ADANA’S ‘CAMINO PROJECT’

ADANA is the Spanish acronym for the Abandoned Animals Rights Society, which has been in existence on the Costa for a good number of years. With dog shelters and a shop in Estepona, the organization is undertaking an ambitious project: The Camino Project 2009, a sponsored walk of 1178 kms from Estepona to Santiago de Compostela for the Animals, walking with them and for them, from the 15th of March to the 2nd of May 2009. Their wonderful work needs our support (and who knows, we may be able to get a branch going in Jimena, which we sorely need!). To find out more, go to the ADANA website or to the Camino Project’s site.

HOME RENOVATIONS COST €250.000

(Press Release) Under the renovation of homes programme (Rehabilitación de Viviendas) approval of the latest batch of works in Jimena, San Pablo and Tesorillo, will cost up to €150.000 under a grant from the Empresa Pública de Suelo de Andalucía (EPSA), that brings the total for such work up to €250.000 so far this year. The grants cover 50% of renovation costs with the remainder to be paid by the applicant, mostly families that couldn’t otherwise afford improvements to their homes. The grants also excuse payment of building permits and teaxes derived from them. Mayor Pascual Collado said “With the present crisis in the construction business, this is good news. It will also give the families a breather.”

NEW VALDERRAMA GOLF COURSE FOR CASTELLAR

(Press Release) The Mayor of Castellar, Francisco Vaca, recently presented to the Junta’s Provincial Delegation for Housing and Territorial Planning the final documents needed to get the green light for building a second Valderrama golf course in the municipality. The photo shows Valderrama founder Jaime Ortiz-Patiño and his son, Felipe, Managing Director of Valderrama Estates, handing the documentation to Mayor Vaca.

A-405 CYCLE PATH TO BE EXTENDED TO JIMENA

(Press Release) The cycle path recently built on the A-405 between La Almoraima and Estación de San Roque (photo) is to be extended, according to the Junta’s provincial delegate for Public Works, Pablo Lorenzo, who announced the measure, still at the planning stage, at a recent meeting with Pascual Collado, Mayor of Jimena, and Francisco Vaca, Mayor of Castellar. The pathway has been in demand for some years, principally by cyclist groups and drivers on this road.

SPANISH COURSES FOR IMMIGRANTS

(Press Release) Jimena Council’s Department of Equality and Welfare has opened registration for classes in Spanish and ‘interculturality’ that are planned for the rest of this autumn/winter season. The courses are aimed principally at immigrant workers from Rumania and Morocco needing to use the language in their daily activities. The courses are free and have been in place in Jimena for a number of years with great success. Classes are an hour and a half long, once a week in the morning. Registration is available at the Social Services offices in Jimena (opposite the Town Hall) and at the Reina Sofía Centre in Estación.

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HERBS & SPICES

An interesting 10-hour course (in Spanish) about the use of local aromatic and medicinal herbs is scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday. The place: Algatocín, starting at 10.30am. To see all the information and how to book a place

‘MUSHROOM DAYS’ AHEAD

The Jimena Mycological Society ´Chantarella’ has announced that the next workshops on local fungi is scheduled for November 28th to 30th. This will be the eleventh edition of what has become an event of national interest. People come from all over Spain and abroad to find mushrooms that are typical of Los Alcornocales Nature Park. See related post here.

JB CERAMICS

LONDON: GIBRALTAR WILL NOT BE A COLONY FOR LONG

(News agencies) Britain’s representative on the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization said yesterday that the Rock’s new Constitution ‘confirms the right to self-determination’, which should be ‘fostered and respected’. He added that the relationship between Britain and Gibraltar is not that of a colony, pointing out that the Rock ‘had matured politically’. Chief Minister Peter Caruana addressed the committee, and among other things accused the Committee of trying to integrate Gibraltar with Spain against the wishes of the Gibraltarian people. He added that the ‘new relationship’ arising from the Constitution ‘is not that of a colony’ and ‘Gibraltar will not be a colony for long’. His address was later supported fully by the UK’s Ambassador to the UN, Sir John Sawyers. For his part, Opposition Leader Joe Bossano addressed the Committee of 24 with controversial statements that have erupted into arguments among politicians in Gibraltar (See more at The Gibraltar Chronicle).

FAREWELL PARTY FOR JULIE & STEWART

Caroline at the Oba Bar & Bistro is offering a farewell party on Saturday for Julie and Stewart (left), who are off to Les Carroz, on the French/Swiss border in the Alps, to lead a new venture (Find out more about it on www.ski63.com). As Caroline says, “They’ve been good customers and are lovely people.” The party starts at 9.30, is open to all and will have musical entertainment by Three’s a Crowd (right). Farewell, Julie and Stewart, and good luck!