costa life magazine 52 october 2009
DESCRIPTION
Issue 52 of the peoples magazine for the Costa del Sol and inland AndaluciaTRANSCRIPT
costa culture
6 Change A Life Charity Ball 2009
costa celebrity
12 Simon Cowell -Exclusive Interview
costa getaways
18 MarbellaPart 2
costa lifestyle
24 What Men Want
25 What Women Want
26 Men’s StuffHow much sleep do we need?
28 Beauty tips & secrets
30 Food Cures
32 Health NewsA round up of this month’s healthnews
costa business,charities & events
34 Local Business Reports plusCharities and Events News
costa homes
42 InteriorsIs your kitchen just a work placeor should it be the heart of thehouse?
48 Financial News
50 Guide... to buying a property inSpain
52 RoundaboutPlantingby Simon Hill
costa stuff
56 Your Own Wildlifeby Peter Harrison
58 Costa CuisinePerfect Pasta
60 Bytes & Pieces
62 Formula 1 Report
65 Spiritual Thought
66 Auto News
68 DVD Reviews
69 Showbiz Whispers & Gossip
70 Strange But True & Challenge
In this issue...
Cover story
Cover story
Cover story
56
52
Cover story
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read the magazine online at
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to issue 52 of Costa Life, October 2009. Christmas is just a roundthe corner and I am still looking for the person who nickedSeptember!!
How quick time goes sometimes, this year in particular has flownand it seems everybody feels the same. However with such a toughyear nearly behind us it’s not a bad thing maybe, it has gone soquick.
Thank you to all the people who sent in emails and passedcomments about Mike. It is still hard to accept that he is notaround anymore but at least the feedback we got from readers andthe like showed how popular he was, also how many nice peoplethere are out there. Thank you from his family and friends. All youremails were passed on to them and they were sincerely touched bythe response and comments received.
Life goes on though and that’s the way Mike would have wanted it.
This month there is no ‘Ronan’s Challenge’ as we have been sobusy catching up with being late in September but we will have onefor the double November/December issue so watch out for that.Talking of Christmas, advertisers, please remember that the nextissue is our double issue for November/December, so please startlooking to prepare your Christmas campaigns. It’s going to be achallenging year end so please make the most of your space andget ready now.
The euro has, as we go to print, taken another knock and is downto 1.06 at the end of September but despite this many people aremore upbeat about next year and the predictions are that Springtime 2010 should see a slow but steady turn in fortunes for mostin business. Let’s hope so and let’s hope we have all learned somevaluable lessons from this extremely tough period. We certainlyhave and are planning to apply those lessons learned in the nextfew months and even years. Getting the balance right about theway we look at the past, present and future is always important. Iwould like to leave you with a little anecdote I heard in a film theother day which put things about right for me;Settle with the past, gauge by the present and believe in thefuture. I like that, see you in November.
EditorSharon HoldsworthConsulting EditorHarvey Mann
Design and ProductionDavid Philliskirk
Advertising SalesRonan Holdsworth
IT AdvisorDave Howard
ContributorsSimon GalleyPeter HarrisonSimon HillElio HowardAnnika JonssonJan MorleyAnnette RiggallGayle RussellRussell Vaughan
Company DirectorRonan HoldsworthPartnerBarrie Shearman
Images courtesy ofCosta del Sol Tourist BoardPR ShotsRick Warne
Deposito Legal MA-0054-2004
Produced by and part of COSTA LIFEMEDIA
Reproduction of this magazine in whole orpart without the written permission of thepublishers is strictly prohibited. The viewsexpressed by contributors and advertisersare not necessarily those of the publishers.Although every care is taken to ensure theaccuracy of the information and the adver-tisements contained within this magazine,
the publishers can accept no liability.
952 492 [email protected]
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The 5th September this year saw the 4th Change a Life ball at the Tamisa Golf Hotel where 110guests enjoyed a fantastic night of great food, drink, dancing and for a few a midnight swim in thepool!
Guests included Costa Life clients and readers plus a number of people who supported our chosencharity for the night from Age Care Association. Thanks to John Peach and all the staff who, as usuallooked after everybody in excellent fashion and also to the Sun Lovin Criminals who knocked out aselection of great tunes for everybody to dance to.
Overall it was a welcome night out after a long, stressful and sad summer. The night was dedicatedto Mike Wilkinson and everybody toasted him a drink which was really nice. Thanks to Rick Warnefor the photographs and again to John and all at the Tamisa Golf Hotel. and of course to all of youwho put your hands in your pockets at a very difficult time to attend and also to help raise 1200Euros on the night.
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Simon Cowell in recent years has become oneof the most famous faces on televisionthroughout the world. Love him or hate him
in the last ten years he has become Mr. Nasty ofthe talent show world as well as a highlysuccessful music and T.V. Entrepreneur. Cowell isnotorious as a judge for his blunt and oftencontroversial criticisms, insults and wisecracksabout contestants and their abilities. He is oftenparodied in pop culture, and was described by theThe Times journalist Minette Marrin asrepresenting the ‘‘heartless, thoughtless andsuperficial - the flotsam and jetsam of thepolluted seas of celebrity that is likely to sinkwithout trace into toxic foam’’.
He made his screen debut in 1990, on the UK TVseries ‘Sale of the Century’, his prize for winning -Kitchen Utensils.
Cowell is known for combining activities in thetelevision and music industries, having promotedsingles and records for various artists, includingtelevision personalities. He was most recentlyfeatured on the eighth season of American Idoland the third series of Britain's Got Talent and iscurrently judging the 6th season of The X Factoron ITV.
In 2007, he earned an estimated $72 million inincome from his various projects. $45 million fromAmerican Idol, $15 million from Britain’s GotTalent and X Factor, and $12 million from hisrecord label.
Also In 2007, Cowell earned the No. 3 slot on theForbes TV Faces List, and No. 21 on Forbes’Celebrity 100 Power List.He Ranked #6 in the 2008 Telegraph’s list ‘‘the100 most powerful people in British culture’’.
In February 2009 Cowell reportedly announcedthat he wants to be cryonically preserved (‘‘I’mgoing to freeze my body when I die so I can bebrought back to life’’), but a Cowell spokeswomanlater described Cowell’s comments about wantingcryonics as a ‘‘joke’’.
In May 2009 Cowell bought his $22 million,11,550 sq ft Beverly Hills home.
Early lifeCowell was born in Brighton, East Sussex, andbrought up in Elstree, Hertfordshire. His father,Eric Philip Cowell, was an estate agent developerand music industry executive, and his mother,Julie Brett, is a former ballet dancer and socialite.Cowell's paternal grandparents, Joseph Cowelland Esther Malinsky, were English Jews and hismaternal grandfather was Scottish. He has 1brother and 2 half-brothers; younger brotherNicholas Cowell, half-brother Tony Cowell, andhalf-brother Michael Cowell. Michael is the oldest,followed by Tony, Simon and Nicholas.
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Cowellsimon
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Cowell attended the independent school DoverCollege as did his brother, but left early beforeattending the sixth form. He took a few menialjobs - including, according to Tony, working as arunner on Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining - but didnot get along well with colleagues and bosses,until his father who was executive at therecording giant at EMI Music Publishing,managed to get him a job in the mail room.
His father’s connections originally got himrehired as the assistant to an A&R man. Fromthere onwards, Simon worked his way up andeventually got promoted to a music publishingposition but left during the early 1980s to formE&S Music with his boss at EMI, Ellis Rich (laterChairman of the Performing Right Society). Thecompany had several hit records at one pointwith five singles in the UK top 40. The officeswere in a converted gentleman’s washroom inthe NCP car park on Brewer Street in London’sSoho district. Simon left by mutual agreement afew years later then one year later, Cowell wentto work for Iain Burton, manager ofchoreographer Arlene Phillips, co-founder ofdance group Hot Gossip and of nascentindependent record label Fanfare Records.Cowell worked with Burton for eight years atFanfare where he achieved his first real successin the music industry, becoming a partner andbuilding Fanfare into a highly successful ‘indie’pop label. Fanfare had numerous top ten hitswith various Pop artists and particularly Sinitta,selling more than half a million of her classic hitdebut single ‘So Macho’ and more than half amillion albums of ‘Rondo Veneziano’. In 1984,Cowell and Burton met up with Pete Watermanfor the first time.
Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Watermanformed the songwriting and record producing trioknown as Stock Aitken Waterman. Stock AitkenWaterman helped Fanfare during the second halfof the 1980s producing several smash hitsingles for Sinitta and licensing The Hit FactorySAW Compilation Albums to Fanfare. In 1989,Fanfare’s parent-company, Public Company, gotinto difficulties, forcing Fanfare into the hands ofBMG, and Cowell, who was now in debt, to moveback in with his parents.
Proving that he had an ear for a hit, BMG quicklyoffered Simon the position of A&R Consultant.His time at BMG saw him pioneer some of thebiggest selling hits in the industry, includingbands ‘Five’ and ‘Westlife’. He can also becredited with the emergence of TV hits from thelikes of cartoon puppets ‘Zig & Zag’, ‘TheTeletubbies’ and ‘Robson & Jerome’.
Not only has Simon made records, he alsobreaks them: over a ten year period, via hiscompany ‘S Records’, he has achieved sales ofover 25 million albums, over 70 top 30 records,and 17 Number 1 singles. His band ‘Westlife’has achieved an impressive 10 Number 1 hitsalone. His father sadly died at home in 1999 of amassive heart attack on the very day that Simongot his first Number One with the then-unknownband Westlife who his dad had predicted wouldbecome big. Of that time he said ‘‘The ultimate
irony, the worst thing that could happen, and thebest - all in the one day. It just shocked me to thecore. I just never thought my dad wouldn’t bearound. I phoned him to tell him about theNumber One, because that’s what I did. Whensomething good happened, I called my dad. Atfirst my mother couldn’t even tell me he wasdead. She just listened to me burbling on. Thenshe called me back to tell me. Awful’’.
Following the success of the ‘Popstars’ TV series,Simon joined forces with Simon Fuller to producea 'talent' show where the public decides whowins. This show became the TV phenomenon,‘Pop Idol’.
‘Pop Idol’ became compulsive viewing, attractingover 11 million viewers. The first ever winner, WillYoung, picked up 4.6 million votes in a live final.Despite Simon favouring the runner-up, GarethGates, Will Young’s debut release‘Evergreen’/’Anything Is Possible’, broke therecord for the biggest selling debut single ever -reaching 1.8 million sales. Thanks to Simoncropping up in the ‘production’ credits of most ofhis artists’ records, he has cleverly managed tosecure himself a share of the royalties.
Despite his successes, Simon has also turneddown many bands that went on to find successelsewhere - most notably ‘The Spice Girls’ and‘Take That’, simply because he thought GaryBarlow was too fat to be a star!
In 2006, Cowell signed to two more record-breaking deals. In the USA, he agreed to remainas a judge on American Idol, earning £20 million($33 million) per season for another five years.He also has a deal with FOX which allows hisproduction company to broadcast Got Talent andAmerican Inventor on other networks, but he maynot appear on them. In the UK, he signed a‘‘golden handcuffs’’ deal with ITV, worthapproximately £6.5 million a year for three years,which gave ITV rights to his hit talent show The XFactor, a British singing talent show, and GreaseIs The Word, a musical talent show to find thestars of a Grease production in London’s WestEnd. In late 2005, he signed a new contract toremain working for Sony BMG.
Cowell has been involved in charity work formany years. He supports children from TheAssociation of Children’s Hospices and invitesthem backstage to the screenings of The XFactor. When he can, he stops by some of thehospices to visit the children. He also supportsanimal rights and has appeared in a video forPETA in which he reminds drivers of the crueltyto animals that can occur when their pets arelocked in cars in the summer.
He spends his time both in the UK and the USAfulfilling his very busy commitments. We caughtup with him recently in London.
R Hi Simon, it’s great to meet you and thanks forgiving us some of your valuable time. Many of ourreaders on the Costa del Sol will know from the XFactor that you do get out to Marbella with theshow. When was the last time you were there andhow long have you been visiting the Costa del Sol?
S The last time I was in Marbella must havebeen a few years ago now, towards the end of2007 with the X Factor for the last part of bootcamp. Sinitta came over with me to help memake my decision. We both had an amazing timeand the sunshine definitely helped in thedecision making process. I’ve been coming toSouthern Spain for years now but since buildingmy new house in Barbados I haven’t beencoming here as often as I used to.
R What do you like about Southern Spain?
S I love it in Puerto Banus the marina isbeautiful, always clear blue skies and warmsunshine. You’ll often find me in Aretusa withfriends enjoying a great Italian or in the morning,at Mad Hatters Cafe situated above PuertoBanus - the best eggs and bacon you can find onthe Costa del Sol. It’s a different lifestyle outthere, a lot more relaxing.
R Do you have your own property here?
S No, but I often stay in Marbella. Also, a fewyears ago I stayed in a beautiful villa overlookingthe golden mile. You might have seen it on the XFactor. I took the groups out there with me tobattle it out for a place in the final 12, and gothrough to the live finals. Barbara and Ian fromMad Hatters looked after us all very well whilewe were out there, providing us with breakfastevery day. It was a stunning house with amazinggardens and an infinity pool, which is where Ispent much of my time just lounging by the poolwith a beer.
On talent showsR Out of all your talent shows which one do youenjoy doing the most?
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Are you for real?
I dont mean to be rude but....
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S X factor, it’s become a worldwide successand now with the new layout for the auditions I’menjoying the feedback and crowd participationit’s a lot more entertaining. I think it also madepeople sing better. There are people who changewhen you put them in front of an audience. Withthe atmosphere and the track, they turn intosomebody else.
R Who is your favourite judge?
S Me! Seriously though, I think Cheryl has donereally well since she has come onboard. I amvery impressed with her popularity and hernatural ability to identify with people.
R Which act gave you the most excitement thefirst time they auditioned and why?
S Leona Lewis. Before her I nearly walked awayfrom The X Factor - but she was a dreamcontestant and made me change my mind. Shereminded me why I do this. She made itworthwhile again. This season it would be DanylJohnson, a 27-year-old teacher; it’s one of thebest first auditions I’ve ever seen.
R How do the USA T.V. audiences differ fromthose of the UK?
S The American audiences get moreemotionally involved, compared to the UK; theyreally take it all to heart. Although both sides ofthe Atlantic are equally enthusiastic about theshows. R What advice would you give to any buddingentertainers out there who haven’t made it yet?
S You need persistence and a good attitude.And make sure you stand out in a crowd! Youneed to have that elusive ‘X Factor’.
R What is your biggest mistake in business rethe signing/not signing of an act?
S That would have to be not signing The SpiceGirls or Take That. I remember I said, ‘‘I’ll signTake That if they dump the ‘fat one’ (GarryBarlow). Obvious I made a huge mistake. R How long do you think you will continue to bea judge on your talent shows?
S I have always insisted that you have to havean invitation to the party and I feel the same wayabout being on TV. You need to feel you arewelcome into people’s homes, not somehowforcing your way in. If I feel that this is happeningthen I will be off.
On businessR Life has been very good to you over the lastfew years, what would you say are your keys tosuccess?
S Well I think being extraordinarily lucky hashad a huge part to play. I think everyone thatknows me would tell you I’m very stubborn butI’m also incredibly hard working and have hugedrive, which are definitely some of the keys tosuccess. I always remember something that mydad told me: tenacity is the maker of dreams,and if you want to succeed at something, youhave to persevere. I have always held onto thispiece of advice and it has a great deal to do withwhere I am now and my success. This is the onepiece of advice that I would pass on to anyonewho wants to succeed in anything they do.
R What keeps you going on a day to day basis?
S This is the best job in the world. I am doingsomething that I am passionate about and that Ienjoy doing. You get paid for having a very nicetime and meeting lots of interesting people.That’s enough to keep me going.
R As well as your overwhelming successes inlife you have also endured failure, what did youlearn in those early days from your failings, inparticular when the problems with Fanfareforced you to move back home and start again?
S Yes, in the early nineties I lost everything. Therecord label Fanfare Records which I co-ownedwent bust. Yet just a few years before I hadeverything, the cars, the house, the image, I feltlike King of the World. However, the real story isthat everything was beyond my means. I spenttoo much time at parties and then everythingimploded. I remember the day I realised I had togive everything back - the Porsche, the big house- and I wasn’t crying. I had this huge sense ofrelief. Losing everything is probably the greatestlesson you learn. I went back to my parent’shouse and started again. From then oneverything I did was different. It was all about thework. I work very, very hard and I expect peoplewho work with me to do the same. I don’t believein a 5-day week or an 8-hour day. I believe in24/7.
R So in your experience what advice would yougive to anybody who has failed in business butstill has that entrepreneurial spirit?
S That would be the piece of advice my dadgave to me. So keep working hard at it andalways keep trying. Also, Richard Griffiths, thenew chairman at BMG at the time said to me‘‘Simon, don’t ever blame anyone else if thingsgo wrong. Youre in charge, so it’s your fault’’. Itmight sound an obvious bit of advice, but itswitched on a big light bulb in my head. It reallychanged the way I think. I stopped letting othersintimidate me and started to lead from the frontand build relationships with people who couldhelp and take good advice from the right people.
On being famousR Do you get much free time and when you dowhat do you enjoy doing to most to wind down?
S I almost never stop working, or thinking aboutwork. However, over Christmas when I do get abreak I head over to my house in Barbados withmy friends and family. We always have a greattime, lying on the beaches, soaking up the sun.It’s the perfect way to try and wind down.
R You are one of the most recognized faces inthe world of T.V. how do you deal with that fame?
S I take it for what it is; I don’t take anythingthat is said about me that serious, quite a lot ofthe stories make me laugh. All I do is developtalent and if the media chose to follow me that’stheir choice, I am not looking for fame - I amdoing the job I love, and this is part of the job.
R It’s probably an obvious answer but what’sthe most annoying thing about being famous?
S Probably the crazy stories that get made upabout me, I actually find them quite funny now.I’ll give you an example, someone phoned MaxClifford my PR the night after an award ceremonyto say they had pictures of me with my newgirlfriend - she was actually my brother Nicolas’wife!
R Where is your favourite place in the world,where you can go and feel the most anonymity?
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The X Factor Judges
With Barbara and Ianfrom Madhatters
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costa CELEBRITY >>S Barbados, I’ve got two homes on the islandand the place is just paradise. Everybody is justso easy going and the island itself is stunning. Ialways look forward to spending Christmas andNew Year there and seeing the same faces, myfriends. The crystal blue waters and pure whitesandy beaches are hard to resist.
Personal lifeR You are involved in many charities, inparticular, children’s charities. You feel it isimportant to give something back?
S Yes I am. I’m lucky enough to be in theposition to help. I support CHASE, a children’shospice in Guildford, who do an amazing joblooking after terminally ill children for as long aspossible. I have become very close to some ofthe patients there and they can ring me up ortext me whenever they want. It’s always so niceto hear from them and find out what they havebeen up to. I also work closely with otherhospices across the country. I invite the childrento come along to every show of the X Factor andBritain’s got Talent as my guests, which I amprivileged to have. They come backstage with meand meet everyone. All the kids have such agreat day and it’s nice to be able to do this forsomeone.
R Why have you never married?
S I have never married, but I have no regretsabout that. Marriage is the most ridiculouscontract in the world. It’s just crazy. Without anylegal advice you sign this binding contract andyou are not sure where you are going to be in 10years’ time. Marriage is not for me. It just feelsreally out of date. Although in saying that if Ireally believed in my heart that I was withsomeone who I would want to see every day forthe next 30 years, then I would get married.
R Do you regret not having children and is thatsomething you would still consider for thefuture?
S No not at all. As far as kids are concerned, Iam brilliant with them, as long as they belong toother people. But on a more serious note, I havealways worried that if you’re not a parent by yourthirties, you’re creating a situation where you’rea 60-year-old with a teenage son.
R Who is your best friend and why?
S A lot of my ex-girlfriends are my best friends,there’s no reason why you can’t be. Theirfriendship is so important to me; it sustains methrough the tremendous workload andcommitments. Jackie, Terri and Sinitta havebecome three of my closest friends. What youlove about them sometimes works better asfriends rather than complicating things with arelationship.
The futureR October 7th sees your big 50, what are youdoing for your birthday?
S I’m having a fabulous black-tie do atWrotham Park, a magnificent stately home inHertfordshire, with around 400 friends. My greatfriend, Sir Philip Green and his wife, Lady Tina,are organising it for me but, contrary to somereports, he is not paying for it. I am tremendouslyexcited about the party. When I was a small boy,we lived next door to one of the bosses at Elstreefilm studios. I remember peering over the gardenwall and seeing the likes of Elizabeth Taylor andRichard Burton at a fabulous party. And what Iremember, most vividly, is that I wanted to be atthat party. I wanted to join in. Well, this time theparty is mine. This is the second 50th birthdaybash. I was treated to a surprise 50th birthdayparty 3 months early. I arrived at a venue inLondon to celebrate what I thought was my ex-girlfriend Jackie St Claire’s birthday. However, Iwas shocked to discover all my friends waiting tosurprise me with an early celebration. I don’t feelworried or nervous about turning 50; I feelexactly the same as I did when I was 40 or 30. Iam enjoying myself. I don’t want any presents formy birthday, not from anyone. There are a coupleof charities I am involved with that wouldappreciate a donation, including CHASE inGuildford.
R Have you any new, exciting projects on thehorizon?
S It’s already been all over the media but thereis the coalition with retail tycoon Sir Philip Greenand myself and the creation of an internationalentertainment company, called GreenwellEntertainment. I am hoping to line up Cheryl Coleas the face of the multi-billion-poundentertainment company. I also have my eye onpolitics - that is, political TV programming. Lookat the way British politics is covered. Thosetedious party conferences, the long-windeddroning-on. It’s boring. It means nothing. It’s justnot entertaining. I would love to bring theconcept of the American presidential debate toBritain. I know I could engage the audience, getpeople involved. Make it interesting. The publicshould be involved - that’s what it’s about.
R You have done the music and done the T.V.shows have you ever thought of getting into themovies?
S Well, I actually started my career in film as arunner. I always had an interest in film, musicand television. I knew that any of theseindustries would be great fun, and I had a feelingthat you could probably make a lot of money. So,it could still be a possibility but I have alwaysbeen told to stick with what you know and whatyou are good at. I don’t know if my skills lie inthe movie industry.
R This year also sees the end of your currentT.V. contracts, have they been renewed yet or is ittime to get behind the camera for a change?
S Not as yet, but I’m not worried. Any numberof other channels or networks would happilysnap up the rights to air the show. Plus my
camera skills are not that good so fingerscrossed it never has to come to that.
R And finally, is the world ready for a T.V. talentshow without Simon Cowell?
S I hope not, but one day it will have to happen.All good things have to come to an end. Butwhilst the public still want me I will be happy tokeep doing the job I love. I think I will find it veryhard to let go, I enjoy it too much.
Favourite colour… Black
3 favourite foods … I like thingssimple. A plate of spaghetti Bolognesefrom my favourite restaurant, Cipriani’s inLondon, a Sunday roast, or chicken curry.
Football team … Arsenal
Least favourite noise … Some ofthe contestants we’ve had over the years.
Favourite phrase or word … Idon’t mean to be rude, but...
Least favourite … Failure
Job you would love to do … I’mdoing it.
Job you would least like to do …Waiter, I worked as a waiter in Elton John’srestaurant in London when I was ateenager. I think I lasted about two days.That or an office job.
If there is a God what wouldyou like him so say to you whenyou arrive at the pearly gates… Welcome Simon, you did a good job.
Simon with his mother
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Marbella
n last months Costa Life we looked at thehistory of Marbella from its humble originsthrough its rise and rise as the playground forthe worlds rich and famous to the break out ofthe corruption scandals in 2006. With the
recent recession added to the devastatingrevelations Marbella has had more than a knockin recent years. Unfortunately though, thesecorruption revelations were just the start.However like a spot that needs squeezing, all thedirt had to be brought to the surface and what alot of dirt it was!
The sleaze scandal, which hit Marbella in spring2006, soon proved to be only the tip of a massivecorruption iceberg. During the spring operation,codenamed Operation Malaya, the policearrested the city’s mayor and deputy mayor amidallegations of money laundering, propertydevelopment offences, including building on landprotected from development, manipulation ofpublic tenders, and the acceptance of bribes aswell as schemes to alter the price of municipalservices. As part of the operation the police frozemore than 1,000 bank accounts and seized alarge number of valuables among them paintingsby Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso as well as
luxury cars. The police also took over severallarge houses including a small palace in Madrid!Nice work if you can get it!
During a second investigation, ‘Operation Malaya2’ new offences came to light, resulting in afurther 30 city councillors and business peoplebeing accused of massive corruption. Theseaccusations were in addition to the arrests madeearlier in the year. Then 29 more people werearrested, including Mayor Marisol Yagüe, herdeputy, Isabel García Marcos and José AntonioRoca, who was town planning advisor. During theinvestigation, Judge Miguel Ángel Torres said ofMr Roca that he was the driving force in MarbellaCity Hall and that the Mayor performed a meresymbolic role and was Roca’s puppet. InSeptember 2006, the former mayor and herdeputy were released from custody on 60,000euro bail. Marisol Yagüe, who was described as apopulist, was the chosen successor of disgracedGIL founder Jesús Gil. After her election, shebecame quickly accused of distancing herselffrom the people. Visitors had to wait for hoursbefore being allowed into the mayor’s office. Shealso attracted unfavourable publicity for extendedand luxurious holidays.
Mayor Yagüe also became involved in a disputewith a building company working on her ownhouse in an up-market development of Marbella.The company accused her of non-payment of onemillion Euros. The company owner also allegedthat Ms Yagüe tried to pay him out of publicfunds and that the Mayor suggested the use ofmunicipal construction material for her privateresidence.
The interior decor of Juan Antonio Roca’smansions embarrassed even the most hardenedobservers. From the stuffed giraffe and family oflions to the valuable painting by Miró left tosteam above the spa bath, Mr Roca provedhimself to be one of the tackiest show-offs intown.
‘‘The display of wealth has been open andshameless,’’ said Judge Miguel Ángel Torres, theinvestigating magistrate who ordered police tosearch Mr. Roca’s homes.
But Mr. Roca’s crimes against good taste werenothing compared with those he is alleged tohave committed against the citizens of Marbella.For Mr. Roca was, according to Judge Torres, the
I
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Part 2
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costa life 19
‘‘Mr. Big’’ of a mafia-style alliance ofbusinessmen and politicians who ran Spain’smost notorious town council as their own cash-generating fiefdom. His grip on the town hallallowed Mr. Roca to transform himself fromunemployed builder to multimillionaire. It alsoearned him the nickname JR - from his owninitials and those of one of television’s mostinfamous villains, JR Ewing of Dallas.
‘‘Over 15 years he had gone from being on thedole to amassing tens of millions of Euros,’’ saidJudge Torres. In a town whose skyline has beendominated by building cranes for the best part ofa decade, Mr. Roca allegedly took a cut on manyof the new villas and holiday apartment blocks.‘‘Roca was a man with total control over the townhall - the councilors are subordinate to him,’’ saidJudge Torres. ‘‘He was the person who alldevelopers went to in order to see their wishessatisfied.’’
Mr. Roca’s pursuit of wealth and power took aturn for the better when he became a planningadviser to Jesús Gil; Gil’s rise coincided with thestart of a construction boom that has seenMarbella double in size. His council handed outbuilding licenses for tens of thousands of homeswhich higher authorities now deem not legal.
Mr. Roca’s accumulated wealth enabled him topursue his greatest passion, hunting big gamearound the world. He collected art, vintage cars,palaces in Madrid, thoroughbred horses, fightingbulls and stuffed wild animals - including a polar
bear and the heads of an elephant andrhinoceros. El País estimated his personalfortune at €2.4bn. ‘‘He didn’t collect. Heaccumulated,’’ is how one art dealer explainedMr. Roca’s collection of 275 works of art to alocal newspaper.
Juan Antonio Roca has been in prison for morethan 3 years and you will be surprised to readthat he has only recently been sacked for failingto turn up for work!
He was suspended from his job when he wasplaced on remand following his arrest in theMalaya case, but it emerged in January this yearthat, legally, the Town Hall was unable to sackhim. They’ve now found a way to do so however:as a disciplinary measure for repeatedly failing toturn up for work since 31st March 2006. Thatwas when Roca was arrested in the Malayainvestigation, and he’s been behind bars eversince.
The news was confirmed to EFE by the PSOEparty, who said he was sacked by the Town Hallon 24th August.
Now though, Marbella Town Hall is facing arequest from the man at the centre of the allegedcorruption to be compensated or re-admitted tohis post, claiming unfair dismissal. In his requestJuan Antonio Roca has revealed that he joinedthe Town Hall in April 1992, and currently hasstill been paid a monthly wage of 9,066 €including extras.
As a result of his appeal Marbella Town Hall hadto attend the offices of CEMAC, the Conciliationand Arbitration Body of the Junta de Andalucía,on September 15 to answer the claim. Only inSpain!!
Those arrested as part of ‘Malaya 2’ included theformer chief of Marbella’s police Rafael del Pozoand Tomás Reñones, the city’s second deputymayor. Mr. Reñones became acting mayor afterthe arrest of the mayor and the first deputymayor. However, his involvement in the scandalsbecame clear during the follow up investigationsand Judge Torres ordered his unconditionaldetention. Tomás Reñones was football playerand captain of Atlético de Madrid, the footballclub owned by the late Jesús Gil, the first of thebig corrupted mayors of Marbella and founder ofGIL, the political party whose members includedthe disgraced mayor Marisol Yagüe.
Also arrested during this investigation was JuliánMuñoz, another former mayor of Marbella, oncharges of bribery and misappropriation of publicfunds. Mr. Muñoz, also a member of the GILparty, became mayor in 2002. During his shortterm of office he fell out publically with the all-powerful town planner José Antonio Roca. Mr.Roca was dismissed only to organize a ‘coup’ onemonth later, which resulted in Mayor Muñozbeing expelled from City Hall on a vote ofcensure.
In the next move of Operation Malayaon 14 November 2006, Mayte
Puerto Banus
>>
Marbella will be thefirst town to come
out of the crisis
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>> costa GETAWAYS
Zaldívar, ex-wife of the former mayor of MarbellaJulián Muñoz, was detained in her home. Shewas accused of having helped her formerhusband to hide the money that he supposedlymisappropriated from Marbella City Council. Shewas not the only one arrested: her brother, fivebusinessmen, a judicial employee and thedirector of a bank branch were also beingdetained.
On the 27TH September 2009 Julián Muñoz leftprison a free man - for the moment!
The ex Marbella Mayor has completed his threeyear prison sentence for 18 planning crimes.Implicated in the town’s Malaya corruption case,he is a free man, for the moment at least. Theex GIL Party Mayor was granted the third gradeprison regime last October and, since then, hasonly had to return to the open prison centreevery week night to sleep. The reduced three-year sentence came under a deal with theprosecutor’s office allowing the ex Mayor andfive former GIL Party councillors to serve amaximum term despite there being numerouscharges against each of them. The Penal Codeallows a maximum term of triple the termimposed in the most serious of the sentences inconnected court cases.
Muñoz said goodbye to staff at the centre aftersigning the formal release document, but stillfaces another 50 or so cases, amongst them theMalaya case, where more than 100 suspects willtake the stand once it comes to trial.
He recently had part of his salary and his banksavings embargoed as a guarantee bond tocover civil responsibility should he be foundguilty in the Malaya case.
We haven’t enough space to explore all of thealleys and avenues of deception and corruptionthat have been exposed over the last few yearsnor to write about all the partakers but the mainplayers are alleged to be those above.
Suffice to say it’s been a torrid old time forMarbella and its people.
Hopefully things started to change for the betterin June 2007 when Ángeles Muñoz took up thepost of Mayor of Marbella following the localelections to replace the Management Committeeinstalled in the town after the Malaya corruptioncase came to light.
Born in Córdoba on 20th January 1960, ÁngelesMuñoz Uriol graduated in medicine fromCórdoba University in 1983 and is married withtwo children.
This Partido Popular politician who took on themantle of Mayor of Marbella after herpredecessor was arrested in the Malayacorruption case - followed by the dissolution ofthe Town Hall and its management handed overto a Management Committee - first entered
politics in 1995, when she became DeputyMayor of Benahavís.
She applied for a leave of absence from herprofession as a doctor that same year to allowher to take up public office.
Muñoz was elected a Partido Popular member ofthe Andaluz Parliament in 1996, and wasspokesperson on two parliamentary committeesin the regional parliament: for women, and forhealth and consumers. She also became amember of the Partido Popular’s regionalexecutive for Andalucía that year.
She resigned both her seat in the regionalparliament and from the council in Benahavís in1997, to take up a position in Madrid, in theMinistry of Employment and Social Affairs,where, until 1999, she was General Director ofMigration Planning during the first legislature ofthe Partido Popular government led by JoséMaría Aznar.
She was elected President of the local PPbranch for Marbella-San Pedro in 1998.
Muñoz became a member of the PartidoPopular’s National Executive when she waselected Executive Secretary for Social Affairs atthe party's National Congress held in January1999, and, the following year, successfully stoodfor election to Congress, when she was returnedas a Partido Popular member for Madrid.
She was spokesperson in Congress for SocialAffairs and Migratory Policy during thatlegislature, and was confirmed in her position asthe party’s Executive Secretary for Social Affairsand Migratory Policy at the PP National Congressin January 2002.
Ángeles Muñoz Uriol first stood for election asthe Partido Popular Mayor of Marbella in 2003,achieving a seat on the Council, but losing theMayor's office to Julián Muñoz, who won anabsolute majority for the GIL Party.
Her namesake was ousted in a motion ofcensure just a few months later, in August 2003,and his colleague in the GIL Party, MarisolYagüe, became the new Mayor.
Ángeles Muñoz had, two months earlier, decidedto leave her responsibilities in national partyleadership, to concentrate on her duties as thePartido Popular spokesperson in Marbella.
She stood for Congress again in the 2004general election, when she was returned as amember of parliament for Málaga.
Muñoz and all the other councilors lost theirseats on Marbella Council when the Town Hallwas dissolved after the Operation Malayacorruption scandal broke in March 2006, whenthe then-Mayor, Marisol Yagüe, was one of thosetaken into custody in the case.
Juan Antonio Roca
J R Ewing
Former Mayor Julian Monoz
Angeles Munoz Mayor of Marbella
>>
>> costa GETAWAYS
22 costa life
The new Management Committee established torun the town was sworn in to start its work inApril 2006, and remained in place until thepeople of Marbella voted in a new Mayor in theMay 2007 municipal elections held across Spain.
Ángeles Muñoz Uriol, as the Partido Popular’scandidate for the second time as Mayor ofMarbella, achieved an absolute majority on theCouncil, with 16 seats over the opposition’s 11.She was officially sworn in as the new Mayor ofMarbella on 16th June 2007, saying in herinvestiture speech that her government would bemarked by ‘honesty, efficiency and transparency’and would be ‘implacable against any type ofirregularity.’
In July 2009 the town hall in an extraordinarycouncil meeting held in Marbella approved thetown's new PGOU general urban plan, whichplans to legalize more than 17,000 illegalproperties. More than 500 occupied properties,including Banana Beach, are however left out ofthe new planning regulations and could facedemolition. The Local Government had no otherchoice than to agree to the illegalization of theseurbanizations/developments under the threat ofthe Regional Government to reject Marbella’sGeneral Urban Plan. Within the implementationof this badly needed General Urban Plan, noteveryone could become a winner. The great newsthough, is that more than 17000 homes inMarbella are finally legalized.
For Marbella City, this is like winning the WorldCup. It creates peace of mind for investors (oldand new), it allows the City to improve in allaspects…and moreover, it makes Marbella one ofthe leading Spanish cities to be legal at UrbanPlanning Level!
The Regional Government has now to ratify thePlan in October at the latest.
The tentative approval is the final step in a longprocess. The Mayor, Ángeles Muñoz (PP) hasrefused to give a blanket amnesty to all illegaldwellings, but this document goes a long waytowards making almost all of them legal. Thedraft plan was initially designed by the team ledby Manuel Gonzalez Fustegueras and has thebacking of the Junta de Andalucia, who has thefinal say in the matter.
It is the second provisional approvalthat the city council has given, mainlybecause the mayor chose to resubmitthe document to the public after thepublic consultation period ended lastOctober. 8524 claims from residentswere submitted; only eight fewer thanthe initial approval, which according tothe mayor 6250 claims were admittedand looked at. ‘‘The solution to suchillegality generates much conflict ofinterest. Our approach has alwaysbeen to gather all the arguments thatwere not against the public interest,’’said Mayor Munoz.
The vast majority of illegal dwellings,16,500, will be legalized in return fora one off payment of compensation tothe city council to compensate thetown for lost land. The mayor insistedthat the owners of the affectedhouses are exempt from thisrequirement and will make thedevelopers pay, something that hasbeen acclaimed as one of the majorachievements of the new plan.
So hopefully these planning passeswill draw a line under years and yearsof corruption within one of the mostfamous cities in Europe and hopefullyin the right hands things are startingto improve. One thing that is clear isthat in order for all of this criminalactivity to stop it had to be brought tothe surface which is what hashappened. It may have been painfulfor anyone involved in Marbella but this in itselfhas to be a positive thing and can only addencouragement to the hope of a brighter futurefor the Jewel of the Costa del Sol, Marbella. Let'shope so. Let’s also hope that the newspapers
and T.V. stations that have been so eager toreport these negative stories continuously overthe last four years put a positive pen to paperand a positive spin on their stories and start toinject some much needed hope into this regionand indeed for living in Spain as a whole.
Banana Beach could be demolished
Street in Marbella
Marbella playa
Marbella Arch
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24 costa life
>> costa LIFESTYLE
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costa life 25
costa LIFESTYLE >>
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26 costa life
>> QuoteIf you don’t like somethingchange it; if you can’tchange it - change the wayyou think about it.Mary Engelbreit
>> My hair is thinningThe best way to hide thinning hair is to try a newhairstyle. One of the biggest cover-up mistakes youcan make is that they try to grow out your hair andcontinue to keep the same look. The comb-over is ano no, you’re not fooling anyone. Consider a scissor-cut hairstyle, short to medium length. This will allowyou to style your hair and make your hair look fuller.If you’ve lost a great deal of hair then this will notwork, it’s time to get the clippers and go for a lowbuzz cut; this way your hair can blend easier withthose thinning areas.
Decades ago, people slept eight to nine hours a night. Today,however, it’s clear that times have changed. In a world ofBlackBerrys, the internet, severe deadlines, there simplyaren’t enough hours in the day for sleep.
Not only can a lack of sleep lead to serious healthconsequences for you, but it can also harm those aroundyou.
> Increased risk of motor-vehicle accidents > Increase in body mass index (BMI) due to an increased
appetite caused by sleep deprivation > Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems > Increased risk of depression and substance abuse > And a decreased ability to pay attention or remember new
information
Then there’s the otherside, too much sleep.Research has foundthat long sleepdurations (nine hoursor more) are alsoassociated withincreased illness,accidents and evendeath. The answer, then,lies somewhere inbetween. Although there isno magic number, mostadults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.Anything below or beyond will carry health consequences, atleast for some.
>> How much sleep do we need?
It is common for people to work out rigorously to build muscle mass. As much asexercise is important to build muscle mass, it is equally important to complement itwith a good diet. It helps to choose foods that are rich in simple carbohydrates andalso proteins. It is best to avoid foods laden with fat as it can slow down theabsorption process.
Post workout meals are fruits, fresh or frozen, especially berries and potassiumrich fruits like banana. Low fat yogurt isalso a good choice. Another idea is tohave a smoothie, which can be madeusing fruits, yogurt, and skimmed milkand even some protein powder. Stayhydrated when you work out sorigorously. Drink plenty of wateror take supplements.You can add someprotein powderand sugar toyour water toimprovecirculationand keep yougoing as youexercise, alsomake yoursnack orsmoothies inadvance.
stuff
Fact …diet heavily influences cancer risk, no matter thetype of cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commoncancer in men, below are some anti-prostate cancer foods.
> Tomatoes> Broccoli> Soy > Flax
The key topreventingprostatecancer via dietis to eat awell-balancedmeal, includingall of the abovefoods, alongwith a largeserving of other fruitsand vegetables. You canhave meats and dairy, but if possible, keep this to aminimum.
>> costa LIFESTYLE
>> Post work outnutrition
>> Anti-ProstateCancer Foods
men
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28 costa life
> Stop smudgesFor a quick, clean way to avoid mascara smudges,hold a plastic spoon under the upper and lower lashesto shield the rest of your eye makeup. It fits rightunder your eye, and you just throw it away when you’redone.
>> Top beauty tips> Brighten eyesSmudge a bit of deep navy eyeliner on the inner rims of theupper lids when you’re done with the rest of your eye makeup.Gently lifting lashes with your fingers or glancing down into ahandheld mirror will help you see where the eyeliner is going.The blue color makes the whites of your eyes stand out.
> After the foundationConcealer should always follow foundation. If you put it onfirst and then you blend on the foundation, you’re essentiallyerasing all your handiwork. If you layer concealer on top, it’sstaying where it needs to stay and doing its job,
> Lash outThose with hard-to-reach blond lash roots can use a very fine-tip black liquid liner to accomplish what a bulkier mascarawand cannot by painting colour directly onto individual lashes.
> Avocado. Itmakes a great facecleanser you justhave to mush it upand add some milk
and a well-beatenegg. The oil in the peel
is great just massage itinto the face in upward
movements. You do this by usingthe peel to massage your face. Allow the
oil to stay in place for about 15 minutes then wash and rinsethe face. Other uses for an avocado are eye treatments,masques, and it is good for your hands.
> Egg whites as a masque. To prepare the eggwhites just whip them a bit. Makes them slide on muchsmoother. Cleanse your face then dry it off. Rub on the eggwhites and let them stay until they are dry. You will need togently wash off the egg whites and dry your face lightly
> Mayonnaise for dry skin. Use your fingertips andrub in some mayo on your face in a upward direction. It needsto set for 10 minutes then use tepid water to wash your faceand rinse and dry gently. If you perform this on a weekly basisyour skin will be silky soft.
Natural Crystal Deodorant is made of 100% naturalmineral salt which immediately goes to work neutralizingthe odour-causing bacteria without harmful chemicals,effectively deodorising the body.
There is growing amount of evidence to support thetheory that antiperspirants may cause a build up oftoxins in your system.
Most antiperspirants contain chemicals. These blockthe pores to prevent sweating. The most practicalsolution is to eliminate
the bacteria that cause the odour in the first place.
What you then get is long-lasting odour protection.
Natural Crystal Deodorants are also exceedingly suitableeven for the most sensitive skin. Simply wet it and apply
to underarms, feet and anywhere else body odours are a problem. Onestick will last several months. They are also hypoallergenic, fragrance free
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>> NaturalCrystalDeodorant
tips &secrets
beau
ty>> costa LIFESTYLE
>> Beauty home treatments
>> costa LIFESTYLE
>> Fat fighting four>> CalciumResearch has shown that calcium burns body fat,scientists aren't sure how.
Researchers at the University of Tennesseefound that obese people who went on a low-calorie diet that contained three daily servings ofcalcium-rich dairy lost 70% more weight and64% more body fat than those who ate just oneserving of dairy a day.
> Calcium food sources: Fat-free milk and low-fatdairy, spinach, kale, broccoli, and white beans
>> Vitamin DA study from Tufts-New England Medical Centreshowed that low levels of vitamin D raise aperson's risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as46%.
The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium andtogether they can help fight diabetes
> Vitamin D food sources: Salmon, mackerel,sardines, tuna, fortified whole grain cereal,fortified fat-free milk, and Swiss cheese
>> Omega-3’sResearch has shown that women who ate abalanced diet including omega-3s lost 1 1/2more pounds of torso fat than women on thesame exact diet but minus the omega-3s.
These healthy fats slow the rate of digestion,which makes you feel fuller longer, so you eatfewer calories throughout the day, Omega-3’salso reduce inflammation, a major risk factor fordiabetes, and appear to improve insulinresistance.
> Omega-3 food sources: Tofu, enriched eggs,shrimp, salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax, and flaxseedoil.
>> FibreFoods high in fibre are nutrient-rich, filling, andlow in calories a combination that makes themweight loss wonders. According to a study peoplewho stuck to higher-fibre diets lost 2 to 3 poundsmore per month than those who followed lower-fibre diets. Fibre triggers hormones that controlappetite, which also helps with weight loss.
Plus, both soluble and insoluble fibre helpcontrol blood sugar: The soluble type dissolves in
water and forms a thick gel during digestion,which can interfere with and slow downcarbohydrate and glucose absorption in theintestines. Insoluble fibre doesn't dissolve inwater. It stays solid and moves quickly throughthe digestive tract, so intestines have less timeto absorb carbohydrates, and blood sugar levelsstay even.
> Fibre food sources: Whole grain breads andcereals, brown rice, barley, oatmeal and oatbran, apples, pears, citrus fruits, carrots, beans,and artichokes
>> Get Smoother Skin> Red peppersAdding 1/2 cup of chopped red peppers to ameal delivers more than 100% of your dailyvitamin C, which spells good news for your skin.Researchers in the United Kingdom looked atvitamin C intake in 4,025 women and found thatthose who ate more vitamin C had less wrinklingand dryness.
>> Lose Weight> Chick peasAdding chick peas to a light dip like salsa addsbulk without lots of calories and boosts yourintake of protein, so you fill up faster and feelfuller. Eating chickpeas regularly may alsoimprove your overall food choices. A study foundthat people who ate 1/2 cup of chickpeas a dayweighed a pound less and ate less food overall.
Food Cures
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Certain nutrientsin foods arepowerful at
balancing bloodsugar and
encouragingweight loss. And
when eatentogether, they
are even moreeffective.
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costalife 31
>> Maintain MoreMuscleGreek yogurt packs twice the protein of ordinaryyogurt, and protein is essential for building,repairing, and maintaining muscles, which burnmore calories than fat.
>> Build StrongerBonesTopping a pasta dish with just six sprigs ofparsley offers a fresh boost of flavour anddelivers a full day’s supply of vitamin K. VitaminK is important for bone health, studies show thatit helps prevent fractures and may guard againstbone loss.
>> Boost Heart HealthGrape juice contains a phytochemical calledresveratrol found in the skin of red and purplegrapes. Research links resveratrol to lower bloodpressure, reduced LDL cholesterol, and fewerblood clots.
>> Lower Cancer Risk> KetchupA tablespoon of this condiment supplies you ahealthful dose of lycopene, an antioxidant thatguards against various forms of cancer byblocking cell-damaging free radicals. Eatingprocessed tomatoes (such as those in ketchup
and tomato sauce) is best; cooking releaseslycopene inside the plant cells, making it easierto digest and absorb.
> Green tea and lemonGreen tea is already rich in antioxidants, but astudy has found that adding citrus juice led to afourfold increase in disease-fighting catechins.Lemon juice in particular preserved the mostcatechins, while orange, lime, and grapefruitjuices were less potent but effective.
>> Foods that FightIllnessIt takes more than an apple a day to keep thedoctor away. It turns out that eating some prettysurprising nutrients will help keep your immunesystem on guard.
> YogurtProbiotics, or the ‘‘live active cultures’’ found inyogurt, are healthy bacteria that keep the gutand intestinal tract free of disease-causinggerms. Although they’re available in supplementform, a study found that a daily 7-ounce dose ofyogurt was just as effective in boostingimmunity.
> Oats and BarleyThese grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fibrewith antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilitiesmore potent than Echinacea. When animals eat
this compound, they'reless likely to contractinfluenza, herpes, evenanthrax; in humans, itboosts immunity,speeds woundhealing, and may helpantibiotics workbetter.
> GarlicThis potent onion relativecontains the active ingredient allicin, whichfights infection and bacteria. British researchersgave 146 people either a placebo or a garlicextract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studiessuggest that garlic lovers who chow more thansix cloves a week have a 30% lower rate ofcolorectal cancer and a 50% lower rate ofstomach cancer.
> FishSelenium, plentiful in shellfish such as oysters,lobsters, crabs, and clams, helps white bloodcells produce cytokines-proteins that help clearflu viruses out of the body. Salmon, mackerel,and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, whichreduce inflammation, increasing airflow andprotecting lungs from colds and respiratoryinfections.
> TeaPeople who drank 5 cups a day of black tea for2 weeks had 10 times more virus-fightinginterferon in their blood than others who drank aplacebo hot drink. The amino acid that’sresponsible for this immune boost, L-theanine, isabundant in both black and green tea, decafversions have it, too.
Why not start today and eat your way to perfecthealth!
A round-upof some ofthis month’shealthnews...
hheeaall
tthh
32 costa life
>> costa LIFESTYLE
>> Top tips to healthyeating> Eat regular meals. Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you'revery hungry, it’s also tempting to forget about goodnutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger,but don’t eat so much that your snack becomes an entiremeal.
> Make changes gradually. Just as there are no‘‘superfoods’’ or easy answers to a healthy diet, don’texpect to totally revamp your eating habits overnight.Changing too much, too fast can getin the way of success. Beginwith modest changes that canadd up to positive, lifelongeating habits. For instance, ifyou don’t like the taste ofskimmed milk, try semiskimmed, eventually you mayfind you like skimmed, too.
>> Having chunky thighshelps you live longerPeople with chunky thighs tend to live longer, scientistshave claimed.
They have a lower risk of diabetes and are less likely todevelop heart disease, the study of nearly 3,000 peoplefound.
The ideal circumference is 23.6in, say the scientists.
Narrow thighs - leading to low muscle mass - could causelow insulin insensitivity, type 2 diabetes and heartdisease.
>> Lentils one of the topfive healthiest foods
Lentils are part of the legume family but are oftenneglected in favour of beans or peas as a side dishor as part of a soup or stew.
Besides being rich in protein, lentils are full of fiber,vitamins C and B. An important source of iron, lentilsprove to be useful for preventing or correcting an irondeficiency; common in children and pregnant women
who both need a lot of iron to help growth. Lentilsalso contain eight of the essential amino acids(including isoleucine and lysine-helpful against coldsores). With hundreds of different kinds of lentils,there may be too many to choose from at thesupermarket. In a rainbow of colours from green, red,orange, and yellow to black and brown, certain typesof lentils go with different culinary styles.
>> Excess weight gain may increase riskof prostate cancer
We are all aware of the complications that can arisefrom packing on excess pounds, for men, there is
an increased incidence of colon cancer and,according to a new study-prostate cancer.
In fact, recent research has shown thatdiet modification might decrease the
chances of developing prostatecancer, reduce the likelihood
of having a recurrence, orhelp slow the
progression of thedisease.
>> Marijuana usemay significantlyincrease risk oftesticular cancerNew U.S. research has now added to the ever-growing list ofdangers associated with the use of marijuana. The new studyhas shown that people who frequently use marijuana may beat more than double the risk of developing testicular cancer.The risk was shown to be highest among those who had usedmarijuana for at least 10 years or longer or began theirusage before age 18 as well as those currently using it morethan once a week.
34 costa life
>> costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS
LOCAL Business Reports
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can inform you of their activites
plus any up coming and recent
events news.
Please support your local charities
and clubs, they do great
work. Thank You.
Business
EventsCharities
Work
>>EVENT
Planeta AnimalOnly a few days left until the great Camino
Fiesta, where Santiago brings the Camino
Pilgrims together one more time. The
Association Planeta Animal has invited all
participants of the doggie Pilgrimage to a 3 day
meeting in Estepona.
On the 10th of October there will be a party at
the Pedregales Park to celebrate the reunion of
the participants of the Camino Project under
the title ‘‘El Camino comes back to Estepona
where it all began’’.
The party starts from 6pm on. An evening with
‘‘old Camino Stories’’, live music with the guitar
duo ‘‘Libertango’’ (Tango, Flamenco, Django
Reinhard…) and with the great magician
Alfredo El Mago.
There is no entrance fee and all Animal lovers
are invited to come and join, it’s a ‘‘bring and
share’’ Party. There will be a barbecue and in
case it should rain there will be a tent.
‘‘The Camino Project’’ was a great walk where
15 people from 9 different countries and 15
stray dogs walked during 7 weeks together,
crossing all of Spain, to raise awareness of
animal rights, 1200 kilometers from Estepona
to Santiago de Compostela.
With this party, which is not only about reliving
special moments, but also the very important
message that the Camino has brought out to
the world, Planeta Animal starts an agenda of
events. The main purpose of the association is
to create awareness in the population and
attack the problem at the root, encourage
respect for animals and a peaceful coexistence
on this planet that we share with the animals.
www.planeta-animal.org.
Walkers will be coming from many different
countries to Estepona, but also representatives
of town administrations and all helpers along
the way as well as the media who have helped
bring our message to the world, are invited to
come.
CCoonnttaacctt:: pphhoonnee 669999 331166 339944
iinnffoo@@ppllaanneettaa--aanniimmaall..oorrgg
CHARITY - ARCH
Charity Golf competition
Early Sunday morning, the 20th of September,
our golf supporters gathered for coffee and
bacon sandwiches before a shotgun start at
Calanova Golf Club. It was perfect golf weather
and all had a great time playing in the Texas
Scramble competition plus the nearest the pin
and longest drive comps. The ladies of ARCH
were in buggies offering their support (and
liberal refreshments) at designated holes.
After the golf, we all had a drink and some
food with the awards and raffle prizes handed
out in abundance.
1st Place:
Alun Jeans
Don Ashley
John Birch
Ronan Folwey
costa life 35
costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>
Is a family concern With over 40 years
experience in the U.K and Spain.
Expert knowledge and advise is always
available and we pride ourselves in the
service we give to our clients.
We supply and fit all types of fires and
fireplaces such as wood burners, gas,
and electric flueless, fan assisted and
smokeless biofuel fires than can be
place anywhere in the home even on
your coffee table.
A large stock is held for a quick delivery
and a huge range of products are
available from our catalogues.
We are also able to manufacture
custom built products for any size or
style.
As well as quality of service it is always our aim to give the best value for on the coast and
our price promise is to better any genuine quote you have for any fire or fireplace always
applies.
A full repair service is also available for Gas, Electric and Wood burning fires, and also
Smokey flues fixed.
A free survey and quotation in your home is a phone call away, when we will bring you
photographs and brochures of our extensive range direct to your home.
All work carried out is done by our own in house fitters (not subcontracted) and 5 years
written warranty is given.
What makes us differentFor a client who wants something different our free design service will create exactly what
is needed and manufacture to the size required to complement any decor. It can be
modern or traditional, classic, indoor or outdoor all fitted by our expert staff.
EVENT - Eclectic Images -
at Dibleys, La Cala de Mijas 9 artist members of the Andalusian International
Artists Group exhibit a selection of their works in an
exciting exhibition in DIBLEYS.
Come along and meet the Artists at a small cocktail
between 8 and 9 on Tuesday 06/10.
Nine artists - Five different countries.
In this exhibition the Artists are from Ireland, Britain,
Spain, Denmark and Peru.
The exhibition consists of a variety of images in
textile, watercolours, coloured pencils, oil, acrylic
and photography.
The AIA-Group was formed five years ago by
professional and dedicated visual artists from
around Europe, who are all living and working in
Andalucía.
Further information is available from the Chairman,
Roger Cummiskey at 995522 559922 665522 or their web
site wwwwww..aaiiaa--ggrroouupp..nneett
Dibleys, - opp. The Catholic Church in La Cala de
Mijas (down from the roundabout towards the sea).
Gallery open: Daily 1-4 and 7-9, except Sundays.
El Paraiso Country Club
NEWSThe twice monthly cabaret nights at the Country club
have proved so successful this season that Roy &
Marion have decided to continue with these special
evenings right through the Autumn/Winter season.
The recent concert with Stephen Lloyd-Morgan and
soprano Donna-Marie Hughes was such an over
whelming success that even the first floor terrace
was used to accommodate extra diners. Stephen
and Donna Marie received a standing ovation as
they sang duets by candle light…truly a magical
evening. Stephen is returning for a special New Year
Gala Dinner and reservations are already being
taken for this & the traditional Christmas Day Party.
Future entertainment includes; Frankie B, with a
Halloween Party (optional fancy dress) Ricky
Lavazza- Music of the Night. Buddy Walker- with a
brilliant ¨Buddy Holly¨ tribute & Tres Divos with a pre
Christmas event -¨An evening of Elegance¨.
CCoonnttaacctt ddeettaaiillss 995522 888833 779999
36 costa life
>> costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS
The Coast's Premier ONE STOP
WAREHOUSEAIM British Building Supplies is your one-stop center for building
materials and tools, British gypsum, multi finish and bonding plaster
boards, ad mixers and covings, timber products, decking and cladding,
sheds, playhouses, fencing and dog kennels.
Established for 5 years on the coast, AIM British Building Supplies
provides the best in British brands and price including English grade
timber. All their wood products are hand made on site, using top quality
materials, i.e. thermowood or tanalised pine, and their experienced
carpenter can produce custom made sand pits, dog kennels, flower
boxes, rabbit hutches and all structures can be made to any size and
designed to the customers requirements.
They are an official stockist of Draper tools, Everbuild building products,
English multi stock bricks, Durox blocks, polycarbonate sheeting, EML
sheeting, English multi finish and bonding, British gypsum coving and
cornice, plus a delivery service is available. They are also the cheapest
supplier of plaster boards on the coast and stock new railway sleepers
and fence panels, if they don't stock a certain product they can order it
with a 2 week delivery time.
A home for your children - A
home for your tools
There are many different types of
wooden sheds and playhouses
available from various international
companies. AIM British Building
Supplies can virtually duplicate any
design of shed or playhouse that you
desire, with the door openings at any
position and various hinges and locks. Their
carpenter will be happy to discuss, help and advise you on the design of
your choice, and produce a drawing of your customised shed or
playhouse. A selection of woods are available with felt roofs if required,
including various wood preserves to ensure that your shed or playhouse
fares well in the elements.
NEW IN
STOCK belle
cement mixers
Garden Sandpits for
Children - Great Fun!
Children of all ages can have
hours of fun digging and making
sand castles until their hearts
content. AIM British Building
Supplies sandpits are well-
designed and made from quality
materials. Custom made to your
requirements, with attractive
designs, it could even enhance
your garden’s look!
Homes for your pets
AIM British Building Supplies can construct any type of housing to suit
your most exotic pet to mans best friend, including snakes, rabbits,
lizards and even chickens. Custom built to your requirements and
secure, making sure that nothing can get in or out. They specialise in
dog kennels with a wide selection of designs to choose from although
they find that most clients like to have their kennels personally made to
measure for that extra little personalised touch.
Decking and fencing
Providing a full range of timber home exterior improvements, AIM British
Building Supplies provides decking and fencing to their clients’
requirements and designs, whilst their experienced professionals
provide invaluable practical advice. AIM British Building Supplies builds
multi-level decks, roof top decks, pool decks or a simple walk-out deck.
Your deck can be located anywhere and depends on you, it could be a
new pool surround, cover an existing terrace or make use of a space in
your garden which you never use because of uneven ground. We will
work with you to ensure that the final design of your deck will give you
maximum additional living space.
AIM British Building Supplies uses only specialised selected softwood
for decking which originates from Scandinavian sustainable forests - a
softwood with hardwood performance. Therefore you can be safe in the
knowledge that no rainforest has been felled. It is the product of an
environmentally friendly heat treatment for softwoods. This means that
no chemicals have been used in the production of the wood.
AIM British Building Supplies uses the highest quality of timber and if
maintained correctly you can be assured that your deck will last for 15
years or more. All decking is treated with a UV protection, this is done to
prolong the colour of the timber and to stop the sun bleaching it.
Because of the amount of sunshine on the coast, your deck should be
re-treated every 18 months to maintain the colour.
AIM British Building Supplies
Las Chapas Poligono (behind petrol station) Elviria
TTeell:: 00003344 995522 883355 117722
wwwwww..aabbbbss..eess oo eemmaaiill:: aaiimmwwhhoolleessaallee@@hhoottmmaaiill..ccoo..uukk
costa life 37
costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>
EVENT
- First Ever Andalucía Animal Network -
24th November 2009There are numerous animal charities in the Malaga Province dealing with
the appalling problem of our abused, abandoned and neglected animals.
Some of the charities are well-funded and supported; others are often
single individuals who have suddenly found they are acting as a refuge
with little means of help and assistance. BUT what if ALL the animal
charities and worthy causes came together and used their joint resources
and numbers to influence local government and suppliers? Just think
what we could achieve working together...
Well that’s just what Nick and the team from Pepi’s and GPAR are trying
to arrange with the support of CHAIN - Charity for Animals In Need. On
Tuesday 24th November 2009 from 10am to 4pm there will be the first
ever event for the Andalucía Animal Network. The aims of the event will be
to agree how we can co-ordinate our work to maximise the benefits for all
animals. For example using our group purchasing power to secure best
prices for animal food and services and lobbying local government. We
also hope to have a guest speaker at the event and it will be very
informal, with all ideas and suggestions encouraged.
The Hotel Molino de Saydo based at 29532 Mollina Malaga (Junction 142
off the A92 to Sevilla) has very kindly donated the use of the room and
CHAIN will supply the refreshments. The event is FREE to anyone involved
in working with animals in the Andalucía region.
Please contact Wendy at CHAIN to book a place or for more details,
TTeell 667722 339999 332200 oorr eemmaaiill cchhaaiinniinnssppaaiinn@@hhoottmmaaiill..ccoomm
Costa Carpet on the Carretera de Mijas has been established now for over
fours. They supply the finest quality, rugs, carpets, wardrobes and home
accessories on the coast. Owner Miika explains more about what they do.
RUGS - When you walk into Costa-Carpet, you will
notice that you have come to the right place if you
are looking for widest selection of rugs and carpets!
There is an amazing collection of rugs at reasonable
prices and in many different styles - between
modern and traditional timeless rugs. The designs
and colours of our collections are popular today; we
have a lot of fashionable products like shaggy pile
and very hard natural materials too, like paper yarn
and sisal. These traditional woollen rugs do not look
old-fashioned, they are coloured with light and soft colours! If you are
looking for a more colourful rug, there is a good selection of hand-knotted
oriental carpets too.
NEW COLLECTION! Now you will find a good selection of oriental
rugs from Iran at excellent prices. Example; a unique hand-knotted rug
100cm x 200cm costs only 199 Euros and the big ones example; 200cm x
300cm costs 798 Euros! The material is 100% wool. The rugs are in very
warm colours - usually deep reds and terracotta’s.
FITTED CARPETS & LAMINATES - Costa-Carpet has a
professional team for fitted carpets and all type of wood floors as well.
They have all well known brands like Tarkett, Victoria Carpets, Lano, Quick-
Step and they offer all types of materials, carpet squares and British under
lays too! In the shop there are some samples of the most favourite
carpets… but as they say, it is better to see different samples at the place
where the carpet is coming from. In fact, lighting and colours of walls and
other decoration at your home is very a important point to consider, when
you are choosing just the right colour for your floors. The team of Costa-
Carpet will help you to choose the right material and the colour; they will
bring the samples to your home if necessary, measure up and estimate
the installation work at the same time. This service and quotation is free
without any obligation! (And I can say the installers works very quickly, if
they have the right material in stock, it could be installed in just a few
days.)
WARDROBES & SLIDING DOORS - Costa-Carpet’s custom-
made sliding doors and wardrobes are a beautiful product. There is a huge
collection of different materials and colours that can be used for the
doors. The doors are very high-quality, made in Finland. The producer of
the doors is named Kirena and has a good website and you will get many
new ideas by visiting www.kirena.com. Example; after changing new doors
on your bedroom wardrobe, the room can look totally new. The room can
feel bigger too; because sliding doors needs less space than if you have
had open doors before.
You can hear the quality too - the doors move very silently and one more
inspired characteristic, the doors have a ‘‘no jump’’ system and stay in the
rail. Costa-Carpet has a full design and installation service of Kirena
products too. They will take away all your old product and their carpenter
will fit the new products to complete the perfect installation.
WHERE IT IS?
Costa-Carpet is in a
great location on
Carretera de Mijas
(the main road from
Fuengirola to Mijas
Pueblo, on your left
side from Fuengirola,
between Imperial
furniture and Centro-
Idea), an area where
many people come to
shop for furniture and
other home products.
EVENT - ESTEPONA FLORAL ART CLUB
Estepona Floral Art Club is delighted to be welcoming Anna Steven,
NAFAS Area Demonstrator from Kiln House, Horton-cum-Studley on
Tuesday, October 20th 2009.
The demonstration will take place at ‘The Benavista Country Club’
Benavista, N340; (behind the shops near the tennis courts) the
programme commences 3.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Estepona Floral Art Club meets on the Third Tuesday of the month
except for June, July and August. We are now into our Autumn
Programme and look forward to meeting all our members and visitors.
For information on the above event and future events please contact
our Chairman Anne Atkinson on
TTeell:: -- 995522 889900 335522
38 costa life
>> costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS
UK Trainee Vets Volunteer
to Help Malaga Animal
CharitiesEvery day we hear horror stories of young people
involved in drugs, crime and unsociable behaviour...
well now here’s a good news story involving young
trainee vets from the UK. Will, age 19, and Charlotte,
age 20, are currently studying at the Royal Veterinary
College based in London in the UK and they are
spending part of their summer holidays as volunteers
working with SOS and CHAIN two of our local animal
charities. They responded to a poster placed in their
college by Tania Coates, who is responsible for helping
to re home in the UK so many of our abandoned and
stray animals. Will, from Solihull Birmingham, is a 2nd
year student. He volunteered to get some 1st hand
experience of animal husbandry but found this the
ideal way to get real veterinary experience. Carefully
supervised by local vets, he has assisted in some
operations and receiving glowing feedback for his
skills. Will, who has a Labrador dog and a cat of his
own, was shocked at the size of the stray animal
problem in Malaga. ‘‘It really makes you think,’’ he
said, ‘‘You hear these stories about how animals are
treated in other countries but until you witness the
problem with your own eyes you don't really believe it’’.
Both Will and Charlotte are working alongside the
many other young volunteers at the SOS rescue
centre. CHAIN and SOS hope that more young vets
from the UK and Spain will take a leaf out of Will and
Charlotte’s book - providing them with invaluable
experience and our animals with a brighter future
knowing the next generation of vets will be there to
help them. If you want any further information please
email cchhaaiinniinnssppaaiinn@@hhoottmmaaiill..ccoomm
‘‘Will’’ with ‘‘Ruby’’ one of CHAIN’s success stories
and a bag of the tick treatment donated by the World
Wide Veterinary Service
Knee ProblemsIt may seem a bit obvious but the knees are
there to provide support for the body and to
allow the legs to bend and straighten. What
is not so obvious is that the knee is the
largest joint in the body and one of the most
complex. The knee joint is made up of four
bones connected by muscles, ligaments and
tendons that provide the necessary stability.
There is also cartilage, either meniscus or the
more ‘‘normal’’ cartilage that covers all the
joints in the body, which allows the bones to
smoothly move over and around each other.
There are two main types of knee problems,
mechanical and inflammatory. Mechanical
problems may result from injury,
osteoarthritis or wear and tear and
inflammatory problems can also occur in
certain rheumatic diseases.
Knee pain is a very common problem with
around 40,000 people having a knee
replacement every year, research showing
that one in four women and one in five men
suffer significant and persistent knee pain. Is
there an alternative to painful surgery and
rehabilitation?
Remember that pain is a warning. Most
individuals put up with a large amount of
unnecessary discomfort and many continue
to suffer needlessly due to initial
inappropriate or incorrect diagnosis. To get to
the root cause of the problem, a full
assessment by a fully qualified bio-
mechanical specialist is so important.
Swelling of the knee and surrounding area is
not normal and indicates inflammation and
needs treating - immediately. Whilst this
swelling may not be painful, it will stress the
surrounding structures of the joint. Swelling
is a sign of distress and unless this is
cleared, on-going problems will persist.
If there has been no obvious injury or trauma,
the most common cause of on-going, non-
specific knee pain is foot posture problems.
Foot posture problems are the main cause of
non-specific knee pain and can be easily
rectified by fitting and wearing computerised,
prescription orthotics. Insoles that can be
purchased ‘‘over-the-counter’’ may give initial
relief but be aware, more often than not they
eventually contribute to more problems than
they solve.
Medication, often in the form of anti-
inflammatory tablets or by cortisone
injections are often used in the supposed
‘‘conservative’’ treatment of knee problems.
The former is not kind to the stomach and the
injection route is now avoided by most
forward thinking doctors as cortisone has
been shown to ‘‘rot’’ ligaments and tendons.
So while they may help the pain in the short
term, they create massive long term
problems.
There is now another hugely exciting
treatment that has recently come out of
Germany, a derivative of MRI Scanner
technology called Magnetic Resonance
Therapy (MRT). MRT is currently being used
by over 300 doctors and surgeons in
Germany and to date; over 85,000 patients
have been treated. MRT helps the body to
repair and harden cartilage, reduces bone
inflammation and it can dramatically reduce
pain - ‘‘stairs no longer seem like Everest’’
being one quote.
As surgeons usually go the route they know
best i.e. surgery, it can be seen that avoiding
or at least postponing surgery is a specialist's
role. Simple pain free remedies can often be
found for a painful knee so help yourself to
early advice and save yourself unwanted pain
or discomfort. Remember, pain of any sort is
not a necessity.
For more details or to learn more, patients
may self refer direct to Estelle Mitchell,
Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal
Specialist and your English Chartered
Physiotherapist by calling
995522 888833 115511
or by visiting her websites at:
wwwwww..TThheeBBooddyywwoorrkkssCClliinniicc..ccoomm,,
wwwwww..GGrroowwCCaarrttiillaaggee..ccoomm oorr
wwwwww..PPhhyyssiiooFFoooott..ccoomm
EVENT - ESTEPONA
FLORAL ART CLUB
Affiliated to London & Overseas
Area of NAFAS
Estepona Floral Art Club is delighted to be
welcoming Barbara Collier, NAFAS National
Demonstrator from Camberley, Surrey, on
Tuesday, November 17th 2009.
The demonstration will take place at ‘The
Benavista Country Club’ Benavista, N340 Km
167; (behind the shops near the tennis courts)
the programme commences 3.00 p.m. - 5.00
p.m. We are pleased that refreshments will be
available before and after our demonstrations.
We are now preparing for our Christmas
Demonstration on December 8th, which will also
include a Traditional Christmas Lunch. The
demonstration will take place before, during and
after lunch, at ‘The Benavista Country Club.’ This
will be by ticket only and there are limited places.
For information on the above events and future
events please contact our Chairman Anne
Atkinson on
TTeell:: -- 995522 889900 335522
Alternatively go to our website: -
wwwwww..bbeessttooffmmaarrbbeellllaa..ccoomm
and click on the link, Culture and Associations, or
enter Estepona Floral Art Club in the Google
space bar, to view all our forthcoming events.
costa life 39
costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>
Winter repairs to your
swimming poolThis year we have seen pools losing more water
through evaporation then previous years.
An ideal way to cope with this is to have an
automatic filler fitted - It will mean you won’t
have to worry if you go away and the level of the
pool drops drastically.
Should the water level
drop - your filtration
system will be unable to
work and you could even
cause damage to the
pump and filter.
It may be you have a leak
on your pool - a simple
test is to put a bucket of
water at the side of the
pool - if it is evaporation the bucket and pool will
loose the same level of water.
However it is difficult to be accurate if your pool
has heavy usage with people jumping in and
displacing the water or it has been very windy!
If you do suspect a leak Splash Swimming pools
have the most up to-date leak detecting
equipment from America. We can usually
determine in about an hour where the leak is.
We charge 60 € per hour for the leak detecting
(exc iva).
Once the leak detecting has been done we can
give you a costing for the repairs needed.
We also reform pools - a 20 year old pool can
be transformed to look like new!
Our renovations are covered by 5 year
guarantees and we provide one months
maintenance FREE OF CHARGE on completion
of the work.
We can also add roman steps to existing pools
which makes it easier for people and animals to
get out - and a nice spot to sit and drink that ice
cool G & T!
In fact Splash can make almost any alterations
and improvements to a pool - the one we won’t
recommend is trying to break open and enlarge
a pool … when you join a new part to an old one
you will always get problems such as leaks if the
ground moves.
We have the biggest pool shop in the Mijas
area - where friendly advice is always available.
If you call in with a small sample of your pool
water we can tell you if the chemical balance is
correct.
Or let us take the hassle out of pool
maintenance with one of our contracts starting
at 70€ per month (exc chemicals and iva).
To find out more about any of our pool services
- you will find the shop and office open from
8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.
TTeell:: 995522 559911 005533
EE--mmaaiill:: ssppllaasshhppoooollss@@eelleeccttrroonnbbooxx..nneett
WWeebb:: wwwwww..ssppllaasshhmmiijjaass..mmoooonnffrruuiitt..ccoomm
Terra Sana
now opens in
Fuengirola
Terra Sana
restaurants can offer
the freshest and
tastiest in healthy
eating along the Costa del Sol. With Five
established restaurants in Marbella and one in
Estepona Terra Sana are now spreading their
wings with a new restaurant in Fuengirola. Terra
Sana is situated in Calle Emancipacion near the
church square next Salon Varieites theatre. The
friendly staff will welcome you with great service
and the healthiest option for those who enjoy
their food but want the healthy choice. Terra
Sana prides itself on using only the best
possible ingredients, and serve freshly made,
lovingly prepared food.
At Terra Sana you can enjoy a selection of
delicious smoothies and Juices all freshly
prepared on site. All smoothies are a mix of
fresh fruit blends with natural pulp and frozen
sorbets.
An example of smoothies would be a ‘Tropical
Storm’ which consists of Pineapple juice,
passion fruit, banana and Mandarin Sorbet or
how about a ‘Polar Peach’ with Peach, tropical
juice, banana and orange sorbet.
All juices are freshly squeezed and freshly
served, examples of which are the ‘Exotica’
which is pineapple, pear and strawberry or a
‘Pura Vida’ which includes carrot, beetroot,
apple and celery.
For those who are might need a bit of extra help
you can add a wide selection of nutrient
boosters to your drinks. Everything from vitamin
C, Aloe Vera, Ginger, Bee Pollen and calcium
can be added to nourish your body and refresh
your mind.
Salads and wraps are on the mains menu using
the freshest ingredients to offer a mouth
watering selection of meals. For salads you can
try a ‘Terra Sana salad’ which includes Avocado,
tomato, feta cheese, dates, cucumber, red
onion, black olives and nuts on a bed of mixed
lettuce leaves with a summer herb dressing. Or
try the ‘Thai Break’ Thai style chicken or prawns,
red peppers, zucchini, bean sprouts, cucumber,
carrots, coriander and spicy nuts on a bed of
mixed lettuce leaves with a soy lime dressing.
I love wraps and they are probably my favourite
food of late, they are healthy, tasty and filling. I
was not disappointed at Terra Sana, I had the
‘Baja California Wrap’; warm chicken, avocado,
a tasty chili jam, smoked cheese, red peppers,
red onions, spinach and cheese wrapped in a
tomato herb flour tortilla. Really nice and very
filling!
Sharon had a ‘Samsara Wrap’; Indian spiced
chicken with cucumber yoghurt, mango chutney,
red onions, tomato and chopped lettuce hearts.
There are plenty more to choose from so there
is something for everybody.
To finish off you are allowed to enjoy a sweet
finale, the homemade Carrot cake (pictured)
was delicious but you can also try the fudge
cake, cheese cake and a selection of muffins.
There is also a kids menu and a breakfast
menu.
If you don’t have a lot of time to sit down and
enjoy your breakfast or dinner then you can call
ahead to Terra Sana and they will prepare your
order ready for you to collect or if you aren’t too
far from them they will endeavour to deliver.
To see the menu in full you can visit
wwwwww..tteerrrraassaannaa..nneett.To contact the Fuengirola restaurant call
663300 337711 333300.
TTeerrrraa
SSaannaa ‘‘NNaattuurraallllyy
ggoooodd ffoorr yyoouu’’
40 costa life
>> costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS
RWK are one of the leading
suppliers of real quality
kitchens, bedrooms and
furniture on the Costa del Sol.
Their showroom is located in
Nueva Andalucía, by the
Andalucía Plaza Hotel and features examples of many of their products
and designs.
The kitchen units are individually designed and built by the RWK factory
in Germany, a family business which has been specializing in kitchens
since the 50s and today is a very successful world-wide brand. Today,
RWK still maintains the company’s original philosophy of open
communication between supplier and customer to ensure that all
expectations are met and the kitchen fits the customer’s lifestyle
perfectly. The kitchens are all well designed in both modern and
traditional styles and feature the latest functions to make kitchen life
simpler. RWK are suppliers of all major brand appliances and can also
show you a wide variety of worktop options.
RWK also offer a variety of excellent quality bedrooms from German
manufacturer Driftmeier, a family-run business established 75 years ago
and the Italian ‘Santa Lucia’ Company. There are many different design
options available for the furniture structures and interiors to enable you
to organize your space for a comfortable and well thought-out bedroom.
The showroom is currently being extended to include a wide range of
furniture options so if you need your entire home furnished or just need a
new coffee table the staff at RWK are at your disposal.
RWK provide friendly and efficient customer service, working closely with
the client to ensure the project is designed to the right specifications and
runs smoothly. All of their kitchen and bedroom projects are available at
very competitive prices. Call or visit RWK now to discuss what they could
do for you.
TTeell:: 995522 9900 6666 2222 WWeebb:: iinnffoo@@rrwwkk..eess
AAddddrreessss.. CCaallllee LLaass VViioolleettaass,, NNuueevvaa AAnnddaalluuccííaa
Suave Café in Los Boliches formerly Flavs has
undergone a major face lift and the
transformation is impressive. With fine attention
to detail and quality, owner Peter Clough has
created a truly stunning yet relaxed venue.
Situated right on the Paseo Maritimo in front of
Chiringuito Madrid Playa Suave Cafe has a huge
terrace to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean in
style and comfort.
Food plays a very large part of what Suave is all
about wheather it’s a simple sharing platter or a
tasty leg of lamb. With a truly mouthwatering
menu that will ignite your taste buds. Also on
offer is a superb 3 course menu Monday to
Friday served 12-9pm @ a very reasonable
€12.50 and a special 3 course Sunday menu
served all day @ €12.95, booking is highly
recommended. Suave also caters for private
parties, the venue can accomodate up to 250
people. Whetever your requirements a bespoke
event to suit every budget is guaranteed.
With Christmas fast approaching Suave is the
perfect venue for your Christmas get together
and the Christmas menu is now available from
Suave.
The magenta lounge on the mezzanine floor is
an ideal place to enjoy a pre dinner drink,
cocktail or simply to lounge the day
away...If you have not yet visited
Suave give it a try you will not be
disappointed.
TThhee aarrtt ooff tthhee ttaabbllee iiss aabboouutt ggoooodd ffoooodd,,
ggoooodd wwiinnee aanndd ggoooodd ffrriieennddss,, tthhee ssyynntthheessiiss
ooff tthhee bbeesstt eevveennttss iinn oouurr lliivveess..........
costa life 41
costaBUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>
Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery
DDrr.. KKaaii OO.. KKaayyee
OOcceeaann CClliinniicc
MMaarrbbeellllaa
Beyond Beauty has become Ocean Clinic’s
metaphor, because one of its meanings reflects
what most of their patient’s desire; being more
beautiful and attractive, but it can be seen as
well as an invitation to look behind, to
understand what stands behind an attractive
appearance these days. Plastic Surgery,
Aesthetic Medicine & Cosmetic Dentistry have
surely become an important part in providing a
young, healthy and beautiful look. Ocean Clinic is
now setting new standards in comprehensive
patient care by offering you the complete range
of plastic and aesthetic surgery procedures,
including non-surgical treatments like Botox®,
permanent and non-permanent fillers and peels,
and providing access to aesthetic dentistry and
maxillofacial procedures through their official
collaboration with Agave Clinic in Marbella to
fulfill all your needs. The Ocean Clinic is directed
by Dr. Kai O. Kaye, who, after attending medical
schools in Bonn, Paris V, Los Angeles (UCLA)
and Munich (TUM), received his medical degree
from the University of Munich (TUM) in 2001 and
subsequently received his University Doctorate
Magna cum Laude in 2002 after two years of
research in the field of reconstructive plastic
surgery at the TUM. After 4 years of further
education in the fields of Plastic Surgery,
Aesthetic Surgery, Hand and Burn Surgery, he
came to Marbella in 2006, working first for a
well-known Plastic Surgery Clinic, which he lead
as medical director for 7 months before taking
the decision to open his own clinic. Being fully
registered as a Plastic Surgery Consultant in
Germany, Spain and the UK, Dr. Kaye is able to
offer his patients the most advanced treatments
with patient safety being always in first place,
which is why he chose to operate at the
prestigious USP Private Hospital in the center of
Marbella, providing the safety of a real hospital
with intensive care unit and a full 24 hour staff.
All consultations, as well as the surgical
aftercare are carried out in the very modern
designed, discreet private Clinic overlooking the
beautiful Alameda Park in Marbella Centre,
providing easy access and parking in the
underground garage under the park. To ensure
good communication, Dr. Kaye offers his
consultations in German, English, Spanish and
French, and is ensuring individual, personal
attention to all his patients at all times before,
during and after the treatments.
If you would like to make an appointment, call
their Patient
MMaannaaggeerr LLoouuiissee TTaayylloorr oonn:: 995511 777755 551188
oorr vviissiitt wwwwww..oocceeaanncclliinniicc..nneett
Is yourkitchen upto scratch?by Annika Jonsson
BLOND of Scandinavia
>> costaHOMES
42 costa life
Is your kitchen
just a work
place or
should it be
the heart of
the house?
The kitchen is one of the most important centres
of any household. At least, that is what I think. It
is not simply a workplace in which many hours
are spent, it should also be a room for the whole
family to live in and entertain friends.
The first and most important step in planning is
to decide on the sort of kitchen and the type of
room you would like, and relate this to the rest of
the house. It may be worthwhile spending time
and money creating extra space and light, even if
this involves relocating or extending the kitchen,
perhaps by incorporating an adjacent utility
room. Careful planning should make cooking
more efficient and enjoyable. An open-plan
design gives you the pleasure of entertaining
your friends and family while you work, and it
gives others the pleasure of seeing what’s going
on in the kitchen.
Most modern kitchen designs are based on
guidelines following the principle of a ‘‘work
triangle’’, drawn between the three main activity
areas of the kitchen: water supply, cooking area
and food storage. There are, of course, many
individual solutions for the planning but, in
principal, there are five different plans/lay-outs.
>> The single-line kitchenWith appliances and cupboards lined up along
one wall, this fits into very limited space. The
sink should be located in the middle, with the
refrigerator and cooker at either end.
>> Galley or corridor
kitchenNot recommended, unless built against a dead
end or a window. Arranged along two facing
walls, it should have the sink and cooker on the
same side of the kitchen. Essentially, the
‘‘corridor’’ kitchen is for a one - or two-person
apartment or house.
costa life 43
costaHOMES >>
>> L-shapedThis is a good layout for open-plan and small,
square rooms. It should have the sink in the
middle of the work triangle for ease of
movement.
>> U-shapedThe most workable arrangement with
uninterrupted space for food preparation and
serving. Normally the sink is in the middle with
the fridge and cooker on either side.
>> The IslandThe ideal plan for people who cook with style
and prefer to make the activity itself the main
focus. The layout needs a lot of space and
careful design to ensure economy of movement.
Whichever layout you prefer, the following
components must be included:
> Make work surfaces as big as possible. The
main food preparation area should be large
enough to serve up a meal.
>
The cooker should be situated as close as
possible to the sink so it is easy to carry pans
back and forth. Avoid placing it in a corner.
Choose your cooker with care. If you like to cook,
it is worth investing in a good one. I, myself,
prefer gas but there are many modern ones with,
for example, ceramic tops.
> When it comes to the sink, the main thing to
think about is whether there is space for the
dishwasher close to it. And, if you do a lot of
cooking, buy a dishwasher with a special
programme for pots and pans.
> If you are going for an open-plan design and
want the kitchen to be the household centre, it is
essential that the exhaust system is efficient
enough to suck up smoke, steam and odours.
The most effective way is to have the cooker up
against a wall with a hood that is as large in area
as the cooker. An updraft unit is the most
effective system and can also be an attractive
item in itself.
You can get a lot of help from your computer
when you are planning your kitchen. IKEA for
example has a special program where you can
outline your kitchen. Most companies who are
selling kitchens also offer planning free of
charge.
Because we are living in Spain, it is possible to
do a great deal of cooking outside. I don’t just
mean a barbecue, but all kinds of cooking. In the
next issue of Costa Life, we are going to design
an outdoor kitchen. It is not as complicated as it
sounds.
The kitchen is one of
the most important
centres of any
household
Images supplied from RWK German kitchens,
Bedrooms and Home furnishings. www.rwk.es
952 90 66 22 email [email protected]
>> costaHOMES
44 costa life
Say it beautifully with flowers,cards and gifts from
Interflora Florist
Home Deliveries
Offex Easimail Point
Edif. La Rotonda, Local 4,Avenida Manolete,N. Andalucia, MarbellaTel: 952 811 301mob: 670 635 201
www.deseosflorist.com [email protected]
MOB: 618 743 513 - e-mail: [email protected] - web: www.theblindmansl.com
48 costa life
news
report
>> costaHOMES
>> Obama to visit Spain in May 2010The US president, Barack Obama, will visit Spain next year in
May in order to attend a summit meeting between the EU and
US. The meeting will take place on 24th and 25th May in
Madrid during the Spanish presidency of the EU.
The EU-US summit meeting will be one of the most important
dates on Zapatero’s agenda as EU president together with the
summit meeting between the EU, the Caribbean and Latin
America which is also due to take place in Madrid in May - a
week before the EU-US meeting. Another important event for
Zapatero’s as EU president will be the 2nd summit meeting of
the Mediterranean Union which will take place over two days in
June in Barcelona.
Spain is due to take over the EU presidency at the start of
2010.
Despite declarations by Spanish president José
Luis Rodríguez Zapatero denying that medium
income households would suffer the most from
the government’s proposed increases in income
tax the opposite appears to be the case with
those on small or medium sized incomes most at
risk of losing out. In a simulation carried out by
the Spanish daily newspaper, El Pais, based on
the government’s proposal to withdraw the 400
tax rebate introduced last year the results
showed that over half the money
the treasury wants to ‘‘claw back’’
would come from those earning one
or two thousand euros a month.
The reasons behind this is that most of the
income tax rises would be a result of the
withdrawal of the 400 euro tax rebate which
mostly benefited those earning medium sized
salaries and pensioners. Nevertheless, it is also
possible that the government will maintain this
tax deduction for those on low incomes and will
use it as a bargaining tool in order to negotiate
with other parliamentary groups in order to get
support for next year's proposals for public
accounts.
The 400 euro tax deduction was introduced last
year in order to help households on medium
sized incomes at a time when the treasury's
accounts were in a much better state than now.
In general it benefited those earning at least
12,000 euros a year and it will be this group who
will be most affected if the measure is withdrawn
completely. Based on figures taken from 2007
those earning between 12,000 and 21,000
euros a year will be those who will end up paying
more according to the Treasury.
The government has defended its proposals to
withdraw the 400 euros tax rebate saying that
this measure was adopted to help families pay
their mortgages at a time when both the Euríbor
and inflation were ‘very high’ and was therefore
only intended to be a temporary decision.
However, if the 400 euro tax rebate is withdrawn
those earning 1000 euros a month could see
their monthly income tax rise by 24% and those
on two thousand euros a month could see their
monthly income tax rise by 11%. Moreover, no
announcement on VAT rises has yet been made
and any increase in this indirect tax would affect
low and medium income households the most.
>> Proposed withdrawal of tax rebate will affect
medium income households the most
The Spanish government has finally
given in to pressure from left wing
parties in parliament. The financial aid
of 420 euros to be paid to all those
unemployed whose unemployment
benefit has run out will be extended to
include those whose benefit ran out
from 1st January this year instead of
1st August as established in the law
passed on 13th August this year.
This modification to the law will extend
the financial help to another 700,000
people and will increase the cost of the
measure by 100 million euros a month
which is around 700 million more euros
than originally forecast. However, a
government spokesperson, José Antonio
Alonso, said that these calculations are
still hypothetical because it is not yet
known how many people will apply for
the aid although forecasts are based
on calculating the total number of
people eligible for the aid.
Alonso said that the measure was
fair because one of the government’s
priorities was to make the state’s
resources available to those that
most needed help. When asked if the
change to the current law was due to
lack of support in parliament Alonso
explained that the government had
consulted all parliamentary groups
before passing the law. He also
added that the amendment would be
passed as quickly as possible so that
it would come into effect at the
beginning of November.
Yesterday it was announced that so far
in 2009 that the government has spent
24.5% more than in the same period for
2008 and that by July the deficit had
increased by fivefold and now
represented 4.69% of GD.
>> Government to extend 420euros hand out to unemployed
ffiinnaanncciiaall
�� HOUSE CLEARANCES �� EVERY DAY SALES ��
c.c. Atenea, CN340, KM 168 Estepona 29680Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm and Sat 10am-2pm
Tel 952 886 067 Mob 606 665 550Email: [email protected]
Biggest showroom on the coast2,000 sq metres
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Lifestyle Property Europe
Ref. LPE_118: Very attractive, recently constructed finca situated in oneof the best areas of Alhaurin el Grande. Peaceful and secluded positiononly 10 minutes from town. Three bedrooms (one en suite) two bathrooms,the property has air conditioning, feature fireplace, beautiful terraces andpool areas. Excellent value for money in today’s market. 135 m² built on afenced and gated plot of 3,500 m². Price: 350,000 euros
Ref LPE_139a: Delightful country finca in excellent condition situatedbetween the two Alhaurins. Excellent access (no track) paved drivewaythrough nice gardens to a three bed, two bath property which is gated andfenced. Beautiful terrace and pool area with outstanding views.
A great buy at 365,000 euros
Ref. LPE_167: Amazing views from this lovely three bedroomed, twobath finca that is in beautiful condition. Situated close to Alhaurin elGrande the 130 m² house is situated on a 5,000 plus plot in the best areaand has beames lounge, American style kitchen etc. The plot is fencedand gated with an attractive swimming pool, fully legal and at a giveaway price. Yours for 269,000 euros
Ref. LPE_004: 350 m² on a scenic 16,000 m² plot with commandingviews. Very close to golf, the property has a private 2 bed casita in thegrounds with private terraces. This older property has great history andhas been beautifully restored with fantastic gardens, pool area and adelightful courtyard area for entertaining. 7 beds and 3 baths reducedfrom 1,500,000 euros to 995,000 euros. This property has to be seen!
Ref. LPE_201: Amazing medieval castle situated in the Chianti regionof Italy. Comprising of 52 hectares of land of which 18 hectares are vine-yard. Producing 65,000 bottles of wine. 20 luxurious rooms. Completelyrenovated in 1994. This is a fantastic opportunity for gracious living orwonderful business. Price: 15,000,000 euros
Ref. LPE_31: Great hotel project situated near Ponta Negra in Brazil.This complex boasts 87 rooms over 3 floors. All en suite. Restaurant,gardens, roads etc. Great price and great investment.
Price: 1,450,000 euros
Lifestyle Property Europe - The Property ProfessionalsC/Almería 15, Casa Sirenita, Urb. Sitio de Calahonda, 29649 Mijas Costa, Málaga, España.
Tel: +34 952 931 050 +44 1305 898 020 Mob: +34 661 235 111 +34 617 199 433E-mail: [email protected] www.lifestylepropertyeurope.com
D I S T R E S S E D S A L E S
I N V E S T M E N T O P P O R T U N I T I E S
50 costa life
to
buying a
property
in Spain
gguuiiddee
hen you have finished your long hard
search and settled on the right Spanish
Property for you, please don’t trip up at
the final hurdle.
Make sure you are never pushed into
making a rash decision on a property
until you are perfectly happy with your
choice, and that you are sure you want
to complete on the sale. There are,
sadly, still horror stories of people being
ripped off and conned out of small and
large amounts of money, but if you go
through an established estate agent and
arrange suitable legal advice, your
buying process should be smooth and
trouble free from start to finish.
One thing you will have to accept when
buying a property in Spain is that the
world of officialdom and paperwork is
not quite what it is back home, and
some things are done quite differently
from the UK. You must try to accept this
early on, to avoid more worry than
necessary. Hopefully this short guide will
give you some useful pointers to guide
you through the process as smoothly as
possible.
>>>> The Property
SearchAlways do your research! The increasing
use of the internet has proved a
significant to both buyers and sellers of
property, and is more and more
becoming the first place people look for
Spanish property. Some websites provide
even more useful information such as
area guides, property news, and even
newsletters. Try and go through as many
magazines as possible to get a feel for
prices. You can pick some up in the UK
in places like WH Smith´s but there are
many more to choose from once you
have arrived in Spain.
Once you have narrowed down
your search, it is time to
contact an agent. Don’t be
scared, many of them don’t bite! There
are many more estate agents in Spain
than there are in the UK, mostly because
of the recent property boom, so you
should try to use a little care when
selecting an agent. Ask them if they are
part of any recognised professional body,
and maybe how many property listings
they have on their books, or how long
they been established in Spain, for
example. The fact is that your feeling is
usually the best judge. Other than that, a
recommendation from someone who
bought from the same company is
probably the best way to choose.
>> Decision TimeSO, you have seen 100’s of properties,
your agent’s going grey, you can’t quite
decide between property a and property
b, it’s all getting a bit much… and then
you find it: The property you always
imagined! Now the fun begins, as it’s
time to make an offer. At this stage the
Spanish system is no different to the UK.
The buyer makes an offer and the
vendor either accepts or rejects that
offer. If agreement is reached verbally
you should instruct a lawyer immediately
to act on your behalf.
>> Instructing a
LawyerChoosing the right lawyer is a very
important part of the buying process,
and bear in mind that you could well be
dealing with the same lawyer for some
time to come, and they will probably end
up acting on your behalf if you should
sell the property. As in so many things,
the best way to find someone good is a
recommendation.
>> Paying a Holding
DepositOnce you have made your decision and
your lawyer is happy with the terms and
conditions of anything you are asked to
sign, it is time to pay a holding deposit.
This deposit is usually 3000 Euros on
smaller properties, and 6000 on larger
properties, and is usually held by the
estate agent, in order to take the
property off the market until the private
contract is signed. These deposits are
often paid ‘‘subject to mortgage’’ until a
certain date. This means that buyers are
given a certain amount of time to
arrange the finance, and will not lose
their deposit if the finance is not
granted.
PRIVATE CONTRACT –
The point of no return. This is the most
important stage in the whole process, as
if either party pull out afterwards, they
must compensate the other party with
(typically) 10% of the purchase price. On
signing the private contract, the buyer
will deposit 10% with the seller’s lawyer,
and the other reason why this stage of
the process is so important is that it
defines a date by which time the parties
must complete.
PUBLIC CONTRACT –
The notary public.
This is the final stage in buying a
Spanish property. Both parties must
attend the notary on or before the date
stipulated by the private contract, at
which time the balance of the purchase
price is paid, and a new title deed is
prepared and signed by the notary.
Mortgages will also require a separate
deed, and outstanding mortgages must
also be cancelled at this point. Once the
deeds are signed they will be then be
submitted to the land registry for
registration.
>> The Buyer’s
CostsAs a general rule, the costs of buying a
property in Spain should be no more
than 10% of the purchase price. These
costs are as follows:
Transfer tax: the Spanish
equivalent of stamp duty, currently 7%.
Lawyer’s fees: most lawyers in
Spain charge 1% of the purchase price,
depending on what services you ask
them to proved. They will probably
charge more if you ask them to act as
‘‘Power of Attorney’’, for example.
Notary and Registration
Fees: These should be no more than
around 1000 Euros, depending on the
price of the property.
The fees may rise if you are taking a
large mortgage, for example, as banks
and mortgage brokers in Spain charge
higher opening fees that UK equivalents.
They will be repaid as part of the
mortgage total, however, so it is difficult
to give an average figure.
All other costs should be paid by the
seller, including all estate agents fees,
capital gains tax, and an incremental
land tax called ‘‘plus valia’’.
As a final piece of advice, the oldest one
in the book probably holds more true
today than ever before:
Buyers beware,
if it sounds too good to be true,
it probably is.
>> costaHOMES
Opening times:
Mon and Wed-Fri
9.30 - 13.30 and
16.00 - 19.00
Tues and Sat
9.30 - 13.30
Costa Carpet Costa del Sol S.L.
Tel 00 34 952 473 328
www.costa-carpet.com
Carretera de Mijas km 4
Edifico Costamuebles
29649 Mijas Costa, Espana
SLIDING WARDROBE DOORS
RUGS LAMINATE FLOORING
BEDS AND BEDDING
>> costaHOMES
oundabouts are a relatively new
introduction to the road network
across our region. Over the last few
years they have popped up
everywhere, too often in places and on roads
that functioned happily without them.
Their purpose is to regulate and slow traffic -
slowing that has helped me take notice of some
new and inspired planting that is being used to
‘pretty’ them up.
Some are covered with Agaves and Aloes; others
have their entire space devoted to controversial
modern water features.
One I can’t forget. It is not far from that Swedish
superstore, another recent arrival, where I seem
to have spent my entire September. Although
the planting is simple and lacks a wow factor,
this simplicity is beautiful. A single tree,
CChhoorriissiiaa ssppeecciioossaa, stands alone surrounded by
simple swathes of the grass PPeennnniisseettuumm
vviilllloossuumm (Ethiopian Fountain Grass), and PP..
aallooppeeccuurrooiiddeess the (Black-flowered Fountain
Grass). PPhhyyllaa nnooddiifflloorraa, also known as Lippia,
has been used as ground cover to fill space
between the grasses. Lippia is widely planted as
a lawn substitute.
This simple, uncluttered look is very attractive
and just shows how grasses can be used to
great effect - when used simply.
R
RoundaboutPlantingBy Simon Hill
52 costa life
Chorisia trunk
P. villosum is a low growing grass to 30 cm. It
has a spreading habit that within a couple of
years will form a mound of a metre in diameter.
The idea that grasses are best planted in dry
spots was recently put to the test when I planted
two examples; one in my dry garden, receiving no
irrigation throughout summer, and a second in
ground with weekly watering. Not surprisingly the
plant receiving water grew faster and came into
flower sooner than its mate that was lagging in
the scorching heat.
This grass has its origins way up in the highlands
of Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, where
there is summer rainfall. Its flowers are its
greatest asset, appearing like little bunny tails
from late summer onwards.
The second Pennisetum, PP.. aallooppeeccuurrooiiddeess, also
benefits from summer watering that boosts
performance and flowering. Unlike the giant
Pampas grass, this grass reaches a maximum of
1.5 metres, a manageable size for the smaller
garden. As well as looking good en-masse, it sits
well singly in a mixed border. Several cultivars
are available that have subtle differences in
height and flower colour.
PPhhyyllaa nnooddiifflloorraa is becoming a popular green lawn
substitute for small areas. Each plant will quickly
colonise up to a square metre and throughout
summer months will be covered with tiny
pompon-like flowers. Its common name, LLiippppiiaa
could be confused with the former name given to
Lemon Verbena, L. triphylla, now Aloysia. Both
plants belong to the Verbena family,
Verbenaceae. Other species of verbena have also
been used successfully for lawns by gardeners
wishing a more water-wise approach. I reserve
my own judgment.
The milder the climate, the more likely LLiippppiiaa will
stay as an evergreen perennial. Throughout a dry
summer, plants may lose their leaves. Occasional
watering will guarantee leaves and flowers.
Thoughout a cold winter it may die back but
should come again in spring. All will depend on
your local climate.
The PPaalloo BBoorrrraacchhoo or Silk Floss Tree, CChhoorriissiiaa
ssppeecciioossaa, is a popular tree in our region and one
that I have mentioned in the past. In Spanish,
Palo Borracho means ‘drunken tree’ a name that
may allude to its strange appearance. ‘Silk floss’
refers to the silky hairs surrounding the seeds in
the large pendant seed capsules. In the wild its
traditional home is flat wooded savannah. Some
say that summer watering will encourage
production of its showy, hibiscus-like flowers in a
range of pink colours; others say that a period of
summer drought is beneficial. Also summer
watering may possibly inhibit the growth of new
thorns on the smooth green bark of their fat
trunks - one of this tree’s many attractive
features. Having watched a selection of seedling
trees grow on from 1 metre or less, there were
great differences between them in the number of
thorns, and these differences remained as the
trees grew larger so they must result from
genetic variation.
To me these trees are fascinating and good as
an architectural centre-piece or merely to
compliment a garden collection. The name given
to a particular cultivar, ‘Majestic Beauty’, sums
up my feelings about this tree.
Whether we see on foot or from the car, new
planting of roundabouts and other green spaces
has become a great source of gardening
inspiration both here inland and along the Costa
del Sol. Roundabouts seem to have something
for everyone, and just as we can look for
furnishing inspiration in megastores we can get
ideas for our gardens at a roundabout next door!
Another word, it’s always wise to take a cutting or
two if you think a plant will not survive winter!
Simon can be contacted for advice and general
plant queries at:
costaHOMES >>
costa life 53
Chorisia speciosa
Kapok Flower
Pennisetum villosum
Ethiopian Oat Grass
P. alopecuroides in flower
Phyla nodiflora - Great Lawnalternative
FOR RENTLOMA DE LOS PACOS
FUENGIROLADuplex atico. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two terrace,
south facing with all day sun and incredible views down the
coast. Garage, gym, laundry, pool and secure gardens.
Unfurnished.
680 Euros per month including all community fees, IBI tax.
TEL: 0044 1723 368587
MOBILE; 0044 7725 894426
EMAIL: [email protected]
GIPE no 3330
IMPERIAL ESTATE S.L.Avda. Jesús Santos Reín, nº 15, Edificio Vega 1, Local 3,
29640 Fuengirola (Málaga)Tel: (+34) 952 664 966 | Fax: (+34) 952 199 204
Mobile: 656 815 699Email: [email protected] | www.imperialestate.com
The real estate with the personal touch
La Capellania magnificent villa set on private and tranquil position built on one level withpanoramic views over the sea, Fuengirola bay and mountains. Comprissing of 4bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, fully fitted large kitchen, utility room, lounge with fireplace,plenty of covered terrace, large garden and pool. Built 299 on 1.630m2 plot. Great homeand investment! Ref. 281 REDUCED from 799.000 to 590.000 €
Torreblanca villa in very quiet area close to transport, shops and sea. Offering 3bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, very large lounge, dining area, terraces allaround, garage and parking, mature garden, large pool, barbeque area and lots of spaceand potential within the 183m2 on 1.000m2 plot. Panoramic views over the sea, greenareas and Fuengirola bay. Excellent condition, an ideal home. Ref. 106 565.000 €
Los Boliches very central duplex penthouse apartment very spacius this modern andbright home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, lounge with fireplace airconditioning, storage, sunny 40m2 terrace with views over mountains, town and little sea.Great home for those who want to stay fit, 3rd floor without lift. Great investment!
Ref. 240 250.000 €
Torreblanca brand new apartment in quiet position offering very good quality ofconstruction and fantastic views over the sea, mountains and Fuengirola, 2 doublebedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, spacious lounge with fireplace leading to23m2 south facing terrace with great views. Garage space. Community pool and gardens.
Ref. 169 175.000 € Also 3 bedroom penthouse at 258.000 €
>> costaSTUFF
oet and satirist Jonathan Swift wrote that healways wanted ‘‘A river at my garden’s end, a
terrace walk and half a rood of land set out to plant awood.’’
Swift’s half a rood is not overly ambitious for it amountsto only a thousand square metres. It isn’t the amountthat counts; it is what you do with it. There is somethingvery satisfying about owning land even if it is only a fewmetres. What is its background? Who lived there before?What was the land used for? We have found Roman coinsin the garden. In owning land, you are adding to itshistory, and it is always interesting in tracing thebackground.
Even if your land is not spacious and is urban it still canattract a considerable amount of wildlife, and what ismore, there is a constant change of occupancy all yearround. Sometimes you have surprises, but not asdramatic as that experienced in Aspen, Colorado, whenowners in a housing estate found bears at the garbagebins last month. That is overdoing things. I am glad Ididn’t experience them close by when I skied there!
P
Wild Boar
56 costalife
by Peter Harrison
YourOwn Wildlife
Deer grazing
To encourage wildlife you need to manage the land. Inthe climate we enjoy in Spain, the problem lies not ingetting things to grow but in stopping them fromexcessive growth. The Eucalyptus I bought six years backand took home in the boot of the car, is now ten metrestall. Great home for birds, even though very overbearing.
The wildlife we enjoy is all around in the garden. Lastmonth, a vixen with her three cubs came very close tothe outdoor table when we were having breakfast. Thesame day a partridge settled in the overhead vine,probably just as well that the two did not have a closeencounter.
Two years ago, we disturbed an Alpaca that had beenhiding in the undergrowth that we had allowed to grow forwildlife. The Alpaca, a relative of the Llama, is notindigenous to Spain; it comes from Latin America, butwas imported on one of those crazy get rich schemes for
its fine wool. This one had escaped and honoured uswith its presence in its feral state.
Trees allowed to grow freelyattract a variety of birds. It is a
good idea to go to a goodbookshop like Bookworldwhere you get soundadvice, and select from awide variety of books onthe identification of birds.
This also applies tobutterflies. This hasbeen a bumper yearfor these lovelycreatures. We have
seen Meadow Browns,Clouded Yellows,
Fritillaries and Red Admirals plusa host of common Cabbage Whites.
It always surprises me that commoncreatures are so dismissed. Why are things
less lovely because they are so frequently seen?Buddleias attract them. You do not need much space togrow a buddleia and if you place a saucer of water with afew drops of honey added, you will greatly increase yourbutterfly population and have great enjoyment fromthem. Oleanders, or Adelphi as they are called in Spainfrom their Greek origin, attract moths in the evening.There are hundred of varieties of them.
Even in the smallest of gardens there is room for wildlife.Leave a little wild area and hedgehogs can make therehome there. You can encourage them by making a smallwooden box with a ten by ten centimetre entrance on lowbricks with a gently sloping ramp. Place it in your wildpatch and scatter a few leaves and bits of fluff inside.You may draw a blank the first year as it still has ahuman smell but, after that, hedgehogs will creep in tohibernate or, more likely in Spain, go torpid. The young ofhedgehogs are a real joy to behold. If you have badgersaround, this is not a good plan. They are bitter enemiesof hedgehogs. Be careful of two other hazards when youcreate a wild patch. Fire is a real danger, especially ifthere is a smoker around. Never leave food as thisattracts rats and is not necessary. Wild life are used tofending for themselves and do not need your help, wellmeaning though it may be.
Over the eight years we have lived near El Chorro, wehave witnessed a family of wild boar, which crossed overthe land early one morning; endless rabbits and hares;the foxes, which I mentioned, plus another that slept onthe windowsill; and to cap it all, the crowning glory … anIberian Lynx. He came seven years ago and is one of therarest creatures on earth, facing extinction, although theDonaña National Park is doing great work to preserve itand has an active breeding programme. We felt soprivileged to have a visit, even though it lasted only a fewminutes and was never repeated.
Flat dwellers should not feel excluded from enjoyingwildlife. Even if you have no garden, there is endlesscountryside around, as Spain is not densely populated.Just an hour’s drive from the coast, is a wonderland ofwildlife. All you need is a pair of binoculars, which neednot be expensive as there are many very effective oneson the market, often from China; a camera, to relive themagic moments of a sighting; and take something elsewith you… a whole load of patience. Wild creatures donot appear to order. Try to stay downwind so they do notcatch your scent. Riding across open land one evening Icame across a herd of deer grazing. I kept so that thewind could not carry towards them. The noise of thehorses’ hooves was not foreign to them. It was amazinghow close I managed to get. It is a sight I will neverforget.
The golden rule in watching wildlife is to be patient. Waitand wait, never talk and try not to move. What you willsee, unless you have struck a bad day, will be wellworthwhile and will give you memories that areeverlasting.
The Alpaca, a relative
of the Llama, is not
indigenous to Spain;
it comes from Latin
America
costaSTUFF >>
costalife 57
‘‘‘‘AA rriivveerr aatt mmyy ggaarrddeenn’’ss
eenndd,, aa tteerrrraaccee wwaallkk aanndd
hhaallff aa rroooodd ooff llaanndd sseett oouutt
ttoo ppllaanntt aa wwoooodd..’’’’
Iberian Lynx
Red Admiral
Vixen
58 costalife
ccuuiissiinneecosta
>> costaSTUFF
>> The GI FactorGI stands for Glycaemic Index, which is simply an internationalranking of foods, comparing the speed at which a particular foodraises blood glucose levels.
The low GI foods are the best, if you are trying to eat less, asthey make you feel fuller for longer. This is because they breakdown slowly releasing energy gradually into the bloodstream,causing a smaller rise of the level of blood sugar. This helpscontrol hunger pangs, making us feel fuller for longer.
Included in this list are pasta, most vegetables, fruit, oats andpulses, diet soft drinks, sugar- free squash, dried fruit,crumpets, brown rice, Quorn, fish and fresh meat.And finally , pasta also contains B vitamins, and the wholemealvariety offers zinc, iron and selenium. ,a useful anti-oxidant.
Allow 80g of pasta per serving for a main course, 40g perserving as a starter, 20g per serving as an addition to soup.
>> To cook pastaAllow 3 litres of water per quarter kilo, bring to a full rolling boil,add a teaspoon of salt, add the pasta gradually so the waternever stops boiling, stir occasionally to separate the pieces,driedpasta takes 6 to 12 minutes to cook depending on size, soalways check times recommended on packet. Fresh pasta onlytakes about 3- 4 minutes, so watch carefully.
by Jan Morley
Pasta is one of the most versatileingredients in our modern day diet. It justseems to fit into everybodys’ busy lifestyleand can be easily transformed into dishesto suit any occasion.
Cooking pasta is as simple as boilingwater, just add a delicious sauce to dressit, from pesto to seafood, wild mushroomsto the most exorbitant truffles.
Ingredients1 chicken stock cube1 teaspoon curry paste e.g Balti orMadras1 pinch ground paprika115g/4oz butter1onion, finely chopped115g/4oz linguine pasta, cookedaccording to packet instructions1 tbsp chopped fresh basil1 tbsp chopped fresh flatleafparsley115g/4oz raw peeled tiger prawnssalt and freshly ground blackpepper
>> Method> Place the stock
cube into a panwith100ml/3½fl ozof water. Addthe curry pasteand paprikaand bring tothe boil.Reduce theheat tosimmer gentlyuntil theliquid hasreduced alittle.
> Meanwhile, heathalf of the butter in a small pan
and fry the onion until softenedbut not coloured.
> Add the pasta, basil and parsleyand stir to mix well.
> Add the prawns to the reducedstock mixture and cook for 2-3minutes, until just cookedthrough tender, then season, totaste, with salt and freshlyground black pepper.
> Whisk in the rest of the butteruntil you have achieved asmooth glossy sauce.
> To serve, place the linguine intoa bowl and pour over the prawnsand stir.
>> Curried tiger prawns with linguinePerfect PastaAs nutritious as it is delicious
Did you know...Pasta is an ideal healthy eating profile,in that it is low in fat, starchy, which isrecommended to make up at least halfof a daily calorie intake in a balanceddiet.There is a renowned myth that pasta isfattening, but it is usually the creamysauces which add up the calories, sochoose your accompanimentscarefully.
Los Boliches Newest Lounge CaféMouth watering menu
3 course menu del dia 12-9pm
Monday to Friday 12.50€
Sunday Roast 3 course menu 12.95€
served from 12pm - 9pm
wines, beers and cocktails
Available for private hire
Having a Christmas get together
functions from 2-250 catered for
where it all comes together
Open every day from 11am
Tel 952 661985suavecafe.com
paseo maritimorey de españa 93Los BolichesFuengirola
Feeling the pinch, looking for some pin money well there aremany ways to earn money on the Internet. Look in any searchengine for How to earn online and there will be loads ofinformation, for products and services all offering you thechance to earn money online.
Many are run by cheats and con men but I have reviewedsome of the most reputable companies and checked whatpeople say about them.
Basically, there are dozens of ways of Making Money Online,here are a few.
> Cash in the AtticAll of us have old unwanted junk that we have put up in theattic or filled our garages with, Why not sell it? You can useEbay, Ebay classified ads are not that well known and offergreat potential for selling all those goodies you put away forthat rainy day. Companies like Loot, the Friday ad andGumtree all offer free classified services and cover our area.Even Facebook offer a free classified section. There are a fewauction sites you can take advantage of, I mentioned Ebay butthere are others including eBid, OnlineAuction and OZtion. I’dsuggest having a look at Auction lot watch, a site whichreviews all auction websites and provides a host of usefulinformation on how much it will cost you to sell your stuff onthem.
> SurveysIf you like talking surveys then this is the one for you. Insimple terms you make money for sharing your opinion.Banks, Insurance companies, big stores all ask the generalpublic questions to see how their product or service isunderstood by their potential customers. This is an easy way
to make money, with very little effort. Just sign up to aresearch company and you can soon run up a healthyamount. Companies tend to pay between 50p and £1 foreach completed survey occasionally inviting some surveytakers to a closed door session, these earn much moreand often apart from the money, you get discountvouchers for the product to remind you to tell yourfriends what a great deal XYZ really is. Once €50 is builtup, they send you a cheque. Ok, so it might take a whileto build up 50, but its easy money! Choose five researchcompanies and make up to €250 a month.
> Write for cashIf you are good at writing, you could earn money bywriting stories and articles. Squidoo, InfoBarrel, Bukisa,Suite101.com and eHow are all sites that pay you towrite. If you have strong opinions you could start a Blogand share your thoughts and views on anything andeverything, write about the news, what was on TV lastnight, what your pets had for dinner literally anything?The more interesting the subject the better you will doand with a blog you can add advertising (similar toaffiliates) and make a few euro’s extrawhen people read you’re Blog.There are many onlineadvertising agencies themost well known is GoogleAdSense which chooses
adverts based onyour content butthere are many otheragencies Squidoo,InfoBarrel, Bukisa,Suite101.com andeHow to name a few. There are even companies that will payyou to write on their own Blog. Can you write?
> Trade in your old mobileIn our house we had a draw full of old phones after a quicksearch online we came up with sites like Envirofone, Mazuma,Mopay and Mobile2Cash, enter the details of your phone, andthey’ll tell you how much you can expect to make from it! Itonly takes a few minutes, and you’ll soon have your hands onyour cash! Alternatively, have a look at Air miles - you can nowtrade in an old phone for miles! Mine is worth about 300 Airmiles, which is halfway to a flight to Dublin where you canspend some of your hard earned online money on Guinnessor whiskey.
> Cash back websitesWhenever you buy anything online, from Books or travelinsurance to your weekly food shopping. Check to see if thereis a site offering cash back if you purchase through their site.Some even pay you if you introduce others who pay throughthe site. Most either pay a fixed amount or a percentage ofyour spend. Cash back kingdom, Cash Back and many othershave most of the high street stores in their armoury, boththese sites give you a fiver just to sign up.
> Sell your digital picsIf you carry a camera and are always taking pictures then thisis the one for you. Look at sites like Fotolia, iStockPhoto andPictureNation, and you could get paid each time your photo isdownloaded.
I got so excited whilst writing this piece I have another 6handy moneymaking ideas I couldn’t fit in, so I have prepareda money making page on our website with links to all thecompanies listed here.
Please let me know if you use any money making sites.
60 costalife
By Russell Vaughan
Mintmicro S.L
952 596 346 or 665 016 374
NEED EXTRA CASH -Make money online
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piecescc
oomm
ppuu
tteerr
>> costaSTUFF
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The greatest selection of Greeting Cards, Gifts,Helium Balloons, Party Fayre etc for all ocassions
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Call 679 017 127
European Grand Prix -
ValenciaRubens Barrichello ended his F1 victory drought ofnearly five years with a classy win on the streets ofValencia. A crucial mistake by McLaren on LewisHamilton's final pit stop gave Barrichello theopportunity to snatch victory - but his 35-secondlead over team mate Jenson Button showed howwell the Brazilian had driven. At the start, KimiRaikkonen sprinted from sixth to fourth and lookedat third briefly. Jenson Button had a more difficultstart. Although he got away from the line smartly,as he drew alongside Sebastian Vettel the Red Bulldriver squeezed him, forcing Button to lift. Thatallowed Fernando Alonso through and MarkWebber got a run on him at the chicane. As Buttonand Webber headed into turn four side-by-sideAlonso out-braked himself and Button followed theRenault across the kerbs. A few corners laterButton dived down the inside of Alonso - but ranwide, allowing him back through again. It got worsefor Button: his team reckoned he'd illegally stayedahead of Webber by cutting the chicane, andjudiciously told Button to let the Red Bull past incase the stewards handed down a penalty. Havingdone this, Button was now down in eighth. With aslightly lighter car, Hamilton left Kovalainen behind.By lap six the two McLarens were separated by fourseconds, with Barrichello 1.7s adrift followed byRaikkonen, Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Alonso, Webberand Button. Hamilton came in for his first stop onlap 15, by which time he had a 7.5s advantage overKovalainen, with Barrichello another 1.2s behind.After Hamilton's stop Barrichello took between 1.5and 2 seconds out of his lead per lap - meaningthat, once all three had pitted, Hamilton remainedahead but Barrichello had jumped Kovalainen andleft him well behind. Now the race was all aboutHamilton and Barrichello - and whether Hamiltoncould stretch out enough of an advantage to stayahead. Brawn told Barrichello on the radio that heneeded to cut Hamilton’s lead to two seconds. Butit crept up - hitting 4.3s by lap 27 and stayingaround the four-second mark before Hamilton’s pitstop on lap 37. It looked very much like we were setfor a close battle to the end - but Hamilton endureda fumbled pit stop, the team failing to get the tyreson the car quickly enough, which handedBarrichello the lead. Once the Brawn driver hadpitted on lap 40 his advantage over Hamiltonwas six seconds. Hamilton's pit stop hadtaken 13.4s - easily four or five secondslonger than it should have been. It seemsthat critical mistake robbed us of anexciting finish to the race and potentiallycost Hamilton a win.
Afterwards McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh didn’tquite see it that way.
McLaren’s explanation that they were trying tostretch Hamilton’s advantage by saving enough fuelfor an extra lap makes sense. But there’s nodenying that the effect of the fumbled pit stop costHamilton real time, without which the outcomemight have been different. However, McLaren alsosuspected Barrichello could have pitted later thanhe did - his lap 40 pit stop may have been broughtforward out of a concern that the safety car wasabout to be summoned following KazukiNakajima’s puncture. Whatever happened, theoutcome was clear - the fight for the lead was overand the race was now Barrichello's to lose.
Ferrari’s stand-in Luca Badoer moved up from lastto 14th on the first lap - but it didn’t stay that wayfor long. He was back down to 17th before thefirst tour was complete. He later picked up a drive-through penalty for crossing the white line whileletting Grosjean past in the pit lane exit, and had aspin. The only driver he finished in front of wasNakajima, who’d spent much of one lap dragginghis three-wheeled car to the pits. There doesn’t
seem to be any need to labour the point that Ferrariare taking quite a risk by keeping him in the car. Hewill be expected to do much better at Spa nextweekend - a track he knows, and whenexplanations about ‘inexperience’ won’t cut any ice.Meanwhile the other Ferrari of Raikkonen quietlynabbed third place off Kovalainen at the final roundof pit stops. Kovalainen in turn fell back into theclutches of Nico Rosberg, the man who is tipped totake his place at McLaren next year, who hadanother strong race in the Williams. Behind Alonso,sixth, was Button, who finally succeeded in passingWebber at the final round of pit stops and despitefinishing seventh for the second race in a row findshis championship lead has grown to 20.5 pointsover Webber. Robert Kubica snatched the finalpoint having started tenth.
Belgium -
Spa-FrancorchampsKimi Raikkonen ended a 26-race losing streak bywinning the Belgian Grand Prix for the fourth timein his career. Surprisingly Raikkonen’s closestcontender wasn’t in a Brawn a Red Bull or even aMcLaren - he was chased around every lap of Spa
>> costaAUTOS
2009 excitingfinale to come
Barrichello wins in Valencia
62 costalife
by Elio Howard
costalife 63
costaAUTOS >>by Giancarlo Fisichella. Ferrari’s Luca Badoerbrought up the rear of the field, finishing 47seconds behind the next finisher. It wasinconceivable Ferrari could tolerate another racewith this kind of performance, and Italiantelevision channel RAI claiming that Fisichellawould be in the car at Monza proved to becorrect.
As the race got started Fisichella preservedthe lead and didn’t look like losing it. Fromsixth on the grid Raikkonen elected to use thetarmac run-off area on the outside of turn one toavoid getting held up by other cars. He re-joinedthe track in third, sprinted through Eau Rouge andpicked off Robert Kubica at the top of the hill. Hearrived at Les Combes going quickly he couldn’tstop in time, and bumped along the kerbing aroundthe outside of the track. Kubica took evasive actionbut couldn’t avoid tagging the back of the Ferrari,breaking his front wing end plate. Jarno Trulli, whostarted second, also damaged his front wing, butthe real carnage kicked off behind them. JensonButton made a clean start from 14th and took alook at the outside of Heikki Kovalainen headinginto the corner. Suddenly Renault's RomainGrosjean charged in, tipping Button into a spin.
As their cars headed for the barriers LewisHamilton - who had started slowly and picked upsome damage at La Source - slowed down to avoidthe wrecked cars and got hit by Jaime Alguersuari.All four cars were eliminated.
After the race the stewards consulted the videoreplays but elected not to punish anyone.
The crash also had repercussions for the leaders.Fisichella had enough of a lead over Raikkonen notto be troubled by the Ferrari's KERS - but the arrivalof the safety car wiped it away. Sure enough,Fisichella was a sitting duck at the restart on lapfour. Raikkonen, one of few drivers to have startedon soft tyres, breezed past him on the straight.Fisichella lost little ground to Raikkonen in theopening stint. Behind them came Kubica, battlingon despite his front wing damage, Timo Glock,Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld. Sebastian Vettelappeared in seventh shortly after the safety carcame in, after apparently being allowed past byNico Rosberg. Vettel had complained Rosberg hadpassed him illegally under yellow flags. Had racecontrol got involved again as they did at Valencia?Rubens Barrichello began his recovery from adisastrous start. Just like at Melbourne andIstanbul, the brawn had bogged down badly at thestart and he was lucky to avoid being hit. As therace resumed he moved up to 13th by passingLuca Badoer. The second Ferrari was, once again, along way off the pace. Adrian Sutil, who'd been tothe pits after the first lap, went clean off the trackin order to get around Badoer on lap eight. RobertKubica and Timo Glock were the first of the leadersto pit on lap 12. Toyota brimmed Glock up withenough fuel for 20 of Spa’s long laps, keeping himin the pits five seconds longer than Kubica. Afterthat Glock plummeted down the order and neverlooked like making it back into the points. JarnoTrulli retired a few laps later - and so, having
qualifiedsecond andseventh, Toyotacontrived to getabsolutely nothing outof the Belgian GrandPrix. Raikkonen andFisichella came in togetheron lap 14 - Raikkonen hadstarted with more fuel, so eitherFerrari had chosen to bring him inearly (unlikely) or Fisichella had donea better job of saving fuel during thesafety car period. The Force India driverswitched onto the soft tyres, andcontinued his pursuit. In hindsight, if ForceIndia had given him a splash more fuel thanRaikkonen at this point, Fisichella could have wonthe race. But it wasn’t to be.
Heidfeld and Webber came in on the same lap, andfor the second race in a row Red Bull cut it very finewhen releasing Webber from his pitbox. This time Heidfeld had to get offthe throttle to avoid contact, and the >>
Ross Brawn’s amazing season is coming to a close with thedriver’s and constructor’s championships in his sights
64 costalife
>> costaAUTOS
stewards wasted no time in handing down a drive-through penalty. But Heidfeld took care of mattershimself, passing Webber at Les Combes. The RedBull driver then fell into the clutches of Barrichello,who bravely blasted around the outside of Webberand Blanchimont. Webber served his drive-throughpenalty on lap 18, just as Rosberg was making hisfirst pit stop and surrendering the lead he’dinherited.
Another team having trouble in the pits wasRenault - again. They struggled to replaceFernando Alonso’s front-left wheel as the fairinghad been damaged in contact on lap one. Notwishing to incur a repeat of their Hungary penalty,the team kept Alonso back while they made surethe wheel went on, and shortly summoned himback to the pits after letting him out. He was thesixth and last retirement of the day.On lap 31 the two leaders came into the pitstogether for the final time - and once again leftwith Raikkonen ahead of Fisichella. Though hesurely could have lapped quicker than the Ferrarihad he been ahead, Raikkonen was able to usehis KERS button at the start of the straights toensure Fisichella couldn’t get close. Vettel madehis final stop on lap 35, leap-frogging Kubica forthird - and then began closing on the leaders. Butonce it became clear he wasn’t going to catchthem he prudently turned the revs down, as he’salready on his seventh unit out of eight. Thatdecided the podium, and the BMW’s of Kubica andHeidfeld behind were settled in fourth and fifth.Kovalainen briefly came under threat fromBarrichello, until the Brawn’s Mercedes enginebegan spewing oil. Barrichello backed off andmanaged to coax the car to the chequered flag,impressively without losing a place - although hisengine cover caught fire after he got back to thepits. Rosberg held onto eighth.
Italian Grand Prix -
MonzaLewis Hamilton and Adrian Sutil shared the frontrow of the grid for the Italian Grand Prix. It was thefirst time they’ve done so since 2005 at Zandvoort- when the pair where team mates in the F3Euroseries.
A last-gasp effort from Hamilton seized poleposition from the Force India driver. Sutil failed to
emulate former team mate Fisichella’s poleposition at Spa by just two tenths of a second.
Hamilton started from pole position and kept hislead at the start despite not making a quickgetaway. Kimi Raikkonen was much quicker awayfrom third place and might have passed theMcLaren if he’d had more room. Raikkonennonetheless picked off Adrian Sutil for secondplace. Surprisingly, the Force India driver held ontothird and was never threatened by the McLaren ofHeikki Kovalainen. Starting with a heavy fuel load,Kovalainen fell behind the KERS-less Brawn cars.Barrichello got ahead at the exit of Rettifilio, andKovalainen responded with an attempted re-passat the Variante della Roggia. The car nearly gotaway from him at the exit of the chicane and thatallowed Button a run at the McLaren, getting by atthe second Lesmo. Coming out of the Ascarichicane Vitantonio Liuzzi got a run at Kovalainenas well and passed him on the outside headinginto Parabolica. That left the second McLarendown in seventh while Hamilton streaked away. Abigger casualty on lap one was Mark Webber. Heclashed with Kubica at the della Roggia and spuninto retirement, a great blow to his championshiphopes. On lap four Fernando Alonso caughtKovalainen and drove past him on the approach toturn one - the McLaren not even mounting a tokendefense. After ten laps the fuel-heavy Kovalainenwas 24 seconds behind his flying team mate.
Hamilton quickly left his two-stopping rivalsRaikkonen and Sutil behind, but he had twoproblems: his tyres were wearing out too quickly,and Barrichello wasn’t dropping back quicklyenough. McLaren brought him in for his first pitstop two laps early on the 15th tour. After his firststop Hamilton came out just in front of the battlefor sixth between Liuzzi and Alonso. Raikkonenthen split the pair after his pit stop on lap 19. Hewasn’t able to keep up with Liuzzi but it didn’tmatter - on lap 22 Liuzzi’s transmission failed onthe run up the second chicane. Liuzzi joinedWebber in retirement, along with Jaime Alguersuariand Robert Kubica. The latter had tangled withWebber on the first lap, damaging his front wing,and was summoned to the pits by the stewardsusing the black-and-orange flag (a rare event in F1these days) to have the loose part of his wingremoved. Kubica returned to the track but retiredshortly afterwards.
Now the Brawns were in the lead of the race. Newleader Barrichello was fuelled to reach lap 29, inwhich he was able to lap slightly quicker than third-placed Hamilton, putting him in an increasinglystrong position. Button never looked like gettingahead of Barrichello - he pitted one lap before histeam mate, which more than doubled his deficit toaround five seconds. When Hamilton made hisfinal pit stop on lap 34, he came out behindButton and slowly began gaining on him. With twolaps to go Hamilton had cut Button’s advantage to1.2s. There was only one second in it as the finallap began, and Hamilton was hanging it out onevery corner trying to get within striking distance.But at the first Lesmo bend he pushed too far - theMcLaren ran wide on the exit kerb and spun him
head-first into the barriers on the inside of thecorner. Forget second place, forget third place -Hamilton was classified 12th.
This was great news for the home fans, who sawone of their beloved Ferraris promoted onto thepodium. Raikkonen took third place ahead of Sutil,the pair having pitted together on lap 37 andbothered suffering botched pit stops. Raikkonendidn’t get away quickly enough and Sutil knockedover one of his mechanics, who fortunately wasnot badly injured. A late mistake by Vettel kept himfrom challenging Nick Heidfeld for what becameseventh place behind Alonso and Kovalainen.
Giancarlo Fisichella had a quiet first race forFerrari, finishing in ninth place.
Brawn’s emphatic one-two, and a poor weekendfor rivals Red Bull, means they are now unlikely tobe beaten in either championship. But with twowins in the last three races, Barrichello must fancyhis chances of getting ahead of Button.
Kimi Raikkonen enjoys first winin 26 in Belgium
Still on top with one seriouschallenger; his own team mate
World championship standings
Drivers Standings(after 13 races)
1 JENSEN BUTTON 802 RUBENS BARICHELLO 663 SEBASTIEN VETTEL 544 MARK WEBBER 51.55 KIMI RAIKONNEN 406 NICO ROSBERG 30.57 LEWIS HAMILTON 278 JARNO TRULLI 22.59 FELIPE MASSA 2210 HEIKKI KOVALAINEN 20
Constructors Standings(after 13 races)
1 BRAWN-MERCEDES 1462 RBR-RENAULT 105.53 FERRARI 624 McCLAREN MERCEDES 475 TOYOTA 38.56 WILLIAMS-RENAULT 30.57 BMW SAUBER 208 RENAULT 209 FORCE INDIA 1310 STR-FERRARI 5
Do you wonder
how it will all work
out? Have you
come to the end
of yourself? Are
you facing a
challenge in your
life that seems
impossible? Does
it all seem
hopeless?
Are you in a
desperate situation?
There is a way out! There is an answer! Every hopeless situation can beturned around!
And we don’t have to get hooked on pills to escape. Trying to drown oursorrows with alcohol isn’t the answer either. What use is a temporary blockingout of the problem? Sooner or later you will be facing the challenge again.
The stress of dealing with serious challenges in our lives can affect us inmany different ways. The body can start to break down and becomevulnerable to various diseases. Many ailments are caused by worry andstress. But there is a way out!
Have you tried laughing at your problems? ‘‘Laughing! How can I do that? Youmust be crazy!’’ Have you ever stopped to think what happens to you whenyou let go and have a really good laugh?
The medical world is discovering the value of laughter in bringing restorationand healing to us. Medical doctors say that laughter is a powerful antidote tostress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bringyour mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humour lightensyour burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded,focused and alert.
Laughter relaxes the whole body, can boost the immune system, protect theheart and can also trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s natural feelgood chemicals). Thousands of years ago God’s wisdom was revealed inthese statements. ‘‘Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but agood word makes it glad.’’ And ‘‘A merry heart does good like a medicine buta broken spirit dries the bones’’.
Our Creator has made us with an inbuilt ability to laugh. We say that welaughed until we cried. Have you ever thought how dull your life would be ifyou did not have any emotions? We would be like robots functioningmechanically. But we have been created with emotions by a Creator who hasgiven us the ability to live a rich full life. Thank God we are not made asrobots!
‘‘But how do I start laughing when my world has crashed about me?’’ ‘‘Howcan you expect me to laugh when I'm drowning in sorrow?" You can give upstruggling through life on your own and turn to the One who knows everythought in your heart. He sees every tear, He knows exactly what you are
going through. He waits to hearyou turn to Him for help so that He canpour out His love upon you and take yourburden off your shoulders.
‘‘Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are
weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am
humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls…..’’
When we turn to God and we find that rest, joy will start to bubble up in usin spite of our circumstances. Then we will be able to say ‘‘This is the day that
the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it.’’
Scriptures: Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 17:22; Matthew 11:28(NLT) ; Psalm 100
Annette Riggall
The Evangelical Christian Fellowship‘‘an oasis where the Word of God is preached and the love of God is shared.’’
Sundays 4.30pm Iglesia San Miguel, CalahondaTel/Fax (0034) 952 93 02 75 E-mail: [email protected]: www.calahondachurch.comPastors Peter and Annette Riggall
costalife 65
costaSTUFF >>
66 costalife
news
>> costaAUTOS
Spanish firm’s new Exeo aims to provide cut-price alternative to established premium brandrivals.
If the Exeo looks a little familiar then there’s agood reason. Look beyond the SEAT badges andyou’ll find the newcomer is essentially a lastgeneration Audi A4. A sharp new nose andrevised rear end help to freshen the looks, butthere’s no disguising the design’s age. As withthe German original buyers can choose fromeither a four-door saloon or practical estatecalled the Sport Tourer. There are four trim levelsto pick from - S, SE, Sport and Lux - and all getalloy wheels and sporty twin exit exhausts.
Like the exterior, the Seat’s cabin will be familiarto owners of the old A4. There are restyled faces
for the instruments, a new steering wheel andseats, but other wise the well-built interior isidentical to the Audi. Sadly, that means thedimensions are exactly the same too, meaningthe occupants in the rear will feel a littlecramped. At least boot space is healthy, with thesaloon able to swallow 460-litres of luggage. Allversions get Bluetooth phone connection and air-conditioning, while the rang-topping SE Lux addsxenon headlamps.
While the SEAT is a little old hat on the outside,its engines are bang up to date. All the unitscome from parent firm VW and include the new2.0-litre common-rail diesel - in 118, 141 and168bhp tune - and smooth and punchy 197bhp2.0-litre petrol from the MkV Golf GTI. However,the refined, punchy and frugal oil-burners are thepick of the bunch. All are mated to a six-speedmanual transmission, while a version of Audi’sMultitronic automatic transmission will beavailable at a later date.
On the move the similarities between the Exeoand previous generation are obvious - althoughthat’s no bad thing. The chassis is composed ontwisty roads thanks to direct steering, strong grip
and good body control. Sport models get alowered and stiffened suspension set-up forsharper responses, although the firm ride canbecome harsh over big bumps.
Seat’s trademark value pricing means the Exeoundercuts its premium rivals. However, withplenty of a kit and solid build the Spanish carcertainly doesn’t feel bargain basement. Betterstill, diesel versions will return over 50mpg, whilelower powered versions emit 139g/km. The onlyfly in the ointment is the car’s disappointingresiduals. Go for an oil-burner and you’ll getbetween 38 and 39 percent of your initial outlayback after three years, while the petrol modelretains 36 percent.
On the road for approx 21,000 - 23,000 Euros.
Zaragoza, Spain. Feared job losses from the possible closureof a local Opel car factory prompted thousands todemonstrate in the northern Spanish town of Zaragoza inSeptember
Local residents are concerned that the full or partial closureof the plant could mean 1,650 of 7,500 jobs disappear in theregion. A further 13,000 jobs that indirectly rely on thefactory are also at risk, opponents of the closure said.Police reported no violent incidents during the protest.Organizers threatened with a strike if the plant is not keptopen.
The Spanish plant is one of many Opel plants on thechopping block in a proposed deal whereby US carcompany General Motors (GM) would sell theunderperforming German company, Opel, to a consortiumthat includes Canadian-Austrian auto parts group MagnaInternational and Russia’s Sberbank.
Spain would have preferred a sale to the Belgianinvestment firm RJH International while that company's
plans foresaw fewer job cuts in that country. Spanish officialsand workers say the plant near Zaragoza is one of the mostprofitable and efficient ones in the Opel network.
The Spanish government has been critical of the deal andhas demanded that the European Commission closely inspectthe deal.
>> Spanish auto workers protest possible job cuts at Opel
>> SEAT Exeo
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AmberNightDVD and book store
Specialists in UK and US TV series box sets
Wide selection of books, both fiction
and non-fiction
Latest movie and book releases
Large range of old and cult TV series
Selection of musicals
Variety of BBC & ITV Network series
Now stocking a selection of Spanish
books & DVDs
DVD and book orders taken
Open 10.30-8.30 Mon - Fri Sat 11-2.30
AVDA Jesus Santos Rein, Fuengirola
Near Horses Head roundabout
Tel: 952 467 [email protected]
2ND OCTOBER
>> AMERICAN
VIRGINA Freshman College Girl ona scholarship from anabstinence group thatadvocates saving sex untilmarriage discovers that herantics on a night ofdebauchery, when she reluctantly got drunk forthe first time in her life, were captured oncamera by a sleazy video producer. Now she andher friends must travel across country to recoverthe incriminating footage. AALLSSOO TTHHIISS WWEEEEKK:: DDAAMMAAGGEE && HHOOUUSSEE SSEEAASSOONN 55
9TH OCTOBER
>> LOOKING FOR ERICEric the postman is slipping through his ownfingers... His chaotic family, his wild stepsons,and the cement mixer in the front garden don’thelp, but it is Eric’s ownsecret that drives him to thebrink. Can he face Lily, thewoman he once loved?Despite outrageous effortsand misplaced goodwillfrom his football fanmates, Eric continues tosink. In desperate times ittakes a spliff and aspecial friend tochallenge Eric to journey into the mostperilous territory of all - the past.As a certain Frenchman says, ‘‘he who is afraidto throw the dice, will never throw a six.’’AALLSSOO TTHHIISS WWEEEEKK:: OONNEE TTRREEEE HHIILLLL SSEEAASSOONN 66 &&HHEERROOEESS SSEEAASSOONN 33
16TH OCTOBER>> X MEN ORIGINSLeading up to the events in the X-Men film, X-MenOrigins: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine’s(Hugh Jackman) epically violent past, his complexrelationship with Victor Creed, and the ominousWeapon X program. Along the way, Wolverineencounters many mutants, both familiar and new,including surprise appearances by several legendsof the X-Men universe.AALLSSOO TTHHIISS WWEEEEKK:: TTHHEE LLAASSTT HHOOUUSSEE OONN TTHHEE LLEEFFTT &&TTHHEE FFIIXXEERR SSEEAASSOONN 22
23RD OCTOBER
>> PUBLIC ENEMIESThe story of legendary Depression-era outlawJohn Dillinger, the charismatic bank robber whoselightning raids made him the number one target ofJ. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent,Melvin Purvis, a folk hero to much of thedowntrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger andhis gang. No jail could hold him. His charm andaudacious jailbreaks endeared him to almosteveryone - from his girlfriend Billie Frechette, to anAmerican public who had no sympathy for the banksthat had plunged the country into the Depression. While the adventures ofDillinger’s gang, thrilled many, Hoover hit on the idea of exploiting theoutlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into thenational police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s firstPublic Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing ‘‘Clark Gable ofthe FBI.’’ However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’men in wild chases and shootouts. After importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen and orchestrating epic betrayals from the infamous ‘‘Lady in Red’’to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti were Purvis, the FBI and their newcrew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.AALLSSOO TTHHIISS WWEEEEKK:: 2244 SSEEAASSOONN 77 && BBOONNEESS SSEEAASSOONN 44
68 costalife
By Simon Galley
from Box Office Video Club
rreevvii
eeww
ssDVD &
films
>> costaSTUFF
>> Couples retreat Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, MalinAckerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell and Faizon Lovestar in Universal Pictures’ upcoming comedy CouplesRetreat. Based on an original idea of Vaughn’s, thecomedy follows four Midwestern couples who embarkon a journey to a tropical island resort. While one ofthe couples is there to work on their marriage, theother three set out to jet ski, spa and enjoy some funin the sun. They soon discover that participation in theresort’s couples therapy is not optional. Suddenly, their group-rate vacationcomes at a price. What follows is a hilarious look at real world problemsfaced by all couples. The film also stars Kali Hawk and Jean Reno.
>> 9Academy Award®-nominated directorShane Acker teams upwith two of the world’smost visionary filmmakers, Tim Burton(The Corpse Bride,Charlie and theChocolate Factory) andTimur Bekmambetov(Wanted, Night Watch),to bring a totallyunique and visuallystunning animatedfantasy epic to screen.When the small rag doll 9 (The Lord of the Ring’s Elijah Wood) first comesto life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world. All humans are gone,and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others likehim taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the landscape intenton doing them harm. Despite being the neophyte of the group, 9 convincesthe others that hiding will do them no good. They must take the offensive ifthey are ever to survive, and they must discover why the machines want todestroy them in the first place. What follows is a sublime, heartwarmingadventure where this most unlikely of heroes leads his troops into battleand, along the way, discovers that a band of miniature warriors may be thelast hope for humanity.
whispers
& gossip
>> I have a ritual before I flyActress Jennifer Aniston has revealed that she has to follow a superstitious ritualwhenever she steps onto a plane, according to reports.
The Along Came Polly star, who is required to fly regularly for her film work, hasapparently followed the same boarding routine for years.
Aniston is quoted by the Daily Star as saying: ‘‘If I walk onto an airplane, I always have togo on with my right foot first and tap the outside of the plane.’’
She added: ‘‘I have always done it. For luck. Someone told me to do it and I don’tremember when that was. But it’s kind of stuck.’’
>> Scarlett Johansson on
marriage and stage frightScarlett Johansson has confessed she was as surprised aseverybody else by her shotgun wedding to Ryan Reynolds.
The 25-year-old actress married the 32-year-old star of TheProposal last September in a quiet ceremony in Canada. The Lostin Translation star, who has released two albums, is considering astage venture, but suffers stage fright.
She revealed: ‘‘I would love to work on Broadway, but I don’t knowthat it would manifest itself in musical theatre...I have terriblestage fright that I’d have to get over. It came on when I was ateenager, and I think it somehow sticks with you.’’ She said: ‘‘Ilove to get ready for the red carpet, but being on it is veryuncomfortable. I get flop sweats, dry mouth, heart palpitations,all-over panic! I did this movie with John Travolta, and every time Ilooked over at John on the red carpet, he looked so fabulous. So Isaid to him, ‘What do you do?’ And he said, ‘I go to Hawaii in mymind.’’’
>> Drama sets
Broadway recordThe new Broadway drama ‘‘A Steady Rain,’’starring Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman andDaniel Craig, has set the record for thehighest weekly ticket sales of a non-musicalplay. The play about two Chicago policemanearned just under $1.17 million at theatrebox offices in the week ending September20th while the drama was still in previews.Jackman, 40, who has starred on stage inNew York before, winning a Tony, Broadway’stop honor, for his portrayal ofsinger/songwriter Peter Allen in The Boy fromOz in 2004.
Craig, 41, is making his Broadway debut.
>> Winehouse‘upsets neighboursover noise’Amy Winehouse has reportedlybeen told to stop holding late-nightrecording sessions by herneighbours. The singer, who livesin North London, is believed tohave been frequently demoingsongs and jamming with friendsuntil the early hours.
‘‘They’ve asked her to keep it downa few times,’’ a source told TheSun.
‘‘She has been complying byturning off amps and stoppingplaying the guitar after midnightbut she has still been singing untilsilly o’clock.’’
‘‘No-one wants to fall out with heras it’s quite a close community,but if it carries on they’ll be takingit further.’’
sshh
ooww
bbiizz
>> Bruce is not a twitter fanBruce Willis has no desire to become a Twitter fan.
Demi Moore is a signed-up member while hubbyAshton Kutcher became the first to have onemillion followers on the social networking site.
But Bruce just doesn’t see the point. Asked at thepremiere of his new movie Surrogates if heintended to join Demi, the 54-year-old Die Hardactor told reporters: ‘‘Doubtful, doubtful.’’ Bruceexplained: ‘‘I just can’t live with myself if I startedtwittering. I just think that way lies madness.’’
costalife 69
costaSTUFF >>
>> True talesAt 5pm one Halloween afternoon, my dentist realized that shewouldn’t make the store in time to get snacks for the trick or treaters.So she took home some free samples from the office supply cabinet.That night she handed out dozens of tooth brushes, toothpaste anddental floss, the next year not one child came knocking at her door.
One year a trick or treater came knocking at my door dressed asRocky in boxing gloves and shorts. Soon after I gave him somegoodies he returned for more. ‘‘Aren’t you the same Rocky who cameonly a few minutes ago’’, I asked. ‘‘Yes,’’ he replied ‘‘but now I’mRocky II.’’
>> Wrong NameOne night of Halloween, two guys who were going through thecemetery perceived a tap-tap-tapping sound from a tomb that madethem very scared. When they came closer to the tomb warily, theysaw that the noise was made by an old man who was workingskillfully with a hammer at one of the gravestones. They started tofeel much better and asked the man, ‘‘Why are you doing this workin the middle of the night? You frightened us for a moment.’’ Theold man moaned and complained, ‘‘What else can I do? Thoseidiots spelled my name wrong!’’
>> Trip to TescoIt was mid-October and I was waiting for mywife, Julie, at the checkout at Tescosupermarket when I noticed that someone hadleft behind their broom.
When no one came to claim it, I went outside tosearch for a couple I remembered seeing at thecashier’s desk. I spotted them getting into theircar and hurried over.
‘Excuse me,’ I said to the young woman,‘but did you by any chance leave your broom
inside?’
‘No,’ she retorted quickly and with a smile, ‘wecame by car.’
70 costalife
>> costaSTUFF
SSttrraannggee bbuutt TTrruuee
>> The First Jack O’LanternThe Irish carved Turnips and put coals or small candles inside. Theywere placed outside their homes on All Hallow’s Eve to ward off evilspirits. They were also known to use potatoes.
When Irish Immigrants came to America, they quickly discoveredthat Jack O’Lanterns were much easier to carve out of pumpkinsand began using them. This tradition quickly spread to the generalpopulation in America and elsewhere.
>> True factsHarry Houdini, master magician andescape artist died on October 31st in1926.
When Bela Lugosi, best known for hisbetrayal of Dracula, died in 1956, hewas buried in his full Dracula costume.
Over 260 movies have been madefeaturing vampires with the earliest onesdating back to the turn of the 20thcentury. Most are based on BramStoker’s novel Dracula which waspublished in 1897.
It is very rare for a full moon to occur atthe same time as Halloween. It has onlyoccurred in - 1925, 1944, 1955, and1974. The next time it is said to occur isin 2020.
The name ‘‘pumpkin’’ comes from theGreek word ‘‘pepon,’’ meaning a largemelon.
The word ‘‘Halloween’’ appeared in theDictionary in the 1700s.
costalife 71
costaSTUFF >>
Sudoku answers for Issue 51
The rules of Sudoku:place a digit from 1-9 in each empty cell, so every row, every col-
umn and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9.
Down
1. Device for catching rats(3,4)
2. Fool (4-3)3. Incomparable (6)4. Book of the New Testament
(9)5. Card game (5)6. Piece of luggage (8)7. Enclose (7)8. Republic in central Europe
(7)16. Resembling a cavern (9)18. Tavern (8)19. Person who drives a wagon
(7)20. Hearing distance (7)21. Inhabitant of Belgium (7)22. Learner (7)25. Two-piece bathing suit (6)26. Heron (5)
6
6
9
4
Crossword answers for Issue 51
8
12
7
8
3
1
5
5
94
5
6
53
4
57
8
6
2
Across
1. Provide with new housing (7)5. Ambitious (7)9. Rather tall (7)10. Become liable for (5)11. Choose (5)12. Uncooked (3)13. Spain and Portugal (6)14. Become sad (6)15. Container used for cooking (3)17. Water fallen as rain (9)21. Nevertheless (3)23. Flowering shrub of the genus
Rhododendron (6)24. Small stone (6)27. Meadow (3)28. Keyboard instrument (5)29. First prime minister of India (5)30. Personal view (7)31. Strategic withdrawal (7)32. Systematically arranged body of facts (7)
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cc hh aa ll ll ee nn gg eecc rr oo ss ss ww oo rr dd
9
6
8
>>>> Transport
>> Tourist InformationAlhaurin de la Torre 952 410 005Alhaurin el Grande 952 491 275Alora 952 495 577Antequera 952 702 505Cartamar 952 422 126Coin 952 453 211Benalmádena 952 442 494 Estepona 952 802 002
Fuengirola 952 467 457 Gibraltar 0350 774 982 Málaga 952 213 445 Marbella 952 771 442 Mijas 952 485 900 Nerja 952 521 531 Torremolinos 952 374 231
>> Town HallsCoin 952 453 020
Estepona 952 801 100 Foreigners Dept 952 589 440Fuengirola 952 589 300 Gibraltar 0350 774 902 Málaga 952 135 000 Marbella 952 761 100 Mijas 952 485 900 Nerja 952 548 449 Torremolinos 952 379 400
>> British ConsulateCalle Mauricio Moro, Pareta, 22nd Floor,MÁLAGA.Open 08:30 - 13:30 Enquiries 952 352 300
>> Local PoliceLocal Police 092Alhaurin el Grande 952 491 074Alora 952 496 468Antequera 952 708 104 Arroyo de la Miel 952 562 142 Benalmádena, Málaga, Marbella & Ronda 092 Cartama 952 422 211Coin 952 453 267 Estepona 952 800 243 Fuengirola Local 952 580 900 Fuengirola Municipal 952 197 090Nerja 952 521 545 Torremolinos 952 376 000
>> National PoliceNational Police 091
>> Guardia CivilGuardia Civil 062Alhaurin el Grande 952 595 830Alhaurin del la Torre 952 960 067Alora 952 496 020Cartama 952 422 639Coin 952 450 138
>> Fire BrigadeBenalmádena, Málaga & Mijas 080 Coin 952 455 020Estepona 952 804 483 Fuengirola 952 461 046 Marbella 952 774 349 Torremolinos 952 381 414
>> Medical ServicesEmergencies 061
>> AmbulanceFuengirola, Torremolinos, Málaga & Marbella 902 505 061
>> State HospitalsBenalmádena & FuengirolaEmergencies only 902 505 061 Málaga 951 290 000 Marbella 951 976 669 Torremolinos 952 386 484Torremolinos (Centro deSalud) Health Centre 951 924 100
>> Emergencies
Useful numbers & information
Shoes Men’s Wear Men’s Shirts Women’s Wear
>> Market Places
>> MondaysAlora, Marbella near the football stadium
>> TuesdaysBenamagosa, Fuengirola (Feria Ground),Nerja weekly market (Calle Chaparil)
>> WednesdayBenalmadena Parque de la Paloma, LaCala, Estepona, La Linea, Rincon de laVictoria
>> ThursdayAlhaurin el Grande, Pizara, Frigiliana,Inside La Trocha, Coin, Torremolinos, VelezMalaga, San Pedro, Torre del Mar
>> FridayBenalmadena Tivoli Gardens, Casares,Cartama, Aguamania, ctra Cartama, LasChapas
>> SaturdayFuengirola, La Cala, Ojen Pueblo, Coin,Competa, Puerta Banus near bullring
>> SundayEstation de Cartama, Fuengirola near themosque, La Trocha, Coin, Malaga near thefootball stadium, Sabinillas, Estepona,Sotogrande, Nerja car boot sale
>> AirportsMalaga 952 048 844Gibraltar 00350 73026
>> TaxisBenalmádena 952 441 545 Estepona 952 802 900 Fuengirola 952 471 000 Gibraltar 00350 70027Málaga 952 327 950 Marbella 952 774 488 Mijas Costa 952 476 593
>> Bus StationsPortillo Customer ServiceDirect Line 902 143 144Algeciras 956 654 304 Alhaurin 952 490 709 Benalmádena 952 443 563 Coin 952 450 366 Estepona 952 802 954 Fuengirola 952 475 066 La Linea 952 172 396 Málaga 953 350 061 Marbella 952 764 400 San Pedro 952 781 396 Torremolinos 952 380 965
>> Train StationsThe Coastal Service stops at every major townbetween Fuengirola and Málaga from 06:45 and22:30 from Málaga Call 902 240 202
SP37383940414243
UK456789
10
SP444648
50/52545658
UK34363840424446
SP35
36/3738
39/4041
42/4344
UK14
14.515
15.516
16.517
SP36384042444648
UK8
101214161820
>> Telephone: to make an international call from Spain,dial 00 and then add the country code (UK 44; USA 1;Australia 61; Canada 1; Irish Republic 353; NewZealand 64) and the rest of the telephone numberminus the first zero if there is one. To call Spain fromabroad, the country code is 00 34.
>> Business hours: the normal opening hours for shopsare Monday to Saturday from around 10am until about1.30 / 2pm. After siesta they reopen from around5.30pm until 8pm or 9pm. Large stores usually stayopen all day. Most places are closed on Sundays.
>> Banks: generally open from 9am to 2pm fromMonday to Friday, and from 9am to midday or 1pm onSaturday. Hours may vary in summer.
>> Customs allowance- importation from Gibraltar intoSpain
1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% or 2 litresof wine
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms tobacco
Goods brought in Gibraltar may only be imported intospain between 0900 hours and 2100 hours
>> Spanish Facts
>> Size Comparisons
Don’t let being unsure about sizes impare your shopping sprees...
>> Lost/Stolen Credit CardsAbbey National 1619516500 Allied Irish 2890330099 American Express 2072229633Bank of Scotland 1383738866Barclays Bank 1604230230 Diners Club 1252513500 First Direct 1132345678Girobank 1514721110
Halifax 8457203099 Lloyds TSB 1702364274 Mastercard 1383621166Nat & Provincial 1274331522 Nationwide 1793543888 Natwest 1132778899 Yorkshire Bank 1132424800
72 costalife
>>
