Summer is the most exciting months of the year for kids in school, but for parents, it’s one of the most stressful times of the year. Many parents are stuck trying to find things for their children to do while they are at work. While some children are allowed to stay home, others are put into camps and more schooling. The anxiety around finding a place to send your child for at least the day is what most parents experience as soon as the school year ends.  

It is very costly to find ways to keep your kids occupied and looked after. It can create a hardship on families, but it is something that has to be done. Unless your kids are old enough to watch themselves at home, you must spend money on services that will allow you the peace of mind that they are okay.

Summer Camps
One of the most popular thing parents do with their kids during the summer is to send them to summer camp. Sometimes kids aren’t as excited to go to these camps but it is necessary. Summer camps can be quite beneficial to your kids’ lives. They will meet all kinds of new people, explore, and try new things. This will help them either create a new hobby or become more proficient in the ones they already have. Use your children’s interest to decide what kind of camps to send them to.

Summer camps allow kids to play and enjoy their summer while being supervised 100% of the time. Creating friendships are good to increase a child’s skill in personal interactions and building relationships for the future. Your kids will remain active throughout the summer and you won’t have to worry about them sitting in front of a screen for hours. Most camps are educational, whether it is academically or practically. Your child will be learning and having a good time. Parents usually check in on their kids but it isn’t advised to do it daily.

Nannies and babysitters
Some parents opt for hiring assistance while they are at work. Paying a nanny or babysitter to care and look after their children is what some parent tend to do. This option can get costly, but it is well worth it. Knowing that your children ate safe at home with a skilled supervisor can be comforting. Parents don’t want to add more stress to their lives and hiring someone helps with relieving the pressure.

Nannies are paid to be there with your kids all day long. Some families have a nanny on hand 24/7 which definitely helps when the summer months come around. When hiring a nanny for the summer make sure to start your search ahead of time to ensure there is care available as soon as school lets out. Make sure to include certain activities so your children aren’t stuck at home watching television or constantly using electronics. It’s important to get them outside so make sure your nanny knows to take them out to parks, swimming pools, and even amusement parks to keep their summer filled with fun. There are even thousands of games they can play together at home.

If you don’t have the funds to support a nanny or babysitter for the entire summer, appoint a family member or friend to help out. This especially works for ones that also have children.

Summer school
Summer schools are great if you want your child to continue their learning. This option is primarily for the student who needs extended schooling or for families that want to give their children something productive to do for the summer. Summer school has quite promising results and even though it may not be the most fun thing for your child, they will thank you later.

Many parents, students, and teachers usually look at summer school in a negative way so it gets a bad rep. But it is quite beneficial for strengthening the mind of your kids. When summer begins, children usually forget about all of the things they learned during the school year keeping them in school through the summer is an ideal option.

Work from home
If you have no other options for ways to get rid of your kids during the summer, you could consider working from home. Though some careers deem this impossible, it is quite beneficial to parents’ pockets and relationship building. Spending more time with your kids will boost your connection and create a stronger bond. It may get stressful to find the peace and quiet you need to work, but knowing that they are in your care and you’re the only one responsible for them is comforting.

In conclusion
Putting their children first is what parents do and the summertime can be a pain. There are many benefits to each way you keep your children occupied and all of them are options many parents choose. Don’t be afraid to send your kids off to a camp to make wonderful memories and have great adventures. Allow your kids to learn year-round to sharpen their academic skills.

                                                                                                                                         photo from pixabay

Almost everywhere you go, there is some kind of construction. So many roads are being expanded or redone, a new house is being built down the street and that new shopping center is popping up.

You may leave for a few months and come back to a part of town that looks completely different than it did before.

Construction is also a job that seems to have endured all the tests of time and a job sector that is expecting growth over the next decade. Unfortunately, nothing ever stays in absolute perfect condition and people will always want buildings or homes to look newer.

If you’re thinking about getting into the construction business, consider the following list before making the big jump.

Design your Business Plan
You’ll want to think of what exactly your business will be doing. Construction can be a broad term. Are you going to build houses? Remodeling? Additions? All of the above?

Think about going deep instead of going wide. It’d be great if you could service anything and everything out there, but that’s not possible.

Lay out a clear plan for yourself so you’re not left wondering what the next step is going to be. It’s just like when you had to write a paper for your English class in high school; having that outline was a great way to keep you focused and lasered in on your next objectives.

Ask for Help
Starting a construction business is similar to starting any other small business. So when you start your business, you might have to wear a lot of hats at once. When you come to an area you don’t feel particularly well-versed in, it’s time to ask for help.

You may need an HR rep to help you lay out your policies and hire people. You will need an accountant to help you on the money side of things. You may need an assistant to help you take calls, plan everything or find an office space.

There is no shame in asking for an expert’s opinion. They studied long and hard to put themselves in that position and you would be wise to ask for their assistance.

The Red Tape
You can’t simply walk outside and say, “Right now, I am starting a construction business” and have it be so. You’ll need to obtain a license and insurance.

For starters, every state has different licenses for different trades. If you plan on doing anything from electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting or construction, you are going to need a license. You’ll need to head down to your local state business office to get any information on what you’ll need or what you’ll have to do.

You may also need surety bonds, depending on exactly what kind of work you’re in. Surety bonds ensure that a third party will pay your client if you are unable to fulfill your duties outlined in the contract.

Lastly, you’ll need insurance, and a lot of it. A construction area can be a dangerous place and you’ll want to protect yourself from anything and everything. You may need to get insurance on your equipment, business, workers, vehicles and anything else.

The Money Side
You’re going to be putting a lot of money into the business to start and it’s a good idea to look where you can save money. You don’t want to buy the cheapest equipment but you can look to rent when the time comes up.

Examine your business from top-down and see what kind of items you’ll need right off the bat. You’ll want to get an exact number so you don’t buy too much or too little.

There are lots of places that offer small business loans to get you off the ground and you’ll want to examine each one and see which is best for you. Do you research and talk to experts before making any big decisions.

When it comes to hiring, you'll generally be pulling from four areas: subcontractors, hired employees, labor brokers or independent contractors. Hire people with solid reputations and those you can trust. This is where having a good accountant and tax expert can help you weave your way through hiring each different kind of employee.

Cybersecurity challenges are consistently appearing in organizations. Therefore, there is a high demand for the professionals who have the capability to mitigate these threats and attacks. There are numerous job titles coming up on a regular basis in the field of IT. They are a penetration tester, a cybersecurity analyst, and an ethical hacker. These jobs were not popular some time ago, but today, they have taken the top place. Besides, even more professions will be created as time goes on.

What is the implication of this?There will be continuous demand for security experts in the world of IT. This potential has given rise to the development of certification contents by institutions and organizations. These credentials are designed to validate the skills, knowledge, and experience of professionals in cybersecurity. One of these certifications is CompTIA Security+. To earn this credential or any other cybersecurity certificates, the candidates are expected to go through an exam process to prove their knowledge and skills on specific contents.

Your ability to pass the test shows that you have what it takes to perform optimally in a job role meant for a Security+ certified professional. To pass the exam, there are some recommended study tools that you need to use. Examsnap offers some unique and highly relevant materials that will ensure your success in the exam. You should check the website to find the practice tests and guides for your specific exam.

Reasons for the Popularity of CompTIA Security+ Certification
As mentioned earlier, there are many certification providers that offer security credentials for the professionals in the field of IT. However, Security+ has remained the most pursued one among all the others. Of course, there must be some reasons for that. Examsnap has done some research and gathered some of the top reasons why the security professionals choose CompTIA Security+ over many other certificates. Let’s explainit in detail.

CompTIA Security+ is the industry standard
The CompTIA Security+ certification is considered the standard for all cybersecurity credentials across the world. It is approved by ANSI and it is intended to validate the ability of a candidate to use the knowledge and skills required to be ISO 17024 standard compliant. In other words, having this credential in your resume indicates that you have the skills, knowledge and the integrity required to perform some security tasks in any situation. The exam involves performance-based questions, which stands it out among the rest.

CompTIA Security+ doesn’t require any prerequisites
The credential is entry-level, which means you don’t need to have many years of experience in the industry before you pursue it. The implication of this is that wherever you are in your career, you can pursue the Security+ certification. This is why many professionals in other industries who want to work in cybersecurity consider it as the first certificate to choose.

There are no compulsory requirements for the certification test. The only recommendation is that individuals taking the exam should have at least two-year working experience in the fields of networking and security to enhance their success. If you managed to earn the CompTIA Network+ certificate, this will also be a great advantage. However, if you don’t have the experience, you can still attain the desired score. All you need is to take a training course and practice questions to prepare for the exam. Examsnap can help you in this regard.

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification
This is one of the major reasons why it is popular among security experts. Irrespective of the products you want to specialize in, the CompTIA Security+ certificate will be suitable. The credential is not restricted to any specific technology or any specific vendor’s security. It covers the general fundamentals and components of the cybersecurity field. The knowledge and skills learnt during the certification process make you marketable in any area of cybersecurity.

CompTIA Security+ offers huge career opportunities
The specialists with expertise and credentials in the field of cybersecurity are very much in demand by private and public organizations. The CompTIA Security+ certificate offers you an advantage. It allows you to take up network and security administration job roles in any organization. You can choose from a wide range of positions. Some professional areas you can fit in with your Security+ certification include Access Control and Identity Management, Compliance and Operational Security, Threats and Vulnerabilities, Cryptography, and Data Security.

CompTIA Security+ offers great income potentials
The professionals with this certification have better earning power than their non-certified counterpart. Working as a network engineer, and the individual with the CompTIA Security+ credential can earn an average annual salary of $42,140 and $95,840. A certified professional who also possesses some years of experience can get $66,895 annually. It is essential to point out that the salary of an individual is dependent on many factors other than the credential. However, the certification plays a significant role in higher income potential.

CompTIA Security+ provides an opportunity to work in Government Agencies
If you want to explore a career in networking or cybersecurity in government agencies, the Security+ credential will pave way for you. This is because it meets the standard of U.S DoD 8570,which is a prerequisite for both Management Level One and Technical Level Two positions.

Conclusion
The CompTIA Security+ certification has many advantages. If you are just a newbie in the field of IT and desire to succeed in cybersecurity, this credential is a good way to launch your career. When it comes to your SY0-501 exam preparation, you can find a lot of resources on Examsnap. You can explore training courses, practice tests, exam dumps, and a host of other tools to help you make the best of your learning.When you finally earned your credential, you can move higher and set new goals.

A new boat ramp has been installed at the Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River east of Livingston. The new ramp extends farther into the river at a more gradual slope than the previous ramp.

This will make the site more user friendly for boaters, especially during periods of low flows. The entire project was completed using capital improvement funds from Region 3 of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. FWP continues to remind boaters who plan on taking out at the Highway 89 Bridge FAS to use caution in avoiding the bridge pylons just upstream from the boat ramp.

A new book that explores an emerging approach to reducing vehicle crashes is co-edited by Montana State University's Nicholas Ward, director of the university’s Center for Health and Safety Culture.

"Traffic Safety Culture: Definition, Foundation and Application" is the first book to deal comprehensively with the values, assumptions and beliefs that influence how drivers and others behave while on the road, according to Ward.  The cultures associated with the groups people belong to — family, friends, school, workplaces and others — are defined by those values, assumptions and beliefs, he said.

"It's a new way of looking at an old problem," said Ward, who has been active in the field for almost three decades. "Traffic safety has traditionally looked at engineering, enforcement and education as a way to make drivers behave safely. Because most crashes are the result of driver behavior, it is imperative to understand how culture influences driver behavior.”

The problem of traffic safety is a big one, and it is expected to grow, according to the book's editors. In their preface, they note that the World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.25 million people are killed annually and 50 million are injured on the world's roads, and that fatalities are expected to grow to 1.9 million by 2030 without increased prevention.

Co-edited by Barry Watson, global road safety expert at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety in Queensland, Australia, and Katie Fleming-Vogl, researcher at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the book contains chapters written by 22 contributing authors from Australia , Austria and the United States, including Ward and five other MSU researchers. The chapters cover theoretical approaches and practical recommendations as well as case studies.

"We tried to organize the book so that it is accessible both to academic researchers and practitioners," Ward said.
 
Better road infrastructure and enforced regulations can contribute to better road safety, according to Ward, but there's a growing awareness that the influence of people’s cultures on road user behavior is also a significant factor. By better understanding how culture influences road users’ behavior — such as whether to wear a seatbelt or drive after drinking alcohol — public agencies and others can be more effective at fostering safe behaviors, he added.

Besides Ward, the contributing MSU authors are Eric Austin, associate professor in the Department of Political Science; William Schell, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering; and Kari Finley, senior research scientist, Kelly Green, research associate and Jay Otto, principal scientist, all three from the Center for Health and Safety Culture. The Center for Health and Safety Culture is housed in MSU's Western Transportation Institute in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

"Traffic Safety Culture: Definition, Foundation and Application" is available in hardback and ebook from Emerald Publishing Limited.

With over 200 restaurants and eateries in Bozeman, MT, locals and tourists have many options and bars and restaurants are continuously looking to earn diner’s business. Known as a rapidly growing tech town, even the restaurant industry is incorporating technology and getting creative.

How? A new mobile phone app called SWIG406. Launched in 2018, SWIG406 is a mobile phone app that was created to help Montanans and tourists alike explore Montana and experience the bars and restaurants that make their travelling adventures delicious.

As you travel the state, SWIG406 will show you the closest participating tavern to you. The app is free to download but if you wish to experience a free drink at each location, you can subscribe to the app for just $5 per month. That subscription provides you a free libation at each of the participating taverns across the state.

Some of the early adopters in the Bozeman area include: The Club Tavern & Grill, Rocking R Bar and The Cannery. Each offers a FREE alcoholic beverage once a month, all included in the $5 per month app subscription.

‘We’re excited to partner with SWIG406 and offer this to our regulars and folks traveling through Montana. It’s a fun way for customers to try new drinks on our menu and a new way for us to leverage technology. Patrons must be within 650 feet of the restaurant to redeem their Free Drink and Swig406 has done a great job of making the app easy to use’, says Arkinda Mickelson, The Club Tavern & Grill Restaurant Food and Beverage Manager.

To kick-off the partnership, The Club Tavern & Grill will be giving away free subscriptions to the app in the month of May on social media, in the restaurant and more.

SWIG406 bars and restaurants can also add events and parties, helping travelers make plans to explore Montana. And each time SWIG406 users mark a bar as a favorite, they will be sent notifications when that establishment adds a new event. With the hashtag #LocalDrinksatLocalBars, SWIG406 promotes Montana-crafted beverages and the establishments that serve them.

The Swig406 app can be downloaded on iTunes and Google Play. Learn more at: www.swig406.com

Several watercraft inspection stations in southwest Montana will soon become operative for the 2019 boating season. These stations help boaters meet state laws in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
 
Boaters with either motorized or nonmotorized watercraft must stop at any inspection station they encounter in Montana. In addition, boaters must seek out an inspection prior to launching if they are coming into Montana from out of state, traveling west over the Continental Divide into western Montana, coming off Tiber or Canyon Ferry reservoirs, or launching anywhere within the Flathead Basin with a watercraft that last launched on waters outside of the Basin.

Several decontamination stations at Canyon Ferry Reservoir are scheduled to open in the coming weeks. Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
    •    Canyon Ferry Bureau of Reclamation Visitor Center and Silos stations open May 11.
    •    Canyon Ferry Hellgate station opens May 18.
    •    Canyon Ferry Goose Bay station opens May 25.
Several other stations in and around the region are currently open or scheduled to open soon:
    •    The Dillon inspection station (Red Rocks Rest Area on northbound I-15, south of Dillon) is currently operating daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
    •    The Anaconda inspection station (westbound I-90) is currently operating daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    •    The Helena Highway 12 inspection station (westbound) opens May 18. Hours of operation will be posted at the web address listed below.
    •    Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Helena office inspection station operates weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
    •    FWP’s Bozeman office operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If regulations require you to get a watercraft inspection and you will be traveling past a station outside of operating dates and hours, please plan to go to FWP’s Helena or Bozeman offices during the hours listed above, or any other regional FWP office. Boaters are also asked to voluntarily clean, drain and dry their boat and equipment before launching in Montana waters.

For more information on how you can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Montana, please visit www.CleanDrainDryMT.com.