Beverly Hills High Gets a Subway System Underneath - No Riding The Big Yellow Limo to School

Perhaps, when you were growing up you rode the bus to school, aka; big yellow limo. Well, soon there will be a Subway underneath Beverly Hills high school, with a stop not too far away. People can take the subway to school, to go shopping, or to go to their jobs in Century City. You may not know this or not, and perhaps you do, but underneath Beverly Hills high school there is oil, and there is actually an oil derrick on the property. The locals who live in the neighborhood have mineral rights, and make money from this.

Of course, the people of Beverly Hills hardly want a Subway with traveling riffraff underneath their town, or even their high school for that matter. Because it is primarily a Jewish community, they also probably fear terrorism, and they have every right to. In any case, not many people in the local area want riders getting off at local stops nearby on that subway, or coming from the inner-city. There is enough trouble as it is around the edges of the neighborhood.

Well, it turns out after years of environmental impact reports, threats of lawsuits, and community outrage that there will be a Subway running underneath the school to Century City, as the LA Times reported on May 25, 2012 "Subway Dig OK'd Under Beverly Hills High" by Ari Bloomekatz. Indeed, I suppose this changes the entire dynamic of all the problems with what has been going on under the surface there for the last half century or more.

What is going on underneath that high school you ask? Well, how about; Tainted Water and Oil Drilling for instance? And as the oil is removed, and the oil rig goes dry, they certainly should expect continued oil drilling or use of new fractal technologies there, after all, the verdict is still out whether or not tracking causes small earthquakes, something that Californians are petrified and very fearful of.

Of course, the battle is never over, and the School District still claims that this is a preliminary decision and that there will be state and federal court filings - in other words, it's far from over and the debate may run for another decade or more, who knows. Maybe in the future sports teams will ride the subway, get off at Beverly Hills high school for a local football game in the school Stadium? Another question is what happens if they find something underground there, such as contaminated soil?

Will it become a future Superfund site? Will that high school be closed? Will there be huge lawsuits from the EPA, and environmentalists? The history of that oil drilling at that location is quite interesting, and there's actually a book about it, along with the tainted water issue. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on the Future of Education. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

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Flying to the Virgin Islands on the Cheap

The US and British Virgin Islands are the star attractions of the Caribbean. The islands' awesome mix of natural wonders, friendly atmosphere, and amazing resorts, is the reason why many tourists visit them all year-round. This is also the reason why traveling to these islands can dig deep into your pockets, however, there are some ways that you can save up on your tropical paradise vacation, by simply saving on your flight.

Many travel sites will tell you that traveling off-season is the way to go, and this is true. If you don't mind traveling without the herd, you can save serious cash in your visit to the Virgin Islands. It's just a matter of supply and demand really. The more people taking in flights, the more expensive the tickets are going to be. Peak seasons in the VIs are from November through May, while the off-season starts in the summer months to October. If you think about it, going off-season is making the most out of your summer vacation anyway, so it's a two-for-one deal.

You can also save up on the travel expenses by being a little flexible with your time. Certain airlines give cheap tickets for flight schedules that take in fewer passengers, just to fill in the seats. If you can bend your schedule for these types of flights then you're going to have more cash to spend on rum and grilled lobsters when on the islands.

Hunting for budget airlines is another way to go when flying on the cheap. With the help of the internet you can compare flight rates of different airlines that service the Caribbean. Big airlines in the US and UK usually give off deals for patrons looking to save some cash, so keep on alert for those. Also consider traveling in smaller planes; airlines such as Jet Blue, Spirit and ATA, have cheaper fares by default, and not only that, they also throw in irresistible budget deals.

Any constant traveler is quick to advise to travel light when boarding an airplane, especially if your visit is brief. The reason is not to uphold the chic traveler stereotype, but to avoid paying charges that airlines require for checked bags. Limiting your stuff and other gear to a minimum saves you from the hassle, and more importantly, save you money.

Trips from New York and Chicago to the Virgin Islands take about 3 1/2-5 hours. If you're flying within these areas, make sure you eat at home before taking your flight and bring some snacks like biscuits and crisps along, in case you get hungry. In-flight food and food sold on airport outlets are very expensive, so avoid getting hungry when flying. If you're taking a flight from California though, which takes about 7-8 hours, take a sandwich with you or buy something from outlets. They may be expensive still but they cost way less than those sold inside the plane.

Your dream vacation in the Virgin Islands waits for you, and it's not even going to cost you a fortune. If you're willing to travel during the summer break, and you're okay with bending your schedule to fit that of your chosen airline, you're pretty much there already.

Greg Hunt is a wanderer who has the knack for writing. Upon a trip to the Virgin Islands, fell in love with its hum and vibration. He currently resides in St. Thomas and works as a skipper for St Thomas Boat Rental.

Check out some of his works at Pirates Paradise Adventures.

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The Cost of a Probate Lawyer

If you need to hire a probate lawyer, then one of the considerations that you must think about is how much hiring such a professional is going to cost you. The price of this kind of lawyer is not the same in every area of the country. Every state has its own set of guidelines and statutes connected with the transfer of property after a death has taken place. It is the various requirements set forth by each particular state that form the basis for what the lawyer will charge in order to probate the estate for the deceased individual.

The size of the estate plays a role in the overall cost that the probate lawyer charges, as does the location of the estate. The average cost of hiring an attorney for probate if the estate is standard in nature is approximately $1,500. This amount is not written in stone, however, and can vary depending upon the details involved in distributing all of the assets within the estate. Probate lawyers must consider investigative searches they must make during the course of their work, as well as court fees and appraisals. All of these items factor into the final cost that the client will be expected to pay.

Should you hire a sole practitioner for probate work, the cost may be calculated differently than if you hire a law firm to do your probate business for you. A probate lawyer working on his or her own will charge the client a flat rate if the probate is very simple and straightforward. On the other hand, a firm is likely to charge the client per billable hour. This is an important distinction to make when you are searching for someone to do probate work for you. Firms generally round up their billable hours to the nearest quarter hour. For instance if you spend 12 minutes on the telephone with your attorney then it is likely that you will be charged for 15 minutes.

The cost of a probate lawyer must also take into consideration whether the case is testate or intestate. A testate estate means that the person who has passed on left a will. This reduces the overall cost you will pay to the legal professional, because the will provides a guideline for the distribution of property. The lawyer and judge will know from the contents of the will whom is the representative and how assets from the estate are to be dispersed as per the descendant's wishes.

If there is no will then the estate is considered intestate and there are additional expenses associated with this because the attorney and the courts need to do more work in this instance. Such cases entail the expense of searching for people and determining who gets which share of the estate. This adds up to additional costs for the client.

A professional Houston Probate Lawyer  is available to help you make the best arrangements for your family member's estate. Visit  http://www.tx-probate.com/ for more information today.

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Money Tips for the Frequent Traveler

ATMs and credit cards have made it easier for us to withdraw and exchange money whenever we go to trips abroad and it is also quite safe compared through other means. Although this may be true most of the time, it is still a possible to find ourselves stuck in a country where our plastic cards are not being accepted by the machine we are transacting with.

This may seem like bad news but fortunately, there are American banks that have started issuing credit cards that are now more accepted widely around the globe. Below are some tips on how you can manage your money and cards abroad.

Check for Foreign Transaction Fees
This is one of the things that you should consider as this can be very frustrating if it catches you off guard. Find out whether the issuer of your credit card charges you for every foreign transaction that you make. This is usually between 1% to 3% of the purchase and an additional 1% MasterCard or Visa fee in which the banks will be sending towards the customers they have. There have been some companies who have gotten rid of this feature as the government has started to require the card issuers to put a stop on these fees.

There are many finance websites in mobile broadband which provides a list of credit cards that do not charge their clients with transaction fees. One of the best credit card issuers out there that is a good example of this is from Capital One, which has started this trend a long time ago before other banks gotten into it.

Yet there are many of the credit cards being used by travelers that still impose this charge such as the American Express Delta SkyMiles card for frequent flier miles. There are also those that do not have big fees annually such as the Chase British Airways Visa which ranks at $95 per year. This type of annual fee is not really worth taking unless a person will be frequently traveling abroad or will be spending much using their credit card.

Find Out the Exchange Rate Beforehand
It can be daunting to think that each time you travel abroad, you find an ATM in the airport and then get stuck when the machine asks you how much money in the country you are looking to withdraw. This is not easy to ponder if you have no idea about the exchange rate. You cannot just tell the machine to give you an equivalent of the dollar amount you have in mind.

To save yourself from the hassle of panicking in an airport abroad, visit currency conversion websites in the Internet or learn about the exchange rate before the trip. Have it written down including the calculation of the amount you wish to withdraw before landing.

It is also recommended for travelers to check out the section about money in a guidebook of the country to see if there are any financial quirks going on. One example is that of many ATMs in Japan that do not accept foreign bank cards while those that do accept are only rare.

Go for a Credit Card That Has a Chip
There are many American credit cards toady that have outdated magnetic stripes, and a lot of people find out when they start using them from places around the world. Nowadays, these are no longer accepted as cards are shifting from those that have a smart chip instead. Although there are many merchants in Europe and Asia who accept vintage plastic swipe cards, there are many automated kiosks which no longer allow this and can be a problem when trying to travel through train subways and stations.

Stephen Will X Kim is connected with top of the line technology companies for over 12 years. He is an expert on finding and assessing the latest trend in broadband and mobile broadband to keep readers updated with what's hot and what's antiquated. Boosting your internet connection at home is something that can be done without calling in a professional. To learn more about high speed internet, see the Broadband Expert

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Bankruptcy Myths Busted

Bankruptcy Myths:

Myth 1: The new bankruptcy laws have made it too difficult to eliminate your debt.

False. The new bankruptcy laws only changed the method by which consumers qualify for the different types of bankruptcy. They don't prevent people from filing under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 and in most cases people are still able to get the same relief now as before the law changed.

Myth 2: I'll lose everything I have.

Not true. While every state has different exemption laws, In Oklahoma, most people who file bankruptcy do not lose anything they want to keep.This is because Oklahoma has strong exemption laws that protect certain property like your house, your car, household goods, IRAs, retirement plans and a major portion of you personal injury claims from being seized by your creditors. In the rare event you have property that cannot be protected with an exemption you can file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy that allows you to catch up on late payments, puts a hold on spiraling interest rates and enables you to keep your house, car or truck as long as you continue to make the current payments.

Myth 3: Everyone will find out I filed for bankruptcy.

Unless you're a famous politician, movie star, professional athlete or the star of your own reality television show, the chances are very good that the only people who will know you filed for bankruptcy are your creditors. While it's true that bankruptcy is a public legal proceeding, the numbers of people filing are so massive, very few newspapers have the space, the manpower or the inclination to run all of them. In fact, with millions of people filing every year, it's likely that someone you know recently filed for bankruptcy without you ever finding out about it.

Myth 4: Only irresponsible people file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy laws in this country have their roots in the Old Testament bible."At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD's release." Deuteronomy 15:1-2

and the United States Constitution. Bankruptcy is a way to allow Americans to start over after a life-changing experience, such as a divorce, loss of a job or a serious illness. In these tough economic times it is not uncommon for good people to struggle to pay their bills month after month only to keep falling further behind due to high interest rates, late fees and unfair penalties. Filing for bankruptcy protection has provided millions of hard-working people the fresh start they deserve.

Myth 5: Bankruptcy will ruin my credit for at least 10 years.

Not true. The confusion arises because most people mistake their credit report (a summary of your payment and credit history) with their actual credit (your ability to borrow money). While it is true that a bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years, it is also true that you can start to rebuild your actual credit as soon as your case is discharged. Bankruptcy will erase most of your debts and greatly improve your debt-to-credit ratio, making you more attractive to lenders who see that you are now able to afford the payments on new debt and know that you are not eligible to file bankruptcy again for 8 years.

Myth 6: After I file someone will come to my house to look for assets they can liquidate.

It is extremely rare that someone comes to your house to inspect your property and assets. All that is required is that you list all your possessions on your bankruptcy schedules, which are completed under oath.

Myth 7: Bankruptcy will not get rid of your back taxes.

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. If you always filed your taxes on time, any taxes you have owed for more than 3 years could be wiped out in bankruptcy. Other taxes can be paid off through a Chapter 13. There are several qualifications that have to be met in order for the taxes to be wiped out.

Myth 8: Once you have decided to file for bankruptcy you can max out all of your credit cards and the debts will just be erased.

Wrong. Running up your credit cards in anticipation of erasing all your debts by filing for bankruptcy is considered fraud. If either the trustee or judge assigned to your case thinks you have engaged in this sort of behavior, they can not only deny your bankruptcy petition, they can also refer you to the United States Attorney's office for possible criminal prosecution. Understand that the trustee assigned to your case will review all the purchases you made right before filing and she knows what to look for.

Myth 9: You can pick and choose which debts to include in your bankruptcy.

False. You have to list all of your debts, the creditors who hold that debt and the property that you own. You cannot discriminate between creditors, even if you want to keep paying them. If you feel like paying a specific debt after the bankruptcy that is your right, but you will not be obligated to do so once the debt is discharged.

Myth 10: If you are married, both you and your spouse have to file bankruptcy at the same time.

This is not the case. It is up to you whether to file together or separately or not at all. In many cases it makes sense for husband and wife to file together, but in some instances the spouse might not want to file. This is absolutely fine and definitely allowed by the court. However, both spouses who continue to reside together must fully disclose their income for determination of if the one filing qualified for bankruptcy and passes the means test.

Myth 11: There is no reason to file bankruptcy if you are unemployed and don't own any valuable property.

For some people this statement is true. If you have no assets and no income it may be impossible for creditors to collect on any judgments against you. However, you may want to file bankruptcy anyway to improve your credit. And while you may be unemployed now, when you go back to work your creditors could garnish your wages. You should still seek an attorney's advice concerning if - and when - you should file bankruptcy.

Terry D. Bigby is a licensed bankruptcy attorney practicing in Tulsa Oklahoma and Northeastern Oklahoma. Contact Bigby Law Office for more detailed information or to get help filing for bankruptcy

http://www.bigbylaw.com/

or 800-699-5893

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Barristers Core of Legal System

Barristers are legal professionals and have years of experience in this field. They are generally high court lawyers with a strong motive of law and justice in mind. Their main area of work is limited to the courtroom. Since they are not allowed to enter into a partnership firm so they form an association having various barristers specialized in different law cases. And this association is known as barristers chambers.

They are generally known for their services that are not only limited to individuals but also extend it to the organizations. As we all know, competition is increasing at a very fast pace and because of this there arises a greater need of legal advisor. And in such situations civil barristers are the best option. They not only assist in your daily working by giving legal advice but can also fight for you in the court if the need arises.

Apart from this barristers also have greater demand in today's business world. This is mainly due to their expertise in handling legal issues and other matters related to the workplace. Their main contribution is towards the employee's related matters. Some companies also give them authority to hire employees for the company and to design different term contracts for different sectors. Along with this, they also assist you in various property or real estate related matters that are of greater concern for any organization.

Along with their services in civil cases some of them are great in criminal cases. To be a successful criminal lawyer one need to be defensive and have the capability to do influential legal arguments. And you will find these qualities in a good barrister. Moreover, you don't have to go in search of different barristers at different locations. You can easily find different barristers specialized in different sections of law at one place, which are the barristers chambers.

Nowadays, these chambers have also made their own websites. There are various small and large barrister chambers. Small ones generally have two or three specialized barristers; while the large ones have more barristers specialized in a wide gamut of law categories. So in case of urgency, you can also hire the services of best barrister online. This will not only save your time but also gives you the best services to fight for justice. They are also well known for negotiation because of which they bring quick justice for the innocent and the accused.

Now, you can start counting on them for swift justice!

Given the fact that there are hundreds of Barristers Chambers finding the right barrister can be a tough choice. The author has written several articles to help clients and solicitors look for competent Barristers. He has also written extensively to help people choose competent lawyer, especially Criminal Lawyers.

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The Virtues of Being Selective While Shopping for Grand Canyon Bus Tours

Covering about 1.2 million acres, Grand Canyon National Park is a huge expanse of untouched wilderness. Part of this 270-mile gash in the Earth's surface is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, while another portion is located in Kaibab National Forest. It's one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and every Las Vegas visitor should see it. I recommend booking a bus tour if a day trip like this sounds appealing, but you might want to read the following tips first.

Grand Canyon bus tours are all-day events. Most of them are all-inclusive, meaning the price includes a continental breakfast (coffee, juice and a pastry) and a simple lunch. Dinner isn't included, but you'll be able to duck into a restaurant, snack bar or convenience store for that. If you're choosy about your food, bring something that will satisfy your taste buds. Bring some of your favorite snacks, too.

How old the motor coaches used by a tour company is important. You'll be on the bus for a long time, and you'll want to make sure it's safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, some tour companies cut corners, and one of the first places they try to save money involves the quality of their buses. Look for buses that have tinted windows, comfortable seats, individual air conditioning units, and pull-down window blinds. You'll also want clean restrooms, plenty of personal space and big windows for sightseeing.

Be sure to pick one of the Grand Canyon bus deals that stops at Hoover Dam to let you take photos. Don't book one of the bus tours that drive over the Hoover Dam Bypass and continue on straight to the Grand Canyon. The best tours drive over the bridge and then double back to the dam on the Arizona side, because that particular view is best for photos. Your bus will stop there in the morning because you'll be heading back to your Vegas Strip hotel late in the day.

Most Grand Canyon bus tours give you more than 3 hours at the canyon itself. Anything less than two just isn't enough because there's so much to see and do. You'll be happier with your tour if you book one that gives you the longest possible time at the canyon. Some of the points of interest you'll want to see at the West Rim are the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Eagle Point, Guano Point, the Indian Cultural Center and Hualapai Ranch. Grand Canyon Village, Yaki Point and Mather Point are must-sees at the South Rim.

If possible, reserve your bus tour before you arrive in Sin City and at least 3 days in advance. There are a few reasons for doing this. First and foremost, these tours are very popular and tickets sell out fast. Also, you probably don't want to be arranging things while you're on holiday- book ahead so you can enjoy yourself instead. Plus, you'll pay more if you buy your tickets in Las Vegas, especially if you buy them through your hotel tour desk or at a booth along the Strip.

Keep a watchful eye on fees. Some of the more common ones I see are ones related to fuel and park fees, as well as the most ridiculous one wherein the company requires travelers to pay for their meals. You should also remember the old saying: "All that glitters is not gold." If you see any unbelievably cheap Grand Canyon bus deals, they're probably too good to be true. Avoid them because they're probably loaded with extra fees. They may also have onerous cancellation policies that require you to notify the tour company you're cancelling a full day before your tour in order to receive all your money back.

Travel writer Ione Mahler is one of EzineArticles' experts on Grand Canyon tours. For the best canyon bus tours from Las Vegas, she recommends visiting this page: http://www.grandcanyonbusdeals.com/grand-canyon-bus-deals.html

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