The recent Savana Redding case has opened for discussion the important issues regarding the search and seizure rights of school Principles, especially when other students within the school are at risk. In this particular case, in an Arizona middle school at the time of the incident 8th grader Savana Redding was subjected to a strip search due to suspicion she was sharing prescription strength Ibuprofen. The search turned out negative. No drugs were found on Savana’s person, and the teenage girl was traumatized by the experience.

The Supreme Court decided to hear the case to determine what, if any, limitations school administrators have when it comes to searching students in public schools. A Phoenix Arizona lawyer represented the school administrators and an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union represented Redding. The Phoenix lawyer contended that administrators should not be limited in their flexibility to respond to potential threats in the school that may cause harm or death to other students. However, Redding’s attorney countered that the search was unreasonable and violated her privacy rights.

Opinion on the issue has been hotly discussed across the nation. An  L.A. Times opinion piece expresses the idea that strip searches in public schools are never okay. “I’m no apologist for kids who bring drugs on campus, but if there’s a situation at school serious enough to call for a strip search, it’s serious enough to call the police–and the child’s parents.”

Dubai is an exciting city, rich with culture and progressive with arts and entertainment. The launching of its International Film Festival in 2004 is a perfect example of this. One of the primary missions of the festival is to bridge cultures and bring together minds. The organizers believe in the power of film to create dialogues between people and nations and bring a greater understanding of differing social views. Another, and just as important, intention is to nurture the development of filmmakers and offer support at an international level. As with many other aspects of Dubai’s culture, tourists are drawn there in increasing numbers. During major events such as the International Film Festival it can be difficult, though not impossible, to find availability in a 5 star hotel in Dubai.

Since its beginning in 2004, the festival has grown a great deal and continues to do so each year. During its initial year, 76 films were shown. This has steadily grown and in 2008 the number was 181. The same trend is seen in the number of countries represented by the festival through the years. In 2004 there were 27 countries participating, this grew to 66 countries by the year 2008. This growth is continuing and the 2009 festival, which will take place this December, is expected to be the greatest event yet.

The 2008 festival serves as a major indication of the effects the festival is having on Dubai, and the recognition and respect it’s receiving from the world. There were 47,500 audience members who attended the screenings of 181 films. In addition to this there were approximately 1000 industry professionals in attendance. This included professionals from both the local and international scene. Movie stars such as Goldie Hawn, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage and Salma Hayek were there to walk the red carpet as well as many more. Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame, was one of the 2008 festival Honourees.

Ninety miles east of New York City, where the north & south forks of Long Island separate, is a body of water.  Actually,three bodies of water; Gardiners Bay, Little Peconic and the Great Peconic Bay. Nestled in the crook of the forks is Shelter Island. It’s accessible by either train or bus from New York City and has ferry connections at either the north fork, from the town of Greenport or from the south fork, from the town of North Haven. The ferries take less than ten minutes to cross and run frequently.

It has a summer population that swells to over 8000 people and in the winter is around 2500. Of the 27 sq miles of island, one third of it is occupied by the nature conservancy area of the Mashomak Preserve. Given the small amount of real estate that’s left, imagine how the island swells in the summer to accommodate 8000 people. Needless to say it’s crowded.  Space is at such a premium that when selling a property, rather than listing the land in acres, it’s listed by square footage. Most houses sit on a postage stamp piece of property. People that summer there either own their homes, or rent them seasonally for exorbitant rates. Consider the great fortune of a person who lives on Manhattan most of the time and has inherited a cottage on Shelter Island. The dream of every urban dweller is a house in the country!  For those “less fortunate” reservations can be made for one of the top New York hotels. If traveling between the months of May and September, be certain to make reservations well in advance because space is limited.

During the off season from October to March, its possible to visit the Mashomak Preserve. The preserve was acquired because of the ecological significance. Most important was to stop the development of the island and to protect the population and breeding of ospreys.  This is a beautiful, peaceful & fully alive sanctuary – it’s no museum.  The woods, fields, coastline, salt marshes and tidal creeks make it the perfect wildlife habitat.

The smell of fresh salty air permeates the forest. The visual contrasts are amazing, one minute you’re looking at the bay from the vantage point of a deep forest. Then, just a short walk away on a sandy trail the woods open up to a swaying meadow. Beyond the meadow is another forest. It’s quiet except for the sound of birds and other little critters. And all of this is less than a mile from the crowded villages of the island.  You can walk for hours and not see another person.

The preserve is manned by volunteers and there’s a small donation for the privilege of walking through this eden. There are a few rules to follow. Only hiking allowed, stay on the trails, no collecting, no pets, and if you carry it in, carry it out. And check yourself for ticks.

One of the most ideal places for deep-sea fishing is off the island of Mauritius. It has long been considered one of the worlds’ foremost areas for hunting the blue marlin.  Other species such as becune, bonitos, pelerin, yellow tuna and many varieties of shark can be found in the deep waters off the coast of Mauritius.  If you’re looking for that “Big Fish”, the blue or black marlin, here is where you’ll find it. From November until April, that object of desire can be tracked and captured in the waters off Mauritius. That is why so many are drawn to these waters, Mauritius is famous for having won so many world class fishing records. The most prestigious deep sea fishing competition is the Marlin World Cup is hosted in December by La Pirogue Hotel. While the marlin, which can weigh close to 1500 pounds, is the most sought after, there are many other impressive fish to be found. Recently, both the yellow and white tuna, weighing over 200 pounds have been caught.

This world class sport is at its best in Mauritius, where the waters off the coast can be close to 100 feet deep. Fishing boat rentals can be arranged by most five star hotels in Mauritius. Necessary features of the boat include a radio, basic safety devices and of course, fishing equipment.  For many, deep sea fishing is a seasonal affair.  It can be experienced in many waterways across the globe at various times of the year. However, the best time to enjoy fishing in Mauritius is between November and April.  The climate at this time of year is at its most temperate, with warm temperatures and relatively low humidity.  For those of you who are still hunting “the one that got away”, come visit Mauritius for an exciting experience. Who knows?  You may find that “Big Fish” here.

Palma is the main city and port on the beautiful Balearic Island of Mallorca. Almost half of the population on the island lives in this city and it serves as the traditional summer home of Spanish royalty. Palma is also a major cultural center and attracts huge numbers of tourists who flock to the Balearic Islands each summer. Guests of the city enjoy the luxury accommodations of the 5 star hotels in Palma has and experience the unique flavors of the area in local restaurants.

A sense of history is found in the Old City, a section of Palma in the southeast area near the Cathedral. The maze like structure of the streets shows the influence of Arab designs. The narrow streets amount to little more than walkways through the buildings whose architecture is very similar to that of European cities such as Florence. Many of the houses in this area are private homes though they are frequently open to the public and serve as museums and sometimes galleries. The town hall is also located in the Old City as well as the Banyas Arabs, “Arab Baths.” The baths are no longer functioning and were filled in with dirt and sand many years ago. They remain a popular attraction for tourists who navigate the winding quiet street near the convent of the cathedra to find them. The baths date from the Byzantine period and have not been renovated. This does not deter the many tourists who want to take pictures of the entrance and the external garden.

The Cathedral, known as La Seu, in Old City is a Gothic Masterpiece and one of the most iconic buildings in Palma. The church is huge and can be seen from far off the coast. It took almost 300 years to build, which alludes to its magnificence and stature. The Cathedral has three main entrances and the most spectacular of these is the Portal de Mirador and overlooks the South Palma Bay. Inside there are as many marvels as are scene from the exterior. The internal nave of the church is one of the highest in Europe. The Old City of Parma is an important section to visit and is part of what makes a vacation to Mallorca complete.

Singapore has many locally based cultural experiences offering rich examples of tradition and contemporary blends. It is also known for supporting cultural collaborations and art projects. An excellent example of this is seen in its bringing the music of the WOMAD festival to its stages. Singapore hosted the event for nine consecutive years from 1998 through 2006. WOMAD incorporates a diverse collection of musical styles and presentations, including musicians from many countries and backgrounds. The sounds of music from Peru, Korea, Nigeria and Australia is featured among many others. There is no boundary to the incorporation of styles and background WOMAD embraces and explores. WOMAD is based in the United Kingdom though it emphasizes travel and cultural expression, taking festivals to many countries around the world.

The 2006 event in Singapore took place on two large outdoor stages as well as three smaller spaces for a more intimate setting and workshops. The workshops included lectures from guest artists, and were structured for both adults and children. This interactive setting allows the audience to talk to and ask questions of the artists, which invites a much more personal relationship to the music. There were also many display booths inviting guests to purchase items from area and world vendors. This is a strong economic benefit to the festival and business hotels in Singapore fill to capacity with out of town and out of country guests who follow the festival as it travels the world.

This event offered more than music as part of its cultural experience. Many of the artists shared recipes and foods, offering tastes of South Africa and Asia to compliment the festival experience. While it might seem like a combination of two festivals, one of them being from the world kitchen and the other from the world music scene, it actually demonstrates the inherent connection between the two. There is a focus on the interaction of cultural elements and the association of senses, combining food with music. The relationship between the two creates a harmonious and holistic dynamic.

One of Thailand’s most visited tourist sites is Phuket, and island off of the Southern coast off of Mainland Thailand. The island is considered a paradise, with hillside forests, an incredible coastline with pristine beaches, and the clear green waters of the Andaman Sea are filled with exotic and abundant marine life. There are many options for activities in Phuket, educational tours, art museums as well as history museums. And the five star hotels Phuket offer some of the finest golf courses in the world. However, one must consider the many outdoor options as this beautiful island is best experienced by being out in it, wandering or hiking through it.

Until very recently, the only way to travel to some of the areas outside the main town, was either by horse back, sitting atop an elephant, or by simply hiking in on foot. These are still activities that can be arranged as there are many companies that offer such tours. Day trips on the top of elephant is not only an experience of the day, but a glimpse into the past and the present history as elephants have played a major role in Thailand, from farming to rescue to transportation.

Today however, while there are still not many roads, there are those that are best traveled on in four-wheel drive vehicles. This has opened up an entirely different kind of tour, and one that has become quite popular, the 4-wheel drive Safari. This tours take the visitor through the dense forest and into villages that had been inaccessible previously. The tours are anywhere from one day, to week-long adventures. And the great thing about this mode of getting into the jungle is that there are many bike paths that wind in and out of the fairly rugged terrain, perfect for the experienced mountain biker, and the jeeps will transport the rider and their bike into the various campsites. Biking has become so popular here that there are now different paths set up for varying levels of skilled riders. Some are more relaxing and picturesque, while other paths are filled with steep downhill runs and tricky twists and turns.

There are many natural wonders to see during a ride, as well as those wonders of the historical and archaeological world. There are parks and other cultural venues that are intermixed with the trails and the paths along the way as well. Many who chose to view the island this way will often combine biking, kayaking, canoeing and of course, the elephants.

One of Dubai’s most popular beach hotels has issued guests with an “etiquette guide” after two Britons were convicted for having sex on the beach near the hotel. Because of the extensive media coverage of the situation, visitors to the Emirate have become more concerned about the perception and the correctness of their behavior.

A spokeperson for a five star hotels dubai reported recently that there has been an increase in the requests for etiquette guidelines in the Emirate. The hotel has created information cards which are distributed throughout the hotel. They are also purposely available during all social gatherings of Westerners. They are designed to explain the local customs and culture in Dubai. The free information cards advise on the etiquette of public displays of affection, acceptable dress code, the use of alcohol and other social behaviors. There are warnings as to the probability of arrest if these social contracts are broken.

Guests were advised to “employ discretion” in expressing affection publicly, with “anything more than a peck on the cheek” likely to result in police involvement. Regarding the consumption of alcohol, the etiquette guide warns: that drinking is not a part of Muslim culture and alcohol is not served openly. Drunken behavior, especially outside licensed premises in the local hotels, is severely punished.”

Two British citizens were convicted last month of having sexual relations outside marriage and offending public decency. They were arrested after attending brunch at a hotel near Dubai airport. They each received three-month jail sentences, were fined £200 for drunkenness and ordered to be deported from Dubai upon their release. More than 230 other British citizens were arrested in the UAE last year.

Given the new image and popularity of Dubai as being the Emirate’s recreation playground, it is critical that Westerners understand and comply with the local customs and culture. It is reported that more than one million British citizens visited Dubai last year, with twice as many expatriates now living in the Emirate.

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is in Bath, Somerset. This was a monastery for Benedictine monks during the seventh century and is now an Anglican Church. There are thousands of regular worshipers, along with the many that travel each year and stay in the Bath hotels of England, to experience the ancient architecture, the incredible stained glass, and to listen to the music. The church seats close to 1,200 and has been used not only as a house of worship, but for lectures and secular ceremonies and events as well. Referred to mainly as Bath Abbey, ceremonies held hear are often times accompanied by music.

The records indicate that the first organ was built in 1934, however there is nothing known of the instrument. Abraham Jordan built the first recorded organ for the church in 1708. The son of Jordon restored and modified this instrument two different times, the first being in 1718, and then again about 20 years later in 1739 when he added almost two octaves of pedals. The organ underwent a few more restorations and repairs over the next few years and was eventually transferred to Saint Mary’s Church where it was completely modified and rebuilt. The Abbey has been through many organs over the years, each one being rebuilt and modified, the modifications generally dealing with the pipe-work and the pedals. Two organs are used in the Abbey currently, one of which was specifically built in 1999, for the church by master artist Kenneth Tickell. The Continuo organ is completely portable, is a four stop instrument, has a dark oak case it is contained in, and has a range of three pitches for tuning.

Along with the organ music, the Abbey is home to a ringing chamber that contains ten bells. This is four more bells than were originally installed in 1700. With the additional bells, the church became the first of the diocese to have the ten bell ring. The bells are hung in the tower indescending order, and currently the city of Bath is well known for change ringing throughout all of the country. The choir of the Abbey is quite famous as well. Many recordings are available, and they have been featured on the BBC as well as performing at the grand opening of the Thermae Bath Spa with the Three Tenors.

Trying to find cheap tires is not an easy task. Whether you search online or actually take the time to get in your car and drive around town to your local tire shop, finding the best deal you can is really important. Considering the poor state of the economy, it is important to save money wherever you can, and if you can save a few hundred dollars on a set of tires it is obviously well worth it. The good news is that you can save that amount of money by doing the right research.

In order to continue to drive revenues, many tires shops have been offering substantial discounts on tire and wheel packages. Because there is little to differentiate one tire shop from the other, it has become a game as to who can charge the least for a rim and tire package, which is obviously a benefit to you as the buyer. There are other things these tires companies are doing to provide additional value to customers, such as offering free fittings, tire rotations, and other things that can save their customers money down the line.

Drive out to a few shops to see what types of deals they have on their wheel and tire packages. Also make sure you do your research online to see what, if any, extras you can get from these companies with your purchase. Like most businesses and industries, the tire shops are willing to make concessions to acquire and keep customers. Use this to your benefit when looking to make your next purchase.

A few months ago, the Formula One Grand Prix took place in the streets of downtown Singapore. For the first time the race took place at night, which was a marketing strategy as the rest of the world watched it live on Sunday afternoon. Although the race created havoc as far as Saturday night traffic was concerned and did cost the taxpayers quite a bit, it was a much needed and very necessary boost in terms of creating income for local businesses and for the reputation of the city-state on the whole. Officials wanted the world to see Singapore as more than just a successful business and financial center. It was necessary to set up more than 1,500 stadium lights,specially created and burning four times as brightly as those used at other major sporting events such as baseball or football. All things considered, the custom made lights, the downtown traffic slowing, and the inconvenience of the race happening right downtown has put about sixty percent of the cost on the government of Singapore, costing them just about $100 Million for the next 5 years that the race will be set in Singapore.

Even with all the cost, the minister of industry and trade, S. Iswaran, states that it will help to ease the conservative and stodgy image Singapore has garnered over the years, and will help substantially to boost the economy . In the short term, it has helped local businesses as tourism had jumped last year during the dates surrounding the race. In the present economy it is quite a boom for all businesses from retail to the restaurant and service industries, to the Singapore luxury hotels. One traveling lounge, moving from city to city with the race over the years is an exclusive club for drivers and other celebrities attending the race. The Amber Lounge has in the past been set up temporarily in the hotels of the various cities, but for the first time a free standing building was constructed to house the lounge for the next five years that the Grand Prix will be scheduled in Singapore. All in all, the benefits have far exceeded the inconvenience and the initial cost of the hosting the race.

Despite countless reports of escalating violence due to the war on drugs in Mexico, the tourism board is reporting a two percent growth in International tourism in the first quarter of 2009. This news comes as the U.S. is taking steps to help quell the violence and assist in bringing an end to the turmoil. Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is visiting the San Diego-Mexico border today and is scheduled to go to Mexico and speak with Mexican President Felipe Calderón. She has gone on record saying that the Department of Homeland Security will be adding additional resources to the border to tackle the problems with arms trafficking.

The continued rise in tourism comes as a surprise amidst travel warnings and the economic downturn. However, the state of the U.S. economy may be what is helping to drive tourists to the area. Vacationers may be selecting Mexico over other locations, because it is a cheaper alternative to other destinations. Instead of staying away from the entire country, tourists can pick up their map to Mexico and vacation with care to the areas that have been spared from the majority of the violence. Popular vacation spots, such as Cancun and Los Cabos, are hundreds of miles away from the hotspots where violence has been most prevalent, like Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez.

However, even though the violence has been less prevalent in hotel and resort areas that cater to tourists, the drug cartels have pervaded the entire country. For anyone going to the area, whether for a spring break excursion or a business trip, caution should be exercised. Acts of violence can erupt anywhere in the country, and just being aware of that reality can make a difference in how to plan and prepare for a trip into Mexico.