THE mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, met with almost 100 Finnish residents of Benalmadena.

The aim of the meeting was to resolve their doubts, know their demands and attend to their suggestions, such as road works and street signs.

The meetings was held at the Innova Park in Arroyo de la Miel and focused on two matters: the benefits for foreign residents of registering on the local ‘padron’ (census) and plans to extend Benalmadena marina, a project which is expected to generate wealth and wellbeing for the town.

The mayor was accompanied by Foreign Residents’ Councillor, Adolfo Fernandez, and Youth Councillor, Rafael Otero. They thanked the attendees for the interest they showed in local matters and for their collaboration in improving the town.

The mayor and councillors also expressed their firm commitment to helping

foreign residents in the town to integrate in municipal, social and cultural matters.

Thirty per cent of Benalmadena residents are foreigners.

To help them integrate, the Foreign Residents’ Department holds meetings with associations to get to know their needs.

Fernandez explained that language exchanges are held at the Casa de la Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel to help

foreigners learn Spanish, and that they are invited to take part in local celebrations as well as organise their own.

This publication, the Benalmadena Monthly is another aid to the integration of foreigners as it offers information on how the town is managed and the matters which interest them, in English, a language spoken by the majority of foreign residents even if it is not their mother tongue.

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS

BENALMADENAMONTHLY

Mayor meets with Finnish residentsThe mayor thanked foreign residents for their interest in local matters and committed to helping them integrate in the town

The meeting was held at the Innova Park, Arroyo de la Miel.

WHAT’S ON PAge 7What to see and do in Benalmadena

NeWS PAge 3dog on parade for charity

INFORMATION PAge 6Book cluBs in Benalmadena

MARcH 2013

WWW.beNAlMAdeNA.cOM/exTRANjeROS/eNglISH.PHP

ISSue NO. 15

FOReIgN ReSIdeNTS’ dePARMeNT: 952 579 979

Local upkeep THE council is carrying out work on Avenida de la Estacion, Arroyo de la Miel and Avenida de las Palmeras in Benalmadena Costa.

Art eventTHE town hall is backing the Art Meeting Point at the Hydros local Hotel Boutique Spa & Wellness.

Women’s DayEVENTS will be held on March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day.

Guided tourUNTIL March 15, there will be free guided tours of Cesar Lucas’s exhibition ‘El Oficio de Mirar’ at the local exhibition centre.

Tourism fairA TOURISM fair was held at Arroyo de la Miel High School to promote tourism from the air, water, and mountains.

New logoTHE mayor presented the new logo of the local Sports Board, which is celebrating 30 years in existence.

2 March 2013BENALMADENA MONTHLY

A NEW boulevard with gardens has been inaugurated above the train tracks in Arroyo de la Miel.

The mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, opened the new Antonio Andrade Boulevard, which has 4,500m2 of leisure areas for local residents and has cost €1.5 million.

This has made a huge improvement to an area which was formerly wasteland above the tracks which are covered by a tunnel.

There is a children’s play park and another promenade

with benches, pergolas, water features, gardens and an

exercise area for adults. The mayor was accompanied by the manager of the Costa del Sol Tourism Board, Arturo Bernal, the councillor for Roads and Works, Concepcion Cifrian, and other members of the local council. Also present was Marta Tozzi, the

widow of Antonio Andrade, who before his death strived to make Benalmadena a quality tourist destination, and other members of his family.

It is hoped that the new boulevard will improve business in this area of Arroyo de la Miel.

THE council has started work to restore the Finale Ligure Aqueduct in Arroyo de la Miel.

Councillor for Roads and Work, Concepcion Cifrian, said that she was pleased work had started because it would embellish one of the main elements of the town’s history.

The aqueduct, between Avenida Ciudad de Melilla and Calle Andalucia is one of the oldest elements in Benalmadena, a town which was founded in the 18th century when the paper factory was opened by Felix Solecio.

The aqueduct carried water to the fulling mill where the paper to make packs of cards was produced.

The aqueduct has fallen into disrepair in past years, but now, €18,000 will be spent on cleaning and repairing the stone, removing weeds and generally improving the appearance of the monument.

18th century aqueduct undergoes restoration

It is hoped that the improvements to the area will encourage people to shop locally

The boulevard has an attractive leisure area where locals can relax and enjoy the views.

Benalmadena taxi drivers will be in uniformTAXI drivers in Benalmadena will now have to dress in uniform at work.

This is the aim of new laws applying to local taxis, which specify they should wear long trousers, closed shoes and a shirt or polo-shirt. They will no longer be allowed to wear flip-flops, sports attire, shorts or t-shirts with advertising.

The council says it is something they have been requesting from the drivers and their association for some time. The aim is to improve their image, as they are the first people some tourists come into contact with upon their arrival in the town.

Their vehicles will also be required to have meters so passengers are aware of how much a journey will cost. Until now, the cost was set by common fees.

Boulevard gives new life to Arroyo de la Miel

Pigeons heading this wayAN International Messenger Pigeon event will be held in Arroyo de la Miel in June. It is expected to attract the owners of more than 750 pigeons from different countries.

Work has already begun.

COUNCILLOR for Social Welfare, Francisco Salido, thanked local residents for their involvement in campaigns to collect food.

Campaigns are carried out twice every month

at local businesses which allow the Social Welfare department some space and trolleys so that locals can fill them with food to help people in need in the town.

“From the Social Welfare Delegation, we want to publicly give all our thanks to local businesses and volunteers who have taken part in the food collection campaigns,” the councillor said, “without them, we couldn’t carry out these charity projects.”

He also thanked the elderly people who use the Anica Torres Day Centre in Arroyo de la Miel for their collaboration with the cause, as they always help to collect, store and hand out the food and other goods which are donated by local residents.

BENALMADENA MONTHLY 3March 2013

Lit up and a lot safer for driversLIGHTING has been restored at the access to the A-7 motorway where equipment had been stolen recently.

Better responseJOINT activities were carried out by the National Police and the fire department to improve response in emergencies.

Local exhibitUNTIL March 8, an exhibition of the work of Eugenia Esteban will be held at the Bil-Bil Castle.

Quijote seenA PERFORMANCE of Don Quijote was held at the local Casa de la Cultura by actors from Sevilla Prison Psychiatric Centre.

On trackWORK to improve the athletics track at Arroyo de la Miel Sport Centre has been completed with a €6,000 investment.

Against cancerTHE council held World Day Against Cancer events including an exhibition at Xanit Hospital by the Spanish Association Against Cancer.

CommitmentTHE council has asked the socialist and left wing parties to commit to plans to expand the local port.

IN bRIeF

MORE than 500 people took their pets to the Second Charity Party for Dogs in Benalmadena which was organised by charity APROBE.

The event, which included a dog show with training exhibitions, raffles, activities for children, stands and musical performances, was held in Plaza de la Mezquita in Arroyo de la Miel. Almost 100 dogs of all ages took part in the competition.

The event was sponsored by the Leon and Huse Veterinary Clinic, and there was a bar, as well as a stand with items from APROBE charity shop.

The mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, attended the event, accompanied by the councillor for the environment, Inmaculada Hernandez, and other members of the local council.

The mayor thanked APROBE for their work, as

well as the local police for making a charity calendar for the association, and Carlos, a 13-year-old boy who went to

the shelter to adopt a puppy and eventually took home a four-year-old dog that had few chances of being adopted.

100 dogs on show at charity event

Mayor Paloma Garcia with one of the pups.

Locals pull together to help provide food for the needy

Sport and EnglishBENALMADENA Basketball Club will benefit from the fact that two of their trainers are English teachers.

While training, the pupils will also learn English, something which the Sports Councillor, Juan Olea, has praised.

One of the three days of training will be in English.

BENALMADENA MONTHLY4 March 2013

Beaches ready for Easter breakPREPARATIONS for Easter have begun on the seafront promenade and local beaches.

Roads improvedFRESH white lines have been painted between lanes on Avenida del Cosmos to make traffic circulation safer.

FundraiserA CHARITY event was held at the marina gathering some 250 bikers to raise funds for local girl Idaira Osuna, who has spinal muscular atrophy.

Mountain raceTHE fifth Calamorro Mountain race, covered 14 kilometres and attracted people of all ages.

Charity calendarTHE monitor of the Association for the Mentally Ill on the Costa del Sol (AFESOL) gave charity calendars to the local mayor

Jazz cycleTHE Jazz Cycle was held in Arroyo de la Miel with the Javier Denis Quartet amongst many others.

Peace DayTHE mayor spent Peace Day with more than 50 local schoolchildren who released white balloons and doves.

IN bRIeF

THE mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, took part in the ‘Smile at Life’ blood donation campaign.

“Every day hospitals in Malaga need blood to save lives and we all have the moral responsibility of attending to that demand,” she said.

The campaign was promoted by the Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion in collaboration with the local town hall.

“Our town has always given an excellent response to this campaign, but we need many more donors so that hospitals can continue to work and keep patients who undergo complex surgery, transplants or need other treatment alive,” the mayor said. “I

encourage all local residents and visitors to take part in the campaign,” she added.

Just one donation can save three lives and represents

only 10 per cent of the blood we have in our body. Donors must be between 18 and 65, weigh more than 50 kilos and be in good health.

Much-needed blood donated by locals

THE mayor, Paloma Garcia, has signed an agreement which will guarantee the council can pay the wages of municipal employees and providers.

It will also reduce financial expenses by €300,000 per year.

The agreement has reduced the annual credit policy to €10 million, which is €6 million less on the short-term debts which the council has to pay every year.

The agreement was announced by the mayor and the Councillor for Economy and Taxes, Jose Miguel Muriel. The mayor said that this reflects how seriously the current team in office is taking the management of local finances. She also pointed out that this guarantees not only that staff and providers will be paid throughout the year but also the future growth of Benalmadena and the quality of services provided to local residents.

Huge savings obtained thanks to new agreement

The Mayor also gave blood during the campaign.

The deal will save millions in short term debt.

BENALMADENA MONTHLY 5March 2013

Arroyo Bowlers Club - 10 years and countingIT was in February 2003 that Terry Ellis, a UK national bowls umpire, together with his wife Margaret, a former bowls champion in England, stumbled upon an artificial football pitch in Arroyo de la Miel.

His passion for lawn bowling made him wonder if it would be possible to attract interest in bowling in Spain. He spoke to the manager of the football ground and asked permission to try bowling on the field.

Both Terry and Margaret felt that lawn green bowls could be successfully played on the

ground and encouraged by a few friends, with whom Terry had shared his ideas, he approached the local sports department and was introduced to the director of sport. The director agreed to rent a part of the ground on which to play, and so Arroyo Bowlers Benalmadena was formed.

Ten years on and the club is now firmly established with a healthy membership base, innovative ideas such as ‘tasters’ for non-bowlers and a hard-working committee ensuring the smooth running of the club.

Terry remembers the early days when there was no equipment and having to improvise, such as making score cards from cereal packets, using petanque boules for jacks and using old round bath mats as bowling mats.

The early members travelled many kilometres looking to buy woods and equipment, old scoreboards were repaired and members brought new numbers and mats out from England.

Terry is grateful for the support from the director of sport, pointing out the help and

encouragement that he has given as well as providing a small store for bowls and equipment.

February 2008 was a milestone for the club, when members celebrated its fifth anniversary on a perfect sunny day.

The hard work of setting up the club was over, the membership had risen to 60, which meant that it was full, the equipment was now in good order and things were running well.

It is now March 2013 and the club has celebrated its tenth anniversary, the members had a fun day with a competition, food and drink. They are all preparing to enjoy another 10 years of bowling in the sunshine of Spain. The Foreign Residents’ Councillor, Adolfo Fernandez, attended the tenth anniversary celebrations.

The club has several national champions and plays on Monday and Tuesday mornings and on Thursday afternoons at El Tomillar football field in Arroyo de la Miel.

The Bowlers celebrated their 10th anniversary this year.

B E N A L M A D E N A Monthly would like to welcome club and association members to the pages of this council publication.

Each month we will be featuring a local group and its members on this page. Inclusion is absolutely free and gives readers a chance to see the many activities available to them through membership of your club.

But remember we’re a monthly publication so we need your news as soon as possible!

Contact Joanna Drozdawska at the town hall’s Foreign Residents’ Department on 952 579 979 or email residents@benalmadena.com for more information.

CALLING ALL

CLUBS

EVENTS were held in Benalmadena which attracted local residents of all ages. They included a parade for the elderly, another for children, singing

and carnival mask competitions, drag queens, and to round it all off, the traditional burning of the lizard.

Carnival for all to enjoyThe main parade started from Tivoli. It was a fun and colourful event.

BENALMADENA MONTHLY6 March 2013

Personal information (name, surname, age…)

Terry McKinley, 50

What were you doing before you came to Spain?

I am originally from Belfast but I was living in Athlone, County Westmeath immediately before coming to Spain. I had a food wholesale and distribution business.

.Why have you chosen Benalmadena?

Really because of the house I bought and still live in.

How long have you been living in Benalmadena?

I have been in Benalmadena just over 12 years having originally lived in Los Alamos and then El Pinillo.

Do you feel at home here?Absolutely, I enjoy where

I live and proximity to amenities.

What do you like most about our culture?

I think the thing I enjoy most is the fact that Benalmadena is a very multicultural place and I think that the Spanish culture has a strong Celtic influence.

What do you miss most from your country?

Having been home recently, I found that I definitely don’t miss the weather!

My family and friends visit often so I don’t think that I miss too much.

Do you feel integrated?I do feel integrated, or, as

much as someone can in a new country.

How would you promote integration among foreign residents in Benalmadena?

I am vice president of the Irish Association of Spain and actively involved in trying to liaise with authorities to solve problems encountered by foreign residents in Benalmadena.

I also help organise and participate in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and foreign residents’ days in Benalmadena.

This month’s Spotlight on... Terry McKinley

FOR those who love reading, Arroyo de la Miel Public Library has some very interesting clubs. But, what exactly is a book club? Well, they are monthly appointments where a group of people meet to talk about a book, whether it be a novel or an essay.

They are meetings for friends which have two especially attractive ingre-dients, the first is that they promote reading. In this case, reading is shared, and everyone analyses the same charac-ters, scenarios and narrative styles. The second ingredient is that it is a meeting point to make friends with people who have similar tastes and interests.

The oldest book club at the library is ‘Read On!’, the English book club

which was launched in 2008. Since then, the club has analysed a wide variety of subjects and styles, from the novels of Mankell to the Millenium saga, and of course classics of universal literature such as Orwell and Steinbeck. The books are read in English and all conversation is also in English.

The titles are chosen by members and the talks are coordinated by monitor Eli-se Freedman, following in the footsteps of Amy Young.

The meeting are held the first Tuesday of every month.

For French-speaking people, there is the Cercle de Lecture which is organised by the Union des Français de l’Etranger (UFE) Costa del Sol. The Cercle de Lec-ture is a chat with literary recommenda-

tions. In each meeting one of the partici-pants analyses a work of literature with the aim of initiating a debate about it and to encourage others to read it.

Also in French is the Cercle de l’His-toire, which includes a series of talks on history in French with varied subjects in-cluding the First World War and Joan of Arc.

Finally, there is also a Finnish book club, the Minna Canth, which is coor-dinated by Kimmo Sahlman and aimed at the Finnish residents on the Costa del Sol.

Registration in the book clubs is free while places are available. People inte-rested in taking part or getting more in-formation can write to bibliotecainfan@benalmadena.com.

Foreign Book Clubs

Businesses informed THE town hall held a meeting with business owners from the Avenida de la Constitucion in Arroyo de la Miel to inform them about work being carried out in the area.

Work guidanceTHE local councillor for Equality, Ana Macias, attended a workshop on labour guidance and work motivation held at the Women’s Information Centre.

Model trainsTWO pupils from La Leala Primary School were the winners of the model train competition which was held in Benalmadena.

In historyTHE Women in History Conferences were held at the Casa de la Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel organised by the Al-Baytar High School

BENALMADENA MONTHLY 7March 2013

Friday 1Kristine Pedersen Art

Exhibition until March 15 – Casa de la Cultura

1pm-8pm St David’s Day celebrations, Plaza de la Mezquita, Arroyo de la Miel

7pm Friends of Poetry coordinated by Carmina Martinez, Arroyo de la Miel Library

Saturday 29pm Nuestro Padre Jesús

Cautivo Brotherhood Easter event, Santo Domingo Guzman Church.

Tuesday 511am Spanish Book Club, ‘La

Mano de Fatima’ by Ildefonso Falcones, Benalmadena Pueblo Library

6pm Spanish Book Club, ‘El Peso de las Sombras’ by Angeles Caso, Benalmadena Pueblo Library

7pm Read on! Fluent, English Book Club coordinated by Elise Freedman, Arroyo de la Miel Library

Wednesday 66.15pm Evenings in the

Library Children’s Activity ‘The Mysteries of Egypt’

Benalmadena Pueblo Library

Thursday 78pm Nuestro Padre Jesus

Nazareno Brotherhood Easter event, Benalmadena Town Hall

9pm Cinema THE GUARD, director John Michael McDonagh, Ireland 2011, 96 min. Casa de la Cultura

Friday 88.30pm Music, Alberto

Moreno, With Feeling. Entrance Free. Casa de la Cultura.

Dance, Antonio Canales (also Saturday 9) at Casino Torrequebrada. Tickets from El Corte Ingles, Ticketmaster, FNAC, Carrefour, Halcon Viajes, Codetickets and THB Torrequebrada Hotel

Monday 11Maria Teresa Rodriguez

Sunico Exhibition until March 30. Bil-Bil Castle

Wednesday 136.15pm Evenings in the

Library Children’s Activity ‘The Mysteries of Egypt’ Benalmadena Pueblo Library

Thursday 147pm Cercle de l’Histoire

(History Circle) in French, Les Acadiens, organised by UFE Costa del Sol, Arroyo de la Miel Library.

9pm Cinema THE TEACHER, director Tony Kaye, USA 2011, 100 min. Casa de la Cultura

Friday 15Lent Dishes Competition,

Benalmadena Pueblo Museum9pm Santisimo Cristo

Coronado de Espinas Brotherhood Easter event, Casa de la Cultura

Saturday 169pm Nuestro Padre Jesús

Nazareno Brotherhood Easter event, Santo Domingo de Guzman Church

Sunday 17 1pm St Patrick’s Day

celebrations. Mass at Iglesia del Carmen followed by parade to Parque de la Paloma and party until 6pm.

Monday 18Dorina Krstic Exhibition

until April 5. Casa de la Cultura

Tuesday 197pm Cercle de lecture

French Book Club, organised

by UFE Costa del Sol. Arroyo de la Miel Library.

Wednesday 206.15pm Evenings in the

Library Children’s Activity ‘The Mysteries of Egypt’ Benalmadena Pueblo Library

7pm Encounter with the Classics Spanish Book Club coordinated by Jesus Majada. Arroyo de la Miel Library.

Thursday 217pm Minna Canth Book

Club in Finnish coordinated by Kimmo Shalman. Arroyo de la Miel Library.

9pm Cinema EL ARTISTA Y EL MODELO (The Artist and the Model) director Fernando Trueba, Spain 2012, 104 min.

Friday 229pm Rendicion Brotherhood

Easter event. Casa de la Cultura.

Do you wish to receive cultural information?

Benalmadena Culture Delegation periodically sends out an e-mail with

information on activities to anyone who requests it. To

receive this service, you must fill out a form at the Casa de la Cultura, Plaza de Austria,

Arroyo de la MielTel: 952 44 46 89. E-mail:

cultura@benalmadena.com

March Agenda

Emergency numbersAll emergencies 112(This is a central call base for any emergency)Ambulance service 061Fire brigade 952 563 429Guardia Civil 062Local Police 092National Police 091902 102 112 - Reports in case of theft or robbery (English spoken)

General telephone numbersEndesa electricity company 900 248 248Hospital Carlos Haya, Malaga 952 390 400Hospital Clinico Unversitario, Malaga 952 649 400Hospital Materno Infantil, Malaga 952 300 400Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella 951 976 669/951 976 670GP appointments by phone to Salud Responde 902 505 060 or by

internet www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesaludAppointments for NIE applications at Torremolinos police station

952 378 437

Local telephone numbersForeigners’ Department, Town Hall 952 579 979Health Centre (Arroyo) 952 440 404/952 443 545Health Centre (Pueblo) 952 449 313Health Centre (Torrequebrada) 951 308 121Hospital Chare 951 976 070Hospital Xanit 952 443 119Local Police (Arroyo) 952 562 142Local Police (Pueblo) 952 579 853Sports Centre (Arroyo) 952 577 050Sports Centre (Pueblo) 952 568 085Taxis 952 441 545Tourist Office 952 442 494

Useful telephone numbers