Lauck Motors has always been something of a visionary in its industry. It opened as a repair shop exclusively for Mercedes vehicles at a time when Roswell was not the land of the well-to-do that it is today.

In the next few weeks, the millions of Americans who have been investing their retirement funds in the stock market through their 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) are going to open their second-quarter statements and be shocked by the losses in their retirement nest eggs.

To the people who frequent the place, it’s known simply as the “the Merchant.” For those who understand the verbal shorthand, the name evokes visions of middle-aged men basking in a communal shower of smoke and bonding over one of the most basic, yet complex, leisure items known to man – the cigar.

With the passing of the July 4th holiday that inspires our most patriotic thoughts, it's hard to imagine that any American would voluntarily give up his or her citizenship. But perhaps politicians are starting to understand that the taxpaying public is growing wary of being fleeced, either through increased taxes or the stealth tax of inflation, as a way to repay all the debt that Washington has incurred.

Why worry about a little inflation? Because even a little bit adds up over the years and can make a real dent in your wealth – if you haven't prepared with investments that will not only match, but outpace, the ravages of inflation.

The scope of cable television has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. It has gone from roughly 30 basic channels to a profusion of specialized programming that basically allows you to watch whatever you want whenever you want from the comfort of your own couch.

Carmen Ubeda, owner of Carmen Carmen Hair Studio in Roswell, started cutting hair when she was barely a teenager and has continued in that line of work ever since. She has not, however, always had the luxury of her own salon.

Call her tough, call her tenacious or call her a bulldog. She is a homebuyer’s relentless advocate and the toughest negotiator this side of the SALT II treaties.

Sal D’Amico is working the grill, grinning as the flames lick burgers that even Five Guys can’t touch. This chef doesn’t mess around: only Nathan’s Famous hot dogs on his grate.

As the housing crisis and mortgage mess move off the front pages, some nagging questions remain. Many of those questions revolve around how so many smart people – not the homebuyers, but Wall Streeters – could have been so dumb or blinded by greed to the eventual results of what they were doing. I wonder how they can complain now that they're losing money.