Madeira News Blog

Today’s Photo : Thanks to Jon … the last but one in the six old hand coloured photos 

It was a week ago that Elaine covered a newspaper story about free diabetes testing, and rather concerned about the article that said that nearly a third of us on Madeira are either diabetic or pre-diabetic, I thought I would give it a go. So Thursday afternoon I popped down into town, about four hours after opening time, and with an hour still to go before the ‘clinic’ was closed. Expecting to see some sort of queue or waiting room with people waiting, but there was no one at all. I was the only one there, aside from 4 very attractive young nurses or medics in white coats, who looked very pleased to see me (or anyone for that matter). It was a very quick and painless process, with just a small prick involved (no, no sign of Uncle Bertie), and a couple of questions, and I was in and out in 5 minutes. I saw the list of people who had attended, as the nurse recorded my details, and there were only about 15 names listed in 4 hours! Anyway I was told that I was normal, in respect of my blood at least. Didn’t get a free cup of tea though, as that really was a bigger motivation than the test itself. Although at one time I was convinced that I was diabetic, I have since then been taking regular doses of © Toranja Poncha ©, and so wasn’t particularly worried any more.

"It is a very simple dessert and one much loved on the island of Madeira where it originated and where the locals call it Mousse de chocolate Viriato. What I like about it is the subtle citrus flavour the addition of freshly-squeezed orange juice gives to the chocolate. It’s also quick and easy to make". NEVER HEARD OF IT Tobi (top chef) no doubt will give us an opinion or verdict.

Have a good weekend!

Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :

Seabirds the victims of fishing gear. Previously it was dogs, yesterday it was cows, today it is seabirds that need saving. Every year in Europe about 200,000 seabirds are accidentally captured in fishing activity, according to the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA). There has not been a study in this region but it is thought to only occur sporadically. A study would require a survey of fishermen and observers on fishing vessels but the numbers involved are thought to be insignificant.

‘Estelinha’ is back again. Continuation of a previous story about ‘Estelinha’ who holds the key and money for the chapel Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho and refuses to hand the key over to the priest. Parishioners say that "the people are on the side of the priest." One option put forward is that, "She could have a key, as with other chapels, but the priest should also have a key to avoid having to wait at the door of the chapel, as has happened." The issue around the gold belonging to the chapel is also a matter of contention. Only with great difficulty ‘Estelinha’ allowed it to be placed in the vaults and under the custody of the church, which has raised suspicions of embezzlement. Parishioners contest the repairs and the way she kept the gold, "She buried the gold in poio in front of the house and said it was safe, because it was buried." — Poio in Madeira are the cultivated terraced slopes. (www.infopedia.pt definition) ‘Estelinha’ is in her 70s, so I suppose it will be resolved when she dies. She is a very devout Catholic so it is a question of either her strong faith or embezzlement or stubbornness due to her age. The plots are also called fazendas (doings). Der

Bus used by only 22% of students. Diário investigative journalism again. By their figures, only 22% of school children in Funchal travel to school by bus. The social pass costs 35.50 Euros a month. The Diário asks if this low usage, as most travel by car, is due to laziness or mentality. The pollution in the city centre is causing problems in terms of the air quality. The monitoring station on top of Edificio 2000 has registered quantities of fine particles to cause a warning from the EC. The Municipality of Funchal provides a 16,400 Euros reserve fund to subsidize transport for 103 students. They provide aid for First Cycle students with economic difficulties living within 1 – 2 kilometres, and subsidized school passes for students residing more than 2 kilometres from the educational establishment.

More doctors in training. SESARAM have opened 66 vacancies for 2010. 33 vacancies are for the common year internship mandatory for all new graduates before specialising, and the other 33 places are for the seven years specialist training. There will be even more vacancies for specialist training in 2011, about 40. The largest number of vacancies, 10, are for training in Family Medicine. Anaesthesiology and Maxillofacial Surgery are the two areas where the region has a greater lack of specialists. Anaesthesiology is a nationwide problem for a lack of specialists. They are aiming to have two graduates who will graduate in 2010, so in a few years they can create a new Maxillofacial Surgery unit in the hospital.

Fugitive arrested in Spain. A Ukrainian sentenced to four years in prison for being responsible for the arson of the SEF premises in Funchal, was arrested on Tuesday in Alicante. The 18 year old has being fleeing justice since 2006 and an international arrest warrant was issued. The fire caused 17,000 Euros worth of damage. He lived legally in Madeira and was not under any investigation. He was identified after an investigation and fled the country and sentenced to four years in prison in his absence. He will be extradited to Portugal to serve his sentence. (SEF = Service for border controls and foreigners).

Surveillance in the serra. The Forestry Police in the coming days will monitor the areas to prevent illegal felling of trees and harvesting of vegetation used for nativity scenes for Christmas. There are a diminishing number of such offences as people are becoming more aware that the forestry needs protecting. There will also be mobile teams who will monitor products on sale.

SANAS took part in the rescue exercise Zarco. SANAS participated in the exercise Zarco 092 Missing 09 yesterday. The scenario were missing people at sea who were to be taken to the patrol vessel Schultz Xavier. The exercise began when a communication between the patrol vessel and the Rescue Centre of Santa Cruz indicated an emergency between the Cais do Sardinha and the Enseada da Baia d’Abra in Machico. The most seriously injured casualty was evacuated by air, via a Merlin helicopter from Porto Santo. Another victim, collected by a SANAS rescue boat with four crew, was in a state of hypothermia with slight injuries. He was rescued and treated for his injuries and hypothermia. The boat disembarked at the Quinta do Lorde where the bombeiros took him to the hospital in Funchal. The rescue exercise in Rabaçal this morning was hampered by dense fog, persistent rain and very cold weather. —– You now can have your accident at the airport, mountains or at sea.

Casas do Povo have not seen the ‘colour of money’. The Government has formalized contracts for financial support to the Casas do Povo but they have not yet seen any money. This puts them in a difficult position because they have debts to pay and cannot follow up projects already started or planned. The money is for social, cultural, recreational and sport activities. They were to be allocated 448.103,00 Euros this year and 448.102,00 Euros in 2010. The Casa do Povo da Camacha receives the most, 43.427,00 Euros.

Santo da Serra is the fourth best golf course in the country.  ABTA Magazine in the UK considered Santo da Serra as the fourth best golf course in Portugal. This monthly magazine has a circulation of more than 55,000 tourism sector readers making it an excellent promotional vehicle for Madeira. The magazine highlighted the location of the courses on a beautiful island and the views of Machico from Santo da Serra. Madeira is penalized for not having five or six courses. Porto Santo golf course had a surprising 13.5% increase in the number of rounds of golf played, achieved by a 21.7% increase by foreign players and 10.4% by Portuguese. Porto Santo had 18% more rounds of golf played by tourists, and Santo da Serra and Palheiro courses lost 26% rounds of golf. Overall, a loss of 18% rounds of golf. The major markets are the UK (35%) and Germany (25%) and the average age is 45 years old. In another tourist related article, Madeira in October had 6 more cruise ships stopping than in 2008, a total of 34. There were 18% more tourists.

Price of pork might rise 70% or by 1.10 euro a kilo. POSEIMA is a European Community program which is intended to offset the economic cost of Madeira being an island, and takes into account regional supply and imports. The EU subsidizes the price of these imports. The price of beef and pork imported from the EU countries will increase very shortly if the Commission does not authorize the increase of the POSEIMA quota. At present, the quota for pork is already exhausted and the same will happen with beef. The price of pork carcasses is currently 1.50/1.60 Euros a kilo. POSEIMA allows a subsidy of 1.10 Euros a kilo for every kilo imported. Beef would rise 0.35 Euros per kilo.

Polish operator announces two flights per week to Madeira. Itaka recently announced that from next summer, it will operate two charter flights each week from Warsaw to Madeira. Currently, it has one flight per week.

Easyjet to have three daily flights from Lisbon in the summer of 2010. Already bookable on their website. Between 10 July and 5 September and there will be better flight times. Prices start at 22.99 Euros each way, all charges included. Flights from Lisbon at 06.30, 14.05 and 17.05. Flights from Madeira at 08.40, 18.00 and 20.00.

Funchal Jazz 2010 in the park. 8 – 10 July 2010 in Santa Catarina Park. Next year the event will have better facilities to attract more visitors. Esperanza Spalding, a jazz musician for 25 years, is to be one of the top artists.

4,260 inaugurations. Number of inaugurations by Jardim between 18 March 1978 and 15 November 2009. Around 1 in 2.7 were private initiatives. Of 565 initiatives of the Regional Government, to be launched by 2011, 359 are underway or completed, equivalent to 63%.

Increase in fuel surcharge in shipping is a burden to the island. From December 1, there will be increases in fuel surcharges on maritime transport activities, due to an increase in fuel prices in Lisbon. Exports from the autonomous regions are exempt so these prices apply only to goods leaving the continent. The Regional Secretary of Tourism and Transport asks the EU or the Regional Government to compensate for these increased costs.

IMI is unchanged in Funchal. The Council Tax rates are to be kept unchanged. Urban buildings are a rate of 0.7% and new buildings 0.35%. These rates have not altered since 2004 and are the lowest at the national level. There will be a submission to the Municipal Assembly for a 30% increase in IMI for derelict buildings, which have been identified by a survey in Santa Maria Maior, Sé and São Pedro.

Joint operation between various crime prevention forces. The SEF co-ordinated an operation in Caniçal yesterday morning which included elements of the PSP, GNR and Maritime Police. Another operation was undertaken in Funchal. Foreigners were subjected to a monitoring exercise, prohibited weapons seized and other illegalities identified.

Assaults on vehicles parked in the Rua do Jasmineiro at night-time. Between Avenida do Infante and Cabouqueira. This is a favourite area for people wanting to walk into the city centre for the night-time activities. 

PSP dismantles network of drug trafficking in Livramento. Three individuals arrested and a seizure of 2,148 individual doses of heroin and 3,160 Euros in notes. Those arrested were between the ages of 37 and 39, two are foreigners residing in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos and have previously been caught for this crime.

Leonel Nunes suspects the Government of favours to Manuel Godinho. ‘Face Oculta’ or ‘Hidden Face’ prosecution. The request for a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the Government and PSD involvement with the company Resatlantica, set up by the businessman Manuel Godinho, was rejected. The Communist Leonel Nunes said he would be making accusations and suspicions about people and institutions and present evidence to the prosecutor, but would not name names. He said people linked to the Regional Government were involved in the ability of the company to be registered in the free zone before a licence had been approved.

These headlines are from today’s Diário front page, and sorry I have no time today to put any meat on the bones, but if anyone else would like to, any contributions would be very welcome.

Company : Parties call for Secretary – The Socialist Party and CDU communists react to the news about the family company that Santos Costa was a partner of, and demand a hearing in the Madeira assembly.

Pacification delays teachers from here – negotiations progress in Lisbon,  evaluations here take form.

The main news headline in today’s Diário : Suspect ship prevented from approaching – The ‘Newhope’ has spent a week off the coast of Madeira. Without sufficient provisions and fuel to travel to another port. The assistance requested was refused, given the illegality.

Worm threatens Wild Pine in six thousand hectares. 

Regional Five-a-side football with more charm – The championships start today, involving more than 300 players. In the 1st division, the champion will have support to go to the ‘nationals’ ; in the 2nd everyone has faith in promotion.

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. 

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

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Today’s Photo : Thanks to Vic … a Caniço sunset

"Funchal on the Portuguese Island of Madeira is the site for Vitor Sa vs Kiatchai Singwancha January 14 with the TWBA super middleweight title at stake. This could be the first ever professional boxing match there". BOXING NEWS You heard it here first! Funny name that, Vitor Sa, as that is the same name as the Madeira rally driver and son of Jorge Sã, owner of the Hiper Sã supermarket chain here.

Don’s website has a new video showing Funchal at Christmas. It’s about 10 minutes long. XMAS ON MADEIRA Lets hope it gets us a few extra tourists for the festive season, as  I think we need them.

Tour operator Holiday Options has shut down after entering administration. The company, which specialised in holidays to destinations such as Croatia, Corsica, Sicily, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores, shut down on Tuesday after 16 years in operation. A spokesman for the company said no passengers had been left stranded and all forward bookings, thought to been around 1,100, would be taken over by Cambridge-based Light Blue Travel.

Many thanks to Elaine for this huge contribution from yesterday’s news :

Return of Marcelino Andrade shakes HCF. More turmoil at the hospital between the staff and the managers of the health service (SESARAM). This time it is related to the return of Marcelino Andrade to the hospital. For five years he was the president of Santo António, after a friendly invitation by president Jardim. In the recent elections, the PSD selected another president and he is free to return to the health service. The turmoil is due to the rumour among staff that he is to be employed on the Board of Directors of SESARAM. Some Directors of Services would resign if that happened and there was to be a protest mass resignation which was cancelled by SMS last night. The opposition is based on credibility and technical issues. Andrade explained that he wishes to return to working in the orthopaedic services. SESARAM said they will keep the present Board of Directors and such rumours are designed to destabilize the services.

Bio Madeira week in the Largo da Restauração. In the region, 5% of agricultural land is devoted to organic farming and is increasing. The week is to "sensitize the community to the economic, social and environmental aspects of organic farming." Bio Week runs from the 23 – 29 November. Initiatives will also occur around the island. In 2008, there were 240 tons produced and an additional 130 tons of bananas. The theme of the week this year is ‘Growing Sustainably’. There have already been training initiatives held in people’s homes, schools, town halls and hotels involving about 9,000 people spread between farmers, students, teachers, parents and the general public. The activities next week will include an organic food fair, culinary demonstrations by hotel chefs, presentation of books for children and adults about the various perspectives of organic agriculture, and theatrical and musical competitions for children, promoted by the schools. On the 29th at Jardim da Serra, endemic species will be planted to offset carbon dioxide emissions. Full program on the website: www.sra.pt

Presidency rejects blame for the transfer requests by the police officers. The Government rejected accusations that Jardim’s comments are the cause of the requests for transfers out of the region. The statement clarifies that the people responsible for what happened are the current command and not the officers and agents. The statement also refers to the Madeiran police officers on the continent who have been unsuccessful with transfer requests to the region.

Exercise in Rabaçal involves more than one hundred people and various media. Exercise ‘Missing 09′ begins early tomorrow morning. The training exercise in Rabaçal will be coordinated by the Regional Service for Civil Protection and involve the armed forces. Two different scenarios; the disappearance of a group of 15 tourists in the area and an accident involving a passenger bus in the section towards the Casa do Rabaçal. There will be observers from the National Authority for Civil Protection, National Institute of Emergency Medicine and observers from the Azores and the Canary Islands.

Waiting 13 years for an asphalt road in Santa Cruz. ‘Impassable’ is the adjective used to describe Caminho da Fonte which is used every day by 30 people. This road is about a kilometre long and is in the rural ‘zonas altas’ of Santa Cruz. The area is believed by many to belong to the ‘Madeira Velha’, even though it is a five minute road journey into the centre of Santa Cruz. The road was originally only a short path then 13 years ago, it was widened to facilitate access to houses and agricultural land. For the past 13 years, every mayor has promised to asphalt it. There is a beautiful view over the bay and city of Santa Cruz. As the road is not asphalted, the land is purchased at a price lower than the normal market value, so in recent years there have been several new houses built there. They are licensed and have water and electricity services connected. A petition was delivered to the council in 2005 and another with 300 signatures three years later. The poor state of the road causes damage to vehicles and prevents access to agricultural land, as lamented by a 73 year old man who cultivates sweet potato, onions, beans and some fruit trees such as papaya and tangerine. The municipality said they would make it "passable in the meantime" while searching for an inexpensive solution.

Câmara de Lobos unable to close cow farm. The farm in Vereda da Ribeira da Caixa remains active as sanitary rules have been met, despite previous pollution into a stream and the Praia do Vigário. There are now a few dozen cows and bulls in poor living conditions in a shed with a corrugated iron roof. The people living locally complain about the smell and noise at night. There have been disputes with the farmer and staff which involved the police at one stage. The local mayor admits that the situation is not pleasing to the neighbourhood but he has no power to license or cease operations.

Court annuls trial. The Court of Appeal in Lisbon annulled the judgement of the Court in Funchal which sentenced a 31 year old mother to 16 years in prison for murdering her daughter with poisoned biscuits and juice when institutionalized at the Cecilia Zino Foundation. It was alleged to be ‘an act of selfishness’, ‘cold and ruthless’ and not ‘true love’ although the defence argued it was due to mental incapacity. The original trial was in November 2007, and in response to new evidence about the defendant’s liability, the Court of Appeal in November 2008 requested a new trial. The woman was interned at the Casa da Saúde Câmara Pestana but failed to abide by the rules so was sent to prison, where she is at present. The two psychiatrists are arguing that she suffers from a mental illness caused by previous relationship problems, preventing her from discerning good from evil and that you cannot fake a mental illness when you only try to kill your children when mentally disturbed. Their evidence is "strong and credible enough to raise serious doubts about the liability of the defendant."

Banana growers versus GESBA. Another allegation and counter-allegation saga, this time the banana producers versus the management board GESBA. The growers have a petition challenging the action of the management, but GESBA give an assurance that the sector is "calm". The management said that in October there occurred an exceptional situation due to climatic conditions, when the production levels were equivalent to those in August, when the production is higher. This, coupled with the fact that it rained some days, meant that there was some delay in cutting the banana. When it was dry enough to use the machinery, they normalized the situation. The management explained that of the 2,800 producers, only a relatively few had complaints. They say their essential role is to manage the collection and distribution of the larger quantity of fruit produced in the summer and the lower amounts during winter months.

Tivoli Madeira celebrates 10 years. Jardim highlighted the good quality Tivoli hotels, the excellence of service, particularly with regard to the five-star hotel in Funchal which yesterday marked 10 years of activity. There was a cocktail event for travel agents, tour operators and local hotel managers. —-Thought you’d enjoy the photo, has Jardim any liver left?

Praia Formosa without sand and Toco waits. Both projects suspended. The document first presented to the public in 2004, for the period 2007/2011 stated, ‘Improvement of the entire seafront of Praia Formosa and leisure areas, contracting a study for the installation of an artificial beach and its construction, if technically and financially possible.’ Another project in the ‘banho-maria’ is Toco. The Government and the CMF are considering pursuing a public-private partnership to overcome legal impediments encountered. If this is legally possible, then interested private parties will have to be found.

‘Caso da mala’. ‘Case of the suitcase’. The defendants in this trial in Lisbon are António Preto, Jorge Silverio and Sobral de Sousa. António Preto is a PSD member suspended from the Assembly of the Republic, accused of tax evasion. Silverio and Sobral de Sousa were on the Board of the property firm Serbro. Sebro attempted to avoid paying 347,000 Euros IRC claiming wrong address. Instead of ‘Rua do Castanheiro nos 1 a 3, 8 – Funchal ‘ the tax offices used the address ‘Rua do Castanheiro nos 1 a 38′ and the claim is that the postman attempted to deliver a registered letter to the wrong address. The Court of Funchal have not yet decided on this case but if they decide to cancel the debt, it will weaken the prosecution’s ‘caso da mala’. António Preto was a lawyer to companies of Virgilio Sobral de Sousa. Sobral de Sousa was a PS councillor in Amadora. He was a partner of a firm accused of fraud in the issue of driving licences, selling ‘packages’ to candidates in Madeira who went to the continent, with accommodation, for a guaranteed licence, for 4,000 Euros. During the investigation, telephone conversations were recorded between Preto and the leader of the PSD-Lisbon, detailing delivery of 39,956 Euros packed in suitcases to pay for his campaign. During this investigation in 2002, Preto was caught receiving a suitcase containing 25,000 Euros. This opened a second criminal proceedings and in 2005, Preto was accused of tax fraud and document forgery with suspicions of corruption. During a famous eavesdropping phone call, Preto was heard to say to Sobral de Sousa, "I’m here to receive money, pal, as I have never seen in my life." Corrupt lawyers … whatever next … you’ll be telling me next Elaine that there are corrupt politicians as well … well I’ll be darned Preto is both … why bother with a trial! Der

Air disaster occurred 32 years ago on the 19 November 1977. The Diário has a video interview with one of the survivors of the disaster when the flight TP425, a Boeing 727-200, plunged into the sea at Santa Catarina Airport with 164 people on board. The biggest disaster in the history of TAP caused 131 deaths. There were 33 survivors.

Madeira classified as a destination of excellence. The World Tourism Organization has an institute, the CED, which has distinguished Madeira in 13 of the 15 parameters under evaluation for classification as a tourism destination of excellence. In all 15 parameters, the performance was above average. Six had a level of excellence, 6 a level of high performance and 3 had reached average.

Police rescued a Madeiran trader kidnapped in Caracas for a week.  The 41 year old was riding a motorcycle in Caracas when he was forced into a vehicle by armed men and kept in captivity for a ransom of about 160,000 Euros. The ransom demand was made to his wife. On rescuing him, three men were killed who the police claimed were the kidnappers but in a radio program, a woman claimed one of them was her son. The suspects are thought to have been involved in 28 kidnapping cases.

Man attempts to rob a man leaving a pharmacy. In Nazaré yesterday morning, a man was leaving a pharmacy after collecting prescribed medications. A thief attempted to grab the bag of drugs but because he was ill, he just went away with the handles of the bag in his hand. There is a climate of insecurity in the area.

From today’s Diário newspaper front page :

Members of the Madeira government put relatives at the top of the vaccine waiting list – In the Health Centre of Santo António they say that the orders come from above. It was through this that at least vice president Cunha e Silva and his family were there for their vaccinations. Also there are doctors putting their children and friends at the front of the queue before they set off for holidays abroad. That’s today’s main news headline, but why? Did anyone really expect any different in the race for a limited supply of Gripe A swine flu medication. And this story is just the cases that have been discovered. The story already has 7 readers comments, and nothing very complementary I can assure you. Clear guidelines have been issued as to who the ‘at risk’ groups are and the priorities for administering the vaccine, but who would ever stop to think that by jumping the queue because you know somebody important, that a real ‘at risk’ person will be leapfrogged and maybe have to go without. Just human nature I suppose. No doubt Uncle Bertie has issued secret order for foreigners like me to be left until last, which of course would be totally expected, and I am certainly not complaining, as I still have adequate supplies of © Toranja Poncha ©.

Portugal may be top-of-the list – FIFA updates it’s rankings today and  decides the ‘pots’ on day 2. So having scraped through with a string of close but favourable results, the desire is now that Portuguese football team gets seeded and avoids any particularly difficult games in the group stages of the actual 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

Santos Costa had a construction company when he was already regional secretary – The leader was a partner, with relatives, of a company of construction consultancy. But he says he has already left the company. The company offered services in the areas that Costa himself works, particularly in construction, promotion and marketing of real estate, tourism, hotel hospitality, and consultancy. Costa himself and his wife both held 40% of the shares, and the two children 10% each. The firm was created in April 2007, with a starting capital of just €5,000. In December 2008, company assets were stated as being around €300,000. Politicians in construction consultancy … stinks of a conflict of interest, especially for one that holds the very senior post of Regional Secretary responsible for ‘social assets’. But it is not illegal! It seems that now the company belongs just to the wife and two sons, which makes me feel so much better. It’s only just after midday as I write this, and the article already has 13 readers responses on the Diário website., and I have read them all and found nothing but scorn and contempt for Costa. 

Why is it I feel guilty hogging all the top stories of the day? … I will leave these other two in case someone else wants a go …

Traffic continues in chaos around the schools – One of the reasons is the fact that only one quarter of the children take the bus to school. The winner is pollution.

Theatre celebrates 20 years of inclusive art.

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. 

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

(more…)

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Jon … Lucy & Gizmo, both adopted from SPAD (Domestic Animal Protection Society). What a pair of posers Jon! They certainly don’t look bovered by anything on this planet!

Sheila sent me this, mainly for the attention of the British readers :  Are we bovered?

"Am I alone in noticing that, despite the sterling efforts of Der and Elaine to bring news items to the Blog, few if any of us seem to have opinions about serious matters, which might be expected to concern us as Brits?

For instance, how do we feel about our dear departed Prime Minister, Tony Blair becoming the first President of the European Council of EU leaders? Do any of us care one way or the other? No?

Well, how about this then. The Lisbon Treaty is almost certain to be ratified after the Czechs were bribed by an opt-out into withdrawing their opposition. Ireland has had two stabs at a referendum because they got it "wrong" and voted "no" the first time. Britain was promised a referendum but we are not going to get one. Do any of us care?
Maybe we can’t do anything to influence the major decisions, which affect all our lives, but do we have to allow ourselves to be rail-roaded into changes, which most of us may not want? Perhaps we are just not "bovered".

I forgot all about Britain some time ago, so not comment from that perspective, but putting a warmonger  in charge of anything to me sends all the wrong messages, and I must admit I didn’t even know about his appointment.  Anyway that aside, like Sheila I always thought it strange that very few people over the last two years were interested enough to make any comments on the daily news, although I have had the impression a few times that some people who are not Madeirans think they don’t have the right to do so. It takes allsorts I suppose, as Bertie Bassett one said. BTW I haven’t had one for years, but those round coconut ones (pink or blue) with liquorice centres were definitely from sweetie heaven. Der

"The Madeira group Siram is looking for partners in Macau to manage casinos in Porto Santo and Cape Verde, and to develop an innovative spa project in Macau, Siram president Silvio Santos told Portuguese news agency Lusa. One of the company’s’ real estate and tourism developers is having difficulties financing its Colombo’s Resort tourism project, in the Madeiran island of Porto Santo, and are looking for partnerships and a new ownership structure focused on the areas of tourism and gambling, to be set up next year. With a current budget of €200 million, Colombo’s Resort, a five star resort to be managed by Starwood, is looking for new investors which may come from Macau, depending on the revival of construction work". MACAU DAILY TIMES

"When considering the size of Madeira, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer!  From many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages, amazing landscapes, impressive volcanic caves, rugged coast lines, beautiful natural beaches and, last but not least, breathtaking views, there is so much to see that you will soon realise that one visit to Madeira just isn’t enough!" A very well written article ATLANTIC QUEST – My journey across the Americas during my Gap Year

Elaine completes a full month with her news translation, without a break. Thanks so much Elaine. Here are yesterday’s main stories :

Pink Christmas trees in fashion this year. Expensive but selling well, according to the manager of ‘Bazar do Povo’ (Sa) in Funchal. They have been selling Christmas decorations since September. —- You heard it first here. Of course. © Toranja Poncha © is also pink, so have yourself a very pinky Christmas time with a tree as well. Der

Requests for help from consumers rise 52%. Requests to Serviço de Defesa do Consumidor (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) for help with financial issues increased 52% this year. Most frequent cases related to credit, often due to changes in family circumstances, e.g. divorce, widowhood, health or unemployment. Also mortgage queries as to which is the best deal.

The association gave the following tips: Prevention is best. Before taking out a loan, work out your budget and whether you can afford it without getting into debt. Avoid credit for everyday expenses. Never borrow to pay off other debts. Never sign a contract unless you understand it. You always need to have some savings.

Business group suspected of fraud began in Caniçal Free Zone. The business group headed by Manuel Godinho, suspected of economic crimes and bribery of managers of public funds, was launched in the Madeira market through a company newly established in the Free Zone, the Resatlantico – Waste Management. All Manuel Godinho’s companies, many of which are linked to business waste and waste management, are based in Aveiro. The only exception seems to be a company formed in May this year in Madeira and is based in the Free Zone in Caniçal. Resatlantico entered the regional market to collect used electrical and electronic equipment for the purposes of dismantling and recycling using facilities on the continent. It has established protocols with AMB3E and municipalities and is licensed by the Directorate for the Environment. It is unknown if the investigations on the continent will affect regional expansion. Manuel Godinho was arrested last Wednesday in Aveiro in relation to economic crimes involving an oxygen-treatment and environmental cleaning group. 14 people were indicted.

Good chestnut harvest. (Interview with a farmer) The harvest is only half done but has already doubled the amount produced in 2008. Increases both in the quantity and quality. Grown in Curral das Freiras and sold in the local shops, in Sao Martinho and sold to the Sã supermarket group. There is a processing centre in Curral das Freiras where the chestnuts are graded then heat treated to preserve them. Are inexpensive this year, selling through an intermediary for 1.20 to 1.40 Euros a kilo and directly to the consumer for 1.60 to 1.70 Euros a kilo. This year, 43% less are imported. The dried fruit price has increased globally. —- As noted in the comments section in the Diário, selling in the Farmer’s Market for 3.99 to 4.10 Euros a kilo.

The Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that Madeira has the capacity to produce 764 tonnes per year. The processing plant has graded 33% more than last year and heat treated 160% more since the season started on October 6th. There are 24 producers of organic nuts corresponding to an area of 33.14 hectares, of which 21.53 are in Curral das Freiras and 11.61 in Jardim da Serra.

Court seeks list of projects approved in Ponta do Sol in 2001. The present mayor, Rui Marques and former mayor, António Lobo were in the dock (both PSD politicians) and eight witnesses gave evidence. It involves a 20,000 Euros bribe for approval of a 29 unit apartment block when the Plano Director Municipal (PDM) was suspended. Partners in the firm are former members of the PSD, Emidio Correia and the former Ponta do Sol councillor Antonio Munuel. A witness, a Socialist Party councillor said that councillors of the opposition did not know the legal implications of the suspension of the PDM and had limited access to projects. Approval of this one had been done quickly whereas others took "weeks and months" and other projects were approved in consequence of the suspension of the PDM. At that time he did not realise the building site was controversial. The trial continues on 13 November when Ponta do Sol Council have to send a list of all draft permits for private buildings approved during the year 2001.

Driver of car that collided with two vans identified. He fled the scene and video surveillance tape was released of his grey Polo car. He has contacted the owners of the damaged vans and accepted liability. —- No report of police prosecuting.

Tribute to combatants. On Monday 2 November, there will be a ceremony commemorating combatants who lost their lives on overseas missions. It will be in Nazaré at the Monumento de Homenagem dos Combatentes do Ultramar (in photo). Appeal for serving combatants and the general public to attend to make the greatest possible tribute.

Free bus pass for the elderly back on the parliamentary agenda. This was approved in 1999 but never implemented. The free pass should be given to anyone over 60 who receives an income below the minimum wage. Also aimed at all people with disabilities, regardless of age.

Club Med 2 in port today. A five-masted luxurious cruising yacht joined three other ships to  make another full harbour. She sailed from Casablanca and is going on to the Caribbean. The Club Med Portugal visited the ship. The yacht has recently been renovated with 10 new suites of 36 square metres and it can accommodate 392 tourists.

Porto Santo port promoted as free of charge.  Medicruise (association of cruise ports) meeting in Monaco, where Madeira is gaining membership. Because Porto Santo port is free of charge, companies save between 3,500 and 12,000 Euros depending on tonnage of the vessel and passenger numbers. Funchal has lowered its tariff during the quieter summer months to try to increase business.

C&A want to open a second store in Funchal in the near future. The new store opened yesterday at the Forum Madeira. The group wanted to open a larger store, as they are normally 1400 to 2000 square metres but this one is just over 700 square metres. Yesterday was busy, partially due to curiosity and also because of an opening discount of 20%. —- The papers are a bit late with this one. Quite right Elaine, Josie had already told us having actually checked it out personally yesterday. Der

Valor Ambiente reply to Diário’s report. Diário yesterday had a report highlighting exportation of clinical waste to Spain for incineration. In Jornal da Madeira, the company stated that this is just a temporary solution which is in the public interest until the company who built the incinerator at Meia Serra make alterations to increase productivity and create safer operating conditions, as it is still under warranty. They said this company is paying for the exportation and it is not resulting in extra costs to Valor Ambiente (Government owned) and the Diário is just being critical of the Government.

Direct debits can be paid into a bank account in another EU country. From Monday but not available immediately in all 27 countries. This is under the SEPA (Single Euro Payments) system developed in 2008 to simplify payments through bank transfers, direct debits and bank cards in the Eurozone. Customers in the Single Area will also be able to make and receive payments in Euros under the same conditions as they do nationally.

A quick look at today’s front page news headlines in the Diário :

‘PS proposes an educational revolution – André Escórcio is the project author. Not that this idea will go anywhere, as it’s not a PSD idea, but the gist is to offer free education at all levels, and cut support to private and small independent schools, and then to create a more autonomous education system, with its own characteristics, without impinging on the general principles of law.

Failures in the management of hazardous waste lead CDU to ask for an inquiry. A story which Elaine has covered well in the last couple of days, and it seems a plausible reason has been given, that satisfies accusations made in a possible case of mischief-making by the Diário.

The main headline today : Armas operation is illegal – The Port and Maritime Transport Authorities have concluded that the loading operation undertaken by the Spanish vessel in Funchal Port is in breach of the rules. The license is at risk. The unloading of freight in Funchal Port from the passenger ferry that does the Madeira – Portimão – Canary Islands route has been deemed to breach licence conditions it seems. The situation arose after complaints from other shipping companies who had been forced to load and unload elsewhere, whilst the passenger ferry could continue freight operations unhindered. That could bump up the costs of the passenger ferry service somewhat, as that would have been a big piece of income for Naviera Armas, or even put the whole operation at risk. As for the next step, I reckon the government will step in and intervene, as the ferry service just cannot be put at risk.

A large picture shows a graveyard with some estrelicia flowers : No one dares to mess with the rules of the cemeteries – The 40 year old regulations provide great breeding conditions for the mosquito that spreads dengue disease. The health authorities prefer to respect the cult and its rituals.

‘Fly Madeira’ commences flying next Tuesday – Transporting cargo will mark the start of operations of the new airline company. It will be better known as FlyMI (Fly Madeira Islands), and on Tuesday it will fly a cargo from Lisbon to Madeira in it’s inaugural flight in a leased Boeing 737-300. Phase one of the formation for FlyMI is freight, passengers will come later through scheduled and charter flights.

In football : Nacional and Marítimo want to imitate Braga. Victory over Benfica results in clear league leadership for Braga. Today the teams from Madeira play, with TV honours. And what a great game and result it was (2 – 0), and how wonderful it was to see those Benfica supporters ,who were gloating over putting 6 goals past Nacional last week, crying in their beer. Benfica were the stronger side, but Braga played a strategy to outwit them, and it worked very well. Fantastic first goal as well.

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