Edited by Seven Islands Media Group S.L.U. Also distributed in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote
1.50€ at newsagents
THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FRIDAY 10th JANUARY TO THURSDAY 23rd JANUARY 2020
property
guide
EDITION 642
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT INSIDE
PAGES 41 - 48
CANARY PRESIDENT CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY IN 2020 Islands urged to respond to new challenges
T
HE Canar y Islands have been urged to stay strong and united as 2020 brings a whole new set of challenges, including the way ahead for tourism, Brexit and a possible economic slowdown. In a New Year message, president of the archipelago Angel Víctor Torres Pérez says society will be put to the test but no-one should rest on their laurels. He admits that 2020 will not be an easy year but insists “a better Canary Islands IS possible.” “We can’t be content. We must aspire to more. We must long for ever ything good,” he has urged. In his New Year message, Sr. Pérez says the path to a new Canaries began a few months ago but it had not been an easy start, with a chain of events putting the archipelago to the test.
First, there had been the devastating fire in Gran Canaria last August when thousands of people had to be evacuated from their
homes as the flames swept the summit, causing major damage. Then, Tenerife had faced a huge electricity blackout
Magi arrive in style!
T
ENS of thousands of people took to the streets of Tenerife to celebrate the Spanish Christmas and traditional Three Kings’ parade on January 5th.
From north to south, the celebrations saw the Magi arrive in a variety of ways, including in open-top sports cars. In Santa Cruz, a massive crowd of 18,000 in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López football stadium saw them disembark from two helicopters. As usual, the festivities everywhere were accompanied by music, dancing, entertainment and of course thousands of sweets!
which left most of the island in the dark for hours and caused widespread consternation. “And finally, another challenge, the bankruptcy of tour operator Thomas Cook,” said the president. He feels the crisis had been dealt with effectively “but it made us more aware of our fragility and the need to review our tourist model.” “All this in just six months. And honestly, as president and as citizen, I was touched by the way in which the
Canary Islands have been able to react with integrity, maturity and effectiveness in front of all those problems,” he said. “The key has been in unity of action, in solidarity and in the effort. They are the values that accompany the Canaries both inside and outside our land.” Sr. Pérez said there could be an economic slowdown because of Brexit and climate change would be a real challenge. There would also be the migrants’ crisis to deal
with, with more and more boats arriving each week from Africa and domestic violence remained a real problem, as did the distribution of wealth. However, he believes the Canaries will respond in the best way possible as the archipelago had always been isolated and faced its own battles, making solidarity the key to success.
ISSUE 642
CONTENTS 02
LOCAL NEWS
11
COMMUNITY NEWS
12
CANARY ISLANDS NEWS
15
FINANCIAL NEWS
16
SPANISH NEWS
22
ENGLISH LIBRARY
23
OUR COLUMNISTS
24
PET’S / MOTOR WORLD
25
EATING OUT & ABOUT
30
THE LOOKOUT
32
HEALTH MATTERS
34
CLASSIFIEDS
35
A-Z SERVICES
36
CONTACTS
37
SPORTS NEWS
40
PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT
Edited by: Seven Islands Media Group S.L. GENERAL ENQUIRES: info@tenerifenews.com Office hours: 9:30am to 13:30pm Monday to Thursday Tel: 922 30 49 87 APARTADO DE CORREOS 54 38390 SANTA ÚRSULA TELEPHONE: (+34) 922 30 49 87
Email: info@tenerifenews.com
SEVEN ISLANDS MEDIA GROUP S.L. DEPÓSITO LEGAL - TF 2312/95 ® ISSN 1573-7927 ISLAND GAZZETTE
TERMS & CONDITIONS CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND/OR EDITORIAL. 1. CREDIT TERMS: a) All advertisers must pay within seven days of publication date or as agreed with the Publisher. b) All adver tisements are subject to I.G.I.C. at the current rate. c) Any advertiser disputing an Invoice for whatever reason must raise the issue within seven days of the issue date or receipt of that invoice, whichever is the soonest. Failure to register the query within the period will nullify any claim. 2. PUBLISHER: a) The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by the total or par tial failure (however caused) of publication or of the distribution of any edition of the Tenerife News in which an adver tisement is scheduled to appear. b) The Publisher reserves the right to refuse inser tion of any advertisement even though accepted and paid for and to make any alteration deemed necessary. c) PLACEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Unless specifically requested by the advertiser and with a payment of an additional 50% in cost, advertisements will be placed "Run of Paper" and no claim may be made against the publisher if the advertiser does not agree with the placement. However, advertisers requests will be taken into consideration wherever possible. 3. ERROR IN ADVERTISEMENTS: a) In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement outside the publisher's control, the publisher will re-inser t the correct advertisement in a following issue at no extra cost to the client, except in the case of paragraph c) below. b) No re-insertion, refund or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the adver tisement. c) No re-insertion, refund or adjustment will be made where the client has received, proofed, corrected and returned the advertisement to the Publisher. d) Although errors are usually rectified immediately, the Publisher is unable to accept responsibility for repetition of any error on subsequent insertions. 4. COPY: a) All copy is subject to the approval of the Publisher who reserves the right to refund, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements or editorial submitted to them at their discretion and without explanation. The Publishers do not hold themselves responsible for the content of articles supplied by its contributors or any loss or damage resulting from the insertion of wrong dates or times. b) The Publishers do not hold themselves responsible for loss or damage to ar twork, photographs or editorial. c) The pages in Tenerife News may vary by approximately 5% in size to suit technical requirements of different printing presses. d) The use of full colour or spot colour within Tenerife News may vary in quality of reproduction. 5. CANCELATION: Advertisements, once accepted, and the contract has been signed by the client or his representative, cannot be cancelled. 6. BOX NUMBERS: Box number replies will be forwarded as soon as possible but we do not accept liability in respect of any loss or damage alleged to have arisen through delay in forwarding such replies however caused. OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS TO TENERIFE NEWS ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF OR THE PUBLISHERS, WHO CAN TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING FROM THEM OR FROM ADVERTISEMENTS AND THEIR CONTENT. TENERIFE NEWS is published and distributed fortnightly. The contents of this publication are the property of the Publisher and nothing may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the express permission of the Proprietor.
LOCAL
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
STRENGTHENING SECURITY
New fire station in Güímar is a top priority
A
new fire station in Güímar and greater transparency will be two of the main targets of Tenerife’s Fire Consortium in 2020.
Its most recent meeeting, chaired by the insular director of security of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Cayetano Silva, approved the lines of action for this coming year. The opening of the Güímar Fire Station is one of the most important actions and the project already has a budget. “It will have a permanent staff of four firefighters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
All this will serve to improve response times in the Güímar Valley area and, in this way, strengthen the safety of the whole of the island of Tenerife,” said Cayetano Silva. Three to four months of processing is envisaged, which is the normal time, and another six for the construction of the park, so it is hoped to have the new station up and running in one year.
Another of the relevant issues for this year is the implementation of the institutional transparency model. “It is essential that the procedures and actions be
transferred to the rest of the citizens in a clear, truthful and accessible manner, which will result in the creation of an environment of trust and security, ” said the insular director.
FREE TRANSPORT
Arona provides further support for cancer patients
A
RONA is offering cancer patients free transportation to the metropolitan area and physiotherapeutic and aesthetic support.
Councillor for Social Services, Elena Cabello, signed agreements with the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and with the Association of Women with Breast Cancer of Tenerife (Ámate). There will now be free transportation for patients and family members to hospitals in the metropolitan area such as water rehabilitation programmes and comprehensive, psychological, aesthetic and physiotherapeutic support. Arona council has renewed the three specific programmes that it currently maintains for cancer patients and their families and that it carries out in collaboration with both the Association of Women with Breast Cancer of Tenerife (Ámate), and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), which add to the close cooperation with other organisations, such as the Career for Life Foundation, with which it contributes to
fundraising for research and other projects that improve the quality of life of these people. Kilometre solidarity is the programme that allows Arona to offer cancer patients free transportation from the headquarters of the AECC of Los Cristianos to hospitals in the metropolitan area, where they receive treatment, a fundamental issue for themselves and their families, in the absence in the southern region of a public and comprehensive medical service for them. The agreement also contemplates the maintenance of apartments and shelters for those who are forced to move, in addition to providing family members with a break in the accompaniment tasks. “Mucho por vivir ” is a swimming programme in the Los Cristianos municipal swimming pool for cancer patients who have undergone the removal of a lymph node and have received radiotherapy, with the aim of
Police chase in La Laguna
SHOP BURGLARY
T
WO men aged 21 and 22 years were caught in the act of trying to rob a shop in La Laguna.
A citizen raised the alert after seeing them breaking in. Police attended and saw the pair by a broken window. Both tried to run away, with one being caught immediately and the other chased and then found hiding under a car. On the scene, the officers found a mechanical jack and gloves, allegedly used to commit the events.
improving their quality of life and improving mobility of the affected limb . The Mayor of Arona, José Julián Mena, stressed the importance of “supporting 365 days a year for cancer patients, with physiotherapeutic, psychological or aesthetic services, in addition to facilitating transport to hospitals in the metropolitan area, always with the claim of the need for these treatments to be offered, once and for all, in the southern region, as we
have been demanding for many years. ” Elena Cabello said: “Arona tries to provide comprehensive and real support to cancer patients, providing different services to them and their families, to improve their quality of life and also, in the case of transport, treatments. Having to travel regularly to hospitals when suffering from cancer, with the mobility difficulties we have on motorways, can become a very important problem. ”
Caught selling drugs in capital
N
TEEN ARRESTED
ATIONAL Police arrested a young man aged 19 for selling hashish in a street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Officers were on routine duty to prevent drug trafficking in leisure areas and public roads when they observed and identified a person who was in a place where retail sale of narcotic substance usually occurs . After the relevant identification and registration, the drugs were found in a bag he was carrying, as well as in his pocket.
LOCAL 03
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Tenerife strives to be a La Laguna ties up with Ibiza pet-friendly island L without abuse TOURISM IDEAS
A Laguna and Ibiza have been sharing tourism and commercial strategies as World Heritage cities.
Councillor for tourism and commerce of La Laguna council, María José Roca held a working meeting with her namesake of Ibiza town, Dessiré Ruiz. The aim was to share strategies and initiatives in tourism and commercial matters between both locations that share the title of World Heritage from UNESCO. Ibiza currently also holds the presidency of the Group of Spanish World Heritage Cities. María José Roca stressed that “we believe it is important that both places share their initiatives in the tourism and commercial fields, due to their double status as World Heritage and island cities.” The councillor stressed that “we have a common work to do, so we have established the basis for future meetings, in which joint actions are shared in both territories with the aim of making the most of the decoration held by both Ibiza and La Laguna.”
LIFELESS BODY
Worried neighbours raise alert
F
IREFIGHTERS of Tenerife found the body of an elderly man who died in his home in Granadilla.
The crew from San Miguel de Abona recovered his lifeless body after receiving an alert from neighbours who had not seen him for several days in the area where he lived. Access had to be made through the balcony using a fire lift to the second floor. The Local Police collaborated in the rescue work.
CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
M
ORE than 120,000 people have already shown their support for the #YoNoComproAmigos campaign.
The initiative on animal welfare is promoted by the agriculture department of Tenerife Cabildo, directed by Javier Parrilla. The campaign, which can be followed through bienestaranimaltenerife.es and on social networks, features actors Aaron Gomez and Jose Ramallo. Over 80,000 people have seen the stories of both with their respective pets on social networks. The initiative was launched last November with the objective of promoting adoption rather than the purchase of a pet, especially at Christmas. In the same way, the campaign also wants to make visible the enormous work of shelters, associations and centres, as well as to value and strengthen the volunteer work carried out by numerous anonymous people who help to care for, protect and locate companion animals that, for various
reasons. reasons, are just abandoned. “An animal is never a toy and, therefore, the adoption of a pet, rather than an unexpected gift, must be a consensus decision among all family members involved in their care,” says the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Javier Parrilla. “When deciding to increase the family with a companion animal, awareness, commitment, dedication, as well as multiple care and responsibilities, such as vaccination or identification, are necessary. A pet is a vulnerable living
being that fully trusts its adopter and its survival depends exclusively on him. Hence the need to reflect long before deciding to bring a pet into your home.” At the end of January, it is planned to make a video tribute to those people who have decided to expand their families through the adoption of a pet. Singer-songwriter Sito Morales, with his song “Qué bueno encontrarte!” (“How nice that I have found you!”) is in charge of putting a soundtrack to this first experience with more than 300 images that the campaign has been collecting.
04
LOCAL
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
MAGNIFICENT PROMOTION
LONG-TERM REPERCUSSIONS
Teide gets a star role on Cabildo 2020 Japanese calendar finances new study on breast cancer T
ENERIFE Cabildo is promoting a study on the long-term repercussions of breast cancer in women.
An image of Teide stars on the calendar that the Tourist Office of Spain in Tokyo has prepared for 2020
T
HE volcanic icon of the island illustrates the month of January and will be sent to about 1,000 people responsible for the tourism industry and travel agencies of the Japanese country, including those of European tour operators and airlines that are based there. CEO of Tourism of Tenerife, David Pérez, said: “We are ver y satisfied with this promotion of our destination, with the emblem that most identifies us and which more than four million people visit each year.” This was endorsed by the director of the Turespaña OTS in Tokyo, Magí Castelltort, who
confirmed that during a recent visit by a delegation of Japanese travel agents to the island, he was delighted with the landscape of the north and the Teide. The chosen photograph, provided by Turismo de Tenerife, shows the National Park with the Teide peak in the background and the Forest
Crown in the foreground, as well as part of the La Orotava Valley and the striking sea of clouds. Many will consider it the Spanish Fuji, with which El Teide has important similarities. Mount Fuji, with 3,776 metres of altitude, is the highest mountain on the island of Honshu and all of Japan. Like El Teide, it is a volcano, and represents a symbol for the Japanese. “Spain has already become a preferred destination in Japan. Thanks to this, the inclusion of the island in the aforementioned calendar will
allow us to gain visibility, which is presented as a great opportunity to open up to that market, ” said Magí Castelltort. Tourists from Japan who know Tenerife are young adventure lovers who travel on their own instead of by hiring organized circuits. More than half a million Japanese people spent their holidays in Spain last year, with a growth of 24 percent compared to 2017. Together, they left 982 million euros in the destination. Most spend between four and seven days at the destination.
The Breast Cancer Association of Tenerife, Ámate, coordinates this project, which is carried out through the Insular Network for Gender Equality Tenerife Violeta. The study is called “Repercussions of breast cancer in the lives of women” and will be looking at the consequences of the disease and its impact on the lives of women from a social, labour and psychological aspects. Insular advisor of social action, Marián Franquet said the Cabildo was financing this study, which coordinates the Breast Cancer Association of Tenerife (Ámate) and is directed by the professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of La Laguna, Carmen Nieves Pérez. Marián Franquet said there are few studies on what happens in the years after a diagnosis is made and those studies that have been done are mostly focused on the immediate consequences of the disease and on treatments in different areas. Hence, this
project comes to cover that gap, delving into both the psychological and health effects as well as the social and occupational effects and women’s views on the role of professionals. It is about offering a complete analysis of the effects of breast cancer in women five years after its detection. “For this reason, the variables that condition the day-to-day life of women with breast cancer will be approached from a multidisciplinary perspective to help the women who participate in the study understand their own experiences, to make this problem known to the general population and to serve the institutions that have links with women and this disease,” said a Cabildo spokesman. The study, whose results will be known in approximately twelve months, provides for questionnaires and interviews with women users of the Breast Cancer Association of Tenerife, patients from the two public hospitals of the island and users of social networks.
MOTORCYCLIST INJURED
INNER COURTYARD
Pedestrian dies in La Orotava
Man dies in roof fall
A
man died after being involved in a collision with a motorcycle in La Orotava.
The accident happened on the TF-324. The pedestrian was 70 years of age. A 29-year-old man suffered severe trauma and was taken in a medicalised ambulance to the University Hospital of the Canary Islands The Canary Emergency Service and local police attended following a call to the 112 control centre. On arriving at the scene, the SUC staff confirmed the death of the pedestrian due to the seriousness of the injuries he presented and attended and transferred the rider of the motorcycle to hospital.
A
man died after plummeting from a building in Santa Cruz. The emergency services believe he was trying to access the first floor from the roof of the five-storey property but fell into the inner courtyard. Firefighters from the Santa Cruz provided access to the patio for members of the Canary Islands Emergency Service, National Police, Local Police and Forensic Police.
Bettenhaus Hammerer R
THE LEADING BED SPECIALIST IN TENERIFE
*
Exclusive in Bettenhaus Hammerer
Giving quality of rest is giving quality of life! Great variety in sofa beds at an excellent price!
The latest novelties in beds, sofas, furniture,etc... and to feel compfy: duvet covers to fall in love!
NEW Los Realejos / El Toscal Los Realejos / El Toscal :
Orthopedic fitness mattresses, slatted base, bunk beds, foldaway beds, sofa beds, etc... Apartment facilities, table & chairs, sofas and rattan furniture. Quality, recognised branded furniture from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. Specialised in large sized beds and bed linen. Free delivery and installation of beds and furniture in Tenerife. BOXSPRING BEDSWe can also deliver to other islands and can take your old bed away upon request.
San Miguel / Las Chafiras
www.bettenhausteneriffa.com Avda. Claudio Delgado
O U R PA R T N E R S :
Calle El Toscal 7 Tel.: 922 36 24 08 bettenhaus@hammerer.biz
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:30 Saturday 10:00 - 13:00
Díaz 23 Tel. 922 70 35 22 office-sur@bettenhaus.biz
Monday - Friday 10:00-13:30 / 15:00-18:30 Saturday 10:00-13:30 vicios vicios
LOCAL
06
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
“AQUATIC PREVENTION”
Campaign group continues safety campaign as drowning figures revealed
A
total of 57 people lost their lives in the Canary Islands due to drowning in 2019, including three men whose bodies have not yet been located. This figure is higher than the previous year when 56 deaths were recorded. Comparing the figure with that of 2017, which registered 93 deaths, a reduction of 38.7% is observed, which means 37 less. The monthly mortality on the coasts and aquatic facilities of the Canary Islands during the twelve months of 2019 drops to an average of 4.6 bathers, a figure similar to the previous year, while in 2017 it stood at 8 per month. These figures are prepared by the promoters of the first audiovisual campaign of the EU for the Prevention of Accidents in the Aquatic Environment ‘Canarias, 1500 km of Costa’, an initiative of public interest sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria and official
collaborator of ADEAC- Blue flag Spain. The total number of affected in the environment of the Canary archipelago in the twelve months of 2019, including the 57 dead, reaches 127 people, broken down as follows: critical (6), serious (20), moderate (21), mild (6), rescue (17) and water accidents (9). Of the mortal drowning, 84% corresponded to men, compared to 16% of women. By islands, in Gran Canaria there were 20 deaths; in Tenerife, 14; in Lanzarote, 10; in Fuerteventura, 10; in La Palma, 1; in El Hierro, 1, and in La Gomera, 1. In 2019, 75% of the deceased identified were foreigners of up to eleven
different nationalities: Germany (7), United Kingdom (3), France (3), Norway (2), Italy (1), Sweden (1), Netherlands (1), Russia (1), Hungary (1), Poland (1) and Switzerland (1). Regarding the ages of the deceased, 42% were adults, while 32% were over 60 years old. In the year just finished, 15 children were affected by some type of incident in the water, broken down into: deceased (2) rescue (5), moderate (7) and serious (1). The beaches continue to be the environment in which more accidents with fatal results occur, with 60% of cases, followed by ports and coastal areas (31%) and swimming pools (8%). By activity, 63% of those killed were bathers, followed by fishermen (16%), scuba divers (7%) and water sports (9%), 5% corresponding to others. The platform recalls that
water accidents remain the first cause of unintentional death on the islands, surpassing those recorded in the field of road safety. And the main cause that leads to an accident in the aquatic environment is imprudence that, in general, translates into ignoring the red flag, going to unattended beaches and being immersed and not knowing how to act in a return stream . Faced with this reality, they advocate implementing the culture of aquatic prevention and safety, both among the local and foreign population, through talks and conferences, together with the dissemination of the 15 spots that make up the audiovisual campaign, recorded in six languages ??and it is already being broadcast in more than 50 hotels in five countries and in universities in Latin American countries.
New look for Puerto streets WORK COMPLETED
T
HE streets of San Juan, Iriarte and Las Damas in Puerto de la Cruz all have a new look, as well as the plaza Concejil.
The act of reception and delivery of the improvement and conditioning works was signed recently. In this way, the responsibility for maintenance passes to Puerto council. The works have been carried out in 14 months, with a total cost of 1,825,678.47 euros, of which 80% have been provided by the Cabildo de Tenerife, and the remaining 20% from the council. The action has consisted of the complete renovation of the pavement and urban furniture, as well as the habilitation of new gardens and green areas.
FAÑABÉ PARK
Plaza of peace features life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi
A
DEJE has seen the inauguration of the new Plaza de La Paz Mahatma Gandhi within the El Madroñal park in Fañabé.
The government of India has donated a life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi to the municipality of Adeje as its central feature. Both the mayor of Adeje and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of the Government of India have agreed that the main objective of this space is to become a meeting point, coexistence between cultures and a reference for peace. The park of El Madroñal has been completely refurbished and adjusted to the new needs of the local population centre. The park has been baptised with the name of “Plaza de La Paz Mahatma Gandhi” and there is a statue of this man of peace who throughout his life defended political demands for the sake of equality, social justice, coexistence and multiculturalism. The statue, of real size, represents a representative
2019-2020
element of the square. It has been handcrafted by artisans from India and donated by the government of that country to the municipality of Adeje. For the mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, the inauguration of this square “is in line with what we want for our municipality, where we have more than 120 nationalities living together peacefully; that is why the government of India has donated this statue to us, it is for us to further strengthen our great relations with the Hindu community. ” Sr. Fraga stressed that “we have things in common with India, we are the result of the contribution of many kingdoms and principalities, of the migratory movement of people; Adeje is today a space where people from different backgrounds live in harmony because we have opted to defend what unites us and discard what separates us, taking care of the environment we share and learning from other cultures, without forgetting our own values. ”
LOCAL
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
VARIOUS ROLES
FINANCIAL PRESENT
P
ARRIVES 15 MINUTES INTO NEW YEAR
07
Puerto provides employment FIRST CANARY BABY for 29 job seekers
UERTO de la Cruz has launched its social employment programme 2019/2020, aimed at the temporary hiring of unemployed people with special difficulties in entering the labour market and in a socioeconomic situation of vulnerability. Twenty-nine people will carry out useful and social reintegration tasks for the council within the framework of this project which is based on a framework collaboration agreement between the Canary Islands Employment Service (SCE) and the Canarian Federation of Municipalities. Specifically, the council will provide ten administrative assistants, two janitors, two auxiliaries of early childhood education, a construction foreman, four construction labourers, four cleaning staff, a mason, painter, plumber, an electrician, a locksmith and a carpenter who will serve for a year. Sixteen of the people hired (55% of the total) are women. The people hired in the framework of this programme were received by the Mayor, Marco González and employment councillor, María Jesús Hernández, together with
technicians from the employment department and councillors of the municipal government group, who will welcome the new staff in their respective areas. To participate in the selection procedure, in addition to meeting the requirements that accredit the economic situation of vulnerability,
applicants must be between 18 and 65 years of age, be registered as job seekers in the SCE for a minimum period of
six months, and appear as registered in Puerto de la Cruz for more than six months.
Tragedy as man falls off pier
A
SEA RESCUE
man died after falling into the sea from a pier in Gran Canaria.
The tragedy happened on the Esplanade del Castillete on the dock of the Mogán sports pier at 11.30pm. The deceased was 68 years of age. The Canary Emergency Service, local police and Civil Guard were called to the scene following a report that the man had been rescued from the water after the fall. “The SUC staff verified that the affected person was in cardiorespiratory arrest and performed basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation without obtaining results and confirmed his death,” said a 112 spokesman.
T
HE first birth of 2020 in the public hospitals of the Canary Islands took place in Tenerife.
The baby boy was born at 00:15 on January 1st at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands with a weight of 3 kilos and 310 grams. The first birth in Gran Canaria took place in the Maternity and Child University Hospital Complex. It was a girl who was born at home at 01:10 hours with a weight of 2 kilos and 910 grams and was subsequently transferred to the Hospital Centre. At the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria University Hospital in Tenerife, the first baby was born at 5am in the morning, a
girl who weighed 3 kilos and 210 grams. As for the first baby in Lanzarote, he was born at Dr. José Molina Orosa Hospital at 02:13 a.m. by caesarean section weighing 3 kilos and 670 grams. In the General Hospital of Fuerteventura, the first baby was a girl who was born at 1:32 hours. She was born by natural birth and weighed 2 kilos and 785 grams. The first birth of the archipelago in 2020 gains the baby (in its parents’ name) a La Caixa saving book with a contribution of 2,000 euros!
LOCAL
08
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
BOOM AREA
Major facelift for PLAYA PARAISO promenade will take a year to complete A
massive project has started to regenerate the promenade of Playa Paraíso.
The works will cost more than four million euros and include the improvement and expansion of Las Galgas beach. Adeje council says the project will take a year to complete. Local councillor, Esther Rivero Vargas, said: “In recent years, we have been promoting the regeneration of the urban environment in the main tourist areas of the municipality, promoting projects that enhance sustainable development and contribute to the destination’s competitiveness. We now add the modernisation of one of the areas of greatest boom in recent years. ” The work will take place from Calle El Horno along the coast until you reach Av. Adeje 300. In this area, in addition to several hotel establishments such as the Hotel Riu Buenavista and the Gran Hotel Roca Nivaria, you will find Las Galgas beach which will also be rehabilitated and expanded. This population centre has approximately 2,650 inhabitants. “The continued use of this promenade has led to its
remodelling that includes the movement of lands and demolitions, the resurfacing of the promenade, as well as the landscaping of open spaces, the provision of urban furniture and the improvement and expansion of the existing beach, with the channeling of the ravine,” said a council spokesman. Some difficulties of the current layout are that the promenade has several disconnected points, creating confusion of paths in addition to poor connectivity between the promenade and the beach. The priority objective of the intervention is to provide the municipality with a quality urban road that prioritises pedestrian use and helps to requalify the tourist offer in the area. In addition, Adeje council intends to “obtain a continuous and wide pedestrian route that is capable of revitalising the existing roads that connect to the coast and that helps establish a well-structured pedestrian network without physical barriers for which ramps with steep slopes will be created”. The extension of the beach will make it a place for the
enjoyment of pedestrians and tourists. The performances also include spaces for shelter and seating as well as playgrounds for children and gymnastics for adults. All materials have been chosen with a criterion of high durability before sea salt, sun and use. Shade is another of the priorities of this project. It will be created from the vegetation suitable for the extreme conditions of a walk of these characteristics and that at the same time require the minimum demands of pruning or replacement. As for gardening, the walk will provide modern and lush vegetation. The project aims to reform and expand the green space, respecting numerous existing trees and taking advantage of new
spaces today inaccessible to public use. Another novelty of the new
walk will be the informative signage as the council intends to give a didactic value to
Umbrella tree causes Christmas delight
S
AN Juan de la Rambla celebrated Christmas with an environmental theme and some very unusual decorations!
Visitors may have been surprised to find one of the trees decorated with multi-coloured umbrellas which will now be donated following the close of the festive season. The initiative has been led by councillor for fiestas, Priscila Díaz who said they had wanted to break the traditional mold. She designed the decorations herself, being a graduate in art and design. The idea of the umbrella tree was to signify that you can always find shelter in the face of a storm. Thousands of people took pictures and as a result, the council decided to organise a contest with prizes for the most original photo of the two main Christmas trees. These have been posted on #MiFotoconelÁrbolSJR
residents and tourists regarding the vegetation that is going to be sown. To do this, in places of recreation such as squares and viewpoints, printed aluminum plates with information on cultivated plant species will be installed. The regeneration project of the promenade of Playa Paraíso is circumscribed in the Plan for Modernization, Improvement and Increase of Competitiveness (PMM) of La Caleta - Playa Paraíso - Callao Salvaje in Adeje, approved by the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Politics Territorial of the Government of the Canar y Islands by decree of April 8, 2016.
UNUSUAL DESIGN
LOCAL 09
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
IMPROVING SPACES
SIX TOURIST MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH TENERIFE GET PROJECTS WORTH 10M EUROS
T
ENERIFE Cabildo has pledged to continue updating and improving tourist areas in the south.
Tourism councillor José Gregorio Martín Plata recently visited a number of towns where projects have been taking place or are planned, all to the tune of nearly ten million euros. These include the municipalities of Santiago del Teide, Guía de Isora, Arona, Adeje, San Miguel and Granadilla. Sr. Plata highlighted the process of designing, advising and awarding projects, awarded between 2017 and 2018. Some of them have been recently completed and others will be between January and March 2020. In total, the budget was 9,783,189.58 euros. The works are framed within different projects such as the Plan for the Regeneration of Tourist Spaces or Tenerife and the Sea, among others and “pursues the renovation and regeneration of public leisure spaces and enjoyment of residents and visitors in these municipalities which are a basic part of the tourist engine in the south of the island and include works related to the resurfacing,
placement and updating of urban furniture and landscaping”. “In this way we managed to update avenues and walks and tourist areas as diverse as we have visited, with the aim of improving the facilities we offer as a tourist destination.” The visit began in Santiago del Teide, where Martín Plata was able to know the status of the works of adaptation of the new promenade in La Hondura, which is being executed by the UTE Falisa Tercia Integral de Obras y Servicios SL, and with a budget of tender of 992,424.83 euros. Subsequently, he visited the actions that are being carried out within the project of ‘Improvement and Conditioning of Flor de Pascua y Aledaños Street’, awarded to the company Satocan, for 1,479,602.40 euros. The visit continued in Guía de Isora where the Minister of Planning of the Territor y, Historical Heritage and Tourism, could also check the
recent completion of the work of the Emigrant Avenue, in Guía de Isora, which was awarded to the UTE Elfidio Pérez Construcciones COPISA, SA, for 1,548,367.23 euros. Later, in the municipality of Arona, he had the opportunity to witness the actions of the first phase of the project called ‘Improvement and Conditioning of the Promenade between the Los Cristianos beach and the Tarajales beach’, carried out by the UTE COMSA SAU - EXCAVACIONES BAHILLO, S.L. for 1,179,366.99 euros. In Adeje, Martín Plata checked the progress of the remodelling of Avenida Alcalde Walter Paetzman and calle Bischofshofen, executed by Comsa, S.A.U. y Excavaciones Bahillo, S.L. for 1,934,319.09 euros. He also visited the ‘improvement of access to the Adeje coast from Fañabé’, awarded to UTE Acceso Costa Adeje, for 1,629,124.37 euros. The works that are executed also include the adaptation of pedestrian paths for the connection of Playa
San Blas with Los Abrigos and the Paseo Marítimo de San
Miguel, which is being carried out by Villar Signals,
with a tender budget of 1,019,984, 67 euros
Tourist suffers fall A
British woman fell and injured her ankle whilst out walking in Los Cristianos.
The accident happened on Christmas Day on the Montaña Chayofita path. Firefighters from the San Miguel de Abona Park went to the tourist’s rescue, administered a splint and then took her to an ambulance 500 metres from the incident site.
10
LOCAL
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Woman trapped in Paraglider house for three seriously injured days in Guimar F TAKE-OFF ACCIDENT
CHRISTMAS FALL
IREFIGHTERS came to the rescue of a woman who was trapped in her house for three days.
A crew from Santa Cruz was called out on Boxing Day afternoon after neighbours became concerned and said they had not seen her for some time. The firefighters had to break in to gain access and found the woman lying on the floor. She said she had been there for some time after suffering a fall and had been unable to move. Members of the Local Police and the SUC helped with the rescue.
NECKLACES STOLEN
Tourists mugged in street T
WO tourists were robbed in the street by the same couple who, on each occasion, tugged necklaces off them.
Both incidents happened in Los Cristianos but the culprits have been arrested and the jewellery recovered. One of the attacks happened in calle Paseo de los Moritos when two people, aged 20 and 18, approached an elderly couple who were
walking down the street. Whilst one of the pair distracted the tourists, the other yanked a necklace off the woman and both ran off in different directions. Fortunately, the couple were able to contact the police very quickly and gave a good
description which led to the arrest of the two suspects nearby. The necklace was found in their possession. When being interviewed at Playa de las Americas police station, they were found to be responsible for a similar earlier attack and another necklace was found. Police said both people arrested had previous convictions.
crash-landing A
NOTHER paraglider has been seriously injured in Tenerife. The 49year-old man crashlanded on the TF-24, at the height of PK 35, Güímar just after 1.30pm on December 28th.
He suffered numerous serious injuries and was transferred in a medical helicopter from the SUC to the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. Tenerife firefighters, the Spanish Red Cross ERIE rescue team, Canarian Emergency Service and Civil Guard all attended. “The Emergency and Security Coordination Centre 1-1-2 of the Canary Islands Government received an alert informing of the fall of a paraglider on a take-off runway oriented towards the municipality of Güímar,” said a spokesman . “1-1-2 immediately activated the necessary emergency resources. The ERIE Red Cross rescue team reached the affected party and the nurse of the said team in coordination with the SUC doctor on duty in the operating room of 1-1-2 administered treatment and began stabilisation until the arrival of health personnel of the SUC.” The medicalised helicopter of the SUC landed in Güímar and took the injured man to hospital. Experts have been warning that paragliding is a risk sport and those who practice it should take very special care.
COMMUNITY
NEWS K9
Pinky would like a good start of the year
G
OING back to the start of last year, 2019 and we were only two days into the new year, when this black beauty arrived. She had been found by a young girl wandering around Granadilla, who kept her for a couple of nights to see if she could find the owner but she was not successful. She brought her to K9 that morning and we named her Pinky. She is a medium-large mixed breed and we think she is about 2-3 years old. When she first arrived, she was very scared, agitated and confused which is understandable, and we all did our very best to make her feel secure and safe. Around the same time she was brought to K9, a male dog was left tied
up outside the shelter, who those of you who come and walk the dogs will know, Kaiser. Kaiser was very chilled in the kennels, so we decided to match the two of them up and they worked well together. Kaiser seemed to calm her
down a little bit. Pinky can be very tense and anxious in the kennels and can bark at other dogs, particularly males but once is outside, she is a very sweet, playful girl who loves human attention and just wants a second chance at a loving forever home. She does have a lot of energy so would need to be brought out for a daily walk. There are moments when we catch her playing with Kaiser in the kennels and it was very funny to watch, but it shows when she is relaxed, just how fun and sweet she can be. She really enjoys being taken for walks, and our amazing volunteers often take her and Kaiser to the beach for a break away from the kennels. She is a little bit afraid of the water so we are trying to build up her confidence with this so we are hoping her new owners would be willing to continue to do so. She is heartworm positive but this can be easily managed with medication. Can you help us find her a new loving forever home? We do not know how she ended up wandering around Granadilla but she didn’t deserve to be left alone. Please help us and let’s get Pinky out of the kennels and let her feel all the love in the world. You can visit any day between 9.30-1.30pm.
COMMUNITY
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
MORE ARRIVALS
Work never stops at Accion del Sol
F
IRSTLY we would like to wish all our friends and supporters a very happy new year and we look forward to working together with you in 2020. Behind the scenes during the festive season, our busy work has continued with many dogs abandoned and still arriving in horrendous conditions. Also many of the dogs have recently had litters of puppies of which we do not know their whereabouts. We can never stress enough the importance of sterilising or castrating your dog and please adopt not buy a puppy. Our pony and donkey Dougal and Caramelo have also had a well deserved Christmas holiday together before they continue their job of helping to educate the children in animal welfare with our educational programme which commences in this new year.
Come and join us, our Services are held weekly: Sundays Holy Commumion at 9.30am and a Sung Eucharist at 11am after which refreshments are available in the parsonage grounds. We also have a Holy Communion Service on a Wednesday at 10am, followed by coffee and either a Bible Study or a Prayer Meeting. Our next Car Boot to kick off the new year is on Saturday January 11th, after which the Car Boots will follow the normal pattern of the first Saturday of the month, the last one of the season being in June before the summer break. If you haven’t been to one of our Car Boots, come along and soak up the atmosphere, lots of
stalls selling various wares although I’ve yet to see a kitchen sink, food is also available to buy, and when the shopping fever subsides one can partake of refreshments or visit our Bistro in one of the seating áreas. Give it a try, great fun. The next Inter Quiz will be held on Tuesday January 14th in the church grounds beginning at 6pm and this month will be hosted by the church. There is an entry fee of 2 euros the proceeds of which go to a charity chosen by the hosting team. A very enjoyable Epiphany Lunch was held last Tuesday , many thanks to the organisers of the event, a great time was had by all.
Looking for a home together
T
HIS lovely Mum and pup have been abandoned and are now looking for a good home either together or separately. The puppy is 4 months old. Both will be sterilised before adoption.
The Centro de Proteccion Animal de Tierra Blanca is located off the TF1 motorway, about half-way between Las Americas and Santa Cruz, by the restaurant Los Chasneros, just 200m above the motorway. They do not ask for adoption fees, only a donation of food and photos to let them know how the dog is getting on in his/her new home. Call Rachel on 629 031 273.
Future events at FOT
T
HE committee of the Friends of Tenerife hope that all our members had an enjoyable Christmas, and we wish everyone health and happiness in 2020.
Our forthcoming events are:
All Saints Church news
A
FRIENDS OF TENERIFE
We will continue to work unceasingly to raise money for our charities. You can help by supporting our events, and by donating (or buying) items to be sold at the Car Boot Sales held at All Saints’ Church in the Taoro Park.
Please do call the refuge on 664321219 between the hours of 8am -17.00 if you can help in any way. We are always in need of tinned dog food for our older dogs, puppy milk, blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, collars and leads. If you have any of the above to spare they would be very much appreciated at the refuge, or visit Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 14.00-17.00pm and Saturdays 13.00- 16.00. The dogs especially enjoy a gentle walk down to the beach for a cooling paddle in the sea. So please do come and walk the dogs if you have some time to spare. We are situated directly under the Eolica Parque exit 52 on the TF1 north bound
LL Saints Church, Puerto de la Cruz would like to wish all readers a very Happy New Year and may the path through 2020 be filled with good health and many blessings in the months ahead.
11
Two vacancies have arisen in the Church Chaplaincy Council. We are looking for a new treasurer from January 2020. If you enjoy accounting and are computer literate this could be for you. Please phone Cheryl on 635666343, thank you Cheryl for your stirling work on the church accounts dragging it into the 21st century. Also a Safeguarding Officier is required, training will be given but obviously experience is preferred, please phone Wendy for more information on 922320978/ 605486792 . As All Saints Church is currently in an interregnum our locum Priest until January 30th is Reverend Neville Griffiths who is here with his wife Sian. If you wish to speak to Reverend Neville please phone the parsonage on 922384038 or our Churchwarden Wendy on 922320978/605486792.
TIERRA BLANCA
which is after the after the El Medano junction . Head for the giant windmills on the coast and we are the buildings on the right hand side or email the refuge at teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page.
Tuesday, 21st January, 2020. A New Year’s lunch at the Restaurant Ruen Thai at 1.00 for 1.30 p.m. The cost to members is 20 euro. Tuesday, 4th February. Another popular Coach Trip to Iceland in the south of the Island. The price is 10 euro and there will be two hours free time in Las Americas, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy Fish and Chips in Scampi’s if you so wish, before proceeding to Iceland to replenish your freezer and cupboards after the Christmas festivities! The coach will leave the Botanical Gardens in La Paz at 1.30 - please be prompt. Tuesday, 18th February - there is to be a Carnival lunch at the Hotel Masaru. The price is 17 euro to members, and the time, as usual, 1.00 for 1.30 p.m. DON’T FORGET our Annual General Meeting will be held in the Teide Mar Apartments in La Paz on Tuesday 25th February, the time 6.00 for 6.30 p.m. This will be followed by a buffet meal for the price of 5 euro to members. Tuesday 17th March - a lunch at the Restaurant Magnolia in La Paz, 18.50 euro to members. For more information, or to book for any of these events, please contact Maureen on 922 341 979, or Jean on 922 384 809.
12
CANARY ISLANDS
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
HUMAN MULES
Cocaine gang posed as hospital patients to smuggle drugs into Canaries
P
OLICE in Spain have smashed a major criminal network which had been smuggling cocaine into the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote,”for years”. The gang used human mules and the parcel post for their drug smuggling operation from the mainland of Spain, mostly from Madrid, headed by a clan leader known as “La Negra”. At one stage, 38 kilograms of cocaine destined for the Canaries was found stashed inside a fridge. Police have also revealed that in order to avoid suspicion, the gang members conducted their meetings and exchanges
in the waiting room of a hospital where they posed as patients. So far, 39 people have been arrested in the provinces of Pontevedra, Orense, Zaragoza, Toledo, Madrid, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in a joint operation by the National Police, Civil Guard and Tax Agency. They carried out 18 simultaneous searches across
Spain and the Canaries, seizing 111 kilograms of cocaine, another of MDMA and several weapons. “The operation began in the spring of last year when Customs Surveillance officials of the Tax Agency in the Canary Islands detained a man in Tenerife who intended to receive a shipment by postal parcel containing 15 kg. of cocaine and 1 kg. of MDMA,” said a police spokesman. “As a result of this frustrated shipment, the existence of a complex criminal network with several years of activity was discovered, aimed at the
BEACH TRAGEDY
Swimmer drowns in Fuerteventura
A
35-year-old man drowned in Fuerteventura over the Christmas holidays.
The tragedy happened on the Nido de las Águilas Beach in the Parador area of Puerto del Rosario just after 5pm on December 27th. The 112 emergency control centre received a call to say that a rescuer had gone into the water to find the man who was reportedly practising apnea (underwater swimming) and had not been seen for some time. The Emergency and Rescue Group attended with the rescue helicopter, together with the Canarian Emergency Service, Maritime Rescue, local and national police and Puerto del Rosario firefighters. They located and rescued the swimmer who was in cardiorespiratory arrest. “The SUC health personnel performed basic and advanced resuscitation without success, thus confirming his death,” said a 112 spokesman.
introduction of important cocaine items camouflaged in legal parcel shipments destined for the Canar y Islands.” The organisation was then forced to look for other ways of introduction and distribution of narcotics to the Canaries, opting for the deliver y of narcotic drugs through the use of human mules on domestic flights and also through shipments by sea. Police were able to arrest 12 carriers and seized 9kg of cocaine. A Colombian man known as “La Negra” was identified as the leader, with six family members as his aids, located in Seseña (Toledo). Those arrested face prosecution for belonging to a criminal organisation, money laundering, drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons.
NEW PROJECT
HONG KONG
Ship’s captain discovers hidden stash of cocaine
P
OLICE have seized 91 kilos of cocaine hidden on a ship bound for the Canary Islands.
The intervention came after the captain of the vessel, flying the flag of Hong Kong, reported the appearance of three packages that could contain drugs in the hold. The ship had been bound for the port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. The three packages were inside the cooling filters of the ship’s engines, said the Tax Agency. Following the instructions of the investigators, the captain sealed the area of the ship where he had found the packages until his docking at the port of Las Palmas. Here, agents of the National Police and Customs Surveillance
officials of the Tax Agency in Las Palmas investigated the three packages and verified that they contained three kilos of cocaine. “Subsequently, the researchers requested the collaboration of a company of underwater activities that carried out an inspection of the exterior of the ship, observing that one of the grilles of the cooling system had a carabiner attached to one of its bars,” said a spokesman. “Thus, they discovered in that grid six sports bags containing 188 packages of cocaine, reaching the total weight of the drug seized at 191 kilos.” The investigation remains open.
Nature tourism gaining momentum in Gran Canaria
T
HE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands, directed by Yaiza Castilla, will invest 213,638.08 euros in the execution of the first phase of the conditioning works of the touristlandscape corridor between Playa de La Aldea and Andén Verde, in the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria.
Yaiza Castilla said that this action is part of the framework of collaboration that the Ministry maintains with the different municipalities of the autonomous community to improve and rehabilitate infrastructure in order to enhance the visit to the different tourist sites offered by the islands. “The landscape routes and itineraries, such as La Aldea, are gaining prominence in the design of the tourism offer, especially in rural areas,” she said. “They also represent a claim for nature tourism, as evidenced by the fact that it is increasingly common for visitors to travel around the islands in search of elements of interest.” The works, whose execution period will end in November, will condition the free space located on the old GC-200 general road between kilometres 27 and 30, of the town of La Aldea de San Nicolás. The action will affect a total area of 3,100 metres in length with a variable width around 6.5 metres.
CANARY ISLANDS 13
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
PRICE OBSERVATORY?
CANARIES WANT ACTION TO STOP “UNFAIR AND DISPROPORTIONATE” RISE IN AIR FARES
H
OTEL leaders in the Canary Islands are calling for the creation of a “price observatory” to stop air fares soaring.
The campaign is being backed by Ashotel, the hotel employers’ association for Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. The group believes Spain’s Ministr y of Development needs to look at the pricing policies of the airlines following an announcement by the State that it will take measures to stop the escalation of air fares. But Ashotel says the 75 per cent discount on ticket prices which Canarian residents can enjoy if flying within the archipelago or to the mainland is not to blame. “The problem with these unjustified increases does not lie with the residents,” said Jorge Marichal, president of Ashotel. “It is important that it
is understood once and for all that in the Canary Islands, we only have the plane to travel to the peninsula and that the resident grant is no gift but to place ourselves on equal terms with the citizens of the peninsula who have other transport alternatives.” Ashotel insists that the 75% bonus is an inalienable right for all residents of the Canary Islands but also considers that the methodology on how to apply it must be redefined, claiming the current system favours and stimulates the rise in ticket prices when applying the percentage without restriction in the rate. For a year and a half, coinciding with the annual Ashotel meeting with the media, the hotel management
requested the need to create a price observatory. “A year and a half later, it seems that the evidence has been imposed and the Ministry has verified what was an open secret and that it is none other than the fact that the 75% bonus is a big business for airlines,” said the president of Ashotel. “What is missing now is to take appropriate measures to prevent these abuses from continuing in a basic and strategic transport service for the islands.” Ashotel believes that other types of measures would have to be analysed, such as establishing a fixed bonus amount and not a percentage per ticket. “In any case, we must listen and incorporate into this debate experts who, from the Canarian universities, are analysing aspects included in
this issue and that can raise sustainable solutions and overcome the current problems of the system,” says the group. On the same subject, the Canary Islands Government is to organise a “summit” on the
SUSTAINABLE LANZAROTE
T
up 24% on average. On routes such as flights to Madrid, the increase has been 30 per cent to Gran Canaria and 25 per cent to Tenerife, and in the case of Barcelona the increase has been 48 and 32 per cent respectively.
SCOOTER FALL
Jobs for 81 people under environment project HE Cabildo will launch from January the ‘Sustainable Lanzarote IV’ project that will employ 81 unemployed people.
islands in association with the Balearics, Ceuta and Melilla to propose to the Ministry of Development a common strategy against the increase in the price of air tickets with the peninsula, which in the case of the Canary Islands is
The project, which will be implemented by the Employment Area headed by the Minister Nerea Santana, has a budget of 624,216 euros co-financed by the Canary Islands Employment Service and the insular institution. The direct beneficiaries of the project will be 60 young people under 30 years of age, although its development will also lead to the hiring of 21 more people as support staff. The objective is to improve the level of employability of people, combining paid professional experience and training in basic skills. The cost of the project amounts to 624,216 euros, of which the Cabildo contributes 222,264 euros and the rest corresponds to the Canary Islands Employment Service. The cleaning and conditioning work is framed in four axes that include roadsides, beaches, urban centres and the environment, centred around the Zonzamas environment.
Man suffers facial injuries
A
55-year-old man suffered facial injuries when he fell off his electric scooter in Lanzarote.
The accident happened on Avenida de Las Playas near the Puerto del Carmen shopping centre in Tías. The 112 emergency control centre received a report just before 8.30pm and sent the Canarian Emergency Service and police to the scene. He was given treatment before being taken on to hospital.
Employment, tax and accounting advice
Company accountancy (at our office or yours). Settlement of taxes (IRPF, societies, non-residents). Company constitution: (mercantile register). Representation of any kind of employment. Tax and accounting inspection. Settlement of estates (inheritance tax). Procedures for the transfer of vehicles. Contracts for renting houses, business premises, etc… Insurances: car, home, etc….
Ctra. Provincial nº183 Edf. Itahisa, Portal H, 1 Cuesta de la Villa Santa Ursula Tel: 922 30 48 58
urbano@asesoriaurbanotorres.com www.asesoriaurbanotorres.com
CANARY ISLANDS
14
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
DRIVING TEST
Twin tried to sit exam for brother
T
WIN brothers have been arrested in Las Palmas for an alleged driving test fraud.
Police say one of the teenagers posed as the other to sit the written part of the exam in Gran Canaria. The investigation was initiated after offficials became suspicious about the identity of a student. He had submitted a national identity document with which he claimed to be a 19year-old and a resident of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. However, the Civil Guard took his fingerprints and, after being analysed by the Laboratory of Criminalistics, discovered he was actually the twin who was trying to take the exam for his brother. He had passed the exam in his own right in September.
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
STALEMATE FURY
Old house leaves Lanzarote Cabildo with five million euro headache
CARDIAC ARREST
German tourist dies in hotel pool
A
N 80-year-old German man died after being rescued from a swimming pool in Gran Canaria.
Medics rushed to an hotel on Avenida de Los Menceyes in Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana after receiving a call for help in the late morning. Police also attended. A spokesman for the 112 control centre said: “We received an alert informing that a man in cardiac arrest had been rescued from a pool. The health personnel of the SUC performed basic and advanced resuscitation, without success.”
INSTANT DEATH
Dairy worker crushed by bull
A
dairy worker died after being hit by a bull weighing between 500 and 600 kilograms in Santa Lucia de Tirajana on Gran Canaria.
The livestock operator was charged by the animal and then pinned against a farm wall. He was killed instantly. It is understood the bull might have been spooked and reacted because it was scared. Police and the Civil Guard attended but there was nothing which could be done to revive the victim.
A
N historic house bought by Lanzarote Cabildo for 1.65 million euros is proving a thorn in the authority’s side as it finds itself in a stalemate situation. Despite descriptions to the contrary, the Casa Fajardo in calle Fajardo, Arrecife is NOT an archaeological museum and is not classified as such in the General Plan. The property is supposed to be for residential use but major structural problems have been
found in the building, making it in danger of collapse. More than three million euros has already been spent on it but there appears to be no end to the saga, leaving the Cabildo in total exasperation. The Casa Fajardo was acquired in 2013 and has now
LANZAROTE TRAGEDY
Elderly man dies in house fire
F
IREFIGHTERS tackling a blaze in a house in Lanzarote found the lifeless body of a man inside.
Medics could only confirm the death of the 78-year-old. A woman, aged not given, suffered mild smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital. The incident happened in the early afternoon in Calle Virgen del Pino, Punta Mujeres, Haría. The Canarian Emergency Service, local police, Civil Guard and Civil Protection all attended after the 112 emergency service received a call about a fire on the second floor of the building.
been paid for but according to the present Cabildo, no structural report was made before the purchase. In December, opposition councillors requeted the Cabildo to contact the Canary Islands’ Government for a grant, describing the house as an “archaeological museum” which has been refuted by council technicians. The Cabildo says it now finds itself in a stalemate situation as the three million euros spent has not rectified the structural defects. “On the other hand, the high level of protection of the building greatly hinders restoration and conservation projects,” said a spokesman. “The work needed basically consists of replacing the foundation of the house, as well as the concrete slabs of the front and rear areas of the residence. This situation means that this property is not only not suitable for a museum
but also not for legal use: residential. In fact, it presents an increasing risk of collapse in some areas.” President of the Island Council of Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo is laying the blame on the previous administration. “We have invested more than five million euros and it is not yet known what or for what,” she said. “It was a reckless purchase without assessing the real possibilities of transformation of the property.” She said the level of housing protection is such that “the Cabildo is experiencing real difficulties to carry out the essential conservation works so that the house does not collapse.” Calling for an apology from her predecessor, she called the purchase “a political decision that has meant the biggest extra cost in the history of the Cabildo de Lanzarote”.
15
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
Strategic financial planning for the New Year By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks
O
F course, you can review your financial planning any time to ensure it is on the right path, but the New Year is the perfect prompt to do so if you have not taken a fresh look for a while. One key reason to review your wealth management is to ensure it is up to date. Consider whether any tax or financial rules have changed and/or if there have been developments in your personal circumstances. But an effective review of your financial planning, to ensure it is suitable for your life today and wishes for the future, needs to go beyond that. Many people only consider segments of their finances at a time. They may have bought shares in companies years ago. They may speak to a tax accountant about Spanish taxation, then a lawyer about Spanish wills. At some point they look at their pension funds. For truly effective financial planning, however, you need to consider all these various aspects together. For example, how you hold your investments can make a difference to your tax liabilities. Here are three key areas you should consider in your
financial planning review.
Spanish residency and taxation The fact that you are resident in the Canary Isles, rather than the UK, has a significant impact on your financial and tax planning. Make sure you know where you are resident for tax purposes. The Spanish and UK residency rules are different and complex. The double tax treaty determines where you pay tax if necessary. Regardless of how effective your tax planning in the UK was, you pretty much need to start afresh in Spain. What was tax efficient in the UK is unlikely to be tax efficient here. Explore the compliant arrangements available in Spain to establish what would work for you.
Estate planning The way you own assets could make a difference to how you can distribute them on death and how much tax your beneficiaries pay, so take this into consideration early on. The Spanish succession tax rules are very different to UK inheritance tax rules and you need to plan around both. Spain’s succession law establishes forced heirship which can have unwelcome consequences for some families. UK nationals can use the EU regulation ‘Brussels IV’ to distribute their estate under UK law, but first confirm it is the best solution for you.
Financial structuring for life in Spain Your financial planning must be structured around your
personal circumstances – your lifestyle, plans for the future, family situation, income requirements, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. You may need to take a fresh look at all your investments and consider if they are suitable for you today. Are they too risky? Do you have adequate diversification? Can they provide income without risking the capital? Could you consolidate shares and funds so they are easier to manage? At the same time, consider your tax liabilities on investment income and gains and whether you could use tax-efficient arrangements to hold your investments in Spain. Every family is different. Your strategic financial planning must be carefully designed for you. All the various aspects should work cohesively together to create an overall wealth management plan that provides long-term financial security for yourself and achieves your wishes for your heirs. For peace of mind that you have covered everything, take professional advice. Your adviser should take the time to get to know you before outlining their personalised recommendations for you. The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com
16
NEWS FROM
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
SPAIN
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
QUEEN’S LIST
Betty, 80, leads the way as nine British expats honoured B
ETTY Burgess, a volunteer in Las Palmas, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to British Nationals Overseas in the New Year Honours List.
First moving to Las Palmas in the late-1960s, Betty has dedicated more than 50 years of her life to the British community on Gran Canaria. Her activities include promoting the great historical, social and economic impact of British settlers to the island; working tirelessly to maintain a British presence through her work with the British Club of Las Palmas, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the British Cemetery; and supporting the most vulnerable British nationals through her voluntary work. HMA Hugh Elliott said: “It is extraordinary to see nine British nationals awarded at the same time – a real testament to the depth and diversity of the UK-Spain relationship and to the contribution that so many British nationals make to their communities across Spain. Betty first worked at the Consulate in Las Palmas in 1974 and her support for the vulnerable has continued from then, including providing help for some of our most in-need customers. She is a much-respected and much-loved member of the local community and this award, coinciding with her 80th birthday, is well deserved.” Betty said: “Whatever I have been able to do to help British residents or visitors who may find themselves in an unfamiliar, worrying or special situation in Gran Canaria, I have done with pleasure and with no thought of any type of recognition. So I am astonished and delighted to be awarded the British Empire Medal and that my small efforts have been considered worthy of such an honour.” The nine UK nationals named in the New Year Honours List are: An MBE to Mr Mark Petrie, Honorary Consul, Denia, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” An MBE to Dr Charles Betty, Charity and Community Worker in Spain; retired. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” An MBE to Mr Christopher Mark Dottie, President, British Chamber of Commerce, Spain. “For services to British business in Spain.” A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Mrs Christine (Krista) Ann Hyer, President, Cancer support Group, Mallorca. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” A BEM to Mr Brian Thomas McLeod, Entertainer, Spain. “For services to charity.” A BEM to Mrs Betty Burgess, volunteer, Las Palmas, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” A BEM to Mrs Maureen Payne, President, Age Concern, Costa Blanca Sur, Alicante, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” A BEM to Mrs Sheila Stuart, Chairperson, British Ladies Association, Madrid, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.” A BEM to Mrs Veronica Wheeler, President, British Benevolent Association of Girona, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
Police find huge stash of gold hidden inside baby nappies SMUGGLING ATTEMPT
P
OLICE in Spain have discovered more than 26 kilos of gold worth nearly a three quarters of a million pounds hidden inside a batch of baby nappies! The unusual find was made by members of the Civil Guard in Melilla, the Spanish autonomous city located on the northwest coast of Africa, sharing a border with Mo-
rocco. The 26.1 kilograms of 18carat gold was hidden between baby diapers inside an Audi that had disembarked from the Almeria
ferry . It was driven by a 48year-old Moroccan, resident in Alicante . Police who became suspicious searched the boot and found various boxes of nappies. Hidden under these were 30 boxes of different sizes containing items which at first glance looked like costume jewellery. “The driver insisted it was fake but thanks to the expertise and intuition of the Civil Guard agents, they were taken away for testing and found to be genuine gold,” said a police spokesman. The gold jeweller y was made in different shapes and sizes and had a different
nature from the usual, being a ver y light colour and uncommon in Spain. The value is approximately 900,000 euros (around £750,000). The driver has been charged with a crime of contraband and another of money laundering.
NEWS FROM 17
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
SPAIN
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
EIGHT ARRESTS
Gang smuggled 1,000 Pakistanis into Spain for 500 euros
N
ATIONAL Police agents have dismantled a network which smuggled about 1,000 irregular immigrants of Pakistani origin into Barcelona throughout 2019. They were “recruited” in Italy and transferred by road in minibuses from Turin to the city in exchange for 500 euros per trip per person. Eight people were arrested, six in Barcelona - including the leader - one in San Adrián de Besós (province of Barcelona) and one in San Fernando (Cádiz). Four homes were raided in Barcelona where 15,000 euros have been intervened, 400 grams of gold in jeweller y, 17 mobile phones, tablets and various documentation. The investigation began when the French Police informed the National Police that a Spanish citizen had been arrested in French territory for transferring an irregular Pakistani immigrant in his vehicle from Italy to Spain. During the development of
the investigation, the agents confirmed the existence of an organisation based in Barcelona and dedicated to introducing irregular immigrants of Pakistani origin. For the recruitment phase, the network had several members in Barcelona whose mission was to establish contact with intermediaries based in Italy, who sought and selected Pakistani immigrants who were going to be transferred to Spain. The investigated organisation also had drivers, citizens who used legally rented minibuses to travel to Turin and pick up immigrants who subsequently drove to Barcelona by land. Although the minibuses used were nine seats, it has been verified that in some transfers the organisation
FOURTEEN INJURED
Explosion hits pine tree festive tradition
A
T least 14 people were injured, three of them suffering serious burns, in a explosion in the bell tower of a church in Barcelona during a traditional Christmas event. The incident happened at the Fiesta del Pino in Centelles which is dedicated to an ancient story of a patron saint and a pine tree. The explosion generated a small fire which was quickly extinguished but smoke coming from the church tower was visible from some miles away. All those injured were taken to the Burns Unit of the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona. Police have opened an
investigation to determine the cause of the explosion which is thought to have been caused by fireworks or gunpowder which is used as part of the celebrations in the church. The huge pine tree is carried into the church to the sound of popping guns and it is understood one of the organisers had gunpowder in his bag. The council cancelled the celebrations, with the pine tree being brought into the church in silence.
would have introduced up to 17 immigrants. Once in Barcelona, immigrants were retained by the criminal organisation for the time necessary to verify that the required payment had been made. The police operation has ended with the arrest of the network leader and seven other members as alleged perpetrators of crimes belonging to a criminal organisation and against the rights of foreign citizens.
18
NEWS FROM
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
SPAIN
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
PENSION INCREASES
GOVERNMENT AID FOR FLOOD REGIONS AND PLEDGE OVER MINIMUM WAGE T HE Spanish government has approved urgent measures on tax, land registration and social security matters.
The pension increase of 0.9% was confirmed once the new government is formed, with retroactive effect from January 1st, 2020. It also allocated close to 62 million euros to alleviate storm damage. The Acting Minister for Education and Vocational Training, and Government Spokesperson, Isabel Celaá, explained that the government was using this legal instrument since it was unable to address these matters through ordinary parliamentary channels as a caretaker government, with the corresponding limited powers. On tax matters, the Acting Government Spokesperson highlighted that the limits on tax invoicing by module for independent contractors is extended to 2020. Wealth tax will also remain in force in 2020. The law approved updates, upwards or downwards, to the
land values of urban properties for next year. A total of 1,092 municipalities will see land values updated, to be applied as from January 1st. As regards the minimum wage, the government has extended the present amount until the figure is set for 2020 “following the necessary social dialogue between workers’ representatives and business organisations”. Isabel Celaá added that the pension “safeguard clause” will also be extended, which will benefit some 26,000 workers who had lost their jobs prior to August 2011 but who will be able to continue receiving their retirement benefits from prior to that date. The government also authorised investments for a total sum of 62 million euros to repair the damage caused by the heavy rainfall caused by
the Cold Drop (Spanish acronym: DANA) which affected the hydrographic confederations of the Rivers Segura and Júcar, and various coastal zones in the month of September. Isabel Celaá specified that investments are authorised for a sum of 46.5 million euros to repair infrastructures, rivers, channels and other watercourses in the provinces of Alicante, Murcia, Almeria an Albacete. Another 3.9 million
euros are also allocated for similar repairs in associated areas in the Region of Valencia and Castile-La Mancha. Coastal areas in the provinces of Tarragona, Castellon, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Almeria, Granada and Malaga will receive 11.4 million euros to alleviate the destruction to beaches, sandy areas, dune systems and coastal wetlands, with special attention to those zones included in the Red Natura 2000 [Nature 2000 Network].
INCREASED PROFITS
Spanish residents taking less trips but spending more
S
PANISH residents spent a total of 19.3 billion euros in the third quarter of 2019, 1.9% more than in
Drug traffickers used hotel to hold planning meetings
the same period in 2018.
The number of trips was 61.1 million (down 5.4%) and their average duration was 6.2 nights (up 3.8%), according to data from the Survey of Resident Tourists (FAMILITUR), prepared by the National Statistics Institute. For the Acting State Secretary for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, these
A
N organisation of drug traffickers operating in Galicia, Madrid and Alicante has been dismantled in a joint operation with Colombia and Spain. Police seized more than 1,300 kilos of cocaine from Colombia which they intended to distribute in Spain. The detainees are experienced drivers who had high-end cars so they could make a quick escape if detected by the police. Ten people have been arrested in Galicia and Madrid, two raids were made at the hotel where they based their
operations and in a vehicle buying and selling workshop and 550,000 euros and ten luxury vehicles were intervened. The investigation began at the beginning of June last year when the agents detected a criminal organisation that intended to introduce a ton and a half of cocaine from into Spain, initiating a joint inves-
tigation with the Colombian authorities. For the reception and distribution of the drug, the organisation used a group of dangerous criminals that had been operating together for many years. Its members had numerous police records, including homicides, robberies, money laundering, crimes against traffic safety, documentary falsification and attack on the authority, some of them with more than 50 police records After several weeks, it was
detected that drug traffickers used to hold meetings in Madrid, where some of those investigated were settled, and once finished they moved to Alicante or Galicia at high speed in the morning. However, in one of these meetings it was confirmed that instead of returning to their cities of residence they had chosen a hotel to concentrate as a base of operations. Later the agents of the investigation also found a workshop for the purchase and sale of vehicles which supplied them with large displacement cars to carry out their operations.
figures demonstrate “the increased profitability of the tourist sector, with an increase in spending and average duration, despite the lower number of trips. They also confirm that the trend for resident tourists is similar to that for international tourists,” she explained. From July to September, trips for leisure, recreation and holiday purposes continue to be the main reason for travel in 61.8% of cases (down 2.5%). Of these, 38.3% correspond to summer holidays. Residents are taking an increasing number of holidays abroad, with a rise of 3.2%, accounting for 11.9% of the total. However, the main destination continues to be Spain itself, with 88.1% of the total (down 6.4%). Spending on these trips within Spain rose by 2.1%, compared with 1.4% on those abroad. Daily spending stood at 41 euros within Spain and 97 euros abroad.
The main destinations for residents by autonomous regions in the third quarter were Andalusia (18.0% of the total), the Region of Valencia (12.3%) and Catalonia (11.7%). Allowing for the population of each region, the biggest travellers were residents of the Region of Madrid (1,860 trips per 1,000 people), Aragon (1,559) and the Basque Country (1,363). In contrast, those who travel least are the residents of the Balearic Islands (686 trips per 1,000), Cantabria (906) and Extremadura (1,002). In the first nine months of 2019, over 153 million trips were made by residents, 1.7% fewer than in the same period the previous year. Domestic holidays fell by 2.6%, while holidays abroad increased by 7.0%. Total spending increased by 2.7%. Domestic holidays rose by 3.2%, while trips abroad increased by 1.7%.
BUSINESS 19
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
LOBSTER CONTINUES TO GROW WITH HAPPY CUSTOMERS AS IT CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY! * Lobster, the only mobile network in Spain to offer a service completely in English, celebrates one year since launching service * In just 12 months after having launched, Lobster continues growing rapidly with its winning formula of all-in-English and providing a customer experience “like at home” * Lobster’s competitive tariff plans are tailor-made for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain * Starting from just 12€ per month VAT included, all Lobster tariff plans come with unlimited calls and texts in Spain, to the UK and other countries, and great data deals * Lobster is available in over 600 specialised retail stores as well as other exclusive points of sales, online at lobster.es, or by calling its Customer Contact Centre for free on 1661 * Lobster extends its “First month free” promotion for a limited time
ABOUT LOBSTER Lobster is the only mobile operator in Spain to offer a service completely in English for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain. Lobster is the registered brand of Zinnia Telecomunicaciones, a Spanish company and part of the Gibtelecom Group. Zinnia Telecomunicaciones has the financial and business support of Gibtelecom, the main operator in Gibraltar providing fixed lines, mobile and TV, as well as business enterprise services. The Group has submarine cable and European fibre network investments, and runs data centres through its subsidiary, Rockolo Limited.
L
OBSTER, the only mobile network in Spain to offer a service completely in English, celebrates its first anniversary today! Lobster has fast become the benchmark mobile network for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain. Lobster has a lot to celebrate for its first year... 1 year of being the only mobile operator in Spain to offer a service completely in English. Ever ything is in English, the Lobster website, the app, the advertising, and most importantly the Lobster Customer Contact Centre agents are all native English speakers 1 year of providing a firstclass service and mobile network to its customers 1 year of looking after customers with its best in class Customer Contact Centre. There are no automated answering machines. Lobster answers all calls with real people, always. 1 year with great tariff plans tailor-made for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain 1 year with no commitments for customers or contracts. Customers stay with Lobster because they are happy with the service! “These first 12 months have been a really exciting time for us and today is a very special day. With Lobster we offer a great service to expatriates
who are currently underserved when it comes to mobile services in Spain. The strong demand for Lobster shows that we have got things right and most importantly that our customers are happy with our service. We are looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries in the years to come. Lobster is here to stay!” said Tony Watts, Marketing Director of the company. Customers can choose from 3 simple and competitive tariff plans which all come with unlimited calls and texts in Spain, to the UK and other countries, and great data deals, and start from just 12€ per month VAT included. They are tailormade for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain. In addition to unlimited calls and texts in Spain and to the UK, all our tariff plans also include unlimited calls and texts to Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the
USA. Also, the tariff plans include “Roam Like At Home” so that customers can enjoy the same services while at home in any countr y in the European Economic Area, at no additional cost. Lobster extends its “First month free” promotion for a limited time where the first month’s plan payment is free for new customers so that they can tr y the ser vice. With Lobster there are no commitments, lock-ins or hidden surprises. Lobster wants its customers to stay because they’re happy with the service. It is very easy to become a Lobster customer, just provide identification, your credit or debit card payment details through a totally secure process for paying month by month, and you’re good to go. It doesn’t have to be a Spanish credit or debit card. You can cancel at any time. Signing up for the service can be done through any one of the over 600 retail stores. Customers can easily find the closest store to them using the store finder on our website lobster.es. If customers prefer they can also sign up online or by calling our Customer Contact Centre for free on 1661 where all the agents are native English speakers.
20
Brian Eldridge
OUR COLUMNISTS
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
A PUERTO POINT OF VIEW
Global changes needed but what are the predictions for Puerto de la Cruz A LL the festivities are over, thankfully, as they did seem to drag on a bit this year. Of course, this is just my own personal opinion; I am sure for many, those who would welcome one long party, it was over all too soon. I no longer fit that mold, I am not sure I ever did, and as the years go by my apathy towards the whole ‘event’ grows stronger, a feeling not helped by the fact that ‘when in Spain’, there are two bites to be taken from the proverbial apple, Christmas effectively comes twice as both Santa and Los Tres Reyes arrive bearing gifts.
Still this is all in the past; I’ll not look back, nor reflect on it any further, not when there is a new year to look forward to, and not just a new year, a whole new decade as well, one from which we should be expectant of good things, if we take notice of Boris that is, personally I welcome in the 2020’s with a little more trepidation. Let me look at global issues for a moment, I know that this column is about local issues, but they are connected, if only by their differences, if that makes any sense. Climate change will be prominent. It’s already here, though some major countries refuse to recognise it. Extreme weather conditions prevail throughout the world, and within Europe, Spain has been hit particularly hard. It is only ever going to get worse and politics has to shoulder the blame for not reacting to the signals early enough. Politics is my other worry, with more countries not just leaning towards, but fallen over themselves to welcome the extreme right back into the mainstream political world. And as the centre ground appears to be disappearing the only credible opposition is left wing, a recipe for civil unrest, as the many, (the Have Not’s) challenge the few, (the Have’s) for power. It is happening already throughout Europe as we speak. I guess I should also mention the ‘Trump’ effect on world stability, but to be honest, words fail me, so I’ll pass or take a rain check and perhaps return to it at a later date. I will however quickly mention Boris, someone who I view in the same vein as his mate Donald, or should I say to be more exact Boris’s Brexit as without Brexit there would be no Boris and vice versa, mores the pity. I would quite happily have neither, but there wasn’t really a credible alternative on offer. It was the only election for me where I didn’t know in which box to put my X. (I left the UK less than 15 years ago so was still eligible to vote) I didn’t make a new year’s resolution. I suppose if I had it should have been to have shown more interest in Brexit and the effect it will have on all expat Brits. The truth is though, I chose to adopt the head in the sand approach, convinced that it will all turn out right on the night, which I am sure it will be. However, that opinion was conceived pre Boris, and I can’t see how Brits living abroad is going to be very high on the Boris list of things to reach agreement on, assuming, that is, he has a list, or a desire to reach agreements. I have waffled on about the world at large for long enough and not presented a very rosy picture, but luckily for me I have chosen to live in Puerto de la Cruz where so many of the problems that exist in the real world seem to pass right on by. So locally, what am I expected to happen here within the next decade, any life
changing events. Honestly, I can’t see much, change comes very slowly to Puerto de la Cruz. Firstly though let me just give my opinion on some of the ‘big Issues’ that have been hanging over the town for some time None of which I should say are major concerns to me, but others in the town feel strongly about them, so it is only right to include them. Once again I stress these are only my opinions. I will not bore you for too long as I think the best way to deal with this is by a series of one liner’s. You will be able to swim in the new Municipal Pool before 2030. However, changes to the plans might have been made before it is completed. The new Muelle Project ten years on will still be dead in the water. Hotel Taoro will have reopened, it will be good to see the building back in use, but it will add very little to the prosperity of the town as a whole. I hope to be able to enjoy a concert in the new Parque San Francisco building, only by then I am sure its name will have changed, it will most probably be called the Brito Centre, or be named after some such other worthy. The new bus station will be 10 years old and still be in use. However, the old one will remain. The extension to Jardin Botanico will continue be work in progress. Playa Martianez will still be waiting for its makeover. The new bathrooms at Playa Jardin should be completed. I’m joking; they should be back in use any time now. That’s another joke, by the way. Phase 1 of the Casa Tolosa renovation will be complete and they
will be working on Phase 2, whatever that may be. The Iders building will still be standing. I will be 10 years older and still moaning, hopefully that is. Although, I think Puerto de la Cruz shouldn’t be measured simply by its ability to carry out construction projects. There is more to infrastructure than bricks and mortar, or concrete in the case of Puerto. In the past there has been too much emphasis placed on ‘look at what we’ve done and not enough on what needs to be done. I for one welcomed the change in the team within the town hall, I think on the whole they are moving the town in the right direction and look forward to the next three and a half years of their tenure. Hopefully by the time of the next election they will have achieved enough to ensure they continue. I mentioned climate change earlier and suggested that it is only going to get worse, but I have to say, if ever there is a place to harbour doubters then surely it is here. We enjoy such a temperate climate that at times it is hard to contemplate the weather extremes others are experiencing. It is very easy to adopt the not in my back yard attitude. Last year our local council formally recognised there is a climate problem and I think that on the whole everyone is aware and accepts the fact, but can’t see how they can do anything about it. If you feel you need to make a new year’s resolution why not make it to reduce your carbon footprint. How do you measure it? I haven’t a clue, but how to reduce it is obvious. I started changing my lifestyle a few years ago, so what I am about to suggest comes second nature to me. I am not suggesting it is the right way, but it is the right way for me. I will never be a tree hugging eco warrior or join a protest march, but I am happy to be doing my bit. Could I do more? Yes I am sure I could, however, I am happy where I’m at. I am not a vegetarian, never will be, but my diet consists mainly of plant based foods. I like to think I eat a healthy diet, one which includes meat at least once a week; however, I very rarely eat red meat. I buy locally grown and avoid pre-packed and processed foods. I buy what I need, not what I want, and never throw food away. My fridge is more likely to be nearly empty than nearly full. I recycle, I separate all my rubbish. If you don’t, just try it for a week, you will be amazed at how much plastic there is. Did you know that Spain is one of the worst countries in Europe for recycling and the Canary Islands are one of its worst regions? Personally, I think recycling is not the answer, governments should be targeting the producers rather than the consumers, but consumers can play their part by boycotting products with excessive packaging. I walk short distances rather than take the car, I save energy whenever possible. My wardrobe has diminished; I now only buy clothes to replace others that have worn out. I avoid impulse buys and stay away from the shops during the sales. It is not rocket science, and I am not preaching from the pulpit, at the moment how individuals react to the concept of climate change is still one of their choice, but if we don’t all do our bit how long will it remain that way.
Pension Freedoms What has changed? Basically, you have more choice with what to do with the money you save in your pension. From age 55 you will now be able to access all the money which is in your pension pot. Before the changes were made you were limited to what you could take out each year.
You don’t have to do anything with your pension pot now. You can leave it invested until you need it. And it’s at that point you can see which of the options available to you that will best suit your circumstances. It’s important you fully understand all the options and the different tax implications they have. Sebastian & St James will be able to help you with this and give you advise which suits your own needs.
Building your pension pot You can see the amount of choices you have to take money from your pension pot. But to have those choices you will need to have first built up a pension pot. You might find yourself in one or more of the following circumstances, each of which could be the potential solution to increasing the size of the pension pot you have: • You’re close to paying off your mortgage so may soon have further scope to consider an increase in pension contributions. • Your children are leaving home, easing some of your monthly financial commitments. • You have old pension plans that you may wish to take advice on, as to whether or not they may be better served within a new plan. • You’ve received some inheritance that you could consider the merits of investing into your current pension pot. The pension changes have had a positive impact on people’s feelings towards retirement and do give them more choices to help achieve the retirement they want. How you take advantage of the changes is up to you. But speaking to us can help you find out more about the changes or if your current circumstances mean you might be able to build up your pension pot.
Sebastian & St James International Financial Advisers Limited: advice based on integrity, trust and experience.
22
AT YOUR
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
LEISURE
THE ENGLISH
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
YOUR HOROSCOPE WWW.ASTROLOGY-ONLINE.COM
LIBRARY
Plenty of future events coming up at the library, but don’t forget our regular weekly activities, Monday morning Computer Club, alternate 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings Ken Fisher’s Historical Group. The 2nd Thursday of the month Classical Music Appreciation hosted by Chris Hair. Our literary group meet on a Friday morning. Further details available at the library. THURSDAY JANUARY 30 - FILM CLUB - YESTERDAY Jack Malik (Hamish Patel) is just another struggling songwriter - until after a mysterious global blackout he discovers he is the only person on earth to remember the Beatles. He rockets to fame passing their songs off as his own. But is the price of fame worth the risk of losing Ellie (Lily James) who has always believed in him or is all he needs is love after all. Free entry, a small charge for interval refreshments. Please book at the Treasurer’s Desk. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6th 4 for 4.30 LIBRARY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING If you wish to attend our AGM please leave you name at the Treasurer’s Desk for catering purposes. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13th 12noon A TALK BY Ramón Michán The library are delighted to welcome back Ramón for another of his interesting talks. The subject is the Cavendish Banana and a murder. What’s the connection between a banana and a murder - come along to discover the answer to this intriguing mystery. The talk will be followed by a buffet and refreshments 10 euros. Please book at the Treasurer’s Desk. We welcome visitors to join us during our opening hours Monday and Friday 3pm to 5.30pm and Wednesday and Saturday 10pm to 1pm. Refreshments are served in the garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Discover more about us on Facebook, TripAdvisor and oWebsite ‘theenglishlibrary.es’. Did you know you can access Facebook through our Website. You will find us at Calle Irlanda 5, Parque Taoro, Puerto de la Cruz. Telephone 922 383 098.
CLOCK DANCE ANNE TYLER
Willa Drake can count on one hand the defining moments of her life: her mother’s disappearance when she was a child, being proposed to at an airport at the age of twenty-one, the accident that left her a widow in her forties. Each time, Willa ended up on a path laid for her by others. So on receiving a phone call informing her that her son’s ex-girlfriend has been shot she flies across the country to look after this woman and her nine-year-old daughter, leading Willa to the eventual realisatiion that it’s never too late to choose your own path.
TARGET: ALEX CROSS JAMES PATTERSON Alex Cross and his family join men and women from across the nation lining the streets of Washington, DC to mourn the unexpected death of the president. With the country still in shock, the assassination of a prominent senator strikes another devastating blow to the
A SPARK OF LIGHT JODI PICOULT
heart of the nation’s capital. Cross is called to lead the FBI investigation to find America’s most wanted criminal. But what follows will plunge the country into chaos, and draw Cross into the most important case of his life.
A lone gunman takes the women and doctors at a controversial abortion clinic hostage. Nobody has ended up there by choice. As the tense negotiation for their release unfolds hour by crucial hour back in time through the day that brought the hostages and their captor to this moment, every certainty is questioned, every judgement thrown into sharp relief. Because matters of life and death look very different when you, or the ones you love, are staring down the barrel of a gun...
DVD - KILLING EVE SEASON TWO DS453A
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue. If you address those in a position to grant you favors you should get the support you require. You can convince anyone of anything. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Travel will stimulate your need to experience exciting new things. Look into making changes to your personal papers and don’t neglect those bills that have been piling up. Oppor tunities to pamper yourself may unfold. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You could be misinterpreted if you’re not careful. Family members may want you at home, when your hear t is telling you to spend time with someone you recently met. Don’t evade important issues; you may find yourself backed into a corner. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Don’t take sides if you wish to remain on good terms with both parties. Don’t get depressed, get busy. You can accomplish a lot if you’re willing to put in a little extra time. Don’t be too critical.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Take a close look at contracts and agreements that have been offered to you. Luck is with you. Be extra careful with your valuables; loss and theft are evident today. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) It’s time to reevaluate your motives. Take care of any pressing medical problems that you or one of your parents may be suffering from. You’ll stay out of trouble if you pick projects that will benefit the whole family. . LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Make any decisions you have to in order to avoid feeling unsettled. You need to be sure that you aren’t in your present relationship because it is convenient. Try to be patient with their inability to accept your new beliefs. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Concentrate on work and on making money. This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers. Do not overspend on entertainment.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
THE LOST GIRLS OF PARIS PAM JENOFF With the world at war, Eleanor Trigg leads a mysterious ring of female secret agents in London. Of the forty women who are sent to aid the resistance, twelve never return home. In New York, 1946, Grace Henley finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. The case is filled with a dozen photographs, each a different woman. Determined to find the women in the pictures, Grace delves into secrets of the lost girls of Paris: a story of friendship, betrayal and ultimately, unimaginable braver y.
Opportunities to expand your circle of friends will result in possible new romantic encounters. Stay away from social unpleasantness. Changes in your residence may be financially favorable. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
A story of two women, bound by a mutual obsession and one brutal act Eve, an MI6 operative and Villanelle, the beautiful, psychopathic assassin that she has been tasked to find. Seasons Two began 30 seconds after the final episode of the first season; Eve has no idea if the woman she stabbed is alive or dead. Eve has to find Villanelle before someone else does, but unfortunately she’s not the only one looking for her.
You’re on to something tangible and need to act fast Your accomplishments could exceed your expectations if you mix a little business with pleasure. Your personal secrets may be revealed if you let coworkers in on your family dilemmas. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Your determination and stamina will make your work look flawless and effor tless. Don’t deny yourself today. Older relatives may be a burden.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You have been going through a period of change that has caused problems for you with your loved ones. Curb the impulse to make lavish purchases and maybe spend some time with good friends. They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments.
23
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Discover the spectacular biodiversity of the Blue Planet GRAND AQUARIUM POEMA DEL MAR CELEBRATES ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY
T
HE huge aquarium Poema del Mar in Gran Canaria has celebrated its second anniversary.
Inaugurated on December 17th, 2017, it has amazed all its visitors, who have discovered the spectacular biodiversity of the Blue Planet. Coinciding with the 47th anniversary of Loro Parque, the grand aquarium of Las Palmas marked two years of success in which thousands of visitors have been able to marvel at the spectacular biodiversity of the Blue Planet, in a journey that guides them through lakes, rivers and seas, until submerging in the depths of the ocean. Recognised by the authorities of the Canary Islands as a project “of strategic interest to the region”, with potential to strengthen the promotion of Gran Canaria and of the entire archipelago as one of the best tourist destinations at an international level, Poema del Mar has remained faithful to its commitment to innovation, biodiversity conservation and excellence in sustainable tourism. In 2020, Poema del Mar received several grey sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) that arrived from Loro Parque and, after a period of quarantine, were moved to their new home at Deep Sea, an installation with the largest curved underwater window in the world. All belong to the second generation of this species born
in the Zoo of Puerto de la Cruz thanks to the meticulous work of reproduction and breeding of the aquarium team. This last year of 2019, a baby boom has also taken place in Poema del Mar, demonstrating the state of welfare in which all the animals are in its facilities. Thus, the aquarium
rium;Madeira rays (Raja maderensis) and Kaiser’s newts (Neurergus kaiseri) among other species. In addition, the aquarium has added some new species to its exhibits, such as the male African bull frog (Pyxicephalus adspersus); two white tip sharks from Loro Parque, which inhabit Deep Sea, and two zebra sharks also from the Tenerife zoo, named Famara and Miño. Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are under some degree of vulnerability or threat in their natural environment. Various dangers, often caused by human action - such as overfishing and pollution - put populations at risk, so the role of conservation centres of this kind is particularly relevant when it comes to raising awareness for the state of the animals and contributing to their protection and survival. Since its inception, and in line with the philosophy of the Loro Parque Company, Poema del Mar has carried out educational activities to familiarise the schools of Gran Canaria, as well as families and different social groups, with the important work carried out by the different research centres
has welcomed with great joy a baby African spurred turtle (Centrochelys sulcata), the first to be born in the aqua-
In its two-year history, it’s all been words of wonder and admiration for Deep Sea, which has the world’s largest curved
underwater exhibition window, 36 metres wide and 7.35 metres high, as well as 39 centimetres thick. With a total tank depth of 8.5 metres and 5.5 million litres of water, Deep Sea allows you to observe, in a unique environment, the
wonders of the deep oceans and about 3,000 specimens of up to 40 different species that swim in its dark waters. Many of the species that Poema del Mar holds are on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International
throughout the archipelago, the same way as the aquarium operates through the Loro Parque Fundación in wildlife conservation. Thus, Poema delMar seeks to become a benchmark in marine research in the islands.
24
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
What should I carry in the car?
A
S we are in the festive season, you will no doubt have noticed more police about on the roads and for this reason we feel it a good idea to remind readers of what they should carry in their vehicle in order that they can avoid fines (multas) if you are unfortunate enough to be stopped. We have of course covered this subject in the past. If you are stopped remain polite to the officers and follow their instructions especially if you are asked to get out of the car. In order to be legal, and for your own safety you must carry reflective jackets in the car for the amount of occupants, so if your car is a five seater then technically you should carry five. These must be accessible from the inside of the car as they must be put on before exiting the car. If you breakdown on the motorway first put on your jacket and get your two warning triangle from the boot and position them one in front of the car at approximately 15 metres and the other at the rear again approximately at 15 metres away. Stay with your car but it is safer to climb over the safety barrier and wait the other side of that for the breakdown truck to arrive. All passengers should also leave the vehicle and wait with you in a safe place i.e. other side of barrier or on another road safely away from oncoming traffic. Aside from this you should always make sure that you have a
legal spare tyre or run flat, regular checks of this are important, they could save you a lot of heartache and worry and loss of time when tavelling. With regards to paperwork then this is of course far more complex. Firstly, you should note that all paperwork carried MUST be an ORIGINAL. This means that you must carry: 1- Permiso de ciculacion de vehiculo , this is the car’s permission to be on the road.This document carries the make, model, engine size, fuel type, chassis number , registration number, date of first matriculacion and the date of the last change of ownership.Of course it also bears the owner’s name and surname but no longer shows the address due to data protection, but this is held on the Trafico system . 2-Ficha Tecnica- this is basically the car’s log book holding all the technical data, engine size, model, tyre sizes and the optional sizes permitted along with the manufacturer’s details and the chassis number.On the reverse of this ( although the newer versions are A4 size so details are all on one side) are details about the ITV and when it is valid until.It is important to note that there will be a specific date on here whereas on the sticker displayed in the windscreen it shows only the month that it is valid until. 3- your in date photocard driving licence either a Spanish one or if you are not resident then a European one, only where appropriate. 4- your current in date passport 5- Your current and up to date Residencia.
6-Your insurance documents and the receipt for proof of payment of the premium. (For this we recommend that you have a good “sort out” of old papers and only keep the most current up to date ones in the car to avoid any confusion) If you do not wish to carry your original passport and Residencia then if you obtain Notarized copies these are acceptable legally. With regard to the Ficha Tecnica and Permiso de circulacion, for a fee at Trafico, you can obtain what is known as Copias compulsada of these documents which again are legal to carry and produce if stopped the police. Other things that you are not legally obliged to carry but can prove useful are a pen and notepad or some paper, small torch, an accident claims form and a small medical kit. This list is by no means exhaustive but is a guideline for you.
Pets World
How to get your chubby dog back into shape this New Year! P
EOPLE are getting fatter and it is affecting our pet’s health as well.
We love our pets and like to give them the little indulgences that we enjoy, so pets are gaining weight too. And we like our pets to be “well-rounded” – most pet dogs have considerably more body fat than dogs in the wild but wild and feral dogs are often closer to the way a fit dog should look. Being overweight can have lasting consequences and can even be fatal. Studies have shown that overweight dogs do not live as long and are more prone to illnesses that spoil their quality of life, such as arthritis, breathing difficulties, heart problems and diabetes. There is a genuine risk of killing your pet with kindness. The way the body works changes considerably in overweight animals. Once an animal is overweight, the working speed of the body slows and they are less active so they do not need to eat much to maintain their weight. It is rare for medical problems to cause obesity in dogs. Dogs are scavengers in the wild and it is natural for them to eat everything they find, whether they are hungry or not. Begging for food is a trick that they quickly learn to exploit and it is our fault for giving them treats when we are eating. Only giving them treats “now and then” makes things worse. The scientific name for this is “variable reinforcement” and it is why people play fruit machines – the occasional win makes up for all the losses. The cure is for all the people in the house to learn never to give treats when eating, or to shut the dog in another room at mealtimes. And do not let your dog follow small children who are snacking and “hoover up”. There is a lot of variation in the energy that different individuals require daily, and feeding packets tend to recommend an overgenerous daily amount. Do not be alarmed if your dog generally seems to have quite a small appetite, but do consult your vet if there is a sudden loss of appetite. If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, consult your vet. The guidelines below give an indication of how to find out if your pet is the right weight.
Start young There is evidence that chubby puppies become fat adults. Breeds likely to get joint problems such as poor hips (hip dysplasia) are more likely to develop these problems with overfeeding. Feed your puppy the minimum amount for the body weight recommended on the packet, and monitor body shape as your dog grows. Ask the vet to check at vaccination time. If an otherwise healthy, happy dog seems reluctant to eat do not be tempted to offer different foods or human foods to coax his or her appetite. You may cause your pet to become a fussy eater. Dogs fed human foods often over eat and become overweight, even on foods relatively low in fat, such as chicken. However, if your dog eats nothing at all for more than 24 hours, contact your vet for advice.
Is my dog overweight? You cannot tell by weighing a dog and looking at tables of “right weight for breed” because all individuals are different. The only way is to look at body shape and assess body fat. Does your pet have a potbelly? Viewed from above, does your dog have a waist – that is, does the body taper after the rib cage? Can you easily feel your dog’s ribs? No waist, a bit of a paunch, and a wellcushioned ribcage means it is time to take action. The average “chubby” pet is usually at least 15 per cent overweight.
The next step It is best to start with a trip to the vet. Although increasing exercise is not enough on its own, it is helpful, although your pet will need a check-up for medical conditions that could interfere. Using a special calorie-controlled food from the vet is usually the most effective way of losing weight and well worth considering. Many vets run weight control clinics providing regular checkups. They are often free of charge, and help to ensure that the diet is working, and that weight loss is not occurring too rapidly.
A food diary Make a record of everything – including table scraps and treats – that your dog eats for a few days. This is often valuable in highlighting “extras” that your pet is getting. A dog that does not seem to eat much dog food probably still has an appetite for sausages and chocolate biscuits!
Weight watchers! With calorie-controlled food from the vet, you will be advised how much to feed daily. This will be for the target weight – not the current weight – of your dog. It is best to weigh food out daily, at least to start with. Many dry diets come with calibrated scoops but it is easy to overfill these. You can reduce hunger by feeding two or three times a day, so long as you don’t go above the daily recommended amount. If you must feed treats, either take these out of the daily ration, or choose low calorie items, such as a piece of carrot, apple, or rice cake.
Eating Out & About
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
25
The Oriental
Brunelli’s Steakhouse
Sook
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz
Santa Cruz
Inaugurated in 1996 by Queen Sirikit of Thailand, our Oriental restaurant offers Asian style ‘haute cuisine’, which includes a wide range of delicious dishes with the unique flavor of an essential continent within the international gastronomic scene. The menu changes regularly and offers the best of the delicate and tempting, yet sophisticated cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan. The unforgettable experience in El Oriental is also felt though the traditional decor of the restaurant, which reflects both the magic and fineness of Thailand, making this restaurant the ideal place for a perfect dinner.
Just 50 metres from Loro Parque and with beautiful views of the ocean, Brunelli’s Steakhouse is waiting for you to explore the delights of the palate. Inspired in the original American steakhouses, this restaurant is located at the former fisher village of Punta Brava, in northern Tenerife, and offers you the best quality meat – tender, juicy and with an incomparable texture. Flavors like you have never tasted before thanks to a specially controlled maturation and their ‘Southbend’ oven, unique in the Canaries and which cooks the meat at more of 800ºC, highlighting all its properties and making your dinner simply perfect.
For reservations call 922 381 400 Avda. Richard J. Yeoward, 1 Puerto de la Cruz ( Hotel Botánico) www.hotelbotanico.com/service/el-oriental
For reservations call 922 062 600 In front of Loro Parque Puerto de la Cruz www.brunellis.com
Summer has arrived and the wonderful SOOK restaurant has devised a refreshing and appetising menu for the hot months. New mouth-watering dishes are home-made salmorejo with extra virgin olive oil, diced Iberian ham and bread croutons, avocado from our islands in tempura, served with sweet chilli sauce and soy, tuna tataki with seaweed salad and caramelised soy sauce and duck breast soft grilled, with papaya chutney. In addition, the air-conditioned restaurant continues to offer its refreshing desserts such as seasonal fruit salad with guava mayonnaise. SOOK is now also opening with its a la carte during the weekend, both for lunch and dinner. The opening times are 13:00 to 15:30 and 20:30 to 23:30 and for your convenience, there is a parking area. You might also like to try the full breakfast buffet open to the public from 7am to 11am from Monday to Sunday. Ideal to start a day of shopping or tourist visit to Santa Cruz. The price is 16 euros per person.
II Pappagallo
Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden
Black Sea
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz
Il Pappagallo restaurant perfectly combines the old art of making pasta dishes and innovative side dishes that will both delight diners. The menu has been entirely renovated to offer diners a modern culinary repertoire that matches our attention and love for details, as well as our passion for excellence. A varied buffet and a great selection of Italian specialties await you in its terrace overlooking the Atlantic, ideal to enjoy unforgettable sunsets and the tranquillity of the night during summer. In addition, our wine cellar houses the best Italian wines, chosen amongst the most traditional wines of the country.
The Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden in Puerto de la Cruz has launched a new weight loss programme which will allow their guests to delight themselves with delicious, lowcalorie cuisine in an idyllic environment. A combination of taste and aromas will make you forget you are on a diet. This method carefully elaborated by some of the most respected French chefs from the region of Brittany completely avoids any fats and promotes intelligent consumption of proteins and carbohydrates,while also boosting the primary flavoirs and the freshness of ingredients. The hotel has devised a seven-day accommodation programme which combines a holiday with health and fitness, with the special three meals a day combined with health, nature and organised activities such as tai chi classes, yoga, qi gong, pilates and meditation. Do ring for details.
The Black Sea Restaurant in Puerto, just opposite the Botanical Gardens, is receiving rave reviews and delighted customers are probably the best people to recommend it. The Black Sea, offering seating both inside and out, is a family restaurant and its owners are very proud of their food and service. Fresh food is available every day. Do try the suckling leg of lamb or choose from the large selection of tapas. The gourmet burgers are also a firm favourite with many diners. With its international menu, the restaurant welcomes guests of all nationalities and can cater for larger groups as well. You will find plenty of shade on the big terrace under awnings or the trees and only the best of products are used, not least the meat and fish, which are transformed into wonderful dishes, tasting as good as they look. There is also an extensive wine list.
For reservations call 922 381 400 Avda. Richard J. Yeoward, 1, Puerto de la Cruz www.hotelbotanico.com
For reservations call 922 38 63 95 Calle Retama 3, Puerto de la Cruz
For reservations call 922 381 400 Avda. Richard J. Yeoward, 1 Puerto de la Cruz ( Hotel Botánico) www.hotelbotanico.com/service/il-pappagallo
Avda. 3 de Mayo, 3 Santa Cruz Tel.: 922 294 500 www.hoteles-silken.com
26
Eating Out & About
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
Your dining experience around our restaurants
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Sabor Canario
Restaurante Gom
Tacoa Cervecería & Fábrica
La Orotava
Santa Cruz
El Sauzal
If you haven’t yet discovered La Orotava, you must do so as it is the most wonderful town full of charm, character and Canary architecture. This restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in the centre of La Orotava in a two-floor house of 800 square metres and two patios. Here you can taste the best of traditional Canary food with flair and innovation and wines from La Orotava. Its style is home-made Canary food, with both conventional and creative dishes, always inspired by the best produce from the town. Prices suit all pockets.
For reservations call 922 322 793 Calle Carrera 17 La Orotava info@saborcanario.es
FREE APPETIZER WITH THIS ADVERT Bar El Pincho
This iconic restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz is definitely a place to head for if you enjoy stunning decor and high-end cuisine but at prices you can still afford. The food here is best described as a slice of home-made cooking with the taste and touch of nouvelle cuisine. The emphasis is on quality, freshness and naturalness where the raw product is the star, depending on what is available that day in the market. They offers a special menu for celiac and can help create food for anyone with a specific allergy. Weddings, etc are also catered for and there is always a dish of the day. You will find GOM within the Hotel Taburiente, located in front of Parque García Sanabria. Their opening times are Tuesday to Saturday from 13:00 to 16:00 and 20:00 to 23:00.
For reservations call 922 276 058 Calle Dr. Guigou,29 Santa Cruz www.hoteltaburiente.com
Craft brewery & restaurant
A wonderful place to discover and explore! This is the oldest craft brewery in Spain, having been in Tenerife since 2001, and offers a restaurant-brewery area, two terraces, guided tours with beer tasting in English, German and Spanish, is fully accessible for the disabled and has a playroom for children. You can enjoy different types of craft beers, ten at the moment, including the most recent “Winter Porter” and a “Tajinaste”, with Teide floral honey. Gastronomic specialities feature a wide range of snacks, delicious salads, smoked food, various types of sausages, Geman grills and roasted knuckle of pork. Also home-made desserts. And new on the menu: vegan cuisine. This super brewery/restaurant is even more popular because it sells its bottled beer to the public who can walk here just like they can to other bars and restaurants!
Carretera General del Norte, 122, El Sauzal Open daily from 13:00 to 23:00, Mon. open from 18:30, Frid. & Sat. 13:00 to 12:30am. Wednesday Closed. Tel: 922 56 41 73
Brunelli’s Steakhouse
Tressardi
Las Vistas, Los Cristianos
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz
At Bar El Pincho you can enjoy good prices, good food, good service and a fantastic view of the ocean. They are winning fans because of the friendly staff you encounter and the delicious Spanish tapas. They have a great offer, a combination of tapas for two for only 12.50 euros. There is also a wide selection of main plates, such as steak, chicken and fish, all cooked with love and the best ingredients they can find. Do try their fantastic cocktails which they always try to improve. Try also the special dishes from the north of the island and the drinks. Open everyday from 10:00am to 22:00pm. Live music from 5:00 to 19:00pm
Just 50 metres from Loro Parque and with beautiful views of the ocean, Brunelli’s Steakhouse is waiting for you to explore the delights of the palate. Inspired in the original American steakhouses, this restaurant is located at the former fisher village of Punta Brava, in northern Tenerife, and offers you the best quality meat – tender, juicy and with an incomparable texture. Flavors like you have never tasted before thanks to a specially controlled maturation and their ‘Southbend’ oven, unique in the Canaries and which cooks the meat at more of 800ºC, highlighting all its properties and making your dinner simply perfect.
For reservations call 649 431 110 Paseo Las Vistas, Los Cristianos www.barelpincho.com
For reservations call 922 062 600 In front of Loro Parque Puerto de la Cruz www.brunellis.com
If you want to seek out a really good Italian restaurant at an affordable price with a lovely terrace, look no further than Tressardi. It offers a very varied menu including traditional Italian dishes, pizza and pasta with gorgeous fillings and sauces, meat dishes, fresh fish and crunchy salads. The desserts like tiramisu and panna cota are to die for! So if you want a good Italian restaurant for a family meal, a romantic dinner, a quick lunch when working or take away, Tressardi is your restaurant. A friendly and homely restaurant that has quality products combining fast food and well elaborated dishes for kids and grown ups. Depending on your choices the price can go higher but an average 15-16 Euros per person is what you can expect.
OPENING TIMES: 15:00 -23:00 pm Wednesday closed Friday & Saturday: 15:00 -24:00 pm For reservations call 922 382 056 Calle Aceviños, La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz
Eating Out & About
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
27
Donde Mario
La Bodeguita de Enfrente
Cuesta de la Villa
Cuesta de la Villa
Cuesta de la Villa
A great part of the fun of wining and dining in Tenerife is finding somewhere different and it’s well worth a trip out to Santa Ursula to the warm and inviting Donde Mario. Though from the outside you might easily pass by it, the inside is elegant and captivating. Restaurateur Mario Torres surprises us every day with his extensive use of produce in season, and his unbeatable experience with wines and cookery. Just try his Cherne warm salad, a super-healthy Canarian fish soup, or his Lomo de Vaca Morucha. You will be captivated.
Set in a series of old Canary houses, this restaurant is made up of a labyrinth of inter-connecting rooms leading off from the bar area in the centre. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an English country pub with its low ceilings with wooden beams and warm décor. The food is fundamentally Canarian. They grow most of their own produce at their allotment and only use olive oil to cook with. Their ethos is a simple one, only use the best, fresh produce and cook it with thought and care. The menu is described as Picoteo, slightly more than tapas without reaching the full-blown three-course meal status. It is delicious and affordable. “La Bodeguita de Enfrente” won the “II Gastronomic Awards Cruzcampo Gran Reserva El Día-Mesa Abierta”, which took place last year.
Why not try a touch of “picoteo”, the Spanish-style of eating where, as the name suggests, you pick a selection of dishes and share with your companions. You will find “El Calderito de la Abuela” in Santa Úrsula and it offers a unique and homely atmosphere combining Canary cuisine with modern creativity. In 2016, “El Calderito de la Abuela” won the “Best Canarian Kitchen Restaurant Award” in the first edition of the “El Dia-Mesa Abierta” Awards on July 28th. The exterior of this property belies what you will find inside as it is full of charm and carácter and there is an incredible view of La Orotava valley. “A gem” is how it is described.
For reservations call 922 302 760 Exit 31 TF-5, Carretera Provincial, 205 Cuesta de la Villa, Santa Úrsula www.labodeguitadeenfrente.net
For reservations call 922 301 918 Exit 31 TF-5, Carretera Provincial, 130 Cuesta de la Villa, Santa Úrsula www.elcalderitodelaabuela.net
For reservations call 922 304 585 Exit 31 TF-5, Carretera Provincial, 119 Cuesta de la Villa, Santa Úrsula www.dondemario.net
El Calderito de la Abuela
28
THE LOOKOUT
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
GUIDE
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Discover on foot the natural treasures of Guia de Isora WALKING GUIDE
G
UÍA de Isora has presented a project to promote the natural and ethnographic heritage of the municipality, which includes the development of eight topoguides of its network of approved trails, in addition to the creation of the web www.redsenderosguia.es The initiative, subsidised by the Vice Ministr y of Environment of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Network of National Parks, aims to stimulate the growth and promotion of environmental and socioeconomic sustainability of the rural area of the municipality, through actions that combine awareness with the application of new technologies.
Mayor Josefa Mesa said in the presentation that “Guía de Isora is a municipality recognised for its involvement in the rescue and conservation of trails.” He also added that “it is the only heritage that, to be preserved, has to be walked.” The presentation was also attended by the coordinator of the Teide National Park, Juan Carlos Hernández who stressed the importance of
“promoting this type of projects that serve to conserve and value the resources that the municipality has.” Councillor for socio-economic development, Raquel Gutiérrez, said the council been working for the protection and conservation of its network of trails since 2011. The project also includes a guide to good practices and recyclable bags have been distributed so that walkers can deposit their waste. In the following link, you can access all the information and videos made on the routes
of the eight approved trails that describe one by one the places and natural treasures of the municipality. www.redsenderosguia.es
ENTRIES OPEN
Counting down to Puerto Carnival
T
HE rules of the Children’s and Adult Queen’s Throne Gala of the International Carnival 2020 of Puerto de la Cruz are now available.
They can be consulted on the carnival website www.puertodelacruz.es/carnaval Those interested have until January 10th to enter. This year’s theme is “The Musicals”. The children’s Queen will be chosen on February 16th and the adult Queen on February 20th.
30
THE LOOKOUT
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
GUIDE
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
TOP TEN!
Loro Parque helps save another endangered species of parrot
A
S part of the celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Loro Parque Foundation has managed to add to its list of species saved from extinction the Grey-Breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), native to Brazil. With this success, the Foundation celebrates that it has already prevented the disappearance of ten species of parrots thanks to its longstanding involvement with protection and conservation projects. The Grey-Breasted Parakeet, originally from the B-
aturité Mountains, was an endangered species because of the illegal captures designated for the pet trade and the lack of suitable nesting sites. However, an alliance between the Loro Parque Foundation and the organisation AQUASIS has strengthened the work of renowned
biologist Fabio Nunes and his team in the area, where they have managed to enumerate over 1,000 chicks born in artificial nests. This incredible result has to do precisely with the placement of these artificial nests and their monitoring since 2010, despite the difficulties encountered during the pro-
cess, such as protection against predators. One of the ways of observing and understanding the habits of this species, little known in the past, has been an active presence in the field, which has allowed specialists to obtain a large amount of very important scientific information including for other projects of similar characteristics.
Further-more, the tagging work has been fundamental, be-cause it enables the gathering of data on the movement and distribution (through their banding) of the parakeets, which are able to hide very well amongst the vegetation. In addition, key in this process has been the creation of protected areas, which are recognised by the local population. From now on,
a new stage for the species begins, in which an ex situ programme will work for its reintroduction back into some of its historical locations from which it has disappeared. The Loro Parque Foundation has seen more than 60 specimens born in recent years. In total, since the Foundation began to collaborate with this project, it has allocated about 400,000 dollars to the protection of the Grey-Breasted Parakeet. Thus, the number of birds has risen from around 100 to 1,000 in 2019, changing the category of the species on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from “critically endangered” to “endangered”. As of today, the Foundation has dedicated more than 21,000,000 euros to supporting conservation projects and the reclassification of many of these ten species is a global conservation success that makes this non-profit organisation the most effective in preservation of tropical ecosystems achieved through the labour of protecting the parrots.
New folk group looks ahead to Tenerife carnivals
SOCIAL PROJECT
S
ANTA Cruz is promoting the creation of a folk group for people at risk of social exclusion.
The “Music for social inclusion” project was launched at the end of November in the La Milagrosa social canteen for the integration through learning and musical interpretation of people in situations of vulnerability or at risk of social exclusion. The programme has promoted the formation of a folk group with the users of this resource located in La Noria to favour their participation in society through musical language, which facilitates the expression and communication of feelings and emotions. As highlighted by the president of the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS), Marta Arocha, it seeks to generate “processes of change” in the members of the group and in “the community to which they belong” for social inclusion thanks to music , which is “a socialising agent itself” that fosters social relationships and skills, as well as group cohesion. With the help of a musician who is transmitting the basic notions to them, the members of the group are using guitars, drums, tambourines and even glass bottles. On the occasion of the inauguration of the nativity scene that the users made in La Milagrosa, the choir offered its first concert with the interpretation of several carols and, according to the IMAS CEO Carmen Acosta, its members were “very excited and happy with the involvement of the public” after taking a week rehearsing. The folk group had a second performance in the church of La Concepción and their vocation is to continue. In fact, new challenges are already being raised, such as “preparing something for the next Carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife”. The project “Music for social inclusion” has the participation of La Caixa and the financial contribution of IMAS.
THE LOOKOUT 31
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
GUIDE
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Fantasy world poster for La Orotava carnival T
HOUGHTS are already turning to carnival celebrations 2020 and La Orotava has its official poster.
The Mixed Carnival Commission, composed of all the representatives of the villa groups and the carnival groups of the municipality itself, has chosen the poster that announces the upcoming parties in honour of Don Carnal and which will be held in the Villa between February 21st and March 1st. The poster announcing the 2020 Carnival parties of La Orotava is the work of Jonás Emmanuel Hernández Plasencia, a 30-yearold young man who is a senior technician in art,
where goblins and fairies are mixed that play with carnival masks and confetti in a mysterious, almost alien place, although it is clearly seen that this place is La Orotava, since that in the work the city council appears and the houses next to it ”. The Mixed Carnival Commission chose this work among the eight works
design and illustration. The work, a digital illustration, is entitled “The Villa
“104 HOUSES”
of Fantasy.” All the elements that compose it have been drawn and coloured sepa-
rately. According to the author, with this poster “we try to transmit a fantasy world,
Historic symbols form new exhibition
T
HESE unusual symbols hold special memories for a Spanish artist who has opened a new exhibition in La Laguna.
Pol Masip reflects on the past and his memory as part of Fotonoviembre 2019 with his show “104 viviendas” (“104 houses”). It is taking place in the TEA Las Catalinas Centre until January 12th. The symbols were captured on the facade of houses constructed during the Franco regime but in many cases were deleted after his fall. In others, however, the chisel scar remains, providing a glimpse of history. Pol Masip (La Secuita, 1993) was trained as a photographer at the Escola d’Art i Disseny in Tarragona and as an art historian at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. So far, his work has focused on exploring the political dimension of architecture, the urban landscape and public space and he has won several awards. His work was chosen to be part of Artists in Selection along with that of Maja Daniels, Lola Lasurt, Antonio Menchen and Belén Cerezo. The exhibition can be seen from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
PREPARATION BEGINS presented. Over the past few months, it has met on several occasions to outline the programme. As always there will be the traditional acts such as the Cosote Apotheosico, the burning of Crispin and the traditional dance of Piñata in San Juan. The Commission will meet again shortly to finish programming details.
32
HEALTH
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
MATTERS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
LATEST TECHNOLOGY
DEMENTIA SUPPORT TENERIFE
D
EMENTIA Support Tenerife started 2 years ago. When I moved to Tenerife 8 years ago I brought both my parents with me, Mum had Alzheimer’s and Dad had vascular dementia. I was a dementia specialist nurse in the UK prior to moving to Tenerife. Whilst looking after my parents here, I found that there was a lack of services available to ‘tap’ into within the ex-pat community, especially stimulating therapy and groups to join for them to interact with others. I also noticed that many of the premises here were not ‘dementia friendly’ and this led to a good deal of searching for places I could take them on a day or night out. So I felt that with my experiences I would start the group on face book and whilst there was some interest life got in the way of developing my idea to support others, other than online. But what you see today is down to my being contacted by Helen who supports her ex husband who has Lewy Body dementia. She had seen that music and movement therapy sessions can have a beneficial effect to those living with dementia and wanted to offer her services to host these as she has many years of working within the entertainment/music industry, she found my group and after a few conversations the spark was back and the need to develop the support, care and therapy for those living with dementia, along with education and support for those caring for someone was reborn.
support to those living with Dementia in Tenerife, for those living with the disease and their carers. Often those with a diagnosis become isolated as their friends stop visiting as they think there is no point. Many are elderly, many live alone, many do not have family on the island. Our logo symbolises our group. We wanted the elephant to show that people living with dementia never forget, they just store and express information differently. The heart shows the love, warmth and compassion given by the group and the balloons express our philosophies, providing support, encouragement and caring. What type of therapy sessions will you be providing? As I said music and movement which will be starting in January in Silencio. There are plans to do swimming sessions with a qualified swimming instructor, table top gardening, craft sessions and we have a lovely doggie who can provide pet therapy. We also have plans to hold a Tea Dance a few times a year. We are open to more suggestions too.
What are the aims of the group?
There are a core group of people who have come together, although we welcome anyone who wishes to be involved. We all have a
Our vision is to provide
So who will provide this support?
connection to dementia in some way. Some are currently caring for loved ones, some have done this in the past. Some have professional experience in this area and others just want to give forward their skills.
How can you support carers? By providing the therapy support sessions they will be able to bring the person they are caring for, allow them to interact with the session and others and then they can sit on the sidelines, have a cuppa and a chat with others in the same position. Believe me this can be all the break you need some days! In addition to this we can provide a ‘sitting’ service, whereby one of our supporters will stay at home with the person living with dementia, whilst the carer can go and do the shopping, get their hair done, go for a drink with friends, or just go and sit quietly on the beach maybe to have some peace and tranquillity to recharge. Just knowing there is someone they can contact is a support network that is really needed here. We can assist with translators. We have a few translators on board with us who are very experienced in medical matters, especially dementia. Having consistency with dementia is so important as you have to be able to understand the person living with the dementia -v- what the carer is saying, the two do not always agree! They also have to be very aware of the need for input from the group for support for the carer as this is one of the hardest diseases to care for as you see the person you are caring for disappearing day by day.
So what is dementia? Well it is a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.
Can dementia be cured? Frustratingly, medical science has so far been unable to find a cure for dementia. The truth is that there is unlikely to be a single ‘one pill cures all’ to treat the condition because the brain damage of dementia is caused by many different diseases. However, research is continuing aimed at reducing risk factors, slowing down the decline and improving function and quality of life. Once diagnosed, this does not mean that the person with the dementia can’t live a full and happy life within their abilities, which is what we aim to assist with. There are certain ‘dementias’ where the
damage is done by a specific action, such as Korsakoff ’s, where reduction in alcohol intake will reduce the continuation of brain damage and some which can be due to infections therefore treated with antibiotics, but ‘true’ dementias are incurable.
Will you be contributing to research? No. All funds raised will be directed at supporting those living with dementia in Tenerife and their carers. So how can the community get behind you with this? We need funds to provide these services because although no members of the support team will financially benefit from the group and the roles of the associacion are done so voluntarily, there are costs involved for equipment etc., and of course the Associacion application will cost.
So how are you going to raise the funds needed? We are hoping that the community will dig deep to assist us in raising enough funds to start the therapy sessions, provide much needed support and also to go towards us getting Associacion status. We know it is a big ask and there are many fantastic organisations already here in Tenerife that do amazing work for a variety of causes, but we are hoping that we can share some of the support the great community and tourists of Tenerife show to these too.
available to locals or is it just for the ex-pat community? So far the contact has been within the ex-pat community, however we are hoping that in time the locals will also benefit. It is an ongoing project which we hope will expand and embrace the whole community who are in need and can improve their quality of life by being involved.
How to contact the group The group have a face book group and page and through this private messages can be sent to ask for assistance. We also have set up a private group called Dementia Help Me Tenerife which is where those caring for others can rant, speak freely about their feelings etc anytime night or day and we can give support this way too. There are contact numbers on the page for those who would prefer to speak to someone rather than online. Anyone needing support can contact me direct on 643274042.
Will the group be By Sharon Edens
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
VISITING THE DENTIST IS A MUST, SAYS ARTEDENTAL
HEALTH
MATTERS
33
DON’T FORGET ORAL HEALTH IN YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS! B
OTH the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the dental community make it clear: caries and periodontal and peri-implant diseases are a real public health problem. WHO reveals in its reports that untreated caries in adults affects 35% of the world’s population, placing it in the first position in the ranking of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Meanwhile, periodontitis will affect 11.2% of the population, and occupies the sixth position among the chronic diseases with the highest incidence. According to the team of the specialised clinic of the north of Tenerife, Artedental of Puerto de la Cruz, “our mouth is full of bacteria that live in perfect harmony with us, being benign. However, bad habits such as smoking, excessive consumption of sugars and poor hygiene on the one hand; as well as risk factors such as genetics or systemic diseases on the other, cause an imbalance that becomes harmful to oral health, such as caries or periodontal diseases ”. If left untreated, they cause pain and discomfort and we should not underestimate their effects. In the worst cases you can lose teeth and affect interpersonal relationships. In fact, their treatments are not cheap. These diseases occupy the fourth position among the pathologies with more expensive treatments. The experts and international organisations agree, the best treatment is prevention, which has two main focuses: “ Visit the dentist at least once a year to
detect them in time and control of hygiene in the mouth,” stresses Artedental. Both methods aim to reduce or eliminate the bacterial plaque and are able, in addition to preventing, to reverse the progress of these pathologies. Brushing is indisputably beneficial in reducing both diseases when fluoride dentifrices are used. Given the seriousness of the problem and its effects on personal relationships, aesthetics and health, the new purposes of 2020 should include, in addition to diet, subscription to the gym or quitting tobacco, visits to the dentist and the control of hygiene, because its shortage could have ver y harmful results.
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
German Mechanic in Las Chafiras
All Kinds of repairs - Pre ITV - Diagnosis We speak English
922 734 316 or 637 407 444 Find us in Las Chafiras behind Lidl supermarket
Full range of services offered including Inheritance & Wills, Administration of Communities, Property maintenance, cleaning & Fiscal Advice.
922 862 901
CARS BOUGHT FOR CASH Anything considered. Offer made once seen, WANTED small cars to medium cars, 4x4’s to small vans, people carries, etc. Call us now on 678 451 641
VIAGRA, Cialis, kamagra jellies, free delivery. Discounts on large orders. Tel.: 604 385 476
viagra4you19@gmail.com
simplifying IT
PLACING AN ADVERT WITH US IS JUST A CALL AWAY
Send your classfied advert to: info@tenerifenews.com
Tenerife News
922 30 49 87 info@tenerifenews.com
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
35
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
The Prestige Group
The Prestige Group
Est. 1999
Est. 1999
Specialists in the Manufacture, Repair and Installation of all types of Industrial and Domestic Shutters, Security Grilles, Garage Doors, Electric or Manual. Remote Control Systems.
High Quality OUTDOOR Furniture
JAC Enterprises S.L., Agustin Millares 20, Armeñime, Adeje. Showroom open 9-5 Mon-Fri
JAC Enterprises S.L., Agustin Millares 20, Armeñime, Adeje. Showroom open 9-5 Mon-Fri
Tel: 922 74 08 88
Tel : 922 74 08 88
www.theprestigegroup.es
www.theprestigegroup.es
info@theprestigegroup.es
The Prestige Group T
Tenerife’s leading supplier of Aluminium systems and much more, established on the Island since 1992. We manufacture, supply & fit all types of:
Windows Security shutters Bathroom screens Privacy screens
Patio & French doors Security bars Wardrobes Gates & Fencing
Front doors Louvre shutters Cupboards Insect screens
CBAS are the number one installer of the Glass curtain system CBAS offer replacement glass & locks & parts department CBAS offer an emergency call out service CONSTRUCTION New builds Extensions Refurbishments Kitchens Roofing Bathrooms
Tenerife’s leading Specialist in the Manufacture, Repair and Installation of all types of Awnings, Canopies, Interior and Exterior Blinds.
German Mechanic in Guargacho
All surveys & estimates are free of charge
JAC Enterprises S.L., Agustin Millares 20, Armeñime, Adeje. Showroom open 9-5 Mon-Fri
Tel: 922 74 08 88
www.theprestigegroup.es
E: info@canariesbritish.com www.cbas.eu Visit our showroom at the top of Amarilla Golf on the junction with the Auction house.
info@theprestigegroup.es
All Kinds of repairs - Pre ITV - Diagnosis We speak English
922 734 316 or 637 407 444 Find us in Las Chafiras behind Lidl supermarket
Full range of services offered including Inheritance & Wills, Administration of Communities, Property maintenance, cleaning & Fiscal Advice.
922 862 901
Est. 1999
AUTHORISED INSTALLER
CBAS - Poligono Industrial Las Chafiras III, C/.Caracas Nave 4, 38639 San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife T: +34 922 736 738 F: +34 922 735 123
info@theprestigegroup.es
Applications and paperwork to the Authorities (Residencia, NIE number, inheritances etc) Resident and Non-Resident annual tax declarations Accounting, Payroll and Management Consulting Tax advice and consulting Property purchase and investigations Translations and Interpreter service... and more!
CONTACTS
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
SECTION
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Tel: 922 304 987
Send your classfied advert to:
info@tenerifenews.com
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING FORM Complete section A, if you are sending in an advert and/or section B to set up a Newspaper subscription. Then complete section C below, with your payment details.
C PAYMENT METHOD com
I enclose my cheque payable to Tenerife News S.L. for .........................................Euros. (Equivalent $US & Eurocheques accepted)
Name:-.......................................................................... Address:-....................................................................... ..................................................................................... Contact Number:-.......................................................... Postcode:-.............................Country:-........................... Signature
Date
Cut out this coupon and submit it with your total payment directly to:
Tenerife News, Apartado de Correos nยบ54, 38390 Santa Ursula, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. For Classified Advertising only, you can hand this into one of our Collection points indicated at the start of our Classified Advertisement Section. Email: info@tenerifenews.com
SPORTS 37
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
SHINING EXAMPLES
La Laguna honours its sporting greats in special ceremony L
championships), Laura Ramos (six medals, Tenerife champion in 2019 and two golds in international championships) and Axel Alain (five medals, Senior Canary champion and gold medal in international
A Laguna council, through its Autonomous Sports Organisation (OAD), received more than 50 athletes from the municipality to recognise their merits.
The act was chaired by sports councillor and president of the OAD, Idaira Afonso; the first deputy mayor, Rubens Ascanio; and environment councillor and vice president of the OAD, José Luis Hernández. Idaira Afonso congratulated all the attendees for their achievements, saying “they are an example for other people and athletes” and that they become “referents that fly the flag very high”. Likewise, he highlighted sports practice as an opportunity to “learn and strengthen other values such as respect, teamwork, to-lerance and equality.” For his part, Rubens Ascanio congratulated the efforts of the athletes, hoping that the number will increase this year and promising a significant investment to provide resources. In the karate discipline, Irina López, champion of the Canary Islands and third in Spain in the Junior categor y, was recognised. In rhythmic gymnastics, Lucía González Padilla (bronze medal in the National Cadet Base Cup) and Ico Botanz (bronze medal in the Spanish Championship of the modality of Cinta and together with her team, champion of Spain for three consecutive years, plus one Queen’s Cup in 2018). One of the sports with greater presence in this reception was BMX, following the participation in the
Open). The medalists in regional, national and international championships Nayeli Dias, Sheila Delgado, Pablo Hernández, Julia Rodríguez and Raúl Cruz were also received.
ESPIRITU TRIABONA
Running club unveils its new kit Championship of Spain in different categories. David Acosta (runner-up 7-8 years), Adriana Pereza (champion 910 years), Sergio Rosa (champion Alevín), Garoé Hernández (third Alevín), Samira Fernández (runnerup) were recognised, as well as Raúl López (third Infant), Daniel Martín (Cadet champion) and Francisco Barbuzano (Pro Master champion). The BMX T-Riders Club runners recognised were: Hugo Cano Campillo (7-8 years champion), Daniel Fernández (Beginner champion), Gabriel Carrena (Children’s runner-up) and Jesús García (40-49 years champion). In addition to the BMX Laguna Club runner, David López (champion 3039). In archery, Beatriz Pérez (champion of Spain in Sala 2017 and silver medal in the Canarian championship), Yanira Pérez (gold and
bronze in championships of Spain Sala y Aire Libre 2019), Antonio López (bronze) received a mention and María López (gold in the Atlantic Trophy). In the weightlifting discipline, the athletes received were Atener y Hernández, Delioma Hernández, Andrea Beautell and Juana Pérez, champions of the National League of Honour Division, for the seventh time in a row, and champions of the Queen’s Cup for the tenth time. Also Víctor José Galván, Miguel Terán, Abraham Tabares, Eduardo Pérez, Luis Biagioni and Acorán Hernández, champions of the National League of Honour Division and third parties in the Copa del Rey. All of them are national and some also international medalists. Finally, taekwondo athletes were recognised: Andrea Suárez (23 medals, 15 gold between 2018 and 2019, and
champion of the Canary Islands and runner-up of Spain in 2019, and third in Europe in 2018, who has participated in 13 opens international, being champion in six of them between 2018 and 2019, and in the Paris Open Open G1) and Juan Coello (11 medals between 2018 and 2019, Insular champion and third in Europe in 2018, who has participated in nine international opens, being champion in five of them between 2018 and 2019). Also honoured were Marta Báez diploma (12 medals between 2018 and 2019, champion of the Canary Islands in two categories, and participant in seven international opens), Elena Martín (12 medals between 2018 and 2019, champion of the Canary Islands U21 and third of Spain), Nere Martín (12 medals, Tenerife Senior Champion two consecutive years and three of his gold medals are from international
T
HE pier of the coastal town of El Médano proved the perfect backdrop when running club, C.D. Espíritu Triabona presented its new kit for the 2020 season.
More than half of the team members were able to be present for the light-hearted ceremony during which many memories and stories were shared with great humour. The new kit was presented by this great squad of athletes who take part in the athletic events, triathlon and mountain running ranging from the senior categories to M65 veterans. The brands Mizuno and Sural were unveiled in the setting of the Playa de Leocadio Machado. The Granadilla club’s new season officially began on January 1st.
SPORTS
38
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
NEW INITIATIVE
WORLDWIDE IMPACT
Hundreds of Coup for Tenerife as island wins international basketball event Santas run T through the streets of Santa Cruz HE Intercontinental Basketball Cup 2020 will be held in Tenerife in February.
T
HE Christmas Race “Run Santa” premiered with a successful first edition in Santa Cruz.
More than 700 participants, dressed in the traditional Santa Claus outfits, starred in this new sporting and solidarity event framed in the municipal initiative “Navilunio”. Those taking part included the Mayor of the city, Patricia Hernández, who said it was a fun initative designed for all the family and looked like becoming an annual event. “It was a resounding success and we are very satisfied, not only because we had fun but also because it helps El Club de La Piruleta to continue and develop its work. ” Councillor for sports, Elena Mateo, said: “We did not want anyone to be unable to be part of this initiative that combines sport and solidarity and, for that reason, we also included a two-kilometre walk.” The Christmas Race “Run Santa” raised funds, through the registration of participants, in favour of La Piruleta. This entity promotes the inclusion, through the practice of basketball, of children with functional diversity who have seen how this project has changed their lives radically. The programme also featured a massive Zumba
class, run by Macrofit, before adults and children shared the spirit of Christmas running through the main streets of Santa Cruz. As for the race, those who managed to finish it among the first three received a commemorative cap from Santa Claus and different products with which to sweeten the closure of this year and start 2020 with the best foot.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has chosen the island as the venue for this important competition, which will be held between February 7th and 9th at the Santiago Martín sports pavilion, with C.B. Canarias as host and organising team. The teams that aspire to win the Intercontinental Cup are the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (USA), current champion of the GLeague and NBA Develop-ment League; Virtus Bolonia (Italy), current champion of the Basketball Champions League; San Lorenzo de Almagro (Argentina), two-time champion of the League of the Americas; and C.B. Canarias, current runner-up of the #BCL. President of Tenerife Cabildo, Pedro Martín and vice president, Enrique Arriaga, presented this sporting event at a
press conference, accompanied by the vice president of Iberostar Tenerife, Santiago Cacho, and the insular Minister of Sports, Concepción Rivero. Pedro Martín stressed that “the organisation of the Inter-
continental Cup is an opportunity to put Tenerife at the head of sports competitions, with this event of great international impact, very important for our foreign promotion, but that also represents a recognition of the work done by Iberostar Tenerife, which bears the name of the island and the Canary Islands throughout the national territory throughout the year ”. The president added that “ Tenerife fans can enjoy basketball of the highest level on the island.” Enrique Arriaga detailed the record of the participating teams and explained that “we have been working for some time to get the Intercontinental Basketball Cup 2020 played in Tenerife and we have achieved that the FIBA recognises the organisational capacity and good work of our island in sporting events, as we have done on previous occasions, hosting top-level competitions, which have been a success regarding the organisation and public reception”. Arriaga added that it is a worldwide
impact event, which will be broadcast on televisions around the world. The vice president of Iberostar Tenerife thanked the Cabildo for its response “to this challenge and the club’s proposal” and to the FIBA for its commitment, while highlighting “the opportunity for the island to organise an event of this nature and appealed to companies to support and get involved with this competition, which will have an impact in many areas.” Likewise, Concepción Rivero expressed satisfaction with the fact that Tenerife has been chosen by the FIBA to host the 2020 Intercontinental Basketball Cup, “a spectacular event that we will be able to enjoy on the island all sports and basketball fans”. The 2020 Intercontinental Cup competition format includes the relevant semifinals, which will be played on Friday, February 7th and the match for third place and the final, which will take place on Sunday, February 9th.
40
SPORTS
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
NEWS
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Another honour for seventh edition of Pinolere Trail
Highest praise for adapted football teams
T T
HE seventh edition of the Pinolere Trail will host on April 26th, 2020 the Canary Trail Championship, which will be held over a distance of 27 kilometres. In this way, the mountain race organised by the OrotavaClator Athletics Club and sponsored by La Orotava council, with the collaboration of the Cabildo de Tenerife, will crown the best trail runners in the archipelago. The Canarian Athletics Federation has chosen the Pinolere Trail to be the organising event of the regional trail event in 2020, thus recognising the intermediate
modality of the north island race, which has been held since 2014. The Canar y Trail Championship will start from the Pinolere Museum and Ethnographic Park and will pass through the Dornajito Cross and the Chasna Road. Competitors will also step on the Protected Landscape of La Resbala, an important natural centre of Tenerife, and will face
again the hard climb of the Barranco del Infierno, located a few kilometres away from the finish line. Areas of Laurisilva, pine, cultivation, forest tracks and historical trails will be some of the scenarios that the most prominent athletes on the regional scene will encounter. This seventh Pinolere event will include a new route for the 42kilometre queen test and a profile of greater difficulty. The organisation has been working on the ground for months to offer an itinerary that ascends to the faults of Montaña Limón through littleknown paths, guaranteeing
participants a positive slope of 2,820 metres. On the website of the test (www.pinoleretrail.com) you can now consult, and download, the new marathon route. In addition, there is the 11kilometre test, which runs through Pinolere and the Casa del Agua.. All modalities cross several paths belonging to PRTF 35, GR 131, part of the Candelaria Road and several forest tracks. Registrations will be maintained until April 3rd, 2020 on the official website of the test: www.pinoleretrail.com.
HE Mayor of Santa Cruz, Patricia Hernández, along with sports councillor, Elena Mateo received with all honours the members of the adapted soccer teams Iberia Toscal, Dispacint and Hermano Pedro after their brilliant participation in the Championship from Spain FEDDI.
“They are the best example that when you like something there is no obstacle that comes in order to do so,” they said. The Mayor also highlighted the Hermano Pedro women’s team became they are the first in history to play meetings against male teams, obtaining a victory, a draw and a defeat, in addition to Dispacint winning the silver medal and the Iberia Toscal the bronze. In a formal atmosphere at the beginning and more relaxed at the end, the first mayor transferred to the athletes their congratulations “for making the name of Santa Cruz shine” before staying to chat for a long time with the attendees. Elena Mateo reiterated “the commitment of this government team to make sport much more accessible”, also announcing that in the next budgets that a budget item has been contemplated to subsidise adapted sport . When the act was over, several players asked the mayor and the councillor for sports for photographs to remember this act, since for many of them, this was the first time they had entered the Municipal Palace.
Canaries and Granadilla shine in judo tournament
SPANISH CUP
T
HE Canar y Islands obtained 31 medals in the Spanish Judo Cup in the “cadete” and “infantil” categories.
Granadilla de Abona hosted this meeting which brought together more than 800 people. The Canaries gained eight golds, nine silvers and 14 bronzes in this tenth edition of the tournament organised with the collaboration of the Higher Sports Council by the national and Canarian judo federations, the sports department of Granadilla de Abona and the Granadilla Judo Club as hosts, among others. It should be noted that the Canary Islands is the autonomy with the best results in infantil, with eleven medals, and Galicia in cadete, with 16 medals. The sporting event had participants from Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Castilla León, Castilla La Mancha, Cantabria, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid,
Murcia, Navarra, Portugal, Rioja, Valencia and the Basque Country. The first lieutenant mayor and councillor for sports, Marcos González Alonso, and the councillor for works, María Concepción Cabrera, among other members of the municipal corporation, attended the medal presentation ceremony. Marcos González congratulated all the participants and the host club, ‘Judo Granadilla’, in addition to thanking the national and Canarian judo federations for backing Granadilla to host this event. Judo Granadilla has a
history of over 37 years and many triumphs, in addition to the great success in each edition in the organisation of this championship. As for the results of Granadilla, a bronze was obtained by Ainhoa Salazar Ramos, a female cadete of less than 63 kilos, and two fifth places by Alejandro Chávez Mendoza, a male cadete of less than 73 kilos, and Diego Pérez Moldovan, male infantil under 38 kilos. The test is a scoring event for the Spanish Championship and to participate in international championships through national team.
The headwinds facing the Spanish property market at the end of 2019
W
ITH just a few days after the new year, here are the headwinds I see blowing in the face of the Spanish property market.
As we end a decade that started in a deep crisis with the Spanish property market all but imploding in 2010, I see more headwinds around now than at any time since the recovery started back around 2013. There are also some tailwinds losing force that I shall mention first.
TAILWINDS LOSING FORCE:
Slowing economic growth. Spanish GDP grew by an annualised 2% in Q3, but is on a downward curve, as you can see from the chart below. A slowing economy means fewer new jobs, and less wealth around to spending on housing. That said, the economy is still growing, so this is not yet a headwind, more like a tailwind losing force.
Written by Mark StĂźcklin Mark StĂźcklin is a Barcelona-based property market analyst and consultant, and author of the 'Spanish Property Doctor' column in the Sunday Times (2005 - 2008). He can be reached by email on: ms@spanishpropertyinsight.com.
Unemployment is falling at a slower rate. The jobless rate in Spain peaked at over 26% in 2013 and fell to 13.92% in Q3. But as you can see from the chart below, the rate of decline appears to be slowing down, as you would expect with a slowdown in GDP growth. On the other hand, wage growth is still a reasonable 4%, leaving the average worker with a long term contract better off. Continues on the following page
42
PROPERTY
SUPPLEMENT
Continues from previous page
Population slowdown. Spain’s low birthrate, ageing population, and lower immigration levels means the population is barely growing, which is a kind of headwind for the economy and the housing market in general terms. True, the population has bounced back a bit after the decline of the crisis years, but with the fertility rate standing at 1.33 in 2019 and fewer immigrants than during the boom years, population growth is forecast to be negligible in 2020, and negative in the next deace. A smaller population means fewer families and less demand for housing.
Mortgage lending slowing down. Though interest rates are close to historic lows, new mortgage lending has been volatile of late, and might be showing signs of running out of steam. Figures from the INE show new lending down 30% in August and September, and 2% in October, whilst more timely figures from the notaries show lending growing again by 9.5% in September and 8.1% in October. Though much of the turbulence in the mortgage market might be due to a new law introduced this year intended to protect borrowers, there are reasons to think the period of steady growth in new mortgage lending has come to an end. New housing starts on the wane. Planning approvals were down 14% in July, and confidence in the building sector is declining, according to a survey by the Government.
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
HEADWINDS BUILDING STRENGHT: Political uncertainty. Spain has had four general elections in four years and still doesn’t have a government with a working majority in Madrid. It looks like the current caretaker government of Socialists led by Pedro Sanchéz will form a coalition with the hard-left Podemos party relying on support from Catalan nationalists, which would mean a more leftwing and unstable government, hardly good for the economy. The political conflict in Catalonia is also destabilising the whole country. There’s a reasonable chance that negotiations over the next government will break down leading to another general election next year that fails to break the impasse, and so on. The political moshing between left, right and restive regions like Catalonia creates uncertainty that isn’t great for the economy, and is a turn off for foreign investors. Political interference in the housing market. As Spain is going through a political period drifting towards the left, expect more interference in the housing market, for example with rent controls and restrictions on holiday-rentals. In Catalonia a new decree will help squatters at the expense of landlords, and impose a 40% social housing quota on all new developments in Barcelona. Political interference could have unintended consequences like a fall in the supply of homes for rent and new homes for sale, putting upward pressure on housing costs, thus making it a headwind that delivers higher returns. But political interference is also a turn off for investors, especially foreign investors, and on balance will probably be a headwind for the market in 2020. Consumer confidence going soft. What with all the economic and political uncertainty around in Spain consumers are feeling less confident, reports the Spanish bank BBVA. When consumers are feeling jumpy they usually spend and invest less. Housing is a big investment that is greatly helped by high consumer confidence. Fewer local and foreign buyers around. The latest figures for October clearly show the Spanish property market going through a period of weaker demand, and figures from the Registrars for Q3 reveal that foreign buyers were down 5% and local buyers down 8.5%. Oversupply in some areas. It’s difficult to quantify but some experts think that the market is now over-supplied with new homes in places like the Costa del Sol, where new home buyers pay a premium that is not easy to justify. Any signs of trouble selling new projects in some segments will not be good for confidence. Higher house prices. Spanish house prices have been rising for the last few years, though recently it looks like prices have lost momentum. But in areas with strong demand, like the big cities and most popular resort areas, prices have risen to a level that no longer looks like a steal, so the bargain argument for buying in Spain is not as strong as it was, especially for foreign buyers. When you throw in transaction costs, bureaucracy, and the lack of professionalism in the sector, buying a home in Spain is no longer such an attractive proposition at this price, though it does depend on your segment. Brexit. Though significantly reduced, the British are still the biggest group of foreign buyers in Spain. It looks like Brexit has reduced British demand since the referendum, but now we know that the UK is definitely leaving under a Conservative government, will that be good or bad for British demand? In the short run the high level of uncertainty around what Brexit actually means will probably be unhelpful, so I think Brexit will continue to be a headwind for now. It seems to me we are heading into a new decade headwinds gathering, and tailwinds losing force. But when you consider how bad the market was this time a decade ago, in the crater of the Spanish property crash, things are a lot better now, and we can feel much more confident about the market than we did back then. Headwinds might hold the market back, but that’s nothing compared to a crash.
PROPERTY
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020
SUPPLEMENT
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
43 43
After 3 successful years proudly opening our second office,
now in Costa Adeje!
Visit our website for video virtual tours!
GREAT SELECTION OF PROPERTIES ALL OVER THE ISLAND CALLAO SALVAJE
AMARILLA GOLF
Ref.: S-6310-A
Price: 310.000€
First ocean line, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Price: 320.000€
Price: 378.000€
House with lovely garden, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Ref.: C-6215-A
Price: 168.000€
Ref.: R-6945-V
Selection of apartments with pool
Ref.: C-6695-V
Price: 695.000€
Privileged location, 5 bedrooms
Ref.: C-6349-C
Price: 299.000€
Pool and sea views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
COSTA ADEJE
Ref.:C-61680-V Price: On Demand
ARICO
COSTA ADEJE
Price: 945.000€
Renovated detached house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
PALM MAR
GUIA DE ISORA
Ref.: S-6320-V
Ref.: C-6378-V
CALLAO SALVAJE
High end exclusive villa, 4 en suite bedrooms
ADEJE
Villa with pool, 4 bedrooms
Ref.: R-6695-V
Price: 695.000€
Villa overlooking the city
www.agatatenerife.com We speak:
Avda. Marques Villanueva del Prado 44 I Puerto de la Cruz Tel.:
(0034) 922 937 016 Mobile: (0034) 689 770 170 info@agatatenerife.com WE ARE URGENTLY LOOKING FOR FINCAS & APARTMENTS FOR SALE PLEASE CONTACT US AND ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER FOR TENERIFE NEWS READERS PROPERTY OWNERS
We have international clients looking to buy apartments, villas or fincas on Tenerife. Please contact us if yo are thinking of selling.
44
PROPERTY
SUPPLEMENT
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
PROPERTY
SUPPLEMENT
45
PROPERTY
10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 I TENERIFE NEWS 642
SUPPLEMENT
46
WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
Potential house purchadsers! Are you having trouble obtaining an NIE appointment?
Y
OU can’t buy a property in Spain without an NIE number, which you have to apply for by appointment with an immigration office. But I hear it’s proving impossible to get an appointment, at least in some popular coastal areas, so how do you solve the NIE problem if you want to buy a house in Spain? It’s been twenty years since I applied for my own Spanish NIE number at a police station in Barcelona, and though I publish a popular guide explaining the Spanish NIE number, what it is, why you need one, and how to get one, I don’t deal with any NIE number applications, so I was unaware that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get an appointment with immigration office until a reader called Ian got in touch with the following question:
“We have been trying to book an appointment to obtain an NIE number to facilitate a house purchase, but for the last
few months there have been no appointments available around the Alicante region, do you know why it has become so difficult ? We have tried booking an appointment online but all offices, Alicante, Benidorm, Denia etc. advise that no appointments are available. As a result, those wishing to buy in Spain are unable to do so. This must be having an effect on the property market in Spain, and we now have both a lawyer and consultant attempting to secure us an appointment.”
So I asked around on Facebook and it quickly
became clear from the feedback that it’s almost impossible to get an NIE number appointment these days in popular areas without the help of one of the lawyers or gestors who are well connected with officials and can help you apply for a Spanish NIE number in return for a fee that ranges from around €30 for a partial service to as much as €200 or more for a full service, though I’ve seen a few reliable outfits offering a full service for €150. I get the feeling you might not want to hand over money to some of the outfits advertising an NIE number service online. It might be the last time you see that money, so I personally wouldn’t use any of the NIE number services unless it came with a credible recommendation. In the New
Year I’ll put together a guide to NIE number application services that can be trusted. In the meantime, you can read a Facebook discussion
of the current difficulty of getting an NIE number appointment below. I assume you can still get an appointment on your own in areas where there is not
much foreign demand, for example in the north of Spain, but if you need an NIE number to buy a property in southern Spain, it looks like your only option is to pay for the service.
Calle Flor de Pascua 33 , Los Gigantes I Tel.: 922 862 901 I www.delmargigantes.net
Sansofe Puerto - Puerto Santiago
La Salvaje - Playa de la Arena
Jazmin - Los Gigantes
Sansofe - Puerto Santiago
Attractive two bedroom apartment with entrance hall, lounge, dining room, fully fitted kitchen, 2 bathrooms 1 en-suite, fully furnished and 2 terraces with a sea view. 2 community heated swimming pools and gardens.
Very spacious four bedroom townhouse with lounge, separate fitted kitchen, 2 bathrooms, guest toilet, unfurnished, very large garage, extensive terrace and balconies with sea and cliff views. Community swimming pool.
Desireable one bedroom apartment with living room, new fitted kitchen, new bathroom, utility cupboards, fully furnished and large terrace with sea and cliff views. Community swimming pool.
Spacious 3 bedroom penthouse with lounge and dining room, separate fitted kitchen, 3 bathrooms, guest toilet, furnished, upstairs office/bedroom and large terrace with stunning views. Parking area, pool and gardens.
199.000 €
149.000 €
595.000 €
299.000 €
Drago - Los Gigantes
Salinas - Varadero
Jardin del Sol - Playa de la Arena
Hibisco - Los Gigantes
Attractive refurbished two large bedroom apartment with lounge/dining room, fitted kitchen, 2 bathrooms en-suite, fully furnished, utility terrace and 2 terraces with wonderful sea views. Community heated swimming pool.
Attractive one bedroom apartment with lounge/dining room, fitted kitchen, bathroom, furnished, conservatory and 2 terraces with pool and sea views. Heated community swimming pool.
Attractive one bedroom apartment with living room, fitted kitchen with breakfast bar, fully furnished, shower room, en-suite, utility room and large terrace with wonderful sea and cliff views.
239.000 €
159.000 €
Excellent private three bedroom apartment with entrance hall, lounge/dining room, separate fitted kitchen, bathroom en-suite, shower room, fully furnished, BBQ area, Jacuzzi, private parking and large terrace with views.
360.000€
£159.000
642 TENERIFE NEWS I 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD JANUARY 2020 WWW.TENERIFENEWS.COM
PROPERTY
SUPPLEMENT
47
8 437003 217012
00642