The pìcturesque hamlet of Masca, which is inside Rural Park of Teno, has been declared an area of cultural and historic interest. The resolution was recently passed by the Canarian Government. Masca is one of the most visited villages in Tenerife and comes second only to the National Park of Mount Teide in terms of number of visitors per year. The Buena Vista del Norte local council is currently negotiating with the Island Government , to set controls in place to limit the number of people accessing the Masca Barranco in order to avoid any damge or deterioration to the walkway, and to the beach. If all goes according to plan, controls would be imposed from 2006 with visitors paying an entry fee.The Cabildo (Island Government) has already approved at the end of last year plans for the modernisation and improved sea access at the beach at Masca.
The project is estimated to cost 86000 euros and will improve the embarkation facilities for people wishing to return to Los Gigantes by boat after having done the Masca walk .

According to a study by the Cabildo some 150 people do the walk every day, and the largest part of these do NOT walk up again, but return to Los Gigantes by boat from the existing slipway
The minister of the environment Wladimiro Rodríguez stated , that the Masca barranco is one of the most attractive locations in the Teno national park and the many people who come to do the descent, do not want to do the acent as it is very difficult, most of the visitors prefer to return by boat to Los Gigantess or Puerto Santiago. Up until now the slipway used for embarkation was a bit precarious, so it was for mainly safety reasons that the government have decided on the improvements

An official delegation from the "Mr and Miss Spain" Organisation in the Canaries, together with various local dignitaries will be at the Plaza in Guia De Isora this Saturday to oversee the election of "Miss Tenerife 2004".

Jacqueline Padrón González- representing Santiago del Teide

There are more that 30 contestants, including Jacqueline Padrón González who will be representing Santiago del Teide. The final winner will represent Tenerife in the Miss España 2005 beauty competition. The event starts at 9.30pm.

Under the rule of former dictator Francisco Franco, beauty pageants were not permitted in spain until 1961 and it was largely thanks to a fifth place finish by María Teresa del Río in "Miss Universe 1960", that the official "Miss España" contest began in 1961. "Miss Tenerife title holders who have gone on to win the "Miss España" title include: 1963: María Rosa Pérez Gómez, 1969: Noelia Afonso,1974:

Natividad Rodríguez Fuentes (resigned),and 1976: Luz María Polegre Hernández.

Miss Tenerife Hopefuls with the Mayor of Guia de Isora and competition organiser.

But despite several runners up to the title since 1976, it has been nearly 30 years since a Tinerfenya has had the Miss España crown placed on her head.
Last years winner who hails from Guia de Isora - Vanessa Pérez López, (Miss Tenerife 2003) did not unfortunately make it through to the semi finals of last year's " Miss España" pageant, but will be in Guia de Isora on Saturday night to help crown her successor.

In keeping with the idea given birth to by the Cabildo (island government) Santiago del Teide has announced the opening of a new Information Centre specifically for immigrants in our area.

The centre is up and running and is to provide workshops and classes on a variety of subjects aiming to facilitate the integration of immigrants into Tenerifan society and includes such subjects as equal opportunities, intercultural relations, prevention of anti racial tensions and hopes to promote tolerance and respect between members of our society from whatever creed or background.

The project which is to last 8 months is also offering a service whereby immigrants can find out what resources are available to them on the island and can get advice on any problems of an official nature, through the help of the Administrators in the Town Hall. The centre is open from 8 am to 1pm and is located in the old Santa Ana School building in Tamaimo.

Casas de Reina famous for its ham!

There is to be a town twinning ceremony held next Wednesday (15th September) at Midday in the council chamber of the Local Santiago del Teide council Offices to officially declare the connection between our area and Casas de Reina, in Badajoz an area famous for its production of Serano ham. 27 dignitaries from Casas de Reina will attend including Don Francisco Núñez Muñoz their mayor. Casas de Reina is situated at the edge of Andaluthia on the Spanish mainland and was the hereditary home of Juan Cabeza, who was the first non Guanche inhabitant of the Santiago del Teide area (click here if you are interested in the history). The object of twinning is to cement good relations between the two areas and to encourage cultural, sporting and economic links.

Tiny tots in the babies swimming class (above)	Children who have completed the summer short swimming courses received their certificates from the Mayor Juan Damián Gorrín. The courses were sponsored by Cajacanarias

The "PANCRACIO SOCAS GARCIA" sports complex in Playa Arena has signed up more than six hundred members since its opening on the 1st of July. The complex had been dogged by problems prior to its opening, but all is going well now due in part to the Santiago del Teide Management company SL who actually manage the complex. The local Councilor for sports, Óscar Perez, confirmed: "in these first months more than six hundred people of all ages from all over the region have joined up to use the facilities. Some are serious athletes but most are interested in generally keeping fit or in playing sport for leisure and entertainment. The centre is able to cater to both types of user. The Manager of Santiago del Teide Management SL, Luis Manuel Hernandez, added "in addition to the facilities of the complex; covered heated swimming pool, gymnasium, activity rooms, Varied use running track/ games pitch, squash and tennis courts, games room and creche, classroom, and shortly physio facilities; we are able to maximize the activities on offer; like spinning, aerobic, step, gap, body sculpting, aquagym, keep fit for senior citizens, martial arts, yoga, relaxation, tennis, squash, swimming classes for all including; babies, pregnant women, therapeutic, disabled, childrens' short courses (many of who received their awards for completing the course last Saturday), short courses for senior citizens etc. etc. Offering Something for everyone"

Holiday FM has begun broadcasting in Ibiza, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and on the Costa Blanca, playing many of the programmes aired by its parent company, Capital Radio.

A spokeswoman claimed: "Some people just can't do without Capital."

Guia de Isora county council decided to close the beach at Playa San Juan to bathers last week after various patches appeared staining the sand and contamination was feared. Samples were taken for testing, and it was stated that these marks were probably caused by algae, brought in by the strong tides, but that the beach would remain closed until definitive results were received. Meanwhile, Ayuntamiento employees have been meticulously cleaning the beach.

The Grand Canarian driver Pepe Juan Torres delighted the crowds with a superb show of driving in his BMW 635 CSI. / DA (photo diario de avisos)

Sad end to a spectacular days racing -

A record 146 drivers took part in the 30th edition of the Tamaimo Hill climb yesterday, which came to an abrupt halt when the final leg was suspended due to a lack of ambulance facilities, when an incident occurred before the 3rd and final ascent (there was only one ambulance to cover the entire event!) and insufficient marshals to maintain crowd control.

Best times during the first practice leg were taken for calculating results, but there was an air of disappointment all round.

Glicerio Rodriguez from La Palma (Mitsubishi Evo I SAW) was second amongst the road style vehicles and first in Group A, while the Gran Canarian Antonio Ortega, with the MG Meter 6R4, was third overall and winner of group T.

The Police station located at the back of the Hotel Los Gigantes.

The Santiago del Teide Local Police have announced a 24 hours service as from today. There had formerly been a period from 5 to 8 in the morning where there were no officers on duty. Juan Yorgeni Socas Martín,local council for Citizen Security and Traffic matters, said that he is convinced that this extra manning will be advantagous to all.

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