‘Legislative Assembly Of Madeira Suspended – The politicians observed a minute of silence in memory of Nélio Mendonça’. The assembly is suspended for three days to mourn the loss of the ex-president of the parliament. The current president of the ALM said to the assembly that he was "a man essentially of conversation and courage that fought for the Madeiran community, for a better world, and he left his mark". 

‘Pandemic Changes Some Habits – Increases in demand for disinfectant products – Schools promote prevention to prevent closure – Discotheques and theatre attack virus – Travel doesn’t suffer changes – Sports clubs avoid alarm’. Disinfectant sales have increased in pharmacies, mainly during the last few days, directly related to alerts by the health authorities about washing our hands (for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water). Nationally sales have increased by an estimated 300%. The article also suggests that surgical masks are very popular at the moment. Lots of tip and advice in the article, which I have no doubt are the same in any country and readily available in English on the internet, so not worth repeating them here. The president of the health organisation IASAÚDE says that Madeira at present is the least affected region of Portugal, and guarantees that nothing is being hidden from the public, and asks the population here to maintain calm. 

‘Youth Of 15 Years Already Released from Hospital – Two more cases being analysed were negative’. She had the gripe A swine flu virus (H1N1) confirmed on Monday, but has now been released from hospital. So we are back to a clean sheet again … maybe someone up there likes us!

‘Changes Sour Wine Sector’. The instability is a threat to production. Credit availability and quality tests are factors that concern businesses. The chief of the wine association, sacked over the controversy to put an end to ‘vinho seco’ the cheap red dry wine favoured by the locals and the less well off, was well respected and trusted in the industry. The sacking has shocked many people in the industry, especially with just a month to go until harvest time. According to the explanation issued by the Regional Office of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, the departure of Paulo Rodrigues was not due to being sacked, but by an agreement not to renew the appointment that had been in place since 2003. One producer in Seixal said "Paulo Rodrigues did not deserve to be treated this way, having done a remarkable job, courageous in the protection and improvement of the quality of grapes, acts that have provided better returns". There are quite a few comments along the same lines from others involved in the industry, and they pretty much all think it was a poor decision with poor timing.

‘Raízes do Atlântico Festival Causes Quarrel – The loss of identity of the event generates criticism’. This Atlantic Festival (not the same one as last month), has been criticised for ‘losing its identity’, but the organisers devalue the opinions. In particular this year’s festival (23rd to 25th July) does not include groups representative of the traditional music of Madeira, which were actually in the origins of the event, which was a ‘meeting of popular music’ founded by the local group Xarabanda. The festival will be in the municipal gardens in Funchal with free entry (starting 9.30pm, 23rd July).

‘Camp In Caniço Is Flooded With Fines Of SPA’. Inspectors from The Society for Portuguese Authors (copyright protection) have invaded the assembly of sellers stands outside the church in Caniço and fined every one of them. Even those not selling films or music of dubious origin were fined, for having a TV or radio switched on. The Diário says "At issue is the compulsory license to broadcast radio or television in public places. A situation we can not confirm because, despite several attempts, we have failed to contact the spokesman at the SPA".

‘Wheat Threshing In Prazeres – The Quinta Pedagógica (Zoo) makes another event for this annual initiative’. The event brings together local farmers with the aim of encouraging cultivation of wheat, with much of the end produce purchased by the Quinta. The event happens on Sunday from 10.30am, after mass at 9.30am.

From the Diário . ‘Festa da Lapa Entertains Paul do Mar – The Event runs from Friday until Sunday’. The ‘Limpet Festival’ will have dance, music, theatre, sport, fashion, arranged by the Casa do Povo. But a reader has kindly sent in a much more detailed account of the event :

3 DAY PARTY IN CALHETA in Paul do Mar village, organised by the Paul do Mar Casa do Povo starts on Friday 17th July, and runs until the early hours of Monday morning the 20th. The historic annual FESTA DA LAPA includes non-stop free entertainment in the evenings and of course fresh lapas and beers served right next to the picturesque harbour. The entertainment focus is on performances by local youth.  Highlights include the WEDDING DRESS FASHION SHOW where the village’s young ladies will model wedding dresses from the 1970’s to the present day accompanied by music hits from across the decades. The first evening (Friday) is traditional, folklore entertainment. The second evening (Saturday) is the WEDDING DRESS FASHION SHOW followed by solo artists and groups singing classic and recent pop songs. The final evening again with the focus on more contemporary music is a POP/ROCK CONCERT with bands from all over the Region: WAVEBOYS (Paul do Mar), DARK NEW LIGHT (Ponta do Sol), NEGATIVE RULE (Camacha) and COOL FEEL BAND (Funchal)
The full programme is HERE : More information on the bands including clips HERE

See you at the Festa! Paul from Paul do Mar

Today’s main picture shows a pair of hands in handcuffs : ‘Police Went To Bring 200 From Home By Order Of Justice – It is what the law requires : Those who fail to attend hearings or fail to fulfil the measures required get a visit from the police. It happened to 200 people in the last 6 months’. The police served 200 arrest warrants in the last six months, but the number is not official, as the Diário has counted up the numbers from the daily press releases over that period. There were 4 served, just on Wednesday. A police spokesman, unable to confirm the numbers, said in most cases the warrants were issued by the judicial authorities because people failed to meet the requirements imposed on them. After that the most common reason was failure to appear at a hearing. Sometimes it is needed to ask around to trace people he said, as some try to avoid arrest by moving home without notifying the authorities, as required by law. Sometimes they run he said, citing one recent case of a man who ran from Santo Amaro and Pico dos Barcelos, chased by dozens of officers. I think we must be officially in Summer news time, as the serious news normally gets a bit thin on the ground this time of year, and the Diário team start digging around to try and fill up the pages.

‘Drain In Laranjal Pours Out Into The Stream For The Last Two Weeks’. The waste water polluting the Ribeiro do Laranjal in Santo António has turned the water brown and unbearably smelly with sewerage discharge. One resident said it started two weeks ago, and a break in a sewerage pipe is suspected of being the cause. But according to a spokesman yesterday at Funchal Council, no one complained, and so the problem wasn’t known about and dealt with. But the matter will now be resolved after officers were sent to inspect the problem yesterday afternoon, leaving with suspicions that someone has been illegally emptying a sceptic tank. That rates at number ten on my disgustingometer, the maximum possible, and if it is true then they would be classed as a true neighbour from hell.

‘Ceremony Reveals ‘Zarco Award 2009′ – Francis  Zino and José Cousa Câmara win. Zino, whose work is in ornithology, and Câmara in food and medical chemistry, were both distinguished on Friday, with the biennial award worth €150,000, after an unanimous decision by the adjudicators. The ‘Zarco Award’ exists to recognize the work, in artistic and literary fields, and in scientific research, of Madeirans born in the region, although the accomplishments can take place both inside and outside the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Câmara was recognised principally for his work on ‘Madeira wine’, whilst Zino concentrated on the preservation of bird species, purely as an unpaid ambition.

The sporting headline : ‘Controls In The Rally ‘Madeira Wine’ Are Going To Tighten – The organiser is going to monitor using GPS’. I don’t understand rally rules and terminology, so I will have to pass on this one. The rally ‘legs’ for the 27th and 28th July, are listed though, but I guess they will also be on the official website at www.rallyvm.com

‘Cinema In The Gardens of Santa Luzia – 8 films are to be shown in the Summer months’. Open air cinema is to be on Friday night’s, always at 9.30pm, starting tonight with ‘In Defence of Honour’. The event is organised by the Junta da Freguesia (Parish Council) of Imaculado Coração de Maria, who hope to attract more that the 1,000+ who attended in 2008.

’90 Exhibitors In The Agricultural Fair – The 54th edition of the exhibition take place this weekend’. 90 livestock exhibitors are expected in Porto Moniz, but also there are exhibitors of arts and crafts and other products present, as well as the organic market. Culinary activities and musical events are also arranged throughout the weekend.

(9th July). ’1,400 Students Don’t Want The ‘Magalhães’ – Schools stop accepting applications today, but it is possible to register online until Sunday’. 11,950 children applied for the small laptop computers in the government sponsored programme, that’s 86% of those eligible. The computers were given to the children free, or at a maximum cost of €50 (depending on family means), and the Diário says that some children did not apply as they already had computers, and for other ‘diverse reasons’. A bit tricky in schools then as this is intended to be a teaching aid, so how will they be able to use them if at least one in ten kids doesn’t have one?

‘Crisis Obliges Cut In Glasses And Trips To The Dentist’. The number of Portuguese that don’t buy new glasses, or no longer go to the dentist, has doubled in the last 7 years, a study has revealed about the state of health in the country. The study, to commemorate 30 years of the national health service assessed the economic access of citizens to health services in five areas.

‘Visit of King Juan Carlos is a "historic" event – The Ambassador for Spain in Portugal stresses that relations between Spain and Madeira are growing , especially in tourism’. The ambassador, Alberto Navarro, yesterday said that he considered the official visit of the King of Spain to Madeira as a "historic opportunity" to deepen economic relations between the two countries. Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia make a private visit here at the invitation of President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva, 30-31st July and 1st August, which includes a visit to the island of Porto Santo. And I thought the King of Spain was called Cristiano Ronaldo … where on earth did I get that idea?

‘Navy Gathers Debris On The Coast’. This is the headline story I couldn’t find online yesterday, but eventually I got hold of a printed copy of the Diário and got the story from there. This is about a navy vessel, that found off the coast of Ribeira Brava debris that might have come from a plane, including a huge signalling buoy, that looked like a bomb. It also mentions that something was found nearer to Ponta do Sol. Inquiries to identify the source have not had any results yet.

‘Festival Has Always Been Rising – The 10th Jazz Festival worked out well’. It finished Saturday night and deserves a mention for the good organisation, getting better each year, and with the change of venue adding to the event. "Santa Catarina park is magical" said a spokesman. The president of Funchal council is already thinking about next year, and thinks that 2011 should be the year to pay homage to the women of jazz. Vânia Fernandez was a woman last time I looked?

‘To Have A Driving Licence It Is Needed To Know How To Drive In Tunnels – Community directive obliges knowledge in theory and practice’. Europe has demanded that Portugal incorporates this requirement, amongst other things, into domestic law. Any candidate for a driving licence must now have a good theoretical and practical knowledge of driving in tunnels, in order to improve safety in the criticised infrastructures. Several attempts have already been made to get Portugal to incorporate this requirement, so far without success, but it looks that this time it will happen, and is something clearly very relevant for Madeira. There are also other new safety requirements covering the need to revalidate driving licences for bikers aged over 50, and also new tougher requirements for medical assessments for conditions relating to eyesight, diabetes and epilepsy.

‘Walk Through The Serra Finishes In Tragedy – 53 year old man died after falling around 25 metres on the São Vicente levada’. The victim on a Sunday walk with his family and friends along the levada at Ribeira do Inferno, fell to his death. The reasons for the accident are unclear, he just fell and died almost immediately. A mountain rescue team took four hours to retrieve the body because of difficult access.

A new police station in São Vicente is to be inaugurated at 6pm tomorrow. 

At 6.28pm yesterday evening the Diário helpfully published a late bulletin that an 18 piece guitar group was performing in Ribeira Brava church square … starting at 6pm yesterday!

‘Vodafone wants To make Available New Smartphones At A very Cheap Price Until Christmas’. Aside from companies, those who want them most are young people, without sufficient money to buy them. To help, Vodafone and various partners, is to offer these powerful devices at less than €200.

In football and today’s main photo, a picture of a striding Cristiano Ronaldo, surrounded by trophies : ‘Ronaldo Tries His Luck In Madrid – The foreign journalists warn that the player won’t have an easy life in Real. Today 80 thousand supporters will welcome the star to Madrid’. At last CR737 makes the move, after what I thought had been a quiet few weeks since the transfer was agreed. It’s taking up about half of the TV and radio news this morning, and live pictures show fans gathering at the stadium for the introduction which doesn’t take place until tonight. I guess the introduction will be pretty long distance for 99.9% of the fans, the important thing for the club will be getting them to spend their cash on expensive new football merchandise with Ronaldo’s name.

I know there are lots of British readers who check in on this blog, and whilst that doesn’t imply that a love of Madeira also implies a liking for Madeiran music, I felt some duty to help boost the audiences for The Madeira Mandolin Orchestra, by announcing the dates for their tour of the United Kingdom this month. Accompanied by Portuguese tenor Carlos Guilherme, the program consists of performances of music by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and Bach, and they also accompany Carlos in a selection of Neapolitan songs. Established in 1913, the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra is the oldest established mandolin orchestra in Europe, but in terms of average age it is considered to be the youngest in the world. Performances :
July 16, 2009 – St. Paul’s Church Knightsbridge
July 17, 2009 – Petersfield Utd. Reformed Church – Petersfield
July 18, 2009 – Maldon Town Hall, Maldon Essex
July 19, 2009 – The Albert Hall – Nottingham
July 20, 2009 – Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield
July 21, 2009 – The Grand, Clitheroe
July 22, 2009 – Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
July 23, 2009 – Lichfield Garrick
July 24, 2009 – The Forum, Bath
July 25, 2009 – St. George’s Bristol

(5th July). ’38 Confirmed Cases Of Gripe In Portugal’. 30 of the swine flu cases have been registered in the last week, including the first cases of direct transmission. UPDATE 6th July : A 20 year old woman was taken to hospital in Funchal suspected as having gripe A. She was known to have spent time recently in the company of people from Mexico, the United States, and other high risk countries, and the precaution was taken after she displayed the swine flu symptoms. Tests cleared the woman of the virus, and she has now been released. 

You can click on any of the photos to see them full size.

TO SEE MORE CLICK THE LINK BELOW

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MORE

That was just Saturday afternoon, before anyone arrived. The tide will be on it’s way out soon! More tomorrow

The main photo on today’s front page shows a rather unpleasant slick seeping into the sea : ‘Factory Contaminates The Sea At Porto da Cruz – The discharges polluting the waters continue to keep the bathers off the beach’. The acidity of the pollution is dangerous to life. The beach of Porto do Cruz opens the Summer season the same as in the past, with pollution in the sea. The story is repeated every year, as the factory that make aguardente (rum) from sugar cane causes a discharge onto the beach of Alagoa. The problem is the overlap between the two things, and the yellow liquid that gives off a strong odour is giving the beach a bad image. The Diário assessed the beach users for an opinion, and there were just 6 users. 2 German couples were there, but they saw the pollution and chose not to go in the water, and two other swimmers went to the far end to avoid the discharge. Clearly a long term solution is needed to contain the discharge. But for now, if we had to choose a Madeira without poncha, or without Alagoa beach, it’s a tough call.

‘Armed Wallet Thieves Return To the Levadas’. Tourists were held at knifepoint on the Levada dos Barreiros on Monday morning, by a man now being sought by police, seemingly knowing who he is through similar crimes. He told them to hand over all valuables, but ended up with only €30, before running off. There are concerns that the robbery will discourage tourists from walking the  Levada dos Piornais(?).

‘Extraction Of Sand And Gravel In Faial Is Legal’. After months and months of arguing about the illegal extraction of materials from Ribeira do Faial, a parliamentary commission has now decided that work can continue there as long as the jobs are safeguarded and the environmental requirements are observed. This followed a petition by locals to keep the operation going, after it was shut down several months ago.

The first phase of the national exams finished yesterday.

There will be strike of technicians in the health service here and nationally on Thursday and Friday. Amongst other services, radiology, physiotherapy, operating theatres, external consultations, and clinical analysis will be affected.

The front page also covers a Summer fashion festival on 24th July in the Naval, but as I don’t understand fashion I probably have no hope of understanding it in Portuguese.

‘Trade Union Demands Guarantees In The Agreement With The Savoy’. All negotiations from now on are to be between the legal advisers of the Association of Hotels of Madeira and the Savoy Hotels Group SIET. A meeting yesterday discussed the commitment to those 45 workers who are already on their way out (as a result of the demolishing of the old Savoy Hotel), but are expected to rejoin the staff in the new hotel, when rebuilt.

‘Talents Put To The Test In Câmara de Lobos – The Regional Talent Festival takes place next Tuesday’. Eleven contestants representing each region of Madeira will compete in the 10th edition of the contest, which forms part of the Summer Festa between 26th June and 1st July. One judge will also be appointed from the 11 regions, but they cannot vote for their local talent. The most successful region is Funchal, who won in 3 consecutive years 2003 to 2005. Parades are scheduled to take place on Sunday at 9.30pm, in Câmara de Lobos, with 800 participants in 14 troupes. The theme of the day is ‘Culture’. The night will be a long one, with a carnival dance, and fireworks with music at midnight.

‘Classics To The Conquest Of The XXII Rally – The rally starts today and includes various Ferrari Models’. "Ferrari invade the avenue", all ten of them on Avenida Arriaga, on the day that marks the 22nd tour of Madeira, organised by the Classic Car Club, with support from Funchal Council and the regional secretary for transport and tourism. After all the paperwork and formalities for the 40 teams, the first stage will be the traditional opening challenge, that starts at around 8.30pm tonight. The main event starts tomorrow, with two days on the road, divided into several sections, and then the winner for 2009 will be decided. Tomorrow the event sets off from Santa Cruz at 10am, and will end up in São Vicente around 5.30pm. Friday the day starts at 9.30am at Câmara de Lobos (don’t forget to lock your car people), and should end up in Funchal (at the podium) around 4.30pm. The winner will be announced at 8pm, and the prize giving will be at the Regency Hotel at 11.45pm.

Ponta do Sol on 13th, with Santo António with ‘Silver of the house’ (?), that will take the parade through the lower part of the town early evening on the Saturday. At least 10 local groups , schools, and other institutions are expected to take part, with around 500 participants in all.  (UPDATED 13th June – To say locals don’t think that this is the correct date)

A week later, on Saturday 20th, São João festival in Calheta, again expects strong support in the parades, and two celebrity appearances are planned. Each parish of Calheta (8) will be represented in the parade, with at least 600 participants expected.

São Pedro in Ribeira Brava falls on a weekend, so the eve of the official festa day (27th) is expected to be lively with the party going on throughout the weekend. This is the one where many Madeirans are prepared to travel, and many thousands of visitors are expected. The parades will take place on the Saturday night, but details are as yet not released on who will take part, but this year there are no limits imposed on the number of participants.

Rather wisely perhaps, Câmara de Lobos sticks more rigidly to the official day of São Pedro, the 28th being the main highlight.  They are expecting 12 troupes made up of around 700 participants, who will cover the route from Avenida Nova Cidade down to the car park at the front of the bay.

(2nd June). ‘Pools Reopen This Saturday – The beach season begins 21st June in the city of Funchal‘. The swimming pools at Lido, Ponta Gorda and Barreirinha officially open on Saturday, with entrance fees returning to be chargeable. However, the official beach season will not be inaugurated until 21st June in Funchal, as the council says it does not make sense  to do so before with the children still at school and few people on holiday. With maintenance and repair work still to be done at the swimming pools and bathing complexes, the authorities decided to allow bathers to use the facilities free of charge, as long as they were prepared to put up with the noise and dirt, as everything was being prepared. Life-guards and first aiders will not be present on the beaches though until 21st June.

As for other events in Funchal, in the beginning of July there will be a regatta for canoes, and 8th August will see the competition for building sand constructions of the beaches. On 20th August there will be the beauty contest for ‘Miss Praia Formosa’. September will be the month for the annual dog show. Alongside these there will be several initiatives dedicated to the care of the sea, including rubbish disposal and recycling, and health and safety in the bathing complexes.

Eight beaches in Funchal have the ‘Blue Flag’ awards : Seven of these are public beaches (Lido, Ponta Gorda, Barreirinha, Formosa, Areeiro, Poças do Gomes, Doca do Cavacas). The private one is at the Naval Club. The water will continue to be monitored throughout the Summer, and in cases of water pollution the blue flags will be lowered whilst the situation continues.

The inaugural conference of ExpoEnergia, an initiative of Funchal Council (câmara), dedicated to renewable energy begins today in the Largo da Restauração, and runs until Friday. The delegates also include representatives from hotels and civil engineering. Amongst other things, the conference will discuss the use of photovoltaic (solar) panels, the future of electric cars, and good energy practices in hotels.

This is quite interesting and a has a few great photos. The ‘Madeira Island Ultra Trail 2009′ is a ultra long running competition organized by Clube de Montanha of Funchal and Confraria Trotamontes. lt takes place on 5th September 2009 on Madeira, and comprises two challenges. One is to cover around 105 km in a maximum of 25 hours. The second is around 50 km to be done in less than 15 hours. They are not team events. If I am feeling energetic that day, perhaps I will do both. RUNNERS FORUM

‘High Expectations For The Festival Of Sé – Traders expect to do good business in the festival which runs until 6th June’. The festa in the cathedral area of Funchal started today, with a new bar ‘Buxiga Tasca’ opening, deliberately timed for the event. “I hope the celebrations are very good for business, with much joy, much support, and no fights” says one trader. 

Saturday June 6th brings a real treat for athletics fans, with the European Cup 10,000 Metres being run at the Madeira Sports Stadium, Ribeira Brava. According to the list of participating countries, there should be around 28 nationalities represented, in both men’s and women’s events. The event even has it’s own English website – take a look – especially at the rather odd looking timetable :
10000M EURO CUP
RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE BRITISH PRESS

The last football event of the season is on TVI at 5pm tomorrow, when Porto take on Paços de Ferreira in the Portugal Cup.

Late news flash : Anyone in Funchal tonight might like to know that José Cid (above) is playing live tonight in the Largo do Colégio (the square where the council office is) at 10pm I believe. The concert is paid for by the council as part of the Book Fair festivities, and José Cid is one of the top Portuguese names in music. I heard a bit of his music earlier, and he sounds pretty good, and it’s not fado. Not bad for a freebie anyway!

(29th May). ‘Musica EB Livens 3 Thousand Students In June’. MusicaEB is in it’s 27th edition, where students from all over Madeira are united on stage in song, music, dance and theatre. The soundtrack is already being recorded. The event will take place in the Centro de Congressos on 17th, 18th and 19th June, with three thousand students involved. Even the design and construction of the stage and props is left to the ingenuity and expression of the participants, and much of what one will see involves recycled items. Tickets for the event, which has been running since 1982, are €2.50 for adults and €1.50 for children.

(28th May). ‘CD Recovers The Voice Of The Madeiran Tenor – Lomelino Silva (above) was the ‘Portuguese Caruso’ during the 1920′s’. A new CD, due to be ‘revealed’ tomorrow at the Book Fair in Funchal, recovers the lost works of the famous Madeiran tenor, who lived between 1892 and 1967. The project started in 2002, when another younger Madeiran, who was studying in the United States, found references to the singer in old newspapers about performances there. He then decided to search for recordings, which led to the discovery of three old 78 LPs from around 80 years ago. To cut a very long story short … a new CD was produced from the old material discovered. 

Nenê, the striker for Nacional, and the highest scorer in the Portuguese premier league during the football season just finished, received his prize for the achievement in Funchal yesterday. After being awarded the ‘silver ball’, he said it was the greatest / proudest  moment / achievement of his career so far. Truth is I saw it on TV yesterday, and now I can’t remember his exact words.

(27th May). Today’s main news headline : ‘Coito And Filipe Hinder Pretender Albuquerque – Coito Pita said to have been there by chance when Miguel Alburquerque arrived at CMF (Funchal Council). He makes an ironic counter-attack on the willingness of the counsellor (MA) to succeed Jardim. Coito recalls that he (MA) was the first to declare himself available. Jaime Filipe, another pretender, suggests his colleagues calm down’. (That was the worst headline I have ever encountered for translation purposes!). Despite the European election campaign being in full swing, the issue of future leadership of the social democrats of President Jardim is causing some palpitations amongst party members. A few days ago the president of CMF, Miguel Alburquerque, declared himself available and willing to stand for party leader, to succeed the president of the government of Madeira, who has indicated that he will step down in 2011. It seems this is just another party politics squabble, over-enthusiasm with one man trying to further his career, and another saying that there is a protocol for such matters, and that other matters are priority at the moment.

There are several stories about the visit of the ambassador from Israel, who is on Madeira for 3 days meeting local dignitaries of all sorts. They include tourism links between the two ‘countries’, business and agricultural links and cooperation, and I really can’t be bothered to go through them. Visits like these are a bit of fun for the politicians and civil servants, nothing more, and nothing will come of it. It’s just window dressing for a nice jolly over to Madeira, and no doubt Uncle Bertie will get invited to Israel, if he didn’t sneak off there first that is!

FINANCE & ECONOMY

(27th May). Those nice people in Finanças (IRS) had to extend their tax return submission deadline this year due to "technical difficulties unrelated to tax". Anyone who missed the new deadline of midnight yesterday, can still submit their tax information, but will be fined for lateness. The fine increases the later it gets.

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

(27th May). ‘Motor Market Assembles Around 400 Cars In Machico’. Although a largely commercial event with sales, spares, and servicing, aficionados may be interested to know that there will be an exhibition of classic cars, a motorcycling display, and a collection of scale models of cars. The event runs from Friday until Sunday, and will be held in Machico Marina. Best take yer wellies then!

‘Atlantic Festival – Regional Secretary of Tourism says that this is a winning bet’. The festival program was presented on Tuesday in ‘Infoarte’. Since June 2002 when the event was first held, it has been growing in popularity. Back then, according to the Regional Secretary, it attracted 67,000 visitors, rising to 105,000 last year. A survey carried out amongst the hotels of Madeira reveal that during the first two weeks of June, occupancy will be over 70%. The rough programme for the €500,000 event was published here a few days ago, but the dates for the firework / musical events are on the Saturdays 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th June, with Italy, Russia, Germany, and lastly Portugal competing. The last event will be accompanied live by the Classical Orchestra of Madeira. There are other events organised, such as exhibitions, concerts, and a classic car rally. FULL PROGRAMME

(22nd May). I know there are some people waiting for this news, so here we go : ‘Pyrotechnic display back in June – Germany, Russia and Italy are the countries participating in the international competition this year’.  Funchal will come to life with the eighth edition of the International Fireworks Competition on Madeira. As usual, in connection with the contest tender for the new year display, there will be four ‘piromusical’ shows presented on Saturday(?) nights, all at 10.30pm. The Italians go first on 6th June, followed by the Russians the following Saturday. The Germans then have their go on the 20th. The final show on the 28th (Sunday?) will be ‘Macedo’s pyrotechnic’, regular visitors on Madeira from Portugal. All performances will last approximately 20 minutes. The public will be invited to vote for the best display, as well as a 9 person panel that will assess and reward the best in their view. The International Fireworks Competition of Madeira, which began in 2002, is integrated with the Atlantic Festival, an event promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Transport (SRTT), which runs from the 4th to the 27th June. You will find more details available here nearer the time (after 26th May): ATLANTIC FESTIVAL

(22nd May). ‘Book Fair Already Stirs – Portuguese and foreign authors release new books in the exhibition, inaugurated on Thursday, to show books until the 31st May’. I would guess that there are not many readers of Portuguese books who read this blog, so I will just leave it as one of the day’s news headlines.

Having problems with your ZON internet connection? Congestion on the lines that carry international traffic are causing the problem that has been ongoing for the last two weeks, generating customer complaints. The company say they are seeking other ‘carriers’ to resolve the problem. Portugal Telecom (PT), who were the parent company of MEO, competitors of ZON, are currently responsible for the cable network on Madeira.

The bread festival in Funchal went well according to organisers, although there was some left over which had to be reduced in price, as rain kept people away for a while on Sunday. The money raised by The Lions of Funchal, to be used for scholarships, is thought to be around the same as last year.

As regards the onion festival in Caniço, a spokesman said that it was the largest ever attendance by farmers, with 175 displaying their produce. Rain on Sunday threatened the organised activities, including the parade, but it seems that it was mostly managed in the end. Vic dropped me line to say the children’s event was cancelled because of the rain, but that it stopped for the parade.

This weekend is the famous Onion Festival, held in Caniço. The twelfth festival was opened last night by the secretary of the environment and natural resources, who was expected to announce that Madeira’s onion production had increased. Around 150 exhibitors are expected to take part this year, with prizes for the best. Onion production has three seasons each year, January, May and October. Madeiran onions may not look the best, but under the skin they are as good as any, but people tend to go to the supermarkets and pick the prettiest looking ones, said the organiser. Guilty m’lud! I think that is a fair point, and I am going to take that on board in future. I always thought the local ones were quite a bit more expensive, but subject to acceptable price I will be trying Madeiran onions out over the next few months, instead of whatever looks the prettiest. Looks like I got in a bit late with this one, but if I don’t know, I don’t know. At least you can still make the homemade cake contest anyway.

If that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, the Lions Club of Funchal ‘Feira do Pão Regional da Madeira’, also takes place this weekend, in the Largo da Restauração, opening at 10.30am. There will be breads on display from all over Madeira and Porto Santo, with competitions on both days for the best commercially made and best home-made cakes. If you fancy a go yourself at the homemade cake competition, you must deliver your entry between 1 and 3pm on Sunday afternoon. All the ingredients must be edible, and there must be sufficient for 10 servings. Judging will be based on creativity and innovation, as well as the usual factors.

It’s the second Blue Marlin Fishing Championship in June (12th – 14th), and a record participation is expected. The Spanish are expected to field 10 boats, with others from Madeira, Portugal, The Azores, England, Germany, and the United States. The base and support will be provided at the Porto de Recreio da Calheta. RECORD ATTENDANCE IS GUARANTEED – either the record highest or the record lowest, as it’s only the second edition of the contest. OK, I admit it could also be the equal highest / lowest, before someone pulls me up.