Archives August 24, 2005

Royal Links is Not

In a move to beat the deadline filed by Bissell & Brook, LP, the Swanton, Ohio firm that allegedly bilked 11 leasing companies and up to 1300 golf clubs throughout the United States, paid $209 to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, claiming $8.1 million in debts and only $57,693 in assets. Royal Link allegedly owes approximately 1,300 golf courses millions of dollars for advertising reimbursements on leased refreshment carts. Royal Links pledged to provide the golf courses beverage carts from third-party leasing companies and to reimburse the golf courses for monthly rental fees if they kicked in free advertising.

The case was assigned case number 05-38503 to Judge RICHARD L SPEER .The first for Meeting of Creditors 341(a) meeting to be held on 10/12/2005 at 12:30 PM at Ohio Building, Toledo. Filed by United States Trustee.(ust25, United States tr)

http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Royal_Links.pdf

On July 8th, Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP served interrogatories and document requests on Royal Links USA. By rule, Royal Links had 30 days to respond to these. This was the first written discovery served in the Royal Links Litigation. Lord, Bissell & Brook is also sent out subpoenas to the various leasing companies during the coming week. Service of subpoenas on the leasing companies will hopefully trigger responses from the leasing companies with respect to possible settlement discussions.

Leasing News asked both the firm and the National Golf Course Owners Association for a comment, which they say will be forthcoming...

The National Golf Course Owners Association has more than 6,000 member courses worldwide and an audience of more than 18,000 through Golf Business magazine, NGCOA, hired the Chicago-based laws firm of Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP filed a class action against the leasing companies on behalf of members who contributed funds for this.

C&J Leasing
CFC Investment
Dollar Bank Leasing
Excel Financial
Frontier Leasing
IFC Credit
Key Equipment
Landmark Financial
Pawnee Leasing
Preferred Capital
Susquehanna Patriot

Original, full stories at:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/11_Lessors_in_the_rough.htm

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Classified Ads---Collections

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

Long Grove, Illinois 17+ years Comdisco, accounts receivable, collections, customer service, plus senior management, seeking full time or part time assignment. 847-726-1883roborgaard@aol.com | Resume

Port St Lucie, FL 20+ yrs exp. commercial collection/late stage specialist.  Prefer to work from home based office or transfer to Sarasota areamichaelgalan@comcast.net | Resume

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

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

On Deck Secures Nearly $100 Million
in Credit Facility Commitments

Supports Company’s Surging Demand from Small Businesses

Includes $80 MM Credit Facility Led by Goldman Sachs
and Fortress Credit Corp.

(New York, NY)–On Deck (www.ondeckcapital.com), the technology-powered Main Street lender, announced today that is has secured nearly $100 million in new debt commitments, which includes an $80 million credit facility jointly led by Goldman Sachs and Fortress Credit Corp. and $17 million of venture debt loans from SF Capital and Lighthouse Capital Partners. This capital gives On Deck increased lending capacity to further advance its industry-leading working capital solution and empower Main Street businesses to grow their operations.

On Deck has transformed small business lending through its proprietary technology that focuses on business performance rather than personal credit scores, fundamentally changing how small businesses are evaluated and opening the door to millions of healthy small businesses that have historically been unable to access the credit they need to grow. Demand for financing through the On Deck platform has surged, with more than $100 million of loan volume delivered in the last 10 months.

Noah Breslow, CEO

“This financing represents a significant milestone for On Deck and allows us to continue to transform the way small business owners access capital,” stated Noah Breslow, chief executive officer, On Deck. “The company’s innovative technology and its disruption of traditional credit evaluation models are reshaping the lending landscape. This credit facility further supports our growth trajectory and allows us to continue to create greater access to capital and transform the way this money is deployed to Main Street.”

This new credit facility and its increased capacity will allow On Deck to continue to lead economic recovery by triggering job growth and bolstering small business health nationwide.

Howard Katzenberg, CFO

“This new financing marks yet another major milestone for On Deck and will allow us to continue opening up the extremely underserved Main Street business market segment with our proprietary lending platform,” added Howard Katzenberg, chief financial officer, On Deck.

About On Deck
Launched in 2007, On Deck Capital uses data aggregation and electronic payment technology to evaluate the financial health of small businesses and to efficiently deliver capital to a market underserved by traditional bank loans. Through the On Deck Capital platform, millions of small businesses can obtain affordable loans to meet their daily operating and long term goals. The company's proprietary platform looks deeper into the health of small businesses, focusing on the overall business performance, rather than the owner's personal credit history. The On Deck system also provides a critically needed mechanism for commercial institutions to efficiently reach and serve the historically underserved Main Street small businesses market.

On Deck Capital is financed by some of the nation's leading venture capital firms, including SAP Ventures, Contour Venture Partners, First Round Capital, Khosla Ventures, RRE Ventures and Village Ventures.

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

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New Hires---Promotions

Erik Carlsen hired as a Senior Director of Cloud and IT Financing, Creekridge Capital, Minneapolis, Minnesota. "He will be responsible for originating and growing partnerships with leading technology manufacturers and distributors nationwide." Previously he was regional manager, New York, for Winthrop Resources, part of TCF Financial, Minneapolis, Minnesota (November, 2005-August, 2012), national account manager, Lemme Insurance Group, Lloyd's of London (July, 2003-November, 2004), sales manager, IKON Office Solutions (June, 2000--July, 2003).University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management MBA (2010 – 2012), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign BA, Communications September (1996 – June 2000). Sigma Chi
www.linkedin.com/pub/erik-carlsen/1/129/4a2

Bill Koos hired as Marketing Vice Presidents of the Bank Client Group for SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing. Previously he was senior vice-president, GE Technology Finance (May, 2011--July, 2012), region sales manager, GE Capital (September, 1996-March, 2012).University of Florida Master of Business Administration (MBA) (1993 – 1996), University of Florida Doctor of Law (J.D.), Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law (1993 – 1996), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bachelor of Arts (BA), Economics (1986 – 1990).
www.linkedin.com/pub/bill-koss/0/141/4ba

John Kruse has joined Doxo, Seattle, Washington, a "cloud based application that transforms the way companies deliver documents and receive payments all via an innovative social networking model. I would invite you to check us out at www.doxo.com, as it is a free service to consumers and provides a very automated method of receiving documents, bills, etc. as well as an online bill payment network." Previously he was director of business development at Envision (September, 2011-August, 2012), Sr. Account Manager, Varolii Corp. (January, 2009-September, 2011), sales director, Aditi Technologies Pvt Ltd. (September, 2005-January, 2009), co-founder and vp of business development, CapitalStream (March, 1995-December, 2002) john.kruse@doxo.com |
www.linkedin.com/pub/john-kruse/1/2b/14b

Jamie Kurisko hired as Vice President Equipment Finance and Leasing at SunTrust Bank, Greater Atlanta, Georgia area. Previously he was vice president business development, Bulldog Asset Management (June, 2011-June, 2012), vice president sales, SL Financial Services (March, 2006-Feburary, 2011), bank officer/regional sales manager equipment finance, M&T Bank (September, 2000-March, 2006), northeast sales manager, BankVest Capital (1996-2000). Southern Connecticut State University (983 – 1987), Saint Thomas Aquinas College BS, Social Science.
www.linkedin.com/pub/jamie-kurisko/35/914/660

Blake Macaskill joins CIT Group as Managing Director of CIT Canada. “In this role he will lead the development and execution of CIT Canada’s growth strategy and oversee the Canadian businesses of CIT Global Vendor Finance and CIT Corporate Finance. He will report to Ron Arrington, President of CIT Global Vendor Finance." Previously he was regional vice president, Canada, Rabobank-De Lage Landen (August, 2008-August, 2012), Director of Sales, Vendor Financial Services, GE Capital (January, 1996-August, 2008). He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Marketing from the University of Windsor. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt.
ca.linkedin.com/pub/blake-macaskill/18/61/b2

Jennifer Poland Rosenberg, CPA/ABV, hired as senior vice president of credit, Cole Taylor Equipment Finance, Towson, Maryland. Previously she was senior manager, Tucker & Meltzer, LLC (January, 2009-July, 2012), vice-president, GE Capital (September, 2006-January, 2009), vice-president, LaSalle National Leasing Corporation (2000-2006). Certified Public Accountant AICPA. Accredited in Business Valuation AICPA. Franklin & Marshall College BA, Business Accounting (1988 – 1992) The McDonogh School (1988).
www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpolandrosenberg

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CLP Spotlight Shervin Rashti, CLP
Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC

Shervin Rashti, CLP, with his wife Sarah
and daughter Mischa

“I was first exposed to the equipment leasing industry in 1999 when my father and I signed a lease for some computer equipment we needed for our start up business. Upon culmination of the term, we were sent a bill for the Fair Market Value (FMV) of this antiquated equipment. There was not much we could do about the residual bill, so we returned the equipment to the lessor.

“This experience motivated me to learn about FMV clauses and how they can affect their lessees. A few years later, one of the investors in our start-up happened to have a leasing portfolio that he had run for 40 years and was looking for a successor to take over. After tying up some loose ends in my venture, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to learn everything that this experienced gentleman had to offer in the industry and find a way to expand the declining portfolio.

“I jumped in feet first, and focused on the two niches that he concentrated on, gaming and waste management. Throughout my tenure there, I was able to work in virtually all aspects of the business, from underwriting to marketing to accounting to operations. After his bank lines were not going to be renewed in 2007, the business had no room for growth, so I chose to launch a commercial finance division at CapNet Financial Services. This division focused on all full-package transactions, and I started it with the intent of eventually forming a portfolio of my own.

“After only 2 short years, and many months of planning, I was fortunate enough to connect with our now CEO, Behzad Kianmand along with Doug Houlahan, CLP, whom I had worked quite closely with as a funding source while at CapNet. Together, we founded what is now Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC.

“I really enjoy connecting with business owners and offering creative solutions to their business needs. It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that as an industry, we are helping people that otherwise lack the capital to take advantage of opportunities to make a better life for their families. By learning about these various businesses and getting to know and understand real peoples' needs across the country, in some way I feel like we are affecting change in the economy.”

Why I am a CLP
http://www.leasingnews.org/CLP/Index.htm

Five Steps to Increasing Approvals
By Shervin Rashti, CLP
http://www.worldleasingnews.com/articles/five-steps-to-increasing-approvals/

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

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Lessor of POS machines Snared in Class Action Suit

by Tom McCurnin, Esq.
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
Los Angeles, California

Antiquated Liquidated Damage Clause
Traps Equipment Lessor in Class Action

I haven’t seen a good liquidated damage clause fight in years. Personally, I thought the matter was settled when all of the States adopted Article 2A which made such clauses less than attractive for lessors.

Apparently a New York equipment lessor didn’t get the memo and used an old liquidated damage clause on its 101,000 customers. The lessor now finds itself in the middle of a class action. The case is Madanat v. First Data Corp., 2012 WL 2905931 (E.D. N.Y. 2012).

First Data Corporation is a payment processing company and leases Point of Sale Terminals that enables merchants to process credit card transactions. The monthly lease payment is ACH’ed from the lessee’s bank account.

Azmie Madanat operated a Hot Wing restaurant inside a gas station, and contracted with First Data for this service. However, business was poor and that forced Madanat to close his business and terminate his contract with First Data. So far so good.

It was alleged that First Data made unauthorized ACH’s against his merchant bank account in the princely sum of $165. In addition, First Data’s contract, a contained a liquidated damages clause, which was allegedly in violation of New York law. The liquidated damages clause entitles First Data to accelerate the lease agreement and declare immediately due all remaining lease payments as well as the fair market value of the leased equipment, as determined by First Data. Under Article 2A § 102, such clauses are only enforceable “at an amount ... that is reasonable in light of the then anticipated harm caused by the default."

Madanat filed suit in District Court for a class action and sought to certify a class based on two sub-classes. The first class was comprised of those class members who had unauthorized debits from their merchant bank account. The second sub-class was comprised of those class members who signed the illegal liquidated damage clause in the lease agreement.

At the Motion to Certify a class action, the Court denied Madanat’s motion to certify the class based on unauthorized transfers, as it was unclear whether anyone other than Madanat actually suffered similar injuries. Therefore, since the damages sought by Madanat seemed unique to him, there was no commonality (a class action requirement) and therefore, the Court tossed out that aspect of the class action.

However, the lessor was not so lucky on the liquidated damage clause, because First Data conceded that 101,000 merchants signed the liquidated damage clause. The Court concluded that the clauses were probably unreasonable based on Article 2A and certified the class.

It’s surprising that any equipment lessor would continue to place onerous liquidated damage provisions in lease agreements, given the fact that they have not been well received by the Courts. Moreover, Article 2A codified the general rule that such damages must be reasonable. Most lessors simply accelerate the contract balance and apply a present value to that balance. Why risk anything more?

For examples of Courts disapproving of such clauses, look no further than TAL Financial Corp. v. CSC Consulting, Inc., 446 Mass. 422, 844 N.E.2d 1085 (Mass. 2006) [liquidated damage clause struck down due to an evergreen clause]; S & B Const., LLC v. Old Fort, LLC, 826 N.E.2d 32 (Ind.App. 2005) [liquidated damage clause struck down as being 10 times the principal balance]; Copelco Capital Inc. v. Lighthouse Tabernacle Church, 6 Misc.3d 134(A), 800 N.Y.S.2d 344 (N.Y.Sup. App. 2005) [liquidated damage clause struck down as being duplicative of actual damages].

Lessors should think twice before putting that type of liquidated damage provision in their lease agreement, lest they end up in a class action like this.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
Los Angeles, California
email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Voice: (213) 621-4000
Fax (213) 625-1832

Visit our Web Site at www.bkolaw.com

Court Case:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/POS.pdf

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

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Small banks continue to flee SEC following JOBS Act
By Harish Mali, SNL Financial

Twenty-five more community banks have deregistered their common stock with the SEC in the last three months, increasing the total number of deregistration filings to 87 since the JOBS Act was signed into law April 5.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act increased the threshold under which a bank or bank holding company may terminate registration of a security to 1,200 shareholders of record from 300. It also raised the threshold requiring companies to register under the Exchange Act to 2,000 shareholders from 500.

Soon after the enactment, many community banks queued up to gain freedom from reporting to regulators and to cut down compliance costs. A total of 87 banks have filed for deregistration after the JOBS Act. That is greater than the total number of banks that deregistered in the last 18 quarters before the JOBS Act, excluding the banks that deregistered because of merger or bankruptcy.

All of these recent filers had more than 300 shareholders on record, which was the old threshold. That implies that none of them would have qualified to exit in the absence of the JOBS Act. Of these, 70 are small community banks with less than $500 million in assets and only seven had more than $1 billion in assets.

Most of the deregistering banks have plans to continue to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board, and they assured investors that financial information will continue to be available on a timely basis through company websites and regulatory filings like call reports.

Raleigh, N.C.-based North State Bancorp was one such company to file a Form 15 on Aug. 1. Larry Barbour, the company's CEO, said in a press release dated July 24, "The decision to deregister from the SEC was driven by a desire to achieve substantial annual savings by reducing the accounting, legal and administrative costs associated with being an SEC registrant. Annual savings are estimated to be approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per year. We believe deregistration will not affect trading in our common stock, which we expect will continue to be quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board."

Anchorage, Alaska-based First National Bank Alaska is the largest bank in the herd to file for deregistration, with total assets of $2.9 billion at June 30. The bank expects to generate annual savings by reducing accounting, legal and administrative costs.

Another recent volunteer to apply is Oak Creek, Wis.-based Tri City Bankshares Corp., which filed Aug. 8. The company described the regulatory change as a big win for community banks as eliminating the SEC reporting requirements would result in significant savings in professional fees for auditing and legal services, and it would reduce time spent by management and staff to prepare, review and file reports.

According to SNL data, there are 213 major-exchange traded banks and thrifts in U.S. with fewer than 1,200 shareholders at a record date later than June 30, 2011, and that filed their securities with a filing agency. These banks have median assets of $831.6 million, and more than half of them have less than $1 billion in assets.

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ELFA MLFI-25 Reports New Business Down
(All charts in report)

(Chart: Leasing News)

According to the 31 members of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association who report monthly new business, July was down, perhaps due to July 4th falling during the middle of the week resulting in more vacations; August usually is the slower summer month.

Here are the ELFA MLFI-25 charts:

500 Registered for ELFA October 21 Conference
Attendee/Company List Now Available

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association reports 500 have registered to date for the 51st Annual Convention scheduled October 21 to 23 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California.

To see who is attending, please go here:
http://www.elfaonline.org/Events/2012/AC/attnd_2.cfm

"New this year! Photos have been added to the full list of attendees.

“You can add a photo to your ELFA profile easily. Log in to the ELFA website with your username and password, then click on "Account Tools.’ Upload a photo by clicking on ‘Add/Edit Photo.’

“If you are already registered to attend the annual convention, your photo will appear on the list of attendees. If you plan to register to attend the convention, it is suggested that you upload a photo beforehand."

Complete details at:
http://www.elfaonline.org/events/2012/AC/

Attendees by name/by company
http://www.elfaonline.org/Events/2012/AC/attnd_2.cfm

(Other associations were contacted to learn their registration to date, but not response was received by press deadline. editor)

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Global Leasing

Program  cost: $19,950.00

In 2003, broker/lessor Global Leasing founder Phil Dushey created a new division to train independent salesmen in all the aspects of finance, including leasing ,accounts receivable financing, business acquisitions, debt restructuring, working  and venture capital. His students have found great success and he spends most of his time now developing entrepreneurs, who also utilize his knowledge and sources of funds.“

" We are not superbrokers and have never been one. Occasionally we will co-broker a transaction ,but generally we function as a lessor for our own accounts. 2. Our website address for our training is www.globalbrokersystems.com   3 When we train our students we do not have them send transactions through Global. We set them up to deal directly with the lenders. We also require that all lenders who work with our students will automatically approve them to do business with them.  Also our current price for the program is $24,950  We also model our training program from the experience we have from being in the business for about 25 years that a broker needs to serve all of the financial needs of their clients ,whether it be equipment leasing ,factoring,acquisitions,SBA Loans or debt restructuring, we do it all."  

Philip Dushey

Mr. Dushay is also on the Leasing News Advisory Board

http://www.leasingnews.org/Advisory%20Board/Dushay_Phil.htm

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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

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

These individuals act as a consultant in 75% or more of their main business, actually training staff or individuals of a leasing company. These are not schools or franchisors, which can be viewed 
by clicking here.

Several hold classes, and most will travel to their client's premise.

To qualify for this page, they must be an active member in an equipment leasing association.

Please fax our request form back to 408-317-2066 or you
may e-mail to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org.

Second Column: YCS - Year Company Started | YELB - Years in equipment Leasing Business

(A) Selling Up's Sales Management Operating System™ ( SMOS™) provides companies and business units of all sizes with a proven methodology and unique tools offering a comprehensive, flexible, scalable approach to managing all elements of the organizational sales process.

Yellow Labrador Retriever
Minneapolis, Minnesota Adopt-a-Dog

Buddy

Age: 9 months old (estimate)
Good with dogs: yes
Good with cats: unknown, but had no reaction during cat testing
Good with kids: yes
Weight: 45lbs
Spayed/Neutered
Up-to-date with routine shots
House trained
Primary colors: Golden, White or Cream
Coat length: Short
Name/Nicknames: Buddy

My Story: Buddy's owner surrendered him to the Martin County Humane Society in Fairmont, MN because of "personal problems." We are unsure what the circumstances were but do know the individual spend little time training Buddy. That is all changing in his new foster home though! Buddy made the ride up to the Twin Cities with his pal Carter, for additional chances at adoption.

Hobbies: Buddy is full of puppy power; he likes to run and play. Outdoors he will run longer than the rest of the dogs, and then try to get them to play some more!

Commands/Tricks: Sit and working on more basic commands in his foster home.

Crate / Potty Trained: Buddy is 100% crate trained and 95% house trained.

Activity Level: High. Buddy likes to try to get the older dogs to play, but he is learning that "inside" equals relaxing time. He loves to have a chew bone or toy.

Fun things I do: Buddy is a very smart dog, and needs some sort of mental stimulation each day. His foster dad has been hiding his toys, or creating puzzles for him to figure out, and he loves it. After some mental workouts he is ready for a nap

Socialization/who I currently live with: Buddy currently lives with two adult humans (male and female), their two year old daughter, and their two medium sized dogs. Buddy also has two Bichons for neighbors. He does well in a house with dogs, but would likely do well in a home without other dogs too as long as his humans kept him physically and mentally stimulated.

My Ideal Family: Although another energetic dog is not a requirement for adoption, it is highly preferred for this guy, as he loves to play with the other pooches! He also needs a family that will continue the obedience training that his foster family has started, as a lot of the basic commands are still very new for him. A family who has time and attention to devote is really all this guy needs!

Buddy is attending Pet Haven's medium/large dog adoption events and his adoption fee is $300 (cash or check only) and includes spay/neuter, heartworm check, current vaccinations, and microchip and registration.

Due to post-adoption services provided, it is Pet Haven's policy to only place dogs into homes within a 60-mile radius of the Twin Cities area.

Please request an online application at dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Buddy (Lab)'s Contact Info
Pet Haven Inc. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
952-831-3825
http://www.pethavenmn.org/

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croc

Spike Lee returns to Brooklyn ("Red Hook Summer") and Whitney Houston gets one final show ("Sparkle"), while an animated delight ("The Pirates! Band of Misfits") and a pair of prime-for-discovery gems ("A New Leaf," "Pursued") come to DVD.

In Theaters:

Red Hook Summer (Valance Films): Though always a provocateur, Spike Lee as a filmmaker also has a humanistic side which too often gets overlooked in the controversies of his movies. That side is deeply felt in this bustling, invigorating drama, the director's first fictional project in close to five years. The story centers on Silas Royale (Jules Brown), a middle-class teenager from Atlanta who comes to live in Brooklyn with his mom and quickly is taken under the wing of his charismatic grandfather (Clarke Peters), the passionate local bishop. Thought at first dismissive of his new home, Silas gradually learns about the folks in the neighborhood, until an unexpected event threatens to turn his world upside down. Offering a wide variety of moods ranging from gentle coming-of-age comedy to urban intensity, Lee's film marks a successful return to his gritty and generous filmmaking roots.

Sparkle (TriStar Pictures): Though she passed away earlier this year, Whitney Houston continues her megastar legacy in this energetic musical, set in Detroit in the 1960s during the rise of Motown music. Houston plays Emma, the mother of young, aspiring songwriter Sparkle (Jordin Sparks), who along with Dolores (Tika Sumpter) and Sister (Carmen Ejogo) hopes to be part of a musical group. Success may be just around the corner for the three talented songbirds, but heartbreak is even nearer as the years pass and their close bond is tested by the pitfalls of show business. Directed by Salim Akil, the movie makes up for its clichéd, melodramatic situations with tuneful vigor and splashy, big-hearted performances, with Ejogo in particular burning up the screen as Sister.

On DVD:

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Sony): Aardman, Britain’s answer to Pixar and the animation studio responsible for "Chicken Run" and "Wallace & Gromit," serves up another inspired bit of eccentricity in this delightful parody of swashbuckling adventures. The plot takes off as the Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) and his ragtag bunch of bandits search the high seas, hoping to steal from enough ships to win the Pirate of the Year Award. Instead, what they find none other than legendary scientist Charles Darwin (David Tennant), whose fascination with the Captain’s parrot leads them to Victorian London for an audience with the Queen herself (Imelda Stanton). Though primarily marketed for kids, adults are such to appreciate the deadpan humor in this irreverent romp, which marks another Aardman triumph.

A New Leaf (Olive Films): Though her career as a writer-director has always been eclipsed by that of former comedy routine partner Mike Nichols ("The Graduate"), Elaine May has over the decades proven to be the more trenchant artist. This 1971 comedy, finally being released on DVD, is a gem that deserves to be rediscoved by movie lovers all over again. In one of his best roles, Walter Matthau stars as Henry Graham, an aging New York playboy who suddenly finds himself penniless and must find a way to continue his idle lifestyle. The solution to his problem lies in Henrietta (played by May herself), a clumsy and painfully shy heiress. But will Henry go through with his plans of marriage and murder? Full of droll humor and unexpected poignancy, May's movie is an unfairly forgotten classic that's only gotten richer with the passing decades.

Pursued (Olive Films): One of cinema's most iconic actors and its perennial Mr. Cool, Robert Mitchum gave one of his strongest performances in this 1947 sleeper, which combines elements from westerns and film noir with arresting results. Mitchum plays Jeb, a brooding orphan who was raised in the Callum family's horse farm in the late 19th-century. Traumatic dreams continue to haunt him, perhaps giving a glimpse into the mysterious fate of his real parents. As the years pass, his relationship with Thor (Theresa Wright) and other members of the Callum clan grow thorny with accusations of murder and plans of vengeance. Directed with muscular verve by genre veteran Raoul Walsh ("White Heat") and with a supporting cast which includes Judith Anderson and Dean Jagger, this is a powerful, moody drama that should be better known than it is.

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Classified Ads---Employment Web Sites

Here is a list of top internet job web sites, several specializing in financial, money, and leasing, too.

www.adams-inc.com
www.affinitysearch.com
www.bajobs.com
www.careerbank.com
www.careerbuilder.com 
www.careerpath.com
www.careerjet.com
www.craigslist.org
ELFA Career Center
www.employmentcrossing.com 
www.FinanceLadder.com 
http://www.findhow.com/
www.hotjobs.com
www.Hound.com 
www.indeed.com
www.jobs.net
www.jobs-applications.com
www.jobssearchengine.net
www.jobsearchusa.org 
www.JobSpin.com
www.jobsinthemoney.com
www.ladders.com
www.leasingworld.co.uk
www.lessors.com
www.LinkUp.com
www.MarketingJobs.com
www.monitordaily.com
www.monster.com
www.monstertrak.monster.com/ 
www.Postonce.com 
www.RecruiterConnection.com
www.resumeblaster.com
www.snagajob.com/part-time-jobs/ 
www.toplanguagejobs.com 
www.vault.com
www.vetjobs.com
www.worktree.com
www.worldleasingnews.com

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This Day in History

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SuDoku

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm

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Daily Puzzle

How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

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http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx

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Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

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Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click,
or type in a new route to learn the traffic live

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