Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan to participate on Veterans and Jobs Forum Tonight
Clarksville, TN – Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan will participate in a panel discussion tonight at the “Jobs and Veterans” forum held at Austin Peay State University.
“Our military community, including our veterans, plays an integral role in Clarksville. I’m very happy to take part in this forum and look forward to sharing ways that we can help further assimilate these men and women into our community,” said Mayor McMillan. [Read more]
Austin Peay State University Concert to capture whimsy and freedom of childhood March 12th
Clarksville, TN – One afternoon several years ago, the prominent Hungarian composer György Kurtág watched as a group of children banged away at a piano. They were playing with the instrument as if it were a toy, and Kurtág was struck by how much fun they seemed to have.
That observation inspired him to compose his solo piano pieces, “Játékok” (Games), which captures the playful freedom of childhood with its sometimes frenetic sounds. At 7:30pm on March 12th, Austin Peay State University professor of music Dr. Jeffrey Wood will present the little-heard piece in a concert filled with works all denoting childhood. [Read more]
Custom House Museum March 2012 Exhibits and Activities
Clarksville, TN – The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is located in historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. Come explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history.
In the month of March, the Museum will feature Richard LeFevre: The Civil War Series, Assemblages: The Art of Sandra Paynter Washburn, The Words of Women, Writer’s Hour, Spring Break Activities and so much more.
The Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of February 27th, 2012
Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist
Scott J. Brown Ph.D., Chief Economist Raymond James Investment Services
A deal was reached in the €130 billion bailout package for Greece. However, investors almost immediately began to doubt Greece’s ability to stick to the plan (especially given the unrealistic assumptions about Greece’s growth prospects). Meanwhile, oil and gasoline prices continued to rise, posing a more significant threat to the U.S. growth outlook.
The economic calendar was relatively thin. Home sales figures were mixed, but January housing data aren’t all that critical. Jobless claims continued to trend at a relatively low level. Consumer sentiment rebounded from a dip in the middle of the month, apparently as job market optimism offset worries about higher gasoline prices.
Next week, the calendar heats up again.
The Fed Chairman’s semi-annual monetary policy testimony to Congress (to the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday and to the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday) is often a big deal for the markets, but we’re unlikely to learn much this week. That is, Bernanke should present a moderate, but uncertain economic outlook.
Monetary policy changes (more QE) would depend on a loss of momentum in growth or expectations that inflation will be below target. The estimate of 4Q11 GDP growth is expected to be little changed from the advance estimate (+2.8%). The Beige Book will provide anecdotal evidence of what’s going on with the economy (expected to be a bit brighter than the previous assessment).
Indices
| Last | Last Week | YTD return % | |
| DJIA | 12984.69 | 12904.08 | 6.28% |
| NASDAQ | 2956.98 | 2959.85 | 13.51% |
| S&P 500 | 1363.46 | 1358.04 | 8.42% |
| MSCI EAFE | 1559.01 | 1530.02 | 10.37% |
| Russell 2000 | 829.23 | 829.96 | 11.92% |
Consumer Money Rates
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Prime Rate | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Fed Funds | 0.11 | 0.16 |
| 30-year mortgage | 3.88 | 4.90 |
Currencies
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Dollars per British Pound | 1.570 | 1.620 |
| Dollars per Euro | 1.332 | 1.374 |
| Japanese Yen per Dollar | 80.180 | 82.380 |
| Canadian Dollars per Dollar | 0.999 | 0.993 |
| Mexican Peso per Dollar | 12.842 | 12.208 |
Commodities
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Crude Oil | 107.49 | 96.50 |
| Gold | 1786.48 | 1415.63 |
Bond Rates
| Last | 1-month ago | |
| 2-year treasury | 0.30 | 0.21 |
| 10-year treasury | 1.98 | 1.93 |
| 10-year municipal (TEY) | 2.94 | 2.92 |
Treasury Yield Curve – 2/24/2012
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 2/24/2012
Economic Calendar
| February 27th |
— |
Pending Home Sales Index (January) |
| February 28th |
— |
Durable Goods Orders (January) S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index (December) Consumer Confidence (January) |
| February 29th |
— |
Real GDP (4Q11, 2nd estimate) Chicago PM Index (February) Bernanke Monetary Policy Testimony (House) Fed Beige Book |
| February 30th |
— |
Jobless Claims (week ending February 25th) Personal Income and Spending (January) ISM Manufacturing Index (February) Bernanke Monetary Policy (Senate) Motor Vehicle Sales (February) |
| March 9th |
— |
Employment Report (February) |
| March 13th |
— |
FOMC Policy Decision (no press briefing) |
| March 16th |
— |
Consumer Price Index (February) |
Important Disclosures
US government bonds and treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. US government bonds are issued and guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the federal government. Treasury bills are certificates reflecting short-term (less than one year) obligations of the US government.
Commodities trading is generally considered speculative because of the significant potential for investment loss. Markets for commodities are likely to be volatile and there may be sharp price fluctuations even during periods when prices overall are rising. Specific sector investing can be subject to different and greater risks than more diversified investments.
Tax Equiv Muni yields (TEY) assume a 35% tax rate on triple-A rated, tax-exempt insured revenue bonds.
Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its financial advisors.
The information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Data source: Bloomberg, as of close of business February 23rd, 2012.
©2012 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA / SIPC.
First Thursday ArtWalk in Historic Downtown Clarksville March 1st
Clarksville, TN – The Historic Downtown Clarksville Association (DCA), is proud to announce the First Thursday ArtWalk for March, 2012.
This months artwalk will be held on March 1st, 5:00pm until 8:00pm, and as always will be held in the shops and galleries on Public Square, Franklin Street, Strawberry Alley, Main Street and Second Street. Participating merchants include The Framemaker, Ingredients, Rogate’s Boutique, ARTifacts, Hodgepodge, and many more.
As always, this is a free event so bring your family and friends downtown to the Artwalk.
Austin Peay State University’s Shemberger to discuss journalism and sunshine laws at March 14th Library Athenaeum
Clarksville, TN – Where would the journalist, or a democratic society for that matter, be without sunshine laws? Created in the 1970s, the laws require that governments provide public access to meetings and records.
“These tools are necessary for journalists, who often gather public information to write their stories, either by attending open public meetings or by filing open records requests,” Dr. Melony Shemberger, an award-winning journalist and assistant director of communication at Austin Peay State University, said. [Read more]
Austin Peay State University Child Learning Center earns Gold Sneaker Award from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam
Clarksville, TN – Last year, Connie Sanders, director of the Austin Peay State University Child Learning Center, became concerned about the preschool-aged children under her care. Many of them brought sack lunches with junk food and sugary treats, and she knew they weren’t getting enough exercise at home.
Obesity and diabetes loomed in their future, so Sanders and her staff decided to do something before it was too late. [Read more]
Clarksville Parks and Recreation Report for February 26th, 2012
Clarksville, TN – The weekly Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Report provides Clarksvillians with a glimpse at the activities and events that are available from the Parks and Recreation Department for them to enjoy together as a family.
This weeks highlights include:
- Vendors Wanted
- Now Hiring Lifeguards
- Patty’s Day Plunge
- Practices for Hershey’s Track and Field Competition to Begin
- Wettest Egg Hunts
- Easter Bunny Visits Scheduled
- Private Rentals
Austin Peay State University to hear ancient Chinese Sounds by the Orchid Ensemble on March 1st
Clarksville, TN – The erhu, a two-stringed instrument somewhat like a violin, appeared in China more than a thousand years ago. The zheng, a plucked half-tube wood zither, dates even farther back to 2,500 years ago, and the marimba, a wooden keyboard, evolved from early African instruments.
If you put the three instruments together, as Canada’s renowned Orchid Ensemble does, they produce a soothing, ancient sound that is unfamiliar to most modern audiences. At 2:30pm on March 1st, the ensemble will bring their unique, Chinese and Chinese-blended music to the Austin Peay State University Music/Mass Communication Building’s Concert Hall for a free concert. [Read more]
Comedy on the Cumberland recognized by Banking Magazine
Clarksville, TN – The Tennessee Banker magazine has recognized the community efforts of F&M Bank for it’s support of Clarksville’s popular “Comedy on the Cumberland” franchise. The stand-up comedy show that raises money for various local charities in Clarksville has been hugely successful in raising awareness of community charities, and generating much need cash for their operations.
Henry Cho performing at the Comedy on the Cumberland.
