Since the start on the 4th May 2011, when the Town Hall gave the project a 10 hectare stretch of waste land from behind Marbella’s bus station, a huge amount of work has gone into the creation of the people’s forest which now has more than 17,000 trees, plants and shrubs. Tons of rubbish had to be initially cleared from the site and then rocks had to be removed and the soil turned and prepared for planting. Since that point volunteers, supporters, businesses and schools have all come together to plant trees, create an organic vegetable garden and educate the community. In its second year they welcomed 1,700 students, planted 7,092 trees and plants and undertook 235 activities and events with over 2,000 participants.

In 2012 the charity and UNICAJA’s Social Work division joined forces to reforest 30 hectares of land which was badly damaged by the fire in summer 2012. This will be done using the techniques of permaculture and to date they have planted 6 hectares with 3,450 plants.

Also, the charity’s President Alejandro César Orioli, brought the concept of Transition Towns to Marbella with a landmark conference in 2012 and has been instrumental in forming INTransition Marbella (www.intransitionmarbella.org). This group is developing three main projects covering education, planting edible gardens in urban environments and an organic market and consumer group.

Alejandro states, “Despite a difficult year for individuals, businesses and politicians, we are proud to say that it has been a positive year for Arboretum because we continue to be fuelled by strength, belief and hope. We continue planting trees, educating and inspiring thousands of people and improving their environmental consciousness and this consciousness is sure to bear fruit for the future.”

There are lots of ways to get involved with the project for their third year including becoming a volunteer, becoming a supporter of the charity through a monthly donation, or giving the gift of a tree. There is also the opportunity to learn all about the principles of permaculture, which Arboretum uses in their sites and activities, on the 2013 Permaculture Design Course, an internationally recognised qualification. This is an intensive 10 day course which is running from 18th to 27th October this year and has only 30 places available.

Visit the website for more information on the charity and the course – www.arboretummarbella.org

The morning started at 8.30am with the Members of Marbella Golf Country Club being the first golfers to hit off the new tees, while enjoying coffee and biscuits, as they prepared for their regular Wednesday morning qualifying competition.

With the addition of Monty Bordelon, the new Director/Head Golf Professional, who took over the direction of the Golf Academy at Marbella Golf Country Club the 1st of March and has been working with the management team at Marbella Golf, there have been many great improvements.

“We have been looking forward to this day since I took over as director of the driving range and I must say all of my expectations and goals have been fulfilled,” said Monty Bordelon, Director and Head Golf Professional. “The driving range is maintained to the highest standard showing the quality Marbella Golf Country Club stands for. We invite every golfer to stop by, hit balls, have a lesson or have a chat with us. We believe in creating a high standard of customer service while creating a first class practice facility.”

Marbella Golf Country Club Academy also provides services such as re-gripping, shoe cleaning and polishing, spike changing and hand cleaning of golf clubs, so you don’t have to worry about any of this after a day of golf on this spectacular 18-hole golf course with fascinating differences in height and with stunning views over the Mediterranean towards Africa.
The team at Marbella Golf Country Club and the Academy look forward to seeing you soon.

For more information please contact Marbella Golf Country Club info@marbellagolf.com, on the website https://www.marbellagolf.com or in twitter @marbellagolf

Chinese Mahjong (think “Joy Luck Club”) is a game, deeply ingrained in Asian culture, played by both men and women at all social gatherings. In fact, many scholars of Chinese history claim that Mahjong was actually created by Confucius in 500 B.C.

Mahjong is a unique turn-based game involving strategy and calculation, and a certain degree of chance but we insist on Mahjong being a challenging game of skill, not a game of luck!

The game is played by drawing and matching tiles in combinations that grant you the most points, and you must be as aware of your opponents’ (hidden) hands as your own.

In spite of being of Eastern origin, Mahjong is a game that translates into all languages. If a mental challenge is what you want, mahjong is definitely the game, for it was often called the “game of a hundred intelligences” simply because it required much concentration.

Are you a fan of bridge, gin, whisk and other card games? Then Mahjong is your game! Play for yourself! No partners to glare at you for wrong bidding or play!

We welcome everybody, men and women; beginners and experts.

Lessons are given at NO additional cost! We aim to meet every Friday. Visit our website www.marbellamahjong.com for more details.

Interested in more information about Smart TV so that you can watch UK TV Channels and Uk Radio without a Satellite dish?

Click here to email craig@marbellaguide.com or call directly on Justin on +34 666 756 692

Here is the current TV channel list. Remember  this set top box works anywhere i the world not only Spain so take it with you and connect the HDMI socket to any tv or laptop and enjoy Uk Tv anywhere you go!

Artists of all disciplines, painting, photography, sculpture and digital art take part, along with a complete programme of entertainment. New this year is the creation of a Sculpture Garden in the Alameda, along with a demonstration of Graffiti Art in the same area. The Festival is held in the Alameda and Avenida del Mar from 16.30 to 23.30 hours, bringing the centre of Marbella to life with individual and group tents to delight art lovers.

Inscription is now open for artists who wish to display their art at the festival and artists have until 30 April to submit applications for the event. This year, artists are being encouraged to form groups and collectives, by discipline or nationality. For details visit www.artemarbella.com.

As a non-profit making organization, Arte Marbella welcomes contributions from sponsors and volunteers. To get involved, please contact the President, Caroline Bowley, caroline@artemarbella.com.

More information – www.artemarbella.com, www.facebook.com/artemarbella

Raquel Perez, founder and Managing Director of Perez Legal Group, prides herself for having a finger on the pulse of the latest legal, tax and financial news… and now her company’s online presence is bang up to date too. Unlike the usual staid and stuffy legal and accountancy sites, PLG deliberately chose a website design that would be engaging and informative for clients. There is a cornucopia of information packaged into five sections, covering expat issues, insurance, business (self-employed, Spanish companies), property and personal issues such as tax, health, social security etc. Additional downloadable booklets, notifications of free workshops and seminars (such as the Inheritance tax and Procedures seminar on the 21st March at the Benahavis Town Hall), interviews, blogs and special offers can all be accessed instantly online.

With 16 years’ experience of providing a friendly professional bi-lingual service, during the property boom and the more recent economic meltdown, Raquel takes a holistic approach to business; placing equal importance on the wellbeing of her team and on the quality of service provided. An ethos which has proved successful, as attested by the positive feedback from her many satisfied customers.

To take advantage of the Spanish will special offer contact Perez Legal Group and book a free consultation.

Tel: 34 952 833 169
info@perezlegalgroup.com
Avda. Ricardo Soriano nº 1-3ºA
29601 Marbella (Malaga) Spain
www.perezlegalgroup.com

Alongside Armani, Specsavers Opticas is launching a new range of glamorous glasses for the more mature women called Aurora.

Emporio Armani is available at all stores, the stunning range encapsulates a sophisticated and sleek style. Fashionistas can be sure to make a standout specs statement with a choice of 24 styles each designed by the team responsible for the fashion collections seen on the catwalks.

From vintage inspired, tortoise-shell frames to deep purple and two-tone pinks for the girls, through to the classic rectangular frame with a hint of 1960s Mad Men style for the guys, customers can select two pairs of Emporio Armani glasses for 150€.

Nerea Galdos-Pujana, Store Director of Specsavers Opticas Marbella said: ‘Emporio Armani is an iconic brand and we’re thrilled to be able to offer our customers another fantastic designer range at high street prices.’

As well as Armani, exclusive to Specsavers, the Aurora collection has been created to meet a current gap in the market for elegant designer eyewear and includes 13 sophisticated styles, all sporting a signature crystal on the temple.

Scottish songstress Lulu who is the face of the new range said: ‘This collection combines elements of fine jewellery with modern design principles to create glasses of exquisite beauty, which is what attracted me to them. That and the use of flattering soft colours, pearlised finishes, intricate detailing and a wonderful smattering of bling.’ Each frame has also been designed to suit varifocal lenses, which are ideal for people who need glasses for distance and reading.

Emporio Armani and Aurora join Specsavers’ unique range of designer brands, which includes Karen Millen, GW by Gok Wan, Missoni, French Connection, Red or Dead, Osiris and Tommy Hilfiger.

Each pair includes PENTAX single vision lenses, scratch resistant treatment, a case and cloth as standard.

Specsavers Opticas have two stores on the Costa del Sol, in Marbella and Fuengirola. To find your nearest store please visit www.specsavers.es