Tom McCurnin Joins Leasing News Advisory Board

Dan Pulcrano, Metro Newspaper Publisher, President, Boulevards, Inc., resigned due to taking on new business duties. Tom McCurnin has been appointed to the Leasing News Advisory Board.

The Leasing News Advisory Board does not participate in editorial decisions, meaning reviewing or choosing stories or subjects. Their role is to participate with policy and business advice as well as contribute in discussions on matters brought up by the publisher in a private internal blog.

Tom has written many articles for Leasing News regarding legal cases of interest to the banking, finance, and leasing industry. He has been very instrumental for many years regarding the licensing requirements in leasing, as well as leasing law regulations (it is a misnomer to believe the industry is not "regulated." He has served also as a good friend and advisor on many subjects.

Tom McCurnin

Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Fax: (213) 625-1832
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
www.bkolaw.com

Recent Trial Experience:

• Successfully defended major California bank on midnight deadline case
• Successfully defended major California bank on forged endorsement claim
• Prosecuted RICO action on behalf of major national commercial finance company recovering over $1 million dollars
• Successfully defended real estate trust on consumer notice issue
• Successfully defended major California manufacturer on products liability action
• Prosecuted numerous actions on behalf of equipment lessors

He is a well published author in many professional publications. He is an accomplished musician, world traveler, as well as active in active in animal rescue, particularly Labrador Retrievers.

Law School: Drake University (J.D., 1975)
College: University of Iowa (B.A., 1972)

He is a member of the State Bar of California; Federal Bar Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Financial Lawyers Conference-Los Angeles; Independent Bankers Association; California Bankers Association; Los Angeles Commercial Law Committee.

Outside Interests:

Class V White Water River Rafting, Wilderness Canoeing and Camping, Woodworking and Home Building, Historic Home Renovation, Muscle Car Restoration, Labrador Retriever Rescue Foundation, Collecting and Recording Music Concerts.

Leasing News
Chairman, Advisory Board
Bob Teichman, CLP	Teichman Financial Training, Sausalito, CA.
Advisory Board
Edward Castagna	InPlace Auction, Melville, New York
Steve Crane, CLP	Bank of the West, Walnut Creek, CA
Dale Davis	Endeavor Financial Services, Costa Mesa , CA
Phil Dushey	Global Financial Services, Manhattan, NY
Ken Greene, Esq.	Hamrick & Evans, Universal City, CA
Shawn D. Halladay	The Alta Group, Salt Lake City, UT
Robert S. Kieve	Empire Broadcasting, San Jose, CA
Bruce Kropschot	Kropschot Financial Services, The Villages, FL
Bruce Lurie	Douglas-Guardian Services Corporation, Houston, TX
Andrew Lea, M.A.	NetSol Technologies, N.A., Alameda, CA
Allan Levine	Madison Capital, LLC., Owings Mills, MD
Don Myerson	BSB Leasing, Colorado, Hawaii
Armon L. Mills, CPA	J.H. Cohn, LLP, San Diego, CA
Tom McCurrin	Barton, Klugman & Oetting, Los Angeles, CA
Hugh Swandel	The Alta Group, Canada
Ginny Young	former Brava Capital, Orange, CA
Rosanne Wilson, CLP	1st Independent Leasing, Beaverton, OR

Editor/Publisher
Christopher Menkin	Saratoga, California

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Classified Ads---Sales Manager

(Bonus check)

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

Bayville, NJ  Dedicated individual seeking a account management position, 3 years leasing experience and 15+ years sales experience. Resume furnished upon request, email Frank at weag4th@gmail.com .

Fort Myers, Florida Very experienced and strong skills with both Captive and Specialty Sales Management. Over 25 years , will relocate and travel---successful and team player. e-mail: tlinspections@gmail.com

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

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

Operation Lease Fleece Kirk A. McMahan Sentencing

This concerns the sentencing of one of the 30 plus involved in a fraud scheme named "Operation Lease Fleece" by the FBI that involved forging sale/leasebacks and sometimes no equipment in leases to funders. A group of alleged victims who did not like the lenient sentences being given out, as well as contended that several of those who pled guilty are still active in the same schemes they had plead guilty to--- made a recent appeal in court to Judge Cormac J. Carney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Waier regarding handing out lenient sentencing as well as further investigation into new charges. Their petition was denied.

Kirk A. McMahan sentencing hearing is set for January 6, 2012 before Judge Carney, who denied the alleged victims reconsideration of new charges or sentencing and states the reason here:

Judge Carney's Ruling:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/CarneyDismiss.pdf

Resource America "deconsolidates" LEAF Financial
by Christopher Menkin

Despite the December 6, 2011 press releases of Resource America (NASDAQ: Rexi), the filing of its annual report with the SEC on December 13th tells quite a different story than the success implied in the press release, as the net income from Resource America was a $8.2 million loss. There are other facts that should be brought to readers attention.

Here are the year-end key numbers from the SEC filings

(In thousands, except per share data):

LEAF Revenue commercial finance		Resource America income/loss
2007	$40,124	$3,696
2008	$93,016	($26,243)
2009	$48, 767	($14,931)
2010	$23,677	($13,451)
2011	$21,795	($8,228)

- from page 18

From page 30:

"...as a result of the November 2011 LCC Transaction, we determined that we no longer control LEAF and, accordingly, it will be deconsolidated from our financial statements for fiscal 2012 and subsequent fiscal years, with our retained interest being accounted for on the equity method of accounting.

New equipment originations for fiscal 2011 were $105.8 million as compared to $115.7 million for fiscal 2010.

Our goal as the asset managers for our investment partnerships is to preserve partnership capital and to achieve the best possible results for those investors. In fiscal 2011, we took the following actions on behalf of our investment partnerships:

* ceased raising new funds when it became apparent that the debt markets were not improving rapidly enough;

* deferred expense reimbursement to us;

* for fiscal 2011 and 2010, we waived $8.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of our asset management fees for our sponsored leasing partnerships, and anticipate that we will continue to waive our fees in the future which, accordingly, will reduce our revenues. We believe that, as a result, cash flows in these partnerships may improve, which will help pay down loans and generate liquidity for investments in new leases; and

* negotiated with the partnerships’ lenders to keep them from foreclosing on partnership collateral. “

page 30

LEAF Financial continues under new arrangements:

“In January 2011, we contributed the leasing origination and servicing business platform of LEAF Financial into LEAF to facilitate outside investment into the leasing business platform. LEAF will continue its focus on underwriting and originating small ticket and middle ticket equipment leases and commercial loan contracts. LEAF Financial will continue the asset management business by managing our commercial finance leasing partnerships. In the formation of LEAF, Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE: RSO), or RCC, invested $36.2 million of capital in the form of preferred stock. A portion of RCC’s investment consisted of the contribution of the leases and loans it had previously acquired from LEAF Financial. In addition, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, or Guggenheim, arranged a new financing facility for LEAF of up to $200.0 million in revolving senior debt to fund new originations. In conjunction with the contribution of the RCC portfolio, LEAF Financial reversed the servicing and repurchase liabilities it recorded in fiscal 2010 on certain lease and loan sales to RCC, and recognized a gain of $4.4 million.

“Subsequent to our fiscal year end, on November 16, 2011, we obtained an additional outside investment in LEAF by a third-party private equity firm. As a result of that investment, our equity interest in LEAF is 15.7% on a fully diluted basis. Accordingly, we determined that we no longer control LEAF and, effective with that investment, we have deconsolidated it for financial reporting purposes. On a go-forward basis, we will reflect our investment in LEAF on the equity method basis of accounting.

“Since fiscal 2010, we have waived our management fees from our four sponsored and managed commercial finance investment funds due to their reduced equity distributions to their partners caused by the impact of the recession on the cash flow of these entities. For fiscal 2011 and 2010, we have waived $8.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively, in fees. We have waived all future management fees, which will reduce our revenues and adversely affect our profitability. In addition, we recognized a $7.2 million and $1.9 million provision for credit losses on the receivables due from these entities for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.

page 19

“The commercial finance assets we managed for our own account at September 30, 2011 increased by $64.6 million to $192.0 million as compared to $127.4 million at September 30, 2010. The assets we managed for others, at September 30, 2011 decreased by $357.3 million to $393.4 million as compared to $750.7 million at September 30, 2010 (excluding assets managed for RCC) primarily due to the natural runoff of the lease portfolios owned by the respective investment partnerships.

“As of September 30, 2011, we managed approximately 62,000 leases and loans that had an average original finance value of $26,000 with an average term of 58 months as compared to approximately 82,000 leases and loans with an average original finance value of $25,000 and an average term of 56 months as of September 30, 2010.

“At September 30, 2011, we employed 199 employees (191 excluding part-time workers) as compared to 198 employees (195 excluding part-time workers) at September 30, 2010, representing a 1% overall increase (for this time period, editor). Our origination staff increased by 16 employees as of September 30, 2011 as compared to September 30, 2010 (all divisions, editor), despite the closure of our Columbia, South Carolina office, which accounted for a reduction of 15 employees in the origination area (at the time closed, not original full staff number. Editor). The net headcount increase in the origination functions reflected our efforts to increase our origination volume. LEAF currently maintains its corporate headquarters and operation center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a sales and servicing center in Moberly, Missouri, a call center located in Orange County, California, and regional sales offices located throughout the U.S.”

page 30

from page 30

from page 66

Resource America Year-End 10K PDF:
Resource American PDF

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Carlsbad, California Vendor Account Manager - Strong background w/emphasis application-only marketplace - Commission Only and Results Oriented Sales Professional - Relationships in place to provide immediate opportunities - Vendor marketing and program development experience Documentation/Funding Coordinator Coordination of all documents with the Lessee and Vendor, Insurance, Vendors Invoices, Title Processing, and Equipment Deliveries. Experience with Vision and Salesforce.com -- big plus email- resumes@ilslease.com

 

Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Monthly Base Salary 2) Established Funding Sources 3) Fun Working Environment 4) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k) 5) Aggressive Commission Structure. Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com Contact: Stephanie Cruz (949) 225-1740 Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employees, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.

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

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

 

 

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New Hires--Promotions

Tim Duerr was appointed senior vice president of business development for the manufacturer and vendor alliances team, Key Equipment Finance, Superior Colorado. Previously he was with Microsoft, Business Development-Turn 10 Studios (March, 2001-December, 2011), WW Business Development Director, Microsoft Financing, Microsoft (January, 2005-February, 2011), Principal, Whyte Dearing Associations (April, 1997-February, 2005), Business Development Director, Hambros Ban (1995-1997) Product Development Manager Barclays Mercantile (1989-1997), Product Development Manager, Barclays Asset Finance (1988-1995). The University of Birmingham BS, Banking & Finance (1986 – 1989).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-duerr/4/322/27b

Chris Fielding promoted to Vice-President and Group Sales Leader, Healthcare at Sun Trust Bank, greater Chicago area. Previously he was vice-president, Health Equipment Finance, Fifth third Bancorp. (March, 2011-July, 2011), Vice-President Global Accounts, GE Capita, Healthcare Finance, March, 2004-March, 2009, Strategic Accounts Manager, GE Commercial Finance (January, 2001-Marhc, 2004), Tax Exempt Finance Specialist, GE Capital (August, 1993-Marhc, 2001)Babson College - Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business MBA, Finance (1984 – 1985), Western Michigan University.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-fielding/1/383/a3a

Joshua Feinberg named Regional Manager at Balboa Capital, Greater Boston Area. He previously was Finance Manager, Direct Capital Corporation (July, 2010-September, 2011), Customer Sales Associate, JC Penny (March, 2010-July, 2010).Great Bay Community College in Progress, Liberal Arts (2011 – 2013) (expected).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-feinberg/32/74/454

Vincent Faino named senior vice president of sales, LEAF Commercial Credit, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously he was Senior Vice President Global Business Development, CIT Vendor Finance (October, 2010-December, 2011), President Vendor Finance, Textron Financial (December, 2007-February, 2010), Executive Vice President, CIT (2007-2008), Executive Vice President, Citigroup (2001-2007), EVP, Director, Citigroup (2001-2007), EVP, Director Citigroup, CitiCapital, President, American Equipment Leasing (1997-2001). Saint Joseph's University MBA, Business (1992 – 1993).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/vincent-faino/9/99/8b9

Richard (Rich) Green (45) was named President of CIT Europe. Previously he was CEO, Commercial Distribution Finance Europe, GE Capital (July, 2009-September, 2011), Managing Director, GE Capital Solutions UK (December, 2006-June, 2009), Manager GE Fleet Services UK(June, 2004-December, 2006), European Chief Operating Officer Equipment Finance, GE Capital (2001-2004), COO-GE Commercial Finance UK, GE Capital (2000-2001), COO-GE Consumer Finance, GE Money (1998-2000), Director Collections& Recoveries, GE Money (1996-1998), Head of Telemarketing & Sales Operations, GE Money (1984-1996).
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/richard-green/1/865/9ab

Ryan Linsky named vice-president, sales, Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas Previously he was Marketing Vice President, Franchise Finance, First Franchise Capital/IRWIN Franchise Capital (2001-2011), Account Executive, Franchise Capital Services (1998-2001), Sales Executive, Franchise Finance, M.M.A.C. (1997-1998).West Virginia University Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Spanish, 1995.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-linsky/41/552/372

Susan C. Moore was named regional leasing manager for Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado, to "drive account growth and sales processes with municipal government customers in the Southeast, Texas and Oklahoma region. Prior to Key Equipment Finance, Moore was Southeast territory account manager for CIT Communications Finance. Before that, she held positions of increasing responsibility with General Electric Capital, most recently as Southeast region sales manager, which followed a position as state and local government marketing manager to develop and implement a strategic plan for selling GE financial services to government entities. Previously, she was an account manager at AT&T Capital/Lucent Product Finance."

Daniel G. Morse has joined The Alta group to lead the firm's new health care practice. Previously he was Vice-President, FairView Advisors, LLC (July, 2009-December, 2001), Sales manager-outpatient Finance and New Business Development, GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services (2008-2008), Sales Manager Intermediary Funding, GE Capital (2006-2008), Global Risk Manager GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services (August, 2002-January, 2006), Sales Manager-Healthcare, Technology, and Energy Equipment Finance, CitiCapital (May, 2000-August, 2002),Vice President-Sales North America, Copelco Capital (June, 1999-June, 2000), Vice President Sales & Marketing Construction and Material Handling, AT&T Capital (January, 1991-December, 1994), Credit and Operations Manager, PacifiCorp Financial Services (September, 1986-Januayr, 1990), Credit Manager, US Leasing (1980-1986).Southern Illinois University, Carbondale BS, Marketing. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale MBA, Finance. Carlinville High School
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dan-morse/11/a09/bb7

Stephen Young appointed to the position of Vice President, Sales, Aircraft Leasing Companies, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Toronto, Ontario. He "...joined Bombardier over 23 years ago and has progressed through a variety of positions in marketing, customer support and sales. As Director, Sales, the Americas, he was instrumental in selling and placing aircraft with some of the top airlines in Canada and the United States including US Airways, American Eagle Airlines, and Toronto-based, Porter Airlines.

Prior to joining Bombardier, Mr. Young worked as an Aerospace Engineer with two major aerospace firms. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Ryerson University in Toronto and holds a commercial pilot's license. Mr. Young is based in Toronto."

USA Green Jobs Now joins “Site Inspection List”

 

Company Name Year Founded Contact Website Associations	Full-time Employees	Part-Time Employees or Ind. Contractors	Additional Services	Major Clients
USA Green Asset Portfolio Protection 2001 Ron Vogt 727-522-1746 r@usagapp.com www.USAGAPP.com	3	611	Equipment Inspections • Business Verification Inspections • Merchant Site Inspections • Vendor/Private Party Inspections • Check & Title Exchanges • Collection & Delinquency Inspections • Custom Equipment Tagging • Repossessions • Drive-By Inspections • Inventory Inspections • Full Service Appraisals • Condition Reports • VIN Verification • DRAW Inspections • Rental Yard Audits	Banks & Lenders and leasing companies within Virgin Islands/Canada/South America/USA/China/UK

Full List “Site Inspection” List:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Site_Insp/Default.htm

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U.S.A.

At press time, $975

John Caulfield, President, Forum Financial Services, has extended the challenge until December 23rd. He says, "There have to be some leasing companies out there that had a decent year and just need to step up and help out.”

John originally challenged readers to donate $50 or more, and when it reached $1,525 in new contributions, the spot where he made the challenge, he would double the donations from that date by donating $1,000.

(Please click on kettle)

You can have the donation to your community or
specific Salvation Army Service.

CANADA

At press time, $150

(Please click on kettle)

Note: URL that follows allows you to choose your Country of
residence and method of payment:
https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/

 

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NVLA Conference April 23-25

April 23-25

National Vehicle Leasing Association
Annual Conference
Worthington Renaissance Hotel
200 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas

www.nvla.org

2012 Leasing Association Conferences:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Assc_conf.htm

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

United Capital Commits $40 Million to Denny's® Franchisees in 2012

HUNT VALLEY, MD — United Capital Business Lending, a national business lender specializing in franchised restaurant finance, announced today that it will allocate $40 million to qualified multi-unit Denny's® franchisees in 2012.

Qualified Denny's® operators may borrow from United Capital to refinance debt, acquire existing Denny's® restaurants, develop new locations, remodel stores or convert closed restaurants in other concepts to Denny's®. Financing for these needs is typically structured as fixed rate loans ranging from $500,000 to $5 million or more, with terms of up to 10 years.

The decision to increase the available funding was based on Denny's® franchisee loan demand and the health of United Capital's existing Denny's® franchisee portfolio.

 

Lex Lane
VP/Business Development Officer

"The United Capital team has financed Denny's® restaurant owners over the years and, even in today's economy, Denny's@franchisees have demonstrated consistent operating performance trends," says Lex Lane, Vice President and Business Development Officer at United Capital.

United Capital Business Lending is a subsidiary of BankUnited (NYSE: BKU), the largest bank headquartered in Florida with over $12 billion in assets.

In addition to Denny's®, the United Capital team has financed franchisees for SUBWAY®, Burger King®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Wendy's®, Five Guys® Burgers and Fries and Buffalo Wild Wings® among others.

For information about financing for franchise acquisition, new restaurant development, remodeling or debt refinancing, call United Capital at 866-218-4793 or visit the company's website at www.unitedcapitalbusinesslending.com.

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

Economy, Politics Among Credit Professionals’ Top 2012 Concerns

Columbia, MD:—Credit professionals still consider the economy to be their biggest concern for the coming year, according to an annual survey conducted by the National Association of Credit Management (NACM). For the third straight year, when asked “Looking forward to 2012, as a credit professional, what are your biggest concerns?” the largest percentage (26.7%) of the nearly 1,000 participants chose “lingering uncertainties about the still-sluggish economic recovery.” The result was expected, as credit professionals continue to face stagnant business conditions along with an increase in bankruptcy filings, preference actions and customer difficulties.

The top concerns garnering the majority of survey responses included:

• Lingering uncertainties about the still sluggish economic recovery (26.7%)

• Slow payment, delinquencies and general customer creditworthiness (19%)

• Job security, the future of career, or ensuring that salary keeps pace with cost of living (11.7%)

New to this edition of NACM’s annual survey of credit professionals was a deep sense of pessimism tied to the fact that 2012 will be an election year. Just over 11% of respondents listed “election-year politics, and the elections themselves, and their effect on economic growth” as one of their chief concerns for the coming year, and many participants took the opportunity to lament the current state, and future, of American politics in the survey’s comment section.

“The total gridlock of the federal government has the potential to take our, and the world's, economies down. We are on the brink of that happening now and I don't think it would take much to push us over the edge,” said one respondent. “Politics as usual must come to a halt. Somehow, a spirit of compromise must happen so we can fix the economy and put people back to work. It is my perception that even if people have jobs and can afford to buy, they aren't spending because of the pervasive negativity and uncertainty around the world.”

As bad as things currently appear on Capitol Hill, many survey participants noted that they only expected things to deteriorate further as the 2012 campaign season ramps up. “I think there will be way too much concern and feelings of uncertainty over the presidential race next November,” they said. “Instead of political parties working together on solutions for economic recovery, I'm afraid too much [attention] will be paid to whose party will win.”

“Our leaders aren’t focusing on fixing the problems,” one respondent summarized.

While some participants suggested that political gridlock is causing the nation’s economic turmoil, others noted that it’s merely exacerbating what’s already a bad situation. “I’m concerned that the customers who have struggled to hold on won’t be able to last much longer,” said one respondent. “This, coupled with the nonsense we deal with from the feds and the pending election…is making things that much more unpredictable.”

Ultimately, this translates to what credit professionals believe will be a protracted economic slump. “I don’t see things improving until possibly the beginning of 2013, if at all,” said one participant. “This could be a long downturn.”

About the National Association of Credit Management
NACM, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, supports more than 15,000 business credit and financial professionals worldwide with premier industry services, tools and information. NACM and its network of affiliated associations are the leading resource for credit and financial management information, education, products and services designed to improve the management of business credit and accounts receivable. NACM’s collective voice has influenced federal legislative policy results concerning commercial business and trade credit to our nation’s policy makers for more than 100 years, and continues to play an active part in legislative issues pertaining to business credit and corporate bankruptcy. Its monthly Credit Managers’ Index is an economic report that provides a benchmarking and forecasting tool that looks at the entire cycle of commercial business transactions

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

Scottsdale, Arizona-- Adopt-a-Dog

Cookie (0000000688)

Dog
Medium Haired
Lab Mix
Female
3.5 Years
Medium Size
(50 Pounds)

Disposition
Unknown w/ Cats
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Kids

 

Oreo (0000000686)
Dog
Short Haired
Dalmatian/ Lab
Female
3.5 Years
Medium Size
(55 Pounds)

Disposition
Unknown w/ Cats
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Kids

History
Meet Oreo this sweet girl came to us with her best friend Cookie. Unfortunately their family lost their home and could no longer care for them. Oreo is the leader and Cookie is the follower. We will only adopt them out together. These 2 gals have been together since Oreo was 6 weeks of age and it would just not be fair to be separated! Both are easy going and good natured. Very well behaved and have impeccable manners. They aim to please. They are up to date on all shots and micro chipped. Please fill out an application if you are interested in this dynamic duo! Their adoption fee is $200 each. They are spayed and up to date on all shots and micro chipped.

Adoption Application:
http://www.luckydogrescue.org/adoption-application?id=0000000686

Mailing address only: 4400 N. Scottsdale Rd Ste. 9-319 | Scottsdale, AZ 85251
phone: 480-704-4628 | e-mail: info@luckydogrescue.org

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

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

Leasing News: Special Christmas Musical Edition
By Fernando F. Croce

Meet Me in St. Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944): Arguably classical Hollywood's greatest director of musicals, Vincente Minnelli delivered one of his most beloved films with this exquisite evocation of turn-of-the-century Americana, in which he also met his future wife Judy Garland. Taking place over the course of the year 1904 in St. Louis, it chronicles the experiences of members of the Smith family. There's smitten middle daughter Esther (Garland), parents Anna (Mary Astor) and Alonzo (Leon Ames), and precocious youngest daughter Tootie (Margaret O'Brien, who won a Special Childer's Oscar for her performance). Affectionate, stylish, and filled with such unforgettable tunes as "The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," this is a holiday treasure that even after several decades still leaves audiences with a glowing feeling.

White Christmas (Michael Curtiz, 1954): Vintage entertainers Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye team up in this tuneful Yuletide favorite, a splashy color remake of Crosby's 1942 hit "Holiday Inn." Bob (Crosby) and Phil (Kaye) are a pair of song-and-dance men who boost their popularity by joining up with two singing sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen). The quartet's romantic mix-ups continue as they head over to a struggling Vermont Inn for a holiday special, and discover that the place is being run by Bob and Phil's former wartime superior. Best known as the director of "Casablanca," Michael Curtiz brings a glossy sheen to the comic and sentimental plot. The score includes Crosby's trademark rendition of the title song, along with such other Irving Berlin chestnuts as "Blue Skies" and "Heat Wave."

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Chuck Jones & Ben Washam, 1966): An enduring Yuletide staple, this animated version of Dr. Seuss's storybook favorite remains a timeless delight. As narrated by the great Boris Karloff, the film focuses on Christmastime in the cheery, mythical land of Whoville, where happiness is in the air for every citizen... except for the infamous Grinch, a grouchy green loner who watches the festivities from his cave and decides to ruin this year's Christmas. Disguising himself as Santa Claus, the Grinch sets out to ruin the fun, not counting on the adorable innocence of little Cindy Lou Who to stand in his way. Directed by brilliant Warner Bros. cartoon veteran Chuck Jones and featuring the marvelous song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," this is a short but sweet classic.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., 1970): Have you ever wondered how Kris Kringle became Santa Claus? Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., the acclaimed stop-motion animators responsible for "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," did wonder, and the result was this endearing holiday special, which has become a Christmastime family must-see. In it, we witness Kris Kringle's (delightfully voiced by Mickey Rooney) trajectory from toymaker to jolly St. Nick as he delivers gifts to the children of Sombertown, clashes with the grouchy Burgermeister (Paul Frees), and falls in love with the future Mrs. Claus (Joan Gardner). Featuring lovable characters and a tip-top score (including a terrific rendition of the title tune by none other than Fred Astaire), this is rich entertainment for this and every season.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Henry Selick, 1993): A rare treat that can be enjoyed on both Halloween and Christmas, this stop-animation classic would make for a great double-bill with the Bass-Rankin specials of the 1970s. The marvelously twisted plot follows fearsome but good-hearted ghoul Jack Skellington, who, despite being crowned Pumpkin King at Halloween Town, dreams of something besides macabre costumes and haunted houses. After a dose of Christmas spirit following a visit to the North Pole, Jack decides to spread holiday cheer the only way he can—kidnapping Santa Claus and delivering the presents himself. Directed by Henry Selick (“Coraline”) yet in every frame carrying the stamp of Tim Burton, this is a beautiful blend of the prankish and the poignant.

 

News Briefs----

Hudson to list Element Financial Toronto Stock Exchange Today
http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/15/steve-hudson-returns-to-public-markets/

Eastern Funding "Operation Santa"
http://easternfunding.com/news-room/ef-in-the-news/113/114.html

Mortgage rates fall to record lows
http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/15/real_estate/mortgage_rates/?hpt=hp_t1

Fitch Downgrades a Bunch of Banks, Including Bank of America and Goldman.
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2011/12/15/fitch-downgrades-a-bunch-of-banks-including-bank-of-america-and-goldman/

CFO's New Outlook for the New Year?
http://www3.cfo.com/article/2011/12/business-outlook-survey_q4-2011-duke-cfo-global-business-outlook-survey

Don Shula's 347 Grill closed today in St. Louis
http://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/building-blocks/shula-s-grill-closed-today/article_21c373ea-2767-11e1-b6b2-0019bb30f31a.html

 

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You may have missed---

The Exaggerated Impact of Bank Transfer Day
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/the-exaggerated-impact-of-bank-transfer-day/

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

 

The Single Best Exercise for Weight Loss
http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=the_single_best_exercise_for_weight_loss_and_fitness

 

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Sports Briefs----

Holmgren defends Browns' handling of treatment for injured quarterback
http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111214/FREE/111219924

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Football Poems

Man in the Glass

(The poem Bill Parcells reads to his players on Monday)

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say
For it isn't your father, mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass
Some people may think you're a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he's with you clear up to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass

 

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California Nuts Briefs---

Pacific Steel in Berkeley firing 200 workers as a result of an immigration raid
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_19557783

Gallo, Boisset buy Mondavi home
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111215/BUSINESS/111219669/1350?Title=Gallo-Boisset-buy-Mondavi-home

S.F. Leadership High on state's list of 10 for closure
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/15/MNQ31MD16I.DTL&tsp=1

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Fort Ross-Seaview Viticultural Area Approved
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=95406

Coombsville becomes Napa’s 16th appellation
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/coombsville-becomes-napa-s-th-appellation/article_bdce8d0a-26c8-11e1-9944-001871e3ce6c.html

Robert Lawrence Balzer, Wine Writer, Dies at 99--Frank J. Prail
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/dining/robert-lawrence-balzer-wine-writer-dies-at-99.html?_r=1

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

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

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

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

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

      1773-In the celebrated Boston Tea Party, a group of Boston patriots dressed as Indians boarded three British ships in Boston harbor and threw their cargoes of tea,3 42 chests worth 18,000 British pounds into the water. The action was the climax of growing colonial opposition to the growing set of import taxes, including the Tea Act. The British were trying to help finance their wars in Europe..
    1828 –Birthday of John Beatty Brigadier-General (Union volunteers), died in 1914
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/6734/mcms.html
http://famousamericans.net/johnbeatty1/
    1835 - New England experienced one of their coldest days of record. At noon on that bitterly cold Wednesday the mercury stood at four degrees below at Boston, 15 degrees below at Norfolk CT, and 17 degrees below at Hanover NH. The temperature at Boston was 12 degrees below zero by sunset. Gale force winds accompanied the severe cold, and that night a great New York City fire destroyed much of the financial district.
    1862-Confederate President Jefferson Davis names General Joseph Johnston commander of the Army of Tennessee. Johnston replaced Braxton Bragg, who managed to lose all of Tennessee to the Union during 1863. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run and commanded the Army of Northern Virginia during the early stages of the Peninsular Campaign in 1862. When he was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, Lee replaced Johnston. After recovering from his wounds, Johnston was sent to coordinate the operations of the armies the Tennessee and Mississippi regions. Since he did not have a command of his own, Johnston resented this duty. In 1863, Johnston made a futile attempt to relieve John C. Pemberton's army at Vicksburg. He wanted Pemberton to fight his way out of Vicksburg, but Union General Ulysses S. Grant had Pemberton trapped. The surrender of Pemberton's army put additional stress on the already strained relationship between Johnston and President Davis. After the campaigns of 1863, however, Davis felt he had little choice but to name Johnston commander of the Army of Tennessee. The Confederates were losing large sections of territory to the Union. Bragg was literally maneuvered right out of Tennessee during the summer, although he engineered a victory at Chickamauga before laying siege to Union troops at Chattanooga. When Grant broke the Confederate hold on Chattanooga in November, Bragg resigned his command. Davis reluctantly appointed Johnston to save the situation in the West. Johnston took the field with his army in the spring of 1864, when Union General William T. Sherman began his drive toward Atlanta. Johnston employed a defensive strategy that avoided direct battle with Sherman but which also resulted in lost territory as Johnston slowly backed up to Atlanta. Johnston's command lasted until July 1864, when Davis replaced Johnston after the Army of the Tennessee was backed into Atlanta. Ironically, the Union Army considered him one of the best leaders of the Confederate troops, as he was quite effective. Jefferson Davis did not see it that way.
http://tennessee-scv.org/camp28/johnstonbio.html
http://www.swcivilwar.com/jjohnston.html
    1863-Birthday of George Santayana, Philosopher and author born at Madrid, Spain. At the age of nine he emigrated to the US where he attended and later taught at Harvard University. In 1912 he returned to Europe and traveled extensively. It was Santayana who said, “ Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. “ He died at Rome, Italy, September 1,1952.
    1864 - Union troops defeated Confederate forces on the second day of battle at Nashville, essentially knocking the Confederate Army of Tennessee out of the Civil War. Union General George Thomas attack on the army of Confederate General John Bell Hood at Nashville is a major defeat for the Confederacy. Hood's drastically outnumbered force retreat, and only some heroic rear-guard action prevented the total destruction of the Confederate army.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec16.html
    1867- Elizabeth Johnson Harris birthday, one of the first African-American female writers.
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/harris/#sarah
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/collections/african-american-women.html
    1869 -- US: Decree by US Emperor Norton I, historically America's greatest & most enlightened ruler, demands that Sacramento clean its muddy streets & place gaslights on streets leading to the capitol.
http://www.zpub.com/sf/history/nort.html 
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/norton.html
    1870-Negro Methodist Episcopal Church founded in Jackson, TN. Its name was changed in 1954 to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The denomination today is comprised of approximately 3,000 congregations.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0405018851/absolutsearch05/
104-3547695-1517507
    1884-William Henry Fruen of Minneapolis received a patent for a vending machine that dispensed liquid automatically. When a coin was inserted in the slot, a uniform supply of liquid was released from a reservoir.
    1893-Anton Dvorak's New World Symphony premiered at the newly erected Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic playing. The composer attended and enjoyed enthusiastic applause from the audience. The symphony contains snatches from black spirituals and American folk music. Dvorak, a Bohemian, had been in the US only a year when he composed it as a greeting to his friends in Europe.
    1901 - The famous story, "Peter Rabbit", by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time, complete with Potter's watercolor illustrations. Ms. Potter had come up with the Peter Rabbit concept eight years earlier when she sent a story, told in pen and ink drawings, to a five-year-old who was sick in bed. The first story about the ill-behaved rabbit was meant to cheer up the little boy. Of course, all good little boys and girls remember that Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail were the good little bunnies who went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed through the gate. First he ate some lettuce and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes ... and he got too fat ... and Mr. McGregor is coming ... and we gotta get out of this garden ... and it's getting late ... we will have to finish this later.
    1901- Margaret Mead birthday - U.S. anthropologist who revolutionized thinking about primitive life and female adolescent sexuality by raising questions about the assumptions of rigid social mores in all cultures. In1949 she published Male and Female: A Study of the Sexes in a Changing World which contrasted gender roles in various societies, the importance of the mother in the development of the children's adult lives, and the different opinions on women's roles in . It examined traditional male- female relationships, using observations from the Pacific and the East Indies for reference in discussing such topics as the mother's influence in perpetuating male and female roles and the different concepts of women's roles in marriage.
http://mead2001.org/index.html
http://www.mead2001.org/Biography.htm
    1905 - Sime Silverman published the first issue of "Variety", the weekly show biz magazine. The first issue was 16 pages in length and sold for a nickel. "Variety" and "Daily Variety" are still going strong.
    1907 - Eugene H. Farrar became the first singer to broadcast on radio. He sang from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. The song? "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" 1916 -- Writer Theodore Weiss born Reading, Pa.
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/03/q2/0418-weiss.htm
    1915-Birthday of trombonist Turk Murphy
http://www.sfmuseum.org/bio/turk.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/collection.html
http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/tmjb.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/92.html
http://www.ragtimebymail.com/albums_mmr/mmr11.html 
http://www.jazzbymail.com/albums_mmr/mmr09.html
http://www.stompoff.com/albums1000/1027.html
(I have in my shellac collection, the first record he made with Lu Watters, too.I saw him many, many times in San Francisco at his own club and the Fairmont. Tony Bennett was a big Dixieland fan and was often there. Turk Murphy began playing in Frisco dance bands as early as 1930. In 1939 he teamed with the legendary Lu Watters, joining Waters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band which began a steady engagement at the Dawn Club in the basement of the Monadnock Building on Market between Third & Annie streets. In 1960, he opened his first “Earthquake McGoon's” on Broadway, named for the then-popular Al Capp cartoon character. ).
    1917-Birthday of A.C.Clarke, Minehead, UK. Sorry to break the tradition of American History, but being a science-fiction buff, he is one of my favorite writers, so he is now an adopted American. Yes, I am a “Trekkie,” too. I have all the badges on my office wall, plus many Star Trek items on my bookcase. Also a Western fan. At age 14, I wrote four western paperbacks that were published ( I made $40 each.)
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/aclarke.htm
    1917 - An ice jam closed the Ohio River between Warsaw, KY, and Rising Sun, IN. The thirty foot high ice jam held for 58 days, and backed up the river a distance of 100 miles.
    1922--EDWARDS, WALTER ATLEE Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Sea of Marmora, Turkey, 16 December 1922. Born: 8 November 1886, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 123, 4 February 1924. (Medal presented by President Coolidge at the White House on 2 February 1924.) Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For heroism in rescuing 482 men, women and children from the French military transport Vinh-Long, destroyed by fire in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey, on 16 December 1922. Lt. Comdr. Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, placed his vessel alongside the bow of the transport and, in spite of several violent explosions which occurred on the burning vessel, maintained his ship in that position until all who were alive were taken on board. Of a total of 495 on board, 482 were rescued by his coolness, judgment and professional skill, which were combined with a degree of heroism that must reflect new glory on the U.S. Navy.
    1928 -- Science-fiction great Philip K. Dick born Chicago, Illinois. American science fiction writer par excellence. Author of Flow My Tears the Policeman Said, Crack in Space, Man in the High Castle, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Time Out of Joint, etc.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/pkdick.htm
    1930-Birthday of flute player Sam Most, Atlantic City, NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~wigwise/sammost.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~wigwise/index.htm
    1930-Golfer Bobby Jones won the first James E. Sullivan award as the nation's best amateur athlete. The award was established by the Amateur Athletic Union to honor its former president and is presented annually to the athlete who “by his or her performance, example, and influence as an amateur, has done the most during the year to advance the course of sportsmanship.”
    1933-Birthday of organ player Johnny “Hammond” Smith, Louisville, KY
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,543346,00.html?artist=
Johnny+%22Hammond%22+Smith
    1937 –The first escape from Alcatraz, San Francisco.
http://zpub.com/sf50/alcatraz/
    1940 - Bob Crosby and his Bobcats backed up brother Bing as "San Antonio Rose" was recorded on Decca Records.
    1941-The first submarine from the United States to sink a Japanese ship in World War II was the USS Swordfish, commanded by Lt. Chest Carl Smith, which torpedoed the 8,662-ton Japanese freighter Atsutusan Maur under destroyer escort off the coast of Indochina. The Swordfish was 311 feet long and displaced 2,350 tons. The Ship was destroyed by a mine on its 13 th patrol in January 1945, near Okinawa, with the loss of all aboard.
1944 German V-2 strikes Antwerp bioscope (638 kill)
http://www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/gal114/SpaceRace/sec200img/213l3p3.jpg
http://www.hrw.com/science/si-science/earth/spacetravel/spacerace/
SpaceRace/sec200/sec210.html
http://www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/gal114/SpaceRace/sec200/sec211.htm 
    1944-US 2nd Infantry division occupies "Heartbreak Crossroads" Wahlerscheid
http://ranger95.crosswinds.net/divisions/99th_elsenborn_ridge.html
    1944- Birthday of guitarist John Abercrombie, Port Chester, NY.
http://www.ejn.it/mus/abercrom.htm
http://www.johnabercrombie.com/
http://www.guitarspecialist.com/johnabercrombie.htm
    1944-Battle of the Buldge: A German offensive was launched in the Belgian Ardennes forest, where Hitler had managed to concentrate 250,000men. The Nazi commanders, hoping to minimize any aerial counterattack by the allies, chose a time when foggy, rainy weather prevailed and the initial attach by eight armored divisions along a 75-mile front took the Allies by surprise, the 5 th Panzer Army penetrated to within 20 miles of crossings on the Meuse River. US troops were able to hold fast at bottlenecks in the Ardennes, but by the end of December the German push had penetrated 65 miles into the Allied lines ( though their line had narrowed from the initial 75 miles to 20 miles). By that time the Allies began to respond and the Germans were stopped by Montgomery on the Meuse and by Patton At Bastogne. the weather then cleared and allied aircraft began to bomb the German forces and supply lines by December 26. The Allies reestablished their original line by January 21.
   1944-McGARlTY, VERNON Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 393d Infantry, 99th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, 16 December 1944. Entered service at: Model, Tenn. Born: 1 December 1921, Right, Tenn. G.O. No.: 6, 11 January 1946. Citation: He was painfully wounded in an artillery barrage that preceded the powerful counteroffensive launched by the Germans near Krinkelt, Belgium, on the morning of 16 December 1944. He made his way to an aid station, received treatment, and then refused to be evacuated, choosing to return to his hard-pressed men instead. The fury of the enemy's great Western Front offensive swirled about the position held by T/Sgt. McGarity's small force, but so tenaciously did these men fight on orders to stand firm at all costs that they could not be dislodged despite murderous enemy fire and the breakdown of their communications. During the day the heroic squad leader rescued 1 of his friends who had been wounded in a forward position, and throughout the night he exhorted his comrades to repulse the enemy's attempts at infiltration. When morning came and the Germans attacked with tanks and infantry, he braved heavy fire to run to an advantageous position where he immobilized the enemy's lead tank with a round from a rocket launcher. Fire from his squad drove the attacking infantrymen back, and 3 supporting tanks withdrew. He rescued, under heavy fire, another wounded American, and then directed devastating fire on a light cannon which had been brought up by the hostile troops to clear resistance from the area. When ammunition began to run low, T/Sgt. McGarity, remembering an old ammunition hole about 100 yards distant in the general direction of the enemy, braved a concentration of hostile fire to replenish his unit's supply. By circuitous route the enemy managed to emplace a machinegun to the rear and flank of the squad's position, cutting off the only escape route. Unhesitatingly, the gallant soldier took it upon himself to destroy this menace single-handedly. He left cover, and while under steady fire from the enemy, killed or wounded all the hostile gunners with deadly accurate rifle fire and prevented all attempts to re-man the gun. Only when the squad's last round had been fired was the enemy able to advance and capture the intrepid leader and his men. The extraordinary bravery and extreme devotion to duty of T/Sgt. McGarity supported a remarkable delaying action which provided the time necessary for assembling reserves and forming a line against which the German striking power was shattered.
    1945-MURRAY, CHARLES P., JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kaysersberg, France, 16 December 1944. Entered service at: Wilmington, N.C. Birth: Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 63, 1 August 1945. Citation: For commanding Company C, 30th Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near Kaysersberg, France, on 16 December 1944, while leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory. Descending into a valley beneath hilltop positions held by our troops, he observed a force of 200 Germans pouring deadly mortar, bazooka, machinegun, and small arms fire into an American battalion occupying the crest of the ridge. The enemy's position in a sunken road, though hidden from the ridge, was open to a flank attack by 1st Lt. Murray's patrol but he hesitated to commit so small a force to battle with the superior and strongly disposed enemy. Crawling out ahead of his troops to a vantage point, he called by radio for artillery fire. His shells bracketed the German force, but when he was about to correct the range his radio went dead. He returned to his patrol, secured grenades and a rifle to launch them and went back to his self-appointed outpost. His first shots disclosed his position; the enemy directed heavy fire against him as he methodically fired his missiles into the narrow defile. Again he returned to his patrol. With an automatic rifle and ammunition, he once more moved to his exposed position. Burst after burst he fired into the enemy, killing 20, wounding many others, and completely disorganizing its ranks, which began to withdraw. He prevented the removal of 3 German mortars by knocking out a truck. By that time a mortar had been brought to his support. 1st Lt. Murray directed fire of this weapon, causing further casualties and confusion in the German ranks. Calling on his patrol to follow, he then moved out toward his original objective, possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock. He captured 10 Germans in foxholes. An eleventh, while pretending to surrender, threw a grenade which knocked him to the ground, inflicting 8 wounds. Though suffering and bleeding profusely, he refused to return to the rear until he had chosen the spot for the block and had seen his men correctly deployed. By his single-handed attack on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 1st Lt. Murray stopped a counterattack, established an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an inspiring example for the men of his command.
    1945 - Prince Fumimaro Konoe, twice Japanese prime minister, committed suicide rather than face war crimes charges. In the 1920s. he had worked to curb army powers and prevent an expansion of the war with China. He helped engineer the fall of the Tojo government in 1944 but was suspected of war atrocities.
    1945---Top Hits
It Might as Well Be Spring - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Billy Williams) White Christmas - Bing Crosby 
It's Been a Long, Long Time - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen) 
Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight - Bob Wills
    1950- Patti Page's "The Tennessee Waltz" hits #1
    1951 - In a special preview courtesy of "Chesterfield Sound Off Time", "Dragnet" made it to television. The police drama opened its official run on television January 3, 1952. Trivia fact: Sergeant Friday's boss in the preview was played by Raymond Burr. . My father Lawrence Menkin wrote several of the episodes of the early editions. They were based primarily on true episodes, including actual police consulted on and off the set for authenticity. It starred Jack Webb as stoic and determined Sergeant Joe Friday, a man whose life was his investigative work, and who was recognized by his recurring line, Just the facts ,ma'am.” My father said he was “almost everything” in the series from producer to story editor, a workaholic, very hard to deal with, and one of the reasons he was able to sell him scripts, he made many Los Angeles police friends, meaning the guys on the street, not from the PR department, and brought them along to “pitch stories.” Friday had partners, Barton Yarborough played Sergeant Ben Romero for three episodes, for the rest of the season Barney Phillips played Sergeant Ed Jacobs and Ben Alexander played his comedic sidekick, Officer Frank Smith. A new version appeared in 1967 with Webb and his new partner, Officer Bill Gannon(Harry Morgan): “Dragnet” is also known for its theme music and its narrative epilogue describing the fate of the bad guys. ( Here's a side note, my father was driving a 1951 two door brown Pontiac. One day leaving the studio, he got in, said he had a hard time turning the key, but it worked, and when he got home, he didn't have the scripts in the car. He then discovered it was not his car. So he drove to the station where he knew some policemen, and they all had a big laugh, got his car back, and they used the story in one of the episodes but it was Friday's sergeant, I believe, who started the wrong car.
    1952-Buck Clayton All-Star group jams, Hucklebuck, Robbins' Nest, Christopher Columbus, NYC, on Columbia label.
    1953---Top Hits 
Rags to Riches - Tony Bennett 
White Christmas - Bing Crosby 
Ricochet - Teresa Brewer 
Caribbean - Mitchell Torok
    1960 - Lucille Ball took a respite from her weekly TV series to star in the Broadway production of "Wildcat", which opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York City. The show ran for 171 performances.
    1961---Top Hits 
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes 
The Twist - Chubby Checker 
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke 
Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
    1961 -- US: Martin Luther King, Jr., 266 others arrested in Albany, GA. Considered a major turning point in history, as evidenced by his own words in his autobiography: “On December 16, 1961, the Negro community of that city made its stride toward freedom. Citizens from every quarter of the community made their moral witness against the system of segregation. They willingly went to jail to create an effective protest. “I too was jailed on charges of parading without a permit, disturbing the peace, and obstructing the sidewalk. I refused to pay the fine and had expected to spend Christmas in jail. I hoped thousands would join me. I didn't come to be arrested. I had planned to stay a day or so and return home after giving counsel. But after seeing negotiations break down, I knew I had to stay. My personal reason for being in Albany was to express a personal witness of a situation I felt was very important to me. As I, accompanied by over one hundred spirited Negroes, voluntarily chose jail to bail, the city officials appeared so hardened to all appeals to conscience that the confidence of some of our supporters was shaken. They nervously counted heads and concluded too hastily that the movement was losing momentum. “I shall never forget the experience of seeing women over seventy, teenagers, and middle-aged adults-some with professional degrees in medicine, law, and education, some simple housekeepers and laborers-crowding the cells. This development was an indication that the Negro would not rest until all the barriers of segregation were broken down. The South had to decide whether it would comply with the law of the land or drift into chaos and social stagnation. “One must search for words in an attempt to describe the spirit of enthusiasm and majesty engendered in the next mass meeting, on that night when seven hundred Negro citizens were finally released from prison. Out from the jails came those men and women doctors, ministers, housewives-all of whom had joined ranks with a gallant student leadership in an exemplary demonstration of nonviolent resistance to segregation. “Before long the merchants were urging a settlement upon the city officials and an agreement was finally wrung from their unwilling hands. That agreement was dishonored and violated by the city. It was inevitable that the sweep of events would see a resumption of the nonviolent movement, and when cases against the seven hundred odd prisoners were not dropped and when the city council refused to negotiate to end discrimination in public places, actions began again. “
http://www.stanford.edu/group/king/publications/autobiography/chp_16.htm
http://pbsvideodb.pbs.org/chapter.asp?item_id=7897&chap_id=2ed 
in Albany, Georgia.
    1962-Birthday of William “ The Refrigerator” Perry, former football player, born Aiken, SC.
1967 Wilt Chamberlain of NBA Philadelphia 76ers scores 68 points vs Chicago.
    1962-Only man ever to reach the mainland alive after an escape from Alcatraz Prison emerges from San Francisco Bay, immediately captured by waiting authorities.
    1965 - Gen. William Westmoreland, Commander of U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam, sends a request for more troops. With nearly 200,000 U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam already, Westmoreland sent Defense Secretary Robert McNamara a message stating that he would need an additional 243,000 men by the end of 1966. Although the high tide of U.S. troop strength in South Vietnam never reached the 600,000, there were more than 540,000 U.S. troops in South Vietnam by 1969.
    1969---Top Hits 
Leaving on a Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary 
Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes 
Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival 
(I'm So) Afraid of Losing You Again - Charley Pride
    1971 - Melanie (Safka) earned a gold record for her single, "Brand New Key", about roller skates and love. It hit #1 on Christmas Day, 1971.
    1971 - Don McLean's eight-minute-plus (8:32) version of "American Pie" was released. It became one of the longest songs with some of the most confusing (pick your favorite interpretation) lyrics to ever hit the pop charts. Disc Jokey's also liked the song because it allowed them time for “potty breaks” from the microphone. "American Pie" hit #1 on January 15, 1972.
    1972-- Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" hits #1
    1972 - The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season. The Dolphins beat the Baltimore Colts to earn the honor. Larry King, incidentally, did color for the Dolphins this year on radio..
    1972 - Paul McCartney's single, "Hi, Hi, Hi", was released. It peaked at #10 on the top tune tabulation (February 3, 1973).
    1975-“One Day at a Time” premiered on TV. This sitcom about a divorced mother raising two girls in Indianapolis starred Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli as daughters Julie and Barbara Cooper. Other regulars included Pat Harrington, J., as too-belt-wearing maintenance man Dwayne Schneider, Richard Masur as David Kane, Ann's boyfriend, Mary Louise Wilson as neighbor GinnyWroblicki, John Hillerman and Charles Siebert as Ann's bosses, John Putch as Barbara's boyfriend and Nanette Fabry as Ann's mother. During the course of the series, all three female leads got married and Ann opened her own ad agency.
    1975-The Bay City Rollers earn a Gold record for their first US single, "Saturday Night". They will go on to have five more Billboard Top 40 hits.
    1976-Andrew Young named Ambassador and Chief US Delegate to the United Nations. He resigns his congressional seat on January 29, 1977 to take the position.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=Y000028
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/650/54.html
http://www.manchester.edu/Academic/Programs/departments/econ/files/
museum/black/andrew.htm
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-famous/andrewyo.html
    1977---Top Hits 
You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone 
How Deep is Your Love - Bee Gees 
Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt 
Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton1978- Cleveland, Ohio, become the first city in the post-Depression era to default on its loans. Plagued by political sniping between its mayor and city council, as well as an eroding economic base, Cleveland managed to pile up $14 million in debt to a number of local banks.
    1982-Operating Capacity of Factories Plummets. Heading in to the 1980s, America's economy was hardly in the best shape. Indeed, years of mounting debt and rising inflation had taken their toll on the nation's fiscal health. Alas, the first few years of the '80s provided little change, as the economy did not take well to Reaganomics, President Ronald Reagan's strategy of tax cuts and spending hikes. And, throughout 1982, the government released a stream of financial statistics that suggested that the situation was only growing worse. In July, the Census Bureau announced that the poverty rate had risen to 14 percent, which marked a rapid-fire 7.4-percent increase over its mark in 1980. That same November, the Labor Department revealed that the cost of living had suffered a 6-percent increase during the past twelve months. And, on December 16, the Federal Reserve released a report indicating that the operating capacity of U.S. factories had plummeted to 67.8 percent, the nation's lowest mark since the indicator was introduced in 1948.
    1983- Replacing Billy Martin (91-71, third place), Yogi Berra is hired for the second time to manage the Yankees. 
    1985---Top Hits 
Broken Wings - Mr. Mister 
Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie 
Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy 
Nobody Falls Like a Fool - Earl Thomas Conley
    1987 - A Pacific storm battered the coast of California with rain and high winds, and dumped heavy snow on the mountains of California. Winds along the coast gusted to 70 mph at Point Arguello, and winds in the Tehachapi Mountains of southern California gusted to 100 mph at Wheeler Ridge. Snowfall totals ranged up to 24 inches at Mammoth Mountain. Snow fell for two minutes at Malibu Beach, and Disneyland was closed due to the weather for only the second time in twenty-four years. A winter storm which began in the Southern Rockies four days earlier finished its course producing snow and high winds in New England. Snowfall totals ranged up to 19 inches at Blanchard ME.
    1989 - Fifty-seven cities from the Southern and Central Plains to the Appalachians reported record low temperatures for the date, including North Platte NE with a reading of 17 degrees below zero. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced 18 inches of snow at Syracuse NY, and 30 inches at Carlisle IND. Low pressure brought heavy snow to northern New England, with 18 inches reported at Derby VT and Saint Johnsbury VT.
    1992- IBM said it would make its first layoffs in fifty years. The company announced it would trim its staff by 25,000 employees and dispose of some of the assets of its mainframe business. IBM had long been the leading maker of mainframe computers, but in the late 1990s, demand declined as personal computers became increasingly powerful.
    1993 -- Woman-harassing Senator Robert Packwood (R-OR) finally surrenders his diaries to a judge who turned them over to the Senate Ethics Committee. Some of the tapes had been altered. Women's groups had argued for years that Packwood should be brought up on charges of sexual harassment. According to information released to the press, Packwood had a long history of groping women, forcing himself on them using his political power, and in general being a leech. He would eventually resign from the Senate.
http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cas22.htm
   1995-The Beatles' "Free As A Bird" peaks at number 2 on the UK charts and number 6 in the US. Written by John Lennon and performed by him on piano as a rough demo shortly before he was murdered, the track was completed by the remaining Beatles at Paul McCartney's home studio.1995-The Beatles' "Free As A Bird" peaks at number 2 on the UK charts and number 6 in the US. Written by John Lennon and performed by him on piano as a rough demo shortly before he was murdered, the track was completed by the remaining Beatles at Paul McCartney's home studio.
    1998 - Hundreds of missiles were fired on Iraq in response to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's refusal to comply with the mission of United Nations weapons inspectors.
    2000 - An F4 tornado hits communities near Tuscaloosa, AL, killing 11 people and injuring 125 others. It was the strongest December tornado in Alabama since 1950.
    2002- After being invited to the Dominican Republic by President Hipolito Mejia, Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh meets one his favorite players, island resident Sammy Sosa. The Dominican outfielder, who is one homer shy of the coveted 500, will have to hit several hundred more to reach the mark of 868 set by the 62-year old during his 22 seasons playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
    2010-Paul McCartney paid tribute to his Beatles band mate John Lennon during an appearance on Saturday Night Live where he performed "A Day in the Life" and then thrilled viewers with a cover version of his late friend's anti-war anthem "Give Peace a Chance".