Fuerteventura News translated from the Spainsh Press

In times of economic crisis old bugbears raise their heads. The oil company, Repsol are seeking government permission to explore for oil in a zone located some 60 kilometres to the east of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. A dispute has arisen because these waters are being claimed by Morocco which questions Spain’s jurisdiction over the area. Regional governments are concerned that the majority of the revenues will be snatched away by Madrid and Repsol, leaving the Canaries with nothing little except the mess.
Last week the regional minister for trade and industry, Jorge Rodríguez, stated that the islands “have the right to receive part of the benefits if there is treasure buried beneath their waters.”
The Canarias government is concerned about three issues; the impact on the environment, on tourism and its anticipated share of the proceeds.
“We want to know what guarantees there would be for the protection of our environment we are going to demand the utmost on that score,” he said and added that before any drilling gets underway the regional government wants to know about it and to be able to evaluate the possible impact any eventual offshore oil industry would have on tourism. “Everyone in this region gains their livelihood directly or indirectly from tourism,”

The island of Fuerteventura is aiming to attract elite sports tourism. A private initiative has taken the first steps to building an Olympic pool at the Playitas Grand Resort. The new pool, opened last Thursday, hosted some illustrious visitors: the German team that will participate in the Olympic Games. The pool is 50 meters long, and has eight lanes, an underground gallery for observing swimming technique and seats for about 300 people.

Fuerteventura is undergoing an energy crisis. Ramon Rodriguez, director of Unelco-Endesa said "There is clearly an inadequate network that will not last the year." Santiago Marin, head of electricity networks in the Canary Islands said "The relationship between installed power and peak power demand expected this year is about 1.2, well below the value of 1.7 in Planning and which is considered reasonable." Population growth that outstrips provision has been blamed for this. This on an island that probably has one of the best sources of renewable energy in the world, is a ridiculous situation. New houses are being built with electric water heaters that rot after eighteen months because of the acidity of the water, instead of solar systems that will not drain the power supply and that are built from more resistant materials. Duh, give out some grants for people to transfer and see how that affects the situation!

The mayor of Tuineje has backed down to the wishes of the people and has stated the council will oppose strongly any proposals for a new power plant in the municipality.

If the wind is in the right direction, most of the north of the island will be able to hear the music of the festival in El Cotillo this weekend, Apparently Carlinhos Brown, Amparanoia, Cheikh, Oojami and Mercedes Laborer, will be outputting more than 75,000 watts of sound power. For those of you that attend this free festival, there will be two giant screens either side of the stage. Forty chemical toilets will be provided for the event.

One, perhaps unintended, effect of the actions of La Oliva Council, is the decrease in students needing education in the municipality. Research suggests that the number of children requiring education will fall by around 100 next year. The same research suggests that although many people have moved off the island due to the economic crisis, there has also been a move of families from La Oliva to Puerto del Rosario municipality. Which probably means that the new schools that have been built without the foresight to actually provide teaching staff for them will go the way of the social club on Tamaragua and be left to rot and ruin.

The APMUN has initiated a sanctioning process against “a serious” breach of the Law of Residues of the Canary Islands, for the dissemination of dangerous chemicals and non dangerous items of industrial character like scrap iron. The violator now has a term of fifteen days to argue against the allegations or they will be fined over 750,000e.

The government of the Canary Islands has published new regulations allowing for the introduction of up to seven new racetrack gambling facilities at the islands’ popular tourist resorts. This includes Fuerteventura.

The festival rumoured to take the place of Fuertemusica will be going ahead. Fuerteventura en Música-La Caja de Canarias 2008 will take place on the 4th and 6th of July on Concha beach in El Cotillo. It is being funded by La Caja de Canarias, the Cabildo and the Ministry of Culture and organised by Vallebrown, who were responsible for the Blues festivals in Corralejo as well as a number of other musical events. The line up is international with offerings from Brazil, Senegal, Oojami from the UK and local bands. Carlinhos Brown will be topping the bill.

Ryanair are introducing a number of new routes in October, including one from Birmingham to Fuerteventura. This will fly three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route from Liverpool is also due to restart in October, so be prepared for an influx of Brits!

Fuerteventura is to get some new residents. A pair of flamingoes at the Stella Canaris zoological centre have produced three eggs. The birds first came to the centre 15 years ago but had never reproduced fruitfully before. One egg has not survived, but the other two are doing well and are expected to hatch in early July.

The Directorate General of coasts for the Canary Islands is prepared to provide funding for camp grounds on Fuerteventura. Municipalities will also be expected to contribute. This is so that campers can still enjoy the coasts of the island without breaking the law by being on public land. It is hoped that this will prevent uncontrolled sites and make it easier for the councils to provide an hygienic environment.

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura and the municipalities are agreed for once - in that coastal tracks should not be closed. Apparently the Canarian Directorate of coasts has plans to restrict vehicular access to many beaches and fishing areas around the island using wooden posts. Work has already started on two tracks, one in El Cotillo and another in Puerto del Rosario. The authorities here are annoyed that this has been done without any consultation and have protested to the government in Madrid. Many of the roads are used by farmers to get to fields and wells as well as to the coasts.

There are plans to improve Cofete village. this hamlet of just a few houses needs to be upgraded to provide better living conditions for its inhabitants. There is general agreement that Cofete is a living heritage site as it demonstrates how people lived in the 19th century here. Experts are considering how to do the work sympathetically,

A ruptured underground sewer pipe is compromising the blue flag status of the beach at Gran Tarajal. The pipe has work done on it in a number of times but these have only served to weaken it in other places. The public health authorities are demanding that thorough repairs are carried out this time.

Pajara hosted the apanada, a traditional gathering of goatherds this week. More than 1,500 goats were mass herded using dogs, from living semi wild in the mountains, in order that the farmers could mark the kids born this year. This is done by marking their ears. This pre Hispanic tradition has remained virtually unchanged for over 2,000 years. In the past this has been done in Cofete, but this year it was moved to Pesenescal. The greater distance that the goats had to travel meant that jeeps and trucks were used to help nursing mothers and the youngest kids. The event provides an opportunity for ranchers and farmers to meet and exchange ideas about methods and practices.

The Cabildo has rejected the idea proposed by the Chamber of commerce to subsidise tour operators in order to stimulate tourism. Mario Cabrero said that he didn't feel that it would achieve it aim as much of the money would go to other countries and many of the tourists would be all inclusive. He also felt that it was not altogether clear that subsidising private companies is legal in the EU. He feels that the proposal needs further study.

A new structure and leadership is being proposed in La Oliva. It is rumoured that a coalition has been formed between the PP and the PSC-PSOE which will give them power in the municipality. Apparently the mayor's role will be shared between Domingo Gonzalez and Rosa Fernandez, each having different areas of authority. The current mayoress, Claudina Morales has denied the rumour. However a press conference has been called for next Monday.

Gran Tarajal dressed in mourning on Saturday. 3,000 residents took to the streets dressed in black shirts to show their opposition to the installation of power plant that is proposed in the Agando valley. Thousands of people from Gran Tarajal, Giniguinamar, Tarajalejo and Las Playitas attended the march and presented a petition with over 4,000 signatures on it opposing the plant. At the end of the march, demonstrators gathered in Avendia Maritima where one of the organisers read out a manifesto in which he stated that the people came into the streets spontaneously " to defend their quality of life and decide on the model of island where we live. We went out to the streets to say no to the power station in Agando or elsewhere that harms the people and not to convert the dock in Gran Tarajal to take fuel tankers. The people want quality of life, "he said. The demonstration caused a division in the government group formed by Canary Coalition (CC) and New Canary (NC) following the intent of the mayor of the municipality, Salvador Delgado, to withdraw the consultation and information campaign. Two other sites Grande Valle and Monteagudo, in the municipality of Anitgua, are being considered as two possible alternative locations both of which are located further away from populated areas. However, Grande Valle is a protected area and Monteagudo is classified as farming land, according to the Insular Plan of Arrangement of Fuerteventura (PIOF).

The Chamber of Commerce is going to subsidize to tour operators at the rate of 8 Euros per tourist in order to stimulate the economy. This aid will cost around 4.5 million Euros but it is anticipated that it will generate 300 million euros and will result in the creation of 2000 jobs. They are also proposing to work with the airport to turn it into a major centre for low cost flight operators.

Fuerteventura's education system is not meeting the needs of the people. The significant population growth that the island has suffered in recent years has not been compensated by the Government of the Canary Islands in educational investment for infrastructure to alleviate the serious shortfall. The Federation of Insular Majorero AMPA (FIMAP) is working to improve the quality of teaching and wants greater involvement of public institutions to address educational disadvantage.
This Friday will be the first day of protest to denounce the situation in schools and demand the release of land for new schools.The next will be a demonstration on September 10 to the education board. The education community has already held two protest marches but have had little response from the Executive.

Residents of Fuerteventura that have land, are being offered fruit trees of different species at cost price. Around 25,000 fruit trees (only 5,000 come from the peninsula) will be distributed to small land holders, the objective being to extend the production of fruits on the island. The trees can be bought from the Experimental farm in Pozo Negro. A number of different varieties are available including nectarine, peach, plum, apricot, almond and olive trees. The price will be between 3 and 6 euros. The varieties have been chosen based on their compatibility with the climate and soil of the island.

A retired Red Cross Ambulance will travel around all the capitals of the municipalities of the Island, to sell tickets for a fundraising lottery to generate funds for the organisation. It will be in La Oliva on Tuesday from 11.00 to 14.00 hours The draw will be held on the 17 of July and the prizes will range from 2.210.000 Euros, to 850 euros. 315 prizes will be given.

The taxi drivers united this week with farers, fishermen and transport carriers to demand aid to reduce fuel prices. The taxi driver association has threatened to strike if the Government does not fulfil its promise to subside fuel tax by 30%. This was supposed to have been in operation in April. If no action is taken a convey of around 200 trucks will go the capital to protest.

In spite of the prohibition on camping on Fuerteventura's coasts, campers began last weekend to site their mobile homes and caravans in the beaches in the North of the island, just as they have in other years. The campers drove in their vehicles in full view of the Policia local but the officers did nothing to stop them, nor were they installing any more of the promised wooden posts to prevent access to the sites.
The Association of Campistas and Caravanistas of Fuerteventura are continuing to protest against the ban in favour of a “the free and regulated” camping policy for the four week ends of June. On Saturday a protest convoy will go from Puerto del Rosario to Tarajalejo and on Sunday they will repeat the process between the capital and Corralejo.
La Oliva council confirmed yesterday that it is not going to do anything about the campers since the ban was not imposed by them, but by the Cabildo. However, and as at Easter, it will continue with the task of rubbish collection and of taking care of the chemical toilets and it will enforce the law of not having dogs on the beach.
La Oliva is also taking legal action to prevent the closure of the access road from El Tostón to Majanicho. The Town hall argues that it is a route that has been always used by the property owners, sailors, fishermen and the goat herds, so it should stay open.

Agueda Montelongo, the tourism councillor for Fuerteventura gave an interview last week with La Province newspaper. In it she said that her department are making great efforts to study in depth the performance of the market, which is rapidly changing to ensure that the island is a preferred tourist destination.
"Changes that are taking place in the global economy may impact on the tourism industry we need to quickly adapt to the new market situation. Ways of booking holidays, the demands of tourists and the concept of vacation are all changing at an accelerating rate, and we need to react accordingly to these changes. It is essential to have the support of public institutions and local businesses and to listen to the concerns, opinions and proposals. The Cabildo, through the Tourism Council, has created tourism forums which consist of regular meetings between public institutions, tourist related businesses and tour operators of the island. It is an initiative that was launched this week and has had a tremendous acceptance by the industry, showing that the future of tourism in Fuerteventura is being designed from a consensus amongst the Cabildo, the municipalities and business sector. Lastly we must ensure that everything we do is backed up by studies of tourist data, from which we have developed the Strategic Plan for Tourism Marketing, which studies the current picture and establishes objectives and methods to meet the goals.
The use of new technologies is one of the main priorities proposed by the Marketing Plan. Being on the internet is becoming increasingly important because it is the means through which potential tourists looking for information are able to choose among the wide range of destinations. We are improving the website of the Tourist Board so that it becomes the apex for all information about the island as a tourist destination, as well as a powerful tool to facilitate sales. Another objective is to promote innovative marketing joint actions between the Cabildo and entrepreneurs to facilitate direct marketing of its products to final consumers.
Despite the economic crisis, Fuerteventura is maintaining its position as a preferred destination in Europe. Our main markets, the Germans and the British, have almost reached their peak we must work to maintain this position. Moreover we should also focus on emerging markets because they have great potential, for example, Scandinavia. We are already defining actions to position the island as an attractive destination among these countries."

Fuerteventura unveiled two new sculptures in bronze on Canary day in Betancuria. These are dedicated to Ayose Guise, a Maher warlord, who, in the early fifteenth century fought the Norman conquerors led by Jean de Bethencourt. The event took place on the dividing line separating the territories of Guise and Ayose, and is part of a larger project aimed at empowering Betancuria as the historic capital of the Canary Islands. The ceremony was attended by about 200 people, plus representatives of the municipalities, the Cabildo and the Canary Islands Government. The sculptures are a donation from the company OHL and are 4.5 meters high and about 1.5 meters wide. They are the work of Emiliano Hernandez. Initially they were going to be located in the plaza attached to the Palacio de Congresos in the capital, but they finally opted for a more symbolic location and associated with the former warlords of Mahe.

The current Fuerteventura government, formed by the Canarian Coalition (CC) and Popular Party (PP), have been accused of trying to favour their business associates in the proposed Territorial Energy Plan which is currently under public discussion. The secretary general of the Socialists also alleged that the proposal will ruin the island by putting up numerous wind generators. He branded "scandalous" the fact that areas such as the unique environment of Tindaya Mountain "might be filled with windmills in the future". He feels that this is a contradiction as the same Government are trying to convince us that the proposed monument in Tindaya should not go ahead due to its negative impact on the environment. He announced that his party is considering a proposal to the Energy Plan that is linked to wave generated energy, complimented by solar power.

The shops of Gran Tarajal will be closed next Saturday as a sign of solidarity with the residents of the town who reject the location of the new power plant in the Valley Agando. A protest meeting will be held to which not only the neighbouring town of Tuineje have been asked to support, but also the entire population of Fuerteventura. They are asking people to come dressed in black shirts as a visual sign of their opposition to the project. A petition has already been circulated and it already has more than 4,000 signatures.
Residents of Gran Tarajal have not ruled out moving their demands to the streets of Puerto del Rosario to express their opposition to the installation of the controversial industry a few kilometres from their homes. They feel that it poses a risk to the health and quality of life of Gran Tarajal, Giniginamar, Tarajalejo and other settlements near in the Agando area.

The chairman of the central government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, confirmed yesterday the unequivocal refusal of the State to participate in the proposed autonomous police for the Canaries. He made it clear that the Ministry of the Interior "does not envisage" its inclusion in the national Government's security model. The meeting between Zapatero and the president of the Canaries, Paulino Rivero, was "extensive and intensive", in reference to the unusual length of time it took - over two hours. A wide range of topics was covered. Both sides acknowledged that the creation of the Canarian autonomous police was the only point of total disagreement, although Rivero said that he felt that there was room for dialogue and negotiation as the Balearics and galicia are also proposing the same model. A further meeting between the Interior Minister, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba and the Minister of Presidency, Jose Miguel Ruano is planned for the near future. However, another attendee at the meeting said "The president has made clear that in the Canaries the most important thing is to reinforce the action of the Security Forces and State Bodies (National Police and Civil Guard) and that autonomous police forces are not in the security model designed by the Ministry of Interior."

Daniel Brühl, the handsome young actor who starred with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in Ladies in Lavender, has been holidaying in Corralejo on Fuerteventura. He had planned to spend a leisurely holiday reading and playing his favourite sport, tennis, but the director of his last film, Wolfang Becker, came with him and apparently much of the time was spent working on a script and attending the short movie festival of the Dunes. They also climbed Tindaya Mountain. Wolfgang admired the landscape of the island and said that it would make a good location as it was reminiscent of the desert areas in Texas and Africa, but was in Europe. Also the sun is so strong that lighting the sets would not be a problem.

The Court Superior of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) has rejected proposal to open a quarry in La Caldereta on the grounds that the area is a protected environmental area. The ruling explained that the zone houses many types of flora and fauna and that it was needed to favor biodiversity. The high court specifically indicated the importance for the conservation of hubara, an endemic steppe bird currently in danger of extinction.

Water reserves in the Canary Islands are extremely low. The largest reservoir, Soria, in Gran Canaria, is only at 2% capacity and in Tenerife, the reservoir is only at 28% of its capacity. The situation, according to the experts, is worrisome but not alarming. It is possible that irrigation of agriculture may be curtailed during the summer but drinking water is guaranteed. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are not affected as they use desalination plants for most of their water. Lack of rain during last winter is the cause of the problem.

Ten dogs have been found dead after being left in two places in Tindaya, according to the Guardia Civil. The animals were all Podencos, a hunting breed. Five were found in a fenced off cave and the others in the ruins of an abandoned house. No food or water had been left for them. All of the dogs had microchips and three of their owners have already been located. These have been denounced by infractions to the Animal Protection Law 8/1991.

Fuertemusica, the popular outdoor concert that has been held in El Cotillo for the last four years, has been cancelled. In spite of many acts having been booked to play for months, the Cabildo have decided to withdraw their portion of the funding, making it impossible for the event to be held. The Cabildo claim that the event is too expensive to run, but much of the funding comes from the municipality of La Oliva and from private sponsors. Plans for a more modest event to be held in its place are being considered, and there are rumours that this will be called Fuerte es Musica and that it will be held on the 4th and 5th July in El Cotillo.

Ryanair have announced a new route from Bremen in Germany to Fuerteventura. The route will start on the 30th October and will run twice a week. This is the seventh route that Ryanair operate to the island. The initial promotional offers mean that tickets will be available for just 17.99e.

A woman who stabbed her husband twice in a domestic argument has been jailed for 9 months. The incident happened in Corralejo in June 2005. During the fight, the woman was struck repeatedly by her partner and even hit on the head with a frying pan. The husband was hospitalised with his wounds but has since recovered. The woman has also been told that she cannot go within 300 metres of her husband for a period of three years when she is released. The public prosecutor wanted a sentence of three years but the court felt that the husband's violence warranted some leniency.

Car Hire firms that do not have booths at Canarian airports will not be allowed to deliver their vehicles or pick their clients up from the terminal building without having previously received authorisation. Instead specially designated areas will be provided for pick ups. However the area at Tenerife airport is apparently nearly a kilometre away. There have been strong protestations about this rule as it forces passengers to use the often more expensive services of those who do have offices in the terminals and decreases competition.

Plans are being made to develop an irrigation system in Pajara. The pipeline will run between Cortijo de Tetuy and Ajuy and will utilise existing underground wells. The system will feed local agriculture and contribute to the drinking water provision.

The directorate of coastal areas has decided to ban camping on public areas for the whole of the summer. Wooden posts are being installed all along the north coast of Fuerteventura between El Cotillo and Corralejo to prevent caravans parking there. The mayoress of La Oliva, Claudina Morales, has criticised this decision, as each year over 3,000 people, mainly from Gran Canaria, come her specifically for this purpose. For many families this is their traditional holiday. In previous years the number of people camping was limited by permits where a deposit was only returned after the site had been checked to ensure it was left in good condition. This year, camping will only be permitted for a maximum of three days in the two public camping grounds on Lobos (80 places) and Jandia (300 places). In addition to this the directorate will be closing off the road between the lighthouse in El Cotillo and Majanicho as this crosses public land.

The new jetty in Puerto del Rosario, which is being built so that both cruise and cargo ships can moor at the same time, has been delayed from being completed. The Port Authority do not feel that the specifications have been met and so have refused to issue completion certificates to the construction company. The jetty was due to be opened seven months ago and at present a completion date cannot be set until the disagreements are settled.

The Chamber of Commerce in Fuerteventura has criticised the lack of infrastructure in the Port. This particularly affects cargo landing at Gran Tarajal and Morro Jable, as because there is a lack of customs facilities, they have to take all their goods to a depot 25km away for inspection. This can lead to delays of up to five days to get their stock. They feel that any goods that have previously been inspected in Madrid should not have to go through this process.

The Canary Islands Government has launched the Spatial Data Infrastructure de Canarias (SDI), a computer system where you can detect all territorial changes that occur in the archipelago and use data updates to discover what illegal constructions have been created. This system which can be accessed through the website 'www.gobiernodecanarias.org' and 'www.idecan.grafcan.es', works similarly to' Google Earth ', and allows the Environment Protection Agency to compare digital maps of the region every two years. In addition, citizens can use the site to fond out all the details of a particular plot, the level of soil contamination, topographic maps, map of occupation, vegetation, protected natural areas, sites of community importance and protected areas for birds. In addition, this system allows you to find geographical or topographical features, make calculations of routes with the road map and access land registration data.

After officials in Batu, a tourist town in East Java in Indonesia, asked its massage parlors to make clear to customers that they are not houses of prostitution, one parlor owner created uniform pants for his women with a padlockable zipper, and "locks in" each masseuse in front of the client at the beginning of a session. Other parlor owners have followed along. A local women's group representative complained that it is the customers, not the women, who need restraining. [Los Angeles Times, 4-26-08]

In April the Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome (which last year created a watch made from remnants of the Titanic) introduced the "Day&Night" watch, which unfortunately does not provide a reading of the hour or the minute. Though it retails for about $300,000, it tells only whether it is "day" or "night" (using a complex measurement of the Earth's gravity). CEO Yvan Arpa said studies show that two-thirds of rich people "don't (use) their watch to tell what time it is" anyway. Anyone can buy a watch that tells time, he told a Reuters reporter, but only a "truly discerning customer" can buy one that doesn't. [Wall Street Journal, 4-25-08]

In April, according to police in Fort Pierce, Fla., Amity Joy Doss, 24, grabbed a young McDonald's employee by her shirt to emphasize her dissatisfaction with service and demanded to the manager that she be fired. A call was made to police, and Doss wandered outside, climbed a tree, hung upside down by bended knee for a while, then descended and lay down on the hood of her car before re-entering the restaurant and asking if the girl had been fired yet. She was arrested on several charges. [Fort Pierce Tribune, 4-8-08]

A teenager was abandoned on Lobos island for more than 27 hours this week. The youngster was part of a Danish group of wayward adolescents over here on an adventure holiday to help to modify their behaviour. Apparently when the group went over to the island the teenager killed a guinea fowl and as punishment was left alone on the island on Tuesday afternoon. He was found by two local residents who called the police. The Danish run company who lead the groups were arrested when they returned to pick up the boy the next day.

A 10-year-old Irish girl saved her younger brother from drowning in a swimming pool while on holiday in Fuerteventura. The family with their four children came to the Canary Islands on April 29 for what they hoped would be a dream family holiday. However, that dream soon turned into a nightmare when ten year old Amy found her younger brother Lee lying at the bottom of a swimming pool just an hour into the holiday. “We had only just arrived at the villa we had booked for our holiday when the incident took place,” the mother, June stated. “All the kids had already been in for a quick swim in the pool and my husband had decided to go to the shops with our eldest daughter, Kerrie, to get some food. “I had literally only turned my back on Lee when he was out the door of the villa and he obviously went back into the pool.” June said Lee, who had no clothes on, must have also forgotten that he did not have his armbands on when he got into the pool. Within minutes, the terror-stricken mum heard a scream from Amy.
“Amy had gone back outside and found Lee lying at the bottom of the pool.
“She immediately dived into the pool with all her clothes on and somehow found the strength to lift Lee up and take him out of the water.”
June said that when she arrived on the scene, Lee was looking blue and lifeless.
“I did what little I knew of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but I wasn’t sure if Lee would come round.” Lee made an effort to take a breath and began to vomit. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital in the back of a car. “The hospital managed to get Lee stabilised but he was transferred to the main hospital on the island, which was a 40-minute drive away and he was kept in for two days, as he had some fluid on his lungs,” June explained. The young lad made a full recovery.

The new health centre in Puerto del Rosario will not open on schedule. Although the main work will finish in the middle of June, there are still some outstanding issues to be dealt with, such as the construction of underground parking, furnishing the new unit and an out patients centre. The building will have 20 consulting rooms for General Medicine, 6 for Paediatrics and 2 for Dentisrty. In addition it will have an emergency room.

Politicians in Gran Tarajal are campaigning to get cruise ships to arrive at their town. Currently the cruises only stop at Puerto del Rosario. Locals feel that Gran Tarajal has a lot to offer passengers and that as their new wharf can support large ships, they should be encouraged to show more of the island.

YouTravel.com have revealed that there is a change in the way that people are buying holidays. They have found that there is a move away from the traditional package holiday, where the flight and hotel are bought together, to dynamic packaging, where consumers build their own package of accommodation and travel. Whilst Sharm-el-Sheik has remained their top holiday destination over the last two years, they are seeing increases in sales to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Sales to Fuerteventura have increased by over 220% from the year before.

Binter Canarias has temporarily grounded an ATR 72 turboprop after an incident in Fuerteventura in which a firearm was accidentally discharged in the cockpit, holing the aircraft's fuselage.
While no official Binter spokesman could be reached for comment, a source at the Spanish regional airline confirms the incident occurred during the boarding process of flight NT221 from Fuerteventura to Gran Canaria two days ago.
A customs official flying on duty, following the established security procedures, handed over his firearm to the captain during the normal passenger boarding process.
For reasons which are “still under investigation”, the arm was apparently discharged by the captain while he was storing the gun, which was loaded and unsecured.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the bullet, after perforating the ATR cockpit, ricocheted from a nearby empty TUIfly Boeing 737-800, although there was no damage to this aircraft and no injury to anyone on the ground.
After the incident, the ATR service was cancelled and its 41 passengers were rebooked to other flights. Binter expects to repair and return the aircraft to normal service "very soon". (www.flightglobal.com)

The Canary Islands government is being pressed to pass a plan for the future of energy provision on Fuerteventura. The plan outlines the urgent situation facing the provision of electricity in the island. Apparently the situation is so serious that the infrastructure is having problems continuing to provide services. The plan includes a number of different strategies, including the building of a new power station in the south of the island and the development of renewable energy sources.

Residents of Puerto del Rosario are concerned that the plans to improve the waterfront on the town will never come to fruition. Tenders were requested to improve the area for customers from the cruise ships and local residents in a process that was the first of its kind on the island, an open, democratic competition. The winner of the contest held in 2006 proposed a number of islands connected by small bridges. They also proposed a raised platform adjacent to the current maritime avenue, underneath which would be some 15,000 square metres of commercial land, parking and sports and leisure facilities linked to the sea. Around the port would also be a hotel of 15 floors and an aquarium and marina for 500 boats. However, after two years, very little evidence of the construction is evident and pressure is being put on the developers to move the works forward at a faster rate.

Navigation System On, Brain Off: Brad Adams, 52, crashed his charter bus (carrying two dozen high school softball players, who had to be sent to a hospital) into a pedestrian bridge in Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum in April (bus: 11 feet, 8 inches high; bridge, 9 feet, 0 inches). Adams said he missed warning signs because he was busy following the navigation system. [Seattle Times, 4-17-08]

Five days after that, in King's Lynn, England, a Streamline taxi minibus had to be pulled from the River Nar after the driver, who said he was obediently following the navigation system instructions, drove straight into the water. [Lynn News, 4-23-08]

Should've chosen another career: Joshua Crowley, 22, was charged with robbing a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Camas, Wash., in March after being chased down, wrestled with, and subdued by passerby Mary Chamberlain, 66. [KPTV (Portland, Ore.), 3-20-08]

In April in Bartlesville, Okla., Robert Horsley, 46, allegedly tried to come through a window in the house of a 95-year-old woman, but she grabbed a screwdriver and continued to stab his hand every time he reached inside. By the time police arrived, said officer Tom Holland, "(Horsley's hand) was pretty chewed up and one knuckle was almost gone." [KOKI-TV (Tulsa), 4-23-08]

Inadequate Game Plans: In April, in response to a man wielding an ax and demanding the contents of his cash register, the owner of Sam's Cigars in Vista, Calif., grabbed his wife and dashed out the front door, locking the man inside, where he made pleading gestures through the window until police arrived. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4-16-08]

The next week in a suburb of Tampa, Fla., cafe owner Agustin De Jesus was asleep for the night in a back room but awakened by a break-in. He noticed that the thief had parked his SUV by the back door with the engine running for a quick getaway, so De Jesus hopped in, drove away and called police, who arrested Leonard Levy, 55, who is a candidate for life in prison based on his long record. [St. Petersburg Times, 4-22-08]

The authorities are continuing their clean up of coastal villages. this time they are focussing on Ajuy. People who live in houses that have been built on public land are receiving notices informing them that their homes are illegal. This does not necessarily mean they will be demolished. If the homeowners have been paying rates then usually they will be given a 30 year concession to live in their homes. People who have received notices have 3 months to respond to them to prove that they are legal dwellings.

Naviera Armas have announced that they will cancel the ferry line between Fuerteventura and Morocco after the recent shipwreck. However, Confuer, the business association are determined to ensure that this does not happen or at least that authorities look for a suitable alternative, this time using a modern vessel, unlike the As Salama which was almost 50 years old. Confuer insists that the line is essential to increase the competitiveness and diversity of the economy on the island. The PSOE are also calling for the reinstatement of a route to Morocco but have suggested that this go to the port of Laayoune, which is much safer. This port not only has the facilities to handle large boats but also houses the Moroccan navy for added security.

A public consultation is to be held on the subject of the development of a power station in the Agando Valley in Tuineje. There will also be a number of information days to help local residents to understand the impact of the project. local protesters believe that the plant will have a negative environmental impact on the local environment and they are concerned about the possibility of fuel spillages from boats landing at Gran Tarajal, the nearest port. The proposal for the plant was previously rejected by the council in 2004, but the plans have continued.

Last weeks crafts fair in Antigua was well attended and included work from over 250 artisans, any of whom showed their work in action at the event. The activities included many techniques that have almost disappeared on the island. A camel wool suit, a pannier produced from two types of sheep's wool, palm and wicker baskets and numerous farm implements were part of a broad range of products developed and exhibited at the stalls.

The OSP has requested the president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Mario Cabrera, make amendments to the regulations of the Council of Tourism on the grounds that they are obsolete and out of touch with the social and economic reality of the island. Tourism counsellor Marlene Figueroa presented this initiative during the last Tourism Council meeting with the aim to "give greater participation with local trade unions and businesses in order to create a range of solutions that face the reality of the current economic situation facing the island of Fuerteventura". Figueroa feels that it is not acceptable that the Cabildo have invested so much money in catering for cruise tourism where a large part of the proceeds go to public institutions such as the Port Authorities.

The impact of the recent general elections are beginning to be felt. La Oliva, governed by the CC party is demanding that its decisions should not have to be ratified by the Cabildo insular, now run by the PP. Although attempts have been made to find a middle way on this, both parties agreed that their opinions were not even on the same playing field. The Cabildo have rejected this and are insisting that La Oliva develop a pact with other parties that would help its judgements fall more into line with the direction of the Cabildo.

The Ministry of Defence has agreed to curtail its activities on the shooting range and practice grounds in Pajara in order to respect local inhabitants. This decision followed the demolition of several fisherman's hut in a military exercise. Areas of safe passage are to be developed through the zone and the huts are going to be rebuilt. The army said that the reason the huts were demolished was because of a controlled detonation of a grenade in the area.

A Training and Employment show was held last week at the fairgrounds of Antigua. Twenty entities, schools, institutions and business groups participated under the organization of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura and the municipality of Antigua. The aim of this exhibition was to help strengthen links between the entities and increase training options to meet the main demands of businesses and the labour market, facilitating access to the world of work, particularly for low achievers.

Almost-anything-goes "ultimate fighting," also known as "human cockfighting," is a major "sport," mostly in Southern and Western states, but only in Missouri are kids as young as 6 permitted on the mats, according to a March Associated Press dispatch from Carthage, Mo. Members of the Garage Boys Fight Crew, ages up to 14, including one girl, regularly square off with only a few concessions in rules and protective gear from their adult counterparts. Parents seem to regard the sport as casually as they regard Little League or soccer, and sportsmanship is in evidence, as kids are still best friends, pummelling each other inside the cage but then heading off afterward to play video games. [Star Tribune-AP, 3-27-08]

A highlight of this year's Easter promotion by the Jelly Belly company (as additions to its 50 standard flavours) was its surprise BeanBoozled boxes, with odd tastes and non-standard colours. Although garlic beans, buttered-toast beans and cheese pizza beans are no longer available, connoisseurs can sample jelly beans made to taste like pencil shavings, ear wax, mouldy cheese and vomit. A Jelly Belly spokeswoman told Newhouse News Service in March, "There are 20 flavours in each little box ... so you don't know what flavour you are tasting ... coconut or baby wipe." [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3-22-08]

Los Angeles businessman Llewellyn Werner told The Times of London in April that he plans to spend $500 million to build a Disneyland-type theme park in the heart of Baghdad, with the first phase (a skateboard facility, with 200,000 free skateboards to hand out) to open in just three months. Eventually, the park will include rides and a concert theater adjacent to the Green Zone. [The Times (London), 4-24-08]

Questionable new products: The Japanese manufacturer Nihon Sofuken recently introduced a slightly peach-flavored drink called Placenta 10000, but Wired.com was not able to verify whether it contains actual human placenta (which is supposed to have miraculous regenerating powers for some parts of the body). [Wired.com, 3-31-08]

From Nickelodeon merchandising has come a Spongebob Squarepants Musical Rectal Thermometer (which plays the Spongebob theme that (the designer apparently imagines) makes the temperature-taking process less unpleasant). [CartoonBrew.com, 2-19-08]

The Tourism Council of Fuerteventura presented yesterday at an extraordinary meeting of the Advisory Board, the results of the the Survey of Tourist satisfaction carried out during the winter season. Amongst the main complaints were the lack of leisure facilities; too much construction ruining the environment; not enough restaurants offering typical Canarian cuisine; and a lack of public transport within the towns. The lack of cleaning of public areas was also commented on. Despite this, the president of Tourism Council and the Cabildo island, Mario Cabrera, described as "very positive, the percentage of tourists who plan to return to the island as this stands at 50 per cent", He stressed the importance of caring for the environment "by doing a sustained effort over time, rather than through specific actions." On the other hand, the minister of island tourism, Agueda Montelongo, felt that the report is "an essential reference tool to improve and correct any errors."

Local business owners on Fuerteventura held a meeting this week to begin the process of setting up a business association. The purpose of this is to have a strong voice with local government and tour operators. The initiative, led by Eileen Forrester of Penny Lane, proposes to work with the tourism and business areas of the council to improve services to both tourists and businesses. The meeting was well attended by the English and Irish communities, and it was felt that more work should go into encouraging owners from other nationalities, especially the local Spanish community to participate. The next meeting will be held in Mafasca's, Top floor of the Atlantico Centre, next Thursday at 2pm. For more details contact Eileen on 619 973 281.

A Corralejo man was jailed for 5 years and ordered to pay 6,000 euros compensation to his victim this week. The man, Calvo Wilson Gutierrez, seriously attacked a man by stabbing him in the neck several times. The incident took place on 21st April 2006. Calvo went to the victims house in the Bristol Playa area at 5 in the morning and proceeded to attack him. The victim was saved by the rapid response of the emergency services but still had to take 81 days off work as a consequence. The argument was over Calvo's girlfriend who used to go out with the victim.

A Uraguyan woman threw her four month old baby off a six metre cliff this week. The incident happened near Costa Calma. The baby was rescued and then airlifted to Gran Canaria for medical attention, but its condition still remains critical. The woman, Mariana Riba, had earlier in the day reported her husband for physical abuse. The Guardia took the man in for questioning and Mariana went home alone. She then left the house with the baby and was seen wandering around the tourist areas. When she reached a ravine she threw the baby over the side. Tourists who spotted her, called the police immediately and the baby was recovered, but had serious head injuries. Mariana is currently being treated in a local psychiatric facility.

The Canarias government has proposed a study into the impact of holiday homes on the islands. The proposal is being sent to Brussels for the summit next week for ratification, but has caused some controversy as to its purpose. The government insists that it is looking at the positive impact on population growth of this type of property, but opponents feel that it will open the doors to limiting second home ownership in the archipelago. To counteract this the proposal was reworded to reflect this difference in purpose.

The lack of growth in the construction industry has led to many migrant workers leaving the island. Figures show that over the last year over 3,000 labourers have returned to mainland from Fuerteventura. To many who live here, this will be seen as a necessity as supply of housing has increased way beyond demand over recent years. A slow down in this industry can only be good for property prices in the long term, but will have an inevitable detrimental effect on local economies in the short term.

An Omaha man struggling to breathe used a steak knife to perform an at-home tracheotomy. Steve Wilder said he thought he was going to die when he awoke one night last week and couldn't breathe.
Wilder said he didn't call 911 because he didn't think help would arrive in time. So, the 55-year-old says, he got a steak knife from the kitchen and made a small hole in his throat, allowing air to gush in.
Wilder suffered from throat cancer and related breathing problems several years ago. About that time, he had an episode where he couldn't breathe because his air passages swelled shut. He said that's what happened this time around.
Doctors don't expect Wilder to suffer any adverse affects from the tracheotomy once it's healed.

A New York woman has filed a $100 claim against Norwalk saying a family outing to the Maritime Aquarium was ruined by dog feces. The woman claims her child's shoes, along with the entire outing, were ruined when her 1-year-old stepped in dog feces outside the Maritime Garage.
City attorney M. Jeffry Spahr said the official response is that her claim is denied and in his words, "poop happens."
Kelly DeBrocky, of Mahopac, N.Y., wants the city to reimburse her for $54 she spent replacing her toddler's ruined shoes and the expenses for parking and aquarium admission on April 5. For more stories similar to this, check out the Stella awards in this week's fun stuff!

It looked like a small charcoal briquette, floating on San Francisco Bay, but it was just a little bit too square to be a charcoal briquette.
Twelve-year-old Joe Carter, who was boating with his father Sunday off Crissy Field, figured he might as well reach over the side of their dinghy and pick it up.
It wasn't a charcoal briquette after all, Joe realized, because charcoal briquettes do not have hinges on them.
It was a jewellery box.
"What if there's a diamond ring inside?" Joe remembers wondering to himself. So he opened the small black box.
And inside was something round and golden, with a sparkling stone on it.
"It's a real diamond ring," Joe said. "With a real diamond."
Joe took the ring out of the box and inspected a small tag, which was still attached to it.
"Romance Princess. One-quarter carat. Diamond Wedding Ring. $499," the tag said.
Joe, being several years shy of the time of life when a diamond ring in a black box comes in handy, huddled up with his father, Matt. The two of them are honorable, and they figured the thing to do was to call Macy's department store and find out if anyone had lost a ring. The small box had "Macy's" printed on the inside.
But the jewellery sales clerk said there was nothing he could do. Macy's sells a lot of rings, and they don't come with serial numbers.
So the Carters, who live in Alameda, posted a "lost and found" ad on an online bulletin board.
"Ring found floating in SF Bay," the ad said. "We would love to return it. Please contact me with a description."
And for four days, they have sat back and waited for developments. Perhaps the unfortunate owner would come forward. Perhaps several different people, all claiming to be the unfortunate owner, would come forward. Gold and diamonds have a way of making people do things they otherwise wouldn't.
But, so far, no one at all has come forward.
While the Carters wait, they try to imagine how the diamond ring ended up in San Francisco Bay. Did a would-be husband fling it into the water after his proposal was rejected? Did a would-be bride toss it aside because it weighed only one-quarter carat?
"I knew a girl in high school who did that when her boyfriend proposed," said Joe's mom, Laura, filling in her son on the ways of women and quarter-carat diamond rings.
Did it fall from the promenade deck of a cruise ship? Did someone drop it into the water on purpose, as the old lady did at the end of "Titanic?"

A Spanish ferry with 113 passengers on board ran aground and partially sank off the Atlantic coast of Morocco, last Friday. The passengers were brought to safety after a dramatic rescue that involved the Moroccan navy and local fishermen. The ferry As-Salama was travelling from the Moroccan port of Tarfaya to Fuerteventura when it struck rocks a half a mile offshore in heavy seas and strong winds and began taking on water. All the passengers were safely taken off the ferry by rescue boats, but they had to leave all their luggage on board. The passengers were predominantly from Morocco and Spain, but it was also carrying holidaymakers from Germany, France and Japan. All the passengers were offered flights back to the canaries, but most refused, preferring to stay on dry land to recover from their ordeal. They were put up in local hotels.

The latest Spanish Ministry of Housing (MVIV) figures, which have been released to the public, confirms reports of the growing decline in the Spanish mainland property sector compared to the Canary Islands where property resales have been strongest. The government research showed that the number of resale transactions to foreign buyers in Spain fell by almost 18% year on year from 21,628 to 17,815 overall. But in contrast, this period saw a huge increase in resales to foreign buyers in the Canary Islands which resulted in a year on year increase of 73%. Although there is no specific breakdown as to which nationalities are actually purchasing property it does prove the long-term strength of the market in the Canaries and the confidence in the future of the islands. (Goldacre Estates)

Young people on the island are turning away from traditional occupations such as cheese making. Although Fuerteventura makes some of the best goats cheese in the world, families are concerned that their recipes and craft will die with the next generation as their children and grandchildren show no interest in carrying on the work. The youngsters are put off by the long hours and lack of weekends and holidays for recreational activities. Current producers say that the work is not hard but you have to be there all the time to ensure that the herds and cheese production run smoothly.

Two fishermen have been caught with 34 kilos of fish that they caught using spear guns. This type of fishing is strictly controlled on the islands and sportsmen are only allowed a small quota of fish per day in order to protest the underwater environment. This haul way exceeded these limits. The men tried to hide their catch behind the concrete pillars at the entrance to Morro Jable port, but they were spotted and the police were called. The officers arrested the men and confiscated the fish and the men's spear guns.

Hospital Patients are complaining that the daily allowance they receive is insufficient for their needs. Day patients in Fuerteventura hospital currently receive just 18 euros per day and they say that this does not even cover the taxi fare let alone food expenses. If the patient has to go to another island for treatment, then the allowance increases to 118e per day, but this has to cover flight and accommodation costs as well. They are also complaining that the amount that the Cabildo of Fuerteventura receives per patient is far greater that that taken by the patient and they are accusing the Cabildo of pocketing the difference to the detriment of residents.

What Housing Crisis? "This is heaven on earth," said one resident living on burned-out lava rocks about a mile from the oozing Kilauea volcano near Kalapana, Hawaii, explaining the lure that he and his neighbors feel, having built houses by hand, collected rainwater to drink, installed solar panels for power, and planted vegetables between the rocks for food. Said one of the semi-hermit residents, to an Associated Press reporter in March, "I'm more scared of people than I am a volcano." [CNN-AP, 3-25-08]

Astrid Literski, in prison after pleading guilty to murdering her 4-year-old daughter in 2003, is due in tax court in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in May to argue that she should not have to give back $1,296 (Cdn) in tax benefits she was wrongly paid for the child during 2002. Actually, the girl was living with her father at the time, but Literski says she deserved the tax benefits, anyway, because she provided "emotional" support. [Chronicle Herald (Halifax), 3-1-08]

A 26-year-old driver was arrested in Bay County, Fla., in April after being spotted on the side of a road masturbating. According to the police report, the man said "he had just left work and explained that he needed some personal time with himself that he could not have at home." [Northwest Florida Daily News, 4-2-08]
World's Greatest Lawyer: Oregon public defender Ethan Levi agreed to represent Eric Kincaid, 29, who had been identified by DNA as the man (in a miniskirt, wig and fishnet stockings) who one night last year had hidden in the closet of a woman he did not know before fleeing. Kincaid denied that he meant the woman any harm, maintaining that he had been invited by a mysterious second woman, whom he also did not know, to have sex but had realized after seeing the first woman that he was in the wrong apartment, and he left. In April, Levi convinced the jury to accept Kincaid's explanation and acquit him of all charges. [The Oregonian, 4-8-08]

Instant Karma: In March in Leesburg, Va., driver's license test-taker Nita Sureka was told by the examiner to park beside the Department of Motor Vehicles building, but she accidentally crashed into it, tearing a hole in the wall and forcing the department to close for the day. [Washington Post, 3-17-08]

The Manitoba (Canada) Bar Association, which was hoping to file a brief in a controversial police investigation case in Winnipeg in March, announced it would have to forgo participation because it lacked sufficient funds to hire a lawyer. [Winnipeg Free Press, 3-7-08]

Two men have been found dead on board a ship coming from the Ivory Coast. The captain had found stowaways aboard and stopped in Puerto del Rosario to have them removed. A total of thirteen stowaways were found on board, but two had not survived the journey. Four more were hospitalised. The boat, the MS Rosa Delmas was headed for the northern Spanish port of Vigo.

The nineteenth Island Book Fair will have a very special guest this year – Cuban writer Zoe Valdes. This is part of the festival that takes place in Plaza de la Paz, in the capital from April 23 and 27
Other writers include Genoveva Torres Cabrera, Elsa Lopez, Elisa Ramos and Cecilia Dominguez. As is the custom at this festival, it’s not confined to books. There will also be theatre, music and story-telling. As well as the main events n Puerto, there will be corresponding events around the island. Mario Cabrera said that it’s a great event for an island where, just 19 years ago, it was difficult to find a library. Leaflets are available with details of all the events, for adults and children.
And don’t forget that April 23 is World Book Day.

A recent survey has found that 65 percent of Spanish people admit they cannot speak, read or write English. Bulgarians, Hungarians and Turks are the only ones who admit to speaking less English than Spaniards. A strudy by consultancy firm Ipsos has found that a total of 70 percent of Spaniards recognize that English is important, but just four percent are learning it. There has been horror at some of the results.
The report says that 17 percent of Spaniards can read English, 14 percent can understand it and only 11 percent can speak it. It’s been dubbed " the Latin of the 21st century."
Of course, the question of money rears its head - in 2006, 105,000 Spaniards travelled abroad to study - 94 percent of them to learn English. Another 45,000 took a government grant to travel abroad, with the majority heading to England or Ireland , according to the Spanish Association of Promoters of Courses Abroad, which estimates revenues for the sector at EUR 300 million. A four-week course abroad costs between EUR 2,500 and EUR 3,000, putting it out of the reach of many families.
An added note is that here in the Canaries, President Paulino Rivero, has announced that over the next academic year, 50 teaching staff will be selected form 60 schools to take part in an intensive programme to train as ‘bilingual teachers.’ They will, of course, be reimbursed for this. The teachers will be sent to Scotland for five months, followed by training at home. These 60 schools will be the launch of the bilingual programme and it will continue that over the next four years, it will be increased to more than 200 teachers.
The money that’s being spent on this comes from the regional funds; however, it’s these same funds that are not available to sort out the on-going teachers’ pay claim. There will be a day-long strike on April 24 as part of this campaign. The teachers claim relates to a salary scale that is not on a pr with other civil servants as well as pupil-teacher ratio.

The Government is to spend more than 125 million euros on public school transport over the next five years. This will bring the total number of routes up to 725. This year, the budget is about 10 million euros, each of the following three years, it will be just under 25 million; and in 2013, the spend will be 15 million. Fuerteventura will get an increase of 42 routes. Hiring of vehicles over the years will include major safety measures.

Watch out for roadworks next month in the Antigua area. Road widening is the major work. Improvements will also take place at the Pozo Negro exit. The second phase will be done after the summer, as far as the roundabout at Gran Tarajal. The road surface will be improved, ensuring better safety for drivers.

Rain may stop play in sporting events but in Barcelona, thunderstorms may have been one reason why there were some 200,000 visitors to the recent International Tourist show.
Once again, Fuerteventura was top of the class at the weekend event. Mainland Spanish tourists continue to come here with the numbers increasing regularly. There has been a huge increase in the last year, of just under 62 percent over this time 2007. This is the highest increase of mainland Europeans. New airline connections have played their part, with Spanair departing from Barcelona, Easyjet from Madrid and Ryanair from Girona. A lot of interest in Barcelona came from those interested in the activities available and leisure centres.
One of the main innovations this year was a specific area dedicated to gay tourism.

Corralejo may get a much-needed facelift if local tourist councillor Nereida Calero has her way. Over the next weeks, the La Oliva tourism Department will be taking a long hard look at the town and what it has to offer tourists. Calero believes that more than sun and sand are needed as visitors expect more. The survey will be done in the main tourist areas, including the beach and the airport. Calero believes that facilities such as health spas, gastronomy, activity holidays and leisure centres may be the way forward.

The Aristocrats!
Mayor Art Madrid of La Mesa, Calif., apologized in February for an incident the week before when police found him, along with a female city employee, passed out about 10:30 p.m. Madrid was lying on the sidewalk near an SUV; the woman was in the driver's seat with her legs sticking out the open door; and vomit littered the area. [San Diego Union Tribune, 2-27-08]
A patient reporting for an appointment with dentist Norman Rubin in Smithtown, N.Y., in March told the New York Post that Rubin was in the otherwise-empty office, passed out, drooling, with a gas mask on his face. (Rubin later told the Post, in defence, that it was, after all, his lunch hour.) [New York Post, 3-20-08]
The Continuing Crisis
Dirk Opalka (whose fox scored 96 of 100 possible points) won best in show at the World Taxidermy Championships in February in Salzburg, Austria, beating over 100 competitors in the art of stretching animal skin over fake bodies so the critters look better than they ever looked alive. The attention to detail was astonishing, according to a dispatch in Der Spiegel, on such features as a stag's nostrils, a hyena's lips, a hamster's whiskers, the neck length of a female peregrine falcon (precisely 5.5 cm), and the proper rosiness of a bat's anus. [Der Spiegel, 2-29-08]
In March, the Tokyo High Court reversed the conviction of pinup model Serena Kozakura, who had been found guilty of kicking a hole in the door of her former boyfriend's apartment so she could break in and scream at him. Kozakura had appealed, claiming that the man had made the hole himself, and as evidence, explained that she could never have squeezed through it, anyway, because her breasts are too big. That argument apparently won the day, creating enough "reasonable doubt" to overturn the verdict. [Agence France-Presse, 3-4-08]
Two German air force sergeants were suspended in December after being caught in a side venture selling sausages based on an old family recipe requiring human blood. Their first batches were made with their own, but as they began mass-producing, they had allegedly asked their colleagues because, according to instructions from one of the men's grandmothers, all blood must be "fresh." "Do not use too many breadcrumbs," she had written, "but if the blood starts to curdle, stir in a teaspoon of wine vinegar." [Daily Telegraph (London), 3-3-08]

April 17th 2008
Coca Cola drinkers need not worry. There’s plenty of their favourite bevy available. This is despite a Coca Cola ship in Puerto del Rosario going up in flames recently. It’s still not known what caused the fire at about 17.30 when the employees of the Cobega company were told about the fire that subsequently destroyed the ship. The flames spread rapidly, helped by the prevailing wind and was still burning at 23.00 that night. The interior of the ship presents a desolate appearance at the moment. Cobega in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria has been involved with distributing Coca Cola here.

The Bahia Real hotel is where 450 area managers and German tourism agents have been staying for the National TUI Congress. This is the first time the congress has been held on the island. The various authorities of the Cabildo and a wide representation from Tourism met General manager of TUI in Germany, Volker Böttcher, and the director general of Leisure from TUI Travel Hasso von Düring Obviously, having the Congress here is excellent for tourism.
Águeda Montelongo, Tourism councillor, said that the presence of all these managers was one of the biggest tourist events that has happened in the island, as it creates a good impression and demonstrates that Fuerteventura is a consolidated destination. This is what the agents will bring home with them. A spokesman for TUI said that the island is the second most important destination for the company in the Canaries. Having joined with First Choice last year, TUI is the biggest tour operator in Europe.
General Manager of TUI Volker Böttcher said that Fuerteventura is a very important destination for the company, especially in winter. He noted that while the eastern Meditterannean countries are getting popular, Fuerteventura will continue to attract visitors as the infrastructure is in place, hotels are of good quality and the weather is good.

You could be in line for a tax rebate of as much as £11,000 if you paid tax on a property before last year’s rule changes. EC nationals were taxed at higher rates than Spanish nationals, in contravention to EC laws. A legal firm claims that around 4,500 Britons and thousands of others should be able to claim rebates at a total cost of about 50 million pounds to the Spanish government.

The V11 National Telecommunications Congress is taking place in Corralejo this week. The Director of the Canary Agency of Investigation, Innovation and Information Society, the Cabildo president, Mario Cabrera and La Oliva mayoress, Claudina Morales inaugurated the congress on Wednesday. The meeting is a get-together of experts in new technologies. One of the objectives is to improve communications among the rural populations where there is a ‘digital gap’. Speakers include Juan Ruiz Alzola, the general manager of Canary Agency of Investigation, Innovation and Information Society as well as New Technology councillor, Andrés Valerón, who will present details on the various network projects around the island.

All-inclusive holidays are top of the list in Pajara with 60 % of all beds. This could be a loss of 11 million euros annually to the commercial sector. About 58,70 % of the tourist beds in the municipality is taken with hotel complexes and apartments that offer all-inclusive rates as against accommodation only or half-board. If these clients were half-board, it would mean an increase of 30.616 euros daily and about 11.174.840 euros a year, according to Town Hall estimates. The study indicates that 37.5% of the tourist complexes offer everything included for visitors.

However, 42 businesses out of the existing 208 in Morro Jable have closed, mainly snack bars and restaurants, a figure that actually amounts to 20 %. In Solana Matorral, 15 businesses have closed, 23 have never opened and just 151 remain out of the original 189.

Tourism advisor Rita Martin, has taken part in a Tourism Fair as head of a delegation that explored the possibility of Chinese tourism. She said that it was a trip that also involved Shanghai and Hong Kong, as China is their target of an agreement of Competitiveness and Tourist Quality 2008-2020. Chinese visitors look for circuits and they can be accommodated with a circuit of the seven islands. A group of Chinese tour operators will visit the islands in the next while. It’s also possible to target specialist holidays as in the honeymoon market.

Weird news from Spain
A thief seen forcing his way into a funeral parlour in Burjassot (Valencia) hid in one of the glass cases where coffins are displayed for mourners to keep vigil when he was disturbed by police arriving at the scene The plan was unsuccessful, as the 'corpse' was visibly breathing and his casual clothes were not of the kind usually chosen by undertakers for their dead clients. The burglar, who has a long police record, has been charged with attempted robbery.

A private clinic in Cadiz has been fined 6,000 euros for making female nurses and health assistants wear skirts in their health centres. The company which owns a chain of health centres in Andalucia has been ordered to pay the fine for requiring their female nurses to wear skirts. Officials considered that the company was infringing equality legislation by insisting on the skirts and removing a productivity bonus payment of 30 euros a month from the nurses who chose to wear trousers.

MADRID, Spain - A man making his first visit to a home he bought in a foreclosure auction found the former owner's mummified body sitting on the living room couch, police said Tuesday.
Coroners estimate the woman's remains had been there since 2001, when she stopped making payments on the residence in the coastal town of Roses in Spain's northeast Catalonia region.
The body mummified instead of rotting partly because of the salty seaside air in Roses, a Catalan regional police official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The woman, in her mid-50s, was estranged from her children in Madrid, and no one had reported her missing. She was not identified by officials.
Police said her death also went undetected because her ground-level apartment is in an area of vacation homes with a high turnover of travelers. In addition, police said, the woman spent a lot of time in Madrid with her mother. The whereabouts of the mother was unclear.
Roses Mayor Carles Paramo told the newspaper El Mundo it was normal that no one missed the woman because in housing developments like this one "people are not minding other people's business."

We’ve all noticed the hikes in supermarket prices over the past few months. This has been worrying the Cabildo not just of Fuerte, but of neighbouring Lanzarote. Both Cabildos recently got together to discuss the best way of dealing with the situation. They want to find a solution to what they see as the unreasonable prices consumers have to pay, mainly because we live on one of the two most easterly islands of the archipelago. Of course, part of the problem is that imported goods in Tenerife and Gran Canaria have risen in price. If we want these goods, the shipping costs involved in getting them here increases the price even further. One of the ideas proposed by the respective island governments to at least regulate prices was to encourage supermarket chains which up until now have not shown interest in setting up on the islands to open up new branches in order to break into the “closed” shop which is operated at present by the three chains operating in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Regional Airline Islas Airways is making it easy for residents of any of the islands to travel to others in the Archipelago on interisland routes. They have announced a fixed price of only 16.56 euros per journey for residents. According to a company spokesman, this measure aims to make interisland travel available at all times at a reasonable price, not just when there are promotional offers. The company has plans to increase the number of planes in this coming year and of increasing the La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the two main islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. They are also working on new price system for groups of residents. Reliability, punctuality, the best prices and timetables and passenger convenience are the main aims of the company, which has, since beginning to operate five years ago managed to achieve its objective of uniting the Canary islands. More information and the possibility of buying tickets online is available on the company web site www.islasnet.com

Good news for Britons hoping to buy into the Spanish property market. The recently re-elected Spanish Socialist Party leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has promised to bring in some positive changes. The changes promised will mean that people looking to buy in Spain will have better protection through more regulation of the sector. The party also wants to encourage buyers to purchase their property through mortgage providers, and by doing this they can have a tax-free allowance of up to 60,000 euros.

If you’ve been wondering what type of birds have been seen recently around the Caleta area, worry no more. They are the European bee eater or Merops apiaster, migrating from Sub Saharan Africa over the Straits of Gibraltar.

The Spanish government intends spending 12 billion euros on road building and improvements. The work will be done in conjunction with private companies, bringing the total spend to around 20 billion euros for work to be competed between 2009 and 2012. This will also give a boost to the construction industry in the present difficult circumstances.

The Ayuntamiento in Puerto del Rosario has installed a series of eight information panels at various points of the capital. The aim of the panels is to indicate places of interest to those visiting the town.
Snippets of interesting information in Spanish, English and German have been written on each of the panels, recreating the exciting events of the history of the island’s capital. The panels have been financed by the Ayuntamiento – a cost of €15,000. They have been researched and made by specialists from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University. Plans to make further panels giving information about the rural areas of the islands are also in the pipeline.

Bones from the Copper Age were unearthed at a building site in Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia. Building work had to stop when about 300 skeletons were unearthed at the site. Archaeologists reckon they could be about 5,000 years old and are possibly the bones of the founders of the city. The skeletons of dogs and ceramic items have also been found at the site.

Fuerteventura had almost 8,000 unemployed in March, the highest of all the islands. This is an increase of about 4 % on February. In the INEM offices every day, there are people looking for work.

World Health Day was celebrated this week with special emphasis on children and young people and their health. More than 1,400 students from 4th level were in the plaza of La Paz for the IX Muestra Insular de Salud, entitled ‘Right to the Protection before the abuses, the maltreatment and the development ”. There were various workshops to give the students information about healthy life habits and the prevention of illness.

Weird or what?

Irish director-playwright Paul Walker's production of "Ladies & Gents" opened for a March run in New York City 29 blocks north of Broadway in a public restroom. According to an Associated Press report, the entire play takes place among the porcelain in a bathroom in Central Park, portraying "the seedy underside of 1950s Dublin," with the audience of 25 standing beside rows of stalls, near "spiders, foul odors and puddles of questionable origin." Walker proudly admits that he wanted to take the audience "out of their comfort zone" to create "a different energy." Actor John O'Callaghan recalled that rehearsals were especially difficult: "One man actually came in and had a pee right in front of us."

Italy's highest appeals court ruled in March that it is not illegal for a woman to lie in a police investigation if the reason is to cover up her adulterous affair. Court of Cassation judges said that her honor is more important than providing intimate information about her lover.

When Johnny Diablo's year-old vegan restaurant failed to catch on in Portland, Ore., last year, he converted the space into Casa Diablo's Gentlemen's Club, which is what he believes is the world's only vegan strip club. He has no rule against meat-eating dancers, he told Willamette Week newspaper in February, but won't permit leather, fur, silk or wool outfits on stage (no "murder victims" in the club, he said).

A major IT congress will take place in Corralejo on April 17th and 18th. The congress is organised by the the Canarian agency of Investigation, Innovation and Information of the Chamber of Commerce. World experts in the field will participate in the VII Congreso Nacional de Telecentros. They will discuss technology improvements to those living in rural areas. Speakers include the general manager of Agency, Juan Ruiz Alzola and the chamber’s New Technology advisor Andrés Valerón. World experts include the ex-director for Development in Stockholm, Luis Abascal; the co-ordinator of the network somos@telecentros for Latin America and The Carib, Maria Lourdes Acosta. One of the objectives of the congress is to create a Canarian Telecommunications network.

A new craft shop is to open in the airport. The shop is now located at the bottom of the escalators, a location that has not been very successful. The new shop will be located on the top floor, beside the rest of the shops. And a new craft shop is to open in Puerto del Rosario, beside the tourist office.
Puerto del Rosario will have an Artisan Fair on the second Sunday of each month. And the timetable for other new craft fairs is: Antigua: 8 – 11 May; La Oliva: 6 – 8 June; Betancuria: 30 May; 21 September; Betancuria

The Department of Health in the UK has announced that from 1st April 2008, British nationals who permanently reside in Spain will have to present the Spanish equivalent of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if they need medical treatment whilst visiting the UK or any other EU member state. The new rule applies to UK nationals who live in Spain and make Spanish Social Security contributions or live in Spain while receiving a state pension or long term incapacity benefit from the UK through the registration of an E121. The lack of a Spanish EHIC could result in people being considered as a private patient. The Spanish equivalent of the EHIC can be applied for at a Spanish social security office (INSS).

Keep an eye out for the Puppet Theatre that is making the rounds of the various towns on the island from next week,

The La Oliva Ayuntamiento has realised that the younger members of the population represent an important percentage of the municipal electoral roll. A new Youth office has opened in Corralejo, offering offers information and specific advice. The office is located in Calle Huriamen, next to the Municipal Auditorium.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 2pm and Wednesday and Thursday 4pm – 8.30pm as well. Teléfono 928866329, e-mail: juventud@laoliva.es
:The office will give advice and information on such subjects as leisure activities, studies, travel, youth hostels in Spain, employment, International Youth cards. They will also be providing courses in dance, theatre and percussion in the Municipality, thanks to the Association of Dance, Art and Experimental Theater D-ARTE,

The Ayuntamiento of Pájara has not given a licence for the construction of a new five-star, 658-room hotel. The original licence was granted in 2001 by the Coalición Canaria. But this permission has now expired and there has not been a new application.

Only 4 per cent of Canarian families have received the 'cheque bebé', the Government grant for a third child. This has been described as lamentable by the Association of Familias Numerosas de Canarias. The grant, of up to e3,500, has only been applied for by 838 families, just 4 per cent of those entitled to apply. Apparently some 20,000 families are entitled to apply for the grant

April Fool jokes
Pigeons Retired from Army Service
Yesterday (28th March 2008 ), the Spanish army said goodbye to its carrier pigeons after 150 years of service. A short ceremony was carried out by an army colonel who thanked the unit for the loyal service provided over the years, noting that new technology has made their services obsolete.

In 1957, a BBC television show announced that thanks to a mild winter and the virtual elimination of the spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. Footage of Swiss farmers pulling strands of spaghetti from trees prompted a barrage of calls from people wanting to know how to grow their own spaghetti at home.

Sweden in 1962 had only one television channel, which broadcast in black and white. The station's technical expert appeared on the news to announce that thanks to a newly developed technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to receive colour pictures by pulling a nylon stocking over the screen. In fact, they had to wait until 1970.
In 1996, American fast-food chain Taco Bell announced that it had bought Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, a historic symbol of American independence, from the federal government and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Outraged citizens called to express their anger before Taco Bell revealed the hoax.

Burger King, another American fast-food chain, published a full-page advertisement in USA Today in 1998 announcing the introduction of the "Left-Handed Whopper," spe- cially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new burger included the same ingredients as the original, but the condiments were rotated 180 degrees. The chain said it received thousands of requests for the new burger, as well as orders for the original "right- handed" version.
Discover Magazine announced in 1995 that a highly respected biologist, Aprile Pazzo (Italian for April Fool), had discovered a new species in Antarctica: the hotheaded naked ice borer. The creatures were said to have bony head plates that became burning hot, allowing the animals to bore through ice at high speed -- a technique they used to hunt penguins.
Noted British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on the radio in 1976 that at 9:47 am, a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, in which Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, would cause a gravitational alignment that would reduce the Earth's gra- vity. Moore told listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment of the planetary alignment, they would experience a floating sensation. Hundreds of people called in to report feeling the sensation.

The problems with the original planning permission for Las Rotundas shopping centre in Puerto del Rosario have once again come under the spotlight. It’s just one month since the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Canarias (TSJC) ratified the licence’s nullity. The licence dates back to 2002. Already more than half the time that was given to sort it out has passed. The order passed called for the demolition of the parts that don’t have planning permission. The company was only allowed to build 14.000 square meters but the Consistorio allowed 47,000. The 33,000 extra sq metres should now be removed.
The economics of this would cost about a million euro out of the municipal coffers. Current price per metre in the capital is 1.800euro, multiplied by 33,000. Economically, knocking down some of the building is not feasible.

Firefighters in Puerto del Rosario needed to use the two vehicles fire to quell a fire this week in a paint shop in the capital. The hazard of flammable materials that were inside the building forced the troops to use more than 3,000 litres of water and foam to extinguish the fire and protect the area. Despite the spectacular nature of the blaze there were no personal injuries although two cars were completely charred and four other vehicles were damaged.

Results of the ‘Nos Vamos a la Playa’ promotion were presented to the Cabildo recently. This was a collaboration between the Tourism sponsors and the Chamber of Commerce that took place in February promoting the island in nine Spanish cities. The campaign reached an astonishing 11.5 million people and was a huge success. Comparing figures from January before the promotion and February, there has been a 32% increase over 2007. According to councillor Montelongo, Fuerteventura is the only one of the islands where tourism is increasing. He said that the promotion would have been very difficult if the Chamber had not been on board. The head offices of the Chambers in all the cities that were visited co-operated with the campaign. The Chambers were delighted as it gave them extra publicity.

More on tourism: An extensive drive will take place across France over the next few months to promote the island. This is a joint initiative between the Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and the French tour operator, Nouvelles Frontières. Mario Cabrera and Águeda Montelongo, president and adviser of Tourism accompanied the representative of the tourist agent, Oscar Palacios, and the president of the Chamber of commerce, Gregorio Pérez, at the signing of this agreement. Mario Cabrera spoke about the promotion of the Island as a need in which there must be co-operation among all sectors. The campaign will consist of a series of promotional performances that will be based on a campaign of marketing in the press, the Internet, news letters and the establishment of incentives for the merchandisers of Nouvelles Frontières. Statistics show that 32.888 French tourists came to the Island in the year 2007. Comparing this with the numbers coming here in 2003, there has been a huge increase of 267,64 %.

In just one year, between 2006 and 2007, the increase was biggest.
Regular bus users who use the Tarjeta Dinero will see the subsidy increased by as much as 30 per cent of the route price. This will mean that about 10 per cent of the cost.
According to the adviser Ann Padilla, “ this action, not only will represent an economic saving for regular users of public transport, it will also help the service to be faster as it lowers the time spent in taking cash. Last year, just over 20 per cent of travellers used the card –501,725 out of a total of 2.463.699. It’s part of an ongoing upgr