MONACO NEWS, SBM: Under a headline 'Development Blitz Provokes a Murmur of Dissent in Monaco,' the prestigious US daily takes a look at the way in which the Sporting d'Hiver project has gone forward, with few voices raised in protest…

MONACO NEWS: An Albanian woman who was transporting drugs to Italy has been sentenced to three years in jail at Monaco's Criminal Court. She had been carrying a bag containing a total of 1.35 kg of cocaine, but panicked at the railway station and left the bag on the train...

MONACO NEWS, MONACO CARS: Two-seat electric cars will soon be available to hire on the streets of Monaco. The eventual aim is to have 50 of them on the streets of the Principality, and the first batch of 15 should be operational by the end of March. Reportedly, it took the visit of President Hollande to Monaco three weeks ago to clinch the deal. The model chosen is the Renault Twizy, with an operating limit of 100 kilometres on each full charge and a top speed of 80 kph…

MONACO NEWS: A forty year old resident of Nice, an employee of a large hotel in Monaco, died earlier today after falling about 25 metres in the back country above Nice. She was taken by helicopter to the Saint-Roch hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The exact circumstances of her fall are unknown and preliminary hearings were scheduled to begin this evening. The victim was taking part in a work-related outing, and all her colleagues are very shocked by the tragedy.  THIS ITEM WILL BE UPDATED LATER

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PRINCESS CHARLENE, PRINCE ALBERT: Princess Charlene has already left Monaco for official duties following the death last week of Nelson Mandela. HSH Prince Albert will be leaving shortly to join his wife for the funeral service on Sunday. Today the Prince planted the first rose in the Rose Garden initially built by his father Prince Rainer in remembrance of Princess Grace, currently undergoing a major renovation.

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MONACO NEWS: Luxembourg and Austria have refused to sign up to a EU deal to increase Europe-wide cooperation on the exchange of banking data. The EU Observer reports that at a meeting of finance ministers in Brussels, the final formal gathering of 2013, ministers from the two countries insisted that they will not agree to a reformed savings tax directive until the EU has reached agreements on banking secrecy with nearby tax havens such as Liechtenstein and Switzerland...

MONACO NEWS: Not only will the train service to the rest of the Riviera be cut off from Monaco from 19:00 tonight until 08:00 on Friday, there will be no bus service at all during Thursday to Nice and Nice Airport. The 100, 110 Airport Express, and the 112 are all cancelled due to a strike by bus drivers. The train strike in being organized by four rail unions unhappy with the French government's plans for restructuring, which they refer to as neo-liberalism, since the first impetus came from the Sarkozy regime.

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MONACO NEWS, MONACO CHARITIES: Christmas in Monte-Carlo would not be the same without the annual auction of decorated Christmas trees in favor of Action Innocence, the local charity that works to help prevent online exploitation of children and young people. Tonight's auction in the foyer of the Hotel de Paris had a target of 70,000 euros, and the amount actually raised was 85,500…

MONACO NEWS, MONACO ARTS: The Maison de l'Amerique Latine held a very well-attended vernissage of internationally acclaimed artist Nall's  exhibition 'Arriere Pays' (back country), a retrospective, earlier this evening at its premises in the Europa building on Place des Moulins. Nall's work evokes the character and spirit of south-east France in the hills and valleys well away from the glitz and glamour of the Cote d'Azur. The current exhibition is a return to the same space for Nall after 25 years. In 1988 he held an exhibition of paintings inspired by a three-year stay in Mexico…

MONACO BUSINESS, JP CONSTRUCTION: Several victims of Monaco company JP Construction met in Monaco today to consider detailed options following the collapse of the company and the disappearance of its owners. The first step decided at the meeting will be to spread the word in Monaco and across the Riviera in order to find more victims, with a view to appointing a lawyer and seeking legal redress...

MONACO NEWS, MONACO BUSINESS: Several French rail unions have called a strike from tomorrow, Wednesday December 11, from 19:00, until Friday, December 13 at 08:00. The strike will not only effect travel tomorrow evening and all day on Thursday, but the morning commute into Monaco on Friday. The unions, including the former Communist CGT, are protesting over 'neo-liberal' reform of the French rail system that they say has been going on for several years.

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MONACO NEWS, MONACO YACHTING: The Hirondelle Quay will soon look very different, and in keeping with the new Yacht Club, the proposed building on the quay will have a strong maritime theme. Last week the Town Council met to consider the scheme, which will take two years to complete at a cost of 7.2 million euros...

MONACO NEWS, MONACO CARS, MONACO SPORT: MONACO NEWS, MONACO CARS, MONACO SPORT: Venturi Automobiles has today announced a joint venture with Leonardo DiCaprio to enter a team in the new FIA Formula E Championship the launches next September and will be held in Monaco in May 2015. The Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team has been co-founded by DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, the Monegasque founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa…

MONACO NEWS, MONACO ARTS: The Belarusian short film Tufelki (Shoes) has swept the board at the weekend Angel Film Awards in Monte-Carlo. The touching story by director Konstantin Fam won the best short film, the best director, the best producer, the best photography, and the best original music. The film also received the special award for contribution to preserving peace – the Angel Peace Award...

MONACO NEWS: The multi-millionaire Monaco resident who gave his future bride a cheque for 1,000,000 euros to cash after their marriage can keep the money, Monaco's Appeal Court has ruled. In an earlier civil case the Dutch-born businessman was told he had to honour the cheque, since a cheque is not a payment subject to conditions.

MONACO NEWS, MONACO SPORT, ASM: Monaco dominated tonight's French Ligue 1 home game against Ajaccio, but it wasn't until the 75th minute that Riviere found the back of the visitors' net. Coach Ranieri had been right to warn that the Corsicans would be far from a walkover, but Monaco must be disappointed, all the same, with such a narrow 1-0 victory.

PHOTO: Emmanuel Riviere

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MONACO NEWS: Financial company AlphaMetrix, which held a lavish conference in Monaco in September, is facing criminal charges in the US relating to at least $2.8 million in missing investor funds. In October, AlphaMetrix founder and CEO Aleks Kins wrote to participants in pool investments to warn them of missing funds, but he was soon overtaken by events as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed the criminal complaint...

MONACO NEWS, MONACO CHARITIES: St Pauls Church in Monte-Carlo on Sunday welcomed Christian Luginsland, Petion Dumel and Samuel Schuter from Haiti. The Lemuel Mission is building a school in a remote part of the island, hit a few years ago by a devastating earthquake. The congregation of the Anglican church in Monaco has raised a substantial sum to complete the building...

MONACO NEWS, SBM: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy received almost as much attention as his wife, both before and after her performance last night at the Salle Garnier in Monte-Carlo. Carla Bruni came to sing songs from her album Little French Songs in front of a sold-out audience of 500, and received a standing ovation, as did her husband shortly afterwards...

MONACO NEWS, SBM: The annual ceremony of switching on the Christmas lights on Casino Square was cancelled tonight due to the death of Nelson Mandela. An official of SBM instead asked guests who came for the ceremony at the Hotel de Paris to share a drink in memory of Mr Mandela, who once said that all he asked for when he left active involvement in politics was to be forgotten in the dark.

PHOTO top right: Martina Brodie

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Monaco Events & Announcements: a one-stop guide

ART AT EUROPA RESIDENCE: The Nall Exposition of recent paintings 'Arriere Pays' will continue at the Maison de l'Americain Latine until January 4.

Wine & Business Gala Evening on December 12 -SOLD OUT
Monaco's Wine & Business Club is holding its Gala Evening in the Salle Empire at the Hotel de Paris on Thursday, December 12, starting at 19:30. Guests include Franck Stephenson, designer of McLaren sports cars, Melissa Bouygues, president of Chateau Montrose, and David Bolzan, director-general of Maison Cordier Mestrezat. Franck Cerutti of the Louis XV is the evening's chef. Dinner reservations: Virgine Servant at wbcmontecarlo@sbm.mc, or: 98 06 88 19.

DINNER DANCE - MONACO FOREIGN RESIDENTS: Saturday 14 December 19:30. The Monaco Club for foreign residents (CREM) was founded to facilitate their integration into the Principality and to enable them to increase their group of friends. This dinner is the chance for CREM Members and all Monaco Foreign Residents to get together for a delicious dinner in the elegant surroundings of the LeNôtre Salons at "La Rotonde," Beaulieu. Information & Reservation: +377 97 98 01 77 or info@crem.mc

BRITISH ASSOCIATION: The last Friday Friendship Club  this year is on Friday, December 20, at St Paul's Church Library. The BAM FFC is for members  and friends  to meet up for afternoon tea twice a month. Entrance is free and is also a great opportunity to meet up with old friends or to make some new ones. Members can chat and read magazines, exchange books (more new titles), play cards/games or help with the ongoing jigsaw while enjoying complimentary tea, coffee and delicious homemade cakes. We now have an extensive DVD lending library with new titles  coming in every week - help us to increase our ever-growing selection and bring along some DVDs. Books and magazines are always welcome.

STARS'N'BARS will host its first ever Russian New Year's Eve party on Saturday January 11.....with a twist.  We will be incorporating all the traditional elements of an authentic Russian New year's Eve  including Russian food favorites, a magician, fortune teller and of course the Russian "Santa Claus" and his Snow Maiden (Ded Moroz and Snegurochka)   But we'll combine the traditions with the "fun" of Monaco and have chosen a Disco 70s theme so that everyone can come dressed as their favorite Saturday NIght Fever character............or Abba!  Plus music from the 70s and a bit of Disco Karaoke.  We're also hoping to "Skype" another restaurant party in Moscow or St. Petersburg at midnight.   The evening is not limited to Russians because Monaco is all about mixing nationalities in a spirit of  fun.

Listings in Events & Announcements are free for non-profit associations, charged for commercial events and entities. To place listing email monacotoday@gmail.com

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Impotent Hollande taxes sex

The French parliament, dominated by the champagne socialists, on Saturday approved a bill to criminalize the use of prostitutes. The battle of words has been virulent, with the grey, pompous and hypocritical left coming out with the usual stuff about exploitation, and the political right championing the right of the individual to do what they want with their bodies, male or female, a position usually taken by the left. The tongue-in-cheek 'Don't touch my whore' initiative has added a certain humour to proceedings, and now as it seems it's all coming to a sad climax after a great deal of anticipatory foreplay, I have yet to read anywhere in the online French press about the real motivation of Mr Hollande...

FOR RENT:  3 Bed / 3 Bathroom beautiful modern townhouse in the centre of St Jean Cap Ferrat's fishing village. Approx floor space 90m2 over 3 floors. Patio 16m2. On street parking. Air-con/heating throughout. Priced at €3000 PCM +33 6 01 43 55 89  

BRIDGE PLAYERS SEEK COACH: Group of English speaking Bridge players in Monaco is seeking an occasional ACOL Bridge teacher to improve their game.  Please contact Philippa Gitlin on 97 97 46 76 or Anne Norman on 97 98 61 65

TOUR LEADER: Karim Seif, tour leader/guide with 15 years experience speaks A/E/F/I/S/NL is offering his services in tourism or the interpreting field in Monaco, Nice or on the Riviera. Mobile phone: 00 33 6 32 76 86 58 – mail: karimseif@yahoo.fr 

To see our terms and conditions, please click on MORE

A reader responds to the recent editorial COMMENT on drunk driving:

Sir

I read with interest your recent comment 'Several Vodkas Too Many'. The image if the Principality is indeed in danger of being tarnished by the growing number of drunk drivers but also by two other issues. First, no one can have failed to notice the dramatic increase in the number of drivers who seem to take great pride in revving their engines and then accelerating at speed for a few meters before slamming on the breaks.

Second, the bars in the Port are pumping out music at such high volume that it can be heard when on Le Rocher. This is not necessary for the customer enjoyment and if all of them 'turned it down' a little there would be a more peaceful and tranquil place for all residents without impacting their business. Monaco has over the years successfully tackled problems that challenged its image. Urgent action is now required on these issues before they are allowed to tarnish the image of the Principality.

Sincerely, John (name and address supplied)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CAN BE SENT TO monacotoday@gmail.com. Please include a telephone number. Previous letters can be found at MORE

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Documenting history

with Gray Matters

Celina Lafunete de Lavotha writes: I followed filmmaker and Monaco resident Marco Orsini during one of his shootings at Villa E1027, in Roquebrune Cap Martin, for his documentary Gray Matters that is being produced in parallel with the film The Price of Desire by Mary McGuckian. Both films intend to unravel and duly recognize Irish architect and designer Eileen Gray’s extraordinary contribution to modernism. Gray Matters is the story the 20th century artist whose vision, imagination and sensibility changed the way we live, both within houses and their furniture. The documentary is a historical, scholarly and cinematic investigation of the life of one of the most significant, but otherwise little-known contemporary artists...

On the set of Price of Desire

"The Price of Desire aims to set the facts straight about the controversial story of how Le Corbusier effaced and defaced Eileen Gray's moral right to be recognized as the author of her work and as one of the most forceful and influential inspirations of a century of modern architecture and design."

The Irish-Belgian co-production The Price of Desire by Mary McGuckian’s EG Film Productions and Saga Film is shooting on location this week in Eileen Gray’s iconic villa E1027 in Roquebrune Cap Martin. Photography has been already completed in Vezelay, France, and at Monev Studios in Brussels, Belgium, where many of her Parisian interiors were scrupulously re-created with a modern twist...
 

MONACO MEDIA: The media world has been stunned this week by news that the founder of Amazon - the online shop - has bought the iconic Washington Post newspaper at what seems to be a knockdown price. The $250 million Jeff Bezos paid is just a little over one percent of his personal wealth of $23 billion, making a very small dent indeed in his bank account. Never mind that since its founding Amazon has lost money more than it has made, making Bezos a virtual billionaire in charge of a virtual empire. Perhaps he bought the Post because he yearned for something real.

To decry the sale of the Post is not just to indulge in unworldly sentimentality. Its disposal marks another milestone on the way to the cemetery for printed newspapers as we have known them for the centuries since the Times of London first appeared in 1785 as the Daily Universal Register, changing its name three years later. In the ever-evolving world of media, print is in its death throes.

If it's almost all over for ink except the burials, and the standouts are disappearing fast, should we be surprised? No. Disappointed, sorry? Yes. The great newspapers of the past, including the Post, the New York Times, the Times, the UK's Daily Telegraph, are empty imitations of their former selves thanks to cost-cutting. The greatest loss as these titles decline and disappear is the quality of the journalism that called them home..

It is already June but the air is still unseasonably cold, so I decided to meet Vasily Klyukin in the lobby bar of the Metropole Hotel in Monte-Carlo for an interview. His claim to fame is as the first Monaco resident to sign up for a Virgin Galactic trip into space with the famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio, when he made the highest bid of € 1.2 million at the recent amfAR auction during the Cannes Film Festival.

Vasily was born in Moscow in the late seventies. His father, a writer and history professor, had moved there with his wife to work in the University. He is married to Anna Vishnevskaya, an ex TV-presenter with whom he has a young son. He also has two other children from a previous marriage living in Cannes. Vasily pursued his studies in finance and as a true entrepreneur started his own company with a few of his schoolmates. They even managed to buy a small regional Bank and developed it to become one of the top hundred, that they later sold partly to a large Dutch-Israeli conglomerate. Being a banker enabled him to borrow money to invest in personal projects mainly in real estate reconstruction and development. He moved to France in 2012 and in March of 2013 he became a Monaco resident while keeping secondary properties in both France and Russia.

A man of diverse interests he counts architectural design and modern art as his passions and he recently bought a building on the Rue de Portier in the Principality that he plans to redesign. He is also working on an architectural book specializing in avant-garde exterior design to be published this summer. Among his favourite sports he cites football and poker. He constantly craves for extreme adventure and recently visited the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. Vasily enjoys ice driving and bobsledding, has explored the deep caves in Belize, gone on helicopter tours in Salto Angel, made jungle trips and more. So it is only fitting that he will now go into space, the next frontier...

“The integrity of an artist is key to the value of his or her work” - Mary McGuckian

Meet filmmaker Mary McGuckian from Northern Ireland and learn about her current production 'The Price of Desire.'

By Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, freelance journalist & photographer (Monte-Carlo, Monaco)

It is mid April and the air is finally getting warmer, we are in the villa of Eileen Gray E1027 in Roquebrune Cap Martin with filmmaker Mary McGuckian for an exclusive interview. Mary McGuckian was born and brought up during the troubles in Northern Ireland. Bizarrely she studied engineering at Trinity College in Dublin but spent more time with the university Players, graduated as an engineer and then headed to drama school. Mary says life seems to have come full circle now that her engineering background is on call for the first time as she sets out to make a movie about Ireland’s most famous architect...

MONACO LIFESTYLE: Upon a recent visit to the New York offices of my publisher Google, it dawned on me that computer geeks have overtaken alpha males in the corporate hierarchy. Everywhere I looked, I saw barely graduate-aged technical whizz kids wearing ripped jeans and Google glasses and zipping to internal office meetings on push scooters. The few employees over the age of thirty-five were all editorial staff. These dinosaurs could be spotted a mile off with their staid chinos, ties or bewildered expressions.

Now cyberspace gurus have invaded the starched haven of Michelin-starred restaurants. It seems that coders are using custom-written programs (bots) to grab the best tables leaving traditional diners frustrated. These bots survey restaurant websites for available tables and then grab them before humans have time to reserve. The algorithms are hard to beat, as bot writers are careful to conceal their online identity. Upscale restaurants in New York, London and Paris are reacting by limiting their online reservations and setting aside tables for last-minute regulars. Monaco is yet to be hit by such high-tech problems: long may Southern France continue its Luddite tradition of telephone reservations.

Better still are informal addresses where you can just rock up after work. Some Monaco institutions are rumored to be on their way out such as Michele Piepoli’s Sabor di Vino, a eulogy to wine with 10,000 bottles of vintages from all over France and beyond.

Other places have just arrived. Last week I went to the opening of Bar 1154, a new apéro-tapas bar hidden above rue Grimaldi on allée Lazare Sauvaigo. While little ones ran around the pedestrianized street, we enjoyed a mouth-watering selection of Italian charcuterie and tapenades served up by the genial Ricci and Louis-Michel. Watch out for their red-hot bruschetta that will leave you gasping for a glass of beer. Another new place worth a visit is One Apple overlooking Fontvieille’s port. DJ Fabian mixes music as diners gaze at the super-yachts over drinks and no-nonsense Italian food. It won’t be long before you’ll have to start reserving your table in advance.

Louise Simpson is a food and travel writer based in Monaco. Since studying French literature at Cambridge University, Louise has written for The FT, The Times, Condé Nast and The Independent in the UK and for Zagat and Google in the US. She has also published four travel books with Frommer’s:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Louise-Simpson/e/B0034OTN6Q/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1373370624&sr=8-2.
 

PHOTO: Right, One Apple   PREVIOUS Foodie at MORE...

Christmas tips from Ruth Tongue

Don’t beat yourself up this festive season – but do keep an eye on the waist band! Our new in-house nutritionist and Pilates specialist Ruth Tongue shares her tips on how to start 2014 feeling fresh, energised and motivated - rather than sluggish and carrying a few unwanted extra pounds.

Everyone likes to indulge a little (ok, a lot) over Christmas and the New Year – and that’s normal. But there’s nothing worse than getting to the second day of January feeling heavy, tired and like you want to hibernate until your skinny jeans fit again! Follow these tips to ensure you enjoy the party season without feeling the effects when 2014 rings in...

Dena Lyons and Art Factory Monaco

Anita Di Sotto talks about Whisky Weekend

Martine Ackerman talks about Child CARE Monaco

Martina Brodie interviews artist Laure Fissore

Martina Brodie interviews Peace and Sport champions

Ian Brodie interviews President of National Council

Ian Brodie interviews author of Mayhem in Monte Carlo

click on images to view

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WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP

There is a vacancy for the unpaid post of Belgian consul to Monaco. The present holder of the post has put up a sign referring all enquiries to Brussels, but the Belgian foreign service said it wants to keep the consulate open. Interested parties should call the Belgian embassy in Paris on +33 1 44 09 39 39.

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A visiting Russian pharmacist has been jailed for 10 days after beating up a prostitute in his room at the Hotel Metropole. An argument ensued after he offered her 200 euros rather than the going rate of 500. Hearing a loud argument and the sound of breaking objects, the concierge called the police.

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The Monaco Red Cross has raised 300,000 euros for victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines. The first 80,000 will go towards the provision of shelter and drinking water. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can visit www.croix-rouge.mc

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Greens for the Future

MONACO LIFESTYLE: The great and the good of French hospitality turned out en masse at a recent press conference in Monaco to discuss food trends for the forthcoming trade fair Agecotel 2014. I was dozing off to the usual spectacle of up-and-coming chefs vying for attention and swapping gastronomic in-jokes, when there was a sudden lull as the godlike Joël Robuchon took to the stage. The assembled press corps gazed adoringly while the darling of Michelin-starred French cuisine made his prediction: the next decade of gastronomy will be all about vegetarian cuisine...

What on earth is the French President doing in Monaco? Well, there are a few things to see, such as the Oceanographic and Monaco's Scientific Centre. And a few bits of paper to sign. Lunch at the Palace should be good, and will not disappoint the Socialist President's champagne tastes. Otherwise, not much will be going on and the visit will be marked by an inconvenience to road traffic. That will be its high point, since it seems that the President won't be meeting any of the remaining 8,000 French residents - whose families have lived here for generations - to discuss the fact that they have to meet the high cost of living in Monaco while paying French taxes, an arrangement inherited from the treaty with France into which Prince Rainier was famously coerced in 1963.

If I were a Frenchman, or woman, I would wonder what my President was doing in Monaco. Perhaps he has come to open a bank account. Switzerland is certainly less attractive than it was for French savers. Or perhaps I would conclude that Mr Hollande fancied a day away from the office and a very unattractive in-tray.

Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels reviews

Mayhem in Monte Carlo

Long-term Monaco resident and former ad-man Mike Ferrier's second book in a trilogy, Mayhem in Monte Carlo, is at first sight a mixed bag of intelligent insight and mundane stereotyping. And as many new writers do, Mike has cut out the middleman. The book can be ordered on Amazon, to be read on a tablet or consumed in book form, a modern form of buying novels that appeals to some more than others...

(more and video)

Joys of rail travel

Sunday, November 3

I narrowly missed being an eye witness to an incredible scene at Nice Ville station yesterday morning. Three loud explosions, each stronger than the other, rocked the station at 11:20 am. Windows rattled, booms echoed around the cavernous halls, and passengers fled in panic. An assassination? Most likely. Fathers scooped their little ones in their arms and the crowd surged across the platforms and out of the station onto the building site in its forecourt.

The crowd stood back waiting for the police, the fire brigade, the ambulances, and the other force of law and disorder, the CRS. Nothing, except the lonely wail of a single siren on Jacques Medecin. The minutes passed.

A single passenger entered the deserted hall. He ventured to ask what had happened…. The incredible explanation was that a train driver was retiring and three blasts are a traditional way of saying goodbye.

Perhaps President Hollande could raise the retirement age to 80, in which case some of the SNCF staff could die on the job. In the meantime, the mutual contempt in which rail workers on one hand and passengers on the other hold and nurture one for the other will continue.

Jeff Daniels

Monte-Carlo Diary is published in the interests of editorial diversity and the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

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Comment

In a new light

Thursday, October 24

The announcement by the organizers of the annual Ever event that environmentally-friendly cars will not be on show at next year's event comes as a disappointment to everyone concerned. Evidently, the costs are high and there is still a reluctance on the part of motor manufacturers to push their electric and hybrid models to a still sceptical public. The lack of public enthusiasm for green vehicles is also evident during the Mobility Week event, which offers free trials each year at Larvotto Beach.

But all is not lost. The Government of Monaco has reported an increase in the number of registrations of electric and hybrid vehicles, albeit not a very rapid growth, thanks in part to the generous grants offered to purchasers of up to 8,000 euros per car. This is desirable and commendable. However, much more is needed.

Green warriors must be happy to know that there is a real revolution on the way, thanks to the 'E' grand prix to be held in May 2015 during the annual Monaco Grand Prix. The public will see electric-powered cars in an entirely new light, and demand is likely to soar. At least, that's the hope.

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Wednesday, October 16

Monte-Carlo Diary

A sporting chance

I was asked to go to the Sportel Golden Podium Awards Ceremony by my busy editor who told me he had other things to do. It was very enjoyable and also informative, since I am a sports fan with a reasonable grasp of the media. It was impressive to rub shoulders with the women's Wimbledon champion, the English winner of the Tour de France, and the President of the IOC - the initials standing for the International Olympic Committee, for those who may not know, such as my editor. I went up the escalator just behind him - the IOC guy -  and I was amazed at how many people gazed in awe. At Mr Bach, not at me.

Awaiting us was a splendid finger-food banquet, not the usual Grimaldi Forum demi-sandwich handed out to the press, and you have to be quick, but a full-blown feast in manageable portions. The plates had little holes for glasses, so if I had known anyone I could have shaken their hands without pouring wine on their sleeves. Many of the guests headed for the tele, to watch a France-Finland football game. I accepted another wine. Then another. At about 22:00 the room started to move, until I realized that a smallish cruise ship was leaving Port Hercule, unless the Lady Moura had broken from her moorings, possibly for the very first time.

Then came the murmur of a crowd amused, and in the centre of Cafe Llorca, amongst the barbajuans and mini-cheeseburgers, palatable rose and more than acceptable rouge, inside a circle of sportsmen, sportswomen and sports journalists, a lithe young lady was pole-dancing. It must have been half-time in the football game. Nothing moved in the port. I sampled the rouge one last time and took to my heels while I still had a sporting chance of making it home without falling over.

Jeff Daniels

The Jeff Daniels column is published in the interests of editorial diversity, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

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SBM birthday continues in cake

October 14, 2013

To celebrate the holidays and pay tribute to SBM's 150th anniversary, head Pastry Chef Nicolas Baygourry of Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo - supported by Michelin Star awarded Chef Joel Garault – has created an extraordinary treat for Christmas, SBM's press department tells us: "The unique creation sublimates authentic local seasonal flavours, revealing the sweet scents of a truly Riviera Christmas. Its base consists of a roasted Piedmont hazelnut biscuit, covered with a delicate Menton lemon zest Praline, bringing to the creation a delicate and fragrant freshness. In the centre, a Menton lemon cream elegantly combined with a lightweight Tahitian Vanilla mousse, scented with Menton mandarin. Finally, a velvety shimmering gold leafed macaroon covers the buche, sprinkled with all the magic of Monte-Carlo SBM’s 150th anniversary. The 150th Anniversary Monte-Carlo SBM buche is available from December 8th -31st 2013, and must be ordered 48 hours in advance. (T. (00377) 98 06 40 00) for 85 euros (serves 6). Also available in individual portions in house."

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F1 test driver found dead

October 12, 2013

F1 test driver for Marussia, Maria de Villota, has been found dead in her hotel room in Madrid. Police said that the death of the 33 year-old appears to have been from natural causes. Last year she suffered severe injuries and lost an eye after an accident while test driving in the UK. She had recently finished a book, Life is a Gift, which is due to be published shortly.

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Celebrating X-word

October 11, 2013

MONACO NEWS: It was Arthur Albert Wynne, a British journalist specializing in puzzles, who had the idea of including the black squares in traditional word squares and adding definitions. When the UK newspapers turned down his puzzle, he sent the proposal to an American newspaper. The first crossword was published in December 1913 in the New York World’s Sunday supplement, Fun and met with immediate success, stampnews.com reports.

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Memorial service for Valerie

October 10, 2013

A requiem service for Valerie Haxton was held yesterday in Holy Trinity Nice, presided over by Rev. Walter Raymond from St Paul’s Anglican Church, Monte-Carlo. Valerie Haxton was one of the most valued personalities in the British community on the Riviera. She died last month, aged 77. 

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Train strike today

October 9, 2013

Rail unions have called a train strike for today, with services badly hit from about 20:00 last night night until rush-hour tomorrow. A limited service will take commuters back to Nice and Italy from Monaco early this evening.

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What to do with a drunken sailor

October 7, 2013

MONACO NEWS, MONACO YACHTING: A Spanish yacht captain who had too much to drink during the Monaco Yacht Show and became violent and abusive in a bar on Port Hercule has been given a  suspended sentence of one month. He admitted drinking six whiskeys on top of several glasses of wine leading up to the incident in the early hours of September 25. When arrested his alcohol blood level count was 103 mg/l. He told the court on the Rock that his few days in jail had been humiliating and he had learned his lesson.

All is being revealed

For some months the SBM has moved steadfastly forward with its plans for a four-year building spree in Casino Square, without being able to explain where the money will come from. This has infuriated the National Council, which seems much more concerned about not being kept in the loop than about the wisdom of demolishing the Art Deco Winter Sporting that many Residents consider an architectural gem.

Now it would appear that SBM has been keeping up its sleeve the possibility that the capital it needs will come from Dimitry Rybolovlev, the most prominent Russian Resident and the owner of the majority stake in the football club. In the meantime, SBM, which has suffered from serious financial difficulties, has forged ahead with its demolition and rebuilding plans with great confidence.

Already, Casino Square has the ambience of a building site several months before major work starts. There will be at least four more years of the same, and for many long-term Residents, the end result - a glass and steel multiplex shopping centre - will do nothing to enhance the centre of their beloved Monte-Carlo.

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September 18, 2013

MONACO NEWS: One month ahead of schedule, the Department of Public Works has completed the work dismantling the shuttering of the Isle de Canton, with the return to service of the roundabout and the tunnels no longer being subject to exceptional height restrictions.

From Thursday 26 September, work will focus mainly on finishing the tunnel T34, which will be closed. The ongoing work will fully connect the Jardins Apollonia with Fontvieille and Condamine. A total of 237 state-owned apartments have been built on the site of the former railway station, together with commercial properties, 68 private apartments and a day-care centre.

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September 17, 2013

MONACO NEWS: The solarium on the digue on Port Hercule, first installed in 2002, requires repairs. Exposed to the open sea, the superstructure consists of steps and its major function is to protect the port from waves from the south-west…