Correction: Samsung Did Not Say "No"
to N.Y. AG & S.F. Police Chief

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón joined together to pitch to encourage wireless carriers towards a technological solution to curb the theft of hand held devices with a free "kill switch" built in. They issued a press release saying their coalition idea was rejected by Samsung.

The group issued the following statement:

"It is highly disturbing that these corporations rejected a proposal that would have helped keep millions of consumers safe. If they did so to protect their own profit margins, as several recent reports suggest, it is even more egregious. Companies that choose to prioritize profits over safety put consumers everywhere at risk. Since smartphone thefts so often result in violence, we call on manufacturers and carriers alike to make the opt-out kill switch an industry-wide standard. The members of the S.O.S. Coalition will continue to use the combined powers of its members to pressure the industry to put the safety of its customers above all other concerns.”

The fact is Samsung is about to issue a touch fingerprint sensor for mobile devices running Android and Windows+:.

"Our core fingerprint sensor technology has since a long time delivered the best performance in the industry for both touch and swipe sensors and this has enabled FPC1020 to be uniquely positioned to drive the adoption of touch fingerprint sensors into Android [and Windows] based smartphones and tablets"."

"Testing for the FPC1020 has already been taking place, and the silicon was sampled just a few weeks ago. If all goes as planned, the first engineering sample deliveries of complete sensor modules should be ready for customers in the next couple of weeks."

http://www.mobilitytechzone.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/2013/11/26/361757-fpc1020-the-worlds-first-touch-fingerprint-sensor-mobile.htm

John Kenny Receivables Management • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement• Fraud Investigations • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches  • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167| www.jkrmdirect.com

 

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

 

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Archives---December 3, 2001
Colonial Leasing/GE---"Unplugged!"

“GE Capital is consolidating its Portland, OR based Colonial Pacific Leasing (CPL) business with its other small/mid ticket leasing business, Chicago based Office Technology Financial Services (OTFS).

“After careful consideration of our existing product and service offerings against market conditions, we determined that it was important to sharpen our focus on our most strategic business customers.

“We therefore regretfully inform you that we are unable to accept new submissions from your business after December 14, 2001.”

It appears perhaps only as few as seven brokers will be retained out of perhaps 300. When the re-brokered business was curtailed, Steve Dunham’s operation Leasing Associates was reportedly not affected.

As important, how many employees were offered to move to Chicago, Illinois? Remember when TYCO offered the top CIT personnel to locate to Tempe, Arizona. Moving your family from the lifestyle of Atlanta to Tempe may be the same contrast as from Portland, Oregon to Chicago, Illinois. When push comes to shove, the financial decision in today’s leasing job market will most likely be viewed as more important than the emotional family ties and lifestyle.

The marketplace changed after the purchase of the company by General Electric, including re-brokered business, one of the company’s mainstays. Along with Advanta, El Camino, Comdisco, Unicapital, United Capital, to mention just a few from the Leasing News List, the struggling is over.

As one past president, who does not want to be “quoted” said:
“The company served the broker community for years like no other company has. It was a good, long run for the brokers, lessors and employees.”

TODAY

---Update: Leasing Companies Out of Business
plus No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business

Companies with an * are no longer in business. The others are companies that were taking broker business, but announced that they no longer are accepting broker business. Many have also down-sized or are managing an existing portfolio.

More details are available in this list by company name:

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

*ABCO Leasing Inc., Bothell, WA
*ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah (lenders running off portfolio residuals, Leasing News receiving Evergreen non-notification complaints, demanding 12 more monthly payments)
Advantage Business Capital, Lake Oswego, Oregon
AEL Financial, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
(No longer taking new broker business) 
Alliance Financial, Syracuse, New York
*Alternative Capital, Apollo Beach, Florida 
*AMC Funding, Charlotte, North Carolina
American Bank Leasing, Alpharetta, Georgia
*American Equipment Finance, Warren, New Jersey
Balboa Capital, Irvine, Ca
Bank of the West Leasing Indirect, San Ramon, California
    (Require high volume, successful brokers only) 
*Bank Midwest Leasing, Overland Park, KS 
Bankers Healthcare Group, Weston, FL
*Blackstone Equipment Financing, Orange, California 
*CapitalSource Healthcare Finance, Chevy Chase, Maryland
*CapNet, Los Angeles, California
*C and J Leasing Corp, Des Moines, Iowa
*Carlton Financial Corporation, Wayzata, Minnesota
*Chase Industries, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan 
*Chesterfield Financial, Chesterfield, Missouri
CHG-MERIDIAN U.S. Finance, Ltd, Woodland Hills, CA
(Sales Management focuses very selectively on certain brokers.) 
*Churchill Group/Churchill Leasing, Jericho, NY
CIT Group (limited)
Columbia Bank Leasing, Tacoma, WA
*Columbia Equipment Finance, Danville, California 
Commercial Equipment Lease, Eugene, Oregon 
Concord Financial Services, Long Beach, California
*Court Square, Malvern, Pennsylvania
*Creative Capital Leasing Group, LLC, San Diego, CA
Direct Capital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Diversified Financial Service, Omaha, NE
Dolsen Leasing, Bellevue/Yakima, Washington
Equipment Finance Partners, a division of Altec, Birmingham, Alabama 
Evans National Leasing, Inc., Hamburg, NY
Enterprise Funding, Grand Rapids, Michigan
* Evergreen Leasing, South Elgin, Illinois
*Excel Financial Leasing, Lubbock Texas
*First Corp.(IFC subsidiary), Morton Grove, Illinois
First Federal Financial Services, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
First Republic Bank, San Francisco, CA
Frontier Capital, Teaneck New Jersey 
*GCR Capital, Safety Harbor, Florida 
GE Capital, Conn (limited)
Global Funding LLC., Clearwater, FL
*Greystone, Burlington, MA
*Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, CA
*Hillcrest Bank Leasing, Overland Park, KS (Parent bank sold)
Huntington Equipment Finance, Vendor Finance Group, Bellevue, Washington
*IFC Credit Corp., Morton Grove, Illinois
Irwin Financial (Irwin Union Bank), Columbus, Indiana 
Irwin Union Bank, F.S.B. (Louisville, Kentucky)
Lakeland Bank, Montville, NJ
LaSalle Systems Leasing
*Latitude Equipment Leasing, Marlton, New Jersey 
*Leaf Specialty Finance, Columbia, South Carolina
*LEAF Third Party Funding, Santa Barbara, Ca.
Lombard, part of Royal Bank of Scotland, worldwide
Marlin Business Services, Mount Laurel, NJ (accepting no new brokers, they may have opened for a select fee, but no more at this time, they say.)
M&T Credit (Bank)
*MericapCredit, Lisle, Illinois
*Meridian Healthcare Finance, San Diego, California 
Merrill Lynch Financial
*Mesa Leasing, San Diego, CA 
Midwest Leasing Group, Livonia, Minnesota
National City, Cleveland, Ohio
*Navigator (Pentech subsidiary) San Diego, California
OFC Capital, Roswell, Georgia
Old National Bank, Evansville, Illinois
Pentech Financial, Campbell, CA
*PFF Bancorp, Inc, Pomona, CA
Pinnacle Business Finance, Fife, Washington
*Pioneer Capital Corporation, Addison, Texas
PredictiFund, a subsidiary of Capital Access Network, Inc
Popular Finance, St. Louis, Missouri
Puget Sound Leasing, Seattle, Washington 
Radiance-Capital, Tacoma, WA
Rational Technology Solutions, Rolling Meadows, IL
*Reliant National Finance, Jacksonville, Florida
Sandy Springs, Olney, MD
* Securities Equipment Lsg. (SEL, Inc.), Glendora, CA 
Sovereign Bank, Melville, New York
Specialty Funding, Albuquerque, NM
*Studebaker-Worthington Leasing, Corp., Jerico, NY
(part of sale from Main Street Bank to Ascentium Capital) 
Sun Trust Equipment Finance & Leasing, Baltimore, Maryland 
*SunBridge Capital, Mission, Kansas
Suncoast Equipment Funding Corp., Tampa, Florida
TCF Equipment Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota 
TechLease, Morgan Hill, California
*Tennessee Commerce Bank, Franklin, Tennessee 
Textron Financial
*Triad Leasing & Financial, Inc., Boise, Idaho
*TriStar Capital, Santa Ana, California 
*Union Capital Partners, Midvale, Utah
US Bank, Manifest Funding, Marshall, Minnesota
(new requirement: large yearly funding) 
US Bank, Middle-Market, Portland, Oregon 
Velocity Financial Group, Rosemont, Illinois
VenCore, Portland, Oregon (former company Len Ludwig)
*Vision Capital, San Diego, California
Wachovia Bank Leasing
*Washington Mutual Financial
Western Bank, Devils Lake, ND
*Westover Financial, Inc., Santa Ana, California

[headlines]
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Classified Ads---Credit Manager

Credit, syndication, workout experience Exceptional work ethic, common sense coupled with practical experience in equipment finance, consumer, commercial. Can interact with all levels of borrowers and intermediaries. Not an originator – but can help sales team close – great up sell ability. Will relocate for the right opportunity AND can work remotely.aaacorrespondent@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

 

[headlines]
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Salvation Army Kettle

(Please click on kettle to make a donation,
also see who has donated)

BBB Leasing Company Ratings
December 3, 2013

Chase Industries, Grand Rapids, Michigan,: BBB continues to rate company A+ company, although corporation "dissolved” in 2011, founder filed personal BK with many claims from vendors, leasing companies and other creditors not being paid.
http://www.bbb.org/western-michigan/business-reviews/leasing-service/chase-industries-in-grand-rapids-mi-38115448

Radiance Capital, Tacoma, Washington, remains an A+ despite the several Bulletin Board Complaints regarding charging a purchase option on Equipment Finance Agreements. One had a $5,000 security deposit that is now called in “default” for not paying the alleged purchase option on an EFA. There are several EFA pursuits by Mike Price of Radiance claiming a “purchase option.”

From the “F” Group both Barklay Capital, Costa Mesa, California, and Benchmark Financial Group, Aliso, California have been removed. The founder of Barklay, Ashwani “Matt” Hingorani, was arrested in 2011 after 40 complaints with the Costa Mesa Police Department arrested (http://leasingnews.org/archives/Sep2011/9_06.htm#gypsy).

Reportedly Benchmark is working under two other company names

Cobalt Funding Group and Partners Capital
(http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2011/7_20.htm#name_filing).

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

December 3, 2013 BBB Ratings

A+

--Accredited 12/16/1997
21st Century Leasing, San Diego, California
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/leasing-service/21st-century-leasing-in-san-diego-ca-10011418/

ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/financial-services/acc-capital-in-midvale-ut-5002457
Closed, lenders running off portfolio residuals, according to Loni Lowder, president.

--Accredited 9/10/2000
Advantage Leasing Corporation Milwaukee, Wisconsin
http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/business-reviews/leasing-service/advantage-leasing-corporation-in-milwaukee-wi-1004216/

--Accredited 4/01/2002
Allegiant Partners, San Rafael, California
http://www.bbb.org/greater-san-francisco/business-reviews/leasing-service/allegiant-partners-incorporated-in-san-rafael-ca-46794

Alliance Funding Group, Orange, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/Alliance-Funding-Group-Inc-13096486

--Accredited 9/01/2008
Arvest Bank Leasing, Fayetteville, Arkansas
http://www.bbb.org/arkansas/business-reviews/banks/arvest-bank-in-sherwood-ar-5001142

--Accredited 8/27/1999
Axis Capital, Grand Island, Nebraska
http://www.bbb.org/nebraska/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/axis-capital-in-grand-island-ne-104008575

Bankers Capital, Northborough, Massachusetts
http://www.bbb.org/central-western-massachusetts/business-reviews/financing/bankers-capital-in-northborough-ma-262264

BSB Leasing, Englewood, Colorado
http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/financial-services/b-s-b-leasinginc-in-englewood-co-26029

--Accredited 6/20/1996
Charter Capital, Scottsdale, Arizona
http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-western-arizona/business-reviews/leasing-service/charter-capital-in-scottsdale-az-89000861/

Chase Industries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.bbb.org/western-michigan/business-reviews/leasing-service/chase-industries-in-grand-rapids-mi-38115448

CSI Leasing, St. Louis, Missouri
http://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-reviews/computers-dealers/cs-i-leasing-in-saint-louis-mo-110207320

De Lage Landen Financial Services, Incorporated, Wayne, Pennsylvania
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/financing/de-lage-landen-financial-services-incorporated-in-wayne-pa-80012304/

Direct Capital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
http://www.bbb.org/concord/business-reviews/financial-services/direct-capital-corporation-in-portsmouth-nh-3004519#

--Accredited 3/10/2011
Financial Pacific, Federal Way, Washington
http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan/financial-pacific-leasing-in-federal-way-wa-22025327

--Accredited 8/10/2011
Five Point Capital, San Diego, California
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/financing/five-point-capital-inc-in-san-diego-ca-20001011/

--Accredited 12/27/2010
Great America Leasing, Cedar Rapid, Iowa
http://www.bbb.org/iowa/business-reviews/financing/great-america-leasing-in-cedar-rapids-ia-20000104

--Accredited 8/19/2011
iFinancial Group, San Clemente, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/leasing-service/ifinancial-group-inc-in-san-clemente-ca-13077753

Innovative Leasing Services, Inc. Carlsbad, California
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/leasing-service/innovative-lease-services-inc-in carlsbad-ca-10008827/

--Accredited 7/20/2011
Jules & Associates, Los Angeles, California
http://www.bbb.org/sanjose/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/jules-and-associates-in-los-angeles-ca-92003291

--Accredited 1/2/1993
Key Equipment Finance aka KeyBank Headquarters Location
http://www.bbb.org/cleveland/business-reviews/banks/keybank-in-cleveland-oh-6747

--Accredited 5/9/2003
Lease Corporation of America, Troy, Michigan
http://www.bbb.org/eastern-michigan/business-reviews/computers-software-and-services/lease-corporation-of-america-in-troy-mi-45000151/

--Accredited since 08/01/1997
Lease $mart, Oro Valley, Arizona  85737
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/leasing-service/lease-mart-in-tucson-az-6762

--Accredited 2/22/2011
Marlin Leasing, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
http://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/business-reviews/business-consultants/marlin-leasing-in-mt-laurel-nj-80012102

Mazuma Capital Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/contractor-equipment-and-supply-rental-and-leasing-companies/mazuma-capital-in-draper-ut-22214565

Orion First Financial, Gig Harbor, Washington
http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan-companies/orion-first-financial-in-gig-harbor-wa-37003864

--Accredited since 09/02/1999
P&L Capital, Omaha, Nebraska 68137
http://www.bbb.org/nebraska/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/p-and-l-capital-in-omaha-ne-104006668

Pawnee Leasing, Fort Collins, Colorado
http://www.bbb.org/wyoming-and-northern-colorado/business-reviews/leasing-companies/pawnee-leasing-corporation-in-fort-collins-co-46006417

--Accredited since 08/21/2007
Portfolio Financial Servicing Company, Portland, Oregon
http://www.bbb.org/oregon/business-reviews/financial-services/portfolio-financial-servicing-company-in-portland-or-22140131

--Accredited 8/20/2009
Providence Capital Funding, Brea, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/providence-capital-funding-inc-in-brea-ca-100085193

Radiance Capital, Tacoma, Washington
http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/radiance-capital-in-tacoma-wa-22227403

--Accredited 03/03/1979
Steelcase Financial Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.bbb.org/western-michigan/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-wholesale-and-mfg/steelcase-in-grand-rapids-mi-14000824

--Accredited 3/11/2005
Strada Capital Corporation, Laguna Hills, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/strada-capital-corporation-in-laguna-hills-ca-100005606

--Accredited 12/19/2007
Summit Funding Group, Cincinnati, Ohio
http://www.bbb.org/cincinnati/business-reviews/financing/summit-funding-group-inc-in-cincinnati-oh-1206757/

Tetra Financial Group, Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/credit-services/tetra-financial-group-in-salt-lake-city-ut-22186390

United Leasing, Evansville, Indiana
http://www.bbb.org/evansville/business-reviews/leasing-companies/united-leasing-in-evansville-in-99475

A

--Accredited 4/6/2010
Cornerstone Medical & Technology Finance, Lees Summit, Missouri
http://www.bbb.org/kansas-city/business-reviews/financial-services/cornerstone-medical-and-technology-finance-in, -lees-summit-mo-99153606

--Accredited 8/19/2011
iFinancial Group, San Clemente, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/iFinancial-Group-13077753

--Accredited 8/12/2010
Navitas Lease Finance Corp., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
http://www.bbb.org/north-east-florida/business-reviews/financial-services/navitas-lease-finance-corp-in-ponte-vedra-beach-fl-125716478/

Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/financial-services/onset-financial-in-south-jordan-ut-403

Southern California Leasing, Tustin, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/computers-rent-and-lease/southern-california-leasing-incorporated-in-tustin-ca-13135867

“Factors that lowered the rating for Southern California Leasing Incorporated include:
BBB does not have a clear understanding of this business”

TCF Equipment Finance, Minnetonka, Minnesota
http://www.bbb.org/minnesota/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan-companies/tcf-equipment-finance-in-minnetonka-mn-96072521

A-

Celtic Leasing, Irvine, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/Celtic-Leasing-Corp-78000620

Dakota Financial, LLC., Los Angeles, California
http://www.bbb.org/sanjose/business-reviews/loans-small-business/dakota-financial-in-los-angeles-ca-13177252

(Note no complaints, no reason for the downgrade)
“Length of time business has been operating.
No complaints filed with BBB.
BBB has sufficient background information on this business.”

Integrity Financial Groups, Murray, Utah http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/financing-consultants/integrity-financial-groups-in-murray-ut-22293260

B

LEAF Financial Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/financial-services/leaf-financial-corporation-in-philadelphia-pa-55049028/

Varilease Finance, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/credit-services/varilease-finance-in-salt-lake-city-ut-22165465

C +

TimePayment Corporation
http://www.bbb.org/boston/Business-Reviews/leasing-service/timepayment-corp-in-burlington-ma-117288/bbb-rating

Find your company's BBB listing by going to www.bbb.org and using your zip code first for the right division.

To list your company in the next listing, please email rating to kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

 

[headlines]
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Rating Changes since July 8, 2013
Better Business Bureau

Changes from A+

Now A-

Dakota Financial, LLC., Los Angeles, California

(Note no complaints, no reason for the downgrade)
“Length of time business has been operating.
No complaints filed with BBB.
BBB has sufficient background information on this business.”

Now A

Southern California Leasing, Tustin, California

Factors that lowered the rating for Southern California Leasing Incorporated include:
BBB does not have a clear understanding of this business

Changes from A

Now A+

--Accredited 8/19/2011
iFinancial Group, San Clemente, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/leasing-service/ifinancial-group-inc-in-san-clemente-ca-13077753

Now B

LEAF Financial Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/financial-services/leaf-financial-corporation-in-philadelphia-pa-55049028/

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

www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org

BBB Ratings

Ability Capital Solutions, Long Beach, California: not rated
ACC Capital, Midvale, Utah: A+
Balboa Capital, Irvine, California: under review
De Lage Landen, Wayne, Pennsylvania: A+
iFinancial Group, San Clemente, California: A+
Integrity Financial Groups, Murray, Utah A-
Liberty Capital, Aliso Viejo, California N/R
Marlin Leasing, Mount Laurel, New Jersey A+
Jules and Associates, Los Angeles, California: A+
Matrix Business Capital, Long Beach, California: not rated
Newport Financial Partners, Newport Beach, California: N/R
Onset Financial, South Jordan, Utah A
Radiance Capital, Tacoma, Washington: A+
Tetra Financial Group, Salt Lake City, Utah A+

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

No Longer Rated

All but three are from Southern California, where the Los Angeles Bureau franchise was changed due to claims that ratings could be purchased. They were previously rated.

Not rated, previously A+

Alliance Funding Group, Orange, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/loans-small-business/alliance-funding-group-inc-in-orange-ca-13096486

(Formerly Accredited 3/01/1997)
American Capital Group, Inc. Irvine, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/leasing-service/american-capital-group-in-irvine-ca-13035961

(Formerly Accredited 4/30/2004)
Mar Vista Financial, Villa Park, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/mortgage-brokers/mar-vista-financial-in-villa-park-ca-13158488

Studebaker-Worthington Leasing Corp., Jericho, New York
http://www.bbb.org/NYC/business-reviews/financing/studebaker-worthington-leasing-corp-in-jericho-ny-21198/

Not rated, previously A

(Formerly Accredited 2/10/2007)
Ability Capital Solutions, Long Beach, California
http://www.bbb.org/sanjose/business-reviews/leasing-service/ability-capital-solutions-in-long-beach-ca-100046803

(Formerly Accredited 12/13/2007)
Matrix Business Capital, Long Beach, California
http://www.bbb.org/sanjose/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/matrix-business-capital-in-long-beach-ca-100041782

Not rated, previously A-

Tri Star Capital, Santa Ana, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/office-furniture-and-equipment-rental-and-leasing/tri-star-capital-llc-in-santa-ana-ca-13137212
(Note: company in wind down, no longer active)

Not rated, previously B+

Balboa Capital Corporation, Irvine, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/loans-small-business/balboa-capital-corporation-in-irvine-ca-13126386

“This business has no rating at this time because BBB file information is being reviewed and/or updated.”

Not rated, previously B-

Newport Financial Partners, Newport Beach, California
http://www.bbb.org/orange-county/business-reviews/financial-services/newport-financial-partners-llc-in-newport-beach-ca-100100708

Not rated, previously C

Liberty Capital, LLC, Aliso Viejo, California
http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Other-Financial-Services/Liberty-Capital-LLC-in-Aliso-Viejo-CA-100115384

Not rated, previously F

Equilease Financial Services, Norwalk, CT
http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/financial-services/equilease-financial-service-in-norwalk-ct-1003628

“The business is in the process of responding to previously closed complaints.”

Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/financial-services/susquehanna-commercial-finance-in-pottstown-pa-140042240/

“BBB does not have sufficient information to determine how long this business has been operating. BBB made one or more requests for background information from the business. BBB has not received a response from business and/or has not been able to verify information received from business.”

NOT Rated from Past Reports:

Atel Capital
http://www.bbb.org/greater-san-francisco/business-reviews/equipment-rentals-and-sales/atel-in-san-francisco-ca-76975

Business Leasing NorthWest, Seattle, California
http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/leasing-service/business-leasing-northwest-in-seattle-wa-22035387

Enterprise Capital Partners dba Enterprise Leasing, Spokane, Washington
http://www.bbb.org/eastern-washington/business-reviews/investment-advisory-service/enterprising-capital-partners-in-spokane-wa-64002656/

Icon Capital Group, Harrison, New York
http://www.bbb.org/NYC/business-reviews/financing-consultants/icon-capital-corp-in-harrison-ny-27583/ (Icon Capital now into gas and oil).

Somerset Capital Group, Milford, Connecticut
http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/leasing-service/somerset-capital-group-in-bridgeport-ct-1001573
(This company was an A- in 2010. The site lists no complaints in the last 12 months or last three years. No explanation is given as to why it is “not rated.”)

Note: Many banks and financial Institutions with leasing entities evidently do not have their leasing divisions separated from bank and financial institutions ratings. No rating was found on the leasing divisions.

If you would like your company list, please email the rating to:
kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

 

[headlines]
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NACM Highest Rating Since Recession 2008
Credit Manager's Index 57.1 in November

The Credit Managers’ Index (CMI), published by the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), increased to 57.1 in November, registering its highest reading since the beginning of the recession in 2008.

Building on the optimism from October’s CMI, where respondents shook off the crisis in Washington to deliver the index’s best figures in over a year and a half, November’s readings signify a newfound stability in businesses’ attitudes on the economy as well as a greater sense of security in their investments. “There is a real sense that credit is more available than it has been in some time, which bodes well for the coming year,” said NACM Economist Chris Kuehl, PhD. “This is not to say that a shock to the economy would not force a decline, but more resilience has formed than has been the case in some time.”

"The overall message from the unfavorable factors is that business does not seem to be in real distress at the moment,” Kuehl said. “This does not necessarily mean that there is solid growth around the corner, but it does indicate that most of the companies in the survey are heading into 2014 stable, which opens up the possibility of substantial growth.”

There is more detail as well as "Rejections of credit applications jumped by more than a point, from 52.1 to 52.3, and accounts placed for collection leapt by nearly two points from 53.3 to 55.0, an impressive development given that this factor hit the 40s in March. "

Full Report:
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/NACM_October2013.pdf

Working Capital Loans $10,000-$250,000
www.channelpartnersllc.com p: (763) 746-7760 f: (763) 592-8297 information@channelpartnersllc.com

 

 

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Banks with Highest Texas Ratio Fall
SNL Executive Report

Based on the pace of failures so far in 2013, this year will see the closure of roughly 26 institutions. In the last few years, banks with adjusted Texas ratios over 100% have remained operating for longer periods prior to closure. Of the 51 institutions that failed in 2012, 33 posted adjusted Texas ratios of over 100% for more than five quarters prior to failure. This year, 16 of the 23 failed banks, as of Nov. 11, posted adjusted Texas ratios above 100% for more than five quarters prior to failure.

The Texas ratio is a good measure of a bank's ability to absorb future losses, and a Texas ratio over 100% is a widely regarded threshold at which banks tend to fail. SNL defines the adjusted Texas ratio as nonperforming assets plus loans 90 days or more past due, excluding delinquent government-guaranteed loans and other real estate owned covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, divided by tangible equity plus reserves.

Full report:
http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-25996584-9769

Failed Banks: Class of 2013
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Oct2013/10_15.htm#snl

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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Why Audit (Regardless of Your Size)

Every leasing company needs to review their operation at least once a year, regardless of your size. The purpose of this audit is to determine how efficient your operation is and if there are any problems that need to be corrected.

There are events after funding that need to be completed and only a yearly review would reveal problems. I recommend taking the time to review this yearly, no matter your size or how long you have been in business. You can always improve your operation, especially considering all the software and programs available to make your operation not only more efficient, but effective.

It is standard procedure to have an audit that reviews the completeness of transaction prior to funding and this should be looked at on a more regularly basis and not taken for granted.

At the beginning, right before funding, the yield needs to be double-checked to make sure it matches the approved yield. Too often the timing or the term is adjusted and the payments do not reflect the proper yield.

It is a red flag when reviewing the signatures and information in the blanks on the lease agreement when they are in different color ink or different style. It would be wise to reconfirm the acceptance at least verbally when the signed acceptance fails to be completed correctly.

Phone audits of lessees to fund the lease today are common, in fact, many are recorded and the lessee is so notified of the recording, especially when the documents have not been witnessed by employees of the lessor. I also think it is a good idea for brokers to ask a series of questions rather than just asking “Is the equipment delivered?” Often if several parts are required, all the boxes are not open, or even tested. Better to find out now than after the lease starts and lessor is told the lessee was instructed by the third party originator to say all was delivered. And the lessee doesn’t want to make any payments until delivery and installation have been completed.

One of the biggest problems I have observed over the years is the late filings of UCC’s. This happens when the filling is done at funding but the lessee was in possession of the equipment prior to signing the lease and the 20 days allowed for a “purchase money security interest” has elapsed. If discovered early you can request subordination agreements from the blanket lien holders. Also, if the vendors’ invoice fails to completely describe the equipment and further investigation improves the description, including additional attachments, it requires you to amend your UCC-1 filing with a UCC-3. Don’t just talk to the lessee (or third party originator), call the vendor for a confirmation of a full description and when the equipment was actually delivered.

Here are some suggestions for questions:

1. What date was the equipment delivered? Were all the attachments or accessories delivered [] Yes [] No

2. Were there any changes in the equipment ordered? [] Yes [] No (if yes - stop audit and re-document)

3. What date was the equipment accepted? Equipment location?

4 Has the equipment been put into use? [] Yes [] No How have you been using the equipment? Are you satisfied with its performance? [] Yes [] No

5. Did the vendor make any promises? [] Yes [] No Do you understand that we are not the vendor? [] Yes [] No

6. Do you understand this is: a net lease? [] Yes [] No a non-cancelable lease? [] Yes [] No

7. What is your understanding of your purchase option? : [] $1.00 [] 10% [] TRAC % [] PUT % [] _______

8. What was the title of the signor on the lease?

Sloppy documentation has caused more problems than any other issue. All kinds of audits are required to review your operation so problems can be discovered and corrected before they become a disaster.

Never assume that all your employees are as efficient as they should be. New employees do not understand all the risks we take and old term employees allow memory to get in the way of completeness.

A thorough audit can not only catch an error, but also help in educating your staff, too.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty years and can be reached at terrywinders11@yahoo.com or 502-649-0448.

He invites your questions and queries

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

 

Mr. Terry Winders available as Expert Witness. 35 years as a professional instructor to the top equipment leasing and finance companies in the United States, author of several books, including DVD's, as well as weekly columnist to Leasing News. He also performs audits of leasing companies as an expert on documentation, and has acted as an expert witness on leasing for litigation in legal and tax disputes, including before the IRS. He also has taught the senior bank examiners, how to review a bank leasing department, for the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C. and has trained the examiners for the FDIC on how to prepare a lease portfolio for sale. Mr. Winders received his Master of Business Administration and his Bachelor of Science degrees from the College of Notre Dame. 502.649.0448/terrywinders11@yahoo.com

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

 

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 “Interview Follow-up Letter”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

Question: How should I compose an interview follow-up letter?

Answer: A follow-up letter needs to be composed right after your interview (a formal letter submitted via email will suffice).

First, you will want to assess the interview; for example:

(1) Whom did you meet with (request business cards)?

(2) Why you would be a fit for the job?

(3) What areas of the interview went poorly?

After reflection / assessment, compose a follow-up letter to acknowledge the meeting and address the above points. Remember to make it personal and specific to your interview.

Try to mention the names of all the individuals you met, but address the letter to the main interviewer / point of contact (cc: individuals).

Your letter should point out that you:

(1) Paid attention and understood the interviewer’s comments

(2) Possess the ability to handle the responsibilities

(3) Are interested in the organization and the position

Your letter should portray:

(1) Appreciation

(2) Confidence

(3) Enthusiasm

Note: Even if you are not interested in the position / company, I recommend sending a follow-up letter. This letter should be short and express your appreciation as a courtesy and a mark of professionalism

For further assistance or samples, please feel free to contact me directly.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO

Career Crossroads Previous Columns
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

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NEFA Expo December 8, Teaneck, NJ
National Equipment Finance Association Event

After being cancelled last year due to Hurricane Sandy, the Expo is back for 2013 at the same convenient location and scheduled for Sunday evening, December 8th and Monday, December 9th.

Agenda

Speakers

Pricing

Register

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

Amembal's Istanbul Operating Lease Conference
A Great Success

Over 100 delegates attended the Amembal & Associates second annual Operating Lease Conference which was held in Istanbul on November 21 and 22, 2013.

The conference was chaired by Mr. Sudhir Amembal, CEO of Amembal & Associates, who is known as the foremost lease educator in the world. The day prior to the conference, Mr. Amembal conducted a one-day workshop on operating leases.

The conference is the only event in the leasing industry solely dedicated to the operating lease. It was attended by 34 leasing companies from 15 countries throughout the world. Nineteen speakers and panelists from both mature and emerging lease economies presented varied topics having to do with the intricacies of the operating lease.

The success of the event is evidenced by feedback received from those attending.

Testimonials include:

"This was probably the most well run and content rich conferences I have EVER attended".

Robert Rinaldi, Senior VP, CSI Leasing and Chairman Elect of the
Equipment Leasing Finance & Leasing Association (USA)

"Congratulations on how well it was organized; and, above all, on how well it was chaired by Mr. Amembal".

Alain Vervaet, Managing Director, NV FEADON, Belgium and ex CEO of ING Lease Holding, Netherlands

Amembal & Associates is planning on organizing the third annual Operating Lease Conference in November, 2014. Those seeking to attend, speak or sponsor should contact Kelly Farnham at kelly@amembalandassociates.com.

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

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****Announcement************************************

China “Winning With Leasing!” Seminar
Singapore, February 10 – 11, 2014

Sudhir Amembal, CEO of Amembal & Associates, will be teaching his flagship seminar, offered through three decades and attended by over 30,000 leasing professionals worldwide. Its objectives are as follows:

• For those in sales and marketing – you will be provided information, tools and techniques to generate additional business with higher margins

• For those in the back office – you will learn varied aspects of leasing so as to liaise better with others

• For those in management – you will gain new tools and techniques that need to be introduced to survive and succeed, to preserve margins and compete against bank loans
  

The seminar is indeed comprehensive. It covers the cornerstones of leasing – the financial, tax and accounting dimensions. It is practical and hands on! Mr. Amembal uses a building block approach to teaching, which makes it conducive for all levels to attend.

Do not miss this opportunity to attend this event conducted once each year in Asia’s busiest business center!

For full registration details and seminar outline, please email Kelly Farnham kelly@amembalandassociates.com

****Announcement***************************************

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Top Stories November 26
(You May Have Missed One)

Here are the top stories opened by readers

(1) Balboa Capital Gets Tagged For Alleged Dummy Docs
By Tom McCurnin, Leasing News Legal Editor
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#balboa

(2) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP What Not To Lease
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#winders

(3) Capital Leases vs. Operating Leases
http://www.investorguide.com/article/14208/capital-leases-vs-operating-leases-d1113/

(4) A Thanksgiving Prayer by Samuel F. Pugh
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#thanksgiving

(5) IRS 179 Deduction Calculator-- Thanksgiving “Jeopardy” Download
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#deduction

(6) New Hires—Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#hires

(7) Four New CLPs from First American Equipment Finance
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#clp

(8) “When Do I Bring Up Salary in the Interview?”
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#crossroad

(Tie) (9) Leasing Software Companies—Updated
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#software

(Tie) (9) A Quarter of Community Banks Expect to Sell Next Year
http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/178_225/a-quarter-of-community-banks-expect-to-sell-next-year-kpmg-1063814-1.html

(11) Slight Slowdown in Leasing Business in October
ELFA MFLI-25 Report –“Don’t Goof Off” is Advice
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2013/11_26.htm#elfa

 

 

 

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Will Banks Start Charging for Deposits?

Three years ago Dan Geller projected that interest rates on bank deposits could go negative and was dismissed as impossible. In December we may be closer than ever to such new reality when the Fed meets on the 17th and 18th of this month.

SAN ANSELMO, Calif. – Exactly three years ago, in November of 2010, an analysis by Dan Geller, Ph.D. of Market Rates Insight (www.marketratesinsight.com) projected that negative interest rates on deposits is likely if the economic recovery continues to be sluggish. Last week, the minutes of the Fed’s October meeting reflected the possibility of a cut in the 0.25 percent the Fed currently pays banks on about $2.4 trillion in reserves banks are holding at the Fed, which may force banks to start charging consumers and business for deposits.

Bank executives at some top U.S. banks feel that a cut in the 0.25 percent on reserves they hold at the Fed will force them to start charging depositors for deposits because taking in deposits is not free even if the bank does not pay interest to consumers. Aside from the expense of paying consumers interest on deposits, banks have to pay insurance premiums to the FDIC for the for deposits insurance.

Dan Geller, Ph.D., Exec. VP
Market Rates Insight

"Is it possible that we are witnessing a paradigm shift in the way consumers view deposits?," asked Dan Geller, Ph.D. Executive Vice President at Market Rates Insight. "Are consumers starting to view FDIC-insured deposits from a pure insurance perspective as opposed to seeking interest income? And if so, will consumers be willing to pay a premium for insured deposits as compared to earning interest on their deposits? These are some of the questions stemming from the new economic reality that we may be facing in the not-so-distant future.

Would consumers be willing to pay 0.25 percent to insure their deposits? For example, would they pay an insurance premium of $250 a year (0.25 percent on a 12-month CD) to ensure their $10,000 is safe and that if the bank defaults, they will get their money back? Normally no, but again, these are not normal times. When it comes to money management, there are only two human emotions that dictate action – greed and fear. The allocation of greed and fear in the financial-decision-making process depends on perceived risk. As a general rule, this allocation follows the 80/20 rule, which means that in good economic times, the make-up of the financial decision is 80 percent greed and 20 percent fear. On the other hand, in troubled-economic times it’s the reverse – 80 percent fear and 20 percent greed.

Therefore, the financial anxiety of people, the uncertainty about the prospects of economic recovery and the soft job market make it more than likely that consumers will be open to the notion of paying a small premium to protect their principle deposits in return for the assurance that their money is safe regardless of how bad the economy gets.

Labrador/Border Collie
(Please look into Daisy Mae eyes)
Portland, Oregon Adopt-a-Dog

Daisy Mae

Code Number: 153274
Date Available: 11/16/2013 2:20:00 PM
Adoption Fee: $85
Breed: Labrador/Border Collie
Pattern: Black
Color: Black/White
Gender: Female
Age: 6 Yr.
Weight: 74.5 lbs.
Location: Orange Room - 5

Description:
"I'm Daisy Mae, an adorable older gal looking for a special home to spend my golden years in. I still get around just fine, but am not as young as I used to be! Stairs and long walks may be more difficult for me these days, but a comfy couch will do just fine. I'm looking forward to finding a lifelong home with people who love and respect me for who I am. When I am feeling tired I will let you know that I do not want to go for a walk or move around. I will need a home without young children as I do not like a lot of movement around me. I came from the Pendleton Animal Welfare through the Second Chance Program. A training consult is included prior to my adoption. "

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip ID, collar and OHS I.D. tag, initial vaccines, courtesy veterinarian exam, and plenty of post adoption support!

Oregon Humane Society
1057 NE Columbia Blvd,
Portland, Oregon 97211-0364
Hours for viewing pets:
Sunday-Wednesday: 10 am - 7 pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm
Hours for meeting with pets:
Sunday-Wednesday: 10 am - 6:30 pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10 am - 8:30 pm
Phone operator hours:
Every day: 9 am - 7 pm at (503) 285-7722

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/

 

News Briefs----

BofA to Pay Freddie Mac $404 Million
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/02/3427190/bank-of-america-to-pay-freddie.html

Bank of Marin Bancorp Announces Completion of Merger of NorCal Community Bancorp and Its Subsidiary, Bank of Alameda
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bank-of-marin-bancorp-announces-completion-of-merger-of-norcal-community-bancorp-and-its-subsidiary-bank-of-alameda-2013-12-02?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Signature Bank Chairman of the Board Scott A. Shay to Present at
The Economist's The World in 2014 Summit
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/signature-bank-chairman-of-the-board-scott-a-shay-to-present-at-the-economists-the-world-in-2014-summit-2013-12-02?reflink=MW_news_stmp

U.S. approves Microsoft purchase of Nokia's mobile business
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-nokia-microsoft-antitrust-20131202,0,1358057.story

Supreme Court spurns Amazon’s appeal of Web sales tax
http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022382168

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

 

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--You May Have Missed It

10 Movies That Rewrote History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BRW

 

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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

How to Stop Sugar Cravings
Pull Your Sweet Tooth with These Tips
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=134

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Football Poem

 The Guy in the Glass

by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller 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 guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're 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.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.

In grateful memory of our father, the author, Dale Wimbrow 1895-1954
http://www.theguyintheglass.com/

 

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Sports Briefs----

Seahawks destroy Saints
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/behind-russell-wilson-seahawks-absolutely-destroy-saints-monday-045300183--nfl.html

John Machota's Prediction for rest of the Dallas Cowboys' season
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/photos/20131201-jon-machota-s-predictions-for-the-rest-of-the-dallas-cowboys-season.ece

Vernon Davis Touchdown!

Rams vs. 49ers 2013:
Colin Kaepernick has Niners passing attack back on track
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/12/2/5166650/49ers-rams-2013-niners-nation-turf-show-times

Lowell Cohn: Seahawks' visit will show where these 49ers stand
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20131201/sports/131209972

Archives--December 3, 2012

"We Want Alex Smith Back!"

Taken with my Droid at Winchester Blvd., near Lark Avenue,
Los Gatos, California.

Alex Smith lives in the area, seen around Los Gatos at the barbershop, Safeway, Steamers Grill, and is a family man who attends the young baseball and football league games. He is very popular. Here he is with Sue’s youngest grandson Scotty, age 2 1/2 at the time.

Kit Menkin

Scott’s older brother Justin (carrying the football)

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California Nuts Briefs---

Stores selling Obamacare policies popping up across California
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-exchange-retail-20131128,0,380583.story#axzz2m3abCAMA

BART unions still mum on next step in contract dispute
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_24640806/bart-unions-still-mum-next-step-contract-dispute

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Five Wine Books Worth Noting
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/dining/five-wine-books-worth-noting.html?ref=dining&_r=0

The Seattle Times wine writer picks his 50 top regional wines
seattletimes.com/html/pacificnw/2022245011_1201grapevinexml.html

Oregon wine country at center of global land grab
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Oregon-wine-country-at-center-of-global-land-grab-233947421.html

Peter Mondavi Birthday Party
http://www.winebusiness.com/blog/?go=getBlogEntry&dataId=124864

Mondavi Family Photo's
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-jennings/thanksgiving-with-the-mon_b_4351722.html

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

    1755-Birthday of Gilbert Charles Stuart, American portrait painter whose most famous painting is that of George Washington. He also painted portraits of Madison, Monroe, Jefferson and other important Americans. Stuart was born near Narragansett, RI, and died July 9, 1828 at Boston, MA.
    1762 - France ceded to Spain all lands west of the Mississippi- the territory known as Upper Louisiana. 
    1775 - Lt. John Paul Jones raises the Grand Union flag on Alfred. First American flag raised over an American naval vessel. 
    1799-Margaret O'Neale Eaton birthday. Her marriage to the man who would become a cabinet officer resulted in a scandal that caused Andrew Jackson to dismiss his entire cabinet. It led to a permanent breach between Jackson and John C. Calhoun which resulted in Martin Van Buren becoming president rather than Calhoun. Calhoun’s backing of a South Carolina resolution on tariffs the Civil War believed by many to have hastened The Civil War. . Living well is said to be the best revenge and the Eatons lived well. In fact, Eaton is said to have had a brilliant social life when he served as governor of Florida and U.S. minister to Spain. She lived until she was eighty years old; marrying her grandchildren’s dance teacher after her husband died.
http://www.floridamemory.com/OnlineClassroom/Governors/Eaton.cfm
http://www.benet.org/teachers/lbrown/WebSites/TheEatons
/Newsletter_2/newsletter_2.html
http://www.booknotes.org/Program/?ProgramID=1403
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/sw-sa/Eaton.htm
    1800 - US state electors met and cast their ballots for the presidency. A tie resulted between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. In the event of a tie in the electoral college, the Constitution dictated that the election would be decided by the House of Representatives. So Jefferson and Burr, who had been running mates, were now rivals in the election in the House. The Federalists, who still controlled the lame duck Congress, threw their support behind Burr in an effort to defeat Jefferson. And while Burr expressed his loyalty to Jefferson, he worked to win the upcoming election in the House of Representatives. And Alexander Hamilton, who detested Burr and considered Jefferson a safer choice to be president, wrote letters and used all his influence with the Federalists to thwart Burr. The election in the House of Representatives began on February 17, 1801, in the new Capitol building in Washington. The voting went on for several days, and after 36 ballots the tie was finally broken. Thomas Jefferson was declared the winner. Aaron Burr was declared vice president. And it is believed that Alexander Hamilton's influence weighed heavily on the eventual outcome. As Thomas Jefferson was distrustful of Aaron Burr, he gave him nothing to do as vice president. Burr and Hamilton continued their epic feud, which finally culminated in their famous duel in Weehawken, New Jersey on July 11, 1804. Burr shot Hamilton, who died the next day. Burr was not prosecuted for killing Hamilton. President Jefferson dropped him from the ticket for the 1804 presidential election, and he never held office again. At one point he was accused of treason in trying to start a new country out of Texas, tried, and acquitted. He lived in exile in Europe until 1812, when he returned to the United States to practice law in New York City. There he spent the remainder of his long life in relative obscurity. He died in 1836.   

  1818- Illinois became the 21st state. The strange but beautiful prairie lands east of the Mississippi and north of Lake Michigan presented a difficult challenge to the tide of westward-moving immigrants. Accustomed to the heavily forested lands of states like Kentucky and Tennessee, the early immigrants to Illinois did not know what to make of the vast treeless stretches of the prairie. Most pioneers believed that the fertility of soil revealed itself by the abundance of vegetation it supported, so they assumed that the lack of trees on the prairie signaled inferior farmland. Those brave souls who did try to farm the prairie found that their flimsy plows were inadequate to cut through prairie sod thickly knotted with deep roots. In an "age of wood," farmers also felt helpless without ready access to the trees they needed for their tools, homes, furniture, fences, and fuel. For all these reasons, most of the early Illinois settlers remained in the southern part of the state, where they built homes and farms near the trees that grew along the many creek and river bottoms. The development of heavy prairie plows and improved access to wood and other supplies through new shipping routes encouraged even more farmers to head out into the vast northern prairie lands of Illinois. By 1840, the center of population in Illinois had shifted decisively to the north, and the once insignificant hamlet of Chicago rapidly became a bustling city. The four giant prairie counties of northern Illinois, which were the last to be settled, boasted population densities of 18 people per square mile. Increasingly recognized as one of the nation's most fertile agricultural areas, the vast emptiness of the Illinois prairie was eagerly conquered by both pioneers and plows. The Railroad and Great Lakes made Chicago a significant center of transportation.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec03.html
    1826- Birthday of Union General George McClellan, born in Philadelphia. Although McClellan emerged early in the war as a Union hero, he failed to effectively prosecute the war in the East. McClellan graduated from West Point in 1846, second in his class. He served with distinction in the Mexican War under General Winfield Scott, and continued in the military until 1857. After retiring from the service, McClellan served as president of the Illinois Central Railroad, where he became acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, who was then an attorney for the company. When the war began, McClellan was appointed major general in charge of the Ohio volunteers. In 1861, he commanded Union forces in western Virginia, where his reputation grew as the Yankees won many small battles and secured control of the region. Although many historians have argued that it was McClellan's subordinates who deserved most of the credit, McClellan was elevated to commander of the main Union army in the east, the Army of the Potomac, following that army's humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run ,July 21, 1961. McClellan was beloved by his soldiers but was arrogant and contemptuous of Lincoln and the Republican leaders in Congress. A staunch Democrat, he was opposed to attacking the institution of slavery as a war measure. While his work as an administrator earned high marks, his weakness was revealed when he took the field with his army in the spring of 1862. He lost to Robert E. Lee during the Seven Days' battles, and as a field commander he was sluggish, hesitant, and timid. President Lincoln then moved most of McClellan's command to John Pope, but Pope was beaten badly by Lee at the Second Battle of Bull Run. When Lee invaded Maryland in September 1862, Lincoln restored McClellan's command. McClellan pursued Lee into western Maryland, and on September 17, the two armies fought to a standstill along Antietam Creek. Heavy loses forced Lee to return to Virginia, providing McClellan with a nominal victory. Shortly after the battle, Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation, which converted the war into a crusade against slavery, a measure bitterly criticized by McClellan. The general's failure to pursue Lee into Virginia led Lincoln to order McClellan's permanent removal in November. The Democrats nominated McClellan for president in 1864. He ran against his old boss, but managed to garner only 21 of 233 electoral votes. After the war, he served as governor of New Jersey. He died on October 29, 1885, in Orange, New Jersey.
    1828- Andrew Jackson was elected seventh president of the United States. Jackson, a senator from Tennessee until his nomination, received 647,231 popular votes and 178 electoral votes against 509,097 popular votes and 83 electoral votes for John Quincy Adams, candidate of the National Republican Party. John C. Calhoun was reelected vice president, receiving 171 electoral votes. Martin Van Buren of New York swung the election on the understanding that he would continue to exercise power in the state through the spoils system. Jackson was reelected in 1832 by winning 687,502 popular votes and 219 electoral votes, against 530,189 popular votes and 49 electoral votes for Henry Clay. Martin Van Buren was elected vice-president.
    1833- The first college to enroll women and men on equal terms was Oberlin Collegiate Institute, Oberlin, OH, with 44 students, 29 men and 15 women. March 21, 1930, the name of the school was changed to Oberlin College. It was the first school to advocate the abolition of slavery and to accept African-American men and women on equal terms with white students.
    1842- Phoebe Apperson Hearst birthday - renowned philanthropist whose contributions - based on her husband's gold and silver mining fortune - put a lot of the gold in the reputation of California. Her donations to the University of California for which she served as a regent from 1897 to her death in 1919 helped make it a major institution. She endowed nurseries and kindergartens, helped rebuild many institutions after the San Francisco earthquake/fire, and later her financial aid to numerous archaeological expeditions carried the stipulation that the finds go to the UC, thus establishing the University Museum. Later she endowed UC's department of anthropology. She also set up the first refuge for redwood trees. When her husband George was appointed to the U.S. senate, she turned her philanthropy to that area's institutions and was, among other things, a major contributor to the National Cathedral and the restoration of Mount Vernon. Her son was William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper publisher. She died April 13, 1919, a victim of the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918-1919. [One of her many homes was Castlewood in the hills above Pleasanton, CA, that is now Castlewood Country Club}
http://www.hearstcastle.org/history/phoebe_hearst.asp
http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/morgue/2001/2001_04_13.phoebe13
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2345
    1847- Frederick Douglass, along with Martin R Delaney, started The North Start, an anti-slavery paper.
http://www.famousamericans.net/frederickdouglass/
http://www.us-civilwar.com/douglass.htm
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/rbk/douglass/thompson.stm
http://itech.fgcu.edu/faculty/wohlpart/alra/douglass.htm
http://www.jameslandrith.com/freebies/fdouglass.html
        1864- Salmon P. Chase was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. His most significant achievements came when he held the office of secretary of the treasury under Lincoln. He was partly responsible for saving the country from financial ruin with the Legal Tender Act, which he sponsored in 1862. The act allowed 150,000,000 greenbacks to be issued. The phrase “In God We Trust” was put on national coins by order of Chase.     1868- Trial of Jefferson Davis starts with the first blacks on US trial jury. He refused to honor the trial and sat in jail for two years. Horace Greely, democratic candidate for President of the United States, 1872. Founder and editor of the New York Tribune, Greely became advocate of universal amnesty for Confederates, and in May 1867 offered bail for Jefferson Davis, who was pardoned by President Johnson under the influence of Southern Democrats who had swung the electoral vote in an alleged backroom deal. Some other “trivia,” Davis was the son-in-law of former president Zachary Taylor (who was prepared to hold the Union together by armed force rather than by compromise) and US Secretary of War (1853-57).
(see Horace Greely:http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/graybill-greely.html)
http://www.ngeorgia.com/people/davisj.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/zt12.html
    1878- Orthodox Jew Settlers, arrive at Also known as the Old Yishuv, and became a permanent settlement in 1883 with the financial help of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. It was the first modern Jewish agricultural settlement in Ottoman Southern Syria (hence its nickname as "Mother of the Moshavot") and has since grown to become one of Israel's most populous urban centers. The Sultan allowed the enterprise to proceed, but because their purchase was located in what was a malarial swamp, they had to evacuate when the malaria spread, founding the town of Yehud near the Arabic village Yehudiyya. With the financial help of Baron Edmond de Rothschild they were able to drain the swamps sufficiently to be able to move back in 1883, joined by immigrants of the First Aliyah, and later the Second Aliyah. The first recorded Arab attach on Jews in what would become Israel took place in 1886 in Petah Tikva. Petach Tikvah, Israel from various parts of the world, including America. .

    1879- Thomas Edison said he could invent a safe electric light bulb. Although electric arc lights had existed for more than ten years, their high intensity made them a fire hazard. Financiers, including J.P. Morgan and the Vanderbilt family, took Edison at his word and established the Edison Electric Light Company later that year. After more than a year of experiments, Edison and his young assistant, Francis Upton, finally developed a carbon filament that would burn in a vacuum in a glass bulb for forty hours. They demonstrated the light bulb to their backers on Dec. 3, 1879, and by the end of the month, were exhibiting the invention to the public. On December 31, 1879, the Pennsylvania Railroad ran special trains to Edison's Menlo Park, NJ laboratory to let the public witness a demonstration of the invention.
    1892- Harriet Stratemeyer Adams birthday, claimed to be the author of all 55 of the Nancy Drew mysteries, most of the Hardy Boys, Toms Swift Jr., and numerous books in the Bobbsey Twins, and other books in the Stratemeyer publishing empire. She took over the organization in 1930 when her father died. Most of the books were ghosted by writers she hired, but the fable that she both created the series and wrote the stories still lives on.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Harriet_Stratemeyer_Adams.htm
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/yw/2002/03/30/stories/2
    1896- Hermann Hollerith incorporated the Tabulating Machine Company. At age twenty-nine, Hollerith, who had worked at the Census Bureau in 1880, won a competition to develop the most efficient counting system for the 1890 census. His tabulating machine counted punched cards, inspired by a card system developed by Joseph Jacquard of France to program patterns into textile looms. Through a series of mergers and reorganizations, the Tabulating Machine Company eventually became IBM.
    1897- Birthday of social artist William Gropper. Died 1977.
http://www.gropper.com/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/gropper_william.html
    1902- Birthday of Mitsuo Fuchida, the pilot who flew the lead plane in Japan's air attack on Pearl Harbor (12/7/1941). Following WWII, through representatives of the Pocket Testament League, Fuchida was converted to Christianity in 1950.
    1902-Birthday of clarinet player Joe “Brother Cornbread” Thomas, New Orleans, LA
http://jazz-band.net/band.php?id=8d057992joethom4fe214b32a67f640d
    1903-Birthday of trombone player Brad Gowans , Billerica, MA,
    1907-singer Connie Boswell birthday, perhaps best known as part of the Boswell Sisters singing group. After her sisters married, she continued as a solo performing mostly from a wheelchair. She'd been a victim of polio as a child and then had a fall that aggravated the situation. She played a number of instruments and was a gifted arranger.
http://www.otrcat.com/connieboswell.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/
2GC0M8R0CLCO5/104-3191958-8595946
    1919- Birthday of piano player/composer Herbie Nichols, New York City, NY, died 1963.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/damonshort/nichols.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/193008000X/inktomi-
bkasin-20/002-5410374-3716044
    1922- The first movie in Technicolor that was considered released for commercial purpose and was “really successful” was “ The Toll of the Sea,” released this day at the Rialto Theater, New York City. The process was developed by Dr. Herbert Thomas Kalmus, president and general manager of the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation from its inception until 1959.
    1922- Birthday of Joseph Edward “Joe” Collins, baseball player born at Scranton, PA. As a first baseman for the New York Yankees, Collins played in seven World Series. He hit two home runs off Don Newcome in Game 1 of the 1955 series (I was there and remember it, too). Died August 30, 1989.

 1925 - The first jazz concerto for piano and orchestra was presented at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Commissioned by Walter Damrosch, American composer George Gershwin presented "Concerto In F", and was also the featured soloist playing a flugelhorn in a slow, bluesy style as one of his numbers.
    1929- Birthday of sax/clarinet player Clarence Ford, New Orleans, LA 
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,431599,00.html
http://www.rasputinmusic.com/albumpage.cfm?sku_num=7464663392
    1929-Birthday of trombone player Fred Assunto , New Orleans, played with the Dukes of Dixieland
http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/dod.html
    1929- Showing extreme optimism, if not foresight, President Herbert Hoover declared to Congress that the nation had shaken off the impact of the recent stock market crash and regained its faith in the economy. He tried to make his theme song “Happy Days Were Here Again,” ( Ironically, it became FDR’s theme song, along with “Brother Can You Spare a Dime.” ) The Teapot Dome scandal and trial undermined his leadership, but it was his lack of understanding of the economy that did him in. In 1930, he called a special session of Congress to take up tariff revisions, which he had promised in his presidential campaign the previous fall. Hoover primarily wanted to have tariff rates raised on agricultural products. By the time it was over, the Smoot-Hawley Act also included some of the highest rates in history on manufactured products. Hoover signed the act into law on June 17 despite the fact that on May 4 a petition signed by 1028 economists had been sent to Washington urging defeat of the proposed legislation. Within two years, 25 nations retaliated by raising duties on US goods. The economic nationalism triggered by this legislation had been blamed for deepening the worldwide depression. A report in 1931 recommended repealing the anti-probation law, however, Hoover opposed it. In the 1932 election, Hoover received a popular vote of 15,761,841 with 59 electoral votes to Roosevelt’s 22,821,857 and 472 electoral votes. The democrats also gained 13 senate seats and 90 house seats.
http://www.utu.fi/hum/historia/yh/scarry/USDocuments/HappyDays.htm
    1930- Birthday of singer Andy Williams, born Walt Lake, IA. Platinum album: “Theme from Love Story”, 13 gold albums, hits that included “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Moon River”. His long-running prime-time TV show included memorable “The Andy Williams Christmas Show” that was a must-see. He also won 3 Emmy Awards. Died September 25, 2012.
http://www.andywilliams.com/
    1931 -- Unemployment in American reaches 13.5 million — almost 1/3 of the American work force. In Los Angeles alone, shelters give asylum to over 200,000 persons. Many choose instead to hit the road — another 200,000 become freight car migrants on the Missouri Pacific Line. Severe drought hits the Midwestern and southern plains. As the crops die, the 'black blizzards" begin. Dust from the over-plowed and over-grazed land begins to blow.
    1932- Birthday of singer/actress Jaye P. Morgan, (born Mary Margaret Morgan) New York, NY, 1932. She is perhaps best remembered as a staple on Chuck Barris’ Gong Show.
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Morgan,+Jaye+P.
http://www.darkpeak.freeserve.co.uk/forfemmes/page43.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000036LU/
avsearch-df1-9-20/002-5410374-3716044
    1932-Birthday of trumpet player Webster Young, Columbia, SC
http://www.fantasyjazz.com/catalog/young_w_cat.html
    1942- Frank Sinatra’s first solo engagement, Paramount Theater, New York City.
    1944 --WEICHT, ELLIS R. Medal of Honor
ank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company F, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date St. Hippolyte, France, 3 December 1944. Entered service at: Bedford, Pa. Birth: Clearville, Pa. G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945. Citation: For commanding an assault squad in Company F’s attack against the strategically important Alsatian town of St. Hippolyte on 3 December 1944. He aggressively led his men down a winding street, clearing the houses of opposition as he advanced. Upon rounding a bend, the group was suddenly brought under the fire of 2 machineguns emplaced in the door and window of a house 100 yards distant. While his squad members took cover, Sgt. Weicht moved rapidly forward to a high rock wall and, fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy action, fired 2 clips of ammunition from his rifle. His fire proving ineffective, he entered a house opposite the enemy gun position, and, firing from a window, killed the 2 hostile gunners. Continuing the attack, the advance was again halted when two 20-mm. guns opened fire on the company. An artillery observer ordered friendly troops to evacuate the area and then directed artillery fire upon the gun positions. Sgt. Weicht remained in the shelled area and continued to fire on the hostile weapons. When the barrage lifted and the enemy soldiers attempted to remove their gun, he killed 2 crewmembers and forced the others to flee. Sgt. Weicht continued to lead his squad forward until he spotted a road block approximate 125 yards away. Moving to the second floor of a nearby house and firing from a window, he killed 3 and wounded several of the enemy. Instantly becoming a target for heavy and direct fire, he disregarded personal safety to continue his fire, with unusual effectiveness, until he was killed by a direct hit from an antitank gun.
    1945--HENRY, ROBERT T. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Luchem, Germany, 3 December 1944. Entered service at: Greenville, Miss. Birth: Greenville, Miss. G.O. No.: 45, 12 June 1945. Citation: Near Luchem, Germany, he volunteered to attempt the destruction of a nest of 5 enemy machineguns located in a bunker 150 yards to the flank which had stopped the advance of his platoon. Stripping off his pack, overshoes, helmet, and overcoat, he sprinted alone with his rifle and hand grenades across the open terrain toward the enemy emplacement. Before he had gone half the distance he was hit by a burst of machinegun fire. Dropping his rifle, he continued to stagger forward until he fell mortally wounded only 10 yards from the enemy emplacement. His single-handed attack forced the enemy to leave the machineguns. During this break in hostile fire the platoon moved forward and overran the position. Pvt. Henry, by his gallantry and intrepidity and utter disregard for his own life, enabled his company to reach its objective, capturing this key defense and 70 German prisoners. 
    1946 -- General Strike in Oakland, California. 100,000 workers from 142 AFL unions — including workers from factories, industries, services, retail stores, transportation systems and more — declare a "work holiday" and walked off their jobs. The three-day General Strike of more than 130,000 workers in Alameda County (Oakland) CA, opposed police brutality and supported striking Oakland department store workers. It lasted until city and labor leaders settled on a compromise agreement, returning workers to their jobs on Dec. 5. In following months, the populist Oakland Voters League brought together progressive factions in the city to elect four out of five labor candidates to the city council.
    1947 -- Tennessee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire”, opens today at New York's Ethel Barrymore Theater and runs for 855 performances. Jessica Tandy, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, & Karl Malden star.
    1948—Top Hits
Buttons and Bows - Dinah Shore
On a Slow Boat to China - The Kay Kaiser Orchestra (vocal: Harry Babbitt & Gloria Wood
You Were Only Fooling - Kay Starr
One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart) - Jimmy Wakely
    1950 — Los Angeles wide receiver Tom Fears celebrates his 27th birthday by setting an NFL record of 18 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 51-14 victory over Green Bay.
    1950--PAGE, JOHN U. D. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, X Corps Artillery, while attached to the 52d Transportation Truck Battalion. Place and date: Near Chosin Reservoir, Korea, 29 November to 10 December 1950. Entered service at: St. Paul, Minn. Born: 8 February 1904, Malahi Island, Luzon, Philippine Islands. G.O. No.: 21, 25 April 1957. Citation: Lt. Col. Page, a member of X Corps Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in a series of exploits. On 29 November, Lt. Col. Page left X Corps Headquarters at Hamhung with the mission of establishing traffic control on the main supply route to 1st Marine Division positions and those of some Army elements on the Chosin Reservoir plateau. Having completed his mission Lt. Col. Page was free to return to the safety of Hamhung but chose to remain on the plateau to aid an isolated signal station, thus being cut off with elements of the marine division. After rescuing his jeep driver by breaking up an ambush near a destroyed bridge Lt. Col. Page reached the lines of a surrounded marine garrison at Koto-ri. He then voluntarily developed and trained a reserve force of assorted army troops trapped with the marines. By exemplary leadership and tireless devotion he made an effective tactical unit available. In order that casualties might be evacuated, an airstrip was improvised on frozen ground partly outside of the Koto-ri defense perimeter which was continually under enemy attack. During 2 such attacks, Lt. Col. Page exposed himself on the airstrip to direct fire on the enemy, and twice mounted the rear deck of a tank, manning the machine gun on the turret to drive the enemy back into a no man's land. On 3 December while being flown low over enemy lines in a light observation plane, Lt. Col. Page dropped hand grenades on Chinese positions and sprayed foxholes with automatic fire from his carbine. After 10 days of constant fighting the marine and army units in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir had succeeded in gathering at the edge of the plateau and Lt. Col. Page was flown to Hamhung to arrange for artillery support of the beleaguered troops attempting to break out. Again Lt. Col. Page refused an opportunity to remain in safety and returned to give every assistance to his comrades. As the column slowly moved south Lt. Col. Page joined the rear guard. When it neared the entrance to a narrow pass it came under frequent attacks on both flanks. Mounting an abandoned tank Lt. Col. Page manned the machine gun, braved heavy return fire, and covered the passing vehicles until the danger diminished. Later when another attack threatened his section of the convoy, then in the middle of the pass, Lt. Col. Page took a machine gun to the hillside and delivered effective counter fire, remaining exposed while men and vehicles passed through the ambuscade. On the night of 10 December the convoy reached the bottom of the pass but was halted by a strong enemy force at the front and on both flanks. Deadly small-arms fire poured into the column. Realizing the danger to the column as it lay motionless, Lt. Col. Page fought his way to the head of the column and plunged forward into the heart of the hostile position. His intrepid action so surprised the enemy that their ranks became disordered and suffered heavy casualties. Heedless of his safety, as he had been throughout the preceding 10 days, Lt. Col. Page remained forward, fiercely engaging the enemy single-handed until mortally wounded. By his valiant and aggressive spirit Lt. Col. Page enabled friendly forces to stand off the enemy. His outstanding courage, unswerving devotion to duty, and supreme self-sacrifice reflect great credit upon Lt. Col. Page and are in the highest tradition of the military service. 
    1951- Paul Harvey begins his national radio broadcast.
http://www.paulharvey.com/
http://www.610wtvn.com/staff/paulharvey/
http://www.klmj.com/harvey.htm
    1953-President Eisenhower criticizes Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy for saying communists are in Republican party.
    1953 - "Kismet" opened on Broadway in New York. The show ran for 583 performances.
    1955 - Elvis Presley’s first release on RCA Victor Records was announced. No, it wasn’t "Hound Dog" or "Heartbreak Hotel". The first two sides were actually purchased from Sam Phillips of Sun Records: "Mystery Train" and "I Forgot to Remember to Forget". Elvis was described by his new record company as “The most talked about personality in recorded music in the last 10 years.”
    1956- Wilt Chamberlain's 1st collegiate basketball game (scores 52).
http://www.nba.com/history/chamberlain_bio.html
    1956—Top Hits
Singing the Blues - Guy Mitchell
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
Singing the Blues - Marty Robbins
    1960 - Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" hits #1
    1960 - "Camelot" opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. Richard Burton and Julie Andrews played the leading roles in the musical written by Lerner and Loewe. Robert Goulet also got rave reviews. "Camelot" had a run of 873 performances. Broadway went Hollywood in the 1967 film version of "Camelot". Its run was not quite as successful.
    1962- Roger Hilsman, director of the State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, sends a memorandum to Secretary of State Dean Rusk pointing out that the communist Viet Cong fighters are obviously prepared for a long struggle. Hilsman felt that a noncommunist coup against Diem "could occur at any time," and would seriously disrupt or reverse counterinsurgency momentum. As it turned out, Hilsman was eventually proven correct. On November 1, 1963, dissident South Vietnamese generals led a coup resulting in the murder of Diem. His death marked the end of civilian authority and political stability in South Vietnam. The succession of military juntas, coups, and attempted coups in 1964 and early 1965 weakened the government severely and disrupted the momentum of the counterinsurgency effort against the Viet Cong. While the administration had accurate intelligence reports, they ignored them as Lyndon B. Johnson feared being perceived as weak against communist expansion in the far east.
    1964- Police arrest 733 sit-in students at University of California at Berkeley ( I helped cover this for KFRC radio, San Francisco, stringing also for UPI audio/AP.
http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch28.htm
    1964—Top Hits
Leader of the Pack - The Shangri-Las
She’s Not There - The Zombies
Mr. Lonely - Bobby Vinton
Once a Day - Connie Smith
    1965-Birthday of Olympic gold medal figure skater Katrina Witt, born Karl-Marx-Stadt, East Germany.
    1966--At a time when the airwaves and record charts where dominated by Rock and Roll, a most unusual song called "Winchester Cathedral" by The New Vaudeville Band became the number one tune in the US. 
    1967- Dr. Christian Bernard, a South African surgeon, performed the world's first successful heart transplant surgery at Cape Town, South Africa

1967 - The Supremes guest star on "Tennessee" Ernie Ford's TV special.
    1968-- HOLCOMB, JOHN NOBLE Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Near Quan Loi, Republic of Vietnam, 3 December 1968. Entered service at: Corvallis, Oregon. Born: 11 June 1946, Baker, Oregon. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Holcomb distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in Company D during a combat assault mission. Sgt. Holcomb's company assault had landed by helicopter and deployed into a hasty defensive position to organize for a reconnaissance-in-force mission when it was attacked from 3 sides by an estimated battalion-size enemy force. Sgt. Holcomb's squad was directly in the path of the main enemy attack. With complete disregard for the heavy fire, Sgt. Holcomb moved among his men giving encouragement and directing fire on the assaulting enemy. When his machine gunner was knocked out, Sgt. Holcomb seized the weapon, ran to a forward edge of the position, and placed withering fire on the enemy. His gallant actions caused the enemy to withdraw. Sgt. Holcomb treated and carried his wounded to a position of safety and reorganized his defensive sector despite a raging grass fire ignited by the incoming enemy mortar and rocket rounds. When the enemy assaulted the position a second time, Sgt. Holcomb again manned the forward machine gun, devastating the enemy attack and forcing the enemy to again break contact and withdraw. During the enemy withdrawal an enemy rocket hit Sgt. Holcomb's position, destroying his machine gun and severely wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sgt. Holcomb crawled through the grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds to move the members of his squad, every one of whom had been wounded, to more secure positions. Although grievously wounded and sustained solely by his indomitable will and courage, Sgt. Holcomb as the last surviving leader of his platoon organized his men to repel the enemy, crawled to the platoon radio and reported the third enemy assault on his position. His report brought friendly supporting fires on the charging enemy and broke the enemy attack. Sgt. Holcomb's inspiring leadership, fighting spirit, in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1968 - Elvis Presley's "comeback" TV special airs on NBC. Sponsored by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, the special also features a taped, semi-unplugged performance given earlier at Burbank Studios before a live audience. This was Elvis' first appearance before a live audience since 1961.
    1969 -- John Lennon is offered role of Jesus Christ in "Jesus Christ Superstar."
    1971-The Montreaux Casino caught fire and burned during a show by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. The incident was later immortalized by Deep Purple's 1973 hit, "Smoke on the Water;" the place suddenly caught fire when somebody in the audience fired a flare gun into the rattan covered ceiling, as mentioned in the "some stupid with a flare gun" line.
    1972—Top Hits
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone - The Temptations
I Am Woman - Helen Reddy
If You Don’t Know Me by Now - Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
She’s Too Good to Be True - Charley Pride
    1977--After eight straight weeks at the top of the Cashbox Magazine Best Sellers chart, Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" finally gives way to "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle. 
    1977 - After 29 weeks in the #1 position on the album charts (a record, literally...), "Rumours", by Fleetwood Mac, was replaced at the top spot by the album "Simple Dreams", sung by Linda Ronstadt.
    1979- Nearly a dozen young people are killed at concert of the rock band The Who in Cincinnati, Ohio. Eleven victims were trampled to death during a stampede for seats at the Riverfront Coliseum. The band was not informed of the deaths until after the show.
    1980 - Photographer Annie Leibovitz takes the last known photos of John Lennon and Yoko Ono together at their apartment in New York's Dakota building.
    1980—Top Hits
Woman in Love - Barbra Streisand
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
He’s So Shy - Pointer Sisters
If You Ever Change Your Mind - Crystal Gayle
    1984 - Miss America 1971, Phyllis George, wife of the Governor of Kentucky and an heiress to the Kentucky Fried Chicken fortune, signed a multiyear contract with CBS-TV. Her work as co-anchor of the "CBS Morning News" began in January 1985.
    1986 - Bobby Knight led the Indiana Hoosiers past Notre Dame 67-62. For only the second time in his 22-year basketball-coaching career, Knight relied on a zone defense. He also threatened to throw 20 chairs onto the floor to trip Fighting Irish players, so maybe that had something to do with it, too.
    1988—Top Hits
Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley (Free Baby) - Will To Power
Look Away - Chicago
How Can I Fail? - Breathe
I Know How He Feels - Reba McEntire
    1989 - Heavy snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in northern New England. Snowfall totals in Maine ranged up to 31 inches, at Limestone. Presque Isle ME reported a record 30 inches of snow in 24 hours, along with wind gusts to 46 mph.
    1991 - Legendary DJ and promoter Alan Freed, who is generally credited with coining the term, ‘rock ‘n’ roll’, is awarded a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    1994 - "On Bended Knee", by Boyz II Men, hit number one on the "Billboard" "Hot 100". The smash was #1, off and on, thru January 1995. 
    2001- Although Enron has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the corporation is current on its payments and plans to keep the company's name on Astros' new ballpark, according to Astro officials. The downtown stadium will stay Enron Field as long as Enron continues to exist and makes regular payments on its 30-year, $100 million commitment they stated.