Interpreting the News, Views & Sunshine from around Gran Canaria for English speakers of all nations
July-August2017 El PeriĂłdico InglĂŠs de Gran Canaria The English Newspaper
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THE PRISTINE SANDS OF TAURO BEACH
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STARS OF THE WHITE NIGHTS The St Petersburg Ballet perform in Las Palmas July 23rd
The controversial new beach at Tauro is in de facto daily use, more than a year after being fenced off, despite the refusal of the Madrid authorities to allow it to open officially while court cases continue to investigate how work was allowed to begin on
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the project despite tender requirements not yet being fulfilled. Security guards can only report and watch on as lucky locals and tourists pass freely through the fences. Surely its time that they officially #RemoveTheFences and reopen PioPio!
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Newsbrief
Reviewing some of the stories we’ve covered over the last few weeks. Stay up to date at TheCanaryNews.com
Works start on the Arguineguín –
Patalavaca promenade The long overdue reconditioning and reinforcement works to the southern coastal walkway between Arguineguín and Patalavaca, alongside the GC500, is scheduled to begin soon. The works are estimated to last 9 months along the 733 meter promenade that connects the popular fishing-cum-tourist town of Arguineguín and the enclave of Patalavaca. The project will cost €575,000, financed mostly by the Government of Spain. Works are taking place on the pedestrian promenade, starting from the Sunwing Hotel to the Doñana Apartments, along the route of the GC-500 road. The walk is about 25 meters above sea level and has privileged views of the Costa Mogán. The work is financed with half a million euros from the Government of Spain’s Ministry of Tourism, while the Council of Mogán is providing €75,000 of municipal funds.
a new prefabricated construction system that will rely on the existing reinforced concrete supports that are reportedly in good condition. The other work will be the conditioning of the walkway itself, which will include replacing the balustrades with galvanised steel railings – which will meet the latest safety requirements - replacing the pavements with urban asphalt paving to “provide a spectacular highly decorative, high performance finish, resulting in a beautiful, durable, environmentally sustainable and economical sidewalk.” New street furniture will also be installed, lighting fixtures will be repaired and painted, along with general widening and the set up of new shady areas. The Mogán councillor for Works explained that “these actions will ensure the stability of the road, which currently shows significant structural deterioration. In addition, rehabilitation of the promenade will beautify the area and be an attraction for tourism.” Because of these works their are to be traffic restrictions along the GC-500 with several variations.
As of the start of July the The works will be divided into two coastal road is down to just one types of action; the reconstruction carriageway, controlled by lights and a contraflow system, this can of the 733 meter walkway and the reinforcement of the structure, mean long delays, so motorists are asked to avoid the area if which will mean the demolition of existing slabs and the placement of possible, by travelling on the GC1
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The Canary is independently owned and operated by unpaid volunteers working as part of a cooperative to provide useful information and entertainment to English speakers based on Gran Canaria. The publishers accept no responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorial, nor can they be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors in advertisements or advertorial. This publisher accepts no responsibility for poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or nonappearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. Contributions can be offered for publication, though no fee will be offered: Submission@TheCanaryNews.com
Reproduction of any part of this newspaper is permitted only with appropriate credit & notification under Creative Commons 3.0 rules of Attribution, unless otherwise stated. Edita: JDC Canarias SL, Imprime: Informaciones Canarias, Gran Canaria, España. Deposito Legal GC1291-2013
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British tour operators warn of jail terms for hotel fraud
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“We are talking about a crime that can be pursued both here in the UK, on your return from vacation, or in the destination country,” he said. The head of the association admitted that this is a problem primarily associated with British tourists. “In the UK we have a deep-seated culture of asking for compensation that I do not think exists in other countries,” said Tanzer, who stressed that in the British Isles there are numerous law firms that are dedicated exclusively to managing compensation claims, some of these firms are specialised in handling traffic injury claims, but they have recently expanded their business to holiday compensation claims, because the UK Government has limited the fees that can be charged by lawyers for managing traffic injury claims. These companies are now “very aggressively” engaged in persuading British holiday makers that they can claim a reward if they report having been ill during their holiday.
Matt @ PEK – Buffet breakfast, CC BY-SA 2.0,
(EFE) .- The CEO of the UK Travel Agents Association (ABTA), Mark Tanzer, has warned that British tourists presenting false accusations against hotels, for financial compensation, can face major fines and even prison sentences. In an interview with Spanish news agency Efe, Tanzer said that the tourism industry faces losses of tens of millions of pounds in the wake of “dishonest” claims for alleged food poisoning in Spain and other southern countries in Europe such as Portugal and Greece.
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Given the economic impact of the” tens of thousands ” who have so far made food poisoning claims, UK operators have started a campaign to try and put a stop to it. One of the two pillars of the plan is to pressure the Government to take legal measures in order to make the business of tourist claims less appealing for law firms, as was done with road traffic injuries. “I think they understand the urgency of this great problem.” Said Tanzer. On the other hand, ABTA is leading the campaign to deter British tourists, in which they emphasise that the penalties for committing fraud can result in up to three years in prison in some countries. The president of the British association also warned that holiday makers who file false reports may face large fines.
“It’s not just about the money they’ve claimed. The hotel can argue that their reputation has been damaged and claim a significant amount for the damage,” Tanzer referred to the British couple, Spanish hoteliers have criticized the British tour operators, who in most cases are the party being sued Sean and Caroline Bondarenko, who according to by the tourist, but then pay the claim and simply pass the UK media are facing a demand from £170,000 (€192,000) from a hotel in Greece after they tried the cost on to the affected hotel establishments, but Tanzer says that “this is not the case” on all occasions. to claim for compensation of £10,000 (€11,300) for alleged food poisoning. The cost “can be assumed by the tour operator, Tourists “have the impression that they can get money depending on their contractual relationship with the hotel, or you can transfer the cost back to the Spanish simply by filling out a form, but it is not that simple.” hotel., and this is why they are very angry, ” said the “What you are doing is taking legal action against a ABTA CEO. hotel or a tour operator, and that is something very “In the end, it is not the tour operator or the hotel, it is serious, which could mean you having to pay a huge the tourist industry that is losing, and that can be seen fine and costs, and even being registered as criminals, because it is a crime,” said Tanzer. in the increase in prices,” he said.
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La Provincia headline:
“Jimmy returns to the place of the crime: “Are you going to help me?” Image: Solarpix
Long time local resident, 80 year old famous wrestling champion Jimmy Breaks has been headline news, since the death of his poor unfortunate exemployee Donna Cowley, who had been living with him. Some hours after a supposed argument at his apartment, Ms Cowley suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived. Local newspapers, and UK national tabloids, imeadiately jumped to several conclusions, suggesting that the pair were married, and trying to paint a sensationist picture of gender violence. Pictures emerged a few days later of a powerless and terrified old man pleading to reporters for help as he was forcibly led away from his home of many years in cuffs, after having taken investigators through his version of the events that led to his friend’s untimely death. Sources intimate with the case have pointed out that no autopsy report has yet been released. It is expected soon. Until those conclusions are published nobody can really say whether Jimmy was instrumental in her death or not, and no one really knows what happened that fateful night when Donna made a call to report that she had been assaulted. Locals have pointed to the fact that Donna had been down on her luck for a while, and had nowhere else to go. Neighbours have been reported as saying the two had been heard arguing loudly in the past. Friends of Jimmy say that he had wanted Donna to leave due to her excessive drinking, but he didn’t want her to be out on the street. At least one resident told reporters that Donna had been seen with a black eye last year. But of course no-one really knows how she got that, or what the relationship was about, and categorically no one has come forward to suggest any type of physically abusive relationship between Jimmy and Donna. It has all been speculation.
Currently the only person who really knows what was going on, what had led to previous arguments, and indeed what happened that night, is 80 year old Jimmy Breaks. No one else was there, nor took any real interest. But of course, everyone now has some sort of opinion to offer. Those close to him say that he had become quieter in recent months, going out less. He was known locally for his gentlemanly behaviour. There has even been suggestion that he was showing signs of possible dementia. Jimmy has claimed that Donna was not in a romantic relationship with him, but that he had allowed her to stay at his place to help look after him. Many suspect he was just doing her a good turn. Enjoyed the company. And why no? Donna herself is known to have been a “lovely lady” but a “troubled soul”, though well liked it seems the only person who had taken any interest in making sure she had somewhere to be, had been Jimmy. At some point she had “disappeared to Las Palmas for a number of years” and she’d been known as a heavy drinker, and possibly to have had underlying health issues such as asthma; whether these were connected to her having had that heart attack in the early hours of that Friday morning is for the coroner to say. We may never know. What is clear is that whatever her situation, nobody, but nobody, wished her any real harm. As of yet there is absolutely no clear reason to believe that Jimmy intentionally inflicted any injuries, nor whether those injuries were in any way connected to her death. That will be for the courts to decide. This tragedy extends far beyond Donna’s awful and untimely death. It speaks of isolation, even within a fairly close-knit foreign community, it speaks of old age, of loneliness and fear of the unknown. This is a
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A Tragic Death in Puerto Rico making
Headlines
Gran Canaria Spanish language daily, La Provincia, put a picture of Jimmy on the front page
story of two people getting by, and getting on with life, despite its hardships. This was not likely a story of terror or bullying or contempt or abuse, but more likely feelings of inadequacy, mutual acceptance, of incompatibility, frustration and rowdy drinking and possibly of occasional, bleary argy bargy. Nevertheless it has become clear that the UK tabloid press, and even the local Spanish language press, have decided that they know what happened, continuing to sensationalise and draw conclusions based on their scant understanding of the real underlying relationship. Although Jimmy currently only stands accused of one alleged crime, resisting arrest, to which he has pleaded not guilty, it seems clear that conclusions are already being drawn, by the newspapers at least, that Jimmy will be charged with further criminality. It is unfair, and it is desperately sad. Donna died too early and from a heart attack, this much we all agree. Did they have loud disagreements, probably. Was she in any fear of Jimmy, almost certainly no. The only person who seemed to actively care for her at all in life, and the only person who really knows what happened, is possibly to be accused of causing her death. An old man, well known and well liked, faces the prospect of living out his remaining years, filled with regret, in prison for a crime he may never really know if he was responsible for or contributed to or not. No justice can be served here. Only mistakes and tragedy. Our thoughts and best wishes to all who have been affected by this, and who must now see it through to its conclusion. Deepest sympathy for Donna, her family and all who knew her. Let’s hope the truth is made clear for all to see.
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Gran Canaria
water park project at last receives permission to channel
El Veril
Note: Permission for construction will still need to be granted... The Loro Parque group have at last been granted the long awaited urban license necessary from them to begin canalisation works in the El Veril ravine, on the south of Gran Canaria, where they plan to build Europe’s biggest water park, which will be similar in theme at least to Siam Park, Tenerife. The final approval of the town council, led by Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez, came just thirteen days after the Island Government, Cabildo of Gran Canaria, expedited the territorial qualification to undertake the work to channel the rainwater run off through the ravine, a procedure requested by Loro Parque founder Wolfgang Kiessling after doubts were expressed by the town council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the municipal town hall that administrates areas including Playa del Inglés & Maspalomas Costa Canaria. “This is the beginning of this project,” said Loro Parque advisor Jose Carlos Francisco when he learned that the green light for works had finally been given. Despite being included in the Modernization Plan for this area of entry to Playa del Inglés and approved by the Canarian Government in 2015, the project has been mired in what has been called an administrative blockade, on which Francisco commented to Spanish daily La Provincia “The legislation on land is so confusing and contradictory that it prevents
investments from moving forward.” The canalisation works will take about three months, and was a necessary requirement for the company to be able to build the main water park development, for which they say they will present the basic project to request the construction license itself by the end of this month of July. A multistory hotel was also authorised by the Canarian Government in 2015, and so is likely to be included in the project request to start work. The 175,000 square meters of land for the project was purchased from the noble heirs of the Del Castillo family three years ago. The new water park is expected to have many different attractions to the first Siam Park on Tenerife, but will “keep the Thai theme and the spirit of adventure and fun for the whole family” with the developers having promised several surprises “they are going to delight both the residents and the tourists that visit the Island”. So far, Loro Parque is reported to have spent €10 million on the Siam Park Gran Canaria project and expects to open the park in two or three years, employing about 600 people. The construction of the water park on the South of Gran Canaria is an investment of €60 million, to which will be added the estimated €40 million necessary to build the planned four-star hotel, bringing this project to a total investment of at least €100 million.
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Flying to Tenerife now cheaper than a day trip by bus from Mogán to Las Palmas
The recent announcement of a new 75% travel discount for residents of The Canary Islands, which came into effect at the beginning of the month, has caused bookings to go through the roof on all interisland routes, with the unusual comparison being proffered in Spanish language daily La Provincia that it is now cheaper to fly from Gran Canaria to Tenerife than it is to visit the capital Las Palmas by bus from Mogán. Spending the day in Tenerife is suddenly a prospect well in reach for normal working Canarians and residents of the islands. Following the entry into force of the new state subsidised 75% discount, for residents, on air and boat tickets covering inter-island routes, these options are even cheaper than to travel across the island by bus. If Canary Islands’ residents purchase an airline ticket between the two provinces in the archipelago, Las Palmas to Santa Cruz, from the cheapest deals currently available, they will spend just €7.79 (taxes included) compared to the €8.75 euros that it costs to go by bus from Mogán to the main Las Palmas bus station, San Telmo. Over the first two days the new grant was available, Canaries’ residents were delighted to find that travelling between islands is no longer a huge drain on their pockets. The barrage of purchases recorded by the airlines and shipping companies operating throughout the Archipelago has made this clear. Ticket processing was slowed by the extraordinarily strong demand, which far exceeded the expectations of passenger transport companies, who recorded significant sales records. Flying between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura costs, at the cheapest rates, as little as €7.79, whereas taking the bus from the Fuerteventura capital Puerto del Rosario to the popular southern sands of Morro Jable costs €10, which is now the same for a resident to buying a ticket by ferry from Agaete on
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Tenerife South, Courtesy of Cabildo
Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The airlines and ferry operators reported on that their booking system activity had returned to normal after a massive increase in bookings during the first 24 hours of the subsidy becoming available. Inter-island airline Binter say they sold 10,500 tickets. Six times their normal daily sales. Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma were favourite destinations, with their website seeing 130,000 visits, an unusually high volume that led to the collapse of their digital sales portal due, according to the company run by Pedro Agustín del Castillo, to the “limited capacity” of the Amadeus reservation system. Canaryfly sold 10,086 seats, 620.43% more than in a typical day (1,400). The commercial director of the airline, Carli Monzón, said that the launch of the new subsidy generated “that feeling of open sales”. Monzón pointed out that the level of purchases on the second day remained 300% above the volume of transactions recorded on Friday of the previous week. Fast ferry operator, Fred.Olsen, by Thursday afternoon had already registered a 30% increase in sales, and Naviera Armas say they returned to calm after a massive increase in purchases on the first day with the company claiming much higher than usual numbers of visitors to their web pages.
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PLAZA DE DIVERSIDAD DARÍO JAÉN
On Wednesday June 28 2017, the International Day of PRIDE, the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the municipal town hall that administrates Maspalomas & Playa del Inglés, inaugurated the main square of the famous Yumbo Centre officially naming it Plaza de la Diversidad, in honour of the local outstanding activist for equality who was instrumental in forming GLAY, the Gay & Lesbian Associates of Yumbo who originally founded PRIDE Maspalomas; by unveiling a plaque on one side of the square in the name of Dario Jaen Rivero, and on the other side of the square a shrine in memory of all the victims of AIDS The central square of the Yumbo Shopping Center in Playa del Inglés is now officially named as the Darío Jaén Rivero Diversity Square (Plaza de Diversidad Dario Jaen). In the presence of Dario Jaen Rivero’s mother, sister and other relatives, the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Perez, opened a new event and outlined the history of this outstanding activist and his constant struggle for liberty on the island. The inauguration of this square was made, on International Pride Day 28 June 2017, in compliance with the plenary agreement of May 31, 2016, which unanimously decided to name the square to mark the LGBT struggle and the rights and equality of all people. Mrs. Virginia Rivero García,Darío
Jaén’s mother, accompanied the tirajañero mayor in unveiling a plaque naming the central square in the Yumbo, to commemorate the support & agreement of the municipal plenary for the nomination. The municipal mayor, Marco Aurelio Perez, made reference to the fact that 48 years ago, the movement for LGBT equality began, emphasising the unanimity shown by all political groups in the Town Council in the recognition of Darío Jaén, along with the work of many other people, in the struggle within this society to contribute to social justice for all, regardless of their orientation. He praised Darío, with whom he had worked daily as part of the municipal institution, highlighting his concerns towards the LGTB community, his great determination to achieve visibility and equality, as well as their work to establish information and assistance systems for people with AIDS. Chary Jaén, sister of Dario, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing her mother’s pride in the square now taking the name of her beloved son, who has been formally recognised for his work, efforts and innovative spirit helping to shape the policies of the local area. She said that her brother had a dream of freedom and equality, and that this place commemorating her brother would help ensure that he will be remembered for his activism and defence of the rights of people with HIV.
ACES Shrine to The Fight Against AIDS On the other side of the central square in the Yumbo, a memorial mural was laid with a permanent red ribbon, along with an engraved plaque, “dedicated to all people suffering from AIDS”, as the red ribbon symbolises struggle and hope in the fight against this condition. The people who gathered observed a minute of silence for the victims of the disease and the mayor also remembered that the ribbon symbolises that struggle, with his desire to turn the newly created red ribbon mural into an officially recognised space, to keep in mind that we all must continue working to help people affected by HIV. The president of Friends Against AIDS (ACES – Amigos Contra El SIDA), Orlando Viera, expressed his gratitude, on this special day for LGTB people. He remembered the almost five decades it has taken to create the movement to fight for the freedoms of people of nonheteronormative orientations. A flag was raised with the colors of the rainbow, the international symbol of the PRIDE. Also present were several members of the Municipal Corporation of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, relatives of Darío Jaén, the insular councilor for Social Policy, Elena Máñez, and groups who work in defence of equality and respect in society for diversity.
Maspalomas
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officially renames
Yumbo square to recognise Diversity and activist
Darío Jaén Rivero
GLAY organises evening of Love, Liberty & Music The current President of GLAY, André van Wanrooij, said “This day, June 28, is a special day within the worldwide LGBT community, as it is the date that embodies the beginning of the end to so much pain, suffering, and grief, that so many in the LGBT community had to, and in some countries still have to, endure just for being different.” To mark the occasion GLAY built on their more than 16 years of work in the local community in the south of Gran Canaria by organising an evening of Love, Liberty & Music, openly inviting local organisations to present live performances, speeches and acts of remembrance to mark this special occasion. “Here in Maspalomas, on June 28 last year” van Wanrooij continued “we commemorated the victims of the June 12 terrorist attack on the LGBT nightclub PULSE in Orlando,
Florida, and in doing so, our local community embedded this historic date into the Maspalomas Calendar for the LGBT community.” Maspalomas today hosts the first and last PRIDE events in the European LGBT calendar, AND now the International Day of LGBT PRIDE as well! He described Darío Jaén as “a kind and noble man who took upon himself the task of spreading the word of acceptance and diversity, and with the support of our Alcalde Marco Aurelio Perez, he founded our association GLAY together with several members of this unique and international LGBT community of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Darío was the father of the very first GayPRIDE Maspalomas, which his GLAY had the honour to organize for the first 14 editions.” “He was a man who lived for, and by, his principles of acceptance, equality, and inclusion for all, regardless their origin, gender,
or sexual orientation. Darío Jaén brought people together and helped build a strong community!” “Today we thank and honour ...all the numerous gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, drag queens, drag kings, and transgender people, who have endured persecution and discrimination, who stood up for equality and acceptance, and who gave their best so that we as an LGBT community can enjoy our basic human rights today!” “Let us honour their lives and make a stand against injustice and discrimination, at home, and wherever we find it in the world. Let us celebrate their legacy and perseverance, to whom we owe our present freedoms! And let us not forget the spirit of PRIDE and what it stands for! It is up to all of us now to continue their path to a better, diverse, and more inclusive world!”
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SAINT-PETERSBURG BALLET SOLOISTS
GALA-CONCERT "STARS OF WHITE NIGHTS" THE FIRST TIME BALLET SCHOOL STUDENTS OF GRAN CANARIA WILL PERFORM WITH THE STARS There are few places where performances from the world’s most influential school of Russian classical ballet can be seen, you’d probably have to fly to Russia. But this month the St. Petersburg Ballet arrives on Gran Canaria. Their performances outside of Russia are usually limited to a select few of the most exclusive stages around the world, but on Sunday, July 23, 2017, they have chosen our most beautiful capital city - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - for an unprecedented opportunity for you to see some of the most famous pieces ever performed, by bona fide stars and graduates of the world respected Vaganova Academy, which was originally founded as the first Imperial Russian School. The gala concert will present the very highest form of ballet-art offering a unique opportunity to enjoy classical choreography, and see fragments from the most well known ballets performed by famous soloists, as part of a tour that has covered Europe, North and South America and many countries around the world. This is an unprecedented chance for you to witness the splendour and refined greatness that typifies Russian Ballet. The St. Petersburg Classical Ballet has always been considered and still remains the visiting card of Russia, and the Russian ballet school is invariably considered the very best in the world, as indisputably majestic as it is breathtakingly beautiful. The rigour of the training offered in St. Petersburg is well renowned as one of the most important components of this famous school, reserved for only the most committed and able young dancers and this has produced some of the worlds most outstanding performers. The ballet school of St. Petersburg is the oldest in Russia and considered to be the very best school in the world. Today’s Academy of Russian Ballet is named after the teacher who redefined 20th century classical ballet, Agrippina Vaganova, who ushered in a new era of the art during Soviet times, developing and progressing methods that grew
directly from the very core of the original Imperial School founded at the Winter Palace in 1738 by Empress Anna of Russia. Competition to become one of the 340 students of the school is fierce. St Petersburg has every right to be proud, whose graduates became some of the artform’s most legendary names including Agrippina Vaganova, Matilda Kshesinskaya, Olga Spesivtseva, Natalya Dudinskaya, Vaclav Nezhinsky, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, Yulia Makhalina, Diana Vishneva, Svetlana Zakharova and many others. The gala concert "Stars of the White Nights" is to be a unique event that gives a truly rare opportunity for ballet connoisseurs and enchanted newcomers to see the leading soloists of the St. Petersburg Ballet alongside one of the world’s most famous dancers, guest star Julia Makhalina, herself a Vaganova graduate, and a principal star of the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet whose extraordinary career, spanning the generations from before the collapse of soviet Russia, has seen her dance on the world’s best stages, in more than 60 of the most admired roles in classical ballet. For the first time 18 of the very best dance students on Gran Canaria are to take part in the Gala concert.
WIN TICKETS TO SEE “Stars of White Nights” For your chance to win 2 tickets, just answer these two questions:
1: What year was the first Imperial Russian School of Ballet founded? 2: Where, in Saint Petersburg, was it founded? Send your answers to us before Midday on Saturday July 22nd text 626 641 537 or by sending
an email to Ballet@TheCanaryNews.com with your name, telephone and email address. Winners will be contacted before 6pm on Saturday July 22nd
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Girls from various ballet schools will perform together with the ballet stars to present fragments from the legendary ballets "Swan Lake" to the music of Tchaikovsky and from "Chopiniana" which premiered at the Mariinsky in 1907 set to the music of Chopin.
to experience high art, beautiful costumery, athletic ability and utterly engrossing performances, what child could fail to be immersed in its magic, as an utterly unique introduction to world class performance. And tell me, what gentleman will pass up the The gala performance presents star soloists at the peak of their careers with their best numbers. Only the opportunity to impress the woman he loves by treating brightest numbers from the legendary ballets of their her to an unforgettable evening filled with beautiful world-class repertoire have been collected here, so as muscular men in tights dallying with delightful young to ensure to delight even those with little experience debutantes? of this high art including "Corsair", "Don Quixote", "Scheherazade", "Legend of Love", "Talisman", and Julia Makhalina is a world renowned star having received many the concert number "Dying Swan", created in 1907 awards throughout her career including the by choreographer Mikhail Fokin to the music of SaintPeople's Artist of Russia (2008) Saens for the unique and legendary Anna Pavlova. The program is designed for a broad audience, both connoisseurs of ballet, and lovers of music and dance, and not only classical numbers but also choreographic miniatures, modern and scenic dances, guaranteed to delight little girls and boys from ages 5 to 95! Even for those who are not sure that ballet is really their cup of tea, you can be sure that there are many a lady who would find this to be a most delightful, enchanting and unusual affair to find themselves invited. In a modern world that offers so few chances
• Honored Artist of Russia (1995)
• Laureate of the Benois de la Dance (Moscow, 1998) • Laureate of the highest theater prize of St. Petersburg "Golden Sofit" (1993) • Laureate of the International Ballet Competition (Grand Prix and Gold Medal, Paris, 1990) • The winner of the cinematographic award. The Lumière Brothers (Paris, 1990)
Individual tickets to see this gala performance at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas start at just €38, but readers can get them for as little as €20 each, for group bookings of 10 or more, by visiting the website AuditorioTeatroLasPalmasGC.es
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Moves, man...
Variety & Spice... Niels Baldwin, Social Happiness From your first day on the island you realised this place is different to everywhere else. It is unique, and beautiful and varied. People. Food. Terrain. Gran Canaria is special and unique. Wake up in 35 degrees in the boiling sun on the south, zip up to Las Palmas on the bus, and 45 minutes later you can be in 15 degrees with cooling rains and cloud as if you are suddenly in a completely different world. There are all kinds of people on the island, from all over the world. Take dutchman Guido Soeteman a bright young entrepreneur who has started up his own business in social media marketing, called Social Happiness, here on Gran Canaria. He’ll introduce you to a few of fresher businesses and up and coming ventures from around the south. He’s settled in well with the locals on Gran Canaria helping businesses to really leverage their brands through network marketing and events, whether they focus on a Jamaican feel, like Cafe Buff Bay, or those that model themselves more around the Saharan desert themes of the dunes of Maspalomas, he’s even managed to root out one of the south’s most beloved and authentic little dining experiences with the Ethiopian cuisine of African restaurant Etiopico. He’s a social animal passing effortlessly through the various worlds that modern Gran Canaria has to offer, but he means business, working with a crack team of knowledgeable individuals Guido’s promising to really lift your game. Watch out! Your competitors might meet him before you do! They’ve been handling the local wild life with some ease, and their getting ready to step it up a gear this summer. Have you found Social Happiness? www.socialhappinessgc.com
unique, breathtaking
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& inspiring
Gran Canaria has many surprisingly interesting secrets, maybe you’ve heard of the Moringa Tree, (Moringa oleifera). Why is it exciting? Well, there is a lot of interesting things about it, but firstly the leaves contain tons of nutrients. It has over 92 nutrients and 46 natural antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory compounds. , it is also said to treat more than 300 types of disease. The best part is - it has no known side effects. The Moringa tree is a fast grower, in only 1-2 years it can grow meters high, reaching up to 10–12 m (32–40 ft) It’s a tree that only grows in (sub-) tropical environments.. The Canary Islands might be the only place in Europe where it is able to thrive. Even more surprisingly is that it thrives in exactly the places in the world where it might be needed the most. Further cultivation this tree could become a ground breaking tool to bring more (easily accesible) health for people all around the world.
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Ruben Soeteman, Social Happiness
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And the funny thing is – it has always been here! Countries where Moringa grows
We only just recently figured out what it is. Of course there are native peoples who have used this magical plant for thousands of years. Now we know, it is time to make the right connections, we’ll be one step closer to providing abundance for the whole planet, so that’s also one step closer to Paradise. Just by helping to share this information, you can do your part to embrace this vision even further. Countries with 5-35% of population malnourished
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Las Palmas begins work on the MetroGuagua rapid transit system
Work has begun to build the infrastructure for the Las Palmas MetroGuagua over coming months, to create a high capacity transit line set to improve mobility and transform the capital city, in a collaboration between the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Municipal Guaguas, the local city bus service. On Monday, June 26, fencing began to appear on Calle Pío XII, at its confluence with Maestro Valle. From this point sections, along the axis of Pío XII, between Parque Doramas and Avenida Mesa and López, are being created in non-continuous sections, so as to cause the least possible impact on traffic through this busy part of the city and to optimise the planning, timings and the execution of the work in concert with the different uses of the zone. It is requested that all drivers who usually use this route as a passageway to other areas of the city (mainly the area of Puerto-Canteras) now use Avenida Marítima and Paseo de Chil. The initial forecast by the construction company San José, responsible for carrying out the work on the section of Pío XII, states that this route through the city will at no time be closed, with the exception of major and unavoidable circumstances. Nevertheless, it is recommended that both Pío XII and Emilio Ley be limited to residential use or used only by drivers whose destination is within the interior of this area. This measure aims to minimise the traffic density on the road and speed up movement of people who need to access to it. MetroGuagua is the high capacity transit line to be operated by the company Municipal Guaguas. Its operation will resemble a tram or a metro that transits on the roads’ surface, using state-of-the-art busses with capacity for more than 200 passengers travelling together. It will have, among other advantages, totally exclusive lanes, traffic light priority at
crossings, differentiated access points at each stop. They are currently planned to run every five minutes. This system has been implemented in more than 30 countries, including France, Holland, UK and mainland Spain. In Las Palmas, the model is similar to cities like Strasbourg. The budget for the project is €102 million, of which 50% is being paid by the Municipal Guaguas company. To help fund the project the city transport company obtained a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for €50 million which it will repay from with the revenues generated by this new means of transport. The rest is to be co-financed by the State, which has committed €40 million, the Government of the Canary Islands (€15 million) and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria (€8 million). The MetroGuagua project is designed to solve specific traffic problems in the capital.
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Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival 2017 Program Friday, July 28 17.30-18.30 h.- Workshop (Banadú) 19.30-20.30 h.- Sergio Palmer DJ Set 20.30-21.30.Earl Thomas
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22.00-24.45 h.- Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
Pull Out Program Guide in English Sponsored By The Canary
Vaneese & Carla Thomas (Tribute To Rufus Thomas) Scott Sharrad Vasti Jackson (Tribute To Johnnie Taylor) Saturday, July 29 17.30-18.30 h.- Workshop (Banadú) 19.30-20.30 h.-Jaime Falcón DJ 20.30-21.30 h.Banadú 22.00-24.45 h.- Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Barbara Blue Wee Willie Walker Terrie Odabi Sunday, July 30 12.30 h.Baton Rouge Dixieland (Pasacalles) .
Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of this ensemble to modern Soul music in Europe. The absolute backbone of both the Porretta and Maspalomas Soul Festivals, soul aficionado Anthony Paule and his fellow musicians were asked to step in as house band in Italy back in 2015, travelling with the first performers to come to Maspalomas, they are the glue that allows the flourishes and pure joy from star performers to flow through these events. A team of great individual players, who come together to create that authentic Memphis sound allowing seasoned mega-stars to continue to WOW modern crowds with the unique feel of original soul music and beloved classics played live. Too funky for words!
Nancy Wright - saxophone
Tony Lufrano - keyboards
Paul Olguin - bass
Tom Poole - trumpet
Derek James - trombone
Derrick D’Mar Martin - drums
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Unbound by gravity, Mississippi living blues legend, renowned guitarist and vocalist, multiaward winning Vasti Jackson is a powerful force in the world of music. Known for his high energy “sweat-drenched, soul-ripping live performances” his fiery innovative guitar, lightening vocals and Originally from Liverpool, Rick Hutton is unmissable stage presence, Vasti (pronounced a radio host, television presenter and British musician, popular in Italy as one of the main faces Vast-Eye) captivates audiences, leaving them from the Italian music channel Videomusic, which entranced and immersed in the full soul affirming spirit of the blues. Having worked with many of was one of Europe’s first Music TV channels. He moved permanently to Italy in 1978, after finishing the greatest names in music he is a consummate performer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. university, having performed in several bands, in 1988 he recorded his first solo album for PolyGram From his early church beginnings in Mississippi, to records. Long time participant of the Porretta Soul playing festivals, concerts, and theatres around the world. Vasti is an unstoppable force effortlessly Festival he has for many become the face of the event, occasionally performing classic soul and R&B transmuting between Blues, Soul, Jazz and Funk hits of the sixties and seventies. He still regularly to gospel and pop, and beyond. Certainly not to be missed, this man is a highly accomplished presents radio and television programs and for musicologist and one of the most entertaining acts twenty-five years has been the primary host of you are ever likely to see.. Porretta Soul Festival. Barbara Blue, (The Reigning Queen of Beale Street) was born and raised in Pittsburgh Pa, Barbara has had the blues since the day she was born. She Has Been performing 5 nights a week on Memphis Tennessee’s infamous Beale Street for 20 years (June 7, 1997). Beale street has been called America’s most iconic, having been a major cultural centre in American black history; merchant and passenger ships along the Mississippi River brought travelling musicians in the 19th century and for many it is “the undisputed birthplace of the blues”. The Reigning Queen of Beale Street had to pay her dues in the clubs of Pittsburgh and later Detroit before she nailed down her long standing residency at legendary club Silky O’Sullivan’s. Throughout her career Barbara has performed across the globe.
Oakland’s Terrie Odabi is the real deal, and seen by many as the future of soul and blues music in America. She spent several years in the business singing jazz before going front and centre to release her first blues album back in 2014, after entering a competition. With regular sell-out shows, she is being hotly tipped as “easily the most dynamic blues and soul woman to have emerged in the Bay Area since Etta James came out of San Francisco’s Fillmore District in the Fifties.” Rave reviews have followed with award nominations seeming to confirm her “Lyrically, “ as “a seductress more of the classic blues tradition of the 1920s than of the recent, often overtly salacious soul blues idiom. Musically, she is one of the most commanding female vocalists to have come down the blues highway in recent memory.“
Scott Sharrard is an incredible guitarist and musical artist most widely known as the lead and musical director for the Gregg Allman Band. A prolific songwriter and talented singer, he has also released several soul-influenced albums of his own including three with his first band, The Chesterfields, followed by three solo albums and, most recently, the eponymous release by his current group, Scott Sharrard & the Brickyard Band, in 2013. Born and raised in Michigan, Scott often cites his father, also a guitarist and singer-songwriter, as his earliest influence. He began his musical career studying jazz at the prestigious High School for the Arts in Milwaukee, WI, during the day and earning his stripes by playing and singing with local and visiting greats by night. Wee Willie Walker is an exceptional blues singer enjoying a late bloom as a deeply talented and historically important soul man in his own right. He personifies the Memphis sound. Walker’s music is groove-heavy, like warm molasses, it has been described as feeling like Memphis in the summertime—and why wouldn’t it? Memphis is where he was raised, before moving to colder climes. Having cut records for Goldwax in Memphis, he then moved to the infamous FAME studios in late 60s Alabama, a studio so well respected that “anybody who was anybody” in the 60s and early 70s were trying to record there including Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett and Ray Charles to name just a few. But unlike these big names, Willie didn’t seem to have anybody looking after the business end for him, and no knowledge of how the record industry worked, so wasn’t really aware of how his music should be distributed. “I was just happy to have had the opportunity to do some recording,” he’s said. So he never did progress his music into a full blown career, opting instead for married life and a day job, he continued to perform occasionally, doing regular turns on the small local stages in Minneapolis and Minnesota. Around 2000 some of his recordings seemed to be going down well in Europe, and just a few years ago his talents were seemingly rediscovered at Porretta when he teamed up with Anthony Paule, and they’ve been on the road ever since playing gigs on both sides of the Atlantic. “Walker’s music comes from a different time, a different place and a different point of view. He’s one of the few vocalists from the era that is still standing and that can still sing.”
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Vaneese & Carla Thomas
Earl Thomas flies straight in from performing at this years WOMAD Cáceres, an energetic blues & soul singer from California, he is also a songwriter, with songs covered by many famous artists including Tom Jones, Etta James, Solomon Burke and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. He has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won the San Diego Music Award four times. Born Earl Thomas Bridgeman, in Pikeville, Tennessee on August 29, 1960, he went to Humboldt State University, where he started out playing the Arcata clubs in the early 1980s. It was at an open mike night in Arcata that he sang a Jackson Browne number, “Something Fine” which started his performing career. Belting out newly written soul music with raw grit, gravel and passion, many have confused Earl’s music with original 60s memphis, were it not for the almost imperceptible flourishes of modern synthetic brass, you could easily feel transported back to that golden soul era, Thomas however is one of the most accomplished second or third generation soul stars of modern times and one of the key shining lights making this music still as relevant as it has ever felt.
Maspalomas is delighted this year to receive both of the very talented daughters of Memphis Legend Rufus Thomas, in celebration of his centenary year. Carla is well known for having started her recording career with her father, saying “My dad probably discovered I could sing before I did” and then going on to become a highly acclaimed soul star in her own right, often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul. Among her many accolades she famously appeared on the first ever cover of Knock on Wood with Otis Redding, released the same month as his fatal plane crash. She has done great and inspirational work with teenagers in Memphis as part of the Artists in Schools programme. Vaneese started a little later, making her way on her own terms, recently releasing The Long Journey Home through which she has emerged from the shadow of a distinguished career as a background vocalist with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Sting and Stevie Wonder to take shining centre stage. She is an award-winning independent artist whose journey has been winding with forays into R&B, Jazz and Gospel.
Banadú have been described as “future soul, with sounds that oscillate between similar genres, like jazz, hip hop, soul & funk.” Formed in 2015 by bassist Ruyman Franco, who gathered a group of well-known & experienced musicians, José Llobet (drums), Manolo López (keyboard), Rayco Gil (percussion) and vocalist Miriam Fleitas, to produce a laid back soulful mix that has met with critical acclaim. In June 2016 they recorded their debut album, entitled Deerjaguar, at ‘Estudio Uno’ in Madrid, with sound engineer Pablo Pulido. It was released by ‘Little Red Corvette Records’, a recording label in Barcelona that specialises in black music Jaime Falcón is a national DJ award winner and well known local radio DJ. Having spent more than 10 years as resident at popular local nightclub Pachá he now works with Las Palmas based radio station InolvidableFM.es
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And as if that all weren’t enough, a special treat is in store for Sunday afternoon down on the beach with the outstanding Hot Jazz, New Orleans sounds of our very own Baton Rouge Dixieland Band, quite simply the most delightful things you can do with horns, snare and a clarinet! These guys have been playing together since 2015 and are in the very highest demand, so let this delightful quintet transport you back to the deep south when the lazy river moved gentlemen who gambled and ladies who might up and down the sultry rivers of Tennessee!
Sunday Afternoons Will Never Be The Same!
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The Maspalomas Soul Festival started in 2015 as an initiative from multi-award winning events producers DD&Company Productions, working with the local town hall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Having produced the Canary Islands editions of WOMAD (World Music and Dance) since 1993, as well as their long standing experience of managing and co-producing major concerts, cultural, theatre and festival events, including the Porretta Soul Festival, they were in an ideal position to be able to arrange top performers from Europe’s bustling Soul music circuit and introduce this new and unique event to the southern beaches of sub-tropical Gran Canaria. The Porretta Soul Festival takes place in July every year in the town of Porretta Terme, in the province of Bologna, Italy. It is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary. Porretta began on December 10, 1987 as part of an initiative from passionate soul music fan Graziano Uliani, who wanted to dedicate a festival in honour of Otis Redding, after he had attended a commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the singer’s death, in Georgia, USA. This ancient mountain enclave has played host to some of the very best known soul performers in the world, over the last 30 years, and the town now boasts a street dedicated to Otis Redding as well as the park where the Soul Festival is held now having been named after the legendary Rufus Thomas, who performed there some years ago. The Porretta Soul Festival is now officially counted as part of the modern geography of soul music and is considered the European showcase for the Memphis Sound. The festival is associated with the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis and the Center For Southern Folklore in Memphis.
Acts that have played the festival include Rufus and Carla Thomas, Bobby Manuel & the Memphis All Stars with Marvell and Vaneese Thomas, Solomon Burke, Howard Tate, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Sam Moore, Irma Thomas, The Memphis Horns, LaVern Baker, Mighty Sam McClain and Peter Giftos, Millie Jackson, Otis Clay, Ann Peebles, Mavis Staples, Booker T. & the M.G.s, The Neville Brothers, Chaka Khan, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Joe Simon, Mable John, Bar-Kays, Harvey Scales, The Bo-Keys and Betty Harris, to name but a few. Now in its third successful year, the Maspalomas Soul Festival immediately follows Porretta, taking advantage of the opportunity to offer a unique stay on the popular European sub-tropical island of Gran Canaria, attracting some truly authentic and outstanding US soul performers before they head back across the Atlantic ocean. Some guests have been performing for 5 decades or more, as well as many younger up and coming artists, who get to play with legendary figures from the world of Soul music. This year’s Soul Festivals are dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Stax records artist Rufus Thomas, who found world wide fame for entertaining style and novelty dance records, including “Walking the Dog” (1963), “Do the Funky Chicken” (1969) and “(Do the) Push and Pull” (1970). According to the Mississippi Blues Commission, “Rufus Thomas embodied the spirit of Memphis music perhaps more than any other artist, and from the early 1940s until his death . . . occupied many important roles in the local scene.” To celebrate this important centenary Vaneese and Carla Thomas, both his daughters and soul stars in their own right, are performing in Porretta and in Maspalomas. Soul Royalty Indeed!
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The Canary News, Views & Sunshine is the best way to reach English speakers on Gran Canaria. Fact. Call 928 987 952 or email us on Partner@TheCanaryNews.com to find out about the very best there is!
ALL YOUR FAVORITE SONGS FRIENDLY STAFF & BEST DRINKS COME & SHOW YOUR TALENT
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Shimmering Magic 07.
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A magical, visually astounding new beverage has arrived on Gran Canaria. Shimmering with the mystical light of a thousand stars, this enchanting, crisp, sweet
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in association with
Villendrup Real Estate Personal Shopper
It is important to seek professional advice to explore ideas with certainty regarding what is or is not possible.
Buying
Islands
a
Canary
property to renovate
When you embark on the purchase of a property, you’ll see dozens available, without really knowing their value or potential, real estate personal shoppers in the Canary Islands make this process much easier and allow you to concentrate on your key requirements for a perfect home, personal shoppers try to find a perfect route between your needs, your budget and your tastes. They separate the wheat from the chaff. Newly constructed homes in the Canary Islands can be prohibitively expensive, whereas resale homes may not feel convincing. However there is a lot of opportunity available for those willing to consider a house for renovation, turning something that has outlived its usefulness into a great opportunity to create the house of their dreams. Often however buyers do not see the possibilities for renovation at first glance. In the Canary Islands many well built houses can seem badly lit and very outdated however the underlying structures are often very sound and able to withstand large changes. The results can be surprising, even delightful, and profitable.
If the property needs renovation, negotiations with the owner can help ensure a more affordable purchase price . Taxes on buying an older home are often lower than those for new homes. By using the extra money left over for remodeling, you can choose more exactly how you want your house to be. It is always important to get the right professional advice, but again that is where a local personal agent can really help, by using tried and trusted people to provide the best advice. Let’s face it, it is daunting trying to figure your way through the various levels of bureaucracy just making any large purchase, it makes sense to have a serious professional on your side who can help you really achieve what you want, and avoid all the known pitfalls New renovations, straight after purchasing are a good time to install new materials and more sustainable facilities that help you save water and electricity. moving forward. In many cases, housing renovations can be supported and subsidised by the local town hall. by getting the planning right you can achieve a unique home, adapted to all your needs, in the desired location and at a much better price than buying a new build. This is a fairly untouched market in The Canary Islands, and a real growth opportunity for those with the right attitude.
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Argh, Mateys! Welcome to ABC Playschool Summer Camp
Why does it take a pirate so long to learn the alphabet? Because they’re always getting stuck at "C" Ha harrr! Not this summer though.
At ABC playschool, our little pirates are set to land on our Tropical Tikki Island filled with treasure, healthy treats and swashbuckling games. Arts, crafts and more await our little pirates as they are welcomed ashore by our trusting yet clever Tikki girls.
Tikki is a small beautiful island, whose leaders are a little bit eccentric. So beware ye pirates as you hunt for hidden treasure in this tropical delight. Each coin ye finds holds a challenge that requires the help of your crew. Overcome these challenges and the coins are yours … Failure to complete a challenge will result in your team walking the plank or receiving the famous Tikki Island cannonball toss!!!!
And YES! Ye will need to pack yer swim wear, towel and sun cream! There's more excitement in store as throughout August ABC introduce Wild Wet Fridays.
Each and every friday is "Hose ‘em down day"
Hose pipes, paddling pools and slip and slide are on the menu for this wild and wet Friday adventure.
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Choosing the right child care for you and your child is a huge decision. Our aim at ABC is to simply provide you and your child with the highest quality of child care.
But most importantly, you as parents can relax, knowing that your child will get the, love, care and attention you want for them whilst they are left in our care.
You can trust that your child At ABC Playschool we prepare your child for Primary with will benefit from a structured learning the curriculum in English and Spanish, but at the same environment, and are given the opportunity to socialize time we assure you and your child an opportunity to be a from a young age with their peers. child and enjoy this first time of childhood to the fullest!
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Join the gaming area with pinagua, water balloon volley, frozen foot ice transfer and many more wild water packed activities. ABC Specialities for our mini toddlers include toy washing, bubble blowing, pouring, sprinkling, sliding and water painting. Join us for the ultimate Summer Camp experience or find out more about enroll your little pirates into preschool, ABC Playschool is the place to be all year round. For children up to 6yrs we offer a creative and hands on learning experience. Our mission is to provide a fun and safe environment where children are actively involved and engaged with each step of their learning journey. The ABC curriculum offers organic gardening, science and nature studies, pre reading and mathematical skills, movement, yoga, music and theatre. The children who join our adventures experience real life heros like Firefighters, Police, Doctors, Dentists, Artists, Musicians and we even have Farmers visit us for our regular life skills interactive days. Together at ABC we explore and discover.
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A cool summer stroll through Gran Canaria´s beautiful and historic Finca Condal
Looking to cool off in the midsummer heat? Did you know that the traditional old houses of the past on Gran Canaria were designed and built specifically to be cooler inside? If you are looking for some real cultural history, rustic elegance or simply a change from the pool side buffets and beaches on the south coast of Gran Canaria, then just ten minutes from the main resorts of Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas lies the outstanding Finca Condal. So named for having originated in the 17th century as the main southern finca (Spanish for farm) belonging to the aristocratic del Castillo family, heirs to the honourable Count of Vega Grande de Guadalupe since 1777. Last year they opened The Museum of Gran Canaria History, nestling within this beautiful historical complex, on the edge of the tiny village of Juan Grande, inside a typical 17th century Canarian rural house with its own sacred hermitage, bodega and luxuriant gardens. This exciting little attraction presents many years worth of research into this noble family as pioneers in the cultivation of sugar cane, cereal grain, vineyards, cochineal, tomatoes, bananas, and also livestock on the island, a family who also boosted tourist activity on the south of the island in the 60s to become today the primary economic engine of the Island. Inaugurated on 21 of June of 2016 this unique journey through the history of the island has over its first year fascinated the numerous students, cultural associations and neighbourhood groups, residents and tourists, both national and foreign who have enjoyed this unusual and authentic experience. Germans, Brits, Nordics, French, Italian and Spanish, have all loved their visits and this has been a pleasant surprise for both them and the noble patrons of the museum. A wonderful added feature to any visit is the chance to taste the fine wines of The House of Vega Grande and some outstanding examples of the island’s famous goat cheese, all included in the price of admission to the museum. All that for just €10! To commemorate this first successful year, delighting visitors, the Finca Condal have planned various activities including guided group tours, visiting the chapel, the winery, the old house and the museum, tastings of delicious gourmet tapas every Saturday over looking the gardens with live music. Look on the back page to save 10% off your entry tickets The Finca Condal opens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with two key entry times for group tours, the first at 10.30am and the second at midday. At just 10€ entry this has got to be the most rewarding bargain day out on the island. This wonderfully preserved piece of Gran Canaria history and culture can be accessed by the entrance of the little hermitage (chapel) which has free parking. There are regular busses including the number 1, 8 number 25 and number 36 among others. Magnificent, Historic, Delightful. Visit FincaCondal.com For more Info: 637 610 548, museo@fincacondal.com Or Find them on Facebook at Finca Condal
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Do you live near the south coast of Gran Canaria? Do you think it important to get to know the island and it´s people? Or do you work with local people? Send us a message & see how quickly you can learn Spanish.
Call 928 987 994 / 682 764 705
Facebook.com/PuertoRicoLC
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Lovin’ Food in Playa de Mogán
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Language Exchange GC -
Here´s how… If you follow this column or have attended my classes or free language exchange, you´ll notice I keep banging on about verb combining (see lessons 45 and 57, available on request). Sticking two ‘action words’ together makes it much easier to structure your own sentences as students tell me they know a lot of words but struggle to put them together. Here are some more handy verbs to memorize to make speaking easier:
with
Theresa Coe
And in the past tense – I used to…
With verb combining: Solía vivir/trabajar en Inglaterra – I used to live/work in England Without verb combining: Vivía/trabajaba en Inglaterra (same meaning but more verb endings to learn) Él solía ser funcionario, pero ahora es profesor. He used to be a civil servant, but now he´s a teacher. Or: él era funcionario… Solían ir de vacaciones en julio Or: iban de vacaciones… All present and correct The top three verbs to learn are want, need and can (as in SOLER – To usually… lesson 45) I usually Suelo (SWEH-loh) Easier: quiero hacer/lo ahora – I want to do it now you usually sueles Harder: lo hago ahora – I´ll do it now (lit: it I do now) he/she/it ususally suele Easier: necesitamos llevar/les – we need/needed to take or drive them they usually solemos we usually suelen Harder: les llevamos ( we take/took them) Easier: él puede sentar/se en el jardín – he can sit (himself) in the garden I used to Solía (soh-LEE-ya) Harder: él se sienta en el jardín – he sits himself … you used to solías he/she/it used to solía they used to solían A lot of people struggle with ‘me gusta’ – the Spanish equivawe used to solíamos lent of ‘I like’ (lesson 20), as it´s all back to front again – literally, ‘Usually’ is not a verb in English but it works a treat in Spanish. ‘me, it pleases’. I recommend using ‘enjoy’ – disfrutar – instead. For example, it´s quite complicated to say ‘I see her on SaturTo remember it, thinking about enjoying fruit. day’ –la veo el sábado – because it´s all back to front (literally Disfruto leer (lay- yair) – I enjoy reading (lit: I enjoy to read) ‘her I see’). But with verb combining you only change the first ¿Qué disfrutas hacer? What do you enjoy doing? one, leave the second in its original ‘infinitive’ form and stick (Ella) disfruta nadar – she enjoys swimming your extra words like him/her/it on the end: suelo ver/la el sábado, meaning I usually see her. Disfrutamos jugar al ténis – we enjoy/enjoyed playing tennis (ellos) no disfrutan estudiar – they don´t enjoy studying Examples in the present tense
¡Disfruta!
Easier: ¿A qué hora sueles cerrar? What time do you usually close’ Harder (because ‘cerrar’ is an irregular verb): ¿A qué hora cierras? Easier: (él) suele ayudarme con la compra - he usually helps me with the shopping. Harder: (él) me ayuda con la compra. (Me, he helps..) Easier: Suelen dormir bien - they usually sleep well. Harder: (because ‘dormir’ is an irregular verb): Duermen bien – they sleep well
Remember to KISS!
Keep It Super Simple! To receive past lessons from this column or try a free one-to-one Spanish class either face to face or by Skype, email theresacoe@gmail.com You can also practice your Spanish, English or German for free at our friendly conversation clubs and language exchanges e.g. in Playa del Inglés (with me) or in Vecindario with Spanish hosts. If you just want to meet new people without speaking Spanish, try one of our English clubs (eg Thursdays in San Fernando or Sundays in the capital). All info at www.languageexchangegc.es
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Quinny’s Quiz 1. Name the sequence of the last 3 balls potted in snooker
2 In which children’s program did windy miller appear
3. Noddy holder was the lead singer in which group
4. Which group did Phil Collins front
5. Which county has the lake district in it region
6. Which football team call Elland Road as its home
7. Negro is the Spanish word for which colour
8. Hilda Ogden appeared in which soap
9. Turf moor is the home ground of which football club
10. What is the name of Tarzan’s girlfriend
Individually tailored, fun and lively private
Answers by email to Quinny@TheCanaryNews.com
by SMS text message to 626641537 or hand them in at the Sun Spot Puerto Rico no later than August 1st
Last edition’s winner is Marita Ruppertđ&#x;˜ who has won a trip for two on the Afrikat Gran Canaria - Call 928 987 952 to arrange availability.
Last Edition’s Answers:
tuition (South Gran Canaria)
Low cost guaranteed - 1st class FREE “No commitment�
Call 0034 662 045 990 email theresacoe@gmail.com
1. Negro, 2. Everton, 3. Bay City Rollers, 4. Whiskey, 5. Trees, 6. Sylvester Stallone, 7. Barker and Corbett, 8. Spencer, 9. Hungary, 10. Vodka
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July - August 2017 - [118]
TheCanaryNews.com
07.
A stroll through the history of MUSEUM • WINE CELLAR
-10%
off on the price of tickets showing this coupon
Gran Canaria
Only 10 minutes from Maspalomas (in Juan Grande)
Botanical Garden, Tipical Canarian Architecture, Tapas Gourmet and Saturday Live Music
GC 1 → exit 37 → GC 500, km 2,2, Juan Grande Bus lines: 1, 8, 25, 36
MUSEUM VISITING HOURS Tours 1st: 10:30 h 2nd: 12:00 h
Free Parking
Entry by the Church
(+34) 637 610 548 ✉ museo@fincacondal.com www.fincacondal.com Finca Condal