Housing Market Still Strong in Conway

February 13th, 2009

Conway housing prices are up about 16% according to Zillow.  Conway prices are shown by the red line while the national averages are shown by the green line.

Hyperinflation Continues in Zimbabwe

January 10th, 2009

There central bank is issuing new $50 Billion notes.  Unfortunately, that is enough to buy about 2 loafs of bread.  Here is the full story via CNN.

Tweedle and the IASB Have Their Work Cut Out for Them

December 28th, 2008

The International Accounting Standards Board, which is chaired by Sir David Tweedle, has come under scrutiny for bowing to political pressure from the European Union.  The issue at hand is the method banks use to value their assets on the financial statements.  Political interference in the accounting and financial sectors are nothing new in the US or abroad, but one of the key components of the IASB is supposed to be its ability to resist such political pressure.

Sir David, defended the boards decision even though his stated that it nearly led to his resignation.  I am a big fan of the movement to International Accounting Standards, but I forsee such political pressure being a much larger issue then either the Securities Exchange Commission or the IASB has let on so far.

Here is the full story by Glenn Kessler courtesy of the Washington Post.

GM Fact of the Day

December 24th, 2008

GM has 96,000 employees but provides health benefits to a million people.

from Mark Steyn via the National Review.

Hat Tip to Nathan Brown

December 12th, 2008

It has been a true pleasure watching Nathan lead the Bear’s offensive unit over the past several years.  He has served as an excellent example of a top notch person. player, and leader.

Today, UCA announced that Nathan Brown has been invited to play in the Senior Bowl.  Brown is the first player in the history of the school to receive an invitation.

See the full story here at UCASports.com.

The Economic Crisis Hits My Alma Mater

December 4th, 2008

Via KATV

Conway – The University of Central Arkansas announced Thursday that it will be making significant budget cuts in the coming months to offset a budget deficit.

Speaking at a budget forum, UCA interim president Tom Courtway told the crowd the school will suffer from a cash flow deficit by the end of this year.

The university plans to implement, among other things, a salary freeze and cutbacks in travel and advertising, in order to erase the debt.

(Tom Courtway, Interim UCA President) “I don’t believe–quite candidly–that we’re going to wipe it out in six months. I think that’s an unrealistic expectation. But I do think over time we will eliminate it.”

Courtway says the university will draw on its $6 million credit line to finish out this year. He does not expect any layoffs.

Whatever your outlook on the economy, it is more likely that UCA’s budget problems are due mostly to the high-profile advertising campaigns and expansion efforts that the university has finance over the past five years.

The Trueist Thing I Have Seen Today:

December 2nd, 2008

Five Things I Did in November Instead of Blogging

November 30th, 2008
  • Read up on the IFRS (More on this later.)
  • Spent time with friends and family.
  • Traveled (Memphis, Tulsa, Texarkana…  No where exotic..)
  • Hobbies (Reading, Golfing, Juggling, Cooking, Updating my home decor.)
  • Attended Lots of Meetings (Work: Staff, Collections, Audit, Budget.  Personal: Advisory, Alumni.)

I am excited to resume blogging in the New Year.