Archaeology!

There’s lots of it round these parts. All good stuff (well, maybe not, but we won’t get into the Knossos debate right now). Sometimes, though, one unearths a bit more of it than one might want. Many of you will remember some of the dilemmas faced by construction teams when working flat out to finish the Athens Metro in time for the 2004 Olympics (the archaeological ones, that is. There were others). The editor (being of British origin) is conscious of the need to tread carefully at this point, especially when it comes to using any metaphor that involves the word ‘marbles’ (she would give them back, by the way). Anyway, work on the redevelopment of the Square of the Unknown Soldier was proceeding mighty fine until suddenly some ancient ramparts appeared. Initially it was thought they were Venetian, then Turkish, but now the experts have all gone a bit silent, as it seems that every day new finds are emerging. Cynicism aside, this is actually very exciting, and we are really looking forward to the outcome of the excavations. Meanwhile, up at the Guora Gate (it never rains but it pours), well, well, well, guess what they’ve found? The ancient well is inside the box on the right. As the well is definitely worth preserving but also happens to be slap bang in the middle of the street, the Simon and Garfunkel approach may have to be adopted: ‘Like a bridge over troubled water’….

Yuletide Yoga

Or some sporting highlights, anyway. Asteras (our local cutie football Gods) are not doing too badly - they didn’t lose a game in November though they have only won one (four draws). They are sitting quite happily in the middle of the table (obviously not sitting down while playing their football matches, or so we hope).
Krisses (golden girls) had a slowish start to their football season with two narrow defeats and one paper win (the team from Pampatraikos has already withdrawn from the competition). But we’re sure they’ll be able to kick ass when it comes to the bottom line As an aside, it is good to note the apparent increased interest in town in women’s football - we have spotted a few posters on shop windows publicizing Krisses’ games. WAY TO GO!!!!

With Basketball it’s been hoops and loops. AGOR had a great start to the season, but in the last week of November it all started to go a bit pear shaped. OKA Arkadi are not having a good time at the moment either. There is a big difference between regional and national competitions, and OKA is finding the leap extremely difficult. They haven’t managed a win yet. They have been close to winning on a couple of occasions, but lack of experience seems to be the main reason for them failing to win (editor to sports correspondent: When you say ‘failing to win’ does that mean ‘losing’?). Let’s hope that fortunes change soon.
Volleyball. YIPPEE! GOOD NEWS AT LAST! Regular readers will have realized that volleyball has not always been Rethymnon’s showcase sporting event. However the women’s volleyball team ‘OPER’ went into the season with all guns blazing, and seem to be pulling it out of the bag right now. They’ve won all three of their opening games, and haven’t dropped a set yet. All of us at The Bugle’s ‘Jimmy Hill’ Sporting Outreach Facility wish you the best of luck for 2009!

Recycling Updates

Many thanks to Anna Capernaros for providing us with this update about recycling initiatives in the Rethymnon region. Anna writes: ‘YES WE "CAN" - Let's keep on Recycling! According to a report from the monthly free newspaper - Rethymniotiki Agora - November 2008, the Rethymnon recycling programme has proved to be a great success. So much so that Rethymnon Council has now provided a further 250 new recycling bins to cope with the increased volume in recyclable materials being deposited by residents. The Council's Department of Cleaning have just released figures that compare differences between this year and last in terms of tonnage of recyclable materials collected (i.e. example, plastic, metal, paper and glass) for the nine monthly period from January to September. In 2007, 993 tons of recyclable material had been collected, in 2008 this increased to a staggering 2,554 tons. New ‘blue bins’ are currently being placed in locations where bins for mixed rubbish already exist in order to extend the recycling programme. Let’s hope that this encourages all of us to keep up the good work and do our little bit for the environment.’

DISPOSAL OF BROKEN ELECTRICAL GOODS (Thanks Dimitri!). There is a depot just outside town which will take anything ‘that had a plug on it’ (including washing machines and fridges). Drivers, take the National Road towards Heraklion in Misiria. Turn off the highway after about 100—150 metres, hang a right and you should soon see recycling bins etc. The depot is open from 6am to 3pm on weekdays, and from 6am to 12 noon at weekends. For further information call 28310 57940.For large objects that need collection call 195 from any phone.