POEM COMPETITION WINNER TAKES THE PRIZE

Two months ago Luna Radio encouraged, nagged, and cajoled people to take part in the Rey Jaume Cultural Awards Poem Competition. It was the first year that the contest was open to people writing in English so it was importnat that us ex-pats took part. Thankfully many listeners rose to the challenge and there were many entries. Last Friday I had the chance to meet the winner of the competition, a charming young lady named Rachel Gilibert Goldinger at the prize ceremony. She is an example of the mixture of cultures you get on the island with a Malloquin father and an American mother. She was delighted to win and said she felt 'honoured'. She hadn't even thought about the prize money that went with award as she truly never expected to win. Her book of poems entitiled 'A Journey Through Time' will be available in print.

GOOD LUCK JACKIE - WE WILL MISS YOU

Funny how life can change on a tuppence! This time last year Jackie Evans was a widow of 20 years working at the Foreign Residents Department of Calvia Town hall, then she met a man! She married the lovely Fernando in March this year and now she is off to enjoy a new life with him. Jackie has worked tirelessly for over two years helping people who have come to live on Mallorca with their paperwork and any other problems, now she can enjoy looking after her hubby and her daughter and granddaughter. She will be missed at the Foreign Residenst Department - the only one of its kind in Spain - but her role will be filled by the wonderful Dolina Reynolds who has lived on the island for 27 years. Pictured are the team who work for Kate Mentink at Calvia Town Hall, Gabby, Angela, Jackie and Dolina. We are very lucky to have them (and Kate who never stops working on behalf of us ex-pats). So next time you are in the town hall pop by the Foreign Residents desk and say hello - or even better say 'Thank You'.

A Simply Magical Weekend

Once again I have survived another hectic weekend on Mallorca! This time it was a mixture of magic and music. To start, it was the first anniversary of the opening of the Snooker Cafe in El Toro. Congratulations to Carolyn and Michel, the owners of this fine establishment who have worked so hard to make the Snooker Cafe a great place to eat, drink, play pool and snooker and relax. There was a great turn out (I counted 115 people at one stage) which shows how popular it has become in just twelve months. Among the guests were members of the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Calvia and Freddy the Magician who astounded us with some amazing cards tricks...how does he do it? Believe me I have no clue! I was about 30 cm away from him and I watched his hands very carefully and still I couldn't see how he switched black cards for red, kings for queens etc! I was very frustrating and of course, a magician never reveals his secrets! If you want to try to find out Freddy will be at the Luna Summer party next Saturday night at the Gala restaurant in Santa Ponsa. There will also be great music from Luna Radio DJs Phil Allen and dancefloor legend Des Mitchell plus performances from Debra Hart, Dylan and the gorgeous Alex Graham. Tickets are just 39 euros to include snacks, a free bar and entrance into a raffle with great prizes.
Next stop was the Palma Bullring on Sunday night for the hottest gig of the year - Simply Red in concert! Now I don't want to sound like an old media hag, but I have seen a few gigs in my 20 years plus as a radio presenter and I tend to be hard to impress, but even I thought it was a magnificent concert. Simply Red have been making music as long as I have been playing it on the radio, but they said afterwards that it the best gig that they have done in the past twelve years. The crowd loved it, the audience was great and Mick actually enjoyed himself so much that he stayed on to play three extra songs. This is the last time that Simply Red will be touring together so it was the final chance to see them perform here on the island. I am sure they will take away fond memories of the people and the place - they loved us as much as we loved them!