NEWS SNIPPETS FROM VALENCIA - POPULATION = 4.8 MILLION

Rita Barbera, Mayoress of Valencia, attended the opening of the XXVI edition of the International Ceramics Show for Architecture, Bathroom and Kitchen Equipment, Raw Materials, Enamels, and Machinery - CEVISAMA, that continues in the Trade Fair Complex of Valencia till Saturday the 9th February. Mayoress Barbera was accompanied by Francisco Camps, President of the Valencian Government, by Milagrosa Martinez, chairperson of the Valencian Parliament, by Alberto Catala, chairman of the Valencia Trade Fairs, and by other relevant politicians and businessmen. Representatives from countries around the world are participating in this edition of CEVISAMA.

Maritina Hernandez, Councillor of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, presided the IX edition of the Nougat Gala in Alicante, during which J. Enrique Garrigos, chairman of the Regulation Council of Protected Geographic Indexes - Alicante and Jijona Nougat (Turron), bestowed the Boixet d'Or Award on Jose Ferrando.

The digital sports magazine - nostresport.com - celebrated its fifth anniversary by hosting a sports gala for 300 guests in the Municipal Sports Foundation in Valencia.

Maria J. Alcon (left), Town Hall Counsellor of Culture, presented a book "The Jewish Quarter in Medieval Valencia" by Doctor Jose Hinojosa, Professor in Medieval History at the University of Alicante. The book, that is published by the Valencia Town Hall, includes a CD with additional documents, and targets the incidences that took place on the 9th July 1391 when the assault on the Jewish Quarter in Valencia marked the rapid decline of Valencian Judaism. The author was introduced by Doctor M. Angeles Gonzalez-Gudino, doctor in medicine and writer, and a magnificent orator, who ably outlined the contents of the book and the merits of the author.

We advise our readers that a fault in the electronic system of the gear shift of Fiat automatic drive cars, causes sudden stoppages that can produce whiplash to the driver. This has been the experience of our editor while driving an automatic Fiat Stilo Abarth. The stoppages are also highly dangerous if they take place when passing out another vehicle, or in heavy traffic.