text:
|Free City
|Free Cities, Essos
|Sealord of Braavos
|Mixed religions
|between ~400 BC and 1436 BC[N 1]
|Notable places
Titan of Braavos, Drowned Town,
House of Black and White,
Purple Harbor, Ragman's Harbor
Temple of the Moonsingers,
Patternmaker's Maze, Stones of the Silent God, sweetwater river
|Faceless Men, Iron Bank, Moonsingers
Braavos is the wealthiest and likely the most powerful of the Free Cities.[1] It is located in a lagoon on the northwestern end of Essos, where the narrow sea and the Shivering Sea meet.[2][1] Braavos is also known as Braavos of the Hundred Isles[3] and the Secret City,[1][4][5] a name also attributed to the city Nefer, the last remaining city of N'ghai.[6] Additionally, Braavos is sometimes referred to as the bastard daughter of Valyria.[7]
- 1 City
- 2 History
- 3 Recent Events
- 4 Chapters that take place at Braavos
- 5 Quotes
- 6 Notes
- 7 References
Braavos sprawls across a hundred islands in a vast lagoon.[8][9] The Volantenes are fond of boasting that the hundred isles of Braavos can be dropped and drowned in their own harbor at the mouth of the Rhoyne.[10]
The nearby mainland is mostly marshland, whilst the seaward sides of Braavos are protected by tall, mountainous islands which form a semi-circle around the city, such as Sellagoro's Shield. Firewood is brought in by barge, while pines on the islands surrounding the city are left to act as windbreaks to protect the harbors, and are illegal to cut down.[11]
There is a stretch of land to the south claimed by Braavos, the Braavosian Coastland.[12] The western coast of Lorath Bay is also under Braavosi control.[13] The Braavosi fleets dominate the seas northwest of Essos, protected by the warlords belonging to the Sealord.[14] To enter the lagoon in which Braavos is located, one must pass beneath the Titan of Braavos, a stone fortress in the shape of a huge warrior.[9][15] The Titan roars every dawn[16] and every sunset,[17] and appears to roar every hour as well,[18] as well as when a ship is approaching.[15] Its roar can be heard across the city, faint, but capable of waking the sleeping city.[16] Just beyond the Titan is located the Arsenal, a vast shipyard where a warship can be built in a day and which is warned by the Titan.[1][15]
In autumn, Braavos generally knows three types of weather: fog, rain, and freezing rain. However, there are also days that are clear, crisp, and bright.[16] Close to winter, the canals can have ice on them.[19]
Braavos is comprised of a hundred islands linked together by small stone bridges spanning the many canals throughout the city. The houses in the humbler regions are tightly packed together, even over the canals.[18] One of the bigger canals is the Canal of Heroes, located closest to the Titan of Braavos, the Chequy Port, and the Arsenal. Multiple bridges cross the Canal of Heroes, and along both sides are rows of statues of deceased Sealords.[15][20] The canal leads directly to the center of the city, where the Isle of the Gods is located.[15][21] The Green Canal leads from the Palace of Truth to the east side of the lagoon,[21] and the Black Canal can be crossed when traveling to the Ragman's Harbor.[20]
Also of note is the Long Canal, the broadest of the major waterways, leading from the center of the city to the south of the lagoon, where a fishmarket is located.[21] The First Law of Braavos has been engraved in stone on an arch spanning this canal.[1] Along the Long Canal, the Palace of Truth can be found, as well as the tall square towers of the Prestayns to the west and the Antaryons to the east. South of these towers, the large grey aqueduct of the sweetwater river crosses the Long Canal, after the Silty Town is passed on the east side of the canal. Here, the houses are smaller, and less grand.[16]
There are no trees to be found within the city (except in the courts and gardens of the mighty)[11] making Braavos a flat city of stone architecture and granite monuments.[15] The streets are lined with houses made of grey stone, built so close that they lean upon one another. Some houses are built above waterways. They are usually slim buildings with peaked tile roofs, raised four to five stories tall.[15] Braavos has no walls.[15] The islands like Sellagoro's Shield surrounding Braavos are covered with soldier pines and black spruce,[15] which act as windbreaks to protect the harbor. It is illegal to cut these trees down. Because of this, and the lack of wood in the remainder of the city, the price of firewood, which has to be brought in by barge, is high.[11]
As the water from the lagoon is brackish and briny and the canal water is not drinkable without first boiling it,[15] the Braavosi have build the sweetwater river to supply themselves with clean water. A grey stone roadway supported by three tiers of arches traveling from the south, looming above the canals and houses, it brings fresh water from the mainland across the mudflats and the briny shallows. Rich men pipe it directly into their homes, while commoners fill buckets at public fountains.[11] The sweetwater river ends at the Moon Pool.[1][16]
Drowned Town
The Drowned Town is the eldest part of the city.[1] It is located in an area in the north-west of the city,[21] directly north of the Ragman's Harbor,[1][22] where the town has fallen into the lagoon and only the domes and towers of the old buildings are visible above the surface of the water.[16] In the higher part of the half-submerged buildings, some of the poorer people still live.[1] The Spotted Cellar is located near the gates to the Drowned Town. There, eel fights are held.[16] East of the Drowned Town, the Gate can be found.
Scattered throughout the city are small wharves and landings for fishermen and ferries.[11] Some of the wharves are located below the Drowned Town.[4] Further, the city is served by three main harbors: the Chequy Port, located directly behind the Arsenal, where ships arriving in Braavos have to submit to inspection by the Sealord's customs officers upon arrival in the city;[15] the Purple Harbor, located in the north of the city beneath the towers and domes of the Sealord's Palace, a harbor for Braavosi ships only;[11][19] and the Ragman's Harbor,[11] also called the Outer Harbor,[18] located in the west of the city, where all foreign ships are allowed to dock. Ragman's is poorer, rougher, dirtier, and noisier than the Purple Harbor.[11][16]
All gods are honored in Braavos, and therefore, there are many temples and shrines to be found in the city. Most of the temples are located on the Isle of the Gods in the center of the city.[15][21] Amongst them is the Temple of the Moonsingers, who led the original Braavosi refugees to the islands. Theirs is the biggest temple, built of white marble capped with a silvered dome, milk glass windows showing all the phases of the moon, and a pair of marble maidens flanks its gates. Other temples of note are the temple of the Father of Waters, which is rebuilt whenever he takes a new bride, the House of Black and White, where homage is done to the Many-Faced God, the Temple of the Lord of Light, and the Sept-Beyond-the-Sea, where only Westerosi come to pray.[15][17]
Other sites include the shrine of the Weeping Lady of Lys, the Gardens of Gelenei, the wooden hall of the Lord of Harmony, the house of the Great Shepherd, a three-turreted tower honoring Trios, the Stones of the Silent God, the Patternmaker's Maze, the temple of Aquan the Red Bull, and twin temples honoring Semosh and Selloso,[20] and the temple of the Cult of Starry Wisdom.[17] Even gods that have no more followers are honored in a temple called the Holy Refuge or, colloquially, the Warren.[15]
The best inns, alehouses and brothels lie near the Purple Harbor or the Moon Pool.[11] Bravos fight at night at the latter.[16] Healers for hire are found at the House of the Red Hands.[11][16] The Blue Lantern and the Dome, two mummers' playhouses, are located near the Purple Harbor.[21] Near Ragman's Harbor, one can find the Inn of the Green Eel, the Black Bargeman, Moroggo's, the Foghouse the Outcast Inn, the House of Seven Lamps, the Satin Palace, the Sailmender and the Cattery,[11][17][21] the Happy Port, across from the Mummer's Ship,[11][16][21] Pynto's,[17][21] and beneath the second arch of Nabbo's Bridge lies a winesink, a small, cramped, dirty establishment with barely enough space to fit ten people.[11][21]
By and large, Braavosi are a kind people,[17] great lovers of song.[23] Wealthy Braavosi dress in charcoal grey, purple, blues so dark that are almost black, and blacks as dark as moonlight. Sword-wielding bravos, in contrast, dress in flamboyant colors.[11] Instead of traveling by horse, the Braavosi use boats.[9]
Braavos is renowned worldwide for its courtesans. Every courtesan has her own barge and servants to work them. Songs are sung about them, and they are showered with gifts from goldsmiths and craftsmen beg for their custom.[16] Additionally, pugnacious bravos fill the city, frequently dueling to display their skill. Visibly wearing a sword at night means that you can be challenged to a fight, but the bravos do not bother anyone who does not wear a sword. Bravos are known to kill each other in the name of courtesans, and some take it as a challenge when another claims that another woman than the Nightingale is the most beautiful woman in the world.[11][16][4] The Black Pearl is considered by some to be the most famous courtesan.[16]
Braavosi culture has created a unique form of sword fighting, the water dance. The style is a refined form of fencing in which the practitioner stands sideways and wields a slender blade.[24] The greatest of the bravos call themselves water dancers, and they always duel at night. They take their name from the custom of dueling on the Moon Pool, near the Sealord's Palace.[1]
The ruler of the city is the Sealord, who lives in the Sealord's Palace in the northeast of the city. Instead of hereditary succession, the Sealord is chosen by Braavosi magisters and keyholders through a convoluted process,[1] and he serves for life. The selection of his successor can be highly contested and can resort to violence.[17] The Sealord's personal guard is commanded by the First Sword of Braavos.[1][21] The exact position of the Third Sword[18] is not known. Tormo Fregar is believed by some to become the next Sealord if Ferrego Antaryon passes away.[17]
Instead of making farces, Braavosi mummers perform plays of written stories.[9] Braavosi mummers can be found at such playhouses as the Ship, the Gate, the Blue Lantern, and the Dome.[11][16][18]
The anniversary of the Uncloaking is celebrated annually. The masked feasts last for ten days, and culminate in the midnight of the tenth day, when the Titan roars and all of the celebrants remove their masks at the same time.[1]
Braavos is the wealthiest and most powerful of the Free Cities, in part due to the wealth and influence of the Iron Bank.[25] The Iron Bank lends money to foreign nations, including the Seven Kingdoms.[26] Braavosi coins are square and made from iron.[20]
During the years when Braavos was as of yet undiscovered, the city prospered. The Braavosi discovered a sea snail similar to those that could be found at Tyrosh, and whose dyes had made the city famous. The snail found by the Braavosi yielded dark purple dye, which the Braavosi used to color the sails of the ships the founders had stolen from the Valyrians.[1] They paint their hulls purple too.[27] At first, Braavos began to trade with Ib, and later the Seven Kingdoms.[1]
Braavos has a seafaring trade culture. Much of the city's early wealth came from the brackish waters of the lagoon. These waters yielded oysters, eels, crabs, crawfish, clams, rays, and many sorts of fish. Braavosi ships paint their hulls purple and their merchant ships sail to many distant lands and bring their trade and wealth back home. One hears of purple sails as far away as Asshai and the islands of the Jade Sea. In the present, Braavos is one of the greatest ports of the world, where all but slavers are allowed to dock. Even ships from Qarth and the Summer Isles come to Braavos to trade.[1][10][15]
Unlike the other Free Cities, Braavos was never part of the Valyrian Freehold. The youngest of these cities, Braavos was founded by escaped slaves, fleeing the grasp of the Freehold. The slaves rebelled on their way from Valyria to a new colony in Sothoryos, took control of the ships, and turned north instead of south, travelling as far as they could. According to the histories of Braavos, it was a group of slave women from the lands of Jogos Nhai, the moonsingers, who predicted where shelter could be found. Thus, the slaves travelled to the distant lagoon, hidden away from sight of the dragonlords by the wall of hills covered with pine trees and the fog covering the lagoon.[1] The founders of Braavos risked their lives for freedom, and swore a vow that no one in their city would ever be a slave, thrall, or bondsman. This vow became the First Law of Braavos, and is engraved on the arch spanning the Long Canal.[1]
The city's exact founding date is unknown.[N 1] The existence of the city was a secret for a century.[1][16] While Maester Yandel states that Sealord Uthero Zalyne had sent forth his ships to every corner of the world in order to proclaim the existence and location of Braavos during the Uncloaking (or Unmasking) of Uthero at the 111th festival celebrating the city's founding,[1] the city's location remained hidden for another few centuries.[5][16][N 2] Settlements were paid to the descendants of the former masters of the escaped slaves to compensate for the ships that had been stolen, though the Braavosi refused to pay for the value of the slaves.[1]
At Bitterweed Bay, the Sealord of Braavos sent the last great war fleet of the Kingdom of Sarnor to the bottom.[14]
Harwyn Hoare visited Braavos and other Free Cities before succeeding his father Qhorwyn as King of the Iron Islands.[28]
Century of Blood & Aegon's Conquest
During the Century of Blood following the Doom of Valyria, Volantis attempted to take control of Valyria's daughters. The Volantenes managed to take control over Myr and Lys, but when they attempted to take Tyrosh they met with resistance. In the rebellion against Volantis, the Sealord of Braavos sent a hundred warships to the aid of Lys.[29][30]
During Aegon's Conquest, a dozen Braavosi warships helped the Kingdom of Mountain and Vale in battle against the Targaryens in the Gullet.[31] Shortly after the Conquest, the north hired a Braavosi fleet; Queen Marla Sunderland was disposed of when the fleet came into sight, and her brother yielded the Three Sisters peacefully.[32]
Recent History
During the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, Lady Laena Velaryon was betrothed to the son of the Sealord of Braavos. The Sealord died before the marriage could take place, however, and his son had proven to be a wastrel and fool, who spent all of his father's wealth and remained on Driftmark permanently. Laena's father, Lord Corlys Velaryon, repeatedly postponed the wedding, as he did not want it to continue, yet saw no way to gracefully rid himself of the man. Thus, they were betrothed for a decade, until Prince Daemon Velaryon in 115 AC spoke privately with Corlys about a marriage to Laena, provoked her betrothed until he demanded single combat, and then killed the Braavosi man.[33][34]
Braavos joined an alliance with Pentos and Lorath which helped bring down the Triarchy of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh.[35]
Over the past two centuries, Braavos has fought six wars against Pentos concerning the practice of slavery and the lands located in between the two cities. Four of these wars were won by Braavos. The last war ended in 209 AC, after Nevio Narratys, Prince of Pentos, convinced the magisters of Pentos to sue for peace after winning a rare victory. In the peace accords, Pentos was forced by Braavos to make several concessions, including the termination of slavery in Pentos and their withdrawal from the slave trade.[7][36]
After Princess Naerys Targaryen almost died in labor in 161 AC, her brother and husband, Prince Aegon Targaryen was sent on a diplomatic mission to Braavos. There he met Bellegere Otherys the daughter of a Sealord's son and a princess from the Summer Isles, with whom he started an affair that would last for a decade and yield three children.[18][37][38] Bellegere was called the Black Pearl of Braavos, and her daughter Bellenora became the first courtesan by that name; her descendants have been Black Pearls until the present.[16]
During the reign of Daeron II Targaryen, Ser Michael Manwoody was sent to Braavos on several occasions to negotiate with the Iron Bank.[39]
In 276 AC, King Aerys II Targaryen announced he was going to "bring the Titan to its knees" after a dispute with the Iron Bank. However, Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King, settled the dispute by repaying the loans made by Aerys's father, King Jaehaerys II, with his own money.[40] After Robert's Rebellion, the last two surviving children of Aerys, Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys, were taken to Braavos by Ser Willem Darry and four other loyal men, where they lived in a house with a red door.[41] While they were staying there, Willem signed a secret marriage pact with Oberyn Martell. This betrothed Arianne, the daughter of Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, to Viserys, in return for Dorne supporting Viserys's claim to the Iron Throne.[42] However, Willem fell ill around 289 AC and died soon after.[43] After his death, servants stole the money remaining to the Targaryens, who were forced to leave the house. Daenerys and Viserys began to wander the Free Cities,[41] although they visited Braavos at least once more during later years.[44][45]
The great-grandfather of Petyr Baelish was born in Braavos. He came to the Vale as a sellsword in hire of Lord Corbray. His son, upon receiving knighthood, took the Titan of Braavos for his sigil.[46]
Ser Jorah Mormont once visited Braavos with his second wife, Lynesse Hightower. While there, he borrowed heavily from moneylenders from the city.[47] When he was exiled from Westeros several years later, he wanted to return to Braavos, but as per his wife's request of a warmer location, he went to Lys instead, and as a sellsword, fought on the Rhoyne against the Braavosi.[48] Allard Seaworth has a girl in Braavos.[49]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Eddard Stark, Hand of the King to Robert I Baratheon, learns that the Iron Throne loaned money from moneylenders out of Braavos.[26]
A Clash of Kings
Stannis Baratheon plans to send letters to Braavos and the other Free Cities, announcing his claim to the Iron Throne, and telling them about Cersei Lannister's infamy.[50] A moneylender from Braavos arrives at the court of King's Landing, asking to see King Joffrey I Baratheon about payments on some loans. He is send to Petyr Baelish, the master of coin.[51] In order to get her to Dorne safely, Princess Myrcella Baratheon is to travel to Braavos from King's Landing, and from Braavos to Dorne.[2]
Arya Stark receives a coin from the Lorathi Jaqen H'ghar. He tells her that, if she would ever wish to find him again, she has to give the coin to any man from Braavos, and say to him the words "valar morghulis".[52]
When Daenerys Targaryen visits the House of the Undying in Qarth, one of the visions she sees is Ser Willem Darry and the house with the red door in Braavos.[53]
A Storm of Swords
The Braavosi Mero, also called the Titan's Bastard, is the commander of a sellsword company, the Second Sons, hired by Yunkai when Daenerys arrives at the city with her host.[54] Mero flees during the battle near Yunkai and hides in the gathered refugees that follow Daenerys to Meereen, shaving his beard to disguise his appearance. When Daenerys rides through the refugee camps, Mero attempts to kill her but is stopped by Arstan Whitebeard and torn apart by the freedmen in the camps.[55]
Tyrion Lannister considers taking his wife, Sansa Stark to go see Braavos.[56] When Sansa hides in the Vale, she pretends to be Alayne Stone, the bastard daughter of Petyr Baelish by a Braavosi gentlewoman, a daughter of a merchant prince.[46] Petyr claims to Sansa that he had found the dwarves Penny and Oppo in Braavos.[57] However, according to Penny, they had been contacted by Petyr's man in Pentos.[58]
Arya boards the Titan's Daughter in Saltpans and starts her journey to Braavos.[59]
A Feast for Crows
Arya arrives in Braavos.[15] She joins the service of the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White, where she begins her training[15][4] and disguises herself as Cat of the Canals.[16]
Samwell Tarly is send to Braavos by Lord Commander Jon Snow, together with Gilly, Mance Rayder's son, Maester Aemon, and Dareon. They sail to Braavos on the Blackbird.[9][11] They encounter storms on their way, however. Aemon falls ill during the journey, and is weak once they arrive in Braavos. They stay in Braavos for a while, and Dareon decides to desert the Night's Watch, preferring to remain in Braavos instead. After crossing paths with "Cat", Samwell meets Xhondo from the Cinnamon Wind, and manages to get him, Aemon, Gilly, and the babe passage to Oldtown.[11][22][60] Arya kills Dareon after learning of his desertion.[16]
Cersei Lannister decides to end all payments to the Iron Bank until the war is over.[61] She also receives a report that her brother Tyrion has been spotted in Braavos, though she does not believe it to be true.[62] The Iron Bank begins to refuse new loans, and starts demanding repayments on their outstanding debts.[62]
A Dance with Dragons
Believing he will soon be executed at the Wolf's Den in White Harbor, Ser Davos Seaworth prepares a letter telling his wife, Marya, to take their younger sons to Braavos.[63]
Tycho Nestoris, an emissary from the Iron Bank, arrives at Castle Black, where he agrees upon a loan with Lord Commander Snow.[19] He is later sent on to Stannis Baratheon.[64] Melisandre has a vision of a girl coming to Castle Black; thinking that it will be Arya, Jon considers asking the Iron Bank to settle her with a noble family in Braavos.[19]
Lord Regent Kevan Lannister tasks Ser Harys Swyft with traveling to Braavos to negotiate with the Iron Bank.[65]
The Winds of Winter
| Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.
Harys and Braavosi keyholders attend a performance of The Bloody Hand at the Gate.[18]
Chapters that take place at Braavos
- A Feast for Crows: 6. Arya I
- A Feast for Crows: 22. Arya II
- A Feast for Crows: 26. Samwell III
- A Feast for Crows: 34. Cat of the Canals
- A Dance with Dragons: 45. The Blind Girl
- A Dance with Dragons: 64. The Ugly Little Girl
Braavos is the odd duck among the Nine Free Cities, but still more Valyrian than Andal in its origins.[66]
We Braavosi are descended from those who fled Valyria and the wroth of its dragonlords. We do not jape of dragons.[19]
- Tycho Nestoris, to Jon Snow
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The exact founding date of Braavos is unknown. However, Braavos is the youngest of the Free Cities (The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Volantis)(The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Braavos), meaning it was founded before Lorath, which was founded in 1436 BC (The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Lorath). Harwyn Hoare visited Braavos in his youth, placing his visit near the start of the Century of Blood (i.e., ~100 BC). As Braavos revealed its existence no earlier than three hundred years after its founding (A Feast for Crows, Cat of the Canals), Braavos was founded no later than ~400 BC.
- ↑ Either two or three more centuries, depending on how the reader interprets "Its very existence had been a secret for a century, the girl had learned; its location had been hidden thrice that long." (A Feast for Crows, Cat of the Canals).
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Braavos.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Valyria's Children.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: East of Ib.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Pentos.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 41, Jon V.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Map of the Free Cities
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Lorath.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Shivering Sea.
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
- ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 16.19 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 45, The Blind Girl.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 The Winds of Winter, Mercy
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.
- ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 The Lands of Ice and Fire, Braavos.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Braavos.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Conquest: The Reign of the Dragons.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
- ↑ The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ Not a Blog: Wars, Woes, Work
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Daenerys Targaryen.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 57, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 61, Sansa V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 64, Jon VIII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Yet More Questions (July 22, 2001)


text:
Feb. 8, 2007
The final five minutes weren't for the faint of heart, but the Lady Bisons of Lipscomb prevailed 59-57 for the win over Stetson Thursday night in Atlantic Sun action in Deland, Fla.
The win was the third straight for the Lady Bisons who evened their A-Sun record at 6-6. It was also the first road win of the season for the Lady Bisons. The Lady Bisons swept Stetson this season with a 71-53 win at Allen Arena Jan. 13.
"We had won a neutral site game against Austin Peay, but it was nice to get one on the road," Lipscomb coach Frank Bennett said. "This was a back-and-forth game but we were able to come back for the win."
The Lady Bisons led by as many as five points in the second half after trailing 22-19 at intermission, but found themselves in a fight to the finish.
Center Penny Jones found the basket for the Lady Bisons for a 52-51 advantage with 1:22 left. She was fouled on the play and added a free throw to make it 53-51.
Stetson responded with a 3-point shot by Jamie Nesbit with 1:07 left for a 54-53 edge.
Point guard Catie Woods came right back with a 3-pointer of her own to give the Lady Bisons a 56-54 lead with 42.9 seconds on the clock.
Again Stetson came back to make it 57-56 with a 3-pointer Sharnesha Smith with 30 seconds left.
Guard Dana Carrigan missed a 3-point attempt for the Lady Bisons, but was fouled as she took the shot. She missed the first of three free throws, but connected on the final two for a 58-57 lead with 9.9 seconds left.
Stetson came down court for one last shot, but Lady Bisons forward Jilian Partin stole the ball and held it. She was fouled with .6 seconds left. She missed her first shot, but hit her second one to close out the game.
Both teams struggled in the first half to find the basket. Stetson scored on a lay-up by Smith at 12:02 but did not score again 7:36 when Janene Maclin hit a jumper.
The Lady Bisons did not score a goal until 6:46 when a lay-up by Carrigan made the score 15-11 in favor of Stetson.
"We were really struggling in the first half," Bennett said. "We were lucky to still be in the game at half time. Rachel Davis scored 10 of our 19 points.
"But they weren't scoring a lot either. We played good defense and came out and picked it up in the second half."
Jones led the Lady Bisons with 16 points. Carrigan added 15. Davis added 10.
The Lady Bisons shot 42. 6 percent from the field hitting 20-of-47 attempts. They were seven-of-15 from beyond the arc for 46.7 percent. They hit 12-of-19 free throws, 63.2 percent.
Maclin scored a game-high 18 points for Stetson followed by Smith with 15 and Nesbit with 10.
Stetson was 48.1 percent from the field (26-of-54) and only three-of-10 from 3-point range (30 percent). Stetson only went to the free throw line three times, hitting two for 60 percent.
Jones led the Lady Bisons in rebounding with a game-high six.
The Lady Bisons, 8-14 overall, head to Mercer Saturday for a 1 p.m. game. Stetson fell to 4-7 in the A-Sun, 4-18 overall.
The win was the 700th overall for Bennett going back to his junior high and high school coaching days.

subset: commoncrawl


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Making Colorful Sushi with Rham Fenton of Ramasushi
Continuing the Kitchn's recent series of sushi posts, we spent some time in the kitchen with Rham Fenton, a very skilled, albeit unconventional sushi expert who gave us some techniques and inspiration for at-home sushi making.
Rham started making sushi professionally some 20+ years ago when he was a surfer by day in Virginia Beach. Rham initially worked on fishing boats and then soon found a home at the various sushi bars along the boardwalk. He began by making rice and then quickly learned that he had a way with sushi and sushi customers, bringing in ample tips while working the open sushi bar.
Rham followed the waves to California where he worked at Saskas on Mission Beach, followed by a series of other restaurants including the Hyatt in San Diego. More than 15 years later, he moved back to the East Coast. After working at various New York restaurants including Matsuri, he opened his own sushi concessions at two restaurants on the Jersey shore, The Labrador Lounge and the Langosta Lounge. In addition to running the restaurants, he also caters private parties, specializing in parties of 100 and up, but recently doing smaller parties from 2-17 people.
Rham also runs sushi classes. In his classes, he teaches how to prepare and cut fish, how to substitute vegetables for the more traditional fish rolls and "how to roll to impress."
What is atypical about Rham, apart from the fact that he is not Japanese, is that he has a very laid-back, non-dictatorial style to sushi making: anything goes. A former vegetarian, he loves inventing vegetarian combinations and adding flavor and depth through lemon, ginger and different sauce alternatives to soy. He uses red rice instead of white in his vegetable rolls for color and interest.
Rham uses a Japanese mandoline to slice vegetables finely. He likes both the traditional style slicer as well as the turning vegetable peeler from Benriner that makes long, spaghetti-like strands.
Sushi-Making Tips from Rham Fenton
Here are a few of Rham's sushi-making tips:
• When making rice in a rice maker, place your palm flat on top of the rice (leveled) without pressing down and add water to reach the top of your knuckle for white rice or just below the wrist bone for brown rice. Once cooked, kernels should burst but not dissolve.
• Rham often seasons his rice with some alternatives to the traditional salt and rice vinegar mix: a slice of lemon, a piece of konbu or some apple cider vinegar simmered with a flavor-enhancer like apple, ginger, brown sugar or kafir lime leaves. He sometimes cooks rice with beet juice to create an interesting presentation
• When putting rice on the nori, aim for a portion that is smaller than a baseball but larger than a golf ball. Spread rice evenly, leaving 1/4 inch around the ends so that when rolled, the rice does not seep out the sides.
• Wrap rolls in cellophane before shaping with a bamboo mat: this will keep your mat clean and help hold the roll together when sliced. When you tighten the rolls with your mat, hold both sides with one finger to keep the mat tight against the roll.
• Add additional flavor at the end by squeezing the juice from a lemon or freshly grated ginger over the top.
Rham prepared a number of different rolls for us including a variation on the "Soleado Roll" (pictured in slide show and on the menu at Langosta Lounge), which includes red radish, beet, carrot and cucumber wrapped in sweet potato and avocado.
(meaning sunny in Spanish)
Brown rice, cooked
4 red radishes, julienned
1 sweet potato, cooked
1/2 avocado
1 slice cucumber
Roll cucumber, avocado, and radish inside nori rice mat. Slice cooked sweet potato and wrap the outside of the roll. Lay plastic over top and use bamboo mat to tighten. Leave plastic on and cut in 8 to 10 pieces. Enjoy!
LA Roll
Brown rice, cooked
3 shrimp 16/20 size, steamed in beer and Old Bay Spice
5 pineapple chunks, squeezed in a paper towel
1 cucumber
2 sticks of pepper, either red or green
2 kumquats, thinly sliced
Love Roll
Brown rice, cooked
2 shiitake mushrooms
4 red radishes, julienned
1 sweet potato, cooked
1/2 avocado
1 cucumber
3 tablespoons honey or agave
1 tablespoon of black bean paste
1/2 clove cooked garlic
1 Hershey kiss
Want to know more?
Thanks so much for the great tutorial, Rham! Want to know more about Rham or schedule a class?
• Contact Rham at Ramasushi
(Images: Sabra Krock of Sabra Krock Photography)


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by Clark Groome
Back in the 1930s, a Broadway show entitled "New Faces of 1934" opened. In it were future stars Imogene Coca and Henry Fonda. Future editions gave us Irwin Corey (1942); Eartha Kitt, Carol Lawrence and Paul Lynde (1952); and Maggie Smith (1956). After seven editions, the series folded its tent in 1968.
In thinking about the Philadelphia professional sports year now drawing to a close, I was struck by the number of new faces – in one case an old face in a new role – who made or are making a significant impact on our pro teams in 2011. This is only a partial list. Others who showed up in Philly during the past 12 months may go on to make an impact on our town's sports teams. Time will tell. But here, in order of appearance, are the six folk I have cast in "New Faces of 2011."
Doug Collins. Collins, who played for the '76ers from 1973 to 1981, went on to coach in college and the pros. During periods when he wasn't coaching he worked as a much-respected analyst on NBC and TNT. When the '76ers called in May 2010, he returned to coaching. While his team got off to a dreary 3-13 start, his energy, passion and devotion to his players ultimately paid off. His team ended up seventh in the NBA East, and was a playoff team for the first time in several years. For all his success on the court, he was most respected for his integrity and dignity. His players love working for him. Fans love the energy he brings to the team.
Vance Worley. When Phillies starters Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt went down with injuries, the team turned to rookie Vance Worley to pick up some of the slack. A September call-up the year before, he was viewed as about sixth or seventh on the Phillies pitching depth chart.
This was the rotation touted as one of the best in Major League history with Roy Halliday, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Oswalt as the "Four Aces," and Blanton as the reliable, innings-eating number five. Not much was expected but much was delivered.
The kid with the Mohawk and the thick-framed glasses won two and lost one in spot starts in April and May. Beginning June 29, as part of the regular rotation, he won nine in a row. Those nine were followed by a couple of losses for a record of 11-3 and an ERA of 3.01 in a season that had him contending for the National League's Rookie of the Year Award.
Wayne Simmonds. When Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren traded Mike Richards to Los Angeles and Jeff Carter to Columbus, one of the parts of that trade was Simmonds, a popular Kings' forward. Tough and smart, Simmonds has gotten off to a good start. Recently his scoring has picked up and he's registered five goals and two assists in the last seven games, bringing his season total to nine goals and six assists.
Sean Couturier. Part of the Carter trade to Columbus was its first-round 2011 draft pick. When the Flyers' turn came, the eighth overall, they chose the 18-year old Couturier. The original thought was he would likely spend another year in juniors and then play for the Adirondack Phantoms before joining the big club in a year or two. Instead he had such a spectacular training camp that he was kept on the roster.
That was a pretty safe move because league rules allow him 10 games to prove his mettle before being sent back to juniors (because of his age he couldn't go to the Phantoms). Ten games came and went. Couturier stayed. In addition to his time on the ice when the team was even handed, he was also used extensively on the power play, in penalty kills and in the final minutes of close games.
Through the season's first 31 games he had five goals and four assists. In Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins, he was hit in the helmet by a puck. The extent of his injury is not yet known. The extent of his contributions so far is very well known, and very impressive.
Hunter Pence. When the Phillies didn't sign right fielder Jason Werth after the 2010 season, they tried to fill his slot with players already on the roster or in their AAA club in the Lehigh Valley. Nothing worked. Their solution was to trade some highly rated prospects to the Houston Astros for All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence.
Almost from his first day in Phillies pinstripes, he and the city began a love affair that brought life to the team and to its loyal fan base. Described by many as reacting to being on a World Series-contending club after playing for the National League's worst team like a kid at Christmas, Pence brought an infectious energy to the clubhouse and to the park.
He ran out every hit, used his peculiar batting style effectively, and worked as hard as anyone on the club. In the 54 games he played for the Phils he batted .324 with 67 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples and 11 home runs.
Jaromir Jagr. Perhaps the most surprising new face of 2012 is the 39-year old Jagr, a former Flyers nemesis when he played 12 years for Pittsburgh followed by three for both the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. Three years ago he retired from the NHL to play in Russia. This past summer he decided he wanted to end his Hall of Fame Career back in the NHL. Surprisingly, he chose Philadelphia rather than Pittsburgh.
Jagr is one of the best offensive players ever to play the game. He's currently tied for 11th on the all-time goal-scoring list with 656 goals and has recorded 1,625 points over the 1,300 games he's played. He has become one the team's leaders (a role he previously resisted and really wasn't very good at). He's having fun and setting an example for the young guys on his team by maintaining a brutal workout regimen and giving his all to a sport he clearly loves.
What's remarkable is that the fans have taken to this long-hated player with an affection that is usually reserved for the likes of Bobby Clarke, Dr. J., Rich Ashburn and Chuck Bednarik. Who'da thunk it?
Let's hope 2012 matches or surpasses the year now concluding. Happy New Year!


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November 2013
Trustees Re-Elect Santa Clara University President Michael Engh, S.J., to Second Term
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 20, 2013— The Santa Clara University Board of Trustees has approved the re-election of President Michael Engh, S.J., for a second six-year term.
"We are excited to have the leadership of Fr. Engh for another term as president, as the University moves forward with the implementation of its strategic plan," said Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Finoccchio, Jr. "During Fr. Engh's first term, Santa Clara has made significant progress strengthening academic programs, providing outreach to the community, recruiting new students, and enhancing the facilities and grounds on campus."
Engh became president of Santa Clara University in 2009. His second term will begin June 2015.
An accomplished teacher, scholar and academic administrator, Engh has earned respect and admiration for his engaging and inspiring leadership.
"I am enthused to have the opportunity to lead Santa Clara as we pursue our strategic plan and seek new ways to advance Jesuit education in service to society," Engh said.
Engh's re-election was voted on at the Oct 17 meeting of the Board of Trustees following an extensive review of his first five years in office.
In unanimously re-electing Engh, the trustees praised him for creating and nurturing an environment of scholarly research and inspired teaching on campus, while engaging the wider business, government, and religious communities in the Silicon Valley.
Engh graduated from Loyola University of Los Angeles (now Loyola Marymount University) in 1972 and entered the Society of Jesus the same year. He completed his graduate studies in the history of the American West at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1987.
Under Engh's leadership, the endowment at Santa Clara has grown from $533 million to more than $ 760 million.
Santa Clara has consistently been ranked among the top universities in the West. Santa Clara is noted for its strong liberal arts undergraduate curriculum; its business, law, engineering and counseling graduate schools; and its centers for ethics, technology and Jesuit education.
About Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California's Silicon Valley, offers its more than 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, theology, and engineering, plus master's and law degrees and engineering Ph.D.s. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu.
Media Contact
Deepa Arora | SCU Communications Director | email@example.com | 408-554-5125


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As the weather grows colder and true winter sets in, people find themselves in need of a warm body to cuddle up with while they binge on Netflix. While romantic comedies paint pictures of cute women bumping into Hugh Jackman the Pharmacist Lawyer Fighter Pilot in a field of clover, what women should really be dreaming of dating is Hugh Jackman the Mechanic.
Despite what Ballaban's fiance thinks, the scent of gasoline is the scent of romance because no one understands romance like a gearhead.
My first motorcycle was a 1983 Kawasaki KZ305 that I bought for $600. It wasn't the most flashy bike out there, nor was it the most reliable, but I loved that little bike more than anything. Where others saw a small, old, faded, duct taped, underpowered relic, I saw a thing of beauty. The flaws weren't flaws. They gave it character. They made it unique. Anybody can walk into a showroom and buy a Honda Shadow 750. There's nothing special about that. My KZ305, however, was definitely special.
What woman wouldn't want a man who appreciates the little things that make her unique? What woman wouldn't want a man who sees the value in the things that make her special? What woman wouldn't want a man whose face lights up every time he looks at her: duct taped seat, bent handlebars, and all? What woman wouldn't want a man who, instead of trying to look past her flaws, loves her more because of what makes her her?
In a time when people go through relationships and cars like candy, it is the gearhead whose love and appreciation will stand the test of time. It takes real dedication to stick around for the long run, and believe me, a gearhead has dedication. The guy on his third lease in five years can't understand it, but the guy who tore out the Lucas electrics on his British roadster and then redid it all himself absolutely gets it. The more you invest in a relationship, the more rewarding it will be.
When the clutch cable on my KZ305 snapped in the middle of traffic, I could have just walked away. It's a $600 bike. Where do you even find a clutch cable for a 30 year old Japanese bike? No one would have blamed me for junking that little bike, but I couldn't do it. I searched the country until I found a junk yard in California that had a replacement cable, and then I replaced it myself. I loved that bike, and I wasn't about to let something like the inability to shift gears keep me from enjoying the open road.
A gearhead also gets that a relationship needs maintenance. Normal people don't hand wash and wax their cars in the middle of November, but guess what I was doing two Sundays ago. I'll give you a hint: I was hand washing and waxing my E39 until it shone like brand new. I may drive a 15 year old car, but you better bet that I'm not giving up on keeping it in great condition.
A gearhead knows that if you don't keep the car washed and waxed, there's nothing to keep the paint from chipping. One fleck here and there is inevitable, but if you just let it go, before you know it, not only do you need new paint, but you also need new panels because your beloved car now has a rust problem.
If you care about someone, you make sure to maintain the relationship, not because you want to impress her friends with the gifts you give and the dates you take her on, but because you know that without those little things, the relationship will fall apart. Personally, I'd rather not spend a Saturday afternoon on my back, accidentally getting a face full of transmission fluid, but my transmission is more important to me than the shirt that I ruined. Besides, it's getting through the hard times and working through problems that brings you closer to the one you love.
It may be crazy to love an inanimate object, but sometimes a little crazy is just what a relationship needs. Spend one weekend at a Concours d'Elegance, then tell me that those owners are crazy for loving their cars. At its core, a Concours is a celebration of love. Spend an hour walking around a car club, and all you'll see is love and dedication. After all, it's a business that can only thrive because of the fact that its members value their love of cars more than they value what's "sensible" or "practical."
If your fiance wants to get married at a car club that smells like gasoline, what he is saying to you is, "Honey, I love you, and I'm not going anywhere. Marry me in a place built on and dedicated to love."
How could it get any more romantic than that?


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by Hugh Gilmore
Full many a jest was made in the 1960s based on telling someone to "stop being an omphalopsychite." With "omphalos" being Greek for one's navel, and "psych" referring to studying, it was our jovial way of saying to a friend, "Hey, stop contemplating your belly button and come back to earth – the commune needs some potatoes peeled right now."
Omphalopsychitism! (Gosh, I can't get over the thrill of saying it again – do you have any idea how many newspapers would let a writer use that word? None, other than the Local. We trust our readers!). Anyway, studying your navel was a part of the deep counterculture that swam up to the dock with the tide of the roaring 60s. It arrived like a beaver carried along in a muddy flood.
Everyone wanted to wise up, above the mundane. Various forms of Eastern wisdom had floated around the edges of Western culture for years, but always as an esoteric branch of learning. Among the smart set, for short.
But the West Coast poets associated with the Beat Movement, people like Gary Snyder and Kenneth Rexroth, joined by the likes of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, brought Zen Buddhism into popular culture. Nowadays, even manufacturers of contemporary teen apparel know and use the word "Zen" in thousands of contexts.
And flying in, right behind the Beat/Zen movement came (Holy Cow!) the Beatles and George Harrison's guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Thousands of people began trying to practice Transcendental Meditation. And coming in sideways to this whirling circus, neither last nor least, were Dr. Timothy Leary and Dr. Richard Alpert (later known by his religious name, Ram Dass). They advocated that the drugs that were formerly taken for mere pleasure should be taken in order to pursue enlightenment. Many tried.
Which brings us to today, an era in which Americans now contemplate other people's bare belly buttons, instead of their own. This Great Turning Outward, as it's now known, helps us skip the search for inner truth in favor of outward beauty. Ever onward!
In this connection, I am happy to say that the long-awaited screen version of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" should be coming to local theaters soon.
Francis Ford Coppola bought the rights to Kerouac's classic 1950s road vie back in 1979, thinking he'd write the screenplay and get it produced. He was thwarted at every turn as he tried to get a credible version of the book translated to the screen.
A few years ago he began collaborating with Walter Salles (director of "The Motorcycle Diaries") who agreed to direct the film adaptation of "On The Road." It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23 of this year and should be locally released any day now.
Given the casting, the film is bound to attract a wide youth audience. Sam Riley plays Sal Paradise (Kerouac's alter ego); Garrett Hedlund plays Dean Moriarity; Kristen Stewart plays Marylou, and Kirsten Dunst plays Camille. The cast also includes Viggo Mortensen, Terrence Howard, Amy Adams and Steve Buscemi.
Two hesitations: "On the Road" was my favorite book when I read it as a college freshman. Since I was 18 and all the characters from the book were in their late 20s, I felt like a boy watching and envying grownups. Now that the film has finally been made, I'll be depending on actors and actresses I know primarily from youth-oriented movies to bring the book to life.
Kristen Stewart, in particular, is a stalwart of the Twilight series of Vampire movies in recent years. I'll try not to let that spoil things for me. Sometimes actors and actresses bring more life to a script than the author did.
My second hesitation is that the movie is scheduled to run 137 minutes. Considering that the book never really had a plot, the film is probably going to wander around as much as the characters did.
If you're ever looking to read a book about this era, I highly recommend Joyce Johnson's "Minor Characters" (1983). In it, she relates how she started going to Greenwich Village as a teenager, hanging around the folk and beat scenes. Eventually, being cute, smart, educated, hip and artistic, she knew just about everyone from every scene. After a blind date with Kerouac set up by Allen Ginsberg, she and Kerouac became friends, then lovers, then friends, then lovers, for years.
This book presents a detailed portrait of the Greenwich Village scene and Jack Kerouac and their relationship in the critical years 1957-1958, with Kerouac poised on the edge of being "discovered." "On the Road" had sat on various editors' desks for more than six years before it was finally published. Johnson was with him the night the reviews came out, nursed him through his hangover and new bout of drinking when the phones started ringing the following morning.
"Minor Characters" is tender, perceptive, loving and funny. It is beautifully written and quite literary and poetic without letting those qualities hurt the flow of the exciting narrative.
It is also required reading in many places as a brilliant portrait of the way women were brought up and expected to be the audience for art and music and literature, but never the performers. The feminist movement was just a few beats behind when Kerouac finally got the spotlight he'd struggled toward for so long.
Hugh's recent books, "Scenes from a Bookshop" and "Malcolm's Wine" are available at bookstores everywhere, most easily from Amazon.com.


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text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Texaco Staff School in Nigeria? Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Texaco Staff School in Nigeria? Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Africa Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message wjpJoined: 28 Sep 2005Posts: 7Location: USA Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: Texaco Staff School in Nigeria? I have a possible appointment to serve as English teacher at the Texaco Staff School in NIgeria. Has anybody worked for them? Is it a job to consider. The benefits look good. Also I am fairly new at this. Back to top BrooksJoined: 16 Jan 2003Posts: 1369Location: Sagamihara Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:28 am Post subject: Shell workers were recently kidnapped. And later released. Maybe workers get paid more for the risk involved. Back to top wjpJoined: 28 Sep 2005Posts: 7Location: USA Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: A definite scam. The job is through a scamoutfit called AS Consultancy, London and involves a "Mathew Fredrich". Beware of this scam. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Africa Forum All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


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Pill - Real Muthaphuckkin G's
The official video for Pill's "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" freestyle, from his upcoming 1140: The Overdose Gangsta Grillz tape with DJ Drama.
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Behind career days from Alex Wright and Katie Kauffman, the MIT field hockey team won its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener over Clark University, 8-2, on Sunday afternoon. Wright tallied a career best four goals while Kauffman set a new program record with five assists to help the Engineers move to 6-1 on the season. Clark falls to 4-2 (0-1 NEWMAC) with the loss.
Wright opened the scoring early, converting a penalty corner pass from Kauffman just 5:11 into the game. It was the first goal of her four-year career, having spent the majority of her time on the back line of the Tech defense. Jessica Oleinik knocked home a bouncing rebound just over five minutes later to give the Cardinal and Gray a two-goal cushion.
Wright and Kameron Klauber found the back of the net within 30 seconds of each other just a few minutes later and Klauber added a second marker, her team leading sixth of the season, with just under 20 minutes remaining in the half.
The NEWMAC's leading scorer, Mel Melkonian, put the Cougars on the board late in the frame on a feed from Katherine Rowe.
Wright added her third and fourth goals in the second half and Molly McShane found the scoring column for the first time this season. Meghan Lennon capped the scoring with help from Erin Murphy.
Kauffman was credited with an assist on all four of Wright's goals and four of her five helpers came after she started a penalty corner opportunity.
Melkonian, the reigning conference Rookie of the Year, now has 11 goals in 6 games on the season and is among the national leaders in scoring.
The Engineers will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting Nichols College in a rematch of the teams' 2010 NCAA Tournament opening round contest. The game begins at 6:00 p.m. on Jack Barry Field. Clark travels to Western New England College on Thursday, September 23 for a 7:00 p.m. start.


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Apr 30,2009
WHO: 11 countries report 257 flu cases
by UPI
GENEVA, Switzerland -- Eleven countries officially reported 257 cases of H1N1, or swine flu, the World Health Organization in Geneva reported Thursday.
The United States reported 109 laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, and Mexico, ground zero for the outbreak, reported 97 confirmed cases of infection, including seven deaths. Mexican health officials said they believe the virus is responsible for more than 150 deaths and more than 2,000 illnesses.
WHO broke down the lab-confirmed cases with no deaths as: Canada, 19; Spain, 13; Britain, eight; Germany and New Zealand, three each; Israel, two; and the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, one each.
WHO, which raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 5, its second-highest level, advised against restricting regular travel or closing borders.
People in Mexico braced for a five-day shutdown of offices, restaurants, schools and soccer stadiums beginning Friday. In a televised speech Wednesday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the shutdown would last until at least Tuesday.
The entire Fort Worth, Texas, school district shut down until at least May 8 after health officials reported four probable cases of swine flu among the district's 80,000 students.
Several Asian countries implemented their pandemic plans, including stepped-up border surveillance, after WHO raised its alert level.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta said they think the number of confirmed U.S. cases will increase as labs complete testing on cases now termed "likely" or "probable," The New York Times reported.
During a Senate subcommittee hearing this week on U.S. preparedness, Paul Jarris, executive director of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, urged senators to spend more than $1 billion to help states respond to a potential pandemic, Stateline.org reported Thursday. He said federal funding cuts and layoffs of healthcare professionals because of the recession could hamper states' ability to respond to a pandemic.
Reports of swine flu cases appeared in locations such as Peru, Switzerland and Japan, the Times said.
In China, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Vice Premier Li Keqiang toured the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing Wednesday and called on manufacturers to produce more face masks, sterilization chemicals and flu medicines.
Copyright © 2009, by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.


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Many rice producers will not be able to pay back their loans this December due to low prices and a couple of unfortunate features of the new farm bill.
According to Michael Salassi, an economist with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, in Baton Rouge, the most pressing problem is record low prices, which continue to tighten their death grip around the throats of Louisiana rice producers.
"Most of our rice is sold at harvest and right now, the market price is historically low," Salassi said. "The seasonal average price for Louisiana has not been below $4 per cwt. for a while, and I've looked all the way back to 1948-49. A few weeks ago, when a lot of Louisiana farmers were selling rice, prices were running $3.50 to $3.70 per hundredweight.
"That's why a lot of them can't cash flow or get financed for next year. Market prices are so low."
In addition, rice producers usually have enjoyed selling rice at a premium above the world price. From 1998 to 2001, the premium averaged about $1.44 per hundredweight. This harvest season, it has all but disappeared.
Government support has also declined. The combined farm program support from the new farm bill's direct and maximum counter-cyclical payment is around 98 cents per hundredweight below the average support during 1998-2001, which included emergency payments to farmers.
Salassi estimates that for water-planted rice in southwest Louisiana in 2002, a market price of $4.50, an LDP of $2.93, a fixed program payment of $2.35 and a countercyclical payment of $1.65 projects a residual return for rice producers of negative $68.93 per acre.
Residual returns represent net income to producers for payment of management costs and living expenses.
Since then, U.S. rice prices have fallen even further, while the LDP has remained constant. Losses are now closer to $95 per acre.
In addition, many rice producers can't afford to update their rice base under the new farm bill. And they need to, according to Salassi. Louisiana state yields average 5,200 to 5,500 pounds per acre, but the state average rice program yields are only around 4,000 pounds.
"If a rice producer in Louisiana only plants his paid base and the target price is $10.50 per hundredweight, he's going to end up with something less than $10.50 because the countercy-clical and fixed payments are only going to be paid on his program yield of 4,000 pounds as opposed to his actual yields," the economist said.
"So his income per actual hundredweight of rice produced is going to be less than the target price."
Under the new farm bill, a farmer can update his yield as long as he updates his base acreage at the same time. But many Louisiana rice producers significantly reduced their acreage during the update period. Salassi says the reduction is 75 percent for the entire state.
Essentially, for Louisiana growers "the drop in base in paid acres should they update would offset the gains they would make by increasing their yields. So they can't update yield because they planted so much under their base."
Some changes in Louisiana rice production appear imminent, according to Salassi. "If rice producers can't afford to update, they're going to have to determine how much income they have to have to cover the costs of producing a hundredweight of rice.
"Because most of them can't update, they're just going to have to plant significantly less than 85 percent of their base and use some of that extra payment on some land not planted in rice. That's pretty much the only option they have.
"I would suspect that you are going to see a drop in rice acreage in Louisiana next year," he added.
Another problem is the spread-out counter cyclical payment under the new farm bill. "Growers are not getting the final payment on the 2003 crop until September 2004, which makes the cash flow problem worse."
According to Salassi, rice producers in other states are having the same problem "in the sense that we all have low prices. Their situation is not as bad because their costs are not as high as ours and their yields are higher."
Louisiana Sens. John Breaux and Mary Landrieu introduced a bill on Sept. 20 that would authorize USDA to make a one-time economic disaster payment of $2.42 per hundredweight to Louisiana rice producers, based on actual 2002 production.
According to Paul "Jackie" Loewer Jr., chairman of the Louisiana Rice Producers' Group, growers in other states have also complained of similar shortfalls in cash flow. Therefore, the Louisiana bill might be modified to include other rice-producing states, with a one-time payment of $2.40.
If the bill is not passed, 20 percent of Louisiana rice producers would not be refinanced in 2003, according to Loewer. The pending bill offers some hope for those producers, but Loewer believes the bill "is still a longshot with the climate in Congress right now. But we have to try for it. It's the only thing we can do."
According to Mike Unkel, a rice producer on the board of directors for First South Farm Credit, "we do not anticipate any of our rice loans to cash flow for two reasons. First, we figure we're getting a dollar a barrel (162 pounds) less from the farm bill and $4 less from the market. This will not cash flow with the high costs."
Unkel says Farm Credit as well as other banks "will do some long-term financial restructuring for farmers with some net worth who want to continue to farm. They'll extend the debt out maybe five years. But there will be some who don't have net worth. But virtually no one will be able to pay their loan off at the end of December."


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UV-Protection by clothing
The best way to protect yourself from UV-damage outdoors is to cover up accordingly. Every piece of clothing will protect you from acute ultraviolet (UV-) radiation. The degree of protection provided by clothing primarily depends on the fabric type and density. The rule of thumb is the denser woven, the better protected. Even special UV-protective clothing is offered today.
However, wearing UV-protective clothing alone won't do. Beyond that, care must be taken to ensure that all parts of the body not covered by textiles are given additional protection with sunscreen suitable for your individual skin type, and to observe all sun protection rules! This is the only way to ensure broad protection from harmful effects of UV-radiation!
The level of protection provided by UV protective clothing is given by the so-called Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). The UPF, like the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a sunscreen, indicates the factor by which a person wearing sun protective textiles or UV protective clothing can extend their time spent in the sun without getting sunburnt. In other words, UV-protective clothing primarily protects against UV B radiation. When buying such textiles the consumer should mind not only the UPF but most notably the Standard referred to.
There are basically three Standards addressing the UV protective properties of textiles:
- the Australian-New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996),
- the European Standard (EN 13758-1), and the
- UV-Standard 801.
UV-Standard 801
While the UPF for both the Australian / New Zealand standard and the European Standard is determined on the basis of measurements performed on unstretched, dry textiles in mint condition, the UV-Standard 801 also involves measurements of wet, stretched textiles. Consequently, the "International Test Association for Applied UV Protection" has recommended measuring the UV-protection factor of all kinds of clothing and shade textiles according to the UV-Standard 801 which is based on the most unfavourable use conditions ("worst-case" scenario).
The textile material is washed within the scope of testing, wetted during measurement and stretched in a defined manner. The UPF is determined assuming a maximum of irradiation with the solar spectrum in Melbourne (Australia) at 1. January of a year (i.e. the peak of the Australian summer) and the most sensitive skin type for the wearer. Only the lowest UV-protection factor determined during the entire use test is declared.
In Germany the classification according to UV-Standard 801 is common.
Who should wear UV-protective clothing?
This clothing is particularly designed for individuals spending many hours in the sun – such as athletes, gardeners, builders or pool attendants. It is, however, also suitable for individuals with very sensitive skin, i.e. very pale, red-haired types and above all children because their skin is still very thin and susceptible to sunburn. The clothing usually is light, oxygen permeable and extremely fast-drying so that it doesn't even interfere with bathing.
State of 2018.04.13


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the story:
i went clothes shopping with some of my girlfriends since my hubby hates shopping. i decided to treat them all to a brand new outfit all charged on my husbands credit card. the store clerk was an old pal of mine which i had not seen in quite some time. she was in the same boat with the rest of us. all this time on her hands because her man doesnt spend quality time with her. so she closed up a bit early met us back at my condo and we decided to be there for each other if you get my drift.
if you like
these... you better take a seat, becuase the stuff inside is


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Description Balance Josh Sanders Vest:
The Balance Josh Sanders Series jumps off the springboard of the Divison Series' success. The Balance Josh Sanders Series uses the same material and fit technology from the older Division Series, but with 50% thicker buoyant/impact foam. This series gives another option for those who have enjoyed the look and fit of the Division Series, but might need a little more thickness to the vest. The Balance Josh Sanders Series is not a Coast Guard-approved vest.


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The ATP has commissioned a sculptor to create Terracotta Warriors of the best eight tennis players in the world to mark the Tennis Masters Cup, the prestigious circuit ending championship held in Shanghai, China. The life-size warrior statues will be created by French sculptor Laury Dizengremel in China and will be unveiled all together as a group on November 11 in Shanghai.
Check out the video of the sculptor at work on YouTube


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The Village of Monticello
The village of Monticello belongs to the municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti, in the province of Reggio Emilia, region Emilia-Romagna.
The village of Monticello is 4,47 kilometers far from the same town of Castelnovo ne' Monti to whom it belongs.
To the municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti also belong the localities of Bellaria (1,46 km), Bellessere (1,96 km), Berzana (4,38 km), Bondolo (3,94 km), Bora del Musso (2,87 km), Braglia (2,23 km), Burano (2,25 km), Ca' del Cavo (3,16 km), Ca' del Grosso (3,07 km), Ca' di Cagnola (2,60 km), Ca' di Magnano (2,91 km), Ca' di Regnola (3,85 km), Ca' di Scatola (7,61 km), Ca' Perizzi (8,02 km), Campolungo (3,04 km), Capanna (3,57 km), Carnola (2,33 km), Casa della Carita' (1,78 km), Casale (3,20 km), Case di Sopra (7,73 km), Case Perizzi (8,27 km), Case sparse (-- km), Casino (2,13 km), Casino di Ca' Cagnola (2,18 km), Casoletta (4,40 km), Castagnedolo (6,54 km), Castelnuovo Ne' Monti (-- km), Cerreto (4,69 km), Cerreto di Garfagnolo (5,06 km), Chiesa (7,66 km), Cinqueterre (3,53 km), Colombaia (4,94 km), Costa de' Grassi (4,82 km), Costa dei Grassi (4,78 km), Croce (2,74 km), Eremo Bismantova (2,02 km), Fariolo (7,72 km), Felina (6,27 km), Felinamata (8,40 km), Frascaro (3,02 km), Garfagnolo (4,90 km), Gatta (7,57 km), Ginepreto (3,54 km), Gombio (8,12 km), Maro (5,41 km), Monchio (8,67 km), Monchio di Villaberza (6,50 km), Monte Castagneto (5,56 km), Monteduro (5,02 km), Mozzola (1,10 km), Noce (4,59 km), Parisola (3,03 km), Pietrebianche (8,08 km), Pioppella (7,11 km), Pregheffio (4,27 km), Quarqua (2,91 km), Regnola (4,73 km), Rio (5,67 km), Rivolvecchio (5,31 km), Roncadelli (7,95 km), Ronchi (5,89 km), Roncopò (3,56 km), Roncosubio (5,77 km), Roncroffio (8,13 km), Salatte (7,54 km), San Giovanni (5,58 km), Sassocanino (4,85 km), Schiezza (1,63 km), Soraggio (7,20 km), Terminaccio (3,62 km), Vezzolo (2,40 km), Viacava (6,16 km), Vigolo (3,87 km), Villa Berza (5,74 km), Virola (2,59 km), Vologno (4,83 km), Vologno di Sotto (4,96 km), Zugognago (7,40 km).
The number in parentheses following each village name indicate the distance between the same village and the municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti.
Please notice that in what follows no statistic nor population data are available at the moment: the same are available for the Italian places having al least the status of municipalities ad for most of the villages too.
The distribution of the most commun family names is equally unavailable.
Please find in what follows:
- The banks in Monticello, when available.
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- Weather and weather forecast for the municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti, to whom Monticello belongs.
- Hotels in Monticello and its surroundings.
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- A selection of videos about Monticello.
In the hamlet of Monticello there is no bank.
Please look at the closest banks in the town of Castelnovo ne' Monti, to whom Monticello belongs.
There is no pharmacy in the hamlet of Monticello.
Please look at the closest pharmacies in the town of Castelnovo ne' Monti, to whom Monticello belongs.
The parishes in Monticello
There are no parishes in Monticello.
Please look at the closest parishes in the town of Castelnovo ne' Monti, to whom Monticello belongs.
Where to stay in Monticello and its neighborhoods
Hotels, Resorts, B&B in Monticello and its neighborhoods.
You can arrange the results by number of stars, by popularity, by distance or even by the guest review score choosing among young couples, mature couples, families with young children, families with older children, people withfriends, or solo travellers.
Free ads in Monticello
Most recent free ads in Monticello, municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti, province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna region, updated at 23:35:05, 19 January 2019. Place your free ad on Monticello: no registration needed. Place your free ad.
Up to now there is no free ad placed in Monticello
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Map and road map of Monticello
Look at the interactive map of Monticello and get the road maps, the satellite maps and the mixed ones too. Interactive maps of Monticello also allow an immediate view of: bar,restaurants,pubs,pizzerias,dancing,night clubs,banks,jewellers,beauty centers,hair stylists,supermarkets,pharmacies.
Just fill in the free text search box placed on top of the map with any of previous categories and then press enter.
Please feel free to use the same free text search box placed on top of the map to find any kind of business activities you're interested into.
Videos about Monticello Castelnovo ne' Monti, Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna
Several videos about Monticello, Castelnovo ne' Monti, Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna.
A first video is shown: clicking on the PLAY button the video will start.
Inside the video window there are several commands and a Playlist button: .
Press the Playlist button to access the complete listing of the available videos, along with their titles. It will suffice to scroll through the list using the cursor to select any of the videos.
Once the video started you can use the and buttons to scroll through the videos. Each video can be displayed in full screen.


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Open House
The Official Blog of Biltmore®
More From Biltmore
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Home Ideas & Inspirations
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A Monument to Art Preservation
Posted on 02/07/2014 by Leeann Donnelly Comments(5)
The new movie "The Monuments Men" starring George Clooney, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and Matt Damon, is based on a book of the same name by Robert Edsel. In his research and writing, Edsel captures the true tale of what has been called the greatest treasure hunt in history—an effort by a diverse group of art and museum experts to preserve European art masterpieces from theft and possible destruction during WWII.
You may be surprised to learn that Biltmore is mentioned in the book, and that George Vanderbilt's magnificent estate played a special role in preserving our nation's art treasures. In honor of this epic film that showcases the importance of art and the lengths to which nations and individuals will go to either steal or save it, we'd like to share our own part of the story.
In 1941, American leaders began to fear the possibility of an attack on Washington, DC. An air raid on a major U.S. city seemed likely. German submarines had been sited along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to North Carolina, bringing the war uncomfortably close to the American shore.
With that thought in mind, and with information from European sources about Hitler's relentless efforts to seize and stockpile art—much of which was damaged or destroyed in the process—David Finley, the new director of the National Gallery of Art, contacted Biltmore to discuss the possibility of sending some of the nation's most important art treasures there for safekeeping. Finley had visited Biltmore previously as a guest, and felt that Biltmore House was the perfect choice with its fireproof features and remote location. Edith Vanderbilt graciously agreed.
The unfinished Music Room on the first floor of Biltmore House was refitted with steel doors and other protective measures were taken, as outlined by the National Gallery of Art. On January 8, 1942, 62 paintings (including one of Gilbert Stuart's iconic portraits of George Washington) and 17 sculptures arrived in Asheville under heavy guard. Biltmore had opened to the public in 1930 as a means of promoting tourism in Asheville. Guests now walked by the Music Room, unaware that some of the world's greatest artwork was secretly hidden on the other side of the wall. The priceless artwork remained under 24-hour armed guard in America's largest home until the fall of 1944, well after the danger of bombings or invasion had ended.
Biltmore closed to the public in 1943 due to gas rationing and a lack of manpower. It re-opened to guests on March 15, 1946. The Music Room would remain unfinished until June 1976, 30 years after its special role in the war effort. For more information on this and other historic events at Biltmore, we suggest reading Lady on the Hill by Howard Covington.
Note: the movie also features actor Hugh Bonneville who plays Lord Grantham in the PBS series Downton Abbey. The series is often compared to the way of life at Biltmore.Return to Blog
Related Posts
Posted on 02/18/2014 By sbombace
Hughie, thank you for your comment. We did, at one point, share a location for Cornelia's bedroom based on anecdotal information in our archives. Since that time, however, we have learned that wasn't historically accurate. As a result, we do not know specifically which bedroom was Cornelia's and it is likely she lived in different rooms during her time in Biltmore House.
Posted on 02/17/2014 By Hughie T
Why as it been so hard to locate the daughters bedroom? I was there my first time in 1976 and the bedroom off the second floor living hall was decorated and in the tour guide as the daughters room. I think this should be the next project to do. I feel if you can locate the exact place a picture was over a 100 years ago it should not be that hard to locate her bedroom. To me this is the most asked question by guest.
Posted on 02/14/2014 By sbombace
Hello Peggy, thank you for your question. The exact location of Cornelia's nursery and bedroom is still unknown and so we don't have it included on our tours.
Posted on 02/14/2014 By Sherie L
Wow that is a great piece of history! Was that mentioned on the tour at Biltmore?
Posted on 02/12/2014 By Peggy E
I have visited Biltmore several times, and only until recently, realized that Cornelia's bedroom was never shown. Is there a reason for that, and where is it located?


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United States of America
In the Matter of
|ORDER INSTITUTING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING REMEDIAL SANCTIONS
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act").
In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent Michael J. Wright ("Wright" or "Respondent") has submitted an Offer of Settlement (the "Offer") which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as to the Commission's jurisdiction over him and the subject matter of these proceedings, and the findings contained in Section III. 2 below, which are admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions ("Order"), as set forth below.
On the basis of this Order and Respondent's Offer, the Commission finds that:
1. Wright is a resident of St. Simons Island, Georgia. During 1998 and 1999, Wright acted as an unregistered broker.
2. On February 20, 2003, an order of permanent injunction and other relief was entered by consent against Wright, permanently enjoining him from future violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act, in the civil action entitled Securities and Exchange Commission v. James L. George, Paul E. Brodhagen and Michael J. Wright, Civil Action File Number 1:02-CV-3310-HTW, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The order of permanent injunction against Wright directed that Wright shall pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest thereon, and a civil penalty in amounts to be resolved upon motion of the Commission at a later date. The order of permanent injunction also provides that for purposes of disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the civil penalty, the allegations of the Commission's complaint shall be deemed to be true, and Wright may not, by way of defense, contend that the disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the civil penalty should not be imposed.
3. The Commission's complaint alleged that, during the period from in or about early 1998 to in or about late 1999, Wright and others, while acting as Facilitators in Tri-Star Investment Group, L.L.C. ("Tri-Star"), fraudulently offered and sold securities in unregistered transactions, as part of a larger scheme in which Tri-Star and its promoters sold Tri-Star securities to over 900 investors in at least 35 states, and raised over $15 million. The complaint further alleged that Tri-Star and its promoters initially represented that Tri-Star would invest in bank debentures and later claimed that it might invest in other international trade opportunities. The complaint also alleged that Wright and others offered and sold Tri-Star securities directly and led investors to expect profits of 20% per month in so-called 13-month trading programs, after an initial 90-day waiting period, and that Wright and others lacked a reasonable basis to project such profits. The complaint alleged that Wright thereby violated Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a) and 77e(c)], Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)], Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], and Section 15(a)(1) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78o(a)(1)]. Wright consented to the entry of the order of permanent injunction without admitting or denying the allegations contained in the Commission's complaint, except as to jurisdiction and venue.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest to impose the sanctions specified in Respondent Wright's Offer.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED:
Pursuant to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, that Respondent Wright be, and hereby is barred from association with any broker or dealer.
For the Commission, by its Secretary, pursuant to delegated authority.
Jonathan G. Katz
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Modified: 06/24/2003