| 
####EXTRA####EXTRA#### (Regular News Edition Follows)
CIT Posts $1.62 Billion 2Q Loss; Credit Provisions Surge
By Aparajita Saha-Bubna and Kate Haywood
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
CIT Group Inc. (CIT) posted Monday a $1.62 billion quarterly loss from continuing operations as the struggling lender borrowed funds at a higher rate than it loaned out and squirreled away reserves to account for future losses.
The results strike a blow to the very core of the company's small business lending operations, heightening concerns around its ability to survive. The commercial lender, hurt by the liquidity crisis as its customers drew down credit lines in fear that they might disappear, has been working in recent weeks to avoid bankruptcy.
Full Story:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200908171910DOWJONESDJONLINE000302_FORTUNE5.htm
#### EXTRA ##### EXTRA #############EXTRA ############
Sales positions in our Calabasas, CA office
TEQlease provides customized equipment leasing solutions for businesses. |
Monday, August 17, 2009
| Actor Robert Waluigi De Niro, Jr. born August 17, 1943 New York City, New York: Supporting Actor, The Godfather, Part II (1974), Best Actor, Raging Bull (1980), Taxi Driver, Deer Hunter. |
Headlines---
Alert- Churchill Group/Churchill Leasing, Jericho, NY
Classified Ads---Sales
Bulletin Board Complaints
by Christopher Menkin
Bank Beat---77 Banks Fail to Date, largest Colonial
Placard---If you are knocked down
Leasing News Top Stories-August 10-August 14
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Banner ads work because they are "positioned"
Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Rent Payment Options
CLP Newsletter-August
Financial and Sales Training
Classified ads-Investigator
News Briefs----
Terex pays $8 million fine to settle SEC leasing charges
CIT Group debt tender offer set to expire
US Set for Pivotal Capital-Reserve Ruling
BART strike averted, tentative deal reached
Firefighters gain on fire in Santa Cruz Mountains
You May have Missed---
California Nuts Brief---
Sports Brief---
"Gimme that Wine"
Today's Top Event in History
This Day in American History
Baseball Poem
SuDoku
Daily Puzzle
GasBuddy
Weather, USA or specific area
Traffic Live----
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Alert- Churchill Group/Churchill Leasing, Jericho, NY
It appears Churchill Group/Churchill Leasing, Jericho, New York, is closed. The company was originally headquartered in Newport, CA. then in Jericho, NY. The leasing company was owned by Churchill Credit Corp. Both web sites are gone and all phone lines ring busy. Michael Berg and Peter Grace were presidents at one time. Companies trying to reach Churchill for payments or inquiring about leases to be funded notified Leasing News of this new development.
June 10, 2009 Leasing News published a Bulletin Board Complaint from Car Care of Manhasset on the company for not returning an advance rental payment. In the article, "The assignment on the lease documents has Sterling National Bank, so Andrew Corsi, Senior Vice-President, Sterling National Bank told Leasing News that an application for Car Care of Manhasset that was approved in November, 2008, but it was never sent in for funding. Since that time, being aware that some customers have had difficulty with funds due to them from Churchill, their relationship with the Lessor has been terminated."
Bulletin Board Complaint
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202009/06-10-09.htm#BulletinBoard
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Classified Ads---Sales
| Boston, MA Senior leader in companies of varying size and scope, including start-ups. My current focus is sales, as a leader or as an individual contributor. thomasherlihy33@comcast.net |
||
| Cherry Hill, NJ College grad seeking entry level sales position for equipment leasing and financing in small to mid-size ticket markets. Have 6 months experience in the industry and self-motivated. Contact Matt at 609-280-2178 or email at mkuzan@gmail.com |
||
 Aggressive salesperson with the talent to facilitate growth in current economic climate. Abilities & knowledge will significantly benefit your organization. Donna Mount - donnamount@comcast.net 719-475-0784 Resume |
||
Fort Myers, Florida |
||
Fresno, CA |
||
Minneapolis, MN |
||
| Montgomery, AL Individual with 10 years advertising sales exp. & 7 years insurance sales exp. Wants independent contractor situation in Alabama. Work with leasing company or broker.334-590-5133 E-mail: billmcneal2003@yahoo.com |
||
Open |
||
Orange County, CA |
||
Orange County, CA |
||
Oklahoma |
||
Philadelphia, PA |
||
| Philadelphia Metro Area - 30 Years experience Healthcare sales/ management- 3 years experience newly create "small-ticket" healthcare division. Good success - Mitch Utz 215-460-4483 Email: mitutz@msn.com |
||
| Pittsburgh , PA Aggressive self starter looking for leasing position w/10 plus yrs sales exp., plus banking experience 814-227-4592 mwiser500@hotmail.com |
||
Pittsburgh, PA |
||
San Francisco Bay Area: |
||
|
||
| Texas/Oklahoma 15 year lease vet looking for plact to take business.great references. all major equipment types. open to compensation. please contact if interested. E-mail: bankingdallas@yahoo.com |
For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm
To place a free "job wanted" Leasing News ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm
ELFA Career Center: Job Seekers (free):
http://careers.elfaonline.org/search.cfm
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bulletin Board Complaints
by Christopher Menkin
It appears many of the recent Bulletin Board complaints have centered on companies who are having cash flow difficulties. They don't have the money to return the "advance rentals."
When the money kept is under $5,000, and particularly when the applicant is from out of state, the complainants have great difficulty in getting the money back.
In this example, the applicant tried the Better Business Bureau,
but also went to their state attorney general's office. In this case,
it was New Jersey, and the department here referred him to the
State of California, where the leasing company was located.
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/New_Jersey_AG.pdf
The applicant addressed the letter to Edmund G. Brown, Jr., California Attorney General, who is about to seek election to the governor's office as a Democrat, but all he got was:
"We regret that we cannot be of help to you in this matter. Our jurisdiction over complaints against businesses is generally limited
to complaints form consumers regarding personal, family, or household transactions. For assistance with resolving your commercial
complaint, you may wish to consult a private attorney. An attorney
would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful."
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/California_AG.pdf
The cost of an attorney is often more than the advance rental. Many leasing companies who use this ploy of keeping an "advance rental" have a staff attorney or attorney under contract who handles these complaints, primarily delaying and delaying, often until the complainant just gives up. Or it gets too costly.
In this example, Leasing News was successful in getting the advance rentals returned.
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bank Beat---77 Banks Fail to Date, largest Colonial
As expected by everyone, Colonial Bank, Montgomery, Alabama, was closed Friday by the Alabama State Banking Department, with the FDIC entering into a purchase and assumption agreement.
Colonial Bank's 346 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas are now operating under with Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T), Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who assumed all of the deposits of Colonial Bank. BB&T now becomes the nation's eighth-largest bank Liabilities and assets are another matter. Beating the Friday closing by one day, Bank of America on Thursday won a temporary restraining order by a federal judge in Miami who ordered it to freeze $1 billion of Colonial Bank assets based on charges of fraud. In Friday's sale to BB&T a proviso was that any of the assets and liabilities that the FDIC determines are related to fraudulent or criminal activities are excluded from the sale.
Colonial was heavy into real estate, particularly in Florida, posting a $606 million second-quarter loss, its fifth loss in a row.
Tampabay.com notes:
"With more than $25 billion in assets, Colonial was the nation's 10th-biggest bank and 100 times the size of the typical bank to have failed this year.
"Colonial's downfall was slow torture. The bank, based in Montgomery, Ala., jumped into Florida a decade ago or so, eager to grow faster. It did, but when this recession hit, it found itself bloated with bad real estate loans that eventually forced its failure.
"When Colonial needed fresh capital this year, it turned, oddly, to an Ocala mortgage company called Taylor, Bean & Whitaker. The deal withered. Eleven days ago, Taylor Bean shut its doors amid federal claims of fraud. Colonial, too, was raided by the feds in Orlando as part of a federal fraud investigation."
At this point, the FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $2.8 billion. It may be higher, depending on BofA's claim. As of June 30, 2009, Colonial Bank had total assets of $25 billion and total deposits of approximately $20 billion. BB&T will purchase approximately $22 billion in assets of Colonial Bank. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.
The FDIC has issued many "Cease and Desist" orders and it appears this trend of four to five banks being closed every Friday at 6pm will continue until the end of the year. The FDIC believes many smaller banks are undercapitalized, and also unable to raise funds to meet Tier requirements.
Receivership:
Community Bank of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, was closed today by the State Commissioner, by Order of the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, which then appointed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC created the Deposit Insurance National Bank of Las Vegas (DINB), which will remain open for approximately 30 days to allow depositors access to their insured deposits and time to open accounts at other insured institutions.
Under the FDI Act, the FDIC may create a deposit insurance national bank to ensure that depositors have continued access to their insured funds where no other bank has agreed to assume the insured deposits. The DINB allows for uninterrupted direct deposits and automated payments from customers' accounts for customers with checking and NOW accounts and allows them time to find another institution with which to do business.
As of June 30, 2009, Community Bank of Nevada had total assets of $1.52 billion and total deposits of about $1.38 billion. At the time of closing, there were approximately $4.2 million in insured deposits that potentially exceeded the insurance limits. Uninsured deposits were not transferred to the DINB. This amount is an estimate that is likely to change once the FDIC obtains additional information from these customers.
The cost to the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund is estimated to be $781.5 million. Community Bank of Nevada is the 77th bank to fail this year and the third in Nevada.
Bank Purchase and Agreement:
Bank Purchase and Agreement:
Community Bank of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, was closed today by the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions: the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with MidFirst Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to assume all of the deposits of the four branches of Community Bank of Arizona.
As of June 30, 2009, Community Bank of Arizona had total assets of $158.5 million and total deposits of approximately $143.8 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, MidFirst Bank agreed to purchase approximately $125.5 million of assets.
The FDIC and MidFirst Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $55.1 million of Community Bank of Arizona's assets. MidFirst Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $25.5 million.
Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to assume all of the deposits of Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association.
As of March 31, 2009, Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association had total assets of $13.4 million and total deposits of approximately $13.8 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, PNC Bank, National Association agreed to purchase approximately $3 million of the failed bank's assets. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $6.8 million.
Union Bank, National Association, Gilbert, Arizona, second bank to fail in the state: the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement for the sole office of MidFirst Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to assume all of the deposits of Union Bank, National Association, excluding those from brokers. As of June 12, 2009, Union Bank, N.A. had total assets of $124 million and total deposits of approximately $112 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, MidFirst Bank agreed to purchase approximately $11 million of assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.
MidFirst Bank will purchase all deposits, except about $88 million in brokered deposits. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $61 million for the 75th bank failure this year, second in Arizona following Community Bank of Arizona.
Colonial Bank (complete story)---Tampabay.com
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/banking/colonial-banks-demise-could-pave-way-for-more/1027824
List of Bank Failures (now six pages):
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Leasing News Top Stories-August 10-August 14
Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:
(1) Archives--August 11, 2000
Metrolease Ceasing Operations
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-12-09.htm#Archives_11
(2) What lies ahead in leasing?
by President, Major Leasing Company
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-12-09.htm#What_Lies_Ahead
(3) Evans Bank Leasing Portfolio for Sale
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-14-09.htm#Evans_bank
(4) 51 Leasing Companies Out of Broker Business
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-12-09.htm#OutofBroker
(5) Correction---We get eMail
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-10-09.htm#we_Get_email
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-10-09.htm#Marlin
(7) Assoc. Member Count shows EAEL-UAEL Merger Failed
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-10-09.htm#Membership
(8) Sales make it Happen---by Christopher Menkin
Direct Sales vs. Independent Broker
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-12-09.htm#SalesMakeitHappen
(9) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
"Be Careful"
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-10-09.htm#Leasing102x
(10) Tie
Story Credit List ---Up-Date
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-14-09.htm#Story_Credit_List
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-10-09.htm#Sun_bank
(10) Tie
Where is he Today? John Blazek, CLP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/August%202009/08-12-09.htm#Whereishe
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Regional Sales Managers: Relationship Manager/Sales Associate: Advantage Funding, a leading national commercial vehicle and transportation equipment leasing and finance company seeks an . Our financing products are offered to new and existing relationships in the commercial coach, limousine, school bus, paratransit, funeral car, minibus and transportation industries. |
2 years+ small ticket ($150k and under) experience
ILS is a direct lender specializing in |
Top Producers Needed to Challenge |
|
Sales positions in our Calabasas, CA office
TEQlease provides customized equipment leasing solutions for businesses. |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Banner ads work because they are "positioned"
Leasing News is read more than its on line competition combined, according to the Alexa Report and other internet traffic reports. The banner ads not only get better play because more readers see them, but they are primarily placed by the editor as the last step in putting the news edition together. They are placed by the articles the editor believes the banner ad is addressed. In all printed media, and in most internet publication, an extra charge is made for the placement of a "display ad" (called a "banner ad" in internet jargon.) When given a specific location, it is called "position ad," meaning located on the front, back, inside cover, outside cover, by a specific column or section, or in a specific order. Google's claim to fame was placing ads in subjects that were opened by the marketplace the advertiser was trying to reach. That is the main difference between "print" and "on line" publications. Position. The "display ad" is placed in a story where the reader will give attention to the it. The same here at Leasing News. It is not a "sponsor ad." It doesn't rotate or flash, it appears in an article that the advertiser will get more "play." They are also rotated in the headlines for "free," no extra charge.
Banner Ad Sizes
$395, $595, $750
Banner Ad "contracts"
$595---six months $500 month/12 months $475
$750---six months $640 month/12 months $600
$395 Special--Three months in a row $1,000
($595/$750 monthly billing, $395 special: $1,000 in advance)
Combination discounts are further available with Help Ad "contracts."
All but one of the banner ads are on a one year contract. We have
one trying a three month contract. Banner ads run for 21 days and then ten days off. We also design and rotate banner ads so they don't get stall. They are not just a "name only" but a "display ad" that attracts response.
For more information, contact: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
--------------------------------------------------------------
Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Rent Payment Options
For many years we have as an industry sent invoices to the lessees for payment. Usually the leasing software programs sent the invoice at least twenty days in advance so there would be ample time for the lessee to receive it and return payment. However many past due payments were a result of the invoice not reaching the appropriate person in time resulting in angry phone calls and waived late charges. Some of this was a result of not asking for the proper location or person to direct the invoice. Regardless of how you bill the lessee it is hard to eliminate personnel for customer service to work out the consistent problems that come from payment receipts. However we are clearly moving to a cashless society and I am looking forward to the day when I can throw my computer into the river and retire but due to the current financial crisis that will not be until I am north of 90!
Some lessor's tried coupon books but soon discovered that it was hard to make a change when sales tax rates change or other assessed taxes or past due late charges needed to be added. So coupon books are not very useful in the leasing industry. Regardless of how you bill the lessee it is hard to eliminate personnel for customer service to work out the consistent problems that come from payment receipts. However we are clearly moving to a cashless society and I am looking forward to the day when I can throw my computer into the river and retire but due to the current financial crisis that will not be until I am north of 90!
To avoid legal issues of "we never received the payment invoice" you need to have a statement in your lease that addresses this problem. Example "This is a net lease. All rent and other sums payable by Lessee in connection herewith, if any, shall be paid promptly when due without notice or demand of any character." In addition it should say in raise print to be conspicuous "LESSEE'S OBLIGATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF RENT IS AND SHALL BE ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY REDUCTION, OFFSET, COUNTER-CLAIM, ABATEMENT, SUSPENSION, and DEFERMENT OR DIMINUTION FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER". Now the payment is due regardless of a notice or receipt of the invoice. Regardless of how you bill the lessee it is hard to eliminate personnel for customer service to work out the consistent problems that come from payment receipts. However we are clearly moving to a cashless society and I am looking forward to the day when I can throw my computer into the river and retire but due to the current financial crisis that will not be until I am north of 90!
Then some lessor's discovered internet invoicing to cut time and postage expense. It provided a log of when the invoice was sent and who received it but with personnel changes and the lessee fails to notify you of changes in email addresses it create just as many problems as it solved. Regardless of how you bill the lessee it is hard to eliminate personnel for customer service to work out the consistent problems that come from payment receipts. However we are clearly moving to a cashless society and I am looking forward to the day when I can throw my computer into the river and retire but due to the current financial crisis that will not be until I am north of 90!
Currently the most popular billing system is the Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement for Pre-Arranged Payments (Debits) commonly called (ACH) that automatically takes the payment from the lessee's demand account. Problems still revolve around proper payment due to lack of funds and the need for notice of additional charges for changes in sales taxes and the addition of property taxes. However it seems to be the best system. To encourage its use many lessor's have reduced their payment grace period to "0" days and/or increased their late charges rates. Regardless of how you bill the lessee it is hard to eliminate personnel for customer service to work out the consistent problems that come from payment receipts. However we are clearly moving to a cashless society and I am looking forward to the day when I can throw my computer into the river and retire but due to the current financial crisis that will not be until I am north of 90!
Whatever system you use, it is smart to review the results on a regular basis to make sure that past dues are not a function of your payment method or your contact information. Customer contact is important to maintain the integrity of your system. In today's requirement of lowering costs the collection department must be well organized and efficient. One last thing is to reorganize your credit application to include cell phones numbers, emails, and fax numbers, web sites in addition to phone numbers and equipment location and contact personnel that help the collection effort. 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 align+center: http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm
 (This ad is a "trade" for the writing of this column. Opinions contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP) |
Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------
CLP Newsletter-August
The Certified Leasing Professional August Newsletter has three CLP's with their background and their reasons as to why they decided to study and take the test to become a CLP:
Ned Luce, CLP, a leasing consultant
Miles Schmidt, CLP, Financial Pacific Company
Gary Parker, CLP, Commercial Equipment
The CLP Handbook to be issued this fall is accepting advertisers, back cover and inside pages available.
CLP Newsletter-August
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/CLP_Circular_August_2009.pdf
 |
--------------------------------------------------------------
| Adrian Miller | Wheeler Business Consulting, LLC |
| Winders Consulting Co., Inc. |
Several hold classes, and most will travel to their client's premise.
To qualify for this page, they must be an active member in an equipment leasing association.
Please fax our request form back to 408.343.3843 or you
may e-mail to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org.
Second Column: YCS - Year Company Started | YELB - Years in equipment Leasing Business
|
Name City, State Contact Website Leasing Association |
YCS YELB (see above for meaning) |
Geographic Area |
Specialty
|
Goodman & Associates Lake Forest, California Ken Goodman, CLP ken@leasegood.com 888.852.7560 www.leasegood.com NAELB |
1990 35 |
International |
"We specialize in the marketing and sales areas of leasing although we also offer training across the full spectrum of leasing skills. Clients have included lessors, lease brokers, funders and associations." |
Institute For Personal Development Vourhees, NJ Linda P. Kester linda@lindakester.com 856.489.6558 www.lindakester.com National Speakers Association |
1996 18 |
United States |
Motivating, Educating and empowering leasing sales reps to top performance. Practical ideas for success using the telephone and internet. |
Adrian Miller Port Washington, NY Adrian Miller amiller@adrianmiller.com 516-767-9288 www.adrianmiller.com www.adrianmiller.com/blog/ |
1989 |
International |
Highly results-driven, informative and enjoyable sales skills training programs that will leave participants empowered for bottom-line success. AMST guarantees a positive return on training time and investment. |
Selling Up TM |
2000 20 |
International |
By leveraging people, process and technology, Selling Up guides the next step in revenue generation and elevates sales organizations into appreciating corporate assets. |
Teichman Financial Training Sausalito, California Bob Teichman, CLP BoTei@aol.com 415.331.6445 NAELB, NEFA |
1998 43 |
International |
"We specialize in the technical side of leasing, offering comprehensive training in packaging, credit, pricing, structuring, financial analysis and operations. Our clients include lessors, lessees, lenders, associations, and government agencies." |
Wheeler Business Consulting, LLC Fallstow, Maryland Scott Wheeler, CLP Scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 410-877-0428 www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com NAELB, NEFA |
2008 26 |
USA |
Provide multiple educational products to individuals and companies engaged in the leasing/financing industry. Encourage & facilitate personal and corporate strategy building to promote efficiencies, increase productivity & future success. |
Winders Consulting Co., Inc. Louisville, KY Terry Winders, CLP Leaseconsulting@msn.com 502.327.8666 ELFA, NAELB, NEFA |
1991 35 |
USA |
Lease seminars and training on rules & regulations pricing, documentation, sales. Also procedure audits, and help to establish a leasing activity or company for brokers, bankers, and captives.. Expert witness on legal & tax. |
 (Click on ad to learn more) (Leasing News provides this ad "gratis" as a means to help support the growth of Lease Police) |
--------------------------------------------------------------
Classified ads-Investigator
Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)
All "Outsourcing" Classified ads (advertisers are both requested
and responsible to keep their free ads up to date:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm
How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing-post.htm
| Los Angeles - Licensed Private Investigators, specializing Collateral Recovery Field Investigation for the Lending industry since 1998 - Our clients include Banks, Credit Unions, Automotive and Equipment Lenders. JohnHarmonPI@aol.com |
-------------------------------------------------------------
 |
News Briefs----
---------------------------------------------------------------
You May have Missed---
Billionaire University
http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/107531/billionaire-university.html
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sports Briefs----
Y. E. Yang Shocks Woods to Win at P.G.A.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/sports/golf/17pga.html?_r=1&hp
----------------------------------------------------------------
California Nuts Briefs---
Firefighters race to control coastal blaze before weekend heat
http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_13060642?nclick_check=1
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/13/BAHO1982HN.DTL&tsp=1
BART workers to strike after board imposes contract on second-largest union
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_13052709?nclick_check=1
Wildfires sparked in Lucas Valley, Hamilton
http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_13054752
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Gimme that Wine"
Wine Country tourism feels recession's pinch
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090816/NEWS/908169969/1349?Title=Wine-Country-tourism-feels-recession-s-pinch
No. Cal. Wine grape harvest begins under economic cloud
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g8qvXpKVKcv_DhQnAQlFPkidI96gD9A2GN080
Treasure of Sierra Madre, Santa Maria Valley, California
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/08/14/lifestyle/life69.txt
Wine taster shares some secrets
http://www.examiner.com/x-6887-Northern-California-Wine-Examiner~y2009m8d13-Wine-taster-shares-some-secrets
Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/
http://www.wine-searcher.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/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Top Event in History
1956- Shelly Manne, with Previn and Vinnegar, cuts jazz version of "My Fair Lady." I used to see them in person at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, every weekend I could when I went to high school. They made one of the best jazz albums in history.
[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------
This Day in American History
1585- The Roanoke Island colony, sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh, was established on Roanoke Island, off the northeast coast of what is now North Carolina, under the leadership of Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Ralph Lane. The settlers fared badly and returned to England in June of 1586. In 1587 Raleigh sent out another group, under John White, consisting of 117 men, women, and children. White returned to England for supplies but was unable to get back to Roanoke until Aug. 17, 1590. He found all the colonists gone; the only clue to their fate was the word Croatoan carved on a tree. The meaning of this remains unexplained and no trace was ever found of the settlers.
1635- English Puritan Richard Mather, 39, first arrived in Boston. A staunch defender of the congregational form of church government, Mather is remembered today for founding the "dynasty" to which was born his son Increase Mather in 1639, and his grandson Cotton Mather in 1663.
1786- American Frontiersman Davy Crockett was born at Hawkins County, TN. He died during the final heroic defense of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, at San Antonio, TX. In his autobiography, 1834, when he was a congressman, Crockett wrote, “I leave this rule for others when I am dead. Be always sure you’re right—then go ahead.”
1790-First presidential declaration of the free and equal status of Jewish-American citizens.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug17.html
1807- Robert Fulton began the first American steamboat trip between Albany and New York, New York. He revolutionized transportation and the growth of the country, but was laughed at for his invention. The US Minister of France Robert R. Livingston raised money to allow Fulton to design and construct his “steamboat” in France. He launched his “proto-type” on the Seine in 1803. He then secured exclusive rights to operate steamboats on the New York waters. The first Albany-to-New York trip took 32 hours to travel the 150-mile course. Although his efforts were labeled “Fulton’s Folly” by his detractors, his success allowed the partnership to begin commercial services. Fulton became a wealthy man, but when his exclusive contract was up, he lost most of his business to Cornelius Vanderbilt, who parlayed his capital into banks, railroads and real estate. Excellent book at
www.amazon.com
The Vanderbilts and the Story of Their Fortune by W. A. Croffut (Hardcover - June 1975) I also recommend the next time you are either in Chicago or New York to take a “river” trip to not only see
architecture, historical landmarks, but to understand why these cities grew, primarily due to their water access, and understanding the Ferry between New York and New Jersey and other states, you can understand how Vanderbilt became a multi-millionaire as he built up a monopoly by undercutting
his competition, and when they went out of business, he raised his prices and was basically the only game in town.
1809- In Pennsylvania, Thomas Campbell, 46, and his son Alexander, 20, formed the American Movement for Christian Unity, which later became the Disciples of Christ Church.
1862 - Minnesota erupts in violence as desperate Dakota Indians attack white settlements along the Minnesota River. The Dakota were eventually overwhelmed by the U.S. military six weeks later. The Dakota Indians were more commonly referred to as the Sioux, a derogatory name derived from part of a French word meaning "little snake." They were composed of four bands, and lived on temporary reservations in southwestern Minnesota. For two decades, the Dakota were poorly treated by the Federal government, local traders, and settlers. They saw their hunting lands whittled down, and provisions promised by the government rarely arrived. Worse yet, a wave of white settlers surrounded them. The summer of 1862 was particularly hard on the Dakota. Cutworms destroyed much of their corn crops, and many families faced starvation. Skirmishes and “war” then developed. Over 500 white settlers lost their lives along with about 150 Sioux warriors. President Lincoln dispatched General John Pope, fresh from his defeat at the Battle of Second Bull Run, to organize the Military Department of the Northwest. Some Dakota fled to North Dakota, but more than 2,000 were rounded up and over 300 warriors were sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted most of their sentences, but on December 26, 1862, 38 Dakota men were executed at Mankato, Minnesota. It was the largest mass execution in American history.
1885--Amos, CA hits 130 to set the August U.S. record high.
1887-Birthday of Marcus (Moziah or Mosiah) A Garvey, St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica,
well-known Black leader of the “Back to Africa” movement.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/227/63.html
http://www.finalcall.com/perspectives/m_garvey8-17-99.html
http://www.africawithin.com/garvey/garvey.htm
1892 (or 93)- Birthday of Mae West - U.S. burlesque, stage, radio, and movie star who specialized in double- entendres and sensuality. She had a regal bearing and her wisecracks were legend. She was sexual and was proud of it. She was once arrested for "corrupting" youth for her stage work. One of the problems was not the throw of the hips or the sexual commons, but her very strong woman roles. She was in charge of her life, her sexuality, and men went to her. Her personal life mirrored her public presentation. During World War II the inflatable life jacket was named after her because of its large curves. She starred in vaudeville and on Broadway for a number of years. She made 11 motion pictures including She Done Him Wrong (1933) and My Little Chickadee (1940). She was pure camp. Her autobiography is Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It (1959.) She invested in real estate, especially in Hollywood and became a very, very wealthy woman. Some of the famed "wise-cracks" of Mae West who never married:
"Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you."
"He who hesitates is last."
"I only like two kinds of men: foreign and domestic."
"I feel like a million tonight, but one at a time."
"It's not the men in your life who count. It's the life in your men."
"So many men, so little time."
"I've been in more laps than a napkin."
"Come up and see me sometime....."
"When I'm good, I'm very, very, good, but when I'm bad, I'm better."
"She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong."
"When a girl goes bad - men go right after her."
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I've been rich and I've been poor. Believe me, rich is better."
"It's better to be looked over than overlooked."
"I wrote this story myself, It's all about a girl who lost her reputation, but never missed it."
1894 - Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, members of the Tagish First Nations people, and George Carmack found gold in the Yukon, Canada, starting what became known as the Klondike Gold Rush. The three men were prospecting in Rabbit Creek (which they renamed Bonanza), a tributary of the Klondike River, when they made their discovery. Over 100,000 people stampeded to the Yukon in search of gold.
1896 - George Carmack discovered gold in a tributary of the Klondike River, Canada, precipitating the famous gold rush.
1897---WB Purvis patented the electric railway switch. Among the black inventor’s patents was the first fountain pen, patented bag machines, a bag fastener, a hand stamp, and the edge cutter for such products as aluminum foil, wax paper, cling wrap.
1903 - The first Pulitzer Prize was awarded, when Joseph Pulitzer contributed a million-dollar donation to Columbia University providing the funds for the Pulitzer Prize awards made in his name.
1906—Birthday of Hazel Gladys Bishop - U.S. inventor, chemist, business tycoon. While employed as an organic chemist for Standard Oil she conducted a series of home experiments to develop a lipstick that stayed on the lips and didn't smear to everything else they touched. In 1950 she formed the Hazel Bishop, Inc. Later she formed Hazel Bishop Laboratories which developed a series of home care products. A partner forced her out of the $10 million company she created and then, through court action, forbade her from using her own name in her future careers or in personal appearances. She became financial analyst for Evans & Company and Bache and Company with her opinions actively sought on matters of the burgeoning cosmetics business. In 1978, she became an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan specializing in training students for careers in cosmetics.
1909-Bandleadere Larry Clinton born Brooklyn, NY.
1915 - Dayton, Ohio resident Charles F. Kettering patented the electric, automobile self-starter.
1915 --Mob lynches Jewish businessman Leo Frank in Cobb County, Ga after death sentence for murder of 13-year-old girl commuted to life.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/classics/frank/
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/leofrank.htm
http://www.leofranklynchers.com/
1915 - A hurricane hit Galveston, TX, with wind gusts to 120 mph and a twelve foot storm surge. The storm claimed 275 lives, including forty-two on Galveston Island, with most deaths due to drowning. Of 250 homes built outside the seawall (which was constructed after the catastrophic hurricane of 1900), just ten percent were left standing.
1918-Tenor sax player Ike Quebec born Newark, NU.
1920 -Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman dies as a result as a result of being hit by a pitch thrown by Yankee submariner Carl Mays. The tragedy remains the only on- field fatality in major league history.
1920-Bassist George Duvivier born NYC.
1939 - The magical "Wizard of Oz," the first movie to combine the uses of black and white, and color film; premiered. It starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Bert Lahr as both the Cowardly Lion and Zeke; Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow and Hunk; and Jack Haley as both the Tin Woodsman and Hickory. Buddy Ebsen originally cast as the Tin Man; but sickness forced him to leave the production before its completion. The movie was based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", which had previously adapted into a musical play. The Hollywood version, directed by Victor Fleming, won an Oscar for best movie score (Harold Arlen and E.Y. ‘Yip’ Harburg), and for best song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
1939 - The markets came down with a case of the war jitters on this day. World War II was a few weeks from officially starting, but Wall Street could smell trouble brewing. After refusing U.S. requests to enter into peace agreements and breaking a non-aggression pact with Poland, Hitler had readied his troops to seize the Polish port city of Danzig. The markets reacted to these overtures by posting their biggest decline since July. Bond ratings followed suit, prompting fears that the troubles in Europe would torpedo whatever progress the American economy had made since the Depression.
But Wall Street's misgivings were otherwise misplaced: the war helped kick-start the American economy, pushing it from a lingering Depression-era funk into a prolonged state of abundance.
1943 - On CBS radio, writer Norman Corwin’s first success "Passport for Adams" debuted. It starred Robert Young, who played a small town newspaper editor. Corwin would go on to have many radio successes including radio classics: "This is War", "An American in England" and "We Hold These Truths" all of which he wrote and produced.
1943-- Lieutenant General George S. Patton and his 7th Army arrive in Messina, Sicily before British General Bernard Law Montgomery and his 8th Army, winning the unofficial "race to Messina," and completing the Allied conquest of Sicily.
1944--BENDER, STANLEY Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near La Lande, France, 17 August 1944. Entered service at: Chicago, 111. Born: 31 October 1909, Carlisle, W. Va. G.O. No.: 7, 1 February 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 17 August 1944, near La Lande, France, he climbed on top of a knocked-out tank, in the face of withering machinegun fire which had halted the advance of his company, in an effort to locate the source of this fire. Although bullets ricocheted off the turret at his feet, he nevertheless remained standing upright in full view of the enemy for over 2 minutes. Locating the enemy machineguns on a knoll 200 yards away, he ordered 2 squads to cover him and led his men down an irrigation ditch, running a gauntlet of intense machinegun fire, which completely blanketed 50 yards of his advance and wounded 4 of his men. While the Germans hurled hand grenades at the ditch, he stood his ground until his squad caught up with him, then advanced alone, in a wide flanking approach, to the rear of the knoll. He walked deliberately a distance of 40 yards, without cover, in full view of the Germans and under a hail of both enemy and friendly fire, to the first machinegun and knocked it out with a single short burst. Then he made his way through the strong point, despite bursting hand grenades, toward the second machinegun, 25 yards distant, whose 2-man crew swung the machinegun around and fired two bursts at him, but he walked calmly through the fire and, reaching the edge of the emplacement, dispatched the crew. Signaling his men to rush the rifle pits, he then walked 35 yards further to kill an enemy rifleman and returned to lead his squad in the destruction of the 8 remaining Germans in the strong point. His audacity so inspired the remainder of the assault company that the men charged out of their positions, shouting and yelling, to overpower the enemy roadblock and sweep into town, knocking out 2 antitank guns, killing 37 Germans and capturing 26 others. He had sparked and led the assault company in an attack which overwhelmed the enemy, destroying a roadblock, taking a town, seizing intact 3 bridges over the Maravenne River, and capturing commanding terrain which dominated the area.
1944---Top Hits
I’ll Be Seeing You - Bing Crosby
Amor - Bing Crosby
Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Ella Mae Morse
Is You is or is You Ain’t (Ma’ Baby) - Louis Jordan
1948- An estimated crowd of 100,000 fans pass by the body of Babe Ruth which is on display at Yankee Stadium.
1950 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Goodnight Irene,'' Gordon Jenkins Orchestra & the Weavers.
1952---Top Hits
Walkin’ My Baby Back Home - Johnnie Ray
Auf Wiedersehn, Sweetheart - Vera Lynn
Half as Much - Rosemary Clooney
A Full Time Job - Eddy Arnold
1954 - In Rhode Island, the Newport Jazz Festival opened at the Newport Casino. The festival featured jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Ella Fitzgerald.
1955- Hurricane Diane, following hurricane Connie floods Connecticut River killing 190 and doing $1.8 billion damage
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc/historical/aug1955.htm
1956- Shelly Manne, with Previn and Vinnegar, cuts jazz version of “My Fair Lady.” I used to see them in person at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, every weekend I could when I went to high school They made one of the best jazz albums in history.
1958 - Belinda Carlisle is born. She becomes the lead singer of the all-female group the Go-Go's and has a solo No. 1 hit in 1987 with ``Heaven Is a Place on Earth.''
1960---Top Hits
It’s Now or Never - Elvis Presley
Walk--Don’t Run - The Ventures
Walking to New Orleans - Fats Domino
Please Help Me, I’m Falling - Hank Locklin
1961---Birthday of American Composer David "Uncle Dave" Lewis, born Cincinnati, Ohio.Radio programmer on WAIF-Radio, Cincinnati and co-founder of the still-active "Art Damage" radio program begun in 1985, devoted to experimental music. Is a music expert and author of hundreds of articles on music and musicians, mostly published by the All Music Guide 2001-present, however also for ARSC Journal, WAIF Alert, WCBN Program Guide, www.redhotjazz.com and others
1962 -- L.A. County Coroner officially labels Marilyn Monroe's death a "probable suicide." Norman Mailer (author of The Naked & the Dead) subsequently theorized she was murdered, partly on the grounds that "it is extremely rare for a woman to commit suicide in the nude." Rumors that she was both acquainted with John F. Kennedy, and was in love with Bobby Kennedy, who the night before told her he could not continue to see her, and was alleged reason she committed suicide, was the inside story I heard from the press corp., particularly the first cameraman on the scene, who I knew personally, were denied. However, this is from the Cal Neva Resort website: During the Sinatra ownership years of 1955 to 1968, along with his associates "Wingy" and "Skinny," Sinatra built the now famous Celebrity Showroom and installed a helicopter pad on the roof in an attempt to make access easier for his colleagues and guests appearing at the Cal Neva during summer months. Hollywood followers were enamored with Sinatra and the "Rat Pack," an unforgettable fraternity that linked itself with the White House through Peter Lawford, brother-in-law of the then President-Elect, John F. Kennedy. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Juliet Prowse and Marilyn Monroe (among others) "sang for their suppers" in the Celebrity Showroom and the Indian Room while politicians and Hollywood stars played at the tables and in the private cottages overlooking Lake Tahoe. Marilyn Monroe was a frequent guest of the Lodge, and scandal generally surrounded her because of the "alleged" secret rendezvous with John F. Kennedy. Then, when the presence of one particular guest, Sam Giancana of Chicago, was noticed by authorities, it finally cost Sinatra his gaming license in a losing battle with the Nevada Gamin Control Board.
1963—Football coach Jon Gruden birthday.
1966-Psychedelic fashion show and tarot reading at the SF Fillmore. The Jefferson Airplane and Mimi Fariñia entertained.
1967-Gary Puckett and The Union Gap record "Woman Woman". The song would break first in Cleveland in November and would rise to number four on the US national charts.
1968-Deep Purple's "Hush" is released in the US, where it will climb to #4 by mid-September.
1968 - People Got to Be Free, the hit single by The Rascals, rocketed into the top slot on Billboard's record charts, and stayed there for 5 weeks.
1968---Top Hits
People Got to Be Free - The Rascals
Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano
Heaven Says Hello - Sonny James
1969 – Third day Woodstock : Richie Havens, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, The Band, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix.
1969 - Donny Wahlberg, one time member of New Kids on the Block, is born. His younger brother is rapper/actor Marky Mark, who has a top 10 hit in 1991-92 with the million-selling single ``Wildside.''
1969 - Camille, the second worst hurricane in U.S. history, smashed into the Mississippi coast. Winds gusted to 172 mph at Main Pass Block LA, and to 190 mph near Bay Saint Louis MS. The hurricane claimed 256 lives, and caused 1.3 billion dollars damage. Several ocean going ships were carried over seven miles inland by the hurricane. The hurricane produced winds to 200 mph, and a storm surge of 24.6 feet. Complete destruction occurred in some coastal areas near the eye of the hurricane.
1973- At Shea Stadium, 42-year old New York Mets' outfielder, Willie Mays, hits his 660th and final home run of his career off Reds' lefty Don Gullett. Third-string catcher Hal King belts a pinch-hit homer in the top of the 10th inning giving Cincinnati a 2-1 victory.
1974-Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough" is released.
1975 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Fallin' in Love,'' Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds.
1976---Top Hits
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
Let ’Em In -Wings
Say It Again - Don Williams
1977-The day after Elvis Presley's death, President Jimmy Carter issues the following statement, "Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense and he was a symbol to people the world over, of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of his country." Or as James Brown once put it, "he taught white America to get down."
1977-Florists Transworld Delivery (FTD) reports that in one day the number of orders for flowers to be delivered to Graceland has surpassed the number for any other event in the company's history
1978-Deep Purple's "Hush" is released.
1984---Top Hits
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
What’s Love Got to Do with It - Tina Turner
State of Shock - Jacksons
That’s the Thing About Love - Don Williams
1987 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Who's That Girl,'' Madonna.
It is the title song of Madonna's third film.
1988 - Fifty-five cities, from the Middle Mississippi Valley to the Middle Atlantic Coast Region, reported record high temperatures for the date. Beckley WV reported an all-time record high of 96 degrees, and Baltimore MD hit 104 degrees, marking their thirteenth day of the year with 100 degree heat. Chicago IL equaled a record with 46 days of 90 degree weather for the year. Thunderstorms produced severe weather from Wisconsin to New Jersey. Thunderstorms in New Jersey produced high winds which gusted to 92 mph at Wrightstown, and blew down a circus tent at Lavallette injuring fourteen persons.
1992 - Woody Allen admitted to being romantically involved with Soon-Yi Previn, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Allen's longtime companion.
1993 - Pop star Michael Jackson became the subject of an investigation of child molestation of a 13-year-old boy. Police confiscated video tapes and photographs from Jackson's Neverland ranch home, but found nothing to support the allegation. The charge was that Jackson had fondled and engaged in oral sex with the boy over a period of several months. It was believed that the child-abuse allegation grew out of an "extortion gone awry," after a purported demand for $20 million by the boy's father, a dentist, was denied. Charges were later dropped, and an unidentified source leaked to the press that a hefty settlement, possibly as high as $15 million, was paid to the boy's family. More than a year after the damaging allegations were made, the Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County district attorneys publicly announced that they didn't have enough evidence to charge the pop singer with a single crime.
1994-Boise, ID recorded its 41st day in a row with 90 plus temperatures, a record for that city.
1994--severe thunderstorms belted central Oklahoma. Winds gusted to 113 at Meno, 104 at Mangum and 97 at Hobart. Hail up to 4.5 inches in diameter driven by the winds totaled 30 mobile homes at Okarche
1996 - Ross Perot announced he was the Reform Party's presidential candidate.
1998 - United States President Clinton admitted to having an improper relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
2002 Homering in the seventh inning of Mariner stater James Baldwin, Yankee All-star Alfonso Soriano becomes the first second baseman to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. Bobby Bonds is the only other Yankee to post a 30/30 season accomplishing the feat in 1975.
2002- Alex Rodriguez becomes the sixth player and the first infielder to compile five
consecutive 40-home run seasons. The Rangers' shortstop joins Ralph Kiner (1947-51), Duke Snider (1953-57), Ken Griffey Jr (1996-2000), Sammy Sosa (1998-2002) and Babe Ruth (1926-32), who established the record with seven straight 40-homer seasons.
2003- Peanuts character Charlie Brown joins late broadcaster Bob Prince, Negro League
star Josh Gibson, former catcher Manny Sanguillen current shortstop Jack Wilson to be honored by the Pirates with a bobblehead doll give-away day. Almost ten percent of the nearly 18,000 Peanuts strips created by Charles Schulz focused on baseball.
2003 -The Rally Monkey, the Angels' unofficial mascot, is honored for its contribution to last season's world championship with it's own bobble head doll promotion. The Rally Monkey Bobble Belly joins other dolls given to fans this year paying tribute to Troy Glaus' (2002 World Series MVP) , Adam Kennedy' (ALCS MVP), and Mike Scioscia (AL manager of the year) and will wear an Anaheim jersey with a name of a honored player on the back.
2004--- As she enters Raley Field at 6:27 p.m., five year old Olivia Perez is honored by the River Cats as she becomes four millionth fan in franchise history. The Triple A affiliate of the Oakland A’s reaches the milestone faster than any club in minor league baseball history.
2005-- St. Louis announces the franchise has broken its single-season attendance record of 3.43 million set in 1989. The first-place Cardinals have sold 3.45 million tickets for the team’s farewell season at 40-year old Busch Stadium
2008-In a pre-game 55-minute ceremony at Minute Maid Park, Craig Biggio becomes the ninth Astro to have his jersey number retired. The Smithtown, N.Y. native, who wore number 7, is the team's all-time leader in games (2,850) and seasons (20) played.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball Poem
WHY BASEBALL WALTZES WITH LETTERS
by Tim Peeler
Thrown to you
Third Base Coach signals are ee cummings poems- Gimmicky, sure, but meaningful in their color When you break the code.
The prisons play contests of Bukowski prose, Where a stolen base may be a literal image And everybody gambles nothing.
Weird killers load the bases at a Stephen King Little League field, the sequel, A grand slam promise at the bank.
Although Poe would never sit through nine, His words are a dark season in the cellar, A team leaving town and the death of a Beautiful groupie.
Finally, Wolfe who wrote slugfest Double-headers played to million-footed Throngs, then flickered like so many other Stars never meant for extra innings. -
--- with the permission of the author, from his book of baseball poetry: "Waiting for Godot's First Pitch" More Poems from Baseball available from Amazon or direct from the publisher at: www.mcfarlandpub.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx
--------------------------------------------------------------
Weather
See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials
--------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic Live---
Real Time Traffic Information
 |
You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click,
or type in a new route to learn the traffic live
--------------------------------
Ask Andrew
Bank Beat
Cartoons
Computer Tips
Fernando's Review
Leasing 102
Online Newspapers
Placards
Sales Make it Happen
To Tell the Truth
View from the Top
