North Carolina Living

Monday, November 5, 2007

How To Pick An Attorney In North Carolina

How To Pick An Attorney In North Carolina

All attorneys are not created equal. Selecting an attorney must begin by finding one that is qualified to work in family court, criminal, dwi, divorce, and so on. The best way to find a good attorney is from someone who has had personal experience with the attorney and can give you a positive recommendation. This is still a good way to learn about an attorney's reputation. Anyway, be cautious and take your time in finding the right attorney.

Always look for an attorney who is experienced in the particular area of law that is needed. Though the competent attorney's hourly rate is usually higher, I have learned that by the time the case is completed, the competent attorney costs were usually cheaper.

Remember you are paying for good representation and not specific results. Be suspicious of any attorney who makes promises about the outcome of your case.

Select an attorney who has a proven track record in the county where your case will be heard. Ask how many divorce cases they have had in the past year.

Usually a friend who has had experience with a particular attorney in a case similar to yours is an excellent source for getting the name of an attorney.

The local bar association will help you by giving three names of local attorneys. Keep in mind that the bar association will give you names of attorneys specializing in domestic relations and have an office close to where you live or work. The names do not take into consideration the attorney's reputation or competency.

It is important to be cautious when hiring a big-name attorney for a divorce case. These attorneys usually have a reputation because they specialize in criminal law and may require expensive retainers. Your reason for hiring a high profile attorney may be to intimidate your spouse or his attorney. The strategy rarely works.

You should interview the prospective attorney before deciding to hire him. After all, the attorney will be interviewing you to see if he or she can work with you and if you have the money to pay your bill.

Look for an attorney who is interested, empathetic and knowledgeable of the law.

Going through any litigation is stressful, even if you have a strong case and are the plaintiff. In fact, the one thing you will learn from going to court is to avoid, if at all possible, going to court. Even so called winners find the experience emotionally grueling. To lessen the stress, you may want your attorney's reassurance that he or she will win your case. Though your feelings are understandable, your attorney can only represent you on the strength of the evidence and the law. They cannot guarantee you that the judge will decide in your favor.

Because you are angry, you may think that hiring a big-name attorney will intimidate your spouse or the other attorney. This rarely happens. Most experienced attorneys know each other and are not intimidated by the opposing attorney. Any intimidation is usually the client's illusion and not shared by the attorney. In fact, be cautious when hiring a big-name attorney for a divorce case. Most big-name attorneys have gained their reputation from criminal rather than divorce cases. If the attorney takes your case, he or she will be very expensive and may have little interest in your case. I once watched a big-name attorney mistake the client's girlfriend as his client. He was embarrassed and apologized.

Know in Advance How Fees Are Determined. The least expensive hourly rate is not always the cheapest attorney. Ask the attorney about their hourly fees and what you are getting for the money. Many attorneys will charge for their time on the phone, doing research, or standing in line to file papers. You should know ahead of time what you are paying for so you are not surprised when you get the bill. Remember that attorneys are in business to make a living and are not a charitable institution

Monday, October 22, 2007

North Carolina Fishing Holes

North Carolina Fishing Holes

North Carolina offers world-class fishing in diverse settings such as icy mountain streams, sprawling Piedmont reservoirs and rolling coastal rivers. The NCWRC has made finding a fishing hole easy by maintaining Public Fishing Areas (PFA) and Community Fishing Program (CFP) sites. Check out these sites and the mountain trout maps, to find your next fishing spot!

Public Fishing Areas (PFA) have been created throughout the state to provide free fishing opportunities from the banks of North Carolina's lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs. The Wildlife Resources Commission has enhanced fishing opportunities at PFAs by clearing banks of underbrush, and in some cases, by constructing handicapped-accessible fishing piers, creating graveled or paved parking lots, installing fish attractors, or baiting the areas with grain or fish feed.

Community Fishing Program (CFP) sites are located primarily in city- or county-owned parks, providing urban anglers fishing opportunities in intensively managed bodies of water. Community Fishing Program sites feature solar-powered fish feeders, handicapped-accessible fishing piers (at most CFPs), and periodic stockings of harvestable-sized channel catfish from April through September.

North Carolina Designated Public Mountain Trout WatersThese maps are provided to give anglers a guide to fishing regulations in effect on specific streams. They also provide locations of all waters open to public trout fishing. Designated waters are shown in thick colored lines that correspond to colors of existing signs conspicuously posted at major access areas to trout waters. Undesignated waters are shown as thin light blue lines. As an additional guide, game lands boundaries are also displayed. Please consult the current NC Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Regulations Digest or see the trout regulations for further information. Also see Fishing News.

Coldwater Stocking by County
Coldwater Weekly Stocking Update
Warmwater Stocking List
Community Fishing Program Stocking List
Stocking your lake or pond
Fish Stocking Permit: Required for stocking fish, mollusks or crustaceans in inland, public fishing waters (public freshwaters).
How does the Wildlife Commission make decisions about stocking?
Fishing Seasons

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

North Carolina Zoo Events

North Carolina Zoo Events Oct 2007 - Dec 2008

Visit The North Carolina Zoo website

Special Events
KidZone ► Opening March 27, 2007 -
Hey kids! Do you enjoy looking for bugs, climbing and running or making mud pies? Would you like to learn how to grow and eat your name? Well, check out all the fun things you can do at the kidZone - a special place just for KIDS opening this spring at the North Carolina Zoo.

ZooFest ► October Saturdays, 2007 -
Fall festivals at the NC Zoo! Celebrations of the exotic, the endangered, and the mysterious for the young -- and young at heart

October 6 - Native American Art, Dance, Music and MysteryOctober 13 - African Art, Dance, Music and MysteryOctober 20 - HOWL-O-Ween – Hear the howls and tales of the Red Wolves.

October 27- 28 - BOO at the ZOO - A magical weekend featuring, games, music, face painting, treats, costume contest and plenty of Halloween fun.

Feb. 2
GROUNDHOG DAY
Join the fun as our groundhog predicts winter weather.

March 22
EGG-STRAVAGANZA
Watch Zoo animals search for holiday treats!

March 29 & 30
S.O.S. Save Our Snakes!
Come ssssssssee why snakes are so sssssssspecial!

April Saturdays
ZooFLING
Roar into Spring at the NC Zoo! Meet Zoo Keepers and discover the secrets to animal appetites, creature comforts, and wild lifestyles.

April 5, 6
Watani Grasslands Grand Opening Celebration – Have tons of fun exploring the new Elephant and Rhinoceros exhibit!

April 12
Feast of the Beasts

April 19, 20
Earth Day Celebration

April 26
Creature Comforts

May 10 & 11
BIRDS AND BLOOMS Not your garden variety Mother’s Day weekend!

May 10
Celebrate NC Zoo’s International Migratory Bird Day and explore more than 60,000 beautiful plants.

May 11
Bring Mom to the Zoo with online discount admission.

June Saturdays
BEE A BEAR
Explore life as a bear and catch the latest buzz on bees.

June 7
Polar Paws & Claws

June 14
Grizzly Walks and Talks

June 21, 22
Black Bears & Bees
Father’s Day
Bring Papa Bear to the Zoowith online discount admission.

June 28
Teddy Bear Fair
Bring your Teddy Bear for a check up with our zoo veterinarians.

August 9 & 10
ZooCOOL
Forecasters are calling for snow at the NC Zoo! Chill out as we show you how Zoo animals beat the heat.

ZooFEST
October Saturdays

Fall festivals at the NC Zoo!
Celebrations of the exotic, the endangered, and the mysterious.

October 4 - Native American Art, Dance, Music and Mystery

October 11 - African Art, Dance, Music and Mystery

October 18 - HOWL-O-Ween – Hearthe howls and tales of the Red Wolves.

October 25, 26 BOO at the ZOO - A magical weekend featuring games, music, face painting, treats, costume contests and plenty of Halloween fun.

BATOLOGY

November 1 & 2
Discover the good nature of bats at Sonora Desert . Watch Zoo Keepers feed the bats.

Visit The Carolina Community Resources Website for North Carolina businesses, Services and Real Estate Needs

North Carolina State Fairground Events

North Carolina State Fairground Events Oct 2007 - Dec 2008

NC State Fair Webcam

Source NC DA&CS: 2007- 2008 CalendarThis is a listing of the events staged at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds on a monthly basis. Included is the name of the event and building location. For more information please contact the Event promoter listed with the event or the Fairgrounds office at 919-821-7400 - Events Information Line - Extension 22 or Facility Rentals - Extension 4501. All events are subject to last minute changes.

October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
Hunt Horse Complex 2007 Calendar
Hunt Horse Complex 2008 Calendar

N.C. State Fair opening ceremony set for 11 a.m. Friday in Heritage Circle
(10-11-07)
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt will officially open the 2007 N.C. State Fair at 11 a.m. Friday at the old tobacco barn in Heritage Circle. The ceremony will feature music by the Wells Family.

N.C. State Fair has a green feel (10-10-07)
RALEIGH – During the N.C. State Fair, the fairgrounds in West Raleigh can best be compared to a small city. With good weather, more than 750,000 people will likely cross through the gates during the Fair’s 10-day run. Like most cities in North Carolina today, the Fair will be doing its part for water conservation, and it will also feature a number of other environmentally friendly measures. Read More>>

Pittsboro mother-son crafters will be featured at the N.C. State Fair (10-2-07)
RALEIGH—Similar to a colonial village of years gone by, the Village of Yesteryear crafters gather at the N.C. State Fair each year to showcase their wares. This family reunion of sorts is bound by a love for craftsmanship and early American working handicrafts. Among the many items available for sale and display are Native American pottery, carvings, beadwork, stained glass, wooden utensils, toys, woven goods and more. Read More>>

Alternative transportation information updated (9-24-07)
Just added! Ride TTA to the Fair on Saturdays from Chapel Hill or RTP!

Seriously Twisted Fun planned for 2007 State Fair (9-13-07)
RALEIGH – Fairgoers will find plenty of tried-and-true attractions to go along with some new twists on fun at the N.C. State Fair Oct. 12-21. Read More>>

Subway, N.C. State Fair launch Seriously Twisted Sub contest (9-13-07)
N.C. State Fair plans to recognize seniors, military; hosting several special events (8-30-07)

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