Lubbock TX – Tech University and High Plains Wineries

August 30, 2023| Latashia Glenn| 0 Comment | 12:00 am

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Lubbock TX, a city of vast open spaces, high-arching skys and breathtaking vistas is home to Texas Tech University and many popular musicians. It’s also the center of the High Plains Wineries. We visited this vibrant city in the west of Texas to experience the local culture, taste the local cuisine and enjoy kid-friendly activities.

Texas Tech University

Known for its cutting-edge research, Tech also educates future doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health care professionals. The Health Sciences Center of the university includes schools for Allied Health Sciences (Allied Health Sciences), Biomedical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy.

The Tech campus is one of the most beautiful colleges in the United States. It features Spanish design elements. The campus is populated with trees, lush green lawns and red brick buildings.

Its students are known as Red Raiders and cheer on the school’s 15 men’s and women’s athletic teams. The Red Raiders are led by legendary coach Ronny White, who has guided the team to two national championships. Tech alumni are leaders in government, business, science, medicine and sports. Tech’s influence is felt around the globe, as Rick Husband, alumnus and final commander of Space Shuttle Columbia, has shown.

Buddy Holly Center

The Buddy Holly Center is housed in the renovated historic Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway depot at 1801 Crickets Avenue. Dedicated to the world-famous Lubbock native son and his impact on rock n’ roll and West Texas music, it is also home to an impressive array of art exhibits.

The campus reflects the unique culture of the region, blending modern and traditional elements. The facades of the building use overhangs and angled fins made from concrete, as well as deep-set, ribbon-shaped windows, to provide shade, filter light and cool it.

The main gallery, shaped as a guitar, leads visitors through a collection of musical memorabilia. The facility is a hub of cultural activity with two theaters, multiple multi-purpose spaces, a full-service restaurant, and Ballet Lubbock all located on the same site.

Museums

The museum scene in Lubbock is as dynamic as the city itself. This West Texas hub has a wide range of science and arts.

The Talkington Gallery of Art has artifacts dating back to the Ice Age. The Buddy Holly Center houses a collection of memorabilia. And the Lubbock Lake Landmark archeological preserve offers a unique perspective on West Texas’ history.

The “Hub City”, home to world-class artists, is known for its glassblowing, painting and illustration. Discover this talent at the Charles Adams Gallery, Tornado Gallery and LHUCA museums and at the monthly First Friday Art Trail event. This gathering of local food trucks and art galleries supports downtown small businesses and stimulates the economic. FFAT also offers the opportunity to try Two Docs Brewing Company’s smooth and flavorful bock, spirited IPA, or refreshing light ale.

Wine Tours

Two things come to mind when People think about Lubbock: Buddy Holly and cotton. Wine may soon surpass both as West Texas’ newest Claim of fame.

Enjoy tastings and tours at area wineries like Llano Estacado Vineyard, which was founded in 1966 by Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson and his wife, to test out grape varieties suitable for the High Plains climate. The winery’s tasting room in downtown Lubbock, a converted Coca-Cola factory, offers Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and other wines.

Bolen Winery, a family-owned winery, offers a variety of wines including 18 Malbec as well as ‘The Queen’ which is a dry Viognier that’s made with grapes fermented inside their golden skins. This method is usually used to make red wine. Or, check out Pheasant Ridge Winery, where you can taste seven varietals including Pinot Noir at 3507 E County Road 5700, Smyer.

Farms & Ranches

You can find a variety of farm and ranch properties for sale in the Lubbock area. These are ideal for raising livestock and horticulture. The South Plains or Llano Estacado is one of the most intensively farmed regions in North America and serves as a major migration pathway for waterfowl.

Sunburst Market, a local grocery and produce store in Lubbock is very popular. They are committed to ethical land and water stewardship and use organic practices. Also, they provide locally-grown produce and grass-fed beef.

What is a structured settlement?What is a structured settlement?

Understanding the “Sell my Structured Settlement“, a perplexing concept that can be confusing and overwhelming, is important for many legal proceedings. This agreement resolves financial disputes by making payments over time, usually in multiple installments. It reduces the cost of liabilities. The insurance company approved annuity is purchased with a lump-sum payment and makes the settlement payments tax-exempt. The same amount can be paid out without the need to pay it all at once. Specific terms such as duration and payment amounts are tailored towards meeting individual needs, while providing healthcare assistance, cash payments or other forms of intervention. All this makes structured settlements more efficient than traditional methods for handling liabilities.

Secondary Structured Settlement Market Overview

The secondary structured settlement market is a perplexing financial marketplace, in which individuals with structured settlement payments can burstily sell them to a third party buyer. Structured settlements are usually obtained through court awarding of damages for physical injury, wrongful death, or other legal cases – these settlements being set up in such a way that the injured party or family of the deceased receives payments over an extended period of time. Herein lies the opportunity: Secondary market buyers specialize in the purchase and sale of these aforesaid payment rights from sellers desperate for cash or needing a lump sum payment, providing both parties with favorable financial Arrangements suited to their needs – while also granting investors looking for steady returns on investment an attractive product.

Pros and Cons of Selling a Structured Settlement

The potential for a lump sum of cash when selling a structured settlement can be incredibly appealing – with the right size settlement, it could be enough to cover large purchases or debt and provide financial freedom in the short-term. But before you leap at this opportunity, there are some drawbacks to consider. Fees associated with the sale can take quite a bite out of your total payout, and giving up those future payments could leave you without any long-term security. It is wise to seek the advice of a financial adviser before making a decision as important as this.

Who can buy structured settlements?

Investors and financial institutions have many options when it comes to purchasing structured settlements. From banks, trusts, and insurance companies that may be regulated differently depending on their size and purpose to professional traders offering greater flexibility in the Transfer process – there is something available for everyone. An entity must acquire a license from the state in which it will engage in debt transactions before purchasing any structured settlement. Professional traders can provide an additional layer of security by acting as an independent third-party escrow agent, ensuring funds are transferred securely and regulations are complied with throughout the process.

Navigating the OASDI Limit 2023:Navigating the OASDI Limit 2023:

Ever wondered why some numbers in finance seem to shift every year? The OASDI limit for 2023 is one such figure that’s crucial yet often misunderstood. For those scratching their heads, OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability insurance – essentially Social Security. This year brings a fresh twist you’ll definitely want to get cozy with.

The OASDI limit marks the ceiling of your earnings taxed for Social Security purposes. Understanding this number is more than just ticking a box for the sake of it; it’s about smartly mapping out your financial journey ahead. In the same way you manage your credit cards to optimize credit health, understanding the OASDI limit helps optimize your financial health.

Understanding the Social Security Tax Limit 2023

The limit on Social Security tax isn’t something to shrug off. It’s the maximum amount of your earnings that are subject to the Social Security tax each year.

That limit is $160,200. A nice chunk of change, right?

What Is the Social Security Tax Limit?

Let’s break it down. If your earnings hit that $160,200 cap, you’ll pay a maximum of $9,932.40 in Social Security taxes for the year. Your employer will kick in the same amount, for a total of $19,864.80 paid into the system on your behalf.

But if you’re self-employed, you’re on the hook for the whole enchilada – 12.4% of your earnings up to that $160,200 limit. The silver lining? You get to deduct half of that amount on your tax return. Every cloud, my friend. This is akin to how wisely managing your credit can lead to significant savings over time.

Now, let’s say you’re an overachiever and earn more than $160,200. Congrats. But here’s the thing: you don’t pay Social Security taxes on anything over that amount. It’s like hitting the jackpot, tax-wise.

How the Increase Affects Payroll Taxes

So, how does this compare to last year? In 2022, the Social Security tax limit was $147,000. That means the limit jumped by $13,200 for 2023. Not too shabby.

But wait, there’s more. If you’re a high earner, you could pay up to $818 more in Social Security taxes this year compared to 2022. It’s all thanks to that increase in the wage base limit.

So, what does this mean for your paycheck? If you earn $160,200 or more, you’ll see 6.2% taken out for Social Security taxes until you hit that magic number. Then, poof. No more Social Security tax withholdings for the rest of the year. It’s like a little bonus, right? Much like how responsibly using credit cards for monthly expenses can help manage cash flow effectively.

Changes in Social Security Benefits in 2023

Now, let’s talk about the fun part: Social Security benefits. Benefits are getting a boost.

Thanks to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), benefits will increase by 8.7%. That’s the biggest jump since 1981. It’s like giving your monthly check a caffeine boost.

Retirement Earnings Test Thresholds for 2023

But wait, there’s a catch. If you’re under your full retirement age and still working, the retirement earnings test comes into play. This quiz is all about figuring out if earning a bit more cash will mean your benefits take a hit.

The earnings limit is $21,240 per year or $1,770 per month for those under full retirement age. If you hit that limit, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over the threshold. Ouch.

But once you reach full retirement age, the earnings test disappears like magic. Poof. You can earn as much as you want without any reduction in benefits. It’s like hitting the retirement jackpot. Similar to how managing credit effectively can increase your purchasing power over time.

Modular Construction: The New Era of Building?

What if I told you that there’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to building and construction? From the usual, brick-by-brick and board-by-board process, we’re now looking at a construction marvel that’s saving both time and money. Yes, I’m talking about modular construction!

Understanding the Concept of Modular Construction

So, what exactly is modular construction? Imagine building with LEGOS. You have individual building blocks that, when combined properly, create complete structures. That’s the simplest analogy for it. Modular construction uses pre-manufactured units – commonly referred to as “modules” – that are made in a factory setting and then brought to the construction site, ready to be installed. It’s a new, efficient way of constructing buildings that is challenging the traditional methods of building.

The Wonders of Modular Building

Now, why are people going gaga over modular building? Well, the reasons are multitude. One, it speeds up the construction process. Think about it – while the site is being prepped, the modules are being simultaneously manufactured offsite. This means that you can speed up your project timeline by nearly 50%! That’s like having your cake and eating it too!

Two, it breaks the myth that buildings have to be crudely built on site, with traditional construction materials and methods. Remember the LEGO analogy, right? It makes it easier to construct, assemble, and even disassemble, allowing for flexibility in design and construction. It’s almost like working with a blank canvas!

How Modular Building Systems Work

Now, let’s dig in a little deeper and figure out how these modular building systems work. The process begins in a factory, where individual module is manufactured to the highest specification, fully inclusive of interior finishes, electrical circuits, water supply, and even fittings. This is indeed an example of technology and engineering intertwined!

These build modules are then transported to the site- a scene that often surprises passersby as the skeleton of a new building appears overnight! They’re then placed on the foundation using cranes, and gradually, these individual modules start coming together to form the shape of the building. What’s remarkable here is that each module is a fully functional unit of its own, equipped with essential systems, ready to be hooked up to utilities once installed.

Embracing the Future: Construction Modular

So, why are more and more builders and developers embracing construction modular with open arms? For starters, it’s efficient and cost-effective. The factory-made parts mean minimal material waste and optimized man-hours. This reflects directly on the overall project cost, which is generally lower than traditional construction.

More than that, modular construction is eco-friendly. Not only are we cutting down on material waste, we’re reducing the carbon footprint associated with construction activity on sites. It’s a win-win for us and the environment!

The Takeaway

The modular revolution has begun, and it’s here to stay. Modular construction is not just about changing the way we build. It’s about changing the way we think and approach the concept of construction. It may not entirely replace traditional building, but it’s certainly challenging it by presenting a faster, more cost-effective, and greener alternative.

So, the next time you see that building sprout up overnight in your neighborhood, you now know it’s not magic, just modular construction!