rooms 176000€ Phone: 670242080

Looking Looking for for a Mortgage Mortgage in in Tenerife? Tenerife?

Apartment San Luis 120.00m2 3 rooms 192500€ Phone: 670242080

Then choose Tenerife Mortgage Solutions for complete peace of mind and a hassle free mortgage application in Tenerife.

Chalet Los Naranjos 225.00m2 3 rooms 499000€ Phone: 670242080

3 reasons to choose Tenerife Mortgage Solutions: INDEPENDENT - We're not tied to any bank or lender so we can search the entire mortgage market for the best deal for you.

Sale : Torviscas Alto/ Resid. Casablanca, directly from the owner!!! Very beautiful apartment (53m2) in the most exclusive zone of Tenerife, 1 bedroom and an small officeroom, very big bathroom, 35m2 terrace with precious . Views, luxury complex with swimming pool and gardens. Garage and store-room. Only 6 months old!!! Price: 183.000 euros, Tel: 650.792.742 Detached Villa in Callao Salvaje. Quiet cul de sac facing a barranco. 5 bedrooms,5 bathrooms, lounge,dining room,kitchen, utility and study. Garden, courtyard, heated swimming pool plus store rooms. Sea and mountain . Views. Can be divided into 2 apartments. Plot 400sq m. € 650,000. tel 607310854 Las Americas, San Eugenio Alto, Laguna Park II, apar tment, 5m2, one bedroom, American kitchen, terrace, patio, heated pool, restaurant, playground, tennis court, 84,000 euros, valued at 135,000 euros, 699 146874, English speaking. Los Cristianos by the sea, 2 apartments, one and two bedrooms, panoramic views. Sun, pool, garage, 128,m000 euros, tel 922 752759 / 608 425426 Finca (4,400m 2 ) with main house and outbuilding

Valle San Lorenzo Wonderful Villa with four seperate Living areas seaview, the second free plot is with building licence, 965m2, special offer, 550,000 euros for more information 667 387 459 / 922 765 446

EXPERIENCED - With over 20 years experience in Tenerife we know the Mortgage Market inside out. PERSONAL - We're here in Tenerife and we're on hand to discuss your mortgage requirement with you face-to-face. Tel: (0034) 922 178 888 · Fax: (0034) 637 309 734 Mobile: (0034) 634 134 615 http://www.tenerifemortgagesolutions.com for sale. Various uses, ie tourism / agriculture. Tel 650 980719 Apartment Sta Cruz de Tenerife. Location: central 157.00m2 3 rooms 235000€ Phone: 922273239 Apartment La Laguna. Location: outskirts 110.00m2 3 rooms 270000€ Phone: 922273239 Apartment Arona / Valle San Lorenzo. Location: central . Views: sea 85.00m2 2 rooms 118000€ Phone: 627180081 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 210.00m2 5 rooms 619000€ Phone: 922273239 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 120.00m2 3 rooms 174300€ Phone: 922273239

QUIZ QUESTION Day 2. Name the Magic (the Three Kings)

TENERIFE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS

Apartment Los Majuelos. Location: central 103.00m2 3 rooms 183682€ Phone: 663805740

Apartment Las Dehesas 50.00m2 1 room 200000€ Phone: 670242080

Terraced house Tegueste. Location: central 3 rooms 247000€ Phone: 663805740

Apartment San Luis 115.00m2 3 rooms 188500€ Phone: 670242080

Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central . Views: sea 105.00m2 3 rooms 126000€ Phone: 663805740 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 3 rooms 126000€ Phone: 663805740 Terraced house Santa Cruz. Location: central . Views: sea 187.00m2 3 rooms 525000€ Phone: 663805740 Apartment Tabaiba Baja. Location: central . Views: sea 86.00m2 3 rooms 250000€ Phone: 663805740 Apartment Santa Cruz. Location: central 140.00m2 4 rooms 370000€ Phone: 663805740 Terraced house Cruz del Teide 3 rooms 342577€ Phone: 670242080

Tenerife

Independent Mortgage Advisors

Apartment Playa Jardin 70.00m2 3 rooms 225000€ Phone: 670242080

Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé 3 bed semi detached, toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good . Views, beside commerical centres, 800m from Playa Fañabe, community feees 30/month, 155,000 € Tel 629 244958

3 bed, 2 bathroom duplex apartment for sale in Los Girasoles, El Madroñal Independent kitchen, downstairs toilet, ofﬁce, living/dining room, 2 terraces approx 20m2 each. For more information email ventasol@terra.es

www.draguito-teneriffa.de Tel. (0034) 609 504 380

El Camison, 247.56m2, very quiet, close to the park and Hospitan, tripex and private garage with electric doors. Three bedroom with three complete bathrooms. Independent kitchen, dining room with air conditioning, terrace with awning and BBQ. Independent water tank (750 litres). New electrical system. Own satellite system and community TV. Tel: 639 515154

Need a Car?

TeleClub

Hardware & Software Sales Full Technical & Maintenance Services

1 Driver or 2 Drivers, Baby Seats or Booster, Free Airport Service & Hotel Delivery

BBC 1- BBC 2 - ITV1 - CH4

All programmes are in English including British Premier League Football. Buy directly from the source! Price includes licence fee for copyrights. 2 years guarantee including g failure of receiver!! er!!

Full insurance · All Inclusive No Hidden Extras Short or long term : : : : : : : : : : Ask for details : : : : : : : : : : Call Stuart on: 922 79 08 25 or 662 566 630 Or send us email:

Rent a Car Las Américas S.L. CIF: B 38.39 39 14 C/ Luciano Bello Alfonso. Polígono Industrial Las Chafiras Autos Am ericas : es tablis hed in Tenerif e f or 25 y ears

©IC/551/2007

Tel 629 244 958

325sqm, 15 rooms, indoor pool, car port extra wooden house (22sqm)in the garden, patio with bar, billard, TV, washhouse with machine and dryer, 440sqm Ground, perfect for private club or small pension.

British Television in the Canary Islands

Call us!

C/ T Turquesa, 16 - San S Isidro I id

Second line from the sea in Callao Salvaje. Duplex, totally furnished, 75m2, separate ktichen, totally equipped, toilet, dining room, complete bathroom, 2 bedrooms, SAT-TV, solarium 30m2 with . Views to Gomera and Teide, garage space, community areas with 2 pools, automatic gates, community fees 54/month, 130,000 euros

Canary Countryhouse El Salto - Granadilla

RENT A CAR LAS AMERICAS S.L.

Delfin-Computer C/ Turquesa, 16 - San Isidro Tel: 922 783 177 · Fax: 922 783 141 email: info@delﬁn-computer.com www.delﬁn-computer.com

Urb. Arco Iris Playa

For sale La Finca, private complex (Chayofa), ﬁve minutes from Los Cristianos, 3 bed terrace house, 1 ½ bathrooms, community pool and garden, own garage, community fees only 113 euros, quick sale 199,000 euros ono Tel 610 753675

TeleClub canarias

CALL 922 169 151

©IC579/08

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

CLASSIFIEDS / PROPERTY

Tenerife Dream Homes T.D.H.

Local 6, 6 Calle Taoro, Taoro Sueño Azul, Azul Callao Salvaje, Salvaje 38678, 38678 Adeje, Adeje Tenerife

T.D.H.

Tel: 922 740 465 Mob: (SP/UK) 661 932 881 / (UK) 663 844 141 Email: info@tenerifedreamhomes.com Websites: www.tenerifedreamhomes.com / www.invest-abroad.org.uk

TENERIFE DREAM HOMES

Los Gigantes • Ref: GIG-A-09-2 2 Bed 2 Bath Apartment Situated on the third floor, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic. American style fitted kitchen, master bedroom with built in wardrobes & en-suite. Communal pool. 48sm internal & 25sm balcony. BARGAIN 115,000 €

San Eugenio • Ref: EUG-COM-07 Bar to Let Well established bar in the popular tourist area San Eugenio. Central location known as the golden triangle, very popular with tourists and residents. The bar has been fully refurbished to government approval. PRICE NEGOTIABLE

Tijoco • Ref: TIJ-V-04-3 3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa Beautiful independent villa with incredible panoramic views of the Atlantic, La Gomera and South coast. Situated in rural setting only 10 minutes from Adeje. 320,000 €

Fantastic Business Opportunities in the South of Tenerife Please contact us for more information

Granadilla • Ref: GRA-V-03-10 10 Bed 7 Bath Villa This property is an absolute bargain. Situated in the heart of Granadilla, it has 10 beds, 7 bathrooms, 2 fitted kitchens, 2 dining rooms, double garage & garden of 700 sq m & private roof terrace. 315,000 €

San Eugenio • Ref: EUG-COM-04 Freehold Bargain Well established diner in the centre of San Eugenio. The current owners have had the business for 12 years & the reason for sale is retirement. The bar caters for both residents & tourists & has excellent passing trade. 35,000 € + Private Mortgage

Golf del Sur • Ref: GOL-V-17-3 3 Bed 3 Bath Villa with stunning uninterrupted views Situated on the Fairways complex, comprises of 3 bedrooms with the possibility to construct a further 2. Fully fitted kitchen, large lounge & separate dining area. Private pool. 355,000 €

Aldea Blanca • Ref: ALD-H-11-3 3 Bed 3 Bath Bungalow The property briefly comprises of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, American style fitted kitchen, spacious lounge with patio doors to the 42m2 garden area. Air conditioning in all rooms. Roof terrace of 65m2. BARGAIN 175,000 €

Taucho • Ref: TAU-V-06-5 5 Bed 3 Bath Villa ***Reduced for Quick Sale*** Beautiful 5 Bed, 3 Bath Villa with stunning views in Taucho. Solar panels heat the pool, separate games room / bar area, large garden with mature fruit trees. A must to view. 775,000 €

Granadilla • Ref: GRA-V-30-3 2/3 Bed 2 Bath Villa with separate apartment Beautiful private 2/3 Bed villa with separate fully contained 1 bed apartment in the heart of Granadilla. Master bedroom with en suite shower room, Dining room, large family bathroom, fully fitted kitchen / diner. Large garden to rear of property with bbq area & Jacuzzi. Electric gated driveway for up to 7 cars.

Holiday Rental • Callao Salvaje 3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa – Sleeps 6. Private Pool Ref: HOL-SUE-03-3 – From 550.00 p/w Other Holiday / Long & Short Term Rentals available. Please visit the website www.tenerifedreamhomes.com

San Eugenio Alto • Ref: EUG-V-05-6 6 Bed 4 Bath Villa Luxurious large 6 bed villa 2 with en suite & 2 separate bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen with mod appliances, 2 large living areas & large heated pool. This property has recently been refurbished throughout to a very high standard. 900,000€

TENERIFE DREAM HOMES

450,000 €

N.I.E’s TRANSLATIONS, EXCURSIONS, CAR HIRE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FLIGHTS – ALL UK & IRELAND DESTINATIONS

Motoring

The new Multivan

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

discover nature or long distance journeys, you can easily spend the night in it beneath the stars. Standard specifications have been enhanced with added safety features and interior refinements such as improved front seats, new instruments including a gear change indicator, and more intuitive controls, plus new radio/CD units. New options available include DAB digital radio reception, ‘rear assist’ reversing camera and a new range of alloy wheels. Important new standard safety and convenience features include a passenger airbag deactivation switch, seatbelt reminder, daylight running function for the main headlights, front foglights with new cornering function for improved visibility while turning, emergency braking lights which flash under heavy braking, hill hold control and Volkswagen’s latest generation ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) with Rain Brake Support. New optional safety features are a tyre monitoring indica-

tor to let you know if a tyre loses pressure, and ‘lane change assist’ to alert the driver to trafﬁc in the vehicle’s blindspot. The new Multivan and California are both supplied with four-cylinder, 2.0-litre common rail diesel engines available with a choice of 102 CV, 140 CV TDI or twin-turbo 180 CV BiTDI. These engines deliver lots of power and torque with lower running costs thanks to long service intervals and improved fuel consumption. They also beneﬁt from a reduction in perceived noise levels by the equivalent of up to 50 per cent relative to their predecessors, plus lower emissions to Euro5 standards. The new seven-speed DSG automatic transmission is optional, as is permanent integral traction,4Motion. For a vehicle such as this the average fuel consumption is pleasing. Generally the three engines give a saving of approximately 1.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres when coimpared with their predecessors.

Available in the Canaries from €25,360, these vehicles really do represent value for money. For more information visit www.vwcanarias.com and click on comerciales, or your nearest Hatusa or Cuatromoción VW dealer.

& California I

f the outdoor life appeals to you and yours, then so will the new Volkswagen Multivan and California. Seating up to seven people, they are distinguished by a new-look frontal styling in line with the Polo and Golf and are available with many of the latest luxuries seen in Volkswagen’s cars. These include a threespoke multifunction steering wheel, an optical parking system (in conjunction with parking sensors) and the latest touchscreen navigation systems including a 30Gb hard drive to store navigation and music. The Multivan is more than a

vehicle, more a ticket to a world full of possibilities. It is suitable for families, sports people, long journeys or for business. Its interior ﬂexibility gives you total freedom. The Calfornia is part of a tradition dating back to 1988. From the new and comfortable Calfornia Beach to the exclusive California Comfortline, this is more than a comfortable autocaravan, it is a home on wheels equipped with everything you may need. Ideal for trips into the wilds to

SportNews

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

III Trofeo Copa Vincci 2009

Sport in Brief Christmas cheer

A clear round

Freixenet limelight for Thaïs Gran Canaria’s Olympic synchronised swimmer Thaïs Henríquez is enjoying the media exposure after learning that she and her team-mates are to be the centrepiece of the Christmas ad by top champagne maker Freixenet again.

A competitor during one of the morning’s events over the weekend

The elegant Spanish swimmers, who won silver in Beijing and gold at the world championships this year, have consolidated their place as hugely popular sports personalities in the country and Freixenet has decided to repeat their stunning 2008 advertising campaign featuring the synchronised swimming team. Thaïs features prominently also in a new documentary commissioned by Freixenet showing the day to day life of the synchronised swimmers.

World Nº 1

Unstoppable Spain Spain’s football purple patch continued with two important friendly wins that bring its international fixture schedule for 2009 to a close. A deserved 2-1 win against Diego Maradona’s Argentina was followed up a few days later with a 51 drubbing of Austria in Vienna, the scene of Spain’s European Championship glory last year. The side has regained the No. 1 spot in the FIFA world rankings ahead of Brazil and is now one of the hot favourites to go all the way in the World Cup in South Africa next summer. Spain’s next game is likely to be against France in the spring.

Hand of Frog

Irish draw Clever wags in Tenerife are suggesting that either Ryanair or the Tenerife tourism authorities should be putting together a special campaign to attract Irish holidaymakers and sport’s fans to the island. While the delights of a holiday, short break or longer stay in Tenerife are well known to many, we have said before the using the fact that CD Tenerife are now playing in La Liga, Spain’s ﬁrst division, should be used as an extra marketing tool. Even more so now. On the weekend of January 9th/10th CD Tenerife host Barcelona, and if a certain French player is guaranteed to be there, there may be a lot of Irish football fans who would see this as the perfect opportunity to voice their ire at his ‘assist’ in the French goal which saw Ireland out of the World Cup ﬁnal. Clever tour operators could organise a whole weekend around Henry, and would be guaranteed to have some takers.

he people behind the III Trofeo Copa Vincci 2009 are to be congratulated for organising an excellent weekend of show jumping, at the quite beautiful Club Hipica stables and grounds in Fañabé. The event, which ran over the weekend of No-

vember 20th - 22nd brought together jumpers and riders from all over the islands, and as spectators wandered through grounds, watching riders in the warm up ring, the jumpers in competition, girls and guys caring for their mounts, proud parents standing by, accessories at the ready, they

were treated to an orchestra of languages and accents, Spanish, English, Dutch, German. As was pointed by the organisers of the event, horse riding is not a sport for the elite, it is for everyone, and with the glorious Canarian weather an outdoor hobby that children and adults can

enjoy all year round. According to Nacho Palau, president of the Canarian Horse Riding Federation, it is a growing sport in the islands, with more and more people taking part every day. The president of the Club Hípico Fañabé, Veronica Larrarte, said she was delighted that this particular competition was now entering its third consecutive year, and thanked the main sponsors, La Plantación del Sur, for their continued support. Horse riding, she said, is a sport that helps people develop, gives children a whole range of special values and contact with “animals that played an integral role in the development of man”. Certainly during the competition days the children and adults taking part were enjoying their a special relationship with their individual mounts.

Speculation denied

No bonus for staying up T

enerife players will not receive a juicy bonus if the team manages to avoid the drop at the end of the season. Already many pundits’ candidates for relegation following the poorer than expected start, Tenerife are already looking anxiously at the fixture list to put pencil marks against games that could prove cru-

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cial in terms of taking points off basement rivals. A good opportunity was wasted a few weeks ago against Malaga at home (2-2) and the situation led to speculation that the club would be offering the squad a bonus to ensure survival. However, chairman Miguel Concepción has publicly denied the speculation and insists he will not pay twice for

the same outcome. “We paid the players a good bonus for getting us into the first division and I have no intention of giving them more to keep us in it” said the chairman, adding that he had already spoken to the team captains about the situation. Miguel Concepción says there will be no bonus

SPORT

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Megabowl

BODYBOARDING

TENERIFE

Compiled by Doreen Lemm

World championships

Conﬁtal decider

Almost 200 specialists are expected

This year’s world bodyboarding championships are to be decided once again in Gran Canaria. The final event of the year takes place in El Confital, outside Las Palmas, but could well be the last staged there due to funding difficulties. The organisers have warned that unless local institutions get involved financially, the El Confital week – one of the four biggest and most prestigious of the world cal-

endar – at the beginning of December may not be repeated. Almost 200 bodyboarding specialists are expected for the ﬁve days of competition, including Jeff Hubbard (US), Dave Winchester (Australia), Ryan Hardy (Australia) and nine-times world champion Mike Stewart (EEUU). Canarian hopes are pinned on Diego Cabrera (currently ranked 20th in the world), Ardiel Jiménez (22), Iván Hernández (24) and Airam Cabrera (25).

FOOTBALL Rules assist

Tenerife enlist referee Tenerife have joined Real Madrid in recruiting a former top flight referee to its staff. The club announced it had hired Miguel Angel Pérez Lima to assist with various functions, including talks to players about the rules of the game. The retired referee says he hopes to be useful as an interlocutor with referees appointed to take charge of Tenerife’s home games this season but sees

his main job as promoting respect for the men in the middle and their assistants. He will also work with the junior sides at the club. News of the appointment came as a surprise although the club insists it had been looking to ﬁll the position for some time, particularly since returning to the ﬁrst division. Other clubs to have recruited former referees onto the staff include Villarreal and Las Palmas.

GOLF Cancer charity

Amarilla golf success Over 100 guests turned out to support Amarilla Golf ’s horse racing evening. Sponsored by Mennyfix.

Tuesday Singles League Week 23

Canal Ocio Dayu Week 42

Steve Carter (0) Ron Howling (8) Miguel Rodríguez (2) Duncan Wallace (6) José Torres (8) Rhiannon Russell (0) Martin Gronvall (6) Dave Dixon (2) No Player (0) Jeff Lemm (8) Sue Long (0) Dave Simpson (8) Forfeit Ron back on form with a 218 and 207. Duncan bowled a 205 and Steve a 203. José, back in the league, bowled a 209.

Tasquita Damián (24) Tasca de Tranvia (0) Megabowl Poppets (12) Delﬁn Computer San Isidro (12) Golf Costa Adeje (18) Canal Ocio Dayu (6)

Week 24 No Player (0) Allan Billing (8) Forfeit Steve Carter (2) Duncan Wallace (6) Miguel Rodríguez (2) Jeff Lemm (6) Jacquie Gibb (8) Martin Gronvall (0) Dave Dixon (6) Avril Capper (2) Shelly Masson (0) Dave Simpson (8) Forfeit José Torres (2) No Player (0) Forfeit No Player (0) Ron Howling (8) Forfeit 201 for Ron

Saturday doubles League Week 2 No team (0) Monkey Foreheads (8) Forfeit King Pins (2) Los Inﬂamantes (6)

Week 3 King Pins (6) Monkey Foreheads (2) Stop + Shop (2) Buccaneers (6) Buccaneers on form, Dave Dixon bowled a 212 in a clean game and partner, Dave Stell also had a clean game with 206.

The MC for the night and club vice captain, Mike Baker, soon had the audience fully supporting and enjoying themselves at an evening event full of fun. Members of the audience were also treated to a wonderful buffet provided by Sharon and Dave at the Casa Club. The total raised on the evening was over 1,000 euros all of which will go to the Amarilla Golf Clubs Captain’s charity this year, AMATE, the Tenerife Breast Cancer Care charity. Thanks go to all those who organised and supported this great event.

Saturday International League Doubles

Week 43 Tasca de Tranvia (12) Delﬁn Computer San Isidro (12) Canal Ocio Dayu (0) Megabowl Poppets (24) Tasquita Damián (18) Golf Costa Adeje (6) 206 for Ueli (Delfín Computer), and 203 for Jacquie (Megabowl Poppets).

Sunday Doubles League Week 20 Nothing But Trouble (6) The Buccaneers (2) Market Taverners (6) Him + Her (2) Rack ‘Ems (4) Pinseekers (4)

Week 21 Market Taverners (3) Buccaneers (5) Nothing But Trouble (4) Rack ‘Ems (4) Him + Her (5) Pinseekers (3) 204 for Dave Stell (Buccaneers).

Monday Fun League Week 20 No games completed

Monday Pub league Week 19 Café Royale (8) Bad Boys (0) Forfeit Maurelly (1) F.C.U.K.’Em (7) Tenerife Royale (0) Buccaneer Bar (8) 211 for Dave Dixon in a clean game.

QUIZ QUESTION Mike Baker, a lucky winner and Menny from Mennyﬁx

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By George Reed

Haye – now you know my name Larry Holmes – Former World Heavyweight Champ: “If you stay in a room with promoteor Don King for an hour he’ll con you into anything. That’s why I talk to him on the phone. So I can hang up”.

n predicting the winner in boxing matches we’ve all been wrong a number of times. And any ‘expert’ who claims that they’ve predicted the winner ever y time is not to be trusted. However, stating that, I take a little pride in the fact that during the 10 years that I’ve written this column for Island Connections I’ve been fortunate to have had an over 90 per cent success rate in some 40 odd fights. I get a real buzz when I get one right, and I feel like hiding in my apartment when I pick a lemon. I got a real kick a few weeks ago watching Bermondsey’s David Haye take the Russian Nikolai Valuev relieving him of his WBA heavyweight belt, to become the first Brit to win two world titles at different weights overseas. Haye won the WBC and the WBA cruiser weight world titles in Paris two years ago when beating the Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck by way of an incredible come-backfrom-behind seventh round stoppage. What annoyed me personally about that fight was the lack of interest by the press, radio and TV before and after the fight. We had a true Brit, brave enough to venture into an undisputed world champion’s comfort zone of his home city to win two major titles and he hardly got a mention. Let me put this straight. That was one of the best performances ever by a British fighter, for not only had Haye to show his mettle in front of Mormeck’s own fans, but had to drain off nearly two stone in weight to do it, having put on the extra weight for a previous heavyweight contest. Yet afterwards he still wasn’t a household name it appeared, even in his own household. Then of course he made a clever move by signing to take on the biggest heavyweight world title holder in history and the thought of David attempting to slay Goliath seized the imagination of not only boxing fans but the public at large, whose logic

suggested that Valuev, ‘the beast from the East’, being seven stone heavier and nine inches taller with an eight inch reach advantage, would be able to eat the Brit for breakfast. The fight turned more or less exactly how I forecast it would, so I was chuffed to bits. I wrote that Haye had the power, speed, mental strength and the ability but would be asking for trouble if he stood in front of Valuev, and that I hoped to see Haye using his left jab and moving around his opponent, circling quickly to his right to limit the slower Valuev’s use of his big right-handers. I wrote that when the gigantic Russian steps over the top rope for his entrance into the ring, then looks down at Haye with a hard stare, it might just turn out to be the most ferocious thing the Giant will be able to do all night, stating, ‘I can’t see Haye knocking the big man out because he has a granite chin, but I can see him winning clearly on points’. And so it came to pass – so I didn’t have to hide out for a few days. I’m certain in his first title defence next year we will see the old David Haye with all his guns blazing as he blasts out

HAYE HAS WON HIMSELF A WHOLE NEW LEGION OF FANS the American John Ruiz, who is of similar stature to Haye. I think he’d better KO Ruiz just in case any of the judges for the fight are as bad as one of the judges for the Haye vs. Valuev contest, who scored the bout a draw. Judge Juan Ruiz García of Spain was the culprit. He must be the only person out of the millions who watched the fight on TV, or the thousands present in the stadium, who didn’t think Haye had won easily. On second thoughts I shouldn’t be at all surprised for the one and only Don King was involved in the promotion as the promoter of Valuev, and when this man is on the scene you can expect anything. Don King really became unstuck on the 11th Februar y 1990 in Tokyo when Mike Tyson, who at the time was controlled by King, was knocked out by the 42 to 1 underdog Buster Douglas. With Tyson’s $100 million future in ruins, King immediately announced that they were protesting the decision, but people in boxing were having

none of it. Ring historian Bert Sugar, writing in Boxing Illustrated magazine in America, screamed out in words, “and the result is a knockout by Douglas, They cannot take that away from Douglas nor the boxing public”. With the rest of the media agreeing with Bert Sugar and going crazy, Don King and the WBC president José Sulaimán, fearing a Congressional hearing, backed down. Don ‘Only in America’ King has evaded the clutches of the law for years. Starting out in business some 55 years ago as a numbers racketeer, he had his first brush with the law by shooting dead a man who tried to rob his numbers house. He was acquitted on a self-defence plea, then quickly rose to the top in the gambling under world where he was known as ‘the numbers czar’. However in 1966, while holding a gun in one hand, he beat and kicked a man called Sam Garrett to death in a street. Apparently Garrett had lost a bet with King to the tune of $600 and hadn’t paid. Found guilty for second degree murder King was sentenced to serve up to 20 years in jail, but was paroled after four when the charge was reduced to manslaughter. Within three years he had established himself in his new career in boxing and with his genius in his ability to make the hard-sell he convinced the corrupt Zaire government to pay Muhammad Ali and George Foreman $5,000,000 each in 1974 for what would turn out to be a ‘rumble in the jungle’ epic. Don King has made so many enemies in the boxing business that you wouldn’t know who to start with and he’s evaded the police, the IRS, the FBI, the Supreme Court and the Federal Grand Jury with a schedule of misdemeanours with which he has been accused for so long. You can forget it. But one thing you can’t forget is the fact that the slithery King could promote boxing more effectively than anyone else on the planet.

Boxing

QUIZ QUESTION Day 20. When is the 12th day of Christmas?

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Tel: 922 750 609 / Fax: 922 795 810 / classifieds@ic-news.com

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Sport

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

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

Soccer Experience 7s

fter the very exciting thrills and spills of the annual weekend with the Soccer Experience International Master’s tournament, the Soccer Experience 7s leagues are back in full flow with many goals and more than a wee bit of drama.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE SUMMARY

MASTERS LEAGUE SUMMARY Villa Mitre, leading the Champioship table

Fergal Flackety its hard to see anybody stopping them as they go into week 13 with a nine point lead. The surprise team so far this season has to be new boys Chaﬁras FC who are still holding on to second place with some terriﬁc performances and

with their instrumental captain Neme not giving up on top spot. Sitting in joint second position is the ever present Taylor’s Masters who are still pushing the leaders all the way, with Darren Chamberlin banging in goals along with midﬁeld master

MASTER 7’S LEAGUES TABLE: Autumn / Early Winter 2009 Teams 1. Hole in the wall 2. Taylor’s Masters 3. Chaﬁras F.C. 4. Exiles Masters 5. Morﬁtt Masters 6. Tenerife Warriors 7. Hoops Rovers 8. L.A. Masters 9. Palms restaurant 10. Dreamers United 11. Harleys American Diner

Played 12 12 11 11 12 12 13 11 10 9 11

W 12 9 9 7 5 5 5 4 3 1 0

D 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0

L 0 3 2 3 6 6 8 6 7 8 11

GF GA 92 79 66 63 79 66 63 50 38 31 36

Points 40 42 35 60 65 68 86 52 76 71 81

36 27 27 22 16 16 15 13 9 3 0

CHAMPIONSHIP 7’S LEAGUES TABLE Autumn / Early Winter 2009 Teams 1. Villa Mitre 2. Cyril’s Creations 3. Tenerife Solicitors 4. Pueblo Torviscas 5. House team 6. Dreamers Hotspur 7. Direct telecom 8. Zurich Spartans 9. I C Media

Played 9 8 7 5 7 7 2 8 4

W 8 7 3 3 2 2 1 1 1

D 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

L 1 1 4 2 4 4 1 7 3

GF GA 94 58 45 27 42 35 13 28 13

Points 44 31 47 32 54 57 8 43 29

24 21 9 9 7 7 3 3 3

MASTER 7’S LEAGUES TABLE: Autumn / Early Winter 2009 Teams 1. IRONCRAFT 2. EXILES VETERANS 3. L.A. VETERANS 4. MORFITT RENTALS 5. STRINGFELLAS F. C. 6. TABOO’S

Played 10 10 10 10 10 10

W 8 7 7 6 1 1

D 0 1 0 1 0 0

L 2 2 3 3 9 9

GF GA 86 54 71 61 34 31

Points 45 34 32 49 84 90

24 22 21 19 3 3

Day 1. What does the word Advent mean?

hoped that the luck for the team, led by Greg the ginger wing wizard and Gogo the great, will change soon just as they showed in the International Tournament by reaching the ﬁnal of the Bowl only losing to the visiting Strabane Olympic team from Ireland. Come down and watch these league games held every Tuesday and Friday night.

Back in action

The Soccer Experience masters league is now just past the half way point and top spot is still in the hands of Keith Valentine’s Hole in the Wall team, who are still undefeated and brimming with conﬁdence. With goals coming from every member of the side and terriﬁc performances from keeper

QUIZ QUESTION

Ryan Charlton pulling the strings, John Parkes Taylor’s are hitting form at just the right time. Mid table there’s a scrap for positions with Blair and Callum’s Exiles Bar Silencio leading the best of the rest into fourth position. They’re being chased by Lee Martin’s Tenerife Warriors who despite a very poor start to the season are turning things around and are starting to find the form that won them the Masters league last season. Along with Warriors are Morfitt Properties also previous winners who have struggled to find consistency this season but with captain Lee Morfitt at the helm and Nico and Cholo pulling in the European faces Morfitts are growing in confidence with every game. Hoops Rovers are another team who have massively improved on last season with brothers in arms Kade and Adam behind everything, the team can only get better and there sure to upset one or two of the big teams along the way. Climbing slowly up the table are Steve and Damo’s Palms restaurant team who have pulled out some great results of late with a big slice of their fortune due to the work that coach Steve is putting in on the side lines. The team of the past few weeks has to be Rob and Mark’s Dreamers Bar who despite poor form have an amazing attitude taking us all back to the roots of the game where results did not matter as much as enjoying a good game of football with friends. Watching Dreamers Bar play could maybe be a lesson to us all. Harleys American Restaurant F.C. still sit bottom with what can only be said to be a terrible run of luck. It can only be

The Championship at such an early stage is already shaping up to be a two horse race with Jose and Willy’s Villa Mitre holding a slender lead over Sergeant Hoppys Cyril’s Creations team. The two have been inseparable since the league started. The House team are struggling for consistency but have good enough players in the likes of young Kyle and Raymondoo to change things around. Pueblo Torviscas a team who started a couple of weeks late to the league are rising up the table and can claim to be the only team to have beaten the mighty Villa Mitre and on recent form can push the leaders all the way this season. Dreamers Hotspurs lie in ﬁfth position having picked up some great points off the bigger sides a. Island Connection Media are a new addition to the championship and are picking up points on their ﬁrst few outings and look to be great addition to the leagues (so, we’re a bit biased!). Zurich Spartans, led up to now by captain Graeme (sadly he is heading back to the UK for family reasons and we wish him the very best of luck in the cold!) are on a poor run of luck of late narrowly missing out on points in the last few minutes of games but are sure to pick up their form soon. Come down and watch these league games held every Thursday night.

OVER 35S LEAGUE SUMMARY The Soccer Experience over 35s league is in the final round of games and anyone of four teams could still win the title, which will be decided before Christmas. Current leaders Daz and Dave’s Iron Craft side have been in terrific form and with goals coming from all over the field they look hard

DE COTTA MCKENNA & SANTAFÉ English Lawyers and Spanish Abogados

to stop in there quest for the title. Exiles Bar veterans fresh from defeat look to bounce straight back, with Santi and Shammy taking great credit for the work they have put in with the team, turning an average looking side into real title contenders. Shane’s L.A Veterans side lie in third place and are hitting form at just the right time with a huge game against Iron Craft looming their title hopes could lie in the result of one game with Paul Connelly and Mark Lacy brimming with confidence from recent weeks. An outside chance of taking the title falls to Morfitt Rentals with big Jason Tucker and striker Victor Meldrew Martin still not going down without a fight. Stringfellas still lie in fifth position and with captain Dave making the odd super sub performance form of late has improved and points are sure to follow. Taboo’s Bar sit at the foot of the table but have been unlucky recently not to have got more out of their games often holding their own in the first half of matches only for fitness to defeat them in the second. Big Darren up front is still banging in the goals and Captain Phil seems to be going from strength to strength showing there is truth to the saying, “life in the old dog yet!” Come down and watch these slow motion league games held every Monday night A lot of the teams are always on the lookout for new players so if you would like to join an existing team or even start your own team in the New Year please advise and we will place you or your team accordingly. The new over 35s league starting in January 2010 requires one more team so if you are ready to start playing again please get in touch asap. More information available on the website www. soccerexperience.com or call/sms 654200470, email soccer@soccerexperience. com.

CDTenerife

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009

Heroic blanquiazul fightback!

First Division 30/11/2009 CLUB

PLD W

1. Barcelona 2. Real Madrid 3. Sevilla 4. Valencia 5. Dptvo La Coruna 6. Mallorca 7. Sporting 8. Athletic Bilbao 9. Getafe 10. Osasuna 11. Espanyol 12. Villarreal 13. Zaragoza 14. Almeria 15. Valladolid 16. Tenerife 17. Atletico Madrid 18. Malaga 19. Racing 20. Xerez

By Chris Todd

21/11/09 CD Tenerife 1:2 Sevilla FC After seven long years playing in the second tier of Spanish football it is great to once again welcome some of Europe’s top players to the Heliodoro Stadium in Santa Cruz.

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

D 9 9 8 7 8 6 5 6 6 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 1 1 1

3 1 2 4 1 3 5 2 0 3 4 3 3 3 5 2 4 4 4 4

0 2 2 1 3 3 2 4 6 5 5 6 6 6 5 7 6 7 7 7

A 30 27 23 23 17 22 13 16 19 13 8 17 15 12 18 11 17 13 10 4

PTS 8 9 10 12 12 15 10 15 17 15 16 16 23 19 23 24 24 18 21 21

30 28 26 25 25 21 20 20 18 15 13 12 12 12 11 11 10 7 7 7

Second Division 30/11/2009 CLUB

Garyhill-photographer.com

Sevilla have been a breath of fresh air to La Liga in recent years and will without doubt push Real Madrid and Barcelona all the way in the fight for the league title. The team from Andalusia have also qualified for the next stage of the Champions League and a victory next week against Glasgow Rangers will result in top spot in their group. Before the game a minute’s silence was observed for Robert Enke, on loan at Tenerife in 2004, whose depression-fuelled suicide had shocked football fans everywhere. Tenerife once again had to shuffle their defence around and are really missing injured right back Marc Bertrán. The good news is that he will be back in action by midJanuary. Argentinian centre half Luna was moved to the right back spot, a position he told reporters earlier in the week that he had never played at and here he was facing the new wonder-kid Diego Perroti who had made his debut for Argentina earlier in the month! The 21-year-old Perotti, struck the opener on 32 minutes after a superb cross from Jesús Navas, another recent International debutant with Spain. This skinny young winner could well be one of the revelations of next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Ex-West Ham and Spurs striker Freddy Kanouté was looking dangerous (I had not realised how tall this guy was) and Brazilian Luis Fabiano, who exactly one week earlier

Against Sevilla the side fought well but were out scored

had played against England was certainly a handful for the Tenerife defence. Despite the undoubted talent on display by the visitors the blanquiazules were holding their own in the warm and packed Santa Cruz arena. Pablo Sicila had a golden chance to equalise just before the break but his header went wide. The second half started controversially as Nino was ﬂattened in the penalty area. Replays later showed that the Sevilla defender had ‘just’ got his studs to the ball but these type of incidents do often lead to penalties. Come on, we need all the luck we can get! Typically Sevilla broke with great speed and Brazilian Renato scored with a vicious drive that nestled in the top corner of the goal. The 20,000 + crowd continued to cheer on their local heros and the blanquiazules rallied to play one of their best second halves of the season. Nino, with a well taken volley, pulled a goal back

on 75 minutes and it was “game on” as they say in the business. Tenerife piled on the pressure but with delays, substitutions and time wasting by the visitors the justiﬁed equaliser did not transpire. It had been a brave effort by the team and they were warmly applauded from the pitch.

28/11/09 Valladolid 3:3 Tenerife What a crazy match played at the cold rainy Nuevo José Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, a city two hours north of Madrid. The hundred or so Tenerife supporters were most probably regretting their decision to travel to the match after being 3-0 down and enduring temperatures of 1ºC, not very Canarianlike at all! But it is a “funny old game” as the cliché goes and you can also add to that “It is a game of two halves” Valladolid had been

slipping down the table in recent weeks although their home form had been consistent and recently they had thumped Deportivo 4-0. Tenerife’s away form had also been consistent, consistently bad! They had lost every match away from home this season but today was going to be different. The blanquiazules came back from 3-0 down with less than half an hour to go to claim a 3-3 draw and secure their first away point of the season in the first division. The Pucela (Valladolid’s nickname) had appeared to be on their way to a convincing victory when two goals from Diego Costa and a penalty by Fabian Cannobio saw them ease into a 3-0 lead with 27 minutes to go. Quite a few home supporters left the stadium, confident of the win, rushing to get home to watch the Barcelona vs Real Madrid showdown. However, two goals in eight minutes from Nino and Ángel, set up a nervy finish for Valladolid and Ayoze

PLD W

14 14 7 14 14 14 14 13 14 14 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14

5 5 2 4 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 1 5 5 4 4 3 5 6 2 7

2 2 19 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 7 5 5 6 6 7 6 6 9 6

1. Cartagena 2. Hercules 3. Real Sociedad14 4. Elche 5. Rayo Vallecano 6. Levante 7. Cordoba 8. Betis 9. Numancia 10. Salamanca 11. Villarreal B 12. Gimnastic 13. Recreativo 14. Girona 15. Las Palmas 16. Cadiz 17. Albacete 18. Real Union 19. Huesca 20. Celta Vigo 21. Castellon 22. Murcia

7 7 5 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 1

F 20 18 14 23 22 18 15 20 20 15 18 12 14 20 13 14 21 12 11 11 17 15

PTS 10 8 26 21 15 20 15 14 18 15 17 12 15 20 14 22 27 15 15 18 27 21

26 26 22 21 10 21 20 20 20 19 19 19 17 17 16 16 15 14 12 11 10

QUIZ QUESTION Day 22. “All I want for Christmas is my two front...?” pounced four minutes from time to stun the hosts. In fact the blanquiazules could have won the encounter in the very last minute but Ángel’s shot missed by a metre. It had been a great comeback and one that will give a new found conﬁdence to the side. This Sunday, 6th December, Tenerife face Sporting Gijon in a vital match in the Heliodoro Stadium in Santa Cruz with a 4pm kick off. Sporting, along with Mallorca, have been the revelation team of the season so far and they hover just below the Europa League placings.

Fan protests CD Tenerife fans as well as the Club have been

up in arms at the kick off times set for home games this season. The Spanish football league (LFP) are not respecting the Canarian hour difference which means that games that kick off at 5pm in the mainland are 4pm here. In their defence the authorities claim that the television companies pay the money and they set the times, they have little control over match days, times etc. Fan Clubs are organising a protest and ex-pat followers Armada Sur will be joining in. Their protests are more about the delay in the conﬁrmation of matches. Only seven days notice is given by the LFP regarding the time or even the day of the next match! It is simply not good enough.

8 436012 301118

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PROMOTION

EDITION 605 :: 04/12/2009 - 18/12/2009 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS