Dance sessions for
book Mijas fair
La Candelaria Park SPANISH PAGE /22
23RD TO 26TH OF APRIL
The Environment Department one of the toughest races
Cristian 'muralla' completes
presents a talk on fallen swi s the elderly return
SThey will start from the 24th of April, on Fridays in Las Lagunas, while in La Cala and Mijas Pueblo they will by on alternate Sundays
SPANISH PAGE 33
He is a finisher of the Las Arenas Marathon in Morocco, an event part of the legendary Marathon des Sables
Mijas reaffirms its commitment to the takeover of 96 residential developments
The local executive meets with representatives of these developments to inform them of the process for passing the ordinance makes this possible NEWS 02-03
Following the recent initial approval, at the plenary session on the 25th of March, of the ordinance that will allow for the takeover of the 96 historic residential developments within the municipality, the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, together with members of the local executive, met on the afternoon of Thursday 16th with representatives of these residential developments to inform them about the process and reaffirm the Town Hall’s commitment to the processing of this ordinance. The process to make it a reality began in January with the mandatory public consultation, which ran for fifteen working days, while on the 6th of April the ordinance was published in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP) following its approval in plenary session, opening a 30-working-day period for submissions from that date / Nuria Luque.
Congratulations for THE LOCAL POLICE
Veterinarian Silvia Montero will lead this activity, which includes a practical session where she will give advice on the care of these birds PROVIDE DATA ON The town hall sets up a website to 17M
Work begins on the renovation of the drinking water supply network in Osunillas
The works involve replacing the existing pipes with ductile iron ones in eight streets
NEWS/04-05
The Parks and Gardens Department treats palm trees affected by a fungus
The Town Hall is asking residents to take extreme hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of Fusarium
NEWS/09
The Coastal Path will slightly vary its route as it passes along El Bombo beach
The General Commissariat of the Judicial Police of the National Police commends the officers' actions in the arrest of an international fugitive SPANISH PAGE/11
The change is due to the reorganisation of street furniture and the relocation of a hospitality business that stood at that point
NEWS/06
Infrastructure and Works
The Town Hall reaffirms its
commitment to taking over
96 historic developments
Members of the Executive met with representatives of these residential developments to inform them of the processing of processing of the ordinance initially approved at the last plenary session
Report by Isabel Merino / Info: Nuria Luque / Translation: C.Arroyo
Following the recent initial approval, at the plenary session on the 25th of March, of the ordinance that will allow for the takeover of the 96 historic residential developments within the municipality, members of the Mijas Executive met on the afternoon of Thursday the 16th with representatives of these residential developments in order to inform them about the process and reaffirm the Town Hall’s commitment to the implementation of this ordinance. “We now have a legal framework, namely the Law on the Promotion of Territorial Sustainability in Andalusia (LISTA), which obliges public administrations to find a solution for those housing developments that have not yet been officially taken over. This situation of instability cannot continue, which is why the Town Hall has decided to tackle this problem through this municipal ordinance”, stated the mayoress Ana Mata (PP).
The meeting, which took place at the La Cala Branch Office, was also attended by the councillors for Residential Developments and Economy and Finance, as well as technical staff from the departments involved in drafting the
ordinance, such as Urban Planning and Infrastructure. Also present was the deputy mayor of La Cala, Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP).
“The government team is very interested in definitively resolving the issues of lighting, resurfacing and cleaning of public roads in the developments. What we want is to finish this urbanisation process, to see the partial plan completed, which is what defined how rural land was transformed into urban land”, explained the councillor for Economy, Mario Bravo (PP).
Consultation period
During the meeting, after the details of the ordinance had been presented, there was a question-andanswer session to allow attendees
to clarify any doubts. The council emphasised that the consultation period ends on the 19th of May and informed the presidents of the homeowners’ associations and property managers that they can access the ordinance both in the Official Gazette of the Province and on the Mijas Town Hall’s transparency portal. “With this ordinance everything is streamlined much more quickly; the regulation provides us with the essential tools to carry out this process as well as the necessary timelines. We must bear in mind that a significant infrastructure needs to be created because this affects 40% of the population of Mijas who, for years, have been forgotten. They want something very reasonable: for their street
DEVELOPMENTS
must submit their applications to begin the final takeover process
IN PARALLEL TO THE APPROVAL OF THE RDINANCE, residential developments, through a homeowners’ associationor an urban conservation entity, must have the partial plan for said development, identify what is missing to complete that plan, and hand over the corresponding equipment plots to the Town Hall. “The sooner they start, the sooner we can do everything necessary to take them over”, said Mario Bravo.
lighting to be paid for and for the streets to be paved, because they are paying more IBI than any other
The developers
of these complexes did not complete the local development plan at the time
resident and are not receiving these services”, said the councillor for Urban Development, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox).
The process
The process for the new ordinance began in January with the mandatory objection period, which was open for fifteen working
days. As explained by the Town Hall, this prior objection period complies with Article 133.1 of Law 39/2015 of 1 October on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations. Following its approval at the last plenary session, the process continued with the publication of the ordinance in the Official Gazette of the Province on 6th April, opening a 30-working-day period for objections, running until the 19th of May. Once the takeover process is complete, the council will be able to take over the maintenance of the public areas (roads, equipment plots and green spaces) in these housing developments, thereby complying with the partial plan and providing a technical solution to a problem that has been latent in Mijas for 60 years.
The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, and councillors Mario Bravo and Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson spoke at the meeting / N.L.
The event was attended by numerous representatives from residential developments / N.L.
Representatives from the residential developments included in the 1987 General Plan were invited to the meeting / N.L.
Infraestructuras y Obras
“Through LISTA, we have created this ordinance to be able to move forward in ensuring that these residential developments become publicly owned, so that we can carry out any type of action on them”
Ana Mata
Mayoress of Mijas (PP)
JUAN CARLOS CUEVAS
DAWSON Councillor for Residential Developments (Vox)
“With this ordinance, which has been drafted by various departments, everything is streamlined much more quickly, as it provides us with the essential tools and the timelines to carry out this takeover”
Legal certainty for 96 DEVELOPMENTS
MARIO
“We have had the advantage that LISTA allows us to take over the development works, but we are missing the previous step, which is taking over the land, and that is what we are doing with this ordinance”
There are a total of 96 developments in the municipal area that can be taken over by the Town Hall with this ordinance as a tool that will provide legal guarantee to the process.
EL JUNCAL
ALTAVERDE
AREPOL CHAPARRAL (Playamarina)
ARROYO LAS PALMAS (A)
ARROYO LAS PALMAS (B)
ARROYO REAL
BUGANVILLAS
BUENAVISTA
CALA-GOLF
CALAHONDA ROYALE
CALYPSO
CAMPING LA CALA
CAMPOMIJAS
CASAFUERTE
CERRADO DE ELVIRIA (Cerrado del Águila)
CERRO DEL MAJANO
CERROS DEL ÁGUILA
CHAPARRAL DE LA CONDESA
CIELO MIJAS
COLINAS DE LA CALA
CORTIJO CALAHONDA NORTE
CORTIJO CALAHONDA SUR
CORTIJO CHICO
COSMÓPOLIS I
DOÑA LOLA
DOÑA PILAR (A)
DOÑA PILAR (B)
EL BOMBO
EL COTO
EL FARO
EL FARO DE CALABURRAS
EL HORNILLO (A)
EL HORNILLO (B)
EL LAGAREJO
ENTRE EL COTO Y CAMPOMIJAS II
ESMERALDA I-II (ALCÁNTARA)
ESPARTALES
FINCA ANA MARÍA
FINCA CALAHONDA (A)
FINCA CALAHONDA (B)
FINCA EL JINETE II
FINCA MI CAPRICHO
HAZA DEL ALGARROBO
HUERTA ALTA (A)
HUERTA ALTA (B)
HUERTA SAN ANTONIO
HUERTO DE LOS NARANJOS
JARALES DE ALHAMAR
JARALES DE ALHAMAR II
JARDÍN BOTÁNICO
LA ALCAPARRA I LA ALCAPARRA III
LA ALQUERÍA LA CAPELLANÍA LA CASITA COLORADA
LA CORTIJERA LA ESPERANZA LA LOMA
LA MEDIA LEGUA
LA MEDIA LEGUA (Lew Hoad)
LA NORIA (A)
LA NORIA (B)
LA PONDEROSA LA SIERREZUELA
LA TORRE
LAS ADELFAS
LAS FAROLAS
LAS FAROLAS II
LAS LOMAS DE MIJAS
LAS MIMOSAS
LAS MUÑEQUERAS
LOS CLAVELES I-II
LOS CLAVELES III
MIJAS GOLF (Parte de la Urbanización)
MIJAS LA NUEVA (A)
MIJAS LA NUEVA (B)
MIJAS-GOLF
MIRAFLORES
MOANA
PEÑABLANQUILLA (A)
PEÑABLANQUILLA (B)
POLARSOL
PRADO MARINA I
PUEBLO LA CAMPANA
RIVIERA DEL SOL (5ª a 9ª Fase)
RIVIERA DEL SOL (Fase 1ª, 2ª y 4ª)
ROSA DE PIEDRAS
SANTA ROSA (A)
SANTA ROSA (B)
SIERREZUELA II
SITIO DE CALAHONDA (1ª y 2ª Fases)
SITIO DE CALAHONDA II (3ª Fase)
SITIO DE VALTOCADO I
SOLVILLAS II
TORRENUEVA
VISTA VERDE
“We are talking about developments from the 1970s that have had to be el ient t atten t
THE NEEDS OF EVERY STREET”
THE MAYORESS OF MIJAS, ANA MATA (PP), pointed out that the ultimate aim of this process is “to undertake the necessary actions to improve the public services that the residents of these developments deserve”.
The mayoress explained that “what we intend is to offer a cleaning service, build infrastructure according to what the neighbourhood demands, more walkable pavements, parks for families or sports equipment”. Ana Mata emphasised that “today’s meeting was very important” and recalled that this is “the first ordinance that has been created by the Town Hall to provide a solution to a problem that has gone unresolved for a very long time. Previous government teams have put many patches along the way and, now, we all have the possibility to address this situation through a legal tool that allows us to commit to the residents and tell them that we are going to have their streets like those of the rest of the citizens”. The Mayor also stressed that they can go to the Town Hall with any doubts during the process and encouraged all representatives of developments to prepare the necessary documentation to formalise the takeover. .
Photo: Archive.
ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)
BRAVO Councillor for Economy and Finance (PP)
Mayorees Ana Mata greets one of the attendees / N.L.
WORK ON eight streets
Puerto El Pino
Puerto de la Media Luna
Puerto de los Pescadores
Puerto de las Grajas
Puerto de los Castillejos
Puerto de la Breña
Puerto Málaga
Pasaje Puerto Blanco
On Thursday 16th of April, the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), carried out a technical visit to the works to improve the water supply network in Osunillas, accompanied by the CEO of Acosol, Matilde Mancha, to check the start of the works and to verify the preparation of a site at the end of Calle Puerto Los Castillejos so that residents have adequate parking while the roadworks are underway.
“This is a very important water
During the project, which has a budget of 751,000 euros, the service will be maintained
supply project for the Osunillas area, where residents have faced problems for many months, particularly in summer, with a connection that was also obsolete and did not comply with the new regulations”, stated the mayoress.
Funded by the water levy
Acosol, the public water company under the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, has already begun comprehensive renovation works on the drinking water supply network in eight streets in Osunillas, with a budget of 751,000 euros funded by the in-
Work begins on the renovation of the drinking water network in Osunillas
The works involve replacing the existing pipes with more modern and efficient ductile iron ones in eight streets
frastructure improvement levy agreed with the Mijas Town Hall.
For her part, the CEO of Acosol emphasised that residents and the service had already been “suffering from the deterioration of the fibre-cement pipes supplying the Osunillas area,
which had numerous breakdowns, with all that this entails from an environmental perspective and in terms of leaks affecting residents”.
Specifically, the roads where work is taking place are Puerto El Pino, Puerto de la Media Luna, Puerto de los Pescadores,
Infrastructure solutions
The CEO of Acosol emphasised that residents and the service had already been “suffering from the deterioration of the fibrecement pipes supplying the Osunillas area, which had numerous breakdowns, with all that this entails from an environmental perspective and in terms of leaks affecting residents”
Puerto de las Grajas, Puerto Los Castillejos, Puerto de la Breña, Puerto Málaga and Pasaje Puerto Blanco, covering a total area of 1,958 square metres, with an execution period of five months.
In total, 130 water connections are being installed. “This project will improve the water supply in
our municipality”, said the mayoress, adding that with it they are “moving forward to improve various infrastructures”.
The Town Hall considers this project “key to improving the municipality’s hydraulic infrastructure and optimising the service for local residents”. It will involve the installation of a supply network consisting of ductile iron pipes with diameters of 200, 150 and 100 millimetres, to replace the current network of fibre cement and high-density polyethylene, with the layout of the new network
Report by Jacobo Perea / Design: Carmen Martín
POLIDEPORTIVO DE OSUNILLAS
The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (2nd from left), and the CEO of Acosol, Matilde Mancha (2nd from right), with councillors Juan José Torres Trella and Mari Francis Alarcón from the government team / Jacobo Perea.
running along the roadway alongside the respective kerbs.
“These pipes will be laid in these eight streets, and this project will resolve the supply issue in the area”, said Mancha.
Quality of service
These works, the Town Hall explained, will represent a significant step forward in terms of sustainability, as “they will contribute to a more efficient use of water, reducing leaks and frequent breakdowns in the existing network. The modernisation of the distribution net-
Investment of
751,000 euros
1.958 m2 project area 8 streets
130 water connections 5 -month execution period
work will improve the quality of service for all residents”.
In this regard, the installation of this network will involve the demolition of the pavements on the affected streets. Therefore, they will be replaced with others of the same specifications, and the manholes and services affected by the works will also be restored, hence the importance of providing parking spaces. “We will ensure, as we have informed the company, that access to residents’ homes remains accessible so that they do not encounter any problems”, concluded the mayoress.
TO THE WORKSITE VISIT
On Thursday 16th, THE MAYORESS OF MIJAS, ANA MATA (PP), AND THE CEO OF ACOSOL, MATILDE MANCHA,, visited the site where work has begun in Osunillas.
“This is a very important water supply project for the Osunillas area, where residents have faced problems for many months, particularly in summer, with a connection that was also obsolete and did not comply with the new regulations”, stated the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata.
New parking area
Mijas Town Council has set aside a plot at the end of Calle Puerto Los Castillejos to provide local residents with adequate parking while roadworks are underway.
The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (centre), and the CEO of Acosol, Matilde Mancha (right) / J.P.
The work, to be carried out by municipal workers, will cover a stretch of approximately 70
The Coastal Path to be slightly rerouted as it passes through
El Bombo beach
The change to this section is due to the reorganisation of street furniture and the relocation of a hospitality business previously located at this point on the Mijas coastline
I.Pérez / B.Martín / Diseño: C.Bejarano
The Mijas Coastal Path, as it passes through El Bombo beach, will undergo a slight change to its route following the reorganisation of street furniture and the relocation of a hospitality business that stood at this point. The work, carried out by municipal staff, will cover a stretch of approximately 70 metres. As the councillor for Beaches, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP), explained on Tuesday, work began on Monday 13th of April with the removal of the walkway which, until now, ran in a semicircle, “skirting an establishment, and as soon as it was demolished, we set to work to lay out the section as it should be, in a straight
line from the bridge. This makes it easier for pedestrians to pass through and, furthermore, gains a few metres of beach for the enjoyment of users”.
The works
are part of a wider programme of improvements set to begin shortly in Las Mimosas to enhance the stability of the walkway
This project, the councillor noted, is in addition to work starting shortly in the neighbouring Las Mimosas area, “where we will install around six metres of walkway on piles and an additio-
nal handrail to provide greater safety and stability to this point, which was affected during the recent storms”.
The work, Gómez Teruel continued, will be carried out under an emergency contract, which also includes improvements at two other points along the Coastal Path, near Rocas del Mar and El Océano. The Coastal Authority (Demarcación de Costas), for its part, has already completed sand replenishment along the Mijas coastline, the councillor noted, “although we are still here with our tractors profiling the entire coast and, weather permitting, everything will be finished in May, so we will soon be able to enjoy our beaches and our Coastal Path in perfect condition”, he concluded.
expected to be completed
The work is BY MAY
It was Storm Therese THAT HIT THE MIJAS COASTLINE
between the 19th and the 21st of March. The storm caused adverse coastal conditions along the Costa del Sol, with wind gusts of up to 55 km/h and waves of between and metres.
Work is set to begin in the Las Mimosas residential area / B.Martín.
Work to repair
THE PATH CONTINUES
These coastal phenomena caused significant damage to El Bombo beach, mainly through the loss of sand and the scouring of the Coastal Path’s foundations. As a result, a section of the path became unstable and partially collapsed. In addition to the damage to the wooden walkway itself, the boundary wall of the Las Mimosas residential development was also damaged. The project involves dismantling and removing the wooden walkway affected by the storm; removing the development’s fence; stabilising the ground; and driving wooden piles to a depth of at least one metre below sea level.
“Weather permitting, everything will be finished by May, so we’ll soon be able to enjoy our beaches and our path in perfect condition”
DANIEL GÓMEZ TERUEL Councillor for Beaches (PP)
metres / B.Martín
Councillor Daniel Gómez Teruel visited El Bombo beach on Tuesday 14th / B.Martín.
Cafetería Arroyo is competing in the third edition of the National Best Sandwich Championship
Jacobo Perea
The Serranito Malaka is a traditional Serranito, but with gourmet ingredients that make it unique, aiming to be the best sandwich in Spain. “Our offering is based on a sandwich made with high-quality local produce, using an Antequera bun, Spanish Iberian pork, ham from pigs reared on chestnuts from the Alto Genal, fried peppers from the Guadalhorce Valley, mature cheese from the hills of Málaga and our homemade aioli”, explained the owner of the esta-
to the public, who can vote for their favourite, there will be a panel of specialist judges
blishment in La Cala, Juan Arroyo who said that for his establishment “taking part in this initiative was a unique opportunity to promote ourselves, so that people can get to know our menu, our products and the establishment, and we’re very happy”.
GROUPS
the La Cala sandwich aiming to be the best in Spain Serranito Malaka,
Where is it?
La Cala Boulevard, 25
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 00:00 hours and Saturdays and Sundays from 08:00 to 00: 00 hours.
TELEPHONE: 951 70 88 99
The bread, the ingredients, the presentation and the overall flavour are the aspects being judged. Customers are thrilled with the result. “The truth is that a lot of people are coming from all over
Toastmasters members compete in the Division E Public Speaking Contest
M.J.Gómez. On the 11th of April, the Toastmasters Division E Public Speaking Contest was held in Seville. The event brought together clubs from Mijas, Málaga, Marbella, Seville and Morocco. These competitions, the organisation stated, “are a cornerstone of the organisation’s mission”, aiming to “build public speaking and leadership skills” and offering members “the opportunity to challenge themselves in a competitive setting and advance through
successive rounds”, Toastmasters added.
Competitors took to the stage in four categories: speeches in English, Spanish and French, as well as the English evaluation contest. The results for the representatives of Costa del Soul Speakers (Mijas Toastmasters Club) were: second place for Lauren Schuivens (English evaluation) and Minerva Quijera (Spanish speech), and third place for Soledad Riveros (French speech).
A sandwich made with local produce
Bread: Antequera ‘‘mollete’ bun.
Meat: Spanish Iberian pork (Presa).
Spanish Ham: From pigs reared on chestnuts in Alto Genal.
Vegetables: Fried peppers from the Guadalhorce Valley..
Cheese: Cured cheese from the hills of Málaga (from a cheesemaker that has won several international awards).
the province to try it, posting about it on social media, and all the feedback we’re getting is very positive”, said Arroyo, who pointed out that they have prepared over 100 ‘Malakas’ since the competition
Sauce: Homemade aioli.
began on the 1st of April.
More than 100 sandwiches from across the country are taking part in this competition; the Serranito Malaka is one of four sandwiches from the province competing in this gastronomic initiative. The aim is to take over from ‘Tierra y Mar’, last year’s winning sandwich. “That would be wonderful, and we’re going to fight for it”, said the owner, who explained that first they must get through an initial shortlist, after
which between 15 and 20 establishments would reach the grand final, which would be “a dream come true for us”.
If you’ve already tried it, you can vote for the Malaka from Cafetería Arroyo on the organisation’s website (the establishment will give you a QR code with a password when you place your order); and if you haven’t tried it yet, you still have time to do so. Hurry up, you’ve got until the 26th of April. Oh, and everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw for an Apple Watch.
Costa del Soul Speakers
In Mijas, Toastmasters has its own club, the Costa del Soul Speakers, which is open to anyone wishing to overcome the ner-
ves of public speaking. Meetings are held at the Casa de la Cultura in Las Lagunas on Tuesdays, from 20:00 to 21:45 hours, alternating weekly between English
and Spanish. Those interested can contact the club via email at costadelsoulspeakers@gmail. com and/or on social media (@ toastmasterscostadelsoul).
PROPOSAL FROM THE CAFETERIA ARROYO
(2nd from the left) Juan Arroyo, owner of Cafetería Arroyo, with his staff / J.Perea.
This establishment in La Cala is serving it until the 26th of April / J.Perea.
Competitors from various clubs on the day of the competition in Seville / Toastmasters Costa del Soul Speakers.
Parks and Gardens treats palm trees affected by a fungus
Jacobo
The councillor for Parks and Gardens at the Mijas Town Hall, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP), reported on Thursday 16th that treatment work is being carried out on the city’s Washingtonia palm trees to combat the Fusarium fungus. All trees that are removed will be replaced.
This is a disease that affects palm trees through the airborne spread of spores and also through contamination that pruners may cause by transferring the fungus from an infected palm tree to a healthy one via their tools. “We have over 1,200 palm trees in the municipality and we know that this fungus attacks Washingtonia palms very aggressively, but we also have dwarf palms and we are monitoring their evolution in these species”, said the councillor, adding that “it is a highly invasive fungus
CENTRO DE ARTES
The council is asking residents to take extreme hygiene precautions to prevent
the
spread of the Fusarium fungus
that sometimes wins the battle despite fumigation. High temperatures and humidity encourage its spread, and this year the environmental conditions are favourable for it”.
An open window to Iran
Pegah
Hesari presents ‘The Passages’ at the Mijas Arts Centre
C.A. Last Friday, 10th of April, the Iranian artist Pegah Hesari opened her first exhibition in Spain at the Mijas Arts Centre. More than 30 pieces make up this collection created by the artist in her home country, which has now become a memory open to the public.
Hesari arrived in Spain less than a year ago and, after visiting the Arts Centre during an open day, found a connection and a safe space in which to express herself. This centre now hosts ‘The Passages’, a collection of abstract landscapes that the artist creates through memories of reality and her imagination. In this exhibition, the artist plays with colours, using techniques such as charcoal and acrylic, and even creating negative versions
of some of the paintings. Through this, she aims to express how “the boundary between reality and abstraction fades through the inversion of light and shadow. The negative landscape serves as an invitation to witness what remains hidden at first glance; as if traversing a landscape requires a gaze into its unseen half”.
Prevention The councillor also urged residents to always disinfect the tools they use to care for palm trees to prevent the spread of the fungus. “We want to urge
Passages’
by Pegah Hesari
Until April 30th
Hesari studied business and worked in the field until 2022, when she decided to dedicate herself fully to art. She used to focus her work on figurative paintings, but after experiencing a period of artistic block, she found inspiration in the landscapes of her native Iran. “My work explores vulnerability, resilience
WASHINGTONIA PALM TREE
treatment processes
PHASE 1: PREVENTION AND MONITORING
This involves detailed inspections to identify the early symptoms of Fusarium, alongside strategic pruning to improve aeration and the use of pheromone traps to monitor secondary pests, such as the red palm weevil, which weaken the tree.
and transformation through the human figure and abstract landscapes”, says Hesari on one of the promotional posters for her exhibition. The works are on sale and can be visited until the 30th of April at the Mijas Arts Centre.
You can find out more about the artist on her Instagram account @ pegah_art.
PHASE 2: CURATIVE TREATMENT
Endotherapy Following detection and assessment, it is determined whether the palm is healthy or infected. If infected, there are various options for chemical (endotherapy) or biological treatment, alongside sanitation pruning.
PHASE 3: FELLING AND DISPOSAL
Following treatment comes recovery and monitoring, and control steps must be followed to ensure the healing of the palm tree. . If this is not the case, the last resort for specimens in critical condition is felling, bearing in mind that the destruction of the biomass is necessary.
both the owners of these palm trees and the homeowners’ associations and property managers to be very careful with this fungus, which is highly aggressive and ultimately causes many palm trees to die; to carry out preventive phytosanitary treatments and to keep them up to date”, said Teruel.
TALK
“This fungus attacks Washingtonia palms very aggressively; however, any trees that are removed will be replaced”
Environment Area promotes a workshop on the rescue and care of swifts
The event will feature expert advice and aims to establish a network of volunteers
F.M.R. With the arrival of spring and the start of the breeding season for insectivorous birds, the Town Hall’s Environment Departmenthas launched, for the second consecutive year, an initiative to ensure the survival of swifts that accidentally fall from their nests. The main activity will be a workshop talk to be held on Thursday 23rd of April at 18:00 hours at the La Cala Branch Office.
The training session will be led by Silvia Montero, a vet expert in the care of these birds. The councillor for the department, Marco Cortés (PP), emphasised that this collaboration is essential for creating a group of volunteers that has the official authorisation of the Provincial Environment Department of the Andalusian Regional Government. The aim is for members of the public interested in collaborating to receive the necessary training to provide this care correctly and safely.
Cortés placed particular emphasis on the enormous ecological value of swifts, birds that
spend almost their entire lives in flight and act as a “free natural insecticide”: a single bird can consume thousands of insects a day, including pesky mosquitoes. Due to their morphology, once these birds fall to the ground it is practically impossible for them to take flight again on their own, hence the critical importance of appropriate human intervention to bring them to safety.
During the workshop, practical first-aid guidelines will be provided for members of the public who find one of these birds on public roads. If one is found, residents are asked to contact the 112 emergency service, a wildlife recovery centre or the Town Hall to activate the specialised rescue protocol.
Perea
Sanitation pruning
DANIEL GÓMEZ TERUEL Councillor for Parks and Gardens (PP)
Any trees that are removed will be replaced / J. Perea.
Photos from the opening of Pegah Hesari’s exhibition at the Mijas Arts Centre / CA Mijas.
“It wasn’t the first time we had carried out humanitarian work in Bolivia. I was invited to visit several projects, and the one that truly touched me and broke my heart was this home for girls who have been sexually abused or raped by their own relatives. There was an 11-yearold girl with her newborn baby and another 15-year-old girl who was pregnant”. This is how Luis Domínguez, international director of the Mijas Lions Club, recounts the beginning of his journey with the ‘Nuestra Casa’ (Our Home) shelter, located in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
That first visit took place 20 years ago, “when I was invited as an official speaker for the national convention of the Lions of Bolivia”, recalls Domínguez, visibly moved during this interview with Mijas Comunicación to mark the project’s twentieth anniversary. “I get a tremendous shiver down my spine whenever I talk about this centre”, he admits.
The majority of the girls living in the home are aged between 11 and 17. “They can no longer return to their homes after the terrible trauma they have suffered. What this centre does is welcome them, providing a home, love, a new life, education, and a future. It is a tremendously difficult situation”, the Lion adds.
Renovating
the home
As the ‘Home’ is now 20 years old and, like any home, has deteriorated over time, the Lions have undertaken a comprehensive renovation.
“We asked the Lions Clubs in Bolivia to send us a list of their needs, and everything has been addressed: painting, new ceilings and floors, carpentry work, new furniture, and the garden has been landscaped”, lists Domínguez.
“When you see that money can change the lives of people in such need on the other side of the world, you realise the beauty of an NGO as vast as the Lions Club. There are over 50,000 Lions clubs worldwide and nearly 1.5 million members; and we are all volunteers. Furthermore, we maintain our club through membership fees, meaning that 100 per cent of the money raised in any cha-
‘Our Home’, a shelter for girls
who
A PLACE of hope
are victims of domestic sexual violence
The Mijas Lions Club has been channelling funds for 20 years to a shelter in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which supports girls and young women who have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of their families
ritable activity must be spent on humanitarian aid, according to our international statutes. Through a small effort from each of us, we achieve great things; the result is wonderful”, said Domínguez.
40 years of Lionism
This April, Luis Domínguez celebrates 40 years as a Lion. He served as international president between 2009 and 2011 and is currently an international speaker and member of the Mijas Lions Club. “For me, Lionism is a way of giving back to society for everything it has given me. There’s a phrase that taught me a lot when I became a Lion 40 years
At ‘Our Home’ in Cochabamba, the girls who live there receive psychological support, affection and and the tools to face life ahead. The centre strives to ensure they lead a normal life, attending school while the older girls learn a trade. This is chronicled by Luis Domínguez on his website (www. lionluis.com/Leones/ Spanish), where he chronicles his experiences. The girls themselves look after the home, supported by two live-in carers who provide guidance and supervision.
The average stay at the centre is between 3 and 9 months. Around 80% of the girls eventually return to their families once the abuser has been imprisoned and the family has received psychological support to overcome the trauma. The tragedy is even greater in cases of pregnancy; as the abusers are family members, children are often born with physical or mental disabilities. Furthermore, abortion is illegal in Bolivia. There has only been one instance where a girl rejected the child, who was then placed for adoption.
The home only has room for 15 girls. Demand is enormous, and those who cannot be admitted are often sent to orphanages that lack this essential emotional and psychological support. State aid is minimal: just 9 bolivianos a day per girl (slightly more than one euro), and payments are unreliable, and the centre can go months without receiving these grants. They survive by selling handicrafts and cakes at local markets and through the generosity of NGOs such as the Lions Club.
ago. A friend of mine, a Lion from Antequera, told me: ‘Lionism will give you friends you would never have had otherwise’. And that’s exactly how it is. I have friends all over the world, fantastic people who dedicate their resources to others, people with a heart, and a desire to do good”. “Through our international foundation, supported by every Lions Club in the world, including Mijas, many countries submit projects for funding. We have recently been in São Luís, Brazil, supporting a centre for children with cancer who are also facing a terrible situation. We are going to
purchase 50 beds for them”, Domínguez noted. In two weeks, he will travel to Colombia again as an international speaker: “I don’t know what solidarity project will emerge from there”. We look forward to hearing news of that visit to share with our readers.
Micaela Fernández / M. López
L. Domínguez during his visit to Mijas Hoy, with Mónica López / M.C.
WHAT´S ON
FRIDAY 17TH
Santi Clemente Spring Literary Series
Cafetería La Dulzura, 19 h
Juan Antonio Jiménez and Felipe Estrada, author of ‘El Viaje Consciente’ Free admission
Exhibition of icons by Paraska Plytka-Horytsvit
‘Familia Unida’ Ukrainian Cultural Centre, Calle Río Darro 20/21, Las Lagunas, 19 hours
Until the 2nd of June
Film director Petro Olar presents the exhibition
On Friday the 17th, the documentary ‘El mundo de Paraska Plytka-Horytsvit’ will also be screened
SATURDAY 18TH
Comedy, Juan Amodeo ‘013 Origen’
Manuel España Theatre, 20 h
Tickets: 20 euros
SUNDAY 19TH
Family play: Cuchara Teatro ‘Los viajes de la tripulación sonrisas’
Manuel España Theatre, 12 h
Tickets: 9 euros
Charity dog walk
Bosque del Chaparral, 11 h
For groups of well-behaved dogs
Charity entry fee:10 euros, at entradium.com
WEDNESDAY 22ND
A dramatised talk by Michael Perrier based on his book ‘Cicatrices silenciosas’
Manuel España Theatre, 12 h Free admission
Although the talk on emotional education and self-awareness is aimed at young people aged 14 to 18, the theatre’s doors will be open to the general public on the day
Psychologist Virginia Perrier will also take part
THURSDAY 23RD
Art exhibition by UP students taught by professor Natalia Gómez Exhibition hall at the Las Lagunas Cultural Centre, 18 h
Until the 30th of April
Exhibition and lecture on the Second World War by political scientist and handwriting expert Juan García
Manuel España Theatre, 12 h
A collection of original and private documents from that period will be on display
FRIDAY 24TH
Charity festival in aid of ‘Sembrando Sonrisas’ organised by the Baila Passión Dance School
Manuel España Theatre, 19 h Tickets: adults 8 euros, children 5
SATURDAY 25TH
Play: ‘Entrevista con mi hija mari’, starring Antonia San juan
Manuel España Theatre, 20 h Tickets: 20 euros
BOOK FAIR
Book Fair
Candelaria Park, from the 23rd to the 26th of April
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10:30 to 14 hours and 17 to 20 hours
Sunday, 10:30 to 14 hours
DO NOT MISS
Ecological market
La Cala Boulevard, opposite the branch office on the second and last Sundays of the month, from 9 to 14 h
Gastronomic event dedicated to croquettes
Picador Restaurant, La Zambra Hotel
Since the 27th of March
Exhibition The Passages by Pegah Hesari Mijas Arts Centr Open until the 30th of April
End-of-term exhibition of the UP Painting Workshop led by Professor Cristina Aguilar
Las Lagunas Cultural Centre Open until the 20th of April
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
SALUD RESPONDE (Doctor’s prescriptions etc.)
EMERGENCY/DOCTOR, AMBULANCE ANDALUSIAN HEALTH
LOCAL POLICE - MIJAS EMERGENCIES 24H
OFFICE, MON - FRI 8:00-14:00
FIREBRIGADE 24H
CIVIL GUARD 24H
MIJAS TOWN HALL - MIJAS VILLAGE TOWN HALL BRANCH LAS LAGUNAS
Solidarity Tables Square in front of the La Cala Branch Office. 11 to 14 h Last Wednesday and Saturday of each month until the 30th of May
