Is Cala de la Mosca Safe Now?

During the last 4 years, since 2007, of the Partido Popular government of the Orihuela Town Council, the official opposition parties, namely the Los Verdes, PSOE and CLR, and the then unelected CLARO party have campaigned to save the area of land known as Cala de la Mosca from development for housing. It is the last section of the coastal strip within the Orihuela Costa area that remains undeveloped at this time, although planning permission had originally been given by the PP government in 1992 for a housing development.

Whilst all the opposition parties have voiced their objection to the development, the two parties that would seem to have been most vociferous in the campaign to 'Save Cala de la Mosca' are Los Verdes (Green Party) and CLARO, with many articles on their websites on this matter. The later organising a petition containing a quoted 7000 signatures that was presented to the then PP Alcaldesa of Orihuela, Monica Lorente.

Now that the Orihuela municipality has a tripartite government of PSOE, Los Verdes and CLARO; is Cala de la Mosca safe now from total destruction by the housing developer? Will the current government retract the planning permission given by the previous PP government.

As Orihuela has a Los Verdes party Alcalde (Mayor), Monserrate Guillén, and he appointed Robert Houliston of CLARO, as his right-hand man in the coastal area, as Councillor for Orihuela Costa; how long will we have to wait for the official announcement the Cala de la Mosca development has been stopped? Surely there cannot be any doubt about it as both parties included the question of the future of Cala de la Mosca in their election manifestos promising to save it.

I, and other residents of Orihuela Costa I'm sure, will wait with great anticipation to hear whether or not Cala de la Mosca is to be saved by the new tripartite Orihuela Town Council.

Edit: 18th July.
The Leader newspaper has paid me the compliment of publishing this article on the front page of this week's edition.

Does driving a Porsche make a man more desirable to women?

New research finds that men's conspicuous spending is driven by the desire to have uncommitted romantic flings. And, gentlemen, women can see right through it.

According to the researchers, women found a man who chose to purchase a flashy luxury Porsche more desirable for a date than the same man who purchased a non-luxury economy car such as a Honda Civic. However although women found the flashy guys more desirable for a date, the man with the Porsche was not preferred as a marriage partner. Women inferred from a man's flashy spending that he was interested in uncommitted sex.

What about a Hyundai Getz, what does that signal? It could be a subliminal Porsche!

Read the full article in Science Daily

Pat Condell says - Don't pray for me

Ex-Alcaldesa of Orihuela to start new profession as a ´Lifestyle Guru`

Following her recent failure in her attempt to continue as the, Partido Popular, Alcaldesa (Mayoress) of Orihuela, for the next four years, it has been suggested to me by a source of some provenance, although personally unsubstantiated at this time, that Monica Lorente is to open a new consultancy business in Orihuela Costa.

If what I understand is correct then she intends to offer her services as a 'Lifestyle Guru`, to all the residents of Orihuela Costa. Initially her main potential market will be those United Kingdom Expat residents who supported CLARO in the recent local election and who feel that their lives need a change of direction and ambition.

Monica's reasoning behind her decision, is thought to be that, she believes that with her exceptional qualities of compassion for other people, her honesty in all matters, and her ability to listen to the residents, as they tell her about their fears and worries about the quality of their lives, the residents will need and benefit tremendously from her ideas on achieving the highest possible level of quality Lifestyle. Even though the public services and facilities in Orihuela Costa are sub-standard, as a result of her previous government colleagues excellent work, it is thought she believes, with her expertise, that these minor irritations can be overcome by following her philosophy on life. During their consultations her clients will be expected to recite her mantra, as were her PP government colleagues each time they met her; “a little bit of Monica in my life” .

Whilst considering several possible names for her new venture the local bookies are offering short odds on her final choice being ´Perfect People`. It is felt that this will be chosen as a comfort element for her as she could continue to be associated with a ´PP` logo, but also that the residents of Orihuela Costa would get withdrawal symptoms if they didn't regularly see, and hear about, the PP initials they have loved and trusted over the last 25 years.

I'm also informed, by reliable sources within the Orihuela Town Hall this time, that two of Ms. Lorente's personally appointed employees, namely her press officer, LouiseClarke, and Liaison Officer to the Expats, Stefan Pokroppa, in the Orihuela Costa town hall annex, have as a result of Monica's failure to keep her job as Mayor, lost their positions as well. Now putting 2 plus 2 together and making 10, similar to the accounting system used by the Ex-Alcaldesa and her government with the council's finances, it would seem probable that they will be employed by Monica in 'Perfect People', in marketing and customer liaison. Even though they did not seem to get it quite right in their past positions, as a sign of her benevolence, Monica will be offering them  another chance. Not only will they be employees but also amongst the first of Ms. Lorente's guinea pig clients, for a large fee deducted from their wages of course, as they need a new, and unexpected, lifestyle.

The Orihuela Costa residents I'm sure will wish Monica Lorente all that she deserves in her titanic voyage into the icy seas of reality aboard her new vessel 'Perfect People'.

Enlarged prostate: Study demonstrates immediate and long-term benefits of laser treatment

Hey you guys of a more mature age there is some new research which demonstrates that holmium laser therapy is a safe and durable treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate to us none medical type, that affects most men as they age.

It is worth a quick read of the article Enlarged prostate: Study demonstrates immediate and long-term benefits of laser treatment in ScienceDaily.

Acting rudely leads people to see power!

NOW LISTEN UP YOU LOT STOP WHAT YOU´RE DOING AND READ THIS; according to the research team lead by Gerben Van Kleef of the University of Amsterdam when people have power, they act the part. Powerful people smile less, interrupt others and speak in a LOUDER voice. When people do not respect the basic rules of social behavior, they lead others to believe that they have power.

Right; now click on the link and read more details in the article in ScienceDaily Breaking rules makes you seem powerful, come on hurry up!



Please.

Obesity linked to higher risk of prostate cancer progression

Now come on you guys, that are a little portlier than you should be, here is another good reason to slim down.

Researchers have found that even when treated with hormone therapy to suppress tumor growth, obese men face an elevated risk of their prostate cancer worsening.

Read more in the ScienceDaily article:- Obesity linked to higher risk of prostate cancer progression

Narcissistic or Sycophantic?

The Leader newspaper, here on the Costa Blanca, published this week, includes the following article:

Making Indiviuals Matter.

When party politics take over the news, it´s often a time we forget the individuals. Individuals like Stefan Pokroppa, who has served out community for 4 years now, being the single point of liaison between the international community and the Orihuela council.

Having been instrumental in arranging many events for local people, as well as helping lots of individual cases where people have sought help, sometimes desperate, Stefan has always been there, often without credit and never seeking praise, just a man, doing his best, for the sake of everyone he comes across.

Not forgetting that Stefan is in fact German, capable of speaking numerous languages, it is no mean feat what he has achieved. So, as well as thinking party politics, let us also remember that behind every political group are individuals like Stefan, without doubt, one of the most instrumental figures of the PP on the Orihuela Costa.

Once I stopped laughing; I wondered who wrote this. I know it is accredited to Mark Nolan but I have to wonder if in fact it is a case of narcissistic creative writing by Stefan P issued as a press release! If this is not the case, and was originated by Mark N, then, it seems to me to be a sycophantic semi-fictional synopsis.

Let us not forget that Stefan Pokroppa has been doing such a wonderful job in his very well paid position, appointed on the personal whim of the PP Mayoress, Monica Lorente, and paid for from Council funds; that she felt the need to create a new appointment of a press officer, Louise Clarke, in the Orihuela Costa Town Hall to inform the residents about the PP. It seems to me that the Mayoress didn´t think Stefan was, and isn´t, very good at liaising with the international community of Orihuela Costa.

There isn´t any mention in the article that having first been included in the PP electoral list as a potential for Councillor, after the May 22nd elections, he was ommitted from the final list. It seems the PP don´t think he has done such a wonderful job. Surely the PP would think that such a fantastic person as he would be ideal for the potential role of Councillor for Orihuela Costa; as he is so liked by the international community for the work he (hasn´t) done. It is a pity for him that the majority of the community are not aware of their admiration for him.

I wonder if the article might not be a premonition of an obituary for his career with the PP after May 22nd.

You´ll turn to God

Pat Condell´s latest video entitled "You´ll turn to God". I can´t agree with all his points of view in his many videos, but in the majority of times he is on the button.

He refers to "Pascal´s Wager" so if like me you need clarification on this here is a link to an explaination on Wikipedia.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Common gastrointestinal disorder linked to bacterial overgrowth, food poisoning

Researchers have reported two advances in the understanding of irritable bowel syndrome, the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 30 million people. One study provides further evidence that IBS is linked to an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. In a separate study, a mathematical model reveals the disease's link to food poisoning and shows that military personnel are at a much higher risk for the disorder than the rest of the population.

Although the research is US based it´s interesting for all those affected by IBS.

Read the full article: Irritable bowel syndrome: Common gastrointestinal disorder linked to bacterial overgrowth, food poisoning