Fort Collins, Colorado
Snow-Cold Weather

"We had about 5 inches or so overnight and still snowing today. The arctic blast is the difficulty...its cold, prob 0 degrees! No impact on operations as its December in Colorado!"

Gary Souverein
President & COO
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
a Chesswood Group Limited company

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Classified Ads---Operations

Want To Work From Home:  Have 10+ years in readying Lease Origination Documentation, Litigation case mgmt., Collection, Repossession, Remarketing, complete Discovery and Interrogatories, attend Trials and Mediation, prepare and submit SAR’s, translate for Spanish speaking customers, clients and employees, monitor high risk accounts for monetary penalties, bankruptcy management. Email: BRFR@ATT.NET

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

 

New Hires—Promotions

John Costa is now manager, sales support at Olympus America. He joined the company in 2006, and was last supervisor, inside sales. Prior he was an account executive, CitiCapital (2004-2006); manager, business finance, DVI Financial Services (1996-2004).University of Dayton, B.S., Management (1981 – 1985).
www.linkedin.com/pub/john-costa/26/26b/308

Michael Dale promoted to vice president sales, National Leasing, Ontario, Canada; "Leader of a team of Equipment Leasing Experts in specializing in innovative equipment financing solutions." He joined the firm May, 1998. Previously he was district manager, AT&T Capital Canada (February, 1992-March, 1998), commercial account manager, Bank of Nova Scotia (November, 1974-Feburary, 1992).Organizations: London Chamber of Commerce Member, (1998 – Present); United Way of London, Volunteer Fundraiser (1986 – 2003); Assisted in fundraising at various times, Kidney Foundation volunteer fundraiser (2007 – 2012); St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation, Member of the Board of Directors (February 2010 – Present), Member of the Finance & Audit committee and the Allocations Committee.
ca.linkedin.com/pub/michael-dale/19/44/a53

Edward R. Dietz, Vice President and General Counsel of Marlin Business Services Corp., Mount Laurel, New Jersey was appointed Senior Vice President of Administration of the Company. As previously reported, Mr. Dietz recently added the Business Operations, Asset Recovery, Human Resources and Insurance functions to his existing reporting lines, which include the Legal and Compliance functions." He joined the company July, 2010, and was promoted to vice president and general counsel May, 2011. Prior he was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP (April, 2008-July, 2010); associate, Foley and Lardner (September, 2004-April, 2008).Education: University of Michigan Law School, J.D. (2001 – 2004), Activities and Societies: Legal Assistance for Urban Communities Clinic, Gettysburg College, B.A., Political Science (1993 – 1997). Activities and Societies: Football, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Washington Township High School (1989 – 1993).
ww.linkedin.com/pub/edward-dietz/2/811/182

Jim Dunlap, Senior Executive Vice President, promoted "head the Huntington Bank, Columbus, Ohio's wealth and government banking group. He will also continue to serve as Huntington’s lead executive in Michigan, where Huntington has played a role in helping the state to recover. He will replace Dan Benhase who has decided to retire in 2014. Benhase will remain with the bank through the transition. Dunlap first joined Huntington 33 years ago and has held a variety of roles in the bank. He was named president of the West Michigan Region in 2001, where he has played an instrumental leadership role in the area's economic development initiatives. Prior to that he was president of Huntington's Florida operations and was recognized as one of Central Florida's most outstanding community leaders and banker of the year in 2001.

Dunlap joined Huntington in 1979 in Northwest Ohio, serving in several capacities, including Regional Retail Administrator, overseeing Commercial Lending, Treasury Management, and Public Funds. He was Regional President of Huntington's Northwest Ohio operations from 1992 to 1996. He is currently the Chairman of the West Michigan Policy Forum, incoming Chairman of the West Michigan Economic Club, and on the executive committee of Michigan's The Right Place, Inc. and has current and past service on the boards of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, Junior Achievement, Grand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Regional Issues Committee. He is also the past chair of the Grand Rapids Area YMCA and the Heart of West Michigan United Way. Additionally, he serves on the executive committee of the West Michigan Regional Public Policy Conference. He has been named Business Person of the Year by the Grand Rapids Economic Club and won the Grand Rapids' Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Community Trustee Award. Dunlap graduated from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking and attended Bowling Green State University.

James Elwood named managing director, Vendor Finance Group, Bank of the West, San Francisco, California. He joined Bank of the West October, 2005. Prior he was vice president, manager, national programs, Trinity Vendor Finance (January, 1991-January, 2005); senior district manager, U.S. Leasing Corporation (April, 1986-June, 1990). Education: University of California, Davis, Managerial Economics. Additional Honors & Awards: President Club - Bank of the West; Million Dollar Club - U.S. Leasing Corporation.
www.linkedin.com/pub/james-elwood/11/434/9b5

Jonathan L. Fales hired as vice president of strategic business development, Key Equipment Finance; Johnson City, Tennessee. Previously he was senior managing director, the Alta Group (January, 1999-December, 2013); general manager, Asia Pacific South, IBM Global Financing, Singapore (1996-1998);multiple positions at IBM Global Finance, Stamford CT and London, UK (1991-1998).Multiple equipment leasing articles: Journal of Equipment Leasing & Finance; NEFA Newsline; Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation; Law Journal Newsletters; American City & Country; and Monitor. Speaking Engagements at Industry Conferences: Chairman and Keynote Speaker -- China Leasing Summit, Beijing, China [2008-2013];Presenter – Equipment Leasing & Finance Association Convention [2006; 2011-2012]; Presenter – China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment Leasing Business Committee Convention [2008] Panelist – National Equipment Finance Association Funding Conference [2008]Presenter – Mold Makers Convention [2005].Independent Coursework President's Class - Harvard Business School; CFO Class - IBM Professional Development. Education: Vanderbilt University, Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics.Board Director, Committee Chair & Industry Future Council Member - Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.
www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfales

Terrence "Terry" G. Heidkamp appointed vice president - government and industry affairs, GATX Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. Previously he was vice president, FreightCar America (October, 2011-December, 2013). "Prior to FreightCar America, he spent 21 years with GATX in a variety of leadership roles in government affairs, operations and finance. Thomas A. Ellman, executive vice president and president – Rail North America said, “We are pleased to welcome Terry back to GATX. His extensive industry experience makes him well-suited to represent and promote GATX’s interests.” Mr. Heidkamp holds a master of business administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. (1974 – 1978).
www.linkedin.com/pub/terry-heidkamp/20/b61/252

Paul Heller, chief technology and operations officer for Huntington Bank, Columbus, Ohio will also be in charge of Huntington's mortgage business. By moving the business to technology and operations, the bank can leverage its digital and technological investments to better serve customers and shareholders. “Paul is an exceptionally talented leader,” added Huntington Chairman, President and CEO Steve Steinour'. “He has made a big impact in Huntington’s technology and operations and will further leverage technology in our home lending division.” Heller began his career at Chase in 1995 as a vice president in operations for credit services. He rose steadily through the company and held a series of posts including chief technology officer (CTO) for the retail bank, CTO for the corporate internet group and CTO for the consumer bank. Prior to joining Chase, Heller worked for Andersen Consulting specializing in financial card processing. During that time, he worked in New York, Phoenix and London, England, on strategy, operations and technology projects. Active in the central Ohio community, Heller is co-chair of the Memorial Tournament Concert for Nationwide Children's Hospital and an advisory board member of St. Charles Preparatory School. He has also served on the boards of St. Stephen's Community House and the Central Ohio Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Heller received his bachelor's from Miami University of Ohio and his master's in business administration in finance from The Ohio State University, Fisher School of Business.
www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-g-heller/2/a25/671

Kristina Herrera-Allen promoted to senior vice president, documentation, Pacific Western Equipment Finance fka Marquette Equipment Finance. She joined the firm December, 2001. Education: American Intercontinental University, AABA, Business (2008 – 2009) Graduated 2009. Full scholarship through Project Working Mom. Salt Lake Community College, AS, Business (2007 – 2009).
www.linkedin.com/pub/kristina-herrera-allen/4/558/59

David Normandin, CLP, is now senior vice president at Banc of California, Irvine, California. He joined the bank 2012. Previously he was managing member, ENvision Capital Group (February, 2007-May, 2011); vice president, sales, Balboa Capital (June, 1995-February, 2007). Organizations: National Equipment Finance Association, Treasurer & Board Member; Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, Small Ticket Steering Committee: National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, Key Note Speaker at Annual Conference, April 2012; Certified Leasing Professional Foundation, Vice President & Board Member (January 2011 – Present).Education San Diego State University-California State University, BS, Business Administration Management (1995);Certified Leasing Professional CLP Designation, Commercial Equipment Leasing (2008); Six Sigma, Green Belt (2005).
www.linkedin.com/in/davidnormandin

Nick Negrete appointed senior portfolio manager, Fleet Financing Resources, LLC, Riverside, California. "In his new position, Negrete will manage the day-to-day workings of the entire portfolio including collections, recoveries, and litigation. Negrete brings 20 years of portfolio management experience in both equipment and commercial financing. Most recently, he was the Portfolio Manager for Edson Financial, Inc., a captive finance company for Krystal Enterprises. Prior to that, he served as Collection Manager for ORIX Financial Services, Inc. and Collector at New Era Funding Corporation."

Raquel O'Leary, CLP, hired as vice president operations, Allegiant Partners, Inc. ,San Rafael, California. Previously she was operations manager, First Star Capital, (September, 2011-October, 2013); staff accountant, Fehr & peers (September, 2008-April, 2009); asst. division manager, equipment finance, First Republic Bank (April, 2008-September, 2008); funding manager, Irwin Commercial Finance (May, 2005-May,2007); assist. division manager, equipment finance, Bank of Walnut Creek (September, 1999-September, 2005); financial services representative, Union Bank of California (1997-1999).Mills College BA, Anthropology & Sociology (2002 – 2005).
www.linkedin.com/pub/raquel-o-leary-clp/45/b00/91b

David Omicinski hired as vice president, convenience and retail petroleum finance, RBS Citizens. Previously he was vice president, RBS Asset Finance (July, 2007-November, 2013); district manager, syndicator and credit officer, Key Equipment Finance (December, 1998-July, 2007); assistant vice president, KeyBank (October, 1992-December, 1998). Management trainee, branch manager and corporate development officer (Fleet/Norstar Bank (June, 1986-October, 1992).Education: Siena College, B.S., Finance (1982 – 1986).
www.linkedin.com/pub/david-omicinski/18/777/516

Rick Remiker promoted to lead commercial bank executive at Huntington Bank, Columbus, Ohio. "He successfully launched Huntington’s specialty banking, which includes equipment finance, health care, energy, international and food and agriculture banking. 'Rick has a proven ability to drive commercial growth and will help us to build on the solid foundation we now have in the commercial segment,” said Huntington Chairman, President and CEO Steve Steinour'."

Mr. Remiker joined Huntington National Bank, May, 2010. Previously he was chief administrative officer, RBS Asset Finance (October, 2008-May, 2010), managing director-EF, Merrill Lynch Capital (March, 2003-Feburary, 2008), president and COO, Key Equipment Finance (October, 1994-2003), regional manager, US Leasing (1985-1993), and district sales manager, CIT (1982-1985). He is past chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. Education: Arizona State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - School of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Finance, General.
www.linkedin.com/pub/rick-remiker/2/baa/b64

Michael "Mike" Romanowski, National Sales Manager, Farm Credit Leasing, appointed president of its Minneapolis-based leasing subsidiary of CoBank. Romanowski succeeds Russ Nelson, who is retiring after six years as president of CoBank Farm Credit Leasing and almost 40 years with CoBank and the Farm Credit System. His appointment is effective January 1, 2014. He joined Farm Credit Leasing September, 1997. Previously he was project manager, IBM (November, 1995-September, 1997), manager application development, Budget Rent a Car (1989-1995). Certified Public Accountant. Education: Northern Illinois University - College of Business.
www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-romanowski/5/3ab/864

Tina Roost named national program manager, Xerox, New York, New York. Previously she was regional sales manager, Balboa Capital (October, 2012-Present), inside sales, NEC Financial (April, 2009-September, 2012), sales manager, US Express Leasing (2004-2009), assistant v.p., Copelco Capital (1992-2003).Education: University of Delaware, BSHR (1988 – 1992). Activities and Societies: Sigma Kappa Sorority.
www.linkedin.com/pub/tina-roost/4/876/30b

Gino Sabeh promoted to regional vice president, First National Capital Corporation, Foothill Ranch, California. He joined the firm October, 2001. Previously he was in sales, Network Capital funding Corporation (October, 2010-Septembe,2011); senior account manager First National Capital Corporation (February, 2008-October, 2010); sales manager Smart systems Technology (May, 2002-September, 2005); sales consultant, Ricoh Business Solutions (aril, 2001-May, 2002).Education: California State University-Fullerton, Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Administration and Management, Marketing.
www.linkedin.com/pub/gino-sabeh/13/922/424

Andrew Sisti named senior vice president-originations for Nations Equipment Finance, “responsible for NEF’s large ticket transaction origination activities, as well as fostering relationships with private equity sponsors and restructuring advisors." Previously he was founding partner, Fortiori Capital, LLC (April, 2012-December, 2013); managing director of BTMU Capital Corporation, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (June, 2003--March, 2012), principal at Bank of American Leasing and Capital Group, Bank of America (May, 2001-June, 2003), vice president, Citi (June, 1995-May, 2001), vice president, GE Aviation (1994-1995). Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance, General (1988); Activities and Societies: Columbia Business School Club of New York. Fordham University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics, Cum Laude (1985); Activities and Societies: Cross Country, Indoor and Spring Track, Economics Club.
www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsisti

Haze Walker named director of sales, FSW Funding / Lawrence Financial Group, Santa Monica, California. She joined the firm September, 2010. Previously she was vice president, Aerofund Financial (January, 2001-March, 2006); sales manager, Travelers Investment corp., (April, 1995-December, 2000).
www.linkedin.com/in/hazewalker

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

Truck Asset Manager Work remote from your office; experience in heavy equipment required, ideal Class 8 trucks. Call Shervin Rashti direct: 213-599-7660 or send resume shervin@maximcc.com www.maximcc.com Maxim Commercial Capital is a commercial finance company committed to fostering the growth of small and middle market companies by providing creative and flexible asset-backed financing solutions

 

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.

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Fed Reserve Beige Report Positive
Economy Continues to Expand

Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts indicated that the economy continued to expand at a modest to moderate pace from early October through mid-November. Activity in the New York, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Dallas Districts grew at a moderate pace, while Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City, and San Francisco cited modest growth. Boston reported that economic activity continued to expand.

Manufacturing activity continued to expand in most Districts, with gains noted in the motor-vehicle and high-technology industries. Manufacturers in many Districts expressed optimism about near-term growth prospects. Demand for professional business services experienced stable to moderate growth, especially in computer technologies. Freight volume showed signs of strengthening. Reports on retail spending were positive. Looking forward to the holiday shopping season, retailers reported being hopeful, but cautious. Sales of new motor vehicles were reported as moderate to strong across much of the United States. Tourism increased in most reporting Districts, although the federal government shutdown had a negative impact in some areas. Residential real estate activity improved across many Districts, with multifamily construction experiencing moderate to strong growth. Some slowing in single-family home sales was attributed to seasonal factors. Activity in nonresidential real estate was stable or improved slightly across many Districts. Agricultural conditions were generally favorable. Mining activity was mixed, while natural gas production increased. Banking conditions were largely stable, with some improvement seen in loan demand. Several Districts reported an easing of lending standards.

Hiring showed a modest increase or was unchanged across Districts. Difficulty with finding qualified workers, especially for high-skilled positions, was frequently reported. Upward pressure on wages and overall price inflation were contained. Contacts in many Districts voiced concern about future cost increases attributable to the Affordable Care Act and other types of federal regulation.

Banking and Finance

On balance, banking conditions remained stable in a majority of reporting Districts. Loan volume showed a modest increase in Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, while Boston and Atlanta reported a moderate rise. Dallas noted that loan demand softened across most lines of business during the reporting period. An increase in business-credit activity was seen in a number of Districts. Commercial real estate lending increased in New York, Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, and San Francisco. Demand for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans rose in the New York, Atlanta, and Kansas City Districts, but weakened in St. Louis. C&I lending was unchanged in Chicago. In the Philadelphia, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, and San Francisco Districts, some bankers eased lending standards in response to aggressive competition for quality loans. Lending standards remained unchanged across loan categories in New York, Cleveland, St Louis, and Kansas City. Consumer borrowing weakened in a few Districts, including New York, Richmond, and St. Louis. In Cleveland, Kansas City, and Dallas, demand for consumer loans was little changed, while it increased in Chicago. Lower residential mortgage activity was reported in many Districts. Bankers in Cleveland, Richmond, and Atlanta attributed the decline in part to higher interest rates than earlier in the year. New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas reported declines in refinancing activity as well. Several Districts reported increased credit quality, as delinquencies have continued to decline and fewer problem loans have been reported.

Reports from Each District

Boston

New York

Philadelphia

Cleveland

Richmond

Atlanta

Chicago

St. Louis

Minneapolis

Kansas City

Dallas

San Francisco

Full report:

 

 

 

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue Growth in Q3 Favors Smaller Banks
SNL Financial Exclusive Report

Smaller was better in the third quarter for banks and thrifts. Though the banking industry's aggregate operating revenue declined in the third quarter, a majority of the publicly traded regional and community banks were actually able to grow their top line revenues, according to data analyzed by SNL Financial.

The FDIC reported Nov. 26 that aggregate third-quarter net income declined to $36.0 billion among banks and thrifts, the first time in 17 quarters that earnings fell year over year. Net operating revenue declined 3.6% from the year-ago quarter to $163.3 billion. Aggregate numbers are dominated by the big banks, which struggled to grow revenues as loan growth remained stagnant, low interest rates compressed margins and a rise in long-term rates dampened residential mortgage banking income.

SNL Financial looked at net interest income and noninterest income at major-exchange-traded U.S. banks and thrifts in the third quarter, and found that just one of the 27 included banks above $25 billion in assets was able to grow third-quarter operating revenues both quarterly and yearly: Buffalo, N.Y.-based M&T Bank Corp. Among publicly traded banks of all sizes, 52% of companies analyzed saw operating revenues increase between the third quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2013.

M&T Bank earned $1.15 billion in operating revenue in the third quarter, up 1.95% from the prior quarter and up 3.17% from the year-ago quarter.

M&T Bank's top line growth was driven by a securitization of "capital-intensive, lower-return, indirect" auto loans, as described by CFO René Jones on the company's third-quarter conference call, according to a transcript. The company said it securitized and sold $1.4 billion of the loans, which had previously been held in its portfolio, for a gain of $21 million. The company completed the transaction in order to increase its capital and liquidity, and Jones said during the call that the company would only do future auto securitizations "once in a great while." Otherwise, Jones characterized M&T Bank's third quarter by saying in the earnings release: "Profits clearly softened" compared to the second quarter.

Banks with less than $25 billion in assets were more successful in growing operating revenue than their larger brothers. Fourteen of the 32 banks in SNL's analysis between $10 billion and $25 billion in assets were able to grow operating revenues in the third quarter, or 44%. One of the banks seeing the largest growth was Santa Clara, Calif.-based SVB Financial Group. The company's operating revenue grew 8.40% during the quarter to $246.9 million, a 21.41% increase compared to the year-ago quarter. The growth reflected increases in both net interest and noninterest income, as the commercial-business-focused bank has seen the benefits of its location in the booming Silicon Valley. CEO Gregory Becker crowed in the company's third-quarter earnings release, "This is our 30th year of partnering with entrepreneurs and investors in the innovation sector, which continues to grow and thrive, often in direct contrast to the broader economy."

But the highest proportions of revenue-growing banks were seen among banks with less than $10 billion in assets. Of the 248 publicly traded banks under $10 billion that reported the information, 58% grew third-quarter operating revenue both quarter over quarter and year over year.

One example was Olney, Md.-based Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc. with $4.05 billion in assets. The company's operating revenue increased to $46.5 million in the third quarter, a 7.99 % increase compared to the prior quarter and a 6.34% increase compared to the year-ago quarter. The company in its earnings release attributed the growth to the "significant" recoveries of two commercial real estate loans, with some help from growth in wealth management and insurance segments.

Another community bank with growing revenues was Abilene, Texas-based First Financial Bankshares Inc., which has $5.08 billion in assets. The bank capitalized on increased fee income, which helped drive its operating revenues to increase 17.64% year over year to $62.6 million. The bank said in its third-quarter earnings release that ATM, interchange and credit card fees increased 16.91% to $4.40 million from the year-ago quarter, and trust fees increased 11.29% to $4.14 million.

Full SNL Financial Report:
http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-25990759-12066

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

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Christmas Special $10 off
Certified Lease Professional Handbook

Perfect as colleague gift or for yourself

The fourth edition has new chapters on Agriculture and Insurance with expanded sections on Lease Pricing and Asset Management - Collections. The History, Classification and Tax and Accounting chapters have also been updated to reflect the pending changes in the FASB and IASB Exposure Draft. Whether you’re a college student, entry level leasing associate, or an old pro, this book is an invaluable resource.

Purchase $49.95 (10% off by using code UDBETE25)
https://www.createspace.com/4164536/

(To learn more about the CLP Handbook)
http://www.clpfoundation.org/clp-handbook.php

CLPs in Good Standing
http://www.clpfoundation.org/members/members.php

Why I Became a CLP series:
http://www.leasingnews.org/CLP/Index.htm

 

Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croc

A bittersweet road trip ("Nebraska") and an animated fairy-tale ("Frozen") come to the box-office, while DVD releases highlight megahits ("Man of Steel") as well as indie sleepers ("Frances Ha," "Prince Avalanche").

In Theaters:

Nebraska (Paramount Pictures): Bittersweet pathos is the specialty of Alexander Payne ("Sideways"), and there's plenty of that in the Oscar-winning director's latest comedy-drama. Veteran character actor Bruce Dern, in an award-winning performance, stars as Woody Grant, an alcoholic patriarch whose drab, senility-approaching existence gets a boost when he scores big at the local lottery. Or so he thinks--his million-dollar prize is really just an ad, but that doesn't mean that the old man can't travel to Nebraska to collect it, with his put-upon son David (Will Forte) in tow. The result is a road trip in which old and new faces turn up, forgotten wounds are opened up, and, maybe, a bond is grudgingly forge between the estranged family members. Told with deadpan humor and moments of poignancy, this is a must for fans of Payne's brand of prickly drama.

Frozen (Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures): Just in time for the holidays, Disney Studios serves up this seasonal crowd-pleaser with the top-notch animation and warm humor that's its trademark. The story focuses on Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), a young woman whose optimism is tested when she's teamed up with gruff mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) in a search for her missing sister Elsa (Idina Menzel). The journey takes them up into the glacial heights surrounding their kingdom, where goofy and ominous creatures materialize and Anna's secret powers are revealed. Can they succeed, or will their land be forever trapped by winter? Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Disney's latest feels like a storybook come to life, and delightful viewing for kids and parents alike.

Netflix Tip: Though only now getting widespread acclaim for his performance in "Nebraska," Bruce Dern has been a powerful character actor for decades. So check out Netflix for some of his best roles, from "The Cowboys" (1971) and "Family Plot" (1976) to "Coming Home" (1978) and "The Driver" (1978).

On DVD:

Man of Steel (Warner Bros.): Having already tackled "Watchmen," director Zack Snyder reaches for another comic-book franchise in this epic new retelling of the Superman legend. Going back to the superhero's beginning, the film centers on young Clark Kent (played by Henry Cavill), a farm worker who must come to the terms with the roots of his inhuman strength. Discovering that he is in reality an alien from the dying planet Krypton who was sent to Earth as a child and was adopted by Ma and Pa Kent (Diane Lane, Kevin Costner). Now, with the planet in danger from a villain known as General Zod (Michael Shannon), Clark must adopt the heroic persona and red and blue suit of Superman. Heavily influenced by Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight movies, Snyder's reboot should satisfy fans of superhero movies and action extravaganzas alike.

Frances Ha (Criterion): Best known for his bittersweet portraits of neurotic characters ("The Squid and the Whale," "Greenberg"), writer-director Noah Baumbach lightens up with this very likable comedy, which gives Greta Gerwig the part she deserves. Gerwig stars as Frances, a struggling New York City dance student whose life takes a sudden turn when her best friend and roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner) decides to move out. Suddenly unmoored in the midst of potential boyfriends, elusive jobs, and impulsive trips to Europe, the heroine throws herself in a pursuit of her dreams. Searching for meaningful relationships in modern Brooklyn turns out to be harder than she expected, however, leading to a series of bittersweet misadventures both funny and poignant. Reminiscent of Woody Allen’s early films, this is a movie brimming with spunk, speed, heart, and a luminous central performance.

Prince Avalanche (Magnolia Pictures): Director David Gordon Green has in the past alternated between lyrical dramas and oddball comedies. Here, he brings the best of the two camps for one of his best movies. Taking place in 1988, the story follows the often wild misadventures of Alvin (Paul Rudd) and Lance (Emile Hirsch), a pair of young road workers who find themselves working in an isolated patch of Texas. Away from their families, they scramble to break up the boredom and end up face to face with unexpected philosophical questions. With a poetic eye for expressive landscapes and the marvelously matched comic duo of Rudd and Hirsch, the movie melds unpredictable laughs with eloquent contemplation for a sweet, touching meditation on friendship.

Labrador Retriever
Fort Collins, Colorado Adopt-a-Dog

Jessie

Breed: Retriever, Labrador/Mix
Age: 3 years 8 months 15 days
Sex: Female
Size: Medium
Color: Black
Spayed
Housetrained: Unknown
Site: Animal House Rescue & Grooming
Location: Foster Homes
Intake Date: 1/5/2013

“Jessie is a loving 3 year old Black Lab mix. She has an athletic build and weighs around 50lbs. Jessie LOVES her people and bonds very strongly to her family. She also loves to play with toys (especially a tennis ball! She is a great dog, she has mastered fetch (the whole giving it back thing had been a problem). She loves the snow, she buries herself in it. If anyone is interested in a search and rescue buddy, Jessie might be your lady! She is currently relaxing in foster care where she is perfecting her house manners and cuddling with her foster family! Please call us at 970-224-3647 if you have more questions or submit an application to meet this beauty!

Our Location
Animal House & Grooming
1104 W. Vine (at Shields)
Ft. Collins, CO 80521
Tele: (970) 224-DOGS (3647
eMail:
http://www.animahousehelp.org/contact.php

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/

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Salvation Army Kettle

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

"Thank you for all your good work with the Salvation Army.
I just sent my donation.
"Have a nice Holiday only 3 weeks left and it will be Christmas."

Barbara Griffith
Southern California Leasing, Inc.

"I saw the Audi commercial several times this weekend where the customers throw their car keys in a green "salvation army" kettle which reminded me several times to make my annual donation to your Salvation Army Christmas kettle!"

Gary Trebels
gtrebels@att.net

"Donated! Keep up the good work!"

Edward Castagna CEO
www.inplaceauction.com

"Kit, it is always nice to support this worthy cause that you have done so much for. Happy Thanksgiving!"

Bruce Kropschot, Senior Managing Director and
Merger & Acquisition Advisory Practice Leader

The Alta Group, LLC

One Anonymous

(Donations received by press time)

 

 

News Briefs----

ELFA Provides Free Infographic
Benefits of Equipment Leasing
http://www.equipmentfinanceadvantage.org/infographic/

E.U. Imposes 1.7 Billion Euros in Fines Over Rate-Rigging Scandal
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/business/international/european-union-fines-banks-for-fixing-benchmark-interest-rates.html

What Community Bankers See Ahead in 2014
http://www.americanbanker.com/gallery/what-community-bankers-see-ahead-in-2014-1063915-1.html#%21

Global PC shipments see worst drop ever
http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_24648698/global-pc-shipments-see-worst-drop

Bankrupt Detroit can cut pensions; implications big for California
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/03/5966594/bankrupt-detroit-can-cut-pensions.html

Private sector gains 215,000 jobs
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2013/12/04/Private-sector-gains-215000-jobs/UPI-55221386165895/

India Free Trade Agreement with European Union in suspended animation till new govt. takes over
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Free-Trade-Agreement-with-European-Union-in-suspended-animation-till-new-govt-takes-over/articleshow/26877778.cms

Finance Teams Exploiting Mobile Apps
http://ww2.cfo.com/technology/2013/12/finance-teams-exploiting-mobile-apps/

Cyber Monday Sales on Smartphone-optimized Websites up 150%
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cyber-monday-sales-on-smartphone-optimized-websites-up-150-234348911.html

Walmart.com Has its Best Sales Day Ever on Cyber Monday 2013
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmartcom-has-its-best-sales-day-ever-on-cyber-monday-2013-234274501.html

Update: Winter Storm Warning issued for most of North Texas
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/national-weather-service-has-increased-confidence-that-winter-weathers-heading-toward-north-texas.html/

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

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

--You May Have Missed It

23 Excellent Reasons To Drink More Wine
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/23-excellent-reasons-to-drink-more-wine

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

Beginner Walking Workouts
A 12-Week Program that Builds Endurance
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1204

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Football Poem

 Bob Whitsitt
President & General Manager, Portland Trailblazers
President, Seattle Seahawks

(abbreviated speech)

May 14, 2000

Thank you, Chancellor George, for inviting me to speak today!

This is the first time I’ve been invited back into the state since I hired Mike Holmgren away from the Packers.

We led the NBA. We had the best record in the league (63-19). We won the Pacific Division Championship for the first time ever. The year before we had won 55 games, but we lost in the conference finals in game seven to Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. And, we were the favorite to win the NBA championship. My two young superstars that I drafted back then were the keys to our team, but they were still pretty young guys named Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Well, Gary had a distant cousin, a fellow named Walter Peyton. As you know “Sweetness” played for the Chicago Bears and has recently past away, (he played on a Super Bowl championship team). So we called Walter up and had him come out and spend some time with our team before the playoffs started in ‘94. It was kind of ironic for me because Walter got our team together and he spent the whole time together talking about “this group of people."

“You need to trust each other as players. You are playing for yourselves. A lot of people will follow you when you are having success, but you need to be together. There will be a lot of adversity. It’s difficult to win a championship. There’s a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of media scrutiny. There’s a lot of fragile psyches. Your confidence comes and goes.” Walter did this beautiful speech. It took away a lot of those memories because that’s really what it’s all about. It’s about working together and trying to accomplish something together. The interesting thing is that we won the first two games in the first round quite easily. We went on to lose the next three games and we lost in the first round of the playoffs.

The next day the owner called me into the office. He wanted me to fire the coach. I told him that I didn’t agree with that – it wouldn’t be a good idea. We talked again the next day. He wanted the same thing done. I got him to agree to talk again in about a week when the emotions calmed down.

Monday, I went into my office and it was cleaned out. I had the best year of my life – the best record ever; we had made the most money ever; we sold out the building every day. I was the Executive of the Year and I didn’t have a job!

So, that was kind of humbling for me to learn that even when you think you’re on top, or it’s going good, don’t get too high when things are going good for you. And try not to get too low when you think the world’s going to end tomorrow because it’s not going to end. You are going to be just fine. I did land on my feet. Obviously I have a job now where I work for a wonderful guy named Paul Allen where we are involved in a lot of wonderful things. I keep doing this job because I have the passion for it. The day I don’t have that excitement or the energy, “I’ll hang it up.”

I’d like to just close here and read half a poem to you. The poem is called, “Kindly Unhitch that Star, Buddy.” It’s by Ogden Nash. I’m going to pick it up, about half way through.

Indeed, everybody wants to be a wow, 
But not everybody knows exactly how. 
Some people think they will eventually wear diamonds instead of rhinestones. 
Only by everlastingly keeping their noses to their grindstones 
And other people think they will be able to put in more time at Palm Beach and the Ritz.
By not paying too much attention to attendance at the office, 
But rather in being brilliant by starts and fits. 
Some people after a full day’s work sit up all night getting a college education by correspondence, 
While others seem to think they’ll get just as far by devoting their evenings to the study of the difference in temperament between brunettance and blondance. 
Some stake their all on luck, 
And others put their faith in their ability to pass the buck. 
In short, the world is filled with people trying to achieve success, 
And half of them think they’ll get it by saying no and half of them by saying yes. 
And if all the ones who say no said yes, and vice versa, 
Such is the fate of humanity that 99% of them still wouldn’t be any better off than they were before, 
Which perhaps is just as well because if everybody was a 
success nobody could be contemptuous of anybody else and everybody would start in all over again trying to be a bigger success than everybody else so they would have Somebody to be contemptuous of and so on forevermore, 
Because when people start hitching their wagons to a star, 
That’s the way they are.

I want to congratulate all the graduates, and please kiss somebody tonight.

Thank you.

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Briefs----

Russell Wilson's progress at quarterback puts him way ahead of Colin Kaepernick
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20131204/sports/131209816

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

California Nuts Briefs---

BART unions sue transit agency over contract
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/BART-unions-sue-transit-agency-over-contract-5031658.php

Tech's space appetite eclipses highs of dot-com boom
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Tech-s-space-appetite-eclipses-highs-of-dot-com-5033838.php

California prison system hiring 7,000 officers
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/03/5967507/california-prison-system-hiring.html

Another BART mishap - how old are those trains?
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Another-BART-mishap-how-old-are-those-trains-5034506.php

Lyle Lovett 'Loves' Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company
http://losgatos.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/lyle-lovett-loves-los-gatos-coffee-roasting-company

 

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

“Gimme that Wine”

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

Coffee Icon to Give Unified Symposium Keynote
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?content=125040

Fussiness pays off with winning sauvignon blanc
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20131204/entertainment/

Wine.com Releases Annual 2013 Wine.com 100
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/04/ca-2013-winecom-idUSnPnSFb7scx+160+PRN20131204

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

1492- Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti at the end of his first voyage (he never discovered the mainland, which was discovered earlier by several others including the Vikings, Chinese, and Africans, who also were the first to discover South America from a foreign land). Here Columbus made slaves of all the natives, shipping as many as he could to Europe in his following four voyages. Fifty years later the natives were wiped out by the thousands when Spanish armies came to Haiti in search of gold. The Spanish were succeeded by the French, who brought slaves from Africa to work the plantations. In one of history most glorious struggles for independence, Haiti became the first black Republic in the world when it became a free country in 1804. American slaves would escape here, and to “free” states, which eventually brought on the Civil War as more “free” states, such as Oregon, were joining the union and territories were being formed in the North West.

www.haitiimpact.com/haitimarvelous.htm

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1565840089/ref=pd_thx_recs_2/

102-1682336-8966565?v=glance

1496 -Jews are expelled from Portugal by order of King Manuel I. The new world would be a land of free religion for all, but how to get there, via South America.

1776-Phi Beta Kappa fraternity founded at Williams and Mary's College, Virginia.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec05.html

1782- Martin Van Buren's birthday, eighth president of the United States (1837-1841). The first president to have been born a citizen, his term saw many troubles from bank and business failures, depression and unemployment. In 1837, Van Buren succeeded Jackson in the White House. Three months later, the Panic of 1837 sent the national economy into a tailspin. Van Buren's inability to alleviate the depression, along with his opposition to the annexation of Texas on grounds it would lead to expansion of slavery, led to his drubbing by Whig candidate William Henry Harrison in 1840. He retired to Lindenwald , his Kinderhook estate, where he died in 1862.

(lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec05.html )

1784-Birthday of Rhillis Wheatley - the first African-American poet. Her first collection of poetry was published in 1773. Two other books were published posthumously. Brought to Boston as a slave in 1761, RW was raised almost like a daughter by Mrs. John Wheatley and quickly learned English - then learned Greek and Latin. She was an object of great wonder in Boston and England because of her intelligence at a time when Blacks were considered “unteachable.” After the Wheatleys died, she was freed and married a black man who deserted her.

1787-Shay's Rebellion: Daniel Shays of Pelham, MA, organized a group of farmers, whose land had been seized, and their neighbor and friends, into an armed force that overthrew courts and committed other acts of violence. They were protesting the depreciation of paper money, the insistence of creditors on being paid in silver money, the imprisonment of debtors, and the seizure of farmland to pay off debts. Following the Revolutionary War, the United States faced severe economic hardships. One reason, in addition to war debt, was that the new nation was cut off from the commercial ties of the British Empire. Especially hard hit was Massachusetts because England cut off trade between the United States and the British West Indies. This severely harmed several businesses of that state such as shipbuilding, distilling, and lumber, which depended on the West Indies trade. Because of the economic hard times in Massachusetts, many farms heavily in debt were seized by their creditors and often sold for a fraction of their value. The farmers and working men of Massachusetts, who were unable to pay their debts, were sent to debtor prisons and would not be released until their debts were paid. The state legislature of Massachusetts responded inadequately to this economic crisis manner by increasing court costs and raising taxes. On this day the “rebels” seized Worcester, Massachusetts, and were attempting to have others join them in the overthrow of the government. They were also raiding homes, stealing food, clothing, and whatever valuables they could lay their hands upon. By February 1787, however, they were completely routed. The rebels were captured and sentenced to death for treason, but they were later pardoned.

http://www.politicalresource.net/shay's_rebellion.html

http://mumbet.com/html/shay.html

1792- George Washington was reelected president of the United States. John Adams was elected vice president. The electoral vote was Washington, 132, Adams, Federalist of Massachusetts, 77; George Clinton, anti-Federalist of New York, 50. In those days, the person who came in second was vice-president. The third Congress consisted of 30 senators of whom 17 were Federalist and 13 Democratic-Republicans. In the House the count was 57 Democratic-Republicans and 48 Federalists.

1804- Thomas Jefferson was reelected president of the United Sates. George Clinton, first governor of New York and like Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, was elected vice president. The electoral vote was Jefferson, 162; Charles C. Pinckeny, Federalist of South Carolina, 14. This was the first election with separate ballots for president and vice president.

1822 - Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz was born. Educator instrumental in founding the Harvard University Annex for women students, renamed in 1894 as Radcliffe College in honor of Ann Radcliffe, founder of the first Harvard Scholarship (1643). She served as its president until 1899.

1832- Andrew Jackson re-elected President of US by 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

1839 – Birthday of General George Armstrong Custer, Born, New Rumley, Ohio. (U.S. military officer; killed in battle at Little Bighorn, June 25, 1876). Considered a civil war hero. In 1867, he was court-martialed for not following orders, failing to take care of his men, and failing to follow orders to protect farms. He had left his fort to visit his wife 275 miles away, whom he had not seen for quite some time. Being the general in charge, he had the authority to do this, and did not pursue a group of Indians along the way, due to lack of information, including size and direction. He claimed he was being made a scapegoat for a failed campaign and General Sheridan late re-appointed him. He quickly redeemed himself. Ulysses S. Grant was so infuriated with Custer's activity, that he demoted him. Custer was popular among battle officers and was later re-instated to lead further activities against “hostile Indians.” While reportedly not popular with his men or other military, he was a fighter, who was known to charge into battle with simple plans, which was his modus operandi. It is said that in his final battle, one of his captain's hesitated in the attack, delaying another, making Custer attack with only half of his troops and leaving a hole for the Indians to escape and eventually surround the small force in sheer numbers, even though many did not have fire arms. His death and that of his 210 men became a war cry to “kill all the Indians” as the country moved further west.

http://www.civilwarhome.com/custerbi.htm

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/custer.htm

http://www.garryowen.com/

1843-The Navy launched is first iron side wheel steam, the “Michigan”, Erie, PA.

http://www.cogulus.com/archimedes/illustrations/1844_michigan.jpg

http://www.greatwhitefleet.org/michigan/01/history.htm

1848- President Polk triggers Gold Rush of '49, confirming the California gold discovery. News of this in January was slow in reaching the East. Word of it first appeared in the New York Herald on August 19, but no great excitement was created until President James. K. Polk expressed enthusiasm about it in his message to Congress. The rush began by land across the continent and by sea and land via the Isthmus of Panama. The first shipload of prospectors arrived in San Francisco via Cape Horn on February 28. About 80,000 people made their way to California in 1849---55,000 overland and 25,000 by sea. About 5000 that started out overland never made it because Asiatic cholera swept their ranks. By the end of 1848, gold worth $10,000,000,000 had been mined.

1862- Battle of Coffeeville MS

http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/grantshilohvicksburg/TheBattleofCoffeeville.html

http://www4.pair.com/justfolk/Diary103.htm

1865-In the wake of the Civil War, fiscal conservatives attempted to curtail the use of greenbacks, paper money minted to support the Union. The drive to end greenbacks got a boost on December 5, 1865 when Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch made a plea for the currency to be discontinued. However, proponents of greenbacks kept the currency flowing into the 1870s.

1870-Birthday of Bill Pickett, rodeo cowboy, born at Williamson County, Texas. Inventor of bulldogging, the modern rodeo event that involves wrestling a running steer to the ground. Died at Tulsa, OK, April 21, 1932.

1876-President Ulysses S. Grant delivered his speech today, apologizing to Congress, claiming mistakes he made while he was president were due to his inexperience. His errors, he said, were "errors of judgment, not intent." While Grant's personal integrity was never formally questioned, he was closely associated with many government scandals which became public during his presidency. The scandals included at attempt to corner the gold market, significant fraud in the Treasury Department and Indian Service. His term in office had many other “scandals” and was full of wide-spread corruption, particularly from cabinet members and other “financial” supporters.

1894-Birthday of Phillip Knight Wrigley, baseball executive, born at Chicago, IL. Wrigley inherited the Chicago Cubs upon his father's death in 1932. He and his family owned the team for 60 years until selling it to the Tribune Company in 1981. Died at Elkhart, WI, April 27, 1977.

1901-Birthday of Walt Disney, animator, filmmaker, theme park developer, born at Chicago, IL. Disney died at Los Angeles, CA, Dec. 15, 1966. He personally supervised the building of Disneyland, living on the premises. He visited the only night event, sometimes with Ward Kimball, as Dixieland was played there (one of my high school jobs was playing clarinet and bass sax during the off nights, the week, and he was a frequent visitor with his own glass---as the bar only served beer.)

1912 -- Marshall Royal Birthday ( lead alto sax player, band manager for Count Basie )

http://www.netstoreusa.com/mubooks/030/0304338362.shtml

1916- Sneakers with rubber soles and plain cloth uppers were sold from the early 1870s by Charles Goodyear of New York City, who developed the vulcanized rubber shoe sole, and copied by many other footwear companies. The first brand of sneakers was Keds, introduced today in 1916 by the United States Rubber Company, the successor to Goodyear's shoe company. The first Keds had black soles and high-top brown canvas uppers, mimicking leather shoes. The name was a combination of “kids” and ped, the Latin word for “foot.”

1920-Singer Kay Davis born Evanston, IL. With Duke Ellington in the 1940's., Transblucency, Minnehaha.

http://www.parabrisas.com/d_davisk.html

1929-Three men organized the American League for Physical Culture in New York City, the first nudist organization.

http://www.bareworks.com/history.htm

1932--Albert Einstein flees Nazi Germany, granted a visa in U.S. He was visiting the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 and did not go back to Germany, where he had been a professor at the Berlin Academy of Sciences. He settled in the U.S., becoming an American citizen in 1940. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt alerting him to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the U.S. begin similar research. This eventually led to what would become the Manhattan Project. Einstein supported defending the Allied forces, but largely denounced using the new discovery of nuclear fission as a weapon. Later, with the British philosopher Bertrand Russell, Einstein signed the Russell–Einstein Manifesto, which highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons. Einstein was affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, until his death in 1955.Einstein published more than 300 scientific papers along with over 150 non-scientific works. His great intellectual achievements and originality have made the word "Einstein" synonymous with genius.

http://www.biography.com/people/albert-einstein-9285408?page=2

1933-Prohibition ended with the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, as the Twenty-First Amendment was ratified. Actually during this period, hospital and other records of alcoholism showed decreases. There were considerably less accidents and deaths caused by drunk driving, and crime was more related to “lack of money” and the depression, than drinking. The law did not allow the transportation or making of alcoholic drinks, but private clubs and many restaurants had a long supply (and were able to purchase without the federal or sales tax, actually at a lower cost than under government regulation. ) The grape industry suffered; however, individuals were allowed to make up to 300 gallons a year, plus beer, which created many home wine and beer makers ( which you legally can do today.).

1934-American educator Mary McLeod Bethune founds National Council of Negro Women.

http://www.nps.gov/mamc/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/dreamteam/marybethune.html

http://www.nahc.org/NAHC/Val/Columns/SC10-6.html

1934-Birthday of bass player Art Davis, Harrisburg, PA

http://www.artdavis.com/

1934—Birthday of Joan Didion - novelist, journalist, writer and essayist. Best known for The White Album (1979), A Book of Common Prayer (1977) and Play It As It Lays.

1935-Birthday of “Little Richard” Penniman, singer, songwriter, early rock ‘n’ roller, born Macon, GA.

http://www.history-of-rock.com/richard.htm

http://www.little-richard.com/

http://www.littlerichard.com/

1936 - Bing Crosby took over as host of "The Kraft Music Hall". Jimmy Dorsey (who would later be host, himself) led the Kraft Orchestra.

1941-The “ Lexington,” one of the two largest aircraft carriers deployed by the United States during World War II, started its way across the Pacific in order to carry a squadron of dive bombers to defend Midway Island from an anticipated Japanese attack. Negotiations between the United States and Japan had been ongoing for months. Japan wanted an end to U.S. economic sanctions. The Americans wanted Japan out of China and Southeast Asia and Japan to repudiate the Tripartite "Axis" Pact with Germany and Italy before those sanctions could be lifted. Neither side was budging. President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull were anticipating a Japanese strike as retaliation-they just didn't know where. The Philippines, Wake Island, Midway Island-all were possibilities. American intelligence reports had sighted the Japanese fleet movement out from Formosa (Taiwan), apparently headed for Indochina. The U.S. State Department demanded from Japanese envoys explanations for the fleet movement across the South China Sea. The envoys claimed ignorance. Army intelligence reassured the president that, despite fears, Japan was most likely headed for Thailand-not the United States. The Lexington never made it to Midway Island; when it learned that the Japanese fleet had, in fact, attacked Pearl Harbor, it turned back-never encountering a Japanese warship en route or employing a single aircraft in its defense. By the time it reached Hawaii, it was December 13.

1944--McWHORTER, WILLIAM A. Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 126th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 5 December 1944. Entered service at: Liberty, S.C. Birth: Liberty, S.C. G.O. No.: 82, 27 September 1945. Citation: He displayed gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in operations against the enemy. Pfc. McWhorter, a machine gunner, was emplaced in a defensive position with 1 assistant when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Manning the gun and opening fire, he killed several members of an advancing demolition squad, when 1 of the enemy succeeded in throwing a fused demolition charge in the entrenchment. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Pfc. McWhorter picked up the improvised grenade and deliberately held it close to his body, bending over and turning away from his companion. The charge exploded, killing him instantly, but leaving his assistant unharmed. Pfc. McWhorter’s outstanding heroism and supreme sacrifice in shielding a comrade reflect the highest traditions of the military service.

1946-- President Truman creates Committee on Civil Rights by Executive Order #9808

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/hstpaper/pccr.htm

http://www.civilrights.org/

1947- Joe Louis beats Jersey Joe Walcott in 15 rounds for heavyweight boxing title

http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jlouis.htm

http://www.ibhof.com/walcott.htm

1948 - The first church service in sign language for the hearing impaired was broadcast from St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Jamaica, Long Island. WPIX-TV, Channel 11 in New York aired the telecast.

1950---Top Hits

All My Love - Patti Page

A Bushel and a Peck - Perry Como & Betty Hutton

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry

I'm Moving On - Hank Snow

1951 - The first push button-controlled garage opened in Washington, DC. A single attendant, without entering a car, could automatically park or return an auto in less than a minute.

1952- “ The Abbott and Costello Show” premiered on television. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made 52 half-hour films for television incorporating many of their best burlesque routines. The show ran for two seasons, until 1954. Costello was born at Paterson, NJ, Mar 6, 1906, and died at East Los Angeles, CA, Mar 3, 1959. In 1966 Hanna-Barbera Productions produced an animated cartoon based on the characters of Abbott and Costello. Abbott supplied his own voice while Stan Irwin imitated Costello. Bud Abbott was born at Asbury Park, NJ, Oct 2, 1895 and died at Woodland Hills, CA, Apr 24, 1974. Their memorable routine, “Who's on First?, is a staple of the welcome video at The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

http://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2013/4_29x.htm#abbott

1953 - a killer F4 tornado struck Vicksburg, MS, killing 38 and injuring 270. This was the last killer tornado of 1953, concluded one of the worst tornado years on record. Every corner of the nation east of the Rockies was hit by violent tornadoes. In no other years have violent tornadoes been so widespread

1955- Rosa Parks was arrested at Montgomery, Alabama on December 1 for refusing to give up her seat to a white man. This was following the Interstate Commerce Commission ban on integrated buses and bus stops, which Alabama (and other states) were ignoring. In support of Parks, and to protest the arrest, the black community of Montgomery organized a boycott of the bus system. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at first reluctant to have his church involved, listened to the calls of his parishioners and joined the boycott where the assemblage pushed him into the fore front. When I interviewed him as a newsman, he was “shy” at the time, he explained, and did not consider himself a leader, but “caught up in the movement.” The boycott lasted from December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956, when the US Supreme Court ruling was implemented at Montgomery, integrating the public transportation system.

http://www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html

http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/parks01.html

http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/beth-mar.htm

1955-The AFL-CIO was founded. The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organization joined together, following 20 years of rivalry, to become the nation's largest leading advocate for trade unions

1956--The Alan Freed produced movie, "Rock Rock Rock" is released with Tuesday Weld lip-synching to Connie Francis' voice.

1958---Top Hits

To Know Him, is to Love Him - The Teddy Bears

One Night - Elvis Presley

Problems - The Everly Brothers

City Lights - Ray Price

1964--RCA announces that "Elvis' Christmas Album" has sold over 800,000 copies since being released in 1957.

1964-Lorne Greene's "Ringo" hits #1

1964- The Beach Boys' Beach Boys Concert album hits #1

1964- The Zombies' "She's Not There" enters the pop charts

1964- The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" enters the pop charts

1964-The first Medal of Honor awarded in the Vietnam War was present to Army Captain Roger Hugh Donlon of Saugerties, NY. He was wounded four times (in the stomach, leg, shoulder, and face) at Nam Dong, about 20 miles from the Laotian frontier. The award was the first since the Korean War, the first in a counterinsurgency effort, and the first to a solider with a friendly foreign force engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States was not at war, a “belligerent.” Now retired,[still alive?] Col. Roger resides in Leavenworth, Kansas with his lovely wife of more than 30 years, Norma. They have 4 sons and Roger has a daughter from a previous marriage. The Donlon's have a number of grandchildren and spend their time traveling, giving motivational speeches, promoting Roger's book, "Beyond Nam Dong", and working with The Westmoreland Scholar Foundation, an educational foundation dedicated to fostering reconciliation between the American and Vietnamese people.

http://www.mishalov.com/Donlon.html

http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/vn_a_donlon.html

1966---Top Hits

Winchester Cathedral - The New Vaudeville Band

Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys

Devil with a Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly - Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels

Somebody Like Me - Eddy Arnold

1967- Baby doctor and writer Benjamin Spock along with Poet Allen Ginsberg and others arrested protesting Vietnam War.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/junkie/links/spock.htm

http://www.virtualology.com/virtualpubliclibrary/hallofeducation/Pedagogy/Benjamin-Spock.org/

1972-the Mormon Church officially excommunicates Sonia Johnson, founder of "Mormons for the ERA," for her efforts on behalf of the Equal Rights Amendment. She was fifth generation Mormon.

1973- Paul McCartney releases "Band on the Run" album.

1974- The National Football League announces that it has voted membership to Seattle Professional Football, Inc., headed by Lloyd W. Nordstrom with partners Herman Sarkowsky, D.E. “Ned” Skinner, Howard S. Wright, M. Lamont Bean, and Lynn P. Himmelman.

http://www.seahawks.com/

1974---Top Hits

I Can Help - Billy Swan

Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas

When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees

Back Home Again - John Denver

1975-Fleetwood Mac's tenth album goes gold and will eventually reach platinum status. This is the first album by the regrouped band, including founders Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, veteran Christine McVie and newcomers Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The album contains the tunes "Rhiannon", "Say You Love Me" and "Over My Head".

1975-"Gratitude", a double album by Earth, Wind and Fire becomes their fifth album to go gold.

1975 -Yogi Berra, fired unexpectedly after piloting the club as a first-year manager to a 99-63 record and an American League pennant in 1964, returns to the Yankees as a coach after an 11-year absence. The hiring of the team's former all-star catcher and skipper to be Billy Martin’s bench coach marks the first time in the history of the game that such a designation has been given to a member of the coaching staff.

1981- an explosively deepening ocean storm southeast of New England caught forecasters off guard and unloaded heavy snows over New England. Boston, MA was buried with 13.5 inches and parts of southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island reported over 2 fee

1982 — The Cowboys beat Washington 24-10 at RFK Stadium for the club's -- and Tom Landry's -- 200th regular-season victory.

1982---Top Hits

Truly - Lionel Richie

Gloria - Laura Branigan

Mickey - Toni Basil

You and I - Eddie Rabbitt with Crystal Gayle

1984 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at age 37, was the oldest player in the National Basketball Association. He decided to push those weary bones just one more year by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers -- for $2 million. Other NBA greats who played for 16 seasons include John Havlicek of Boston, Dolph Shayes of Philadelphia, Paul Silas of Seattle and Elvin Hayes of Houston.

1984 - a heavy snow came to an end in Oklahoma. 10 inches fell at Skiatook, OK and 6.1 inches at Oklahoma City, OK

1988-"Kokomo" by the Beach Boys topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

1988 -Televangelist Jim Bakker was charged by a federal grand jury with mail fraud and conspiracy to defraud the public through the sale of thousands of lifetime memberships to PTL theme park, Heritage U.S.A. (Bakker was convicted the following year and sentenced to prison.)

http://www.80s.com/Icons/Bios/james_orsen_jim_bakker.html

http://www.physics.unlv.edu/~farley/humor/K/bakker.htm

1989 - A warm Pacific storm system brought high winds and heavy rain to western Washington and western Oregon. Up to ten inches of rain deluged the western slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington State over a three day period, and 500 persons had to be evacuated due to flooding along the Skagit River. Up to five inches of rain drenched northwest Oregon, and winds gusted to 71 mph at Netarts.

1990---Top Hits

I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston

Because I Love You (The Postman Song) - Stevie B

From a Distance - Bette Midler

Come Next Monday - K.T. Oslin

1991 -Charles Keating Jr. (Lincoln Savings & Loan fraud), found guilty.

1992 - The rappers known as Ice Cube hit it big as their "The Predator" became the #1 album in the U.S. The tracks: "The First Day of School (Intro)", "When Will They Shoot?", "I'm Scared (Insert)", "Wicked", "Now I Gotta Wet' Cha", "The Predator", "It Was a Good Day", "We Had to Tear This ________ Up", "________ 'Em ", "Dirty Mack", "Don't Trust 'Em", "Gangsta's Fairytale 2", "Check Yo Self (Featuring DAS EFX)", "Who Got the Camera?", "Integration , "Say Hi to the Bad Guy".

1996 - The baseball players’ union executive board unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement, marking the end of the longest labor dispute in baseball history. The new agreement introduced a Luxury Tax, revenue sharing, inter league play, and several provisions designed to compel the future cooperation of owners and players.

1998 - James P. Hoffa, Jr., won the Teamsters presidency after challenger Tom Leedham conceded defeat in the union's presidential election. Leedham said it was difficult to compete against Hoffa's name recognition, financing and more than four years of campaigning for the top post of the largest private sector union in the U.S. There are some that say “Junior” was one of those involved in the disappearance of his father, probably part of the cement structure holding up a bridge or building.

1998 - R. Kelly & Celine Dion were number one in the U.S with their single, "I'm Your Angel".

2002--Elton John guest stars on NBC's "Will and Grace."

2003 - A major winter storm impacted parts of the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during the 5th-7th. Snowfall accumulations of one to two feet were common across areas of Pennsylvania northward into New England. Boston, MA received 16.2 inches while Providence, RI had the greatest single snowstorm on record with 17 inches, beating the previous record of 12 inches set December 5-6, 1981. Boston's Logan International Airport was closed briefly on the 7th as heavy snowfall made regular airport operations impossible.