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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and
entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   




Friday, December 12, 2014


Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Leasing News’ Salvation Army Kettle
$2,700 Raised to Date--Thank You, Donors
   Classified Ads---Credit
Current Equipment Leasing Books
  For Christmas
    Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry
As Economic Headwinds Subside, Businesses
 Increasingly Reach Out for Financing
By Frederick Van Etten, Scottrade Bank Equipment Finance
New Standard Mileage Rates Now Available
   Business Rate to Rise in 2015
John Kenny Hanging Wall Calendars
   on Facebook
Mintaka Financial Improves Efficiencies
 and Strengthens Partnerships with eOriginal Technology
Former CEO of TierOne Bank, Lincoln, NE Pleads Guilty
   CIT Launches “CIT Point of View” Corporate Blog
 Wild/A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
  Guardians of the Galaxy/Calvary/Safe
   Film/DVD Reviews by Leasing News' Fernando Croce
  Labrador Retriever Mix
     Seattle, Washington  Adopt-a-Dog
       Attorneys Who Specialize in
        Banking, Finance, and Leasing
              Updated
News Briefs--- 
Storm floods highways, cuts power on West Coast
 House Passes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill Ahead of Midnight Deadline
  Lending Club jumps 65 percent
    ---Silicon Valley's biggest IPO of 2014
Why auto leases are surging
 Service levels impact equipment markets
   BizAv Groups Warn Texas Tax Proposal Would Change
     ‘Course Of Ownership’
 For Data Center Leasing, Demand Doesn't Always Come First
  Sysco poised to complete $8.2B merger with US Foods

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (writer's columns)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

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[headlines]

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Leasing News’ Salvation Army Kettle
$2,700 Raised to Date—Thank You, Donors

Carol Baker Brent Baron Brian Carey
Rob Day Larry Hartmann Randy Haug
Sam Khedkar Theresa Kabot, CLP Bruce Kropschot
Allan Levine Paul Menzel, CLP Dean Morrison
Gerald Oestreich PFSC Susan Robert
Jeffrey Rudin Bob Teichman, CLP Gary Trebels
Rick Wilbur Edward Winston Robert VanHellemont
Terry Waggoner Anonymous



(Please click on kettle to learn more)

Please Help Us Make Our Goal!

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Classified Ads---Credit

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

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

Orlando, Florida
As a Commercial Credit Analyst/Underwriter, I have evaluated transactions from sole proprietorships to listed companies, across a broad spectrum of industries, embracing a multitude of asset types. Sound understanding of balance sheet, income statement and cash flow dynamics which impact credit decisions. Strong appreciation for credit/asset risk. 
rpsteiner21@aol.com
 
407 430-3917

 


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

 

 

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Current Equipment Leasing Books
For Christmas

The Successful Equipment Lease Broker
http://www.theequipmentleasebroker.com/

"Earn over $100,000/yearly in The Equipment Leasing Business using the step-by-step methods in this book." - The Leasing Expert Inc.  (2011)
by Joshua Fant
Owner & CEO of North Pacific Properties
Open Networker with all Real Estate Professionals!
Greater Seattle Area
www.linkedin.com/in/jfant

Special Study for Corporate Counsel on Equipment Leases, 2014 ed.
http://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/law-products/Treatises/Special-Study-for-Corporate-Counsel-on-Equipment-Leases-2014-ed/p/100306974?trkcode=GL&trktype=external&searchid=GL&jsf=c7d0c43b-f883-4281-b52b-a6e88e6a6d26:49032
by Alan Gutterman  (2014)
Author | Attorney and Business Counselor
www.linkedin.com/in/alangutterman

Start Your Own Leasing Company!
http://www.125aday.com/books/274/start-leasing-company.cfm
By Paul Sutton (2014)  111 pages
(No Information Available)

None of the books above were reviewed by Leasing News.

Most Recommended by Leasing News:

For more information, please go here:
http://www.clpfoundation.org/toolbox/clp_handbook.php

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books.htm

 

 

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New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Industry



Kayla Babinski was promoted to Documentation Assistant at Western Equipment Finance, Devils Lake, North Dakota. She joined the firm September, 2012, as Customer Service Representative; promoted to Commercial Analyst, May 2013. Prior, she was Front Desk Clerk
Great American Inn & Suites (April, 2011–August, 2011). Education:
Bemidji State University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Administration (2009 – 2012), Emphasis in Management, Minor in Accounting. Activities and Societies: Accounting Club, BSU Softball Team
www.linkedin.com/pub/kayla-babinski/51/a32/772


Ryan Birnel has been named business development officer for the loan originations team in Denver, Colorado, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, part of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC). "In his new role, Birnel is primarily responsible for sourcing and structuring flexible asset-based financings for opportunities originated in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. He joined Wells Fargo Capital Finance December, 2008, as Collateral Examiner. He was promoted, March, 2010, to Assistant Vice President & Relationship Manager; January, 2014, named Assistant Vice President & Relationship Manager, in the Syndicated Finance division.  Prior, he was Assistant Relationship Manager, West Coast Bank (March, 2006–December, 2008). Legal Intern, Danielson Silva Law (2003–2003). Education: Regis University, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Accounting and Finance (2011–2013). Washington State University - College of Business and Economics/Finance (2006–2008); Utah Valley University, BS, Finance/Poly Sci (2001–2005).
www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-birnel/8/a22/40


Jessica D'Emidio was hired as Commercial Loan Processor at Franklin Street Capital Advisors, Atlanta, Georgia.  Previously, she was Transaction Manager, Franklin Street (November, 2013–October, 2014); Loan Coordinator/Closer, Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation (June, 2013–October, 2013); Documentation Manager/Legal, Commercial Credit Group Inc. (January, 2005–June, 2013); Project Manager in Corporate Information Security, Bank of America (January, 2004-January, 2005); Legal Consultant/Clerk, Financial Federal Credit, Inc. (January, 2003–January, 2004); Real Estate Closing Clerk, Ashley Edward Pak, PLLC (January, 2003–September, 2003); Law Clerk, Paul L. Whitfield & Associates, P.A (January, 2002–January, 2003); Law Clerk, Levine, Kundin & Cohen/Sporrer, P.C. and Attorney Jeff S. Weiss, Esquire (January, 2000–January, 2002). Languages: Spanish. Education: University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Law (1998–2001). Dickinson College, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology and Spanish
(1994–1998).


Kristopher E. Dunlap was hired as VP - Regional Sales Manager (Construction and Forestry Equipment Finance) at  Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd., Portland, Oregon. He joined GE Capital, January, 2012, as (Program Management) Lead Sales Representative. Irving, Texas; promoted to VP - National Account Manager (Western Region), August, 2012.Prior, he was Senior Program Director, Evanta (December, 2009 – December, 2011); Account Executive, De Lage Landen (January, 2008 – December, 2009); Business Development Manager, VP, Citigroup (January, 2006 – January, 2008). He joined CitiCapital (Citigroup) fka Copelco Capital as Assistant Vice President, January, 1999; promoted to Collections Administration Officer, VP Citigroup (2002–2006). Previously, he was Reserve Police Sergeant, Portland Police Bureau (January, 1994 – January, 2002); Operations Supervisor, Nations Credit (Bank of America) (January, 1996 – January, 1998); Sergeant E-5, U.S. Army National Guard Military Police (January, 1990 – January, 1998). Many Awards and Commendations as well as Volunteer Experience & Causes. Education: George Fox University, Bachelor of Arts, Management and Organizational Leadership (1999–2001). Portland Community College, Associates, Psychology (1990–1999). Beaverton High School
 www.linkedin.com/in/kristopherernestdunlap


Todd Elliott was hired as Director, Canadian Market Development, PayNet; he is based in Toronto, Canada.  He joined HSBC Financial Corporation as Major Account Executive - New Business Development, august, 1999; promoted March, 2004, to Senior Manager - New Business Development; promoted October, 2005, to Senior Manager - PowerSports; September, 2006, promoted to Director - Enhancement Services, HSBC Card and Retail Services; May, 2009, Assistant Vice President, HSBC Card Services (MasterCard); May, 2010, Assistant Vice President - New Business Development, HSBC Retail Services; January, 2010, Assistant Vice President, HSBC Retail Services; July, 2012, Head of HSBC Retail Services. Prior, September, 1992, he was Associate Branch Manager, Beneficial Financial Group; promoted to Account Executive, Retail Services, Beneficial Financial Group / The Associates (January, 1996 – August, 1999). Volunteer Experience & Causes: Presenter and Facilitator, Junior Achievement of Canada (2004). Language: French. Education: Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne, Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Business/Commerce, General, (1988 – 1992). St. Charles College.
ca.linkedin.com/in/toddwelliott  


Ella Krishtal was promoted to Regional Director at DDI Leasing, Inc., Bedminster, New Jersey. She joined the firm April, 2014 as Account Manager.  Previously, she was Field Representative (External B2B Sales), BrandIt Sales and Marketing Firm (November 2013–March, 2014); Urology Pharmaceutical Sales Professional, Watson Pharmaceuticals (March 2012–September 2013); Global / Regional NP4 Project Manager, Novartis Oncology (June 2007–March 2012); Project Administrator, NYK Logistics (October 2005–March 2007);
Sales, Nordstrom (May 2000–August 2005). Languages: French, Russian, Spanish. Organizations: Team Leader for American Heart Association. Team Leader for Community Partnership.  Awards: International Society of Poets Winner. Education: Rutgers University-New Brunswick, BAS, Communication, Informatics (2001 – 2005). Activities and Societies: Dean’s List / Honor Society, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – President of Academic Affairs. Kean University, BS, Computer Science (1999 – 2001). Activities and Societies: Dean’s List / Honor Society Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – President of Academic Affairs (2000- 2001). Interop, 2014.
www.linkedin.com/pub/ella-krishtal/9/2a4/841


Ng Leong was hired as Vice President of Global Services, International Decision Systems (IDS); responsible for global customer success. "As Global Services leader, Mr. Leong will be responsible for IDS Professional Services and Support. In this role, he will be dedicated to implementation project success and nurturing positive ongoing customer relationships...Mr. Leong brings over 20 years of big-four consulting and in-depth services experience to IDS. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Professional Services at Flexera Software where he was instrumental in helping the company dramatically increase business volume by transforming its consulting and services organizations.”  Previously, he was Americas Practice Leader, EMC Consulting (2010 – 2012).  He joined CA in 2005 as Vice President & Area Manager, Mid-Atlantic & US Federal; promoted in 2009 to Senior Vice President, Global Services Operations. Prior, Director, BearingPoint (2000 – 2005); Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting (1998 – 2000); Principal Consultant, Price Waterhouse (1991 – 1998). Certifications: Active Top Secret Security Clearance. Education: University of Pennsylvania, BS, Systems Engineering (1987 – 1991). University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School
BSEcon, Operations (1987 – 1991).
www.linkedin.com/pub/ng-leong/17/224/56b


Mark Sheehan was hired as VP Business Development at Wintrust Capital,  Dallas/Fort Worth Area.  Previously, he was VP of Business Development, EverBank (December, 2012 – December, 2014); VP Sales, PNC Financial Services Group (February, 2003 – December, 2012); VP Sales, First Data Corporation (January, 2002 – December, 2003); Account Sales Manager, Comdisco (January, 2000 – October, 2001); Regional Account Manager, Extricity Software (April, 1999 – January 2000); Senior Account Manager, Versant (March, 1994 – February, 1994); Managing Director, Director of Vendor Relations & Sales Support, Platinum Technology (September, 1991 – March, 1994); Sales Support / Manager, XA Systems (April, 1988 – August, 1991 ); DBA, EDS (1980 – 1988).
www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-sheehan/2/64b/77b

Jim Williams was hired as Vice President of Business Development with the Sports and Entertainment Group, PNC Equipment Finance.  He is based in Austin, Texas.  Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Styx Capital, specializing in equipment finance for the golf and technology industry. Prior, he was Vice President, Dell Financial Services (1998-2002).
www.linkedin.com/pub/jim-williams/10/719/958

David Zapata was hired as Vice President, Leasing Manager, Northeast Region, Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. "(He)...will support government financing efforts throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions...Previously, Zapata was Vice President and Relationship Manager for Citizens Bank and has held senior associate and vice president-level positions specializing in municipal corporate banking and municipal finance with Preferred Mutual Insurance Co., RBC Capital Markets Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities and Miller Tabak Roberts Securities, LLC. Zapata has bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and an MBA from New York University.” 

 

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted
 



 

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As Economic Headwinds Subside, Businesses Increasingly
Reach Out for Financing
By Frederick Van Etten
President,  Scottrade Bank Equipment Finance


 

With confidence and pent up demand comes growth. That growth will lead businesses to acquire more equipment to help not only meet the uptick in demand, but to expand to meet future growth.

The stock market continues to reach record highs, and the Fed recently decided to end the quantitative easing program due to the belief the labor market conditions are continuing to improve. As the economy continues to heal, and the uncertainty about the domestic economic landscape wanes, the combination of market and investor confidence has led to business capital investment well above pre-recession levels.

Competitive credit terms have become more accessible and businesses are taking full advantage. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI) reported overall new business volume for October as being up 9 percent year over year.

We at Scottrade Bank Equipment Finance recently wrapped up our first full year of business, and we experienced above expected growth. Even during the typical summer doldrums traditionally experienced by many equipment finance companies, we continued to see strong application levels. Our new lessees and borrowers are quickly becoming repeat customers, which only solidifies the strong growth levels the industry has seen. It’s not just for newly manufactured equipment, demand has also surged for aftermarket and refurbished equipment with longer lifecycles. The rising price of used equipment represents another barometer of capital spending growth – and we are seeing the price of used equipment firming up.

According to the October Rouse Value IndexTM, which measures the average Orderly Liquidation Values (OLVs) for benchmark models across 14 major rental category indices, used equipment prices increased to 46.5, which is 7.4 percent higher than the prior peak period of 43.3 in April 2007.

While there might be some hiccups along the way – the economy is continuing to grow. As businesses continue to invest in capital equipment, Scottrade Bank Equipment Finance will be there every step of the way to help finance American ambition.
 
--Appeared LinkedIn.com


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New Standard Mileage Rates Now Available
Business Rate to Rise in 2015

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2015 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:

  • 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2014
  • 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down half  a cent from 2014
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs, such as gas and oil. The charitable rate is set by law.

Taxpayers always have the option of claiming deductions based on the actual costs of using a vehicle rather than the standard mileage rates.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after claiming accelerated depreciation, including the Section 179 expense deduction, on that vehicle. Likewise, the standard rate is not available to fleet owners (more than four vehicles used simultaneously). Details on these and other special rules are in Revenue Procedure 2010-51, the instructions to Form 1040 and various online IRS publications including Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax.

Besides the standard mileage rates, Notice 2014-79, posted today on IRS.gov, also includes the basis reduction amounts for those choosing the business standard mileage rate, as well as the maximum standard automobile cost   that may be used in computing an allowance under  a fixed and variable rate plan.

 

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John Kenny Hanging Wall Calendars
on Facebook

Facebook Link
https://www.facebook.com/organicpics?ref=hl

Home Page
http://www.organic-pics.com/calendars.html

The photo is on top of each month and named. Several of the collections also have sayings and expressions, such as in Clouds and The Feral Family (click on photo to see them).

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

Mintaka Financial Improves Efficiencies
and Strengthens Partnerships with eOriginal Technology

Mintaka Financial, LLC has selected eOriginal, Inc., the trusted experts in digital transaction management, to improve the company’s operational efficiency through secure and compliant digital transfers of its post-signature contracts.

Mintaka Financial, LLC has selected eOriginal, Inc., the trusted experts in digital transaction management, to improve the company’s operational efficiency through secure and compliant digital transfers of its post-signature contracts.

Based in Gig Harbor, Wash., Mintaka Financial provides small business loans and leases originated through a limited group of independent small business finance companies that share ownership in Mintaka.


David T. Schaefer
Founder/President
Mintaka Financial

“Mintaka exists to give small businesses access to capital. We have discovered that digital transaction management (DTM) services help us to do that in a more efficient and secure way, while improving the customer experience,” said David T. Schaefer, founder and President of Mintaka Financial. “With eOriginal, we have a secure and compliant solution that connects us with our partners and customers through collaborative and efficient business processes.”

By integrating eOriginal’s eAsset® Management Services, Mintaka Financials’ network is able to control and manage its digital contracts, while providing the flexibility to pledge or collateralize these electronic assets on the secondary market.


Stephen Bisbee
President/CEO
eOriginal

“Mintaka Financial understands the value of partnerships, and how digital transaction management can be used to enhance those relationships,” eOriginal President and CEO Stephen Bisbee said. “From one innovator to another, we are proud to be part of Mintaka’s continuing commitment to a network dedicated to long-term relationships with its small business clients.”

About eOriginal, Inc. Founded in 1996, eOriginal is the trusted experts in digital transaction management solutions, specializing in the post-execution management of financial asset documentation. eOriginal SmartSign® and eAsset® Management Services enable an end-to-end solution for fully electronic transactions that must be managed with the highest levels of security and compliance throughout their lifecycle. By treating every transaction as having assets that must be verifiably secure, legally compliant and enforceable, eOriginal provides its customers and partners with eCertainty®. For more information, please visit www.eoriginal.com.
 

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

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

Former CEO of TierOne Bank, Lincoln, Nebraska Pleads Guilty

 "Gilbert Lundstrom, former CEO of TARP applicant TierOne Bank, pled guilty for hiding bank losses and past due loans arising from the bank’s aggressive expansion out of its traditional lending areas,” said Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for TARP (SIGTARP). “Lundstrom is essentially charged with having two set of books, with the books shown to regulators concealing tens of millions of dollars in delinquent loans. Rather than tell the truth that this aggressive expansion resulted in a loan portfolio declining in value that threatened the bank’s capital position, this bank CEO is alleged to have engaged in a conspiracy to conceal the bank’s true financial condition from regulators who were examining the bank and reviewing the bank’s TARP application. Taxpayers shouldered the burden of TARP to make our system safer, not to fill holes on bank’s books caused by fraud.”

Gilbert G. Lundstrom, 72, of Lincoln, Neb., was the CEO of TierOne Bank from 1999 to January 2010. According to allegations in the indictment, during that time, Lundstrom and others concealed the true value of TierOne’s loan and real estate portfolio and provided falsely inflated figures in its required reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Specifically, Lundstrom and others allegedly used outdated property appraisals and rejected new appraisals that would have required TierOne to mark down the value of its real estate holdings. In addition, Lundstrom and others allegedly delayed seeking new appraisals to conceal the depreciating value of the bank’s loan collateral and restructured loan terms to disguise borrowers’ inability to make timely interest and principal payments. As a result, Lundstrom and others were allegedly able to hide millions of dollars in losses from regulators and investors.

In 2008, TierOne submitted an application to the OTS seeking funds through the U.S. Department of the Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Ultimately, TierOne withdrew its application and did not receive TARP funds. TierOne filed for bankruptcy shortly after the bank was shut down by OTS in June 2010.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

James A. Laphen, 65, of Omaha, Neb., the former president and chief operating officer of TierOne, pleaded guilty earlier this week to conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, making false entries in a bank’s books and records, and making false statements before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart of the District of Nebraska. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2015. On Sept. 9, 2014, TierOne’s former chief credit officer, Don A. Langford, also pleaded guilty for his role in the fraud. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

The case was investigated by SIGTARP and the FBI’s Omaha Division. The SEC also provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Henry P. Van Dyck and L. Rush Atkinson of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

 

 

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

CIT Launches “CIT Point of View” Corporate Blog

"This blog will complement our existing thought leadership initiatives that highlight our deep understanding of the small business, middle market and transportation sectors."

NEW YORK----CIT Group Inc. (NYSE:CIT) cit.com, a leading provider of commercial lending and leasing services, today launched CIT Point of View (cit.com/pov), a new weekly corporate blog that will offer commentary and perspectives on current trends and issues affecting the small business, middle market and transportation sectors.

Blog posts in CIT Point of View will cover an array of subject matter from the various sectors that CIT supports: Aerospace, Business Services, Capital Markets, Communications, Energy, Entertainment, Equipment, Gaming, Healthcare, Industrials, Information Services & Technology, Private Equity, Rail, Real Estate, Restaurants, Retail, Sports & Media, and Transportation.

“We are excited to launch CIT Point of View, which will serve as another resource for market intelligence from our executives for our customers and the industry at large,” said Margaret Tutwiler, Executive Vice President and Group Head of Communications & Government Relations at CIT. “This blog will complement our existing thought leadership initiatives that highlight our deep understanding of the small business, middle market and transportation sectors.”

Individuals interested in receiving CIT Point of View via email can register at cit.com/pov or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE:CIT) is a financial holding company with more than $35 billion in financing and leasing assets. It provides financing, leasing and advisory services to its clients and their customers across more than 30 industries. CIT maintains leadership positions in middle market lending, factoring, retail and equipment finance, as well as aerospace, equipment and rail leasing. CIT’s U.S. bank subsidiary CIT Bank (Member FDIC), BankOnCIT.com, offers a variety of savings options designed to help customers achieve their financial goals. cit.com

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



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Fernando's View
By Fernando F. Croce

A pair of very different tales about wandering women ("Wild," "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night") come to theaters, while DVD releases offer irreverent sci-fi ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), brooding mystery ("Calvary"), and unsettling drama ("Safe").

In Theaters:


Wild (Fox Searchlight Pictures): Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar under Jean-Marc Vallée's direction in last year's "Dallas Buyers Club," and Reese Witherspoon may have similar chances in the Canadian filmmaker's latest drama, where she delivers her most committed performance in years. Witherspoon stars as Cheryl, a woman determined to starn a new phase in her life by hiking alone through 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. In between her friendly and less-than-friendly encounters, flashbacks reveal the personal backstory of this determined character, including her relationship with her mother (Laura Dern). A plot synopsis may sound uneventful, but the movie transforms her trip through visuals that reflect the heroine's resolve as well as her inner turmoil. Anchored by Witherspoon's brave turn, this is a moving, haunting journey.


A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Kino Lorber): Ana Lily Amirpour makes a striking feature debut with this poetic, haunting tale which mixes elements of fantasy and horror. Set in an imaginary, deserted Iranian town called Bad City, the story follows the wanderings of a female vampire known as The Girl (Sheila Vand), whose thirst for blood leads her to the seediest and loneliest corners around. As she preys on Bad City's most unsavory characters, however, she comes in contact with a handsome laborer (Arash Marandi) who stirs her emotions rather than her fangs. Can she find in romance a way out, or is she doomed to remain a prisoner of her languidly morbid impulses? Filmed in beautifully expressive black-and-white, Amirpour's film may be reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch's vampire tale "Only Lovers Left Alive," but has a beguiling pulse all of its own. With subtitles.

Netflix Tip: A tough-guy of Japanese cinema, Bunta Sugawara (1933-2014) was a familiar face to genre buffs from yakuza gangster movies and dramas. So check out his best-known films, which include the sprawling, gritty underworld saga "Battles Without Honour and Humanity" (1973), the emotional wartime drama "The Burmese Harp" (1985) and, surprisingly, the gentle animated fantasy "Spirited Away" (2002).

On DVD:

Guardians of the Galaxy (Walt Disney): Tired of brooding caped avengers in dark and stormy cities? Then check out the latest entry in the colossally successful Marvel superheroes line, which lightens the mood with entertainingly irreverent humor. The story follows the escapades of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), a space traveler who, after acquiring an enigmatic orb, finds himself at the center of an interplanetary manhunt. With the nefarious Ronan (Lee Pace) behind him, he puts together a ragtag band of unlikely heroes, including the Amazon Gamora (Zoe Saldana), a wisecracking raccoon named Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and a tree-creature named Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel). Directed with rambunctious verve by James Gunn, the movie's colorful sense of fun is a welcome antidote to the overly serious superheroes that dominate today's cineplex.


Calvary (Fox): Following his critically acclaimed debut "The Guard" with this absorbing drama, Irish writer-director John Michael McDonagh further proves to be a true talent to watch. The excellent Brendan Gleeson stars as Father Lavelle, a priest in a small parish who, in the film's memorable opening scene, is given one week to live by a troubled murderer-to-be. For the next seven fateful days, Lavelle visits the townspeople and experiences a variety of human philosophy and struggle, from the atheist medic (Aidan Gillen) to the suicidal daughter (Kelly Reilly) who's back in town. But can he discover the identity of his potential killer, as well as the root of his own spiritual woes, before his time is up? Mixing mystery and bleakness with dashes of humor, McDonagh's impassioned film surprises, compels, and moves.


Safe (Criterion): One of the most challenging directors to emerge from the indie boom of the 1990s, Todd Haynes excels at analyzing how oppression often lurks within cultural values long taken for granted. So is the case with this intriguing 1995 drama, which plays like an unsettling study of a standard disease-of-the-week TV movie. In one of her earlier acting triumphs, Julianne Moore stars as Carol, a suburban housewife who finds her life turned inside-out by physical and spiritual maladies. In no time, she appears to develop multiple severe allergies to just about everything around her. She seeks medical help, but can she fight back when her entire environment is apparently turning against her? Meticulously directed with a clinical eye for the miniature traps of modern life, Haynes' potent film is ultimately more disturbing than most current horror movies.

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Labrador Retriever Mix
Seattle, Washington  Adopt-a-Dog


Baby Girl
ID #: 24310137
Gender: Female
Size: Medium
Age: 8 years, 1 month

"Baby Girl is an 8 year young Lab mix. She bounces around looking for fun. Baby Girl is ready to learn some new tricks in our on-campus training classes at the Seattle Humane Society. Come by and visit this happy girl. She will make you smile, even in the rain!

"As with all of our dogs, Baby Girl has been spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and behavior-tested. She will go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and an identification tag. PLUS, most dog adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion and six weeks of training in one of our on-campus dog behavior courses – a great way to start off on the right paw!

Introduce to children of all ages. Resident dogs are recommended to visit with Baby Girl prior to adoption. Cat free home."

Please Visit Our Pets In Person
Seattle Humane Society
13212 SE Eastgate Way
Bellevue, Washington 98005
(425) 641-0080

Adoption Hours
Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

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

 

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Attorneys Who Specialize in 
Banking, Finance, and Leasing

Up-Dated

Attorneys Who Specialize in 
Banking, Finance, and Leasing

Birmingham, Alabama
The lawyers of Marks & Associates, P.C. have over 30 years experience in dealing with virtually every type of equipment financing and are recognized throughout the industry for prompt, practical solutions and exemplary service. They offer cost-conscious, effective lease enforcement and good counsel. 
Email: Barry@leaselawyer.com
Website: www.leaselawyers.com
California, National: city: Riverside 
Ellen Stern - get results, reasonable pricing; numerous industry contacts, nearly 30 yrs exp.in SoCal, 20 yrs equip.: CFL license specialist, documentation, work-outs, litigated collections, recoveries; deal-maker. 
Email: leaselaw@msn.com

Kenneth C. Greene




California & Nevada
Leasing and Financial consultant, active in several leasing
associations, as well as involved in music and film productioncin LA.  Mention "Leasing News" for a free consultation.
818.575.9095
Skype: 424.235.1658
ken@kengreenelaw.com
Connecticut, Southern New England: 
EVANS, FELDMAN & BOYER, LLC Collections, litigation, documentation, portfolio sales and financing, bankruptcy. We represent many of the national and local leasing companies doing business in this state. Past chairman EAEL legal committee. Competitive rates. 
email: rcfeldman@snet.net  
Los Angeles/Santa Monica
Hemar & Associates, Attorneys at Law
Specialists in legal assistance, including debt collection, equipment recovery, litigation for 35 years. Fluent in Spanish. 
Tel: 310-829-1948 
email: phemar@hemar.com
 
Los Angeles, Southern CA 
Seasoned attorney representing secured creditors in auto finance and truck/equipment lease industry.  Bankruptcy and State Court litigation.   Vincent V. Frounjian (818) 990-0605or email: vvf@pacbell.net.

Encino, California: Statewide “ELFA” 
Hemar, Rousso & Heald, LLP 30 yr excellent reputation Lessor representation commercial litigationdebt collection, and bankruptcy.
Call Stephen E. Jenkins Esq (818) 501-3800

Los Angeles, Statewide: CA.     "ELFA" Aggressive creditors rights law firm specializing in equipment leasing handling collection matters on a contingency, fixed fee or hourly cbasis. email:RGarwacki@prodigy.net 

Los Angeles, Statewide: CA      "ELFA"
Practice limited to collections, bankruptcy and problem accounts resolution. Decades of experience. 10-lawyer firm dedicated to serving you. Call Ronald Cohn, Esq. (818)591-2121 or email. Email: rrcohn@aol.com   


Los Angeles- Statewide, CA
Lawyer specializing in banking and leasing issues statewide. Documents and litigation. 
Tom McCurnin, Barton, Klugman & Oetting. Voice: (213) 617-6129 
Cell:(213) 268-8291
Email: 
tmccurnin@bkolaw.com

California & National

Paul Bent – More than 35 years experience in all forms of equipment leasing, secured lending, and asset based transactions. Financial analysis, deal structuring, contract negotiations, documentation, private dispute resolution, expert witness services. 
(562) 426-1000
www.paulbentlaw.com
pbent@paulbentlaw.com

Illinois
Trabaris, P.C.: Finance attorney with 24 years’ experience with transactional, documentation, secured financing and workouts /restructurings. 
Kevin Trabaris
Phone:(847)840-4687 
Email: kevin@trabaris.com
Website: www.trabaris.com.   
Blog: trabaris.com/info/blog/

Law Firm - Service, Dallas, TX. "ELFA"
Mayer regularly practices in leasing, secured financing, project development and finance and corporate finance. 
email: dmayer@pattonboggs.com
Website: 
www.pattonboggs.com
Massachusetts (collection/litigation coast to coast) 
Modern Law Group focuses its practice on collections, lease enforcement and asset recovery. For the past five years, our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars. We are able to cover your needs coast to coast.
Email
 phone 617-855-9085www.modernlawgroup.com

Michael J. Witt, experienced bank, finance, and leasing attorney, also conducts Portfolio Audits. Previously he was Managing Counsel, Wells Fargo & Co. (May, 2003 – September, 2008); Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Advanta Business Services (May, 1988 – June, 1997) Tel: (515) 223-2352 Cell: (515) 868-1067
E-mail: witt-legal@outlook.com 
Web: www.witt-legal.com

National:  The OMEGA Network Group-nationwide legal representation of small and mid ticket equipment lessors-flat fee bankruptcy & replevin, contingent collection, 
billable litigation (704-969-3280)
tong_92@yahoo.com

National: Coston & Rademacher: Business attorneys serving the lease-finance industry since 1980. Transactional, documentation, corporate/finance, workouts, litigation, bankruptcy, portfolio management. Chicago-based national practice. Jim Coston, CLP (Members: ELFA, NEFA). 
email: Jcoston@costonlaw.com
Website:www.costonlaw.com

St. Louis County , MO. - statewide: 
Schultz & Associates LLP., collections, negotiation, and litigation. Also register and pursue recovery on foreign judgments. Contingency and reasonable hourly rates. 
Ronald J. Eisenberg, Esq.
(636) 537-4645 x108 
reisenberg@sl-lawyers.com
www.sl-lawyers.com
NJ,De,Pa: Specializing in leased equipment/secured transactions. Collections, replevins/workouts reasonable rates. Sergio Scuteri/Capehart & Scratchard, PAsscuteri@capehart.com / www.capehart.com
New York and New Jersey
Peretore & Peretore, P.C. documentation, portfolio purchase & sale, replevin, workouts, litigation, collection, bankruptcy.  Aggressive. Over 25 years experience.www.peretore.com

Thousand Oaks, California: 
Statewide coverage Spiwak & Iezza, LLP 20+ years experience,Representing Lessors banks in both State/ Federal Courts/ all aspects of commercial leasing litigation.
Nick Iezza 805-777-1175
niezza@spiwakandiezza.com

 


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News Briefs----

Storm floods highways, cuts power on West Coast
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/11/north-california-storm-wind-weather/20235905/

(Have never seen it rain so heavily as it did in bursts here in
Silicon Valley. Editor)

$1.1 trillion spending bill passes House after pleas from Obama, GOP leaders
http://www.wsj.com/articles/house-passes-1-1-trillion-spending-bill-1418352239

Lending Club jumps 65 percent
 ---Silicon Valley's biggest IPO of 2014
http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_27116087/lending-club-jumps-65-percent-silicon-valleys-biggest 

Why auto leases are surging
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/why-auto-leases-are-surging-121114.html

Service levels impact equipment markets
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/finance-leasing/service-levels-impact-equipment-markets.html?channel=35

BizAv Groups Warn Texas Tax Proposal Would Change
    ‘Course Of Ownership’
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2014-12-04/bizav-groups-warn-texas-tax-proposal-would-change-course-ownership

For Data Center Leasing, Demand Doesn't Always Come First
http://nreionline.com/industrial/data-center-leasing-demand-doesnt-always-come-first

Sysco poised to complete $8.2B merger with US Foods
http://nypost.com/2014/12/11/sysco-poised-to-complete-8-2b-merger-with-us-foods/



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--You May Have Missed It

Time Inc. Sells Sunset Magazine’s Test Kitchens and Gardens
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/dining/time-inc-sells-sunset-magazines-test-kitchens-and-gardens.html?_r=0



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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer



15 Simple Truths about Food
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slideshow.asp?show=41


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Football Poem

"Some time . . . when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys - tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, . . .. but I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

spoken by Pat O'Brian about George Gipp, played by Ronald Reagan

 

 



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Sports Briefs----

Cam Newton on accident: 'Somebody is supposed to be dead'
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2014/12/11/carolina-panthers-cam-newton-accident-fantasy-team/20261187/

Rival Carroll on 49ers coach Harbaugh: 'He's a stud'
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/rival-carroll-49ers-coach-harbaugh-hes-stud?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo 

Beleaguered Jim Harbaugh still standing day after loss to Raiders
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Embattled-Harbaugh-still-standing-day-after-5944108.php

Red Sox Acquire Porcello From Tigers for Cespedes, Two Others
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/2014/12/11/report-framework-porcello-cespedes-deal-with-tigers-place/gsbHdUjoFJhnynhw1IXsDN/story.html


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California Nuts Briefs---

California population inches up to 38.5 million
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4427094.html

Manresa opens up reservation books as it readies for a January return
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2014/12/10/manresa-opens-up-reservation-books-as-it-readies-for-a-january-return/


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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Noise, traffic at issue in dispute over Guy Fieri’s proposed winery
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3221341-181/noise-traffic-at-issue-in

What’s Behind New York’s Unprecedented Attack on Fine Wine Retailers?
http://nawr.org/whats-behind-new-yorks-unprecedented-attack-on-fine-wine-retailers/

Washington has highest liquor prices nationwide
http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2014/12/11/liquor-privatization-in-washington-hits-small-shops-hard/20237007/

Thieves Swipe 1,800 Bottles of Cote-Rotie
http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/12/thieves-swipe-1800-bottles-of-cote-rotie/

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/

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


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

This Day in American History

     1712 - The South Carolina colony passed a "Sunday Law" requiring "all...persons whatsoever" to attend church each Sunday, to refrain from skilled labor, and to do no traveling by horse or wagon beyond the necessary. Infractions of this law were met with a 10_shilling fine and/or a two_hour lock_up in the village stocks.”
    1745 - Birthday of John Jay, New York, NY. American statesman, diplomat and first chief justice of the US Supreme Court (1789-95).  Coauthor, with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, of the influential “Federalist Papers,” a series of 85 articles that promoted the ratification of the new US Constitution.  Jay died at Bedford, NY, May 17, 1829.
http://www.constitution.org/img/judge009.htm
http://www.pojonews.com/enjoy/stories/09239610.htm
(lower part of:  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec12.html)
    1770 - The British soldiers responsible for the “Boston Massacre” were acquitted on murder charges.
    1787 - Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the US Constitution, by a vote of 46 to 23. One of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is geographically located in the keystone position in relation to the other 12 colonies, earning the nickname, the Keystone State. The state capital is Harrisburg, a city almost midway between Pennsylvania’s two most well-known cites, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Philadelphia is also where the First Continental Congress met and where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Not so famous is the state bird, the ruffed grouse and the state flower, the mountain laurel.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec12.html
    1790 - The first Catholic Bible printed in English was a 900-page quarto printed by Carey, Stewart and Company, Philadelphia. It was issued in 49-page sections every Saturday. It was based on the New Testament published in 1582 in Reims, France, and the Old Testament published in Douai, Flanders, in 1609.
    1791 – The Bank of the United States opened.
    1799 - Two days before his death, George Washington composed his last letter, to Alexander Hamilton, his aide-de-camp during the Revolution and later his Secretary of the Treasury. In the letter he urged Hamilton to work for the establishment of a national military academy. Washington wrote that letter at the end of a long, cold day of snow, sleet and rain that he had spent out-of-doors. He remained outside for more than five hours, according to his secretary, Tobias Lear, and he did not change out of his wet clothes or dry his hair when he returned home. When he became ill, the doctors bled him five times while his condition became worse, as that was the best cure, they thought, in colonial days.
    1800 – Washington, DC was named as the capital of the United States. 
    1805 - Birthday of William Lloyd Garrison, American anti-slavery leader, poet, and journalist, at Newburyport, MA. Garrison died at New York, NY, May 24, 1879.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASgarrison.htm
    1805 - Birthday of Henry Wells, one of the fathers of speed-conscious delivery and banking services. Born in Thetford, Vermont, Wells cut his teeth working as an agent for Harden’s Express in upstate New York. Clearly taken with the express transport business, Wells set up his own shop, Livingston Wells and Pomeroy’s Express, which ferried "goods, valuables, and specie" between Buffalo and Albany. By 1844, Wells sensed that it was time to push his business west of Buffalo, and he joined forces with William Fargo and Daniel Dunning to start Wells and Company, which would service terrain beyond the upper reaches of New York. While this was all fairly ambitious maneuvering, the 1850s saw Wells make an even stronger move to conquer the express market. First, in 1850, ever ambitious, he merged his two concerns into the American Express Company, which initially covered California and the Eastern seaboard (it later stretched to serve Latin America). Then, in 1852, he linked up with Fargo again to form Wells, Fargo and Company, a joint-stock venture that served as a holding company for the Wells Fargo Bank. Along with bankrolling business ventures, Wells used his ever-swelling fortune to aid the plight of chronic stutterers, as well as to establish Wells Seminary (now Wells College) for women.
    1806 - Birthday of Stand Watie at Oothcaloga, Cherokee Nation (now Calhoun), Georgia.  Cherokee chief who, by signing the treaty of New Echota, surrendered his people’s land in Georgia, forcing their relocation to Oklahoma. Though three other signers were murdered, Watie escaped and went onto initiate the first volunteer Cherokee regiment for the Confederates in the Civil War. Promoted to brigadier general, he was active in destroying property of other Native Americans who supported the Union. He never gave up.  He died at Delaware County, OK on September 9, 1871.
    1822 – The United States officially recognized Mexico as an independent nation.
    1835 - Sarah Brown Ingersoll Cooper was born in Cazenovia, NY.  She was director and superintendent of the Gold Gate Kindergarten Association, which incorporated nearly 4,000 pupils in the pioneer learning experience.   Her daughter, Harriett, had quit her teaching job to assist Sarah, but suffered from bouts of depression, especially following the death of her father. Harriet asphyxiated her mother and herself on December 11, 1896, the day after her mother’s 61st birthday.
    1862 - Naval Engagement at Yazoo River MS (USS CAIRO torpedoed)
http://www.nps.gov/vick/cairo/cairo.htm
    1862 - Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Marye's Heights)  was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, between General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The Union Army's futile frontal attacks on December 13 against entrenched Confederate defenders on the heights behind the city is remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the Civil War, with Union casualties more than twice as heavy as those suffered by the Confederates.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/492/61.html
http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RAINEY,-Joseph-Hayne-%28R000016%29/
    1870 - Rachel Crothers birthday in Bloomington, IL.   She was an American playwright, director, and producer. She triumphed on Broadway with 34 of the 38 plays she wrote in her lifetime, usually doing everything from writing to casting to directing to producing on her way to becoming a legend.   She opened doors for women in the theater before World War II and was also known as a philanthropist and activist. Crothers, who never married, died in her Danbury, CT home in 1958 http://dizzy.library.arizona.edu/users/btravers/sabbatical/crothers.htm
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0189405/
 1870 - Joseph Hayne Rainey of Georgetown, SC, was sworn in as the first African-American to serve in the US House of Representatives. Rainey filled the seat of Benjamin Franklin Whittemore, which had been declared vacant by the House. He also was the first African American to preside over the House, and the longest–serving African American during the tumultuous Reconstruction period. While Rainey’s representation—like that of the other 21 black Representatives of the era—was symbolic, he also demonstrated the political nuance of a seasoned, substantive Representative, balancing his defense of southern blacks’ civil rights by extending amnesty to the defeated Confederates. “I tell you that the Negro will never rest until he gets his rights,” he said on the House Floor. “We ask [for civil rights] because we know it is proper,” Rainey added, “not because we want to deprive any other class of the rights and immunities they enjoy, but because they are granted to us by the law of the land.”1 He served until March 3, 1879.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/492/61.html
http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RAINEY,-Joseph-Hayne-%28R000016%29/
    1878 – Joseph Pulitzer began publishing the St. Louis Dispatch.
    1882 - Portland, OR, was drenched with 7.66 inches of rain, a record 24 hour total for that location. (12th-13th)
    1897 - Rudolph Dirks' first Katzenjammer Kid cartoon strip appears in the New York Journal.
    1899 - African-American George F. Grant of Boston, Massachusetts obtained a patent for his invention, the golf tee. It was a wooden tee with a tapering base portion and a flexible tubular concave shoulder to hold the golf ball. As a side note, Grant was the first African-American to graduate from Harvard University.
    1899 – Oahu reported its first case of the plague.
    1900 – Sammy Davis, Sr. was born in Wilmington, NC.
    1901 – Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal.  Using a 500-foot kite-supported antenna for reception, the message was received at St. John’s, Newfoundland as signals transmitted by the company's new high-power station at Poldhu, Cornwall. The distance between the two points was about 2,200 miles (3,500 km).
    1906 - Oscar Straus, the first Jewish cabinet member, was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Theodore Roosevelt. Straus was born in Rhenish, Bavaria in 1850, and graduated from Columbia (B.A., 1871; LL.B., 1873). He practiced law in New York City until 1881 and then went into business with his brothers. He was minister to Turkey (1887–89) under President Grover Cleveland and again (1898–1900) under William McKinley and was ambassador to Turkey (1909–10) under William H. Taft. He was appointed (1902) to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the Hague Tribunal) and was (1906–9) Secretary of Commerce and Labor under Theodore Roosevelt. This position placed him in charge of the United States Bureau of Immigration. During his tenure, Straus ordered immigration inspectors to work closely with local police and the US Secret Service to locate, arrest and deport immigrants with Anarchist political beliefs under the terms of the Anarchist Exclusion Act….imagine that…enforcing existing immigration laws! He was candidate for governor of New York on the Progressive party ticket in 1912. He wrote several books, including “Roger Williams” (1894), “The American Spirit” (1913), and “Under Four Administrations” (1922).  He died in New York in 1926.
    1912 - Birthday of Henry Armstrong, boxing champion, born Henry Jackson, Jr., at Columbus, Mississippi. Armstrong was the first boxer to hold three world titles simultaneously. He won the featherweight title on October 29, 1937, the welterweight title on May 31, 1938, and the lightweight title three months later. Died at Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 22, 1988.
    1913 – The Mona Lisa was stolen from The Louvre in 1911 and was recovered this day.
    1915 - Frank Sinatra born at Hoboken, NJ. While the websites gives more history, briefly Frank Sinatra matured from a teen idol to the premiere singer of American popular music and an entertainment icon of the 20th century. Known as the “Chairman of the Board” to his fans, he made more than 200 albums. His signature songs included “All the Way,” “New York, New York,” and “My Way,” written expressly for him by Paul Anka.  His film career included musicals, “On the Town” and “Pal Joey”, and two gritty films for which he won Oscar nominations:  “From Here to Eternity” and “The Man with the Golden Arm”. One of his many movies is making a revival with stars of the day instead of his “Rat Pack”:”Oceans' Eleven” has been followed by “Oceans' Twelve” and Oceans Thirteen”. He died May 14, 1998, at Los Angeles, CA. “Put Your Dreams Away for Another Day.”  It is told that he drank a bottle of Jack Daniel’s every day.
    1917 - Father Edward Flanagan opened Boys Town west of Omaha, Nebraska, as a farm village for wayward boys, and since 1979, for girls too. In 1938, Spencer Tracy played Father Flanagan in "Boys Town", winning an Oscar.
http://www.girlsandboystown.org/aboutus/history/index.asp
    1918 - Birthday of jazz great Joe Williams at Cordele, GA. The album that turned me onto jazz in the early 1950’s when it came out, “Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings,” is still wonderful today.
http://worksology.com/jazz/blues/williams.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000476B/
inktomi-musicasin-20/002-6663560-5946468
    1923 – Television game show host Bob Barker was born in Darrington, WA.
    1924 – The late former Mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, was born in The Bronx.  “How’m I doin’?”.
    1925 - The first motel opened, called the Motel Inn, San Luis Obispo, California. Arthur S. Heineman was the architect. The building featured a sign with flashing lights that alternated the letters H and M preceding the letters otel to spell out “Hotel” and “Motel.”  It had accommodations for 160 guests individual chalets with garage, bathroom, and telephone. It was designed for motorists to be a “drive-up” hotel.
    1927 – Robert Noyce, co-inventor of the microchip and co-founder of Intel, was born in Burlington, IA.  A wonderful book, “The Idea Factory” chronicles his and the scientific careers of his famous colleagues including William Shockley, at AT&T’s Bell Labs.
    1929 - Jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi born Darien, Manchuria.
    1930 – In one of the first ‘game-changing rules’, Major League Baseball voted that a ball that bounces over the fence is no longer a home run, but a grounds-rule double.
    1937 – Prelude to war?  Japanese aircraft sank a U.S. gunboat Panay on the Yangtze River in China. Japan apologized and eventually paid U.S. $2.2M in reparations. 
    1937 – The Washington Redskins, led by rookie QB-Safety-Punter Sammy Baugh, won the NFL championship, 28-21 over the Chicago Bears.  It was the Redskins’ first season in the nation’s capital after moving from Boston. 
    1937 – NBC and RCA sent the first mobile-TV vans onto the streets of NY
    1938 - Connie Francis birthday, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero at Newark, NJ.  Francis remains the top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s and perhaps, rock ‘n’ roll’s first female solo star.  Her first big single in the 50s was "Who's Sorry Now."  On January 1, 1958, the song debuted on American Bandstand. By mid-year, over a million copies had been sold, and Francis was suddenly launched into worldwide stardom. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now" reached # 1 on the UK Charts and # 4 in the US. For the next four years, Francis was voted the "Best Female Vocalist" by American Bandstand viewers.  She continued with a dozen hit singles and albums including "Where the Boys Are" into the 1960s up to the British invasion.  She still performs today.
http://www.12mb.com/connie/intro.htm
http://www.swinginchicks.com/connie_francis.htm
    1940 – Singer Dionne Warwick was born Marie Dionne Warwick in East Orange, NJ.  Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest hit makers of the entire rock era, based on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts. Dionne Warwick is second only to Aretha as the most-charted female vocalist of all time with 69 of Dionne's singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998.  Her collaboration with producers Hal David and Bert Bacharach produced her first hit, “Don’t Make Me Over” followed quickly by “Anyone Who Had a Heart”, “Walk on By”, and “Do You Know The Way To San Jose?”, weathering the British invasion better than most American artists.
    1941 - *ELROD, HENRY TALMAGE, Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 27 September 1905, Rebecca, Ga. Entered service at: Ashburn, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 211, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8 to 23 December 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on 9 and 12 December, Capt. Elrod shot down 2 of a flight of 22 hostile planes and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely low altitude and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon a large Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be destroyed by small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative, Capt. Elrod assumed command of 1 flank of the line set up in defiance of the enemy landing and, conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his men to hold their positions and repulse intense hostile fusillades to provide covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an automatic weapon during 1 enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to 1 of his men and fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible in a large measure for the strength of his sector's gallant resistance, on 23 December, Capt. Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until he fell, mortally wounded. His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty distinguished him among the defenders of Wake Island, and his valiant conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1941 - The UK declared war on Bulgaria. Hungary and Romania declared war on the US.   India declares war on Japan.
    1946 – The United Nations accepts 6 blocks in midtown Manhattan as a gift from John D Rockefeller Jr
http://www.angelfire.com/dc/undersiege/therockefellers.html
    1946 – Tide detergent was introduced.
    1949 - Top Hits
“Mule Train” - Frankie Laine
“I Can Dream, Can’t I?” - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Jack Leonard)
“Don’t Cry, Joe” - The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra (vocal: Betty Brewer)
“Mule Train” - Tennessee Ernie Ford
    1950 - The first woman appointed to perform rabbinical functions in the US, Paula Ackerman, leads the congregation in her first services.
    1951 – “The Yankee Clipper”, Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from baseball.  DiMaggio played his entire 13-year career, interrupted by military service during World War II, for the New York Yankees, during which the club won ten American League pennants and nine World Series championships.  He was a three-time MVP and an All-Star in each of his 13 seasons. He is best known for his 56-game hitting streak (May 15 – July 16, 1941), a record that still stands and one that many believe will never be broken.  At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, and was voted the greatest living ballplayer in a poll taken during the baseball centennial year of 1969.  Little known is the fact that his parents were among the thousands of German, Japanese and Italian immigrants classified as "enemy aliens" by the government after Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan. They were not allowed to travel outside a five-mile radius from their home without a permit. His father, Giuseppe was a fisherman and was barred from the San Francisco Bay, where he had fished for decades, and his boat was seized.
    1952 - Peter J. McGovern becomes the president of the Little League replacing Charles Durban who resigned due to ill health. The league which started in 1939 with two leagues has now grown to 1,800 leagues in 48 states and international sites.
    1955 - The largest philanthropic act in the world was announced by the Ford Foundation which gave $500,000,000 to private hospitals, colleges and medical schools.
    1955 - Bill Haley and His Comets record "See You Later Alligator"
    1957 - Top Hits
“Jailhouse Rock” - Elvis Presley
“Raunchy” - Bill Justis
“Peggy Sue” - Buddy Holly
“My Special Angel” - Bobby Helms
    1957 - Willem J Kolff and his team at the Cleveland Clinic removed the heart from a dog and replaced it with a pneumatic pump which kept the dog alive for 90 minutes, proving the viability of the artificial heart.
    1959 - At 22 years and 104 days of age, Bruce McLaren became the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix race as he earned first place at Sebring, Florida.
    1959 - After being overtaken as the best-selling record in the US for a couple of weeks, Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" returned to the top spot on the Cashbox chart. It is a feat that is seldom duplicated.
    1961 - Former big band singer with Kay Kyser, Mike Douglas began a variety TV show from Cleveland. The show became most successful when he moved to KYW-TV in Philadelphia from Cleveland. Then, when the Douglas show left Philly for Hollywood, it folded. All things considered, it was a successful syndication effort, nationally, for Westinghouse Productions.
    1962 - Birthday of Tracey Ann Austin at Palos Verdes, CA.  US tennis player, who, at 16, became the youngest person to win the U.S. Open.   Won her second Open in 1981 just before an injury cut short her career.
    1962 – Former NFL defensive lineman and longtime co-host of ESPN’s “Mike and Mike”, Mike Golic was born in Willowick, OH.
    1963 - "John Fitzgerald Kennedy - A Memorial Album" became the fastest-selling record of all time when 4 million copies of the disk, each selling for 99 cents, were sold in six days -- between December 7-12. The memorial tribute was recorded November 22, the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
    1963 - Frank Sinatra Jr returned after being kidnapped
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    1964 - Bobby Vinton scores his fourth Billboard chart topper with "Mr. Lonely". It was a song that Bobby co-wrote and had added to his Greatest Hits album as filler, but the track was quickly released as a single when it started to get airplay.
    1964 - The Righteous Brothers song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" is released.
    1965 - Top Hits
“Turn! Turn! Turn!” - The Byrds
“Let’s Hang On!” - The 4 Seasons
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” - James Brown
“Make the World Go Away” - Eddy Arnold
    1965 - Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears tied an NFL record by scoring six touchdowns in the Bears’ 61-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Sayers rushed for four scores, caught an 80-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt 85 yards.  One of the Niners’ defenders was said to have remarked after the game, “It was like trying to tackle fog.”
    1965 – The Beatles’ final concert in the UK was held at the Capitol Theatre in Cardiff, Wales.
    1965 - US Supreme Court votes 4-3 allowing Braves to move to Atlanta. Earlier, the Braves' move to Atlanta was halted by a court order, forcing a lame duck season in Milwaukee. The Braves led the league with 196 homers. In 1966, The Braves and Pirates debuted Major League Baseball's first season in Atlanta on April 12, with Pittsburgh winning, 3-2, in 13 innings. Atlanta was fifth in its initial season, but Aaron hit 44 homers and had 127 RBI to lead the league.
    1968 – Arthur Ashe became the first African-American to be ranked #1 in tennis.
    1969 - The worst tornado of record for western Washington State tracked south of Seattle, traveling five miles, from Des Moines to Kent. The tornado, 50 to 200 yards in width, began as a waterspout over Puget Sound. One person was injured and the tornado caused half a million dollars damage.
    1970 - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown" hits #1
    1970 - Stephen Stills releases "Love The One You're With"
    1971 - Left wing Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks got the 1,000th point of his NHL career, an assist in the first period of a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. Hull finished his career with 1,170 points and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
    1973 - Top Hits
“Top of the World” - Carpenters
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” - Elton John
“The Love I Lost” - Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
“The Most Beautiful Girl” - Charlie Rich
    1975 – Sara Jane Moore pled guilty to trying to kill President Gerald Ford.
    1976 – “Broadway” Joe Namath played his final game as QB of the Jets and was traded to the LA Rams.
    1980 - Oil tycoon Armand Hammer bought a notebook of writings by Leonardo da Vinci for $5.28 million at auction in London. It was the highest price ever paid for a manuscript. It was 36 pages long and dated back to 1508.
    1980 - The U.S. Congress amended the Copyright Act in 1980 to explicitly recognize that computer programs were protected as literary works.
    1980 - Marie Osmond's solo variety series, “Marie”, premieres on NBC.
    1981 - Top Hits
“Physical” - Olivia Newton-John
“Waiting for a Girl like You” - Foreigner
“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” - The Police
“Still Doin’ Time” - George Jones
    1982 - Known as the “Great Snowplow Play,” the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins, 3-0, in a driving snowstorm at Foxboro Stadium. The winning points came on a late field goal by John Smith, kicked after a snowplow came onto the field and cleared a spot for Smith and his holder. According to Kimberlee R. Coleman’s husband, the person who cleared the field was a state prisoner out on a work furlough. The Miami Dolphins believe they are robbed in the snowplow game by a 24-year-old man who is serving a 15-year sentence for robbing a house and is now on a work release program from the prison. Late in the fourth quarter, the New England Patriots are preparing to break a scoreless tie with a field goal when coach Ron Meyer waves Mark Henderson onto the field at Foxboro Stadium. Henderson fires up his yellow John Deere (Model 314) and heads for the Miami 23-yard line. Despite screams of protest from the Dolphins, Henderson runs a terrific sweep with his tractor-driven snowplow and clears the area for kicker John Smith. Smith kicks a 33-yard field goal with 4:40 left. After the Patriots' 3-0 victory, livid Dolphins coach Don Shula says, "The officials shouldn't have let it happen." Henderson says, "I figured, 'What's the most they could do? Put me in jail?' "
    1983 - Football’s Jim Brown showed up in "Sports Illustrated" again. This time, he was not on the cover as in September, 1960, but inside the magazine -- a record span of more than 23 years between spreads, as they say in the publishing biz.
    1983 – A truck bomb exploded at the US Embassy in Kuwait.
    1984 - The group known as Band Aid -- 38 of Britain’s top rock musicians -- recorded "Do They Know This is Christmas?" for Ethiopian famine victims. Despite the best of intentions, much of the food raised never got to the starving Ethiopians. In fact, much of it was found rotting on docks, not fit for human consumption. More than a Band-Aid was needed to fix that political mess.
    1985 - On her 45th birthday, Dionne Warwick is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    1985 – A McDonnell Douglas DC-8 crashed after takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland, killing all 256 people on board, including 236 members of the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
    1986 - James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith became the first college graduate to win the world heavyweight boxing crown. “If I only had a bwain...,” he said, as he beat the brains out of Tim Witherspoon so badly, poor Tim couldn’t count to ten. “One, duh. Eight. Six. Duh. I’m out.”
    1986 - The LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics, 117-110, to become the first visiting team to win at the old Boston Garden since December, 1985, a streak of 48 straight wins for the Celtics.
    1988 - Cold arctic air spread from the Great Lakes Region to the Appalachian Region. Twenty-five cities, mostly in the northeastern U.S., reported record low temperatures for the date. The low of 12 degrees below zero at Albany, NY was their coldest reading of record for so early in the season. Saranac Lake, NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 28 degrees below zero.
    1989 - Top Hits
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” - Billy Joel
“Another Day in Paradise” - Phil Collins
“Don’t Know Much” - Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” - Garth Brooks
   1989 - A winter storm produced snow from northern Mississippi to the Middle Atlantic Coast, with 10.5 inches reported at Powhatan, VA. Heavy snow whitened the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 36 inches reported at Deer Mountain. Thirteen cities in the north central U.S., from Minnesota to Texas, reported record low temperatures for the date, including Duluth, MN and Yankton, SD with morning lows of 22 degrees below zero.
    1992 - The soundtrack from the movie "The Bodyguard" was the #1 album in the U.S. A smash, as they say, it was number one for twenty weeks. The track listing: "I Will Always Love You", "I Have Nothing", "I’m Every Woman", "Run to You", "Queen of the Night", "Jesus Loves Me", all by Whitney Houston; "Even If My Heart Would Break", by Kenny G & Aaron Neville; "Someday (I’m Coming Back)", by Lisa Stansfield; "It’s Gonna Be a Lovely Day", by The S.O.U.L S.Y.S.T.E.M.; "Peace, Love And Understanding (What's So Funny ’Bout)", by Curtis Stigers; "Theme from The Bodyguard", by Alan Silvestri; and "Trust in Me", by Joe Cocker featuring Sass Jordan.
    1994 - IBM said it would halt shipments of Pentium computers because of a flaw in the Pentium chip. The November 7 issue of Electrical Engineering Times announced the "floating point" bug in the Pentium chip, which could produce mathematical errors. Intel officials admitted they had known about the flaw for some time but thought it so unlikely to cause problems that they did not disclose the problem, creating an uproar among computer users. Intel said it would replace flawed chips only if users showed they engaged in computer work that might be affected by the error. Consumers attacked Intel for its position, and later, the company agreed to replace any chips that were returned. Ironically, six months later, only about three percent of customers had requested a replacement chip.
    1995 - The International Olympic Committee announced that NBC had successfully bid a record $2.3 billion for the exclusive U.S. TV (broadcast and cable) rights to the 2004 and 2008 Summer Games and the 2006 Winter Games. $894 million is for the 2008 games alone. And the deal calls for a 50-50 revenue sharing program with the IOC.
    1995 - A severe coastal storm is blamed for five deaths and loss of power to over one million people in Oregon and Washington. Winds at Sea Lion Caves near Florence topped out at 119 mph before problems developed with the anemometer. In Newport, a gust of 107 mph occurred downtown, while Astoria and Cape Blanco also had gusts of over 100 mph. Astoria's air pressure dropped as low as 28.53 inches, an all-time record (and comparable to the central pressure of a Category 2 hurricane!). Gusts in the Willamette Valley exceeded 60 mph.
    1995 – An amendment declaring the burning of the American flag to be illegal failed the 2/3 majority vote in the Senate, 63-36.
    1997 – Boston Red Sox sign Pedro Martinez to record 6 year, $69 million contract.
    1997 – A Federal judge sentenced Autumn Jackson, who claimed to be Bill Cosby's daughter, to 26 months for trying to extort $40 million from him.
    2000 – The US Supreme Court made it official:  Bush defeated Gore.
    2001 - The state of Nevada declares today Frank Sinatra Day
    2003 - Mick Jagger was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Jagger's 92 year-old father was in attendance to see his son receive the award.
    2008 - A significant ice storm wreaked havoc across New York and New England on December 12, disrupting electricity and leaving over 1 million homes and businesses without power. New Hampshire alone had as many as 320,000 residents without power, which according to reports it was described as the worst outages in 30 years (Reuters). Four fatalities were reported and parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Maine declared a state of emergency.
    2011 - President Barack Obama asks Iran to return the RQ-170 Sentinel that was captured near Kashmar December 4, 2011
    2013 - The International Space Station suspends some of its non-critical systems after an ammonia cooling pump fails; the station and six crew members aboard were not in danger.
    2013 - Over two dozen companies will have U.S. sanctions imposed upon them as a result of their involvement in aiding Iran with its nuclear program.
    2013 - A spokeswoman for Apple records confirmed the release of 59 rare and unheard Beatles recordings in a bid to stop their copyright protection expiring. EU law protects recordings for 70 years, but only if they get an official release. Otherwise, the copyright period lasts 50 years. In the case of The Beatles, that means the master tape for their 1963 debut album "Please Please Me" is protected until 2033, but the unreleased session tapes for that album are not.

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