Vol 4 Edition 8 September 2004
Costa Blanca Netguide Newsletter
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com
This newsletter is only sent to subscribers
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CONTENTS:
01) Editorial
02) Suzanna's Article - New Traffic Rules
03) Domestic Violence Campaign Press Release
04) Telephone Scam
05) J.K. Construction Update
06) Spanish Resources
07) Sticker/Screensaver Information
08) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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1) Editorial
Hola !
Hope all is well. We survived the summer and our son´s trip
to UK was a great success. He kept his grandparents amused
for the week and managed to do a huge amount of sightseeing
and socialising despite the rain! His luggage on his return
was twice the size, bulging with presents he´d received from
everyone which meant his grandfather was left to carry most
of it. He bought his Spanish friends sticks of Brighton Rock
which they looked slightly bemused about so we had to
explain that one.
It´s back to school time now (thank goodness). Nearly three
months is a long time so the children were eager to return
to the classroom too. We were presented with the list of
school books to purchase for this year which totalled 169
Euros, luckily we don´t have to worry about school uniforms
as well.
It´s grape harvesting time now so the rural roads are full
of the little tractors towing their trailers piled high with
grapes from dawn until past dusk. In the next village their
are some fincas with rows and rows of cane racks spread out
in the sun drying the grapes for sultanas. I soon will be
inundated with bags of grapes and other home grown produce
from my neighbours as usual. I love it, the freshest fruit
and veg, hand picked and organic but the amount they give us
is quite extraordinary.
So in this month´s newsletter we have a restaurant review by
yours truly. The food at L´Almacera in Teulada is fantastic
so it was no hardship, in fact I could quite get into
testing restaurants on a regular basis, any offers! Also
read about a telephone scam we discovered by chance. The
ladies of the Women in Business Club are busy bees right now
organising the first of a series of fundraisers to raise
money for the Javea Women´s Shelter. Domestic violence has
been in the headlines a lot recently so find out all the
details and support this worthy cause.
Karla, who is the director of the Women in Business Club, is
an accomplished artist with a true passion for her artwork.
She tells me she is moving house soon and has a plethora of
her original works that she wants to sell before moving on.
She is therefore holding an Art Sale. If you wish to see
some examples of her work visit her website
http://www.darocas.com/Art/index.htm and contact her for
details of the sale.
Good news for J.K. Construction, one of the building
companies on the Costa Blanca Net Guide Directory. They
recently expanded and became an S.L. company so good luck to
them and read more of what they offer.
OK that´s all from my little corner of the world. Have a
good month and see you soon.
Hasta luego!
Suzanna
Suzanna - Editor, Costa Blanca Netguide.
editor@costablanca-netguide.com
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2) Suzanna's Article
Hello ,
Recommending restaurants is a hazardous business anywhere
but even more so here. Many a time we have enjoyed a meal
and so recommended it to others only for them to be
disappointed as the chef has moved on or the management
changed or it has closed down. For those of you who are
regular readers you will remember a restaurant I told you
about in Orba which actually only lasted a year.
With all that said though I can guarantee L´Almacera in
Teulada. Your hosts Michael and Marion, both professionals,
have had the restaurant for over 9 years and their
reputation preceeds them. It is set in a delightful 17th
century finca with interesting nooks and crannies and boasts
a colourful history. During the summer months you dine out
on their beautiful Andalucian style terrace complete with
palm tree and antique cart.
On Wednesday and Saturday evenings you can enjoy your meal
whilst listening to Spanish Classical guitar played by John
Anthony but remember to book! Angela, the head waitress, is
attentive and behind the scenes is also Ian the 2nd chef and
Joe.
So with all the background knowledge what of the food?
Michael has prepared a tantalising "Taste of the World"
menu. Each course has about 12 different "countries" to
choose from. The difficulty is deciding what to choose!
Marion will also come and make it even more difficult for
you by describing the specials Michael has prepared that
evening! Whilst our son was away we treated ourselves so I
will describe what we ate! From the starters I chose "China"
described as Shredded Peking Duck set on an Oriental style
Salad with warm Duck Paté and Plum sauce absolutely
delicious. My husband decided on "Brazil" L´Almacera´s
special - Prawns cooked Piri Piri style with garlic, Chillis
and Spices served with Creola rice. I have to admit to
tasting his too! For our main course I opted for one of the
specials that evening - Large King Prawns peeled and cooked
in a Thai style curry sauce with lemon grass, coconut milk,
Thai herbs and spices and Tropical Fruits and served with
rice. My husband went for "Belgium"- Medallions of fillet
Steak set on a Rosti Potato with Duck Liver Paté in a Wild
Mushroom and Red Wine sauce. Both were exquisite and the
presentation is absolutely fantastic. Normally I don´t have
a dessert but at L´Almacera I just have to! My choice this
time was "Germany" A creamy Blackcurrant Bavarian Cream
Mousse served with Apricots poached in Apricot Brandy, and
my husband had "Switzerland"....wait for it, L´Almacera´s
Chocolate Fantasy of Chocolate Truffle Cake - Chocolate
Mousse - Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Brownie on
Amaretto sauce!! You´ll be pleased to know that we were
replete beyond measure. I would love to describe the whole
menu but it would be impossible. All I can say is the food
is not only "Taste of the World" but Out of this World! Each
dish is prepared fresh and the presentation and garnishes
are superb. The house wine is a Viña Albali and the wine
list is quite extensive.
So whichever "Country" you wish to visit you definately
won´t be disappointed - it will be a wonderful,
mouthwatering journey. I would strongly recommend booking
and don´t forget to tell Michael and Marion you heard about
them on the Costa Blanca Net Guide.
You will find L´Almacera very easily now. After about a year
of roadworks which disrupted Teulada and hid the restaurant
behind a mountain of earth for some months it is finally in
full view again.
Take the road to Teulada from the N332. When you approach
the 2nd roundabout you will see L´Almacera on the opposite
side. Follow the signs to Teulada and at the next roundabout
you take the small road on your right which takes you
directly to the restaurant.
The price of the "Taste of the World" menu is 25,95 Euros
which includes Bread and half a bottle of Wine or Sangria.
Some dishes also have a supplement.
To make you reservation call 96 574 1214.
Restaurante L´Almacera
Cami Benarrix, 1
Teulada.
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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, if you know someone who may benefit
from any of the articles in this newsletter please feel free
to pass it on.
PLEASE NOTE: These articles are for personal use only and
may not be posted on any website, newsgroup or bulletin
board. If you wish to use any of our articles for commercial
purposes please contact us articles@costablanca-netguide.com
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3) Stop Domestic Violence Campaign Raises Funds
The Women in Business Club is launching a media awareness
campaign – as well as a fundraising venture in co operation
with the town of Jávea.
In a monthly series of events at Jávea’s - Casa de Culture
Auditorium, the Women in Business Club intend to raise the
awareness of domestic violence surrounding modern women in
Spain today.
Despite efforts from both the United Nations and Amnesty
International to urge the Spanish government to take drastic
steps to curb the domestic violence against women – the
persecution continues.
The events are also aimed at raising funds to help
financially support the resources established to help the
domestically abused women and children from the Jávea area.
They include the Jávea Women’s Shelter, which is a secret
and safe house for women and children – plus the newly
formed Jávea Workshop Centre for Women.
The campaign series will start in September – and run one
time per month - through to November. It will start again in
January and will end with a large celebration / exhibition
on March 8th, namely - International Women’s Day. ** see
below ** INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN SPEAKS OF HER STRENGTH AND
SUCCESS **
The Women in Business Club is a free networking and social
club for women in Spain who mean business! The club
celebrates womanhood through networking socials, event
planning, fundraising and an interactive website. The WIBC
was started in September 2002 and is currently under the
Directorship of Karla Ingleton-Darocas.
The ultimate goal of the WIBC is to benefit all women.
The business club members benefit by the networking and
social contacts built by volunteering their skills and
talents to make these media and fundraising events
successful.
The women trapped in a circle of ill fortune, benefit both
financially and emotionally – knowing that there are other
women willing to help bring about a change of circumstance.
For women who live outside the Jávea region – The WIBC also
aims to create a blueprint of their efforts – so that the
process can be brought to other areas of Spain – by newly
organized chapters of Women in Business.
WIBC * SEPTEMBER EVENT
INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN SPEAKS OF HER STRENGTH AND SUCCESS
At age forty-three, Georgina Cronin, a successful senior
executive weighed 150kgs. Told that she was likely to die
within a few years from obesity complications, she decided
to take back her life and change it.
Her book 'Size Matters' is both an inspirational story and
the programme that over 1000 other obese people have used to
lose weight healthily and for the rest of their lives.
Now fifty-one and fit and healthy, Georgina wants to share
her story of achieving success through the management of
expectations.
The Women in Business Club of the Costa Blanca, in
co-operation with the township of Jávea, are proud to bring
Georgina Cronia and her positive message to the Casa de
Cultura Auditorium - for one night only – Wednesday -
September 29th – 7pm.
Georgina Cronin was a fat woman for twenty-five years. Eight
years ago she changed her life completely by taking back
control of her body and mind. The life that she lives now is
radically different, holding tight to the best things that
were in her life before but creating a new life and new
opportunities with the strength that she discovered.
Tickets for this Special Event are 10 Euros and proceeds
will go to benefit the Jávea Women’s Shelter and
International Women’s Day (March 8th – 2005)
There will also be a special an “Exotic Delights” Bake Sale
on the second floor of the Casa del Cultura.
PLUS… You will be able to meet Georgina Cronin in person at
Book World in Jávea – same day – September 29 – at 11am.
EVENT DETAILS
Georgina Cronin – Author / Speaker
Wednesday - September 29th 2004 – 7pm.
Casa de Cultura – Jávea Old Town
Tickets: 10 Euro Donation
Book Signing and Book Sales on Site
Proceeds in Benefit of Jávea’s Women’s Shelter &
International Women’s Day
Ticket Information – 96-648-0248
– or email – Karla@Palomera.com
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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4) Telephone Scam
Let me warn you of yet another scam. Just a few days ago we
received a telephone call from a man claiming that a parcel
of ours had been delivered to the wrong address and we were
to call another number to arrange it to be sent to us. He
told us to ring 806 401 501 and ask for Juan. Alarm bells
only rang because he asked for me and quoted the address in
the telephone directory. As it happens we do not use that
address but another one for mail. Luckily I had read in the
press about this type of scam and apparently what they do is
call you and get you to call another number. When you do so
they keep you on the line for a long time and it is a
extremely high cost call from which they are making money so
be warned!
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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5) J.K. Construction Update
News of J.K. Construction. Business has been good and
Jeremy, Jane and their team have gone from strength to
strength and recently changed the business into an S.L.
company. They now are trading as Argent Silver S.L. and
Jeremy assures me that the same professional attitude
applies to all aspects of their work. They now offer not
only Construction but Sales and Promotions plus Services.
Visit their page to see what they can offer and to contact
them directly
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/listings/304.html.
Good Luck to all at Argent Silver.
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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6) Spanish Resources
BOOKS
i) Spanish in 10 minutes a day
The book walks you through your language in 23 easy steps.
Almost automatically you will acquire a large working
vocabulary that will suit your needs. As you work through
the steps, use the sticky labels (included). At the back of
the book, you will also find cut-out flash cards to make
learning fun. When you have completed the book, cut out the
menu at the back and take it along on your trip. Available in
11 languages.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/books/sitmad.html
ii) 501 Spanish Verbs
With more than 1.5 million copies in print, the new, updated
edition of this all-time best-selling language book of Spanish
verbs is now printed in two colours for increased ease of
reference. The most important and most commonly used Spanish
verbs are presented alphabetically in chart form, one verb per
page, and conjugated in all persons and tenses, both active and
passive. This thorough guide to the use of verbs features many
additional references and tips, including a bilingual list of
more than 1,250 additional Spanish verbs, helpful expressions
and idioms for travellers, and verb drills and tests with
answers explained at the back of the book.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/books/501sv.html
CD's
i) Rodrigo
The Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra
perform traditional Spanish works for the guitar. This superb
CD features music from a range of Spanish composers including
Joaquín Rodrigo and Francisco Tárrega.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/CDs/rod-casgw.html
ii) Spanish with Michel Thomas--Complete Course 8 CD Set
Synopsis
Michel Thomas's approach to language learning aims to provide
in a few hours a functional working knowledge of a language
without books, note-taking or conscious memorizing. This CD
provides an eight-hour course in Spanish.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/CDs/smt.html
ELECTRONICS
Franklin TES-118 Pocket English Spanish Translator
# Over half a million translations to and from English and
Spanish
# 2,000 categorized conversational phrases
# Advanced verb conjugation
# Hangman and Quiz games
# Also a calculator, clock, and contact information databank
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/electronics/franklin-tes.html
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9) Sticker Information
We have available our Costa Blanca Netguide car or shop
window stickers that we will send out to you free of charge.
Just email stickers@costablanca-netguide.com
with your name
and postal address and how many you require (3 Max) and
we'll post them out to you anywhere in Europe at no cost.
Screensaver Information
Version 1 of the Costa Blanca Screensaver can be downloaded
at http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/screensaver.html.
The Free version has a few limitations but gives you a good
idea of what you can expect from the Full version which is
priced at 7 EUROS
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