The Olive Press Catalunya magazine February 2011 issue 34 by Mathew Sample

Feb 2011 issue 34

A BIT OF CULTURE - THIS MONTHS COVER ARTIST- caroline young Caroline Young:

In classical Oriental painting, artists approach their work the way pianists in the West might approach the existing compositions of the great masters. Each new painting was a performance that the artist rehearsed for by practicing the performance of earlier "The Rabbit Boy" above and "Lotus" painters. Contemporary artist Caroline below by © Caroline R. Young Studios, All Rights Reserved Young took that wisdom to heart. Her delicate watercolours on silk pay homage to classical Chinese technique called the "delicate style," and the lessons she learned from her mentor, Lam Oi Char. Each is a virtuoso celebration. "Lam Oi Char changed my life. My mother had encouraged me to paint as a teenager in Hong Kong where I was born and raised. But it was not until I began studying watercolour with Lam Oi Char that I gained the confidence to succeed as an artist, "says Young. From her teacher Caroline Young learned the traditional forms of Chinese art and filled her silken rural landscapes. She chose as her medium Chinese watercolours, acrylic and gouache. Caroline mixes her own colours to achieve unique and vibrant tones, unavailable in commercially prepared paints. Caroline’s soft, lyrical brush work and graceful composition has earned her critical and popular acclaim. Although

her Japanese themes brought her to fame, Young decided to return to Chinese historical subjects. "I wanted to pay homage to my great-grandparents, who immigrated to Hawaii from China, and to commemorate the bicentennial celebration of the first Chinese to arrive in Hawaii." Caroline Young is currently at work on her most ambitious project to date, the Immortal Twelve Suite. The paintings on silk will depict legends of the twelve signs of the eastern zodiac. This is a major project for the artist which will last for many years, and one which promises to cement Young’s place in the ranks of outstanding contemporary artists in America. "Art has given me a second chance to learn the essence of my own culture and to discover what it means to be Chinese. I will continue to paint Japanese subjects in the future because so many of my collectors enjoy them so much, and I enjoy doing them. But I will concentrate the main thrust of my artwork on Chinese subjects, such as "The immortal Twelve Suite." When I’m not painting I spend most of my time researching Chinese history, culture, costumes and ornamentation." © Caroline R. Young Studios, All Rights Reserved. See www.CarolineYoung.com

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THE

editorial MEET BOB THE EDITOR

welcome to the February issue covering catalunya. we would like to wish our readers a happy Chinese new year.



Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life. It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied. The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic. Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.



looking for a business then visit our business directory online. see our web site for daily updates of classifieds and extra useful information.

all advertisers will also be placed in the business directory on our web site with links to their own web sites!

COVER PICTURE:

Please contact us by: E-mail: info@theolivepress.eu Web : www. theolivepress.eu Telephone: 977 059 364 By post: Aptdo de Correos,147 43895 L’Ampolla Tarragona Deadlines: Adverts 18th & Articles 14th of the month. No adverts or artwork in the Olive Press Catalunya magazine or web site may be reproduced or used for print, media or web in part or in their entirety without the express permission of the Olive Press Catalunya. Adverts and logos remain the property of the magazine . To use any artwork please contact us.

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LIVE PRESS Visit our web site & view the magazine online www.theolivepress.eu

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News -In Spain Can it be True?

Your Horoscope Leisure & Entertainment

Contents Page 17

6 10&30 11

The Lighter Side PC tips Internet Resolutions

14 29

Nature & Animals News Hounds and more

Home & Garden Challenges of gardening in Spain Age Concern

Page 18

28 24

Finance & Law Train Troubles

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On -Car boots etc. Year of the Rabbit 2011 From previous years

Valentines Cupid Gourmet Treat your taste buds

Olives & Popcorn Crossword- Spanglish Health & Well Being Self Help Yoga for All

Sports Life -Blackburn Property for Sale by Owner Advertising Costs Classifieds Business Card Directory

11 33 20 18 17 22 27 32 26 16 31 36 1 34 36

Page 20

Disclaimer: No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Olive Press does not accept responsibility for the contents of the articles supplied by contributors nor for the claims made by advertisers

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THE

news in spain

ariable speed limits thought to be on the way in Cataluña. The Catalan Government says that it will take a final decision before the end of the month on whether to keep an 80km/hour speed limit on access motorways to Barcelona. The idea is to reduce pollution and accidents, and initially caused controversy when introduced by the ex Councillor, Joan Saura. The new Catalan administration is reported to favour a more flexible speed limit. During the election campaign CiU were critical of the speed limit, and recent weeks have seen some comments from Felipe Puig, the Interior Councillor, who has indicated the new government is looking at variable speed options when the speed on certain sections of the motorways will change according to traffic levels and conditions.

upreme Court orders Cataluña to use Spanish in teaching in schools. The Supreme Court has ordered the regional government of Cataluña, the Generalitat, to take steps to ensure that the Spanish language is used in teaching in the region’s schools, in addition to Catalan. The regional government has been told that it must adapt its education system in line with the ‘new situation created’ by the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Catalan Statutes. The ruling in July this year stated that the Constitution does not recognise any other nation than the

Spanish, and also said that the Catalan language cannot be used in preference to castellano. The order comes in three sentences from the court on appeals placed by the parents of pupils in Cataluña asking that Spanish be reintroduced as a medium of instruction in equal measure with Catalan. The EFE news agency reported on Wednesday that the Supreme Court also recognised the right of parents to receive all written and oral communication from their child’s school in castellano.

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THE

news in spain

panish court rules against Ryanair, and says the airline cannot make passengers print their own boarding passes at home or charge travellers 40 € if they do not. Mercantile Court 1 in Barcelona considers, in what is a pioneering sentence in Spain, that the obligation of ‘issuing’ the ticket lies with the airline and not the passenger. The court ruled that being a low-cost business did not justify this type of measure, declaring it to be ‘abusive’ and the clause ‘null’. Ryanair had argued in court that because it was a ‘low-cost’ company it was necessary for it to adopt such policies, and that it had issued the ticket by supplying the passenger with a PDF file to print. The airline says that the passengers are told of the conditions when they book, and also noted that passengers can print the boarding card in any of the airport terminals if they bring the PDF file. The judge considered that point had

Alberg d'Animals de les Terres de l'Ebre

the same as charging for luggage, noting that luggage was an additional service, different from the obligations of the airline. The case was brought by Dan Miró, the owner of the website, retrasos.net who was charged when he did not have his boarding ticket for a flight between Girona and Alghero in Italy. ADRID - SPAIN'S prime minister has warned autonomous regions to curb public spending or face a government crackdown. 'At the end of the day, who is accountable, who is responsible?' Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told the FT. 'It's the central government, isn't it? And we have to spearhead, lead the way forward with the control of public spending for the autonomous regions. And they have to deliver. They have to fulfil those obligations because if they don't, the government will act.' Spain's 17 regions have considerable autonomy, with the right to issue bonds to finance their expenses. They account for around one-third of general government expenditures - and just over half of the nation's total number of civil servants. But the freedom extended to autonomous regions complicates central government efforts to trim the deficit. Spain's crisis-struck regions have rolled up a combined 105 billion euro (S$180 billion) debt, heightening concerns about the prospects for the entire country's finances.

WANTED VOLUNTEERS | help needed to look after

the abandon dogs and cats at Alberg d'Animals de les

Terres de l'Ebre near Camarles. Please call if you can offer any assistance.

TEL: 977 265 018 - 680 160 051 not been demonstrated. However because the airline can appeal, which it is expected to do, it can continue with the policy for the time being. The matter could end up in the EU High Court of Justice. Judge Bárbara María Córdoba issued her ruling on December 22, but it has only now been made public. She concluded that Ryanair is subject to the general International, European and National air navigation laws, and all of them oblige the company to issue the ticket for the passenger. She rejected that it was

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LIVE PRESS LETTER FROM A READER REGARDING " TRAIN TROUBLES " by

David Piqué

Hi David, This is an unusual situation. Please give me your opinion. I took a sleeper train from Granada to Tarragona but was thrown off at Castellon. I was rudely awoken by 2 police, 2 security and the ticket inspector. To cut a long story short I have included my letter here for your perusal. Basically, the reason at the time was for not wearing my shoes and socks, which I think is unhealthy whilst sleeping. I made an official complaint and it went to arbitration who did not want to deal with it. They told me to go to court etc. RENFE offered no solution, but it turns out that the inspector fabricated the facts. (See the letter) I believe that I should not pay to be abused. Hence I wrote this letter to them and stated that I will pay only at the end of a journey in future. This is my right is it not, that I don´t pay for services (journey) until I have received them in good condition (destination). I have a strong case if I present my letter in every situation do I not? What is your opinion please? Kind regards, Merlyn Peter

letter, they were covered with a blanket, and I suppose that said insistence can only have come from the insistent complaint of another passenger. Not knowing what the inspector’s version of this matter could be, and understanding that what you have said concurs completely with the turn of events, there is no doubt that you have the right to complain and to be compensated for the suffering caused, but the complaints procedure should have been started according to the channels of administrative law being that RENFE is a body dependent on the State. Therefore, during the period of a month since the incident took place, you should have lodged a complaint before RENFE, and in the case of being rejected, you would have been authorized to lodge a corresponding appeal before the Contentious Administrative Courts. But, assuming that, according to some sentences, this type of affair should be aired by the civil court, the complaint would also have been rejected, seeing that more than a year has passed since the incident took place.

Dear Mr. Merlyn Peter, Thank you for your enquiry to which I have the following reply.

By David Piqué. Any legal questions can be sent to davidpique@advocatsreus.org or The Olive Press direct.

Firstly, I wish to point out the fact that having reviewed the Railway Regulations , we have not found any specification that prohibits a passenger from travelling barefoot on a nocturnal train. However, there are general references regarding the obligation of the traveller to heed the instructions of the personnel on board. I am surprised at the insistence of the inspector in preventing what, does not seem to be an inappropriate act, sleeping with bare feet, moreover, as you say in your

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THE

can it be true???

Britain to celebrate Royal wedding with massive fight Billy Bragg has absolutely gigantic house

THE ban on street brawling will be lifted temporarily for the royal wedding to allow celebratory fighting, it has been confirmed. Pubs will also be open until 1am on the night of April 29, providing cheap, strong drinks to fuel a national outpouring of jubilant violence. A Clarence House spokesman said: "Nothing is more emblematic of modern Britain than pints of nut brown ale and random acts of savagery, especially against strangers who happen to have a distinguishing feature, such as a hat. "The union of our future king and his live-in girlfriend is a wonderful opportunity for his loyal subjects to visit their favourite vertical drinking establishment, probably on some sort of leisure estate sandwiched between a cajun restaurant and a massive craft shop. "The wedding will be shown on a large, wipe-clean kevlar screen that they can throw things at. "Then they will turn on each other in an orgy of festive blood lust never forgetting that viscera is this generation's confetti." He added: "It's going to be a wonderful day, whether you enjoy it in town or at home, hiding." Trainee plasterer, Wayne Hayes, said: "I'll be treating it like a big sporting event. I will pick a 'side', either William or Kate, for entirely arbitrary reasons and then kick the heck out of anyone who disagrees with me." Architect Roy Hobbs said: "These royal jamborees are an over hyped, superficial distraction from the harsh realities of modern life. "Which is why I'll be down the Mason's Arms, necking a load of vodka and going mental with a pool cue."

YOU would not believe the size of Billy Bragg's house, it emerged last night. As Bragg's neighbours received anonymous letters urging them to drive the hectoring socialist monster out of their sleepy Dorset village, everyone said who cares about that stuff, look at the size of that bloody thing. Bragg bought the house 11 years ago as a protest against living somewhere really pokey without a glorious view and an acre of expertly manicured left-wing garden. Tom Logan, a man who thinks New England is quite good, said: "I always imagined he lived in a terrace in a moderately gentrified part of east London, surrounded by people from a variety of cultures that he would 'jam' with. "And I assumed that he would keep just enough money to live a simple life and give the rest to poor people or small circulation magazines about struggles. "I have to say that the sheer heft of Mr Bragg's house has come as something of a shock." Helen Archer, a woman who's having none of it, said: "I'm sure he's done very well for himself - that song he did about having sex is very jaunty. But wasn't he supposed to hand over most of his money in order to promote some notion of equality? Or did he think the government was supposed to do it for him?" Bill McKay, a man who has not worked in 11 years because of Thatcher, stressed that he would have been willing to accept a very small percentage of the money Mr Bragg spent on his sprawling seaside mansion. He added: "I would have gladly given him my sort code and account number so he could do a BACS transfer. "Or I would have got the bus down to Dorset and waited in one of the beautifully appointed rooms of his gigantic house while he finished his latest song about the unfairness of everything." Last night Bragg said he would have given more money to poor people if it was not for the extension and the double glazing and confirmed that anyone who noticed the size of his house was just an 'old fashioned racist

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LIVE PRESS

HOROSCOPES

a more detailed horoscopes can be found on our web site CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

CANCER

You have been on this roller coaster a little too

been in an insidious mood for a good long while

long and you want off. February is not a good

and this month will be no different. Don't push

time to go looking for a battle. You deserve a

away responsibility; there are matters that need

break or an easier path to follow so prepare for

some extra attention. People find you humorous

some changes to take place... just not right now.

this month and that will come in handy when you

AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 -When it comes

have some serious issues to discuss.

to business matters, if you are willing to co-

LEO

operate, chances are you will see success. Being

feeling like there is a need for change. Be it an

flexible this month will be in your favour. Legal

addition to the family or to their careers. Both

issues will seem to run very smoothly just be sure

male and female Leos can be a bit fidgety right

to read the fine print. This is a wonderful time

now but unsure how to progress. Take your time

for negotiations or to make deals. Take time to

and make your decisions. Don't be rash. Someone

reorganize and focus on the task at hand.

close to you may need your support financially.

Jun. 23 - Jul. 22 -Perhaps you have

Jul. 23 - Aug. 23 -Female Leos might be

PISCES Feb. 20 - Mar. 20 -People are attracted

VIRGO Aug. 24 - Sep. 23 -A sudden windfall of

to you because of your cheery mood. New friends

money isn't likely so continue building slowly. You

may come into your circle. Situations will be light

may be approached with a get rich quick scheme

hearted and full of jokes and laughter. You may

but it's highly recommended that you pass up

push banal chores to the side because you are

this opportunity. Someone may have a hidden

having much fun right now and don't want to

agenda. You are one to take your chances just be

worry about such tasks... they will get done later.

sure what you're really getting yourself into.

ARIES Mar. 21 - Apr. 20

-There will likely be

LIBRA Sept. 24 - Oct. 23 -Some times it's good

a sort of transformation happening this month

to just ignore the advice of others and just be

and it has everything to do with your desires and

your own person. After all the hard work you've

destiny. You may or may not even be aware it is

done it's OK to sit back and enjoy the fruits of

happening but later on you will be able to look

your labour. You may feel as though you are being

back and see the changes and just how far you've

greedy because you have been so used to taking

come. You will notice the biggest difference in the

care of those around you. Take care of YOU this

way you look at money and the ways to share it.

month! You might feel like exploring something

TAURUS

new.

Apr. 21 - May 21

-You may still be

looking to make changes this month and may also

SCORPIO

not be satisfied with the answers you have been

speaking, things always get worse before they

given. Seek the advice of professionals because

can get better. You may be feeling down in the

advice from those that love you tend to be bias.

dumps at this time but keep in mind that things

You know what to do so take action before the

are not as hopeless as they seem. You will get

end of the month... you will be glad you did but

through this rough patch and slowly start to pull

weigh your options carefully.

things together. There are likely very good things

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

-Generally

GEMINI May 22 - Jun. 22 -Reconnecting with

on the horizon for you.

old friends through online Social Networks may

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 23-Dec. 21 -If you have any

lead to some interesting surprises. This is a great

unfinished projects on the go, now is a good time

time to reflect on happy times of the past. We

to complete them because your energy level is

all take different paths in life and you might also

likely through the roof dear Sagittarius! You may

be looking through old pictures and wondering

feel bold and independent and healthy enough to

"What ever happened to so-in-so?"

take on the world... go ahead and shine.

www.theolivepress.eu

news hounds & more..." The best and most attractive of mans' best

friend + abandoned pets " BY Dr. Ronald Rosenfeld D.V.M.

The dog is mans' best friend and one of the animals most attached to families. Children

and parents enjoy their company and together they share some of the best moments of their lives. At the Expojubilados Senior International Fair in Torremolinos, they have decided to pay tribute to this pet by celebrating this unique beauty contest 'Mr. Dog and Miss Bitch Spain 2011'. 'Mr. Dog and Miss Bitch Spain 2011 'is a contest that seeks the most beautiful pet dog in our country. The Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions of Torremolinos host this event on February 26, 2011 and all persons having a dog over 1 year of age may be entered in the contest. An opportunity to enjoy the company of these fantastic animals. This dog show is looking for the best dogs, the most handsome and best looking, reflecting the love and attention that their masters pay them daily. This is not an assessment of its pedigree but its beauty and the winners will be recognized as Mr. Dog and Miss Bitch Spain, an honorific title that certifies them as the cutest of dogs. The contest "Miss Bitch and Mr.Perro in Spain 'will consist of two categories, one for males and another for females. The winner of each category will be proclaimed 'Mr. Dog "and" Miss Bitch "and their owners receive an award certifying them as such. The prize for the winners will be a weekend in a hotel to enjoy with your canine pet. The runners up will get the title of "First dog /bitch of Honour" and the third the "Second dog/bitch of Honour" with its corresponding diploma. All participants will receive a diploma for their participation in the contest. All those who wish to participate can download the bases and join in at the following website: http://www.expojubilados.com/secciones/misterperro.

atalunya is one of the communities with most abandoned pets, in 2009. It was one of the Autonomous Communities that abandoned more pets, Namely 16,486 dogs and 5,588 cats were collected by municipalities and protective societies in Catalunya, representing respectively 14.9% and 15.6 % of abandoned animals in Spain. This is apparent from the data of "Survey of the Abandoned Companion Animals 2009 " , prepared by the Affinity Foundation , which also notes a decrease of 2 % of dogs and 7.9% in cats abandoned over the previous year according to a statement. As for cats , Catalunya is the first community in number of abandoned animals, followed by Madrid (4,294 abandoned cats) and Valencia (4,485). On the other hand, the Catalan autonomous community is in second place behind AndalucĂa (17,284) and ahead of Valencia (13,235) , regarding the abandonment of dogs . Among the causes of abandonment, the change of domicile of the owners, loss of interest in the animal, in addition to misconduct, financial reasons or pregnancy are cited. As for the fate of the dogs found, 39.2 % of dogs are adopted , while 25.5% remain in the shelter that houses them, 16.8 % are returned to the owner and 15.5% are euthanised. The "Survey of the Abandoned Companion Animals 2009" shows that only 25.4 % of dogs and 3.5 % of cats collected had a microchip, which identifies it and its owner. Dr Ronald Rosenfeld. D.V.M.

URGENT HOMING REQUEST IN TARRAGONA VILA SECA FOR ABANDONED CATS & DOGS Contact Marianela 652059359 luna.rama @ hotmail.com + progatvilaseca@hotmail.es The more urgent cases we have announced in our blog, WE ARE SATURATED AND WE HAVE NO SHELTER OR SUPPLIES URGENT GATITA ESTELA, ABANDONED BY HUMAN ATTACKED BY STREET CATS NEEDS A HOME.....http:// progatvilaseca.blogspot.com/

A. M. P. A. R. E. The society for the protection of animals Ebro region. Based in Mora La Nova. We desperately need to re-home dogs to make room for more! We have over 200 dogs for adoption. Susan 689 468752 English Isabel 977 404720 Spanish/ Catalan Donations always appreciated.

12 email: info@theolivepress.eu â&#x2DC;ťTel: 977 059 364

Arca

Unusual

Xmas

Gift-

Thought you might be interested to hear about the unusual Christmas present we got for our granddaughter, Jamila (aged 10) this year. Instead of spending money on expensive presents, we decided to do something different. Jamila adores our dog and would love one of her own, but because she lives in a 3rd floor apartment in a city, this just isn’t possible. I knew that local dogs’ homes were desperate for people to adopt dogs and were always grateful for donations. I came up with an idea for sponsoring a dog which I discussed with Mave at Arca. I explained Jamila’s situation but asked if it would be possible for me to sponsor a dog for a year, which would be Jamila’s very own. Mave agreed that this was a good idea. So, on Christmas Day I did a ‘treasure hunt’ with clues linked to the Carol ‘Away in a Manger’, with the treasure being a bag of Dog Food for Jamila to give to her dog. Her eyes opened wide with excitement when she read the card telling her all about it. She couldn’t believe that she was really going to have a dog of her very own (even though it will live in a Dogs’ Home). Two days later we took Jamila to the Home for her to choose her dog. She was bowled over by the number of dogs there (300+) and there were so many that she liked, she had a job to choose only one. She was very taken with the puppies, but as these are most likely to get adopted she chose one that probably wouldn’t get picked. He was the scruffiest, saddest looking dog you’ve ever seen, but quite cute. He’s also quite old, with one droopy ear, blind in one eye and can hardly see, but Jamila thinks he is lovely. Whilst we were there, she was able to take him for a walk and give him lots of cuddles. We later found out that the dog didn’t have a name, so Jamila has called him Spark (short for Sparky!). Not a terribly appropriate name, but Jamila chose it! We are paying for his food for a year and have made arrangements with the Home for Jamila to visit whenever she can. She managed two more visits over the Festive season when she took Spark a blanket and made a name sign for his cage. She also enjoyed taking him out for a walk and giving him treats & cuddles. She’s made us promise that we will go and visit him on her behalf and we’ve also got to take photos of him to send to her. Over the Christmas holiday Jamila thoroughly enjoyed playing with her presents, including Monopoly & Cluedo sets & listening to CDs on her Personal CD Player (not an i-pod!!), but she said that “Sparky” was the best Christmas present she had ever had! We are so proud of her, being happy with such simple gifts and not being at all materialistic like most children her age. We were wondering what we could give her for her 11th birthday in February and when we asked if there was anything she would like, she said we could give her the 2nd hand roller blades which I purchased from a car boot sale (for me!), a couple of years’ ago. When asked if she’d rather have some new ones, she said “Nah! They’re alright, hey’ll do! Jeanette & Rob (grand-parents) .........READERS LETTER!

"Hello, I Am Encarna From The Animal Refuge Terres Ebre, Please Help Me!!! I have 300 dogs, 60 cats please I need food for dogs and cats…" TEL: 977 265 018 - 680 160 051

"moral and cultural progress of a country is measured from its treatment of animals" (Mahatma Gandhi) URGENT ADOPTION REQUIRED CALL ARCA TODAY. A.R.C.A. (Association for Refuge and Taking care of the Animals) it is a non-profit association operating since the summer of year 2001. At this moment they have 300 abandoned dogs. They are in Tortosa in the province of Tarragona (Spain). All the material aid comes from the much appreciated donations but with each new arrival more donations are needed. If you want to donate to Arca if only by 5€ each month, minimum, please send an e-mail with your personal data and account number or call or write. Or just become a volunteer to help with the dogs. email: protectora.arca@wanadoo.es. ARCA : Post office 496, Tortosa, (Tarragona) or contact: Cinta 625 915 605 Carmen 655 040 359 Mave (English) 678 975 816 Many puppies need homes

Good day, I'm Dora from Progat of Tortosa, Now we urgently need to find homes for 4 puppies, small-medium breed dogs that have been abandoned, are very small. ADOPT A PUPPY white, precious, NEED

survive.

HOME

WE to

WILL weigh

about 8 KILOS when fully grown, SMALLMEDIUM

BREED.

THANK YOU: Call 659 372 044 / 626 905 796

Call Arca Today to Provide A Home To 1 Of 300 Dogs Needing A Loving Home Or If You Can Volunteer Any Assistance With The Dogs

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iiiiii

iiii i i the

Is that one word or two? An elderly couple, who were both widowed, had been going out with each other for a long time. Urged on by their friends, they decided it was finally time to get married. Before the wedding, they went out to dinner and had a long conversation regarding how their marriage might work. They discussed finances, living arrangements and so on. Finally, the elderly gentleman decided it was time to broach the subject of their physical relationship. 'How do you feel about sex?' he asked, rather tentatively. 'I would like it infrequently,' she replied. The old gentleman sat quietly for a moment, adjusted his glasses, leaned over towards her and whispered, 'Is that one word or two?'

iii i i side i i

i lighter

THE

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The madam opened the brothel door in Glasgow and saw a rather dignified, well-dressed, good-looking man in his late forties or early fifties. "May I help you sir?" she asked.. "I want to see Valerie," the man replied. "Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies. Perhaps you would prefer someone else", said the madam. "No, I must see Valerie," he replied. Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the man she charged £5000 a visit. Without hesitation, the man pulled out five thousand pounds and gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, the man calmly left.. The next night, the man appeared again, once more demanding to see Valerie. Valerie explained that no one had ever come back two nights in a row, as she was so expensive. There were no discounts. The price was still £5000. Again, the man pulled out the money, gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs After an hour, he left. The following night the man was there yet again. Everyone was astounded that he had come for a third consecutive night, but he paid Valerie and they went upstairs. After their session, Valerie said to the man, "No one has ever been with me three nights in a row. Where are you from?" The man replied, " Edinburgh ." "Really", she said. "I have family in Edinburgh ." "I know." the man said. "Your sister died, and I'm her solicitor. I was instructed to deliver your £15,000 inheritance in person..." The moral of the story is that three things in life are certain -----1. Death 2. Taxes 3. Being screwed by a lawyer

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Strange Signs...

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yoga for all- Insomnia

If you've ever suffered from insomnia it may be comforting to know that yoga has been scientifically proven to help.

What is insomnia? Insomnia is the inability to sleep or sleep well. Up to 12 percent of adults report symptoms of chronic insomnia, or insomnia that lasts for more than one month. Although medication is often prescribed to treat chronic insomnia, natural health practitioners recommend trying other strategies, such as behaviour modification and relaxation techniques like those used in the practice of yoga. The next time you can't sleep, try some yoga poses and insomnia may be relieved. Over time, yoga can help those suffering from a lack of sleep to become more calm and relaxed.

Yoga Aids Sleep A study conducted by the Division of Sleep Medicine at the Harvard Medical School shows preliminary results that daily simple yoga will help in the treatment of insomnia. According to the results of the 20 participants in the two-week study, significant improvements were made in the areas of: • Sleep efficacy • Total sleep time • Total wake time • Sleep onset latency • Wake time after sleep onset

Suggested Yoga Poses for Insomnia Even if you can't take actual yoga classes, you can find yoga exercises online, or purchase yoga DVD's, that you can practice to relieve any restlessness at night. Forward Bends Forward bending has many benefits, including helping to relieve stress, anxiety and headaches, forward bends in our yoga practice are therapy for problems such as high blood pressure and insomnia. Start standing straight, facing the front of your mat, arms resting at your side. This starting position is called mountain pose. Place your hands on your hips and start bending from the waist. Feel like you are hinging at the hips, rather than rounding your back. If you can, place your hands on the mat beside your feet. Keep your knees bent to relieve pulling on the hamstrings and to protect your knees. This pose is called standing forward bend. For a slight variation, as you gain flexibility, grab onto your big toes with your first two

fingers, placing your thumbs on top of the toes. This is called big toe pose. You can also do forward bends in a seated position. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Start to reach forward, trying to gently get closer to your toes. Again, your flexibility will improve rapidly with daily practice. The movement comes from hinging at your hips rather than rounding your back. This pose is called seated forward bend. Cat and Cow Pose The American Yoga Journal lists both cat pose and cow pose as helping to relieve stress. These poses also stretch out tense neck and back muscles and gently massage the belly and spine. For added relaxation and increased awareness of the breath, these poses can be paired in a smooth sequence. Start on your hands and knees. Your hand should be placed directly under your shoulders with your fingers spread wide apart. Your knees are about hip-width apart and the tops of your feet are resting on the mat. As you inhale, lift your tailbone toward the ceiling and drop your belly toward the mat, creating an exaggerated arch in your back. At the same time, lift your chin up like you're trying to look at the ceiling. This is cow pose. On your exhale, start to arch your back toward the ceiling, dropping the top of your head to the floor and tucking in your tailbone. This is cat pose. Continue this sequence for a few rounds, making sure to coordinate your movements with rhythmic deep breathing.

Avoid Strenuous Nightime Yoga Not all yoga is relaxing. It's a paradox, but some vigorous forms of yoga can lead to better sleep. For example, a benefit of Ashtanga yoga is deeper sleep. However, Ashtanga yoga requires more effort than some other forms of yoga, which may end up waking you up at night. Instead, practice strenuous yoga, like Ashtanga or power yoga earlier in the day. Like other exercise, the combination of fitness and yoga can lead to better sleep. This is only true if you plan to do the exercises several hours before bedtime. Doing these types of yoga and poses right before bed may end up invigorating your body rather than lead to relaxation! Sarah Good is a Sivananda trained yoga teacher offering weekly yoga classes. Please contact for more details on 663 140 297

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treat your health in the new year

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History of Cupid

Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols and everybody knows that boy armed with bow and arrows, and piercing hearts . He is known as a mischievous, winged child armed with bow and arrows. The arrows signify desires and emotions of love, and Cupid aims those arrows at Gods and Humans, causing them to fall deeply in love. Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love and lovers. In ancient Greece he was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. To the Roman's he was Cupid, and his mother was Venus. There is a very interesting story about Cupid and His mortal Bride Psyche in Roman mythology. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him. Psyche was happy until her sisters persuaded her to look at Cupid. As soon as Psyche looked at Cupid, Cupid punished her by leaving her. Their lovely castle and gardens vanished too. Psyche found herself alone in an open field with no signs of other beings or Cupid. As she wandered trying to find her love, she came upon the temple of Venus. Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series of tasks, each harder and more dangerous then the last. For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the beauty of Prospering, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the box. During her trip she was given tips on avoiding the dangers of the realm of the dead. She was also warned not to open the box. But Temptation overcame Psyche and she opened the box. But instead of finding beauty, she found deadly slumber. Cupid found her lifeless on the ground. He gathered the deadly sleep from her body and put it back in the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. The gods, moved by Psyche's love for Cupid made her a goddess. Today, Cupid and his arrows have become the most popular of love signs, and love is most frequently depicted by two hearts pierced by an arrow, Cupid's arrow.

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Our Articles On What's On From Previous Years Issues Can Be Found On Our Web Site www.theolivepress.eu FESTA MAJOR DE LA ANDELERA L'AMETLLA DE MAR- To celebrate the day of "Our Lady of the Candelera" In honour of the Patron Saint of L’Ametlla de Mar. (1st week in February) From the 2nd of February the main activities begin. There are religious acts such as the procession with Candles (a procession with more than two thousand torches to remember the day when its light saved the fishermen of the village) and the offering of flowers to Our Lady. There are also days which are dedicated to senior citizens, women and sport. Other activities include a meeting of “giants”, dances, street activities, "correfocs", fireworks. The acts start the weekend prior to the 2nd February, with the beginning of the sport contests (football, room football, basketball and athletics).

T A R R A G O N A CARNIVAL, 26 February - 8 March 2011- Tarragona carnival, one of the most emblematic carnivals in Catalunya- Parades, bands, fireworks and elegant dress provide entertainment. Impressive effegies are built, and at the end of the Carnival you can see these burnt in a hugely atmospheric display. Of particular note are the Rua de l'Artesania and Rua de Lluïment parades, the "Judgement of Carnestoltes, King of the Carnival", and the crema de la bóta, the burning of the Carnival King figure in an enormous wineskin at the festivities' end. Spain is a country with a special event, fiesta, carnival or local festival on most street corners every day throughout the year but here are some of the better one's; the more memorable fiestas and events in Spain. Carnivals usually end before the beginning of Lent and often end on Shrove Tuesday.

Sitges Main Carnival dates : March 3rd to 9th (Parades Sun 6th & Tue 8th) Sitges Gay Carnival - Party Dates 2011The Sitges Gay Carnival takes place 4 days before the regular Sitges Carnival begins. Jam packed with events it includes La noche rosa, Pink night, Noche de las Mantillas - where people wear traditional Spanish normally worn at weddings & funerals, Noche de las touristas, - the tourist night (great fun) and finally the Noce de las Viudas or the Widows night (probably because you've murdered your boyfriend for being bold). Carnival has to be Sitges' wildest party. Even though it is on in February it is still the hottest party in town! On the most popular days you will find more than 300,000 party goers dancing on the major streets across the town. It makes the busy months for Cancer Charities in Spain FIFTH ANNUAL of July and August look positively dead! Gay boys ST VALENTINE’S GALA and girls from the 4 corners of the world descend DINNER DANCE on Sitges and party the week away! Jueves Lardero FRIDAY 11TH FEBRUARY, 2011 or Fat Tuesday,marks the beginning of carnival with a huge celebration of local dishes and the arrival CLUB NAUTICO – SALOU of the King of the Carnestoltes and ends with the 9pm until late Burial of a Sardine on Ash Wednesday. There's TICKETS – 50 Euros incl. free entry for more to do than eat, though. draw (lots of super prizes) Sat – 26th Feb Bourbons Bar Carnival Opening Party Round tables for 12 persons Sun – 27th Feb - El Candil Spectacular Show Cava reception with typical “pica pica” Sun – 27th Feb - Bar Azul Reinas Three-course excellent dinner with wine, Tue – 1st Mar - Comodin Mantillas cava, coffee & liqueurs Wed - 2nd Mar - La Locacola Turistas Wed - 2nd Mar Parrots World Cup Carnival Dancing plus live entertainment Featuring Wed –2nd Mar Privilege Soiree Massacre "X-FACTOR FINALIST DANIEL EVANS" Thur -3rd Mar XXL Glamour NIght MAGICIANS Thur -3rd Mar Queenz TBD Various local entertainers Fri – 4th Mar Prinz TBD Raffle for super prizes Fri -4th Mar Ma Maison TBD AUCTION Profit from entry tickets plus ALL proceeds Sat - 5th Mar - Queenz TBD from auction/raffle to cancer charities in Sun - 6th Mar Prinz TBD Spain Mon - 7th Mar Sauna Sitges Fiesta Del Paquette DRESS – Party – not casual please Mon - 7th Mar Ma Maison TBD For more information about where to obtain Mon – 7th Mar Oreks Prize Night the tickets please contact:Wed- 9th Mar Widows Night La Locacola/Ma Pam 977 395 064 or 620 213 898 or Elaine Maison 619 637 795 www.gaysitgesguide.com/events/sitges-carnivalwww.freesiagroup.com info@freesiagroup.com gay.html

Freesia Group

2011 year of the rabbit According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, we are ending the year of the tiger and 2011 will be the year of the rabbit. A year ago, we faced 2010 with a unique bravery and courage reflective of a tiger. Despite hard times, most of us have not given up. In light of the deep economic recession, our resilience was an act of courage. The year 2011 is the year of the rabbit, the symbol of endurance. We will have to learn to live with less. This will be a year of sacrifice. The coming year should be placid, which is desired after the fierce year of the tiger. It will be a peaceful year. We should seek tranquillity to soothe our wounds. Moderation may be the theme of 2011 economically, socially and politically. The coming year will be a year of constraint and restraint, despite the clear messages sent over the past few years of "Yes we can" and "The Party of No." Don't expect major changes. Remember, this is the year of sacrifice. Yet, the year of the rabbit is also a time when we want to have fun. Rabbits are skilled at ignoring distasteful realities. Because the outlook is serene, we will tend to procrastinate and enjoy ourselves more. We may put off disagreeable tasks. We may allow for some luxuries, a pent-up demand from the years of fear and cutting back. We may act carefree without too many annoyances - at least temporarily. Selfishness is the new norm but not necessarily out of spite or malicious behaviour. We desperately want to hang on to what we have and defend against those who threaten us. We're no longer tigers but determined creatures simply trying to survive. We focus on private successes at the expense of the common good. Any change must be framed with an understanding of this new self interest.

In the year of the rabbit, we seek calm to forge through the continued tough times. Many will avoid confrontation and dislike hostile action because we can't afford the price of a conflict. Rabbits rely on keen survival abilities. Our strong minds and wills translate into a slow and deliberate pace in 2011. Persuasion is better than force so long as our self-interests are protected. A new strategy of sacrifices requires we accept concessions, but we do so - so long as they are reasonable concessions. The devil will be in the details. Ordinarily a rabbit is a lucky sign and I hope that remains true for the coming year. Despite all the challenges, rabbits have an uncanny gift of choosing the right things. So enjoy the new year, one that is predicted to be calmer. We will take comfort in a few moments of pleasure and treat ourselves with some self-indulgence. We will have some bright moments in this coming year and will celebrate them. We have to because of what is looming in the following year. 2012 is the year of the dragon. The Rabbit ( 兔 ) (also translated as Hare) is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the earthly branch symbol 卯. In the related Vietnamese zodiac, the cat takes the place of the rabbit. The Chinese symbol 卯 for the Rabbit sounds like (mão, mẫu, méo, mẹo, mẻo); the word "mèo" is cat in Vietnamese. Therefore, cat was translated from Chinese to Vietnamese as fourth zodiac sign instead of Rabbit.

Years and the Five Elements People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "Year of the Rabbit," while also bearing the following elemental sign: * 29 January 1903 – 15 February 1904: Water Rabbit * 14 February 1915 – 2 February 1916: Wood Rabbit * 2 February 1927 – 22 January 1928: Fire Rabbit * 19 February 1939 – 7 February 1940: Earth Rabbit * 6 February 1951 – 26 January 1952: Metal Rabbit * 25 January 1963 – 12 February 1964: Water Rabbit * 11 February 1975 – 30 January 1976: Wood Rabbit * 29 January 1987 – 16 February 1988: Fire Rabbit * 16 February 1999 – 4 February 2000 Earth Rabbit * 3 February 2011 – 22 January 2012: Metal Rabbit * 2023 – 2024: Water Rabbit * 2035 – 2036: Wood Rabbit * 2047 – 2048: Fire Rabbit The Rabbit is the symbol of longevity. Their fundamental nature and strength is drawn from the moon. The Chinese believe a person born in this year is very fortunate! Soft spoken rabbits find happiness and contentment. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. Rabbits need trust and tenderness in a relationship. Like the rabbit they hop over obstacles, and always land on their feet! The rabbit's soft, vulnerable looking exterior is protected by an armor of cautiousness. Hares are very lucky in business and combined with their excellent bargaining wisdom will go far. They find it hard to work under pressure. Hares are the peace makers and good scholars. They may look easy going, but they are actually quite cunning! Being a strong willed person, they go quietly, yet determinedly towards their goals. Rabbits are considerate, understanding, warm, friendly, and easy to be with. They know how to relax! They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Famous People Born in the Year of the Rabbit: Johnny Depp, Germaine Greer, Neil Sedaka, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Jordan and Drew Barrymore. Harry Belafonte, Ingrid Bergman, Lewis Carroll, John Cleese, Peter Falk, Peter Fonda, James Fox, David Frost, Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, John Hurt, Michael Keaton, John Keats, Julian Lennon, Arthur Miller, Roger Moore, Tatum O'Neal, George Orwell, Neil Simon, Jane Seymour, Dusty Springfield, Sting, Orson Welles, Norman Wisdom. Take part in the traditions, fun, and virtues of this important holiday. Help your kids make snakes and lanterns with colorful crepe paper, and hang them throughout your house. Make homemade fortune cookies and write creative fortunes to delight and amuse your guests. At the stroke of midnight, open your doors and windows to release the stresses of the old year. See page 22 for some New Year recipes...

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treat your taste buds.

Lunar New Year Get out your broom and sweep away the past: the Year of the Rabbit begins February 3. Most of the dishes served during Lunar New Year (also known as Spring Festival) are symbolic of something positive and hopeful. •Chicken and fish, for example, symbolize happiness and prosperity--especially when served whole. •Dishes made with oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China's most plentiful fruit. •Noodles represent longevity: therefore, they should never be cut! •Duck symbolizes fidelity, while eggs signify fertility. •Bean curd or tofu, however, is avoided because its white colour suggests death and misfortune. Dishes are also chosen based on homonyms-words that either are spelled the same or sound the same as other words. Fish (yu) is served because it sounds similar to the Chinese word for plenty; whole fish represents abundance. Turnips are cooked because their name (cai tou) also means "good luck."

Spicy Orange Beef - Slivered orange zest, orange marmalade, and red pepper flakes add strong, hot citrus flavour to this stir-fry of round-steak strips. Steamed rice is a perfect accompaniment for this dish. Ingredients 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 pound round steak, cut into thin strips on the diagonal 1/4 cup orange peel, cut into slivers 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup beef broth 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup sherry 1/4 cup orange marmalade 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Directions 1. In a wok or skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef strips 1/3 at a time. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until browned, removing the done pieces to a plate lined with paper towels. 2. Return all the beef to the wok. Stir in orange peel, garlic, and ginger; stir-fry 1 minute. 3. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, broth, soy sauce, sherry, marmalade, and red pepper. Pour this mixture into the beef, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 1 minute. Serve hot.

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itchinese new year jh

Chicken Lo Mein-"This dish is easy to make, and full of flavour. The chicken is incredibly tender, and the ginger, garlic and soy sauce combine to give it its authentic taste. Ingredients 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips (or pork) 5 teaspoons white sugar, divided 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1/2 cup soy sauce, divided in 2 1 1/4 cups chicken stock, 1 cup water 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 (12 ounce) package uncooked linguine pasta 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced + 6 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces Directions 1. In a medium, bowl, combine the chicken with 2 1/2 teaspoons of white sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar and 1/4 cup soy sauce. Mix this together and coat the chicken well. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. 2. In another medium bowl, combine the chicken broth, water, sesame oil and ground black pepper with the remaining sugar, vinegar and soy sauce. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch with some of this mixture and slowly add to the bulk of the mixture, stirring well. Set aside. 3. Cook the linguine according to package directions, drain and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a wok or large saucepan over high heat until it starts to smoke. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until browned. Transfer this to a warm plate. 4. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in the wok or pan over high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, mushrooms and green onions, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the reserved sauce mixture and then the chicken. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Add the reserved noodles and toss gently, coating everything well with the sauce.

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Egg Custard Tarts Served at Chinese bakeries and dim sum restaurants year around, these delicate tarts are even more popular during the Chinese New Year season. Ingredients: makes about 24 tarts Pastry: 2 cups all purpose flour 1/3 cup lard 1/3 cup butter 4 tablespoons hot water, or as needed Custard Filling: 2 eggs, room temperature 1 1/2 cups whole milk 4 ounces sugar (castor or superfine if possible) yellow food colouring (optional) Preparation: Preparations: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the tart pans. Cut the lard. Use a sifter to sift the flour into a large bowl. Work the lard and butter into the flour with the tips of your fingers, until the mixture has the appearance of coarse breadcrumbs. Continue kneading, adding the hot water. Roll the dough into a large ball, cover with wax paper and refrigerate while preparing the custard filling. Lightly beat the eggs, taking care not to produce any air bubbles. Stir in the milk and the sugar. Add the yellow food colour if using. On a large, lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until it is very thin (about 1/8-inch or 3 to 4 mm thick). Cut the dough in half before rolling out if needed. Use a pastry cutter to cut out 18 circles that are 3-inches in diameter. Fit the circles into the tart shells. Pour the filling into the shells. Bake until the custard is cooked and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean (about 35 minutes). Cool.

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Fortune Cookies "Write your own fortunes and place them in cookies. Great for parties." Ingredients 1 egg white 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pinch salt 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 cup white sugar Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a cookie sheet. Write fortunes on strips of paper about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Generously grease 2 cookie sheets. 2. Mix the egg white and vanilla until foamy but not stiff. Sift the flour, salt, and sugar and blend into the egg white mixture. 3. Place teaspoonfuls of the batter at least 4 inches apart on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Tilt the sheet to move the batter into round shapes about 3 inches in diameter. Be careful to make batter as round and even as possible. Do not make too many, because the cookie have to be really hot to form them and once they cool it is too late. Start with 2 or 3 to a sheet and see how many you can do. 4. Bake for 5 minutes or until cookie has turned a golden colour 1/2 inch wide around the outer edge of the circle. The centre will remain pale. While one sheet is baking, prepare the other. 5. Remove from oven and quickly move cookie with a wide spatula and place upside down on a wooden board. Quickly place the fortune on the cookie, close to the middle and fold the cookie in half. Place the folded edge across the rim of a measuring cup and pull the pointed edges down, one on the inside of the cup and one on the outside. Place folded cookies into the cups of a muffin tin or egg carton to hold their shape until firm.

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HISTORY OF ORGANISATION Age Concern España is a national Federation established in 1994 that provides specialist information and advice for British people over the age of fifty in Spain. It currently has five local member Age concern Organizations (ACOs) in Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Ibiza, Menorca and Mallorca, as well as a national telephone based information line. Since Age Concern España was established, the demand for its advice and services has grown. Each Age Concern Organisation has grown locally and has responded to local needs therefore the services offered vary according to location. The services provided at a localised level include befriending, home and hospital visiting, equipment loans, transportation, interpreting services and social activities. At a national level, the Federation of Age Concern España provides the information service INFOLINE and the National Casework Service. INFOLINE provides information and advice on a range of matters affecting older people in Spain. It also increasingly acts as a gateway to the National Casework Service.

NATIONAL CASEWORK SERVICE The National Casework Service offers support for the most vulnerable in difficulty: particularly those suffering from dementia, disability, social isolation, or those with complex care needs. Demand for this service has increased significantly over the past year. The Casework service has thus far been supported and implemented by over 50 volunteers, who carry out assessment visits, follow-up with support interventions and sacrifice significant amounts of time and effort to support vulnerable older people. Until this point, both services have been managed on a voluntary basis by Judy Arnold-Boakes, MBE, founder President and Co-Patron, but this arrangement is no longer feasible. Need for the service has grown, driven both by the economic crisis and by a retired population that is living on less money than expected. Currently, Age Concern España has direct contact with 15,000 British nationals a year. Therefore, there is even greater necessity for a professional service with strategic direction and connections in order to maximize the benefits and potential of the service.

BRITISH CONSULATE/AGE CONCERN PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (BC/ACPP) As a result of these issues, Age Concern España, Age UK and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have entered into a joint project to bring greater capacity and a more professional approach to the service. The British Consulate network has access to over 990,000 British nationals with 600,000 British nationals over the age of 45 in Spain and it was felt that a ´One Stop Shop´ service was required to deal with the complex issues experienced by the British national population in Spain. To manage the project a Country Casework Manager has been recruited who has access to key stakeholders such as the Ambassador, Consuls, the Spanish Red Cross, the Madrid business community and other key ‘movers and shakers’ in the NGO sector. The Country Casework Manager´s role within this project is the overall management of the service, including developing strategy, fundraising, stakeholder communications, training and volunteer recruitment. The aim of the project is to ensure representative coverage and a high quality service across the whole of Spain. Currently, there is an ongoing recruitment campaign in order to steadily increase the network of Federation volunteer caseworkers.

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Volunteers are Age Concern España´s most valuable asset.

Time to Spare? Skills to Share? GET INVOLVED! Volunteering with Age Concern España

All of our Volunteers perform roles which are vital to the organisation. We make every effort to ensure that all our Volunteers For more information or to apply, please contact: have the training and support they need and the Age Concern España, British Consulate Madrid appreciation that they deserve. Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana, 259 D, 28046 Madrid We involve Volunteers fully both in delivering our services Tel: 0034 636 081 239 and in the development of the organisation as a whole. Email: ccm@ageconcern-espana.org As we have a duty of care to our clients, Volunteers are Website: www.acespana.org or selected subject to interview, satisfactory references www.ageconcernespana.org.uk and Criminal Record checks.

What will volunteering involve? We offer many services from helping an older person with their weekly shopping to providing tailored information and advice on welfare entitlements.

What skills and attributes are needed? •An understanding of older people’s needs •A helpful and friendly manner •Reliability •Willingness to learn •Good communication skills •Ability to travel independently in the community •Respect and confidentiality How much time is needed? Most of our vacancies generally require volunteers to be available during normal working hours on weekdays. However, we ask you to be as flexible as possible with your time commitment.

MILLY´S STORY Milly’s story is one which is all too common amongst older people in Spain today. Milly‚ like many people was looking forward to a long and happy retirement with her husband of many years. They had moved to Spain and were excited about their new life together. Tragically‚ shortly after relocating‚ Milly’s husband died. Struggling with her loss and sense of emptiness‚ Milly found it increasingly difficult to gain any meaning out of what remained of her life. She would spend days and nights alone‚ often going for weeks without any contact with another human being. Having only recently moved to the area she did not know anybody. With no family here and not being able to speak Spanish she became more and more housebound. Then she phoned the British Consulate in a very distressed state because she had no money as she was unable to sort out her pension. A Caseworker from Age Concern visited Milly at home and undertook a detailed assessment of her needs. By working with the PBHT, we managed to sort things out and she is now in receipt of both her UK and Spanish pension. Her sister in England rang us to thank everyone for all their efforts. Each week Casework Support volunteers from the local Age Concern still visit Milly, do some shopping for her, take her to the hospital and translate for her. With assistance from Age Concern, the Red Cross provided her with a telealarm, which she now carries at all times. She is too scared to go out on her own and so she attends Age Concern social events, including the monthly luncheon club. This has made a tremendous difference to Milly’s life. Her weekly visits from Age Concern España Casework Support

volunteers has given Milly some hope back in her life whereas before she felt she was merely existing. This is just one of many examples of how working in partnership with the British Consulate, the PBHT and Spanish organisations can help to ensure the continued welfare of elderly British nationals in Spain. Support Us. If for whatever reason you cannot provide your time then you can still help us provide the vital information‚ advice and services that help thousands of older people throughout Spain. You can make a one-off donation, regular donations, donate in memory of a loved one, or leave a legacy. You can make a donation over the phone by calling (0034) 902 00 38 38 or by sending a cheque made payable to Age Concern España by post to the address above.

Health self-help toolkit: 'Self-Help Toolkit'

House Insurance- letter sent in by a concerned reader: John Ogilvie <ogilviejohn@ yahoo.co.uk> WARNING

I was delighted last year to discover the existence of the 'Pensions, Benefit and Health Team', one of whom Laura Leeman, confirmed in a letter for the Olive Press last month the Tarjeta Sanitaria /Health Card's new availability since October 2010 to people living here. The PBHT is a useful initiative & partnership between the British Government's Consular department responsible for these key areas and their counterparts within the Spanish State system. They are based in Alicante with a brief to provide information to all of us living within Spain including Catalunya. The team did a workshop at the British Consul's open day last autumn here in El Perelló and encouraged us to not rely on hearsay - which is often both confusing & incorrect - but to directly check with them re: any questions around these themes, e.g entitlements we may be eligible for. An invaluable service. I found the Consul's PBHT team very helpful at explaining the complex system in operation here in regard to these vital areas of health, benefits and pensions, and also in directing me where to get documentation needed from other countries, e.g. evidence of the 15 years of work credit done within the EEA necessary to apply for a Spanish pension (far more generous criteria than the UK system!). They encourage people to contact them by phone +34 965 216022, fax: +34 965 140528, or by email Laura. Leeman@fco.gov.uk, and have a newsletter service you can sign up for. Clearly it is important to know what possibilities exist here, often more than we think. There are advantages to registering as available for work, for example, at the OTG (Oficina de Treball) if you are unemployed. Even though you may not receive any money, after a year being on the job-seekers register if you are still unemployed you may be eligible for RAI (Renda Activa d'inserció) if you are between the ages of 45 & 51, or there are some benefits available for sole providers of a family. That could make all the difference to a family if facing challenging circumstances in the future. Also if people are working but without a proper job contract with the rights & benefits that affords, I have also heard social workers here advise people to register as available for work, again creating opportunities for financial support for the future should they need that and making them able to take opportunity of the training courses available, etc. The Consell Comarcal's social workers, assigned to local areas, are another good place to find out what help there may be available if facing challenging circumstances financially. In my role as an agent d'acollida for the Ajuntament I sometimes help translate with the social workers for people who need that input. There is also SIAD (Advice and Information service for Women) which offers access to a choice of psychological, social work & legal consultation and is increasingly being made available at the village level to facilitate people living in rural areas. It may be possible to arrange for translation for this free service through the Consell Comarcal for your area. SIAD's contact details for our area are 977 445 308, siad@baixebre.cat Taru Burstall, Agent d'acollida, El Perelló Ajuntament, 977 490 814, taruyes@hotmail.co.uk

Readers are advised to carefully check their house insurance policy documents, ESPECIALLY the description page, as several companies are now wording the description and location of the property in such a way that should a claim have to be made, the insurance company can twist the wording to their advantage and claim that the policy is not correct and they are therefore refusing to pay proper compensation. This is a result of the huge number of burglary claims that have been occurring in recent times and seems to more particularly apply to rural properties. The insurance companies have had to pay out so much, that they are using any means to reduce their compensation pay outs. There are now only one or two companies that will insure rural properties and it is advisable to use a company that specialises in rural / farm type properties. I have been caught out by this. So be pedantic and carefully check your policy and query the wording and if necessary get the insurance company to clarify in writing, wherever your property is located and try to avoid falling foul of this practise. Regards and best wishes for the New Year John Ogilvie PS. If you wish to discuss this my contact details are Telephone 696 118 348 Email as above

Note this is one readers experience which may not be a global representation of the situation. The points contained in these articles do not constitute legal advice on the part of authors or The Olive Press, and owners of properties should seek legal or professional advice if in doubt.

26 email: info@theolivepress.eu ☻Tel: 977 059 364

Olives & popcorn Welcome to Olives & Popcorn, your monthly guide to great Spanish based films that in my opinion should not be ignored. Any comments are welcome. Also if you want to know more about a particular film and how to get a copy again get in touch via my email below. This month marking the start of a new year I present a film not yet released to give us something to look forward to in the world of Spanish cinema in 2011….Mientras duermes (2010) (‘Flatmate’ or ‘Sleep Tight’)

Flatmate (Spanish: Mientras duermes) is an upcoming Spanish horror thriller film directed by Jaume Balagueró and was written by Alberto Marini. Cesar, a harassing janitor transforms the life of a tenant living in his building into a nightmare. • Luis Tosar as César • Marta Etura as Clara • Alberto San Juan as Marcos • Pep Tosar as Padre de Úrsula • Petra Martínez as Sra. Verónica • Amparo Fernández • Iris Almeida Filmax narrated the film on the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and named Jaume Balagueró as director. Alberto Marini wrote the script of the film. Balagueró casted in early May 2010 Luís Tosar and Marta Etura for the leads. Filmax and Balagueró filmed the project in Barcelona. It is Balagueró's first film since Fragile alone on the directing chair.

Jason.M.Berry 19/01/2011 Contact e-mail:gatchajay@hotmail.com

It’s now the major garden cutback and fruit tree pruning time of the year but before you start to use the Secateurs pole pruners or saws ask yourself why you are pruning each plant, shrub and tree to ensure you achieve the most from your efforts.

For instance in the first photograph lantana shrubs are being cut back hard to stimulate bushy flower covered growth and prevent the plants becoming leggy. In the second photograph an olive tree abandoned some years ago is being given a very hard recuperative pruning as the first step in developing an easy to harvest high yielding tree.

A dozen reasons for pruning are given below. 1. To shape – Heavy pruning best done as part of winter cut back except for winter flowering plants that are generally best cut back after flowering. 2. To stimulate blossom on fruit trees and the continuous or second flowering of plants by preventing them from going to seed.

3. To let air and sun into the centre of fruit trees to reduce the chance of disease in an otherwise shady humid centre and enable inner fruits to ripen. 4. To reduce the number of small fruits to achieve larger final fruits. 5. To remove some buds on roses to achieve larger flowers for special displays. 6. To remove diseased growth before it affects other parts of a plant shrub or tree. 7. To stop large plants, Shrubs and trees from becoming top heavy and eventually breaking or toppling over. 8. To remove the chance of hitting heads or damaging eyes. 9. To make it safe to walk along paths especially if there are prickly or cutting leaved plants nearby. 10. To take cuttings for propagating new plants or grafting different varieties onto an existing tree or bush. 11. To remove the original variety once a cutting has taken on a branch of a fruit tree. 12. To cut out frost damage or branches broken in gales or by snow. Hope the above leads to better looking and yielding plants shrubs trees and gardens this spring summer and autumn. BOOKS TO HELP YOU

You will find further advice on pruning in ‘Your Garden in Spain – From planning to planting and maintenance’ in relation to the garden in general and ‘ Growing Healthy Fruit – From Strawberries to oranges and water melons’ specifically related to fruit trees, bushes and plants. You will find the books in major bookshops and Carrefour and on internet sites such as Santana Books, Bookworld, Amazon and The Royal Horticultural Society.

28 email: info@theolivepress.eu ☻Tel: 977 059 364

Fed up with high price internet? Fed up with poor technical support? Take a look at Eurona Telecom packages CONNEXIÓ BÀSICA 1Mb 24,90 €/month CONNEXIÓ PLUS 2Mb 29,90 €/month CONNEXIÓ PREMIUM 3Mb 34,90 €/month -300minutes free calls to Spanish landlines - Technical support in English - Keep your existing phone number or have a new number - installation from 60 € PC TIPS: Speed up your system...

This month here are a few tips to help speed up your system..

Faster Window Switching

Disabling the Minimise-Maximise animation can make your PC run a lot faster. Disabling is easy: • Go to Start and type in ‘SystemPropertiesPerformance‘ • Go the Visual Effects tab • Uncheck ‘Animate windows when minimizing and maximising‘ and click OK

Speedup Windows 7 Boot Times

Windows 7 only uses one core to boot out of the box. By increasing the number of cores used you can decrease the boot time: 1. Click on Start and then ‘Run’ 2. Search for Run and type ‘msconfig’ 3. Click on the tab ‘Boot’ and click on ‘Advanced options…’ 4. Check ‘Number of processors’ and enter how many your PC has (usually 2,4 or 8) 5. Click ‘OK’ and ‘Apply’ 6. Reboot

Remove Unwanted Fonts

Fonts, especially TrueType fonts, use quite a bit of system resources. For optimal performance, trim your fonts down to just those that you need to use on a daily basis and fonts that applications may require. • Open Control Panel • Open Fonts folder • Move fonts you don’t need to a temporary directory (e.g.

CONNEXIÓ BÀSICA + TELEPHONE 1Mb + Telephone 29,90 €/month CONNEXIÓ PLUS + TELEPHONE 2Mb + Telephone 34,90 €/month CONNEXIÓ PREMIUM + TELEPHONE 3Mb + Telephone 39,90 €/month

Contact Nigel Morton: 620 353 138 C:FONTBKUP?) just in case you need or want to bring a few of them back. The more fonts you uninstall, the more system resources you will gain.

Speed Up Windows 7 Shutdown Time

Windows 7 shutdowns a lot faster than Vista or XP, but it can be improved further by making this registry change which reduced the time Windows waits to kill processes: • Click on Start and type in regedit and hit Enter • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl • Right-click on WaitToKillServiceTimeOut and change and lower the value • The default is 12000 (12 seconds) but you can lower this to any number • Click ok and restart PC

Speeding up your internet connection on Windows XP If you use Windows XP Professional then it is possible to squeeze an extra 20% out of your internet connection. By default Windows XP Pro holds back 20% of your Internet speed for various services like windows update and spyware checks. If you want to tap into this locked speed then make the following changes: 1. Go to Start-> Run-> and type gpedit.msc 2. Expand the Administrative Templates branch 3. Expand the Network tab 4. Highlight QoS Packet Scheduler 5. Click on Limit Reservable Bandwidth and check the enabled box 6. Then Change the Bandwidth limit % to 0 % Once you have done this click apply and restart your PC. After rebooting you should see a noticeable improvement in your net speed. For help or advice call Paul on 600 224 428 or email: Paul@ebrovalleycomputers.eu web: www.ebrovalleycomputers.eu

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Look at these fat freaks, says television

America one step closer to realising life is not a film

THIS year's television schedules will focus on staring blankly at the immensely fat, it has been confirmed. Broadcasters have unveiled their new series for 2011, all of which feature enormous people being filmed from every conceivable angle. BBC3's new four-parter Tubby Trek follows the life-affirming journey of Britain's fattest man, Stephen Malley, as he is winched and towed across the Andes in search of the world's most calorific food - a quasi-mystical paste called Gondok made from reduced yak butter, whale thigh and cloves. A spokesman said: "This is one man's transformation from hungry to not hungry. The scenery is as breathtaking as his big, crazy arse." Channel 4's Fat Shock season will return with "Cheese In Their Folds", a documentary which graphically fails to disprove the myth that very obese people have a dairylike sediment in their back cleavage. E4 will screen "amous Cheese In Their Folds". Meanwhile Channel 5 will follow-up hit show "You Wouldn't Believe How Blooming Fat This One Is" with "No Wait, This One's Even Fatter, Look What Happens When We Poke It". TV pundit, Nikki Hollis, said: "Massive people make perfect television because they are simultaneously endearing and revolting. They're like pandas that it's ok to hate. "Also, when they fall over, they really struggle to get back up. "It can actually be very moving." Petrol to be 'watered down' FuelLeaks, the whistle-blowing energy site have revealed shock details that the government are proposing to water down petrol in order the save money. It follows a lead by drug dealers who are peddling powder containing as little as 1% pure cocaine as they try to make up for lost sales in the recession. They are mixing it with Benzocaine and lidocaine which mimic the numbing effects of cocaine. Just by sight you are not going to know what the quality of the cocaine is. FuelLeaks say that Phil Hammond, Transport Minister, has agreed, in principal, to allow major petrol suppliers to mix their petrol with water. Hammond's rationale is simple: As fuel prices continue to rise drivers will be much less willing to fill their cars up, particularly if their cars don't work properly. We have worked out that, with a ratio of 1 part petrol to 99 parts water, at current prices the actual cost of the petrol itself will be around ÂŁ128.70 a litre.

THE United States has taken another small step towards realising they are not all the stars of some badly written melodrama. Faint neural connections were achieved in the country's 300 million brains after it emerged that when the people who run the country talk like a Stephen Seagal character and you give guns to nutters then actual humans get killed in real life. As the investigation began into the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of six others, psychiatrists said America may now be starting to recognise that if you are not on a film set then grabbing a massive pistol and saying 'let's dance' in a deep, croaky voice is terrifying and insane. Dr Julian Cook, head of geo-cultural psychology at Reading University, added: "When we're little children we imagine we're James Bond or the star of a violent war film. We clutch at our chest in fake injury before recovering and killing all the baddies with our high-powered index finger. "Now imagine a hugely powerful economy where everyone thinks like that every minute of the day and they all have incredibly real guns." But Todd Logan, from Minnesota, said: "I was one of the stars of 9-11: Freedom's Darkest Hour. I played the character who phoned up the White House and told the President he had to kick some ass. "Then, a few minutes later, you see him contacting me personally through my television to say 'mission accomplished' before kissing his wife who we all thought was dead. It was a really great scene." He added: "I only have a very minor part in Arizona Takedown - I play 'Man with Opinion' - but I am up for a big role in How Todd Logan Succeeds in Business Without Really Trying." Meanwhile Sarah Palin, star of Lock and Load: The Sarah Palin Story, has insisted that gun sights can be used for all kinds of things, such as baking, jam making and homeopathic medicine. As she came under attack for publishing a map which showed rifle crosshairs over Gabrielle Giffords' congressional district, Palin rejected claims she had promoted violence and said gun sights are rarely used in conjunction with guns. She said: "I actually bought the sight for my R-15 Bushmaster semi-automatic hunting rifle as an attachment for my bread maker. "Once you've removed the glass and the bolts you can use it as a funnel for adding chocolate chips or little pieces of marshmallow."

30 email: info@theolivepress.eu â&#x2DC;ťTel: 977 059 364

Blackburn Sign Wrong Ronaldinho in January Transfer Chaos

Beckham accused of sleeping with wife

Blackburn FC have been forced to apologise to its fans today after completing the signing of the wrong person, in a desperate attempt to sign Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. Instead they managed to sign an 87 year old, former butcher, called Ronald Eno. Most alarmingly they seem to a have agreed to pay the retiree 拢130k a week. The Blackburn lawyers are now desperately trying to back out of the deal, however Eno has now held a press conference stating he feels ready to play in the Premiership. Eno's agent Vincent Jones, 94 and partly deaf, shouted his way through the press conference and ended with "My boy will bag at least a brace of scores for the gang, now everyone be quiet, Deal or No Deal is on". A club spokesman commented "in hindsight the contractual demands for soup and a nap at halftime should have been a clue". Interestingly, his older brother Rob was signed by Manchester City in a spending spree in 2008.

DAVID Beckham is fighting to save his reputation after claims he has been to bed with his pointy wife. Sources close to the couple said Victoria no longer requires tethering to the floor during windy weather, fuelling speculation that another dress-up doll named after the place where they last had sex may be on the way. An insider said: "Between not playing football in America and making Harry Redknapp look like a salivating, crotchrubbing pervert in a grimy strip club, he simply hasn't had the time to get drunk enough for that kind of thing. "If you watch recent footage of him at the Sports Personality of the Year, he looks relaxed and happy, rather than having the haunted Vietnam-vet face of someone who had recently been adjacent to the world's pointiest, most miserable fandango." Beckham is now considering an injunction against his wife, banning her from further accusations of consummated fidelity. Meanwhile analysts have warned that Victoria's allegations will damage 'brand Beckham' which generates millions every year as companies queue up to have their products endorsed by a badly tattooed simpleton who sounds like an Eastenders actress. The insider added; "Victoria decided that having sex with your husband is this season's 'must have'. "I just hope it all blows over and they can return to being the sexless, joyless couple, the extent of whose fame we will never really understand."

China hoaxes Edinburgh Zoo with two men in black and white furry panda suits Scotland: Panda Diplomacy took a new twist today with the donation to Edinburgh Zoo of 'two breeding Chinese males' dressed in fluffy panda suits. The outfits are identical to those worn by keepers in Shendong Panda Reserve's rehoming program that reintroduces young cubs to the wild for the first time. The disguises apparently make the young bears adapt more easily to their new habitats and are manufactured from 100% washable nylon. Commenting on today's gift by the Spoof Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said "WTF?" The gift of bears was witnessed by Deputy Prime Monster Nick Clegg and Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang. Tian Tian and Yangguang, a breeding pair of males, will be under the custodianship of the Scottish Zoological AssOssiation. A government spokesman said today that 'the project represents the culmination of five years of political and diplomatic negotiation at the highest levels.' Any offspring from the breeding pair are thought to be extremely unlikely.

MySpanishome VILLAS NEEDED in Ametlla del Mar, El Perell贸 & L'Ampolla areas. So if you have a property to sell please contact: 977 446 655 +34 639 041 277 mobile Stephanie +34 679 499 316 mobile Steve Av. Generalitat 70, 43500, Tortosa, Tarragona, email: info@myspanishome.com www.myspanishome.com

www.theolivepress.eu

How to Solve Sudoku Puzzles



The Mora Collaboration Radio w "Still Rockin" on 107.3fm Sudoku doesn't require any special math skills or An Englishman on your Radio calculations. It is a simple and fun game of logic -- all that's needed is brains and concentration. Join me every Saturday at 3pm on La 1. Fill the grid so that the numbers 1 through 9 appear in Ametlla de Mar’s Radio Cala 107.3 each row. 2. Fill the grid so that the numbers 1 through I am your Voice on the Radio. 9 appear in each column. 3. Fill the grid so that the Get the latest News and Listen to some good music. numbers 1 through 9 appear in each 3x3 box. 4. A complete Sudoku puzzle contains the numbers 1 60’s 70’s Soul and your requests. through 9 in every row, column, and 3x3 box. Let’s build a community every Saturday at 3pm on Radio Cala This month, one with difficult classification as evil. You can get it in, Camarles, El Perelló, L' Ampolla, Tres Calas Email normanjay@ametllamar.cat Or maybe catch me on Radio Mora la Nova on 107.3 every Wednesday at 8pm email norman@normanjay.net Norman Jay Still Rockin on the Radio Telephone 617 162 264 Kind Regards, Norman Jay You can also listen on your mobile phone. see my web site www.normanjay.net Wednesdays on www. radiomoralanova.com UK Time 7 to 8pm EU Time 8 to 9pm Saturday and Sunday on www.ametllamar.cat/lacalartv normanjay@ametllamar.cat Saturday at 2pm uk time 3pm eu time and repeated on Sunday at 10 am UK time 11 EU time.

ACROSS 2. stars 6. pascual (E) 7. visita (E) 8. tapa (E) 10. select 11. guisante (E) 13. computers 16. raro (E) 17. fashions 19. eski (E) 20. flour 21. mediana (E) 22. nursery



spanglish?-answers next month 1.

10.

11.

12.

13. 14.

15.

16.

17.

20.

18.

19.

DOWN 1. wind 3. thirteen 4. key 5. letters 9. wall 11. prensa (E) 14. nights 15. time 17. mania 18. conducir (E) by Sarah (E=translate to english otherwise to spanish)

21.

22.

ACROSS: ANSWERS TO THE JANUARY 1. sin 7. tal 16. lleno 21. own 11. reign 3. madre 8. rey 13. mujeres 17. red 22. tapon 5. sol 10. jamon 14. natal 19. sad 23. por

ISSUE OF SPANGLISH DOWN: 3. malon 6. ley 12. negro 1. sit 4. echar 9. apretar 15. light 2. nil 5. sur 10. jabon 16. limon

32 email: info@theolivepress.eu ☻Tel: 977 059 364

17. rio 18. din 19. sip 20. dar

CAR BOOT | last Sunday of every month 10am1pm. stalls 5€. Refreshments, Camping St Jordi, Platje Ayellanes, L'Ampolla Tel 679 115 247 •CAR BOOT SALE | 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month. Situated Hipaca Escornalbou, Vilanova D'Escornalbou. Arrive 9am starts 10am. Bar & restaurant- no fresh produce allowed! Contacts: Cosme on 620215772 or Silvia 665159781 •CAR BOOT SALE | first and third Sunday every month C/ Garcia Restaurant Braseria Can Palomo MORA LA NOVA. Tel Jackie 679741254 •DELTA CLASSICS-CLASSIC CAR MEETING 1st FRIDAY of every month 6PM Bar "Casals" Avda San Jordi, El Perelló. Call for more details and events: 678 718 446. •EL PERELLO FREESIA GROUP (working for cancer charities) The next El Perello Bookstall (no longer with DVD rental) will be held at the Homogenic bar on: Saturday 12th & 26th Feb. If the weather is bad, the bookstall will be inside the Homogenic bar. Further information please phone Liz on 977 059 783. Lunch: The next Lunch will be at the Bar Estación in L'Ampolla on Wednesday 16th February. Please book in advance by phoning Janet on 977059147 •MASONIC GROUP | Logia de San Jorge A new English speaking lodge of Freemasons approved by GLE, has been established in this area. if you would like more information please telephone Edward Ward on 977416476 (Tarragona area) or Les Beech on 678357713 (Castellon area). logiadesanjorge@yahoo.co.uk

BADMINTON CLUB - "New Season Badminton starts again on 1st February for Intermediates and 4th February for Beginners. Come along and join in, don't put it off any longer, you know you want to! Sessions run from 11.30am to 1pm. New members are always welcome. Phone Marian for more details on 697 353 914". LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO AND FRIENDS TO DO IT WITH? NEW English-speaking Womens Club for Flix and Riba Roja seeks like-minded women. Meetings 2nd Wednesday each month. Come and join us! For information contact: Alice 671 681 515 “YOGA DAY OUT WITH A DIFFERENCE” Fed up with the daily routine? Want to meet new people or visit somewhere different? Once a month, why not join a very lively bunch of people for 2 hours of yoga with a difference, followed by a fabulous menu of the day at a local restaurant. Pamela Sharp, Yoga Teacher & Reiki Master, who has lived and practised in Spain for 35 years is an excellent teacher and always does something different. In December we are going to be taught how to cure ailments by “Tapping”. (No previous experience necessary!). The yoga is held at the Town Hall in La Galera from 11am to 1pm and afterwards we go to somewhere different for lunch, where the food is always excellent and good value for money. The whole day usually costs about €20 and will definitely be no more

CAR BOOT SALES / MERCADILLO Every Sunday Afternoon -YES AFTERNOON!! 1pm Until Dark. Every Sunday Afternoon until further notice. Furniture - fridges - cookers - pictures - pots, pans & old tin cans - you name it and we will get it.

Frozen & Fresh Food & Cafe on site. Car Park Free, to Look Free and Stalls Free!

At Mora Caravans C12, km 61 Mora La Nova to Ginestar road

Call Ken or Bev on 977 400 375 or 659 418 317 or 660 584 222

NOTE to Buyers & Sellers We at Mora Caravans have the right to refuse entry. •Cof E CHURCH SERVICES | The services are on the 2nd Sunday and 4th Wednesday of every month in the Parish Church in L'Ampolla at 12;30. All are welcome, followed by Menu del dia lunch (optional) Enquiries: 977 593 219. The Anglican Congregation of St Christopher's, Costa Azahar -5, Plaza Primero De Mayo,Vinaros-Services 10am. every Sunday. Also other activities i.e. Thursdays, a "Drop. In" morning from 11.a.m.- 1.00 p.m. to meet for a coffee & a chat. Paul Needle can be contacted on 964 761 641 or mobile 662 482 944 or e-mail paulneedle@aol.com for pastoral needs. THE READING CLUB where an English spoken person reads a short English story- members consist of Spanish, Irish and English. We will meet the 21st February, 19:30 pm, Marcel.li Domingo Public Library, Tortosa. In that meeting we will talk about families and about Ireland reading an Irish author: Bernard MacLaverty, and his short story Life Drawing.

IESG-INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SPEAKING GROUP

Meetings are held at 6.30 pm on the second Thursday of each month (except for August) at:- Edificio Bahia Blanca, C/Paisos Catalans, 74, L’Ametlla de Mar. More information? Either tel: 977267418 or e-mail: iesglametlla@gmail.com - SEE PAGE 36 FOR MORE INFO LINE DANCING | we will be meeting in the Escola de Musica (Music School) in El Perelló as usual 3-5 pm Thursday. The fees will be only 1€ per person per week. little bit of exercise for the legs and the jaws! All welcome

than €25.00. Usually the day out is on the first Friday of the month. For further information please ring Jeanette Lane at least one week before on 977 477 042 or 686 292 823.

PHOENIX GROUP - set up by women for women, a self help group aiming to give friendship, support and practical help. Meetings every second Tuesday of each month. Next meeting Feb 8th ( then March 8th, April 12th, May 10th and June 14th at 3pm Casa Cultura, (Library Building) El Perello. All welcome. Contact Marge on Tel: 689 608 611.

Agent d'acollida (welcome) service, El Perelló

Taru Burstall is an agent d'acollida for the El Perelló Ajuntament whose role is to help facilitate integration options between the members of the European & English-speaking communities who have moved here & the local community. She is at your service to help with any queries or problems you may have or ideas you are intereted in developing in this regard. At the Sala de Exposició, Casa de Cultura, C/ Colom, 48 (under the library) To contact her please: • leave a message with your name & number at the Casa de Cultura (977 49 08 14) for an appointment to meet, she will phone you back • or contact her via email: taruyes@hotmail.co.uk

www.theolivepress.eu



personal classifieds

come ist in!

GENERAL FOR SALE

Good day, I'm Dora from

NEW STAINLESS STEEL COOKER BACK(splash guard) | to

Progat of Tortosa, Now

fit range type €30. Call 977 059 364. SKI BOOTS LADIES

we urgently need to find

| Tecnica size 38 good condition 15€ & SKIS SALAMON

homes for 4 puppies,

XFREE9 | 180CM with bindings 40€. Tel: 977 059 364

small-medium

NEW BATHROOM SINK | Antique look, vessel/countertop

dogs that have been

style ceramic 50€ never used. Call 977 059 364

abandoned,

SKY BOX 50 EURO. SKY PLUS BOX 100 EURO. NEW STILL

small. ADOPT A PUPPY

IN BOX 4 WAY LNB 35 EURO. TEL 638 263 011

white, precious, WE NEED A HOME to survive. WILL weigh

MOSES BASKET | stand & mattress 20€. Tel 682 463 635

about 8 KILOS when fully grown, SMALL-MEDIUM BREED.

16 FUZZIBUNZ WASHABLE NAPPIES | very small suit birth

THANK YOU: Call 659 372 044 or 626 905 796

breed are

very

WANTED

to 4 months, some lilac , some green. 40€. Tel 682 463 635 MEXICAN STYLE HAMMOCKS | pure silk, assorted colours,

URGENT. INTERNATIONAL POP-ROCK | Band wants an all

single 15€, double 25€. Tel: 682 463 635

round keyboard- and guitar player. Call Nico 977 265 018 or

NEW SMALL OPEN LOG BURNER,| Complete with liner and

686 066 707

black chimney (internal) 120 € Can deliver. 997 457 556.

ALL ROUND BASS-PLAYER | is looking for band or orchestra.

ADULT SIZE TRICYCLE | With back and front baskets.

Call Nico 977 265 018 or 686 066 707

120€. Tel: 977 457 556

WANTED GOOD QUALITY GAS BBQ | with hood-temperature

TANGERINES, ORANGES & LEMONS | picked the same

gauge etc must be in good condition .....phone 977 493 971

day, no chemicals used. 50cts per kg. Ring with your order +

I want to know if anybody is offering HORSE RIDING

collect from Xerta the next day. Min order 10kg. Tel 977473278

LESSONS and CLARINET LESSONS in the Ribera d'Ebre or

SAMSUNG COLOUR LASER PRINTER | CLP-315 MODEL,

in Terra alta or near. Please e-mail ellie_prat@hotmail.com or

ONLY 50€. Tel 977 059 364

call 977 428 087. Thank you

Dry Horse Manure for sale | 3 euros per sack for use as

WANTED WARDROBES | pine 1 double + 1 single. Call 699

solid winter fuel , ( Burns in a similar way to coal, Google

756 150

it ) or fresh as fertiliser for your crops. Trailer loads sold

WANTED GATE/S 4m wide | Call 660 823 423 or 977 059 420

for a reduced rate call Paul on 600 224 428

"WANTED, BOOKS AND SELLABLE ITEMS for car-

STUDER INVERTER CHARGER | 2600 pure sinewave. This

boots to raise money for local

inverter has been running my 2 bedroom house for the last 3

dogs´homes.

years or and is in perfect working order. 750€ . Tel: 977059158

WENDY 637 981 158" I am

or Mob: 608 667 519

pleased to say so far 65euros

WHITE UPVC DOOR | in frame €100, good condition, top half

have been raised so thanks to

Please

call

all!!

opaque glass, multipoint lock system with key, near Tortosa. Tel. 603 146 516 FRIDGE FREEZER | for sale €150, white, good working order, phone for more details call 672 825 734 WOOD CHIPPER SHREDDER | 240v, used twice 150€. Tel 676 108 158

ANIMALS

DONKEY Grey 5yrs | Nervous of "Man". Mia needs either oneon-one attention or to return to a herd. IS SHE FOR YOU? 490 Euros 639 548 092 REWARD FOR LOST DOG | German Shepherd cross lost between El Perellό and L´Ametlla de Mar. Call 977 475 284 or 691 865 385

WANTED VOLUNTEERS | help needed to look after the abandon dogs at ARCA near Tortosa. Please call Mave 678 975 816 if you can offer any assistance. Plus anyone interested in organising some fund raising for the dogs would be must appreciated. PLEASE HELP

VEHICLES / MOBILE HOMES/BOATS

CITROEN JUMPY SPANISH | 1998 1.9 Diesel Minibus 7-9 seater, £1995 or swap English vehicle with MOT. Call 653 369 429 / UK 079 19234114

34 email: info@theolivepress.eu ☻Tel: 977 059 364

subject to space ist 7FTx4FT BRAKED TRAILER | wooden sides 10\" mini wheels fully refurbed. English Trailer 300Euros. Tel 676 108 158 VAUXHALL FRONTERA 4 x 4 | - English Plates, MOT end of Feb, MOT until July GC, 500 Euros, exchange considered. Tel 638 845 837 2007 250cc SAGA QUAD BIKE | Spanish reg, road legal, needs TLC + lots of spares, 750€. Call 676 108 158

FUN IN THE SUN| BE-UP CONVERTIBLE. Sought after limited edition buggy. Spanish registered. very low mileage ONLY 3900€.EXCHANGE OR PART EXCHANGE WELCOME ALL ITEMS CONSIDERED. For more information telephone 977 059 420 OR 660 823 423

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TRANSLATING, INTERPRETING AND EDITING

Into English or Spanish from English, Spanish, Catalan or French. British national raised in Catalan-speaking area of Spain. BA in Translating and Interpreting. Based near Ginestar. Contact: 667 224766, fdevalera@mesclarquelaigua.com, www.mesclarquelaigua.com

DRIVER WITH VAN | Making regular trips between Spain & England via France. Willing to transport goods to & from Spain. Tel: 977 477 367 or 655 340 596 LOGS | for sale competitive price Tortosa & surrounding areas call

TOYOTA 4X4 SURF ESTATE | 2.4TD, English plates, very clean and reliable. 1000€. Tel: 617 918 318

Chris 680 306 365

SERVICES

CARPENTER & JOINER WITH GENERAL BUILDING

"THE 4 LEGENDS" INTERNATIONAL POP-ROCK BAND |

SKILLS | 30 years experience in UK, based El Perello/

only 450€- per show. Call Nico 977 265 018 or

L'Ametlla. Call Dave 658 355 929

Norman 617 162 264. Web site. www.the4legends.com ALMOND MAINTENANCE & CLEANING SERVICES Reverse osmosis alone is not enough to insure that

Professional Meet and Greet, Full Cleaning Service Plus

the water in your home is safe for drinking. If you put

DIY, Building & Maintenance

a reverse osmosis filter in your fish tank, your fish

English, Spanish & French spoken

would become ill and probably die. If you have fish,

Very Competitive Rates and Free Quotations

you know that carbon filtration systems are needed to

References Available

protect them. So, why would you drink water that your

Call us on 669 526 921 or email almondmcs@yahoo.com

fish cannot live in? A better choice is a combination purification process, available from only a few

PC PROBLEMS? Qualified Mobile IT Engineer with over

companies. www.purewaterspain.com Call 977 059 364

15 years experience. Call Paul on 600 224 428 or Visit www.ebrovalleycomputers.eu "Save Time and Money, Let

GUITAR LESSONS | Only 15€ for 45 minutes. Call Nico

me have a look remotely I may be able to fix it without

(bass player from The 4 Legends band) on 977 265 018

coming to you" (Broadband Required)

URGENT. INTERNATIONAL POP-ROCK | Band wants an all round keyboard- and guitar player. Call Nico 977 265 018 or 686 066 707 ALL ROUND BASS-PLAYER | is looking for band or orchestra. Call Nico 977 265 018 or 686 066 707 TRANSLATIONS and INTERPRETATION SERVICE | (English/Spanish) FLIX AREA: 676 742 500 FLOOR & WALL TILER | Domestic or commercial. References available. Call Mark 686 069 923

RENTALS, PROPERTY FOR SALE NEW FIVE STAR RESIDENTIAL PARK. Close to San Jordi and 10 minutes from the coast at Vinaros. Large plots from €170 per month. English, Spanish & German spoken. Full range of amenities.

Call 964 412 645 www.maestratpark.co.uk

property for sale card directory or rent by owner business All entries are also listed on our directory

PLEASE USE A LAWYER!

Country Home For Sale in Los Barrios, Cadiz Spain OFFERS 750,000€. Unbelievable value has good

holiday rental business with a seperate cottage and apartment as well as an outstanding family home . Reduced by 400,000euros for quick sale because of family health problems. Country house situated on a private estate in a nature reserve, only 20 minutes from Sotogrande Polo fields and Valderamma and San Roques Golf courses. ENQUIRIES : 956 236 068 or 657 629 118 or email : info@theolivepress.eu

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iESG INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SPEAKING GROUP International English-Speaking Group The iESG is a bunch of friendly people of a variety of nationalities and ages who speak English and enjoy each other’s company. The iESG isn’t a Brit-ex-pats’-club; members have included American, Catalan, Dutch, English, German, Norwegian & Swiss. The group provides a social networking facility for Englishspeaking people living in the vicinity of L'Ametlla de Mar; it was started over three years ago as the ‘English-Speaking Network‘. The name was changed to avoid the impression that we are solely a computer-based network; we’re not. Our social activities enable people to meet and, when possible, encourage good-will between the local community and newcomers to the area (we have members who live in El Perelló, L’Ampolla and further). Our various activities are based on members’ wishes. Further suggestions are always welcome, but may require volunteers to organise them! Currently the group meets at 6.30 pm on the second Thursday of each month (except for August) at: Edificio Bahia Blanca, C/Paisos Catalans, 74, L’Ametlla de Mar. The meetings are informal (without minutes and stuff). The prime object of the get-together is to produce or amend our programme of events and chat about any events which may affect our community. Further information? Call Geoff on 977 267 418 or email iesglametlla@gmail.com

online at www.theolivepress.eu. The Olive Press does not accept responsibility for the contents of the articles supplied by contributors nor for the claims made by advertisers PLEASE MENTION THE OLIVE PRESS WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS PLEASE FOSTER

I would like you to ask if there is anyone out there to foster puppies for us just until they are old enough to have their vaccinations, we do have some lovely people who do foster for us but this time of the year they have visitors. Once again thanks so much for all you are doing to help us its nice to know there is some kind people out there and we are not struggling alone. MAVE. email: protectora.arca@wanadoo.es. ARCA : Post office 496, Tortosa, (Tarragona) or contact: Cinta 625 915 605 Carmen 655 040 359 Mave (English) 678 975 816

NEW BUILDS

REFORMS

EXTENSIONS

Williams Construction REGISTERED SPANISH BUILDER - NIE PROVIDED Tel: (+34) 616 135 036 APDO 274, L’Ametlla de Mar

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY in full colour 36€ single or 65€ double *special 6 months only 180€ for single card paid in Advance or pay for 5 + 1 FREE! i.e. pay 36 € per month for 5 months and get month 6 free! 62X34MM single 62x70mm double. PRICES ARE IN EUROS PER MONTH AND EXCLUDE IVA PAYMENT IS DUE WITH PRESENTATION OF ADVERTISEMENT

business card directory

ARCA the dog refuge wish to give sincere thanks to everyone for supporting them. Please keep it up

Calenders and t-shirts are also for sale to raise funds for the dogs-

www.protectoraarca.org or email: protectora.arca@wanadoo.es

you relax...

All entries are also listed on our directory online at www.theolivepress.eu. The Olive Press does not accept responsibility for the contents of the articles supplied by contributors nor for the claims made by advertisers PLEASE MENTION THE OLIVE PRESS WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS

MASSAGE ACUPUNCTURE