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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and
entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   

 


Friday, April 24, 2015



Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Archives---April 24, 2009
 $40 Million Fraud/Leasing Founder Assets Frozen
  Classified Ads---Credit
Ascentium Capital Accelerates Growth in Q1 2015
  77.3% Increase from Q1 2014
Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry
  "Your lease rates are too high."
     by Kevin F. Clune, CLFP
ELFA Reports March New Business Up 46%
    17% Compared to 2014
The amount of oil being shipped by rail has
  increased 50-fold since 2010
Leasing Schools/Franchisors
  Updated
August 28-September 4 Jazz Cruise
 Sailing Alaska with Jeff Rudin and Crew
Facebook Profit Beats Analyst Estimates
  Mobile Business Dramatically Up
GATX 2015 First-Quarter $42.1 Million Net Income
     Furious 7/Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter, The River
       Maps to the Star, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
            Film/Digital Reviews by Leasing News' Fernando Croce
 Rottweiler/Shepherd
  Chicago, Illinois  Adopt-a-Dog
    Collector/Collections/Consultant/Communications
      Classified ads—
News Briefs---
Deutsche Bank's $2.5 Billion Fine Shows Why
    Regulators Love Instant Messaging
 Costco slashes credit card fees to near nothing
   Feds sue Quicken Loans, alleging improper mortgage lending
    New England’s Casino Wars Are Officially Underway
     Shake Shack is making its way to the West Coast

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (writer's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org
Leasing News Icon for Android Mobile Device

You May have Missed---
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                 Traffic Live----

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.



Bookmark Leasing News


[headlines]

--------------------------------------------------------------


Archives---April 24, 2009
$60 Million Fraud/Leasing Founder Assets Frozen

Benny Lee Judah works the phones in his office at Excel Financial Co.

The Securities Exchange Commission has frozen the assets and accused 50 year old Benny Judah of Lubbock, Texas of selling some $60 million in unregistered securities between January 2006 and March 2009 for use in his company Excel Lease Fund Inc. dba Excel Financial Leasing, but using the funds for “day trading.”

The complaint filed in US District Court Northern District of Texas on April 21st that through Excel Financial Leasing, he sought to raise $50 million to fund Excel's equipment-leasing business, investments, and to retire debentures which are typically funds raised by a company that pay a fixed interest rate secured through company assets. His circular proclaimed he had over 4500 leases with receivables from the leases at $15 million earning 19.8%. The complaint claims the leases are "fictitious." 

June 3 Letter from one of the victims:
http://leasingnews.org/letters/june_3_letter_to_editor.html

 


(Photo KCBD.com)

TODAY
Age 56, in Federal Prison (Big Spring FCI), sentenced March 5, 2010 to statutory maximum of 300 months (25) years and ordered to pay $59,802,581.06 in restitution; Release Date: 08/23/2031. He pled guilty in November, 2009, to felony offenses stemming from his defrauding at least 250 investors of nearly $60 million.

 

((Please click on ad to learn more))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Classified Ads---Credit

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment or looking
to improve their position)

 

Will relocate for the right opportunity and can work remotely. I have (25+) years in making credit decisions, as well as helping sales team and third party originators close more transactions via understanding their applicant's financial abilities. I can create alternative or additional opportunities (and income) by knowing which type of loan is best for the borrower
aaacorrespondent@gmail.com

Orlando, Florida
As a Commercial Credit Analyst/Underwriter, I have evaluated transactions from sole proprietorships to listed companies, across a broad spectrum of industries, embracing a multitude of asset types. Sound understanding of balance sheet, income statement and cash flow dynamics which impact credit decisions. Strong appreciation for credit/asset risk. 
rpsteiner21@aol.com
 
407 430-3917

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm


 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


###Press Release################################

Ascentium Capital Accelerates Growth in Q1 2015
  77.3% Increase from Q1 2014

KINGWOOD, TX – Ascentium Capital, a leader in providing commercial financing across the United States, announced strong growth during first quarter 2015. The company obtained a 77.3% increase in volume over the same period last year and with assets near $743 million, a 69.3% increase was achieved.

Ascentium Capital is now ranked as the third largest private-independent finance company in volume by the Monitor magazine, a publication serving the equipment finance industry.


Tom Depping
CEO

“Ascentium experienced a historic first quarter, in no small part due to our focus on providing results-driven vendor financing programs and outstanding customer financing experiences to businesses,” said Tom Depping, Chief Executive Officer at Ascentium Capital. “We will continue to expand our footprint throughout the year, building further demand for our financing in key markets including franchise, healthcare, hospitality, IT, and petroleum.”

The proprietary finance platform and market strategy at Ascentium Capital are key drivers in meeting strategic business goals.


Richard Baccaro
EVP of Sales & Marketing

 “We are growing brand awareness and this will ignite growth to ensure we have a successful future,” commented Richard Baccaro, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “We continue to attract the top finance professionals in our industry and will expand our specialized salesforce throughout the year.”

As a direct lender, Ascentium Capital specializes in providing business financing, leasing, and loans for equipment manufacturers and distributors as well as direct to businesses nationwide. The company is backed by the strength of leading private investment firms Vulcan Capital and LKCM Capital Group, LLC. For more information, please visit AscentiumCapital.com.

##### Press Release #############################

 


(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry

 


Tim Brown has been appointed Senior Vice President of Equipment Finance, Santander Bank, N.A. He is based in Hunt Valley, Maryland. "He is responsible for growing the indirect business focused on purchasing equipment lending and leasing transactions on a national scale." Previously, he was Senior Vice President, Intermediary Funding, GE Capital Corporate Finance (1994-April, 2015). Education: Towson University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business
University of Baltimore. Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-brown/10/a1a/28a


Quin Campbell was hired by Med One Capital, Sandy, Utah, as a Director of Strategic Development to specialize in providing leasing solutions for the medical industry.  He is a graduate of Utah State with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and brings four years of experience in management.


Mark Desmond was promoted to Equipment Finance Officer, Business Banking Team, Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. " In this role, Desmond will lead equipment financing activities for the Cleveland district...Through the Sales ACT rotational program, Mark has gained a wide variety of experience to prepare him for this role,” said Scott C. Edwards, senior vice president, for Key Equipment Finance. “I look forward to working with him to deliver superior equipment financing services in the Cleveland area.” He joined the Key Bank as Lockbox Service Intern, May, 2013, then entered the Sales Associate (ACT Program), July, 2014. Education: Siena College, Bachelor of Science (BS), Accounting (2010 – 2014). “Learned a lot, both in and out of the class room.” Activities and Societies: President, Siena Men's Rugby Club
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-desmond/87/79b/a44


Brock Edwards was promoted to Inside Sales Representative at Key
Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado; responsible for growing share with strategic IT vendor relationships.  He joined the company July, 2014 in the Sales ACT program, July, 2014. "After completing our comprehensive Sales ACT (accelerated career track) program, Brock is well prepared for this new role working with IT vendors on the East Coast," said Brent Broussard, vice president of sales, information technology, for Key Equipment Finance. "He gained valuable experience in the business bank leasing, IT channel leasing, and commercial credit and capital markets rotations, and I look forward to working with him to provide equipment financing services to this important channel."  Previously, he was Marketing Intern, Oregon State Athletic Department (August, 2013 – March, 2014); Valet, Ringside Fish House (June, 2011 – December, 2013). Education: Oregon State University, Bachelor's Degree, Finance, General (2010 – 2014). Recruitment Chairman, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity (February, 2012 – March, 2013). https://www.linkedin.com/in/brockedwards


Dal Holman was hired by Med One Capital, Sandy, Utah, as a Finance Account Specialist in the newly developed general leasing department.  Previously, he was Utah County Territory Rep, Ortho Solutions, LLC
(March, 2012 –March, 2015); Account Executive, Larry H Miller Sports and Entertainment (November, 2008 – November, 2011); Personal Banker, Wells Fargo Bank (August, 2003 – November, 2008). Education: Weber State University, Sales/Marketing, B of A (2004 – 2008). Dixie State College, A A English (2001 – 2004)
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dal-holman/26/873/385


Casey Holyk has been hired by Quiktrak, Beaverton, Oregon, as Director of Operations for its Automotive Audit/Wholesale Division. "As Quiktrak continues to expand its presence in the automotive wholesale and dealer finance industry, it became clear that the Audit and Inventory department of the company needed to be split into two separate divisions:  Equipment and Automotive.   As a result of this strategic direction, the company sought a high-level leader for this new auto division." He joined Manheim, January, 2001 as Dealer Sales Rep.; promoted June,2004 to Dealer Sales Manager; July, 2008, Regional Sales Manager-West; January, 2010, Assistant General Manager. Education: University of Phoenix, Bachelors of Science in Business Management (Current Student).
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/casey-holyk/73/802/31b

 


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


"Your lease rates are too high"
by Kevin F. Clune, CLFP

It was both surprising and revealing to read this response to a recent Clune e-newsletter article from an employee of an equipment vendor. We realized that if one customer has the gumption to assert this in writing, there may be others who believe it but aren't challenging us. We immediately replied with a note of appreciation and explanation, and I thought I'd share that in this newsletter.

Our response attempted to address all types of alternative financing. This included the manufacturer's financing, other leasing companies, and the customer's bank line of credit. In each scenario, we recognized that cost or borrowing rate is a consideration, but it is also important to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Most large equipment manufacturers provide lease financing for customers who acquire their products. The vendors who represent them are likely to push these sources of credit. I stated that our rates are lower than they have been in our 58 year history and asked for another opportunity. Also, if your customer requires flexible terms, a multiple vendor contract, or other customized features, an independent leasing company can better serve their needs.

Are there are additional fees and/or end of lease surprises associated with the other credit source? A good quality product is always more desirable, reflects better on the vendor, and guarantees customer retention.

Kevin F. Clune, CLFP
 Clune & Company LC
kclune@clune.net

 


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


ELFA Reports March New Business Up 46%
17% Compared to 2014


(Chart: Leasing News)

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $903 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for March was $8.9 billion, up 46 percent from $6.1 billion in February.  Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 17 percent compared to 2014.

First Quarter Number Comparison Month/Quarter

March
1st Q
2015 $8.90 $21.70
2014 $6.10 $18.40
2013 $5.80 $17.40
2012 $5.60 $16.90
2011 $4.30 $14.50
2010 $3.60 $10.90
2009 $4.10 $12.50
2008 $5.60 $16.70
2007 $6.40 $19.70
2006 $4.80 $14.60


MLFI-25 New Business Volume (Year Over Year Comparison)
click to make larger
(Chart: ELFA)

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for April is 70.7, an easing from the March index of 72.1, which was the highest level in four years.

ELFA Statistics showed:

Receivables over 30 days were 1.2 percent, up from 1.1 percent the previous month and from 1.0 percent the same period in 2014.  Charge-offs were at an all-time low of 0.2 percent for the 13th consecutive month.

Credit approvals totaled 78.7 percent in March, up from 78.1 percent in February. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 3.9 percent year over year.

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for April is 70.7, an easing from the March index of 72.1, which was the highest level in four years.

ELFA Charts

Aging of Receivables:

click to make larger

Average Losses (Charge-offs) as a % of net receivables
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger


Credit Approval Ratios As % of all Decisions Submitted
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

Total Number of Employees
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

 

ELFA MLFI-25 Participants
BancorpSouth Equipment Finance
Bank of America
Bank of the West
BB&T Bank
BMO Harris Equipment Finance
Canon Financial Services
Caterpillar Financial Services
CIT
DLL
Dell Financial Services
Direct Capital Corporation
EverBank Commercial Finance
Fifth Third Equipment Finance
First American Equipment Finance, a City National Bank Company
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Hitachi Credit America
HP Financial Services
Huntington Equipment Finance
John Deere Financial
Key Equipment Finance
LEAF Commercial Capital
M&T Bank
Marlin Leasing
Merchants Capital
PNC Equipment Finance
RBS Asset Finance
SG Equipment Finance
Siemens Financial Services
Stearns Bank
SunTrust Equipment Finance Group
Susquehanna Commercial Finance
TCF Equipment Finance
US Bancorp Equipment Finance
Verizon Capital
Volvo Financial Services
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

 


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

The amount of oil being shipped by rail has increased
50-fold since 2010
by Shane Ferro, www.businessinsider.com

 (Note: much of railroad oil tank cars are leased)

US railroads now carry 33.7 million barrels of oil a month across the country. This is a 50-fold increase in the amount of crude being shipped by rail (CBR) from the 630,000 barrels in January 2010.

The EIA says that "the flexibility and adaptability of CBR has facilitated new flows from the Midwest to the East Coast and West Coast, as well as from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast and Canada." Previously, most crude produced in the United States was moved by pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma. 

The increase in crude by rail is great for the industry — it can get the massive amounts of crude now being produced where it needs to go using infrastructure that already exists.

But it has its downsides. The ramp-up of crude-carrying trains has exposed the dangers of crude-carrying train derailments. They existed before, but there wasn't enough being shipped for it to pose a big risk.

Reuters' John Kemp explains the problem this poses for the railroads and the oil industry:

Negotiations between the railroads, oil producers, refiners and the U.S. government about new crude-by-rail regulations and tank car safety standards boil down to the question of how to balance the safety imperative of withdrawing older and less secure tank cars as soon as possible against the commercial imperative of keeping them in service for longer to maintain tank car availability and keep the oil flowing.

The problem is that the risks are real, but minute for any one shipment. And the rewards are easy to calculate.

Safety seems to be making some gains, though. Reuters reported Wednesday that many of the gases in North Dakota crude that can make crude-by-rail crashes at higher risk of explosions will need to be removed before the oil is shipped.

It's a North Dakota rule, but Reuters' Ernest Scheyder writes that, "in the absence of concrete regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation, North Dakota's new rules become the de facto national standard on the treatment of crude before tank car loading."

 


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


 

Leasing Schools/Franchisors
(For our "Financial and Sales Training" list, please click here)

Global Leasing
Lease One
NAELB
Wheeler Leasing School

(does not include those specifically employed in training or education, but who have a similar program as the following entities)

 

Global Financial Training Program
Over 35 Years of Experience Financing Businesses

Program Cost: $19,950.00

Phil Dushey
President & CEO

In 2001, Global Leasing founder Phil Dushey created a new company to train independent entrepreneurs who want to enter the lucrative field of business financing. Global Financial Training Program teaches all aspects of finance including Equipment Leasing, Accounts Receivable Financing, Cash Advance, Commercial Real Estate, SBA Loans and much more. Phil’s students have found great success with his program.

Mr. Dushey is a founding member of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers. He has been a member and speaker at many leasing organizations for several years. He is also a founding member of the leasing news advisory board.

Global Financial Training Program provides students with everything they need to start making money immediately after four days of training. As a full-service finance company you will provide a valuable service for business owners that have difficulty getting financing from their local banks. The banks are turning down over 90% of business loan applications and you can approve at least 50% of the turndowns. After the training at their offices in New York City trainees are instantly approved with over 25 lenders, get a custom designed website, stationery package, 1000 leads and enough marketing to have their phones ringing the first week after the training and much more... It's easier than you think to fulfill your dreams of independence, living the life you deserve and enjoying the prestige of owning your own company.

You don't need prior experience. All you need is the desire to be your own boss, the ability to learn, good people skills, and a passion to succeed and make a lot of money.

How much, is up to you...

Philip Dushey
President & CEO
Global Financial Services
1 State Street, 21st Floor
New York NY 10004
Email phil@gbtsinc.com
www.globalfinancialtrainingprogram.com 
Phone: 212-480-4900

The Global Group of independently owned companies are:

Global Financial Services | www.globaleasing.com
We have been actively providing financial services for 35 years

Global Church Financing | www.globalchurchfinancing.com
One of the largest independent companies financing equipment for churches nationwide

Global Financial Training Program | www.globalfinancialtrainingprogram.com
The oldest and most comprehensive training program for people who want to own their own finance company

Mr. Dushay is also on the Leasing News Advisory Board 
http://www.leasingnews.org/Advisory%20Board/Dushay_Phil.htm

Moving America Forward is a business television show hosted by William Shatner, anchored by Doug Llewellyn. On this episode we talk to Phil Dushey about his business opportunity and Global.

--------------------

Lease One, Lynnfield, Massachusetts

Program Cost: $19,900.00

Since 1989 Lease One has been providing superior training along with unprecedented ongoing support to our broker network. With offices from coast to coast we proudly exhibit the foremost training experience available. Our one time initial investment will provide you with the training and support for the lifetime of your venture with no on-going fees (Hotel/Airfare/Materials/Leads are all included in this price).

“The Lease One Opportunity is the only turn key business opportunity that allows you to devote the time necessary to building a business, no need to worry about processing or underwriting your deals; we do it for you, forever! Our unique program is the only one that offers free marketing assistance along with a devoted graphics design department to enable you to creatively attract new customers to your business. Call us today or visit our website ( www.leaseoneopportunity.com ) to learn more about this exciting opportunity. We are Lease One; It's the Lease we can do!”

Joseph L. Angelo Jr. 
Lease One Corp.
220 Broadway, Suite 102
Lynnfield , MA 01940
www.leaseoneopportunity.com

-------------------------

NAELB Leasing School


Program Cost:
Standard Class: $18,950
Premium Package: $28,450

  

(Faculty and Staff include Charles “Bud” Callahan, CLFP, BPB, School Director, with Linda Kester, Marketing Director, Gary Greene, CLFP, BPB, Executive Director and Joseph G. Bonanno, Esq., CLFP, attorney)
http://www.naelbschool.com/bio/

NAELB Leasing School teaches entrepreneurs how to own, operate
and succeed in their own equipment leasing and finance brokerage business.

The National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers is the only major leasing association to offer an equipment leasing program to become a leasing broker.

The National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers offers the most comprehensive specialty financial educational symposium in the industry, providing:

  • A week long intensive hands-on learning experience with after-hours discussions of real-world leasing situations and valuable course materials including handbooks, industry software and more
  • Real-world training by experts in the field (our instructors have been active in the industry for at least 25years each)
  • Training week concludes with FREE admission to the following NAELB Conference, offering the perfect opportunity to expand your networking with lenders, industry service providers and fellow brokers who are eager to provide support as you develop your business
  • One full year of mentoring from experienced NAELB brokers who help you navigate the pitfalls and point you toward business solutions
  • One full year of membership in the NAELB, the nation’s largest leasing broker association formed by brokers for brokers, and use of all member benefit programs
  • Graduates are able to deal directly with multiple quality funding sources -­‐ no obligation to split fees with the school or school mentors 

    Although many other schools spend less than 1 day discussing the ins and outs of leasing, we spend approximately 40 hours focused on commercial equipment leasing in its modern variations.  We don't take any of our students' time discussing commercial mortgages, LBO's, SBA loans or any of the dozens of other financial products taught at other training programs.

The standard class price is $18,950. Hotel, airfare allowance, meals, NAELB membership, COURSE MATERIALS, INDUSTRY TOOL KITS, and mentorship, are all included at this price.  A premium package, priced at $28,450, includes 5 options selected by the student from a menu of available upgrades.  We offer a $2,000 discount for 'early bird' registration (60+ days in advance of the selected class).  Interested students should call 855-411-ELBS to inquire about other discounts which may be available.

For more information, please visit www.NAELBSchool.com or call 855‐411‐Equipment Leasing Broker School (3527)

 

Wheeler Leasing School

Program Cost: $18,500

Overview

Wheeler Business Consulting L.L.C. provides training and continuous support to individuals seeking to enter the leasing/financing industry. The leasing/financing industry provides much needed funds to businesses looking to acquire essential equipment. Entrepreneurs nationwide are originating equipment financing and leasing transactions assisting small, medium and large companies. It is estimated that 80% of all businesses have leased equipment and that nearly one-third of all equipment purchased by corporations is funded by independent finance and leasing agreements.

There are tremendous opportunities to enter the leasing/financing industry. There are few barriers to entry. Individuals who are properly trained, who are networked with local, regional and national funding sources can arrange transactions for their corporate clients in the range of a few thousand dollars to multi-million dollars.

As with most businesses, the establishment of a lease brokering operation is a long term proposition. However, with the proper training, support and encouragement, an individual can start making above average incomes relatively quickly. Within two to five years an individual should expect to generate an income which is well in the six figure range.

With quality training, individuals will be able to offer consistent, high spirited customer service to their commercial clients. Successful lease brokers can build a business from a small home based operation to a full service office in a relatively short period of time.

My goal is to share my thirty plus years of industry experience with others who are serious about learning and succeeding in the leasing/financing industry.

Contact Information: 
Wheeler Business Consulting LLC 1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047

Phone: 410-877-0428
Fax: 410-877-8161
email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

Website: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com


[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

August 28-September 4 Jazz Cruise
Sailing Alaska with Jeff Rudin and Crew

Jeff Rudin, CEO, Quail Capital, promises a great cruise, great music, and invites Leasing News readers to join.

"The travel business is my wife’s passion and she does an amazing job. I help her with this annual group cruise. It’s a fun diversion of the leasing/finance grind. We are blessed with good friends that are world class musicians, not to mention my middle son is a professional musician."

Jeff Rudin
JeffR@quailcap.com
T: 818-843-8686 x 14

 

2014 Celebrity Solstice Cruise Alaska Video

 

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------


Facebook Profit Beats Analyst Estimates
Mobile Business Dramatically Up

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Facebook's advertising revenue now comes from mobile ads. Last year, only 57% of its revenue came through mobile advertising, according to www.businessinsider.com

Mobile user growth is also quite impressive. Facebook saw a total of 798 million mobile daily active users on average last quarter, up 31% from the same period of last year. Monthly active users for mobile jumped 24% year-over-year to 1.25 billion last quarter.

Revenue increased 46% to $3.54 billion, from $2.5 billion a year earlier. Analysts had expected $3.56 billion, with almost 1.5 billion monthly active users as of March, up 13% from a year earlier. The number of users who accessed Facebook on mobile devices at least once a month grew 24% to 1.25 billion.


 

 

[headlines]
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##### Press Release ############################

GATX  2015 First-Quarter $42.1 Million Net Income

CHICAGO--- GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT)  reported 2015 first-quarter net income of $62.2 million or $1.39 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.1 million or $0.90 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2014.


Brian A. Kenney, president and chief executive officer of GATX, said, “Rail North America’s outstanding performance continued in the first quarter. The renewal rate change of GATX’s Lease Price Index (LPI) was a positive 43.2%, and the average renewal term was 59 months. Fleet utilization exceeded 99% at the end of the quarter, and our renewal success rate was nearly 85%. These favorable results were driven by continued strong demand for most railcar types in our fleet.”

Mr. Kenney added, “Consistent with our comments at the beginning of 2015, our existing fleet continues to experience high demand, but new railcar order activity has slowed as our customers assess the impact of low crude-oil prices and impending tank car regulations on their business. As these issues clarify in 2015, we can provide better insight into the medium-term effects on our business.

“Rail International’s performance was consistent with our expectations, and they continue to invest in new railcars despite the uneven European economy. American Steamship Company is experiencing another slow start to its sailing season, as Great Lakes’ ice coverage was extensive through the end of March. The Portfolio Management segment benefitted from increased asset remarketing activity during the quarter, and the Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance affiliates continued to perform well.”

Mr. Kenney concluded, “We continue to expect our 2015 full-year earnings to be in the range of $5.15 to $5.35 per diluted share. Consistent with prior guidance, we have not incorporated any costs related to pending tank car regulations into our earnings estimate.”

RAIL NORTH AMERICA

Rail North America reported segment profit of $105.8 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $75.0 million in the first quarter of 2014. The improvement in segment profit was driven by increased asset remarketing income, higher lease rates, and the positive contribution from the boxcar fleet that was acquired at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

At March 31, 2015, Rail North America’s wholly owned fleet comprised approximately 126,000 railcars, including nearly 19,000 boxcars. The following fleet statistics and performance discussion exclude the boxcar fleet.

Fleet utilization was 99.3% at the end of the first quarter, compared to 99.2% at the end of the prior quarter and 98.5% at the end of the first quarter of 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, the GATX Lease Price Index (LPI), a weighted-average lease renewal rate for a group of railcars representative of Rail North America's fleet, increased 43.2% over the weighted-average expiring lease rate. This compares to a 39.2% increase in the prior quarter and a 33.9% increase in the first quarter of 2014. The average lease renewal term for cars included in the LPI during the first quarter was 59 months, compared to 67 months in the prior quarter and 62 months in the first quarter of 2014.

Rail North America’s investment volume during the first quarter was nearly $130 million. Asset remarketing income was $36.1 million, as the secondary market continues to be very active.

Additional fleet statistics, including information about the boxcar fleet, and macroeconomic data related to Rail North America’s business are provided on the last page of this press release.

RAIL INTERNATIONAL

Rail International's segment profit was $21.8 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $20.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. Segment profit increased as GATX Rail Europe (GRE) had more cars on lease.

At March 31, 2015, GRE's fleet consisted of more than 22,000 cars and utilization was 95.9%, comparable to the prior quarter and 96.0% at the end of the first quarter of 2014. Additional fleet statistics for GRE are provided on the last page of this press release.

AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY

American Steamship Company (ASC) reported a segment loss of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to a segment loss of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2014. ASC's operations are limited during the first quarter as the vessels are in winter lay-up from mid-January through late March. For the second consecutive year, first-quarter operations have been negatively affected by ice cover on the Great Lakes.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Portfolio Management reported segment profit of $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $11.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. The increase in quarterly segment profit was primarily due to increased asset remarketing income and higher rates for the inland marine and wholly owned ocean-going vessels compared to the prior-year period.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT) strives to be recognized as the finest railcar leasing company in the world by its customers, its shareholders, its employees and the communities where it operates. As the largest global railcar lessor, GATX has been providing quality railcars and services to its customers for more than 115 years. GATX has been headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, since its founding in 1898. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.gatx.com.

### Press Release ############################

 


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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

The macro ("Furious 7") and the micro ("Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter") come to the box-office this week, while DVD releases offer sardonic satire ("Maps to the Stars"), a promising debut ("A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night") and a master's ravishing classic ("The River").

In Theaters:


Furious 7 (Universal Pictures): Universal Studio's most popular franchise continues racing along in this adrenaline-packed latest entry in the "Fast and the Furious" series, which marks the last movie completed by the late Paul Walker. The actor reprises his role as Brian O'Conner, member of a crew of mercenary speedsters led by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). Their plans of leading a straight life after their dangerous stunts, however, are thwarted by a terrorist organization determined to seize government secrets, not to mention a former nemesis' brother (played by Jason Statham) who's out for revenge. It's up to them to hop back into their vehicles and settle the score before it's too late. Featuring energetic direction by James Wan and return appearances from the franchise's staples (including another charismatic turn by Dwayne Johnson), this blockbuster should more than satisfy "Fast and Furious" fans' need for speed.



Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (Amplify): A hit at last year's Sundance Film Festival, this offbeat indie drama is a memorable combination of despair and wry humor. Oscar nominee Rinko Kikuchi ("Babel") stars as Kumiko, a young woman whose lonely life in Tokyo consists of little more than pressure from family and colleagues. Her only joy comes from repeatedly watching the American film "Fargo," and she becomes increasingly obsessed with its story of crime gone awry and buried loot. Convinced about the realness of the movie, Kumiko ventures across the Pacific and finds herself in the Minnesota wilderness, determined to find the money hidden in the snow. Paying homage to the acclaimed Coen Brothers classic while casting its own distinctive magic, David Zellner's film offers a striking view of the borders separating reality and fantasy.

Netflix Tip: Working for decades in everything from science-fiction to TV series, Richard Dysart (1929-2015) was a valuably incisive character actor. So check out some of his most memorable movies, which include "Being There" (1979), "The Thing" (1982), "Pale Rider" (1985), and the long-running legal drama "L.A. Law" (1986-1994).

On DVD:

Maps to the Stars (Universal): Masterful Canadian provocateur David Cronenberg, best known to buffs for his unforgettable horror visions ("Videodrome," "The Fly"), turns his singular gaze to Hollywood for this acidic satire. Los Angeles here is portrayed as a sunny panorama teeming with dreams and perversions and literal ghosts, and peopled by a gallery of venal gargoyles that includes an obnoxious former child star (Evan Bird), a fraudulent celebrity doctor (John Cusack), and a desperate veteran actress (Julianne Moore, in an award-winning performance). Into this viper's nest steps a mysterious young woman named Agatha (Mia Wasikowska), who's been released from an asylum only to come to a different kind of madhouse. A poet of darkly comic decay, Cronenberg digs into this decadent Tinseltown with a gusto that should certainly please his fans.


A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Kino): Ana Lily Amirpour makes a striking feature debut with this poetic, haunting tale which mixes elements of fantasy and horror. Set in an imaginary, deserted Iranian town called Bad City, the story follows the wanderings of a female vampire known as The Girl (Sheila Vand), whose thirst for blood leads her to the seediest and loneliest corners around. As she preys on Bad City's most unsavory characters, however, she comes in contact with a handsome laborer (Arash Marandi) who stirs her emotions rather than her fangs. Can she find in romance a way out, or is she doomed to remain a prisoner of her languidly morbid impulses? Filmed in beautifully expressive black-and-white, Amirpour's film may be reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch's vampire tale "Only Lovers Left Alive," but has a beguiling pulse all of its own. With subtitles.


The River (Criterion): One of the greatest of all filmmakers, French master Jean Renoir traveled to India for his first color movie, this ravishing 1951 drama adapted from Rumer Godden's novel. Set in Bengal, the narrative focuses on the growing pains of a trio of teenage women. Harriet (Patricia Walters) is the oldest daughter of a wealthy British family, Valerie (Adrienne Corri) is the daughter of an American industrialist, and Melanie (Radha) comes from American-Indian parents. While learning about life on the edges of the Ganges River, the three find their friendship tested as they fall in love with a brooding war veteran (Thomas E. Breen). Making magnificent use of Indian locations while delicately gazing at the characters' shifting emotions and clashing worldviews, this masterpiece showcases Renoir at the height of his talents, alert to the beauty as well as to the cruelty of life.

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Rottweiler/Shepherd
Chicago, Illinois  Adopt-a-Dog


Luna
Age: 4 years 3 months 8 days
Sex:  Female
Size:  Large
Color: Black/Tan
Spayed

 

"Luna is a super sweet 4 year old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix. Luna was transferred to Chicago Animal Care and Control after she was found abandoned. Luna is a big sweetheart and loves hugs and kisses. Luna loves to play with other dogs that are little more mellow than she is. Luna would fit perfectly in with a family with older children or only adults. If you are interested in adopting the sweet girl, please submit an application at our website, chicagocaninerescue.org. An adoption fee of $250.00 covers vaccines up until the point of adoption, surgical spays, microchip and 30 days of emergency pet insurance."

Chicago Canine Rescue
5272 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630 

Adoption Hours
Monday: 5pm – 7pm
Tuesday: 5pm – 7pm
Wednesday: 5pm – 7pm
Thursday: 5pm – 7pm
Friday: 5pm – 7pm
Saturday: 12pm – 5pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm

Log In to contact shelter:
http://www.chicagocaninerescue.com/visit-virtual-shelter/

 

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

 

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Collector/Collections/Consultant/Communications

Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)

Collector: Atlanta, GA
Asset Recovery Specialist. We get your money or we get your > equipment back for you. Physical Asset Recovery Experts!
E-mail: mcrouse911@joimail.com
Collector: Cleveland, OH 
Huntley Capital & Associates is your solution to late payments, no payments, and asset recovery. Call 216-337-7075. 
Email: ghpatey@msn.com 
Collections: Dallas, Texas
Contingency Fee basis. Receivables Outsourcing. We are a fully bonded nationwide licensed agency. We collect for nationally known banks and leasing companies. 
800-886-8088.
Collector: Los Angeles, CA
Expert skiptracers covering Southern California. We locate skips, judgment debtors and collateral. When you can't get the job done in house, give us a call at
1-800-778-0794.
E-mail: ceo@interagencyLA.com
Collector: Louisville, KY
We are a full service collection agency with attorney network. 21 years experience. Please call Jon Floyd, VP at 1-800-264-6850 
email: jfloyd@collectcsg.com
Collector: Louisville, KY 
Euler Hermes/UMA 92 year old Global Receivables Outsourcing. Presence in 143 Countries. Work w/ 4 out of 5 Fortune 500 firms. Contingency Fee Structure.
20% off first time clients.!
Andrew.Newton@eulerhermes.com
1-800-237-9386 x 205.
Collector: Mandeville, MI
International commercial collection services all fees are on contingency on line access.
E-mail: rmelerine@collect-now.com 
www.drspay.com
www.collect-now.com 


Collector: Milwaukee, WI 
We specialize in ATM machine reposession and remarketing. We can get you top dollar for your inventory.
E-mail: bdperry1@yahoo.com 

Collector: Nationwide
End of lease negotiations & enforcement. Third-party collections. Skip-tracing. Background checks. Credit & asset investigations. 15+ years in leasing industry. Providing services to clients nationwide.
800-824-0234
johnkenny2@verizon.net

Collector: Saint Louis, MO
Complete commercial collection agency. Licensed bonded in all states and will out performed any other agency!
Call 1-800-659-7199 ext.315
E-mail: 
jfloyd@lindquistandtrudeau.com
Consultant: Nationwide
25 yrs. experience: Creating/Refining Business Plans to raise capital· Credit Underwriting support/policy/procedure development · Operations Support/policy/procedure development.
Call: 610-246-2178, McCarthy Financial, LLC,
David.mccarthy@mccarthy-financial.com
Consultant: Burlington, CT
We provide our clients with a full range of consulting services such as portfolio conversions, reconciliation, custom programming and leasing operations utilizing InfoLease. 
Email: info@new-millennium-assoc.com
Consultant: Europe
15 years doing deals/running own technology leasing company – looking to advise/ lead new entrants to take advantage the European market opportunity.
www.clearcape.co.uk or 
kevin.kennedy@clearcape.co.uk 

Consultant: Henderson, NV
Focus on new business development and process efficiencies to create incremental revenue and profitability. Executive level vendor experience, and satisfied outsourcing clients. Incredible track record.
E-mail: rbutzek@cox.net

Consultant: Sausalito, CA
Lease trainer and consultant. 50 years in equipment leasing. Expert in transaction analysis, financial statement analysis, credit, packaging, structuring. Presents highly popular classes and workshops.
E-mail:BoTei@aol.com

Consultant: North of Detroit, MI 
INFOLEASE EXPERT - 18 years experience. Since being downsized in 2002, working as a consultant for several leasing companies. Seeking consulting projects nationwide. 
E-mail: darwint@prodigy.net

Consultant: Ridgefield CT.
Lisa Lersner w/20 years exp. specializing in leasing technology now providinglessor selection andmanagement services, includingthe securing of debt and equity and acquisition guidance services.  
EMAIL
leasefinanceconsulting.com

Communications:Chassell, MI

Cartoons on business, finance & computers. Use for your presentations, website, newletter, direct

mail projects etc. Fees are negotiable. 
Email: dan@danscartoons.com 
Go to http://www.danscartoons.com

 

All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested
and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm

 

 

Receivables Management LLC
John Kenny

• End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement 
• Third-Party Commercial Collections

john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167
www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigative
reporting provided by John Kenny)

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News Briefs----

Deutsche Bank's $2.5 Billion Fine Shows Why Regulators Love Instant Messaging
http://www.thestreet.com/story/13123581/1/deutsche-banks-25-billion-fine-shows-why-regulators-love-instant-messaging.html

Costco slashes credit card fees to near nothing
http://www.fierceretail.com/retailit/story/costco-slashes-credit-card-fees-near-nothing/2015-04-21

Feds sue Quicken Loans, alleging improper mortgage lending
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150423/NEWS/150429904/feds-sue-quicken-loans-alleging-improper-mortgage-lending

New England’s Casino Wars Are Officially Underway
http://www.boston.com/business/news/2015/04/21/new-england-casino-wars-are-officially-underway/RL9gKEzN7dif8eeR3f7WOM/story.html

Shake Shack is making its way to the West Coast
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2015/04/22/Shake-Shack-is-making-its-way-to-the-West-Coast/8851429703139/?spt=sec&or=bn

 



[headlines]

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--You May Have Missed It

Chipotle now offers delivery
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2015/04/23/Chipotle-now-offers-delivery/6051429811752/?spt=sec&or=bn



[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer



Healthy Beverage Guidelines
Drink Up, But Drink the Right Stuff
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=605


[headlines]
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Baseball Poems

#  1

 by  Brendan Awerbach

Baseball is a game,  It has a Hall of Fame.

In Cooperstown, it's there, Getting in is so rare.

Baseball! Doubleday is the father of the game we know,
Or is it really so.
Playing in the late 1800's,  
In front of crowds that were smaller then a hundred.
Baseball started in a very small way,
People needed to know how to play.

By the 1920's after the Black Sox scandal,
Baseball was changing and people started to get the handle.

The Yankees of the 30's and 40's started to create quite a sensation, 
as baseball fever gripped the eastern part of the nation.

 Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, Johnson and Young all became the names of the day,
They would be the first to be in the Hall of Fame in a great way.

 Baseball from the late 30's to the mid 40's took a back seat to the war,
but in the late 40's and 50's came back with roar.

A new generation of players were around,
Led by Feller, DiMaggio, Williams and Snyder, the stars seemed to abound.

The 60's and 70's gave us more greats,
Koufax, Yastremski, Mays, Aaron, Mantle and Maris,
Baseball was known and played from the US to Paris.

As we entered the 80' and 90's, more stars came around, 
Griffey, Ripken, Mcquire, Jackson, Ryan and Smoltz , all are the players that will astound.

The Hall of Fame is where all the greats are enshrined,
To hear their stories and tales can take a lotta time.
To understand baseball is not very tough,
And if you love the game, you can never get enough.

 


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Sports Briefs----

Doug Flutie, Andy Katz among notable finishers in the 2015 Boston Marathon
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/04/21/doug-flutie-andy-katz-among-notable-finishers-boston-marathon/eoyMyAAzS7BGoE7viBgQBK/story.html

NFL schedule 2015: Week by week
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/21/nfl-schedule-week-by-week/26082763/ 

Santa Clara: Critics pan 49ers' $15 million offer to take over youth soccer fields
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_27953862/santa-clara:-critics-pan-49ers-15-million-offer-to-take-over-youth-soccer-fields

Super Bowl 50 organizers unveil plans for fan village in San Francisco
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_27960737/super-bowl-50-organizers-unveil-plans-fan-village

NFL pushing Oakland for progress on Raiders stadium
http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_27922904/nfl-stadium-czar-met-oakland-officials

Bob St. Clair, Hall of Fame 49ers lineman, dies at 84
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Bob-St-Clair-dies-at-84-6212538.php

Bonds' obstruction conviction thrown out by appeals court
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Appeals-court-overturns-Barry-Bonds-6217365.php 

Sorry, Santa Clara; this is the San Francisco Super Bowl
http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Sorry-Santa-Clara-this-is-the-San-Francisco-6217499.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result

49ers' proposal to take over soccer fields sent for further study
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_27962743/49ers-proposal-take-over-soccer-fields-sent-further 

Were soccer fields booted by 49ers?
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Were-soccer-fields-booted-by-49ers-6217663.php

George Seifert remembers 49ers Hall of Famer Bob St. Clair
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/One-SF-native-on-another-George-Seifert-6217107.php


[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

Federal jury indicts Alizadeh and Roseville escrow officer;
  charged in $20 million loan fraud scheme
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article19345095.html

Brentwood Boulevard merchants say new traffic median is bad for business
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_27975250/brentwood-boulevard-merchants-say-new-traffic-median-is



[headlines]
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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Alsace Sparkling Legend Dies
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2015/04/alsace-sparkling-legend-dies

"Cotton, cattle and Cabernet": Wine industry booming in Texas
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-wine-industry-booming-in-longhorn-state/

As Arizona wine industry matures, experts foresee potential gains
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/arts/report/042215_az_wine/as-arizona-wine-industry-matures-experts-foresee-potential-gains/

The Unlikely Winners of the World's Best Chardonnay Awards
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2015/04/the-unlikely-winners-of-the-world-s-best-chardonnay-awards

Four Paso wineries rank in ‘101 Best Wineries in America’ list
http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/four-paso-wineries-rank-in-101-best-wineries-in-america-list/34418/

An app that shows you Napa Valley's organic wines and wineries
http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-napa-valley-organic-wines-wineries-organically-napa-20150421-story.html


Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

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----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in American History

    1704 – The Boston News-Letter was established, becoming the first successful newspaper in the colonies.
    1766 - Robert Bailey Thomas, founder and editor of “The Farmer's Almanac”(first issue for 1793) was born at Grafton, MA. Thomas died May 19, 1846, while working on the 1847 edition.
http://www.almanac.com/aboutofa.html
    1800 - Congress approved an act providing "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress ... and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them." President James Madison approved the bill that appropriated $5000 for that purpose. Thus began one of the world's greatest libraries: Library of Congress.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr24.html
    1836 - Birthday of West Point Graduate Lieutenant George N. Bascom, who was assigned to search out Apache chief Cochise, believed to be responsible for an 1861 raid on an Arizona ranch. He arrested Cochise at Apache Pass, but the chief escaped and declared war, launching a reign of terror known as the Apache Wars. Bascom was born at Owingsville, KY, and died the year following his Apache adventure when he became a casualty of the Civil War battle at Fort Craig, Valverde, NM, Feb 21, 1862.
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/amh/amh-toc.htm
    1847 - At the conclusion of the Mexican War, the Mormon Battalion of the Army of the West established Fort Moore overseeing the pueblo of Los Angeles. The fort was named in honor of their captain who had perished in the Battle of San Pascual.
http://www.mormonbattalion.com/
http://www.onlineutah.com/historybattalion.shtml
   1862 - Union Captain David Farragut leads a flotilla past two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River south of New Orleans. Moving at 2:00 a.m., Farragut lost one ship but successfully ran past the strongholds. He scattered some Confederate ships and sailed to New Orleans.  On May 1, he captured the city without having to fire one shot. In July, he was promoted to Rear Admiral.
    1873 - Free lunches for the poor and sick were offered by the New York Diet Kitchen Association, who opened at 410 East 23d Street, New York City. Beef, tea, soup, milk, cooked rice, eggs and oatmeal were served. The first president was Mrs. A.H. Gibbons.
http://www.nycares.org/
    1885 – Annie Oakley was hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West”.
    1886 - The first African-American Catholic priest and who was assigned to work in the United Sates was Reverend Augustus Tolton. He was ordained at the College of Propaganda, Rome, Italy, and opened a mission in Quincy, IL, in the diocese of Springfield, IL.
    1888 – Eastman Kodak was founded in Rochester, NY.
    1895 – Joshua Slocum, the first person to sail single-handedly around the world, departed Boston aboard the sloop "Spray".
    1897 – The first White House reporter was appointed:  William Price of the Washington Star.
    1899 - Two women and one son lived to tell the story of being picked up by a tornado and carried more than a fourth of a mile, flying far above the church steeples, before being gently set down again. The young boy and one of the ladies said they had the pleasure of flying alongside a horse. The horse "kicked and struggled" as it flew high above, and was set down unharmed about a mile away.
    1901 - The American League made its debut as a major league with a schedule of four games. Three were rained out, but the Chicago White Stockings beat the Cleveland Blues, 8-2, to get the season under way. 14,000 saw the game played at the Chicago Cricket Club.  There were eight charter teams in 1901 and the next year the original Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis to become the Browns.  All eight original franchises remain in the American League, although only four remain in the original cities (Detroit, Chicago, Boston, and Cleveland). The eight original teams and their successors:

  • Baltimore Orioles went bankrupt and became defunct after 1902 season, were sold, moved in 1903 to New York, became the New York Highlanders who became the New York Yankees in 1913.
  • Boston Americans became the Red Sox in 1908.
  • Chicago White Stockings became the White Sox in 1903.
  • Cleveland Blues became the Indians in 1915.
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Milwaukee Brewers became the St. Louis Browns in 1902, the Baltimore Orioles in 1954.
  • Philadelphia Athletics became the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, the Oakland Athletics in 1968.
  • Washington Senators became the Minnesota Twins in 1961

1902 - Professional baseball gets its start in Durham, North Carolina as the Tobacconists (renamed the Bulls 11 years later) played an exhibition game against Trinity College (now Duke University). The Bulls, except for 1971-80, when minor league baseball didn't exist in the city, continue to
play in Durham, now as the AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, in the International League.
    1905 - Birthday of Robert Penn Warren at Guthrie, KY. American poet, novelist, essayist and critic. America's first official poet laureate, 1986-88, Warren was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel “All the King's Men”, as well as for his poetry in 1958 and 1979. He died of cancer Sept 15, 1989, at Stratton, VT.
http://www.robertpennwarren.com/
    1905 – The Washington Senators executed a triple play while defeating the New York Highlanders, 4-3.
    1907 - Hersheypark, founded by Milton Hershey for the exclusive use of his employees, opened. 
    1908 - Severe thunderstorms spawned eighteen tornadoes over across the Central Gulf Coast States claiming the lives of 310 persons. The state of Mississippi was hardest hit. A tornado near Hattiesburg, MS killed 143 persons and caused more than half a million dollars damage. Four violent tornadoes accounted for 279 of the 310 deaths. The deadliest of the four tornadoes swelled to a width of 2.5 miles as it passed near Amite, LA. The tornado also leveled most of Purvis, MS.
    1908 – Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Murdock became the first to travel across the US by car.  They left LA in a Packard and arrived in NYC in 32 days, 5 hours, 25 minutes.
    1912 - First "Keystone Kops" film, titled "Hoffmeyer's Legacy
http://www.wayoutwest.org/kennedy/filmography/1912-1914.html
    1913 - The Woolworth Building in New York City became the tallest structure in the world, with the exception of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It formally opened at 7:30pm when President Woodrow Wilson at the White House, Washington, DC, pressed a telegraph key that rang a bell in the engine room and dining hall and lit the electric lights on the 55 floors. The architect was Cass Gilbert. It would not be until 1931 that the 1,250 Empire State Building would open and overtake the Woolworth Building as the world’s tallest.
    1917 – Congress passed the Liberty Loan Act, authorizing the Treasury to issue a public subscription for 2 billion in bonds for the war
    1919 - League of Women Voters was established by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. Catt was also the founder and at the time the President of the International Alliance of Women. The League of Women Voters began as a "mighty political experiment" aimed to help newly enfranchised women exercise their responsibilities as voters. Its official formation was symbolically timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of women's voting rights, equal to that of men, established for the first in the world in the territory of Wyoming in 1869.
    1923 - President Warren G. Harding witnesses the first shutout ever thrown at Yankee Stadium as Babe Ruth homers in a 4-0 victory over the Senators.
    1926 - Great Chicago jazz impresario Joe Sega born Philadelphia, PA.
    1928 - Tenor saxophone player Johnny Griffin born Chicago, IL.
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/griffin.html
    1928 - Herbert Grove Dorsey of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey received a patent for the fathometer, which measures the depth of water. The device measured the depth by means of a series of electrical sounds and light signals.
http://www.bigelow.org/virtual/handson/fathometer.html
    1934 – Actress Shirley MacLaine was born in Richmond, VA.   She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for “Terms of Endearment” (1983).
    1936 - Benny Goodman Trio cuts “China Boy,” Chicago, IL
http://www.davidmulliss.com.au/BennyGoodman/benny.htm
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_goodman_benny.htm
http://www.davidmulliss.com.au/BennyGoodman/
http://www.davidmulliss.com.au/BennyGoodman/sounds.htm
    1936 - The first unscheduled event to be televised as it occurred was an outdoor scene of firemen answering at alarm in Camden, New Jersey. The pictures were taken by engineers from the RCA-Victor Company, Camden.
    1937 - Tenor sax player Joe Henderson born Lima, OH. Died June 29, 2001
http://www.grunthos.demon.co.uk/joe_henderson.htm
http://www.melmartin.com/html_pages/Interviews/henderson.html
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/henderson.html
    1940 - Birthday of mystery writer Sue Grafton, Louisville, KY
http://www.suegrafton.com/
    1942 - Singer and actress Barbra Streisand was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of the world's most popular performers, Streisand first came to attention as the star of the 1962 Broadway musical "I Can Get It For You Wholesale." Her stage success led to a recording contract with Columbia. Then in 1964 came the role with which she is most associated - the lead in "Funny Girl." Her recording of the ballad "People" from that show was her first big hit and firmly established her as a recording artist as well as a stage star. Streisand made her movie debut in the film version of "Funny Girl" in 1968. Her subsequent films have included "The Owl and the Pussycat," "The Way We Were" and "Yentl." The theme from "The Way We Were" was a million-seller for Barbra Streisand in 1973.
http://www.barbrastreisand.com/
http://www.bjsmusic.com/
    1943 - Birthday of Richard M. Daley, former mayor of Chicago, in Chicago.
http://www.wheeling.com/richarddaley/bio.shtml
    1944 - United Negro College Fund was founded by Frederick D. Patterson, then president of what is now Tuskegee University,  Mary McLeod Bethune, and others.  In 2005, the UNCF supported approximately 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities with approximately $113 million in grants and scholarships. About 60% of these students are the first in their families to attend college, and 62% have annual family incomes of less than $25,000. UNCF also administers over 450 named scholarships.  http://www.uncf.org/
    1944 - SQUIRES, JOHN C., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private First Class), U.S. Army, Company A, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Padiglione, Italy, 23-24 April 1944. Entered service at: Louisville, Ky. Birth: Louisville, Ky. G.O. No.: 78, 2 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. At the start of his company's attack on strongly held enemy positions in and around Spaccasassi Creek, near Padiglione, Italy, on the night of 23-24 April 1944, Pfc. Squires, platoon messenger, participating in his first offensive action, braved intense artillery, mortar, and antitank gun fire in order to investigate the effects of an antitank mine explosion on the leading platoon. Despite shells which burst close to him, Pfc. Squires made his way 50 yards forward to the advance element, noted the situation, reconnoitered a new route of advance and informed his platoon leader of the casualties sustained and the alternate route. Acting without orders, he rounded up stragglers, organized a group of lost men into a squad and led them forward. When the platoon reached Spaccasassi Creek and established an outpost, Pfc. Squires, knowing that almost all of the noncommissioned officers were casualties, placed 8 men in position of his own volition, disregarding enemy machinegun, machine-pistol, and grenade fire which covered the creek draw. When his platoon had been reduced to 14 men, he brought up reinforcements twice. On each trip he went through barbed wire and across an enemy minefield, under intense artillery and mortar fire. Three times in the early morning the outpost was counterattacked. Each time Pfc. Squires ignored withering enemy automatic fire and grenades which struck all around him, and fired hundreds of rounds of rifle, Browning automatic rifle, and captured German Spandau machinegun ammunition at the enemy, inflicting numerous casualties and materially aiding in repulsing the attacks. Following these fights, he moved 50 yards to the south end of the outpost and engaged 21 German soldiers in individual machinegun duels at point-blank range, forcing all 21 enemy to surrender and capturing 13 more Spandau guns. Learning the function of this weapon by questioning a German officer prisoner, he placed the captured guns in position and instructed other members of his platoon in their operation. The next night when the Germans attacked the outpost again he killed 3 and wounded more Germans with captured potato-masher grenades and fire from his Spandau gun. Pfc. Squires was killed in a subsequent action.
    1945 - Two members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, bass player Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford, were born. "Proud Mary," a single from their second album, made Creedence into a superstar band in 1969. Their blending of rhythm-and-blues with Cajun and other southern music forms resulted in more than a dozen hits during the next three years. The band broke up in 1972 when leader John Fogerty left for a solo career.
    1945 – The second Commissioner of Major League Baseball was appointed by the owners.  A. B. “Happy” Chandler resigned his Senate seat from Kentucky to succeed the late Kennesaw Mountain Landis, baseball’s first commissioner who was appointed by the owners following the Black Sox Scandal in 1920.  His most significant action as commissioner was the approval of Jackie Robinson’s contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, effectively integrating Major League Baseball. He also established the first pension fund for Major League players, earning him the title "the players' commissioner". Baseball owners were upset with Chandler's governance and did not renew his contract in 1951 as a result.
    1945 – Delegates from 45 countries gathered in San Francisco to begin the planning of the United Nations.
    1949 - Dick Powell starred in "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" on NBC radio. The show stayed on the air for four years. Later, it would have a three-year run on TV starring David Janssen in the title role.
    1950 - The first African-American basketball player in the NBA, Charles Henry Cooper, was drafted by the Boston Celtics. He played for the team on November 1, 1950, in Fort Wayne, IN.
    1951 - WILSON, HAROLD E., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company G, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 23-24 April 1951. Entered service at: Birmingham, Ala. Born: S December 1921, Birmingham, Ala. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon attached to Company G, in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night of 23-24 April 1951. When the company outpost was overrun by the enemy while his platoon, firing from hastily constructed foxholes, was engaged in resisting the brunt of a fierce mortar, machine gun, grenade, and small-arms attack launched by hostile forces from high ground under cover of darkness, T/Sgt. Wilson braved intense fire to assist the survivors back into the line and to direct the treatment of casualties. Although twice wounded by gunfire, in the right arm and the left leg, he refused medical aid for himself and continued to move about among his men, shouting words of encouragement. After receiving further wounds in the head and shoulder as the attack increased in intensity, he again insisted upon remaining with his unit. Unable to use either arm to fire, and with mounting casualties among our forces, he resupplied his men with rifles and ammunition taken from the wounded. Personally reporting to his company commander on several occasions, he requested and received additional assistance when the enemy attack became even more fierce and, after placing the reinforcements in strategic positions in the line, directed effective fire until blown off his feet by the bursting of a hostile mortar round in his face. Dazed and suffering from concussion, he still refused medical aid and, despite weakness from loss of blood, moved from foxhole to foxhole, directing fire, resupplying ammunition, rendering first aid, and encouraging his men. By his heroic actions in the face of almost certain death, when the unit's ability to hold the disadvantageous position was doubtful, he instilled confidence in his troops, inspiring them to rally repeatedly and turn back the furious assaults. At dawn, after the final attack had been repulsed, he personally accounted for each man in his platoon before walking unassisted l/2 mile to the aid station where he submitted to treatment. His outstanding courage, initiative, and skilled leadership in the face of overwhelming odds were contributing factors in the success of his company's mission and reflect the highest credit upon T/Sgt. Wilson and the U.S. Naval Service
    1952 - Raymond Burr made his TV acting debut on the "Gruen Guild Playhouse" in an episode titled, "The Tiger". Not long after this start, Burr would be seen in the hugely popular "Perry Mason" and much later in "Ironside".
http://www.raymondburrvineyards.com/
    1953 – Sir Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
    1954 - Keeping an eye on the new trends, an article in this week's Billboard is entitled "Teenagers Demand Music With A Beat - Spur Rhythm And Blues."  Recalling “Rate a Record” on American Bandstand, the common reply was, “I give it a 98.  It’s got a good beat and it’s easy to dance to!”
    1954 – LA Rams QB in Super Bowl XIV, Vince Ferragamo, was born in Torrance, CA.
    1957 - 16 year old Ricky Nelson releases his first record, "Teenager's Romance" with his cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" on the flip side. The disc sold nearly 60,000 copies within three days and eventually went over a million. The hit, though, was "I'm Walkin'."  The white fusion with black R&B was about to happen.  Later in his career just prior to his death, Nelson teamed with Fats in rock ‘n’ roll revival concerts.
    1957 - The Palo Alto superintendent of schools announced the appointment of the first African-American principal on the peninsula. The new principal, Willis A. Williams, will head Palo Alto's Addison Elementary School.
http://www.ricknelson.com/
    1958 – Dion and The Belmonts released “I Wonder Why”, becoming the group's first national pop chart hit.  It was released as Laurie Records' first single, number 3013.
    1959 - James Brown made his debut at the Apollo Theatre in New York.
http://www.funky-stuff.com/jamesbrown/
    1959 - "Your Hit Parade," the Saturday night pop music show which had been broadcast regularly on radio and then on TV since 1935, went off the air.  The final Top 5:  Elvis Presley, "I Need Your Love Tonight" (#5), Brook Benton, "It's Just A Matter Of Time" (#4), Ricky Nelson, "Never Be Anyone Else But You" (#3), Dodie Stevens, "Pink Shoe Laces" (#2), and the Fleetwoods at #1 with "Come Softly To Me."
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/Y/htmlY/yourhitpara/yourhitpara.htm
    1959 - Mack Charles Parker was lynched in Montgomery, Alabama. He was accused of raping a pregnant white woman in Pearl River County, MS.  Three days before he was to stand trial, he was kidnapped from his jail cell in the Courthouse by a mob, beaten and shot. His body was found in the Pearl River 10 days later. Following an investigation by the FBI, the men who killed him were released as neither the prosecutor nor the judge accepted the findings. Despite confessions, nobody was indicted for the killing. Historian Howard Smead called the killing the "last classic lynching in America."  Other than the victim’s identification of Parker as her assailant, later discredited as a possible cover-up of her infidelity, there was no evidence linking Parker to the crime.  The book "Blood Justice" covers this event in American history and lays the platform for the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement in this area.
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/Carver/mcppms.html
http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/parker.htm
http://essay.studyarea.com/essay/Book_Report/19.php
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195054296/002-5217827-1679236?
v=glance&n=283155

    1959 – The Drifters released "There Goes My Baby".  The song reached number two on the Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard R&B chart and on Cash Box for two weeks.
    1961 - Del Shannon's "Runaway" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, enabling him to finally quit his job as a carpet salesman.
    1961 – President Kennedy accepted responsibility for the Bay of Pigs fiasco.  The Cuban Revolution of 1952-1959 had forced President Batista, a US ally, into exile. He was replaced by the Communist movement led by Castro, which severed the country's formerly strong links with the US after expropriating the assets of US corporations, and developing links with the Soviet Union, with whom, at the time, the United States was engaged in the Cold War President Eisenhower, concerned at the direction Castro's government was taking, in March 1960, allocated $13.1 million to the CIA to plan Castro's overthrow. The CIA proceeded to organize the operation with the aid of various Cuban counter-revolutionary forces, training them in Mexico. Following his election in 1960, President John Kennedy was informed of the invasion plan and gave his consent.  On April 16, the main invasion landed at a beach named Playa Giron in the Bay of Pigs, initially overwhelming a local revolutionary militia. Castro decided to take personal control of the he Cuban Army's counter-offensive. On April 20, the invaders finally surrendered, with the majority of troops being publicly interrogated and put into Cuban prisons.  The failed invasion strengthened the position of Castro's dictatorship and strengthened ties with the USSR. This led eventually to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
    1962 - Top Hits
“Good Luck Charm” - Elvis Presley
“Mashed Potato Time” - Dee Dee Sharp
“Young World” - Rick Nelson
“Charlie's Shoes” - Billy Wal
    1962 - The first coast-to-coast telecast by satellite was made by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory field station at Camp Parks, Ca.  It transmitted airwaves to the two-year-old orbiting balloon Echo I, which bounced them back to earth. They were received at Millstone Hill, Westford, MA.  The pictures were of poor quality but were recognizable.
    1962 - Mets manager Casey Stengel is fined $500 dollars by Commissioner Ford Frick for appearing in a beer ad.
    1962 - Dodger Sandy Koufax ties a major league record striking out 18 batters in a nine inning game as the Dodgers rout the Cubs, 10-2 at Wrigley Field.  It was the second time in his career that he fanned that many.
    1963 - 18-year-old Brenda Lee married Ronnie Shacklett, one year her senior, in Nashville, six months after meeting him at a Jackie Wilson concert. The two are still together.
    1963 - Guard Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics ended a 23-year career in the NBA by scoring 18 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and leading the Celtics to a fifth consecutive championship. Cousy made a brief comeback in the 1969-70 season but played only seven games. He went on to coach Boston College to a record 117 wins and 38 losses.
    1965 - "Game of Love", by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, made it to the top spot on the "Billboard" music chart. "Game of Love" stayed for a short visit of one week, before Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits took over the top spot with "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter".  By the end of the year, Fontana would leave the band and would go on to some solo success in the UK, while the rest of the group would enjoy a #2 hit in the US the following year with "A Groovy Kind Of Love".
    1965 – Casey Stengel won his 3000th game as a Major League manager.
    1967 – Gen. William Westmoreland stated that the enemy had "gained support in the United States that gives him hope that he can win politically that which he cannot win militarily."
    1968 - Louis Armstrong was at #1 in the UK with the single "What A Wonderful World". At 66 years of age, it made him the oldest act ever to score a UK #1. The song stalled at #32 in the US, but Louis is also the oldest person to reach #1 on the Billboard chart, a feat he accomplished in 1964 with "Hello Dolly".
    1969 - Chicago bluesman Muddy Waters recorded a live album called "Fathers and Sons." Appearing with him was a host of white blues singers, including Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield. Waters had a tremendous influence on many British rock 'n' rollers, including the Rolling Stones, whose name is taken from one of Waters' songs.
www.muddywaters.com
    1969 - The singing family, The Cowsills, received a gold record for their hit single, "Hair", from the Broadway show of the same name.
http://cowsill.com/cowsills/
    1970 - Top Hits
“Let It Be” - The Beatles
“ABC” - The Jackson 5
“Spirit in the Sky” - Norman Greenbaum
“Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone” - Charley Pride
    1970 - Having been invited to a White House dinner by Tricia Nixon, daughter of the President, the Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick brought radical Abbie Hoffman with her with a plan to secretly dose Tricia with LSD during the meal. Hoffman is turned away at the door by Secret Service agents, causing Slick to leave as well.
    1972 – Almost certainly a Hall of Famer, the Atlanta Braves’ 3B Chipper Jones was born in Deland, FL.  His entire career was with the Braves during which he compiled a .303 batting average with 468 HRs.  He was a member of the Bobby Cox Braves that won a record 14 consecutive NL East titles and the 1995 World Series.
    1974 – The NFL granted a franchise to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Remember the creamsicle unis?
    1976 - Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels appears on the show and offers the Beatles "a certified check for $3,000" to reunite & sing three songs. "You divide it up any way you want," he said, "If you want to give Ringo less, it's up to you."
    1976 - Wings' "At The Speed Of Sound" went to #1 on the US album chart. It was Paul McCartney's fifth #1 after he left The Beatles.
    1978 - Top Hits
“Night Fever” - Bee Gees
“If I Can't Have You” - Yvonne Elliman
“Can't Smile Without You” - Barry Manilow
“Every Time Two Fools Collide” - Kenny Rogers & Dottie West
    1979 - Governor George Busbee of Georgia issued a proclamation declaring Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind" the new official state song. Ray Charles sang his famous version at the ceremony.
    1980 - US military operation to save 52 hostages in Iran ends in disaster. The hostages are subsequently split up to deter another similar attempt. During the operation, three of the eight helicopters of the airborne operation failed. At the staging area inside Iran, the mission was canceled, but during the withdrawal, one of the remaining helicopters collided with one of the six C-130 transports, killing eight and injuring five.
    1981 - IBM's first personal computer was released. Although IBM was one of the pioneers in making mainframe and other large computers, this was the company's first foray into the desktop computer market. Eventually, more IBM-compatible computers were manufactured by IBM's competitors than by IBM itself. It was at this period that Bill Gates “spun off” a new operating system, he called Windows XP, the first non-Windows (DOS) based operating for “personal use.”
    1981 – Bill Shoemaker won his 8,000th race, 2000 more than any other jockey.
    1985 - There were a reported 832,602 millionaires in the United States on this day, according to researchers. The average millionaire was 57 years old. A majority (85 percent) held college degrees. 20 percent were retired and 70 percent were self-employed.  In the most recent census, the average household income with husband and wife is $51,751. Woman with no husband: $28,116. Man with no wife: $31,267. Foreign born: $38,929. Hispanic: $31,767. Black: 30,439. Asian and Pacific: $55,521
http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p60-213.pdf
This source has 4 million names of American, Canadian and UK billionaires.
http://philanthropy.link.ca/
Here is history of wealth in American:
http://www.raken.com/american_wealth/
    1986 - Top Hits
“Kiss” - Prince & The Revolution
“Manic Monday” - Bangles
“Addicted to Love” - Robert Palmer
“Cajun Moon” - Ricky Skagg
    1989 - Twenty cities in the central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Russell, KS was the hot spot in the nation with a reading of 101 degrees. Evening thunderstorms produced severe weather from Colorado to Wisconsin. Hail four and a half inches in diameter was reported at Sargeant, NE.
    1990 – Michael Milken pleads guilty to 6 felonies involving securities laws violations.
    1991 - Garth Brooks dominated the Academy of Country Music awards with a record six trophies. He was voted Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist, and also won for Best Single and Best Album. Brooks' "The Dance" also gave him Best Song and Best Video awards.
www.garthbrooks.com
    1992 - The Cleveland Orchestra sued Michael Jackson for $7 million after discovering the singer used part of their recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on his hit album Dangerous”.
    1993 - Top Hits
“Informer” - Snow
“Freak Me” - Silk
“Nuthin But A "G" Thang” - Dr. Dre
“I Have Nothing” (From "The Bodyguard" - Whitney Houston
    1996 - Canadian Shania Twain won the top album trophy for "The Woman in Me" and was named Best New Female Singer at the annual Academy of Country Music Awards. "The Woman in Me" had earlier won the country album Grammy and Twain was the Best New Country Artist at the American Music Awards the previous January.
    1996 – Minnesota Twins-24, Detroit Tigers-11 in the highest scoring Major League game in 17 years.
    1998 - Dodger backstop Mike Piazza ties a major league record hitting his third grand slam of the month. The blast highlights a nine-run second inning which leads Los Angeles to a 12-4 victory over the visiting Cubs.
    1998 - Hitting a solo homer off the Giants' Orel Hershiser at 3Com Park, Geoff Jenkins becomes the first Brewer player ever to homer in his first major league game. The rookie joins Chuck Tanner, who accomplished the feat in 1955 as a member of the Braves, as the only players in Milwaukee baseball history to homer in their first game.
    1998 - Top Hits
“Too Close” - Next
“All My Life” - K-Ci
“Let s Ride” - Montell Jordan Featuring Master P
“Frozen” - Madonna
“You’re Still The On” - Shania Twain
    2001 - Paul Orfalea (53), founder of Kinko's copy store chain, gave a $8.5 million donation to San Francisco City College to support child care.
    2004 – The US lifted economic sanctions imposed on Libya 18 years previously, as a reward for its cooperation in eliminating weapons of mass destruction.
    2005 - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Benedict XVI.
    2007 - President George W. Bush was denied a luxury suite at the Imperial Hotel in Vienna when Mick Jagger, in town with the Stones on a tour, booked it first.

 

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