Runaas Resources Public Relations

 Hedging has become somewhat of a dirty word lately. People have correlated it with Hedge Funds and “betting against America”. In reality hedging, like many things (i.e. alcohol), can be abused or used incorrectly and cause harm. But when hedging is used correctly, it can be a useful tool or in some cases a prudent necessity. A homeowner will usually hedge the chance of a fire destroying his home by purchasing fire insurance. Hedges can also improve the safety and reduce risk in an investment portfolio. Hedging is a portfolio strategy of diversification to reduce risk by owning something that is correlated inversely to other assets in the investment portfolio. Owning precious metals, including gold and silver mining stocks, is a hedge. The primary purpose of owning these investments is because they do well during times of rising inflation or economic and political turmoil. These are the times other asset classes like stocks, bonds or real estate may not do well. Therefore it is prudent to hedge a portfolio by owning some investments related to precious metals. It is important to constantly monitor economic and political risks to achieve the optimum asset allocation in precious metals. The Arbor Asset Allocation Model Portfolio (AAAMP) has a long term target of 5% of the portfolio in precious metals related investments, but that percentage could be much higher at certain times. A recent popular vehicle for investing, Exchange Traded Funds(ETF’s), has made it easy to invest in an instrument that moves inversely, or the opposite direction of a stock market index. Some of these EFT’s even move 2 or 3 times as much as the underlying index. This allows an investor to take the market risk partially or wholly out of one’s stock portfolio. For example, let’s say you own $100,000 of 20 great companies with solid balance sheets and high dividends, but believed strongly the stock market was going to decrease in value. You may not want to sell your stocks so you buy $50,000 of an EFT that moves 2X the inverse of the market. You now have removed all the market risk from your portfolio of stocks. If the market moves lower as you believed, you will make money on the ETF to make up for losses in your stocks. Of course, if you are wrong and the market moves higher, you will lose money on the ETF that will offset the gains in your stocks. Either way, you continue receiving the dividends and do not incur taxes and commissions selling and buying your 20 stocks. Hedging is an important and useful diversification strategy to reduce investment risk and improve long term portfolio performance. It is also a strategy that requires monitoring and careful application. Properly used, hedging can reduce investment risk. The Arbor Asset Allocation Model Portfolio (AAAMP) uses precious metals investments and inverse index ETF’s to maintain asset allocations at levels believed to be optimum for the current investment environment. We use hedging to reduce portfolio risk. We continually update the AAAMP with every trade or major market move in order to stay disciplined and focused on our asset allocation.  (www.arborinvestmentplanner.com)

Spring, Texas – March 25, 2009 – The Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is proud to announce that Jerry Eversole, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner, will be the special guest speaker at the chamber’s 2^nd Annual Christmas in July Gala.

“We are pleased that Commissioner Eversole accepted our invitation to be our guest speaker this year,” said Toni Richard, SKCC president. “When I heard him speak at the Pundt Park Grand Opening, he was so personable and witty. His humor, passion for the community and down-to-earth personality complement our membership and our mission for the Spring-Klein area.”

Commissioner Eversole is currently serving his fifth four-year term as commissioner of Precinct 4, the largest Harris County precinct, encompassing 587.1 square miles with over 904,000 residents.

“The Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce represents the fastest growing segment of the Houston Metropolitan area,” states Elle Carnes, the Christmas in July Committee chairperson. “Spring, Texas made up 54% of the growth in Harris County last year. Our invitation to Commissioner Eversole, a well-respected figure in our community, is an extension of our goal to promote what is great about Spring.”

In tandem with the Commissioner’s appearance, the gala includes a live auction and the Chamber will also recognize the year’s most distinguished business for their service to the community with the ‘Toni Awards.’

The SKCC, which celebrates its one year anniversary this May, held its first Gala last year only two months after their inaugural meeting. Larry Joe Doherty, best known for his television role as Judge Larry Joe on Texas Justice, and his wife, Joanne, were the featured guests celebrating with nearly 80 attendees.

The 2009 Christmas in July Gala and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Shady Oaks Banquet Hall, located at 909 Lemm Road One, in Spring on Friday, July 24, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Advertising, sponsorship opportunities and live and silent auction details are available online. Early bird tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at only $50 for members and $55 for non-members until April 30. For more details, please visit www.springkleinchamber.org or contact Elle Carnes at 281-460-6018 or elle@explorespring.com.

ABOUT THE SPRING KLEIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Founded in May 2008, the Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is the business and community support organization dedicated to being the primary resource for area economic development, business expansion and overall quality of life in Spring-Klein. For more information, visit www.springkleinchamber.org or call 281-257-4431.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/entertainment/090305_studio_recording_streaming

The historic SugarHill Studio in Houston was the host location for this piece on how consumers are seeking budget-friendly entertainment options. Jennifer Grassman (www.jennifergrassman.com) received an excellent mention in this informative piece and was interviewed by Dan Workman and Rosa Guerrero after performing several songs from her current CDs and they upcoming Serpant Tales and Nightingales.  Ross Wells of Zenfilm, Troy Burwell of Xprescom and the rock group, MacAdams, were also key players in the 3rd installment of LIVE FROM SUGARHILL.   Check out the Fox News report on the trend.  And tune in to www.ecslive.com to see the recorded version of the entire program on Saturday night, March 7, 2009.