IslandConnections Edition 625 by Island Connections Media Group

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1984 - 2010

The Canary Islands’ biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents Edition # 625 /

10th - 24th Sept. 2010

/ 1.80€ at Newsagents

Candelaria

D-day for Cho Vito?

Cabildo president Melchior met recently with Cho Vito representatives

s we go to press the owners of homes threatened with demolition in the Cho Vito district of Candelaria are continuing their hunger strike, with two of them recently hospitalised. In the most recent development, the strikers, who began their public demonstration on September 1st, say they won’t halt their action despite a statement from town mayor Gumersindo García that he will not fly to

Madrid to plead their cause and seek a reversal of the demolition decision unless the families call a halt to the protest. Instead the hunger strikers, protesting in the middle of Santa Cruz city, say they will only leave their makeshift camp on the main square if they receive a written guarantee that their seafront homes will not be pulled down. The protesters have support from many quarters, and representatives recently met with Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior, vice-president José Manuel

Summer fiestas

Adeje

The Visita Lustral de Nuestra Señora de La Encarnación takes place all over Adeje during September Page 12

www.islandconnections.eu

Bermúdez and planning councillor Pino de León. According to a Cho Vito spokesperson, Tomás González, the president’s intervention was welcomed as always. Pino de León said it “wasn’t a good idea” for the demolition, scheduled for September 20th, to go ahead and while the Cabildo wouldn’t stand in the way of any legal process, each situation merited individual consideration and attention in the search for a solution within legal parameters. The mayor told local press that “we can’t simply pay more attention to those who shout the loudest….in this case there are currently signed legal documents stating that the homes in question are illegal and must be demolished”. Therefore, he stated, the only way to save Cho Vito is to persuade the coastal department that this small populated tract “contains elements of ethnographic value that are part of the zone’s heritage”, and that should be protected. García also claimed that in his opinion both the regional Canarian government and the Tenerife Cabildo had done little to help. As well as the threat over the Cho Vito homes, twenty houses and two restaurants in the Punto del Viento zone in Las Galletas are also listed for demolition. In this case the majority of owners are reported to have accepted the decision and offers made under an expropriation order.

/ www.newscanarias.net

back to school “Back to school”, the phrase that annually generates equal amounts of groans from kids who don’t want to bid goodbye to the holidays and sighs of relief from parents who have run out schools, and parents too will miss having of ‘interesting things to do’ with the young delights around, but regardless, the little darlings. it’s time to check book lists, sharpen

Term time

OK, many children these days are more than happy to return to their

pencils, re-set the alarm clock and let normality resume.

Divorce statistics

Kiss and say goodbye

he Canary Islands are the leaders in the divorce statistics for Spain. 5,944 marriages broke up in the Islands in 2009, and of these there were 5,667 divorces, 270 separations and seven nullifications. The average is 2.83 per 1,000

inhabitants. The average duration of the marriages which had been dissolved was 15.6 years, and in seven out of every 10 cases, the divorce process took less than six months to complete. The majority of divorces involved couples in the 40 to 49 age group.

canary islands

Good news at last? The Canary Islands was one of the few regions to register a drop in the numbers unemployed in August.

Page 15

cd tenerife

Pages 21-36

football

After a dismal start to the season the team languish in the drop zone

Page 55

Guide

Pages 8-9

The Sports Megastore 8.000m2

Motorway Santa Cruz La Laguna, Exit “Las Chumberas”. La Laguna, Tenerife. Tel: 922 62 79 00, Fax: 922 82 11 07

www.decathlon.com

7Islands

p to 25 people have been arrested as part of Operation Arrow in Spain (Operación Flecha in Spanish), a joint operation between the Guardia Civil and the UK’s SOCA (Serious and Organised Crime Agency). 12 houses were searched and, according to official sources, 38,000 ecstasy tablets, four kilos of cocaine, 250 grams of ketamine, four litres of GHB, 50 grams of crystal MDMA, one kilo of M.CATS (a mix of various drugs) and €56,000 were seized as part of the operation. The drug ring, led from the UK, had two branches in Ibiza, one in charge of establishing contacts on the island and the other responsible for the distribution of the drugs. The Guardia Civil have arrested 24 people (14 men and 11 women), 20 of them of British nationals,

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Guardia Civil/SOCA

British drug ring in Ibiza smashed two Irish nationals, one Czech, one Slovak and one Spaniard who belong to the most active organisation on the island involved in the distribution of ecstasy tablets and other drugs near night clubs and other leisure areas. According to the Guardia Civil, the investigation began last September following Operation Trafalgar, when they dismantled a British organisation involved in drug trafficking on Ibiza. Following analysis of some seized documents and information ob-

tained as a result of the operation, SOCA were contacted and worked together with the

Bräuhaus tobe rfes

e al B k v i O est F

De Lujo - De Luxe & Spa

From 22 -26 September 2010 7pm - 11pm

In the Bräuhaus, Hotel Villa Cortés Playa de Las Américas

Spanish forces to identify the criminal organisation operating in Ibiza, directed from the UK. Earlier in the summer, the people who are now under arrest were detected and several surveillance measures were put in place. It was suspected that they were trying to build the necessary infrastructure for drug distribution in Ibiza during the summer months. The investigation confirmed that a

drug trafficking organisation based in the UK had established a two-branch network in Ibiza. One of the branches was in charge of establishing a network on the island and the other of physical distribution of the drugs. The branches were led from the UK by a group supplying the drugs. Members of the drug ring regularly visited the islands to supervise and collect the proceeds. The drugs were brought onto the island using various methods including hiding them in cars from the UK and in the luggage of Britons arriving at Ibiza airport. On 8 August, a young Briton was stopped attempting to carry three kilos of cocaine through the airport. Several properties were rented on Ibiza, including luxury villas for the ringleaders and flats and apartments in tourist resorts for the dealers. The dealers would keep various quantities of drugs for daily distribution and the bulk of the drugs in secure houses where they did not live. The ring used young ‘public relations’ people in nightclubs to distribute the drugs and ensured similar prices were charged at each point of sale, depending on the time and place.

Return special

Shop early for Christmas! You haven’t even de-sanded your beach bag and they’re already talking about Christmas – but there’s a Thomson offer for Christmas shopping that you might want to take advantage of.

ue to extra flights coming out to the islands, Thomson are offering a three day UK Christmas shopping return special. Flights are to Newcastle, Gatwick and Manchester, leaving Tenerife on November 24th and returning on the 27th, and Jaime in Thomson promises that the price of €99 return is all-inclusive. So no hidden charges, no extra luggage tariffs, no added on taxes and no extra charge if you pay by credit card. Book now to avoid disappointment by calling Jamie or Vicky on 922 761 202, emailing them on Tenerife.flight1@tui-uk.co.uk. Alternatively you can drop into their offices in CC El Duque, Fañabé.

Mother quizzed

Home delivery death

Televisión Canaria

Canarians abroad

The regional television station Televisión Canaria is currently working on a series featuring Canarians who live abroad, and would love to hear from those of you who have left the islands in search of pastures new.

e spoke to the programme producers and they are very keen to hear from anyone who has ‘Canarian roots’, so it may be that your parents emigrated to these islands many years ago but you are Canarian born, and have now decided to travel – maybe even back to where your parents left from so many years ago. Or perhaps your studies or the search for a fresh start have taken you even further afield. No matter what corner of the Earth you are now based in, they would love to hear from you.

he series will start in October, so if you are interested in taking part call the programme production team on 902 100 593 or contact them by email canariosporelmundo@tvcanaria.tv.

o far the team have visited Canarians in Stockholm, where they also took part in a ‘Millennium’ tour, taking in sites named in the The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson, Brussels, Amsterdam, and trips to London, Agadir, Miami, Munich, Paris and New York are in the planning stages. In the programmes the Canarians who are now based in their new homes take the crew on a tour of some of the lesser known sights and show why and how they live their new lives.

A La Palma mother whose baby died shortly after being born at home late on Sunday September 5th could face prosecution for negligence.

T Avda. Rafael Puig · Las Américas · Tel. 922 757 700 © ISLAND CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER 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

Is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.

he woman is believed to have insisted on a natural delivery at home, assisted by a German neighbour, instead of using the island’s hospital. According to police, the baby girl stopped breathing within minutes of being born and by the time a doctor was called she was dead. The mother remains in hospital where she has already been interviewed. The case has been passed to a judge in La Palma, who will decide what further action, if any, is to be taken against the woman and her neighbour.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

German marketing coup

Gran Canaria has pulled off another tourism marketing coup in Germany.

he island features on the cover of a new holiday brochure distributed to 9,000 travel agents across the country. The brochures have been prepared by tour giant FTI for its winter holidays to Spain and Portugal and, in addition to the front cover pictures of the island, Gran Canaria receives comprehensive coverage on pages 2 and 3.

tourist board spokesman said the advertising in the 180,000 brochures was a major boost for the sector. “We have provided the photos of beaches and other natural attractions and in return we get free advertising from a tour operator which has 5.6 per cent of the German market” said a spokesman. FTI flies an average of 22,000 holidaymakers to Gran Canaria every year.

Travel

Business passengers to lose discount?

Residents in the Canaries who fly business class to the mainland are set to lose the current 50 per cent discount under a shake-up of the subsidy system.

he Spanish government has announced it will review the current mechanism in the coming months to ‘rationalise’ the subsidy and ensure it reaches those who need it. “It is unfair

etails of the new discount rate have not been finalised but it is likely that a sliding scale will be applied.

Tacoronte

Fires extinguished The Tenerife Cabildo brought the early stages of a fire under control at the end of August in the area of La Hornaca in Tacoronte. The fire, which was extinguished within an hour and a half, had affected some 1,500 square metres of heather and bracken. 40 members of Brifor (the forest brigade) took part in the extinction

process which was made difficult by high temperatures and the winds affecting the area. The Cabildo’s Sokol helicopter, based in La Guancha, and various vehicles with capacities of 300 to 4,000 litres of water also took part. At the same time, the forest brigade, working with the Tenerife Fire Brigade

and voluntary firemen, extinguished a fire which began in Agua García within the borough of Tacoronte, and which also affected El Sauzal. The Cabildo’s Sokol helicopter, additional water carrying vehicles and Guardia Civil, Local Police and Civil Protection personnel also took part. Luckily this fire did not affect the popular forested area.

La gomera/Peni Shipping hikes

Price rises ‘inevitable

’

The news that shipping lines serving the Canaries are planning to increase freight charges further has triggered fears of hefty rises in the prices of essentials ranging from food to building materials.

mporters and traders have reacted furiously to the increase of around 25 per cent in the cost of shipping a container announced by almost all the lines a few weeks ago. With more rises on the way given that the companies insist that they are merely recovering past losses and have still to reflect the true cost of shipping to the islands, a campaign has been launched to reverse the decision. Several influential sectors, including fruit exporters and the construction industry, have called on the government to use its influence to force a rethink before steep price rises become inevitable.

etailers say the lines have been allowed a monopoly in freight and can do what they like, but if new companies were encouraged to set up here, “the competition would soon make them see sense”.

Dog dumped in water Peni, a bitch of the elegant Podenco breed much favoured by local hunters, will hopefully have learnt to steer clear of water tanks, and holes in general, after her recent traumatic experience. The story of her nightmare week began when she fell into a disused and empty

water tank when, her rescuers think, she was out with her owner near a training ground for hunting dogs in Hermigua. As she has no micro-chip, and was not recognised, the owner’s identity is a mystery, as is his apparent decision to leave her trapped at the bottom of the tank. The only certainty

The fire in Parque Albatros

Credit: Roger Henderson

Gran Canaria

that someone who buys the most expensive ticket to travel business class should receive the same rate of discount as economy class passengers. We are paying out around €400 euros per flight in such cases and it means that 15 per cent of passengers take up 40 per cent of the overall subsidy” said a spokesman.

golf del sur

Apartment gutted

A fireman needed hospital attention following a call out to attend this fire in Parque Albatros, Golf del Sur, on the morning of September 2nd at 5.30 am.

is injuries were not life threatening. Two others needed medical attention though only minor injuries were reported, but the apartment in question was completely burnt out.

day, but we still couldn’t find anything, so we contacted Pro-Animal Peni was very we ak when she wa s rescued in Valle Gran Rey and they is that he will not now come forward to claim the valuable came and searched. In the bitch, given the outcry caused end, we realised the noise was coming from the bottom of by her plight. Gomera’s stalwart animal an old tank. When we went protection group, Pro-Animal, and shone a light down there, now struggling to survive the the poor animal was terrified customary lack of funding and and in a dreadful condition. interest on the part of the is- Between us all, we managed land’s authorities and 23,000 to get the dog out”. Pro-Animal say that the aniinhabitants, was contacted by mal, “... must have been there neighbours in the area who reported, “...dreadful bark- for a week, as neighbours reing and howling coming from member hearing the barking for the first time six days presomewhere close by” According to neighbour viously”. She survived thanks Angeles Martín, “it started one to a small pool of water at the afternoon and the kids went to bottom of the tank, but was see where it was coming from, obviously starving and very but then it suddenly stopped weak. Pro-Animal gave her the and they thought the barking dog must have run away. apt name Peni, from the word Then we heard it again in the penita, meaning sorrow or afmiddle of the night and went fliction, and she is now recovto have a look the following ering with them.

Jardín Tropical… ...new look In their ongoing desire to offer the best possible service and installations to their clients this year, 2010, the Jardín Tropical have refurbished their bedrooms and Las Cuevas and Las Mimosas restaurants and Café de Paris.

C/ Gran Bretaña s/n / 38660 / Costa Adeje - Tenerife / Spain / www.jardin-tropical.com / (+34) 922 746 000

7Islands

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Travel market

CabildoNews

Cuts hit WTM

News from the Tenerife Cabildo

New number is rubbish?

he Canaries’ participation in this year’s World Travel Market in London has been hit by cost-cutting imposed on government departments, although some still feel the revised cost to be much too high.

The Tenerife Cabildo have launched a new number for people to call if they are not sure how to dispose of their rubbish. If you’re not sure how to separate your garbage, wondering whether tetra packs are recycled with plastic bottles or cardboard boxes, and where your nearest recycling point is, worry no more. You can ring a freephone number, 900 305 000, and get answers to all your rubbish questions. The helpful service, working to improve the environment, will also help organise informative visits to different environmental and recycling points throughout the island. It’s another step in the right direction, say the Cabildo, designed to further increase the level of participation by residents and visitors in keeping our island clean.

Among the decisions taken by the Department of Tourism which slipped by virtually unnoticed at the end of August was one concerning the cost of the islands’ stand for the WTM, widely regarded as one of the most important events in the travel business. Having spent €420,000 and €479,000 in the last two years on the stand for London, regional tourism chief Rita Martín has now decided to trim the expense for 2010 and has set a ceiling of €350,000 for the tender, which was announced recently. The lower figure refers only to the actual cost of the design and building of the stand, but not the high cost of flying regional officials to the event, which takes place during the second week in November. The Canary Islands won the Best Stand Award last year. Rita Martín, Paulino Rivero and Canarian representatives at the 2009 WTM

Western Sahara

Canarians at centre of row A

group of Canarians who travelled to the Western Sahara to take part in a protest ended up at the centre of a tense diplomatic row between Spain and Morocco. The 14 Canarians say they were prevented from taking part in the demonstration against what they called Moroccan ‘occupation’ of the Sahara in El Ayun and were ordered by force to remain in their hotel. Several have

Anniversary

oliday giant TUI has chosen Fuerteventura to mark a landmark anniversary. The tour operator returned to the scene of its first ever holiday hotel purchase 40 years ago when it launched its Robinson Club brand, which now boasts almost two dozen establishments worldwide, two of them in Fuerteventura. TUI bought up the Jandía Playa Hotel in Morro Jable back in 1970, initiating a relationship with the island that has gone from strength to

openly accused the police of brutality and want the Spanish Foreign Ministry to investigate the incidents. “We were attacked by pro-government supporters and police did nothing help us. They themselves were heavy-handed and used more than reasonable force to break up the protest before it even got off the ground” complained one Gran Canaria woman, whose bloodied face made headline news in Spain. The Canarians

have been accused by Morocco of deliberate provocation by joining the unauthorised protest in the capital of the former Spanish colony, which has been fighting for independence from Rabat for decades. Further diplomatic tension is expected in November, when Las Palmas is used as the starting point for an international flotilla which intends to set sail for El Ayun “to draw attention to Moroccan oppression”.

TUI 40th in Fuerteventura strength. The much-expanded operator now flies tourists from seven different countries to the island, although it is still largely associated with German holidaymakers. Senior TUI representatives spent several days in Fuerteventura to

commemorate the 40th anniversary with local officials, including tourism chief Águeda Montelongo and Cabildo president Mario Cabrera, who presented them with a plaque recalling the Jandía Hotel purchase in 1970.

Fuerteventura tourism councillor Águeda Montelongo González

What a racket There’s still time to catch some of the action in the final days of the IX Tenerife Tennis Youth tournament, taking place in the Centro Insular de Tenis Salvador Lecuona, in Ofra, until September 12th. Under the auspices of the Cabildo and developed by the public company Ideco, the players are competing at a number of levels, from tots wielding rackets to junior players already on the way to their first international tournaments. There will be many of the island’s up and coming stars in performance, though it is open to players at all levels, the only requirement being that they are registered with the federation. Among those taking part are 11 year old Gran Canarian Marta Cañas, currently listed as one of the top four in her category in Spain, and José Antonio Salazar, who won both the cadet and junior titles last year.

Tenerife Academy Not a new reality TV show, the Tenerife Academy project is an innovative way of introducing over 80 travel agencies to the delights of Tenerife as more than just a holiday destination. Designed by Turismo de Tenerife the Academy shows why the island is also a great choice for conventions, incentive trips, product presentations, and other forms of commercially linked travel. According to tourism chief José Manuel Bermúdez, this is designed to consolidate a form of tourism that attracts thousands of participants. He said the Cabildo wants agents to be able to offer Tenerife as a destination to companies looking for a place to organise a corporate event. In two phases, the first saw agency representatives attend a series of presentations in Madrid and Barcelona during the summer. This is to be followed up by visits by personnel from the agencies to the island under the name Ultimate Tenerife Experience.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

BritishConsul

Cutbacks

By Matthew Vickers, British Consul, Canary Islands

Useful information from the British Consulate Disabled in Tenerife Pensions, healthcare, benefits & subsidies: • See our website: http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-britishnationals/pensions-benefits/

• Pensions, Healthcare & Benefit Team – Tel 952352300(Ext.16) Email: social.malaga@fco.gov.uk • Canaries Government Services & Subsidies – Tel: 012

Avda. José Manuel Guimerá, 10 - Edf. Servicios Múltiples II, Planta 0 - 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife or C/ Carlos J.R. Hamilton 14, Edf. Mabell 1ª Planta, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife http://www.gobcan.es/bienestarsocial/discapacidad.jsp

• Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo) - Unidad de Discapacitados - Tel: 922843126 / 160 http://www.iass. es/iass/DEFAULT/informacion_general_de_la_unidad_de_discapacidad. html • Imserso – Spanish Institute for the Elderly and Social Services – Tel: 900406080 http://www.imserso. es/imserso_06/index.htm

• Healthcare – Servicio Canario de Salud - Tel: 922475704 C/ Pérez de Rozas, 5 Planta 4ª - Santa Cruz de Tenerife http://www2.gobiernodecanarias. org/sanidad/scs/

Homes, day centres, tourism and activities for the disabled: • Tenerife Island Council: http:// www.iass.es/iass/DEFAULT/acceso_ a_centros_discapacidad.html# • Sociedad Insular para la

Promoción de las Personas con discapacidad (SINPROMI)

(Cabildo’s Office for development, employment and leisure for the disabled) - http://www.sinpromi.es/ Tel: 922249199 - C/ San Francisco 102, Edif. Majona, 3800 Santa Cruz de Tenerife • Canaries Government: http:// www.gobcan.es/bienestarsocial/dis_detalleservicio.jsp?DS42. step=3&DS42.ID=5506

Social services: The social services of the councils are available to residents including foreigners, exiles and refugees, in accordance with international reciprocal agreements. The services provided may be divided into those of the councils and those which are financed from other sources such as the insular authorities and the regional government. The links to the above in the main British concentration areas are listed below: http://www.arona.org/portal/p_10_ lacc_dir.jsp?language=es&codadirect o=46&parametro=1092 http://www.adeje.es/esp/portada_ servicios_sociales.asp http://www.sanmigueldeabona.org/ index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.21/idmenu.1069/chk.14774f3c0e5 0a8a3980c0aab9007c836.html# http://www.granadilladeabona.org/ http://www.santiagodelteide.org/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.52/idmenu.1043/chk.6ab9cd37918 2682b8088c81c93c0f5a2.html http://www.villadelaorotava.org/sociales.php?op2=42 http://www.ayto-realejos.es/ayuntamiento/areas.asp?id=7 http://www.puertodelacruz.es

Useful contacts: • British Consulate – Tel: 922286863 - http://ukinspain.fco. gov.uk/en Plaza Weyler 8 – 1º, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (In the south only by appointment) • (*)Cruz Roja Tel: 922 282924 Calle San Lucas 60, Santa Cruz de Tenerife http://www.cruzroja. es/portal/page?_pageid=659,1&_ dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30

• Accessible Tourism Guide http://www.portalturismoaccesible. org/setzone.jsp?zoneId=1

• Assistance at Airports – Tel: 902404704 – www.aena.es

• Adapted Taxis in South Tenerife – 922795414 / 59 www.arona.org

• ONCE – Tel: 922210000 – http:// www.once.es (Association for the blind) Avda. San Sebastián No.3, Santa Cruz de Tenerife • ASPRONTE – Tel: 922221746 – http://www.aspronte.com (Association for Mentally disabled) Avda. La Salle No.8, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

English speaking charities which may offer assistance: • SHE Europe Helpline – Tel: 690964145 (Christian charity for women) • Friends of Tenerife – Tel: 922388486 - http://www.friendsoftenerife.com/ • Tenerife Sur Lions – Tel: 629487090 - http://www.tenerifesurlions.org/index.html • Lions Club International – http:// lionsclub.losgigantes.com/index.htm • Age Concern - Tel: 902003838 or 606522915 - http://www.acespana. org/

Private English speaking nursing, care, equipment and homes: • Tenerife Nursing and Care - Tel: 922396388 - http://www.tenerifenursingandcare.com/5.html • Homecare Tenerife - Tel: 922733110 - http://www.homecaretenerife.eu/english.htm • Perfect Health S.L. – Tel: 922719625 / 686746970 – perfecthealthsl@hotmail.com • Tenerife Home Care - Tel: 922788248 - http://www.tenerifehomecare.com/ • Vintersol Rehabilitation Centre – Tel: 922777900 http://vintersol.com/english/home/ • Orange Badge - Tel: 922797355 - http://www.orangebadge-tenerife. com/links.htm • Active – Tel: 922789707 - http:// www.activemobility-tenerife.com • Blue Badge Mobility Tenerife – Tel: 922789707 http://bluebadgetenerife.com/contact.htm • Lero Minusval S.L. – Tel: 922 750 289 or 922 373 301 http://www.lero.net Please note that although some staff speak basic English and can offer initial assistance in English, it may be in your interest to take an interpreter, when dealing with some the above local authorities or organisations. This list is provided by the British Consulate in Tenerife for the convenience of enquirers, but neither HMG nor any official of the Consulate take any responsibility for the competency of any company on the list, nor the staff employed by any listed institution.

Museum loses visitors

Cutbacks at the Canarian Museum in Las Palmas have led to a drop in visitor numbers due to the reorganised opening times.

he Museum has been hit by temporary staff lay-offs and shift changes since 1 March and has been forced to close three hours earlier every day. It has also been closing at week-ends and public holidays, which used to be among its busiest days. Conservative estimates put the drop in numbers at around 5,000 in recent months, although the Museum’s general managers says the fall has been “less serious than anticipated” given that the evening closure has had little effect on visits by tourists, who come mainly during the morning. However, some staff fear the latest figures could be used to justify more changes and scale posts down further.

Three-week drift

Miracle rescue

A fisherman rescued after three weeks without food and water at sea has described his survival as “a miracle”.

he Moroccan was hauled to safety after his drifting fishing boat was spotted by a Bulgarian cargo ship hundreds of miles off Gran Canaria. His colleague died nine days after they lost their way in the Atlantic but the 35-year-old managed to hang on for another eleven days until he was winched to safety by a helicopter from Gran Canaria’s Air and Sea Search Unit, which was dispatched after the distress call from the Bulgarian ship was received. The fisherman was flown to Las Palmas where he was admitted to the General Hospital suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion.

7Islands

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Well done

Wingate’s A*s aplenty There were many happy and ecstatic faces from Wingate students and their parents as they read out their IGCSE results. This only a week after Year 13 student, Pooja Tanwani, gained a place at King’s College London to read medicine by scoring three of the new A* grades at A level. Wingate’s Year 11 students have done themselves proud. It has been a bumper crop of good news with many As and A*s amongst the results. Grades like these show clearly that there are rewards for hard work. Congratulations need to go to all students not just those who did particularly well. However, those achieving the highest grades do deserve a special mention. Jordana Burridge, Ana Gomez Thompson and Lewis Brooker achieved six A*s apiece plus an A at AS Spanish and other A grades at IGCSE. Only slightly behind were Elliott Kelsey and Jake Eriksen with five A* grades each. Ana and Jordana

Pooja Tanwani with her results

achieved these grades whilst maintaining their considerable out of school commitments. Ana has been commuting to Santa Cruz several nights a week for violin lessons, while Jordana took lessons in singing, dancing and acting and still found time to perform. All five will be continuing their education to A level with

the majority joining Wingate Sixth when it opens in two weeks time. Chris Green, Wingate’s owner, was also quick to congratulate Wingate Sixth students on their exam results. Special congratulations must go to Pooja Tanwani who achieved three of the new A* grades in A level Biology, Chemistry and

Maths. Only eight per cent of all A level grades were awarded at this high standard which requires a student to obtain more than 90 per cent in his or her final exams. Pooja also got an A in Psychology and already had an A in AS Spanish and in September, she will take up her place at King’s College London to read medicine. She tells us that she is very excited and cannot wait to get started. This year nearly 70 per cent of students of Wingate’s Year 11 students achieved five or more A* to C at ICGSE. 77 per cent of these grades were at C or above and 31 per cent were at A or A*. 91 per cent of students achieved a C or higher in Spanish (70 per cent at A or A*) and 64 per cent of students achieved a C or above in both English and Maths. More information on Wingate including full exams results can be found on www. wingateschool.com. You can also follow Wingate on Facebook.

The couple holidayed in the Puerto de Santiago area

Compensation

Couple sue for Tenerife holiday illness A holiday that went wrong for an elderly English couple in Tenerife looks set to end up in court, as the couple seek compensation from their tour operator. Timothy and Patricia Regan from Sarratt in Hertfordshire have launched legal action against Thomson holidays for, they say, failing to guarantee health and hygiene standards in their Puerto de Santiago based hotel, where they fell ill shortly after arrival. Mr Regan, 63, is quoted in the Watford Observer as saying “the standards at the hotel were shocking, the food at the restaurant was terrible and was severely undercooked. New food was added to old throughout the day so no one had any idea how long it had been sat out for.”

T r av e l a g e n t

La Gomera

A Tenerife travel agent faces investigation after customers were stranded on holiday due to the cancellation of their bookings.

Spain’s Airports Authority (AENA) has slammed air traffic controllers in the Canaries for making false allegations about air incidents said to have occurred in La Gomera since controllers were withdrawn from service recently.

Within two days of arriving at the four-star hotel, both were feeling very unwell and suffering severe stomach cramps. They feared they would need an air ambulance to return home but luckily their condition improved sufficiently to allow them to fly back. However, Mrs Regan was then forced to take almost three weeks off work at the village post office run by the couple, who contacted lawyers to file a claim against Thomson after learning that up to 20 other holidaymakers fell ill at the same hotel between February and April of this year.

ENA says the complaints from the controllers are unfounded and the new AFIS system introduced in La Gomera is working smoothly and incident free. “The controllers are happy to go public with allegations but not attend meetings we have organised to discuss the situation with the only airline that uses the airport” said a spokesman, adding that AFIS was introduced only after all relevant safety issues had been examined thoroughly.

Thomson says the couple’s illness was not caused by the hotel but was most likely the result of gastrointestinal problems caused by a norovirus passed from person to person. A spokesman said “there was no evidence to support the allegation that any illness at the hotel was related to food hygiene”. During the time in question Island Connections reported a spate of illnesses in the vicinity, which health experts diagnosed as the norovirus, outbreaks of which are common within enclosed areas.

Customers left high and dry I

n the latest scandal to hit the sector here, the Santa Cruz agent is accused of charging clients for accommodation and flights but then failing to confirm the travel arrangements with airlines and hotels. The Diario de Avisos paper reports that one group of holidaymakers had to sleep on park benches in the Balearics on the night of arrival because their holiday apartments had not been booked. After resolving the problem, they then found their return flights to Tenerife had been cancelled. Other customers are said to have faced similar problems in Bali and France. The Department of Tourism has received formal complaints from over a dozen affected clients.

AENA rejects air incident claims A

7Islands

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

Adeje Fast cars

Santa Cruz speeders caught

Santa Cruz police have tracked two drivers clocked at more than 70km per hour above the speed limit. Radar traps recorded the offenders on the same weekend driving at over 120 km per hour on a stretch of road where the clearly-indicated limit is just 50.

ne of the culprits was a 27-year-old woman driving a Citroen C4. Police have been unable to identify the driver of the other vehicle, a top of the range BMW, and the company that owns the car has been notified that it will face prosecution under the new Penal Code, which makes driving at more than 60km above the limit a criminal offence.

New music school building inaugurated Canarian singer/songwriter Pedro Guerra, who is one of the sponsors of the project, was present at the inauguration of Adeje’s new municipal music school building in Las Torres at the end of August. At the ceremony which was officiated by the Alcalde, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga and attended by some 500 people, Guerra said, “for me, to sponsor this project fills me with satisfaction and pride”. Fraga commented, “Today, thanks to Plan E, we have made a dream come true, as we inaugurate a magnificent building which will allow us to develop a valuable cultural

activity and which will also serve as a centre for the people of Adeje. We didn’t have the space before, but now that we do, we will take the maximum advantage of it”. The inauguration was celebrated with a party during which Guerra explained, “the world could not exist without music, and for this we need people who know how to make music, to write it, feel it and listen to it, and this is why the public authorities are making it easy for young people to study this art. From now on, these musicians will be able to practice in better conditions and the best of it is that in the future, music is guaranteed in Adeje”.

The new building occupies 2,697 square metres, consists of two floors plus a semi-basement. The ground floor houses the entrance hall, administration, a library, five classrooms, toilets and stairs and a lift to connect to the other floors. On the first floor there are 16 classrooms and an access to the terrace. The semi-basement contains an auditorium with a capacity for 220 persons plus a stage, dressing rooms, rooms for percussion, recording and for the musical band, as well as toilets and a patio. Students will be able to take advantage of this new facility from September 13th when the new term begins.

All Saints Church

Interpol warrant

Belgian arrested

Police in Gran Canaria have arrested a Belgian man wanted by Interpol.

he 69-year-old is believed to have been holidaying in a top hotel in the Maspalomas area when he was detained. He is wanted in connection with an investigation by the Russian authorities into illegal trafficking in valuable gems dating back several years. Spanish police are thought to have been tipped off to his presence in the Canaries by Moscow.

Meet Mike Smith After our coverage of the licensing of the new chaplain, Mike Smith, at All Saints’ Church recently, we found out a little bit more about the flock’s new shepherd. Mike is 55 years old and until July of this year was employed as Vicar of Driffield in East Yorkshire. He told Island Connections, “in earlier years I was a choirboy at St Paul’s in London, giving me a real love of music. After school I went to Manchester University where I studied French and Spanish, developing a love of languages. I also developed a lifelong passion for Manchester United Football Club! Some have said that is my true religion. (Notice two loves but just one passion in the previous

few lines!) “My career after university led me finally to be a partner in a design and advertising consultancy in Glasgow. It was during these years in west Scotland that my four children were born and I came to faith. That journey of faith led me to seek ordination and, after two years at Theological College, I was ordained in Chester Cathedral in 1990. My curacy was spent in Wallasey in Merseyside, before moving to East Yorkshire in 1994.” Mike then divorced and left the church for five years, “spending time selling hardwood floors and then working for the Leprosy Mission (well it made sense to me!)”, he added. He married Sam in 2001 (also gaining three step-children!). At the time she

was a nurse working in intensive care. More recently she left nursing and became the shop manager in a hotel, restaurant and craft centre in a nearby village. In 2004, He took over as Vicar of the church in Driffield. “We loved being there for the last twelve years, but were excited to be coming to Tenerife to live, work and worship. So far, we have not been disappointed in the least!” Mike told us that while we may now know his background we still need to get to know him, and

(L-R) Fr. Keith Gordon, the Venerable David Sutch, Sam Smith, Fr. Mike Smith, Fr. Malcolm Exley, Pastor Heiland

says, “we hope to get to know the expatriate community over the next weeks, months and years as well as we possibly can and I would be delighted to come and meet with any group!”

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

TenerifeGeneral

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Camping

Holidaying within tent

Controllers allege that taxiing planes are often too close to aircraft landing

ot too surprising, given the ongoing strain on most of our budgets and bank balances, one of the few forms of holiday making in Tenerife that hasn’t reported a huge drop in numbers is camping in the open. According to recently published figures there was a small drop in the number of persons camping in one of the many permitted zones in the mountains of Tenerife between the months of May and August – nearly 9,000 used the facilities this year. It’s a cheap and growing alternative, not just for the more traditional camping set – younger people – but now for older groups and families, with the promise of safe areas for kids to play, wide open spaces, free accommodation, and no threat of loud resort noises to spoil the serenity – that is as long as your tented neighbours are observing the accepted norms of camping. Tinerfeño campers have a range of sites to choose from. In the north of the island camping is available in Icod de los Vinos (Las Hayas and El Lagar), Garachico (Arenas Negras), San Juan de la Rambla (La Tahona and Fuente de Pedro), El Sauzal (Las Calderetas), Buenavista (Los Pedregales), El Tanque (San José de los Llanos), La Orotava (Ramón el Caminero

Tenerife North

hit by safety controversy

Tenerife North Airport is at the centre of a major row after air traffic controllers asked a judge to investigate their complaints that it breaches important safety rules.

Get close to nature

and La Caldera), and in El Rosario (Las Raíces), and in the south in Arico (Fuente del Llano and El Contador), Vilaflor (Las Lajas) and Guía de Isora (Chío). All these mountain based sites are free to use and most have access to fresh water (only Fuente del Llano, La Caldera and Las Calderetas don’t), with shower facilities in El Lagar, Fuente Pedro and San José de los Llanos. There are very few rules and most of them would be obvious to even the most inexperienced of campers. Respect for fellow campers when it comes to noise, live

music, (not too loud, especially when young birds are being born – January and June) and no electronic music or sound equipment. Due to the danger of forest fires between June 15th and October 15th cars must be fitted with anti-spark mechanisms and carry fire extinguishers – campers should also make sure they are aware of any Cabildo restrictions in place regarding barbecues during particularly hot weeks, such as those just gone by. Other ‘norms’, as listed by the Cabildo for would-be campers include the prohibition of damaging or gathering plants

Warehouse raids

East Europeans netted

Police in south Tenerife have arrested a gang of dangerous criminals from Eastern Europe thought to be behind a string of warehouse raids in recent months.

Puchita

Supermarket at war

A p o p u l a r d i s co u nt supermarket in La Laguna faces prosecution after reopening in breach of a

from protected areas, leaving behind rubbish – in other words, leave the forest and mountain sites as you found them, the use of fireworks, riding horses or motorbikes inside the camping zone, and obviously following any instructions given to you by forest rangers or other figures in authority. The Cabildo website also states that the maximum stay period allowed is seven days. For more information go to the Cabildo website (www.tenerife.es) and put ‘acampadas’ into the search box. Happy camping!

closure order issued by the city council.

a Laguna ordered the Puchita store to shut because it did not have a trading licence but the shop’s owners ignored the instruction and broke the seal placed on its doors. The row, which has now gone to the courts, escalated at the end of August when Puchita launched a media drive in which it portrays itself as the ‘saviour’ of the poor and elderly.

oss Juan José del Castillo has accused the council of targeting his shop deliberately, with the poorer-off members of the community suffering the consequences. “Our very low prices attract pensioners and the unemployed. On the 25th of every month, the shop is full of OAPs who have just received their pension; the 10th is also very busy because that is the day unemployment benefit is paid out” explained Castillo. The dispute has arisen over

The controllers have filed a list of alleged problems to a court in La Laguna, which has agreed to look into the allegations that five senior airport managers may be criminally responsible for the breaches. According to the controllers, due to the poor design of the airport, taxiing planes are often too close to aircraft landing and taking off. They also allege that the tower-controlled traffic lights that instruct planes to stop or proceed when on the ground cannot be operated independently due to a switching problem and all are always either red or green. Sources at the airport say Tenerife North has been caught up in a wider conflict between the ATCs and the Spanish Airport Authority (AENA). “The controllers could have taken their complaints up directly with us but they have deliberately gone straight to a judge knowing that the media repercussions would be immediate and massive. Anything relating to air safety automatically gets headlines. It is their revenge for AENA resolving the strike issue” said an AENA source.

the failure of the no-frills supermarket, which is housed in a converted warehouse near Tenerife North Airport, to submit the plans for its car park in time. The delay meant it had not fulfilled the requirements for a licence and, according to its owner, inspectors are constantly turning up to check on the store, which is hoping to enlist popular support to counter La Laguna’s ‘war’ against it.

Jobs for the boys

Who needs advice?

Santa Cruz Council has come under fire after it emerged at the end of August that the co r p o rat i o n s p e n d s nearly three million euros every year on ‘advisers’, considerably more than its much bigger counterpart in Las Palmas.

he revelations were made by the UGT union, which

Zerolo

used salary records to calculate wastage in the councils and discovered that Santa Cruz mayor Miguel Zerolo and his local government departments had almost five times the number of highlypaid advisers as Jerónimo Zerolo in Las Palmas, even though the population of the latter city is more than double that of the Tenerife capital. UGT says the situation in Santa Cruz, where nearly 70 people are currently on the books as senior handpicked officials, reflects the ‘jobs for the boys’ culture of Zerolo’s Canarian Coalition party.

“

We were promised costcutting measures to trim the corporation wage bill months ago but it seems that traditional practices are hard to eliminate” said a union source.

TenerifeGeneral

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

The patter of fewer tiny feet!

Cats Aid Bash ‘just purrfect’ By Karl McLaughlin

n event held to raise funds for an as yet small-scale cat-neutering and vaccination programme in south Tenerife brought tears of pride to the eyes of the man behind the initiative.

Dubliner Dave O’Hora says the Sunday of entertainment and food staged in O’Jangles in Los Cristianos at the end of last month produced a staggering €1,430 and showed how many people are willing to help out with money and time for a good cause. The proceeds from a giant raffle made possible by the generosity of local businesses, with juicy prizes ranging from a Jet Ski trip for two and horse-riding lessons to meal vouchers and free computer repairs, totalled €600 and the sum was doubled by an equally generous donation from a businesswoman who prefers not to divert any of the limelight from O’Hora and the orange T-shirted Cats Aid volunteers. “To be honest, I did very little myself. The idea took root on the Tenerife Forum earlier in the summer and much of it was down on the day to people like Vanessa Pindoria and Maggie Lennard for using their brilliant contacts to put together a great lineup of entertainers, who contributed

The O’Jangles event attracted a great line up and generous crowd their services free for the event. In all we had about 200 people turn up” explained O’Hora. The Cats Aid Bash also served to bring together several local animal help groups such as La Esperanza, K9 and Live Arico, whose Sue Havenhand chipped in with an impressive stage act. Although not yet formally registered here as

an animal charity (“We are hoping this formality gets resolved in September when the person who deals with authorisations at the island’s Cabildo comes back from holiday”), Cats Aid is earning a growing reputation for the work it is doing to lower the numbers of stray cats roaming the streets of areas such as Puerto Colón and improve the quality of life of existing populations by trying to keep them free

of potentially deadly diseases such as feline leukaemia (FL). O’Hora admits he was struck by the ‘amazing numbers’ of strays during holidays to Tenerife and, since taking up residence a couple of years ago, has been trying to do something about it. “I think there is a general lack of education and awareness as to the benefits of TNR (trapping, neutering, release) and the situation is not helped by owners who decide they can no longer look after their cats (including some ex-pats who move back home) and leave them to roam the streets to fend for themselves. Refuges or feeding the cats regularly on the streets are not necessarily a solution; trapping, neutering and vaccinating strays can make a massive contribution to ensuring smaller and healthier populations,” explained the Dubliner, still reeling from the unexpected success of the bash. In his spare time, O’Hora has personally trapped and arranged the neutering of the 14 cats which are permanent fixtures in Puerto Colón and San Eugenio Bajo, but a lot still remains to be done elsewhere. “Some get away and their kittens are often seen roaming wild nearby. The cost of neutering can be astronomical - up to €180 per cat was the fee quoted by one vet - but thankfully we have friendly vets at Hospivet Sur in Las Chafiras who do it at cost price, between €30-€50”. The success of the O’Jangles event has set him thinking of other initiatives to raise more funding for Cats Aid, including a sponsored walk “targeting people wanting to fight the flab like myself” and, possibly, an eye-catching stunt in the Veronicas/Starco area to get younger people on board also. All ideas are welcome so get your thinking caps on and contact Dave O’Hora via http://www.cats-aid.com if you can help or want to contribute in any other way.

Titi

Monkey origin probed

A pet monkey abandoned by its owner in Tenerife has been taken into care while its fate is decided.

he Civil Guard’s Wildlife Protection Unit (Seprona) was alerted to the case when a woman contacted them to say she had been left to look after the rare white-tufted marmoset or ‘Titi’ monkey by a friend who had still not returned to the island after an absence of several months. The woman, who lives in Alcalá (Guía de

Isora), told police she had agreed to care for the pet for a couple of weeks but now realised that the care arrangement had become permanent and she could no longer cope. An investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the marmoset, which may have been smuggled into the Canaries from its natural habitat in South America.

Macabre tale

Body lay in hostel

Police in Santa Cruz are investigating the macabre case of a body which lay in a rundown guest house for two years before being discovered.

ccording to the La Opinion newspaper, a drug-addict couple slept in the room with the mummified remains throughout the period. The skeleton was discovered by chance when another down-and-out staying in the guest house on Avenida General Mola entered the unlocked room when its occupants were out. “They had put three mattresses on top of the body and just slept on it as if nothing had happened. The owner of the guest house is an elderly lady with Alzheimer’s and she seems to know nothing about the deceased” said a police source. Health inspectors are reported to have visited the premises with a view to closing them down due to the terrible conditions.

Trade fair

Build it

Construction companies and those who need the services of the industry are looking forward to the next trade fair organised in the Recinto Ferial de Tenerife in Santa Cruz.

t Construye 2010 you can get a great deal on a new property, check out the latest DIY equipment or talk to the professionals about your building and renovation needs between November 18 and 21, from 10am to 8pm. Entry free.

SouthWest

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Lustral de Nuestra Señora de La Encarnación

The Virgin’s journey

Chiguergue

Cultural expansion

The mayor of Guía de Isora recently presided over the opening of the expanded cultural centre in Chiguergue. Accompanied by the councillors for local development and culture, Hector Gómez and Josefa Mesa, the event included a blessing of the new building by the parish priest Miguel Guerra, which is part of the borough’s ongoing project to improve the cultural network throughout the region. The new centre, open to the public, is located by the church square and is a two storey building with adjacent parking. The bottom storey has been upgraded with two additional classrooms/salons which can also be merged into a larger conference room with a 114 person capacity. There is also a new entrance from the parking zone. On the same evening the mayor was also present at the opening of the village’s new funeral parlour.

Cultural competition

Guía art Over 40 artists are taking part in the XII edition of the Guía de Isora art competition organised by the local department of culture, each hoping to win the first place prize of €2,000.

Last year’s winning work

There are two further prizes of €600. Each participating artist is submitting two original works, free style and with a theme of their choice. The winner will be chosen by a jury made up of persons from the art world, and announced on September 11th, coinciding with the Fiestas Patronales de Guía de Isora. Cultural councillor Josefa Mesa will make the presentation and open an exhibition of selected entries which will go on show at the Guía cultural centre.

he public devotion with which the Spanish reaffirm their faith is probably among the many colourful things that many ex-pats would list as reasons to live or visit here.

Religious celebrations in the Canary Islands fit right into that category, and generally offer a delightful combination of the older perhaps more serious devotees with the younger set who are true in their faith but also delight in the ritual and ceremony and sense of fiesta that such occasions engender. In Adeje throughout the month of September small towns and villages throughout the borough are celebrating the ‘II Visita Lustral de Nuestra

Señora de La Encarnación’ – the five yearly visit of Our Lady of the Incarnation – when there will be parades, masses, receptions, music and dance, floral decorations, and a lot of ceremony. The month’s events are all taking place under the umbrella slogan ‘contigo por el camino’ (travelling with you). According to Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga “this is a collective experience which reflects our roots, the history of our people, a journey of hope, fraternity and peace where our values and co-existence are fundamental to our growth, both as individuals and as members of society” he said. Bearing this in mind, it is hoped that people of all nationalities and walks of life who are

resident or visiting Adeje will take part in their local celebrations. The full programme about events is available in many outlets and on line via the Adeje website.

Callao Salvaje and Playa Paraiso It’s only recently that these two neighbouring towns have been included in the borough’s religious network, and local organisers are hoping to attract lots of interest from residents of all nationalities. “These kind of ceremonies are not generally seen in England or Ireland, but typical of here, and we are hoping that many of our ex-pat residents will want to get involved”, one of the organisers told Island

Connections. The large ornate statue of Our Lady of the Incarnation will leave the church in Armeñime at 6pm on Wednesday September 15th and travel first to Playa Paraíso and then, probably by car, on to Callao Salvaje, arriving at about 7pm at the plaza at the bottom of the main road. She will be received with a small ceremony involving some members of the local community, and then walked up to the new church in the village. There will be a mass in the cultural centre after which the council will lay on a small outdoor toast to the ‘Virgin’ in the plaza by the new church, to which all are invited.

Santiago del Teide

School improvements

Back to school for all, and some pupils in Santiago del Teide will be returning to improved schools and facilities. The council, via the department of education, have spent the summer improving and upgrading a number of schools throughout the borough as a result of consultations with local managers. Needs were identified by members of each school team and sent to the council who then targeted each area on the list. Work included improving security in some buildings, renovating patios and recreational zones, interior painting, rewiring and plumbing work, as well as improvements in sports courts and dressing rooms. It’s good to see that despite the ongoing economic crisis and financial question marks over decisions at regional level, at local level councils still recognise the huge importance of ongoing investment in education.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

he UK tax authority has been hard at work targeting tax evasion. The government and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are determined to use ever y method they can think of to get their hands on tax they argue is rightfully theirs. One of the main methods of claiming unpaid tax is through so-called tax “amnesties” disclosure facilities to encourage tax evaders to come clean, pay their back tax, interest and penalties and then to be tax compliant in the future. In 2007 HMRC ran an Offshore Disclosure Facility (ODF), which raised nearly £450 million from around 45,000 people with undeclared assets in offshore accounts. Last year the New Disclosure Opportunity (NDO) was launched and ran until early this year. It yielded around £82 million from approximately 5,500 disclosures – but this is just from people who came forward voluntarily. HMRC will now dig deeper into information held to pursue those who did not disclose even though they should have and expects to raise around £500 million in unpaid tax, interest and penalties overall. Before the start of the NDO, 308 UK banks with overseas branches and foreign banks with UK account holders were ordered to supply HMRC with information on offshore accounts. Following the NDO tax inspectors planned to examine

Business NEWS

UK revenue’s pursuit of tax evaders reaps rewards

“We always win in the end”(HMRC) By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks

tion with HMRC means that Liechtenstein bank accounts will undergo a compulsory tax audit. All UK taxpayers suspected of owing tax will have to make a declaration under the LDF or find their accounts closed. A tax amnesty for medical professionals who failed to declare income was launched in January and ended on 30th June. Called the Tax Health Plan, it has yielded around £9 million from approximately 1,500 disclosures with one case alone worth £1.2 million.

the information and pursue those with offshore bank accounts and undeclared tax liabilities who did not make a disclosure. The Liechtenstein Disclosure facility (LDF) runs from September 2009 until March 2015. As of 31st March 2010, 419 taxpayers had registered -

but as there is a five year window for disclosure, HMRC is not concerned about what critics describe as a low response due to lack of publicity.

ing in. We’re only 50 yards into a marathon. Those who don’t come forward will face naming and shaming and in the most extreme cases will be prosecuted. We always win in An HMRC spokesman said, the end.” “we are very pleased with the way the LDF is going and From September, key legmoney from previously un- islation coming into force taxed accounts is already com- in Liechtenstein in conjunc-

HMRC said in April that it has paid informers £437,000 in return for tip-offs since 2007 and that it prosecutes around 200 people annually for tax evasion. Nobody really wants to be continually looking over their shoulder to see how close the taxman is. Fortunately, there are legitimate tax mitigating structures available in both Spain and the UK to help reduce tax liabilities to the

HMRC will be digging deeper into individuals’ finances minimum possible. An international tax and wealth management specialist like Blevins Franks will advise on which is most suitable for you, taking into consideration your personal circumstances, objectives and country of residence. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website: www.blevinsfranks.com

Business NEWS

s reported in our last issue, parents of schoolgoing children will be counting the cost of the return to school this month. However you’re better off than you think with the latest report from the FUCI, the Federation of Independent Consumers and Users showing that the average spend per pupil is lowest in the Canary Islands and Galicia at just under €700 per pupil as opposed to over €1,000 in Madrid and Catalonia. According to the report the national average cost of the return to school comes in at €820 while in the Canaries it’s calculated to be a lot lower, at €688. The FUCI calculated the cost looking at over 200 public and private schools throughout Spain. The average cost arrived at is 6.2 per cent more than last year, at least some of which, according to FUCI president Agustina Laguna, is the rise in value added tax, something not applied here in the islands. However she also blamed other consumer price rises for the overall increase, which she said “further prejudiced thousands of Spaniards already suffering economically”. The cost of a uniform was listed as one of the most expensive items

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Back to school Canarian costs

Costs lower in Canaries

UK pensions and benefits

FAQS

What are my pension and benefit entitlements if I live in Spain? 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 Statutory Maternity Pay Statutory Sick Pay Winter Fuel Allowance Severe Disablement Allowance

For others, you can apply for them even if you are already living in Spain: Contribution-based Employment Support Allowance (replaced Incapacity Benefit from October 27th 2008) Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Bereavement Benefits Disability Living Allowance (Care component) Maternity Allowance UK Child Benefit Guardian’s Allowance on the list, with the average outlay in this area for public schools in the region of €110, and double that for subsidised schools, rising to an average of €284 for private institutions. Annual registration was another cost listed, which, while not

applicable in the case of public schools, was often included in some form – perhaps listed as administration – in subsidised schools, averaging €200 and costing up to €265 in the private sector. School text book prices have

Cheaper to go back to school in the Canaries

risen by an average of 3.8 per cent on 2009, while required materials range in cost from €50 for public schools to €125 for private schools.

Expoutlet 2010

Arona bargains

ver 70 companies will take part in the Arona Expoutlet 2010, which will take place in front of the Pabellón de Deportes in Los Cristianos on October 9th and 10th. Expoutlet (a bargain trade fair) is being promoted by the Arona department of finance. Spokesperson Dácil García Marcelino, said she was pleased at the large number of local companies who would be taking part, all of whom have shops in the borough, and all of whom have guaranteed to offer products at discounts of at least 50 per cent. The fair will be divided into sections, fashion and accessories, health and well-being, decoration, home and gifts, and kids.

Other benefits particularly those that are means-tested, are not payable abroad. These include Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Disability Living Allowance (mobility component). If you’re concerned about how moving abroad will affect your benefits, you should contact the International Pension Centre (IPC) in the UK as they’ll be able to advise you on your specific case – 00 44 1912 187 777.

Happy Birthday

Three years of Gran Sur

he Gran Sur Shopping Centre and cinema complex in Costa Adeje celebrates its third anniversary this month.

The mall, next to the motorway, has proven a big hit with locals and tourists, says marketing boss Mercedes Suárez. “Only two of the nearly 50 units are empty at the moment and 80 per cent of the businesses that opened three years ago are still here”, explained Suárez. Gran Sur receives an average of 7,000 visitors daily, and double that number on Saturdays. It will be the centre of attraction during the month as the focal point for a range of events associated with the Adeje Car Rally, including a photo exhibition in the second weekend of September.

Car sales

Ryanair

Spanish pensions

The car industry gave a much needed break to the Canarian economy in August thanks to a ten per cent rise in the rent-a-car market.

Ryanair has just opened its newest base at El Prat airport in Barcelona with 23 routes, eight aircraft and are expecting to carry 2.5m passengers annually through the hub.

The average pension earned in the Canaries is below the national average.

Rental boost According to the latest figures only the Canary Islands and Madrid registered any rise at all in the numbers of new cars and other vehicles on the road, with over 2,000 new rent-acar registrations in the month in question. In the case of the Canary Islands the rise was in the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. According to the president of the federation of car importers and dealers (Fredica), Rafael Pombriego, thanks to the rent-a-car branch, the sector has been given a boost. This was doubly welcome given that car sales to private individuals had fallen by up to 16 per cent, and overall the increase in sales would benefit all areas of the sector.

El Prat base opens

Authorities are hoping the move will halt the decline in passengers through the airport – numbers were three million down on 2009. The company say that their new operations base will also create and sustain over 2,500 local jobs as well as 400 direct Ryanair jobs among pilots, cabin crew and engineers. Ryanair will operate over 400 weekly low fare flights to/from Barcelona El Prat in an investment of over $550 million in the airport. Ryanair’s 23 new El Prat routes are the first low fare routes to/from Barcelona El Prat and will allow the airport to tap into the low fares market, which continues to grow, and which has so far been absent from the airport.

Canarians earn less Over all of Spain, the average pension is €886.40, but the average Canarian resident pensioner can only expect to be paid €858.31. The amount of pension you get paid is based on the amount you earn during the last 15 years before you claim and as the wages are lower here, it follows that the pensions will be too. Better paid pensioners who are earning more than the national average are in the Basque Country - €1,103.79, Asturias - €1,095.58, Madrid €1062,90, Navarre - €991.24, Cantabria - €929.71, Aragón - €907.65 and Catalonia - €900.08. Both the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla are also above the average at €1,001.36 and €9040.65 respectively. Worst paid are those in Galicia at an average of €728.24.

Business NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

Sales

Fewer bargains

You would think that more items would be bought during the sales during an economic crisis as people make the most of lower prices, but in Tenerife this year this was not the case.

Shops agree that August has been a very slow sales month and the only good sales week was the very first week of discounted sales in July. Total sales are down ten per cent over 2009.

Hacienda

Taxman targets Swiss accounts

Spain’s Inland Revenue (Hacienda) says it will show no mercy to residents here who have not disclosed details of their bank accounts in Switzerland following the expiry of the deadline for holders to declare their Swiss assets.

Spain was given details of approximately 1,500 holders of accounts at the Swiss subsidiary of the HSBC bank after the theft of confidential computer records relating to the period 2005-09. Hacienda, which set a deadline for holders to come clean and submit extra tax returns to

reflect the hidden investments, is adamant that anyone who did not take up the offer will now be targeted specifically as of September, when inspectors will call them in to discuss their financial situation. Fines are expected to be up to 150 per cent of the amount of any tax fraud detected but criminal prosecutions are possible in some cases, said a Hacienda source.

Unemployment

Turning a corner? province, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria registered the best figures with 1,178 less unemployed.

Business appointments

DinoSol

Supermarket group DinoSol have just announced that Luis Daniel Sanz Suárez has been named as new president of the company. The outgoing president, Javier Puga Santana, who steps down to devote more time to other projects, remains with the company as director.

Luis Daniel Sanz Suárez has been with the company since 2005 when he took up the post of financial director of the DinoSol group, and in 2010 became a company director representing the CMA Retail shareholders. With a background in finance, his appointment is seen as a move towards the consolidation and expansion of the company in the food sector. DinoSol is a major distribution group operating under the superSol, HiperDino, CashDiplo and HiperDino Express labels. It is the fifth largest distributor in the field in Spain, with 445 distribution points nationally.

hile the national unemployment figures rose again in August following four consecutive months of improvement, the Canary Islands was one of only three independent communities to register a drop in those on the dole. Not only did the Canaries register 1,867 less unemployed, but they broke the trend with the best figures in Spain, according to data released by the Ministry for Employment and Immigration. The numbers registered as unemployed dropped in all the islands except for El Hierro where the numbers rose by 5.3 per cent but the reduction was most apparent in La Gomera with 14.5 per cent less people on the dole. By

By sectors and activities, the service sector benefitted the most with 1,953 less unemployed, followed by construction at 322, while the segment where unemployment rose was that of people who had previously been out of work, according to the Canarian Observatory of Employment and Professional Training (Obecan). This organisation also emphasised the increase in the number of people of working age compared to a year ago, of 8,700, the third biggest increase in Spain. The cost to the public services of unemployment benefits in the Canaries rose to €144.8 million in July, which is an increase of 3.5 per cent on July 2009 while the number of employment contracts granted was 48,501, 10.2 per cent less than a year ago. Of these, 3,889 were indefinite contracts, which means that 71.8 per cent of employees in the Canaries are working on that basis compared with 66.3 per cent two years ago. Alberto Génova, general director of the Canarian Employment Service (SCE) linked the reduction in unemployment in the Islands to good progress in the tourism sector, adding, “these have been good months for tourism and the repercussions have been immediate and direct on employment”. He called this fall in unemployment “good news”, but emphasised that, “we must keep our feet on the ground”. He continued, “the reality is that we continue to have a serious problem

because we have 260,000 Canarians out of work”. He pointed out that the August figures seemed to confirm a positive tendency which began in May, and said that he hopes that this continues in the following months. It is difficult to know whether or not this tendency will continue but he added, “the data we are receiving from the tourism sector looks good for the future, and if this is confirmed, we can hope for further slight reductions in unemployment”. Génova explained that the summer season is different in mainland Spain. “We began to see a reduction in unemployment in May, but at national level it was visible in April because that is when they open their hotels and staff are taken on. Now August is over, many hotels will be closing in Spain”. He also explained that the slight improvement in figures in the construction sector was due to renovations rather than new constructions. Meanwhile, countrywide, the social security system lost 131,858 contributors following six months of increases. In general, Spain’s increase in unemployment was not good news, but the Secretar y General for Employment, Maravillas Rojo, described unemployment as “significantly inferior” to that of the last two years and said that the tendency continued towards figures registered before the economic crisis. However, Partido Popular leader Mariano Rajoy continues to underline that Spain has the highest unemployment figures in all of Europe.

PHONE THE U.K.! From

UK TELECOM CANARY ISLANDS

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Tel: 922 384 255 •

No standing charges Fax: 922 384 336 •

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EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Health

HouseCalls

find those “motivators” or “triggers” to help you grow through challenges. Trust more in yourself and less in pills.

Dr. De La Flor

healthytenerife@gmail.com

Dear Dr. De La Flor

Coaching corner

Dear Dr. De La Flor,

A few weeks ago, my favourite coach went to heaven at 99 years of age. I’d like to share with you a precious pearl he left for his players, … and for you and for me; “you can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

How can gout attacks be prevented? Sincerely, Mary

Dear Mary, Gout is a kind of arthritis. It can cause an attack of sudden bur ning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually a big toe. Due to an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood, these attacks can happen over and over unless gout is properly approached. Prevention involves lifestyle changes and sometimes medicines. Your chances of developing gout depend on a myriad of factors: family histor y, being over weight, having high blood pressure or diabetes… Nutritional factors can play a major role. Historically, gout was associated with royalty, nobility and wealth. Only they were able to regularly enjoy such products as game meat, seafood and wine. They should be eaten in moderation as well as other foods rich in purines: anchovies, cr ustaceans, sardines, marmite, organ meats. Be especially careful with beer. Less known triggers of gout are ver y low-calorie diets; water pills (diuretics); regular use of aspirin; dehydration; acute illness or infection. To prevent recurrent attacks you might need medicine that reduces uric acid levels in the blood. Uricosuric agents

Resolution:

How badly you want to get better will make the biggest difference

increase elimination of uric acid by the kidneys. Drugs such as allopurinol decrease production of uric acid by the body. Talk with your GP about a personalised plan for you that will include reasonable changes to your lifestyle, nutritional changes and perhaps some medication.

Dear Dr. De La Flor, I moved to the island a few moths ago. It’s been difficult to adjust and I now find myself taking several tablets. Your opinion? Cheers, Sam

Dear Sam, No job or even a new job, settling into a new home

(or even tougher … a new country!), getting married, financial difficulties, an illness — any number of ‘life changes’ can cause stress. I prefer to call them ‘life challenges’ instead of problems. An adjustment disorder is a type of stress-related mental illness. You may feel anxious or depressed, or even have thoughts of suicide. You may not be able to go about some of your daily routines, such as work or seeing friends. Or you may make reckless decisions. In essence, you have a hard time adjusting to change in your life. You don’t have to tough it out on your own, though. Most adults get better within just a few months. As with other mental disorders, the cause is complex and may involve a mixture of genetics, life experiences, your temperament and even changes in the natural chemicals in the brain. There are two main types

of treatment, psychotherapy/ coaching and medications. Therapy should provide emotional support and help you get back to your normal routine. It can also help you learn why the stressful event af fected you so much. As you understand more about this connection, you can also learn healthy coping skills. These skills can help you with other stressful events that may arise in your life. In some cases, medications may help, too. Antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the most often used. Your attitude is essential, how badly you want to ‘get better’ will make the biggest difference. Success in a treatment often stems from identifying an internal need or deficiency that motivates you, helping you set realistic goals, and connecting them with an activity that fulfils those needs. Part of your treatment, with the help of your doctor, is to

For the next two weeks, let’s try to relish a few minutes every morning thinking of “a couple of very specific actions” that we can do for someone. All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs and/or attitude. Focusing on someone in need, allows us to fly higher because one of the paradoxes of life is that we find the best in ourselves when we forget about ourselves.

Dr. De La Flor, licensed G.P. Holds certificates in coaching, nutrition and medical exercise from Berkeley University and the American Council on Exercise. His medical approach is highly influenced by Positive Psychology; an empowering, encompassing way of approaching patients through the study of their strengths and virtues to enable them to thrive and lead fulfilling lives, accept the past, find happiness in the present, and hope for the future. You can reach the doctor at 0034-697.888.666 to schedule a consultation in his surgery or in your home/business.

HealthExtra Charity fun bowl

Music and the deaf

he Megabowl Tenerife at Fanabe T resounded with yells of joy and moans of despair at the Charity Fun Bowl.

A superb buffet was provided by the hardworking staff and generous donation of owner Tarek Harake and manager, Ivor. Bars, restaurants, Friends of Music and the Deaf and businesses rallied round to provide raffle prizes and special thanks go to The Money Exchange and Nevada Electronics both in Callao Salvaje and Denise Bell of Viana Show ´Rock Story´. Our most grateful thanks go to all the bowlers who took part. A new team won the Music and the Deaf Trophy under the Team Leadership of Cliff Rogers. The Dream Team consisted of Ivor, ´Granded´, Ash, Wayne, Andy, Olly and Jeppo. Boy’s Junior Champion: Chris Donnelly Girl’s Junior Champion: Anja Hurd

Men’s High Score Trophy: Jeff Lemm

Wo m e n’s H i g h S co r e Trophy: Kelli Hornby Last, but not least, after a fun-filled night, Willy and The Pitt Stop team won the ´Chamipons - at Least at the Bar´Certificate. A magnificent €1,000 was raised for the Charity.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

health directory

Health Directory Useful Vocabulary

Describing your symptoms

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

Frequency & type :

Sometimes A veces All the time Todo el tiempo A lot Mucho A little Poco Stabbing p�� 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

Looking for health care Buscando asistencia sanitaria

I need a doctor / dentist / midwife Necesito un médico / dentista / matrona

Where is the nearest hospital/doctors’ surgery / dentist / out of hours chemist? ¿Dónde es el hospital / clínica / dentista / farmacia de guardia más cercano?

Can I get treatment on the national health here? ¿Puedo recibir atención aquí por la Seguridad Social? Please call an ambulance. Por favor llame a una ambulancia

Hospitals USP COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL Urbanización San Eugenio, s/n, 38660 - Adeje Tels: • 922 752626 • 922 791 000 • 900 112 111 Hospital La Candelaria Carretera Del Rosario 145 Santa Cruz de Tenerife 922 602 000 hospitaldelacandelaria. com Hospital Universitario Carretera Cuesta-Taco San Cristobal de La Laguna (Tenerife), 922 678 000 www.huc.es HOSPITEN SUR Playa de Las Américas 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 HOSPITEN BELLEVUE C/ Alemania, 6 Urb. San Fernando. Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 35 51 Fax: 922 37 03 12 HOSPITEN TAMARAGUA C/ Agustín de Bethencourt, 30 Puerto de la Cruz Tel.: 922 38 05 12 Fax: 922 38 08 50 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. Teléfono: 922 64 55 11 Fax: 922 64 93 52

Hospitals

USP COSTA ADEJE HOSPITAL

•Emergency & Ambulance

922 791 000

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

Physiotherapy

Gynaecology Dr Michael Theis Calle La Hoya 55 Puerto de la Cruz In the south on Saturdays at Hospital Las Americas Tel 922 370 897 Specialist in gynaecology

PHYSIOTHERAPIST / OSTEOPATH Officially registered Nº967 Philippe Hoogstoel Home visits Tel: 677 818 661 English, Spanish, French, German spoken

Chemist

Emergency

080 092 091 062 016

Farmacia de Guardia

24H Service

Fire Brigade Local Police

The various chemists in the Canaries take it in turns in each area to make sure that there is access to medicine all over the islands.

National Police Guardia Civil

Lic. 06089

 GP Providing All Family Medical Services.  Success Coaching Programs for Depression, Alcoholism, Low self-esteem, Eating Disorders.

 Action Plan, Attitudinal Training designed to meet your needs and empower you to achieve greater health & happiness.

10 years of experience in the USA

New location in ADEJE, HOME VISITS available BEST PRICES (30-40 €) & RESULTS GUARANTEED!

00 34 697 888 666

DENTAL CLINIC FAÑABÉ PLAZA

and click on ‘farmacias de guardia’ at the top right of the page.

Documents needed

Gran Canaria

Be aware that to receive medical attention in Spain you will need to present identification, residence certificate and passport for residents and a passport for visitors. In addition visitors should present their European Health Insurance Card for emergency health care at a Social Security Hospital. Private hospitals will not accept the EHIC and will ask you to pay for your treatment or provide adequate insurance. Please make sure you are aware whether or not the service you need provides care under the Social Security system, before you sign to accept anything. Residents in Spain will be expected to show their Health Card (tarjeta sanitaria) to gain access to full health care at Social Security hospitals. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Health Card, you must ensure you have adequate private insurance.

Counselling

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

FREE check-up and X-ray Emergency Phone Line (for Bank Holidays & Weekends)

687 744 225

Tel: 922 714 225 • Fax: 922 724 130

C.C. Fañabé Plaza, Avda. Bruselas 2nd floor (in front of Hotel Jacaranda). Playa Fañabé, Costa Adeje, Tenerife Sur www.tenerife-dental.com

Materno-Insular

Avda Maritima del Sur 35016 Las Palmas. Tel: 928 444 500 Fax 928 444 288 Clínica San Roque – Sur

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

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

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

Emergency

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

DIAL 112 Emergency Single emergency line

Lifestyle Choices

online counselling & healing

Counselling

De La Flor

www.fefarcan.com

Missing Children> 116000

630 478 448 (24 hrs).

DOCTOR

Enter the website of the Federation of Canarian Chemists:

domestic violence

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) South:

District Nursing Services now available at home. Cancer Care, Respite, long term care for your relative.

Login to www.counsellingandhealingonline.com Free e.book and half hour assessment 922 781 702 for appointment • info@choices.com

We look after your dental health and are offering free bacteria testing with painless elimination in only ten minutes (value €100). Please ask for Mandy to make an appointment.

Dental Surgery, Implants and Periodontics South: C/ Amalia Alayón, 11, 1º D, Los Cristianos. Tel. 922 78 83 28

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

DOCTOR ON CALL 24 HRS

“We only work to care for you”

> English speaking medical staff > 24 hour house calls in South Tenerife > Sport clinic > Physiotherapy > Walk-in emergencies > All major insurance policies accepted > Resident discounts C. C. El Camisón, 9, Local 4 Playa de Las Américas, Arona Tel: 922 79 76 88 / 626 855 356 www.neweuropeanclinic.com

living lifestyle

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

www.munichsports.com

New Munich footwear range fashion

arcelona footwear firm Munich have just launched Offside, a new range for Autumn and Winter 2010/2011 which is aimed at gentlemen who like a casual but classy look, such as businessmen or executives. Elegant, made from quality leather and available in a range of sophisticated colours in sizes 39 to 46, Offside combines a sporty look with comfort and style. Available from Munich stores, multi-brand footwear stockists or online at www.munichsports.com.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010

HealthFitness

info@bfit.es

Fabian Fitzner founder and chief trainer of Bfit 24h gyms and Bfit Personal training.

Fitness with Fabián Fitzner

Why are so many coaches incompetent?

t is a typical scenario. A newbie comes to a gym with some personal goals. He gets a training plan from one of the trainers in that gym and everything he is told seems to make sense.

credit:Float

Two days later the same newbie enters the gym motivated and starts to train. After waiting 10 minutes for each machine he begins to ask himself why everybody is using the same equipment. There are big people hoping to lose weight, skinny people working to increase mass and athletic people exercising to

increase power. Almost all of them are doing the same exercises. Our newbie starts to become curious and looks at what the ‘big guys’ are doing in the free weight area. Maybe our newbie even checks online about training programs or buys some books. On his next training day he confronts his trainer with his new ideas. The coach might try and fob him off with some nice coloured certificates and show his ‘worth’ by doing 15 bench presses on a gymball… Do not get me wrong. After I studied I applied for

Eye on beauty

Get into shape Tweezing your eyebrows Step-by-step guide is the most dramatic way to • Wash the area thoroughchange your face without ly so it’s not oily. makeup or surgery. It can make your eyes look larger and give your face a clean, polished look. You should pluck eyebrows before bedtime so any redness will disappear overnight. In shaping your eyebrows use your facial features.

• Decide what shape you want for your eyebrows. Styles change. It may help looking at a fashion magazine to see what the ‘in’ look is. • Draw a brow line on your eyebrow with a brow pencil to serve as a guide. Follow

some licences as well but to pass some of the exams you need the I.Q. of one of the least intelligent gorillas in Loro Parque. If you study enough you actually should make it, but in reality if you have the money you will get the certificates. Some so-called academies offer licences over a weekend. Yes, no joke. One single weekend. I have even seen somebody selling licences on eBay. Let’s say you did not buy your licence. You really studied. This licence delivers you just the basic knowledge. But afterwards you really need to start studying and do further training constantly. As well as this you need to have training experience. If as a coach you look like you never work out, you are doing something wrong. A trainer is a product. A trainer sells health and fitness. If he looks unfit, look for somebody else. Do not be scared to ask more than once if you are unsure. Do look for a second opinion if you want to, especially when you have concerns about the given training plan. Sometimes it is better to try different gyms/ trainers until you find one you trust. An easy way to find out if you are using the right gym would be to ask yourself, “did I reach my goals in the last three months and if not, am I on the right course?” If the answer is yes, great, you just found a good gym. But if the answer is “no” it is time to change your coach and gym. Fitness professional: www.bfit.es / info@bfit.es Tel: 92278900 Tel: 676243102 the brow’s natural line by conforming to the curve of your upper eyelid. • Pull the skin at the outer end of the eyebrow taut against the brow bone, and use the brow bone as an additional guide. • Use a pair of angled eyebrow tweezers to pluck the hairs below the brow; never shape your brow by plucking above it. Pluck only one hair at a time. • Start plucking in the middle of the eyebrow and pluck toward the outer end; then go back to the middle and pluck toward the nose. Your brows should extend a little beyond each corner of your eye. • Use a cotton ball or pad soaked in pure tea tree oil or witch hazel to soothe your plucked brows. Finally, remember that habitually plucking may make some hairs stop growing altogether, so pluck with care.

living lifestyle

Horoscope & pastimes

Letters

EDITION 625 :: 10/09/2010 - 24/09/2010 :: ISLAND CONNECTIONS

Chinese Horoscope

editorial@ic-news.com

By Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller

Magazine competition winner Dear Editor

e would like to thank you for the tickets to the Alejandro Sanz concert. We had a great night and what a well organised event! No car parking problems, no problem to take a bottle of water inside, nothing ‘confiscated’. The sound and lighting are the best we have ever seen in a concert here. Very well organised, easy to get into the concert and leave. Alejandro was fantastic, a lovely long concer t and he connected well with the audience. His new songs are probably better known to the

non Spanish part of the audience but the ones of us who have lived here forever really enjoyed the older songs. Lovely atmosphere and Alejandro looked good with a Canarian scarf around his neck...nice touch, also saying he had brought his daughter with him to “this paradise which is Tenerife”. I do hope they continue to organise concerts and it was nice to see a mixture of all nationalities. I am glad you also, as a magazine, support Spanish artists. Maybe it would be good to do an article to show people how much artists like Alejandro, Shakira, Miguel Bosé and Juanés do for children’s charities (Pies descalzos etc.) I live in Adeje and love to promote our village to tourists, New Year’s Eve, and our local fiesta, which is coming up soon, are all a way of having a good time without having to spend a fortune. Thank you for a great night out. Regards Cherry Lopez & Karen Bennett

Nuisance noise Dear Editor

was ver y interested to read the letters regarding noise and nuisance from bars and clubs in Adeje. How many times has it been reported that the Adeje council is promoting “quality tourism”? This sounds fine but, by ignoring the excessive noise from bars and clubs in their area,their intention is the complete opposite. What happened to the regulation where all music, live or otherwise, had to move to a enclosed soundproofed area at midnight? As a resident I don’t object to a variety of entertainment to suit all tastes but I do object to the authorities turning a blind eye and allowing the regulations to be ignored. They should remember that the rules are there to help everyone live in harmony. At some bars and the clubs in the vicinity of

Puerto Colon and the adjoining beach appear to have a free hand to make as much noise as they like despite noise regulations. Wake up Adeje and show you are in control by helping all visitors and residents in your area to enjoy Costa Adeje. Name and address with editor

daniela@5-elementos.com / Tel. +34 922 104 358 / www.5-elementos.com

Daniela Herzberg & Roger Keller are based in the south-west 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) You’ll feel as if you’re winning, and be inspired to circulate socially, entertain at home or go on dates. However, don’t trust everyone, especially when it comes to financial or property deals.  Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998) Extra chores and responsibilities at home and work will set your head spinning. Additional irritations will come from the behaviour of children, colleagues or neighbours.

Click pic One of several uprooted street lamps and damaged globes allegedly caused by youths gathering around the three clubs in Torviscas between 1am and 8am, August 20. See picture below

Click

Pastimes

 Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999) Be prudent financially and reserve funds to cope with bills, repairs and additional expenses. In compensation, your efforts toward deepening friendships and love bonds are rewarded.  Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) You’ll know just what to do to get that romance back on track, or allow a new relationship to grow. Also, opportunities at work, in business or out socially, will facilitate the progress you need.  Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001) Whether you’re writing a book, getting married, seeking a new job or launching your latest venture, the Celestial energies will not only support your efforts but fill you with innovative ideas.  Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) Insignificant problems will arise until you have to take notice of them. Work, business and study will be most affected. Monitor your mind and ensure you don’t overreact or become hyper-stressed.  Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 You might meet your soul mate or someone special right now. There’s fun to be had, at home and out and about. All this means that you’re likely to overspend and overindulge, so stay prudent.

Torviscas

[ For Crossword and Sudoku solution see classifieds section ]

Across 7 - admit (6) 8 - solicitor (6) 10 - boastful behaviour (7) 11 - duties (5) 12 - cut (4) 13 - pariah (5) 17 - seabirds (5) 18 - nothing (4) 22 - map (5) 23 - repeats (7) 24 - domain (6) 25 - decorates (6)

Down 1 - apes (7) 2 - go forward (7) 3 - body of water (5) 4 - associate (7) 5 - rover (5) 6 - wind instrument (5) 9 - countenanced (9) 14 - movers on ice (7) 15 - listeners (7) 16 - be (7) 19 - group of eight (5) 20 - curbs (5) 21 - sour substances (5)

 Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) Be wary how many social obligations you agree to, or you’ll find that your special people will begin to feel neglected. Relationships only flourish if they’re nurtured, and given time.  Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) You’ll be able to solve problems and will experience a new intellectual clarity. Fresh ideas will enliven your work environment. Allow inspirations to flow and you’ll get the support you need.  Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006) If you tackle hassles devotedly you’ll be victorious, but don’t expect support or assistance. Dogs in love partnerships will have to make concessions if they wish the relationship to continue.  Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007) Put your concentration on household duties, relationships and spiritual development. Even Pigs who’ve been experiencing love or child raising traumas will feel that peace has returned.

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.

14 DAY GUIDE

10th September - 24th September 2010 :: BBC1 / BBC2 / ITV1 / Channel4 / Channel5 / Skysports1 / Skysports2

Help For Heroes Concert

football >

Super Ford Sunday

ive, Kick off 1.30pm Manchester United v Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Barclays Premier League. Team managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson have 70 years of managerial experience between them so it should be a cracking game.

BBC1 / Music/

Sky Sports 1 . 19th September- 1.00pm

12th September / 8:00pm

documentary>

The Young Ones S

ix celebrities in their 70s and 80s - Lionel Blair, Liz Smith, Dickie Bird, Sylvia Syms, Derek Jameson and Kenneth Kendall - have agreed to spend a week in a customised country retreat. BBC1 / 14th September - 9.00pm

twickenham stadium A galaxy of stars gathers at Twickenham Stadium for a spectacular concert in aid of charity Help for Heroes, which offers assistance to British servicemen and women wounded in conflicts around the world. Artists include Robbie Williams, Enrique Iglesias, the Wanted, James Blunt, Alexandra Burke, Alesha Dixon, Katherine Jenkins, Pixie Lott, Plan B and the Saturdays. Hosts will be comedians such as John Bishop, Kevin Bridges, Jack Dee, Rhod Gilbert, Peter Kay, Jason Manford, Michael McIntyre and Bruce Forsyth. The event will be transmitted to military bases across the UK and coverage will include interviews with the artists as well as with servicemen and women about their experiences.

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FILM>

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Channel 4 / 12th September - 10.15pm

32" LCD series 4 in stock €350. HD decoders for €350. (ITV HD & CH4 HD now available on small dish). Free to air cards in stock €150

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IC TV GUIDE

/ Friday 10/09/2010

BBC1 / Film

10th September - 11.15pm Brooklyn Rules Drama set in 1980s Brooklyn

one 6:00 Breakfast 9:15 Helicopter Heroes 10:00 Homes under the Hammer 11:00 To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 1:00 BBC News at One 1:30 BBC London News 1:45 Doctors 2:15 Diagnosis Murder 3:00 BBC News 3:05 unior MasterChef 3:35 Wingin’ It 4:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum 4:30 Horrible Histories 5:00 Newsround 5:15 The Weakest Link 6:00 BBC News at Six 6:30 BBC London News 7:00 The One Show 7:30 Animal 24/7 8:00 EastEnders The Mitchells are left devastated by last night’s shocking events - will Albert Square ever recover from the tragedy? 8:40 Peggy Mitchell: Queen of the Vic This special programme looks at ten moments that made Peggy Mitchell, played by Barbara Windsor, a British icon. Despite her diminutive stature, the Mitchell’s matriarch has featured in some of the most dramatic storylines in the history of EastEnders. 9:00 New Tricks 10:00 BBC News at Ten 10:25 BBC London News 10:35 Would I Lie to You? Rob Brydon returns to the host’s chair for the fourth series of the comedy panel show. 11:05 The National Lottery Draws 11:15 Brooklyn Rules Drama set in 1980s Brooklyn. Three boyhood friends come of age on the streets, where the violent have power. When one becomes enamored with the mafia lifestyle, all three friends are placed in grave danger as relationships and lives are threatened. 12:45 Weatherview 12:50 Gears and Tears

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Children’s Entertainment The Pingu Show,Yoko! Jakamoko! And Bob the Builder: Project Build It In the Night Garden Living Dangerously The Daily Politics GMT Animal Park Wanted Down Under Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Flog It! Pointless Escape to the Country Eggheads Climbing Great Buildings Who Do You Think You Are? USA Hugh Quarshie traces his family tree to explore the lives of his ancestors. Holby City actor Hugh was born in Ghana, but moved to Britain with his parents as a child. Mastermind Gardeners’ World Toby Buckland offers ideas for low-maintenance plant combinations to rev up our borders, as well as different varieties of cyclamen that should give six months of colour from autumn through to spring Digging for Britain In the final episode of the series Dr Alice Roberts goes in search of the Tudor age, a time that saw momentous changes across all aspects of British life. Roger and Val Have Just Got In Val returns to the house to see how Roger’s tribunal at work has gone. She reveals she is going to a dinner which Ian - a former colleague who fell in love with her and moved to New Zealand - is attending. Newsnight The Review Show The History Boys Film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s acclaimed stage play set in the north of England in the 1980s.

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Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning ITV News This Morning Loose Women ITV News & Weather 60 Minute Makeover The Michael Ball Show Inspector Morse Britain’s Best Dish London Tonight ITV News & Weather Emmerdale Nicola starts to have doubts about running the Woolpack. A suspicious Edna confronts Eve. John and Moira discover who burgled their house. Coronation Street Finally the cause of Aadi’s injury is revealed. Will Kylie risk everything on the eve of her court hearing? Ken is left reeling by what his son has to say. Cheetah Kingdom Coronation Street Dev and Sunita are ecstatic to be reunited with their children, but Claire is far from happy. Kylie jeopardises her court hearing by stealing Mary’s motor home. Natasha is struggling to cope with her mounting deception and breaks down. Paul O’Grady Live Paul O’Grady hosts a brand new entertainment extravaganza, featuring audience participation, studio surprises and interviews with big stars from around the world. Today he welcomes Sir Tom Jones and makes his acrobatic debut alongside Britain’s Got Talent winners Spelbound. ITV News at Ten & Weather Two Weeks Notice The Zone Our hosts guide you through The Zone

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Countdown The Hoobs Big Brother’s Little Brother Ultimate Big Brother Frasier The Hollyoaks Music Show Friends Double bill. The Good Wife Desperate Housewives Channel 4 News Summary Wife Swap USA Jamie at Home Channel 4 Racing Wogan’s Perfect Recall Countdown Deal or No Deal Come Dine with Me Coach Trip The Simpsons Hollyoaks Amy is livid to discover that Ste has scuppered her visit to Barcelona, and he can only watch in despair as an excited Carmel leaves with Brendan - despite the postcard Carmel received from the Valentines, which also cast doubt on the trip. Channel 4 News 4thought.tv Ultimate Big Brother The end is nigh. Join Davina and friends as Big Brother bows out of the limelight in spectacular style. For the past two and a half weeks, viewers have followed some of the best loved and most reviled faces from the past series of Big Brother in Ultimate Big Brother. Big Brother Davina’s Big Send Off Expect tears as Davina debates, dissects and relives the most unforgettable Big Brother moments of all time with a rowdy audience of Big Brother fanatics, and some of the greatest ever housemates. Ultimate Big Brother 8 Out of 10 Cats Oxegen Festival 2010 Exclusive coverage of Oxegen 2010, Ireland’s largest music festival.

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Milkshake Programmes include Thomas and Friends, Roary the Racing Car and The Adventures of Bottletop Bill and His Best Friend Corky. The Wright Stuff The Trisha Goddard Show CSI: New York Five News Chinese Food in Minutes The Boss is Coming to Dinner Neighbours Toadie struggles to balance his deal with Diana and his family commitments. When Diana discovers the nature of Toadie and Sonya’s secret affair, she understands the hold Paul has over him Home and Away I Own Britain’s Best Home Jack Drama about a teenage boy whose world is turned upside down when he finds out his parents are getting divorced. Further shocks are in store when his father confesses that he is gay. Five News Neighbours Home and Away Tensions at Gina’s house rise to an all-time high when Bianca takes exception to John. Irene begins to suspect that Leah is having second thoughts about ending things with Elijah. Live from Studio Five Five News at 7 Cricket on Five First one day international between England and Pakistan at Chester-LeStreet. Presented by Mark Nicholas with commentary from Simon Hughes and Michael Vaughan. Police Interceptors The Mentalist Law and Order: Special Victims Unit CSI: New York Cops in Crisis Supercasino

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Good Morning Sports Fans Three back to back episodes. Cricket - Natwest One Day Wonders Cricket Barclays Premier League Preview Sky Sports News Round-up of the sports news with live analysis and comment plus extended interviews. Rugby Super League A play-off in the engage Super League. Take it Like a Fan The Sky Sports football quiz filmed at Premier League, Football League and SPL grounds. Barclays Premier League Preview Football League Weekend Cricket

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56 | September 2010

LIFESTYLE GUIDE FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

Aerobics: Oz Style Ocean Ride WWE Raw Ringside The Rugby Club Simon Lazenby, Stuart Barnes, Dewi Morris and Will Greenwood preview and review the latest rugby union action and talk to some of the biggest names in the game. Aerobics: Oz Style Racing News For those looking for form guides and the latest news from the track, take advantage of top tips from the definitive scoop on today’s racing programme. NFL U.S. Open Tennis The overnight highlights of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. Juan Martin Del Potro caused an upset last year, defeating Roger Federer in five sets to claim his first Major title. World Wrestling Entertainment Late Night Smackdown Double bill. Rugby Super League

IC TV GUIDE

TV23

/ Saturday 11/09/10 ITV1 / Talent Show

11th September - 7.45pm X Factor

Host Dermot O’Leary is on hand to support the contestants

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Breakfast Saturday Kitchen Football Focus BBC News BBC London News Weather F1: Grand Prix Qualifying Live coverage from Monza of the qualifying session for the 2009 F1 Italian Grand Prix. 2:20 Canoeing The World Slalom Championships. Jonathan Edwards presents highlights of the fourth and penultimate day from the Tacen Whitewater House in Slovenia. 3:20 Triathlon World Championship Series Final - Budapest. 4:30 Final Score Coverage of the latest results, reports and reaction from the Premiership, Football League, Non-League and Scottish League’s. 5:05 BBC News 5:15 BBC London News 5:20 Weather 5:25 Tonight’s the Night 6:25 Strictly Come Dancing Eight celebrities are paired with professionals in a ballroom dancing contest. Hosted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly. 7:25 Merlin New series. A year after her disappearance, Morgana returns to Camelot, where a delighted Uther immediately announces a banquet in her honour. 8:10 The National Lottery Saturday Night Draw 8:20 Casualty The ED is under attack from the Press and public following the college shooting, and Jordan bears the brunt of it. 9:10 Last Night of the Proms 10:40 BBC News 11:00 Match of the Day Highlights and reaction to all of the latest football action. 12:20 The Football League Show. 1:40 Weatherview

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