Talk of the North > Previous Issues > Issue 28

And the Bride was Radiant
Salvation Army Shoe Box Appeal
Channel 9 Stands By
Alcudia Dog Refuge to Open Charity Shop
DIY Greetings Cards with Style
Mike Neal's Accent on Alcudia

Recipe - Chickpea & Tomato Risotto

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Puerto Pollensa’s church was the scene for a lovely wedding last week, as Tony, the son of north Mallorca residents Ivy and Jim Sparks, and his bride Tracy, had their marriage blessed. But it was nearly all tears instead of all smiles when Tracy first saw the “crystal bouquets” she had ordered over the Internet for her special day.

The posies, which had looked so lovely on the computer and which had cost a lot of money, were more like bouquets of barbed wire than wedding accessories, with glass beads on the end of jagged pieces of wire, and all with rough edges. “They would have cut the bridesmaids hands and ruined the dresses,” said Ivy.

Happily, florist Pam came to the rescue. She separated the cruel wires and made up gorgeous bouquets using fresh flowers interspersed with the crystals. So, the story has a happy ending, but as Ivy cautioned. “Please be careful when you order things over the Internet, what you see isn’t always what you get!” And if anyone has need of florist Pam’s services you’ll find her advertisement in the classified services section of Talk of the North.

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Salvatex, the Salvation Army charity shop in Puerto Pollensa, is repeating its highly successful “shoe box” appeal this Christmas to help needy children on the island.

The idea is for people to fill a shoe box with toys to suit a boy or girl of a particular age and the resulting gift-wrapped parcel will be taken down at Christmas-time to the Llar de Menors home for abused children in Palma. Last year the staff and children at the home were absolutely delighted at receiving these unexpected gifts, as most of the children have absolutely no toys of their own.

Carol Meredith and Joy Shuckborough are the co-ordinators of the appeal at the Salvatex shop in Calle Mendes Nuñez, Puerto Pollensa and they have asked for people to please go and see them first before embarking on filling a box. They need to have a list of who is providing toys for particular age groups (three-year-old boy, seven-year-old girl etc etc) so that they can meet the needs of all the children currently in the home.

Salvatex is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. If you would like to spread the Christmas spirit of goodwill to these desperately needy children this year, please go along and see Carol or Joy.

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There was a street party atmosphere in Calle Mariscos in Puerto Alcudia last week as flags were hung outside number three to mark the opening of Channel 9, a new sail repairs and boat upholstery shop.

Jenny Smith, right with champagne bottle, who has worked in the boat trade on the island for almost 10 years, had been wanting to start her own business for some time, but finding the right premises was not easy. The huge space provided at Calle Mariscos 3, however, really fits the bill and Jenny has also been delighted with the response of her neighbours.

“Everyone has been really helpful,” she said. “Jane at PuddleDuck Collectables opposite has been wonderful.” Jenny was grateful, too, for the support, both moral and physical, of her parents who were on hand at the opening party to proffer champagne to guests.
The services for boat-owners which Channel 9 offer include custom-made covers and awnings, sail repairs, valeting and the provision of interior upholstery such as curtains and bed covers. The size of the shop also means that Jenny can easily store sails etc over the winter, too.

With her slogan of “Standing By” Jenny stresses that she is ready to cope rapidly with emergency repairs to sails – a definite plus for sailors on holiday who do not want to lose valuable vacation time. You can contact Jenny at Channel 9 on Tel/Fax: 971 549 717 or e-mail: jenny.channel9@hotmail.com

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Pro-Animales-Mallorca, the registered charity which raises money for Victoria’s Dog Refuge is opening a shop to sell second-hand clothes and goods in Puerto Alcudia.

The shop, which will be open in early October, will be manned entirely by volunteer staff and will sell the same selection of products as the charity currently sells on their regular Alcudia market stall — that’s good quality second-hand clothes and bric-a-brac priced from just one euro.

The shop is situated in premises that were formerly the discoteque Lipstick in a line of shops near the Magic Centre/Go Kart track roundabout, with easy parking facilities right in front of it.

The Refuge’s market stall, which can be found near the taxi rank end of Alcudia’s market, will operate as normal during September, but thereafter when the building behind it is to be demolished will sell a limited range of goods.

Anyone willing to man the shop on any morning or afternoon is asked to contact Ann MacDonald on 971 864 163 or Janet de Vries on 971 864 361.

FOR ADULTS ONLY?
Piscos is a five and a half year old Schnauzer who for most of his life has been accustomed to being with one adult owner. He is fine with cats and with other dogs if they are the placid type, since Piscos is fairly dominant, but he is not used to children and, therefore, not happy when they are rushing around him or making a lot of noise.

He doesn’t bite, but loud or sudden noises and excitable kids make him nervous and he barks. He is also very protective of the person he deems to be his owner and will bark if he thinks they are at risk. Piscos, who is a lovely-looking dog, very obedient and quiet most of the time, would be most suitable for an adult, or couple with a house, where he is less likely to be disturbed by noise than in an apartment.

He is chipped and vaccinated and would make a wonderful companion for someone able to give him love and attention. If you can offer a home to Piscos please call Victoria’s Animal Refuge on 636 996 444.

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Fancy learning a new handicraft this winter? There are lots of creative people out there in the north of Mallorca; artists, needlecraft experts, floral geniuses, jewellery makers etc etc. But new to the island this year is Donna Joynson who can teach you to make beautiful and personalised greetings cards.

There are some lovely birthday, Christmas and thank you cards available in the shops, but it is often more satisfying and meaningful for the recipient if you have spent time on making a card yourself, and with Donna’s help you could make cards that are every bit as professional-looking as shop-bought ones, but with designs unique to you.

Donna, her partner Sean and much-loved pet Harvey the shih tzu, moved to Puerto Pollensa six months ago, although Donna lived in the area for some years back in the 1980s when she was a Thomson holiday rep. After that she worked in both mainland Spain and Portugal as a PA for top directors before returning to the UK. She always wanted to come back to Puerto Pollensa, though, and now has realised her dream.

It was while she was in the UK that Donna, who has always had an artistic flair, went along to someone’s house to learn how to make greetings cards.

“I’d often bought birthday cards and thought “I could do that”, so when I heard of these classes I went along,” says Donna. “It was such good fun, I thought perhaps I could pass on the know-how to people here in Mallorca.”

Donna intends to make her classes friendly social occasions for people to learn a new hobby. “I will take only about five people at a time,” she says. “And the sessions will be in my home, so we can have coffee and biscuits as well. I hope people will come along and perhaps make new friends.”

She stresses that you don’t have to be an artist to make delightful cards, just to have a bit of imagination on the use of colours and shapes. Certainly the end results are very impressive. Cards of all shapes, colours and sizes with 3D effects, jewelled decorations, fluffy backgrounds and wonderful designs. Donna can supply all the materials needed to make the finished product, including envelopes, plus she can also show you how to personalise a verse or message on the inside.

Donna sees the card-making as very much a hobby for herself, “I just love to do them for family and friends,” she explains, but says once people know how to make the cards they could easily do them in quantity to sell for their favourite charity.

So if you are interested in learning how to make great greetings cards yourself, contact Donna on 971 865 127 or e-mail her on Famara_Designs@hotmail.com


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The other day I was shopping in Mercadona which, if you are not au fait with local supermarkets, is pretty much the Spanish equivalent of Asda in that you don't like to admit that you shop there but everything is that little bit cheaper. Whilst swearing under my breath at the realisation that I had once again left the shopping list at home I was approached by a well-spoken, middle-aged Englishman who proceeded to make my day with his opening greeting. "You're the chap who writes in the Talk Of The North aren't you?"

"My God, fame at last." I thought. "Got it in one" I replied eagerly, "do you want me to sign your copy?"

"No thanks" said my number-one fan, "I've already used it to line the budgie's cage (I am still not sure whether he was joking or not) but what you wrote recently about Mallorca becoming ever more expensive and pricing itself out of the market, I reckon you really hit the nail on the head there."

We stood chatting by the pet food section for several minutes and my new acquaintance, who goes by the name of Derek, explained that he is a psychic medium who has lived in Mallorca for several years and has acquired many regular clients based on the island including a couple of mega-famous showbiz millionaires whose names I promised faithfully not to divulge (so is an age gap really a problem in a marriage?).

As we parted a very strange thing happened. Derek commented on the cost of fresh fish and how the price had increased markedly since his last visit. "Thought you would have seen that coming". I said pathetically, trying to be witty.

"Yes, very funny" replied Derek. "Anyway nice to have met you. Keep up the good work and I hope they've fixed that car of yours when you go to collect it."

As I queued at the checkout point armed with enough tinnned food to feed half the cat population of Alcudia it suddenly hit me..... during my chat with Derek not once did I mention that my car was at the time laid up in the local Ford garage and that I was due to collect it that same afternoon. So how could he possibly have known? Derek, if you are reading this please get it touch as I wish to join your client list immediately. Talk about spooky!

● My friend Xisca is the assistant manager of a large aparthotel. We were having a drink the other day when she remarked that, during the month of August, Alcudia's hotels had been full to capacity but that, in terms of the income earned from food, beverages and other in-house products, local hoteliers were reporting their worst August for several years.

This only goes to confirm what we already knew, that people who have paid top whack for their holiday in peak season have very little money to spend once they are here. Everyone is now hoping that September will prove to be a good deal better. Guess I should have asked Derek for a prediction!

● Every Wednesday evening you will find me lurking outside the Little Britain food store in Port d'Alcudia surrounded by handbags. Now I know what you are thinking but there is a perfectly reasonable expaination. Last year I purchased the entire stock of a bag shop in Alcudia's old town when they decided to shut down and ever since I have been off-loading my wares whenever a suitable occasion arises.

So every week I join the happy gang of stallholders - luxury hand-made soaps, cosmetics, Tiffany jewellry, collectables and much more - at our weekly craft market where I sell my top quality designer bags at knock down prices. If you pop along next Wednesday you can take advantage of my "TONIGHT ONLY - NEVER TO BE REPEATED - SALE" - which, by the way, I hold every week!

You can contact Mike Neal on Tel: 971 547 492 or e-mail: topteam@electronbox.com

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2 main courses or 4 starters
We cannot recommend this deceptively simple meal too highly. It’s so tasty that it more than rewards the patient stirring. Ideal for the cooler evenings to come.

Tomato Sauce
1 Heat a saucepan with two tbsp of olive oil
2 Once hot, add 3 finely chopped cloves of garlic. Let them sizzle for a few seconds and, when they begin to colour, add 400g tin chopped tomatoes. Mix well.
3 Allow to cook for about 15 mins until the liquid has almost evaporated and you have a nice thick sauce
4 Keep to one side (note this will be more than you need so you could freeze what you do not use or use as a pizza base)

Risotto
● 200g jar of chickpeas, well rinsed
● 200g risotto rice (paella rice works well too)
● 650 ml hot chicken stock
● handful of young spinach leaves
● 125ml white wine
● ½ medium onion, finely chopped
● 40g cubed butter (room temp.)
● 50g grated parmesan cheese

1 Put large (3litre) saucepan with 4 tbsp of olive oil on cooker and, when hot, add onion and cook until soft
2 Now add rice and mix well for about 30 secs.
3 Add white wine and stir all the time until rice has absorbed it
4 Now add chicken stock one ladleful at a time. Keep stirring continuously, only adding the next ladleful once all the liquid has been absorbed.
5 When half way with the stock, add chickpeas, spinach and 2 tbsp of the tomato sauce (or to taste)
6 Continue adding remaining stock until all liquid is used - the whole procedure takes about 15/20 mins
7 Now add butter and 25g parmesan. Mix well.

Serving
Serve each helping in a deep bowl and sprinkle the other 25g of parmesan on top.

Enjoy!


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Contact
Ann MacDonald, C/Llevant 46, 2d, 07470 Puerto Pollensa.
Fax 971 864 163
E-mail: carduusann@yahoo.co.uk

Advertising & Editorial Office:
C/Llebeig s/n, bajos (near the square) Puerto Pollensa
Tel: 971 864 703
Mobile: 618 163 478
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-1.30pm