Moving to Montana – State Information

If someone who likes small towns and nature decides to move, Montana is the best choice. Before moving to a whole new state, its good to know about its particularities, as well as present state of economy and recreational opportunities.

Bordered by four US states- Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota- and Canada, Montana is a large state, located in North of America. Its population is small, less than a million residents especially compared to the states sizes. There are only six states in the US with a smaller population than Montana’s. At surface though, Montana is the fourth biggest state in the country.

Like its entire population, Montana’s cities are also small. Billings, Montana’s major city is home to only ninety thousand residents. Helena is the capital of Montana.

Being such a large state, Montana is very diverse in both geography and climate. Having so many mountains isn’t a surprise knowing that Montana got its name from the Spanish term montaña, which means mountain.

Due to its many mountains, Montana has always based its economy on mining. Natural resources ready to be extracted are diverse. In the 19th century, precious metals like gold and silver attracted investors from all over America; this lead to the largest number of millionaires per inhabitant in the whole world. Montana also possesses an enormous territory ready to be cultivated, classifying it to be the state with the second largest farmland in America.

Being such a geographically rich state, tourism is now Montana’s biggest income provider. Crime rates are low and nature is outstanding in Montana. Charming small cities attract people with busy agitated lives to spend vacations here in a tranquil environment.

Montana’s small number of inhabitants doesn’t manage to bloom the state’s economy, placing it to the country’s poorest states. People used to live in large cities won’t find Montana a good place to settle. However, internet is making these days possible to live and work far from the employing company. And Montana’s relaxing environment is just perfect to raise kids. Sadly, if someone relocates in Montana, he’s job will provide less income than it did in another state, even if the job is similar. This is why business owners are welcomed here, as Montana’s residents are famous for their performances and efficiency in work

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Moving can become pure chaos if no professional help is provided. MT Moving Companies are ready to relocate anyone who decided that Montana would be perfect as he’s new home. During the relocating process, MT Storage Units are there to keep belongings safe.

Gambling in Montana

Situated in that great region where the Great Plains meets the Pacific Northwest, the state of Montana is famous for its huge, smoky mountain ranges, more than anything else. The Rocky Mountains dominate most of Montana, which is the fourth largest state in the United States of America yet has the seventh smallest population at just less than one million. Montana shares a 545 mile border with several Canadian Provinces to the North, as well as North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho.

The per capita income in Montano is low, amongst the lowest in the United States, largely derived from agriculture, with tourism running a close second. Montana was the scene of the famous Battle of Little Bighorn, as well as sharing some of the entrances to the huge Yellowstone National Park

The economy in Montana is slowly but steadily on the increase, in large part due to the state’s recognition of the importance of promoting tourism. Gambling is a big part of Montana’s culture, which makes it an even more attractive destination for out of state visitors. The fact that most of the Casinos are situated on American Indian reservations is of no issue as the Native American Tribes maintain good relations with the local population. As in most other states where the casinos cater more toward out of state visitors, Montanans prefer to do their gambling online, in the comfort and warmth of their own home, and not travel the vast distances to gamble at a live casino. The laws relating to casino gambling in Montana are a little bizarre. Whilst there are dozens of Casinos in Montana, they only allow slot games or video poker. There are no table games. And in any event, most of the live casinos are only open during the summer months when tourism is especially active in the state. There are also quite a few horse racing tracks in the state, but these are also mostly open in spring, summer and autumn.

The infrastructures for the casinos in Montana are excellent, all of them offering excellent dining facilities, bars and entertainment. Many of them are also situated in resort hotels, and offer every facility for tourists, such as shopping malls, parking facilities for RV’s, on-site child care and fine dining. However the state is still nowhere near to realizing the potential these casinos can offer in tax income and most especially job possibilities for the local population. Table games are what the people want in a live casino, especially the super popular Texas hold’em poker variation.

If the state legislators would wake up to the possibilities of extending the range of table games available in the excellent casinos which are already open in the state it would be doing a service to out of town visitors as well as the locals. Estimates are that it would triple the income of these casinos, and would prevent the drift of gamblers to other states or to spending their time and money gambling online.

About the Author

Sarah Harrigan is a professional casino player and reviewer. For straight talking honest advice on
online gambling
be sure to visit her website for comprehensive reviews on the
most secure online casinos
and winning casino strategies.

A “safety Net” for Tough Times -

DATELINE:  IRVINE, CA… Every year, infant formula is one of the most shoplifted items throughout the country.  This brings into focus a problem faced by increasing numbers of families with a new baby as the economy tanks.

Parents of new babies who wondered “how am I going to afford this” before their baby arrived, are now losing part or all of their income and/or home. Now what? There’s no real answer for them, other than cutting back and trying to replace the lost income. If they don’t have luck with replacing that income, things can get steadily worse.  With a baby screaming due to hunger and no money to pay for infant formula (which runs $50 per week), the temptation for a father to steal it from the local market is understandable.  Yet, it is not an option.  Dad being arrested for shoplifting will only add to the economic nightmare for a young family.

According to Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, and author of two books on fathering, there are alternatives available for feeding baby and family.

Bishop explained, “Every community has a ‘safety net’ for families falling off the economic ladder and they generally give priority to children. Dad will need to learn how to navigate this network, which can be very frustrating, particularly now when there is growing competition for limited resources and each community has a unique arrangement of resources and organizations involved.”

But, assistance is out there.  Boot Camp for New Dads provides some basic guidelines to follow:

·     Look for support early when it becomes apparent you may need it.  There may be waiting lists, or an eligibility period, etc. Connect with the local information and referral system.  Don’t know where to start?  Ask at a church, county welfare, a senior citizen center or food bank.

·     Start with a local food bank to supplement your family’s meal costs.  They can also provide a wealth of information (talk to others in line and staff as well) for anyone accessing the “safety-net” for the first time.

·     Check into your family’s eligibility for food stamps.  The national program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).  The SNAP program provides families with an electronic card, similar to an ATM card which may be used for groceries.  In general, families with an income of less than $2000 per month for a family of four are eligible.  (Visit www.fns.usda.gov/FSP)

·     Housing is tough due to limited resources.  Homeless shelters can be a temporary fix, but they are not set up for families.  Subsidized housing may be an option that is available to you and your family, but waiting lists are involved, so investigate this option as soon as you know you may need it.

·     You may be eligible for help with your utility bills, especially heating oil.  Check with your local referral system.

·     Temporary income assistance may also be available from your county welfare office.

·     If you lose your health insurance, check out local health clinics for the uninsured for both treatment and information on insurance alternatives (like Medicaid for your child).

·     Look for odd jobs to pay something.

Bishop continued, “When times are tough, the man who does whatever is necessary, in an honest way, to take care of his family, is a man in its truest sense.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads:  Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets. His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more.  Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow.  They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes.  For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Now celebrating their 18th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program.  Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years.

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics) and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.DadsAdventure.com.  To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

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                                       How to Apply

Police and Fire

Police Officers

Police Officer testing is now administered by Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium. The tests include a combination of a written examination and physical ability testing. The Police Officers Standards and Training Office (P.O.S.T.) through the Law Enforcement Academy in Helena administers the written and physical ability test for Police Officers. Additional information, test dates and locations, and testing application can be found at http://www.bozeman.net/MTLETC/. 

Information specific to being a police officer in Helena can be found on the Helena Police Department web page.

Firefighters

The written and physical ability test for Firefighters is administered annually by the Montana Firefighters Testing Consortium and includes nine of the major cities and fire districts in the state. Registration for the 2010 testing has closed. Registration for 2011 testing will be available approximately the middle of November. Testing generally occurs during the first full week of June each year. Additional information can be found at www.montanacareerfirefighterjobs.net . Applications for employment are only available at the testing to those candidates who have successfully passed both tests.

Police Officers and Firefighters are confirmed by the City Commission after successfully completing their probationary period of 12 months.

Contact:

Sheri Hall
(406)447-8404
e-mail cityhr(at)ci.helena.mt.us

Mailing Address:
City of Helena
Human Resources
316 N Park Ave, Rm 148
Helena, MT 59623

Montana Auto Insurance Deals

Montana is a big state in the United States of America. Most times individuals who look for car insurance cover policies are usually scared and filled with doubts on how to get the perfect deal. Getting the required coverage at the ideal price is important hence steps that will help buyers of vehicle cover in Montana get cheap premium are explained below…

Go online and search thoroughly the many companies that offer Montana car insurance and their quotes. Feel free to use the services of a third party, a professional in the industry and compare the results you get from them. This study is important before you set out for a car cover deal in Montana.

Inspect your auto and understand the best car cover that suits it well. If your car is old or it is going to be driven by many drivers in your home or it may even belong to a lien holder, then you may need to add a towing insurance deal and your premium may likely be high. Take note of the amount of money you can pay every month.

In some past years, getting different charges and studying the prices of different car cover companies use to be a very stressful task but now, thank Goodness for the computer and the internet, you can now get these rates while resting comfortably in your home or in the relaxed atmosphere of your office.

Auto insurance is a must for you if you must drive. For you to have the peace of mind of driving freely around town and knowing that whatever happens you have you car covered it a good feeling.

The best service institution for this will give you access to the best free professional consultation services on demand.

Where to Get This in Montana? Click Here: Best Montana Auto Insurance

About the Author

DISCOUNT AUTO INSURANCE /
CAR INSURANCE ESTIMATES

Dedicated research writer for financial solutions. learn how to get the best low rates for loans, insurance, mortgages. Happy Clients means happy business!

Technician of the Year Offers Summer Driving Tips

Summer has always been a time when most Americans take their vacations and take extended road trips. This tradition will no doubt be observed this season even with the price of gasoline increasing. But before hitting the roads, it is of utmost importance that one should consider checking their cars for potential threat of malfunctions.

The National Automotive Parts Association 2007 Technician of the Year Kit Johnson has some pieces of advice to offer to drivers who are planning to get away for the summer. Johnson is from East Helena, Montana. The distinguished technician offers maintenance tips to car owners to make sure that their road trips will not be ruined by a car malfunction.

“Hitting the pavement and seeing the country from your car is one of America’s most time-honored traditions,” said Johnson. “Unfortunately, some people end up on the side of the road because they forget to do simple preparations before the trip to keep their vehicle up and running.”

One of the things that a Johnson advices car owner to do would be to have their car’s cooling system checked. The system should be flushed and filed with the proper coolant before hitting the open road.

An automobile’s cooling system is of utmost importance to its proper functioning. The radiator is the heart of the system and it should be checked for leaks. The coolant in the radiator is circulated throughout the engine via a closed system. The coolant takes away heat from engine components and is then cooled in the radiator before going back into its cycle inside the engine.

Aside from the cooling system which when maintained properly will significantly reduce the risk of overheating, Johnson also advises motorists to check the belts and hoses in the engine bay. A frayed hose would mean a leak and a snapped belt would mean that motorists would have to pull to the side of the road for replacement. These simple preventive steps could save a driver from inconvenience of repairing these problems while on the road.

Fluids should also be checked and topped off. Antifreeze, although impractical due to the weather should also be topped off. This is because antifreeze usually has anti-corrosion properties. Engine oil should also be checked to make sure that the powerplant would perform efficiently. Power steering, brake, and transmission fluid should also be checked and topped off or changed if needed.

As the price of gasoline increases continually, Johnson advises motorists to be mindful of any leaks coming from the car. Motorists should be especially wary if fuel or oil is leaking. Johnson says “even the smallest leak can turn into a large hole in the wallet if not caught and fixed.”

Johnson also said that the load is a factor for a car’s fuel efficiency. The world-class technician said that if you do not need a certain cargo, you should just leave it. According to him, an extra 100 pounds of load can reduce fuel economy by one to two percent on many cars. While the savings may be small, it will add up especially if one is going on an extended road trips.

An efficient brake system should also be a part of a car that should be taken on an extended road trip. A competent Saturn brake rotor would go a long way in keeping a motorist safe on a trip.

“Drivers should read their owner’s manual and keep up with regular service checks,” he said. “It’s important to maintain your vehicle throughout the year so that your vehicle is ready for those long summer drives.”

About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

How far away is the automotive industry from producing 4-door, 4×4, 4-cylinder, diesel, hybrid, pickup trucks?

I want a pickup that has great towing capability (i.e. > 8,000 lbs), can stand up to a Montana winter, and gets over 30mpg. I’m cheering you on Detroit!

I’m sure they already have the technology, but they (the auto industry) insist that they can’t implement it in their vehicles because it will increase the cost of the vehicles and consumer won’t be able to afford them. Nevermind that I see all these jerks driving around in Hummers and Escalades.
If the government started imposing heavy taxes on inefficient vehicles, then perhaps the tide would turn.

Moving to Montana? ?

I’m looking to move, out of California, in 6 months to a year from now and have been looking into cities. Montana has kind of risen to the top of the list because it seems to match a lot of the things I’m looking for. The biggest thing I’m not sure about is which city might be the best.

What I’m hoping for:
-Affordable rent/housing
-Employment opportunities
-Relatively low/average crime rates
-More rural, natural surroundings. Not a big city but not a ghost town
-All four seasons would be great, but not completely necessary if there are nice summers and winters

So the cities I’ve seen that seem to match these the most are Missoula, Great Falls, and Billings. I’m not sure about Kalispell and Helena.

Can anyone give me some advice or point me a little closer in a direction? Or would anyone suggest any other cities, either in Montana or not?

I would say that Billings is a great choice!!! It is beautiful, cheap, and comfortably quiet. You might have already been to this website, but just in case you haven’t, hear it is! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Coach K lands in Jersey
Former University of Montana coach and player Larry Krystkowiak was announced as a new member of the New Jersey Nets’ coaching staff today. He’ll be an assistant under new head coach Avery Johnson. [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Helena Farmer’s Market to feature gardening, pest info
Lewis & Clark County Extension Office and Lewis & Clark County Master Gardeners will have a booth at the Helena Farmers’ Market to answer plant, insect, disease and gardening questions.