In Brief

The Menorcan Hoteliers' Association, ASHOME, has been admitted as a full member to ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, the first Spanish association to receive such recognition. As a result, the web page, www.visitmenorca.com, now proudly displays the ABTA symbol, guaranteeing the quality and reliability of the information provided therein and generating confidence in the British public when booking their holidays via the site.

Air Berlin to fly to the USA from Palma

Air Berlin is to fly to five destinations in the USA and Canada from Palma and Barcelona, via Germany, this summer.Flights will leave Barcelona seven times a week to fly, via Düsseldorf, to New York, Miami, Fort Myers and Los Angeles as well as a direct connection with Vancouver.
Passengers flying from Mallorca will have quick check-in facilities as well as the option of checking-in online.

Unemployment up 14.7% on last year

With the tourist season slowly approaching, there were 30 fewer people unemployed in January than in the previous month. However, compared with last year the statistics showed an increase of 14.7%.

New ferry on Maó to Barcelona route

Baleària has introduced a new ferry, the Alhucemas, to the Maó to Barcelona route. The modern boat, which cost 89 million euros, is faster than similar vessels and uses less fuel, thereby saving on CO2 emissions.

Bicentenary of the Santa Maria organ

A concert by the oldest active organist in Spain, Montserrat Torrent, marked the start of the bicentennial celebrations being held for the organ in the Santa Maria, Maó. Montserrat Torrent first performed on the organ more than fifty years ago.Concerts, conferences and exhibitions will take place throughout the year to mark the 200th anniversary of the official inauguration, on 30th September 1810, of the organ which was built by Johann Kybutz and Francis Otter.

Successful day for La Salle's car boot sale

The success of the car boot sale held for the first time at La Salle School in Maó last Sunday has guaranteed that the event will continue.Despite the inclement weather there was a good turnout of both sellers and buyers ensuring that money was raised for the school funds and that the stall holders made a profit.It is anticipated that the next sale will be held in April, further details to follow in due course.

New exhibitions around the island

Two exhibitions marking the centenary of the sinking of the "Général Chanzy" will open in Ciutadella (at the Sala d'Exposicions and El Roser) tomorrow and run until 10th April.The French steamship sank off the north coast of Menorca during a storm in 1910 while on a voyage from Marseilles to Algiers with the loss of over 100 lives and only one person surviving the tragedy.

Valentine's lunch and bring and buy sale

The Anglican Church is holding a Valentine's lunch in Es Castell this Sunday, 14th February. The cost will be 15 euros per head, including wine. For further information or to make a reservation, contact Carol on 971 411 090.

On 27th March the Santa Margarita Church is holding a coffee morning and bring and buy sale in the Town Hall courtyard, Es Castell, from 1100 hrs. to 1400 hrs. At 1230 hrs. there will be a children's competition for the best decorated egg, followed by an egg-rolling competition and there will also be a barbecue with hot dogs and homemade cakes for sale.

If anyone has books, DVDs, toys, plants or unwanted Christmas presents, please phone Patricia on 971 356 461, Carol on 971 411 090, or Pam on 971 359 934 to arrange delivery or collection.

All proceeds will go to the Santa Margarita Church.

Losses for basketball and volleyball teams
Not such a good week for the island's top basketball and volleyball teams with both suffering defeats in away fixtures.
ViveMenorca is now in third position in the Adecco LEB Oro league after losing 72-65 to C.B. Girona on Friday. The basketball team's next challenge is a home game against CAI Zaragoza tomorrow night.

Likewise, Menorca's women's volleyball team is in third place in its league, the Superliga. Valeriano Allés suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Jamper Aguere, the league leaders, last Saturday. This Saturday the team will face Xacobeo 2010 Ribeira Sacra at home.