BENALMADENA MONTHLY

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS
BENALMADENA
MONTHLY
January 2013
Issue No. 13
www.benalmadena.com/extranjeros/english.php
NEWS
Page 3
Benalmadena sponsor Unicaja Basketball
Foreign Residents’ Deparment: 952 579 979
INFORMATION
What is the Padron?
Page 6
WHAT’S ON
What to see and do in Benalmadena
4,000 took part in
Christmas event
The mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, thanked locals and visitors for
their interest in the event and congratulated the organisers
MORE than 4,000 people
visited
the
International
Christmas Encounters event
held in the Plaza de la
Mezquita in Arroyo de la Miel
in December.
The event was organized
by the Benalmadena Foreign
Residents’ Department, and
was very popular.
Thousands enjoyed the
music, food and Christmas
traditions of the countries
which took part. They were
Ireland, Philippines, Argentina,
Scotland, Germany, England,
Poland, Finland, Colombia,
Peru, Jamaica, Senegal, France,
Wales and Spain.
Some of the most popular
performances were the Scottish
pipers, a Christmas choir from
Senegal and the Irish dancers.
The Mayor of Benalmadena,
Paloma
Garcia
Galvez,
attended
the
event
accompanied by the Councillor
for
Foreign
Residents,
Adolfo Fernandez, and other
members of the local council.
She said she was pleased at
the warm reception the event
had seen and congratulated
Page 7
Book for
good cause
THE presentation of the
book ‘For you, from an
Angel’ by Jesus Moreno
Alvarez, was held at the
Bil-Bil Castle. Money
from its sale is destined for
Benalmadena Alzheimer’s
Sufferers and Relatives.
Best awarded
THE 26th edition of the
Benalmadena Sport Gala
handed out 120 awards to
the best local sportsmen
and women.
Sport course
THE mayor of Benalmadena
attended
an
Expert’s
Course in Management of
Local Sport.
The mayor (centre) with participants at the event.
both the organizers and the
Plaza de la Mezquita Business
Association.
“We are very pleased and
proud of the success of this
event which has been beyond
our expectations” the mayor
said. “It has been a great
success and was brilliantly
organized, for which we have
to thank our Councillor for
Foreign Residents, Adolfo
Fernandez, and his team, for
their hard work and reaching
our objective, which was to
get to know the Christmas
traditions of the different
nationalities
which
live
together in Benalmadena.”
She also thanked all the
groups of foreigners who had
actively taken part in organising
the event which aimed to
help foreign residents totally
integrate within the town.
“It is an honour to work
shoulder to shoulder with them
as they are always ready to take
part in events to strengthen ties
between communities.”
More to read
ARROYO DE LA MIEL
public
library
added
more than 600 books to
its collection last month,
for all ages, tastes and in
several different languages.
Cartoon truth
AN
employee
of
Benalmadena Town Hall
published a book with
cartoons reflecting strange
situations which occur in
councils
throughout
Spain.
2
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
January 2013
New Year wishes
from the mayor
Benalmadena Mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez wants to
encourage foreign residents to be part of local life
AS Mayor of Benalmadena, it
is a pleasure for me to wish you
all my best wishes for the New
Year. For the local council,
the foreign community which
resides in the town is a priority
and one of our main objectives
is to make sure you are totally
First local Collectors’ Fair
THE Mayor of Benalmadena visited the first Collectors’
Fair which was held in Arroyo de la Miel last month. The
fair had 10 stalls selling products including motorbikes,
electronic goods and old toys.
i n t e g r a t e d The mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez.
in the town.
Benalmadena is your home and collaborate with your activities
from the Foreign Residents’ and promote all initiatives
Department we will continue which
help
with
your
to work hard so you can enjoy integration. We are at your
this marvellous town.
disposal and we will put all our
The municipal council will efforts into making you feel
maintain direct contact with like a local ‘benalmadense’.
foreign residents and locallyWe hope all your hopes and
based associations to inform dreams come true throughout
and advise you, as well as 2013.
Police and pups pose
for charity calendar
EIGHT
Benalmadena
Local Police officers
have posed for a charity
calendar.
There will be 1,000
calendars printed to sell
at €5 and funds raised
will go to the local
Aprobe
Association
which protects animals
and plants.
The officers have
posed with some of
the animals which are
available for adoption
from Aprobe.
The calendar was
presented by the local
One of the local officers with a pup.
councillors for Safety,
Concepcion Tejada, and for Health,
Oliva also thanked them for their
Inmaculada Hernandez, as well as the willingness to help and said that a great
Local Police spokesperson, Salvador relationship had been built up with the
Fuentes, and the President of Aprobe, officers who frequently find abandoned
Pilar Oliva.
animals when they are patrolling the
Tejada thanked the officers whom streets.
she said showed their “sensitive side”
by posing with the animals to help raise
More information from
funds.
www.aprobe.org
Language
exchange days
open to all
MORE than 100 foreign residents took part in
a language exchange day at the ‘Anica Torres’
centre in Arroyo de la Miel.
The event was organized by the local Foreign
Residents’ Department and attended by the
department’s councillor, Adolfo Fernandez.
It gave the English, Danish, Welsh, French,
Belgian, Norwegian and Finnish participants a
chance to integrate in the town and meet their
Spanish neighbours.
These meetings are held every Monday
from 6pm to 7pm and every Wednesday from
10.30am to midday at the Silvestre Gonzalez
in Benalmadena Pueblo; and Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 11am to 1pm at the Anica
Torres centre in Arroyo de la Miel.
They are open to everyone who wants to
practise their language skills and learn more
about the different cultures which coexist in
Benalmadena.
Welcome 2013
PLAZA de la Mezquita, in Arroyo de la Miel,
and Plaza del Alguacil, in Benalmadena
Pueblo were once again the spots chosen
locally to welcome in the New Year. After
the 12 chimes to mark the arrival of 2013, the
party continued into the early hours.
January 2013
In Brief
Drugs
awareness
THE town hall has signed
an agreement with the
Spanish Solidarity Centre
Foundation in Malaga,
Proyecto Hombre, to carry
out workshops about drugs.
Charity golf
A GOLF tournament to
raise funds for the local
soup kitchen was held at
the Torrequebrada Golf
Club. The mayor took
part in the event.
Choir concert
THE ‘Cantando a la
Cuna’ choir concert was
held at the Inmaculada
Concepcion Church in
Arroyo de la Miel. It was
the eighth edition.
Remembrance
THE mayor took part in
the ‘Light a Light’ event
held by Cudeca every year
to remember relatives who
have died of cancer.
Violence
BENALMADENA Town
Hall has carried out a
study about the attitude
of local youths towards
gender violence. Some
800 questionnaires were
handed out.
Drunk drivers
THE town hall launched
a message to locals to
encourage them to be
more careful at the wheel
over the Christmas period
and not drink and drive.
In 2012, 73 people were
reported for drunk driving.
3
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
Benalmadena to
sponsor Unicaja
Basketball team
BENALMADENA
Town
Hall has become a sponsor of
Malaga’s Unicaja Basketball
team.
This means that the name
of the town will be seen at all
European League matches
played at home by Unicaja in
the Jose Maria Martin Carpena
Sports Centre in Malaga.
The town has also joined
the ‘Sport is Life’ campaign
developed by Unicaja to
promote
sports
amongst
children.
The agreement was signed
by the Mayor, Paloma Garcia
Galvez, and the President of
Unicaja, Eduardo Garcia, at
Benalmadena marina.
The
councillor
for
Benalmadena Port, Francisco
Salido, and Croatian pivot
Luca Zoric, were also present
at the encounter.
The agreement with Unicaja was signed at the marina.
The mayor said “It is a great
satisfaction for Benalmadena
Council to collaborate with
Unicaja.
She was given 100 tickets
for Unicaja matches to hand
out to the poor and needy in
Benalmadena.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Garcia
thanked the council for getting
involved with the campaign to
promote sports.
AENOR certificate of quality
awarded to EMABESA
THE local water provider, EMABESA, has
obtained the AENOR quality certificate for
the services it provides and its environmental
management. The Empresa Municipal de Aguas
Making the roads
safer in Benalmadena
WORKS have been carried out in several
areas of Benalmadena to repaint the
horizontal street markings.
Some of the streets where pedestrian
crossings, and horizontal give way and stop
signs were repainted were Calle Manuel
Mena, Calle Espiga, Calle Herradura and
Calle Cerro del Horno.
de Benalmadena S.A. was congratulated by the
Mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez, who mentioned
the effort they make to develop, improve and
maintain the water network.
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Emabesa,
Enrique Moya, said that the new certificates are
for the supply and cleanliness of the water, as
well as customer services provided.
At Christmas, EMABESA also provided
€1,300 worth of toys to the local Council for
Social Welfare, to be handed out amongst poor
children in the town.
The Mayor, Paloma Garcia Galvez, refused
the money she is entitled to for taking part in
administrative meetings for municipal service
providers and the amount was also destined to
buy toys for local children.
4
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
January 2013
In Brief
Paving
improved
POPULAR RACE: More participants than ever.
More people than
ever at ‘Turkey Race’
MORE than 2,000 people took
part in the 30th edition of the
local Carrera Urbana del Pavo.
The ‘Turkey Race’, in which
winners are given turkeys as a
prize, has become one of the
most popular in the town and
was carried out by participants
of all ages over a 4.5 kilometre
route. It was organized by the
local Sports Board (PDM) with
the collaboration of the ACEB
Business Association.
The prizes were handed out
by the Mayor, Paloma Garcia
Galvez, and the councillor for
Sport, Juan Olea.
“This year, we have beaten
a record for the number of
participants” the mayor said.
Olea thanked everyone who
WORK has been carried out
in the Benalmadena Costa
areas of Derramar Alto
and Calle Torrealmadena
mainly to improve paving,
following the demands of
residents in the area.
2013 budget
BENALMADENA
council has announced
the 2013 budget which
aims
to
promote
employment and social
policies. The budget
is close to €1 billion
which will include paying
off debts with suppliers.
Recycling spree
THE
Mayor
has
encouraged local people
to take part in the charity
campaign which promotes
respect for the environment
through recycling and
reusing all kinds of items,
including clothes and
toys.
The winners take to the podium.
had organized the race and said
he was pleased that so many
people had decided to take
part.
Mayor breakfasts with
volunteer interpreters
SOME 50 volunteer interpreters shared a special
breakfast with Benalmadena Mayor Paloma
Garcia Galvez.
The event was held at the Silvestre Gonzalez
Day Centre in Benalmadena Pueblo and attended
by the interpreters who work with the Local
Police, Health Centres and other municipal
buildings helping local residents of different
nationalities.
The Mayor thanked them for the work that
they do and the help they provide for foreign
residents in the town.
She was accompanied by the Councillor for
Foreign Residents, Adolfo Fernandez, and the
Councillor for Citizen Participation, Ana Macias.
Fernandez said that the team of local
interpreters is always open to new members, so
local residents who speak Spanish and another
language are welcome to contact the Foreign
Residents’ Department to offer their services.
Rain damage
BENALMADENA council
carried out urgent repair
work in areas of the town
where the electrical cable
was damaged by recent
rains. They include the
Torrequebrada
and
Veracruz areas where there
had been several power
cuts.
Young dancers
THE students at the
municipal dance schools
in Arroyo de la Miel and
Benalmadena
Pueblo
were congratulated by the
mayor of Benalmadena
for their high standards.
January 2013
5
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
The Welsh Society
Costa del Sol
THE Welsh Society is a newly
formed group of Welsh people
living here on the Costa del
Sol. We have all been here for
a number of years and most of
us have children that have been
born here in Spain.
We all got together just over
a year ago after a discussion
about how on international
days,
Wales
was
not
represented.
Wales (the Land of Song)
is a small country with
a population of about three
million, and a lot of our
members make a living here
by singing which, as well as
rugby, seems to be our national
pastime, so we decided that
we should all get together and
try to represent Wales the best
way we could.
We approached Benalmadena
town hall and after some
help and lots of work from
our members, we are now a
registered association and we
raise money for children with
Down’s Syndrome.
All money we raise is split
between a Down’s Syndrome
school here in Spain, the
Centro Ocupacional Municipal
de Benalmadena, and one in
Wales, the South Wales Down’s
Syndrome Support Group in
Cardiff.
On St David’s Day 2012, we
raised money and gave €500
to the school here in Spain and
£500 to the school in Wales.
Since then we have taken
part in the Internationl Day in
Plaza de la Mezquita where we
made traditional Welsh food
and performed some classic
Welsh songs.
We also took part in the
‘Pavo’ race and raised more
money. We have a few other events
coming up soon, all of which
Welsh Society members raise funds for Down’s Syndrome.
CALLING
ALL
CLUBS
The celebrations on St. David’s Day 2012.
are leading to St David’s Day
on March 1, 2013, which will
hopefully be held in Plaza de
la Mezquita, and will be our
chance to show off our Welsh
talents both in singing and
performing and Welsh food and
drinks.
The
Welsh
Society
home is CJ’s Karaoke Bar,
Benalmadena, where the owner
and family are all from Wales,
if there are any ‘Welshies’ out
there who want to get involved,
that would be great as we are
always looking for support and
more members.
We will also be looking for
more performers and helpers
for St David’s Day 2013.
Contact details:
President: Mr Mario Ross:
678 733 123
Vice President:
Mrs Debbie Benham:
626 292 707 Cath: 617612361
CJ’s Karaoke Bar,
Avenida de Bonanza 14,
Benalmadena Costa
Facebook: The Welsh
Society Costa del Sol E-mail: ilovecjs@hotmail.com
We also have a coffee
morning the last Monday in
every month at 11am at the
Mediterranean Bar in the
Gamonal, Benalmadena.
BENALMADENA
Monthly
would
like
to welcome club and
association members to
the pages of this council
publication.
Each month we will be
featuring a local group and
its members on this page.
Inclusion is absolutely free
and gives readers a chance
to see the many activities
available to them through
membership to your club.
But remember we’re a
monthly publication so we
need your news as soon as
possible!
Contact
Joanna
Drozdawska at the town
hall’s Foreign Residents’
Department on 952 579
979 or email residents@
benalmadena.com
for
more information.
6
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
January 2013
Padron - an advantage
What is the padrón?
Padrón - a list of all the
people who live in a certain
town.
Empadronarse - the act of
registering yourself on this list
with your local town hall. Who should register?
Officially, all residents in
Spain are required by law to
register on the padron. In reality, it is simply a way for the
Town Hall to know how many
people live in the area.
The information provided at
registration is confidential and
protected by data protection
laws.
Q.
There seems to be a lot of confusion as to the
validity of the Padron. When I renewed mine in
February 2011 I was told it was valid for 2 years. I went
to the ayuntamiento the other day to check and was given a
certificate that the lady said was valid for 3 months.
Does this mean we will have to go back to the town hall
every 3 months or again next February when the 2 year period
is up?
As there is no expiry date on the Padron I got in 2011 I am
unsure when or if it needs renewing. Several neighbours have
similar concerns.
You register once, you have to confirm your padrón
every 2 years if you are registered with your passport
or every 5 years if you are registered with your residencia.
And the cerftificate or prove that you are registered (nota
de padron) is valid for 3 months only, but it doesn´t mean you
have to ask for a new one every three months.
You come to the town hall and ask for Nota de Padron
only if you need one.
A.
How do I register?
You do not have to own your
house to register, just have an
address where you habitually live, no matter whether you are the owner, you rent, or
live with family or friends.
To register on the Census, you just have
to present yourself at the Town Hall with
your passport, NIE number or certificate of
residence (only if you have one) and title
deeds or rental contract.
What are the benefits?
Central Government allocates money to
the different municipalities according to
how many people are on the padrón. Therefore, if you are not registered, your town
hall is losing money for the provision of
health centres, police officers, fire fighters
and schools.
A reduction in taxes
Registration on the padrón
means up to 60% off Property Tax and rubbish charges.
Furthermore, those on the padrón can also enjoy discounted courses, leisure and cultural activities run by the Town
Hall.
Access to benefits and
social care
You must be on the padrón
for a certain period to take advantage of some income-related benefits and other aspects
of social care available through social services at your town
hall.
Voting rights
In order to register to vote
in local or European elections,
you must first be registered on the padrón.
An easier life
You’ll find you need your padrón certificate to carry out various administrative
tasks, such as register for healthcare, register your car with Spanish number plates or
enrol your children in school.
Spotlight on... Margaretha Forsman
married a pilot and we had 4
children in 4 years, so I stayed at home looking after
them. When the children were
older, I organized exhibitions
all over Finland for clients
who were interested in buying
properties in Benalmadena. I
also organized exhibitions in
Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, England and Scotland.
Personal information (full
name, and age...) Margaretha
Forsman, age 73
What were you doing before
you came to Spain?
I was a stewardess and
Why have you chosen Benalmadena and how long
have you been living here?
My parents moved to Spain
in 1960, so it was a very easy
decision to move here as well
when my husband, Erkki, retired in 1984. We live in San-
tana, Benalmadena Pueblo
8-9 months per year as we
spend all summers in Finland.
Perhaps the spring when
everything goes green and of
course, our 10 grandchildren.
Do you feel at home here?
Yes, very much so. We have
lots of friends from different
nationalities and we meet
them regularly.
Do you feel integrated?
As we have lived here so
long me and my husband are
very well intergrated. I began
my Spanish lessons in 1960,
so now I speak Spanish. I like
to help our community as a
volunteer as I also speak 5
more languages.
What do you like most
about our culture?
I like the people for their
friendliness. It is interesting
learning Spanish culture and
meeting Spanish people.
What do you miss most
from your country?
I don’t miss many things.
How would you promote
intregration among foreign
residents in Benalmadena?
It is important to learn the
language and participate in
Benalmadena´s activities.
January 2013
January Agenda
Tuesday 8
7pm Reading Club in
English
Read on! Fluent, coordinated
by Elise Freedman
Commenting Lucky Jim by
Kingsley Amis
Arroyo de la Miel Library
Thursday 10
7pm Cercle de l’Histoire
(History Circle)
Presentation of a history
talk in French, coordinated by
Michel Gehin
Debating the subject “Verdun
1916, pourquoi Verdun”
Arroyo de la Miel Library
9pm Cinema
AND IF WE ALL LIVED
TOGETHER?
Director and screenplay:
Stephane Robelin
Actors: Guy Bedos, Daniel
Brühl, Geraldine Chaplin
France and Germany, 2011.
97min. Casa de la Cultura
Friday 11
7pm Friends of Poetry
forum Coordinated by
Carmina Martinez
Arroyo de la Miel Library
Tuesday 15
7
BENALMADENA MONTHLY
7pm Reading Club
Zenobia Camprubi
coordinated by Olga Lopez
de Lerma
Commenting ‘Seda’ by
Alessandro Baricco
Arroyo de la Miel Library
– prior registration required,
limited space
Thursday 17
9pm Cinema
TUESDAY,
AFTER
CHRISTMAS
Director: Radu Muntean
Actors: Mimi Branescu,
Mirela Oprisor
Romania, 2010, 99min
Casa de la Cultura
Tuesday 22
7pm Costa del Sol Reading
Club in French
Cercle de lecture
Literary gathering to discuss
‘La cathedrale de la mer’ by
Idelfono Falcones.
Arroyo de la Miel Library.
Friday 25
Time to be confirmed Theatre and Humour in
Benalmadena
(20th edition)
‘Cena para uno’ (Dinner for
One) - Pata Teatro Company
Casa de la Cultura
8pm Art Exhibition
CÉSAR
LUCAS.
EL
OFICIO DE MIRAR (The
Trade of Looking)
Organized by the Junta de
Andalucia Culture and Sports
Department’s
Andalucian
Photography
Centre
and
Benalmadena
Exhibition
Centre
Open Tues – Sat 10am–2pm,
5pm-7.30pm. Sundays and
Holidays 11am-1.30pm. Closed
Mondays. Free entrance.
Saturday 26
Time to be confirmed Theatre and Humour in
Benalmadena (20th edition)
‘Far West’ - Yllana Company
Casa de la Cultura
Tuesday 29
7pm – Reading Club
Encounter with the classics
coordinated by Jesus Majada
Discussion
on
‘Pedro
Paramo’ by Juan Rulfo
Arroyo de la Miel Library
Wednesday 30
Time to be confirmed –
Hommage to Jose Maria
Bernils
In recognition of his work
to benefit the culture of human
relationships.
Organized by Ateneo and
Orfeon in Benalmadena
Casa de la Cultura
Thursday 31
7pm – Reading Club in
Finnish
Minna Canth coordinated by
Kimmo Shalman
Arroyo de la Miel Library
9pm - Cinema
MIEL DE NARANJAS
(Orange Honey)
Director: Imanol Uribe
Actors: Blanca Suarez, Iban
Garate
Spain 2012. 101 min
Casa de la Cultura
Do you wish to receive
cultural information?
Benalmadena Culture
Delegation periodically
sends out an e-mail with
information on activities
to anyone who requests it.
To receive this service, you
must fill out a form at the
Casa de la Cultura, Plaza
de Austria, Arroyo de la
Miel
Tel: 952 44 46 89. E-mail:
cultura@benalmadena.com
TICKETS
for
events
which require them can be
purchased at the Casa de la
Cultura.
Useful telephone numbers
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
(This is a central call base for any emergency)
Ambulance service 061
Fire brigade 952 563 429
Guardia Civil 062
Local Police 092
National Police 091
902 102 112 - Reports in case of theft or robbery (English spoken)
General telephone numbers
Endesa electricity company 900 248 248
Hospital Carlos Haya, Malaga 952 390 400
Hospital Clinico Unversitario, Malaga 952 649 400
Hospital Materno Infantil, Malaga 952 300 400
Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella 951 976 669/951 976 670
GP appointments by phone to Salud Responde 902 505 060 or by
internet www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud
Appoinments for NIE applications at Torremolinos police station
952 378 437
Local telephone numbers
Foreigner’s Department, Town Hall 952 579 979
Health Centre (Arroyo) 952 440 404/952 443 545
Health Centre (Pueblo) 952 449 313
Health Centre (Torrequebrada) 951 308 121
Hospital Chare 951 976 070
Hospital Xanit 952 443 119
Local Police (Arroyo) 952 562 142
Local Police (Pueblo) 952 579 853
Sports Centre (Arroyo) 952 577 050
Sports Centre (Pueblo) 952 568 085
Taxis 952 441 545
Tourist Office 952 442 494
The unstoppable EWN team
wishes everyone a healthy
and prosperous 2013
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