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The homeless population in Bozeman, Montana, has seen a 50% increase since 2020, with the issue becoming more visible due to urban camping. This surge in homelessness is closely tied to soaring housing costs, particularly evident in Bozeman, which boasts the highest rents in Montana. The phenomenon of "urban camping," where individuals reside in RVs or vehicles parked on city streets, has become increasingly prevalent as housing expenses continue to escalate, affecting communities across the Western United States. Bozeman, nestled in the Rocky Mountains near Yellowstone National Park, is home to approximately 56,000 residents. According to Montana PBS, the number of Bozeman residents living in RVs or cars has skyrocketed by 200% over two years, coinciding with a 50% increase in the overall homeless population since 2020.  Montana, known as Big Sky Country, has experienced a surge of remote workers and affluent individuals relocating there in recent years, particularly in cities like Bozeman and Missoula. Many are digital nomads or thriving small business owners drawn in by the allure of *Yellowstone*. While this influx has driven up living costs, it hasn’t significantly impacted median incomes. Currently, about 17% of Montanans earn above the upper-class threshold of $135,262. The surge in homelessness corresponds with a significant spike in housing costs. City data reveals that the median listing price for a home surged from $669,000 in early 2020 to $1.2 million in 2024. Rental costs in Gallatin County, where Bozeman is situated, surged nearly 19% from 2019 to 2022, solidifying the county's status with the highest rents in Montana. In response, the city implemented an ordinance in November aimed at regulating urban camping, limiting stays at a single location to 30 days without extension and prohibiting camping

By  XAVIER MURPHY Jamaicans play “draw” style dominoes. There are many variations to the “draw” style. Jamaican style dominoes are intense and a sturdy table is needed in most cases as players slam the dominoes. Six love (6 to 0) is one type of game Jamaicans love to play. In this game you must win six rounds. In many cases you have to play this game with a partner to shorten the duration. Below are the steps to play “Jamaican Style” dominoes with four players. Steps: Count out 28 dominoes, from double blank to double six. Place all the dominoes face-down on a sturdy table. Shuffle the dominoes well. Each players take seven dominoes. The player with the highest double goes first. In this case it will be “Double Six”. It is placed horizontally. This is called the “pose”. The player to the right (counter clockwise) of the first player should plays next. Except for doubles each domino is placed vertically. In Jamaican style dominoes only two sides of the domino is used to match. The next player will play the domino with like value next to the first domino (it doesn’t matter which end). Make sure like values are always touching. If you don’t have a domino that corresponds to the ones on the layout, you must pass. Most Jamaican players will either lay down their dominoes to show they “pass” or they will “click” two dominoes together twice to show they have passed. Who wins: The first person to run out of dominoes wins OR if everybody passes (GAME BLOCKED). The winner is the person with the lowest score. You count your score by the number of dots on the tiles remaining in

My daughter asked the other day what's the definition of rich.  Here's the answer: Let’s start with the clearer economic signs. Investopedia’s analysis of 2023 shows that the top 1% of American citizens make an average of $407,500 annually. This is for individuals, though, and when it comes to households, this number goes up to $591,550. Making these means you’re making at least 7 times more than the average person. Another direct indicator is the amount of tax you pay. If you’re having to deal with a 35% or 37% tax on your income (at least $105,664, as Nerdwallet shares), then you’re basically rich. It’s important to note, however, that the super-rich billionaires actually pay less tax than the average American due to very smart financial moves. Many say wealth is in your mindset, and rightfully so. When you start making a lot of money or when you get accustomed to a high-class social environment, you start looking at opportunities differently. You look at money as a tool to create wealth, and you also use your networks for collaboration instead of competition. Although there’s no exact cutoff to receive financial aid for college, people who are rich or from rich households typically find it difficult to qualify—and it’s not always about bad grades. Even if you get financial aid, you’ll also notice that it does not cover anything close to the full cost of tuition. The richer you are, the higher your credit limits, and the cards with the highest limits are usually colored black. American Express’s most luxurious card—which is the most exclusive in the world—is even nicknamed the “Black Card.” If you own other black cards like JP Morgan’s Palladium card or the Coutts World

A guru is a spiritual teacher or guide in Indian religions, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The term "guru" is derived from Sanskrit and literally means "dispeller of darkness." Gurus are highly respected and revered figures who are believed to have attained enlightenment or profound spiritual knowledge. They are often sought after for their wisdom, guidance, and teachings on various aspects of life, spirituality, meditation, and self-realization. In addition to spiritual matters, gurus may also provide guidance on practical aspects of life, such as morality, ethics, and social conduct. Traditionally, the relationship between a guru and their disciple is deeply personal and based on trust, respect, and devotion. photo credit my friend Darrell R. On Instagram   Eckhart Tolle's teachings on enlightenment center on living in the present moment as a path to spiritual awakening, emphasizing that it is not a future goal to be achieved but an immediate state of consciousness. He teaches that by silencing the "mind" and the "ego," and by focusing on the "Now," individuals can connect with a deeper, more peaceful reality beyond their thoughts. This awakened state is seen as a way to become more conscious, present, and free from psychological pain.   Key concepts Enlightenment as presence: Tolle argues that the mind creates pain and that to be free from it, one must be fully present in the "Now".  The "Now" is all there is: The past is gone, and the future has not yet arrived, so the only reality is the present moment. Tolle's book, The Power of Now, is a guide to living in this state.  Separating from the ego: Enlightenment involves seeing that the "self" is not the ego or the mind but a deeper, more indestructible "Being" or consciousness.  Awakening is not a

Brodo broth has become the latest diet and cleanse, for $9 a cup, you can swagger down the street with your hipsters holding your cup of broth.  Or, make your own using his Brodo book with the recipes below, like we do, and save yourself a lot of money for a little investment of time and get the same great benefits.  The Brodo website states the following: Bone Broth Benefits A well-made broth like Brodo offers all the benefits of meat without the bulk. Protein-Packed Bone broth is loaded with proteins that your body can rapidly absorb. In liquid form, these proteins are broken down into valuable amino acids like proline, glycine, glutamine, and arginine. Your body needs these important building blocks for healthy skin, bones and joints. Brodo bone broth is a low carb, low calorie, zero-sugar food. Our broth is a great meal replacement—it has more protein and fewer carbs than green juice, and is less likely to cause blood-sugar levels to spike. Gut Healer Brodo is one of the best things you can consume to maintain a healthy gut, which is essential to overall wellness. The gelatin in Brodo contains glutamine, which effectively plugs the holes in the lining of the digestive tract like spackle on a pitted wall. The gelatin in bone broth also helps during digestion, making it easier to break down food and absorb nutrients. Beauty Booster Healthy hair, skin & nails require collagen—a crucial protein found in the tendons & ligaments of beef and poultry. When you cook down bones for broth, that collagen breaks down into gelatin (which is easier for the body to digest). Detox Aid Brodo is a natural detox aid. The glycine in our

Symbolism in Native Art: Thunderbird and Ko'lus The Native Thunderbird Symbol holds significant meaning, representing power, protection, and strength. Regarded as the most potent of all spirits, the Thunderbird can transform into human form, symbolized by opening its head like a mask and shedding feathers like a blanket. Lightning snakes under its wings serve as both tools and weapons. The Thunderbird, a mythical creature, exerts dominance over natural forces in the Pacific Northwestern Mountains. It creates thunder by wing flapping and shoots lightning from its eyes to ward off hunters. Rainstorms produced by the Thunderbird nourish the earth, enabling vegetation growth. With a wingspan as large as two canoes, it can carry a killer whale with its talons. Only powerful chiefs and families incorporate the Thunderbird into their crests, distinguished by curved horns on its head. In times of food shortage, Northwest Coast people sought the Thunderbird's help, leading to an agreement that it would only be depicted atop totem poles with outstretched wings. The legend recounts the Thunderbird's transformation into a human to rescue the Great Chief during a great flood. After finding survivors, the Thunderbird initiated the Thunderbird dance, a tradition passed down through generations. The Ko'lus, a young Thunderbird, akin to a sibling of Thunderbird, has a thick coat of white down, making it heat-prone. Similar to its elder counterpart, the Ko'lus can transform into a human when overheated by shedding its down. Revered as a protector spirit, the Ko'lus is often associated with tribal or clan origins, as it descended from heaven, shedding its coat to become a human founding ancestor.