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Home , 2014 in baseball, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 3 :: 1525 SPRUCE STREET, SUITE 300, BOULDER, COLORADO 80302 :: 3RD QUARTER 2014

Contact Us The Phone: 303-444-1919 Fax: 303-444-1479 Email: Acorn and the Oak [email protected] www.twcinc.org Contributed by Melissa Hoyer

Summer Hours Dear readers, as I was thinking about the transitions that are happening May 27, 2014 through here at TWC, the metaphor of the acorn came to mind. Acorns, the seeds August 31, 2014 of Oak trees, symbolize growth, perseverance, and inspiration. Mature Oak trees symbolize courage, wisdom, and strength. I see this as a continuum Monday—Thursday from which we cycle through again and again during our lifetime – 8:00am—4:30pm beginnings, endings, and new beginnings. Friday 8:00am—1:00pm “The Creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Regular Hours With each new beginning, there is an opportunity for new growth for Monday—Friday everyone who is touched by it. At TWC, we are shifting some things 8:00am—4:30pm around that will give us all an opportunity to develop new relationships, see fresh perspectives, and continue to stay inspired. What is shifting? I Closures actually heard all of you thinking that just now (yes, I’m a mind reader…

TWC WILL BE CLOSED impressive, I know). MONDAY, SEPTEMBER Michael Malpiedi joined TWC in our front office. He recently completed 1ST coursework in a Masters of Poetics program at Naropa University here in IN OBSERVATION OF Boulder. You will hear his warm and welcoming voice when you call our LABOR DAY. office, and for those of you who come to our office, you will get to meet him when you come in to see us. Published by THE WEALTH CONSERVANCY, INC. Katie Wolf, who many of you know from the administrative side of our ® © 2014 The Wealth Conservancy, Inc. investment management services, is a CFP and will be transitioning into a financial planner role. Katie is so smart, so caring and such an upbeat

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...Continued from page 1 person - all of you who have the opportunity to placed in a wooden bowl for each person in your work with her as a planner will be delighted, I’m group to take one. Once everyone has an acorn sure! in hand, each person takes a turn to share something they feel grateful for. The acorns are Katie’s transition into a planner role leaves an placed back into the bowl, which becomes a opening for her position as the portfolio symbol of Thanksgiving. So, being the acorn administrator. We are currently interviewing for innovator that I am, I’d like to launch a (first- the position, so we plan to announce who that ever?) virtual Thanksgiving acorn bowl – when new person is in the next Periodic Ponderance. you read this, think of one thing you have So for now, Katie will be taking on both roles. gratitude for, and place it in the TWC Finally, the last transition that I want to tell you Thanksgiving bowl, which looks like this: about is my own – after a decade with all of you, I am returning to the acorn stage to start my own coaching and leadership development business. It is a dream of mine that I’m so thrilled to pursue, and yet it does not come without sad feelings. I will miss you, my fun and smart co- workers, and this place that has been my home for ten years. Admittedly, I’ll also miss the carrot cake at The Cup, my favorite coffee shop OK, I’ll go first… I feel gratitude for all of you for a block away (I mean, REALLY miss it). sharing your lives with me for the past ten years As we cycle through these phases of beginnings, - clients, co-workers and professional contacts endings, and new beginnings both internally and alike. A lot of beginnings, endings and new personally, each of us is committed to taking the beginnings happen in a decade, and I cherish very best care of you, our clients, colleagues, having been with you through it all. And, with and readers, and improving your experience. both a heavy heart and a spark of inspiration, I Transitions are what we make of them, so we are thank you immensely and bid thee farewell. focusing on the gifts of these transitions. Our Back to the acorn and the forests – I cannot know intention is for these shifts, which will affect all all that will spring up from so many new of us, to be a source of fresh perspectives, new beginnings, but I do know that the opportunities and enriching relationships, and inspiration. for new growth are overflowing just like our TWC There is a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition that I Thanksgiving bowl, and it wouldn’t be the same would like to share with you. Enough acorns are without YOU!

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2 Coming Up a Winner Contributed by Myra Salzer and Michael Malpiedi

interviewer then inquired why he chose that specific ring and not any of his three other ones. Torre responded that the ring being his first and the words on it, specifically HEART, were what held a special meaning to him. He went on about how his brother, George, had just received a heart transplant just days before that fateful game against the Braves. After a little research, I have also come to find out that , I must admit, was an unfamiliar name Torre lost his other brother, Rocco, to a heart to me when he was introduced as one of the attack earlier that very same year. The fact that keynote speakers for a conference I recently he wears this ring in honor of his brothers speaks attended. Upon hearing his introduction before volumes about his value and connection to he came up on stage, this self-proclaimed anti- family. team-sports elitist pre-judged his value at nil. With nowhere else to go, I reluctantly My biggest takeaway was how he did his best and stayed seated, rolled my eyes, and took a deep came up a winner despite facing some significant breath. At the time, I couldn’t help but think to obstacles along the way. Until his time managing myself “good thing I brought my knitting and iPad the Yankees, Torre had never won a World as a fallback!” Series title as a player or during his years as of the , the To my pleasant surprise, however, Torre was Braves, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Torre was quite articulate, and there was true wisdom in even chastised by New York newspapers in 1996 his stories. His speech made it clear that he when it was first announced that he would cared deeply for his players, teammates, and the become the new manager of the Yankees. The baseball community during his time as a player, went as far as to a back manager, and as Executive Vice President for page article calling him “Clueless Joe.” This Baseball Operations of the Major League. Torre snub didn’t last long, however, because that year also wasn't even ashamed to admit that he had Torre led the Yankees to a major World Series never won a World Series title as a player. What victory and then to another three consecutive impressed me further was his ability to work with World Series titles from 1998 to 2000. Regardless and stand up to ’ owner of all the criticism and doubt, he always believed , a name even I recognized. in himself and his team. Torre’s story has provided me with the resolve to Did you know World Series winners get a ring? I continue to do what I think is the right thing - do now! The interviewer asked Joe about the allocation wise. We might be in our third year of ring he was wearing. He answered that it was going nowhere (or down), but so was Joe Torre from first World Series win, back in 1996, when during several periods of his life. During his he was manager of the New York Yankees. The Story continued on page 4...

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childhood, Torre was a witness and victim of have predicted Torre would have a World Series domestic violence at the hands of his father, Joe championship as a manager and then claim three Torre, Sr. He watched as his mother and siblings more after that? George Steinbrenner in 1996, were physically and emotionally tormented on an who committed to an apparent bygone, is to our almost daily basis for the first twelve years of his clients as Joe Torre is to our portfolios. This life. Then in 1999, Torre was diagnosed and being said, I am quite confident the rewards are treated for prostate cancer. This diagnosis, yet to come. however, did not stop Torre from being there for I believe, think, and have confidence that in a his team, and he continued to manage the few years all our clients will be heartened for Yankees while undergoing aggressive cancer having endured the more difficult times in life. treatment. Despite these immense obstacles, And I anticipate we will be stronger for the Torre was able to find the strength to preserver experience. I only hope we have the grace and and now holds four World Series titles, nine All- class of Joe Torre to humbly pat ourselves for Star titles, and two Manager-of- taking a nonconforming path to financial well- the-Year awards. Not only that, but he is about being. to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and to have his Yankee's number 6 jersey retired. He also has become a figurehead for domestic violence awareness over the years Why Baseball is a Metaphor for and has created his own foundation, Margaret’s Life in America… Place. Torre named the foundation after his mother, and it seeks to develop safe spaces in In July of last year, BBC Magazine middle schools and high schools for students to ran a piece postulating why speak up about the abuses they face in their own baseball is such a metaphor for American life. The conclusion? It lives. Not only has Torre overcome the hurdles is not because of the “loud, in his life, but he also seeks to help others proud, and in your face” aura that surrounds almost overcome their hardships and lead better lives as all American sporting events. What makes the sport well. a metaphor is that it is really all about failure and There are some similarities between Torre's the psychological response to it. experience and The Wealth Conservancy’s. Much Statistically, even the very best players only the like TWC’s accomplishments, Torre’s World ball successfully a third of the time! How baseball Series wins came later in his career, but he players handle the other two-thirds is telling. They achieved a good deal of success as a player first pick themselves up and begin again. as well. Between those two careers, however, Even In the face of a struggling economy, Americans he spent some time languishing as our clients are embrace failure as the first step towards great doing now. The main difference between Torre success. You cannot get much more American than and TWC is that we are still mid-career. Yes, our that. clients have experienced a lull as we patiently stay committed to our principals and TWC's Read BBC’s interesting take on baseball and commitment to wealth preservation… I know, I America here: know, I know, it may be hard to see it this way http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23348513 from our clients' vantage, but who in 1996 would

4 A Once in a Lifetime Party

On June 14, 2014, we joined Katie Wolf in the celebration of her marriage to Leith Stevens. The beautiful ceremony took place here in Boulder, in the lovely and historic Hotel Boulderado. A few sprinkles could not dampen what was a fun and fabulous celebration of love and commitment. Our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness together!

Clockwise from top left: Katie and Leith pre-ceremony; post ceremony bliss; Katie and some of the TWC group (Karen, Melissa, Raquel, Renée, Dianna); Steve and wife Lana; the bride’s fabulous shoes; Myra’s husband Vince, Raquel’s husband Jim, Myra, and Melissa’s husband Jim.

5 Tired of having to sign paper forms for wire transfers? Do you use the Schwab alliance website or Schwab mobile app on your smartphone? If the answer is “yes” then I have Making Life Easier some great news for you! Schwab is rolling out an electronic approval platform for wire Electronic Approvals for Wire Transfers transfers. Contributed by Katie Wolf If you would like to install the Schwab mobile app on your smartphone, visit the app store for your mobile device and search for “Schwab Mobile.” Currently have the mobile app? Be sure you have version 3.2 or higher. Once you have the app, complete the following steps:

 Log in to your Schwab account and navigate to settings to turn on multitasking. This will ensure that you can approve any wires requiring additional validation steps.

 Navigate to your mobile device settings and select “Notification Center.” You may choose either “Banner” or “Alert” notifications. You will now receive alerts to approve wires through the Schwab app on your smartphone! If you use the Schwab Alliance website and you have a wire transfer request, the website now has the capability of accepting an electronic approval. Once the wire is ready for approval, an email is sent out to your email address of record. The message center on the Schwaballance.com will have the action ready for your approval. Don’t have access to Schwab Alliance and would like to enroll? Email or call Katie and she will start the ball rolling! And, of course, we will always have a good old paper form and pen if that’s what you prefer.

Summer Trivia Coming to a Beach Perhaps Near You… Summer is in full swing, and nothing says summer quite like  June 1 – October 26: International Sand beaches and sand castles. Not your amateur mounds of sand Sculpture Festival, Søndervig, Denmark haphazardly shaped into something resembling the ruins of  August 16-17: Great Sand Sculpture Pompeii, but works of art painstakingly sculpted over the Contest, Long Beach, CA course of hours.  August 17 – September 7: International Here’s a little sand castle trivia for you – although sand Sand Sculpture Festival, Rorschach, sculpting likely dates back to ancient Egypt, the first written Switzerland references to sand castles don’t appear until the 19th  August 29 – September 1: U.S. Sand century England when the seaside became a venue for Sculpting Challenge, San Diego, CA recreation. By the end of the century, seaside resort  September 26 – October 5: International competitions abounded. And in America, sand castles and Sand Sculpting Championship, Virginia sculptures gained popularity and began dotting the Beach, VA shorelines post WWII, as families began taking beach  November 21 – 30: American Sand vacations. Now it is hard to believe that there was ever a Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers time when kids (and adults) weren’t fascinated by pushing Beach, FL wet sand around until it became something else!

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