Christmas lights & 2009 cuts, Empty shops, No parties for firemen, and other snippets
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Sarah … a rather eyecatching fountain in the ‘Jardins Governor’
Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 26/11/2008
“More than 400,000 lights and “thousands of kilometers of hose” (presumably the tubes with lights?) illuminate the arteries of Funchal with allusive pointers to astronomy. Galaxies of several colours, constellations, swirling formations, trees of stars, without forgeting the usual lighting formations in the trees and around the river banks, are transforming Funchal into a different environment. On 28th November the remaining lights for Christmas and new year will be switched on.” Sorry I have no photos to show you yet, but I am hopeful someone will send me some soon.
Anyway, enjoy it while you can as next year’s budget will see a cut of 13%, affecting Christmas decorations and new year fireworks funding, but the marketing and promotions budget for Tourism & Transport has been boosted by €655,000. Other cuts in this budget for 2009 include the wine festival (less €45,000), the Columbus Festival (less €10,000), and support to sporting events (less €12,000). Altogether the budgeted spending for 2009 will amount to €26.2 million, compared to €29.6 million this year.
‘Counting the pennies for ‘the party’. ‘Save’ is the watchword for consumers, whilst shopkeepers complain about the crisis. The approach of the big party month looks to be a frugal one. Despite many people having already received their Xmas paychecks and bonuses, no one is splashing out so far. In downtown Funchal shops are empty and compared to normal, shops are reporting a drastic reduction in sales.
‘Hospital chiefs dimissed by telephone’. Six directors in the hospital have already been dismissed from their posts after receiving a telephone call, and have already left the hospital (presumably in Funchal?) heading for early retirement. Tension is vey high amongst staff as sweeping changes and reorganisations are made by the president of the administration, with plenty more surprises expected.
Due to lack of funding firemen were unable to celebrate their anniversary date as usual this year, and their Christmas dinner is also at risk for the same reason. Normally the birthday event is attended by dignatories and partners in the world of firefightng, but this year it was reduced to a simple ‘toast’ drink and some aperitifs of peanuts and pistacio nuts. Bosses say that stretching finances for a Christmas party for 135 people is not justifiable, and that the main spending priority is to improve working conditions for firemen.
Talk about the inevitable, but members of staff in the municipal council of Câmara de Lobos are under investigation by detectives in connection with public and private works. The story points to irregularitites in the awarding of contracts (aka corruption?).
This must have been one of the most depressing news days of the year, with everyone apparently suffering a cheap and lousy Xmas … and it is still 4 weeks away! A real humbug news day! However as I type this I am being cheered by a live performance of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by our local band, so that helps a lot.
Other news :
… jingle bells jingle bells jingle bells rock … The famous Michelin restaurant guide names ten nominations for Portugal to go in its edition for 2009. The only one on Madeira is ‘Il Gallo d’Oro’ with a one star rating (out of three). In fact one only one restaurant on the list made a two star rating. The evaluations are made by an anonymous team of ‘experts’ who make surprise visits to possible candidates. Can you believe there are only 10 listed restaurants in the whole of Portugal? My theory is that of all the possible candidates on Madeira, many probably were doing really well until the ‘assessor’ asked for after dinner coffee and got charged 3 times the normal price.
…rocking around the xmas tree… I have quickly been through the rest of the newspaper, but nothing stands out as a worth spending time on, so I am going to finish today’s blog early and go to take a look at the bookfair here that runs until 29th, with all sorts of fun events planned … let it snow, let it snow, let it snow …
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For anyone living on the west side this might be of interest. As well as a new swimming pool opening in Ribeira Brava in December, there is also a Gym (fitness room?) with a “Turkish Bath”, Jacuzzi, aesthetics or esthetics room, bar and restaurant. I was given a flyer yesterday with all the details, and it says that from the 12th to the end of December visitors can use the facilities free of charge, (although I doubt that includes the bar and restaurant). If you would like a scanned copy of the flyer with the location and details please email me.
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Anyone want free tickets for the Marítimo v Benefica football match (it’s on the 7th December I believe). There is an offer that takes place like this for all the Benfica and Porto visits (I am not sure about Sporting though), through Hiper Sã stores, but it is never advertised!
All you have to do is spend at least €25 in any Hiper Sã supermarket, and in your shopping include 2 Coral products of your choice (packs of beer). You can get your free ticket at the checkout or customer service desk. You can get more tickets by multiplying the requirements stated. Tickets are due to be delivered to the stores on Monday afternoon.
Aside from your valued blog responses (you can reply direct using the form at the bottom of each blog comments page), please send any unreported Madeira news, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!
If anyone is interested you can watch the UEFA Cup tie between Olympiacos v Benfica at 19:45 on Zon, channel 29 if you have the powerbox, if not you cannot see it. This is Zon's own transmission, it's debut in broadcasting.
1–Der
Free football tickets.
I find it astonishing that they have to give away free tickets for the arrival of two of the biggest teams not just in Portugal but in Europe. To watch Benfica simply buy some beer, fish, dog food and shampoo?
If they can’t fill the ground with paying spectators (even a small fee) for these games they may as well give up!
Der It’s so depressing everywhere. As Tobi mentioned yesterday Woolworths has gone into administration. It seems nowhere is safe from the current economic climate. Yes it is difficult for everybody but I think that the media is to blame to a certain extent. We hear so many bad news stories at the moment that we are all scared stiff to do anything positive. The media has drained the confidence from the very people who could turn the economy back around again.
I don’t think that a 13% reduction in next years festivities budget will make a huge difference however. You will still have about 350000 lights and a minutes less fireworks according to my quick calculations! Still very much worth it.
Can you lift us all out of this doom and gloom in tomorrows blog Der? But please, no more singing!
By the way the Michelin men have obviously not tasted my wife’s cooking. Tha’s a certain 3 stars!
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Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
–Carlos
2I'm not surprised that the Michelin people found it hard to discover worthy recipients of their stars in Portugal, and in Madeira in particular. I love this island, the weather (normally) and many of the people. However, one thing that would never attract me to come here is the cuisine. It's a sad fact, but generally quantity is preferred to quality. Some restaurants are trying to break the mould (no, not the green fury stuff!), but it is a challenge, and most still have a long way to go. Never mind, there are other compensations.. although football isn't really one of them either. The standard is pretty poor to be honest, so it isn't a great surprise that a First Division team has to give away tickets. Sadly, I don't think Benfica are that great, either – not in the super-European team type of league, anyway.
3But I sound as if I am complaining. I repeat, I love the island and my life here, and all of this doesn't matter. Enjoy the run up to Christmas everyone!
–Andrew
Hi Andrew. Nice to see that you are enjoying Madeira. I would have to disagree with you on the food side.
Although not on the spectacular side I would say that the food is on the whole very fresh and healthy. I don't see much frying or many ready meals in evidence.
My wife is Madeiran and I have to say since meeting her my diet has completley changed with pasta, rice, omeletes, soups, fish, fresh veg, fruit etc. Even the pasta sauce is made from scratch.
Maybe it's not fancy enough for those Michelin men but for me it's good honest wholesome food.
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Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
4–Carlos
Nacional has the lowest gate average in Portugal, aside from Academica, so there is certainly plenty of scope for both local teams to give away tickets. I think Portuguese footie is pretty decent, obviously not Man Utd or Real Madrid, Inter standard, but for such a small country there are some very good players (that eventually get dragged off to big name clubs) but that's the way it works I suppose.
OK Carlos, no more singing, but in exchange no more AJJ worship tag lines … agreed?
As for food here, I think the prego and burgers are the staple diet for most locals, and there are few quality restaurants near me.
5–Der
What is the prego?
6Ellen
Prego is a thin slice of steak which they grill with a bit of garlic and salt and then eat with some bread. It's nice but not everyday. Like with most foods it's all about eating sensiblly.
Der. I will have to buy some earplugs for your singing.
The tag is hardly worshipping, it's simply fact. And although he doesn't need much support on the island I like to offer a gentle reminder to those reading (and writing) this blog that the real Madeiran people have voted for him to be their President for the past 30 years.
I would say that they know better than any of us who they would like as president and how they would like to be governed on their island.
He may be an idiot at times and I certainly don't agree with all he has done but I wish Der would print some balanced positive news about the PSD sometimes. (There must be some – try the Jornal)
Maybe then the tag could be dropped. Until then keep singing I guess!
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7Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
–Carlos
Try the Jornal? He owns the thing!!!
8–Andrew
Hi, Carlos. Did I get that right??? AJ may be an IDIOT at times, but he's your IDIOT!!!
If you think he dose positive things why not post them here instead of offering us a gentle reminder Carlos?
Cheers
9Alan
Ooh I think I touched a nerve tonight. Sorry Alan, Andrew and Der. I never thought a tag line could upset so many people???? Why??? It's only the truth.
Andrew Yes I know about his affiliation with the Jornal. But which way does the Diario lean? It's all about getting a balance in reporting?
Alan. The gentle reminder is for all of the people who dislike AJJ on this blog. It is the people of Madeira who have voted for their leader for many many years and have chosen AJJ. Iam just respecting and acknowledging that fact.
This is not my blog to start translating the daily positive news on the PSD. I haven't the time or inclination.
Der does a great job translating the news from the Diario which just happens to lean away from the government.
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Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
–Carlos
10thats correct Carlos, I just take the news as it comes, and if Bertie does a good deed one day (hopefully donates his brain to science) then I will ensure he gets full credit for it. Seriously though, although in order to be balanced I cover all the front page news and don't pick and choose, there is not much positive news about Bertie, unless you want me to cover his daily inaugurations?
11–Der
I think you have to distinguish between the Diario, that does not approve of much that AJJ does because it sees the reality of what is happening, and the Jornal that is government owned, and therefore regarded by Madeirans as purely a propaganda machine.
12AJJ has led the island with drive over a long period of time. Although much has been achieved (usually with EU money that would have come anyway) he has not always been very fair to individuals – eg paltry compensation when you have a pylon from a cable car stuck in front of your house, or a new road driven through your garden, and bills not paid for years – and some of his own party officials are despairing of working with him, because he has lost touch of the reality of both budgets and the law. Being in power a very long time is not a good thing – and this is a case that proves it.
–Andrew
I reckon that is probably spot on Andrew, he can't see the wood for the trees any more, is complacent, and add to that such a huge majority leading to undemocratic behavior. I don't doubt that he has served Madeira well for many years, and credit to him for that. It may even be that the PSD-M is capable of returning to doing a good and democratic job in power under new leadership, but there may be too many politicians too accustomed to Bertie's old ways to change sufficiently and become a good governing body. Logo se vê.
13–Der