Leasing News

Job opening in New England

In this position, you will develop and maintain relationships with lease brokers, leasing companies, equipment vendors and direct lessees throughout New England. Must be knowledgeable in indirect/third party transactions ranging from $15K and up and have in-market experience. Please apply on-line at www.mandtbank.com and view posting 5245.

At M&T Bank, we provide an exciting and challenging work environment where performance and innovative thinking are encouraged and rewarded at every level.
With over 700 branches, your career can travel as far as you want to take it!

www.mandtbank.com

Friday, December 30, 2005

Headlines---

We wish you a Happy New Year
    Classified Ads---Doc.Mgr./Finance/Legal
        Cartoon--Year-end Budget
Lessors John Semon Makes New Orleans Appeal---
    Postal Rate goes UP
        Classified Ads---Help Wanted
            Last Chance—Discount/Save Shipping
Chuck Lietz/Richard Brown join US Bancorp Finance
    Don't Lease, Purchase Now
        Mortgage Rates Slip
Varig deposits US$ 6.7MM to repay US lessors
    Panos to lead MB Financial Lease Banking
        AeroCentury Corp. Aircraft Transactions
GE Capital Markets, Inc., of a $72.8MM
    2005 Top Stories
        News Briefs---
You May Have Missed--
    Sports Briefs--
        "Gimme that Wine"
            Calendar Event
Today's Top Event in History
    This Day in American History
        American Football Poem--2005 was great because

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”

Please enjoy the New Year Celebration. Drive carefully.

Tuesday we hope to see you back for our Leasing News up-dated “masthead” features, up-dated “Funder” list, plus announcement of the Leasing News Person of the Year for 2005.

Christopher Menkin, Publisher

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Classified Ads---Documentation Manager / Finance / Legal

Documentation Manager / Finance / Legal

Documentation Manager: New York, NY
10+ years in equipment leasing/secured lending. Skilled in management & training, documentation, policy and procedure development & implementation, portfolio reporting. Strong work ethic.
Email: dln1031@nyc.rr.com

Documentation Manager: Phoenix, AZ
Lease Administrator with exp. in lease administration, doc. & porfolio management for $200M in IT assets. Additional experience financial analysis process improvement/development.
Email: jeg3894@cox.net

Finance: Austin, TX.
20+ years all facets of lease/finance. Collection and credit management. Equipment & rolling stock structuring. $150k credit authority, $100 million portfolio management.
Email: texmartin@juno.com

Finance: Chicago, IL
Experienced in big ticket origination, syndication, valuation and workout.
Twenty five years, MBA, CPA,

JD, LLM (Tax), structuring specialist. Inbound and outbound transactions.
Email: pal108381@comcast.net
Transaction Summary
Website: www.tlgattorneycpa.com

Finance: Orange County, CA
25+ years experience large ticket and mid-market commercial finance. Senior manager in operations, documentation, legal, credit, workouts, portfolio management. $2+Billion portfolio. MBA Finance. Juris Doctor.
Email: finance1000@cox.net

Finance: San Jose, CA.
15+ years sourcing debt, managing cash and receivables and other treasury functions. Strong background in credit, contract
administration and bankruptcy litigation experience. MBA Finance.
Email: raycis@comcast.net

Finance: Sausalito, Ca
Sr. Corp. officer, presently serving as consultant, fin. service background, M&A, fund raising, great workout expertise, references Email: nywb@aol.com

Finance: Toronto
Long diverse career financial services industry. Executed billions of dollars of leases over 20 years; structuring, executing and pricing US/Canadian transactions. Per Diem or full time. E-mail: eslavens@eol.ca

Information System: North Detroit, MI
INFOLEASE EXPERT - 18 years experience. Since being downsized in 2002, working as a consultant for several leasing companies.
Seeking consulting projects nationwide.
email: darwint@prodigy.net

Legal: Los Angeles, CA
Experienced in-house corporate and financial services attorney seeks position as managing or transactional counsel. Willing to relocate.
Email: sandidq@msn.com

For a full listing of all “job wanted” ads, please go to:

http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm

To place a free “job wanted” ad, please go to:

http://64.125.68.91/AL/LeasingNews/PostingForm.asp

[headlines]

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[headlines]

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Lessors John Semon Makes New Orleans Appeal---

New Orleans, Louisiana

“I would appreciate your feedback...

“For the past eight years we have held all Lessors Network events at the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead hotel in Atlanta. This year I am considering a departure from tradition and would appreciate your thoughts.

“Like many of you I am disturbed by the devastation caused to the Gulf Coast area by Hurricane Katerina and Rita. I am also disappointed by the decision of event promoters to move their events out of the New Orleans area. Frankly, I think our industry stand to profit from the rebuilding of this area and wonder why we aren't making ourselves better known to local business leaders there. So here is my idea…

“I am thinking about asking those of you who would normally attend our March 2006 showcase in Atlanta to join me in New Orleans for a day or two of volunteer work. (We are currently contacting the Habitat for Humanity office in New Orleans and other organizations to see where volunteers from the equipment leasing & finance industry might be of service.)

“There will be no formal meeting agenda and no scheduled speakers. We'll fly into New Orleans one evening and spend the first day volunteering.

“That evening, depending on the number of participants, we'll likely plan an informal evening in the French Quarter to ensure all lessors have the opportunity for one-on-one networking. It might be fun to go to a club owned and operated by Harry Anderson called Oswald's - www.harryanderson.net.

“The next morning we'll host a Funding Source Reception & Exhibit (Brunch) where funding sources representatives can gather to exchange buy/sell investment strategies for 2006. We'll also invite local business leaders to stop by and meet prospective funding sources, necessary for the rebuilding of their businesses. We'll conclude by noon so everyone has plenty of time to catch a flight home.

“Would you and your company view this investment of time and financial resources viable? Would your company be interested in sponsorship?

“Thank you for your comments.”

John O. Semon
Email - John Semon
semon@lessors.com

[headlines]

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Postal Rate goes UP

The cost of a First Class postage stamp will go from 37 cents to 39 cents in January.

Media and Book rates were increased to 12.7 percent and increases for nonprofits and local newspapers were reduced to 2.3 percent. Nonprofits are expected to pay $17 million less than expected, the Chatham Journal Weekly reported.

[headlines]

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Equipment Finance & Leasing Representative

Job opening in New England

www.mandtbank.com

Job opening in
Baltimore/Virginia Region

In this position, you will develop and maintain relationships with lease brokers, leasing companies, equipment vendors and direct lessees throughout Baltimore/Virginia Region. Must be knowledgeable in indirect/third party transactions ranging from $15K and up and have in-market experience. Please apply on-line at www.mandtbank.com and view posting 5245

www.mandtbank.com

Sales Professionals :

Outstanding opportunities for Equipment Finance Leasing professionals with middle market leasing sales backgrounds, an existing or established book of business, and at least 2 plus years experience. Fast paced environment. NYC, Long Island, Westchester and National areas available. Lease teams welcome.

Sales Manager :

Seeking a top NYC based sales manager to become part of an excellent executive team. The job would include recruiting salespeople and supervising up to 20.

Credit Analysts :

Seeking Credit Analysts with at least 2-4 years experience. NYC location

EOE
E-Mail : sdibella@icbny.com

Please visit our website at: www.myindependence.com

Senior Funding Manager

Equipment Leasing
Senior Funding Manager
Portsmouth, NH

If you have a minimum of 4 years experience in Credit and Funding in the Leasing industry we'd like to speak with you. For more information, please contact Rick at rhenderson@directcapital.com

www.directcapital.com

[headlines]

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Last Chance—Discount/Save Shipping

[headlines]

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Chuck Lietz/Richard Brown join US Bancorp Finance

President and chief executive officer of U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, Inc., Sal Maglietta, announces that Chuck Lietz has been named senior vice president and director of finance, and Richard Brown has been named senior vice president and chief credit officer.

Sal Maglietta

In his new role, Lietz will have responsibility for finance and accounting, including audit and compliance, according to

Maglietta.

Chuck Lietz

"Chuck brings strong leadership abilities and expertise in cash flow management, including GAAP and tax compliance issues. He is a welcome addition to our senior management team," said Maglietta.

Lietz was most recently business office director of Precision Interconnect, a manufacturing division of Tyco International. Prior to that, he was with Tidland Corporation for more than eight years in increasingly responsible financial and managerial accounting functions. He earned his master's degree from Washington State University and his bachelor's degree from the University of Portland.

Brown will oversee the company's credit policies and have responsibility for the management of the company's assets and portfolio, according to Maglietta.

Richard Brown

"We are pleased to have attracted someone of Rick's caliber to join our senior management team. He has a strong record managing credit risk and a broad portfolio background in large-corporate lending, including leasing," said Maglietta.

Brown has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry concentrating on portfolio management and credit underwriting and process. Most recently he was with Bank of Bermuda, a subsidiary of HSBC as senior vice president/chief credit. Prior to that Brown was chief credit officer for UPS Capital Corporation.) His experience also includes key positions with Copelco Financial Services Group, First Union National Bank, Fleet Financial Group and First Bank System (now part of U.S. Bank). He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.

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Don't Lease, Purchase Now

by Kit Menkin

The basic use of equipment is not who owns it, but who uses it?

The basic use of a house is not who lives in it, but who owns it?

Many baby boomers are retiring on the real estate they purchased years ago. The message is simple: Lease personal property. Purchase real property.

Previously owned house sales were slow in November, the real estate boards noted. This means they had the inventory, but it was not moving as fast as it was the previous month, falling 1.7 percent compared with November 2004, according to a report released yesterday by the National Association of Realtors.

At this rate, some 6.97 million used homes will change hands in the year, still a record year for sales.

At this sales rate, the Realtors predict there will be a five-month supply of unsold homes, up from January of this year, when there was a 3.8-month supply.

Mortgage rates have been down the last few weeks, not up. Fed Reserve Greenspan said in one of his talks, even a 3% increase was not going to freeze those out who could afford a home. The monthly payments would not be a “deal killer.”

In reality, Housing is historically Up, Not Down.

In the December 21 edition of Leasing News: “Housing starts bounced back in November, increasing 5.3% to 2.123 million (SAAR). This is the eighth consecutive month they have been above the 2 million level (in fact, 12 months out of the past 14).”

These are new houses.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-21-05.htm#housing

Another consideration is the size of the house. When most of these houses were built, they did not have family rooms, nor large kitchens, bathrooms or master bedrooms. Look at all the remodeling. It is hitting a financial limit on the inventory. See this story:
“Housing Prices: the Real Truth”

http://leasingnews.org/PDF/HousingPrices_per_SF.pdf

More important is the price of the median house, still going up, even when houses are not moving as fast. While the economy is still week in the San Francisco Bay Area, the demand for the right house is not.

Here is the latest market watch for the San Francisco Bay Area:

Market Watch for Active Listings		December 28, 05
	Average List Price	Median List Price	Average Days On Market
Santa Clara County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$732,481	$710,000	48
Single Family over $1M	$2,323,915	$1,749,888	76
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$449,094	$439,880	44
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$764,852	$699,990	53
San Mateo County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$769,782	$759,000	55
Single Family over $1M	$2,955,693	$1,975,000	78
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$463,271	$475,000	52
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$912,101	$739,500	64
Santa Cruz County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$713,932	$725,000	66
Single Family over $1M	$1,936,436	$1,475,000	95
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$477,604	$509,000	48
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$799,013	$749,500	56
Monterey County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$664,841	$650,000	70
Single Family over $1M	$2,602,862	$1,895,000	115
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$412,458	$395,000	68
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$1,348,978	$935,000	87
Contra Costa County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$595,675	$569,950	48
Single Family over $1M	$1,749,712	$1,399,000	54
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$379,671	$359,950	44
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$716,217	$675,000	44
Alameda County, CA
Single Family under $1M	$621,193	$599,950	45
Single Family over $1M	$1,895,107	$1,499,000	64
Condo/Townhome under $600K	$431,498	$425,000	44
Condo/Townhome over $600K	$681,270	$657,400	50

MORTGAGE. National Averages (December 28, 05)*
30-year fixed	Rate - 5.72%	APR - 5.9%
15-year fixed	Rate - 5.3%	APR - 5.59%
5/1 ARM	Rate - 5.26%	APR - 6.48%

* Mortgage rates were collected from publicly available sources (yahoo.com) on the date stated. The accuracy of the information and the availability of these rates are not guaranteed by the publisher. Rates are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Actual market interest rates may vary.

People who do not live in this area, or New York City, or certain pockets such as Rancho Santa Fe, can certainly get a much larger house with property for much less money. But for the last 200 years, the rural outlining areas have been moving to the suburbs of the larger, modern cities. The trend has not changed. Yes, there are people moving to Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, even Oregon as never before, but it does not change the fact that we are running out of prime land to live. Land that was not prime, is becoming prime as it is available and that alone makes it more attractive, particularly if you get more house for the buck.

A home is still one of the best investments you can make.

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Mortgage Rates Slip

Average interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages continued their December decline, dropping to 6.22% this week from 6.26% last week, mortgage finance company Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

Rates on 15-year mortgages dipped to an average of 5.76% this last week.

Freddie Mac also reports Rates on 15-year mortgages dipped to an average of 5.76% in the week ending Thursday from 5.79%.

For the year, the 30-year mortgage rate averaged 5.87%, she said, adding that it averaged 5.84% in 2004.

A year ago rates averaged 5.81% on 30-year mortgages, 5.23% on 15-year mortgages and 4.19% on the one-year adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). This week, the ARM dropped to an average of 5.15% from 5.22%.

Lenders charged an average of 0.5% in fees and points on 30-year mortgages, down from 0.6%.They charged 0.6% on the 15-year mortgage and 0.7% on the one-year ARM, both the same as last week.

[headlines]

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Varig deposits US$ 6.7 million to repay US lessors

Alana Gandra

Reporter - Agência Brasil

Rio - Varig informs that, pursuant to a ruling by the Court of New York, it deposited US$ 6.7 million, yesterday (28), in partial payment of debts owed to US firms from which it leases some of its fleet. The settlement was reached on December 21 at a hearing attended by the president of the company, Marcelo Bottini, and representatives of the leasing firms. The sum will be divided among the 15 airplane lessors.

Judge Robert Drain, of the Court of New York, decided to extend the legal protections on Varig's planes until January 13. The grounds for the judge's decision were that the Brazilian company had complied with Brazilian court rulings to present a Recovery Plan approved by its creditors, had reactivated aircraft that were out of service for maintenance, and had submitted a schedule for repaying its debts to the leasing firms.

According to the company's press office, Varig plans to return to the Court of New York on January 13 with proof of the payments already made to the leasing firms. The company owes the leasing firms a total of US$ 44 million and expects to make good on US$ 19.7 million by the time of the next hearing in New York.

On January 8, Varig expects to present its recovery plan, backed by its creditors, to the 8th Business Court of Rio de Janeiro.

[headlines]

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

Panos Named President of MB Financial Bank; Field to Head Lease Banking

CHICAGO, -- MB Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBFI) - Thomas D. Panos has been named President of MB Financial Bank and Burton J. Field, current MB Financial Bank President, becomes President of Lease Banking, announced Mitchell Feiger, President and CEO of MB Financial, Inc.

In addition to becoming President, Panos remains Chief Commercial Banking Officer and will continue to oversee MB's Commercial Banking business with Ronald D. Santo, MB Financial Bank Chairman.

In his role as President of Lease Banking, Field will retain responsibility for all lease banking activities, remains a member of the company's Senior Management Committee and continues as a director of the bank.

"MB Financial has grown rapidly over the last several years and we remain committed to the value propositions that have made us successful in the marketplace," Feiger said. "Flexibility, senior management accessibility and quick decision making are hallmarks of our company."

Panos has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer of Manufacturers Bank and then its successor, MB Financial Bank, since March 1996. Panos has more than 25 years of commercial banking experience.

Field served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Manufacturers Bank since 1983 and a Director of Manufacturers Bank since 1977. Manufacturers Bank merged into MB Financial Bank in 2001. Field has more than 40 years of banking and finance experience with a particular expertise in leasing, where he has built a national reputation for the bank. Field joined the bank in 1970.

MB Financial, Inc. is a Chicago-based financial holding company which is traded on the NASDAQ as "MBFI." MB Financial has more than $5.6 billion in assets. Information about MB Financial can be found at www.mbfinancial.com. MB Financial Bank, N.A., is a locally-operated financial institution that has been delivering competitive personalized service for more than 90 years to privately-owned companies as well as to individuals who live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area.

SOURCE: MB Financial, Inc.

MB Financial, Inc.
Jill York, 888-422-6562
jyork@mbfinancial.com

[headlines]

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

AeroCentury Corp. Announces Aircraft Transactions

BURLINGAME, Calif., -- AeroCentury Corp.,

(Amex: ACY), an independent aircraft leasing company, today announced the purchase and leaseback of four Fokker 50 aircraft.

The Company recently purchased the four Fokker 50 aircraft, serial numbers 20177, 20181, 20192 and 20202, and subsequently leased them to VLM Airlines N.V.

"We are quite pleased to expand our relationship with VLM," said Neal Crispin, President of AeroCentury. "VLM has been a valued customer since 1998."

VLM Airlines, a regional business airline based in Antwerp, Belgium, started operations in May 1993. In 2004 VLM reported its seventh consecutive year of profit and carried over 553,000 passengers.

AeroCentury is an aircraft operating lessor and finance company specializing in leasing regional aircraft and engines utilizing triple net leases. The Company's aircraft and engines are on lease to regional airlines and commercial users worldwide

[headlines]

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Second Major Financing for Arclight Capital Partners
Arranged by GE Energy Financial Services

STAMFORD, Conn.----GE Energy Financial Services announced today that it has completed the financing and syndication, with its affiliate, GE Capital Markets, Inc., of a $72.8 million senior debt facility for a portfolio of eight power and transmission projects owned by ArcLight Capital Partners. This is the second major financing led by GE Energy Financial Services and GE Capital Markets for ArcLight.

In this transaction, Energy Financial Services underwrote and structured the senior debt facility for Katahdin Power Holdings I, LLC and Katahdin Power Holdings II, LLC, subsidiaries of the funds that ArcLight manages. General Electric Capital Corporation is served as the Administrative Agent for the debt facility, while GE Capital Markets was the Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner for the syndication, which generated strong investor interest and was completed with substantial oversubscription.

The transaction was structured to enable ArcLight, a leading energy investment firm with more than $2.5 billion under management, to monetize a portion of its holdings and have the flexibility to remove or add assets from the facility. The initial assets in the facility include seven contracted power plants and a transmission line, all of which have investment-grade counterparties. All the assets also have strong operating histories, use proven technology, and are located in various US regions.

"GE Energy Financial Services structured a creative and flexible debt facility to accommodate both our monetization and growth objectives," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner of ArcLight Capital Partners.

"Expanding our debt capital markets capabilities is a key to our growth and a natural extension of our financial services," said Tony Shizari, Managing Director and leader of GE Energy Financial Services' Debt Products group. "This second transaction for ArcLight demonstrates our ability to advise, structure, underwrite and arrange energy debt to meet our customers' needs."

In its first transaction for ArcLight in March 2005, Energy Financial Services structured and underwrote the financing of the private equity funds' acquisition of the Lincoln Generating Facility, a 640-megawatt gas-fired, peaking power plant in Manhattan, Illinois.

About GE Energy Financial Services

GE's Energy Financial Services business is based in Stamford, Conn., USA, with European operations based in London. It invests about $3 billion annually in the world's most capital-intensive industry, energy. With more than $10 billion in assets, Energy Financial Services offers structured equity, leveraged leasing, partnerships, project finance and broad-based commercial finance to the global energy industry from wellhead to wall socket. For more information,
visit www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work - a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.ge.com.

CONTACT: GE Energy Financial Services

Ken Koprowski, 203-961-5743

[headlines]

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2005 Top Stories

These are chosen as the most read articles of the month by readers. They are not necessarily the most important or the most useful in the equipment leasing line of business, but more readers chose them than other articles presented by Leasing News.

There were some minor changes, for instance, due to too many stories in the one month. It should be pointed out that the “Top Stories” per week often have little to do with the URL link opened the most. The original formula (percentage) was based on the full year, not for the one week. There are days with less readership than compared with other periods, generally around holidays, such as the last week in December.

Where the headline did not tell the full story, a synopsis is presented, along with the link to the full article.

Here are the Top Stories presented in chronological order:

January

Bob Dolsen Passes Away

The oldest independent leasing company in Washington state
Direct funding source with competitive pricing
$10,000 - $250,000 size transactions
Providing flexible lease and loan programs
Full service lender servicing all eleven Western states
Family owned and operated company

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202005/01-07-05.htm#bob

Six Leave Capitalwerks, Located in Southern California

Six showed up on yesterday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, to tell Jim Raeder and Mark McQuitty they quit. They had received their last paycheck on Friday.

Four were reportedly key personnel, including Quentin Berry, operations, and Arthur Monte, credit, plus Richard Wheeling and another involved in sales, plus two described from a reliable source as “top rookie” sale people."

Accordingly they want to start their own leasing company.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202005/01-18-05.htm#six

---

Failed telecom's chief files Chap. 11

Peter J. Salzano, CEO of the Newark telecommunications company at the center of a nationwide equipment leasing scandal, is facing personal bankruptcy.

The Morris County resident filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, listing debts of more than $1 million, according to court papers.

Salzano's defunct company, NorVergence, has been accused by federal and state officials, including New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey, of defrauding as many as 11,000 small businesses across the country.

In connection with his company's collapse, Salzano has been named in several lawsuits that contend he is liable for NorVergence outstanding bills, which total in the millions.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202005/01-20-05.htm#tele

---

Cybernet Creditors Looking for Money, Find Wine

GRAND RAPIDS -- The hollow boxes with blinking lights are worthless. But there is nothing phony about Barton Watson's corporate wine cellar.

Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $1,354 a bottle. Joseph Phelps Insignia Red worth $450. Grace Family Cabernet at $895.

The bankruptcy trustee overseeing the remains of CyberNET Group plans to auction the company's collection of 1,446 bottles, from Riesling to chardonnay, pinot noir to zinfandel. The money will make a small dent in the millions of dollars owed to creditors.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/January%202005/01-26-05.htm#cybernet

February

NetBank Loss $17.7 Million 4th Q
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202005/02-03-05.htm#netbank

Merrill Lynch Capital Names House National Sales Manager, Equipment Finance

Rick Remiker, Managing Director and Group Head of Merrill Lynch Capital Equipment Finance, is pleased to announce the promotion of Randy House to Director and National Sales Manager for the Equipment Finance group. Based in Dallas, Mr. House assumes national responsibility for the group's direct sales and sales management infrastructure focusing on large-ticket single-investor leases and structured secured debt transactions.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202005/02-08-05.htm#lynch

Dell Sued For the Old Bait-and-Switch
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202005/02-24-05.htm#dell

Looking for Ty and Bill Hanson

“Any info on Ty & Bill Hanson of Conrad & Associates, Carlsbad Ca. 92008. I think my investment of 50k is no more. Got $500 a month or 12% return for 2004. Got January 05, but none for this month. All phones etc off!!! Sold me a Promissory note.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/February%202005/02-25-05.htm#look

March

GE Capital Buys Key Equipment

Tom M. Quindlen, recently appointed Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, GE Commercial Finance, lost no time in making his first bold move, purchasing Key Equipment Finance

“Last October we tried to buy American Express Business Finance, but Key beat us to it,” he said. “LaSalle, you are next! “
(Here is the full "April 1st edition)
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202005/4-01-05.htm

Our Prayers with Bruce Larsen on “Leave of Absence”

We have always kidded Bruce Larsen about his press releases, where he states, “Leasing Partners Capital Inc., the leading equipment and technology leasing company.” as a typical press release that “we are the best.” We are sorry to report his health is requiring he is taking time off. We send him our prayers.

“I am still doing some consulting for LPC for awhile, “he explained.. “You see, I started kidney dialysis today and I want to take a month to figure out my schedule. I am not sure what the big picture looks like just yet, but if all goes well, I will end up getting a kidney transplant sometime this summer. Right now I'm focusing on that and then I can re-think what I'm going to do after that.”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202005/4-11-05.htm#prayer

Karl Probst at Radiance Capital

This move of Karl's has some humor behind it. While Karl was negotiating his new career via email with the owners of the prospect new lease company, he inadvertently emailed his offer and proposal to 172 of Columbia Banks Lending Officers. Opps's...HR called Karl and he was immediately dismissed for improper use of the bank email system.

This seemed to reportedly work out well for all the concerned parties except Karl's wife Kathi who to him he should get a Tattoo in his forehead " DUMMY "

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202005/4-25-05.htm#karl

NorVergence Leases Push Preferred Capital into Receivership
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202005/4-26-05.htm#norv

CapitalWerks Alabama Jury $9 Million Award Tossed Out
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202005/4-26-05.htm#capital

May

Pawnee Closes $57.5MM Revolver Loan
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-02-05.htm#pawnee

Tommy Larsen Passed Away in Jail

Tommy A. Larsen, the feisty president of PinnLease, San Diego, who was recently convicted and sent to jail, died in prison of liver cancer. It was discovered approximately three weeks ago and progressed so fast there was no appeal process started to release him to die with his family, according to San Diego Union-Tribune writer Mike Freeman.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-03-05.htm#tommy

Bill G. Fite Leaves Orix for Key Nat.Sales Mgr.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-10-05.htm#bill

CyberNet Claims total $114 million
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-11-05.htm#cyber

The Fall of NorVergence, Insider's Viewpoint
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-11-05.htm#norv

100 ELA Members Run for Safety at Capital Hill Day

For participants, the Equipment Leasing Association's Capitol Hill Day is always memorable. After all, taking your industry's case to the seat of government is something you don't do every day. But Wednesday was one nobody will ever forget. A few minutes after noon, when authorities evacuated the Capitol building (along with the White House) and then the surrounding area, more than 100 ELA members were crisscrossing Capitol Hill for appointments with their senators and representatives or their staffs. One minute you're explaining the chilling effect of retroactive taxes on business, the next you're running for safety.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-13-05.htm#ela

CIT Names Brown EVP of CIT Equipment Finance, Diversified Industries
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-18-05.htm#cit

Balboa Capital Names John Bunce New Director of Capital Markets
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-19-05.htm#balboa

GE Capital Takes another $2.9 Million NorVergence Hit
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-20-05.htm#gec

John Chase (Chase Leasing) Passed Away May 1
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-20-05.htm#john

$24 Million More in Settlements NorVergence Leases
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-27-05.htm#norv

“Inside” the NorVergence Lease Settlements
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202005/5-27-05.htm#inside

June

Leasing Companies Win One in Court
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-03-05.htm#unfair

Ameriana Recovers $1MM in CMC BK
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-03-05.htm#bancorp

Summit National Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-06-05.htm#summit

IFC Credit Acquires Blue Dot Funding
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-08-05.htm#ifc

EFG Gets Hit for 300 Lap tops
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-10-05.htm#efg

FBI Investigating DVI Officers
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-14-05.htm#FBI

CIT Healthcare Enters Rapidly Growing Heathcare Market
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-21-05.htm#cit

GE to Reorganize Into 6 Business Units"
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-24-05.htm#ge

Partners Equity Capital Rumors
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202005/6-29-05.htm#equity

July

Five Top Salesmen Leave HPSC/GE
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-14-05.htm

Unicyn Financial Companies Announce Major Expansion
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-19-05.htm#unicyn

Key to Expand Facility/Hire 145 More Employees
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-19-05.htm#keyef

CIT to Acquire Healthcare Business Credit Corporation
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-20-05.htm#cit1

Exclusive:
FTC Wins $47 Million NorVergence Lease Judgment
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-25-05.htm#ftc

Former NorVergence chief's new venture falls
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-25-05.htm#norv

IFC Credit Takes NorVergence Wallop
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-28-05.htm#ifc

Controversy: IFC Credit and the word “Wallop”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/July%202005/7-29-05.htm#ifc

August

Brad Peterson Joins Pentech Financial Services, Inc.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-02-2005.htm

OneWorld Leasing Announces Election of New Board Members
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-02-2005.htm#world

U.S. Bancorp Equip. Fin. Names McBeth Executive VP/GM
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-03-05.htm#bancorp

Leasing Schools/Franchisors
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-08-05.htm#school

Gordon R. Roberts Convicted of Theft
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-10-05.htm#theft

My Trip to Chicago—the Windy City
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-11-05.htm#trip

Bill Hanson-Conrad & Associates/CMC Up-Date
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-18-05.htm#cmc

Marlin Leasing Completes $340.6 MM Securitization
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-22-05.htm#marlin

Rick Gatelli, CLP, at Heritage Pacific Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202005/8-24-05.htm#clp

September

“We are coming for the rest of the LC's now!”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-01-05.htm#we

NJ Judge Orders $15 Million to 600 Pennsylvania lessees
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-01-05.htm#judge

Oh, No, Mr. Bill... Not CIT again???

A merchant pays a few percentage points in a credit card transaction, plus enters into a contract of service, plus obtains the dial-up hardware to process the transactions.

“On July 7th I met with a man and his trainee from “NPMG Registered ISP/MSP of JP Morgan Chase' ...Several times I asked what this would cost me and he always answered 2.2% of my credit card sales. He said there were no other fees. The 2.2% was good for any transaction and it was guaranteed for 60 months.

“While signing I was confused by many items...He assured me that the charge for this equipment would come out of the 2.2%...I was told the $99 a month for the machine would be paid by NPMG. That it would come out of my 2.2% and I would never have to pay anything above 2.2%...the (CIT) recording says I owe more than $5500 just to cancel the lease (this is a$250 piece of equipment as advertised on line.) Then to cancel the draconian service contract I would have to pay another $1000 cancellation fee to NPMG

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-06-05.htm#cit

Don Flies back as Wehner Bros. Leave BSB

Skip Wehner, age 36, and Rick Wehner, age 31, have taken their combined twenty years of experience in the leasing industry and started their own company: 5280 Financial, LLC is up and running in Castle Rock, Colorado. The company was named to honor the area, as Denver is a mile high; 5,280 feet.
Skip was in charge of direct sales at BSB Leasing, Denver, Colorado.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-20-05.htm#bsb

Gary McLaughlin passes away
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-23-05.htm#gary

The Original Dave Murray is back

“Dave Murray (Founder of Preferred Lease in Lake Tahoe) has started another leasing company. Denali Capital Corporation, located in San Clemente, CA. Rumor has it he has brought back some of the old employees from Preferred Lease. Does this mean another mass mailer of pre-approved credit cards?” Story outlines who Dave Murray is. No confirmation or comments were received from Mr. Murray.

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/September%202005/9-23-05.htm#dave

October

Uproar re: ELA Convention in Boca Raton
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202005/10-28-05.htm#uproar

ELA Holds Firm on Conference Cancellation Policy
Fleming to Retire
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202005/10-31-05.htm#ela

Huntington Names Schroeder Vice President to Direct Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202005/10-31-05.htm#hunt

November

ELA may return Portion of Boca Raton Registration to Non-Attendees
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-02-05.htm#ela

Readers Comments on Leasing News ELA Conference Uproar
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-02-05.htm#cmmnts

Ira Romoff: Sovereign Buys Independence Bank
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-02-05.htm#ibc

Exclusive Interview with Gary H. Souverein, Pawnee Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-04-05.htm#gary

The Cat is Going to Get You

Editorial: NorVergence Leases, advising those leasing companies who have not made settlements, to do so before the FTC and various government agencies come down hard on you

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-04-05.htm#cat

One Leasing Company (Marlin) Reveals Katrina Hurricane Costs
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-07-05.htm#one

Oregon Abuzz re: QuikTrak Exec. Expose

Matt Hennessee, President and CEO of QuickTrak, Beaverton, Oregon, also an active pastor, civic leader, was accused of sex abuse in the “Oregonian” newspaper.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-07-05.htm#abuz

QuikTrak Moves Hennessee to Administrative Leave
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-08-05.htm#quik

Would you Believe?
EFG is still in Business despite the Rumors and Who is Steve Davis?
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-09-05.htm#efg

Netbank Reports ‘Irregularities'. Delays ¾ Q Earnings
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-11-05.htm#netbank

NetBank reports $3.5MM Loss
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-15-05.htm#netbank

Summit National Chapter 11: Up-Date
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-18-05.htm#summit

Royal Links Scandal Up-Date
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-18-05.htm#royal

ELA Boca Ratan Convention—Up-Date
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-18-05.htm#ela

Leasing firm in Fresno investigated
--EFG subject of lawsuits, fraud inquiry
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-21-05.htm#efg

Dashiell this Thanksgiving
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-23-05.htm#happy

Six Leasing Companies Wait for Pumpkin Pie

Rodney Dixon, was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison on Monday, November 21, 2005. U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall also ordered Dixon to pay $13.3 million in restitution. October 28, 2004, Rodney Dixon admitted falsely inflating his company Lacrad's net worth to defraud six equipment-leasing companies of more than $11.4 million and a Texas bank of $2.25 million for the jet purchase.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-23-05.htm#six

IFC Credit/PFF Bancorp NorVergence Lease Connection
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-29-05.htm#ifc

Paul Menzel, CLP: FTC Investigation of NorVergence Funders

“...NorVergence has exposed the leasing industry to more regulatory scrutiny than in the past.

” Although there is plenty of blame to spread around to all parties concerned, not the least of which is the fraudulent but now bankrupt vendor, the Enron motivated demand for transparency in transactions has arrived at our shore. It is imperative that we rise to the challenge and self regulate our practices to meet the highest of ethical standards.

“The leasing industry is good for the US economy and has provided a good living for those of us who participate in it. Let's not allow greedy practices by a few ruin it for the vast professional and ethical majority.”

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202005/11-30-05.htm#clp

December

Sales Salaries in Atlanta as Compared to the rest of the United States
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-02-05.htm#atlanta

IRA Z. ROMOFF Monthly Report
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-02-05.htm#ira

Rosanne Wilson, CLP, Number One "Broker/Lessor"
--- “Broker/Lessor” List
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-05-05.htm#broker

Rudy Trebels, President IFC Credit, Issues Statement
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-07-05.htm#ifc

What's Behind Marlin's Sr. VP/CFO Resignation?
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-16-05.htm#marlin

Bob Quinn Gone-Again!
--- The Gazelle: “No Public Comment.”
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-07-05.htm#bob

CMC Bill Hanson Files Bankruptcy
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-09-05.htm#cmc

330 Attended the Boca Raton ELA Conference
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-13-05.htm#ela

ELA Convention Registrant Checks in the Mail Today
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-16-05_Extra.htm

Cartoon---Marlin Leasing Hq.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-19-05.htm#toon

Cartoon---Marlin Leasing Accounting Office
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-21-05.htm#toon

Cartoon---Marlin Leasing Sorting
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202005/12-28-05.htm#toon

[headlines]

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

News Briefs----

Bank of America to close $35B MBNA deal
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BANK_OF_AMERICA_MBNA?SITE=
MOSTP&SECTION=BUSINESS

Much of California under flood watch
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/12/29/california.storm.ap/

Winter Storm Shuts Down Roads in Colorado
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051230/D8EQ9UC80.html

Treasury secretary urges Congress to raise the government's borrowing authority
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20051229-1414-debtlimit.html

Internet Sales Show Big Gains Over Holidays
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/technology/30online.html?hp&ex=1136005200&en=
ada63815b3fa31a7&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Consumer confidence index climbs
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2005/12/29/consumer_confidence_index_climbs/

States rushing to lure retirees
http://usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-12-29-recruiting-retirees_x.htm

New Focus for Intel: The Home
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/technology/30chip.html

His Car Smelling Like French Fries, Willie Nelson Sells Biodiesel
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/business/30biowillie.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=
1135927547-4dAJ0mrbHqRri1+AYhjvlA

Drudge Reports

BOOK SALES RACE:

[CURRENTLY ON LIST, TOTAL SCANNED FOR YEAR]

DAVID MCCULLOUGH 1,217,079
TOM FRIEDMAN 1,044,725
FRANK MCCOURT 393,371
DORIS GOODWIN 391,363
JIMMY CARTER 387,612
JON STEWART 368,233
JOHN GROGAN 285,569
JOAN DIDION 265,350
AL FRANKEN 229,843
JAMES CRAMER 173,744
BILLY CRYSTAL 151,509
DR. PHIL 123,905
ALAN ALDA 107,036
MARTHA STEWART 95,881
JOHN MCCAIN 94,204
MAUREEN DOWD 92,836
JIM HENSON 67,239

[headlines]

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

You May Have Missed

Windows Security Flaw Is 'Severe'

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/29/AR2005122901456.html

[headlines]

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

Sports Briefs----

Oklahoma upsets No. 5 Oregon 17-14 in Holiday Bowl
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bowls/2005-12-30-holiday-bowl_x.htm

2005-06 bowl schedule with results to date
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bowls.htm

[headlines]

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

“Gimme that Wine”

Dan Berger: A year-end look back
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2005/12/29/columnists/business/iq_3228315.txt

Connoisseur computer tests wine
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/12/29/wine.tech.ap/

'The Great Wines of America: The Top Forty Vintners, Vineyards, and Vintages" (W.W. Norton, 2005)
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/home/articles/2005/12/29/
authors_expertise_makes_book_an_intoxicating_read/

www.winezap.com

http://www.wine-searcher.com/

If you want to know if you got a value for your wine, or what the wine price is today, go to www.winezap.com Type in the vintage (year) and name of the producer with wine type or geographic area, such as 1995 Chateau Lynch Bages Pauillac. Even 1995 Lynch Bages will work, or 1999 Viader

[headlines]

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

Calendar Events This Day

Day Before New Year´s Eve Day

[headlines]

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Today's Top Event in History

1972 – Officials in Washington , D.C. , announce that the peace talks in Paris between National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese negotiator Le Duc Tho will resume on January 2. President Richard M. Nixon on December 18th ordered a massive air bombardment of military installations in North Vietnam . The heaviest attack since the November, 1968 bombing halt. On December 28, Hanoi agreed to return to the negotiations, and President Nixon ordered a halt to Linebacker II, the intensive bombing campaign of North Vietnam . Nixon initiated the campaign on December 18 when the North Vietnamese, who walked out of the peace negotiations in Paris , refused his ultimatum to return to the talks. During the course of the bombing, 700 B-52 sorties and more than 1,000 fighter-bombers dropped an estimated 20,000 tons of bombs, mostly over the densely populated area between Hanoi and Haiphong . the US (by its own count) lost 15 B-52's & 11 fighter-bombers, with 93 airmen killed or missing. Hanoi claims 76 planes were shot down. Nixon, elected on the campaign with the promise of a "secret" plan to end the war . “The White House tapes” indicate he had none and at the time, was negotiating behind his Secretary of State Kissinger's back. The North Vietnamese realized that Nixon was going to continue to bomb until they came back to the peace table, no matter what Kissinger was or was not telling them. When the communist negotiators returned to Paris , the peace talks moved along quickly. On January 23, 1973, the United States , North Vietnam , the Republic of Vietnam , and the Viet Cong signed a cease-fire agreement that took effect five days later.

[headlines]

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

Today's Top Event in History

    1813 -- Iroquois warriors and British troops capture Buffalo , New York .
http://history.buffalonet.org/1801.html
    1828- First coffee planted in Hawaii (Kona)
http://www.konacoffeefest.com/history.html
http://www.mauicoffeeco.com/history.html
http://www.konacoffee.com/about.html
http://www.kona-coffee-council.com
http://www.kalaheo.com/history.html /estate.htm
    1832 - Hanover College was chartered by the Presbyterian General Assembly of Indiana on November 29 and recognized by the State day to be created as Hanover College on January 1, 1833. for official. The school had been founded as a seminary "in the wilderness" for training ministers 9n 1827,
http://www.hanover.edu/
    1847-Birthday of John Peter Altgeld , born in Germany . He was a very popular and progressive Governor of Illinois, first serving on the Cook County Supreme Court.
( Lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec30.html)
    1853-Gadsden Purchase in Mexico City ; the treaty settled the dispute over the exact location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas , giving the U.S. claim to approximately 29,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona , for the price of $10,000,000. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis sent James Gadsden, U.S. Minister to Mexico , who negotiated the treaty with General Antonio López de Santa Anna, President of Mexico. The plan was to set in motion land to build a southern continental train route to California . The civil war halted many developments, including this one.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec30.html
    1862-The Union ironclad ship USS Monitor ( which achieved fame after her battle with the Merrimac) sank of Cape Hatteras during a storm. Sixteen of her crew were lost. As the Monitor pitched and swayed in the rough seas, the caulking around the gun turret loosened and water began to leak into the hull. More leaks developed as the journey continued. High seas tossed the craft, causing the ship's flat armor bottom to slap the water. Each roll opened more seams, and by nightfall on December 30, the Monitor was in dire straits. At 8:00 p.m., the Monitor 's commander, J.P. Bankhead, signaled the Rhode Island that he wished to abandon ship. The wooden side-wheeler pulled as close as safety allowed to the stricken ironclad, and two lifeboats were lowered to retrieve the crew. Many of the sailors were rescued, but some men were terrified to venture onto the deck in such rough seas. The ironclad's pumps stopped working and the ship sank before 16 crew members could be rescued. Although the Monitor 's service was brief, it signaled a new era in naval combat. The Virginia 's arrival off Hampton Road terrified the U.S. Navy, but the Monitor leveled the playing field. Both sides had ironclads, and the advantage would go to the side that could build more of them. Northern industry would win that battle for the Union .
1867-Birthday of Simon Guggenheim, American capitalist and philanthropist, born at Philadelphia , PA. He established, in memory of his son, the John Somin Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Died Nov 2, 1941 at New York City .
    1890-Birthday of trumpet player/band leader Charlie Creath, born Ironton , MO. Led bands from     1916-1940.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/creath.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,539301,00.html
http://www.bluesworld.com/OTHERPRE.html
    1903 - A fire in the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago killed 588 people; public outrage led to new theater safety codes across America .
    1910 – Paul Bowles, composer, author, husband of Jane Bowles, lives (1910-1999),
New York City .
http://www.lemmus.demon.co.uk/bowles.htm
http://www.charm.net/~brooklyn/People/PaulBowles.html
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/HRC/HRHRC/paulbowles.html
    1905- Former Idaho governor Steunenberg assassinated .Targeted for his role in quelling a miners' strike in 1899, former Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg is wounded by a powerful bomb that is triggered when he opens the gate to his home in Caldwell , Idaho . He died shortly afterwards in his own bed. A former newspaper editor, Steunenberg entered Idaho politics in 1890, when he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1896, he won the Idaho Governor's seat as the head of a coalition of Democrats, Populists, and Republicans who supported the use of silver to back currency. Generally perceived as a friend to labor and the "little man," Steunenberg won a second term as governor in 1896. During this term, he was confronted with one of the most divisive and violent western battles between labor and management of the 19th century. Miners in the rich silver districts near Coeur d'Alene , Idaho , had been struggling to unionize and gain better pay and working conditions since 1892. Radicalized by their initial defeats, an increasing numbers of miners began supporting the violence-prone Western Federation of Miners (WFM), which advocated aggressive tactics and worker control of industry. Alarmed by the growing influence of the WFM, Coeur d'Alene mine owners attempted to bust the union in 1899, and the WFM responded by blowing up one mining company's huge and costly concentrators with dynamite. Disturbed by the miners' violent tactics, the hitherto pro-labor Steunenberg heeded the demands of the powerful mine owners and turned against the WFM, requesting that the federal government send in troops. The soldiers placed the region under martial law and herded hundreds of miners into makeshift prisons, ignoring their constitutional rights to know the charges and evidence against them. Steunenberg's actions restored order in the Idaho silver mines, but also earned him the lasting enmity of many radical WFM members. Six years later, the radicals took their revenge by sending a professional assassin named Harry Orchard to Caldwell . The professional hit man was responsible for planting the bomb that killed the former governor. Orchard was captured, tried, and sentenced to life in prison, and his guilt has never been seriously disputed. However, many were convinced that the plot to kill Steunenberg was supported not just by a radical minority within the WFM, but also by its top leadership. WFM secretary-treasurer William "Big Bill" Haywood was brought up on charges of criminal conspiracy but was found not guilty largely as a result of famous Chicago lawyer Clarence Darrow's brilliant defense. Haywood went on to found the even more radical Industrial Workers of the World.
    1912-The Haas Brothers patented “crepe,” first produced in France the same year, and commenced production in the United States .
http://64.70.222.59/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=
CrepeSuzette&Category_Code=corsets
http://tirocchi.stg.brown.edu/essays/print/parmal.html
    1915-Birthday of singer Brownie McGhee, died Feb. 23,1996.
http://www.io.com/~tbone1/blues/ECblz/bromcg.html
http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_26/brownie.html
http://yazoobluesmailorder.com/vesta13056.htm
    1917 -32ºF (-36ºC) in Mountain City TN (state record) 1917 -37ºF (-38ºC) in Lewisburg WV (state record)
    1918 -John E Hoover decides to be called J Edgar Hoover. he entered (1917) the Dept. of Justice and served (1919-21) as special assistant to Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer . 1872-1936, American politician, b. Moosehead, Pa. Admitted (1893) to the bar, he built up a large law practice, became a leader in the state Democratic party, and served (1909-15) in Congress. In 1912, Palmer helped swing the Democratic convention to nominate Woodrow Wilson for President. Working under Palmer, he directed the so-called Palmer Raids against allegedly radical aliens. President Woodrow Wilson was very anti-black as recording by historians and noted in many books regarding his racism.
(“Lies My Teacher Told Me, “ by James W. Loewan.)
http://www.crimelibrary.com/hoover/hoovermain.htm
    1918-Birthday of pianist Jimmy Jones, Memphis TN
http://www.harlem.org/people/jimmyjones.html
    1924 -- Edwin Hubble announces existence of other galactic systems
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
http://www.edwinhubble.com/hubble_bio_001.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dp24ga.html
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/HubbleLaw.html
http://www.nso.lt/cosmos/hubble.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0937707287/categoricalgeome/
104-3547695-1517507
    1926-Birthday of guitarist James “Jesse” Richard, Mississippi
    1926-Birthday of pianist Stan Tracey, London , England
http://home.achilles.net/~howardm/stantracey/st.shtml
http://www.ejn.it/mus/tracey.htm
    1927 -The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel was incorporated in Los Angeles , CA. Founded in 1923 by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, the denomination recognizes the significant role that women in ministry. Today, over 40% of its ministers are women.
http://www.foursquare.org/
    1928-Birthday of tenor saxophone player Jack Montrose
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927163877&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
http://art.staviator.com/J/Jack_Montrose.html
http://www.jazzmanrecords.com/jacmonpetjol.html
http://windmusicplus.safeshopper.com/469/4236.htm?148
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/135969/
ref%3Dbr%5Fart%5F/104-3547695-1517507
    1928-Brithday of singer/song writer Bo Didley, ( real name Ellas McDaniels ) born McCombs , MS . He auditioned for Chess records in Chicago in 1955 with a song called "Uncle John." When the song was recorded -- the session was produced by legendary blues man Willie Dixon -- the title was changed to the autobiographical "Bo Diddley." "I'm a Man," "You Can't Tell a Book By Its Cover" and "Road Runner" were some of the other Diddley classics. His hard-driving, rhythmic guitar style influenced some of the early recordings of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=88
http://www.turnup-root.com/
http://www.guitarsite.com/BoDiddley.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index_2.html
    1931-Birthday of coach/former baseball player Frank Joseph Torre, New York , NY
    1935-Birthday of Sandy Koufax former sportscaster Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher,
born Brooklyn , NY .
1938-historic recording of Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons “ Boogie Woogie Prayer.” Vacalion
    1939 - birthday of Del Shannon (Charles Westover), born Grand Rapids , Michigan .
(singer: Runaway, Hat's Off to Larry, Little Town Flirt, Keep Searchin' [We'll Follow the Sun]; songwriter: I Go to Pieces; inducted into the Rock
http://www.history-of-rock.com/del_shannon.htm
and Roll Hall of Fame [Mar 15, 1999]; died Feb 8, 1990)
http://www.cchr.org/art/eng/page20.htm
http://www.srv.net/~roxtar/shannon_del.html
    1939-Birthday of bassist/producer/arranger Felix Pappalardi, Bronx , NY Died April 13, 1983
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist.html?artist_id=25076
http://www.pappalardi.com/
http://mars.guestpage.com/home/view.rc?LoginName=pappalardi
    1940-Birthday of drummer Jerry Granelli, San Francisco , C
http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,437701,00.html?artist=Jerry+Granelli
http://www.songtone.com/artists/granelli_link.htm A
http://www.cosmik.com/aa-january00/john55.html
    1942 - Frank Sinatra opened at New York's Paramount Theatre backed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, performed his first solo concert at the Paramount Theatre in New York. This show marked the beginning of the mass hysteria for Sinatra among teen girls, known as bobby-soxers. There was a near-riot in Times Square . The show was scheduled to be a 4-week engagement (his shows turned out to be so popular, he was booked for an additional 4 weeks). An estimated 400 policemen were called out to help curb the excitement. It is said that some of the teenage girls were hired to scream, but many more screamed for free. Sinatra was dubbed ‘The Sultan of Swoon', ‘The Voice that Thrills Millions', and just ‘The Voice'. Whatever he was, it was at this Paramount Theatre engagement that modern pop hysteria was born.
    1944- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys made their first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Wills had been popular for more than a decade by then, but his western swing style -- a combination of western and big band music -- apparently was not favored by the Opry management.
    1946-Davy Jones, lead vocalist of the Monkees, was born in Manchester , England . The Monkees' guitarist, Mike Nesmsith, was born on the same day in 1942. The Monkees were a musical group created by producer Don Kirshner for a television series based on the Beatles' film "A Hard Day's Night." With the help of the songwriting team of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and plenty of studio musicians, the Monkees had a succession of pop hits in the 1960's -- among them, "Last Train to Clarksville " and " Pleasant Valley Sunday."
    1948 - Alfred Drake and Patricia Morrison starred in "Kiss Me Kate" which opened at the New Century Theatre in New York City . Cole Porter composed the music for the classic play that was adapted from Shakespeare's comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew". The show ran for 1,077 performances on the Great White Way .
    1951---Top Hits
Slowpoke - Pee Wee King
Sin (It's No) - Eddy Howard
Down Yonder - Del Wood
Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way - Carl Smith
    1951-The Roy Rogers Show” premiered on TV. This very popular TV western starred Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, as themselves. It also featured Pat Brady as Roger' sidekick who rod a jeep named Nellybelle, the singing group Sons of the Pioneers, Roger's horse Trigger, Evan's horse Buttermilk and a German shepherd named Bullet. This half-hour show was especially popular with young viewers. 1952 -- Tuskegee Institute reports this is first year in 71 years with no lynchings in the country
http://audible.nolanet.org/itemdetail.cfm?ID=786
http://www.counterpunch.org/pipermail/counterpunch-list/2001-June/010465.html
    1953-Trumpet player Chet Baker cuts first strings session for Columbia Records (46174)
    1953 - The film, The Wild One, starring Marlin Brando as a leader of tough motorcyclists terrorizing a small town, debuted in New Yo1953 - The first color television sets went on sale for more than $1,000.
    1954 - Pearl Bailey opened on Broadway in the play, "House of Flowers", about two madams with rival bordellos. Diahann Carroll was also cast in the play, written by Truman Capote. Harold Arlen provided the musical score.
    1954 – Our neighbor in the Pacific Palisades, CA., James Arness made his dramatic TV debut on the "Lux Video Theatre" in "The Chase". The "Gunsmoke" series didn't begin for Arness until the fall of 1955.
    1954-The first athlete who was African-American to win the James E. Sullivan Memorial Trophy was Malvin Greston “Mal” Whitfield of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, a half-miler who was the first choice on 252 of 657 ballots cast by a nationwide tribunal of sports authorities and tabulated this day. Whitfield set the Olympic record for 800 meters in London in 1948 and held the world 880-yard record and the 600-yeard indoor record. The trophy, presented annually since 1940 by the Amateur Athletic Union, is the top award for amateur athletes in the United States
    1959---Top Hits
Why - Frankie Avalon
The Big Hurt - Miss Toni Fisher
It's Time to Cry - Paul Anka
El Paso - Marty Robbins
    1961 - Jack Nicklaus lost to Gary Player in an exhibition match in Miami , Florida . It was Nicklaus' first attempt at pro golf. The following year he entered the pro tour, winning $61,868.95, more than any other rookie golfer in history.
    1963-“Let's Make a Deal” premiered on television. Monty Hall hosted this outrageous and no-skill-required game show. Our neighbor Bernie Gould was the chief writer ( yes, all these shows were scripted for one liners, games, introductions, etc. ). Audience members, many of whom were picked to “make a deal” with Hall by trading something of their own for something they were offered. Sometimes prizes were worthless (“zonks”). At the end of the show, the two people who had won the most were given the option to trade their winnings for a chance at the “Big Deal”,” hidden behind one of three doors. A rival of the show ran from 1990 to 1991 with Bob Hilton as the host.
    1967---Top Hits
Hello Goodbye - The Beatles
Woman, Woman - The Union Gap
Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy Band
For Loving You - Bill Anderson & Jan Howard, jumped into the top spot on Billboard's hit record charts, and stayed Number 1 for 3 weeks.
    1969 - Peter, Paul and Mary received a gold record for the single, "Leaving On a Jet Plane". The song had hit #1 on December 20.
    1969—President Nixon signs off on tax reform. As the 1960s drew to a close, President Richard Nixon signed off on what was then the most far-reaching tax reform bill in U.S. history. The legislation relieved nine million low-income citizens of the burden of paying taxes; it also slashed tax rates for individuals by 5 percent. It was the most far-reaching tax reform bill in US history passed by Congress. Although it removed 9,000,000 of the very poor from federal tax rolls, it was criticized as a measure that aided the rich. The bill, signed by President Nixon on this day, reduced the tax surcharge from 10% to 5% and extended it for six months, reduced the oil depletion allowance from 27.5% to 22%, closed numerous tax loopholes, and increased Social security benefits by 15%.
    1970 - Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest. The suit touched off a bitter feud between McCartney and the others, especially his co writer on many of the Beatles compositions, John Lennon. The partnership officially came to end in 1974.
    1971 -- Daniel Ellsberg indicted by a federal grand jury for releasing Pentagon papers to the news media.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0838198.html
http://ellsberg.net/index.htm
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/72nov/ungar.htm
http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people/Ellsberg/ellsberg98-0.html
    1972 – Officials in Washington , D.C. , announce that the peace talks in Paris between National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese negotiator Le Duc Tho will resume on January 2. President Richard M. Nixon on December 18th ordered a massive air bombardment of military installations in North Vietnam . The heaviest attack since the November, 1968 bombing halt. On December 28, Hanoi agreed to return to the negotiations, and President Nixon ordered a halt to Linebacker II, the intensive bombing campaign of North Vietnam . Nixon initiated the campaign on December 18 when the North Vietnamese, who walked out of the peace negotiations in Paris , refused his ultimatum to return to the talks. During the course of the bombing, 700 B-52 sorties and more than 1,000 fighter-bombers dropped an estimated 20,000 tons of bombs, mostly over the densely populated area between Hanoi and Haiphong . the US (by its own count) lost 15 B-52's & 11 fighter-bombers, with 93 airmen killed or missing. Hanoi claims 76 planes were shot down. Nixon, elected on the campaign with the promise of a "secret" plan to end the war . “The White House tapes” indicate he had none and at the time, was negotiating behind his Secretary of State Kissinger's back. The North Vietnamese realized that Nixon was going to continue to bomb until they came back to the peace table, no matter what Kissinger was or was not telling them. When the communist negotiators returned to Paris , the peace talks moved along quickly. On January 23, 1973, the United States , North Vietnam , the Republic of Vietnam , and the Viet Cong signed a cease-fire agreement that took effect five days later.
    1975---Top Hits
Let's Do It Again - The Staple Singers
Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
Convoy - C.W. McCall
    1975-Birthday of golfer Tiger (Eldrick) Woods, born Cypress , CA .
    1976 - The Smothers Brothers, Tom and Dick, played their last show at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and retired as a team from show business. Each continued as a solo artist. They reunited years later for another stab at TV (on NBC) plus concert appearances that proved very successful.
    1978 - Ohio State University fired Woody Hayes as its football coach, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl after Bauman intercepted an Ohio pass.
    1979- Emerson, Lake and Palmer announced they were splitting up. The trio of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer was enormously popular in the early 1970's with their classically-flavored progressive rock. The trio regrouped in 1986, at first with drummer Cozy Powell substituting for Palmer. But Palmer himself later rejoined Emerson and Lake .
    1980 - The longest-running series in prime-time television history was canceled by NBC. "The Wonderful World of Disney" was axed after more than 25 years on the tube.
    1982 - An uncommon sight in the sky this night, as a ‘blue moon' appeared. It was not really a blue moon, but one unobstructed by pollution and haze - appearing grayish in color. It was the second full moon of the month; a rare event that attracted many sky watchers. Now you know where the expression, “once in a blue moon” came from.
    1983---Top Hits
Say Say Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Say It Isn't So - Daryl Hall-John Oates
Union of the Snake - Duran Duran
Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You) - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
    1983 - ‘Dr. J', Julius Erving, of the Philadelphia 76ers, sank a free throw in the third quarter to become the ninth pro basketball player to score 25,000 points. The 13-year veteran reached his milestone, but the Sixers still lost to the Seattle SuperSonics, 97-93.
    1985- IBM-PC DOS Version 3.2 released
http://a1computers.net/pcdoshis.htm
    1987 -- US: An unusually heavy demand for non-smoking seats aboard a TWA flight from Boston to Los Angeles leads to a complete smoking ban. Toward the end of the flight, 11 passengers protest by lighting cigarettes, & the flight attendant who demands that they be extinguished is physically assaulted.
    1988 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan and President-elect George Bush were subpoenaed to testify at the trial of former White House aide Oliver North on criminal charges stemming from the Iran-Contra affair.
    1991- a girl was born to Bruce Springsteen and wife Patty Scialfa (SKEE-AL'-FUH). It was the couple's second child.
    1991---Top Hits
Black or White - Michael Jackson
It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday - Boyz II Men
All 4 Love - Color Me Badd
My Next Broken Heart - Brooks & Dunn
    1995-Sir Elton John was named a commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year's honors list. He was honored for his service to music and to charity. John donated millions of dollars to AIDS research.
    1995 -- US : Right-to-Life (sic) gunman John C. Salvi III murders Shannon Lowney of Planned Parenthood & Lee Ann Nichols of Pre-term, women's health care clinics in Brookline , Massachusetts . Salvi, who worked in a beauty salon in New Hampshire before his murderous rampage, was described by acquaintances as a "very odd" man. Despite his increasingly erratic behavior, Salvi's parents resisted getting professional treatment for him. As his mental state deteriorated, he became a zealous anti-abortion activist. In March 1996, Salvi's trial jury rejected his insanity defense and convicted him of murder. After receiving two life sentences, he killed himself in prison in November 1996.
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/old-wildcats/spring95/February/
February8,1995/03_3_m.html
http://www.standardtimes.com/daily/03-96/03-19-96/1asalvi.htm
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~noemie/ordering/eval/abort-summary.html

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

American Football Poem

2005 was great because
(And surely you'll all agree)
It's best re-told as what is was:
A piece of poetry…

The Year in Sports began the way
It did the year before.
Those Men of Troy did seize the day,
With flash and points galore.

The BCS was quite the scene.
It left some feelings hurt.
Tiger wore a coat of green,
And Fred Funk wore a skirt

And history went down,
As MNF left ABC.
The Spurs, they won the crown,
And Quiet Tim, the MVP

The Patriots, they won it all.
The Colts, they couldn't lose.
Some Panther girls played in a stall,
While Vikings took a cruise.

And March begat the Madness dream,
The “N-C-Double-A”.
Roy Williams coached the winning team,
Then watched them walk away.

And Wimbledon and Tennis both
Were owned by Roger Federer.
At 81 and 4, his oath
Was “No one else is betterer!”

Giacomo tore the Derby up
When he never should have led it.
And the winner of the Stanley cup?
Somehow I just forget it

That NHL's a rowdy bunch
Whose future lies with Sydney
-And Bertuzzi's back from that kidney punch
Placed high above the kidney

And “Blind” Bud Selig went to trial
-He paid his sport no mind.
But the needle of denial
Soon injected his behind.

And when Rafael Palmeiro
Tried to mimic his commish,
Jose became the hero
Of the water cooler dish.

The White Sox helped a sport in pain,
And won for every fan.
As Kenny Rogers went insane,
And mauled a cameraman

Tony Stewart won the prize
That once was known as Winston
And when Ms. Patrick flashed her eyes,
We drooled within an instant.

Lance went out with grace and pride,
Unlike one Packer cripple.
Tyson lost to Kev' McBride,
But first, he bit his nipple.

And as it nears the end,
Our year resembles its beginning.
With a title to defend,
Those Men of Troy, they keep on winning.

A year so fine as yours and mine
Was such a lovely fix.
I pray a poem this divine
Might be 2006.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/The_Sports_Intellectual/7599

Good night, and God Bless.

See you in 2006.

Kit Menkin

[headlines]