The Online newspaper for the Costa Brava, News fromL'Estartit, Pals, Begur, Palafrugell, Palamós, Platja d'Aro, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar

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The association of the campsites of the province Girona has 96 members. They have stated that overnight accommodation lets rose this year by about 3% over last year.

The Aplec SANT GREY 2008 will begin in Tossa de Mar on 13 October at 12 noon with a fair, followed by sardanas at 12.45 pm and 4 pm. Anyone who wishes to join in the public meal must bring along a plate, cutlery and glasses and buy a ticket beforehand for 5 euros, available until 10 October in the La Nau  building (behind the tourist office).

On 11 October L'Estartit is organising a market for second-hand items on the beach promenade, from 9 am to 1.30 pm. On the same day there will be a night fishing competition on the beach in front of the Molina campsite starting at 8 pm and continuing until 2 am.

The history museum in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is showing until 31 October the exhibition “Graphics and the City” in the monastery.

Starting in 2009, Girona is planning to establish in the old part of town green park zones, which are free and intended for adjacent residents.

On 12 October, on the Rambla Vidal of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, handicraft products will be on sale. The market begins at 10 am and ends at 6 pm.

Lloret de Mar is organising its intercultural week for the sixth time. Its aim is to assimilate newcomers from foreign countries.

8 Restaurants from Santa Cristina d'Aro are offering mushroom dishes as part of a gastronomic campaign. Until 30 November.

From 10 by 12 October dance contests are taking place in the congress centre of Platja d'Aro . The dance festival is expecting 450 couples from 20 countries.

At present there are still 354,215 unemployed persons in Catalonia, 3.55% more than in August.

The new law courts of La Bisbal are already in use. On 24 September the moving of personnel into the large new 6000 square metre buildings started.

The Ministry of Health has begun courses for foreign physicians in Girona. In October, 40 physicians will be instructed on the Catalan health system and prepared for their future work. The new doctors come mostly from South America and Eastern Europe.

In Llagostera the first phase of the renovation of the old part of town has begun. As the first step, an abandoned house in the carrer del Fred was demolished. During this, parts of the old city wall were uncovered.

	The Biennal exhibition of photography in Palafrugell (until 19 October) will show photos in the following places: Can Mario; La Galeria; Cork museum; Mediterrània; Teatre; urban theatre; Carpe Diem; Pati Bibilioteca and La Polèmica. The Biennal has dedicated its ten-year existence to the photographer Xavier Miserachs (1937-1998).
Xavier Miserachs, Cadaqués 1955

The old syndicate house in c/Sant Pere in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is holding an exhibition of model ships from 2 October until 2 November. The official opening of the exhibition is on 3 October at 8 pm. The show will be closed on Mondays.

From 3 until 26 October, restaurants in L’Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí are offering dishes made with apples as part of a gastronomic campaign.

Santa Cristina d'Aro is offering a Catalan course for adults. Registration will take place in the Internet centre from 1 until 3 October.

The beer festival of Platja d'Aro (from 3 until 12 October) has a new location this year, on the Plaça del Mil·lenari, where 7 stands offer 20 different beer brands as well as a rich variety of foods.

Tobacco consumption by young people between 15 and 24 years is falling in Catalonia; experts attribute this to the fact that smoking is more and more socially unacceptable. However 30% of this age group are still habitual smokers. Consumption of alcohol is, however, on the rise.

The creche (0-3 years) of Calonge – Sant Antoni is responding to rising demand with 28 new places.

Over 14,000 guests visited the pirate festival in L'Estartit, twice as many as last year.

The Palafrugell town council and the Promediterrània foundation have agreed that the Sa Perola building in Calella de Palafrugell will be used as an interpretation centre for the history of fishery.

	The “Can Mario” centre of the contemporary art in Palafrugell is showing until 15 April 2009 the exhibition “Contemplación mutua” with works by the Catalan artist Carlo Mensa (Barcelona, 1936-1982). Mensa is considered an important representative of hyperrealism. 30 unpublished works and a sculpture are on show.
Xavier Miserachs, Cadaqués 1955

A young man from Lloret de Mar caused a car accident on the A-7. The police noted substantial alcohol and cocaine consumption by the driver; in addition he had no valid driving license.

The Catalan government has refused Palamós and Platja d'Aro permission to have their own Commissariats for the “Mossos d'Esquadra” (Catalan police). This had been urged by opposition politicians.

The Department of the Environment has received over four hundred objections to the project of the “Montgrí, Illes Medes i Baix Ter” nature reserve. Adjacent municipalities, agricultural landowners and various associations are opposing it under the the slogan “Not like this”.

Spain is also suffering dark economic prospects. The Euribor, on which the majority of the mortgages in Spain depend, rose to 5.477%. For a household carrying a mortgage of 150.000 euros, this means an increased payment of 704 euros per year. The percentage of defaulting mortgagees rose in July to 1.306%, nearly three times as much as in June last year. State tax receipts fell in the first 8 months of the year to around 11.2 %, and the sales of new vehicles dropped about 30%.

The “Fundació Josep Irla” and the town hall of Sant Feliu de Guíxols have agreed, that the “Casa Irla”, birthplace of the former president of the Generalitat, Josep Irla, will be given a new purpose. The house, at carrer Algavira 65-69, will be transformed into a museum, a place for exhibitions and a tavern.

The beach of Sa Tuna and the circular path alongside the sea (camí de ronda) from Aiguafreda to l'Eixugador (Begur) is to be renovated. The associated work has already begun and will last 8 months.

On 1 October Catalan courses begin in Tossa de Mar for the winter.

The Casa de Cultura of Tossa de Mar is showing until 12 October the exhibition PAISATGES (landscapes) by Francesc Vanyó, daily from 6 pm until 9 pm.

On 28 September, 5 and 12 October , the Santa Clotilde garden in Lloret de Mar will be the stage for jazz concerts, starting in each case at midday.

On 3 October the clothing chain H&H will be opening its second store in Girona, in the c/Bisbe Lorenzana.

A new agreement allows taxis in the Baix Empordà to accept fares that start outside the towns where they are based.

The local council of Pals wants to reduce the circulation of the urban bulletin “La Torre de les hores”, since it does not have enough money to finance all its planned expenditure. The “Revista del Baix Empordà” is publishing a special edition of 80 pages, to celebrate “100 years of the Costa Brava”.

In the congress centre at Platja d'Aro, over 300 scientists met for a chemistry conference entitled IMEBORON.

The Casino Costa Brava in Lloret de Mar will commence operations at the end of 2009. It was originally scheduled to open at the end of this year.

The police Mossos d'Esquadra conducted a large-scale alcohol control during the night of 11th September, the Catalan national holiday, on the C-65 around Sant Feliu de Guíxols. 238 motorists were stopped, 13 motorists had a too high blood alcohol measurement and 2 were under the influence of drugs.

The town hall of Palafrugell requires that their subcontractors provide bills only in Catalan, rather than Spanish.

L'Estartit dedicates the 27 and 28 September to the navigation of the past: Pirates i Corsaris a les illes Medes (Pirates and corsairs of the Medes-islands) will include exhibits, a market and a competition for the best pirate costume.

The union of the businessmen of Llagostera (UBLL) rewards its loyal customers. If they join the “Campanya del Passaport," they receive a free bottle of champagne.

Lloret de Mar established a new service, to collect the cardboard and paper from the small businesses, such as boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Because of a flat fire in the building Beach Palace of Platja d'Aro about 50 persons had to be evacuated temporarily. The affected flat was completely destroyed by the flames.

Palafrugell will fine enterprises, which have installed advertising-boards without authorization in the avinguda Espanya.  The punishment is a 9003 euro fine.

Pictures by participants of the quick painting competition will be exhibited in the Edifici La Nau of Tossa de Mar, until 27 September.

Nine beaches in Castell Platja d'Aro, Palafrugell, Palamós and Sant Feliu de Guíxols had to hoist the red flag, indicating bad weather, on the first weekend of September.

The concert of Juan el Indio in the Parc de l'Arbreda of Begur was one of this year’s highlights of the Fira d'Indians.  This reminds us of Begur’s connection with Cuba. All the other events were also well attended.

The Castell de la Bisbal shows until 21 September the exhibition La ceràmica de la Bisbal L’Empordà. Sixteen local ceramic producers are participating.

On 8 September registration begins for the Catalan courses of Palafrugell (until 30 September) in the Oficina de Català, in the Centre Municipal d'Educació.

From 19 until 28 September Lloret de Mar will organize a number of events dedicated to nature, under the title “Lloret Natura.”

On 21 September the string quartet Grupetto will present a classical music concert in the church of Lloret de Mar, beginning is at 22 o'clock.  The entrance fee is 10 euro.

On the 14 September Lloret de Mar will hold the Festa Major de les Alegries.  Also, a program for visitors to the hermitage. A free bus transfer will be available at 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock 30 and 17 o'clock 30, starting from the bus station.

L'Estartit continues its guided tours to the protected area Iles Medes until the end of September.  Those interested can get details at the tourism office.

Starting on 15 September a new motorbus line will operate three daily buses between Girona Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Santa Cristina d’Aro.

The end of the Fiesta Mayor of Sant Antoni de Calogne got rather violent.  During the display a crate of fire works caught fire.  The fire brigade was able to extinguish the fire but not before two persons were hurt and needed medical treatment.

	In Llafranc the roads Puig Guardiola, la Brisa and Foranell will be paved. The work is to cost 494,000€. Also in Tamariu the following roads are to be re-paved: Pescadors, Foraió, Santa Maria and d'en Gotes.
Llafranc

The 14th festival de Jazz Costa Brava announced its dates, from 10 to 12 October in Palafrugell.

On 7 September the centre of Platja d'Aro will again be the scene for the Botiga al Carrer. The local shops will offer their goods from stands in the roads. This year over 100 shops will participate.

Calonge will increase its city hall on 475 m ².

Platja d'Aro ends its series of summer exhibitions with pictures by Will Faber (1901 - 1987) in the Castell de Benedormiens, from 6 September up to 5 October. The Vernissage is on 6 September at 20 o'clock.

The painter Sabrina Sempere shows her works in the Sala Teatret in Peratallada until 14 September.

On 11 September, the Catalan national holiday, at least 33 Catalan municipalities will fly the flag of Catalan independence (Bandera independentista). Pals and Palafrugell are two of the towns that will participate.

A particularly original festival took place in Sant Feliu de Guíxols. During the “Moviemobile festival” participants threw their old mobile phones as far as possible. Some of the participant took the opportunity to express their frustration by throwing their new one too.

The Tour de France of the year 2009 will include a stage from Perpignan to Barcelona, mostly over the highway N II.

The furniture house IKEA, with two branches in Catalonia, has published its first catalogue in Catalan.

“Colors del Mediterrani” (colours of the Mediterranean) is the title of an exhibition by Garcia Iglesias in the Mas Abelli in Calonge, until the end of September.

The gallery Rustic & Art in Perratallada shows until the end of September paintings, photos and ceramics by Tom Sharpe, Modest Cuixart, Tano Pisano, Jordi Cané, Joan Barberà and Joan Raventós. Surprised by the name Tom Sharpe?  The world-famous British author is one of us and has lived for a number of years in Llafranc.

Girona plans to encourage the use of bicycles within the urban traffic system. Starting in 2009 it will be possible to rent bicycles in the city centre.  For the project to proceed, Girona awaits the green light from the federal state government since Girona will ask for a subsidy.

The Guardia civil retrieved a projectile from the time of the Spanish civil war from the waters in the bay of Palamós. The explosive, found in six meters of water, weighed 95 Kilos and was made in Germany.  It was discovered by an amateur diver who alerted authorities.

Passengers, who had bought their tickets for Ryanair flights from third-party sellers over the Internet will be able to use their tickets.  Heretofore Ryanair had announced that they would not honour the tickets.

The airport in Girona plans to make more parking spaces available. For this purpose, effective on September 6, adjacent real estate properties will be expropriated.

For the hunters of the region the hunting season will begin on 7 September and run to 22 February. Anyone who goes walking with his dog in hunting areas, particularly on Sundays, should pay attention to shots and leave areas with active hunting.

In Tossa de Mar one can again visit the excavations of the Roman city “dels Ametllers.”  In August 2007 the ruins were closed to the public because of poor conditions.  Since it has been re-opened a few days ago visitors have not seen that the condition had improved.

On 7 September Lloret de Mar will again be the venue for the Rally Costa Brava, the oldest meeting of its kind in Spain.

Catalonia prepares for its national holiday. On 11 September the national colours red and yellow will fly everywhere.  Public facilities will be closed there will hardly be a place without Sardanas.

The festival Porta Ferrada of Sant Feliu de Guíxols closed with positive balance. About 18000 visitors attended the events. However this year there was an absence of large events.  Last year the concert of Serrat Sabina alone attracted 10500 spectators.

On 14 September Lloret de Mar organizes a competition in rapid painting.

The music festival in Torroella de Montgrí closed with positive balance. Over 12000 guests visited the events.

The quarter Molí in Lloret de Mar has its own park.  During the Fiesta Mayor of the quarter the park will be officially opened.

The Catalan wine fair in Pals, with 80 winery exhibitors, held within the framework of the Fiesta Mayor,  attracted about 3000 persons.

Palamós installed at his main beach 60 new wastepaper baskets, which are suitable for a selective rubbish disposal.

Ryanair cancelled about one thousand flight reservations, which had been purchased over the Internet from third-party provider. The airline’s position is that the reservations that do not conform to their business practices. The third-party providers charged different price for flights.  The company may appeal Ryanair’s decision.

The “Agència Catalana de l'Aigua” judged as excellent the water quality at the beaches of Sant Feliu de Guíxols in July.

Palafrugell requests that the post office deliver also in Tamariu and Aigua Xelida. So far mail was set there only if there is a p. o. box. Many citizens and the city hall have complained of the situation, since many letters do not reach the addressees.

Begur announced the dates of its popular Fira d'Indians: 5,6 and 7 September. The Fiesta recognized the close ties between Begur with Cuba.

The city hall of Castell Platja d'Aro installed devices, which measures and if necessary reduces the noise level at three nightclubs. Thus a judicial argument has been settled for the time being.

Calonge planted 30 new palm trees at the beach Sant Antoni.

The seats for the world music concerts in the gardens Santa Clotilde of Lloret de Mar are sold out. Anyone who still wants to attend the concerts can attend if they stand or sit on the stages of the gardens.

The swimming wood platform before the beach of Llafranc was better embodied. Perhaps so far this could lean to the side.

The city hall of Torroella de Montgrí printed an art brochure listing all exhibitions in the municipality.

The federal state government plans to place, 8,061,5 hectares within the nature park “Montgrí, Iles Medes y el Baix Ter” under nature protection.

The circus festival Fira de Circ al Carrer attracted record attendance as more than 25,000 spectators met during the three-day event on the roads of La Bisbal.

Citizens who renovate the front of their house in the city of Palafrugell can request a subsidy from the city hall. The subsidy can be up to 2500 euro, but cannot exceed 25% of the total cost of the project.

The festival jazz Costa Brava in Palafrugell has announced its dates:  it will run from 10 until 12 October.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols shifts the tourism office into the city hall building.

In the city hall of Torroella de Montgrí one can view the plans for the future nature park “Montgrí, les Medes i el Baix Ter.”   Until 15 September citizens can submit objections or suggestions for the project.

A French Windsurfer had to be saved in Palamós, 2 nautical miles from the coast, by rescue forces. The fifty-year old man had spent over six hours on the open ocean with his board, but with a broken sail mast. Since he was not wearing a neoprene suit, he suffered from hypothermia.

In Llagostera three trucks were stolen. They were loaded with the copper and were likely taken for sale on the black market.  The 75 tons of copper is worth of 600.000 euro.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols has bought the area of the former cork factory Can Serra. This will become for the future home of the Thyssen museum, along with the monastery. Together there will be a complex of 12,000 square meters, which is to serve cultural purposes.

The festival of the religious music in Girona has been a great draw, attracting 8,892 spectators, the largest attendance, ever. However the growth was mostly visitors of the free concerts, while the regular concerts for paying visitors attracted fewer guests than last year.

The grounds of the Girona airport is extended by 138.355 square metres. The added space allows for new parking places and additional access roads.  Also the car hire companies will receive more space. The government in Madrid has approved the necessary plans.

	The electrical power providerprovider Fecsa-Endesa improves the supply service in Palamós with thick lines and a modern transformer. The company promises that the up-grades will reduce the number of power failures under extreme meteorological conditions.
Palamós

Journalists of the Russian television broadcasting station SGU were in La Bisbal to shoot a story on the production of ceramics.

The ceramic museum Museu Terracotta in la Bisbal will soon be all new. The cost of the renovation of the old factory buildings is estimated at 886 thousand euro.

The “Centre Tramuntana” from Palafrugell will take over the care of the green areas of La Bisbal. Tramuntana was created in 1987 and provides employment for handicapped persons.

Palafrugell has established a commission that will meet once a month, to develop measures to reduce water use.  The goal of the commission is to help alleviate the situation with the smallest possible impact to the city and its citizens.

The call by call telephone service has again lowered its tariffs for local calls and calls within Spain: Local calls will now cost within the fixed net (1074) 2.8 cent and (1053) 3.6 cent per minute. Also telephoning from the fixed net to the cell phone became cheaper at 28 cent (1074) and 25 cent (1053). Calls within the European Union and to the USA are even more competitive at less than 6.5 cent per minute. For calls to other countries please consult the appropriate tariffs.

CapCreus online http://cbrava.com  

Impressum: Ernst Witzel, Paul A. Hoffstein, Manuel Fernández Vila, Christel Arnold, Geraldine Steffler, . Article contributions, even when being seriously serious please to cconline@cbrava.com   CapCreus online, every day a little more.