How close is too close for a dry creek to be next to a house?
Q. I'm looking at this house to buy. I'm not really concerned about the house being flooded, becaue in Texas we have recently had close to record breaking rains and water did not reach the house. My main concern is erodding creekbanks and undercutting possibly destabilzing the foundation. At the shortest distance the house is probably 7-8 ft. away from creek bank. It is a heavily treed lot with groundcover (jasmine). Also, the seller has put rocks around some parts of the creek bed. The soil is a mix of clay and sand. So, does this seem too close or could I just have a retaining wall of stone or railroad ties built?
Asked by oliveoyl163 - Wed Aug 1 15:39:23 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. In the world of engineering, there is a phrase known as "the 100 year storm". In other words, a "dry creekbed" is still a creekbed that must have had water running through it at some point in history in order for it to be called a creekbed. There is no way to predict if that major storm that often occurs within that 100 year period will happen within your lifetime or not but engineers always plan for such a calamity. There is a huge difference between that creekbed taking on some flowing water for a month or so in the wet season and a mid-summer deluge drowning an area in higher ground and then all that water suddenly flooding that creekbed to the point of overflowing and washing everything in its path away. Water is a powerful and… [cont.]
Answered by James P - Wed Aug 1 16:09:38 2007

Can credit card companies close your accounts without warning? How does it affect your credit score?
Q. I received a letter in the mail from Juniper (iTunes Rewards) stating that they have closed my credit card account due to inactivity. I opened the account about 18 months ago and have never actually used it. Can they close my account just like that without any warning? How should I handle the situation? (Is there anything I can even do?) Also, I know that closing credit card accounts lowers your credit score. Does anyone know how much mine will be affected?
Asked by Sara - Tue Dec 23 21:34:21 2008 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Canceling a credit card can ding your credit because part of your credit score is based on something called a debt-to-credit ratio. When you cancel a credit card, you lower the amount of credit available to you, making that ratio look bigger (and more risky) to creditors.. 15 percent Length of Credit History: "In general, a credit report containing a list of accounts opened for a long time will help your credit score. The score considers your oldest account and the average age of all accounts." 35 percent Payment History: "Having a long history making of payments on time and no missed payments on all credit accounts is one of the most important items lenders look for
Answered by Stealth - Tue Dec 23 21:55:55 2008

How close are scientists to developing a personal flying device that would replace cars?
Q. Imagine a backpack with a propeller. No car is necessary to reach the other side of the city. You can look into anyone's window, no matter what floor a person lives on. There will be new traffic rules, fewer cars, fewer traffic accidents. How close are we to developing a personal flying device?
Asked by Nick K - Fri Oct 26 02:11:12 2007 - - 11 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Currently, that technology is still far away. We have created jetpacks, but the amount of fuel that they can carry limits flying time to about 30 seconds, and are VERY expensive. However, a new scientific breakthrough will be needed to provide sufficient power to lift a person, as well as sustain the person in the air for an acceptable amount of time. It will come, one day. Perhaps in 100 years, or even in 20 years. The first plane the Wright Brothers flew was only in the air for 12 seconds, but now, 100 years later, airplanes cross the globe effortlessly carrying hundreds of passengers and flying at high speeds for many hours. The same case happened with trains, phones, computers, and soon, space travel. Currently, MOLLER (www.moller.co [cont.]
Answered by Hi - Fri Oct 26 05:06:01 2007