About five homeless people a night stayed at temporary warming site at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds last weekend, said Jeff Rupp, president and CEO of the Human Resources Development Council. Mostly, the people who used the warming center were single homeless people in town, Rupp said Monday night. If the center was a more permanent space and there had been more time to spread the word about its location, more homeless families likely would have come, he said. GA_googleFillSlot("BDC_news_instory_300x250"); The temporary warming center, in Exhibit Hall 3, on the north end of the fairgrounds, opened Thursday and is expected to stay open until the middle of this week, Rupp said. The site was set up as a last resort to help homeless people get out of the bitter cold snap last week. "We're hoping to get something at the fairgrounds that's more permanent," Rupp said. The temporary warming center is open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Blankets and cots will be available, but food will not ...

  Smartphones and Tablets to Take Over in 2011, Researchers Say By STEVE LOHR The research firm IDC predicts that in 2011, computing’s third major technology wave will become mainstream, when computers held in one’s hand — smartphones and tablets — really take over and start putting personal computers in the rearview mirror. Next year, the research firm says in a report published Thursday, there will be 330 million smartphones sold worldwide and 42 million media tablets. Tablet sales are expected to more than double next year, and to keep climbing, “breezing by netbooks, the phenomenon of two years ago,” said Frank Gens, chief analyst for IDC. “The PC-centric era is over,” the IDC report says. Within 18 months, it forecasts, non-PC devices capable of running software applications will outsell PCs. In tablets, IDC adds, Apple’s iPad will remain the leader, but lower-cost tablets will begin making inroads, especially as demand for tablets really takes off in emerging markets. IDC uses a h ...

 Pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.   The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator, rose 10.4 percent to 89.3 based on contracts signed in October from 80.9 in September. The index remains 20.5 percent below a surge to a cyclical peak of 112.4 in October 2009, which was the highest level since May 2006 when it hit 112.6. Last October, first-time buyers were motivated to make offers before the initial contract deadline for the tax credit last November. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said excellent housing affordability conditions are drawing home buyers. “It is welcoming to see a solid double-digit percentage gain, but activity needs to improve further to reach healthy, sustainable levels. The housing market clearly is in a recovery phase and will be uneven at times ...

 The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Ron Phipps.   “As the leading advocate for housing and home ownership issues, NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction (MID) is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. “The MID must not be targeted for change. NAR is actively engaged on behalf of the nation’s 75 million home owners and 1.1 million Realtors® to ensure that the current deduction is not modified as was recommended in the Deficit Reduction Commission report released today. “The tax deductibility of interest paid on mortgages is a powerful incentive for home ownership and has been one of the simplest provisions in the federal tax code for more than 80 years. In a new survey commissioned by NAR and conducted online in October 2010 by Harris Interactive of nearly 3,000 homeowners and renters, nearly three-fourths of homeowners and two-thirds of renters said the mortgage interest deduction was extremely or very importa ...

 As part of the 2010-11Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS® recently rated exterior replacement projects among the most cost-effective home improvement projects, demonstrating that curb appeal remains one of the most important aspects of a home at resale time. “This year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report highlights the importance of exterior projects, which not only provide the most value, but also are among the least expensive improvements for a home,” said National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “Since resale value can vary by region, it’s smart for home owners to work with a REALTOR® through the remodeling and improvement process; they can provide insight into projects in their neighborhoods that will recoup the most when the owners are ready to sell.” Nine of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects. The steel entry door replacement remaine ...

 Existing-home sales got back on an upward path in November, resuming a growth trend since bottoming in July, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 5.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million in November from 4.43 million in October, but are 27.9 percent below the cyclical peak of 6.49 million in November 2009, which was the initial deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, is hopeful for 2011. “Continuing gains in home sales are encouraging, and the positive impact of steady job creation will more than trump some negative impact from a modest rise in mortgage interest rates, which remain historically favorable,” he said. Yun added that home buyers are responding to improved affordability conditions. “The relationship recently between mortgage interest rates, home prices and family income has been the m ...

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides This winter season Cedar Mountain Corrals is offering a horse drawn sleigh rides through Moonlight Basin’s untouched terrain. Gather friends and family and come enjoy a scenic ride through untracked snow filled hills. Upon arriving at Ulrey’s Lake there will be warm drinks, snacks, children activities plus a bonfire.  Guests will enjoy live country music, s’mores, hot cocoa, coffee and campfire.  Contact our Mountain Concierge at (406) 995-7716 or Cedar Mountain Corrals at (406) 539-4065 for reservation and details.

 "Ski with a Local" Mountain Tours

If you are interested in finding the best gladed tree runs, the finest groomers, or knowing about our secret powder stashes – don’t miss your chance to Ski with a Local. Whether it is your first time or you have been here many times before, our seasoned Mountain Ambassadors will provide you with a personalized tour of what makes Moonlight Basin special. Don’t miss this Moonlight Basin Experience!

• Madison Village Base Area everyday and the Moonlight Lodge on Saturdays starting December 12
• 10:30am and 1:30pm

The wolverine, the elusive mammal that biologists believe was wiped out in the continental United States before re-establishing itself in the northern Rocky Mountains, warrants protection on the endangered species list, the U.S. Wildlife Service said Monday. However, the service said it is "precluded" from actually listing the animal because of more pressing wildlife issues in the United States. The announcement was met with measured celebration from conservation groups that sued FWS to re-examine the wolverine's status last year after the agency had previously found it did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. A Montana state biologist was more wary of a move to list the species. In its finding, the FWS cited global warming as the major threat to the wolverines. Specifically, wolverines need deep snow to reproduce. Female wolverines dig elaborate dens in the snow to protect their offspring from predators and the elements, according to the wildlife service. Current data trends suggest ...

 Snowshoeing As easy as walking, snowshoeing lets you experience what most people will never see. Get back to nature one step at a time with nothing but the wildlife, scenery, and snow blowing off the branches on Moonlight Basin’s own designated snowshoe trails. There is two main snowshoeing trails that we recommend for our guests. The Ulerys Lake Trail runs 2.5 miles between the Moonlight Lodge and Madison Village Base Area, looping around Lower Ulreys Lake. In addition, The Lee’s Pool trail is a 3 mile loop that winds through natural beauty starting at the Madison Village Base Area and down to the scenic Lee’s Pool.  Both trails are a must experience for those looking for a peaceful alternative to skiing. Our trails are open from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 7 days a week during winter season. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced loops are available.  Snowshoe rentals, trail passes and trail maps are available through the Season Pass office at the Madison Village Base Area or at the Skier Servi ...