THE GREAT FOOD COLLECTION IS UNDERWAY IN CASARES

The Great Food Collection is taking place today in Casares. The collection, which is part of the countrywide collection held very year, is to help needy families. It started yesterday and there are severl collection points in Cases, Secadero and Casares Costa. There are over 100 families in the social integration program in the Casares municipality.The collection is being held under the slogan “Hunger cannot be seen” and according to the head of Food Bank, Paola Lopez, all donations will be put to good use to help those in need. In Casares families need canned goods, oil, flour, sugar and toiletries. Donations can be left at Casares Costa, at Los Alemndros school in Secadero and at the Department of Social Welfare and the Blas Infante school in Casares as well as several local shops.

DEMONSTRATION HELD THIS WEEK AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE

More than thirty people took part in a demonstration on Tuesday in Casares against gender violence. The demonstration at the Plaza de Espana, involved several speakers who read out messages of hope and encouragement for all victims of gender violence. During the demonstration a group of women who held a banner reading “shout for those who cannot shout” passed through the crowd with a manifesto. A minute’s silence was also held for victims of violence. The councillor for equality from the Ayuntamiento, Antonia Pineda, hit out at gender violence and said that young people are often involved as victims and abusers. The activities of the day of struggle against gender violence also included a resource guide encouraging victims to report abuse and a special programme on Radio Casares in which locals were interviewed about their experiences.

MAYOR SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR REMODELLING OF THE PLAZA DEL LLANO

Mayor Antonia Morera this week signed an agreement with the representative of Public Works and Housing at the Junta de Andalucia for subsidising work on the remodelling of the Plaza del Llano. The project has a budget of around 200,000 Euro and will involve changing the square and linking it with the Marcelino Camacho square. The Ayuntamiento has been working on funding for the work for over a year and this week the Junta has agreed to fund 80 per cent of the work, while the Ayuntamiento will fund the remaining 20 per cent. The project will involve a total remodelling of the traffic lay out which will mean fewer vehicles in the square.

FIVE UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE TAKEN ON BY THE AYUNTAMIENTO UNDER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME

Five people were taken off the dole this week and hired by the Ayuntamiento as part of the programme of employment for the over 30’s. One bricklayer , two labourers and two cleaners will join the municipal staff from next Monday. The Ayuntamiento plans to hire a total of 11 people from the over 30’s age group for three month contracts with a budget of almost 43,000 Euro. The Andalusian Employment Service has a technical committee which chooses the successful candidates for the positions.

International news:

There were violent protests across the United States this week when a grand jury decided that a white police officer who shot dead a black teenager last August in the town of Ferguson, Missouri should not face criminal charges. Two thousand National Guard troops were sent to Ferguson where there was rioting and arson. There were also demonstrations in New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

In sports news:

In the Champions League Manchester City made a dramatic comeback to beat Bayern Munich by three goals to two to keep their hopes of getting through to the final stages. Meanwhile Lionel Messi scored a hat trick for  Barcelona and set a new record for the Champions League with 74 goals.

And the weather for the weekend:

Tomorrow will be wet and showery with temperatures reaching a high of 16 degrees and a low of 12. Sunday will again be showery with a high of 17 dropping to 12 degrees at night.

WORK STOPS ON THE BRIDGE OVER THE MANILVA RIVER AS CONTRACT COLLAPSES

Work has stopped on the construction  of a new pedestrian bridge over the Manilva River after the company involved terminated the contract.  The Ayuntamiento has claimed that the Qualifica Consortium failed to reach the final deadline for completing the work on the new bridge. Last Saturday was the deadline for completion of the work but the company claimed that because of financial problems it could not finish the job. The Ayuntameinto has rejected pleas for another extension of the deadline and has begun proceedings to reallocate the contract. A budget of 131,000 Euro was allocated for the bridge which will link Casares Costa with Sabinillas.

CASARES TAXI DRIVERS TOOK PART IN ONE DAY STRIKE THIS WEEK

Taxi drivers from Casares took part in the one day province wide strike on Wednesday against the Junta de Andalucia’s decision to allow taxi drivers from Malaga to go to local villages to collect customers. The general strike took place all along the coastline from Motril to Tarifa and in the interior and there was a gathering of taxi drivers at the Sports Palace in Malaga. The strike was held under the slogan” For our airport, for our rights”. Taxi drivers leader Juan Antonio Frias said there was an outright rejection of the decision to allow taxi drivers from the capital to collect customers from other municipalities. Taxi drivers from outside Malaga have claimed that this is an unfair measure that will affect their livelihoods.

NEW PUBLIC SPACE FACILITIES FOR CASARES COSTA

The second phase of the new public space at the Majestic development is close to completion with the opening of a new mini golf area and playground. The project will provide a widening of the Jardines del Rosario and job opportunities. Casares Costa councillor Antonia Pineda said the new green area will include a sports court, a baseball court and two petanca courts. The development of the public space will also include new walking trails with picnic tables and benches and a new dog park where locals can play and train their pets.

WORK STARTS ON NEW CAR PARK AND TOURIST CENTRE IN CASARES

Preliminary work has started on a new building at Calle Camachas in Casares which will include a multi storey car park,a  tourist centre and a new home for pensioners. The project has a budget of 1.8 million Euro. 70 per cent of the finance is coming from the Qualifications Plan of the Costa del Sol and the remaining 30 per cent has been provided by the Casares Ayuntamiento. When the building work is finished there will be an extra 133 parking spaces in Casares as well as a Tourism Interpretive Centre and a new home for pensioners. The Ayuntamiento has apologised to locals for the disruption caused by the work.

And now some news in brief:

A meeting on alcohol consumption among the young will be held at the Casa de Cultura in Casares next Thursday. It is part of the series on addictions that is held every year and parents will hear from an expert on problem drinking among the young.

International news

US President Barack Obama has announced new measures to protect five million illegal immigrants from deportation. His executive actions are designed to bypass the Republican dominated Congress and will allow the undocumented to return to their native countries and to re-enter the United States without the fear of deportation.

In sports news:

In rugby the Autumn Internationals this weekend have a series of mouth watering games. Ireland take on Australia in Dublin  tomorrow and are hoping to have a clean sweep of victories. Also tomorrow Wales play the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and in other matches Scotland play Tonga and England take on Samoa at Twickenham.

And the weather for the weekend:

Tomorrow will be partly sunny with some strong winds and temperatures reaching a high of 20 degrees, dropping to 14 at night. Sunday will see thunderstorm in the afternoon and a high of 19 and a low of 14.  

TV COMMERCIAL BROUGHT 80,000 EURO TO CASARES

The TV commercial that was filmed in Casares over three days last week brought an economic boost of 80,000 Euro to the town. The ad for a brand of crisps owned by Pepsi involved 150 locals as extras and transporters for the TV crew. Members of the crew also stayed in local hotels in the area, including two hotels in Estepona and local shops and restaurants benefited from the extra business. Mayor Antonia Morera said the commercial shoot in Casares had brought many economic benefits to the town. It is estimated that the total spend for the shoot was 80,000 Euro - 20,000 for extras, 30,000 for transportation staff and 30,000 Euro for hotels, restaurants and shops. The producer decided to use Casares as a location because of its beauty and the friendliness of the locals. As a parting gesture they left 25 boxes of crisps with the Ayuntamiento for distribution to the residents.

CASARES SPENT 154,000 EURO IN IBI SUBSIDY FOR 1,500 FAMILIES

The special IBI subsidy brought in by Casares has benefited 1,500 local families and cost the Town Hall 154,000 Euro. Each family that successfully applied for the subsidy benefited to the tune of 106 Euro on average.Business councillor Juan Jesus Rodriguez said that the subsidy was brought in to help less well off families. The grant was for 20 per cent of the total IBI bill up to a maximum of 200 Euro. Councillor Rodriguez said the total cost to the council of over 154,000 Euro had not affected municipal services. Local residents have also benefited from a 15 per cent reduction in the catastral value of their property.

SPECIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT ON SUNDAY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SAHARAN CHILDREN

A special golf tournament will be held on Sunday to help raise money to bring Saharan children on holiday. Karama, the  Casares Association of Friends of the Saharan people, is organising the sixth golf tournament which is being held in collaboration with Finca Cortesin. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Holidays in Peace programme. Rocco Ruiz, the President of Karama, said that he is expecting a successful turnout for this year’s tournament. It gives golfers the chance to play on a world class course for the very attractive price of 65 Euro which includes green fees, buggy and lunch. The money raised helps bring Saharan children who are refugees from Moroccan occupation to have a worry free holiday with local families in Spain.

CASARES IS TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S BIG FOOD COLLECTION

Casares is taking part in the Grand Food Collection which takes place every year in Spain to help needy families. Different food collection points are being established throughout the town on November 27th and 28th. Under the slogan “ Hunger cannot be seen” the campaign hopes to raise as much food and other staples for needy families and to raise awareness of the plight of those who suffer from hunger. The head of the Casares Food Bank Paola Garcia said that Casares needs canned food, oil, sugar, flour and toiletries. The collection points will be at Casares Costa, Los Almendros school in Secadero and in the historic quarter at the Municipal Gym, the Blas Infante school and the Department of Social Welfare.

WORK BEGAN THIS WEEK ON THE PROJECTS CHOSEN BY THE PEOPLE OF CASARES.

Eleven people have been taken off the dole to work on the projects which include construction of a multi storey car park, and improvements in roads and green areas.

CASARES WAS THE CENTRE OF MAJOR TV COMMERCIAL THIS WEEK

Casares was the centre of a major TV commercial this week when shooting took place over three days. The commercial for a well known brand of crisps involved many locals with over 150 extras taking part in the shoot. The facade of the church was painted yellow, the colour of the crisps , for the shoot but residents were assured that it will be repainted white after the film shoot. On Wednesday over 150 extras took part in the filming at the Plaza de Espana. Other locations chosen for the commercial included the grounds of the Castillo, the Llano and the Plaza de Espana. Location manager James Souza said that Casares was chosen because of its natural beauty and the ease of filming in the area. The three days of shooting has involved the renting of many local homes and businesses. The film crew stayed at local hotels and 150 local people were hired for moving equipment and other work.

UNEMPLOYMENT FELL SLIGHTLY IN CASARES LAST MONTH

The latest unemployment figures showed a slight drop in Casares last month with  five less people signing on the dole, a drop of 1 per cent on September’s figure. The drop follows two months of an increase in unemployment. There were 499 people out of work in Casares last month. The figures for Casares are out of step with other areas where the number of jobless has continued to rise. Unemployment rose by 5 per cent in Estepona, by 4.5 per cent in Manilva and by 1 per cent in Gaucin. Overall unemployment has risen by one and half per cent in Andalusia while Malaga province has seen the worst increase by 3.3 per cent.

ALL SAINTS DAY DREW BIG CROWDS FOR CELEBRATIONS IN CASARES

This year’s All Saints celebration drew big crowds to various events in Casares. Hundreds of people gathered at the cemetery for the annual chestnut festival. And at the Casares, Secadero and Casares Costa there was a big turn out for the Halloween parties. May outside visitors came to Casares for the All Saints festival and roasted chestnuts, chocolates and sweets were handed out by students from as part of their fund raising activities. The Blas Infante Cultural Centre had 109 visitors, of which eight per cent were foreign tourists. At Casares Costa a hundred children took part in the Halloween party at the Deputy Mayor’s office where they enjoyed the entertainment.

A NEW MAYOR FOR MANILVA WILL BE ELECTED TOMORROW

A new mayor will be elected for Manilva tomorrow. Diego Urieta who is the currently the Deputy Mayor will be elected following the resignation of Antonia Munoz. Her shock stepping down came amid allegations on cronyism and her expulsion from the United Left grouping. Diego Urieta will be sworn in as Mayor at a ceremony tomorrow as part of the pact with the Socialist Association of Manilva. Diego Urieta this week said that a new political cycle has started in Manilva following the Munoz resignation. He said that his group will have to rise to the occasion and to make a radical break with the way things were done in the past.

And now some news in brief:

Two people have been arrested for cultivating cannabis at their home in Estepona. The man, aged 37 and the 31 year old woman were arrested after twenty cannabis plants and 1,100 grammes of the drug were seized at their home in the Valle Romano urbanisation.

International news:

President Barack Obama suffered a major setback for the last two years of his term when the Republican Party scored sweeping victories in the mid term Congressional elections. The President extended the hand of friendship to the new Congress and said he wanted to work with them make the next two years as productive as possible.

In sports news:

It was a bad week for English teams in the Champions League with Liverpool losing 1 - 0 to Real Madrid and Manchester City crashing out to a 2 - 1 defeat against CSKA Moscow. The Manchester team are now at the bottom of their group after failing to score a victory in Europe this season.

And the weather for the weekend:

Tomorrow will be a sunny day with some patchy clouds and high of 20 degrees dropping to 13 at night. Sunday will see some showers with a high of 17 and a low of 9. Autumn is well and truly here.