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| | The Texas coast is like no other. Stretching about 367 miles as the crow flies along a gentle arc that makes up the northwestern edge of the Gulf of Mexico, there are actually over 3,300 miles of shoreline along its islands, bays and river mouths.
It’s no wonder that coastal communities are the most densely populated and fastest growing areas in the country. The opportunities and resources that originally lured Native Americans and settlers continue to attract people to the coast today. Throughout the year, tourists travel to the shore to enjoy recreational activities and visit locales with relaxed surroundings.
Coastal residents and tourists seek out beaches and bays for fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, picnicking, camping, boating, and other activities. Tourism is big business in Texas, and coastal communities rely on their beaches and bays to attract tourists, who spend billions of dollars each year.
Texas is the only state in the nation that has an Open Beaches Act. Beaches can be privately owned, but are subject to the public beach easement, allowing the public free and unrestricted access to and use of the beach.
As steward of state-owned lands, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is responsible for management of the 367 miles of Texas coastline. Several programs stemming from that basic responsibility have made the coastal region Texas' second-most popular tourist attraction, generating $7 billion a year.
The GLO also helps protect the coastal natural resources and promotes efficient use of State real property with initiatives such as the Recycling, Adopt-A-Beach and Oil Spill Prevention and Response programs.
The most popular Texas Gulf Coast communities are Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Rockport, Port Lavaca and South Padre Island. These Texas coastal communities continue a coastal historic heritage with an active economy. | |
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Great Texas Coastal Birding Trails | | Does visiting some of the most well-known coastal birding sites in Texas sound appealing to you, or would you rather visit some off-the-beaten-path local birding hotspots? The coastal birding trail has it all. |
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| | Peninsulas and islands, cities and towns, beaches and parks, all extend their own magical allure. You will find every citified and seaside attraction imaginable along the Texas Gulf coast.
Home to some of the best beaches in America, the Texas Gulf Coast region draws millions of visitors to this Texas playground. Stretching some 350 miles from South Padre Island & the Rio Grande Valley, all the way to Beaumont & the Louisiana border, this region is renowned for its wildlife & natural beauty, as well as the home of America's space program.
 Cordgrass and marshes support a rich array of marine life and provide wintering grounds for birds and scattered tallgrass.
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 Below you'll find the best collection of information related to the Texas Gulf Coast and Real Estate on the Internet. You can click on the three dots next to each link (...) to find out more about the information contained on that site. |
|  Texas Gulf Coast |
American Beach Preservation Assoc
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The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association was founded in 1926 by individuals who recognized the need for an organized effort to combat erosion, a serious problem in many coastal areas. Experience had shown that long stretches of shore were affected, making protective efforts by individual property owners or small communities futile. The expertise required to design comprehensive programs of protection was largely lacking. In bygone days, the needs of navigation were regarded as paramount and there was no redress available for damages to adjacent shores by navigation works.
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America's Energy Coast
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The America's Energy Coast is a project of the America's WETLAND Foundation and the Climate, Energy and the Coast Policy and Information Center. The goal of the America's Energy Coast is to create a positive, balanced national dialogue on America's energy future and to ensure that voices of the region are heard and that their contributions are recognized.
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Beach & Bay Access Guides
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The Texas Beach and Bay Access Guide is designed to help the user locate a variety of public access sites, National Wildlife Refuges, and Wildlife Management Areas along the Texas coast.
The public access sites may provide either direct or indirect access to the coast or bay. This guide
highlights the five areas that make up the Texas coast: Southeast Texas, Houston-Galveston, the
Golden Crescent, the Coastal Bend, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. A brief historical
overview of each coastal county with information on population, land area, and the local economy
along with a brief description of the primary recreational activities is provided. Included are nearly 360 access points to Texas bays and the Gulf of Mexico within 16 of the 18 coastal counties.
Each section includes location maps and grids showing available activities and facilities. The
maps show the general location of marinas, county/state/federal parks, boat ramps, and areas of recreational interest. The grids provide information about available activities such as fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, picnicking, camping, and windsurfing along with available facilities such as boat ramps, boat docks, piers, restrooms, showers, electricity and lighting, fresh water, concessions, fees, access for the mobility impai red, Gulf access, and access to bays, rivers, and lakes
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Coastal Geology
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About 70% of Earth's surface is covered by water, and the coast, which forms the interface between land and water, is the sight of a particular array of geomorphic processes and a range of landforms. For example, waves and tides involve movement and dissipation of large amounts of energy capable of causing rapid and spectacular changes in landforms along coasts. Learn about the driving forces that affect shorelines.
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Texas Coastal Connection
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The Texas Coastal Connection is your one stop for access to the wide array of resources available on Texas coastal and marine issues.
This site connects you to other organizations working in the coastal zone, provides resources for teachers and students, highlights hot topics along the Texas coast, assists you in finding answers to questions on coastal issues and serves as the source for information on the state's cherished coastal resources
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Texas Highways Magazine
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Texas Highways (ISSN 0040-4349) is published monthly by the Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. BOX 141009, Austin, Texas 78714. The official travel magazine of Texas encourages recreational travel within the state and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.
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TexasEscapes Magazine
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Texas Escapes Online Magazine: Travel and History
Columns: History, Humor, Topical and Opinion
Over 1400 Texas Towns & Ghost Towns
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TravelTex - Gulf Coast
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The vast Gulf of Mexico weaves its watery spell upon seafarers and landlubbers alike. In Texas, "land ho!" is as exiting a cry as "anchors aweigh!" For, in addition to the bounty of the shimmering sea surfing its shores, Texas offers an abundance of terrific terra firma along its 624-mile coastline.
Peninsulas and islands, cities and towns, beaches and parks, all extend their own magical allure. You will find every citified and seaside attraction imaginable along the scimitar-shaped slab of Texas known as the Texas Gulf coast.
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Website Coastal Living Magazine
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Coastal Living is the magazine for people who love the coast. The Web site is intended to broaden the magazine's reach and depth via the interactive possibilities of the Internet. The magazine and its Web site are owned by Southern Progress Corp., a Time Inc. subsidiary based in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Wikipedia for the Gulf Coast
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The Gulf Coast of the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gulf Coast region of the United States comprises the coasts of states which border the Gulf of Mexico. The states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are known as the Gulf States. The entire Gulf Coast and all the Gulf States are located in the South.
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| |  Education & Schools |
HowStuffWorks Barrier Islands
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Barrier islands, sometimes called barrier spits, are found on coastlines all over the world, but are most noticeable along the eastern coast of North America where they extend from New England down the Atlantic Coast, around the Gulf of Mexico and south to Mexico. Barrier islands are popular vacation spots including resort communities from Atlantic City, NJ to Miami Beach, FL. Many people own vacation homes or condominiums on barrier islands and more barrier islands are being developed for tourism.
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Search Schools, Colleges and Libraries
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Who Is NCES?
The purpose of the National Center for Education Statistics' website is to provide clear, complete information about NCES' mission and activities, and to serve the research, education and other interested communities.
What Does NCES Do?
The National Center for Education Statistics fulfills a Congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.
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Texas Schools K-12 Information
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Looking for a school in Texas that's the right fit for your child? As a mom who has been through the process, I know you probably have many questions. Let our school choice tips lead the way. Armed with our practical advice on choosing the best option, public vs. private schools or charter schools, what to ask on your school visit and more, you'll be set to begin your search.
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| |  Insurance | |
National Association of Insurance
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The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) presents
Insure U — Get Smart About Insurance. This site provides consumer insurance information for those considering or buying insurance.
he National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
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| |  Lifestyle |
Coastal Fisheries Bay Team
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Experienced Anglers Wanted.
If you’re a skilled angler you could become a member of the Coastal Fisheries Bay Team and help Texas Parks and Wildlife catch spotted sea trout and flounder for its hatchery breeding program.
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. Our mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
History and Statutory Authority
A 1940 reorganization plan (54 Stat. 1232) in the Department of the Interior consolidated the Bureau of Fisheries and the Bureau of Biological Survey into one agency to be known as the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife was created as a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the Interior on November 6, 1956, by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (70 Stat. 1119). That act was amended on July 1, 1974, by Public Law 93-271 (88 Stat. 92) to, among other purposes, abolish the position of Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and designate the Bureau as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Free Official Texas Golf Guide
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FREE Texas State Travel Guide filled with 264 pages of complete travel information for planning your trip to the Great State of Texas.
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Great Texas Coastal Birding Trails
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Does visiting some of the most well-known coastal birding sites in Texas sound appealing to you, or would you rather visit some off-the-beaten-path local birding hotspots? The coastal birding trail has it all. Plus, conveniences such as boardwalks, parking pullouts, observation platforms, and landscaping to attract native wildlife allow you to get closer to see Texas's breathtaking birds. There are three coastal birding maps to send you on a well-rounded tour of the coast's top birding sites. The Upper Coast map covers driving loops from the Louisiana border, through the Houston and Beaumont coastal areas, and down to Brazosport. The Central Coast map starts near Matagorda Bay, traveling through the Victoria and Corpus Christi areas, and ends just south of Kingsville. The Lower Coast map encompasses the southern tip of Texas along the border with Mexico, from South Padre Island, through Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen, and west towards Laredo. The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail maps are a great way to enjoy your time on the Gulf Coast.
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Life's better outside
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Texas State Park Guide
Experience Texas
Free Fishing at State Parks
Texas Paddling Trails
Outdoor Kids
Texas Metro Fishing Guide
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Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine
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Since 1942, Texas Parks & Wildlife has been a monthly guide to the Texas outdoors. Each issue of this award-winning magazine is packed with outstanding color photos and articles about every facet of outdoor recreation: fishing, hunting, camping, birding, boating, traveling and more. We bring you information about state parks, environmental issues and events taking place all across the state. Texas Parks & Wildlife truly is a magazine for all outdoors.
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Top Texas Beaches
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Texas' Top Stretches of Sand
Texas is known for a lot of things. However, many people overlooked the excellent beaches that are located along the Texas coast. With over 600 miles of shoreline, there is no shortage of sand for beachgoers. Here is a list of some of the top spots to spend day at the beach in Texas.
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| |  Maps | | | |
Neighborhood Statistics Map
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Neighboroo is the easiest way to learn about neighborhoods.
The Web site presents vast volumes of U.S. public data in color-coded interactive maps that are powered by the Google Maps platform. Users can search in a specific area for information about home prices, apartment rental prices, cost of living, commute time, and other demographic data. There are plans to add property tax information, too.
Other information at the site includes political affiliation, racial composition, population density, unemployment, tax rates, household income, elementary school rank, crime, and lifestyle. Areas on the map are color-coded based on the statistical data for that area. Users can also view the maps as satellite imagery.
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Rental Price Maps
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HotPads is a map-based rental housing search site. The site has launched new heatmaps that contain interesting demographic information showing such data as age, income, percentage of renters and average rent.
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| |  Parks |
RecreationMaps.gov
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The Recreation.gov website provides a user-friendly, web-based resource to citizens, offering a single point of access to information about recreational opportunities nationwide. The website is a comprehensive source of information about nearly 3,000 public recreation sites now, with plans to add thousands of additional facilities managed by state, tribal, and local governments. In addition, Recreation.gov links to state tourism sites with information about thousands of private attractions and facilities.
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Schlitterbahn Water Parks
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With the opening of our newest waterpark on Galveston Island, there are now three great Schlitterbahn Waterparks. Each is a unique experience.
The original park, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, located on the banks of a spring-fed river in historic New Braunfels, combines a huge collection of water attractions and miles of tube chutes with a family-style resort.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is Schlitterbahn fun gone tropical. Located on the Gulf of Mexico on exotic South Padre Island, the park features great rides, great food and a great view.
Our new Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark will thrill everyone in the family with its incredible array of awesome aquatic attractions. Plus a portion of the park --called Wasserfest -- is designed to be operated year-round.
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| |  Real Estate |
A Real Estate Guide for You
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Welcome to the Real Estate Wiki
Learn the ins and outs of buying and selling in the wiki. Contribute and share your knowledge with others
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e-How Real Estate
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If you're buying or selling a home, there's a lot to think about - financing, moving and storage, finding a good agent - and that's just the beginning. Before you start house hunting, read through some of eHow's real estate tips. We've got info on buying foreclosures, finding the perfect community, picking a mortgage and selling by-owner. eHow's real estate information can help, no matter what your situation.
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Homeowners Consumer Center
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The Homeowners Consumer Center is part of Americas Watchdog, a national consumer advocacy group focused on consumer protection and corporate fair play.
We offer consumer-friendly advice for all homeowners. Particular attention is given to educating the homeowner on how to get the best real estate brokerage, mortgage, insurance and other home related services or products available at a reasonable price.
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Real Estate Center Texas A&M
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The law creating the Real Estate Center in 1971 also established an advisory committee. The Real Estate Center Advisory Committee is comprised of nine members appointed by the governor. Six are real estate brokers licensed for at least five years. The brokers represent finance, improvements, residential properties, commercial properties and industrial properties. The other three members represent the public.
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Texas First Time Homebuyer Program
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The Texas First Time Homebuyer Program provides below market interest rate mortgage loans through a network of participating lenders to eligible families and individuals who are purchasing their first home or who have not owned a home in the past three years. Two types of loans are available under this program. An “Unassisted Rate” loan typically offers our lowest interest rate available and does not provide funds for down payment and closing cost assistance. For borrowers needing assistance with their down payment, an “Assisted Rate” loan is offered to income-eligible borrowers that provides grant funds up to 5% of the mortgage amount. These loans are offered at a slightly higher interest rate.
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| |  Rentals & Travel |
Destination Texas
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Destination Texas is your source for Texas tourism and travel information. Browse our site for today's top vacation topics, including popular hotels, restaurants, and the best state parks. Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin and the South Padre Island are just a few of the hot destinations you will find on our site.
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Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals
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Over 125 Vacation Rentals in Gulf Coast. HomeAway.com advertises 125 privately owned vacation and holiday homes from all over the world. Book direct with the owners for great value!
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HomeExchange Vacation Home Swap
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Home Exchange is the vacation alternative where two families agree to swap homes for a vacation... "You stay in my house while I stay in yours."
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New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens
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* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
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Rentalo.com Vacation Rentals
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Rentalo.com is a highly successful Web portal that specializes in linking travelers and vacationers to property listing owners. Rentalo staff is highly committed to providing its customers the highest possible returns of their advertising investments. We are dedicated to increasing quality leads for our clients' property ads. Our long established site has been trusted by millions of travelers and vacation property owners for more than eight years. Our staff is easily available via phone, live chat and e-mail 24x7, and can assist you with creating and updating your property ads --No other vacation rental Web site provides this level of support and service. Our company founders and staff are experts in internet marketing, real estate property management, and in the travel lodging and hospitality industry.
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Rentals of Beach Houses
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Beachhouse.com® is the only place on the Internet focused entirely on listing unique beach house properties available for rent around the world. At Beachhouse.com, we connect vacationers and property owners/managers together online.
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Texas Education Vacation Adventure
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TexasEducationVacation.com, the site where Texas teachers, Texas parents and Texas school kids can discover how to combine the fun of a Texas school field trip or Texas family vacation with hands-on learning opportunities. TexasEducationVacation.com is the Texas educational resource for finding Texas attractions and Texas events that provide not only the excitement of travel, but also offer hands-on learning experiences that supplement the TEKS curriculum Texas kids are being taught in the classroom. Just click on the Texas map or use the search function below to begin your Texas Education Vacation adventure!
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Texas Less Traveled Guide
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Texas Less Traveled is a Guide To Little Known Texas Travel Treasures
Texas travel secrets are unveiled in this collection of little known Texas travel treasures. Discover great destinations and attractions in Texas and get ready to visit Texas Best travel attractions and secrets.
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VRBO Texas Vacation Rentals
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VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner® - The largest and most popular vacation rental site.
Specializing in BY OWNER vacation rentals, homes, condos, cabins, villas and apartments.
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Weather Channel Texas Vacation Home Rentals
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Texas Vacation Home Rentals,
The Weather Channel Interactive,
In Texas, the Lone Star State, you won't want to miss the National Historic Stockyards. Experience the life of a cowboy with rodeos, live country music, line dancing at Billy Bob's dance hall, and the world's only daily cattle drive. Or you could travel to the lower Gulf coast region of Texas and relax on the beach. Choose from one of our many vacation home rentals in Galveston or South Padre Island.
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| |  Baby Boomers & Retirement |
AARP Association of Retired Persons of Texas
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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over.
AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.
AARP also provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members.
These benefits include AARP Web site at www.aarp.org, "AARP The Magazine," the monthly "AARP Bulletin," and a Spanish-language newspaper, "Segunda Juventud."
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Aging Texas Well
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We age by nature; we age well by foresight, preparation, and creativity. The Aging Texas Well (ATW) program helps ensure that Texans prepare individually for aging in all aspects of life and that state and local infrastructure— laws, policies, and services — support aging well throughout the lifespan.
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Boomers TV
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Boomers! Redefining Life After Fifty! is a production of Boomer Media Properties, Inc. and is hosted by a Boomer couple, former NBC correspondent Nancy Fernandez Mills, and her husband, Mark Mills, a seasoned broadcast financial journalist.
Boomers profiles real people and life situations
Boomers! is filmed in communities across the country. Each program has three feature stories, and shorter segments on health, personal finance, and lifestyles. Boomer trivia questions will be woven into the mix. While some episodes use graphics and music to invoke memories of the 50s and 60s, Boomers! is forward-looking and substantive, exploring the central life concerns facing the Boomer generation.
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Definition of a Baby Boomer
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A Baby boomer is someone who was born during a period of increased birth rates, or Baby boom, and the term is particularly applied to the those born during the post-World War II period of increased birth rates. In the United States, the term is iconic and more properly capitalized as Baby Boomers. The term is commonly applied to people with birth years after World War II (WW II) and before the Vietnam War, thus possibly comprising more than one generation. The terms "baby boomer" and "baby boom" along with others (i.e., "boomies"), are widely used even in countries with demographics that did not mirror the sustained growth in American families over the same interval.
Also see Retirement
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Eons: 50+ everything for boomers
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What Is Eons?
Boom, Boom, Boom — Have you heard it? It’s the beat of our generation of Boomers and Seniors - many of us at Eons included - who want to live the biggest life possible. Collectively, we intend to do, see, learn, and be more on the way to the reachable goal of living to 100.
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EPA’s Aging Initiative Website
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The website provides a wealth of information about the Agency’s efforts to protect the environmental health of older persons.
The United States is a rapidly aging nation. By 2030, the number of older persons (over 50) is expected to double to more than 70 million.
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Reinventing Aging by Harvard University
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This Report is a product of the Harvard School of Public Health. The Report spotlights key issues that must be addressed to involve large numbers of baby boomers in volunteer activities as they reach retirement. There is a tremendous opportunity on the horizon to tap the time, energy, skills, and experience of millions of boomers to strengthen community life. However, considerable work lies ahead if this opportunity is to be realized. This Report recommends actions by key sectors of society, including government, nonprofit organizations, business,
philanthropy, faith-based institutions, and the media. It is hoped that the Report will provide focus, lend visibility, and add momentum to activities already underway, and stimulate the growth of new initiatives.
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