Another sign of the times. A Town Hall employee has been detained by the Guardia Civil, accused of trying to extort €750 from a widow who was looking to bury some family remains in the village cemetery. Allegedly, the employee was looking for a private ‘payoff” in order to supply a ‘niche’ in the local cemetery for the aforesaid remains.
Unemployment Woes
by Dave Nichols •
Now, onto more serious stuff; the latest economic data for Spain indicates a national unemployment rate approaching 20%. In Andalucía, it’s higher still, about 24%. And in Salobreña, the Mayor has just announced that we have at least 21% unemployment within our small community.
The Earth Moves
by Dave Nichols •
It’s pretty much all downhill from here, No pun intended, but we have mudslides all over. Reports are flooding in (groan) of walls subsiding, land sliding down hills, so-called dry walls slipping, etc., etc. There have been problems ranging from La Caleta, where a local car park has been threatened by stones falling from 30 metres and crushing cars below, to Molvízar, where huge rocks fell from a private property wall to block the Coto 200.
Wine Tasting Success
by Dave Nichols •
The Wine Tasting experience mentioned in our last column has been the subject of many positive comments. If you haven’t been, book yourself in for a lovely experience, via the Tourist Office in the centre of Town. Every Tuesday evening, from 5-7pm, but you have to book ahead. Different wines are featured weekly, so you…
Curry Lunch Raises €500
by Dave Nichols •
Mike & Jenny Comley hosted a “Curry Lunch,” with proceeds to be donated to the Emergency Fund for the disaster in Haiti. First estimates indicate that about €500 were raised on the day, with more to come.
ICS New President
by Dave Nichols •
After three years as President, Arlene Nichols has stepped down. Under her leadership, the membership has tripled, from about 50 members to approximately 150, and the range of activities arranged by the Club has seen an immense expansion.
The International Club of Salobreña
by Dave Nichols •
The International Club of Salobreña has seen a great deal of activity since our last column. Firstly, the club is now about to attain legal status, as a charitable institution. Which means that it can qualify for national and local government grants.
What’s it all about?
by Dave Nichols •
The castle hasn’t been lit at night for months now. The Beach is deserted. Bars and Restaurants (particularly those foreign-owned) are closing down, either permanently or until Spring. For example, Legends is gone, closed, vanished, and Manhattan Bar is closed until April. And the Town Hall is now publicly complaining about the increase in the number of stray dogs wandering the streets.
Free Wine-Tasting Evenings
by Dave Nichols •
Here’s an idea for a nice evening – or a prelude to a great one – with an opportunity to get to know the wines of Granada. The town’s Catering College, in conjunction with the Tourism Department, is offering free wine-tasting evenings.
Rates Row Rages
by Dave Nichols •
The Mayoral edict has now been published, and does indeed propose an increased rate of local tax on what are considered to be ‘second homes.’