A Weekly Note from Mayor Gary L. Graham
“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
The beginning of the new year is a perfect time for us to reflect back on 2004 and to determine our new year’s resolutions for 2005. The City of O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department is offering numerous programs and activities throughout 2005 that will assist you and your family in keeping those resolutions.
If your resolution is to begin planning for your family’s financial future, the Parks Department has just the workshops for you. Six brand new workshops will be offered, with each one teaching you financial planning strategies that will assist you with your estate planning, college funding, retirement planning and more.
· 234 Financial Concept:
The amount of information about financial services and products can be overwhelming. We’ll take away some of the mystery that surrounds planning, offering you a simpler, smarter way to make decisions about your financial future. We’ll discuss how to select appropriate products in terms of taxation, risk orientation, charges, flexibility and liquidity; how to properly allocate (or reallocate) your portfolio in light of modern portfolio theory; and how to increase the probability of reaching the financial goals you have established for yourself, your family or your business.
· 15 Financial Myths Demystified:
Even knowledgeable investors may be surprised at what you thought you knew! This is an eye-opening discussion on estate planning, insurance strategies, and retirement planning.
· Investing for the Long Term:
Discover how a long-term investment plan can help you reach your financial goals. Learn more about inflation, market timing, dollar cost averaging, and the power of compounding, diversification and risk.
· College Funding Reality Check:
This class will include a review of traditional funding sources, common myths, and advantages and limitations of popular education planning vehicles.
· Investing in an Uncertain Market:
Setting realistic expectations, customizing your portfolio, the value of long-term investing, Risk-Reward Connection, strategies for sound investing, understanding diversification, and specific investment strategies are all things you will learn in this class. Find our where you fall in the Risk-Reward Pyramid.
· Stock Market vs. Fixed Income Investing:
Is your money really safe? Will it last? This class presents a case study on the inflation on fixed income securities. We’ll compare the differences of fixed income investments versus stock market investments.
If your resolution is to learn a new skill such as ice skating, bowling, or ballroom and swing dance, the Parks and Recreation Department is your ticket to obtaining those skills. If it is relaxation that you are in search of, Tai Chi is offered.
Our Parks and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs and activities for the entire family and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. Brand new programs and activities for winter and spring include:
· Space: The Final Frontier
· Gooey Goo Gala
· Make-up Application for Prom
· Art Basics and Art Skills
· Boot Camp Fitness Program
· Backyard Birding and Great Backyard Bird Count
· O’Fallon Family Bowling League and One-on-One Bowling Lessons
· Basic Sewing
· Beginning Sign Language
· Cake Decorating 101
· Silk Painting
· Cardinals Bus Tour
· Canadian Rockies Panorama
· San Antonio Christmas
· American Girl Chicago Trip
· St. Louis Art Museum
· Scuba Certification courses
· Dog Obedience classes
I am certain that you and your family will find our Parks programs both educational and very enjoyable. The opportunity to participate in high quality and fun leisure activities such as these is yet another example of why O’Fallon is such a great community in which to live.
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