The Clarksville Civil War Roundtable’s next meeting is May 16th, 2012
The 98th Meeting
Clarksville, TN – The next meeting of the Clarksville (TN) Civil War Roundtable will be on Wednesday, May 16th at the Bone & Joint Center, 980 Professional Park Drive, right across the street from Gateway Hospital. This is just off Dunlop Lane and Holiday Drive and only a few minutes east of Governor’s Square mall. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm and is always open to the public. Members please bring a friend or two – new recruits are always welcomed.
The meetings topic is “The Staff and Escort of Nathan Bedford Forrest”
Third Annual Hilltop Super Market Barbecue Cook-off Is A Resounding Success
Clarksville, TN – The Third Annual Hilltop Barbecue Cook-off featured 12 teams competing in four categories for top prize of $250.00 plus a trophy. Second prize was $75.00 with a trophy and third prize was a plaque. Each judge rated the chicken, pulled pork, ribs or beef brisket for taste, appearance, and texture on a scale from one to ten.
The winner for the Pork category was Double A's; head chef Andy Alberd.
Clarksville Parks and Recreation Report for May 14th, 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:
- Jammin’ in the Alley
- Movies in the Park
- Clarksville Downtown Market
- Get your pool pass today!
- National Trails Day Clean-up
- Youth League Opening Ceremony
- Summer Youth Program Begins June 4th
APSU Degree Compass noted as case study in new e-book
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University is featured in a new e-book about how colleges and universities are finding innovative ways to reach more learners effectively and with greater impact.
The e-book, titled “Game Changers: Education and Information Technologies,” includes a case study about Degree Compass, which was launched at APSU by Dr. Tristan Denley, provost and vice president of academic affairs. [Read more]
Concert at Mag’s Coffee Shop
Clarksville, TN – The band, Unnamed Servant, decided to stop at Mag’s Coffee Shop on Riverside Drive in Clarksville on Friday night as a last minute concert stop as the band makes it’s way to St. Louis and eventually on to the west coast.
The Owners of Mag’s Coffee Stop were contacted by the band early in the week about being the location for the concert and after a flurry of emails back and forth the date was set. Even with the last minute notice a couple dozen people were on hand to enjoy the performance.
Unnamed Servant
Dunbar Cave State Park’s Annual Crawdad Hootenanny, May 19th
Clarksville, TN – Don your boots and join intrepid biologists Wooten & Withers for an aquatic excursion to a natural area best known for its historic cave. Dunbar Cave SNA is home to some of our most clever crayfish–the mudbugs, or burrowers.
Bring boots you don’t mind getting wet and gloves you don’t mind getting dirty. [Read more]
Chi Omega chapter donates painting to APSU in honor of 40 years on campus
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – A new painting will soon hang in Harned Hall, on the Austin Peay State University campus. The artwork – a watercolor of the University’s quadrangle – was recently donated to the school by the artist, Lynne Waters Griffey, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Sigma Kappa chapter of the Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity at APSU.
The print will hang with a plaque, acknowledging it as a gift from the chapter to the University.
APSU associate professor of history Dr. Minoa Uffelman presents APSU President Tim Hall with a watercolor painting by local artist Lynne Waters Griffey, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Sigma Kappa chapter of the Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity at APSU. (Photo by Beth Liggett/APSU staff).
Movies in the Park to show “Moneyball” May 18th
Clarksville, TN – Join Clarksville Parks and Recreation Friday, May 18th, 2012 at Heritage Park Soccer fields for this month’s second Movies in the Park event, featuring the hit movie- “Moneyball”- rated PG-13
Come early to save your spot and check out this year’s new wellness feature, “Move Before the Movies,” presented by Clarksville Parks and Recreation, the YMCA of Clarksville, and the Mayor’s Fitness Council. Participate in the home run derby for your chance to win prizes.
Moneyball, staring Brad Pitt to be shown at the next Movies in the Park.
Hilltop Market’s 3rd Annual BBQ Cook Off started Friday night
Clarksville, TN – The smell of BBQ was in the air as hundreds of people gathered at Hilltop Market Friday night for the start of their 3rd Annual BBQ Cook Off. The Back Lot Pickers featuring Donald and Lucian Greene were on hand providing the music. Food was available by Manna Café as well as samples of BBQ.
The BBQ cook off began this morning so make sure to come out and taste some of the best BBQ around.
A barbecue team preparing for today's BBQ Cook Off.
The Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 13th, 2012
Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist
Scott J. Brown Ph.D., Chief Economist Raymond James Investment Services
Europe, again. Election results in France and Greece were not a surprise, but they added to concerns about the European crisis. The important aspect, for U.S. investors, is the uncertainty. Nobody knows exactly what will happen in Europe, but few doubt that the situation will be resolved anytime soon.
The second bailout agreement for Greece was only a few months ago, but at the time many felt that Greece would never be able to live up to the requirements.
Elsewhere in Europe, there has been some backsliding on austerity. Tighter budgets have weakened the troubled economies in Europe and have done nothing to resolve financial difficulties. Austerity is needed in the long term, but what’s needed in the short term is economic growth.
The economic calendar was thin. The trade deficit widened more than most analysts expected, but figures were only slightly wider than what was assumed in the advance GDP report.
Jobless claims appear to have settled down (at nearly the same pace as in March) after seasonal adjustment quirks lifted the figures in the first three weeks of April. Consumer sentiment improved in the mid-May assessment.
Next week, Europe is expected to be an ongoing concern for U.S. investors, but the arrival of mid-month economic data will provide a distraction. The focus is likely to be on the retail sales and residential construction reports. April’s retail sales are likely to have been moderate. April building permits and housing starts are expected to reflect an unwinding of the multi-family noise from March (single-family construction appears to have turned the corner, but a full recovery in housing is years away). The FOMC policy meeting minutes could include some market-moving quotes.
Indices
| Last | Last Week | YTD return % | |
| DJIA | 12855.04 | 13206.59 | 5.22% |
| NASDAQ | 2933.64 | 3024.30 | 12.61% |
| S&P 500 | 1357.99 | 1391.57 | 7.98% |
| MSCI EAFE | 1446.19 | 1503.67 | 2.38% |
| Russell 2000 | 791.75 | 806.59 | 6.86% |
Consumer Money Rates
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Prime Rate | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Fed Funds | 0.16 | 0.08 |
| 30-year mortgage | 3.78 | 4.59 |
Currencies
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Dollars per British Pound | 1.616 | 1.633 |
| Dollars per Euro | 1.296 | 1.436 |
| Japanese Yen per Dollar | 79.960 | 80.720 |
| Canadian Dollars per Dollar | 1.000 | 0.961 |
| Mexican Peso per Dollar | 13.446 | 11.593 |
Commodities
| Last | 1-year ago | |
| Crude Oil | 97.08 | 103.88 |
| Gold | 1596.25 | 1516.05 |
Bond Rates
| Last | 1-month ago | |
| 2-year treasury | 0.26 | 0.27 |
| 10-year treasury | 1.85 | 1.99 |
| 10-year municipal (TEY) | 1.76 | 1.97 |
Treasury Yield Curve – 5/11/2012
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 5/11/2012
Economic Calendar
| May 15th |
— |
Consumer Price Index (April) Retail Sales (April) Empire State Manufacturing Index (May) Business Inventories (March) Homebuilder Sentiment (May) |
| May 16th |
— |
Building Permits, Housing Starts (April) Industrial Production (April) FOMC Minutes (April 24-25) |
| May 17th |
— |
Jobless Claims (week ending May 12th) Philadelphia Fed Index (May) Leading Economic Indicators (April) |
| May 22nd |
— |
Existing Home Sales (April) |
| May 23rd |
— |
New Home Sales (April) |
| May 24th |
— |
Durable Goods Orders (April) |
| May 28th |
— |
Memorial Day Holiday (markets closed) |
| June 1st |
— |
Employment Report (May) |
| June 20th |
— |
FOMC Policy Decision Bernanke Press Briefing |
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 April 26th, 2012.
©2012 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA / SIPC.
