"Downton Abbey”, the very popular PBS Masterpiece series is entertaining viewers this season. The tales of how the wealthy British aristocrats lived and loved in the early years of the 20th Century play out. Interacting with them are the trials and tribulations of those who were their hired help.

The series, which is now in the process of filming another season of episodes, has attracted a rush of tourists to the estate that served as the fictitious Downton Abbey. It is Highclere Castle, a sprawling manor majestically dominating the landscape just 60 miles west of London.

Owned by the current Earl of Carnarvon, it has become a popular destination for tourists who are curious to see where their TV idols sipped tea and hunted pheasants. The estate is currently sprucing up to prepare for this spring’s rush of visitors, and is expected to be open daily in early March. For scheduled programs at the castle and more information, go to www.highclerecastle.co.uk/

So far into early 2012, three small independent airlines suddenly stopped flying because of financial woes. First it was Madrid’s Spanair, then Hungary’s Malev and now bankrupt Air Australia has been grounded. In several incidents, the quick collapses left customers stranded on the ground or with tickets that were no longer usable.

Prospects for all airlines, including the big ones, are not looking smooth. With the next round of Middle East oil cartel robbery oil price increases happening, we can expect the already high ticket costs to go up for spring and summer air and auto travel.

The blatantly bragging chain restaurant on Sin City’s downtown Fremont Street wants everyone to know it doesn’t care for diets and healthful foods. It uses phrases such as Flatline Fries and Quadruple Bypass Burgers to describe its fat-loaded food. A sign outside says you can eat free if you weigh over 350 pounds.

The other day, a patron was reported to have had a heart attack in the Heart Attack Grill. He was taken to a local hospital, but details haven’t been fully reported. Las Vegas is a cynical city, and some locals believe the whole episode was just for publicity. 

Anyone who has been to Vegas knows the Heart Attack Grill has competition at the hotel all-you-can-stuff buffets. If you’ve seen how people load up their plates three or four times there, you have to wonder why their already-fat bellies and hearts don’t burst.

After more than a decade of time-consuming security check-ins at airports, Homeland Security has come up with a way to relieve those who fly most.

You don’t have to be a big movie star, politician or general to get through security fast if you’re willing to become a designated PreCheck passenger. Now, in most major U.S. airports, those who’ve volunteered required information in advance can go through the fast line. The information is a barcode print on special boarding passes, and can be quickly scanned by a security officer.

Of course, TSA reserves the right to conduct spot checks and carry-on inspections. And even the PreCheck passengers may occasionally need to take off their shoes and/or get groped or a body scan.

For more info, go to www.tsa.gov/