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|  Help the Sun is Here Time to call Solar Guard
July is here and the sun is showing its true power. June was the month that started our summer with temperatures rising daily to reach well over 30 degrees. With that thought come memories of stifling heat, sticky and uncomfortable environments, heat exhaustion, wilted house plants and faded furniture. Most of us enjoy the sun when sitting around the pool or on the beach. However, the need for a cool indoor haven seems to elude us. It is now the time to prepare for the heat and not to be ‘caught unawares’ as we were last year and Solar Guard have the answers.
Many customers are now benefiting from Solar Guard’s Sun protective films, at home, at work and in the car. The highly effective film is adhered to the inside of your homes existing glass and the clever technology incorporated into the multi-layer laminate, instantly reduces solar heat entry by 75%, ultra violet rays by an amazing 98% and glare by up to 91%. The film bonds to the glass giving a modern and attractive look and is available in a variety of co-ordinating colours whilst affording total privacy from ‘prying eyes’.
The effects are dramatic and immediate. The environment is cooler and more comfortable and there is no need for the constant opening and closing of shutters or curtains.
Conservatories - Conservatories are an important part of your home, however in summer they become a redundant room. If you have plastic or glass roof temperatures literally go through the roof. By installing Solar Guard´s Conservatory Roof Film, a high performance, metallised PVC coating, designed specifically for polycarbonate and glass roofs, the conservatory can once again become a usable part of the home instead of the ‘no go’ hothouse it was previously.
Cars - The same applies to cars and even those with effective air-conditioning will roast in hot temperatures. Although air-con will cool the interior when the car is in use, it offers no protection against upholstery damage and fading which can seriously affect the value of the vehicle. The environment is safer and more comfortable for passengers and ensures that children and pets are safe from dangerous rays whilst seated in the back. These films are fully legal and certificated for I.T.V. and police.
There is a variety of film available to suit every need and Solar Guard representatives will be delighted to assist in finding the most appropriate for you.
Solar Guard are a specialist window filming company and are legally registered.
They are not a “Jack of All Trades” and they only specialise in window filming and not other activities which is the unfortunate case sometimes in Spain. They offer up to 10 year warranty on all their fittings and will travel all over the Costa Blanca from Javea in the North to Mazarron in the South to fit film to your windows.
Solar Guard can be contacted on Office: 966 716 495, Mobile, 667 278 108 or www.solarguardsl.com.
You can also visit them at Zoco (Quesada), Lemon Grove (Guardamar) and La Marina Sunday Markets. You can also visit them by appointment at their Office/ Vehicle Tinting Workshop at Los Montesinos. |  There are no flies on me
A long, long time ago, a caveman was living in, not surprisingly, a cave. It happened to be in the north of England, which at that time was as hot as Spain is now. As he evolved, he was tired of getting exhausted having to chase his next meal and decided to dig a hole instead. His meals on feet, (meals on wheels weren’t around then), duly fell into the hole on a regular basis.
His wife was most impressed and said how clever he was. “There are no flies on me” he replied smugly. But there were – bloody millions of them or so it seemed.
Over the years man evolved, food came in packets, it got colder and wetter in England, and those fortunate enough to escape moved to sunny Spain – saying as they went “there are no flies on me”. But there were still – bloody millions of them.
Fortunately for us and not the flies, man has continued to evolve and now those incredibly evolved humans at Insectsaway.com have invented a really clever little machine that really does enable you to say that “there are no flies on me”. It´s a mains or battery powered, pheromone based mechanical fly trap, and you can win one this month by filling in the missing word in this well known phrase. There are no ……….. on me! For a chance to win the amazing Flyaway Flycatcher e-mail your answers to info@insectsaway.com or just call 968171542 to register your answer. The winner will be contacted by phone or e mail on the 28th July and the winners name will be printed in next months issue of Female Focus.
No sprays, no swats, no naff pieces of sticky paper hanging form the ceiling, just no flies!
Find out how you can truly say “there are no flies on me” by visiting www.insectsaway.com or by ringing 968 171 542. |  ON THE RUN UP TO SUMMER
Summer is not the best time to do work in the garden. It’s hot and an ice cold drink is begging to be drunk, so hopefully you will have already pruned and prepared the garden, allowing you to sit back and reap what you sowed. The wonderful climate here provides us with the opportunity to really move outside and enjoy what we have. What I want to achieve in the first couple of issues is to encourage you to relax in your garden spaces; be it a small roof terrace or large garden, or even a small shaded space, or part of the garden you don’t often go and spend time in. You may discover views you didn’t realise you had or just a very private position in which you can place a seating area. By spending time in your garden, sitting and chatting with family and friends, having some food, you will discover how much more your garden can give you and this will enhance your lifestyle and home.
It would amaze you the number of times I get told, “Oh, we don’t use that part of the garden, so there is no point doing anything there” Well, make it a part you will use, give yourself a reason to explore the different areas of your garden. If you are not going to use it, why have it?
There are so many wonderful options available to create garden spaces which do not need to be complex and will enhance your garden, home and life here in Spain.
In spaces that you may think are a poor part of your garden area, with a little thought, the opposite can be achieved and something fantastic can be produced, if you know what you are looking for and how to do it.
Some people may be thinking we only have a balcony, a roof terrace or a small garden; but believe me; try using the space and ideas will naturally come flooding in.
One of the first things you have to establish is where do you want to sit? Seating areas are the nucleus of a garden, to which other segments and planting can be added to create wonderful settings. Ask yourself have you made the best use of views and other interesting features in and around your home? Experiment with separating the area, even when the space is small. By doing this you can create extra interest and make the eye move, giving the perception of a larger space. A garden has to be built in layers and first and foremost the design layout for the structure (the bones of the garden) has to be laid out; this creates the framework of your garden.
Many people start by rushing out to buy plants, but this should be the last thing you do except (sometimes) for large specimen trees. The plants are placed in the desired space, but forgotten and left to die.
This costs money and the space becomes less desirable thus returning it to its previous less attractive state. This is something I have seen on countless occasions.
As was said earlier create a reason to go there. Put in a small seating terrace or deck, and then start to add the layers, paths, trees, plants and so on.
Naturally, the size of your garden space will affect the number of seating areas and the extras that are available to you, but with clever design and utilisation of space you will be astounded at what you can do. I would put good money on the fact, that many people on the Costa Blanca have untapped parts of their gardens, which could become amazing features, adding to the overall look and feel of their homes.
Get outside regardless of what type of space you have, explore it, and enjoy it.
I will start to give you some extra ideas next month which will include other options to add to your initial seating areas and some real boy’s toys ideas for the guys to make the most of the Spanish summer. For now, have a good month and enjoy the start of our lovely balmy evenings on the Costas.
I would be delighted to get feed-back and enquiries about any garden issues you have.
Lee Charlesworth, Charlesworth Gardens. Tel: 0034 902888184, Mob: 0034 696283704
E-Mail: info@charlesworthgardens.com,
Web: www.charlesworthgardens.com or www.grupocgconstruccion.com | |  Pool safety
As summer is truly upon us once more pool safety is on our minds once more. Here are some pool safety rules to follow: Pool Safety Rule 1: Always watch children when they are by or in the pool.
Pool Safety Rule 2: If throwing a pool party, make sure at least one adult is designated to keep a close eye on children at all times.
Pool Safety Rule 3: Teach children to float or swim as soon as possible. Experience, however, is by no means a replacement for supervision.
Pool Safety Rule 4: Make sure the pool is surrounded on all sides by a fence higher than 5 feet tall.
Pool Safety Rule 5: Make sure the fence as self-closing and has self-latching gates.
Pool Safety Rule 6: Make sure the latches are out of reach of young children.
Pool Safety Rule 7: Do not keep tables or chairs near the fence, this would allow children to climb over it and gain access to the pool.
Pool Safety Rule 8: Keep pool toys out of and away from the pool when you are not using them, as they might attract unsupervised children to the pool.
Pool Safety Rule 9: Remove any pool covering completely before allowing anyone to swim.
Pool Safety Rule 10: Do not use floatation devices as a substitute for supervision.
Pool Safety Rule 11: Learn CPR.
Pool Safety Rule 12: Never leave children unattended by the pool. If the phone or doorbell rings or you have to go inside for any reason, get the children out of the pool.
Pool Safety Rule 13: Keep rescue tools, like a long, light pole and a floatation ring, near the pool. You don’t want them to be misplaced so let children know that these tools are not toys. Teach everyone in the family how to use the tools.
Pool Safety Rule 14: Use plasticware by the pool instead of glassware.
Pool Safety Rule 15: Remain within arms length of infants and toddlers at all times, so they are easily grabbed in an emergency.
Pool Safety Rule 16: Don’t swim alone or allow others to swim alone.
Pool Safety Rule 17: Keep CD players, radios, and other electrical devices safely away from the water.
Pool Safety Rule 18: Get out of the pool if you hear thunder. Move indoors for the duration of the thunderstorm.
Do not get a false sense of security because you follow all these rules. You should always supervise any swimmers in your pool closely and constantly. |  Fusion Gallery introduces Peter Howson
The Fusion Gallery goes from strength to strength and this month introduces the work of Peter Howson. PETER HOWSON, lives and works in Glasgow. Howson is commonly associated with the new ‘Glasgow Boys’, a group of figurative artists who rose to fame during the 1970s and ’80s. His powerful figurative work has made him one of the foremost British artists of his generation. Famous for his portrayals of Glasgow’s down-and-outs, he has gained a vast amount of public and media attention which has resulted in his work being bought by the world’s leading galleries and collectors. His work is exhibited in many major collections and he has a starry list of celebrities such as David Bowie, Sylvester Stallone and Madonna who inspired a number of paintings in 2002. His nude portrait of the singer sold for £100,000.
His work has included a number of themes. His early works illustrate very masculine working class men. He was the official war artist for the Bosnian civil war in 1993. He produced some of his most shocking and controversial work detailing the atrocities which were taking place at the time. One painting in particular Croatian and Muslim, detailing a rape created controversy partly because of its explicit subject matter but also because Howson had painted it from the accounts of its victims rather than witnessing it firsthand.
In recent years his work has exhibited a strong religious theme which some say is linked to the treatment of his alcoholism and drug addiction in 2000.
His work has appeared in other media; with his widest exposure arguably for a British postage stamp he did in 1998 to celebrate engineering achievements for the millennium.
His work has been used on album covers by Live (Throwing Copper), The Beautiful South (Quench) and Jackie Leven (Fairytales for Hardmen).
On 2 May 2008, The Three Faces of Eve, a triptych painted by Howson, reached the hammer price of £300,500, at Sotheby’s, outstripping its guide price by three times.
The triptych shows the three stages of a woman’s life, from childhood, to adulthood and early old age and Mr Howson said it was based on the life of a young woman he saw during a visit to a nightclub in New York.
We are extremely privileged to have three pieces of his work in the Gallery at the moment with access to a huge collection, which will be exhibited later in the year.
Also new for the Gallery are Cultural evenings. Our first cultural event will be on Thursday 4th June, with music from the principal violinist and leader of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Carsten neumann (Violin) and the award winning guitarist Carten Linck, who form the Duo Tassai. They will perform Sarasate, Carmen Suite and other Spanish Romances for violin and guitar in their own highly professional arrangements.
Our second event will be on Thursday, 19th June - “Night at the Opera”.
Both evenings will start at 20.00 prompt. Seating is limited so advance booking is recommended. Please phone the Gallery on 966 880 466 or email admin@thefusiongallery.com
For a full list of events coming up please call Andrea at the Gallery or email admin@thefusiongallery.com
We look forward to seeing you, Music and Art, a truly magical combination.
“When you are looking for Art, The Fusion Gallery is the place to start”
The Fusion Gallery
1 Calle Jesus
Casco Antiguo
Altea 03590
Alicante
Tel: + 34 966 880 466
Mob: + 34 696 853 007
Email: judy@thefusiongallery.com
Web: www.thefusiongallery.com | |  Become a barbeque master
There are thousands of tips to be found when it comes having a successful barbeque. There’s a wide variety of subjects that can be covered from how to cook different cuts of meat and what type of grill to use to how to achieve a particular taste for your barbequed foods. But there are some basic tips that can help anyone with the basics and will get you started successfully barbequing. 1. The most important thing you need to do when barbequing is to control the heat. If your fire gets to hot you can easily burn and dry out your meat.
2. Rub your grill with oil before you light it to help prevent your meat sticking. If your grill is already hot you can use a regular spray bottle filled with cooking oil. Just spray the grill before you set your meat on it.
3. Use tongs or a spatula to turn your meat. Never use a fork because piercing the meat allows the juices to escape.
4. Bring your meat to room temperature before grilling. This will allow your meat to cook evenly throughout.
5. Always pre-heat your barbeque. For gas turn on high for 5-10 minutes then adjust temperature as needed. For charcoal light the coals 30 minutes before you intend to start cooking.
6. When using a barbeque sauce wait until the outside of the meat is cooked before applying the sauce with your brush. If you add your barbeque sauce to early it can char and cause flares ups when it drips off the meat.
7. The larger the cut of meat the further away it should be from the heat source. This will allow the meat to cook evenly all the way through.
8. If you are using wooden skewers soak them in cold water for an hour or so to prevent them from burning.
These tips are a great general guideline to follow for anyone wishing to become a barbeque master. |  The Fusion Gallery International Fine Art Competition 2008
Running The Fusion Gallery is fabulous, I have the opportunity to represent world famous, award winning artists and source new exciting works of art from all over the world. I also have the opportunity of sponsoring new artists, who are either fresh out of college or are just starting their career as artists late in life. There are so many of artists out there, that I have decided to host our first ever Art Competition. The competition is open to all artists, without any limits of age, sex, nationality or other qualification. Works for submission can be paintings, sculpture or photography. Each artist can participate with one or two works, in one or more categories. The competition opens on June 21st 2008, and the submission deadline is July 31st. Application forms are available from the gallery. Winners in each category will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in The Fusion Gallery, 1 Calle Jesus, Altea. Altea is the Costa Blanca’s Cultural Centre. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your work seen in a prestigious Art Gallery in a fabulous location.
The following media will be eligible:
Painting
Total technical and stylistic freedom (oil, tempera, acrylic, ink, vinyl, watercolor, graphite, pencil, collage, etc.) on whichever support (canvas, paper, wood, plastics, iron, etc.). The max dimensions allowed per each works are 90x90 cm, picture frame included.
Photographic Art
Colour and b/w analogical photos, colour and b/w digital photos, colour and b/w digital elaborations, works entirely realised on computer. Videos are not admitted. The max dimensions allowed per each work are 90x90 cm.
Sculpture
The max dimensions allowed per each work are: 30 x 30cm.
The following are the conditions of participation
All artists can enter the competition before the closing deadline of 31st July 2008
1) by email: forwarding jpeg image(s) of the works to judy@thefusiongallery.com and a short biography, with indication on the back of name, surname, country, title, dimensions (base x height), technique, year, and a copy of the payment of the application fee. (see below)
2) per post or by means of hand delivery at The Fusion Gallery, 1 Calle Jesus, Altea 03590, Alicante, Spain of the following material: filled out application module (email
admin@thefusiongallery.com), short biography,
Picture of the works; with indication on the back of name, surname, country, title, dimensions (base x height), technique, year, copy of the payment of the application fee. The documentation and the photos will not be returned unless the application includes a SSAE.
Application fee
The application fee is 35 euro per 1 work and 60 euro per 2 works proposed for the same section. Application fees are non-refundable. For students under 25 years who are attending art schools or Academy of Fine Arts the fee is 25 euro per 1 work and 50 euro per 2 works proposed for the same section (school certificate is required). Application fees are non-refundable.
For more information regarding the competition please telephone Andrea on 966 880 466 or email the gallery admin@thefusiongallery.com
I look forward to receiving your applications and to exhibiting the Finalists works in The Fusion Gallery.
When you are looking for Art, The Fusion Gallery is the place to start.
Judy Webber
Gallery Director
The Fusion Gallery
Tel: + 34 966 880 466
Email: judy@thefusiongallery.com
Email: admin@thefusiongallery.com
Web: www.thefusiongallery.com
Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 11.00 –14.00pm
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11.00 – 14.00 & 19.30 – 22.30
If you would like an appointment outside of these hours please call +34 696 853 007 | |  CLASSIC KITCHENS
CLASSIC KITCHENS are a family business owned and run by Adrian and Gail Tomlinson. They are based in Albir and offer an almost unique service that has more than proved itself over the years; it’s a successful formula that agrees with their customers. Although primarily a kitchen company, they also ‘do’ bathrooms, wardrobes, and tiling! They pride themselves on their good reputation and work very hard to justify it. They are extremely proud of the fact that a lot of their work nowadays comes from recommendations.
Adrian has been a fitter for over 25 years, initially fitting windows and then adding kitchen, bedroom and bathroom fitting to his skills. He has lived and worked in Spain for 20 years and it was here that he met his wife Gail, who has been living in Spain for 30 years. Gail initially came to Spain to work for one summer for Thomson Holidays -
10 years later she was still working for Thomson’s, as like a lot of expats, she loved the Spanish way of life and didn’t want to return to the UK. Gail is now fluent in Spanish, which makes dealing with their suppliers on a day to day basis a straightforward part of her position in the company.
Experience has taught Adrian that the key to a successful project, and a happy customer, is continuity. At Classic Kitchens you will only ever deal directly with 2 people; Gail will help you with your design ideas and deal with your paperwork, and Adrian will call to your home to take measurements, talk through your ideas, and ultimately carry out your installation. This system has served the company very well over the years and Adrian finds that the direct contact between customer, designer, and fitter helps iron out any potential problems before they occur.
Unlike many companies in Spain, Classic Kitchens does not employ an army of ‘here today gone tomorrow’ tradesmen - Adrian will always be your fitter, meaning you will know who you are inviting to work in your home. When you choose Classic Kitchens you will have built up a relationship prior to any work commencing.
At the moment one of the biggest concerns for customers is the exchange rate. People just don’t want to convert money into Euros which is why, for a limited period, Classic Kitchens are happy to accept payment in Sterling at an exchange rate of 1.50Euros to the Pound. Classic Kitchens has an extensive showroom, on the N332 between Albir and Altea (opposite the Honda Garage). There you can see examples of different styles, along with their large range of tiles, wardrobes and bathrooms. Call in or telephone 96 686 5684 for more information. |  The Kitchen Company CB
The Kitchen Company CB has been installing kitchens on the Costa Blanca for more than 10 years. Its 3 partners run every aspect of the business from design and sales, through to installation and after sales care. It is a fully legal and registered company and has been so since it first started business. During that time, the Kitchen Company has built up a reputation for professionalism, punctuality, a practical and honest approach, all with a personal touch. These values have resulted in an enviable portfolio of satisfied customers.
However, in the world of business, nothing stands still. New products come on the market weekly, and new ways of doing business and reaching customers need to be embraced in order to remain ‘in-touch’. To this end there have been a couple of important changes in The Kitchen Company in recent months.
The first change has seen the showroom being moved. It’s now above the Linen Mill on the roundabout opposite Lidl on the N332 in Benissa. The new showroom showcases their PWS products. These are UK kitchens with The Kitchen Company being one of the few authorised distributers in Spain, and the only one in the locality.
The second change is the new website
www.kitchenscostablanca.com which has been developed to ensure customers can take a good look at the kitchens on offer. In fact their relationship with PWS is so strong that they have worked together to make sure the website covers all products.
The website also means that the Kitchen Company can work more efficiently on turning around quotes and attending to customers. After an initial survey in the client’s home, a 3D colour design can let people see what they’re asking for, and allowing last minute tweaks before it’s too late!
All in all, these changes are designed to enhance the customer experience, and ensure a high quality, excellent value product is delivered.
Call the Kitchen Company
on 902 887 261 or visit www.kitchenscostablanca.com for more information. |  €uro Gate Automation Effortless Guaranteed Affordable
At €uro Gate Automation we make available the security, comfort & luxury of automated gates available to everyone, in easy payment instalments and with the added benefit of being fully maintained at NO extra cost. Once your gate motor has been installed it is fully maintained & serviced for the duration of your contract. There are no hidden ‘extras’. The maintenance is totally FREE. NO call out charge, NO labour charge & NO parts charge, 100% maintained, 100% free.
Do you currently have to pull up to your gates, maybe leaving you in a dangerous position halfway on the road? Then leave your car, maybe in the dark or in the cold & rain, open the gates, get back into your car, drive through then go back to the gates to close & lock them?
Just imagine the security & comfort of staying in your car, pushing a button as you approach your gates, the gates opening with no further fuss or strain and then closing & locking behind you…without even leaving your car!
AND ALL THIS FROM AS LITTLE AS 1€ A DAY!!
It couldn’t be simpler. Just contact us for a free, no obligation survey.
622 22 99 72
www.eurogateinformation.com info@eurogateautomation.com
We cover from Gandia to Benidorm.
No existing gates? We can also fabricate bespoke automated gates to your specification.
Do you already have automatic gates? We also offer maintenance packages for most makes & models of your existing motors. |
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