NEW candidates for subsidised homes are being searched for in Huercal de Almeria.

The town council has decided to open a new list to assign homes to new owners.

Many young owners cannot face their mortgages due to the crisis, the town council has informed. Besides, banks are setting important hurdles for loan concession.

The situation of subsidised homes is critical because the reserve list is used up.

Most substitutes have encountered the same problems as the previous owners, according to the town council.

The requisites for candidate families are that they do not own a house and have lived in Huercal de Almeria at least for five years. 

TWO men have been arrested by the Guardia Civil suspected of stealing vehicle parts and equipment in four break-ins at Bajo Almazora businesses. 

JBAF, aged 33 and SUP, aged  26, both from Elche, were detained by Huercal Overa officers who seized their van used in the raids following investigations dating back to July, 

PHOTOGRAPHER Carlos Ortiz from Almeria is European Fine Art Photographer of the Year for a picture taken in Padules and titled ‘River of Life’.

Ortiz was received by mayor Luis Rodriguez-Comendador, who congratulated him on “winning the most prestigious photography contests in Europe.”

Carlos Ortiz has achieved numerous national and international prizes, such as the International Wedding Photographer Award 2010 from the USA. The present award is however the most important so far in his career.

A COURT in Guadix, Granada, is investigating how there came to be urine in the coffee-maker at the local Land Property Office.

Staff at the office lodged an official complaint with the Guardia Civil after noticing the coffee had a strange smell and taste. A sample of coffee was analysed, confirming there was urine in it, and the coffee-maker was seized.

According to the local press, there are problems amongst the staff and it is suspected that one of them put urine in the coffee on purpose. 

Children aged seven and up took part in canoeing and swimming courses this week in the Garrucha sea.  The courses were run by the town hall as part of their summer sports and cultural programme.

By Susan Leach

THERE is so much more to many Costa Almeria towns than beautiful beaches.  During July and August most events take place at night when temperatures are more bearable.  

The sun is at the highest point in the sky at about 2pm, which is why when Spaniards say midday (mediodia), they mean 2pm, not 12pm. If a Spanish friend suggests meeting in the afternoon, this doesn’t mean at 2 or 3pm.  Afternoon in summer, starts somewhere between 5 and 6pm. 

In Mojacar Pueblo there are activities organised for children and the young at heart in the Plaza Nueva on July 12, 13 and 14 at about 9.30pm.  On July 12 there is balloon modelling and face-painting.  Then on July 13 The Lion King Musical is being performed, and on July 14, a magic show.  On Sunday July 15 in the Plaza Fronton there will be orchestra and band music from 10pm onwards.  The following evening, from about 7pm, there will be a maze and a ball pool in the Plaza Nueva, and on July 17, a Jazz-blues band at 10pm in Plaza Fronton.  On July 18 there is a children’s puppet show in Plaza Nueva at about 9.30pm.   

Monday July 16 is a local Holiday in Garrucha.  Banks, government buildings and some businesses will be closed in honour of the ‘Virgen del Carmen.’  At lunchtime the fisherman’s association will serve grilled sardines, paella and fideua (similar to paella but with pasta instead of rice) on the Playa del Posito. Portions will cost €1.  Then at around 7pm some fishing boats will offer rides around the bay, leaving from the fishing port.  It’s free to ride, but it gets crowded.  There is a Catholic mass to honour the Virgin at about 8.30pm in the port car-park.

There are open-air craft markets in some Almeria towns.  They usually open around 7pm and go on until after midnight.  One of the biggest in the area is the charity market near the Zimbali Hotel in Vera Playa.  The night market in Villaricos is set right on the seafront and also has some interesting stalls.  The Almenara open-air shopping centre near Lorca has late night shopping and free live music concerts for the whole family every Friday this summer.  On July 13, there is 80s music with Los Vinilos, and on July 20 a Queen tribute by La Reina.  Almeria’s international pop singer, David Bisbal, is playing at Plaza Vieja in Almeria City as part of the Almeria summer festival on July 22.  Tickets cost €30 and are on sale at Carrefour and Halcon Viajes travel agents.

Tell other EWN readers about events in your Almeria town.  Send us your information 10 days in advance to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACCORDING to town hall, the annual Fishermen’s Market in Roquetas de Mar was a success. The food stands, which are the focal point of the market, were crowded with locals and tourists interested in trying the variety of seafood, cheeses, meats and desserts the market had to offer. There was also live music and handicrafts made by craftsmen from all over the country.  

SHEA and his team at restaurant La Parata in Mojacar raised €1,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

This money will go towards replacing the asbestos roofs in their complex in Vera.

Shea had his trademark moustache and head shaved by Jess and Leanne of Hair Emporium, not just for fun but for sponsorship to the tune of €550. 

Adding to this, the girls from the Crazy Cow donated all their tips for the month.

Ninety people attended the lunch, in which €5 of the cost went to the charity. 

After this Pedro Clemente and new local band The Eric Morecambes entertained the audience with their talents.

To date more than €1,700 has been collected for Help for Heroes by La Parata.

Many thanks have been sent to John from Real Services who donated a  one week stay “in a luxury two-bed apartment in La Parata”, which will be auctioned this week on Spectrum Radio by Richard Shanley. 

The hope is to bring the total to exceed €2,000.

By Ric Polansky

FRIDAY was a wedding on the beach. Any time a bride marries her groom on the beach of Mojacar—it is always GOOD NEWS. And as local tinker-bell celebrity Mo so easily stated “by the magical powers invested in me—you are husband and wife”. Plenty of kisses all around, speeches and the wine flowed.

The setting couldn’t have been better selected, the comfortable and popular beach bar AKU AKU. Guests were charmed and made to feel “cool and special” in a hot summertime atmosphere. A unique cocktail of Cava sangria flowed while in the background local good guy Steve Bish and his “garage friends” were finally coaxed to the live stage and plucked some really nice acoustic sounds.  Shades of Woodstock wafted while everyone toe tapped along.  Then off to a plentiful reception and buffet catered by “Jo” of Kimrick fame. A few short speeches and one of my favourite entertainers in Mojacar blessed us with a few songs that got the girls swooning and the guys drinking more beer. Robin Ro Bin gets better every time I hear him! The bride was the daughter of Tina (who with Scottish Graham and Mo) masterminded the wonderful afternoon and evening.

SATURDAY night was the much heralded PAWS “Hippy Night”. Last year’s reports were so exceptional, I made a point of being in the front row and witnessing all the magic this time around. A perfect setting was the large outside bar at Tomas’s Rural Hotel in Turre. The staff were all charming, well trained and kept the drinks flowing. Indefatigable promoter, Siobhan Tattan, helped organize the night in aid of PAWS. She magically got hold of some really slick musicians that could have played any important venue. They knew how to work their 60´s fans and the memories of their tunes swept away the years. The music could be cranked up and enjoyed. Within minutes, silver haired people were a shuckin’ and a jivin’ as if they were 20 years old again. The flower-power and make peace outfits were much to be admired. Every song played by these “Opium Buddhas” brought a chorus of singing and swaying from everyone. “In my white room with dark curtains all around me” roared and everyone else sung back. You didn’t want to blink in fear that the fantasy would suddenly vanish. DJ Ian kept up the chatter during intermission with stories and quips that kept a smile on everyone’s face. It became a “happening”. Probably the first one in 40 years in the area. “Far Out!” was the cry. The best damn knees up I’d witnessed in 357 years of dancing with Meer Cats. Put it on next year’s agenda now. It’s a good excuse to be Feelin´ Groovy!

PAWS report that €1,693 has been raised and still counting! This will enable them to neuter, spay, vet, flee, worm, feed, and passport more dogs for rehoming.

SIXTEEN dogs took part in a the Dog House Foundation’s (DHF), “fun dog show,” at Meson Casa Lorenza, Las Minas.  The show raised €129 for the foundation that currently houses 75 dogs near Urcal. Categories included fancy dress, scruffiest dog, most obedient, and veteran. There was a special category for the Dog House dogs that had overcome adversity.  The winner was four-year-old Gonzo, who has a nervous disorder and can hardly see.   

DHF secretary Kerry Paul, said that the organisers had worked very hard to plan the dog show and it was a pity that there were so few participants.  “We can’t keep spending €10 Euros to make one,” said Kerry, referring to administration costs such as fuel and printing.    

Proprietor Paul Tighe who lives with the rescued dogs, said that DHF is based on a very natural way of life.  Dogs live freely in compounds and socialise with each other on a daily basis.  Adults and children can go to the Dog House to groom, bathe, walk and play with the dogs on the last Saturday of every month.  It is free to take part in these, “Play Days.”  Some people bring donations, such as cleaning supplies, collars and food.  Paul and Kerry invite EWN to come their next Play Day on Saturday July 28.

www.thedoghouse-huercal-overa.webs.com or Facebook.