The bottles flow - In Fargo, alcohol sales rose along with Red River
FARGO, N.D. - In the debate over which businesses are essential during an emergency, many local liquor stores and bars had no doubt about where they fell during the Red River flood threat.
Resort tax proposal divides small town
CRAIG - A proposal for a
The worm that wasn’t ... at least yet
I thought about writing on the Conficker worm last week, the latest malware that turns Windows computers into members of “botnets” controlled by “bad guys.” But I didn’t want to buy into all the hype about the Internet being clogged by millions of those “zombie” computers.
New villains rise in recession - Americans look to define bad guys in troubled times
DEARBORN, Mich. - “The better the villain,” Alfred Hitchcock said, “the better the movie.” And in the epic production that is the United States of America, we have followed that advice since the earliest settlers landed. For every hero the American story factory produces, a vivid new villain comes off the assembly line in short order.
Getting ahead
New associates
Perian Smith has joined Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate, 1500 W. Broadway, Suite A, as a real estate agent.
Keyboards, touch screens shine at cell phone show
LAS VEGAS - Goodbye, numeric cell phone keypads. You’re going the way of the rotary dial. Touch screens and QWERTY keyboards will take over from here, thank you.
Livestock report
The Missoula Livestock Exchange posted 324 receipts for April 2.
Decoy business booms in Casper
CASPER, Wyo. - A light snow fell as the FedEx driver loaded box after box from the home’s driveway onto the truck. Tina Jones arrived home, weaved her way through a maze of yet more boxes inside the house, some stacked to the ceiling. Her husband was, as usual, talking on the phone in his office.
Judge rules in favor of mining company - Ruling says estimated $4.7 billion in shares must be returned
HELENA - Because Asarco LLC was wrongly stripped of its shares of a Peruvian copper mine by its parent company, those shares - worth an estimated $4.7 billion - must be returned, according to a judge’s ruling released last week.
Billings makes Forbes’ Best Places list
BILLINGS (AP) - Billings ranks 15th on the Forbes list of “Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers” in 2009.
What to do when you can’t pay your tax bill
NEW YORK - The clock is ticking down to April 15 and it’s time to pay the tax man.
Studios see red as DVD rental kiosks flourish
The hottest thing in movie rentals is as old as the Coke machine - and just as red.
Long & winding roads - Businesses around state hope to profit from federal boost
HELENA - Montana’s $200 million-plus in federal stimulus money for highway work isn’t out of the chute yet, but it’s already buoying the outlook of businessmen such as Kyle and Jason Fisher, brothers who form straw into tubes for erosion control at highway construction sites.
Save on your health in ailing economy - Medical coverage doesn’t have to take a back seat when times are tough
NEW YORK - Even in a weak economy, the one budget item you shouldn’t stop nursing is your health.
Travel Missoula using Transit
After playing with Google Earth and Google Maps, I was pointed to a little-known service called Google Transit, which provides schedules and information for public transportation in 50 cities all over the world. I tried it out and found that Transit will give you exact directions and tell you how far you need to walk or ride a bike to catch one of Mountain Line’s buses around Missoula (www.google.com/transit).
Consumers can get stuck when sites change terms
A recent e-mail from Eastman Kodak Co. didn’t lead to a Kodak moment for Vanessa Daniele. It got her angry.
Getting ahead
New business
Dudley Chicoine has started a new business, Tech 1 Electronics. Chicoine has worked in the Missoula area for more than 30 years and specializes in sales, service and installation of all types of consumer electronics for both residential and commercial applications. Chicoine has trained many technicians statewide on the industry standards for wiring and installing residential and commercial electronic systems. His new business will focus on providing sales and service for audio, video and telecommunications products. He can be reached at 274-6631 or visit www.tech1electronics.com.
Stores offer freebies, perks to lure shoppers
In these tough economic times, what’s a store to do to make sure it’s still in business a year from now?
Livestock report
The Missoula Livestock Exchange posted 483 receipts for March 26.
Easier to digest - Producers find interest in high-protein, gluten-free products
BELGRADE - It’s 14 degrees in the Montana Gluten-Free Processors warehouse. The morning cups of coffee resting on the counter are quickly losing steam as everyone’s attention turns toward a hopper spitting oats into brown 50-pound bags.
When will our market hit bottom? Experts detail signs of a housing turnaround
Any of you know of or follow Barry Ritholtz?
Some choose to delete paper mail
The post office doesn’t deliver mail to Steven Stark’s Santa Maria, Calif., home anymore.
Summer airfare war heats up
A summer airfare war is heating up as one of the worst downturns in travel is leaving airlines scrambling to fill seats.
Getting ahead
New associates
Marcia Salusso has joined Montana Homefitters in sales and design. She has 40 years experience in home furnishings. Salusso is a graduate of the University of Montana and has a master’s degree in interior design.
Livestock report
The Missoula Livestock Exchange posted 225 receipts for March 19.
Tracking down history of Street View in Missoula
Last month, I heard that images of Missoula were available on Google Street View, part of Google Maps, and since then I’ve spent a few hours cruising around town with my MacBook. To me, the photographs of Missoula are an interesting time capsule and must be an interesting way for visitors to find their way around town.
Life of service - Billings woman trains to become a butler
BILLINGS - Tucked inside Treva Mayo’s jacket with tails are six indispensable items for a proper butler: a pen, cigarette lighter, pocket knife, notepad, facial tissue and wine bottle opener.
Small town no longer without grocery store
TWIN BRIDGES - This town in the scenic Ruby Valley has a grocery store again.
Hard work, taking risks keys to being successful in business
Missoula technology entrepreneur Alex Philp doesn’t believe in coincidences.
Getting ahead
New associates
Tamarack Grief Resource Center, 336 W. Spruce, has hired the following staff members: Tina Barrett, Ed.D, LCPC, director; Barb Myers, LCSW, Flathead Valley program director; Laura Solem, CMT administrative assistant; Marika Perros, BA, operations coordinator. Tamarack Grief Resource Center provides stabilizing support for children, adults and families as they reconstruct their lives after loss.
