news And information for foreign residents benalmadena monthly February 2014 www.benalmadena.com/extranjeros/english.php issue nº 24 Foreign residents department: 952 579 979 news page 3 register on THE PAdron. news page 4 A facelift for BonAnzA. what s on page 7 EvEnTS THiS MonTH in THE Town. Property tax value reduced for residents THE Ministry of Tax and Public Administration has responded to the request from Benalmadena Town Hall to revise the tax value of properties in the town. The revision will mean reductions of up to 15 per cent and responds to a request presented by the mayor, Paloma Garcia, when she took up the position. She announced that the measure will alleviate the pressure of taxes on catering establishments, shops and businesses in the town. She explained that it will also benefit all local residents carrying out property transactions, paying their taxes or requesting grants. She was accompanied by the local councillor for Economy and Taxes, Jose Miguel Muriel, at a press release at which she pointed out that property tax values were last revised more than a decade ago, coinciding with the property boom, during Mayor, Paloma Garcia with local councillor, Jose Miguel Muriel at the press release. which, she said, the values which were set were not realistic and they were unfair for local residents. The mayor said that she was very pleased that the Ministry had given the goahead to the proposal and that despite the fact that it will lead to a reduction in the amount paid locally in property taxes, this will not affect the service provided by the council.
2 BENALMADENA MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2014 The mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez signed an agreement to renew the collaboration. Ecological fair success THE ecological fair will continue to be held on the third Sunday of every month in the Pueblosol square in Arroyo de la Miel. The mayor, Paloma Garcia, signed an agreement to renew the collaboration with the Guadalhorce Ecological Association which organises the event. The fair has been very successful since it began in April 2013. The agreement was signed by the representative of the association, Bartolome Tour of Spain to leave from Benalmadena THE only stage of the Tour of Spain in Malaga Province this year will be in Benalmadena. The mayor, Paloma Garcia, attended the presentation of the 2014 vuelta ciclista a España in cadiz and said that the tour would be a great way of showcasing the town both nationally and internationally. Many people are expected to visit the town to witness the cyclists at the start of the race, while thousands more will see it on Tv or online. The tour has passed through Benalmadena several times Salleras, and the councillor for culture, Ana Macias. The event, the mayor said, attracts not only local residents but also people from throughout Malaga Province who have been able to find top quality ecological products. The councillor, meanwhile, said that ecological products have great nutritional value and this fair, with around 20 stalls, goes to show they are not something only within the reach of certain people. it also helps people to showcase their businesses. The mayor attended the presentation of the 2014 Tour of Spain. before, but this time it will be an exit point on August 28 for the 6th stage of the race which will end in Granada. The previous day, the tour will pass through ronda. Bil-Bil most popular wedding location MorE than 270 couples chose to get married at the Bil-Bil castle in Benalmadena in 2013. it has now become the most popular location for civil weddings in Malaga province. Most of the couples (113) were from Malaga city and 92 were from Benalmadena. others were from throughout the province and the rest of Spain. Most were Spanish, followed by nigerians, Moroccans and British, although there were also Argentinians, Poles, Bulgarians, romanians, Brazilians, russians, Swiss, Ukranians, Germans, Mexicans, Belgians and dutch. The local councillor for culture, Yolanda Peña, said how happy the council was that the unique setting had become so popular. Request for own National Police station BEnAlMAdEnA council has approved a motion to request that the construction of a national Police station for the town be included in the 2014 state budget. Benalmadena has almost 70,000 inhabitants and receives a large number of tourists and it is considered that a national Police station is needed to improve safety and efficiency.
FEBRUARY 2014 BENALMADENA MONTHLY 3
4 BENALMADENA MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2014 Works now completed in Federico Garcia Lorca BEnAlMAdEnA delegation of roads and works has completed repairs on Avenida federico Garcia lorca, in Arroyo de la Miel. The area which has been worked upon is between Avenida Gamonal and Avenida del Parque, and the work was carried out by previously unemployed local residents. damaged pavements have been replaced and pedestrian access to the Pueblo Quinta urbanization improved. The councillor for the department, concha cifrian, visited the work and said how pleased she was with the result, which responds to a request from local residents who had complained about the dangers the broken pavements posed to pedestrians. The pedestrian access from las naciones has also been improved. Broken pavements were repaired. Prizes given for eating tapas THE mayor, Paloma Garcia, attended the prize giving ceremony for the sixth Benalmadena Tapas route. The de Tapas por Benalmadena event was held in october to promote local gastronomy and encourage more activity for catering establishments in Benalmadena Pueblo. Some 30 people received gifts which were raffled amongst those who visited at least eight different establishments. More than 3,000 passports which were stamped for visitors at the premises they visited were handed out this edition and some 850 took part in the raffle. The mayor, accompanied by the councillor for commerce, Ana Macias, thanked everyone for taking part. Amongst the prizes were nights in hotels, visits to local theme parks and establishments, a spa circuit, a sailing course or a medical check-up at Xanit Hospital. The mayor, Paloma Garcia visits the district to see the improvements. Facelift for Bonanza twenty-six years on THE mayor of Benalmadena, Paloma Garcia, visited the Bonanza district of Arroyo de la Miel to see the result of work to repair and improve the area. work was carried out in response to demand from residents in the area which were discussed at a meeting with the mayor. She was accompanied by the president of the western costa del Sol community of Municipalities, Margarita del cid and the councillor for roads and works, concha cifrian. The mayor pointed out that the work had included the resurfacing and designing of the area and that it had been financed by the community of Municipalities. works hadn t been carried out in the Bonanza area since 1988 and the mayor thanked the community of Municipalities for the assistance in improving one of the town s most important areas and making it more attractive for both locals and visitors. Margarita del cid said she was satisfied with the work, which had cost some 50,000.
FEBRUARY 2014 BENALMADENA MONTHLY 5 Event pays homage to sport THE mayor, Paloma Garcia, attended the Benalmadena Grand Sports festival. This is a celebration organised by the town hall and the Municipal Sports Board to pay homage to more than 100 local sportspeople. it was attended by more than 1,000 people. The 27th edition of the Sports Gala was an occasion to award the town s best sportsmen and women for their performance in the 2012/2013 season in more than 30 sports which are The major, Paloma Garcia attended the event. played in Benalmadena. it is also a chance to highlight the work done by the local clubs and sports schools and encourage sports players to reach new levels. it was held at the Holiday world Hotel and extended to more than 26,500 people who practice sports in the town. The mayor, accompanied by the councillor for Sport, Juan olea, congratulated sportsmen and women and thanked them for their effort, which has made the town a point of reference for sport within Malaga province. The best sportswoman of the year was badminton player Marina Garvi and the best sportsman was paraglider francisco Javier reina. Danish students visit town A GroUP of danish students visited Benalmadena and was received by the councillors for Education and Tourism, Yolanda Peña and Adolfo fernandez, respectively, at the casa de la The 15 students were accompanied by two monitors and were interested to learn about folklore surrounding local festivities. Peña said they were pleased to receive them and said that she hoped they enjoyed everything that Benalmadena A group of Danish students visited Benalmadena. has to offer. fernandez explained that there are almost 123 different nationalities living in the town, and 30 per cent of the population is made up of foreigners. Sad passing of Terry Ellis it is with sadness that the President of Arroyo Bowlers Benalmadena reported the passing, on January 1, of Mr. Terry Ellis. Terry was the founder, together with his wife Margaret, of the Arroyo Bowlers Benalmadena. Terry founded the group in 2003 to promote lawn green bowls in Benalmadena, to be played in a relaxed and social manner with the emphasis on friendship and the aim of making bowls accessible to everyone regardless of age. He brought to the group his knowledge and skills as an England national Umpire and Examiner. As President he guided the group for nine years, stepping down in 2012. He leaves a successful group with a solid membership. He will be greatly missed and on behalf of all the members of his group they send their deepest sympathies to his wife and family. Cazorla Trip Three days (February 24-26), four-star hotel, full board day 1 - leave Benalmadena for Baeza to visit the town, have lunch, then visit Ubeda. following that, we will go to the hotel for dinner and board. day 2 - visit the gorgeous Sierra de cazorla, Spain s largest protected area and second largest in Europe. it is a UnESco Biosphere reserve with rich and varied fauna, especially the number of deer, mountain goats and wild boar. lunch at the hotel and free afternoon to visit the town of cazorla. day 3 - visit Europe s largest olive cooperative, lunch at the hotel and then return to Benalmadena. Price 125 (minimum 50 people), single supp. 32. includes: Sierra de cazorla 4* Hotel, full board All visits, accompanying guide. limited places. Reserve at residentes@ benalmadena.com.
6 BENALMADENA MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2014 Tourist train to Benalmadena THE Tourism councillor, Adolfo fernandez, presented the new service provided by the Monchotren tourist train. it leaves from the Hotel villasol and the Mcdonald s roundabout opposite the Bil-Bil castle and will travel along Avenida de las Palmeras, to Benalmadena Pueblo, stopping at the Buddhist Stupa for 45 minutes so tourists can enjoy the attractions there. it will the head to the Pueblo where passengers can visit the Precolombian museum, colomares castle or the local streets for an hour and a half, before it returns spotlight on nataly garcia from central Fm radio personal information (name, surname, age..) nataly Garcia, 47 what were you doing before you come to spain? working as a photographer and layout artist for a magazine in South Africa why have you chosen benalmadena? My parents fell in love with it and bought a holiday flat in the Pueblo which we used every summer. Having enjoyed the clubs, food, friendliness, fiestas and more, i decided to stay. how long have you been to the hotel area. This route will be carried out every four hours from 9.15am to 1.30pm and cost 11. He was accompanied at the presentation by the councillor for Social welfare, francisco Salido, and the company manager, ramon Martos. The service aims to promote tourism and an interest in culture and is hoped to encourage business in Benalmadena Pueblo. Salido and fernandez congratulated Martos for creating business in the town. He in turn thanked the council for its support. Some 200,000 has been invested in the project. living in benalmadena? i ve been living here for 22 years. do you feel at home here? Absolutely! Since i arrived in the 90s i always found the atmosphere fabulous and that people make you feel very welcome. what do you like most about our culture? The fiestas, the traditions, the tapas and the way people know how to have a good time! what do you miss most from your country? not much as i learned that a The council approved a reduction in domestic rubbish fees. Rubbish tax goes down 10% BEnAlMAdEnA council approved a reduction of domestic rubbish fees for 2014. fees will be reduced by a further 10 per cent, meaning that families will be paying 30 per cent less than in 2012. The mayor, Paloma Garcia, said that the aim is to make it easier for local residents to pay their taxes, as it was one of the lot of what i did there i can do here. i had made friends from around the world there and have done the same here. if a person s attitude is right, you can make your home anywhere. promises made to the town, following a price hike introduced by the former team in government. The councillor for Economy and Tax, Jose Muriel said he was surprised that two parties in the opposition voted against the measure as it benefits all local residents and was initially approved by all members of the council. do you feel integrated? completely. Both the local residents and foreigners living here make it so easy for someone to become integrated. Benalmadena has something for everyone and is an excellent choice for foreigners, young and old. how would you promote integration among foreign residents in benalmadena? By getting foreigners more involved in associations and events. notifying and explaining the traditions and fiestas that take place here as many don t understand them.
FEBRUARY 2014 BENALMADENA MONTHLY 7 AGENDA FEBRUARY SATURDAY 1 Exhibition of Post-war film frames. Until March 23. Benalmadena Exhibition centre. Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 2pm, 5pm -7.30pm. Sundays and holidays, 11am - 1.30pm. closed Monday. free entrance. MONDAY 3 iv winter Salon, Exhibition of painting and sculpture. Throughout february. Patio of the casa de la TUESDAY 4 read on! fluent Book club in English. 7pm. coordinated by Elise freedman. Arroyo de la Miel WEDNESDAY 5 Photo exhibition by Jean calomfirescu. Until february 24. Bil-Bil castle. FRIDAY 7 MUSic Jazz concert. casa de la carnival mark exhibition. Until february 27. casa de la Poetry friends, 7pm, coordinated by carmen Martinez. Arroyo SATURDAY 8 dance performance by the Aznar valverde company. 8.30pm. Tickets 8. casa de la TUESDAY 11 zenobia camprubi Book club. 7pm. coordinated by olga lopez de lerma. registration required. Arroyo de la Miel THURSDAY 13 cultural workshop: History, legends and myths of Spain, for Spanish and foreigners. 4pm, innova centre. Support in English, french and German. coordinated by carmina Martinez and three collaborators. History circle in french. 7pm. coordinated by Michel Gehin. organised by UfE costa del Sol. Arroyo de la Miel FRIDAY 14 The international Music Society (TiMS) choir concert for valentine s day, 7pm, entrance free, limited space, Bil-Bil castle. Presentation of the Benalmadena local collection and inauguration of the Benalmadena from the air photo exhibition. Until April 16, midday, Arroyo de la Miel conference in Spanish without local history there is only partial history (Benalmadena in the History of Spain) by Juan Jesus Bravo, 7pm, entrance free, limited space, Arroyo de la Miel TUESDAY 18 Book club in french. 7pm. coordinated by Michel Gehin. organised by UfE costa del Sol. Arroyo de la Miel FRIDAY 21 carmelo lazcano Piano recital, 8.30pm. free entrance, limited space, Bil-Bil castle. MUSic Jazz concert. casa de la MONDAY 24 children s Theatre performance, casa de la children s workshop, Music for History, 11am to 1pm, for children 8 to 12, registration required at the library, limited places, Arroyo de la Miel TUESDAY 25 children s cinema, casa de la Spanish Book club, Meetings with the classics, coordinated by Jesus Majada, 7pm, Arroyo children s workshop, Music for History, 11am to 1pm, for children 8 to 12, registration required at the library, limited places, Arroyo de la Miel WEDNESDAY 26 children s Theatre performance, casa de la children s workshop, Music for History, 11am to 1pm, for children 8 to 12, registration required at the library, limited places, Arroyo de la Miel THURSDAY 27 children s cinema, casa de la The museum puppets, puppet show at the felipe orlando Pre-colombian Museum, midday. Manolo robles painting exhibition until March 13, Bil- Bil castle. children s workshop, Music for History, 11am to 1pm, for children 8 to 12, registration required at the library, limited places, Arroyo de la Miel Minna canth finnish Book club. 7pm. coordinated by Kimmo Shalman. Arroyo de la Miel useful telephone numbers emergency numbers All emergencies 112 (This is a central call base for any emergency) Ambulance service 061 fire brigade 952 563 429 Guardia civil 062 local Police 092 national Police 091 902 102 112 - reports in case of theft or robbery (English spoken) general telephone numbers Endesa electricity company 900 248 248 Hospital carlos Haya, Malaga 952 390 400 Hospital clinico Unversitario, Malaga 952 649 400 Hospital Materno infantil, Malaga 952 300 400 Hospital costa del Sol, Marbella 951 976 669/951 976 670 GP appointments by phone to Salud responde 902 505 060 or by internet www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud Appointments for nie applications at Torremolinos police station 952 378 437 local telephone numbers foreigners department, Town Hall 952 579 979 Health centre (Arroyo) 952 440 404/952 443 545 Health centre (Pueblo) 952 449 313 Health centre (Torrequebrada) 951 308 121 Hospital chare 951 976 070 Hospital Xanit 952 443 119 local Police (Arroyo) 952 562 142 local Police (Pueblo) 952 579 853 Sports centre (Arroyo) 952 577 050 Sports centre (Pueblo) 952 568 085 Taxis 952 441 545 Tourist office 952 442 494
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