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Computer Chess (2013)
The most popular movies among NYTimes.com readers.
3 Readers' Reviews
August 2nd, 20138:37 pm
I fell asleep twice during the first fifteen minutes of this rambling, baffling mess. Mr. Scott is a great writer who often gets caught up in the concepts presented in films he reviews but, in this case, his review wildly overcompensates for what is not on the screen. It was a high concept film done on the cheap without a script, it seems, and without any true sense of delivering a finished, thoughtful product. The only fun moment comes while looking at the team of third place winners: the actors are stand-ins for people who eventually became .001%ers and arbiters of a global revolution. The trailer and this review promise a raucous good-time film but the film crashes.
— Jan, Stone Ridge, NY
July 27th, 20136:24 pm
At the outset of my comment I want to warn any potential readers of major spoilers. Are you gone yet? Okay.
Only one reviewer I've found seems to have hinted at the possibility that this whole film is supposed to have been a simulation created by an artificial intelligence. There are several things that hint at this. One is that the love interest of the junior programmer comes to his room and says he was right that the participants in the tournament were moving like chess pieces. The emcee zig zagged like a bishop etc. I can't explain that within the straightforward narrative so many reviews are recounting. Two, the whole scene where Papageorge goes to his mother's house descends into a "loop" of him looking for a box where he's squirreled away some money.and that's the end of Papageorge's story. This is also the only portion of the film that's in color. My thought is this: that the artificial intelligence failed at its attempt to simulate a more human, more complex scenario - two characters left the self-contained black and white realm of a motel full of over-logical nerds and their logical machines for a messy house simulated in color - and the AI is overwhelmed. It gets caught in a loop much like a chess AI mentioned earlier in the film failed in the previous tournament because it wouldn't stop trying to check the king over and over (in a loop). Perhaps Papageorge's story ends there because that portion of the simulation has been terminated in favor of a return to the calculable simplicity of the tournament.
— Nate, Colorado
July 17th, 20135:26 pm
Not Big Blue.
— TyroneFerrara, Amherst, NY


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RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Trial has been set for a Rapid City man shot and wounded by a Highway Patrol trooper after a chase last fall.
William Chandler, 27, is to stand trial March 6-7 on charges ranging from aggravated assault to eluding. He's pleaded not guilty.
Chandler is accused of leading officers on a chase on Interstate 90 after a trooper tried to pull him over for speeding on Sept. 30. They say he eventually was caught and arrested but managed to escape his handcuffs and steal a squad car. He was shot after allegedly threatening to back the squad car into a trooper.
Chandler faces up to 150 years in prison if convicted.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Credits & Info
- Uploaded
- Sep 22, 2010 | 10:37 AM EDT
Related Stuff
If you liked this, check these out!
Plenty more like this here!
Author Comments
Wow, front page despite so many great animations today? Thank you a lot!!
NOTE- This is a sequel, watch the prequel here- http://www.newgrounds.com /portal/view/512259 to catch up. :)
So, after loads of stressing out and general hard work I've finally finished. I'm really happy with this but please leave a comment below because what really matters is whether you like it or not!
Thanks to Fluidanims.com for being a great animating community! Check it out here- www.fluidanims.com
And thanks for watching, I love honestly reading every single review so please do leave one and vote fairly!
Remind me if you helped me out and ill add your name down here... ;c
Rated 5 / 5 stars September 22, 2010
clown for the fucking win!
Shit dude the music!? the epicness!? CLOWN!? effing amazing and so full of win!
Rated 5 / 5 stars September 22, 2010
Wow, just wow.
You really made the clown look epic...
Rated 5 / 5 stars September 22, 2010
the clown needs love that's not just idiocy!
and you have provided my good sir/madam and i aplaud you!
Rated 5 / 5 stars September 22, 2010
Dead Hank? O.o
I have to look up your other madness day vids. I am guessing they are sequential or somethin. Either way nicely done.
Rated 5 / 5 stars September 22, 2010
And yet,
Another fantastic flash in honor of madness day. 10/10 my brother!


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The workshop will be held form 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the West Islip Fire House at 309 Union Boulevard on September 17.
In a letter addressed to residents this week, Islip officials note that community input in the workshop, which is a component of the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program, is critical to identifying work that will have a beneficial regional impact.
"This is a public meeting where you will have the opportunity to voice your opinion, contributing to the community's reconstructing plans and to recommend those which can have a beneficial regional impact," states the letter.
Two Community Reconstruction Zones, which have been designated by New York State as most affected areas, are Oakdale/West Sayville and West Islip.
The committee for each zone, which consists of residents, business owners, civic associations, planning engineers, NYS and Town of Islip representatives, will be on hand to share the reconstruction planning to date, according to the letter.
"This is a very exciting community event and though the focus of this public open house is not on individual home ownership/elevation issues, your feedback on the community vision, assets, and needs and opportunities is extremely valuable and essential to its success," write Islip officials.
For more information residents can email email@example.com.


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Newport News -- Two shocking murders in Newport News' southeast community have prompted residents to take action.
Almost two years ago, James Dix was gunned down. Police say a teenage boy chased Dix, robbed him and shot him in the back. He was a chef at Hampton University.
In January, a 71-year old church deacon named Joseph Williams, Jr. was on his way home to bring dinner to his wife when he was caught in the middle of gunfight. Williams was shot and died.
The violence in Southeast community has residents concerned.
"There is a negative stigma that is attached to the Southeast community," said Saundra Cherry of the Downtown Newport News Merchants and Neighbors Association. Cherry and her group meet once a month to come up with ways to improve the climate in the Southeast neighborhood.
"We have to do something about the violence that's happening in our community," Cherry added.
Newport News Mayor McKinley Price attended Thursday night's meeting. He says residents need to get involved to truly make changes.
"This is something that people are living with everyday and until they choose to change how the community is, it's not going to be effective," Price noted.


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SPRAT Profile
In addition, proponents and land managers should refer to the Recovery Plan (where available) or the Conservation Advice (where available) for recovery, mitigation and conservation information.
|EPBC Act Listing Status
|Listed as Extinct
|Listing and Conservation Advices
Commonwealth Listing Advice on ten species of Bats (Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 2001a) [Listing Advice].
|Adopted/Made Recovery Plans
Federal Register of
Legislative Instruments
Inclusion of species in the list of threatened species under section 178 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (29/03/2001) (Commonwealth of Australia, 2001h) [Legislative Instrument].
|State Listing Status
|Non-statutory Listing Status
|Scientific name
|Nyctophilus howensis [66869]
|Species author
|McKean, 1975
|Infraspecies author
|McKean, J.L. 1975. The bats of Lord Howe Island with descriptions of a new Nyctophiline bat. Australian Mammalogy 1, 329-332.
|Distribution map
|Species Distribution Map not available for this taxon.
|Google Images
The Lord Howe Long-eared Bat differs from all other members of the genus and its generic status needs re-examination (Parnaby 2009).
The Lord Howe Long-eared Bat is known only from an incomplete skull found in Gooseberry Caves on Lord Howe Island in 1972 (McKean 1975). The skull dimensions indicate that the species was the largest of the long-eared bats (Duncan et al. 1999), however, other morphological characteristics of the species are not known.
This species was confined to Lord Howe Island and most likely existed primarily within the Lord Howe Island National Park (Duncan et al. 1999).
Following the discovery of the skull, numerous surveys have been carried out in an attempt to identify extant individuals of this species. Les Hall carried out a search of all caves at North Head, which did not yield any living animals or remains and Glen Hoye conducted an extensive survey using traps and mist nets, which also failed to capture any individuals (Duncan et al. 1999).
The threat which caused the extinction of the Lord Howe Long-eared Bat is thought to be predation by introduced species (Duncan et al. 1999).
Further effort should be made to discover further material of the Lord Howe Long-eared Bat, including post-cranial material, from cave deposits on Lord Howe Island (Parnaby 2009). If the species is found to be extant in the future, the following recovery actions have been identified (Duncan et al. 1999):
- Determine population size and abundance.
- Determine ongoing threatening processes.
- Identify the behaviour that governs roost and maternity site selection.
- Review conservation status as appropriate.
The following table lists known and perceived threats to this species. Threats are based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) threat classification version 1.1.
|Threat Class
|Threatening Species
|Uncategorised:Uncategorised:threats not specified
|Commonwealth Listing Advice on ten species of Bats (Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 2001a) [Listing Advice].
Commonwealth of Australia (2001h). Inclusion of species in the list of threatened species under section 178 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (29/03/2001). [Online]. F2005B02658. Canberra: Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. Available from: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2005B02658.
Duncan, A., G.B. Baker & N. Montgomery (1999). The Action Plan for Australian Bats. [Online]. Canberra: Environment Australia. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/bats/index.html.
McKean, J.L. (1975). The bats of Lord Howe Island with descriptions of a new Nyctophiline bat. Australian Mammalogy. 1:329-332.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2001a). Commonwealth Listing Advice on ten species of Bats. [Online]. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/bats.html.
EPBC Act email updates can be received via the Communities for Communities newsletter and the EPBC Act newsletter.
This database is designed to provide statutory, biological and ecological information on species and ecological communities, migratory species, marine species, and species and species products subject to international trade and commercial use protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). It has been compiled from a range of sources including listing advice, recovery plans, published literature and individual experts. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, no guarantee is given, nor responsibility taken, by the Commonwealth for its accuracy, currency or completeness. The Commonwealth does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this database. The information contained in this database does not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth. This database is not intended to be a complete source of information on the matters it deals with. Individuals and organisations should consider all the available information, including that available from other sources, in deciding whether there is a need to make a referral or apply for a permit or exemption under the EPBC Act.
Citation: Department of the Environment (2014). Nyctophilus howensis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed Wed, 1 Oct 2014 18:49:23 +1000.


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News of the death of Libyan strongman Mommar Gadhafi spread through Capitol Hill Thursday and brought mostly relief, some skepticism and bad news for Republicans who saw another opportunity to criticize President Barack Obama slip away.
"Every time a despot falls we lose a chance to nail Obama for foreign policy failures," grumbled a GOP staff member for the Senate foreign relations committee. "With bin Laden gone and now Gadhafi, we're running out of fodder on foreign policy issues."
While the death of Gadhafi isn't seen as a political boon for Obama with voters it could give him some relief from the pounding he took on Capitol Hill for involving the United States in the rebel uprising in Libya.
"The second guessers will be quiet for a while, that's for sure," said an aide to former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Over in Speaker John Boehner's office, the mood was somber.
"Damnit, it never helps when this kind of thing happens on Obama's watch," said a senior aide. "Democrats aren't supposed to have these kinds of successes. This is Republican territory."
Publicly, however, Boehner offered praise for news of Gadhafi's death.
"This is a turning point for the Libyan people's pursuit of freedom," the House Speaker said. "Now it is time for Libya's Transitional National Council to show the world that it will respect the rights of all Libyans, guide the nation to democracy, and work with the international coalition and its neighbors to secure Libya's borders and any weapons and weapons materials."
Still Republicans couched their praises without any direct link to U.S. involvement with the rebels inLibya.
Related articles
- Breaking: Gadhafi reported killed by Libyan rebels (capitolhillblue.com)
4 Responses to "Republicans cautious in glee over Gadhafi's death"
It's partisanship at its worst when the opposing party looks upon the offing of a dictatorial monster such as Ghadafi as lost opportunity to continue their bashing of any sitting president, regardless if it's Obama.
The American people are being ripped off dearly by both parties in order to effect regime change wherever they see fit on planet earth. So when some success comes our way, it's sour grapes. What a bunch of opportunistic losers. / : |
Carl Nemo **==
Barack Obama, putting the "execute" back into "executive". What irony, Obama's huge successes occur where RepubliCONs can't impede his actions. Thank God the party of "NO" didn't get to vote on killing Bin Laden or al-Qaḏḏāfī.
Thanks, NeonDog, for getting the special characters right. Watching journalists (in English) try to spell Moammar's surname has been high entertainment for twenty years.
Looks more like they murdered him after his capture. Anyone else see the video of Gadhafi captured alive?
Another CIA operative silenced forever.
Comments are closed.


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$4,930 in 14K Rose Gold / Emerald
$4,880 in 14K Rose Gold / Emerald
$4,925 in 14K Rose Gold / Emerald
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At Gemvara, we believe that the jewelry you wear should be one of a kind, like you. That's why we make each piece to order, one at a time, just the way you want it. Choose quartz and white gold or pearl and sterling silver: it's your choice. Mix and match gems and precious metals for a look that's exactly you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from a wedding or anniversary to your own personal milestones and celebrations. Tell her you'd marry her all over again with our brilliant anniversary gifts with a personal touch. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your rose gold pear emerald classic jewelry design with meticulous attention to detail. Our precious metals are recycled or responsibly mined. The gem of the goddess Venus, emerald has long symbolized love and rebirth. Style icons Jacqueline Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor wore emerald engagement rings. Gemvara's emeralds have exceptionally fine color which gives them lasting value. Even fine quality natural emeralds almost always have birthmarks or inclusions visible inside the gem. Emerald is the May birthstone and the 20th anniversary gem. Pear shape gemstones elongate and flatter, leading the eye with an elegantly tapering point. Fashionable and flattering 14k rose gold adds warmth to the classic gold hue. Gemvara also offers premium 18k rose gold which has even more lasting value, with 75 percent pure gold. Our wide selection of rose gold pear emerald classic jewelry by Just Like You Designs, Jessica Behzad, Ji Hwang, and other talented designers means you can find jewelry that's exactly your style. You can also shop by style, choosing our Lucky Charm, Romantic, or solr.product_tag_style.1483 Collections. Gemvara's fine quality rose gold pear emerald classic jewelry is designed to be passed down for generations to come, crafted by hand in the United States.
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We want you to love your Gemvara jewelry, so we offer a 101-day no-questions-asked return policy. If you aren't satisfied with your unique Gemvara jewelry creation for any reason, you can send it back in its original unworn condition for a full refund. Each returned piece must have its original tag attached, so leave the tag on until you are sure you love it. If you love it but it doesn't fit, no problem: we offer one free resizing as well.
We stand behind our exceptional American-made quality with a one-year warranty on the craftsmanship of our jewelry. Because the earth is precious too, we make our jewelry from conflict-free gems and recycled precious metals.
We're so convinced that you will love the Gemvara experience, we make it even easier by offering free shipping too. (We're all about making more happy customers. Also have we told you how nice you look today?)
If you have any questions at all about our unique jewelry customization process, our products, or an order you've placed, give us a call at 1-800-436-8803, click to chat, or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com. You'll see for yourself why our customers rave about our personal service.
We can help right away. Chat with a jewelry expert now!


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Additions and/or corrections to the database are encouraged! Simple Add/Edit Procedure.
NOTE: This map shows the HISTORICAL LOCATION of a feature that is no longer visible!
|BIG Map |
|Driving Directions |
|Data Source - USGS GNIS FID: 1008029
Greenevers, NC
(1.4 miles ESE)
Rose Hill, NC (4.1 miles W)
Teachey, NC (5.5 miles SW)
Charity, NC (< 0.1 mile)
Register, NC (1.4 miles NNW)
Murphey, NC
(1.9 miles SSE)
Pasley, NC (4.3 miles SE)
Cartersville, NC (4.5 miles SSE)
Duff Creek, NC (6.6 miles WSW)
Tin City, NC (6.6 miles SSW)
Hancheys Store, NC
(4.1 miles SE)
Safe, NC (8.5 miles SW)
Pineview Mobile Home Park, NC (9.2 miles NNW)
Catherine Square, NC (9.7 miles ENE)
Sunnyside, NC (10.1 miles SSW)
Jacksons Crossroads, NC
(10.3 miles ENE)
Grayfield Mobile Home Park, NC (13.3 miles N)
Westbrook Crossroads, NC (14.2 miles N)
Hadley, NC (14.7 miles ENE)
Taylors Bridge, NC (16.4 miles W)


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My Iceland Trip!
John and I recently had the pleasure of visiting Iceland for about 5 days. I hadn't been on a travel-for-travel sake trip in a while, and Iceland interested me because it just sounded so different and interesting. It has the added bonus of being very easy to get to from NYC, and I was anxious to get there before their economy bounces back from their 2008 crash and they get the Euro. Like many islands, It's an expensive place, but it's not as costly right now. Late March seemed like a good time - the sun was out about the same hours it is in NYC right now, unlike the 24-hour darkness of deep winter. It's still off-peak prices, and the temperatures are how they are much of the year: 35-45 degrees. Iceland actually has mild winters - they're just long.
We stayed in Reykjavik the entire time, in a little apartment/hotel called Castle House right in the City Center. I was really happy with this place. It was about $100/night at the time we went in late March (probably more in the summer!), is in a great location, and has a well-equipped kitchen which we used to prepare more than half of our meals to save money.
What I didn't reailize before our visit (and I would have had I done a little wikipedia research) was that there are only 320,000 people in all of Iceland. So Reykjavik wasn't quite the metropolitan center I was expecting. But it's surprisingly culturally rich for a town of its size. (60% of Icelanders live there.) We went to a couple great, oddly-named vegetarian restaurants: A Naestu Grosum and Gardurinn: Ecstasy's Heart-Garden. And bars! What they say about the night life is true - the bars start to get busy at midnight and things really get going around 1:30am, which was when we light-weights turned in. The shops in the city center are mostly focused on design and fashion, and there seemed to be a lot live music going on.
My favorite place for a drink in Reykjavik was the Laundromat Cafe. It's a new bar/diner/cafe with tons of paperback books and board games for your amusement while you do your laundry. I never saw the machines though - they kept them hidden away so as not to detract from the vibe. We went there twice - once with our good friend Petra who was on her way to the rest of Scandinavia, and the a second time to grab one last Icelandic beer (um, the beer there is just ok, btw) and play Small World on the iPad.
Oh, and there are geeks like us in Iceland! EVE Online, a popular space MMO, is made there, and the company was actually having their own version of Blizzcon while we were there! There are even a couple videos about EVE on Icelandair's in flight entertainment system. How cool is that.
Reykjavik is fun, but we wanted to get out and see the countryside. If we were braver or traveling in the summer when road conditions are better we might have rented a car. Instead we did some bus tours with the company Reykjavik Excursions. They whisked us away to the geothermal pool of Blue Lagoon, and two all-day tours: The Golden Circle and South Shore. I heartily recommend all three, whether you do it by bus tour or rental car. I know bus tours aren't for everyone, but John and I kind of like them. We can stare out the window as we travel to our next stop, listen to the guide tell us interesting things about the area, or catch some zzs we lost from jet lag or a night out at the bars. :) Plus we went to at least one area rental cars weren't allowed.
The Blue Lagoon was a unique experience: you walk outside, freezing in your swimsuit in 40 degree weather, and immediately get into the naturally hot pool. Put some free exfoliating mud on your face, grab a Viking beer from the in-pool bar, and soak in the geothermal suds. The lagoon is surrounded by some of Iceland's many lava fields. I had no idea what lava fields were before this trip. But they're cool! They're fields of big rocks - lava rocks! - usually covered with moss. They look like they'd be very difficult to traverse.
The Golden Circle is a popular tour that goes to a giant waterfall, some active geysers, and Thingvellir. That last one was my favorite. It's the site of the yearly meeting of the old viking parliament, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasion and North American tectonic plates meet. I thought, whoa. scary. Earthquake? Well they have them, but they aren't supposed to be dangerous there because the plates aren't pushing together like in places like California. They're pulling apart!
The South Shore took us south, duh, to see glaciers, black sand beaches, a folk museum with hobbit-like homes, and waterfalls. This was my favorite day. We had sunnier weather and everything was so beautiful and different. We saw the volcano (underneath a glacier) that erupted last year and caused that ash cloud that grounded European flights. We looked straight south from a beach - there's no land until Antarctica! Cool feeling. We visited a folk museum packed with oddities, with an open air part that had homes that reminded me of the Vyrkul houses in WoW - only much smaller.
And now we're home! Go to Iceland if you can. It's beautiful. The people are so nice and have a great sense of humor.
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Biomimetics in Modern Organizations - Laws or Metaphors?
AbstractBiomimetics, the art and science of imitating nature and life for technological solutions is discussed from a modern organization theory perspective. The main hypothesis of this article is that there are common laws in nature that are applicable to living, social and likewise organizational systems. To take advantage of these laws, the study of nature's principles for their application to organizations is proposed - a process which is in product and technology design known as bionic creativity engineering. In a search for most interesting concepts borrowed from nature we found amoeba organizations, the theory of autopoiesis or self-creation, neural networks, heterarchies, as well as fractals and bioteaming which are described and reviewed. Additionally other concepts like swarm intelligence, stigmergy, as well as genesis and reproduction, are introduced. In the end all these ideas are summarized and guidelines for further research are given.
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Bibliographic InfoArticle provided by Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu in its journal Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems.
Volume (Year): 9 (2011)
Issue (Month): 1 ()
Pages: 39-55
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Related researchKeywords: biomimetics; organization theory; autopoiesis; network science; bionic creativity engineering;
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- B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Institutional; Evolutionary
- L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
- M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
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Cited by:
- Markus Schatten, 2013. "Reorganization in Multi-Agent Architectures: An Active Graph Grammar Approach," Business Systems Research, Society for Promotion of Business Information Technology (BIT), Society for Promotion of Business Information Technology (BIT), vol. 4(1), pages 14-20.
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See how BH&G has been enjoyed by others!
View recent events, those who made them possible,
and our wedding and special event photo albums >
James G. Derbes, Proprietor
Benachi House & Gardens is an authentic, classic New Orleans setting for a party, wedding ceremony and/or wedding reception - from elegant to trendy, crawfish boil to seated dinner. Available for a venue charge, the house and gardens together will accommodate up to 150-175 guests, while a ceremony, reception or party for up to 60 may occur indoors. In the event of rain, the house and its galleries will comfortably contain a buffet and bar and up to about one hundred guests. Included in all rentals are the patios, gardens and outdoor spaces, as well as the parlors, dining room, hallways and kitchen.
Ours is a convenient downtown location with ample on- street parking.
We only do one event per day!
Venue charge:
- $2,250.00 for a Saturday, or
- $1,750.00 for any other day of the week;
- + refundable damage deposit of $350.00.
The freedom to do it your way!
Check our calendar for availability!
Contact us for answers to your questions and to schedule a tour!
We provide:
- Access to the property for set up and decoration by you, your planner and caterer beginning as early at 9:00 AM on the morning of the event;
- For dressing and preparation, use of a Private Suite throughout the day of the event;
- A security guard on duty during the event;
- Approximately 120 white wedding chairs, 9 serving tables and 30 dining tables (list available on request);
- Use of the venue for pre-wedding portraiture; and
- Use of the venue for a rehearsal to be scheduled so as not to conflict with another event.
We require:
- Professional catering by the caterer of your choice (see our Recommendations);
- That the duration of the event limited to 5 hours;
- That the bar close and the music stop no later than 10:00 PM;
- That event music be played at no more than a moderate level of amplification (see below) as required by law;
- A signed contract and $500 deposit to secure the date;
- Payment of the balance 60 days prior to the event.
We do not provide:
- Tents (though they are readily available for rent from our recommended providers);
- Flowers and decorations;
- Table linens. utensils, dishes and glassware (though they are readily available through your caterer);
We provide a beautifully restored and furnished Greek Revival mansion and gardens, which include fountains, a gazebo, a Beaux Arts pavilion and a large patios to the rear, where our garden features varieties of heritage roses. The house is fully restored and furnished with 19th Century American antiques. The gardens, which embellish our park-like but private setting, are landscaped with additional lighting, paving and walkways. Our double parlors and dining room feature fine examples of contemporary Southern art.
For dressing and preparation, event hosts may use the master bedroom and bath—at no additional charge—on the day of the event.
On-street parking and access at our Esplanade Ridge location is convenient and adequate for up to 150 guests.
Have a Look
Come by at any time and see for yourself. Our event lighting comes on at dusk. Our front gates are closed but unlocked.
Music and Crowd Noise Restrictions
The Benachi House is a classic New Orleans landmark situated in a distinguished residential neighborhood. Out of respect for our neighbors we limit the size of events to 150-175 guests, set a 10:00 PM closing time and ask that event hosts, their bands and DJs, comply with the restrictions on the volume of music and crowd noise imposed by the City of New Orleans. The sound level is restricted by local ordinance to 60 decibels when measured at our neighbors' front porch on N. Tonti St., a distance of more than 75 ft. from our patio. We measure levels during each event and request that adjustments be made when appropriate. Happily, hundreds of events have occurred here with no sound level issues. We ask that hosts set up the music near the area chosen as the dance floor and and that they avoid hiring brass bands, bands with more than six pieces and bands with huge amplification equipment .
With BH&G you have the freedom to choose your menu and professional caterer, and with our approval, decorate the house and grounds to your taste. We coordinate with you or your planner. Suggestions for caterers, planners, photographers, equipment rentals and nearby B&B's, are among the Recommendations on this site. At your convenience, we are happy to discuss these with you in greater detail.
The House & Gardens
The Benachi House is a New Orleans Landmark, a centerpiece of the Esplanade Ridge Historic District. It has been lovingly restored by Proprietor James G. Derbes, who has been its owner since 1982. The house retains its original details: fourteen foot ceilings fitted with banded cornices and exuberant medallions; carved, black marble and granite mantles of European origin; Rococo Revival chandeliers by Cornelius & Baker; Greek key doorways; and heart of pine floors. The furnishings complete the ensemble: Gothic and Classical Revival, American Empire, Neo-Grec and Victorian. The location is convenient - on Bayou Road, just off Esplanade Ave. - mid-way between the French Quarter and City Park.
Photographs and Videos
The house and grounds offer marvelous visual possibilities. From candid scenes to portraits, the setting provides a rich, detailed backdrop from which to capture memories of the special occasions shared here.
For a ceremony location, most couples choose the front yard: in or near the pavilion, on the gallery of the house or at the base of the front steps, all with guests seated on the lawn. After the ceremony, guests repair to the back yard for the party.
Indoor Option
The double parlors provide an indoor setting for a ceremony, and along with the dining room and central hall, a reception setting with up to sixty guests.
Receptions and Parties
The rear patio and lawn offer private but generous surroundings for a party for up to 150-175 guests. The bar and food service are usually set up on the patio, with tables set there for food service and dining. Some hosts choose to serve a portion of the food or the cakes in the dining room. Caterers have convenient access to the grounds and to the kitchen, where there is ample room for food layout and preparation, prior to service. The entire outdoor area is appropriately lighted, though hosts often choose to accent the outdoor spaces with votive candles adorning the flower beds and strings of lights on the gallery railings. Music may be performed from any of several possible locations, with plenty of space for dancing nearby.
Inclement Weather
Should the weather fail to cooperate, the house can accommodate one hundred guests in the house and on our galleries. Tents are available for rent as key design element of a garden party, or on contingent basis in the event of rain. Outdoor heaters are also available. Rental companies can recommend size and placement, and are among our Recommendations.


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There seems to be little good news on the school budget front in Cobb where parents are looking at fewer days and teachers as the system grapples with fallen real estate taxes and reduced state funding.
Here would be my concerns if I were a Cobb parent: When do these cuts erode quality? Cobb has had a jewel of a school system. Its public schools have long been a enticement for middle-class families to settle in the county. I know friends who accepted an hour commute in exchange for Cobb County schools.
Can quality survive this level of cuts?
The board voted 6-1 for an $842 million general fund budget for the 2012-13 school year. That's down $10 million from the current year's spending, but officials still didn't cut enough to match revenues. Superintendent Michael Hinojosa proposed plugging a $21 million deficit with reserves.
If the tentative budget becomes final, there will be about 400 fewer instructional personnel, 350 of them teachers, and maximum class sizes will rise by two students across all grades. The school year will be missing five days when teachers will be furloughed. And the teachers who remain will have less help, as paraprofessionals see their hours cut nearly in half. Finally, step increases for teachers will be cut in half.
"It's been a long journey, a very unpleasant journey for all of us," Hinojosa said.
The budget can still change. It doesn't become final until a May 17 scheduled vote. Board member David Banks cast the dissenting vote. He wants officials to cut less and use more reserves.
Some of his colleagues wanted to pull back from other cuts, expressing concern, for instance, with the five furlough days.
But they were also looking down the road to an even bleaker 2013-14 school year. Revenues aren't expected to grow by then, yet costs for things such as medical care are expected to continue rising. So the school system will have to pull yet more money out of reserves to maintain spending levels – money it doesn't have.
From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
April 27th, 2012
10:39 am
Forget doing more with less. We have moved to doing less with less and there is nothing that came be done due to funding shortfalls related to the economy. And just think 45% approve of Obama…scary!!
April 27th, 2012
10:44 am
I've had a number of corporate jobs where people were laid off, overtime was done away with, my salary was cut and more work was piled on. Needless to say, it was made crystal clear that if my job performance suffered in any way, I would be out the door. I wonder if these teachers will get the same message?
April 27th, 2012
10:47 am
Georgia has no respect for education, and they prove it on an annual basis. I would have no problem paying a little more in taxes to fix this mess. Many schools will now have as many special ed and special services "teachers" as actual curriculum teachers. The utopia of everyone being a "C" student so no one is offended is upon us.
Thank God my kids are out and employeed, but I pitty their childred.
April 27th, 2012
10:53 am
@Maureen, let me just say that quality is already compromised. I don't think we can get much worse with our achievement and graduation rates. Seriously, if you looked at what I have seen in terms of the wasteful spending by school districts, you would see how quickly funds could be reallocated to where they should be. Local monopolies mean huge redundancies in central office costs! The amount of $ our school districts spend on general admin is nauseating! Maybe if we spent less on waste and more on teachers and program, we might see some improvements.
Money isn't the problem – our schools get plenty of money. But the system is irretrievably broken and needs to be reinvented.
April 27th, 2012
11:00 am
unfortunately, in most school systems, the single largest expense is teacher pay – it is the easiest, albeit most painful, way to reduce budgets. As far as blaming specific political parties, I'm quite sure there is enough to go ALL THE WAY around – it just hit school systems later than the general public (I remember starting the 2009-2010 school year with a regular budget, pay increase and no furloughs – within the next 3 years that went to hell in a handbasket fairly quickly). I agree with most that some of the administrative and central office positions really must go – if you don't have face time with students, you're on the block. But do we really expect the people who make those decisions to cut themselves? Don't think so………
April 27th, 2012
11:01 am
The cuts can happen, but will they really make the best choices of what and who to cut? I seriously doubt it. It's easier to shorten the year and furlough employees than it is to make the tough call to do away with the jobs that really need to be cut. Look also at the article about Dekalb. They spent better than 110k to have someone come in and tell them which jobs were unnecessary. 300 at the county level, and how much do you want to bet they save over half of them?
April 27th, 2012
11:10 am
The collapse of Real Estate in Metro Atlanta now is worst in nation with prices back to 16 year ago levels .The blight of sub prime over extension to poor credit risk, abandoned properties and freefall of values will now continue to devastate Metro Atlanta counties well into 2013 and 2014 budget years .School Boards that refuse to set up realistic budgets and refuse to fire cronies will continue to see flight from their counties. Some problem counties include Gwinnett down by 600 teachers , Cobb who knows ? Dekalb — refused to fire redundant 102 Vps recommended by $175,000 consultant study despite being overpopulated to comparable county systems, Rockdale 70 teachers , Clayton 15mm shortfall outsourcing sport programs !, Fayette voting to close several schools , Fulton closed 7 out of recommend 15 ..Fulton has not published status of terminations
Newton county shrinking real estate has decimated tax base with open revolt of tax assessments,(I reside in this county and have seen property values drop by 60% with taxation still kept at about 25% above market.
Common problems: all shrinking sytems with flight to private schools . redundant populations of administrations, extra support people and too few students.
Serious review of personnel should be conducted and reported by AJC to head off this budget crisis covering the bulk of Metro Atlanta public school systems.
April 27th, 2012
11:17 am
"When do cuts threaten quality?"
Well, in Georgia public education this happened when the first republican Governor was elected. That's the truth.
April 27th, 2012
11:22 am
@BT – I'm no Obama apologist (I likely will not be voting for him in November), but you can hardly heap the educational mess on him. It all seems to flow back to this insipid NCLB law that was signed into law by our dear friend W.
April 27th, 2012
11:48 am
@PS – You are so very correct. Too many in Georgia rush to point the finger at Obama simply because he is who he is without even thinking at all. Sad.
April 27th, 2012
11:52 am
@ carlosgv – "I wonder if these teachers will get the same message?"
Really? You have no clue if you have to ask. This is the third year in a row of this, and for the most part the "chaff has been separated from the wheat" already, so to speak. The slackers have had a fire lit under their backsides with PDPs and what not. What's being missed is that good teachers – teachers with degrees in subject areas like Spanish and science – are leaving, too, for the greener pastures elsewhere in the private sector.
What bothers me is what Maureen asked – at what point is the fundamental quality of the education irreparably compromised? You ever hear of the law of diminishing returns? If this were a factory, and the line were sped up to increase production, at a certain point the line is too fast for sufficiently high quality, and the product suffers. Cramming more and more kids into the classroom is like that sped up production line.
Everyone wants to bash the teachers – no one realizes that this is about the kids…their kids. I'm glad mine are done.
April 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
"I've had a number of corporate jobs where people were laid off, overtime was done away with, my salary was cut and more work was piled on. Needless to say, it was made crystal clear that if my job performance suffered in any way, I would be out the door. I wonder if these teachers will get the same message?"
The fast food business is rough isn't it?
April 27th, 2012
12:34 pm
@PS- NCLB has nothing to do with budget shortfalls, this is a national economic chaotic mess that no one wants to take ownership of and schools are caught in the middle. School funding comes primarily from property taxes that have been significantly reduced due to this economic mess!! I am sorry but this is Obama's ecomony and it filters down for the federal level to the state. I am gald to know that you will not be voting for him by the way.
April 27th, 2012
1:06 pm
I guess the economy and schools were not an issue before President Obama came in office. I guess the realestate market was his doing before he took office. I think he has the Munchowzen sydrome….he created all the issues before he took office, so that he could fix them all….
Common sense ain't common is it…..BT….
April 27th, 2012
1:11 pm
Decreases in revenue from property taxes…The USA bailed out the banks that helped drive the housing bubble to burst, thereby drastically lowering home values and increasing foreclosures, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Seems to me the banks should be helping fill the budget gap of schools, interest free. Add in the businesses who get untold tax benefits, but then want college-educated workers. Decrease or eliminate the tax benefit given to families for children (talk about government subsidies!)…after all they are the ones that wear on the infrastructure of schools. Eliminate state income taxes paid by classroom teachers. Get rid of school-sponsored athletics and let the community fund such endeavors (that'd get the GHSA machine off everyone's back, and cut exorbitant coaching salaries). Use half the number of bulbs currently being used in light fixtures in school system facilities, allow corporate sponsors to name schools for annual contirbutions (no strings attached). Okay, many of the suggestions mentioned are crazy talk in most circles but why does the first option always have to be/include cutting teaching positions?
April 27th, 2012
1:17 pm
P.S. Eliminating state taxes paid by teachers would help attract more "qualified" people into the profession, would help stimulate the economy (I know I'd be less hesitant to spend money), and definitely raise the morale of beat down educators statewide. Happy workers increase production, don't you know? And why did legislators reinstate the tax holiday when, apparently, the state is taking in less? More of those don't-tax-me-but-give-me-what-I-want morons (TP) who just want to get reelected.
April 27th, 2012
1:36 pm
@PS. Ted Kennedy was the true champion of No Child Left Behind, though many on the left pretend not to remember it. He remained an advocate of NCLB throughout the remainder of his public life. President Bush signed NCLB into law with a beaming Ted Kennedy standing over him.
@Ron F. With your almost constant daily postings to this blog, when exactly do you teach those public school classes you so frequently cite? And where can others get public school jobs which allow so very much free time? Just curious.
April 27th, 2012
1:36 pm
@ Frankie- you are exactly correct, there is NO COMMON SENSE any longer with any government regulations or programs regardless of the origination…that is the main problem. I also said that we have an economic mess that NO ONE wants to take ownership for and school funding and the economy continues to struggle. Again, school funding depends on taxation which is related to the economic mess we have.
April 27th, 2012
1:58 pm
"@PS. Ted Kennedy was the true champion of No Child Left Behind, though many on the left pretend not to remember it."
And you are also pretending that no rethuglicans had anything to do with it? Why didn't you mention John "crybaby" Boehner? Or Judd Gregg who were also coauthors of this abortion? Didn't fit your right-wing propaganda huh?
April 27th, 2012
3:54 pm
@BT – I believe that many districts have reached the point of diminshing returns. Either a millage rate increase or raiding of surplus fund coffers is in order. Many districts have already cut intructional staff to the bone and simply cannot afford to cut instructional staff any deeper without having a profound impact on the quality of what's happening in the classroom.
@chris – In GA, I would say the tide turner was Rep Chip Rodgers bill that forced county tax assessors to write the tax digest down to the real level of the market. Prior to this point, the avg tax digest was kept artifically high to prevent the bottom from falling out. Thus the real effect of lower real estate values are now being realized.
April 27th, 2012
4:06 pm
When did we start caring about the quality of a government education? I thought all that mattered to parents was that everyone else's kids got to go to school for "free:. At least that seems to constantly be the argument when dissolution of the govenrment system is proposed.
April 27th, 2012
4:23 pm
"Cobb has had a jewel of a school system."
Really? Which jewel is that? Cubic zirconia? I guess that's better than the pyrite that is APS but still, "jewel"?
April 27th, 2012
4:27 pm
Speaking of cubic zirconia, has Matt the Mouth Organ responded to a request for comment regarding the DOE's new writing directives?
Or can they not figure out how to spin it quite yet?
April 27th, 2012
4:54 pm
Laughable assessment of the school system. Where do you have any data to support this ludicrous statement?
Quality was compromised years ago. I tutored kids from this system who reported 42 kids in their science classes; kids were sitting on tables in the back of the room. The two kids additional is, I believe, figured as an average that includes classes with only five kids.
April 27th, 2012
4:54 pm
Why are you moderating this email address? Because I disagree with you? Interesting.
April 27th, 2012
5:53 pm
When I have tried to find my daughter's teacher's e-mail on the staffing list's at her Cobb High School that has the IB program, more that 1/2 the teacher's at the school are Special Ed or ESOL. There has got to be some point that we have to stop this insanity of inclusion. We have to stop creating all of the seperate Special Ed and ESOL positions all over the county in every school. We should not have School's where 1/2 the teacher's listed either teach Special Ed. or ESOL.
We need to stop running the Special Ed busses with one or two kids on them. I have sat behind in the carpool lane and seen 6 Special Ed busses with a total of 6-8 Special Ed Students. This is nuts!. We really need to take all of the kids with Special Ed needs and ESOL requirements and put them in seperate schools until they are capable of being mainstreamed without Aids. Otherwise parents need to pay. I know plenty of parents who pay $22K a year Shenek School, Atlanta Speech School, $16K To Sophia Academy or St. Francis.
Then they cut AP Classes for the Students who really have promise. They have also cut out Honor's Classes. At my daughter's High School in 11th Grade, you either have to take AP US Lit. or on Level US Lit. There is no Honors US. Lit. This is Nuts. Yet over 50% of the teachers are Special ED or ESOL.
I have a big problem with ESOL, my mother did not speak English when she started school, although she was born in the US. ten months after her mother arrived from Germany. No one offered her Generation of legal immigrants children any ESOL classes. She said they learned English with in a few weeks. Her parents also started speaking English when their children entered school. They also moved out of the city to the better suburbs, were they had no choice. Even though her parents where the maid and the gardner on an estate.
April 27th, 2012
5:55 pm
Also notice Cobb is giving the 5 off days for the February Week that the "Balanced Calandar" group wanted as Vacation.
April 27th, 2012
5:55 pm
when does it hurt quality?
we passed that point when CRCT was inflicted upon us.
but since when does quality matter?
April 27th, 2012
5:58 pm
As a Cobb resident, teacher, and taxpayer, I know what needs to be done:
-raise the millage rate to the max
-go after banks/creditors of foreclosed upon homes to collect the taxes they owe on the empty properties (and force them to ask true market value for homes, hopefully driving property values up)
-go after the state, forcing them to pay the QBE funds they owe the district (and every other district)
-get rid of the senior exemption
-get the state to allow SPLOST funding initiatives for things other than building, technology, and PD–why not a $0.01 sales tax if it would reduce your kid's class size?
Of course, as a realist, I know none of that will ever happen AND that suggesting these five things is akin to saying you worship the Devil to most in Cobb.
Ten to one says the cuts will be even worse for 2013-2014.
April 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
If they put all 5 furlough days after the EOCT/CRCT/AP exams, there will be no decline in quality of education. Very little education goes on after those exams are give. And it's not just my experiance. I've talked to many parents in many systems.
April 27th, 2012
7:50 pm
@c jae of EVA- exactly correct, doing less with less!
April 27th, 2012
10:49 pm
Go ahead and swing a wide axe and cut them all.
We need to get rif of the dead wood in the schools and there is a lot of dead wood. We might need to have the position of AP but the thieves there in the schools of APS now need to be laid off and fired just to make way for honest ones.
April 27th, 2012
11:54 pm
Atlanta Mom – I don't disagree with your statement about lack of learning after the tests – I wish the tests were the last week of school! However, we have a little glitch that will keep those furlough days from occurring after testing: remediation. One of the first things Cobb cut three years ago was summer remediation for 3rd, 5th, and 8th graders who failed the reading and/or math CRCT. Since the remediation is mandated (but not funded), it is now embedded during the school day in the last month of school.
April 28th, 2012
12:25 am
It's never going to happen, but………………maybe one day, communities will declare that all non-instructional activities will take place during non-instructional time. This will include Model UN, standardized testing, field trips, career counseling, class meetings, ice cream reward parties, group therapy, individual therapy, school photos, competitive sports activities, academic contests, performances, community service activities, individual education plan sessions, conferences, student council elections, prom king and queen elections, homecoming king and queen elections, academic recognition ceremonies, awards ceremonies, fast food lunch deliveries from Mom, flower deliveries on Valentine's Day, birthday deliveries from florists and others, signing ceremonies for athletes, newspaper article interviews, registration procedures, senior ring selection and ordering, and other, very important activities. So many of these activities are so important that they rate higher than the study of any and all academic subjects. After all, any teacher can simply reteach before/after school the next day, for those students who missed it the first time, any lesson in any field. However, given the amount of daily review for the chronically unengaged, most students should be able to catch up without the extra investment of precious after-school social time.
April 28th, 2012
12:29 am
I understand that many of these activities are also instructional. However, the overlapping of these activities with regular classes is tantamount to robbing Peter to pay Paul. Students miss Spanish, Math, and Physics to attend Model UN. This is not necessary. The College Board, and the managers of the Model UN could change their schedules. This may result in extra pay requirements for staff. Oh well……………there went that idea………..
April 28th, 2012
6:32 am
Brandy asks a good question "why not a $0.01 sales tax if it would reduce your kid's class size?"
The simple answer is that because giving more money toAtlanta metro area school systems is like given a case of vodka to Lindsay Lohan.
Neither of them will do anything good with it.
April 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
@A Working Mother, Do you live in Cobb? You do realize that Cobb residents have repeatedly approved SPLOSTs for ludicrous things–astroturf, anyone? Science labs at an East Cobb middle that doesn't need all of them with current class sizes. Projects that constantly have to be "rescoped" due to being over budget or over schedule. I could go on and on.
While I would rather they just raise taxes, I know that SPLOST funding is an attractive option in a conservative county/district–it's a tax increase, but it is a tax increase only on spending. There is opposition to currently proposed SPLOSTs, but that opposition is no greater than was witnessed in response to previous proposed (and passed) SPLOSTs. History says that if they present a SPLOST, it will pass. So, if we can use SPLOSTs to purchase bell and whistle technology that is (usually) not really needed, to build/remodel schools, and to put astroturf on school football fields, why not reinvent SPLOST? It appears to be a more attractive funding model to Cobb residents, so let us spend it on what we really need if we want our kids to get a decent education:
-lowering class sizes drastically by hiring (more like rehiring) more teachers–I would venture that doing so would be a MAJOR job creator for the area because many schools would need new classrooms (i.e. builders would be employed), materials would have to be purchased, and more people working equals more people having money to spend in the county, thus creating more jobs for local stores and restaurants. Oh, and drastically lowering class sizes raises student achievement. If Cobb's achievement skyrocketed (without a cheating scandal), more middle and upper class families will want to move and stay here. More big businesses will want to relocate here, over other metro areas. That means more people with money to spend in the county and increased property values–increasing county and district revenues! Just like in business, sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
But, again, this will NEVER happen in Cobb, because to suggest it is akin to saying you worship the Devil.
Mark my words–next year's cuts will be worse and if we don't do anything different the economy will not improve.
April 29th, 2012
11:59 am
I'm bummed to see CCSD having to suffer in this manner. I graduated from CCSD way back in 1999 and got an amazing education. This is my first year working in Cobb and my experience prior to this was in private schools. Let me just say that CCSD programs blow away private school education. I'm really proud of my school, love my students, and deeply respect my administration. And, I work in South Cobb which is often pigeon-holed as "bad," "poor," and "challenged." Furthermore, many CCSD principals are working past the budget cuts and finding ways to keep teachers and programs afloat. I know my job next year will be funded through federal grant money. Several schools in CCSD have applied for the 21st Century Schools Grants which is a $1,000,000 grant to offer extra educational programming before/after/summer school. So, while the overall budget looks bleak, the local administrations are hustling to provide even better educational programming for students.
April 29th, 2012
4:34 pm
When was there EVER quality in education in Georgia?48, 47th, 49th, etc. out of 50 states in the United States of America?
Quality is relative. Some schools in Georgia are better than others but to say that the quality of education in Georgia has gone down is like saying that the quality of the gin and tonics has decreased on the Titanic.


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MauritaniaOfficial Name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Alerts & Warnings
- Mauritania Travel WarningMarch 12, 2014
Quick Facts
Six months remaining validity upon entry
One page required for entry stamp
See Health section below
Local currency may not be imported. See below
Local currency may not be exported. See below
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
The U.S. Embassy is located between the Presidency building and the Spanish Embassy on Rue Abdallaye. The postal address is B.P. 222, Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Telephone: +(222) 4525-2660, 4525-2663, 4525-1145 or 4525-3288
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(222) 3662-8163
Emergency Consular Recording: (to relay messages during emergency situations): +(222) 4525-3701
Fax: (222) 4525-1592
Destination Description
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a developing country in northwestern Africa. Arabic is the official language, but French is widely used and several local languages are also spoken. Tourist facilities in the capital, Nouakchott, are adequate, but limited or non-existent elsewhere. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Mauritania for additional information.
Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements
A passport and a visa are required, as is evidence of yellow fever vaccination. Mauritanian visas require an invitation or sponsor, can take several months to process, and must be obtained prior to travel. For the most current visa information, contact the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 232-5700, or the Mauritanian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 2000, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 986-7963 or 8189. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Mauritanian embassy or consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott cannot provide assistance to private citizens seeking Mauritanian visas.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Mauritania.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
Safety and Security
The current Travel Warning for Mauritania warns U.S. citizens of the continued risks of traveling to Mauritania, and urges extreme caution due to activities by terrorist groups in the region, including al Qaida in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). As noted in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated February 19, current information suggests that al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions across Africa. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.
As a result of perceived Western involvement in counterterrorism efforts, terrorist groups have declared their intention to attack Western targets in Mauritania and the region. It is possible that these terrorist groups will attempt retaliatory attacks against Western targets of opportunity. Al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist organizations have previously conducted kidnapping of Westerners for ransom and suicide bombing attempts. The Mauritanian military continues to engage in action against these elements.
Because of terrorist activities in the vicinity, you should avoid all non-essential travel to:
- the Mali border regions
- the Hodh El Charghi and Hodh El Gharbi regions of southeastern Mauritania
- the eastern half of the Assaba region (east of Kiffa)
- the eastern half of the Tagant region of central Mauritania (east of Tidjika)
- the eastern half of the Adrar region (east of Chinguetti)
- the Tiris-Zemmour region of northern Mauritania.
U.S. Embassy staff members are authorized to travel to these regions only in limited circumstances. Given threats by al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations and other terrorist organizations, and because of indications of a desire to kidnap Westerners for ransom, U.S. citizens are urged to remain vigilant and be alert to surveillance or other risks to their safety. Faith-based organizations, regardless of their location, may also be particularly targeted.
Traveling Safely: You should exercise prudence and caution when traveling in Mauritania. Be particularly vigilant when traveling by road outside of populated areas, even when traveling along main routes and highways. The U.S. Embassy discourages travel outside of urban areas unless in a convoy accompanied by an experienced guide, and even then only if equipped with sturdy vehicles and ample provisions. Driving outside of urban areas after dark is also strongly discouraged. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of banditry and smuggling in the more remote parts of Mauritania.
In Nouakchott and other major cities in Mauritania, there is an increased security presence and additional checkpoints. Police routinely conduct roadblocks at which they may ask for proof of identity and driver's licenses. You should be prepared for such inquiries by carrying identification at all times. These checkpoints should be respected, even if they appear to be unmanned. Drivers should stop, sound their horn, and pause for an adequate amount of time before proceeding through the checkpoint to avoid any type of confrontation. It is best to drive cautiously and be prepared to stop at short notice.
You should be aware of your surroundings at all times and maintain good personal security practices, including always locking homes and cars, varying routes and times of travel, and maintaining a low profile. When going out, avoid being part of large, highly visible groups of Westerners (but do not travel alone), and avoid sitting in areas that are easily visible from the street when in restaurants or cafes. Be particularly alert when frequenting locales associated with Westerners, including cultural centers, social and recreation clubs, beach areas, and restaurants.
Landmines remain a danger along the border with the Western Sahara and travelers should cross only at designated border posts. Travelers planning overland trips from Mauritania to Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, or Mali should check with the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott before setting out. For more information about travel in Mauritania, please see the section on Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
Political Concerns: In early March 2014, thousands of protestors in Nouakchott gathered in anger at local media reports that alleged a Koran desecration incident. In September 2012, many countries around the world, including Mauritania, experienced political demonstrations protesting a controversial YouTube video and cartoon. Although the political rallies are generally calm and peaceful, the possibility of political instability or spontaneous violent protests remains. In addition, deteriorating economic conditions and an upcoming presidential election could cause civil unrest. Some previous protests in Mauritania have turned violent. An anti-government group calling itself the Youth of February 25 Movement held a series of protests in the capital of Nouakchott in 2011 calling for political, economic, and social reform. A separate group, Do Not Touch My Nationality, organized several demonstrations in 2011 over alleged discrimination in a national registration drive in Nouakchott and in smaller towns throughout Mauritania. Most of these demonstrations turned violent and one protestor was fatally shot by security forces during a September 2011 protest in Maghama. The demonstrations were generally announced in advance in the media and on the Internet. The Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid political rallies and street demonstrations, and to maintain security awareness at all times. The Embassy also recommends that U.S. citizens check local media sources regularly for information about potential political demonstrations.
Stay up to date by:
- Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
- Following us on Foursquare, Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
- Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
- Taking some time before travel to consider personal security. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Overall, crime in Mauritania is not unlike crime in any major city in the United States. Though incidents of crime are on the rise, most incidents occur in the cities and larger towns and are petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing and the theft of improperly secured or openly visible valuables left in vehicles. To reduce exposure to theft and increase personal safety, lock up valuable items and keep them out of sight. Walking alone at any time is discouraged, especially for Western women. Residential burglaries and robberies, particularly at the beaches in Nouakchott, are not uncommon. In Nouakchott, travelers should avoid the beach at night.
Violent crimes and crimes involving the use of weapons are rare. Rapes and assaults have occurred and, in some instances, involved U.S. citizens. The majority of sexual assaults have occurred at night in taxi cabs. Combined with the lack of government regulation of taxi fares and poor regular maintenance, Westerners should avoid taxis and public transportation. Foreign tourists, including U.S. citizens, might be targeted for kidnapping in Mauritania.
Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, purchasing them may also be breaking local law.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: Travelers who are victims of a crime abroad should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State list of embassies and consulates). The Embassy can:
- Replace a stolen passport.
- Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
- Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friend.
- Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
There is no local equivalent to the "911" emergency line in Mauritania.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
Local Laws & Special Circumstances
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in Mauritania, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Mauritania, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going.
Religious Norms: Islamic ideals and beliefs in the country encourage conservative dress and behavior. Sleeved and below-the-knee garments are recommended, particularly when traveling in areas not frequented by Westerners. The Mauritanian government prohibits the printing and distribution of non-Islamic religious materials, although possession of these materials is legal.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania recognizes Islam as the sole religion of its citizens and the state. Religious freedom is restricted under the constitution and other laws and policies. The Mauritanian Penal Code criminalizes all affronts against Islamic modesty and morals and penalties may range from fines to the death penalty. Participation in Christian gatherings and activities that have not been authorized by the Mauritanian government is illegal. Apostasy is punishable by death.
Proselytizing in Mauritania is illegal and may lead to deportation, arrest, prosecution, or incarceration.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Mauritanian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the temporary import or export of items such as firearms, narcotics, alcoholic drinks, and pork products. Contact the Embassy of Mauritania in Washington, DC, for specific information regarding customs regulations. Please see our Customs Information.
If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Local Currency: The local currency is the ouguiya, and it may not be imported or exported. Credit cards can be used only at a few hotels in the capital, Nouakchott, and in the northwestern city of Nouadhibou. However, credit card fraud is a problem, so travelers are strongly advised to pay hotel bills in cash. ATMs are available in Nouakchott and other large cities, but are not secure. Major foreign currencies are changeable at banks and numerous currency exchanges; however, this service is not always available without advance notice or prior arrangement. There is a risk of receiving fraudulent bank notes even from banks, which often do not have the security means to detect false bank notes.
LGBT Rights: There are no laws that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons from discrimination. Under sharia law, as applied in the country, consensual same-sex sexual activity between men is punishable by death if witnessed by four individuals, and such activity between women is punishable by three months to two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 to 60,000 ouguiya ($17 to $198). There were no criminal prosecutions during the year. There was no evidence of societal violence, societal discrimination, or systematic acts of government discrimination based on sexual orientation. Members of the LGBT community were rarely identified or discussed, likely because of the severity of the stigma and legal penalties for having been labeled as such. There were no organizations advocating for sexual orientation or gender-identity rights, but there were no legal impediments to the registration of such groups. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Mauritania, you may review the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.
ACCESSIBILITY: While in Mauritania, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.
Medical facilities in Mauritania are limited. There are few modern clinics or hospitals beyond the capital and a few major towns. At local pharmacies, some medicines are difficult to obtain or may be counterfeit; travelers are advised to carry their own medical supplies and medications (over-the-counter and prescription). There are no modern mortuary services available in Mauritania. Procurement of caskets and materials to ship the remains of deceased citizens internationally are not available in Mauritania.
As vaccine preventable illnesses are common in Niger, all routine immunizations recommended by the CDC in the US should be up to date before traveling to Niger.
Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers over age 1 year of age who are arriving from areas with a risk of Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever vaccine is recommended for those over age 9 months who visit the southern areas of the country but is not needed for visits only to Nouakchott.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Transmission occurs from July through October in the wilayas of Inchiri and Adrar, and extremely high transmission occurs throughout the year in areas south of the Sahara Desert. Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous and potentially fatal strain of malaria is the predominant type found in Mauritania. Due to the high risk of malaria the CDC advises that even short term travelers take anti-malarial drugs. The drugs recommended include: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™). Chloroquine is not effective for most African malaria and should not be used. Appropriate antimalarials should be brought with you to Mauritania as often the drugs sold in local pharmacies are not effective or are counterfeit. The CDC has determined that a traveler who is on an appropriate anti-malarial drug has a greatly reduced chance of contracting the disease. Other personal protective measures, such as the use of insect repellents on the skin and on clothing as well as insecticide treated bednets markedly reduce the malaria risk. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, please visit the CDC travelers' health website.
Meningococcal meningitis occurs in Mauritania during the dry season (December through June). Travelers should consider immunization with meningococcal vaccine, especially if prolonged contact with the local populace is anticipated, and for all children and health care workers throughout the year. Epidemic activity has been reported primarily in the southern region of the country.
Diarrheal illness is common throughout Mauritania. Avoid raw fruit and vegetables (especially salads) as they are frequently contaminated with diarrhea causing organisms. They should be cooked thoroughly before eating. Fruits that you can peel such as bananas or oranges are safer than leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach which are exceptionally hard to adequately clean. Tap water is unsafe to drink throughout Mauritania. Bottled water and beverages are safe, although visitors should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water. Ice made from tap water is unsafe in drinks.
Schistosomiasis, a worm transmitted to humans through fresh water, is common in areas south of the Sahara. The larval stages of this worm can penetrate intact skin with even wading in infected waters. Travelers should avoid freshwater exposure in these areas.
The latest outbreak of Rift Valley Fever occurred in October 2012 in the Tagant region of Mauritania. Rift Valley Fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that occasionally causes outbreaks in Mauritania but is of minimal risk to travelers on usual itineraries. The first outbreak was recorded in December 2010 and subsequently detected in the Adrar and Inchiri regions of Mauritania. According to the CDC, Rift Valley Fever is a viral disease that primarily affects animals, but also has the capacity to infect humans. Infection can cause severe disease and death in both animals and humans. Humans usually get Rift Valley Fever through bites from infected mosquitoes and other insects. Humans can also get the disease if they are exposed to the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals. To learn more about Rift Valley Fever and preventive measures, U.S. citizens are advised to review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Rift Valley Fever Fact Sheet.
Travelers can obtain information on vaccinations, including those recommended for Mauritania, and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Travel & Transportation
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, visitors may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Mauritania is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Public transportation is not safe and road conditions in Mauritania are generally poor, particularly in the interior. Overland travel is difficult and roadside assistance is non-existent. The country's size (larger than Texas and New Mexico combined) and harsh climate make road maintenance and repair especially problematic. Mauritania has only about 2,070 km (1,286 miles) of surfaced roads, 710 km (441 miles) of unsurfaced roads, and 5,140 km (3,194 miles) of unimproved tracks. Even small amounts of rain can make paved roads in Nouakchott impassable for cars without suitably high clearance. Unpaved roads present greater challenges during and after rain for automobiles with low clearance without four-wheel drive. Travelers should not offer rides to hitchhikers, nor should visitors to Mauritania accept rides offered by strangers. Taxis and public transportation and are not considered to be secure forms of transportation for western visitors to Mauritania, and Embassy personnel are directed not to use them.
The traditional route to Nouadhibou, prior to the completion of a paved road, was along the beach during low tide. Some travelers continue to use this route, as do visitors to coastal fishing villages and other points of interest, as well as smugglers and others who try to avoid the security checkpoints that are often established along the asphalt roads. Pedestrian visitors to the beach should exercise caution because of the beach's use as a route for motorized vehicles.
U.S. citizens traveling overland for long distances in Mauritania should travel in convoys, and be sure to have suitable four-wheel drive vehicles, a local guide, an adequate supply of water and food, and a second fuel reservoir. Multiple vehicles are recommended in case of breakdown. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and satellite phone are essential when traveling in remote areas. Visitors are urged not to travel alone into the desert or after dark when outside of major urban areas.
Driving in Mauritania can be treacherous, and we encourage travelers to hire a trained local driver. Traffic patterns differ considerably from those in the United States and many Mauritanians drive without regard to traffic signs or rules. Roadway obstructions and hazards caused by drifting sand, animals, and poor roads often plague motorists. These hazards, when combined with the number of untrained drivers and poorly maintained vehicles, make heightened caution imperative at all times. Drivers should be extremely vigilant and all vehicle occupants should always wear their seat belts. Motorcycle and bicycle riders should wear helmets and protective clothing. Nighttime driving is discouraged.
The telecommunications infrastructure, including cellular telephone coverage, is limited. For those traveling outside the major urban areas, it is recommended to have a satellite telephone readily available.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Mauritania, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Mauritania's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.
Assistance for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
The U.S. Embassy is located between the Presidency building and the Spanish Embassy on Rue Abdallaye. The postal address is B.P. 222, Nouakchott, Mauritania.
- Telephone +(222) 4525-2660, 4525-2663, 4525-1145 or 4525-3288
- Emergency After-Hours Telephone +(222) 3662-8163
- Fax +(222) 4-525-1592
- Email firstname.lastname@example.com
- U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
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Hi, I'm Jaden, a professional recipe developer, food columnist and food photographer specializing in fast, fresh and easy recipes for the home cook. Most of my recipes are modern Asian! About meFast, fresh & easy recipes for the home cook.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
I enjoy lobster cooked any which way, though I do think that my least favorite way (other than overcooked) is steamed or boiled lobster, as the high heat that it's usually cooked on ruins the texture of the delicate meat. If I'm going to pay $16.99 per pound for a whole lobster, it better darn well melt in my mouth.
Instead of boiled lobster, I enjoy Lobster Carpaccio (a recipe from Nobu) and lobster slow-poached in a creamy, buttery sauce. Throw in the freshest tomatoes you can find, maybe some fresh herbs and I'll be as happy as a clam human (I don't think clams eat lobster)
If you're squeamish about handling a live lobster, that's totally okay. Many people are, including 9 out of 10 squeamish teenage grocery store cashiers who have to ring it up.
But let's just say that if you're really not into bringing a live lobster home, you can still make this dish.
You can use lobster tails.
Or, if your seafood department has complimentary steaming service (many do!) – have them steam the lobster for exactly 3 minutes and then immediately package it in ice to cool the lobster off. When you get home, remove the meat from the lobster and continue the recipe with the butter poaching.
If you're okay with live lobsters, go for it.
There are many theories on how best to prepare the lobster for its final moments – some suggest you freeze the lobster for a few minutes to slow down its metabolism and put it to "sleep", some suggest piercing a knife in its head to kill instantly.
Our method was a family decision – the kids pet the lobster and thank Buddha for providing such delicious creatures.
"Ahhh, Good lobstah….you had a good life in the tank. May you reincarnate into a butterfly"
Boil a big pot of water, add in the lobster and for 3 minutes. I don't want the lobster to cook all the way – I just want to partially cook the lobster and make it easier to remove the meat.
Instead of using the traditional lobster/crab cracking devices, I use little sharp kitchen shears. Makes less of a mess, the lobster meat comes out cleanly and most importantly, I don't get lobster juice squirtin' in my eye (which usually happens when I use those stupid metal cracking tongs)
See, this is much easier, no? Just cut straight down the middle (shell only) and peel back.
Same thing with the knuckle. Just snip the shell.
And the big claw.
If you're the patient sort, you can tear off the itty bitty skinny legs and try to extract the meat from them too. Some people use a rolling pin to squeeze the meat out, but I've found that it results in more eye-squirtin' lobster juice than I'm comfortable with.
No need to dunk in hot water – just use a pair of kitchen shears, cut shell along length of back. Flip lobster tail over, cut shell along length of bottom (between its tiny feetsies). Pry shell open, remove meat and freeze the shell to make seafood stock.
This is the buttah for the lobstah. If you're cooking more than one lobster, you can add more butter. I've used just one stick and cut it into small pieces.
In a pot just like this, start with 2 tablespoons of water over medium-low heat. Once it starts bubbling, add one piece of butter and whisk. When the butter has melted, add another piece, and so on and so on until you've used all the pieces.
Slowly adding the butter will help it emulsify – which basically means mixing two liquids together that normally don't mix well (water and oil). What you're after is a light yellow, creamy, buttery sauce called "beurre monte"…. NOT melted butter with white globs of milk solids (is there a fancy French term for this?)
To do this, you have to use low heat and add the butter pieces at a time. Make sure the mixture does not boil – otherwise it will separate.
Keep the heat on medium-low and add the lobster pieces and poach for 5 minutes. Every minute or so, I'll turn the lobster.
Then remove the lobster. Now it's time to gently cook the garlic and tomatoes for just a couple of minutes.
Finish off with some fresh basil and done!
Butter Poached Lobster with Fresh Tomatoes
I recommend using salted butter, which is all the salt that's needed to flavor the dish. If you're using unsalted butter, you might want to season with a bit of salt while cooking the tomatoes. An important tip is to make sure the butter mixture does not come to a boil - keep the heat low so that the butter emulsifies (turns into a nice, smooth creamy sauce) instead of breaking up.
Ingredients:1 3/4 pound live lobster (or 2 uncooked lobster tails)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick), cut into 1 tablespoon chunks
1 clove garlic, very finely minced
2 tomatoes, cut into large chunks
few fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
1. **If you are using lobster tails: Use sharp kitchen shears to cut shell of lobster all the way down its back. Turn over and cut bottom shell all the way down. Peel off shell and remove meat. Continue with step 2.
**If using live whole lobster - bring a large pot of water to boil. Turn off heat and add the lobster. Cover with lid and let cook for 3 minutes. Remove all lobster meat from shell and cut into large chunks.
2. In a sauce pan, bring 1 tablespoon of water to simmer over medium-low heat. Whisk in 1 piece of butter. When butter had melted, add another piece. Continue with remaining butter pieces, one at a time. Make sure the mixture does NOT come to a boil, otherwise the butter will separate.
3. Keeping the heat on medium-low, add the lobster pieces and cook for 5 minutes, turning the lobster pieces every minute or so. Make sure mixture does not boil. Remove lobster pieces and divide amongst the 2 serving bowls.
4. In the same saucepan with the remaining butter, turn the heat up just a bit, add the garlic. When fragrant, add the tomatoes and cook for just a couple of minutes until the tomatoes have released some of the juices. I like to gently smash the tomatoes a bit so more juice comes out. Throw in the basil and you're done. Spoon tomatoes over lobster and serve immediately.
Lobster Mac & Cheese | Steamy Kitchen
Lobster Carpaccio | Steamy Kitchen
Grilled Lobster with Garlic Butter Sauce | Steamy Kitchen on Tasty Kitchen
Boiled Lobster Recipe, How to Cook and Eat Lobster | Simply Recipes
Lobster Yee Mein (Lobster Noodles) Recipe | Rasa Malaysia
Lobster Rolls | Apartment Therapy
use leftover lobster shell & head to make Lobster Bisque
And for a real treat, watch my friend (and incredibly talented storyteller/videographer) Liza de Guia's video on Lobster Rolls.
Pingback: Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it; Get yourself an egg and beat it | Mitzie Knows Best
Delicious recipe! All I had were two small lobster tails (6 oz. meat total), so I adapted it a bit. Great idea to boil a bit of water and then whisk in the butter ounce by ounce. I ended up using three tbs of butter, which was more than enough. I had an ear of roasted corn on hand, so I cut the kernels off and added those. I served it over whole wheat spaghetti, which was robust enough to stand up to the sauce. Delicious and plenty for two. Thank you!
This is a great recipe. Thanks! I only added shallot and substituted water with lobster juice.
Sounds great and looks perfect! Lobster where I live is now about $3.99 a pound. I had lobster poached in butter in a restaurant for the first time a week ago. I loved it, and wondered how to do it. Thank you so much!
I will probably make this for Thanksgiving. We have lobster on Thanksgiving as we are more thankful for that than turkey. I do a turkey with all the trimmings on Sunday following Thanksgiving.
As a New Orleans girl (or rather "girl" some 60 plus years ago) with a French heritage Mama and hunting/fishing father, brothers, uncles and then husband I am not squeamish about cleaning, dressing and cooking anything that walks, flies, swims and tastes good. Unfortunately, I rarely have access to whole live lobster these days but did pick up about a dozen or more 6 oz lobster tails @ 6.99 lb at my local Publix recently.
I passed on the already thawed tails in the case and bought them still frozen so I could defrost them in the refrigerator, wash well and then carefully broil with garlic butter. I've found the quality has been decent and the finished tails tasty and fairly tender (I watch the tails like a hawk and cook until just done).
I'm going to try your recipe today but found your instructions for just tails a bit incomplete as to whether to par boil similar to the instructions for a live lobster. So, this is how I've decided to treat the tails: I'll wash them well in cold water to remove any frost or debris; immediately drop them into a large amount of vigorously boiling salted water, cover and turn the fire off; let them sit for 3-4 minutes; then drain and plunge into ice water before proceeding with your recipe sans the tomatoes that really wouldn't be good this time of year. Of course I'll crush the shells up and add them to my bag of other such shells already in my freezer for a lobster stock.
I don't know if you'll respond to this but even if you do I'm certain it won't be in time. I'll let you'll know later how it turns out.
Thank you so much for the recipe and I think I'll browse through your blog later.
Mind-blowing! Added 2 Tbsp of chopped shallot, red and green bell pepper, half a jalapeno and a tbsp of chopped fresh basil. First time making lobster….and first time EATING it too! LOL Veteran lobster eaters raved. I used frozen tails. No muss or fuss. Enjoy!
Oh my goodness this was da bomb! We thoroughly loved every last morsel. I even dunked my roasted asparagus in the extra butter sauce in the bowl. The tomatoes and basil added such a freshness to the sweet succulent meat! Thanks for the detailed directions. First time cooking lobster and we did 3 whole in 2 sticks of butter and 2 cloves garlic! Again fantastic directions and recipe!!!
Not a bad recipe taste-wise, but 3 minutes pre-cooking is not nearly enough to get the meat loose from the shell. More like 6 or 7 I'd say and because of the struggle to get the meat out on your too-short cooking time, it looked like hell. Still, it tasted great.
My dad was from the East Coast so we grew up seeing lobsters hanging out in our bathtub until he cooked them. I'm allergic to shellfish(boo hiss) so I can't partake but I love checking out seafood recipes. I wish I could eat it. I think it's awesome that your kids are aware and part of the decision how to cook it. I'm a carnivore but also an animal lover so I love the way you handled it.
Passing this on to my sis in law, they are in Nova Scotia where lobster is plentiful.
For a girl who lives in Florida, you sure know how to handle a lobster! We live on the coast of Maine and this summer, we got a recreational lobster license . It's been so much fun! It's like Christmas when we pull up the traps – you never now what you'll get. I've been preparing lobster many different ways, but have never tried butter-poached. Sound absolutely delicious and can't wait to try it. I do not like dropping them in the into the steamer live, but I DO like the idea of thanking Buddha for their deliciousness.
Many thanks…


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SXSW 2012, from Bruce Springsteen to Buxton.
That headline is not any kind of existential plaint; Rocks Off was legitimately curious. We know why we're at SXSW - it's our job. But it's a broad, broad spectrum between those of us doing some kind of business here this week and the hordes of people in Austin purely to party. So, because we are s ... More >>


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Copyright © 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association
In Reply: Dr. Geller does not deny that an expanded array of well-provided intensive community services might divert individuals in crisis from involuntary hospital admissions to voluntary community services. At the same time, we do not deny that effective use of involuntary interventions is an essential component of a well-designed services system. Indeed, liberalized commitment criteria and expanded authority to use mandatory outpatient treatment were included in the comprehensive reform package adopted in Virginia in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy.
However, Virginia's Commission on Mental Health Law Reform—the architect of these reforms and of our study of emergency evaluations to which Dr. Geller refers—was convinced that enhancing access to voluntary alternatives to hospitalization (as well as to the full continuum of preventive services) can reduce unnecessary involuntary interventions (1). Our research team also thinks that a declining rate of temporary detention orders in specific service regions can serve as one useful indicator, among others, of progress in mental health system transformation.
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