Cristina Sanchez 1Casa & Casa Cálida News Digest - No 228 Ferrari Sells for a Record $12.4 Million This 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was the top seller at an auction of vintage Ferraris at Maranello, Italy recently.  “The car set a new auction world record as the most expensive motor car ever to be sold at auction,” said Amy Christie, a spokeswoman for RM Auctions, which conducted the third annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione sale. Spanish Prices Fall Again Prices in Spain fell again last month, the third successive fall this year. The fall was 0.8%, raising fears of possible deflation, although the government does not believe this will happen. Meanwhile, the country's deficit eased to €6.5 billion last month from €7.5 billion in the first three months of the year. Name Change for British Banks It will soon be goodbye to such names as Abbey, Bradford and Bingley, and Alliance and Leicester. All branches of these banks are to be re-named Santander in a merger by the parent company in 2010. Santander expect to save around €200 million from the consolidation, but have not yet specified how many job losses there will be. Free Market for Electricity Starts Next Month On the first of July the electricity market is to be deregulated in Spain, so consumers have a month to choose their supplier and sign up to a contract. There are around twenty suppliers to select from, but those that decide not to exercise their right of choice by that date will automatically revert to the default option, called la Tarifa de Último Recurso, (TUR), administered by Endesa Energía XXI and regulated by the government. The suppliers are generally in agreement that there will not be much opportunity for competitive pricing in the domestic market, since there is to be a basic, centrally regulated tariff for all homes; their main areas for competition will be among the large consumers. Bonus Points For Good Drivers The Spanish traffic authority is to hand out bonus points to those drivers who have not been penalised in the three years since the beginning of the driving licence points system. Of the 23 million drivers about 21 million have received no penalties and these are to be rewarded with two extra points next month, and another one after a further three trouble free years, making a maximum total of fifteen points on the licence. Thank you for asking............. PHotoEspaña Show in Madrid One of the world's largest exhibitions of photography and visual arts will take place in Madrid from June 3rd to July 21st. There will be 72 exhibitions in 60 locations around the city for the expected 600,000 plus visitors. Carlos IV Art Show in Palacio Real An exhibition of art collected by king Carlos IV is on show at the Royal Palace in Madrid until July19th. 180 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries etc. will be displayed. Feeding Time for Vultures A man in the mountains of Aragón in eastern Spain has set up a vulture sanctuary on his property. Every day, around 400 to 500 birds turn up for the feast of rabbits unfit for human consumption that he obtains from a local producer. Spain is the home of 80% of the vultures in Europe. now what???? Forest Restrictions in Place The Junta de Andalucía is bringing forward forestry restrictions due to the threat of fire after the plant growth of the wet spring. Lighting fires for picnics and BBQ's will be banned, as will driving vehicles along forest trails. The rules will be in place form June 1 to October 15. More Blue Flags on Andalucían Beaches This year, another 38 beaches in Andalucía will be permitted to wave the blue flag. This brings the total for the region up to 83, out of a total for the country of 571. Endangered Birds Nest in Marshes A pair of Bald Ibis, one of the most endangered species in the world, has returned to nest in the marshes near Cadíz for the second sucessive year. About 96% of the birds have disappeared over recent years, leaving small colonies in Morocco and Syria. fight the power indeed!!! New Bike Lane for Málaga After a seven year wait, work is to start on another new bike carriagway in Málaga. This one will run from Ciudad Jardín to Puente de las Américas, a distance of 5.2km. Man Falls from Caminito del Rey A 24 year old man was rescued with some difficulty by the Álora based mountain rescue services after falling 80m from a bridge on the Caminito del Rey at El Chorro.(see previous newsletter item and Youtube footage). The man, who was on the walkway illegally with a group of companions, received two broken legs and was taken by helicopter to El Clínico in Málaga. XII Fiesta Popular El Chorro The twelfth annual popular fiesta takes place in El Chorro on June 6th, with street parade, mass, flamenco, food at crisis prices, etc. XI Feria de la Tapa The eleventh edition of the annual Feria de la Tapa takes place in Rincón de la Victoria from June 4th to 7th on the beach near the Antigua Estacíon de Ferrocarril. According to the mayor of the town, visitors will be able to enjoy up to 108 different tapas, they´ll need a large appetite for that. Proposal to Create Artificial Reefs The Ayuntamiento of Nerja and two groups of diving enthusiasts have proposed the sinking of wooden boats and cement blocks to create artificial reefs in the sea 200 m off its beaches. The idea is designed to encourage the diversity of the marine depths and to discourage dragnet fishing on the sea bed in the area. The plan has to go before the Junta de Andalucía for approval before the project can be undertaken. hello there, what's happening? Junta Plans for Axarquía Projects The Junta de Andalucía has plans to invest €22 million this year on improvments of various tourist attractions in the Axarquía area of Málaga province. The projects include improving footpaths and streets in village centres, providing miradors (viewpoints) and rehabilitating the famous Águila aqueduct at Nerja, among many others. First Civil Baptism Takes Place The first civil baptism took place in the Axarquía town of El Borge last week. A couple from Málaga took their two month old son to the town to receive the rites based on the EU Rights of the Child, (see earlier newsletter report). Football Málaga lost the last game of the season 3-0 away to Espanyol. However, a finishing position of eighth makes it one of the best seasons ever for the club. Did you know.... Today 56 years ago (June 2, 1953), Queen Elizabeth II of Britain was crowned in Westminster Abbey, 16 months after the death of her father, King George VI.     Villa close to Malaga & Beaches reduced to 499,000 euros.   http://www.1casa.com/country_details.asp?refno=31511   Welcome to the Secure way to buy a Value For Money Home in Spain! 1Casa & CasaCalida Properties are now bringing you the best selection of Key Ready, Mortgage Included, Homes in the Sun, all this from double award winning agents for your security and peace of mind. Buy with Confidence, Buy Direct with No Inflated Prices.            Cristina Sanchez, 1Casa REALLY Affordable Homes, Calle Cantarranas 1, Álora 29500, Málaga, SPAIN UK Callers call FREE 0800 081 1939, from Spain Call 952 495 509 or 952 497 473 Low Cost Homes in Spain here http://www.1Casa.com Eco Homes here http://www.1Casa.com/1day.asp Stunning Properties on Film here http://www.1Casa.TV Costa del Sol homes here http://tinyurl.com/Coastal-Collection 1Casa and Casa Calida Properties are Members of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP).They have been subject to the membership criteria and have committed to follow the Code of Conduct established to help the consumer in buying property overseas with confidence. AIPP, The industry body. The industry voice. The industry standard.