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Tuesday, 16 March 2010 00:00 |
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 HELENA — Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau announced that Montana schools have achieved an historic level of accreditation, with 581 achieving the full accreditation, up from 514 last year and 464 in the 2007-08 school year.
"Having so many of our schools meet these standards is a testament to the professionalism and excellence of Montana educators and communities," Juneau said. "The increased accreditation is a reflection of the increased expectations and standards we set for our schools."
At the Montana Board of Public Education meeting on March 12, the board approved Juneau's recommendations for the 2009-2010 accreditation status for 842 Montana schools. The 842 schools included 822 public elementary, middle and high schools, six state funded schools, and 14 private schools. Montana Accreditation distinguishes schools, classrooms, and professionals with the standards and resources to successfully steward Montana's most precious resource, its children.
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Monday, 15 March 2010 00:00 |
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 MISSOULA ― More than 2,500 undergraduate students and their faculty mentors from around the country will converge on Missoula for the 2010 National Conference on Undergraduate Research, slated for Thursday through Saturday, April 15-17, at The University of Montana.
NCUR is expected to have a significant impact on the Missoula economy, as visitors will sleep, eat, shop and explore the city and the greater western Montana region while attending the conference.
Highlights of NCUR’s economic impact include:
- Conference participants will occupy more than 1,500 rooms in area hotels.
- Additional aircraft and larger planes are scheduled to accommodate participants flying into Missoula International Airport. For example, the Wisconsin-area schools will charter two 747s to deliver students to Missoula.
- Nearly 400 conference participants will go on scheduled excursions to various locations in the Missoula region, including the People’s Center in Pablo, the National Bison Range and Lee Metcalf national wildlife refuges and the Smokejumper Visitor Center.
- Many participants and their families will extend their stays for personal trips, from hiking in and around Missoula to visiting Glacier National Park.
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Saturday, 13 March 2010 07:16 |
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 Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins, was the first book (1999) to explore the lucrative opportunities for businesses in an era of approaching environmental limits. It remains a restoration classic.
In this groundbreaking blueprint for a new economy, three business visionaries explain how the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution that promises to transform our fundamental notions about commerce and our future.
Natural Capitalism describes a future in which business and environmental interests will increasingly overlap, and in which businesses will better satisfy their customers’ needs, increase profits, and help solve environmental problems all at the same time.
Copyright 2010. The author, Michael Sprague, is president and founder of Trout Headwaters, Inc., an aquatic design/build firm and CEO of THI’s sister company, THI RiverWorks, Inc., both based in Livingston, Mont.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 13 March 2010 07:23 |
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Friday, 12 March 2010 00:00 |
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Scheduling Appointments from your iPhone, Android or Blackberry is Simple, Fast and Practical
 BOZEMAN, MT.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A mobile web version of the popular online appointment scheduling service, Schedulicity, is now available for small businesses and their clients. CNBC Magazine this week recognized Schedulicity among 12 important technology trends for streamlining operations and customer service in 2010. The company’s convenient, searchable appointment scheduling is already being used by service professionals in 49 states and 400+ cities in the U.S.
Filling a need for professionals who want to actively manage their online appointment book in real-time, Schedulicity is the only service that offers all the features necessary to run a small appointment-based business from a mobile phone. Where other services offer limited or view-only modes, Schedulicity mobile delivers everything professionals need to be responsive, flexible and successful.
“With Schedulicity, I get to be on the go all the time!” said Jamie Nelms, LMT, esthetician and owner of Your Body’s ReTreat, Dallas, TX. “I’m in control and know with confidence on my iPhone when a client schedules; or if there’s a cancellation, I can fill it right away. At the office, at a restaurant, or walking my dogs, I can manage my schedule, serve my clients, have a life and a thriving business.”
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Last Updated on Friday, 12 March 2010 06:51 |
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Tuesday, 16 March 2010 00:00 |
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Commissioner of Securities and Insurance orders cease and desist on alleged pyramid scheme
 Helena - Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Monica J. Lindeen, announced the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and Notice of Proposed Agency Action against Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. for allegedly operating a "pyramid scheme."
The actions allege Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) recruited thousands of Montanans with deceptive claims that members could earn huge sums of money through the recruitment of new participants and through the sale of discounted services. Also named in the actions are Paul C. Orberson, President, Thomas A. Mills, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dianne Graber, Executive Sales Manager for the Company. Ms. Graber lives in Billings and allegedly promoted the program in Montana and recruited a substantial number of Montana participants.
"Pyramid schemes make a few individuals wealthy, by exploiting a large number of hard-working people with promise of income that can't possibly materialize," Commissioner Lindeen said. "Today, I decided to shut down Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. and its representatives because I believe it is an illegal operation and it needs to end before more people lose money."
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Monday, 15 March 2010 00:00 |
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 (HELENA) – The Montana Department of Commerce is encouraging Montana citizens to help test the speed and efficiency of Montana’s broadband Internet service by participating in on-line speed tests.
The on-line speed tests are part of Montana’s Broadband Mapping project, which is designed to help identify the deficiencies in Montana’s high speed Internet service. Broadband is high-speed access to the Internet delivered via fiber optic, copper phone lines, cable, or wireless technologies.
To take the test, log on to the web site mtspeed.org, answer the simple questions and click the speed test button. The web-site will then display the Internet connection speed and simultaneously collect data to help the state map broadband availability. If broadband is unavailable, citizens are requested to leave a message at the following toll-free number – 1-877-448-6277 (MAPS).
“These tests are quick, easy and important,” said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “The data collected from these speed tests will help us plan for broadband services. Broadband technologies are key to bringing good jobs, educational opportunities and cost-effective services to Montana. I encourage everyone to take the speed-test to help promote this project.”
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Friday, 12 March 2010 08:47 |
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 Best Friends Animal Hospital and Urgent Care Center opened in Billings in November 2002. In January 2008, Dr. Smith and Dr. Gocke-Smith enthusiastically took over ownership. As a full service medical and surgical practice for small animals, it also fulfills a need on our community for 24-hour Urgent and Emergency Care.
Our team of veterinarians, receptionists, and technicians are dedicated to taking the best care of your pets and you. We have an upbeat team attitude and are truly proud of our dedication and work – your pet will feel the difference!
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00 |
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Free Webinar March 24th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM
 The Montana World Trade Center is organizing an International Business Development Mission to Israel May 31-June 3, and wanted to provide a forum for your company to learn more about this unique and exciting market. (Contact the MWTC for further information regarding the development mission)
The US Commercial Service is dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized companies develop international markets. Jonathan Heimer, Senior Commercial Officer in Tel Aviv, will provide participating companies with insight into the Israeli market.
What You Will Learn
- What leading industry sectors provide the most opportunity for Montana exporters.
- What new and emerging market opportunities exist for businesses outside these leading sectors.
- Business will have an opportunity to ask questions specific to their business.
Why Israel?
- The U.S. is Israel's largest single country trade partner, despite heavy European competition.
- Israel-U.S. commerce has grown seven fold since signing the Free Trade Agreement in 1985.
- Nearly all tariffs on trade between U.S. and Israel have been eliminated since 1995.
- Israel is a world leader in Research and Development.
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