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apage, Author at Invest Smart https://invest-smart.org/author/apage/ Asset Protection and Investment News Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:34:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 3 Bitcoin Stocks You Shouldn’t Invest In https://invest-smart.org/3-bitcoin-stocks-you-shouldnt-invest-in/ Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:34:51 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1472 First Bitcoin Capital Corp. (NASDAQOTH:BITCF)

This small Bitcoin stock surged in 2017 (as a lot of things did), and calls itself “the world’s most prolific generator of cryptocurrencies.”

The company develops new digital currencies and blockchain technologies, but can’t really justify its market cap of more than $250 million. There are nine projects currently listed on its website, but most of them sound like snakeoil.

Also, First Bitcoin has changed its name, focus, or country five times in just a dozen years… RED FLAG.

Riot Blockchain (NASDAQ:RIOT)

Here’s another failing company that shifted its focus to try to ride the cryptocurrency wave. Until October 2017, Riot was known as Bioptix, and before November 2016, it was Venaxis. Then, less than four months ago, the biotech company changed its name and shifted its focus to blockchain-based investments.

Riot Blockchain initially announced an investment in Canadian cryptocurrency exchange Coinsquare, and has also made a few other investments since then, particularly in bitcoin miners. However, the company’s assets don’t come close to justifying its share price.

Another red flag when it comes to Riot Blockchain is that the company’s CEO recently unloaded more than 30,000 shares of the stock at an average sales price of $28.61, roughly double the current share price. Troubling…

Bitcoin Investment Trust (NASDAQOTH:GBTC)

The Greyscale Bitcoin Investment Trust essentially functions as an exchange-traded fund, or ETF, that allows investors to pool their money to buy bitcoin. This seems no worse than simply buying bitcoins yourself on an exchange, right? Wrong.

The problem is the premium you pay. Yes, buying bitcoins on an exchange can be complicated and can also come with high transaction fees, but it’s not worth the premium you pay. As of Jan. 29, 2018, each share of the trust represented 0.00100733 bitcoins. Based on the $10,400 market value of bitcoin as of this writing, this means that each share’s intrinsic value is $10.48. Shares of the trust are trading for $18.25 — a massive 74% premium over the value of the bitcoin owned. In addition, the annual management fee of 2% is several times more than you’d pay on a similar gold, silver, or commodity-based ETF.

The bottom line: If you want to own bitcoin, you’re better off simply buying bitcoin.

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Save Time Investing https://invest-smart.org/save-time-investing/ Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:30:32 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1463 Create a plan

Maybe the most ideal approach to accelerate your venture choices is to have an arrangement, and afterward stick to it. (It records your arrangement so you can allude to it later.) An arrangement can enable you to dodge second speculating yourself, remain centered and settle on the choices that truly matter.

For reserves, your arrangement ought to incorporate the criteria you’ll use to figure out which assets to purchase now, to what extent you’ll hold your assets and when you’ll offer. It ought to likewise incorporate whether you’ll claim part supports or expanded assets, and on the off chance that you’ll pay an exchange charge to purchase a store or stay with no-exchange expense (NTF) reserves.

By settling on these choices ahead of time, you’ll streamline your speculation choices. This is the thing that my group and I improve the situation the customer accounts we oversee, and it spares from making similar choices over and over.

Keep it straightforward

You’re contributing procedure ought to be sufficiently straightforward that you’ll have the capacity to stay with it for a long time. Some say it should fit onto a list card. (This is an awesome motivation to record your arrangement: many individuals think they have a clear procedure, however once they record it, they understand that it’s more detailed than they’d thought.)

In the event that your arrangement takes a ton of time and exertion, search for approaches to streamline it. Would you be able to combine some of your records so you have less records to oversee? Maybe you could dispense with a portion of the exploration you’re doing by depending on different assets, or perhaps you could accomplish comparative outcomes with less supports. When contributing is less demanding to oversee, you’re more able to really do it.

Complete your examination for yourself

A few financial specialists reveal to me that they invest a considerable measure of energy inquiring about their venture choices, and one approach to disentangle this work is to depend on information from different sources. For example, supporters of my NoLoad FundX pamphlet have a group of individuals who do a tremendous measure of research for them.

We investigate each store’s procedure, expansion, hazard and its previous history, and we regularly converse with support chiefs. We likewise take a gander at how a store exchanges and we ensure that ETFs have adequate liquidity so our individuals will get a reasonable cost. We ensure the assets we cover work with our framework and with different assets. It resembles assembling a best games group: there might be an extremely gifted player out there, yet that player must have the capacity to fit in with whatever remains of the group to truly have any kind of effect. I trust the work we do spares financial specialists time and causes them contribute shrewdly and with certainty.

Trim your portfolio

Do you claim an excessive number of assets? Monitoring many assets takes a great deal of time, so you may consider owning less finances. In the event that you are investing a great deal of energy dealing with an arrangement of stock assets and an arrangement of security reserves, you could consider basically concentrating on adjusted assets, which give you presentation to stocks and securities in a single store buy.

Combine your records

Numerous speculators have an excessive number of records. They have 401(k)s, contributory IRAs, rollover IRAs, Roth IRAs, acquired IRAs and in addition arranged assessable records, and it can take more time to monitor such a large number of records.

Search for approaches to solidify your records or possibly move records to one merchant. Less records are less demanding to oversee: you’ll promptly perceive how your records are assigned and if there are any progressions to be made. You’ll additionally have less printed material to manage. Also, by merging some of your records, you are making it simpler for another person to venture in to deal with your funds in the event that anything transpires.

Get assistance

Numerous financial specialists—even speculators who dealt with their own cash for a considerable length of time—wind up enlisting a consultant to deal with their portfolios for them. A significant number of my customers effectively dealt with their own cash for quite a long time before they concluded that they needed to invest their energy in different interests.

“A few customers and investors come to us for help overseeing some portion of their portfolio,” said Garza Harris, “They may discover appreciate dealing with their stock store portfolio, for example, and they’d rather have another person pick security reserves for you.”

It can allowed to give an expert take a risk to charge. Many say it’s encouraging to realize that somebody’s viewing their portfolio while they’re in the midst of some recreation or recouping from an ailment. Getting help dealing with your cash can likewise give you more opportunity for the things that exploration indicates makes us more joyful, such as investing energy with companions or family.

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Real Estate in Dallas-Fort Worth still a good investment? https://invest-smart.org/real-estate-dallas-fort-worth-still-good-investment/ Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:25:48 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1459 The median sales price in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington market has skyrocketed 33 percent in just three years and housing costs — once considered a bargain in Texas — are now comparable with other major metropolitan areas.

Rooney has made four unsuccessful offers on houses since October — each time for thousands of dollars over the sticker price. She has left her former leased home in Grapevine, and is living with her father in south Arlington until she can find a willing seller in Mansfield.

“I feel like I am a strong buyer. I have the 20 percent for a down payment, a conventional loan. I can move in at any point,” she said. “The market is just really tough right now.”

The median sales price of a home in North Texas is now $249,000, up from just $188,300 in 2014, according to the National Association of Realtors. A decade ago, before the Great Recession was triggered in part because of a nationwide mortgage financing crisis, the median price of a Metroplex home was $150,900.

And higher prices aren’t the only factor causing prospective buyers to slow their roll.

The new federal tax law that passed Congress last month and was signed by President Trump on Dec. 22 limits how much mortgage interest and property tax payments can be deducted from homeowners’ taxes, which could motivate some prospective buyers — especially those interested in higher-end homes — to rent instead.

“A lot of clients, just because of the property value questions, are not trying to borrow the maximum amount they could borrow,” said Carla Johnson, a real estate agent with Next Level Realty Group who sells homes across the region but specializes in the Keller/Haslet area. “They’re most concerned about being able to make a monthly payment.”

In short – we think so

Despite concerns about the housing market being too hot to handle in North Texas, those who follow the industry say buying a house is still a wise use of your money.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is the second hottest housing market in the U.S. — behind only Las Vegas — and home sales in 2018 are expected to increase 6 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors.

A home was posted for sale Tuesday on Misty Ridge Drive in far north Fort Worth.

North Texas is one of several metro areas in the southern U.S. that has enough job growth to justify the rising cost of properties, one expert said. The cost of housing is rising dramatically, but the demand for housing for new residents moving into the state ensures that plenty of prospective buyers will always be around — at least for the foreseeable future.

“It’s still relatively affordable for a family to get into a big home,” said Javier Vivas, director of economic research at Realtor.com.

“We can only predict so far into the future, but if you look at the next 12 months you’ve got a good economic foundation, and employment growth twice as fast as the rest of the country,” he said. “If you look at an investment for young people, in particular, you’re really buying into the neighborhood, and if it’s a fast-growing neighborhood in Fort Worth or Arlington those will be good investments.”

North Texas is projected to have the second-highest increase in home sales in the U.S. in 2018, behind only the Las Vegas area, according to a national housing forecast by Realtor.com. The Metroplex is projected to have a 6.02 percent increase in the number of residential retail sales and also a 5.57 percent spike in the price of homes for sale.

Nationwide, the forecast projects a more modest 2.5 percent growth in existing home sales as the supply of available houses for sale finally begins to catch up with demand.

The population is now 7.1 million in the 12-county metropolitan statistical area tracked by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the region’s official planning body. That population is expected to grow to about 10.7 million people by 2040, according to council of government forecasts.

Over the next few years, residents whose incomes don’t steadily rise could find themselves pinched if housing prices continue to go up.

How much a family should spend on a home depends upon many variables — including whether applicants have children, large amounts of outstanding debt, etc. But one rule of thumb is that mortgage lenders will typically approve applications for mortgages equal to 30 to 35 percent of their pre-tax income.

Personal finance experts differ about whether prospective homebuyers should borrow that much, with some arguing that about 30 percent of after-tax income is a better ratio for most households.

Fueled by job growth

North Texas will have to continue its current home-building binge to keep up with growth, as roughly 100,000 new residents move into the region each year, many seeking jobs in the Metroplex’s growing employment base.

Tarrant County and southern Denton County not only generate their own jobs, with employers such as Schwab and Lockheed Martin recently announcing hiring plans, but also benefit from a spillover effect of development in other growing areas such as Frisco, Vivas said.

The Dallas-Fort Worth region is the ninth fastest-growing metro area in the U.S. based on rising home ownership levels, he said.

Nationwide, the supply of available homes for sale are expected to increase next year for the first time since 2015, holding down the cost of home prices to an average of 3.2 percent higher than in 2017.

Also, the inventory of available homes for sale nationwide has hit its all-time low, with only about a three-month supply of housing available, according to the Wall Street Journal. That trend could continue to push the cost of buying a home further upward.

As recently as 2010, a nearly 12-month supply of homes for sale was available.

The lack of inventory is even more striking in Tarrant County, which only has a 1.8-month supply of homes for sale, according to North Texas Real Estate Information Systems. Homes for sale in Tarrant County are staying on the market an average of only 34 days.

But those new tax burdens

Joe Garza, Dallas tax attorney, is concerned that changes in federal tax law could slow growth in home sales in Texas and across the country.

He said portions of the new federal tax law approved by Congress could limit homeowners’ income tax deduction for property taxes and mortgage interest paid on a home.

The most dramatic effect will be on prospective buyers of high-end homes. For example, the new law allows home buyers to deduct interest payments on mortgages up to $750,000.

The new law also caps the amount of property and state income taxes that can be deducted at $10,000. Since Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, the overwhelming majority of residents likely won’t hit this cap.

For example, the owner of a hypothetical home valued at $400,000 in the Keller school district with a homestead exemption would pay $9,784.76, according to a Tarrant County online calculator.

But overall, Yun said, states such as Texas with no state income tax will still be a more attractive place to buy a home than places such as California or New York.

The region has a short supply of multifamily housing, especially high-end apartments costing $1,900 a month or more, though many complexes are under construction, Salviati said. As a result, the escalating rent rates in Fort Worth and Arlington likely will stabilize in the coming years, making renting more of an option.

“It really depends upon your individual factors, such as how long you plan to stay, how much money you can put down on a house and the rate you’re getting on a mortgage,” Salviati said. “For a lot of people, they may expect to purchase homes and see a benefit, but it may not be as big of a benefit as they thought.”

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A How To On Index Funds https://invest-smart.org/a-how-to-on-index-funds/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:25:08 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1455 1. Choose a benchmark index

Garza & Harris LLC say that while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index is one of the best-known indexes, it isn’t the only index around. There are indexes — and corresponding index funds — composed of stocks or other assets chosen based on:

  • Company size and capitalization
  • Geography
  • Business sector or industry
  • Asset type
  • Market opportunities

There are an array of choices, but you only need to invest in only one.

2. Compare fees for fund management

Low costs are the biggest selling points of index funds. They’re cheap to run because they’re automated to follow the shifts in value in an index. But, unfortunately, even though they’re not actively managed by a team of well-paid analysts, they still carry administrative costs.

Those costs — the main one is the expense ratio — are subtracted from each fund shareholder’s returns as a percentage of their overall investment. Find the expense ratio in the mutual fund’s investor prospectus or when you call up a quote of a mutual fund on a financial site.

3. Think about potential tax issues

Garza & Harris say you need to consider another cost – the tax-cost ratio, which is how much owning the fund may trigger in annual taxes. This is important if you’re investing in a taxable account as opposed to an IRA or a 401(k).

Transactions within a mutual fund — when stocks are bought or sold or when companies distribute dividends — can generate capital gains taxes. Like the expense ratio, these taxes can take a bite out of investment returns. This is typically an issue with actively managed funds where investors sacrifice 0.75% in average annual returns versus just 0.30% in returns when invested in an index fund.

4. Make sure returns match the index

The index fund’s returns are on the mutual fund quote page. It shows the index fund’s returns during several time periods, compared with the performance of the underlying benchmark index.

Don’t panic if the returns aren’t identical. Remember, those investment costs, even if minimal, affect results, as do taxes. However, red flags should wave if the fund’s performance lags the index by much more than the expense ratio.

5. Check the fund’s investment minimum

Charges keep rearing their ugly heads. This time it’s the cover charge, or the investment minimum required to get your foot in the door. It can actually run as high as a few thousand dollars.

A workaround however is to invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks an index. ETFs are like mini mutual funds that trade like stocks throughout the day. Instead of having to buy the main-course mutual fund, you purchase a slice of the fund.

6. Decide how to buy

You can purchase an index fund directly from a mutual fund company or through a discount brokerage account. The same is true for ETFs. When you’re choosing where to buy an index fund, ask Garza & Harris about:

  • Fund selection.
  • Convenience.
  • Account minimum.
  • Commission-free options.
  • Trading costs
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Slowdown in Chinese Real Estate Market https://invest-smart.org/slowdown-in-chinese-real-estate-market/ Mon, 07 Aug 2017 17:48:19 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1438 Domestic real estate investment in China is dropping. Numbers released from the National Bureau of Statistics of China show that May’s property investment in terms of square footage was higher than last year, but still remained way below the baseline.

The decline in investment combined with cooling measures will likely result in a major drag on real estate prices in the country.

Why are we using square meters of investment?

“If you’re new to Asian real estate investment, analysis is slightly different from how it would be done in North America or Europe.” (Joe Garza – Garza & Harris) It’s much more specific, and typically done on a per meter basis — whereas you’re probably used to benchmark prices or a home price index.

It’s not any more accurate, or less accurate by itself — analysts in Asia just look at it differently. So today we’ll be looking at one indicator that’s commonly used, the amount of square meters invested in a month, compared year over year.

Real estate investment in China increased from last May

Domestic investment in China is up from last year, but down significantly from the long term trend. May 2017 saw 75.8 million square meters of land developed and bought, a 5.3% increase from the same month last year. Some people likely think this number is great, because it’s higher than last year. Let’s give it some context to give us a better picture.

Investment for May remained way below the long-term trend

When looked at over time, this is a massive drop in investments. The average for May over the previous decade was 116 million square meters. This means this May is actually 35% lower than the trend established over the previous decade. This combined with cooling measures being rolled out by their government, is expected to put downward pressure on home prices in the country.

Cooling measures coming to China

The low rate of investment will collide with new cooling measures across the country. One of those measures will be flooding the market with inventory in major cities. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (the name’s even longer in Chinese), have accelerated the approval of new developments.

They’re also adding millions of square meters of housing, many with restrictions like maximum sale prices. Adding inventory to the hottest markets, while restricting prices can’t be a great thing for price growth.

China is one of the leading countries for global real estate investment. So a slowdown of domestic investment could be yet another sign that the country’s real estate investors are running out of steam.

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Investing Tips Everyone Can Use https://invest-smart.org/investing-tips-everyone-can-use/ Fri, 30 Jun 2017 23:44:33 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1431 Too few folks could answer “very assured!” whilst requested to describe their consolation level when it comes to monetary making an investment. A number of us do it blindly, some of us defer making an investment whilst we all understand lengthy-time period profits are a key purpose, and a few put if off entirely. With purpose of creating the markets and your options more acquainted and, therefore, much less daunting, here is my recommendation on a way to invest like a professional.

Investing in Dividend

The exceptional manner to develop your cash is to invest in companies that provide a dividend and feature a capacity for increase. Search for shares that yield a dividend of close to 4 according to cent. these are everyday payments made to stockholders. The concept is to invest in a organisation that is projected to develop on common 4 consistent with cent a year. So with the aggregate of growth and dividends, your cash ought to develop near 8 percent a year, doubling every nine years.

Index Investing

As a non-public finance journalist, I am getting many hints from execs. However, one tip that has stayed with me is that most traders are invested in index finances. These are safe exchange traded funds (etfs) that comply with the overall performance of any index. So for example, there are ETFs that comply with the overall performance of the toronto inventory exchange or the nasdaq. ETFs are much like mutual budget, as they’ve a basket of stocks and bonds in them, but unlike mutual finances, they’re now not actively controlled and have tons lower prices, normally.

Keep fees low

Expenses are one of the most important obstacles in growing your wealth. While choosing investments, like ETFs, preserve expenses decrease than 1 in line with cent, to make certain the return you are getting is going into your pocket and not being eaten up in control prices. Traditional mutual price range commonly deliver higher charges. Therefore even if the increase in the fund is right, buyers may not revel in the same return for their own money.

Self-Directed Account

many human beings use an consultant to assist make their economic decisions, and that i do not necessarily disagree — it’s miles prudent to talk to a economic guide earlier than making any investment choice. but also, it has in no way been as clean (and cheap) to make investments in your own. open an account at one of the online bargain brokerages in canada, ensure your account is self-directed. read the analyst reviews and recommendation at the investments you are interested by and purchase the securities which you are inspired with. it is virtually that easy.

Accurate vs Awful Media

after you start making an investment it is right to hold a near on eye on how the markets are doing, however reacting to  market pastime everyday isn’t an excellent idea. commercial enterprise news, while you watch it with a microscope, can make even the most seasoned investors worried. examine the commercial enterprise section of the newspapers to get the headlines, go to financial news websites, but when you make your investment selections stick with it. my preferred way to invest is by means of the canadian sofa potato.

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Dallas’s Most Expensive Home https://invest-smart.org/dallass-most-expensive-home/ Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:26:34 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=356 Platinum Series Realty recently announced the listing of 4939 Manson Court.  This exclusive 3-acre home, built by Mark Molthan and designed by architect Robbie Fusch was completed in August of 2011. The home is the most expensive listing on record with MLS in the state of Texas to date.  This one of a kind custom estate boasts over 25,000 sq ft of living space in one of Dallas’ most exclusive neighborhoods, Preston Hollow.  The premier location of this home offers a private drive, gated entrance and unparalleled amenities. Included in this estate are eight deluxe bedroom suites, deluxe children’s retreats, nanny and guest quarters, a 14-c­ar garage with 3,700 sq ft, an indoor basketball court, underground media room and luxury pool with a pool house.  In addition, the house is equipped with open foam insulation, geothermal HVAC and secondary generator power.

Manson_Court_Astleford_Interiors_Mark_MolthanOn December 14, 2012, Platinum Series Realty will hold an invitation-only agent preview of the estate to allow the “who’s who” of Dallas Real Estate an opportunity to tour this one of a kind home with the builder, Mark Molthan.  These agents will be allowed to have unparalleled access to one of Dallas’s most exclusive homes.

About Platinum Series by Mark Molthan

Platinum Series by Mark Molthan has been designing, building, and selling luxury custom homes in Dallas for over a decade. The company has been named a Best Builder by D Magazine for nine years in a row (2006-2014) and has been included in the National Association of Home Builder’s “Builder 20.” To see more listings by Platinum Series realty visit platinumseriesrealty.com.You can see more photos of this property at 4939manson.com.

 

Manson Court Dallas's Most Expensive Home

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Joe B Garza Shares Art with ACG Dallas https://invest-smart.org/joe-b-garza-shares-art-with-acg-dallas/ https://invest-smart.org/joe-b-garza-shares-art-with-acg-dallas/#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2012 23:05:40 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=310

November 14, 2012, Dallas based attorney Joe B. Garza opened his Dallas home and The Garza Private Collection to the members of ACG Dallas – Fort Worth for an evening of networking.  ACG, the Association of Corporate Growth, is the premier global association for professionals involved in corporate development, growth, mergers and acquisitions.  ACG is comprised of leaders in corporations, private equity, finance and professional service firms and all have a goal of building value in their organizations.

Joe B. Garza at Highland Park MansionJoe Garza’s art collection is managed by Niehus Art Firm, LLC and curated by Shannon Niehus is a comparison of American Abstract Expressionism, Social Realism and Pop artists to Russian Nonconformist artists from the Soviet Underground.  The artwork evokes a discussion of international cultural contrasts from the Cold War to the present nuclear climate positioning engages viewers.

Featured pieces of The Joe Garza Attorney Private Collection include a number of pieces from both men and women of the New York School American Abstract Expressionism along with pieces by Lynn Drexler, Albert Kotin, Alek Rapoport and Ruth Gikow.

Crowd of Art AppreciatorsNot only did the patrons enjoy one of the most breathtaking private art collections in the city, but Garza’s event made for an excellent opportunity for guest to network and engage professionally. Some of the brightest names in the Dallas legal and finance communities attended the event, making it a golden opportunity for growing and established businesses, alike, to enjoy outstanding art and make strong professional relationships. This networking event brought together business leaders in a variety of industries throughout the Dallas – Fort Worth area for an evening of introductions and growth opportunities.

Joe B.Garza is a Dallas based attorney and a founding partner of Garza and Harris, Ltd.  He has over 30 years of legal experience and is the lead partner at the succesful Tax Planning firm Garza & Harris. Joe B. Garza is also a very active member of the community and involved with many charities – he frequently opens his gorgeous home to host these events on a regular basis, bringing together the local Dallas community for entertainment and networking.

Large Crowd at Highland Park Mansion
Dallas based attorney Joe B. Garza on right.

 

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Dallas Attorney Joe Garza Opens Home To Snowball Express https://invest-smart.org/dallas-attorney-joe-b-garza-opens-home-to-snowball-express/ Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:33:35 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=249 October 23, 2012, Joe Garza, a Dallas based attorney opened his home once again to host a fundraiser benefiting The Snowball Express.  The event was a Piano-Duo concert hosted by Plano based attorney Raymund King.

Attendees were treated to the musical talents of Elida Dakoli and Dr. Gustavo Tolosa.  Dakoli and Tolosa performed an array of pieces composed by American, Albanian and Argentine composers.  Ms. Dakoli is Albanian and began playing the piano at age 6, she is currently a Mason & Hamlin Artist as well as the face and artist for PianoDisc.  She has been featured in various publications such as UpBeat, PTG Magazine and CIA Magazine.  When not performing Ms. Dakoli is continuing her doctoral studies in Piano Performance at Louisiana State University.  Dr. Gustavo Tolosa is an Argentine-American Pianist who is in constant demand not only as a performer but as a teacher, master class presenter and competitor.  He has performed with orchestras across the country and in Argentina; performing on average 15 times a year.  In 2009 he founded Musica for the World in downtown Dallas, a large urban music school and became a faculty member at Texas Women’s University in January 2012 where he teaches piano to all majors.

In addition to the musical performance, guests were able to browse the artwork of local artist, Richard Nunez, and were also able to watch him live paint.  Nunez is a self-taught artist with pieces on display across the country.  Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Nunez has frequently donated his time and artwork to raise funds for charities such as the Cystic Fibrosis, Make-A-Wish and Meals on Wheels to name a few.  His colorful artwork is full of character and style.

Snowball Express was founded in 2006 to provide hope and new memories for the children of military fallen heroes that have died in active duty since 9/11.  Each year the Snowball Express volunteers organize an event to help the children of our fallen heroes make happy memories.  The 100% volunteer planned event has garnered corporate sponsors such as American Airlines, Hilton, Taco Bell and many more.  Each year this event grows and more families are able to make happy memories thanks to the efforts of generous individuals like attorneys  Joe B. Garza and Raymund King.

Joe B. Garza
Dallas attorney Joe Garza (left) opened his Highland Park home to a charity event for The Snowball Express.

 

 

To find out more and learn how you can get involved visit www.snowballexpress.org.

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Joe B. Garza Hosts Fundraiser for Jason Villalba https://invest-smart.org/joe-b-garza-hosts-fundraiser-for-jason-villalba/ https://invest-smart.org/joe-b-garza-hosts-fundraiser-for-jason-villalba/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:46:33 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=137 State House candidate Jason Villalba — battling in a GOP runoff to represent Lake Highlands and North Dallas — brought out his heavyweight support Friday at a fundraiser hosted by fellow Dallas attorney Joe Garza.

Villalba, who’s running his first political campaign, faces former state Rep. Bill Keffer in the July 31 runoff. He enters the last few weeks of the campaign as the underdog, having finished second in the May primary.

But even though the low turnout election could favor Keffer, who’s more well-known among voters, Villalba predicted he would prevail.

Headlining the event was U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who, receiving a standing ovation when introduced, championed Villalba as a thoughtful, but steadfast conservative and noted how rare it was for her to jump in such a race.

“Not one other person in the state of Texas have I endorsed in the primary, even though I’ve been asked a lot,” she told the crowd of about 50 people that gathered at the Highland Park home of attorney Joe Garza. “The reason is he’s the future.”

Vallalba said there’s a “clear distinction” between him and Keffer, in terms of leadership style. He said he wants to focus on “people, not partisanship.”

And while Keffer has staked his campaign on being the “true conservative,” Villalba said voters are looking for a representative who will best serve the community.

Keffer, who represented the old District 107 from 2003 to 2006, said in a phone interview that he agrees there are differences in how they would approach the job.

He said he makes no apologies for being perceived as a hard-line Republican, and he jabbed at Villalba’s more consensus-building ways. “I’m a little puzzled about Jason’s emphasis on reaching across the aisle,” Keffer said.

To prove his confidence, Villalba joked about the extra prayer he planned to make on the morning of Election Day.

“Lord, keep me well-rested tonight because we’re going to have one heck of a victory party,” he said.

Hutchison, along with state Sen. Florence Shapiro, echoed Villalba’s sentiment that there needs to be a different kind of leadership coming into both Austin and Washington.

Shapiro said government needs more problem solvers, not a bigger crowd of people who will just say, “No.”

And Hutchison said Villalba is just the candidate to fit that bill.

“As I’m on the exit ramp,” she said, “I want to make sure the next generation coming in are the right kind of people who are thoughtful and … who know the community.”

Hutchison then nodded at Villalba and added, “And I know that God will give you energy for that victory party.”

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