BENALMADENA MONTHLY

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS
BENALMADENA
MONTHLY
DECEMBER 2014
ISSUE Nº 32
FOREIGN RESIDENTS’ DEPARTMENT: 952 579 979
[email protected]
NEWS
PAGE 3
NEW TOURIST SIGNS WILL SHOW THE WAY
NEWS
PAGE 4
NEW SEAFRONT PROMENADE
WHAT’S ON
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FIND OUT WHAT’S ON IN AND AROUND BENALMADENA
International Christmas
fair in Arroyo de la Miel
ARROYO DE LA MIEL is
putting the finishing touches to
this year’s edition of the
International Christmas Fair,
which is scheduled to be held
on Saturday December 13 from
11am until 8pm on Plaza de la
Mezquita.
Organised
by
the
Foreigners’ Department of
Benalmadena Council in an
effort to promote the
integration of all foreign
residents living in the
municipality, the fair gives
them the opportunity to share
with everyone the best of their
Christmas culture, traditions,
cuisine and folklore.
There will be an exhibition
showcasing the traditional
products
from
each
participating country, bouncy
castles, entertainment for
children, face painting, games
and countless cultural activities,
including a performance by
Celtic Dancer, Banana Studios
and Danzamania, as well as
traditional Mexican and
Philippine dances and a
STAR GUEST: Santa Claus paid a visit to the council.
surprise visit by Santa Claus.
The not-to-be-missed event
was presented at a press
conference by Mayor Paloma
Garcia Galvez, Councillor
Adolfo
Fernandez
and
representatives
of
the
participating countries.
Mayor Garcia Galvez said
she was honoured to present the
third edition of the International
Christmas Fair and added that
35 per cent of Benalmadena
residents come from as many as
125 different countries.
“I want to express my
heartfelt thanks to the
foreigners participating in the
event for their involvement and
co-operation,” she said, and
encouraged both residents and
tourists to visit the fair and
enjoy the culture, folklore and
some of the most deeply-rooted
Christmas traditions from
around the world.
Some of the participating
countries include Spain,
France, Finland, Norway,
Russia,
the
Philippines,
Argentina, Uruguay, the US,
China, the UK, Ireland and
Mexico.
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
DECEMBER 2014
Benalmadena visits World
Travel Market in London
REPRESENTATIVES from
Benalmadena attended the
World Travel Market (WTM)
in London last month to
promote tourism.
They travelled to London
with the Costa del Sol Tourist
Board to showcase local
tourist attractions.
Mayor Paloma Garcia
Galvez explained that more
than 40 per cent of
international visitors to the
area each year are British and
that today’s tourist looks for
more than just sun and sand.
“Benalmadena
is
an
excellent destination with a
lot to offer,” the mayor
remarked. She explained that
tourists can rest and enjoy sun
and the beach as well as
Southern Europe’s best offer
for youth entertainment,
culture, sports and nature.
Garcia Galvez said that
promoting the area at the
WTM
was
particularly
important as the British
market spends €2 billion per
year in Malaga.
Running for
a worthy
cause
TOURIST TRAIL: Mayor Galvez and Councillor Fernandez.
Tourism Councillor Adolfo
Fernandez added that the
number of Britons who visit
the local tourism office
increased 14 per cent this
year.
Choral Society moves to
bigger premises
BENALMADENA Choral Society has
moved its rehearsal premises to Calle Cauce
in Arroyo de la Miel.
They have also launched a recruitment
campaign to find new voices, as announced
by Culture Councillor, Yolanda Peña. “At the
council, we have worked hard to satisfy the
demands made by this collective who wished
to change the place of rehearsal so that many
other residents could take part in the
activity.”
According to representatives of the society,
previous experience or musical knowledge
are not necessary to participate in the group
and would welcome everyone interested to
attend to one of the rehearsals, which take
place on Mondays between 9 and 11pm and
on Wednesdays between 8.30 and 10.30pm.
PROCEEDS raised from
the fourth edition of the
Urban Race have been
handed in to the Casa
Ronald
McDonald
Foundation.
Head
of
the
foundation,
Vicente
Moros, received a check
for €1,500.
The race, organised by
the Arroyo de la Miel
Athletics Club, was held
in May with a high level
of participation.
The sports event was a
hit with more than 550
runners,
who
raced
through the main streets
of Arroyo de la Miel.
One hundred and fortytwo of them were
children from all corners
of Andalucia and four
runners
came
from
Galicia just to take part
in the race.
Runners were asked to
buy €3 athlete IDs, with
the proceeds going to the
Casa Ronald McDonald
Foundation. In total, 415
of them were sold and
together with donations
and the contribution of
the Arroyo de la Miel
Athletics Club, €1,500
was raised for this good
cause.
DECEMBER 2014
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
Public library launches online book service
THE public library in Arroyo
de la Miel has launched a
service called E-Biblio,
designed to access online
books through the internet.
The network will allow
registered users to take a look
at the manual and borrow
books in digital form, which
will be readable on several
devices including tablets,
smart phones, computers and
e-book readers. It will be
accessible to anybody who
possesses a library card from
the
Andalucian
Public
Libraries Network.
Head
of
Culture
Department, Yolanda Peña,
presented the service and
emphasised that, in its early
stages, E-Biblio will offer
1,500 titles of all genres such
as narrative, poetry, theatre,
science-fiction, both for adults
and
young
readers,
technologies,
sports,
travelling, as well as audio
books, amongst many others
“Everyone will be able to
borrow a maximum of two
books each time, and also
reserve two,” said Peña and
added that once downloaded,
an internet connection will not
be necessary to read the book.
Register on
the Padron
The National Office of
Statistics has informed the
town hall of Benalmadena
that 5.000 foreigners may
be removed from the
‘Padrón’ as no modifications have been made by
them for some years.
Those inhabitants should
confirm their registration
(Padrón) in Benalmadena,
or they will be removed
from the official list of
inhabitants and will not be
able to receive any of the
benefits
offered,
for
example: reduction on
rates (IBI), etc…
You should go to the
Padrón Department in
Benalmadena Town Hall
or Casa de la Cultura in
Arroyo de la Miel between
9.30am and 1.30pm with
the following documents:
For EU citizens: valid
passport and a copy, NIE
and a copy. For non-EU
citizens: valid passport and
a copy, residency card.
If you wish to vote in
European or local elections
apart from that you should
fill in a special form before
December 30 which entitles
you to vote in Spain.
For information please
contact 952 579 804 / 952
579 805, e-mail estadistica
@benalmadena.com.
POINTING THE WAY: Tourists will find it easier to find local places of interest.
Hotels, leisure centres and
golf courses easier to find
TOURISTIC places will be easier to find with the
installation of new informative signage.
Paid for by Benalmadena Council and with a
budget of €100,000, the project has included the
installation of 74 new signs showing main hotels,
leisure centres and golf courses around the town.
The initiative has been carried out by
Consorcio Cualifica and local company Innoben,
together with the Tourism Department. The
works have been carried out during a period of
three months, particularly along the coast, where
the majority of establishments are located.
The aim was to make the signs more easily
recognisable. Old signs have been removed,
especially those which were damaged or out-ofdate.
Mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez has shown her
satisfaction over the new signs. “Tourists will
now find it easier to locate the many points of
interests in our town,” said the mayor.
She added that the initiative had been very well
received by local business-owners, who were
aware of the need for upgrading existing
informative signage.
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
DECEMBER 2014
First stone is laid on new
seafront promenade
Benalmadena
from the past
to the present
MAYOR
Paloma
Garcia Galvez and
President of Malaga
Regional
Council
Elias Bendodo were
present last month as
the first stone of
Torrequebrada’s new
seafront was laid.
The
new
promenade
will
become part of the
Senda Litoral 180kilometre coastal path
project which will
allow pedestrians to
walk all the way from
Nerja to Manilva.
The new seafront
has a budget of
€500,000 and is due
to take six months for
the entire eightkilometre stretch.
Along
with
improvements aimed
to
blend
the
promenade
with
nature and improve
safety, a lookout point
will be built.
Once
the
Torrequebrada stretch
is complete work is
expected to continue
on the four kilometres
between the area and
Fuengirola.
THE town’s exhibition hall is
hosting an exhibition of
Benalmadena Past and Present.
Launched by the Culture
Department, it will feature more
than 100 pictures which seek to
show the urban, demographic,
economical
and
social
development of the town during
the past 60 years.
It will be a journey in pictures
kept for many years by families
and the local library’s picture
archive.
The exhibition will be open
until December 21 and
highlights the huge changes
undergone by the town: turning
from a barely known place to
one of the main tourist
destinations on the Costa del
Sol.
“Fifty
years
ago
Benalmadena was an isolated
town at the bottom of a
mountain. A town with half a
dozen streets located around a
natural spring and the coast of
Benalmadena was practically
non-existent. It consisted of a
hotel and a few houses around
the N-340 road,” the mayor of
Benalmadena said.
She added that in less than
50 years the landscape had
undergone
a
profound
transformation, which was
depicted in the exhibition.
FIRST STONE LAID: New sea front to be ready in six months.
Flag of Peace is raised in Paloma Park
BENALMADENA Mayor Paloma
Garcia Galvez was present last month
for the raising ceremony of the Flag of
Peace at Arroyo de la Miel’s Parque de
la Paloma. The event was organised by
Juntos por la Paz en Benalmadena
(Together for Peace in Benalmadena)
association. It involved the involvement
of citizens, and the council’s culture,
parks and gardens and operative
services departments.
It represented the culmination of
activities carried out during the year to
encourage peace, tolerance and respect
amongst all citizens.
More than 100 people watched the
ceremony, also attended by students
from Miguel Hernandez school and the
municipal band, among others.
The mayor, who was accompanied by
other members of the council,
congratulated the association for doing
such a great job promoting peace in the
community.
DECEMBER 2014
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
GALA DINNER: The Award Ceremony was presided over by Mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez.
Torrequebrada hotel hosts the
national drinks championship
BENALMADENA
Mayor
Paloma
Garcia
Galvez
presided over the gala dinner
and award ceremony to end the
61st
National
Cocktail
Congress. The event was
organised by the Malaga-Costa
del Sol Spanish Association of
Barmen
(ABE)
and
Benalmadena
Tourism
Department in collaboration
with the Federation of Spanish
Associations of Barmen
(FABE).
More than 350 people
attended the gala dinner at
Hotel THB Torrequebrada,
where the congress was held.
Cesar de la Vega, from the
Sevilla Association of Barmen,
won the main cocktail category
Clinica Montebello invites public to
explore its specialist services
CLINICA Montebillo in Benalmadena held an
open house day aimed at displaying its main
services to the public.
The programme, launched under the title
“Be a Montebello patient for a day,” included
physical tests, guided visits through the
specialist facilities, audiovisual presentations
and entertaining activities.
The clinic has been operational for over four
decades in the town and it is the only
institution for rehabilitation and physiotherapy used outside Denmark by the Danish
Government.
The head of the Health Department of
Benalmadena
Council,
Inmaculada
Hernandez, marked the open day by
congratulating the staff and representatives of
the institution on the effort they had made
over 40 years to improve patients’ quality of
life.
“This emblematic centre gives service to
more than 1,300 Danish citizens every year.
“People who are looking for a special place
with a comforting climate to be able to go
through the rehabilitation process in better
conditions.
“Benalmadena combines all these features,”
said Hernandez and added that the clinic has
become a point of reference regarding best
practice for the international health sector.
while Farid Bencharki, from
Gran Canaria Association of
Barmen, won the young
barman category.
World Flair (acrobatic
cocktail making) Champion
Leonardo Galvez from the
Valencia Association of
Barmen took the national
championship
in
the
category and the MalagaCosta del Sol Association of
Barmen won the team
competition.
Sergio Valls from the
Valencia Association of
Barmen won the national
beer pulling championship
and the Monin Spain Cup,
while
Luis
Miguel
Aragoneses
from
the
Castilla-Leon Association of
Barmen won the National
Gin and Tonic competition.
The mayor congratulated
the organisers and expressed
her hope that future editions
of the important competition
return to Benalmadena.
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
DECEMBER 2014
CHARITY CONCERT: The proceeds were donated to the Cudeca Foundation and the Association Una Luz Para Ezequiel.
Bebo Valdes tribute concert
funds presented to charities
MAYOR of Benalmadena,
Paloma
Garcia
Galvez,
conducted an event to hand in
the money raised at Chucho
Valdes’s concert, held in
remembrance of his father
Bebo Valdes.
The proceeds were given to
the Cudeca Foundation and the
Association Una Luz Para
Ezequiel.
The concert was held on
October 17 by the Cuban artist
who, surrounded by friends,
honoured the memory of his
father in Tivoli World.
Garcia handed the €3,348
raised to the representatives of
each association.
“It is an honour for me to
deliver this cheque which
represents the solidarity and
generosity of Chucho Valdes
and his team. We want to thank
them for turning this beautiful
tribute to Bebo into an act that
will help many people with the
cooperation of these two charity
associations,” said Mayor of the
town.
She emphasized the deep
appreciation that the town still
holds for one of its most
popular residents, Bebo Valdes,
who lived in Benalmadena
during the last years of his life.
From December: free rides for local
people on Benalmadena cable car
STARTING on Saturday November
29 all Benalmadena residents
registered on the padrón (the register
of inhabitants) will get to ride the
cable car for free.
Locals will only need to present
their DNI, passport, or driver’s licence
where it is expressly stated that they
live in the municipality, or their
padrón registration certificate, at the
ticket window to ride the cable car for
free on the last Saturday of every
month, except in January and
February when the cable car is closed.
The free trips are thanks to an
agreement signed between Mayor
Paloma Garcia Galvez, cable car
manager Maria Jose Marañon,
Innoben managing director Rafael
Obrero and manager of the municipal
company Eva Fortes.
Mayor Galvez said she was pleased
with the one-year extendable
agreement and encouraged all
Benalmadena residents to visit Monte
Calamorro and enjoy the amazing
views of the municipality.
DECEMBER 2014
WHAT’S ON
MONDAY 1st:
Benalmadena from past to present
exhibition runs until December 21 at
the Centro de Exposiciones. Open
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 2pm and
5pm to 7.30pm. Sundays and holidays:
11am to 1.30pm. Closed Mondays.
Free entry.
TUESDAY 2nd:
Read On! Reading club in English
coordinated by Elise Freedman at
Arroyo de la Miel public library at
7pm. The Valley of Amazement by
Amy Tan will be discussed. Free entry,
limited places available.
WEDNESDAY 3rd:
Library Afternoons children’s
literary activity at Benalmadena
Pueblo public library at 6.15pm. Music
Invades the Library, with the
collaboration of Susana Carrillo Lara,
Sandro and Elsa’s mum.
THURSDAY 4th:
Mexican Nativity Scene exhibition at
the Museo De Arte Precolombino
Felipe Orlando opens at 6pm, with a
celebration of Mexican Las Posadas, a
traditional nine-day celebration
marking Mary and Joseph’s journey
from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Carols
by a choir from Silvestre Gonzalez
Centre for the Elderly.
FRIDAY 5th:
European Carol concert by Tims
Choir at Bil-Bil castle starting at 7pm
organised by The International Music
Society and presided by Gilly Bareford
with Sylvia Griffiths as musical
director. Free entry, limited places.
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BENALMADENA MONTHLY
Library Afternoons children’s
literary activity at Benalmadena
Pueblo public library at 6.15pm. Music
Invades the Library, with David
Piedrabuena Conejo.
Friends of Poetry poetry forum
coordinated by Carmina Martinez at
Arroyo de la Miel public library at
7pm. Free entry, limited places.
TUESDAY 9th:
Zenobia Camprubi Spanish reading
club coordinated by Olga Lopez de
Lerma at Arroyo de la Miel public
library at 7pm. La Bailarina y el ingles
by Emilio Calderon will be discussed.
Limited places, booking required.
WEDNESDAY 10th:
Library Afternoons children’s
literary activity at Benalmadena
Pueblo library at 6.15pm. Music
Invades the Library, with Maria Lorena
Gomez Muñoz.
THURSDAY 11th:
Cultural workshop: Historic Stories,
Legends and Myths of Spain at
Centro Innova at 4.30pm. Spanish
language with support in English,
French and German. Coordinated by
Carmina Martinez with Cristina Moran
and Dorotea Fulde.
2nd Italian-Spanish Exhibition
running until December 29 at Bil-Bil
castle. Livorno and Benalmadena, two
beautiful cities united by art.
FRIDAY 12th:
Platero Y Yo tribute at Arroyo de la
Miel public library at 7pm. Reading
IN
DECEMBER
of work by the Nobel winner for the
100th birthday of Platero y Yo.
22nd Christmas song contest in the
Plaza de la Mezquita at 8.30pm.
Organised by Peña Rociera de Arroyo
de la Miel. Free entry, limited places.
DECEMBER 13th:
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS
FAIR. Plaza de la Mezquita in Arroyo
de la Miel from 11am until 8pm.
Stands offering Christmas products,
Santa Claus, live music etc.
MONDAY 15th:
Andalucian reading day. Literary
activity for adults at Benalmadena
Public library. Continuous reading of
Platero Y Yo by Juan Ramon Jimenez.
TUESDAY 16th:
Morning reading club at
Benalmadena Pueblo public library at
11am. El Tercer Hombre by Graham
Greene will be discussed.
*Concha Mendez* reading club at
Benalmadena Pueblo public library at
6pm. Vidas Prometidas by Guillerno
Busutil will be discussed.
Cercle de Lecture French language
reading club coordinated by Prisca
Vanier at Benalmadena Pueblo library
at 7pm. Sin Medias Tintas by Diego
Sanchez de la Cruz presented by
Carmen Cruces. Free entry.
WEDNESDAY 17th:
Meet The Classics reading club
coordinated by Jesus Majada at
Arroyo de la Miel public library at
7pm. El Alcalde de Zalamea by Pedro
Calderon de la Barca. Free entry.
Christmas prize award ceremony at
ACEB hall. 5.30pm – Christmas story
category. 8pm. Sweets and Nativity
scenes category.
THURSDAY 18th:
Minna Canth Finnish reading club
coordinated by Markku Vento at
Arroyo de la Miel public library at
7pm. Free entry, limited places.
Christmas prize award ceremony at the
Casa de la Cultura.
SATURDAY 20th:
Children’s workshop Pequeños
Urbanitos by La Termica at the
Centro de Exposiciones from 10.30am
to 1pm. Workshops for children aged
five – 12. Limited places, tickets €5
from Centro de Exposiciones,
Benalmadena Costa,
[email protected] or
www.latermicamalaga.com
Singing by the Crib Choral Activity
at Inmaculada Concepcion parish
church at 8.30pm. Organised by
Benalmadena City Choir with
participation from Marbella City Choir.
Christmas song contest in the Plaza
de la Mezquita at 7.30pm, organised
by Peña Los Bataneros. Free entry,
limited places.
MON 29th and TUES 30th:
Children’s literary workshop.
Walking with Platero: a literary
journey through Platero’s world.
Arroyo de la Miel public library from
11am to 1pm.
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