April - May FREE! 2016
A DECADE OF CARE In March 2006 Hospital San Roque Maspalomas opened its doors on the south of the island of Gran Canaria with the aim of meeting the care needs of residents and foreigners throughout the region. Since then, thanks to careful planning and investment, the southern hospital has by far exceeded the expectations placed on its management, both by the Public Administration (Town Hall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and the Canary Islands Health service) as well as by the thousands of service users who have relied on their professionalism over this last decade, having become a health reference point not only in this territory, but beyond the islands’ shores: thanks to their hard work promoting Gran Canaria as a destination for health, medical and technological excellence.
Hospital San Roque Maspalomas is known today in Europe, Africa and America, and is recognised by the prestigious independent report, the Monitor for Health Reputation (MRS) - an annual evaluation of national and international health centres that, in its 2014 edition, awarded the southern hospital with the best score among hospitals of the Archipelago, naming it as the best private hospital in The Canary Islands; and in 2015, ranked them number 17 in all Spain, making them the highest ranking private facility in The Canary Islands and the region’s best managed national level in the regional hospitals classification.
Meanwhile in Arguineguín...
A TIDAL WAVE OF LITIGATION
How a team of Gran Canaria lawyers have been taking on the Spanish Timeshare industry and winning in the Supreme Court
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Sebastián Sansó, Gerente de Hospital San Roque Maspalomas
PATIENT CARE
For the international patient, the hospital health, wellness and leisure destination. offers translation services, 24 hour Maspalomas is now recognised for both  Hospital San Roque Maspalomas have accompaniment, transfers and repatriation; medical and technological excellence in highly developed expertise in patient and have established agreements with Europe, Africa and America care, both treating residents and visitors, world-class insurance and over the last ten years have treated companies and major tour 1,695,108 patients (admissions 45,064; operators, allowing them to The best private hospital 248,620 in the ER; 1,018,109 Outpatients, provide a range of international in the Canary Islands 39,389 surgical tests; 343,926 radiological staff to serve almost three (Ranking of the Spanish healthcare system) tests) needing a wide range of different hundred hotel establishments specialities. in providing health care excellence for guests staying It is noteworthy how the hospital has at their facilities, while a continued in strengthening existing commercial team handles services and incorporating new medical any bureaucratic procedures services such as neurology, nephrology necessary to maintain the and psychiatry, leading to professional highest standards, levels of prestige and recognition both nationally control and patient treatments, and internationally, for key team members so as to allow the patients like medical director, Dr. Pedro Betancor themselves to simply focus León and the head of General and Digestive on recovery, which can be Surgery, Jose Ramirez, who, working facilitated both at the hospital alongside hospital manager Sebastián Sansó, or in a hotel of the patients have overseen huge leaps forward both in choice - offering an optional the technologies made available and the monitoring service, sending Travel Insurances accepted. We are the only 24 hours general modernisation of all resources, from medical reports back to their private hospital on Gran Canaria where the E11 European Health Insurance Card is accepted. Emergency Service people to equipment, allowing teams to country of origin, and taking Hotel Medical Attention treat complex diseases, providing operating care not only of a visitor’s Interpreter Service theatres and consultations with the very health and comfort, but also All medical and surgical specialities, latest technology. The result has been an General and Digestive Surgery, Dermatology, offering very competitive Neurology, Traumatology, Internal Medicine, outstanding reputation that transcends Cardiology, Gynecology, Hemodialysis, value for money. Hospital San y ersar Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation, iv borders and offers the types of care that are Roque Maspalomas is a huge n n A Rheumatology, Aesthetic Medicine, Plastic Surgery, most highly valued by service users. Radiology Service, Urology, etc. promoter of Gran Canaria, and 928 063 666 in particular San Bartolomé MASPALOMAS de Tirajana, as a privileged th
www.hospitalessanroque.com
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S unshine
Editor-in-Chief: Edward JB Timon Editor@TheCanaryNews.com
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Edita: JDC Canarias SL, Imprime: Canarias7, Gran Canaria, España. Deposito Legal GC1291-2013
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HEALTH TOURISM Health tourism is achieving major growth and within the tourism industry product packages, that will be key in the national economy in coming years, are proving successful. Grupo San Roque have participated at the ‘Health’ section of Madrid’s International Tourism Fair (FITUR) for the last two years running. Hospital San Roque Maspalomas set their sights high from the beginning, promoting the island and Maspalomas in the health arena, enhancing medical specialities in line with health tourist demand, including Aesthetic and Plastic procedures, Traumatology (including prostheses), Endocrinology (specifically, bariatric surgery due to the serious global problem of obesity, which can lead directly to numerous chronic SOCIAL diseases), Haemodialysis and Dermatology RESPONSIBILITY (psoriasis), stimulating The commitment of the emerging market Hospital San Roque Masallowing travellers to choose Gran Canaria as a palomas to the region prime health destination. it serves, as reflected in Maspalomas is now able their robust philosophy to offer much Maspalomas is now recognised of Corporate Social Responmore than for both medical and sibility, with just holidays, providing ideal technological excellence in Grupo San conditions for Europe, Africa and America Roque providing for numerimprovement ous projects with financial of health, performing and organisational supmedical checkups, port during sports events trying more advanced (Legend Handball Club treatments, access to innovative technologies, Maspalomas HSR); large popular events promotand better health care ing healthy lifestyles and or simply just to rest leisure (PRIDE, Carnival); in one of the assisted solidarity fund raisers centres whose business (charity golf tournaments is the welfare of their for the ACCM - Canarian customers.
Association Against Breast Cancer and Gynaecological Cancer, and in support of Nepal following natural disasters that struck the country); prevention (through collaboration agreements with the Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana); education (Maspalomas Summer University, schools campaign for Responsible Nutrition, and the Adult Patient School); environmental care (the first hospital to implement a biomass sustainable energy system); culture (sponsorship of III Trumpet Festival and Chamber Orchestra concerts); as well as progressing knowledge in medical science (helping the University of Las Palmas in the formation of excellence of new medical Mozambicans attending Cape Verdean delegations in the implementation of an efficient national health or the creation of a Euro-African Network Health Emergency ).
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Seeing The Real Gran Canaria
The Gran Canaria Walking Festival is an annual event, now in its fifth year, where hikers from all over the world discover the most natural and exotic sides of Gran Canaria. Participants can choose between various guided routes on which professional hiking guides take them through an authentic vision of the island, quite different to the usual sun, sea and sand for which we are best known. The stunning geography of Gran Canaria and its outstanding natural beauty include mountains and ravines filled with native plant life, hundreds-of-years-old Caminos Reales (royal paths) that were the original island highways, traditional country houses and many whimsical natural formations in a vast variety of landscapes. Gran Canaria Walking Festival promises to introduce you to the real Gran Canaria, replete with cultural and gastronomic activities making this experience unforgettably unique. Offering “Much more than hiking” for this 5th event, organisers at Gran Canaria Natural & Active are planning new routes and the chance to experience something really special; very different from anything else on offer. This festival has turned it into a unique gathering of not only sports enthusiasts but also visitors and residents looking for fun and authentic cultural insights!
Gran Canaria Walking Festival is promoted by Gran Canaria Natural and Active, an Association of Rural Accommodation and Active Tourism Corporations on Gran Canaria, with the collaboration of:
Gran Canaria Natural & Active promotes 14 hotels in rural settings, 47 country houses, 3 wine yards, 4 active tourism businesses, a craft shop and even car rental. All of the activities that take place during the event, as well as the institutions and companies involved in the organisation of the Gran Canaria Walking Festival, are committed to the preservation of the Island’s environment. Gran Canaria Walking Festival want to invite all hikers from around the world to join this experience. It is much more than hiking, and participants will enjoy the extraordinary landscapes of Gran Canaria, share experiences with people from all over the world and establish deep, long-lasting and unforgettable friendships.
Gran Canaria Natural & Active GET IN CONTACT ASOCIACIÓN GRAN CANARIA NATURAL C/ Los Balcones, 4 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ESPAÑA +34 928 334175 GCNatural info@grancanarianaturalandactive.com
- Patronato de Turismo de Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria Island Council). - Promotur – Islas Canarias (Canary Islands Government Tourism Board). - Secretaría de Estado de Turismo del Gobierno de España (Spanish Government).
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CANARY ISLANDS HOTEL INVESTMENT ROSE 300% LAST YEAR
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The Canary Islands were the most popular region in Spain for hotel investment in 2015, with more than 369 million euros invested. The figure is a 300% increase on the 136 million euros invested in the whole of 2014 which was itself a 55% increase on the 2013 figure. The money was spread across 15 separate investments affecting a total of 5,636 tourist beds. Gran Canaria accounted for a large proportion of 2015 spend thanks in part to a 75 million euro investment by the Hispania group, which acquired four Gran Canaria hotels (with almost 1200 beds) from Grupo Dunas and also committed to investing a further 9 million euros in refurbishment. Total hotel investment in Spain during the period increased by 54% to more than 1.2 billion euros and 2016 is forecast to be another good year with Socimis (Sociedades An贸nimas Cotizadas de Inversi贸n Inmobiliaria: Listed real estate investment societies) expected to spend heavily in Spain. The Hispania investment in Grupo Dunas hotels was an example of a Socimi investment. With demand for holidays in the Canary Islands at an all-time high and the year-round nature of tourism in the archipelago, Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands are currently a European real estate investment hot spot. At Cardenas Real estate, we have 30 years of investment experience and our legal department specialises in property law and transactions. If you are considering a Gran Canaria property investment, we are the safe and smart way to buy property in Gran Canaria -
Alex Bramwell
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Bar (dot) Diamonds
Established 1996
Facebook.com/YumboBar.Diamonds Forever@Bar.Diamonds
Celebrating 20 years on the Yumbo Main Square, Playa del Inglés - Gran Canaria Why have we lasted so long, and still going strong? It’s not complicated:
Fantastic Staff - Outstanding Service - Delicious Drinks - Honest Prices A great night time atmosphere & Sunshine All Day Every Day Simple as that To all our customers, returning, new or yet to meet us.
Thank You! You fill us with PRIDE.
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Arguineguín roadworks continue The ongoing GC500 roadworks were only supposed to last for five months, on the old national road stretching through Arguineguín. In a tender awarded by previous mayor Paco Gonzales (PP), the “improvement” work started last June with a budget of €1.5 million. Dame Shirley Bassey visited Gran Canaria last month and went It didn’t take long before newly to see her friends at the Funnyboys Red & Black Casino Show in Meloneras owned by luxury hotel group Lopesan on the south of elected mayor Onalia Bueno (Ciuca) was announcing the the island. need to modify the project due After the show, Dame Shirley went back stage to congratulate the to “planning discrepancies” and performers and pose for photographs with the cast, along with a lack of necessary licenses for Fidel Rodriguez (Funny Boy) and Manel Dalgó who launched the parts of the work. drag cabaret last October. Now the small business commuThe welsh born global super star, with a career spanning more nity in Arguineguín say the works than six decades, was made a Dame in the year 2000 by the have been damaging business, queen of England for her services to the performing arts. with turnover reduced by up to She has known Manel Dalgo and Fidel for several years having 40%, and some long-standing attended charity events, like the annual Monaco Red Cross Ball at businesses saying they may need which she is a regular guest. to close. Dame Shirley showed a special affection for the outstanding Movement for vehicles and pedesArmani D’Vyne who impersonates her as part of the nightly trians on the main road through dinner show, she also posed with solo artist Taran Missen, the Arguineguín has been described talented English solo singer who starts the show every night as a “nightmare”. Costs for the with his repertoire of rat pack hits and ballads. Thrilling for all work itself have soared by at least involved. €100,000, according to reports.
Shirley Bassey on Gran Canaria
The initial project included the construction of sidewalks, installation of new bus stops and green areas, but so far has only produced traffic problems, debris and lost revenues. In January the Councillor for Public Works, Ernesto Hernandez, announced that the work would last until at least April, blaming the delays on necessary changes to the original plan which did not include channelling for basic services in the area such as electricity supply wells or connection to sanitation. These technical bugs have also necessitated changes to the materials and dimensions of infrastructure required. While politicians, councillors and the media point fingers, the people of Arguineguín continue to suffer traffic jams and mayhem on their main thoroughfare, and along the normally tranquil seafront. Arguineguín watches and waits...
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
A TIDAL WAVE OF LITIG
How a team of Gran Canaria lawyers have been taking on the Spanish Timeshare industry and
Last year we were the first English language publication to report Unhappy owners who had been incorrectly sold timeshare could on the “ground breaking” Spanish supreme court judgement in now legitimately ask for their money back, regardless of whether the case of Norwegian timeshare owner Tove Grimsbo. they had ever used the accommodation. In fact even happy clients, of which there are many, were now in a position to claim a refund A local lawyer, Miguel Rodriguez Ceballos working with the if the rules had been broken. Canarian Legal Alliance, in the southern Gran Canaria town of Arguineguín, brought the case, which lasted more than 6 years When the news broke in Spring 2015 timeshare operators were in total, having gone all the way from the lower As significant as it is, this quick to claim that the judgment was “incorcourts to the regional high court in Las Palmas. isn’t just a problem for Anfi. rect”, “being appealed” and “in need of further CLA say that they have an clarification”, playing down the importance of Ms Timeshare operator Anfi appealed to the highest Grimsbo’s victory. Several timeshare operators court in Spain, attempting to set a precedent they additional 530 cases against other timeshare operators, wrote to their members to tell them that it was hoped could nip all similar cases in the bud; howan “isolated case”, that it did not affect them and ever, in an unanimous landmark decision, Madrid’s meaning they alone currently are looking after around a starkly warned of the huge expense involved in highest ranking judges declared the contract with unmerited and unnecessary legal proceedings. thousand cases in total. Ms Grimsbo, signed by her (by-then-deceased) husband, to be Null & Void, in a ruling that sent shock waves Over the last year clarification has come thick and fast with case throughout the industry and exposing, to potentially thousands of after case now seeming to follow the original supreme court judgeclaims, any Spanish operators who had not strictly adhered to the ment. Clients rights, as set out in 1998, are to be enforced. 1998 decree on Timeshare in Spain, based on the earlier EuroWhat wasn’t fully appreciated at the time was that another area of pean Union Timeshare Directive in force across the EU. contention in the industry had also been ruled on, the very same If a timeshare seller was now found to have either taken deposits day. The matter of “Floating Weeks” had also been brought before within the first 14 days (cooling off period) after the contract was the Supreme Court in Madrid, in a case unconnected to Grimsbo’s. signed, or had sold contracts for timeshare lasting more than 50 In that case too the judges ruled that the practice of selling soyears (some had been “in perpetuity”!), they were deemed to called “flexible” timeshare, not connected to a specific date or have acted outside the spirit of the law, which came into force in time of the year, or even an individual property, known as “floating 1999, and the contracts could be made “null and void”. weeks”, was also not legally enforceable. A judgement which has
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Canarian Legal Alliance
ATION
ADRIÁN DÍAZCsilla Nazáli
SAAVEDRA MORALES
EVA GUTIÉRREZ
LUIS SÁNCHEZ
IGNACIO FARIÑA
GARCÍA-YANES
CANTERO
JUDITH DIAZ PASCUAL
SANTANA GONZÁLEZ
winning in the Supreme Court
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ CEBALLOS
MIGUEL ÁNGEL MELIÁN CRISTINA BATISTA
now been repeatedly confirmed and clarified, say CLA, in effect outlawing the practice.
SANTANA
ÓSCAR SALVADOR
Nevertheless several of the timeshare businesses continue to pretend that the situation does not affect them at all, by doing everything they can to delay pay-outs even when there can be no doubt as to their defeat at the highest level.
According to respected Norwegian business magazine, Kapital, “more than 400 timeshare owners now have ongoing claims against Anfi resorts” with many of the sold products averaging Of course none of these multimillion euro businesses want to around €30,000 each, that’s a potential problem easily in excess of admit that they may have indeed made payments to clients €12 million once you start to add in legal fees. who were victorious in claims against them Legal advisor Anja Petersen told the publication that CLA (Canarian Legal Alliance) have 257 cases active just against Anfi del Mar, which have been presented at court, totalling claims of more than €6.8 million as well as another 135 cases still in preparation.
“The Supreme Court sentences have now created a precedent for lawsuits against the whole timeshare industry. The outcomes of these sentences were then later confirmed by other court decisions. The lower courts of Spain must now follow the precedent set by the Supreme Court in similar cases.”
Canarian Legal Alliance say they won 32 cases, just against Anfi, on behalf of their clients last year alone. The total amount of these awards stood at €930,000 and already more than €600,000 has been paid out. They have won against others too.
As for Mrs Grimsbo, who outright won her case in Spain’s highest court, the money has already been transferred to the courts, but so far she has not seen a penny, in the face of continued legal challenges, though it is now widely accepted that the judgement is highly unlikely to be overturned, as to do so would mean needing to get a new judgement in either the A major problem experienced by those who have bought Spanish Constitutional Court (and this is not a constitutional “floating weeks” is a lack of availability. While “fixed week” owners can enjoy the same time of the year, in the same apart- matter) or else go to the European Courts in Strasbourg, from which the European Timeshare Directive originated more than ment, every year, or swap it for a fixed week elsewhere, the twenty years ago (updated in 2008); practically inconceivable floating system is limited to the weeks left available, in whatat this point, meaning it’s just a matter of time before each ever accommodation happens to be available. operator must comply with judgements already handed down. Consequently the floating weeks clients, who can, on averWithin the timeshare industry itself, there are issues of trust age, pay around €18-20,000 for the product, are often forced to take their holidays outside of peak demand, never knowing emerging with various heads having rolled already, and shiftquite what apartment will be available to them, and having to ing sands leading to several large businesses changing hands settle for much less flexibility than they had imagined, or been or diversifying in an attempt to either distract onlookers or simply kick the can down the road, while those at the very top sold, often having to book at least a year in advance. try to distance themselves from a growing tidal wave of claims Restrictive policies and booking systems, open only to those against anyone who has acted outside the law. who have bought directly from the operator, have further exasperated the owners of floating weeks by devaluing the already Meanwhile on Gran Canaria, as well as the potential for damage to our otherwise positive tourism reputation, there have been tenuous resale market, further compounding their perceived job losses and uncertain times for the hundreds of workers who worthlessness. depended on this established industry for their livelihoods. While some lawyers work their whole lives in the hope of Many savvy types among them have either changed industry bringing a case important enough to require judgement in the or have used what they learned from the inside to assist in Supreme Court, Canarian Legal Alliance proudly claim four Su- the growing business of bringing legitimate claims before the preme Court victories in just the last year, planting them quite courts. For most the future seems unclear, and at the very top, firmly at the forefront of timeshare litigation in Spain. the larger players appear unperturbed, studiously announcing new projects and continued growth and suggesting that the The effect of these Supreme Court rulings has been to speed ongoing storm of litigation has little or no effect on them. up the processes in the lower courts. . - Timon .:.
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
A means to the END Environmental urban noise was recently estimated to cost 1.6 million healthy life years, lost every year throughout Western Europe. Traffic noise alone has been ranked second among “environmental stressors” impacting public health. Noise exposure is increasing compared to other major dangers (e.g. exposure to second hand smoke, dioxins and benzene) which are now declining. Noise pollution is well proven to affect human health and well-being, increasing the costs of medical treatment and reduced productivity at work to an estimated 0.4% of European Union GDP or around 40 billion €/year within the EU. The ground-breaking European Noise Directive (END) was adopted in 2002 and subsequently transposed into Spanish law the following year. Like many such pieces of legislation, it can take time for the effects to be felt locally. Here on Gran Canaria, on the southern outer reaches of Europe, a vibrant tourism economy has led to decades of development, particularly in the sunny south. Commercial Centres are awash with pubs and clubs offering music and performance. With the rise of the All Inclusive package holiday (now some 30% of Gran Canaria tourism) so increased the competition between hotels and bars to offer entertainment. In Playa del Inglés, with the economic downturn, increasingly desperate competition led to several years of bars and venues making formal complaints regarding noise pollution, some suspected of malicious intent, in a fierce battle for survival. This ‘in fighting’ helped to focus the local government on the issue of noise, and the enacting of bylaws meant to stem the flow of complaints, and reduce the cost to the public purse. Local ordinance passed back in 2013 gave bars, nightspots and entertainment business owners in the Maspalomas area one year to comply with new rules on noise, making the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana the very first in Spain to introduce mandatory sound delimiters which could be monitored and even controlled centrally from the local police station. This in turn gave local authorities the ability to monitor and keep records of any establishment that contravened the new rules limiting all properly equipped and licenced businesses to sound levels of between 70 and 95 decibels, dependant on which of the four categories of licence they fell within by law.
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2nd CONFERENCE ON
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NOISE POLLUTION in
Maspalomas April 29th
“The health impact of environmental noise is of increasing concern amongst the European citizens, however recent evidence shows that its reduction is still by far below the levels envisioned by European Union (EU) policy makers and legislators. In its recently adopted Environment Action Programme to 2020, ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’ (7th EAP), the EU has committed itself to significantly decrease noise pollution within its borders, moving closer to levels recommended by the World
Health Organisation (WHO), by 2020. One of the main legislative tools in achieving this aim is the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) (END), an over arching directive aimed at achieving a common approach towards environmental noise in the EU. The Directive, which was adopted more than 10 years ago, has recently been further developed by agreeing common EU methods for noise assessment, which is currently followed by work on developing methods to assess the effects of noise on populations by means of dose- effect relations.”
The Environmental Noise Directive at a turning point Directorate-General for the Environment, European Commission.
Following the success of last year’s first conference, next Friday 29 April, in the week of the International Day for Noise Awareness, the Mayor and local Government group have decided to organise a day of workshops in order to continue to address the technical and legal aspects of damage to health, education and inspection of noise pollution. Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez says “Among the objectives and most significant goals of the conference, are awareness of the reality and magnitude of this problem in our country, the noisiest in Europe,” going on to say that the purpose of the one day
even is to “collaborate in the search for means, resources, procedures and relevant arguments to achieve effective protection against noise, raise awareness of the damage and risks to people and the ecosystem, as well as to tourism and the economy.” “Excessive noise is a serious problem for the environment and a danger to public health, and this issue is not trivial in the Autonomous Community of The Canary Islands, where there is high tourist demand and a countless range of activities offered, with tourism as our main source of income, vital to our economy.” “Therefore, we need a change of mindset and to abandon passivity, promoting greater involvement from government, the private sector and citizens in general to solve this problem”
Councillor for Opening licenses establishments, public entertainment and classified activities, Don Fernando González Montoro, says “Spain is the
noisiest country in the world, after Japan, so the problem of noise is particularly important among us. It is the EU country with the largest number of people exposed to unacceptable urban noise levels above 55 decibels, which limit our quality of life.” “It is therefore important to work on public awareness against this type of pollution.” “Noise is unwanted sound, which causes nuisance, unpleasant or annoying auditory sensations. Noise pollution, where ever it originates in our environment, presents discomfort, risk and even harm to people having significant effects on the environment and on health.” “As well as sounds like traffic there are many others of which we need to be aware, including within buildings, elevators, boiler rooms, air conditioning systems or in homes, such as from appliances, plumbing, television, sound reproduction apparatus and noise generated by machinery and equipment, whether commercial or industrial, in the construction of buildings and civil engineering, during sports and recreational activities and entertainment as well as at ports and airports.” “San Bartolomé de Tirajana deserves special mention for the noise created from complementary entertainment, such as shows, dance halls, discotheques and other entertainment and leisure, which
The mayor says that complaints about noise on the islands, of all kinds, have been increasing and that an action plan is necessary to protect fundamental rights such as the right to physical integrity both personal and family, and to personal privacy enshrined in the Spanish Constitution. “From this perspective, and following work carried out by the town hall after the August 2013 Regulatory Ordinance on Noise Pollution was approved, we are working to continue to implement improvements and achieve better environmental quality.” The mayor hopes that the content of the conference will attract technical and political operators, legal professionals, police and concerned citizens, requesting interested citizens join in to pool ideas and improve multilateral governance in this specific area.
collides head-on with people’s right to rest, whether tourists staying in apartments and hotels, or residents of the tourist area themselves, this is one of the biggest problems we need to solve.” “The consequences for people’s health from prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can include loss of hearing, increased difficulties in listening comprehension, disturbance of sleep, neurosis, hypertension and even ischemia. It can also have a very negative effect on social behaviour by increasing aggressive tendencies.“ “Under Spanish law, the constitutional mandate to protect health (art. 43 of the Constitution) and the environment (art. 45 of the Constitution) encompasses protection against noise pollution. In addition, the constitutional protection against this form of pollution is also supported by some of the fundamental rights recognised by the Constitution, among others, the right to personal and family privacy, enshrined in art. 18.1.” This second annual conference on noise pollution is an attempt to continue giving publicity to this issue and in order to explore topics like effects that noise are known to have on health, to take into account expert opinions regarding the matter, noise in connection with urban planning and the environment, administrative actions, areas of nightlife concentrations, improved acoustic measurement, the citizen’s right to a proper response, in a timely manner, and support when dealing with noise pollution, insulation and soundproofing, and penal consequences of noise pollution, etc. “As competent Government Councilman in the matter and cochair of the conference, I invite you to join us on April 29, 2016 and participate in the discussions and conclusions.” This conference is in Spanish, bring a translator if need be.
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El Peri贸dico Ingl茅s de Gran Canaria
Outstanding Trip Advisors No 1 Boat tours and Water Sports in Puerto Rico
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
‘Terri’ released on Playa del Inglés
A turtle called Terri was released on Friday 18 March, down at the beach in Playa del Inglés, in ambient temperatures of 24° with favourable northeast winds. The famous loggerhead sea turtle, that washed up in Jersey, was flown from the UK at the end of January in a private jet owned by Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of legendary Metal band Iron Maiden. Terri has been recovering for almost a month at the (CRFS) Wildlife Recovery Center on Gran Canaria. The turtle, aged between 6 and 8 and named ‘Terri’, arrived at the recovery centre, thought to be the only survivor of a group that ran aground on a beach on the island of Jersey, in the English Channel. The turtle was found by a local, entangled and suffering severe hypothermia. His progress in the wild will be monitored.
The International Sea Fair, FIMAR 2016
This 6th edition is dedicated to the ocean and its potential as a source of energy. The event, which hopes to increase in quality and improve its appeal abroad as a showcase for “The blue economy” of the Canary Islands, will be organized for the first time jointly by the City of Las Palmas, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria and Port authority of Las Palmas. The large marine blue propeller that features on the poster image for FIMAR 2016 is a symbol that represents the potential of the movement generated by the sea as a source of energy, natural resources, wealth, health and leisure. Exhibiting 79 companies and 12 institutions. The event, as in previous years, will centre around the Plaza de Canarias, the Miller Building, Santa Catalina pier, the new marine park by el Muelle Santa Catalina, the replica of Christopher Columbus’ caravel, La Niña, and the Museo Elder Science museum. Technical seminars will also be held at the Infecar fairground. The program includes all kinds of water activities, visits to ships on the Pier at Santa Catalina, exhibitions in The Miller building; a large dining area, musical performances and children’s activities focused on sea culture and sustainability. The program also will feature parallel scientific exhibitions on techniques bringing together experts and businesses from around the world on the theme of ‘Ocean energy’
Find out more at FimarLasPalmasGC.com
Free bus service to Cocodrilo park wild life rescue centre The rescue centre and wild life attraction Cocodrilo park have a free shuttle bus service.
Picking up from points between Maspalomas and Bahia Feliz on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and between Playa de Mogán and Arguineguín on Mondays. The return is at 14:00. The crocodile park’s regular opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 ( last entry at 16:00), every day, except on Saturday.
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Canary Current
The
No.2 - Spring 2016
Mogán fishermen in the 40s - FEDAC.org - Courtesy of ANTONIO GONZÁLEZ. CRONISTA OFICIAL DE TELDE
Artisanal return to the sea
An extract from GranCanariaPescaEnRed.com
Archaeological and documentary evidence confirm that the Canarian native aboriginals practiced fishing and the sea was to them an important food resource. Over recent decades, fisheries in the Canaries have undergone profound changes. The economic model on the islands, focused now on the tourism industry, as well as the changes in world markets and the introduction of new technologies in the sector have particularly affected the fishing sector. This tourist industry (building of coastal hotels, marinas, nautical leisure facilities…) has been seen as very much in competition with traditional fishermen, who have had no option but changing their fishing strategies, grounds, moorings and sometimes even their dwellings.
Both the direct and indirect impacts of tourism have changed fishing in the Canaries, especially when it comes to the south and the areas known as Las Calmas. Firstly, there was a physical invasion, as the tourist resorts and residential areas have occupied a good deal of what were the best coves and beaches, and precisely the areas where fishermen had dwelled prior to their coming. Secondly, the joint venture of tourism & construction created new job opportunities, raising average salaries and attracting the workforce that used to make their living out of the primary sector, and more specifically, from fisheries. Today, the difficulties attached to the economic crisis have made many of those fishermen return to their work on the sea, now with their offspring alongside with them.
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The waters around Gran Canaria
Teeming with marine life, abundantly replenished from slow-moving, nutrient-rich, upwelling flows; Canary Current copepods and phytoplankton flourish; enriching the waters south-west of them while rhythmically breathing oxygen into life. Three or four degrees downstream of the plankton’s optimal breeding territory, where Springtime stalks the trade winds, abruptly mushrooming from the ocean floors, on the edge of the African shelf, our islands disturb this fecund and powerful stream. Travelling, as a great ship, through winter seas of cloud, Gran Canaria provides leeward calm water, and yearround-refuge for entire bloodlines of cetacean and fish who feed from the eddying swirl of a gyre interrupted. The annual congregation of Tuna, Marlin, Dorado and Wahoo heralds a plentiful summer and the extraordinary wealth of our all encompassing ocean. These subtropical waters maintain a steady temperature, cooled by the deep ocean that rises to meet us just 2 km offshore. More than 1/3 of the world’s dolphins and whales share our habitat; many permanently reside & others while travelling along their inherited migratory routes. Communities possessing extraordinary intelligence, with highly evolved social structures, living in pods that stay together their entire lives, roaming territories familiar to them over generations.
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CAN YOU IDEN
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NTIFY THESE CETACEANS?
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For your chance to win two tickets to go whale and dolphin watching off the Gran Canaria Costa MogĂĄn just tell us which species this family of animals in the image (left) are and send your answer to us by email at
Oceans@TheCanaryNews.com or text/Whatsapp/SMS to
626 641 537.
Entries close at midnight on May 7th 2016 The Prize only includes tickets to board the boat. Transfers, flights and other costs are not included.
Simply use this chart (below) to identify the species of mammal in the main picture (above)
Terms & Conditions Apply, check TheCanaryNews.com/Oceans
There is only one authentic way to meet such creatures: in their home, our ocean. Many responsible, professionally licensed whale and dolphin watching tours work out of Puerto Rico; the abundant wonder surrounding Gran Canaria waits for you. Don’t miss out! Find Spirit of The Sea at DolphinWhale.co.uk
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria With Special Thanks to:
The Agüimes International Underwater Film Festival 2016 will take place at the Agüimes Municipal Theatre located in the Plaza de Santo Domingo in Agüimes on 5, 6 and 7 May. The waters of the Canary Islands are home to many species of marine life that increasingly attract more and more divers from all over the world to the central archipelago of Macaronesia. The North Atlantic Ocean is still habitat to massive marine biodiversity seeking protection around its archipelagos.
The association for marine environmental education Alliance for Tiburones de Canarias (Canaries Sharks Alliance), aim to make The Canary Islands a global reference for diving with sharks and rays, and with the support of the Illustrious Town Hall of Agüimes, the Festival will showcase works of renowned international filmmakers and newcomers. Well worth a visit with entrance from just 2€ per evening, or 5€ for all three days. Starts Thursday 5th May at 7.30pm.
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The ultimate diving experience!
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Timon 2016 .:.
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Who needs beards?
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April
2016
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Adrian Alarcon - Fifty Fifty Selfie Barbershop
The fashion world is all about the new, next big thing.
Old fashions are slaughtered biannually and it’s all about “the new black”. Everybody not living under a rock has probably noticed that the once shaved, spiked and thin eyebrow “metrosexual” guys have been lost for the more rugged, checkered shirted and bearded “lumber sexual” standards adapted by many men lately. Well the offensive element in question now is the beard. The glorious slightly unkept facial hair of the ancient Gods, presidents and lumberjacks alike. It seams, then, the next big thing will be a nice clean shave again. Some predict an even more dapper, Hollywood golden age look for those boys in the know. Barber shops and masculine hairdressing is defiantly here to stay. Men around the world have found much more benefit from professional hairdressing services and barbery these last years and they are not going to give up their habits and miss the enjoyment Dapper to Rugged, we´ll find of the fresh feeling of being styled by a professional. At the end of the day you have style and fashion. Fashion is for followers and style is for innovators. Fortunately, fashion is much freer these days, if you have style, you will always be fashionable. Be your self, full stop.
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Language Lesson #101
¡VENGA!
with Theresa Coe
Popular expressions in Spanish
Nothing will impress locals more than a foreigner’s ability to use a bit of street talk. You know, the ‘real’ Spanish that Canarians actually speak, rather than the formal stuff you learn in books. A good example is ‘algo es algo’ meaning ‘better than nothing’ (literally, something is something). One thing you hear all the time here is ¡Venga! Literally meaning ‘come on’, this is one of those catch-all words that would translate as something like ‘right then’, and you can stick it at the end of virtually any dialogue. For example, you hear: “¿Quedamos mañana a las ocho?” (Shall) we meet up tomorrow at eight? And you reply, “Venga, vale”, meaning right then, okey dokey. ‘Vale’ is another handy buzz-word that means ‘agreed’ or okay then, pronounced VAH-leh.
HAY CONFIANZA I love this very Spanish way of saying that you know and trust someone. Literally, hay confianza means there is confidence (on both sides). Hay is pronounced a bit like the English word ‘eye’ if you say it quickly, as the ‘h’ is always silent in Spanish. For instance, ‘puedes pagar luego; hay confianza’ – you can pay later; I trust you. You can also talk about having confidence in another person: ‘tengo confianza en ti/él/ella’ – I have confidence in you/him/her – e.g. to recommend a plumber (fontanero). And if you don´t trust someone, just put a ‘no’ at the start: ‘no tengo confianza en él’. Maybe he´s un fantasma – a real show-off (this word also means a ghost).
PASA PÁGINA Meaning ‘move on’ or ‘put it behind you’, this is a good expression for giving advice if someone is moaning about the past: “Venga ya – pasa página.” Come on now – let it go. A similar one is ‘pasa de él/ella/ello’ – forget about him/her/it. For example, “Mi jefe es fatal. No puedo más.” My boss is awful. I can´t go on. And you reply: “Pasa de él y tóma un par de cervezas conmigo” – forget about him and have a couple (‘a pair’) of beers with me. Talking about the bad stuff, ‘chungo’ is a popular way of saying that something is dodgy or nasty, and the opposite is ‘chulo’, meaning cool.
¡PÁSALO BIEN! Instead of telling you to having a good time, the Spanish recommend that you pass it well: ¡Pásalo bien! So if you had a great time you can say: lo pasé bien. Variations include: lo pasamos genial (heh-nee-YAL) – we had a brilliant time, or lo pasamos fatal – we had an awful time. Talking about having fun , to be tipsy is ‘estar chispado/a’ (I´m sparked up!) When an arrangement suits you, you can say ‘me va bien’ or maybe it doesn´t: ‘no me va bien a las ocho. Prefiero quedar a las nueve’. Literally: it doesn´t go well for me at 8. I prefer to meet up at 9. This works for clothes too: ‘el vestido te va super bien’ – the dress really suits you. But if you´re not crazy about something, you can say ‘no me dice nada’ (it doesn´t say anything to me). And when someone asks ¿qué tal el trabajo? How´s work going? and things aren´t great, just say ‘más o menos’, meaning: more or less. A few more slang expressions: Qué chulo/qué guay/como mola – how fab/how cool Qué rollo/qué pesado – how boring/what a pain Meter la pata – to put your foot in it (lit. to put in the paw) ¿Qué más da? – who cares?/what does it matter? (Lit: what more gives?) El barato sale caro – a false economy (Lit: the cheap ends up expensive) Más raro que un perro verde – really weird (lit: stranger than a green dog) Más feliz que Ricardito – as happy as Larry (lit: happier than little Richard) La pelota está en su tejado – the ball´s in his court (lit: the ball´s on his roof) To see previous lessons from this newspaper or find your nearest language exchange group or conversation club, check out www.languageexchangegc.es
MÁS CANARIO QUE EL GOFIO When you´ve lived here a while you can say that you´re ‘más canario que el gofio’ – more Canarian than that white roasted corn they like to eat. Another purely Canarian expression is to describe someone you like as ‘buena gente’, for example ‘ella es muy buena gente’ – lit. ‘she´s good people’. Or if you are drained by the heat, you can say ‘estoy aplatanado’ (or aplatanada for a woman) meaning that you feel like a squashed banana. Another piece of Canarian slang that Brits will relate to is botar (to bounce), something that bouncers or porteros will do to you if you get too rowdy. “Cuidado, van a botarte” – careful, they´re going to throw (‘bounce’) you out. And if you want to say it´s chilly using Canarian slang, it´s ‘hace pelete’. Es un ‘nini’ - pronounced like the English word ‘ninny’, this is someone, often a young person, who neither works nor studies: ‘ni trabaja ni estudia’ – we might call them a layabout.
Hair of the dog: – all species welcome to the Playa del Inglés Spanglish club
WANT TO PRACTICE SPEAKING SPANISH? All over the island we have free conversation clubs in Spanish or English as well as language exchanges where people of different nationalities help each other out by chatting in Spanglish. These groups are NOT classes but are a great way to meet new people – especially locals – and practice your Spanish. Check out the new website for the LEG (Language Exchange Gran Canaria) which I´ve just launched to complement the Facebook page. Here you can find a selection of my best Spanish lessons from The Canary News updated and categorized, which I´ll be adding to every week. More importantly, I´ll keep the listings updated so you can easily find the LEG group nearest to you or latest event taking place such as cinema trips, hiking or ‘Spanglish’ meals out.
Find your nearest LEG:
LanguageExchangeGC.es Facebook.com/LEGintercambio
The author of our Spanish lessons these last six years is Theresa Coe from London, who is based in Playa del Inglés. She´s launched a new website including the best of her lessons from this paper (revised and updated) and the latest news on language exchange events around the island. New lessons will be added as often as possible. She´d also love to hear ideas from readers for her next few columns in The Canary News. What would you like to be able to say in Spanish? Just email her or contact her via the website
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News, Views & Sunshine
The current debate about whether or not the UK should leave the European Union has already led to some ill tempered, and often poorly informed debates. The comment that continues to both amuse and irritate me is the now common cry heard on TV and radio programmes “We don't know how to vote; we need more facts.” Well the sad truth is, and it will be cold comfort for some, but there aren’t any real ‘facts’ to share.
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t i x e Br
Since the debate about ‘Brexit’ began, I have received many questions from expats who are genuinely troubled about their future lives in Europe. Many questions relate to their right of residency and employment, health care, passports, pensions, driving licences, as well as property ownership. Sadly, I do not know the answers and, frankly, no one does. I may have an opinion that I will share with readers from time to time, and when any concrete information comes my way, I will pass it on. In the end, I suspect that all we can do is listen to people, such as politicians that we trust and respect (if there are any), listen to both sides of the debate, and try to be as well informed as we can about what the European Union is truly about, and vote as our hearts and minds tell us. Either way, the genie is out of the bottle, and whatever the result, I doubt that things will ever be quite the same again for expats living in Europe. Certainly, it has little do with ‘facts’ that are as illusive as snowdrops in summer. Everything evolves over time, and the EU is no exception. Whatever the decision, we may or may not be heading towards a brighter future. What we can be certain of is that our relationship with the European Union will change, and be different from what we currently know. The truth is that we know what we have, or think we have, with the European Union as it is currently formed. What we don't know, and no one does, is what the UK’s departure from this club of European nations will actually look like in the case of a potential Brexit. What we are hearing during the debates and endless column inches written in newspapers are, of course, merely opinions; opinions, which some may call scaremongering, whilst others will present them as ‘facts’, which is plainly a nonsense. We do not know, for instance, how the
Twitters from the Atlantic © Barrie Mahoney
Barrie Mahoney was a head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands to launch and edit a new English language newspaper. He enjoys life in the sun as a columnist and author, and continues to write a series of popular novels, books for expats, as well as designing mobile apps and websites to promote the Canary Islands.
remaining 27 members of the European Union will treat expats living in their countries. I suspect that, in the case of Brexit, the UK will eventually negotiate individual health, pensions and social care deals with other member states, and surely Spain, France, Portugal and Italy will be the main priority, since this is where most expats reside? However, this is merely my opinion, and not a ‘fact’, and should be treated as such. Deals affecting the residential and employment status of thousands of expats will take time, and will no doubt not be a high priority, given the many other urgent pressures facing the UK Government that would inevitably follow Brexit, but some kind of deal will happen - eventually. Once again, this is merely an opinion, and not a fact. Will we need work permits to work in Spain? Will UK pensions continue to be index linked? They may, or may not - no one knows for sure. Meanwhile, I suspect that expats will be in for an uncertain, if not rough ride for a few years. I am already hearing stories from businesses, ranging from estate agents, furniture outlets, removals and travel companies in Spain reporting that business from would be and current expats has reduced sharply. If nothing else, the current debate has shaken confidence that will put off the decision for many would be expats to move to a new life in the sun until the referendum is over. So if anyone tells you that their information is ‘a fact’, or you hear such claims on TV or read it in the newspaper, please read it with extreme caution, and don’t believe a word of it. This current demand for ‘facts’ reminds me of a comment that my father would often mutter when he was told that something was a fact. “A fact is a lie and a half” was always his response. Now I know what he meant; I suspect that he was right.
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his latest book,
‘Island in the Sun’
(ISBN: 9780992767181). Available in paperback, as well as Kindle, iBooks and Google Play editions. iPhone/iPad and Android Apps: ExpatInfo, CanaryIsle and CanaryGay now available. © Barrie Mahoney
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GETTING TO GRIPS WITH... El Dia de Canarias
11 months ago I wrote about some of the history behind ‘El día de Canarias’, and its significance. It is a bank holiday throughout the Canary Islands and this year the 30th of May celebrations will fall on a Monday, though there will be festivities taking place in all major towns, one of the very best places to participate is in the capital, Las Palmas. These events present a major opportunity to visit the city and immerse yourself in what is a thoroughly modern Canarian experience filled with colour, tradition and of course great weather. Looking at last year’s programme on the ‘Gobierno de Canarias’ website, the days prior to the 30th of May, will see numerous cultural events including film and music concerts, with major halls and theatres like the ‘Teatro By Diego Mesa Guiniguada’, presenting live performances. The theatre is named after the ravine beside where the city of Las (Puerto Rico Language Centre) Palmas was originally founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1478, . This theatre is in Vegueta (the old town), just before you get to the ‘Museo Casa de Colón’, if you are coming from the popular shopping area of Triana. On the actual day there is a big parade and all the ‘Romeros’ (the word originally for ‘pilgrims’ but now used to refer to all participants in a parade or fiesta), will usually be dressed in typical Canarian clothes). This annual procession, most years, starts in Avenida Mesa y López and ends at La Puntilla, which is on the east end of Las Canteras beach. 30th May commemorates the first day of the regional parliament of The Autonomous Community of The Canary Islands Government, in 1983.
SANDUNGA 1. Party or fun Eg. De joven si le gustaba una sandunga, pero ya no – When he was young he liked a party, but not anymore. 2. Argument, row Eg. Si hubiern tenido un poco mas de educación, no hubieran montado aquella sandunga – Had they had some manners they would not have had that row. 3. Beating Eg. Cada vez que se portaba mal recibía una buena sandunga – Each time he misbehaved he would receive a good beating. The ‘Barranco de Guiniguada’ ravine is thought to have been the north eastern dividing line between the two pre-hispanic island kingdoms of Telde and Gáldar (the Guanartematos of Tagelda n Agaldar) on the island then known as Tamaran. It is the valley that lies between Triana and Vegueta, called Calle Juan de Quesada, and it is the original route South West out of town and up toward the more rural areas of Tafira and Santa Brígida. After the city was founded, Las Palmas stayed within the areas of Triana and Vegueta for nearly 400 years, although more and more settlements expanded away from the coast between the 16th and the 18th Centuries. The city comprised of Vegueta, Triana, San José, with the main port 5 km away to the north, and surrounded some small neighbourhoods where fishermen and foreigners lived. It was only after the ‘Puerto de la Luz’ harbour was built, funded by British merchants in the 19th Century, that Las Palmas began to expand towards the north, along the coast. This led to the creation of various neighbourhoods (barrios) including Arenales, Ciudad Jardín, Alcaravaneras, Mesa y López and La Isleta. Now a capital city with two beaches, you can enjoy urban life as well as a relaxing time by the sea, stay in fantastic city hotels, such as the Hotel Santa Catalina or Hotel Reina Isabel, enjoy the history of Vegueta or shop in Triana or Mesa y López, but most of all you’ll get a buzz from the many Canarian festivities that are celebrated, and the 30th of May is certainly no exception.
Palabras Canarias Diego Mesa’s
alternative Canarian Lexicon of Colloquialisms
RABISCA A person who suddenly gets irritated without a good reason or a strong motive Eg. Era una rabisca pero la calentura e le quitaba enseguida – He would get suddenly irritated, but he would calm down quickly
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If we talk about weight gain, many fail to understand that there are different types of gain and the quality can vary. You can gain weight when you put on a lot of fat or from something much better and more effective for the figure - muscle mass. Many nutritionists are hesitant to explain this difference and often just talk to clients about fast carbohydrates - “sugar.” Naturally this can result in kilos being gained or lost throughout a client’s life, but an improper understanding can also bring on heart disorders, hormonal disruptions, and ultimately diabetes.
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Gaining Weight L i l l yR i k h t e r. c o m
It is important to start on the right path from the very beginning.
Body types, which am I? The majority of people are classified in to one of three somatotypes: endomorph (large, big-boned and naturally fuller figured); mesomorph (athletic body type) and ectomorph (fine-boned, who find it hard to gain weight). Typical ectomorphs have a lower level of physical strength and gain less volume from training. As a rule, these kinds of people are tall and thin, with relatively low levels of fat and smaller, narrower bones. Ectomorph body types have a relatively shorter torso, longer limbs, narrower feet and hands, a smaller body and relatively narrow shoulders. Ectomorphs usually have long, thin muscles, which are very slow to hypertrophy, or enlarge. Ectomorphs need to work hard to gain muscle mass as every extra 100 grams can be a real struggle while others can easily gain weight just by eating high-calorie foods. First and foremost, you must determine your daily calorie intake. On the Internet you can find a variety of tests to help you determine your daily rate, and then help How to train to gain? you adjust your intake up or down according to what you want to It is necessary to reduce all cardiovascular load, leaving only a achieve. It is important to put the right kind of energy into your body, 5-minute warm-up and cool down. Active sports will not help. to achieve the right results from your exercise. You need intense and really hard training but no more than 2-3 What to eat, and when. times per week. Polyarticular exercises, those that involve several The rules of a balanced diet should always apply. You should eat small joint movements, are great. amounts frequently. In no case should you go hungry! Count calories, Cycling uses large muscles, with enough load to help change but do not underestimate your optimum daily rate! Avoid bad fats, sugar and salt. Bad habits such as alcohol and tobacco, actually stop your hormonal system, which in turn will help stimulate muscle growth. muscle development. In the first half of the day set your emphasis on complex carbohydrates (cereals) and in the second half of the day Work with free weights. Increase the weight a small amount with focus on protein foods. This will help to give you enough of the right each workout. But, do not forget about the standard safety guidkinds of construction material and help you to recover energy. A large ance. If you are new to weights, it is a very good idea to join a amount of protein in your diet helps stimulate the production of gym, where they will show you how to use them correctly. growth hormones, which in turn can help increase muscle.
A free hour of fun and fitness every week with Lilly Rikhter Every Body welcome, every size, shape, age and ability. You’re beautiful and we know it. Now feel it! Every Sunday from midday, Parque Sur de Maspalomas No catch, no quibbles, just stretching and a little bit of sweat. Feel Fantastic ALL 2016!
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How to recover? Muscle growth only occurs during rest, not during the workout. Therefore, it is just as important to focus on recovery! Do not exhaust yourself. If you feel that you have no strength on any given day, better to skip the workout. Sleep at least 8 hours. And again, just supply your body with the right building material. Protein shakes after a workout and just before bedtime, help to address any undesirable deficits in your nutrition. If you’d like to know more, just give me a call... 671 119 222
r e t h k i Lilly R X
Ozone Gym
The Holiday World Wellness Centre in the heart of Maspalomas changed its name to the Ozone Boutique Gym after massive refurbishments last year, offering the very best and most innovative fitness industry equipment to anyone seeking to improve their physique, body care and overall levels of energy, providing excellent facilities in an atmosphere focused on wellbeing, vitality and health. With a range of guided activities, weights, cardio, personal training, massage and physiotherapy, Ozone also boast their own spa, Finnish sauna, steam bath, heated pool and solarium, even offering swimming lessons for adults and babies. Check them out at http://OzoneBoutiqueGym.com/
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Invest in your health Some people are mainly focused on the price when they look for a health insurance and they decide to contract the cheapest one, but… Watch Out! Inexpensive health insurances are available on the market at the time of contracting the policy, but as the person gets older the price of the policies drastically increases considering the change to a higher age bracket. ASSSA does not increase the price due to age, which means that the premium will remain the same age bracket that you contracted at the beginning. In the end you will pay a lower amount and your insurance will result cheaper.
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A further point to consider is the written contractual guarantee of no cancellation. If there is no guarantee and the Insurance Company cancels the policy, it may occur that contracting another insurance becomes complicated due to age or the development of some diseases. ASSSA guarantees under contract that your policy will not be cancelled, therefore you can have the peace of mind of being provided with a lifetime coverage. Health is the best investment we can ever make and as such should be treated, not as the purchase of the cheapest choice by the time of contracting. Other factors to consider are the solvency and experience of the Company, the customer service, easy access to medical assistance, medical network and coverage offered.
ASSSA puts at your disposal its solvency and more than 80 years of experience to provide you with the best personalised attention in your own language and the best health care any time you need it. Don’t wait any longer. Invest in your health with ASSSA.
Customer Service Office: Gran Canaria Nicole Schäfer
Tel. 928 778 664 Av. de Tirajana, 37 – Edif. Mercurio. Torre I, 3ºG – Maspalomas grancanaria@asssa.es
www.asssa.es
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Handy work at the British Church The mood was warm and festive at this year’s Craft Fair held in the Holy Trinity gardens in Las Palmas, despite the grey skies and the cold snaps of wind. The multi-coloured bunting flapped through the trees leading the 350 or so visitors through the stalls of hand-made goods and the all important food and drinks stalls. The attractions were plenty because this year, participants were asked to hold workshops. Lace-making, wool spinning and knitting, jewellery making, patchwork stitching were among the free classes held throughout the afternoon. “When you are a mother of four like me, key to any event you are organizing are the activities, not just to keep the little ones busy but also to inspire them. And with talented artists on hand,
it made sense to create a much more interactive experience,” said Caroline Sourt, one of Holy Trinity’s church wardens. The events hosted by the ‘British church’ have a loyal and growing following of Anglophone and Spanish visitors. For both, the friendly and relaxed community spirit provides an opportunity for cultural exchange, not just in language but in food and customs. The traditional British teas, of sandwiches and home-baked cakes, are always a culinary highlight and give solace to any home-sick expats. There were also Leonore’s delicious soups and salads, Sylvia’s Colombian specialities and new comer ‘Delicious Food’ from La Minilla shopping centre, with their Mediterranean, Indian and Indonesian delights. Inside the lovely old church, the
island’s well known music director, Ulrika Tornros led beginners and more experienced singers of all ages in a choir workshop. As the harmonies blended, and the volume rose and fell with the musical phrasing, the shy males who at first claimed they could not sing at all, found not just their voices, but a good deal of courage and enthusiasm. This marked the start of a campaign to bring singers into the church to create a Sunday choir, where members will benefit from English singing lessons. For the more athletic, Irish dancing came next with a performance from the troop’s leader, Claire McDonald, and her pupils from the British School. The foot tapping and attempted leaps and kicks by the audience during the workshop were fantastic to take part in and to watch.
“I had never heard of Irish dancing before today,” said Spanish mother of five, Anna, “but it was such fun and much better than going to the gym!” For Holy Trinity event organisers, this year’s Craft Fair was all about giving people a taste of what is to come as they build up activities in and outside the church. Next up will be the Spring Fair on 14th May, which this year is themed around the celebration of new life….we can’t wait to see what they come up with next! Meantime if you didn’t make it to the Craft Fair and are interested in any of the artists or activities provided during the event, have a look at Holy Trinity’s website or join up to their Facebook page – it will also keep you up to date on upcoming events.
http://www.gccoe.org.uk/and Facebook.com/Gran.Canaria.Anglican
The English Newspaper
T he C anary N ews . com
News, Views & Sunshine
April
2016
31
You can always find the newspaper, and often Quinny too, up in the sunspot at the top of Phase IV in the Puerto Rico shopping centre, they’ll even collect your quiz entries and letters to the editor... Send your answers by email to: Quinny@TheCanaryNews.com, text them to 626 641 537 or call 928 987 952 for your chance to win dinner for two (2 starters & 2 mains & dessert), from Taste of India, the very finest authentic New Delhi kitchen on Gran Canaria. All correct answers will be collected together, independently drawn and announced in the next edition Last edition’s winner is Juliet (by sms), who has won dinner for two at A Taste of India, Phase 2 CC Puerto Rico! (subject to availability - CALL 928 153 620) 1. Which religious figure lives in the Vatican?
6. What is the worlds largest bird?
2. Which is the worlds deepest ocean Atlantic, Pacific or Indian?
7. What name is given to a male elephant Calf, Bull, or Stag?
3. Which country did Abba come from?
8. Which country has Sofia as its capital city?
4. Donny and little Jimmy were from which family pop group?
9. Cheder cheese is made in which English county?
5. What can sometimes be found inside oysters?
10. Which alcohol is used to make a Tom Collins cocktail? Ans Frio
Ans Sausage
6. What word can go before dog, meat, roll
3. What is the Spanish word for cold
5. What’s new pussycat was a hit for which singer
2. How many points is the outer ring worth in darts
Ans Double
Ans Crocodile
1. What reptile has salt and freshwater species
Ans Tom Jones Ans Greece
4. Which country produce feta cheese
Answers from last edition
Ans Paper
8. A3, A4, A5, are sizes of what everyday item
ans Southampton
7. The Dell was the original ground for which premier league team
Ans Fire
10. Pyrophobia is the fear of what
Ans Barbie (though some say Lego or yo yo) 9. What is the worlds most sold toy
32
April
2016
News, Views & Sunshine
T he C anary N ews . com
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