Fuengirola Monthly 013 - September 2014

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS

fuengirola montHlY Information provided by

September 2014

iSSue nº 13

Ayuntamiento de

Fuengirola

952 58 93 00 // 952 58 94 40

FOREIGNRESIDENTS@FUENGIROLA.ORG

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SENIOR CITIZENS’ WORKSHOP.

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FUENGIROLA TO BE BEAUTIFIED.

www.fuengirola.org FUENGIROLARESIDENTSRESIDENTESFUENGIROLA

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RIDE AN ELECTRIC BIKE.

Deadline to pay IBI and Gemer around the corner THE deadline to pay the Spanish property tax (IBI) and the rubbish collection tax (Gemer) is Friday September 5.

Tax Councillor Carmen Malo is encouraging registered Fuengirola residents who have already paid their taxes to verify if they have any outstanding debts with the Council, otherwise they will not be able to benefit from the tax exemption covering the remaining 30 per cent through the tax aid system - that includes IBI, Gemer and the Motor Vehicle Tax (IVTM) put in place in 2013. The deadline to pay the IVTM was June 20th.

“Local residents wishing to benefit from the tax exemption must have registered as residents before December 31st 2013, have no outstanding debts with the council and have paid 70 per cent of their taxes. We, at the

COUNCILLOR MALO: Encourages Fuengirola residents to verify if they have outstanding debts with the Council.

Council, want everyone to meet the requirements and benefit from the tax exemption,” said Malo.

In 2013, as many as 24,500 Fuengirola residents benefited

from the tax exemption programme, in which the Council invested €4.2 million. “We made a huge effort last year to inform people how they could benefit

from the tax exemption. In fact, Mayor Oña sent a letter explaining what to do,” he added.

For more information call 952 589 345 or 952 589 479.

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September 2014

Council offers workshops for senior citizens FUENGIROLA Council has announced workshops for senior citizens.

Senior Citizens Councillor Francisco Jose Martin held a press conference to present a series of workshops especially aimed at senior citizens. The workshops include: computing, theatre, oil painting, handicrafts, regional and ballroom dances.

The registration period starts on September 3rd, but those interested in taking one of the classes will first need to go to the Council starting on September 1 (8am) and reserve a place by getting a ticket with a number.

“Every person will be given a maximum of two tickets and it is mandatory to present the retiree card (carné de jubilado) of every

COUNCILLOR MARTIN: Held a press conference to present workshops especially designed for senior citizens. person taking the classes”, said Martin. “Those who do not

reserve a place will have to wait until the registration period is

over to see if there are still any spots left,” he added.

Press conference held to present the Tarjeta Fuengirola Joven more than 500 youths already have the fuengirola Joven card.

Youth Councillor ricardo von wichmann held a press conference to present the tarjeta fuengirola Joven, a project that seeks to promote and support local businesses. “back in february the Youth Department launched one of the most ambitious projects of the last few years. the tarjeta fuengirola Joven aims at offering young people the opportunity to buy products at cheaper prices and in an easier way. it also encourages them to choose local businesses and services to relaunch local stores,” said von wichmann. the card is valid for two years and is

YOUTH COUNCILLOR: The card encourages Fuengirola youths to choose local businesses. completely free. getting the card could not be any easier: anyone between 12 and 30 years of age and registered at the local

records office can apply for one. “those interested in getting the card must fill out an application, which they can get from the municipal website and submit it to the area de Juventud with a photocopy of their Dni,” explained the councillor. many local businesses have joined the innovative project, including driving schools, travel agencies, insurance companies, clothing stores and the alfil movie theatre, where card holders can watch any movie they want for as little as €4.5. the stores that have joined the project offer discounts on their products of more than 5 per cent and are easily identifiable thanks to a sticker with the tarjeta fuengirola Joven logo.

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Council to beautify Fuengirola streets FEW would dispute that Fuengirola is one of the most beautiful municipalities in Malaga Province.

Year after year thousands of holidaymakers arrive in Fuengirola to take advantage of its ever-growing tourist attractions, thus infusing life into the town’s economy. Aware of the important role tourism plays in Fuengirola, the Council has launched an ambitious programme aimed at

embellishing and beautifying the town’s neglected or seldom frequented streets (Los Boliches and Fuengirola) to make them more attractive and promote local businesses.

“This is good news for our town. We are going to change the face of some Fuengirola streets using specific colours used in cities around the world and throughout Spain,” said Mayor Esperanza Oña while presenting the programme called Poner color, poner en

valor, which will not cost a single cent to the people living in the residences included in the project. “After coming to an agreement with local residents, we are going to combine different colours to decorate façades of homes, highlighting their design and giving them a more attractive image,” she said.

The project includes painting decorative wall murals depicting, for instance, landscapes or views of the sea.

Fuengirola helping abandoned animals FUENGIROLA Council promotes the adoption of abandoned animals.

Health Councillor Carmen Diaz and Canes Manager Javier Delgado held a joint press conference to provide information about the Council-led awarenessraising campaigns against animal cruelty, abandonment in favour of adoption.

“For a number of years now, the Council has conducted a relentless campaign against animal abandonment and in favour of adoption, which has begun to bear fruit.

“So far this year, 245 pets have been adopted, including 131 dogs, 71 cats and others, such as turtles, birds, etc,” said Diaz.

Statistical data from Centro Zoosanitario show the number of adoptions has indeed increased. In fact, in 2013 there were on average 1.1 daily adoptions and now there are 1.25 adoptions every day, said Delgado.

PARQUES DE LA VIDA: Presented by Mayor Esperanza Oña.

Given an environmentallyfriendly makeover FULLY aware of the importance of the environment, Fuengirola Council launched Parques de la Vida, an awareness-raising project aimed at giving the town an environmentally-friendly makeover.

Parques de la Vida (Parks of Life) will consist of large green spaces located right on local beaches next to the boardwalks and fully integrated in the town’s architecture. The areas will feature large sculptures in the shape of hands as a symbol of life and environmental care.

“We want gardens on our beaches. As of right now, we have some areas with palm trees and a little bit of

grass. But we want to create large green spaces and we may even eliminate the wall on the beach to fully incorporate it into our town,” said Mayor Esperanza Oña.

The first Parque de la Vida (1,100sqm) will be located on Playa de Fuengirola, at the end of Calle Cuesta. Another one (1,200 sqm) will be on Playa de San Francisco, opposite Edificio Stella Maris, while the last two will be close to Arroyo Pajares (Los Boliches) and Carvajal with 1,700sqm and 1,300sqm respectively. There are plans to create others on Playa del Castillo, Torreblanca and near Arroyo Las Presas.

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September 2014

BIKE RIDE IN FUENGIROLA: Mayor Oña rides one of the state-of-the-art electric bikes.

Ride an electric bike around Fuengirola DO NOT miss out on the unique opportunity to ride an electric bike and enjoy Fuengirola.

Route Electric Bike is a pioneering local company created to offer holidaymakers and local residents alike the opportunity to ride modern, environmentally-friendly, nonpollutant electric bikes at affordable prices

and enjoy all the beautiful tourist attractions Fuengirola has to offer.

Located at Edificio PYR, Route Electric Bike has a fleet of electric bikes people can rent for €8 (1 hour), €14 (2 hours), €16 (3 hours) or €21 for a unique 3-hour route starting from Paseo Maritimo and which

includes up to 14 stops. Users will be provided with a notebook with specific maps and plenty of pictures and information about the places they will see along the way.

Available Monday to Sunday from 10am until 2pm and from 5.30pm until 9pm. For more info visit www.route-electricbike.com.

Mediterranean cruise for local residents FUENGIROLA Council organised a Mediterranean cruise for residents.

Tourism and Special Events Councillor Ignacio Souviron and representatives of Marina Sur Travel and Halcon Viajes held a joint press conference where they presented a new cruise at affordable prices especially for Fuengirola residents.

The Mediterranean cruise is to set sail on October 31 and to return on

November 4 and will visit Marseille, Provence, Rome and the Principality of Monaco, said Souviron.

The mayor held a meeting with representatives from 10 local travel agencies, where an agreement was reached to organise the Mediterranean cruise as a way to support all Fuengirola travel agencies and get the best benefits for Fuengirola residents, explained the councillor.

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE: Holidaymakers will visit France, Italy and Monaco.

The Mediterranean cruise is to cost €499 per person, including room and board, boarding fees and all travel expenses.

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Soundtrack from a galaxy far away CASTILLO SOHAIL in Fuengirola will serve as host to a thrilling concert featuring music from a galaxy far, far away.

The third edition of the Music, Animation and Videogames Festival is in Fuengirola from September 11 to 13, as part of this year’s PlayFest programme, said Culture Councillor Rodrigo Romero and Vice-president of the Government of Malaga Ana Mata.

“This year’s PlayFest will feature international artists that will play an unforgettable concert at Castillo Sohail, including Kevin Kiner, who was here last year and who is the composer of the soundtrack of several TV series including Walker, Texas Ranger and CSI: Miami. In the world of animation and videogames he is the main composer of the music for Star Trek and Star Wars,” said Romero.

Fuengirola will witness the world premier of the soundtrack especially composed for the animated series Star Wars Rebels, said Romero.

The festival will include music, videogames and animations workshops and the screening of the best episodes from The Clone Wars, Avatar, La Leyenda de Aanga and Avatar: The Legend of Korra, food, autographs, and a post-concert party.

Stores shut for alcohol offences FUENGIROLA Council shut down four convenience stores for selling alcohol outside permitted hours.

Councillor Isabel Gonzalez held a press conference to inform the general public of the Council’s decision to shut down four convenience stores for selling alcoholic beverages in August outside permitted hours.

“The stores were managed by Asians who were reported to the police following inspections conducted to clamp down on alcohol sales outside permitted hours,” said Gonzalez. The police wrote up a report detailing the offences repeatedly committed by the stores, she remarked.

Pursuant to current legislation, convenience stores were fined between €300 and €24,000 and shut down for four days.

“They were shut down to dissuade them from breaking the law and from selling alcohol outside permitted hours, that is between 10pm and 8am,” said Gonzalez.

WILLKOMMEN ZUM OKTOBERFEST: Delicious beer in a real German Bierkrug.

Fuengirola: German capital until September 7th FUENGIROLA is the capital of German beer and cuisine, at least until September 7th.

There is no doubt that the 7th Great Fuengirola’s Beer Festival 2014 is one of the hightlights of this year’s summer and an event no one should miss.

Held on the beautiful Sohail Castle which dates back to the eleventh century, the Oktoberfest offers holidaymakers and local residents alike a unique opportunity to taste German beer, as many as 15 of the best dishes German cuisine has to offer - including sausages, Frikadeller and Bavarian-style meat - and to have a blast with the incredibly fun music played by a

live German orchestra. There is also a park for children, live entertainment and a fun-filled environment for the whole family.

Some of the other scheduled activities include a costume party on September 4 with discounts for people who wear a costume, a Viking Party on September 5 and a People’s Fest on September 7, where all products will be offered at half price.

Organised by Oktoberfest Ole, the beer festival is open Mondays to Saturdays from 7pm until 2am and Sundays from 12pm until 2am. Entrance is completely free.

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September 2014

Municipal dog training school resumes its activities THE Municipal Dog Training School will resume its activities on September 1.

Dog owners will be happy to know that the municipal dog training school inaugurated last year on Guau Guau Dog Park in Los Pacos will resume its training classes early next month.

The only difference now is that the school will be directly managed by a private company and the Sports Department of Fuengirola Council will be in charge of supervising it. The change will not affect dog owners and those wanting their dogs to take one of the training courses will need to call 671 719 636 or complete the formal registration at Parque Guau Guau, said Sports Councillor Cuevas.

“Classes will still be taught between 7.30am and 8.30am from Monday until Friday, though this could change

GUAU GUAU DOG PARK: Dog training activities to be resumed on September 1. depending on demand,” said Cuevas. Dogs will be taught how to behave with other dogs and with people and

basic obedience, so they will not give their owners any problems. Furthermore, the courses will also focus on

current legislation and cost €50 a month for registered residents and €60 for nonregistered residents.

Taste your province and enjoy some of its mouth-watering dishes fuengirola residents will have a not-to-be-missed opportunity to try some of the best gastronomic products the malaga province has to offer.

Saborea tu provincia (taste your province) is a project jointly organised by fuengirola Council through the equality and festivities Departments aiming at giving registered local residents the chance

to try some of the best gastronomic products found in the malaga province at affordable prices (€10). this time around Saborea tu provincia will take local residents to guaro and the festival de la luna mora on Saturday September 6, as long as they are registered in town (empadronados) and sign up for the outing at the festivities Department on the second floor of the Council.

other upcoming outings include fiesta de la Cabra malagueña in Casabermeja (Saturday September 20), fiesta de la Castaña in alcaucin (october), fiesta del mosto in atajate (Saturday november 29), Cuevas bajas (December 7) and fiesta de las migas in torrox (Sunday December 21). for more information visit www.fuengirola.es or call 952 589 378.