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Day: 19 August 2022

Water restrictions eased slightly

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/08/2022

The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes is now allowing people to water their vegetable patches, but refilling swimming pools is still banned in some regions.

Drought conditions in the Alpes-Maritimes region have been dramatic this year, with a rainfall deficit of between 40% and 60% compared to normal. The area has not experienced such terrible drought since 1959, and the situation has compelled the authorities to place numerous restrictions on water usage in an effort to keep the taps flowing for general use by businesses and residents.

The vast majority of rules will remain in effect until 18th September, but a few have been lifted. In a decree dated 17th August, the prefecture is allowing people to once again water their vegetable gardens, provided that water saving techniques are applied. Examples include using micro-sprinklers or drip systems, and using them exclusively between the hours of 7pm and 9am.

“With the aim of encouraging local food production and preserving the purchasing power of our fellow citizens, the Prefect has decided that the vegetable gardens can continue to be watered even at the crisis stage,” explains the prefecture in its press release.

Whilst this is great news for gardeners, plenty of other measures are remaining in effect until 18th September, at least.

In places like Biot and Antibes, where there is a high alert situation, no sport stadiums can be watered, and only the “greens” areas of golf courses are allowed. This has angered farmers, who have been forced to reduce water consumption by a massive 40%.

Additionally, it is forbidden to top up swimming pools and ponds, to water lawns, to power wash terraces or to play games involving water.

For the areas on “enhanced alert”, such as Villeneuve-Loubet or Nice, the measures are a little more permissive. Sports grounds may be watered between 7pm and 9am, with a 40% reduction in use of water, for example. Swimming pools may be levelled “for health reasons”.

For those places lucky enough to be on simple “alert”, pleasure gardens are once again on the list of things that can be watered, but only from 7pm to 9am. Lawns can be watered as well if the water use is reduced by at least 20% and done during the aforementioned night-time hours.

The prefecture can slap fines up to €1,500 on those those who do not comply, showing just how serious they are taking the situation. For more information, the decree in its entirety can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the last days of Mada Lounge

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/08/2022

Jardins des Boulingrins near Casino Square has been hosting the Mada Lounge pop-up bar since the start of July. Now, it is in its last days, so get out and enjoy an al fresco drink under the stars before it ends with the summer breeze.

Mada One’s summertime pop-up, nestled in the Jardins des Boulingrins, has been a hit since it first started serving refreshing cocktails on 1st July. Now, the lounge is wrapping up the season, with the last day set for Sunday 28th August, so guests have a few last chances to enjoy the beautiful setting with an unparalleled view onto the Casino de Monte Carlo.

The Mada Lounge has made a name for itself not only for the beverages served, but also for the cool vibe set to the backdrop of live music or DJs.

For its last week, the performances will be by Pab Emsen or London Harlem accompanied by live music and a DJ on Wednesday evening. Thursday features a local DJ and Friday evening chilled out musician Sylow Music will play for the crowd. The summer at Mada Lounge winds up Saturday and Sunday with more live music.

The lounge is open from 4pm to 10pm. No reservations are required.

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

Camara: “You can’t say no to Monaco”

by: Luke Entwistle
19/08/2022

Speaking during his official unveiling as an AS Monaco player on Thursday, Mohamed Camara told the press that he simply couldn’t turn down the chance to join the Principality side.

Camara has joined Philippe Clement’s team for a reported €15 million, signing a five-year deal with the club. His arrival brings an end to Monaco’s protracted search to replace Aurélien Tchouaméni, who left to join Real Madrid at the beginning of the summer transfer window.

However, Camara is looking to avoid comparisons to the man that he is essentially replacing. “I shouldn’t compare myself to Tchouaméni,” the Mali international began. He continued, “He did beautiful things at Monaco. Each player has their own career to manage and I wish him the very best. The most important thing for me is to give everything that I have to the team.”

Questioned on what Camara brings to the team, sporting director Paul Mitchell told Monaco Life, “We’re extremely happy to welcome a player of Mo’s qualities. Even though he’s only 22, the leadership qualities he has as a defensive number six, the presence he has on the football pitch and in the training sessions was an element we wanted to put in midfield. He’s a born leader, a fierce competitor and we want to be fiercely competitive. So, his attributes with the way we like the game played, we feel it’s a perfect match.”

Whilst the club are happy to have brought Camara, a player with Champions League and international experience, to the club, the player revealed his excitement for this new challenge. “You don’t say no to Monaco. It’s one of the biggest clubs in France and renowned in Europe as well. The coach’s words pleased me, as well as the project proposed by the club management. It’s a place to continue my progression. The infrastructure is magnificent, the technical staff are very professional and that pushed me to sign for Monaco.”

His desire to join Monaco remained untarnished despite the club’s failure to reach the Champions League group stages: “That (failure to qualify) didn’t change anything. My decision was already made. I was determined to join Monaco, where the team is of a high quality. It’s up to us to be at 100% and deliver a beautiful Europa League campaign,” said Camara.

Although fans will be keen to take to the field, they may have to wait. Asked about his fitness by Monaco Life, Philippe Clement revealed that Camara won’t yet be ready to play full 90-minute matches, and even touted the possibility of organising in-house friendlies in order to bring him up to speed.

When he does take to the field, he will wear the number four shirt, vacated by Cesc Fabregas. Camara revealed the significance of that number: “My mother died on 4th March 2020, so it is an homage to her.”

Having not featured since June, it may take a few weeks before fans see the best of Camara, but there is no doubt that once fit, he will make his on-pitch presence felt.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco

 

 

 

 

‘Munegu Family’ return en masse

by: Luke Entwistle
19/08/2022

Following two years of absence, the ‘Munegu Family’ has made its long-awaited return, filling their allocation during the first two home games of the season.

First during last week’s premier leg against PSV Eindhoven, and then during last weekend’s draw against Rennes, nearly 1,000 fans packed the Seconde B to support Philippe Clement’s men.

What is the ‘Munegu Family?’

The ‘Munegu Family’ allows an adult and a child to attend all of AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 home matches for just €450.

In a specially dedicated stand, the Seconde B, fans of the Principality club are treated to a range of activities, supplementing the on-pitch excitement. From a magic show to make-up stands and the chance to meet the club mascot, Bouba, there is something for everyone.

For Monaco’s previous two encounters, the stand has been full, welcoming almost 1,000 fans and places for this Saturday’s encounter against RC Lens are still available.

The return of the ‘Munegu Family’ after two years of absence due to the Coronavirus pandemic is welcome, and is now supplemented by a range of other campaigns made to encourage matchday attendance.

As well as providing a family-friendly way in which to watch the matches, other campaigns such as the ‘MuneGo’ car-sharing app also facilitate travel to both home and away games. Combined, the campaigns allow fans to get closer to the team that they love.

For Olga Dementeva, assistant Director General, the aim of the scheme is clear. “The will of the President is to reinforce the links between the club and its local supporters, by allowing children access to the stadium. The objective of the ‘Munegu Family’ is to offer a privileged environment to families, in order to give them the desire to come as often as possible to encourage the team at the stadium.”

The success of the scheme thus far is undeniable, and the hope is that fans continue to benefit from this memorable, unique experience throughout the entire Ligue 1 season.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco