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Mosaic | Dec 19
Egypt's military continues crackdown on protesters, blames them for violence, Syria signs Arab League protocol allowing observers into the country,...
Yemeni protestors, scholars denounce state clerics' fatwa [Al Jazeera, Qatar]
Presenter, Female #1
The UN secretary-general's envoy to Yemen, Jamal bin Omar, left the Yemeni capital Sanaa for New York to brief the UN Security Council tomorrow on the overall situation in Yemen.
Presenter, Male #1
The UN envoy warned of the implications of the continuing crisis in the country, calling on all parties to take responsibility.
Presenter, Female #1
In this context, protests continued in a number of Yemeni cities demanding the immediate resignation and trial of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Presenter, Male #1
The protestors condemned the fatwa issued by clerics loyal to the regime that bans any protest against Saleh.
Reporter, Male #2
Yemen remains in a deadlock while various military, political, and security powers are rising and face many possible outcomes. Tens of thousands of protestors flocked to the streets of Sanaa vowing to try President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whom they describe as a murderer, in addition to his children and his brother's children. They demanded that the military members who support the revolution protect them, rejecting any political settlement that does not entail the downfall of the regime. At the same time, the protestors condemned the fatwa issued by those referred to as the president's clerics, which bans any protest against the regime and gives the regime the authority to kill Yemenis. The same slogans were raised in other protests led by a group of scholars in Ibb Province in central Yemen. Meanwhile, thousands of people protested in the city of al-Hodeidah near the coast of the Red Sea, expressing their rejection to any political settlement based on an initiative. They reaffirmed that the prosecution of Saleh, his children, and nephews is the only option for settlement. Other cities such as at-Tali'a and al-Baida also witnessed protests demanding the immediate downfall of the regime and denounced what was referred to as the attempt by Saleh and his regime's symbols to drag the country into a civil war. In this context, the UN secretary-general's envoy to Yemen, Jamal Omar left the Yemeni capital without reaching a solution. He warned that the Yemenis' patience has a limit and will run out if the crisis is prolonged. He indicated that the responsibility falls on all Yemeni leaders and that they should exert concerted efforts to put the country on a path to a peaceful transition, reform, and recovery. The UN envoy pledged to refer the developments of the Yemeni issue to the Security Council. Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that the US, Britain, and France are preparing a draft resolution that will soon be proposed at the Security Council, calling on Yemen to commit to the power-transition plan brokered by the Gulf countries. It is widely known that the youth of the Yemeni revolution reject the initiative proposed by the Gulf mediators, and that President Ali Abdullah Saleh failed to sign the initiative three times. This has created fear of heightened chaos, increased security breaches, and a worsening paralysis of various industrial sectors in the country. Eight months after the revolution began, protestors have not withdrawn their demand to end President Saleh's 33-year-long regime and try its symbols.
Syrian security forces launch massive operations in Duma, Deir al-Zour [BBC Arabic, UK]
Presenter, Male #1
After noon prayers today in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, a funeral procession was held for Sariyah, the son of the Republic's Grand Mufti, Badreddin Hassoun. Syrian authorities said that Sariyah was killed Sunday afternoon by "armed terrorists." Dr. Mohammad Omar, a history professor at Aleppo University, was also killed in the attack. In another development, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that since midnight, security forces have been carrying out massive security operations in the city of Duma in the countryside of Damascus, and in the town of Deir al-Zour. Several people were injured in the operations, which include raids and heavy gunfire.
Reporter, Male #2
Syria is witnessing nighttime protests amid the sound of chants in support of the formation of the opposition's national council. Protestors in various regions of the country have reiterated their demands for the downfall of the regime and its president. From the region of Jabal al-Zawiyah in Idlib to the Biyada neighborhood in Homs. In the Khalidiya neighborhood, women took part in the protests. Meanwhile, the crackdown on the opposition and protest movement continues across various regions, amid new military defections.
Guest, Male #3 (Amer al-Sadeq, Syrian Revolution Coordination Union Representative)
Security forces are still being deployed to the city of al-Rastan. There have been reports of more military defections in the area of Duma in the countryside of Damascus. Security operations are also being carried out in Idlib. Warplanes are hovering over the eastern countryside of Idlib.
Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian opposition said that militias loyal to President Assad's regime continue to open fire and terrorize the residents of Homs. In a limited area, several protestors raised slogans demanding a response to the authority's violence, which has so far claimed the lives of nearly 2,700 people, with more than 12,000 being detained, as confirmed by the international human rights organizations. The Syrian government continues to report that armed assailants are targeting members of the armed and police forces as well as regime supporters. The government accused the gunmen of assassinating a university professor in Aleppo and the son of Syria's Grand Mufti, whom the opposition accused of being biased toward the regime. The Mufti said that what is happening in Syria is a conspiracy that Arabs are apart of in order to undermine Syria's position.
Guest, Male #4 (Badr al-Din Hassun, Syria's Grand Mufti)
They don't want Sariyah and his martyred comrades. They want Syria to kneel before the Zionists and America. Shame on you, I swear to the Lord of Kaaba. Even if only one person remains in Syria, he will not waver on the right of Palestine.
Reporter, Male #2
In Idlib, the Syrian authorities confirmed they have seized what they referred to as a large cache of weapons, including bombs and launchers that were being smuggled near the Turkish border. Wael al-Hajar, BBC.
Bahraini court sentences 36 additional protestors to prison [Al-Alam, Iran]
Presenter, Male #1
Bahraini Public Military Prosecutor Yusuf Rashid Flaifal said a special court issued verdicts to imprison 36 detained protestors in three separate cases linked to the protests the country is witnessing. The court sentenced 14 people to life on charges of unlawful assembly, intention to riot and commit acts of terror to disturb public order, in addition to compromising the country's safety and exposing it to danger. Flaifal added that the court sentenced 21 others to 15 years in prison on charges of unlawful assembly, inciting hatred against the regime, and spreading terror among the masses. The court sentenced another protestor to 18 years in prison on the same charges. In addition, the court administration in Manama summoned more than 15 students from Bahrain University to appear in criminal court on charges linked to the protests sweeping the country. Several of the students were previously expelled by the university, and some were detained for various periods of time. The authorities mentioned that these students face charges of unlawful assembly, inciting hatred against the regime, and damaging private property at Bahrain University. Meanwhile, Bahrain's February 14 Revolution Coalition announced an event called "Manama Flood" that will take place on Tuesday and Thursday to protest the arbitrary verdicts that undermine the dignity of defendants. The coalition called for organizing the ninth "self-determination" march this coming Friday. Meanwhile, protests continued in a number of Bahraini regions demanding the release of detainees and denouncing the arbitrary trials.
Reporter, Male #2
Bahrainis are increasingly insistent on having their demands met through peaceful protests, as a large number of activists participate in the protests. Bahrain's February 14 Coalition announced an event called "Manama Flood." The coalition added in its statement that the first event will be held on Tuesday, October 4 in the financial and commercial district to protest the arbitrary verdicts that undermine the dignity of defendants. In addition, the coalition and residents of the Nuwaidrat region called on the Bahraini people to take part en masse in the ninth "Friday of Self-Determination" march which will be held in Nuwaidrat on Friday, October 7. The statement warned the authorities not to continue the attack on the protestors' dignity, stressing that it will cause the situation to explode. On the ground, al-Alam obtained images from Bahraini state TV taken when the wave of protests began. The video proves the peacefulness of the doctors and medical crew of Salmaniya Hospital during Health Minister Nazar al-Baharna's visit to the hospital. Peaceful protests continue in a number of Bahraini regions including Sharikan, Sitra, Sufala, al-Akar, and Tubli. The protests were subject to a crackdown by Saudi-backed security forces. Al-Alam also obtained images showing a security force's vehicle running over a young man and dragging him around the Salmabad region as a woman screams at the incident.
Libyan revolutionaries launch fresh assault on Sirte as post-Gaddafi Cabinet takes shape [Press TV, Iran]
Libya's National Transitional Council says Islam will be the main source of legislation in the new Libya. NTC Head Mustafa Abdul Jalil said the majority of Libyans are moderate Muslims and rejects the existence of any extremists in the interim government. Meanwhile, the NTC has named the new cabinet after weeks of political wrangling. The executive board will still be lead by Jalil and Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril. The pair has promised not to take part in any future governments in Libya. Jalil and Jabril say they will leave power after the liberation of the cities of Sirte and Bani Walid, which are still in the hands of fighters loyal to ousted ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Egyptians oppose gas exports to Israel [Press TV, Iran]
An new opinion poll shows that most people in Egypt oppose gas exports to Israel. Seventy-three percent of those polls say the gas deal with Israel must be scrapped. Only 15 percent of the respondents are in favor of maintaining the contract. The deal was signed during the ruled of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Under the deal, Israel receives Egyptian gas at privileged prices. The gas pipeline to Israel has been attacked many times since the downfall of Mubarak.
Hamas political chief meets with top Iranian officials [Press TV, Iran]
Iran's president says addressing the issue of Palestine is the key to solving many global issues. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said nations are rising to rightfully demand justice and freedom. However, he warned those nations to guard their revolutions and not allow hegemonic powers to replace the dictators with their public regimes. The Iranian president made these remarks with the visiting Hamas Political Chief Khaled Mashaal. The Hamas official said Palestinians will continue their resistance despite mounting pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv.
Israel welcomes Quartet plan, Palestinians demand settlement freeze [Dubai TV, UAE]
Presenter, Male #1
In the city of Galilee, north of the occupied territories, settlers have burned down a mosque in an incident that is not the first of its kind. The settlers attacked the mosque, set it ablaze, and wrote "price tag and revenge" on its walls. The fire engulfed the entire mosque and its contents. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as an act that stands against Israel's values. As predicted, the Israeli government welcomed the Quartet's plan for the resumption of peace talks without preconditions, urging the Palestinians to follow suit. In response, the Palestinian leadership immediately rejected the call, reiterating their demand for a complete halt of settlement construction prior to resuming any talks, which Israel has rejected. This may dim any chance of implementing the Quartet's initiative on the ground. Sheruk Asa'd reports from occupied Jerusalem.
Reporter, Female #1
As Israel announced its acceptance of the Quartet's proposal for resuming peace talks without preconditions, the Jerusalem municipality and the Israeli foreign ministry announced their intention of resuming the construction of settlements in Gilo and the West Bank territories, which were seized in 1967 before being annexed to the so called "Great Jerusalem." This prompted Palestinians to express suspicion about the Israeli positions.
Guest, Male #2 (Dr. Nabil Sha'th, Member of the Fatah Central Committee)
We will not resume negotiations until the Israeli side is committed to a complete settlement freeze, especially in Jerusalem, and to ending the siege on Gaza. They must agree to resume the talks based on the 1967 borders. Otherwise, we will not resume these useless talks, which are not being respected by the Israeli occupation.
Reporter, Female #1
For the Palestinians, accepting the Quartet's declaration is nothing more than an attempt by Israel to mislead the international community. The Palestinians say their problem with Israel has nothing to do with the launch of talks but rather with their content.
Guest, Male #3 (Bassam al-Salehi, Member of the PLO Executive Committee)
The problem has nothing to do with the launch of talks but rather with their content. They are focusing on formalities rather than the content. Therefore, this cycle has ended. We must look for a new mechanism to end the occupation.
Reporter, Female #1
Israel's intentions are clear, especially after expressing reservation over the three month timetable set by the Quartet to finalize talks over the border and security. Israel is saying it wants open-ended talks in a bid to waste another 20 years, during which it can complete its campaign on the ground. What is important to the Palestinians is not what Israel is saying publically but what it's practicing on the ground. Israel has one objective in mind, which is to continue the occupation and the construction of settlements. Sheruk Asa'ad, Dubai TV, Occupied Jerusalem.
Tel Aviv tent cities dismantled [IBA, Israel]
Remnants of the tent protests were eradicated today as Tel Aviv municipal workers flanked by police evacuated the remaining tents at the original encampment on Rothschild Boulevard. It was a pretty emotional and tense scene today as authorities cleared what was once the epicenter of the tent protest movement. Three other Tel Aviv tent cities were cleared earlier this morning on Nordau and Ben-Gurion Boulevards and in Levinsky Park where two people were detained for causing disturbances. Today, the Tel Aviv district court rejected an urgent request by about 16 Rothschild protestors, most of them homeless, to delay the evacuation.
Panetta warns Israel against growing isolation [IBA, Israel]
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Israel this morning for a series of meetings related to major security issues as well as bilateral defense relations. On his way to Israel, Panetta warned that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East. The defense secretary encouraged Israel to make concessions by explaining that Jerusalem has a commitment from Washington to guarantee its security needs. Therefore, Israel should be willing to take risks for peace. This is Panetta's first Middle East trip since becoming Pentagon boss.
Residents east of Baghdad suffer from government's total abandonment [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]
Presenter, Male #1
Our camera crew visited District 12, east of Baghdad, which is suffering from a severe shortage of public services, health centers, schools, and other facilities. The only road leading to the area has been closed down for seven years by authorities under a security pretext, which has caused hardships for local residents. Abdul Razzaq al-Rahim reports.
Reporter, Male #2
While everyone speaks of initiatives to revive the agriculture sector so that it can become a substantial source of income for the nation, the authorities have closed the roads and shut off the water supply to the farm lands in the eastern area of the capital Baghdad near Sadr city, known as District 12. The residents, mostly farmers, described the measure as a cruel six-year-long punishment that followed the 2005 security incidents in the area.
Guest, Male #3
There are no services, no roads, no fresh water, and no water for the farms; I mean there's no water at all. There's nothing. The area is totally closed down. None of the TV stations visit the area. We are being displaced. This area is part of the village of Sawaed. There is nothing more to say, just go see for yourselves. Many homes have been abandoned. Some residents are renting in the city.
Reporter, Male #2
Green trees were replaced by concrete barriers, and freshwater streams are now filled with sewer water. The roads to other inhabited villages were almost entirely abandoned due to the difficulty of travelling from this large open-air prison to the market to sell crops, to hospitals, or to government institutions. Even the schools are dozens of kilometers from the village. The children have to go to school on foot or on the backs of mules. Perhaps maintaining security and providing services to the people of this area was not as easy and cheap as building these concrete barriers to isolate the area from its surroundings. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is becoming more open, travel visas are becoming futile, and means of communication are increasing with the construction of more roads and other facilities. Not far from the city of Sadr lies this area, which has been isolated from the outside world due to past security breaches in the city. Its green lands have turned into undeveloped land, and its residents now form a small community of unemployed people who hope that one day life will return to this disaster-stricken area. From eastern Baghdad, Abdul Razzaq al-Rahim, al-Forat.


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Take the college student survey to share your opinions about your school and be entered into a $1,000 scholarship!
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A A+F Campus Housing: I live in the apartments on campus and I love it. Very spacious and very safe system to keep the students here safe. I will continue to live here for the duration of my time here.
C A+F Campus Housing: I'd say it's about average. There is space for your stuff, but not a lot. There is AC and heat (when they work). All housing is suite style, but Harbor and Erickson have common rooms. It's all pretty expensive. The level of Socialness really depends on the people who live there. I have lived on a completely dead floor where very few people talked to each other, and then I lived on a floor where everyone hung out and ran around to each other's rooms and got in trouble for being loud at 3am. Feelings about the dorms are mixed because it greatly depends on who you are with.
B- A+F Campus Housing: The dorms are not the greatest but after a few weeks and decorating it feels comfortable and relaxing. Upperclassmen have better choices and those that live in living and learning communities.
B+ A+F Campus Housing: Pretty clean, the amenities are really the luck of the draw.
A A+F Campus Housing: I've enjoyed every place I've lived on campus, no complaints.
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Written by Luanna Azulay
Residential life at UMBC is excellent. There are various options for housing, as well as ways to socialize and participate in the residential community. The dorms are clean, large, and safe—students need to either swipe or show their residential identification cards to enter the building. There are private bathrooms in every dorm, and students can opt to either share or have their own room. Guests have to be accompanied or swiped in by a student who lives in the building or must leave a form of identification with the front desk. Upperclassmen and transfer students have the choice to live in campus apartments. Students who live in the dorms are required to purchase a meal plan, unlike students who live in the University-owned apartments. Apartments, for the most part, have four bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen equipped with an oven. Living in the apartments offers more freedom than the dorms, which is the main reason most social gatherings/parties tend to take place in the apartments.
In both the dormitories and the apartments, there is a team of students, residential directors, and residential assistants who organize events, like cookouts or game nights, for students living in that building. These events allow students to grow more acquainted with those who live near them and become more integrated into their residential community. Although these events happen regularly and are well promoted, most students don't take advantage of them, often due to conflicts with class schedules, involvement in other organizations, and other programming on campus. Apartments and dorms are both conveniently located, but many of the apartments are up a hill, which makes getting back from classes a bit tiring. The longest it may take a student to get to class from their respective dorm or apartment is around 10 or 12 minutes.
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subset: commoncrawl


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The alphabetical index below gives you quick access to information and answers on many DMV topics.
If you don't find what you need, search the DMV Web site, or try the Find DMV Answers knowledge base.
A: Accidents, Address Change (and Name Change), Armed Forces members, ATVs (and other recreational transportation)
B: Bicycles, In-line Skates and Scooters (and other recreational transportation), Boats (and other recreational transportation)
C: Cell Phone and Texting Laws, Child Safety Seats (and other safety restraints), "Clean Pass" Stickers for HOV Lanes on the LIE
D: Driver Licenses, Learner Permits, Non-driver Photo ID Cards, DWI (and other alcohol/drug driving violations)
F: Fraud Related to DMV-issued Documents, Forms, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
I: Inspection of Motor Vehicles, Insurance Requirements for Motor Vehicles in NYS
L: License Event Notification Service (LENS), License/ID
M: Mopeds (and other recreational transportation), Motorized Scooters, Mini Bikes, Dirt Bikes, Go-Karts, Motor Assisted Bicycles
(and other recreational transportation), Motorcycles, Motorcycle Licenses, Training and Safety , MyDMV FAQs, MyDMV Sign-in
N: Name Change (and Address Change)
O: Office Locations and Hours, Online Services, Organ and Tissue Donation
P: Parking Reserved for People with Disabilities
R: Records, Registration, Restore Driver License or Privilege after a Revocation or Suspension, Road Tests
S: Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats, Snowmobiles (and other recreational transportation), Services


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March 17th, 2010: Gentle readers, cats and kittens! I sell shirts and prints and giant stuffed T-Rexes, did you know that? Any ONE of these items is 100% certified to make you 100% sexy. YOU CAN'T MAKE CLAIMS LIKE THAT ON THE INTERNET WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO BACK THEM UP. I feel certain that you will love this shirt:
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December 19th: A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE (IF THINGS PLACED ON OR AFTER THIS DATE ARRIVE BY THE 24TH, THAT IS)


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These are designs going back several years. You can click on any thumbnail to see full-size representation, use arrows to browse more or click on the page numbers below.
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View our current ad specials here!


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Will Martin McGuinness end up as Irish president like De Valera? -- All things possible after handshake with Queen opens new possibilities
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2012 at 05:44 AM
Recent Posts
- A New York bachelors weekend leaves happy memories - Betting on Ireland's rugby team does not
- Catching up with the The Bronx bachelors -- Amazing that the Rose of Tralee 2013 already underway
- Saying farewell to a dear friend and feeling strength in the community -- A sad Christmas as family and village mourn a great son and a true pal
- Christmas starts way too early here in Ireland nowadays - Halloween is hardly over when Santa Claus shows up
- Internet and Facebook bullying comes home to haunt Irish parents - Tragic deaths of two teenagers reveal scope of the problem
Martin McGuinness |
Brian Hayes of Fine Gael called it a publicity stunt by the 'failed Presidential candidate,' a bit rich I thought coming from a government party whose candidate went around the country at the time of that election like a bloody old farmyard hen. He only got 6.4% of the first preference votes compared to 13.7% of McGuinness. Some would say he put politics before peace!
I think this meeting has had a huge impact. Anyone of lesser stature than McGuinness within Sinn Féin and this would not be the case, even Gerry Adams. Alex Mackey laying a poppy wreath is one thing (a very big step at the time), but this is something that few thought they would ever see.
There are a few questions that come to mind and one is, why didn't Martin McGuinness meet Queen Elizabeth in Dublin last year? One reason could be that Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Republic was such an enormous event in itself that the significance of the McGuinness handshake would have been lost, so let's not underestimate what happened in Belfast last week.
Another question is, by not meeting Queen Elizabeth in Dublin did Sinn Féin misjudge or misread the 'situation,' and if they had met, would they have received some good publicity? No doubt that they would have. I think they were wide awake in the aftermath of what happened at the visit last May. They saw the reaction of the general public and realized the Ireland is changing.
The focus of the people is changing too. I'm not too sure if they understand what the monarchy stands and stood for, but they could tell you the color of the dress Catherine, Prince William's wife, wore at Wimbledon!
In today's world everything seems to revolve around 'celebrity', a word that doesn't sit well with me. How do you define a celebrity nowadays? Probably somebody who is in the papers and news all the time somebody people are interested in reading about. In that sense Queen Elizabeth might fall into that category. If she doesn't, what's coming after her and what's associated with her certainly does.
Catherine Middleton's sister Pippa, has an arse that is more famous (even in Ireland) then most of the TD's (members of Parliament) here. I'd even say it's the same in the States. Now that to me says a lot. I have heard people in Ireland refer to Queen Elizabeth as 'The Queen'. The same way we would call Micheal D. Higgins 'The President'. Micheal D. is our President and should be called so. Our last Queen might have been Queen Meabh, a woman whom it took seven men to satisfy her sexually. She also started 'the cattle raid of Cooley' to steal Ulster's prize stud bull! (sounds familiar)
The reason why last week's meeting was such a big deal was that both are seen as symbols for their own people. I'd imagine that both parties had fences to jump to get to the point of meeting and shaking hands. So much has happened over the years, angry people on both sides who find it very hard to see past what happened to them, and you can't blame them for that. But for things to move forward on the big picture these other issues had to be put to the side for the greater good. Put to the side, but certainly not forgotten.
If Queen Elizabeth is seen as a symbol then in one sense history has repeated itself again. After the civil war here in Ireland, De Valera refused to take the Oath of allegiance of the King of England, therefore he could not take his seat in Parliament. As time went by he realized that the people wanted to be represented and by not actually being in parliament (even though he had won his seat), he was losing ground and might eventually lose his seat.
In 1932, De Valera took the oath, but said that it was only a 'symbol,' only a piece of paper. One might ask what would have happened if he had taken it the first day, ach sin scéal eile (that's another story). De Valera did pretty well as we know after that and the rest is actual history. So, did McGuinness do the same as De Valera? He might have! Will he like De Valera go on to be Úachtarán na hÉireann (President of Ireland)? Time will tell.
4 Comments
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leahkinsella | Jul 16, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT
He had his chance so it won't happen again. Gerry Adams can forget it too. They despise the Republic. The handshake was only to impress the Irish State but they're were not impressed!
Report abuse
seamus60 | Jul 02, 2012, 08:03 PM EDT
He`ll never even reach president of the party unless the brits decide so.
Report abuse
Towngate | Jul 02, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT
The Irish Delegation accepted fealty to the British Crown in the 1921 Treaty and remained a member of the British Commonwealth until 1948.~ ~ ~ McGuinness will never be President because the Irish Electorate saw right through him last year and simply do not trust him! He only holds his present (temporary) position by the good grace of the Queen (of Northern Ireland, remember!) and her loyal Subjects.
Report abuse
WoundedKnee | Jul 02, 2012, 11:48 AM EDT
Maybe he'll finally learn some Irish if he gets to have the semi-retirement job of President.
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Hawken 50 caliber maintains the classic styling and handling of the time honored Hawken while offering great performance and affordability. Additional features include brass butt plate and nose cap, brass patch box and trigger guard, hooked breech for barrel removal and double set crisp triggers.


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I'd love to get feedback on my latest project on Indiegogo from all the choclate lovers out there! They are chocolate figures for anyone who has ever been in a bad relationship. Check out the video I made at: http://igg.me/p/101122 and help contribute (if you can) or share the site with all your friends... if 5,500 viewers each contributed $1, I will be able to reach my goal! You can also view the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieFUCSA6I-A Thanks for checking this out!
Tags: Ex (relationship), Indiegogo, breakup, chocolate, ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, relationship
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© 2013 Created by Clay Gordon.


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Agricultural company Cargill is fully aware that its business practices contribute to the destruction of rainforests, activists said from Minneapolis.
Activists with environmental advocacy group Rainforest Action Network demonstrated in front of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange to protest Cargill's political influence in the United States.
Protesters said Cargill was responsible not only for the destruction of rainforests in countries like Indonesia but its practices contribute to what Rainforest Action Network described as slave labor.
For Immediate Release
Interviews available; High resolution photos can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforestactionnetwork/sets/72157628971466...
Laurel Sutherlin, 415.246.0161
Ashley Schaeffer, 707.391.8208
"Occupy Cargill" Activists Stage Citizens' Arrest of Cargill Inc.
Marchers protest legal concept of 'corporate personhood' on 2nd anniversary of Citizens United Supreme Court ruling
World Centric, a leading supplier of certified compostable foodservice and retail products, announced today it is working with Rainforest Action Network (RAN) to address its 2010 carbon emissions, totaling 4810 tons, by supporting innovative initiatives that keep millions of tons of CO2 in the ground.
As part of our coverage of the 9th Annual Roundtable Meeting on Sustainable Palm Oil currently underway in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, mongabay.com is interviewing participants and attendees.
Greenpeace and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a giant global paper supplier, are locked in a heated battle over the activist group's allegations that APP products contain fiber sourced from the destruction of forests in Indonesia. At stake is APP's access to some of the world's most lucrative markets.
After losing several high profile customers in recent months due to the Greenpeace campaign, APP earlier this month fired back at Greenpeace in a press release that accused the activist group of making "false allegations."
FORTUNE -- Greg Page's only misgiving about the job offer he received from Cargill in 1974 was that it was from Cargill. He had grown up in tiny Bottineau, N.D., six miles from the Canadian border. His dad was the local John Deere dealer, who also owned an 800-acre hobby farm with 40 cows. "Cargill has historically had probably mixed sentiments about it out on the prairie," says Page. "That's who you sold your grain to." Farmers knew that if they didn't keep their wits about them, they might well get squeezed by the food giant. You knew to "keep a weather eye out," he says.
On August 10, police and security for the massive palm oil corporation Wilmar International (of which Archer Daniels Midland is the second largest shareholder) stormed a small, indigenous village on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. They came with bulldozers and guns, destroying up to 70 homes, evicting 82 families, and arresting 18 people. Then they blockaded the village, keeping the villagers in -- and journalists out.
Two Girl Scouts have earned their merit badge in effecting social change.
Madison Vorva, 16, and Rhiannon Tomtishen, 15, of Michigan started a campaign five years ago urging the Girl Scouts of America to stop using palm oil in its cookies, the Wall Street Journal reports. Now, the company will tell bakers to use as little of the oil as possible, purchase GreenPalm certificates and will try to switch to sustainable oil by 2015.
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Kerul DyerEnergy & Finance Communications Manager(415) 659-0535Laurel SutherlinForests Communications Manager(415) 659-0541


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50th Birthday Gifts for Adults - Unique Gifts
Gift Buzz
After 50 years of life together, it�s time to commemorate the occasion with gold. Put a modern spin on your golden gift by thinking outside the box. Choose a unique gift like an extravagant gold box of chocolates or a shimmering accent for... Read More »
The golden anniversary is a major milestone and when going the traditional route, you should look for an elegant and celebratory gift�gold jewelry, a beautiful frame holding a romantic photo or a personalized memento. Read More »
Can you believe the holidays are here? A few weeks ago, I started putting together a list of gift ideas for my boys. Let's face it; gift giving can be tough when you are trying to find something original, within your budget, age appropriate,... Read More »
My father-in-law is about to turn 60, and my own dad is already 65. I can tell you from firsthand experience that men this age are seriously hard to shop for. Dads don't really want stuff. They want some stuff, true, but it's expensive stuff... Read More »
Hand-pickedBirthday Gifts
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NINA RICCI NR 3223 F Made In France Ladies Sunglasses
original brand name: Nina Ricci
product type: Sunglasses
made in: FRANCE
model: nr 3223 f
Other Information
total item length: 5.75 inch
height: 58mm
gender: ladies
The Ricci tradition of excellence began with one of the great couturiers of France, Nina Ricci, who established the House of Ricci in 1932. With a woman's instinct, Madame Ricci knew how to enhance each client's personality with extraordinary designs that combined classicism, femininity, simplicity, and sophistication.
Today, with celebrated designer Olivier Theyskens at the creative helm of the brand, Ricci-clad celebs on the red carpet, and a "magical" new fragrance joining the L'Air du Temps classic, expect to see a new Nina Ricci woman emerge. From simple beginnings to a new "modern vintage" approach, meet the Nina Ricci you knew then, and the Nina Ricci you're about to know now.
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Related Topics
Abelard, Peter
Born c. 1079
Died 1142
French philosopher
Peter Abelard was a philosopher, meaning that his writings addressed the nature of values and reality. Like most European thinkers of his time, Abelard was particularly concerned with a better understanding of Christianity. This led him into investigations of ethics, or the philosophy of right and wrong. His belief that sin has more to do with a person's attitude than with their actions would hardly raise any eyebrows today, but in twelfth-century France, such ideas nearly got him killed. In a time and place when the authority of the Bible and the Catholic Church were absolute, Abelard seemed to be questioning both. Similarly, his explanations concerning the nature of ideas placed him at odds with many of the leading minds of the day.
But Abelard is not remembered merely as a thinker; his tragic but tender love affair with Héloïse, a student who became his wife and...
(The entire section is 2292 words.)
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Khalji, Ala-ud-din Muhammad
Born 1200s
Died 1316
Indian sultan
"The usual policy of the Sultans was clearly sketched by Ala-ud-din, who required his advisers to draw up 'rules and regulations for grinding down the Hindus, and for depriving them of that wealth and property which fosters disaffection and rebellion.'"
Will Durant, Our Oriental Heritage
Ala-ud-din was one of the most noteworthy of India's Muslim rulers during the Middle Ages. Although Hinduism and not Islam (the religion of Muslims) is the majority religion in India, Muslim invasions in the 700s and afterwards spread the faith throughout the subcontinent, so that by Ala-ud-din's time Islam dominated the land politically if not in terms of population. Ala-ud-din launched an ambitious and bloody campaign of conquest that took him deep into southern India—and might have gone on to even more far-flung campaigns if he had not wisely heeded the suggestions of his advisors.
Muslims and Hindus
Today the Indian subcontinent is divided into several countries, most notably India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The latter two, in the west and east, respectively, have Muslim majorities, whereas India's population is overwhelmingly Hindu. It would be hard to imagine two religions more different...
(The entire section is 1632 words.)
Nevsky, Alexander
Born 1220
Died 1263
Russian prince and hero
Numbered among the greatest of Russia's heroes, Alexander Nevsky saved his country many times, both in battle with invaders from the west, and later by negotiating with the Mongols. The defeat of the Teutonic Knights of Germany was a particularly dramatic event, a battle on ice that would form a memorable scene in a 1938 film about Alexander's defense of Russia. By contrast, the role Alexander took with regard to the Mongols seemed like a case of giving in to a foreign invader. Yet he had little choice, and in retrospect it seems certain that he acted wisely.
The many Russias
Russia first emerged as a political entity in about 900 under the leadership of Kiev (kee-YEV), a city-state that is now the capital of Ukraine. Thus historians refer to the country during this...
(The entire section is 2131 words.)
Born 354
Died 430
North African church leader and philosopher
Aside from Jesus Christ and others from the New Testament, no one had as great an influence on the shaping of the Christian faith as Saint Augustine, who helped bridge the period between ancient and medieval times. He grew up in a world heavily influenced by the Roman Empire, but during his life the power of Rome became increasingly shaky, and he promoted Christian faith as a more stable foundation than any earthly kingdom.
Augustine served as bishop or church leader over the North African city of Hippo, and he wrote literally hundreds of books discussing specific aspects of Christianity. Many of the questions addressed by Augustine have long since been decided, but two of his works, Confessions and the City of God, remain...
(The entire section is 2257 words.)
Born 1126
Died 1198
Spanish-Arab philosopher
As a thinker, Averroës represented the pinnacle of Islamic civilization in Spain; he was also the last of his line. Though devoutly committed to the beliefs of Islam, he placed great value on the workings of human reason, and in his many writings sought to explain how it was possible to be a person of both faith and thought. Unbeknownst to him, he would exert his greatest influence in the Christian lands of Western Europe, where his legacy brought about a renewed interest in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.
The world of Averroës's birth
His name at birth was Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Rushd, and to this day he is known in the Arab world as ibn Rushd (IB'n RÜSH't). In the West, however,...
(The entire section is 2091 words.)
Basil II
Born 957
Died 1025
Byzantine emperor and conqueror
Ruler of the Byzantine Empire from 976 to 1025, a time when the power of the Muslim caliphate had faded and the Seljuk Turks had not yet made their impact, Basil II brought his realm to its greatest height since the time of Justinian (see entry). His story shares certain themes with that of England's King Alfred and Mali's Sundiata Keita (see boxes): in each case, the ruler of a beleaguered people led them in wars of conquest that united them and brought them to new glories. As leader of a world power, Basil would have the most impact of the three, but his victories would also be the most short-lived.
An unlikely hero
Unattractive and uneducated, Basil made an unlikely hero in Greek society, which placed a high emphasis on physical beauty and learning. Given the fact...
(The entire section is 1965 words.)
Clairvaux, Bernard of
Born 1090
Died 1153
French monk and religious leader
Aside from royalty, politically influential figures of medieval Western Europe tended to be popes or other high church officials. Bernard of Clairvaux, by contrast, was a mere monk of the Cistercian order, and throughout his career held no official position of significance in the church—yet he was one of the most influential figures in the Catholic world.
In addition to his reform of the Cistercians, which he helped make one of the most powerful orders in Christendom, Bernard is remembered for his pivotal role in promoting the Second Crusade. When the latter ended in failure, he was widely criticized. He is also remembered with some disapproval as the man who tried to have Abelard (see entry) imprisoned for his unorthodox views. Yet he was also a figure of great sincerity, occasional compassion, and fascinating complexity.
(The entire section is 1881 words.)
Born 480
Died 524
Roman philosopher
In his Consolation of Philosophy, written in a prison cell as he awaited execution, Boethius developed a view of the world that came to symbolize the medieval age in Europe. True virtue, he explained, lay not in changing one's fate, but in accepting the fate one was assigned by Fortune. His personification of "Fortune" and "Philosophy" as women also set the tone for countless medieval allegories, symbolic stories in which characters represented ideas. Though he was born after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Boethius was a Roman to the core, and as with Augustine (see entry), his writings represent a vital link between the ancient and medieval worlds.
A distinguished Roman family
Four years before Boethius (boh-EE-thee-us) was born, the Western Roman Empire...
(The entire section is 2043 words.)
Born 742
Died 814
Frankish king and emperor of the West
Charlemagne was unquestionably the most important ruler in Western Europe between 400 and 1000. Only Clovis (see entry) could compete for that distinction, but Charlemagne—who like Clovis came from the nation called the Franks—achieved far more than Clovis could even have imagined. In Clovis's time the Franks, one of many tribes that invaded former Roman territories, conquered much of what is now France, in the process giving their name to the country; Charlemagne's power, by contrast, would extend throughout the entire western portion of the European continent.
Yet Charlemagne's impact went far beyond the military victories that built his vast empire. By forging an alliance with the church, he solidified the idea of kings and popes as joint political leaders. Furthermore, by encouraging the arts and...
(The entire section is 1706 words.)
Pisan, Christine de
Born c. 1364
Died c. 1430
French poet and essayist
Christine de Pisan was the first known woman in Europe to earn her living by writing. As a poet, she won much acclaim among the nobility of France and neighboring lands. Her extensive essays and works of scholarship, most notably The City of Ladies, provide a valuable contribution to an understanding not only of her own ideas, but also of European society during the Middle Ages.
Christine was a true feminist who used her pen to make the case that women should enjoy the same rights before God as men. She did not undertake her poetic work or other writings out of lofty ideals, or as a hobby; rather, she wrote because she had to support her family.
In the court of Charles V
Christine de Pisan (pee-ZAHN; sometimes rendered as Pizan) was...
(The entire section is 2108 words.)
Born c. 466
Died 511
Frankish king
Americans look to George Washington as the father of their country; but Clovis, who lived more than twelve hundred years before Washington, was the father of the French nation. He was the first significant king of the Franks, a tribe that gave its name to the entire country; and even more important, he was the first notable ruler in Western Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476. Clovis succeeded in gaining the blessing of the Christian church in Rome, which was eager to ally itself with a new leader after the fall of the empire. He also united the peoples of what is now France and surrounding areas, establishing the foundations of the medieval political order.
...(The entire section is 1891 words.)
Methodius, St. Cyril and St.
St. Cyril
Born c. 827
Died 869
Byzantine missionary
St. Methodius
Born c. 825
Died 885
Byzantine missionary
In 863, the brothers Cyril and Methodius went as Christian missionaries to Central Europe. There they found a people ignorant not only of the Christian message, but even of reading and writing. Before they could teach them about Jesus Christ, the two Greek missionaries had to help them develop a written language, and thus was born the Cyrillic alphabet, used today in Russia and other countries. Perhaps even more important, however, was the indirect role played by Cyril and...
(The entire section is 1547 words.)
Alighieri, Dante
Born 1265
Died 1321
Italian poet
When listing the world's greatest writers, critics almost always include Dante Alighieri, whose reputation is so great that he is often identified simply as "Dante." His reputation rests primarily, but not solely, on the Divine Comedy, an extended poetic work depicting a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
A book rich in images and details, the Divine Comedy can be read on a number of levels. To a student of the Middle Ages, it provides a vast and varied view of the time, particularly its leading figures and its attitudes. As a work written in Italian at a time when all "serious" literature was in Latin, it formed the foundation of Italy's literature and its national consciousness.
Pivotal early events
Born in the northern Italian city of Florence, Dante Alighieri (DAHN-tay al-eeg-YEER-ee)...
(The entire section is 1475 words.)
Cid, El
Born c. 1043
Died 1099
Spanish warrior and hero
The pages of medieval history are filled with figures whose biographies are equal parts legend and fact—or in some cases, more legend than fact—from the saintly Rabia al-Adawiyya (see entry) to the devilish Vlad Tepes (see box in Tamerlane entry). Perhaps nowhere is this mixture of fact and fiction more evident than in the life of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid.
Mythologized as a valiant Christian knight who fought heroically against the Muslims, he was in reality a soldier of fortune who spent most of his career in conflict with a Christian king, and who at one time served a Muslim emir. At least parts of the legend are accurate: El Cid was without question a brave and talented warrior, and he was at least as honorable as most knights of his time. Certainly there is an air of romance even to the tale of the real El Cid, and it is on this foundation of air that the legend was...
(The entire section is 2004 words.)
Aquitaine, Eleanor of
Born 1122
Died 1204
Queen of France and England
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a rare individual indeed. As wife of Louis VII, she ruled France, only to divorce her husband and marry Henry of Anjou, who would later make her queen of England. Marriage may have gotten her into positions of power, but what Eleanor did with that power was her own special gift. Both shrewd and intelligent, she was a highly cultured woman who managed to stay atop the shifting political structures of Western Europe, and at the same time cultivated learning and the arts in her lands.
The court at Aquitaine
During her long and varied life, Eleanor often found herself (or in many cases, put herself) at the center of conflicts. It was perhaps a trait she learned from her...
(The entire section is 2563 words.)
English Scholars, Thinkers, and Writers
Born c. 735
Died 804
English scholar and teacher
St. Anselm of Canterbury
Born c. 1033
Died 1109
Italian-English church leader and philosopher
Thomas à Becket
Born 1118
Died 1170
English church leader and chancellor
William of Ockham
Born c. 1290
Died 1349
English philosopher
Geoffrey Chaucer
Born c. 1340
Died 1400
English author and poet
"Defend me with your sword, and I will support you with my pen."
Promise allegedly made to Emperor Ludwig IV by William of Ockham
Because it is an island and geographically separated from the European continent, England's civilization became quite different from the rest of Europe. Successive waves of invasion gave it many influences, contributing to the broad reach of the English language. Likewise England developed an emphasis on freedom and individualism unmatched among European nations. These concepts became central to the foundation of America, and thus all Americans—regardless of ethnic heritage—can claim ties to the English traditions.
...(The entire section is 2136 words.)
Assisi, St. Francis of
Born 1182
Died 1226
Italian religious leader
Francis of Assisi is remembered as a great example of sainthood as that term is understood both within the Catholic Church and by the world in general. As with Augustine (see entry), an encounter with God transformed him from a reckless youth to a sober, thoughtful defender of the faith. Unlike Augustine, however, Francis produced no significant writings: rather, his triumph was in his deeds for the poor and the needy. His kindness to all creatures and his belief that all deserved God's good will became legendary, and later, tales circulated of his preaching to the animals.
A spoiled boy
The eldest son of Pietro and Pica Bernardone was born with the name Giovanni, or John, in the central Italian city of Assisi (uh-SEE-see). His father, a wealthy cloth merchant, was away on business at the time, but as soon as Pietro returned, the family began calling the boy by...
(The entire section is 2055 words.)
Khan, Genghis
Born c. 1162
Died 1227
Mongolian chieftain and conqueror
No empire in history has ever been as large as that conquered in the 1200s by the Mongols, who began their conquests as a simple nation of shepherds and nomads in Central Asia. What welded them into a mighty fighting force was not a religion, or a political belief, or even a shared need for land or food; it was a man, a severe but shrewd warlord known to history as Genghis Khan.
The son of a chieftain
Today Mongolia is a quiet, underpopulated, and underdeveloped land to the north of China. For centuries, it had been home to a hardy nomadic people who had no written language or—until the Middle Ages—cities of their own. The man who briefly made Mongolia the most powerful nation on Earth was born with the name Temujin (TIM-yuh-jin) in 1162.
According to legend, Temujin came into the world grasping a lump of clotted blood, a sign of the forcefulness and violence that would dominate his life. His father was a chieftain...
(The entire section is 1902 words.)
Gregory I
Born c. 540
Died 604
Italian pope
When Gregory I, or Gregory the Great, became pope in 590, the church and indeed all of Western Europe was in ruins. People still believed that the Western Roman Empire, smashed by barbarian invasions more than a century before, could be resurrected with the help of the Eastern Roman Empire in Greece. Gregory himself started out with that belief, but when he got no help from the emperor in Constantinople, he began building the church as a powerful, self-sufficient political entity.
A Roman prefect
As with many figures from the premodern period, little is known about Gregory's early life. He was born in about 540, a member of a wealthy Roman family. The family enjoyed great political power as well, but the Rome they lived in was a mere shadow of its former glory: two centuries of destruction by barbarian tribes such as the Lombards had left it in ruins. This ruining of Rome was both physical, in terms of...
(The entire section is 2048 words.)
Gregory VII and Henry IV
Gregory VII
Born c. 1020
Died 1085
Italian pope
Henry IV
Born 1050
Died 1106
German king and Holy Roman emperor
"In the name of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I withdraw … from Henry … the rule over the whole kingdom of the Germans and over Italy. And I absolve all Christians from the bonds of the oath which they have made or shall make to him; and I forbid any one to serve him as king."
"First Deposition and Banning of Henry IV," February 22, 1076
Gregory VII was the pope, leader of the Catholic Church, and Henry IV, as Holy Roman emperor, ruled a number of lands. Thus they were the two most powerful men in Western Europe, and in 1075, they faced off in a power struggle called the Investiture Controversy that would have an enormous impact on history.
The immediate cause was the right of the emperors to appoint bishops and other church leaders, a right that the pope claimed solely for himself. In reality, the conflict between Gregory and Henry represented a much larger battle between church and state, a battle that would influence events in the Middle Ages and would continue to affect public life even in modern times.
(The entire section is 2287 words.)
Born 1394
Died 1460
Portuguese prince, supporter of exploration
As a supporter of some of the first European voyages of exploration, Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal added immeasurably to Westerners' knowledge of other lands—yet he never actually took part in any voyages. Committed to spreading the Christian faith to other lands, he was very much a man of the Middle Ages, yet he helped bring about changes that would usher in the modern era.
A prophecy at his birth
Henry's father, John I, was the first king in the house of Aviz, which would rule Portugal for nearly two centuries beginning in 1385. A year later, Portugal signed a treaty with England, and to seal the agreement, Philippa of Lancaster, an English noblewoman, was married to King John. The couple had several sons, and the third one to survive—death in infancy or childhood was common in the...
(The entire section is 2138 words.)
The Venerable Bede
Born 672
Died 735
Anglo-Saxon historian and theologian
Died 957
Arab historian
Ssu-ma Kuang
Born 1019
Died 1086
Chinese government official and historian
Anna Comnena
Born c. 1083
Died 1148
Byzantine princess and historian
"As such peace and prosperity prevail these days, many … have laid aside their weapons … rather than study the arts of war. What the result of this will be, the future will show."
The Venerable Bede
The work of historians is always important, seldom more so than in the Middle Ages. Not only did people then lack modern forms of communication, but in Western Europe at least, the medieval period was a time when the pace of learning slowed for several centuries. Thus it became all the more important to access the wisdom of the past, a time when communication and learning had flourished under the civilizations of Greece and Rome. But history was also important as a means of guessing what might happen in the future. When the Anglo-Saxon historian St. Bede noted that the people of England had ceased to study the arts of war,...
(The entire section is 2166 words.)
Emperors, Holy Roman
Otto the Great
Born 912
Died 973
German king, Holy Roman emperor
Otto III
Born 980
Died 1002
German king, Holy Roman emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa
Born 1123
Died 1190
German king, Holy Roman emperor
Frederick II
Born 1194
Died 1250
Sicilian and German king, Holy Roman emperor
"The Renewal of the Roman Empire"
Inscription on seal ring of Otto III, signifying his life's goal
There is a joke almost as old as the Middle Ages themselves, to the effect that the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire. Actually the observation, originally made by the French writer Voltaire in the 1700s, has a grain of truth. A revival of the realm established first under Charlemagne (see entry), the Holy Roman Empire represented an attempt to restore the glories of the Roman Empire of old, but its center was in Germany, and it was seldom unified. As for being "holy," this title referred only to the fact that rulers of the empire, like the four men profiled here, were traditionally crowned by the pope. Ironically, as the career of Emperor Henry IV...
(The entire section is 2195 words.)
III, Innocent
Born c. 1161
Died 1216
Italian pope
The papacy, or office of the pope, reached its peak during the reign of Innocent III, who held the position from 1198 to 1216. A ruthless negotiator and an expert manipulator of men, he was a politician who outwitted some of the greatest strategic minds on the European continent. Yet it would be a mistake to view him merely as power-hungry or politically ambitious; Innocent was also a man of sincere religious beliefs whose passion for what he believed was right actually contributed to some of the worst excesses of his rule.
The church had come a long way since St. Benedict (see box) led his monks to new standards of discipline more than six centuries before. Nor was the pope's role under the same threats faced by Urban II (see box) a century before...
(The entire section is 2382 words.)
Athens, Irene of
Born c. 752
Died 803
Byzantine empress
Irene of Athens was the only woman to serve as sole ruler over the Byzantine Empire, and by calling the Seventh Ecumenical Council, she helped bring an end to the iconoclastic controversy that had rocked Byzantine society for years. Ironically, however, her greatest impact on history was unexpected. The Byzantine emperor controlled what remained of the Roman Empire, but according to Roman law, no woman could legally rule. Therefore when Irene took control it could be claimed that the Roman throne was vacant, and this gave the pope the opportunity to recognize Charlemagne (see entry) as the ruler of a new Roman Empire.
The iconoclastic controversy
The Byzantine Empire, or Byzantium (bi-ZAN-teeum), grew out of the Eastern Roman Empire. After the collapse of the Roman Empire's western portion in 476, the two former halves of the empire grew apart. Eventually the Greek Orthodox...
(The entire section is 1663 words.)
Arc, Joan of
Born c. 1412
Died 1431
French military leader and martyr
Few people ever make history, and a person who does so in his or her teens is extremely rare. Joan of Arc, who came to prominence at the age of seventeen, never lived to see twenty. In less than three years, however, she turned the tide of a century-long conflict, and proved that a girl could lead men to victory.
Joan claimed to hear voices, which she said came from the saints, giving her wisdom from God. Whatever the source of her knowledge, she was uncannily wise beyond her years, and she might have led France to greater and greater victories if she had not been captured by her nation's enemies. Under trial as a heretic, her prophetic gift was turned against her as evidence that she was doing the Devil's...
(The entire section is 2408 words.)
Born 483
Died 565
Byzantine emperor
The Byzantine Empire, which grew out of the Eastern Roman Empire in Greece, carried Roman culture into the Middle Ages. It was a splendid and sometimes powerful realm, a stronghold of civilization in a dark time, and Justinian was perhaps its greatest ruler.
Justinian reconquered the Western Roman Empire, which had fallen to invading tribes in 476, and briefly reunited former Roman lands under his leadership. More lasting was his legal code, or system of laws, which provided the foundation for much of the law that exists today. Justinian built dozens of churches, most notably the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and under his reign, Byzantine arts—including mosaics, colored bits of glass or tile arranged to form a picture—reached a high point.
In his uncle's...
(The entire section is 2518 words.)
Khan, Kublai
Born 1215
Died 1294
Mongol ruler of China
Though he belonged to the Mongol nation, conquerors of half the known world, Kublai Khan is remembered more for his peacetime activities than for his record as a warrior. Grandson of the fierce Genghis Khan (see entry), Kublai himself subdued China and established that nation's first foreign-dominated dynasty, the Yüan (yee-WAHN). But he was also an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and sciences, and through his contact with Marco Polo (see entry), he became widely known in the Western world.
Genghis and Kublai
Khan is a term for a chieftain in Central Asia, home of the Mongol people. The Mongols were a nomadic, or wandering, nation that had little effect on world events until the time of Genghis Khan (JING-us; c. 1162–1227), Kublai's grandfather. Genghis led them on a series of conquests that would make the Mongols rulers over the largest empire in history....
(The entire section is 2092 words.)
Eriksson, Leif
Born c. 970
Died c. 1020
Viking explorer
"There was dew on the grass, and the first thing they did was to get some of it on their hands and put it to their lips, and to them it seemed the sweetest thing they had ever tasted."
Description of Markland, from Erik the Red's Saga
Almost five hundred years before Christopher Columbus's ships landed in the New World, Leif Eriksson and his crew of Vikings became the first Europeans to reach North America. As was the case with Columbus later, they had no idea where they were—except that they knew they had found a land rich in natural resources. But whereas Columbus and others who followed possessed firearms, giving them military superiority over the Native Americans, the Vikings had no such advantage. Therefore they did not conquer the lands they discovered; but there is virtually no doubt that they set foot on them.
One cannot discuss the career of Leif Eriksson (LAYF) without referring to that of his father, Erik the Red. Erik was a Viking, born in Norway in about 950. By that time, groups of Vikings—sometimes called Norsemen or Northmen—had long since fanned out from their homeland in Scandinavia. They committed murder and mayhem in Ireland, which they...
(The entire section is 1652 words.)
Maimonides, Moses
Born 1135
Died 1204
Jewish philosopher
The philosopher Moses Maimonides wrote about a number of subjects, and became justifiably recognized as a man of wisdom not only in spiritual but in scientific matters. As a scholar of the scriptures, he added immeasurably to the literature of the Jewish faith. As a student of philosophy, he achieved a synthesis, or joining, of the ancient Greeks' wisdom with the faith of the Old Testament. As a physician and scientist, he may be considered one of the earliest fathers of psychology as a discipline.
The second Moses
He is known to much of the world as Maimonides (my-MAHN-i-deez), and some scholars of Jewish thought refer to him by the nickname Rambam, but during his lifetime he went by the name Moses ben Maimon (my-MOHN). In Hebrew, ben means "son of,"...
(The entire section is 1710 words.)
Musa, Mansa
Born c. 1280
Died c. 1337
Emperor of Mali
Mansa Musa, emperor of Mali in West Africa, was the first African ruler to become widely known throughout Europe and the Middle East. His was an extraordinarily wealthy land, and it enjoyed respect far and wide, while at home he oversaw a growing and highly organized realm. A devout Muslim, he helped extend the influence of Islam throughout his region, and became celebrated for his pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca, during which he stopped in the Egyptian capital of Cairo and spent so much gold that he nearly wrecked the Egyptian economy.
The empire of Mali
The modern nation called Mali (MAH-lee) is a land-locked...
(The entire section is 1644 words.)
Scientists and Mathematicians (Middle Ages)
Born 476
Died c. 550
Indian mathematician and astronomer
Born c. 864
Died c. 925
Arab physician and philosopher
Born c. 780
Died c. 850
Arab mathematician, astronomer, and geographer
Born 965
Died 1039
Arab mathematician and physicist
Roger Bacon
Born 1213
Died 1292
English philosopher and scientist
"Praise God the creator who has bestowed upon man the power to discover the significance of numbers. Indeed, reflecting that all things which men need require computation, I discovered that all things involve number.… Moreover I discovered all numbers to be so arranged that they proceed from unity up to ten."
Al-Khwarizmi, Kitab al-jabr wa al-muquabalah
In modern times, people are accustomed to thinking of the...
(The entire section is 2253 words.)
Askia, Mohammed I
Born c. 1442
Died 1538
Songhai emperor
"This king makes war only upon neighboring enemies and upon those who do not want to pay him tribute. When he has gained a victory, he has all of them—even the children—sold in the market at Timbuktu."
Leo Africanus, describing Mohammed I Askia
Mohammed I Askia ruled Songhai, perhaps the most powerful empire of premodern Africa, at its height. Under his reign, the Songhai controlled a vast area in the continent's western corner, ranging from the dry sands of the Sahara to the dense rain forests of modern-day Nigeria. A devout Muslim, he united much of his land under the faith, and ruled a well-administered empire. In spite of all his achievements, however, he was doomed to die in humiliation, and the empire did not long outlast him.
The Songhai
Though he ruled by the name Mohammed I Askia (ahs-KEE-uh), the latter being the title of the dynasty or royal house he established, he was born Muhammed Ture ibn Abi Bakr (TOOR-ay eeb'n ah-BEE BAHK'r) in about 1442. By that time, Europe was coming out of the Middle Ages, but the modern era would not come to Africa for a few more years—and when it did, it would come in the form of slave-traders dealing in human lives.
...(The entire section is 2108 words.)
Montezuma I
Born 1398
Died 1469
Aztec emperor
"Rulers of many peoples eat the bread of sorrow."
Attributed to Montezuma I
Because the United States borders on Mexico and Americans are relatively familiar with its culture, the name of the Aztec emperor Montezuma is practically a household word. However, that name is typically used in reference to Montezuma II, who ruled from 1502 to 1520 and whose reign was cut short by the arrival of the Spaniards under Hernán Cortés. But before Montezuma II, there were two centuries of Aztec rulers—including the first Montezuma, whose reign ended when Montezuma II was just two years old.
Whereas Montezuma II lived to see defeat at the hands of the invaders, predecessors such as Montezuma I lived and died in a prosperous, powerful empire. The reign of Montezuma I saw its share of troubles, but until the Europeans came, no force was great enough to dislodge the mighty Aztecs.
The Aztecs
The people known as the Aztecs arrived in central Mexico in about 1250. According to later legends, their priests had been told by the gods that they should claim a spot on the marshy western edge of Lake Texcoco (tays-KOH-koh), today the site of Mexico's capital, Mexico City. Even the...
(The entire section is 1216 words.)
Born c. 570
Died 632
Arab prophet, founder of Islam
Only a handful of people have influenced history as much as the prophet Muhammad. Most of these people were religious teachers such as Jesus Christ, or conquerors such as Alexander the Great. Muhammad, however, was both a religious teacher and a conqueror.
He is often regarded as the founder of Islam, or the Muslim religion, and as the author of its holy book, the Koran. Muslims, however, regard Muhammad as the last in a long line of prophets who brought the truth of Allah, or God, and in their view he did not write the Koran; rather, he received it from Allah. His role as a conqueror is more clear: under his leadership, the Muslim Arabs established the foundations of an empire that would soon rule much of the world.
...(The entire section is 2015 words.)
Shikibu, Murasaki
Born c. 978
Died 1026
Japanese author
"The priest began to tell stories about the uncertainty of this life and the retributions of the life to come. Genji was appalled to think how heavy his own sins had already been.… But immediately his thoughts strayed to the lovely face which he had seen that afternoon; and longing to know more of her he asked, 'Who lives with you here?'"
Tale of Genji
The writing of novels, extended works of fiction written in prose rather than poetry, is a relatively recent development: Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron (1353; see box), which is considered by some to be one of the first "novels," was not really a novel but a collection of short tales. Among the earliest works typically recognized as novels were Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais of France (c. 1495–1553), Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes of Spain (1547–1616), and Pilgrim's Progess by John Bunyan of England (1628–1688). Yet many centuries before these men, the first novel in history made its appearance. Its author was not a European—nor was she a man.
She was Murasaki Shikibu, author of the Tale of Genji. Much about her life is a mystery: historians do not even know her real name. But perhaps the key to her...
(The entire section is 2046 words.)
Osman I
Born 1259
Died 1326
Turkish warlord, founder of Ottoman Empire
Today Istanbul is a magnificent city that serves as a crossroads between worlds: Europe, of which it is geographically a part, and the Asian mainland of Turkey just a few miles distant, to which it is culturally tied by nearly six centuries of history. Once, however, Istanbul was Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, and its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 was regarded as a crisis for the Christian nations of Europe.
The fall of Constantinople was one of the events that heralded the end of the Middle Ages, but it had been foreseen nearly two centuries before—according to legend, at least—in a dream by Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire. It is no wonder that such a leader, who founded one of the world's...
(The entire section is 2121 words.)
Yupanqui, Pachacutec Inca
Died 1471
Inca emperor
"Although his father and some other predecessors may have been at least partly legendary, Pachacuti was a real person, the actual founder of the Inca Empire and perhaps the greatest man produced in ancient America."
Jonathan Norton Leonard, Ancient America
Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui, sometimes referred to as Pachacuti, was not the first emperor of the Inca people in South America, but he was the first one whose existence is firmly established in history. More important, he was the greatest of the Inca rulers, an empire builder who began with a kingdom of perhaps twenty-five square miles and shaped it into a vast realm. He initiated a system of roads and a highly organized government that ruled its people efficiently and—by the standards of premodern America—with justice.
The achievements of Pachacutec were all the more remarkable in light of the fact that he was not his father's chosen successor, and that severe technological and administrative limitations faced the Incas. Not only did they lack the use of the wheel or of most pack animals, a handicap in their high mountain environment, but unlike the Aztecs or Maya, they did not even have a written language.
Roots of the Inca people
Though the...
(The entire section is 2084 words.)
Patrick, St.
Born c. 396
Died c. 459
Roman-Irish saint
Patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick remains one of the Middle Ages' most well-known saints, thanks in large part to the wild celebrations on his festival day on March 17. Wherever there are sons and daughters of Ireland—as in America, a country with far more people of Irish heritage than Ireland itself—there is plenty of merry-making on St. Patrick's Day.
Yet it might astound many to learn, first of all, that Patrick was not Irish; rather, he was a missionary, a religious teacher sent to people in a foreign land, from Roman-controlled Britain. Nor was he a particularly jolly figure, despite all the fun associated with his day. Furthermore, many of the feats attributed to him—for instance, driving all the snakes out of Ireland—are the product of medieval legend-making, not fact.
(The entire section is 2254 words.)
Polo, Marco
Born 1254
Died 1324
Italian explorer
The journeys of Marco Polo were as remarkable in the Middle Ages as travel to another planet would be in modern times, and the information he brought back to Europe greatly expanded human knowledge. But his stories about faraway lands sounded so outrageous, and involved so many big numbers, that his neighbors nicknamed him "Marco Millions."
Setting out from his hometown of Venice, Italy, with his father and uncle in 1271, Marco was only seventeen years old when he began his travels. It would be twenty-four years before he returned to Europe, and during that time he would see half the known world. He would also have a series of amazing adventures, and would become personally acquainted with one of the medieval world's most remarkable rulers, Kublai Khan (see entry).
Venice and Cathay
In Marco Polo's time Venice was a powerful city-state, home to merchants and voyagers such as his father, Nicolo, and uncle, Maffeo. When Marco...
(The entire section is 2393 words.)
al-Adawiyya, Rabia
Born c. 717
Died 801
Arab mystic
"O God, if I worship Thee in fear of Hell, burn me in Hell; and if I worship Thee in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise; but if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, withhold not Thine everlasting beauty."
Prayer attributed to Rabia
Amystic is someone who seeks direct contact with God through meditation or special insight. Mystics believe this is possible—indeed, only possible—outside the context of formal religion. But this unorthodox approach does not mean that mystics expect a "shortcut," as the life and teachings of an extraordinary woman named Rabia al-Adawiyya illustrate.
Founder of the Sufis, a sect of Islamic mystics, Rabia was sold into slavery; she gained her freedom, according to some legends, because her master was awed by a miraculous light shining above her head. She devoted her life to a quest for direct contact with Allah, or God.
Sufi mysticism
The Middle Ages was a time when mysticism proliferated in lands influenced by the great religions of the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Some of these mystics would be judged insane if they lived in modern times; others were fanatics of one kind or another who used...
(The entire section is 2156 words.)
Richard I
Born 1157
Died 1199
English king
Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart or Richard the Lion-Hearted, was one of the Middle Ages' most celebrated and romantic figures. He was immortalized in the tales of Robin Hood and in countless legends, and centuries later in the novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. Yet when one studies his actual career and character, it is hard to understand why.
Richard deserves a place among England's worst kings, though perhaps he cannot be judged in those terms since he spent all but six months of his ten-year reign away from England. In fact he cared much for France, his homeland, and for his wars in faraway places, most notably the Third Crusade (1189–92). Despite the fact that he was a sometimes talented military leader—one of his few actual merits—the crusade was a disaster, and for Richard it ended with his being kidnapped by a noble he had insulted. He...
(The entire section is 1992 words.)
Born 1138
Died 1193
Kurdish-Egyptian sultan and warrior
Assessing the career of Saladin more than eight centuries after his death, French historian René Grousset echoed a sentiment often expressed in Saladin's own lifetime. In Grousset's opinion, the Muslim leader's devotion to God—without the extremism that sometimes goes with such faith—expressed the virtues of generosity and kindness prized by the Europeans who fought against him in the Third Crusade (1189–92).
Thus Saladin won as many admirers among the "Franks," as the Muslims disdainfully called the European invaders, as he did from people on his own side. Indeed, Saladin came much closer to the ideals of knighthood than most crusaders—including Richard I (see entry), with whom he was often associated in later legends.
...(The entire section is 2438 words.)
Taishi, Shotoku
Born 573
Died 621
Japanese prince and regent
Like Clovis in France (see entry) and Toghril Beg in Turkey (see box), the Japanese prince Shotoku Taishi (shoh-TOH-koo ty-EE-shee) can rightly be called "the father of his country." As regent or advisor to the empress, he held the true political power in Japan, and exercised it to initiate a series of reforms that affected virtually every aspect of Japanese life.
In the realm of law and government, Shotoku is credited as the author of the "Seventeen-Article Constitution," a document that provided the governing principles of Japanese society. These principles were a combination of Japan's native Shinto religion and two belief systems, Buddhism and Confucianism, imported from China. The widespread acceptance of those "foreign" ideas, and their incorporation into Japanese culture, can largely be attributed to Shotoku, who remains one of Japan's most highly esteemed historical figures.
...(The entire section is 1392 words.)
Tsung, T'ai
Born 599
Died 649
Chinese emperor, co-founder of the T'ang dynasty
Along with his father, T'ai Tsung is credited as the cofounder of the T'ang dynasty (618–907), one of China's greatest ruling houses. The T'ang were noted for the fairness of their government, which contrasted with the more authoritarian region of the preceding Sui dynasty. Under T'ang rule, China's borders reached their greatest extent in history up to that time, and approached the Confucian model of peace and harmony that the Chinese had long prized.
The founding of the T'ang dynasty
Chinese emperors are known by a title assigned only after their death; thus during his lifetime, T'ai Tsung (dy-DZAWNG) was known as Li Shih-min (ZHUR-min). His father, Li Yüan (yee-WAHN; 565–635) would reign from 618 to 626 as the first...
(The entire section is 2415 words.)
Born 1336
Died 1405
Mongol-Turkic conqueror
Though not related to Genghis Khan (see entry), Tamerlane came from similar Central Asian roots and saw himself as a successor to the great conqueror. He set out to build an empire of his own, ravaging an area from modern-day Turkey to India, and from Russia to Syria. Along the way, he left a trail of death and mayhem, and though he made significant cultural contributions in his capital at Samarkand, these were outweighed by the misfortunes he dealt his own fellow Mongols and Muslims.
Mongols and Turks
Tamerlane is actually the name by which he became known to Europeans, who were largely spared the force of his wrath. Actually, his name was Timur (tee-MOOR), and an injury earned him the...
(The entire section is 1544 words.)
Aquinas, Thomas
Born c. 1225
Died 1274
Italian philosopher and theologian
The writings of Thomas Aquinas represented the pinnacle of the medieval school of thought known as Scholasticism. The latter, which had its roots in the work of Abelard (see entry) and others, attempted to bring together Christian faith, classical learning, and knowledge of the world. Thomas Aquinas wrote his Summa theologica to address new ideas that seemed to threaten the stability of Christian faith. As an inheritor of the Scholastic tradition, Thomas and his work can be seen on the one hand as the culmination of many centuries of thinking. Yet other ways of looking at the world were also emerging in Thomas's time and afterward, and thus his adherence to the Scholastic line can also be viewed as a defense of an old way of life against change.
The influence of Frederick II
Born of nobility in the Italian town of Aquino—hence his name, Aquinas...
(The entire section is 2104 words.)
Ti, Wen
Born 541
Died 604
Chinese emperor, founder of Sui dynasty
Founder of the short-lived Sui dynasty, Wen Ti (or Yang Chien, as he was born) is little known outside of China, but he was a highly important figure in that nation's history. He reunified the empire after three centuries of chaos, establishing a strong central government and a set of reforms that paved the way for the T'ang dynasty of T'ai Tsung (see entry). Wen Ti was also a ruthless figure, a man who did not shrink back from killing his own grandson, and as a leader he was equally severe.
Seizing power over the Chou
In many ways, China can be compared to the Roman Empire. As Rome had flourished under strong rulers during ancient times, China reached a height of unity and order under the Han (HAHN) dynasty, established in 207 B.C.. But whereas Rome began a long, slow decline in the third century A.D.., China entered a period of outright disorder or anarchy following the downfall of the Han in 220.
The man who brought an end to this chaos with the establishment of the Sui dynasty (SWEE) was Yang Chien (YAHNG jee-AHN), who would be remembered by his reign title of Wen Ti (wun-DEE). He grew up in Chou (ZHOH), one of the many states competing to control northern China. The Chou rulers...
(The entire section is 1920 words.)
Conqueror, William the
Born c. 1027
Died 1087
Norman king of England
William I, better known as William the Conqueror, was an illegitimate child who grew up to become one of the most powerful men in Western Europe. In 1066, he launched an invasion of England and gained control after defeating King Harold at the Battle of Hastings.
The victory of William and the Normans forever changed the character of England. He instituted new laws and greatly increased the power of English kings over noblemen. He also initiated a new line of English royalty, and even today the British royal house is distantly related to William. But the greatest mark on history left by William came with the influence of the Normans on aspects of English life ranging from architecture to language.
William's beginnings
The ancestors of William's father, Duke Robert I of Normandy, were Vikings or "Northmen"; hence the name they took on when they settled in France:...
(The entire section is 1554 words.)
Ze-tian, Wu
Born 625
Died 705
Chinese empress
"A sage mother will befall and her imperium [empire] will be prosperous forever."
"Prophecy" concerning Wu Zetian's rule
In China as in many other countries, women have exerted an influence over the government without actually holding office. Usually they have been wives or lovers of men in power, and often they have held greater authority than their men. But in nearly four thousand years of Chinese history, only one woman has ever officially ruled China: Wu Ze-tian. During her reign, she proved herself the equal of any man—both in ability and in ruthlessness.
Friends in high places
She is sometimes known as Wu Chao (ZHOW), the name she would take when she assumed the Chinese throne, but she was born Wu Ze-tian or Wu Tse-t'ien (zeh-CHEE-en). Her father, Wu Shi-huo (zhee-WOH), was a wealthy businessman in southeastern China in 617 when he received an important request from Li Yüan (yee-WAHN), then the military commander of the region. At that time, the harsh Sui (SWEE) dynasty ruled China, but Li Yüan had plans for its overthrow, and he needed Wu Shi-huo's help.
In the following year, Li Yüan and his son Li Shih-min (ZHUR-min) took power with the...
(The entire section is 1512 words.)
Source: Middle Ages: Biographies, ©2001 Gale Cengage. All Rights Reserved. Full copyright.


text:
Forums >Racing>JakeKnight?
A Dance with Monkeys
I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
Poor baby
Sunny. No wind. 25 at the start, 40s at the finish. My legs felt like somebody had recently monkeyed with them I got a 4:05 and missed you. There were 15 monkeys there ! Sam? Don't ask. Dang knee. Sheesh.
Needs more cowbell!
• get within 5#s of 130#s (and stay there, gotdammit!)
✓ 1st olympic distance duathlon - AG 2nd!!
• 1st Iceman Cometh mtn bike race - no MTB in '13
✓ Half Fanatic
✓ punch Type 1 in the junk
Now that was a bath...
JN, for you - Why are there so many songs about monkeys
Kirsten - you make me laugh girl! Where do you get these images from! Claire xxx
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Great travel & vacation destinations around the world. Browse our endless destinations and plan your incredible vacation today!Browse 221 Great Groups listings and start planning your vacation today
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Aliff Scuba & Snorkeling - This beautiful wooden yacht has 4 decks of comfortable living spaces where the lower deck houses 6 elegant staterooms and main deck is for saloon, a bar, indoor and outdoor dining arrangements. The bridge deck has 2 spacious ocean view suites.
Maldives Luxury Cruises - With years of experience in organizing special cruises/tour packages for individuals and groups from around the world, we can assure our clients of unparalleled service and competitive rates throughout the year.
Puerto Rico Eco Tours - Sail, Snorkel and Party on the Fun Cat Catamaran in Puerto Rico. Sailing in the Caribbean sea to an exotic island will be one of the most amazing adventures you will experience in Puerto Rico. You will enjoy snorkeling on our pristine reefs...Amazing
Big Bend Country, Texas Health Spas & Retreats - Deer Lake Lodge is a unique wellness resort where guests enjoy comfortable detoxification and relaxation in a natural, sustainable setting. Our holistic approach addresses mind, body, and spirit.
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The Thai-Balinese architecture provides a continuum of outdoor living and indoor comfort, is fully furnished to the highest international standards. This spectacular residence features 4 bedroom suites, a sea facing rim flow pool, an inner courtyard pool, a serene Koi Pond and 4 garages with space for golf cart parking, state of the art security, privacy and breathtaking ocean and breaker views.
Agent's Professional Fee is included in the price advertised.
Amber Bay Investments 62 (Pty) Ltd is de licentiepartner voor Engel & Völkers Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd


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Accidentally stumbled upon this charming litte restaurant. The owner are incredibly nice and the food ... ah the food ... incredible! Perhaps a tad on the expensive side, but definitely well worth it. I will be sure to go there again.
Accidentally stumbled upon this charming litte restaurant. The owner are incredibly nice and the food ... ah the food ... incredible! Perhaps a tad on the expensive side, but definitely well worth it. I will be sure to go there again.
Hi, I have never brought myself to write a review here, however, after my experience I feel its extremely warranted. We were a couple in our twenties who had struggled to find good food on the island. We accidentally stumbled upon this place and it was incredible. We had seen it a few nights previous but we couldn't get in... More
The meal was perfect, defenitelly made our night special. Very kind and plesant stuff(the owners). If You are in Puerto de la Cruz or near and looking for delicius food, special night, go there!
We've previously eaten in La Carta, but didn't realise there was a food terrace as we'd sat inside previously. This time we sat outside on the terrace - a lovely setting and definitely recommended. The service was very friendly, with the chef evening coming round and talking to the tables and making sure everyone was happy with their food. We... More
Thank you for your comment at Tripadvisor. We are very happy that you had a nice meal on our terrace and you enjoy the place. We hope to welcome you on your next visit to Tenerife. Saludos Staff of LA CARTA More
Excellent meal with the Octopus Carpacio being the shared starter and fresh fish and rabbit very good. Very nice bottle of Spanish blend of Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc. Different but it works!
Visited this restaurant again and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Service excellent, very good starter of goats cheese with sautéed onions and tomatoes - a fantastic mixture of flavours and textures. Secundos included the Iberican Pork, Dorada a la Plancha and Pasta con chanterelles - all excellent and very good sized portions. Local Tenerifian wine very good. Looking forward to our... More
Service was great. The pork cheeks special, pulpo carpaccio and seafood cazuela wonderful. Definitely worth a stop.
What a great find in a quiet back street of Puerto de La Cruz. I went with some friends and I had the best seafood casserole I have ever eaten. The sauce was perfect and I could have eaten it again. Cornelia and Juan run this restaurant and it is clear that they add their own personality to the experience.... More
An excellent restaurant with friendly patrons. They aren't open for lunch but will make lunch at 13h00 if we phone ahead. We had late supper and everything was cooked to perfection. Nothing was heavy.
I ate here and thought the food was ok, not really to my taste, but loved the environment of the restaurant and the service, so enjoyed my evening. UNTIL I woke up in the middle of the night and spent the next hour in the bathroom - was it the clams or the cheesey sauce? Who knows, but man I... More
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text: I have been there twice and I tried a fish dish and a meat dish... they are really delicious, it is like having a dih of pasta in Italy. The dishes are balanced, not too spicy, not too garlic(which is my main problem in Sweden), and the starters were really good as well. It is also the only place in... More


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It Takes Guts to Fight Obesity
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