Join the Costa Calida Linkedin Group

If you run a business on the Costa Calida, Murcia Spain I suggest you join the Costa Calida Linkedin group

Linkedin is a great business networking website. It's got over 40 Million members and counting and it's a great way to meet up with complimentary businesses

The group is open so anyone can join and contribute.

Murcia sees an increase in unemployment

Spain has the worst officiail unemployment figures for the whole of the European union and the industralised world.
The province of Murcia saw an increase of 3612 people joining the dole queues in February.

This represents a 5.64 percent increase.
The national unemployment figures no stands at 4 299 263.
The increase to the already high unemployment is likely to apply further donward pressure to property prices. Recent economic figures do however suggest that Spain is starting to export it's way out of the recession.
Those looking for Employment in Spain would be advised to check www.employmentspain.com

Bando de la Huerta

Bando de la Huerta is a spring festival celebrated in Murcia. I think it translates as "The group from the orchard / market garden", but someone correct me if I'm wrong!

The festival involves lots of groups of people (penas) who organise put up bars and restaurants (barracas).  The fiesta celebrates local food and an agricultural theme is evident. Murica is refered to as "La Huerta de Espana" - due to the amount of fruit and veg grown in the province. It's that heritage which is celebrated at the bando de la huerta fiesta. Murcia also produces excellent "embutido", including sausages such as morcilla and longaniza. Look out for lemon leaves fried in sugared batterare a traditional sweet treat served at the fiesta.

The locals wear traditional brightly colored traditional Murcian agricultural clothes and there are processions involving floats, horses and animals.

The atmosphere is relaxed and during the day it's great for children and older tourists. As you would expect the party atmosphere continues late into the night.

Bando de la Herta is being celebrated on the 26th of April 2011

Police shoot out in Cartagena - 2 killed

A shoot out between the national police and drug runners, resulted in 2 deaths and 1 seriously injury. The seriously injured man was shot in the head by a police sniper. He is currently being treated in Santa Maria del Rosell Hospital in Cartagena.

Another accomplice was arrested at the scene. The survivors are aged between 30 - 35 years and Spanish Nationals.

The gun battle took place located near the streets of Sebastian Feringa and Alameda de San Anton in Cartagena

The regional police chief, Carlos Llorente, has so far declined to comment.

Mazarron and Portman host Hill Climb Race

Petrol heads can get there thrills watching some hills climb races in Murcia. These are time trials up hills.

It's a great day out.

• Stand somewhere safe
• Take a picnic
• Take Sun cream and Shade

For more infomation visit the Murcia Automobile federation website:
FARMU.es

April 2nd and 3rd - Portman

April 23rd - 24th -Mazarron

Fort Run - Ruta de las Fortelezas

The Ruta de la Fortalezas (Route of the fortifications) is a 51 Km (31.6 Miles) race up and down the fortified hills and mountains around Cartagena on the Costa Calida.

The race takes place on 2nd of April 2011 and starts at 8am.

It's organised jointly between Cartagena town hall and the Military.

Entrance for this endurance race has been increased to 2500.

The course must be completed inside 12 hours.

The race starts at 8am.

Entry costs 15 Euros

More information can be found at www.rutadelasfortelezas.es