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Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine

Menas Case: Foundation Siglo XXI directors allegedly filed false invoices, unrealistic expenses and repeatedly drew funds from ATMs, meant for the care of migrant children, even charging botox facial treatments and posh restaurant bills to foundation debit cards

A comprehensive analysis conducted by Group I of the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police yielded scandalous results, writes Spanish language daily Canarias7, regarding the alleged irregular use of the public funds intended for the care of unaccompanied minors, by the suspected to have been perpetrated by centres managed by the Foundation Social Response Siglo XXI on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. In this case, driven by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, investigators discovered that the director of the Guiniguada centre charged the NGO responsible for €1,500 worth of beauty treatments and €1,113 for bills at top restaurants including Vinófilos, El Vasco de Vegueta, and Triciclo.

 
 

 

Centre-Right Pact Between Regionalists (CC) And Resident Conservatives (PPAV) Returns Marco Aurelio Perez As Southern Mayor

The conservative Partido Popular-Agrupación de Vecinos (PP-AV) and the right of centre regionalist Coalición Canaria (CC) have this Thursday signed a local government pact that will shape the future of the southern Gran Canaria tourism municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The alliance, dubbed a “Pact for Stability and Socioeconomic Progress of San Bartolomé Tirajana”, represents 60% of the votes cast in the municipality’s recent local elections, emphasised the  mayor-elect, Marco Aurelio Pérez (PP-AV), who returns for the third time to lead the local council responsible for some of the most important tourism areas on the island, including Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and San Agustín.

 
 

 

Local Government Coalition Agreement Maspalomas and the South of Gran Canaria

A governing coalition pact has been finalised in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The Popular Party–Agrupación de Vecinos (PP-AV) conservative residents party is to join forces with regionalist centre-right Coalición Canaria (CC) to govern the main tourist municipality on Gran Canaria for the next four years. Marco Aurelio Pérez will serve as mayor for the entire four-year term, and the Popular Party will take charge of Employment, Sports, Roads and Infrastructure, and Human Resources, among other areas. The regionalists, led by Alejandro Marichal, will oversee Urban Planning, Economy and Finance, and Tourism as their main departments.

 
 

 
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Storm Óscar Latest: Government of the Canary Islands Declares Rain Alert for Western Islands and Gran Canaria

A storm system, dubbed Óscar, has formed over the last few days over the mid-north Atlantic, unusual for this time of year, and has led to concern from meteorologists and journalists as it passes south of the Azores, its tail should reach The Canary Islands, before the system heads northeast towards mainland Spain.  Advisory warnings have been issued in expectation of heavy rainfall, primarily in the Western Isles of the Canary Islands Archipelago, though some rainfall is also expected to reach Gran Canaria over the next couple of days.  It seems unlikely that any major consequences will stem from the bad weather, however these things can be unpredictable and so every precaution is taken to ensure people are informed and kept safe.

 
 

 

Foundation Investigated for Alleged Mismanagement of Public Funds Meant for Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors

The 7th Investigative Court of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has opened a preliminary investigation into the Social Response Foundation Siglo XXI and four of its directors. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in Las Palmas filed a complaint against them, alleging crimes that could include forgery of commercial documents, mismanagement, and embezzlement of public funds. The investigation aims to determine whether this nonprofit organisation, and its officials, could have misused public funds intended for the care of unaccompanied migrant minors, during the migration crisis of 2020 that was precipitated by the pandemic confinement on the islands, leading to a build up of arrivals having to be assessed and cared for by the Canary Islands Regional Government, using hotels left empty due to the lack of tourism. The estimated amount involved in the alleged misuse stands at around €12.5 million between 2020 and 2022 on Gran Canaria alone.

 
 

 

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The Canary Guide “Black Friday” Weekend Tips 29 Nov – 1 Dec 2019

Whew! What a ride. Already the Last Weekend of November as we say hello to December and the start of a decade. We have one busy weekend coming up, and that most American celebration of consumerism, the so called Black Friday, arrives once again on the island. Spanish State Meterological Agency, AEMET, are predicting clear skies across much of the island this weekend, though fairly constant cloud cover in the capital and to the nort of the island, warm winds from the east and south-east are expected to bring highs of 28-29ºC, a few degrees cooler to north.

Events to celebrate the switching on of Christmas lights have already started and will continue in various places around the island over the next week or two. The famous Sand Art Nativity on the capital’s Las Canteras beach opens to public this Friday. Well worth a visit if you find your self in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this holiday season.

TCG 41 November 29 – December 1 2019What’s On This Weekend On Gran Canaria… enjoy some of the The Canary Guide highlights for this weekend’s events as the holiday season gets going on Gran Canaria

#TheCanaryGuide #TheCanaryTV #GranCanaria #WhatsOn #Events #Christmas #NavidadPosted by TheCanary.TV on Thursday, November 28, 2019

The North American unbridled capitalism tradition of Black Friday – (Viernes Negro) has been popularised in recent years in the Canary Islands and marks the starting gun for the seasonal shopping frenzy to begin with many shopaholics madly searching for the opportunity to get great deals, with (supposedly) huge reductions on electronic goods and all sorts of other goodies, primarily made up of old stock and patently obsolete models. Massive discounts are on offer this Friday in many shops, shopping centers and chain stores. The shopping centre Las Arenas, north of the capital, plan to take it to the next level and will be open till midnight both Friday and Saturday. December also means that most shopping centers will be open for business every Sunday too.

Be advised, not everything that looks like a great deal, really is even a good deal. Think before you buy, and if there are specific items you have had your eye on, that now seem to be a much more affordable price, then by all means go get your bargain, but remember it is only stuff. By far much more important is the feelings that you share and help create this season, nobody important in your life really needs you to spend lots of money or money you can’t afford, the most precious gift you can give this holiday season is your time, your attention and your assistance to help those around you appreciate what they have got, and to show how much you really love them too. If you are buying gifts; then please consider buying local, from craftspeople and small businesses, buy small, buy tokens of high esteem, reach out to people who may not be as lucky as you, and help all those around you to remember that this is a season of good will, not greed nor bad debts, not a time to blindly spend money that could be better spent on spending time with the people that count in your life. We hope you will celebrate with a real sense of wonder about how lucky you really are, especially if you get to spend this time of year with us here on Gran Canaria.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER, SBT, PLAYA DEL INGLÉS ENCENDIDO DE LAS LUCES DE NAVIDAD

Maspalomas starts the season of holiday celebrations with their official Christmas lighting Switch On event at the Open Commercial Area of San Fernando and on Avenida de Gáldar on This Friday. At 17:00 there will be children’s activities and at 19:00 The lights are switched on in an event with plenty to do and see, along with some live music.

SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER, LAS PALMASBELÉN DE ARENA DE LAS CANTERAS – SAND ART NATIVITY 

The Belen de Arena of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the main tourist attractions at this time of year in the island’s capital city. The nativity scene opens this year to the public starting from this Friday.

This is the 14th edition, created by 8 sculptors from seven countries, USA, Canada, Belgium, Russia, Latvia, Australia and France. The theme for this year is the council of elders. Last year the capital’s sand nativity scene broke records receiving over 243,000 visitors. Just beside the Plaza Saulo Torón (La Puntilla end of Las Canteras).Inauguration: 30 November at around 10:30 to 11:00.Last day / Closes : 7 Januaryopening hours : Every day 09:00 – 22:00Exceptions :  24 & 31 of December and 5th of January  09:00- 20:00

FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER, LAS PALMAS TRADICIONAL ENCENDIDO ZONA TRIANA

The main open commercial zone in the capital, Triana, one of the oldest districts in the old quarter, starts the holiday season with a traditional Christmas lighting event, including a street parade, music and the switching on the lights.

FRI-SUN 29.11-1.12 PLAYA DEL INGLES WEIHNACHTSMARKT GRAN CANARIA

This is the 11th traditional and popular Weihnachtsmarkt; The German style Christmas market hosted at the hotel Maritim Playa, in Playa del Inglés. The festivities starts at 16:00 on Friday. Christmas spirit and decorations, Canarian and German artisans, Glühwein, baked goods, music performances and much more.

The Christmas market is happening during the following weekends : 29.11-1.2 / 6.12-8-12 / 13.12-15.12 /20.12-22.12

FRI-SUN 29.11-1.12, SANTA LUCIAFERIA DEL REGALO

A “Gift Fair” this weekend in Vecindario. Along the pedestrian area of Avenida de Canarias, near Plaza de Los Algodoneros.

On Friday 17:00-21:00, On Saturday 10:00-21:00 and on Sunday 10:00-14:00

SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER , LAS PALMAS CHRISTMAS FAIR

The Annual Christmas fair in the garden of the “British” Anglican Church, Holy Trinity, located in the capital in the “Garden City” neighbourhood of Ciudad Jardín; this was the zone between the old city and the main port where many 19th century British import/export merchants created some lavish homes, with the first building to go up in the area dating from at least 1881, soon followed by this beautiful little church and the famous British Club of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Between 11:30 – 15:30 there will be tea and cakes, the famous (Mc)Bramwell BBQ, salads, local dishes, seasonal treats, tombola, second hand books and clothes, a white elephant stall and kid’s activities all in the classic English church fete style, and of course the infamous “Raffle” Bar where everyone is a winner!

SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER, TEJEDA “GASTRO TEJEDA 2019”

Gastronomy and activities for the whole family up in one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the centre of the island, at Plaza del Parking Nuevo, on Saturday in the second edition of Gastro Tejeda.

Local products, wine tastings and concerts. Businesses from the area offer local delicacies at popular prices of €3.50 and a glass of wine at €1 each, including Tejeda potatoes, cheese, almond-based sweets, stews, gofio, pork, baifo or lamb, among others rom 11:00-17:00.

SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER, TEJEDA MERCADO AGRÍCOLA Y ARTESANAL

Agricultural and craft market of Tejeda on Sunday morning. There will be activities for children and music by the group La Trova.

30.11-1.12, LAS PALMAS, Mercado Del Puerto, DESCORCHA EL MERCADO

On Saturday and Sunday in the capital, you have a chance to enjoy more than 50 wines starting at one euro a glass and accompanied by the varied cuisines offered by the old Port Market while enjoying good music.A varied group of local distributors and wineries offer references samples from €1 euro to a maximum of €3, with exhibitor tables distributed throughout the Port Market.

There will be two points of sale to get tickets with which you will also collect your samples so that you can move freely throughout the installation tasting the various local wines, as you also enjoy the varied cuisines offered by the establishments of the popular Mercado del Puerto. On Saturday from 13:00 to 17:00 and from 20:00 to midnight and on Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00.

SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER, Arguienguín, MOGÁNFERIA DE AVOCADO The south western municipality of Mogán are celebrating their Winter Avocado Fair. This 5th edition of Avocado fair is held between 10:00-14:00 at the main Plaza Perez Galdós, just by the church in Arguineguín. The Fair will involve local producers who exhibit and make known not only their avocados, but also other produce grown in Mogán, such as mangoes, papayas, guava trees, bananas and of course the oranges. There is also going to be a gastronomic area, where visitors can taste different dishes made from avocado as well as an exhibition of artisans.

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