NEWSLETTER February 2010

Committee:
President: Shirley King
Vice President): Paul Wessendorff
Membership Secretary: Wilma Stevenson
Treasurer: Geoffrey Milnes
Secretary: Jeni Oldfield
Groups Coordinator: vacancy
Deputy Groups Coordinator: Jean Miller
Deputy Treasurer: Mick Cox
Deputy Membership Secretary: Karen White
Deputy Secretary: Sue Bentley
Webmaster: Sam Wells

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From our President

Despite the grey weather and the rain there has been a lot of activity within the Society this month. Our thanks go to Marie Smith, Angela Chantry and Karen White for organising such a wonderful Valentine Ball. Nearly 300 people attended and the venue, food and entertainment were excellent. The raffle raised approximately €1800 which will be presented to the Alzheimer’s Centre in Javea on the 19^th February. 
The Xabia Bella fund raising is gathering pace and the two events held so far have raised nearly €500. There are many more events planned which you can see in this newsletter or on the display board at the Parador. It is not too late to organise your own event; speak to Paul or me at the Parador for more details. This type of fund raising has proved very popular - should we continue this next year or revert to holding one event e.g. a garden party? What are your views? – Let us know.
The Committee is now putting the finishing touches to arrangements for the AGM being held on 24^th March. We are trying to enable all members to vote for the Committee Members, and for changes to the Statutes. Your vote is important even if there is only one candidate. Without a majority of members voting we will have no Committee next year, so please vote. This will be the last opportunity for members to view the revised Statutes before voting on the changes; if you have any comments or questions please come to the Parador on the 24^th to have your say. A comments box will be situated by the board displaying the revised Statutes and Committee Structure.
Whatever you are doing this month I hope you are having a good time and look forward to seeing some of you at the Parador on the 24^th.

Kind regards

Shirley King

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OBITUARY

We are sorry to announce the passing away of Colin Stanford on 10th February 2010. The Funeral was held on 13th February 2010. He will be sadly missed by Eunice and family, and our thoughts are with them at this sad time. "We had over 30 years of life, love and laughter together."  Eunice Stanford.

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NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND REVISED STATUTES

Following their popular appearance at the January meeting, copies of the new committee structure and the revised statutes will again be on display in the foyer to the Salon Cabo La Nao for members to read. This will be last opportunity to view these documents prior to the AGM of the Association, when they will be submitted to the membership for confirmation of approval. Paul Wessendorff

Committee Vacancy
For a
Communications Officer

With the anticipated change in the restructure of the Committee a new post will be created for a Communications Officer.

This new role will be responsible for:

• Editing and producing the monthly newsletter.
• Ensuring that members are kept up to date with the Association’s activities and events.
• In conjunction with the Webmaster monitor and edit the content on the Society’s website.
• In conjunction with the new Publicity Officer seek to ensure the Society and its activities are publicised in the media in a positive way.

The role will require someone who is flexible with good communication and computer skills. A working knowledge of Spanish would be helpful but not essential.

If you are interested in this role please contact either Shirley King or Paul Wessendorff for more information.

president@u3ajavea.org              vice.president@u3ajavea.org

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 St. Valentine’s Ball

We would like to thank all of our members who attended the St. Valentine’s Ball for making this event such an enjoyable occasion. Our warmest thanks are also extended to the many sponsors who so generously donated the prizes for the raffle (which in total were valued at over €500), and to our members for buying the tickets.  A special thank you to Carrasco for the excellent dinner and service which they provided, and also for their generous contribution to the Alzheimers’ Day Centre.  We are delighted to announce that all of this help resulted in a grand total of €1824.37 being raised for the Centre, and this is going to be used to purchase a TV, a music centre, percussion instruments and numerous other games. All of which will bring some joy into the lives of these residents. Angela Chantry, Marie Smith, Karen White.

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Annual Renewal of Membership

The final opportunity to renew memberships will be at the Parador on Wednesday 24 February, between 9.45 and 10.45.  One table will be set up in the downstairs foyer for this purpose. Anyone who has not paid by the end of February (or who have not advised me of special circumstances) will have their memberships withdrawn on 1 March. 

We had a very good turnout at the January Open Meeting where the majority of members came along to renew their membership.  Everything ran smoothly and I would like to take this opportunity to thank, once again, all the volunteer helpers who so kindly gave up their time to assist with the collections.

Transfer of Associate Members to Full Membership is now well underway with a total of 148 members transferred in January and 152 transferred in February.  This means that all Associate Members who joined up to and including December 2009 are now classed as Full Members.  It is intended that, prior to our AGM on Wednesday 24 March, we will no longer have Associate Members in our U3A!

Membership Numbers

The total number of members as at 18 February is 1072 – being 1012 Full Members and 60 Associate Members.  Wilma Stevenson:  javeau3amembership@gmail.com

Asociación Social de la Tercera Edad de Jávea
(Known as Javea U3A) 

Notice is hereby given that the Society’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 24^th March commencing 11 a.m. at the Parador Hotel, Javea.

All members are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

Please note the meeting date has been changed and the 24^th is NOT the last Wednesday in the month.

Annual General Meeting

Please can you email Shirley King on president@javeau3a.org with any questions or items you wish to raise at the Annual General Meeting which will be held on the 24th March 2010 at the Parador Hotel.  All questions or items for the Agenda must be submitted by 12th March.

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 FRIENDS OF AVINENCA

We are a new group recently formed within the U3A, and have already started to actively pursue our aims and objectives to enable members to gain entry to many aspects of local history and activities that otherwise would be difficult to access. The purpose of 'Friends of Avinença' is to give people, singularly or as a specialist interest group based in this region the opportunity to visit and learn about the locality in which we live.

After a very successful visit to the Vulture Re-introduction Project and the Civil War Museum at Alcoi, the next excursion will be to the Vernissa Valley which is just beyond Gandia. This is a whole day trip and will include a visit to an organic farm and the sampling of their products, a tour of Castellonet de la Conquesta, and a walk along the valley to see the flora that is there. We will be accompanied by English speaking guides or translators. There are still a few places vacant that have been allocated for Javea U3A members. The date...Friday 26th February....The cost €20 per person....packed lunch required.... Contact Paul Pruden urgently if you would like to come with us.

 A further visit is scheduled for Tuesday 23rd March. This time we will be visiting the Fiesta Museum in Alcoi, to learn about the Moors and their way of life before the 'Expulsion' and then on to the Font Roja Natural Park to visit a private estate where the owner is trying to preserve the natural habitat for the benefit or the indigenous wildlife. We will then have a guided walk and explanation of the industrial history of Alcoi.  Surely one of the most 'Bolshie' workforces in Europe. Come and learn more about it all.... The cost will be €20 per person. If you would like to join this or any other of our 'open classrooms' keep an eye on the newsletter or register your interest in this type of activity by emailing xabia.forall@yahoo.es 

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XABIA BELLA FUND RAISING EVENTS

Below is a list of the fund raising events being held in support of the Xabia Bella Home for young adults with learning disabilities. Two of these events have already been held, and have proved to be very successful.  We are extremely grateful to all the organisers of these events, who to date have already raised some €480 in support of the Xabia Bella home. Please give your support to this initiative by either attending one of these events, or by just making a donation to this worthy cause.
If you wish to make a donation, or are unable to get in touch with the organisers of the event(s) in which you are interested, please get in touch with Paul Wessendorff at vice.president@u3ajavea.org

XABIA BELLA 

I have sent the Webmaster some photographs of the gifts which were purchased with the November raffle money and 2 photographs from X Bella showing our gifts under their tree.  Raul, the Director, sent a note of thanks and this is also shown on the U3A web site.
Xabia Bella centre is not a registered charity – it is run by a private company, but over half of its residents are paid for by the State, as their families cannot afford to pay.  It is for those 20 people that the Christmas gifts were purchased, as most of them are not supported by family and receive no gifts or pocket money.
Monies raised from the various events will pay for these people and other residents to go on outings, for which they receive a limited amount from the company’s owners and the State.  Those of us who visited the home can vouch for the fact that they have no outside area at all to walk in and their only time outside the home is spent in short walks around Javea accompanied by members of staff.   Bedrooms are locked during the day and the recreational areas are quite small and enclosed. A very few do have jobs outside the home. When initially asked what he would do with any money raised by U3A, Raul, the Director, immediately said “take the residents on outings”. Their aim is to stimulate and animate the residents, which Raul says is no easy task with people on high doses of medication and with mental problems. Elizabeth Collins

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“CARE & SHARE” TEAM:

The Team offers support and practical assistance to others within the Javea U3A who, like the team members, have suffered loss. If you would like further information please email:  caresharepat@u3ajavea.org or careshareangela@u3ajavea.org – or come and talk to Angela at the Parador meeting.  Angela Chantry

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SLIMATHON

For those few of you who expressed an interest in joining the Slimathon, I apologise for the fact that this did not commence in January, as I was away in England longer than anticipated and have been without telephone or internet until last week.  This is now too late to be concluded for the March meeting and may be resurrected later in the year as a non-charity event.  Organiser:Elizabeth Collins

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TUESDAY LECTURE PROGRAMME          2010

These are the final three lectures on our Tuesday programme at the Casa de Cultura in Javea Pueblo on the first Tuesday of each month during the spring period 2010.
Each will be a two hour session, from 10.30 to 12.30 with a 30 minute coffee break in the middle.
2^nd March           London: A History                                   by Ceda Panajotovic
4^th May              The English Crown Jewels                       by Ceda Panajotovic
1^st June               Digitising Old Slides                                by Tom Miller 
Apart from being an art lecturer and painter, Ceda was a London Tour Guide. He has just returned from London, so should be up-to date.
Everyone is welcome, and it is free apart from the coffee. Organiser: Alan Oliver

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PLEASE NOTE ***NEW GROUP***

Computers – Basic Skills

I am aware that there are a number of people in the Javea U3A who would like use their PC more but do not know where to start!  This short course of 6 weeks, 90 minutes each session, is defined to help absolute beginners.  For further details, or your expression of interest, please contact me at  u3acomputers@wilmastevenson.com

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ONGOING GROUPS

BACKGAMMON: The U3A Backgammon Group is now meeting every Monday afternoon at the An Shebeen Irish Pub on the Cabo de la Nao form 3pm to 5pm. All standards of player welcomed.  All players must buy one drink during the afternoon session. Organiser: Bob Denton

BOOK CLUB: I am delighted to announce that we now have TWO Book Clubs to accommodate our expanding numbers. Kay Thomas will be running a MORNING Book group which will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 10.30 am at the Parador in Javea. Their first meeting will take place on Tuesday 2nd March when they will decide on a selection of books. The AFTERNOON group continues to meet at members’ homes on the third Monday of each month from 3-5pm. Their books chosen for March & April 2010 are as follows:
Ghost by Robert Harris
Purple Hibiscus by Chiminanda Ngozi Adici
If you are interested in joining either of these Book Club groups or would like any more information, please contact Pru Hughes at pru.bookclub@gmail.com Organiser: Pru Hughes

CULTURAL ARTS: Monday 19^th– Saturday 24^th April: “Holiday Snap” The Javea Players’ next production, to be staged at the Union Musical Theatre in Gata, tells the unlikely tale of a newly marketed Portuguese time share villa which two adulterous couples have inadvertently double booked – comedy at its very best. The normal price for this great evening’s entertainment is €10 , but will be €8 for those who join the U3A group attending on the first night,Monday 19th April – book and pay with Angela Chantry at the meeting on Wednesday 24th February please.

Tuesday 27th April:  Classical Concert at the Palau de Musica, Valencia

Leticia Moreno (violin) and Oleg Polianski (piano):-
F. Schubert: Fantasía en do mayor para violín y piano, op. 159, D 934; M. de Falla: Suite popular española; P. Sarasate: Fantasía de concierto sobre la ópera Carmen, op. 25: Aires Bohemios. The coach will leave El Rafalet at 14.30 hrs, with a drop-off near the Bullring in Valencia – time for shopping & refreshments; make your own way to the Palau de Musica  (the coach will be outside at 7.30 p.m. to load any bags); the concert takes place at 20.15 hrs in the Sala Rodrigo, and the coach will pick up outside the Palau de Musica at approx. 22.30 hrs for return journey to Javea. Price: €30  pp (concert + coach), to be paid to Angela Chantry at the meeting on Wednesday 24^th February – cash please as I need to buy the tickets in advance (best available at the time of booking).

Friday 18^th June: "Il Divo – Three Tenors"

Juan Gallego, Tenor - Antonio Magno, Tenor - Pedro Noguerra, Tenor, with José Jaime Hidalgo, Piano.  The phenomenal success of "Il divo" has inspired the three tenors to stage a popular programme with a sophisticated mixture of light tenor songs and "hits" of today.  At the Heredad de Elias Ferrer (Bullring gardens Alcalali), 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. (see map on website).  The normal price is €20 – buy your tickets in advance from Angela Chantry and pay €15. Organiser: Angela Chantry

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: A tremendous amount of interest was shown in Digital Photography at the recent meeting of U3A at the Parador.
We currently have a digital photography group run by Tom Miller which embraces a wide range of photographic skills and interests (see the web site for dates and times of meetings). There is also a course for beginners covering compact non-SLR digital cameras run by Dodie Hodgkinson. This is an 8 week course which will be repeated again, starting in October.
From conversations with members at the meeting it seems that there would be interest in a further group or course for beginners covering SLR digital cameras. We are looking for someone to lead this group. If you could help please contact Dodie on digital.photography@u3ajavea.org  The other area of interest which was identified was for using simple software to enhance photographs. If you are interested in attending a short course on Picasa, which is a free photo-editing programme please contact Dodie at the address above. Dodie Hodgkinson

DINE AND DANCE: Friday March 12^th - We shall be joining forces with the Solos group on Friday March 12th for a special dinner dance arranged by SSG member Richard Barrell at Restaurante Balcon de Puerto, Javea Port. The price of €22 includes 3 course menu, ½ bottle wine pp, water, coffee & tip, with music for dancing provided by Paulette.  Meet at the restaurant at 7.30 p.m. for cava & orange juice cocktail. Limited to 50 members, and we will have sole use of the restaurant. Payment at the February meeting to Organiser: Pat Wykes Johnson/Angela Chantry.

DINING OUT: Our next Dining Out Event will be on the 25th February at Restaurant Bomboneria which has now moved to the 5th floor of the Javea Hotel in the Port. 60 members have confirmed their attendance and we look forward to a good evening. Organiser: Peter Speer

FAMILY HISTORY: Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 16th March at 2.15pm prompt, at the usual venue of the Social Centre. The topic will be “Preserving old photos” - a discussion on the best ways of restoring and preserving your family photographs, memorabilia and slides, introduced by our guest, David Salgo. Organiser:  James Hodgkinson

FOODIES GROUP: We met on the 18^th to discuss the topic of “Chocolate”, from a brief history of chocolate to its pleasures and draw backs. We shared recipes, savoury and sweet, cooking tips and tastes, along with memories and the marketing of chocolate. The health benefits of cocoa nibs and carob were also discussed. For more information ask for the minutes of the meeting.
The next meeting will take place at 10.30am at Javea Tennis on Thursday 18^th March when we shall discuss “Eggs” a versatile, portable and topical food for spring. Organiser: Barbara Craven

HISTORY GROUP: The next History Group presentation is –
Monday 8^th March: “The Second Republic, 1930-1939 and the Spanish Civil War” presented by Alan Oliver. This will be in the Casa de Cultura, starting at 13.15 hrs. Members who are interested in joining the group please contact the Group Leader, Sally Wells.

LET’S TALK JAVEA: LTJ had an enthusiastic chat session on the 17th at Lounge 21, perhaps motivated by the opening of Javea's long-awaited Ecopark in the lane that also has (next door) the Dog Pound and the Sewerage Works. All those tricky items for disposal can now be found a home! Read more on the wiki as below.
This tracked us towards Spanish Driving Licences, Electricity Trip Switches, Parking charges and contracts, changing formats for Agenda 21 meetings, the Slow food movement (will it gather pace?), local allotments and then the suggestion for a 'Farmer's Market'.All of which did not allow time for the leader to plead for a WI (U3A?) market, that he would willingly support!
Follow more chat issues as always on.. http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com/ Organiser: Tim Ladd

NOT JUST FOLK MUSIC GROUP: The next meeting of the group will again be held at No 144 Les Fonts on Wednesday 24^th February gathering at 7.30 for 8.00pm start, and concluding at around 10.00 pm. Please let me know if you are able and would like to come to this session of the Group as soon as possible, either on 96-649-3959 or by E Mail to folk.music@u3ajavea.org

Please note that the date for the March meeting of the group has been changed. This meeting will now take place on 24^th March at the usual time. Details will be confirmed nearer the date.
We are hoping to have a folk artiste from Dorset joining us at our group meeting in March. Pam Dentith is a well known local folk singer from the Weymouth area, and has actively supported folk music activities in the UK helping to organise, run, and also perform at many folk festivals and concerts over a considerable period of time. I am sure she will give us some excellent performances from her repertoire, which is extensive and extremely varied. Anyone wishing to join us on that occasion must let me know in plenty of time so that I can ensure we get a venue that can take us all.
Anyone interested in joining the group should contact me in the first instance by E Mail at the above address, and we look forward to hopefully seeing some new faces at our sessions during the months ahead. Further details about the group and its activities can be found on the Javea U3A web site. Looking forward to seeing as many as possible on the 24^th February. Organiser: Paul Wessendorff

SOLO ON SUNDAYS: A very nice meal was enjoyed by 16 of us at La Cocina just over two weeks ago. If you would like to join us at La Boheme on the Arenal on the 14th March at 1.00pm you will be made most welcome. Just email me or telephone 96 646 3389 Organiser: Marion Monsell

SOLOS SOCIAL GROUP: Friday 26^th February: an evening of dining and dancing at Restaurante Asador Salamandra, Moraira.  This will be the opening night for the new season, with 3 course menu which includes ½ bottle wine pp, with music for dancing provided by Duo Romance (price 18 euros pp). Meet at the restaurant: 8.00 p.m. Email angelachantry@gmail.com for menu/further info and to book – payment required at the meeting on Weds 24^th Feb -  I will be collecting €20 pp to include a bottle of water between 2, and a tip.

Friday 12th March: a very special dinner dance, organised by SSG member Richard Barrell, which will be held at Restaurante Balcon de Puerto, Javea Port. The price of €22 includes 3 course menu, ½ bottle wine pp, water, coffee & tip, with music for dancing provided by Paulette.  Meet at the restaurant at 7.30 p.m. for cava & orange juice cocktail. Limited to 50 members, and we will have sole use of the restaurant. Book and pay as above – please put your €22  in an envelope with your name on the outside.
If you would like to join us and receive regular updates of our activities, email Angela or ask today for a copy of our Spring programme. Organiser: Angela Chantry/Pat Johnson

SPANISH: There won't be any Spanish classes during March and the first half of April as I will be away. The last class will take place on 26 February. I have applied for the room at the Social Centre and am now waiting for confirmation. All being well I'm hoping to continue on Friday 16 April at the usual time. Organiser: Heidi Hancock

TRAVELLERS’ TALES GROUP: Our thanks to Dodie & James Hodgkinson for their excellent talk and pictorial presentation this month entitled “Under the shadow of Vesuvius”. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 16^th March, when Peter Atkinson will be giving us a presentation on “Northern Spain: a little history, a little geography, and a leisurely tour”. On Tuesday 13^th April we can look forward to John Reynolds’ talk on “Kerala, South India”. Venue:  The Javea Players' Studio, Javea old town (in the road behind Book World Espana, just further on from Bar Fuentes). Arrival: 11.30 a.m. for a 12 p.m. start.  Organiser: Angela Chantry

WALKING GROUPS

GENTLE WALKS: Please contact Jean Miller at jeandepgroupcoord@yahoo.co.uk phone - 966 074 021 or Karen White at karen.l.boddy@gmail.com 

 

HEALTH WALKS and INTERMEDIATE WALKS: Please see website for details of programme. Organiser: Karen White

MOUNTAIN WALKING GROUP: Organiser: Al Knight’s schedule for the monthly walk, meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 9.30am at the Tourist Office car park in Benitachell is as follows:
4^th March                         Benimaurell                     4.5 hours            12km                  300m ascent

WINE TASTING: The Groups have now been amalgamated into one Wine tasting Group, which means that there will now be only one meeting per month. The times will alternate so, for example, the meeting in February is at 12.00, but the March meeting on the 17th will be at 6.00 in the evening.
All meetings will be at La Cocina, and full details will be e-mailed to Group members in good time before the date of the meeting. Organiser: Steve Collins

***** FOR ALL OTHER GROUPS***** please contact the relevant group leader, or visit the

TRAVEL 2010

TRAVEL SECTION: REMINDER FROM THE TRAVEL TEAM

Please look at the travel section ahead of the meeting, so you are aware of which trips are available and are to be paid for at the meeting.
As an additional service to members, we have obtained a Mail Box at Total Postal in Javea Port, where it will now be possible for you to hand in an envelope containing your booking request/s and payment – all envelopes should be addressed to Angela Chantry, Suite No. 053, Total Postal.  A form for this purpose has been created and must accompany your payment (cheques only, no cash). It can be printed off from our Travel Page on the website, or come and collect one from any of the Travel Organisers – full details are included on the form. 
Our programme of day trips and excursions being planned for 2010 has been included at the end of this newsletter.

Monday/Tues 22^nd/23^rd February - 2 night walking trip, based at Casa Carrascal, Parcent.  This trip is full – would participants please meet at the hotel by 10 a.m. on Monday 22^nd. Organiser:  Angela Chantry

Wednesday 24th March – Coach to Valencia, followed by Tourist bus around the city, lunch (not included), and a guided walking tour of the old city before return back to Javea. Cost € 25. Only two places left. Payable (exact money, please) at the February meeting. Organiser: John Price

Tuesday 20th-Thursday 22nd April - Delta del Ebro. Coach to Peniscola (4 star accomodation, with half board) and trips to Tarragona, Delta del Ebro and Morella, with optional entrances etc. Approximate cost € 190 (could be less, depending on numbers), single supplement € 60. Please pay a deposit of €50 (exact money, please) at the February meeting. Organiser: John Price

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS

The Travel Team will be on hand to collect money and names for trips at the open meeting in the Parador on the 24^th February.  If you cannot attend the Parador you can contact any travel organiser via the website, or use our new MAIL BOX service in Javea Port. ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME on our day excursions, trips, and special events. So are your ideas for any future excursions - come and talk to us: Angela, Mike, Pat, John & Diane.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that, at times, it is necessary for the U3A to make deposits with travel agents for future trips, and whilst we do not anticipate any such problems, in the event of a travel agent or hotelier becoming bankrupt, Javea U3A would not be in a position to refund any losses that might occur. We strongly recommend that you ensure that your own personal travel insurance provides cover for any such losses. If you are unable to use a trip which you have already paid for you should inform the appropriate Travel Organiser, who will try and find a replacement from the reserve list. Where this is possible, the Travel Organiser should be able to give you a full or partial refund (depending on the nature of the trip). If there is no waiting list, then a refund would not be possible, as this may prejudice other members booked on the trip. We have a clearly defined policy whereby non-members are only permitted after all else has been exhausted, and the non-member may be expected to pay a small additional supplement. We do not allow non-member substitutions as it is unfair to our members. Angela Chantry

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

NEW DISCOUNTS

5 Star Pool Cleaning offer a 15% discount on yearly contracts e.g. 8 x 4 pool normally€ 720 pa, with discount €600. Contact Michael on 685 242 253 for more details.

Tracy Baker, an Holistic Therapist offers Reflexology and Reiki for €10 per hour instead of €25 per hour. Telephone 687 675 058 to book an appointment.

Joyce offers a 10% discount of all manicures and pedicure treatments. Find Joyce next door to Sophia's Restaurant or Telephone 609 438 317 for an appointment. Manicures from €12, Pedicure from €25,  Acrylic and Gel Nails from €30 (all prices quoted less 10% discount for U3A members).

DISCOUNTS – MARK PETRIE SL INSURANCE AGENCY

Some confusion has arising regarding the continued availability of the discounts published on the web site relating to insurances taken out through Mark Petrie SL.
I have spoken to Mark Petrie, and he assures me that for policies taken out through his agency, the discounts offered by him and publicised on our website are still available to U3A members.The problem that may arise is if anyone attempts to renew a policy held with an insurance company for which he is also an agent, (in the main this relates to Liberty Seguros) which was taken out through, and is held by, another agency. He cannot morally agree to take on the renewal of that policy as this would be against the practice agreed with his fellow insurance agencies in this area. Stealing their clients in effect! In such cases, if anyone holding a policy wishes to renew with that company, then the holder must cancel the current policy with the agency with which it is held, and then take out a new policy through the Mark Petrie agency. He can, and will, then offer the discounts he gives to U3A members on the premiums due as stated on the web site.
I trust this clarifies the situation relating to these discounts.  Should other queries arise, then please contact me at vice.president@u3ajavea.org       Paul Wessendorff

FOR SALE, RECYCLE OR WANTED:  At the Parador meeting we will have a board for you to advertise items you wish to SELL, RECYCLE (give away) or WANTED. To advertise your item please contact Jean at urecyclesale@yahoo.co.uk (email subject-U3A Javea notice board). Please make sure you put all the details about the item, and your contact number or email address. We will presume you have sold, recycled or found the item before the next meeting so if you wish the same advert to go on the board again make sure you contact Jean and ask for the advert to be resubmitted.

BOOK SWAP & AUDIO BOOK SWAP. Barbara will be pleased to see you at the Parador meeting, the swap tables will be in front of the stage in the main conference room. Remember to bring along your books or audio books, there is a small charge of 50c if you have no book to swap, this money will go towards the U3A chosen charity.

DVD SWAP at the Parador meeting - This only works if you remember to bring your DVD´s along to the swap table in front of the stage in the main conference hall, there are some very good films and TV programs available so please do not forget.

A collection box for used Postage Stamps will be by the DVD and Book swap table. These stamps will be given to the Royal British Legion for their support fund, so please remember to bring Books, DVDs and now stamps as well to future meetings.

Next month’s meeting: 11.00 am. on Wednesday, 24^th March at the Parador

No minutes were taken at last month’s Parador meeting which was an Open meeting focusing on the renewal of annual membership fees and meeting up with some of the Group Leader

TRAVEL PROGRAMME FEBRUARY – SEPTEMBER 2010