Mediterranean Diet (with health benefit lists) & Adra Town Hall Trip

Firstly following the very successful Culinary Day last week. I have finished the translation of the presentation on the Mediterranean Diet and all its health benefits. As so many had asked for this. The main pages relevant to those bits of the presentation are after page 14.
Follow the below link to obtain a copy.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B18vblLe-7D_WHdvRkZrMnJ1YjA/view?usp=sharing


Yesterday was another of our cultural day trips and this time visiting Adra. I had a lot of feedback regarding how interesting people found the history of this little known town. We visited many of the towns interesting places and were accompanied throughout by a well versed guide who knew the history in depth.
Have added a few of the many photographs that were taken during the day.
Our next Cultural Trip looks as if it will be the 2nd December just awaiting confirmation from Calasparra Town Hall and will post once it is confirmed.

Found Dog

Update Micro chip read and dog returned to his Moroccan owner in Cucador.

Has anyone lost this dog it has turned up at the home of a Spanish family in Barrio de Chicago No 24.
Their telephone number is  627782888.

Padron Importance and Bins.

I have only recently been made aware of the fact of how important it is to ensure ones´ Padron is kept registered. The process which works as follows is not a failsafe process. Every so often the Town Hall has a generated report asking for us to confirm that a list of persons should still be on the Padron. This is done to ensure that the TH is not claiming for persons who should not be counted for the benefits the TH receives. In the past this task has been passed to myself or another member of staff, however, the problem has often arisen when we have been unable to contact the individual. They may have change phone numbers or contact details and we are then unable to get them in to confirm that they should still be on the Padron. Until recently I thought that such cases remained on for a few more years but it now transpires that they do not and drop of the register.

Again I was unaware of the importance of this until we recently became involved in trying to arrange assistance for elderly residents who needed such help and the first question Social Services asked was for confirmation that the individual was on the patron and had been consecutively on it for the previous 5 years. I realise now that many people would not know whether they were or were not on the Padron and my advice would be (as I intend to do it myself) is to set a date once a year and call in and ask for a Certificado de Empadronimiento that would then ensure that your record was active.

Basuras (rubbish bins) It would appear that some of our newer residents are unaware of their responsibilities regarding rubbish. Firstly if you have a recycling bins please use them for the purposes shown. Secondly if you have any large items or items that you feel could be recycled you can place them by the bins just prior to the 12th and 27th of each month as that is when the Consorcio remove such things. Any large scale garden refuse etc can be disposed off at the centre in Arbloeas their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Arboleas-Recycling-Centre-262281380865976/

5th Culinary/Culture Day at the Renfe 25.10

Another great event today in the Renfe. We had presentations firstly of all the health benefits of all foods and plants available in the Mediterranean diet. Very interesting.

There then followed a whole host of recipes with explanations of their history or historical connection to our residents both Spanish and 10 other different countries. Then of course the best bit of the day enjoying all these home made dishes. Blooming gorgeous!

All topped off with a wee dram of single malt whisky and a piece of shortbread mm.

Thanks to all who prepared and participated in making the day a great experience.

FINAL DETAILS CULINARY DAY

Sorry for the delay but we have at last finalised the agenda for our culinary day next Wednesday 25th October in the Renfe.

1030 Opening by the Mayor Luis David Garcia
1045 Presentation of the benefits of a healthy mediterranean diet
1100 Breakfast.
1130 Presentation of recipes and preparation of dishes.
1330 The best bit eating and drinking of the dishes supplemented by others.

The Town Hall of Zurgena is particularly grateful to the following for providing their time and foodstuffs to prepare their homeland dishes.

Fernanda Gasseling and Petra van Wijnen preparing Hutspot met Gehakbal, Traditional Dutch dish

Mahin Chevers is preparing a traditional Persian Stew.

Andree de Jong is preparing a typical Indonesian Satay dish possibly with curried eggs.

Reni Majid from Islamabad is preparing a traditional Pakistani curry.

Beryl Booth is bringing chicken drumsticks and a cheesecake.

Spanish Dishes yet to be announced. But will include a dish from Palaces.

It is needed for logistics for us to know how many are attending so please call me 610194260 or drop me an email with numbers before Sunday 22nd . We are probably restricted to about 40 persons.

Also if you wish to wash down the dishes with alcohol please bring your own wine or beer. Soft drinks will be available free of charge. Everyone is welcome to bring any other food they think would be enjoyed but the first 4 above will do short presentations on their dishes.

These days have been very successful in the past year or two and I hope this will follow the same and is a great opportunity to mix culturally and food wise with our Spanish and other nationality neighbours. 

Bird Scarer Quietened

We have finally managed to identify and cause the noisy bird scarer located between CATS and the Pool Bar area to be silenced. We have finally ascertained that no one in the municipality of Zurgena has a license for such a machine and the person using has been advised that he will be subject to fines should he use it in the future.

Adra Trip Full & Food Day

The Town Hall trip to Adra is now full.

The next event is the Culinary/Cultural Day on Wednesday 25th October and I have been contacted by a few people who will present their dishes on the day (including some more exotic places from where our residents originate). I expect it to be another successful day. As usual if anyone wishes to attend and join in the food and drink it would be appreciated if they would bring along some beer or wine.

I will circulate more details when we have finalised the agenda but I do need to know numbers so we can ensure sufficient food for everyone. So if you would like to come along and join us please let me know.

Those who have agreed to present a dish please let me have a photograph of what it looks like and its description for the publicity.

Post Boxes Cucador Norte & PGOU meeting & BBQs in the country

I have lost my list of persons who would like one of the post boxes serving Cucador Norte, below Bar La Vida and I now have two available.

If you have previously asked for one please let me know.

We are still waiting for further clarification regarding a few points from our technical architect, who is involved with the negotiations, before the Mayor can decide when to call the meeting.

The ban on barbecues and agricultural burns throughout Andalusia, as well as the passage of motor vehicles through forest areas and areas of forest influence in the community - 400 meters around forest areas - was to end on Sunday, October, but the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has extended this ban until the end of this month.

The measure, confirmed by ALMERÍA TODAY, has been taken after being requested by the Infoca's own firefighters, as well as by political groups like Equo, due to the exceptional weather conditions that we have been suffering, especially with the drought that plagues the country. The high temperatures and the scarcity of precipitations cause that the water stress of the vegetation is now greater than at the beginning of summer 

In the province of Almería, especially sensitive are recreational areas like the stream of Celín (Dalías), the area of ​​La Piza (Maria) or the most eastern part of the Almerian Alpujarra -Alcolea, Laujar de Andarax, Bayárcal, Paterna del Río-.

From 1 January to 8 October, Infoca has carried out a total of 813 forest interventions on Andalusian soil, 79% were cones, ie less than one hectare of burned land, and the rest are fires. In addition, the Infoca has acted in another 211 claims, 167 in agricultural land and 44 urban fires. Therefore, more than a thousand interventions in Andalusia so far this year.

Water Off Galasa Update 1815 11.10

Just been informed by Galasa that they are to cut off the water supply for most of the areas the village for between 4 and 5 hours due to the work needed on a major pipe fracture. Timed at 1215pm 10th October.

They are now saying that the works is more complicated than first thought and it may be 12 noon tomorrow or even 5.0pm before the water is reconnected.

I have just spoken with the Mayor who was called by Galasa short time ago to say the repair was completed and the water supply should be back to normal as soon as all pumps are fully primed about 1 hour

IBI Records Update

I have received a few enquiries from people about their properties being photographed either by a drone or by a man with an iPad going street to street.
It is actually a person working for the Diputacion de Almerias´ Catastral Office. They are updating their records and checking that the property records they have are accurate as to what actually exists in reality.  Normally, of course, the Town Hall forward details of any licences for any extension to a property which may mean an increases in the size or the outbuildings on a property. But as the Town Hall have been prohibited from issuing such licences they are trying to update their records by their own means. I imagine that next years bills will reflect any new extensions, pools, garages etc which people may have added to their property without licences, that they have discovered.

Adra Trip

The first of zurgena Town Halls autumn cultural trip has been finalised and is a visit to the town of Adra. The poster below gives details of the itinerary for the day 30th October and the cost (including all guides, translator and lunch) is €13!!

Registration is required with payment prior to the 25th October and is first come first served.
Sorry for some reason cannot enlarge text in pic so it is as below.

Cultural/Culinary Day & Likely Trip Dates (Amendment 9th Oct)

Below is a translation of the circulation to the Spanish community which is also posted on here for other nationalities.

Volunteers are needed to present a recipe, photos of prep and, if appropriate, a history of the dish (preferably from their home country) which can be prepared for the audience to taste during the event.

The event is to be called Second Culinary/Culture Event by Senior Citizens on 25th October in the Renfe at La Alfoquia.

All interested in participating can register either at the Town Hall with Jim Simpson or at the Guadalinfo office in La Alfoquia. Applications will be accepted until the 20th November.

I am asking that all persons who wish to attend the event to register with me to ensure we can accommodate the numbers and have sufficient food /drink.

On this occasion it will be a case of only those registered may attend. So let me know prior to the 20th if you intend going.

The planned trips now look likely to be held on the following  dates

Adra 30th October

Calasparra 2nd December.

Just need to confirm prices and times and will post again.

Kaths Walks, Gym and Future

Just to remind people that Kath Gaskell has recommenced her weekly walks. They leave from the Pool Bar in La Alfoquia at 10.0am each Wednesday morning.

We have a meeting with a person interested in running the Gymnasium in La Alfoquia this Thursday and hope we can reach an agreement to have it reopened and also to allow June to start her Zumba classes there again.

In addition to the Calasparra trip (in November) we are planning one to Adra which may be arranged for the week commencing 30th October but details of both will be confirmed as soon as agreed.