Gripe A detectors installed ; Storm warning continues ; Embroidery exports plummet
Today’s Photo – Many thanks to Sheila … "A rainbow emerges from the clouds to slip into the sea off Santa Cruz".
I am of the impression that the weather is a very popular subject for many blog visitors, and I saw this website and thought of you. It has 3 hourly advance forecast slots for temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity and chances of rain (in % terms). So rather than planning ones day based on a very general daily weather forecast, those in Funchal can plan their shopping trips in between thunderstorms (theoretically). FUNCHAL WEATHER
Being the season for Eggnog, did you know you can make this sickly drink with our very own MADEIRA WINE
I had a free 1.8 metre Christmas tree delivered yesterday, as did neighbours, so I assume it was from the council … an environmentally friendly recyclable plastic one I guess, but I didn’t open the box to see. I think most people who wanted an Xmas tree would have brought one by now, so probably a waste of time for this year. Anyone want it? It’s free if you want to collect it.
What make Madeira Unique? Students answer the question in this video.
Gripe A detection machine in the airports of the Region – Suspect cases will be accompanied by the health authorities. Madeira and Porto Santo airports started yesterday a monitoring system for people arriving at the respective airports, to check if they are potential carriers of the swine flu H1N1 virus. 3 nurses will be based in each airport to check the results of people passing through the sensors, which will report elevated body temperatures in disembarking passengers. Any passengers that trigger the system will be asked questions, and if it seems that they are possible Gripe A carriers they will be put in the charge of a nurse until the virus has been confirmed or otherwise.
Civil protection emits warning about rain and strong winds – The alert continues until Christmas eve. Strong and very strong winds from the Southwest will hit Madeira, with gusts up to 130 km / hour in high places. Rain and heavy downpours are also forecasted, with the conditions for thunderstorms. The warning is given not to venture into high and exposed areas on foot or by car, and to be aware of the potential for a little flooding, rock falls, and landslides.
Sharp drop in exports of Embroidery – Embroiderers will have an increase of 3%. The year 2009 saw a sharp drop in exports of Embroidery. Data provided by the Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources show that the export of this product fell by about 25% over the previous year. Manuel António Correia acknowledges that the sector is experiencing some difficulties, and that this situation has influenced the government’s decision to set wage increases for home-working embroiderers by 3% in 2010. The announcement was made at the ceremony of awards at this year’s best embroiderers.
Many thanks to Sue for this article.
Rivers overflow and storm causes damage. The rivers of St. Vincent and the Magdalene Sea overflowed last night sowing panic and chaos in those areas. The most serious took place in St. Vincent, where a motorist was surprised at the speed of the rising waters, left the car and ended up falling to the river bank. Moreover, the streets of the mountain village were covered with mud. Thanks to assistance from the Fire Department of San Vicente and Porto Moniz they managed to rescue the man with virtually no injuries. The corporation had almost not enough hands to cope with the number of requests for help that arrived at headquarters, including the Police station which was one of several areas flooded. The storm and the consequent rise in the water of the river, forced the closure of via expresso 4, connecting Ribeira Brava to Sao Vicente, the traffic being diverted to the former regional road (Encumeada). This caused a massive traffic jam, as explained by the commander of the Regional Civil Protection Madeira, Rui Neri. "Hundreds of cars were stopped which caused many complications, because everyone wanted to get home," stated Commander, describing the situation in St. Vincent and Madalena do Mar "very complicated". But the rest of the island was not spared by bad weather, with record floods, landslides, falling trees and lampposts slightly throughout the Region, due to gusts of wind blowing up to 130 km / h. In Funchal, the two corporations did not rest with the falling trees in the hotel zone, Avenida Zarco, Monte, Rotunda do Infante, District of Nazareth, where a car was damaged. Also the lighting fell from the effects of strong wind gusts, with a taxi being hit by a pole near the House of Light and Christmas decorations set up on the pier causing it to collapse partially. In the area of the Star, the way to the Nun’s Valley, a landslide hit a car, but caused no casualties because the occupants left on time. In Camara de Lobos, more specifically in the Strait, a tree struck two parked cars, blocking the road. In the same area, Nogueira, a zone of São Lourenço, a tree fell on a bus, causing no injuries, forcing the Fire Department to redouble its efforts to clear the road. In the municipality of Santa Cruz, there were power cuts that left some locations in Canico and Camacha in the dark. The North, in Santana, there is no record of flooding. The river overflowed Faial, and a collapse in Fajã Cedro Gordo blocked the road leaving dozens of cars, including a bus, blocked. Firefighters, technical authority and the Government were in place. For all these reasons, and because the weather conditions will continue at least until this afternoon, the commander Rui Neri asks the population to avoid leaving the house and riding in a car. "If you do, try to avoid areas most at risk, circulating under trees or other places that may be a risk," advised the person responsible for civil protection, stressing the need for people to obey the authorities – PSP, and Vialitoral Via expresso – who are responsible security. "It is essential to respect the signs," he stressed.
Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :
Hotels obliged to fire staff.
Unemployment hits 28 Madeirans a day – Madeira had 13,510 unemployed in November, 53.4% more than a year ago. After the Algarve (+59.8%), Madeira had the worst problems, with the Azores very close behind (52.9%). With Summer jobs now over and the year end peak not looking promising, Madeira will have a slack tourism period for several weeks, save festivals and carnival week, so it looks like there is worse to come. Unemployment here has increased by 4.5%, or 587 people, just from October to November. In that same short month, job offers fell by 46%.
Today’s main news headline : Crimes shelved - The Court (of Appeal?) decided that the lawsuit ‘Medicam’ was not strong enough for trial. At issue were four defendants accused of falsification of documents, criminal association and serious fraud.
Most of the front page today is taken up with a ungripping photo of a stopped (abandoned?) car in a street littered with flood debris … but no flood (maybe the Diário photographer arrived a bit late?) : Night of panic – Rivers spill over in São Vicente, Ribeira Brava, and Madelena do Mar. Sue kindly covered the weather stories above, so not much more to add. All was under control in Ribeira Brava town, but the flow in the river was the strongest I have ever seen. I can’t normally see the actual river from my balcony, but last night for a while I could, and the noise was incredible. The water clearly coming from somewhere with much more rain than we actually had in the town. The poor ducks (around 70 of them) were homeless with no high ground left to sleep on. They ended up clustered on a few rocks very close to the sea and the threat of high waves. Don’t forget if you have some leftovers / bread etc. you can spare, they really do need help to find food at the moment and probably for a good few weeks to come.
Rain and wind threaten the most popular night in downtown Funchal. The rain hasn’t helped businesses, and now with the stalls of flowers, fruit, vegetables erected around the fruit market (Mercado dos Lavradores) ready for Market Night tonight, traders are apprehensive about the night and trade being ruined by more bad weather. The roads are closed to traffic and full of traders trying to make the most of the last few days before Xmas. The sun umbrellas amongst the stands are serving to provide some protection from the repetitive rain, but there has been no protection against the financial damage they have all suffered as a result of the poor weather.
Bad weather cuts water supply in São Jorge.
As expected the Lobo Marinho ferry crossing to Porto Santo was cancelled today. The same story indicates that after Christmas day (when indications are that conditions will be improved), adverse conditions will return on 26th December.
Today’s sports headlines : Leonardo leads second division without exuberance.
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.
Sea changes colour. Deposition of land into the sea by the works of the promenade. Increasingly common sight now Winter is approaching.
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.
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!
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.
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?
CMF wants to encourage renovation of buildings. Funchal Council want to revise the municipal tax again in another initiative to encourage private investment in the renovation of houses. There is already a 50% reduction for residential use and exemption if the use will be for tourism. The mayor Miguel Albuquerque said that in recent years there had been a housing boom in the city centre. Therefore the council must make an effort to ensure affordable social housing in these areas such as in Cruzes and Alegria, and not introduce discrimination in terms of residents in the historic centre. He was speaking at the inauguration of a restored building in the Rua do Bispo, which includes six apartments, seven offices and three commercial spaces, and cost 1 million Euros to renovate, keeping the original facades and main features. (Shown in photo)
Airport receives 200 pieces from the private collection of Joao Carlos Abreu. The collection of ‘Angels and Boys Choir’ will be on display at the Arrivals Area from 20 December and throughout the Christmas period. These figurines are made of clay, ceramic, cardboard and metal and many were collected in Portugal and Italy as well as other countries. 
‘Estelinha’ and the conflict over the chapel. ‘Estelinha’ – popular name for Estela Pereira Ferreira – a 73 year old resident of Campanário who holds the keys to and receives the money from the promises for the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho (Chapel of Our Lady of Good Order). She has done so for more than 40 years on behalf of the local population. Several parish priests have been in the region but none have been able to clarify the ‘jurisdiction’ over the private chapel which belonged to Conde Canavial. There have been bitter exchanges and suspicions between ‘Estelinha’ and some priests, disagreements over public/pulpit money. In 2004, the priest and the diocese refused a baptism in the chapel, other times there have been weddings, Masses and christenings. Now the Mass is limited to festive seasons and the priest has to ask ‘Estelinha’ to open the door. ‘Estelinha’ says she has the permission of the owner to manage the chapel and has a ‘commission’ to pay for the upkeep made from received money and the ‘gold’ of Our Lady given by Conde Canavial. With conflict over the ownership of this property over the past 15 years, this ‘commission’ is not enough for the people to legally claim ownership of the chapel. Also conflicts over payment for repair work and the door and the roof were restored with the ‘commission’, not by the parish. The chapel is in a magnificent setting with a beautiful view and it is worth tourists asking to see inside. It was founded in 1672 and restored in 1762. In 2007, the Regional Government classified it as a monument of public interest and with this classification, it is in an area for special protection.
Today’s top news headline : Expenditure in the port divides opinions – The project is to provide facilities to embark and disembark in the comfort of covered passageways. But the investment of €3 million is not peaceful between the shipping agents, because the equipment will not be 100% functional. This is about the installation of walkway equipment that will be used to embark and disembark some passengers arriving by ship (ferry or cruise), similar to the facilities used for planes, where a moveable corridor is moved into place to allow passengers to enter or leave the ship through a moveable corridor mechanism, as shown.
