The Senior Citizens and Heritage Departments are organising talks and visits to this site; the Town Hall will provide buses for those interested the Cortijo Acebedo site
The parades and fancy dress shows will take place on the 1st, 2nd and 9th of March in Las Lagunas, Mijas Pueblo and La Cala, respectively. There will also be parties in the three senior citizen centres NEWS/05
day of the autonomous community
TALK IN ENGLISH FOR FOREIGn
It will take place on Friday 28th from 12 hours. There will also be Andalusian breakfasts in the senior citizens' centres
The work on the Las Lagunas Sports Complex will be put out to tender again
The works are currently at a standstill due to a series of “non-compliances” by the company that up to now was awarded the contract NEWS/03 residents on Tuesday 25th the andalusia park hosts THE NEWS/04
The Foreigners Department together with Blacktower organise this conference on various topics at the La Cala Branch Office
The Junta allocates 267,000 euros for the extension of the IES Torre Almenara in La Cala
The works, which consist of the construction of two multi-purpose classrooms, have already been put out to tender
SPANISH /04
The construction company of the La Cala swimming pool has 30 days to fix the defects
The intention of the Mijas Town Hall is to open the facilities as soon as they accept the works
NEWS/02
After starting in April 2019, the works on the Regino Hernández Martín Sports Complex in Las Lagunas are once again at a standstill, a fact that has led the government team to express its intention to put the works out to tender again in order to finish this long-awaited project and put it into operation “as soon as possible”. As explained by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, during a visit to the site, in order to resume the work, the project is first being updated, adapting it to the demands of the Town Hall, and then the works will be put out to tender before the summer. In addition, she announced that the new plan will ensure the conservation of the mural by Dámaso Ruano located on the façade of the building / M.J.G.
The Local Police reinforces road safety with the acquisition of 420 new drug tests They will detect more effectively the presence of narcotic substances in drivers and will reduce the risk of traffic accidents
The mayoress, Ana Mata, visited the facilities on Friday 14th together with the councillor for Infrastructures, Juan José Torres Trella.
The Town Hall has given the company in charge of the La Cala swimming pool a new 30-day deadline to fix all the defects in order to accept the infrastructure. The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), recalled on Friday 14th that in order to accept this infrastructure it was necessary to fill the pool basin and carry out the appropriate checks, although the drought situation prevented this action from being carried out, as well as the definitive lighting, something that was achieved in May 2024.
The construction company of in LA CALA has 30 days to fix the defects THE SWIMMING POOL
The Town Hall expects to open the facilities once the work has been accepted
After the filling, the Town Hall detected a series of problems that prevented the proper acceptance of the installation.
“There were leaks in the pool and in the roof, impracticable windows, defects in the installations, dirt... We found all this, despite the fact that the previous local executive presented the installation and said that it was finished, which was far from being the case”, said Mata. In this regard, the Town Hall
The AECC organises its first classic car rally
The event, which has been postponed due to the rain forecast, will take place in Cortijo
I. Pérez. The Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Mijas presented on Monday 17th a new solidarity activity, which will have classic vehicles as protagonists. This is its first vintage car and motorbike rally, which was supposed to take place on Saturday 22nd of February at Cortijo Don Elías in Las Lagunas, but has been postponed due to the rainy forecast, and a new date has yet to be announced. About this event, the president of the group in Mijas, Lola Sanchís, recalled that “classic vehicles are considered to be all those that are more than 30 years old. There is great interest in collecting cars or motorbikes of this typ”, in fact, a motorbike from the year 1925 is expected to come from Cordoba, “which is sure to arouse a
ceremony”.
Entre otras categAmong other categories, the AECC will award prizes for the oldest car and motorbike, the oldest and youngest driver, the furthest vehicle and the club with the most participants. Registration for those who want to join this rally costs ten euros, including paella and drink. The most important thing about this event is that all the money raised will go, as always, to cancer research, “so I would like to encourage those neighbours who have classic cars and motorbikes, which I know there are many here in Mijas, to come and collaborate with the association. If you don’t have a car, it doesn’t matter, as you can come and see all the vehicles and collaborate by eating in the bar and participating in the raffle”, said the councillor for Social INclusion, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), who highlighted the collaboration of the Mijas Town Hall. and there
lot of curiosity”, she added. The event will begin at 11 hours with an exhibition of the participating vehicles on the Las Lagunas fairground, “then at 12 hours we will do a short tour around the nearby streets and from 13:30 hours, there will be a lunch with paella, hot dogs, spanish omelettes...”, explained Sanchís, adding that “Aida Garner and the band Rock Revival will also perform, and there will be raffles and a prize-giving
reported that on the 28th of January, a new unfavourable acceptance report was signed as there were still problems with the infrastructure and a lack of documentation. Since that date, the company has been given a new 30-day deadline to fix the errors in order to accept, once and for all, the municipal facilities. “I am confident that by the
“There were leaks in the pool and in the roof, impracticable windows, defects in the installations, dirt... We found all this, despite the fact that the previous local executive presented the installation and said it was finished, which was far from being the case”
end of February we will be able to accept the work”, declared the mayoress.
Olympic swimming pool
The Olympic-sized pool is covered and heated, is 50-metre long and the water temperature will be maintained at between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius. It has a grandstand for around 500 spectators, as well as changing rooms. The building also has an administration and reception area, a meeting room, a first aid room and mechanical and cleaning rooms. It also has multi-purpose areas where other sports activities can be carried out. The project involved an investment of 4.6 million euros.
New donation from Idiliq to #SoyCorazonCudeca
C.Luque. The Idiliq Foundation has raised 2,250 euros for the campaign #SoyCorazonCudeca, to get an additional medical team by 2025. The solidarity campaign ends this February and they are only 5,000 euros short of achieving their goal and caring for 211 more people.
best, providing special care at the end of life”.
Once again, the Idiliq Foundation, together with its patrons and promoters, met on Monday 17th to present a new cheque. Thanks to the sale of 200 heart-shaped key rings for Valentine’s Day, the foundation is making a new contribution to Cudeca. According to the president of the Idiliq Foundation, Juan Miguel Marcos, “we made a commitment to sell 200 key rings to our employees, colleagues and friends and we have succeeded, so that Cudeca can continue doing what they do
For his part, the doctor and care manager of the Cudeca Foundation, Rafael Gómez, recalled the terms of the campaign. “We have had a very bad end of the year in terms of fundraising. We started the campaign in November and we have had to relaunch it several times. We need 125,000 euros for a complete new medical team, a very important figure that we could not achieve without the help of all the people and of organisations, companies and entities such as the Idiliq Foundation”.
The councillor for Volunteers, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), assured that “we are here to support the Cudeca Foundation and its work, and also to thank the Idiliq Foundation for its contributions”.
Editorial Department / C.M.
ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)
Façade of the building housing the Olympic swimming pool / Archive.
A moment during the presentation of the cheque to the heads of Cudeca / C.L.
President of the AECC Mijas and councillor for Social Inclusion / I.P.
Don Elías
Infrastructures and Works
Mijas will tender THE works to complete the extension of the sports complex in Las Lagunas
They are currently at a standstill due to a series of “non compliances” by the company that, until now, was awarded the contract
Report by María José Gómez / Design: Isabel Merino
The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), accompanied by the councillor for Works and Infrastructures, Juan José Torres Trella (PP), visited on Friday 14th the extension works of the Regino Hernández Sports Complex in Las Lagunas, which are currently at a standstill due to a series of non-compliances by the company awarded the contract. The mayoress announced that the intention of the Mijas
The intention of the government team is to put the works out to tender before the summer
Town Hall is to put the work out to tender again in order to complete this long-awaited project and put it into operation “as soon as possible”.
These works, which included the creation of a new multi-purpose building, a therapeutic swimming pool and a children’s area with a municipal investment of
4.3 million euros, began almost six years ago, in April 2019, although the first contract with the awarded company was terminated in February 2021 due to “various noncompliances”, according to the government team.
After a new administrative process, the works were resumed in January 2023 through a joint venture. However, “this company began to slow down the pace of the works, with hardly any execution and by unilateral decision”, assured the Mijas Town Hall. The works were stopped on the 9th of May 2024 because the contract ended and neither the external works management nor the company requested an extension of the deadline. The works were resumed again in October last year but the company “did not execute anything and the works did not progress, being again at a standstill. That is why the Town Hall has decided to terminate the contract”, said Mata.
Next step
In this regard, Ana Mata explained that in order to resume the work, the project is first being updated, adapting it to the demands of the Town Hall, to then put the works out to tender before the summer..
“We have taken the bull by the horns to solve everything that has caused so many problems. We cannot allow a project to drag on for six years. The new project will be under the direction of the municipal technicians to ensure that it is completed on time and in the right way, and that all the problems that have affected the works since the beginning are resolved”, said the mayoress.
will conserve the mural by The new plan
This 20-metre long mural, which dominated the main entrance to the Sports Complex in Las Lagunas, was covered up a few months ago when a wall was erected just in front of it by the current awardee of the works.
The work by the late artist Dámaso Ruano was part of the image of the sports facilities, which is why it was the artist’s own family who noticed its disappearance. In this sense, the mayoress announced that, from the executive, “we will recover the piece with the aim of keeping it in the best conditions”.
On Friday 14th, the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, and the councillor for Infrastructures and Works, Juan José Torres Trella, visited the sports facilities to report on the forthcoming tender for the works.
“We have taken the bull by the horns to solve everything that has caused so many problems. We cannot allow a project to drag on for six years”
ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)
DÁMASO RUANO
More than 40 people take part in the Creamar Mijas training action
The activity is organised by the Aula del Mar Foundation and the Town Hall
More than 40 people participated in the training action organised by the Creamar Marine Protection Network in Mijas, promoted by the Aula del Mar Foundation and the Mijas Town Hall with the aim of creating a stable group of volunteers committed to the protection and restoration of the Mijas coastline. The first activity took place on Saturday 15th at the Cristóbal Ruiz Cultural Centre in La Cala. It was a theoretical training activity.
About the volunteers, the president of the foundation Juan Antonio López, said that “they have to be of legal age and have a minimum of time to participate in the actions in which we are going to train them. They will be provided with accreditation, insurance and they have to be within the national and international platforms of the United Nations so that we can coordinate with other marine protection groups”.
“It is very satisfying that in a municipality like Mijas, with such
MARINE BIODIVERSITY
After this theoretical training, the next step will be fieldwork. The volunteers will visit, among others, areas where plovers nest and where posidonia meadows are located. Subsequently, specific actions such as reforestation, waste collection and the elimination of invasive plants will be carried out.
a diverse population, people are involved in the care of the environment”, highlighted the councillor for Beaches, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP). “I would like to thank the Aula del Mar Foundation because it is a project that has been studied and put in value by the government team for a long time, to set up these Creamar groups, because it is very good to take care of, clean and protect the environment, in this case, the marine environment, but also
to know how to do it”, concluded the councillor.
Most of the volunteers are trained or are being trained in the field of biology, they also have experience in this type of programme and have initiative. “I am a microbiologist and I like everything related to bacteria, viruses... and everything related to biology. I find everything about Creamar very interesting”, said one of the volunteers, Andrea Ramírez
Live music, dances and flagraising for Andalusia Day
C.M. / C.A. The Mijas Town Hall has everything ready to celebrate Andalusia Day in a big way. On the 28th, the Andalusia Park will be the venue for the commemorative events to celebrate the day of the region with a big party with live music and dances.
The acts will start at 12:00 hours with the group ‘Coros y Danzas’. The children’s group will take to the stage to perform ‘Fandangos de las Cuevas de Almanzora’, ‘Zapatera’ and ‘Los tangos del Titi’, giving way to the adult group with their ‘Tanguillos de Valtocado’ and ‘Pete-
SAFETY
The local police reinforces road safety with 420 new drug tests
Editorial Department. The Mijas Town Hall continues to improve the means of the Local Police with the acquisition of 420 new annual drug tests, with the aim of reinforcing roadside checks and guaranteeing road safety in the municipality. These devices will detect more effectively the presence of narcotic substances in drivers and will reduce the risk of traffic accidents.
The councillor for Public Safety, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox), underlined the importance of this measure to protect the neighbours: “Our commitment is clear: to provide the Local Police with all the necessary means to keep those who put the lives of others at risk off the roads. We cannot allow that the use of drugs and alcohol at the wheel continues to be a threat to the safety of the Mijeños”. These tests will also serve to intensify checks during the alcohol and drug campaigns organised by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), in which the Mijas Local Police actively participates during key periods such as summer and Christmas. The aim of these measurements is to raise public awareness of the importance of responsible driving, thereby
carried out by the mayoress herself, accompanied by the Municipal Band and the artist Maribel Fernández ‘La Caletera’ , who will be in charge of singing the Andalusian Anthem.
nera de Almería’. Immediately afterwards, the Municipal Music Band will take over, to give way to the mayoress of the municipality, Ana Mata (PP), who will deliver an institutional speech.
The most emotional moment of the day will come with the hoisting of the flag, which will be
Andalusian breakfast
The day will not end there, as the active participation centres have organised their traditional breakfasts for the day. It will take place at 9:00 hours in Mijas Pueblo and at 9:30 in both Las Lagunas and La Cala. In addition,
“Our commitment is clear: to provide the Local Police with all the necessary means to keep those who put the lives of others at risk off the roads. We cannot allow that the use of drugs and alcohol at the wheel continues to be a threat to the safety of
reducing the number of accidents and their consequences. Distractions, speeding and the consumption of drugs and alcohol are the main causes of fatal road accidents. To ensure a rigorous and accurate procedure, the Town Hall has also purchased an additional 300 tests per year. In the event that a driver tests positive in a drug test, officers will carry out a second test with a new saliva sample, which will be sent to a laboratory for the most accurate analysis. “It is essential that the checks are rigorous and accurate. We want this procedure to guarantee maximum reliability and we want those who break the rules to take the consequences”, explained the councillor.
in Las Lagunas there will be a performance by the senior citizens’ dance group led by teacher María José Bueno
“It will be a very special day, so we invite all Mijeños to participate and celebrate everything that makes us a unique community in the world. In addition, the collectives also join in the celebration”, explained the councillor for Festivities and Traditions”, Silvia Marín (PP), also in charge of the Senior Citizens Department of the Mijas Town Hall.
Above, a moment of the meeting. On the right, councillor Daniel Gómez Teruel (left) and environmental technician Juan Luis Vega, together with members of Creamar / M.C.
M.J. Gómez
the Mijeños”
JUAN CARLOS CUEVAS DAWSON Councillor for Public Safety (Vox)
Mijas prepares to celebrate
Ed. Dep. / C.M.
Mijas will be full of joy between Saturday 1st of March and Sunday 9th. The Town Hall is already preparing Carnival, which will take place in the three centres of the municipality, where there will be activities for all ages.
On Saturday 1st of March the party will take place in Las Lagunas, where from 10:00 hours those interested in participating in the parade,
which will start at 11:00 hours, can sign up. “In the three centres one hour before the start of the parade registrations will take place, we remind you that you must present your ID card in order to register and participate in the parade”, explained the councillor for Festivities and Traditions, Silvia Marín (PP), who presented the Carnival activities on Tuesday 18th. In the Andalucía park the best fancy dress
On Saturday 1st the party will be in Las Lagunas, on Sunday 2nd in Mijas Pueblo and on Sunday 9th in La Cala
LAS LAGUNASMIJAS PUEBLOLa Cala
Saturday 1st
Parade: 11:00 h.
will be chosen and a bar will be set up which will be managed by the El Juncal neighbourhood association.
“We are going to have a bar with popular prices, we will have plates of rice for one euro, we are going to have a griddle and barbecue”, said the president of the neighbourhood association, Manuel Fernández, while the secretary of the association, Mari Ángeles Núñez, said that “We’ve been doing the maths and organising for everything to go smoothly on the day, so we hope everyone will come”.
Mijas Pueblo y La Cala
On Sunday 2nd Carnival will take place in Mijas Pueblo, specifically in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña, whe-
Sunday 2nd
Parade: 11:00 h.
re there will be children’s games, a stage to choose the best fancy dress and a bar run by Cáritas. The parade will start from the Town Hall and will include floats and entertainment groups.
On Sunday 9th the party will take place in La Cala. The parade will start from the Cultural Centre and will end in the Butibamba park. There will be activities for the little ones and a stage will be set up where the best fancy dress will be chosen. The bar in this case will be managed by the parish group of Santa Teresa. “The groups will be incharge of the bars so that they can raise funds for their own purposes”, said Marín.
Sunday 9th
Parade: 11:00 h.
During the party, prizes will be awarded for the best fancy dress in different categories.
Carnival for the elderly
On the other hand, the councillor recalled that Carnival parties for the elderly will be held in the three centres. On the 25th it will be at the Centre for Active Participation in Mijas Pueblo and the following day, at the Senior Citizens Centre in La Cala. The festive calendar closes on the 27th at the Centre for Active Participation in Las Lagunas. All the festivities will start at 16:30 hours and will go on until 18:30 hours. The Senior Citizens Department encouraged the participants to dress up in fancy dress.
The councillor for Festivities and Traditions, Silvia Marín (centre), with the president (left) and secretary (right) of the NA El Juncal, presented the Carnival / I.P.
La Cala Lions CLUB
sends love messages to deceased loved ones for Valentine’s Day
They organised a solidarity market and a ‘Forget-menot’ tree in the Butibamba Park
C.Bejarano / M.Fernández / C.Luque
Coinciding with Valentine’s week, the La Cala Lions Club organised on Sunday 16th in La Butibamba Park a day of solidarity in aid of their Alzheimer’s and dementia support group and in remembrance of those who are no longer with us. “We are here to raise funds for our club, to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementias and also of diabetes”, explained NGO spokesperson, Shana Hilleerand.
A Valentine’s market was set up to raise funds and a ‘Forgetme-not” tree to hang messages of love. “We invited attendees to write the name of the person they wanted to remember; put a messa-
TALK
ge to the world or a message of remembrance for the deceased”, said Hilleerand. The organisation also observed a minute’s silence in memory of the deceased so that they will never be forgotten. All the notes on the tree will be used to create a large collage.
Municipal support
The activity was organised in collaboration with the Foreigners Department of the Mijas Town Hall. “Taking advantage of Valentine’s week, the Lions Club wanted to leave messages
On Tuesday 25 there will be a talk in English on various topics
C.M. On Tuesday 25th of February, at 16 hours, there will be an informative talk in English with Blacktower at the La Cala Branch Office. “We will talk about things that are of interest to the foreign community such as visas, taxes and tax changes in other countries such as England and that may have implications for residents here”, said the director of Blacktower, Tim Govaerts
and remember those who are no longer with us, to send them the love that is celebrated on this day; either because they have died, or because they are sick with advanced Alzheimer’s and in practice no longer recognise their relatives. In honour of all these people, a tree has been installed so that everyone can leave their message”, said the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP).
A day of solidarity
Among the stalls there were also animal welfare groups. In
SOLIDARITY
addition, the Málaga Sur Pipes Band paraded through the park and gave a short performance on the stage set up for the occasion.
Many people attended the activity with the aim of collaborating.
“I think it’s fantastic, helping and collaborating with associations that reach places that society and institutions can’t reach and that do an essential work to make everyone happier”, said Pastor Antonio Cano Soriano. For her part, another visitor, Ana Cecilia Hack, also highlighted the importance of this type of solidarity ini-
The solidarity tables are back on February 22nd and 26th
tiative: “I read in the newspaper that there was this activity, so I am here to collaborate and have a nice day out”. Once again, the lions showed their most caring side by collaborating with those who need it most. “The La Cala Lions Club is one of the oldest in this area, it is very active, raises a lot of funds and carries out many actions to help others. We are very proud of this association which, above all, is dedicated to the elderly and foreigners”, concluded Bravo.
LEISURE
Limited places
The regulation of holiday rentals, residence permits, inheritance, funerals and the pension system for British citizens are other issues that will be discussed in this talk aimed at foreign residents. Places are limited, prior booking is required at seminars@blacktowerfm. com and by calling 952 816 443. The talk is part of the programme of activities of the Foreigners Department.
The company My Lawyer in Spain will also collaborate in the talk, “In our case we will talk about visas, the new requirements that have recently been approved for both new applications and renewals”, said lawyer Patricia Ruiz
M.F. The charity tables ‘Make solidarity your gift this year’ will be set up again on the 22nd and 26th of February in the Branch Office Square in La Cala de Mijas. This initiative, in which different groups participate with the aim of raising funds for charitable purposes, takes place on the last Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 11 to 14 hours. In addition, on Saturday 22nd the choir Costa Soul Singers will perform at midday to liven up the activity.
The Mijas Lions Club organises a trip to Priego de Córdoba
M.F. If you want to discover Priego de Córdoba, the Mijas Lions Club is organising a visit for Tuesday 11th of March. You can book your place on 617 776 258. Situated to the southeast of Cordoba, Priego has a great wealth of archaeological sites from all periods and archaeological finds. It is characterised by its whitewashed streets, its stately houses and a large number of secluded spots with architectural and sculptural monuments.
Photo: M.C.
Councillors Mario Bravo (left) and Daniel Gómez Teruel (right) with the president of the La Cala Lions.
WHAT´S ON
FRIDAY 21ST
Social ecology for the 21st century. Documentary screening: ‘Las dos cabras de Hassan’
Mijas Folk Museum, at 18 h
Organised by Ecologistas en Acción
Flamenco
Peña El Gallo, from 21 h With Adri de Ardales and Rocío Gil singing and el Niño de la Aljaima on guitar
SATURDAY 22ND
Painting Exhibition by Margarita Villarroel and Javier Coppel
Mijas Folk Museum, inauguration at 12 h
Until the 24th of March
Flamenco Cycle Peña y Molina 2025. ‘Ismael Tamayo, en la sombra de mi alma’
Peña Flamenca Unión del Cante. Cortijo Don Elías, 22 h Free admission. Bookings on 660 883 924
SUNDAY 23RD
Charity Jazz concert HQ Soroptimist International, El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda, 11 h Concert by Janet Powell in aid of those affected by DANA. Tickets 15 euros. Bookings at soroptimist. costadelsol@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY 26TH
Storytelling by the author Natalia Bernal: ‘Historias de Bichitos’ Semi-basement floor of El Corte Inglés de Mijas, from 18 to 19 h
22ND AND 26TH OF FEBRUARY
Solidarity tables ‘Make solidarity your gift this year’ Branch Office Square in La Cala, last Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 11 to 14 h
On Saturday 22nd of February the Costa Soul Singers choir will perform at midday
TUESDAY 25TH
DO NOT MISS
Group exhibition Viajes, by the Andalusian Federation of Photography Headquarters Nuevo Enfoque Mijas
Mondays and Thursdays, 19:30 to 21 hours
Second hand market Las Lagunas Fairground and at Urb. Calypso, Mijas Costa Sundays from 9 to 14 h
Exhibition by Fatima Chbihi and María José Calvente From the Mijas Craft Association in the Mijas Pueblo Tourist Office Until the 27th of February
Flamenco show
Every Wednesday at 12 h
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
Every Saturday at 12 h
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
Ecological market
La Cala Boulevard, in front of the branch offices on the second and last Sundays of the month
Exhibition ‘Dalí. The Divine Comedy. Purgatorio’ Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Mijas
Until the 27th of March
Ace Shin Charity Dinner Saturday 29th of March, at 19 hours, at La Sierra restaurant Price, 49 euros per person. Bookings on: 711 039 124 , 647 647 671 and at info@ace-charity.org.
