<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
<channel>
<title>businessgroup.es</title>
<link>http://www.businessgroup.es</link>
<description>businessgroup.es</description>
<language>en-uk</language>
  <item>
  <title>Smoking ban in June 2010</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-09&id=196  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-09&id=196  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[A Midsummer Night´s Dream for non-smokers in Spain.
June 22nd, 2010 is provisionally the day that Spain's anti-smoking laws are expected to change.  The irony on the Costa Blanca is that traditional midsummer's night parties in honour of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) take place on the evening of June 23rd.   Since 1928, Alicante has celebrated with the Bonfires of Saint John, which have developed into elaborate constructions inspired by the Valencian Fallas. No doubt someone with a sense of humour will build an effigy depicting a smoker going up in flames!
Spain will fall in line with the rest of Europe in implementing a total ban on smoking in public places.  The government aims to eliminate all those areas where smoking is allowed at present.  
This means that there will no longer be any special areas reserved for smokers.   All bars, restaurants, hotels (which can now have up to 30% of rooms reserved for smokers), nightclubs, gaming establishments, casinos plus the designated zones at airports, bus stations, trains, shipping terminals and anywhere else presently permitted, will have to close down these areas due to changes in the enforcement of the law.  
Congress has yet to approve this but indications are that the move has the approval of all political parties. 
Back in 2005, Spain's controversial Anti-Smoking Laws allowed establishments to decide if they wanted to ban smoking completely or not.  More than 90% continued to allow smoking while others, especially restaurants and nightclubs, such as the Benidorm Palace, constructed special viewing areas, to allow smoking in an enclosed space.  
Health Minister, Trinidad Jimenez, has explained on several occasions that the new 'text' is currently under study but that preliminary indications suggest that the Government will not offer compensation to anyone for any investment to provide smoking zones for their clientele. 
In order to remind smokers of the hazards associated with smoking, cigarette packets will feature up to 14 strong images highlighting the harmful effects of cigarettes. 
Rotten teeth, lung tumours or children affected by passive smoking are some of the images approved to appear on cigarette packets in an effort to reduce demand and hopefully diminish the number of new smokers, especially children. 
Many of these images have been used in similar campaigns in Ireland. Annually, over 55,000 deaths are related to smoking in Spain.  
Some of the positive effects will be cleaner air, smoke free pubs, restaurants, bars, a reduction in the number of cancer related deaths, lung disease, no cigarette butts dropped on the streets, etc., to name but a few.  
For those smokers that may have problems facing up to a change in their lifestyle, there are a number of new electronic cigarettes available, which will provide a similar oral gratification and nicotine kick without the carcinogenic ill effects caused by additives.  This should be a win-win situation for everyone in terms of health for the nation.
So start today and make a change by kicking the habit. 
 ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-09T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>The Great switch off in Spain</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-09&id=197  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-09&id=197  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Torrevieja all poised for Televisión Digital Terrestre   Spain's Freeview
April 3rd, will see the great switch-off in Spain.  The move from TV transmissions on Analogue to Digital.  
In order to assure that all residents of Torrevieja are able to receive the new system, a new TDT (Televisión Digital Terrestre) Antenna has been erected to broadcast to the city.  
TDT better known as Freeview with many benefits available, as in the UK and Ireland, will now be available in Spain, with up to 20 free channels.
Residents of Torrevieja have been able to pick up TDT from transmitters in Murcia and Alicante for a while but the new Torrevieja Transmitter will provide stronger signals, less interference and dropouts.  The picture and sound quality will be greatly optimised with a host of new additional channels to follow in 2010/2011.  
Torrevieja's Councillor for New Technology, Pedro Valero, reported that the &quot;Torrevieja signal covers the entire municipality and it is installed in the upper area of the city, where the water reservoir is.   The investment made by the Generalitat Valenciana has amounted to  80,000.&quot;
Those with older televisions need not fear.  For less than  40 it is also possible to adapt an old set through a decoder that connects to the same TV.   
Almost all of today's new LCD and Plasma television sets already have TDT integrated.  
A USB version will enable viewing TDT through the computer. 
Residents that already receive TDT will need to realign their antenna to point towards the new Transmitter in order to benefit from the new source or, if living in a community, they should contact their Administrator. 
Many expats on the Costa Blanca South have never experienced Spanish TDT, due to the rebroadcast of UK TV Channels and satellite systems.  
Torrevieja's new Transmitter might be the turning point for many as the system will offer users new benefits such as a host of free channels to choose from, higher quality picture and sound, the ability to select subtitled programs, an electronic program guide, original version films with or without subtitles and radio channels broadcasting via television. 
A number of movie channels, childrens programmes such as The Simpsons, many American TV shows, documentaries, can be enjoyed in English (or Spanish) at the press of a button. 
Presently a minimum of 23 channels are available on TDT with the new transmitter expected to add even more, including local content.
Is this the start of the &quot;couch potato generation&quot;?  One hopes not. ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-09T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>San Javier Jazz Festival 2010</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=193  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=193  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[A preview of the San Javier Jazz Festival 2010 was unveiled recently.  Artists include American rock legend Chris Isaak, the celebrated pianist Chucho Valdés, Dianne Reeves, James Carter Quintet, Roy Hargrove Quintet with Roy Hargrove and Barrelhouse Chuck &amp; Lluís Coloma Quinteto are perhaps some of the better known names.
Chris Isaak, singer, guitarist, occasional actor, and prolific composer is perhaps the best known name in this line up.  Although he has not recorded a new album since 2002, the festival is very proud to announce that he will perform from his new album 'Mr. Lucky'.  
Another jazz great is Chucho Valdés who has recently received his 7th Grammy Award.  The restless and brilliant musician has created a new band, The Afrocuban Messenger, to bring in a new sound to the festival. 
Dianne Reeves, considered to be one the most important singers in contemporary jazz today, influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Bille Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, Dianne is today's heir of the traditions of the great female jazz vocalists of the 20th century. 
Two superb quintets shall also be performing; James Carter's and Roy Hargrove's. The debut of James Carter at Jazz San Javier in 2008 was one of the most memorable concerts of the XI edition of the festival. 
&quot;Hurrican&quot; Carter returns to San Javier with an extraordinary group to present his latest album, and to showcase his complete mastery of the entire range of saxophones and the perfect rapport of one of the most superb quintets that have come to San Javier throughout the history of the festival. 
Roy Hargrove is a virtuoso of the trumpet and flugelhorn, who combines elements of jazz, funk, hip-hop and soul. He also leads the Roy Hargrove Big Band and has collaborated with other jazz greats like Hank Jones, with whom he performed in Jazz San Javier three years ago. 
And for something completely different Barrelhouse Chuck &amp; Lluís Coloma Quinteto, two virtuosos of the blues piano and boogie-woogie will be performing together.  On one side we have the great Barrelhouse Chuck, the only Chicago blues pianist that has studied with Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins and Blind John Davis.  He is a pianist who incorporates into his style the very best of tradition and who is also gifted with a marvellous singing voice.  On the other side we have Lluís Coloma, a Spanish pianist whose fame reaches beyond our borders and who is recognised as one of the best blues and boogie-woogie pianists in Europe.  It will be a duel of two pianos, and piano versus Hammond B3, joined by Lluis' great quintet. 
The festival starts end of June and runs for about four weeks with the full programme of artists.  Tickets go on sale in April.  For Jazz, Blues and music lovers everywhere, the San Javier festival has become one of the most important in Spain and booking early is adviseable, especially for household names such as Chris Isaak. 
If last year's full houses for the likes of John Frogerty are anything to go by, it should be a great festival for everyone. ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>Your right to vote in the UK elections</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=194  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=194  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[BRITISH CITIZENS   YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE FORTHCOMING UK GENERAL ELECTION
Register and ensure your right to vote.
Are you in danger of losing your right to vote? Are you concerned about the exchange rate or your pension? If you do not register in the next 4 weeks you will not be able to take part in the most contested British General Election since World War II.  Find out more - come to the VIRGEN DEL CARMEN CULTURAL CENTRE in
Torrevieja, Calle Ramon Gallud at 6pm on Wednesday, March 17th where a team of English speaking experts will explain to you how important it is to vote and how you can cut through the paperwork to register in time.
Please carry your passport (or a copy with the number) and the details of your last address in the UK, the team will assist you with the form-filling.  Your vote will then count back in the Constituency where you used to live.
There are over 2 million people outside the UK who are not registered to vote.  If you are one of them you will regret if the Government elected is not of your choice!
Important Note - At the last count only 2% of expats in Spain were registered to vote.  There are 2.5 million expats worldwide and the greatest concentration of British Citizens in the world living outside the UK is in Murcia, Alicante and Valencia. 
Many people do not realise that they can still vote (so long as they have not been away from the UK for more than 15 years).  The right to vote comes with being a British Citizen and an adult.  Even those incarcerate in prisons in the UK can vote. 
Visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk  and www.dontleaveyourvoteathome.com
Make that date at the Centro Cultural &quot;Virgen del Carmen&quot; Wednesday 17th March at 18.00h.
 ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>Howzzat Torrevieja!</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=195  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-08&id=195  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Torrevieja loses to Alicante but Cricket wins the day!
Torrevieja Cricket Club played their first game this year on Sunday 28th February at Torrevieja's athletics stadium.   
On a rather damp morning, the newly-formed Torrevieja Cricket Club took on the might of Alicante cricket, in the form of Intellectuals Cricket Club.
Intellectuals won the toss and elected to bat adding a modest total of 133 off 35-overs.  With a batting line-up of only 10, Torrevieja CC chased the total with a quiet confidence.   However they ran out short and the Intellectuals won the game.  
Man of the Match went to T. Standford of the Intellectuals for his hard-hitting 51 runs and 3 wickets for 15 runs off 3.1-overs.  
This game was not about winning or losing.  CRICKET was the real winner on the day, with players from Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Spain and the UK all taking part in this fun event.
This first game was the beginning of the foundation that Torrevieja hopes to work on and build a strong cricket team to compete at league level within the Spanish system.  
There are still plenty of opportunities to become involved, whether a player, junior, ladies, scorer, official or just a cricket fan; all are welcome. 
With the Cricket world Cup just gathering momentum, perhaps we will see Torrevieja C.C. producing some superb players like Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Peterson, etc. and give us something to cheer about.  Who knows, we may just see Torrevieja on the cover of the next Wisden magazine.
For more details on Cricket, the gentleman´s game, please contact Ben Essuah, on 677 335 707.]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>If you are British and living in Spain, Vote now</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-06&id=192  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-06&id=192  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Make a change by voting Gordon Brown and his Labour government out.  All British nationals living in Spain and outside Great Britain have a right to vote, to make a change in the forthcoming elections.
For 13 years, the spin doctors cheated us.  Told us blatant lies, cheated us out of our hard earned money.  While we suffered and some of us chose to relocate ourselves in other parts of the world, to be able to make a living so our children have a chance to live a better life, they spent our money by opening the doors to immigrants in exchange for votes.
They cleaned their homes, gardens, bought plasma screen tv sets, went on holidays and did just about anything and everything that money could buy, our money, while we worked harder, just to survive.
The state of the economy, the national debt, the Iraq war scandal, the pensions fiasco,  the national health service in ruins, transport and roads in chaos, the list goes on.
Isn´t it time we said &quot;yes we can make a change&quot;.
Vote for a better Britain - vote for independance and vote for human rights, our human rights.
March 17th, make the date, make a difference.]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-06T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>New Broadcasting Regulations in Spain</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-04&id=191  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-04&id=191  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[New radio commission tasked to close down 3,000 pirate radio stations
April 2010 Spain will close down the remaining Analogue Television frequencies as Freeview becomes the standard throughout the land.
Along with the UK and the rest of the EU, it is the start of a 5-year plan to regulate the airwaves for mobile and internet communication. 
The move to Freeview in Spain will not concern most expatriates, as many only watch UK Television, although there are many dual language channels and movies in English broadcast on Freeview.  
Expatriates may be more concerned to hear that 2010 shall see more regulation of the radio air waves.  
The EU plan is that by 2015, radio station frequencies will be reallocated to free up and reorganise the airwaves.  
In Spain, a very softly-softly approach to regulating the air waves has been evident, in part because the automatons communities control licences rather than the national government. 
Since the new year, the &quot;State Radio Communications Agency&quot; has been appointed to evaluate and close down up to 3,000 illegal radio stations throughout Spain. Almost all radio stations in Spain are commercial, relying on advertising and sponsorships for funding.  In some regions of Spain, especially the major cities and along the Coast, illegal or 'Pirate' stations outnumber the legal frequencies by two, sometimes three to one.  This has caused a considerable loss of revenue to the legal radio stations.
Some of the more popular local stations around the Costa Blanca have been operating without the appropriate licences and may face closure sooner rather than later.  These radio stations have been transmitting illegally using frequencies used by the Spanish broadcasters.  For instance, if you are travelling inland, you will tune into one radio station and the same frequency picks up another radio station closer to the coast.
Central Government has said it is to draw up a map of Spanish radio, which will allow a cleaning up of the FM band followed by the quick and firm closure of those broadcasters who lack the right to transmit! 
This new State Radio Communications Agency is to be set up before June 1 and then given the task of controlling the radio spectrum.  Its creation is part of the AERC, Spanish Association of Commercial Radio and includes such heavyweights as SER, Onda Cero, Cope and Punto Radio.  They have already presented a list of broadcasters they consider to be outside of the law including 482 on the Canaries, 387 in Andalucía, 338 in the Valencia region, 183 in Cataluña, 144 in Madrid and 143 in the Basque Country.  In addition, there are many Municipal Radios that are breaking the law as they are run by companies and not by the local Town Hall!Only time will tell if the new regulations will mark the end of some of our popular English radio stations.  One argument against this move is that in closing down 3,000 stations, some 30,000 odd people who are employed in this field could find themselves out of work, putting further strain on Spain's pressurised social services system.
In the meantime, stay tunred.
 ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-04T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>Hello, is it me you´re looking for?</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=169  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=169  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Are you talking instead of listening?
It is common for mobile phone users to shout: &quot;I can't hear you clearly&quot; or &quot;You are breaking up&quot;, or &quot;Can you hear me now?&quot; .  You know what the problem is?  It is due to a weak signal received by the mobile phone.  The signal strength that your mobile phone picks up depends entirely on how near your location is to the signal tower or to the mobile phone base station.  Advanced Business Solutions S.L., Costa Computers have the answer to your problem.  
Mobile phone booster antennae kits work well.  All mobile phone and 3G booster kits are fully tested prior to any sale.  
When poor mobile phone reception problems confront you, remember, there is a solution which works.  Contact Advanced Business Solutions S.L., Costa Computers.  The mobile phone antenna booster is an accessory that will get you better reception even at great distances from your nearest base station.
Mobile phone antenna boosters help to deliver a strong signal so that the voice can be heard clearly even if the person on the other end is whispering.  Mobile phone antenna boosters are among the favorite accessories of today's mobile phone users.  The antenna boosters solve the problem of the failure to clearly hear the person speaking at the other end of the line.
Advanced Business Solutions S.L., Costa Computers based in Torrevieja have been helping people to stay connected since its business started.  
For reliable, trusted and guaranteed service call Advanced Business Solutions S.L., Costa Computers where you will find your problems solved. 
Tel: 96 571 5957 or visit website www.costacomputers.com
 ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>St. Patrick´s Day Celebrations</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=188  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=188  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Daya Nueva celebrates St. Patrick's 
Daya Nueva shall be celebrating Ireland's patron saint with a week of festivities, starting March 14th 2010.  This year's 'A Day of Fun in Daya Nueva' is planned to be just that.  Starting at noon with Mass in the Village Church and once the formalities are out of the way, the rest of the day is dedication to having a bit of fun and finding out for yourself where the expression 'to paint the town green' comes from!
A procession starts off the proceedings at around 1pm, along the main street and returning to the Town Hall, before everyone heads off for lunch, picnics, entertainment and joviality.  The Club Torrevieja Classics &amp; Specialists Cars will clear the road for the parade followed by members of the International Cofradia with their own interpretation of St. Patrick's float.  Don't expect to see something quite as impressive as the Semana Santa processions though as this parade is not a sombre one by any stretch of the imagination!
Along with a lot of blowing of car horns more noise and spectacle shall be provided by the Willie Hume Pipers, Daya Nueva's New Alliance Choral group, Guadamar's Celtic Group plus the Festival Queens, Damas de Honor, local council, invited guests and the organising committee.  At 2pm, everyone is welcome to join the mayor of Daya Nueva, Pablo Castillo Ferri, for the customary raising of both Spanish and Irish flags accompanied by both countries' National Anthems played by Union Musical San Miguel Arcángel de Daya Nueva.  Don't worry if you don't know the words to the Spanish Anthem because it doesn't have any; so you can just hum along!
The Grand Marshall of this year's event is Brendan Kelly.  He said &quot;The first St. Patrick's festival was held back in 2008 when a modest 100 or so participated.  As word grew, 2009 attracted over 400 and this year it is expected that numbers would double if not triple.   At 3pm, a concert featuring all those parading plus invites have also been sent to Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, the La Marina Youth Group and the Huertana Group from Almoradí.   There will be a static display of classic cars and bikes from Club Torrevieja and activities for the kids. 
Daya Neuva can certainly claim to be International.  Of the 1,800 residents, 30 different nationalities are represented, accounting for 1,300 foreigners who call the village home.  Funding is provided by the Diputación de Alicante, Cajamurcia, programme sales and a Raffle.  Being the first St. Patrick's festival in the region some important people like the Irish Consul Rory Byrne, Provincial Deputy for European Residents, María Asunción Prieto, Pedro Valero from Torrevieja's Town Hall and the British Consulate have been sent invitations to attend.
The Spanish and Irish have more in common than many might think, including bagpipes and kilts, to name but a few.  Their 'devil may care' attitude with a twinkle in the eye also goes a long way to make their festivals happy ones and anyone who would like to become involved in the parade would be most welcome.   
St Patrick's Day is of course on the 17th and there is a dinner planned at Yo Yo's Restaurant.   Dinner, music and dancing is only  20 per person and you can book your place by contacting Brendan.  As the saying goes, 'there are those that are Irish and those that wish they were' which is certainly true during this week.  You don't have to wear green but it will be colour of the day and as a thank you, there shall be hundreds of shamrocks being handed out, and, if you keep your wits about you, you may even spot a leprechaun or two!  Sláinte! 
 ]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
    <item>
  <title>Semana Santa in Torrevieja</title>
  <link><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=189  ]]></link>
  <guid><![CDATA[
  http://www.businessgroup.es/index.php?pag=news&fecha=2010-03-03&id=189  ]]></guid>
  <description><![CDATA[Come to Torrevieja and celebrate the Passion of Christ 
No, I don't mean Mel Gibson´s Hollywood version.  This is the real deal.  Semana Santa as the Spanish refer to it is what we call Easter.
Being a Catholic country, the Spanish tell the story of the fall and rise of Jesus Christ through a series of processions through the streets of Torrevieja.  In fact, the whole of Spain celebrate this occasion.  Often sombre, and varying from city to city, the basics remain the same but magnificent non the less.   Each day for a week, there is a number of processions, one from each group in the city, made up of floats which are carried from the church through the city streets and back again.  Most carry two floats, one with Christ and one with his mourning mother, Mary the Virgin.  The floats are heavy.  Strong men carry the floats, but with the procession lasting many hours, the men known as Costalleros feel the pain akin to the suffering experienced by Christ.   The Costelleros consider it a great honour to carry the floats.  Most processions take place in the evening - the earliest starting around 6pm.  However,  in other cities throughout Spain, they can be as late as 9pm.  
So if you are heading for some much needed Spanish sun this Easter, join the crowds for some real Spanish flavour.]]></description>
  <dc:date>2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
  </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
