NEWS FROM BENAHAVIS

Cross Country Motors
The IV Andalucian Cross Country Motorbike Championship will start at 09:30 Sunday November 1st in the area located above and to the left of the entrance to El Casar in the village.

Leaving party at the La Torre Bar Restaurant
Sadly enough, La Torre is closing and we will have to miss Lisa and Silvia, but on Thursday, 24, a party will be held with the beer at 1,00 euro and spirits at 3,50-4,00 Euros. Snacks will be served for free. Start at 21.00

Benahavis Senior Masters
The La Quinta Golf Club will host the Benahavis senior masters from the 13th to the 18th of October.
13/10 : Practice day
14/10 : Pro-Am first round
15/10 : Pro-Am second round
16-18/10 : Benahavis senior masters

Tennis courses 2009-2010
Tennis courses for 2009-2010 will commence at 10am on Saturday 3rd October 2009 in the sports pavilion of Benahavis. The course monitor shall be grading the kids at this time. Do not forget to bring your sports card with you.

Re-Opening of the municipal gym
The municipal gym has opened again since yesterday, September 15.

Opening of the skate park
There will be an opening day demonstration at the skate park near the football field on Saturday 26th Sept at 18:00

Last night of the BBC Promenade concerts ( PROMS )
On Saturday, September 12, you can watch BBC television in the Parque de las Leoneras for the last night of the Proms, starting at 8PM. So for all of you feeling homesick of England, you can have a bit of it here in Benahavis. BBQ and drinks are available 

Spanish humor at the Parque de las Leoneras
On Friday, September 4, Manolo Doña performs at the Parque de las Leoneras. For those who are not fluent in Spanish, don't bother as you won't understand a thing. Starts at 21.30h. If you want to check, see the video below.
I also want to apologize for the start time of the flamenco show, but the 20.00h start was taken from an e-mail I received.

Flamenco at the Parque de las Leoneras
On Saturday, August 29, Malaga born Juan Martin will be playing flamenco guitar at the amphitheatre in the Parque de las Leoneras. Starts at 20.00h.

Live Flamenco Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having  live music every  Thursday night now, until the end of September, at 22.00. Swinging Flamenco Reggae Pop!

New Plaza at the entrance of the village
This morning work started on a new square opposite the ice cream place ( where the fountain was ). It seems the town hall is desperate to remove all the authentic features of Benahavis, as they already had a horrible "block" put on the Plaza del Mirador ( down from restaurante Amigos ) .

Malaga CF - Cadiz Football Club
Malaga CF is playing Cadiz in Benahavis on Sunday, august 23 at 19.00. Free entrance.

Harley Davidson meeting in Benahavis
On Saturday, august 29, several hundreds of Harleys are expected to meet in Benahavis at 18.30. There should be a flamenco show in the amphitheatre at the parque de las leoneras afterwards, but, as usual with the town hall, when is not yet decided.

Feria lights are up
The lights for the feria have been put up this week. It struck me they still use conventional light bulbs though. With around 5000 lamps between the C/Malaga and the Plaza de España, an amazing amount of electricity could have been saved by using energy saving lamps. And the town hall  should give the right example!

Spanish show jumping championships
On August 7, 8 and 9 the Spanish show jumping championships will be held in the Marbella Club resort. Free entrance.

Benahavis Feria 2009
The complete programme of the feria here

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis : UPDATE Malaga CF is training on the Benahavis football pitch at 7PM every day. On Saturday, 1st of august they play Atletico Malagueño at 10AM. Score : 6-0.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on  Thursday, 6th of August, at 22.00. Swinging Flamenco Pop!

Exposition of old pictures of Benahavis
For those of you who haven't looked at the Benahavis photo gallery yet, a photo exhibition of old pictures of Benahavis will be held on the Plaza de España on the 30th of July from 20.00h.

Live Spanish 80's music and Jazz : UPDATE
I would like to mention that on the posters for the live Spanish 80's music someone ( or more than one ) in the town hall forgot the location of the event. In this case it will be on the driving range on the 23rd.
There is also the projection of a film shot in Benahavis, called "DESTINO", something that was forgotten again in the e-mail from the town hall, accompanied by a live "jazz" concert on the 25th in the park by the river. This starts at 22.00.

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis : UPDATE
On the same day as our town hall sent the confirmation on Malaga football club staying in the village from the 20th until the 30th of this month, the Malaga football club announced on their website that the preseason stage will be delayed ( waiting for a few new signings ) and they will be here from the 28th of July until the 8th of August.

Environmental Campaign
Thursday July 16th from 11:00 to 13:30 at the municipal pool. A classroom to raise environmental awareness, including an information point with activities and games to promote recycling.
Don't ask me if you have to pay to get in without a citizen's card.

Old village photos
Someone in the town hall has apparently found a new program to work with and now they are sending e-mails with a .pub attachment. This stands for a document in Windows Publisher, and I have received various e-mails asking how to open this. It only comes with the Office 2007 Professional edition, and they are obviously forgetting that most people only have the basic Office edition, so you can either download a trial version of Publisher ( valid for 60 days ) or just ignore it.
I can't wait till they send their mails in COREL or maybe 3D Studio MAX!!
The mail invites people who have old photos of the village to bring them to the town hall to be scanned, all this before the 15th of , so that an exhibition can be held.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on the square on  Friday, 10th of July, at 22.00. RUMBA!!!

Benahavis in Bloom Although I like the idea of such a competition ( "Cordoba Patio is a perfect example of what it can be like ), Benahavis in Bloom has been another missed opportunity for the town hall. Posters were put up on the day the competition started, so Benahavis inhabitants were not given time to prepare anything and only 10 people entered the competition because it wasn't mentioned that you had to do so. It is about time one takes notice that an event without publicity is not an event. Anyway, the winner ( Villa Josefa ) did deserve the first prize. Photos by Stephanie West, more photos on Stephanie's Face book page

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis
As last year, Malaga Football Club will be in Benahavis for their summer stage, so if you want to see some of the players who will participate in "La Liga" next season, you can watch them on the football pitch between the 20th and 30th of July.

Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons for all ages will be given from July, 6 until July, 31. The cost is only 15 euros and for more details and inscriptions contact the town hall.

Feria Dates
Even if I mention on the right that the local feria will be held from 13 to 16 of August, this is a projection I have made considering it is around the 15th, I cannot guarantee these dates, and obviously the town hall has no idea yet either since they are still talking about mid August, without mentioning any date. It is about time our "excelentisimo ayuntamiento" starts thinking more than one week ahead!

Benahavis Monday market First chance I had to take a look at the Monday arts & crafts market in Benahavis. It looked really good (except for the plastic toys made in China) but unfortunately it started to rain at 23.00, so everybody was in a rush to leave although the square was still full of people.

photo by Stephanie West

Benahavis in Bloom
During the week 22-26th of June the first Benahavis in Bloom competition (best facade) will be judged. The prize giving to take place in the Escuela de Hosteleria at 13:00hrs on the 26th.

Summer concerts at Villa Padierna
The amphitheatre at the Villa Padierna hotel ( Los Flamingos Golf ) hosts various concerts this summer, and, on the contrary to our town hall, are actually planning it all. Find out what and when on our event calendar.

And more : Live Music in El Fogon
Barbeque and live music in restaurante El Fogon on Saturday, 13.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on  Friday, 12th of June, at 22.00.

6th Trial of Benahavis Andalusian championships
For the 6th year in a row, on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 Benahavis hosts a competition of the Andalusian trial championships. People living in the village could be woken up by the sound of motorbikes who will perform their control over the bike in the area of the swimming pool.

UPDATE Charity Market
Since the Charity Market from Saturday May 23 was cancelled at the eleventh hour ( 21.00h the day before), a new date and time has been chosen. On June, 6  from 15:00 till 22:00 on the Avenida Andalucia in Benahavis

Summer hours public driving range
10.00 to 14.00
17.00 to 21.00

Live Music in El Fogon
We are being spoiled lately with live music as Restaurant El Fogon offers live music on Saturday, May 23 ( with BBQ ) and on Thursday, May 28 ( Fiesta Flamenca )

Prices Sports facilities
The citizens card includes free use of the sports facilities in the village. However, if you do not have one, you can find the hourly rates of all sports facilities here

Benahavis Municipal Pool
Entry to the pool can be with the existing carnet de ciudadano or with a swimming pool card available now at the town hall. This card is issued at the town hall and costs for children up to 16 years old 25 euros and for adults 50 euros. The swimming pool is due to open from around the middle of June till the beginning of September. It would have been a lot easier to say from June, 15 until September, 1 but that is obviously not how the town hall works ( looking at the calendar is a huge job apparently ).
Daily entrance rates:
Monday to Friday Children up to 16 years €1, adults €2.
Saturday,  Sunday and public holidays Children €1.50, adults €3.

Live Music in La Torre
La Torre is having another live music night, REGGAE this time on Saturday, 30th of May, at 22.00. As those of you who were there on the 15th will acknowledge, it promises to be very danceable.

El Fogon restaurant reopened
Rafa has joined forces with Chuck and Ana from La Rondeña and reopened the El Fogon restaurant in the Aldea de Benahavis. Menu of the day with 3 courses and 1/2 bottle of wine per person at 15 euros.

Nursery school 2009-2010
The enrollment book for the guarderia 2009/2010 shall be open from Monday the 18th of May till the 5th of June. Please contact Maria del Mar on the 1st floor of the ayuntamiento.

Raymonds Restaurant opens on June, 6
Raymond is opening his new bar-restaurant for the public on june, 6. The premises next to the David Marshall gallery will also have a virtual golf machine where you can play some of the worlds best courses on a state of the art simulator. Read more

Charity Market
A Charity Market will be held on Saturday May 23 in Benahavis  . From 10:00 till 18:00 on the Avenida Andalucia

Live Music
La Torre is having another live music night on Friday, 15nd of May, at 22.00. CUSTOM RADIO

1st local championship of  Petanque
To be held on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 on the new petanca court on la Avenida de Moraleda, from 10:00 hrs. The mode of play shall be in pairs under the governing rules of la Real Federacion Española de Petanca.
Free for all participants.

European Elections 2009
The polling station for the European Elections to be held on Sunday June 7th 2009 will be the Colegio Publico Daidin ( public school ) situated near the football pitch.

Live Music
La Torre is having another live music night on Saturday, 2nd of May, at 22.00. JAZZ FUSION

Football match Spanish-Foreigners
Sundays game resulted in another victory for the Spanish, this time with 6-2, so at least the foreigners are getting twice as good ( last result 6-1 ).  UPDATE : Next Sunday (03/05) another game will take place as a BBQ was planned and cancelled because of the rain last week.

New time table for kids golfing lessons
Kids golf lessons are rescheduled from Monday to Friday from 18:00h till 19:00h and from 19:00h till 20:00h.

Donate blood!
A transfusion centre will be set up at the "ambulatorio", the medical centre next to Rufinos restaurant, on Thursday April, 30, from 17.30 until 21.30. So you can help others by donating some of your blood.

Football Spanish-foreigners, April, 26
The re-match has been rescheduled to Sunday, 26 at 11.30

Live Music in La Torre
Another evening of live music ( FUNK) in La Torre on the main square this Friday, 17th of April at 21.30. Free entrance.

Easter Sunday A beautiful sunny day saw a lot of people visiting the Easter stall the "mayordomos" organize traditionally on the square. Pigs and goats were raffled and vegetables and fruit could be bought.

Fresh milk in the village
For the people who like fresh milk and had to go to the coast to get some, there is good news. The estanco ( tobacco shop ) has\decided to try out selling fresh milk, and will continue to do so if the results are good.

Results Half marathon 168 participants finished the third edition of the half marathon of Benahavis. The winner was Javier Diaz Carretero of the San Pedro A.C. All results of the half marathon of Benahavis on 05/04/09 Places 1-100 : here Places 101-168 : here
Photos courtesy of Toni García from the Club San Pedro Atletismo. All photos here

Fantastic comment on an article in El Sur in English
I received this comment on an article about the foreigner departments on the coast, and apparently Benahavis was also mentioned.
Dear sir,
I did not read the article about the foreigner departments on the Costa until this week, as a friend of mine saves the editions I miss because of being abroad. I think that the bit about Benahavis is an absolute laugh and a gross excuse for not doing anything. That is why I send you this e-mail, which I hope will be published as well.
Read the full comment on the "letters from readers" page.

Easter Week 2009
Easter week is here again and with it come the traditional processions of the saints of Benahavis. Processions are held on Wednesday 5, Friday 7 and Sunday 9. Time table

Street cleaning at 12.30
Well, it shows how much the town hall bothers with local business. Just when bars, shops and restaurants can make some money, from midday onwards, the street cleaning starts! Bars had to put their terraces back inside, and shops could as well close for a while. It was all finished within 20 minutes, but with a bit of coordination this could easily be done first thing in the morning. And it happens just a day after the Amigos de Benahavis meeting, aimed to improve business in Benahavis!!!!

Amigos de Benahavis meeting
A good attendance for the  business forum which was held by "Amigos de Benahavis" at the Gran Hotel. Around 50 people showed up for a forum discussing the problems caused by the economic downturn and to discuss possible remedies.

Photos Romeria de San Jose, March 19 Although the new romeria did not attract too many people, at least compared to the traditional one on October 7, and the beer ran out at 2.30PM, here are some photos of it. I do think the town counsellors should be working behind the bar though, and serve the inhabitants for one day a year.

Football Spanish-foreigners, April, 19
After the 6-1 defeat last time, the foreigners living in Benahavis will get their chance to better the result on Sunday, April the 19th at 11.30. If you want to play, please mail  us your name and telephone number ( info@benahavis.net ) . And if your physical condition is not the best, you do not need to play the full time, as I intend to play just 15 minutes.

More Live Music in La Torre Since the live music evening on the 13th of March was of the best evenings in the village over last years, there will be another evening of live jazzy music at restaurant-bodega La Torre on Friday the 27th. So better be there, as it is an evening not to miss. JAZZ FUSION. Free entrance.

Table Top sales at the Bar Casar
Due to the success of the first table top sale at Bar Casar, this will be a continuing event, being held the second sunday of every month, from 12.00 until 4 or 5 PM.

Romeria de San Jose : Thursday, 19
On Thursday, 19 we will have another romeria in the village. Although the town hall calls it traditional, it is the first time I have heard about it ( could be my mistake, but it certainly has not been happening for more than 5 years, so what do you call traditional? )
Anyway, mass will be held at the chapel halfway the Benahavis road at 13.00 and afterwards paella and beers will be served for free.

Live Music in La Torre
On Friday, 13 at 21.30 Custom Radio will play live music in Restaurante-bodega La Torre on the Plaza de España. Free entrance.

More local police for writing out tickets
8 more places for local police officers have been granted to Benahavis, so watch out where you park your car, since the only thing they do is write out fines. As, when you try to call  them, you still get connected to Marbella, and then they take over an hour to show up, if they do at all.

Cheaper Golf for Benahavis inhabitants
The town hall is apparently trying to sort out cheaper golf for holders of the Benahavis citizens card, but the first agreements still have to be signed and we will let you know as soon as anything is really happening.

Andalusia Day : February, 28
You are invited for the celebration of Andalusia day on Saturday the 28th in the Plaza de España at 13:00 hrs. Free drinks and food on the town hall. UPDATE : the whole thing will take place in the sorts hall, as rain is threatening.

NEW : Benahavis Blog
Start saying what you want from Benahavis, what should or could be done, what you like or do not like, things that could be improved, etç...
We started off with a few suggestions, so give us your opinion about it all.
benahavis blog

Result of the Vuelta de Andalucia, stage with finish in Benahavis Italian rider Davide Rebellin won the stage with finish in Benahavis on Wednesday, in a sprint before his compatriot Filippe Pozzato and Australian Cadel Evans, a rather impressive podium. The final overall victory was for Dutchman Joost Postuma, with Xavier Tondo of Spain and Davide Rebellin second and third..

D. Rebellin & the mayor, J.A. Mena

New road surface to Benahavis
It started off with a bit of patchwork, but in the end the full surface of the road to Benahavis is being done ( why do the patchwork first then? ), and it looks as if it could be finished before the end of January.

Amigos de Benahavis web page
Amigos de Benahavis was formed in March 2008 to represent communities in the municipality. Its main objectives are to act as a forum on issues of common interest and to establish good communication with the town hall. Additionally, it aims to support and initiate social events.
From the start the association attracted strong support and currently there are 18 communities on its books. Delegates are generally the presidents of urbanizations.
As from now you can look at their page on http://benahavis.net/english/various/amigosdebenahavis.htm

Benahavis road closed on February, 18 from 15.45 till 17.00
Since the Cycling Tour of Andalucia will have the finish of the penultimate stage in Benahavis, the Benahavis road will be closed from approximately 15.45 to 17.00. However, as cyclists do not always arrive on schedule, this is only a prevision.

Error, wishful thinking or megalomania?

Sign on the road from the school to the water feature at the entrance of the village. I would have thought "SALIDA PUEBLO" more appropriate for Benahavis

Update Citizens card 2009 ( 29/01 )
Well, two days before the time limit for the subsidized citizens card 2009 has expired, we finally know what activities are included. Read more.

NEW : Letters to www.benahavis.net
Since we were are getting more and more letters complaining about how things are done in the village ( but they could be positive as well ) we started a new page where you can let your voice be heard ( or read ), so please send us what you think of Benahavis, anything you want to improve, or just saying what you like about the village.
Please send your comments to letters@benahavis.net

Kids tennis lessons
The free lessons will commence Saturday February 7th at 10am.
Remember that you need the citizens card.

Free medical health insurance for Benahavis infants
All infants under 24 months will have a free health insurance policy with Allianz. Kids under that age will receive free full medical attention in Clinica del Rio ( San Pedro ), Hospitem ( Estepona ) and UPS Clinic ( Marbella ), as well as several pediatric specialists ( list to follow).
More info at the town hall, ask for Maria Angeles Mena.

Update Citizens card 2009
The time limit for the citizens card 2009 has been prolonged until January, 31,at subsidized rates, i.e. 10 euros for the sports facilities and 10 € for the activities during the year 2009 ( it is not completely clear to me which activities are involved here, but they will be able to explain it at the town hall ) and 20 euros for the full Monty. You'll have to be a registered citizen, so if you are not "empadronado" yet but live in the village, do so at the town hall ( check it here ) and YOU DO NOT HAVE to be registered for 2 years or more.
Better go there this month as it will be 200 and 400 euros as from February.

Happy New Year
Benahavis.net wishes you a wonderful 2009.

Christmas swindle in Benahavis!!!!
Apparently, a person is trying to pass thimself off as a town hall employee. For example he will request a Xmas gift for the 2008 rubbish collection. The police tell me he drives a grey car and if seen should be reported (e-mail to info@benahavis.net and we will pass it on immediately).
He is working the Benahavis urbanisations and not the village itself so please take care. We would appreciate you passing on the message.

Sports in Benahavis 2009
The annual 172 marathon will be held on April, 5th, and the first stage of the Vuelta de Andalucia cycling race will finish in Benahavis on February, 18.

Articles from previous years
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2008
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2007
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2006.

NEWS FROM BENAHAVIS

Cross Country Motors
The IV Andalucian Cross Country Motorbike Championship will start at 09:30 Sunday November 1st in the area located above and to the left of the entrance to El Casar in the village.

Leaving party at the La Torre Bar Restaurant
Sadly enough, La Torre is closing and we will have to miss Lisa and Silvia, but on Thursday, 24, a party will be held with the beer at 1,00 euro and spirits at 3,50-4,00 Euros. Snacks will be served for free. Start at 21.00

Benahavis Senior Masters
The La Quinta Golf Club will host the Benahavis senior masters from the 13th to the 18th of October.
13/10 : Practice day
14/10 : Pro-Am first round
15/10 : Pro-Am second round
16-18/10 : Benahavis senior masters

Tennis courses 2009-2010
Tennis courses for 2009-2010 will commence at 10am on Saturday 3rd October 2009 in the sports pavilion of Benahavis. The course monitor shall be grading the kids at this time. Do not forget to bring your sports card with you.

Re-Opening of the municipal gym
The municipal gym has opened again since yesterday, September 15.

Opening of the skate park
There will be an opening day demonstration at the skate park near the football field on Saturday 26th Sept at 18:00

Last night of the BBC Promenade concerts ( PROMS )
On Saturday, September 12, you can watch BBC television in the Parque de las Leoneras for the last night of the Proms, starting at 8PM. So for all of you feeling homesick of England, you can have a bit of it here in Benahavis. BBQ and drinks are available 

Spanish humor at the Parque de las Leoneras
On Friday, September 4, Manolo Doña performs at the Parque de las Leoneras. For those who are not fluent in Spanish, don't bother as you won't understand a thing. Starts at 21.30h. If you want to check, see the video below.
I also want to apologize for the start time of the flamenco show, but the 20.00h start was taken from an e-mail I received.

Flamenco at the Parque de las Leoneras
On Saturday, August 29, Malaga born Juan Martin will be playing flamenco guitar at the amphitheatre in the Parque de las Leoneras. Starts at 20.00h.

Live Flamenco Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having  live music every  Thursday night now, until the end of September, at 22.00. Swinging Flamenco Reggae Pop!

New Plaza at the entrance of the village
This morning work started on a new square opposite the ice cream place ( where the fountain was ). It seems the town hall is desperate to remove all the authentic features of Benahavis, as they already had a horrible "block" put on the Plaza del Mirador ( down from restaurante Amigos ) .

Malaga CF - Cadiz Football Club
Malaga CF is playing Cadiz in Benahavis on Sunday, august 23 at 19.00. Free entrance.

Harley Davidson meeting in Benahavis
On Saturday, august 29, several hundreds of Harleys are expected to meet in Benahavis at 18.30. There should be a flamenco show in the amphitheatre at the parque de las leoneras afterwards, but, as usual with the town hall, when is not yet decided.

Feria lights are up
The lights for the feria have been put up this week. It struck me they still use conventional light bulbs though. With around 5000 lamps between the C/Malaga and the Plaza de España, an amazing amount of electricity could have been saved by using energy saving lamps. And the town hall  should give the right example!

Spanish show jumping championships
On August 7, 8 and 9 the Spanish show jumping championships will be held in the Marbella Club resort. Free entrance.

Benahavis Feria 2009
The complete programme of the feria here

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis : UPDATE Malaga CF is training on the Benahavis football pitch at 7PM every day. On Saturday, 1st of august they play Atletico Malagueño at 10AM. Score : 6-0.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on  Thursday, 6th of August, at 22.00. Swinging Flamenco Pop!

Exposition of old pictures of Benahavis
For those of you who haven't looked at the Benahavis photo gallery yet, a photo exhibition of old pictures of Benahavis will be held on the Plaza de España on the 30th of July from 20.00h.

Live Spanish 80's music and Jazz : UPDATE
I would like to mention that on the posters for the live Spanish 80's music someone ( or more than one ) in the town hall forgot the location of the event. In this case it will be on the driving range on the 23rd.
There is also the projection of a film shot in Benahavis, called "DESTINO", something that was forgotten again in the e-mail from the town hall, accompanied by a live "jazz" concert on the 25th in the park by the river. This starts at 22.00.

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis : UPDATE
On the same day as our town hall sent the confirmation on Malaga football club staying in the village from the 20th until the 30th of this month, the Malaga football club announced on their website that the preseason stage will be delayed ( waiting for a few new signings ) and they will be here from the 28th of July until the 8th of August.

Environmental Campaign
Thursday July 16th from 11:00 to 13:30 at the municipal pool. A classroom to raise environmental awareness, including an information point with activities and games to promote recycling.
Don't ask me if you have to pay to get in without a citizen's card.

Old village photos
Someone in the town hall has apparently found a new program to work with and now they are sending e-mails with a .pub attachment. This stands for a document in Windows Publisher, and I have received various e-mails asking how to open this. It only comes with the Office 2007 Professional edition, and they are obviously forgetting that most people only have the basic Office edition, so you can either download a trial version of Publisher ( valid for 60 days ) or just ignore it.
I can't wait till they send their mails in COREL or maybe 3D Studio MAX!!
The mail invites people who have old photos of the village to bring them to the town hall to be scanned, all this before the 15th of , so that an exhibition can be held.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on the square on  Friday, 10th of July, at 22.00. RUMBA!!!

Benahavis in Bloom Although I like the idea of such a competition ( "Cordoba Patio is a perfect example of what it can be like ), Benahavis in Bloom has been another missed opportunity for the town hall. Posters were put up on the day the competition started, so Benahavis inhabitants were not given time to prepare anything and only 10 people entered the competition because it wasn't mentioned that you had to do so. It is about time one takes notice that an event without publicity is not an event. Anyway, the winner ( Villa Josefa ) did deserve the first prize. Photos by Stephanie West, more photos on Stephanie's Face book page

Malaga Football Club in Benahavis
As last year, Malaga Football Club will be in Benahavis for their summer stage, so if you want to see some of the players who will participate in "La Liga" next season, you can watch them on the football pitch between the 20th and 30th of July.

Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons for all ages will be given from July, 6 until July, 31. The cost is only 15 euros and for more details and inscriptions contact the town hall.

Feria Dates
Even if I mention on the right that the local feria will be held from 13 to 16 of August, this is a projection I have made considering it is around the 15th, I cannot guarantee these dates, and obviously the town hall has no idea yet either since they are still talking about mid August, without mentioning any date. It is about time our "excelentisimo ayuntamiento" starts thinking more than one week ahead!

Benahavis Monday market First chance I had to take a look at the Monday arts & crafts market in Benahavis. It looked really good (except for the plastic toys made in China) but unfortunately it started to rain at 23.00, so everybody was in a rush to leave although the square was still full of people.

photo by Stephanie West

Benahavis in Bloom
During the week 22-26th of June the first Benahavis in Bloom competition (best facade) will be judged. The prize giving to take place in the Escuela de Hosteleria at 13:00hrs on the 26th.

Summer concerts at Villa Padierna
The amphitheatre at the Villa Padierna hotel ( Los Flamingos Golf ) hosts various concerts this summer, and, on the contrary to our town hall, are actually planning it all. Find out what and when on our event calendar.

And more : Live Music in El Fogon
Barbeque and live music in restaurante El Fogon on Saturday, 13.

Live Music in La Torre
Bar restaurant La Torre is having another live music night on  Friday, 12th of June, at 22.00.

6th Trial of Benahavis Andalusian championships
For the 6th year in a row, on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 Benahavis hosts a competition of the Andalusian trial championships. People living in the village could be woken up by the sound of motorbikes who will perform their control over the bike in the area of the swimming pool.

UPDATE Charity Market
Since the Charity Market from Saturday May 23 was cancelled at the eleventh hour ( 21.00h the day before), a new date and time has been chosen. On June, 6  from 15:00 till 22:00 on the Avenida Andalucia in Benahavis

Summer hours public driving range
10.00 to 14.00
17.00 to 21.00

Live Music in El Fogon
We are being spoiled lately with live music as Restaurant El Fogon offers live music on Saturday, May 23 ( with BBQ ) and on Thursday, May 28 ( Fiesta Flamenca )

Prices Sports facilities
The citizens card includes free use of the sports facilities in the village. However, if you do not have one, you can find the hourly rates of all sports facilities here

Benahavis Municipal Pool
Entry to the pool can be with the existing carnet de ciudadano or with a swimming pool card available now at the town hall. This card is issued at the town hall and costs for children up to 16 years old 25 euros and for adults 50 euros. The swimming pool is due to open from around the middle of June till the beginning of September. It would have been a lot easier to say from June, 15 until September, 1 but that is obviously not how the town hall works ( looking at the calendar is a huge job apparently ).
Daily entrance rates:
Monday to Friday Children up to 16 years €1, adults €2.
Saturday,  Sunday and public holidays Children €1.50, adults €3.

Live Music in La Torre
La Torre is having another live music night, REGGAE this time on Saturday, 30th of May, at 22.00. As those of you who were there on the 15th will acknowledge, it promises to be very danceable.

El Fogon restaurant reopened
Rafa has joined forces with Chuck and Ana from La Rondeña and reopened the El Fogon restaurant in the Aldea de Benahavis. Menu of the day with 3 courses and 1/2 bottle of wine per person at 15 euros.

Nursery school 2009-2010
The enrollment book for the guarderia 2009/2010 shall be open from Monday the 18th of May till the 5th of June. Please contact Maria del Mar on the 1st floor of the ayuntamiento.

Raymonds Restaurant opens on June, 6
Raymond is opening his new bar-restaurant for the public on june, 6. The premises next to the David Marshall gallery will also have a virtual golf machine where you can play some of the worlds best courses on a state of the art simulator. Read more

Charity Market
A Charity Market will be held on Saturday May 23 in Benahavis  . From 10:00 till 18:00 on the Avenida Andalucia

Live Music
La Torre is having another live music night on Friday, 15nd of May, at 22.00. CUSTOM RADIO

1st local championship of  Petanque
To be held on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 on the new petanca court on la Avenida de Moraleda, from 10:00 hrs. The mode of play shall be in pairs under the governing rules of la Real Federacion Española de Petanca.
Free for all participants.

European Elections 2009
The polling station for the European Elections to be held on Sunday June 7th 2009 will be the Colegio Publico Daidin ( public school ) situated near the football pitch.

Live Music
La Torre is having another live music night on Saturday, 2nd of May, at 22.00. JAZZ FUSION

Football match Spanish-Foreigners
Sundays game resulted in another victory for the Spanish, this time with 6-2, so at least the foreigners are getting twice as good ( last result 6-1 ).  UPDATE : Next Sunday (03/05) another game will take place as a BBQ was planned and cancelled because of the rain last week.

New time table for kids golfing lessons
Kids golf lessons are rescheduled from Monday to Friday from 18:00h till 19:00h and from 19:00h till 20:00h.

Donate blood!
A transfusion centre will be set up at the "ambulatorio", the medical centre next to Rufinos restaurant, on Thursday April, 30, from 17.30 until 21.30. So you can help others by donating some of your blood.

Football Spanish-foreigners, April, 26
The re-match has been rescheduled to Sunday, 26 at 11.30

Live Music in La Torre
Another evening of live music ( FUNK) in La Torre on the main square this Friday, 17th of April at 21.30. Free entrance.

Easter Sunday A beautiful sunny day saw a lot of people visiting the Easter stall the "mayordomos" organize traditionally on the square. Pigs and goats were raffled and vegetables and fruit could be bought.

Fresh milk in the village
For the people who like fresh milk and had to go to the coast to get some, there is good news. The estanco ( tobacco shop ) has\decided to try out selling fresh milk, and will continue to do so if the results are good.

Results Half marathon 168 participants finished the third edition of the half marathon of Benahavis. The winner was Javier Diaz Carretero of the San Pedro A.C. All results of the half marathon of Benahavis on 05/04/09 Places 1-100 : here Places 101-168 : here
Photos courtesy of Toni García from the Club San Pedro Atletismo. All photos here

Fantastic comment on an article in El Sur in English
I received this comment on an article about the foreigner departments on the coast, and apparently Benahavis was also mentioned.
Dear sir,
I did not read the article about the foreigner departments on the Costa until this week, as a friend of mine saves the editions I miss because of being abroad. I think that the bit about Benahavis is an absolute laugh and a gross excuse for not doing anything. That is why I send you this e-mail, which I hope will be published as well.
Read the full comment on the "letters from readers" page.

Easter Week 2009
Easter week is here again and with it come the traditional processions of the saints of Benahavis. Processions are held on Wednesday 5, Friday 7 and Sunday 9. Time table

Street cleaning at 12.30
Well, it shows how much the town hall bothers with local business. Just when bars, shops and restaurants can make some money, from midday onwards, the street cleaning starts! Bars had to put their terraces back inside, and shops could as well close for a while. It was all finished within 20 minutes, but with a bit of coordination this could easily be done first thing in the morning. And it happens just a day after the Amigos de Benahavis meeting, aimed to improve business in Benahavis!!!!

Amigos de Benahavis meeting
A good attendance for the  business forum which was held by "Amigos de Benahavis" at the Gran Hotel. Around 50 people showed up for a forum discussing the problems caused by the economic downturn and to discuss possible remedies.

Photos Romeria de San Jose, March 19 Although the new romeria did not attract too many people, at least compared to the traditional one on October 7, and the beer ran out at 2.30PM, here are some photos of it. I do think the town counsellors should be working behind the bar though, and serve the inhabitants for one day a year.

Football Spanish-foreigners, April, 19
After the 6-1 defeat last time, the foreigners living in Benahavis will get their chance to better the result on Sunday, April the 19th at 11.30. If you want to play, please mail  us your name and telephone number ( info@benahavis.net ) . And if your physical condition is not the best, you do not need to play the full time, as I intend to play just 15 minutes.

More Live Music in La Torre Since the live music evening on the 13th of March was of the best evenings in the village over last years, there will be another evening of live jazzy music at restaurant-bodega La Torre on Friday the 27th. So better be there, as it is an evening not to miss. JAZZ FUSION. Free entrance.

Table Top sales at the Bar Casar
Due to the success of the first table top sale at Bar Casar, this will be a continuing event, being held the second sunday of every month, from 12.00 until 4 or 5 PM.

 Romeria de San Jose : Thursday, 19
On Thursday, 19 we will have another romeria in the village. Although the town hall calls it traditional, it is the first time I have heard about it ( could be my mistake, but it certainly has not been happening for more than 5 years, so what do you call traditional? )
Anyway, mass will be held at the chapel halfway the Benahavis road at 13.00 and afterwards paella and beers will be served for free.

Live Music in La Torre
On Friday, 13 at 21.30 Custom Radio will play live music in Restaurante-bodega La Torre on the Plaza de España. Free entrance.

More local police for writing out tickets
8 more places for local police officers have been granted to Benahavis, so watch out where you park your car, since the only thing they do is write out fines. As, when you try to call  them, you still get connected to Marbella, and then they take over an hour to show up, if they do at all.

Cheaper Golf for Benahavis inhabitants
The town hall is apparently trying to sort out cheaper golf for holders of the Benahavis citizens card, but the first agreements still have to be signed and we will let you know as soon as anything is really happening.

Andalusia Day : February, 28
You are invited for the celebration of Andalusia day on Saturday the 28th in the Plaza de España at 13:00 hrs. Free drinks and food on the town hall. UPDATE : the whole thing will take place in the sorts hall, as rain is threatening.

NEW : Benahavis Blog
Start saying what you want from Benahavis, what should or could be done, what you like or do not like, things that could be improved, etç...
We started off with a few suggestions, so give us your opinion about it all.
benahavis blog

Result of the Vuelta de Andalucia, stage with finish in Benahavis Italian rider Davide Rebellin won the stage with finish in Benahavis on Wednesday, in a sprint before his compatriot Filippe Pozzato and Australian Cadel Evans, a rather impressive podium. The final overall victory was for Dutchman Joost Postuma, with Xavier Tondo of Spain and Davide Rebellin second and third..

D. Rebellin & the mayor, J.A. Mena

New road surface to Benahavis
It started off with a bit of patchwork, but in the end the full surface of the road to Benahavis is being done ( why do the patchwork first then? ), and it looks as if it could be finished before the end of January.

Amigos de Benahavis web page
Amigos de Benahavis was formed in March 2008 to represent communities in the municipality. Its main objectives are to act as a forum on issues of common interest and to establish good communication with the town hall. Additionally, it aims to support and initiate social events.
From the start the association attracted strong support and currently there are 18 communities on its books. Delegates are generally the presidents of urbanizations.
As from now you can look at their page on http://benahavis.net/english/various/amigosdebenahavis.htm

Benahavis road closed on February, 18 from 15.45 till 17.00
Since the Cycling Tour of Andalucia will have the finish of the penultimate stage in Benahavis, the Benahavis road will be closed from approximately 15.45 to 17.00. However, as cyclists do not always arrive on schedule, this is only a prevision.

Error, wishful thinking or megalomania?

Sign on the road from the school to the water feature at the entrance of the village. I would have thought "SALIDA PUEBLO" more appropriate for Benahavis

Update Citizens card 2009 ( 29/01 )
Well, two days before the time limit for the subsidized citizens card 2009 has expired, we finally know what activities are included. Read more.

NEW : Letters to www.benahavis.net
Since we were are getting more and more letters complaining about how things are done in the village ( but they could be positive as well ) we started a new page where you can let your voice be heard ( or read ), so please send us what you think of Benahavis, anything you want to improve, or just saying what you like about the village.
Please send your comments to letters@benahavis.net

Kids tennis lessons
The free lessons will commence Saturday February 7th at 10am.
Remember that you need the citizens card.

Free medical health insurance for Benahavis infants
All infants under 24 months will have a free health insurance policy with Allianz. Kids under that age will receive free full medical attention in Clinica del Rio ( San Pedro ), Hospitem ( Estepona ) and UPS Clinic ( Marbella ), as well as several pediatric specialists ( list to follow).
More info at the town hall, ask for Maria Angeles Mena.

Update Citizens card 2009
The time limit for the citizens card 2009 has been prolonged until January, 31,at subsidized rates, i.e. 10 euros for the sports facilities and 10 € for the activities during the year 2009 ( it is not completely clear to me which activities are involved here, but they will be able to explain it at the town hall ) and 20 euros for the full Monty. You'll have to be a registered citizen, so if you are not "empadronado" yet but live in the village, do so at the town hall ( check it here ) and YOU DO NOT HAVE to be registered for 2 years or more.
Better go there this month as it will be 200 and 400 euros as from February.

Happy New Year
Benahavis.net wishes you a wonderful 2009.

Christmas swindle in Benahavis!!!!
Apparently, a person is trying to pass thimself off as a town hall employee. For example he will request a Xmas gift for the 2008 rubbish collection. The police tell me he drives a grey car and if seen should be reported (e-mail to info@benahavis.net and we will pass it on immediately).
He is working the Benahavis urbanisations and not the village itself so please take care. We would appreciate you passing on the message.

Sports in Benahavis 2009
The annual 172 marathon will be held on April, 5th, and the first stage of the Vuelta de Andalucia cycling race will finish in Benahavis on February, 18.

Articles from previous years
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2008
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2007
Read what happened in Benahavis in 2006.