Room to Read

http://www.roomtoread.org/Welcome

BUILDING LIBRARIES and schools in some of my favorite places.

Cheap eats (free cookbook)

As I semi-randomly poke about the interwebs, I find stuff.
Number one nephew and I were talking about eating better.  I found a couple of great resources for eating well on a budget.
Just a quick glance, but this blog looks promising:
http://www.budgetbytes.com/

FREE pdf cookbook, made for people who are on SNAP benefits (usually $125 per month per person).  Her recipes look fantastic!
http://www.leannebrown.com/

a very good example why it takes us so long to get things done in government

I will just DARE you to create a password following the rules below.
Oh, and it needs to be changed every 60 days...


    1. Must be 12 - 16 characters long.    
    2. Cannot match your initial default password.    
    3. Must start with a letter.    
    4. Must contain at least one number in character positions 2 thru 7, inclusive.    
    5. Cannot match the employee ID.    
    6. Must contain at least one upper case letter.    
    7. Must contain at least one lower case letter.    
    8. Must contain at least one special character (e.g. !, @, #, $, % ) within the password.    
    9. Cannot be the same password the user had before.    
    10. Cannot match any of the previous 24 passwords used.

Project Gutenberg - free eBooks!!

yes, so how did I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg

Truman Everts 37 Days of Peril is being downloaded as we speak...
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30924

More bits and pieces

A first-time worker toughs it out in a National Park (with wolves and hot springs, near the Tetons, hmm..)
http://grizzlyperr.blogspot.com/2014/03/0-things-you-should-know-about-working.html?m=1

Freakin' hilarious
http://jezebel.com/period-obsessed-tween-opens-a-new-chapter-in-great-mens-1592665063

And not-so-funny, but very true:
http://www.rolereboot.org/culture-and-politics/details/2014-05-10-simple-words-every-girl-learn/#.U2jpDJNjbos.twitter

A great American road trip. Yup, a blog.
http://wheretheheartisusa.blogspot.com/

"The Middle East Problem" in less than 6 minutes...
http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/the-most-important-video-about-israel-ever-made

30 things to start doing for yourself.  Yup
#30. Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it's always important to keep things in perspective. You didn't go to sleep hungry last night. You didn't go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn't spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have. Read More: http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2014/06/30-things-to-start-doing-for-yourself-4-is-absolutely-vital.html

Of dog teams and long ago dreams

I've trained sled dogs.  I love sled dogs.  I grew up planning to move to Alaska, wondering why on earth I had to live in suburban Washington State when clearly I belonged in the wilderness.

Denali NP brought their dogs to Gates of the Arctic for a clean-up mission.  It's inspiring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr6JRjBQAzY&feature=youtu.be
And I'm thinking that the old dream is still there.

Interesting bits

You can get away with murder...in Yellowstone
(I always wondered if this were just a folk tale or involved actual research.  Turns out it's real)
http://www.vox.com/2014/5/22/5738756/you-can-kill-someone-in-a-section-of-yellowstone-and-get-away-scot

Measuring stuff
http://www.lifebuzz.com/kitchen/#!R4l1J

The stupidity of the US/Canada border
 http://www.upworthy.com/one-look-at-the-united-states-canada-border-reveals-some-ridiculous-things?c=ufb3

The Smithsonian does GIS history - GREAT article:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unlikely-history-origins-modern-maps-180951617/?no-ist

Beyond very funny parent response to permission slip
http://www.tickld.com/x/i-wish-this-man-was-my-father-hes-hilarious
and his website: http://27bslash6.com/

Just a video to make you cry

One of the many reasons I have decided to go shampoo-less in life

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/17/beagles-rescued-from-lab-play-grass-see-sunshine_n_5344590.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Hold your loved ones tightly...

...you may never know when you have to let go.

I wish I could have been there for you, Jay.

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/candlelight-memorial-draws-hundreds-to-honor-the-life-of-gracie-snider/25870306

Sadness and Loss

There's sadness and loss in our professions.  We see it every day and we deal with it.  Some better than others.

Then there's personal sadness.  The loss that wrenches at your heart and catches in your throat when you dare to let your memories picture the person, the grief, the tears.

I grew up lucky.  Total tomboy, I would much rather be out playing in the dirt, riding bikes, playing legos than inside with the "ladies" being domestic.  I had a best friend, had the term been coined then I would have called him my "brother from another mother" because we did absolutely everything together.  His family took me on vacation with them, and they sculpted my life in ways I cannot even understand.  They are the reason I learned German, met the love of my life, moved to Germany, and to some extent they are why I am going down this road to Paramedicine.  His grandmother was my grandmother.  We grew up together.  Jay will always be my friend.

Jay and Gretchen married right out of high school and had two lovely daughters.  Both love soccer as much as their dad they are beautiful children.

Gracie Snider, 10, was killed on Saturday in a car accident on I-90 in Washington State, returning from a soccer match. 

Her 10-year old friend is in the ICU.

I haven't talked to Jay.  I don't know what to say.
So, for now, I am posting this at his sister's request.  Please help if you can.

http://www.gofundme.com/8wd7q4

Yes, Bears will kill you

Ways to make Monday more awesome

USA Geography Quiz - my apologies to Iowa for getting you mixed up with Indiana
http://lizardpoint.com/geography/usa-quiz.php

Just a good list of reading material, no quiz
http://www.listchallenges.com/kaunismina-bbc-6-books-challenge?ref=share

Today

Today, I want to make a big cup of coffee, adjust my poofy chair and play World of Warcraft for a few hours, then go ski the Blacktail for a while.
But I stand, as always, in my office in front of this computer.
I may be the most boring person in the world.

Thinking of friends

My mind wanders today, no matter how hard I try to stay focused on metadata.

I think of my friends.

You are essential, and I don't tell you enough.

I love you.

-cguiles

Suburban Boston, once again

I knew this was going to be a working "vacation".  I did.

A day of travel, a day of hospital orientation, three days of GIS work, four days working in the OR, another day of travel.  That's the deal.

But on a day when the sun is shining and I feel good, it's hard to sit and crunch data.

At this point, I should feel bummed out, but I'm not -- I feel dang lucky to be here.  There is a legion of hard-working people behind me, supporting me no matter what.

So I go for a walk, take a deep breath, jump back in front of the computer and get back to work.

Time to get it done.

More randoms

Why you should still take notes with pen and ink, rather than typing them:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wray-herbert/ink-on-paper-some-notes-o_b_4681440.html

More on pen and ink (learning cursive handwriting is really good for your brain!)
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/what-learning-cursive-does-your-brain

The illustrated guide to learning, specifically for a Ph. D.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-a-phd-2012-3

and lastly, because the most important thing about the SuperGame is commercials:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/48740/top-rated-super-bowl-commercial-each-year-1989-present

Just a Little Sick

http://www.upworthy.com/his-first-4-sentences-are-interesting-the-5th-blew-my-mind-and-made-me-a-little-sick-2?c=reccon1

Some real facts about health care
We spend more personal money, pay more taxes than countries with "free" health care.

Why?
Yes, it's complex, but -- Mostly? Bargaining power, folks.  Simple economics.
A guy walks into a manufacturer and says "I want a deal on a car"
Sure, $50,000 for you
A guy walks into a manufacturer and says "I want to buy 2,000 cars"
Hmm, ok, I can cut you a deal.
That's why a single Lipitor pill costs:
$7 in New Zealand
$124  in the US
Hip replacement?
$13,000 in Belgium
$100,000+ in the US
Colonoscopy?
$655 in Switzerland
$1,100 in US

WE SPEND MORE AND ACTUALLY GET LESS


You should watch this video.

http://www.upworthy.com/his-first-4-sentences-are-interesting-the-5th-blew-my-mind-and-made-me-a-little-sick-2?c=reccon1

Remember where we came from

http://www.computerworld.com/slideshow/detail/131320#slide1

The Mother of All Demos: The 1968 presentation that sparked a tech revolution

On December 9, 1968, Dr. Douglas Engelbart addressed a packed theater at the Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco, demonstrating a new computing platform that heralded advancements from the computer mouse to videoconferencing. Forty-five years later, we're still reaping the benefits of his vision.

By Matt Lake , Computerworld, December 09, 2013

Another loss, a loss for Yellowstone

Mike worked for Yellowstone as a Ranger, and continued volunteering his time to make sure the rest of us would maintain its history.  He and Bob Flather were good friends, colleagues, and both worked so hard for this place.  Neither wanted recognition nor compensation.  They loved Yellowstone, pure and simple.  Now we have lost them both.
My heart is heavy today.

http://mtstandard.com/news/local/ennis-area-crash-victim-identified-as-michael-robinson/article_6c47085a-5ae1-11e3-82f5-0019bb2963f4.html

Ennis area crash victim identified as Michael Robinson

A 66-year-old man who died in a head-on, two-vehicle crash near Ennis on Saturday afternoon has been identified as Michael Robinson of Bozeman, according to the Madison County sheriff's department.

Robinson was driving on U.S. Highway 287 when his car was struck by a vehicle that had crossed over into his lane of traffic, a Montana Highway Patrol dispatcher said.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 79-year-old Ennis man, was airlifted from the scene to a Bozeman hospital. Both men were wearing seatbelts, MHP reported. Details on the Ennis man's condition were not available Sunday night.

The crash occurred at about 4:20 p.m. near mile marker 51. It is unknown at this time if alcohol or speed played factors in the wreck.

The Ennis man, whose identity has not been released, was southbound in a 1997 Chevy pickup when his vehicle crossed into the opposite lane of traffic. The pickup struck a 1996 Mazda Protégé driven by Robinson head-on. The pickup spun and landed in a field. The Mazda spun and ended up on a side road, Recycled Way.

The crash remains under investigation.

Gardiner, the new Jackson, Part 2

http://www.livingstonenterprise.com/content/gardiners-housing-crunch-0?cookie_check=1

Gardiner's housing crunch

Published: Mon, 12/02/2013 - 4:09pm | Section: 

• Liz Kearney Enterprise Staff Writer
 
• Local

More businesses providing housing for their employees

By

 Liz Kearney Enterprise Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of a two-part series on the dwindling pool of affordable year-round rental units in Gardiner. Friday’s story focused on the problem and some of the consequences for individuals. Today’s story features some solutions, all provided by the private sector.

Gardiner’s rental market, always tight, is getting tighter.  

“It’s not a ‘crunch,’ it’s a ‘crisis,’” Missy Miculka, a Gardiner property owner, said recently about the town’s dwindling supply of affordable rental housing.

Missy Miculka, owner of Calamity Jane Trailer Court, stands outside one of her rental units in Gardiner, Tuesday afternoon.

Property owners, responding to increased visitation to Yellowstone National Park and higher demand for short-term rentals of houses and condos, are converting homes and apartments to vacation rentals. The changeover, while profitable for owners, is squeezing hourly-wage workers out of affordable housing.

Affordable housing is an issue all across Montana, but especially in scenic areas like the Bitterroot and Madison Valleys and Gardiner, explained Penny Cope, a public relations staffer with the Montana Department of Commerce Housing Division.

An area with “incredible scenic beauty” becomes popular and out-of-state money comes in, driving up property values and driving out the locals, who can no longer afford to live there, she said. 

“What if it progresses to where no one can afford to live there and work in the gas stations and coffee shops?” Cope asked.

The National Park Service has gotten involved, too. For several years, Yellowstone National Park has operated a bus that runs from Livingston to Mammoth Hot Springs four days a week. Park officials have said in the past that providing the bus is more cost effective and has a lower impact on the park environment than building more employee housing within the park. 

And the private sector is stepping up to the plate. Gardiner residents have taken it upon themselves — with no government mandates or zoning regulations — to do something to alleviate the shortage of affordable rental housing.

Former Gardiner resident Carolyn Duckworth moved out of state about two years ago. When she put her house on the market, her ad said, “No speculators.” She wanted to sell her house to someone who would live in it, she said in an email. She could have gotten more money selling to a developer, but she made “enough” on the sale selling to a family.

Rhonda Creiglow is a year-round Xanterra Parks & Resorts employee. She has lived in Gardiner for 14 years, and recently bought a small house she had been renting, also owned by Duckworth. It took about a year to put the sale together, Creiglow said. She found a company that would lend her the money, but the interest rates were too high, making her monthly payment unaffordable. Creiglow wasn’t impressed and didn’t take it.

“Those payments were truly too high for me, and they were going to give me the loan,” Creiglow said, sounding disgusted.

But then interest rates dropped enough, and she found a loan she could afford.

Creiglow and Duckworth had done a lot of work to the little house, which had been built in 1903.

Duckworth gave her a good deal but made enough on the house  “that she could sleep,” Creiglow said.

Building employee housing

Betty DeWeese and her husband, Dennis, own and operate the Yellowstone River Motel, a 38-room unit they run in the summer only. Her in-laws purchased it in 1970. She said sometime in the early ’70s, her inlaws were debating whether to buy a house in Bozeman or a rundown apartment building in Gardiner.  DeWeese recalls some motel guests, contractors from Jackson, Wyo., who  strongly suggested they invest in housing for their motel employees. Betty recalls that a housing shortage in Gardiner seemed preposterous at the time. But the family bought the apartment unit, and in recent years, they turned it into employee housing.

Now, more than 40 years later, the DeWeeses decided it was time for a major overhaul. They demolished the old complex, located on U.S.Highway 89 South across the street from the Gardiner Market, and they’re rebuilding a new six-unit compound.

Interest in renting one is already high, even though all the units are earmarked for her employees.

“People are hounding me for them,” DeWeese said.

DeWeese tells people searching for housing they should be talking to their employers. She thinks employer-provided housing is the wave of the future. Otherwise, Gardiner could find itself without a quality work force, or even any workforce, she said.

DeWeese has had to hire international students in recent years, even after the recession hit in 2008, and the students live in their housing. Many of the students are from Eastern Europe, and  are desperate to make as much money as they can, doubling up in their apartments and taking second and third jobs. Students taking jobs in businesses that don’t provide housing means DeWeese is on some level subsidizing those other businesses.

DeWeese isn’t getting any deals for building housing, and she says it’s incredibly expensive. But she’s going the extra step to provide a parking space for each unit. She said parking in Gardiner is a “divisive issue.” There are no laws or zoning regulations that require a builder to provide parking spaces for a residence or business. The DeWeese’s lot is small and narrow but she dug in and insisted on making parking spaces.

“We don’t have to, but it’s the right thing to do,” she said.

Wants to build apartments

Another family-owned business is the Calamity Jane Trailer Court, located off U.S. 89 behind the Corral Drive Inn. Missy and Sean Miculka bought it from her grandparents a couple of years ago.

The trailer court has 11 spaces, Missy explained in a recent phone interview. She has a couple of mobile homes she rents out to year-round tenants. She said another business, the Super 8 Motel, rents a mobile home for their employees. They rent it year-round, whether they have an employee living there or not. And their own house is on the property as well.

Miculka also has several tenants living in their own RVs year-round. Some are on fixed incomes, she said. She has a couple of remaining RV spaces that most often end up being rented out for the summer to a seasonal worker. Then, if she happens to have any spaces remaining, she will rent those to overnight visitors.

Miculka said she would like to build an apartment on her property. She has room to build a six-to-eight unit apartment, but the numbers don’t work. Her bank told her that the cash flow from the rent she wants to charge, ranging from $400 to $600 per month, wouldn’t be enough to pay back the loan she would need to build.

Tax credits,
federal programs

But there are tax credits and other federal programs for builders like the Miculkas who want to build affordable housing, Cope, the Housing Department spokeswoman said, but navigating the federal application process is complicated.

Gardiner had an affordable housing apartment complex, called Parkview Apartments, from the 1980s up until 2010. If the complex was officially a federal Housing and Urban Development project, Cope could not find a record of it last week, she said. 

Typically, affordable housing developments are built with a contract that they remain affordable for a set period of time. The time frame can vary, she said. When it ages out, the owner is free to sell it on the open market.

Cope said the owners typically sell because they’re ready to retire, or an aging compound needs major repairs and revamping — and there may not be much cash flow from affordable housing.  Collecting rent from low-income tenants, as well as maintaining the property, can sometimes be a challenge. Add in the rising property values of a highly scenic area, and there’s often a strong temptation to sell, she said.

Affordable housing unit

 And that’s what happened with the Parkview Apartments. It was purchased  in 2010 by a local businessman, Michael McNeil, who converted it into a vacation rental, Yellowstone Gateway Inn.

McNeil said when he bought the unit, it had not been official low-income housing since 2005. It had not always been fully occupied, and it needed a lot of work. He remodeled, creating a compound of well-maintained units all with kitchens — vacation rentals. 

“I was the bad guy,” McNeil said, sardonically.

But McNeil, who looks at the big picture and likes to talk about economic theories, said a number of forces are at work in Gardiner’s economy. The demand for rental housing is always going to be much higher in the summer than in winter, which can leave owners with empty units in the winter months. There’s also very low demand for high-end, year-round rentals — there aren’t enough people with good-paying jobs to create enough demand for them, McNeil said. 

“The economic engine that would drive apartment-building isn’t in this area,” he said. 

He believes the solution is for employers to provide housing for their employees. 

He said there is an interplay between “systems” and “people.” When the system isn’t working, people look around for other people to blame, he said. 

But he doesn’t think it’s an issue of anyone trying “to do anything to anyone else.”

“Everyone is just trying to do a good job,” he said.

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Liz Kearney may be reached at communitynews@livent.net [3].

Contact The Livingston Enterprise:  401 South Main St. ​​ Livingston, Mt.  59047    (406) 222-2000  

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Source URL: http://www.livingstonenterprise.com/content/gardiners-housing-crunch-0

Links:
[1] http://www.livingstonenterprise.com/category/byline/liz-kearney-enterprise-staff-writer-4
[2] http://www.livingstonenterprise.com/category/news-section/news/local
[3] mailto:communitynews@livent.net