Workshop on what to do with Central Cinema
Nov 24th
On Thursday day December 3rd at 7 pm in the Casa del Cultura, there will be a citizen's participation workshop on proposals for the central cinema to be passed on to the Consultative Committee on culture.
(From notice)
400 days after the fire on the Montgó
Nov 24th
Since the devastating fire in the Parque Natural del Montgó on September 11th 2014, things have changed a lot on the popular plateau of La Plana. The change in the landscape of La Plana has been so considerable that the Departments of the Environment and of Services at the Ayuntamiento have decided to take stock of the situation and, above all, address the future of the management of the forest park. To that end, a conference has been organised to discuss this issue with those who live within the zone and other people who are interested in the environment during which biologists and forestry experts will present results of the recovery programme and the proposals for the future management of the area.The meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd December at 7.30pm in the auditorium of the Soler Blasco Museum in the heart of the historic centre. For full story see: Javeamigos
Brit expats warned 'repay or go to jail' in clampdown on benefit fraud
Nov 24th
A British expat living in Murcia has been handed a suspended prison sentence for failing to update the UK benefits office, as authorities vow to hunt down benefit thieves. Mrs D. claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Pension Credit for eight years - yet failed to let her UK benefit office know she was actually living in Mazarrón, Murcia. In total she falsely claimed over £41,000 (€58,000). But thanks to close working between the Department for Work and Pensions - which has a team of investigators based in Spain - and the Spanish authorities, the truth surrounding her country of residence has been exposed and justice served. If you suspect someone of committing benefit fraud in Spain, call the Benefit Fraud Hotline on 900 55 444 0. Calls are free and confidential. Or you can report a benefit thief online at http://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud. From : The Local.es
Proceeds of sales of 2016 Xàbia Calendar to go to UN Refugee agency
Nov 24th
Last year, Xàbia's department of tourism sold a very successful desk calendar, the proceeds of sales for which went to the regeneration of the burnt Montgó Natural Park. This year, the calendar will feature local traditional architecture with photos donated by the local photographic group (Agrupación Fotográfica de Xàbia). Proceeds will be donated to the Spanish branch of the UNHCR ACNUR, which is charged with protecting refugees and those displaced by persecution and conflict, and well as finding long term solutions to the problem. The calendar will be launched at a talk at on Thursday 3rd December at 8.00pm in the Casa del Cultura with a talk about the work of ACNUR and the Syrian refugee crisis with High Comissioner of the Valenncian Community delegation, Esther Sanchez. From Press Release.
Request for info about the Central Cinema project
Proposal for municipal transport company
Nov 24th
One of Xàbia's opposition parties, "Ciudadanos" has issued a statement asking for a list of expenses incurred with regard to the now defunct Central Cinema project, and a debate in the Consultative Committees on Culture and Tourism to look for a use which would contribute to the revitilisation of the Old Town. They also suggested the setting up of a public transport company to tender for the transport concession, working with data on use, frequency and seasonality. From XAD: XAD (Ed's note: Oddly this last item appeared in their December 28th "April Fools" article..)
Xàbia considering extending the 2015 budget into 2016
Nov 24th
Xàbia's ruling team is in a bit of a quandry. Two of the most important civil servants involved in preparing the town's budgets and accounts have left office at the same time. These are the auditor and the head of the budgets section. Since there is little scope for changes from year to year (e.g. staff costs and goods and services) it would be best to extend the current budget to the first quarter of 2016. from XAD
Coastal protection plan puts a moratorium on developing the Saladar
Nov 23rd
The Valencia Government has presented a plan of action for the protection of the coast which is being finalised. From the time it is approved there will be a moratorium on development of the strip 500 metres inland from the coast, and areas which are one metre below sea level. The Saladar is also affected by the PATRICOVA plan which refers to flood protection, and under that, the area is considered a flood plain. Nevertheless the Town Hall has received a proposal to develop the Saladar which is currently being evaluated by technicians. This involves the construction of between 1000 and 1500 houses with the flooding problem solved by drainage channels nwear the Mas y Mas car park at the Arenal, and another along the Montañar 2. This project is supported by a group of British investors and a local businessman in the gardening sector. From XAD For Background on previous proposed developments in this area see: Saladar
Cova del Migdía in 3D
Nov 23rd
Members of the Virtual Heritage group of the University of Alicante have joined forces with ARPA Patrimonio and the CIRNE foundation to create a 3D journey through Montgó's Cova del Migdía. This will enable people to look around the cave without having to go there. From XAD (Ed's note: the photo shows Mayor Chulvi wearing a 3D headset connected to a PC)
Expert committee to allocate exhibition space to Xàbia artists
Nov 23rd
In the past, the artists' exhibitions shown in Xàbia's main art galleries were selected on an ad hoc basis by the Department of Culture. However now, a committee of regional experts has been set up to select exhibitions based on portfolios of the artists works. From Xàbia al Dia. For more details see: Javeamigos
First meeting of Consultative Committee on Urban development and the Environment
Nov 16th
The first meeting of the Consultative Committee on Urban development approved its members and agreed to meet twice a month on the First and Third Thursdays of each month at 7.30pm in the Helpdesk Office. The Committee consists of representatives from all the political parties, technicians, representatives of builders and developers as well as traders and Agenda21….(Ed's note: the Agenda21 representative - Jose Antonio Rodriguez - is also a rep for the Builders and Developers) Members of the public are invited to attend and speak, but have no vote. From XAD: Primera reunion...
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Vuelta a España cycle race returns to the Marina Alta in 2016 - with stage starting in Xàbia
Nov 16th
The Spanish Grand Tour cycle race, the Vuelta a España, which gets international TV coverage, will return to the Marina Alta in 2016 with a stage starting in Xàbia and ending in Calpe. This time, instead of being a mountain challenge, the stage will be the decisive time trial for the final classification, and of great interest to worldwide cycling fans. From La Marina Plaza
Marina Alta loses almost 500 companies over the last two years
Nov 13th
The Marina Alta closed last year with 491 fewer businesses than there were just two years ago. Of these, 322 are from the services sector, and this is worrying since sercvices are the economic engine of the region. It is hoped that things will start to improve this year. From La Marina PLaza
Questionnaire on San Juan Fiestas
Nov 13th
Did you enjoy the San Juan Fiestas this year ? - do you have any recommendations on how to improve it ? If you would like to provide your feedback on this event then please complete the anonymous on-line questionnaire (in three languages , including English) which has been organised by the Town Hall: CLICK HERE for the questionnaire The results will be made public once evaluated.
Nearly 100 residents sign up for "Hablemos Mas"
Nov 13th
Almost 100 residents of different nationalities have signed up to breath new life into the language exchange programme 'Hablemos Más'. This year, five groups will be formed for England-Spanish exchange with one each for French-Spanish and German-Spanish. Representatives from the three groups which have carried over from the original 'Hablemos Más' project which began in 2008 would act as advisors for the coordinators of the five new English groups which will be developed to accommodate the different levels of those taking part, working to put those of similar abilities together in a single group. For full story see: Javeamigos
Central Cinema project dumped in favour of a new Auditorium
Nov 13th
The project to renovate the Central Cinema in the Old Town ( one approved by Citizen's Participation) has been discarded in favour of another project which has also lingered on the back burner for some years: the construction of an auditorium in the space between and to the back of the Music conservatory and Social Centre (Plaza de la Constitución . where the Thursday Market is). The Central Cinema project, much beloved of residents of the the Old Town, was considered unfeasible for many reasons including its small size and lack of access. The funds will now be directed to the modern auditorium. The question remains as what to do with the old cinema. Some ideas have been a youth cente, company hothouse, extension of the museum. Topics which will be discussed by the Culture Consultative Committee. From: Xabia al Día
Xàbia receives glass recycling award
Nov 13th
The recycling company, Ecovidrio has presented Xàbia with an award in recognition of the amount of glass recycled during last summer - some 783,820 kg. In 2014. A total of 1,499,070 kilograms of recycled glass was collected which equates to 51.6 kilograms per resident . This year saw a 12% increase in recycled glass. For full story see: Javeamigos
'Animal therapy' scheme launched in Xàbia
Nov 13th
A pioneering ‘animal therapy’ charity in Xàbia has launched its first session by bringing trained dogs into an elderly Day Centre the "Centro de Día". Thanks to a €10,000 grant from the La Caixa bank social fund, new association ASISCAN, based inXàbia has started two weekly sessions at the centre, mainly treating users with dementia or who are physically disabled due to old age and spend a lot of time alone. This is the first ‘animal therapy’ scheme to be launched on the Costa Blanca and one of very few in Spain, and ASISCAN is an entirely non-profit society. See ThinkSpain - report also on Javeamigos
Workshops for Xàbia Entrepreneurs and Business People
Nov 8th
New workshops aimed at those who are thinking of starting a business as well as established business people have been inaugurated by the Ayuntamiento de Xàbia. The initiative is called Xàbia Emprén and was kicked off this week by mayor José Chulvi, councillor Cesc Camprubi (Economic Development) and Rosario Doneris, the manager of CREAMA, a regional programme which promotes and encourages economic development in the Marina Alta. The municipal representatives stressed the importance of training within employment promotion policies and said that this initiative demonstrated the willingness of the Ayuntamiento de Xàbia to support entrepreneurs and businessmen of the municipality by offering learning and business forums to keep their skills as up-to-date as possible. They also confirmed that, as a stimulus to the local economy, the Ayuntamiento has temporarily abolished the fee for the opening of shops and businesses. For full story see: Javeamigos
Three million Spanish workers made less than €1,000 a month in 2014
Despite an apparent economic recovery, Spanish salaries did not experience any noticeable rise last year, while the difference between top and bottom earners increased, as did the breach between men and women, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Friday. The 2014 Active Population Survey additionally shows that 4.37 million workers in Spain made less than gross €1,221.10 a month last year, with another 2.9 million failing to even reach the €1,000 mark, coming in at a monthly €972.80 or less. For full story see: Ela Pais in English
Benitatxell uses drones to promote tourism
Nov 8th
In a project in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Valencia and artist Luis Montolio, Benitatxell Town Hall is creating striking images of its cliffs and sea using remote controlled drones. "The possibilities of promoting the full potential of our municipality with images taken from the air is amazing. We should note that the geography of our coastline is cliffs and caves, nothing better than drones to capture these images of vertigo from an aerial perspective, "said Myra van 't Hoff, councollor for New Technologies. From La Marina Plaza
Flamenco flashmob: how the dance became a form of protest in Spain
Nov 8th
"Political protest and social activism might not come to mind when you think of flamenco, but for some performers it has been a powerful tool for voicing political protest." Interesting article in The Local.es with a link to a YouTube video of the protest group in action in the BBVA (with subtitles in Spanish) .. There's video with English subtitles on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22174456 dancing in the unfortunate Bankia
