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Marbella Casino

Pure creativity in wood hand Parkiet Eddy

Hardwood, originality and creativity, are characteristics of the art of EddyParkiet. Yesterday, Casino Marbella launched the opening cocktail, opening a new artistic phase and with the presence of about 200 people.

Parkiet was born in Paris and spent most of his artistic life in Provence. Due to the originality of his creations, has been present at several international conferences. Each of his works suggest classic, modern, minimalist and even tribal pictures .

Thus, precious woods, Eddy brings both from a creative standpoint as reflective, offering a wide variety of possibilities to the interpretation of its parts. Beautiful wood and pure creativity.

The Eddy Parkiet Exhibition will be open every day from 14 January to 16 February, after 20 hours.

To access the casino you must present ID, ie. passport or driving license.

(from left. to right.) Carmela Martínez, Montse Eddy Parkiet and San Francisco.

Press Contact: Montse San Francisco 686 702 616

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Discover Cadiz …

When a city has been around for over 3,000 years – it must be doing something right! Cadiz is the oldest city on the Iberian Peninsula and probably the oldest in Europe, but it’s ancient and more recent history sit comfortably next to its current popularity as a wonderful day trip destination.

Situated on a peninsula, almost completely surrounded by sea, beautiful Cadiz is one of the most atmospheric and photographed cities in South West Andalucia. Founded in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians, who called the city Gadir, it became known as Gades under the Romans and Qadis under the Moors.

Cadiz wasn’t destined to be the relaxed small Spanish port you might expect,instead it has played a part in some of the most vivid and memorable moments of Spanish history. From the early 16th century all the Spanish boats sailing off in search of fame and fortune in the New World sailed from Cadiz and much of that fortune came back to Cadiz in the shape of stunning palacios for the wealthy, large plazas and beautiful churches. Christopher Columbus sailed from here, bringing back the wonderful Ficus trees that now grace the Parque Genovés.

Pirates attacked Cadiz several times during the 16th century, setting much of the old town ablaze in 1569. Famously in 1587 it was here that Sir Frances Drake “Singed the King of Spain’s Beard” by setting fire to the newly built Spanish Armada. In 1812 Cadiz became the first seat of a newly formed Spanish parliament and the true home of Spanish democracy, when the first Constitution was declared here, making Cadiz a centre for enlightened, liberal thinkers, poets and painters. The great Spanish composer Manuel de Falla was born here in 1876 and his music is still celebrated here today.

That reputation carried on into the 20th century, when even under Franco, Cadiz was considered one of the most free-thinking, relaxed and open minded cities in Spain. The famous Carnaval of Cadiz celebrates this, when thousands of “Gaditanos” and visitors get dressed in fancy costumes and roam the streets enjoying the fantastic Carnaval floats and the Chirigotas (amateur choirs who write and perform satirical songs about local politicians and celebrities). The Carnaval is held during Lent and in 2011 will be during the last week of February and first week of March.

With its maze of narrow streets that take you into a series of gracious squares, its monuments and ruins from so many ages of Spain and it’s beautiful and clean blue flag city beaches, Cadiz is a wonderful day trip destination.

Enjoy a fantastic day exploring Cadiz with Camino Holidays. For just 100 euros per person our day trips include all transport (to and from your home area), guided tours, entrance tickets and all meals.

www.caminoholidays.co.uk

Tel: 00 44 1295 738 869

10% Discount for Sentinella readers

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Life Explained …

On the first day, God created the dog and said, “Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.”

The dog said, “That’s a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I’ll give you back the other ten?”
So God agreed…..

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, “Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I’ll give you a twenty-year life span.”
The monkey said, “Monkey tricks for twenty years? That’s a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?”
And God agreed……

On the third day, God created the cow and said, “You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer’s family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.”
The cow said, “That’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty years and I’ll give back to you the other forty?”
And God agreed again……

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, “Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I’ll give you twenty years.”
But the human said, “Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?”
“Okay,” said God. ”You asked for it.”

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

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A Rant & a Rave …. ¡Vive España!

At the time of writing this, the party is still in full swing … the passion is alive, Spain is living a dream … as very well deserved winners of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

I intentionally didn’t feature the event in the last issue as I was certain every other publication would do so. However, having followed the Spanish team every step of the way I felt they at least deserved a mention in our little mag. I do not claim to be an expert of the game, merely an observer passing comment on what was a spectacular event.

So, apologies to all you non football lovers, here are some interesting bits and bobs about footie and in particular, why Spain so deserved to win … maybe England could learn a lesson or two from them!

Some General facts:

The Spanish side is often referred to as La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) or La Roja (The Red).

In July 2008 Spain rose to the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time in its history, becoming the sixth nation to top this ranking, and the first nation to top the ranking without previously having won the World Cup.

Between November 2006 and June 2009 Spain went undefeated for a record tying 35 consecutive matches before their loss to the United States, a record shared with Brazil, including a record 15-game winning streak and thus earning third place in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The odds of Spain winning the 2010 World Cup were 4 to 1.

They were joint favorites, with Brazil, and were backed by the world’s greatest ever player, Pele, to claim their first championship. Following a flawless qualifying campaign, winning ten out of ten, Spain were the number one team in the FIFA rankings.

This World Cup was a Celebration of Firsts:

South Africa were the first African hosts (and what a fabulous job they did too!)

The United States won its group for the first time since 1930.

Spain are the first European country to win the title when the event was held off-continent.

Spain are the first to win after losing their opening game.

Spain are the first European champion to win since West Germany in 1974.

Spain are the first to win after having been humiliated by the Americans a year earlier.

All of Europe’s five FIFA World Cup winners have lifted the Trophy at the end of their first Final, after Spain emulated Italy, Germany, England and France.

32 years after Argentina’s Daniel Bertoni scored the last extra-time goal in a FIFA World Cup Final, Spain’s Andres Iniesta repeated the feat.

The Spanish Success Story:

Its ledger since 2006 is quite astounding: 50 victories, 2 losses, 2 draws. The losses came to the US, by a 2-0 count in last year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa, and to Switzerland in its Cup group opening game. Since that match Spain allowed only one goal (to Chile) and ended the tournament with a streak of 433 scoreless minutes.

What’s an intriguing Spanish tale, of course, is that a man from Madrid (Casillas) saved the match and a man from Barcelona (Iniesta) won it. Proving that despite strong club rivalries, the country comes first!

The victory sees Spain become only the third nation to hold the European and world football crowns at the same time, two years on from their European Championships success in Vienna.

Spain has not always shown such support for their national team. As recently as five years ago the country mocked the national team. Only when Spain began to do well at the European Championships in 2008 did the country show any interest in the national side. Even then it was only come the semi final that the country got excited about their national team.

Having been a Liverpool fan since an early age I was disappointed by the performance of Fernando Torres (El Niño). I have since learnt that the way the Spanish national team play does not suit El Niño. His continuing frustration comes from the fact that the neat passing game Spain play often leaves him as a spectator. He is much better running on to a distant pass. He is very dangerous picking up a long ball. He has done that for Liverpool so often and so well. But Spain do not play that way. Unfortunately for Torres, he typifies England team players rather than his national side.

So what are the glaring differences between the English & Spanish teams?

I’m sure some of you will dislike me for saying this but England are light years away from being as good a team as Spain

A lot of the demise of the quality and attitude of England players may well be blamed on television. The moment the footballing authorities took the Sky money, the domestic game was always going to rule supreme. Rather than developping home grown youth talent, clubs spent fortunes on buying foreign footballers. That was a big mistake the true cost of which we are only witnessing now.

The obsession with the Premiership and the dominance of the domestic game has been so detrimental to the national team. Playing for your country now means little to most of the millionaire footballers who are chosen to wear the three lions shirt.

Sure, the likes of Villa, Iniesta and Xavi are paid well in Spain. The difference is that they have pride. They actually want to play for their national team and they want to play well.

The relationship of the two teams with the press and media is a glaring difference. Spanish football reporters, from newspapers, TV and Radio were allowed into team dressing rooms to interview players after a game. The press were on the plane bringing the victorious team back to Madrid. The main football TV presenters were on the plane celebrating with the players. There is a mutual trust between the players and the press. You only have to look at the videos posted on youtube if you missed them on national television.

In Spain, many players are friends with those who write or broadcast about them. The Spanish Capitain is maybe a wee bit friendlier than others …

Even the Spanish royal family were televised expressing their elation and frustrations during the final matches. Reina Sofia even visited the team’s dressing room (with Pujol still dressed only in his towel may we add!)

So that’s my rant over. Be I right or be I wrong .. let us just celebrate the fact that a team that believes in playing football the right way are Champions of both Europe and the World.

The entertainment factor was superb. South Africa did us proud with their ceremonies and organisation of the whole event and the music of Shakira (Waka Waka), K’naan & Bisbal (Waving Flag ) will be with us forever …

The Spanish flags will no doubt continue to wave for a very long time from now and why shouldn’t they.

Here’s to the Spanish passion … for the wonderful game of football and for life in general. This has been one hell of a party … ¡ Vive España! ¡ Vive la Roja !

Feel free to send your comments to: costawest@thesentinella.com

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Discover the real Seville …

“¡Quien no ha visto Sevilla – no ha visto Maravilla!” (“he who has not seen Sevilla – has not seen a miracle”) is the famous Spanish saying about the capital city of Andalucia.

To me it’s a miracle that so many people living on the Costa del Sol have NOT been to Sevilla. To me it’s a Spanish city to rival Barcelona in terms of wonderful things to see and do and it’s definitely one of my favourite cities in the world.

When many people think of Sevilla (or Seville, as the English like to call it – don’t ask me why!) they think of the clichés. It’s the city of orange trees (true, but visit at the beginning of May when it’s the city of orange blossom), of Flamenco (true too, and most of Spain’s best artistes come from here) and of Carmen. Poor Carmen was a figment of French author Prosper Merimee’s imagination, but the tobacco factory is still there and the people of Sevilla have so taken Carmen’s story to heart that they’ve placed a statue of her outside the famous Maestranza bullring, where she supposedly met her end at the hands of her lover.

If you only come to Sevilla to visit the tourist parts you won’t be disappointed. The cathedral is the largest in Europe

(and wonderfully cool on a hot day), the Real Alcázar is like a smaller version of the Alhambra and has lovely gardens and of course the maze-like streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz are as unique and charming as ever. You can happily take the tourist bus around the city or a boat cruise on the Rio Guadalquivir along with the millions of other tourists who flock here every year, but Sevilla has so much more to offer its visitors.

If you know where to look (or book with Camino Holidays!) you can find more interesting, beautiful and unique parts of Sevilla. From the smaller palaces open to visitors to Sevilla’s Las Bellas Artes, (one of the 15 galleries based in this city) Spain’s most prestigious gallery after the Guggenheim and the Prado, you have many wonderful museums to choose from. My favourite is the Flamenco Museum in the heart of Santa Cruz, where not only can you enjoy the interactive exhibits, but you can catch one of the best Flamenco shows in town.

Sevilla is known as the city of a thousand shoe shops and the shopping is excellent here, from large branches of Spanish favourites El Corte Ingles, Zara and Mango to a wealth of small independent shops. If you like Spanish ceramics then the very best place to buy them in the world is their cultural heart – the barrio of Triana. Here generations of artisan families have made them in the back, and sold them in the front!

What else – well, you should visit the trendy Alameda area, filled with great little bars and restaurants, the Aire de Sevilla in the restored Arabic baths and now one of the most wonderful and unique day spas in Europe and the Flamenco bars of Calle Betis at night.

Really this only scratches the surface of all there is to do in this legendary city. So many places fail to live up to their reputation: Sevilla is one Spanish destination which surpasses it in every way!

Camino Holidays specialise in holidays in South West Andalucia. If you have any questions on this area they’d be happy to help and advise…

Phone: (00 44) (0)1295 738869 Email: info@caminoholidays.co.uk

REMEMBER TO QUOTE “THE SENTINELLA” TO GET YOUR 10% DISCOUNT!

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Don’t Miss the Last Nights at the Races …

Saturday 24^th July saw the highest attendance at the Mijas racecourse this season, over 7,000 people enjoyed another warm “Night at the races” with the theme of “Ladies Night” organised by the Costa del Disco group. Hundreds of the coasts beautiful Ladies arrived sporting a variety of headgear and stunning outfits making Mijas a contender to Ascot for fashion at the races!

The first of five races started at 10.30pm allowing families to enjoy a meal at one of the many eateries within the course. Pre race entertainment was provided by local musician and DJ, Ian Jacks with his “Flashback to the 80s” show in the VIP terrace bar “Le Chic”.

Throughout the evening displays of flamenco were given by a group whose youngest dancers were only 8 years old.

Winner of the closely contested third race was Missin, jockey Ivan Lopez, trainer Blas Rama and head groom Alejandro

*Pictures by W.Thomas*

This week the race night changes from Saturday to Friday for the remaining two race nights of the summer season.

Friday 30^th July the gates open to the public at 8.30pm and the first race is at 10.30pm. This night is dedicated to Mijas with free sangria given out to all and an exhibition of handicraft from the Mijas arts centre.

Entertainment will include a special performance by Frank Burke (formerly of one of the 70s biggest disco bands – HEATWAVE) who will be treating the crowds to his “Greatest disco hits of the 70s” show, which of course will include all those “Heatwave” classics. Frank, and local group “Traffic Jam”, whose repertoire includes some great U2 tribute songs, can be seen in the Live Music venue “Le Chic” from 9pm.

Entry to the racecourse is only 5 euros and under 18s and over 65s get in for FREE. All attractions within the racecourse are free entry.

For more information about the Mijas Race Nights :

Call 952 661 819

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Understanding SEO …

In business, a lot of us understand the need for a website, but sadly many of us complain they just don’t work, that the return on investment is hard to justify. Unfortunately most people who design websites just don’t understand the importance of SEO, which means Search Engine Optimisation.

Preparing your website to rank well in the search engines needs to be done at the very beginning, even before the first page is created, or you face costly ‘improvements’ to your website that in all likelihood mean your site will look the same but be better structured to rank.

The code used in your website is absolutely critical for success, without which you are fighting an uphill battle against better optimised competition. Your web developer should make sure your site is designed using accessible standards, that headers are properly coded, that the text used is keyword rich, and that photos are correctly tagged.

Ranking well in search engines isn’t easy for most business websites, but not starting the way you mean to finish is a recipe for failure. Talk to your website designer and ask them what they intend doing as they design your site to ensure you are ready to rank in the search engines from the beginning.

If they immediately backtrack or tell you it isn’t important, well, perhaps your developer doesn’t understand why search engine ranking is important to you. Instead, ask them to produce a report detailing what they’ll be doing for you and how they plan to design the website, at least this way you’ll be able to get a second opinion before committing to spending your money.

All websites designed by Costa Graphics adhere to these rules. We understand that the decision to pay for SEO may take place after the initial purchase of a website, hence keeping it simple and affordable for small business owners.

Andy, SEO expert

Tel: 679 373 540

www.costagraphics.com

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Make a wish …

I met a fairy today who granted me one wish. “I want to live forever,” I said.

“Sorry,” said the fairy, but I am not allowed to grant that type of wish.

“Fine,,” I said,, “Then I want to die when England win the world cup.”

“You crafty bugger!” said the fairy.

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From the ED ….

Feeling hot hot hot! That about sums up the past few weeks, the Summer is finally in full swing! The sea or the swimming pool is the favored place of many at the moment I’m sure.

Well ,what do we have in store for you this issue?

Great news for those of you wanting a reliable private medical service with English speaking doctors: SOS medicos 24hs have expanded and are now covering the whole of the Costa West area (from La Alcaidesa to Calahonda). Check out their great services and rates and don’t forget to mention The Sentinella when you contact them. (Thank you!)

We welcome the wonderful Anne Manson from Annie B’s kitchen to our team of contributors. If you have any recipe requests be sure to send them to us.

Camino Holidays, experts on Southern Andalucia, share their knowledge of Seville with us (don’t forget the 10% discount on their beautiful tours!) and we visit La Concepción in Malaga.

Oh, and before I forget, I get to go a bit overboard about the Spanish football teams well deserved, recent victory.

Thanks again to all of you who have sent in lots of funnies for us to publish … you know who you are and please do keep them coming.

Have a fantastic August & September!

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