24 hours to save the bees!

We subscribe to Avaaz.org because they often come up with stuff that either makes us indignant (we obviously enjoy being indignant) or just plain angry about something. This is one of these latter cases, which starts with: "Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and food. But if Bayer stops selling one group of pesticides, we could save bees from extinction." You can read more and express your own indignation by signing their petition here. You will be telling the Bayer shareholders' meeting in Germany tomorrow, how you feel about it.

We need your help

This is the time of year when everyone asks for help, so why should JimenaPulse be any different? If you've enjoyed our articles, or found them interesting or useful, you might want to consider making a donation. We bring you something new every day, sometimes it is news, or a reminder of something, or maybe a little piece of history. Whatever it is, it takes time, knowledge and effort to do so. Our commitment to the English-speaking community of Jimena is as strong as ever, as is our being able to serve as a bridge between our hosts and the community. But we need to pay bills, too, just like you, Dear Reader. In the past, we have said that we were looking into charging for reading this site. We are as reluctant as ever because we are aware that there are those who would be unable to do so and would have to miss out on the useful things we offer. If you are able to help, we would be most grateful if you went to the DONATE widget on the sidebar and followed instructions. Thank you.

Cati Ledesma, La Estrella stalwart, honoured in La Línea

LA LÍNEA Catalina Ledesma Mateo, a stalwart member and past president of La Estrella del Regüé, the handicapped association of Jimena, was deservedly honoured in La Línea as part of an annual programme that 'recognizes' unpaid carers, volunteers, associations of the area. Jimena Council, represented by Councillor for Equality and Social Welfare, Mª José Pro, chose Cati because of her strength in adversity, her dedication and commitment to La Estrella and because "her cheerfulness enlightens us all ..."  Grateful parents, carers all, and their charges cheered and whistled as an emotional Cati was paid tribute. They had organized it perfectly, we're told, because it was a complete surprise. Some of the comments: "She has helped us over difficult times." "Cati has the strength we ourselves sometimes need." "Now it's our turn to offer her a little of our strength." "We Love you, Cati!" PLEASE REMEMBER THAT LA ESTRELLA IS HOLDING ITS ANNUAL CHARITY CHRISTMAS FAIR ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, AT LA VICTORIA CHURCH, FROM 11 TO LATE AFTERNOON. PLEASE COME AND HELP! (What is La Estrella, and how does it work? See below)>>>

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee need a foster home over Christmas - please help!

(Via email) "Hi everybody. I desperately need help to foster these two kittens I found near my home. I am leaving for South Africa for 3 weeks and cannot look after them. If somebody could foster the two while I am gone I will be very appreciative. Please contact me. Renate (672 072 616)"

Grace needs a loving home and plenty of food

LOS BARRIOS/JIMENA (By e-mail) The Los Barrios refuge centre got her yesterday. She was found wandering around some streets. So nobody knows anything about her. I took her from the shelter to my vet in Estación San Roque. I have named her Grace just so she has a name, which she thoroughly deserves. She is young; the vet thinks not even 2 years old. Her ears have been 'chopped to give that hideous curled look.

As you can see, she is skin and bone, but she had all her blood tests done and there's nothing wrong with her.  She just needs food and a good home. She LOVES the boot of the car!!!  Never wants to leave it.  Or never says no to jumping into it! If you know anybody who could give her a forever home please contact me, Renate (956 640 898).

Take a pill against someone else's pain

SPAIN Médicos Sin Fronteras, the international aid organization, has had a brilliant fund raising idea. They have sent every farmacia in the country packets of pills (only chewing gum, really) to be sold at only €1. The website says, among other things, "In the First World, if something hurts, we take a pill. But ... what happens to the other world's pain, to the pain of those who don't have a pill? Isn't it great that we, who have pills for almost everything, can take one to alleviate someone else's pain?" These marvels of science (and marketing) are available exclusively at a farmacia near you (we have confirmed with the Regueiras that they have received them).

Reader's Appeal: Help for Heroes

(Via e-mail) "Would very much like to help in a very worthy charity, HELP for HEROES. Our son-in-law is a Company Sergeant Major with the First Battalion the Prince of Wales and is an authorised collector who is collecting in Winchester every weekend in December. Pat and I had the idea we would like to help make a little extra money for them and wondered if anyone would like to make a contribution by putting a couple of euros (or more?) in an envelope and putting it in our mail box, with their name on it or anonymously: Pat and Angie, C/Corral del Consejo 19, Jimena (green door with jasmin over it). We would then send a cheque to them from all the expats here in Jimena, to add to the amount they had collected in Winchester by the last weekend in December. Can't find a photo at the moment of him in uniform but will have a look in our photo chest over the weekend.....do you think you could do this for me? Would be so grateful....Thanks a mill ....Kind Regards Pat and Angie." (Note: JimenaPulse, nor any of our partner sites, will be responsible for this or any other appeal unless it is expressly ascertained as having been made by ourselves. The HfH logo will go up on the sidebar until the last weekend in December, and link to this item)

We need your help

Hi Prospero: You are very welcome!!  I am so surprised more people don't contribute as it is an asset to all of us! See you soon. Paula xx That's what we received after thanking Paula for her donation to JimenaPulse. Please consider: when was the last time you made a donation?

We need your help

JimenaPulse has been going for well over three years, it has become the English language reference site for Jimena de la Frontera. As you will see from the Feedjit facility at the bottom of the sidebar, we get visitors from all over Spain and the world - all looking up JimenaPulse. And all of it without cost to you, Dear Reader. We want it to stay that way but it is a hard uphill struggle to keep going without your financial help. We still insist on PayPal because we have received a couple of donations through them thanks to our PLEASE CONSIDER: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A DONATION? campaign, but it's perfectly okay to stop Prospero in the street and hand him some cash (well, it would be, wouldn't it? And he looks nothing like Abbe's cartoon!). We are most grateful for your support, but we need to at least be able to pay for the phone lines, never mind the enormous amount of time it takes to keep you informed. We know times are hard but they are for us, too. Please help.

An appeal from a very proud Mom

(By e-mail) "Hi Prospero, many thanks for putting Laura up on your blog this morning...she still thinks she´s dreaming, bless her! Anyway, coming down to earth, you are probably aware of the cutbacks this year for the Feria and the girls have been asked to, basically, organise (and pay for!) as much as possible themselves...there´s no help with the dresses, sweets, etc and they even have to walk instead of having the carrozas (floats)...so I was wondering if you would kindly ask on your blog if anyone would be willing to lend us a carriage and horses to transport these young ladies to their destination? I think they are going to pool their resources and buy the sweeties so that the children don't miss out on this particular tradition and of course, the dresses will be bought by themselves (with some family help, hopefully).....we are just a bit stuck on the transport........we are open to suggestions if a carriage and horses can't be found, of course!! Thanks so much from one proud mum!" (Please see our item on the Queen of the Fair)

Looking for a home!

(By e-mail) "I have been asked to send you this photo to see if you could post it in the hope of finding a new home for it. He's currently lodging with Jane Blezzard (her dog brought him home about a week ago). He's only a pup and very friendly. Thanks Sharon" There is no contact number so just post a comment below until we get one. (Prospero note: There was a certain confusion in our 'office' - but it's the dog needs a home, the dog!)

LA ESTRELLA CAR BOOT SALE on Sunday

Tanya and the Ward family at Marchenilla are still busy preparing for this year's La Estrella car boot sale, to which they're adding a dog show, to be held at their Finca Los Caballos, just past Marchenilla (see map on poster - click to enlarge), on next Sunday, June 6th, from 9.30am to 3pm. This is the place and time to show your support for Jimena's local handicapped organization. If you want to book a stall or need any more information, please call Tanya on 627 649 320. Better hurry as there are some 17 stalls booked already! Tell all your friends about it, and/or send them the poster now (a version in Spanish is available below)! Let's make this one the best ever!

Get ready for the La Estrella car boot sale & dog show

Tanya and the Ward family at Marchenilla are busy preparing for this year's La Estrella car boot sale, to which they're adding a dog show, to be held at their Finca Los Caballos, just past Marchenilla (see map on poster - click to enlarge), on Sunday, June 6th, from 9.30am to 3pm. This is the place and time to show your support for Jimena's local handicapped organization. If you want to book a stall or need any more information, please call Tanya on 627 649 320. Tell all your friends about it, and/or send them the poster now (a version in Spanish is available below)! Let's make this one the best ever!

La Estrella Dog Show and Car Boot Sale coming up

We just got a call from Tanya at the Saturday Pony Club to say that she is planning a Dog Show and Car Boot Sale to benefit La Estrella, Jimena's handicapped association. Initially planned for Sunday, June 6th (weather permitting), this is subject to confirmation from La Estrella. A similar initiative two years ago raised a considerable amount of money for the charity - aside from giving us a fun day out. (see photo: JimenaPulse archive) Watch this space for further information - and Call Tanya on 627 649 320 if you want to book a stall. (Read more about how the expat community has helped La Estrella over the years - click here.)

Could you give a child from the Sahara a happy summer?

Among many other things, the recession means that many families are unable to offer a 'Holiday in Peace' to children from the Saharawi refugee camps of Tindouf and other places. Please see a related JP item here to find out more about these children, and send this item to your friends (click on the little envelope below). If you can help, call 617 503 328 or 600 702 252 or e-mail yustos40@hotmail.com. The programme is desperate to offer these lovely children a chance at a better life, even if only for a month or so. Please help.

Parish party raises almost €2000 for Haiti

A party organized by Father Antonio Nuño, the parish priest, took place on Sunday at the Santuario in Estación. The objective was to raise money for Father Antonio's order, the Misioneros Oblatos de María Inmaculada, who have long worked as missionaries in Haiti. Father Antonio, who also sings and composes music, put together a choir of children who were joined by some 300 people, mostly from Jimena. After a slide show of the damage to Port-au-Prince, a merienda ('high tea') was provided by the local community, though enough food was left over for much of it to be sent to charity dining facilities in Algeciras. A total of €1948.50 was raised, half of which went to Cáritas and the rest to the Oblate Missionaries Haiti accounts. (Please go to Help Haiti Now! to find out how you can help, too.)

Mancomunidad fund raising campaign: 'Campo de Gibraltar for Haiti'

(Press release) The Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar headquarters was the venue this morning for announcing its 'CdeG for Haiti' fund raising campaign. Regional councils and media have come aboard to raise money for four well-known NGOs: Spanish Red Cross, Médicos sin Fronteras, UNICEF and Cáritas, for whom local banks and building societies will be opening accounts. The Mancomunidad website will be updated regularly to keep the public informed of monies collected.  The campaign closes on January 30th. JimenaPulse will keep keep you abreast of further developments.

Jimena school raising funds for Haiti

(Press release) The education community at the Reina de los Ángeles primary school in nJimena announces a campaign they have titled 'One child, One euro'. The idea is for each child at the school to bring in at least one euro by 2pm next Thursday 21st. Help is also being asked from teachers, parents and residents in general ,to whom a minimum donation of €10 has been suggested and who may make their donation at the Secretary's office. In the words of Head Juan Rondón, "If we're teaching values such as solidarity and cooperation among peoples, we can hardly remain on the sidelines of a catastrophe that has affected so many children." Over half the population of Haiti is/was under 18. The receipt for the funds raised at the school will be on the notice board as soon as the money has been deposited. (If you are unable to donate at the school, please click on the Help Haiti Now! button on the sidebar to find a list of banks where you can make one.)

Spain Haiti mission sends six planeloads of aid

(Photo: AP) Félix del Amo, head of the fire brigade at Tordesillas, in Castilla y León, is one of several firefighters who has helped rescue five people from the rubble at Port-au-Prince. This is his first humanitarian mission abroad. Spain, one of the first countries to react immediately to the disaster in Haiti, has already sent six planeloads of humanitarian aid to the island. (See also: Cybercriminals use Haiti to profit from well-intended donations)

Haiti: HOW CAN YOU HELP?

(Photo: Red Cross) The moment the world became aware of the magnitude of the tragedy in Haiti, numerous NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) opened special emergency accounts to raise funds not only to help with the purchase of primary need material, but also in the reconstruction of Port au Prince. These are some of the Spanish-based accounts where you can help.