05.11.2004	Municipal tennis and paddle club opens to public in Benalmádena
Tennis fans on the Costa del Sol can now enjoy new municipal facilities following last week’s opening of the Club de Raqueta in Benalmádena. The club has been on the drawing board since 2000 when the Town Hall first put the contract for the project out to tender. Now Benalmádena can boast the most modern and complete public facilities for tennis and paddle on the Costa del Sol. The club was opened last Friday by Enrique Bolín, Mayor of Benalmádena, accompanied by several local councillors and staff from the municipal sports board. He described the new centre as “an example to follow for all the new sports facilities planned for Benalmádena”.
29.10.2004	An avant-garde town centre
Fuengirola’s Open Air Museum is one of the most outstanding features of its urban landscape. About half of the original murals have been dismantled PASSERS-BY can see a painting by Barbadillo as they use the pedestrian crossing at the Plaza de la Constitución in Fuengirola, or look over at an abstract work by Brikmann on a building opposite, or see the strange style of Escalona on another wall. This is - or was - an essential part of the urban landscape of this coastal town for many years, and as far as many of these beautiful murals are concerned, it is now no more than a memory in the minds of older residents of the town. Sadly, about half of the murals that once made Fuengirola different are now gone. This was - and still is - the Open Air Museum of Fuengirola, a concept dreamed up by the municipal authorities under Luis Pagán. The man to think up the idea initially was Francisco García Jiménez,” says Salvador Moreno Peralta, an architect closely associated with the project at the time. “García was in charge of Urban Planning in the Town Hall at the beginning of the eighties,” he adds.
10.06.2003	Fried Fish Day
Once again this year Torremolinos is celebrating its Día de Pescaíto or Fried Fish Day from 1 p.m. onwards on Thursday June 5th on the seafront in La Carihuela and Calle Delfines. Traditional fried fish and soft drinks will be served and entertainment will be provided by local dancers and musicians.
20.05.2003	The cactus garden
The Parque de la Paloma in Benalmádena opens a cactus garden with more than 400 species. One of the best collections of cactuses in Europe, situated on 6,000 square metres of land in the Parque de la Paloma in Arroyo de la Miel, opened to the public recently in Benalmádena. Plants, some more than 80 years old, arrived for the garden from all the warm corners of the world: the Canaries, Mexico, Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Peru and Arizona (USA) are some of the places they come from. Benalmádena Environment Department - in charge of the maintenance of the park - has been setting up this project for two years, searching for a suitable spot for each species and supervising the careful transfer of the plants to the park. Some come from botanical gardens and others from private owners who have, somewhat reluctantly, handed over their collections, explains the specialist. Address: Parque de la Paloma, in Arroyo de la Miel. Plants: The garden-museum has more than 400 species from all over the world. Areas of origin: In subtropical climates with high temperatures. Admission to the complex: Free of charge.
20.05.2003	Woodland park opened in Malaga with 200,000 trees
The Ciudad de Malaga Park, with an extension of 391 hectares and 206,000 trees, in the main indigenous to the area, opened on April 14th after an investment of 5.8 million euros. The new space, which starts at La Virreina and has its northern border at the western ring road, will protect the city from unchannelled streams. Pine trees, carob trees and wild olive trees are some of the species that, as well as 21 dams, will protect the city from the streams of the Guadalmedina basin. Thus the new park is not only a green lung for the city, but it will also control the Cuarto, Pescadores and Los Angeles streams, says the Southern Water Board.
13.05.2003	Warm welcome for the Pope in Madrid
Some 5,000 pilgrims from Malaga alone made the trip to Madrid last weekend in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Pope, whose health has noticeably improved over the last few months. The head of the Roman Catholic Church was greeted at Barajas Airport by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, who accompanied him as he was pushed along the runway on a kind of wheeled platform. The first words of Karol Wojtyla in this country called for peace and unity among the diversity of Spanish peoples and the King thanked him for his reiterated rejection of terrorism. After a journey through the citys streets, lined with thousands of people waving banners welcoming the Pope to Spain, it was time for a brief meeting with Prime Minister Aznar and family in the Nunciature, the Papal base for the weekend. The differences between the Spanish leader and the Pope over the issue of the war in Iraq were brushed under the carpet for the visit and John Paul II is repeated calls for peace were interpreted by the Government as attacks against the terrorism of ETA. Keeping his visit politically correct, the Pope had a meeting arranged with opposition leader Jos? Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Sunday.
01.05.2003	The archaeological wealth of the Nerja Cave
The Nerja Cave was discovered by chance on January 12th 1959 by a group of boys who had gone hunting for bats. A year later, after the historical importance of the site was realised, it was opened to the public. In 1961 it was declared an Artistic Historical Monument. A tour around the chambers opened to tourists, allows visitors to enjoy not only the natural beauty of the cave, with its incredible forms produced by calcium carbonate (stalactites, stalagmites, columns, etc.) but also the rich archaeological heritage made up of the objects and human remains found inside the cave.. The Sala del Vestíbulo (Entrance Hall) houses, in glass cases, Neolithic pottery, stone tools and polished tools, together with flooring from the early Neolithic period. This gives just a small idea of the early inhabitants of the cave. In the Sala del Belén another glass case houses a Palaeolithic skeleton. To these findings it is necessary to add the wide range of stalagmites and stalactites that hang from the rocky ceiling above or spring up from the ground below, immersing visitors into a dreamy world full of whimsical shapes, produced by the effects of erosion, water and the passing of time. One of the most outstanding rocky formations is the Cyrano de Bergerac, with its similarity to the fictitious poet and lover. Address: Ctra. de Maro s/n. Turn-off 4 Kms. from Nerja, 29787 Telephone: 952 52 95 20 Open: Monday to Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
01.05.2003	The highest ride on the Costa
The Benalmádena cable car continues to offer tourists a different and rather unusual perspective of the Costa del Sol. The ride to the top of Mount Calamorro provides an impressive view of the beaches of the western Malaga coastline and beautiful inland scenery. The trip takes 12 minutes and once at the top there is a range of activities such as walking and even paragliding. The tiniest of jolts and were off. The climb, smooth at all times, has begun. After all, the average speed of the Benalmádena cable car is four metres per second and the gentle movement of the cars sliding along the cable means that the landscape can be taken in without hurry. The view changes as the journey proceeds. The first stage is taken up by the attractions at Tivoli World in the middle of which stands the highest of the cable cars towers, which makes even the roller coaster look tiny. After the white construction sites on the Benalmádena hillsides above Tivoli have gone by the next thing that comes into view is the Malaga-Fuengirola motorway. This important artery of the Costa del Sol circuits the first rocky foothills of Mount Calamorro like a subtle black band. The climb up the mountain, with these imposing stone masses and the rock faces that get ever steeper, is the most impressive part of the journey, and what makes the trip worthwhile. The cable car travels quite close to the mountainside at some stages and when it is almost at the top the route steepens in such away that never fails to surprise passengers. In fact at times it almost seems as though the car is heading straight for the rock face. However, just as it approaches the rocky surface, the cable car smoothly starts an even steeper climb until it reaches the reception at the top. It is at this moment when passengers become aware of the tremendous height they have reached. Almost without realising it they have reached a point 769 metres above sea level. Looking down at the cable car gives the impression that it is unreal. The temperature is totally different at the top, and even the air seems to have changed. In the summer months a trip on the cable car is a pleasant way to escape the suffocating heat and hustle and bustle of the coast. And even more gratifying is the wide range of views that can be admired from the three look-out points at the top of Mount Calamorro. Undoubtedly the most spectacular views are from the South look-out point. Protected from the suns rays by an overhanging rock, visitors can take in an incredibly wide view of the Costa del Sol. Three municipalities, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola can be seen at the same time and a series of emblematic landmarks, such as the Torrequebrada Casino and Torremolinos congress centre, can be studied from a different angle. However the sparkling, intense blue of the Mediterranean is what impresses the eye the most. On days when visibility is good even North Africa and the Rock of Gibraltar can be seen, as well as the Sierra Nevada. Parques Reunidos, the company that runs the cable car, offers a wide range of activities as a perfect complement to the ride itself. A network of paths gives visitors the chance to explore on foot, by bicycle or even by donkey. Many people, of course perfectly prepared for the occasion, decide to go up by bicycle and then enjoy an adrenaline-packed ride down the rugged tracks. The most daring visitors can paraglide back down to civilisation, enhancing even further the beauty of the views. For the less energetic at the top of Calamorro there is a bar and an exhibition of souvenir photographs.
01.05.2003	International film centre
Malaga is wonderful place to go to the movies and see not only the latest releases but also small international films. Various film festivals take place in Malaga throughout the year which are gaining in popularity. Throughout the week of March 6th-13, Malaga was home to the 13th annual international suspense and terror film festival hosted by the University of Malaga in the Cine Alameda. Included in the festival were a number of classic films that included the late actor Lon Chaney or the man of a thousand faces in films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame,The Penalty, and the Phantom of the Opera. More than 40 films appeared with some of them dubbed and others in their original version. The festival also included a mix between the classic suspense and horror films of yesterday as well as feature films that have recently worked their way onto the screen. Such new releases included Dog Soldiers by English film director Neil Marshall who recently premiered his film in the science fiction film competitions in San Sebastián and Sitges. Other new features included Russian Ark by film director Alexander Sukurov and May by Lucky Mckee. For those that enjoy international and regional made films, Malaga houses a wide variety of local made films such as the new release Carlos Contra el Mundo which was filmed in Malaga. Many of the older movie theatres such as Astoria, Andalucía, Albéniz and Alameda have films in their original version and allow the chance to get to see great films that premiere months before. Make sure to present your ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you are a student for a discount or attend the midnight matinee to receive a discount. Malaga also rolls out the red carpet the last week of May for the annual Short Film Festival which keeps growing in the number of films it draws in every year. Last year 25 specially selected short films were chosen from four different countries to compete for five prizes, one for best photography worth over 30,000 euros. If you prefer the latest and the greatest on the big screen, Multicinema Larios in Eroski, La Rosaleda shopping centre, América Multicines, or the Plaza Mayor will provide a variety of choices. Whatever you do, stay tuned to local listings for a fine night of cinematic entertainment.
01.05.2003	The Witches come to Calahonda
Students from the Dream Academy recently put on a performance of Roald Dahls The Witches at the Bergpark Concert hall in Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Several members of the cast already had professional experience in modelling and acting, but many were complete novices, some as young as four years old. The above photograph captures a moment during the performance.
28.03.2003	New Torreblanca road layout completed
Torreblanca, the main route into Fuengirola from Benalmádena, has always been known for its traffic problems, due to the confusing different road levels which won the area the nickname of the “Scalextric”. Now however this complicated road layout has been replaced by a large roundabout, guaranteed to improve traffic flow in what is one of the busiest accesses to Fuengirola. The new layout has allowed for an extra 800 square metres of green zone and new gardens are currently being planted. There are also an extra 160 parking places and access to the seafront has been improved with ramps at the junction with Avenida Torreblanca. The scheme has cost 700,000 euros.
28.03.2003	The big names in Spanish prints at Benalmádena
Eduardo Chillida, Antonio Saura, Antoni Tapiés, Joan Brossa and Josep Guinovart are just some of the top-ranking print makers in the current show at the Exhibition Centre in Benalmádena, running until April 20th. These are contemporary artists, born in Spain and well known to a wide public as being among the greatest of the present-day painters and sculptors in this country. The link common to all of them is the fact that they have all worked in print making. The names are familiar to us, all 14 of them, and their work is on show here on the Costa del Sol in an exhibition titled “Print making: the fingerprint of the artist”. A total of 82 works are on show, all done in a variety of print techniques that range through a series of styles, from the visual poetry of Brossa to the different textures used by Chillida and the personal concept of geometry that belongs to Gerardo Rueda, the coloured world of Ferrán García and the Lorcian symbolism of Guinovar. They all show that print making is one of the major art forms of our time.
28.02.2003	London style black cabs
The Mayor of Benalmádena, Enrique Bolín, wants to see London style black cabs replacing the taxis in the municipality. Earlier this week local taxi drivers were invited to view the new model Austin which seats five passengers and has the advantage of a wheelchair ramp and a security screen. So far two taxi owners have agreed to buy one at a cost of 39,000 euros, subsidised by the Town Hall and the ONCE organisation.
28.02.2003	New riverside park for Las Lagunas
An area covering 350,000 square metres in the area known as La Finca el Marqués and La Ventilla in Las Lagunas is to be turned into a large park near the River Fuengirola. This will include bicycle lanes, footpaths, areas reserved for sports as well as gardens and wooded areas. Access to the park will be easy thanks to the widening of the Coín and Campanales roads. The Town Hall already has 110,000 square metres of the land in question and is in the process of signing an agreement to obtain the remaining 240,000 square metres in La Finca el Marqués. The new park will form part of a large green coastal strip covering a total of half a million square metres including El Esparragal and La Vega.
28.02.2003	The hidden delights of Mijas
The Pueblo boasts many interesting features that make for a charming day out You don’t need to wait until the weekend to be able to enjoy the delights of Mijas Pueblo. Any day of the week and any time of day will do to discover one of the most attractive parts of the municipality of Mijas, which in total covers 146 square kilometres. A stroll through the Muralla gardens is the perfect way to enjoy the relaxing and pleasing views. However before you reach these gardens you have to cross the Plaza de la Libertad, where you can enjoy a refreshing drink among the flower stalls, as well as buying anything from typical Andalusian arts and crafts to quality jewellery. If your visit coincides with meal time the food on offer is wide ranging and exquisite, making it difficult to decide where to go to ease those hunger pangs. In the corner of the square there is an uphill slope by the remains of a Moorish fort and the Bullfighting Museum. The old fort became a bell tower after the Moors were defeated. Botanical route On the way out of the museum you come across the Muralla gardens, where a mosaic message invites you to follow an interesting botanical route to discover as many as 52 different species that are clearly identified. On your way around don’t forget to put a coin in the telescopes in order to enjoy the magnificent views from the different viewpoints. To the south you can see the grandeur of the town of Fuengirola, while towards the north lies the splendid Sierra de Mijas. In the middle of this area stands the church of La Inmaculada, which was built when Manrique was bishop, in around 1540.. The tower was an original Mudejar construction and on one side you can find the municipal auditorium. You can drive to this spot however it is advisable to go on foot, as you will enjoy the way up much more.