PUBLIC HOLIDAY THIS FRIDAY

Hi everyone

I have in my diary that it is 'Asuncion de Nuestra Senora' (Assumption Day) on the 15th. I haven't taken any notice in Mercadona if they are closed. Just be prepared for everything to be closed. Remember there is always OpenCor.

Also, I will be away from the 22nd to 30th of August so there will be no Cronica postings during that time. If you want something to go in, then email it to me soon so it gets in pronto.

Cheers
Bridget

Children Art Classes

Art classes for kids starting in September in the city of Valencia.
Small groups, different materials and techniques to experiment with, lots of fun!

Please register by e-mail victoriascotti@gmail.com

More info below:
http://arttherapyvalencia.com/kids.aspx

http://www.valencialife.net

The Valencia Life Network News is a bulletin of information about the Valencian Community that is published every morning except Mondays and read by subscribers on four continents. Any comments or suggestions or changes to EMail addresses are most welcome, as well as are new subscribers: publisher@valencialife.net.

JUST LIKE THE SONG

Alicante and Valencia Provinces tomorrow will be on orange alert due to the extremely high temperatures that are expected to affect both areas around midday. This is after the mercury rose to 38 degrees on the coastal areas and 39 degrees inland, and today this is expected to top 40 and the current heat wave from the Sahara is expected to continue until tomorrow night

BETTER THAN EVER

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia has revealed that t took in some forty million Euros last year, receiving almost four and a half million visitors, 78% of which were from other parts of Spain or overseas, mostly coming from Italy and the United Kingdom. On average these visitors spent over 99 Euros a day each, adding 491 million Euros to the Valencian economy, and as a result of the expansion of the installations, some 41,000 people are now employed there full time

CRUISE LINERS ON THE WAY

Oriana, one of the largest liners of the P & O Cruise line is expected to arrive in Valencia later today, bringing 1,881 passengers, as part of a new campaign by Valencia Port to attract cruise liners, with some twenty cruise ships visiting Valencia in August alone, as also expected in Valencia is Brilliance of the Seas, with 2,550 passengers, Island Star, with 1,800 passengers and MSC Sinfonia with over 1,500 passengers. According to the Valencia Tourist Authority, some 25 cruise liners will arrive in Valencia between September and October, and amongst these is the Queen Elizabeth II before the ship sails to Dubai to become a vast floating hotel

CONTRACTS CANCELLED

The problem not only appears to be a municipal decree form Valencia Town Hall banning festivities on balconies overlooking the Formula 1 circuit, but this has now been coupled with another factor: over the last few days, a number of companies who had reserved spaces near the circuit has been dropping dramatically. However financial or other agreements between neighbours is on the rise, and there is some concern over what will actually take place during the Formula 1 race in many apartment blocks ringing the course as they were built in the 60s, and probably unable to take the combination of extra weight and vibrations for the racing cars

Motorcycle for sale

Yamaha YZF R1 - 1000cc sportsbike

UK bike, still UK registered but has Spanish ITV certificate

First registered late 2003, 24,500Km excellent condition

Call +34 690855389 for more details

Furniture for Sale

Furniture for sale.

All items from Ikea.....most available now.

Large wooden dinning table and 6 chairs - 200 Euro's

Coffee table, wood with glass top and two drawers - 80 Euro's

Tv stand to match coffee table, shelf and two drawers - 80 Euro's

3 seater sofa - 120 Euro's

Sofa bed - 200 Euro's

Smaller sofa bed - 100 Euro's.

Delivery possible.......

For more details or photo's call Nigel +34 690855389 or Jennie +34 654180596 or e-mail jennierosewall@hotmail.com

Book Swap Night back on...

Book Swap Night!

(A Not-so-Oprah Book Club…)

If you’re in need of some new books for reading and some scintillating literary discussion… or just an excuse to get out of the house …. I’m hosting a monthly evening for anyone interested in getting together to swap and share in some good reading – there’ll even be cake!

How it works:

You simply bring along a book or two you don’t mind sharing with other people (if you already shared books last time, you’ll still be permitted entry empty handed!). I will keep a record of which books belong to which person and who has borrowed them. When we all get together, you can give a brief synopsis of the book/s – or simply add them to the pile! Anyone interested can borrow the book until the following meeting. You then return with the book (if finished!) at the next meeting, choose a new one and so it goes.

It’s a great chance to broaden your reading options, get together or just indulge a Tuesday night outing.

If you’re interested in coming along, Book Swap Night will be….

Tuesday August 5th

Please just let me know if you’re coming by texting or emailing me so I can pass on our address –

Rach – 663818168 or cahill.rachel@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Société Nautique de Genève wins America’s Cup appeal

Everything you need to know is on

www.valenciasailing.blogspot.com

Thank you Pierre for keeping us all in the loop.

Lets hope the America's Cup is now back on track - I am not getting too excited as it has been a whole year of let downs for so many of us. I am not taking much notice until the fat lady sings!

Bridget

www.valencialife.net - more news I have just read

AGREEMENT REACHED

It now appears that provided there are no more pitfall;s or last minute demands on either side, furniture giant IKEA will finally sign an agreement to open its first commercial outlet in the Valencian Community on land opposite the Heron City shopping centre of Paterna. In an announcement of the agreement that is expected this Friday, the Swedish furniture giant is expected to reveal the creation of some two thousand jobs. A preliminary meeting is set for today that is aimed at outlining the intentions of the various parties involved

WARNING ISSUED

Electricity company Iberdrola has warned that several people are visiting homes in the Valencia area, claiming to be employees of the company and asking for payment in advance for essential works. The company advises that its representatives never ask for payments in cash for works to be carried out and advises all those who have come into contact with these false representatives to get in touch withy their local branch of the Guardia Civil and make an official complaint

www.valencialife.net

GLORIA ESTEFAN IN VALENCIA

It has been revealed that Cuban born songstress and producer Gloria Estefan is to give a special concert in the old Turia River Bed in Valencia on August 22. She will be accompanied by The Miami Sound Machine, and Valencia is the first stop in her new tour of Spain that will later take in the Zaragoza Expo (September 12), Madrid one day later, Barcelona on September 17 and Tenerife on September 19. There is to be no admission fee for her performance in Valencia as this is within the La Formula Festival, and will be used to promote her new album in Spanish 90 Miles, in which she sings duets with Carlos Santana, Jose Feliciano and actor Andy Garcia amongst others. The ninety miles in question is the distance between Miami and Cuba

Thanks Vicky for sending that in.

FOR SALE ~ 2007 FORD FOCUS S WAGON

Moving back to the US- MUST SELL! New 2007 Ford Focus S Wagon. 21,450Kilometers. Just had its scheduled 20,000k service. In Perfect Condition, Blue Tooth, CD player, 3 year Warranty, roof rack (with one bike rack), voice control electronic system and more, mp3 compatible. Asking 17,500 euros or best offer. Please contact us at (34) 671.286.721 or maaikebernstrom@yahoo.com

Photo is coming - you can email Bridget for more photos valenciacronica@gmail.com

LITTLE BLACK CAT IS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME

Three weeks ago this adorable black cat appeared in front of the office I work in. He started to live in the flower bed in the patio but never stopped trying to make someone take him home. He came up to everybody who passed to at least get petted a bit. He was obviously not a feral cat but more likely was abandoned by the former owners (yes...it's vacation time...). After two weeks I couldn't take it any more to see this little guy suffering and I took him home. You could really see how happy he was to be in a home again. I took him to the vet to get a blood test - he is perfectly healthy. This week he will be castrated and afterwards vaccinated. He is about 10 months old.

And now he is looking for a loving new home. He is very affectionate and loves to be petted. He is very playful and is not suspicious at all. We named him Makoa which is an Hawaiian name and means "fearless". He seems to get along with everybody - with humans and also with my other two cats (only they don't accept him...). He will surely integrate easily into a new family.

If you can give Makoa a home, please contact me.

Anuschka 692.115.917 a-goe@web.de

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You get this delivered 6 days a week! There is so much information. You can always skip the depressing news and you still get lots of other news worth reading. If I didn't get this, I wouldn't have a clue what is going on around the community I live in.

www.valencialife.net

Bridget

www.valencialife.net

MADONNA IN VALENCIA

It has now been confirmed that Madonna will make a live stage appearance at the Ricardo Tormo racing circuit at Cheste on September 18 that will be especially adapted to hold up to 70,000. Alfonso Rus, the President of the Diputacion of Valencia, stated that in now appears that the singer is after all, intent in including Valencia in her Sticky and Sweet tour. Rumours were also flying around that she would also perform in Alicante as part of the lead-up to the Volvo Ocean Race. The Cheste date is four days after Lisbon and two prior to two performances at the Stade de France in Paris

MIKE COBURN - request for HELP

Only some of you might know Mike Coburn who worked with Shosholoza. Unfortunately he is very very ill (recently gone down hill again) and has been struggling with Chronic Myloid Leukaemia for the past 4 years. He started working with Shosholoza in 2006, when he was healthy enough to work.

He sent out the below email to his ex team mates at Shosholoza and friends asking for donations that will go towards a cycle trip in November 2008. They hope to cycle from John O` Groats to Land`s End, the furthest possible distance in Britian. The reason is to raise money and awareness for The Anthony Nolan Trust (this is the charity that found his bone marrow donor).

I have gone through his website and even though I don't know him, but knowing that he is someone that has lived and worked the America's Cup, it makes me want to help in some way. I am sure you will feel the same way after taking the time to look at his website.

www.cycle4leukaemia.org

Please read his email below and take 10 minutes to read his ordeal on his website.
I am going to donote some money myself - even though we don't have full time employment. I would be great if the whole America's Cup community / Valencia Cronica readers could do the same. Imagine if we all contributed something to his fund! I have tried to do this through the website but it isn't excepting my dodgy card. You can try by clicking on the picture in the 'sponsor us' part. I will do it through my bank. I see on this that Paul Cayard has donated 200 pounds.

Thank you Shirley at Shosoloza for sending this through to me.
Bridget

* * * * * *

Hi

I`m not even going to begin to try be funny .

I didn`t think it could get worse but it has . I was admitted as an extreme emergency on Friday evening with a platelet count of zero and a loss of 2 pints of blood through internal hemorrhaging . Very very serious - in fact life threatening is probably an understatement . I thought it was before but this took the cake . So much so that when I saw my doctor she refused to let me out of her sight .

They started straight away on emergency treatment but that comes at a cost ... it isn`t permanent . So sooner or later they will have to stop it .

You may not understand this but against everything I discharged myself from hospital tonight . I will go back for the next 2 days for treatment but the truth is I might be losing this battle - people die in that place . Being so close I can almost reach out and touch it is frightening , so if it comes looking for me I`d rather be at home .

Please www.cycle4leukaemia.org is very close to my heart and I know if anything happens to me my Team will continue with it . This e-mail goes to over 200 people now and only 2 of you have donated anything . We need help ! Which is in 2 ways ;
On the website is a 'sponsor us' page with our bank details on - the trip costs money !
Also on the home page is a 'click here to donate' link to our justgiving charity site which the money goes straight into The Anthony Nolan account .

This is your chance to make a difference too , sponsor us , donate , pass it onto your friends , get them to donate - every little bit is important .

Go well

Mike .

Seaweed1972@hotmail.com
+44 (0)786 7790962 (M)
Skype: seaweed1972

Feria de Julio 2008

http://www.thisisvalencia.com
http://www.thisisvalencia.com/feriadejulio2008.html - This is the timetable of events.

You have to look at this website. July looks to be an action-packed month for Valencia, and there is everything you need to know right here!

If you don't look - you will miss out. Mind you, there aren't that many Cup people here! You have all deserted the few of us that remain!

Thank you Vicky who sent the website through. She isn't even in Valencia herself!

Come Join us for a music and movement class for kids from birth to 5 years.
We are starting our fall registration.
For more info contact us at music_kids@hotmail.com
www.music_kids.com

CIRCO EXHIBIT

FERNANDO BOTERO'S exhibition "Circo" is still on at IVAM until July 6th. It's a wonderful exhibit that is suitable for kids, even the little ones. The paintings are big and colorful and feature clowns, acrobats, and circus animals such as elephants, monkeys, horses, etc. This exhibit is on the 3rd floor of the museum. When you go with kids, please make sure you see the CIRCO exhibit. There is also another Botero's exhibit - paintings of prisoners at ABU GHRAIB, which is not suitable for children because of very violent, disturbing content.
Museum entrance 2 EUR for adults (Sundays free admission). www.ivam.es
I hope you can make it, the paintings are really worth seeing!
Victoria

I AM ON HOLIDAY

Hola everyone

I am now on holiday from the Valencia Cronica duties until the 3rd of July. For some of that time, I will not have internet access. If you do have anything urgent to go in, I may beable to post this for you before Friday - no promises.

Also, most of the team that do the power walking every week are also going away for summer holiday's, but there will be a small group of us still around. I will advise at a later stage; when, what time etc we will be doing this over the summer.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Cheers
Bridget

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

I Festival del Mediterrani

http://www.lesarts.com/

The "Opera Season" may be over for now but the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (opera house) is currently hosting an arts festival that includes a mix opera, ballet/dance & music concerts, through July 1st.

To get tickets to performances in the Reina Sofia organizers suggest that tickets be purchased online but speaking from experience (wink, wink) it is probably easiest to call or visit the ticket office in person.

The ticket office (NW end of the building, across the round about from the Fallas Museum) is open daily and is the best option to assure a good seat choice - most of nice folks in the ticket office speak English.

Or you can call, Monday thru Friday, between 12:30 and 6:30 and should be able to talk to someone who speaks English. The office number is +34 902 202 383

A couple of other notes:

- Do NOT accept seats on the side. While the building is amazing to look at outside and the acoustics are very good inside there is a design flaw on the interior layout. The seats on either side of the theatre will only allow you to see half the stage - at best. And only if you sit twisted 90 degrees in your seat, draped over the railing. Very uncomfortable!

- DO go see an opera - in any language! The seat in front of you will have a small screen with subtitles in multiple languages - just push the small unmarked button to the right of the screen to get your language of choice. Very cool!

- Last minute/same day tickets are often available. The maybe purchased by visiting the ticket office in person a few hours before the evening performance. Call the ticket office, 902 202 383 to confirm the exact time tickets will be released and get there an hour early - just in case.

Note: The open air "Opera" last night (which was apparently pretty fantastic) was/is free and will be repeated this next Thursday evening, June 19th, at 10:30 PM.

It took us three or four attempts (flooding, stage problems, and Internet/language hurtles) before we managed to finally see a performance in the Sofia Reina but it was well worth it when we finally got there.

Enjoy!

Vicky MacFeidh

From www.valencialife.com

OFFER INCREASED

Valmor Sports, the organizing company for the Formula 1 race in Valencia have now revealed that a total of seven ships will be in the Port area specifically during the race next August, and will be accepting passengers - in effect becoming floating graded seating with a vantage viewing point of the race. The seven craft will be opposite Tribunes 12 to 17, and will have an ample view of the circuit where speeds are expected to reach 323 Kms/hr

THE CRISIS, THE STRIKES, THE EFFECTS

Saturday

Trucks yesterday slowly started entering Valencia Port under police escort, but in fact met no opposition as no pickets were present. However, as it was Saturday, there was far less activity in the Port than on weekdays. Also yesterday, despite the strike continuing, supplies were reaching supermarkets and manufacturing companies

A GREAT SUCCESS

It has been revealed that over ten thousand people witnessed the first ever show designed by the Catalan troupe La Fura Dels Bous based on opera, but staged outside the opera house - in this case the Palau de les Arts in the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. Carlus Padrissa, the artistic director for the troupe stated that the exterior of the Palau was an ideal setting to stage the event. The show will be repeated on June 19 at 10:30 pm