Madeira News Blog

Today’s Photo Thanks to Debbie  … a last look at the Savoy Hotel in Funchal

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

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Today’s Photo Thanks to Jon … a sunrise from earlier this month

 

This might be of interest to Irish readers, not that I was aware that SATA flies to Ireland.

"Madeira Late sale bargain prices – We have just received a further allocation of seats on the direct Scheduled SATA service to Funchal Madeira which departs every Sunday, the seats are on November 29, December 6 & 13 and January 10, 17, 25 & 31. Hotel Raga 4* B&B from €499 – Hotel Melia Mare 5* B&B from €599 – Hotel Tivoli 5* B&B + 5 evening meals from €699". IS THE RAGA REALLY A 4 STAR HOTEL?

Also for Irish readers, who may not know that Budget Travel has gone bust. IRISH INDEPENDENT 28 travellers are currently stuck here on Madeira.

"Sir Winston Churchill, one of Europe’s most recognisable political figures, was famous for his rousing speeches and war-time strength; what most people don’t know is how he concealed his ill-health from the world by taking recuperating holidays in Madeira". Another one of those Winston Churchill on Madeira articles, nice, but much the same as the many others. WINSTON ON MADEIRA

Can you imagine going into a shop to buy bananas here on Madeira, and getting home and opening the bag and finding that your bananas worked out at €1 each. It can happen I promise. The proof will follow in the next few days. Also if I remember I will tell you about a vegetable that can cost here as much as €20 a kilo, and it’s not a spice or anything fancy. Anyone noticed that broccoli and cauliflower have been remarkably cheap these last couple of weeks. My diet and freezer are filling up with both vegetables. What’s the most expensive fruit or vegetable you have seen? 

Rita sent in this story (or two) that she wrote for friends … many thanks.

We have a loja (shop) in Funchal where all the government departments have counters – you just take a ticket and await your turn – a very good system. However, when I visited the Estrangeiros (immigration) to renew my residency after five years I was told I had to ring a central number to get an appointment before they could deal with my application, despite the fact that there was nobody else waiting and the girl could have done it immediately. I then spent the next two days trying to navigate my way through the telephone system pressing the right button after a series of messages in Portuguese and then sitting for ever with some ghastly music playing in my ear. When I finally got someone to answer I was given an appointment at the loja for the next day, but it did not stop someone queue jumping me. After I had given my fingerprint which is the final detail of the application I asked the girl if she was happy with the new system – very much she replied – I kept my cool and remarked that although it was better for her it may not be so easy for her public…….! On the other hand I went to the laboratory to get my INR blood test done only to find that they must have gone through an inspection of some sort because up until now I have paid my 75 cents when they took the blood but this time was told I needed to wait and pay when picking up the results. When I did return for the results I was presented with an invoice for only 40 cents and was required to sign for the results. You win some – you lose some!!

Rita also sent me a fantastic photo, but that’s on the waiting list so it will be a little while before that treat appears.

Wednesday night was a bit special here in Ribeira Brava when our collection of ’selos’ (the government seals that are stuck onto cigarette packets) reached the 1 kilogramme target. I don’t recall exactly when this particular collection was started, but it can’t be far off a year ago, but that’s another wheelchair ‘raised’ for someone who hopefully will now have a much better Christmas than they would have had. The collection for the next one is already underway. 

Another bit of local news is that the free Portuguese lessons for foreigners, in Ribeira Brava, will continue in the new year, and for now are planned to run until the end of the academic year (Summer 2010). Whilst new students will still be able to join, they should have an understanding of Portuguese at least a basic level, as obviously the classes have to move forward for the existing students, and newcomers with no knowledge will find it difficult to participate and impossible to understand. Anyone wishing to start from the beginning would be best to start by registering an interest at the school (or any school for that matter), but clearly the numbers would need to be sufficient to justify the expense, so it might mean a long wait. It also has to be said that my local school has not been impressed with attendance in the current class, with many joining initially and dropping out soon after, and also with some students who pop in and out of classes when they have time and no other commitments. I can pass on emails registering interest for new classes in Ribeira Brava, but I think it is better if people go in person. Another option, almost certainly quicker, particularly to get started and back into education, is to do the adult education classes with the locals. These are not specifically about the Portuguese language, but the teachers deal with older students who lack basic education in certain areas, and will move around the class focusing on the needs of the individuals enrolled. Of course these teachers may not speak any English or be quite limited in that respect, but I tried it with some success. In my opinion practically no one will learn Portuguese from 3 hours of weekly teaching, and any classes will need to be supplemented with other learning and practicing activities.

PS – For anyone who doesn’t know there will be no lesson in Ribeira Brava on Monday, but Wednesday will be a double lesson from 3 to 6 pm to make up the time.

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

Machico infested with rats. The municipality of Machico is infested with rats. The Council admits difficulties in controlling the pests and the misuse of rat poison. The plague is in evidence in the vacant lots (photo) and houses located near the local Ribeira. Incorrect use of poison has led to the development of poison-resistant rats. The Regional Directorate of the Environment extermination campaign did not work because of the number of derelict land plots which are in the vicinity of the Ribeira – and range of herbs which help the spread of rats – especially in the city centre. One example is the large piece of land at the back of the Church of Machico, about 3,000 square metres, left completely abandoned and was provided for the construction of the Parish Social Centre in a program in conjunction with the Regional Government. The environment authority asks owners to have their land cleaned up as if the majority are cleaned, but there are others who do not, the effect of the pest campaign is reduced.  The rats destroy seasonal fruits and agricultural crops. A land owner lamented: "The rats have been eating pears, avocados and papayas. Just last week, I left out a bucket full of 20 kilos of pears, but all eaten. The official admitted that the campaign of extermination had immediate positive effects in reducing the number of rats, but the plague returned quickly. This is due to poor application of poison. "Much of the success of the process of extermination was the proper administration of the poison in traps that were delivered to farmers." Of the 333 farmers, 78 did not use the poison as directed. The process of extermination has been carried out in two ways: The Council put poison in locations previously defined, while the Parish Council delivered rat poison to the farmers. But a lot of owners of vacant lots did not request rat poison. The Council have bought nearly 4 tons of rat poison this year.

Jardim Ramos abandons seminar. The criticism of the President of the Regional Board of the Union of Nurses, Élvio Jesus, meant that the Secretary of Social Affairs, Jardim Ramos, voluntarily left the room during the opening session of the seminar, accompanied by other members of SESARAM (Health Service Administration). Just before the opening of the seminar, Élvio Jesus, speaking to reporters, said he would take the opportunity to address "two or three issues of concern to nurses". Very critical, he began by pointing out that nurses are overworked, doing overtime "with great risk to themselves and to patients." "The tender announced (this month)  is not on the ground, we do not know anything." Although there is "strong pressure" to assign more nurses to community-based care, he warned it is "a huge waste of resources." Élvio Jesus also denounced the "climate of concern about what is happening in SESARAM", embodied in a petition which in a day and a half managed to gather over 600 signatures. The official went further, saying there were "illegalities that have to be repaired." When confronted with this criticism, even before the meeting, Jardim Ramos said that the tender for admission of nurses is being prepared and will be met. With regard to careers, the minister warned that in the region there is to be applied the "national career" pathway. He assured that there are nurses working overtime and that is why they are launching the tender, so he will ignore the petition. Jardim Ramos said that at the opening of the session he was confronted by Élvio Jesus, "with an intervention of Trade Union nature, offensive, disrespectful, completely devoid of civility and out of context of the meeting, which is why he decided to leave the room." He said he has always shown willingness to hold dialogue with the Nurses Union and the episode will not affect the commitment to maintain the dialogue."

Renewable energies. The Fourth Global Forum on Economy and Regional Development will be held in Funchal in 2011. This was announced by the President of the Association of Development of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ADARAM) at the end of a workshop on alternative and renewable energies. The objectives of this workshop was to discuss how clean energy could be integrated into networks by 20 – 30% in the coming years. The aim is to achieve 20% in the short-term and European governments should speed up their investments so these objectives can soon be achieved, as in California, New Zealand and Denmark. The Portuguese company EDP is working with a German company to transfer technology to Portugal, for example for wind farms. Regionally, there is a political will to reach the goals set at a national and a European level although the archipelago relies heavily on weather conditions, rain and wind, to meet the aim to integrate 30% of all sources into the regional distribution network by 2017.

‘Winning the competition". Theme at the Conference of APAVT (Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism). The recovery may be imminent and to do so they need to win the competition. A decrease in activity in the range 10 – 20% resulting in losses from the decrease in demand, taxation as well as inadequate cash flow problems arising from the postponement of credit. In a scenario not very encouraging, the President estimates improvements in 2010. The first signs appear in Asia and the United States, although not yet reflected in the invoices in Portugal. Training and having qualified employees is a priority. The congress will also discuss new forms of distribution – which models are effective and better protect customers – and sales – strategies to promote sales and customer loyalty.

119 creditors reclaiming €11 million from the bankrupt Elimar. The largest creditors are the banks but there are dozens of companies providing construction materials to receive money from this engineering company (one of nine companies of the group). After the first postponement on October 22, yesterday the Judicial Court in Funchal with a meeting of creditors, ruled for the liquidation of the company after a report by the insolvency administrator that recovery of the firm is impossible. Liquidation of the company is, however, suspended as a creditor asked for an embargo on the insolvency request arguing that the firm was solvent in December 2008 and seven months later presents a liability close to 14 million. The application of the embargo has not been decided by the judge. The report by the insolvency administrator lists the credits reclaimed that, with interest, already exceed 11 million. Anxious are the employees of the firm, whose claims have not been recognized but have to pay taxes and have been made unemployed. Elimar had 42 employees but the group founded 27 years ago (9 companies) has a total of 72 employees.

‘Hole’ in Areal Dourado estimated at 60,000 Euros. First reported yesterday. The diversion of funds of the municipal group Areal Dourado is estimated at approximately 60,000 Euros. No one from the Municipality of Porto Santo was available for comment but sources contacted yesterday revealed that in just over two years there has been diverted a large sum of money from the treasury of that company. Funds were used by the Board of Directors of the company for their own purpose including purchase of goods and services of various kinds. It is unknown how the funds were diverted. The participation of the local authority with the prosecution services involve all elements of the Board of Directors but it seems that the alleged irregularities have been committed by only one member of that body. However in order to clarify the real extent of the irregularities, the Municipality has chosen to refer the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who are taking the necessary steps to determine the facts. The Municipality has also asked Areal Dourado to audit their accounts. The case has raised eyebrows in the locality because the sums involved are large given the size of the company concerned. The company is only partially owned by the local authority and is designed to perform in various areas such as event management and management of social and cultural facilities and even at the level of social action. It is the entity responsible for promotion of tourism activities, cultural, recreational and sports activities that will contribute to the integrated economic, social, tourist, sporting and cultural life of the municipality of Porto Santo.

Market Night at Santana. This Christmas season, do not miss the animation in Santana. The municipal program is a series of recreational and cultural initiatives for the coming days. The program highlights the Night of the Farmers’ Market, the Northern municipality’s first ever and to be held from 20 to 21 December. More than 20 producers expected. Various traditional performances to attract more tourists to the town centre. There will be two other features: The Feast of the Nativity, set for 20 December and Exponatal, between 11 and 18 December. The representation of the nativity is already promised to be one of the largest in the region and one of the most emblematic with live figures. This is to capture the attention of children who may, like other visitors, enter the crib. Exponatal is to promote the county, the products and help businessmen and industrialists of the municipality recoup their sales. This will be installed in the area next to the Municipal Building accompanied by musical entertainment performed by different associations in the county. On the 8 December, the Christmas illuminations will be switched on.

Recall of Ben-U-ron syrup. Although there are thought to be no risks to health, the syrup was withdrawn last weekend form pharmacies. A change in the colour of the syrup has been detected. Some people may still have affected lots at home and should not use them but deliver them to pharmacies.

Lions Club organizes Christmas Fair. Next weekend, Saturday and Sunday and aims to raise funds for social causes. There will be on sale various products offered by individuals and companies, as well as new and second hand clothes. Snacks will also be served and homemade pastries and cakes made by members of the club and helpers. Part of the revenue will be used for 12 Christmas baskets allotted to households in economic difficulties. An initiative in partnership with the Parish of Sao Pedro. There will also be 12 grants to help students at the University. The fair takes place at the premises of the Lions Club of Funchal at Rua Imperatriz D. Amelia 84, between the hours of 10.00 and 20.00 next Saturday and Sunday. 

Brussels warns of danger of Christmas lights. 30% of lights are dangerous and half with defects come from China. The main risk is electric shock. 25% had defective wiring, 23% had filaments too thin for the current which increases the risk of overheating and fire, 19%  failed the test of protection against electric shock by insufficient insulation. Brussels recommends consumers buy lights from reputable traders, ensuring compliance with safety standards and warn you not to leave lights on when leaving the home or at night.

ALM staff can receive 35% bonus. The special regime of work allows the entire permanent staff of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, without exception, to receive monthly, 35% additional remuneration based on their basic salary. This is to replace overtime pay which was seen as an injustice. When they leave office, they are entitled to 8% of the salary. This is for as many years as they held in office.

Barclays open two new branches. 30 November, new branches at Calheta and Ajuda in Funchal.

Christmas Bazaar. Red Cross. 30 November to 5 December at 21 Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas. Crafts, jams, liqueurs and many other items will be on sale.

Christmas opening hours. Traditional trade will close at 20.00, except the week of December 21. Closure on Sunday and opening on public holidays December 1 and 8.

Air Force records 200 evacuations per year. One mission every two days. These are evacuations of injured patients from Porto Santo by the E H 101 helicopter ‘Merlin’.

Foiled robbery at a hotel in Funchal. Two men attempted to break into a hotel on the Rua Imperatriz Dona Amelia in Funchal. Yesterday at dawn, the two suspects were seen trying to break one of the windows of the hotel reception. The police were alerted and were quickly on site but the individuals fled and escaped through the surrounding alleyways and streets. The attempted robbery occurred two months after the same hotel was the target of a robbery by four individuals. These men violently assaulted the hotel receptionist and stole 600 Euros. There had previously been an assault on a hotel when a safe was stolen and the receptionist jumped through a window and fractured a leg, when it was apparent the robbers were armed with metal bars.

 

Police to monitor the environment. To discourage breaches of legislation. Enforcement action started last Monday in several areas, mainly quarries, aggregate extraction and intervention at the level of protected species. This action will continue until 29 November and already some offenses have been identified.

 

 

 

 

 

Romeira files disciplinary proceedings against two officials. These are the fastest disciplinary proceedings in the history of the civil service. Based on an anonymous letter to the Council of São Vicente on October 8 2009 (three days before the elections), the then mayor Humberto Vasconcelos suspended immediately two municipal officials (a building inspector and an IT official). On 23 November, the new mayor Jorge Romeira filed disciplinary proceedings. The reason was for illegal dissemination of information and internal documentation, intentionally and in order to undermine the normal functioning of services. One was working with the Judicial Police. It is unknown who is the author of the letter. It came to the Council at 12.00 and in the afternoon there was drawn up the order to initiate the disciplinary proceedings and the next morning, the seizure of computers and related work. The suspended officials are studying the possibility of suing the Council.

Today’s news headlines from the Diário de Notícias :

The main news headline today : Radar of €25 million already dominates Areeiro – the works will finish in the Spring of 2010 and the radar will be operational in 2011. The tourists stick with the café and the souvenir bazaar. Defence creates a centre for environmental education. Regarding the Freira, it was already stated that it would not affected. The site is supposed to blend in with the barren landscape of Pico do Areeiro, but it is impossible to hide the impact of the radar itself. A placard written in Portuguese and English explains to visitors that the radar is necessary to improve vigilance in the seas around Madeira, and for airspace security. It’s old news now, as the environmentalists lost their battle a long time ago, and it’s just a question of waiting to see how ugly the facility turns out to be in a site of natural beauty. No doubt it will be a talking point for new visitors for eternity, or at least until it rusts into powder. "What idiot allowed that horrible thing to be built there", they will be saying to each other. Of course that idiot will be the faceless Ministry of Defence,  who clearly have the power to steamroller local planning laws, public opinion, and common sense, all in the name of national security.

Madeira Wine and ‘Barbeito’ distinguished in London – International award strengthens brand  prestige. The ‘Madeira Wine Company’ was given the title of best company in the sector of fortified wines, operating in London. The annual gala of the International Wine & Spirit Competition also praised highly the 30 year old Vinho Madeira Malvasia, produced by Vinhos Barbeito (Madeira), and awarded it the title of ‘Best Fortified Wine’. Several other awards too, but I won’t go on as I never really understood mankind’s obsession with fine wines, maybe someone can explain to me? Me, I just go to the local supermarkets, sniff out a bargain, enjoy drinking it, and then sleep very well. It has never occurred to me to sniff a wine, then take a mouthful only to spit it out again. Is there such a thing as an unpleasant-tasting wine?

Funchal Council criticised for changing plan to enable project of Minas Gerais – CMF denies favouritism. This building has been ‘on hold’ since July 2008 after Funchal Council noticed that it has more floors than it has planning consent for. It is a private development by the company Minas Gerais, and is situated in an area  that forms part of the ‘Urbanisation plan of São João’, in Funchal. The PDM (municipal plan for Funchal) requires that new developments conform with the limit of four storeys. However the PSD-M social democrats, the ruling party in Funchal council, voted yesterday to accept the urbanisation plan, which the other political parties did not. Now it seems that the Minas Gerais building will be able to continue in construction, albeit modified.

Insults in the council session in Ponta do Sol. Easily done!

Local authority of the Socialist Party in Santa Cruz criticises it’s own socialist government.

Under-20’s of Madeira want to assert themselves – Today our squad has two games for the ‘Eusébio Regions’. The target is to reach the final on Sunday. Our younger footballers set off for Lisbon yesterday for a regional tournament, named after Portugal’s most respected(?) footballer Eusébio da Silva Ferreira.

Trindade widens promotions to emigration – Portugal Tourism bets on South Africa and Venezuela during the coming year.

Please feel free to put some more meat on these or submit any other stories.

A news extra from Elaine : Car crime silly initiative – Come and get my valuables!

Police are going to leave notices on cars with belongings in sight inside. In order to prevent theft from cars, the police today began an awareness raising campaign that alerts owners to adopt behaviours that may prevent the occurrence of this type of crime. The initiative seeks to alert the owners of vehicles to the importance of not leaving valuables inside the car as this contributes to the risk of them being stolen. Thus whenever the Traffic Police detect the presence of certain objects or items in sight inside the car, they put a warning notice under the windscreen wipers. — They tried this in America and the UK, and not surprisingly crime went up as thieves knew which cars to target!

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(3rd July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Rats And Cockroaches Invade Formosa – The thicket in the zone near to the beach contributes to the plague that intimidates users and traders’. With the hot weather only just starting, the rats and cockroaches are already displaying a worrying level of activity in the area. Traders, bathers, and those who frequent the area, tell of appearances of the two creatures around restaurants, rubbish bins and even on the beach pebbles, and they fear the situation will worsen significantly with improving Summer breeding conditions. Part of the problem area is the old Shell installation, abandoned in 2007, and now overgrown. A rat extermination programme that covered public spaces finished 3 months ago in Funchal, but will be restarted soon to include the Praia Formosa zone.

The main photograph today shows jazz singer Vânia Fernandes at the opening night of the Funchal Jazz Festival : ‘Jazz Sells More – After the filling of the opening night, Funchal Jazz today hosts a musical legend’. The headline is referring to the ‘legend’ contrabassist Ron Carter, who performs tonight at 9.30 in the park of Santa Catarina in Funchal. Aside from being overflowing last night, ticket sales have been "pretty good", with three day passes tripling in sales compared to last year.

‘Eight Thousand Teachers Contest 295 Vacancies’. The internal application deadline is midnight tonight, and external applicants are able to apply from next week. They are competing for teaching posts through the regional Department for Education. This exercise happens every year, and I assume these are permanent full time positions, that are of interest to existing teaching staff that have lesser status or working hours.

‘The First Step Is Taken – Bernardo Trindade is confident that the agreement to resolve matters at Colombo’s Resort is going to work out’. The first stage in rescuing the incomplete and paralysed tourist complex on Porto Santo has now been taken, with the new partners signing an agreement in Lisbon yesterday. Trindade said he expects it to move forward, regardless of the election results in October, even though it is no more at this stage than a gentleman’s agreement. Work stopped on the construction some time ago when the original project ran out of money. It is interesting to also learn that the €5 million pledge by Porto Santo Council, is not in fact a pledge, but an exemption from municipal taxes. I know they are allowed to do this, but that might raise an eyebrow or two with other hotel owners past, present and future.

‘Ministry of health Announces Three More Cases – Two women and a child infected with gripe A virus’. That takes the total now to 23, and there were just a handful a week or so ago. One of the women has just returned from Spain, and is now being kept in Lisbon in the hospital called Curry Cabral (Goat Curry?). The other woman, in the Azores, came from Canada. The child is an eight month old baby, coming from Majorca. All 23 cases are confirmed as having H1N1 swine flu. I have seen no update on the two that came into Madeira Airport yet. I wrote that last night, this morning on the TV news it says there are now 27 cases.

‘Madeirans have the highest global rate of deficiency in the chromosome 14 gene – Researchers publish results of a study in an international scientific journal’. The study, managed by the Laboratory of Human Genetics in the University of Madeira (LGHUMa), will be published soon by the British scientific journal ‘Respiratory Medicine’. The deficiency exists in 4.1% of the population, and relates to the presence of glycoprotein, that functions to protect the lungs against dust, air pollution, and tobacco smoke. The deficiency can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema), or diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver. It has been well known for years that respiratory problems are a frequent problem for Madeirans, and a genetic problem was often mentioned. Perhaps now that the exact cause has been pinpointed an exact and effective remedy can be developed.

‘World Press Photo On Exhibition – The best photographs in the world of news are on display to the public until 23rd July’. I had mentioned it some weeks ago, but the exhibition starts today in the Salão Nobre of the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias (Funchal Theatre). The photos from 2008 will be displayed here, in a custom now in its fourth successive year. The entry fee is €1, but if you prefer you can send me the €1 and see the photos here (go to ‘Winners 2009′): WORLD PRESS PHOTO

‘Disgusted drivers leave TEAM MARÍTIMO – The walk out has already taken place in the rally club’. The drivers are fed up with internal politics in the club, and a broken promise of the club president over free inscriptions for the Coral Championship.

‘Nacional awaits €1.5 million from FC Porto for Paulo Assunção’. The ‘bonus’ will come as a result of the transfer of the ex-Nacional player from Porto to Athletico Madrid for €3 million, of which Nacional has the right of 50% under terms previously agreed with Porto.

(2nd July). And a few snippets left over from yesterday …

‘Hospital Already Performed Eight Operations by GPS – Computer assisted operations since May’. Funchal Central Hospital performed between 60 and 70 knee rebuilding operations per year over the last 10 years or so, to deal with wear and tear and other medical conditions, but a new procedure introduced in May using a computer navigation system is proving successful. The equipment used does not yet exist in other hospitals in Portugal. The eight patients so far are recuperating very well, and indicating an encouraging start for the new procedure, which can also be used for hip replacement operations.

Madeira baby Rodrigo, who received a bone marrow transplant a month ago as a result of being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 6 weeks, remains in hospital in Lisbon, but is doing well after liver and kidney complications were resolved after 15 days in intensive care. He will stay in hospital longer than was originally hoped, and will now have to spend his first birthday there on 7th July.

Discussions are underway in Gauteng in South Africa, where there is a Madeiran community, for a twinning relationship with Madeira.

Serra de Água has its first multibanco machine (ATM / Cash point) after years of asking. The population wanted it in a location where it could be accessed 24 hours a day, but eventually had to settle for it being located in the ‘Tasquinha da Poncha’ (Poncha Bar). What a dream excuse for a quick bevy … just popping out to the cash point dear … won’t be long!

(26th June). ‘Cancela Is A Rats Nest – There are prisoners who complain to the guards about rats in the cells’. A plague of rats is ravaging the zone around the prison in Cancela. The situation is not new, and as well as prisoners complaining, so is the trade union representing the guards. Apart from a programme of rat extermination that is seemingly not working, nothing is being done. The problem was first reported 2 years ago to the prison management. Some prison guards live in accommodation on site, and they are also affected.

‘Poor Entitled To Dine For Free’. From next September, the poorest people will be dining on the premises of the Association for the Protection of the Poor for free. As well as a daily lunch and an evening snack, they will also be served meals on Sundays, as announced by the regional office of the Secretary for Social Affairs, Francisco Ramos. The government has taken a lot of criticism recently, through opposition parties and the church, for not doing enough to take care of the poor.

‘Machico Without Flag – The council of Machico has requested the Regional Directorate of the Environment to postpone the flying of the Blue Flag until next year’. According to information from a council, the decision is due to the fact that works are being undertaken to reinforce the foundations of a river wall, which may cause the reduction of water quality to standards below those required by the European Union.

(25th June). ‘Direct Flight To Cape Verde Cancelled By TACV – The new international airport in São Vicente is not yet approved’. Following a report here a few days ago about the new scheduled flight between Cape Verde and Madeira, the airline TACV announced on Wednesday that the plans had now been cancelled. The service was due to start next month, with flights and holidays already on sale here. To blame are delays in the works for widening and strengthening of the runway over there, and hence not yet being properly certified. The approval will take place only at the end of the work and after an international inspection to ensure that new infrastructure meets all the parameters required for an international operation, particularly to receive aircraft the size of those that would be used in the Madeira operation, the Boeing 757-200.

 

(24th June). ‘Heliatlantis Restarts Services With A Smaller Helicopter – The company has started a partnership with Helibravo for the Madeira operation’. The service will start again next weekend to offer charter flights and other services (aerial imagery and inter-island taxi). Helibravo is based in Lisbon, and that company will have full responsibility for the operational performance of Heliatlantis. The helicopter to be used is a Robinson 44 Clipper, manufactured in the USA. It is several years old, but much newer than the 16 year old craft it replaces and more economical to operate. As you can see from the picture, it has already been painted with it’s new livery. The old craft was withdrawn after being taken away for repairs, and due to less business and the loss of government funding.  As a result charter prices should be lower. The old craft will now be used for tourist flights over the city of Lisbon. However, the full terms of the agreement are still being negotiated.