the basic details about law enforcement careers

Have a look at the law enforcement career list below to find the job that best matches your interests and skills. Once you decide, you can start browsing the Law Enforcement Job Openings available.

Law enforcement career list by type of job

A law enforcement officer can occupy three basic types of jobs: uniformed officer, investigator/detective, and support staff. The daily activities and duties of police officers and detectives differ according to their specialty however they all have one thing in common in addition to keeping us safe: writing reports and maintaining well-kept records of the incidents they deal with. This is of particular importance when they have to testify in court, for example. Here are a few details about each type of job, that you might be interested in.

Uniformed officers
Uniformed police officers have an enforcement role. Their general law enforcement duties and responsibilities include regular patrols as well as responding to calls for service. Other duties include directing traffic at the place of an accident, giving first aid to victims, or investigating burglaries. Doing paperwork and responding to calls also takes up a great part of their working day.

In smaller towns the uniformed police officer may patrol alone but in some areas, especially larger urban areas, this can be done with a partner. The larger police agencies are organized into districts/precincts and each patrolling officer has a specific region to cover. The officers become familiar with their patrol area and while on patrol they remain alert for anything that looks unusual or suspicious. While on their shift, the uniformed officer may identify, pursue and arrest suspected criminals, resolve community problems, respond to domestic violence incidents, etc. Many urban police agencies practice the so called “community policing” – an officer builds relationships with the citizens of a neighborhood and mobilizes them to assist in fighting crime by learning what to watch for be providing information to the police.

Uniformed police officers may also have some investigative functions , however, a police agency usually has a separate investigative division. A police officer is usually promoted to these investigative positions as a result of their good work and qualifications.

Examples of uniformed officer jobs include:

Local Police Officer – operates locally in a city or town under a chief of police.
Deputy Sheriff – similar to a police officer but operates at a county level under the sheriff, who is usually an elected official.
State Trooper – also called state police officer or highway patrol officer. They arrest criminals and patrol highways and are in charge of enforcing motor vehicle laws and regulations.
Border Patrol Agent – patrols borders and deals with illegal immigration
Special jurisdiction Police Officer – they have special geographic jurisdiction and serve transportation systems or facilities. These are public college and university police forces, public school district police and the like.
Fish and Game Warden – they enforce fishing, hunting and boating laws. Their duties include patrol of hunting and fishing areas, response to complaints and calls, conduct of rescue and search operations.
Investigators and detectives (plainclothes officers)
The second large branch of law enforcement career opportunities includes the investigators, detectives, and special agents, or the so called plainclothes officers. Detectives gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews with suspects and witnesses, participate in suspect observations, and in raids and making arrests. Some detectives are part of inter-agency task forces that deal with specific crimes such as fraud, human trafficking, drugs, etc. Detective are assigned to a specific cases and work the case until it is resolved, which may include an arrest and trial. In police agencies uniformed police officers can become investigators through promotion or advancement. In other specialized criminal investigation agencies, such as FBI or the Secret Service, you may be hired directly to work as a Special Agent in an investigative division.

Some job examples for plainclothes officers include:

Criminal investigator
Detective
Immigration inspector
FBI Agent
US Secret Service Special Agent
Air Marshal
Support Positions
The support positions in law enforcement are as important as the uniformed and plainclothes officers. Usually these are professionals who support the investigation and deal with things like categorizing evidence, ballistic tests and examinations, lab tests and experiments. For example, the person in charge of inventorying the evidence is called an evidence technician. Often the support positions are with larger agencies or crime labs. The job openings are filled by personnel hired specifically to do that job or by officers and agents who have advanced in their career.

If you want to occupy one of the law enforcement support positions, you may choose between:

Criminal Analyst
Evidence Technician
Firearms Examiner
Crime Lab Technician
Hand Writing Examiner
Intelligence Analyst
Investigative Assistant

chicago suburb real estate

Welcome to your local Western Suburbs homes for sale and real estate resource. Chicago’s Western Suburbs are the perfect place for any buyer who wants to enjoy life outside the busy streets of Chicago. Communities such as Naperville, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, and the dozens of similar towns surrounding Western Chicago offer residents terrific school systems, great home values, and a top-notch, comfortable living environment. Most of the suburbs West of Chicago are located in either DuPage or Will County, which can certainly be a major tax advantage in comparison to neighboring Cook County, where Chicago is located. Search real estate on the market in Northwest Side by zip code with our zip code directory. For information about Chicago, Illinois Western homes for sale or to schedule a private showing, contact your expert Chicago area real estate agents today. Read more about Western Suburb real estate.

the basics of acquiring a us visa

The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.

Qualifications
If you apply for a B-1/B-2 visa, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that you qualify for a U.S. visa in accordance with the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 214(b) of the INA presumes that every B-1/B-2 applicant is an intending immigrant. You must overcome this legal presumption by showing:

That the purpose of your trip to the U.S. is for a temporary visit, such as business, pleasure, or medical treatment
That you plan to remain in the U.S. for a specific, limited period of time
Evidence of funds to cover your expenses while in the United States
That you have a residence outside the U.S., as well as other binding social or economic ties, that will ensure your return abroad at the end of your visit
Personal or domestic employees and crew members working aboard vessels within the Outer Continental Shelf may qualify for B-1 visas under certain circumstances.

Some foreign nationals may be ineligible for visas according to The Immigration and Nationality Act. You can read more about The Immigration and Nationality Act and visa ineligibility here.

Application Items
If you apply for a business/tourist visa, you must submit the following:

A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 webpage for more information about the DS-160.
A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
One (1) 2″x2″ (5cmx5cm) photograph. This page has information about the required photo format.
A receipt showing payment of your non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, paid in local currency. This page has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State’s website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

the importance of doctors visits for children

As a parent, ensuring your child’s health is a top priority. Regular doctor visits for your kids are a cornerstone of their well-being. Let’s explore why these visits matter so much.

Preventive Care: Regular check-ups help catch health issues early, giving your child the best chance at a healthy life.

Vaccinations: Doctors ensure your child receives essential vaccinations, protecting them and the community from preventable diseases.

Growth and Development: Pediatricians monitor your child’s growth and development, addressing any concerns promptly.

Establishing Trust: Consistent doctor visits help children become comfortable with medical settings, reducing anxiety.

Health Education: Parents receive valuable advice on nutrition, safety, and child-rearing from healthcare professionals.

Remember, these visits are not just about treating illness; they’re about keeping your child healthy, happy, and thriving in Milwaukee, WI.

You want the best for your child, and that includes ensuring their health and well-being. One of the most important steps you can take to promote your child’s health is to prioritize regular doctor visits. These visits are not only essential for addressing illness when it arises but also for preventing health issues and ensuring your child’s optimal growth and development.

Let’s delve deeper into why these visits are so important:

1. Preventive Care: Catching Issues Early
Regular doctor visits for your child are a key component of preventive care. During these check-ups, healthcare providers can assess your child’s overall health and well-being, monitor their growth and development, and detect any potential health issues early.

By catching health issues in their infancy or early stages, healthcare providers can intervene promptly, often leading to more effective treatment and better outcomes. Preventive care visits may include age-appropriate screenings, vaccinations, and developmental assessments, ensuring that your child receives the care they need to thrive.

2. Vaccinations: Protecting Your Child and the Community
Vaccinations are a crucial aspect of pediatric care. Doctors administer vaccines to protect your child from a range of preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and more. Vaccinations not only safeguard your child’s health but also contribute to community immunity, reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

During well-child visits, healthcare providers follow recommended vaccination schedules to ensure that your child receives the necessary immunizations. Keeping up with vaccinations is a responsible and compassionate way to protect your child, as well as those who may be more vulnerable to infections, such as infants and individuals with compromised immune systems.

3. Growth and Development: Monitoring Milestones
Pediatricians are experts in child development. They monitor your child’s growth and development milestones to ensure that they are progressing as expected. These milestones encompass physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.

Regular well-child visits provide healthcare providers with an opportunity to assess your child’s developmental milestones, identify any potential delays or concerns, and offer guidance on fostering healthy development at home. Early intervention for developmental delays can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for children.

4. Establishing Trust: Reducing Anxiety
Consistent doctor visits help children become familiar with medical settings and healthcare providers, reducing anxiety and fear associated with healthcare visits. When children know what to expect during appointments, they are more likely to feel comfortable and less apprehensive.

Building a positive and trusting relationship with healthcare providers early in life sets the foundation for a lifetime of responsible healthcare-seeking behavior. Children who have positive experiences with healthcare providers are more likely to seek medical care when needed as they grow older, which is essential for maintaining good health throughout life.

5. Health Education: Valuable Guidance for Parents
Well-child visits also offer an excellent opportunity for parents to receive valuable health education and guidance. Healthcare providers can offer advice on a wide range of topics, including:

Nutrition and healthy eating habits for children

Safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries

Recommendations for age-appropriate physical activity

Guidance on managing common childhood illnesses and ailments

Tips for promoting mental and emotional well-being in children

Information on age-appropriate developmental activities and milestones

Parents can ask questions, share concerns, and receive evidence-based guidance from healthcare professionals who specialize in pediatric care.

Outreach Community Health Center is committed to providing comprehensive pediatric care. We understand the importance of regular well-child visits in ensuring the health and well-being of your child. If you have questions about your child’s healthcare or need to schedule a well-child visit, don’t hesitate to contact us. Your child’s health is our top priority, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

free grants for home improvement repair costs

A grant is a form of financial aid that the recipient does not have to repay. Federal, state and local governments, along with other organizations, issue grants to those who qualify.

But there are limits to how you can use these free home repair grants. You cannot use the funds to pay for cosmetic home improvements. Instead, you must use the money to repair health and safety hazards or make the home more handicap-accessible.

Since tax revenues fund government-backed grants for home improvements, they frequently have strict rules and auditing procedures. Many grants are competitive; even if you qualify for a grant, you may not necessarily receive it. To boost your likelihood of getting the grant, you should apply for it as soon as possible.

Types of home improvement grants
The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) – This HUD program provides grants to state and local governments that can be used to create affordable housing options for low-income households. State or local governments that receive HOME funds distribute the money to individuals in the form of grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or other types of financial support. Eligibility requirements include meeting home income limits set by HUD.
Section 504 Home Repair Program – This program provides loans and grants to low-income and elderly homeowners, respectively, to help cover the cost of repairing or modernizing their single-family home. To qualify, you must be a homeowner and live in the home. In addition, you must be unable to qualify for affordable funding options elsewhere, and you must meet income requirements. To qualify for grants, you must be at least 62 years old.
Native American Housing Improvement Program – This program offers up to $60,000 for repairs or renovations to help improve properties and bring them up to code. To qualify, you must be a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or an Alaska native. Additional requirements include living in an approved tribal service area and not having an income that exceeds 150 percent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Poverty Guidelines. Your current housing must also be substandard under program guidelines, and you must be unable to obtain housing assistance elsewhere.
Area Agency On Aging – This program, administered through state governments, helps senior citizens improve their properties to make them more livable. Requirements and availability of funds vary by state and county. To find out more, search for your local program.
Home improvement grants for veterans
VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant – Designed for veterans who have service-connected disabilities, the SAH grant provides support for building, remodeling or purchasing an adapted home. The maximum amount of funding available through this grant for 2024 is $117,014. To be eligible, you must have a service-related disability.
VA Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant – If you have a qualifying service-related disability, you may be able to get this grant to help you buy, build or change your permanent home. In 2024, the maximum amount available per grant recipient is $23,444.
VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant – These grants are available to veterans who are temporarily living in a family member’s home that requires modifications to meet their needs. To qualify for this funding, you must be eligible to receive the SAH grant or the SHA grant. In addition, you must be temporarily living in a family member’s home.
Compare: Current VA loan rates
How to apply for home improvement grants
You can apply for federal home improvement grants for homeowners by contacting your local HUD office or visiting its website. HUD can let you know what grants are available in your area.

Building the Professional Library Infrastructure in Sierra Leone

Introduction

Developing countries are characterized in one way by shrinking economies. Sierra Leone is one such country that despite government and donor support, education has been a major challenge. The situation has been worsened, due to the fact that libraries have been neglected. According to the African Development Bank (ADB) Sierra Leone Country Office (2011), the total funds provided for education by the ADB/ADF finances up to 2010, was about US$ 22 million. The project supported the construction of Ninety Eight (98) primary schools, Fifty Four (54) Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), Eight (8) Vocational Skills Training Centres and Twelve (12) duplex housing blocks for teachers. The project also provided training for Four Thousand and Fifty (4,050) teachers. Teacher manuals were also made available. However, nothing was ever made available for library development. This neglect of libraries, means that libraries in Sierra Leone with limited resources, have to work together in order to meet the information needs of their users. One library may not be able to effectively and suitably meet the information needs of all its users. Library cooperation is therefore, urgently needed.

Library Scene in Sierra Leone

The country has all the different types of libraries; they range from public, academic, special to school libraries. In addition to these are information and resource or documentation centres that provide library and information services. Furthermore, there are museums, such as the National and the Peace Museums, and the National Archive which also provide information services.

However, the Sierra Leone Library Board (SLLB) which was established by an Act of Parliament in 1959 serves as the domain of the provision of library and information services in the country. It functions as both the National and a Public library. To date it has a Central library and headquarters located in Freetown, Regional branches in Provincial headquarter towns, and branches in all District towns, totaling twenty one (21) libraries [One (1) central and headquarter library, three (3) regional libraries, sixteen (16) branch libraries, and two (2) sub-branches].

Libraries in Sierra Leone are therefore, institutions for the storage and dissemination of information; are for users; they provide users with guides and other finding lists; they provide adequate access to the documents or records users may wish to consult; they have subject arrangement; and they are cost-effective.

Library Cooperation

The term cooperation describes the joint action of two or more parties for mutual benefit. Library cooperation means exchanging cataloguing records, building complementary collections, exchanging library materials by inter-library loan and document delivery service, joint purchasing of library materials or automated system, providing services to each others’ users. Library cooperation is also described as an agreement, combination, or group of libraries formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member.

There are different types of cooperative activities and some of the most popular activities are reciprocal borrowing, union catalogues or lists, photocopying services, cooperative reference service, delivery services, cooperative acquisition arrangements, subject specialization in collection development, centralized cataloguing and card production, as well as central storage of materials.

Burgett, Harr and Phillips (2004) asserted that there is evidence that cooperation among libraries to share resources goes back to a long way, at least to the first half of the 13th century, when monasteries developed what we would today recognize as union catalogs of manuscripts to aid in their scholarly activities. Musana (1991) indicated that information resource sharing has been in existence as long as libraries and other types of information services. The existence of a library is itself a form of cooperation. Many libraries came into existence because a group of individuals with a common desire and aspiration wanted to put a collection of materials together for use by the group members. Historically, the driving force behind the evolution of resource sharing concept was the desire to satisfy the felt needs of the user population. Earlier, each library was an entity, serving or trying to serve the needs of its own users and purchasing materials to meet their primary needs.

Beenham and Harrison (1990) however noted that a combination of circumstances made it increasingly difficult for an individual library to be self-sufficient. These circumstances include:

a tremendous increase in knowledge and a corresponding growth in publishing;

the spread of education from primary to university level which lead to greater and more diverse demands on the public library services by a much more literate public;

the advance of technology with its effect on industry and commerce and the necessity for employers and employees to develop new skills and techniques; and

increased opportunities for travel and international economic cooperation, which demand up-to-date information about foreign countries.

Existing Library Cooperation in Sierra Leone

There has been increased pressure for libraries in Sierra Leone to cooperate, including plans to create networks thereby making way for resources to be available to users. As such what has obtained is as follows:

Lending of materials – libraries lend materials to each other officially and unofficially to help their users;

Donations – large libraries donate to smaller libraries materials mostly books for their users;

Photocopying – these are available in most libraries. The lending library will copy the needed material and send a copy to the requesting library without having to send the original;

Exchange of cataloguing data – cataloguing data is given to other libraries. The Sierra Leone Library Board (SLLB) provides its data to school libraries that cannot do this technical work properly.

There have been some benefits with these kinds of cooperation existing in the country:

Availability and access to information – there has been significant reach to information by users, since other libraries’ resources can be tapped from;

Lower cost – funds are saved due mainly to the fact that some expensive materials are not purchased as long as they are accessed in another library;

Experience sharing – the exchanging of staff and information provides a platform for learning from each other, especially with cataloguing data; and

Collection development – each library tends to build its collection to the maximum point, narrowing the focus, and at the end building a strong collection.

Notwithstanding, the real benefits that such cooperation should bring about have not been fully realized. Thus, there are certain steps that libraries should take to make this workable.

Building the Infrastructure of Cooperation

The following are essential steps to be taken into account for an efficient cooperation between libraries in Sierra Leone if significant achievements are to be made.

Ensure common understanding and trust. There must be an established better working relationship among and between libraries where common understanding and trust are built up. A continued interaction and exposure of one another resources must be maintained. This can be done by sharing of expertise and experience, signing of Memoranda of Understanding, dialogue to allay fears, and to respect what each party can offer. Exchange of staff if necessary must be done.

Learn from advanced libraries. Furthermore, lessons can be learn from how other national and international cooperation is being conducted. Cooperation is not a day event but something that must be encouraged and built upon. There must be room for trial and error as well as correction of past mistakes.

Management must provide the leadership. Each library management must take upon itself to lead the process successfully. There must be the political will and the willingness to share resources, as well as prioritizing the move towards cooperation. Management must be willing to make positive compromises to reach the desired goal.

Networking and collaboration. The move towards cooperation should not be a one man show. Cooperation can consist of voluntary agreement among libraries, or it can be imposed on libraries by Library Laws or by responsible ministries that fund libraries. It is essential that the participant libraries be willing to work together towards common goals.

Provision of funds. One of the benefits of cooperation is to save cost. However, every library must provide funds for the processes involved. This is particularly so for processing and technical services functions. These must be taken care by individual libraries. As such funding should be provided.

State intervention. In the context of the developing countries state intervention would be called for to enable coordination of a nation’s total library and information resources and ensure adequate funding. This is particularly important given that on the whole libraries in Sierra Leone do not have large enough capital base of their own to invest in such equipment as computer hardware and software, and telecommunications. However, state control must not be allowed to exceed co-ordination as this may to some extent have an effect on the zeal, initiative and the goodwill of participating libraries, institutions and the individual professionals.

The Challenges in Building the Infrastructure of Cooperation

In spite of the benefits accrued in cooperation, there are real and perceived challenges, which, unless properly dealt with, could minimize the chances of even the best conceived scheme taking off. In Sierra Leone, these are:

Overcoming the culture of hoarding – the culture of greed and selfishness that has eaten up the very fabric of society. This has affected even library practice. Libraries are to amass information for the general good of the society.

Limited collections – where participating libraries have not built up their collection to a minimum standard to allow for exchange, they are to grow their collections to some measurable status to ensure fair participation.

ICTs infrastructure – the marked lack of sufficient Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a worrisome issue for cooperation in this 21st century.
Purchasing and installation of ICTs is very crucial, as well as the education and training of staffs for use.

Staffing – some of the participating libraries have untrained and unqualified staff as a major obstacle. Also, most staff are concerned about their status, efficiency, job security, salaries, and autonomy or independence, and this has affected the synergy. If the fears of staff are to be dispelled through proper sensitization and education, capacity building also must be undertaken.

Management – management must take decisive steps towards cooperation.

In conclusion, information to libraries is as money to banks; it is an indispensable input in the development process of the nation. However, to be effective it has to be optimally available and accessible from every corner if possible. Library cooperation if properly planned and executed offers a solution to a lot of problems faced by libraries, librarians and other information professionals in developing countries as Sierra Leone. Valls (1983) has provided the last words, “cooperation between information centres and the co-ordination of efforts needed to efficiently share resources implies the existence of an infrastructure linking the centres to one another.” This library infrastructure must be built up as it would assist in fostering self-help, exchange information, change society, improve productivity and work life, and share resources.

What Indoor Rowing Taught Me About Food

When recently asked to discuss nutrition “worsts” for athletes, I zeroed in on one. But I think it applies to the holidays, too. Let’s take a look.

Taking an off-season with food is as energy-damaging as it gets.

My endurance coach, Jim Karanas, used to say, “Endurance athletes don’t mind expending energy, but they don’t want to waste it.”

Wasted energy is energy spent with no performance payoff. And the wasted energy of a food off-season is considerable:

  • It wastes physical energy for your body to deal with junky food.
  • It wastes time and energy to get things back on track for the next athletic season.
  • It wastes effort to correct bad habits, weight gain, mood swings, loss of motivation – and to re-create the right training state.

What stress on body and mind?

It reminds me of the terrible habits professional sports teams used to have when I was a kid. They’d actually stop all training during their off-season and then have to use the pre-season training period to get back in shape. Really. Think of the time, effort and money that took. Fortunately, pro athletes no longer do that.

But some non-pros may still do it with food.;

How Can Indoor Rowing Help with Food?

In the book The Stress of Life, Hans Selye defines stress as anything that takes the body out of homeostasis. If clean eating is your habit during your sport season – whatever that may be – then letting your nutrition slide is stress on your body.

And once you’ve established the new, junky pattern, shifting gears to get back to healthful habits again is additional stress on your body.

A few years ago, I learned a concept from the best rowing coach I know (and I’ve had several). Because he’s such a talented instructor and coach, he deserves a shout-out: Duncan Kennedy, who rowed with the U.S. national team from 1993 to 1994. He knows his stuff and loves to teach.

Duncan suggested that his indoor rowers use an outdoor rowing technique called Battle Paddle. In a crew boat, even during recovery moments, the rowers need to be in sync to prevent an 8-oar free-for-all.

So the strokes are just relaxed paddling, but the team stays in formation. Most importantly, the rowers are ready to drive into action as soon as they receive the signal. That vigilance underlies the relaxation at all times.

How about an athletic off-season that mirrors this concept with food – and becomes the nutrition equivalent of Battle Paddle?

Keep food intake – quantity and quality – under control, perhaps allowing an occasional dessert, say, once a week. From that point, driving into action for the next season will be a simple and disciplined matter.

How Can Battle Paddle Work for You?

Why can’t non-athletes use this concept during the holidays? Too often, my clients let food pandemonium take over – with all the stress that puts on the body, and all the effort they have to go through to undo the damage when January gets here.

Ideally, we’d all avoid troublesome foods all year. But choose your Battles, right?

If you can’t bring yourself to avoid holiday goodies this season – and if you really believe you can handle it (although that may not be true!) – stick to your healthful guidelines just 99% of the time.

Like rowers on the water, maintain the discipline of good form. Relax only enough to have the occasional – and that’s the operative word – treat.

Please keep in mind that this plan may backfire for anyone with an addictive reaction to specific foods, especially foods with sugar. I’m in that category, so my holidays will NOT be done in Battle Paddle mode. It’s better for me to stay away from trouble altogether. I encourage my clients to do the same, but the decision is theirs.

Instant Travel Loans & More About O’Spicy Calicut

Travel loans have become a convenient way to fulfill all your travel dreams without having to worry about money. This is because you can easily opt for quick personal loans from online lenders and pay back over time without compromising on your monthly budget. This week, I would like to tell you more about a quaint coastal town in Kerala and why that travel loan would be worth it.

A land where whiffs of ‘Sulaimani’, the local black tea follow you around! Where the legendary ‘Kozhikode Biriyani’, Banana Chips and ‘Kozhikode Halwa’ hold their own amidst the greatest of Asian cuisines! Where you can soak up the Mystique Malabar and become one among them in no time at all…

Here’s your answer if you are wondering why you should endure a 5 hour journey from Cochin to Calicut. And that is not all. You can just congratulate yourself on stumbling upon an offbeat experience oozing with warmth.

Forever a flourishing spice trading coastal town, Calicut, the erstwhile seat of the formidable Zamorin Empire has a particular draw- the Kappad beach to trace the trail of Vasco Da Gama’s first step to the nation back in 1498- something that changed India’s destiny drastically for hundreds of years to come. Or hop to Beypore to watch colossal shipping vessels called ‘Urus’ being manufactured. More than touristy, Calicut is more of a break from your regular Kerala trip that encourages you to do nothing but absorb the friendliness & serenity flowing all over.

A hunting ground for Ayurveda treatments and ethnic spices, both a terrific hit among the travellers and locals alike, you’ll feel the small town getting bigger and bigger in your eyes. If you are a fan of quietude, we suggest you visit Harivihar Ayurvedic Retreat, a mere 10 minutes from the main town by rickshaw. Calicut Ayur on the banks of Iruthully River too is an idyllic choice. These retreats are so designed that the moment you step inside, the outside noises seem to magically disappear. Quite tempting, isn’t it, to sign up for a massage session?

If interested, you may check out the local Kerala Martial Arts Centre nearby. Clangs of swords and urumi (a very traditional & even more dangerous weapon) add to the surreal experience watching the fighters moving with frightening agility.

A visit to the Theeram Nature Conservation Society around 30 km away from the north of Calicut can shake awake the hidden naturalist in you. The story of its inception is that inspiring. Gobsmacked to find that the Olive Ridley turtles, a part of their staple food, a bunch of local fishermen of Kolavipuram shore to rig up a small turtle hatchery. If you’re visiting Calicut during November to December, you may catch sight of female turtles appearing on the beach to lay eggs, which will hatch in 2-3 months.

People jokingly say that Calicut has more textile shops and eateries than natives. Though a huge exaggeration in itself, you will kind of agree as you walk past oodles of such enterprises. The popular ‘Mittayi Theruvu’ (Sweet Meat Street), close to Mananchira Square is a lively testimony to that. Wandering amidst the street with the swirling mass of busy people can consume your entire afternoon. Its narrow lanes seem to course with the din in tiny sarees and chappal shops punctuated with bakeries that are essentially ephemeral Pandora boxes of pleasures.

As you raise hands to bid farewell to this small town, you will muse that getting off the beaten path was worth it.

Alimony, Support and Division of Assets Explained in Pennsylvania

Spousal Support

Spousal Support is available to a married spouse, when the couple resides in separate homes and one spouse earns more than the other spouse. There are defenses against spousal support and it is important to have an attorney assist you in your claim for or against spousal support.

Alimony Pendente Lite

Alimony Pendente Lite is a type of support that is limited in nature and paid to the lesser income earning spouse by the higher income earning spouse in accordance to a statutory formula until the divorce is finalized. This support was enacted to equalize the parties incomes during the divorce proceedings and allow each spouse to afford the divorce process and expenses.

Alimony

In Pennsylvania, there is not a set formula to determine post-divorce alimony. Whether or not to award post-divorce alimony payments lies within the exclusive discretion of the court. The court relies on the following 17 factors to determine whether to award post-divorce alimony.

The 17 Factors of Alimony

  • The relative earnings of both spouses.
  • The duration of the marriage.
  • The ages and physical, mental and emotional states of the two spouses.
  • The sources of income of both spouses. This includes medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits.
  • The expected future earnings and inheritances of the two spouses.
  • The degree to which one spouse has contributed to the other spouse’s education, training or increased earning potential.
  • The degree to which a spouse will be financially affected by their position as the custodian of a minor child.
  • The standard of living of the spouses established during the marriage.
  • The relative education of the parties. This also considers the amount of time it would take for the spouse seeking alimony to acquire the education or training necessary to find employment.
  • The relative assets and liabilities of the two spouses.
  • The property each spouse brought to the marriage.
  • The degree a spouse contributed as a homemaker.
  • The relative needs of the two spouses.
  • The marital misconduct of either of the spouses during the marriage.
  • The federal, state and local tax consequences of the alimony.
  • Whether the spouse seeking alimony lacks sufficient property to provide for their reasonable needs.
  • Whether the spouse seeking alimony is incapable of supporting themselves through appropriate employment.

[1] Title 7, Pennsylvania Code, §6102.

Division of Assests

In Pennsylvania “marital property” means all property acquired by either party during the marriage and the increase in value of any non-marital property acquired. However, marital property does not include:

Veterans’ benefits exempt from attachment, levy or seizure pursuant to the act of September 2, 1958 (Public Law 85-857, 72 Stat. 1229), as amended, except for those benefits received by a veteran where the veteran has waived a portion of his military retirement pay in order to receive veterans’ compensation.

Property to the extent to which the property has been mortgaged or otherwise encumbered in good faith for value prior to the date of final separation.

Any payment received as a result of an award or settlement for any cause of action or claim which accrued prior to the marriage or after the date of final separation regardless of when the payment was received.

Property acquired prior to marriage or property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage.

Property excluded by valid agreement of the parties entered into before, during or after the marriage.
Property acquired by gift, except between spouses, bequest, devise or descent or property acquired in exchange for such property.

Property acquired after final separation until the date of divorce, except for property acquired in exchange for marital assets.

Property which a party has sold, granted, conveyed or otherwise disposed of in good faith and for value prior to the date of final separation.

Pennsylvania states that the increase in value of any non-marital property acquired pursuant to subsection shall be measured from the date of marriage or later acquisition date to either the date of final separation or the date as close to the hearing on equitable distribution as possible, whichever date results in a lesser increase.

Using Advertising Flags to Increase Your Sales

If you are going to establish a new business, know that it is not going to be an easy job. Starting a business is not about setting up a new office. As a matter of fact, the most difficult part of running a new business is getting it promoted the right way. Nowadays, you can use advertising flags for the promotion of your products and services. You can find a lot of promotional tools in the here and now. As far as choosing marketing tools is concerned, you have a lot of things to choose from. One way is to use advertising flags. Let us know more.

Advertising flags

Since technology has introduced so many ways of promoting products and services, the conventional methods have experienced a drop in popularity. They have not lost their usefulness but new methods have rose in popularity with the passage of time. Flags for advertising were used in the past and they are still very effective.

If you have made your mind to make use of this marketing tool for your business, we suggest that you learn to use them well. Given below are some tips that may help you.

Offer discounts

You can make your customers glad by offering special discounts. And for this purpose, this tool can work in an effective manner. All you have to do is put these flags on the sales counter or other areas of your office or store. The thing is that you have to place them somewhere where they can catch the eyes of the visitors.

New products or services

Another way to use them is to put them outside your physical store like the car roofs, hotels, shopping malls, busy streets and restaurants, just to name a few. if you have a new product or service to promote or you want to give a huge discount, this marketing tool can help you a lot. Just put them somewhere where you know that a lot of people see them.

Online business

The use of advertising flags is not limited to new launches and deals. You can also use them for improving your web presence, and endorsing different contests, just to name a few.

Trade shows and exhibitions

If you are going to take part in a big exhibition or show, you may be excited to see a huge audience. You may want to let the people know about your presence or participation in the event. If your prospective customers don’t know about you, they are not going to get in touch with you. Therefore, what you need to do is make them aware of your presence in an easy way. And one way of doing so is to use a promotional flag. All you have to do is put them up at the right place so that others could see it.