November 2016 15 November - 15 December
!
The Canary Awards - Gran Canaria
We are inviting YOU to nominate outstanding individuals, businesses and organisations who, in your opinion, best represent this island and our community through their quality of service, commitment to the highest standards and by repeatedly going the extra mile. Any person or organisation can be nominated between now and January 15 when the final list will be announced and put to a public vote. It is very easy, simply email your suggestion to Nominations@TheCanaryNews.com
LIKE QUEENS
“Wild Oats� premieres November 18 across the island in film theatres at CC El Muelle, CC Vecindario, CC Las Arenas, Metropole and others. Most of the filming took place on Gran Canaria with prestigious Hollywood stars including Shirley Maclaine, Jessica Lange, Demi Moore and Billy Connolly, along with Spanish actors Santiago Segura and Tony Acosta. A wealth of locations on the island, including several from the Lopesan hotel chain, will be screened around the world in this comedy that tells the story of a widowed
lady, expertly played by Maclaine, who decides to travel to Gran Canaria with a friend, Jessica Lange, after having mistakenly received a millionaire insurance policy payout. Staying in the Lopesan Costa Meloneras, the protagonists experience an adventure of bedroom entanglements, sunshine and dangerous situations. Though clearly not to be an award winner, the heart warming plot certainly has plenty of scenes from beautiful and well known locations around the island. The shaky script does little justice to the outstanding cast, though sells the island well.
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Newsbrief... News, Views & Sunshine
November
2016
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Disco funksters Kool & The Gang to play Gran Canaria Arena
The team that brought us UB40 and the Alan Parsons project earlier this year, Gran Canaria Rock Festival, very proudly present the ensemble that, for many, are pure ‘Disco’ and the sound of the 70s and 80s, Kool & The Gang who visit this December.
Having formed in 1964 as a jazz ensemble including the brothers Robert ‘Kool’ Bell on bass and Ronald Bell on tenor saxophone, George Brown on drums, Dennis Thomas on alto saxophone; Kool & The Gang were signed to De-Lite Records in 1969. Their first hit on the US Billboard R&B chart came with the release of their debut eponymous album Kool & The Gang. Several live and studio albums followed, with 1973’s Wild and Peaceful breaking into the mainstream with “Funky Stuff”, “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging”. “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging” both sold over one million copies, and each was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Over a career spanning more than fifty years Kool & The Gang have produced some of the most memorable hits of the disco era and beyond including Summertime Madness, Get Down On It, Ladies Night, Celebration, the Grammy Award Winning Open Sesame (from the original soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever), Fresh and many, many more.
Kool & The Gang perform at the Gran Canaria Arena in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on December 7th – Tickets start at €48 each and can be bought online from events website
MASTAQUILLA.COM
A HOUSEMARTIN IN THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH Legendary singer-song writer Paul Heaton has been staying in Puerto Rico, in the south of Gran Canaria, where the acclaimed artist, famed as one of the Housemartins and The Beautiful South, has been writing for his latest album. Unfortunately the weather last month was not quite what most people expect from our 350+ days a year of sunshine and fun, leading the artist to amuse himself by posting on social media from his west hill apartment overlooking the popular tourist town : “We normally come to Gran Canaria for the sun and to make me write some nice melodies and Jonny write some happy chords. Bearing in mind that it’s rained for the last four
N ews ,
taking the opportunity to pose for caricatures drawn by some of the local street artists.
It seems Paul got back on form and has written tons of new material, boasting 24 songs in just 8 days, his fan base is sure to continue to grow on the island, particularly if he chooses to play us a gig, we know you’d all love to hear him play…
They even went to visit neighbouring San Bartolomé de Tirajana to watch a football match between local teams UD San Fernando and Arucas and found time while avoiding ...for now though we’ll need the rain to nurture to wait and see if any of that loving feeling his new material makes among some of his the grade and then give it a stickier gummy listen to see if he mentions any of our local haunts. days, get ready for a depressive acquaintances… neo-gothic album in the early When all is said and Thanks for choosing Gran Alice in Chains mode…” done though, the main reason Canaria Paul. LEGEND! he was here was to work and However despite managing to catch some of the few and only the rain never lasts long on our little island, treating our esdays of rain we ever see here, teemed guest to a lovely sunset Paul has amused himself out over Puerto Rico, sure to get among the buzzing night life, those creative juices flowing along with his travelling partagain… ners Martyn/Linda and Jonny
S unshine
Editor-in-Chief: Edward JB Timon Editor@TheCanaryNews.com
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The Canary News can not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorial, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the nonappearance of advertisements or advertorial. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any 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. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper is permitted under Creative Commons 3.0 rules of Attribution, unless otherwise stated.
Edita: JDC Canarias SL, Imprime: Canarias7, Gran Canaria, España. Deposito Legal GC1291-2013
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November
2016
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Reviewing some of the stories we’ve covered over the last few weeks.
Stay up to date at TheCanaryNews.com
Will Elton John come too?
There is no final confirmation yet nor a date so far. But they have announced that good news, along with lots of other surprises, can be expected soon. We’ll have to wait and see.
Gran Canaria Rock Festival have also confirmed online that they are in talks with Elton John, to try arrange a possible stop over on Gran Canaria during Summer 2017.
Gran Canaria Rock Festival work hand-in-hand with ticket outlet Mastiquilla, who have just recently set up in the southern town of Arguineguín, to advertise tickets for their events More and more famous faces!
Down a Dark Hall with Uma Hollywood star Uma Thurman looks set to visit Las Palmas in early December, having been signed to star in the film production Down a Dark Hall. Thurman joins some of the globally renowned actors who have shot films here in recent years including Shirley MacLaine and Brad Pitt. This latest production directed by Rodrigo Cortes and produced by Canarian Adrian Guerra is set to land on Gran Canaria in the first week of December. Thurman joins a cast which already includes Anna Sophia Robb, Isabelle Fuhrman, Rosie Day , Kirsty Mitchell, Noah Silver, Victoria Moroles, Taylor Russell and Jim Sturgeon. The whole cast will be filming in the island’s capital, in Las Palmas, and this shoot is planned to be mostly indoors. Down a Dark Hall is a thriller with supernatural elements and a gothic atmosphere. It is to be aimed at a teenage audience and is an adaptation of a book by Lois Duncan, who died last June, also the author of the famous I Know What You Did Last Summer, which too was adapted to film. First published in 1974, the film tells the story of Kit Gordy, a troubled teen entering Blackwood boarding school, a mysterious school for girls where she makes some grisly discoveries.
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New footbridge for Las Palmas port set to start construction in spring... The curvaceous walkway for pedestrians and bicycles will be 273 meters long and six meters wide and connect the area of Mercado del Puerto with Sanapú port and the new aquarium, crossing over the GC-1. The City of Las Palmas intends “La pasarela del Puerto Onda Atlántica“, will involve an invest- to begin construction of the “Port Atlantic Wave” footbridge, ment of € 2,650,498, financed during the first half of next year, through the FDCAN Developspring 2017. ment Fund Canarias, and is aimed at improving pedestrian The project will also contribute to facilitating access to cruise connectivity and accessibility tourists arriving at the port. between the port and the city.
Emergency landing on Gran Canaria An ATR CanAir (Binter) aircraft has made a successful emergency landing at Gran Canaria airport. During takeoff from the airport on La Palma island, the plane, operated by the main inter-island airline, lost part of its landing gear for reasons not yet known. The plane was not, however, carrying any passengers. Just three crew were traveling in the cabin. According to sources, the pilot purged excess fuel from the aircraft before attempting his maneuver. He also made two pre-landing approaches, before successfully completing on the third attempt. The Canary Islands Government activated their plane crash readiness action plan. Luckily however, the three crew emerged from the aircraft apparently without injury shortly after landing. Fire fighting vehicles were deployed after landing to carrying out safety protocols and inspect the runway. Meanwhile, Binter have reported that it had been a training flight without passengers, operated on a ATR 72 aircraft. They also confirmed that the plane landed at the airport in Gran Canaria without causing serious damage to aircraft or for its three occupants.
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Campsite forced to shut
The Mogán town hall has, after several months of local protests, confirmed that they plan to close the camping club at El Pinillo after 20 years of operation. They claim that they are being forced to do so by the Cabildo, however local feelings are running high and Mogañeros, who both support the facility and use it with regularity, say they feel betrayed by their mayor and their town council. Claims had previously been made that the local council were working with the association, who have run the facility for more than a decade, to try to keep it open. Association members and regular users of the popular camp site have expressed their frustration at having been given a false impression of support from local councillors causing them to “lower their guard” in the days before those affected were due to hold a ‘go-slow’ demonstration using vehicles and motor homes to travel along the GC -1, an action which had been scheduled for October 8. A month ago, the new board of the Camping Club Del Pinillo highlighted the “willingness of of Mogán” to accept new arguments that would strengthen the case to avoid the closure of the camping area.
Several have now come out to say that the clear intention of the mayor, Onalia Bueno, and the department for Town Planning was just to close the site. Most fail to understand why the Mogán town hall does not wish to show flexibility in the situation until at least December, which is when new rules, providing comprehensive solutions for all camping facilities on the island of Gran Canaria, are due to be approved. On Tuesday 8 November, the order to close the camp site was to be proposed to the Mogán Local Government who are being asked to reject arguments presented by the Club de Camping y Caravanning de Gran Canaria and confirm the closure of the establishment located at the Finca El Pinillo, El Sao, in the Barranco de Arguineguín ravine. Anyone who has travelled north from the coastal town of El Pajar, up the Soria road, in recent months may have noticed the hand-made banners demanding help to stop the closure of this popular local facility, it seems for now the town hall are not backing the wishes of the local population, choosing instead to enforce a closure that makes no sense whatsoever to local people, club members or users of the facility. There is anger.
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Over 14m tourists expected in 2016
The Canary Islands look set to end the year 2016 with more than 14 million tourists having visited, according to the latest Government forecasts. That will be the highest figure ever recorded. AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) have stated that during the first nine months of this year, the islands’ airports served 29.76 million passenger journeys, 13.4% more than by this point in 2015. Minister for Tourism of the autonomous region, Maria Teresa Lorenzo (pictured above), stressed that these growth rates have not only been maintained throughout the year, but also match the increase in airline seats announced up to March 2017, with available flights to the islands having increased by 17%. Accumulated tourist figures so far this year already exceed those counted for the same period of 2015 by more than one million visitors. The increase in visitors is also translating into an increase in spending of similar proportions, which is considered particularly important, because tourism then generates more direct revenues for the Canary Islands’ economy.
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2016
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(Left to Right) Marco Aurelio Pérez Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Antonio Morales President of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Ines Jimenez Gran Canaria Minister for Tourism, Ramón Suarez San Bartolomé de Tirajana Councillor for Tourism and Onalia Bueno Mayor of Mogán at the World Travel Market, London, 2015
Gran Canaria at the World Travel Market summer season, while in London, where they had more than 30 meetings with key tour operators, agencies and airlines from the UK. The decision to leave the European Union by the United Kingdom has not affected bookings made by the British to travel abroad this winter, and this is the ideal place to consolidate Gran Canaria as a benchmark in this market and propose new activities related to culture, gastronomy and nature so as to pique the interest of new customers ” said Morales. WTM is the most important tourism fair in Europe and is held in London from 7 to For her part, the Minister of Tourism of 9 November. Gran Canaria, as ever, will be the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Inés Jiménez, there with a large group of hoteliers and states the importance of establishing new business leaders from the island’s tourism agreements with airlines operating from sector, to establish contacts and promote the UK and ensure the continuity of routes their new products for the UK market. that currently connect Gran Canaria with 16 British cities, such as highlighting “easy The president of the Cabildo de Gran ways to get around the island and reducing Canaria, Antonio Morales, and the presicosts of plane tickets [seen as] essential to dent of the Tourist Board, Inés Jiménez, will promote tourism developments for the increasing passenger flow and increased volume of business from the UK. ”
Editor’s note: Many here will agree that it is important to reflect on the quality of tourist spending actually within the local island economy as well as incentives to encourage quality small businesses who are able to cater for an authentic experience of Gran Canaria, highlighting traditional culture and a modern range of activities that go beyond simply cheap travel, all inclusive hotels and sun on the beach, important though they may be to at least 1/3 of the market. There are real opportunities to develop a range of options that do not just encourage controlled spending, but actually cater to those who wish to move beyond simple package offerings. Let’s hope some real innovations are happening in this area too, as questions continue over the sustainability of low-cost air travel and All inclusive packages that mean the only economic benefit is for the large hoteliers, airlines and tour operators. Let’s hope organisations such as Gran Canaria Natural & Active are being well represented as well as accommodation and activities that take visitors well beyond the resort areas of the south.
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WILD OATS
November
2016
Monopol V.O cinema in Las Palmas have announced that Wild Oats will be screened in English with subtitles in Spanish!
- November 18th and 19th - 20.30 - Sunday, 20th - 18.30 - Monday, 21st to Wednesday 23rd - 21.00 -Thursday, 24th - 19.00
Though the production, renamed for Spain as Como Reinas (Like Queens), is not expected to win any oscars it is certainly a pleasure to see so many shots of well known people and places enjoying the island as well as the Lopesan Costa Meloneras Hotel. The film was shot here back in 2014, causing a frenzy of excitement, but as MacLaine’s book on the subject “My Wild Oats Adventure” reveals, the production was fraught with all sorts of problems from funding to a lack of professional organisation. The result has been a quirky mix of extraordinary performers less than adequately portrayed. Though the film itself is sweet, and almost everyone involved a well seasoned professional, the post production, along with bad scripting, seems to have let the entire cast down, leaving this production as a less than satisfying story line, shot on the most beautiful island in all the world. The best that can be said is that the crew and cast at least all found a deep genuine love for both Gran Canaria and the locals who worked so hard to make the production happen.
ALLIED Conversely the well funded and planned action romance, Allied, arrived on the island just six months ago, in the spring, bringing with it a full compliment of Hollywood production crew and main stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. By all accounts this will be an outstanding tense drama following a pair of WWII spies who fall in love and marry before one falls under suspicion of being a double agent. Set between Casablanca and London, Las Palmas provided the back drop for the majority of the North African scenes.
Pitt endeared himself to the population of Gran Canaria, consistently making time to meet ordinary people and enjoy some of the pleasures the island has to offer the discerning young man about town. Due out the last weekend in November this one is being hotly tipped for box office success.
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Upcoming Public Holidays Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious (Roman Catholic), national, regional and local festivities December 6th is Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución), and is a national holiday marking the anniversary of the Spanish referendum of December 6, 1978. This is when the country’s new constitution was approved. It was an important step in Spain’s transition to becoming a constitutional monarchy and democracy. As, this year, December 6 falls on a Tuesday, many businesses and organisations will be closed on Monday too. December 8th - Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción), is also a national holiday. Roman Catholics believe in the most pure and sinless conception by the Blessed Virgin Mary without Original Sin. The feast of Immaculate Conception/Inmaculada Concepción de María is therefore celebrated throughout Spain December 13th Festividad de Santa Lucía, is celebrated locally, particularly in the Municipality of Santa Lucia in honour of their patron saint. Popular processions of the image of Saint Lucy will take place on December 13, along with the coronation of ‘La Lucía’ with her Swedish counterpart, followed by the Day of Pilgrimage de Labradores the following Sunday. (Día del Labrador - Is the feast in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary and in particular honours agricultural workers) The Sunday after the feast of Saint Lucia the Pilgrimage of Los Labradores is honours the Virgen del Rosario. On this day, people dress in traditional clothing, and pull carts with tractors or herd cattle through the streets of the town offering visitors many typical products of the earth; wine, rum, cheese, pork rinds, gofio and fried sardines, besides a traditional concoction, a typical local drink made with rum, honey and herbs. See Page 24 for more information.
Upcoming Events of Interest December 1: Worlds Aids Day Fundraiser At the Yumbo Centre World Aids Day Charity fundraiser for the local AIDS and HIV charity ACES - Amigos Contra El SIDA. Cc Yumbo main square 21.00 Plaza de La Diversity - Dario Jaen, Live performers, a raffle with fantastic prizes including restaurant vouchers, drinks vouchers, boat trips and many, many more. A huge Ribbon is set out for people to lay candles and remember friends no longer with us. December 3-6: The 32nd Artisan Fair of Canarias at the esplanade outside the Elder and Miller buildings, parque Santa Catalina, Las Palmas 11 December, ‘Travesía a Nado Arguineguín-Patalavaca’ Mogán Council organise the third edition this epic swimming race between Arguineguín-Patalavaca.
Operation KILO November 25th (Friday) and November 26, Saturday, Operation Kilo in most major Supermarkets, gathers food for families in need on Gran Canaria. Any non-perishable foods can be donated, especially tinned food (tomato paste, corn, tuna, sardines, sausages, etc) and baby foods. Milk and juices and chocolate powder are also in high demand. This two-day event collects food for the Food Bank of Las Palmas (and from them is distributed to all the local Food Distribution Centres such as the Neighbour's Food Project in Arguineguín). You’ll find volunteers at the entrances to Alcampo, Carrefour, Hiperdino, Spar, VIVO, and many other major supermarkets. Please give generously as for as many as 10,000 people on Gran Canaria Food Banks are a major lifeline and only survive with your help.
EVENTS - here are a few of the upcoming highlights, we publish a more detailed list every Thursday on our website, collated by our social guru in the form of The Canary Weekend Tips. We love to hear about Free and low cost events suitable for the whole family - Events@TheCanaryNews.com
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria as the official venue for the celebration of this important day, under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Energy”, an event which became the forerunner to the Maspalomas Costa Canaria International Tourism Forum, which last year brought together more than a thousand people including speakers, researchers, assistants and other organisations. The Royal House have accepted the Honorary Presidency of this fourth Maspalomas Tourism Forum, a great honour not only for the popular tourist resort but the island as a whole. As well as the academic conference presenting a series of debates, the winners of the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Tourist Communication Award will also be announced.
The 4th Maspalomas Costa Canaria International Tourism Forum, on 15th and 16th December 2016, will be opened by the King of Spain, His Majesty Filipe VI. The annual event gathers hundreds of tourism professionals and specialists from the main tourism municipality of Gran Canaria. Organized by the Honourable Town Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, through their Economics, Business and Tourism Faculty, this forum provides a framework for exchanging opinions and experiences concerning the main problems and solutions in tourism, as well as new trends that are likely to influence the future of this industry. This fourth Foro Internacional de Turismo Maspalomas Costa Canaria will include collaboration from the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and Agadir Ibn Zohr University (Morocco) including also two parallel events: a Scientific Conference on Island Destination Challenges and Perspectives, and Discussion Sessions where both national and international specialists will participate in various round table sessions. King Filipe VI has agreed to chair the committee of honour of the conference event, say the San Bartolomé de Tirajana town hall, stating that the Royal House has expressed a desire for Don Felipe to discover firsthand the evolution of Maspalomas as a “target model for the century” since his last visit in 2012, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. In 2012, then Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, presided at the Maspalomas Palace of Congress over the official opening ceremony for World Tourism Day, having been selected
The cost of the Forum is of 108,516.54 euros, of which €45,000 has been supplied by the local government and the rest from other public institutions and private companies. This year’s event will explore “Trends and challenges of tourist destinations”. Academics, researchers, professionals and students will discuss trends in tourist destinations and promote multidisciplinary relations, with the support of the WTO Four round tables will thematically address Travel Motivations of the LGBT community; Health Tourism; 21st century Trends and Challenges in the hotel industry; and finally, Social Perception of Tourism in a more aware generation. There is to be an International Congress on Trends and Challenges of island destinations, and a workshop dedicated to publishing in journals that impact tourism. Management and promotion of island tourist destinations, LGTB tourism, businesses and new tourism products, public sports facilities as a complement to tourism, health tourism and quality of life, the Land Law of the Canary Islands and tourism legislation, as well as the renovation of accommodation to offer quality will all be discussed. Last year during the morning and afternoon sessions in the Expomeloneras Congress Hall, 1,100 official entries were recorded. Anyone can attend the event, so long as they subscribe online and a range of tourism global leaders will be well represented. Find out more from the event’s official website
www.ForoTurismoMaspalomas.com
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THE BRITISH SCHOOL It all began in 1966, when a group of parents, having settled on Gran Canaria, decided they wanted their children to receive a British education. The school started with about thirty students housed in a small bodega farmhouse and aimed from the off to provide an unbeatable education at the highest standards.
stature, facilities and even in number of buildings and locations. Its greatest wealth, however, remains the excellent educational quality coupled with the exceptional level of English its students accomplish.
The school routinely looks to the future and while remaining faithful to the British model set forward by the founders. The founders’ first meeting was held in Its students routinely go on to attend February 1966 at the historic British Club, prestigious national and international attended by Mrs Anne Miller, Mr Eugene universities. The British School of Gran Wagner, Mr Bob Rothwell, Mr Ken ButterCanaria also prides itself on instilling a field and Mr Francisco Ojeda (all pictured sense of social responsibility among its above) After seven months of negotiations, students, enriching their curriculum with meetings and a lot of work, the British after-school activities that allow them to School of Gran Canaria opened its doors: reach for their maximum potential. ‘The school has evidently continued to This year students have played a very acmake progress and change through the years, and I am delighted to see it continues tive role in preparing for the celebrations organised to commemorate the Golden to go from strength to strength 50 years later. I would never have dreamed of this in Anniversary, which took place officially at 1966” Anne Miller recently told reporters. the beginning of October. A time capsule was created including various messages and Since that first term, the school has not objects that were buried for future generastopped evolving, continuously growing in tions to uncover.
The students have all developed projects inside and outside the classrooms which culminated in an exhibition about the centre’s 50-year history. And all alumni were sent an open invitation to participate in this historic event. “It is they who, together with our current students, have created the history of our school and it is vital that they form part of this great celebration,” said principal Julian Clark, speaking to Spanish language daily La Provincia. “Celebrating this great birthday makes us proud, not only because of the education, values, character and personality of our centre, but also from the satisfaction of belonging to an institution recognised and valued, both on the island and abroad, for over fifty years inspiring generations” concluded principal Clark. The British School of Gran Canaria offers the very highest standards of education both in the north and south of the island. For more information visit http://bs-gc.com
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WORKING TOGETHER SELLING WITH A MULTI EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT Are you hoping to cash in on your real estate property? Listing your property with more than one agency is likely to yield you better results than just with one. Choosing a real estate agency that has a big footprint and wide reach with their listings might get you far. Previously sellers used to have to contact a large number
of agencies to achieve wide exposure. Dealing with many agencies might be difficult, cause confusions, and the agents don’t feel good about it either, because they run into problems, they might be undercut by other agencies and in the end, they avoid showing your property if they have others to show the potential client. There are better ways.
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In Canarias there is a network of real estate agents working together called BOICAN, based on the professional real estate association Acegi. If you choose an agent within this network your property has the potential of being listed with between 10-20 different of the best agencies, and the best thing is that you only have to deal with a single agency yourself. Giving the agency a multi exclusive agreement ensures that all the agencies in the network have the ability to list the property. At the same time the agent benefits as he has full control and knows he won’t be undercut by other agents. He might put more effort into selling your property when he has this assurance.
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they will be directly involved in the sale increases. This means they can put more resources into advertising which means they can spend time making your listing as attractive as possible, hire a professional photographer, pay for advertisements on your property, and so on. A multi exclusive agreement is a time limited agreement and if you haven’t sold within the agreement period you are free to consider other agencies and / or other agreements.
BOICAN is the multi-listing service in the Canary Islands, but is much more than just a shared property database. It is closely connected to the ACEGI, and as the agencies are members of both, they also must commit to a set of rules as part of BOICAN If any other agents have a client they will contact your primary and commit to a code of ethics. ACEGI is the association and is agency and all your contact will go through them and ensure working to professionalise, as much as possible, the real estate less confusion. If you have language problems that might also sector here with real benefits for the end consumer. be very helpful. The agencies share the commission when a A win-win both for property buyers and sellers, as this doesn’t sale is reached so they are all happy, and it doesn’t increase cost them anything extra, or change the commission they pay the cost for you as a seller. It is a win win. when selling. Both buyer and seller can communicate through A multi exclusive agreement puts many agencies to work for their primary agency and create a more relaxed environment in you and puts your primary agency at ease as the chance that the potentially stressful situation a property deal can be.
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ACEGI The professional business association that brings together different companies and real estate agents in the Canary Islands. It was founded in 2008 by just over twenty small entrepreneurs in the sector who, faced with difficulties and lack of representation that the business and profession presented, decided to join forces to improve all those issues that were necessary to update the sector itself, and the companies that are part of it.
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Members must adhere to rules of ethics. 102 agencies in the Canaries 42 on Gran Canaria 11 in South Gran Canaria Lists more than 2800 properties
BOICAN MLS
Has agents on the 4 largest islands; Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Members of BOICAN are also members of the ACEGI professional Fuerteventura. network.
BOICAN BENEFITS: The benefits to both the buyer and seller are important: The price is not altered: The agents do not change the price of the property since they have agreed to share the fees and these are published on their Intranet and websites. Saving time for the buyer and the seller: The operation is completed in a shorter period of time, since today they use a computer system called “SAI” to which the real estate agents have access and can see the portfolio of all member Real estate agencies in real time. Greater diffusion for the seller: In practice it is as if the sale were commissioned to hundreds of real estate agents, since they see the property in the computer system with an already existing agreement between the agents that commits them to realise the “shared operation“ It is a novel system similar to that developed in United States decades ago and has been updated with the latest technological advances. Originally the system consisted of meetings between different real estate agents in which they shared the portfolios of real estate that they had for sale in order for another agent present to look for their clients at similar properties that met their critera and then work towards a “shared operation“. In this way, the agent that has the sale order of the property yields 50% of the fees to be received in favour of the agent dealing with the buyer. The buyer only needs to work with one Affiliated Real Estate Agent who focuses on finding the property through any of the Associated Agencies.
Five Cardenas Tips To Avoid Hidden Costs During Your Gran Canaria Property Purchase Buying a property the right way in Gran Canaria is a simple process with no hidden fees or extra commissions. The costs are fixed and predictable and money changes hands between the owner and the buyer on purchase day. The estate agent’s job is to guide the buyer through the process and safeguard their interests. At Cardenas we make sure that our clients understand every stage of their purchase. We are completely transparent about what we do and where our client’s money goes. Why is this important? Unfortunately it’s possible to manipulate the property buying process to make extra money. We want to stop this dishonest practice so here are our top five tips to make sure that your Gran Canaria property purchase is completely honest and transparent. Follow them and you know that nobody is making extra money from your purchase. Pay for your property only when you sign the purchase contract Aside from a max. 10% reservation fee when you agree to buy a property, you don’t need to pay any money to the seller until the day you sign the transfer of ownership paperwork at the Public Notary. Public Notaries in Spain are impartial and honest and have a legal duty to look out for both parties’ interests. Be present at the signing of the Deeds Unless there is a good reason we advise you to be present at the Public Notary office on purchase day. Granting a Power of Attorney to third parties to handle this for you is unnecessary and puts control of your money and your purchase into the hands of others.
If you are present, you know that the process is transparent and as you expected. The signing process in Gran Canaria takes half a day and is an interesting and relaxed experience. Your agent should be there to guide you through it. Ensure contracts are signed by the buyer and seller All contracts must be signed by the buyer and the seller or their legally appointed representatives. They shouldn’t be signed by estate agents: an estate agent is not empowered to represent the seller or sign contracts for them. A contract signed by both buyer and seller ensures the transparency of your transaction. Get a detailed breakdown of purchase expenses Ensure that there are no financial surprises by asking your estate agent for a detailed list of expenses. Purchase expenses in Gran Canaria are approx. 10% of the property price for lower priced properties and closer to 8% for higher priced properties. You should know where every cent of your money is going. Get legal advice if the above is not fulfilled A reliable and professional estate agent guides you through the whole buying process so that you don’t need a lawyer. Everything should be simple and completely transparent. As soon as it’s not, for example if any of the guidelines above are ignored, seek independent legal advice. Go to a lawyer of your choice rather than one suggested by anyone else involved in the process. Following these tips guarantees your financial security and removes any chance of third parties making extra money from your property purchase.
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
€399.000 PRICES FROM
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€445.000 2-bedroom adjoined house in Puerto Rico with a fantastic ocean view and idyllic garden. Close to the beach and shopping area.
€690.000 Spacious 5-bedroom detached house in Loma Dos, Arguineguín with calm and pleasing surroundings. Swimming pool and private parking.
Contact us for more information or for a non-commital showing of any property.
Visit our offices in PATALAVACA: Radisson Blu, 2nd floor. ARGUINEGUÍN: CC Ancora Local #15 info@lacanariaestate.com
+34 928 150 763
www.lacanariaestate.com
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Children with Cancer
I was told in 2015 I had an advanced stage of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment I had was very aggressive and lasted around 6 months. During this time I was hospitalised and on an isolation ward. Forgetting the nausea and discomfort, I also suffered numerous fevers, pneumonia, thrombosis, infections, I had to have brain surgery and also lost all my body fat and muscle but during everything I never stopped fighting. I knew how precious life was and how much more I wanted to enjoy it so here I am today. It's a terrifying experience for an adult, the isolation alone can be
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soul-destroying but as adults we're strong, we have learnt to cope with situations, pain, suffering... I can only imagine how all this would feel for a child. For that reason I want to do something to give back, to say thank you for the treatment I have received and to help children who have to go through what I am going through, to make life a little easier for them, more enjoyable if possible. Each year 1,400 children in Spain are diagnosed with cancer. They have to spend weeks often months in hospital fighting the disease. Our local children's organisation "PequeĂąos Valientes" is currently raising money to better equip hospital wards for children and their families who have to spend these long periods of time there. Games, furniture, kitchen equipment... If we can help children smile whilst they and their families cope with cancer we're doing something very special. I still have my bone marrow transplant scheduled for October 2016 and then I can start the road to recovering my physical strength. Once I'm strong enough I can start to train as I plan to do the Camino de Santiago from Leon to Santiago de Compostela by bike. Our planned route is around 360-400 kilometres in total, 8 days on the road during May or June 2017. That gives me plenty of time to share my story and that of the children here who need our help. Whatever happens I'll make sure the money raised here goes to the PequeĂąos Valientes organisation in Las Palmas to buy equipment for the kids and their families who have to stay in hospital. All costs for this trip (flights, bikes, equipment, food, lodging ......) I will cover myself. Every penny donated here is for the children. The plan of course is to post the Camino de Santiago certificate once we finish for all to see.
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
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Gran Canaria’s beloved Garbo’s dinner theatre is twenty this year. The simple secret to their success is a wealth of pure talent and energy, coupled with hard work, a family-friendly atmosphere and the freshest ingredients in show business. Always LIVE, never mimed, this outstanding venue offers a fully professional dinner show with high octane musical numbers presenting hours of song, dance and even comedy delivered to your table, at a breathless pace that leaves their audiences in rapture for more. You’ll be singing along with them for sure. There is a reason why so many return here, year after year, to celebrate the very best night of their holidays, and why visitors and locals alike clamber to see the latest shows as Garbo’s continues to innovate setting the highest standards for top entertainment in The Canary Islands. Other’s may try, but these folks sure deliver. Guaranteed to entertain no matter what your age, Garbo’s is, well, simply unforgettable! Book early to be sure of a seasonal treat like none other available on Gran Canaria this winter. The Canary’s View: 5 Star
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I was reading an article from business strategist Simon Alexander Ong, when one comment really struck a chord with me. He said: “Go for a real life vision board over one made of cut-out pictures. Test-drive a sports car, rent designer clothing or book a viewing at that beautiful 7-bedroom house in the country. Not only will this show you what’s possible, but it will provide inspiration and focus for your subconscious.” Focus for the subconscious is not to be underestimated. It is scientifically proven that the subconscious accounts for 95% of the mind’s capacity, which means that 95 – 99% of our life comes from the programming in our subconscious mind. This is a hugely fascinating subject with tons of information easily found on the Internet, but suffice to say that what we put into our subconscious minds is hugely important. Working with the subconscious is something I started as a young child, although I didn’t know what I was doing at the time, and I can verify that what Simon says is true. It does work. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to travel. As a child my family wasn’t able to take me on any holidays. So, during the long six-week summer break, whilst my friends were off somewhere foreign and sunny, I would get brochures from the travel agent and plan the trip I would have taken if I could have. I’d cut out the hotels I’d stay at, and the places I’d visit, and stick them in a scrapbook. This activity kept me entertained for hours and now in hindsight I can see how doing this influenced my subconscious and helped me develop my visualisation, manifestation and planning skills. I didn’t rely solely on ‘wishful thinking’. I also made sure I was taking practical steps that would take me closer to realising my dream of travel. I figured that knowing languages would increase my chances of being able to travel and so I became meticulous about studying languages, knowing and trusting that one day, somehow, I’d be able to put them into practice. And sure enough the opportunities began to appear. At the age of 14 I got to go to France for a week and at the age of 18 I went to Spain for a week, then my ‘big break’ came when I left school at 18 and went to teach English in a Lycée in Châtres, not far from Paris, for a year.
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Then at university, I took it to the stage that Simon suggests. Now, rather than cut out pictures of where I’d go, I’d actually go into the Students’ Union travel agents and book trips that I couldn’t pay for and then cancel them a few days later before I had to come up with the deposit. At the time I never thought too much about why I did this, but I knew that one day I’d be able to pay for it all and later I understood it was my way of working with my subconscious. I became intrigued by the power, influence and sheer scope of subconscious mind and learned to work with it on a deeper level. Scientists claim that most people only access between three and 10% of their subconscious mind. That’s a tiny amount of the 95% capacity. I wanted to access more, so I learned, via different meditation techniques, how to do so. Our mind’s frequency goes from beta (normal everyday activity) to alpha (daydreaming or light meditation) to theta (deep meditation, spiritual insights) to delta (sleep). You can learn how to enter the alpha and theta states quite easily, all it takes is practice and patience. A great way to change the mind’s frequency is via a specific rhythm. A drumbeat works particularly well, between four to seven beats per second to enter theta. This has become my preferred method of working with my subconscious. After years of patience and practice it becomes easy to slip in and out of the alpha state in particular, just by relaxing and focusing on the breath. To further influence my subconscious mind during my beta times I’ve installed a program called MindMaster on my computer that flashes up subliminal messages and images that I’ve chosen to receive on my screen as I’m working. Apparently I don’t even have to be fully conscious of reading the messages or looking at the images. Without my focus my subconscious mind will pick up the messages and images. It’s early days, but I like it so far. Whichever method you choose for working with your subconscious just be sure that the messages and images you send are ones that you actually want to manifest, so when it comes to ‘wishful thinking’, be careful what you wish for, be sure to make it something positive for your life and enjoy exploring the power of the subconscious mind.
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by Karen Floyd
Shaping The Odds The global community, with a focus on Gran Canaria, where entrepreneurs help other entrepreneurs take steps in the right direction.
Any successful career requires effort, stamina and luck. Shaping the Odds helps identify the small steps you can take to improve your chances of business success one step at a time. Instead of making long term plans and rigidly sticking to them, try deciding WHERE it is you want to go, and then learn how to get there by identifying and seizing the opportunities that present themselves. Shaping the Odds in your favour. Your business, like our life, is simply what you make it! Karen Floyd lives on Gran Canaria and travels the world representing clients and enterprises from small start-ups to global operations
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El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH... Los Labradores de Santa Lucia
By Diego Mesa
The mountain village of Santa Lucia, from which the south-eastern municipality also gets its name, holds its Patron Saint’s festivities at the end of each year around the 13th of December in honour of Saint Lucy. As part of these festivities, which start a week or more before the main day you will find two spectacular elements making Gran Canaria’s celebration of this saint somewhat unique.
(Puerto Rico Language Centre) ‘La coronación de La Lucía’, sees the crowning of a young local girl, elected for that particular year to represent the island, who alongside her counterpart, a second “Lucia” selected in Sweden and flown to Gran Canaria specifically for this event, both preside over an extraordinary cross cultural celebration of innocence and the enduring relationship between Sweden and Gran Canaria. The event has been celebrated in this way since 1967, when some of the first Swedish tourists to the island recognised the two communities honouring some of the same ideals and the Saint.
Both Lucias travel around the island visiting the south and the capital promoting a very festive message of light and friendship. Special services are held in their honour.
Add to that the Romería (pilgrimage) ‘Del Labrador’ on the following Sunday, which honours the ‘Virgen Del Rosario’ and agricultural workers, and you get an extraordinary celebration of traditional rural Canarian culture, with distinct links to Sweden’s dark winter days, and the worship of holy innocence haloed in a crown of candle light! Quite the heady mix; leading to this event having become one of the most popular highlights of the year and having been declared of special tourist interest as it combines religious festivities and popular sentiments. Expect traditional costumes, music and dancing. Santa Lucía nestles some 680 metres above sea level and a little off the beaten track, up a winding mountain road, it can be reached from Vecindario and heading up on the only main road inland. There are even special buses laid on specifically for the event. So no worries about designated drivers. If you want to experience a true authentic fiesta celebration we highly recommend you taking a trip up the mountain.
Palabras Canarias Diego Mesa’s
Have a look at the following Canarian words:
alternative Canarian Lexicon of Colloquialisms
CAÑERO – What is commonly known in Spanish as ‘cañaveral’, which is a raw cane sugar plantation. Eg. ¡Qué rica está el azúcar directamente del cañero! - The sugar straight from the raw cane sugar plantation is really yummy! The person in charge of managing the water distribution in a community of irrigators. PISCO – It originates from the English words ‘a piece’. Therefore ‘a pisco de’ refers to ‘a piece of’ something. Eg. ¿Puedo probar un pisco de queso? - Can I try a piece of cheese? As you get further inland from the coast and up into the mountain region surrounding the municipal capital you find yourself in an agricultural environment, among the ‘Caldera de Tirajana’s’ steep hillsides. These are made up of a number of small villages including La Sorrueda & Rosiana, in one of the most fertile valleys of the south. This area has been populated since pre-hispanic times, and indeed, you will pass the ‘Ansite’ rock, where the ancient inhabitants defended their very last “fortress” before the conquest was complete. Here visitors come into contact with the ancients, in one of the landscapes least touched by man,
surrounded by ravines, rocks and cliffs. Once the conquest was complete, this among many other areas in the south east of Gran Canaria was dedicated to sugar cane, a product destined for the Northern European markets, until New World plantations started to dominate. And between the 16th and the 18th Century, the growth of cereals such as corn, malt and barley were grown too. By 1815 the municipality of Santa Lucía had been designated as a separate administration, only a year after the construction of the parish church which was named after their patron.
During the twentieth century tomato growing boomed and many businessmen in the south saw the prospects for the combination of good weather, cheap land and large plains perfect for cultivation of this crop destined for Britain and elsewhere. Land owners started to invest heavily in improving their farmlands ready for production, with warehouses springing up and wells being drilled. Since 1960 Santa Lucía became the cost effective residential area of choice for many workers from the construction and hotel industries in the south of the island following the steep rise in prices that followed the tourism boom.
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Language Lessons
with Theresa Coe
INTERCAMBIO DE IDIOMAS
Intercambio de idiomas
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
v
LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
¿Quieres encontrar tu grupo más cercano?
ÚLTIMAS ENTRADAS
30 JUNIO, 2016 12:05 PM / DEJA UN COMENTARIO
¿QUIERES ENCONTRAR TU GRUPO MÁS CERCANO?
Please visit our groups page to see the list of free language exchange clubs or intercambios
de idiomas in Gran Canaria where you can practice conversation in different languages. Each
has a contact in case Seguir Language Exchange Gran Canaria |one Intercambio De Idiomas
you have any questions. Each language exchange group, Spanish
conversation club or English conversation group is independent and has its own style but the
majority offer informal chats (NOT classes, although some are led by language teachers).
Some speak in just one language – e.g. Spanish – but most exchange English for Spanish and German etc.
Pincha en nuestra página de GRUPOS para encontrar tu intercambio de idioma más cercano para practicar la conversación en idiomas diferentes. Cada uno tiene un contacto por si
tengas alguna pregunta. Todos los grupos son independientes y tienen su propio estilo pero
la mayoria son charlas informales en un solo idioma (ej English club) o intercambian español
por inglés y alemán etc. Nota que estos grupos NO son clases, aunque algunos se llevan por profesores.
Please visit our groups page to see the list of free language exchange
clubs or intercambios de idiomas in Gran Canaria where you can practice…
VECINDARIO: ENGLISH/SPANISH NOW 19H IN NEW LOCATION With English/Spanish teacher Ana
Soriano and Elizabeth from England calle Benecharo 49 cerca de la
policía local de Vecindario Please check with Ana before
Vecindario: English/Spanish now 19h in new location
attending/contacta…
15 JUNIO, 2016 10:42 AM / DEJA UN COMENTARIO
With English/Spanish teacher Ana Soriano and Elizabeth from England calle Benecharo 49 cerca de la policía local de Vecindario
Please check with Ana before attending/contacta con Ana antes de asistir. Whatsapp/SMS: 663 28 88 39. Email anasoriano912@gmail.com
Facebook: LANGUAGE EXCHANGE VECINDARIO
LOST IN TRANSLATION: ADJECTIVES, CONNECTORS AND PREPOSITIONS Divertido – fun or funny? Mixing up
FUN and FUNNY is a really common mistake in English. Fun means
Lost in translation: adjectives, connectors and prepositions
entertaining (entretenido): ‘The party was fun…
31 MAYO, 2016 2:17 PM / DEJA UN COMENTARIO
LOST IN TRANSLATION: LOS NOMBRES/NOUNS Cita – date or appointment? If it´s
romantic , it´s a date. ‘I have a hot
date tomorrow with a cute guy’ (un chico mono).…
Divertido – fun or funny? Mixing up FUN and FUNNY is a really common mistake in English. Fun means entertaining (entretenido):
Seguir
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with with Theresa Theresa Coe Coe
News, Views & suNshiNe ews,,VViews iews&&sSuNshiNe unshine NNews
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Find your nearest nearest LEG: LEG: Find your
LanguageExchangeGC.es LanguageExchangeGC.es .
siN palabrotas – without swearwords siN palabrotas – without swearwords
Here are some slang expressions that are really common, but Here are some slang expressions that are really common, but nothing vulgar: nothing vulgar: Es un rollo (ROH-yoh) it´s a pain or a real drag Es un rollo (ROH-yoh) it´s a pain or a real drag ¡Vaya! Well! Wow! Oh no! ¡Vaya! Well! Wow! Oh no! Total (toh-TAl) in short/in a nutshell Total (toh-TAl) in short/in a nutshell ¡Qué feo! how nasty! (lit: how ugly) ¡Qué feo! how nasty! (lit: how ugly) Por si las moscas… just in case (normally ‘por si acaso’) Por si las moscas… just in case (normally ‘por si acaso’) Voy al grano I´ll get to the point Voy al grano I´ll get to the point Irse por las ramas to beat around the bush (‘to go Irse por las ramas to beat around the bush (‘to go around the branches’) around the branches’) Estar to Estaren enun unlio lio tobe beininaamess/tight mess/tight spot spot Tener un lio/rollo to have a fling Tener un lio/rollo to have a fling Meterse to Meterseen enlíos líos toget getinintrouble trouble(to (to put put oneself oneself in in troubles) troubles) Estar to Estarplof plof tobe bewiped wipedout/knackered out/knackered Montar un jaleo (hah-leH-yo) to make Montar un jaleo (hah-leH-yo) to makeaa fuss fuss or or aa racket racket Estar to Estarpelado/estar pelado/estarsin sinun unduro duro tobe bebroke/out broke/out of of cash cash (lit: (lit: totobebepeeled) peeled) Un/una aamate/pal Un/unacolega colega mate/pal ‘chacho/’chacha boy/girl ‘chacho/’chacha boy/girl(from (frommuchacho/a muchacho/a -- only only in in the theCanaries) Canaries) Un dirty Unviejo viejoverde verde dirtyold oldman man(‘green (‘green oldie’) oldie’)
waNtto topractice practicespeakiNg speakiNg spaNish? spaNish? waNt overthe theisland islandwe wehave havefree freeconversation conversationclubs clubs in in Spanish Spanish AllAllover or english as well as language exchanges where people of difor english as well as language exchanges where people of ferent nationalities help each other out by chatting in Spangferent nationalities help each other out by chatting in Spanglish.These Thesegroups groupsare areNOT NOTclasses classesbut butare areaagreat great way way to to meet meet lish. newpeople people––especially especiallylocals locals––and andpractice practiceyour your Spanish. Spanish. new Checkout outthe thenew newwebsite websitefor forthe theleG leG(language (language exchange exchange Check GranCanaria) Canaria)which whichI´ve I´vejust justlaunched launchedto tocomplement complement the the Gran Facebook page. Facebook page. Hereyou youcan canfind findaaselection selectionof ofmy mybest bestSpanish Spanish lessons lessons from from Here The Canary News updated and categorized, which I´ll be addThe Canary News updated and categorized, which I´ll be addingtotoevery everyweek. week.More Moreimportantly, importantly,I´ll I´llkeep keepthe the listings listings upuping datedsosoyou youcan caneasily easilyfind findthe theleG leGgroup groupnearest nearest to to you you or or dated latest event taking place such as cinema trips, hiking or ‘Spanlatest event taking place such as cinema trips, hiking or ‘Spanglish’meals mealsout. out. glish’
Facebook.com/leGintercambio Facebook.com/leGintercambio The author of our
The author of our Spanish lessons Spanish lessons these last six these last six years is Theresa years is Theresa Coe from London, Coe from London, who is based in who is based in Playa del Inglés. Playa del Inglés. She´s launched a She´s launched a new website new website including the best of her lessons from thispaper paper including the best of her lessons from this (revised and updated) updated) and andthe thelatest latestnews newson onlanguage language (revised and exchange events around the island. New lessons willbe be exchange events around the island. New lessons will added as often often as as possible. possible.She´d She´dalso alsolove loveto tohear hear added as ideas from readers for her next few columns in The ideas from readers for her next few columns in The Canary News. What What would wouldyou youlike liketo tobe beable ableto tosay sayinin Canary News. Spanish? Just email her or contact her via the website Spanish? Just email her or contact her via the website
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Twitters from the Atlantic © Barrie Mahoney
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE So, who has heard of the Savage Islands? I guess many have, if you happen to be Portuguese, but maybe less so if you happen to live elsewhere. The Savage Islands are a small Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic, 280 kilometres south of Madeira, and close to the west coast of Africa. Sadly, despite the usual friendly relations between the two neighbours, there is now a growing dispute between Spain and Portugal. Basically, the argument boils down to the differences between an island and a rock, but is heavily influenced by endless greed for oil.
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.
significant amount of oil and gas. Seizing an economic opportunity, the Spanish authorities filed an application with the United Nations to expand their continental shelf in the Atlantic between the Canary Islands and Madeira by 296,000 square kilometres.
Meanwhile, from mid-August 2016, Portugal’s Maritime Police have started to patrol the disputed territory in order to “exercise state authority with regard to monitoring, surveillance and navigation safety, as well as supporting the protection and preservation of the marine environment, people and property”. Police will also be based The archipelago is a Natural Reserve, and permanently on the Savage Islands, supported comprised of two major islands and several islets by the installation of radar, a water desalination of varying sizes. The archipelago is administered plant and an energy supply system. However, by by the Portuguese municipality of Funchal, all accounts, the police are not too keen to be Madeira, and is the southernmost point of stationed on the island, since it is not permaPortugal. In 1971, the Savage Islands were nently inhabited and which their union regards as designated as a natural reserve, recognising their “a decision that is offensive to human dignity”. I role as a very important nesting point for several would have thought an all-expenses paid holiday species of birds. on a near-deserted island would be just the perk that many police officers would crave for. Mind Portugal and Spain have been in dispute about you, with a name like ‘The Savage Islands’, maybe the waters around the islands for many years, there is good reason for their reticence. and in a proposal sent to the United Nations in 2014, Spain renewed its intention to demand a Of course, politics is, as usual, at issue here. share of the potential prosperity in the waters off Spain is expected to continue to raise the case these islands. Portugal claims that the islands are of its dispute with the UK over the ownership islands, whereas Spain states that they are only of another ‘rock’, Gibraltar. Since Spain feels so rock formations, which makes all the difference strongly about its territorial claims over Gibraltar, under international law. A country has sovereign- logically it should also respect Portugal’s claim ty over islands lying within 200 nautical miles of over the Savage Islands. Since both countries are the coast, but this sovereignty does not exist with members of the EU neither government wishes rocks. The status of the islands is also important the dispute to get out of control, so maybe it will for Portugal, since a decision will eventually debe kicked once again into the long grass. In any termine Portugal’s southernmost border. case, although Portugal and Spain will continue Of course, once again, it is oil that is at the centre their verbal dispute, it is likely that the argument will eventually be resolved by mutual division of of the argument, since the area in question, the disputed territory. which is broadly the size of Italy, contains a
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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YOUR HEALTH WELL INSURED
Are you unsatisfied with your health insurance or are you looking for one that meets your needs?
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria
Personalised customer service in your language With ASSSA you can count on a personalised, friendly and professional service. From the first day you will be allocated to a particular person in your local ASSSA branch who will assist and guide you whenever necessary in a friendly and promptly manner. You will not come across any language barriers, as you will be attended in your language by the multilingual staff at ASSSA. Also, the majority of doctors and medical centres either speak your language or offer translation services. A custom-made insurance ASSSA has different levels of coverage and services in their insurance policies. You can even have the option to choose a more comprehensive level of coverage which offers free choice services with a reimbursement option. You would have immediate access to GP’s, specialists and emergency assistance in numerous and prestigious private medical centres. Moreover, ASSSA offers the possibility of a second medical opinion and being preventive by carrying out an annual check-up. Insure your health with ASSSA
Has your insurance premium been incremented due to an age increase?, has it been cancelled?, are you unhappy with the service?, is your medical directory or are your coverages insufficient?, are you looking for an insurance policy that meets your requirements? Then the health insurance offered by ASSSA may be of your interest. Unique guarantees ASSSA does not increase your premium or cancel your policy due to age or illness and also guarantees this by contract so that you will have the peace of mind to be covered for life.
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The English Newspaper
T he C anary N ews . com
News, Views & Sunshine
November
2016
31
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 a day trip for two on the Afrikat (see pages 12 & 13). All correct answers will be collected together, independently drawn and announced in the next edition Last edition’s winner is Elsie and Jack, (Sunspot), who have won 3 bottles of Award winning Gran Canaria wine from Bodegas Tunte - Call 928 987 952 to collect.
1. Who’s death is celebrated November 5th?
6. Where does a blacksmith heat his metal?
2. What building was he planning to blow up?
7. Which team play football at Turf Moor?
3. What was the name given to the act he was plotting?
8. What are the tracks called on bulldozers and heavy plant machines?
4. Rick Parfit is in which pop group?
9. What do dolphins use to navigate?
5. Blue, killer, and minky are types of which animal?
10. Wet and dry flies are used in which pastime? Ans Germany
Ans Halloween
2. Which pagan ceremony comes at the end of October?
Ans 8th
1. October used to be what number month in the calender?
5. The Octoberfest is a beer festival in what country?
4. Do the clocks go forward or back in October? ans Back
Ans Trick or treat
3. On that night of the celebration children go out doing what?
...
Answers from last edition
Ans Paul McCartney
8. Who’s the front man with the band wings? Ans Sangre
7. What is the Spanish word for blood? Ans A Kilt
6. All competitors must wear what to compete in the highland games?
Ans around his neck
10. Where would a scout wear a Woggle?
Ans Portsmouth
9. Which football team play at Fratton Park?
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November
2016
News, Views & Sunshine
T he C anary N ews . com
El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria