ELD Marketing Specialist Walnut Creek, CA Serve as a liaison between the leasing department and several hundred brokers . Requires a BA/BS; 3+ years of leasing and contract experience; Click here for detailed description & resume submission info.

www.bankofthewest.com

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Headlines---

Archives-August 30, 2000---Manifest is Sold
    Classified Ads--Doc. Mgr./Finance/Legal
        Sunrise Closing its Doors/King retiring
Leasing Assoc. Conference 2006 up-date
    Classified Ads—Help Wanted
        FASB: Revamping Ancient Leasing Standards
            Cartoon—Leasing Brokers' Wedding
Sales Makes it Happen—by Linda P. Kester
    “Broker Commissions – Follow-Up Report”
Susquehanna Patriot changes name
    MB Fin. completes First Oak Brook Merger
        News Briefs---
You May have Missed---
    California Nuts Brief---
        "Gimme that Wine"
Restaurant Review: Chelokababi,Sunnyvale,Ca
    Calendar Events
        Snapple Real Facts
            Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
    Baseball Poem
        SuDoku Puzzle

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”

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Archives-August 30, 2000---Manifest is Sold

(Appearing in the August 31, 2000 edition, please note the three who signed the “memo” are no longer with US Bancorp/Manifest. editor:)

Rumored for over a month, and confirmed with Manifest Group Spokesman, fax is true:

" It will be business as usual...same place, same staff, same portfolio, but more money than Schwan could commit to our growth---expect better things from us now as we grow in this exciting new leasing world."

Dear Valued Customer,

It is with great excitement that we announce U.S. Bancorp Leasing and Financial has acquired Lyon Financial Services (LFS) and all of its business units, including The Manifest Group, from Schwan's Sales Enterprises. The anticipated close date is September 28, 2000.

U.S. Bancorp, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, is the 10" largest bank holding company in the United States with $86 billion in assets. U.S. Bancorp along with U.S. Bank and other subsidiaries is a world class financial institution serving millions of customers throughout the West and Midwest. Lyon Financial Services will merge with their already existing U.S. Bancorp Leasing & Financial; the 5th largest bank affiliated leasing company in the United States.

Schwan's Sales Enterprises has had a strong commitment to Lyon Financial, The Manifest Group and the entire leasing industry for the past 20 plus years. They have helped us build a very stable, financially strong, and rapidly growing company. Lyon Financial strives to continue strong growth and this takes a tremendous amount of capital and resources. Schwan's is a multi billion-dollar food company with strong ambitions to focus more resources to allow them to gain a worldwide dominance in the frozen food industry. 11.5. Bancorp Leasing & Financial strives to diversify product offerings and gain more share of the small ticket leasing industry. This partnership allows us all to meet our strategic goals.

The synergies between Lyon Financial and U.S. Bancorp make this a very exciting venture for all of us. The Manifest Group will remain in Marshall, Minnesota with the same employees and management. We will continue to focus on helping you grow your business and adhere to our confidentiality of your customer base. In addition, 115. US Bancorp has a strong line of products. services, and resources that we will leverage and provide you additional opportunities to grow.

Those air exciting times for all of us and we appreciate your support during the transition. We thank Schwan's Sales Enterprises for their years of support and for partnering us with a world class organization, U.S. Hancorp. As always, The Manifest Group is "Focused on Your Success"

Please feel free to call with any questions, 800-325-2236. Thank you.

Troy Molitor, Brian Bjella, Brad Peterson
General Manager Extension 2002
Director of Sales - East Extension 2914
Director of Sales - West Extension 2911

[headlines]

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Classified Ads—Documentation Manger/Finance/Legal

Pinot Noir grapes in July at Glacier Peak Winery, Rockport, WA *

Documentation Manager: New York, NY 10+ years in equipment leasing/secured lending. Skilled in management & training, documentation, policy and procedure development & implementation, portfolio reporting. Strong work ethic. Email: dln1031@nyc.rr.com	Documentation Manager: Phoenix, AZ Lease Administrator with exp. in lease administration, doc. & porfolio management for $200M in IT assets. Additional experience financial analysis process improvement/development. Email: jeg3894@cox.net
Finance: Austin, TX 20+ years all facets of lease/finance. Collection and credit management. Equipment & rolling stock structuring. $150k credit authority, $100 million portfolio management. Email: texmartin@juno.com	Finance: Chicago, IL Experienced in big ticket origination, syndication, valuation and workout. Twenty five years, MBA, CPA, JD, LLM (Tax), structuring specialist. Inbound and outbound transactions. Email: pal108381@comcast.net Transaction Summary Website: www.tlgattorneycpa.com
Finance: Orange County, CA 25+ years experience large ticket and mid-market commercial finance. Senior manager in operations, documentation, legal, credit, workouts, portfolio management. $2+Billion portfolio. MBA Finance. Juris Doctor. Email: finance1000@cox.net	Finance: San Jose, CA 15+ years sourcing debt, managing cash and receivables and other treasury functions. Strong background in credit, contract administration and bankruptcy litigation experience. MBA Finance. Email: raycis@comcast.net
Finance: Sausalito, CA Sr. Corp. officer, presently serving as consultant, fin. service background, M&A, fund raising, great workout expertise, references Email: nywb@aol.com	Finance: Toronto Long diverse career financial services industry. Executed billions of dollars of leases over 20 years; structuring, executing and pricing US/Canadian transactions. Per Diem or full time. E-mail: eslavens@eol.ca
Legal: Los Angeles, CA Experienced in-house corporate and financial services attorney seeks position as managing or transactional counsel. Willing to relocate. Email: sandidq@msn.com

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

To place a free “job wanted” ad, please go to:
http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp

* * http://www.glacierpeakwinery.com/index.htm

400 wineries and nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the state.

[headlines]

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Sunrise Closing its Doors/King retiring

Sunrise International Leasing (SILC), Golden Valley, Minnesota, who's website states they have funded nearly $1.5 billion in lease transactions, is closing down and is selling off its portfolio, according to its "collection manager," who answered the telephone. The company once had 90 employees, and was quite liberal in technology, internet equipment.

This information was discovered when a reader told Leasing News that Sunrise International Leasing on our “story credit” list was no longer a member of the Equipment Leasing Association (readers often point out “errors” in our listings, and our best stories often come direct from our readers. editor) The party who answered the telephone said the two contacts listed no longer worked for the company.

Reached at his residence, at his request, Peter J King, the CEO and “owner” of the company told Leasing News he has been running down the portfolio for a year and a half, from an original $700 million, and has recently made some very good sales from the portfolio.

“Basically, I am 78 and it is time to retire, “he said. “I had a good run. It is time to divest my assets. I have a foundation, other investments, and I want to enjoy more of my life.

” Another reason is the leasing industry has changed for our type of business, where we relied on the ‘fair market value.' ”

He said at one time his company did almost all Sun and Cisco Systems business, including what he called the main Gorilla, GE Capital.

“Sun gave GE Capital their business, but they turned down so many substantial leases that GE Capital became like a vendor to us, referring a lot of the business they did not want to take...we didn't mind be second place at all. We told them we would like to see all their rejects, so they sent them to us.

“In fact, we were also doing a lot of Cisco's marketing, as when they wanted to penetrate a market, they would come to us, we would create a program and then go in and market it to their vendors.”

“Many of the captives at one time did not want ‘operating leases,' but to record the profit right now as a sale...that seems to have changed as more now are willing to take the credit risk and know that a high percentage will go good, making the profit at the end, so they can take a higher risk during the stream.

“We could credit risk the transaction, book the business fast, move the portfolio, and take all the business they could send us.

“It is very difficult today to get a high end volume on fair market value leases from a vendor or manufacturer as they have a lot of cash, and others who have a lot of cash to make the yield work to their favor. It is too tough a marketplace for us today.”

The web site, www.sunriseleasing.com , states:

"In 1973, International Leasing Company (ILC) was founded. ILC specializes in providing equipment manufacturers with leasing and other marketing programs designed to increase sales for the manufacturers. As a pioneer in the vendor leasing field, ILC developed unique marketing products and offerings to meet the needs of its partners.

"In 1989, Sunrise Leasing Corporation was founded. Sunrise specialized in the leasing of data processing equipment including computers, telecommunications products and point-of-sales systems.

"In 1995, the Companies merged, capitalizing on their combined strengths. In 1997, the company was reincorporated under a new name, Sunrise International Leasing Corporation. This name change occurred to better represent our past and to position us for the global opportunities available in our future.

"Today, Sunrise works with the largest worldwide manufacturers of computer and networking systems, providing customized private label marketing-oriented leasing programs. With our experience, Sunrise is capable of designing a leasing program guaranteed to increase sales.

"To date, Sunrise International Leasing has funded nearly $1.5 billion in lease transactions."

The last press release on the web site is for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, references Peter J. King, of King Capital Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota.

It states, "Sunrise International Leasing Corporation (SILC), a wholly owned subsidiary of privately held King Capital Corp."

It also states, "Both fourth-quarter and full-year revenues are down considerably from the comparable 2002 periods due to the current down-cycle in technology leasing. The company is encouraged, however, by recent activity in its niche market, which has allowed for business stabilization and a focus on longer term growth."

http://leasingnews.org/PDF/SILC20034Q.pdf

A press release dated May 9,2002 gave recognition to the company being “ranked first in growth and second in sales per employee productivity in City Business's recent survey of Minnesota's 100 largest private companies...$2.8 million in sales per employee...”

King Family Foundation highlights:
http://www.kingcapitalcorp.com/kff.php

[headlines]

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Leasing Association Conference 2006 up-date

Leasing Association Conference 2006

 

EAEL and NAELB

Partner Once Again to

Present

EXPO 2006

(September 18th - Teaneck NJ)

 

Members from both EAEL and NAELB have come together to develop an excellent agenda for this year's EXPO. Every Leasing Professional should plan to attend this exciting event. The theme this year is "INNOVATIVE IDEAS" and the goal of the event is to bring knowledgeable leasing professional together to share and expand their leasing knowledge. The agenda includes but is not exclusive of:

 

Key Note Speakers:  Christine Todd Whitman- 50th governor of NJ.

and past Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

 

Jonathan and David Murray- regular guests on

The Today Show and CNBC Morning Call where they

discuss current economic conditions and investment themes and

wealth management strategies.

 

Interactive Forum:     "Hiring, Training, and Retaining Superior Sales Professionals in Today's Competitive Market"

 

This discussion will be lead by Steve Chreist of Selling-UP

(A regular contributor to Leasing News) and Mike Toglia of

Molloy Associates.

 

CLP Introduction Class: The CLP Foundation is offering an "Introduction Class to CLP" on Sunday Sept 17^th

 

The Expo is nearly sold out of exhibiting space for Lease Funders and Service Providers. (However there are still a few spots available).

 

I invite all Leasing Professionals to join us on September 18^th in Teaneck NJ. This is a MUST attend event for everyone. We are expecting record numbers again this year. For more information and a registration form visit:

For more information and a registration form visit: http://www.eael.org/doc/SeptemberMeetingBrochure.pdf  or contact Alison at the EAEL Office at (212) 209-1602 or Scott Wheeler- EXPO Chairman at (800) 365-6566.

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UAEL Annual Conference & Exhibition

Brochure on Line:
http://www.uael.org/events/conferences/ace/brochure1.htm

Embassy Suites Hotel Albuquerque, NM October 5-8th, 2006 There are still rooms available for the conference but they are filling up rapidly! Please call 760-564-2227 to reserve a room today!! Early Bird Registration: Expires September 1, 2006 Important International Balloon Festival Information! Gondola Club Membership is included with paid Conference Registration Please check the box on the registration form for attending the International Balloon Festival's Saturday morning Mass Ascension. Sign up Now!

One of the most popular UAEL events as it is the Grand Opening of the International Balloon Festival, titled: "Out of the Blue." UAEL will provide early morning transportation between the Embassy Suites Hotel and the mass ascension of hundreds of hot air baloons from 7am to 10am.

Important Flight Information! Flights into Albuquerque are selling out fast. Prices go up every day you wait, so please book your flight ASAP! Southwest Airlines United Airlines Americawest Airlines

General Session & Keynote Speaker Larry Mersereau, CTC " Stand out " How to Position and Grow your business with POWERFUL Brand Identity If you're not one of the first two or three names that come to mind when your prospect is ready to make a buying decision, you're not even in the game. And if you want the best shot at their business, you'd better be first on the list. Get up early Friday morning for this session (based on Larry's new book by the same title), and you'll take home brand-building and positioning tactics that you can use immediately to establish top-of-mind awareness in any market. You'll learn how to write your own unique positioning statement, a key step in establishing your brand recognition and market superiority.

(If you don't have one now, you've got to come to Albuquerque!) You'll identify which of the four possible market positions you're in now, which one you might prefer to occupy, and what you have to do to get there. You'll analyze your key competitors' positions, and identify what it takes to compete effectively with each one. You'll come away primed to etch your brand indelibly in the hearts and minds of your buying public, and to build a solid foundation for long-term growth and profitability.

Review the Larry Mersereau, CTC website
www.promopower.com
for more information

The Funding Source and Service Provider Expositon will be held Friday, October 6, after the event. Educational sessions and the Annual Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 7.

You will become a Balloon Fiesta "VIP" and enjoy the International Balloon Festival from a private reserved area, away form the crowds and with comfortable seating indoors and out.

Enjoy this exclusive setting that includes delicious food and a private tent during the Mass Ascension, which is famous for being a top draw of the Festival.

UAEL is also providing transportation and admission to the event with paid registration so sign up ASAP to reserve your place at this exciting event . 

Annual Conference & Exhibiton
Kim at 760-564-2227
or email at kim@uael.org

More information at: www.uael.org

Schedule of the International Balloon Festival:
http://www.aibf.org/scripts/index/list_events_total.php

You can see the balloons from the Embassy Hotel, where UAEL
has booked rooms. Register early as this is a popular event.
Click here for the hotel:
http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=YRSAQP3J
RBD14CSGBIVMVCQKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=ABQEMES

Exhibitor Layout (The choice of booth location is based in the order of conference registration, so register ASAP to secure your desired spot:)
http://www.uael.org/events/conferences/ace/exhibit.asp

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Equipment Leasing Association

45th Annual Convention
October 22-24
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Palm Desert, CA

LA Convention Registration Available Online!

For equipment lessors, the era of "business as usual" has ended. We face a future marked by some hard realities--a mature product, more competitive financing alternatives, greater regulation, greater transparency, less tolerance for certain traditional practices, and fewer opportunities for tax and accounting structures. Those are the realities, but it's what you do with them that matters. Companies willing to ask the tough questions, to discard outmoded ideas, to innovate and to take responsibility for the image and reputation of the industry will create their own place. The future belongs to those willing to create a whole new beginning for their company. The 45th Annual ELA Convention will address these issues.

Registration and all information about the Annual Convention are now available on-line at
http://www.elaonline.com/events/2006/AC/

Don't Wait! Register today for this premier industry event!

www.elaonline.org

[headlines]

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

Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Marketing Specialist

ELD Marketing Specialist Walnut Creek, CA Serve as a liaison between the leasing department and several hundred brokers . Requires a BA/BS; 3+ years of leasing and contract experience; Click here for detailed description & resume submission info.

www.bankofthewest.com

Office Administrator

Office Administrator Deerfield, Illinois Proficient in Microsoft Office, 2 years admin. minimum report directly to Director of Operations. To learn more, please click here.

www.nafclease.com

Sales

3 Regional Sales Opportunities NY/NJ; Dallas & Atlanta/Nashville Manage existing accounts and develop relationships. Min. Req. 3 years equip. leasing sales or strong leasing operations experience. For more information, click here:

www.neclease.com

[headlines]

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

FASB Considers Revamping Ancient Leasing Standards

ELTnews

Accounting Today (09/03/06) Vol. 20, No. 15, P. 5 ; Cheney, Glenn

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) plans to reevaluate its 30-year-old standards for accounting for leases.

FASB project manager Danielle Zeyher says the FASB wants to ensure the old standard can articulate the full spectrum of leasing obligations and assets in use today, so investors have a clear view of a company's leasing picture. Under the FASB's Accounting for Leases rule issued in 1976, companies must classify their leases as either sales or rentals, which means capital leases or operating leases.

According to critics, some use this stricture to prop up financial categories desired by investors. If the FASB compels companies to list leases on the balance sheet more than is common today, many corporate financial reports will see an increase in debt load.

In addition, says Zeyher, "the big concern is that financial analysts adjust companies' financial statements because they don't think those statements reflect all their leasing arrangements.

If their operating leases are in the footnotes, then there's a question about what the company's true obligations are, and whether there are assets that should be on the balance sheet."

[headlines]

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Cartoon—Leasing Brokers' Wedding

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Sales Make it Happen Broker Commissions – Follow-Up Report By: Linda P. Kester In my initial article about broker commission three main questions were raised: Why do funding sources limit the amount of points paid, sometimes as low as ten points or less? Why are some funding sources who are trying to attract brokers willing to pay 20% or more? Should there be a cap for the amount of points paid, or should it be determined on an individual basis? My answers were: Funding sources feel that excessive points must mean that there is something wrong with the deal that has yet to be uncovered. Funding sources think, on average that leases with twenty points built in will most likely perform worse than deals with five points. Some “story” credit companies limit the amount of points (two or three percent) because they feel the lessee is so hard up for the equipment that they will agree to any rate. In addition, a 20% commission will make it that much more difficult to recover equipment cost on a repo. On large dollar amount transactions the point cap should be determined on an individual basis. Brokers should be compensated on individual circumstances for deals that are more costly to process without an arbitrary maximum. Bottom line, funding sources should set a relatively high point cap & monitor the performance of the portfolio. Our Informal Poll Results A large number of Leasing News readers responded to my request for information on this subject. Most were willing to share their knowledge as long as they could remain anonymous. What I discovered is that there are a multitude of variables that go into this decision making process on both the broker and the funding sources sides. The variables include: Type of credit Reliance on collateral Funding rate Size of deal Broker Responses Most broker responses were straight forward; here are four responses from Brokers: “Over the years, we try to set fees in relation to the amount of time & effort required to get the lease approved, keeping the fee at a level when added to our cost of funds, results in a lease that is priced within comparable going market rates.   We never price to "skin alive" any of our clients as we are not a one time lessor....we seek a relationship. Our transaction size runs from about $10,000 to over $1,800,000. .........Origination fees will range from 5% or 6% on the smaller deals to 2% or 3% as the lease size increases. Many times the structure of the lease will allow for an increased fee...when payments are compared to other types of financing.  We try to be creative. With some funding sources, we discount the stream of payments. This results in more front end profit and/or some residual ownership. "I typically deal with transactions less than $100,000 and average about 8 points. Customers with poorer credit are charged more; better credits have more options. So to be competitive, I usually charge less. If I can occasionally make a larger profit on a transaction, I will; and I think it is reasonable to do so. "One sometimes overlooked fee is the doc fee.  We have typically charged $295 for probably 3 yrs and it usually adds up to a few more bucks or at least is enough to include some funding source fees too! "Our average commission was always in the 8% range and that was for average size deals of $35-40,000. "Obviously on really small deals we couldn't get away with the bigger doc fee, but the commissions certainly shot up to 15% pretty fast. “Deals under $50K I generally put 7 points in. Deals between $50K and $100K I put 4 points in. Over $100K I charge 2 or 3 points depending on how rate sensitive the customer is. "Hope that helps you. I'm probably cheap because I hear a lot of brokers charge 10 points on most deals.  I believe in keeping the customer for life and if you are fair with them on the first deal, you will get all their future business." “Less than $75,000: five points. Will try to push for seven.” “$100,000: two to three points. Most people are trying to figure out how much more they can get without losing the deal.” Many brokers are reluctant to share specifics because they think if they say “I got 15 points on a $45,000 deal.” The next broker will say, “I got twenty on the same type of deal”; while the broker standing in the corner eavesdropping, says “I got 25, you guys are schmucks.” That being said, there were the brokers who have strong ethical concerns. Stating, “Don't hurt our industry with your pricing.” “Just because a lessee is ‘financially challenged' (not knowledgeable in the ways of finance) doesn't mean you should add in 20 points and try to get a couple more deals before they go out of business.” This forces the question: "How much is too much?" In my opinion it depends on how much value you add to the transaction. Pricing should be inherently fair. If you bring something to the deal the lessee couldn't bring on his own, then you charge more. If it's strictly a commodity then you should get less. The bottom line is to know what you are charging and know why. The more educated the leasing sales rep is, the more they know where the pricing should be. Start Your Own Leasing Company? Another question posed was: “Is it still a valid concept to start your own leasing business in order to make a greater percent of commission?” As long as you take all factors and expenses into consideration it is a viable option. This can be done on both a broker level and a funding source level. I have a friend who had such a tight relationship with a vendor that she became a broker, just to service that account. On another level, when senior management left Advanta Leasing to start Marlin Leasing, one of their motivations was to stop making so much money for their parent, Advanta Corp., and start making money for themselves. Funding Source Responses One funding source stated that this is really a concern of “application only” business. I tend to agree with this statement because with “application only” business the sales rep has more control of the rate. One reoccurring theme was that it's difficult to get a higher percentage of points on a large dollar amount transaction. The majority of leasing companies go up to $150,000 “app only”. There are some who advertise up to $250,000 app only. Other captive companies offer $350,000 app only. The following is a sampling of the feedback from funding sources: “We are an “A" credit funder, or so we believe.  Our dollar range is 10-75K.  The average points paid to a broker are 7.8 points.” “Your article is specific to credit quality as a concern over commission limits. Certainly, every credit officer would shudder if they knew a deal they approved in one part of the building was getting maxed out from a commission standpoint at funding, in another part of the building. Generally, that does not occur...especially in app only [leases]. "Only when introduced in a loss review session would the excess commission become a part of the discussion as to why a loss has occurred. We did not expose our credit officers to the details of individual losses and certainly they would not have seen the data to support the correlation.  However, we studied the data at the executive level and it revealed a higher propensity for losses when commissions exceeded 20% although there was not a strong correlation between credit quality and excess commissions. Fortunately, very few transactions are ever priced at that level of payout. " It is interesting to note that a large percentage of the brokers we talk to today see our 20% cap as a value add. The fact is the average payout is much less than our cap, although we do see an occasional deal with the max priced into it so I would conclude our stated limits are more optical and emotional than rational.  Why do so many people participate in lotteries? It is the dream that they have a chance to hit it big when in reality they likely understand they will not. " I would suggest that the larger reason a funder caps commission is because of the economics of the deal.  If you are holding a portfolio your advance rate is never 100% so you must put equity into every transaction you fund. The higher the commission payout, more equity must be included into the deal. Because of liquidity issues, lenders may decide to limit the amount of their advances.  The reality is the treasury function directs more of this type of policy than credit within an organization.    The other aspect of the argument is entirely emotional. We are all consumers and we tend to want to follow the "do unto others" rule. It is unfortunate that some folks in our industry do not adhere to that standard instead opting to go for it all when presented with the opportunity. Perhaps their mortgage payment is on the line, or past due child support is looming large over them. Whatever the reason, it happens and often with little remorse. With the commission caps the lender is drawing the line for the broker and telling them what their tolerance level is for how they treat their lessee. “ "Regarding Points our limits are as follows: "10K-50K:   8 Points "50K-100K: 5 Points." "We limit the points we pay out due to (1) limiting the amount of 'air' in a transaction especially when we require a larger down payment on a structured deal. (2) being part of a bank, we never want to be put in a position of defending why a lessee was paying a 25% interest rate." "We're one of the "high risk" deal lessors….we pay 2-3 % depending on how much volume a broker gives us…that is .deals that actually get done, not just sending or showing deals."  This issue did touch a nerve. Other questions I received included: If the funder gets their yield what do they care how much I get on top of that? Does a higher commission mean less of a return in a default? How high will the “split” go to get broker business? Has the role of the salesperson changed that they can obtain a higher commission and part of the residual? I'll address each of the above questions in a subsequent article. Again, if you have an opinion on this subject be sure to e-mail me at Linda@lindakester.com

 

[headlines]

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

Susquehanna Patriot Commercial Leasing Company

POTTSTOWN, Pa., – Susquehanna Patriot Commercial Leasing Company will change its name to Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc., as the next step in its evolution from a small ticket leasing company into a national equipment financer.

Leasing remains the core business of Susquehanna Commercial Finance, but the new name conveys the range of sales and structured financing products the organization offers for equipment financing. These options include conditional sales contracts, equipment finance agreements and loans. The new name is effective as of Sept. 1, 2006.

“As the leasing industry continues to change, Susquehanna Commercial Finance is taking a forward-looking approach to our industry by expanding our product offerings beyond traditional equipment leasing options,” said Ken Collins, Chairman and CEO of the company. “Our new name articulates our changes and gives us a bridge to provide additional equipment financing solutions to our customers.”

Based in Pottstown, Pa., Susquehanna Commercial Finance funds equipment leases on a national basis. Its customers range from small businesses to large public corporations and government entities. In addition to capital and true lease structures, Susquehanna has expanded its product mix to include loans and operating leases for equipment purchases.

Susquehanna Commercial Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUSQ), a financial services holding company with assets of $8.3 billion. Headquartered in Lititz, Pa., Susquehanna Bancshares provides financial services through its subsidiaries at 165 branch locations in the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to the commercial finance company and three banks, Susquehanna operates a trust and investment company, an asset management company, insurance and employee benefits company, and a vehicle leasing company. For more information, please visit www.susquehanna.net

[headlines]

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

MB Financial Announces Completion of First Oak Brook Merger

CHICAGO----MB Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select:MBFI) announced that its merger with First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select:FOBB) was completed yesterday.

MB Financial will issue approximately 8.4 million shares of common stock and pay approximately $74.1 million in cash in the transaction. Based on the average MB Financial closing price for the five-trading day period ended August 23, 2006 of $36.214, the value of the consideration to be paid to First Oak Brook stockholders is $37.43 per share, regardless of whether paid in cash or MB Financial stock.

First Oak Brook stockholders who made valid elections to receive stock and First Oak Brook stockholders who did not make valid elections to receive either form of merger consideration will receive 1.0336 shares of MB Financial common stock for each First Oak Brook share, which has a per share value of $37.43 based on the $36.214 five-day average MB Financial closing price. As a result of prorations, First Oak Brook stockholders who made valid elections to receive cash will receive $37.43 per share in cash with respect to 78.48% of their shares and 1.0336 MB Financial shares for each First Oak Brook share with respect to 21.52% of their shares. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional MB Financial shares.

"We are looking forward to the next step and the benefits that are expected from integrating the two companies. The merger provides additional strength to nearly every aspect of our bank operations," said Mitchell Feiger, President and Chief Executive Officer of MB Financial.

"The combined organization will benefit from enhanced geographic convenience - with greater coverage in Cook and Du Page Counties where 80% of the Chicago area's middle market companies are located. In addition, the merger provides more resources to continue expansion in such other key areas as retail and community banking, commercial lending and leasing, treasury management, merchant processing, asset management, trust, private banking and investment services," Feiger added.

It is expected that Oak Brook Bank, First Oak Brook's subsidiary bank, will be merged into MB Financial's lead bank subsidiary, MB Financial Bank, N.A., in the fourth quarter of 2006.

As a result of the merger, MB Financial now has consolidated assets of over $8 billion and 62 branch offices in the Chicago area. MB Financial also has five branch offices in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area through its Union Bank, N.A. subsidiary and one branch office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MB Financial Bank (www.mbfinancial.com) is a locally operated financial institution, which has been delivering competitive personalized service for more than 90 years to privately-owned, middle-market companies as well as to individuals who live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area.

[headlines]

### Press Release ###########################
--------------------------------------------------------------

News Briefs---

Consumer confidence index plunges in August to lowest level in 9 months
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20060829-1350-economy-optional.html

New Minutes Show a More Fractured Fed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2006/08/29/AR2006082901372.html

BANKRUPTCIES: Filings fall by 9 percent
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/
9ADF212A5D2B0241862571D900070B99?OpenDocument

President Bush meets with musician Fats Domino at his house in New Orleans.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/katrina/20060829-1406-bush.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/katrina/20060829-1406-bush.html#video

Apple names Google CEO Eric Schmidt to board
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/
2003234311_webgoogleapple29.html

[headlines]

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You May have Missed---

Real estate: Sales soften in president's Texas hometown
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2006-08-28-close-crawford_x.htm

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California Nuts Briefs---

Governor approves 11,000 more slots
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14311357p-15211177c.html

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“Gimme that Wine”

Governor rejects designating zinfandel California state wine
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15385222.htm

Michael Mondavi Builds A New Family Empire
http://www.winesandvines.com/headline_08_25_06_mon.html

A Wine Man Who Vowed to Drain the Cup—Frank J. Prail
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/30/dining/30evan.html?_r=1&ref=dining&oref=slogin

New Orleans bar stayed open through Katrina and chaos that followed
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/08/29/060829125321.c4gklrs2.html

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

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

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex)
is an electronic exchange for fine wine.

http://www.liv-ex.com/

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Restaurant Review

Persian Delicacy

at its finest

1246 Wolfe Road
Sunnyvale, California 95086

Tel: 408-737-1222
Fax: 408-737-1286
Cel: 408 242-6501

www.chelokabibi.com

A reservation is a good idea, but it depends on the day and time you arrive.

Map: http://www.chelokababi.com/direction.htm

Ashraf Rahbar still cooks in the kitchen and her children Mehdi, Mohsen, Mehrdad, Mahnaz, and Maryam help her run the restaurant, as it has expanded since opening in 1979.

I have been here for lunch several times with my good friend Zafar Jafri. This time my Sue was in McKinney, Texas, helping her daughter after she gave birth to her first son, so Zafar and his wife Mary Ann invited me out to dinner. He brought a 1990 Chateau Gloria (St. Julian) wine. Maryam R. Lane decanted it in front of a candle into a beautiful glass crystal decanter.

Maryam R. Lane

We had some assorted appetizers. I order a Torshi (A spicy mixture of eggplant, carrot, and cauliflower aged in vinegar.) It was delicious, but strong, the way I like it. Italian, if you will, but went great with pita bread. I could have had another helping. This was one that you wanted to get the recipe as it was a simple dish, but so very tasty.

We had a great salad before hand, tasting the different varieties.

Zafar ordered a family style kabob, which meant a large plate. All kababs are cooked over charcoal grill. Served with barbecued tomatoes and Saffron Basmati Rice. We had:

Fresh salmon, served in Middle Eastern fashion.

Marinated lean ground beef prepared in Chelokababi marinade.

Tender pieces of chicken breast, marinated and garnished with saffron.

They were barbecue style and delicious. I added some "hot sauce" and other items, although they were not necessary. The chicken was delicious, cooked just right, as was the salmon, very tender, but firm. My favorite was the lean ground beef in Chelokababi marinade. Both Zafar and I could have ordered another one of these as we fought over the last piece.

One of my biggest gripes in barbecue is that the food is overcooked, and then over sauced to hide this. Not here. This was pure Persian delicacy. I could not give the food and service a higher compliment

Maryam brought us each a Bastani:

Rose water flavored Persian ice cream with pistachios.

It was perfect. I really was too full for desert, but this was just the right size, light, and very tasty with the small ground pistachio on top.

Afterwards, we all had Persian tea which ended a delicious meal, served with style, and elegance. It was a fun meal with good company and wonderfully prepared food you don't get at many restaurants today.

I should add, I looked at the wine menu and was impressed not just at the price, but having Stags Leap, Silveroak, Caymus, and some of France's famous.

The restaurant is in a small shopping center, out of the main stay, reminding me much of Roy's, who has stayed to this theme. It is a real pleasure to go to a restaurant that does not evidently have to pay for a high rent due to its location, so they can put more effort in lower cost, better service, and great fresh, food. This restaurant has a banquet room, and the dress was both casual and informal, although some were quite well dressed, perhaps reflecting the true nature of Chelokababi.

Kit Menkin
Restaurant Review
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/rstrnt.htm

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Calendar Events This Day

Huey P. Long Day
A legal holiday in Louisiana.

National Holistic Pet Day
A day to celebrate the growing interest in natural/holistic medicine and the animals who are treated holistically.

Peru: Saint Rose of Lima Day
Saint Rose of Lima was the first saint of the Western Hemisphere. She lived at the time of the colonization by Spain the 16 th century. Patron saint of the Americas and the Philippines. Public holiday in Peru.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13192c.htm
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintr04.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/ROSE.HTM

Turkey. Victory Day
Commemorates victory in war of Independence in 1922. Military parades, performing of the Mehtar band( the world's oldest military band),fireworks.

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Alaska is the most eastern and western state in the U.S.
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/student_info/learn/aboutgeography.htm

In fact, Alaska is also the most Northern state, but you knew that.
(Northern is Alaska) (Southern is Hawaii)
(Eastern is Alaska) (Western is Alaska)
If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, I bet you thought Maine was the most north, not correct:

the answers are:

Most Northern Point: Angle, Minnesota, at 49º 23'N
Most Southern Point: East Cape, Florida, at 25º 7'N
Most Eastern Point: West Quoddy Head, Maine, at 66º 57'W
Most Western Point: Cape Alva, Washington, at 124º 44'W

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Today's Top Event in History

    1890- Congress approved the inspection of meat. It provided for the inspection of salted pork, and bacon intended for export, as well as the inspection of export swine, cattle, sheep, and other ruminants, due primarily to complaints of foreign buyers. It did not apply to meat in the United States. Importers of American Leasing meat were objecting to not only the quality, but to the “disease” brought by American meat products. Upton Sinclair's book, “The Jungle,” 1905, exposed the horror of meat packing in Chicago, which led the Pure Food and Drug Act and inspection of meat facilities and quality standards.

[headlines]

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This Day in American History

    1637- The first Synod was held at Mr. Shepard's church, Cambridge ( then Newtowne), Massachusetts to condemn the preaching of Anne Hutchinson, the first female religious leader in the American colonies. Eight-two errors in her teachings were enumerated and condemned. The synod adjourned on September 22, 1637. Hutchinson was bought to trail on the strength of this condemnation and was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Moving the following year to Rhode Island, then to New York, Anne and her family were killed by Indians in 1643.
    1770- Anglican clergyman and hymn writer John Newton wrote in a letter: 'The exercised and experienced Christian, by the knowledge he has gained of his own heart and the many difficulties he has had to struggle with, acquires a skill and compassion in dealing with others.
    1776- A few days before, in the Battle of Long Island, N.Y., American forces commandeered by Gen. Israel Putnam and Gen. John Sullivan were defeated by the British under Gen. Sir William Howe and Gen. Sir Henry Clinton. Howe took Gen. Sullivan ***prisoner. On Aug 30, the Americans evacuated Long Island and crossed to Massachusetts. General Washington took advantage of a heavy fog to evacuate Long Island after a defeat. Adverse winds kept the British fleet from intervening
    1778- American forces withdrew from Rhode Island after an unsuccessful attempt, led by John Sullivan, to recapture Newport from the British ***
    1800-African-American Gabriel Prosser's major slave revolt is disclosed by Mosby Sheppard two slaves Tom and Pharoah, who told him of the plot. during the afternoon of this day, Saturday, August 30, set for the rebellion and was made by Mr. Mosby Sheppard, whose slaves, Tom and Pharoah, had told him of the plot. Virginia Governor Monroe, who had heard earlier plans of slaves making swords, bullets, and organizing for an attack on Richmond, realizing secrecy was now impossible and worried others would join Prosser, acted quickly and openly. He appointed three aides for himself, asked for and received the use of the federal armory at Manchester, posted cannon at the capitol, called into service well over six hundred and fifty men, and gave notice of the plot to every militia commander in the State” But," as a contemporary declared, upon that every evening just about Sunset, there came on the most terrible thunder accompanied with an enormous rain, that I ever witnessed in this State. Between Prosser's and Richmond, there is a place called Brook Swamp which runs across the high road, and over which there was a [MS torn] bridge. By this, the Africans were of necessity to pass, and the rain had made the passage impracticable.
Nevertheless about one thousand slaves, some mounted, armed with clubs, scythes, home-made bayonets, and a few guns, did appear at an agreed-upon rendezvous six miles outside the City, but, as already noted, attack was not possible, and /222/ the slaves disbanded. As a matter of fact even defensive measures, though attempted, could not be executed.
The next few days the mobilized might of an aroused slave State went into action and scores of Negroes were arrested. Gabriel had attempted to escape via a schooner, Mary, but when in Norfolk on September 25, he was recognized and betrayed by two Negroes, captured, and brought back, in chains, to Richmond. He was quickly convicted and sentenced to hang, but the execution was postponed until October 7, in the hope that he would talk. James Monroe personally interviewed him, but reported, "From what he said to me, he seemed to have made up his mind to die, and to have resolved to say but little on the subject of the conspiracy." Along with Gabriel fifteen other rebels were hanged on the seventh of October. Twenty-one were reported to have been executed prior to this, and four more were scheduled to die after October 7. A precise number of those executed cannot be given with certainty, but it appears likely that at least thirty-five Negroes were hanged, four condemned slaves escaped from prison (and no reference to their recapture has been seen), while one committed suicide in prison The chasm between slave owners and their “property” widen with both becoming extremely “fearful” of each other. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was to point out in the next century, “violence begets violence.”
http://www.blackhistory.eb.com/micro/223/96.html
http://www.co.henrico.va.us/rec/gabriel.htm
    1820- Birthday of George F. Root, American sacred music editor and composer. Root helped edit 75 musical collections, as well as composing several hundred original sacred melodies. One of these, JEWELS, is the tune to which is commonly sung the hymn, "When He Cometh."
    1838 -- The first African-American magazine Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in New York City.
    1839 - A hurricane moved from Cape Hatteras NC to offshore New England. An unusual feature of the hurricane was the snow it helped produce, which whitened the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Considerable snow was also reported at Salem NY.
    1856-Wilberforce University was established in Xenia, Ohio under auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1863, the university was transferred to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
    1862-The battle actually started yesterday, but today at the second Battle of Bull Run, the maneuvers of Gen. Stonewall Jackson and his teamwork with Gen. Lee were too much for the 45,000 Union troops under Gen. John Pope, who broke and retreated to Washington, D.C. this day. Union losses were 1724 killed, 8372 wounded, 5958 missing. Confederate losses stood at 1481 killed, 7627 wounded, 89 missing. It is believed the almost 6,000 soldiers missing deserted and fled from the army. We highlighted it yesterday, and “Today in History” highlights its end.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug30.html
((http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cwar:@field
(NUMBER+@band(cwp+4a40399 ))
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan21.html
    1890- Congress approved the inspection of meat. It provided for the inspection of salted pork, and bacon intended for export, as well as the inspection of export swine, cattle, sheep, and other ruminants, due primarily to complaints of foreign buyers. It did not apply to meat in the United States. Importers of American Leasing meat were objecting to not only the quality, but to the “disease” brought by American meat products. Upton Sinclair's book, “The Jungle,” 1905, exposed the horror of meat packing in Chicago, which led the Pure Food and Drug Act and inspection of meat facilities and quality standards.
    1893- Frances Folsom Cleveland ( Mrs. Grover Cleveland) was the first presidential wife to have a baby at the White House when she gave birth to a baby girl ( Esther) The first child ever born in the White House was a granddaughter to Thomas Jefferson in 1806.
    1894 -Independent Christian evangelist and educator Bob Jones, Sr. was converted at age 11 to a vital Christian faith. Licensed to preach by the Methodists at 15, Jones maintained a lifelong fundamentalist view of the Bible. In 1926, at age 32, he founded Bob Jones University.
    1901- birthday of Roy Wilkins, grandson of a Mississippi slave, civil rights leader, active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP), retired as its executive director in 1977. Born at St. Louis, MO. Died at New York, NY, Sept 8, 1981
http://www.tccom.com/wilkins/
    1907-birthday of actress Shirley Booth. She won the 1950 Tony award for her work in Come Back Little Sheba and the 1953 Tony for Time of the Cuckoo. Her later years were spent as Hazel on the TV sitcom of the same name.
    1908-Birthday of singer-leader Willie Bryant, born New Orleans, LA. Once employed Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, and many others.
    1918-Birthday of Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, Theodore Samuel(Ted) Williams, San Diego, CA.
    1924- Trumpet play Kenny Dorham Birthday
http://www.jazztranscriptions.com/dorhambio.html
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/dorham_discography.html
    1935 – Birthday of singer John Phillips (: The Mamas & The Papas: Monday Monday, California Dreamin', Creeque Alley; songwriter: California Dreamin', San Francisco [Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair]; actress MacKenzie Phillips' father; died Mar 18, 2001)
    1949—Top Hits
You're Breaking My Heart - Vic Damone
Room Full of Roses - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Don Cornell)
Some Enchanted Evening - Perry Como
I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl that I Love) - Eddy Arnold
    1956- White mob prevents enrollment of blacks at Mansfield High School, Texas, as school busing and desegregation comes to major conflicts across the nation..
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/MM/jcm2.html
    1957—Top Hits
Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone
Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
    1959- Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" debuts on the pop charts. The song from the "Three Penny Opera" will be Darin's biggest hit.
    1961 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Michael," the Highwaymen. The five members were all freshmen from the same fraternity at Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn. The song debuts at No. 100 on the Hot 100.
    1962-A presidential hot line was installed between the White House, Washington, DC, and the Kremlin, Moscow, during the administration of President John F. Kennedy.
    1965 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Help!" The Beatles. The song is released in the U.S. two weeks before the film "Help!" opens in New York.
    1965—Top Hits
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
Help! - The Beatles
California Girls - The Beach Boys
Yes, Mr. Peters - Roy Drusky & Priscilla Mitchell
    1968- The Beatles' "Hey Jude" is released.
    1968 --The Democratic Convention comes to and end Reportedly Chicago's finest invade McCarthy's headquarters, dragging staffers from their beds and beating the beejezus out of them. CBS TV-anchor Walter Cronkite tells prime-time television viewers :"I want to pack my bags & get out of this city." On August 29, vice president Hubert H. Humphrey was nominated for president and Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Main was named the vice presidential candidate. The convention, which began August 26, was the most violent in U.S. history. Antiwar protestors clashed with police and national guardsmen. Hundreds of people, including bystanders and members of the press, were beaten by police, some in full view of television cameras. George Wallace and Gen. Curtis E. LeMay would become third party candidates. On November 5, Richard M. Nixon would be elected president along with Spiro T. Agnew as vice president. The popular vote was Nixon 31,785,480; Humphrey, 31,275,166; Wallace 8,906,473. The actual decision was by the electoral vote with Nixon 302; Humphrey, 191 and George Wallace, 45. The Republicans gained four seats in the House, five in the Senate, although Democrats still held majorities of 58-42 in the Senate and 2453-192 in the House. The Republicans gained five governorships in the election.
    1973—Top Hits
Brother Louie - Stories
Live and Let Die - Wings
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Everybody's Had the Blues - Merle Haggard
    1974-The last episode of the regular TV series “The Brady Bunch.” The first show was aired September 26, 1969, starring Robert Treed as widower Mike Brady who has three sons and is married to Carol _(played by Florence Henderson), who has three daughters, Housekeeper Alice was played by Ann B. Davis, Sons Greg ( Barry Williams), Peter ( Christopher Knight) and Bobby ( Mike Lookinland) and daughters Marcia ( Maureen McCormick), Jan ( Eve Plumb) and Cindy ( Susan Olsen) experienced the typical crises of youth. The programs steered clear of social issues and portrayed childhood as a time of innocence. The program continues to be very popular in reruns in after-school time slots. There were also many spin-offs. “ The Brady Kids,” ( 1972-74), a Saturday morning cartoon,” The Brady Bunch Hour)” 1976-88), a variety series, “ The Brady Brides, 1981), a sitcom about the two older daughters adjusting to marriages and the “Bradys'(19090), a short-lived dramatic series. “A Very Brady Christmas(1988) was CBS's highest rated special for the season. In 1995, “ The Brady Bunch Movie” appealed to fans who had watched the program 25 years before.
    1975- James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" peaks at #5 on the pop singles chart.
    1980- Pat Benatar's "You Better Run" peaks at #42 on the pop singles chart.
    1981—Top Hits
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
(There's) No Gettin' Over Me - Ronnie Milsap
    1981-Jockey Bill Shoemaker rode John Henry to a nose victory to win the inaugural running of the Arlington Million, the first $1 million horse race, at Arlington Park in Illinois.
    1982 - A tropical depression brought torrential rains to portions of southern Texas. Up to twelve inches fell south of Houston, and as much as eighteen inches fell southeast of Austin. The tropical depression spawned fourteen tornadoes in three days. (David Ludlum) Record cold gripped the northeastern U.S. Thirty-one cities in New England reported record lows, and areas of Vermont received up to three inches of snow
    1983- Colonel Guion Bluford, mission specialist on the third flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger, became the first African-American astronaut to fly in outer space.
    1986- Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" hits #1 on the singles chart; Mick Jagger's "Ruthless People" peaks at #51 and David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" peaks at #16.
    1987 - Eight cities in California and Oregon reported record high temperatures for the date, including Redding CA and Sacramento CA where the mercury hit 100 degrees.
    1988 - Thunderstorms drenched Georgia and the Carolinas with heavy rain, soaking Columbia, SC, with 4.10 inches in three hours. Fresno CA was the hot spot in the nation with a record high of 109 degrees. Duluth MN tied their record for the month of August with a morning low of 39 degrees
    1989—Top Hits
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
Cold Hearted - Paula Abdul
Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block
Are You Ever Gonna Love Me - Holly Dunn
    1990- Seattle Mariners become 1st team to have father-son teammates, signing Ken Griffey to play with son Ken Griffey Jr .
http://bigleaguers.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4/4305/
http://www.griffeyjr.com/
http://griffeyjr.com/biography
    1993 - "Late Show with David Letterman" debuted on CBS-TV. CBS remodeled the Ed Sullivan Theater (on 54th Street in New York City) for Letterman, who had just spent over a decade on NBC ("Late Night with David Letterman"). The first musical guest to appear on the new show was Billy Joel. The show first started February 1, 1982 with the top ten lists, mail bag, stupid pet tricks, participation by the TV crew, neighbors, and on the new show, this was carried forward along with surprise people in the audience such as Paul Newman with his tow gun salute, Martha Stewart. The show also featured his Canadian side-kick and very popular “hip” musician Paul Shaffer.
    1994-—Top Hits
I ll Make Love To You- Boyz II Men
Stay (I Missed You) (From "Reality Bites")- Lisa Loeb
Wild Night- John Mellencamp With Me Shell Ndegeocello
Fantastic Voyage- Coolio
    1997-The Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty, 65-51, to win the first WNBA title. Houston was led by the new league's Most Valuable Player, Cynthia Cooper, who scored 25 points.
    1998 -Toms River becomes the first American team since 1993 to win the Little League World Series as Chris Cardone hits home runs in consecutive at-bats, including a game- deciding two-run shot beating Kashima, Japan,12-9.
    1999-—Top Hits
Bailamos- Enrique Iglesias
Genie In A Bottle- Christina Aguilera
Summer Girls- LFO
Unpretty- TLC
    2000- As Braves come to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Reds, 4-2, a power spike causes most of the lights to go out at Turner Field causing a 12-minute delay. As the Atlanta crowd waits for play to resume it is treated to a rendition of the song, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"
    2002- After marathon negotiation sessions to avoid a players' strike just hours away, Bud Selig announces the players union and owners have reached a settlement on a new four-year CBA without the need of a work stoppage. The new agreement, called 'historic' by the commissioner, gives the owners the economic restraints they wanted as the players are assured no teams will be contracted until 2007 season with a revenue sharing plan will gradually be implemented during the span of the contract.
    2002 - Bruce Springsteen fans flock to stores for the release of "The Rising," the Boss' first album with the E Street Band since 1987.
    2003-—Top Hits
Shake Ya Tailfeather- Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee
Crazy In Love- Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z
Right Thurr- Chingy
P.I.M.P.- 50 Cent
    2005-- In the long tradition of Bronx Bombers, Alex Rodriguez becomes only the second right-handed batter in Yankees history to hit 40 homers in a season. The Yankee's third baseman joins Joe DiMaggio, who hit 46 homers in 1937, making it the only time ‘Joltin' Joe' reached the 40 mark.

****In New Hampshire, a band of four hundred men, suddenly assembling in arms, and conducted by John Sullivan, an eminent lawyer and a man of great ambition and intrepidity, gained possession by surprise of the castle of Portsmouth, and confined the royal garrison till the powder-magazine was ransacked and its contents carried away.

Extremely controversial in his day, Somersworth's John Sullivan became the first "president" of New Hampshire. He served three terms in the role we now call governor. Sullivan cut his teeth as a young lawyer in Portsmouth, NH and became the first attorney in Durham. His goal in life was to be wealthy and his litigious pursuit of debtors in his hometown led to angry mobs surrounding his house. He served courageously, some say brazenly, in Revolutionary War battles, though he had been a friend of exiled British NH governor John Wentworth, whom he later replaced. Captured by the British, Sullivan became a courier between the two sides for which he was severely criticized. Sullivan joined the Seacoast NH uprising at Fort William and Mary in 1774, then served in a number of failed battles. George Washington was not fond of Sullivan, but called on him often. Major General Sullivan was among the troops at Quebec, and a leader at Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown. Washington called on him again in 1779 to literally wipe out all Native American settlements that threatened colonists in New York and Pennsylvania. Sullivan's March, as it was called, devastated Indian populations there as his troops destroyed all native housing and crops. He served in both the first and second Continental Congress. After the war he returned to his law practice and was made a federal judge, though he was often too ill, often from alcohol, to serve. The NH town and county of Sullivan are among the many places dedicated in his name.

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Baseball Poem

Anthem

by

William (Sugar) Wallace

Catfish, Mudcat, Ducky, Coot.
The Babe, The Barber, The Blade, The Brat.
Windy, Dummy, Gabby, Hoot.
Big Train, Big Six, Big Ed, Fat.

Greasy, Sandy, Muddy, Rocky.
Bunions, Twinkletoes, Footsie, The Hat.
Fuzzy, Dizzy, Buddy, Cocky.
The Bull, The Stork, The Weasle, The Cat.
Schoolboy, Sheriff,
Rajah, Duke,
General, Major,
Spaceman, Spook.

The Georgia Peach, The Fordham Flash,
The Flying Dutchman. Cot.
The People's Cherce, The Blazer. Crash.
The Staten Island Scot.
Skeeter, Scooter,
Pepper, Duster,
Ebba, Bama, Boomer, Buster.

The Little Professor, The Iron Horse. Cap.
Iron Man, Iron Mike, Iron Hands. Hutch.
Jap, The Mad Russian, Irish, Swede. Nap.
Germany, Frenchy, Big Serb, Dutch,
Turk. Tuck, Tug, Twig.
Spider, Birdy, Rabbit, Pig.

Fat Jack, Black Jack, Zeke, Zack. Bloop.
Peanuts, Candy, Chewing Gum, Pop.
Chicken, Cracker, Hot Potato, Soup.
Ding, Bingo.
Hippity-Hopp.

Three-Finger, No-Neck, The Knuck, The Lip.
Casey, Gavvy, Pumpsie, Zim.
Flit, Bad Henry. Fat Freddie, Flip.
Jolly Cholly, Sunny Jim.
Shag, Schnozz,
King Kong, Klu.
Boog, Buzz,
Boots, Bump, Boo.

King Carl, The Count. The Rope, The Whip.
Wee Willie, Wild Bill, Gloomy Gus. Cy.
Bobo, Bombo, Bozo. Skip.
Coco, Kiki, Yo-yo. Pie.
Dinty, Dooley,
Tuffy, Snuffy,
Stubby, Dazzy,
Daffy, Duffy.

Baby Doll, Angel Sleeves, Pep, Sliding Billy,
Buttercup, Bollicky, Boileryard, Juice.
Colby Jack, Dauntless Dave, Cheese,
Gentle Willie,
Trolley Line, Wagon Tongue, Rough,
What's the Use.

Ee-yah,
Poosh 'Em Up,
Skoonj, Slats, Ski.
Ding Dong,
Ding-a-Ling,
Dim Dom, Dee.

Famous Amos. Rosy, Rusty.
Handsome Ransom. Home Run, Huck.
Rapid Robert. Cactus, Dusty.
Rowdy Richard. Hot Rod, Truck.
Jo-Jo, Jumping Joe,
Little Looie,
Muggsy, Moe.

Old Folks, Old Pard, Oom Paul. Yaz.
Cowboy, Indian Bob, Chief, Ozark Ike.
Rawhide, Reindeer Bill. Motormouth. Maz.
Pistol Pete, Jungle Jim, Wahoo Sam. Spike.
The Mad Hungarian.
Mickey, Minnie.
Kitten, Bunny.
Big Dan, Moose.
Jumbo, Pee Wee; Chubby, Skinny.
Little Poison.
Crow, Hawk, Goose.
Marvelous Marv.
Oisk, Oats, Tookie.
Vinegar Bend.
Suds, Hooks, Hug.
Hammerin' Hank.
Cooch, Cod, Cookie.
Harry the Horse.
Speed, Stretch, Slug.

The Splendid Splinter. Pruschka. Sparky.
Chico, Choo Choo, Cha-Cha, Chub.
Dr. Strangeglove. Deacon. Arky.
Abba Dabba. Supersub.
Bubbles, Dimples, Cuddles, Pinky.
Poison Ivy, Vulture, Stinky.
Jigger, Jabbo
Jolting Joe
Blue Moon
Boom Boom
Bubba
Bo

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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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