You might think that the roads around Torevieja have been particularly busy over the last week or so, and they  have, but not as busy as they are about to become! The second phase of the special Easter roads operation will begin on Wednesday across most of Spain, except in the communities of Valencia and Catalonia, when it will begin …

Los Montesinos will become the bowls capital of Spain in May, as the town plays host to a championship tournament. Some 2,000 people are expected to descend on the town to participate in the competition, which will take place between the 11th and 25th of May. The councillor for Tourism and Sports in Los Montesinos, Ana Belén Juárez, launched the …

Towards the end of this month, Torrevieja will be a haven for bird spotters, as the Birding Festival Humedales del Sur de Alicante returns to the Parque Natural de la Mata. The dates for your diary are the 26, 27 and 28 October, for an event dedicated to the world of birds and ornithological tourism organised by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, …

Initial plans and preparations are underway for an earthquake emergency drill, which is set to take place on November 14. Last week, the local coordination centre, CECOPAL, was the location where the first working meeting took place in order to start the formal preparations for the drill. The meeting, chaired by the mayor, José Manuel Dolón, is part of the …

Professor at the University of Alicante, Marco A. Celdrán, chaired the conference “New Scenarios for the Planning of Tourism”, which was held in the casino of Torrevieja, an initiative of the Department of Tourism in Torrevieja, in recognition of World Tourism Day. The coordinator of the University Headquarters of the UA in Torrevieja, José Norberto Mazón, intervened at the beginning …

Elche General Hospital is one of the Valencian centers with the highest number of organ donations in the Region, 24 in the last year, leading to the center quickly establishing itself, particularly in the areas of kidney and cornea surgery

The hospital first began performing kidney transplants three years ago in 2012, since when it has successful completed a total of 64, of which 23 were performed in the last year.

The coordinator of the Transplant Unit, Maria Angeles Casillas, said “This is a particularly high number, considering that we only began the procedure recently. Indeed in the first year the hospital only managed to complete four interventions.”

“This type of operation allows patients to recover a quality of life that many of them had previously lost when they became dependant on dialysis treatment. I have spoken to many patients about their daily life ‘before and after' the procedure and they all give a very emotional testimony to the vast improvement in their lifestyles.”

Cornea transplants are another practice that the General Hospital carries out, the implementation of which provides very good results and currently enjoys a healthy rate of donors, which is encouraging news for both those who have lost their vision and the surgeons.

Of course there are always significantly more people waiting for an organ transplant than there are suitable donors and one of the roles of the staff in the Transplant Unit is making members of the public aware. In the environment in which they work they regularly come into contact with the families of deceased or dying patients who in such dramatic moments, are reminded that they are able to offer the possibility to other people of a second chance to live.

Indeed the success of organ transplants in Spain is attributed mainly to the sensitive way in which these transplant coordinators approach the bereaved families.

One member of the unit said that only about 15 percent of families approached in Spain refuse consent for organ donation, a huge drop from the 40 percent who refused in the 1980s and at many hospitals the refusal rate is nearly zero percent.

Spain currently boasts 36 donors per million people — equal to 1,682 donors — "far superior" to the European Union figure of 19, health authorities said of figures released from 2014.

As part of their road monitoring and policing procedures, the DGT has an expenditure budget of 734 million euro this year, with more than half, 441.9 million, being spent on staff costs. However, thanks to the number of drivers fined for road traffic...

Sunday, 19th of October ... 11:00 – 17:30

The 2nd Annual Books n Blues Festival is a celebration of appreciation for literature and blues music hosted by COSTA BLANCA BLUES.

The event opens in the salon room at Bar Mediterraneo in Teulada with a LITERARY COFFEE MORNING at 11:00. Featured talks will be given by international authors – Ray Wilcox and Jana Petken as well as dedicated independent book seller Tash Lewis . This part of the festival is free to the public and seats can be reserved by phone – 648 156 066

LITERARY MORNING

Ray Wilcox retired to the Costa Blanca in 2005 after a 30 year career in HM Prison Service. His novel 'Lock-Down Blues' was published on 31 July 2014.

The story follows the lives of six criminals who find themselves incarcerated in the same prison and the catastrophic events which follow. He is presently writing the sequel.

Jana Petken's first book, The Guardian of Secrets, a historical family saga and has been awarded red star industry reviews. It is a finalist in two, book of year competitions. It is also receiving offers from film producers in America and is # 10, highest rated historical fiction novel on Amazon.com.

Jana's second book was published in August this year. It is the first part of a two book series, entitled, Mercy Carver, set in the 1860's. It is also a historical fiction novel with face paced action and dynamic characters.

Tash Lewis started her independent mobile book selling company in November 2013. She not only sells fiction books but also greetings cards, party supplies, and she has a second hand section where all money from these books goes to Cystic Fibrosis Charity.

BLUES MATINEE CONCERT

The festival will then break as the salon is prepared for the Blues Matinee Concert at 14:00 starring the Valencian regions 30 year veteran of the blues harmonica – Danny Boy Sanchez.

Danny Boy has been singing and blowing his harp while sharing the stage with international blues veterans such as John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Rod Piazza, Philip Walker, Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Scott, Big Jack Johnson… to name-drop a few.

According to the award winning blues journalist and broadcaster - Vicente Zumel host of the popular radio show - La Hora del Blues,

"He is one of the Spanish blues harmonica pioneers. He is also a good person, an excellent harp player and a real blues lover."

Danny Boy, who fashioned his stage name after the late blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson, has a giant list of guest appearances at blues festivals. They include the famous Cazorla Blues Festival and Blues Festival Benicassim and Blues Festival Antequera – Málaga – just to name three, but there are many more on the list.

In 1991, he started to teach blues harmonica professionally and helped to inspire and launch other Valencian blues performers such as Alicante-based blues harpist - Juan Jose Alfonso Hernandez.

"Danny Boy is one of the greatest harmonica players in Spain and at a European level. He has that characteristic tone that is "very Chicago". He taught me blues structure, both in theory and in practice. I have to thank him for the patience he has shown me"

In 2007, Danny Boy hooked up with two more Spanish blues harmonica legends to create the “Spanish Blues Harp Attack” CD. Together with Castilian harmonica player Ñaco Goñi and the Sevillian Mingo Balaguer the CD was produced by the Basque record label - Gaztelupeko Hotsak.

On the 19th of October, 2014 - Danny Boy will be bringing his long time guitar slinger friend Kike Pons, another Valenciano.

Kike Pons developed his passion for the blues via British blues-rocker Graham Foster. He went on to join the party band Jam-Ones out of Oliva. Finally, he studied classical and jazz guitar which lead him to the Valencian folk music scene, where he met the traditional blues and Danny Boy.

On drums will be another Valenicano – Alvaro Diez who is very well known in the blues circles in the region.

And finally, COSTA BLANCA BLUES own Tom Poole will be contributing his musical blues style to the mix.

For all details and to reserve seats and buy ticket for the blues concert – www.Books-Blues.com

Karla Darocas (Hons.B.A.) DAROCAS MEDIA, www.Darocas.com, Tel. 648 156 066

FEELING HOT HOT HOT

The Valencia region endured the hottest day in the last two years on Sunday, with temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius in some areas, according to the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet). In Javea, with 41.5 degrees Celsius, it was the hottest since August 1, 2012, when temperatures reached 42 degrees, whereas in second place was Orihuela with 39 degrees, compared to August 12, 2012, when temperatures reached 40 degrees.

VISITORS ON HIGH

The Castillo de Santa Barbara in Alicante has had a record July, with 62,000 people visiting the historic attraction. The figure represents an increase of some 7,000 tourists compared to the same month of 2013, an increase of 12.72%. Use of the lift from the beachside to the top of the castle also increased, with 38,920 people paying a nominal fee to travel through the mountain heart, whereas in 2013, there were 29,900 users in the month of July. The current exhibition of Star Wars items, which you do have to pay to visit, has already attracted 28,000 people since it opened in April 11, with 8,000 of them in July alone.

EASY TO SWALLOW

The Alicante provincial council has approved grants totalling 176,200 euro, which will go towards improving the quality of drinking water in 56 municipalities. The grants are predominantly aimed at municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents who have direct control of their water supply and will be offered during 2015.

ENDING VIOLENCE

Alicante council has announced that the 12th annual conference on dealing with violence towards women will be held on the 19th and 20th of November. Those wishing to attend have until the 31st of October to register, with more information on their website, www.congresoviolenciamujer.com.

GREEN GRANTS

The towns of Almoradí, Bigastro, Callosa de Segura, Dolores, Pilar de la Horadada, Rafal and Redován will all benefite from a share of 502,804.24 euro in grants being offered by the Alicante provincial council, aimed at improving green areas and natural parks in the municipalities. A total of 114,638.20 euro will come to the Vega Baja area, with the rest of the grants going to 37 municipalities around the province.

PALMED OFF

A 75 year old man was seriously injured Monday after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with two palm trees in Elche. The incident occurred at about 7pm on Monday, when he drove into the two trees on the CV-875, la carretera Vereda de Sendre. Following the impact the man was trapped inside the vehicle until released by through the back window.

ALL ASHORE

A further 4 boats carrying 30 immigrants have landed on the coast of Alicante in the last 7 days bringing the number of arrivals processed by the Red Cross since 2007 to 277. Three of the recent boats arrived in Torrevieja and Pilar de la Horadada, last Friday morning with 30 people on board, 8 of which were minors.

GREEN LIGHT

Hundreds of drivers trying to reach La Manga were trapped last weekend by faulty traffic lights on the inappropriately named ‘Vía Rápida' and on the Gran Via in La Manga itself. A spokesman explained that the problem was related to the computer system which reduced the time the traffic lights were green at cross roads. Traffic queues stretched back several kilometres with delays of many hours.

GOING DOWN

Police in Valencia have arrested an Irishman accused of throwing a suitcase full of cocaine, worth more than €3million, out of his eighth-floor hotel window. A receptionist alerted police after discovering the drugs scattered over an internal patio floor. Police are said to be working on the theory that the man confused noise from other guests with a rival gang trying to steal his drugs after suffering an attack of paranoia.

LOCK OUT

Plans from a Valencian businessman to open Spain's first bondage hotel have been delayed following objections from locals. The hotel, inspired by the book Fifty Shades of Grey and due to include 20 S&M-themed rooms and a dungeon, was preparing to open last week in the village of Vilafranca but was prevented from doing so after its 2,500 inhabitants complained.

UK HIGH

According to a survey carried out by the Mail on Sunday British shoppers at Aldi pay nearly double what they would in European outlets of the store. A basket of common groceries, including grapes, milk, chicken and wine, cost £44.92 in London, while the same items cost £23.13 in Marbella, £23.38 in Berlin and £26.64 in Paris. The Mail said the difference in price is all the more surprising because there is no VAT on most foods in Britain, unlike other European countries.

JELLYFISH ALERT

Beaches at the Mar Menor resorts of Los Urrutias and Punta Brava were invaded by thousands of jellyfish at the weekend making bathing impossible for holidaymakers. Nets would normally stop the invasion offshore, but reports indicate the lead weights which hold them down have been stolen, allowing the jellyfish to reach the beach. Cleaning brigades worked on Saturday and Sunday, but minutes after they finished the jellyfish were back.

TIME OUT

Michael Gove's wife has accused Nick Clegg of failing in his Government duty by going on holiday at the same time as David Cameron and as such Sarah Vine risked reigniting tensions between the Deputy Prime Minister and her husband with her criticism. Although the PM is now back in number 10 Mr Clegg remains in Spain with his wife Miriam and children visiting her family.

OIL SLICK

Spain has approved €7.5bn oil exploration project off the Canaries. Repsol estimates that the project could supply more than 100,000 barrels of oil a day, or 10 per cent of Spain's energy consumption. At present, Spain has to import 99 per cent of the oil it uses, and has a foreign energy bill of €40bn a year.

SPAIN MOURNS

Several hundred mourners joined a funeral service on Wednesday for Father Miguel Pajares, the Spanish priest who died from Ebola after being infected in Liberia, and so becoming the first European victim of the worst-ever outbreak of the virus.

RECORD MIGRANTS

Spain is blaming Morocco for giving the "green light" to migrants who are attempting to cross into Europe, as record number of migrants continue to arrive on their shores. The influx was blamed on the "permissiveness" of Moroccan authorities. "There is a human traffic jam building up there and Morocco wants to relieve the pressure," sources told Spain's daily El Mundo newspaper. "Also they are nervous about Ebola

BUILDERS BEWARE

Spain´s Atresmedia Group, one of the leading providers of terrestrial TV and radio, has commissioned a Spanish version of home-repair reality show Cowboy Builders, in which two hosts highlight “shady” builders and try to find solutions to their problems. First aired in the UK in 2009 on Channel 5, the 10th season is due for transmission there next year.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Part of the earnings from this year´s Tomatina tomato fight in Buñol will be given to the Sahell association, a group which works with the Indian charity organisation Lokpanchayat, to provide and maintain safe houses for women in India. A campaign has been launched to coincide with the annual fiesta, which aims to highlight the atrocities faced by numerous Indian women. Tickets for the event had been restricted to 20,000, in order to control the number of people who attend the food fight each year. Meanwhile, as the food is thrown around for fun, it might be worth remembering that hunger remains the No.1 cause of death in the world and there are 820 million chronically hungry people in the world, a third of whom live in India. In West Bengal alone, around 100 workers in a single tea plantation have died this year from starvation related deaths.

DIGGING DEEP

Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be a 1,000 year old Islamic burial ground in the town of Alcázar de San Juan in Ciudad Real, which they hope will reveal more information about the Islamic history of the region.

TAKE A LETTER

The Spanish Correos has hired a Canadian business transformation expert, in a bid to improve Spain´s postal network. Todd Hooper has previously worked on a modernisation project for retail giant Carrefour, and will bring “extensive” knowledge of the retail arena, particularly in the field of improving customer experience, according to a statement by Correos.

GOOD TO TALK

Mobile phone operator Orange is reported to be looking to sell around 9,400 of its mobile phone masts in Spain, which experts think could provide 885 million euro in revenue. Orange has been suffering a loss of clients, with the second quarter of the year only bringing them 943 million euro, a drop of 4.7%.

CURTAIN CLOSING

Two out of five IMAX cinemas in Spain are to close almost immediately, after failing to make a profit since they opened. The Teatromax cinemas in Madrid and Barcelona will shut their doors permanently, leaving just three in the country at Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Leganes. Changing domestic technology and an inability for the cinemas to keep up is said to be the reason for the closure. The first IMAX cinema launched in Seville in 1992, only to close its doors in 2005.

LOCKED UP

New, state-of-the-art beach lockers have started to appear on the Orihuela Costa, aimed at providing better security for beachgoers, who are able to lock their valuables away, rather than risk leaving them on the beach.

Thanks to the continuing wide public interest in saving Cala Mosca, the last green area on Orihuela Costa, from excessive and unnecessary house building, in a two week period the Petition organised by C.L.A.R.O. to object to the developer's latest pl...

As governmental cuts in the health service have finally started to reveal themselves in physical numeric form, data released this week by the Institute of National Statistics shows that the Valencia region is below the national average for the ratio of...

When a Valencia motorist stopped to help the victims of a road traffic accident, he never expected that his day could get any worse, as the rug was pulled from under him in a case that would seem unreal, resulting in his demotion from hero to zero in o...