Monday, August 20, 2007

Headlines---

"Bloodbath" at Marlin Leasing
    Classified Ads---Sales Manager
        Looking for a job? Say “Thank you!”
            Cartoon---The Seven Ages of Man
The List 2nd Quarter
    Top Stories--August 13--August 17
        Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Sept. 12 Institute for Leasing Professionals
    Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
    “UCC – Legal Rules—Part I”
        Hurricane Dean Batters Jamaica
    Sterling Financial NASDAQ Request
Fed rate, but will it take down another?
    Businesses Pinched as Loan Spigot Shuts Off
        Buyers with Good Credit See Trouble Ahead
    Net Worth: What the Fed move means to markets
Fitch Affirms Caterpillar Financial Ratings
    News Briefs---
        You May have Missed--- UPS 100th year
Sports Briefs---
    "Gimme that Wine"
        Calendar Events
Snapple Real Facts
    Today's Top Event in History
        This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
    SuDoku
        Daily Puzzle

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

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"Bloodbath" at Marlin Leasing

by Christopher “Kit” Menkin

That's the way one employee described it, a "bloodbath." Three key people were let go, but it was the manner that Marlin Business Service handled it that seemed to be the upsetting influence. As required by Sarbanes-Oxley, any major change in the operation must be reported:

"The Company today announced the dismissal of two of its sales managers. They were terminated for actions inconsistent with their duties to the Company. An investigation of this matter is ongoing."

Contrary to what was officially written to the SEC, there were three key individuals let go. Certainly Marlin wishes they didn’t’ have to report this news or hear the industry repercussions. Over
a dozen readers sent e-mails this weekend: “Did you hear about Marlin’s latest troubles?”

Leasing News attempted to reach officers at Marlin Business Services on Friday, even though we have been told in the past any statements to the media will be solely made through Security Exchange Commission filings.

In April, a reliable source told Leasing News that Dominic Janney was next after Mike Bennie, the former vice-president of the leasing broker division, who was fired April 2007. Both Janney and Mancini reportedly thought they would be next and allegedly started working on a business plan to start a small ticket leasing company on their own. Bennie started working on an investor plan right away instead of looking for employment elsewhere. He told Leasing News then he did not want to work for a large leasing company again such as Marlin or Advanta. The rumor that Janney, Mancini, and Gallo
would join Bennie in a separate company was not true.

In two separate meetings last week, all the employees were called in and told that Vice-President Dominic Janney, Tom Mancini, and Joe Gallo were let go because they were recruiting Marlin employees for a new leasing company, according to five highly reliable sources.

Marlin reportedly was “sent” a copy of the investor proposal that Janney and Mancini were working on in the evenings and weekends. In reality, they were doing exactly what CEO Dan Dyer did when at Advanta in forming Marlin Business Services.

Today only two are left from the original group that he helped form while at Advanta. Dan Dyer, CEO, and Bill Waddell, National Sales Manager, Broker Services Division. By the way, Waddell reportedly works from home and is rarely seen in the office. His main role, Leasing News is told is to build relationships with large accounts to get Marlin endorsed as the lessor of choice.

Gone are:

Gary Shivers, former president of Marlin.
Gary Kester, former VP of credit services.
Mike Bennie, former VP in charge of broker services.
Mike Witt, former director of legal.
Mark King, former director of credit.
Brian Cornell, former director of sales.
John Forsyth, former jack of all trades. (Sales, syndications, major accounts, etc)
Marcel Gilbert, former VP of IT (considered one of the best in the business )
Dominic Janney, former VP in charge of retail sales.
Tom Mancini, former VP in charge of copier sales and residuals.

The reported thrust today at Marlin Leasing appears not to be factoring, and actually leasing is not the main item, but unsecured business capital loans from $10,000 to $50,000. Marlin supposedly sees this as a necessity in today's money market and that is what they are pushing. The factoring operation is no longer being emphasized and unsecured business loans is the main mission, Leasing News was told. Broker business had been their main stay, although played down in their quarterly filings. By the way, included in the broker business are large "broker/lessors," reportedly such as Five Point Capital, San Diego, California, who does a minimum of $1.5 million a month and has had highs of $2 million a month, three highly reliable sources told Leasing News. Their unsatisfactory Better Business Bureau report is evidently not a deterrent to the Marlin credit department.

Dominic Jenney had been with Marlin for nine years. In December, 2002, he was promoted to Director of Retail Sales, Southeastern Division.

The December, 2005 press release stated: "Gary Shivers, President of Marlin Leasing Corp., has worked with Janney for many years and is confident in Janney’s ability. Dominic is professional, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable in the industry. I am confident that under his leadership our Southeastern Division will exceed its goals.”

He later became vice-president of retail sales. It was rumored he would be the next president of Marlin, who has been without the position since December when Gary Shivers reportedly resigned.

Marlin Leasing Corp., Dominic Janney, Gerri D'Elia, and Mike McGinley (second and third from the left and third from the right) join LaVonne Still, Rachele Martin, Donnell Connor, and Alaiah with Bierria.
www.crossroadsprograms.com
(only photograph of Janney, none available for Mancini or Gallo as well as Bennie.)

An insider told Leasing News, “Dominic was the one that could walk into any office, recruit quality sales people, train them, motivate them, and watch the sales grow. He turned Atlanta around. He ran his departments firmly yet fairly.

“Tom Mancini was responsible for much of the sales recorded, running the office equipment division, that the SEC filings show a good percentage of leasing business for Marlin. He had been with Marlin for nine years. On all the FMV leases, he always got many extra payments, extending the leases and handling the lessees happy to make payments while they thought about replacements or purchasing or would shop around, forgetting they were still making extra lease payments than the original term of the contract.”

It is important to note that the Marlin 12/31/06 year-end financial
statement reports 21.32% of their business was copiers, 2.19% office
furniture, all the responsibility of Mancini (see SEC filing below.)

An insider told Leasing News:

“Tom Mancini was a VP and head of the copier division. On any given month, Tom Mancini and Mike Bennie’s (broker) divisions produced over 70% of monthly lease volume. Tom Mancini was very high up at Advanta and recruiting Tom was actually Gary Shivers biggest blow to Advanta. Tom was a genius in managing leases in renewal. His knowledge of copier leasing and residuals was always essential to Marlin’s success. Make no mistake. This is HUGE news. Marlin is now officially a sinking ship.

“Joe Gallo was with the company for over 7 years and worked directly for Joe Dyer (Dan Dyer’s identical twin brother). He was in the finance department, actively involved in securitizations."

Another insider said, "Mancini is a leasing wizard. Tom had been with Marlin since late 1998. This is a wrong time for him to be out of work as he and his wife are expecting twins."

It appears all sales report directly to attorney George Pelose, who reportedly walks directly to his office every day and is not seen again. Pelose appears to have been in charge of himself as an attorney and has had little management experience. Insiders say he treats everything as if he is putting together a legal case for court.
 
As for CEO Dan Dyer, they state the Leasing News description of a sales personality like a bee sting fits him. They state with a spread sheet he is a wiz, but as for sales, he doesn't like people.

At the meeting announcing the dismissal of Janney, Mancini, and Gallo, several sources told us employees were seen crying. One present employee confirmed this. Several reportedly were frightened at the procedure and the legal repercussions about recruiting others for employment somewhere else. Allegedly Dominic Janney, Tom Mancini, and Joe Gallo had an investor portfolio making the rounds.
They were doing this on their on time, had not even rented a space, let alone considered hiring anyone.

Leasing News has been contacted by Human Resource personnel for telephone numbers of those we write about who have left various companies. Recently a human resource person for a major New England funder said he was very interested in hiring anyone who had left Marlin or wanted to leave.

Comparison of Marlin Business Services/Advanta
Marlin vs. Advanta 5 year glance. Advanta up 275%. Marlin is up zero.

MBS SEC filing
("The Company today announced the dismissal of two of its sales managers. They were terminated for actions inconsistent with their duties to the Company. An investigation of this matter is ongoing."
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Marlin_Aug17.pdf

Recent Marlin Leasing Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Marlin_1st_qtr.htm

Marlin 2006 Year-End Report:
http://www.snl.com/Cache/3525390.pdf?FID=3525390&O=3&IID=4089372&OSID=9

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Classified Ads---Sales Manager

Atlanta, GA
Strong sales and leadership skills; demonstrated with sales training and sales performance. Lead team in both regional and national operations and developed marking programs.
Email: mll1946@comcast.net
[Resume]
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Resumes/Michael_Leonard.pdf

To place a free “job wanted” ad here, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

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Looking for a job? Say “Thank you!”

www.accountingweb.comb

Help your clients defer capital gains taxes when selling investment property by using Bayview 1031 as their Qualified Intermediary. Bayview focuses on facilitating 1031 Exchanges of investment real estate with unparalleled quality, speed and competitive pricing. Learn more.

Your mother told you to do it, and now a new survey shows she was right: Sending a thank-you note not only displays impeccable manners but also may give job hopefuls an edge over other applicants. While nearly nine out of 10 of executives polled (88 percent) said sending a thank-you note following an interview can boost a job seeker's chances, they also estimate that half of applicants (49 percent) fail to do so. The good news: More candidates are following up post-interview today than five years ago.

The national poll included responses from 150 senior executives - including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments - with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals.

Eighty-eight percent of executives said they consider a post-interview thank-you note influential when evaluating candidates, a slight increase from when executives were asked this same question five years ago (86 percent in 2002).

Executives polled said half (51 percent) of the candidates they interview send thank-you notes afterward, compared with 39 percent five years ago.

Executives also were asked, "How do you prefer to receive thank-you messages from candidates following interviews?" Their responses:

"Regardless of how someone believes he or she performed during the interview, sending a short thank-you note afterward demonstrates initiative and courtesy," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Conveying appreciation in a well-written message is not only polite, it also can distinguish a job applicant from others vying for the same position."

Messmer added that the best strategy often is to send an e-mail shortly after the interview, followed by more formal correspondence. "E-mail ensures immediacy, but hiring managers still favor the personal touch of a handwritten note," he said.

According to Accountemps, thank-you notes should be just a few paragraphs in length and accomplish three objectives: Express your appreciation for the opportunity; reinforce your interest in the job; and restate the value you can bring to the organization.

Accountemps has more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.

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The List 2nd Quarter

To view the List in Chronological order, please go here:

http://www.leasingnews.org/list_chron_new.htm

Alphabetically: http://www.leasingnews.org/list_alpha_new.htm

Here are the new additions to the list

June

Commercial Money Center, So. Ca. (06/07 Kelly Fisher-Buh takes a plea agreement in $300 million dollar tax evasion claimed by United States Attorney Carol C. Lam, who brought a twelve-count indictment charging Sterling Wayne Pirtle, Ronald Allen Fisher, Mark Edward Fisher and Kelly Michelle Fisher-Buh with income tax evasion, arising from their receipt of unreported and untaxed income from their operation of a now-bankrupt CMC. She admitted to not reporting perhaps as much as over $600,000 in income.

(new)
Wildwood Financial (6/07) Wildwood Financial its doors (4/07) Founder and well-known industry
leader Bob Baker, CLP, dies from his second stroke.

(new)
Pacific Capital Leasing (Santa Barbara, CA) (06/07) It’s official, $280 million (06/07) Leasing News reports Pacific Capital sold to LEAF Financial

Parker Leasing and Finance (Parker Leasing),Florida-- (06/07) Parker sons convicted.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202007/06-08-07.htm#park

IFC Credit, Morton Grove, IL (06/07) Missouri AG files against IFC (06/07) FTC files against IFC/Texas AG first to follow

May

(new)
Sterling Financial, Lancaster, PA (4/07) Sterling finds $165MM Fraud/Fires 5 Officers (4/07) Looks like this is serious (3/07) Postpones first quarter earnings, after receiving information suggesting irregularities related to certain financing contracts in one of its financial services group companies, Equipment Finance LLC (EFI).

NetBank/formerly Republic Leasing of South Carolina (4/07) It is official, EverBank acknowledged as making the offer.(3/07) Leasing News reports from insiders that the bank is sold.

CIT Group (4/07) CIT hit with $64 Million Insurance Class Action Suit (3/07) First Quarter: Top-line revenue grew 14% as a result of our 24% increase in new business volume.

ACC Capital/Amembal Capital (4/07) William Dalton named President/CCO.

Matsco Financial(4/07) parent bank Greater Bay Bank sold to Wells Fargo, rumor WF wants to keep operation in Emeryville,CA.

April

(new)
Icon Capital (New York, S.F.) (3/07) President Beau Clarke passes away, cause not known.

DVI Capital (3/07) Steven Garfinkel, the former chief financial officer of DVI, Warwick, PA was sentenced to 2 ½ years prison, as well as serving five years of probation; in addition he is to repay Fleet Bank $51.7million at the rate of $200 a month upon his release. At that rate, the then 66 year old Garfinkel will not satisfy the debt for 21,542 years.

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Top Stories--August 13--August 17

Here are the top ten stories most “opened” by readers last week:

(1) Apology: Five Point Capital Press Release
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-13-07.htm#sorry

(2) CIT to be Sold? by Christopher Menkin
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-15-07.htm#cit

(3) Archives, August 17, 2000
-37 Leasing Companies Major Changes
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-17-07.htm#arch

(4) John Estok, CLP, resigns from IFC Credit
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-17-07.htm#ifc

(5) Subprime Problems Spread Into Commercial Loans
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/business/15fund.html?ref=business

(6) Alleged $32MM Leasing Scam Artist Romney fund raiser
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/08/12/
romney_fund_raiser_quits_after_indictment/

(7) Drayer surrenders/Barker gets 60 months
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-15-07.htm#rwp

(8) Sales Makes it Happen---Linda P. Kester
“Objections we all see”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-15-07.htm#sales

(9) Banks/Leasing Stocks Friday Flat, Marlin Not
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-13-07.htm#stock

(10) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
"Fraud/Documentation"
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202007/08-13-07.htm#102

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Accounts Manager

ACCOUNT MANAGER Phoenix, AZ or virtual office Responsible for developing and managing Vendor Programs with equipment manufacturers and vendors Click here for more detailed information. Manufacturers' Lease Plans Inc. (MLPi) is the pioneer of short-term rental and operating lease financing, funding high technology equipment manufacturers since the 1960s.

www.leaseplans.com

Controller

Controller Boca Raton, FL CPA, 5 yrs leasing exp. min. 15 yrs in accounting. For more info, please click here Océ Financial Services, Inc. is a dedicated captive leasing company, consolidating all lease-related activity for Océ North America and Océ Imagistics.

www.oceusa.com

EFD Credit Officer

Operations / Doc / Funding

OPERATIONS / DOC / FUNDING COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA Full Time Documentation / Funding Clerk START DATE: Position Available Immediately Ground floor opportunity to join fast growing Independent Lessor. Experience required. Word and Excel skills a must. Benefits provided. Bonus plan participation. Salary commensurate with experience. Please fax resume to 714-556-3765. Outline salary expectations.

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Leasing 102

by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

UCC – Legal Rules—Part I

An equipment lease for legal purposes is either a “lease intended as a security” governed by Article 9 or what we call a “true lease” handled by Article 2A (10 in California). The benefits of being a true lease are numerous. But let’s start with the definition of what is a true lease for legal purposes. To be able to use 2A you must quality as a true lease and the definition is found in Par.1-201 (37) of the Uniform Commercial Code. This is under General Definitions: Security Interest”. This appears to be strange because why is the definition of a lease found under the definition of a security interest? It is because leasing is an “exception” to a security interest therefore you have to read the definition in the negative instead of the positive. In other words a lease is “not” a security interest.

“Whether a transaction creates a lease or security interest is determined by the facts of each case; however, a transaction creates a security interest if the consideration the lessee is to pay to the lessor for the right to possession and use of the goods is an obligation for the term of the lease not subject to termination by the lessee, and

(a) the original term of the lease is equal to or greater than (80%) of the remaining economic life of the goods (equipment).
(b) the lessee is bound to renew the lease for the remaining economic life of the goods or is bound to become the owner of the goods.
(c) The lessee has an option to renew the lease for the remaining economic life of the goods for no consideration or nominal additional consideration upon compliance with the lease agreement, or
(d) The lessee has an option to become the owner of the goods for no additional consideration or nominal additional consideration upon compliance with the lease agreement.”

One note of comment; for legal purposes it is the “facts” that count not the “intent” as seen in federal income tax requirements.

“A transaction does not create a security interest merely because it provides that

(a) the present value of the consideration the lessee is obligated to pay the lessor for the right to possession and use of the goods is substantially equal to or is greater than the fair market value of the goods at the time the lease is entered into.
(b) the lessee assumes risk of loss of the goods, or agrees to pay taxes, insurance, filing, recording, or registration fees, or service or maintenance costs with respect to the goods.
(c) the lessee has an option to renew the lease or to become the owner of the goods.
(d) the lessee has an option to renew the lease for a fixed rent that is equal to or greater than the reasonably predictable fair market rent for the use of the goods for the term of the renewal at the time the option is to be preformed, or
(e)the lessee has an option to become the owner of the goods for a fixed price that is equal to or greater than the reasonably predictable fair market value of the goods at the time the option is to be performed.

For purposes of this subsection (37):

x    Additional consideration is not nominal if (i.) when the option to renew the lease is granted to the lessee the rent is stated to be the fair market rent for the use of the goods for the term of the renewal determined at the time the option is to be performed, or (ii) when the option to become the owner of the goods is granted to the lessee the price is stated to be the fair market value of the goods determined at the time the option is to be performed. Additional consideration is nominal if it is less than the lessee’s reasonably predictable cost of performing under the lease agreement if the option is not exercised;

y    “Reasonably predictable” and “remaining economic life of the goods” are to be determined with reference to the facts and circumstances at the time the transaction is entered into; and

z    “Present value” means the amount as of a date certain of one or more sums payable in the future, discounted to the date certain. The discount is determined by the interest rate specified by the parties if the rate is not manifestly unreasonable at the time the transaction is entered into: otherwise, the discount is determined by a commercially reasonable rate that takes into account the facts and circumstances of each case at the time the transaction was entered into.

In the next Article I will discuss some additional issues regarding the legal rules and there impact on equipment leasing. Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-327-8666.
He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

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News Briefs----

Hurricane Dean Batters Jamaica, Heads Toward Mexico
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/world/americas/20wire-hurricane.html
?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Sterling Financial Corporation of Lancaster, Pa., Request for Continued Nasdaq Listing Granted
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070817/nef024.html?.v=18

Fed lowers one rate, but will it take down another?
http://www.snl.com/interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-6425645-11363

Businesses Pinched as Loan Spigot Shuts Off
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/19/
AR2007081901415.html

There Goes the Neighborhood: As More Subprime Loans Topple, Even Buyers With Good Credit See Trouble Ahead.
http://www.absnet.net/include/showarticle.asp?tab=news

Net Worth: What the Fed move means to markets
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/19/
BUUERKPAV.DTL&type=business

Fitch Affirms Caterpillar Inc. & CAT Financial's Ratings
http://www.fitchratings.com/corporate/events/press_releases_detail.cfm?pr_id=365412
&sector_flag=7&marketsector=1&detail=

Hewlett Introduces a Web Feature to Make Document Printing Mobile
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/technology/20print.html?ref=business

Huge SoCal fire grows, governor declares state of emergency
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/08/19/state/n205017D74.DTL

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You May have Missed---

UPS marks its 100th year
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003842893_ups19.html

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Sports Briefs----

49ers able to get by Raiders
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/19/49ERS.TMP

Quinn impresses in debut but can't help Browns beat Lions
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-08-18-browns-lions-quinn-debu
t_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Shockley out for season
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/08/19/
shockley_0820.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

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“Gimme that Wine”

The Purple Pinot Maker
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/17/WII1R5HC9.DTL

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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Calendar Events This Day

Bamboo Celebration Day
Strict government restrictions enacted on August 20, 1912 have been loosened, allowing for limited American planting. This is a day to plant Nandina or another bamboo shrub or plant or tree.

Hungry: St. Stephen’s Day
National holiday. Commemorates the canonization of St. Stephen, kind and founder of the state in 1083. Under the Communists, commemorated as Constitution Day.

Morocco: Revolution of the King and the People
National holiday. Commemorates the response of the people to Sultan (later King) Sidi Muhammad being sent into exile in 1953 by the French.

National Radio Day
http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/radioday.htm

Saint feast Days

• St. Bernard of Clairvaux
• St. Amadour
• St. Bernard of Valdeiglesias
• St. Edbert
• St. Haduin
• St. Heliodorus
• St. Herbert Hoscam
• St. Leovigild and Christopher
• St. Lucius
• St. Ronald
• Martyrs of Thrace
• St. Maximus

http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/aug.php

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At birth a human has 350 bones, but only 206 bones when full grown.

(We will have to state this is incorrect. Number 34. At birth a human has 300 bones, according to the following sites, and 206 bones as a human.)

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/bones_SW.html
http://www.hhmi.org/cgi-bin/askascientist/highlight.pl?kw=&file=answers/
structure/ans_021.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skeleton

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Today's Top Event in History

1912-After the Japanese beetle invaded the East Coast and other diseases were affecting agriculture, Congress passed a quarantine law for plants, directed against dangerous plant diseases and injurious insect pests “ new to or not theretofore widely prevalent or distributed within and through the United States.” Plants that could transmit white-pin, blister rust or potato wart, and plants that might harbor the Mediterranean fruit fly, were immediately affected. Other species before the turn of the century had been affected, such as the “mighty American chestnut oak” that dominated the Northeast was basically extinct by this date.
http://ncnatural.com/NCNatural/trees/chestnut.html

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This Day in American History

    1494 - Columbus returned to Hispaniola. He had confirmed that Jamaica was an island and failed to find a mainland.
    1619- The first Black slaves brought by the Dutch to the colony of Jamestown. The colonists desperately needed workers for the tobacco crop. Europe was becoming “addicted “ to snuff and smoking tobacco in a pipe, inhaling. The Indians had introduced the colonies to tobacco, who were learning to grow and dry it. Europe was “mad” for the smoke and snuff for gentlemen. John Rolfe writes in his diary, “About the last of August came in a dutch man of warre that sold us twenty negars”
By the time of the American Revolution, the English importers alone had brought some 3'000'000 captive Africans to the Americas. After the war, as slave labor was not a crucial element of the Northern economy, most Northern states passed legislation to abolish slavery. However, in the South, the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 sharply increased the need for slave labor, and tension arose between the North and the South as the slave or free status of new states was debated. In 1807, with a self-sustaining population of over four million slaves in the South, some Southern congressmen joined with the North in voting to abolish the African slave trade effective 01 January 1808. Nevertheless, the widespread trade of slaves within the South was not prohibited, and illegal trade of African slaves to Brazil and Cuba continued until the 1860s. By 1865, over twelve million Africans had been shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, and some one million of these individuals had died from mistreatment during the voyage. In addition, an estimated three million died in Africa in slave wars and forced marches directly resulting from the Western Hemisphere's demand for African slaves.
http://www.tobacco.org/History/Jamestown.html#aaBlacks
http://www.apva.org/history/
http://www.nps.gov/colo/Jthanout/AFRICANS.html
    1704- The first underground sewer in Boston was constructed by Francis Thrasher, at his own expense. The move led to municipal regulations governing disposal of refuse and garbage. By 1710, the selectmen of Boston were giving licenses to private citizens for digging up streets for sewer construction. Now you may not think this is a big deal, but think how waste was removed in this time, most often just thrown raw into the streets.
    1741 -- Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering, commisioned by Peter the Great of Russia to find land connecting Asia and North America, discovers Alaska as well as the Pacific Coast of America.
    1785- Oliver Hazard Perry, American naval hero, born at South Kingston, RI. Best remembered is his announcement of victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1824: “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_H
istorians_Vol_III/Commodore_c.html
    1788 - A small but powerful hurricane inflicted great havoc upon forests along a narrow track from New Jersey to Maine. A similar storm track today would cause extreme disaster in the now populated area.
1794 Major General “Mad” Anthony Wayne routs Indians at Fallen Timbers, Ohio
http://www.heidelberg.edu/FallenTimbers/FTCommemorate.html
    1813-African-American Richard Allen chairs the first National Negro Convention in Philadelphia.
http://www.triadntr.net/~rdavis/allen.htm
    1833- Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the US, born at North Bend, Ohio. He was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the US. His term of office 1889-1893, was preceded and followed by the presidential terms of Grover Cleveland ( who became the 22nd and 24th president ).
http://www.americanpresident.org/kotrain/courses/BH/BH_In_Brief.htm
    1845-Wilberforce University established in Ohio, 1856
    1866- the newly organized National Labor Union called on Congress to mandate an eight-hour workday. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug20.html
    1867-Anson Mills, brevet lieutenant colonel in the Army, Fort Bridger, UT, was granted a patent for a new cartridge belt. Moisture had previously affected cartridge belts. Mills invented a woven cartridge belt, and the machinery for making it, which was adopted by both the army and Navy.
    1905 –Jazz trombonist/singer/composer/bandleader Jack Teagarden Birthday
http://www.redhotjazz.com/tea.html
http://teagardenonline.com/bio01.htm
    1911- “This message sent around the world,” sent at 7pm from the New York Times and received back at 7:16:30pm, traveling over 28,613 miles via 16 relay stations to become the first telegraph message sent around the world. It was the front page headline and quite an event for its era.
    1912-After the Japanese beetle invaded the East Coast and other diseases were affecting agriculture, Congress passed a quarantine law for plants, directed against dangerous plant diseases and injurious insect pests “ new to or not theretofore widely prevalent or distributed within and through the United States.” Plants that could transmit white-pin, blister rust or potato wart, and plants that might harbor the Mediterranean fruit fly, were immediately affected. Other species before the turn of the century had been affected, such as the “mighty American chestnut oak” that dominated the Northeast was basically extinct by this date.
http://ncnatural.com/NCNatural/trees/chestnut.html
    1920- The first radio station to be licensed was 8MK, owned by the Detroit News, which began later instituted daily service with the program, “ Tonight’s Dinner.” The call letters were changed later to WWJ.
    1921--Birthday of Jacqueline Susann - U.S. novelist. Her novel Valley of the Dolls (1966, and the movie in 1967) became the world's most popular, best-selling novel to that time - and remains the top selling novel even today.
t sold more than 17 million copies. Her other novels were also made into movies and were best sellers. She died at the peak of her success at 53.
    1924-Birthday of Jim Reeves, country music start, born at Galloway, Panola County, TX, and died at Nashville,TN, July 31,1964, when the single-engine plane in which he was traveling crashed in a dense fog. Reeve’s biggest hit was “He’ll Have to Go.” (1959) and he was inducted into he Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967.
    1926-Birthday of trombonist Frank Rosolino, Detroit, MI.
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_ROSOLINO.htm
http://www.ita-web.org/competitions/rosolino/
    1927-Birthday of guitarist Jimmy Raney, Louisville, KY.
    1931-Birthday of drummer Frankie Capp,Worcester, MA.
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/c2/frankie_capp_b.htm
    1940 -- Radar is used for the first time, by the British during the Battle of Britain. Also on this day, in a radio broadcast, Winston Churchill makes his famous homage to the Royal Air Force: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
    1942-University of Chicago scientist Glen Seaborg and his colleagues first weighed plutonium, the first man made element.
    1942-Birthday of pianist/composer Isaac Hayes, Covington, TN
http://www.isaachayes.com/bio.html
    1944-Birthday of drummer Terry Clarke, Vancouver, British Columbia.
    1945- Tommy Brown of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the youngest player in major league history to hit a home run when he connected against pitcher Preacher Roe of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brown was 17 years, eight months and 14 days old.
    1945-Woody Herman Band records “Bijou.”
    1945- Dodger Tommy Brown becomes the youngest player (17 years, 8 months and 14 days) in major league history to hit a home run. 'Buckshot', who started his career as a 16 year-old high school student, connects off 30-year old Pirates' southpaw Preacher Roe.The Phillies are rained out for an unprecedented tenth consecutive time.
    1946- Prior to the start of the game against the Senators in Washington, using the U.S. Army's Sky Screen Chronograph, Bob Feller's fastball is clocked at 98.6 miles-per-hour breaking Yankees' hurler Donald's 1939 speed record of 94.7 mph.Grover Alexander is reached for nine straight hits and six runs as the Cubs defeat Phillies,10-4.
    1948 - Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin is born in West Bromwich, England. Five of the group's albums reach No. 1 on Billboard's pop album chart. In the mid-80s Plant organizes the Honeydrippers, featuring rock legends Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Nile Rodgers. The ensemble has a No. 3 hit in 1985 with ``Sea of Love.''
    1948- The largest crowd (78,382) ever to attend a night game sees Satchel Paige become the fourth consecutive Indian to throw a shutout. The ageless wonder joins Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak and Bob Lemon in blanking the opposition.
    1949--Birthday of American composer Leonard Lehrman, born Ft. Riley,KS.
160 works, including 10 operas, among them completions of 20 works by Marc Blitzstein, most notably his operas "Idiots First" and "Sacco and Vanzetti". Works published by Theodore Presser, Carl Fischer, and (Blitzstein completions) Boosey & Hawkes, recorded by Opus One, Premier, Capstone, and Original Cast Recordings.
    1954-Meteorologist/chef/author bon vivant Al Roker born Brooklyn, NY.
http://www.alroker.com/bio.cfm
http://www.alroker.com/main.cfm
http://www.msnbc.com/onair/bios/a_roker.asp
    1955---Top Hits
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Hard to Get - Gisele MacKenzie
The Yellow Rose of Texas - Mitch Miller
I Don’t Care - Webb Pierce
    1960-Birthday of American Composer Thomas Dempster, born Sandusky, MI.
    1960- Connie Francis began work on her first movie, "Where the Boys Are." She also starred in the sequel, "When the Boys Meet the Girls."
    1963---Top Hits
Fingertips - Pt 2 - Little Stevie Wonder
Blowin’ in the Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary
Judy’s Turn to Cry - Lesley Gore
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
    1964-- US President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the anti-poverty Economic Opportunity Act (totaling nearly $1 billion)
    1966-The thoroughbred Buckpasser, owned by Ogden Phipps, won the Travers Stakes at Saratoga to become the first 3-year-0ld to pass the $1 million mark in career earnings.
    1966--The Temptations' "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" is released.
    1967-Birthday of American Composer Amos Elkana, born Boston, MA.
    1967-the New York Times reported on a new noise-reduction system for album and tape recording developed by R. and D.W. Dolby. First used by a subsidiary of Elektra Records, the Dolby noise reduction system became the industry standard.
    1968--LAMBERS, PAUL RONALD
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. place and date: Tay Ninh province, Republic of Vietnam, 20 August 1968. Entered service at: Holland, Mich. Born: 25 June 1942, Holland, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. (then Sgt.) Lambers distinguished himself in action while serving with the 3d platoon, Company A. The unit had established a night defensive position astride a suspected enemy infiltration route, when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial enemy onslaught, the platoon leader fell seriously wounded and S/Sgt. Lambers assumed command of the platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, S/Sgt. Lambers left his covered position, secured the platoon radio and moved to the command post to direct the defense. When his radio became inoperative due to enemy action, S/Sgt. Lambers crossed the fire swept position to secure the 90mm recoilless rifle crew's radio in order to re-establish communications. Upon discovering that the 90mm recoilless rifle was not functioning, S/Sgt. Lambers assisted in the repair of the weapon and directed canister fire at point-blank range against the attacking enemy who had breached the defensive wire of the position. When the weapon was knocked out by enemy fire, he single-handedly repulsed a penetration of the position by detonating claymore mines and throwing grenades into the midst of the attackers, killing 4 more of the Viet Cong with well aimed hand grenades. S/Sgt. Lambers maintained command of the platoon elements by moving from position to position under the hail of enemy fire, providing assistance where the assault was the heaviest and by his outstanding example inspiring his men to the utmost efforts of courage. He displayed great skill and valor throughout the 5-hour battle by personally directing artillery and helicopter fire, placing them at times within 5 meters of the defensive position. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire at great risk to his own life in order to redistribute ammunition and to care for seriously wounded comrades and to move them to sheltered positions. S/Sgt. Lambers' superb leadership, professional skill and magnificent courage saved the lives of his comrades, resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force and were largely instrumental in thwarting an enemy offensive against Tay Ninh City. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969 - 'Never say die' Camille let loose a cloudburst in Virginia resulting in flash floods and landslides which killed 151 persons and cause 140 million dollars damage. Massies Hill VA received 27 inches of rain.
    1969 - Andy Williams received a gold record for the album "Happy Heart" on Columbia Records.
    1971---Top Hits
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - The Bee Gees
Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
I’m Just Me - Charley Pride
    1971- Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas introduced the first electronic pocket calculator. It weighed about 2.5 pounds and cost $149. It could add, subtract, multiply, and divide, displaying the results in an LED ( light-emitting diode) window.
    1973-The Rolling Stones release "Angie."
    1974 -- House of Representatives votes 412-3 to recommend three articles of impeachment against President Richard M. Nixon. The first charges him with taking part in a criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice in the Watergate cover-up; the second charges he "repeatedly" failed to carry out his constitutional oath in a series of alleged abuses of power; & the third accuses him of unconstiutional defiance of committee subpoenas.
    1974 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``(You're) Having My Baby,'' Paul Anka with Odia Coates. Anka last hit No. 1 with ``Lonely Boy'' in 1959, marking the longest gap between top singles
    1976-Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," about an ore carrier which sank on Lake Superior, was released as a single. The song, from the album "Summertime Dream," made it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100
    1977 - The song "Best of My Love", by the Emotions, topped the pop charts. It had a number one run of four weeks. http://www.70disco.com/emotions.htm
http://www.grooveentertainmentinc.com/emo.htm
    1978-After 37 consecutive years, the Stan Kenton Band folds. “Peanut Vendor.”
http://www.gemlimited.com/kenton.htm
    1979---Top Hits
Good Times - Chic
My Sharona - The Knack
The Main Event/Fight - Barbra Streisand
Coca Cola Cowboy - Mel Tillis
    1985 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Power of Love,'' Huey Lewis & the News. The million-selling single, which is featured in the hit film ``Back to the Future,'' is the band's first No. 1 song.
    1986 - U.S. Census Bureau officials reported that the U.S. population stood at 240,468,000 and the median age reached an all-time high of 31-1/2 years.
    1986 - The temperature at San Antonio, TX, soared to an all-time record high of 108 degrees.
    1987---Top Hits
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2
Who’s That Girl - Madonna
Luka - Suzanne Vega
A Long Line of Love - Michael Martin Murphey.
    1988 - Raleigh, NC, reported a record hot temperature reading of 103 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 75 mph in southern Pittsburgh County. Thunderstorms in Indiana produced 4.50 inches of rain at Morgantown.
    1989 - Early morning thunderstorms deluged southeastern Delaware with six to ten inches of rain in four to six hours, with local reports of 13 to 20 inches of rain. Twenty-six major roads were closed or damaged, and fourteen bridges were washed out. Flooding caused nearly four million dollars damage to local businesses.
    1989- About 20,000 people ended a week-long 20th anniversary celebration of the Woodstock Festival at the festival's original site near Bethel, New York. They left behind a mountain of mud and empty beer cans. The unsanctioned gathering had only one serious incident - a stabbing. Folksinger Melanie was the only Woodstock veteran to show up. She performed from a makeshift stage.
    1993---Top Hits
Can t Help Falling In Love (From "Sliver")- UB40
Whoomp! (There It Is)- Tag Team
I m Gonna Be (500 Miles)- The Proclaimers
Slam-Onyx
    1996- Just ten days after Microsoft shipped its first Web browser, Netscape released a letter they had sent to the Justice Department earlier in the month alleging that Microsoft had sought to gain an unfair advantage by offering computer makers and Internet service providers improper payments and other incentives to use Internet Explorer instead of Netscape Navigator. Microsoft denied the allegations, but the question of Microsoft's tactics in promoting Internet Explorer came under heavy scrutiny in the Justice Department's 1998 antitrust suit against Microsoft.
    1996--Carlos Santana receives a star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame.
    1998- At Shea Stadium, Cardinal first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in three consecutive seasons. Mac's seventh inning solo shot helps to defeat the Mets, 2-0.
    2000 - Tiger Woods won the 82nd PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Woods birdied the last two holes in regulation and won the championship in a playoff over Bob May, becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open) in one year. He was the first player to win back-to-back PGA championships since Denny Shute in 1936 and 1937.
    2000 -The winningest pitcher in franchise history is honored by the Yankees during Whitey Ford Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. The crafty lefty holds the team record for victories (236) , innings pitched (3,170 1/3), strikeouts (1,956) and shutouts (45).
    2002 -A judge issues a temporary restraining order preventing the sale of Barry Bonds' 600th career home run ball hit into the Pacific Bell Park stands on August 9. Jay Arsenault, who allegedly promised friends after being given a game ticket to split any monetary gains if he caught the historic baseball, has been ordered to appear in court for hearing on September 5 along with the prized souvenir.
    2002---Top Hits
Dilemma- Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland
Hot In Herre- Nelly
Complicated- Avril Lavigne
Just A Friend 2002- Mario
    2005- Using the equivalent of a 98-miles-per-hour major league fastball, 12-year old Kalen Pimentel ties a Little League World Series record for strikeouts in a six-inning game. The 12-year old from Rancho Buena Vista strikes out 18 Owensboro batters (all of the recorded outs) as his team coasts to 7-2 victory in the pool play of the tournament.

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Baseball Poem

Love of the Game
        by David Michael Chambers

Crack of the bat
Love of the game
This is a picture
That needs no frame

From the pitcher’s stance
High atop of the mound
To the cheer of the crowd
What a terrific sound

The ball flies high
Up into the air
When it comes down
Will it be fowl or fair?

The outfielder runs hard
Attempting to catch the ball
But into fowl territory
Alas does it fall

Once again
The pitcher comes set
Letting go with a fastball
His fastest yet

The batter then swings
With all his mustered might
Hoping to hit the ball
Clean out of sight

Clearing that outfield fence
Is what he longs to see!
Trotting around the bags
Crossing that plate with glee

A pop the batter does hear
As the ball shoots into the glove like a spike
Followed by the umpire’s ringing up
The batter’s third and final strike

On his way to the dugout
Smiling without shame
With a heart that’s full of love
For this Baseball game

[headlines]

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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

[headlines]

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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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[headlines]