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• Just A Little Pruning

  My wife enjoys the look of English gardens so she likes to grow vines on fences, the house, trees, other vines, and anything else that stays still long enough. You don?t want to take a nap in her garden. She will tell you I prefer a little more separation, which requires regular pruning.  Growing without [...] click for more

• Watching Us Grow

  When I first came to work with GL Smith and Associates in 1996, I had a young family that included a ten year old son, Jake.  I had always mentioned at work and at home that if he ever wanted to join me in this business, there would be room.  I did promise that it [...] click for more

• A Century Later

  Two of the people who had the greatest influence on the twentieth century were Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. In addition to being an inspiration for Ford, Edison?s encouragement ignited the genius which introduced America to the automobile. Some of Ford?s most alarming business innovations were a short work week and outrageously higher compensation for [...] click for more

• Great Expectations

  With the end of 2008 upon us, I reflect with astonishment on the events that unfolded. In regards to the financial markets, the monumental events are too numerous to list. The enormity of the violent swings in the markets that occurred on a weekly basis were unprecedented. As the year progressed, we [...] click for more

• What About 2009??

  The events of 2008 allow us to begin the New Year with considerably more knowledge and investment experience than we had last January.  While we entered 2008 with concern, this year seems eerily predictable.  We expect the DJIA to fluctuate between 7900 and 10,000, with an outside chance of reaching 7500 and 10,500.  [...] click for more

• Events Around Town

  The Souls of Our Feet: A Celebration of American Tap Dance - Performed by Austin-based Tapestry Dance Company, this performance celebrates American tap dance by restaging the best of rhythm tap masterpieces from Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell to The Nicolas Brothers. Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 p.m. (Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center, 256-534-6455 [...] click for more