Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
On Amelia Island in the northeast corner of Florida, Fort Clinch State Park (floridastateparks.org) spans more than 1,000 acres of woods, wetlands and beaches. Trails for both hiking and bicycling meander through the park's shady, secluded landscape, and visitors can explore the area at their own pace beneath a canopy of palm, live oak and magnolia draped in Spanish moss.
Cherokee, North Carolina, 180 miles west of Charlotte in the Appalachian Mountains, is 40 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town has a tourism-based economy, with attractions that include the Oconaluftee Cherokee Village (cherokeesmokies.com), the Museum of the Cherokee (cherokeemuseum.org) and Sequoyah National Golf Club (sequoyahnational.com). Four state parks within 70 miles of Cherokee have campgrounds, and offer hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Amsterdam is a perfect city to explore, small enough to be manageable and yet large and vibrant enough to provide plenty of interest. Walk the squares, plazas and beside the canals lined with historical buildings; explore the art, the history and the mercantile and maritime tradition. The vibrant nightlife of Amsterdam draws as many visitors as art and history, and you can combine the pleasure with education at attractions that focus on alcohol, drugs and sex.
The Blue Ridge Mountains form a craggy, green backdrop for the city of Greer, South Carolina, midway between Greenville and Spartanburg in the state’s northwestern corner. State parks (southcarolinastateparks.com) within a half-hour drive of the city capitalize on the region’s heavy forest, natural and man-made lakes and mountain peaks. South Carolina’s state parks charge a nominal entry fee and remain open year-round, though some facilities may close on holidays.
A far cry from the more European cities of eastern Guatemala, the department of Quiche in the northern highlands offers visitors a glimpse into the country's deep Maya roots. From ruins sacked by the Spanish to bustling market towns that still preserve Mayan languages and customs, the history and the present of the Maya people are on full display here.
At California's Castle Crags State Park, which lies in the Sacramento River Valley and provides scenic vistas of its namesake granite spires that soar up to 6,000 feet, you have the chance to truly immerse yourself in nature. Take an exhilarating swim or drop a fishing line for rainbow trout in the rushing waters of the Sacramento River, or hike the park's 28-mile system of trails that take you deep into the Northern California wilderness. If you'd like to stay overnight, the park has dozens of year-round campsites.
Chief Logan State Park is set amid West Virginia's southern coalfields at the heart of Hatfield and McCoy country, where the infamous families carried on their often-fatal feud in the 1880s. Named for an 18th-century chief of the local Mingo Indian tribe, the 4,000-acre park includes an outdoor amphitheater with regular performances, a museum that explores the state's history and a host of recreational amenities. If you wish to stay overnight, the park has a small campground near the banks of Buffalo Creek.
Located about 15 minutes from Ithaca, New York, Robert H. Treman State Park (nysparks.com) spans 1,072 acres along Enfield Creek, which tumbles over 12 waterfalls on its way down the Enfield Gorge. Though perhaps best known for its waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, this state park also has opportunities for hiking, fishing and swimming. If you'd like to stay overnight, you can choose among tent campsites, RV sites and cabins.
Despite its name, the Texas mountain cedar tree (Juniperus ashei) actually belongs to the juniper family (Cupressaceae). Also known as the Ashe juniper and rock cedar, Texas mountain cedars are small, multiple-stemmed trees that bear dark green, slightly saw-toothed leaves and large cones. These low-maintenance trees only need an occasional light pruning.
There are more than 38 million people in the country who are considered to be living at or below the federal poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau reports that roughly four million of the people who live at these levels reside in Texas. Through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, those considered to be poor can receive assistance in their housing needs as long as they meet certain guidelines.
Enjoying a recreational outing with your sweetheart can help ignite the spark of romance. Conroe, Texas and its surrounding area offer a variety of romantic activities for couples looking for active or relaxing date ideas. The Conroe city center is located within a seven-mile radius from the man-made Lake Conroe, a popular resort location known for its water sports and romantic vistas.
A bookkeeper handles the books of accounts in a company to ensure that all expenses and income are recorded and reconciled. Proper bookkeeping is essential for the success of a business as it enables the management to know whether the operating capital is adequate or whether the business is making profit. The state of Texas has various requirements that you must fulfill if you want to become a bookkeeper. While state certification is optional, you must possess a degree in accounting and take a state-approved ethics course.
Car insurance is required by law in every state, although car insurance coverage terms and minimum coverage amounts differ from state to state. At the state level, insurance laws dictate how insurance carriers must act with regards to paying out insurance claims and other related issues. When a subrogation claim is filed against you in the Texas by an insurance company as a result of a car accident, you and your insurance company are responsible for the damages caused if the accident was your fault.
Alimony payment or spousal support, as it is called in Texas, is awarded to those who may have depended on their spouses for their financial support. Certain conditions of the marriage must be met before spousal support is granted in Texas with the judge taking your and your ex-spouse’s employment situation into consideration. If you feel that spousal support has been unjustly awarded and your ex-spouse is collecting payments to avoid employment, you can speak to an attorney about appealing the court’s decision.
Embalmers prepare the deceased for visitation, memorial services or burial. Embalming requires knowledge of anatomy, embalming procedures, health and safety. Embalmers also need to learn by observing and working under the supervision of experienced embalmers. Embalmers are required to be licensed in Texas, which ensures applicants have the experience and knowledge required to practice.
Leaving a job can be a relief for some people who did not fit the corporate philosophy of the company or were unable to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. However, if the job gave you relevant experience, you will need to use your past employer as a reference. If your employer is located in Texas, you may wonder what the company will say about you when a hiring authority calls to inquire.
Texas, like other jurisdictions, treats debt as the responsibility of the individual who incurred it. As such, children don't necessarily inherit debt after a parent's death. However, a parent's debt does need to be paid out of the parent's estate. This effects children because it reduces the amount of inheritance children receive. That said, however, children do not typically become personally liable.
Under Texas state laws, all manicurists in the state must have a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Because of this, you cannot work in Texas only with a Florida manicurist's license; however, with a Florida license, you can apply for an expedited license in Texas through the state's reciprocity program.
Garnishment, or the confiscation of your assets and income to pay your creditors, is a painful process with long-lasting effects on your finances and, potentially, your career. The types of assets that can and cannot be garnished are defined by state and federal rules. Federal regulations prohibit the garnishment of 401(k) plans in any state, including Texas, except under very specific conditions.
Activities coordinators, also known as recreation therapists or activities directors, help care for the needs of nursing home or medical facility residents by offering a wide variety of social programs -- such as hobby groups, religious meetings, arts and crafts, nature programs and community gatherings. While the state of Texas does not license activity coordinators, laws state that activity directors must be qualified personnel with training or experience in delivering therapeutic recreation programs. Although there are many paths to gaining the necessary qualifications, certification through the Texas Consortium for Therapeutic Recreation/Activities Certification (CTRAC) provides assurance to employers that you possess…
Indian artifacts are being found all around Limestone Lake in Texas. The lake spans three different counties in central Texas and covers more than 12,500 acres of land mass. The lake had the Tawakoni, or Tehuacana, and Waco Indians living in the area. Once barren land, Limestone Lake was created when dams were inserted along the Navasota River. Since so many Indians lived in the area, several archaeological digs are being conducted at many of the Indian locations.
The Texas Workforce Commission reports that the need for morticians or funeral directors in the state will increase by nearly 19 percent from 2008 through 2018. A license is necessary to become a mortician in Texas. The Texas Funeral Service Commission issues licenses to individuals who meet educational and other requirements.
While on the surface Texas may appear similar to most U.S. states, upon closer examination new Texas residents will discover Texas' distinct cultural and geographical features. Texas is the largest state in the continental United States and the only state to join the U.S. through a treaty. Since entering the union in 1845, Texas has become renowned for its own cuisine, proud sports culture and well-preserved natural landscape
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, which are part of the federal Social Security Administration (SSA), are available nationwide, including Texas, to people meeting certain eligibility requirements. Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit payments are regulated by state law and agencies in Texas. While the normal situation is that a person receiving SSDI is unable to work and thus unemployed, sometimes the recipient can be eligible for both SSDI and UI.
Undertakers -- more commonly called funeral directors -- serve in a time-honored and always in-demand profession. Texas employed more funeral service professionals in 2010 than any other state, with 2,190 workers, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For state residents, working as an undertaker acts as an accessible and stable job choice. There is no standard formula for becoming an undertaker, so Texans can choose their own routes to success in the funeral service field.
In the 2004 video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," main character CJ and his friends are always looking for more ways to make money, and they think a casino heist is their ticket to fast cash. In the "Dam and Blast" mission, CJ heads to the Sherman Dam to plant explosives before he attempts the heist. When CJ's team starts the heist, they plan to blow up the explosives to cut the power at the casino. To complete the mission, sneak into the Sherman Dam, plant the explosives and escape before the cops find you.
Avatars are graphical characters that appear on your PlayStation profile. An avatar can be a character that depicts the PlayStation user or his alter ego, such as a super hero or a villain. PlayStation offers more than 300 avatars that users can insert in their profiles. An avatar can be changed on a PlayStation on the XMB home screen.
Each state in the United States has different laws and regulations regarding bartender certification. Texas has various alcohol laws and regulations, including those that serve it, according to Server Certification Corporation, which offers training courses for the hospitality industry. Bartenders in Texas must complete a certification program before handing a drink over the counter to a paying customer. The certification can be completed at home on a personal computer.
When someone dies in Texas, his estate must be officially administered through a process known as probate. As part of the administration of the estate, creditors must be notified that the person died and given an opportunity to file a claim against the estate. If you are legally appointed by the court to administer the estate, you must include all known debts in the probate process.
When a Texas court emancipates you, you're responsible for making decisions about your life such as where you work, live and how you spend your money. The state, however, doesn't take rights away from parents without careful considerations and proof that severing legal ties is warranted. Thus, you have to meet requirements to prove to the court that you can make decisions for yourself -- without help from your parents or any other adults.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), an employee in Texas is entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for a family medical situation such as the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or the care of himself, a parent, spouse, son or daughter for a health-related condition. The FMLA requires an employer to reinstate the employee to the same or equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits and whatever other terms and conditions the employee had prior to taking leave. If the employer does not comply, the employee is entitled to sue to…
Activity directors work in adult day care centers as well as assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to keep residents and clients active, sharp and entertained. Although some states have little or no regulation on activity directors, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (TDADS) mandates both experience levels and educational criteria.
A political action committee (PAC) is a private group that raises money for electioneering activities. A PAC can be affiliated with an organization or special interest, or operate specifically to elect or defeat a particular candidate. Federal PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Committee while state PACs operate under the state's own elections guidelines. A PAC for a Texas state election must file with the Texas Ethics Commission. Starting your own PAC gives you a stake in a campaign and a place at the political table while bringing attention to an issue or candidate you feel strongly about.
It is a difficult decision to dissolve a business, particularly if the owners of the company cannot agree on how to operate the business. Texas entities, like a limited liability company or corporation, must file the appropriate form with the Texas secretary of state. A majority of the company's members or shareholders have to agree to dissolve the business, which is documented in a written resolution. Partnerships and sole proprietorships in Texas do not have to file dissolution documents with the Texas secretary of state to end the business.
Savannahs are large areas of grassland that predominate in Africa. They are in India and in some northern regions of South America. The dominant forms of plant life in the savannahs are grasses and small plants. There are some trees, but they are fairly uncommon. However, there are other wooded plants in the form of thorn woodlands. Many varieties of birds live and breed in these areas.
Electricians specialize in installing and repairing electrical systems in all types of buildings. In Texas, as in other states, in order to practice the profession, electricians must undergo classroom and apprenticeship training plus pass an exam in order to receive a state license. Electricians who move to the state from other parts of the country can receive an electrician license if their previous state has a reciprocity agreement with Texas. Five states have reciprocity agreements with Texas, four for journeymen certification and one for master certification..
The best areas for vending are generally the high-traffic business, school and tourist areas that have a lot of traffic around them. Apart from the demand coming from the target location, the competition and availability of products sold within the area also affect the viability of vending installations. Fast-paced cities where people are always on the go, especially those in offices, universities, stadiums, hospitals and lounge areas, are some of the popular spots where investors install vending machines with drinks, snacks, junk foods, gumballs or cigarettes.
Though Hurricane Ike was predicted to make landfall near Port Aransas, it ended up hitting the southeast Texas coast about 100 miles to the north on Sept. 13, 2008. Though weather reports predicted otherwise, Mustang Island, where Port Aransas is located, did not get any rain from the storm and winds never exceeded 30 miles per hour. The areas surrounding Houston, Galveston, and Port Arthur suffered considerably worse damage, but Ike did temporarily affect life in Port Aransas in a number of ways.
The Salvation Army, working in cooperation with Travelers Aid International and Greyhound Bus Company, has a tradition of providing meals, shelter, social services assistance and transportation for those lost or stranded along highways with no way of getting home. In addition to weather emergencies that force travelers into Salvation Army shelters, certain Salvation Army centers operate a Stranded Travelers Program that will help travelers "return to communities where they have family or social support, and will have a better opportunity to attain self-sufficiency."
Elk are members of the deer family of ungulates. They are social animals that live in herds. There are three types of elk in the United States: the Roosevelt elk, the Tule elk and the Rocky Mountain or American elk. They live in grasslands, meadows and areas that have been clear-cut, as long as these areas are interspersed with woodlands for cover. With a few exceptions, all have habitats in the western parts of the U.S.
Though it shares Lake Erie with Pennsylvania and New York, the state of Ohio itself has more than a hundred natural lakes that cover a surface area of 4,658 acres. Of Ohio's 88 counties, these natural lakes can only be found in 21. Summit County tops the list with the highest number, but Portage County has the largest total area covered by natural lakes.
Arizona was admitted as the 48th state of the United States in 1912. Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon State," Arizona is in the southwestern region of the United States. It is known for its desert climate and mountainous features. The state had a population of about 6.5 million in 2009. Arizona's capital is Phoenix.
Only loading and unloading is permitted at the San Antonio International Airport's terminal curb areas. If you need additional time to check-in or pick up a passenger, especially during the airport's peak periods of Spring Break, mid-July to early August, Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Years, parking options are available within and outside of the airport. Not only does the airport have different parking areas, but different payment options as well.
San Antonio, Texas, offers several extracurricular and training programs for teens who are interested in modeling and acting. Teens can choose to enroll in career-oriented, private acting lessons or playful theater summer camps. Those teens who are interested in modeling can also take classes or sign up with a local modeling agency in the city.
Texas is well known for its open-pit barbecue, using hardwoods such as oak or hickory, which allows the wood smoke to permeate and scent the meat. Low and slow cooked beef, in brisket or rib form, cooked over wood embers kept steady around the 250-degree point, is usually the star of the show at many Texas open-pit barbecue restaurants. Smoked sausage and ham, barbecued chicken and turkey, and signature side dishes, breads and desserts round out menus found in popular Texas barbecue pits frequented by long time residents and travelers alike.
Port Isabel is a small town in the Texas' southern Gulf Coast, and is located just 2.5 miles from South Padre Island. This small community has family-friendly activities and attractions, but also offers retirees and newly relocated folks plenty of adult activities and fun. Because of its seaside, south Texas location, Port Isabel runs the game in terms of real estate, but there are options for most budgets. There's no formula for how to live in anywhere, but knowing about restaurants, real estate, entertainment, and education can make the decision-making process a little bit easier.
North-central Texas is home to a multitude of communities ranging from small, sleepy towns such as Pelican Bay to large, thriving metropolitan cities such as Arlington. Whether you are looking for rest and relaxation when you retire, or some glamor and excitement, the north-central part of Texas has something for everyone. A study by the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement (NCCCR) once listed Texas as the number two retirement destination in the country.
The city of Conroe, named for lumberman Isaac Conroe, offers a myriad of activities for families throughout the year. Conroe, located at the edge of Sam Houston National Forest, is a vacation destination where you can find something to do to please everyone -- no matter what your family members' interests are.
Texas has a checkered past in relation to gold prospecting with greatly exaggerated claims and not much gold to show for it. The total Texas gold production from the 1870s to 1940s was a mere 8,277 ounces, compared with millions of ounces mined in Nevada during the same time. A prospector looking for gold around Van Horn or any place in Texas will need a lot of patience and even more luck, but it is possible to find some gold there.
Photographers visiting or living in Grapevine, Texas, can dedicate many days to photographing the area's rustic beauty, historical locations and town events. The town, within a 30-minute drive of Dallas, puts great effort into creating an atmosphere that provides friendly and easily accessible sites for its citizens and tourists. Photographers may take advantage of the photo opportunities that Grapevine offers.
