Today’s photo – Many thanks to Pete … Porto Santo ferry back on duty Thursday 25 February (better late than never, but a bit of a photo backlog. Der)

From Pete … many thanks : "Wreck of the Soudan. (From the Illustrated London News, February 27, 1875.) The African Royal Mail Company’s steam-ship Soudan was wrecked on the night of the 2^nd inst. in Funchal Bay, Madeira. She was from Liverpool, bound for Madeira and the West Coast of Africa. She had a crew of forty-five, all told, and one passenger, in addition to the mails and a full cargo. On the 2^nd inst. she arrived at Madeira, about six in the evening, and came to an anchor off Low Rock …" MORE

Also from Pete : "photo of  Dolce Vita open yesterday, please take note Pingo Doce is closed still, with some other shops down stairs".

Many thanks to Elaine (East) for these web snippets :

For our ship-ahoy shipaholics.  Madeira is the name of a vessel that went down in a huge storm of 1905. There’s a harrowing story about her last hour that you can read about HERE. She broke in two against Gold Rock, less than a mile "up-lake" from the present day Split Rock Lighthouse.  Of course the lighthouse wasn’t there then–it was built a few years later after the owners of a bunch of ships that went down that night banded together and persuaded Congress to build one (I have a separate story about the lighthouse that I’m saving, but I should say that the lighthouse is the most iconic image of the North Shore, having been painted and photographed to death ) … ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Two helpful websites (in Portuguese only). The first gives useful worldwide and Portuguese links: HERE. The second is for local information and news: HERE

Promoting expensive apartments. Do you believe these estate agents? Madeira To Bounce Back Hard. The Madeira property market is unlikely to be severely affected by the recent flash-floods that killed 42 people at the end of last month. …Madeira property had seen a massive boost from its being seen as one of the safest places to buy; for being insulated from the international financial turmoil and this is expected to continue after the cleanup is completed. JUST BS?

Many thanks to Becky for this videos : Dance, Bertie, Dance!

Many thanks to Paul for these three articles :

Portugal v Brazil: Liedson: I’m going to give everything I’ve got to help Portugal win!

Portugal Striker Liedson born in Brazil is looking forward to the Brazil Clash. “The prolific hitman is relishing the prospect of playing against Brazil at the World Cup 2010…”. Portugal lock horns with Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea in the group phase of the World Cup and prolific hitman Liedson is particularly looking forward to the match against Brazil, his native country.

"I can barely wait for the World Cup to start. Any kid who likes football dreams of playing at a World Cup and I was no different. But to be honest I needed to work really hard and wait a long time to get that opportunity," said Liedson to fifa.com.

"I’ve got a lot of love and respect for Portugal. I’ve always been treated with a great amount of affection by the fans and what better way to thank them than with loads of goals. And that’s what I try to do every time I take the field. Link to full Goal.com article

How the banana industry can diversify!

World first in underwear – made from the weave of the bark from the banana tree, and soft organic cotton, ensuring ultimate comfort, with an eco friendly flavour that will keep you coming back for seconds!

27% Banana Fibre, 64% Cotton, 9% Lycra. Gentle machine wash in cold water. Do not tumble dry. Do not bleach or wring. Line dry in shade. Cool Iron. Do not iron waistband!

Link to site with videos!

"superb piece of journalism from the UK Telegraph" –

"Madeira lives on. It’s time to go back" 3 weeks after the floods … that’s the verdict of ‘The Telegraph’ newspaper who visited Funchal, Monte, Ribeira Brava, Serra de Água, Ribeiro Frio and Pico das Pedras.

"What I had seen convinced me that Madeira is very nearly back to normal. The majority of roads are open, as are hotels, bars, walks and most restaurants. The mess is visible in parts, but not ruinously so. Madeira lives on. It’s time to go back." Link to full article

This weekends football : Big big match tomorrow as Benfica arrive on Madeira to take on Nacional. The game is on at 6 pm if you fancy a trip to the Choupana, as it’s not on TV (…. just kidding! SportTV1). The other team, called Marítimo I think, travels to Portugal to take on Paços de Ferreira, on Monday evening. SportTV1 8.15 pm.

Tourist delivers 20 kilos of aid – A British tourist is going to deliver 20 kilos of toys and clothing to the homeless in Madeira. While staying in accommodation at Cabo Girão, this British citizen called the hotel when he heard of the tragedy, and instead of cancelling the vacation, wondered what he could do for people affected by floods. He paid for the transportation of 20 kilos of extra baggage to be able to bring help to people who had lost everything. This extra baggage includes toys, crayons, underwear, all in accordance with the list of priorities published by Caritas. This morning the tourist has handed over the aid, which will be delivered Garrison Regiment No. 3. Many thanks to Elaine (West) for that from yesterday’s Diário.

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

DIÁRIO 12/03/2010

FRONT PAGE NEWS

Regional Government will no longer support the subsidy for insularity. Civil service workers normally have a 2% pay increase to subsidise the extra cost of insularity – living in Madeira rather than on the Continent. This year is the last time they will get this allowance; from next year the subsidy will be index linked to the difference in national and regional inflation. Over the past five years, the average difference was 0.5% but inflation has often been identical in both countries. 30% of Madeirans work as public employees or equivalent, 35,000 at a cost of 688.6 million Euros or 14% GDP. The amount saved next year will be 13.7 million Euros and will be diverted to reconstruction funds. It is unclear what the situation on Porto Santo will be with a subsidy of 30% or 2 million Euros. — Dodgy statistics again? 35,000 public service employees – probably 50% of the working population, not 30% of Madeirans. Surprisingly, I cannot find this article in JM to check the figures.

MADEIRA

Inerts dumped on the beach at São Roque. The debris dredged from the stream at Machico has been dumped on the pebble beach at São Roque. This controversial decision was taken by Machico Council and the mayor believes this is the best option. He said that the pebbles already on the beach were formed from inerts originally in the stream, so this is just an increase of what is normally there. He does not think the beach is large enough for all the debris so some of it will have to be transported elsewhere. The mayor hopes the beach will be ready for bathers in the summer season. It is expected to be a busy season in the East because of the damage to some beaches in the West and Funchal. The socialists in the council doubt this hasty decision and would like a technical study of the impact on the coastline of Machico.

Animals not included in the process of resettlement. Many of the families made homeless by the storm are also without their pets. This is because many of the condominiums used for resettlement do not allow dogs. The association PATA has received applications from families who could not take their dogs to their new home, and after accommodating three of these, has run out of space for the other ten dogs. This has increased the anxiety of the families at a time when they are coping with having lost their home. Unfortunately, some families have to abandon their pets. According to PATA, the authorities should think about pets when they rehouse families.

Free dental check-ups. Until the end of March, 17 dentists in Madeira are carrying out free check-ups, without treatments or x-rays. This is the 11th edition of Oral Health Month organized by Colgate and SPEMD. If you want to participate, phone the Blue Line between 12 – 23 hours, daily: 808 305 306.

Gulbenkian Foundation supports Madeira. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will support the resettlement of the elderly in Ribeira Brava by a donation of 300,000 Euros to the Centro Social e Paroquial de S. Bento da Ribeira Brava. Accommodation will be in the building next to the Centre after it has been adapted for the elderly who cannot return home or join their family.

Three Madeirans arrested for crimes abroad. Two women, 45 and 54 years old, and a 21 year old man were arrested on Wednesday by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Judicial Police (PJ). They are wanted on European Arrest Warrants for crimes in Austria, France and Poland; murder, a crime of a sexual nature and drug trafficking, respectively. Their cases will be heard in the Court of Appeal in Lisbon for a decision to either release them, extradite them or serve a prison term in Madeira.

Cousin of Cristiano Ronaldo dies after traffic accident. The 32 year old man died Tuesday night at the Hospital Dr. SMF Mendonça as a result of injuries sustained in an accident in Caniço. The death of Miguel dos Santos Fernandes is another tragedy for the family who were made homeless on the 20th February. The victim’s mother is the sister of the footballer who is reportedly coming to the funeral today at the cemetery at São Martinho. In order to attend he has cancelled a publicity event at the Estádio Santiago Bernabeu. The accident occurred last Friday at 12.35 hours at Livramento, Caniço. The victim was travelling on the motorway between Funchal and Santa Cruz when the car flipped over several times and eventually halted on vacant land. The cause of the accident is unknown. The car belonged to his employer, Portugal Telecom, and the Fire Department had to use equipment to extract him from the interior. He was married and lived in Edifício VIP VIII in Caniço.

POLITICS

Socialist Party want to reduce airport charges. The Socialist Party thinks it is about time to lessen the difference between rates at airports in Madeira and the Continent. They will present to the Legislative Assembly of Madeira a regional draft decree to reduce this discrepancy, which ultimately has negative consequences throughout the economy of Madeira. They want to change the current rates, requiring the charges not to exceed the average value of similar charges applied in other domestic airports. The airport can then become more competitive. This is now even more essential after the storm of February 20th, since it is necessary to create additional incentives for the entry of tourists to the region. Over the years, Madeira Airport charges have soared to the detriment of Madeirans and people wanting to come to the region, including national and international tourists. For example, in 2002 the airport tax paid by passengers in Madeira was 10.94 Euros and currently stands at 48.30 Euros, more than quadrupled.

PCP promotes petition for new hospital. The PCP want the Legislative Assemblies of Madeira and the Republic to discuss the construction of the new Central Hospital of Funchal. They need at least 4,000 signatures for the petition to go to the Legislative Assembly of Madeira. The Assembly of the Republic rejected a proposal that funds come from the PIDDAC of 2010. PCP argue that the hospital is in the national interest, therefore should be paid for by the State. The Madeiran deputy Hugo Velosa is on the side of the PCP, and voted against the PSD who did not want to amend the PIDDAC. This did not go down well with the parliamentary group but his position represents the position of all PSD-M deputies, preferring to put the interests of Madeira before the interests of the party.

UPDATES

Dolce Vita reopened today. Only the third floor shops are open. The restaurant area should be operational within two weeks. The car park should reopen within a month. A date for the Pingo Doce supermarket has not been announced.

EU will help Madeira but cannot commit to dates. The European Commission President,  Durão Barroso, reaffirmed that the EU will contribute to the rebuilding of the parts of Madeira affected by the storm of February 20th, but could not commit to dates. He visited the island to express solidarity and personally become acquainted with the damage. He said funds can be applied retroactively and the contribution will not solve everything. The date for decisions will be in October or winter. In addition to the Solidarity Fund, there are 550 million Euros in other funds that can be made available to Madeira. Immediate funding cannot be granted as the EU requires proof of damage. He has great confidence in the future of Madeira, highlighting the dynamism of Madeirans and the history of proper use of structural funds. About the reconstruction effort he witnessed, "I have never seen in Europe so many machines and people at work."

JORNAL DA MADEIRA

FRONT PAGE NEWS

"I’ll give a hug of solidarity." Durão Barroso flew in last night and stayed at Reid’s Hotel. His schedule was: Tabua (9.25 am),  Meia Légua – Serra de Água in Ribeira Brava (10 am) and then the downtown area of Funchal at 12.00. After a working lunch at the Albatroz restaurant near the airport, he gave a press conference at 12.50 then flew out at 13.20.

IHM makes an intensive inventory. 60 families relocated, 110 still waiting. 54 of the 60 families (235 individuals) have been rehoused in Funchal. Most of the larger families have been found new homes. There are still 250 people in temporary shelters (110 families). Technicians of the IHM are working in the counties affected; Funchal, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz and Câmara de Lobos. They survey houses for the possibility of restoration and look at homes for the government to lease or purchase, in collaboration with Cáritas, councils and Social Security. It will not be possible to rehouse all those displaced in Serra de Água back to this parish. Santa Cruz and Câmara de Lobos councils have many offers for renting which are being considered. They aim to have everyone out of the shelters by the end of this month.

REGIONAL

Funchal Council award 14 contracts. These are for urgent renovation work of storm damage. The value is 2.9 million Euros. The streets most affected by the storm are to be recovered and retaining walls constructed to prevent further landslides and allow access to homes. The safety of road users and pedestrians will be met. The traders and homes affected by the storm of 20th February will be exempt from paying IMI (council tax) for 2010 and 2011. 300,000 Euros have been donated to 120 entrepreneurs (2,500 Euros grants) from two financial establishments.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Storm ruins strategy of Serrão – One of the more serious consequences of the recent happenings  for the Socialist Party of Madeira is the Jardim – Sócrates friendship, confesses the new socialist leader in an interview.

Today’s main news headline : Hospital makes the police pay for medical treatment for the ruffians – SESARAM is to telling alleged perpetrators to pay for medical treatment for their victims. The measure affects police officers in the performance of their duties. The ASPP says the procedure is unprecedented in the country, and will take the case to the national director of the Public Service Police.

Parents, students and head teachers isolate teachers.

[Durrão] Barroso discards [the responsibility] to Lisbon for the bulk of the support – The President of the European Commission repeated yesterday the visits of other dignitaries : He was moved by the destruction from the tragedy and pointed to [José] Sócrates.

EU will help Madeira, but cannot commit to dates – The procedures do not depend solely on the European Union. The European Commission President, Durão Barroso reaffirmed that the European Union will contribute to the rebuilding of the Madeira affected by the storms of 20 February, although "one can not commit to dates." In the first place he said, it is necessary for the Portuguese authorities to make their evaluation and claim, and then  there are other EU institutions involved. The Commission President pointed out that there are nearly €550 million in other funds "that can be made available to Madeira", a region with "great experience in the management of these financial supports, and can use it to increase its competitiveness and sources of growth for the prosperity of all the locals". "The European Union will help through its Solidarity Fund and matters are well underway," he said, stressing: "I myself personally found out about the verified damage".

Government returns to giving insularity subsidy – Jardim does a U-turn on the decision made on Thursday. It’s in order to not to lose an argument used in Lisbon and Brussels. Another related headline says … End of awarding the insularity subsidy is the wrong step – Jacinto Serrão pushes for a gradual increase of the payment to 5%.

"The PSD is in 47th place on my priority list" – President Jardim is going to be in the convention despite saying that the Social Democrat Party is not one of his worries.

The main sports / football headline today : None!

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

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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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and other material.

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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.

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2010 All Rights Reserved

Many thanks to Becky for these web snippets :

"This afternoon the wardrobes and cupboards here will be a little emptier.  We wish the best of luck to everyone associated with the collection and hope that it makes the lives of the people of Madeira a bit easier in the short term." MORE

"We left Madeira in the middle of the night, stealing away from our hotel, from the sleepy-eyed night clerk we roused from slumber on the lobby’s wicker furniture who watched us drive away through the glass lobby doors, from the sea finally quiet and the stars which we could see for only the second time in a week, with the yellow lights of the city guiding us, the air calm, the night quiet, the whistling wind at last abated–we left the island more full of peace than when we arrived". BLOG STORY

"A bit more on Funchal ships over the years" … Pete. HERE

"Comment here about Graf Zeppelin passed over Funchal"  … Pete HERE  AND HERE  SIGHTING / PHOTO

Also from Pete … "Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner flying over Funchal looking at February flood damage on the 7/3/10. Thanks for all that Pete.

Which is rather good timing, as Paul kindly sent this in, along with the CR article :

Know your EU Commissioners: Johannes Hahn : Without a doubt the most significant EU Commissioner for Madeirans indeed all Madeiran residents is Johannes Hahn, European commissioner for regional policy who is now responsible for a policy that accounts for about one-third of the EU’s spending. He is expected to overtake agriculture as the single biggest budget item. He was of course in the Region to assess the floods damage and discuss scope for EU support with the President of Madeira’s regional government, Alberto João Jardim. The Madeira visit follows up a meeting the Hahn held with the Portuguese Interior Minister, Mr Rui Pereira, in Bruges (Belgium) on 26 February.

The sheer scale of regional spending, roughly €50 billion per year, makes Hahn one of the more important figures in the college.

Johannes Hahn, lover of baroque music and a keen sailor, is that rare breed of politician who does not feel a constant need to talk.

Philosopher: “At university, Hahn quickly discovered that philosophy suited him far better than law. His whole outlook on life changed soon after, however, when, aged 22, he was diagnosed with cancer. “If you are confronted with death, your priorities change,” says Hahn, who still goes for regular check-ups at the age of 52.”

Vienna man: “spent his entire life in Austria’s capital, Vienna, occupying the same flat for the past 24 years”. To read Johannes Hahn’s profile and CV click to this ARTICLE

Imagine Ronaldo playing for Australia!

Had the planets aligned differently, Cristiano Ronaldo might have been playing for the Australian national team rather than Portugal.

“Maria-Angela, 80, and Jose, 81, have had 13 children and four live with them in Perth. Ronaldo, 25, was just a child when Vivieros – who works as a cleaner – moved to Australia to find a better life about 20 years ago.

These days Vivieros pines for the beauty of Madeira, but his parents – who migrated to Perth about a decade ago – are settled and have no wish to return. ”They look after me and I look after them as well,” Vivieros said. ”Now my life’s here.”

Western Australia boasts a Portuguese population of about 8000 and 85 per cent are from Madeira, according to the Portuguese consulate in Perth. The Madeirans started arriving in large numbers in the 1950s and many settled in Fremantle as fishermen.” Link to full article

Marítimo only managed a dreary 0 – 0 draw on Madeira yesterday with Académica. Nacional play tonight, and could climb to 5th in the league table if they win.

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

DIÁRIO 07/03/2010

FRONT PAGE NEWS

Infrastructures in areas of risk. Link to the map is on yesterday’s blog. Infrastructures of strategic importance are in areas at risk. These include those needed in an emergency, for example fire stations and health centres. Porto Santo is one of the three regions in Portuguese territory that are most at risk if global temperatures increase by two degrees over the next few years, (December 2004 study). Madeira is at risk depending on volcanic activity on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. A BBC documentary said that in the worst case scenario, a tsunami tidal wave could reach Madeira within a few hours. By the end of the century, it is predicted that the archipelago will have an average temperature increase of 2 – 3 degrees with a 35% reduction in current rainfall. Water availability will decrease by 40 – 50%, (Filipe Duarte Santos, September 2006). Madeira has a population density (310 inhabitants / square km) higher than the EU and national average. 75% occupy only 35% of the territory, mainly on the south coast. 45% of the population (130,000) reside in Funchal, (1,500 inhabitants/ square km). Since 1991, only two counties have increased in population, Câmara de Lobos (10%) and Santa Cruz (26.7%). The first increase is natural and the second as a result of improved road access to Funchal. The development of the Calheta – Machico transport network has allowed a more equal distribution of the population on the south coast, resulting in Funchal losing 12,000 inhabitants between 1991 and 2001. Due to the physical characteristics of the territory, the north coast has been consistently losing population and represents less than 10% of the total population of Madeira.

MADEIRA

‘Delusional fantasy’ reported in the London newspapers. This story has been reported in previous blogs. Diário has picked up on the Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph reports of the discovery of a nail from the time of  the crucifixion of Christ, on the Ilhéu da Pontinha (Forte de S. José). Élvio Sousa of CEAM says it is purely delusional fantasy, agreed by Brian Philp from the Centre for Archaeology. Élvio Sousa guarantees that reports that objects have been found on this site are manifestly false. In the area of the dig, there were found objects from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, however there are some remnants that can be traced to the seventeenth century. He said it is sensationalism to say that these were found in a wooden box by the sea, perfectly preserved for over two thousand years. The nail that was found is strong, but is just like the ones used in constructing residential dwellings in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and there are many of these found in the excavation. Contacted by Diário, Renato Barros the owner of Forte de São José, said he himself found the pieces therefore it was a finding, not an archaeological discovery. He added that 200 – 300 people visit the Fort each day and a "person from the British Museum" took note of the relics and then returned to London where the museum authenticated the pieces. He said he would not give any further details, as they will be divulged in Madeira in conjunction with museum officials.

Lack of salary causes strike in Jardim da Serra hotel. Tired of not receiving their wages on time, 16 of the 20 employees of the Hotel Quinta do Jardim da Serra started a two-day strike yesterday. The staff have repeatedly threatened to go on strike since last year for wages paid in arrears, and job insecurity since early 2009. The situation worsened at the end of last year when the salary was two months in arrears but a strike was suspended as the company said they would pay the salaries. The staff are on strike now because they have not received wages for December and the Christmas bonus.

Thieves take items donated for the homeless. Dozens of articles donated by the public for victims of the storm of February 20th were stolen from the warehouse at Rua do Brasil, Nazaré. The burglars entered through the door to the rubbish storage area. According to the president of the charity Cáritas Diocesana do Funchal, they took appliances such as toasters, kitchen mixers and hairdryers. The charity had already suspected that the warehouse could be subject to a possible burglary as some volunteers had noticed on Friday, a group of individuals who attempted to divert products. The doors will be reinforced and the police have been asked to investigate. As well as the army, police will patrol the area.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

MPT [Earth Party] makes possible Serrão [PS-M leader] as vice of the table of parliament.

Women of Madeira that telephone to APAV answered in the Azores – On the Day of the Woman there is a signalling of the lack of an office of APAV on Madeira, the presence of 20 complaints of domestic violence per week to the PSP Police, and the myths amongst the young people that consider the pressure and the jealousy to be normal. Victim support for Madeira’s battered women is handled initially in the Azores, by the Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima (APAV), as there is no office on Madeira. This is despite of there being 511 complaints to the Public Security Police in the first six months of 2009. The calls to a Madeiran number are automatically rerouted to Ponta Delgada, in the Azores. The distance causes some difficulties, as often the women are desperate and need information immediately, but the staff of APAV in the Azores need to contact someone on Madeira to seek further help, to give support and if necessary access to sheltered accommodation.

Today’s main news headline : Solidarity already raised €7.3 million. Companies and citizens are on a wave of notable generosity. Mota Engil on its own is giving 1.2 million Euros for 10 (or even 12?) houses for the homeless due to the storms of 20th February. But there are many and good examples that arrive from all the Country and Region. The generosity of companies and the Portuguese is unprecedented. The Diário has done an assessment of the various fund raising initiatives and bodies, to come up with the figure of €7.3 million, and has also concluded that over 40% of that figure is promised by companies. Aside from Mota Engil, Jerónimo Martins has pledged €1 million, BES (Banco Espírito Santo), €500,000, Montepio €150,000 (plus more direct help), Totta €100,000, and Galp Fuel €200,000, are amongst the most generous pledges to support the various fund raising initiatives. Amongst many other sources of support, the Portuguese Football Federation is giving €100,000, whilst the teams Sporting and naval have donated complete gate receipts. Two ‘countries’ have also given, with a €50,000 cheque from the USA Embassy in Lisbon, and €556,000 from one of the poorest countries in the world, East Timor. The list goes on, and on, and on ….

Pestana JR, R. Oudinote and the tunnel Sá Carneiro reopen. Funchal today will be better-off. Running late are Avenida do Mar and Rua do Anadia. As Funchal returns to normal, on a day to day basis at least, roads and tunnels are reopening albeit with restrictions in some cases. Rua Visconde do Anadia needs two or three more weeks before reopening, because the drains are completely blocked. Also the roads Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses will continue with restrictions for some time, although there will also be some movement on the South side in a few days when drainage problems have been resolved.

The main sports headline today : Latest draw distances Marítimo from Europe – The ‘verde-rubros’ returned to distance themselves further from the objective of a European placing. The draw with Académica left the team of Mitchell in 10th place. Tonight Nacional close the weekend fixtures in Guimarães.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2010 All Rights Reserved

Many thanks to Paul for sending these in : 

Viva Madeira 2! – Tourists urged not to cancel holidays.

The impact will be quick to pass and Madeira will soon recover and return to normal hopefully within days.

Source of photograph

…says Michael Blandy, chairman of the Blandy group, which has five hotels on the island and caters for the majority of British visitors to Madeira.

The Daily Telegraph article continues:

Michael Blandy said many people had been put off coming to Madeira but predicted that the impact would be quick to pass and that Madeira would soon recover and return to normal "hopefully within days.

"In reality it is a very small area that has been affected and the authorities are working incredibly hard to restore the infrastructure and ensure a return to normality."

"Tourism chiefs have urged holidaymakers not to abandon Madeira as a tourist destination following flash floods and mudslides at the weekend that left at 42 dead and hundreds homeless" Link to The Daily Telegraph article

(CNN) – Cristiano Ronaldo is to play in a special benefit match for the victims of the Madeira floods and mudslides which have claimed the lives of at least 42 people. The world’s most expensive player has made himself available for a game between Portuguese champions Porto and a joint team from Madeira-based clubs Nacional and Marítimo.

No date has yet been set for the match, but Ronaldo has said he will help in "whatever possible way" after the tragic events of the weekend. Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira added: "Porto want to express their condolences for all that has happened and, as a club, do everything necessary to help Madeira."

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was born and grew up in Madeira and has a special football center named after him, which is next to the Nacional stadium. The 24-year-old paid his own tribute after scoring the first goal in Real’s 6-2 rout of Villarreal on Sunday, lifting his shirt to reveal a t-shirt bearing the name "Madeira" on the chest

"Nobody can be indifferent to such a tragedy, especially me," Ronaldo told the official Real Madrid Web site, www.realmadrid.com. "I was born and raised on the island. It’s given me so much. This is why I want to make myself available to help in whatever possible way.

"I would like to help official bodies and organizations to minimize the effects of this great tragedy and to get over them as soon as possible." Former World Player of the Year Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United in the summer for a record $120 million fee. CNN LINK

Don’t forget that there are heavy rains forecasted for today. The intensity is not comparable to that of Saturday, but with just 6 days between the two precipitations, there could be effects beyond the normal because everything is still so wet. There is also a separate warning for strong winds in Funchal and the high zones. This is from the BBC … many thanks to Pete for the link.

More heavy rain is forecast for Madeira later in the week, following the devastating floods on Saturday.

The island lies directly in the path of more storms developing in the topical Atlantic. The first of the storms is forecast to hit on Wednesday with a further more intense storm on Friday. With the clean up operation underway, the new storms are unwelcome news, raising the possibility of further destruction. As the funerals are held for the victims of the floods it is feared the death toll could reach 70. The winter months are normally the wettest part of the year in Madeira, but this winter has seen a succession of low pressures pass over the island. After hitting Madeira, the storms will then head northeast bringing disruptive weather to the Portuguese mainland and Spain. Nina Ridge explains why Madeira is seeing a series of storms.

And finally, another link from Paul …

European Parliament emergency debate on Madeira’s floods: 24 February 2010

European Commissioner Günther Oettinger confirmed that money from the EU’s solidarity fund was already being directed to the Portuguese island. Link to video of the whole or most of the debate:

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Today’s main news headline : Total damage amounting to €1.3 billion – Early calculations show astronomical budgetary needs that the Regional Government takes to Brussels today.

Insurers already paid the downtown traders.

Via rápidas and expressos are safe.

Some accesses reopen today – the road network of Funchal, weakened, recovers a little. See everything on the map. Traffic returns to within a few blocks from the centre of Funchal on Friday. Funchal Council president Miguel Albuquerque urges caution in relation to the weather. Movement is restored Friday in five streets around the city centre. In the daily update issued by Funchal Council on Thursday, Miguel Alburquerque announced that the traffic is returning this afternoon to various parts of the city. Parque do Campo da Barca also reopens Friday. With the forecasts of wind and rain for Friday and Saturday, Alburquerque once again reaffirmed that the authorities are prepared for any event, and stressed that there is no reason for panic or fear, but caution is necessary. The president warned people to be careful with their cars alongside water courses, in areas where there are land slides, and areas where there are trees at risk of falling. SEE MAP

Timor gives thousands to Madeira – Díli ignores the discourtesy and repays the friendship shown by the Madeiran people to the East Timorese cause in 1999. When East Timor was the stage of destruction and desperate for help, Madeira didn’t send a single cêntimo. The response has come regardless, with a donation of $750,000 (€556,000), from the government of the country, to help the victims of the catastrophe. The donation has been made as an act of ‘solidarity and support towards the people and authorities’ of Madeira, after the president of East Timor had sent a message of condolences to his Portuguese counterpart. In 1999, whilst on holiday in Porto Santo, Madeira’s President Alberto João Jardim guaranteed that he would not give "a cêntimo" for East Timor, causing harsh reactions throughout the country. "The popular philosophy taught me that each one should govern itself", said the president of the Regional Government on 29 August 1999. Later, after much controversy, in the Region and on the Continent, the statement was softened, albeit symbolically. Jardim then said he was never against helping the Timorese people, but only that Madeira could not spare the money to give any support. So Uncle Bertie’s blunders go back many years, crossing international boundaries, and upsetting innocent people in very difficult positions through no fault of their own. At least East Timor had the common sense to recognise that the words of one absolute idiot were not the words of a decent and generous people, and thank goodness for that, as that is a sizable and much needed donation to help the recovery of our island … and it comes from one of the poorest countries in the world.

List of the 18 missing people – The number of people going missing in the storm reduced. The number of dead remains at 42.

Government rejects assistance offered by the Azores – They had 9 firemen and equipment ready to load on board to send over here. Santo Costa dismissed the offer, despite of having zones in need of help. The article itself then refers to 12 firemen and a coordinator-inspector, coming from the brigades in Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, and São Miguel, of rescue specialists in areas of difficult access. There is an agreement between the two archipelagos and the Canary Islands to send mutual support in the event of catastrophes. The Azores team was assembled, equipped, and ready to go last Saturday, but on Sunday it was disbanded after those responsible for civil protection on Madeira (Santos Costa and Francisco Ramos Jardim) did not consider the help necessary. Politics over people is seems. Recent friction over the Regional Finance Law, and political differences in government colours are no doubt the underlying factors in my opinion. It is absolutely incredible that when some outlying areas have still not received much needed help, that a couple of idiot politicians could turn their backs on such an offer that had been prepared especially for this purpose, and set up through funding by the European Union.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

‘Positive news’ after the flood from Paul, including statistics from The Regional Government of Madeira. Many thanks Paul. Der

Visit of European Commissioner Mr. Johannes Hahn

The European Commissioner Mr. Johannes Hahn will visit the Autonomous Region of Madeira on the 6th and 7th of March to get acquainted with the finance needs to restore Madeira Island.

Show called “A flower to Madeira”

On the 28th of February a show will be organised called “A flower for Madeira”, organized by SIC (private Portuguese television channel) and “Coliseu dos Recreios”, with the patronage of His Excellency the President of Portuguese Republic and the participation of various Portuguese artists, in order to raise funds for Madeira victims.

Museums are reopened.

Next Sunday. Madeira will have the 1st Cruise Ship calling at the harbour of Funchal with 4.500 tourists.

Alternative excursions for tourists: local tourists operators are launching alternative excursions in Madeira Island.

Schools will be reopened Saturday ? and next Monday.

Public services are operating with reduced services and will be normalized soon.

Public transportation, in Funchal, is available with 32 routes.

Statistics:

Deaths estimated: 40

Wounded: 18 people are still in the Hospital.

Missing People: 18

Dislodgments: 563 people, 170 families are reallocated in temporary shelters.

Water Supply : In Ponta do Sol and Ribeira Brava, especially in Serra D’Água and Meia Légua the situation will be restored as soon as possible.

Electricity : Electricity is being established all over the Island, with the exception in small areas.

Communications : Mobile phone connections and fixed communications network are operating in the entire Island.

Solidarity : We inform that there is an official fund which is BANIF – International Bank of Funchal with the IBAN PT 50003800011986711677151 and SWIFT CODE BNLFPTPL.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Do consider only the information given by the Regional Government.

Official information can be followed on : TWITTER     MADEIRA ISLANDS TRAVEL

New updates are available on the Government’s official tourism website HERE

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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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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.

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2010 All Rights Reserved

Please bear in mind that I am on ‘catch up’ at the moment, 4 days behind, so if anything is posted that no longer seems so relevant, I probably didn’t know … I apologise.

Tess did a piece on her blog about Funchal – ‘An Island in Shock’. "I’m sure you’ll be inundated with pictures – but this is just a written piece". And another : ‘Indomitable spirit’

Paul asked me to post this :

MADEIRA DISASTER COLLECTION : Dioceses Cáritas of Funchal is collecting clothing and other goods to help those most affected by floods in Madeira. They will also inform the local population where the donations can be delivered. However, monetary donations can now be made.

Cáritas Funchal : Address: Calçada do Pico,59 9000-206 – Funchal
Phone:(+351) 291743331
Fax: (+351) 291745714 By sending a fax to this number a receipt will be sent out to you
E-mail: caritasfunchal@netmadeira.com WEBSITE

Needs: Clothes, Diapers and baby food needed, Appliances, School Material, Furniture

Donations: Financial Institution: Banif A/c no 1626371377 or NIB no. 003800011626371377113

This from Don re Madeira disaster donations : Attention here is some extra information that is important :
- (BANIF) IBAN PT 50003800011986711677151 and SWIFT CODE (BIC) BNLFPTPL
- If you use this BANIF bank account, then it gives tax benefits to taxpayers, in accordance with Articles 61 and 62 of the Statute of Tax Benefits.
- There are NO officials of the Regional Administration or City Council that are collecting funds for solidarity among the population. Official source SRTT. Thanks a lot Don

This contribution also from Paul :

VIVA MADEIRA! Coverage of Madeira’s unceasing clean-up

The clean-up operation is being documented & filmed by a BBC team led by the reporter Robert Hall on the BBC news website: HERE

Photos of key Funchal city streets that have already been cleaned in 72 hours! HERE

Videos of key Funchal city streets that have already been cleaned in 72 hours! HERE

Outside the famous ‘Apolo Restaurant’ 72 hours after the flooding: Source: FLICKR

As a benchmark for all visitor accommodation in Madeira: “the hotel industry of Madeira was not affected and maintains all operating conditions safely.”

Statement on the floods from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation: HERE

As for the tourism sector, according to the information provided by the regional government, the hotel industry of Madeira was not affected and maintains all operating conditions safely. Hotel establishments, in general, are operational and there were not reported any difficulties or problems. The Madeira International Airport is also operational. "I am confident that Madeira will continue to count on its solid tourism infrastructure and services, which have made it the destination of excellence it is today." Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization

Viva Madeira! (long live Madeira)

[Just to change the mood a little] Pete though these links might be of interest :
DINAS DESERTS AZORES FOOD "I have been there a few times. I think they make the best food I have come across, if I was a condemned man my final wish would be one last meal there then you can do what you like ha ha". Thanks Pete.

Tom emailed and said : "Today [last Friday], the brand new dealership of Toyota was officially open in Funchal. I’ve been there. So was Mr. President uncle Bertie. He is a very good talker. His Speech was good and lasted around 15 min. without any prompter or note. During Toyota President speech the lights went off. all was kaput and dark. Fuses could not keep so much power taken from the electrical system. There were two TV stations and maybe four Radios. After we have a very nice reception, including lots of booze and finger food. During radio interview the President was visibly upset about the lack of funds from Lisbon and City staying behind with payments to subcontractors".

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Difficult situations in the high zones of Funchal. There are suspicions of people buried in the Luso-Brasileira, as a consequence of a movement of an illegal dump in Babosas.

In the road Travessa dos Poços (Monte) residents are evacuated. Many thanks to Ellen for this : Wall at risk of collapse forces evacuation at Monte – Residents of the Travessa dos Poços relocated to homes of relatives. About two dozen people had to leave their homes, on Wednesday,  in Travessa dos Poços, parish of Monte. Due to the forecast of rain and a wall at risk of collapse the area was evacuated and the residents relocated to homes of relatives. Speaking to TSF, Duarte Pereira, president of the Parish of Monte hopes that next week a study will be done on the support of the wall to allow the return of residents of Travessa dos Poços to their homes.

Forecasts now admit that the water discharge from Saturday  may pass to the side of Madeira.

‘Calamity’ would prevent construction in affected areas.

Today’s main news headline : Solidarity in force – The determination of the Madeirans in the recovery after the storm is having a notable benefit : in the solidarity [fund raising] accounts alone there are €2 million. But groups such as ‘Pingo Doce’ are making their own contributions. The Madeira Beer Company is also restocking outlets in the worst affected areas in Funchal and Ribeira Brava ‘on the house’.

"There is only one Madeira" The president of the Republic thought highly of the recovery effort in Funchal and visited problem areas such as Tabua. He needed to tread in the mud and wander around in the rain, but Cavaco Silva didn’t avoid the problems. "Shoes are plentiful, but there is only one Madeira" he declared. The main picture shows Cavaco in Ribeira Brava, inspecting the remains of the old bridge. The popular view is that the bridge was damaged, probably beyond repair, purely by the force of the water, but that isn’t the full story.  One of many stories yet to be told when the dust settles, unless someone can enlighten us beforehand?

500 vehicles damaged – The damage calculations in the ‘car park Madeira’ suggests as much as €7.5 million.

The main sport / football headline today : Solidarity [fund raising] match may be in Madrid – The Spanish football federation forgives the ‘highlighting’ of "Madeira" by CR9 [Cristiano Ronaldo]. Referring to the t-shirt incident of the Madeiran footballer during a Real Madrid match, as mentioned yesterday. It would be shame, but given the low level of support for football matches on Madeira, the potential for fund raising would probably be much greater in Spain, bizarre as it seems.  

Ellen has kindly covered some of these stories in the ‘blog comments’ … many thanks.

On the TV news (RTP) this morning, the cost of repairing the flood damage in Funchal has been estimated at €200 million. I guess that is just for public property, and the city businesses will have to claim through their insurance policies.

There has also been a warning on the radio about the quality of water, where supplies were affected by the floods. The advice is to boil water, or add bleach, depending what the water is to be used for.

Just announced at 12.20 pm today by the Regional Government the reinstatement, some with alterations, of many of the bus routes cancelled since Saturday. It was a lot of information, probably best obtained from the website(s) of Horários and Rodoeste.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

Many thanks to Paul for sending this in :

Friendship and support from Jersey – My homeland has launched an urgent appeal for the victims of the Madeiran floods. The overseas aid charity Jersey Side By Side is urging Islanders to co-ordinate any fundraising efforts into one larger appeal which Side By Side will run and endorse.

It is hoped that as much money as possible can be raised, but also that the appeal will act as a symbol of friendship and support to the Madeiran community both in Jersey and Madeira. Jersey Side By Side chairman Mike Wavell said that Jersey’s close relationship to Madeira meant it was important for Islanders to show their support.

A concert in aid of the appeal is already being organised by a group of young Jersey musicians currently in Madeira. It is hoped the event will take place on Saturday 6 March at St Thomas’ Church. LINK 

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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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2010 All Rights Reserved

Tess, who has lived here for two years, has just started her own new blog, sort of a diary really. I don’t mind giving the competition a plug, so here’s the LINK.

"To identify the chemical changes, Marques and his team used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to analyse Madeira wines produced from the four main grape varieties, with each wine aged for either five or 10 years. This analysis revealed that the wines contained varying concentrations of 37 different volatile compounds, including alcohols such as butanol, organic acids such as malic acid and esters such as ethyl citrate". A SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF MADEIRA WINE

"Ronaldo became Manchester United’s first-ever Portuguese player. Initially, he requested for the number 28 as his jersey number because he didn’t feel that he could live up to the pressure of previous players such as George Best and David Beckham who wore the number 7 jersey". CRISTIANO RONALDO – BIOGRAPHY AND TRIVIA

Many thanks to Sue for some of yesterday’s news stories :

My apologies Sue, but I was out yesterday in the afternoon and it was too late to post this when I arrived back, hence some past tenses needed. Der

Singing of the Kings – The Municipal Garden suspended the ‘Singing of the Kings’ in the Quinta Vigia: The aunt of a Government official has died who was also the mother of one of the musicians and composer.  Tried to find this back again – so not 100% sure but if anyone was intending to go maybe you should check first.

Madeira remains on yellow alert – Due to wind and rain strong Institute of Meteorology put Tuesday on yellow alert, the third most severe of a range of four.   According to forecasts, in the afternoon the wind will intensify and mountainous areas of northwest there will be strong gusts up to 90 km / h.  Also the rain far will fall later and intensify during the night which may be by thunder. The state of the sea, the north coast to northwest the swell will be 3.5 to 4 meters. On the south coast the waves are from the southwest with 1.5 to 2 meters.

‘Choupana Hills’ nominated for ‘Best International Resort’ – Condé Nast selection of 25 resorts around the world the ‘Hut Hills’ is the only Portuguese

Choupana Hills Resort & Spa is among the 25 hotels selected by the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveller as candidates for its annual awards. The hotel units in Madeira are the only Portuguese representative and are candidates for the Condé Nast Traveller Award 2010 in the category of ‘Best International Resort’. The Condé Nast Traveller awards are chosen by voting on-line ‘on the’ site.

Marina closes indefinitely

The two accesses to the Marina do Lugar de Baixo have again been sealed. Judging from the damage caused by the relentless surf – two leaks in the protection wall in the marina dock area and is unlikely to reopen later this winter. The president of the West Point Development acknowledged Thursday that the ban on access to the marina will remain in the near future. "We are waiting for the time (sea conditions) to improve, so we can assess the damage caused and only then can a decision be taken accordingly," explained Paul Sousa. The marina has closed after the wave heights of the last weeks, three months after the end of September, when the president of the Regional Government has declared its opening in the municipality of Ponta do Sol giving orders to remove the fences and open the marina to public. However, while it was open, the beach area was little used.

Public good despite the rain for Circus – The return to school eased the demand recorded during the Christmas and end-of-year

It was felt that the weather during the Christmas season did not help to bring more public to the circus, but still, overall, the feeling was one of satisfaction, so much so that those responsible for these three circuses this year in the region are already planning to return next year. However, after the feast days, the audience decreased due to back to school and back to work, which means that at this stage discount campaign have been instigated.

Fernanda Alves, owner of Circus Brazil, located in Machico, says that attendance of people exceeded expectations. The rain and wind complicated performances a little, but the balance was positive. "Everything is going better than we thought. Due to the competition we have, we thought things were getting weaker, but no. During the week, the number of visitors did not exceed an average of two hundred, but after the weekend, all the daily sessions ranged between 1,000 and 2,000 spectators. Circus Brazil has conducted a session on weekdays, four on Saturdays and three on Sundays, but this week there will only ne one show on Friday. On Saturday, the hours remain the same but on Sunday the show will be held from 21:45 after this the tent will be dismantled. Although close to the farewell it is their desire to return next year, same location but with a different show.

The same desire was expressed Renato Alves, Circus Dallas. Mounted along the Madeira Technopole, the tent has a capacity of about two thousand people, but the average per show was around of 300 to 400 people. "For a few days was positive," said Renato. With the end of the holiday, the daily spectacle of 15 hours becomes more difficult to achieve, but nonetheless, it is expected a good crowd for 18 hours and 21h30. This week, the circus is distributing discount coupons, which allow the purchase of tickets for the 5 million adults and 2.5 for children. Although the rain has been above average and circus Dallas has already secured the contract for the next five years, at the Technopole. "There will be big surprises for next year," promises Renato Alves not only in the show content but with the animals. "We will try to bring something else, perhaps a white tiger or a white lion and more broad appeal." In Ponta do Sol, the rain was also the main enemy of the Circus Jorge Cardinali. "People want to come, the problem was the bad weather," noted John Azevedo. "We’ve been here 26 days and it rained 22 days." Some performances had to be cancelled as a precaution and the revenue will almost only to cover expenses. Still, John Anderson will return, but to Funchal and a groundbreaking show. One idea is to do a show with penguins. To attract more public, the circus Jorge Cardinalli is promoting two-euro discount on each ticket.

Circus Brazil – Machico. Circus Brazil, mounted next to the stage of Machico, promotes performances until 10 January. During the week, the sessions take place at 21.45. Saturdays, at 10, 15, 18 hours and 21:45 and Sunday at 15, 18 and 21.45, however, this week, only one show will be held on Friday and Sunday will be the last session. The great attraction is for the pair of clowns, but one of the big spectaculars is ‘The Magic of Harry Potter’ which is depicted in the poster. There are discounts for groups.

Circus Jorge Cardinalli – Ponta do Sol. This circus is installed at Giga Park ‘, which is in the residential area of Ponta do Sol for 11 days, the Circus Jorge Cardinalli greatest novelty is the ”Water Show, which includes the Pacific Ocean sharks and seals in Alaska. From Tuesday to Friday, there is a daily show starting at 21:30. On Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and holidays, are held three sessions: 15.30, 17.30 and 21.30. Tickets cost 14€ for adults and children over 12, but there is now a 2€ discount.

Dallas circus – Madeira Technopole. The Circus Dallas, located on land anticipated for the expansion zone of Madeira Technopole, says with many animals, including lions and horses and for the first time, macaws, cockatoos and parrots that ride scooters and even perform in a small theatre. Three sessions are held daily, at 15, 18 and 20:30. The shows continue until 17 January. Tickets for the general audience is 15€ for adults and 7.5€ children, but there are coupons available that reduce the price to 5 and 2.5€.

Rather a long article but it shows how people try to survive against the elements and a plug or two probably would not harm – not a circus person myself, but the kids always love it.

Appointments via the Internet – For hospitals and health centres in the Region.

The Health Service of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (SESA) will, by the end of this term, put in place a project that involves the scheduling of appointments via the Internet as announced the JM president of that body, Almada Cardoso. In other words, users can dial "on line" to be consulted when the project is complete, from their homes or jobs or offices provided by the local media. The president emphasized the SESARAM project will also allow for users of the Regional Health Service to consult their consultation process, with confirmation of time delays or anticipation of any delay. On the other hand, the body is considering the implementation of a project some national hospitals, which would allows people registered for the surgery to monitor their position on the waiting list. It is anticipated that this project would advance during the term of the current administration SESARAM. The Ministry of Health announced in late December, that people scheduled for surgery can now consult the Internet as to their position on the waiting list and know how much longer they have to wait before their operation. To check the e-SIGIC, you must register with the Health Portal with the number of users, which entitles you to a password that allows access to the file. The Minister of Health recently said that several people had entered with an indication for surgical intervention approximately 170 thousand patients. In Madeira, the waiting lists affected, as reported recently were plastic surgery, vascular surgery (on the veins, in part because there is no blood) and otolaryngology as well especially removal of tonsils. This situation could be improved greatly with a second room for outpatient surgery, which will be launched next year. According to Almada Cardoso, "the lists” are only for surgery where there is less risk of life or loss of quality of life. In comparison, however, the example of oenological surgery, a patient is operated on average, two weeks after joining the list, "that is well below the national average, which is three months in more regions and 1.5 months in one or another regions.

… and more top stories from yesterday’s newspapers from Elaine … many thanks :

New Year’s Eve ‘positive’ The initial half of the night was for dinner and the fireworks display and then there were the post-midnight celebrations. In the main areas of Funchal, the public live performances were successful. According to the different organizations contacted, the major events in Funchal on New Year’s Eve were well attended. At the Casino, the three nights from the 29 – 31 were all a full-house with more than 400 people each evening. The revellers were well-dressed with spirits to match. For 2010 – 2011, the Casino will have a different format but with live bands again. The three night clubs on the Avenida Sa Carneiro began to fill from 3 am onwards when other parties finished. The Wine Institute (photo) had a good night and feedback was positive and although it was mainly young people, older age groups joined the party. The Molhe club was favoured for its view of the amphitheatre of Funchal and the night "went crazy", according to the manager. The Cafe do Teatro had 2,000 visitors that night and the manager stated, "It failed in nothing, the house was full." — Der heard that the Casino dinner and events cost 180 Euros on New Year’s Eve. I make that around 72,000 Euros takings plus drinks plus Casino bets.

Bad weather continues to punish cruise ships visits  The inaugural visit of the Silver Spirit today has been cancelled due to the conditions in the Atlantic. The captain had to reduce speed between Lisbon and Funchal, so the visit would have only lasted for four hours from 13 – 17 hours. The ship sails directly to La Palma in the Canaries instead. The Volcan de Tijarafe ferry was also delayed during the crossing from Portimão and arrived at 16.00 yesterday. A large wave higher than 9 metres damaged the bow of the ship but the journey to the Canary Islands was still possible at 19.00. All 230 passengers and the cargo of 140 vehicles were not affected, the captain received no complaints and said the passengers did not seem to realize what had happened. (Photo of ‘cosmetic’ damage).

Tree falls on top of car rented by tourists The accident occurred yesterday afternoon at Queimadas and slightly damaged the car but caused no injuries to the occupants as they were not present at the time. The car was parked in the car park of Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas and the Voluntary Firemen of Santana had to ask the Forestry Police for equipment to cut the tree to allow the car to leave. The car park is now shut and should reopen tomorrow when the area has been made safe. The portion of the highway in Madalena do Mar which was closed after a wall collapsed has now reopened.

Falling crane traps man. The crane was transported on a lorry when it toppled off onto another lorry travelling in the opposite direction. This accident occurred on a curved section of road in the area of Levada do Poiso, Ponta do Sol. After intervention by the Fire Brigade, the trapped man was freed, still conscious and taken by ambulance to hospital.

Fallen wall still causes concern A wall that collapsed on December 23, damaging a motorcycle and car, still leaves a house at risk. The accident happened in the Beco das Courelas in Santo Antonio in Funchal and damage to the street lighting has not been repaired despite the residents complaining to the council.

Madeiro still cannot discharge all of the fuel 17,000 tons of fuel was the tanker to supply the islands. The tanker originally arrived on Christmas Day but bad weather has hampered the delivery of fuel to Madeira and Porto Santo. Some fuel was delivered at Caniçal on the 2 January. Since then, she has gone to Porto Santo and will return on Wednesday for another attempt to transfer fuel to Socorridos.

Impact of the Geneva Agreement on Madeiran bananas The PCP (Communist Party) MEPs are visiting on the 15 January and are studying the marketing of bananas. They want to gather information which can be used to alert Brussels about the consequences of the impact of the Geneva Agreement. The EU pact with countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela leads to a substantial cut in import tariffs. The communists have asked the EU to support European producers as they are concerned on the impact of this agreement. They will also discuss concerns about GESBA, the organization which processes bananas in the region.

SPAR in Santa Cruz This will be the fifth, and for the present time the last of the Dutch-owned chain of stores to open in Madeira; the others are in Porto Moniz, Pilar, Funchal and Gaula. The shop should have opened on the 4 January but has been delayed due to the weather and will open sometime this week, date not yet known. The shop is in the Plaza da Cerveja and has a butchers, bakery, ready-meals, take-away and also sells magazines/newspapers and SPAR own brand groceries. The shops are placed in areas of tourism as the brand has a good image in countries such as the UK, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands etc. There are also a lot of Madeiran residents in South Africa where SPAR is a leading firm.

160 metres of Bolo Rei. This afternoon in the Praça do Municipio, the traditional Bolo Rei Gigante was larger than last years, reaching 160 metres. This tradition has taken place over the past five years. It contained hundreds of eggs, hundreds of kilograms of flour and many kilograms of crystallized fruit and sultanas and was baked according to tradition. Despite the weather, which improved this afternoon, the free slices were enjoyed by both residents and tourists. — SAPO video from last year – 150 metres and 300 kg cake. BIG CAKE

From Madeira Tourism – Events for January

from 12th to 16th – Madeira Islands Walking Festival
This is an organised group walking programme, along man-made waterways (levadas) or special trails (veredas), with specialised guides throughout, lasting for a period of 5 consecutive days. A total of 20 different walks have been selected, all having been classified and recommended by the Regional Government of Madeira. The participants have at their disposal a choice of 4 walks per day, these being of different duration and various levels of difficulty. Stay aware of information about this festival by checking out the official site, MADEIRA WALKING FESTIVAL

15th – Feast of Santo Amaro – Santa Cruz
Every year the saint’s day of Santo Amaro is celebrated throughout the entire island of Madeira, in a particularly festive and ceremonial way, when Christmassy delicacies are laid on every table. This is the day when families dismantle the Nativity scenes (lapinhas in the Madeira Islands), and "sweep the larder clean" – a tradition in which people visit family and friends to share the last of the Christmas season’s delicacies. The feast of the patron saint of Santa Cruz – Santo Amaro – is the most important religious feast of this borough. It’s a very lively three-day festival, which marks the end of the Christmas holidays.

from 26th to 28th – Madeira Orienteering Festival (Festival de Orientação da Madeira)
This is organised by the Funchal Mountain Club with the support of some official Madeira tourist organisations. It is held on the hills of Madeira and has the participation of both national and foreign athletes. This is a competition that blends in well with leisure activities and takes place in a setting offering permanent contact with Nature.

** Now it’s time, and with great pleasure that I can introduce Vanessa Swesnik. Vanessa is a recently qualified translator and interpreter, and fluent in Portuguese (Brazilian) and Spanish. Vanessa has joined the ‘team’, and will produce several articles a week for the blog in similar areas to the one below (preferring government, politics, economy, business, and environment). She is very busy, so the effort is much appreciated, but we have also talked about another exciting possibility that I may be able to share with you in the future, going in a quite different direction. Unfortunately, we are still way short of the number of contributors needed, so please don’t sit back and relax … or the blog will still have to close … yes seriously. Many thanks Vanessa for this article from yesterday’s Diário :

The last three months of 2009 confirmed that which was already a certainty: last year, with 89 insolvency proceedings of businesses, as individuals, collectives, or persons (also possible according to the law), broke all records in the Madeira Regional Authority.

In the last quarter, the rise levelled off with just 15 insolvency proceedings between October and December. In the three proceeding quarters (January to September), 74 insolvency proceedings were initiated by business owners or creditors. On average, that turns out to be 22 proceedings each quarter and 7.4 businesses publicly assuming financial difficulties for each of the 12 months in 2009.

During the first nine months of last year (according to the latest findings from Coface, a French multinational that publishes information on insolvencies and creation of businesses in Portugal), there was an increase of 184.6% in insolvencies compared to the homologous period of 2008, from 26 to 74.

According to unofficial accounts from the Portal Sitius of the Ministry of Justice- we had a total of 89 insolvency proceedings in 2009 compared to 36 in 2008. This increase of close to 150% reflects the initial idea: that despite everything, the last quarter showed a decrease in the number of insolvencies to enter into the 5 existing courts of the Madeira Regional Authority.

Funchal Stands Out in Front. Not all insolvency proceedings end in the dissolution and closing of a business. Naturally the majority of businesses that file for bankruptcy with the county court are in Funchal.

In the last quarter of 2009, there were 9 filed from Funchal, 4 from Santa Cruz and one each from Sao Vicente and Porto Santo.

Looking at the numbers from the entire year, Funchal “monopolizes” the grand majority of proceedings with 66. The other cases are distributed throughout Santa Cruz (19), Ponta do Sol (2), Sao Vicente (1) and Porto Santo (1).

Many times insolvency proceedings have served as a way to settle accounts and restart business activities, even if it’s at the expense of jobs as is indicated by unemployment statistics (also at record numbers in 2009).

But, as was reported earlier in the Diário (see edition 21/06/2009), according to Ruben Jardim Freitas, one of the principal administrators of insolvency proceedings in the region, there are fraudulent bankruptcies and others that end up being forced by the law or the heavy hand of Social Security.

Of all the businesses, either collectives or in individuals’ names, that are having difficulties and have closed their doors in 2009, there is a growing and still undetermined number of them that will no longer be part of the International Center of Madeira Businesses (or CINM). Practically every week there were dozens of businesses listed in the Regional Official Journal under “dissolution and closing of the liquidation of a business society” according to the Zona Franca’s Conservatory of Commercial Registry of Madeira, or Conservatória do Registro Comercial da Zona Franca da Madeira.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Year end helped the tills of the big hotels – They are just a few days, but the period around new year pleased the hotels and improved on the previous.

Today’s main news headline : Birth rate in 2009 was a record low -  The year ended with just 2,386 babies born in the Region, the lowest number ever. The decrease of 12% relative to 2008 is also a record.

São Vicente contract a company to dump mud in the sea – Mayor Jorge Romeira says that he has authorisation from the Regional Government and that he is complying with the standards :  dumping downstream. Quercus condemns the solution that has been polluting the coastline of Passo da Areia. No really, it’s a serious headline! The Diário front page photograph today shows exactly what the headline says, with a lorry having emptied it’s load, and a digger pushing the load down off the roadside onto what seems to be a beach. Nothing surprises me anymore about our government, nor its PSD politicians in São Vicente or anywhere, and the best I can hope for in this story is that the Diário has got it wrong and the picture is a fake, but the truth is I am bl**dy fuming. The article says that there are hundreds of truck loads, taking thousands of cubic metres, being the muck and sludge from the recent storm damage, for dumping in the sea. The environmental agency Quercus say that the action will have tragic consequences for marine life. Personally I would have used that mud etc. to construct a very useful grassy knoll quite near to the council offices in São Vicente. At times Madeira’s claim to be a ‘green’ island is an absolute mockery of environmental issues. Imagine the message that this action sends to the population, who are regularly reminded of the evils of dumping rubbish in the sea (and indeed rivers).

Humiliation in ‘Idols’ pricks islander – The young Madeiran Carlos Costa says the attack of jury member Moura Santos is going to backfire. The controversy started on Sunday live on the TV channel SIC, when Manuel Moura dos Santos said he hoped that the Madeiran Carlos Costa does not win the ‘Idols’. "I hope that you are not the winner of this competition because you are the idol that we do not need," he said after harshly criticizing the selection of music that the Porto Moniz competitor is doing in shows and in particular the song ‘I’m Here’. I have never watched one of these programs, but I remember our local celebrity Vânia Fernandes won this stupid competition one year, and went on to represent Portugal in the Eurovision song contest (… what a gal! … did I ever tell you that she gave me a big hug once?).  Anyway, isn’t the whole idea that the judges are controversial and are expected to harshly criticise the contestants who present them with such an opportunity? Stupid competition, and no doubt many stupid people enter, but I bet the judges earn a hatful of dosh, so maybe they are not so stupid. It seems that now there are several Facebook groups set up both for and against the singer. What a weird world we live in!

In sport : Today there is and exciting derby in the juniors – The captains of Nacional and Marítimo show ambition.

Hard to believe the report from Elaine earlier about that ship getting hit by a 9 metre wave and buckling the top rail (as shown in the photo above). The Naviera Armas ferry, ‘Volcán de Tijarafe’, was also damaged during the last journey between Portimão and Funchal, which although turbulent and far from pleasant, "there was no panic on board". The hull was damaged at the bow of the ship, but it will not prevent it from continuing its journeys.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

"Sunway are delighted to introduce the breathtaking island of Madeira. This wonderful island has so much to offer from many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages and amazing landscapes". MADEIRA HOLIDAYS FROM IRELAND

Apparently this website is also showing the Funchal 2010 fireworks live on the internet tonight, but it may well be linked back to the website link that I gave you a couple of days ago NEW YEAR 2010 FIREWORKS MADEIRA

Lets hope the weather stays good for tonight’s celebrations, and that a new firework world record is secured for Madeira.

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

39 farmers have already signed up. Many more are expected to follow. On the first day after the Government announced financial assistance for storm damage, 39 farmers have registered. There is no time limit for applying, or limit to the amount of funds applied for. 18 farmers were from Funchal, 11 from São Vicente, 5 from Santana, 3 from Ponta do Sol and 2 from Calheta. Teams of experts are to survey the damage and monitor risk areas; Sao Vicente Council has already set one up.

Sea damages areas at Praia Formosa. The promenade between Praia Formosa and Doca do Cavacas has been closed due to bad weather. Bars have been partially destroyed, small pebbles washed onto the promenade, and the swimming pools at Barreirinha, Doca do Cavacas and Lido lashed by 3.5 – 4.5 metre waves. The bar Barra Azul has had further damage, the Docas Cafe was also badly affected and the Yacht Bar has lost its rock staircase. The administrator of the Frente Mar Funchal says losses are huge and will estimate the cost after the end of the year, when he expects an improvement in the weather.

Danger in the Tres Paus. Part of the Caminho dos Tres Paus in Santo Antonio collapsed last weekend. Funchal Council erected security barriers but the residents continue to use the road. They want a protective wall constructed, especially after two men died last year after a car skidded in that area.

Large rock hits a home and threatens others. A large rock fell onto a residence located at Travessa do Ribeira Canavial in São Roque. It was part of a landslide which occurred at 23.30 last Monday. Officials have surveyed the damage but the Council say they are not responsible for clearing the escarpment and will notify the owner of the land to undertake this work.

Court of Auditors censures IHM construction in Figueirinhas.  The Court says the IHM (Housing Investment of Madeira – social housing) should respect the Code of Public Contracts. 50 residential units were built in Figueirinhas in Funchal through a contract between the IHM and the company Soconstroi. The contract was for 2.838.179,34 Euros but the final cost was 3.215.022,09 Euros. The units were completed in 1998 but the contract was not sent for approval until 2000. After an additional contract, which caused the increase in the cost, the work was finally approved six years after the expiration of the five year guarantee.

Fewer ships, more tourists. Table of the number of cruise ships and passengers visiting for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, since 1962 (shown below).  In 2007, there were the most cruise ship passengers (13,156 from 12 ships). There might be problems ferrying more than 3,000 passengers from the two ships berthed offshore this year, due to forecasts of bad weather. The Queen Victoria has a 24-hour delay and hopes to anchor offshore at 7 am tomorrow. For the third day running, the ferry could not sail for Porto Santo.

TOP 10 of the Port of Funchal on 31 December
Year – Ships – Tourists
1962 – 10-5440
1964 – 10-5800
1968 – 13-6892
1969 – 12-6400
1974 – 9-5077
2001 – 9-7935
2002 – 10-9539
2005 – 11-8670
2007 – 12 – 13.156
2008 – 8 – 7.200

* Many fail to buy tickets until the last minute – Getting ready for New Year’s Eve. From the Jornal da Madeira. On the eve of another End-of-the-Year night, there are many offerings for the night of reveillon, shown by the various advertisements that already appear in the pages of newspapers. Prices vary depending on the economic possibilities of each and depending on what they want. In general, there are already many tickets sold for the festival of the passing of the year. However, the contacts we made told us that most people leave it until the last minute to buy the entrance tickets. A fact that, as we mentioned, not only has to do with "the habit of doing things at the last minute" but above all due to indecision. Because as we explained, "as a couple it is easier to decide", which is not true of groups. Although again, as we mentioned, there are also groups that prefer to buy the tickets on time to avoid some of the members being left out. As for the animation, there is also a bit of everything and for all tastes. From dance music with renowned DJs, to live music through performances by musical groups. In general and in relation to the hotels, we found attempts to present a special program for guests, but also for the many Madeirans who choose to enter the New Year in hotels. But the party is not only in hotels, clubs or other places that usually open the doors to mark New Year’s Eve. For the last night of this year, there is also a show provided by the Association of the Light Orchestra of Madeira, which will take place between 21.00 and 04.00 in the Municipal Garden of Funchal. Before the fireworks, in downtown Funchal between 10.00 and 20.00, there will be performances by brass bands and folklore groups. In the Central Square next to the Cathedral of Funchal, the Children’s Choir of the Office of the Coordinator of Arts Education will perform between 18.30 and 19.20. Also in the area of Avenida Arriaga, but in the garden situated to the north of the Palacio de Sao Lourenco, the Ensemble of Accordions of the Office of the Coordinator of Arts Education is also expected to perform between 11.00 and 11.50. I saw in last nights Diário that the Casino has a special do with dinner tonight. For a bargain €180 a head one can feast and then frolic … how the other half lives eh! Der

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

What changed and what awaits us – 56 pages. Looks like the good people from the Diário have produced a bumper year end supplement with today’s newspaper. If I see an online edition I will provide a link to it, but no sign of it yet.

Danger of collapse in the valley [of the Nuns] – Bad weather caused openings in the road and lands. There are fear of a landslide in Curral das Freiras, into the river, after significant cracks appeared in the road (ER 107) and nearby land. The cracks have been getting bigger since the beginning of the week. MORE PHOTOS The danger area is between the centre of Curral das Freiras and sítio do Colmeal. Residents are very concerned that the rockfall could be considerable. The first cracks appeared on Monday in the tarmac, soon after the tunnel exit, and are growing in size. Cracks in the nearby land, just below the road, have also appeared, in land belonging to the Levada Commission. Huge quantities of earth have been deposited there over the years with the story being that there would be cultivation and forest planting. The president of the Câmara Municipal of Câmara de Lobos, Arlindo Gomes, says that the earth deposited actually supports what is above, and that from what he knows "the situation is under control". With your track record in misleading the public Sr. Gomes, I think I would be off from there like a shot if I was unfortunate enough to live in the area at risk!

Today’s main news headline : Jorge Romeira calls-off the work plan of Humberto – The sea front zone of São Vicente, that was one of the flagship projects of ex-president Humberto Vasconcelos, doesn’t have conditions to move forward, according to the new council president Jorge Romeira, who will also do in his own style administrative restructuring. The project goes to the ‘Greek calendar’ [indefinitely], with no possibility of starting in the next few years. Romeira also intends to do some ‘housekeeping’ to organise his empire in his own style. The sea front redevelopment has now been dropped from the council programme, due to lack of funding, even more so now due to the damage caused by the abnormal rain fall in recent weeks, and the resulting need for priority expenditure. Don’t councils have insurance policies here? That will come as a bit of a shock to the locals I would imagine, as that was a much needed project for trade and to generally improve the visual aspect of the area. I wonder if that was mentioned in the small print of the PSD Social Democrat Party election manifesto a  few months back? 

100 police in the streets to guarantee safety later tonight – ‘Operation Fim do Ano’ [year end] runs on the night when 39 firework posts will light the night sky. Here you can see a list of the ideal places to watch the fireworks.

ARTICLE & MAP OF THE TOP FIREWORK VIEWPOINTS

The most profitable in the world expected today on Madeira. With a portrait photo of a thoughtful looking Cristiano Ronaldo, who may of lost the title of the world best footballer, but has now taken David Beckham’s crown as top money-spinner in the game. The Madeiran revealed yesterday in an interview with a Spanish sports newspaper his desire to "regain the Golden Ball" and his ambition to be "the best player in history." "Thank God I have already won the trophy once for best player in the world, but I hope to win it back again. This year or next I will come back to win the Golden Ball," said Ronaldo, who fills the front page of the Marca newspaper. In a revealing interview he confessed his admiration for the Spanish actress Penélope Cruz, and his ignorance of the main places of night time entertainment in Madrid. He doesn’t like bullfighting either. The newspaper said that Ronaldo, now 24, could generate up to €80 million a year in advertising revenue, dethroning David Beckham as the adverting idiot icon in the world of football.  

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

One for the diary : "This year’s Funchal International Cinema Festival was due to take place between the 7th and 14th November, but the organisers have recently announced a change in dates and an extension to the submission deadlines. The next festival will now take place between the 10th and 17th April 2010. The event awards prizes in eight different categories with the latest festival, held in 2008, attracting an impressive international entry list". More …  Funchal International Cinema Festival

Many thanks to Elaine (West) for this piece from the Jornal da Madeira :

Weak Sunday trading in Funchal : The rain scared away customers from Funchal. Yesterday, despite the shops being open, the turnout was low as far as we could see in some stores between Rua Fernão de Ornelas and Rua da Sé. During the morning, traders were still hopeful that during the afternoon things would improve. Being Sunday, families spend more time at home to rest and usually come out to the street after lunch. In fact, they went out, but the destination was the shopping centres, which were full. On the route taken by the Jornal there were one or two customers in some stores, others were empty, with shopkeepers standing looking out at the street. During the morning there were also closed stores. Some chose to open in the afternoon. In fact, after lunch the drive increased slightly but did not meet the expectations of traders. Sales have been below the expected level. To overcome the crisis, there are stores offering Christmas sales. Others are more creative and advertise that if you buy two products, the third costs only 1 Euro. In Fernão de Ornelas, traders lamented the fact that the farmers’ market is closed, as it is also a tourist attraction that brings more people to the centre of Funchal and thus more to the stores. One suggestion offered by a trader concerned parking. In his opinion, at this time of year the Anadia car park could promote discounts up to 50% for users who could provide evidence of having made purchases on that street. Supermarkets offer free parking or cheaper than existing ones in the city centre, which draws customers away from the city. The rain, however, failed to make itself felt, with only a few showers from time to time. But even then, people left the city centre streets. For the most part, they chose to spend the afternoon in the shopping centres.

This is a bit of a cheesy greeting, but I liked it XMAS WITH OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Gripe A claims third fatality : IASAÚDE identified 108 new swine flu cases in the last week. The Institute of Health has confirmed a third death on Madeira, a 63 year old man with heart disease. New cases were also identified in 26 teaching establishments. The total count for Madeira has now reached 601 victims of the H1N1 virus.

Deal reached in hotel sector – Salary scales increased by 1.2%. Bosses have agreed a one off payment of €125 as well as the percentage increase, and the deal has been left open for further review in case inflation exceeds expectations. The deal will be signed this afternoon, and removes any fear of industrial action in the sector.

European Union reduces taxes on bananas imported from the American continent. The move, which is the result of settling a long running dispute, may impact on Madeira banana producers. 11 countries in central and south America will benefit from the tax reduction.

Madeiran Cristiano Ronaldo receives the Puskas Award for the "Goal of the Year" by the widow of Ferenc Puskas, Erzsebet Puskas during the FIFA World Player Gala 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. "Then it was time for one of this year’s innovations, with Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo appearing on screen once more as two of the ten players in the running for the FIFA Puskás Award for the most outstanding goal of 2009. Elisabeth Puskas, the wife of the late Hungarian legend, and former AC Milan star George Weah, made their way on to the stage to present the accolade, which went to Real Madrid’s Portuguese idol. Cristiano’s award-winning strike, which came when he was on duty for Manchester United in last season’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Porto, came out on top in a poll attracting the votes of over 100,000 FIFA.com users". FIFA Press Release with videos and photos Many thanks to Paul (Paul do Mar) for the information 

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Today’s main news headline : Madeira wants Lisbon to stick with ANAM – The regional government admits the dissolution of the company that manages the airports. The merger with ANA resolves the technical insolvency and reduces taxes to a half. The finances of ANAM (Aeroportos e Navegação Aérea da Madeira), who operate the ‘franchise’ for both Madeira and Porto Santo airports, has for a long time been in an unacceptable state, and the regional government currently has the issue ‘on top of the table’. One solution that will resolve the issue of insolvency (which is currently a paperwork status rather than a critical threat to the airports), is a merger with the airport company ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal. ANA is already has a 70% stake in ANAM, with the State holding 10%, and Madeira 20%. The concession of ANAM runs through to 2033, but it is very clear that the company cannot go the distance because of huge debt, largely incurred through the airport expansion a few years ago. There are probably more ‘money’ reasons not to merge ANAM and ANA than to do so, but in my opinion this merger would have so many benefits for Madeira and it’s residents. If airport taxes were halved, and they are currently amongst the highest in Europe, you can imagine the benefits for tourism. Also, as we are so dependent on air transport, that integration into a much larger structure would give us resources and contingencies for continuity of operation that we don’t really have at the moment.

Justice officials sue the State – Workers in the Porto Santo Court want two subsidies. A bit of a boring story really (but as I read it I will continue), as the six workers in the ‘Tribunal do Porto Santo’ try to achieve the same rights and conditions as their counterparts in the court in Santa Maria, in the Azores. The main issue is the lack of receipt of a residency allowance, equivalent to one third of a salary, and an accommodation allowance, that is based on the grounds of "double insularity", being distanced firstly from Madeira, and secondly the justice system of Portugal itself.  The subsidies are intended to compensate those entitled to them for the additional costs of their placement in ‘outermost regions’. Why do people take these jobs on known terms and conditions, and then complain when the ‘grass is greener on the other side’. I suppose it’s a typical public servant mentality. I think all people who live outside Funchal should be entitled to state insularity subsidies … but how do I apply?

Victim of skid eventually dies.

Complaint of the Diário debated today in São Bento. The regulatory entity for Social Communication goes to the Lisbon parliament, at the request of the PP. The support of the government for  newspapers is on the agenda.

Nearly 100 thousand launches in the year end firework display – More fireworks than in the Guiness Book of Records. The Macedo pyrotechnic team is already on Madeira preparing the year end firework display. The first 8 minutes of 2010 will see the skies of Funchal alive with light and colour. The company given the contract for the firework display, Macedo’s Pirotecnia, has been at work since the 15th December preparing the show. The display named ‘Ilhas Afortunadas’ (Happy / Fortunate / Lucky Islands … take your pick) will see the launching of 97,172 individual fireworks, a far superior number than the 66,326 in the 2006 new year display which earned Madeira the title of host of the biggest firework display in the world in the Guiness ‘book’ of records. 17 tonnes of fireworks will be distributed around 40 launching points, including one on Porto Santo. I wonder if the vast increase is a response to the third attempt recently somewhere in the Arabic world to try and break Madeira’s record? A record worth reinforcing or resetting for sure, as what better endorsement could a company specialising in firework displays want. For the sake of 3,000 more fireworks you have to wonder why they didn’t go through the 100,000 mark, a number that everyone would remember.

Football gets the lion’s share of today’s front page, with a photo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo holding their new FIFA awards : Best goal of 2009 is Madeiran – Messi followed Ronaldo as ‘best in the world’ yesterday, but the Madeiran, elected for the dream ‘eleven’ team, won a trophy for the goal scored against FC Porto, in the stadium ‘Dragão’. And what a goal it was, knocking Porto out of the Champions league! More from the link provided by Paul above.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link Thank you in anticipation.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to Der at blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

This is quite an interesting article about the opinions of Low Cost Airlines in Portugal. LINK 

"The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED), a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) institution, has assessed the Madeira Islands as a tourist destination based on 15 parameters". Repeated, because Don very kindly provided a link to the full report, which is quite interesting, and shows lots of strengths, but rather than than list the ‘weaknesses’ it very diplomatically puts the strengths in a lower rating band. It’s not very in-depth, but worth a read. MADEIRA EXCELLENCE 

We had the Google wagon in Ribeira Brava this week, capturing it’s images for Street View. Luckily I was out of sight as it passed by, as no doubt Interpol will be checking all these images. I am looking forward to a ‘virtual walk’ around town very soon. Shame they didn’t wait a few more days, and then we would have a permanent record of the lovely Xmas decorations.

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

Region recorded an increase in beekeepers and hives. The number of beekeepers in the region has increased by 40% between 2008 and 2009. There are 142 registered beekeepers whereas there were only 104 last year. There are also 38% more hives, increased from a total of 2,262 to 3,127 this year. In terms of honey production, 30 tons is similar to the previous two years. This year, there has already been sold 300 kilograms of honey from organic production from the hives situated at Galhano in Calheta and this amount should increase next year. The six members of the two inspection teams visit hives to detect pests and diseases, and disseminate information from experimentation on new methods. There are two main serious diseases, one controlled by medications but the other can prove deadly to hives as the pests can become medication-resistant. Tomorrow in Ribeira Brava is the Festa de Santo Ambrósio, the patron saint of beekeepers in the region.This is a 20 year old tradition. The celebrations begin at 10.00 with Mass in the Church of Ribeira Brava, then at 11.00 a colloquium in the parish hall on the health of bees. A lunch at the restaurant Lugar de Baixo will include the traditional honey poncha. The lunch costs 16 Euros for adults and 8 Euros for children and is bookable by phone.

Collection by Abraço beats expectations. The association Abraço supports people diagnosed with HIV / AIDS. Their collection of food, hygiene and cleaning products exceeded expectations. Between 28 November and 1 December, they collected 26,000 packages which will be distributed to affected families. Abraço also supply meals daily. The association receives donations throughout the year of toys, educational supplies and clothing and have an increasing number of volunteers. On 12 December they are relaunching the fund-raising campaign to collect used electrical cables for their copper content. —- The Madeirans are being more generous each year, despite the economic difficulties.

Presépios of Portugal in Santana. Joao Egidio Rodriques, since he was six years old, has amassed a collection of over 2,000 nativity pieces from various countries and a hundred are displayed in the Casa da Cultura in Santana. This year, he will again be responsible for the decorations in the Largo do Chafariz and the large presépio in Funchal. Gold, red and purple are this year’s colours. The figures have arrived from the continent and are awaiting his final touches.

Expropriation of the sanitation in Santo da Serra. The basic sanitation in Santo da Serra is not functional despite the infrastructure being in place, as the three pumping stations have not been built. Problems in the ownership and location of land have meant that the 250,000 Euros stations have not been constructed. The sanitation should be working next year, depending on network connections by the Municipalities Machico and Santa Cruz. Until then, the population will still be forced to use septic tanks and the Municipality will still send out cleaning tankers.

Nails are ‘bleeding’ trees. Council have acknowledged the error and have had to replace the nails. Dozen of nails were driven by the Council itself into the trees that support the Christmas lights in Câmara de Lobos. This practice was once widespread but now has been virtually banned by environmentalists. The Mayor of Câmara de Lobos was annoyed by the wave of criticism and counter-attacked, "Today even a nail into a tree causes an outcry but maybe these people do not see the number of trees that were planted." He devalues the impact of the nails as he thinks they do not have any effect, and in some circumstances the branches will be cut during pruning. Quercus, the environment lobby, criticize driving nails, screws or other sharp materials into trees as they can cause the death of the tree, and other methods can be used. The fact that this practice has been carried out by local officials reinforced the tone of criticism, "Even more serious because the authority itself knows what it takes to keep the trees and public spaces healthy." What often happens is that the ornaments are removed but the nails are left in place, with consequences later on for the tree.

Court case to stop Quinta do Lorde will cause bankruptcy. The Director-General of the company of the Quinta do Lorde development said yesterday in court that if the work stops for more than three months, the company will go bankrupt. The pre-trial case is for the class action filed against the Council of Machico. The company has already spent 43 million Euros on the development in Caniçal. The marina and adjacent buildings cost 18 million and were completed in April 2007. The marina was financed by the Incentive Scheme for Tourism by 4 million Euros, of which €1.1 million was in grants, and the support of the Regional Government was 0.5 million Euros. The project directly employs 40 workers and indirectly provides employment for 200 people. The current restaurants and marina have an annual turnover of 350,000 – 400,000 Euros. There are around 600 entries / sailings per year of yachts in the bay of Funchal. The total bank loan is for €70 million and already €43 million has been spent. 650,000 Euros has been paid to Machico Council for licences. Contracts to the sum of €4 million have already been signed. The Council will gain €7 million from the cost of the enterprise. After pressure, the Quinta do Lorde management returned the public land around the Capela da Piedade and supported a network of sanitation and telecommunications / energy for 3 kilometres serving both the project and the Council. The environmentalist / popular author Raimundo Quintal is one of the witnesses and due to the complexity of the case, the parties are submitting written evidence.

Closure of São Lazaro by the end of the year. The Administration of the Harbours is to shut São Lazaro in the next 20 days due to a contract ending. 48 sailing vessels will have to be removed, not an easy task as some are in for maintenance work and some have been abandoned, occasionally the owner is not known. The administrators of Funchal Marina are trying to contact the owners but moving large boats in bad condition will be difficult and the authorities will not assume that responsibility. Three dozen owners of small boats will not have any facilities for storing the boats or equipment. This closure is due to the development of the Northern area of the port of Funchal. The opening of the area at Água de Pena should occur this week and will be managed by the same firm that manages the marinas at Quinta do Lorde and Porto Santo.

Transavia.com flights to Nantes. The low-cost carrier will fly on Mondays and Fridays from Madeira to Nantes (West provincial France) from next summer. Launch price of 90 Euros per leg. This should benefit the increasing number of French tourists. SATA has one flight a week to Paris, which will increase to two in the summer. Aigle Azur began last October a scheduled weekly flight, also to Paris, which could increase to two in the summer depending on demand.

CDS-PP propose a famer’s market in Ribeira Brava. The central parking area over the Ribeira was disapproved of by the majority of the PSD. The CDS-PP want a farmer’s market on land in front of the municipal auto-silo, so farmers can sell their produce on the same day.

Most hotels lowered prices to overcome crisis. Hoteliers emphasize that the cost of holidays in Madeira is increased by the cost of air transport. Most hotels in Madeira have lowered their prices to minimize the effects of the crisis, but Madeira keeps the status of high quality. The region has had decreased occupation this year. A five-star hotel is charging prices that used to be charged by a four-star hotel, and the latter now the same as a three-star hotel used to charge. They have had to decrease prices to compensate for the cost of flights. Reid’s Palace Hotel, one of the oldest on the island, has suffered from a 24% fall in (mainly) English tourists but has an increased number from France, Germany and Portugal, the latter by 30%. They are now looking at alternative markets, for example Scandinavia, Switzerland and Poland. The Director-General of Reid’s said that Madeira still has the same quality of customers as before, of higher quality than visit the Algarve. They will not lower their prices to attract more customers as they cannot provide the service any cheaper. The Tourism Minister also emphasized that the region will always remain a destination of quality despite reduced hotel prices. Everything has been done in the region to promote quality, including investments made by hotels in staff training and replacement of equipment. She thinks the current economic crisis is temporary, and that prices of hotels are now at the level two years ago and this situation is not desirable but recoverable.

Marine tourism activities grow in the region. Weather conditions allow operations throughout the year. Increasing are footpaths to contemplate the coast of the island and whale watching, though not always possible, with dolphins more probable as they occur in larger numbers in the North Atlantic. The visitor can also enjoy a swim in the warm, clean ocean off the island. The catamaran for whale and dolphin watching was very busy during the first year, especially the summer months, so the family business brought a second boat and numbers of visitors have been steadily increasing.

Special Presépios in the Dolce Vita. The initiative ‘Nativity Scenes Contest’ is in its fourth year. It is a competition for people with special needs to build presépios.The exhibition of them in the Dolce Vita is to promote inclusion and make awareness of the entire population that has special needs. They have been prepared in Centres of Occupational Activities in the region which welcome both young and adults with certain intellectual difficulties, some charities and some primary schools. The Toy Museum has also gained toys made from recycled materials, the results of an educational contest for people with special needs.

Region wants to borrow €129 million. The ALM want the Assembly of the Republic to rectify the State Budget to increase the net debt per capita in the Region. José Sócrates government will ask the Assembly of the Republic to increase the debt by more than €4.500 million, which will mean the State spends more than €15 billion than it raises in revenues, the largest deficit in 24 years. Jardim states that if the State Budget was altered, then the Autonomous Region could also increase its debt to about 388 million Euros, if the State agrees to an increase in Regional debt by €129 million.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Homeless resigned to spending Christmas in the ‘Casa dos Pobres (Poor House) – Those that live on the street are more concerned with survival day to day : food and a roof. It is meal time in the Protective Association for the Poor, on Rua do Frigorífico in Funchal, and those who rely on the free meals are appearing. António Pita, retired from the Câmara Municipal of Funchal says "It is true. I lunch and take an evening meal every day and Christmas isn’t going to be any different, I am going to spend it here". The tears are dancing in his eyes, but they quickly disappear. "I am already used to it" he adds. He is 69 years old, he receives a pension of €500 (a month I presume), and says he is alone in the world. "I have a daughter, but it is like I don’t have". He sleeps at night in a room for which he pays €300, and what remains doesn’t go very far, but he doesn’t lack anything, and is well clothed, shoed, and well fed. Another man says, "I have been unemployed since the Hotel do Mar closed. I am aged 51", says Mário Freitas. "[Xmas] is always a complicated season, I am alone, and all my family are in Venezuela". "I come here everyday for lunch and dinner, and what I receive from the Social Security doesn’t go any further". He was employed in the hotel until 12 years ago when it shut down, and has been unemployed ever since. Just a sample of some of the stories in the article.

Today’s top news headline : Vaccines for everybody with or without risk – The Clinical Director of SESARAM gave orders to the Health Centres to vaccinate whoever requests it as long as they are in possession of a referral note. And who makes it difficult picks up a ‘process’. For Miguel Ferreira, the more people that get vaccinated, the better, whether or not in an identified ‘at risk’ group. Yesterday there was a second fatal victim on Madeira, and another infected person remains in intensive care. The two thousand vaccines available at present won’t go very far, but the health chief has issued the order that anyone who comes forward with a ‘doctors note’ should be given the jab, and he is not interested if they are officially in a priority ‘at risk’ group or not, or hear talk of bureaucratic issues. Those who disobey his order by refusing to give the inoculation face disciplinary action.

Arabic crisis hinders ‘new’ Technopólo - It was announced with pomp and circumstance in 2005, the second phase of development of the Science and Technology Park of Madeira is now in check. The crisis has hit  Arabic investors. For anyone with the time and urge to translate this article, here is the LINK

Dallas Circus in Funchal with a tent big enough for two thousand – The controversy is over : The Madeiran Xmas has a circus, Dallas, that was in the Marítimo Fair. For anyone with the time and urge to translate this article, here is the LINK

In sport, or football even, the main stories : Portuguese squad sets up camp in the zone of the Madeirans – During the 2010 World Cup Portugal will stay in Gauteng, a zone in reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Bruno is the news story in the Marítimo – Olhanense match today. The skipper is back already for this afternoons game, having just recovered from Gripe A swine flu. A win for Marítimo will put them in fourth place in the league table, but Nacional could retake the position tomorrow night.

Ronaldo missed a penalty, scored a goal, and was sent off. Cristiano Ronaldo had an eventful game last night in Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Almeria. The forward from Madeira missed a penalty, scored a few minutes later and then received a red card for a second bookable offence. Ronaldo was initially booked for taking his shirt off after scoring his team’s fourth goal and then received a second yellow card for lashing out at an opposition defender. After the game Ronaldo said: "I am human and I have faults" and added that he had raised his arm in "an instinctive reaction." The world’s most expensive player admitted he had apologized to his team mates and said he was “sad” to miss the next match against Valencia next week (and the one after I believe).

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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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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.

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

"Having been to Madeira many times on holiday I enjoy reading the blog to keep up to date with news. I don’t feel that I am able to contribute very much but appreciate those who take their time to translate news etc. When I was in Madeira this summer, I took these photos of the Classic Savoy knowing it was all about to change.  It was the first hotel I stayed in when I first came to Madeira". Debbie

Nacional coach Manuel Machado in intensive care. The coach was in a life-threatening situation over the weekend, but the indications are that Machado has now stabilised, although he is in a state of induced coma. A full recovery is expected to take many weeks or even months. GET WELL SOON MANUEL

"The Main Tourism Office in Madeira has gone Wow! with the installation of an interactive water floor picturing images and info about the famous madeiran levadas. Wow! also delivered a multimedia kiosk where users can browse through a Madeira interactive guide available in four languages". EQUIPMENT PHOTOS anyone know any more on this?

DUBAI – Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi hopes to set a new world record for the largest fireworks display on Wednesday to mark UAE National Day, local daily the National reported on Tuesday. The 45-minute display will see fireworks set off from 12 barges floating offshore reaching up to 2,000 metres into the air, the newspaper reported.
The current record holder for “largest fireworks display” is a 2006 New Year’s Eve display on the Portuguese island of Madeira, the paper said. OUR RECORD GOING UP IN SMOKE? perhaps it will pour down with rain, but it’s not likely in that part of the world!

This is an image of Madeira’s Guinness World Record certificate, which if the above is true will be obsolete later today. (Click image for a slightly larger view).

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

Sea changes colour. Deposition of land into the sea by the works of the promenade. Increasingly common sight now Winter is approaching.

Unicer will sell Guinness in Angola. Unicer will sell Guinness in Angola in partnership with the drinks company Diageo, which owns the brand. This partnership is for a period of five years and they expect to reach 180,000 customers in the first year. Unicer sells about 125 million litres of beer in Angola per year – the brands Super Block, Cristal and Carslberg. —Not strictly Madeira related but I know of interest to particular blog readers. Where will they sell Guinness next?

Government blames Councils. The Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development stress that unless there is greater involvement of the Municipalities in the program of extermination of rats which has been promoted by the Government, the success of the program will be jeopardized. It is for the Municipalities to place traps in places that need further attention and there will be hundreds of clarification sessions with farmers and officials of the Councils. The regional authorities should tackle the problem of uncultivated land and bill the landowners for the cost of the pest control campaign. "The Councils may notify the owners of vacant lots to put rat poison in these areas and should give a deadline for that to happen. If the owners do not take this measure, the Councils are entitled to do so and send the bills to the owners of the land." People’s habits need to change to fight the plague of rats. The worst factor is the abandonment of land. Other factors are the use of abandoned land as landfill and not cleared of rubbish, land full of scrub and beds of streams not cleaned. The aim of the program is not to completely eradicate the rat population but control the numbers. The second phase of distribution of rat poison to the Municipalities has already begun. Rat poison will be distributed to 10,000 farmers in the coming days. This program to combat the plague of rats lasts three years, from 2008 to 2011. By the end of the program, they hope to have distributed 300 tons of rat poison and 60,000 traps throughout the region, at a cost of €1.3 million.

Red Cross needs more volunteers. There are about three dozen people who make up the volunteer corps of the Portuguese Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa CVP), but they need more people willing to take part in the social work of the institution. They deliver breakfast to outpatients at the hospital, visit inpatients, work with groups of elderly people and deliver clothes to families and individuals in need. The opening of the Christmas Bazaar is only possible because of the goodwill of a few volunteers. All products on sale were made by the volunteers of the CVP. It will continue until Saturday December 5, from 10.00 to 19.00, at 21 Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas. The most demand has been for the sweet products and Christmas decorative pieces.

‘Adopt a Star’ to support the Centro da Mãe. The Centro da Mãe is situated in the Bairro do Hospital in Funchal and is an institution for pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers and their children. Until 15 December, Liberty Seguros have a campaign to collect toys for the Mothers’ Centre and other Social Services institutions. Last Christmas they delivered 1,800 gifts and a wheelchair.

SEF holds Belarusian sought by Interpol. A woman born in Belarus was held by immigration officials at the airport yesterday as she attempted to board a plane to the UK. The arrest was on the grounds that Interpol had an International Warrant for her extradition to Belarus to fulfil a prison sentence (10 years for corruption). She was sent to Lisbon where the court rules on all extradition cases. They allowed her to continue to the UK where she has been living recently. —- No reasons given yet for that decision.

Isidora pays a fine and expects a licence. João Isidora, the leader of the Earth Party (MPT) had work done on his house that was not licensed by Funchal Council in 2007. The Council ordered the demolition of this extension last June. He challenged this decision and awaits an outcome. Meanwhile, he must pay a fine of 1,000 Euros. The original licence was for improvement to the roof but instead he added an attic. He applied for a second licence but this was refused on grounds that it did not fit in with the Municipal Plan (MDP). His new challenge is that only 65 cm of the roof is illegal and he also challenges the legality of the MDP.   — The Earth Party leader spoiling the contours of the environment!

Region tries to ensure funds for the sea. A maritime network for transport of goods to Europe to replace traffic congestion on the road links in the EU is being developed. In the case of Madeira, it is suggested an amendment to the EU maritime policy to allow funding to facilitate the transport of goods as well as basic goods and raw materials that are necessary for the region. This links in with an article stating that movement of goods and passengers in Madeira had a sharp fall in the third quarter of 2009 compared to both last year and the previous quarter. The largest fall was the transport of goods at Caniçal Port which fell 15% between July and September this year. Similarly, at the airport, passenger movement fell 3.3%.

Construction contentions in Chão da Ribeira. In the countryside, brown wooden barracks have been built in defiance of the laws. There are now several thousand throughout the valley, they infringe the Municipal Master Plan and are of concern to both the Council of Porto Moniz and the Natural Park of Madeira. The Mayor of Porto Moniz and the Director of the Natural Park of Madeira are to meet to decide the most effective measures to combat investors converting ‘palheiros’ and vacant land to small buildings for weekend / weekday nightlife. These constructions of non-permanent residence proliferate in an area of strict building restrictions to protect the landscape and existing buildings. Buildings can only be reconstructed, restored or remodelled if they do not increase the area of existing construction. This is what is happening. The mayor is awaiting a detailed plan of the location in order to impose detailed rules setting out, once and for all, policy development. The cultural and environmental heritage will be preserved. These palheiros were used to store farm implements and agricultural products. "I am in favour of reclassification but with detailed guidelines." The mayor has a stone palheiro in the area. The Director of the Natural Park of Madeira confirms that criminal misdemeanours have occurred. A wooden building can cover an entire plot of land, have high walls, a barbecue and a TV satellite dish. The previous mayor defended the Municipal Plan for the area which enabled the reconstruction of 120 palheiros and a restoration area, and was agreed by the Regional Government. Now it is known the gravity of this plan on the landscape of the whole valley of Chão da Ribeira. —- A palheiro is a small building, like the typical A-framed houses at Santana. Selling on the web, with land, for about 100,000 Euros.  —- for anyone who likes history, from the J. Madeira.

Madeira between the ‘filipinos’ and the Restoration of 1640. Portugal today celebrates the first day of the fight against the Dinastia Filipina who for 60 years (1581 – 1640) reigned in Portugal. December 1 marks the Restoration of Independence, with the consequent establishment of the Portuguese Dynasty of the House of Braganza. These two times (that of Filipes of Spain and the Restoration) were reflected in the political and economic situation in Madeira. In the fifteenth century (Filipes of Spain), Madeira had close relations with the Canaries for trade and Spanish soldiers settled in Madeira and even married Madeiran women. It was a peaceful occupation except for a few warships sent here, not to occupy but to prevent the English, as they did in the Azores. In 1640, when there was Restoration of the Republic, those from the Canaries residing in Madeira returned to the Canaries. Not because of expulsion by the Madeirans but because of the privileged position of England, which supported Portugal during the fight against the Spanish, led to English families being installed in the Region. The border war in Spain / Portugal was reflected in the Canary Islands, with restrictive measures to trade between those islands and Madeira. In Lanzarote, there was retaliation against the Madeiran residents, especially a prominent family whose assets were confiscated by the Spanish. Limited trade with the Canaries led to Madeira turning to new markets, under British influence, especially the USA and the British colonies, which had a positive impact on the export of wine. So Madeira won both economically and politically while Portugal was under the two situations: the Filipes of Spain and the the Restoration.

Today’s front page news headlines for the Diário de Notícias :

Today’s top news headline : Porto Santo subsidised to the power of 7% of purchases. The Porto-santenses are amongst the best-off in the country thanks to the salary increase. Only the 30% insularity allowance causes regional irregularities : one lives worse-off in Funchal. Top story today I will leave for some other kind soul to translate. LINK 

Sá Group invests €3.5 million in Câmara de Lobos. The new Hiper Sá store opens on Saturday, with over 7 thousand products, and provides employment for 30 people, and also 10 posts indirectly. It will be open every day between 8 am and 9 pm, and includes free parking spaces for 31 cars, with 5 of those allocated for disabled and pregnant shoppers.

256 vacancies to be filled – Every month there are work positions to be taken up. It’s strange : Madeira has almost 13 thousand unemployed. October finished with almost 13,000 unemployed signed-on at the Institute of Employment and not far off 400 job offers made. Even so there were 256 vacancies still to be filled at the end of the month. Those aged over 35 and less than 9º grade education are the worst off when it comes to finding new jobs.

Insecurity in Venezuela is a myth. Vice-minister for Europe represented Hugo Chávez (President of Venezuela) in the XIX Ibero – American summit and guaranteed to the Diário that the intervention in banking serves to save the savings of the international community that lives in Venezuela. I am not allowed to say ‘who cares’ it seems, so I will skip this story on the basis that ‘it likely provides limited information of little interest to blog readers’.

Discotheque will liven Market Night. The nightclub  ‘Vespas’ will erect a tent  in the Praça da Autonomia. The programme for December includes various parties and the presence of famous DJs, and runs into the beginning of January. The big story is the market night entertainment provided by Vespas, that will appeal to the younger generation, that each year fill the main arteries of Funchal. I could give you a list of the ‘star’ names who will play music, but I suspect it might be as useful as the names of Rudolph’s pals who will be out delivering presents those nights. I remember reading from last year that the traditional significance of Market Night was diminishing, and with this racket filling the streets all night this year, that it not likely to get any better. Perhaps I misjudge the younger generation, and after dancing the night away to DJ Motiv8 (pictured), perhaps they will stock up with a bag or two of fruit and veg before ambling home. And as for Motiv8 himself, what were his parents thinking when they christened him with a number in his name?

Finally, in sport, or football rather : Lionel Messi dethrones Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentine was elected with simplicity. The (ex?)-king of football drops down a notch, as Messi of Barcelona picks up the Golden Ball 2009 award, given by a French football magazine, after CR737 won it last year. Messi got 473 points, Ronaldo just 233 in the selection process, but still ended up a clear 2nd place in the rankings.

Marítimo player Bruno contracted ‘Gripe A’, making him the first case in Madeiran football. Get well soon Bruno … enough said?

And a bonus story : Portuguese use internet to see emails, exchange messages, and to see news. Obercom reveals a study that gives account of the increasing use of the internet. These are the facilities that those who go-online most use, and the growth areas are contact with friends (58.9%) and family (41.3%) through the internet, since 2003. In terms of information searches, the search for online news is the most widespread activity within the internet activities of the Portuguese, and nearly one-third perform this search daily. The study also indicates that the Google search engine has emerged as the most popular, having been visited since the beginning of 2009 by 87.4 percent of Internet users, followed by Sapo, visited by nearly two thirds of Internet users. 24 percent of the survey respondents believe blogs have little or no importance as sources of information, and 28.7 percent think the same in relation to government websites. Well what can I say, is it time to pack up and go home?

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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. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

Tobi found this Madeira online radio station MIRADOURO I had a listen when I was reading through the Diário yesterday, It’s was all pre-recorded music early morning, although there was some talking around 8 am.

Tobi, also said : "A friend of mine Luis Filipe Pessoa e Costa has an exhibition on in the Electricity museum of paintings and some other artwork on the theme of Africa, they are there till the 14th November, and its free to enter, just ask to see the Africa Exhibition.  I have added a link to the photos I have". AFRICA ART

Don has updated his blog with a preview of a Madeira Christmas FUNCHAL’S EVENING DRESS

"Portas do Mar in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (Azores), has unveiled a New Year’s Eve program set to rival that of Funchal, Madeira". I DON’T THINK SO!

It’s the day of São Martinho tomorrow, a special saint’s day for bacalhau, castanhas, wine and good deeds. The Roman soldier died in 397 AD, and his first and most famous good deed was to cut his cape in half with his sword to help keep a half naked beggar warm.

And talking of good deeds, I’m in a better mood today, particularly cheered up by a kind soul that used the PayPal button (just down there on the right hand side of this page). How he got through the rust I don’t know, but he managed, and it is now loosened and working OK. Anyone else encouraged by this act of kindness, please bear in mind that without volunteers to contribute to this blog there are no guarantees as to how long it will keep going. At the moment it’s just a few regulars, and in particular Elaine, who has been providing the daily news, keeping this going.

The rumours last week were true, with the TVI series set on Madeira, Flor do Mar, coming to an end after nearly 300 episodes. Anyone wants to know who shot Ana-Maria, I’m your man. It finished in an action packed fashion, with yet another murder, and the suicide of the baddy (of the feminine type).  That should save the government here a few Eurobucks in hotel bills.

There were 8 new cases of Gripe A swine flue on Madeira last week, half of the victims  were aged 15 or under. Two cases of the virus were caught here. 27 suspect cases were tested.

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

Delays in Santa Cruz Court. People in Santa Cruz are having problems obtaining compensation due to delays in court hearings, now taking three years. Both cases cited were against Vialitoral for damage to cars when hitting loose stones on the motorway at Porto Novo and near the airport. One case was dismissed and another is still awaiting a trial date. One person sent a letter to the President of the Supreme Court of Justice asking him to intervene to make the court enforce the Civil Procedure Code and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so there would be justice without delay.

"The worst is yet to come." Unemployed immigrants from Eastern Europe are going in increasing numbers to the Presbyterian Church for social assistance to help pay their utility bills. The Church has limited funds. Employment is increasingly scarce whereas in the past, unemployed workers could obtain temporary work in agriculture, e.g. banana cultivation. People can not see a way out of the crisis and often become alcoholics and both men and women turn up drunk when they go to ask for help. The Pastor stated, "The most serious are the middle class in poverty, feeling embarrassment and shame. This has not yet appeared in force, but I believe it will appear. They are hoping the problem is resolved. The worst is yet to come." Many of the other 200 Presbyterian population are also experiencing hardship, pensioners needing help with obtaining medication. At one stage, there were 4,000 Ukrainians resident in Madeira, and now are less than half, but they are having problems getting their permits renewed if they cannot provide evidence they can support themselves and their families. They do not want to return to the Ukraine where the economic situation is worse and they have families here with children in the education system. As well as the Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church receives Government aid and the Pastor thinks there could be better social assistance by a united effort of all the Christian religions.

Criminal Register Certificates. These are for criminal convictions handed down by Portuguese courts and foreign courts for both Portuguese and foreign residents. The Criminal Register Certificate  can be obtained from judicial offices, Loja do Cidadão and representatives of Foreign Consulates or Embassies and costs 3.5 Euros.  It should take no more than three days to obtain and the content depends on the purpose it is intended for. It can be used for employment, licence, permit or registration of a public nature. It is required to obtain Portuguese nationality, change of name, taxi drivers, children transport services, freight forwarding businesses, public service workers etc. There is also a certificate for public companies, organisations and institutions. Misuse is punishable by either a fine or imprisonment of up to one year.

Diocese of Funchal held vocational meetings for young people. For people interested in entering seminaries for the Priesthood. About 20 boys of year seven or above at school attended the meetings where there was a screening of an American video about the life of a priest, called ‘Fishers of Men’ and is available on YouTube. They also learnt about the three components of seminary life; prayer, relationship and living and study. In the 96 parishes of the Diocese of Funchal, there are 76 priests and 22 are more than 70 years old, and 4 between 50 and 60 years. There has been 10 years with no ordinations and there will be 3 new Priests in Madeira next year. On average, there are 2 ordinations a year.

Socialists call for an inquiry into RAM debt. The "rampant debt" and the "illegal debt" the Madeira Government has been mounting up, could lead to a 100 million Euros penalty in State transfers in 2010. The 150 million Euros in loans which "violated zero indebtedness" under applicable laws could result in a penalty of more than 50% of transfers in 2010. The Socialists justify the initiative as follows: "The need for the commission of inquiry stems from the fact that the Government of the PSD shows a great sense of irresponsibility and makes politics a weapon against the Madeirans since launching  a state siege with the loss of two million per year in the Regional Finance Act (between 2007 and 2009), and calls into question more than 100 million Euros in transfers in 2010, with the bad governance it practices." They also accuse the Government of the "obvious inability to act" with incentives to overcome the crisis that have proved "clearly insufficient". They proposed seven initiatives to help the crisis.

‘Almanaque PEF’ celebrates 150 years of existence. The cover picture is a reproduction by a forgotten artist from Madeira, Jayme de Sa. This yearbook has 200 pages of regional events, religion, agriculture, history and cuisine and in addition to the tributes each month, a chapter on the British participation in the economic, social and cultural Madeira. —– I assume there is not an English translation. It sounds interesting.

‘Delights of Israel’ in Reid’s Palace Hotel. The Embassy of Israel in Funchal is promoting the cultural event to be held on the 7th and 8th December. Specialities in ‘Les Faunes’ restaurant will be provided by the Executive Chef of the Sheraton Plaza Hotel Jerusalem with music provided by the singer Ya’ara Olchik.

Mission Recycle short of expectations. After three days in Funchal and Machico, only 72 used coffee machines deposited, enough to represent the planting of only 18 trees. No one showed up later on at Ribeira Brava after the initial queue at 7.15 am for the offers of 10 coffee machines at 10 Euros. .

PS Rui Caetano warns of illegal container park. He was at the entrance of the food market in São Martinho yesterday morning to highlight the fact that the illegal parking of trucks and containers has occurred for four years. The problem starts when it rains and the mud floods the road and obstructs access for residents and customers of the food market. There is also the issue of unfair competition as there are some companies with the same activity which conform to the payment of taxes. The land is a public space and is not licensed by the Council and taxes are not paid to either the Council or the Government.

Another container site in between Machico and Santa Casa de Misericordia has been complained about to the police and the Council of Machico, as the container has been placed there without prior written permission of the owner since 2006. Manuel Franco Santos told the Diário, "I went to the Council of Machico, where I was told it was illegal and they would notify the owner of the container to remove it within 15 days." So far, nothing has happened. The President of the Council says he will send an inspector to investigate as the situation is illegal and an invasion of private property, so justifies informing the police. In 2007, Manuel Franco Santos filed a complaint with the police but they said they could do nothing as it was private property.

Habitat restoration projects are important. 10th November is the anniversary of the Natural Park of Madeira becoming the second protected area in Madeira in 1982. (Interview with the Director). The objective of the Park is to improve the quality of life of the people of Madeira for the long-term. The Director of the Natural Park said, "The mission is to contribute to the sparing use of our unique natural heritage, preserving our cultural identity and landscape, three elements crucial to creating wealth and employment interests of sustainable tourism." The Natural Park occupies 70% of the island, includes several different habitation areas and some species in danger of extinction. One of the many projects being developed is the recovery of the habitat of the Freira da Madeira (Zino’s Petrel) to help its survival. Another project is to minimize the impact of wood pigeons on agricultural fields. Surveys are looking at the use of natural plants in the everyday life in the rural parishes and in Fajã da Ovelho, and cultural and heritage uses of natural materials. The Marine Reserves are an asset to the island; Garajau, Rocha do Navio, Ilhas Desertas and Selvagens and around Porto Santo.

Almost half of the olive oil consumed in Portugal comes from Spain. Between 40 and 50 thousand tons imported per year but within four years Portugal will be self-sufficient. This is when the recently planted olive groves will be in full production. Spain is the main investor in Portugal in this sector, especially in the regions Alentejo, Beja, Serpa and Ferreira do Alentejo. The price has almost increased 50% worldwide in two months. Portugal exports 32.3% of its olive oil production, mainly to Brazil. This year, Tras-de-Montes predicts a fall in production, Alentejo region estimates a 20% increase in production and Beira Interior promises to be the best harvest in recent years.

SATA and TAP reinforce code-sharing agreement. The Azorean airline increased the agreement it has with TAP to destinations linking Porta Delagada and Funchal to northern Europe and Lisbon-Zurich. —- Details given but I haven’t a clue what code-sharing means. It just means they share the same plane, but from a passenger point of view they are separate flights … until they board that is. Der

Cristiano Ronaldo receives compensation from the Daily Mirror. The British tabloid newspaper accused him of drinking excess alcohol and dancing while recovering from a foot operation in Los Angeles in July 2008. He received an apology and an unspecified amount of damages.

Madeira nurses are better leaving the region in search of better working conditions. The complaint of the President of the Order of Nurses, due to motivation and difficulties in finding employment. Nurses have left due to recent changes made by the Regional Health Service for nurses with more years of service and difficulties for recent graduates in finding work. The President said that the future is black and within six or seven years, Madeira will have to import nurses from less developed countries. For these reasons he calls on the Government to reverse the health policies in the region. He said the health service lacks human resources and the 75 nurses who qualified this year are not enough to make up the shortfall.

Of the six patients in Portugal who had severe problems after eye injections at Santa Maria Hospital, two have just been told they are permanently blind. The hospital later denied that the blindness is irreversible.

Interest rates threaten to double by the end of next year. Opinion of many analysts that the Euribor rate will settle at around 2% in 12 months time, i.e.. late 2010. At present the rates are at a historic low at 1% and there has been a downward trend since October 2008. Last September mortgage rates reached the lowest value at 2.361%.

Holders of firearms unaware of amendments to the law. The Regional Command of the PSP has found irregularities in the supervision of individuals with firearms due to amendments of the act in May 2009. Failure to comply with standards of conduct leads to fines, forfeiture of licences and confiscation of weapons. There is "frequent confusion" between liability insurance policies, and safe storage of firearms to ensure against loss, theft and accidents.

Praça do Município in Funchal illuminated blue. From last night until Sunday the three most  important buildings in the square, the Town Hall, Sacred Art Museum and the Church of the College, are illuminated due to an initiative of the International Diabetes Federation. 10.9% of the population of Madeira suffer from diabetes. 26% of those aged from 60 – 79 years suffer from the illness.

A quick peek at the front page of today’s Diário newspaper :

Today’s main news headline : Alcohol sends 600 a year to hospital. Liver cirrhosis problems account for 95% of the hospitalizations in the Service of  Gastroenterology. The Nucleus of professionals of that sector, who celebrate 25 years, meets Friday and Saturday in Funchal. Too many medical terms in this one to make sense to me, but the 600 alcohol related admissions mentioned in the headline, would be higher, but the unit is limited to just 15 beds.

São Martinho : Bacalhau without music – The celebrations today on Madeira are the initiatives of the  traders. And, with the exception of São Roque in Faial, new wine and cod fish is served without music. Even in São Martinho. There will be less barracas than usual in São Martinho tonight on the eve of it’s patron saints day, but the urge to mark the tradition will be the same as always.

Minister says that Madeira received €10 million more – Office of Portugal’s Finance Minister insists in the advantages of the current Finance Law. The PSD-M social democrats say that the Regional Finance Law loses Madeira €200 million, the PS-M socialists say it amounts to just €6 million, and now the chancellor of the Republic says it benefits Madeira with an extra €10 million. As the Diário correctly points out, analysing the Finance Law is like analysing the election results, with each party having a different angle on the subject. They all agree that Madeira has lost out however, and there seems to be no doubt that the Azores receive more than Madeira from the State Budget. And why shouldn’t they, if the need is greater.

Golf of Ponta do Pargo already awarded – It just lacks the money. The €40 million needed has not yet been secured, even though the consortium of Somaque and Zagope has already been awarded the €16.4 million construction contract for the new golf course. The 100 hectare site has already been acquired at a cost of around €20 million. With an area of around 1 million square meters, the design conceived by Nick Faldo will include an 18 hole course, a 9 hole ‘pitch and putt’, a driving range, and a club house. The work will not start whilst the finances are unresolved, and the banks are tightening their lending criteria, and will not now lend against the original concept of the project to minimise their risk. So big deal … we need another golf course here about as much as we need Uncle Bertie’s debt management skills. I have been living here since before the concept of this new golf course, and despite the picture, I swear that there has never been a report of Nick Faldo ever coming here, so maybe his kids designed the complex with some coloured crayons when they were like 6 years old.

Ronaldo provokes ‘Iberic war’ – Portuguese Football Federation pressures, but Real Madrid won’t back down. Portugal want to call up Ronaldo for the game against Bosnia, but Real Madrid say he is injured and won’t be ready to play. But the Portugal manager reckons that Real are pulling a fast one, and said send him anyway and we will get our own doctors to check him out, and if there is any risk we won’t play him. Ronaldo himself when asked said he just wants to play football, so he is keeping out of the politics.

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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.

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

This article might appeal to potential tourists who like walking, particularly LEVADA WALKING 

Sheila kindly sent me in an article, but as it may have copyright issues I have provided a link to it instead : "Crisis in Portugal is mirrored in Madeira – Perhaps this article in the latest edition of The Portugal News will be of interest because some of the problems being faced in mainland Portugal (for instance unemployment and a lack of funds for animal care) are even more acute here in Madeira". Institutions struggle – Thousands of families in Portugal have been left living below the breadline.

Which leads on nicely to a letter I saw in the Diário on Friday, that brought a lot of responses from Diário readers.

P’Neco – A letter from a dog :
I’m an old dog, I am 14 years old. I’m happy, I have owners who really like me, who always gave me love and attention. But now I’m sick, I feel pain, I’m tired and my owners have little money. They took me to the vet, I was very well attended, my mistress was nervous, my master was sad and I just thought: – Do not be so sad I’ll will become well.

After the consultation I went home, I was already feeling better, but I realized that my owners were still anxious and sad. I finally realized why – they had little money and taking care of a dog is not easy. There is no assistance from anyone, no Health Centre to go to, as my owners have when they feel sick. Everything costs and is very expensive, and there are no reimbursements. 

My owners have spent the rest of the money that they had to get through the month. They had to pay for the consultation, and it seems I need a special diet, I had to do tests, there are vaccines that I have to take … I have  doggy friends in the same situation or even worse than me.

In the news, it is all about cases of abandonment, and bad treatment. But there are many good owners, like mine, that want to take care of their dogs, treating them, but that sometimes can only give affection that is not sufficient, as you must also have money.
In the car on the way home, my mistress was crying because she knows that I’m older and that from now on I will need care and medication, and she will not be able to pay.

I realised that one of the options was to put me to sleep, because I’m old. But I do not want to die, knowing the grief that my owners are going to have to suffer to send me to be killed, just because they have no money to take care of me. My desperate mistress already said he did not want more dogs, because it was too painful to see us die without dignity.

A few days ago my neighbour, a dog called Bobby, heard his owner say that he wanted to have another dog, but to treat it right is very expensive, and that there is no public vet and nothing cheaper, and so it was better not to. Bobby was sad, he wanted company, because his owners go off to work all day and he is left alone.

We dogs are friends, loyal, playful, because there are no laws to protect us, and to help those who protect us. – Anabela Sousa

Another fine contribution from Elaine from yesterday’s news, with many thanks …

Health Service and Electricity Company have liabilities totalling €985.2 million. The Regional Health Service at the end of the 2008 financial year had liabilities worth 484.6 million Euros, as calculated by the ‘Exame’ magazine. Two-thirds (€323 million) were owed to banks and suppliers. The liability represented record levels of debt (126%) unparalleled at a company / institution level. The Regional budget paid 227.2 million Euros to the Health Service and profit was a negative 13.9 million Euros. With 101.2 million Euros in negative equity, it was technically bankrupt, as the cost-effectiveness of services provided was -7%. The service provides care in 3 hospitals and 54 health centres. The Electricity Company of Madeira had total liabilities of 500.5 million Euros. The firm owed 360 million to banks and 60 million to suppliers. It had an 18% increase in sales (171.3 million) and overall profit of 3.7 million Euros. Madeira had 5.8% of the 500 largest Portuguese companies, 20 of these were foreign-owned and residing at the International Business Centre. They were from Italy, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Brazil. Despite popular opinion that they are tax-free companies, they provided a large proportion of both corporation tax and IVA. —– Lots of figures given which are meaningless to me and difficult to summarise. Der calculated the EEM had a debt of 5,000 Euros for every customer. The debt the health service is running up for each taxpayer must also be unbelievable. Is everyone living beyond their means? Sharp increase in taxes coming?

More details about rescue exercise in Rabaçal. The Civil Defence and Armed Forces are performing a ‘Missing 09′ rescue exercise on the 19th and 20th November in Rabaçal. To simulate the disappearance of a group of 15 tourists in Rabaçal and an accident involving a passenger bus on the road that leads to the Casa da Rabaçal. Over 100 people and 25 vehicles will be involved. There will be the Armed Forces, Emergency Medical Teams, Bombeiros and ambulances from 6 regions, PSP and GNR, SANAS, Forestry Police, Mountain Rescue and Canyoning Teams and Calheta Council representatives. Rabaçal is chosen as it is a tourist area where weather conditions can quickly change during the day, which tourists are often unaware of. On November 18th at the airport, the other rescue exercise will involve about 60 – 70 people, 10 – 12 ambulances and 2 Emergency Medical Teams. It is a collaboration between ANAM, Civil Defence and the Armed Forces. —- Don’t have an accident on any of these days.

Veterinary clinics now only used in emergencies. Due to the economic crisis, the clinics are used less for prophylactic care and animals tend to be taken only when essential. The clinics occasionally have large debts run up by customers and offer phased payments to assist. SPAD also find people have problems paying, and sometimes ask for proof that people really are in the economic difficulties that they claim.

Banks should finance Colombo’s Resort. Jardim has dismissed the Government’s responsibilities in the deadlock of continuing the financing of the work on Porto Santo. He said that the Government has nothing to do with investment and "If not resolved as soon as possible, banks will have to explain to shareholders how they lost that money, so the only solution is for those same banks to finish the work and subsequently put in on the market." Talking about the resignation of the Director of RDP and RTP-Madeira, Leonel de Freitas, he said his departure should have happened earlier. He pointed to the divisive character that RTP-Madeira had assumed, violating some of the fundamental ethics of the media. —- I think he is referring to RTP-Madeira not always reporting the Government in a favourable light. I think there were pre-election (interview) broadcast disputes.

Chakras and energy in health. SESARAM sending 400 nurses on a training course on the ‘Consciousness of Being’. These training sessions (the human, scientific and religious grounds; fields and energy centres; principles of the universe, care, healing nursing) and particularly (chakras, mental and emotional issues, anatomical power to defend the self, self-esteem, willpower, follow our dreams, faith and knowledge, spirituality and devotion, among others) have led some to question their relevance, scientific status and priority over more scientific / technical training needed. Especially the seven universal principles taught (mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect and karma). This theory of transpersonal nursing was developed by a Colorado University Professor of Nursing who is considered a pioneer in the study of nursing as a scientific discipline that unites rationality and sensibility. This training promoting a holistic approach is financed by the EU, supported by WHO directives and authorized by the Director of Nursing. It aims to humanize the health service as patients do not want to be treated as mere numbers. The ‘Consciousness of Being’ serves to remind nurses that they deal with people and not the patient in bed X, ward Y. —– I love the last sentence – do nurses really have to be taught this? Just thought the taxpayers would like to know what the €484 million debt they are financing is spent on. Evidence-based medicine? No mention of the cost of the course. (Wikipedia has a page on Chakra which is a concept from traditional Indian medicine. I am still no wiser and wonder if quality of care will improve after this course).

260 have been treated for alcoholism this year. Treated at the Centre at the Casa de Saúde São Joao de Deus (hospital). The Unit has been functioning for 30 years and treated 7,000 to 10,000. The Director of the Hospital does not think that alcoholism is increasing in Madeira but there are more people seeking treatment and there is more attention given to treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. 18% of the patients are female and there are 20 beds. The Unit does not act alone but in conjunction with the regional network and the family have a key role. The Director of the Department of Mental Health, Luis Filipe, who also runs the unit, said that quicker and easier access is due to the recent formation of Community Mental Health Teams at the Regional Health Centres. More women are now asking for treatment possibly due to a decrease in stigma. A statistical analysis of the extent of alcoholism is presently being undertaken. He noted the help of the voluntary organisations, Alcoholics Anonymous and ‘Mão Amiga’. Alcoholism is decreasing amongst 40 – 50 years old as this age group has been targeted but increasing amongst young people who refuse to believe they can have a problem at their age. There will be an anniversary party for the Unit on December 2nd for 250 guests to celebrate those successfully treated.

Increase in the number of insolvencies. A new Code of Insolvency came into force five years ago and there has been an increase in the number of bankruptcies. There have been 72 this year which is about 7 times more than in the Nineties when there were only 10 – 12 a year. There were 26 in 2008. The number of firms becoming insolvent are 7% of the number of firms created, which is a positive sign.

Public works pollutes the seafront of Câmara de Lobos. Mud was being washed into the sea yesterday afternoon west of Vigario causing a brown discolouration. This was clearly seen from the Largo da Autonomia situated in front of the Town Hall. Diário reporters traced the origin to Council contractors who are building a wall in association with a new access to Ribeira da Alforra and Limoeiro. No one at the Council was available for comment.

Schoolchildren taught road safety. 50 children in Câmara de Lobos participated in an initiative promoted by the Operation Life association. After a talk at the Police Station, they went to the promenade at Vigario where there was a test course marked out. There was a maze of signs, both marked out on the promenade and roadsigns, and different means of transport, ranging from bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards. This was also part of the social inclusion project called Radically Inclusive which is designed to channel the excess adrenaline that youngsters have.

Assassination of Madeiran restaurant owner in Venezuela. A 44 year old man originating from Ribeira Brava was shot yesterday in his restaurant in Venezuela. Two men entered the establishment and repeatedly asked to be served by him, Jordan Teixeira dos Santos, mentioning his name several times. He was shot 14 times and it is thought to be part of a personal vendetta or Venezuelan ‘sicariato’. Complaints about insecurity are increasing in the country.

Destination Madeira promoted in London. The World Travel Market is to be held at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London on the 9 – 11 November. The UK is the largest market for tourists, increasing 26.4% last year but has sharply fallen since then.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a fashion icon for the young. In his birthplace, Quinta Falcão in Funchal, the youngsters try to copy the way he walks, talks, hairstyle, earrings etc. according to the owner of the local billiard hall. They have difficulty buying from his store CR7 due to expense. A local hairdresser, who has Ronaldo’s mother and sister as clients, agrees. Ronaldo is also the Portuguese most imitated by young people worldwide and this began when he joined Manchester United six years ago and he has replaced previous idol Beckham. He is the ‘victim’ of the publicity machine of that club that buys players for their skills and transforms them into icons that can sell millions.

A quick look at today’s front page headlines :

Purely by coincidence (having published the readers letter above), this was the main photo on today’s Diário cover : Strays in the mountain remain waiting for owners until they die. Paul da Serra is the dumping ground for abandoned dogs. Also in other remote sites like Choupana. They fight until death to survive (exact translation). Confused, and wet to the bones, a little dog wanders amongst the parked cars at the miradouro of Rabaçal, in Paul da Serra. The fog was thick on that Thursday morning. The rain drizzled but was steady, soaking into the ground and leaving puddles here and there, and the animal ambled around in search of food, and for his owner who left him there to die. Further in front, on the road, the same scenario. The dog this time is bigger, seemingly a German Shepherd, hungry, soaking wet, staring and pleading … enough of that because does anyone really care? Will anyone head up there today to feed them … no I thought not, so there’s not much point in me continuing.

Marítimo with attitude to confront Porto – Mitchel (Van der Gaag) scored in the last victory against the portistas. Good prognostic for this afternoon’s game. I think I heard on the radio that it has been 6 years since Marítimo beat Porto, but this time I think  Porto could struggle a little. SportTV1 6 pm.

Accounting Tribunal (Public Auditors) refuse explanations – The region asked the tribunal if it might explain the denial the approval of support for the TV series ‘Flor do Mar’. The tribunal says that it is already all clear. Clear it was, as even I understood without any mental effort at all, that the accommodation for the crew and cast of TVI (the series producer), was  so costly that there should have been a tender organised. It’s called I believe ensuring effective use of public money, a concept that I think is totally alien to the Madeira government. Uncle Bertie and his crew of cronies are constantly breaking the rules on expenditure, and then always complain when the auditors criticise the action. Thank god we have the auditors, otherwise who knows what pockets would be lined and crazy projects endorsed without us ever knowing.

The main news headline today : Fishing fleet flees to the Azores – Already 14 boats and 250 fishermen are opting to labour in the neighbouring archipelago. They come to the dockyard of Caniçal yet pay the taxes there (?). They complain of lack of support of the regional government. Accompanied by a photo of two large fishing boats in dry dock, that clearly weren’t going anywhere. Lets hope these fishermen in the Azores don’t have the ‘Madeira taxi driver mentality’, or it will all end in tears for sure.

‘Wall of Shame’ fell 20 years ago – On a night of liberty, canticles and hugs, the Germans reunited the country two decades ago. It was the 9th November 1989. A news item that the world commemorates tomorrow. Well the world will have to commemorate without me, ‘cos I couldn’t care less, and I doubt if most of the people who read this headline will change their day either. I will spare a thought for that poor little dog pictured above though, and wonder if he is still just about alive. That wall is just history. Yet another stupid chapter in the history of mankind.

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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.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment will be moderated, so please do not waste time with spam postings.  If you register, your comment will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!

Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.

The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.

The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’

Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved

The main front page photo today shows a traffic jam : ‘War Of Neighbours In Order To Park Occupies Carriageway – The Chaos on the [road] 5 de Outubro has worsened since the start of school. The council gives in to residents and complicates the life of those who come down through Viveiros’. The traffic of Funchal needs routes, as getting in and out remains awkward, and the hope now is on the new Via Expresso at the port. Peak traffic times are particularly difficult, despite the completion of improvement works completed in central Funchal, and now it’s ‘back to school’ the problem has worsened. The Cota 40 and especially at largo da Cruz Vermelha are highlighted problem areas. The article goes on to list and debate just about every problem on every major road in Funchal, but isn’t it the point that traffic problems are the best way to get people to look to alternatives, such as public transport, and park and ride, and even if I might be so bold to suggest ‘on foot’. If the council keeps looking to make improvements in the traffic flow, it is going to counter its attempts to create a ‘green’ city. Bus lanes on every major road would be my solution, with a few well placed ‘park and ride’ schemes.

‘Convict Beats Up Man In Funchal – The accused of the aggression that sent the man to intensive care, had already robbed the house of a police commissioner’. The 20 year old convict was detained, but subsequently managed to escape, after also being taken to hospital. His 44 year old victim is in a serious condition in Funchal Central Hospital with head injuries.

‘PSP Receives New Guns – The regional command is one of the first in the country to be equipped with the ‘glock’. They are the “latest shout” in firearms, and Madeira already has it’s new stock ready to issue to police officers. The 9 mm weapon is “Characterized by its high taking-out power”. I for one intend to be very well behaved over the next few weeks, as no doubt our fine officers will be keen to try out their new toys. I might even have to be nice to Uncle Bertie when he is over this way again, and even shake hands with him, in case he tells the police to sort me out.

In football, a picture of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the headline ‘Spanish Change Their Opinion – Finally they give in. In Spain, the same press that ‘attacked’ CR9 now appears to idolise him’. After 5 goals in 4 league games, and 8 goals for Real Madrid altogether, Ronaldo has turned a doubtful Spanish press into a bunch of slobbering hero worshippers. He is now the top topic in newspapers and sports circles.

In entertainment : ‘Comedy Brings ‘Aces’ From The TV In October’. National comedy arrives on Madeira next month, with stars from Flor do Mar and Malucos do Riso / Morangos Com Açúcar. The theatre comedy is called ‘I Love My Penis’ (and that has not been translated), and has been doing the rounds in theatres throughout Portugal. It’s for over 18′s. 

‘Via Expresso In The North Ready In 2011′. During a visit to the new road construction yesterday, the regional secretary responsible said that the new road between Boaventura and São Vicente would be ready in 2011. The total length of the extension is 7.1 km. The road is being constructed in three phases, with two phases already underway (Boaventura – Ponta Delgada 1.341 km, and Ponta Delgada – Faja da Areia 3.254 km). 4 new tunnels will be needed to complete the route.

‘Child psychiatry unit opens with a lack of professionals – It needs two child psychiatry doctors, but at present there is only one’. The new centre, São Rafael, was inaugurated yesterday, and is the first one on Madeira, and just the third one in Portugal, that specialises in children aged between 10 and 18 with acute mental health problems. The unit can accommodate 10 patients, with an emergency reserve that can be called upon if needed. Amongst other mental problems, the unit will deal with children who suffer psychotic episodes, make suicide attempts, and suffer severe depression and behavioural changes.

Portugal had 2,213 new case of Gripe A swine flu between 14th and 20th September. Around 20 of the victims were hospitalised.

The ongoing strike by customs officers is causing some problems with incoming freight by sea. Two container ships, the ‘Apolo’ and the ‘Portdouro’, suffered significant delays yesterday in the unloading of containers, posing a threat to the restocking of Madeira’s supermarkets. The deliveries included 30 refrigerated containers, which were released thanks to ‘shortcuts’ permitted by the Director of Customs, but the other containers will remain in Caniçal Port until the strike is over and the release can go through the normal customs channels.  

‘Easyjet Increases Weekly Flights Between Madeira And The United Kingdom – One more connection on the Stansted route will start operating at the end of October’. The UK airport will now have 5 weekly flights for the start of the Winter season. As a result of the same negotiations with Tourism of Madeira, Easyjet will also operate 4 weekly Gatwick to Madeira flights in the Winter, and 3 in the Summer, which is one extra. Including the Bristol route, that will make 12 Winter and 11 Summer flights to and from the UK.

‘Luxury Italian Ship In Port – The new cruise ship of the Costa fleet makes it’s debut today in Funchal Port’. The €450 million Costa Luminosa brings over 2,700 Italian tourists, before leaving for Malaga at 5.30 pm. It underwent the usual inauguration process early this morning, with a good soaking from a powerful water ‘canon’. It will be back again on the 6th October, with 4 more visits to Madeira scheduled for this year. Among its specialities, the ship is a floating art gallery, with nearly five thousand works of art, of which 288 are original works.

(16th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Ambitious Nacional – The alvinegro sporting city will have a central photovoltaic system, road connection direct to the Caminho dos Pretos, a rugby pitch and athletics track’. Alvinegro is the club nickname for CD Nacional da Madeira. Alves says he is optimistic about tomorrows game. The club is approaching an average of 3 thousand supporters for its games, and has a growing membership list. The club is looking at some changes in the stadium complex, including solar power, access changes, and also acquiring nearby land to host an rugby pitch and athletics track.

That headline then has 3 more sub headlines:
- ‘In An Interview With The Diário, Rui Alves Believes That A Victory Over Werder Bremen Is Going To Confuse European Opponents’.
- ‘Race For The Presidency Of The League Of Clubs Continues In The Plans Of Rui Alves’.
- ‘Players Of Nacional Make The Set In The ‘Powerade’ Awards’. The players won plenty of awards for their achievements last season.
But as I suspect this is of little interest to most, I will move on.

‘Ronaldo, Happy For His Father, Sent Message And Scored Two Goals In Zurich’. His father was posthumously awarded for his contribution to sport, at the ‘Powerade’ Awards’ yesterday. CR737 then went on to score two of the five goals for his new team, Real Madrid, in the champions league victory last night.

‘Car Parks In The Centre ‘Summon’ Drivers – In the opinion of the environmental agency, Quercus, and drivers, the existence of accessible and diverse parking in Funchal feeds and fattens the traffic indulgence’. A vice president of Funchal Council says that they are developing a project, with the bus company Horários do Funchal, for a ‘park and ride’ scheme, where one drives to the outskirts of the city, parks ones car, and then catches a very frequent bus service from the car park to the city centre. The Funchal central traffic problem is getting steadily worse, just because parking facilities exist, and it also it still being possible to park without paying. "Paying to park is very cheap, and it shouldn’t be", says the president of the Madeira branch of Quercus. He believes that the comfort and speed of a car journey should be challenged by better public transport, and that there should be bus lanes on the main routes to improve public transport travel times. Around 47 thousand vehicles are believed to enter Funchal daily.

‘Armed Masked Robbers Raid Cash Desk’. They struck twice yesterday, firstly at the Hotel Funchal Design (Rua da Alegria), where they surprised the receptionist at 4.30 am. The two robbers had a knife, and forced the receptionist to hand over €57 from the cash till. Then sometime after 11 am, masked men appeared at Elos cash and carry in Viveiros, and forced checkout staff to hand over "a significant sum". They then fled on foot, chased by shop staff, but managed to lose their pursuers in the street labyrinths of Viveiros.

‘Elderly With Keys Around The neck – The robberies in the top of Ribeira Brava give rise to appeal : "The police must have compassion for the people". The call comes from ‘up top’, from the people in São João. "We asked the police to have compassion for the people". Celina Gonçalves, 75, lives alone in Lombo da Levada, and this Summer has been robbed three times. She is not the only one. The ‘nightmare’ started late in July when her house was freshly painted and wide open, and two individuals tried separately to steal the €400 she had set aside to pay the decorator, the second attempt was successful. She had been duped, so she she didn’t report the matter to the police or tell her family. Not long after, €300 she had set aside for another job that needed doing in her house, and after that another €200, were all stolen. She now has lock on every door, and wears the keys on a cord around her neck. Another story along the same lines follows, and the victim aged 67, reported to the Ribeira Brava police an attempt to rob her home, and was concerned that the response was not compassionate towards her. Even the church of São João has been a victim, with the donations from a mass and a box of candles stolen. They say "they only don’t take [steal] more because the people don’t have".

‘Eleven In The Final Of ‘Funchal A Cantar – Vânia Fernandes will be the patron on Saturday in the final, that will include fireworks’. The final of the singing competition will be held in the Praça do Município (town hall square) at 8 pm, and promises to be an unforgettable event, with a total of 65 artists involved. The 11 individual finalists were whittled down from the 30 in the preliminary round, held on Monday night.

‘Four New Cases Of H1N1 On Madeira – 21 suspected cases were investigated by the laboratory in the last week’. The Institute for Health Administration IASAÚDE confirmed 4 new case of Gripe A swine flu, taking the total to 39 since 12th July. One case came from Canada, the other three were secondary infections. On a related theme, vaccines for seasonal flu were starting to be delivered to pharmacies yesterday afternoon. Medical prescriptions for these vaccines are valid until 31st December.

‘Man Aged 29 Caught Selling Drugs In Night Spot (club or bar?) – 120 doses of cocaine and 600 Euros seized’. He was caught in the act by police with the drugs, and money presumed to be the takings from the drugs sold. In Funchal a police operation resulted in the seizure of hashish sufficient for 2,400 fixes.

‘Linha Saúde 24 Strengthened – 400 nurses with the capacity to answer 15 thousand calls a day’. Currently the health service hotline is taking 4,500 calls a day, 1,000 of those being specific to Gripe A concerns, but if necessary can deal with up to 15,000 enquiries daily. The centre is run by a private company, and should they fail to deal with 15% or more of the enquiries, they will be penalised, as they have already been 3 times for failing to meet half-yearly performance targets, since it was set up in 2007. The short term objective is to recruit 200 more nurses, to raise the call answering capacity to 20,000 per day, and then longer term, to cope with new cases of Gripe A swine flu, 800 to 900 nurses will be required.

‘Police Grab Suspicious Powder In Government Building – Also a locker contained €7,000 in banknotes’. A worker in the government building on Avenida Zarco found the envelope containing around 100 grams of powder and money in a locker on Saturday. The building is used by public service departments, including education, planning and finance. The powder is suspected to be cocaine, but is undergoing tests. Uniformed police were called, and apparently a bit of a row broke out between them and the civil servants.

‘Hospital Release Finishes In Operation In A Clinic’. An individual who attended the urgencies department (A & E) in Funchal Central Hospital with acute pain in the knee, was released after a x-ray and medical examination. Hours later the same person went to a private clinic in extreme pain, where radiography on the knee revealed a serious injury. Close relatives of the patient expressed their disgust at the poor diagnosis at the hospital. The injury, resulting from a football kick-about, was not serious according to a hospital spokesman, but had worsened during the following hours as a result of the person walking in the leg.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo Returns To Not Thrill’. The game between Real Madrid and Al Itihad in Madrid was drawn 1 – 1, and Ronaldo continues not to justify the €94 million paid for him by Real. He was eventually substituted after 66 minutes in the Peace Cup. He may have been put off because his mother and family were not there, choosing to go to the PSD-M rally on Madeira instead. A point that the Diário makes confidently was nothing to do with president Jardim and the politics, but to see the young singer Mickael Carreira.

(26th July). ‘Infertility Is Very Demanding – Artificial insemination and cryopreservation of sperm coming in the near future to Madeira’. Since last week, there is a new service in the field of infertility. The work in this first phase is at the premises of the Centre for Clinical Analysis in Bom Jesus. The objective in this phase is to study the couple and the problems the have in conception, starting with a consultation lasting an hour or more, to establish the history of the couple and any tests and treatment they may have had. The complete study will cost up to €400, including ultrasound and a spermogram. Treatment, including artificial insemination will be likely to cost around €500. Cryopreservation will be available in a month or so, as the clinic is still tendering for the necessary equipment. Longer term the unit is looking to offer other modern techniques in the field.

‘Threatening Text Messages Indicate That Brazil Is The Source – There are also Madeiran businessmen receiving intimidating SMS messages’. They are also people who have had business dealings with José Gabriel Líbano Martins, the man alleged to have kidnapped and murdered a businessman from Porto Santo, before fleeing to Brazil. It was previously reported that the only known text messages had been sent to people on Porto Santo. The number attached to the text messages indicates that Brazil is the origin.

‘Exhibition and conference marking the World Day for Nature Conservation on Tuesday. Santa Cruz marks the day with a photographic exhibition called ‘The marine fauna of the Madeira Archipelago’. It is inaugurated Monday at 10:30am in the Salão Nobre lobby. On Tuesday at 16:30, Rosa Pires, a biologist from the Nature Reserve of Madeira, hosts a conference about the sea lion.

Police detained 21 people last week for road and driving offences. 14 were for drink driving, 4 for driving without a licence, and another 2 for disobedience of a court order preventing them driving.

‘Passenger Terminal To Be Inaugurated In Funchal Port’. The new terminal that will serve passengers going between Madeira and Porto Santo Island will be inaugurated on Monday (5pm)’. The new terminal will shelter passengers for the Lobo Marinho ferry from rain and sun, and travellers will be able to purchase tickets just before embarking. A similar terminal is being built on Porto Santo, and should be ready in August. The public and private investment is €400 thousand. The ceremony on Monday will be presided over by our beloved leader, Alberto João Jardim.

(8th July). ‘Promotion : Money Is Not Even A Problem – Jardim Scorns, but the region ought to use the ‘Jewel of the  Island’, Cristiano Ronaldo’. Madeira has not taken advantage of the revitalised worldwide appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Portugal has him in a campaign costing €6 million. Recent statements by President Alberto João Jardim – that the region had no way to use the image of Cristiano Ronaldo – show that the regional government has no promotional strategy and the president does not know what colleagues in government are doing, being out of step with reality. Tourism of Portugal, through the Secretary of State for Tourism, has been accused by Jardim of showing a lack of ethics in the use of Ronaldo in it’s promotion, which is running in many countries including Spain, the UK, Germany, Russia and France. One such promotional poster appearing on large billboards or in ads, shows Ronaldo saying to football fans and other potential customers that "my country has the largest white sand beach of Europe", a favour for which he apparently charged tens of thousands of Euros. One marketing spokesman believes that Ronaldo could work wonders for the image of Madeira, and he has previously said that he would be happy to participate in a campaign to help the island.

The 5 star Choupana Hills Resort & Spa (hotel) has received 5 nominations for the ‘World Travel Awards’ in 5 categories, with the award ceremony taking place in October. The winners are decided on the votes of 167,000 tour operators and market professionals from 164 countries. The hotel won two categories from the WTA in 2004, one of which was for the best spa resort.

(5th July). ‘Rural Madeira Launches Website More Innovative And With More To Offer – The new site is integrated with GPS coordinates’. The Association of Tourism in Rural Areas of Madeira has new tools to promote the association and the accommodation of its partners. The new site is more appealing and dynamic, contains more information, and the contents are better organised. The hotels and lodgings have Google maps pinpointing exact locations as well as GPS coordinates, helping to plan an exact journey plan for tourists needs, also including Porto Santo. I had a look at it and it is quite easy to use, and although I didn’t actually make a booking, the process seemed pretty quick and simple. All in English too, and it has a travel guide. RURAL MADEIRA

A FIFA interview with the Brazilian striker Nenê, currently playing for Nacional, top scorer in the Portugal premier league, and enjoying Madeira very much. Click here :  NENE INTERVIEW